As you may or may not know, Chi Cheng (bass player of Deftones) was in a car accident in November 2008 and is currently in a “minimally conscious” state.
I’ve previously posted links to the website set up to raise funds for his care and i make no apologies for doing so again. Please donate…. oneloveforchi.
Over the last 3 and bit years Chi has been very slowly making progress and at the beginning of this month there was a heart warming and encouraging moment when he lifted his leg on request. It’s one very small step in a long, long road to recovery.
Deftones are and always will be one of my favourite bands but, even though their last album and latest live shows were phenomenal, i just can’t help but feel their not quite complete without the presence of Chi. My best wishes go out to all the Cheng and Deftones family.
It’s been a while since i dedicated a post just straight down the line to the wonder that is cover versions……well it’s been a while since i did a post at all actually! But here are some absolutely sublime cover versions that have been tickling my ears recently.
Some are old ones i’ve had lying around for a while and some are ones i’ve just discovered. For example, i was unaware of MBV covering THAT classic! Anyways, have a listen and feel free to download.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG – WE HAVE ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD
No, this is not what the title may portray it as. This isn’t some disastrous homemade bestiality video featuring Bugs Bunny and Roger Rabbit…….
Now we’ve gotten that out of the way i’ll get to the point. Last week when i was bored and randomly perusing the, hugely time consuming and downright distracting, website that is known as YouTube i happened upon this cover of “Sextape” (a Deftones original) by a band called Bad Rabbits. I had never heard of the band before so this was my first listen to them and i was taken in right away by the amazing voice of Dua Boakye.
They have an EP out entitled “Stick Up Kids” and it’s available for free download at their website. I’d highly recommend giving it a listen.
Their debut full length is due to drop in early summer or maybe, hopefully, earlier. They’ve even managed to bring Deftones’ Chino Moreno to guest on a track on said album. Which exact track he guests on is a mystery but the little snippet on display in this video promises a lot.
Bad Rabbits are a band i look forward to hearing a lot more from in the future.
The best albums of 2010, much the same as 2009, were ridiculously hard to narrow down into a final 30. But after much of the obligatory mulling over nominees and usual bits of chopping and changing positions i’ve finally got a Top 30 Countdown. It was a pretty spectacular twelve months in terms of music. Full of all sorts of aural delights.
As customary the countdown is from Numero 30 to Numero 1 and with a short little description of each album. I’ve tried to keep it to short as i’m pushed for time and it is a school night afterall so it’s early to bed tonight for me.
30. !!! – STRANGE WEATHER ISN’T IT?
A colourful return to form from the dance punk Cali-NY group.
29. GIL SCOTT HERON – I’M NEW HERE
There’s still life in the old dog yet. Putting most of todays young guns to shame with this “post-modernised” blues album.
28. FUTURE ISLANDS – IN EVENING AIR
Fresh and backed with the unique voice of Samuel T Herring this album provided Future Islands with a huge step towards global recognition.
27. NEDRY – CONDOR
Glitch laden, echo filled debut from this seemingly ever evolving trio.
26. BLACKBIRD BLACKBIRD – SUMMER HEART
Released on Christmas Day, this was the perfect stocking filler from Blackbird Blackbird. A collection of dream pop classics.
25. HOLY FUCK – LATIN
Holy Fuck? Holy Funk more like. Instrumental lords at their best but with added funkability.
24. MEURSAULT – ALL CREATURES WILL MAKE MERRY
Epic, sombre, intriguing album from the Scottish lo-fi folk experimentalists.
23. BATHS – CERULEAN
A wonderfully textured body of work forms the debut of Will Wiesenfeld aka Baths.
22. WARPAINT – THE FOOL
The all girl four piece dropped one of the most anticipated albums of 2010 and didn’t disappoint with “The Fool”.
21. THE NATIONAL – HIGH VIOLET
It had been a while, so to say, since the indie kids favourite miserablists had released a full length effort and this summer release was a blinding reminder of what they’re capable of.
20. MOUNT KIMBIE – CROOKS AND LOVERS
Blending every type of music there is into just under 40 minutes may seem impossible to most. Not to these guys though.
19. THESE NEW PURITANS – HIDDEN
The sounds of a band truly finding themselves has never been more enjoyable.
18. BEACH HOUSE – TEEN DREAM
Beguilling and warm. This mysterious offering only makes me love Beach House more than i already did.
17. WILD NOTHING – GEMINI
Unmistakably influenced by the 80’s, this wide eyed debut from Jack Tatum and co is literally summer on a disc.
16. GAYNGS – RELAYTED
The compelling tribe of artists known as Gayngs were always going to give us something special with all the collective talent they have in their possession.
15. FLYING LOTUS – COSMOGRAMMA
Giving us another multi layered odyssey was always going to be the main target for one of the most consistent IDM artists out there. He succeeded in typical mesmerising fashion.
14. SALEM – KING NIGHT
Mysterious, cold yet tender and encapsulating. A chilling album from these dark hosts.
13. ERRORS – COME DOWN WITH ME
Following up debut album “It’s Not Something…” was always gonna be hard but Errors managed to seemingly effortlessly succeed. Never has electronic instrumental music sounded so cool.
12. SURFER BLOOD – ASTRO COAST
With vocal melodies and lyrics evoking a heavier Beach Boys this was one of the first albums of 2010 that made my ears prick up and pay serious attention when it came out last January.
11. TOBACCO – MANIAC MEAT
The main man from Black Moth Super Rainbow continues his solo project in style. Roping in Beck for some guest vocals on this aggressive 16 track LP.
10. EIGHTIES MATCHBOX B-LINE DISASTER – BLOOD AND FIRE
The Brighton legends returned to form and then some with this tight, well structured sonically enticing outpouring. Sprucing up a few older tracks and adding in some amazing new ones was the perfect way to keep there notoriously loyal fans more than happy.
9. FOUR TET – THERE IS LOVE IN YOU
Keiran Hebden never lets us down and last years album was no different. Maybe more tender/softer than previous releases in some areas and certainly not as complicated but still groovy enough to make you want to dance away to your heart’s content.
8. ARCADE FIRE – THE SUBURBS
The big one that everybody was and still is talking about. The album that turned Arcade Fire from indie playlist stalwarts to world renowned epic song possessing music Gods.
7. PANTHA DU PRINCE – BLACK NOISE
Another early bird, released in February ’10, that stuck around in my head all year long. An expressive and ever expanding work of art.
6. GOLD PANDA – LUCKY SHINER
Previous EP releases from Gold Panda gave us an idea of what was gonna be in store for his debut album but nothing could have prepared us for the twist and turns that “Lucky Shiner” slides through. It’s a story of an album. One that’s worth reading over and over again.
5. DEFTONES – DIAMOND EYES
There’s no doubt about it, the Deftones are timeless. Diamond Eyes was a long time coming. The band have been through a very tough time over the last few year and if anybody deserves to be praised this year it is them. Combining styles form all of their previous albums to create an elegant piece of alternative rock. Nobody does it as good as the Deftones. They’ve been around for over two decades but show no sign of slowing up and tracks like “Royal” show they still have that bite that all other modern rock bands envy. They’ve left their calling card once again.
4. MF/MB/ – FOLDED
This was a late discovery of mine last year. I’m honest enough to admit i’d never even heard of the band until a friend recommended them to me in the winter. And what a recommendation. The material on this album ranges from the simple stuff to the extravagant experimental stuff. Staying sublime the whole way through and not losing sight of the art rock/pop stylings.
3. KANYE WEST – MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED FANTASY
The best word i can think of to describe this album is primordial. It’s the beginning of a new vein of hip hop and RnB. Jam packed full of special guests ranging from Jay Z to Bon Iver and full of ideas. It’s an essential listen from start to end.
2. 65DAYSOFSTATIC – WE WERE EXPLODING ANYWAY
Colossal riffs and beats as always from the Sheffield masters of post rock. Adding that little something different with each passing song. They’re gaining an ever growing fan base throughout the world and it’s easy to hear why. They’re at the forefront of everything that is modern instrumental music. They’re the pioneers of sonic brutality and this album shows that they plan on keeping that title for a long time to come.
and the WINNER of Best Album of 2010 is…..
1. O.CHILDREN – O.CHILDREN
The self titled effort form O.Children was pretty much a shoe in for Number 1 on this list from the moment i heard it. You’d need to reform Death From Above 1979 and get them in a studio with Queens of the Stone Age to make the best album they possibly could to even make me THINK about changing my mind on this one. Back to O.Children though, being named after a Nick Cave song meant they were always going to be dark/gothic but they’ve just taken dark and made it darker. Eerie in parts,atmpospheric and always moody and intense. They wear their influences on their sleeve (Joy Divison, Echo and the Bunnymen etc) and use them to carve their own niche. They embrace the miserable side of things and somehow turn it into catchy hooks and perfectly timed choruses. They’ve sombrely embraced the world and with this album as their introduction the world will surely return the favour. They deserve it.
I’ve made ZIP files with one track from each album and posted them on mediafire. Below are the tracks included and download links.
SIT WOLF: TOP 30 ALBUMS OF 2010 (Part 1) 30. !!! – AM/FM 29. Gil Scott Heron – Me And The Devil 28. Future Islands – Tin Man 27. Nedry – A42 26. Blackbird Blackbird – Avalanche 25. Holy Fuck – Stay Lit 24. Meursault – One Day This’ll All Be Fields 23. Baths – Maximalist 22. Warpaint – Shadows 21. The National – Runaway 20. Mt. Kimbie – Ruby 19. These New Puritans – Attack Music 18. Beach House – Silver Soul 17. Wild Nothing – Live In Dreams 16. Gayngs – Crystal Rope
DOWNLOAD PART 1 (30-16) here
SIT WOLF: TOP 30 ALBUMS OF 2010 PART 2 15. Flying Lotus – Do The Astral Plane 14. Salem – Frost
13. Errors – Antipode 12. Surfer Blood – Floating Vibes 11. Tobacco – Fresh Hex (feat. Beck) 10. Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster – Monsieur Cutts 9. Four Tet – Sing 8. Arcade Fire – Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) 7. Pantha Du Prince – Lay In A Shimmer 6. Gold Panda – Parents 5. Deftones – You’ve Seen The Butcher 4. MF/MB/ – 1000 Times 3. Kanye West – So Appalled 2. 65daysofstatic – Crash Tactics 1. O.Children – Ruins
DOWNLOAD PART 2 (15-1) here
Last week a friend i hadn’t spoken to in a while got in touch to wish me Merry Christmas, we had a little online chat and the like as you do. We won’t be able to physically catch up for a good while (he lives in France) but we’re gonna keep in touch through the internet and swap music, pictures etc. The other night we swapped some “boredom fighting” games. I enlightened him to the Google “You Need…..” game* and he gave me this one….
“Using only song names by a single band/artist, answer these questions. You can’t use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title.”
Roman used Nine Inch Nails. I used Deftones.
So here are our conclusions…..
ROMANS LIFE ACCORDING TO NINE INCH NAILS:
Pick your Artist: Nine Inch Nails
Are you a male or female: Mr Self Destruct
Describe yourself: Big Man With A Gun
How do you feel: Head Like A Hole
Describe where you currently live: Year Zero
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: The Beginning Of The End
Your favourite form of transportation: The Downward Spiral
Your best friend is: God Given
You and your best friends are: We’re In This Together
What’s the weather like: A Warm Place
Favourite time of day: The Day The World Went Away
If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: Just Like You Imagined
What is life to you: Somewhat Damaged
Your relationship: Ringfinger
Your fear: March Of The Pigs
What is the best advice you have to give: Everyday Is Exactly The Same
Thought for the Day: Love Is Not Enough
How I would like to die: Into The Void
My soul’s present condition: Something I Can Never Have
MY LIFE ACCORDING TO DEFTONES:
Pick your Artist: Deftones
Are you a male or female: Birthmark
Describe yourself: Passenger
How do you feel: Bored
Describe where you currently live: My Own Summer
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Hole In The Earth
Your favourite form of transportation: Be Quiet And Drive
Your best friend is: Teenager
You and your best friends are: Mein
What’s the weather like: Dai The Flu
Favourite time of day: When Girls Telephone Boys
If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: Anniversary Of An Uninteresting Event
What is life to you: If Only Tonight We Could Sleep
Your relationship: Sextape
Your fear: Deathblow
What is the best advice you have to give: This Place Is Death
Thought for the Day: Change
How I would like to die: Minus Blindfold
My soul’s present condition: Needles And Pins
Give it a go yourself and feel free to leave your “Life According To Music” results in the comments section.
S.I.T Wolf X
* The Google “You Need….” game is easy to play. Just type your first name into Google followed by the word “needs” and record the first ten results. So for example i would type “John needs”. I’ve posted my results from this game in last summer.
The fourth edition of “Are Friends Eclectic?” is a very special one indeed. I’ve managed to convince a certain guy to take time out from his hectic day and give us an insight into his musical tastes and whatever else takes his fancy.
Yes, that’s the real Santa right there. Yes he smokes. Yes, that’s a half coconut/pineapple concoction and cocktail in his right hand. Yes, he sticks a white beard over his “manly goatee” and no, the big red suit’s not at the dry cleaners. He’s dressing down this year.
SIT WOLF: Describe music in 5 or less words.
SANTA: Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas! SIT WOLF: Nice start. Also, it isn’t Christmas yet.
SANTS: It’s always Christmas. SIT WOLF: Ok, whatever, answer the question?
SANTA: Music in 5 words or less? Mistletoe and Wine.
SIT WOLF: What was the first album you bought?
SANTA: Usually i just steal albums off of all the naughty children. I’m experienced at handling packages now and can usually tell which ones are CD’s so if a certain kid has been bad and doesn’t deserve his Cliff Richard album then i’ll keep it all for myself or put it in Mrs Claus’ stocking as an extra. SIT WOLF: So you’ve never bought one?
SANTA: I have bought one or two yes. The first one i bought was the single “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday” by Wizzard. That was a while ago now.
SIT WOLF: What was the last album you bought?
SANTA: I purchased Low’s “Christmas EP” off of the mincePIEtunes website last week. I gave it to one of the elves who was getting a little too festive for my liking. It depressed him accordingly. I don’t like my workers to get too happy at Christmas. I run a tight ship through the months of November and December. It’s head down, arse up, all out work. The lazy bastards get the rest of the year off anyway.
SIT WOLF: What are your views on illegal downloading/file sharing?
SANTA: Well i can’t wrap up MP3’s so that’s a big fat bearded NO from me! Buy the CDs children!
SIT WOLF: What was your very first gig?
SANTA: Ah, i remember this fondly. It was in a small igloo in Lapland in 1916. Cliff Richard was only in his early twenties then, what show he put on.
SIT WOLF: What was your last gig?
SANTA: I was at Paul McCartneys gig in Liverpool on Monday night there (20th December). I was intent on keeping a low profile but i got a little carried away after a few brandy’s and couldn’t resist singing along to his Christmas songs. I had to make a swift exit before i got mobbed by fans. Luckily Rudolph is off the beer in preparation for the the big journey so when i paged him and asked him to pick me up he was there within 5 minutes.
SIT WOLF: What’s the next gig you’re going to?
SANTA: It’ll probably be next year. I think Sleigh Bells are touring Lapland next summer.
SIT WOLF: If you were stuck on a desert island and told that you could only listen to 3 albums over and over again for the rest of your life, what would they be?
SANTA: That’s an easy one. “A Santa Cause: A Punk Rock Christmas”, it’s various artists doing Christmas cover songs. “Christmas with Johnny Cash” is another favourite, his style of music blends so well with the Christmas spirit. The third one would be “Phil Spectors Christmas Album”. Full of classics that is.
SIT WOLF: What 3 songs are currently on constant rotation on your IPod/MP3 Player?
SANTA: “Santa Baby” by Kylie Minogue, it puts me in the mood to ravish Ms Claus….whilst thinking of Kylie of course. Don’t tell her that though. SIT WOLF: She might be reading this. Do you have Wi-Fi in Lapland?
SANTA: She better not be reading this. She better be helping the rest of those little fuckers pack up my sleigh! SIT WOLF: You’re a slave driver Santa, a slave driver!
SANTA: Please, call me Nick. SIT WOLF: Ok, Nick, what other 2 songs are making you stroke your beard with delight?
SANTA: I love Dave Bazan’s voice so Pedro The Lions “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” is always a favourite. The last one is one i always play when i’ve dropped the last present off at the last house and my work is done. It’s a track by The Legendary Tiger Man called “Fuck Christmas, I Got The Blues”. Killer track.
SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite remixes?
SANTA: Anything off of the “A Mutated Christmas” by Corporal Blossom and the “I’m Dreaming Of A White Noise Christmas” mash up by 65daysofstatic. My favourite remix right now though has to be “Jingle Bells” remix by Dan The Automator.
SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite films?
SANTA: Oh there are so many! What are yours? I hope i’m in your favourites! SIT WOLF: I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.
SANTA: Bad Santa makes me laugh so hard that the buttons on my jacket pop so that’s gotta be in there. SIT WOLF: Are you sure they don’t just pop cos you’re a fat fuck?
SANTA: So would you be if you ate cookies at every house you went into! SIT WOLF: Anyways, we’re not here to discuss your weight problems fatty. Another 2 films please.
SANTA: I’m festivally plump not fat! Other 2 favourites are Home Alone and Miracle on 35th Street. SIT WOLF: You mean 34th Street?
SANTA: No, 35th. It was the sequel! Ahahahaha! What are your favourite festive films then? SIT WOLF: Die Hard, Scrooged and Love Actually.
SANTA: Love Actually? Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite websites?
SANTA: I’ll say Illegal Art so that i can big up the aforementioned Corporal Blossom christmas album. My all time favourite website is www.northpole.com, it has everything you need to contact me! I also love my page on wikipedia. Can i put one in for Rudolph and his pals? SIT WOLF: Go on then, since it’s Christmas.
SANTA: Thank you! It’s Reindeer Coffee.com. The best hot drinks in all the land!
SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite blogs?
SANTA: Oh i’m very clued up and tuned into the blogosphere. As soon as the laptop’s on the first blogs i check are always 365 Days of Christmas, Claus Chronicles and any blog that has good Christmas food recipes! I love my Christmas cooking!
SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite cover versions?
SANTA: I love Far’s take on “Do They Know It’s Christmas”, that little added bonus of Chino Moreno and other friends pushes it along nicely too. Sugarcult cover “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” pretty well and…. SIT WOLF: Yes?
SANTA: Maybe Matt Cardle’s new Biffy Clyro cover? SIT WOLF: Get your sack and leave!
SANTA: I jest i jest! The Enemy doing “Last Christmas” for the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge a few years back was a nice touch.
SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite music videos?
SANTA: Mariah is pretty hot and has a great set…of eh……eyes, so i’d put her video for “All I Want For Christmas Is You” at number 1. Watching the Band Aid video always gets me in the mood too. Boy George does my tits in though. Well we’re on the subject of being annoyed, know what else rips my knitting? That new Coca Cola one with those fucking bastards Train in it! What was wrong with the old Coca Cola song and me and the side of a big lorry. They’ve went and ruined it by using those gleamy teethed All American do gooders. I’m not racist by the way. SIT WOLF: Clearly not. A third video o’ bearded one? Once you’ve calmed down obviously. Here, have another shot of Christmas liquor.
SANTA: Thank you child, don’t mind if i do. Now that third video, it’ll need to be The Darkness “Christmas Time”. I like the cheekiness of it. Don’t Let The Bells End hahaha. Get it. SIT WOLF: Yes, i get it for fuck sake. Moving on.
SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite TV shows?
SANTA: Father Ted solely because it’s Christmas Special kicks all other Christmas Specials arses! The Alan Partridge Christmas special was another favourite of mine. To add a little bit of crudeness i’ll say A Very Special Christmas With Beavis and Butthead.
SIT WOLF: Do you play an instrument? If so, which one?
SANTA: I practice throughout the year on everything and anything. My favourite is the harp. Even if it does get caught in my beard sometimes.
SIT WOLF: If you could make a Supergroup (5 members) that you’d love to hear who would be in it and what would their name be?
SANTA: The name would be very original…..Santa’s Little Helpers. I’d have Cliff Richard on lead vocals with Shane McGowan passed out on the floor next to him adding occasional vocal harmonies. Mr Blobby playing drums. Matt Cardle’s head and other limbs as the kick drum and drumsticks. SIT WOLF: That’s two singers, one drum kit and a drummer. What about the actual music you’d need, the melodies? Or is it gonna be vocals and drums only?
SANTA: Gimme a minute here. I’ve got it! Bing Crosby on piano. There that’s 5.
SIT WOLF: Give me and the readers 3 bands that you think we might not know but we should check out?
SANTA: Santa Esmeralda, they’re a French-American disco group from the 70’s. Yes, we have Snow Disco parties. They’re amazing, you should come next year. Another would be The Reindeer Section, who are a Scottish supergroup consisting of members from Belle and Sebastian, Arab Strap, Idlewild and many more. Dark Elf is another one to check out. He’s one of my most musically minded workers. His music’s trancey, almost hypnotic. Perfect for the long nights.
SIT WOLF: What would your ideal gig be (3 bands)? And where would it be?
SANTA: It would be in the Antarctic and it would consist of Slade, proceeded by Elton John and finished off with East 17. SIT WOLF: That’s a pretty shit gig.
SANTA: It’s only so i can hear the Christmas classics that they’re famous for live and in the flesh. SIT WOLF: It’d be pretty hard to get East 17 together again. We’ll need to go pull Brian Harvey out from underneath hos own car first. We could always tie and rope to the end of your sleigh and try and tow/pill him out.
SANTA: I know what NOT too bring Brain this year for Christmas. Baked potatoes!
SIT WOLF: Who are your 3 favourite writers?
SANTA: Goes without saying really that Charles Dickens is one. The other two would need to be William Shakespeare and Ferrol Sam.
SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite books?
SANTA: Christmas Beginning by Anne Perry, A Plain and Simple Christmas by Amy Clipston and Christmas In Hell by Michael Lent.
SIT WOLF: What songs best encapsulate your moods? A) Happy B) Sad C) Angry D) Lonely
SANTA:
A) Jackson 5 – Frosty The Snowman
B) Gary Jules – Mad World
C) The Mr T Experience – Merry Fuckin’ Christmas
D) Merle Haggard – If We Make It Through December
SIT WOLF: Who, in your opinion, are the 3 most attractive males in music?
SANTA: Cliff Richard, Roy Wood and Noddy Holder. SIT WOLF: You baffle me.
SIT WOLF: Who, in your opinion, are the 3 most attractive females in music?
SANTA: Katy Perry (in the Ms Santa suit), Mariah Carey and Kylie Minogue.
SIT WOLF: What are your 3 favourite album covers?
SANTA: For sheer cringe value i’ll need to say Air Supplys “The Christmas Album”. For some “what the fuck?” value i’ll say Rudy Ray Moore with “This Ain’t No White Christmas” and my all time favourite album cover is James Browns “Funky Christmas”. The Godfather of Soul is the only man who makes the famed red and white hat look nearly as cool as i do.
SIT WOLF: What word best sums your musical tastes up?
SANTA: Crackers? SIT WOLF: Sounds about right.
WORD ASSOCIATION: SIT WOLF words in bold. If anybody doesn’t know how to play word association (which i’m sure everybody does but i’ll explain anyway) it basically involves someone saying a word and you instantly reply with the first word that comes to mind.
Ok, this time i’ve put a bit of a spin on the usual Word Assosciation game. It’s has a little more of a Christmas-sy feel to it.
ADVERT – Coke BUFFET – Sprouts! CAROLS – Out of tune DECORATIONS – Stressful EVE – Busy FESTIVE – Drunk GREETINGS – Cards HO HO HO – Prostitutes IGLOO – House JOKES – Crackers KNITWEAR – Bad jumpers LANTERN – Dark MISTLETOE – Kiss NATIVITY – Play ORNAMENTS – Snow globes PRESENTS – Giving QUEUES – Jumpable REINDEER – Lazy SANTA – Amazing, of course TREE – Lights URBAN LEGEND – Me! VIXEN – The lazy one WRAPPING PAPER – Effort XMAS – Should be an illegal word, it’s Christmas! Not Crimbo, Xmas or any other abbreviation! YULETIDE – Festival ZEBRA (Apologies for lack of imagination!) – James The Christmas Zebra Game!
SIT WOLF: And that brings to an end our Christmas Eve interview. Thank you for taking time out of your no doubt busy schedule.
SANTA: It’s been a pleasure. I really must dash though. Rudolph and those other 8 lazy bastards are waiting outside, we’re in a rush, i need to get to the off licence before 10pm to pick up a carryout for the sleigh ride. Bye bye!
Tired of the same old boring Christmas songs year after year? The same songs in the same style every December? Fear no more…..
This is a Christmas mix with a little bit of a twist. Nothing too “out there” or but different enough to keep you from going insane with the sounds of X-Factor garbage or other annually released festive “songs” ringing in your ears.
The mix starts off with an epic track from Mew and goes into some Christmassy pop and funk then we head into Christmas cover territory and mix it in with some fuzz from the Crocodiles, Dum Dum Girls and a boy/girl cracker (pardon the pun) in the form of The Hives and Cyndi Lauper. After that the mood drops slightly with some more sombre and thoughtful numbers….but wait, we’re rescued by E from Eels telling everything’s gonna be cool! Then Maps serenades all the mistletoe lovers with his version of East 17’s “Stay Another Day”, Band of Horses make us glow like Christmas trees with “The First Song” then Jonah, Chino and Grady give us their take on the Band Aid classic. After that it’s time to test the ears. Can you recognise all the different versions of of “White Christmas” that Corporal Blossom has mashed together? We end with 65daysofstatic take on the same classic song. And if your brave auditory system can get through the joyous white noise you’ll be rewarded with the little Christmas bonus of Arcade Fire having fun doing a version of “Jingle Bell Rock”. Full tracklist below.
An Alternative Christmas
————————————
1. Mew – She Came Home For Christmas
2. Best Coast and Wavves – Got Something For You
3. James Brown – Soulful Christmas
4. Summer Camp – Christmas Wrapping (The Waitresses cover)
5. Jimmy Eat World – Last Christmas (Wham cover)
6. Weezer – O’ Come All Ye Faithful (Christmas carol cover)
7. The Hives and Cyndi Lauper – A Christmas Duel
8. Death Cab For Cutie – Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) (Darlene Love cover)
9. Crocodiles and The Dum Dum Girls – Merry Christmas (Baby, Please Don’t Die)
10. Asobi Seksu – Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight) (The Ramones cover)
11. The Boy Least Likely To – Christmas Isn’t Christmas
12. Bon Iver – Blood Bank
13. Frightened Rabbit – It’s Christmas So We’ll Stop
14. E – Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas
15. Maps – Stay Another Day (East 17 cover)
16. Band Of Horses – The First Song
17. Far, Deftones and Will Haven – Do They Know It’s Christmas (Band Aid cover)
18. Corporal Blossom – White Christmas
19. 65daysofstatic – I’m Dreaming Of A White Noise Christmas
20. Arcade Fire – Jingle Bell Rock
or have a listen first on the Soundcloud link below and then head on over there and download it.
I made the mix 70 minutes long so that it will fit nice and snugly onto a CD and you can entertain/bore your family with it over Christmas dinner. I’ve already made a few CDs up for my friends and family.
S.I.T Wolf X
ps. I’ve had to hold off the “Are Friends….” interview with Santa till during the week. He was busy this weekend, said he was wrapping stuff up or some shit like that. Fucking amateur.
Yes it’s been a while, almost a week exactly, since i got to sit down and even consider a post. There’s been a lot going on, mainly gigs and stuff but there was also the long awaited visit from one of my best friends Keane. He’s been studying in Dundee (you may remember i posted about going to visit him in September) and has hardly had the time to see friends back down here in Glasgow so it was a massive plus that we could go to the Deftones gig together when he was back “home”. I bought him a ticket as his birthday present.
So, to the Deftones gig.
It was a while since the Deftones last played here in Glasgow and i could feel the anticipation building in the crowd from the moment i entered the arena. The chants of “Chino! Chino!” ring around the hall before the band have even contemplated hitting the stage. In fact the mere site of a soundman coming on to clear some debris after the support act (Coheed and Cambria for those interested…i wasn’t) have finished is enough to provoke adoring screams for the Sacramento quintet. When they do finally take to the stage the roar is deafening. All 5 members look genuinely awed and grateful at the reaction of they’re adoring Glasgow public. The crowd itself is made up of all sorts of people. Old die hard fans and new fans alike. There’s the skaters, students, girlfriends who look like they’ve been forced along, rap fans, frustrated nu-metallers, young girls who have clearly only heard new album “Diamond Eyes” mixed in with the older generation who are desperate to hear tracks off “Adrenaline” but isn’t that what it’s all about? Deftones are at a really good point in their career now were they have the luxury of being able to gain new fans AND still be able to hold on to the old ones. Those girls who knew every word to every song off of “Diamond Eyes” but no other ones will now go and check out the bands back catalogue (if they hadn’t already) and immerse themselves in this great bands history. This can only be good for the Deftones future. Oh and there was one guy who looked about 70. I’m assuming he misread the sign outside the O2 Academy and thought Dick Dale’s backing band The Deltones were playing. He seemed to enjoy himself anyway. So did i. From the moment they opened with “Rocket Skates” the mood was set. This was going to be one LOUD and pumped up, throat shredding show from Mr Moreno and his gang. They plowed and blitzed their way through a perfect set that ranged from “quieter” number such as Digital Bath onto the aggressive tracks like Lotion and many more. If i was to be picky i’d only have one kinda complaint…that nothing off debut album “Adrenaline” was aired but when they play a classic mix of old and new tracks so well then how can i even comtemplate complaining really. My favourite moment was early on in the show when there was a back to back segment of “Around The Fur”, “My Own Summer” and “Be Quiet and Drive” and “Lotion”. With the album “Around The Fur” being my favourite Deftones album there was nothing more i could ask for really. Well except maybe Max Cavalera making a special appearance for a version of “Headup”. One can but dream!
There was one notable absentee from the show. Original bassist Chi Cheng is still making slow progress from his car accident 2 years ago. Sergio Vega, however, was a more than able replacement. I know i’ve posted this link before but i’ll do it again….oneloveforchi. Please help out.
There’s some footage of the Glasgow gig on YouTube at the moment but it’s not the best quality so here’s one from the recent tour of the USA and Canada a few months back before they embarked on Europe. I think this is fantastic quality for a fan made video.
The Deftones gig was on Friday passed. Last night there was the small matter of Edinburgh troubadour Withered Hand at Stereo. Armed with a sore throat and a guitar he resolutely took to the stage and single handedly stole my heart…along with the rest of the crowds too. He holds his small but ever swelling fan base in the palm of his hand during live shows. All attention is focussed purely on this fragile yet strong voice. It’s the first time i’ve managed to see him live. The closest i’d came before was YouTube clips. It’s safe to say i wasn’t disappointed. He blissfully sang his way through a performance of odes that reached out and touched people who know exactly where he is coming from with his thought provoking and sometimes darkly humoured lyrics. A one man show for Scotland to be proud of.
Last night i was supposed to be going to see The Blood Arm at Captains Rest but alas i was defeated by man flu and had to refrain. Which is a shame cos i was looking forward to catching these guys live.
Tonight it’s Gold Panda at King Tuts. I’ve seen him live before and his blend of weirdness and electronics should have the King Tuts crowd in a jitterbug dancey state. I’m excited. Just hope the flu clears up at least a bit.
On Friday, London’s Ex Libras roll back in to town after their successful show at The 13th Note back in May. This time it’s the turn of The Buff Club sound system to be treated to their unique blend of “post break beat” attacks as the band continue with their tour of the UK in support of the recently released “Cut(s)” EP.
Saturday i’m off to Kilmarnock for the EP launch of Mechanical Smile. A few of my friends play in the band so it’s good to see the guys get another night to celebrate their music in style. They filmed their first music video a few weeks back. As soon as it hits YouTube i’ll be sure to post it. Meanwhile, here’s a live version.
And on Sunday it’s the big one. The 6 or 7 hour long relaxed eclectic minimal electro night at the O2 ABC. Headlined by Caribou who is ably backed by Four Tet, Nathan Fake, James Holden and Rocketnumbernine. I’m going to work my way through a lot of weed at this one i can guarantee that. I’ve long been looking forward to seeing Four Tet, James Holden and Nathan Fake live once again. But seeing them all together on the same night will be extra special. Caribou and Rocketnumbernine are acts as i’ve yet to experience live so that’s something to really look forward to.
Two weeks ago i bought my ticket for the Deftones. They’re playing the Glasgow Academy on the 12th of November. I’ve seen them every time they have visited these shores since around 2002. If they’ve played Glasgow i’ve been there. Obviously it’s been a while since their last visit here. One of the main reasons being the serious car accident involving bassist Chi Cheng in November 2008. If you would like to know the full story or even donate money to help the stricken bassist then go on over to oneloveforchi.
Deftones returned to our ears with a new album in May this year and after having a good few months of listening to it i’m ready to hear it live. I’m sure they’ll play the majority of the album but they’ll also play some oldies which i’m really looking forward to. I love hearing the likes of “Around The Fur” and “My Own Summer” live, they still sound fresh after all these years.
But the point of this post was to get some Deftones cover tracks up. Deftones have recorded a massive variety of covers since their formation in 1988. They’ve tackled everything from new romantic pop (Duran Duran) through to thrash metal (Slayer) amd everything and anything else inbetween. I’ve got most of them on my hard-drive.
The band have been the subject of many a cover themselves by lots of different artists and styles. One of the most intriguing is the String Quartet version of “RX Queen”. I have a lot of the String Quartet tribute albums and CD’s lying around, they’re mostly compilations i’ve made including covers of my favourite bands. I’ll do a post on the String Quartet sometime in the near future.
I’m sure most of you are aware that today is the summer solstice. The day when the sun stands still. The longest day of the year when the summer is at its brightest.
Todays solstice has certainly lived up to it’s billing so far, it’s been yet another fantastic day weather wise. So to celebrate the summer getting into full swing and the beginning of the long, long summer nights, barbecues and parties here is a list of summer based tracks i had lying around on the laptop. They vary from summer holidays through to summer romance and more.
Summer also means festivals. Sadly though this year will be the first year since 200o that i have missed T in the Park. In previous years i’ve also managed to take in summer festivals in Germany and Austria. Both were unforgettable experiences. In fact the only musical festivities i’ll be taking in this year is that of the West End Festival in Glasgow.
I suppose it’ll be a nice change and for once i won’t have to wake up boiling hot and hungover in a tiny polyester tent……….who am i kidding? I’m gonna miss it big time. Festivals made my summer to an extent but the new house takes priority this year and if i’m lucky i may be able to fit in a big festival of some sort at the end of the summer or maybe even September. There’s always ATP as well at the end of the year.
Summer also brings that old tingling warm sensation, literally. It’s called sunburn and a few of my friends have already been “lobsterified” this summer. So has this dude below, why is he still smiling!? Feel the burn!
Ps. Today is also my big sister Lisa’s birthday. 29 today! I’ve tx and phoned her so i might as well go for the treble and wish her a good one on here as well, Happy Birthday Lis! xxxx
She’s away on holiday at the moment so i gave her the prezzies a few days back. Among them was Iggy and The Stooges “Raw Power” Special Edition. A fine choice if you ask me.
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Someones In The Wolf 