| Author | Message | ||
     kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 369 Registered: 05-2005 |
Havent noticed people on here talking much about gigs recently. Judging by the amount of music we consume I am guessing we must also attend gigs, so this is your chance to tell us about them  My last gig was Drive By Truckers in Glasgow a few weeks ago and they were wonderful - the noise made by that 3 guitar assault had to be heard to be believed. On Sunday, Morrissey is playing The Albert Halls in my home town of Stirling. Really looking forward to this one because this is a small intimate venue which normally plays host to local choirs, drama groups etc and is not known as a traditional concert venue. The only gig I have ever been to in this venue was The Pogues in 1986! | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 119 Registered: 05-2005 |
I saw Sigur Ros at the Enmore theatre in Sydney last week. I have the second album and a burn of "Takk" but, I hate to say it, they are a one trick pony. The gig was O.K. - great use of a muslin gauze in front of the stage where their shadows and other things were projected, the sound was good etc etc but it was a bit too "european theatrical" for my liking. A bit too arch and "posery". Using a bow on a guitar is neat for a couple of songs, but it wears thin after nearly 2 hours. I thought that there wasn't much warmth towards the audience too - they travelled to the opposite side of the globe and yet didn't even bother to learn "thank you" or anything else in English. Zero communication with the audience apart from the music. Some of their songs have no titles but the whole thing seemed to meld into each other. I like ambient music, but this was verging on raspberry coulee - very nice in small portions over a dessert but boring when it comprises the whole meal. I must have been the only one who felt like that though - the crowd gave them a very un- rock and rolly standing ovation! The crowd was also amazing in it's quiet both during and between songs. I'm hoping to see Augie March on the 27th at the Yallah roadhouse. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 316 Registered: 05-2005 |
I saw the blind Malian couple Amadou and Mariam in front of about 250 people in the Basement Bar in Sydney last night. (I mistakenly said they were Senegalese on this board previously). It was a fantastic show, they really were superb. I even danced (well, I clapped my hands, bent my knees a little and swayed gently from side to side. This is as close as my 181 cm/105 kilo frame gets to dancing). Mariam is absolutely tiny - like Mother Teresa type small. They both seemed really happy with the crowd response. The band was very tight - three French blokes and another African (presumably Malian, but I don't know). The bassist, who also played acoustic on some songs, looks like the kind of put upon guy in French movies who does the right thing and gets the girl eventually. Think Zorg in Betty Blue. Amadou is a great guitarist too. They did not play Senegal Fast Food (the song that made me think they were Senegalese), but I was listening to it on the bus home after the show and I think Manu Chao sings a lot of the vocals on it and Mariam is not on it at all, which is perhaps why they don't play it live. Mariam was off stage for several songs, mainly the older stuff. They played most of the current album (so it was like a greatest hits show for me as that's the only album of theirs I have - soon to be rectified I hope) but the older songs stood up fine against them too. One old song had a very Led Zeppelin-like guitar solo at the end. I could instantly see wny Robert Plant is such a fan of Malian music. A very special night. If Malian blues/soul (call it world if you must) music sounds like your cup of tea, make sure you see them when they play your town. | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 117 Registered: 07-2005 |
I've got some tickets to see Bruce Springteen with the Seeger session Band at the Manchester Arena (it's the smaller hall -so hopefully not too bad). Usaully boycot these larger venues but I'm a big Bruce fan.I know he's not so popular here with everyone but he's done some great work particularly the qieter folkier LPs | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 373 Registered: 05-2005 |
Geoff, shame you didn't really dig Sigur Ros. I think they fill a void. They fill agap that's missing in the rock world. If this band was aorund in '87, it would probably startle people, but because there's lots of people trying to do this stuff (not as good as Sigur Ros) we've become desesnsetised if you know what I mean. They are quite a mysterious band, and they are odd, like the Sugarcubes before them. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 374 Registered: 05-2005 |
Oh, I had my pop head on and saw Nada Surf at Sheperds Bush Empire, really great. An MOR band called The Feeling were on too, very good. And I saw and tookkpart in a Blue Aeroplanes acoustic session for Radio 2. They are the last gigs me been to. hoping to catch Shack soon. | ||
| Guy Ewald Member Username: Guy_ewald Post Number: 156 Registered: 02-2005 |
We get out to hear music fairly regularly. We saw Stereolab at Town Hall last month. Minus 5 (with Peter Buck) with The (great) Silos a couple weeks ago; Antietam with Eleventh Dream Day last weekend - both of those at the Mercury Lounge. The Fleshtones (one of America's musical treasures) are coming up at Magnetic Field in Brooklyn in a couple weeks and we got Tom Verlaine tickets for the Bowery Ballroom next month... a Thursday night. They'll probably announce the Friday gig after they sell most of the tix for Thursday and we'll end up going to both shows. | ||
| Matt Ellis Member Username: Matt_ellis Post Number: 105 Registered: 11-2004 |
I agree with you Kevin. I have got used to the poor response to interest in gigs on the board even in relation to The Go-Be’s. I noticed it particularly last year (which looking back) was a bumper year for The Go-Betweens in terms of gigs. I sent a meandering post asking if anybody had any thoughts on possible gigs this year – nobody replied. Yet threads were going strong on subjects like best Go-Be’s gigs in the mid 80’s and 60’s bands re-issues. I get the impression that most folks on here are aged 30 plus, have family commitments or are 'locationally challenged within the gig-related arena', and perhaps don’t go to many gigs. I’m nearly 29 but I guess I’m at the other end of the spectrum as I go on average to around two gigs a week! A brilliant band that are playing all over the place in the UK at the moment – The Young Knives – On appearance they are three of the geekiest guys in town! Imagine a fella looking like (a much younger) Harold Bishop on bass who is known to all as ‘The House of Lords’. They’ve been described as looking like 3 geography teachers (wasn’t the same said of Robert Forster!?) They have nearly grown out of being an underground band and sneeked to #36 in the UK charts with their last single. They remind me of the Go-Be’s as they appear bookish and manage to combine witty lyrics with catchy choruses. They also make regular appearances on their band bulletin board. I would be delighted to hear from any folks on here who are Young Knives fans, if your not a fan I fully recommend going to www.theyoungknives.com | ||
| Hardin Smith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 363 Registered: 03-2006 |
"Locationally challenged" - excellent phraseology, Matt, and as it happens, it perfectly describes my situation re: gigs. Everybody and his brother comes through L.A., a mere 40 miles up the road from me. But, for all the time, trouble and traffic you go through to get up there, it'd just as soon be Brisbane. I pretty much have to take off work to make it to a gig...plus, anymore, they're all so frigging expensive - it seems like your basic run of the mill artist is gonna cost $50-100 a ticket, and that's not including parking, drinks (a must)...So, you really have to want to see them. Jerry, I'm a huge fan of the Boss, am eagerly awaiting his new record and plan to brave going up to L.A. (speaking of) when he comes out here in June. It sounds, based on samples I've heard and stuff I've read, like it's going to a cracking album! Padraig, Very tasty-sounding gig...that Amadou and Mariam album last year was a real highlight for me, so I'd love to see 'em. | ||
| Guy Ewald Member Username: Guy_ewald Post Number: 157 Registered: 02-2005 |
$50-$100 a ticket... I just can't see it. Especially for a big show in a big place where insult and discomfort are slathered onto the experience. I think we paid $35 a ticket for Stereolab and that seemed a little steep. Tom Verlaine is $25. Even going to a club with a $10 or $15 cover charge adds up pretty quickly for a two people with a taxi cab to and fro, drinks, etc. I don't mind paying cover charges, but I won't get hosed (and frisked on my way in) to "see" some celebrity at Madison Square Garden. Truth be told, the economics of live music are pretty dire for low level performers. Back when I started going to CBGB's 30 years ago the cover was $6 or $8, but a beer was only $1.50. The beers are now four times as expensive, but the cover charge hasn't even doubled. | ||
| Hardin Smith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 365 Registered: 03-2006 |
Yes, it makes you prioritize your musical interests mighty quickly...and to be fair, it's 50-100 for the bigger, arena shows around here- it is a little cheaper for smaller clubs, more in the 20-30 range, but still... One of my main options for live music here is the House of Blues in Anaheim, and it's a total exercise in masochism...crowded - so you practically have to get there by lunch time to guarantee a decent vantage point for an evening show...and expensive - I think the Pretenders recent show there was around 50 bucks. And again, to be fair, I have seen some affordably priced shows at the Wiltern in L.A. But overall, music DVDs are seeming more and more like the ticket... Sounds like you've got access to tons of great live music though, Guy...not to mention the legendary CBGB's. I lost that particular plot though - I thought it was going to fold...did somebody come through with some cash to bail 'em out? | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 370 Registered: 05-2005 |
Prices fluctuate here in the UK - tickets for Morrissey were £35(inc add ons) - approx 63 dollars. Given that his setlist from Manchester last night showed he only played approx 1 hour and did 17 songs(one of which was the encore!) it doesnt exactly add up to value for money. The DBTs were £15 (inc add ons) - approx 27 dollars - they played for 2.5 hours - something doesnt quite add up there | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 376 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Young Knives sound intriguing Matt. I went on to Napster and downloaded some singles and an Ep called "Young Knives are dead". I would categorise them as post post punk - definite Wire influence in the way one of the vocalist has that deadpan English vocal style. Another vocalist (I assume) was going off on a John Lydon tip on one of the tracks. Another track had a guitar style very reminiscent of the way Robert played rhythm on B4 H'wood, while another ripped off the La la la refrain from the Banana Splits (one for our older readers there!). The closest contemporary band I would compare them to would be Art Brut maybe. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 319 Registered: 05-2005 |
Forgot to mention that Amadou and Mariam's drummer (whose name seems to be Evil - at least that's how Amadou prnounced it!) counted in their songs with "un, deux, trois, quatre". This, of course, makes perfect sense with them all speaking French and all, but it tickled me nonetheless. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 358 Registered: 03-2005 |
The House of Blues is a beeg rrreep-off. Hardin, the Go-Bees were at the Troubadour, a dinky little place. I suppose I paid about $30 plus Ticketmaster's extortion. Obviously worth it. I went to the Hotel Cafe on Cahuenga to see Royalchord last year and was nonplussed by the tiny $6 cover for a night with three different acts playing about 50 minutes each. And while I did drink, I do not remember there being a drink minimum. So it's still possible. But, yeah, you've got that distance thing to deal with. Matt, you are right. Once we hit some deadly age, other s--t starts to intrude on our activity decisions. In my case, it's the matter of having to be competent when I show up at work the next day because I'm in charge. I'm lucky if I go to two shows a month and I live right in the middle of a bunch of great little venues. And some of it is pure laziness. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 377 Registered: 05-2005 |
Matt I'd like to go to gigs, 2 a week, if only there were 2 decent bands tosee a week!!!!!!! Londodn, has ever, has all the good gigs, and I'm in birmingham. | ||
| Guy Ewald Member Username: Guy_ewald Post Number: 158 Registered: 02-2005 |
Hardin, I mentioned CBGB's because I remember the economics of it and I did happen to go there to see some friends in the past year, but it stopped being a meaningful club a LONG time ago... basically any idiots can pay-to-play there. Many of the best clubs are now in Brooklyn, where younger people are likely to be living. The Go-Betweens played at Southpaw last year... great show. | ||
| Matt Ellis Member Username: Matt_ellis Post Number: 107 Registered: 11-2004 |
Randy, your right - I suppose your comment made me look at 'the whole pie viz-a-viz my current life situation' (I'm sorry everybody I'm overdosing on borrowed phraseology from The Office..well it makes me laugh, and I hope at the same time it makes some sense! I'm glad you liked it Hardin) I sometimes forget that London is possibly one of the best places to catch live music...it's one of the reasons why I moved here lest I forget. I also gear my finances into going to as many gigs as I can! However talking about prices...I do baulk and often don't attend things like Fiona Apple at £35 and James Brown at £45. At the other end of the spectrum I've just bought a ticket for Vincent Vincent & The Villains at the mightly Camden Barfly for £6 - Brilliant band. Vincent is Edwyn Collins listening to too much Buddy Holly. Is it me or is 'Do Wop' the new trend, It's going to take over garage rock very soon. You heard it here first kids :-) Fantastic Kevin! - Re:The Young Knives. We Go-Betweens fans seem to be an open minded bunch..willing to try recommended stuff. I know for a fact that I wouldn't have The Apartments and The Pernice Brothers back catalogues if it wasn't for this site LOL Never thought of 'post post punk' but it's bob on. Out of interest which Banana Splits song is it? - you compared it to 'Walking On The Autobahn' I think. Would like to download it. Kevin, for further ref I heartily recommend The Young Knives 'Junky Music Make My Heart Beat Faster' EP - 2 of their best songs are on it. Spence, The aforementioned Young Knives are playing Birmingham Academy 3rd of June...It's a winner (hence..I will be going) | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 321 Registered: 05-2005 |
Reasons for not going to as many gigs as before: 1 Being a responsible parent. 2 Moving to the 'burbs. 3 The cost makes you more selective. I've been to three gigs this year so far (The Go-Betweens, Riff Random and Amadou & Mariam). In Dublin I used to see three gigs pretty much every fortnight as I lived within a few minutes walk of both Whelans and Vicar Street (Dublin's two best venues by far). Being a parent did not make that much difference to my gig going in Dublin as I was at home five minutes after leaving Whelans or 10 minutes after leaving Vicar Street; but it has made a huge difference in Sydney, where I live 12ks (that's 7.5 miles yankees) from the city centre. Also (and I really don't mean this to come across as wanky, but it probably will anyway) I was always on the guest list in Dublin because of the work I did there. I think I paid for one concert in Dublin between 1999-2002. Not having to pay is a surefire way to get me to go to a gig! Come on - I'm sure I'm not the only one on this board who was a guest list slut? I have to say though, that I often gave my plus ones to complete strangers as my mates (even the music geek ones) just did not go to as many gigs as I did. But that was then; now the reality is I'm a suburban dad with a limited budget (money and time) for expensive concerts. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 384 Registered: 05-2005 |
Matt, regards the Banana Splits it looks like your youth has sheltered you from the fact that they were characters from a (hanna-barbera i think) childrens programme from the 60s. my memory is not what it was, but I think there were 3 or 4 of them who used to get up to all kinds of adventures, the programme may also have included cartoons. Our American cousins can probably fill in the gaps for us. The music would probably be described as throwaway bubblegum pop. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 362 Registered: 03-2005 |
I think the Banana Splits cartoon might have been early 70s. It followed in the wake of the Archies. In any case the music made for the show was indeed throwaway bubblegum pop. The Dickies have left us a much more suitable permanent record with their cover of the Banana Splits theme song, sped up as always. See if you can pull a quick download of it from somewhere, Matt, to see what Kevin means about the "la, la, la-ing." But "la, la, la-ing" has an honorable history. My personal favorite is the "la, la, la's" on The Small Faces' 1966 mod soul classic "Understanding." There was no attempt at falsetto, just 2 or 3 very blokey sounding males "la, la, la-ing" for a between verse hook. This, with the policeman's whistle at just the right moments, made for magic. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 390 Registered: 05-2005 |
my favourite la la la would be the outro to Hot Love by T Rex | ||
| Guy Ewald Member Username: Guy_ewald Post Number: 159 Registered: 02-2005 |
RE: Guest Lists. I deejayed at Maxwell's in Hoboken (across the Hudson River from Manhattan) once or twice a week for almost ten years so I never paid there. I drank for free when I was "working" and rarely paid for a drink on nights when I wasn't. I also wrote for the NY Rocker (for a very brief spell) and that, coupled with my deejay status got me onto guest lists in New York City too. This is all going back a couple of decades. Being part of a scene is the best. | ||
| Hardin Smith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 371 Registered: 03-2006 |
Randy, I haven't explored the L.A. music scene as much as I'd like to, but the Troubador is definitely on the list - certainly has a lot of history attached to it. My girlfriend is really into all the venerable old L.A. bars and restaurants, but just doesn't have the burning music obsession. Hence, seeing gigs isn't a priority, anyway...She likes to go to the Wiltern though, because it's an excuse to go to El Cholo, right on the way... And, CBGB's is maybe not so much on the list, next time I'm in NY, Guy...you've talked me out of it...did they at least change out the old piss for some new designer piss smell? Padraig, your story about the drummer counting off, reminds me of something funny I read about Ari Up, of the Slits: supposedly she counted off not to set the tempo, but because she thought it was just a ritual all bands practiced before starting songs...gotta love her...that, coupled with the image of that great cover of her and her fellow mud-bespattered Slits... | ||
| Guy Ewald Member Username: Guy_ewald Post Number: 160 Registered: 02-2005 |
To their credit, CBGB's remains unchanged. I think they negotiated a short extention on their lease, but after next fall, finito! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 372 Registered: 03-2005 |
Somewhere on these threads I mentioned that I was committed to go see Suzanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet and was not looking forward to it after hearing the note-for-note copy of "And Your Bird Can Sing" that they did. On the morning of the show I heard their note-for-note copy of "Cinnamon Girl" playing over a shopping mall's sound system. This was not looking like a promising evening. But when they came on, they got me by starting out with Marmalade's "I See the Rain" which is one of the great 1960s psychedelic classics that VERY few americans know about. It was note-for-note also except for the unnecessarily busy guitar breaks by Greg Leisz (sp?), but that choice had me hooked for the show. They did "Cinnamon Girl" and "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere" successfully enough. "Care of Cell 44" and "Alone Again Or" got away from them. They did "Monday Monday." It was inevitable that Suzanna Hoffs would do a Mamas & Papas tune, but I wish it had been "Twelve Thirty." I still don't really see the point of doing straight copy covers of older material but it does make for an enjoyable live gig. And Hoffs and Sweet really put themselves into it. In fact, when they did "Manic Monday" for one of their encore numbers it was so lifeless and, best of all, Suzanna totally forgot the lyrics in the middle, that you realized just how much fun they had touring around playing their personal favorites. But I'm still not buying the record. Suzanna looked great. I wonder if she's had work done. Opening act was Quarter After. They were saddled with the usual opening-act crappy sound but I think they were promising, apparently heavily influenced by The Byrds, Michael Nesmith, Neil Young and Gene Clark. The only off part was the last song which was too authentic a psychedelic freak out of the 1968 variety. We don't do the right sort of drugs any longer to put up with those long boring workouts. | ||
| Jonathan Evans Member Username: Jon Post Number: 16 Registered: 04-2005 |
Over the last month or so, I've seen:- Jim Noir @ Bar Fever in Wigan - An acoustic show because the drummer wasn't well so they changed things around. Different but still good. Graham Coxon @ Carling Academy in Liverpool - A good night was had by all (not sure if I'd have had a better night watching Liverpool beat Birmingham 7-0 though). Sigur Ros @ Apollo in Manchester - As it's been stated above excellent use of lighting and screens, but after an hour and a bit.........it's can I go home now. Morrissey @ Lowry Centre in Manchester (Salford actually) - An amazing show, could have done with been a bit longer (only about 1hr 15mins). Did play Girlfriend in a Coma so everyone went home happy. Mozza was on top form having a go at Radio 1 and Bono. Can I move on to up and coming gigs.... 25/04 Flaming Lips @ Manchester Apollo. 26/04 Billy Bragg @ Liverpool Carling Academy. 28/04 Billy Bragg @ Manchester Bridgewater Hall. 02/05 Snow Patrol @ Manchester Ritz. Other late May and June - I'll try and keep you informed!!! Cheers Jon | ||
| Hardin Smith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 394 Registered: 03-2006 |
Re Sweet/Hoffs: I picked up that disc, Randy, and completely understand the ambiguity they inspire. There's a guy, Mark Kozelek, who I'm sure you're all familiar with, who's known for doing covers that are radical departures from the originals, that are, in fact, unrecogizable as such...S/H take the exact opposite tack: their covers are note perfect, 1000 % faithful to the original. So, despite being delightful and fun, their disc is also completely inessential, particularly if you already possess all the originals...still, they get points, I think, for bringing a certain level of joy and zest to the whole endeavor...as well as their great taste in covers, not to mention their excellent harmonizing... And yeah, on the cover, SH looks incredible - interesting to hear that that impression held up seeing her in person and wasn't just photographic trickery...yet MS looks a little like he's gone to seed a bit...she must have 10 years on him though, huh? |