Tonight in Manchester

Love this poster, by artist David Bailey.

The Return of Croc v Croc!

It's been a while but they're back, tonight at the Art School. And what a line up they have! It's pretty much every good band in Glasgow right now:

Remember Remember
Ultimate Thrush
Divorce
Pro Life
North American War
BONG MONSTER
Holy Mountain
The Cosmic Dead
The John Knox Sex Club
Gropetown
Tangles

More info on the Facebook page.

Geek's corner: MLRV 2

MLRV is a free sampling instrument designed for live performance with grid controllers like Akai's Mp x series and the Monome. It runs with Max/Msp (and can therefore be heavily customised), although Pc and Mac users alike can download a free runtime if they don't have that software.

I'm not entirely sure how its functionality differs from Ableton Live's, so I'll have to wait until the first of February, when it becomes available for download. Here's a beautiful live demonstration by Galapagoose:

too many from t.gill on Vimeo.

Check out the MLRV 2 in greater detail.

BEN BUTLER: Skwee tomorrow! & "Worm" EP

Synth fans, tomorrow sees the first installment of Ben Butler & Mousepad's new skwee night at Stereo, with DJing from the man himself and Wavy Graves, and a special live set from Finland's Mesak (Harmonia). It sounds like top notch fun, and if you don't know what Skwee is, check out this mix from BB&MP, or watch this clip from the documentary "We Call It Skwee":

We call it Skweee -mini preview from David Giese on Vimeo.

BB&MP have a new EP up for sale on their Bandcamp at the moment too, called "Worm", which was recorded using all analogue synths and no sequencers at Worm Studios in Rotterdam. This is actually a bit less skwee than usual, but still packed full of synthy goodness.

MUNGO'S HI-FI Interview

Tonight sees the LAST EVER Mungo's Hi-FI at the Glasgow School of Art, before Scotland's number 1 reggae and dubstep sound system move on to pastures green(er). I caught up with Mungo's selectah Doug to ask about the move, and the future plans:

So why is Mungo's Hi Fi leaving the Art School?

Firstly, and most importantly, it's closing down in the summer for a 2 year refurbishment, so we needed to find a new venue in any case. The impetus to go was made stronger when 2 of the last 5 dates we had for 2011 were given away to other nights.

And where to after that?

So on to Stereo on Renfield Lane. We like the folks that run it, we like the other nights that are on there and we are allowed to use our sound system. It's a bit small, but that means the bass will be nuts and it will be rammed, making for what we love best - vibes.

What was the best night you had at the Arty?

That's a really hard question - I've written them all up in our blog so maybe we could have a vote on it? I guess if you waterboarded me for an answer I would say February with Kenny Knots. Check the recording and there's a wee video as well.




How did it compare to the venue before that, the Woodside Social Club?

The Woodside was beautifully intimate - it felt more like a house party. But we really wanted to bring some other acts to Glasgow, and we needed a bigger venue like the Artschool to make it viable. What we discovered though, was that people weren't too fussed about the guests, and just wanted to come out for a dance, so it didn't matter too much who we brought, we'd still get the same sort of numbers turning up. Which is why we are now re-focussing on bringing the acts we want to see, and not caring if they have a profile that will bring a crowd.

What have you got forthcoming on Scotch Bonnet?

Our next release on Scotch Bonnet is a 12" coming out at the beginning of January and is called Everyman Different. It's a reworking of Errol Dunkley's original, and Tom has made has made a rough riddim track for it. The vinyls are in the studio and ready to rock. Soon after that will come the massive Play Music Selector release featuring Little John and Jah Thomas, with mixes from Mungo's and RSD, and extra vocals from Lady Ann and Ranking Levy...Then a Japan exclusive Sound System Champions 2 to coincide with our tour there in February, followed by a Mexican exclusive, and a general release. We're working on an album with Soom T, and there is a shed load of other crackers waiting to bust out.

And how is Scrub A Dub going?

Scrub a Dub is going well, with a huge response to our last release called Vampayaa. The vocal is by PupaJim (coming to Glasgow in May) with Tayo and Acid Rockers on the riddim track, with massive remixes by Marcus Visionary, RSD and Starkey. Next up is our Refix of Eek a Mouse's Hire and Removal, then we hope Yellowman's Ram Dance Master.



Why did you decide to start another label exactly?

We started Scrub a Dub to be able to go a bit further with the electronic side to our music which our core Scotch Bonnet fans might not be able to stomach. But the two labels seem to be converging which I take to mean that we are managing to tread the middle path.

What has been your most popular record so far (of any genre)?

I think the most popular record we have released has been Belly Ska. It was on our first 10" on Scotch Bonnet but then we revisited it on two more 10"s and since then we get remixes and mashups coming in pretty much every month. General Levy and several other vocalists have included versions on their albums and it has been played live by many touring bands. Just this week I found a video with Luciano and Mikey General finishing off their set with it, and I got a new remix from Dubatak in Sao Paolo. See below to download

What new producers (from Jamaica or further afield) are you diggin right now?

Disrupt the Jahtari label boss has to come top of the list. Brand new album coming out with Soom T in January with the launch night at our first night in Stereo.
RSD - Rob Smith of Smith and Mighty fame has a lot of synergies with us, and he seems to have the knack of making truly excellent music time after time.
I could go on, but I'll stop there.

Has there been an anthem of 2010 for you?

I guess 'International Roots' featuring Earl 16 on the Bad From riddim has the ring of an anthem, and has also be doing the remix rounds with LD's release on Dub Police.



How was your summer - any gigs anywhere exciting?

Last summer was unforgettable cos we took the sound system all over Europe, through Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and finishing up in Croatia for the Outlook Festival, which was just the icing on the cake. We ran a stage all week in a squatted Austro-Hungarian Sea Fort on the Adriatic with an insane lineup. We are already signed up for 2011.

What's so special about Reggae anyway?

Reggae is one of the richest relatively untapped seams of musical heritage. And it has a future as well as a past, which many people fail to be able to visualise. It is a worldwide heritage fuelled by ganga and good vibes. But I'm not going to convince you by chatting about it - the only way is to experience it on a real sound system. Why not come down to the Artschool tonight to hear what all the fuss is about?



Doug mentioned above a remix of the Mungo's classic "Belly Ska" by Brazil's Dubatak - well he's been kind enough to let us give it away for free, bless 'im:


MUNGO'S HIFI Belly Ska (Dubatak Remix) by littlerockrecords

Radio Magnetic Winter Rave Tonight

This is also on tonight, should Mungo's prove to be sold out:

Magic Waves this weekend

The ammount of awesomeness at Magic Waves this weekend is mind blowing:



And if you can't be there fear not, you can listen to the whole thing live on Intergalactic FM (on Channel One aka "Murder Capital"). Yowsah!

Kelvin Brown dj set @ Swing Ting

Another great mix form Mr Kelvin Brown, this time recorded at the Manchester club night Swing Ting and featuring MCs Fox and Diamond. This takes in garage, hip-hop, R&B and dancehall, with a smattering of classics to keep the oldies happy. For more info on Swing Ting visit their blog.

Goblin live in Glasgow

The Gods of Awesome smile on us for once - it has been announced that the legendary Italian soundtrack band Goblin will be appearing live in Glasgow next February, as part of the Glasgow Film Festival! Some of us have been awaiting this moment for years. Goblin provided the soundtrack to horror classics like Dawn Of The Dead, Suspiria, Phenomena, Tenebre and many more. Here is clip of Goblin performing "Tenebre" a couple of years ago, a song famously sampled by French electro act Justice for their hit "We Suck Massive Donkey Knobs":



This truly is a time to rejoice my friends! More on the Goblin gig here. In other news, there seemes to be a mini-Giallo revival going on at the moment, what with Darren Aronofsky's The Black Swan said to be heavily influenced by Dario Argento, and the film "Amer" being even more of an hommage. Apparently it is like a filmic tone-poem and features no dialogue - I for one am intrigued:

Raymond Scott: Music, Machines & Mystery

I went to a great event here on Sunday evening - the Manchester premiere of a new documentary on the American composer/inventor Raymond Scott, directed by his son Stan Warnow. On the bill, along with the film itself, were special Scott-themed live sets by local acts Demdike Stare, Illum Sphere v Kidkanevil and the one-off supergroup The Manhattan Research Transfer Project.



Raymond Scott held down many different jobs during his long and varied career. In the 1930s his Quintette made a series of popular jazz recordings that led to them appearing in some major motion pictures. The best known of these is "Powerhouse", which in the 1940s was used by Warner Bros to soundtrack some of the most popular and best loved Looney Tunes cartoons.

In the 1950s Scott was the orchestra leader on the hit television show "Your Hit Parade". He used the money he earned from the show to fund his growing obsession with electronic music, and focused on building what would essentially become synthesizers as we know them. A pioneering visionary, Scott was the man who invented the concept and execution of sequencing, without which most modern music would not exist. His own electronic compostions of the time, used mostly as sound beds for adverts, are hauntingly beautiful, and still sound fresh.



Each of the acts that performed either directly acknowledged Scott's music, or came from a similarly out-there electronic background. First up were Demdike Stare, of the Pendel Coven/Modern Love family, who delivered an intense and hypnotic set of white noise infused ambience, backed up by some excellent cult movie visuals.



Next was a collaborative set by local beat-freakers Illum Sphere and Kidkanevil (from the Hoya Hoya club night), which tended to the more boom-bap side of things, yet managed to incorporate lots of samples and references to Raymond Scott's music. Again, there were excellent visuals on display, this time by artist EMN.



The final live act, and the highlight, was the Manhattan Research Transfer Project (named in part after Scott's own electronic "orchestra" of the 50s & 60s). A supergroup composed of 808 State's Graham Massey, Silverclub's Henrietta Smith-Rolla, and Dennis Jones, they played a set of Raymond Scott compositions on fully analogue synthesisers (so analogue that some didn't do as they were told). It's a rare treat to see such a full-on synth set-up in action live these days, and the sounds were phenomenal. Unfortunately no recordings of this gig exist (though there is talk of possibly some studio recordings in the future) but here is what it looked like:



After a short intermission we were back in to see the film "Deconstructing Dad", directed by Stan Warnow, who was also in attendance to introduce the film and field questions afterwards. It's an excellent documentary on a fascinating subject (featuring contributions from Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo and DJ Spooky, among others, and of course with an awesome soundtrack), and it deserves to get some wider distribution. The film is available to buy on DVD, and there is more information on Raymond Scott and Stan Warnow at http://scottdoc.com/. Watch the trailer for a glimpse into the life of this extraordinary man:



And if you are interested in hearing more of Scott's music, check out "Manhattan Research Inc", a 60-odd track compilation which is available to listen and buy from Boomkat.

Pulp Reform

Let's face it, Britpop was rubbish. As someone who lived through it the first time, I can look back now and safely say it was a victory of hype over talent. It was, in effect, the last dying gasps of British guitar-based "independant" music as it was swallowed whole by the major labels, and turned into a cookie-cutter pattern that could be used over and over again with diminishing results.

Having said that, there were a few good bands, a noble and select few who weathered the media storm and managed to outlive the Britpop tag. Top of that list is Pulp.

News is coming through today that the original Pulp line-up (including oddbod guitarist Russell Senior, who quit at the height of their fame in 1996) are going to be playing some live shows next summer. So far confirmed is a headline slot at Wireless, and I would stake money that the band will appear at Glastonbury too:



I'll be there Jarvis. And I'd just like to give a quick mention to this tune, in my opinion one of the best break up songs ever, the bitter and beautiful "The Trees":

Gigs tonight November 5th.

There's plenty of aural fireworks happening in Glasgow tonight - ho ho - though I would mention a few. So if you're looking for somewhere to go, you could check one of these out:




Remember Remember EP Launch at Stereo.

Local post-rock legend Graeme Ronald's ace bong-pop outfit release a new EP, and also celebrate Graeme 30th birthday, with support from North American War, and Mogwai Djs.



Numbers with Joker, James Blake and Girl Unit.

The big guns are out in force for tonight's Numbers at the Sub Club. This one is gonns be busy. To get you in the mood here's a mix by Girl Unit:

A Mix by Girl Unit (Night Slugs) by Numbers




Jelly Roll Soul pres Space Dimension Controller at La Cheetah.

And this is my pic of the bunch, the Glasgow debut of 19 year old Jack Hamill from Belfast, who makes lush disco-tronica as Space Dimension Controller. Here's another mix, by Jelly Roll Soul resident Jamie:

Emotions Electric Mix 311010 by JellyRollSoul

King Tuts = Pay To Play

Proof if proof be need be. Sadly, now I think of it, we knew this a few years ago when one of Brad Manners' bands were booked to play. Doesn't make it right though. Thankfully Divorce are havin' none of it!

Divorce / Breaking Colts @ Fight Club

Divorce SLAYED on Sunday night at the Tiger Lounge in Manchester. But then, I always knew they would! Though the current hectic tour schedule may be taking its toll on the members' minds (and ears), it's making their sonic assault tight as fuck. If you have a chance to check out any of their remaining dates, do, you will not be disappointed. There are lots of lovely tour photos over on the Divorce blog.



All the bands on the bill rocked, but I particularly liked Breaking Colts, a female duo wading their way through a sea of sonic sludge armed with only a bass and a drum kit. It's heavy. I was stoned. Result! Fans of Holy Mountain should check them out - here's their Myspaz: http://www.myspace.com/breakingcolts

and here's a clip of them playing live:

Klaus Kinski

The band, not the man. Though from what I hear the band are just as mental. It seems that tonight, the singer's window/stage/pins/drumkit diving antics at this gig upset headliners Purple Rhinestone Eagle so much that they packed up and refused to play. Rock'n'fuckin'Roll \m/
Fans of Ultimate Thrush (and who isn't?) - if you haven't heard them check them out. Click on the pic below to go to their Last FM page where they have full tracks and free downloads.

Divorce/Comanechi TONIGHT

You do know already that Divorce and Comanechi are on tour, and tonight is their date in Glasgow. So maybe if you're some kind of crazy person who doesn't like disco OR rave (loser), you might want to check this gig out. Then again if you don't like dancing AT ALL you should probably stay away.



Here is the Facebook page. And here's a nice wee animated video get you in the mood:

Divorce Minterview / Tour / Split with Comanechi

If you are in Brighton tonight there really is only one place to be - the show by Divorce and Comanechi. It's gonna be fierce. The two bands have just set off on a joint tour of the UK (dates above) and tomorrow sees the release of their split 10" on Merok Records, which sees both bands combining forces on a cover of "Death Valley '69". Sweet! We sent Divorce drummer Andy Broontoon 10 questions he was nice enough to answer:

How did Divorce come together?

Friends and friends of friends. Chatting at parties about doing music and for once actually following it up.

What are your main influences?

We all like loads of different things, there's no one band or style of music that we were determined to copy. All we wanted to do was make loud music and since it's turned out pretty loud that's mission accomplished.

And anything you are reacting against?

Just because the music is aggressive doesn't mean we're exorcising any personal demons through it, in fact if anything it's just simply a hell of a lot of fun making a big stinking racket. Having a reactionary intent when making music seems to kinda miss the point, it should be enjoyable, not the place to tell the world your mum didn't hug you when you were growing up.

Paul McCartney or Heather Mills?

i could never choose between two such hideous characters. Put them both against the wall, I'm not stopping you.

How did this tour come about?

Our bassist VSO has been good buddies with Akiko from Comanechi for a few years now, both bands like each other's music a lot and we've played a few times together and good on really well. It's nice to play shows with your pals. It's even nicer that we're gonna be on a split single together too - it's just a big old love-in!

What can we expect from the split release?

A lot of volume for one. Comanechi's song on the split, "Let Me Bloom", is just mind-blowing - a huge sludgy bulldozer of a tune, love it love it love it!! On the flip-side both us and Comanechi did a cover of Sonic Youth's "Death Valley 69" together, which logistically wasn't gonna be easy, what with them living 400 miles away. We really had to nail it quick, we didn't have much time at all to get it down, but I'm personally immensely proud of it, it couldn't have gone better. It's faster, louder and longer than the original, and epic wig-out!! So yeah, we rule.

Alec Baldwin or Kim Basinger?

3rd Prize You're Fired vs. Eminem's mum?? Can't make that decision, sorry.

What's the best gig you've ever played?

There's been lots of great shows - first that springs to mind was playing with Foot Village at the CCA in Glasgow - it was with Blue Sabbath Black Fiji and Ultimate Thrush too so the line-up just ruled. People went apeshit when we played, circle-pits and human pyramids - that must be what it feels to be in Gallows or something! God... any gig where the crowd (if there is one) are up for fun, they're the best - if people stand with their arms folded staring at us, or chatting through the whole thing, it can be a bit shit. It's really great that it seems Glasgow shows we play these days in the main are really amazing fun... but it's even better when you get a great reaction out of town.

And the worst?

We've had a few stinkers but we don't let them get us down, if anything it's always funny not again reminding ourselves - 'god, do you remember that night...' etc, you can still get at least a good chuckle out of it after the fact.

Richard Burton or Elizabeth Taylor?

ELIZABETH!! Hands down - If anybody personifies 'DIVORCE' it's her!

Menergy HEATHERS Party Tonight!

And if you're not lucky enough to live in beautiful Brighton, if you have been cursed with the misfortune of living in Glasgow, why not come to Menergy at the Flying Duck tonight? It will sound absolutely nothing like Divorce and Comanechi, but I thought that link was so incredibly tenuous that I had to stick it in.

It's a special party tonight, in tribute to the classic 80's dark-teen flick Heathers, and me and Kid Zipper will be joined by fellow Shallow Raver Teamy. And as ever, mega-bitch Lady Munter will host the petition to blow up the club - oops, we mean get Big Fun to play! More info over at Facebook.

If you do wanna know what it will sound like, there's two promo mixes floating about to promote the night, one by me and one by Teamy.



HINRG TME "I'm A Veronica Mix"

Teamy's mix is part of the Wrong Island Show on Radio Magnetic. He hasn't supplied a playlist, the lazy bugger.



THE NIALLIST "Major Damage Mix"

Sebastian Tellier - Sexual Sportswear
Gold Blood - Don't Waste My Time
Detachments - Holiday Romance (T&A Remix)
Dana & Siriusmo - Meine Welt Ist Wunderbar
Dolby Anol - Heather I'm Dry (Edit)
Sabrina - Boys (Future Shock Less Vocal Mix)
Annie - Two Of Hearts (Skatebaard High Energy Mix)
Hard Ton - Flawless
Lady Gaga - Telephone (Niallist 86 Mix)
The Niallist - Big Man (Male Vocal)

More info on Menergy over at www.menergy.tv, and here's a sneak preview of my costume for tonight (a tribute to the late great Glenn Shadix who played the priest in Heathers).

Bestival 2010

I just got back from Bestival on the Isle of Wight. It's a nice wee festival with some great bands playing in a pretty valley, and thankfully the rain held off (mostly). Unfortunately, there was one major problem - the audience. 95% of the crowd was made up of middle-class, white, trust-fund hipsters who came from either East London or Brighton. I know this because we were working gathering names for a good cause.

For a festival that's all about dressing up and acting like a freak for a few days, there was a surprising lack of communal atmosphere. In fact, any kind of "this is a special moment" atmosphere at all.

Where were the older folks? Where were the scallies? The Northerners? The people of colour? The trannies (Giles, wearing a dress on the Saturday doesn't count)? I know there's nothing the organisers can do about it, but now I have been I have no major desire to return and have to mingle with lots of pampered, privileged kids who have never been to festival before. People like this:



FESTIVAL TIPS FOR HIPSTER NOOBS:

1) Don't wear your "loik totally wacky" (and very large) hat into a crowd who are trying to watch a band. Obstruction of view will cause permanent wacky hat removal.

2) If leading a conga line of people through a large tent which is rammed shoulder to shoulder with folk, DON'T be Facebooking on iPhone at the same time. It's not about the danger of injury - it's about not looking like a twat.

3) Don't speak on your iPhone ALL THE WAY THROUGH a set by a legendary 70's glam-pop/art-rock band and then heckle them with shouts of "Oh hurry up and play Virginia Plain! We're waiting for the Flaming Lips". If Wayne Coyne heard you say that he would punch you in the face.

4) Don't sit on the ground while in the middle of the mosh pit, or anywhere within the vacinity of the first 150 rows of people. If you get trodden on, it's your own fault!

5) The point of a mosh pit is to, yes, mosh, but also to look out for your fellow moshers and PICK THEM UP if they fall over. Also, you can expect to get your clothes and hair dirty at an outdoor festival, so shut up and stop moaning about it.

6) Go to T In The Park and THEN tell us Bestival isn't a very posh festival. You'd be lucky to come out of Scotland with your teeth/hair/glasses/trainers/iPhones/Macbooks/dignity/horsey accents intact.

7) Don't be called Tarquin/Imogen/Pheobe/Tamsin/Jeremy.

8) Don't be a Tory.

Holy Mountain @ Norave Freshers Party

News just in - Holy Mountain have been added to the bill of our NORAVE Art School Freshers Party, happening a week tomorrow. Expect some blistering freeform heavy rock action. If you want to check out what they wound like, they have a free download single up on Winning Sperm Party - at: http://winningspermparty.com/node/223



We've already blogged about the other live guests, but here's a short mix by Dam Mantle so you know what to expect from his DJ set.

Dam Mantle- Canterbury Love mix by Dam Mantle

This night is gonna be mental! You can say you're coming (or not, loser) over on the Facebook event page.