
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Pod Fodder (Volume Thirty Eight)

Sunday, April 26, 2009
My Bloody Valentine - The Palladium, Texas, April 2009
As the crowd filed into the Palladium Ballroom on Wednesday night, each person was handed a fresh pair of earplugs. While the protective devices are not an uncommon sight at rock shows, it's rare when a band insists on providing them.
But then, most bands don't have My Bloody Valentine's reputation.
Fronted by the enigmatic, exacting Kevin Shields, the Dublin-formed and London-based foursome (vocalist-guitarist Bilinda Butcher, bassist Debbie Googe and drummer Colm Ó Cíosóig ) lived up to its billing as one of music's loudest acts. Indeed, the finale – "You Made Me Realise" – was capped by nearly 15 minutes of sustained, tooth-rattling, gut-thumping cacophony; there was a veritable blizzard of feedback, some white noise, and, buried somewhere in there, the crash of Ó Cíosóig's cymbals.
For 90 minutes, from within a cocoon of dense, strobe-lit murk, My Bloody Valentine – which kept the stage patter to an absolute minimum – riveted a sadly thin but nevertheless ecstatic audience. Visceral in every sense of the word, the punishing wall of sound reeled from Shields' and Butcher's barely there vocals to spiraling guitar lines to thudding, breath-catching bass to cascading percussion.
My Bloody Valentine, which has only five U.S. dates scheduled, delivered the sort of performance that sticks with you long after the house lights come up and one which will surely be remembered come year's end. It's difficult to articulate precisely what it meant – and most crucially, felt like – to see and hear one of the most respected bands in the world do what it loves.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Inspiral Carpets - Demo Tape


I'm not entirely sure how rare (or not) this tape actually is. It was issued in 1988 on the Inspiral Carpets own Cow label with the catalogue number DUNG 4. I still actually remember buying it from Track Records in York principally because it looked interesting and was cheap, £3.99 I think which was a bargain for eleven tracks and I was only a skint young lad at the time spending any money I could lay my mucky mitts on on records. This is a bit of a classic though and still actually sounds quite good today. I always thought of this as the first album, recorded over three days after Christmas in 1987. As far as I know it was only ever on tape and will have therefore bypassed a lot of peoples ears. I still think "Joe" and "Butterfly" sound better than the later versions.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Pod Fodder (Volume Thirty Seven)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Coathangers - Red Eye Fly, 18th March 2009

1. Stop Stomp Stompin'
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Half Man Half Biscuit - London, Forum, 16th October 2008 (Re-Post)
1. Intro
2. Restless Legs
3. Fuckin' Ell It's Fred Titmus
4. Took Problem Chimp To The Ideal Home Show
5. Lock Up Your Mountain Bikes
6. Four Skinny Indie Kids
7. Petty Sessions
8. Shit Arm, Bad Tattoo
9. Bob Wilson Anchorman
10. Look Dad No Tunes
11. The Best Things In Life (reprise)
12. All I Want For Christmas Is A Dulka Prague Away Kit
13. Used To Be In Evil Gazebo
14. Ode To Joyce
15. Tending The Wrong Grave For 23 Years
16. Bad Losers On Yahoo Chess
17. Trumpton Riots
18. Vatican Broadside
19. Blue Badge Abuser
20. We Built This Village On A Trad. Arr Tune
21. Give Us Bubblewrap
22. A Country Practice
23. Everything's AOR
24. Twenty Four Hour Garage People
25. National Shite Day
26. (break)
27. For What Is Chatteris
28. Electricity
29. Joy Division Oven Gloves
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Pod Fodder (Volume Thirty Six)
1. Dananananaykroyd - Watch This! (Best Before)
This is a track from the best named band in Glasgow's new album "Hey Everyone!" which is quite simply bloody fantastic and available now.
16th April - London, Camden Barfly
25th April - London, Camden Crawl
1st May - Amsterdam, London Calling @ The Paradiso
2. Social System - Up Below It (Archipel)
Taken fron the album "Autumn > Spring" which is the fourth CD release on the Archipel label.
3. Magik Markers - Don't Talk In Your Sleep (Drag City)
This is definitely the best thing Magik Markers have done to date. Don't get me wrong I've enjoyed their previous albums by no small amount but this record is massive. The new album is called "Balf Quarry" and will be released through Drag City on 5th May.
4. Primal Scream - Higher Than The Sun (Creation)
I played this earlier for no other reason that I wanted to hear it again and it still sound utterly mighty. Doesn't sound dated at all to my ears.
5. The First Solidarity - Rootin' For A Tootin' (Lucky Hole)
The First Solidarity advise you to listen to this through decent speakers which is a damn good tip although I find decent headphones work just as well. This track comes from an E.P. called "Side By Side 001".
6. South Ambulance - Davy Crockett (Indiecater)
I'm sure your already familiar with this tune as it seems to be popping up all over the place at the moment, or maybe it's just my imagination. It comes from the new South Ambulance record which is cunningly titled "E.P.4) which is as you might have suspected the Swedish bands fourth E.P. although I'm pretty sure their previous material was on Labrador Records. The band say "E.P. 5" will be inflicted upon us later in the year.
7. Fangs - S.I.C.K.O. (King Tuts)
New single from the Glasgow band.
30th April - Glasgow, Hinterland Festival
2nd May - Glenrothes, Greenside
15th May - Brighton, The Great Escape @ Komedia
20th June - East Kilbride, East Kilbride Arts Centre
8. The Candy Twins - Good Friends (Lost Music)
Taken from their impressive "Sad Glad Songs" E.P. which unfortunately will be one of the final releases on Lost Music as Trev has decided to call it a day which is a great shame as there have been some fantastic records on Lost over the last few years.
23rd May - Hampton, Party On The Pool
16th July - London, Dublin Castle
9. Clark - The Magnet Mine (Warp)
This new E.P. by Chris Clark almost slipped through the net. If your a regular in these parts you will undoubtedly remember me banging on about Clark's brilliant "Turning Dragon" record last year, well this is just as good. It's a six track E.P. called "Growls Garden" and was released a few weeks ago. Apparently we are going to be treated to a new album later in the year. My nipples quiver with expectation.
10. Easy Star All Stars - When I'm Sixty Four (Easy Star)
Let's face it if you were going to cover the whole of The Beatles "Sargent Peppers" album you would have to be either incredibly bold or very stupid. I'm not entirely sure which category Easy Star All Stars fall into but that is exactly what they have done and to be fair it's not a bad effort. Some of the tracks sound a bit over cooked but on the whole it's quite an enjoyable listen. This is my favorite track on the album particularly after about 2.40 when it goes all dubby. There is a whole festival of guest vocalists used throughout the album including the likes of Luciano, Max Romeo, U-Roy, Steel Pulse, Kirsty Rock, Matisyahu and so it continues. This track features the not inconsiderable vocal talents of Sugar Minott. The album is called "Easy Stars Lonely Hearts Dub Band" and will be released through their own Easy Star label next week.
11. Fallen - Clung To The Wreckage (Dizzy)
This is one of the best records to fall through my letterbox recently. It's a very sexual three inch CD called "Feathers" on the rather reclusive Dizzy Recordings. Apparently there are only thirty of these so I'm not sure how easy it'll be to secure one but if you can it's well worth the effort. You could probably start at dizzyrecords@tiscali.co.uk
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Flatmates - Central London Polytechnic, 28th November 1987

A pretty good recording for the time. A little bit tinny but I think it all adds to the atmosphere of the thing. Sounds like there was a pretty rough audiance at this one. At one point Debbie asks if someone could be kind enough to fetch her some lager to which a kind gentleman in the audience replies "Do you wanna drink it or wear it?". Nice
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Pod Fodder (Volume Thirty Five)
1. Detatchments - The Flowers That Fell (Thisisnotanexit)
Excellent new single from the London band.
3rd April - London, Kill Em All Launch @ Queen Of Hoxton
23rd April - Brighton, Secret Discotheque @ Po Na Na
28th April - London, Buffalo Bar
29th April - Paris, Rock Is Dead? @ Fleche D'or
2nd May - Camden, Proud Galleries
6th May - Chelmsford, Barhouse
2. The Mary Onettes - Dare (Labrador)
This is the title track from the Swedish band's new E.P. which will be released through Labrador on April 29th.
3. Superchunk - Learned To Surf (Merge)
Well I never thought I would ever hear a new Superchunk record so imagine my suprise when this little baby turned up last week. It's a five track E.P. called "Leaves In The Gutter" and features songs which they have been playing in live shows over the last couple of years. It does sound as though Superchunk are preparing to unleash a new album into the world before we're very much older and on the strength of this I'm looking forward to it already.
4. Richie Spice - Jah Never Let Us Down (Penthouse)
Taken from the new compilation "Penthouse Showcase Volume Three".
5. Delphic - Counterpoint (R&S)
Delphic are from the fine City of Manchester and as far as I'm aware this is their debut single which will be released on 13th April through R&S.
9th April - London, Notting Hill Arts Club
12th April - Sheffield, The Plug
15th April - London, Pure Groove (in store)
21st April - London, Madame Jo Jo's
25th April - Manchester, The Chapel
12th May - Leeds, Cockpit (with Little Boots)
13th May - Manchester, Club Academy (with Little Boots)
6. Hook & The Twin - Race For The Bone (Self Released)
This is a track from the debut single by the London based band.
16th April - London, Go West @ Paradise Bar
30th April - London, Anorak Vs Moshi Moshi @ Hoxton Bar & Grill
13th May - London, The Victoria
28th May - London, Riff Raff @ Proud Galleries
29th May - London, Bar Music Hall
7. Conectivers - Tunes My (Promo)
8. And What Will Be Left Of Them? - L' Amour Violent (Pop Art)
Taken from the Worcester bands debut album "The Hi-Fi Low Life" which was released last month through Pop Art.
10th April - Leominster, Tickled Pink @ The Royal Oak
11th April - Worcester, The Marrs Bar
12th April - Bristol, The Mother Ruin
23rd April - London, How Does It Feel To Be Loved @ Jamm, Brixton
1st May - Gloucester, Skins Party @ Glouceter Guildhall
5th June - Winchester, Lonely Hearts Club @ The Railway
9. Rico Tubbs - Hip Rave Anthem (Cheap Thrills)
Hey! We're going old school.
10. Dutch Schultz - On The Shelf (Di Di Mau)
This is the title track from the Northern Ireland bands new E.P.
9th April - Portrush, Retro
10th April - Derry, Masons
11th April - Warrenpoint, INF
16th April - Belfast, Limelight
27th April - Galway, Roisin Dubh
8th May - Sligo, Clarence
29th May - Belfast, Sprin & Airbrake
11. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Ramona (Slumberland)
This is the b-side of the new single "Young Adult Friction" which was released through Slumberland last week.
14th May - Brighton, Great Escape Festival
16th May - London, Brixton Windmill
17th May - Leicester, The Musician
18th May - Wrexham, Central Station
19th May - York, The Duchess (just try keeping me away from this one)
20th May - Glasgow - Nice n' Sleazy
21st May - Leeds, Cockpit
22nd May - Manchester, Chorlton Irish Centre
23rd May - Bristol, Dot To Dot Festival
24th May - Northampton, Dot To Dot Festival
12. The Big Pink - Velvet (4AD)
I can't tell you anything at all about this band apart from the fact that this single is astounding. It puts me in mind of Primal Scream's "Higher Than The Sun" in some ways. Sublime.
15th April - Sheffield, Leadmill
16th April - Glasgow, King Tuts
17th April - Manchester, Ruby Lounge
18th April - Dublin, Crawdaddy
20th April - Leeds, Cockpit
13. Spectors - There She Goes (10x Better)
Another good new retro sounding indie band from the capitol. There seems to be a bit of a scene building up for that early nineties guitar sound. This track is one of two on the bands debut single.
16th April - London, 93 Feet East
30th April - London, Hope & Anchor
28th May - London, The Wimington Arms
14. Sarandon - Good Working Practice (Slumberland)
"Kill Twee Pop" was one of the best albums of 2008 and still gets the occasional play in my house. New record pleeeease!!!
15. The Wave Pictures - I Thought Of You Again (Moshi Moshi)
Taken from the new album "If You Leave It Alone" which will be released through Moshi Moshi on 4th May. The title track will be released as a limited edition seven inch on 13th April.
8th April - Coventry, The Tin Angel
9th April - Nottingham, The Rescue Rooms
10th April - Manchester, The Roundhouse
11th April - Leeds, Brudnell Social Club
12th April - Cardiff, Buffalo Bar
13th April - Bristol, Thelka
14th April - Brighton, The Freebutt
15th April - London, ICA
Sunday, April 05, 2009
The Fall - The Junction, Cambridge, 31st March 2009
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Well you can't have too much of a good thing and this was the gig I really wanted to hear in any case. The sound on this is much better than the Koko gig further down this page and I think the band are sounding tremendous at the moment. The next chance to catch up with them will (hopefully) be at the end of the month when they participate in the Camden Crawl. Can't wait for a new record.
Friday, April 03, 2009
The Fall - Koko, 1st April 2009


Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Pod Fodder (Volume Thirty Four)
1. Venetian Snares - Deep Dicking (Planet Mu)
Hot on the heels of the Last Step album, a track from which can be heard in Pod Fodder 29 Aaron Funk returns with his Venetian Snares and another new record. "Filth" will be released through Planet Mu on April 13th.
2. Liechtenstein - Everything's For Sale (Drill Building)
This is a track from a new three track CD-R by Swedens Liechtenstein. If you liked the bands previous two single I can guarantee this will tickle your nipples.
14th April - Dresden, The Wimp Club @ Ost-Pol
15th April - Berlin, P!O!P! Kombinat Berlin@ Bang Bang Club
18th April - Hamburg - The Hamburg P!O!P! Weekender 2009 @ Prinzenbar
15th May - New York, NYC Popfest 2009 @ Don Hills
3. The Starlets - Radio Friendly (Stereotone)
More top quality stuff from Glasgow which means they're almost certainly on first name terms with Mr Vincent. This is a track from their new album "Out Into The Days From Here" which will be released on 27th April through their own Stereotone label. In addition to the two London gigs listed below the band will be playing a "secret" warm-up gig at the Halt Bar in Glasgow on 4th April. So now ya know...
8th April - London, 229
1st May - London, The Camden Head
4. Cuckooland - Radio Friendly (Damaged Goods)
Lead track from a seven inch single released by the former Shelley's Children in 1994.
5. Cyanide Pills - Break It Up (Damaged Goods)
This track is from the Leeds bands debut single which is available on a very sexual yellow vinyl seven inch. Incidentally this year will be Damaged Goods Records twenty first anniversary. Well done boys... now lets have a new Billy Childish record.
25th April - Leeds, Josephs Well
6. Eureka Brown - Full Speed Ahead (Self Released)
Taken from the album "Digitalia"
7. The Wedding Present - It's Not Unusual (RCA)
This was the last track on the Weddo's "Kennedy" twelve inch released in 1989. This is miles better than the Tom Jones version.
8. Brass Monkey - The Press Gang (Topic)
I dunno... I just like it. Taken from the album "Head Of Steam" which will be released in the U.K. on 20th April.
9. Projekt A-ko - Here Comes New Challenger (Filthy Little Angels)
Another track from the band's debut album "Yoyodyne" which will be released on 20th April.
10. Inverness - Flood Waves (Self Released)
Taken from the album "Forest Fortress".
11. Hatcham Social - So So Happy Making (Fierce Panda)
Another track from the London band's excellent debut album "You Dig The Tunnel, I'll Hide The Soil". I think this lot could be destined for great things.
1st April - Sheffield, Stock Room
16th April - Manchester, Night & Day
18th April - Reading, Oakford Social Club
23rd April - Hartlepool, The Studio
24th April - Whitley Bay, Trojan Rooms
25th April - London, Camden Crawl
6th May - York, The Duchess
7th May - Liverpool, Barfly
8th May - Glasgow, ABC 2
9th May - Wakefield, Escobar
11th May - London, King's College
15th May - Brighton, The Great Escape
12. The Wendy Darlings - Eleasy (Is My Fantasy But Wendy D Is Paying Me) (Lost Music)
The Wendy Darlings are my favorite band at the moment. I really hope they find their way over to our shores before the year is out and while I'm being greedy an album wouldn't go amiss. This track comes from the current E.P. "We Come With Friendly Purposes" which is available through Lost Music and needs to be part of your life.
13. Church Of Misery - Shotgun Boogie (Rise Above)
Taken from the album "Houses Of The Unholy" which will be released through Rise Above on 20th April. The Japanese band are soon to embark on a European tour which reaches the U.K. in May. See the bands Myspace for more details.
14. The Early Years - Like A Suicide (Sonic Cathedral)
Taken from the compilation album "Cathedral Classics Volume One" which is a collection of all the tracks from the first eleven Sonic Cathedral singles and includes tracks from the likes of Mark Gardner, The Tambourines, Kyte, School Of Seven Bells, Japancakes and loads of others who's names I've temporarily forgotten.
The next set of Sonic Cathedral nights will take place at:-
10th April - London, The Luminaire
16th April - London, The Legion
19th April - London, The Social
24th April - London, St Giles In The Fields Church
How nice would it be to see some nights outside London?
15. Wry - Disorder (Monstro Discos)
Taken from the Brazilian outfit's debut album "She Science".
16. The Coathangers - Bury Me (Suicide Squeeze)
This album is immense. I can't think of any other word for it. If you like your music with attitude this record is for you. A suitcase full of squirrels wouldn't be as pissed as this lot. The album is called "Scramble" and can be ordered from the Suicide Squeeze website. I've just noticed there is a limited edition yellow vinyl version which I think I need to buy.
17. 16 Bit - In The Death Car (Boka)
You might remember a few weeks back I played a track which featured a chainsaw revving all over the place. Well this track comes from that self same E.P. and is in fact the title track. There's a vocal mix of this as well but I think the voice just spoils it.