i will never see the sun
Why do three shows that I want to attend have to be scheduled for the same day? Great Lake Swimmers play the Lamplighter, on the already crowded evening of November 20th. Sarah Slean is now out, as I've seen her multiple times... but I still might be reviewing Gwen for Discorder. And to be honest, while I've been waiting to see GLS for awhile, I'm pretty stoked on the prospect of seeing Mrs. Rossdale.
Fresh off of a couple of months that saw Exclaim gush about them, and Pearl Jam share a stage with them, Wintersleep play Richard's with locals Ladies and Gentlemen on November 28th.
Ladies and Gentlemen also support Matthew Good on his pair of upcoming November dates at the Commodore.
Everyone's favourite garage rock Socialists (yes, I'm aware of the Hives), the (International) Noise Conspiracy, play the Red Room in support of their finally released fourth long-player, Armed Love, on December 10th. I can't say I've been overly impressed with their latest, or New Morning, Changing Weather, but they're still one of my favourite live acts.
Speaking of Socialism (look at that misleading segue), on an unrelated musical note, if you're not at work or your university/college is behind pickets, head down to the PNE grounds to rally in support of teachers tomorrow. 10am - Noon. Transit is still running even.
I am not, nor have, ever been a member of the Communist Party, for the record.
Back to the music... Maybe this has been talked about already and I just missed it, but am I the only one who finds the prospect of this absolutely horrendous? The guy from Rancid fronting the CLASH??? "Armstrong... pledges to sport Strummer's classic mohawk when the tour gets underway." Oh good, that'll make up for your crappy singing and subpar band.
Last but not least, a couple of tunes that are (or are going to) set the internets on fire...
First up, Jose Gonzalez, who is Sweden's (yes Sweden, don't let the name fool you) answer to Nick Drake. Here he is covering one of my favourite singles from last year, the Knife's "Heartbeats." The dark electro pop of original gives way to double tracked vocals and tastefully plucked acoustic guitar. Just when I was almost played out on the original, this comes along to breathe new life into the song. the Brooklyn Vegan has more on Jose.
download: Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats (the Knife Cover)
Next... Arctic Monkeys are being tagged as the "next big thing," with people saying such outlandish things as "biggest British debut since Oasis." The NME, and even the Guardian are wettig themselves already. They sound like Franz Ferdinand, if they were bred on the Buzzcocks and the Streets. Don't believe the hype... they're not as good as everyone says (how could they be, really?), but a couple of the demo tracks (yes, they don't even have an album) are pretty ace. Make no mistake though, regardless of what you think, this band will be huge (at least in the UK). A British MSN contact of mine, informed me that, despite having one single to their name, everybody at Reading knew the words to all the songs, and was singing along... ohhh, the power of the internet.
download: Arctic Monkeys - Bigger Boys and Stolen Sweethearts
now playing: Jose Gonzalez - Hearbeats (the Knife Cover)
10 Comments:
I like that Arctic Monkeys song I heard (you can watch the video on their website), can't remember what it's called but I think it's the single. One of the little London kids on Backdrifts recommended them.
But the main reason I was writing was to express my dismay, anger, and general nausea at that whole Rancid guy/Clash thing. How fucking revolting.
rancid?! fuck, the clash was always much cooler because they never (well until they did) reformed and put out shitty records (see: television) ... at least they didn't do rock star: clash.
Am I the only one who thinks the Arctic Monkeys are mediocre? I liked this better when they were called British Sea Power. At least they had foliage and shit on stage.
Biggest thing since Oasis? Hardly. I barely register when I hear them every morning on the radio, squished between the Kaiser Chiefs and Bloc Party. "Which one are the Arctic Monkeys again? The ones that do that 'riot radio' song?... no, oh yeah, yeah, the dance floor one."
Or maybe I'm just on Britshit overload.
By 
Aleksandra, at
3:46 p.m.
I think you guys are being MUCH too hard on Rancid. They had some good songs("Time Bomb" is a fucking classic) and I have to give em' props for keeping the spirit of two-tone ska and Clash-inspired punk alive rather than playing that shitty So-Cal punk sound(sorry to all you fans of NOFX, Pennywise, etc...I just don't get it).
By 
, at
8:10 p.m.
1. (I)NC at the Red Room = AWESOME
2. The Clash reforming = My Worst Nightmare (and Graham, the Clash did put out a shitty record, it was called Cut the Crap.
3. Thanks for the songs.
By , at
8:10 p.m.
Ive been reading your blog for quite awhile, just never posted anything.
""Armstrong... pledges to sport Strummer's classic mohawk when the tour gets underway." Oh good, that'll make up for your crappy singing and subpar band"
but that deserves praise! I almost spat our the juice I was drinking.
I hate ska, and I hate this fucking stolen sweethearts song.
can we resurrect that guy from the exploding hearts and get that ball rolling again?
kp
By , at
4:33 a.m.
one of the guys from the Exploding Hearts has another band...
they have a single out.
also, thanks for the teacher support.
By , at
8:41 a.m.
If you don't have your plans set for the 20th, I do hope you catch Sarah on this current tour. These shows really are solo and intimate as she is playing songs from all her albums, covers, new songs, and new remditions. It's quite the unique experience and setting.
Cameron Bay.
By ProdigyBoy, at
4:56 p.m.
