Three spiffing bands at the Brudenell with the tremendous ‘Public Service Broadcasting’ pulling out all the stops for a quite magnificent performance.

First band of the night were Leeds own ‘Alaska’ who played a blisteringly good set. Every element of the band just clicked to make a wonderous noise. For their last song they said they could do one about a reptile stealing eggs or a trucker…..I shouted for ‘Reptile’ and what a prog-monster of a tune it turned out to be. Got their lovely blue vinyl single and look forward to hearing more.

Also from Leeds are ‘Happy Daggers’ who are a tight funk outfit with a great lead singer. Our only complaint was when the Bass player (who had a beautiful red bass) joined the drummer for some ‘cowbell’ action and then threw his busted drumstick over his shoulder into the crowd……..hitting Martin…..on the hand….nearly spilling his pint! Lucky for him…….he didn’t……

I first heard ‘Spitfire‘ by Public Service Broadcasting on Gideon Coe’s ’6 Music’ show and was compelled to order ‘The War Room’ 12″ and their first 10″ EP there and then. Using old Pathe news type footage to underpin tunes is nothing new (Bill Nelson does it brilliantly here from 1984) but PSB do it so well it’s hard not to love them. On stage tonight was a huge TV with stacks of other smaller old style TVs placed around and about, all showing black and white footage and distorted video of the band taken live……I say ‘band’….it’s actually all done by J. Willgoose (Guitars, Banjo, Theramin, keyboards, electronics…..etc…etc.) with Wrigglesworth on drums. MrB was in charge of visuals but isn’t always at their shows……

They were like a stiff upper lipped, 40′s British Kraftwerk, communicating with the audience only via an electronic voice in impeccable BBC English “Thank You…..Very….Much”. When an excitable young lady got on stage to dance (turned out to be Wrigglesworth’s sister) she was politely asked to “Calm…down”. Highlights were the War Room stuff, ‘Signal 30‘  and ‘Everest‘ as an encore. We hung around after so Lee could get the LP signed – 40 something groupies…….6 Music has a lot to answer for…….

Bob the Chiropodist

About a year ago Marisa borrowed my iPod and played it on random, looking for some new songs. She came across Loudon Wainwright III and fell in love with his song ‘Primrose Hill‘. “If he comes around can we go and see him?” “Of course we can!”. so as soon as I knew about this gig, I booked us and Mike + Gerry tickets and got them for the 3rd row. It was a short hop on the new Metro from Chorlton to the City centre and though we thought we were early, Lucy Wainwright was already halfway through her set. They’re strict about not letting you in during a song at the Bridgewater Hall so we ended up having  a drink and a chat, watching Lucy on a TV screen in the bar. It was our first time at the there and whilst it looked very much like the Lowery centre, it felt a bit sterile.

Loudon came on at 8.30 and did a 2 hour set that included many new songs (‘Man with a dog in the city’ ‘I remember sex’) as well as some from the early 70′s (‘Red Guitar’ ‘The man who couldn’t cry’). He’s started to do monologues from his fathers articles for ‘Time Magazine’ which were great. You can see where he gets his love of words from. Tales of buying a Saville row suit and memories of his dog after having it put down could easily have been lyrics from Loudons songs.

Lucy joined him for a few songs (great harmonies) and for the encore he did Marisas Favourite ‘Primrose Hill’ and one of my favourites ‘Father and a son‘ which I always associate with John Peel – it always made him cry when he played it.

“When I was your age I thought I hated my dad and the feeling was a mutual one that we had. We’d argue with each other day and night – I was always wrong and he was always right”

Loudon seems to do a different set every night but here’s a recent one that contained some of the songs he did tonight

Bob the Chiropodist

Isn’t this the venue where the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Stones and The Clash played?

It surely is.

Crap venue though, eh? Who’s on tonight

Frank Turner.

Who?

He played at the Olympic opening ceremony… Well the warm up act anyway… Danny Boyle’s a big fan.

Oh, really? I don’t remember that. What’s he like?

Shouty. Ex punk rocker with the ability to fill arenas. Think Billy Bragg meets the Pogues and pulls off some anthemic crowd pleasers.

Hold on. Danny Boyle, Billy Bragg? Is this some sort of leftie crap?

Actually Frank’s politics are somewhat confused. He once called socialism ‘retarded’ and claimed the BNP are ‘hard left’.

Blimey!

Indeed. He is a post-punk anarchist sympathiser with distinctly libertarian views.

What about Thatcher?

What about Thatcher?

Well he must have had something to say about her funeral?

Oddly no. He was only about 9 when she was ousted and spent his youth in the kind of hardcore punk band that was more about partying hard than taking a genuine anti-establishment stance. I’m not sure he really knows who she was.

So it’s true… This younger (sic) generation has nothing to rebel against. They’re more interested in getting a good 3G signal and whether the beer is cold?!

Well that’s important too!

I guess so.

It was probably the only gig in the UK this week where Thatcher didn’t get a mention.

So what does he sing about?

Waking up hungover, reminiscing about what it was like back in the day, and the redemptive power of rock ‘n’ roll.

Gets the crowd going then?

Certainly does. He’s got a huge following and he definitely rocks.

Do say:

I still believe in the need for guitars and drums and desperate poetry.

Don’t say:

just run your ideology past me again Frank.

Jez

PS Made me feel 19 again in a wistful, melancholy way but it were brilliant, in fact in’t music great. I saw U2 in the refectory in 81 or 82 and Friday reminded me of how that felt, just one request Frank, don’t become Bono!!

Roger

Apologies to the Gruniad……

It was Cowtown’s  new album launch night – coinciding with record shop day – they brought four other Leeds bands [just found out one is from Sheffield] with them for a free gig. All new (to me), all great (to me and Steve) and I went away with a smile and my first new vinyl in maybe 15, maybe 20 years. A great night.

It wasn’t looking like it was going to be an exciting night – 7.30 am I got a call to go an d fix my mum’s plumbing in Stockport. While under the sink Steve texts: “fancy coming to the Brudenell to see Drench – the guardian says they’re worth it. … and its free”. “Ok if I get back in time I might” was my less than enthusiastic response. Any way – I did get back and I did go  – and it was the best gigging night for a very long time – FIVE Leeds bands,  all First up was different, all with something special.

First up was Etai Keshiki  (apparently pronounced: eh tie keh shee kee). Their singer (Kayleigh) screeches and their guitarist (Daria) rocks … and really does keep the tunes pumping out. She also sings into an old telephone handset which was pretty cool. You know the band’s good when you and you mate are grinning after the first song. They were great – I might not listen in the kitchen at home – but I’d certainly go to the next gig. If you like a bit of noise with a great guitar tune go too.

Next was Menace Beach. Three guitars, base and drums and may be some keyboards. Some good tunes, nice sound. I could listen to a few more … but the set was short! I forgot to take a photo, sorry. It looks like they have a few gigs coming up – one in May at the Brudenell.

Next up was Drenge. Not sure about the name, Steve, who I had to thanks for this great night was enjoying it as much as me, but seemed a bit apprehensive of the guardian’s review as they’d got everything else wrong… however before the band I popped to the bar and another smile came to my face when I saw the “Sid&Nancy: Record shop day ale”. The only downer of the night … I was driving and a 6.9% ale is several percent too much for a gig goer. Let’s hope its still on next time I’m down the Brudenell.

Back to the gig: Drenge. A TWO piece it turn out. You wouldn’t know it if you heard them. I certainly didn’t until I looked a bit harder after their first song. One guitarists and One drummer. They sounded like the six-piece that had gone before them. Great tunes great effect and original sound.

Just read what the guardian said: “A punky blues-rock duo from the Peak District obsessed with Danish avant-garde cinema.” … may be. Go and see them for the tunes, and wow at the sound a two piece can produce.

At this point we bumped into Jonny, an old gigging/football going mate of Steve’s whose joie de vivre is beer, Newcastle united and gigging (esp. at the brudenell) and a big fan of No-Means-No and Fugazi. We had a good chat about these bands as they were both in my favourites from the days down at the Duchess. He was well up on the next two bands … apparently Cowtown were “a bit of of Gang of four and a bit of Wire” … ‘should be good’ we though. However the next band was Beards.

Beards are a guitarist (Dicko in the vest), a basist (a left-handed-lady) and a drummer (another lady who is also the lead singer). These three produced some interesting funky type (i.e. not funky) sounds with really prominent base and high pitched chanting and screaming from behind the drum kit. Great stuff. Lots of nice rhythms chopping and changing and they are really tight.

Next the headliners: Cowtown. Jonny knew the Korg player Hilary .. (I think they both work at the art gallery). He told us they have been around for years (8?). This is their 3^rd album … how have we missed them? The place was packed by now – it had been all night – but all the Cowtowners were down at the front by now. They are a three piece, the Korg player, a guitarist/singer and a drummer.

They have a load of great  tunes – and a great sound … just how do they do it without a bass player (come to think of it, this is the second band tonight with no bass.) Were … they like Gang of four/Wire I’m not sure,  but they were pretty good. Pretty poppy … but not poppy… The crowd was dancing away everyone seemed to be enjoying the night as much as me and Steve. Last song and of course an encore. Jon  the singer said something about people think they sound like Devo – may be – then they played some Devo.

I was impressed and smiling and still having my beer money and entrance fee in my pocket I couldn’t resist buying the album: Dudes vs Bad Dudes. My first vinyl for donkey’s years (I’ve got to set up my turntable, so yet to play it – but it came with a free download – so it sin itunes.) It great to study that cover on t he way home (as Steve did – I was driving!) .. just like the good old days.

It looks like Cowtown have a few dates coming up… and are back at the Brudenell on 2^nd Aug at the  Out of Spite Festival. Catch em there.

Sledge

I’m usually at a conference this week end and miss out on ‘Record Shop Day‘ (sorry, I can’t stand the word ‘Store’ and refuse to use it in this context). This year there was no clash, so after the kids had done their swimming and tennis we got into town for 3ish and popped up to Jumbo Records who put on a free gig outside their shop. Got there in time to catch James Yorkston’s quiet set (apart from the wee feedback freakout).

Jumbo was full of vinyl hunters and the staff were managing to keep their peckers up on what must be a mad day for them. Arriving so late, all the ‘limited editions’ I’d have liked (a Weddoes clear vinyl 10″ with 4 songs sung in German would have been nice….) were all long gone. I was hoping for the ‘Shearwater + Sharon Van Etten’ 7″ but instead got a free copy of the SubPop 25th anniv comp ‘Silver ticket‘ which contained the B-side (and a rather fetching silver crown with ‘Loser’ on it…..

Nice to bump into fellow quimmer John M and Mr Montag who bizzarly was recognised by someone from his schooldays in Hull……some 40 years ago! I told Matty (9, soon to be 10 years old) that he could choose a CD and to my delight, he got The White Stripes ‘De Stijl‘ – I must be doing something right.

It’s been a while since I last saw the Ukranians and was delighted that they were there to close the event……and delighted to report that they have lost none of their energy and sense of fun. For RSD they’ve re-issued their ‘Smiths’ EP (on vinyl for the first time) and opened their set with ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ – a triumph! Their set was over far too quickly so we shouted for more and managed to squeeze another song out of them.

Go and see them if you get the chance. You won’t be dissappointed.

Bob the Chiropodist

It’s a sad day when a loved and trusted colleague moves on to better things but the pill can be sweetened with a good leaving do (or 2). Tonight was originally going to be a meal out for the Haemophilia clinic gang, then we found out that Kid Congo was coming to town on that night so the plan was a meal and a gig – what could possibly go wrong…….?

Well….we ended up having a no frills burger in a BYO place with an open mike – listening to Oasis covers, drinking Newcastle Brown Ale – not exactly Michelin Star but one to remember! We got to the Brudenell for 9……only to be told “Keep hold of your tickets, we may have to re-fund you”…….the band were flying in from the South by south west festival and the plane was delayed……Ah well….at least there’s 2 supports to enjoy.

First up was ‘Nervous Twitch’ who were fronted by a lass who bore an uncanny similarity to another colleague of ours which caused much hilarity. I love it when the singer gets of stage and demands the audience to join in – great stuff

The Yugoslavian Boys came on to Gary Glitter and started with a song that seemed to joke about paedophilia……Ironic? Funny? We went out for a chat but were driven back in by the bitter cold and they weren’t too bad by the end of their set. I’d leave the comedy to others though….

I’m very glad to say that Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds, after a titanic effort, did turn up. They set up in next to no time and ripped into an awesome set of new songs. Every one a winner. The guy is just so likeable….cheeky and cartoonish with his eyes magnified by his glasses…..and the band, who you’d think would be pissed off with all the hassle of traveling, were obviously having a ball.

LOVED LOVED LOVED THEM!

Bob the Chiropodist

This was a hotly anticipated gig and a coup for Le Bikini to bag such a big band. Mumford and Sons are not played on French radio stations, hence them being booked into the relatively small venue of Le Bikini.

We were treated to two support bands.

The first was Jesse Quin, bass player with Keane, member of Laura Marlings band and Mumford and Sons collaborator. He played a sweet acoustic set. Unfortunately the crowd were already rowdy, highly excitable and he was unable to capture their attention. A shame as he played a quietly contemplative set.

The next support band were Deap Vally. A female duo, drummer and electric guitarist. They had a very stripped down sound, at times sounding remarkably similar to the White Stripes.

Mumford and sons are known for playing with their fellow touring artists and this gig followed the same pattern. Lindsay and Julie welcomed several members of Mumfords touring band to play with them during their gig. They both had charisma and played with a sexiness and freedom that reminded me of the wonderful Karen O. Both shoeless (and in the drummers case, trouserless) their sound didn’t quite fit with the rest of the gig and their music again wasn’t strong enough to capture the crowd.

Mumford and Sons opened with Babel, the lead song from their Grammy award winning album of the same title.

Marcus Mumford sang lead vocals, played guitar and kick drum at the same time and later the drum kit and Mandolin.

The bass player Ted Dwayne switched between string bass, guitar and drums. He played completely in his own zone, pulling the most amazing tortuous faces in order to reach the vocal note or get the sound from whatever he was playing. The other two members; Ben Lovett, keyboard and accordion and Winston Marshall on banjo played with such energy and enjoyment they were great to watch.

Together the band played with a gusto that the audience loved. Apart from heavy rock bands at festivals I’ve rarely seen a band have to try and bring back a crowd from a point of wild excitement so they are able to listen to what is being played. Marcus was absolutely determined to calm us down so we could listen to their more contemplative tracks. You can see that the band want to be taken seriously and lyrics are important to them.

Their sense of rhythm was palpable as was the tightness and cohesion of their playing.

Despite the first album being essentially a break up album so full of loss and pain, when they play live the crowds are raucous and jumping. The band worked really hard to control the tempo at times when the crowds singing threatened to pull them out of time. You could tell they dug deep, focussed, sang and played to their own speed. Once the crowd started to calm down a little we were able to try and sing in time to the band.

They complemented their quieter tracks like Thistle and Weeds and After the storm, by playing the drums with big headed beaters for a softer sound. It allowed them to build each song to a crescendo and create a wall of sound. Drums being my thing, these were my favourite tracks and it was great to see the band play the drums so well.

The more upbeat tracks were a definite favourite with the crowd, with everyone bouncing up and down and singing along at the tops of their voices.

The ceiling of the venue was hung with strings of lights with hanging satellites behind the stage which lit up warmly. It created a distinctly British village fete marquee feel, just right for the bands’ sound, particularly during Lover of the light their most recent release

They gamely tried out their French with the crowd and did pretty well but were probably better understood when talking in English (especially by us). They very kindly said they were humbled by the reception they had received.

These fine, generous and multifaceted musicians are a tour de force live. Go and see them if you’re lucky enough to get a chance.

Setlist

Babel

I Will Wait

Whispers in the Dark

White Blank Page

Holland Road

Timshel

Little Lion Man

Lover of the Light

Thistle & Weeds

For Those Below

Ghosts That We Knew

Hopeless Wanderer

Roll Away Your Stone

Dust Bowl Dance

Encore:

Reminder

Winter Winds

The Cave

Perhaps the best thing about the QUIMS meetings is coming across a golden nuggat that might have slipped through your musical net. When we had the ‘Geography‘ meeting, Jez brought along an LP by ‘Surfin Dave and the Absent Legends’ as his Leeds choice. The LP “In search of a decent haircut” was a winner. I didn’t know it but I did recognised the barbers on the cover “That’s where I get my haircut in Chapel Allerton!”. With sleevenotes by Andy Kershaw the LP was something of an indie cult in the 80’s. I mentioned the LP when I was next in the barbers (£8 for a number 2 with a 4 on top) and the new owner was unaware of it, but he was interested to see it as he was planning to restore the shop window to how it used to be.

A couple of months later, a patient comes in to see me and we get chatting about his posture as a possible cause of his hip arthritis…. “Well I did cut hair for 40 years and you tend to lean on one leg” “Where did you work?” “I had a shop up the road in Chapel Allerton”………“It wasn’t once on an album cover was it?” “Yes it was!” and that’s how I met Norman, a true gent. He brought me in a photo of him infront of his shop in its heyday.

His dad cut hair before him from a shop at the back of Leeds town hall. All the big bands who played there would come and get there hair cut before the show, Count Bassie….etc. “We’d always stay open til 7pm in those days so they could all look smart”. Turns out his brother used to book bands for the Marquee in London in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s – everyone from Jimi Hendrix to U2…..”Not as good as those Big Bands though”.

I’m glad to say Surfin Dave is still at it – go and see him if you can……

I used to get my haircut here, behind Manchester Cathedral in the 80′s (when I had hair) which is why I love this shot of Joy Division so much.

Dr P managed to get the QUIMS crowd tickets  which was pretty impressive as they sold out within minutes. It’s not often I get nervous going to a gig, but tonight I was. Johnny Marr. Tonight was one of 2 warm up gigs for his main tour. JOHNNY FUCKING MARR!!! An all round top bloke. AT THE BRUDENELL!!!!! A combinantion so ‘Ace’ it just felt too good to be true……but it wasn’t!

He was here to punch his way through his new heavy guitar and beats LP ‘The Messenger‘ but didn’t mind dropping in the odd Smiths or Electr0nic tune. He was really into all the songs he played tonight which was great to see. The whole show was a joy to watch and I felt quite privileged to be there. His new stuff and old stuff blend seamlessly together. He always said that ‘Strangeways’ was his favourite Smiths LP and hearing ‘Stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before’ live, you can see why.  Even ‘Getting away with it‘ was turned into a rocky guitar riffed tune and the guitar solo in ‘Forbidden city’ was just sublime.

The other Smiths tunes tonight were ‘Bigmouth‘ and the wonderful “That ‘London’” which seems to riff on one note before exploding into a jingly jangly fireworks display. The encore ended with ‘How soon is now’ which again was turned into a rock ‘n’ roll stonker. His backing band were just right – rocking and up for it (check out ‘Haven‘).

A Top Top night!

Bob the Chiropodist

I noticed on Facebook that ‘Jesca Hoop‘ was giving away 2 tickets for each of her gigs as support to the awesome ‘I Am Kloot‘. As I’m a fan of both I thought it was worth a punt and lo and behold…..

It was my daughter Marisa’s 16th birthday 3 days later, so I asked her if she wanted to join me and I’m delighted to say she did. Kloot are a big favourite in our house since seeing them at the Deershed and WOMAD festivals in 2011. We bounced into the Irish Centre and told the guy on the door that we’d won the Facebook comp “Huh?” “We should be on Jesca Hoops guest list”…..”no”….. He then looked exasperatedly at the many sheets of paper infront of him “I’ve never seen so many for a gig!” – He couldn’t find my name on any of them so with eyes to the sky he gives us the “Oh, just go in” gesture – and in we trot.

First saw Jesca Hoop a couple of years ago and tonight she was just as kooky and cool as she was then. Beautiful guitar picking accompanied songs which are at times difficult to penetrate and sound ‘odd’ but ‘right’. Her banter between tracks was fab – “Who’s ever wanted a broken arm? Ok, a black eye then” A woman at the front admitted to once having one “I bet you felt sexy……Yes you did!”. We got to say ‘thank you’ for the tickets at the Merch stand between sets where she admonished me for being too protective a dad “You’ve got to try and be a cool dad” “I’m trying” “It’s gonna get harder each birthday” – I know!!

I Am Kloot have been going for 13 years now. I first heard of them on a Manchester band compilation ‘Cohesion‘ from 2001 but only really got to love them a couple of years ago whilst listening to their LPs in preperation for their Deershed gig. John Bramwell is a natural front man and did a solo bit….”Which I’ve been doing in the set for about 7 years. I used to think the band were being really generous to me artistically…..til I realised that that’s when the smoking ban came in…”

Live they make a beautiful sound and did our favourites, “Proof” (Marisa) and “I still do” (Me). Marisa was dancing in a sea of people who were gently rocking from side to side and was most happy when some others wriggled through the crowd to join her for a dance at the end. The only problem was she wouldn’t let me take any photos – too embarrassed by the flash – so sorry for poor pics!

A great night and all the better for being free! Thanks Jesca, you’re a star!!

Bob the Chiropodist