Gig Review: Teen Dream and Adult Wonder

Beach House, Concorde 2 Brighton, 25th November 2010

We have lots of beach huts in the city of Brighton and Hove. They're extremely expensive sheds, with no water, no electricity and no privacy. A dash of colour, and their location (along the prom, no less), makes them iconic. At the moment they'll be covered with a shelf of snow, sat squat to the ground, just being. Stationed in neat lines, they are - in all seasons - stunning.

While the beach huts are a prominent feature of our fair town, the band of a similar name, Beach House, prefer to stay in the shadows. Beach House are from Baltimore, a somewhat imposing city. Perhaps it's the kind of place where the indie kids stand in dark corners, hide every facial expression, and present with effortless cool. A house is harder to veil than a hut, but for the individuals compromising this house, the veil proves a huge success.

The dominance of three radiant pyramids, and a wall of small twinkling stars, set the scene for subtle backlighting and a band of rakish musicians shown only in silhouette.

The music began with the smooth, gentle surf of Gila, a track now three years old, and - as it would all night - Victoria Legrand’s voice stole the room with a commanding ethereal force. Without a hint of wishy-washy trilling or excruciating warbling, Legrand delivers a vast vocal range with frighteningly beautiful transfixing power. The dramatic rhythmic sway of thick brown hair bestowed a persuasive reminder that Beach House offer music to grind your soul too. The band remembered to move and shake when the audience forgot. Hundreds of spellbound faces looked forward in rapture. I let my soul go. And, yes, I moved.

The set covered all bases, a best of collection from 2004 to 2010, demonstrating that Beach House can hold their own as headliners and deserve to sell out shows across the world. We all know that Teen Dream is the best album. It's a 2010 scorcher. It deserved to steal the show.

Beach House Set List:
Gila (Devotion)
Better Times (Teen Dream)
Walk in the Park (Teen Dream)
Norway (Teen Dream)
Silver Soul (Teen Dream)
Master of None (Beach House)
Astronaut (Devotion)
Lover of Mine (Teen Dream)
Used to Be (Teen Dream)
Zebra (Teen Dream)
Heart of Chambers (Devotion)
Take Care (Teen Dream)

Encore:
Real Love (Teen Dream)
10 Mile Stereo (Teen Dream)

Fabpants Recommends:

Let’s take one from each album...


Download MP3: Beach House - Gila (courtesy of thelineofbestfit.com)




Download MP3: Beach House - Zebra (courtesy of weeklytapedeck.com)




Download MP3: Beach House - Master of None (courtesy of saladdaysmusic.net)

Gig Review: Mr Pip and Friends

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, Concorde 2 Brighton, 29th March and 31st October 2010

I've had myself a wee shindig with Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip three times this year. They were my headline band of Glastonbury 2010. The combined effort between audience and artist equalled electric and don't let anyone tell you different.

29th March 2010, Concorde 2: I acclaim this also. Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip had just released their album 'The Logic of Chance'. Their enthusiasm emanating from the duo was piping. It spread virally to the support acts, Sound of Rum and B. Dolan, and to the fine new loos at this mid-league venue.

What a perfect night. I hadn't seen such a friendly moshpit extend so far back since The Cribs took the Concorde 2 back in 2006. For Dan and Scroob the room bounced the whole night. Sound of Rum kicked ass, B. Dolan kicked the world, and the headliners kicked back. Buzz buzz buzz. Oh I do like a good gig.

Now, I must tell you about Sound of Rum. They are fronted by Kate Tempest, who wears a young face, holds an easy manner, carries an old skool rapper stance and offers an incredible way with words. I was suitably stunned. You should have seen my face when I saw her drill poems later on in the year. Awestruck, was I.

And what about B. Dolan with his 'George Bush of Evil' mask and boiler suit? Stage presence or what? The guy is a one man art form and completely unique. The suit was stripped off to reveal Dolan dressed like Evil Kenevil on shrooms. Even when a volunteer got on stage for him to jump over, we hadn't reached the height of this surreal stage cabaret. He saved that for his finale. 'We Built this City', is probably the lame-ist song ever to be recorded (sorry Starship), but there is no doubt that it lifted the room. Sample away bad boy Dolan. Hip hop rocks.

The night was sheer delight.

31st October 2010, back at the Concorde2! 'The Logic of Chance' had come back round again, this time 7 months old. Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip made their stage their home and slipped in and out of album 2 like cosy jumper. Okay, the set felt a little shambolic, but it owned charm. The boys were at ease. No bad thing governor. Daft banter makes the world go round.

The set combined tracks from both The Logic of Chance and Angles. I have to say, I was thrilled. Angles is the better album, but The Logic of Chance aint no sleeper. I prefer Concorde2 when it's not sold out and the punters haven't been drinking since noon. It was and they had, but I got to go to the loo with a smiling skeleton. Yes, it was Halloween and, although the night's entertainment had bollocks all to do with ghouls, some people know how to make an effort!

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip were in a room full of friends and they knew it. They've been doing it all year. What did we do? We bounced, bounced, bounced.

Fabpants Recommends:

As I recently recommended a Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip track, they can saunter off for this section. Go make some new tunes boys.

I'm liking the Best Coast album 'Crazy for You', so let's enjoy a stoner fuelled track instead.

Download MP3: Best Coast - When I'm With You (courtesy of gvsbchris.com)




And what about a little 6 Day Riot?



Good, eh? It's from an ace album called Have a Plan. I've been loving it all year.

Gig Review: Believe the Hype

The Vaccines, Audio Brighton, 15th November 2010

Sometimes the hype is right! Last night, I went to see The Vaccines. I'd read a little of the hype. It was the tunes and live reviews that sealed it for me. An abundantly positive vibe easily bore its way through my crusty husk and I wanted it bad. Give to me Vaccines, ah ha, ah ha.

I often take a gamble with gigs and rarely anticipate the outcome. It's not oft that the air tastes so right. As the night approached, I felt very little doubt and great expectation. Something rather special was heading my way. I was not wrong.

I took my place, right down the front, and - from the moment Pete Robertson (drummer) landed his first beat - I couldn't stop bouncing. Opening with Wreckin' Bar, The Vaccines took to the stage and stomped straight through it. Ra Ra Ra! Wreckin' Bar! Start with the one we all know lads. Aim, fire and - yep - spot on target.

Break-Up Sex followed and if break up sex could boast such a sustained rhythm, even for 90 seconds, human beings might spontaneously combust. No chance for another break up. Leave the world in an ecstatic flame fest. Nutty fast drums and jangly guitars on a Billy Whizz ride to the crack den. Take me, I'm yours.

The band may not actually stomp, for the most part they move very little, but the few tunes they have are dirty little belters, even the slow ones, such as Blow It Up. Think 'Is This It' (The Strokes) blended with 'Up The Bracket' (The Libertines), with some understated nonchalance to boot. The Vaccines pull off moving very little on stage far better than The Strokes. The tunes have more poke and occasionally the three guitarists line themselves up like a rather pretty version of Status Quo. Axe men ahoy!

Every song leaves you wanting more. Short, gritty and bouncy: The Vaccines know how to pack a cracking punch. Go drums, go guitars! Fill me with your buoyant energy and allow me not a chance to think.

What freedom! Helpless dancing, with no room for an 'if' or a 'but', let alone a random notion.

Yeah, the set was shorter than a long poo and there was no encore. What do you expect from a band touring on the strength of a few demos?

If they’re heading to a town near you, don't go for a poo, you might miss them.

Here's The Vaccines set list:

Wreckin' Bar
Post Break Up Sex
All in White
If You Wanna
Blow it Up
European Sun
Wet Suit
A Lack of Understanding
Norgaard

I have to say, the Brighton audience needs a bloody big kick up the arse. It was like being trapped in a room full of ironing boards. I counted just six people that allowed the music to steal their hearts enough to dance. Hoorah to the six of us! I bet you they go wild in Stoke. Stoke will put Brighton to shame. I heard great things about the indie scene in Stoke from a very enthusiastic couple at Glasto. If you starve a town of culture they go mad for it. Too right!

Fabpants Recommends:

Download MP3: The Vaccines - If You Wanna (courtesy of mbvmusic.com)




Download MP3: The Vaccines - Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra) (courtesy of poptartstunes.com)




Download MP3: The Vaccines - Blow It Up (courtesy of poptartstunes.com)




Yes, they’ve already met Jools. They played all three of the songs that I've included above on the tele. Here's one to get you going:




If you're hooked, MTV have a Blow It Up video exclusive too.

Stake a Claim: Up with Students! Down with Fees!

I'm mightily impressed. I want to offer a ginormous rallying hug. Perhaps we all need a hug before we fight for our rights and the rights of those yet to come. Go students. Go.

Yes, a violent minority always spoil the protest, but - me oh my - the sheer numbers that hit London on Wednesday says it all. 52,000 marched against plans to treble tuition fees and to cut university funding: a bloody good turnout in anyone's book.

Me, I was on a university campus all day, promoting mental wellbeing. I wish I’d been marching instead. Hey ho.

Is protesting enough? It would seem not. I've marched a lot in my time. In 2003, I marched against the Iraq War. It was reported to be the UK's biggest ever demonstration. All the same, it was ignored by our democratically elected liars. They all seem to be.

Well done to the students, for they have another plan. It's strategic. It involves "decapitation"! Most amusingly, the idea has been stolen from the back stabbing politicians that took a u-turn on opposing a rise in tuition fees. Yes, Nick Clegg once proposed a "right to recall" initiative, which has yet to become law. It proposes that a by-election can be called if an MP is judged guilty of serious wrongdoing and 10% of constituents want him or her removed. I guess the plan is to throw his words right back at him.

Our dear students are going to attempt to force a by-election in the constituencies of MPs that have shat on their pre-election pledge to oppose an increase in tuition fees. The students are going for the MP jugular: power. I see an MP or two quivering in their city shoes. Please don't take away my power! I only just got it.

If you think that education cuts and a rise in tuition fees is wrong, I encourage you to take action and be heard.

I went to university during a time of great political apathy. It was awful. No more APATHY!

In the words of Scroobius Pip:

In this democracy I, as a citizen, reserve the right to stand up for what I believe in
In this democracy I, as a citizen, am not accountable to the government
In this democracy, the government is accountable to us, the people
In this democracy, the government is elected by us, the people
To represent us, the people
In our best interests, on a national and international scale
And if they’re not doing so, in this democracy, I, as a citizen, reserve the right
To rise up

I will not move, I will not change
I will not bend or play their games
I will stand tall with a full frame
I will take pride, I will stake a claim

I swear, as a citizen of this country
To stand up for what I believe in
I swear, as a citizen of this country
To not just sit around, bitching and moaning
I swear, as a citizen of this country
To take action, if action be needed
I swear, as a citizen of this country
To realise that the power is with us
And no one else…

I will not move, I will not change…
I will stake a claim

Fabpants Recommends:

Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip - Stake A Claim



I was so tempted to see Liars after hearing they’d relocated to Audio on Friday. It was all looking so perfect, with a smaller venue, a central location and an early show. My ONLY excuse is that I was feeling a bit tired. I have been kicking myself for missing it ever since. What have I become?

Download MP3: Liars – Scarecrows On A Killer Slant (courtesy of thecargoculte.com)

Gig Review – MEN are Chasing the Carrot

Men, The Prince Albert in Brighton, 4th November 2010

Oh my Giddy Aunt Fanny! How ace was last night?

Last night, I went to see MEN. MEN are a band.

An autumn cold virus has taken over my lungs and brain. I can barely talk or think, but my heart is fizzling with delight. Oh, and I think I'm swooning for Michael O'Neill, one of the two guitarists in the band called MEN. No, I'm not star struck; he just had a lovely table side manner. More about the table later!

The night started with Amongst the Pigeons. Amongst the Pigeons has a fetish for the birds he surrounds himself with. He stands, amidst the clay replicas and human imitators, wearing feline furry ears and wooing his audience with samples, loops and squidgy treats. Amongst the Pigeons is a local cat. My third sighting was the best yet. He seemed a little tense and more focused. Relatively new to the live scene, this could be the way forward for our furry friend. As he registered a wolf whistle offering support from the back of the room, Amongst the Pigeons looked surprised and bemused. I hope he gets nervous and self conscious more often. It brings out the best in him.

Then came MEN! Of course, I expected great things. After The Freebutt gig in January, I had little doubt that a treat was in store, and perhaps a few tricks. This was no experimental foray into live music land. This was almost guaranteed to be awesome.

MEN are a self declared art band. I am of the belief that they generate a sense of community wherever they go, combining collaboration with DIY in the most enviable way.

More bands should have matching backdrops and overalls painted by pals or even by Celeste Dupuy-Spencer. JD Samson, front woman magnific, wore a bum on her front. Once Celeste painted MEN playing live, now her paintings are part of the performance itself. Seemingly, MEN is made up of a gang of the chosen picked up along the way.

Back in January, I said "Sometimes being in the right place at the right time makes you cool. Make the most of it, because it only lasts as long as that moment. On 16th January 2010, I was cool for as long as there were Men on stage... We bop, we grin and then all week we imagine that we're part of the scene that Men made." Last night, I was cool and then some! Just for a moment.

Sat near the stage, we watched our table of choice transform into the MEN merch stall. By our position, we became part of the scene that I imagined last January. I have to say, we had a ball. As MEN headed for the stage, Michael instructed us not to let anyone steal stuff. I declared I would use my kicking skills. I would have been happy to, but people wanted to give us money! My impressive high kick was left unseen.

My funny old fingers rummaged through boxes and bags, finding appropriately sized t-shirts, badges, 7 inch singles and demo CDs. Many of these went on to be signed. Smiling face after smiling face came to us. They came to find a memento and we aimed to please.

We, the impromptu merch volunteers, were ACE. MEN were an amazing success and everybody wanted a piece. In the middle of the superb song Credit Card Babie$, I had to interrupt my boogie on the bench to find a large "I am a Fe-MEN-ist" T-shirt. I am pleased to say, it was being worn by a very happy chap before Credit Card Babie$ found its end note.

It wasn't just him. I'd like to think we were all happy. My only complaint is that people didn't bounce enough. Where was The Freebutt style bouncing? Brighton needs more bounce. Not to worry, we - on the bench - were imitating JD Samson's dance moves and moving our butts to the beat. We had it covered.

Back in January, I felt MEN had enough material for an album. It must come soon. It has a title and I've even found a track by track review. 'Talk About Body' is coming soon. Get ready for it!

Fabpants Recommends:

The new MEN 7 inch single.

Download MP3: Men - Off Our Backs (courtesy of audiodrums.com)




And two songs MEN have on their MySpace playlist.

I can't believe I haven't posted this track before. It was a 2007 favourite. What am I like?

Download MP3: BARR - The Song Is the Single (courtesy of reifiedrecords.com)




I am ashamed to say, I hadn't heard this before and it is ace.

Download MP3: Ponytail – Beg Waves (courtesy of einsteinmusicjournal.co.nz)

Gig Review: Zombie Zombie and Halloween Gets Closer

Zombie Zombie, Brighton’s The Hope, 25th July 2010

I'm a Zombie Zombie fan. I saw them first at Bestival in 2008. Then I saw them at The Freebutt in January 2009. I'm a lucky lucky lady.

Zombie Zombie is a band comprised of two.

Zombie one is Etienne Jaumet. Etienne's an electronic analogue Theremin brain chomper. I've also seen him play solo.

Zombie two is Cosmic Neman. Before death, he made himself known in a band called Herman Dune. Yes, I've seen Herman Dune play live too. I was suitably mesmerised by the simply ace drumming of Master Neman. As well as his sticks, Cosmic now boasts an odd electronic voice. He mostly yelps.

At the start of this gig, he spoke. Real words. It seems that Zombie Zombie have invited John Carpenter to live inside the one-bit memory of their one and only keyboard. GEE! The sonic terrain of the next hour would be inspired by the sci-fi master himself, covers an' all.

"Wow", I thought.

Within moments, music stole my cerebral cortex. An undeniable cinematic soundscape penetrated inwards. I sat, captivated, in the front row, on a chair that I'd rebelliously placed there. For the most part, Zombie Zombie's trademark eerie Theremin oscillations and distorted yelps took a back seat. Instead, Etienne and Cosmic created visual imagery with sound. Unbeknownst to me, somewhere in my subconscious John Carpenter resides. He gets everywhere. My mind made unexpected links. I fell into a retro-futuristic trance.

Zombie Zombie have since released a 5 track called 'Plays John Carpenter'. The tracklisting may tempt you to taste. 'Tis here:

1. The Bank Robbery (Taken From 'Escape From New York')
2. Escape From LA Main Theme
3. Assault on Precinct 13 Main Theme (feat. Romain Turzi)
4. Halloween Main Theme
5. The Thing Main Theme

Assault on Precinct 13, as played at The Hope, has kindly been shared on YouTube and has been watched almost 2,000 times as I type. I think about 40 people were at The Hope, if that!

Fabpants Recommends:

A wee while ago, I posted up a Zombie Zombie track called "Driving This Road Until Death Sets You Free". The video for this track is simply amazing. It will make you want to get out your old VHS recording of The Thing.



Yes, it's a remake of John Carpenter's movie "The Thing", in stop motion, with G.I. Joes. Blinding!

Gig Review: Just Kissaway It All

The Kissaway Trail, The Hope in Brighton, 29th September 2010

The Freebutt has been told off for being too noisy. Ya boo sucks to sound leakage. While I signed The Freebutt petition and wish it well, The Kissaway Trail's gig relocation was bloody brilliant. The Hope is now a fabulous live venue. They've spent some cash on a real stage, have a proper lighting rig and even offer ear plugs for all at the bar. I have missed having a small homely gig venue in Brighton since The Freebutt’s terrible refurbishment. Yes, I bleated on about that back in 2008. The Hope now fills that gap. The 2010 setup completes it superbly.

Six musicians filled the stage, with room to dance, in the form of The Kissaway Trail. Perfect songs performed with heartfelt accuracy filled the room. Having spent two weeks in the chaos of moving and in fear of evil landlords, going out to a gig was a big effort for me. In exchange for effort, The Kissaway Trail played a wonderful soul cleansing set. I can quite honestly say they healed me. As I rode my bicycle in relentless rain, a happy contentment carried me home. My soul was blighted no more.

The Kissaway Trail played a number of tracks from the lovely album Sleep Mountain and it was with these they enchanted the room. Their cover of The Pixies 'Where is my Mind' was so sensitively delivered it added further beauty. The strain of vulnerability stole the room.

Don't let me mislead you, for far from being dour, The Kissaway Trail had a ball. They laughed, smiled and let themselves get carried away with their own fierce attention to detail and the great output it creates.

I particularly admire a man that makes it enviable to play two tambourines for an entire set. He played them amazingly well and was so full of life. The bassist was equally expressive. His face said it all. And what does a small homely gig offer? The chance to say "Thanks mate, great gig". To say thanks to the boys from Odense, Denmark, as they walked off the stage, down the stairs and then outside. We were all very thankful.

Fabpants Recommends:

Download MP3: The Kissaway Trail - Beat Your Heartbeat (courtesy of loftandlost)




Download MP3: The Kissaway Trail - SDP (courtesy of box.net)

Ten Thousand Things

Ten Thousand Things: the simultaneous connection and independence of everything.

When I said 'wig out' in the office the other day, the music lover I was gabbing to questioned me. "Wig out! Never heard of it, what does it mean?" I explained to the best of my ability. Then I enjoyed the paranoia of doubt.

Later, I checked online. I was wrong. There was an Emily-ism, so to speak. But damn, if I hadn't had to become an inept dictionary, I could have got away with it. At the exact point of the gig I was championing, the musician did wig out.

If you think that's the kind of coincidence that could blow an ant's arse off (yeah, right), since then I've read the term 'wig out' three times; twice in the NME magazine (one issue) and once on the Resonance FM website. Perhaps I'm the source of a word renaissance, or did I respond to a collective thought?

If there was a collective thought, I was a conduit, unaware of true meaning. I may have altered true meaning forever. Perhaps that's my role in my karass.

* A karass is "a team that do[es] God's Will without ever discovering what they are doing." [Kurt Vonnegut, Cat’s Cradle, 1963]