Bands I found in 2007

I started to ask myself who at this time last year I either didnt know or barely knew.
these bands if you dont know them I suggest you learn more about them.
The Wombats
Ra Ra Riot
The Twilight Sad
Frightened Rabbit
Good Shoes
GoodBooks
The Maccabees
Mumm-Ra
Foals
Winterkids
The Eames Era
Exit Clov
Bat For Lashes
Sergeant
Delorentos
Switches
Patrick Wolf

2007 Concerts

Date Band Type Venue Location
1/3/2007 Kay Hanley H TT The Bear's Boston
1/27/2007 Camera Obscura H The Paradise Boston
1/27/2007 The Essex Green S The Paradise Boston
1/29/2007 Paul Weller H Irving Plaza New York
1/30/2007 Paul Weller H Irving Plaza New York
1/31/2007 Paul Weller H Irving Plaza New York
2/3/2007 Luke Temple S The Paradise Boston
2/3/2007 Paolo Nutini H The Paradise Boston
2/10/2007 Protokoll H Great Scott Boston
2/18/2007 Lily Allen H Axis Boston
2/25/2007 Mohair S Middle East Downstairs Boston
2/25/2007 Razorlight H Middle East Downstairs Boston
2/27/2007 MC Lars S Middle East Upstairs Boston
2/28/2007 Bright Eyes H Somerville Theatre Boston
2/28/2007 M. Ward S Somerville Theatre Boston
3/11/2007 Mute Math H Axis Boston
3/11/2007 The Cinematics S Axis Boston
3/14/2007 The Twilight Sad F Mohawk Patio Austin
3/14/2007 The Sunshine Underground F NME Show Stubbs Austin
3/14/2007 The Automatic F NME Show Stubbs Austin
3/14/2007 Peter Bjorn And John F Little radio show Austin
3/14/2007 Mumm-Ra F NME BBQ Stubbs Austin
3/14/2007 Jamie T F NME Show Stubbs Austin
3/14/2007 Hot Club De Paris F Fader 400 4th St Austin
3/14/2007 Bloodcut Love F Little Radio Show Red Eyed Fly Austin
3/14/2007 The Young Knives F NME BBQ Stubbs Austin
3/15/2007 Jeremy Warmsley F Transgressive Austin
3/15/2007 Jeremy Warmsley F Creekside Hilton Austin
3/15/2007 Errors F Karma Lounge Austin
3/15/2007 Foals F Transgressive Austin
3/15/2007 Fujiya & Miyagi F Karma Lounge Austin
3/15/2007 The Rumble Strips F Karma Lounge Austin
3/15/2007 Pete And The Pirates F Fader Austin
3/15/2007 Plan B F Karma Lounge Austin
3/15/2007 Secretary Bird F Creekside Hilton Austin
3/15/2007 The Pipettes F Fader Austin
3/15/2007 The Wombats F Planetary Group Party Austin
3/15/2007 Jack Penate F Karma Lounge Austin
3/16/2007 Emma Pollock F Scottish Party Lava Lounge Austin
3/16/2007 Delorentos F Irish Party BD Rileys Austin
3/16/2007 Air Traffic F Irish Party BD Rileys Austin
3/16/2007 Jo Mango F Scottish Party Lava Lounge Austin
3/16/2007 Scissors For Lefty F San Fran Party Spiros Austin
3/16/2007 The Cinematics F Industry Of Music Party O'Fados Pub Austin
3/16/2007 The Hedrons F Scottish Party Lava Lounge Austin
3/16/2007 The Holloways F Karma Lounge Austin
3/16/2007 Hot Club De Paris F The Blind Pig (Camel Party) Austin
3/16/2007 The Hot Puppies F Welsh Party Latitude 30 Austin
3/16/2007 The Sunshine Underground F Karma Lounge Austin
3/16/2007 Winterkids F SESAC Stage Austin
3/16/2007 Thomas Dolby F Industry Of Music Tent 4th St Austin
3/16/2007 The Victorian English Gentlemens Club F BD Rileys Austin
3/16/2007 The Eames Era F BD Rileys Austin
3/17/2007 Shitdisco F Beauty Bar Austin
3/17/2007 Tilly And The Wall F Beauty Bar Patio Austin
3/17/2007 The Wombats F Latitude 30 The Liverpool Party Austin
3/17/2007 The Watson Twins F Cedar St Courtyard Austin
3/17/2007 The Pigeon Detectives F Club Deville Austin
3/17/2007 Bat for Lashes F Bootleg BBQ Mean Eyed Cat Austin
3/17/2007 The Blood Arm F Club Deville Austin
3/17/2007 My Latest Novel F Buffalo Billiards Austin
3/17/2007 Foals F Bootleg BBQ Mean Eyed Cat Austin
3/17/2007 Blanche F Bootleg BBQ Mean Eyed Cat Austin
3/17/2007 The Pipettes F Beauty Bar Patio Austin
3/17/2007 The Electric Soft Parade F Cedar St Courtyard Austin
3/17/2007 The Holloways F Emos Austin
3/17/2007 Stoney F The Tap Room Austin
3/17/2007 Mumm-Ra F Red 7 Patio Austin
3/18/2007 Paolo Nutini H Austin City Limits Taping Austin
3/21/2007 Protokoll S Harpers Ferry Boston
3/21/2007 The Young Knives H Harpers Ferry Boston
3/21/2007 The Daily Pravda S Harpers Ferry Boston
3/21/2007 The Main Drag S Harpers Ferry Boston
3/27/2007 Field Music S Great Scott Boston
3/27/2007 Menomena H Great Scott Boston
3/27/2007 Land Of Talk S Great Scott Boston
3/30/2007 Cold War Kids H Middle East Downstairs Boston
3/30/2007 Tokyo Police Club S Middle East Downstairs Boston
3/30/2007 Delta Spirit S Middle East Downstairs Boston
4/3/2007 Scissors For Lefty H PA's Lounge Somerville Boston
4/3/2007 Locksley S PA's Lounge Somerville Boston
4/4/2007 A Northern Chorus S Middle East Upstairs Boston
4/4/2007 The Twilight Sad H Middle East Upstairs Boston
4/6/2007 MC Lars S TT The Bears Boston
4/6/2007 Schaffer The Dark Lord S TT the Bear's Boston
4/6/2007 MC Frontalot H TT the Bear's Boston
4/7/2007 Parts & Labor S Great Scott Boston
4/7/2007 Big Bear H Great Scott Boston
4/9/2007 The Walkmen S Avalon Boston
4/9/2007 Kaiser Chiefs H Avalon Boston
4/9/2007 Annuals S Avalon Boston
4/11/2007 Bonde De Role S Great Scott Boston
4/11/2007 Klaxons H Great Scott Boston
4/27/2007 Pela H Great Scott Boston
5/2/2007 White Rabbits S Mercury Lounge New York
5/2/2007 The Jealous Girlfriends S Mercury Lounge New York
5/2/2007 The Cribs H Mercury Lounge New York
5/3/2007 The Cribs H Mercury Lounge New York
5/3/2007 The Race S Mercury Lounge New York
5/3/2007 Ra Ra Riot S Mercury Lounge New York
5/4/2007 Ra Ra Riot S Middle East Downstairs Boston
5/4/2007 The Cribs H Middle East Downstairs Boston
5/4/2007 White Rabbits S Middle East Downstairs Boston
5/13/2007 Illinois S The Paradise Boston
5/13/2007 The Kooks H The Paradise Boston
5/15/2007 The Cinematics H TT The Bear's Boston
5/15/2007 Cyanide Valentine S TT the Bear's Boston
5/17/2007 The Dykeenies F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/19/2007 Rank Deluxe F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/17/2007 James Yorkson F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/17/2007 Sergeant F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/17/2007 The Kissaway Trail F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/17/2007 Kubichek! F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/17/2007 1990s F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/19/2007 Charlottefield F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/18/2007 Passenger F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/18/2007 The Midway State F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/18/2007 Mechanical Bride F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/18/2007 Battle F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/18/2007 The Runners F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/18/2007 Oh No Ono F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/18/2007 The Holloways F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/18/2007 Foals F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/18/2007 The Pigeon Detectives F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/19/2007 Mumm-Ra F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/19/2007 Noisettes F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/19/2007 The Twilight Sad F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/19/2007 Maths Class F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/19/2007 Reverend and the Makers F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/19/2007 Winterkids F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/19/2007 Ripchord F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/19/2007 The Answering Machine F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/19/2007 The Strange Death Of Liberal England F The Great Escape Brighton, UK
5/23/2007 Air Traffic S The Astoria London
5/23/2007 Cheap Hotel S The Astoria London
5/23/2007 The Pigeon Detectives H The Astoria London
6/2/2007 CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy) H Middle East Downstairs Boston
6/2/2007 Yo Majesty S Middle East Downstairs Boston
6/2/2007 Heloise and the Savoir Faire S Middle East Downstairs Boston
6/4/2007 The Pipettes H Great Scott Boston
6/4/2007 Monster Bobby S Great Scott Boston
6/4/2007 Smoosh S Great Scott Boston
6/8/2007 Nicole Atkins & The Sea S Great Scott Boston
6/8/2007 The Long Blondes H Great Scott Boston
6/9/2007 The Veils H Great Scott Boston
6/9/2007 The Comas S Great Scott Boston
6/12/2007 Craves S Hurricane O'Reilly's Boston
6/12/2007 Jyrojets H Hurricane O'Reilly's Boston
6/14/2007 Pela S TT the Bear's Boston
6/14/2007 Electric Soft Parade S TT the Bear's Boston
6/14/2007 Brakes H TT the Bear's Boston
6/17/2007 Exit Clov S Hennessy's Boston
6/17/2007 Paolo Nutini H Newbury Comics Boston
6/17/2007 The Eames Era H Hennessy's Boston
6/21/2007 Shapes and Sizes S Middle East Downstairs Boston
6/21/2007 Talk Demonic S Middle East Downstairs Boston
6/21/2007 The National H Middle East Downstairs Boston
6/29/2007 The Fiery Furnaces H The Paradise Boston
6/29/2007 Dios Malos S The Paradise Boston
7/10/2007 The Psychedelic Furs H Avalon Boston
7/10/2007 The Fixx S Avalon Boston
7/10/2007 The Alarm S Avalon Boston
7/11/2007 Monsters Are Waiting S The Paradise Boston
7/11/2007 The Oohlas S The Paradise Boston
7/11/2007 Maximo Park H The Paradise Boston
7/18/2007 The Twilight Sad H Great Scott Boston
7/18/2007 Relay S Great Scott Boston
7/18/2007 Tulsa S Great Scott Boston
7/20/2007 The Hedrons S Great Scott Boston
7/20/2007 Scissors For Lefty H Great Scott Boston
7/21/2007 The Picture S TT the Bear's Boston
7/23/2007 Switches H The Paradise Lounge Boston
7/26/2007 Aberdeen City H Middle East Upstairs Boston
7/26/2007 Amanda Palmer H Middle East Upstairs Boston
7/30/2007 The Automatic H Great Scott Boston
7/30/2007 The Sterns S Great Scott Boston
7/31/2007 Kings of Leon H The Paradise Boston
8/9/2007 Foreign Islands S Bowery Ballroom New York
8/9/2007 White Rabbits S Bowery Ballroom New York
8/9/2007 The Cribs H Bowery Ballroom New York
8/10/2007 The Boggs S Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia
8/10/2007 The Cribs H Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia
8/10/2007 White Rabbits S Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia
8/11/2007 The Cribs H The Black Cat Washington DC
8/11/2007 White Rabbits S The Black Cat Washington DC
8/11/2007 takka takka S The Black Cat Washington, DC
8/12/2007 The Cribs H Union Pool Brooklyn, New York
8/12/2007 Right On dynamite S Union Pool Boston
8/13/2007 The Wombats H Great Scott Boston
9/5/2007 The Cinematics H TT the Bear's Boston
9/5/2007 Carina Round S TT the Bear's Boston
9/6/2007 Editors H The Paradise Boston
9/6/2007 Ra Ra Riot S The Paradise Boston
9/6/2007 Biffy Clyro S The Paradise Boston
9/12/2007 Lucy Grace S Harpers Ferry Boston
9/12/2007 Emily Greene S Harpers Ferry Boston
9/12/2007 Jukebox the Ghost S Harpers Ferry Boston
9/20/2007 Augie March S Great Scott Boston
9/20/2007 The Aliens H Great Scott Boston
9/23/2007 Gruff Rhys H Museum Of Fine Arts Boston
9/23/2007 Mystery Jets S The Paradise Boston
9/24/2007 Bat for Lashes H Great Scott Boston
9/24/2007 Thomas Dolby H Harpers Ferry Boston
9/28/2007 The Twilight Sad H The Livingroom Providence, RI
9/28/2007 The Cold War S The Livingroom Providence, RI
9/29/2007 The Twilight Sad H Chum's Coffeehouse Waltham, Boston
9/30/2007 The Black Lips S Middle East Downstairs Boston
10/4/2007 Bishi S The Paradise Boston
10/4/2007 Patrick Wolf H The Paradise Boston
10/6/2007 Tanya Donelly H Brattle Theatre Boston
10/6/2007 The National H The Roxy Boston
10/6/2007 Kristin Hersh H Brattle Theatre Boston
10/7/2007 The Donnas H The Paradise Boston
10/7/2007 Donita Sparks S The Paradise Boston
10/11/2007 De Novo Dahl S The Paradise Boston
10/11/2007 Hot Hot Heat H The Paradise Boston
10/11/2007 Bedouin Soundclash S The Paradise Boston
10/13/2007 1990s S Middle East Downstairs Boston
10/13/2007 The Little Ones S Middle East Downstairs Boston
10/13/2007 Voxtrot H Middle East Downstairs Boston
10/14/2007 iLiKETRAiNS S Middle East Upstairs Boston
10/14/2007 Division Day H Middle East Upstairs Boston
10/21/2007 British Sea Power H Middle East Downstairs Boston
10/21/2007 Taxpayer S Middle East Downstairs Boston
10/21/2007 StarDeath & White Dwarfs S Middle East Downstairs Boston
10/22/2007 The Hold Steady H The Roxy Boston
10/22/2007 Demander S The Roxy Boston
10/22/2007 Art Brut H The Roxy Boston
10/24/2007 Land Of Talk S TT The Bear's Boston
10/24/2007 Film School H TT The Bear's Boston
10/24/2007 Eulogies S TT The Bear's Boston
10/24/2007 Small Sins S TT The Bear's Boston
10/26/2007 The National H Paddy O's Boston
11/1/2007 The Waterboys H Berklee Performance Center Boston
11/4/2007 Exit Clov H Cambridge Center For Continuing Education Boston
11/6/2007 Scissors for Lefty S Middle East Downstairs Boston
11/6/2007 Suffrajett S Middle East Downstairs Boston
11/6/2007 Juliette And The Licks H Middle East Downstairs Boston
11/7/2007 Gran Ronde S Middle East Downstairs Boston
11/7/2007 The Von Bondies S Middle East Downstairs Boston
11/7/2007 Razorlight H Middle East Downstairs Boston
11/11/2007 28 Degrees Taurus S Great Scott Boston
11/11/2007 Frightened Rabbit H Great Scott Boston
11/11/2007 The Brother Kite S Great Scott Boston
11/12/2007 Delta Spirit S Middle East Downstairs Boston
11/12/2007 Clap Your Hands Say Yeah H Middle East Downstairs Boston
11/15/2007 Nicole Atkins & The Sea S Great Scott Boston
11/15/2007 Monster Bobby S Great Scott Boston
11/15/2007 The Pipettes H Great Scott Boston
12/2/2007 Los Campesinos! H Great Scott Boston
12/2/2007 Mean Creek S Great Scott Boston
12/4/2007 Richard Hawley H TT The Bear's Boston
12/4/2007 Corin Ashley S TT The Bear's Boston
12/10/2007 MGMT S Great Scott Boston
12/15/2007 Tokyo Police Club H Middle East Downstairs Boston
12/15/2007 Ra Ra Riot S Middle East Downstairs Boston
12/15/2007 Vampire Weekend S Middle East Downstairs Boston

Film School TT the bears 20071024

So I went to this show expecting absolutely NOTHING, expecting this was a mistake. When Eulogies came on i think we were the only paying punters there, your shame I enjoyed this group, not majorally but decent music. Then land of talk, again nice if not spectacular music. Surprize to me - I really enjoyed Small Sins. Energetic fun band, time sped by when they were on, and i felt sorry when they left the stage. I have their second Cd, I only wish i could have bought their first Cd from the merch table and handed them some cash.
film School, Why is the main guy singing, his voice merges and not in a good way but boy can he play guitar. swirling atmospheric music, lousy vocals but way better than I thought it would be.

Art Brut NME Rock N Roll Tour

NME comes to the US. Some support bands are Blood Arm and 1990s who are both great. We got Demander, sorry you seem like nice folks but your music was forgettable trash. Art Brut were under-appreciated, and the Audience a million times less appreciative than the two manic shows before at the middle east. Eddie was brilliant, still going into the nasty Hold steady naff crowd inciting them to a reaction. The sweat running down my back I danced like crazy. I totally love the predictability of Art Brut, it makes me smile, makes me go crazy. So glad to be there at the front, so appalled by Hold Steady fans. Hold Steady are such lame Springsteen ripoffs we left after about six songs. Why bother?

iLIKETRAINS, Division Day October 14th 2007

iLIKETRAINS are an interesting band with a very British sound (to my ears), Being guided to ¡Forward,Russia! by Steve Lamacq I very soon expanded my horizon's to other bands on Whiska's and co's Dance to The Radio Record Label plus friends. There is a whole slew of music out there including demos which allow you to see the full breadth of this band's talent. http://www.thisgreenandpleasantland.com/ This Green and Pleasant Land is a very comprehensive fansite for this band and one interesting footnote is that Zack from that site though actually from Washington State was in New England for the weekend and managed to attend this gig. It was really nice to see the band both name check him during the gig but also pull him into their post-gig meal.
The website describes the band as
'iLiKETRAiNS are a band as obsessed with history as they are with the dramatic music they create to tell it. Hailing from Leeds, they offer something completely unique to its vibrant music scene, described by The Guardian as "grand and slightly unapproachable civic music, less to be listened to and more to be visited like a museum or war memorial, and all the more interesting because of it." The Times referred to them as the leaders of "library rock"' in their piece on the band describing their passion for history and the somewhat gloomy demise of the industrial era, and NME descried them 'brilliant, unique, wry... at odds with pop's present trends.'
After seeing the band come into the venue in normal clothes they disappeared up to the box-office to change into their stage outfits of 'British rail uniforms' really just black trousers white shirts black ties and black armbands.
They have a slideshow that accompanies the show with suitable pics.
The setlist stated by the website is
1 Twenty Five Sins
2 A Rook House For Bobby
3 We Go Hunting
4 The Deception
5 Terra Nova
6 Spencer Perceval

Though I remember the gig starting with A rook House, not twenty five sins. Switching between using flash or not i managed to at least get some images from the slide show.
We Go Hunting was preceded by discussion about the fact it is about the Salem witch hunts. They were asking how many folks had been to Salem mentioning they hadn't (they drove in from Washington an exhausting 10 hour drive. Why do these booking agents not take into account just how large and sometimes undrivable America can be.)
There were a few jokes about not being there during the hunts.
Despite the moody dark music which isn't exactly mosh material, the guitar work was quite energetic at times, almost manic.
It was a short set but one to treasure. We had wanted to see them at SXSW but the only show they did was at the same time as we were seeing The Automatic, Jamie T and Sunshine Underground so they lost out. So it was real treat for the guys to get to Boston and this time I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Division Day were an after thought, a band we hadn't had time to listen to (hey you have to see our concert agenda for Fall, three night with two concerts a night). So when they started we thought stay for a few and assess. We actually started to realize this is a very sweet little band that we should be behind. Some songs are better than others, they do suffer from the standard American Indie issues but seem to have new songs that go above and beyond this to be promising little songs.
We had a chat with the guitarist and he was telling us about their record company woes (BOO HISS) and the fact that they have a second album already to go but they wanted to try and get some mileage and play the songs from Beartrap Island. We also talked to the drummer, Kevin, hearing the same story as we bought the album. We would definitely go see this band again.
Photos should be on flickr soon but there was a lot of red eye to sort.

The Little Ones, 1990s Middle East October 13th 2007

The Little Ones from LA in CA, bright poppy and very listenable. I cant figure out what the ethnic danceability exactly is. But when you listen to these guys you smile and it gets a little difficult to stop moving. During the set they asked about who was from certain areas, their inclusion of Philippines suggest that is where Ed and Brian (brothers) are Filipinos. They played mostly new songs finishing with Lovers Who Uncover. Talking to Ian the guitarist at the merch table (nice blue T-shirt for females by the way but it is way small made) we learnt that the album is not only written it is recorded mixed and everything and that the record label is sitting on it until January/February of next year. We also found out it is going to be full of brand new songs - yeah!.
So the 1990s, if you pick up cookies and listen to it you basically get the same effect as sitting down and eating a whole packet of cookies. The saccharine sweetness starts to get to you and you feel less than enthused. I had the chance to speak to Jackie at the merch table before anything started. If you can identify and speak to the band intelligently about the music before they go on stage when they are the support band they tend to appreciate it a lot. Jackie is a very down to earth personable drunken Glaswegian musician and our conversation about their music, music generally and music in Scotland was fun and I appreciated Jackie taking the time.

Michael's drums were set up so close to the front of the stage I could have easily touched the bass drum's skin without too much effort. I have a picture of the fact that Michael keeps his glasses on top of the bass drum while he plays which I thought was amusing. Then Jackie comes out and set up his guitar in about 30 seconds flat. This is a guy that has been playing for years and years and his experience shows in little points like this.

So they came out and started going through their tracks but these are not the saccharine instances found on the album, instead Jackie added depth and substance by playing the guitar like a madman. His guitar solos and riffs made this great. He adjusted a song to add a chorus from Jonathan Richman's Roadrunner song BUT this was totally lost on almost all of the audience. He then mentioned Jonathan Richman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Richman) amazed nobody was recognizing one of Boston's legendary musicians. Of course he asked if anyone knew about him and of course we yelled yes.
but I guess is because we are ancient.
This was so much fun, if you listen to the album and are unimpressed can I suggest you still go and see them live you may change your mind and totally enjoy the show despite any of your preconceptions. BTW they played a new song called The box, I recorded this on the camera and I need to cut it and hopefully make an mp3 available for a bit. The box live
Standard disclaimer if anyone has any issues with this being made available please just let me know.



We stayed for Voxtrot but went to the back got a beer and chilled out. I still can't exactly see what folks love in this band. Boston audiences showed their disdain as normal as some folks were more interested in watching the baseball than any band.

As we left we saw Michael from 1990s and had a quick chat, again a stellar guy.

Addenum
check out this NME story from CMJ http://www.nme.com/news/we-are-scientists/31873
"I'm not going to lie anymore, everyone thinks we're so soft and fuzzy but we've been known to drink our rider before sound check" singer Ed Reyes says "I am going to go to rehab soon. I've been drinking a lot, I've been doing a lot of... drinking. We're going to drink (We Are Scientists) under the table I think."
And Moreno says there will be more than just drinking on tour
"We're going to have a dance-off party. We're from Southern California so we're into a more hip-hop vibe. We're Filipino, we could out-dance any white dude. We're brown! It's in our genes!"
Such Party Guys!

The Wombats Fight - Uncut Documentary Footage!!!

How funny is this advert?

Hot Hot Heat Paradise 20071011

So I ended up at Hot Hot Heat on my own. Surprisingly I got a good space at the front despite an awful commute. De Novo Dahl were OK but sequined suits guys are well over. The music was not offensive but not memorable.
Bedouin Soundclash, must be one of the most difficult bands to spell and google.
The vocalist, guitarist has one of the most extreme board of pedals I think I have ever seen

But to his credit I think he uses the effects well. He does seem a little addicted to the deley pedal both for his guitar and the vocal. I had never heard anything from this band and was open minded. I ended up very impresses and found them very enjoyable. They remind me of early Police with a touch of the Clash thrown in. Sweet to listen to and certainly has lead me to investigate more of their music. It was a bit weird for both of these bands they had no sooner started than they broke a guitar string. You feel a bit sorry for them but they played on like troopers which I show what people can do when they can actually play.

Hot Hot Heat, lets say I 'like' their music but I had not a moment of doubt to choose SHITDISCO over HHH. But SHITDISCO became vomit DISCO as one of tehm was diagnosed with cyclic vomiting disorder. Rather than stay at home on Peel Day we changed plans and bought HHH tickets.
I was a bit weirded out not sure i really wanted to be there but decided to go with the flow. Steve Bays. the vocalist/keyboard player really plays up to the girls, and yes I say girls, in the audience singing into their face, grasping their hands and generally hamming it up any time he wasn't jumping around. He gives a energetic enthused act which tends to outshine the rest of the band. I smiles I danced.
Again not my band to know track names but we got Goodnight, Goodnight, Middle of Nowhere, elevator, Bandages and Let Me In. A fun night.

The Donna The Paradise Boston 20071007

When this was announced they had Switches as the support band. I liked Switches when they played last time to we went ahead and bought tickets thinking that the Donnas would be fun too. A week before they changed the lien up and Switches disappeared. The problem is of course that the support band isn't considered part of the lineup so you have no come back.
So we turned up anyway. The audience was old school rockers and you could see the wrinkles a mile off including ours.
The first band whose name I cant remember had a lead singer who spent his time making misogynist comments but the band made ok text book heavy rock music -Pass!
Then came on Donita Sparks. Dreadful, Cliche after cliche delivered by a has been. Sorry but this made me cringe like crazy.
Watching The Donnas was weird like floating above it. I am so not their target audience. But i could see Brett picking the audience up into the palm of her hand, manipulating them to feel included and to 'Rock out'. They play well, put their heart into the setup and are a fun band. Do they make me go crazy - No.

American Music bad and good

I went to see Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly last night at the Brattle theater. They are part of the New England 'Rock Royalty'. I keep trying to like this as they are so loved by the locals and I see that they have points. Tanya was on first then Kristin then songs together. We stayed for three then ran. I am so sorry but I find the Brattle a HORRIBLE music venue it was cold and antiseptic. Both women have degenerated in singer songwriters of little talent. Their voices aren't wonderful, I wasn't impressed by the guitar and the songs aren't scintillating. I do try but this does NOTHING for me. And hey morons don't take kids under five to a music concert, the rest of the world should not be subjected to that, one word - babysitters.
BTW as you see despite having several of both women's albums the two merged together so we couldnt tell them apart- makes me terribly ashamed I DID love Kristin's Hips and Makers album. Also Joe McMahon was on stage with Tanya, playing double bass and keyboards, he made the show for me. We see him all the time at Great Scott and had no idea he played so well.
So at 8 we moved on and got to the Roxy as fast as we could getting there about 8:30. Word of warning due to fights, drugs and injuries (deaths?) Boston has clamped down and totally shut off the balcony removing huge number of visual vantage points.
So we got there just before The National came on stage and thanks to having our ear plugs managed to find spots just in front of the speakers.
After being annoyed and just feeling I was totally alienated from American music we moved onto the National which is a band which totally slips into my heart regardless of their American roots.
We were late, pressing in at the last moment so our photos are lousy and non-existent. But as we walked out I saw someone with a set list so I did beg the chance to take a photo, probably the only photo worth while for the whole night.
Loved them starting with Brainy and I was so ecstatic when they launched into Secret Meeting. I love this band, their lyrics are dark and brooding, their energy is vibrant, Matt is haunted and possessed on stage, Padma makes you realize that the violin can sometimes be a manic instrument that infuses your veins. I love Boxer but people who love Fake Empire but do not know Secret Meeting, Abel and Mr November make me think they are some of the scum that latched on when The National joined arcade Fire and brought decent music to their tour and sorry but I have no patience for any of you. True I only latched on when Mr all knowing Music God Steve Lamacq started playing Abel but I hope I have becoem true and listened to all their tracks being there when they played TT's.
Every track beautiful, every track inspiring- perhaps there is hope for American music and for me to love it. And Mr November even knocked 'Don't You wanna be relevant'out of my internal mp3 player for a while.

Patrick Wolf Paradise Rock Club October 4th 2007

I started to listening to Patrick as the music board I frequent has several ardent fans. When he supported Amy Winehouse at Avalon I was mildly annoyed to be unable to see him so when the tickets became available for his solo show I did not have a moment of doubt about getting the tickets.
I started to listen to his albums in earnest and watch the Gill Mills podcasts too which in turn lead me to listen to them as a whole as he had intended which was actually a good idea. Patrick does have a bit of a reputation as a Pop Diva especially after firing his drummer on stage in a tantrum which involved him physically chastising the man and chasing him off stage then there was the rant where he claimed to be leaving the music business for ever.
Bishi opened, I hear she got luke warm receptions in the UK but here she was warmly received and put on an interesting little set where she reflected the warm reception with a warm and sunny set of songs. she played a sitar, wore a traditional outfit (Bengalese?) and had her ipod to provide backing.
Then we got Patrick, stick thin and with more glitter than a 8 year old let loose in CVS he was obviously channeling Ziggy stardust in his makeup choices. My flickr shows the makeup as garish but it looked just theatrical when in front of you.
He seems so fragile but real and honest. Not the most handsome but he is stylish and accentauates what he has, musically his songs encompass slow and emotive points to the exuberance and joy that resonated around the Paradise as he played Accident and Emergency and The Magic Position. His classical training shows as he easily moves between his viola to keyboard. His talent is obvious to all who listen.
It was a smallish audience but deeply appreciative and Patrick was happy on stage, this showed as when he went to sing Tristan his mike just failed leaving the front row hearing his utterances as the rest of the audience lost his voice. He smiled laughed and grabbed the keyboard mike and carried on. On another night you feel that may have become a tantrum but instead it was an inside joke which we all giggled about but moved on to enjoy the wonder that Tristan is.
I am not enough of a fan to recognize the song where Patrick name checked Boston but it just added to the warmth of the evening.
I came to this gig interested, I left feeling a deep affection to this talented human angular musician.
BTW the set list became fiction as the night progressed but it gives almost all songs played though stars was played about three songs before the encore and A&E became the song before encore with the magic position as the closer.

My music

I got a jibe about listening to Hard-Fi at last.fm and have also been given a hard time about listening to some bands. If the music makes me move, smile or even cry I love it. I don't really care if you like what I like, my gut tells me how to respond and I will listen to that rather than any so-called trend-setters. Do the same, do you really care about what NME or Pitchfork thinks? Do you smile when you listen- if so be proud and be a loud and proud supporter, I may not approve but music should not be dictated by the head but by the gut, by the libido and so many other non-tangible points.

the cinematics tt the bears Sept 5th

We took a friend to this who has been sidelined with a 2 year old sprog and hasnt been to a gig at TT's for over 10 years. So nice to walk in and have Scott call us over for a chat. This is a genuine band who slog their guts out touring. The gig was fun and we even got a new track. We have been listening to them playing a strange Education for nearly two years now and so feel an empathy for the guys who are getting a little OD'ed on playing the songs live. They still kick butt (and would get scalped if they underperformed in Scotland and specifically in Glasgow).
Scott manages to effortlessly hit notes most vocalists wouldn't even try live. I have such a soft spot for this band and will see them each time they come and play. So sweet getting a hug and a hi after the gig. If you haven't bought their CD or seen them live then why not? Do it tomorrow.........

Cribs, Cribs, Cribs, Cribs

So we start a road trip tonight to see The Cribs in NY, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Brooklyn.
Yes they are that good to be worth doing this for. Photos and quickie reviews soon.

SXSW 2008

YEAH, its that time of year. Fill out the forms, book the hotel, ask for vacation time and start to look at flight prices.
SXSW is now accepting reservations. As pubic phobic as ever but who cares they still accept our money even if we don't officially work for the music biz.
It now becomes the game of wondering who will be there. There is no easier way to see so many smaller UK bands at one time so the countdown has started.

The Automatic Great Scott Boston

A 'Buzz' band in the UK which sometimes has a reputation of being pretentious, The Automatic showed none of that when they came to Boston.
The band stood around openly and chatted to all before soundchecking where they were totally unfazed with us listening and taking pictures.
The sterns were dire, we had seen them before and I had forgotten just how much I find the vocalists totally lacking.
So for about a crowd of 30, The Automatic came on, did a set of about 11 tracks and played their asses off. Apart from the drummer everyone came down into the audience whipping up audience participation and enthusiasm.
More real than you might expect from the album, (why does every producer want to take the kick of live playing out of albums?) this band showed they still knew how to play and get a small crowd going.
Why the larger boring American acts get audiences whilst these bands don't I am unsure but your loss my gain.

Gig Calendar format

So I am messing with the format of the sidebar - if anyone looks here feel free to tell me what they think - I will probably ignore them!
as you can tell I am a Last.fm junkie - totally hooked.

Switches at the Paradise Lounge

So we get a hot British Indie band and they end up playing to a handful of folks.
It seemed like everyone and their brother was actually at the White Stripes gig at the nearby Agganis Arena filling up the local bars and monopolizing all the parking spaces. But those of us who know better were happy to See Switches, four young guys, originally based in Guildford now in London play a great little set. The album comes across as a bit contrived an even a little fey. But seeing these guys live they kick it and provide a major guitar, bas and drum background which definitely gives more grit.
They played, Drama, Queen, Message From Yuz, Lay Down The Law, Coming Down, Lovin It amongst others. after 30 minutes they left the stage and as they did I shouted out -'What no Killer Karma' - they looked at me went ' OK then lets play killer Karma' asked me my name and dedicated the song to me, then played another track 30 days or something(???).
Oli the guitarist was supremely friendly taking lots of time to chat both before and after playing telling us how well the tour supporting the Fratellis was doing.
Seeing bands like this bothering to come to Boston is what it is all about.
A really really nice night.

Two from Scotland and one from San Fran

so last week, bummer that switches postponed, hope it doesn't become a cancellation.
65dos?, don't you guys know how nasty the visa process can be, almost as nasty as me trying to get 20 miles in 75 minutes - truly disgusting.
Twilight Sad on Wednesday were excellent as ever, for four guys with only one guitar and a bass beats me how they create that wall of sound. but it reverbed, the drums drove onwards and James' performance enthralled as all as his inner demons drove him onwards. The music is enthralling, supremely Scottish as his accent is accentuated rather than hidden but addictive.
OK, I have a soft spot as they know us and seem happy to acknowledge us and talk a little, and I have no problem with their accent unlike some over here. So prejudiced but I couldn't see anyone hearing and seeing these guys without feeling you have been seeing a truly cathartic event.
But guys more music please, take some time off and write some more, I am eager to hear more.
Then the Hedrons, four women who rock out. Honestly not really my type of music, but amazingly nice people who try their hearts out and are genuine as can be. Of course the decent accent and the use of the St. Andrews flag makes me happy too.
A great effort regardless of crowd size, I enjoyed this and would make an effort to see them again because they deserve to be seen. You go Girls!
Then Scissors. The band that makes me smile like a goofy fool. I smile, I twirl, i dance and I reinforce the place in my heart for the guys.
There is some thought amongst the fans wondering about sexual orientation but you know who cares? The boys give their hearts out in their performance and we love them back.
Sort out your legal wrangles guys get played and play the size of venues you deserve.
Irrelevant fact, I dreamt one night about going to a gig of their and finding it suddenly in an Orpheum sized venue and my seat getting ever further back as I grouched about knowing them first while thrilling they had made it. It felt so right to be sitting in a crowd of girls who were just bubbling about getting to see the guys.
So minuscule an audience, and a short show (40 mins) but we got Private Hotcha (dedicated to us- Love ya Bryan), X's are forever, Lay down your arms, your boys will find a home plus others.
All tracks were amazing and at separate times Bryan, Robby and Steve all came down to try and whip up the audience.
If getting them an audience is necessary perhaps they just need to do supports but I love these small intimate shows and only want the best for them.

The Alarm Boston July 10th

An open letter to Mike Peters
I have been listening to the Alarm for many years but this was the first time I saw you live. You blew The Fixx and The Psychedelic Furs out the water. The crowd didn't start enthusiastic but you had everyone in the palm of your hand by the time you finished. Your joy at being alive and performing live was beautiful, I came interested in seeing you live and left proud to have seen you. You are a fighter, a consummate performer and came over as a wonderful person.
I wish you every luck in all you do and beat that big 'C' for all of us will you. We would be poorer people for not having you around

The National Middle East June 21st

Even when I am having one of the worst months ever, The National start to play and I feel exhaulted.
So many good tracks but does it say bad things about my mind set when Secret Meeting pulses through causing frustration, despair and beautiful exhaltation at the same time. 'I have a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.' Matt puts his whole self into the performance singing so much with his eyes shut in concentration, the other guys create a tapestry of sound which allows these sounds to fitrate through your whole self until you feel what the whole song is about - the awfulness, the salvation.
Other people can write about the songs sung enough to say I remember in vivid detail why the show two years ago at TTs enhanced an amazing album and made The National one of the few bands I will read a mailing list from.
I loath and hate the people jumping on the bandwagon but if it gives these guys the money and recognition they deserve it is a necessary evil.
Guys - may you have everything you deserve and Lammo yet again I remember why you have never steered me wrong with your musical direction.

Karma

http://www.thefratellis.com/news/index.php?id=168&cat=3
BOSTON CANCELED
Due to unforeseen circumstances, The Fratellis regret to announce that due to scheduling conflicts, the previously announced Boston date on July 17 has been canceled.

Refunds are available from point of purchase.

We tried to get tickets for this on the Saturday after they went on sale Thursday morning. no tickets were left but tickets were available on ebay (about $85 for 2) or at an even worse price at Stubhub($145 each!). So I now laugh at you loathsome scum of touts who were selling on eBay. I hope you got burnt badly.
Touts are really the lowest form of life.

American Bands I actually like

Anyone I meet knows I am completely taken with UK music, like a few international bands and have a minimal tolerance for American music.
There are a few exceptions

The National
Scissors For Lefty
The Blood Arm
Every Move A Pictures
The Eames Era
Locksley
The Spinto Band
Cold War Kids
We Are Scientists
MC Lars
Ambulance LTD
Aberdeen City
Ra Ra Riot
The Little Ones
Tapes N'Tapes
Interpol
Be your Own Pet
The Dandy Warhols
Pixies (and spinoffs)

The Long Blondes, Great Scott Boston June 8th

I have waited so long for this. I so fell in love with this band and their music ever since I heard Christmas Is Cancelled and then came appropriation and long Blondes. I love their musical style I love the voice. Here in the US we have been starved. When I arrived last night Peter was already talking and drinking with Reenie and Screech, such a hoot being intro'ed as their biggest fan. These guys were so nice and `chatted with us, popping out occasionally as they were busy trying to use the local laundrette! oh so glam the life on the road.
We ended up chatting to Screech, Reenie and Emma quite a bit before the soundcheck (only the one new track guilty) and briefly talked to Dorian. We did recommend our favourite restaurant and as we were leaving after dinner the band were just starting their meal there. support band were good, then teh lb came on. so good live giddy stratospheres made me want to dance like crazy, so many good songs such a great front woman, Kate you are so petite, great front woman and pretty, I should hate you but i 'Love' you as a performer. The crowd were so into this dancing and generally the vibe was hot sweaty and so positive. It was a true love fest. We got swallow tatttoo and separated by motorways as an encore and both the band and the audience wanted more but the venue said no. This wasn't a scene thing, this was just a beautifully joyous occasion. I am just so in love with this music! Oh and i got a promise of SXSW next year even if I bribed with stories of free food and alcohol! maybe more details later
You weren't there- why not- shame on you !

Recent music

Realized I am starting to lose track of all the new and great cds that were out this year (already)
Listening to now
Editors - The end has a start - its a grower
Art Brut its a bit complicated - nice but no my little brother track
The Cribs Man Needs Womens Needs Whatever - OMG I cant even begin to say how much I love this
The Pigeon Detectives Wait For Me - Great just what they said they were about - music to smile dance and mosh too
Mumm-Ra These things come in Threes - totally loving this at the moment - awesome
Air Traffic Fractured Life - Some good tracks but a bit blah
This year
Maximo Park Our Earthly Pleasures - fun album
Good Shoes Think Before You speak - living up to the promise
The Maccabees Colour It In - everything we hoped for
The KBC On The Beat - love this band and album
Kubichek! - not enough night - has some real gems
The National Boxer - another grower same vein as all national cds- wonderful
Polytechnic Down Till Dawn - good album though not great
Harrisons - No Fighting In The War Room - not bad at all
Kaiser Chiefs - Yours truly angry mob - a disappointment
Idlewild make a new world - not bad
The Rakes Ten New Messages - more thoughtful than capture\release suspicious eyes is a classic
Twilight Sad Fourteen autumns - Listen and love
The Cinematics - strange Education - at last we got a real release - love their music and live peformance
The wombats - Girl, Boys and Marsupials- what this isnt released well it should have been - class
Tiny Dancers Lions And Tigers And Lions - heard better
winterkids Memoirs - fun

Ra Ra Riot

From the NME
Ra Ra Riot drummer found dead
John Pike's body found after air and sea search
03.Jun.07 9:07pm

The body of Ra Ra Riot drummer John Pike has been found.
Pike, 23, went missing after leaving a party in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The band played a show in Providence, RI on Friday night and afterwards attended the party in Fairhaven, MA. Pike left the party at 3am.
The search began on foot and by air yesterday around 4pm.
Pike's cell phone was later found in shallow water on a beach about half a mile from the house where the party took place, according to local Fire Chief Tim Francis.
This morning the search was extended, with divers searching the waters in the area.
The body was found around 4pm this afternoon (June 3) in seven feet of water in Buzzards Bay, about 200 yards from where his cell phone was discovered.

Ra Ra Riot are young, talented and should be going places. Having seen them support the Cribs twice last month, I couldn't have been more impressed. I probably was standing drinking beside this guy who has had his life truncated. Unreasonably as I really didn't know him, I feel affected and sad about this loss. He deserved more, R.I.P. is cliched but apt.

Great Escape Thursday

We started the festival by going to an instore with James Yorkston. His music is very gentle and simple and a young violinist accompanied him. He did about five songs, very self effacing.
We then walked down to the Zap Club arriving in time to stand in line for Kubichek. They did an excellent set, I realized that I was completely ignorant of the fact they come all the way from Newcastle. It was amusing to hear their Geordie accents. Nightjoy was ebulient though I would have suggested that they finish on a more upbeat song.
We then headed off to downstairs at Oasis to position ourselves for the 1990s. We stood through the kissaway trail. They are being hyped as arcade fire like- perhaps thats why I thought they were only mediocre. We managed to manouevre to a decent spot for the 1990s who were running late. Oh boy is their singer UGLY with a capital U. But though they have little musical substance they were fun bouncy and musically competent. The set included yours supposed to be my friend plus cult status and all the better songs from cookies. We then dashed off to Hectors House and got here in time for a break before Sergeant. Sergeant were incredibly good and we were very impressed - totally a new myspace friend and we will hope they come over to the USA. but they are SO young - startlingly so.
The Dykeenies came on next and finished the night with a fun set, but I preferred the Sergeant set as the songs were much better.
We got setlists from Kubichek! and The Dykeenies.

Pigeon Detectives London Astoria May 23rd

With the threat of having to choose between The Holloways and The Pigeon Detectives at the Great Escape, we decided to blow off the relations and spend a day and night in London seeing the Pigeons in their own gig with the faithful. So this was the third time, once at SXSW with music biz folks being cool, once at Great Escape with 18 yr old indie fans. This was a 14 plus show so quite a few little girls all set to scream backed by a set of 18 plus Indie lads set to crowd surf.
The first band was a dire Cheap Hotel, please if you see this name run as fast as you can. Awful trite dire music. But we managed to suffer through without cutting off our ears though that did seem like a feasible action at points.
Then we got Air Traffic, I definitely like this band and they are getting good press, but I would say that their music isn't really dance able but they put on a nice show and their enthusiasm for playing The Astoria is cute.
The Pigeons! starting with Romantic Type the show got off to a rowdy start, in fact it was pretty rowdy through out with regular crowd surfers being removed. All the hits were played including Dick'ead and Stop and Go where Matt chided everyone who knew the song as being illegal downloaders and told us to go buy the alum come Monday. Matt climbed the side extorting people to clap, climbed the drum kit several times and basically performed himself to exhaustion. Just another regular Pigeons gig. Me, I like to watch the interactions of Dave and my favorite Pigeon Ryan.
I came out wet, sweaty and generally knackered. It is fun to see how these bands are received in their native element.
NOTE to the silly inefficient girl in the box office who kept us waiting a good three minutes while folks were pouring into the gig, thanks so much for being inefficient you meant we were further to the side than we would have liked and beside some complete idiot little boys who didn't dance and managed to let some silly little girls in beside them then tried to push me aside. If you guys let your sex drive to tell you to allow some girls in then give up your place do not push to the side pissing off the people beside you.
photos and a scan of the set list to follow.

great escape brighton in a nutshell

pretty damn good. Last gig we went to (twilight sad) we ended up on one of the nme photos standing at the front.
We saw; james yorkson, kubichek!, kissaway trail, 1990s, sergeant, the dykeenies, passenger, the runners, midway state, oh No ONo, Pigeon detectives, mechanical bride, battle, foals, holloways, the answering machine, noisettes, Maths Class , ripchord, the rev, strange death of liberal england, mumm-ra, winterkids, rank deluxe, charlottefield and twilight sad.
not a bad haul. We also bumped into and talked to Ryan pigeon, last gang, ripchord, keith the mumm-ra manager, Noo and the twilight sad guitarist and bass player.

The Cribs Reviewed May 2nd Mercury Lounge

So three days of The Cribs. I am a very happy person.
We drove down on Wednesday and went down to the Mercury Lounge for about 5:15.
When we got there we saw Chris, their guitar tech, just before the cribs walked in. As they walked past we said hi, but kept back. They played I'm a Realist,Moving Pictures, Mens Needs, Our Bovine Public and what we finally figured was 'Be Safe'.
When they stopped, I loudly said 'the new songs are really amazing. I managed to talk to Gary then Ryan talking about the new songs, asking Ryan what he thought of current bands in the UK. He said he didn't really like anything so I specifically asked about the pigeons. I suppose it was telling that he didn't know who I was talking about until I elaborated to The Pigeon Detectives. Ryan just stated it wasn't his kind of music and made a comment about being a punk band. I mentioned the thread on the cribs board and about Franz and Kaiser chiefs and asking his thoughts. while making clear I knew he liked Ricky but what did he think about the music. He says that Kaisers and Franz are open about making commercial music and that was better than bands that thought they were punk rock but hadn't done their time.
All the guys asked if we were going on Thursday as they were hoping to have Lee Ranaldo play Be Safe with them, the only chance they would have for this. They also said the album is going to be a really sweet packaging and the DVD will be ace, telling us to pick it up when we are over in the first week.
Note the guys had asked for hot tea instead of the vodka that Ryan is normally seen drinking.
The gig that night was pretty good, but I must be getting more anti-social as most folks were just bugging.
Support bands were The Jealous Girlfriends, who were OK and White Rabbits. White Rabbits are getting a lot of blog attention. They seem to be trying to be like Cold War Kids but were fun to watch.
The set included Our Bovine Public, I'm A Realist (which is just amazing),Girls Like Mystery, Moving Pictures,Womens Needs and Ancient History both of which I will really need to listen to the recorded version and get more into,Mens Needs as well as the old favorites. Ryan was relatively well behaved didn't seem that drunk, he did do the playing the amp pushing it over and throwing the mike stand around. Chris seemed to appreciate the fact we periodically moved the mike stand back to solid ground.
Great gig, afterwards we went off to what was being touted as a cribs after party but turned out to be the worst scenester party where bribes were required to get through the door, we bailed on that without paying the bribes.




Picture of Gary

The Cribs

This week has been a primer in excitement for next week. The cribs played Dimples, a karoake bar in California 8pm PST on Wednesday and it was streamed live. I cut a copy of the audio and it has been spreading over the net like crazy as it is some of the better versions of the new tracks until the album leaks.
The trouble is I feel like a total junkie as the three gigs next week get closer and closer. The music is filtering into my veins until I feel like bursting. Four times I have seen these guys and managed to talk to them however briefly three times. They have NEVER disappointed and moved me from a non-believer to a full-fledged junkie. I am way too old to be in this state of music addiction. guys i dont know what you are pushing but I think it should be a class A drug. Does anyone not absolutely adore Ryan and his hi jinks? I never quite know how to categorise just how he makes a person feel, he is a total spectator sport to watch and his excesse.
I dont think this will be a let down but I am getting a little hyper in anticipation.
Wednesday - the mercury lounge
Thursday - the mercury lounge
Friday - the middle east.
Warning guys do NOT block me from being in front of Ryan it just isnt worth it.
Lets hope we can get to the soundchecks

MC Lars TT the bears April 6th

Part of a lineup with 4 Nerd-rap bands. We arrived in time to hear the end of Schaffer The Dark Lord. He had some amusing lyrics taht we caught but not impressed with the music.
MC Lars, usual slide show to accompany the music plus he used MC Frontalots band- big mistake they are chronic. But MC Lars, seen him three times in just over a yera different show each time, perhaps a little corny in his idea I love to see this performance.
Played Space Jam, ahab, Download This Song, Generic Crunk Rap, Time Machine, Signing Emo, White Guys aint Hyphy, 21 Concepts, Hot topic is not punk Rock, Hey Thats Me.
I would like to know how to get the last Cd 'Radio Pet Fencing' which I still dont have.
He has a sense of humor, does great graphics and video editing, loves literature , samples music in a meaningful way and always makes time to talk to his fans.
I make time to see him any time he comes to Boston and rightly so.

Twilight Sad Upstairs at The Middle East April 4th

So A Northern chorus are a Canadian band of the ooh its thoughtful indie sound genre. Read boring as hell, but unfortunately this is what tone deaf really bloody stupid America wants and appreciates! Bands like this are a waste of stage space and venue time as they as SO boring.
But they brought people in and now if people had actually stayed to hear the interesting band. The Twilight Sad hit SXSW and did a pretty great set at The Mohawk Patio which we totally blew Lily Allen off for. and rightly so even though their singer listed as Jaes on their myspace turned his back for a significant part of the gig. They have been slowly driving up from Austin since then playing gigs as they go this such a terribly young band.
The vocal is amazing, the music atmospheric and layered, and the songs have a twisted faction that remind me of Sons and Daughters Repulsion Box which is appropriate as this is the same venue we saw Sons and Daughters at. The personal factor of these lyric lead to the singer not making eye contact and singing to his minds eye but in a matter of weeks he is turning his back less to the audience.
Wonderful- if you weren't there shame on you.
A quick chat afterwards lets me know they actually come from Cumbernauld as near as dammit or as they said a small town with four houses and a shop. My next question was but how many pubs! Ok I am biased I love hearing the Scottish accent again.
Flickr pictures

Scissors For Lefty Somerville April 3rd

Animal Closet, a local band made up of kids barely out of their teens opened. I have seen a lot worse, would I see them again- well I wont pay to see a full price $10 cover but if it was a $5 or so cover I would consider filling a quiet week.
Ah Scissors For Lefty, I haven't blogged this yet but as we have seen them it seems our understanding of them and their antics grows. Bryan Garza,who for any of you girls who get too freaked out - plays for the other team so it is all harmless fun, tends to come out into the crowd during Private Hotcha and 'Sexx' it up with the girls. As he dances close and stares into their eyes girls tend to back off and get a little nervous. As someone who has been there and seen most things I just find this hilarious and stare right back and dance saying what the heck. So this happened the first time we saw them, when they supported Dirty Pretty Things August 2006. Then they played as headliners at TTs the same night Kasabian played November 2006. So we saw Kasabian and ran across town to get their as fast as we could. Having had a night being primed (Mew then Kasabian) I just wanted to dance so I ran in dumped my bag and started dancing - way more than the present audience. again Bryan came out dancing and had folks back off until he came to me who just laughed and danced right back at him. We then had a long chat with the guys afterwards including buying Bruno and giving them extra for having Underhanded Romance. It was a really great end to the night.
So move on to SXSW, we get out of Air Traffic and talking to Steve Lamacq (other story to tell) and we run across to Spiros when the San Fran party was being held. We run in collecting our commemorative t shirts and get to the back patio as SFL are preparing to start.
As they start I move to get to the front making some girls slightly startle but they could see why later. So SFL start and do a nice set, me dancing like crazy, sound is great, the afternoon is hot. So they start playing Private Hotcha Bryan gets down and starts with the other girls and gets the standard reaction. Then he turns to me, we start dancing then he offers his hand so I take his hand and he gestures and so I twirl under his hand then do a waltz round then he moves on meanwhile most folks are just pretty stunned. Bryan knew I was up for a laugh and he played it accordingly.
Lets just say Bryan recognizes me and knows I take this all as a laugh while appreciating the music.

So Tuesday night we turn up as they are soundchecking (hey the venue was a bar and seemed as good as any to meet up in. Had a quick word with Bryan who totally recognized me, including food recommendations.
So the gig, no sound mix guy so sound was pretty ropey and leads were a bit funky. But Bryan is his normal funny self and was a good show, Private Hotcha was restrained as the mic was playing him up only a minute or two. Embarrassed to say it all seemed a blur where you cant really tell much apart from the fat it kept you dancing. seen them do better sets but the intimacy of this made it special. He got Jesse from Locksley doing vocals on the last song. Robby didn't play bass for this gig so a friend was subbing.

Locksly, a sweet band of class guys, music a bit derivative but fun. Enough for me to buy their CD and add them as myspace friends. SFL and locksley are obviously having a ball on this tour and are so comfortable as mates together the camaraderie shows in a really positive way.
Sound was crap all night, bands were sweet as hell, queen bitch here loved them all

Cold War Kids, Tokyo Police Club 30th March 2007 Middle East

Wow, how often do you get three really good bands in one single concert.
Delta Spirit are Cold War Kid's buddies even if they are unsigned. They do have an EP out but beware if you buy it online it is $7, buy it at the gig and get charged $10. Goodwill seems to be a concept that these guys dont understand though they did respond when I sniped about this.
---------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Delta Spirit
Date: Mar 31, 2007 11:18 PM


hello jane
i am very sorry that you felt that you were taken advantage of. in reality we are a very young band on tour with absolutely no support. we have no label. we get payed $100 a night. this usually barely pays for gas. please don't think that i am complaining... we are so happy and blessed to be on this tour, but the reality is the only way that we could afford to do it is to make money on merch. no one buys our shirts (which are $5 cheaper than cold war kids and tokyo police club's are) cause no one has heard of us. so we survive off of cd sales. considering that cold war kids cd is $15 and the fact that it is hard to always make change we decided to sell our eps for $10. we did not force anyone to buy them and to be honest you are the first to complain. also just so you know you can buy the cold war cd for like $8 at best buy as opposed to $15 at shows. i hope you understand. things will hopefully change and we will be able to afford to sell them for less, but at this point that $10 is the difference between me sitting at home or being on tour living my dreams, so thank you for your support and once again i'm sorry that you felt taken advantage of. i hope this gives you peace.
jonathan

----------------- Original Message -----------------

Point is they do play good music and probably do need supporting despite this. One track had Cold War Kids joining them on stage.

Tokyo Police Club, I have such a soft spot for these young kids. sound was horrible soundman should have been slapped. They played A lesson in crime and I think Box, no set list but distorted angular rough (though not as roughly brilliant as when tehy supported Art Brut)Things would have to be hugely more horrible before I call this anything less than stellar.

The main act Cold War Kids with the religous tint i so want to dislike this bunch of ugly preachers BUT I can't. Third time I have seen these guys and I love the act more and more.
SetList
We used to vacation
Passing the hat
Rubidoux
St. John (with TPC and DS)
Robbers
Hospital Beds
God Make up your mind
Tell Me In the Morning
Every Valley is not a lake
Quiet Please

They also came on and did two other tracks as an encore.
St John was amazing, the stage was full of everyone bashing things all over the place, chaotic satisfying frenetic - I cant imagine ever seeing this being done better. At some point I will try to get some shot up on Flickr.
Yes they live up to the hype, so glad I was in at the ground floor.

The guitarist seemed to appreciate my dancing grining at me (yes It is true I wasnt hallucinating) and me and Peter were the only two he shook hands with.

Field Music Great Scott March 27th

Saw these guys last night. Nice music - but is that an insult.
the Phoenix reviewed it here http://www.thephoenix.com/article_ektid36435.aspx
To quote Christopher Gray (want this removed let me know)
Those of us too poor to make it down to Austin for last week’s SxSW festival were treated to a mini-showcase of some of indie rock’s strongest up-and-coming bands at Great Scott last night. Openers Land of Talk, a solid post-rock trio from Montreal, played through most of their breakthrough EP, Applause Cheer Boo Hiss, and upped the energy and charisma with every song. Singer/guitarist Elizabeth Powell sounds like the jilted-lover twin sister of that girl from Sixpence None the Richer. Outside of a few lapses into easy, populist dance-punk drum breaks, the group carved its niche with gusto.

England’s Field Music, looking pissed-off and sullen for the first few tracks, perked up after they got their sound mix figured out. The band cruised in sequence through the first half of their excellent new album, Tones of Town. Lead singers and brothers Peter and David Brewis gamely swapped drummer/guitarist positions every few songs, both completely adept at managing the band’s start-stop rhythms and often-nonexistent time signatures. Smart and gracious, they behaved like The History Boys’s forgotten indie-pop band: angsty but well-schooled show-offs.

Menomena’s set change was exhausting, but the Portland, OR trio began around midnight amid a floor cramped with pedals, two saxophones and at least three guitars. The great kick of seeing this band live is discovering how they’ll recreate their dense songs, which are patched together on a self-designed, loop-recording computer program called Deeler.

The answer? Feats of absurd dexterity. There’s Brent Knopf, playing the xylophone and keyboard at the same time with a guitar on his back . . . Oh wait! He’s using it now! There’s Justin Harris, switching guitar pedals by the beat before he bounds over to the saxophone suspended to a mic stand for easier access. There’s Danny Seim, taking frontman duties on a few songs while still pounding through mad-genius complicated, syncopated beats.

Outside of a strangely empty take on fan-favorite “Muscle ’n Flo,” the band filled the massive shoes of its triumphant new album, Friend and Foe, without a hitch. Crowd and band sweat buckets and loved every minute of it, and the boys even broke their no-encore policy, or tried to before Danny bolted across the street to McDonalds the second the set ended. We all waited ten or fifteen minutes for him to get back. And it was worth it.

End quote

We arrived as Land of Talk were playing their last two songs, Peter hated her voice I kind of like the sound.
We moved in to get a better view of Field Music, three pleasant guys from Sunderland. For non-brits that's the same place as Futureheads and may as well be Newcastle, home of Maximo Park. I love this new trend where the accents actually show in the music these days. Fair renditions from Tones of Town, many transpositions of positions on drumsets. Yes it was enjoyable- did it knock my socks off, did it drive my body wild until I couldn't stand still - No. Would I see them again, probably not, did I regret going - Not for a second.
We stayed until Memomena started, lasted two songs before confirming that good though Memomena are they are just not our sort of band.
As we walked out Field Music were hanging around the back. I talked to one of them (oh the shame totally unsure the name of the guy I talked to). At SXSW Tom from ESP was venting about the fact Field Music played a very short set were unrepentant and saying they were not going to be anymore. So with those words I was curious. So I just straight up asked them. They are taking a break, recharging the batteries less time on the road less time being 'forced' into publicity and all that kind of things.
They were amused about tom venting during the ESP set, and regarding their set admitted they took too long to set up so only did a 20 minute set- short even by SXSW standards. When I admitted we went to see My Latest Novel instead he asked where it had been and how it had been.
Nice conversation, he seemed nice, bit like their music I suppose, I do hope they keep producing music when the pressure is off.

The Young Knives March 21st Harper's Ferry

When The Young Knives originally planned to come to Boston they sheduled to play Great Scott, which I think my blogs have made clear I love as a venue. Small, intimate, cozy and decent sound and I love rubbing shoulders with the band at the bar. Instead we got them at Harper's Ferry which quite frankly sucks as a venue - cavernous, cold and the sound was appalling.
The Young Knives wer eof course screwed by the visa situation, as were many bands, but still persevered and got here - Damn you George Bush. How can anyone think that these guys have any issues?
We talked to both Henry and Houseof Lords (Tom) at the NME BBQ at SXSW and they seemed genuinely friendly talking about visas, Boston amongst other things. We bumped into them a couple of times around SXSW although we didnt see them play again (they put on a nice show at the BBQ).
Grabbing a bite to eat and a drink before the show we bumped into them again and they initiated conversations - these are down to earth guys who work their butts off to get their music out there.

We got there in time to see Blanks and some othe band get off stage and waited for Protokoll. We have seen Protokoll many times but this was by far their worst performance, not sure if this was by design (please no!) or just bad mixing. It was Ben's last show and the frustration and anger on stage was palpable but not productive. The sounds were muddy and little of Jose's distinctive vocal could be heard. Nasty, muddled and harsh - if this were the first time I were seeing Protokoll I would not go see them again. Hey guys pull it together and make the decent music you can when things are good.
The Young Knives played for an hour and the sound was better (though not perfect the sound guy sucked).
Setlist
Enjoyed their tracks, loved hearing the new song, the banter and generally seeing thwm do a decent length set.
People do yourself a favor and buy this CD.

SXSW Saturday 17th

1:15 holloways emos
2:10 shitdisco Beauty Bar
3:00 Blanche
3:50 Foals Bootleg BBQ mean eyed cat
4:50 Bat for Lashes
5:30 The wombats Latitude 30 The liverpool Party
8:00 My latest Novel buffalo billiards
8:50 The Watson Twins Cedar St courtyard
9:30 The electric soft Parade
10:30 Tilly and The Wall Beauty Bar Ptio
11:20 The Pipettes
12:00 Stoney the Tap room
12:45 Mumm-ra Red 7 Patio

I need to give details but I am currently exhausted and need to get to the softball BBQ

SXSW Friday 16th

Why isnt the world here? such an amazing time!
12:30 The hot Puppies Welsh Party Latitude 30
1:00 Winterkids at the SESAC stage
2:00 The Hedrons Scottish Party Lava Lounge
2:30 Jo Mango
3:00 Emma Pollock
4:00 Delorentos Irish Party BD Rileys
4:30 Air Traffic
5:15 Scissors For Lefty San Fran Party Spiros
7:00 The Cinematics Industry of Music Party O'Fados Pub
7:30 Thomas Dolby Industry of Music Tent 4th St
8:45 Hot Club De Paris The Blind Pig (Camel Party)
9:15 The Eames Era BD Rileys
10:00 The Victorian English Gentlemens Club
12:00 The Pigeon Detectives Club DeVille
1:00 The Blood Arm

SXSW Thursday 16th

Oh boy, this was a busy one!
1:30 The Pipettes at Fader
2:05 Jeremy Warmsley at Transgressive
3:00 Foals at transgressive
3:50 Pete and the Prates at Fader
5:00 The Wombats The Planetary group Party
Break for BBQ-Thanks New Zealand!
all the following at the Karma Lounge
8:00 Plan B
8:40 errors
9:05 The Rumble Strips
10:00 Jack Penate
11:00 Fujiya & Miyagi
12:00 Sunshine underground
1:00 The Holloways.

Lets see what today brings!

SXSW 2007

So its here, without
forward, russia, Battle, houdouken!, the KBC, enter shikari, Little man tate, Yes boss and the view amongst others.

Wednesday
Little radio show red eyed fly
Bloodcut love 1pm- (we were getting a beer they were ok)
NME BBQ stubbs
3:45 The young Knives
4:30 Mumm-Ra Both stunning
Little radio show
5:15 Peter bjorn and John
Fader 400 4th st
6:20 Hot Club De Paris
Evening
NME show stubbs
8:00 The sunshine underground good
9:00 The automatic amusing
10:00 Jamie T
The Mohawk Patio
10:45 The twilight sad wonderful music strange stage presence
creekside hilton
12:00 Secretary bird (filler for J.Wo)
1:00 am J wo. Wonderfully intimate- you gotta love it!
1:00 am

must catch up

I should write for hours on the concerts I have been to but life is too nuts.
Synopsis
Paolo Nutini,
saw him do Conan O'Brien, one song at Paul Weller and the Paradise.
Stand up straight boy and look folks in the eye. He came over as a demented sub-normal creep until the paradise show. Not sure what the problem is but when he gets going there is a pretty face under there and a decent performer. The voice and songs, well what can you say, Paolo your voice is like an angel and limited though your songs are. I do love them. But I think he is destined for hype and huge venues- alas poor Paolo once I knew of you.
Lily Allen. (Sunday 18th Feb 2007 Axis)
Lily is what she is, or is she Lily plus, oh how the rumors wirl about her putative pregnancy. There is nothing original here. BUT she does have a great voice, is a bitch and a half (thats a plus in my book) and the songs are catchy even if they rip off other tunes right left and centre. And I just Love 'Nan, your a window shopper' - do you think anyone in her family talks to her?
Razorlight (Sunday 25h Feb 2007 Middle East Downstairs)
Got there early and managed to be at the front. Absolutely nothing offensive about Mohair but then nothing to make me go out of my way to go to their next gig.
So Razorlight. Always a band i have been ambivalent about, a little guilty about taking a front row place but what the heck. If nothing else in sub-zero temps it gives you a place to put your coat.
So Johnny comes out wearing poured on white jeans, yes we know which side you dress on Johnny and then some. The vneck shirt looks thin enough to be transparent and the low vneck is not flattering. A bad case of channelling Freddie Mercury. Within two songs off came the t-shirt. I know Johnny bats for the other team but this was a semi-porn experience.... The jeans only started after the pubic arrow of har had started and after the curve of muscle that curves down to the groin. This was a fully fledged mating display- totally distracting and if anyone wants photos I took closeups!
But to the music, the stage show was entertaining and the music well played, I find some razorlight songs slightly the same but I enjoyed the night and as long as they play venues this size would find myself buying tickets again.

MC Lars (Tuesday 27th Feb 2007 Middle East Upstairs)
Lars was doing a support slot upstairs at the Middle East. We got ther about ten minutes before he came on then left about five mnutes after he came off. He did the show to a slide show projector from his MAC and was the normal consumate performer. I have a real soft spot for LARS and would love to have the chance to see him do a show twice as long. Under his comedy his songs have some real biting points to make and i love that too.
Songs played that I remember, Signing Emo, Hot Topic, Krunk Rock, Hot Topic is not punk Rock, 21 concepts,I Generation, The Raven. This is about the only rap I stand. Love you Lars!
Bright Eyes and M.Ward
(Wednesday 28th Feb 2007 Somerville Theatre)
As an opener M. Ward was bearable and while not my style i opened my mind and tried to see what he was about, when he played with Bright Eyes I could have strangled him - cheerfully.
Bright Eyes- he was Bright Eyes, voice that entrances me, songs that I feel I should like more than I do, oddity to the max. Worth it but not quite sure what I saw.

The Cribs- Boston May 5th

Absolutely great news- The Cribs just announced they will be playing Boston May 4th. The Middle East no word as to whether it is upstairs or downstairs. It should be downstairs as they are just amazing but then they have played Great Scott it hasnt been as busy as it could be.
They also play New York the 2nd and 3rd, yes I am tempted oh so tempted. Crib addiction is so harsh. I just know that I will be getting tickets as soon as possible. Evil thoughts like buy all the tickets and have an intimate evening with the Cribs- wouldnt that be fun. Imagaine it. I would like 600 tickets please! Yes 600! Paper a room with the tickets and just smile! Hey $6000 isnt so bad.......

Recent Concerts

So back to the safe.
On Monday the 29th thru the 31st I saw a Paul Weller play Irving Plaza in NY. Much vaunted as three very different nights a certain amount of hysteria ensued after the anouncement of a Jam, Style Council and Paul Weller Night. People paid huge amounts of money and many many folks flew in from the UK and from all around the US. As it turned out Paul is still not able to deal with the lagacy of The Jam. I get the idea that he feels that by not playing an evening of The Jam and the Style council he kept his integrity. I don't agree - he still by inaction condoned the marketing of these evenings, in fact by condioning the selling of such evenings while he knew he would not actually doing it he sold out his sell out.
Paul- if you had integrity you would not have sold these tickets you would have cancelled and resold as three Paul Weller nights. I am sorry you are arrogant and dismissive of your fans. A musical genius its true but an arrogant self-obsesses unlikeale person non the less.
That said to hear 'The butterfly collector', 'Tales from the riverbank' and 'speak like a child' was heartbreakingly wonderful. but 6 hours of Paul lets just say I have had a glut.
The sets
SYMBOLS: *Paul Weller | "Style Council | ^The Jam

PAUL WELLER | IRVING PLAZA | JANUARY 31, 2007
Science* / Peacock Suit* / Into Tomorrow* / From The Floorboards Up* / Paper Smile* / Savages* / Fly Little Bird* / Wildwood* / Up in Suzie's Room* / All The Pictures On The Wall* / Above The Clouds* / Hung Up* / Porcelain Gods* / Walk On Gilded Splinters* / Wishing On A Star* / Roll Along Summer* / Butterfly Collector^ / Here's The Good News* / You Do Something To Me* / Broken Stones* / Changing Man* / Whirlpools End* // Come on Let's Go* // Thick As Thieves^ // I Wanna Make It Alright* // Sunflower* // Town Called Malice^

PAUL WELLER | IRVING PLAZA | JANUARY 30, 2007
Its a very Deep Sea" / Headstart For Happiness" / Speak Like A Child" / Down In The Seine" / Man Of Great Promise" / My Ever Changing Moods" / Long Hot Summer" / Shout To The Top* / Peacock Suit* / Out Of The Sinking* / From The Floorboards Up* / Into Tomorrow* / Above The Clouds* / Amongst Butterflies* / Porcelain Gods* / Walk on Gilded Splinters* / Butterfly Collector^ / Thinking of You (With Paolo Nuttini)* / That's Entertainment^ / Here's the Good News* / Broken Stones* / Changing Man* / Foot of the Mountain* // Come On Let's Go* // I Wanna Make It Alright* // Town Called Malice^

PAUL WELLER | IRVING PLAZA | JANUARY 29, 2007
Shopping^ / Tales from a Riverbank^ / Carnation^ / English Rose^ / That's Entertainment^ / Man in the Corner Shop^ / Thick as Thieves^ / In the Crowd^ / From the Floor Boards Up* / Paper Smile* / All the Pictures on the Wall* / Above the Clouds* / Running on the Spot^ / Porcelain Gods* / I Walk on Gilded Splinters* / Wildwood* / Savages* / Fly Little Bird* / Pebble and the Boy* / Broken Stones* / You Do Something to Me* / Come On Let's Go* / Changing Man* / Foot of the Mountain* // I Wanna Make It Alright* // Sunflower* // Town Called Malice^

Such a sad day

sometime last night DPT gave birth to a very small undersized underdeveloped baby chinchilla. He died in my hands about 5:30 pm this afternoon. I knew him for less than 12 hours but have cried buckets. Yes- I am so hard and such a bitch - so hate me!

More concerts coming to Boston

So coming soon I have
Paolo Nutini at Paradise Rock Club Feb 3rd
Protokoll at Great Scott Feb 9th
Lily Allen at Axis Feb 18th - Wow this sold out within 3 days!
Rumor! Razorlight Middle East 25th Feb
MC Lars at The Middle East Upstairs Feb 27th
Bright Eyes at Somerville Theatre Feb 28th
The Young Knives at Great Scott March 4th - so psyched about this one
And of course
SXSW March 14th thru 18th
The View at T.T. the Bear's Place March 22nd - hey guys prove yourselves worth the hype
Cold War Kids, Tokyo Police Club at The Middle East Downstairs March 30th
Kaiser Chiefs at Avalon April 9th (grotty support acts not like the UK)
The Kooks at Paradise Rock Club May 13th

OK that should keep me busy - and I have tickets in hand for all but two of these!

Its been a while

January is always such a dreary month. It almost reminds me what life would be like if i gave up listening to bands half my age - and I don't like it!!!!!!!!!!
Its January 24th and SXSW still haven't given up their first list of bands yet. Rumors abound that this will happen next week. Oh please make it so - although looking at Bromheads Jacket's tour itinery it becomes clear they are not making it across here - sob sob. I really enjoyed seeing them at SXSW last year.

But my drought is ending and most spectacularly too.
This Saturday the 27th, we go to see Camera Obscura at the Paradise. I so want to love this band and tried to see as much as possible last time they came even though they clashed with the Rakes. This time no clash so lets hope I love this rather than prepare mental shopping lists, they are so mellow compared to most of my musical tastes.
Then on Sunday, we take off and fly to New York to see Paul Weller play 3 nights at Irving Plaza. On the 30th we get the chance to see Paolo Nutini play Conan O'Brien, i hope to heck it doesnt clash with the concert.

other SXSW bands

Also found
Every Move a Picture
Hazey Janes
Lily Allen
My Latest Novel
The Fratellis
only bands I like will be mentioned

Kay Hanley, TT's January 3rd 2007

So its 2007 and I start the year pretty soon with my first gig.
Kay, what can I say - 12 years ago I came across to Boston with one CD and hopefully an open mind. I tried to listen to WFNX and started hearing a local band called Letters To Cleo. I got tickets to the Best music Poll free concert and saw LTC play for the first time. Kay had an amazing band and I decided to keep an eye out for this band. WFNX continued to get worse and worse until I just couldnt listen any more but I kept listening to Letters to Cleo. LTC never made it despite Here and Now being played on Melrose Place, LTC broke up and Kay married her guitarist Mike and moved to LA. Kay makes her money writing soundtracks and music for tweenie morons now. Hey it pays the bills and the songs she wrote for Josie and The Pussycats werent that bad. But Kay is just a Dorchester girl and comes home twice a year to see her folks at Xmas and 4th of July. When she does she plays TTs and the old faithful pile in and see her play.
Kay is starting to look old, the makeup seemed thick as was the mascara (as ever) its a bit of life starting to hit us all I guess. The number of loser single males in the audience was also a little sick - my guess is Kay feels safer that her husband is in the band because some of these guys are plain weird. The guy in front of me spent the WHOLE concert taking pictures of Kay and only Kay as if noone else was on stage. And the photos were dreadful so one doubts his credentials as a 'professional' photographer and interprets his actions as a little skin crawlingly ick inducing.
Setlist
fastway
lullaby
think bad
copilot
cellars
mellie
it hurts
big star
galapagos
satellite
video
te-amo
encore
in clouds
turn (travis)

enjoyable show but I can see why Kay never hit the big time now.
so sad we all grow old.