Boston gets exciting

At the start of the month foals knocked my socks off at The Middle East Downstairs. I am just astonished how tight these guys are and how danceable their music is.
Worth so much more than ticket price.

Then The Long Blondes came to town, channeling a sound reminiscent of past times with a new indie feel I think you are either smitten or not. I fell in love over three years ago after hearing 'Christmas is canceled' and Autonomy boy. I waited with baited breath until they came last year and my only regret was when they stopped. This May they came to town to play Century plus old favorites. I loved chatting to them before (so down to earth and friendly) and adored the songs even more - wow listening to Autonomy boy.
Kate is so petite and gorgeous I should hate her if I wasn't totally awed.

British Sea Power took a chance and gave us another gig despite Boston's boorishness at the last concert. something changed and they charged through an amazing and prolonged set which it is obvious they enjoyed tremendously almost as much as the audience.
Los Campesinos! romped through almost everything (where was 'It started with a Mixx'?) providing a great background for a dance party.
Air traffic came to town and treated the sparse crowd to most of Fractured life and two new songs. They did ask us to bring all our friends next time.
Frightened Rabbit came to town and the scenesters jumped on the bandwagon crowding Great Scott for a rousing rendition of most songs off the Midnight Organ Fight.
A rather disturbing instance did occur when we realize that no matter how much you love the music screaming emotive cries just makes you sound deranged- shudder.

And there's more.........
Sunday has Switches and Be Your Own Pet playing, again Switches have proved to be very sweet approachable guys who play fun (though not serious music).
Tuesday has us on a road trip to see The Wombats in NY, too crazy (us or them?).
Thursday is The Breeders and we all turn into Kim Deal fans and show our age.
Saturday give us the chance to check Pela's Billy hasn't injured himself yet.
Sunday has Dev of Lightspeed Champion hitting Great Scott.
Monday, blow off the Kooks and go see These New Puritans instead- much better.

There is more but that, is another post

The state of Live music

I have been going to a lot of concerts recently. Even the bad ones are worthwhile and interesting BUT note the venues I go to - TT's, Great Scott, Middle East and the Paradise. Is it really a concert when you go to a huge arena and watch the band on stage only through the video screens they provide. why don't you just stay at home and watch the DVD.
Last night we were at The Paradise seeing Mobius Band, Black Kids and Cut Copy. None of these bands are on my top 50 but they are so much more than watching a band on a video screen. Call me crazy but dodging the spit, mis-aimed plectrums, spilled water bottles has to be better than that.
The Agganis Arena is a monstrosity, 6K capacity with parking lots provided by BU. But isn't that negated when they extort $25 for parking, $25 only $1 less than we paid for our two tickets last night. No wonder 3000 cars flood the area looking for on street parking. Then a large proportion of those 6000 crowd into every bar or restaurant in a half mile radius. So last night we arrive as normal (going to The Paradise about once very two to three weeks all year) and find no place to relax.
If you are going to the Agganis you are seeing a stale clinical removed performance, that is not live music so stop annoying those of us who do support live music.

Mumm-Ra call it a day

On the 17th of March Mumm-Ra announced they are splitting up and calling it a day. A Favorite on the board I frequent I started to listen to this band about 18 months ago. We saw them at SXSW 2007 both at the NME party and at their official showcase. This is a band I took to my heart and loved. We also bumped into Noo at the Pigeon Detectives gig, having a hilarious conversation where he swore that both computers and Radio 1 had ruined his life, in a drunken haze of course, hilarious when you consider he uses that as a lyric.
We also had the chance to see them at The Great Escape 2007 again loving every second. Their album which came out at the same time was amazing and the extra demo tracks astoundingly good.
But I want to know who will have custody of Matthew The Duck?
Why this music languishes undiscovered while crap from reality shows makes big money astounds and saddens me.
Mumm-Ra, Tommy B, Noo and Matthew The Duck I will miss you more than i thought possible.
Mumm-Ra - Starlight

Back to the 80s

regressing
The Regeneration tour has just been announced. I think despite the fact it is completely dated and just embarrassing I will end up going. Yes the bands have no cred but Dare and The Lexicon Of Love are still amazing albums even now.

The Human League Open Your Heart


ABC The Look Of Love


A Flock Of Seagulls Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You)


Belinda Carlisle Heaven Is A Place On Earth

Bands calling it a day

I found the news that Milburn called it a day extremely sad.
As far as I know Milburn never made it to the US, I know they never made it to SXSW or Boston. A down to earth bunch of guys from Sheffield they made infectious indie pop that could sink into your brain and refuse to move.
Two albums that were never truly appreciated but remain stuck on play in my playlist.
Milburn - Cheshire Cat Smile

This came shortly after the rumour that Battle called it a day. Yes it is a a 'rumour' but the truth seems so very transparent behind it. Jason, I eagerly await your solo album.
I don't think I will ever stop appreciating the pop brilliance of Tendency, whose hooks make my heart soar and my feet twitch. Tim and Toby, thank you for signing this band and bringing them over to SXSW so we could see them. Double thanks for helping us get in to the Great Escape gig for our last ever chance to see them perform.
Battle - Tendency

Carbon/silicon TT The Bears April 5th 2008

A sleeper in regards ticket sales, by the time of the gig everyone knew what was happening and were hyped.
The support band Scarce put on a decent show for an audience who tolerated them, though they were certainly a treat compared to some recent support bands i Have suffered.
After a long time of the sound guy/guitar tech fussing on stage the stage finally passed muster and Carbon/Silicon appeared - through a back door rather than the normal back room.
Mick Jones and Tony James had a great time, Mick just kept grinning, it was infectious. These were two guys back where they wanted to be, playing wonderful guitars to a malleable audience in a small intimate club. They just seemed so happy to be up there jamming. They are both extremely old now, balding and wearing suits and loafers rather tan punk outfits but just a wonderful thing to see.
I thought I was attuned to the British accent but lost a lot of what Mick said between songs but he did try to converse with the audience.
Both 'What the F*ck' and Why Do Men Fight the last two songs turned into two long fun fests. Truly a gig you were happy to be at.

SXSW recap

59 performances
49 bands

new band 33
old (already seen) band 16

favorites later