FRONT ROW CENTRE - Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobious Pip - 'Angles'

FRONT ROW CENTRE - Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobious Pip - 'Angles'

Dan Le Sac Front Row Centre Scroobius Pip Shell Hunter

You've listened to the songs...you loved the album...now you absolutely have to see them live...

FRONT ROW CENTRE

Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip - 'Angles' (2008)

Sub 89, Reading on April 27th 2014

For music lovers out there, the ultimate thing to do is to see your favourite artist or group live on stage. I go to a lot of concerts and for me the whole evening is an experience. Living just outside of London means it's a normally a dreaded, disgracefully long trek but it is such an amazing place, not only for music but for a night out so its worth it. Sprinkled with individual bars and restaurants hidden in every corner, it makes for a far more memorable experience! To save you hassling around, see my Gig Watch tips below! This is not a normal gig review, this is my experience.

Scroobius Pip needs little introduction on TuneDr as London Scouser is almost obsessive with his musical appreciation of this spoken word genius and featured him numerous times (have a look here). He does have me to thank though when I came home saying he'd love a song and played him The Beat That My Heart Skips years ago!

friends with fancy facial hair

I loved the venue, it's always a bonus when the bar is in the same room! There was plenty of space and even a couple of couches where we found our spot and I perched on the top of one giving me a pretty good view being as short as I am. The trouble was I was slightly distracted from the show at times with the love triangle unfolding before me. A girl with 2 guys on a night out that were obviously both after her hand. One was playing it low key trying to show he was enjoying the music whilst the other was quite the opposite, showing her more attention than the Scroob! That asides, I still couldn't escape the fact Dan Le Sac and Scroobius Pip had obvious chemistry in performance and in the banter between songs. Dan Le Sac revealed his knowledge of Reading having DJ'd there through the years making quips about the local bus service in his panda head hat. A truly funny guy.

totally sharp

The set was exactly what we wanted, brilliant performances of my favourites such as Sick Tonight, Stunner, Beat That My Heart Skipped and Thou Shalt Always Kill. I was waiting with baited breath for my ultimate though. Then it came, full of theatre and raw emotion which Scroobius Pip delivers with impeccable timing and feeling. Angles has always been my favourite and to hear it loud brought floods of goosebumps. It was an ingenious idea to have costume changes to impersonate the characters involved in the different points of view, proving that Scroobius Pip is just as good a showman as he is a poet. Especially with the final verse when the grieving brother stabs the security guard, wow, it knocked me for six. When I thought he could do no more to impress, the second encore and last song was Letter From God To Man, a clever and very relevant song in today's world. I will most certainly make sure I see his spoken word set at Latitude. Who better to read his poignant and genius lyric than himself, a true inspiration to enjoy modern poetry.

The video is from their gig in Amsterdam and is a fab example of what these two got up on stage. Just awesome!

Gig watch (everything you need to know!)

Venue: Sub 89, Reading

Setlist

Recommended Pub: The Monk's Retreat, Wetherspoons (mainly for the colourful people watching!)

Recommended Restaurant: Jamie's Italian (but so many to choose from!)

sfw Pada 10:42 4 Komentar

LONDON SCOUSER'S Best Of 2013

LONDON SCOUSER'S Best Of 2013

Alice In Chains Best of 2013 Black Books Dan Le Sac Imagine Dragons Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Neal Scroobius Pip

This has been a great year with 2 notable events.... A future King of England was born, but more importantly, I joined the Tune Doctor team as a regular contributor. I haven't checked the official statistics, but I believe I have had almost as much press coverage as baby George. Seriously though, I have really enjoyed choosing tracks to share every week and I look forward to contributing many more.

These are my 5 absolute standout tracks of the year, in no particular order.

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - 'Stunner'

When I chose this as my TOTW back in August, I said that I was eagerly awaiting the release of their 3rd album 'Repent, Replenish, Repeat' and I wasn't disappointed. Despite only having 9 tracks, it has everything I have come to love about the boys. Clever and meaningful lyrics with Dan Le Sac's excellent beats holding the songs together. 

This time I will dedicate the song to a certain Shellhunter because as far as I'm concerned, 'The world don't revolve around you but it should'

Black Books - 'Favorite Place'

I first came across this 5 piece band from Austin, Texas when I was offered a free song on my mobile phone through my Google Play account. That song was 'White Noise' and it featured on an EP called 'Aquarena'. I was instantly impressed and could hear influences that to me ranged from 'Arcade Fire' to 'Embrace'. The standout track however was this song which also features on their self titled debut album. In May,they were in the UK supporting none other than 'The Flaming Lips' and Shellhunter and I caught them at their first ever UK headline gig at The Barfly just after they had played 2 support gigs at The Roundhouse. They played a great set and afterwards I spoke with the band at the bar and they were a bunch of nice guys to boot. I look forward to seeing them again in the near future.

Actual setlist taken off of the stage post-gig

Imagine Dragons - 'Radioactive'

I chose this as my first TOTW way back in January, and despite it's popularity (108 million plus views on You Tube) I haven't grown tired of it. The video still makes me smile with all of the cuddly-wuddlies gaining their revenge. The rest of the album was slightly poppier than this but I enjoyed it. I never got a chance to see them when they played over here earlier in the year, but I'm sure they will be back soon.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (Feat Wanz) - 'Thrift Shop'

When I first heard this track on Scroobius Pip's xFM show, I didn't realise how huge it was going to become. I don't have much else to say other than to quote some of  the lyrics ' This is f#@$ing awesome'

Having been a fan of Alice In Chains since the 90's I was really happy to hear their new stuff this year which did not fail to disappoint me whatsoever. Shellhunter and I saw that they were playing over in the UK and when the dates were announced we were dismayed to see that they were playing in London at the Alexandra Palace (see here for why we were upset) I saw that they were also playing in Birmingham, and I arranged to stay with some family up there, but never got around to buying the tickets and missed seeing them play. However, imagine my excitement when at work one mundane morning, a colleague handed me a plectrum and asked me if I had heard of this band.Upon studying it, I thought I read the signature as Jerry Cantrell...I then turned it over and saw the dinosaur logo that featured on the cover of their latest album 'The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here' by now I was speechless and shaking. I eventually managed to tell my colleague that this was one of may all time favourite bands. She insisted that I go and speak with them, which after taking a few minutes to gather myself together, I did. The bands tour manager, Chuck Randall looks an imposing figure, but he is the epitome of 'looks can be deceiving' as he was one of the nicest people I have ever met. he introduced me to Jerry and Mike Inez who were equally nice and spoke with me for a few minutes while I gushed about being a huge fan etc. This didn't put them off though as they agreed to have a picture taken with me. I promise that next time they are over here, I will 100 percent be seeing them.

Spot the nerd amongst rock gods

Subscribe to London Scouser's Best Of 2013 Spotify Playlist below!

sfw Pada 22:00 3 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 11/08/13 - Drenge, Sea Wolf, Bob Dylan, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobious Pip

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 11/08/13 - Drenge, Sea Wolf, Bob Dylan, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobious Pip

Bob Dylan Dan Le Sac Drenge Scroobius Pip Sea Wolf Tracks of the Week

Four tracks that made us want to high five a stranger......

London Scouser:-
Dan Le Sac vs Scroobious Pip - 'Stunner' (2013)

Ok so I featured a track by Scroobius Pip a few weeks back..... Rules ??? There ain't no rules when it comes to decent music. This is the first new release from the Essex boys in 3 years and its from their eagerly awaited (by me fo sho) 3rd album 'Repent, Replenish, Repeat' which is out later this year. Its got a grimy,dark sound to it and I loved it on first hearing. The lyrics "The world don't revolve around you but it probably should, ain't saying you're perfect but you're really, really good" are brilliant. And if I was the romantic type I'd dedicate then to a certain Ms Hunter.  





Old Pa's Corner:-
Bob Dylan - Pretty Saro(2013)

 

Do you recognise that voice?, yes it is Bob Dylan himself singing a track from his new Official Bootleg Series, Vol 10. Another Self Portrait.

The first Self Portrait from 1970 is the first and only Dylan album I never bought on its release. It was a few year later I bought it and found it to be pretty good in parts and would have been a good single album. I have grown to love some of the country and Western influenced tracks.

This new album from the 1969-1972 period is usually recognised as Dylan's  barren  period and would seem a strange choice of material to release. I don't think so! what I have heard so far is fabulous, there are many stripped down outtakes from New Morning which sound even better than the original album.

Can't wait until the full album released at the end of the month. This tastster is brilliant, who says Bob can't sing. I bet I could get this one passed Old Ma's ears and she hates Bob's voice. 

'If I was a poet and could write a fine hand'

SFW:-Sea Wolf - Old Friend (2013)You must checkout the latest release by Alex Brown Church's, Sea Wolf.  Old Friend's simple drum machine beat, fingerpicking acoustic guitar and vocal melody is very hypnotising.  The video features the frontman "traipsing all over southern California" as the "song is partially about reconciling with the past while looking toward the future and was inspired by my return to living in California full-time".  Perfect listening under the stars. 
Flycasual:-
Drenge - 'Backwaters' (2013)

Last week on the Smiths Appreciation Society we had Merchandise who sounded more Smiths than the Smiths. This week we have Drenge who sound like the Smiths if they were hairier and wore more leather. Well at least I think so, there are shades of Morrissey's melodic tones in there. I've only recently come across the Sheffield brothers and Frankly, Mr Shankly, I like what I've heard so far (sorry). Drenge, who incidentally are not particularly hirsute, release their self titled album later this month and if you like this check out their forthcoming single 'Face Like a Skull'.

Peruse Drenge's website here.

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 08:27 4 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 21/07/13 - Ty, Jerry Garcia, Scroobius Pip, Mazzy Star

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 21/07/13 - Ty, Jerry Garcia, Scroobius Pip, Mazzy Star

Jerry Garcia Mazzy Star Scroobius Pip Tracks of the Week Ty

Four tracks that were like sizzling chipolatas on the BBQ....mmmmm

Flycasual:-
Ty - 'Let's Start' (2013)

I used to be heavily into UK Hip Hop (Lewis Parker, Jehst, Mark B and Blade etc) a number of years back but for some reason I sort of lost touch with it. Ty was one of them, his 2003 album Upwards especially, reminding me of the Native Tongues (De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest) in style as does his latest single, 'Let's Start' which is taken from the Londoner's Kick Snare and an Idea pt2 EP released in June. I caught it on the radio a couple of weeks back and realised what I've been missing as Ty sounds fresher than the average bear!


Read more on Ty and Tru-Thoughts records....word!

Shell Hunter:-

Our girl at Latitude....


Old Pa's Corner:-
Gerry Garcia - It Stoned Me (2013)

 

This is fantastic track from Gerry Garcia's new album Gerry Garcia Live Vol 2. It was a live concert from 1990. It is the fabulous  It stoned Me,  Van Morrison's ode to growing up from his  Moondance album.

I just love the almost spiritual, gospel feel to it and Gerry Garcia's distinctive guitar solo is a Joy. I was a late convert to the Grateful Dead . But remember it is never too late.

The video is not the actual track on the album but it is taken from around the same time.

Here is the original by Van himself. Van at his very very best

 

Van Morrison - It Stoned Me

London Scouser:-
Scroobius Pip - '5 Minutes' (2013)

This year Mr Pip will be performing an hour long set of spoken word in August at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. To promote it, he has released this spoken word version of a track that originally featured on his 2010 album 'The Logic Of Chance' Having heard the original a number of times and liking it, it wasn't until I heard this version that I truly listened to the lyrics. I won't say much other than it's about domestic violence. Please listen to it..... Thanks. 

(Click here to check out the original)

Sfw:-
Mazzy Star - California (2013)

A New Hope....

Mazzy Star are back with their first album in 17 years, Seasons Of Your Day, which is due 24th September. All of the band's original members appear on the record, led as always by singer Hope Sandoval and guitarist David Roback. Seasons Of Your Day also includes appearances by folk icon Bert Jansch, who died in 2011, and My Bloody Valentine drummer Colm Ó Cíosóig.

I've had a crush on Hope Sandoval's voice (ok, not just her voice) since 1990 and with a catch line like "Music for lovers, Music for Broken Hearts", she'll be casting her spell on me yet again!

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 04:06 2 Komentar

COVER NERD! - SEXY COVERS (SCROOBIUS PIP / OP8)

COVER NERD! - SEXY COVERS (SCROOBIUS PIP / OP8)

Calexico Cover Nerd Giant Giant Sand Kate Bush Neal OP8 Scroobius Pip

I'm fairly new to this whole blogging game, but I felt already it was time to share a couple of songs which I have to put in the bracket 'SEXY'. I know I'm not the authority on being sexy so please let me know which songs float your boat!

Scroobius Pip - 'Feel It'

Can You Feel It

When I think of Scroobius Pip, the word sexy doesn’t immediately spring to mind. No offence to the bearded genius, but he’s just not my personal cup of tea (to look at). However, this track off of his album Distraction Pieces absolutely is. I remember seeing Mr Pip in London in late 2011 at the Hoxton Bar & Grill and towards the end of his set, a girl joined him on stage and they did this. Being so different from the rest of the set and album that he was exclusively playing, it stuck in my mind.

I like the way Scroobius speaks the lyrics and then Natasha Fox bursts in sometimes just after sometimes at the same time. The combination gets me going and now whenever I hear the song, it gives me goose pimples, and makes me wanna dim the lights, pour some wine and make my own sweet music, and no not a solo record.

I listened to the original Kate Bush song, which has been described as the sexiest song ever. It’s good, but I have to say I prefer Natasha Fox’s vocals. Maybe it’s because I heard the cover first, which usually means that stays as my favourite.

OP8 - 'Sand'

When A Sexy Cover Isn't A Sexy Cover

A few years ago, I was looking on the internet for any Calexico related songs, and came across the band OP8 which has Joey & John from Calexico as well as their oft collaborator Howe Gelb of Giant Sand (amongst many). This track featuring Lisa Germano on vocals, is a cover of the Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood 1960’s recording.

For me the breathy way in which both the male & female voices almost whisper the lyrics, make the hairs on my neck stand up and sends shivers down my spine. The xylophone (on the original version) and the snare brush drumming complement the singing really well.

NERD ALERT! - Dan Le Sac & Scroobius Pip once auditioned for the X-Factor (see here for proof)

Check out my other Covers here

And if you wanna subscribe to the Cover Nerd Spotify playlist, please click here

sfw Pada 05:17 5 Komentar

GUEST SPOT'S Best Of 2011 part 2

GUEST SPOT'S Best Of 2011 part 2

Best of 2011 Brendan Calvin Harris Chase and Status Clock Opera Foster the People Gillian Welch Guest Spot Neal Richmond Fontaine Scroobius Pip Tapes n Tapes Whattalkabout White Denim

We did not want this site to be all about us, we wanted people to contribute their musical experiences, favourite tunes, musical memories, legendary gigs etc and as a result we have compiled a number of excellent posts which have enhanced our site and our music collection. It's with great thanks to you guys for putting in the time and effort to write and share these experiences with us. Thanks again for contributing for the best of 2011 post too. Remember, feel free to submit any contributions at any time, they are always welcome and we enjoy them greatly.

Neal:-
He's our in house 'covers' aficionado, pub quiz specialist and lovable geek who had a crush on Debbie Gibson, oh dear. Read some of his posts here....


Tape n' Tapes - 'Freak Out'
My first standout track of the year. It hit me straightaway and 11 months on I'm still Freaked Out by it.

Clock Opera - 'Belongings'
A cool piano intro and a Guy Garvey-esque voice. It builds and builds to a great ending.

Scroobius Pip - 'The Struggle'
I saw Mr Pip live earlier this year expecting some of his classics. Instead he only played tracks from his new album Distraction Pieces. With the line "My name is Johnny Depp and I kill people" this stood out and still does.

Brendan:-
My old school teacher from Saudi Arabia was late in handing in his 'Best of 2011' assignment but he gets A* for effort. Read his great Dylan post here for homework.

White Denim - 'Drug'

Every slight twist in this thrilling rollercoaster ride, however brief, is adorned with a devastating solo or flourish, and the meticulously organised chaos is topped off with some of the most delicious harmonised vocals this side of heaven. It’s like hearing all your favourite bands finally getting it together to form a supergroup that actually works.

Gillian Welch - 'Silver Dagger'

Gillian Welch connects with the accumulated wisdom and knowledge of the singers and musicians of the near and distant past and towers above almost everything else on the modern musical landscape. This could be spirituality’s last credible stand.

Richmond Fontaine - 'The Mechanic’s Life' 

Richmond Fontaine are one of the few bands to accurately convey the gradual dissipation of meaning from life and the mounting sense of foreboding about the future. They prove that aimlessness, hopelessness and pessimism are perfectly sane and reasonable life choices for the modern man, and like Leonard Cohen of old, their despair uplifts.

Richmond Fontaine - The Mechanic's Life by The Line Of Best Fit

Whattalkabout (Michelle):-
Relive those angst ridden school days with Michelle's Tom Petty Guest Spot here..but before that check out these quality choices.

Calvin Harris - 'Feels So Close' 

I love how this song builds up. Just reminds me that life is an adventure, you can never really be sure where it's going, but it's so exciting.

Chase and Status -'Time'

I've never been a huge fan of theirs, but appreciate what they do. I heard this song stripped down and acoustic. Sometimes, you can listen to a song so many times without ever really listening to the lyrics. This completely changed my perception of them.

Foster The People - 'Pumped Up Kicks'

I wanted to be a bit different and not go for something as "obvious" as this. This, for me, has been the tune of this summer. It is genius.

sfw Pada 02:00 5 Komentar