Jumpstart Trainershoe - new music musings

Some music and a bit of ranting

Ok, just a quick (haha!) run through of the past week or so of music in Jumpstart World. 

On Saturday night, we went to see Equus at Malvern Theatre, with Alfie Allen and Simon Callow, and it was simply breathtaking. I mean this quite literally - I was so gripped, I totally forgot to breathe through most of it.  It's been a long time since I've come out of a play/film/anything and found it so hard to get back to 'normal' having been transported somewhere otherworldly for a short time.  Totally brilliant.

Music wise, we went to the Shoreditch Crawl (aka Stag And Dagger) on Thursday night.  This was a bad move.   My decision not to take any days off straight after Big Weekend was beginning to look a little stupid as I finished my 11th day of work in a row and found that the utterly vapid people of Shoreditch were not...how should I say it?...."compatible" with my mood.  Anyway, we eventually got our wristbands, found out that Dead Kids weren't on until 9pm so I managed to get some food after what felt like 7 miles of walking. Fed and, more importantly, watered, we headed to The Macbeth to see the band who have been exciting me with their catchy but spiky tunes for a couple of weeks. 

Unfortunately, despite being musically brilliant, it wasn't a great show in one vital and all-important way - the lead singer managed to make Donny Tourette look sophisticated.  I know it makes me sound old, but he was just so pointlessly repulsive and obnoxious that even though the music was GREAT, really really GREAT, the biggest cheer of the night genuinely came when he announced that it was to be their last song.  It meant we no longer had to suffer him and his ridiculous posturing ('I don't give a fuck' he informs us.  Brilliant).  He deliberately shattered a glass lamp as he stood on the bar, downed some poor sod's drink and then threw the cup at the crowd (hitting some poor girl on the head) and then suggested that the girls in the front row were almost certainly gagging to fornicate with him.

I'm a bit gutted if I'm honest as the songs, and the band, are still great - but that dreary little prat has ruined it a little bit.  I just hope to god it was a 'bad night' - the reviews I've seen of them at the Great Escape the next day suggested that they were the darlings of the festival so fingers crossed.

We also saw The Strange Death Of Liberal England who we've seen and enjoyed before but this time they were previewing new album material and very, very tasty it was too.  I know Dom, their manager - when I turned to him and said 'They really remind me of Tapes N Tapes', he just looked straight at me with a confused face and simply stated 'But they're better than Tapes N Tapes' - and he might just have a point.  Think how Arcade Fire would be if they had a feisty/cool girl bass player rather than a troll faced/fingerless glove wearing accordion player ;)  They have amazing beer stealing skills too. 

The night before we saw Battles who were suitably brilliant in a packed out Astoria... It nearly made up for not being at ATP this weekend.  Come to think of it, it was probably at the last ATP that I was surrounded by quite so much facial hair. 

Then there was Big Weekend.  Because I was working I didn't get to see much but I did get to see the 'next big things' Magistrates who have a mixture of straightforward (but very proficient) indie songs and funky falsetto numbers (they have been described as The Jam meets Prince which sounds a bit ewww until you hear them and it sort of makes sense). They showed a lot of promise, especially with their poster boy looks. 

Sunday was a bit more slapdash but I got to see bits of absolutely monumental sets from Justice and Pendulum, plus a fair chunk of The Raconteurs' impressive performance - pure class compared to Luke Kook who was doing a great job of pleasing the crowds on the main stage but with only a millionth of the soul with which this lot played.

But it goes without saying that the highlight of the weekend was Mama.  Or does it go without saying, given the negative reviews that have been floating about?  I'm going to cut to the chase here and say that anyone who gave this performance a negative review really must want the moon on a sodding stick.  OK, I admit that it wasn't the best Madonna performance ever seen so perhaps The Telegraph was right to give her 2 out of 5.  But if that show was worth 2 out of 5, that puts The Kooks at about minus 25 out of 5.

I was lucky enough to hear, and even see, a bit of her soundcheck on Friday.  She practiced for something like four hours preparing for this show, not bad for a lady of 'a certain age'.  That said, I have to admit a weakness for watching her dance - I feel that the creative choreography and the obvious enjoyment she takes from performing is a refreshing change from the US soul divas who think that adding 'zest' to their shows means trying to reach increasingly higher notes for longer periods of time, whilst flicking their hair about in front of a gigantic session band.

If I'm honest, I'd rather she didn't play the guitar live, she is bloody terrible at it - and ok, I am a bit surprised at how much she mimed.  But if anyone was 'let down' by the overall spectacle before them, then I think they need to take a good look at themselves and whether or not they 'have a clue'.  It suddenly seems rather cool to be able to say that you saw Madonna and that you were somehow 'discerning' enough to remain unimpressed - but I can't help thinking that it actually just makes you a shallow mug.  Funnily enough, I'm suddenly reminded of Shoreditch again....

Crap photo, amazing band

  Health live at The Luminaire, Kilburn 
  Originally uploaded by remake_remodel

We went to see Health at the Luminaire in Kilburn last week - them off of the amazingly surreal ski jumper video that I posted in January.  I only found out about it at the last minute, Ian was feeling a bit ug and not that well but you know how it is - sometimes you just know even at the time you're booking the tickets that it's going to be a GREAT GIG.   So we were going and that was that.

And my goodness it was something special... There were basically no gaps between songs, adding tension to the frenetic, primal and goddam relentless aural assault that left us with our jaws on the floor for most of it. I know I'm always a sucker for the rhythm section but the drums were being punished so much, I don't know how come the skins weren't ripped to shreds.  Plus, as we saw with Dillinger Escape Plan recently, it's hard to imagine how a band can combine such musical capability with such energetic onstage convulsions.

If you're not aware of their work, the band are sometimes compared to old school Liars - their music is somehow timeless and even though their 'look' (and merchandise) is a little bit Crystal Castle style 'neon' (they collaborated with them on the track 'Crimewave'), I wouldn't have been at all surprised to find out that these noise terrorists were actually old rockers from a musical era long since past.  Drums are the key though - spellbinding rhythms provide order under the scree of guitars/screams/other aggressive noises and occasional ethereal vocals.

Drowned In Sound have rather kindly put up a video of the first two tracks - the sound is pretty terrible (particularly if you don't know their material) but it still goes some way to demonstrating the gig's greatness more capably than I seem able to tonight.

Simply inspiring - to the point where I not only bought the t-shirt but I (cringe) went up to a band member dismantling his kit and shook his hand - which is a first.

Plus, I'm ashamed to admit, it was also my first visit to the Luminaire - and this sign on the wall has made it one of my favourite venues already.

Eighties! (And some other bits...)

You may not agree but that word makes me sing Killing Joke on my internal jukebox (and reminds me of a bassline that was so good, a dead grunge boy from Seattle stole it).

Anyway, judging by the music I am currently listening to (and enjoying), the eighties are BACK BACK BACK. Not in a Killing Joke way really but more in a Breakfast Club, blouson, bouffant and sentimental way.

See below for evidence...

We Are Scientists - 'Lethal Enforcer'
Surprising, but utterly convincing, 80s track from a band usually schooled in rock/indie. One for people to dance to at dinner parties when they've had too much Lambrusco. Slap bass-tastic.

The Whip - 'Sirens'
I'd been waiting for this album for ages based on the press interest around them and the occasional track that appeared on Hype Machine. This track is probably the least dancy of their tracks but this is a post about 80s music so that's that, it's in.

The Presets - 'This Boy's In Love'
It wasn't until I heard this track that I realised just how 80s the first Presets album (Beams) was - mainly because I'd originally bought it on the strength of the buzzsaw racket that was 'Are You The One' and possibly not played it that much. Can't wait to hear their new album 'Apocalypso' on the strength of this though...

Crystal Castles - 'Vanished'
Even this bonkers duo are at it - albeit coming from the darker side of the decade, naturally. (They've also done a really nice remix of The Whip's 'Divebomb'). They've also recorded a *fairly* 80s sounding track which is rather confusingly called '1991'.

Does It Offend You Yeah - 'Dawn Of The Dead'
Two things from this band who are currently one of my favourites. Firstly, Dawn Of The Dead which is a very sweet number and is straight out of an eighties film surely. I can even imagine the video in my head - and it's full of perms.

However, returning back to Killing Joke, check out this other (utterly brilliant) track from the DIOYY album and compare it to Killing Joke's 'Change'.

So Jaz, that's another riff half-inched me thinks?

OK, the Eighties well and truly revisited, just a couple of other bits and bobs. Gigs wise, I saw iLiKETRAiNS at Bush Hall and they were as awesome as ever, and Ian and I doubled the age of the audience at These New Puritans/Blood Red Shoes a few weeks back, both of whom were also great.  I almost admired TNP for ending their set with one of their more "difficult" tracks, even though it did seem to baffle a lot of the audience. Low were spellbinding as ever in a church in Brighton, Elbow were superb (even if I do have to resign myself to the fact that they have moved on and they can't just play the noisy tracks from 'Asleep In The Back' any more) and Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip were really entertaining even if the audience was the tallest one I've ever seen in my life and a bloke in front kept taking me out with his elbow, TOTALLY oblivious to my presence (or anyone elses for that matter). Nobber.

And finally (sorry it's such a long one, I've been bloody busy doing this mainly, Zane Lowe's Masterpieces) but yes my new favourite band are Dead Kids - here's a sample of the best bits of their infectious, synth-led indie. What a glorious racket - and I'm aiming to TRIPLE the average age at their next London gig.

More new music next time providing I've found some time to listen to any ;)

Post just because it's been a long time...

OK, this one will be chaotic and without form just because I've not got anything specific I want to write about but I suppose I should catch up with myself in case there's a rush or something...

I've put up a pic of Serge Gainsbourg to highlight one of the best musical discoveries I've made recently - which is a crime given I was already aware of his Melody Nelson work.  'Requiem Pour Un Con' is just a work of pure genius and I adore it.  It's impossible not to feel French whilst listening to it either, should that be the desired effect.  I can't post it because (can you imagine) I had to buy it from iTunes so it's a weird file.   

Since I last posted, the Klaxons pic in the post below (would that be 'the The Kaiser Chiefs pic' if it was a band beginning with 'the'?) was printed as a full page in NME which was amazingly bloody brilliant and made me more happy than I ever thought it would. It was also on the homepage of the website for a day too. In general, the photos on both the website and in the magazine are my favourite bits and I think their decision to make more of these amazing images has added tremendous quality to the magazine - which therefore allows them to be irreverent elsewhere, just as they should.  To be included amongst them was a tremendous honour really.  All very weird.  No credit though, dang.

Gigs wise, I'm sure there are more but just this last weekend I went to the NME Tour finale with The Ting Tings, Does It Offend You Yeah?, Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong and The Cribs.  The Ting Tings were brilliant although, as they themselves stated, the stage was enormous for them. Given they'd only played gigs in their lounge up until this June, they managed very, very well and she just has 'star' written all over her.  You can't watch a performance of them at the recent BBC Introducing night because I think their record company have just realised they are quite famous now and so they don't want that sort of thing on the internet anymore, even if they agreed to it at the time.  Or something.  Idiots.

Does It Offend You Yeah? were absolutely bloody brilliant and we bought tickets to see them at a 'proper' gig in the coming weeks as soon as we got back.  They're like Late Of The Pier meets Daft Punk meets Killing Joke.  Sort of.  Well the Killing Joke bit came out when they played live anyway.  Hear Battle Royale

They were the definite highlight of the night for me - when poor Joe Lean came on, even though they were really rather good, they totally lacked the party atmosphere that DIOYY had created and fell really rather flat.  Tumbleweed was in abundance, let's put it that way. 

The sound for The Cribs was totally shocking (did I mention that this was at my nemesis venue, Brixton Academy?) but it did eventually improve and Johnny Marr came on and did Panic and all was well. 

Then a couple of days later we had the absolute pleasure of seeing Dillinger Escape Plan at Concorde 2 in Brighton.  How one band can be so technically accomplished and intricate whilst throwing their arms and legs in so many directions is beyond me.  Such an enormous amount of energy matched with, unlike the previous Friday, extraordinary sound quality.  I know 'Black Bubblegum' is their pop song but it sounded exactly as I'd hoped it would and I could see the 'proper' rockers loving it so I didn't feel *too* guilty.  The crowd were dead cool (and terribly young) too, reminding me why I liked the Download festival goers so much - enthusiasm for music does NOT have to lead to diminishing politeness in people.  I must remember to remind the majority of the Brixton crowd the next time I go there...

Lastly on the gig front, I got to take pics at the BBC Introducing night and saw a load of REALLY good bands.  Personal favourites were Late Of The Pier (off've this blog), The Ting Tings and Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip but really, there was no-one who was anything less than brilliant.  Pics here (some of which were taken by my colleague Nickie too :)  My best track of the night was 'Letter From God To Man' by Dan Le Sac, sampling Radiohead in a rather fine manner (apparently getting their approval is what is delaying the album, grr).  Hear it now or watch videos of (most) of the performances and loads more here.

OK, stuff I'm listening to:

No Age - 'Weird Ripper' - they'll remind you of a million post punk bands and all of them will be dead cool. Rock for people who like both ambient music and New York Dolls. Hear 'Everybody's Down.

We Are Wolves - this band appear on a SXSW 2006 showcase album I've got so they've been around for ages but have only recently come into my radar.  They're a little bit Hadouken!-y - catchy electronica with rocking-out guitars and a French bloke shouting.  Possibly a bit too cool for school but they've piqued my interest anyway... Hear 'Magique

I know I've mentioned them before how bloody good is the These New Puritans album??  It's bloody good, that's what it is. Hear 'Swords Of Truth'

The Teenagers make very rude French indie rock - The Guardian says: "They sound like the Velvets doing the soundtrack to a porno film with Vanessa Paradis on guest vocals." Here's a track that is one of their least porno I'm afraid. Hear Streets Of Paris

Jeffrey Lewis is labelled in iTunes as 'anti-folk' which definitely fits.  Quirky, bonkers lyrics over  rather traditional folk guitar (on most songs).  I think he's got a newer album than this one but here's a sample anyway. Hear 'Don't Let The Record Label Take You Out To Lunch

Blood Red Shoes - I'm sure I've talked about them before but I've finally obtained my favourite live track of theirs so here they are again. Hear 'You Bring Me Down'

Hatcham Social sound like Edwyn Collins singing with a teenage goth band really...  The music is pretty clunky - but I dunno, I like it.  But then I tend to like this moody, spiky guitar and bass driven shizzle, let's face it :) Hear 'In My Opinion'

Finally, it's not a new band but I but I love the new Futureheads song so here it is.
Hear 'The Beginning Of The Twist'

Cool week

This week has been cool mainly because I got to take some photos in a totally random situation, ie in the studio when a load of bands were taking over Zane Lowe's show for one night only. I think it's fair to say it's usual to find that bands start off initially feeling 'kind of ok' if not cocky about the whole thing but then a couple of hours before the actual show, they poo themselves a bit. And then at about 7:36 - 7:42pm, they suddenly RELAX. At this point, you start to get really great radio. I never thought I'd hear Thom Yorke saying (paraphrasing here but not much) 'We've had a text in from Roger the Trucker, he's on board!' With enthusiasm! Very surreal.

Personally I felt that Klaxons, Radiohead and Hadouken! provided the best music but there really wasn't a bad show this time and I think everyone rose to the (considerable) challenge admirably as well as providing surprises. Last week, the artists were perhaps slightly smaller so got more involved in the chatroom/interactive side of it (although Radiohead were pretty obsessed by the text messages they were receiving) but it was still nice to see the 'bigger' acts of week 2 genuinely enjoying themselves - all of them, even Radiohead, mentioned how they would love to do it again (although whether Klaxons will get a whole day as requested, I don't know).

Also, I got to see We Are The Physics at the Camden Barfly and yet again they were totally excellent. They do bring a lot of comedy to their performances but I do believe that the tunes stand up for themselves (if you've not heard me talking about them before, they're basically a 'Dirk Wears...' era Adam Ant meets Devo on speed? With visual comedy?). This photo captures the moment when Michael M handed his bass to a guy on the front row and then went off to pogo with the only two people who were actually properly dancing - and I don't blame him really. The girls next to me who repeatedly requested one particular song between every song (whilst refusing to even acknowledge any of the others) did my head in a bit but hey, it's Camden right?

Just two things to sign off 1) my body clock is clearly now buggered after working nights and 2) R.I.P. Uncle Bob - I've always remembered how you taught me to play cards properly - definitely the most useful skill received from an Uncle so far.

This could be a long night...

I originally put this as the title because I have spent a lot of the last couple of weeks reading music mags and listening to bands that I've had 'on my list' but not got around to so I've got LOTS to share. However, it's now going to be an even longer night because half way through writing this post, my browser decided to sodding well crash. Fingers crossed I get to the end of it this time *clicks 'save'*

First up, it's Santogold who is MIA's bezzy mate and it's a good job they are friends because she does sound an awful lot like her which would surely result in 'tension' if they weren't matey. This track has ginormous drums and a sassiness that probably only MIA is currently getting away with credibly.
Hear 'Creator'

Next, it's my New Favourite Band (today), These New Puritans. I know NO-ONE will agree with me about this but they remind me of an indie Klaxons (in the way that you feel they could probably turn their hand to any musical genre and get away with it). They have an ordinary bloke talking/singing over the top of catchy indie/electro romps. With a bit of production expertise thrown at them, I think these could be big. But I am very, very often wrong.
Hear a demo version of Elvis
Hear £4

Mon Ouisch appear on a recent (brilliant) Artrocker CD and this song REALLY reminds me of another song - I think it might be Victorian English Gentlemen's Club but I can't be bothered to check so any guidance would be much appreciated) but I love the throbbing bassline of the verse and the raucous chorus. I know nothing else about this band whatsoever.
Hear 'Us versus Wigan's Newly Chosen Handful'

Damn Shames are up next - more jaunty, angular indie, also on a bit of a Liars tip but much more user friendly. Think maybe Wire meets The Strokes (only far less polished, natch...)
Hear 'Dancing In The Aisles'

Health keep cropping up in my life, mainly via end of year lists on music websites and on my Amazon recommendations and I'm glad I've finally got around to listening. This is excellent stuff, heavy shoegazing with menace - Sonic Youth/MBV style. Check out this pretty surreal Youtube video too. Going to youtube.com was what made my browser crash twice. Evil youtube.
Hear 'Heaven'

The Whip are my pop/dance act for tonight's post although they have been around for a while I think. This track is really New Order like which I know is no bad thing but they aren't usually this derivative - check out their myspace for more.
Hear 'Frustration'

To My Boy have totally passed me by and I'm not sure how - they remind me of Clor (RIP) a lot and there is also a hint of Human League (Dare) and maybe even Sparks? (This is where Sparks afficianadoes kick my arse haha). It's nerdy, electronic pop and pretty wicked.
Hear Type 1 / Type 2

On a pure dance tip, check out autoKratz who are doing a great job of replicating that French dance sound despite being from London village.
Hear 'It's On'

I really like this track from Popular Workshop and I can imagine this style crossing over into the mainstream quite easily - catchy and smart, clearly they know how to craft a tune.
Hear 'X-Rays Confidential'

I like XX Teens because they are sort of like Dexy's Midnight Runners if they'd been about in the naughties and discovered nu rave. God, that sounds terrible doesn't it? I think this track is really infectious, dancable and a lot of fun when you've got a few ciders in you. And they are the least searchable band on the whole of the internet so they need all the help they can get.
Hear 'Darlin''

And finally, as I've REALLY gone on long enough now, Deerhunter for some 'ambient punk' - that's their description and it doesn't really work for me. I can't place them myself but their myspace says MBV and Liars AGAIN! But they sound sod all like the other bands above. Think murky, swirly guitars (ok, that is MBV) but with sort of muted Arcade Fire vocals over the top. And great melodrama building up over a repetitive and hypnotic rhythm...
Hear 'Spring Hall Convert'

Right, I really should give up now but others worthy of note are Eat Sugar, Vessels, Black Lips, What Would Jesus Drive, Hercules And Love Affair and Minus The Bear.

Phew. Over and out. Thanks to Artrocker for most of this post (even though they are to blame for all the Liars/MBV references).

Happy New Year

Blimey, it's been ages since my last post but December has been a quiet month for new music due to TWO bouts of flu and a long period of time at home... I did get chance to ipod DJ throughout most of New Year's Eve and into New Year's Day so that was fun :)

I don't have a coherent list of new bands at present but I'm slowly getting back into the swing of it... I am currently enjoying Kalev (dark, moody rock - who cite their influences as all the good dark, moody rock bands (NIN, Depeche Mode, Patton, etc)) but unfortunately with terrible lyrics. Myspace here.

I am also very much enjoying the Modeselektor album now I've had a good chance to listen to it, even though it has the most disturbing album cover I've seen in a long while - for some superb, dirty electronica, check then out at their Myspace...

I also finally got around to listening to the latest Artrocker compilation and it's got some amazing stuff on it. Attack Switch Attack are ever so slightly Adam and The Ant in the Dirk Wears White Sox days, XX Teens continue to impress me with their tinge of Dexys and I love the squelchy bassline on Mon Ouisch's 'Us Verses Wigan's Newly Chosen Handful' and it has a very infectious chorus - great post punk swagger. Unfortunately this track isn't on their myspace but you can get the gist ;)

Finally today, for something a little less 'moody', check out What Would Jesus Drive? who provide chirpy but edgy indie pop with a hint of electro. Their songs feel really well put together and I'm amazed they've had so few listens on Myspace. Again, the track I've heard most ('Transylvania Time') isn't on their myspace but their cover of the Grease anthem 'The One That I Want' is on there and it isn't as bad as it sounds. Ok, maybe it is, but god bless 'em for trying...

Over and out until next time...

General plague

Sorry about the lack of posts lately, I have been really rather poorly actually. Very little music has passed my ears but plenty of daytime telly has. Lee Mead, the curly haired one from Joseph, is all over the schedule. Great. Having put this list of tunes together, I've realised that being ill has resulted in a predilection towards the rather dark and gloomy. But it is December so sod it.... I'm afraid it's too late in the day to do any uploading but clicky there on the names and check out their myspace page if you feel inclined.

Late Of The Pier - Space and the Woods
Human League meets Fischerspooner on this track which is cheesy electronica at it's best. 'The Bears Are Coming' is slightly darker but equally squelch-tastic on the electro front.

The Scare - Bats! Bats! Bats!
I've been trying to get this track for ages so hooray. As you can possibly gather from the name, they sound like The Cardigans meets Charlotte Church. Not really. They are actually Wolfmother meets The Horrors.

Dillinger Escape Plan - Black Bubblegum
This band appears to be three bands in one - this track is when they are in their 'Faith No More/Mike Patton in Peeping Tom' guise (in fact he's guested on some of their older records apparently). It's all shouty verses followed by epic choruses over dramatic chords, just like a cracking FNM track. The rest of the album features the other two personas which are basically 1) a thrash metal outfit and 2) chainsaw in the washing machine sound effects electronica outfit. The album holds no prisoners to say the least, do not be fooled by the 'melody' of this particular track...

Clockcleaner - Vomiting Mirrors
Hmm, this post is looking darker by the minute... Never mind! This is from 'the most hatest band in Philadelphia' and NME describes them as Bauhaus playing early Butthole Surfers. Again, not for the faint hearted but really bloody good (in my humble Goth-based opinion)

The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name
This band are so touted at the moment that fame is almost inevitable it seems... This track off starts off a little bit too girly-band schmalzty for me (very reminiscent of 'Hey Mickey' but honestly, don't let that put you off) - but it builds up into a right old stonker. I'm looking forward to catching them live next year on the NME Tour...

Does It Offend You, Yeah? - Battle Royale
So far this is the only track of theirs that I have managed to purloin but you can get a free mp3 if you sign up at their myspace, wahey! They're sort of Daft Punk-y/Digitalism-y with a *slightly* more rock edge and therefore very, very now.

Film School - 11:11
Apart from 'not that great' vocals in my view, this song is a lovely/morose, I'm in a bad mood (but in a good way) kind of track. It kind of reminds me of The Chameleons, The Cure and a smidgen of MBV - which is a very good thing. I'm just not that sure about his voice. Maybe I'll get used to it...

The Bleeps - Dull Thud
Golly, another dark and dingy song - but at least this one is quite fast. It's got a Kim Gordon (in pop mode) bassline going on with spiky guitars and nonchalent vocals, culminating in something rather brash and very, very cool.

Right, I think that'll do for now. Just to redress the balance, I've also been listening to the best of the Spice Girls. Flu obviously makes you look to your extremes :o/

Led Zeppelin IV

We rounded up Zane Lowe's Masterpieces tonight - with this classic.

I wasn't sat in the studio sadly but outside with the speakers on full blast, looking at the listener texts coming in - it made for an amazing experience... Some brought tears to the eyes (inevitable with an older album I suppose, so many people were switched onto it by people who have passed away) but a lot were simply about great, great memories. Also, an encouraging amoung of young whippersnappers - one of whom said 'why oh why have I never heard this album before'.

Hopefully we managed to replicate what I was experiencing... This was thanks to Sam's amazing reproduction of the artwork (so you can browse through it) and his self made text box that meant we could cut and paste text messages from the public and display them on the website, on digital telly and on DAB radios.

A common theme seen in the messages throughout the week was that people listen to these albums a lot anyway - but it was knowing that you were listening to them with so many people at the same time that made it exciting...hopefully seeing these messages from other listeners only compounded that. The team ended the show by announcing another series of Masterpieces next year - and played Radiohead's 'Airbag' to indicate the one album they have already decided on - priceless.

Air drumming to 'Four Sticks' with a couple of biros whilst reading these lovely texts didn't really count as work, let's face it...

Eighties Matchbox on Halloween

Eighties Matchbox on Halloween
Originally uploaded by remake_remodel

Had a wicked night last night seeing these pesky rascals again. They were in much better spirits than at the Scala gig and celebrated Halloween by wearing Santa outfits. I still much prefer the older material but then I've played it to death which I haven't with the newer stuff, but the whole gig was great - and it was (unfortunately for them), quiet enough for me to get right to the front. Where my cameraphone STILL underperformed brilliantly. I want to throw that thing off the Westway, I really do.

Anyway, if you're not aware of the work of Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, they're a Brighton based goth-ish, rock-ish outfit, psycho-billy-ish outfit that used to take the piss out of themselves and their genre a bit in the old days but are now a bit more straightforward rock... They can be one of the best live bands in the UK, IMHO - if you can stomach the screaming, naturally. Shit, have just been to their myspace and goth,rock and psychobilly is exactly how they have described themselves when I thought I was maybe being a bit original. Ah well.

The fans made a huge effort to dress up which was very commendable and made us lot all feel really awkward for having made zero effort save a skull t-shirt. Here's a photo of some people I harrassed afterwards for to pose for me (this was after harrassing the poor security to get Guy's umbrella - a request they refused because he had trashed it and it was 'too spiky'. They're lovely though, aren't they?