Sebadoh Irish dates.

Roisin Dubh, Galway, April 22nd. Tickets on sale now.
Whelan's, Dublin, April 23rd.

It's all kicking off over on the My Little Pony forum.

HA, HA.

I suppose I'd better acknowledge this.

Thanks to the nominators for taking the time to do what you did. That's all I want to say on the subject.

Shit shit shit.

Cadence Weapon is playing here when I'm on holiday in Lyon. I'm never gonna get to see that guy live.

If you're not going to drinking great yet cheap wine and oogling beautiful women who you don't speak the same langauge as on February 22nd then Rollie (HA!) on down to Crawdaddy for Mr. Pemberton's late show. Ebony Bones opens. €14

On the subject of hopes for '08 that I don't get.

Some may be interested. Black Kids are opening for Sons And Daughters on their tour.

17 Feb 2008, Whelan’s, Dublin

First Impressions: Vampire Weekend

Really? This is what everyone is getting themselves tied up in a knot over? If the makers of Dreamy Sleepy Nighty Snoozy Snooze ever wanted to come up with a non digestable version of their product they could try this. I dunno, maybe the actual album proper is super-awesome. I wonder if the use of African beats is making Sasha Frere Jones happy in his pants.

The best of a dull bunch ...

MP3: Vampire Weekend - Walcott from Blue CD-R.

First Impressions: The Evangelicals - The Evening Descends

The Evangelicals were formed in Norman, Oklahoma a few years ago and at some point between then and now they obviously snuck into my bedroom, rifled through my record collection and said to themselves "lets steal ideas from a bunch of these bands, mix them all together and produce a glorious collection of pop songs full of shimmering synth arpeggios and sweet harmonies that means that when people think about our home state in future they'll have more to ruminate on then Sooners football, Good O'l J.R. and The Flaming Lips".

If you like Broken Social Scene, The Velvet Underground, Camera Obscura, Animal Collective and The Flaming Lips then there's a good chance you'll find something worthwhile in The Evening Descends. I do like them, and I think it's a marvelous record; in fact at this early stage of 2008 I'd have to say that it's my favourite album of the year to date and quite probably the best record I've ever heard that in part sounds like the soundtrack to a b-horror film.

MP3: The Evangelicals - Skeleton Man from The Evening Descends

A football post, remember those?

I've been busy, I've been sick, I've got other irons in the fire, I've been neglectful.

I really should pick just one of the above and use it as a reason for why I've gone 3 matches and not mentioned the Arsenal in this blog. In truth it's a combination of the lot of them.

But to recap. 3-0 against Fulham, bit of a stroll, game was over after 18 minutes and I'm starting to be glad that Ireland missed out on Roy Hodgson. 1-5 against Tottenham, kinda painful to watch, glad it wasn't the league, they played well, fair enough, no excuses. Ade and Bendtner had a bit of a bust up, shouldn't have happened. 3-0 in the cup against Newcastle, I went to Explosions In The Sky instead of watching Match Of The Day.

So we're up to date with the on pitch stuff. As for other news it was rumoured that Theo was going to be sent out on lone and that we were trying to snatch Woodgate out from under the nose of Spurs yesterday. Both stories turned out to be false and I'm pretty glad about that, I'm willing to be patient with Walcott and as good a defender as Woodgate is he's a perennial crock and with RVP and Rosicky in the squad we hardly need another.

Tonight it's back to the league with Newcastle visiting again and as United aren't playing till tomorrow it's a chance to reclaim the top spot in the table, albeit temporarily, but it does mean we could put some pressure on that unmitigated shower of fuckbags when Pompey arrive at Old Trafford in some coach that 'Arry bought second hand for a song off some bloke down the pub. Apparently we weren't given too much to worry about on Saturday but all the same Le Boss is likely to field a stronger side tonight with Manny coming back in between the sticks and Bak Bak returning at right full, Rosicky is out injured so it's likely that Eduardo and 5 goals in 3 matches Adebayor up front with Walcott playing on the right. For Newcastle the most interesting bit of team news is that Barton could return after a change in his bail conditions, which is nice for him. I reckon we'll thump them by 4.

Animal Collective tickets are on sale now.

Tripod, May 19th. €20 - €24.50

Boom right there.

I wants a Panda Bear show.

Sigur Ros give the most painful interview in the history of the world ever.

Like pulling teeth. Ouch.

Second National date on sale NOW.

The Olympia again, 14th of May.

Explosions In The Sky - Tripod - Dublin

Credit: Smur89

I tend to tell this story every time someone brings up Explosions In The Sky to me. I live in the countryside, well away from modern day conveniences like late night buses which drop you off from Dublin within reasonable walking distance from your house, as a result unless I've prearranged a sofa to crash on I drive to most of the gigs that I attend. These gigs often turn into hanging out till we get thrown out so it's not uncommon for me to find myself driving home at 3 or 4 AM. The roads get pretty deserted in Kildare when it gets that late and usually the only living things I see are of the canine variety. The occasional fox but more regularly this crazy sheepdog that, as I approach the gateway to it's farm, jumps out from behind a wheelie bin and starts running around and around in circles chasing it's tail. There's not much on the radio that time of night either so usually my journey is sound-tracked by whatever CD I bring out with me. One trip it was Explosions In The Sky's The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place and at a point just after "The only moment we were alone" came on I arrived at a crossroads where the other road had the right of way so I stopped and checked for cars coming up the road. I got a little caught up in the music and by the time I snapped out of my trance the song was well past the 7 minute mark and I realised that I'd been sitting at the crossroad for about 4 minutes. I'm glad there were no foxes about to notice it.

What always gets me about Explosions In The Sky's music is how stirring it is, more so than any other post-rock band they're able to engage with me on an emotional level; Mogwai lights a fire in my belly, Godspeed!... gets me in the head but it's EITS that moves me, and apart from one spoken word part on their second record they do so without uttering a single syllable.

And for 70 odd minutes in Tripod last night they managed to sweep me away in a tidal wave of epic, majestic music. It doesn't take long to cop why Explosions' music is so emotive. Watching them play they seem completely caught up with and lost in what they're doing. Munaf Rayani alternates between hunching over in front of his pedal board and swaying about the stage as if he's a marionette being operated by a particularly unskilled and somewhat inebriated puppeteer. Equally eye catching is Michael James in centre stage who spends the night seemingly doing one of three things, staring blankly into space, strumming blindingly fast and, most impressively, seemingly attempting to beat the shit out of his bass guitar. A cynic might say that it's all a bit formulaic, a song begins with a quiet guitar part, usually with some delay on it and building over the course of 6 or more minutes until in climaxes in a giant crescendo of noise while Chris Hrasky wails on his crash cymbals like a madman (the cynic with some knowledge of the practicalities of music might say all that before adding "and their best stuff is almost all in 6/8"). I don't really have time for that sort of talk, music is either good or bad, and for me the deciding factor is always some intangible quality that exists beyond the structures of the tunes themselves. And whatever it is Explosions In The Sky have it.

Unfortunately the band are planning to take a break from touring from the start of the summer so this is likely to be their last gig here for a while but they are playing at, and curating one of this May's ATPs in the UK in May which also features The National, Liars, Sunset Rubdown, Broken Social Scene and a whole host of other bands that I would have picked to play too.

While I'm at it Yeasayer are playing here in May too.

Whelans, 13th May. Tickets on sale now. €14.50
Speakeasy the following night, seemingly sold out. Edit: Tickets supposedly available here.

I've heard conflicting reports about their live show but I'm quite taken with All Hour Cymbols, I reckon they really like Animal Collective.

The National back in Dublin in May.

Olympia, May 15th. Tickets on sale on Monday, €30

Animal Collective to return to Dublin

May 19 - Tripod, Dublin

Hopefully everyone will be healthy this time around.

A non-comprehensive list of bands that are touring Europe in May who don't have Irish dates booked but who I wish did ...

... with footnotes.@

Man Man £
Mission Of Burma %
Okkervil River
Deerhunter $
Les Savy Fav
Silver Jews &
Animal Collective &
Four Tet &
The National * &
Liars &
Stars Of The Lid &
Battles &
Saul Williams &
Sebadoh
Caribou
The Hold Steady
Yeasayer
Jens Lekman &
Broken Social Scene (The full BSS apparently, none of this BSS presents malarkey) &
Iron And Wine &
Dinosaur Jr. &
Adem &

% - Dear Jesus, this is the one I want most of all. Help me out.
£ - Probably followed by this, apart from MOB this is the band I most want to see on the list that I haven't.
& - Ah well, I'll have the chance to see them at ATP.
* - According to Jim Carroll today it's most likely going to happen.
$ - I just wanted to use a dollar sign.
@ - Perhaps that should read "A non-comprehensive list of bands that are touring Europe in May who don't have Irish dates booked but who I wish did ..."#
# - with footnotes

MP3: Man Man - Engwish Bwudd from Six Demon Bag


EDIT: Broken Social Scene playing Vicar St. May 20th, tickets on sale on Friday. The same night at Sunset Rubdown though.

Sunset Rubdown Irish date

05-20 Dublin, Ireland - Crawdaddy

Here's the rest of the confirmed dates.

05-16-18 Minehead, England - Butlins Holiday Centre (Explosions in the Sky ATP)
05-19 Manchester, England - Moho
05-21 Bristol, England - Thekla Social
05-22 London, England - The Luminaire
05-26 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
05-28 Copenhagen, Denmark - Loppen
05-31 Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser
06-02 Utrecht, Netherlands - Ekko


MP3: Sunset Rubdown - The Empty Threats Of Little Lord (live)

Bristish Sea Power - Whelan's - Dublin

OR

The first great gig of 2008

OR

The most raucous gig I've seen in Whelan's in years

Credit: Kurt Buhagiar

When, midway through a concert, a guy in a cape takes a break from playing keyboards and an air raid siren and starts crowd surfing across the audience whilst playing a tuba you're left with no other option then to suspect that you're not at an ordinary gig. When that's one of the lesser pieces of over the top band/audience interaction that takes place over the course of the night you have to conclude that you're right.

Even before British Sea Power march onto the Whelan's stage to the strains of "We Close Our Eyes" from this month's Do You Like Rock Music you get the impression that they're a band that puts quite a bit of time, effort and thought into their live performances. Gone are the plants that were previously part of the set, they've been replaced by flags draped over the amp speakers and hanging from the rear wall of the stage. When they do arrive, variously dressed as some sort of dandy Dutch highwayman, a medieval serf farmer and most strikingly, in the case of guitarist Martin Noble, as some sort of tribute to Dr. Tobias Fünke during the period that the world's first Analrapist was understudying for the Blue Man Group.

All of that would of course be for nought if the band didn't have the chops and the tunes to back up the outfits and decorations, fortunately they have both in spades. British Sea Power are simply incendiary and despite their somewhat fey appearances they have what very few bands have on stage, a genuine air of danger and a sense that almost anything can happen when they’re playing. One member of the band returns for the encore via the balcony and recently installed lighting rig, Noble wades into the crowd while playing guitar on one song and later during the closing, semi-improvised "A-Rock" he abandon his instrument entirely in favour of being carried atop the crowd.

In fact, it's during that final song when things really turn chaotic, one fan scales the speaker stacks in an attempt to repeat the aerial stage entrance from before in reverse and dangles from the rigging for a minute before swinging onto the stage and launching himself into the crowd. This sparks off a mass stage invasion and a rash of crowd surfing the like of which I've never seen in Whelan's before. Ultimately it's only the heretofore absent venue security than can calm the fervour of band and crowd as one by one a series of burly, black suited men appear on the stage and shepherd people back into the crowd. "I think they want us to stop," says Noble. They'd be the only people in the joint that do. If this is rock music then yes, I do like it.

Casiotone For The Painfully Alone in Dublin

CASIOTONE FOR THE PAINFULLY ALONE
Ugly Megan www.myspace.com/iloveuglymegan
Storkboy Choons www.myspace.com/storkboychoons

Whelan's (upstairs)
Sunday March 9th

Tickets €13 plus booking fee from WAV [lo-call 1890 200 078] TICKETS.IE, City Discs and Road Records.

This will be Storkboy Choons' live debut, it's all terribly exciting.

MP3: Casioiotone For The Painfully Alone - New Years Kiss from Etiquette

Jim Dubh.

Where's your blog gone dude?

Damn you Thom

Radiohead did an in store in Rough Trade East in London last night and as is their habit they webcasted it. Someone captured the stream and uploaded it here.

Even with the sound issues associated with streaming video online it was still excellent, a reminder of why I love that band as much as I do. I'm currently reconsidering my decision to skip Malahide Castle.

Ham Sandwich remixed

Ham Sandwich have an album out next month. It's called "Carry The Meek". Chances are that if you listen to Phantom FM on any sort of regular basis you'll probably be hearing lots of stuff from it for a considerable amount of time. Before that though I've got something a little bit different.

My mate Jiffy has been in a couple of different bands with Darcy out of the sambos in the past but recently announced the birth of his latest project to the world. "More serious," he says, which is a bit of a shame because you can never have too many songs about how the Brits stole all the spuds in Ireland during the famine or odes to hand to hand combat that culminate in a repeated plea for fellatio. Anyway his first offering is a remix, it's at times harsh, occasionally aggressive but in general utterly banging.

MP3: Ham Sandwich - Sad Songs (Colours Move remix)

Colours Move on MySpace

Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham City

Balls.

Balls, balls, balls.

Balls, balls, balls, balls, balls.

BALLS.

Even from beyond the (career) grave Sam Allardyce is someone managing to fuck Arsenal's shit up because thanks to his former charges capitulating at the Theatre For Wankers today we now lie second in the premiership on goal difference to Manchester United.

Well it's not all his fault, much as I'd like to put all the blame on his nasty gum chewing, Richard Kind looking head there was the little matter of the gunners dropping points at home for only the second time this season against a hard working Birmingham City side.

He first half was almost all Arsenal with early chances falling to Eduardo and Gallas in the air as well as Emmanuel Adebayor, who couldn't get the ball from out of his feet following a defensive mistake by Rafael Schmitz. However it wasn't all one way traffic because after 15 or so minutes following a good break Jermone fired in a low shot from the edge of the box across Almunia who saved well. Soon after Eduardo come close following a cross from the left from Hleb but headed the ball straight at Maik Taylor.

The deadlock was broken after 20 minutes when after some really nice passing outside the box Eduardo and Hleb combined for a 1-2. Stephen Kelly came in from behind Eduardo and the Croat went down for a penalty. On the replays it appeared as though Kelly played the ball before making contact but he did tackle through the legs which, as I understand it, is a foul. Adebayor aimed his penalty low and to the right, Taylor got a hand to it but was unable to keep it out. The game continued in the same pattern for the rest of the half with Arsenal's passing pulling the Blues defence all over the park with the best change falling to Alex Hleb.

Things were change in the second half though as shortly after the break ex Arsenal player Sebastian Larsson took a corner from the left and Gary O'Conner barged through Mathieu Flamini to head the ball towards goal. The ball bounced off Fabregas to wrong foot Almunia and bring the scores level.

The young Spaniard didn't seem to let the goal get to him though and bossed the rest of the game setting up a good chance for Senderos from a free kick which resulted in a fine save from the impressive Taylor and then later for substitute Bendtner. He even could have snatched it for us at the death when his 20 yard shot went wide just before the ref blew the final whistle.

I guess there's some comfort to be taken in the fact that unlike in other recent matches that we've dropped points in chances were actually created and it was down to heroics from the goalie to keep his side in the match unlike the snooze-fests at the Parks Fratton and St. James' where all the football was played beyond the 18 yard line.

Actually no, that's no comfort, balls.

First Impressions: British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music

British Sea Power are a band that I've previously ignored for some reason. Perhaps it's because they're a British band from this decade signed to Rough Trade which meant that that I assumed that it wouldn't be my thing (that's being a little unfair on Rough Trade, the fact that they're a British band from this decade would be a more appropriate reason for dismissing them), perhaps it's due to their connection with the utterly risible Brakes (worse than The Cribs) or maybe it's due to the fact that someone told me once that they decorated the stage with foliage when they played live and I thought "fuck that".

Nonetheless hearing a decent tune being played on the radio yesterday coupled with enthusiastic praise from a friend whose tastes I broadly share as well as a number of really positive reviews resulted in their latest opus soundtracking my trip into Dublin today to finally pick up a few albums on vinyl that I'd only had in MP3 format previously (see, illegally downloading stuff does lead to records being sold ... six months later ... when I've decided that I really like the album) and my initial thought is that I really should check out their first 2 albums because this one is really rather good. Apparently British Sea Power have been compared to Joy Division previously and I can kind of see why they might, it's a horrible thing to say but if Editors weren't completely shit and actually got the Joy Division thing right they might sound like British Sea Power. But it's a little unfair to pigeonhole BSP in those terms as they've got ambitions far beyond merely being rip off merchants. Their music is epic and sweeping and all very grand and despite it being quite overwhelming and gloomy at times it can also be really pretty with an almost pastoral quality making it's way into the mix. Like at the start of this song.

MP3: British Sea Power - No Lucifer from Do You Like Rock Music

British Sea Power play Spring and Airbrake, Belfast on 17th January and
Whelans, Dublin on 18th January and in spite of the greenery and stuffed animals they're said to be an exceptional live band.

Jonathan Richman Irish dates.

Fantastic news, one of myfavourite songwriters.

Jonathan Richman
plus guest
May 10th, 2008
Whelans, Dublin
Tickets: €20.00 inc booking fee
Doors: 8pm
www.tickets.ie
www.ticketmaster.ie
WAV 1890200078

He also plays Roisin Dubh, Galway on May 12th.

MP3: The Modern Loves - I'm Straight from The Modern Lovers

Choice Nominees

Adrian Crowley “Long Distance Swimmer” (Tin Angel)
Cathy Davey “Tales Of Silversleeve” (EMI)
Delorentos “In Love With Detail” (Cottage)
Dry County “Unexpected Falls” (Lazybird)
The Flaws “Achieving Vagueness” (Arrivals)
David Geraghty “Kill Your Darlings” (Decal)
Kila “Gambler’s Ballet” (Kila Records)
Roisin Murphy “Overpowered” (EMI)
Stanley Super 800 “Louder & Clearer” (Sofa)
Super Extra Bonus Party “Super Extra Bonus Party” (Alphabet Set)

Little surprised after the positive reception his album recieved that Mumblin' Deaf Ro didn't get a nomination. Unsurprisingly I'm going for Cathy Davey to bring home the bacon though the following people who are judging may disagree ... The judges are Brian Boyd (The Irish Times), Alan Corr (The RTE Guide), Michael Carr (Cork 96FM), Ronan Casey (Westmeath Examiner), Dan Hegarty (2FM), Anne Marie Kelly (Today FM), Sheena McGinley (Entertainment.ie), Una Mullally (Sunday Tribune), Paul McClean (BBC Radio Ulster), League O’Toole (Foggy Notions), Nadine O’Regan (Sunday Business Post and Phantom 105.2) and Jon Richards (Galway Bay FM)

If Jim had wanted to rig the vote he should have invited myself and Torturegarden Shane to sit on the panel.

Seasick Steve playing Tripod

February 23rd. I'm going to be in Lyon, bummer. It could/should be incredible.

2 albums I discovered over Christmas that I totally missed the boat on.

Man Man - Six Demon Bag



Holy Fuck - LP

Is it really a list if there's only 2 entries?

This year is gonna be OK.

Here's why ...

charles mexico wrote:

There will absolutely be new muzak in the new year.

First Impressions: Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster

I'm rubbish with dates. Faces and names I'm good at; obscure football factoids, I've got that shit coming out of my ears but dates ... nah. Especially dates of gigs, which isn't all that surprising considering how many I go to. I remember the first time I saw Radiohead, 21st June 1997, but that's only because that shindig was advertised as falling on the solstice.

That being said I do remember that Los Campesinos! played Whelan's on October 2nd last year. Not really because of the gig itself but rather because I remember jamming my back against the sound booth for support in an attempt to stay comfortable. The reason for the spinal manipulations was a car crash I'd been in a few days earlier which resulted in the writing off of the car I'd been driving. It's also the reason I remember the date of the gig, you tend to remember that sort of stuff.

As for the gig, they were pretty good, a whole bunch of ideas lifted from other indie-rock bands from way back when, apart from R.E.M. and Sonic Youth, being an indie-rock band meant that that you were on an independent label. Remember that? Me neither as it happens, before my time.

Los Campesinos! had hooks all over the shop and their songs contained no end of talky bits, shouty bits and singalongy bits, mainly about what it's like being young and really, really into music. I'm not really that much older than they are but I should have hated it, what with being all jaded and cynical about kids singing about how great it is to be young. I saw Radiohead on the OK Computer tour dude, my time is gone and I'm jealous as shit. Yet despite all that I was utterly charmed by them. Los Campesinos! (that's it I'm not typing that "!" again) live are enthusiastic and fun and if they've got enough about them to win me over when the slightest wrong twist of my neck made my knees buckle a bit then I guess they really deserve to have a little bit of slack cut for them even if they have songs with titles as ludicrous as 'This Is How You Spell. "HAHAHA, We Destroyed the Hopes and Dreams of a Generation of Faux-Romantics".'

The band's debut album leaked last week (and as such probably has the dubious honour of being the first significant indie leak of 2008) and much of the same criticisms that you can level at their live show are applicable to their music on record, it's not terribly original, it's occasionally silly and it feels a bit disposable. Yet once again the band have a genuine likability about them that somehow manages shine through even when reduced to a series of 1's and 0's. It's an exuberant album, full of life and piss and vineger and while it's one that I may not be listening to regularly in a year it should keep me occupied for the next few months.

MP3: Los Campesinos! - Sweet Dreams Sweet Cheeks from Hold On Now, Youngster

Los Campesinos play The Village on February 11th.

New Wolf Parade album out in June.

Called "Pardon My Blues" apparently, can't wait.

Video: Wolf Parade - I'll Believe In Anything from Apologies to the Queen Mary

2008

Should probably turn over a new leaf. Not been looking after myself well.

Any excuse to post this song.

MP3: Arab Strap - The Shy Retirer from The Shy Retirer EP

Islands Irish dates.

Feb 18th, 2008 - Whelans, Dublin. Tickets: €16.50 inc booking fee from www.tickets.ie
Feb 19th, 2008 - Speakeasy, Belfast

These guys were pretty great at the Sugar Club about a year and a half ago. Really looking forward to this.

Everton and West Ham

Well the Christmas programme of matches wrapped up yesterday and despite the "disappointment" of only getting a 0-0 at Fratton Park (a result that's been very common there this season) a haul of 10 points out of 12 from the 4 games and, despite briefly losing the lead at the top of the table after that Pompey match, to wind up extending our lead over Manchester United by a point is really satisfying.

As for the last 2 matches, as I hoped we reverted to 4-4-2 with Eduardo coming in for both matches and it turned out to be a masterstroke by Wenger as the Crozillion struck thrice to bring his premiership goals total for the season to, well, 3. At the start of the season Arsene warned that it might take the Croat half a season to find his feet in the league and right at the midpoint he's turned from a bumbling fool who looks terribly off the pace into the league's most clinical finisher. Well possibly not, but the way he took his goals was terribly impressive (and yeah, he did handle the ball with his first touch for his second against the Toffees but what a second touch). He still has a ways to go until he settles fully I think but if that part of his game has clicked properly people are going to have a bit more patience with him.

The one criticism that I think has been hurled at Arsenal most in the past number of seasons is that the side is a little one dimensional. They always seemed desperate to score the perfect goal and on days when their game has been just a bit off or when other sides have got in amongst them it's meant they've dropped points against vastly inferior sides (hello Sheffield United last year, Bolton over and over et.al. etc.) and with 4 points lost earlier in December against Newcastle and Middlesbrough you might be forgiven for thinking that the same old problem was going to haunt us and scupper our title ambitions for the season. However it was interesting to see so many goals this week come from old fashioned route 1 tactics. Despite the impressive goal tally from Cesc and improved return from Hleb we don't really have many midfielders that get ahead of the ball and into the box so the adjustment to a more comfortable formation has given us that extra option. But it's really something that might not work if we played with someone like Van Persie up with Ade or Bendtner.

There's no premier league action until Saturday week but there are a couple of matches taking place before then, on Saturday we've got Burnley in the cup and then in midweek it's the first leg of the Carling Cup semi final against Spurs. Presumably some of the kids will get a run out in those matches and I'd expect there to be some experimentation going on at centre half in particular before we get back to more important league play what with Toure and Song (along with Eboue) buggering off to he ACN for a few weeks. We've got Johann Djourou back from Birmingham now so I'd imagine it'll either be himself, Gilberto or probably Senderos to slot in alongside Gallas on Saturday week. Could be a bit dodgy if one of them picks up a knock though.