Gigs of 2014.. so far

I haven’t blogged in a while, I’ve been flat out with work. I need to start writing again. A simple way to kick off that energy is to share some music and some pictures of gigs I’ve been to this year, to fire some synapses, give me some ideas, to stir some passions. Then maybe, who knows, I might blog again. Soon!

Cate Le Bon, Friday 7th February. Islington Assembly Rooms

My first gig of the year was back in February, Cate Le Bon at the Islington Assembly Rooms. It’s a venue I’ve never been to before, but I instantly liked it, nice high stage so a shortarse like me can get a decent view and a reasonably quick serving bar. It’s also part of the council buildings Arsenal start or end up in as part of their bus tour of Islington when they’ve won a trophy.

So who is Cate Le Bon? She’s released three albums to date, the first impression is one of Nico. But she’s also inspired by the likes of Syd Barrett and in some songs that really comes through with the quirky interludes or the psychedelic aural assaults, but it would be unfair to pigeon hole her. She’s a fantastic singer/songwriter. Some say her lyrics are dark, but I don’t see that, they are ambiguous, ambivalent, you take from them what you want. She’s fantastic live, would definately see her again. John from work was also impressed, as we were with the pre-gig Upper Street meze.. just don’t tell anyone we did something that louche.

Two of my pics from her gig. All photos © Mel Melis unless credited

The Stranglers Saturday 8th March, Hammersmith

And so to the Stranglers and their 40th Anniversary Ruby tour. My first ever gig was the Stranglers. Alexandra Palace, Hugh Cornwell’s last gig, the last gig of the original line up. I’d seen them a couple of times since, but then wasn’t so fussed about following them live although I always loved their music. So I felt inspired to go to this gig, sentimentality and curiosity as Jet Black, the oldest man in punk (probably undisputed at 75 years young) would play drums in a few songs. As prep’ I was catching up with their old albums, Black and White (their third album) was the one I homed in on, a lot, a brilliant, dark and claustrophobic post punk classic. JJ Burnel’s brutal basslines are especially sinister on this album and the themes of Orwellian post-apocalyptic control and dystopia hammer through the album. They didn’t disappoint, they played for a fucking age. It was truly epic and it was an emotional moment when Jet Black played in the middle of the set, then at the end. Bossman came with me, and he loved it too, we stood there gawping as classic after classic was belted out.

Live forever! (as Ray Bradbury would oft say)

JJ Burnel, the hardest man in punk.

Jet Black (the oldest man in punk) and JJ Burnel (hardest man in punk)

Jet Black (minus hat and shades)

Roman Remains Weds 23rd April, Hoxton bar and grill

Myself and the Bossman, we’ve always loved the Duke Spirit, those Hackney scoundrels playing their melodic 60s infused retro punk, so it was interesting to hear two of their members, Leila and Toby had formed a dark electronica act. This was to be their first UK gig. We’d never been to the bar and grill before, but it was great, got a burger before, walked into the venue and bang! Great acoustics, great view. Rum and cokes. We had a blast! The band were great too. Pick of the live tracks? Gazebo – it’s one beautiful tune. Shared below.

The interior of the “grill” bit of the venue.

Roman Remains!

Joshua Homme (+ secret guest Mark Lanegan) Mon 16th June, Royal Festival Hall

As part of James Lavelle’s meltdown (sadly I’ve never seen UNKLE and I bloody love them) I got the offer from John from work via his other friend John (who was a beneficiary of my two-hundred redials to get Kraftwerk tickets) to see Joshua Homme play an acoustic set. So he reciprocated with this opportunity - What a lovely decadent way to spend a Monday night. Homme was engaging, funny, chatty and played acoustic versions of QOTSA songs as well as a couple of covers.

But having always had a man crush on Mark Lanegan I had to restrain myself from seal clapping when the old bear loped onto the stage and together they played One Hundred Days and Hanging Tree. Beautiful.

Brian Jonestown Massacre, Tuesday 1st July, The Roundhouse

I was embarrassed to say I’d never heard any BJM before (actually a BJM sounds like a sexual act? Sod it, I’ll carry on using the abbreviation and by using the word “sexual” this blog post might get more hits. Although they’ll probably be disappointed.. BJM! BJM!)

Anyway, The Bossman made the recommendation. And what a psychedelic masterpiece of a band they are. Guitars everywhere, effect pedals everywhere, tamborines and jangly wonderment and noise. I only had my iphone, so no decent pictures so I’ll share a video instead. I have to say though the gig was enhanced for me, because I was utterly dehydrated from an inter-work 5 a side game where no quarter was given, it was a hot day, I was tired and bruised. My mind was drained of it’s usual spark and the music soaked into me, I was a happy zombie sucking down pints of cola as the two beers I’d tried to have earlier in the evening had just sent me into a soporific tailspin. I was glad to be sitting in the seats up in the circle. The roundhouse is a fantastic venue.

So what’s to look forward to? The big one is Kate Bush in September, I must’ve signed up to her mailing list at some point in the past and got a pre-sale email. So I bought tickets, I’m skint, but happy! I wonder whether she’ll be able to sing any of her early work? Artists’ voices change in time, so hopefully there’ll be new arrangements. But if it’s new stuff only, I don’t care, it’s Kate Bush. She’s British music royalty, her music brings a lump to my throat. It’s beautiful.

But before then, Mogwai @ Koko … their new album is astounding. It’s almost danceable, listen to Remurdered, when the synth jumps in half way through, it’s jumping. Those miserable socially conscious Scotsmen… I would hug them all, and embrace their white noise!

Mark Lanegan, Shepherds Bush, Tuesday 13th March 2012

I have to say I was very excited to hear Mark Lanegan had recorded a new album and was touring. And not just a new album, but a Mark Lanegan Band album, his own compositions. We’d waited eight long years between 2004’s Bubblegum and this years Blues Funeral. In between Mark busied himself with collaborating, his growl added to the work of Isobel Campbell, The Gutter Twins and Soulsavers. It was like this work kept him in touch with the musical world, on a low intensity, whilst he hibernated like a ruminative bear incubating his own songs.

And after this long hiatus, the new album, it’s when he has his own voice that his songwriting, his under appreciated poetry, his music and his vocals really come to the fore.

Blues Funeral is great, full of the expected dark gospel and gothic blues as well as big rumbling rock numbers. But scattered throughout that mix are some uplifting lyrics. There were always references to religion in his lyrics, an evocative hook many singer songwriters latched onto, whether they were religious or not. Lanegan’s past (although he doesn’t dwell or want to discuss it) is one which looks to be scattered with regrets and tragedies, addictions, jail and poverty, this comes through in his songs, so when he roars the following on the powerfully raucous “Quiver syndrome” it does verge on the Christian Rock (and I don’t say this in any derogatory way, as it’s a brilliant tune, but when I catch myself singing along to it I do smile at the thought of the arch-agnostic getting right into it!).

“Will the lord hold me down, because I’m wicked? Will the lord hold me down, to my shame? Will your love it get into me jesus? Now I heard you calling out my name.”

And the almost Goldfrapp like “Ode to Sad Disco” is another one, an uplifting song with a synth groove running through it, has lyrics relating to seeing the light and being on your knees.

But of course, there are also classically dark songs, like the opening track of both the album and the gig. “The Gravedigger’s Song”. The video draws on so much of the horror genre, it should have an 18 certificate :)

So, onto the gig. I met up with the Bossman and we got to the venue early enough to catch the last couple of tracks of the first support act Duke Garwood. With perseverance, his disembodied blues with almost unintelligible lyrics was compelling. The already large crowd (it was a sell out) watched respectfully as he occasionally plucked or strung out a lyric whilst his equally hirsute percussionist trudged away in the background.

After Duke Garwood, the Creature With the Atom Brain, a psychedelic stoner rock band from Belgium. They were brilliantly tight. Really enjoyed them. Here is a pic. I particularly liked the bassist as he looked like a Greek priest with his hair in a bun and his big beard :)

And then to Mark Lanegan himself.

He is a man of few words, he doesn’t have much to say beyond the songs themselves. But some people in the audience want to hear some stand up it seems. “Give us a smile!” someone shouted. Lanegan didn’t flinch or react. Just enjoy the music dudes! He stood in his familiar pose, one hand fixed high on the mike stand, his crucifix tattoo visible on his fist, the other hand gripping it lower down, like he was clasping to it for dear life.

Songs of death, regret, attempted suicide, drinking, depression, addiction, love, lost love, cruelty, despair. His lyrics are moving and powerful. When he did speak, it was just to mumble the occasional thankyou. When he introduced his band, he seemed crippled by shyness and self doubt. For someone who bares their soul through their lyrics, just genial engagement with an audience tests him. I’ve no problem with that. In fact, it’s endearing. We all have our doubts and challenges. The fact he came out to sign stuff for the audience after the gig must have been difficult for him too.

All in all, including the encore, the band played twenty tracks, new tracks and some classic old ones, such as “One Way Street” from my favourite Lanegan album Field Songs. Bubblegum was also well represented, another great album, often cited as his best. It was a mammoth performance, he poured his heart into it. Lanegan sweated like a beast, sweat poured down through his beard, onto his shirt and the floor. His big leonine head occasionally rocked, his face grimaced as the storm raged around him. Some lyrics seemed painful for him to sing.

When it came to the first encore track “When Your Number isn’t up” a song about loneliness and a botched suicide attempt (I don’t know whether it was his own) he sounded particularly vulnerable. It was moving hearing this song live.

When your number isn’t up (Mark Lanegan)

Did you call for the night porter?
You smell the blood running warm
I stay close to this frozen border, so close I can hit it with a stone
Now something crawls right up my spine
That I always got to follow
Turn out the lights
Don't see me drawn and hollow
Just blood running warm
No one needs to tell you that
There's no use for ya here anymore
And where are your friends?
They've gone away
It's a different world, they left you to this
To janitor
The emptiness
So let's get it on
When the sun is finally going down, and you're overdue to follow
But you're still above the ground
What ya got comin' is hard to swallow
Like blood running warm
Did they call for the night porter
And smell the blood, blood running warm
Well I've been waitin at this frozen border, so close you could hit it with a stone

It was swiftly followed by Pendulum, a song about Jesus, his sacrifice, loneliness (again), drifting and homelessness. Then Harbourview Hospital, from the new album, about redemption and personal demons and finally the massive Metamphetamine Blues. People saved their moshing for the last track of the evening.

It seemed apt the last words he sung were “I don’t want to leave this heaven so soon”.

Gigs Gigs Gigs

Since my last update..... I've seen Isobel Campbell/Mark Lanegan, Leonard Cohen in Dublin, My Bloody Valentine, The Transmitters and most recently Pentangle.
So here's my update and some photos....
First up, Campbell and Lanegan. Went with Debbie to see them at Shepherds Bush. Playing tracks from their new collaboration as well as a mixture of tracks from their first album and a sprinkling of Lanegan classics. Was great, got there early and got front row Tier 1 seats. Marvellous!
Campbell has pulled together another great album and used the magic of Lanegan's awesome voice, their harmonies complementary...... stunning. And they finished with "Wedding Dress", a Lanegan classic, his bourbon growl leaving me most happy!
Pics.



Next up, Leonard Cohen, after being robbed blind by his accountant whilst in a bhuddist retreat, the now skint poet and singer songwriter needed this tour. As the O2 was sold out, we flew over to Dublin for 1p return (15 quid with tax!), I expected a downbeat gig, melancholic, reflective, the audience was comprised of all ages, pensioners to young goth girls. The weather looked miserable, clouds swirled and darkened as he began his set and I thought here goes.... But he surprised me, Deb had told me it wouldn't be depressing, his songs *are* full of joy, and I was geniunely moved by the passion, dignity and graciousness of the man. The rain was threatening, and eventually it came, but it didn't matter. For half an hour it poured, and as the clouds cleared, he upped it a level. His lyrics are beautiful, complex without being contrived. He sings of love, sex, religion, the human spirit....well worth seeing him if you ever get a chance.... I am honoured to have been there. He's 74 now, I would hope he would tour again, but this may be the last time I will meet him (he made it feel personal for me...ok!)
Pics.



My Bloody Valentine at the Roundhouse.... muuurrrghhhhhhhh (that's the sound of me drooling). Extreme shoegazing... I was so excited about this one, was playing both of their albums at ear bleeding volume in the car before the gig as gig training. They were magnificent! I was too young and skint to see them the first time round, so this was kid in a candy shop time. Got seats and saw them with John from work. I would reccomend seats at the roundhouse, a couple of dodgy pillars can restrict the view of the stage, but the views are pretty much clear from any seat.
And so it began, Bilinda Butcher at one end of the stage, Kevin Shields at the other, dwarfed by mega-sized amps, almost lazilly thrashing out their melodic noise onslaught, harmonising their vocals and building up the wall of sound that crashed into us wave after wave. One reviewer described Butcher as looking like she was doing the dishes, a little faraway smile on her face. It was reverb, pitch bending and shearing metal, but underneath it all, glorious pop songs. The rythym section in the middle was more animated, Debbie Googe side on to the stage bouncing around and bludgeoning her bass and Colm O'Ciosoig battering the shit out of his kit.
It was wonderful. Feed Me With Your Kiss was a highlight for me, so much more to it live, and it's a big tune already! Apparantley they were handing out ear plugs before the gig. Missed out on that, but being in seats I was lucky to be far enough away for it not to be uncomfortable when they finished with You Made Me Realise. Being a newbie to the live experience, I had no idea I was to witness a traditional 25 minute white noise, one chord frenzy. On the Friday and Saturday I am told they played this for 15 minutes, we got the 25 minute special :)
It was like the military were testing a new sound weapon, people were wincing and dropping like flies, leaving the auditorium. It was like having your fillings electrocuted, your ears gouged out with a spanner and your chest pounded by four gorrillas fighting over a sledgehammer. I didn't quite see anyone's head explode, but the guy sitting in front of us, a middle aged man who was moments before swapping tongues with his wife, was suddenly holding his head and writhing in some noise-induced-sado-masochistic ecstacy. His wife (embarrassed) sort of shuffled across to an empty seat, (vacated by a noise casualty) and twiddled her thumbs until her hubby calmed down enough to stop his mind-wank. I know I shouldn't laugh, but I did, heartily, and as it was so loud, no one could hear me scream.
Here is a youtube link to the carnage. I will look forward to their new album, my ears are now thankfully tinitus free.
My Bloody Valentine White Noise Onslaught
Who next? The Transmitters, my second time to see the Transmitters, this time at a fave venue of mine the Water Rats. Good to see Matt before the gig, and Gloria the new singer was great, did justice to the established songs and made her mark with the new too. Glad to see the band won the war of nerves and played through Dirty Sister in the dark until the lights came back on!
Here's some pics. First up, me, Bossman and Laura Bossman cheesing it up! I've got 5 chins in this though. I must sort out my fitness!





Finally, if you are still awake, I was excited about seeing the Folk-Jazz-Blues supergroup of the 60's and early 70's, Pentangle. This was their reunion tour. 40 years to the day, they played Queen Elizabeth Hall, and here they were again. Me and Deb were joined by Sue (it was her b'day pressie having been present at the first gig 40 years previously) and her friend Annie.
And they were great, it was the classic line up, John Renbourn and Bert Jansch are two of the best blues/folk guitarists around, backed up by the tight jazz duo of Terry Cox on drums and Danny Thompson on upright bass, who he affectionately calls Victoria, he's had her over 50 years! Thompson is a bit of a legend, he's worked with many seminal artists (John Lee Hooker, Tim Buckley, Kate Bush, Nick Drake, John Martyn, David Sylvian to sprinkle a few names) and I was surprised and pleased to hear he sessioned on Spirit of Eden by Talk Talk, probably one of the finest albums ever written.
And on vocals Jacqui Mcshee, who's voice seems to have got better with age.
An example of their work here....
Travelling Song by Pentangle
And how they look today (I would have taken more photos but we were "encouraged" not to, on pain of medieval torture)