Yellow there, how does one do?

This week I have mostly been reading lots of Oscar Wilde quotes, the man loves the word vulgar.

This morning while you normal people rest your deadly souls within an itchy bed sheet, I spent hours on YouTube watching the fruitcake Nardwuar interview bands. When I say hours, it had been hours.

He is hilarious, I cannot stress this enough, you will most likely find your favourite band being interviewed by him in such a bizarre manner. From an awful uncomfortable Nirvana interview, that quite tragically, I had to switch to Slipknot, Marilyn Manson and Queens Of The Stone Age, Every band to have passed through Canada I am sure this little crazy guy has interviewed them.

You should check his channel out. I never wanted to leave. Before you run away do feel free to continue reading. I dare you.

Single of the week 

French Films – “Convict”

I do love a good old French film; this is what first draw me to French Film (the band).

French Film are from Finland who describe their influences as ‘dreaming, cold & dark winters’. I can see no such influences in their music however.

‘Convict’ is the first single from their upcoming album and it totally oozes The Drums; quirky, sunny, surf, California music hyped up with a love dope tone, the dreamy I see. The cold and dark, I see not.

You can listen to their whole Golden Sea EP below.

Officers – ” The Competition Winner (Wall Of Death remix)”

This remix is for fans of Nine Inch Nails; it will drive you wild. I have tried to find this record on the big bad mad wide web. My searches kept leading to dead ends, however I did manage to find the original version, which are able to stream below and download for FREE.

Honestly it is such an awesome song. The first time I heard it; I could easily have stood there, stripped and walked around holding my breasts. Pure dirty rock and roll.  The moment I find it, I will give you readers a nasty listen. I first came across it while at a party. If I happen to come across this again I will steal it from the Dee Jay and leg it with my naked face on display.

Fair Ohs – Everything Is Dancing

If Vampire Weekend were born in England, Fair Ohs would be them. Fair Ohs are very Vampire Weekend but as British bands are better than most Americans bands, Fair Ohs trump them. ‘Everything Is Dancing’ is a harmonic-smiley-keyboard action packed song, with chilled out singing. The chorus is filled with funky beats held by steel bands

Kasabian – Switchblade Smiles 

Kasabian finally have released a music video to go with the rather mental song ‘Switchblade Smiles‘ I am not the biggest Kasabian fan, but I won’t be a snob and not listen to them. ‘Switchblade Smile’ I can’t decide if it’s a dance or rock song? Anyone? Dance-rock? Its quite heavy but then I can see people going mental to this late at night, drunk to their eyeballs. If I remember I compared ‘Switchblade Smile’ to Prodigy, and I will continue to do this. This track has the appeal to widen their audience of rock/indie followers to the Davey raves.

ONES TO WATCH

I am jumping away from my usual band preferences and giving someone else a chance this week. Usually I pick a band from East London’s Art scene making ‘cool edgy ‘queer’ music.’ This time I am jumping over the bridge (not literally, that would be impossible) and heading to the land of Wales.

 The Missive – TMSV EP

Hello, we all know Tom Brookes our occasional writer here at Strictly right? No? Ok.

Tom plays guitar in Wales finest Valley rock band The Missive. Already working their way through demos for the second EP (I have had the pleasure of listening, looking sharp folks) let’s go back to their first EP, which I am sure you are dying to download yes?

On lead track ‘Look Me In The Eye’ we get to hear front women Emma grate alongside the rather eyebrow rising and interesting riffs; of course we cannot ignore the angry male vocals swarming in the background. ‘Look Me In The Eye’ gets better and better as the minutes keep rocking with a catchy powerful chorus to rival…err Muse?

‘Shame On You’: Emma’s vocals are strong, and with the male vocals flowing through the chorus, contrasting Emma’s, The Missive are definitely onto a ‘winner.’ The guitars climax is a must hear. You hear? A must.

‘Built On Sand‘ another excellent strong song, built around the guitar energy and once again Emma’s strong vocals. ‘Mary Blick‘ an instrumental song, we get to hear the boys take control of this and my do they go hard.

Considering this type of (cringe) genre of music is not usually my cup of tea, I am very drawn to their powerful ways of gripping ears. Whatever magic The Missive are using, they most certainly need to be keeping that to themselves. Don’t let it out the bag as of yet.

Go hit them on pun the Campband, Twitter and Facebook (search them yourselves; I can’t do everything for you. All right I am too un-cool for a Facebook account, you hear me? Hit The Missive up, ‘cos Simone says)

If you fancy joining The Missive cult, you need a TMSV tee.

Where art thou Viva Brother?

Not had a Viva Brother update in a few editions, if you are a fan or not, you should watch them ‘perform‘ ‘New Year’s Day‘ on some Hollyoaks Music Show. I say ‘perform’ I say take the piss while being asked to mine. Watch it. For laughs. Go on.

Future Dust, And Future Rust caught live this week:

The Drums at Lovebox – (Gaymers stage headliners) – 16th July 2011

My favourite charming ankle blaring band, The Drums took to the Gaymers stage they blew out hits from the debut album and recently exposed new track ‘Money‘ (possibly my highlight). Jonathan Pierce is a great show horse, I mean showman, with his ever-quirky awkward dancing skills and pouting technique. The Drums now joined by two extra live members after declaring; ‘its easier then running backing vocals from tape’

‘Down By The Water’ made my cry when I witnessed The Drums at The Forum last December, did I cry? Hell no, I was too busying enjoying the painfully emotional song and spilling my cider down my mud inflated boots.

My heart belongs to The Drums [4.0/5.0]

If you missed  ’Money’ by The Drums also my single of the week, last week: You can listen again below.

The Drums – Money by WorkItMedia

S.C.U.M - Electorowerkz – 13 July

I have seen S.C.U.M many times, although not at lot happens. Once you have seen them hiding behind their smoke and flared jeans, you have seem them for life. Yet for some reason I keep returning. Ask me why I dare you? I have no idea. Lead singer Tom is actually quite annoying on stage with his eyes wondering around the stage (what should I do know next?) S.C.U.M do have some pleasing heart binding songs that feels like your broken soul floating is haunting you from above your body. Got it, that is the reason I keep returning. The fear of fear.

S.C.U.M where supported my The History Of Apple Pie (the band I referred to in FDAFR #7)

They tried their hardest not allow their dreamy psychedelic fall flat on their faces, but the Yuck alike band felt rather dim and bland. The crowd where actually rather bland too, they may as well have been wearing ‘I am from Dalston’ badges, with their flared vintage old man high waist suits and moustaches. The crowds remained like statues throughout the sets, only making noise to clap a pile of crap. Yawn. I won’t be dissing The History Of Apple Pie as of yet, I will blame the fact their were sandwiched in between two bands who couldn’t be any further from their summery sound.

The only highlight of this poor excuse of a gig was the stupid curtains on stage trapping over S.C.U.M,  and leaving to find a tramp man laying on the floor with his dog drinking White Ace (I know, shock horror), but having missed both Future Dust, And Future Rust’s favourites: Tribes and The Horrors for this gig I went home saying ‘Never again’

If you see S.C.U.M at Reading And Leeds, good luck. They have become my answer to Diazepam [1.0/5.0]

Now to be bitchy part. I am disgusted; I cannot even bring myself to look at the nominees anymore.

Tinie Tempah, and Adele? Both better suited as Brit winners. As a long time follower of the Mercury’s (the only reason music award I follow closely) I’m dismayed.

Adele and Tinie Tempah are tabloid favourites; expect the same tabloids to be giving these two giant spreads leaving the rest of the nominees in the cold.

Adele – 21 NO, NO, NO
Anna Calvi – Anna Calvi OK
Elbow – Build A Rocket Boys! MAYBE
Everything Everything – Man Alive YES, SORT OF
Ghostpoet – Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam NO
Gwilym Simcock – Good Days At Schloss Elmau WHO?
James Blake – James Blake NO THANKS
Katy B – On A Mission HELL NO
King Creosote & Jon Hopkins – Diamond Mine WHO?
Metronomy – The English Riviera NAH
PJ Harvey – Let England Shake THUMBS UP
Tinie Tempah – Disc-Overy KILL ME

What happen to keeping it under the radar? Giving way to the smaller bands, not quite mainstream but have the ability to be so. The XX winning last year lead the way for their Brit award this year, which lead in a huge album sales boost.

Klaxons also won in 2007 setting them on the path to Brit award success.

Adele and Tinie Tempah are already stars. Mercury awards should lead acts onto Brit award fame. I cannot stress enough how dissatisfied I am this year.

Late 2010/2011 has been a great time for guitar based bands The Vaccines, Wild Beasts, Yuck, Chapel Club, The Horrors along side more, not too candy, pop like Friendly Fires and Cat’s Eyes.

The Vaccines are one of the hardest working bands at the minute crawling to gigs and festivals all over the world, still gagging with smiles not letting the hype get to them. What did you expect from The Vaccines?  

Along side the hype the album landed straight into albums chart’s top 5.

I don’t believe we have seen the best of The Vaccines yet, or maybe I am blind in saying I don’t think they have crossed over to the dark side as yet (mainstream), they still have the credit, to be fair this is what I thought the Mercury’s were about? Giving a band ‘already there’ a little tip in the right direction? I understand The Vaccines may not seem worthy to win, but a heads up in the short-list would have been perfect.

My biggest shock, with a little bubble of worry, is why the freak were Friendly Fires not included? After coming back from their ever amazing début, they went a little harder on Pala,  smashing it.

Pala will no doubt be hitting many music journalist’s top album of 2011 lists (floating around the top 3 for me). I honestly thought still do think that Pala is worth a million Adele’s. Pala is a party album; you want to dance, and have a cigar. Have fun.

Adele makes me want to starve for her in every way possible. I would give her my blood on a chopstick for her to pierce that tongue into her annoying mouth.

Adele should have already been disqualified for her world-class album, which does not need such support from one of the most fought after awards.

Of course I’m joining the rage against The Mercury’s, how could Wild Beasts – Smother be ignored!

Smother is such a beautiful, powerful, and strong record, and yet it didn’t warrant a single nomination? Smoother is compiled of great individual songs that as a whole combine make a truly awesome record. I’m Horrified

I am not the biggest Elbow fan, but after beating Adele in 2008 I do hope they can do the same again. The same goes with PJ Harvey I am not the biggest follower, but for someone who has been in the music industry for a very long time, she would be worthy of such award purely based on her track record and ethic.

I was very shocked to see Everything Everything included, I am a fan of the boys, but I don’t know if their album is worthy of a Mercury. Far too cleaver for its own good. The same goes with Metronomy; I don’t personally rate it as one of the year’s best albums; bigger and better albums have been given the middle finger this year.

James Blake I am no fan. I have nothing else to say regarding him. Oh, his music is boring. Finished.

Best band, best single awards are worthless, being awarded an award for an album, that can’t be beaten. You should judge a band/act on their album, not the biggest hit on Radio One’s play list. Should have chucked Jedward into the mix, at least I would have laughed.

I’m sick to the stomach; I for one will be switching off after the jump.

Peace,

Simone

Each and every record mentioned above is worth a trip to your local record store/itunes for, If you don’t go, I may just haunt you, I can do this. I am special. Honestly you won’t regret it (the buying I mean, not me haunting you.)