just perfect.

the original recording from 'Meat is Murder' is still better than the live versions out there.

I want the one I can't have
and it's driving me mad
it's all over, all over my face

the worlds of Morrissey and Delphic collide

...well, not literally as such, but a very interesting read nonetheless from the fine folks over at Gigwise. the title of the piece is 'Electronic Blood, Indie Heart'. anyone who knows Morrissey knows he had a single out in 2006 called 'English Blood, Irish Heart' as a nod to his Irish heritage but upbringing in England. for a long time I have thought about this phrase and considered I am best described as 'Chinese Blood, English Heart' even though I have not been raised physically in blighty, I reckon I think just like the English.

article is completely credited to Gigwise / David Renshaw, 17 January 2010.

James Cook on dance music, Glastonbury and the future...

If there are two words in conjunction that should strike fear into our hearts it should be ‘indie’ and ‘dance’. Often suffixed with their dreaded friend ‘crossover’, the words are spoken by those all out of ideas for album number three or members of guitar bands who discovered pills and New Order and thinking they can do better. Invariably they can’t and even in 2010 more and more groups crop up trying to marry two utterly disparate worlds together.

To the casual listener Manchester’s highly tipped trio Delphic could well fall directly into this ill fated category. Lead singer James Cook disagrees however and explains why Indie/Dance bands so often fall short, “I think that the reason bands who try to marry elements of guitar music and dance music together fail is that they don’t come from an electronic background. If you come from an indie side and just plonk a few beats or a synth into a song then you’re just going to be an indie band with that on top.”

Spending their youth listening to the likes of Orbital and The Chemical Brothers (Delphic refused to sign with any label that couldn’t get Tom Rowlands to work with them) gifted the band their dancefloor roots. Working with their musical hero didn’t quite work out though and their debut album ‘Acolyte’ is self produced by the band alongisde techno legend Ewan Pearson. Recorded between Manchester and Berlin Cook uses words such as “euphoric” and “soul” to describe the album as well as saying that there is a streak of “melancholy” running throughout the songs, particularly the lyrics, that juxtaposes the electronic rushes created by his bandmates. When speaking to Cook what is striking about him is the clear determination and ambition which Delphic posses. Before the band had even formed they packed themselves up and went to stay in the Lake District together in a cottage so rural “We were chopping our own wood for the log-fire”.

In front of those freshly whittled flames however is where the embryonic stages of Delphic were formed. “We just sat down and talked about music and what we believe in. So we mapped out where we want to go musically, where we want to go lyrically and how we saw ourselves being displayed. We kind of just got into each others heads and what came out of those discussions was that we all wanted the same thing.”

Discussing everything from musical influences to artwork the three of them mapped a path for Delphic that has seen them already achieve much of what they set out to. Being one of the most highly tipped bands in the recent glut of polls and lists Cook is aware that both great success and the metaphorical cow pat of failure could await his band, “It’s terrifying to be honest. All we wanted to do when this started was write songs, at heart we are song writers but we’re an ambitious band. We know that to get where we want to be at the end of the day then we’re going to have to be on TV, play on huge stages and other generally scary things”.

Cook agrees that releasing the album in the first few weeks of the year helps diffuse some of the hype surrounding the band. “We’re in a good position to not be writing the record now with all that is being written about us. I don’t want to mention any names but in the last couple of years there’s been a couple of artists who haven’t had an album written or recorded and the pressure from being hyped and the expectations of a great album have got to them. Where we’re lucky is that we finished the record in full last November so we knew from then that we could rest and not worry.”

The next step on from being a new band is to become established and recognisable, something which Delphic have clearly being pondering. “This is one of the scariest things about being in a new band. When does the initial interest dwindle?”. Showing flashes of the clinical but not cynical planning Cook reveals that he doesn’t want the band to rest and is already writing for “Either an EP later in the year or a stand alone single” stating that the most important thing to Delphic is “Remaining creatively active.”

Talk turns to what 2010 holds in store for Delphic and it’s the Summer months that are particularly exciting Cook. “I grew up going to Glastonbury and we didn’t get to play there last year so I really really want to play there this year.” Aside from festivals, which Cook sees as key to “Establishing yourself as a band rather than just being talked up by the media”, Delphic are also keen to embrace their love of dance music further by getting their album remixed by more of their heroes. “Paul Walters did a really minimal version of ‘Counterpoint’ for us and then Riton just did a great remix of ‘Doubt’ for us too.” Cook says he’d “Be lying” if he said he didn’t want a big name like Soulwax or Simian Mobile Disco to work on a Delphic track, “You know you’ve been embraced by the dance world when someone like that wants to work on your music.”

A band indebted to the past but with all eyes locked on the future Delphic are the first breakout stars of 2010. You’d be foolish to bet against them getting all of the acceptance they crave and much more.

this week's Roundtable (11/02)

Thursday's Roundtable see Richard Russell from XL Recordings and our very own Chris Hawkins join Jean-Jacques Burnel from the Stranglers.

1. Jimi Hendrix - 'Bleeding Heart' - the winner - I've never really understood the devotion to Hendrix. he didn't have a good voice, he was an ok guitar player. I'll stop there before anyone starts a campaign to punch me in the face for such blasphemy.

2. Laura Marling - 'Devil's Spoke' - it takes a lot for a woman's voice to make its way into my heart, I'm very critical when it comes to female singers. not really a fan of this. too dark for me.

3. Friendly Fires - 'Hold On' (Holy Ghost cover) - I practically went into cardiac arrest when I heard on Zane Lowe's show last week. (it's been far too long waiting for something new from FFires - the last being July when 'Kiss of Life' premiered.) am preferring this one over HG's original. wicked beats. and v. sexy vocals Ed Mac. good one boys.

hilarious that Richard is trying his best to get people to vote for them in British Breakthrough Act b/c Hannah, his compatriot at XL, told him he better promote them like heck.

4. Rox - 'My Baby Left Me' - hmm. this is v. Noisettes-y. interesting that throwback sound is coming back in a big way.

5. Jamie T - 'Emily's Heart' - I love it! liking it more than his earlier, more rappier stuff.

6. Johnny Cash - 'For the Good Times' - version of Kris Kristofferson song. hmmm. not his greatest.

7. Lightspeed Champion's album 'Life is Good! Nice to Meet You' including 'I Don't Want to Wake Up Alone' and 'Madame Van Damme' - I really like Dev Hynes's latest offering. there's this coyness that reminds me of Morrissey being coy, and the Beatles being coy. agree? teehee...

2010 music festivals - alert

2010 festivals - I've hunted down sites for you, hope this is helpful! Muse appears to be the elephant in the room headlining wise, so if you're not a fan, you may want to check first to see if the festival you were planning on has them top billed.

SXSW - March - U.S. (Austin) => no-go this year b/c I passed on the opportunity from PW
Ultra Music Festival - 26-27 March - U.S. (Miami) - I'm waiting for more acts to be announced. a single woman going by herself isn't really prudent, I don't think :(

Coachella - 16-18 April - U.S. (SoCal) => no-go unless I get a press pass b/c the line-up didn't impress me

Dot to Dot - 29 May (Bristol), 30 May (Nottingham), 31 May (Manchester) - England - I really enjoyed Notts last year!
Pinkpop - 28-30 May - Holland (Landgraaf/Heerlen)
Isle of Skye - May - Scotland - hmm, site not up anymore
Ibiza Rocks - Tuesdays throughout May and September - not sure about this one b/c they were Ibiza and San Antonio last year

Rock am Ring - early June - Germany - generally heavier rock, but Moz performed there years ago
Download UK - mid June (?) - England (Donnington) - generally heavier rock
Isle of Wight - mid June - England
Glasto - June - England

Rock Werchter - July - Belgium (Leuven)
Roskilde - July - Denmark (via Copenhagen)
Oxegen - July - Ireland (County Kildare via Dublin)
T in the Park - July - Scotland (Balado, Perth and Kinross)
Latitude - July - England (Suffolk) - this one would be awesome if certain bands played it this year...
02 Wireless - July - England (London)
Benicassim - July - Spain
Download - 3 certain weekends July through August - U.S. (SF, LA, Philly?)
Cambridge Folk Festival - July into August? - England
Camp Bestival - 30 and 31 July and 1 August - this looked interesting to me b/c Rob da Bank got Friendly Fires to close out the festival Sunday night. but v. pricey.

Virgin Mobile - August - U.S. (Toronto, B'more)??
Lollapalooza - August - U.S. (Chicago)
Summer Sundae - August - England (Leicester)
Pukkelpop - August - Belgium
Frequency - August - Austria
Lowlands - August - Holland - a plus: has tents
V - August - England (Chelmsford/Staffordshire)
Reading/Leeds - August - England
Electric Picnic - August - Ireland (County Laois)
Get Loaded in the Park - August - England (London/Clapham)
Creamfields - August - I'm not entirely sure where this is. according to their "By Air" page, you should go to either Manchester or Liverpool Intl, which is entirely unhelpful. and throwing out "Merseyside" (which I know is near Liverpool) and "Warrington" (Stuart Maconie, help!) in their "By Car" directions don't help much either! :)

Isle of Wight Bestival - early September - England

this week's Roundtable (04/02)

Steve has Radio2 late night stalwart Janice Long, Robin Ince and Tom Ravenscroft (aka 6music presenter and probably better known as John Peel's son) as guests on Roundtable on Thursday

(FYI: Janice Long s a celebrity in Morrissey fan world, as she and Stuart Maconie are two of the chosen few that el Mozzer has allowed into his secret realm again and again.)

1. Jonsi - 'Go Do' - don't know anything about this band. not getting this.

2. General Fiasco - 'Ever So Shy' - I am really eager to see this band live sometime. not only are they mates with *my* mate Matt of S&D, this and the excellent 'Rebel Get By' would be awesome live. Northern Ireland has been doing well as of late - GF, the renewed Ash, and Two Door Cinema Club. Janice, I wuv you, I wuv his voice too!

3. Goldheart Assembly - 'King of Rome' - I know this band is one of Lammo's favourites. it's poppy, but not terribly exciting to me.

4. Tunng - 'Hustle' - the winner - twee. I prefer Camera Obscura, thank you very much.

5. Midlake - Acts of Man - this band (or perhaps more correctly, their album) was panned by a hapless ignoramus of a reviewer on PW. how embarrassing. while I'm not wild about it, I wouldn't say it's as terrible as the reviewer said she thought it was. you like Fleet Foxes, but darker? then this is for you.

6. French Horn Rebellion vs. Database - 'Beaches and Friends' - LMAO this reminds me of Sister Sledge and 'We Are Family' - anyone else? is disco staging a comeback?

7. Massive Attack's new 'Heligoland' album including 'Pray for Rain', 'Splitting the Atom' and 'Paradise Circus' - atmospheric, fuzzed out relaxed dance music. just perfect for this winter. I can't wait to hear Guy Garvey's voice on one of the tracks!

Mousetrap: the Britpop dance that was(n't)

so Mousetrap is a monthly dance night at the Black Cat and usually it's the second Saturday, for anyone planning on a trip to D.C. and wondering if there's a groovy thing to go to. this time it was the day after xmas, entitled "Mousetrap: the Holiday Edition".

miscellaneous amusements of the evening:

1) the top three songs of the evening (in terms of getting peeps to the dancefloor) were the Ting Tings' "That's Not My Name", Peter Bjorn and John's "Young Folks", and MGMT's "Kids".

what's wrong with this picture? 2 out of 3 of those aren't even British. it should have been named "music that British people like to listen to" dance night, not a Britpop dance night.

there were some really strange selections beyond the requisite "Brimful of Asha" by Cornershop. I'm always a bit amused whenever they're played on the same night as the Smiths since back in the day during the Finsbury Park disaster, they claimed "Kill Uncle" was a racist album.

that said, I get a lot of satisfaction singing along to "This Charming Man" and "Bigmouth Strikes Again" b/c of course I know all of the words ::grin::

2) I love the Beatles and I love the Rolling Stones. but I find dancing to "A Hard Day's Night" and "Street Fightin' Man" a bit difficult. I can't be the only one.

3) there was a lit snowman sitting on the stage where bands usually perform. I guess that's what made it "Mousetrap: the Holiday Edition". ehhh...

4) the first hour and a half we were there (11 to 12.30), the music was great. then it started going south, playing songs from earlier generations (see #2 above). nothing wrong with that music, it's just not really music to dance to, you know what I mean?

I noticed a ton of people had already bailed by 1, which is usually a bad sign.

5) Morrissey's voice on "Bigmouth Strikes Again" sounds weird on a PA system. like it's stretched and whiny like a little kid's.

6) there was group of five or six guys who pointed in my direction. I'm not sure what they were doing, but I certainly smiled and hoped one of them would come over and dance in my direction b/c it would have been fun to have someone else to cut a rug with. I'm one of those people who don't need Dutch courage to get out there and dance, and generally, I don't care what people think of my dancing (remind you of anyone...?). in any event, nothing happened and the blokes disappeared (who knows, maybe they thought the music was a snooze too).

what didn't happen reminded me of this video. yes, it's full of Lee Press-on Nails, fluorescent clothes, and big hair, but it's from the '80s and it's Whitney old skool. still great after all these years.

not sure how these VEVO YouTube channels work, so if you get an advert, apologies.

this week's Roundtable (part 1 of 2 of 2009 review)

been out for 2 weeks but raring to go in the first of two "best of 2009's tracks" shows.

Roundtable sees Elly Jackson from La Roux and the NME's Jaimie Hodgson (+ Matt Everitt of the Music Week) discuss some of 2009's best tracks

1. Empire of the Sun - "Walking on a Dream" - I appreciate Elly's insight into EotS's amazing clothing lineup during live gigs. of course she would know!

funnily enough this is now being used for a Vizio advert here in America. plus, Jack Savidge is a fan. good enough for me.

2. Morrissey - "Something is Squeezing My Skull" - I am in agreement with Matt Everitt that "Years of Refusal" has some gems but as a whole isn't a great album. ooh a 1 from Elly - harsh!

3. Doves - "Kingdom of Rust" - oh man, this brings back great memories of seeing Doves at the 9:30 Club in June (read the review.) bloody amazing.

4. Bat for Lashes - "Daniel" - I like the sound of Natasha Khan but having seen her live and not being impressed - all pomp and no real musical substance - I'm not sure what her legacy will be in years to come.

5. Lily Allen - "The Fear" - this album came out the same week as Moz's YOR so I skipped buying her album b/c I was so mad at Best Buy for running out of YOR copies. I do like her, I think she's gotten better songwriting wise.

6. Dizzee Rascal - the winner, ugh -"Bonkers" - it's not really my thing but everyone seems to love it...?

7. Friendly Fires - "Jump in the Pool" - I admit it, the first time I gave the album a spin, I hated this song. THEN I saw them live and watched Ed Mac banging away on his agogo and everything changed.

...why are they even debating Klaxons vs. FFires??? is that a rational argument?

8. La Roux - "In for the Kill" - iTunes single of the year says Lammo. really? I'd like it to be true, but I doubt it.

Web site settling / no Roundtable review for 26.11 or 03.12 (probably)

I've been trying since the summer to settle my Web site - actually, several of them once hosted at Geocities for many years - and I've finally got it into some shape. well, at least everything that I wanted to move over HAS moved over and I think I've finally resolved the links, finally. so if you want to visit...

theprintedword.newartriot.net

the original idea behind "the printed word" was it had to do with a Morrissey song circa 2004 ("You Are the Quarry" days) called "You Know I Couldn't Last":

The whispering
May hurt you
But the printed word might kill you

The whispering
May hurt you
But the printed word might kill you

So don't let the blue
The blue eyes fool you
They're just gelignite
Loaded and aiming right between your eyes
CDs and T-shirts, promos and God knows
You know I couldn't last
Someone please take me home

The teenagers
Who love you
They will wake up, yawn and kill you

The teenagers
Who love you
They will wake up, yawn and kill you

So don't let the blue
The blue eyes fool you
They're just gelignite
Loaded and aiming right between your eyes
CDs and T-shirts, promos and God knows
You know I couldn't last
Someone please take me home

There's a cash register ringing and
It weighs so heavy on my back
Someone please take me home

The critics who
Can't break you
They somehow help to make you

The critics who
Can't break you
Unwittingly they make you

So don't let the good days
Of the gold discs
Creep up and mug you
With evil legal eagles
You know I couldn't last
Accountants rampant
You know I couldn't last
Every -ist and every -ism
Thrown my way to stay

And the Northern leeches go on
Removing, removing, removing

Then in the end
Your royalties bring you luxuries
Your royalties bring you luxuries
Oh but
The squalor of the mind
The squalor of the mind
The squalor of the mind
The squalor of the mind

♥ you Morrissey.


and b/c it was my birthday yesterday, I took a break from reviewing Lammo's Roundtable and I think it's doubtful that I'll be catching up on it before I leave for Boston next Wednesday. BTW if you haven't been following the story from the beginning, I won't be around for next week's Roundtable either because I will be with the chowdaheads seeing Friendly Fires and the xx and hopefully interviewing the former.

but in my absence, you can participate in a v. cool thing, Steve Lamacq's National Wear Your Old Band T-Shirt To Work Day. I participated last year and my two of my t-shirts are on display on the 6music site here (#11 and #12 are mine). And here's a v. funny photo from the group.

reflections on 14 March 09 Morrissey gig

St. George's Cross flag for Morrissey, in progress on 4 March, sitting on my duvet
sorry if it's huge! making that "S" took forever...

nearly a month after I saw "the man" in concert for the 7th time, I thought it would be a good idea to reflect back on the night before my brain loses any more of the memories.

I'd given him something at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester 3 years ago (or more accurately, chucked the necklace onstage with all the might in my left arm), and it seemed somehow appropriate for me to give him something for again gracing my hometown's stage. I've been a fan of Morrissey's since 2003 - my now ex-bf gave me a mix CD of his solo stuff and I was hooked for life. he writes lyrics that touch me deeply - and I just love intellectual lyrics. it's not enough for me to get the groove - I need to feel something in the words a performer sings. and what he's meant in his words has meant so much to me.

thanks for the people directly in front of me (equivalent to about 4 people rows), the flag made it onstage and eventually, after some stage changes, it was propped up on the bass drum. I have circled it on these pics from the delightful Mallory (a fellow MD concertgoer) so you can find it easily if it's not immediately obvious.





overall, I sang my heart out, I swayed to the music (even though the Northern bloke kept trying to put his arms around me - dodgy!), I danced - and had a really fab time. for a more technical and possibly more literary take on this gig, read my review at Popwreckoning.

some people in mozzolo land and further afield have expressed discontent in his set list for this tour - apparently he's not varying the set list, making tour stalking throughly disappointing. having only followed one tour - the Ringleader of the Tormentors tour in 2006, and only 4 dates, 3 in Manchester and 1 in London - I don't have an opinion either way. with a new multi-instrumentalist for this tour (whose name I don't know, but he replaced American Mikey V. Farrell), not varying a set list was probably smart. there is also much made about security being a beast at the Warner. well folks, you're in the Nation's Capital, what do you expect? and it's a seated venue. if he didn't want this, he should have booked the 9:30 Club.

I'm published! / this week's Roundtable

one small step towards becoming a music journo...maybe? have a read of my Morrissey review from 14 March (Warner Theatre) here (on Popwreckoning). I may post more thoughts and pics related to my gig experience later, I just figured you'd want to read what was in the blogosphere before I update again here.

FYI "Something is Squeezing My Skull" has been added this week to the 6music playlist.

--

RoundTable returns for another week, with musician Chas Jankel, journalist Leonie Cooper, and this week's Rebel Playlist winner, Patrick Wolf.

1. Maximo Park - "The Kids Are Sick Again" - Patrick Wolf thought it sounded like a jingle and had a personal grudge against them - lol. I agree with the consensus that this tune isn't great. The problem? It's forgettable.

2. Empire of the Sun - "We Are the People" - this doesn't grab me as much as the previous "Walking on a Dream." maybe b/c then, they were fresh (to me)?

3. Polly Scattergood - I missed the title. probably b/c I agreed with Leonie's assessment of "too twee."

4. Fan Following (?) - "Drowning Man" - first thought? the Duran Duran song. the instrumentation's great, but I didn't get the lyrics b/c of it.

5. Morrissey - "Something is Squeezing My Skull" - y'know, I didn't like this v. much the first time I heard it. now that I've seen it live (literally) and on a couple tv appearances, I can say it's a grower. I don't particularly care for the lyrics...but hey, it's Morrissey :) and yay, I love Patrick for what he said about Steven.

6. In Case of Fire - "Enemies" - yikes. this reminds of why I don't listen to bad "American indie" - thrashing guitars with vocals you can barely make out. oh dear, oh dear. not a fan.

7. the winner - new album from Gomez - I dunno why everyone's gone gaga over this. have I lost the plot???

"best of" upcoming events - late March 2009 edition

b/c I'm hopelessly behind on things, we're on the last full week of March before I can get out a "best of" list...

Nemone (6music)
24.03 - Royksopp interview
25.03 - Chew Lips interview

Steve Lamacq (6music)
24.03 - Paul Smith (Maximo Park) interview
27.03 - Doves interview plus live tracks recorded in Maida Vale

Radcliffe/Maconie (Radio2)
23.03 - Colin Meloy (Decemberists) interview
25.03 - Jackie DeShannon interview

Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)
25.03 - Blue October performance

Jimmy Fallon(formerly Conan O'Brien) (NBC)
28.01 - Morrissey performance - watch here

Leno (NBC)
24.03 - PJ Harvey and John Parish performance
25-27.03 - Prince performances

Letterman (CBS)
23.03 - Bloc Party performance
24.03 - White Lies performance (this is so ironic b/c they're taping this in NYC this afternoon, and I'll be on the train home from their gig when they play this on tv)
26.03 - U2 performance
27.03 - Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt performance

oh yeah, and I have a ticket to see Doves in June!

Wash Post article on 14 March Morrissey gig

from http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postrock/2009/03/live_last_night_morrissey.html
(ed. note: I went to high school with Dave Malitz, the author. not that he remembers me or anything.)

Live Last Night: Morrissey

The Warner Theatre was the site of a unique phenomenon on Saturday night. No, not the scores of Morrissey fans who lunged their arms toward the stage with the hope that the iconic singer would simply reach down and touch them. It wasn't even the sweat stain on the back of Moz's shirt that was the shape of a perfect heart. (Broken many times over, no doubt.)

It was the fact that this show -- by a performer who is most famous for fronting a beloved British rock band that broke up more than two decades ago and is nine albums into his solo career -- was not at all an exercise in nostalgia. The best moments were tracks from "Years of Refusal," the latest success in Morrissey's comeback trilogy, and showcased a vitality that most veteran performers can only dream of.

Songs such as "Something Is Squeezing My Skull," "It's Not Your Birthday Anymore" and "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris" were among the most appealing during the 90-minute set that gave true believers plenty of reasons to swoon but probably didn't add too many new, fully-fledged members to the cult of Moz.

While the five-piece band, centered around guitarists Boz Boorer (Morrissey's longtime collaborator) and former Red Hot Chili Pepper Jesse Tobias, was putting an extra charge into the muscular rockers that populate his recent albums, the 49-year-old singer did his Morrissey thing as only Morrissey can -- and should -- do.

His singular, dramatic croon, once a seemingly perfect match for a gentle guitar jangle, now sounds just as natural on top of crunching power chords. He sang with authority as he added flourishes to some of his sharpest barbs. He lassoed the mic chord with his usual gusto, played to his adoring minions and even curled into a fetal position after a particularly massive version of the Smiths hit "How Soon Is Now."

Another pair of Smiths chestnuts, "This Charming Man" and "Ask," were given crisp, alt-rock makeovers, but it wasn't an evening for big sounds only. In fact, Boorer strapped on an acoustic guitar for a number of quieter tunes, with affecting versions of "Death of a Disco Dancer" and "Seasick, Yet Still Docked" proving that Moz's tender side is still firmly intact.

Despite a string of canceled gigs earlier in the week blamed on strep throat, Morrissey seemed in both good health and spirits. His stage banter was the usual collection of brief non-sequitirs -- "At the Warner, you have been warned" or "So you see, it's not Justin Timberlake. Are you disappointed?" -- and he twice ripped off his shirt to reveal a sculpted torso and arms, which are surely in their current state thanks to a heavy regimen of baby lifting.

After a tidy, 20-song set, any number of hits could have been chosen for the encore, but "First of the Gang to Die" was a fitting choice. While not from the new album, the 2004 single helped jump-start Morrissey's current revival. And like many of the other songs performed Saturday, while it may not be that old, it's well on its way to classic status nonetheless.

--DAVID MALITZ

the promising Soft Pack / this week's Roundtable

The Soft Pack performed on Marc Riley's show last night (I can't be the only one who is grooving to the California band's single, "Nightlife"). Rob Hughes was standing in for an absent Marc and I asked him to ask TSP about what they call the "NME tour" they are doing when they come back to America next month - no, I did not ask for humour, I just wanted to know were they really on an NME tour extension? they didn't answer me but they *did* play three songs - "Extinction," "On My Time," and "Parasites", all of which can be listened to on their MySpace.

--

Thursday's Roundtable sees Jon McClure from Mongrel join the Music Week's Matt Everett and Fierce Panda's Simon Williams

1. The Enemy - "No Time for Tears" - another hearkening back to the '80s? even for that, not a fan.

2. Jack Penate - "Tonight's Today" - dunno why but the chorus reminds me too much of the arm swaying tendency of Barry Manilow's "Copacabana." it may grow on me but right now that repeating refrain is really annoying. I am still annoyed by the repetition of Wintersleep's "Oblivion" (even though they played the Hub earlier this week). a chatroom participant called it "indie tropicana" which brought Lammo and the other guests laughter.

3. Chew Lips - "Solo" - I am amused - and appreciative - for all these dancey-type songs coming out. I think it was Ladyhawke's "My Delirium" last year that got my ears pricked for tunes that tap Atari-era electronic sounds. a chatroom participant said it sounds like she was just playing the Legend of Zelda. quite. my thoughts exactly!

4. the Noisettes - "Don't Upset the Rhythm" - now I'm confused about this outfit. I *loved* "Wild Young Hearts." I hear this song and think, oh no, oh no no no no - they're sounding like everyone else now! but that's just me...

5. the winner - Titus Andronicus - "My Time Outside the Womb" - I was excited when I saw they were coming to D.C. on 19 April, especially since this is days after the tax man cometh. then I realised, darn, I won't be in town! (this happened last October too, when the Wedding Present decided to visit the area.) but back to the song - not impressed. it's a let-down after their first single.

6. Calvin Harris - "I'm Not Alone" - I heard this earlier and am still not impressed. in the middle, the song does a schizo leap, b/c it decides it should be synth pop.

7. Morrissey's new album "Years of Refusal" (out this week in the U.S. and the UK) - clips of "Paris," "Black Cloud," "That's How People Grow Up," and "It's Not Your Birthday Anymore" - and "Something is Squeezing My Skull" and "One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell" in full - Lammo said Morrissey is starting to be like the Ramones - how you'll know exactly what his next record will sound like. (discuss!)

for my part, I have to say "Paris," "That's How People Grow Up," and "One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell" sound a lot better live than on the recording. glad that my "date" with the Mozzer is less than 5 weeks away :)

"best of" upcoming events (third list of January)

addendum to this post from 12 January

Radcliffe/Maconie (Radio2)
27.01 - Graham Nash interview (added later 'cos it was just announced on Rad/Mac)
11.02 - Morrissey live session and Q&A with Mark and Stu at the BBC Theatre, London (repeated in list here b/c I'm worried I'll forget!)

Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)
05.02 - Morrissey performance - sure to be mobbed by mozzolo regulars

Conan O'Brien (NBC)
28.01 - Cold War Kids performance
30.01 - Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds performance

Leno (NBC)
07.01 - Hoobastank performance
29.01 - Franz Ferdinand performance

Letterman (CBS)
29.01 - Graham Nash performance
30.01 - Gaslight Anthem performance

crap, I just realised why I missed Delta Spirit on 16.01, I was watching the wrong show. instead I was watching Hugh Laurie and his charity Band on TV. oops! at least I got to hear them on Lammo's Monday night show recently.

random thought of the day: I have tickets to see both Airborne Toxic Event (12.03) and Morrissey (14.03) and I am very excited, for I did not have to go through a tout for either! see, the little things in life make me happy.

live Morrissey interview/gig on 11 February, Radio2

Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie are travelling down from their comfy confines at the Oxford Road Studios to Broadcasting House, London, to bear witness to a long-time-coming session with the man Morrissey, supposedly beginning with a interview segment. to be broadcast live on Wednesday, 11 February, at their usual show time of 20.00 to 22.00.

info on the 100 pairs of tickets being given away at Radio2's Web site. yet another reason why I hate being on the wrong side of the Atlantic! ::fumes::

random tip of the day: 5 days left to listen to the 12 January Morrissey announcement at 40 min into the Radcliffe/Maconie show and what's more, a humourous bit at 1 hr 5 min into it about someone's mum and fried chicken. seriously tho, it is on topic. I am respectful and amused by Stuart Mac and I think the feeling is mutual :D

"best of" upcoming events (second list of January)

addendum to this earlier post from last week

Ellen Degeneres (check U.S. local listings)
15.01 - Live performance (c'mon you remember them. and they're going to perform "Lightning Crashes".)

Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)
16.01 - Delta Spirit performance (need to remember to program this directly after Airborne Toxic Event on Letterman...yeah yeah, I'm a geezer. I can't stay awake for these late night shows b/c I get up at 6 in the morning for work.)

Radcliffe/Maconie (Radio2)
12.01 - Morrissey announcement (it's got to be either an in-session at the Oxford Road Studios open to fans, or a full-fledged broadcast recording like this Elbow thingamabob being recorded this Saturday and going out on Radio2 on 31.01 - either way, this fangirl is again mourning *not* living in blighty)
13.01 -Starsailor in session, and look, it's Onion Tuesday! (don't ask, just listen)

upcoming possible gigs (in general D.C. area)

31.01 - Lykke Li, Sixth and I Synagogue
03.02 - Passion Pit, Black Cat Backstage
26.02 - Tokyo Police Club, Black Cat mainstage
12.03 - Airborne Toxic Event, Black Cat Backstage
14.03 - Morrissey, Warner Theatre (presuming that whenever those bloody tickets go on sale, the touts don't get there first)
26.03 - Glasvegas, Black Cat mainstage (frankly, I'm wondering what all the fuss is about)

all pending finding gigmates and it's not freezing cold or raining down like a mutha. b/c it's a longggggg walk from the Metro to the Black Cat on a dark night by yourself, esp if you're a girl.

...and yes, still kicking myself for not getting a ticket to the 03.10.08 Fleet Foxes gig at the Black Cat that sold out.