The Death to Easy Music...

Easy Music for Difficult Ears has ceased to exist.
For more muzakery bits and bobs, go to Something for the Weekend now!!

Elisabeth Sladen (R.I.P.; 1948-2011)

There are various little moments that stick out from when I was a child.

Accidentally smashing the front room television is one – my Dad was not best pleased; nearly getting hit by a car is another – my Mum chastised me for that one. I even remember my thrill as Sky broadcast the Transformers film at 6am one Christmas Day morning – neither parent displayed much pleasure at the early call.

But one of my most vivid thought-boxes is the cliff-hanger to episode one of Revelation of the Daleks and the deep sense of fright and shock as the memorial slab fell toward Colin Baker’s Doctor. It was a ruse of course, as was unveiled early in the next edition, yet a sense of fear was twigged inside me; a fear that only a four-year-old can experience when watching television.
I never looked back. It was fabulous stuff and like children everywhere, I liked being a little bit scared.

What does this have to do with Elisabeth Sladen? Not a whole lot, but in the years thereafter, old episodes of Doctor Who came to life via recently released VHS tapes and books and of those collections, Tom Baker’s period stood tall; however one could not watch the first half of Tom Baker’s tenure without being grabbed by the wonderful Elisabeth Sladen and her character, Sarah-Jane Smith.

Whereas the Doctor was the hero, the protector, the catalyst of events unfolding, Sarah-Jane was everyone else. The character without the special knowledge or special powers of any kind and that made Sarah-Jane Smith marvellous. Not content to scream on a weekly basis like many of the previous “girl companions”, Sarah-Jane Smith was smart and proactive. She made the viewer feel smart.
The chemistry between Baker, Sladen and from an earlier period Ian Marter showed on screen

Sarah-Jane Smith was the viewer’s character, looking to the Doctor, helping to put a halt to all sorts of enemies if she could. Now Elisabeth Sladen is dead – at the age of 63 to cancer – and suddenly the world feels a little less secure and a little less wonderful and for that reason, today is a sad day indeed.

Something for the Weekend: "Voodoo" staring Tom Baker

One year before he assumed the lead role in Doctor Who, Tom Baker was just another struggling actor, taking odd jobs just to make ends meat.

The Liverpudlian had enjoyed a modicum of success following his portrayal of Rasputin in the 1971 Oscar Award winning Nicholas and Alexandra, yet within two years found himself reduced to bit parts and insignificant roles.
For a time, Baker also took on bricklaying to keep the money rolling in - that was until the unknown Baker was put forward for the part by BBC's Head of Serials, Bill Slater.

One of Baker's credits during his period of struggle was Voodoo, which was a short segment in the Vault of Horror series. Voodoo would be the last of five short episodes, whereby five men would tell of horrifying nightmares that they recently had.

In his nightmare, Baker played Moore - a broken and penniless painter, steeped in bitterness living in a Haitian shack. In a chance meeting with an old friend, Moore discovers that the art dealers that he had entrusted his work had cheated him out of vast amounts of money.
Angry, Moore promises revenge, purchasing voodoo from a local tribesman. Determined to right the wrongs cast by the dealers, Moore brings retribution not only upon his enemies, but also unto himself.

As a piece of work, Voodoo is a curious entity and although the tale being woven is an undeniably simple one, it is still quite effective in its execution. One cannot fail to mention the stellar soundtrack that permeates throughout - for what is essentially only occasional light string sections opposite tribal drums, it certainly does more than enough to raise the tension of the episode.

"Voodoo", Part One


"Voodoo", Part Two


"Voodoo", Part Three

Something for the Weekend: Beastie Boys "Sabotage"

Unbelievably, I still meet people that believe music stopped progressing following the death of Kurt Cobain in April 1994. Indeed, a short lull most certainly followed his death, but art will always progress in the face of death.

Whether or not a piece of art becomes a commercial successful is not only irrelevant, but a moronic concept. Those that breed commercial art, seek solely to pursue the death of self.

Throughout the spring of 1994, fans exhausted tears, onlookers lamented the wasted youth, while record industry nobles set in motion plans to sell the death for the time.
Cobain has since become something of a modern Elvis, complete with a bloated memory of how wonderful the early-90's apparently were. What a shit legacy to have sold. That Cobain shot himself seventeen years ago this week is also a fact that simply makes me feel old.

In the background, another name lurked in the shadows. Following several years on the precipice of commercial success, the Beastie Boys released their fourth album, Ill Communication six weeks after Cobain's death.
After the hit if their 1986 début album Licence to Ill, Beastie Boys became more experimental as they fused hip-hop elements (including heavy sampling) into an inbuilt hardcore punk ethic. The result were a pair of albums (Paul's Boutique and Check Your Head) that were critically acclaimed, but not the hits that Capitol had anticipated.
When Ill Communication landed, it was headed by the superb singles "Sabotage" (with a video directed by Spike Jonze) and "Sure Shot"; both of which became successes outside of the hip-hop charts in the US, as they crossed over in rock and dance arenas.
That fact that track's were ace also helped.

Meanwhile, Nirvana bassist Chris Novoselic went on to form the duo Sweet 75 and a few other low flying acts, while drummer Dave Grohl went on to form the stadium rock bores, the Foo Fighters.
Anesthesia, anyone..?

Beastie Boys "Sabotage"

Something for the Weekend: Die Doraus und Die Marinas "Fred vom Jupiter"

When Andreas Dorau penned "Fred vom Jupiter" as part of a school project, it is unlikely the seventeen-year-old realised that he had struck gold.

Released in 1981, the electropop single was released by Dorau on the Ata-Tak label under the banner of Die Doraus und die Marinas. It would become a minor hit in Germany, Austria and the UK, where it was released by Mute Records.
The song, which features a few rather simplistic synth line, was initially overseen by one of Dorau's schoolteachers, Jürgen Krefft, while writing duties came under the vision of Dorau and Olaf Maurischat; however upon release, Krefft was not credited.

Eventually included on the follow-up album, Flowers and Daffodils, "Fred vom Jupiter" had - admittedly - rather childlike lyrics and themes, dealing with an attractive alien called Fred, who came from Jupiter. The alien's rocket ship runs out of fuel and lands and begins getting it on with Earth ladies.  As the local men become more and more jealous, Fred is driven away, just as he discovers fuel to split. As you do.

In keeping with the (relatively) childlike elements of the song, the vocals were sung by five children (Dagmar Peterson, Claudia Flohr, Michelle Milewski, Christine Süßmilch and Isabelle Spelly), all of whom were between the ages of 11 and 13 years old.
 The B-Side to "Fred vom Jupiter" is a rather quaint and solemn track, "Auch die Heimat ist Nicht Mehr Schön" (literally meaning "The Home is Not Nice"), a numbing instrumental telling of Fred's home planet.

Following "Fred vom Jupiter", Dorau followed a career in television and film, mainly writing soundtracks and acting as a consultant on productions. He would later have a top-ten hit in France in 1996, called "Girls in Love".

Die Doraus und Die Marinas "Fred vom Jupiter"

Something for the Weekend: The Avalanches "Frontier Psychiatrist"

Following successful support slots with the likes of Beck, Public Enemy and The Beastie Boys in the late-90's, Australian electronic group The Avalanches eventually released their début album at the start of the new century.

The release, Since I Left You, was originally pencilled in for release in early 2000; however this release date was pushed back on a number of occasions, as the group struggled to clear the mammoth amount of samples that duly appear.

By November, Since I Left You finally hit shelves, eventually breeding five singles - the second of which was to become a cult classic.  Released at the tail end of the summer in 2000, the video for "Frontier Psychiatrist" - directed by Tom Kuntz and Mike Maguire - blended numerous elderly actors playing various elements of the song.  As an example of the sheer scale of clearances necessary for the album, "Frontier Psychiatrist" contained thirty-seven various vocal snippets that required approval.

"Frontier Psychiatrist" is one of only two singles by The Avalanches to break the UK top-twenty and bar several mixtapes and remixes, things became rather quiet following the album's release.  In 2008, it was rumoured that a new Avalanches album may be debuting the following year; however two-and-a-half years later, that has yet to appear, although announcements are thought to follow in the next few months.

This is Why the World Will End Soon: Rebecca Black "Friday"

Fucking hell... there are simply not enough expletives in the world to justify this fucking shit.

Something for the Weekend: The Ruts "Babylon's Burning"

Rising to the fore during the second generation of punk, London group The Ruts became one of the few from that genre to truly reach a wider audience.

The beginnings of the imposing foursome actually veered towards the burgeoning "Oi!" movement before musical leanings saw them drift into grounds defined by reggae and dub.  Part of their sound was also guided by their association with numerous rock and roll cover bands of the period.
Despite these, the Ruts' sense of anger concerning social issues became embedded in their sound.  Amongst their angst's was the escalation of heroin use within punk's outer communities, noted on the early B-Side, "H-Eyes"- a dark irony considering lead singer Malcolm Owen death from a heroin overdose in July 1980.

The Ruts would reach their peak with the singles "Babylon's Burning" and "Something That I Said" in the summer of 1979.  The single's, taken from the band's sole album The Crack, garnered a place on the BBC's Top of the Pops, with a third single, "Jah War" following in November.

With Owens' demise, the remaining members reconvened as Ruts DC, but split in 1983 after releasing two albums.  The band would reform for a one-off show in 2007, with Henry Rollins taking singing duties for a benefit show for guitarist Paul Fox, who had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer.  Sadly, Fox would die later that year at the age of 56.

The Rut's "Babylon's Burning ("live" on Top of the Pops)

Review: Kill! Kill! Death! Death! "Kill! Kill! Death! Death!"

With the release of their self-titled debut LP on themselves, Dublin-based noise prosecutors Kill! Kill! Death! Death! have made a stand, by producing mindless, yet fun lo-fi garage punk.

The ten-tracks shift through lo-fi a number of powder induced gears, although at times the incessant noise slips into dirge territory. It would have nicer had the drums sounded somewhat crisper - as it stands, they are more slightly aged Snax, as opposed to fresh from the packet Hunky Dorys.
Having said that though, it’s actually quite refreshing to hear a singer who’s voice box have quite obviously not been touched up to the nth degree, although they way the vocals strain occasionally rankles slightly. I have heard much worse though – me.

Occasionally, the albums dwells within the realms of sunshine pop, yet neither the sunshine nor the pop abound - rather a bloodstained truncheon in the dank rain at the edge of forest – all quite civil really.
Kill! Kill! Death! Death! is quite simply the aural equivalent of having the shit kicked out of you by manic five year-old children with soft, endearing eyes – they may look sweet, but they will cut you and cut you and cut you, leaving you bloody nosed and immersed in tragedy.  Can't you feel the spiral of doom?! No?  Good.
Meanwhile in the background, a haemorrhaging aorta spills, dying the drizzle touched ground a deep seductive red.

“Not a Sad Song”, why, oh why do you remind me of the scene in Spiderman when Grandpappy dies, eh..?  Christ, that film was shite, but ohhh Kirsten Dunst.................
Is he saying “quack” over and over again? Oh, he is. Fair enough.

At 29 minutes, one can certainly say the album is not too long. I like that - it reminds me of finely cooked sausages. None of this 70 minute-long shindig please – I’d rather writhe in wolf vomit if that were the case.
I guarantee you that if Yogi Bear were still alive, he’d give this a neat (if wary) thumbs up, before beating the leaving shit out of some poor, defenceless orphaned cubs. Because that's what Yogi Bear is - a prick.
Good fun. This will be soon be tempered by some Miles Davis, but for now, download Kill! Kill! Death! Death! here.
Rating: 3 out of 5

Something for the Weekend: Pram "The Owl Service"

With percussion ricocheting amongst the speakers, Pram's sixth album, The Museum of Imaginary Animals presents itself as a curious entity.

Although the songs within were still more cohesive than later efforts, the Birmingham group drifted away from their dream-pop leanings, offering up avant-garde pieces that brought Rosie Cuckson's eerie and distant vocals to the fore.
Signifying that was The Museum of Imaginary Animals' opener, "The Owl Service". An off-kilter pop that shares some similarities with the likes of Stereolab and Broadcast; however on this cut, Pram take on a more surreal view as they shroud themselves in instruments not akin to the world of pop.

The title was taken from the 1970's BBC children's drama and with the way Pram utilised childlike themes throughout the album, it fits rather well.

Pram "The Owl Service"

(March 2011) Easy Music for Difficult Ears Spotify Playlist

Swift dissipation, whilst flickering memories caress the dirt-tainted concrete – rain sodden under an ashen brazen sky. It isn’t just cold; it actually feels cold… and desolate… and desperate.

These smoky lives wither and lie in wait – colourless and featureless thanks to the persuasion of modern life. Identikit people and every single one of them billowing with nonsense – is it any wonder existence feels fit to ignore?
To tempt such shallow brethren into one’s wake would be akin to inviting death himself to dinner, only to have realised you forgot the poison and what worse fate is there in life, than to be one of the walking dead?

March 2011 Playlist

1. Lizzy Mercier Descloux “Wawa” (Press Color, 1979, ZE Records) Buy it here
2. The Raincoats “The Void” (The Raincoats, 1979, Rough Trade) Buy it here
3. The Lounge Lizards “Wangling” (The Lounge Lizards, 1981, Virgin Records Ltd) Buy it here
4. Was (Not Was) “Wheel Me Out” (Out Come the Freaks, 2004, ZE Records) Buy it here
5. Duet Emmo “Or So It Seems” (Or So it Seems, 1983, Mute Records) Buy it here
6. Au Revoir Simone “Anywhere You Looked” (Still Night Still Night, 2009, Au Revoir Simone) Buy it here
7. Nico “Frozen Warning” (The Frozen Warning: 1968-1970 Recordings, 2007, Rhino Entertainment) Buy it here
8. Marina Rosenfeld with Christoph Kurzmann “Sweetest Sensation” (Plastic Materials, 2009, Marina Rosenfeld) Buy it here
9. Leonard Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic “Symphony No. 9 in E-flat Major, Op 7: Allegretto” (Shostakovich: No's 5 & 9, 1959, Sony BMG Recordings) Buy it here
10. Sir Simon Rattle with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (et al) “Apollo – Ballet en deux tableaux, Deuxieme tableaux: Variation de Polymnie” (Stravinsky: The Ballets, 2009, EMI Records) Buy it here
11. New Tango Orquesta “The Down” (Vesper, 2009, Hoob Records) Buy it here
12. Beirut “My Family’s Role in the World Revolution” (The Lon Gisland EP, 2007, Ba Da Bing records) Buy it here
13. Animal Collective “Kids on Holiday” (Sung Tongs, 2004, Fatcat Records) Buy it here
14. Camille “Janine 3” (Le Fil, 2005, Virgin Music) Buy it here
15. Andreas Dorau und Die Marinas “Fred vom Jupiter” (Blumen und Narzissen, 1981, Ata Tak Records) Unavailable apparently for now...

November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010

Oh Bugger, It's Enda

"I am here toooo zuck yur bllooood......"

Something for the Weekend: Delta 5 "Anticipation"

A key component of the late-70's new wave / post-punk era were Leeds five-piece, Delta 5.

The band, which featured two basses opposing a sole guitar, only existed for two short years, yet rather than claiming any commercial success, Delta 5 are often on the receiving end of a vast array of influential nods. Basically they're a band to mention if you are bland enough to try and impress someone with that shit.

Following the positive critical reception of their 7-inch début single, "Mind Your Own Business" in 1979, Delta 5 opened the 1980's with a double A-Side release, entitled "Anticipation / You".  The single was released on a rather limited run by Rough Trade, although unlike "Mind Your Own Business", "Anticipation" did make it onto Delta 5's only album, See the Whirl in 1981.

As very public members of the Rock Against Racism movement of the time, the band found themselves subjected to a brutal assault during a protest from right-wing parties and thugs.
Around this time, the band took on their only US tour, announcing their split from Rough Trade upon their return. Eventually, Delta 5 moved instead to PRE Records - a subsidiary of Charisma Recordings. PRE Records would soon house the release of See the Whirl; however the album's clean production robbed the band's sound of much of its potential rawness, rendering it aurally castrated.  Both Delta 5 and PRE Records dissolved soon afterwards.

The video is a mimed studio cut from a show aired in the former half of 1980; however it is not Top of the Pops, despite what the original description says.

Delta 5 "Anticipation"

Nicholas Courtney (R.I.P.)

Seeming most like an age coming to an end, another passes from classic Doctor Who. Nicholas Courtney, who famously played Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart in the long running television show Doctor Who, has died at the age of 81.

Courtney made the role his own with a gruff regular army appeal, which dovetailed into UNIT’s wide-eyed curiosity for extraterrestrial life and alien goings on. The British actor actually appeared in the show two years prior to the debut of Brigadier Stewart, initially assuming the role of Bret Vyon in the 1966-67 story, The Daleks’ Master Plan, alongside the first Doctor, played by William Hartnell.
It was only in 1968 when the Patrick Troughton adventure, The Web of Fear, aired that Courtney found the role that he would make his own for decades to come. From there, Courtney starred on screen with ever Doctor bar Colin Baker; however he would star with Baker and David Tennant in Doctor Who audio stories.

Although Nicholas Courtney may no longer be with us, Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart is immortal. Nearly all the recording in which the character appeared exist and through these, Courtney’s work can be enjoyed forever.
Personally I will always remember Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart for the famous quote from the third Doctor story, The Daemons: “Chap with the wings there. Five rounds rapid.”

Something for the Weekend: The Divine Comedy "National Express"

I have always found it difficult to believe that when The Divine Comedy released their biggest single to date, "National Express", it came from their sixth album, Fin de Siècle.

Coming out just following the dawn of 1999, "National Express" proved to be something of a surprise success, especially considering its placing as the final single from the album.  The often wry and bleak humour displayed in the lyrics throughout sit well against Neil Hannon's booming voice, as he describe's societies underlings, whether they be screaming children, old ladies, unlikely fathers and once youthful women, whose youth and beauty have faded without grace in the sands of time.

It is a song, not just about watching people, but also watching your life disappear.

Admittedly, Hannon's baroque and chamber pop project was certainly a slow burner that really only started with his second single "Something for the Weekend" from the 1996 album Casanova.  Of course, many fans of Father Ted will know the Casanova track "Songs of Love", as it became the theme tune to the show.

**Edit:
How could possibly leave out the fact that "National Express" has one of the best lines in modern (ish music.  Genius.
"...but it's hard to get by when your arse is the size of a small country..."

The Divine Comedy "National Express"

Something for the Weekend: The Chico Hamilton Quintet "Blue Sands (live at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival)"

Those that know me, should know that I have a great love of jazz; especially percussion driven works from the 1940's through to the late-60's.

Its driving precision often held a sort of manic fluidity in check; like sheer madness surrounding a column of calm. As one of my favourite musicians of all time, Chico Hamilton was that calm.
Hamilton was born in Los Angeles of 1921 and although his drumming provided something of a high-wire stability in numerous bands during his early years, he would not find his feet as a band leader in his own right until 1955. Until that point, he had been an associate of the likes of Charles Mingus, Buddy Collette, Dexter Gordon, while also enjoying spells performing with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday and Sammy Davis Jr. There was even a turn as the drummer for Fred Astaire's backing group in the film You'll Never Get Rich in the early-40's.

When the Chico Hamilton Quintet did formulate, it came to a somewhat unusual format. Rather than being brass led - as many jazz bands at the time were - Hamilton created a group that contained cello, flute, double-bass and guitar; however there was rarely a lead. Often on albums, lead instruments would alter per song and in some cases would flirt from instrument to instrument.
The line-up, devoid of sharp sounding instruments help give birth to west coast jazz, also know as "cool jazz" and in this time, Hamilton produced some of the finest jazz albums ever recorded.  Long players such as The Chico Hamilton Quintet featuring Buddy Collette (1955), Truth featuring Eric Dolphy (1959) and the truly magnificent El Chico (1966). A series of fabulous albums was topped off by The Dealer (also 1966), released on Impulse Recordings. There were a number of fine recordings in those years, but rarely is that collection of four ever topped.
In the 60's, the formula of Hamilton's band altered somewhat and began to assume more of a hard bop and avant-garde feel. This was aided by the addition of Charles Lloyd, Gabor Szabo, Arnie Lawrence, Albert Stinson Richard Davis, Archie Shepp and George Bohanon to his band at various points.
Following the this period, Hamilton began a film production company, where upon he scored numerous movies; including Litho, Repulsions, By Design, Mr Rico and Liebe Auf Den Ersten Blick amongst others.

Nowadays the 89-year-old Hamilton still lives in Los Angeles and continues to record and perform when the opportunity arises. His 61st album, Twelve Tones of Love was release last year.
This week Something for the Weekend goes back to the début long player to uncover one of the best tracks from The Chico Hamilton Quintet, "Blue Sands". The version shown here is taken from a performance at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival and displays some of the sublime precision that only the likes of Hamilton could create.

The Chico Hamilton Quintet "Blue Sands"


2009 Interview with Chico Hamilton

Something for the Weekend: The Stranglers "Rok it to the Moon"

Lambasted by some at the time for not being a "proper punk band" due to their pub-rock origins, the Stranglers are one of the last surviving bands from the first generation of punk.  

Although best known for the single "Golden Brown", taken from their sixth album La Folie, the earlier years of the Stranglers saw the grasp a far more aggressive approach.

With this method of raw energy and zero-compromise, the Stranglers took to recording feverishly, eventually releasing two albums in 1977 (Rattus Norvegicus and No More Heroes), as well as a few non-album singles around the time of No More Heroes.  This period of high activity saw two more albums released within the following eighteen months.

One of those non-album singles was "Five Minutes" and while the A-Side is rather good, it is in this case topped by a fabulous B-Side called "Rok it to the Moon".  Strangely enough, the band saw fit to record a video for "Rok it to the Moon", albeit on the same set as for "Five Minutes".

The Stranglers "Rok it to the Moon"

Gigs: Big Monster Love (Shebeen Chic, Dublin; Feb 4th)

Big Monster Love will be releasing his new album, Game Over, at the Shebeen Chic in Dublin next Friday night (February 4th).

Support comes from the sexual Moutpiece and Brian Kelly. There will also be a DJ set from the chaps within the Popical Island collective.  Doors are 9pm and it's €5 in. If you do not go, it's quite possible that you may catch some sort of rabies-type virus!!

Something for the Weekend: Broadcast "Winter Now" / "Come on, Let's Go"

Having being a fan for several years, I finally got to see Broadcast twice in the last couple years, just as they were doing the Focus Group material - just brilliant stuff.

They had gotten to the stage where their set was split in two - the first half would be a short film, soundtracked live, followed by a set proper thereafter.
Amidst all the obtuse gadgetry and ageing synths, James Cargill's stark form of playing guitar and bass, sat Trish Keenan's voice.
Always haunting and quite serene; dark and beautiful, bleeding subtly into its surroundings.

One of my favourite bands of all time, lead signer Trish Keenan passed away today at the age of 42. I will miss them.

Broadcast "Winter Now"

Broadcast "Come on, Let's Go"

Trish Keenan (R.I.P.)

Broadcast's Trish Keenan passed away this morning following complications from pneumonia.  I am completely stunned - simply do not know what to say.
A statement from Warp Records can be found here.

Something for the Weekend: MC5 "Kick Out the Jams (live on Beat Club)"

If ever the world needed a definition for "kick-arse rock 'n' roll", then here it is. Born in mid-60's Michigan, MC5 - along with the Velvet Underground and others - punctured a decade that was slowly descending into slow, soft rock hell.

By fusing soul with an uncompromising blues ethic, MC5 beat the shit out of many listeners that happened to be sat within several feet of a large, loud speaker. Black eyes and everything!!
There were other breakaways from convention too. Rather than record their début album in studio, the band decided to make their opening long-player a live album (recorded at the tail end of 1968), thereby giving them the opportunity to showcase their energy and raw power. That début, Kick Out the Jams, has gone on to be one of the greatest rock albums of the 20th century and in turned spawned the album's brilliant lead single of the same name.

The performance of "Kick Out the Jams" is taken from the German music show Beat Club in March 1972 - recorded several months before the band split up. MC5 did eventually reform in 2003, but did so without lead-singer Rob Tyner and guitarist Fred Smith; both of whom died of heart attacks in 1991 and 1994 respectively.

MC5 "Kick Out the Jams (live on Beat Club)"

Something for the Weekend: Sultans of Ping F.C. "Where's Me Jumper"

Formed in 1988 as a four-piece, Cork's Sultans of Ping mixed high energy punk-rock with pop sensibilities, knocking out some pleasantly stunning material in the process - the most successful of which was their second single, "Where's Me Jumper?"

The somewhat comical track was quite simple really.  A loud bash about losing one's jumper as a discotheque, would see the band welcomed by Epic Records via Rhythm King Recordings - a deal that would see their début album (Casual Sex in the Cineplex) and its follow-up (Teenage Drug) attain cult status in both the British and Irish music industries. 
While also carrying the single "Where's Me Jumper?", Casual Sex... also featured several other notable tracks, including the short, brilliant "Stupid Kid" - a song that runs on repeat in my head most days.

Several line-up changes would see the band lose their consistency and their third full length effort, Good Year for Trouble struggled as a result.  The album, released independently, was also hit by the unwillingness of music retailers HMV and Virgin to stock it, with the mega-stores claiming the album cover was too explicit for their fragile-minded customers.

The band was released from their contract soon after Good Year for Trouble was released, with the band themselves finally collapsing not long afterwards.

They reformed in 2005 and have performed several shows, but nothing extensive.  They returned to the studio in 2007 following an eleven year absence to record and release the single "Girlwatching", but have shown little activity in the time since.

Sultans of Ping F.C. "Where's Me Jumper?"

Gig: We Cut Corners, Sleep Thieves (The Mercantile, Dublin - Dec 22nd)

People should probably go to this.  If you don't, I'll be very cross - much like the Papa Bear in Goldilocks, only I have neither porridge nor a fanciful bed.  Shocking really.  

Personally I blame the architects of modern society for the fact that I have simple toasted crustations for breakfast every morning... neatly layered with a modicum of butter, washed down by several mouthfuls of Darjeeling.

That's right.  Damn straight.  Don't fuck with the tea.  What?

Anyhoo, State.ie presents We Cut Corners, Sleep Thieves and We Are Losers as well as some "very special guests."

It takes place on Wednesday December 22nd from 9pm and is free in; however donations to Focus Ireland would be graciously appreciated.

GIVE FREELY YOUR WILL AND EARNINGS AND YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN YOUR SINS, WHILE FALLING INTO THE ABYSS OF HELL, PASSED DEPARTMENT STORES FILLED WITH YOUR FAVOURITE COMMODITIES AS SHOPPING MUSIC PLAGUES YOUR LISTENING HOLES FOR ALL TIME AND THEN SOME...
SUBMIT SUBMIT SUBMIT SUBMIT SUBMIT SUBMIT SUBMIT SUBMIT (and so on in the tones of a Gregorian chant, ad finitum)

Something for the Weekend: Cold in Berlin "Destruction"

This week’s “Something for the Weekend” presents Cold in Berlin. 

The East-London based post-punk quartet make lovely noisy noise, not too distant from a stark and mashed version of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Siouxsie and the Banshees and ADULT and tonight at the dutifully grimy and delightful Old Blue Last on Old Street (London), they will be launching their debut album.

The album, called Give Me Walls, will officially be released by 2076 Records on Monday (November 29th) and can be picked up from their site.

The video for Give Me Walls lead single, “Destruction” was constructed from still images recorded by Dina Karklina. “Destruction” was originally released at the tail end of 2009 as a split-single with Death Cigarettes – who also happen to be Cold in Berlin.

Whatever. It doesn’t matter, because it’s still very, very good.

Cold in Berlin MySpace

Cold in Berlin "Destruction"

Peter Christopherson (RIP)

Last night, electronic music pioneer Peter 'Sleazy' Christopherson died in his sleep at his home in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 55-year-old found notoriety, first with the industrial group Throbbing Gristle in 1970's and early '80's, before forming first, Psychic TV (with former Throbbing Gristle-lead, Genesis P Orridge) and later, Coil (with Jjohn Balance).
Christopherson was also an influential visual artist, creating works for the likes of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Factory Records. He was known for doing window design work for Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood's shop, SEX, and is credited for taking the very first promo shots of the then unknown Sex Pistols.

Throbbing Gristle reformed in 2004 following their break-up in 1981, with the four-piece performing irregularly until Genesis P Orridge left the group only two weeks ago. Nevertheless, Christopherson - along with Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti - continued, albeit under the banner of X-TG until Christopherson's untimely death yesterday.

Throbbing Gristle "Discipline (live)"

Something for the Weekend: Men Without Hats "The Safety Dance"

When Canada's Men Without Hats surged forward in 1982 with their début long-player, Rhythm of Youth, it marked yet another step in the synthesised pop world, that also housed the likes of Duran Duran, the Human League, Ultravox and others.

Founded by Ivan Doroschuk in the late-70's, the group revolved around Doroschuk, two of his brothers (Stefan and Colin) and electronics maestro Jeremie Arrobas; however the band did not become a solidified entity until 1980 and the release of their début EP, Folks of the 80's.  Numerous changes followed Folks of the 80's and by the time Rhythm of Youth arrived only Ivan Doroschuk remained from the original incarnation.

Produced by Marc Durand, Rhythm of Youth dropped one of the biggest hits of 1982, The Safety Dance.  The song, about revellers not being allowed to pogo in nightclubs, was Men Without Hats sole commercial success, reaching the top 10 in the UK and hitting number 1 in America's Billboard Hot 100.   

The Safety Dance also garnered no little fame for its video.  Filmed in a village near Bath, it featured Doroschuk and several random people dressed up in medieval clothing, while morris dancing.  The dance also featured the protagonists making a rather silly "S" shape with their arms.

The band continued until 1991, although success had long since passed.  However, Ivan Doroschuk reformed Men Without Hats in 2003 with his brother, Stefan, to release their sixth album, No Hats Beyond This Point, but it was met with little critical or commercial success - in fact, the album has been left completely out of print.

In September, Men Without Hats once again returned to perform at the Rifflandia Music Festival in Canada and are apparently working on another comeback.

An Open Letter to Greg James and the BBC

Hi Greg,

I hope you don't mind, but there is something that drastically needs to be pointed out. It is the 15th of November. The 15th of November!!  Please Greg, tell me why are Christmas songs being played on the 15th of November? A few moments ago, the super extra bonus tones of Mariah Carey bellowed outward and shattered a pained silence and something very tragic happened.

People jigged. Some began to shake and bobble with vague amounts of rhythm - albeit lightly, with minor hip and head placements. Yet the signs were clear and obvious. People were beginning to smile… even if it was only polite.

Is there to be no respite from this merry hell? Soon people will be expected to smile and be joyous - but in November, that's not possible. It’s far too dour a month for good things to happen to common folk. If the populous become happy prior to December 1st, faces across the country could be broken forever!! The damage done to the NHS coffers in order to cure these shattered frowns may be irreparable.

If you do not halt this unseasonal jolliness, you may have eternal happiness on your conscience - I only hope you can live with that...

Sincerely yours,

Leigh O'Gorman

Something for the Weekend: Del Shannon "Runaway"

When Del Shannon and Max Crook penned in 1961, little did they realise that they had authored what would become a huge international hit.

Indeed, what may have simply rock 'n' roll song was turned on its head by Shannon's pained vocals and his swift changes of pitch that wrapped the lyrics in emotion torment.  Yet it is Crook's treatment of his Clavioline-based Musitron during the song's bridge that makes the hairs stand on one's neck. 
Such a searing sound dancing playfully with "Runaway"'s integral rhythm, is a perfect match for the sombre lyrics of loss and desperation that parade through the song's sole verse.  A performance on American Bandstand (see below) helped catapult the song to number 1 in the US Billboard charts, before it eventually making to the top spot in the UK two months later.

Shannon had several somewhat less successful in the following years as he struggled to recreate the magic that made "Runaway".  The song gained fame once again in 1986 when an updated version of the song soundtracked the intro to the NBC drama, Crime Story and led to an appearance on the David Letterman show.

For a time, he remained moderately in the public eye in the late-80's, but on February 8th 1990, Shannon committed suicide at his California home.

(November 2010) Easy Music for Difficult Ears Spotify Playlist

Ireland. I look outside and it is cold, wet and desolate. Consumed in thought, mired in its own problems - like a drunk in the corner forcing in another sip at a time.

November 2010 Playlist

1. The Damned "New Rose" (Damned Damned Damned, 1977, Stiff Records) Buy it here
2. Bow Wow Wow "C30 C60 C90 Go!!" (Girl Bites Dog, Your Digital Pet, 2006, EMI) Buy it here
3. The Slits "Newtown" (Cut, 1979, Island Records) Buy it here
4. Tricky "Suffocated Love" (Maxinquaye, 1995, Island Records) Buy it here
5. Gorillaz "Dracula" (G-Sides, 2002, EMI Records) Buy it here
6. Crystal Castles "Year of Silence" (Crystal Castles II, 2010, Polydor) Buy it here
7. Add N to (x) "Buckminster Fuller" (Avant Hard, 1999, Mute Records) Buy it here
8. Beck "Mutherfucker" (Mellow Gold, 1993, Geffen Records) Buy it here
9. Prodigy "Poison" (Music for the Jilted Generation, 1994, XL Recordings) Buy it here
10. LCD Soundsystem "Yeah (Crass Version)" (LCD Soundsystem, 2005, EMI Records) Buy it here
11. Heartsrevolution "Dance Till Dawn (Dex Pistols Remix Deux)" (Hearts Japan EP, 2009, Kitsune France) Buy it here
12. Throbbing Gristle "Final Muzak" (The First Annual Report, 2001, Yeaah) Buy it here
13. Vladimir Ussachevsky "Sonic Contours" (Sounds of New Music, 1957, Folkways Records) Stream it here
14. Electrelane "Many Peaks" (Rock it to the Moon, 2001, Mr Lady Records) Buy it here
15. Andre Williams "Bacon Fat" (Rib Tips & Greasy Chicken, 2007, Tuff City) Buy it here

October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010

Gig: Ulterior, Rubicks (Electrowerkz, London - Nov 5th)

This Friday, the Playground presents the launch of Ulterior's new single, "Sex War Sex Cars Sex" at Torrens Street's Electrowerkz venue near Angel in London.

Also playing will be Mirrors, Rubicks, Lord Auch, The Gaa Gaa's, Neurotic Mass and Movement as well as several DJ sets from various chaps. To be honest, the only band I've know in that list are the rather wonderful Rubicks.

Doors go from 7pm until 4am and the show is a sweet £7 in - tickets can grabbed from here.

London electronic band Rubicks will also be using the night to celebrate the launch of their new single, "Worship".  

While embodying touches of Blondie and Goldfrapp, Rubicks themselves knock out some fairly ace tuneables - if only it wasn't so hard to search for them on the webz.

Rubicks MySpace // Rubicks Twitter

Rubicks "Is This Love?"

Something for the Weekend: The Damned "New Rose"

Seeing as how this is Halloween weekend, one can scarcely go wrong with the Damned.  One of the original generation of punk bands to come out London in 1976, the Damned have the distinction of being the first UK punk band to release a single.

Indeed, it took them only a few short months for them to launch "New Rose", whereas the Clash waited nine months to release "White Riot".  Even the Sex Pistols had a year long lead-in, before "Anarchy in the UK" hit the shelves.

Backed by Stiff Records, the single's B-Side was a cover of the Beatles' hit, "Help", albeit played at twice the speed of the original.  "New Rose" was written by guitarist Brian James, who helped pen much of their material in these early times, before he left the group in late-1977.

James' style was often manic and driven by speed, his guitar wielding an instantly recognisable buzzsaw sound, yet it is the gothic-leanings of vocalist Dave Vanian that has driven the group to be categorised as a goth-punk band.

The Damned took a five-year break in 1988, before getting back together - no doubt prompted by attention following covers by Guns and Roses ("New Rose") and the Offspring ("Smash it Up").

The Damned "New Rose"



...and just because it's Halloween...
The Damned "Video Nasty (on BBC's, The Young Ones)"

Delorentos "Sanctuary" Tour

Delorentos have released their new single, Sanctuary, today and it will be accompanied by their biggest tour yet.

The critically acclaimed four-piece will be performing at the all-ages Halloween Festival at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise today and will follow that up with dates in Limerick, Waterford, Carrick-on-Shannon, Cork, Tipperary, Galway, Westport and Derry in a tour that spreads over the next two months.

To top it off, the band will also be performing an extra special show in Dublin’s new Workman’s Club on Thursday December 16th – tickets are still available and can be found here. In the middle of all this, Delorentos will also be playing three shows in Spain.

Delorentos “Sanctuary” tour:

Friday 22 Oct - Ennis, Queens

Friday 29 Oct - Trick R Street Halloween Party, O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

Thursday 18 Nov – Sala BeCool, Barcelona

Friday 19 Nov – Sala Faktoria, Terrassa

Saturday 20 Nov – Sala Caracol, Madrid

Friday 26 Nov – Limerick, Dolans

Saturday 27 Nov – Waterford, Traffik @ The Forum

Saturday 4 Dec – Carrick On Shannon, The Cartown Club

Wednesday 8 Dec – Cork, The Old Oak

Friday 10 Dec – Tipperary, Barcode

Saturday 11 Dec – Galway, Roisin Dubh

Thursday 16 Dec - Dublin, Workman's Club

Saturday 18 Dec – Westport, Walshes

Sunday 19 Dec – Derry, Masons

Graham Crowden (R.I.P)

The rather marvellous Graham Crowden passed away last week following a short illness.  To many Doctor Who fans, the Scottish actor will be remembered as the evil Soldeed in the season 17 story, The Horns of Nimon, alongside the then Doctor, Tom Baker.

However, Crowden is probably best known for playing the dementia-suffering Tom Ballard in another BBC series, Waiting for God with Stephanie Cole.  For five years, the brilliantly offbeat show on Thursday nights, as two pensioners - left to a retirement home - keep themselves amused, by fighting against boredom and nursing home oppression.

Crowden's sole appearance in Doctor Who came several years after he was initially considered the lead part - a role that eventually went to Baker.  According to then producer Barry Letts, Crowden was unwilling to commit to one job for such a long period and turned it down.

So here, find Crowden's death scene, as the deluded Soldeed finally gets his comeuppance from the wonderful Romana (played by Lady Lalla Ward) and the hero of Nimon, Seth (Simon Gipps-Kent).

Graham Crowden (R.I.P., 1922-2010)

Something for the Weekend: The Slits "Typical Girls"

Initially, this week's Something for the Weekend was to be "Runaway" by Del Shannon, but following the untimely death of the Slits front-woman Ari-Up on Wednesday night, Del Shannon can wait a fortnight.

Starting out as a quartet in 1976, the band were one of the pioneers of dub-infused punk as demonstrated by songs such as "New town" and "Typical Girls" on their 1979 début LP, Cut.

Produced by Dennis Bovell, the album steered clear of many rock's tepid formulations and instead embraced quite loose and avant-garde arrangements and aggressive character.  Although their raucous beginnings had been tamed somewhat, the slightly polished natured still had the power to move and unnerve.

Cut was the child of the Slits' classic line-up featuring Up, Viv Albertine, Tessa Pollitt and Palmolive; however by the time the album hit shelves, the band had already begun to disperse with Palmolive leaving to form the Raincoats in late-1978.

The Slits originally split (ahem) in 1982 after the release of their second album Return of the Giant Slits in October 1981 on CBS Records.  They reformed in 2005, eventually releasing a third album, Trapped Animals late last year.

The Slits "Typical Girls"

Ari Up (R.I.P.)

Earlier this morning, I heard that Slits front-woman, Ari Up died yesterday  of cancer. She was 48.

Considered one of the most influential women of the punk era, Ari formed the Slits in 1976, producing flamboyant and often striking dub-fused music that ingratiated itself with its punk surroundings.  

After the Slits broke up in 1981, Ari formed the New Age steppers before going solo- in 2005 she released her début solo release, Dread More Dan Dead.

Always interesting, always challenging, always with depth.  She will be missed.

Heartsrevolution album soon

Although no date has been announced as of yet, electro-duo Heartsrevolution will be releasing their début album sometime soon.  Their 2009 EP, Ultraviolence, was easily one of the best releases of the year and hopefully their long player will only add to that class.

Also, I would quite like to see the HeartsChallenger ice-cream truck. A mega band indeed, I simply cannot wait.
Heartsrevolution on MySpace



CRITICAL MASS from HEARTSREVOLUTION on Vimeo.

Gig: Adebisi Shank (Button Factory, Dublin; November 20th)

This gig happens next month.  It will be Adebisi Shank's last show for some time.  They will be supported by the rather marvellous Not Squares - perhaps you should go to it.

The poster was designed by photographer and artist Loreana Rushe.  Now, isn't that nice?!

Something for the Weekend: A House "Endless Art"

Formed in 1985, Irish band A House and after minor success in their home country with the singles "Call Me Blue", "I'll Always be Grateful" (1988) and "I Think I am Going Mad" (1990).  When A House released their third album, I Am the Greatest, in 1991, the Dave Couse led band scored the first of only two UK top 50's with the classic single "Endless Art".

Produced by Edwyn Collins, "Endless Art" featured something of an odd structure - opening with a quote from Oscar Wilde ("All art is quite useless, according to Oscar Wilde"), the rest of the song runs through a list of dead and much celebrated artists, occasionally telling of their ages.

Most notable about the song is its fabulous video - utilising stop-motion techniques, the video showed the trio standing still amongst ever changing props.

Controversy surrounded the single upon its release - as Couse ran through a long list of the dead, it's quite apparent that no women are present, something that was picked up upon on its original release.  Following much criticism, the band re-recorded the song listing purely female artists - renamed "More Endless Art", the new version found its way as a B-side at a later time.

There were other problems for the release - despite constant television and radio play, "Endless Art" could not be found anywhere.  Poor distribution meant the single was generally unavailable when at the height of its popularity - as a result, A House were never able to build on its success.

Something for the Weekend: New Order "Blue Monday"

One of the most successful band's of the 1980's, New Order emerged from the shroud of Joy Division to produce some of the most dynamic and critically acclaimed music of the decade.
From the sombre Movement, to the charming Power, Corruption and Lies and later works such as Brotherhood and Low-Life, the quartet grew to be the powerhouse band of the Hacienda nightclub and of course, Factory Records.

Despite the death of Joy Division lead Ian Curtis in May 1980, the group decided to carry on, but under a new identity.  Following a short tour as a three-piece, the group brought on board Gillian Gilbert prior to the recording of Movement to take some guitar / keyboard duties and allow Bernard Sumner to take centre stage.

Two months before the release of their second album Power, Corruption and Lies, New Order launched was to be their biggest hit, "Blue Monday".  The single - which is still the biggest selling 12-inch single of al time - was paired with a remix called "The Beach".
"Blue Monday" is a far cry from the dark sound of Movement, yet it does still contain dour leanings; however so uplifting is the presence of music, that these depressive moments to not push too much.  What's left is simply one of the finest songs of all time.

(October 2010) Easy Music for Difficult Ears Spotify Playlist

The mists, the mists, the mists of October...

October 2010 (Spotify playlist)

1. Ken Nordine "The Vidiot" (Word Jazz: The Complete 1950's Recordings, 2010 Chrome Dreams Music) Buy it here!!
2. The Breeders "Cannonball" (Last Splash, 1993, 4AD Ltd) Buy it here!!
3. Violators "Gangland" (Punk and Disorderly Deluxe Edition, 2009, Anarchy Music) Buy it here!!
4. X-Ray Spex "Oh Bondage, Up Yours!!" (Germ Free Adolescents, 1978, EMI International) Buy it here!!
5. The Rezillos "Destination Venus" (Can't Stand the Rezillos, 1993, Sire Records) Buy it here!!
6. The Flying Lizards "Lovers and Other Strangers" (Fourth Wall, 1981, Virgin Records) Buy it here!!
7. Apostle of Hustle "Folkloric Feel" (Folkloric Feel, 2004, Arts & Crafts Productions) Buy it here!!
8. The Clash "Sean Flynn" (Combat Rock, 1982, Sony Entertainment) Buy it here!!
9. New Dawn "There's a New Dawn" (There's a New Dawn, 1970, Akarma) Buy it here!!
10. Air "Dirty Trip" (Virgin Suicides OST, 1999, EMI Records France) Buy it here!!
11. Broadcast "Goodbye Girls" (Tender Buttons, 2005, Warp Records) Buy it here!!
12. Pram "The Archivist" (Dark Island, 2003, Domino Recordings Ltd) Buy it here!!
13. M "Pop Musik" (The History, 2006, Union Square Music Ltd) Buy it here!!
14. Percy Faith and His Orchestra "Theme from a Summer Place" (A Summer Place, 2002, Hallmark) Buy it here!!

September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010

Something for the Weekend: Mungo Jerry "In the Summertime"

The sun was out today on this rather nice October afternoon, so I thought I should visit a song that was supposed to be posted months ago.

In 1970, British pop / blues / skiffle band Mungo Jerry released their début single, "In the Summertime" - a song celebrating the care free days of summer. Admittedly, while it is indeed a very good song (and one of the biggest sellers of all time), the lyrics and style have really not stood the test of time.
Words and music are testament to the age that bore them and while it is easy to imagine rappers wax lyrical about gangs or how a majority of indie bands busy themselves writing songs about nothing, it is highly unlikely that many modern songwriters would come out with these verbitoid beauties;

"In the summertime when the weather is high, you can stretch right up and touch the sky,
When the weather's fine, you got women, you got women on your mind,
Have a drink, have a drive, go out and see what you can find.

If her daddy's rich, take her out for a meal, if her daddy's poor, just do what you feel,
Speed along the lane, do a ton, or a ton and twenty-five,
When the sun goes down, you can make it, make it good in a lay-by."

If anything, this tells it best...

"We're always happy, life's for living, yeah, that's our philosophy..."

It is also noteworthy that for all the joy and happiness of the song, the video is filmed on a rather grim road side spot, surrounded by the concrete hell that are tower blocks - a vision perhaps of the economic hell that the 1970's became once the summer fell away. Twinned with the half-smile / grimace by lead singer Ray Dorset, as well as some incredibly dodgy shots of bassist John Godfrey and you have a slightly odd example of a very early music video with little or no direction whatsoever.

Following this, Mungo Jerry would have several more successes before interest waned in the mid-70's. The band is still performing today, but has had an ever changing line-up throughout that time with Dorset being the only common factor.
"In the Summertime" is one of those songs that just gets covered by artist after artists after artist; including versions by Derek Sherinian (with guests stars Billy Idol, Tony Franklin and Slash), Idle Rice and Shaggy. Earlier this year, a "family friendly" version was recorded by Disney artists Adam Hicks, Daniel Curtis Lee and Hutch Dano to promote Disney XD's summer programming - it needs to be heard to be believed...

Below is the original video for "In the Summertime" as recorded in early 1970, and while the sound quality is not the best, it is worth it just to see Dorset's incredible sideburns and stompy stomp left leg.