Wooden Shjips – Vol. 2

Wooden Shjips - Vol. 2

Heaviosity is coming back. Every few years, there’s a revival of blissed-out drone and heavy psyche (think The Warlocks et al. a few years back), although it never really goes away, more just comes in and out of, if not fashion – it’s never really particularly fashionable or unfashionable per se – then prevalence. It’s almost certainly a side-affect of the current shoegaze revivalism, as well as the recent renewed interest in/awareness of Krautrock, and even the ever-increasing popularity of the likes of Fuck Buttons – layers of trippy noise are clearly where it’s at. … Continue Reading

Chemikal Underground’s Celtic Connections – Glasgow ABC

Chemikal Underground

If you’re looking to name a contemporary independent Scottish label, there’s a chance Chemikal Underground will be the first. Originally set up by The Delgados to release their debut single, they quickly established themselves as the most important label in Scotland since Postcard releasing records by the likes of Arab Strap, Mogwai, Aereogramme, Bis, Mother & The Addicts and even Interpol (albeit only one record by them). Tonight’s gig, as part of Glasgow’s annual Celtic Connections festival is a celebration of Chemikal’s fifteenth birthday, with a selection of the labels current offerings on stage to help, and Vic Galloway hosting in between.

Travelling from ‘the other place’ to Glasgow, this writer only gets the middle of the evening’s entertainment, four bands who certainly maintain the label’s image of having an eclectic but cohesive roster. Zoey van Goey, are an indiepop five piece whose overall ‘sound’ is difficult to pin down, but they’re entertaining if nothing else. There’s something of a less-twee Belle & Sebastian about them, but perhaps if B&S had been weaned on post-rock, as well as Felt.

Next is the debut performance from The Unwinding Hours, formed from the ashes of Aereogramme (disbanded in 2007). They instantly create an atmosphere, beginning with sparse guitars before getting louder and more epic, slightly reminiscent of The Twilight Sad, if a little less dour. The highlight of their set has to be during their last song, ‘The Final Hour’, when the it changes from sparse instrumentation to an ear-splitting, trouser-flapping din, forcing numerous members of the audience out of their skin. Unfortunately some of the material verges a little bit on the MOR side of things, but with moments like that up their sleeve, it’s certainly worth giving them a chance.

Lord Cut-Glass are label founder and former Delgado Alun Woodward’s new project, making literate pop music, which certainly has echoes of his former band, if augmented with Scottish and gypsy folk influences, and even ska rhythms at one point.

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Obituary: Rowland S. Howard

Influential Australian guitarist and songwriter Rowland S. Howard has lost his battle with liver cancer, dying at the age of 50 in the Austin Hospital, Melbourne.

Perhaps most famous as a member of The Birthday Party, Howard was involved in numerous musical projects, from his tenure with The Boys Next Door through to a latent solo career. His guitar playing was often at the forefront and an inspiration to many. … Continue Reading

Deerhoof – Edinburgh Bongo Club

Deerhoof

December 8th 2009

Two confessions have to be made at the outset of this review. Firstly, previous to this gig, this writer was more or less completely unfamiliar with the work of the San Franciscan quartet Deerhoof. Secondly, having only just completed an article for this very website stating that “Anyone who misses the opportunity to see DIVORCE [tonight's support band] is, frankly, a fucking idiot”, he manages to do precisely that, arriving with the dying notes of this tremendous band’s, no doubt brutal and thrilling, set. How embarrassing. Fucking idiot.

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La Roux – Glasgow ABC

La Roux

November 16th 2009

You don’t need an introduction to La Roux (although, if you think that’s the name of the singer, I’m afraid you’re mistaken). You know all about the hits, and Elly Jackson’s quiff. If you don’t, well, just what rock have you been living under? What you might not realise is just how incendiary she can be live. This writer knew he liked Jackson and, mysterious producer, Ben Langmaid’s particular brand of poptastic angst before the gig, but not to the extent he left with.

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Tord Gustavsen Ensemble, Edinburgh Queen’s Hall

Tord Gustavsen

October 16th 2009

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BEAK> – BEAK>

BEAK>

You’ve probably already heard of BEAK>, but just in case you haven’t, they’re the new band of Geoff Barrow, one third of Portishead, Fuzz Against Funk’s Billy Fuller, and Matt Williams of Team Brick. All the material on the album, and it’s accompanying material on the deluxe edition, was recorded in one twelve day session, with no overdubs; only the studio has been used to create arrangements, through the process of editing the session.

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The Big Pink, Glasgow King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut

The Big Pink

October 14th 2009

The Big Pink are a band to be approached with caution. They tick a lot of the right boxes – cool influences, cool record label, a well thought-out image (their artwork prominently featuring the beautiful photography of Marc Atkins, handily consisting primarily of female nudes). They’ve had their fair amount of hype this year, as well as releasing that song.

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