Category Archives: Rock Music

Upcoming Gigs – London Night Outs

Posted on Monday, 6th May 2013 | 1 Comment

As my previous post spoke of a great club night that happened this past Saturday 4 May,  I thought I’d also mention several established great music nights that you should definitely check out:

Club Stuntfox

Club StuntfoxClub Stuntfox was set up in 2010 by Piers Miller and it’s still running strong. It’s a great showcase for up and coming artists, as well as established ones playing some great acoustic sets and it’s free entry as well. The next one is at Aces and Eights in Tufnell Park, this Thursday 9 May, featuring Tom Horn of The Rock Rangers, Danny Fury who fronts Tango Pirates (and played in Lords Of The New Church) and Trident Waters.  To check out the Facebook event page for more details, go here.

Some Weird Sin

Some Weird Sin

Launched in 2012, Some Weird Sin has become a great place to see up and coming bands, as well as featuring some brilliant DJs. The next one is Friday 24th May at the Buffalo Bar, featuring Giuda‘s only UK performance, the show is almost sold out! Check Facebook’s event page here for more details.

Garageland

Garageland

Garageland was launched in 2011 and showcases up and coming ’77 style punk rock and garage bands, as well as DJs spinning punk/garage classics.  It takes place on the second Friday of every month.  Entry is free but donations are kindly welcome to enable promoters to look after bands/DJs.  The next one is Friday 10 May at The Unicorn in Camden for their 2nd anniversary gig featuring The Mobbs, Kid Slug and Wake Up Dead. For more details, go to the Facebook event page here.

Voices at The Boogaloo

Voices at the Boogaloo

Voices at The Boogaloo is another great singer-songrwiter night, launched in 2011. Happens on the third Wednesday of every month at The Boogaloo, and showcases some of London’s best singer-songwriters and new talent. It is also free entry. The next one will be on Wednesday 15 May.

The line-up so far is as follows:
Switcher
Craig Elliot
Jo Melo
Rajiv
Rosco
Mila Falls
Josh Gosling
Bill Orrick
Zachery Stephenson (host)

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Upcoming Gigs – Loose Lips – 4 May 2013

Posted on Friday, 26th April 2013 | 1 Comment

Loose Lips

If you were in  London between 1987-1991 , you may remember a popular  club night called Loose Lips which was started by Sue and Fiona in 1987  on Wardour Street. Later on, the night relocated to various venues around Soho.

Loose Lips became known for pioneering new music coming out of the thriving underground scene, and was also a popular hang out for well-known musicians, such as Lemmy, Nasty Suicide, The Black Crowes and Izzy Stradlin amongst many others.

During its four to five years of existence, it also showcased many up and coming bands, such as Gunfire Dance , Kill City Dragons  and The Stuntcocks,  which featured  Les Riggs and Timo Kaltio (Cheap and Nasty), Rene Berg, Danny Garcia (The Rise and Fall of The Clash), Jim Bishop as well as  Dave Tregunna (Sham 69, Lords of the New Church, Tango Pirates) Ronnie Rocka and Darrel Bath, to name but a few of the many musicians who took part in these great unrehearsed jam sessions in the true spirit of rock’n'roll.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? Well, the reason for this post, isn’t to reminisce about the good old times, but to let you all know Loose Lips is back again, for one night on Saturday 4 May at the Archangel in Kensington, London.

Two great musical acts are playing:

Tango Pirates who I have written about on this blog twice.  The band features former Lords of the New Church and Kill City Dragons members Danny Fury and Dave Tregunna, as well as lead guitarist Timo Kaltio (Cheap and Nasty).

Next on the bill  will be  Nick Marsh  (Flesh for Lulu) who also plays lead guitar with the Urban Voodoo Machine and has recently released a solo album (A Universe Between Us)

The fun starts at 8PM and goes on until 3AM so be sure to attend! Entry is only £4 which is a fantastic deal for a great night out in London.

To keep up to date with any upcoming news, and to share your own memories of Loose Lips (and photos if you have any) please go like their Facebook page here.

To give you a teaser of what you can look forward to on the night:

A live video from Tango Pirates performing their song Dark Star (about the legendary  Stiv Bators)

Title track from Nick Marsh’s solo album A Universe Between Us.

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EP Review – Tango Pirates – Back on Track

Posted on Monday, 1st April 2013 | 7 Comments

Tango Pirates - Back on Track

If you’ve been following my blog, you will recognise the name of Tango Pirates from my October 2012 review of their gig at The Unicorn in Camden. As I mentioned on that very post, the band’s musical credentials are impressive and do not disappoint. The names of Danny Fury, Dave Tregunna and Timo Kaltio will strike a chord with music lovers familiar with bands such as Lords of the New Church, Kill City Dragons, Sham69, Vain, and Cheap and Nasty amongst many others. If you’ve not seen them live, ‘ Back on Track’  is a great way to introduce you to the band.

The EP gets to a rocking start, with ‘Monster in my DNA’, an outstanding track with a memorable guitar riff,  funky bass line and meaningful lyrics. Front man Danny Fury has a perfect  rock’n'roll voice, raw, powerful and tinged with emotion. The song has an anthemic hook that will get stuck in your head, and for a good reason, this is a perfectly crafted rock song.

‘Legends of the Free’  holds on to the electrifying energy from DNA, and blasts ahead in epic proportions from start to finish. It has a touch of gothic rock with a modern twist, keeping the song grounded in the present, and features hypnotic background vocals with a psychedelic Eastern feel to them,  an explosive guitar solo by guitarist Timo Kaltio and great witty lyrics.

The pace slows down for the beautifully mellow ‘Lament to the Moon’ a gorgeous song, with heartfelt touching lyrics and bluesy guitar licks, which highlight the band’s vast range of influences and talent.

‘Ghost’ is another excellent track with powerful lyrics.  Do not let the funky bluesy mellow feel of it fool you, for it also features another great sing-along hook and a catchy rock riff transition.

Last but not least, ‘Deed is Done’ is a great song with a soulful intro which soon picks up speed, turning into another anthemic rock track with a strong chorus that will leave you wanting more.  It’s a perfect finishing touch on a brilliant EP full of heartfelt and passionate songs.

‘Back on Track’ is not only an excellent introduction to a band that deserves to reach a larger audience out there, but also proves, without a shadow of a doubt, that Danny Fury belongs at the front of the stage, much like another well-known drummer turned frontman by the name of Dave Grohl.

Tango Pirates are:

Danny Fury – Vocals
Timo Kaltio – Guitar
Dave Tregunna – Guitar / Backing Vocals
Vera Wild – Bass / Backing Vocals
Steve Grainger – Drums / Backing Vocals

Check out and like their Facebook page here.

To give you a taste, here’s the outstanding ‘Legends of the Free’

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CD Review – The Ladykillers – Introducing The Ladykillers

Posted on Sunday, 24th March 2013 | Leave a comment
Introducing the Ladykillers

Introducing The Ladykillers

The Ladykillers were one of the first bands I reviewed on this blog in June last year. Not too long ago, I had the good fortune of catching them again, when they played Garageland,  a great club night at The Unicorn in Camden, where I found out that they had released a debut album that is worthy of your attention.

The band’s ten track release, Introducing the Ladykillers, begins with ‘Hold On’, an energetic tune with a choppy chunky guitar riff,  contagious sing along chorus and a driving beat that sets the tone for the rest of the album.

The electrifying pace continues, one track after another, with no dull songs  or duds.  If you aren’t dancing or at least jumping around your room by the time the album’s  last track ‘Back Again’, comes on, you are either deaf or dead.

Full of energetic upbeat songs with catchy guitar riffs, pounding drums and sing-along choruses and a style reminiscent of The Hives, ‘Introducing The Ladykillers’ is a great promising debut.

Hold on tight…

To give you a taste, here’s the band’s latest video.

If you like what you hear, please go like their Facebook page here.

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Radio – The Dark Heart of Camden – Wednesdays on TBFM Online

Posted on Monday, 4th March 2013 | Leave a comment

TBFM

If you have good taste in music and would rather listen to talented musicians and great songs, instead of the current rubbish saturating the mainstream,  I have something to share with you all, and you don’t even have to be local to London, or England for that matter…

The Dark Heart of Camden,  which I only recently discovered myself not too long ago, is  an internet radio show that is broadcast on TBFM Online. every Wednesday, from 9pm to 12am (UK time) – This great show is  hosted by the witty Dave Renegade, who showcases artists from all over the world.

You can listen to the next broadcast, this coming Wednesday 6th March, if you click here -  where you can also join the chatroom if you’re feeling social.  If not, you’ll still get to hear some great music that you may not have heard before, and some old favourites.

Showtimes, if you live abroad:
10pm-1am Central European Time
11pm-2am Eastern European Time
1pm-4pm Pacific Standard Time
3pm-6pm Central Standard Time
4pm- 7pm Eastern Standard Time

I hope you’ll give it a listen…and continue to support real talent out there…

You can also join the Facebook group where you will get  updates, as well as upcoming gigs and new releases from the artists you’ve heard on the show.

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Gig review – 16 Hole Boots – The Wheelbarrow 24 Feb 2013

Posted on Thursday, 28th February 2013 | Leave a comment

16 hole boots

It’s not often one is fortunate enough to catch a band at their first gig. It’s even better,  when said band sounds as if they’ve been together for years, instead of just a few months. This was exactly the case, when I attended the first gig by 16 Hole Boots at The Wheelbarrow in Camden, this past Sunday, 24 February.

A bit about the band first. Formed in late 2012, 16 Hole Boots consists of front man Richey, who also plays guitar. Guitarist Alex. Bassist James and Drummer Damian. They’ve recorded a few demos with Marc Waterman (Elastica/Ride producer), which you can listen to, if you go to their BandPage here.

Their Facebook page lists a large amount of musical influences, from The Velvet Underground to the New York Dolls,  as well as The Smiths, The Who,  Bowie, Pink Floyd and Julian Cope amongst others. It is this diversity that explains their unique sound.  I couldn’t tell you who they reminded me of,  because I don’t think their sound can be compared to anyone in particular, though at times, Richey’s vocal style,  was reminiscent in passing, to the great Julian Cope.

The songs were also, not your standard 3 minutes tunes. Instead, we were treated to longer songs, which were eclectic, intricate well-crafted pieces of music, with a pinch of psychedelia, Brit pop, as well as 80s influences all mixed in to create something quirky and unique.

A great promising start, and a breath of fresh air from the usual dose of indie bands that are virtually indistinguishable from each other.  It is good to see there are musicians out there, willing to experiment to create something unlike what you may have heard before.

If you’re curious, and I hope you are, you have another chance to catch them live, tomorrow, Friday 1 March at Bar Solo. and if you miss that one, they are also playing at the Buffalo Bar, Wednesday 20 March.

This was my favourite track from their set, Crack Gun Pete

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EP Review – The Graphic – Get Graphic

Posted on Monday, 11th February 2013 | Leave a comment

The Graphic

Get Graphic – The Graphic’s debut EP gets to a great energetic start with In Case Of Emergency, a perfectly crafted rock song with a catchy chorus and a guitar riff that will remain in your head for a long time.

The band’s grunge influences can be heard on Mystery Woman and Kill Kenny, both songs have a Pearl Jam feel to them, whilst still sounding modern and current.

Six Feet Under, is in my opinion, a definite contender for a second single, with another catchy energetic guitar riff and a great beat in the same style of In Case Of Emergency.

We Are The Ghosts, is the longest track, running over seven minutes and stands out because of its theatrical guitar riff and strong rock opera feel, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. If anything, it highlights how varied the band’s influences truly are.

In short, this is an impressive debut for a band who have been together for less than a year, something that is hard to believe when you listen to the EP. This is definitely a band to keep an eye on, and catch live, and speaking of that, they will be playing their first headlining gig, this coming Thursday, 14 February at Camden’s Barfly. Don’t miss it!

You can listen to the EP here, and after you do, buy it here  to get a signed limited edition copy for only a fiver! It’s a great way to support new music.

Check out their video for their single, In Case of Emergency…

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Single review – David Bowie – Where Are We Now

Posted on Friday, 25th January 2013 | 10 Comments

As you all probably know by now, David Bowie released his first single, ‘Where Are We Now’, after ten years.  I’ve read a lot of criticism, some good, some bad, and wanted to post my own opinion to share with others.

One of the most common criticisms I’ve read in regards to Bowie,  is that he has never done anything truly original. That to me, is simply, a bunch of bollocks.  Every performer is influenced and inspired by someone else. Inspiration is the key to creation, but what you do with those influences is what matters.  Do you become a clone imitating your idol, with nothing new to say,  or do you take that influence and inspiration, and present it in a new way?

If he were just a talentless copy-cat, would he be Bowie? Of course not. Do not forget, this was the man who dared to shock UK audiences back in the day, when he gave the world Ziggy Stardust.

Time passes, fashions change. How silly would David Bowie look now, at the age of 66, if he was still trying to be Ziggy or even the Thin White Duke?

‘Where Are We Now’ is a melancholic, bittersweet view to his past.  It shows us an older Bowie, but one, whose voice, still sings in that iconic crooner’s voice we know so well. The one imitated by so many.  Would  Suede, who’ve also released a new single after ten years, exist, if it wasn’t for Bowie? Just listen to Brett Anderson’s voice, for the answer to that.

The biggest wrong we, as an audience, can do to an artist, is to typecast them, expecting them to create the same type of music they became iconic for, over and over, as if they’re a one-trick pony.  All artists grow and change, we as an audience, deserve to give them that chance.

If you haven’t heard the song, have a listen, I personally love it…

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Gig review – TV Smith – 12 Bar Club – 7 Dec 2012

Posted on Wednesday, 12th December 2012 | Leave a comment
(C) 2012 Alannah Murphy

(C) 2012 Alannah Murphy

If you’ve never heard of TV Smith, you are missing something extraordinary. I had the great luck to attend the intimate London gig he played along with Leigh Heggarty, this past Friday 7 December at the atmospheric 12 Bar Club in Denmark Street. A proper gig venue, this means it’s small, with smelly toilets, walls covered in graffiti, and sticky floors from all the spilled drinks, this is exactly what a proper rock venue should be like.

It’s not often one gets to hear rousing songs with powerful lyrics, like Expensive Being Poor , which was particularly meaningful considering the current economic climate in the country.

(C) 2012 Alannah Murphy

(C) 2012 Alannah Murphy

There was also the iconic Gary Gilmore’s Eyes, from his time with The Adverts, who became one of the leading bands during the first wave of punk rock in England.

One of my favourite moments was hearing him do Lord’s Prayer, which was originally sung by Stiv Bators during his time as front man of  the Lords of the New Church, but written by Smith.

If you’re in London, you can catch him again, Friday 14th December when he plays at Islington’s The Garage, opening for the UK Subs.

A few videos of some of the songs he did that night:

Expensive Being Poor

Lord’s Prayer

In the Arms of my Enemy

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A Brief Blog Update

Posted on Sunday, 28th October 2012 | 2 Comments

Apologies for the blog silence as of late. My health hasn’t been the best for the past couple of weeks (nothing serious) but I’ve been unable to work on any new posts.  I hope to return in a week or two.

In the meantime, I shall leave you with a video of one of my favourite bands, The Lords of the New Church. This particular track is ‘Goin Downtown’ from their second album ‘Is Nothing Sacred?’ released in 1983. The performance is from January 1984,  filmed at the legendary Marquee Club on 90 Wardour St.

Those of you who are aware I am working on a rock novel; may be interested in knowing that this is one of those songs that’s inspired me whilst writing, and that Stiv Bators, as well as Johnny Thunders and Pete Murphy have all played a hand in influencing my novel in one way or another.

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