They’ve split up… Oh no they haven’t!

LCD Soundsystem’s constituent parts caused a fluster in my world earlier today when the comic quoted live guitarist Al Doyle as saying the project was on permanent hold. He followed this by claiming Murphy and bandmates would record and tour with a series of disco singers, leaving behind the LCD name.

Mere hours later and an about turn came from Murphy himself, who revealed he had an album’s worth of new material sitting in his cranium. Sounding a little Bon Iverish he went on to say the album would be recorded solo, away from New York sometime next year. So, does this mean a new LCD album in ‘09? I really, really hope so. Sound of Silver was just incredible, and as a live act they are improbably good. Here’s to good news (in the end) and the first album announcement for 09 that has me excited…

LCD Soundsystem - Us vs Them

Photo: eMA!

Gig Of The Week: Genghis Tron, Behold The Arctopus, Rolo Tomassi, The Network - The Underworld

Prepare for supreme noise making at Underworld on Saturday as Americans Genghis Tron follow up their European stint with The Faint with a short UK tour. Backed by a multi-talented string of bands, not least Sheffield stars Rolo Tomassi (for the London show only), the potential of this night is stellar. This amazing line up is unbelievably not sold out - and under a tenner face value!

Tickets: See

Genghis Tron - Blow Back

Behold The Arctopus - Some Mist

Rolo Tomassi - Abraxas

Photo: Justina Villaneuva

Continue Reading »

Gig Of The Week: Mencap Music’s Little Noise Sessions

Nothing like a good cause to stir bands into action, and this week sees several take the stage to raise funds and awareness for leading mental health charity Mencap. There’s some big names; Stereophonics, Kasabian, Keane amongst the varied line-up. They do seem a bit short of ‘wow’ factor this year after previous sessions had seen the likes of U2 and Noel Gallagher playing sets.

Wednesday’s offering looks the toast of the bunch with Biffy Clyro, Friendly Fires and Frank Turner making up probably the least-known bill of all the sessions. Get along if you can, most of the sessions are sold out but tickets for some of the lesser lights are still available.

Tickets

Biffy Clyro - Now I’m Everyone
Friendly Fires - Photobooth
Frank Turner - Vital Signs

Read on for the week’s best gigs in London town…

Continue Reading »

There’s been a survey done and apparently the thing that annoys London commuters the most about their fellow travellers is loud music. The survey, carried out on behalf of Jetsleeper, placed audio abuse higher than broadsheet-splaying toffs and drunken head-droopers. No mention of mobile shouters, pushing pikeys or “scuse me ladies and gentlemen, sorry to interrupt your journey…“…

Granted, hissy cymbal rushes and caterwauling R’n'B divas are pretty damn toe-curling in the most serene of times. Listening to the various snatches of London’s collective musical selection isn’t annoying in itself though. Londoners have been used to it for years - when was the last time you last walked down Oxford Street without hearing some godawful Eurotrance blaring out from one of the shops?

What depresses and annoys me about the proliferation of the little white ear-buds isn’t so much the diabolical taste of my fellow Londoners. It’s the terrible sound you get from those shitty little headphones, cutting out all low end and turning the rest to some hideous mid-range sludge. Not only that but the reduction of music from artform to sonic pavement - how many of these i-drones are actually loving (or even know) what they’re listening to?

On my regular commute I’ve seen suited middle age men stare blankly into middle distance while the Sugababes whirl dolefully in his ear. Occasionally you spot someone in the zone -  I clocked a girl once mouthing the words to Kelly Watch The Stars as the train whizzed through Clapham. For my sins I’ve been told several times to turn my music down - most memorably drawing the dreaded commuter stare as Vex Red’s Can’t Smile penetrated the packed rush hour carriage.

I don’t mind your music, London. Just get some decent headphones, start loving what you listen to and we’re all square.

Photo - Orhantsolak

Commuter Love - The Divine Comedy