Saturday Newsround

Beerjacket plays King Tut's tonight, with support from The Second Hand Marching Band and The Seventeenth Century. Due to a fecking useless friend I've got some spare tickets, holler if you need one, otherwise say hello if you go to the gig.

The new Glasgow PodcART podcast is available, this week entitled "Pumped In Venice". Stream it here, get it through iTunes or Right Click & Save As.

Kochka have had to cancel their single launch at the Classic Grand tonight due to ill health. Get well soon!

Speaking of King Tut's, There Will Be Fireworks are playing there on the 20th of August. That reminds me, I never did finish that album review.

More Free Music - The Second Hand Marching Band

The Second Hand Marching Band are a band from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Ayr, Kincardine, Cumbernauld, Neilston, Canada, Airdrie and elsewhere. They have about a million members.

Their first EP - A Dance To Half Death - was released as a limited edition of 150. It has now sold out, so they've made it available through their website, the terribly kind people.

Go here to download the EP and visit them at MySpace for more information.

The Second Hand Marching Band are one of the support acts for the Aye Tunes attending Berrjacket gig on Saturday at King Tut's. As usual if you are going along you'll win the cheapest beverage of your choice if you can find me and say hello. Or in other words, say hi and I'll buy you a pint.

Little Rock Records give away a ton of music

Everyone likes free music, right?
If you are everyone you might be interested in this then.
Glasgow based label Little Rock Records are celebrating their second birthday birthday by giving away a ton of music.

In a giveaway aptly titled TOO MUCH MUSIC they've put up 14 free singles for download. Each single comes with two tracks and artwork from some of the best up and coming artists in the Scottish alternative elecronica scene. It's pretty eclectic, covering disco, ambient, breakcore, jazz, techno, wonky hip-hop and more.

Frankly, that's a scene that is way out of my area of expertise, so I won't even attempt to advise what to download from what's available. At the lost cost price of FREE I'll be diving in and checking out what's on offer though!

You can get more details and the download links over at the label's MySpace and they should be going up on Last.fm as well.

Here's the PR blurb about Little Rock Records, just for good measure

Inspired by Leipzig's Jahtari netlabel, Little Rock Records was officially launched on 07/07/07 with 7 digital 7 inch releases, with an aim to represent the best in Glasgow (and Scotland's) alternative electronica scene. Since then the label has released music by Tayside Mental Health, Eyes, The Niallist, Copyleft and The Evil Eye - not to mention putting out the "quasi-notorious" (Plan B), "dance-music-you-can't-dance-to" compilation/confrontation that is NORAVE.

The label now hosts a weekly radio show on Radio Magnetic with guest slots form the likes of local heroes Jackmaster, Killer Kitsch, Voltergeist,. Frogpocket, Animal Farm and more. There's also occasional Little Rock parties in the Glasgow area, including the annual Halloween Rock'n'Shock bash, this year celebrating its sixth birthday with very special guests The Phantom Band.

Mitchell Museum - Gig Non-Review

In no way, shape or form is this a review of Mitchell Museum's King Tut's gig. Instead, it's a one iner summing up how much fun I had at it.

How good were Mitchell Museum? So good I missed my last train home and had to get the night bus to Paisley, that's how good.

Expect me to continue to cheerlead for the band in future.

Mitchell Museum - New Single & Launch Gig

Mitchell Museum are preparing to release another single, in a somewhat unusual format.
Here's the press release:

Following on from the success of Mitchell Museums debut single “Warning Bells” released on Vinyl and CD earlier this year, the second single features “Tiger Heartbeat” (a track from the forthcoming debut album), with a B-Side specially recorded for tape “In the Bloodwind.”

Released on the musical arm of essential boutique clothing label Electra French, the cassette is available in four colours. For those left confused and looking for the USB port, no need to worry, as each case contains a code to download the tracks as mp3 direct from the Mitchell Museum website.

The initial limited edition run of 100 cassettes will be individually numbered by hand.

Mitchell Museum will launch the single on Sat 1^st Aug at King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow.

It's been about a million years since I bought a cassette single, I think.
I should, so long as I have money, be popping along to the launch gig, so if you are going too give me a shour and say hello.

Here's the video for the Tiger Heartbeat:



You can get more info on Mitchell Museum by visiting their website, or MySpace.

Come back later in the week for a typically half-arsed Aye Tunes review of the single too, why don't you?

Night Noise Team - Free Song

Leith's Night Noise Team, fresh from their appearance on the Limbo Live compilation, are giving away a free song for download.

It's called An Innocent Abroad and you can get it here.

For more info on the band head on over to their MySpace.

Single Review - Peter Parker: Swallow The Rockets

Writing a review for the There Will Be Fireworks album is kicking my arse, so here's something else good in the meantime.

Imagine if you will that Elastica came from Glasgow and maybe weren't so obsessed with their Wire and Stranglers records. Now imagine that they've kicked out that annoying singer and hired Clare Grogan instead. The results would be a bit like Peter Parker.

To me, this thought is a wonderful thing. Suitably enough Swallow The Rockets, the debut single by Glasgow quartet Peter Parker - led by Miss the Occupier frontwoman Roz Davies - is also a wonderful thing.

The A-side, Swallow The Rockets, grabs you immediatly with a pounding baseline and scummy guitar riff. It then holds you by the head and doesn't let go for the next 3 minutes. Spikey, snarly and just plain fab.
B-side Temper Temper doesn't do anything the A-side doesn't, it just does in different ways, but we liked the A-side, so that's just fine. Less snarly than Swallow The Rockets, but every bit as catchy and fun.

All in all, great pop music, and a fantastic debut single, it gets Five Stars on the random imaginary star rating system.

The single is out now, you can download it from eMusic
and iTunes. If you want a physical copy the 7" is limited to 500, so you should probably move quite quick. Avalance seems like your best bet at getting a copy.

Peter Parker MySpace

And a video of the A-side:

There Will Be Fireworks

Full album review coming around the weekend, when I get to it.

In the meantime, I'm not long home from the launch gig. It was excellent. Really, really excellent.

If you wnt to buy the album you should be able to find details on the MySpace.
If you want a sample, visit Under The Radar, which had a track by track run through with singer Nicholas earlier today.

I've yet to listen to the album, but on the evidence of that gig, there's a good chance it kicks the arse of most things released so far this year.

And this year has been good for Scots...

Someone Died.

No, not the one that's all over the news (although yeah, he died too). There'll be quite enough written about MJ, I don't feel any need to add anything.

No, the death that hit me this week was that of one Steven Wells.

For those that aren't particularly familiar with me, I, like probably most British folk with an interest in any music that's even slightly "alternative", spent years reading the NME. Generally, I hated the fucking rag. Sometimes though a piece would force your attention and more often than not it was written by Swells.

Whether it was giving racists and homophobes in music and in the World a well deserved kicking, on ripping apart bands you liked - NIN and Belle & Sebastian spring to mind right away - his articles were pretty much always worth reading. Frequently you'd disagree with what he wrote, sometimes I'd be furious after reading a Wells piece, but it was always interesting, regularly laugh out loud funny and of course filled with swear words.

Two things to read. Steven Wells's last column for Philadelphia Weekly and The Guardian's tribute.

And one song. Something I certainly never expected to post anywhere, never mind on a blog generally dedicated to Scottish music...
Daphne & Celeste - Ooh Stick You

Upon learning of the cancer that would kill him Steven Wells wrote, as only he could "Anyhoo. I put the phone down and let out a huge, self-pitying “Why me?” The answer, of course, is the same as the answer to Travis’ shit-awful 1999 international breakthrough hit, “Why Does It Always Rain on Me?” Because you’re a fucking dick. Now shut the fuck up and grow a pair."
That says it all really, don't you think?

De Rosa Split

There were murmurs all weekend, but now it's official.

De Rosa announced on their Twitter page that they have indeed split up, giving the following statement : "To all who listened. De Rosa has come to an end. If you liked our music or came to see us play we'd like to thank you all. Goodbye, De Rosa."

Chemikal Underground added the following through their mailing list: "We hate these announcements but they have to be made nevertheless: De Rosa have decided to call it a day after several years, a legion of amazing live shows and two truly exceptional albums.

We count 'Mend' and 'Prevention' among some of the very best albums Chemikal Underground has ever released and it's genuinely sad to know there won't be a third. De Rosa were a uniquely gifted bunch of songwriters and musicians with songs that provided an object lesson in how to meld complex structures around irresistible melodies. Bands of De Rosa's quality are few and far between and they will be sorely missed.

We're very proud that their albums form part of our catalogue and wish them every conceivable success in all their future ventures (musical and otherwise)."

Best of luck to all involved for whatever they do in the future.

Here's a parting sample of their music - Swell and Under the Stairs from this year's fantastic second album, Prevention.

It's my birthday...

If you are reading this I've been in the pub instead of writng a proper post.
If that happens, I'll try and change it later when I sober up/stop drinking.

Go say happy birthday to JC over at The Vinyl Villain too.

EP Review: Cancel The Astronauts - I Am the President of Your Fanclub

Further proof, if any was needed, that I'm a lazy forgetful git. This has been sitting waiting for me to review it for ages and the post has been half written, saved in drafts since mid May, with me only now getting round to finishing and posting it. Apologies to the band who were nice enough to send me a copy and ask for the review in the first place for being crap and slow.

Anyway, leaving my unreliability aside, who are Cancel The Astronauts and what am I reviewing? Well, they are a band and I'm reviewing their (no longer very) recently released debut EP - I Am the President of Your Fanclub (And Last Night I Followed You Home).

The band are a five piece indie-pop outfit, hailing from Edinburgh. If you picked up the recent Limbo Live compilation CD you'll have heard them, their song Slow Dance At The Disco was included on it. It isn't on the EP though. Aside from the title track, astonishingly long title and all, there's four other songs.

The title track is the strongest here, though there's nothing bad about the other tracks. That being said, there's nothing exceptional about them either. That sounds harsher than it's meant to, but it's the best way I can think of to descrive the EP. It's got a solid, tight band, some good songwriting and lyrics and generally well crafted indie-pop tunes, but there's nothing that really smacks you around the head and demands your attention.

A decent first effort though and if the band keep at it they could yet find that killer hook or fantastic set of lyrics that forces you to notice them. Catchy though.

The EP is out now, you can buy a CD from the band at one of the links below, or download it from eMusic
.

Website
MySpace

Try the title track - I Am the President of Your Fanclub (And Last Night I Followed You Home)

Green Man Festival - Green Poll

I'm aware that The Green Man Festival is in Wales, not Scotland, but hey, I was asked to give Green Vote a plug, and there's Scots playing at the festival, so...

Calling all bands and artists – the Green Man needs YOU!

Fancy being the first band to play at Green Man 2009, standing on the main stage on Friday August 21st as the sun beats down over the Black Mountains and opening the festival with one of YOUR songs in front of thousands of people?

How about sharing the bill Animal Collective, Jarvis Cocker, Wilco, Bon Iver and Grizzly Bear, getting airplay on Green Man YouTube for a year, having an opportunity of being included in the festival promotion and press such as giving interviews to Radio 1 and the BBC, or being featured in the esteemed publications and websites such as Mojo, Guardian, NME and Drowned in Sound as well as the many others that follow Green Man?

What if we threw in 6 pairs of free Green Man tickets for your family and friends to witness your big moment live on stage, just for good measure?

Sounds good, right?

Well forget X Factor and all those rubbish TV talent shows - Green Poll 2009 is here and the search is on to find the best new band or act to get the Green Man party started!

How can I enter?

It’s easy! We are asking signed or unsigned acts to register on our special Green Poll microsite and upload a YouTube or MySpace video of your band performing a song. Anyone can enter as long as they do so before June 29 – better get your skates on!

What happens next?

The music-loving Green Man public will choose their favourite bands in two nail-biting rounds of voting. The top 6 acts then go through to a live Battle of the Bands final at The Camden Monarch, in London, on July 23rd where a panel of top music industry boffins will pick one lucky winner to open Green Man 2009!

What’s the catch?

There’s no catch my friends, it’s as easy as one, two, three. To recap:

Round 1 - Voting closes at midnight on June 28 and the top 20 bands with the most votes go through to…

Round 2 - Voting closes at midnight on July 12 and the top 6 bands with the most votes go through to…

Grand Final - A live Battle Of The Bands contest in London on July 23rd to find one lucky winner to open Green Man 2009 judged by a panel of music industry boffins

How can I vote?

The winning band / artist will open the Festival on the main stage on Friday 21st August.

What if I want to cheat?

Cheats never beat so don’t you even bother! Every single vote really counts and the Green poll site will be constantly monitored for irregular or suspicious voting patterns - any underhand activities will lead to automatic disqualification. What do you think this is, the Eurovision Song Contest?

Is there a limit on how often I can vote?

Each user is limited to one vote per day.

Good luck – may the spirit of the Green Man be with you!

Vote Here

There's a choice of many fine bands to vote for. Me? I voted for Mitchell Museum.

Album Review: Beerjacket - Animosity

Beerjacket, aka mild-mannered teacher Peter Kelly, released his sixth album, Animosity on Monday. It's really quite good too, so much so I'm managing to remember to write about it in something approaching timely fashion. Review is pushing it a bit, but let's try anyway shall we?

When you are a singer-songwriter with a guitar there's a whole bunch of people who you'll inevitably be compared to. Most of the time these comparisoms will be lazy and have little to do with your actual music, but sometimes one or two come along that are actually pretty accurate.

To my uneducated ears, there's a lot of Elliott Smith about this album. This is no bad thing, I love Elliot Smith.

Plus points of the album: It's really good. Fab songs. Sounds quite a bit like Eliott Smith. There's maybe some Nick Drake in there too. I mentioned it was good didn't I?

Minus points: It's short, only about half an hour, the songs are in and out in under 3 minutes generally. I'm struggling to say anything about it that doesn't just compare it to Elliott Smith again.

Animosity is out now to download from iTunes, eMusic
, LaLa and Amazon MP3. A physical CD version will be available for the first time at the launch show on 17th June in Oran Mor. A previous album, Great Unhappiness, can be downloaded for free here.

(Do I get to call this a proper review if I stick an arbitrary rating at the end? If so, 4 out of 5 stars.)

Busy week for new records

Apparently the music industry all got together and decided that this week would be a splendid time to take all my money.

New albums out this week include Malcolm Middleton's Waxing Gibbous (not Waxing Gibbons like hmv.com will have you believe), Until The Earth Begins To Part, the debut album by Broken Records and there's a mini-album thingy by Sparrow and the Workshop too.
The latter two are available from emusic now, which will save me some cash. Hopefully Malcolm will show up there shortly too.

Outwith Scottish bands, there's Hombre Lobo, the first new album by Eels in years. It is, predictably, really good.

Oh, and Paulo Nutini releases his second album too. Hometown boy or not, I just can't advise anyone to buy that. He's a decent songwriter, but the voice annoys me intensely. You could probably pay a drunk guy in the street to sing for you and it wouldn't be all that different really.

I'll listen to these in the next couple of days, then as usual forget to review any of them.

30 Days Till I'm 30

Eep. Where'd my youth go?

Anyways, for the next 30 days - almost certainly not on a daily basis, at least not till I've gotten round to finishing the A-Z - I'll randomly be dabbling in self indulgent nonsense, with songs that I like attached. No theme, no convoluted rules or regulations, just some things I've liked in the last 30 years. There's going to be a bunch of non Scots in there too.

First off is Come Out 2nite by the ever wonderful Kenickie.
Pretty much two minutes of sheer pop perfection, which also happens to boast some of the best handclaps ever committed to vinyl.

Come Out 2nite

Also works well slowed down and stripped down.

Peel Session version.

Mitchell Museum

Mitchell Museum are a four piece from Glasgow, and are quite excellent.
Following an earlier sold out run on vinyl, they are re-releasing their debut single Warning Bells on the 14th of May, available on CD & Download, with a new B-side Novels and Dairies. You should buy it, I will be.

There's a launch gig on Thursday at The Captain's Rest, where the band will be playing along with Sparrow and the Workshop, who also have a single out this week.

In the interests of full disclosure I'll go ahead and mention I'm coming at the band with a bit of bias. They are after all managed by my cousin. That doesn't mean they aren't good though, quite the opposite, they are very good. Consider how rare it is for me to every actually put thought in to one of my infrequent posts, then look at this one, I'm obviously not knocking this one out out of family ties!

There's all sorts of fun stuff going on in the single. I'm never too fond of comparing bands to other ones, but sometimes it provides a handy reference point, so here goes. There's a good bit of Super Furry Animals, Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev and Grandaddy in there, so if any of them are up your street, give Mitchell Museum a go, won't you?

If I've got the embedding right there should be a video of the band performing Warning Bells below.
Also, as a bonus and because I'm not posting any MP3s of the single so you'll all go buy it instead, here's one of their other songs, Extra Lives, which appeared on the Doing It For The Kids compilation last year.

Extra Lives



To hear more and get full tour dates and so on, visit the band's website or MySpace.

Beepfest Cancelled

Due to various reasons beyond our control, Beepfest has unfortunately been cancelled.

We hope to organise another event in a similar vein further down the line, and will keep you posted on the progress.

In the meantime, refunds can be obtained from point of purchase.

TV21 Album Launch

Scotland-based post-punk new wave band TV21 will shortly be releasing their second album, a mere 28 years after their first one. To celebrate, there's a launch party in the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh on the 24th of May. As well as a set from TV21 Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit and Adam Thompson of We Were Promised Jetpacks will be playing acoustic sets.

Tickets cost a fiver plus booking fee and you can get them from Tickets Scotland.

Sadly there's next to no chance of me getting to it, it's on the wrong side of the country for me for one thing, but it looks like a good night.

For more info on TV21, the album and the gig you can visit their website or MySpace.

Swift Hinterland Thoughts

I only managed one night, Friday. Even though my pass was free I'm still short enough on cash that two nights in Glasgow was stretching it. Damn my continuing joblessness.
Anyway, never saw a lot, but here's what I caught.

Fangs @ Stereo. Whoa, been a Long time since I was in a single figure crowd to see a band. I've always been told that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all, so I'll just go ahead and move on quickly.

Eugene McGuinness @ Stereo. Staying where I was seemed a simple option, besides, I like Eugene. He can be a bit hit and miss, but he was good on Friday.

Sons & Daughters @ The Arches. Caught a tiny bit of the band before - Slow Club - but not enough to comment on really. Seemed quite good, and The Pop Cop liked them though. Sons & Daughters are always entertaining, though I'm thinking that I should probably take a break from seeing them for a while, ideally till they've got some new material. I find myself standing next to a huge speaker, this may not be such a god idea. Still good, but starting to suffer from me seeing them too much. Not their fault, to be fair. That was followed by a quick dash round the corner for...

Broken Records @ The Classic Grand. Missed the start. Jamie Sutherland has lost his voice. I'm entirely deaf in one ear due to the previous next-to-speaker incident. This combination means that Broken Records are merely alright. I don't have the same degree of love for the band that most other bloggers seem to I'm affraid. I like them just fine, but not as much as everyone else does, and this gig hasn't really changed anything for me on that score. I'll try seeing them again sometime soon and keep an open mind for now.

Next comes an option of hanging around for an hour, deaf and almost skint, to see We Were Promised Jetpacks, or get myself home now. Ever tried to get from Glasgow to the arse end of Paisley in the middle of the night? I have, it's not easy. With that in mind, it's the train home for me.