Category Archives: Uncategorized

Love Music.Hate Racism.

Posted on by

Love Music. Hate Racism. Carnival 2008.

In a few weeks, LMHR will be hosting an awesome carnival in London. The poster has the site on for you to checkout.

 

Here’s some news regarding the event take from their Facebook page :

 

LMHR CARNIVAL 08

VICTORIA PARK, LONDON.

SUNDAY 27 APRIL 2008

Highlights of the Love Music Hate Racism Carnival include:

Three stages – two live outdoor stages + big dance marquee

Some of the biggest and most exciting contemporary acts: hip-hop / indie / grime / bhangra / rock / reggae / dubstep / r&b / funky house / jungle

Stars of the original 1978 Carnival playing live
Unique collaborations
Carnival procession against racism leading to the main event
Speakers, debates and information on fighting racism and fascism
Transport to the event being organised from across the UK
Entry to the Carnival FREE – but donations welcomed.

LINE UP….

Hard-Fi
Roll Deep ft Tinchy Stryder & Jammer
Drew McConnell (Babyshambles) & friends ft very
special guests

Rock Against Racism Allstars
Jay Sean
Jerry Dammers
Poly Styrene (X-Ray Spex)
Wiley
The Paddingtons
Patrick Wolf
Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly
Bashy
Natty
Nihal
Skream & Benga
Don Letts
Dennis Bovell’s London Lovers’ Rock Crew
Heartless Crew
Ace & Vis
Bishi
Juggy D + MC Special
Ny
Dj Hype
Riz MC
Snakeyman
Target
Mistajam
Statik
The Thirst
Adelaide Mckenzie
No.Lay
Alex Mills
Natascha Eleonoré
Metz & Trix
Hoodstars
The Tribunes
Lil Rascals
Stylo G
DJ Rugrat
Nathan ‘Flutebox’ Lee
Decypher Collective

 

ROCK AGAINST RACISM
30TH ANNIVERSARY

“Love Music Hate Racism Carnival 2008 – Rock Against Racism 30th Anniversary” promises to be LMHR’s biggest event yet. It celebrates 30 years since the famous Rock Against Racism carnival, which also took place in the Victoria Park and was played by The Clash, Steel Pulse and other legends.

Our carnival will see all kinds of musicians uniting against racism and fascism – creating a diverse and vibrant mix of music. There will be a lively carnival procession through London beforehand.

We want to give everyone the chance to get involved with this exciting event and are asking for the following:

Regional Coordinators to get people from your area, college, university, etc to Carnival. This may mean organising transport or displaying publicity.
Join other LMHR supporters and artists at Unite Against Fascism’s annual conference on Saturday 1 March. We’ll be discussing plans for Carnival and distributing publicity. For more information, go to http://www.uaf.org.uk. Help with transport may be available – contact LMHR for information
Help us fund the carnival – an event like this doesn’t come cheap! That’s why we’re appealing for donations or help, such as holding a LMHR fundraiser or a “pre-carnival party”. See our website for ideas, or donate online.

_______

Go on. Support the cause. Get rid of the facist scum that is, the BNP. There is no need for such facist, racist, homophobic disgusting people in the world. If you get a leaflet- BIN IT!

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cat Power- Metal Heart.

Posted on by

Cat Power- Metal Heart (live)

Yes, I sure do adore Chan Marshall aka Cat Power. I’ve heard the old and new versions of Metal Heart..I’m not sure if I’ll ever have a favourite version. The song is so painfully beautiful and heartbreakingly wonderful. One of my favourite songs ever by one of my favourite singers ever. I can’t wait to see her in June, it’ll probably be the best gig I’ve ever been to (how many times have I said that?!)

 

After beating depression and alcoholism, Cat Power now plays at her best. She does more than sing- she gets to your heart. That’s a true artist. The words in this song mean more to me than any other song I’ve ever heard. If I could marry a song, I’d marry this one. If I could only listen to one song for a long long time- it’d be this one. It is perfect.

I hope you enjoy!

Some Beautiful Songs.

Posted on by

The Strokes- Heart In A Cage

Lightspeed Champion- Dry Lips

Florence And The Machine- Girl With One Eye

Kaki King- Playing With Pink Noise

Duffy- Warwick Avenue

The Moldy Peaches- Anyone Else But You

Bob Dylan- Like A Rolling Stone

 

Alicia Keys- No One

 

 

Cat Power- Sea Of Love (acoustic)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve been listening to some beautiful music recently, so I thought I’d share..legally! 😉

 

The Smears

Posted on by

The Smears

 

 

A lot of bands seem to now throw themselves into genres and sound nothing like it at all. They’ll call themselves indie when they really aren’t. Whether or not indie even exists anymore is a different topic (and you won’t find the answer in NME!)

 

In the first issue of Freeq I said it was about time a female-fronted band made history. I think we have the band that could possibly do this and last a long long time.

The Smears are a lovely band from Nottingham, on their MySpace page they are listed as grunge/punk and they actually do sound like how they have labelled themselves. About bloody time!

 

The Smears are Maimee, Miss C and C.Doll and their sound is like a mixture of Hole and The Distillers with a touch of Patti Smith to make their sound raw. Since The Distillers split up a few years ago, I felt a void in my music collection (or maybe it’s because I’m too poor to buy anything!) but The Smears pick up where Brody & Co left off. I have heard some female bands call themselves punk and be quite annoyed that they would do such a thing, but with The Smears you know that they are not lying.

 

I’m writing this listening to Gluttony for the third time and I don’t think I’ll be getting bored of it anytime soon. I urge you to go see them live NOW. You have no excuse; they are playing damn near everywhere- even Dublin! No excuses go see them. You’ll love it.

 

 

Their name may cause them to have a bit of a rough time, but it’s just a name. It’s not exactly a swear word now is it! Make of it what you will. It can be a smear test, having your name tainted, lipstick smearing- it has female connections, makes sense really doesn’t it.  As singer Maimee says, “It’s a word that people don’t seem to like for some reason and we get judged because of it but it’s not that hard once you say it a few times!” Don’t be afraid of the word readers, or the band!

 

 

On their website, it says: “The Smears will kick you in the teeth and rip your heart right outta your chest” and it is true. You will not be disappointed, so head over to iTunes to get the album and go see them live. Oh, and enjoy!

Nightmare Of You.

Posted on by

Nightmare Of You

New York band Nightmare Of You have been around for quite a bit now. The debut album is still a gem to me, I still play it..I’m actually playing it now. BANG! was a lovely EP took a bit to get used to, but it’s still cool.

They’re rather awesome live. Brandon is a really nice guy. He was selling the bands merch when I saw them, he then spilt beer on a hoodie!

They’re lyrically a bit like The Smiths which is nice. I do love The Smiths. Their lyrics make them standout from other bands, their onstage persona is rather witty too- just like their lyrics. Sarcastic and witty. Gotta love it.

Check them out!

Cat Power- The Covers Record.

Posted on by

Cat Power

This album is 8 years old. It’s timeless and perfect. I’m listening to it more than ever and I’m totally in love with it. Cat’s voice is so haunting and beautiful. I can’t imagine not ever being a fan of hers. She’s amazing. I can’t wait to see her in June.

Anyway, back to the album. It’s covers. I usually hate covers, but it’s Cat Power and anything she does is truly magnificant. She could never make a bad record, millions would agree. One daft person wouldn’t. Naked If I Want To and I Found A Reason are the standout tracks, so close to perfection. The album sounds bit dark, but it’s so beautiful. I can shut my eyes and imagine Cat Power stood infront of me singing these beautiful songs.

I’ve used the word beautiful too much, but it is the only word that is good enough to describe Chan Marshall aka Cat Power.

Gossip- Live In Liverpool.

Posted on by

So, one of my favourite bands- Gossip have released a DVD/CD, Live In Liverpool. Recorded last summer to a lovely Liverpool crowd. Watching it, I felt as if I was there. After seeing them 4 times already, it’s nice to have something like this. It’s not one of the gigs I’ve been to but it still has some kind of sentimental value to it.

Their cover of Aaliyah’s Are You That Somebody and Wham’s Careless Whisper make an appereance as do songs off their LPs. For true, hardcore fans of Hannah, Brace/Nathan and Beth it’s worth purchasing. It’s also worth getting if you’ve never seen them live before too. However- I say BUY IT because it’s Gossip and it’s awesome!

Check out this clip :

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RaXzGBme7C4

Operator,Please.

Posted on by

I’m only 21 years old but I feel like an OAP writing about these guys. First heard of them over a year and a half ago. Saw them on the Gonzo tour last October with The Dykeenies and Funeral For A Friend at the Birmingham Barfly. Amazing gig. Really good night.

Just learnt they are supporting Lightspeed Champion on his tour end of April/start of May. Totally made up about that. It’ll be really cool to see them again. I used to think Silverchair were the best band to have ever come out of Australia, looks like there’s another one! Operator,Please are fun, energetic, young, talented- so why not try them out! There’s loads of videos up on Youtube, they have an official Facebook group and a Myspace page. Seriously, you are slacking if you haven’t heard of them. And if you don’t like them? SINFUL! Be ashamed. Or keep listening to them 😉

The Enemy. Sunday 6th April. Ricoh Arena, Coventry.

Posted on by

I’ve seen these guys twice, but you know what they say- three’s the magic number. Not only is it a De La Soul track, but it’s also true.

I’m not commenting on the support acts. I’m focusing on the main event. The Enemy. Playing their home turf. Magical and beyond beautiful.

Every track from the debut album, We’ll Live And Die In These Towns is played. Every word is recited back to Liam, Andy and Tom. Every word is sang by the band and crowd as if their lives depend on it. It probably does actually, the amount of bottles being thrown and people being carried out was astounding. Who knew a plastic bottle in the eye could hurt so much! As well as the odd knee and elbow. Good time had all round.

The Enemy made a song by the Sex Pistols actually sound good! Biased opinion because I don’t like the Sex Pistols but love The Enemy! Their version of God Save The Queen was amazing and unexpected. They also played a new song, Sing When You’re In Love/Sing When You’re Out Of Love which, if hopefully on the new album, will be just as perfect as the first album.

I’ve seen them at the Carling Academy in Birmingham, The NEC and now the Ricoh Arena. All have had special occasions attached to them. The NEC was my 21st birthday and the other two were their homecoming gigs.

As quite a new band, The Enemy play with all they have and an insane amount of professionalism. Something to be admired by new and old bands alike. The crowd consisted of families, neighbours,friends and fans. A highlight was seeing a couple aged around 60 dance and sing like mad to The Enemy. Never seen anything like it! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again- one of the best gigs I have ever been to.

Every time I’ve seen them, they’ve ended the set with You’re Not Alone..I just hope they never stop doing that. Tom praises the people of Coventry and they do it back. Before they came on stage, Ricoh Arena Coventry came up on the screen-so loud, so beautiful! At the end the band led a Coventry football chant. It had it be done, it’d be a shame if it hadn’t.

Best live British band? Yes. Best Live band in the world right now? HELL YES.

Go see them.

 

Posted on by

 Last night the anticipated Reading and Leeds line-up was released, tickets are practically sold out. Judging by the line-up, is it any surprise who is playing? The Killers seem to turn up to at least one UK festival and it was widely speculated that Rage Against The Machine would be playing the festival. Should bands such as The Cribs and Manic Street Preachers be placed on the NME/Radio 1 Stage whilst bands like The Fratellis and Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly are playing the main stage. I love Get Cape, but if he was on the NME/Radio 1 Stage he would be more embraced, his words would not seem as powerful on a massive stage compared to a tent. I’ve seen him at small venues and it was one of the best gigs I have been to. However, Sam Duckworth can shine wherever he plays- you just better be listening! People seem to have an issue with The Killers playing the Main Stage, or actually playing the festival. It is understandable really. They do nothing for a long time then they seem to take over the headline slots. It’ll help them sell a few more albums, not as if they need it.Some nice additions to the line-up so far include Conor Oberst(Bright Eyes), Bloc Party, The Enemy and The Subways.

    

 There is no doubt that there is something for everyone at the festival, but sometimes festival goers want a bit more diversity.  Maybe Glastonbury has the right idea by having Jay-Z as a headliner, if I was interested in going to a festival I’d probably opt for Bestival or Camp Bestival, maybe Latitude. These festivals cater for a more specific festival goer.But are people interested in who plays now, are they just going for the experience? Surely if you want to experience something similar to a festival you’d stand on a farm in the pissing rain listening to The Killers. This is just a cynic’s perspective; just don’t bottle Dizzee Rascal when he plays the Main Stage. I never understood why someone would watch a band they don’t like just to throw bottles of piss at them. There’s something for everyone- you just have to look for a while!