CROCODILES-Boston Music Room 11th June 2015.

Posted on Jun 12, 2015 by Olivia

I managed to count how many times I’ve seen Crocodiles- Saturday will be my tenth time. Does someone need to buy me a present? If so, I’ll take some paracetamol and a comfy bed for a few hours. Never ever have whiskey, sleep for 3 hours and go to work. It will not work in your favour but you’ll probably have had a lovely time in the midst of it all.

Life is made up of strange and nice things at time. There are a few moments in my 28 years on this planet that I keep very dear to me, from crying like a baby in front of Patti Smith to finding certain records. Always music based. Last night something bizarre happened at the end of Crocs show last night. A lovely man (I think his name is Andy) came up to me, asked me “Are you Olivia?” Of course I assume the worst and thought he was going to call me a name or something, so I was shocked when he mentioned he reads my blog and enjoys what I write (I’m playing it down because I really hate talking about myself.) So Andy, if by some chance you see this- thank you. A billion thank yous. This is one is for you.

The Savage Nomads kicked off the evening with their South London ways. They ventured all the way North last night to expose us to their infectious tunes and charismatic ways. A massive pleasure (finally) to see them live. I’ve been a fan for a while now, and it was really good to see their live shows. An effortlessly smooth set that was led by frontman Cole leading the band into the depths of North London by standing on the drum kit and performing as if they were at Wembley. A proper frontman with a mean dress-sense.

Next up, Hatcham Social. I went to uni in 2006, and whilst there Hatcham Social were a band I was in love with. The love has always been there, and I finally got to see them live last night. Their set made you want to leave and start your own band and make your own noise. This is proof that some things are most definitely worth waiting for. I think they’re doing some more dates with Crocodiles so please get there early and be left in awe.

The main event. The loveliest band in the world. Crocodiles. Sure it can be hard to comment on a band you’ve seen so many times. I’ve run out of reasons as to why I bloody love them. From their Punk ethic to their poetically brilliant lyrics. I just love them and will never grow tired of them. If you’ve ever seen them live, you’ll know exactly why it is so easy to end up seeing them so many times. They’ve got something, and I’m not sure what the word is. Maybe their isn’t word. This is what 3 hours sleep does.

Their set is a brilliant mixture of old and current hits. Personally, I’m just happy Refuse Angels is in the set. The band go nuts during this one, and it shows just how magnificent a drummer Robert is. It’s because he’s Northern, that’s why. The ferociousness in this number is out of this world and is so brutal. On the flip side of this we have Me And My Machine Gun (one of their best songs ever) which just sounds and feels like a whirlwind romance with no care for consequence.

We need to appreciate Charlie Rowell. Let’s be honest, there’s no better guitarist around. He swirls the guitar round in the most carefree way imaginable and you can see such concentration in him as he plays, but you just know it is effortless. The band is effortlessly brilliant. Sweat falls from his hair as he jolts the guitar around. This guy is solely responsible for you wanting to learnt to play the guitar. Robert, Brandon, Charlie and David (he’s in Hatcham Social too y’know) are pretty much the definition of a “super group” each of them has talent that would make other bands think, “I wish that guy was in our band.” I think anyone who sees them live and is in a band would probably leave wanting to improve on their sound.

Crocodiles transport you to Max’s Kansas City in the 70s waiting for the weird and wonderful to cause a scene. I guess this is why I was drawn towards their sound back in 2009. I found their music by accident, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Their sound changes on each record, but when you see them live it is like hearing your top 5 records of all time in an hour. Of course I think they’re the best band around, only a tool wouldn’t.

The fury in I Wanna Kill gets me every time, and I’m pretty sure most of the crowd feel the same. That song could excite the weakest of souls. They end their set with Jet Boy Jet Girl. A proper depraved song that only Crocodiles could cover in a way that makes you think they wrote it.

It is so easy to get bored of modern life. For the most part, it is rubbish. Full of people gormlessly staring at their phones in the hopes something happens. It won’t happen. SOMETHING will happen at a gig. That’s where the people come alive, that’s where you meet the best people. What I love about Crocs shows is that the crowd genuinely love the band. They aren’t there to be seen; they are there because they fucking love this band. It’s a united passion that is absent in most. Thank the heavens for a band like this. A London Crocodiles show would not be complete without Omar making an appearance on stage. He may be on crutches, but he made it onto the stage to sing a bit of I Wanna Kill.

Crocodiles have just started their UK/Europe tour. Tomorrow night they’re playing the Manchester Psych Fest,which will probably be brilliant. Hopefully I’ll nap in the car!

Their new record, BOYS is out now via Zoo Music.

CROCODILES-Boys.

Posted on Apr 26, 2015 by Olivia

There are some bands that repeat themselves with every record they make. Their blandness is what some may be drawn to and keeps them “loyal” but there are some bands who not only exceed any expectations one may have of them, but they also manage to come out with something hugely different to what they’ve done before. There are a few bands I love that fall into this category, and they’re ones that I’ll continue to write about because it’s just bloody wonderful to hear what they’re going to do next.

12th May is the release date for my pals new record. Crocodiles are finally releasing their fifth record Boys. Everything I am going to write about this record is just my biased opinion, and if I were you I’d just buy the record and sack off anything I may say because it’ll just be an enthusiastic ramble. But if you’re into that kind of thing, let’s be friends and go into this together.

I did want to do this as a track-by-track review but I don’t really like doing them because it’s so structured, and I don’t like any form of organisation.

For me, the record sounds like it has stemmed from the roots of depravity in the back streets of New York in the 70s when Punk was slowly but surely getting some attention. In all the right places, Crocodiles have picked up on the smuttiness and wit in the likes of Transformer and Sally Can’t Dance. They’ve also got something Iggy Pop-esque flowing around Kool TV. Last year when they played Hackney Wonderland, I remember them performing some new tracks and Foolin’ Around was one that really stood out. The bassline is slick as the one on Groove Is In The Heart. This record is sordid and brilliant. If this record was a place, it would be a camp dive bar in the underbelly of Mexico city. It makes the uneasy feel alright in their skin. Crybaby Demon sounds like something that The Stone Roses could have easily put out. It’s got something really special about it that just cements the idea that Crocodiles are probably the best around.

There’s a song that I need to do a special mention on. Blue is probably the best song that they’ve done to date. Every record they’ve put out has one song on it that towers a little over the rest. It’s just over 3 and a half minutes long, but it feels like a lengthy and satisfying daydream. It’s the perfect song to drift away to as the sun sets, you just gaze into nothing in particular and Brandon’s hazy voice sends you on this gorgeous trip. Charlie enhances the dream with the whirling guitar sounds that flow in and out of your ears. It is my personal favourite from Boys, and easily in my top 3 songs by Crocodiles. I would happily write a massive essay on the song, and when you listen to it next month you’ll see exactly why. A gorgeous song that you just have to keep going back to. You zone out properly to this one.

Although the record was done in Mexico, it feels like something from Iggy, Bowie and Lou’s take on Berlin. It’s got that something about it that just feels really familiar and comforting, but then there are songs that just feel like something you’ve never experienced before. There are many bands that are doing weird and wonderful things, but Crocodiles take it some place else. More than anything, I wish these guys were credited more for their lyrics. Their lyrics are bouts of depraved prose and thoughts to expand the mind.

Boys consists of songs you would hear in an underground drag bar in the depths of New York, Mexico, London…anywhere and everywhere. They are songs to lure in a lover at 2am when everyone is being spilled out into the street or to just throw your limbs about to (go nuts to Foolin’ Around, Hard and Do The Void.)

Writing about a band like Crocodiles is easy because they make every release as interesting as the last. Each record feels like hearing them for the first time. The first time I heard their music was back in 2009. I moved back home after being dumped, wandered into HMV and saw the cover of Summer Of Hate staring at me. I didn’t know anything about them, but I picked it up along with Love Comes Close by Cold Cave. I turned one of the worst feelings possible into something I could handle. I found two bands who have since become the world to me. The thing about Crocodiles that I love the most is that they make me feel like I am anywhere but where I am. I don’t feel like I’m in 2015; I feel like I’m in the 70s watching Punk win over hearts and guiding those who are fed up. Crocs are a mix of all the stuff I love and things I’ve never heard before. They bring all these insane sounds together and make something that is worth treasuring.

I’ll say it’s their best record until number 6 comes out, you know how it is. If you’ve yet to experience the world of Crocs, then let Boys be the one that seduces you, let it be the one that you cheat on other bands with. And in time, it will go from being your bit on the side to the love of your life.

Crocodiles start their US tour in 3 days time, and will be coming over to Europe in June. Personally, I’m massively excited to see them in Manchester as part of the Manchester Psych Fest along with July (this is fucking HUGE.) I’ve always wanted to see them in Manchester, and with July also?! Oh man who needs Christmas!

Boys is out via Zoo Music on the 12th May and is produced by the incredible Martin Thulin. And yes, it is my record of the year.

CROCODILES-Crybaby Demon.

Posted on Mar 5, 2015 by Olivia

The most handsome men in music are back. Crocodiles, the loveliest guys you’ll ever meet are back with a new record called Boys out in a few months, but first, to get you ready for this stunning record (I’ve heard it and no other record is going to be as important as Boys this year) they have just put out the video to Crybaby Demon.

Crybaby Demon is a trashy and smutty number. If any band can make you feel violated and dirty in the best way possible, then it is easily Crocodiles. With Charlie’s unapologetic sneering guitar sounds and Brandon’s smouldering vocals, Crybaby Demon is the perfect Crocodiles song to lose your mind to. Sure we can call start mini riots to I Wanna Kill, but Crybaby Demon is the year’s most trashiest anthem. Gloriously perverse and weird.

The video to Crybaby Demon is directed by Tito Echevarria (Young Boys/SISU) and it feels like one of those obscure films that are on TV at 3am when you’re too wired to sleep. It feels like every lucid dream you’ve ever had. A real sleazy and utterly charming video that brings the song to life, a perfect fit.

It is fairly obvious that I could write about Crocodiles until I ran out of words or something equally dramatic. There is something massively relatable about their lyrics and something freeing within their music. They take you out of your comfort zone and into the unknown. I just bloody love these guys and cannot wait for everyone to hear Boys and for the tour to start.

Crocodiles are one of the few bands that have that real Punk feel to their music and how they do it. Their DIY ethic is evident in all they do, and that alone demands respect. If you’ve never seen them live, GO. Their shows are wild and carefree. The London crowd that go see them are the least dickish London crowds around (I’ve been to enough shows in London to be tired of seeing people just stand still when exposed to brilliant live music.) It’s just like one big party and the love the fans have for Crocodiles is just bloody lovely. Hopefully I’ve sold it to you!

Boys is out via Zoo Music on 11th May. Outcasts, deviants and rebels rejoice because this record is for YOU.

Beat In My Bones.

Garage Rock and Punk obsessive.

Tag Archives: Boys

CROCODILES-Boys.

CROCODILES-Crybaby Demon.