Soft Power Records have got a back catalogue that is on the same level as Sacred Bones to Art Fag. They have the weird and wonderful on their label. From Dirty Beaches split 7″ to Autumns, they are responsible (for the most part) for what I listen to on an almost daily basis. So it is with no surprise at all that they’ve sent me something else for me to fall hopelessly in love with.
This time, they’ve sent something they’ve never done before- a split LP. Knowing this is an entirely new thing made the whole listening process of the record much more exciting than most. This is a big deal for both bands and of course Soft Power Records.
The first half of the record belongs to The Wharves, and it’s ridiculous. They’re from London. They have a creepy late night alleyway danger feel about them. It’s the kind of music you’d imagine Jack The Ripper stalking the streets of Whitechapel to. It is entirely eerie but nothing short of brilliant. They do have a Garage rock atmosphere that floats throughout, but the thing that really stands out for me is the vocals. The vocals on Thick Syrup is just stunning, a brilliant way to start this LP. The vocals are on a different level. I’m not even going to try find a comparison because it will not work. But if you’re fans of September Girls and The Black Belles, then you’ll probably love The Wharves. Unhand Me is something that should be on Halloween playlists. Again, the vocals are divine but on this one they are slightly chilling. There’s a cryptic feel that flows throughout and I think that is what instantly draws you in. I probably couldn’t switch it off even if I wanted to. The Wharves make music that sounds like it should have been in a Vincent Price film. They stir up the beast inside of you and unleash a thousand furies. Bloody brilliant.
Scotland is the home to fine music. From my hero Shirley Manson to The Jesus And Mary Chain to The Creeping Ivies to The Rosy Crucifixion. Emily from the band was once described in an interview as Patsy Cline’s evil sister. To be described like that is awesome, more singers should aspire to that. Her vocals have an attitude that is found in the likes of Faith from PINS to Alison Mosshart from The Kills. There’s this infectious power there that just lures you in. I feel as if I should be wearing a cloak whilst listening to them (I’m actually wearing Superhero and a band t-shirt. The band? Loom.) They have a ghastly vibe; and I firmly believe that if music doesn’t scare you even a tiny bit, then there’s no point. Most of the bands I listen to have sinister sound. I think this makes up for the fact that I’m far too sensitive/gentle for my own good at times. Even if I’m not, music makes me feel tougher than I am. It’s like when you listen to the Ramones and you feel as if you can take on the world- you just don’t care. The Rosy Crucifixion and The Wharves have come together, and has led to something truly memorable and beautiful being created. I’ve heard a lot of new music this year, but to hear two of the most exciting bands around on one record like this just, as a music lover, well it feels like Christmas but better. Sinners has an enchanting voodoo feel about it. You can imagine Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (if he was alive obviously) just creeping up and yelling some crazy shit.
Both bands have made something that would sound perfect in a film from say, the 1920s. If I was 15 years old hearing this, it would sure make me go out and learn to play the guitar and create something as thrilling as this. This is what I want to hear. This is what I want on the airwaves and television sets. This split LP is something that sounds like it is from another time and planet. Play it loud and let everything around you just spiral out of control.
The LP is out 25th November 2013 on Soft Power Records.
As someone who has a place reserved especially for music that is probably deemed as creepy or whatever, it is no surprise that Little Death Machine are one of my favourite new bands. They remind me of other bands I love such as Natural Assembly who make dark and beautiful music. There is tension in their music that is just fuelled by Clare’s destructive drumming and Daniel’s unapologetic thrashing on guitar. They make noise for those who aren’t afraid to play their music obnoxiously loud and flail about to it.
Velvet Skin is their new single, and is equally as rambunctious as Hit Me. Hit Me is aggressive to the core, but not to the point where you cannot listen to it. The complete opposite. You find yourself singing along with Daniel as he cries out “HIT ME!” Velvet Skin is a tantalising taste of what is to come from them. Little Death Machine have an undeniable talent that is sure to give them a cult like following, much like Cold Cave have.
Velvet Skin’s video is equally as eerie the song. The black and white video adds something quite sinister to the song. The drums are heavy on Velvet Skin, and the beautiful thudding sound is I think, what makes this song have that haunting feel to it. It does feel like something is creeping up on you. The drums sound like footsteps of something terrifying; it keeps you on edge. Little Death Machine make music that is exciting to listen to; there really aren’t that many bands that are doing this right now. Most are scared to be as dark like this, but LDM drag it out of you, and when it comes out- it feels good.
What I adore about Little Death Machine is that they have a brilliant raw sound. This makes you realise instantly that their music comes from a really special place. I think it why you just treasure them right away. I’ve yet to see them live, but I think I’ll be making my way to their Electrowerkz show in November (Met line permitting!) It’s 4 days after my birthday, so I may treat myself. On record, you can hear the fury and passion. I’d imagine live this just erupts into something wild and throws you into a state of delirium that you probably don’t want to come down from.
Like I’ve said before about LDM, there is nothing typical or conventional about them. They make rowdy music that is just good for the soul. Nothing should ever be typical or conventional. Stand for something, and go against what is wrong.
I’ve been to some brilliant gigs in my time. Some have been in questionable places that disregard health and safety. Others have been in beautiful places that I’d be totally fine with sleeping in if no one knew I was there. Thing is, I prefer the venues that look as if they are going to fall apart and are so dark you think a door is a person, so you speak to them without realising. That could just be my shit eyesight though….
I got a phone call on Monday evening. I never answer my phone because it is always on silent and I have no idea why someone would want to call me. For some reason, I answered. I was told I had won tickets to see Jessie Ware at Abbey Road Studios on Thursday (last night.) I never win anything (okay so a week before I got an email saying I’d won tickets to see Ellie Goulding at the iTunes Festival but shush!) I hung up after all was confirmed. Told my pals who I was with, and invited one of them with me. Apparently my girlfriend should have been my first choice. OOPS! So with my pal and I excited about the gig, she got exactly the same phone call as me! What are the chances!
Let’s talk about the show now.
Abbey Road has this incredible atmosphere that just hits you as soon as you walk in. My favourite thing was the photo of Jamie Hince (The Kills) on the wall. I was thinking of ways to take it, but realised quickly the photo is as big as me so it wouldn’t work. It’s not like it was a print I could roll up and shove in my back pocket.
After indulging in the free drinks (I dislike wine but free wine tastes really nice, as do free cocktails) we shuffled towards the front. I was stood directly in front of the mic. I like to be at the front; mainly because I’m a short arse who cannot see.
Jessie strides onto the stage with the most glorious smile I’ve ever seen; thing is, during the night her smile just gets bigger and bigger. She plays pretty much all of the songs from Devotion. If you don’t own her record, you are missing out. Her voice is so beautiful. She’s my generation’s Sade mixed with Aaliyah. Throughout her set she speaks to those who have come all the way from Canada, high fives people at the front, takes photos with fans as she’s singing and pretty much has the best time ever on stage.
What made this gig really special was that, it was in an intimate venue that holds a lot of history. The chances are one of your favourite bands have probably recorded here at some point. The love in room was just simply euphoric. I’ve been to Morrissey gigs where people have tried to launch themselves at the stage, but this was something else. There is something deeply captivating about Jessie Ware, and it isn’t just her voice. You can tell that she truly loves what she does, and the sheer happiness that just pours from her falls into the crowd.
For me personally, when she sang Running for about 10 seconds whilst looking at me was delightful. As was having a photo with her afterwards, and her thanking us for being at the front. NO PROBLEM JESSIE!
Devotion is one of the best records I’ve heard in years. It has pure soul and expresses love on different. Hearing songs such as Taking In Water (written for her brother, probably my favourite) and Night Light (written for her boyfriend, but he doesn’t really like it!) live just left me in awe. The way she sings so effortlessly and is so gracious, she is undeniably the best UK female singer around. She has this genuine soulful feel to her music, and because it is so natural it just takes you over in such a magical way. Watching her made you feel like the luckiest person in the room because you were witnessing something memorable. You can tell every single song means the world to her, and I think that is what makes us fans feel the same way. Her connection with the crowd was stunning, and to have a quality like this is quite rare- which makes you instantly treasure her.
Jessie’s band are incredible. Everyone on stage has this infectious grin, and I’m pretty sure I spent the hour watching them all just grinning back like a loon! But the thing is, you really cannot help it. Live music to me, is everything. Music is a massive part of my life but live music is something else. It allows you to unleash everything with the person responsible for the sounds stood right in front of you. To not be moved by something like this is something I cannot quite get my head around. I suppose it is because music is that important to me. Shows like this will be talked about in years to come, because it was so intimate and special.
This show was made up of beautiful moments that all there were so lucky to have witnessed. What truly blew my mind, as I’ve said above was just how happy Jessie Ware is on stage. You can just tell how humble she is, and how every cheer and when word is sung back to her just means so much.
Last night made me fall in love with London even more than I already am. It was a spectacular event with brilliant people. I also now enjoy Campari. As an Italian, I feel I should and as it was in the free cocktails, I became a fan. Hopefully it will taste as good if I ever buy it… Oh and the goodie bag we were given was a treat too!
A huge thank you to Wayne who called on Monday to say I had won the tickets!
* The photo above was taken by my girlfriend because she’s got one of them iPhones that takes alright photos and my phone is crap!
When I first wrote about London Grammar in January, I said they reminded me of Imogen Heap meets Youth Lagoon; this was based on just one song. I wasn’t sure if they would keep something like that up, that maybe Hey Now was just a taste of how ethereal they were going to be.
As I listen to their debut record, If You Wait it becomes more obvious that they evidently have made a bloody strong debut. If You Wait sounds like a record you’d expect from a band that are at least 5 years or so deep into their career. It goes beyond all expectations of a debut record.
At its best, If You Wait is a haunting catharsis. Everything about it feels like some kind of release and Hannah’s voice is just so so sad. There’s so much sorrow in her voice, and the fact that the lyrics are as equally as vulnerable as her voice just breaks your heart a little bit more than you anticipated. Wasting My Young Years makes me hate that I’m getting older. But hey, free bus pass! Although by the time I’m 60 I suppose they’ll have scrapped that idea. As I listen to If You Wait, I start to feel everything that London has eventually come to mean to me. Maybe it’s because I’m with the one I love (finally) but London feels like home. There’s so much security in London Grammar’s music, it feels like home. Hannah’s voice is as delicate as the likes of Anthony Hegarty and the music is as soothing as my personal favourite, Deptford Goth. London Grammar are London. They are that awful night bus journey home, they are that last tube home journey. As you gaze out into the night with nothing but the street lights acting as stars to guide you home. For me, I think Sights sums this feeling up more than most. Although it is pretty much constant throughout.
I’d imagine those that listen to London Grammar, and I mean TRULY listen to them will pick up on feelings that those who just skim through will miss out on. There’s innocence and fear on this record- two of the things that make us human. Having these vulnerable characteristics will cause you to pick up on every tiny detail on If You Wait.
As someone who is more delicate than tough (I’ve reached the stage where I no longer wish to try to change this) If You Wait is sort of like..well, it is almost as if London Grammar are telling you that it is alright to be a bit of a coward. To be a little lost, to be a little troubled. If I wasn’t so tired, I think I would have cried listening to this record. This is tugging at the heartstrings at its finest.
If You Wait is made for the shorter, dark days. It is made for solitude. It is made for inner peace. It is made for you to find pieces of yourself that you daren’t share with others; because they’d deem it as ugly. Music will never call out your traits or make you feel ashamed. That’s why I love music. That’s why I believe that If You Wait could possibly be one of the most ethereal records I’ve heard in a long time.
As the sky is now dark, I urge you to click on this link: http://www.londongrammar.com/ifyouwait and close your eyes. Close your eyes and go somewhere where nothing and where no one can disturb you. Find your inner peace and do not let go of it. Cry if you want; better out than in. Let Nightcall be the song that breaks your heart. Let this record be the record that breaks your heart in the most angelic way possible.
The best bands do not have a distinctive sound. The best bands don’t want to sound like anything else you’ve ever heard. The best bands are fearless. The best bands posses a gang mentality to their music that makes them tougher than the rest.
The Savage Nomads are quite frankly, one of the best bands around. They’ve been around for quite a while and they undoubtedly one of the best bands in London right now, but let’s just ignore how big London is and say they are one of the best bands around, end of. Their sound is like nothing else, and I’m aware how horrifically clichéd that sounds. But I’ve really not heard a band like The Savage Nomads in a long time. Cole Salewicz’s voice is pure and angelic, but there’s a taste of urgency in the way he sings. His voice can break your heart and make you want to dance all at once. A charismatic front-man for sure.
The Savage Nomads are a band that are destined to be around for decades to come. With their unapologetic sound and unified stance on how they make music; you can tell it just means everything to them. When a band have this quality, it is so easy to believe in them. They’ve come so far in the past few years, and honestly there is no denying they are going to go further. A lot of bands seem to sound quite similar. I’m not knocking them because I’m a fan of some of them; it’s just how it is. Certain styles are more “known” than other. What sound do The Savage Nomads have? I have no idea. All I know there is a real essence of soul in each member of the band. Take the song An Empty Seat. It’s one hell of a song with a Funk based bass-line flowing through it. If you don’t feel the urge to dance to this, then you’re not listening right.
For those who are fans of Television, there’s a bit of a resemblance here. I can’t pin point exactly what it is, maybe it is the sheer genius of The Savage Nomads that’s really close to Television. I’ll go with that, it’s as close as I can get. I’d love to hear The Savage Nomads take on a song by Television. The relaxed and cool vibe within their music is freeing and just an absolute delight to listen.
I’d like to talk about their new single, Jaded Edges which is a glorious anthem of a tune. This is made for sweaty venues where your standing so close to strangers, you cannot help but move with them in a unified fashion. There’s something beautifully seductive about this song; for anyone who’s never heard of them before and this is your first time- this song is going to be the one that lures you. Head to those pretentious Indie clubs, and ask for this to be played. You’ll soon see those oversized spectacle wearing “bored” fools get up and dance. If they don’t, then they’ve probably bored themselves to death. The Savage Nomads are one of London’s finest and I can only hope that they just take the rest of the country over. The world is next, but start at home first.
Get on board with one of the UK’s most exciting bands; with a Psychedelic aura and a Soul backbone, The Savage Nomads are just made to be your favourite (new) band.
“I don’t have the time for a graveyard of the mind that they call shame.”
“Don’t meet your heroes” they say. Balls! I say. Meet them, and let it be known it’ll be the greatest moment of your life. I don’t want to say Crocodiles are my heroes, they are more like a guide. They are a solid music connection that in short, saved me from lord knows what a few years ago. I found their music as I was hopelessly walking around a music shop. I needed something to cease the aches and find my soul. Summer Of Hate changed my world. Yesterday I got to speak with the band who changed my world, for the better. Music is my guide and I guess it is my teacher. It is my everything. And the main reason as to why I never have money. I wouldn’t be able to live with it any other way.
Luke, their tour manager walked me over to Brandon and Charlie as they were having their photos taken and being interviewed. I watched and I had a brief moment where I thought my questions were shit. Maybe they were, but I told myself I was asking what I wanted to know. Turns out, I want to know a lot because I like to write a lot. I watched their shoot, and Brandon looked over and winked in what seemed like a reassuring way. I didn’t mind waiting at all. I’m the least confident Music Writer, so I had this panic inside that my Dictaphone wouldn’t record. Let it be known that Brandon and Charlie are the most genuine and loveliest guys you will ever meet, if you’re lucky enough to do so. If you want passionate conversation about books and music- go to these guys. They’re on the same level my uncle is on, which is why the interview immediately didn’t feel like an interview but just laid back chat with pals. Let’s get into it.
For anyone like myself, who grew up in a small place that just exhausted you of anything good/positive, you need to find something to be your outlet. You have to believe there is something better out there, or you will be stuck in a rut during your entire existence. I asked Brandon and Charlie if the frustration of being in a small place made it easy for it to be placed into their music:
“It’s apparent on our first record, but I guess that changed a bit with touring and that same frustration of kinda being stuck there was pretty stifling. It’s not to say that San Diego is a bad place you know. A lot of people we know and love are still there, so its nice to go back to. But in terms of spending every day there (especially when you’ve travelled) would just get a little bit old.”
I think to fully understand this, you must have lived somewhere which in a way sucked you dry but gave you the fight to find something to work for. Those that are familiar with the likes of Dirty Beaches, Cold Cave and Crocodiles will get this straight away from their music and in a way, inspires you to do the same. There’s always a way out.
Brandon lives in New York, and Charlie lives in London. Their bond is beautiful. The friendship they have is wonderful to witness. It is obvious by the way they are on stage, their sense of humour and generally how they look at each other. You can tell the other knows what one is thinking as they answer questions- it’s the ultimate bond. So with such a gorgeous friendship yet living miles apart- how do they go about writing songs?
“If we’re together in person, we might write a few things from the ground up. But more often than not, one of us will have a skeletal idea like a verse or a chorus. And we get together when we can, it’s expensive. Maybe once or twice a year I’ll come over here (London) or Charlie will come to New York and we’ll spend a couple of weeks or a month working on songs.”
By nature, I’m not a nosy person. I don’t care what someone does. Or who someone does. I don’t care for personal lives and things, but with musicians- the one thing I always want to know is what influences them, but for the most part I don’t want to know which bands influence them because I think sometimes that can get in the way of how you listen to them. You can sometimes pick up on other bands, and it drives you away. All too often I’ve heard Crocodiles be compared to The Jesus And Mary Chain. As someone who had The Jesus And Mary Chain played to them at a very young age, I really don’t hear it. I really don’t. The only thing I can pick up on is the fact they have dark lyrics at times and portray certain subjects such as love in all its dark and haunting glory. But musically? Not at all. If you pay attention to Crocodiles lyrics you can pick up on literature being a huge influence. Touching on this was really cool because we spoke about the sordid literature of Marquis de Sade. If you’ve never read anything by him, you’re missing out. But his work is pretty twisted.
“I think on this record, Jean Genet and Marquis de Sade. We like a lot of poets like Arthur Rimbaud, Charles Baudelaire, Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen. Richard Brautigan’s surreal take on things works its way in too. Sometimes it’s the spirit of a certain book, like, ‘how can I replicate that in the discipline of art that I do.’ Obviously we’re not trying to be as filthy as Marquis de Sade!”
There’s so many things we can take inspiration from, and I don’t think literature is given the credit it deserves when it comes to influencing music. Many want to hear the bands that influenced bands. Books are equally as powerful because they can set your mind off in so many ways. You are given a scenario by the writer, but you paint the picture in your mind with their words. Sometimes the darker the sound, the more apparent the literature influence is. Take Zola Jesus for instance.
Have you ever listened to a band and immediately could tell where they are from? Of course it is easy with the likes of The Fall, Morrissey, Arctic Monkeys- you can hear their accent in their music. Is it easy to cancel out where you are from so you don’t sound like you are obviously from there? Do Crocodiles try to not sound like a “typical” San Diego band? Do they feel they made a conscious effort to not sound like where they are from?
(At this point the interview was moved to an alleyway. It seemed pretty fitting to interview them in this spot!)
“San Diego has a weird music identity, the stuff its famous for is like Blink 182. It does have a really cool history of underground music too, and there was a point there was a San Diego sound that we didn’t want to sound like. We just write tunes we like.”
It’s good that Crocodiles never took inspiration from fellow San Diego residents such as Blink 182 or that one called Jason Mraz. Crocodiles, if you excuse the pun, have bite. They have a genuine raw sound that has that Punk DIY ethic firmly instilled in them, making them one of the hardest working bands around, Just looking at their UK/Europe tour schedule over the next few week, and also their tour of the states; but you can tell when they play live, that it is everything to them. And for the fans, it is everything to us too.
I was really interested to speak to them about this tour particularly because they are playing some really small venues and in some places where you wouldn’t think would know what to do with a band like Crocodiles with their delightfully rambunctious sound.
Their tour started in Chester. A quiet Roman town where I suppose nothing really happens. I’ve only been a handful of times. So how did they find it?
“There wasn’t many people there. I mean, I wouldn’t call it a turkey. There wasn’t that many people there but it was also our first gig so it takes a few you know. We played Manchester last night. And we wanted to play a few small places first. Chester is a beautiful place. We’ve played Wrexham before, and that was really good.”
Purely from a selfish point of view here, I got to speak to them about playing Italy. Crocs will be playing Turn soon, and that’s where my stepdad is from. A beautiful city that I think everyone needs to visit at least once in their lifetime. I wanted to know what made them want to play somewhere like Turin (why not of course!) And also, Brandon knew I had an Italian last name (my dad’s side.) Not many pick up on this/pronounce my name correctly. You give up after a while, ha!
“We’ve played Italy a few times. We’ve spent a lot of time there, and a few of our shows are there on this tour. Our main shows on this tour are England and Italy. And also it’s the first city you come to if you’re coming in from the North. We get chance to have a look round too, we come back for vacations. I got to spend some time in Naples which was really cool and different to other parts of Italy.”
FORZA ITALIA dear reader, Forza Italia!
What I love about Crocodiles is that they make it easy for you to just feel so free. When you listen to their music you can’t help but sing along and move your body about in a questionable fashion (it’s exactly what I did at their show at Sebright Arms.) It is like they just set something off inside of you. I looked around when I was at their show, and there were people who had come to watch them on their own but they didn’t hold back. It was like a sense of freedom just took the crowd over. It was truly beautiful to be part of something like that, you don’t get a band like this often, which is why fans of Crocs just treasure them. I wanted to know if they act the same way their fans do when they go to shows because they make their fans feel free with how raw their sound is.
“You’d be surprised, we played Norwich and they stood still! I would assume we have similar tastes to a degree to our fans. I’m a music fan first and foremost. It depends. Naturally..a bit shy.” -Brandon.
“It depends on how drunk you are. I saw The Stone Roses and of course I was cutting loose. You have to when they’re playing some of the best songs ever.”- Charlie.
“Big cities in general people are bit more reserved. New York crowds are similar to London crowds. The cities are quite similar anyway.”- Brandon.
Some people are afraid to let go at shows, some will just go for it. Sometimes though, it is the band you are seeing that just go for it. I mentioned seeing Alex (Dirty Beaches) a few months back at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, and when watching him it was like seeing someone unleash a wealth of emotion and also healing at the same time. I asked them if they have a similar way of performing, and sort of just letting go. I mentioned their set at Rough Trade last year where I first saw them, and it seemed like they had to hold back a bit because it was in a store.
“That’s what I love about him. His whole presentation is a complete 360; it’s just amazing. In terms of someone who has a record label, that’s the kind of thing I’m attracted to. We put out a record for a band called Punks On Mars, it wasn’t that successful. But they had their own look. They looked like oddballs but they just did their own thing. We love playing at record stores because they support us, but it feels weird. It’s bright and in an awkward environment. It does feel pretty cathartic on stage. Going forward and letting it all out.”
I asked Brandon and Charlie was about two of my favourite songs off their new record, She Splits Me Up and Me And My Machine Gun. I mentioned they had a “dreamy” feel to them, which I apologised for using that word because it is overused. I wanted to know what was behind these two songs (when I really love a song I do like to know what inspired it.)
“She Splits Me Up started with a chord production. It came together in bits and pieces. Charlie had the riff; and in soundchecks we played round with it.” – Brandon.
“We collaborated on the lyrics and one of us had the idea, about a girl who is mean to you, but you like it. Kind of like Marquis de Sade.”- Charlie.
“We wrote some of it in Mexico City and finished it in New York.”- Brandon.
The last question I asked was about I Like It In The Dark which sounds quite like early Primal Scream and possibly Happy Mondays. Was it an influence?
“The song came out with a Baggy influence, a lot more than we intended. We were really thinking like Hey Bulldog by The Beatles, the piano part. And soul music too. We started to do it, and it didn’t sound complete without a Gospel kind of sound. The song is about Atheism and we thought, how are we going to find a Gospel singer who’ll sing on a song about Atheism. My brother plays in a Soul in LA, so I asked him ‘Do you think Aphrodite will do this?’ Her full name is Aphrodite The African Goddess Of Love.”
So there you have it. I could have happily spoken to them about their music, music in general and dissected Marquis de Sade’s filthy literature with them in-depth. It was an absolute pleasure to spend some time with them; in an alley discussing what we did.
At the end of the show, as I was leaving outside I saw Brandon and he gave me a hug goodbye. I always said my interview with Warpaint was my favourite, but I think Brandon and Charlie surpassed that. This felt like talking to old friends, and as someone who is a bit awkward and shy; I felt perfectly at ease in their company. As I’ve said before, they are truly two of the most humble and genuine people I’ve ever met.
Meet the bands/singers you love and the next time you’re at a gig, let it all go.
I’d like to thank Nita and Luke for arranging this. And also to Brandon and Charlie for their time.
Last September I saw Crocodiles live for the first time. I’d been a fan since 2009, and I had been waiting many years to see then live. Seeing them in a record store playing for just over 20 minutes wasn’t how I imagined it to be, but it was better than what I had previously- which was nothing. Go forward to just under a year and I finally get to see them in an environment I feel comfortable with.
Earlier in the day I briefly hung out with Brandon and Charlie in an alley for an interview. I’ll type it up later if my dictaphone picked anything up. I bought it off Amazon from a dodgy seller. I never learn.
Sebright Arms is a wonderful pub that was just made to have bands like Crocodiles perform. A small, dark room with enough space for you to move your body round in any way you wish. I sure as hell did. They opened with Sunday (Psychic Conversations #9.) Immediately they launched the crowd into a frenzy. 150 sweaty bodies had been waiting for this. I think secretly my girlfriend who came with me, had been waiting for this too.
When I saw them last year it was a little after their record, Endless Flowers had come out but they still played older songs such as I Wanna Kill and All My Hate And Hexes Are For You (personal favourite.) These songs weren’t played last night, but to be honest, I didn’t care. I just wanted to see them play as a full set. Was my mind blown? Hell yes. I was stood right by a speaker so my eardrums are fucked too. I can’t really hear anything properly yet. Everything sounds a bit fuzzy; the remains of the night before are stuck. I’ll cling until 2nd October where it will happen all over again.
Each member of Crocodiles leaves you wonderfully hypnotised. I was stood directly in front of Marco, and when he plays bass you cannot help but fall into a similar trance. His eyes are shut, as if he is another world. You don’t know if you are meant to follow him or to slightly veer into your own way. You’ll probably meet midway anyway. Maybe at the encore. Lose your shit kids. It’s the best way to have a good time. Then we have Robin on keys who pretty much lures you in as soon as she plays. Rocking back and forth, harmonising with Brandon. You can see the enthusiasm so clearly when she plays. I cannot stress enough just how inspiring they are to watch. Robert unleashes unruly fury on the drums; I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t have abrasions after playing. He may be the newest member, but the family unity they have is still as pure as it ever was. Charlie is without a doubt the best guitarist I’ve ever seen live. He does something truly mind-blowing on that stage. You cannot help but stare. From the way he flung some beer around as he was playing the guitar to his jolting movements whilst he annihilates the guitar. The force he plays with seems so effortless; he makes you wish you could play the guitar and created your own creepy sound. Brandon’s vocals are just perfect. His yelps during Sunday to the way he sings “R-E-F-U-S-E” on the song Refuse Angels just leaves you in awe. He throttles the mic stand with frustrated force. You can tell that for him, and the others that music is everything to them. And that’s why their music means everything to their fans.
What I loved about this show was the sheer diversity in the crowd. From old guys coming to the show on their own to the lost kids finally finding a home (like myself)- this show was one of my highlights of the year. They played a solid mixture of all four records. I sang my heart out to every song, I swayed and my hearing is less than good right now. I had the best time ever. I’m not sure how to write a typical live review; all I can do is write about how the show made me feel and what I saw. I like to think I’ve sort of done that.
There were leaflets advertising their next London date which is on the 2nd October at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club. Tickets are only £10 and you can get them here: https://parallellines.ticketabc.com/events/crocodiles-2/ I cannot wait to feel this way again in October.
I’d also like to mention that Virals were incredible last night. They played for a little under half an hour I think, but it was enough for the crowd to know that Virals are a brutal talent. And you know what? My girlfriend who likes Michael Buble (I know..I know, but I see past it) turned to me and said she enjoyed Virals. She’s a good one, I know.
In short, Crocodiles blew my mind (and eardrums) last night. To see your favourite band live is beyond words; it reinforced a lot of things for me. Things that caused me to love them the first time round. Crocs are for sure, the best live band you’ll see. They put their all into it, and you return the favour by losing your mind.
As you may know, last week I finally fulfilled my desire to see one of my favourite bands, Cold Cave live. It was something which I had been waiting for quite some time. Being able to wait this long for certain things seems to be a common theme running through my otherwise average life. Electrowerkz was the perfect venue for Cold Cave. However, I do believe it was the support act that pretty much set the atmosphere for the evening.
I’m one of those people who has to arrive just before doors open because I need to see the support band. I need to see them because for the most part, you are witnessing something nobody else has yet heard of. Sometimes it is the first time the band have ever played live. It’s a sacred moment on many levels; and equally beautiful.
A duo took to the stage, covered in black. I knew immediately I was going to fall in love with them. They stood, and the music started. The music started and it felt like some kind of outer-body experience. Live music does this to me most of the time, and I guess it was heightened last Thursday because of Cold Cave.
Natural Assembly are a mysterious duo who just captivate you in the most haunting way. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the stage as they played eerie anthems in a Thursday evening. The haunting synths with vocals that could freak the most stable person out was quite simply perfect to witness before Cold Cave took to the stage. I remember just listening so intensely to Natural Assembly. I felt my body move and sway to the synths. My eyes were firmly shut at times; I cannot remember what I was picturing, but I remember what I was feeling. These are the kinds of moments that stay with you.
I’m not really one for saying who a band are made for. Natural Assembly can appeal to anyone; but mainly those who want music that gives them an elated feeling whilst in the midst of darkness. A new romantic vibe surrounds them. They are just absolutely brilliant and are one of the most memorable bands I’ve ever seen live.
As I watched them I just wanted to hear more and more. I wanted the night to go on for longer than it did. The gig (including both bands) brought a feeling I’ve not had from a live show in a while. All I know is that Natural Assembly make music that has a sense of urgency to it. Sure their sound may take you on a freakish kind of trip, but it also has some kind of apocalyptic feel to it.
I’m writing this listening to them and the same feeling is taking over. This is when you know you have found a band that a worth everything you feel. They are totally worth investing in. I’d like to mention that Forever Falling is so far, their best song. If you want power and fury; you’re going to find it alive and well in this song. One thing I can tell you is that Natural Assembly have that wonderful romantic atmosphere to their music that is found in Cold Cave. Maybe they should do a split 7″ together or something. It’d become an essential collectable for music lovers like myself. Both create dramatic music that makes you glad your heart is still beating.
I bought a t-shirt of Natural Assembly as soon as their set ended. Something inside of me knew I had watched a band full of something refreshing and much-needed that night. There was something there that just set off a bunch of emotions I have towards music. I sincerely hope they become massive and gain a cult following like Cold Cave have.
However as much as I adore the band, I know I cannot make you feel the same as I do. So, maybe you should do the right thing and listen to their music here: https://soundcloud.com/naturalassembly
Enjoy and don’t be afraid to be afraid, and to feel.
I wear my Natural Assembly t-shirt with nothing but complete and utter pride.
Having the person who’s music dragged you through hell and back and back some more, to have them sing the words that went right into your heart and made everything wrong alright again is something that is truly overwhelming. It leaves you with a smile carved onto your stained heart.
After waiting close to 5 years to see Cold Cave, tonight I finally did. Right at the front leaning on a speaker in a venue that instantly became the best place I had ever seen a band or singer.
The way in which Wes thrashes the mic stand about in a fit of fury and undeniable passion, it immediately becomes infectious. I didn’t sing to the songs, instead my body became the most free it has been in a long time. I felt it was just me and the band. Maybe tonight was all in my head. It’s going to be in my heart for the rest of my life.
Hearing songs like Hello Rats (my most personal favorite) live changes everything. It adds something to your life that not much else can. Maybe this is because I love music in such a deep and passionate way. It says the things that I simply cannot say.
What I’ve loved about Cold Cave for so long is Wesley’s way with words. From American Nightmare to Cold Cave, his words have always been a safety net for me. And for someone who isn’t a fan of the skin they are in, tonight I didn’t feel so ugly.
I’m writing this on the tube home trying to take in everything I witnessed and felt tonight. The love Wes and Amy have for each other is so beautiful to see. As he aggressively thrashes the mic stand, he becomes so calm stood next to her. We all have that one person who does that to us, and when you have it-it is for the rest of your life.
The dark stage, the dingy room; the whole atmosphere was romantic and ethereal. I closed my eyes and moved my body. I closed my eyes and I felt okay in my body.
Wes frequently walked to the edge of the stage, a drop of his sweat fell on my head. My girlfriend has told me to shower when I get home.
Tonight changed and stirred something inside. I’m aware this isn’t a typical review of a show, but typical is something we must shy away from. It was clear that Amy and Wes were humbled by the show. It was a beautiful evening.
The projector behind them said “There is hope.” Words can mean more than actions, Cold Cave proved that tonight
Last night I claimed to have found one of the best new bands. This evening I was sent another band which I can equally describe as that.
Whistlejacket are enthralling. They have a dream-like sound which is found in the likes of Savage Sister and Tamaryn. One listen isn’t enough, you’ve just got to keep playing. They have a haunting feel that cemented The Cure’s sound. They are on that level of brilliance.
They don’t have many songs on their Soundcloud page, but what they do have is enough to know that they deserve to be one of the biggest new bands around. Much like Bare Pale who I wrote about last night, they have a sound that is nothing like the “typical” London scene. It’s like they’ve acknowledge it in their own way, and shun it. There’s nothing wrong with this. Bands like The Horrors I feel were one of the few that encouraged bands to make music that sounded like nothing else. It didn’t have a futuristic glow nor did it fill you will nostalgia. It just went somewhere else, and keeps you in a solid state of mind.
I cannot tell you the best way to listen to Whistlejack, but if you’re looking for a way to truly get what they are about-play it through headphones with your eyes shut. Let the music fall from one ear into the other. The sounds swirl around in your brain. Leaving you speechless after every song, and just wanting more. For a new band to immediately do this is something truly rare and remarkable. Will this band get the recognition they deserve? I have no idea, but I truly hope they do.
Some really exciting news about them is that they are supporting Loom when they take up a 4 date residency at The Black Heart in Camden. I urge you to go, stand at the front and feel your brain implode from standing too close to the speakers.
They make music that will appeal to those who long for music of substance and for those wanting to re-live a time where music had something of worth. Of course it does now, you’ve just got to ignore certain outlets. Whistlejacket are the band that John Peel would have fallen off his seat listening to out of sheer joy and been in awe of their talent if he got them to do a Peel Session. They’d go down as putting on one of the greatest sessions, but sadly….sadly that will never happen. But I am confident that he would have loved Whistlejacket.
Whistlejacket play with the fresh enthusiasm that is missing in a lot of bands. They make music because they love it, not because some overweight CEO is dangling a carrot in front of their eyes like a tormentor would do to a rabbit. There’s a movement happening in the fair city of London, and it’s not the kind that is getting the exposure it deserves. So play them as loud as you can; people need to pay attention to this.
And hey, if you’ve got an annoying neighbour who plays drum & bass or something equally as vile as that, then play Whistlejacket as loud as you can. Not just to show your neighbour you’re pissed off, but because it just sounds so good loud.
Make sure you catch them with Loom from September. The noise, the sweat, the bruises and possibly blood will probably be one of the best gigs you’ll go to all year.
Beat In My Bones. 