Oct
30
Rogues, Barfly, 28th October
October 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Ever wondered what happened to the the cast of the Lost Boys? Expensive haircuts, cool shoes and feathery earrings all feature when Rogues hit the stage. Hell, the bassist is called Frog and frontman/guitarist Sam James even looks like Corey Feldman. Welcome to 1987, leave all preconceptions at the door. The following review appears in […]
Sep
29
Broken Records/Story One/Simon & Eliza, Macbeth, 24th September
September 29, 2008 | 2 Comments
I like my electronica old school even if it is fake old school. Simon Mills plays gentle beats reminiscent of Bent’s lilting orchestral twiddling back when Bent were good. Layered on top, and with a crisp clarity that cries ‘look at me’, Eliza Wren Payne sings with the enthusiasm of a young girl who just […]
Jul
19
Mugison, Corsica Studios, 9th July
July 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
At a guess there are probably a few converted railway arches posing as venues throughout London, Corsica at the Elephant & Castle proudly skips on the ‘converted’ — despite the incongruous picture of Dickie Davies that greets you upon entry and the balsa wood bar, nothing much can hide that you are in fact under […]
Jun
15
Camper Van Beethoven, Popular Songs of Great Enduring Strength and Beauty
June 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Someone told me the other day that he could never review music because they didn’t have enough references to pick their way through today’s plethora of new songs. Step forward Camper Van Beethoven — godsend for all wordshy journos, musical magpies and something of a soothing panacea for the tired ear of today.
Jun
15
Gnarls Barkley, Bush Hall, Fri 13th
June 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The following review appears in the latest edition of London’s premier music ‘zine, London Tour Dates When I was at school odd couples peppered the playground like a rash, everyone remembers their own version of the über-cool dude with the happy-go-lucky sidekick. While happy boy was dressed like a scruff only too pleased to please, […]
Apr
11
Hamfatter, Metro, Sat 5th
April 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Thanks to a shut M11 Hamfatter arrived at the dingy Metro with about 30 minutes to spare — just enough time to watch the previous act stick the mike down their throat and bellow out a good dose of power rock. It’s tough turning up late with no time for even a rudimentary soundcheck, I […]
Mar
18
Mishka Adams, Soho Pizza Express, 15th March
March 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The following review appears in the latest edition of London’s premier music ‘zine, London Tour Dates You can tell when Mishka Adams likes a song. A dire cover of Air’s ‘All I Need’ was smilelessly sung through clenched teeth while Pat Metheny’s ‘The Moon is a Harsh Mistress ‘ was a real joy, sung with […]
Mar
8
The Storys, Soho Revue Bar, 6th March
March 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The following review appears in the latest edition of London’s premier music ‘zine, London Tour Dates Retuning instruments between songs is a pet hate of mine but in the name of chordal harmony I am oft prepared to swallow this unreasonable prejudice. Tweaking your strings during a song however, is surely beyond the pale. Seriously, […]