Tom Tom Club 'Mistletunes'

I don't normally listen to festive music until after 1 December but I broke that rule this evening to play the new Tom Tom Club Christmas single which arrived today. There are four tracks:

1: Il Est Né

2: Christmas in the Club (single version)

3: Christmas in the Club (extended)

4: Christmas in the Club (instrumental)

As the blurb says, "Tom Tom Club's very special christmas CD single! Not only great to listen too, but also makes a nice christmas tree decoration. Christmas in the Club features Mystic Bowie & Kid Ginseng."

It's not as bouncey as I'd have hoped for but, after all, one can't bounce too much at Christmas without spilling one's drink, so that's probably for the best.

We Mean It Maaaannn!

Night number two up in Brixton (to paraphrase Linton Kwesi Johnson) and it was time to see the Sex Pistols for the second time. My ears are still ringing from the splendid noise they made.

When I arrived the queue was right round the building so I quickly joined it to try to get a good seat in the balcony and this time I went for the other side of the balcony to get a different view. And I waited. Dum de dum. The Cribs came on and struck me as arrogant tosspots, throwing cliched poses and generally acting up - come back when you've earned the right. While they were setting up the Pistols gear, blow me, but the DJ played 'Public Image' to great applause. Dum de dum. The lights dimmed and then brightened as the doors at the back of the stage opened and on walked four living legends, John and Glen arm in arm. The Pistols are back!

After a brief comment about McLaren being on 'I'm A Celebrity' last night, they launched into 'Pretty Vacant' and hit the ground running. The setlist was the same as on Friday (I think) but I wasn't really counting, I was too busy enjoying myself.

John prowling the stage pulling his Richard III shapes and Steve and Glen keeping the riffs coming while Paul paced them all. Very tight and it looked like they were all having fun. At the start of 'Holidays In The Sun' (while we were singing 'I do like to be beside the seaside) Glen donned a knotted union jack handkerchief for his head and he and Steve did their almost Morris dance routine. At one point John asked if there was anyone in the hall under the age of 40 (to big jeers and cheers).

One of my favourites tonight was 'Problem' which just seemed so right for some reason - "The problem is YOU!". Another favourite was 'New York', with disgust in John's voice (and me thinking of the comments in his autobiography about the New York punks and heroin and the impact on Sid). And the final songs of the main set, of course, 'God Save The Queen' with the backdrop unfurled (John commented that he preferred the Queen Mum) and 'EMI' with everyone joining in the scathing chorus.

The encore was 'Bodies' followed by 'Anarchy In The UK', both of which sounded particularly savage with John throwing down the words like gauntlets, the audience joining in. Only one encore tonight (John again telling us not to be so shy in front of him). Such powerful songs and still powerful 30 years later.

Anxiety. Morality. Free CD

SLADE are joining the dizzy heights of Prince and others and having a CD released through a newspaper. Unfortunately it's The Sunday Mail. I've never bought a Mail or a Sunday Mail. It's just so wrong.

There's an article in it this week to trail the release next week and Noddy's looking good (although I'm not sure about that shirt). It's live and the track listing is:

1. Merry Xmas Everybody
2. Mama We're All Crazee Now
3. Gudbuy T'Jane
4. We'll Bring The House Down
5. Far Far Away
6. Everyday
7. Take Me Bak 'Ome
8. Thanks For The Memory
9. How Does It Feel
10.Cum On Feel The Noize

The issue isn't so much about whether I've already got these songs in live format (and, I suppose, it depends on which live versions are on this CD, which I don't know but assume they're all available on the re-releases over the past year) it's about it being a success. I don't begrudge them for one minute for agreeing a deal with that paper to release the album, and I do want it to be a success.

The trials and tribulations of a fan...

Sex Pistols at Brixton Academy

Thirty years of waiting and I've finally been Pistolled. With a capital 'P'.

Last night was Sex Pistols night, planned with military precision based on my scouting mission when I saw the Maximos there a few weeks ago. Through the ticket barrier then the gauntlet of security, straight through the foyer to the merch stand (obviously), then double back to get bottles of coke for later and upstairs to the bar and into the hall to grab seats and stay there for the rest of the evening. I was surprised to see the front half of the seats already well populated but we still found good aisle seats which should, at least in theory, give us a good view. Additional spotlights were fixed to the railing that partially obscured the view of one side of the stage but that wasn't too bad (they were filming the gig). Purple lights were streaming all over the place as the hall gradually filled up. The support band were The Thirst who were loud and fast and I couldn't make out a word of the songs but that didn't matter. It was the main act I was waiting for, nervous and hoping they would shine.

The tension rose every time something happened on or around the stage, loud music pumping from the onstage DJ, the stage sparse and simple, Paul's drums covered and off to one side. The lights went down and cheers erupted. I was looking to both wings to see where they would emerge from but they didn't. Instead, the back of the stage opened and light streamed out as they walked down the centre of the stage. They were here. Roadies wheeled Paul's drums centre-stage as they picked up guitars and John prowled the stage responding caustically to shouts of 'you fat bastard'.

Guitar rang out loudly, then drums and bass and they launched into 'Pretty Vacant' with John snarling over the top, proudly sporting a day-glo PiL vest over his white shirt. The opening was bit frustrating still sat down as instructed by security but by the third song security gave up and everyone stood and I got a great view of most of the stage and could jig around and sing along to my hearts content. It was them on stage at last and I enjoyed every moment.

The lighting was great and the empty stage gave a nice minimalist look to the event. John prowled the front of the stage, going back to get drinks either from his stash behind the monitors or from the brandy bottle on Paul's podium, gobbing more later in the set to clear his throat. Steve and Glen held the middle-ground, playing off each other and at one point dancing towards each other and then backing away, moving to and fro, and at the start of almost every song both going to Paul's podium. Paul was great on the drums, keeping it all going and controlling the pace of the songs. It was an excellent partnership and far tighter than I'd have expected from a band that plays together so infrequently, all four of them having specific jobs, three making that wonderful noise and allowing John to do his job upfront.

And John was wonderful. Was he Johnny Rotten last night or John Lydon? Who cares, in his sartorial elegance he was magnificent. Swearing, gobbing, challenging the audience, whipping us into a frenzy, howling out those sacred words he penned 30 years ago, still scary and still challenging, unsurpassed as the ultimate bad lads. He's a great front man, joking with us and getting us to sing along to 'I do like to be beside the seaside' as the intro to 'Holidays in the Sun'. And he revelled in the sea of bodies pogoing and swaying from side to side in great waves (looked great fun but I was pleased to be upstairs).

They played all their greats, all of 'Bollocks' and their classics. Great versions of 'No Fun' and I particularly enjoyed '(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone' with John dancing across the stage in stepping stone steps. The set closed with something unfurling behind them on the stage and John shouting out to 'Mr Lighting Director' to 'get some lights on it, you cunt' and there was the 'God Save The Queen' image on a £1 stamp repeated eight times as a backdrop. And they launched into a killer 'God Save The Queen' as the closer - great stuff!

Oddly enough we didn't clap and go wild for an encore and I'm not sure why. Everyone seemed to be expectant, waiting for more. Was it because we're jaded and know there'll be an encore because there always is? Or were we stunned into submission? Possibly a bit of both - I was waiting excitedly for more.

On they strolled, John saying we should make more noise because he can't hear us - 'never be shy in front of me' he said. And they exploded into 'Anarchy In The UK', one of my all-time favourite songs so I was over the moon. Then the scathing 'EMI' with everyone joining in. And then off they went again, only to return with John saying 'do you want to see my baby?' and holding his stomach - the cue for 'Bodies'!

The stage lights came on as they unslung guitars, waved at the audience and family and friends in the balcony in front of where I was standing and John, putting on his petulant act walking to the side of the stage and saying, 'After all these years and you still don't love us' and walking off. Oh how I do love 'em!

I have finally seen the Pistols, my teenage heroes who I've listened to for 30 years. I didn't see them on the previous reunion gigs because it wouldn't be the same and I wanted to remember the olden days. But this time, as soon as I heard about the 'Bollocks' celebration and the gigs I knew I had to see them. And they were magnificent.

The Beard

I still have my beard. I'm letting it grow and get bushier for the winter and for Christmas in particular. I've taken to twirling dreadlocks in it. It's a pleasant way to spend some time.

This afternoon I was called out of one of my endless series of meetings to go and brief one of our ministers. He's a new minister so I'm not sure what he wants or how he operates. We shake hands and he says something like, 'we've met before, haven't we?' and I say 'yes, a few weeks ago when we spoke about the new information system'. That was a big meeting with a few people and all the men in suits, not a one to one with me in jeans and open-necked shirt. 'O' he says, looking at me a bit puzzled. So I say, 'it's the beard, isn't it?'. And he says, 'yes!' and starts relaxing. Then we both sit down and get on with the business.

Beards have many uses. Aren't they marvelous things?

Ojos de Brujo at The Roundhouse

Back to The Roundhouse last night to see the marvelous Ojos de Brujo with Chris, sitting at the front of the balcony, centre-stage and with a great view (apart from one of the pillars but that's an aspect of the Roundhouse I quite like).

I found Ojos when I was surfing for Latin music when I got back from Mexico last year - I didn't want traditional stuff, but something a bit more dangerous and Ojos fit the bill perfectly. Latin rhythms, lots of percussion, some hip-hop singing, blended 'world music' and some flamenco thrown in for good measure. And they're from Barcelona (one of my favourite cities). I *like* Ojos and their 'Techari' album is great fun.

I've got no idea who they are, what they've done before joining Ojos or even what they sing about (since I don't speak Spanish) but I love the overall sound they make. Seeing them live was a bit of an adventure - what on earth would happen?

What happened was an excellent concert, excellent music, great singing, an interesting slide show/video show on the big screen and fabulous flamenco dancing. The band came on and started playing and a woman in all her haughty proudness stood still at the front of the stage, spotlighted and waiting... and then she started moving, feet pounding and heels clicking, arms throwing dramatic shapes and her skirt started whirling, faster and faster she moved and I just stared. How do dancers get their feet to move so quickly?

As she left the stage on came Marina to great applause and cheers, Marina being the main Ojos singer. I thought 'what's Macy Gray doing here?' since she was dressed like Macy was the last time I saw her. When she opened her mouth it was plain she was no Macy, a great voice but very different. And from there on in it was one wild song after another for about two and quarter hours (my favourite being an extended version of the Indian tinged 'Todo Tiende').

Marina took most of the vocals but sometimes Maxwell (that good old Catalan name) took the lead with his hip-hop/rap stylings. All the band had their moment in the spotlight with solos and the three percussionists did a collective solo giving the rest of the band a break. They brought on various guests to either sing or play with them, a collective that can grow or contract as needed and the flamenco dancer appeared a few times throughout the set to do her stuff or join the backing vocals. A great spectacle of colour, sound and motion, Marina and Maxwell prowling the stage exhorting the audience to move and sing.

Ojos de Brujo were great fun and I'd definitely see them again. A gig in Barcelona would be an interesting experience...

Brian Viglione at Islington Academy

Tonight saw a trip to Islington Academy to see Brian Viglione who's playing with Jesse Malin on his current European tour. It was a bit odd, in a way, to go to a gig to see the drummer but Mr Viglione is, after all, a Dresden Doll and that is all you need know.

After two support acts the band came on stage and there was Brian in a red Trinidad football top that only stayed on for the first three songs. I have no idea what songs Jesse was playing but I bet the drumming sounds very different on the recorded versions - Brian is a force to be reckoned with and it was noticeable from the first few drum beats that he is a drummer with a capital D. No thrashing away for the sake of it.

The third song had lots of cymbal and at one point it was crash wallop crash wallop and then a gentle tap on the third cymbal, almost unnoticed but simply highlighted that space in the song very effectively and thoughtfully. I was listening to the drumming, not the singing or the guitars. He's also an excellent showman, arms whirling putting heart and soul into the music and the performance, giving us someone to watch on stage. The guitarists and keyboard player just seemed to sway occasionaly but Brian was up and down off his seat, arms moving, body moving, a spectacle to watch and enjoy.

Jesse's songs did nothing for me and his rambling 'stream of consciousness' talk in between songs got a bit irritating but he clearly has a fan base and they love him. Towards the end of the show he climbed into the audience and, after getting everyone to sit down, happily wandered round talking to the crowd. That was an interesting sight. The only song I recognised was 'Death or Glory'.

I was all for leaving during the encore when Jesse went acoustic but Chris wanted to stay a bit longer and I am so pleased we did. Back came Brian and the band for a final wild song that ended with Brian being very rock and overturning his drum kit before leaving the stage. When the lights went on and people were leaving he popped out to salvage his kit and then had a brief chat with some of the young folks who were obviously there to see him. I hesitated and missed the moment and he vanished back to sort out his kit.

Drat, I thought but we went out to the foyer where Jesse was signing and saw Brian again near the door chatting to someone and Chris engaged him and asked him to sign his 'Yes Virginia' CD which gave me time to get my copy out so Brian could sign the painting of him on the inside sleeve, just as Amanda signed hers when I met her in August. He was clearly in a rush but he was all smiles and chatting, happy to sign and when I said I could tell he was drumming he said thanks, put his hands together and bowed with a grin on his face and then shook my hand. Wow. I've now been kissed and slinked on by Amanda and I've shaken the hand of Mr Viglione. I am happy. He hadn't put his top back on when he came out to the cool foyer so I hope he doesn't catch a chill or anything.

In 'Mandy Goes To Med School' Amanda sings that when she is unavailable her partner Brian would love to take care of you, and says, 'He is a nice man/Thoroughly reliable/He's in a rock band/And he goes to med school....' and it's all true except for the last statement. He *is* a nice man. And very polite. Thanks for being so nice, Brian.

Siouxsie at The Roundhouse

My second audience with Siouxsie in as many weeks and she was magnificent. Truly. I'm so pleased I was there.

First up was Comanechi, a girl drummer/boy guitarist duo who, basically, made a lot of noise, walloping those drums and shouting into the mic, but (dare I say it?) they were fabulous! I have seen the future of rock'n'roll and they can almost play their instruments. By the third song I was grinning madly to myself for the joy of that pair being on stage for the hell of it and having fun. I loved them! I asked for their CD at the merch stall but they didn't have it. And what's with these boy/girl duos with drums and guitar (like Blood Red Shoes who I saw a few weeks back supporting Maximo Park)? Is there a Dresden Dolls duo influence here?

The second support was Akala, another duo (both male), a singer and a drummer and the drummer also pressed the button on the tape machine or whatever to play the music he drummed along to. They were sort of wrappers or hippity hop, a little bit political but intelligent and a bit fun. They're not the future of rock'n'roll but were good anyway.

And then came Siouxsie. The band took to the stage and started playing the long introduction to 'They Follow You' and then there she was, looking great in a silver and black cat-suit affair like her harlequin suit, all stillettos and legs kicking and arms twisting with that mane of black hair. Followed with 'About To Happen' and 'Here Comes That Day', we were treated to virtually all of the new album except 'Heaven & Alchemy' interspersed with a few Banshees classics. No 'Dear Prudence' this time but we were treated to great versions of 'Arabian Knights' and 'Spellbound'. The set culminated with a tremendous version of 'Into A Swan'.

Then *clap clap clap* for the encore and Siouxsie returned to tell us that she performed the next song the first time she played at The Roundhouse. That means it must be an oldie, I thought, expecting 'Hong Kong Garden', but no, the disjoined riffs and wailing vocals ushered in 'The Staircase (Mystery)', surely a rare treat in anyone's book. Then she proceeded to baffle the auience around me by playing 'Kish Kash', her song from a few years ago with Basement Jaxx and a favourite of mine. And as they started to leave the stage, Siouxsie said something like 'I can't face those stairs again' (to get off the stage) and pushed the guitarist back into place to continue the encore. Getting hold of her finger-bells, they launched into 'Israel' followed by 'Hong Kong Garden' and 'Hello, I Love You'.

Siouxsie was in magnificent form, a dervish one moment and a panther the next, a ballerina in killer stilletto boots, high kicking and hopping round the stage, arms whirling and gesturing, one leg on the monitor throwing back her mane of black hair, every eye in the place rivetted on her. I was entranced. Highlights for me were the wonderful 'DroneZone' with Siouxsie prowling round the stage, 'Arabian Knights' and 'Spellbound'. But the ultimate was 'Into A Swan'. It all came together as perfection for that song, the band sounding excellent and Siouxsie in her element, throwing dramatic poses, arching her back and making swan-shapes with her arms, hands interweaving. Something about that performance had me open mouthed in astonishment. It was beautiful, there's no other way to describe it. At least it was beautiful to me.

Does it sound odd to say I feel proud of her? She's not doing nostalgia, she's still challenging and producing excellent music. I saw her on Jools Holland the other night and she blew the other guests away with a flick of her hair. Hers was the most radical music, she was the most dramtic with the biggest stage presence and she was clearly putting everything into her performance. That was full-on Siouxsie and those other bands better not forget that lesson. If they're still doing it in 30 years time I'll be astonished.

Thank you Siouxsie, I'll remember the gift of 'Into A Swan' for a long time.

We Are Seven

Congratulations to those delightful punk cabaret ragamuffins, The Dresden Dolls, on reaching the grand old age of seven as a band.

Amanda and Brian have sent their adoring fans a lovely message which I've pasted below:

Hola comrades!!

Well, damn. It was seven years ago today that our fine band was formed at a fateful Hallow's eve party. Happy Birthday us! We've obviously fallen prey to the seven-year itch, but we are Strong Like Bull! Brian is currently rocking Europe and I've been rocking Seattle with my new back-up band in prep for my solo spring tour.....things are slammin' hottt all around. We are so, so, so excited to be getting back on tour in Dresden Dolls formation this winter - especially because the support acts are smoking hot and like family to us. We love you guys & can't wait to see you out there looking your finest. Rock halloween in style.

LoveAmanda
P.S. I made a halloween zombie video

From Brian:

We, The Dresden Dolls, are hitting the road this winter and we want to see your face out there. We want you to bring as much ruckus and muster as much eye-bulging, white-knuckled enthusiasm as you can possible squeeze from every fiber of your shivering fists and chap-lined lips this December and January. Simply put, this is going to be the last jaunt around the ol' tour track for us for quite some time and we want to dedicate these shows to you. Bring it and bring it good, people. We'll see you there....

xxx Brian xxx

Aren't they just the loveliest?

Brian's over here at the moment touring with Jesse Malin so I'll be off to see him do the thumpy thing with his drums on Tuesday at Islington Academy. There will, undoubtedly, be a bloggie after that, so watch this space.

Maximo Park - Karaoke Plays

The new single is released on 3 December. 'Where are the lads?' I hear you cry. Watch out for them at 3.29 sitting on a bench. It looks chilly on the coast...