martes, 6 de agosto de 2013

Debo anunciaros con indecible pesar que este blog ya no será alimentado.
Josechu nos dejó repentinamente el sábado 3 de agosto de 2013 por la mañana. Como de costumbre, nos sorprendió a todos.
Se me ha muerto la mitad de mi alma.
In memoriam  de Josechu, mi amigo del alma desde hace 47 años, escuchad Quadrophenia con el volumen a tope, fue el álbum fundador que despertó su conciencia mod.
Mantendré este blog activo mientras pueda, pero ya no habrá nueva driving music ni nada que se le parezca.
Si dios existe, seguro que ahora sabe lo que es buena música de verdad.
MadBarbax

A mi compañero, mi amigo, mi amor, al padre de mis hijos,  a ese loco de la música Mod, siempre contigo.
Mari
Os agradezco de todo corazón vuestros cariñosos comentarios sobre Josechu. A pesar de no haberlo conocido en persona, le habéis descrito perfectamente: humilde, buen tipo, educado, divertido, un maestro y un crack... y muchas cosas más. Todas ciertas os lo puedo confirmar.
Yo que tuve la suerte de conocerlo un buen día y de compartir con él casi toda una vida, puedo aseguraros que además de todo eso ha sido un fiel compañero, buen padre, cariñoso y una persona con una sensibilidad especial, poco común. Es muy difícil encontrar gente como él.
Gracias
Mari


I must tell you all with indescribable sorrow that this blog won’t be fed anymore.
Josechu left us suddenly last Saturday 3rd of August in the morning. As usual, he surprised us all.
Half of my soul is dead.
In memoriam  of Josechu, my soul mate for 47 years, listen to Quadrophenia at full blast, it was the seminal album that awoke his mod conscience.
I will try and keep this blog active for as long as I can, but there won’t be any new driving music or anything else anymore.
If god does exist, he surely knows now what really good music is.
MadBarbax

To my mate, my friend, my love, father of my children, you crazy Mod, forever with you.
Mari
I am really grateful for all your warm comments about Josechu. Even if you didn’t know him in person, you have described him perfectly: humble, good guy, polite, a fun guy, a master and a crack… and many more things. All of them true, I can confirm.
I was lucky enough to meet him one fine day and to share nearly a whole life with him, and I can assure you that on top of all that he was a faithful companion, a good father, an affectionate person with special sensitivity, and an an unusual guy. It is very rare to meet people like him.Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Mari


jueves, 18 de julio de 2013

SEARCHING...... The Numbers (US) - Ready, Steady, NO! (1999 or 2000)



Formed from the ashes of Detroit's Big Block, guitarist Kenny Tudrick fully embraces the mod influences that were only alluded to in his previous band. For a not-that-subtle hint of this, there's a pic of a scooter on the album art to accompany the style heard on the record. The album is some spirited power pop, in the style of early Who and the Jam, as played by the Plimsouls, along with a vocal style not unlike Soul Asylum's Dave Pirner (but don't hold that against them). Some of the songs go a bit trippy after a while, but that only adds to the interesting texture of the album. The music itself is not exactly cutting edge or non-derivative, but that's not really the point. These guys are obviously having fun playing songs like "Billy Rubin," which sounds like a reworking of "Summertime Blues" mixed with "My Generation." At one point they break out a processed guitar sound on "Godspeed," which recalls U2's the Edge more than anything else. This album overall is a great example of punk-influenced, mod rock & roll.

I don't have so much info about this band. Four songs from the album Ready Steady No! (hard to find...).....I got these songs in 1999 or 2000.....(mp3.com), I think. Another mod group lost in time.....?

*****1 Fast
    2 Sometimes
    3 Cutshort
****4 Left Behind
****5 Billy Rubin
     6 Kerosene                   
****7 Green
     8 4 X 5
     9 Justice
    10 Godspeed
    11 Bridesmaid                               more info: HERE

Grupo americano del que no conozco demasiado. Sólo cuatro canciones que vienen de los tiempos de mp3.com, bitrate 128 Kbps, que nos dan una idea de lo que fue este grupo y nos dan ganas de conseguir más....... un poco más de información: AQUI


Numbers - Left Behind

miércoles, 3 de julio de 2013

VVAA - Driving Music #5 (2013)

This is the music I listened to this month, well, these last two or three weeks.I usually burn a CDR with many mp3 archives so I can listen to all the records in the car.
You can find in comments a link to the compilation "Driving Music#5, one song per record.As usual: mod, groove, power pop, indie, garage and beat.
 The Albums:

Groove Tunnel - Rainy Day 7'' (1995)
Jarvis Humby - Get On Board My Train 7'' (1997)
Los Straitjackets with Sarah Borges - Let's Spend The Night Together 7'' (2012)
New Street Adventure - Stay It Like You Mean It (2012)
P. Hux - Live Like A King EP (2008)
Parade! - The Beach 7''(1998)
Red Jackett Mine - Bellar & Bowl 7'' (2012)
Scissors & The Cuts - 3 July (2012)
Stanley Road - Mieres Bridge 7'' (2012)
The Babelkinks - The Babelkinks Single (2012)
The Brilliant Corners - Growing Up Absurd EP (1985)
The Buffets - Saucy Jack (2006)
The Clique - Hello Sunshine 7'' (1998)
The Disturbed - Eye Spy 7'' (1997)
The Fire Dept - Last One There 7'' (1994)
The Men - Four Good Men and True (2010)
The Others - About My Time 7'' (1997)
The Vandalias - The New Sell Out, Recop (2012)
Trio Valore - Rehab 7'' (2008)

The driving music #5 songs:


De nuevo otra selección de Driving Music, un tema por cada uno de los discos que voy escuchando en el coche a diario. En Comentarios teneís el acceso al archivo.

viernes, 22 de marzo de 2013

Tranzmitors desde 2005



Tengo que empezar este comentario pidiendo perdón. Perdón por no haber conocido antes, por no haber hablado antes de los Tranzmitors, con el agravante de tener por el disco duro su EP "Live A Little More" de 2008, archivo que seguramente bajé de algún blog amigo y dejé para una posterior escucha y búsqueda de información de la banda......algo bastante normal en estos tiempos en los que la inmediatez de internet hace que todo pase demasiado rápido, olvidando con facilidad las tareas pospuestas.
Pues bien, dando saltos por la web me pasé por el blog my new kind of kick  y aunque mi francés casi se reduce a "omelette" se despertó de nuevo mi interés por la banda y por tanto búsqueda de información y archivos sobre ellos.
Son de Canadá, Vancouver, mods y provienen de varias bandas de la zona (The Smugglers,The New Town Animals, Bum y The Parallels) estando en activo desde 2005, publicando el primer single en 2006. Tienen una buena cantidad de singles, parte de ellos recopilados en "Busy Singles" 2009 y un LP o larga duracion "Tranzmitors" de 2007. En 2012 publicaron el single "Concrete Depression/A Little Bit Closer" al que corresponde la imagen que he puesto en la cabecera.
Como siempre hay que poner etiquetas a su música: punk pop mod, power pop to the people como dicen ellos o revivalistas. Revivalistas, cuando aparece esta palabra suelo pensar que si hubiesen publicado sus singles en 1977 serían la bomba pero que al hacerlo en 2007 (por eso de 30 años después) son revivalistas ,cuando lo que realmente me importa es que escucho sus discos de un tirón, que me gustan todos los temas (en especial los singles!!!) y que me han alegrado el día. Sólo por eso merecen la pena.
Los podéís escuchar en su página de bandcamp. Hay un par de singles en descarga gratuita. Si no os basta con escuchar y necesitáis algo más, pues lo pedís, que a estas alturas hay confianza.
Este es su facebook.

lunes, 25 de febrero de 2013

The Vice - The Vice EP (2013)



Moscow's scene is pretty damn active lately. Along with The Thunderbeats LP, here's a new teen combo, The Vice wich is getting bigger and better and surely deserves your attention. Mixing jangly folk-garage-pop with hints of indie rock the lads have released a terrific four track debut-EP.
Expecting to see them live in Europe pretty soon all you can do is enjoy the record, expecting also a complete album planned for early 2014. You'll probably find yourself singing around their songs in the shower or driving your car. Yes they're that catchy too! Last but not least the four track's housed in a beautiful purple illustration cover, courtesy of our artist Alessandra Monoriti, that captures the moodiness as well as the tension of this debut. Cockney-speaking customers beware, these guys' Russian accent might be too strong and not just your cup of tea, but hell, they have the sound, the looks, focus and the attitude!

from Teen Sound Records (Misty Lane) page.

Visit Misty Lane. or the new Misty Lane Shop and buy it!!!!

...

Se ve que la escena de los países del Este va bien, en especial Rusia, grupos como The Riots, The Karovas Milkshake, The Thunderbeats..... y ahora The Vice alegran un poco nuestros oídos mod. The Vice acaban de publicar su primer EP bajo el sello Teen Sound Records (Misty Lane), lo cual ya es algo a tener en cuenta, EP de cuatro canciones con sonido revivalista (siempre es revivalista, esta palabra sale siempre....je) que ya me hacen esperar su próximo disco, previsto para 2014, parece ser.
Hasta hace poco andaban los temas por bandcamp y soundcloud.... no sé. Si alguien está muy interesado que me lo pida.


viernes, 8 de febrero de 2013

Kriptolites - Mueve Tus Pies Con....Kriptolites (2013)


 Kriptolites nos traen sonidos jamaicanos para hacer mover nuestros pies, reggae, rocksteady y soul, cantado en español y lo cierto es que sonando estupendamente. No se trata de una banda nueva, de ahora mismo, ya llevan en esto desde 2009 cuando publicaron su primer EP de seis temas: Reggae Steady Go!!! que sacaron a pasear desde su Jaén por todo tipo de salas, discos, garages.... lugares varios donde poder hacer un guateque. Es inevitable que se les pregunte por sus influencias pero si te responden que van desde Raphael a Toot & The Maytals , de Aggrolites a Ventures o de The Coasters a Los Bravos...... pues no me sorprende en absoluto. Me gustan.



--------------------
Buscando algo sobre ellos he encontrado:

Kriptolites ya han mostrado sus cartas, es una de las propuestas más refrescantes y originales de la escena jiennense; Soul, Surf o ritmos algo más yeyés demuestran que estos adictos a los guateques salvajes tienen un set amplio y variado no estancándose sólo en el sonido Skinhead arquetípico.
Ellos han lanzado una pregunta: "Are you ready for rocksteady?" Ahora te toca reflexionar si tú lo estás.(Ramon Honrado Reca)

  Después de pasear su primer EP Reggae, Steady, Go! por algunas de las mejores salas de conciertos de Andalucía(Planta Baja, La Tetería, Le Club…) y sonar en algunos de los mejores programas radiofónicos del país (Flor de Pasión, El Sótano…) estos chicos de la capital están dispuestos a hacer mover los pies con el mejor Reggae cantado en español hasta el último rincón del mundo. Con su nuevo trabajo  recién grabado, más cercano a las raíces de la música jamaicana que el anterior, y esperando la salida de la compilación que homenajea a The Clash en clave  Reggae editada por "Golden Single Records" donde participan con una versión de "Police on my back"; desde Jaén queremos lanzar una pregunta que más bien es un reto :
       Are you Ready for Rocksteady? (Asociacion Rock Martos ACROMA)
---------------------
Podeís escuchar, BAJAR, sus discos en la página de Bandcamp. Yo ya lo he hecho.

viernes, 4 de enero de 2013

Lukas Sherfey - Spend My Days 7'' (2008)


Como ya sabeís,o veís a menudo en este blog, me gusta el formato single o EP bien sea en vinilo (lo prefiero), CDs o archivo digital mp3.
Además creo que los archivos single cumplen una buena función en un blog, si no conoces al grupo o artista del single, te haces una rápida idea del mismo escuchando el tema de la cara A, tema que a buen seguro aparecerá en el LP o CD siendo una de las canciones más representativas del disco y que hará que te entren unas enormes ganas de conseguirlo. Si ya conoces al grupo y el tema de la cara A, suele ser habitual que en la cara B aparezcan temas alternativos, demos o canciones que no aparecen en el LP con lo que aumenta tu conocimiento sobre el artista y tus ganas de conseguir más.
Vamos, que dando dos o tres cancioncillas en descarga se consigue una mayor difusión de la buena labor del artista o grupo, propaganda del mismo y sonrisas amplias entre los asiduos a este blog.

Pero vamos al single en cuestión. Lukas Sherfey es miembro del grupo "The Movement", activos desde 2002 y con unos cuantos discos editados (info),en 2007 el grupo se tomó un descanso y Lukas Sherfey empezó una serie de actuaciones en plan acústico y en 2008 publicó el disco "Soul Vacation" (The Movement Records). The Movement se volvieron a reunir en 2010 y luego vino la publicación de un EP y un larga duración.
El disco "Soul Vacation" deriva hacia temas más soul o blue eyed soul pero recordándome canciones de Movement como "A Little Rain" del disco "Revolutionary Sympathies" de 2005. Puede que sea por la pinta elegante de Lukas Sherfey, pero suelo asociar su disco con Rinaldi Sings, cosas que tiene uno.

viernes, 30 de noviembre de 2012

VVAA - Driving Music #4 (2012)

 This is the music I listened to this month, well, these last two or three weeks.I usually burn a CDR with many mp3 archives so I can listen to all the records in the car.
You can find in comments a link to the compilation "Driving Music#4, one song per record.As usual: mod, groove, power pop, indie, garage and beat.


Clairy Browne & The Bangin Rackettes - Baby Caught The Bus 2011
Fred Leslie's Missing Link - I Got So Much Trouble In My Mind EP 2008
Headquarters - O and O 2007
Hurricane Fighter Plane - Hurricane Fighter Plane EP 2011
Jacco Gardner - Clear The Air 7'' 2012
Les Fleurs De Bach - Psychologique EP 2010
Nelsonics - Ruins Of Rome 2005
New Street Adventure - Just The Kind Of People EP 2011
Paradise - Diary On An Old Soul 2012
Red Jacket Mine - Listen Up If The World Is Going Hell 7'' 2012
Stone Foundation - Away From The Grain 2010
Suedehead - So Frantic EP 2010
The Gonks - Float Yer Boat 2009
The Higher Elevations - There is A Town EP 2005
The Link Quartet - Long Live The Link 2007
The Phantom Keys - The Real Sounds Of 2011
The See See - Mary Soul 7'' 2011
The Strides - Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band EP 2010
Thee Vicars - You Lie 7'' 2009


De nuevo otra selección de Driving Music, un tema por cada uno de los discos que voy escuchando en el coche a diario. En Comentarios teneís el acceso al archivo.

miércoles, 17 de octubre de 2012

The Stairs - Last Time Around EP (1992)



This is the fourth and last EP of the band. We have four tunes again, two from Edgar Summertyme, one from Ged Lynn, and the Del-Vetts version which gives its title to the record. The EP was published under the Imaginary Records label (the three preceding ones and the Mexican R'n'B LP were published by Go! Discs), and maybe it was a nice gesture for that label, as they were supposed to publish the first “Weed Bus" EP with them. After that EP the band started to implement changes, both in the staff (adding two guitars) and with Ged Lynn’s departure in 94, and in the music, drifting towards blues rock or psychodelia. All that and constant delays in the recording of their second album were conducive to the band separating in 1994. Their "second album" was "Our Life Behind The Golden Cabbage", and the Viper label was supposed to publish it in 2008 but with the title "Who Is This Is was". Previously in 2006, a compilation and alternative tunes, "Right in the Back of Your Mind", were also published under the Viper label.
The interesting bit in this "Last Time Around" EP, apart from the fact that it follows on the footsteps of the three preceding ones and that it is a mono recording, is that the four tunes do not feature in any of the two Viper records mentioned earlier.

The Stairs posts: Mary Joanna EP , Weed Bus EP.


Este es el cuarto y último EP de la banda. De nuevo aparecen cuatro temas, dos a cargo de Edgar Summertyme, uno de Ged Lynn y la versión de los Del-Vetts que dá título al disco.El EP se publicó bajo el sello Imaginary Records (los tres anteriores y el LP Mexican R'n'B fueron editados por Go! Discs) y puede que fuese un detalle hacia ese sello ya que se suponía que el primer EP "Weed Bus" lo iban a publicar con ellos. Tras este EP la banda empezó con cambios, tanto de personal (se incluyeron dos guitarras más) y la salida de Ged Lynn en el 93 como de música, derivando hacia el blues rock o psychodelia. Todo esto y los continuos retrasos en la grabación de su segundo álbum propiciaron la separación de la banda en 1994. Su segundo álbum iba a ser"Our Life Behind The Golden Cabbage", y se supone que el sello Viper lo editó en 2008 pero bajo el título "Who Is This Is was". Anteriormente, en 2006, se publicó un recopilatorio y temas alternativos: "Right in the Back of Your Mind" también en Viper.
Lo interesante del EP "Last Time Around", aparte de seguir la línea de sus tres anteriores y estar grabado en mono, es que los cuatro temas del mismo no aparecen en ninguno de los dos discos señalados de Viper.

En el comentario en inglés de arriba, teneís los enlaces a los posts anteriores de The Stairs, links actualizados.

lunes, 8 de octubre de 2012

VVAA - Mod World Hammond Vol3 (2008)

Another personal recopilation of Hammond bands, Comments are from the bands' web pages (2008)

GENE DRAYTON UNIT (UK)

The GDU does the Hammond & horn thing in a way that references the sixties, but is at the same time thoroughly modern. With the blues at the root, the sound fuses jazz, rhythm ‘n’ blues, garage, northern soul, rock, funk and punk. Live Drayton shows are renowned for their energy, excitement and unpredictability - nothing’s ruled out in the GDU repertoire; as Gene always maintains, You Can’t Sit Still. The Unit has released 6 vinyl singles and 3 LPs, and has gigged extensively across England and in Italy, Spain, Sweden, France, Ireland, Belgium and Scotland. A new GDU single (Chips and Beans/Geno) and album (Done'n'Dusted) are now available.

SLOW SLUSHY BOYS (France)

They make great wine in France; now they also make great rock n roll. The Slow Slushy Boys have been together for nearly a decade honing a sound as vintage as a finely aged Bordeaux. But this ain't music for no sippin' sophisticate—this is foot-stompin', grape-stompin' boogaloo till you're blue party music. Whether you're on the dance floor doing the Boob or the Whelkey Walk, the Slow Slushy Boys keep the beat pumpin' and the organ wailin' like no one since Manfred Mann first belted out "Doo Wah Diddy." This collection represents their first American CD, which gathers 16 of their best tracks from the past 7 years: "Do the Boob," "She-Demon," "Get Back," "Nobody But a Snobby Fool," and many more. When you're in a quandry over what musical concoction to serve your friends at your next happening, make it slushy!

SPEEDOMETER (UK)

UK's premier funk band started out as a quartet gigging in small clubs in the Southeast of England in 1999, playing classic funk tunes by artists such as The Meters and The JB's. The band soon expanded, adding the now renowned horn section and vocalists (The Speedettes) in 2001, which has enabled them to deliver the powerhouse deep funk sound they're known for today.
Over the years, Speedometer has worked with many of the US funk legends including Joe Quarterman, Eddie Bo, Marva Whitney, Sharon Jones, James Bell (Highlighters), Lee Fields, and Billy Wooten. All the artists were blown away by Speedometer's authenticity to the original soul-funk sound.
In 2000, the first single was released "Soul Safari" on Soul Fire Records and soon followed several other releases by other labels. Each limited 45 single sold out to a rapidly growing funk audience. Three years later the band joined forces with Blow it Hard Records to record the first Speedometer LP. THIS IS SPEEDOMETER (VOL.I) blended their love of heavy deep funk but fused it with Soul and Latin grooves that gave the eagerly awaiting funk fans and DJ's one of the best new funk albums since the 1970's.
2005 saw the follow up album "THIS IS SPEEDOMETER (VOL. 2)". This second volume proved the bands credentials in delivering unrivalled heavyweight funk grooves and super-soul vocals from soul diva Ria Currie and the Speedettes. The funky re-work of Beyonce's "Work it out" has been one of the most successful new funk 45's to date and in the top 10 of discerning funk/soul DJ's.
Speedometer has played all over UK, Europe and Japan over the last 2 years and now are about to release their 4th album ("4 Flights Up", due April 2007). The early indications from the band suggest the heaviest funk is yet to come....

STONED SOUL PICNIC (UK)

Stoned Soul Picnic are an instrumental Hammond Organ based combo formed in 1999 by four musicians with a mutual enthusiasm for the funky soul grooves laid down by the likes of The Meters and The Mohawks. With a sound led by swirling Hammond and fatback drums, the band have carved a reputation as a formidable live funk band, with a string of successful festival and club dates across the U.K and Europe. Stoned Soul Picnic played a blinding gig, impressing all with a set of soul/funk Hammond grooves.well worth checking out ! Stoned Soul Picnic headlined the Saturday night show, serving up a huge slice of Hammond driven soul much to the delight of the huge crowd in attendance Scootering Magazine I knew it would be good but this was something else..Hammond heaven !!! Put simply, Stoned Soul Picnic live is a totally awesome experience. Ill definitely jump on the boogaloo highway to catch them again soon ....JTQgroove.com The band are also available with the sensational vocalist Marika, whose voice can be heard on countless soul/dance records thanks to her session work for Café del mar and many others. Marika features on SSPs LP on 2 tracks and adds another dimension to thr bands live sound with her powerhouse soul vocals. The bands 45rpm vinyl releases have become staples on funk DJs playlists all over the world, and have become collectors items in their own right. Stoned Soul Picnic have also featured on Exile on Hammond Street on Acid Jazz records, Soul Shakers Vol.2 and Lets Boogaloo Volumes 1 & 3 on Italys Recordkicks label. The new 45 Erotic cakes was released on French label Soul cookers in January 2006 to rave reviews and is a taster for the much anticipated LP due later in the year.

SLIM ALLAN 3 (Finland)

Slim Allan 3 started at Helsinki, Finland in1998. The band is basically a traditional ODG,organ-drums-guitar trio. The main influences comes from the 60's instrumentals, Funk, Jazz and Blues: Wes Montgomery Trio, Jack McDuff, Booker T. & MG’s, JB’s. From the beginning the band’s line-up has been the same: Petri Rannikko (Hammond C3), Jarmo Vannemaa (Drums), Aslak Lindeman (Guitar). They come from a background of paying their dues in various local R&B, Blues and Jazz acts.
In 2001, SA3 did release their first 45 single “The Big Set-Up / Doggy Bag” (POPSI-001) for Popangel label. The good feedback was a surprise for Popangel staff and especially for the band members. The late-60s JB’s-styled groove and a jazzy tune with drum breaks found favour in Scandinavia and England. Local radio stations and Dj’s were also interested about this fairly unknown Organ Trio.
The second 45 single “Bug Hunt / Gun Court” (POPSI-002) was released in 2002. Again with the help of Popangel staff & label. This time the band was featured by an old-skool Turntable specialist, Dj Pedro de Cabo Pasto. Echoes from the Blues, Reggae and psychedelic 70’s are heard in this release. On the top of the all there are those cone busting Hammond C3 bass pedals, the trademark of SA3.
The future? In Slim Allan 3’s case it’s based on old Hammond C3, Fender Telecaster through a black-face Deluxe Reverb amp, vintage Ludwig drums and tight, groovy Organ Trio sound.

MIKE PAINTER (Italy)

Composer and hammond player from Milan, Mike Painter (Michele Pingitore) began his career in the early eighties as member of the mod-beat band "Four By Art".They made two albums for the Electric Eye label.Following this success, Mike then formed mod-soul group "The Investigators" releasing a record for Voxx Pop. Another Mike's bands are "Il Santo" and "Mr Tokyo And Beat Goes On".Finally aftermany years spent in different bands here it is his solo project band: "Mike Painter & The Family Shakers".Mike brings us a rich blend of sublime Hammond leads and cool modern jazz sounds.


De nuevo otra recopilación personal de grupos hammond que iba descubriendo hacia el año 2008, seguramente los temas que incluye los encontré como canciones sueltas pero que hicieron sentir ganas de encontrar más de los grupos en cuestión. Desde luego que ese es el principal motivo de estas recopilaciones, mover a buscar más, mostrar temas que puede no estén en los discos oficiales o simplemente juntar unos cuantos temas que ya conoceís.



jueves, 27 de septiembre de 2012

Some ReUps

                          On request........
The Event - This is The Event ----- Uno
The Itch - From Wigan To Brighton 7'' ----- Dos
Manual Scan - The Lost Sessions EP ----- Tres
Five Thirty - Bed ----- Cuatro

viernes, 21 de septiembre de 2012

Dot Dash - Winter Garden Lights (2012)


From time to time I receive a mail with information about a band and a request for a comment on it in this blog. I usually listen to the tunes I receive, look for info on the band, and if I am convinced/like it, I post it. In this case with Dot Dash it’s been easier, I already knew the band, as Bill Crandall, who plays guitar with the mod band Modest Proposal, also plays with them (1st reason to comment on them), and after listening to the tunes (2nd reason) there’s no doubt left. Dot Dash have been at this for some time, since 2010 , and before their 1st record "spark>flame>amber>ash" in 2011 they had released the "Hurrah" EP in 2010. You can find comments on "Spark>..." and some download songs in the blogs wilfullyobscure, hangoverhardshotgunsolution or icecreamman1967.
The band is classified as after punk, possibly due to the fact that the rest of the members come from bands like "Julie Ocean" or "Swervedriver", but listening to them I decide I like them and that it’s worth following them. Just listen to the choruses in Faraway, the beginning of Writing on the Wall or… well, just listen to the whole record in bandcamp and draw your own conclusions.
Winter Garden Light is put out by the same Canadian label that put out the first one out (one year ago): The Beautiful Music, where you can buy it. Also as download in itunes or buy-listen the album in Bandcamp.
Two streaming songs in soundcloud.
One download song here. Courtesy from the band.

Dot Dash is a four-piece band (two guitars, bass and drums) from Washington D.C.
  Band info at their facebook page.
    Guitarist/singer Terry Banks and bassist Hunter Bennett were in punky power poppers Julie Ocean.
    Before that, Terry was in The Saturday People (Slumberland label), Tree Fort Angst (Bus Stop label),        Glo-Worm (K Records), and St. Christopher.
     Guitarist Bill Crandall was in the mod/pop band Modest Proposal.
     Drummer Danny Ingram began musical life in early Dischord-label punks Youth Brigade before moving on to Strange Boutique and, later, U.K. guitar-wranglers Swervedriver.

.
De vez en cuando recibo algún correo en el que se me dá información sobre una banda y la petición de hacer si es posible un comentario sobre ella en este blog. Suelo escuchar los temas que me envían, buscar información sobre la banda y si me convence o gusta lo publico. En este caso con Dot Dash ha sido más sencillo, ya conocía al grupo debido a que Bill Crandall guitarra del grupo mod  Modest Proposal está con ellos (motivo 1 para comentarles) y tras escuchar los temas recibidos (motivo 2) ya no hay dudas.
 Dot Dash ya llevan tiempo en activo, desde 2010 , y antes de su primer disco: "spark>flame>amber>ash" en 2011 ya habían publicado el EP "Hurrah" en 2010 .Podeis encontrar comentarios sobre "Spark>..." y algunos temas para bajar en los blogs wilfullyobscure, hangoverhard, shotgunsolution o icecreamman1967.
 Grupo clasificado como after punk, posiblemente debido a que el resto de componentes vienen de bandas como "Julie Ocean" o "Swervedriver", pero escuchando su música decido que me gustan y que merece la pena seguirles. No hay más que oir los coros de Faraway, el inicio de Writing on the Wall o.... bueno, mejor escuchar el disco completo en bandcamp y sacaís vuestras propias conclusiones.
Winter Garden Lights ha sido sacado al mercado por el mismo sello canadiense que editó su anterior trabajo: The Beautiful Music, ahí podreís comprar la versión CD. En plan digital o download: en itunes o en bandcamp.
Bajaros una canción, cortesía de la banda, aquí .

Vídeo de Learn How To Fly de su anterior disco spark>flame>amber>ash

domingo, 16 de septiembre de 2012

The Chemistry Set - New Single in October


The cult London Psychedelic-Pop band The Chemistry Set return to the fold with another three track 7” vinyl single - ‘Come Kiss Me Vibrate And Smile’, ‘Time To Breathe’ and a cover of Tomorrow’s ‘Hallucinations’.                                                                                                                                .
The single will be released on the English ‘vinyl only’ label ‘Fruits de Mer’ on 20 October. It will be available in 2 different colours of vinyl in a gatefold sleeve.
Their last ‘Fruits de Mer’ single sold out within 48 hours. It will be available direct from FDM & Rough Trade records.


The Chemistry Set have quite a history. Veterans of the alternative Manchester label “Imaginary” and cassette only label “Acid Tapes”, they helped lead the neo-psychedelic boom of the late 1980's. During this time The Chemistry Set were featured in the British and European underground press, had mainstream and underground radio play worldwide and countless fanzine appearances, including releasing 3 flexi discs with fanzines (remember them?).

Indeed counting Factory & Hacienda boss Tony Wilson amongst their fans, The Chemistry Set reached the coveted Indie Top 20. Receiving regular airplay on the legendary John Peel’s show (Peel even went so far as to sending the band a hand-written fan letter!),

Their return in 2008 came about when their unreleased LP from 1989 “Sounds Like Painting” somehow was uploaded onto numerous blogs and was downloaded over 10,000 times.

"The Psychedelic scientists exquisite English Toytown Acid-Pop songs achieve rare combinations of muscle and melody”
THE SUNDAY TIMES

You can find the 3 songs of the single and more in their soundcloud page, or bandcamp.

Here is  the song "Impossible Love" from the last single:



Or you can go to the original youtube video and find others.........

The Chemistry Set han anunciado nuevo single para mediados de Octubre. Tres nuevas canciones dentro del estilo al que nos tienen acostumbrados. El grupo es para mí algo especial, acostumbrados al regreso de bandas tras más de veinte años sin publicar, las cuales nos defraudan un poquito con su nuevo material, me encuentro con que desde la aparición del EP "Alchemy #101" en 2009 o "This Day Will Never Happen Again" en el año siguiente, el nivel de las canciones es alto haciendo mantener mi interés por esta banda, tanto en el nuevo material como en la búsqueda de todo lo anterior. Bueno, me falta seguir la pista al disco publicado en 2011 por Tsunami Music: Chemistry is just Numbers, con remezclas y algún tema nuevo. Ya se publicó por aquí un comentario sobre su mini LP "Wake Up Sometimes" del 90.
Por ahí arriba teneís enlaces a las canciones de este nuevo single, bien en soundcloud, bien en bandcamp.
Encontrada biografía en Dead Bees Records.

jueves, 9 de agosto de 2012

Driving Music - 3



This is the music I listened to this month, well, these last two or three weeks.I usually burn a CDR with many mp3 archives so I can listen to all the records in the car.
You can find in comments a link to the compilation "Driving Music#3, one song per record.As usual: mod, groove, power pop, indie, garage and beat.


Andy Lewis - Good Soul in the Good Times 7 (2011)
Cow - Cow (2010)
DC Fontana - The Contessa 7 (2009)
Groovy Uncle - Play Something We Know (2011)
Kurt Baker - Rockin' For A Living EP (2011)
Les Rivals - Who Are You 7 (2009)
Mr Bridger - Go To Know Your Name 7 (2010)
Queen Electric - Queen Electric EP (2011)
The Absolutes - She's Alright With Me (2010)
The Anydays - She's Not The One 7 (2011)
The Badge - EP (2010)
The Connection - New England's Newest Hit Makers 12'' (2011)
The Fleet Street - The Save Me Session (2011)
The Frank and Walters - The FaW Collection (1991)
The Get Up - Getup & Groove! (2007)
The Greatest Liar - The Girl With The Chesnut Eyes (2011)
The How - Happy Matt 7 (2006)
The Past Yense - Feeling Bad 7 (2010)
The Shazam - Godspeed The Shazam (2003)
Tracie - The House That Jack Built 7 (1983)
VVAA - Shake (2007)


 Paso bastante tiempo en el coche, como muchos de vosotros, así que es un buen lugar para escuchar la música que me gusta o que normalmente no tengo tiempo de escuchar. Suelo mantener el CDR con unos cuantos discos en mp3 durante dos o tres semanas, tiempo suficiente para empaparme de todos ellos.
En comments teneís un enlace a una recopilación de esta serie, mod, groove, power pop, indie, garage y beat.

martes, 24 de julio de 2012

Tributes-to-The-Who records 1996 and 2012


  VVAA - Quadrophenia 1996 The Who Tribute (1996)

     
Another compilation of-tribute to The Who? Well, yes. Some times these type of records mushroom in November (in Spain..) and maybe you get tired of them or they’re more of the same… but I like this tribute for several reasons. It’s Quadrophenia, it’s difficult to find (maybe in iTunes), but it’s mainly for the bands featuring in it, as most (or even all) of them belonged to or published records with Detour Records in 1996, i.e. The Persuaders, The Chosen, The Shreds, The Shambles, Ravengers, The Strange, Kickstar, The Most, Sharp Kiddie, The Shreds, Groove Tunnel, Acrylic Tones or The End Of The Beginning, which is more than enough for this record to win me over, as I know and have records of all of them. All in all, it’s a good record to round off your discography.
.
Otro recopilatorio-tributo a los Who?, Pues sí. A veces este tipo de discos salen como las setas en noviembre y puede que te cansen o que sea mas de lo mismo........pero este tributo me gusta, por varias razones. Se trata de Quadrophenia, es dificill de encontrar (quizas en iTunes), pero sobre todo es por las bandas que aparecen en el, la mayoria (o todas) pertenecían o habian publicado en el año 1996 en el sello Detour Records, a saber: The Persuaders, The Chosen, The Shreds, The Shambles, Ravengers, The Strange, Kickstar, The Most, Sharp Kiddie, The Shreds, Groove Tunnel, Acrylic Tones o The End Of The Beginning, mas que suficiente para que me tenga ganado este disco, ya que conozco y tengo singles o discos de todos ellos, buen disco para completar su discografia.

1. 5:15 - The Chosen 
2. I'm One - The Strange 
3. Four Faces - The Persuaders 
4. The Real Me - Groove Tunnel 
5. Bell Boy - The Acrylic Tones 
6. The Punk And The Godfather - Ravengers 
7. Doctor Jimmy - Kickstart 
8. The Dirty Jobs - The Shreds 
9. It It In My Head? - The Shambles 
10. Drowned - The Most 
11. Joker James - Sharp Kiddie 
12. Get Out And Stay Out - The Chosen 
13. Anyway Anyhow Anywhere - The End Of The Beginning 
14. Zoot Suit - The Persuaders

                                      ------------------------------------------------------
 VVAA - The New Sell Out (2012)
                                                                                     ..                                                 

My initial comment on tribute records to The Who also has to do with the excellent record released by Futureman Records under the title "The New Sell Out", completely based on "The Who Sell Out". This record seems to have kept us waiting for 12 years. What strikes me too about this record is the sheer number of good power pop bands it features, whether doing cover versions of songs or doing the Radio London "jingles" that separated the songs in the original record, simple 30 sec-short jingles but produced by DM3, Rubinoos, Roger McGuinn, Anderson Council... Well, to get an idea, visit the bandcamp webpage, where you can listen to and/or buy the record (only $7). Covers by Grip Weeds, Myracle Brah, Brendan Benson, The Andersons or Cloud Eleven are justification enough for the record to have been commented on in powerpop blogs or fora.
It's posible that you remember another great tribute to This album: Petra Haden Sings The Who Sell Out, 2005.
.
El comentario del principio sobre los discos-tributo a los Who viene tambien a cuento del estupendo disco que ha publicado el sello Futureman Records bajo el titulo "The New Sell Out" basándose por completo en "The Who Sell Out". Disco que parece ha tardado en salir 12 anos. Lo que tambien llama la atención sobre este disco es la cantidad de buenos grupos de power pop que participan en él, bien versioneando los temas o bien haciendo los "jingles" de Radio London que aparecían entre cancion y cancion en el original, jingles de apenas 30 segundos pero realizados por DM3,Rubinoos, Roger McGuinn, Anderson Council..... Bueno, para haceros una idea, pasaros por la pagina web de bandcamp en la que podeis escuchar-comprar el disco en cuestion (solo 7$). Las versiones... a cuenta de Grip Weeds, Myracle Brah, Brendan Benson, The Andersons, Cloud Eleven....motivo suficiente para que el disco ya haya sido comentado en powerpop blogs o foros.
Para mí, otro buen disco tributo es Petra Haden Sings The Who Sell Out, 2005, cantado a capella.

lunes, 16 de julio de 2012

The Karovas Milkshake - FreakOut single (2012)



The first thing I must say is that I’m an avid follower of this group.
I like Garage music and Freakbeat or Psycho, and that is precisely what makes this trio (maybe quartet when adding a drummer substitute) from Russia (Ekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains). They have been playing now for a couple of years or more, and I think they have four records: The first two are probably self-published, two EPs with 4 songs, versions like Dirty Water, Little Girl, Jumpin' Jack Flash, No Reason to Complain... (and more versions in their concerts: I Can Only Give You Everything, When The Night Falls...) that give us an idea of their tastes and influences. Their third EP was recorded in 2010 by Vintage Records and with two versions (Is That Your Halo?, The Rock Shop and Yeah!, The Alarm Clocks) are two original songs, "Poor & Broken Child" and the fantastic "Hey Girl!" (you can listen to these songs in MySpace or Reverbnation). They recorded their single "FreakOut / Factory" in 2012, in which we are introduced to their particular Wonderland. I see this record as a natural evolution after their first "garage" songs, introducing organ and more psycho. I like it, and am waiting for their upcoming recordings.
You can listen-buy "FreakOut / Factory" (from $2) in Bandcamp. Or you can visit "my comments section".



Nada más empezar os digo que ya soy un ferviente seguidor de este grupo.
Me gusta la música Garage o Freakbeat o Psycho y eso es precisamente lo que hacen este trio (puede que cuarteto cuando se añade un batería suplente) de Rusos (de Ekaterinburg en los Urales). Ya llevan un par de años, o más, tocando y les he controlado unos cuatro discos, tres EPs de cuatro temas y este su último single, aunque que los dos primeros supongo que editados por ellos mismos con versiones como Dirty Water,Little Girl, Jumpin' Jack Flash, No Reason to Complain...o lo que he visto de ellos en concierto: I Can Only Give You Everything, When The Night Falls..que nos dan una idea de sus gustos e influencias.Su tercer EP se grabó en 2010, puede que publicado en 2011 por Vintage Records y junto a dos versiones (Is That Your Halo? de los Rock Shop y Yeah! de Alarm Clocks) aparecen dos temas propios: Poor & Broken Child y la estupenda Hey Girl! (Estos temas los podeís escuchar en su página de myspace o en reverbnation).
 En este 2012 sacan su single FreakOut Factory en el que nos introducen a su particular Wonderland. Veo este disco como una evolución natural tras sus primeras grabaciones más garageras, introduciendo órgano y psycho,y esperando ya sus próximas grabaciones.
Este single lo podeís escuchar en bandcamp, soundcloud y en myspace. También podeís hacer una visita a comments.

miércoles, 4 de julio de 2012

Review: Trolley - Things That Shine and Glow (2011)



Trolley are from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They’ve been going at this since 1995 and they do a sort of Mod Psych Power Pop or even a "paisley underground power-pop psych-pop folk-rock garage rock". This is what usually comes up in their biographies or reviews of their records. So many terms to define their music may sound like too much when applied to one song, but I think they are appropriate when we listen to their entire "Things That Shine and Glow" record. Even if it starts with "I Woke Up", garage impressions in "Pushing Too Hard"-style, that by the way reminds me a lot the sound of "The Nice Outfit", a parallel group to Trolley, we go on to more relaxed tempi with "My Obsession" or some Brit touches with "In The End", a bit of the Kinks, back to garage with "She's The Kind Of Girl"... the whole record is thoroughly enjoyable and doesn’t get tiresome after several listenings. My favorites: "I Woke Up", "She's The Kind Of Girl", "Ocean Sounds", "That Made Me Wanting You"… and the rest of the fourteen songs, teehee. As a member of the band, Paul Wall, says, "it’s not strictly mod but sixties/pop/garage". To which I can add "I like it and if I like something I make it mod when I want to".

Here, a little biography from All Music Guide:
Displaying a luminous pop/rock style supported by a masterful rhythm section, Trolley play melodious grooving tunes with two guitarist/vocalists in the forefront. The crew first assembled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the midst of the '90s, with a lineup consisting of Paul Wall (vocals, guitar), Mike Perotto (guitar, vocals), Terry Hackbath (bass), and Nick Zahn (drums). In 1996, the band released its first recording, "Love's a Twister", receiving rave reviews from the media and assuring the beginnings of a loyal fan base. Trolley's blazing pop tunes swiftly stood out on the local music scene, and they soon became more in demand than ever. During the following years, the team issued two more discs, "Here Comes Summer" and "Star of Wonder" (EPs), again achieving considerable results. In 1999, Trolley issued yet another album, "Head vs. Heart", months before entering their first major tour alongside Reel Big Fish. Trolley returned four years later with "Last Chance Dance", bringing '60s rock and '70s punk influences into the mix, followed in 2011 by the '80s jangle pop-leaning "Things That Shine and Glow".
You can hear-buy it : Bandcamp. Or visit their Facebook.

Trolley son de Milwaukee, Wisconsin, llevan es esto desde 1995 y practican un Mod Psych Power Pop o incluso "paisley underground power-pop psych-pop folk-rock garage rock.". Esto es lo que suele aparecer en sus biografías o revisiones de sus discos. Tantos términos juntos para definir su música pueden parecer demasiados cuando se aplican a una sola canción, pero creo que sí son los correctos cuando escuchas el disco "Things That Shine and Glow" al completo. Si comienza con "I Woke Up" con aires garageros a lo "Pushing Too Hard", que por cierto me recuerda mucho el sonido a "The Nice Outfit" grupo paralelo de Trolley, pasamos a tiempos más relajados con My Obsession o con aires british en "In The End", algo de Kinks, vuelta a garage con She's The Kind Of Girl.....todo el disco se te hace ameno y no se desgasta con varias escuchas. Mis preferidas: I Woke Up, She's The Kind Of Girl,Ocean Sounds, That Made Me Wanting You y el resto de los catorce temas, je. Como comenta el miembro de la banda,Paul Wall, "no es estrictamente Mod pero si sixties/pop/garage". A lo que puedo añadir un "me gusta, y si algo me gusta lo hago mod cuando quiero".
 Podeis escuchar y comprar el álbun en su página de Bandcamp. O visitar su facebook,


lunes, 11 de junio de 2012

Suedehead 2011-2012



Suedehead is one of those many groups I get to know on my visits to friendly blogs, always motivated by a positive review which catches my attention, I look for it, find it, download it or listen. Maybe not all the bands I discover surprise me 100%, but that's not the case with Suedehead. They didn’t surprised me, they delighted me. For the time being they have published three EP's, which together can make a zero-waste CD. As soon as I listened to them I remembered Gene, Costello or my beloved The Boyfriends, maybe because of Davey Warsop’s voice, but the similarity ends with a Soul or Northern touch which after a short listening time gives them their own personality.
Suedehead have their own record label, International Soul Rebel Society, I.S.R.S., which can be found in their own webpage, where you can also listen to all their songs.
.

Suedehead es uno de esos muchos grupos que acabo conociendo a través de mis paseos por los blogs amigos, siempre motivado por una crítica positiva, que te llama la atención, luego buscas, encuentras, bajas o escuchas. Puede que no todas las bandas que vas descubriendo te sorprendan al 100%, pero este no es el caso de Suedehead. No sólo me sorprendieron, me encantaron. De momento tienen publicados tres EPs,que juntos pueden formar un CD sin desperdicio. Nada más escucharlos me vino la sensación de recuerdo hacia Gene, Costello o de mis queridos The Boyfriends, puede que por la voz de Davey Warsop, pero la semejanza queda superada por un aire Soul o Northern que al poco de escucha les dá una personalidad propia.
Suedehead tienen su propio sello discográfico: International Soul Rebel Society ,I.S.R.S.,que encontrarás en su página web, también puedes escuchar ahí todas sus canciones.

lunes, 28 de mayo de 2012

The Babelkinks - The Babelkinks single (2012)


Nuevo single de mi amigo Babelain, esta vez versioneando dos temas no tan conocidos de sus adorados Kinks, I've Got That Feeling y You Shouldn't Be Sad. Soy un fan de su música y cuando revisa a los Kinks..más!!. Podeís escuchar el single o bajarlo en su blog totovaca.

domingo, 6 de mayo de 2012

Dojo Cuts - The 1-2-3's 7'' (2009)



Australia seems to be fast becoming the hottest frontier on the contemporary funk & soul scene, bands like Bamboos, Cooking on 3 Burners, Deep Street Soul, Kylie Auldist and djs like Russ Dwebury who moved his legendary Brighton Jazz Room clubnight are just some examples. Most likely candidates to became the brightest stars of this fast growing international scene are new Sydney based combo DOJO CUTS feat. young and powerful Roxie Ray on vocals... a new soulful little queen is borned! Here you find the first single "1-2-3" from debut album "DOJO CUTS feat Roxie Ray" to be released on RK in April 2009  and on the flipside a cover of Marie "Queenie" Lyons sister funk classic "See and don't see". If you dig Sharon Jones and Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigators better watch out for Dojo Cuts, Gabriel Roth and Neal Sugarman who already declared themselves fans of the band can't do wrong!
Djouls (taken from here).

You can hear all their albums : bandcamp
.
Single debut de esta banda Australiana en 2009, mezclando Funk y Soul, algo que se hace más presente en sus LPs "Dojo Cuts feat Roxie Ray" de 2009 y "Take From Me" de 2012. Influencias clásicas de James Brown, Maceo Parker o The Meters o cercanas como Sharon Jones. Como vocalista femenina aparece siempre Roxie Ray, que buen futuro la veo. El tema 1-2-3 ó "The 1-2-3's" aparece en el disco de 2009 y la cara B "See and don't see" en el recopilatorio "Mo'Record Kicks!". Todos sus discos los podeís escuchar en su página de bandcamp, y si alguien desea algo más, que pida...........