STROLL ON

It is rare that I hear an electro track that I really love, on this occasion it happened. The Afghan Raiders refix of the last Black Lips single, ‘The Drop I Hold’ is a perfect remix.

* LISTEN *

Play it Loud!

synecdoche, new york

strollon — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:20:45 +0000

so, most reviewers around have either been saying this film is extremely pretentious or a piece of genius, I agree with the latter. Having taken a gamble to go and see it at the cinema and spend a good £7 on my ticket, I was not looking to be disappointed, and I wasn’t. It was moving, original and overall, a masterpiece. I can’t really say anymore because I think this film would be best viewed no pre judgments…

You probably shouldn’t watch the trailer either…

CRYSTAL ANTLERS @ THE MACBETH – AUGUST 25TH

strollon — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:02:30 +0000

CRYSTAL ANTLERS COME BACK TO LONDON! THE EXCITING LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA BASED BAND BRING THEIR INTERESTING, EXPERIMENTAL SOUND WITH THEM. THEY WILL PLAY A ONE OFF HEADLINE CLUB SHOW AT THE MACBETH ON TUESDAY 25TH AUGUST AT THE MACBETH FOR THE STROLL ON CLUB NIGHT! SUPPORT COMES FROM THE SETTING SON & SCREAMING TEA PARTY…

TICKETS ARE PRICED AT A MERE £7 IN ADVANCE FROM:

http://seetickets.com/see/event.asp?e%7Cartist=CRYSTAL+ANTLERS&n|artist=null&resultsperpage=20&filler1=see&filler2=art-srch&orderby=date

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/53253

OR BUY THEM ON THE DOOR FOR £8…

SEE YOU THEN!

amazing baby – hoxton bar & kitchen – review

strollon — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:54:06 +0000

from ‘in the news’

Tristan Kennedy sees the New Yorkers in shape for bigger and better things.

Announcing their arrival on the small, sweaty stage with a howl of feedback, Band of Skulls launch into their first song and soon get the crowd at Hoxton’s Bar and Kitchen nodding along appreciatively.

From the off, it’s obvious that this three-piece boast tunes that are far catchier than either their bizarrely heavy-metal name or their position on this bill would suggest. In songwriting terms they keep it simple. Russell Marsden and Emma Richardson throw crunchy riffs back and forth between their guitar and bass while Matthew Hayward anchors the tunes with a solid, reliable beat. There’s no pretension here. If anything, in fact their sound harks back to the stripped back approach of grunge. Marsden even looks like a combination between Kurt Cobain and the teenage antihero of Gus Van Sant’s film Elephant. Appropriately enough, they accompany their performance with a Pachyderm-related projection, showing Disney’s Dumbo on the screens behind them. And there is definitely something hulking and heavy about the band’s bass-driven compositions.

But, like Dumbo, these elephantine anthems are also capable of lifting off. Richardson and Marsden mix their voices beautifully to create soaring harmonies on songs like the standout single Fires, adding a strange air of fragility to the proceedings.

The same could not be said of the second band to take the stage. There is nothing fragile about Dead Kids‘ music, or their frontman’s attempts to create a winning stage presence. While the five-piece thrash through their indie repertoire, their mic-man throws himself around the stage like a deranged chimpanzee on speed. He swings from the lighting rig, trips over a monitor and falls off the stage. At one particularly obnoxious juncture, he rips the flash off a photographer’s camera. He then tosses it angrily into the crowd when he realises it’s not the bit he needs to take a photo of himself. The overall effect of all this ego is to detract from the band’s music, which is unfortunate. Because, although they are hampered by a muddy live sound, Dead Kids’ energetic tunes have in them the potential to be bouncy, funny and fun, rather than predictable and pretentious, as they are here.

Amazing Baby‘s music could not be described as bouncy or funny, but it’s definitely fun. Their epic anthems provide a welcome contrast with what has gone before. Fronted by a genuinely charismatic figure in the shape of long-haired Brooklynite Will Roan, these New Yorkers trace their musical heritage back to krautrock. In a live context, their prog-influenced songs are powerful but still rock, while the band conjure up shades of Kasabian with their long-haired exuberance. By drenching everything in delay, the band give off the impression that their music is designed to be played in larger arenas. They are certainly tight enough to be able to do so. Their guitarists not only widdle away quite happily in thirds, but manage the even more impressive feat of doing so without instantly bringing the worst excesses of Iron Maiden solos to mind.

However, although this undoubtedly impressive band may be ready for bigger and better things, it’s possible that their progress may be hampered by their current lack of truly catchy hooks at the heart of their songs.

Tristan Kennedy

Great Escape: Day Two

strollon — Sat, 16 May 2009 17:19:13 +0000

So, after the treck that was my journey home on Thursday night, I was in high spirits for day two of the Great Escape. I made my way to Brighton with dreams of magic. I arrived later than the previous day, which meant less waiting around. I headed straight for the Salley Bennis Theatre located in Brighton University. There was already a queue of 100 or so people. I dipped in with the boys from Yves Klein Blue, who I put on at my last night at the social, brilliant band, check them out! We went into the venue, where we were greated by another queue for beer. Once at the front I ordered two Red Stripes, which was the drink of the Festival as it was priced at a cool £2.50 a can… Once in the actual venue, it wasn’t long before The Veils took to the stage. I had never heard them and was very impressed. They had a very interesting sound and original structures to their songs. Thoroughly enjoyable. Next up was Micachu & The Shapes who blew the crowd away with there tight angular tunes and interesting instruments. There sound is different to anyone I’ve seen before and they played a terrific set. This left me happy even though Mystery Jets had pulled out…

I headed to the Komedia Theatre in the old part of town for Golden Silvers, only to find out that they to had pulled out. Not Happy. Oh well, i thought, so I headed to the Pavillion Theatre, where I was welcomed by a queue. When I eventually got in the venue I found that the venue was half empty, why the queue I asked myself? Still, I caught the last song of Crystal Antlers set. which I thought sounded good, too bad I didn’t see the rest of it. Next up were The Phantom Band, who I knew nothing about, there name sounded good though. They arrived on stage and looked to be from the great hills of America or somewhere where people are more deep… It turned out they were from Glasgow, beards can often be deceiving. They were not bad, but not good. A bit pointless, without being harsh… Anyway, next up were the wonderful Vivian Girls, who excited the crowd and lifted the room once again. Playing a fast set climaxing with a version of ‘Tell The World’ where all three members of the band swapped instruments whilst keeping it all going. I recommend this band highly.

Then it was home time. I missed Johnny Flynn, but nevermind, theres always next time! I was home by midnight thankfully and had time to listen to a couple of Kinks albums.

Best band of the weekend: AMAZING BABY. followed closely by Black Lips and Mika Miko. Good couple of days!

Today is rest day, as is tomorrow, then back on it Monday with Kimya Dawson.

Also, this saturday sees Stroll On take to the Wilmington Arms for a special show with Roses Kings Castles, Tom Williams & The Boat, Ben Sommers and Joei Supernova. Tickets are going fast so act quickly and get yours from here: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/44814

Tell the world your coming here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=59790357243&ref=ts

SAFE

Great Escape: Day One

strollon — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:56:26 +0000

The evening started with a wait to be let into Audio in Brighton. I had managed to kill a few hours with shopping around the old part of Brighton which was fun. Then came 7pm. Doors opened for Audio, The small bunker style club was perfect for the bands chosen. Video Nasties opened up the night. I had been wanting to see them for a while, but never managed to. I should have! They were brilliant, storming through there garage pop tunes with fierce energy, they perfectly warmed the crowd up for the next band who were set to play, Mika Miko, and they were amazing. Whipping the audience into a frenzy with there wonderful garage punk style. Next up were hype band Dananananaykroyd, and that’s all they are, a hype band. Then it was time for headliners Black Lips, who despite technical difficulties delaying them by 20 minutes, still ripped the stage apart. Playing songs such as ‘Katrina’, ‘Bad Kids’, ‘Short Fuse’ and the first song they ever wrote! I left the venue feeling fulfilled. As I was walking back to the station to make the last train, I heard a familliar sound coming from the basement of the Queens Hotel. It was Amazing Baby!! I couldn’t miss this, so I went in to catch 20 minutes of there incredible set of psychadelic Prog. I was set to go home now!

So today I am leaving for Brighton at around 4pm for Micachu, Vivian Girls, Johnny Flynn and Golden Silvers.

STROLL ON LAUNCHES

strollon — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:54:22 +0000

So… Last night saw Stroll On Launch a monthly residency at the Social. There was great expectation for the night, m0stly from me! And when I arrived the venue informed me that they had had many calls regarding the night, so I started to get a bit excited! The room filled up from about 7.30 onwards. Demontre took to the stage at around 8.40, storming the stage with their sensational post punk sound, by this point the room was about three quarters full and there was a great sense of anticipation in the crowd. Next up were the mighty Barnets, who had the crowd in a frenzy with their two-minute bangers! By the point the venue was packed out and some people couldn’t even get it! Then at around 10.20, it was time for the headline band, THE METROS!! They ripped the venue apart showcasing songs from their much anticipated second album, aswell as playing some of the favourites off the last record. Seeing the Metros 2 feet away was an exciting experience that people won’t forget for a long time. Can’t wait for the next time! At around 11pm Joei Supernova stepped up to the decks to see us into the early hours, playing great music and making sure the packed room had a great time!

You can view pictures from the night here: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll

Also, the line up for the next Stroll On night has been announced. Here it is:

DOLL & THE KICKS

THE SAUDIS

MOZZY GREEN

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=55550641621&ref=nf

Get prepared, gonna be messy!!!!

Also, Come to FUTURE LONDON UNDERGROUND On Thursday!! I’m Djing from 11pm…

SO X

VIVIAN GIRLS INTERVIEW

strollon — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 04:53:21 +0000

Cassie from The Vivian Girls was kind enough to answer the following questions today (6th March 2009), here they are:

DO THE VIVIAN GIRLS HAVE A MISSON STATEMENT?

“Vivian Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”

A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THAT YOUR MUSIC SOUNDS LIKE A MIX BETWEEN THE RAMONES, BEACH BOYS AND THE RONETTES. BUT WHO ARE YOUR ACTUAL INFLUENCES?
You’re not too far off actually. Our main influences are the Wipers, Nirvana and the Shangri-las, as well as Burt Bacharach and 60′s surf.

YOU’RE SIGNED TO A VERY SMALL INDIE LABEL. WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER SIGNING TO A MAJOR LABEL OR DO YOU PREFER THE PERSONAL FEELING OF AN INDIE?
We never want to sign to a major label, to us they are scary and care too much about money and too little about the actual music. We love In The Red, the label we’re on right now.

YOU SEEM TO PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO YOUR PHYSICAL ITEMS, FOR EXAMPLE, YOUR 7″s ARE ALWAYS REALLY SPECIAL AND YOU DO LIMITED TOUR POSTERS ETC. ARE YOU FANS OF THE COLLECTABILITY ASPECT OF THINGS?
Sometimes! We like it when some records are limited but we also think that if someone wants to have the music, they should be able to.

WHICH CONTEMPORARY BANDS / ARTISTS ARE YOU FANS OF?
So many! Nodzzz, Woods, Cause Co-Motion, Crystal Stilts, Yellow Fever, Fucked Up, The Carrots, and Ariel Pink are all bands that we are huge fans of.

YOU HAVE TOURED ALL OVER THE WORLD NOW, WHAT IS THE BEST PLACE YOU HAVE BEEN SO FAR AND WHERE HAVE YOU HAD THE BEST REACTIONS / WORST REACTIONS?
We like pretty much everywhere we go. Cities like LA and London are really fun because there’s a lot to do there and a lot of people come to the shows. Smaller cities, like Pensacola Florida, Lawrence Kansas and Athens Ohio, are also really fun because there aren’t as many kids and bands don’t go through as often – so the scene is really united and everyone has a blast at shows.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE NEXT RECORD?
We’re recording it next week. It’s going to be a little longer than the first record and also a little darker – there are a lot more “Tell The World”s and “I Believe in Nothing”s than on the first record.

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE BAND IN 5 YEARS?
Hopefully doing exactly what we’re doing now – writing music we really like and touring a bunch.

SO X