Sanguinearts Network Journal

This is what we have been waiting for! great vocal performance, stripped back music, not too slick or predictable, but with a good hook. Lyrically incisive. Excellent video, great casting with Tilda Swinton.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH7dMBcg-gE

Between 15 and 19 February there will be ghostly night time projections onto the river façade of Tate Modern.... see the full blog post here:

http://sanguinearts.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/tony-oursler-projections-tate-modern-15-29-feb-2013/

Sefa has been receiving a fair amount of airplay on BBC 6 Music lately. Having your album (her third for Static Caravan records) produced by Jarvis Cocker probably helps. The album ‘The Moths are Real' was recorded in St Leonard Church, Shoreditch – the backdrop for TV's ‘Rev' comedy series – where this launch event took place.... read the full review here: http://sanguinearts.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/serafina-steer-album-launch-shoreditch-24-jan-2013/

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE: http://sanguinearts.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/david-bowie-where-are-we-now-new-single/

So after many years of silence after his health scare, declining to participate in the London 2012 Olympic ceremonies, and movie director son Duncan receiving more of the limelight, Bowie is back with a new single.

I've started a new Wordpress site which will ultimately grow to be the new Sanguinearts site and blog. And you will find my review of the recent gig by The Killers here:

http://sanguinearts.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/the-killers-tegan-sara-o2-arena-london-sat-17-november-2012/

It’s mid-November, which can only mean one thing… my annual trip to see Motorhead as they rock into the South coast on yet another world tour.

First up were Diaries of a Hero, who must have taken to the stage the moment the doors opened. However despite the early stage time there was still a decent sized audience, and so led by heavy and speedy guitar riffs Diaries of a Hero put in an impressive start to the evening.

ANTHRAX

Original front man Joey Belladonna is very much back in the saddle these days and this was very much an 80’s sounding Anthrax, with half the tracks coming from the 1987 release Amongst the Living.

Belladonna had the crowd singing along to classic tunes from the album such as “I am the Law” and “Indians” helping Anthrax make the stage their own.

Although I’m personally more into the John Bush fronted 90’s era of Anthrax, newer track “Fight ‘em ‘til you can’t” stood up alongside the older tunes showing that this line-up still has a lot to give the metal world… having said that, there’s still a piece of me wanting to bring back Bush (which given the local US elections, is far from a political message).

MOTORHEAD

Opening with “I Know How to Die” from the 2010 World is Yours album Lemmy and co. took to the stage for one of the loudest gigs you’re likely to attend… although having said that, there was no turning it up halfway through which is the norm when it comes to Motorhead.

In contrast to the latter day opener next up were “Damage Case” and “Stay Clean” both from their 1979 release Overkill, proving that old and new stand equally amongst each other.

The fact several other classics were omitted from the set list this evening meant the rarely played tracks “Rock it” (from 1983) and “You Better Run” (from 1992) were aired tonight, showing how many great tunes Motorhead have at their disposal across their twenty studio album back catalogue.

Going back over the years and you will see Lemmy as the only original member of the band, although Phil Campbell having clocked up an impressive twenty nine years alongside drummer Micky Dee’s twenty surely makes this the ultimate line-up.

Campbell’s guitar style is heavy as to be expected, but when alone on stage for a solo it’s a more mellow side that comes out and shows what a natural genius of a guitarist he truly is. When Phil and Lemmy leave the stage to allow Micky Dee his obligatory solo during “The One to Sing the Blues” you can see why Lemmy introduces him as the best drummer in the world – if anyone tells you drum solos are boring… show them Micky hitting the skins, not only with immense power and speed but a pulsating rhythm too.

With solos done, the latter end of the set has the crowd rocking out to one of the greatest song titles in “Killed by Death” before bodies go flying as dance floor classic “Ace of Spades” ended the main set.

Then after a brief departure the band return with another unexpected track up their sleeve, a fantastic cover of Thin Lizzy’s “Are you Ready”, which followed by the stop/start blistering “Overkill” closed the nights proceedings… so same time next year? You better believe it, see you down the front.

Check out www.mrteethreviews.com
Mr Teeth

Switzerland three piece Mama Rosin were the support tonight with a stripped down Parisian sounding take on the folk world. French vocals with 60’s surf guitar accompanied by accordion and drums, Mama Rosin certainly got the crowd tapping their feet.

As with many a gig at Southampton Guildhall the sound for Bellowhead left a lot to be desired through no fault of their own, and as such early tracks such as “10’000 Miles Away” lost the impact of having so many people on stage. Luckily however once the traditional drinking song “Whisky is a life of a Man” kicked in so had the sound, resulting in the start of a great gig.

Bellowhead’s enthusiastic performance had the perfect balance of fiddle led folk tunes such as “Byker Hill” from the critically acclaimed release Broadside, combined with more darker tracks such as “The Wife of Usher Hill“ also from the latest album. The horn section adds a depth to Bellowheads music, making it far more than just another folk outfit, and the musicianship of the band as a whole shone through on several thigh slapping instrumentals.

These instrumentals made for a joyful atmosphere with both band and audience loving every moment, which certainly made up for any issues with the venues acoustics. So after a fantastic main set and a brief encore I’d be amazed by anyone who managed to leave Southampton tonight without a smile on their face…

Oh and check out www.mrteethreviews.com for more review orientated words.

Mr Teeth

It’s always a sad day in Portsmouth’s musical history when a band split on the brink of moving on to bigger things, and the demise of Dawn Chorus was no exception to the rule.

However out of the ashes of Dawn Chorus we still have the Retrospective Soundtrack Players, a collaboration that were already in existence alongside the aforementioned band, and as such this has been a natural musical progression which brings us to the release of “The Catcher in the Rye”.

Celebrating front man Kyle’s love of his favourite book of the same name, the Catcher in the Rye has a number of tunes aired tonight – nicely balanced alongside older songs, but easily distinguished by weather or not Kyle is donning his hunters hat (a literal tip of the hat to the book).

The Retrospective Soundtrack Players are very much a band of the moment, and would fit in alongside a bill of Fleet Foxes and such like, but the concept albums give an added depth to the band whereby you are taken on a story like journey during the live performance.

The intimate surroundings of Pie and Vinyl requires little amplification, so the vocal harmonies on “Don’t Let me Disappear” sound beautifully natural and the quality of musicianship shines through during tracks such as “Why Can’t Things Stay the Same”.

The band ends their set on “For Phoebe”, which also concludes the album we’re in attendance to support, and of course purchase, rounding off a rather pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

So RIP the Dawn Chorus, but long live the Retrospective Soundtrack Players.

Teeth

Battery Hens

With a sound straight out of the 1990’s Seattle scene, but covered in extreme doses of effects, Portsmouth based Battery Hens get the night off to a heavy start and go down well amongst the initially rather static crowd.

You’re Smiling Now but we’ll all turn into Demons

Another Pompey band now, and having not been able to see them at this years’ Southsea Fest (due to the venue being filled to capacity) I was pleased to see the Demons back on the stage, having not heard from them for a few years.

So having once been one of my favourite local bands I was disappointed to hear they were a man down due to illness, although the Demons made it easy to forget there was a guitar missing as they played an incredibly tight and noisy set.

Pounding through their instrumentals as a three piece, the absence of a second guitarist was only noticeable during one track which was also duly noted by the band themselves. This aside, every other epic piece was played with an intense sense of passion, the sparse vocals coming to the forefront on the odd occasion in a latter day Mogwai-esque style.

They leave the stage and the headliners must have enjoyed this as much as I did, and I’m pleased to see these guys back on form - looking forward to seeing them back to their full line up.

Bo Ningen

Having relocated to London from their homeland of Japan, Bo Ningen are fast gaining cult status on the underground scene and are set to be one of the few bands that move to the big smoke to live the dream and actually “make it”.
Their loud and energetic live act leaves crowds blown away, and tonight is no exception. Bo Ningens sound is immense – a barrage of heavy psychedelic post rock with lyrics sung in their native tongue it’s easy to loose yourself in the music and the crowd enjoy every moment of it.

With a new album out there are of course a number of new favourites to rock out to, although it’s a track off “Koroshitai Kimochi” which I find most mesmerizing. This is a slower number, drenched in just as much psychedelia but beautifully crafted, showing this band capable of ticking all the right boxes.
Having had the opportunity to see Bo Ningen a few times now, I think tonight was their best show yet and I will be checking out “Line the Wall”, their new release, as soon as possible.

Teeth

I have not had much time for blog updates lately, but excitement about acts listed for the forthcoming Ether festival on the Southbank just had to be shared:

IAMAMIWHOAMI - crazy internet videos leading to this widely anticipated live performance
Weds 10 Oct

John Cale - needs no introduction, new album coming out with songs produced by Dangermouse
Sat 13 Oct

Ghostpoet and Soap + Skin
Sat 6 Oct

Tyondai Braxton & London Sinfonietta - ex Battles singer/guitarist
Tues 9 Oct

Christian Marclay's Everyday - new work from this art/music innovator
Sat 13 Oct

Mount Kimbie - Global electronic music featuring Bass Clef

There is also dance performances and 3 John Cage inspired events.

Just got me 2 tickets for Jim O Rourke and some other experimentalists at the South London Gallery 29 November.

Currently listening to early Bob Dylan because I've been reading a biography of him I got from a charity shop which was written about 1971. It's very detailed about the early years with exhaustive research and comments from friends and musicians from the 50s and 60s.