Live in Edinburgh This Week – 8th March 2009

It’s a quiet, but hardly barren week in Edinburgh this week, although I think I may skip a fair bit of it and concentrate on getting the Pictish Trail Session up and posted.
What a shitty fucking weekend it’s been, though. I got some really bizarre message from an old school friend of mine asking me if I was blanking him on Friday, which I haven’t been. We haven’t exchanged messages for years, but that’s been true in both directions. Then on Sunday, before I’d responded, he sent another saying ‘Okay, I’ll delete you from my Facebook wotsit, have a good life buddy.’ For fuck’s fucking sake. It’s no skin off my nose one way or another, but it was really weird coming right out of the blue like that.
Then I completely forgot a friend’s stag do and failed to attend because I had managed to pile too much other stuff into the weekend. That, believe me, does not feel like a nice thing to do. Especially when you get the phonecall and it dawns on you what you’ve just done. Fucking bollocksing fuck.
I also got in trouble at Proper Job for excessive Toading on Friday, which wasn’t fun. So there will be something of a kibosh put on work-time activity around here, and fair enough. They’ve been more than patient with my little obsession, and quite frankly they’d be more than justified in giving me a formal warning, but it’s very nice that they haven’t. About time I was equally nice back, I think it’s fair to say.
Then there was the Biblical amount of alcohol consumed over Friday and Saturday night, leading to a general feeling of uncleanness ever since, and of course there was the jolly banter about the Shitecast this weekend. Fucking hell, I am looking forward to football tonight and the chance to just run it all off.
Monday 9th March 2009: Come On Gang play Trade Union at Cabaret Voltaire.
I think Trade Union may be on rather late, so don’t rush down, but if you’re up for night of giddy bouncing to Edinburgh’s finest punk-pop trio then swing by from 11pm and send them on their merry way to SXSW with a cheer.
Come On Gang – Wheels
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Thursday 12th March 2009: Futuristic Retro Champions at the Caves.
This band are one I know very little about, but they’ve been talked about very favourably since I’ve been up here. This is one of those Mill gigs – beware, nothing but that god-awful piss-water Miller to drink – so you’ll have to click here to get a ticket. Support band Tamika’s Treehouse are a band I know nothing about whatsoever, not even rumours or whispering, so any enlightenment would be appreciated. After no more than a single MySpace listen they do sound catchy and enjoyable though, so this should be a good night.
Futuristic Retro Champions – Speak to Me
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Thursday 12th March 2009: Unicorn Kid, Ex Lion Tamer & Sugar Crisis play Limbo at the Voodoo Rooms.
It’s all going to be rather electro-dance-pop at Limbo this week, but there’s easily enough edge to it all to keep me interested, despite being slightly outside my comfort zone with this sort of stuff. Ex Lion Tamer’s new single is out on 17 Seconds Records this week, although only on digital for the time being. Hang about though, the vinyl will be here any moment now.
Sugar Crisis – Taking Names & Heartbeats
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Friday 13th March 2009: RBRBR & Over the Wall play This is Music at Sneaky Pete’s.
More boisterous pop fun with plenty of synths and bounce. Sneaky bastarding Pete’s keep on deviously selling out of tickets at the moment too, so you might want to get one in advance for this. I’m sure they’re doing it just to thwart me.
RBRBR – 27 Russian Friends
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Saturday 14th March 2009: Little Pebble, Woodenbox With a Fistful of Fivers & Sparrow & the Workshop play the Trampoline birthday party at the Wee Red Bar.
This is Trampoline’s second (I hope) birthday party, and what a lineup. Apart from Little Pebble it’s very Americana influenced in a slightly undefinable way. I don’t know what exact type of Americana I would describe Sparrow or Woodenbox as being, but they definitely have some sort of influence in there. They’re both absolutely thumping as well. Little Pebble doesn’t have a lot in common with them, but having only seen him once, I am really keen to see more because he was absolutely excellent. This is my definite
Little Pebble – Pirate
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
So actually, it’s not a quiet week at all, really, is it.


Crap. I feel all wrought up just reading about your recent woes! Sorry you had a shitty weekend Matthew, here’s hoping you have a better week.
Beh, I’m just scrounging for sympathy after everyone screeched at me yesterday – it doesn’t need dignifying with a response
Chuckle… I take it all back!
doesn’t the trampoline birthday party look great!!!
It looks fucking amazing. I don’t know who I’m most keen to see. I love Sparrow, but I’ve seen them the most recently. I’ve only seen Pebble once and he was ace, and only Woondebox twice and really enjoyed them both times. It’s going to be a splendid night.
i’m quite excited by it…..lovely….also i’m more than happy that it kicks Limbo’s arse!!! tho i guess that this is the first limbo in a long time that i’ve had no interest in attending….so i guess that is some form of a complement
There’s a feisty all-girl rock band playing Henry’s on Friday, called We Rock Like Girls Don’t. With Sara and the Snakes in support.
What was your opinion on feisty girl rock again?
I’m torn between that, This Is Music, and Randan Discotheque/Snide Rhythmns at the Wee Red.
Yes Trampoline looks excellent, I will be in attendance.
Sorry to hear your tales of woe Toad – it’s never pleasant when fate conspires to give you one almighty F’ing of the A.
As long as the ironing’s done, Bart, I’m cool with pretty much anything. (Please note—->
)
I have to confess I’d stopped checking the Henry’s listings because they seem to have been really quiet since Christmas – am I taking my eye off the ball there?
What’s up with Limbo, Chutters? I really like it, although the Voodoo Rooms isn’t quite my favourite venue.
i like limbo too. and i admire andy and dave for constantly putting on good shows.
for the record, i’m not trying to compete with anyone, just trying to put on good shows every month. but i’m glad everyone is looking forward to saturday. i am too!
I’m absolutely gutted that I’m out of town this weekend, trampoline looks amazing, three ace bands, well done Euan!
thanks dav. april is shaping up nicely too with come on gang, findo gask and dupec (apologies for shameless plug mr toad). and some band called the stormy seas are playing in may……
I quite like the Voodoo Rooms, it’s a great stage to photograph – particularly when they’ve got the back projections going – and I quite like having a drink in the bar (Even if it is expensive and they don’t do ‘Bow).
it’s only 2 quid a bottle in there if you are there for limbo though, which isn’t expensive. many a good night had at limbo.
Sarah & The Snakes are not bad, actually.
Indeed.
But it’s not ‘Bow.
Sarah & The Snakes aren’t ‘Bow either.
are you sponsored by bow?
That would be well good!
Aye I’m looking forward to a lot of gigs you have coming up Euan, The Stormy Sea’s are very VERY excited about that particular one!
i don’t dislike limbo….i’m there enough…. it’s just nice that a pal (trampoline) has got a good line up this weekend thats all…..
i like the voodoo rooms as a venue….it’s got a stage which is always a good start…..and the sound is always great…..£2 a bottle equates to £4 which is a rip off in any book….
£4 a pint that is
This time next year we’ll be paying £4 a pint most places.
Apart from the supermarkets, which is how the government want it.
i don’t care about this time next year Dylan…..
I know this is straying dangerously from the current topic, but they’ve just announced more acts for End of the Road, including:
The Broken Family Band
Explosions in the Sky
Fleet Foxes
J Tillman
Magnolia Electric Co.
Malcolm Middleton
Mumford and Sons
Okkervil River
Papercuts
who join the already confirmed acts, which include:
Alela Diane, Bob Log III, Charlie Parr, Efterklang, The Low Anthem (Hiya Tom!), Sparrow & The Workshop, Steve Earle, and Whispertown 2000.
Sounds no bad.
I hope the beer isn’t too expensive.
Haven’t got my ticket yet, some idiot keeps spending all my money in the pub.
I’ve booked the weekend off work though – so that’s a start!
would love to go to end of the road. guess i’ll just have to read all about it on songbytoad.
(
lets have an Edinburgh weekend away…..
you also failed to mention that The Acorn are playing The End Of Road….another fucking awesome band….you can get their cd in Fopp for a fiver (thats 2 1/2 bottles of shite larger from the Voodoo Rooms)
an edinburgh weekend away would be great. i’ll just read about it on songbytoad.
(
Mumford & Sons are on the bill too.
he said that
End of the Road lineup looks great, wonder if I can get any 17 Seconds bands on there…sigh…
yeah D. do you have your strongbow hat with straws on today? keep up!
i cant afford to get a ticket just now but ive wanted to go for years. are there any veterans here who might know if end of the road tickets sell out quickly or could i maybe hold off til april/may?
euan – well done on the current trampoline line ups mate. gutted im gonna miss saturday due to my grans 88th birthday but what can you do! yer granny is yer granny! keep up the good work!
A pillow could solve that quite easily…
are you ageist mr toad?
jesus fucking christ…….
my granny would kick your arse if she heard you say that toad?
mind you shes pretty deaf so i think your safe.
anyway back to the end of the road…..i kinda up for going….any other takers
cool i’ll go by myself
i’d be up for it tom. just not possible i’m afraid.
has anyone looked at the Green Man line up…. http://www.thegreenmanfestival.co.uk/features/Green+Man+2009+%3A+The+Line+Up+So+Far !! …..shite in a basket….i’m going to be poor this year
I heard Wilco were headlining. that hurts. really hurts.
Me and Mrs. Toad are definitely going to EotR. And with a bit of luck so will Meursault, Rob and fucking eagleowl, despite disappointments with today’s announcement. I’m still working on that one.
And Michael, my granny could definitely kick your granny’s arse. Except she’s dead of course. Nothing pillow-related, before you ask.
Those aren’t pillows!
one word. and it begins with m.
motherfucker?
nope.
moron
nope. dylan knows.
oh yeah……i get you….Dylan’s fetish
Huh?
minstrels.
sounds like punter?
Hillman Hunter?
oh DO STOP! ewwww!
Oh I don’t know, Tart.
I think the Hillman Hunter was quite a pleasing design for its time.
i’m guilty of this sometimes…..but why do toads posts nearly always end up in some random world of shite?
i reckon if he went through all his comments and deleted them from say the 15th comment onwards….this blog would be a lot more coherent….i do love it the way that it is now like.
Fucking, hell. I turn my back on you freaks for a couple of hours and this is what happens? I sometimes wonder if you lot have just collectively stopped taking your fucking medication.