Live in Edinburgh This Week – 11th October 2009
It’s a rather varied week of gigging this week, with Richard Hawley at the Queen’s Hall at one end of the spectrum and the Japanese War Effort at the Traverse Bar tonight at the other. There are a few side-notes worth mentioning as well – like the vanishing Whispertown 2000 gig at Sneaky’s on Saturday which I would have liked to go to, but which I assume was cancelled and the appearance, for free, of 4AD’s Big Pink at Sick Note, late at Cabaret Voltaire on Thursday.
I think I can manage maybe a couple of these shows, but probably no more because if I don’t start showing Mrs. Toad some proper attention pretty damn sharpish there may end up being a little jar of pickled toad testicles on a shelf somewhere in our house.
Monday 12th October 2009: Japanese War Effort at the Traverse Bar.
The Japanese War Effort are one of my favourite bands (well okay, we all know it’s just Jamie) in Edinburgh at the moment. I personally think his recorded stuff has been a little variable, if I’m being honest, but if you’re prepared to pay attention, Jamie is an engaging live performer whose live assembly of his loops and beeps, and the occasional emergence of an actual song from in amongst them, is always worth seeing.
Jamie says it’s somewhere under the Usher Hall, and when I Googled I got this, so good luck to you.
Japanese War Effort – Chocolat Froid
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.
Tuesday 13th October 2009: Richard Hawley at the Queen’s Hall.
Richard Hawley is one of the best live performers you’ll see. Charming and witty without being in the slightest over-bearing, he brings his domestic, heartfelt crooning to life on stage to extent he doesn’t always quite manage on record. It’s fucking expensive though – £21 quid, are they mental?
Richard Hawley – Born Under a Bad Sign
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.
Wednesday 14th October 2009: Girls, Swanton Bombs & St. Jude’s Infirmary at Sneaky Pete’s.
The band intent on making themselves utterly un-Googlable have named their band Girls and their album Album. Fuckwits. It doesn’t matter though, I still really like their music, which is scratchy and rough low-fi indie – breaking back and forth to something warmer from time to time, which makes for a nice dynamic, if you ask me. I’m still listening to their album, but there will be a review on the site fairly soon.
Girls – Headache
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.
Wednesday 14th October 2009: Glaciers at the Bowery.
This is rather experimental and peculiar, apparently, so I can imagine it moistening the gussets of a fair few of my readers. Have a listen on the MySpace link, but it sounds really rather interesting to me – very mysterious and atmospheric, which rhythmic, looping vocals and wheezing backdrops.
Thursday 15th October 2009: Meursault & the Red Well at Cabaret Voltaire.
This is a Mill gig, so you may have to drink unspeakable beer all night.
Friday 16th October 2009: Stricken City, North Atlantic Oscillation and My Cousin I Bid You Farewell at Sneaky Pete’s.
I know next to nothing about these bands, but Stricken City seem to be doing a nice job of re-interpreting female fronted 90s Britpop bands.
Stricken City – Tak O Tak
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 16th October 2009: Panda Su & Last Battles at the Bowery.
Last Battles are about as fresh out of the box as it gets, I think, and I have yet to see them live, but it all sounds very promising if you have a listen to the MySpace stuff. Male/female duets do it for me every time!
Sunday 18th October 2009: The Wave Pictures, Stanley Brinks & Freschard at Cabaret Voltaire.
I fucking love the Wave Pictures, and I fucking love the Wave Pictures live as well. The roughness of their recordings translates really well into a free and relaxed live show, and the band generally seem to be really enjoying themselves.
The Wave Pictures – Your Heart is on Your Sleeve
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.
I thought that the red well had split up?
And I know it’s not the usual Toad under, off ,and quite frankly avoiding the radar material but
Stiff Little Fingers are playing Edinburgh on Saturday and a Manchester to Edinburgh round trip deserves a mention if only in passing. There I passed and mentioned and feel better for it.
ta
oh The Jesus H Foxx CD and bits are excellent…thanks
Whispertown 2000 played Sneaky Pete’s on 17th September.
I know this as I had waited ages for them to come to the UK, only for them to play Edinburgh on me and my girlfriend’s anniversary.
And I tried really hard, but couldn’t really convince her that Sneaky Pete’s was a romantic setting to spend an evening together.
I think the Red Well have pulled out of the Mill show. Hadn’t heard anything about a split, mind.
Also, North Atlantic Oscillation are awesome. I’m very excited about their impending album, and am really torn between their show and the Last Battles/Panda Su.
The Traverse bar is part of the Traverse theatre – just next to the Usher Hall.
A theatre is where cultured people go and see plays, and that.
A play is a bit like a film, only much longer and without any explosions or car chases or anything. And when you shout at the characters, they can hear you.
Cogstar – pint on Sunday?
My Kappa Roots and Edward and the McCalls are supporting Glaciers so should be a super duper night.
How was Saturday night by the way?
Bart, plays sound shit. Apart from the bit about them being able to hear the shouting – if I’d realised the implications of that I’d have gone to a lot more plays in the last few years.
Pint Sunday would be great but got to get back to Mrs C and therefore driving.
Friday night – galasheils meet pal
Saturday morning – Walking in Pentlands
Saturday afternoon – book into hotel near Waverley station and find a CD shop that sells X Lion Tamer………then drink heavily
If you are in town Saturday pm be great to have a beer.
Saturday went remarkably well actually, Dav.
Great sets from the Tapehead lads and Russell Turnip/Mammoeth.
The Tapeheads were telling me they hadn’t really explored the completely acoustic/folksy potential of their act, but were excited by the results so may well be delving deeper into that side of their songs.
Russell’s perfectly-crafted pop gems are beautifully suited to either the full band set-up or the solo acoustic approach, so it was great to see him. He also deserves a very honourable mention in dispatches for his patience, arriving first – with friends and family in tow – and going on last to allow for the other acts’ prior commitments.
Michael H. Foxx helped out too, providing equipment, technical support and a spur of the moment duet set with Tallah, and Matthew the second revealed a remarkably deft touch at the DJ console.
And I think we may have unearthed a quite remarkable new star in a certain Mr. Thomas Western. I don’t think it will be the last we hear from that particular performer.. Watch this space, as they say.
I meant to say thank you to Michael a bit more clearly just then, the evening wouldn’t have been anywhere near as succesful if he hadn’t been around.
Glad it went well, I would’ve loved to have been there, sorry I missed it!
Debutant and The Kays Lavelle play Sneaky Pete’s this Saturday supporting Vessels.
I understand the Germans needed help drinking their beer, Dav, and you bravely volunteered.
Under the circumstances you’re forgiven!
I like how you said a little jar of pickled toad testicles.
And I’m rather looking forward to wednesday night.
Yeah, right.
“To be, or not to be?”
“TO BE! OBVIOUSLY! Anyone fancy a pint?”
There’s also the oxjam/cancel the astronauts/my tiny robots show at City Cafe on Thursday.
For anyone that likes astronauts. Or robots. Or giving money to charity.
This week’s turning out to be busier than I expected.
Bloody good week to have my october holiday. Bloody shite week to be pretty skint.
Shit.
Must. Spend. Time. With. Wife.
Gnnnnn… this is going to be harder than I thought!
Rock n Roll lifestyles eh? Don’t end up like Keef.
Mrs T is more than welcome to join me and Craig at SLF, see you just need to be inventive.
” And when you shout at the characters, they can hear you.”
Had me a giggle. Lovely stuff.
And
“there may end up being a LITTLE jar of pickled toad testicles on a shelf ”
Poor lad.
What are The Red Well like anyway? I’ve seen the name a few times
Madcow, have you ever seen a toad’s testicles? Well I haven’t, but I’d bet they aren’t enormous.
Ravie, I’m not a fan, to be honest. I saw them once a good few years ago and liked it, but the full band experience leaves me cold I have to confess.
I never want to see “Toad’s” testicles, thank you very much.
I know this was supposed to be Edinburgh gigs but just wanted to plug I LIKE TRAINS playing King Tuts on sat night (sorry Euan, another kays lavelle gig missed!)
Wilf. I’m happy to accept you missing us for them.
I never want to see “Toad’s” testicles, thank you very much.
I think Matthew’s working through something of a fixation, Madcow.
He was banging on about his ‘Toadrod‘ the other day.
Quite a worry, actually.
What are The Red Well like anyway? I’ve seen the name a few times
They remind me of Buffalo Tom, but I don’t think they’re as good, they’re just lacking something, bit of oomph and killer tunes perhaps. Like Matthew, they leave me a little cold as well.
I hope I did the italics bit right. Here goes…
Top formatting.