You know what’s on this week?  Nothing! Nada.  Zip.  Diddly.  Bupkis. So I suggest you go to the movies, read a book, sit outside in the sun (if it lasts) or whatever the fuck else it was I used to do before getting so sucked into the world of music.

There’s The Bellrays at Cabaret Voltaire on Thursday, I guess, but I have only ever heard a song or two by them I’ve really been into.  I think the real highlight of the week will be the Live Lounge at the Electric Circus, which has Finn LeMarinel and Debutant on the bill, amongst others.  I’ve hummed and hawed about Debutant in the past, but I’ve been listening to his album a fair bit recently (free, here) and really enjoying it.

Shortly, however, there will be this, and what better time to tell you about it than a slow gig week:

Scottish Independent Record Fair

Sunday 7 August, 1pm – 7pm Dissection Room, Summerhall.

Acoustic music throughout the afternoon in the Anatomy Lecture Room

Spend the first Sunday of the Fringe hanging out in Edinburgh’s most unusual new bar: Summerhall’s Dissection Room. Grab a drink, listen to some fine music and buy lots of great records from some of Scotland’s best loved record labels and bands.

Including stalls from Chemikal Underground; De-Fence Records; Fence Records; FOUND; Gerry Loves Records; LuckyMe; Retreat!; Song, By Toad Records and more to be announced.

Funnily enough, I’ve been talking to Kev from Avalanche about this, but unbeknownst to me Tommy from FOUND was having the exact same chat independently, and has actually got his shit together a lot quicker than I did.  The idea is that Scottish labels bring along their wares to sell, record shops come along with older Scottish music, as well as a any self-releases or single-release label stuff or labels who can’t be arsed to come along themselves, and the whole day includes all sorts of live performances and DJ slots from the Scottish independent music community.

It should be a blast, and hopefully the catalyst for a yearly event celebrating the independent music scene, the actual physical objects which are made, and the people whose work goes into making it all happen.

If you’re a shop, label, or self-releasing band and you want to get involved, email Tommy here: tommy@foundtheband.com

Oh deary me.  A somewhat slurred podcast this week.  I recorded this on Friday night after coming home from sharing about seven pints with my boss at Proper Job, who is a thoroughly decent chap and doesn’t get out for beers as often as he used to due to an unfortunate breeding accident in which his wife had a baby, thus confining him to the house.  The lesson – gentlemen, for the love of god, don’t let them breed!

So I came back to the house and wanted to play some loud music.  I popped a bottle of beer, bought some munchies and mumbled my way through a pile of loud, rambunctious songs that I played far too loud as I sorted out the playlist, and great fun it all was too. I asked about modern rowdy music this week, and Bart kindly recommended some bands, a couple of whom I assume I may have been a little quick to dismiss in the past, so I am going to have another go at them.

Looking through the playlist, I find one thing sticking out more than anything else: how the hell can you tell a Sex Pistols demo from a Sex Pistols recording?

Toadcast #42 – Noise Please

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.

01. The Libertines – What a Waster (02.56)
02. The Von Bondies – Shallow Grave (08.59)
03. The Bellrays – Blues For Godzilla (12.05)
04. Ian Dury & the Blockheads – Ballad of the Sulphate Strangler (17.49)
05. The Damned – Thrill Kill (23.07)
06. Hoggboy – Left & Right (29.31)
07. Liars – Mr You’re on Fire Mr (35.33)
08. Monster Magnet – Kiss of the Scorpion (37.57)
09. The Sex Pistols – Anarchy in the UK (Demo) (43.24)
10. The Fall – Two Librans (49.47)
11. The Small Faces – All or Nothing (Live) (53.41)
12. The Detroit Cobras – Hey Sailor (59.44)