Well it’s welcome back to Edinburgh for Mrs. Toad, returned on Saturday evening. It’s good to have the stroppy old bitch back, telling me all the things I haven’t done to her satisfaction during her absence. I’d forgotten how much I missed that incessant grumble.

This week isn’t really live week for me, if I’m honest. I have sessions and interviews that are woefully behind schedule and need dealing with before they go stale. I might sneak out and see the Byrons on Thursday, but that might be it I think. Ah the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, when did it foresake me?

Thursday 2nd October 2008: The Byrons & The Fnords at The Ark.
Okay, okay, so the Ark is a shitty venue, but this looks like fun. I like the Byrons, they have a new EP apparently, and given how different their previous recorded material was from their live show I’m very curious to hear it. The new stuff on their MySpace page is sounding pretty sharp, so it’ll be good to see them live and in person once again. The Fnords aren’t going to win any prizes for originality but they play a sort of rockabilly punk and they do it pretty well, judging from their MySpace, so they could be great fun.
The Byrons – Lights Have Changed

Saturday 4th October 2008: Johnny Foreigner & Danananackroyd at Cabaret Voltaire.
When Johnny Foreigner played Henry’s last year the place was half empty, but the reviews were spectacularly favourable. I personally have always been just a little ambivalent as far as they are concerned, but there were a lot of very trustworthy sorts getting very excited about their brand of furious guitar-bothering.
Johnny Foreigner – The Houseparty Scene is Killing You

Sunday 5th October – Fanattica, Black Diamond Express, Claes Cem & Injuns at Henry’s Cellar Bar.
I don’t know too much about any of these bands, but I’ve been intending to see Black Diamond Express and Fanattica for a while now. There should be plenty of real instruments at this gig, which is always welcome. Where is the good punk these days, then?
Fanattica – Black Cat, White Cat

Another week, another entirely biased list of the best gigs in town.  I’m spending a few days out of the country at the end of the week, so I will leave you in the hands of Campfires & Battlefields, potentially assisted by Mrs. Toad, but that rather depends.

I won’t be going to any gigs at all this week, but rather than leave you with an empty page, here’s a quick run down of some bits and bobs.

Monday 2nd June 2008: Johnny Foreigner at Cabaret Voltaire.
The frenzied buzz surrounding this band baffles me somewhat.  I’ve never really heard anything all that special in the recordings that I’ve heard, but when they played last they were lauded to within an inch of their lives by my pal Billy, so I am a bit gutted on missing them yet again and not being able to decide for myself.  At the very least this should be attended though, because with all this smoke there must be a flame in there somewhere.
Johnny Foreigner – Our Bipolar Friends

Wednesday 4th June 2008: The Wee Rogue & Randan Discotheque & Gand-eye at the Wee Red Bar.
I remember seeing the Wee Rogue (then just Jamie if I remember) playing his first solo gig in Edinburgh.  He seemed so shy and played so slowly that there were times you wondered if it had all become too much for him and he’s just given up.  Oddly enough though, I remember being pretty impressed with his songs, so I’d like to see him again.  I won’t be in the country for this one, but you should go if you get the chance.
The Wee Rogue – Into the Mist

And amazingly, that appears to be about it for this week.  Looks like I picked a good week to go away.