Sometimes pretend people (ie you, because you’re on the internet) can be so much better than real ones.  I can explain to my parents that the reason I have neglected them for the last little while is because I have spent most of the last week gazing at the white lines on a motorway, driving Loch Lomond around the UK for their first UK mini-tour, but deep down they’ll probably still be miffed that I haven’t called, written, emailed, or anything at all for about two weeks.

You, on the other hand, have such a rich and varied internets to entertain you that you probably barely even noticed, you heartless fucking bastards.  Honestly, internet fuckers can be so cruel sometimes.

Fortunately, not much seems to be happening until later on in the week this week, leaving me a couple of days to re-gird my thoroughly dis-girded loins before it all kicks off again.  My brain, honestly, is melting.

Thursday 27th May 2010:  Washington Irving, Sebastian Dangerfield, Octoberman & Peter Katz at Sneaky Pete’s.

This is a crazily good lineup, with Instinctive Raccooners Washington Irving releasing their new EP with support from Sebastian Dangerfield, who are probably the band in Edinburgh I am most interested in considering I have yet to actually see them play.  They do nothing more clever than wistful indie-pop songs, but from what I have heard they do them very well indeed.  Added to these two is a pair of bands from Toronto, one of whom – Octoberman – I have been following for quite some time and am really rather surprised to see them turn up here.  Very pleasantly surprised of course, but surprised nonetheless!

Octoberman – By the Wayside

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Thursday 27th May 2010: Versus, with The Japanese War Effort, Miaoux Miaoux and Dupec, with Yusuf Azak and Iliop, at the Voodoo Rooms.

I have not been to a single Versus gig yet, and I am not going to make this one either.  Dave and Ted would be forgiven for thinking I hate their night but nothing, honestly, could be further from the truth – just look at the Cold Seeds album.  With a couple of Toad favourites on the bill in Yusuf Azak and The Japanese War Effort, this one promises to be an unusual addition to a fine tradition.

The Japanese War Effort – His and Hers Politics

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Friday 28th May 2010: Jesus H. Foxx & eagleowl play the This is Music 4th Birthday Celebrations at Sneaky Pete’s.

The Foxx and eagleowl are brilliant, but unfortunately I will be doing some DJing at this one, so only come along if you’re feeling brave.

eagleowl – Sleep the Winter (Toad Session)

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Saturday 29th May 2010: The Damned at the Picturehouse.

Not sure why I listed this one actually, because I am hardly a massive fan of the Damned.  Still, there are a good few songs of theirs which I like and, honestly, it just looks like it might be good fun.

The Damned – Problem Child

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Sunday 30th May 2010: The Go Away Birds at the Roxy Art House.

The Go Away birds are part Zoey Van Goey, and partly the lass who sang the lead on that Stuart Murdoch (Belle & Sebastian) project God Help the Girl a year or so ago.  This stuff is very pretty indeed.

There’s no real theme to this week’s podcast, but there’s plenty of splendid new music. Basically I felt so guilty about the crazy rant that the Pink Podcast descended into that I have tried to say as little as possible in this one.

I’m off to the End of the Road Festival this weekend, which is why I recorded an advance post, so you’ll be enjoying this while I’m away getting rained on. The lineup is just phenomenal actually, so it should be really quite a splendid weekend. Tim from the Daily Growl will be there, as will Jamie from the Runout Groove and I believe possibly Sweeping the Nation as well, so it may turn into quite a blog-in. Tragically, however, I will be without my Midget Companion. Mrs. Toad is away in Australia (jammy bitch) with work and doesn’t get back in time to come along, so I will be taking a book and enjoying the pleasure of my own company as best I can.

There was at least one inevitable balls-up though – when describing the Catherine Howe song I said ‘I can’t believe this is current – it sounds so old-fashioned!’ and I have since discovered that in fact it is a 2007 re-release of a 1971 record which may just explain that. In the process I also discovered that I am something of a fucking idiot.

So, End of the Road, and in the meantime, enjoy the podcast – Toad on his very best behaviour!

Toadcast #11 – Not Sure What This One’s About[audio http://media.libsyn.com/media/songbytoad/ToadcastNo11.mp3]

01. A.A. Bondy – Vice Rag (00.52)
02. White Rabbits – The Plot (03.39)
03. The Courteeners – Cavorting (08.19)
04. Alaska in Winter – Close Your Eyes/We Are Blind (11.46)
05. Beirut – Fork & Knife (La Fete) (18.32)
06. Band of Horses – Is There a Ghost (21.57)
07. Nathan Lawr & the Minotaurs – We Go Down (26.52)
08. David Dondero – Rothko Chapel (30.34)
09. Jackson C. Frank – Blues Run the Game (38.15)
10. Calexico – All the Pretty Horses (41.45)
11. Catherine Howe – In the Hot Summer (48.53)
12. Little Name – How to Swim & Live (53.31)
13. Emma Pollock – Adrenaline (56.36)
14. George Pringle – Fellini For Prime Minister (63.52)
15. Octoberman – By the Wayside (67.27)
16. The 1900s – When I Say Go (74.54)
17. (The Real) Tuesday Weld – Kix (79.44)