Sunday, 27 January 2019
#19 - Jah Wobble & The Invaders of The Heart
26th January - Manchester Gorilla
If push came to shove, which I'm not sure it ever has, Jah Wobble is my favourite bass player and probably the primary reason I ended up loving dub music. His bass lines with Public Image Ltd are unforgettable and they were never the same after he'd left. For reference check out Poptones, Careering or Public Image. His bass on the dub version of Primal Scream's Higher Than The Sun is pretty special as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8e2CTB9oeQ
Public Image Ltd playing Poptones in The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1980.
I went to the gig with Pooley who I've not seen much of during the last year or so. There was a time when we were inseparable and I've known him for over 30 years, and if you recall the First Ever Gig blog from December, he accompanied me to that. One thing about spending a lot of time with someone is that you run out of things to say, so it was nice to have some genuinely interesting things to catch up on over our pre-gig meal in China Town. Udon Noodles with Mixed Seafood: amazing. We had a few beers in The Rain Bar which is a really good pub with cheap prices and an open fire which shows how old we are getting.
I'm not sure if it was due to seeing Pooley for the first time in a while but I did find myself reminiscing whilst walking about Manchester City Centre and thinking that I've still never stopped loving the place even though it has changed so much. Back in the eighties it had a derelict maverick feel with an air of danger. These days it seems to constantly be trying to reach outer space as the buildings compete to be the tallest in the city. Another big change is the amount of homeless people which is so bad I find it distressing and makes me ashamed to see what type of society we currently are: 35 years of Neo-Liberal selfishness has taken its toll. There were some guys on Mosley Street who had erected umbrellas in a doorway, had music playing and were partying on Spice. Seems such a sad existence so it's no wonder they are self-medicating on that monstrous drug, who would want to face reality?
On a happier note the gig was inspiring and everything I hoped it would be, his bass was so deep the Gorilla soundsystem was struggling to cope. He is such a funny bloke and he had everyone laughing with his inter-song monologues and gentle ribbing of his bandmates. He played some covers and his version of Harry J Allstars' The Liquidator was great. Also got a couple of Public Image Ltd numbers: Public Image didn't totally work as Jah sang, and Jah is no singer. In all fairness it is almost impossible to better John Lydon's snarling invective on the original. Poptones is a different story however as he doesn't bother with the singing and the result is the highlight of the night. I did actually have a tear in my eye. I bought a white label album from the 'merch' store and subsequently left it in the Gorilla bar but even this couldn't spoil the night. I just hope that who ever ended up with it appreciates they are listening to one of the best bass players ever. Pooley and I resolved to catch up more often and we are planning to buy a scooter each this year and possibly go on a European tour on them, which would be nice if it happens. Neneh Cherry next at The Albert Hall in Manchester.
If push came to shove, which I'm not sure it ever has, Jah Wobble is my favourite bass player and probably the primary reason I ended up loving dub music. His bass lines with Public Image Ltd are unforgettable and they were never the same after he'd left. For reference check out Poptones, Careering or Public Image. His bass on the dub version of Primal Scream's Higher Than The Sun is pretty special as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8e2CTB9oeQ
Public Image Ltd playing Poptones in The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1980.
I went to the gig with Pooley who I've not seen much of during the last year or so. There was a time when we were inseparable and I've known him for over 30 years, and if you recall the First Ever Gig blog from December, he accompanied me to that. One thing about spending a lot of time with someone is that you run out of things to say, so it was nice to have some genuinely interesting things to catch up on over our pre-gig meal in China Town. Udon Noodles with Mixed Seafood: amazing. We had a few beers in The Rain Bar which is a really good pub with cheap prices and an open fire which shows how old we are getting.
I'm not sure if it was due to seeing Pooley for the first time in a while but I did find myself reminiscing whilst walking about Manchester City Centre and thinking that I've still never stopped loving the place even though it has changed so much. Back in the eighties it had a derelict maverick feel with an air of danger. These days it seems to constantly be trying to reach outer space as the buildings compete to be the tallest in the city. Another big change is the amount of homeless people which is so bad I find it distressing and makes me ashamed to see what type of society we currently are: 35 years of Neo-Liberal selfishness has taken its toll. There were some guys on Mosley Street who had erected umbrellas in a doorway, had music playing and were partying on Spice. Seems such a sad existence so it's no wonder they are self-medicating on that monstrous drug, who would want to face reality?
On a happier note the gig was inspiring and everything I hoped it would be, his bass was so deep the Gorilla soundsystem was struggling to cope. He is such a funny bloke and he had everyone laughing with his inter-song monologues and gentle ribbing of his bandmates. He played some covers and his version of Harry J Allstars' The Liquidator was great. Also got a couple of Public Image Ltd numbers: Public Image didn't totally work as Jah sang, and Jah is no singer. In all fairness it is almost impossible to better John Lydon's snarling invective on the original. Poptones is a different story however as he doesn't bother with the singing and the result is the highlight of the night. I did actually have a tear in my eye. I bought a white label album from the 'merch' store and subsequently left it in the Gorilla bar but even this couldn't spoil the night. I just hope that who ever ended up with it appreciates they are listening to one of the best bass players ever. Pooley and I resolved to catch up more often and we are planning to buy a scooter each this year and possibly go on a European tour on them, which would be nice if it happens. Neneh Cherry next at The Albert Hall in Manchester.
Sunday, 13 January 2019
Day 3 Rockaway Beach 13/01/19
Made an early start and decided to see Squid who were on the Reds stage at 1200. They're an amazing band, a complete revelation. They manage to pack more ideas into one song than most bands do during their entire career. Definitely getting some of their music. Their music is described as krautrock and psych on Bandcamp and I can hear that but like most great bands they are difficult to pigeonhole. I was thinking of sacrificing a couple of bands to watch Utd playing Spurs later but might have a rethink if we keep getting bands this good. The Luka State are next who hail from Winsford where Steve is from. Not sure if I have a clear enough grasp of semiotics to imagine if that's a good omen or not.
Squid: taken from Rockaway Beach Twitter feed
The Luka State are a bit conservative and are obviously indebted to bands like Oasis and the Manic Street Preachers. The singer/guitarist has a Johnny Marr style going on and they are a bit boring to be honest after Squid. The crowd is noticeably smaller than the one for Squid but they enthusiastically try and motivate us, with little success though.
The Luka State
Hedging towards watching Utd at half 4 so will give Yassasin a go who are yet another female band. If you like your rock 'n' roll with passion and intelligence then Yassasin is your band. Frank was complaining about the tone emanating from one of the guitars which makes me glad I'm not a musician like him. I've been pleasantly surprised by most of the bands which I'd never heard of. Shows there is a thriving music scene still.
Yassasin: taken from Rockaway Beach Twitter feed
As Utd managed an a 'against all the odds' win earlier I'm glad I eschewed a couple of bands. Fresh from battered halloumi we're at the main stage for the last time. Art Brut are a bit preachy contrived for my taste but they do have a certain energy and humour: Frank and Jay are appalled.
Art Brut: taken from Rockaway Beach Twitter feed
Echo and The Bunnymen draw the curtain on the weekend and whilst they boast the coolest front man (apart from Barry Adamson) on show, they are indicative of the general mood of the festival. It all feels very pedestrian and middle aged, the Bunnymen play a lovely version of Nothing Lasts Forever, which seems appropriate, before morphing it into Lou Reed's Walk on The Wild Side, which seems inappropriate.
On the positive side: made some progress with the challenge and saw some good bands. My favourites were: Squid, Barry Adamson, Menace Beach, Yassasin, Goat Girl, and The Orielles. On the negative side, I think I'd sooner be shacked up with just Ruth for festivals but as we've already booked accommodation for Lisbon looks like I will have to endure. Talking of enduring it's nearly time for the journey home.
Saturday, 12 January 2019
Day 2 Rockaway Beach 12/01/19
Piccadilly Records in Manchester, which tends to be my guide these days, have been raving about Menace Beach so will hopefully be a good start to the day. After an age waiting for them to soundcheck their array of analogue synths and vintage guitars they burst into life. Amazing synth sounds, thrashing guitars, driving bass, and dual female vocals: great stuff. Not sure where everyone else is but have advised they come and see the band on our What's App group. My new Fender ear plugs seem to be working after I've got used to them, really takes the edge of the sound without losing quality. Really big crowd for Menace Beach as well.
Menace Beach
I watched Spare Snare with Russian Jay who, according to Wikipedia, are a lo-fi band from Dundee who have made 13 albums. I'm a bit surprised as I've never heard of them but they charmed the crowd with their Scottish self depreciating humour. The bass player wears a Can Tago Mago t-shirt (Google if you don't know, it'll be worth your time) and he has some amazing bass lines. The melodica even appears for one song which I love due to my dub reggae obsession. Been really lucky with the bands so far as not been a bad one.
Spoke too soon: Algiers are not my cup of tea at all. Everything is technically fine but it all feels a bit soulless. Prepare to see them supporting U2 in the near future.
Barry Adamson was great and he's a natural front man. He plays the Magazine song The Light Pours Out of Me as a tribute to Pete Shelley as he contributed to writing it apparently. That got a loud cheer. The Orielles were great as well and it's hard not to fall in love with the singer who is incredibly pretty. I refused to watch Gary Numan so went back. It's starting to chafe being in this chalet with four other people and want to go home now.
Algiers
Barry Adamson was great and he's a natural front man. He plays the Magazine song The Light Pours Out of Me as a tribute to Pete Shelley as he contributed to writing it apparently. That got a loud cheer. The Orielles were great as well and it's hard not to fall in love with the singer who is incredibly pretty. I refused to watch Gary Numan so went back. It's starting to chafe being in this chalet with four other people and want to go home now.
Barry Adamson
Day 1 Rockaway Beach 11/01/19
First up is Madonnatron who are a four piece female band. I love so many female bands and artists currently so looking forward to them. They make an unholy racket with massive tribal glam beats underpinning a ferocious attack of 3 pronged vocals. They can't really sing and they're always moments away from everything falling out of time, but really exciting. Could hear bits of The Banshees and perhaps The Slits. I am assuming the stage they're playing on would have hosted a glamorous granny competition once upon a time but these lot would have scared the life out of your average Butlins audience.
Madonnatron (1st Photo taken from Rockaway Beach Twitter feed)
Benin City reminded me a lot of TV on The Radio inasmuch as they are a multi cultural band with powerful vocals and adventurous creative music. Not sure the crowd knew what to think of them but they won everyone round with their enthusiasm and great tunes. At one point the singer reminded us that we are all made of magic apart from Theresa May, before adding fuck the Nazis and fascists it's 2019. Unfortunately 2019 seems to be the time of Nazis and fascists, not sure how we got here to be honest.
Benin City
Laetitia Sadier was all very enigmatic and European but you feared that if someone opened the window then the whole thing would have drifted away over the English Channel until it got to a bar in the Latin Quarter of Paris. Occasionally the bass and drums step up a gear and it all starts gaining some momentum, it's very nice and inoffensive.
Goat Girl are really good and have a real 50s rock 'n' roll twang. I was getting a bit drunk by this point so retired before Maximo Park who I've never really got into.
Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble
Goat Girl are really good and have a real 50s rock 'n' roll twang. I was getting a bit drunk by this point so retired before Maximo Park who I've never really got into.
Goat Girl: Photo Taken From Rockaway Beach Twitter Feed
Friday, 11 January 2019
Rockaway Beach: The Journey
It just noticed that when I wrote the word "the", my phone suggested the next word should be "banshee".: Bit odd!
I'm at Stockport train station having a coffee before setting off to glamorous Bognor Regis. It might be lovely but definitely in need of a rebranding, which is highly unlikely in our Pre-brexit, reactionary zeitgeist climate. Seaside resorts always feel eerie and discombobulating in the winter and I find myself recollecting a psychopathic Michael Caine trying to kill Cathy Tyson and Bob Hopkins in Brighton during that great 80s film Mona Lisa. Not the most cheerful of mindsets to have as I'm en route to a music festival but the thought of Gary Numan at Butlins in Bognor Regis during January can have that effect. Good opportunity to rack some bands up for the challenge and can't wait to see Barry Adamson.
The plan is to meet Steve, Frank and Russian Jay at Knutsford before picking up Jules at Keele services and then driving to Bognor in Steve's crappy Audi. The whole journey will undoubtedly be punctuated by morbid thoughts along the lines of 'what the hell am I letting myself in for', before settling down, forgetting dry January and having a good time. Shame Ruth isn't coming but she didn't fancy sharing a Butlins apartment with a load of unhygienic men and who can blame her. No such concerns for Jules who obviously has high tolerance levels.
After a torturously cramped journey we have landed on the alternative universe that is Butlins. Steve has already complained that the car park is too far away from the apartment. Then he complained that the apartment is not swish enough, then he had an argument with some bloke in the car park. The rest of us are taking bets on how long it takes until he is tasered. Some food then start watching the bands.
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