Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire

This is the 2nd single from the album in Ghost Colors and the video features your own personal rain cloud.

You can see the prvious video for "Lighs and Music" here

For a local show, looks like they are part of the Download festival at the Shorline Amphithetaer in Mountain View on July 19th.

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/cutcopy
Website: http://www.cutcopy.net/

 

Hercules and Love Affair - You Belong

A little bit smoother than Blind but sounds good. This single is due out on July 7th (UK).

Their self-titled album finally gets a US release on June 24th.

They are currently touring in Europe doing the festival thing into September.

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/herculesandloveaffair
DFA Forum: http://forums.dfarecords.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=12

 

The Last Shadow Puppets - Standing Next to Me

This is the second single taken from the album "The Age Of The Understatement". The video looks very Beatlesque (That has to be a word), even down to the girls dressed as the Abbey Road zebra crossing. The single is out on July 7th in the UK.

Previous coverage here

They had no real tour plans, but as The Rascals are playing the Reading and Leeds festivals in the UK, they are performing there - Leeds August 22nd and Reading is August 24th.

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thelastshadowpuppets
Website: http://www.thelastshadowpuppets.com/

 

Beggars - You & Me

These Beggars are pretending to be the Beatles. Enjoy another slice of the Beggrs and also checkout their previous video The Future

They are playing Glastonbury on Friday June 27th

This single is due to be released in August.

MySpace: http://myspace.com/beggarsband
Website: http://beggarsband.com/

 

The Whip - Blackout

Updated: Finally here.Updated: The record company has removed this until Monday as MSN have exclusivity until then (Couldn't see it there though) Checkout a good quality version at MSN UK/AOL here
This is the follow up to the fantastic Trash. I am really liking this band, it looks like they have 2 sets at Glastonbury that would be worth a look - I expect one is a DJ set (In the Dance Village), but get to the John Peel stage to see them on Sunday June 29th.

Check out their MySpace page for some US dates, but not a large tour here yet, and I don't see a west coast date yet.

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thewhipmanchester
Website: http://thewhip.net/

 

Glastonbury Picks 2008

Alright, Glastonbury is less than a week away and so I thought I would offer up some guidance through the maze of bands and stages. Anything there will be good, but DO NOT just hang around the main 2 stages - Get out and about, even try out the jazz world.

Here's a few picks from me, they are in no particular order, but if they have a video on here I have linked to it.

Pyramid Stage
Friday Editors, Kate Nash and possibly The Fratellis
Saturday Jay-Z
Sunday Goldfrapp

Other Stage
Friday The Rascals and The Enemy
Saturday Hot Chip, Elbow, The Black Kids and possibly Los Campesinos
Sunday Groove Armada, The Pigeon Detectives and possibly The Zutons

John Peel Stage
Friday Reverend and The Makers, MGMT, The Kills, The Ting Tings,
Saturday The Couteeners, British Sea Powwer, Holy Fuck and possibly The Teenagers
Sunday The Whip, Crystal Castles and The Long Blondes

The Park
Friday Now that's a line up - Pete Doherty, Dizzee Rascal, The Duke Spirit, Operator Please, Sons and Daughters, Santogold and Beggars
Saturday MGMT and Lykke Li
Sunday Possibly The Mystery Jets

Jazz World
Friday Fun Lovin' Criminals (Google Scooby Snacks) and Lupe Fiasco
SaturdayPossibly Joan Armatrading, my dad loved her!
Sunday Eddy Grant? In jazz world, hmm.

Acoustic Stage
Friday Sinead O' Connor, Eddi Reader and Eleanor McAvoy
SaturdayAndy Fairweather Low (Tell me what it's like)
Sunday Suzanne Vega

The Dance Village
THe Audio Bullys, The Count and Sinden, Fatboy Slim (Check out the BPA Toe Jam video), Hercules and Love Affair, X-Press 2 and The Whip

Leftfield Stage
The Beat, Billy Bragg, Dirty Pretty Things and The Levellers

Avalon Stage
Hazel O'Connor and for a real treat The Men they couldn't Hang (Check out the album "Waiting for Bonaparte")

Apologies, I ran out of time going down the list, enjoy your trip to Glastonbury and take the time to walk thedges either before the shows start or in the night.

I am off to Ireland for a couple of weeks so there will be very few postings.

May 2008

Episode 5 - The collected videos from May 2008.

Tricky - Council Estate, Black Kids - Hurricane Jane, Tapes 'n Tapes - Hang Them All, White Williams - Violator, Portishead - The Rip, The Courteeners - No You Didnt No You Dont, The Fratellis - Mistress Mabel, Bryn Christopher - The Quest, The Pigeon Detectives - This Is An Emergency, The Kills - Last Day of Magic, Haunts - Underground, The Music - Strength In Numbers, Fear of Music - First To Go, Long Blondes - Century, Cut Copy - Lights & Music, Film School - Compare, Constantines - Hard Feelings, Hot Chip - One Pure Thought

 

The Stills - Snakecharming The Masses

I love The Stills, I even bore with them on the 2nd album, this is a great return to form and a great first single off the 3rd album "Oceans Will Rise" due out on August 19th.

You can check out some of the new songs on their MySpace page. The Stills, on the "Logic will break your heart" tour and part of NoisePop, were the first band I saw at The Independent after it opened (It was formerly The Justice League where I saw The Streets on their first US tour)

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thestills
Website: http://www.thestills.net/

 

I Was A Cub Scout - Pink Squares

I do detect a "Death cab..." influence with a little bit of stellastarr*, but that may just be me. Nice video, though - A good presentation for a simple performance video. This is taken from the album 'I Want You To Know That There Is Always Hope'.

I see some UK dates including 1 tour date on July 4th at Port Lympne wild animal park in the UK??? but who knows if that will happen as they have allegedly split up - See the MySpace blog for info and new projects


Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/iwasacubscout
Website: http://www.iwasacubscout.net/

 

Gutter Twins - Idle Hands

So what do you do when you're bored? Check out The Gutter Twins latest video for ideas.

This is taken from the album Saturnalia - Previous coverage is here

I do not see a local show but would not be surprised to see something on July 11th between the LA show on the 10th and Seattle show on the 12th (Just a guess though)

Anyway, I was at the Local H show at The Independent on Sunday night and it was really good - Always a good start when you see a bottle of water rather than bourbon on stage. They put on a great show to support the new album "12 Angry Months" which you should rush out and buy. For those that missed the show, you can listen to several archived shows at archive.org

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theguttertwins
Website: http://www.theguttertwins.com/

 

The Rascals - Freakbeat Phantom

This is the latest single from The Rascals due out on June 9th (UK). The album "Rascalize" is out in the UK on June 23rd - You may have to get "Suspicious Wit" separately as it is not on the track list.

The Rascals and the Last Shadow Puppets are both playing some of the same festivals (I think at Reading/Leeds) so Miles will be a busy man.

Previous "The Rascals" coverage here

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/rascalmusic
Website: http://www.therascals.co.uk/

 

MGMT - Electric Feel

Updated: Not embeddable from YouTube, apologies, so updated to MTV
Happy June to you. Posts are still a little untimely as we are still getting ready to move house and recovering from the party at the weekend.

It feels like summer to me and nothing says summer like this track from MGMT. They have a busy time ahead of them playing various shows around the US plus a lot of festivals in the UK and elsewhere.

I'd love to be at the one in Manchester with radiohead and Bat for Lashes.

Anyway, enjoy the video and watch out for the motorbikes. The single should be out June 23rd (UK) but there is the album version available. Also, you can watch "Time to Pretend" here

Click to buy the MP3 (Album version) here

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/mgmt

 

Tricky - Council Estate

Great video - Brings back memories of certain areas of Manchester growing up. Love the blurry head thing. (Watch it!) Check out the website for a higher definition version of the video.

This is the first single from Tricky's forthcoming alum "Knowle West Boy" due July 7th UK and Sept. 9th US. I liked "Blowback" with the exception of one track.

I do not see much on the tour front except for a couple of festival dates in Spain and France July/August but I would suspect there will be more soon - Check Pollstar

"Council Estate is just me... that song is the upbringing me and friends had. It's the first single I've ever done with just me on vocals. I couldn't whisper that song. I had to come out of myself and do a loud, screaming vocal. I wanted to be a proper frontman on that one." --Tricky on Council Estate.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/trickola
Website: http://www.knowlewestboy.com/

 

Black Kids - Hurricane Jane

Okay, it's been a while since my last post but I blame the long weekend, plus we're trying to get the house in shape for my birthday party and more importantly to sell it (Not sure if these two things go together)

This is the new video from Black Kids and the single is out June 23rd in the UK - Summer songs are very important in the UK and this fits that need. A nice video, song has a little bit of Black Grape and ABC to it (If you're old enough to figure those references, if not ask a teacher... an old teacher.)

They are out of Jacksonville Florida, but seem to have been adopted by the UK. They are touring (Some dates sold out) in the UK and the odd piece of Europe. They are then on the festival circuit including Lollapalooza in Chicago (Looks like the only US date for a while)

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/blackkidsrock
Website: http://blackkidsmusic.com/

 

April 2008

Episode 4 - "A new hope" The collected videos from April 2008.

The Long Blondes - Guilt, Guillemots - Falling Out Of Reach, Forward Russia - "Breaking, Standing", Captain - Keep An Open Mind, Sons And Daughters - This Gift, Eight Legs - Freaking out the Neighbours, The Metros - Last of the Lookers, Mystery Jets - Two Doors Down, Twisted Wheel - She's A Weapon, The Envy Corps - Story Problem, Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart, Louis XIV - Air Traffic Control, The Black Ghosts - I Want Nothing, These New Puritans - Swords of Truth, Elbow - One Day Like This, The Gutter Twins - All Misery/Flowers, Red Light Company - With Lights Out, Gliss - Gimme The Hit, The Draytones - Turn It Down, B-52s - Funplex, The Black Keys - Strange Times

 

Tapes 'n Tapes - Hang Them All

This video is more a war "of" capitalism than a war "on" capitalism, but amusing enough. This is not technically a brand new video, but Beggars have refreshed it on their list. It is taken from the album "Walk it Off"

The band hail from Minnesota and if you listen to "Conquest" on their MySpace page you can detect a bit of an "Echo and the Bunnymen" influence.

They are touring in Europe but do have one date in August in Brooklyn NY with the Black Keys

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/tapesntapes
Website: WEBSITEURL

 

White Williams - Violator

Taken from the album "Smoke", this has a nice sound and a cool video. They sound like.... (It will come to me)

Starts with a little New Order sound to the guitar but progresses into something a lot more melodic.

They have a Boston and NY date left before touring the UK and Ireland for the firsy few ewwks of June.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/whitewilliams
Website: http://www.dominorecordco.com/smoke/smoke.html

 

Portishead - The Rip

Almost the antithesis of Machine Gun, this is the 2nd track taken from 2008's album "3rd". Starts off very mellow, but does build although not to the aggressive levels of machine gun.

Video is an animation, with not so unhappy skulls and a crazy hang glider.

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/PORTISHEADALBUM3
Website: http://www.portishead.co.uk/

 

The Courteeners - No You Didnt No You Dont

The new single from hotly tipped "The Courteeners". For those that remember the "Top of the Pops" TV chart show from the UK you will recognize this video as a pastiche of that. The single is due out on June 23rd (UK)

Oh, and of course, they are from Manchester which is why you get a little Smithsy sound out of them. They have a couple of gigs in Japan and then back to the British Isles for a string of shows and festival dates.

This post was brought to you by Blogger's new scheduled posting as I am up in Tahoe for the weekend.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thecourteeners
Website: http://www.thecourteeners.com/

 

The Fratellis - Mistress Mabel

This is the first single to be taken from the forthcoming album "Here we Stand". The album is due June 9th (UK) and the single May 26th(UK)

This is a much anticipated follow up to the fantastic "Costello Music" that I can highly recommend as an in car sing-a-long album.

The video at least has a fox in it - Cool!

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/littlebabyfratelli
Website: http://www.thefratellis.com/

 

Bryn Christopher - The Quest

This is the debut single from Bryn Christopher from the Midlands (Translation=Near Birmingham) in the UK. This is a bit more poppy than my normal posts, just think of it as a moment of weakness late in the week.

Anyway, the single is due out on June 9th (UK) taken from the album "My World" out in August. He's on tour in the UK currently with a few festival appearances. There is a story in BandWeblogs that he was signed by one of the biggest live agents in the US - William Morris

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/brynchristopher

 

The Pigeon Detectives - This Is An Emergency

This is more like it. I heard a lot about these guys a couple of years ago. This is taken from the album "Emergency" due out May 26th (UK)

They are currently touring the UK and Europe including Glastonbury although there were some postponements due to a knee injury. There is a lone Canadian date in September listed on pollstar so I'd expect a US tour then.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thepigeondetectives
Website: http://www.thepigeondetectives.com/

 

The Kills - Last Day of Magic

Taken from, "Midnight Boom", one of my favorite albums this year, and I am gutted that I cannot make the show at Slims on Saturday. Another great, video who d'you think would win that fight?

See other The Kills videos here

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thekills

 

Haunts - Underground

Something to dance to - This is a relatively fast paced track designed to be jumped up and down to. This is out on 7 inch and download

They are a 4 piece out of London and should be putting the finishing touches on their debut album.

They have some dates in the UK including in June Club NME @ Koko and the Download Festival.

This is a bit heavier than I'd normally push, but I have been a bit remiss on looking at new videos. I was at Elbow on Friday, and it was fantastic! They are really enjoying themselves these days. For next week I'd recommend The Kills on Saturday at Slims.

Click to buy the MP3 from 7 Digital

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/haunts
Website: http://www.hauntslondon.com/

 

The Music - Strength In Numbers

Well, finishing the week on a high - The Music have surprised me with a single I actually like! The video has a lot going on, more tanks than The Last Shadow Puppets, more night vision than The Black Keys plus helicopters and short hair to boot.

This is the title track from their 3rd album due on June 9th UK. I think it's about 4 years since the last one?

They are currently on tour in the UK.

PS - It's Mothers Day on Sunday (US)

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/themusic
Website: http://www.themusic.co.uk/

 

Fear of Music - First To Go (Plus Free MP3s)

These guys are out of Manchester and so get an extra shout from me just for locale. This video shows what happens if you take guitars into a 50s jazz club.

This single is due out June 2nd (UK) and taken from the debut album "Actor/Actress" August 11th (UK).

Thanks go out again here to Alex at ScruffyBird for the following free MP3 downloads.

Stream here



Download the MP3s below
A Blueprint
Ropes Out of Sheets

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/fearofmusic
Website: http://www.fearofmusic.com/

 

Long Blondes - Century

This is following very quickly on the heels of Guilt, but this has a pretty cool video - Danger! Windmills!

Taken from the album "Couples" released in the US yesterday.

The US tour kicks off in a couple of weeks hitting San Francisco on June 2nd at The Great American Music Hall and tickets are available here

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thelongblondes
Website: http://www.thelongblondes.co.uk/

 

Cut Copy - Lights & Music

Pure pop, but good for a Tuesday - This is quite a popular track and I normally try and stay away from the really popular stuff, but there's a new video shortage out there at the moment. This track is taken fro their second album "In Ghist Colors".

Check out "Feel the Love" on their MySpace page.

They are currently on tour in the US, then return to their native Australia (They're from Melbourne) before hitting some of the summer festivals including Glastonbury

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/cutcopy
Website: http://www.cutcopy.net/

 

Film School - Compare

This is a black and white performance video, but nice guitars lead us through it. This is taken from their 3rd album "Hideout"

Currently on tour in the US, appearing at the Fillmore on May 29th with Swervedriver tickets on sale here.

On a separate note, I was at the Great American Music Hall to see Sons and Daughters and they put on an absolutely fantastic show - Go and see them if yu get a chance and buy "This Gift" it's one of my favorite albums so far this year. Next event for me is Elbow

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/filmschool
Website: http://www.filmschoolmusic.com/

 

Constantines - Hard Feelings

The black and white axe wielding video for "Hard Feelings" from Canada's Constantines.

This is taken from the album "Kensington Heights" that was released this week (US).

They are on tour in the US and Canada and in San Francisco at Slims on July 2nd, 2008. and tickets are available here.

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/constantines
Website: http://www.constantines.ca/

 

Hot Chip - One Pure Thought

This track is crying out to be re-mixed to the max. Following on from "Ready for the floor", this is taken from the album "Made in the Dark".

They are currently on tour in the UK and have more European and UK dates throughout the year - Including a few festival dates.

I previously covered "Ready for the Floor" here.

Click to buy the MP3 (Radio Edit) from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/hotchip
Website: http://www.hotchip.co.uk/

 

The Long Blondes - Guilt

A dog show video? Not many people can pull that off - I think they do, but your call. This is taken from the album "Couples" due on May 6th US

They tour the US from the middle of next month and are in the bay area June 2nd at The Great American Music Hall and tickets are available here.

This is the last video for April, so enjoy.

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thelongblondes
Website: http://www.thelongblondes.co.uk/

 

Guillemots - Falling Out Of Reach

Updated: Apoloigies, forgot to add the video code - It's here now
This song is really going to make someones summer. The video stars Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf to you and me).

The single is out on May 26th (UK) and taken from the album "Red" available as a reasonable import via Amazon.

They are currently on tour in the UK

See my previous Guillemots coverage of the more upbeat "Get over it" here.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/guillemotsmusic
Website: http://www.guillemots.com/

 

Forward Russia - Breaking, Standing

This video definitely gives a nod to those famous Japanese horror movies (Or remakes) of recent times.

This single is taken from the album "Life Processes". (I didn't see a US release date but it is out in the UK and Ireland)

They are on tour in the UK and Europe currently.

On a completely different subject, I was at the Web 2.0 Expo as a visitor this year. My company had a booth in 2007. This year it seemed much bigger and there was the odd stranf=ge corporte umberella booths for partners e.g. Oracle and I did get to go to the NetVibes party.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/forwardrussia
Website: http://www.forwardrussia.com/

 

Captain - Keep An Open Mind

This is the first track from the album "Distraction", a follow up to 2006's Hazelville", that is due in the Summer. A bright video, but we are seeing a lot of performance type videos at the moment, although bands are trying to be a little inventive

They are on tour in the UK through to mid-May. They are posting video blogs and you can see their broken down "shit" van via their MySpace page.

Join the mailing list here for a free download of Animal.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/captaintheband
Website: http://captaintheband.com

 

Sons And Daughters - This Gift

This is the title track from their fantastic follow up to "Repulsion Box". This album definitely marks a change in course, this one being produced by Brett Butler (Suede). The previous album "Repulsion Box" was self-described as being a set of "Murder Ballads", this one is, well, dancey.

They are currently on tour in the US playing Coachella and are appearing at The Great American Music Hall on May 2nd. Tickets are available here.

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/sonsanddaughters
Website: http://www.sonsanddaughtersloveyou.com

 

Eight Legs - Freaking out the Neighbours

Okay, so this is a month old, but that's how long it takes to get NME delivered when it's printed in the UK and I live in San Francisco. You also know by the spelling of neighbo(u)rs that these guys are out of the UK. This video works well, simple yet effective. It's got a nice sound to it, guitars kicking out a nice melody.

They are currently on tour in Europe and the UK through August.

This single was released March 10th (UK) and the album "Searching for the Simple Life" was released on April 7th (UK)

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/eightlegs
Website: http://www.eightlegs.co.uk/

 

White Lies - Unfinished Business

Updated Polydor removed the video from Youtube so I have replaced it with the MySpace version.

This is their debut single and was released (UK) yesterday. Someone take those scissors off her, she's worrying me.

This band emerged from the remnants of "Fear of Flying" according to Exitfare and he/she/they nail the comparison (Yes you will have to go see what was said)

Starting in May they are touring the UK as part of the NME "New Noize 2008" tour.

PS I finally got the March Video Show online.

White Lies - Unfinished Business

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/whitelies

 

The Metros - Last of the Lookers

This, for some reason (Guitars prob.) reminds me of Jet, BUT it is a bit more lad pop (Rather than lad rock). It's a fairly standard performance video type production, but worth watching as the interplay between the band is fun to watch. Hope it translates in live shows

This is the 2nd single June 2 (May 26 for download) through 1965 Records (Also home to The Draytones, The View and the fantastic Ripchord).

They are touring the UK starting April 28th. No US dates yet.

Also, I think "Education Part 2" made it onto my Bubbling list some time ago.

MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/themetrosband
Website: http://www.themetros.com\

 

Mystery Jets - Two Doors Down

Don't know too much about this, so a random event for Friday

The album "Twenty One" came out in March in the UK and is available on import in the US.

They are currently on tour in the UK and Ireland (If a DJ set in Dublin counts).

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/mysteryjets
Website: http://www.mysteryjets.com/

 

Twisted Wheel - She's A Weapon

This is a live video of the single due out in the UK on April 21st. They are currently touring in the UK.

So why am I showing a live version? Is ir because they are out of Manchester? Well, I do have something extra to add. I have a FREE MP3 (Okay, M4A) of a demo of this track.

Download the free Demo MP3 (M4a format) below
02 She's A Weapon (demo)

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thetwistedwheel

 

The Envy Corps - Story Problem

Some days it doesn't come easy looking for new videos. When the YouTube subscriptions leave you high and dry, that's when it is time to lean on the big boys. My go to sources are NME (Who you can thank for this one), MTV Subterranean and Pitchfork

This video is a month or so old, but mimics a cross between and endurance competition and anime (Including sound effects) and so deserves a look. The album "Dwell" is out on April 28th (UK) and this single is out on April 21st(UK). They are currently on tour with Eisley, but I suspect I missed the Bay Area dates.

Also, check out Santogold who I was going to cover but they have enough viewers.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theenvycorps
Website: http://www.theenvycorps.com/

 

Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart

This is their first single from the new album "Narrow Stairs" which is due out on May 13th. It has a slightly different sound to Plans, more pared down - I think I detected a little U2 unforgettable fire type guitar in the intro.

A simple performance type video, spaced out by a world traveling wanderer.

They are appearing at Coachella on April 26th and are back in the Bay Area June 21st at The Greek Theater, Berkley. Tickets available here

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/deathcabforcutie
Website: http://www.deathcabforcutie.com

 

Louis XIV - Air Traffic Control

This is one of those big songs that deserve an abstract video, Great effects and imagery, and worth a look.

Looks like they are at Lollapalooza August 3rd with Nine Inch Nails in Chicago.

For previous coverage of Louis XIX click here

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/louisxiv
Website: http://www.louisxiv.net/

 

The Black Ghosts - I Want Nothing

Will the cartoon vacuum cleaner suck up the cartoon band? You betcha!

Anyway, something nice and short for a Friday (Extended version on MySpace)- Just a nice little beat.

This is out on vinyl April 28th, 2008 (That's a Monday so I suspect a UK release date).

They are in San Francisco on May 1st, but no confirmed venue yet. Updated: Just heard from Southern Fried Records venue is the The Mezzanine

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/blackghosts
Website: http://www.theblackghosts.co.uk/

 

These New Puritans - Swords of Truth

A fairly simple Kaleidoscope type video, but the effect works well with the repetition and build up in the song. This single is out in the UK on May 5th.

Looks like this is the UK Single for the album "Beat Pyramid" and somewhere there is a US single "Navigate Navigate" on Angular but I haven't found it yet.

They are on tour April/May in the UK/Europe and have some dates in England with The Kills and some in Europe with Lightspeed Champion.

In case you missed it, check out their Elvis video.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thesenewpuritans
Website: http://www.thesenewpuritans.com/

 

Elbow - One Day Like This

Following on from the initial single Grounds for Divorce, his song is way mellower and goes for a more YouTube friendly type video.

There is an intriguing website involving a rotating cube for the new album The Seldom Seen Kid. The album was released on March 17th in the UK and is due out in the US on April 22nd.

They are touring in support of this album and will be in the San Francisco Bay Area at Bimbo's 365 Club on May 8th 2008 and tickets are on sale here. I saw them at the Independent on their last tour and they are incredible live.

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/elbowmusic
Website: http://www.elbow.co.uk/

The Gutter Twins - All Misery/Flowers

Hula hoops, belly dancers and the most fantastic blue suit (Feel free to disagree on the color).

The Gutter Twins are Greg Dulli and Mark Lanegan (Queens of the Stone Age, Screaming Trees, SoulSavers and recently worked with Isobelle Campbell formerly of Belle and Sebastian).

This song is taken from the album "Saturnalia" and I think is the first official video.

Currently, they are on tour in Europe playing some sold out dates in the UK.

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theguttertwins
Website: http://www.theguttertwins.com/

 

Red Light Company - Demo MP3s

This is a first for this blog, so a big shout out to the people at ScruffyBird who represent "Red Light Company" particularly Alex for getting these MP3s to me. Also, thanks to Jackie at ZootMusic and Laura at Sony BMG

The video for With Lights Out is here.

Stream here



Download the Demo MP3s below
01 - Fine Fascination
02 - With Lights Out
03 - Scheme Eugene

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/redlightcompany
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Light-Company/10365846675

Red Light Company - With Lights Out

A 5 piece out of London. Can't find out much about them aside from this at There goes the fear music blog. They are under bands to watch.

They have toured with Editors and Mobius Band, and are now out on a UK tour.

The song more than carries the video, and shows promise.

According to the only blog entry on MySpace this single is due out as a download EP available from April 28 and a CD & 7" available from May 26 (Which I think is limited). The lead singer is Scottish.

I've been promised some pics and MP3s on this band and will update the post as I receive them or create a new follow up post if appropriate

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/redlightcompany

 

Gliss - Gimme The Hit

Fantastic, loud fast guitar video to this. The most exciting video I've come across recently. This video was pushed a few weeks ago but I just caught it on my tivoed Subterranean.

This truly grabbed me so much, that I've bumped my original Friday vid to Monday.

For those in San Francisco they are at the Edinburgh Castle on May 16th.

I love the simplicity of the video to demonstrate their style - essentially, they walk up and arrive to a gig on a rooftop - Nice!

Check out the website for demos of the tracks from the new album.

The band lists Silverlake as there location on MySpace.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/gliss
Website: http://gliss.tv

 

The Draytones - Turn It Down

These guys are a 3 piece out of London. Self-described as Psychedelic / Garage / Latin (?). This looks like the first new material since last year's "Forever On" mini album (Not released in the US bu the looks of it)

They have some dates lined up in England and some bigger venues supporting Paul Weller.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thedraytones
Website: http://thedraytones.com/

 

B-52s - Funplex

Yes, the B-52s! This is purely reflective of how few videos I am seeing at the moment, and a little reminder that I am supposed to do some 80s flashback stuff - This covers both.

Apparently, 16 years since their last album but you wouldn't really know - Not exactly the "love shack" for the noughties but probably a good excuse for a tour. This is taken from the album (also called FunPlex) that is available now in the US and due to drop in the UK on April 14th. Video, well what can I sat, what do you expect?

Anyhoo, I was at the SF Beta 2.3 Mixer last night and could have done with a wing man. Not as many startups as I expected, but I liked the look of SurfCanyon and they have to be able to monetize that. Of course InMyLeague.com will appeal to the beautiful but why on earth would I want to be hooked up with people in my league if I look like a troll? Couldn't hear the pitch for http://www.twine.com/ as they were conveniently situated next to the speaker system.

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theb52s
Website: http://www.theb52s.com/

 

The Black Keys - Strange Times

Okay, the album drops today! I am going to see these guys tomorrow at The Warfield

This video displays the perils of bringing real lasers into a laser tag game (spoilsports)

The kids thought it was Star Wars and so are happy with this one.

Click to buy the MP3 from Amazon

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theblackkeys
Website: http://www.theblackkeys.com/