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/