Jet - ‘Shine on’ (Or, what a CD would say if it could talk to its buyer)

By the time you read this, I will be gone. You waited a long time for me to arrive but when I did you had moved on, on to another band and left me on the shelf. We were the future of rock n roll but now we are on the same level as the relics we emulate, I, even in this early stage of my life find myself lying in bargain bins across the land.

(more…)

The Boyfriends (boobytrap records)
Personally invited by Morrissey to support him on his European tour earlier this year, it wasn’t long before this obscure London outfit were the toast of the music industry and the NME were all over them like a particularly unsightly rash. Knowing Mozzers obsession for like sounding acts, (something I’ve never really understood), I kind of had a fair idea of what to expect when this album arrived……

(more…)

The New York garage funksters a certainly making an impression over here. Even Jonathan Ross’s booking department took an unusual risk in giving them the converted prime time band slot the other week and why not, they bloody deserve it.

Standing In The Way Of Control, taken from the debut album of the same name, stands head and shoulders above any of the so called EMO nonsense which like a petulant child competes to be heard. Vocalist Beth, belts this one out with gut wrenching intensity, with stripped down distortion and a dirty bass complementing her fiery tones.

It’s the second time around for this tune but unlike its first release this could well be the track that breaks them. They head out on a national tour next week, check ‘em out.

9/10

James Heward

(more…)

The Grates – Science Is Golden (Polydor)

Caused a bit of a stir earlier this year with the debut album ‘Gravity won’t get you high’, Australians answer to Be Your Own Pet but thankfully better,

Science Is Golden does the trick as album filler (and as a vaguely humorous bit of word play)  but falls a little flat in terms of having the grab factor for a single. Pitched somewhere between post punk and indie rock, their use of harmonise to prop up a lack of melody seems pointless especially when there are at least 3 other more worthy potential singles on the album. It doesn’t quite know what it is, unlike the brilliant previous release 19-20-20 that grabbed you by the balls, this kind of just toys with them for a bit before getting tired.

Now there’s a nice image.

6/10

James Heward

(more…)

Having accidentally bought the single, Suspicious Character, by The Blood Arm, (I thought I was buying something by Blood Red Shoes but got the name wrong). My initial disappointment was replaced by that of intrigue.

Despite the obvious, pandering to the generic indie market with simplistically catchy lyrics, it introduced some unusual influences. Its fair to say the U.S outfit can be lazily linked to the New York sound of The Strokes or Hot Hot Heat but delve a little deeper and more weighty leanings toward Teardrop Explodes and Ben Folds can be unearthed, refreshing in these times of carbon copy acts peddling what evers flavour of the month.

The tracks, Accidental Soul and Stay Put, show off their obvious song writing skills and the lascivious rock and roll lyrical content is rescued by brilliantly lead piano riffs, giving them a much needed cultural lift. Whilst the track Visionaries, opened by  a distant reverbed electric guitar riff is reminiscent of The Walkmans, ‘What’s In It For Me’, by no means a bad thing.

It’s hard to see how The Blood Arm will be received in the long term. They could either become the biggest thing since sliced bread, or suffer from an increasing fashion departure from that once phenomenally popular New York Garage Punk sound that even The Strokes are struggling to promote these days. Time will tell….

8/10

James Heward

(more…)

Chances are this Cardiff five piece have passed you by. Its probably not your fault, cos unlike other bands of their ilk, The Long Blondes, Dead Disco etc, the press have hardly been falling over themselves to grant them column inches. I personally find this staggering and tonight, as they launch into a future single ‘Terry’, an audience of eagerly expectant Pipettes fans stop their conversations, strain an ear from the bar, some wandering over to investigate an opening verse that has clearly captivated the vast majority of people here.

I’m not at all surprised. The Hot Puppies debut album, ‘Under The Crooked Moon’, that silently crept onto the shelves earlier this year is a strange but wonderful affair. A brash contradiction of discordant riffs and insanely catchy melodies cemented together by a sharp and often dark lyrical content. Singer Becky Newman Knowingly beautiful but plays the shy almost stage struck little girl routine which has the desired effect, she has all the blokes in her thrall and it becomes quickly apparent that she can effortless work a crowd with quick witted quips and an ability to command attention without dominating arrogance.

The band cross several styles, traditional folk, beatnik, even traces of late 60’s garage psycadelia with an excellent use of some eerie Hammond organ riffs but ultimately it’s intelligent indie pop from the heart. The band launch into the striking ballad ‘Love in Practice Not Theory, where Newman takes the opportunity to engage in banter with a wide eyed boy on the front row as she sings the line, “The one that will make them go weak at the knees, when you dedicate it to me”, smiling as she gestures to him…the poor lad nearly collapses.

By now the whole room is taking note as they strike up the opening chords to the albums trump card, ‘The Girl who was too beautiful’, an inspired lyric chronicling a girl desperately trying to compete with her new boyfriends dead ex girlfriend, a moving if also amusing song baring the brilliant line, “Dear Mariella, things are getting worse it feels like I’m chasing a hearse”.

But it’s the truly heart rendering, “How Come You Don’t Hold Me No More”, that leaves the biggest imprint. Who said emotive ballads are dead, this one strikes home with laser like accuracy and is met with rapturous applause.

The Hot Puppies, by right, should be talked about by all and sundry, darling of the NME, invited to offer opinions on their favourite kind of underwear on Pop World, and who knows this may happen, but for now they are a band gradually being discovered by the unsuspecting but are winning hearts everywhere they turn. This is something you need to be a part of. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

9/10

James Heward

(more…)

Much has been said about the Las Vegas four pieces new Americana/Springsteen direction.
Can you imagine them singing lyrics as they do now like “I woke on the roadside, in the land of the freeride” way back when in 2004 and when did My Name Is Earls Earl Hickey take over on drums?
There is a slight Springsteen twang in Brandon Flowers voice now, especially with the yodelling on the terribly titled ‘Bling (Confessions of a king)’, he’s obviously had singing lessons but the transformation from Morrissey influenced fops to New Jersey rock legends in Levis and short sleeved plaid shirts has not happened, that moustache though is laughable, we all went through that stage when we reached puberty and tried to grow one though didn’t we….DIDN’T WE??

Lyrically, long gone are the girlfriends who look like boyfriends and now songs of brothers born on the fourth of July and riding down the freeway are the order of the day. It’s this major shift which lets this album down and show them up to be frauds and despite their music still mainly influenced by an 80s Britain, the American dream clichéd lyrics are at a direct opposite of the tunes.
 
Why Do I keep counting is a weird hybrid of their own ‘The things that I’ve done’ and Queens ‘Radio ga-ga’ and it lives up to its warning of being horrible. The opening title track is a gargantuan anthem the size of the new Arsenal football stadium, but as it goes on, the un-needed and unwarranted bombast grates.

‘For reasons unknown’ highlights the failings of this album, the big ideas end up sounding forced, the sentiments fake and the lyrics rubbish,  ” I took a back-road in my car down to the ocean”, even Brian Wilson stopped writing that shit and that was in 1965.

The yearning of ‘Read my mind’  is better and worthy of a place on ‘Hot Fuss’ but they spoil it with ‘Uncle Johhny’ about Brandon Flowers’ cocaine loving uncle which is as meandering and dirge-like
The finest track is the ‘hidden’ track ‘Where the white boys dance’ which shows that there may be future in The Killers yet as this beat laden revisits David Bowie in his early 80s pomp.

They probably think It’s a soundtrack to road tripping on the freeway, if it is, they’re in a clapped out Robin Reliant caining it at 30mph, not a Cadillac (or enter own car cliché here)
Will the real Killers please stand up??? 

 4/10

Chris Todd

(more…)

Friday 20th October @ Carling Academy Islington

With Top Secret Live Guests

 Last months launch of Brighton Beach at Islington Academy was fantastic! With 800 sixties fiends and rock rascals (including, Ricky & Nick - Kaiser Chiefs & Russell - Bloc Party) turning out for a night of dancefloor action from the 60’s to 06 underground and a chaotic live set from The Pigeon Detectives. Of course the next date will be even better! Brighton Beach returns on Friday 20th October with two rooms of floor pounding 60’s Soul, Garage, Freakbeat, R&B, Indie & Britpop, with psychedelic visuals, slide shows, cult 60’s films, a live set from some Top Secret guests…

 Brighton Beach boy/girl DJ team Rob Henderson & Tinna Crowther play a mixture of Classic 60’s Soul, Garage and R&B alongside Britpop and Indie to a backdrop of cult 60’s films in Room 1. While in Room 2, monthly guests from the British Mod and 60’s scene will join our residents to spin 60’s Soul, Northern, Jazz, Garage, Psych and Freakbeat all on beautiful, priceless 45s. Meanwhile in Room 2 resident DJ Gav Needham will be joined by Guests Rob Bailey & Chris McMillan. The esteemed Mr Bailey runs London 60’s Collective The New Untouchables, responsible for  the world renowned Mousetrap allnighter, Fab, Le Beat Bespoke Weekender, and a multitude of other nights, weekenders & rallies around the UK & Europe. Chris McMillan, runs Leeds excellent Psych & Garage club Evil Hoodoo. 35mm slide projections and blazing rainbow coloured 60’s oil wheels setting a psychedelic scene for all the dancefloor action.

 FULL DETAILS
Brighton Beach @ Carling Academy Islington (N1 Centre, London)Friday 20th October, then third Friday each month (17th Nov & 15th December)
Price: £5 adv / Times: 10.30pm-3am
Contact number: 0113 244 3446

Ticket outlets: www.ticketweb.co.uk / 24hr Credit Card Booking 0870 077

(more…)

Friday 20th October @ Carling Academy Islington

With Top Secret Live Guests

 Last months launch of Brighton Beach at Islington Academy was fantastic! With 800 sixties fiends and rock rascals (including, Ricky & Nick - Kaiser Chiefs & Russell - Bloc Party) turning out for a night of dancefloor action from the 60’s to 06 underground and a chaotic live set from The Pigeon Detectives. Of course the next date will be even better! Brighton Beach returns on Friday 20th October with two rooms of floor pounding 60’s Soul, Garage, Freakbeat, R&B, Indie & Britpop, with psychedelic visuals, slide shows, cult 60’s films, a live set from some Top Secret guests…

 Brighton Beach boy/girl DJ team Rob Henderson & Tinna Crowther play a mixture of Classic 60’s Soul, Garage and R&B alongside Britpop and Indie to a backdrop of cult 60’s films in Room 1. While in Room 2, monthly guests from the British Mod and 60’s scene will join our residents to spin 60’s Soul, Northern, Jazz, Garage, Psych and Freakbeat all on beautiful, priceless 45s. Meanwhile in Room 2 resident DJ Gav Needham will be joined by Guests Rob Bailey & Chris McMillan. The esteemed Mr Bailey runs London 60’s Collective The New Untouchables, responsible for  the world renowned Mousetrap allnighter, Fab, Le Beat Bespoke Weekender, and a multitude of other nights, weekenders & rallies around the UK & Europe. Chris McMillan, runs Leeds excellent Psych & Garage club Evil Hoodoo. 35mm slide projections and blazing rainbow coloured 60’s oil wheels setting a psychedelic scene for all the dancefloor action.

 FULL DETAILS
Brighton Beach @ Carling Academy Islington (N1 Centre, London)Friday 20th October, then third Friday each month (17th Nov & 15th December)
Price: £5 adv / Times: 10.30pm-3am
Contact number: 0113 244 3446

Ticket outlets: www.ticketweb.co.uk / 24hr Credit Card Booking 0870 077

(more…)

Yes, celebrate with us as the fireworks are set off early at the Cube and Star on Friday 3rd November, fireworks created by cutting edge music rather than chemicals put together to make a bang to make people go woo or the sort of noise our silky smooth mixing skills make when clattering together another ‘mix’.

To celebrate www.rejectmusicaltrash.com ‘s first year we will be playing all of your favourite and future favourites. Alternative, indie and electro-clash with a cheeky side portion pop for good measure.

The event will also be webcast live on the Cubes website from 9.00pm GMT @ http://www.cubeandstar.tv/ - but that’s no excuse to not come!

On the 26th of October 2004, John Peel, a man who has undoubtedly stopped us all from growing big hair and owning Bon Jovi back catalogues passed away, to coincide with that, we will be celebrating his massive contribution to music by playing some of his faves and our faves, faves we wouldn’t have heard if it wasn’t for him.

Here’s a selection of what to expect -
The Pipettes, Arcade Fire, The Long Blondes, Chemical Brothers, The Gossip, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Organ, Radiohead, Howling Bells, Editors, The Subways, Fields, The Morning After Girls, Ladytron, Goldfrapp, Thin White Duke, British Sea Power, Sleepy Jackson, Interpol, Ride, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Beach Boys, Morrissey, The Dears, The Futureheads, Swervedriver, Bloc Party, Flaming Lips, Suede, The Smiths, Primal Scream, Pulp, Jagz Kooner, The Magic Numbers, Saint Etienne, Belle and Sebastian, The Duke Spirit, Teenage Fanclub, New Order, The Specials, Graham Coxon, My Bloody Valentine, Maximo Park, Gorillaz, Stars, Captain, The Cure, Joy Division, The National, Dirty Pretty Things, Super Furry Animals, Mash-ups, Elastica, The Go Team, Soulwax, The Killers, Blur, The Fall Kasabian, World of Twist, Hot Chip, Sonic Youth, Beck, White Stripes, Humanzi, Oasis, Beatles, Mstrkrft, David Bowie, The Who, Whitey, The Fall, Wolfmother, The Jam, Doves, Dead Disco, The Delays, The Rakes, The Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand

Details -
Reject Musical Trash
Friday 3rd November 2006
9pm til 1am
Downstairs@
The Cube and Star
39A Hoxton Square
London N1 6NN

FREE!!

Dress code - Clothes

www.thecubeandstar.co.uk

C’mon, admit your excitement, a little bit of wee just came out didn’t it?

Here’s how to get there, it’s next to the 333 club
http://streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=533244&y=182723&z=0&sv=N1+6NN&st=2&pc=N1+6NN&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf

and a ready made route to cut into explorer from anywhere lovingly prepared cos we’re nice….
http://www.transportdirect.info/transportdirect/en/journeyplanning/jplandingpage.aspx?&dn=Reject%20Musical%20Trash%20at%20The%20Cube%20And%20Star&d=533244,182723&dt=01092006&t=2000&da=a

(more…)