Moon Duo – The Caves, Edinburgh – 4 Sept 2014

Posted on September 4, 2014 by georgeglen

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Moon duo are singer/guitarist Ripley Johnson and keyboardist Sanae Yamada from San Francisco.  This tour  joined by drummer Sonny Sharrock and his metronomic, machine like drumming  has beefed up their sound into a relentless, intense, trancey, psychedelic monster.  ‘Moon Trio’ … I Like!

Once they get into a groove (i.e. immediately) it’s impossible to stay still and I couldn’t help but grin at the power and simplicity of great riffs incessantly ground into your consciousness and dancing feet.  Pics are a bit blurred due to the dark, kaleidoscope like lightshow, but the pics reflect the mood … blurred! Go and see if you get a chance.

8.5/11 Attended by George, Andy, John N

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St Vincent – ABC, Glasgow – 26 August 2014

Posted on August 27, 2014 by georgeglen

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Having seen St Vincent on this tour in Manchester back in February I knew what to expect, but Karen had no idea, so it was fun to see her enjoy another stunning performance by Annie Clark and the band!  Sound was really  good too, loud and clear, and a packed ABC was most appreciative.

I thougth Karen might be put of by the theatrics and choreography, but she was impressed and it came across well as knowingly amusing, rather than contrived.  Good to get down and sweaty too with a crowd right into it, rather than cool in a cathedral!

Attended by George & Karen 8/11

Wish I had a video … but none forthcoming so sharing this one from the next night !

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/st-vincent/2014/o2-abc-glasgow-scotland-73ce7ea5.html

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Not The Sensational Alex Harvey Band – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh– 13 August 2014

Posted on August 13, 2014 by georgeglen

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I always liked SAHB so though I had no idea what these guys would be liked I was encouraged that SAHB Bass player Chris Glen had commended them.  He was right, they are brilliant!

Without a keyboard player, they don’t quite have the variety of the original band … but you soon forget that after a while given Hanspeter’s uncanny ‘Not Zal’ guitar work and Gordon’s convincing ‘Not Alex’ voice and great stage presence. The select contributions from dancer Ina were superb and turned a covers band gig into a theatrical extravaganza … Very Impressed!

A great chance to sing along, with a generally ‘experienced’ crowd I have to admit. Karen knew more of the words than I did! Must see them again soon.

Attended by George & Karen 8/11

 

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Emiliana Torrini – St. George’s Church, Brighton – 27 June 2014

Posted on June 27, 2014 by georgeglen

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I was gutted to just miss Emiliana when we went to the Iceland Airwaves Festival and she didn’t have many gigs planned … So Brighton it had to be and Karen and I turned the long, long drive into a weekend holiday!

I’m so glad we made the effort and the church was a really nice venue that suited her show. Her latest album ‘Tookah’ was probably my album of 2013 and most of the songs made it into a great set full of my favourites. Accompanied beautifully by a great band including Mara Carlyle on backing vocals and saw, and the great Siggi Baldurson from the Sugarcubes on drums.

A feature of her gigs are her rambling but endearing stories in between songs. Always so funny and often involving alcohol, especially the one about dancing on the restaurant tables and swinging from the chandeliers! A very special night as always with Emiliana. xx

9/11 Attended by George & Karen – See Basile Joubin’s video playlist. He must have been sitting just to our left! Thanks Basile 🙂


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Fat Goth – Electric Circus, Edinburgh – 29 May 2014

Posted on May 29, 2014 by georgeglen

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Fat Goth ‘s album launch gig for the Dundee band’s  new album ‘100% Suave‘, which is getting well deserved rave reviews, and since I do like the album a lot I was looking forward to this.  I really enjoyed this set, particularly the new songs starting with the basstastic ‘Sin Altar’, and the best being ‘Class A’ and ‘Sweet Mister Scary’. ‘Classics’ like final song ‘Surf’s Down’ and encore ‘Debbie’s Dirty Harry’ went down a storm too!

Great playing and great energy from the guys, especially drummer Mark who is a blur of action as usual, but … (you guessed there was a but) … the sound was pretty dreadful. I like loud, which it was, but also pretty muddy and indistinct. Lucky I know the songs well, and it did improve a little bit, but still disappointing. Some would call for ear plugs … not me though ;o)

7.5/11 Attended by George, Andy, Douglas

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White Denim – Liquid Room, Edinburgh – 22 May 2014

Posted on May 22, 2014 by georgeglen

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White Denim are … Astounding ! But … How on earth can I describe what they are like? One minute country rock, next cool jazz, some blues then funky soul … diverse yet seamless, strung together like a prog rock band, and all in one song! You think ‘where is this going?’ then ‘how can this work?’, but it’s going places I like and god knows how, but it sure does work!

After a while you stop wondering and just get carried along with some amazing songs and dazzling musicianship. Singer James Petralli has a tremendous voice, bluesy and soulful, he really gets involved in the song and his passion draws you in. He’s also an incredible guitarist and the interplay with Austin Jenkins superb guitar is as good as I’ve ever seen. Rhythm section also top notch, the whole performance tight as a gnat’s chuff!

2hrs 15mins including encores was quite a set too. Sometimes their jams go on a little and since I don’t know the songs I wasn’t totally emotionally connected, but … what a band, not to be missed again.

9/11 Attended by George, Andy, Derek



http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/white-denim/2014/glee-club-birmingham-england-73c0fa91.html

 

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The Sensational David Bowie Tribute Band – ABC2, Glasgow – 17 May 2014

Posted on May 18, 2014 by georgeglen

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Another great gig from TSDBTB, the 4th time we have seen them, and the best to my mind after an extensive 3 sets run through the best of Bowie.

The ABC2 is a really good venue and was well filled with enthusiastic, if generally ageing, Bowie fans. They went down a storm and I particularly enjoyed the middle ‘acoustic’ set which had more obscure numbers including ‘Amsterdam’ which was great. Karen and Jan of course sang their hearts out!

7.5/11 They are so good, but I can’t give a covers band 8. Attended by George, Karen & Jan.

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Shonen Knife – Electric Circus, Edinburgh – 11 May 2014

Posted on May 11, 2014 by georgeglen

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I left the Electric Circus with a sore face from grinning!  Shonen Knife just make you smile with their non-stop cheerfulness, classic punk pop riffs and cheesy but fun songs.

Shonen Knife have been going since 1981 (wikipedia) but guitarist Naoko is the only original member, with Ritsuko on Bass and Emi on drums. They still give  a joyous combination of tight, punchy rock and charming japanese delivery. As Naoko frequently says – ‘Let’s Rock’!

One sequence of songs featured favourite food and drinks. Ritsuko’s song was ‘Ramen Rock’, Emi sang ‘Green Tea’, Naoko sang ‘I Wanna Eat Choco Bars’ and ‘ Hot Chocolate’.  Encore was ‘Capybara’.  Awesome!

s Naoko says, “Let’s Rock!”
s Naoko says, “Let’s Rock!”
s Naoko says, “Let’s Rock!”

7.5/11 Attended by George, Andy, Douglas

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/shonen-knife/2014/lorient-linkoping-sweden-1bc0e99c.html

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Blood Red Shoes – Òran Mór, Glasgow – 27 April 2014

Posted on April 28, 2014 by georgeglen

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One of my favourite live bands now and they always deliver a great set, especially this one with the best songs from all 4 albums and the Water EP.  My favourites from the night were their newer songs, An Animal, Everything All At Once, Perfect Mess, Red River and Black Distractions.

Crowd really got into it but I was a bit disappointed with no encores … the band left the stage and the crowd seemed stunned into relative silence!  The art of appealing for an encore seems to be dying nowadays whether or not a curfew was imminent!

Supports from other 2 piece bands DZ Deathrays and Slaves… interesting but unremarkable, see BRS for how much two can do!

8/11 Attended by George & Karen

Review – http://www.isthismusic.com/blood-red-shoes-4

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/blood-red-shoes/2014/club-academy-manchester-england-2bc32c26.html

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British Sea Power – Liquid Room, Edinburgh – 6 April 2014

Posted on April 6, 2014 by georgeglen

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I don’t know exactly why I decided to go and see British Sea Power, but I wish I hadn’t bothered! Andy suggested them and I think I watched an old live video on YouTube so thought why not.

Well, Liquid Room was absolutely full when I got there, so I thought this might be ok. But I was dissapointed. Insipid, samey and just plain boring. I hung around for 7 songs hoping for some excitement or melody or change up … But nothing. So I just left them to it. Not my cup of tea at all.

4/11 and that’s being generous. Attended by George & Andy

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