NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS - LIVE FROM KCRW

NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS

LIVE FROM KCRW 

Double Vinyl LP

OK, this was released last year, I know.

 I’ve only just got a copy....

Recorded at the end of 2013 at the end of a world tour for Push the Sky away, this captures a performance for California’s KCRW  “No rehearsals, no overdubs. This is the result”.  The result is prett damn good. Not only does it serve as a kind of alternate version of the aforementioned “Push the Sky Away”, it represents a snapshot of NC&TBS extensive back catalogue.  There’s  4 songs from “Push the Sky Away”;  The opener “Higgs Bosun Blues”, “Wide Lovely Eyes”, “Mermaids”, and “Push the Sky Away”. They benefit, as do all the songs here, from the stripped back sound courtesy of a truncated Bad Seeds. There’s plenty of room for the songs to breathe. There’s a lightness to all the songs that gives them a new dimension.

Nick himself is the consummate performer, and humours the audience after the first two songs when he asks ”What else?” someone asks for “Nick the stripper, another asks for “Up jumped the Devil”. Then they’re into “Stranger than Kindness”  from ”Your Funeral My Trial”, For this listener, a highlight. While Warren Ellis is no Blixa Bargeld, his wonderfully airy guitar captures the essence of the song marvellously, and is perfect in this context.

“The Mercy Seat” is lightened up a little here (if that’s possible). “Wide lively eyes” and “Mermaids” retain their beauty and mystery as captured on “Push the Sky Away”. “God is in the house” is lent some extra humour in this instance courtesy of Nick. “Jack The Ripper” is rambunctious as ever, the band all clamouring for attention in their own way. The whole band is tight and cohesive; there’s a real bond evident with the band. Good to see Barry Adamson back in the fold, he fits in seamlessly with the others,  (Ellis, Percussionist Jim Sclavunos, and Bass player Martyn Casey), and joins in with their enthusiasm. Along with Nick, they’re all having a great time.

Live from KCRW was released on CD and double LP, as well as a digital download. The album will be rereleased in a forthcoming digital deluxe bundle of Push the Sky Away. The double LP features two exclusive tracks, "Into My Arms" and "God is in the House", which were excluded from previous radio broadcasts of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' KCRW session.

Package wise, this is a winner. Obviously the extra tracks are a bonus. Nick’s obviously sensed he may be on to something with his vinyl releases; although he’s always treated vinyl lovers well, he’s canny and astute enough with his business sense to take advantage of the niche market. The cover itself is suitably suave, quality cardboard on the gatefold, the artwork of which isn’t overstated . The vinyl itself is good quality heavy stuff. The sound itself is fabulous. There’s a real depth and warmth to  the songs and the recording. Minor gripe if any is the absence of an inner sleeve such, but the vinyl is housed in nice gold-tinged matt sleeves .  Download code included.

        A1

1.	"Higgs Boson Blues"
2.	"Far from Me"
3.	"Stranger Than Kindness"   A2
4.	"The Mercy Seat"
5.	"And No More Shall We Part"
6.	"Wide Lovely Eyes"
7.	"Mermaids"   B1
8.	"People Ain't No Good"
9.	"Into My Arms"
10.	"God is in the House"
11.	"Push the Sky Away"   B2
12.	"Jack the Ripper"

VINYL OBSCURITY - EPISODE #2

XTRAVERTS

SO MUCH HATE

Bin Liner Records (1997)

Reissue of late 70’s UK punk by Xtraverts from Wycombe UK.

Not as obscure  as I’d  thought. I’d never heard of these guys before I got this record though. I got this for a tenner “on spec” at a record fair. This is Pistols/’77 (inspired) stuff that goes some way to bridging the gap between the ‘70’s stuff and the UK82 stuff perhaps.  Their facebook page says  “Xtraverts were noted as one of the very first Punk Rock bands, established in 1976 in England”.  These songs were  recorded in 1978 -79  , but never released until 1997 – I think. Apparently  “So much hate” was released in 1978 by Detour records, but I can’t qualify that, and I don’t know if it’s true.

This comprises all the XTRAVERTS recorded output, sound quality varies throughout. Some of the strongest and best recorded songs commence this record – Police State (single version) and I hate you   (“pick on skinheads punks and teds”)

Other highlights include “Who sent the boys”  (didn’t they hate the cops!) “Speed”, which kicks off side two (which The Damned  circa ’79 would have been proud to call their own) “Blank generation” (it appears on side two in it’s “single format”, along with Police State),  and “Dehydration Pill”. All in all great stuff, and it retains anger, energy and melody throughout.

Apparently they were very influential, and left a legacy of Xtaverts graffiti in their home town of Wycombe , as illustrated by the back cover.

Package wise, OK, I guess. front cover is a  B&W collage of the band. Back cover features graffiti pic and song/band info. No insert. Sound quality varies, which is reasonable for its era and multiple recording sessions. A great record, and a great document of a band that perhaps didn’t get the exposure they deserved. They have reformed though, and are planning gigs.

SLAPSHOT 7" AND LIVE REVIEW

SLAPSHOT

EVERYTHING WANTS TO KILL YOU

Australian Tour 7”

Old School Cartel

This was supposed to be handed out at the gig on the night, but the pressing was delayed, and so it’s only just arrived in the post. Recorded specifically to accompany their Australian tour, it comprises a new song Everything wants to kill you, and a Poison Idea Cover, Pure Hate. 

Everything wants to kill you starts in a no-fuss manner and displays the classic hardcore which Slapshot are renowned for.  The lyrics describe how enrything in Australia wants to kill you (Dingoes take away your children). The Crocodile Dundee samples are a bit funny - “That’s not a knife”. Pure Hate sees them put their own stamp on the PI song, and it works well for them, they change the pace a tad without sacrificing any of the song’s energy. The production is  very clean on both songs, almost bordering on slick, but it does give a lean and strong sound.

Package wise, a nice little 7”. Songs are on one side, the Slapshot logo is etched on the other. There’s an insert, and a download code. Nice pic of a shark on the front!

SLAPSHOT,TOE TO TOE, HOSTILE OBJECTS, CROWNED KINGS, STRAIGHT TO A TOMB, STREET WAR

28.3.14 Hermanns Bar

STREET WAR kick off the gig with a set of metal-inspired hardcore. In the ten or so minutes it took me to take a 7” back to the car, a reformed  STRAIGHT TO A TOMB’s  set is all but over. I catch their last song, a cover of Agnostic Front’s Your Mistake. Melbourne’s CROWNED KINGS are up next with their full tilt old school inspired hardcore. HOSTILE OBJECTS  continue proceedings a no fuss manner, putting in a sharp set of thrashcore featuring songs from their Young God 7”. TOE TO TOE keep up the pace with a set of old and new classics. Highlights include the older favourites Slave, Slap of Reality and Judas Kiss.

So then to headliners, Boston’s SLAPSHOT for their first ever Australian tour. Fronted since their early  80’S inception by Choke -  who looked pretty happy up on stage to be in Australia, with an ever changing line up, they play pretty much everything you could want to hear from Slapshot –some twice. Chip on my shoulder, Step on it, Hang up your Boots, Olde Tyme hardcore were all in there, even their cover of the Smiths Bigmouth strikes again. Also included was their tour 7” song, Everything wants to kill you, inspired by Australia's wild animals, spiders etc. Their set was rounded out by the inclusion of guitarist Craig Silverman’s other band Star and Stripes infamous Skinheads on the rampage. All in all, a pretty energetic set.

Oi! THIS IS STREETPUNK VOLUME 4

Oi! THIS IS STREETPUNK VOLUME 4

PIRATES PRESS///LONGSHOT MUSIC

Overall, one of the most solid instalments in this series of current and longstanding oi! and streetpunk bands from around the world.

Veterans THE LAST RESORT led by Roi Pearce lead the charge with Fuck ‘em all. Indeed. No mess, no fuss, just pure impact. Canadians BISHOP’S GREEN are next with their punchy melodic oi! with a catchy singalong chorus to boot. HARD EVIDENCE follow suit with their lean streetpunk. RAZORS IN THE NIGHT speed things up with the pacy “My boots are red” that also gets you singing along with the chorus. GESTALTS more melodic flavoured cut is next, their chorus also a singalonger. GEOFFREY OiCOTT takes a more traditional approach not dissimilar to say, the Business with “Bail Jumpers”. DUFFY’S CUT close side one fittingly with a bit more of a  slowed down sound,  the organ driven “Persecution complex”

Side two commences with two more Oi! institutions. The ever reliable EVIL CONDUCT are first up with “Yesterday’s Rebellion – (the mainstream of today). Next is INFA-RIOT with “I’m more punk than you” (Yes), and bugger me if they don’t retain their signature guitar sound -  they sound like they always did, great stuff. LION’S LAW  are next with the irrepressible “It’s a shame” . BOMBSHELL ROCKS  also retain their signature energetic melodic singalong streetpunk, and made me want to dig out my copy of “Street Art Gallery”.  LAST SEEN LAUGHING also deliver punch with “Your’e fucking dumb” which everyone can relate to and sing along with. SUEDE RAZORS ease up things a bit with the rocky “Longshot Kid”. LENNY LASHLEY’S GANG OF ONE closes with  “Hooligans” which is a bit too introspective for me, but points for including something different, and, well,  just let it play through as it's the last song .    

  

Overall, this is the most consistent instalment in this series. Where Volume 3’s excursion was a bit more  oriented on the pop/melodic side of things, Vol 4 stays more with the overall oi! and streetpunk theme of things, the songs  are on the whole stronger and more cohesive together. Unfortunately there’s no Australian representation this time. (Now that Sydney’s raucous STANLEY KNIFE have reformed perhaps they could shake things up next time with a cut).

This issue comes in grey vinyl. In keeping with the continuing theme, there’s 14 songs on this volume (Up from 11 on Vol 1, 12 on Vol 2, and 13 on Vol 3). Generally the sound is pretty good on all the songs.  There’s a badge (which you may want to remove – it’s pretty fricken’ heavy). Cover is the same as the previous Volumes – basic black and white (which works well), and minimal back cover. Download code included.

RIP TOMMY RAMONE - It's the end of an era

RIP TOMMY RAMONE

So. Now all the original Ramones are no longer with us.

Tommy may not have had the larger personas of Joey, Johnny or Dee Dee but he sure as shit with them, defined their sound.  He wasn’t  just the drummer – his style simplistic, yet difficult to replicate. He also of course played on and produced the first three Ramones records (and who doesn’t love the first three Ramones records?) and  gave them what I think is a great sound on them.

A particular favourite for me, especially from a vinyl perspective (even though mine is now getting a little crackly) is “Leave Home”.  Great songs. Great cover. Nice inner sleeve. Great sound – I really like the production -  good stereo sound, nothing’s flat, it’s a bit fuller than the first one , yet it’s simple and minimal.

Dee Dee disliked him cos he had his shit together. Shit eh?

After the deaths of Joey, Dee Dee, and finally Johnny, Tommy said: "The way I deal with it is to think of them still being around, otherwise it's just too baffling."

I'll probably always want to listen to the Ramones.

Rest in peace, Brudda Tommy. 

THE BELTONES REISSUE

THE BELTONES

ON DEAF EARS

TKO Records

Record Store Day 2014 release.

This was originally released in the early 1990’s on CD only. So now TKO have remastered it, and it was reissued to coincide with record store day 2014.

The Beltones first full length, this is catchy, fast, melody-infused punk with scratchy guitars, a nod to 50’s harmonies, and gruff vocals that compliment the songs throughout.There’s 10 songs and it’s all over before you’ve got time to be bored of anything, but don’t be surprised if you wanna give it another spin.  

Pick of Side One is the opener “My Old man”, and track 4, “Fuck you anyway”. Pick of Side Two is again the opening song “Juvenile Delinquent” and the closer "Let the Bombs fall", but really, it’s all good, and well worthy of a re-release. Hailing from Florida, The Beltones were a band that I'd heard about, but never chased down originally, and are widely referenced as being influential. There's appeal for here for skins, punks, herberts, and even those that like the poppy stuff.  

Package wise, not  bad. There’s an inner sleeve with lyrics and a humorous liner note from singer/guitarist Bill McFadden;  “This thing never came out on vinyl so now you can finally shut up”. The  best thing about this record is the sound, which is great. Everything shines. It’s a 45, and the sound gets a little more drive by virtue of being a 45rpm, the cuing is louder, giving the vinyl an extra lift.  This one's plain black vinyl, but “splatter” vinyl is available.  

chrismccousin@gmail.com

eBay Wars #1

THE EXPLOITED

DEATH BEFORE DISHONOUR

(1987)

You  may well wonder or laugh. “An eBay war for that”? Well it wasn’t an intense bidding war as such by any stretch. But where eBay is concerned, it’s always a war unless you’re the only bidder.  And I’m far from being an eBay Field Marshall, bidding expert, champion, or someone who spends lots of dosh on eBay. Cos I ain’t. I’ll have a bit of a look. I’ll seek out stuff I want, naturally. But I’ll keep very much on the lower scale of things. 

I friend burnt this for me on CD quite a long time ago.  Wasn’t that interested at first, but then it grew on me, as albums sometimes do. I played it not so long ago, and I thought, “wouldn’t mind getting that on vinyl if I see a copy”. Then, trawling eBay just having a look recently,  I happened to see a copy that had a low start price. I kept an eye on it for a few days, it had a couple of bids that went up in  very small increments. On the last day I set myself a (low) limit and bid. “Outbid”. I went up by very small increments. Outbid. The price I needed to win didn’t show up. Then I went “aaaah, fuck it”. I worked out what the “hidden” limit on the bid was and outbid it by 5 cents.  Winning bid. So I waited until the next day. (The bids closed at  10pm Saturday night and I wasn’t gonna just sit around the computer waiting). So for a reasonable price (which was THE ceiling I’d set for this) including postage, it was mine.  I have to say I was pleased that I’d trumped someone by 5 cents. Cos if they had of really wanted it they would have kept bidding (well that’s my line of thinking anyway). 

   

Obviously I wouldn’t have bid for this if I didn’t like it. This is actually one of the Exploited’s better albums I reckon, and quite underrated. For some though perhaps too “metal, and is perhaps the album that was the turning point of their (slightly more metal based) future direction. Can’t say it’s overly metal myself though – it’s an Exploited punk record through and through. It’s not short on the great hallmark of any Exploited album, the requisite Wattie bile and anger, and of course this was largely fuelled by and directed at Maggie Thatcher. This record chugs along like a giant unstoppable mohawked Mack fucking truck. Perhaps not overtly “punk” in the same way “Punk’s not Dead” or “Troops of Tomorrow” were, it’s a great fifth album which sees them change the formula a bit.

They cover a bit of ground here – from the opening bludgeon of “Anti UK” and “Power Struggle”, there’s melody and plenty of singalong choruses within the chugging rifferama which is present throughout, and there’s enough guitar solos to make things interesting but not too over the top. “Police Informer” contains a sample from the 80’s classic Terminator (Schwarzenegger’s “Fuck You asshole”).  I guess in its  own way “Death Before Dishonour” is like The Terminator – it just keeps going – and of course there is a bit of an 80’s theme lyrically and thematically; “Barry Prossit” (80’s cop bashing victim) and “Don’t really care” (about the dole in Thatcher’s Britain).   “Driving me insane” lends a bit more melody, and the closing track “Sexual favours” featuring female backup vocal” adds a different flavour.

Package wise  I like this one a lot. The cover pic of a decaying Maggie Thatcher embracing the grim reaper is great, and is a bit of a period piece statement on the time. Its part of the reason I was after this on vinyl, I think it’s a fantastic cover. The inner sleeve is also great, and classic for the time – pics of the band on one side, typewriter font lyrics on the other.

Production wise they have a bit of a reverbish sludgy sound here – which isn’t actually a bad thing, and I reckon it works well.  There’s more of a “heavy” sound as opposed to the more flat out speed of some of the earlier offerings. There’s plenty of energy on the vinyl (particularly for a record that’s 25 years old. And not scratched, but in reasonable condition for its age, as a lot of punk records are).

I’ve listened to this again quite a bit now since I got it, so it was worth it. One ticked off the list. As I say, I’m not one to fork out massive amounts of money on eBay, can’t afford to unfortunately, so these kindsa eBay “victories” as some people term them, are a bit sweeter because for me they’re affordable as well as desirable.  I mean, we all know that there’s lots of vinyl that go for ridiculous prices but who can afford them? Like a first press of the Negative Approach EP – in the hundreds and hundreds. And then do you play it or look at it or put it away after you’ve forked out hundreds? Shit, I’ve been collecting vinyl for a long time, and in many respects I’m not a true “collector” (My collection, although not by any means insubstantial, is far skinnier than I would like).  As I say though, at least it’s functional – they get played.