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SoundsXP Presents

Friday 6th April 2012
All Day BBQ Festival

Sparrow and the Workshop
6 Day Riot
The Nuns
Singing Adams
Y Niwl
Colours
Dignan Porch
+more tbc

The Windmill
Brixton
Price tbc

On Our iPod

Golden Grrrls - New Pop 7”

Chris Devotion & The Expectations - Amalgamation & Capital (album)

Trailer Trash Tracys - Ester (album)

Throwing Up - Mother Knows Best 7”

Howling Wolf - Complete Chess Masters 1951-60

The Ketamines - A Rotten Bond/1 Yr (from Oddbox Singles Club Pt 2)

Cardinal - Hymns (album)

Proper Ornaments - Taking the Gamble Out of Buying 12”

Darren Hayman - January Songs (album)

Various: Marshall Teller EP 12”

Latest Forum Posts

Gig Review

Jesus & Mary Chain / British Sea Power / Black Box Recorder
London, Forum

Article written by Max K - Nov 12, 2008

I had to be filled in on the history of Earl Brutus on the way to this one, though I wasn’t really any the wiser afterwards, having only come across the name whilst browsing the music press, as you do. However, I did learn that tonight’s gig was in memory of their late member, Nick Sanderson, who died earlier this year at the tragically young age of 47, so the evening had a fairly reverential feel from the off.

Black Box Recorder

The main appeal (obviously) was in the line-up; a mix of old and new with Black Box Recorder somewhere in the middle. Having been wowed by the surroundings (my first gig at The Forum) I proceeded to be less than impressed with the stodgy sound coming from the stage during BBR’s set – a shame as I was quite a fan of the Auteurs’ combo of cutting lyrics wrapped up in melancholic grandeur back in the early ‘90’s, continued by Luke Haines and co latterly during their BBR days. Yes, I could make out bits from the Facts Of Life album but the lack of aural clarity let the proceedings down fatally. The most interesting part was a bit later between sets when poor old Luke could be seen furtively looking around for (presumably) his lost plectrum or even the remains of his career…

British Sea Power bounced on to the stage looking like a band with a point to prove, clearly honoured to be part of the event, launching into a set lifted from their first and third albums (oddly, there was nothing from Open Season). Sadly, the curse of the acoustics from hell struck again, resulting in an indifferent audience until at last the likes of Waving Flags came to the rescue, encouraging a spell of mosh-pit frenzy amongst the more youthful gig-goers – a feat in itself given the average age must have been around 35. Each band played an Earl Brutus cover by way of tribute – BSP settled on Never Ever (no, not the All Saints one), but I refuse to believe the original lasted a shambolic 10 minutes or so? Interesting snippet this time around was the ingenious, if totally ineffectual, use of a paper plate as tambourine by unknown cavorter onstage…

Jesus and Mary Chain

So on to the JAMC (as the main band clearly they’re entitled to the longest acronym). It’d be nice to say that it’s as if the last 15 years or so hadn’t happened or that we were transported back to a time when feedback ruled the electric airwaves, even nicer to say that the greatest hits were played – I know that’s all I really wanted. But, where was You Trip Me Up? Far Gone And Out? Just Like Honey? We did get greats like Sidewalking, Head On and Some Candy Talking, but as my mate said, ‘I didn’t traipse here from the south coast, battle through the shit underground and all that, just to hear Jim Reid moan about ‘wanting to die’’. Fair point well made, and as for the less than endearing false starts, how long have this lot been at it???

However, I’ll try to focus on the positives – the grand surroundings, the commendable motives for the gig and the opportunity to see (in however marred a fashion) three markedly different bands, two of whom must actually be older than my compadres and me for once. As for the trip home, don’t get me started...

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thejesusampmarychain
http://www.blackboxrecorder.net/
http://www.britishseapower.co.uk/