Monday, 13 August 2007
Tuesday, 17 July 2007
Tales From That DJ Booth - 11/07
Words by Marcio Custódio
Pictures by Marcio Custódio (Sonicflyer) and Stuart Nicholls (Wry)
Since the venue was full mostly with Wry fans, I decided to do a DJ set based on the band's influences, so I threw a few noisy classics mixed with newer ones in the playlist. It worked out nicely, and I could see people were delighted to hear My Bloody Valentine, House of Love, Blonde Redhead, Amusements Parks on Fire, Ride, Sonic Youth, and many others, between the live sets. I truly enjoyed doing this; I have not included a band like Chapterhouse in my DJ set for at least five years, and it was a pleasure to dust off their record.
Following the shoegaze anthems exploding from the speakers, the stage was ready for Sonicflyer, a half-Russian half-English quartet. Listening to those beautiful guitar lines and female vocals to die for, the only thing I can say is that they are splendid in every way, resembling what would be an unique encounter between bands such as Lush and Doves. Their songs spill over into a sublime realm, with melodies capable of melting the iciest heart on earth. One song, "Tonight", was especially emotional. After they finished I awkwardly went to talk to the girl who sings and plays guitar (picture), praising the group and asking for a demo, so that I could add them to my DJ sets.
The air was already filled with enthusiasm as headliners Wry prepared to take the stage. This was an important night for them, and the fans seemed to realise that, attending en masse. For me, this band is in better shape than ever, and t
he concert just showed that, with strong and solid songs like "Come And Fall", "Sister" and "Bitter Breakfast". The audience was in high spirits during the performance, the songs were played violently loud, and the minor technical problems that happened during one track didn't, even in the slightest, spoil the supreme beauty of the music. The crowd loved it all, and the band was cheerful, as you can see in the picture. One thing I noticed is how majestic the guitars were sounding, with all the nuances flowing deep in my ears, striking my head and warmly touching my heart. And I was hardly the only one with these feelings. Other highlights included "Different From Me" and "Never Sleep", the latter full of glorious riffs.
This group of Brazilian chaps crossed the Atlantic all the way from Brazil to give England something very special: illuminated rock 'n roll.
Pictures by Marcio Custódio (Sonicflyer) and Stuart Nicholls (Wry)
When you have four great bands playing, and one of them is celebrating the release of a long-awaited single and EP, it's obvious you'll have a packed house. That was the case of Goonite Club @ Buffalo Bar last Wednesday, with four acts on the bill, including Wry, partying with friends and fans for the release of "Whales And Sharks" cd EP and "Sister" 7" vinyl single, both out by superb shoegaze independent label AC30. The first two bands were Kissing Kalina and Deep Cut, and I have to admit I didn't pay enough attention to them, mainly because I was busy running the night (sound system, guest-list, drink vouchers), or because I was simply talking to friends I haven't seen for ages. Nevertheless, I was impressed by the bits I saw, with the two bands fiercely delivering strong rock 'n roll sets. Kissing Kalina were sleazy, dark and dirty, while Deep Cut, fronted by a girl with great attitude, gave us some notable Britpop songs.
Since the venue was full mostly with Wry fans, I decided to do a DJ set based on the band's influences, so I threw a few noisy classics mixed with newer ones in the playlist. It worked out nicely, and I could see people were delighted to hear My Bloody Valentine, House of Love, Blonde Redhead, Amusements Parks on Fire, Ride, Sonic Youth, and many others, between the live sets. I truly enjoyed doing this; I have not included a band like Chapterhouse in my DJ set for at least five years, and it was a pleasure to dust off their record.
Following the shoegaze anthems exploding from the speakers, the stage was ready for Sonicflyer, a half-Russian half-English quartet. Listening to those beautiful guitar lines and female vocals to die for, the only thing I can say is that they are splendid in every way, resembling what would be an unique encounter between bands such as Lush and Doves. Their songs spill over into a sublime realm, with melodies capable of melting the iciest heart on earth. One song, "Tonight", was especially emotional. After they finished I awkwardly went to talk to the girl who sings and plays guitar (picture), praising the group and asking for a demo, so that I could add them to my DJ sets.
The air was already filled with enthusiasm as headliners Wry prepared to take the stage. This was an important night for them, and the fans seemed to realise that, attending en masse. For me, this band is in better shape than ever, and t
he concert just showed that, with strong and solid songs like "Come And Fall", "Sister" and "Bitter Breakfast". The audience was in high spirits during the performance, the songs were played violently loud, and the minor technical problems that happened during one track didn't, even in the slightest, spoil the supreme beauty of the music. The crowd loved it all, and the band was cheerful, as you can see in the picture. One thing I noticed is how majestic the guitars were sounding, with all the nuances flowing deep in my ears, striking my head and warmly touching my heart. And I was hardly the only one with these feelings. Other highlights included "Different From Me" and "Never Sleep", the latter full of glorious riffs.This group of Brazilian chaps crossed the Atlantic all the way from Brazil to give England something very special: illuminated rock 'n roll.
xxx
Thursday, 5 July 2007
Tales From That DJ Booth - 27/06
Words by Marcio Custodio
Picture by Stuart Nicholls
Oh, that was a very good one. June seems to be a quiet month for bars and clubs, as most of us are finishing exams and saving money for our deserved holidays in the summer. Not Goonite though. Tonight we have a crowded Buffalo Bar enjoying three remarkable bands and grooving to the tunes selected by me, the humble disc-jockey.
It was Semaphone who kicked off the night, delivering an Americana vibe to an audience that was still filling the bar. These guys don’t come from Nashville or its surroundings, but they’re actually from Ireland/Italy, all based in London. Their songs are excellent, consisting of refined guitar lines and a warm voice, alluding to a successful collaboration between The National and My Morning Jacket, with Nick Cave as a producer. The song “Stretch a Canvas” is up there with the best things I’ve heard this year. Just bloody brilliant!
Then came Lawrence Arabia, and with them a splash of delightful vocal harmonies and glorious ballads. They managed to take Semaphone’s Americana vibe to a dreamy level, and it just blew our minds. The place was already full by this time and, even when the quietest songs were played, we could feel people were just hypnotised by the performance’s beauty. There were moments it reminded me of a George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass era going on a sensitive path, or a simply folk-ish Abba. This might seem strange, but there you go.
As for the next and last act, I simply can’t recommend them enough. Johnny Boy is without doubt one of the best bands in this country right now, and it’s a shame they are not as popular as they deserve. But maybe they’re happy with that. I like them not for the fact that they are highly praised by both mainstream and underground media, or because some rock legends love them (Mick Jones and Johnny Marr are huge fans, and Manics’ James Dean Bradfield produced their first single), but merely for the fact that their music is absolutely creative, infectious and fantastic, in all ways.
Instead of the formulaic average guitar band that seems to be everywhere these days, Johnny Boy sounds non-obvious as much as possible, and yet they manage to write colossal pop tunes, that could easily, if this world was not so cruel, reach the masses. But that’s fine, lucky us to have them at Goonite Club, and to witness an explosion of colours, vibration and energy that is this band’s concert. On record they are a Spector-e
sque wall-of-sound convoy, firing bullets made of pop nuggets, but on stage you can add to it a proper punk band fiercely playing a non-stop selection of splendid songs. The screen behind the stage, showing boogie-neon-fireworks images, only helped the spectacle’s magnificence.
The song “War On Want” was a shoegaze-tour-de-force going to a Massive Attack aura, while “Fifteen Minutes” came with hypnotic guitar riffs. Other highlights include “All Exits Final”, “Bonnie Parker’s 115th Dream” and a Ramones mashup-cover. And for the ones euphorically waiting the hit single “You Are The Generation That Bought More Shoes And You Get What You Deserve”, the band left it for the finale, ending the concert with class. Seriously, I respect you if you are not a Johnny Boy fan, but I’ll never be able to understand you. Bless them.
Picture by Stuart Nicholls
Oh, that was a very good one. June seems to be a quiet month for bars and clubs, as most of us are finishing exams and saving money for our deserved holidays in the summer. Not Goonite though. Tonight we have a crowded Buffalo Bar enjoying three remarkable bands and grooving to the tunes selected by me, the humble disc-jockey.
It was Semaphone who kicked off the night, delivering an Americana vibe to an audience that was still filling the bar. These guys don’t come from Nashville or its surroundings, but they’re actually from Ireland/Italy, all based in London. Their songs are excellent, consisting of refined guitar lines and a warm voice, alluding to a successful collaboration between The National and My Morning Jacket, with Nick Cave as a producer. The song “Stretch a Canvas” is up there with the best things I’ve heard this year. Just bloody brilliant!
Then came Lawrence Arabia, and with them a splash of delightful vocal harmonies and glorious ballads. They managed to take Semaphone’s Americana vibe to a dreamy level, and it just blew our minds. The place was already full by this time and, even when the quietest songs were played, we could feel people were just hypnotised by the performance’s beauty. There were moments it reminded me of a George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass era going on a sensitive path, or a simply folk-ish Abba. This might seem strange, but there you go.
As for the next and last act, I simply can’t recommend them enough. Johnny Boy is without doubt one of the best bands in this country right now, and it’s a shame they are not as popular as they deserve. But maybe they’re happy with that. I like them not for the fact that they are highly praised by both mainstream and underground media, or because some rock legends love them (Mick Jones and Johnny Marr are huge fans, and Manics’ James Dean Bradfield produced their first single), but merely for the fact that their music is absolutely creative, infectious and fantastic, in all ways.
Instead of the formulaic average guitar band that seems to be everywhere these days, Johnny Boy sounds non-obvious as much as possible, and yet they manage to write colossal pop tunes, that could easily, if this world was not so cruel, reach the masses. But that’s fine, lucky us to have them at Goonite Club, and to witness an explosion of colours, vibration and energy that is this band’s concert. On record they are a Spector-e
sque wall-of-sound convoy, firing bullets made of pop nuggets, but on stage you can add to it a proper punk band fiercely playing a non-stop selection of splendid songs. The screen behind the stage, showing boogie-neon-fireworks images, only helped the spectacle’s magnificence.The song “War On Want” was a shoegaze-tour-de-force going to a Massive Attack aura, while “Fifteen Minutes” came with hypnotic guitar riffs. Other highlights include “All Exits Final”, “Bonnie Parker’s 115th Dream” and a Ramones mashup-cover. And for the ones euphorically waiting the hit single “You Are The Generation That Bought More Shoes And You Get What You Deserve”, the band left it for the finale, ending the concert with class. Seriously, I respect you if you are not a Johnny Boy fan, but I’ll never be able to understand you. Bless them.
Saturday, 23 June 2007
Tales From That DJ Booth - 20/06
By Marcio Custodio
What a great night we had last week at Goonite Club. Again, we had four bands. I know it seems too many bands squeezed in one night, but that didn't spoil the good vibe at the club, nor the performances from the bands. But still, we might cut the numbers in the forthcoming nights and have just three bands. And with that we give the DJ (me!) more time to spin his mad tunes. Anyway, starting with the Icelanders Æla, this quartet showed us what can be done with loud guitars in a small bar. That was ace. Imagine four guys who fled from a mental hospital and formed a band trying to sound as cool as Gang Of Four, and you're almost there. And their mad outfits were hilarious. After their set I was a bit deaf, but I didn't care. Then came Birdman Ray, and with them a lot of people. Oh, they have so many fans, and it just made the perfect ambiance. The fact that this band is amazing, resembling The Decemberists on a rock route, obviously helped. Great gig. The third act, Mother Black Cap, left the atmosphere still on a high note, with heavy guitars and a dramatic voice. Then the time was right for the headliners Deathstar Preview play their explosive synth-guitar songs. No slowers, only stompers, and it ended the night with us all going mental with their set. The singer was also playing guitar, and delivering it with enormous confidence. Although the song "Sepertine" was the highlight for me, their gig was hit after hit, and I can genuinely see this band playing bigger and bigger venues very soon. Four nice bands, one great night. Goonite Club is running cool as fuck! Next week is Johnny Boy live and I'm really looking forward to it. See you there!
What a great night we had last week at Goonite Club. Again, we had four bands. I know it seems too many bands squeezed in one night, but that didn't spoil the good vibe at the club, nor the performances from the bands. But still, we might cut the numbers in the forthcoming nights and have just three bands. And with that we give the DJ (me!) more time to spin his mad tunes. Anyway, starting with the Icelanders Æla, this quartet showed us what can be done with loud guitars in a small bar. That was ace. Imagine four guys who fled from a mental hospital and formed a band trying to sound as cool as Gang Of Four, and you're almost there. And their mad outfits were hilarious. After their set I was a bit deaf, but I didn't care. Then came Birdman Ray, and with them a lot of people. Oh, they have so many fans, and it just made the perfect ambiance. The fact that this band is amazing, resembling The Decemberists on a rock route, obviously helped. Great gig. The third act, Mother Black Cap, left the atmosphere still on a high note, with heavy guitars and a dramatic voice. Then the time was right for the headliners Deathstar Preview play their explosive synth-guitar songs. No slowers, only stompers, and it ended the night with us all going mental with their set. The singer was also playing guitar, and delivering it with enormous confidence. Although the song "Sepertine" was the highlight for me, their gig was hit after hit, and I can genuinely see this band playing bigger and bigger venues very soon. Four nice bands, one great night. Goonite Club is running cool as fuck! Next week is Johnny Boy live and I'm really looking forward to it. See you there!
Thursday, 21 June 2007
What's on next wednesday?
Wednesday June the 27th @ Goonite Club:
JOHNNY BOY
LAWRENCE ARABIA
SEMAPHORE
+ dj Marcio Custodio till 2am.
JOHNNY BOY (Their sound captures the Phil-Spector wall-of-sound together with punk-rock energy and electronic samples. They will certainly play an explosive headline set. For fans of Ramones, The Pipettes and Northern Soul.)
SEMAPHORE
+ dj Marcio Custodio till 2am.
JOHNNY BOY (Their sound captures the Phil-Spector wall-of-sound together with punk-rock energy and electronic samples. They will certainly play an explosive headline set. For fans of Ramones, The Pipettes and Northern Soul.)
LAWRENCE ARABIA (Touching songs, resembling Neil Young's 'Harvest' trilogy, with roaring moments. It smells old and rural, and it sounds fantastic. For fans of Ariel Pink, The Skygreen Leopards and Brian Wilson.)
SEMAPHORE (If you imagine Nick Cave's freshest project Grinderman going to a pop route, they would sound like Semaphore. This is really great stuff, and will appeal fans of The Devastations, early Springsteen and that first Kings Of Leon album.)
BUFFALO BAR
259 Upper Street - Highburt&Islington Station
Doors from 8.30 til 2am.
Ticket £5 / £4 (nus, flyer, email) / £3 after 11pm
Friday, 15 June 2007
Tales From That DJ Booth - 13/06
Written by Marcio Custódio.
It was 9 o'clock when Monday Club took the stage, and the place was already pretty busy. Astrud, the singer, had such a singular voice, and it made good pair with her angular and truncated guitar lines. The performance was filled with quite straightforward tunes, all going through a non-obvious route. Nevertheless, it would not be difficult for fans of PJ Harvey or Patti Smith to enjoy Monday Club. This three-piece all-girl group deserves to be huge. That last song with its brief a-cappella introduction was the highlight for me. Beautiful.
The second band of the night was Kontakte, and they were unique. Their sound is a deep journey through the darkest and brightest places you can imagine. Space rock at its best, with uppers and downers capable of blowing your mind. We were left contemplating life, and their music was so good that I ended up taking an amazing nap on the DJ booth. Only the best bands can do that to me. Man, it was one of the most pleasant naps I ever had, and I even had bizarre dreams. I dreamt that I was flying through Holloway Road, pointing a bazooka at people down the streets and grinning at them. I only woke up with huge strobe lights slapping my face, and that was Kontakte's last song. What a concert.
I didn't see much of the Seventeen Evergreen set. It was time to top up my energy with the toilet-bar-outside, fresh air tour and then go back to the DJ booth. However, what I did watch from this American quartet was pure pleasure. Their sound consists of several components, with a classy result. As I am big fan of the likes of Lambchop, the High Llamas and Tindersticks, I was certainly in heaven for a few minutes while they were on stage. And I had a little chat with the singer afterwards and he was very kind to me. Nice one.
So it was now time for the last act. Three girls on stage, just like we started the evening. I tried to review them without using the word 'jerk'. I failed. Wet Dog is a stupendously deformed punk trio, with amazingly jerky riffs and delightful vocals, and if an abrupt encounter between the Shaggs and X-Ray Spex comes to your mind, you're damn right. They were in good spirits, smiling at each other and letting this take control of the songs. And what simple songs! It made me think that sometimes simplicity and good energy are the basic and best conditions to create music. Their set was distinctive, direct and remarkable, and ended the night on a high note.
Unfortunately, I didn't take my camera with me that night and didn't get any pictures of the bands. Next Goonite Club I won't forget my camera, I promise. Anyway, Kontatke’s photographer Danielle managed to take some pics from that DJ booth, as you can see below.
http://www.myspace.com/mondayclubband
http://www.myspace.com/kontakteuk
http://www.myspace.com/seventeenevergreen
http://www.myspace.com/wetdogthebest
http://www.myspace.com/marxdiscjockey
http://www.myspace.com/gooniteclub
xxx
It was 9 o'clock when Monday Club took the stage, and the place was already pretty busy. Astrud, the singer, had such a singular voice, and it made good pair with her angular and truncated guitar lines. The performance was filled with quite straightforward tunes, all going through a non-obvious route. Nevertheless, it would not be difficult for fans of PJ Harvey or Patti Smith to enjoy Monday Club. This three-piece all-girl group deserves to be huge. That last song with its brief a-cappella introduction was the highlight for me. Beautiful.
The second band of the night was Kontakte, and they were unique. Their sound is a deep journey through the darkest and brightest places you can imagine. Space rock at its best, with uppers and downers capable of blowing your mind. We were left contemplating life, and their music was so good that I ended up taking an amazing nap on the DJ booth. Only the best bands can do that to me. Man, it was one of the most pleasant naps I ever had, and I even had bizarre dreams. I dreamt that I was flying through Holloway Road, pointing a bazooka at people down the streets and grinning at them. I only woke up with huge strobe lights slapping my face, and that was Kontakte's last song. What a concert.
I didn't see much of the Seventeen Evergreen set. It was time to top up my energy with the toilet-bar-outside, fresh air tour and then go back to the DJ booth. However, what I did watch from this American quartet was pure pleasure. Their sound consists of several components, with a classy result. As I am big fan of the likes of Lambchop, the High Llamas and Tindersticks, I was certainly in heaven for a few minutes while they were on stage. And I had a little chat with the singer afterwards and he was very kind to me. Nice one.
So it was now time for the last act. Three girls on stage, just like we started the evening. I tried to review them without using the word 'jerk'. I failed. Wet Dog is a stupendously deformed punk trio, with amazingly jerky riffs and delightful vocals, and if an abrupt encounter between the Shaggs and X-Ray Spex comes to your mind, you're damn right. They were in good spirits, smiling at each other and letting this take control of the songs. And what simple songs! It made me think that sometimes simplicity and good energy are the basic and best conditions to create music. Their set was distinctive, direct and remarkable, and ended the night on a high note.
Unfortunately, I didn't take my camera with me that night and didn't get any pictures of the bands. Next Goonite Club I won't forget my camera, I promise. Anyway, Kontatke’s photographer Danielle managed to take some pics from that DJ booth, as you can see below.
http://www.myspace.com/mondayclubband
http://www.myspace.com/kontakteuk
http://www.myspace.com/seventeenevergreen
http://www.myspace.com/wetdogthebest
http://www.myspace.com/marxdiscjockey
http://www.myspace.com/gooniteclub
xxx
Thursday, 14 June 2007
GOONITE CLUB
Goonite Club, every wednesday at Buffalo Bar > 259 Upper Street
Live bands and DJ sets. Shoegaze, Indie, Soul, Rock.
Info: 077 2255 5217
Live bands and DJ sets. Shoegaze, Indie, Soul, Rock.
Info: 077 2255 5217
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