U2 - New Years Day

Before the The Pope started asking for autographs etc, U2 were a great new wave band with some amazing rock anthems. This is still the definitive song of New Year though.

Saint Jude - Sweet Melody

Star Soaked TV

Sort of.

starsoakedmusic at gmaildotcom asked if one required a youtube account.

following up the recent interview with The Dandies, how better to illustrate the excitement than this clip of them live at the Reeperbahn Festival in Germany.

The Star Soaked Music YouTube is at http://www.youtube.com/starsoakedmusic

Billie Holliday sounds like Christmas.

The Chanel No.5 advert still sounds like a lady singing the blues who is peerless.

In just a few seconds of the song "I'm a fool to want you" you can hear her tempestuous life. The positivity of it lives on through music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs9P-pfqF6Y

Postcard From Westminster

Greetings From London

Beatles, Marner Brown, Rolling Stones, John Lee Hooker, Rainbow, Cab Calloway, Kinks, Led Zeppelin videos.

Star Soaked will be one month old on Christmas Day. I am especially happy about the videos that have been posted up. Dear BBC4 if ever you need somebody to make up playlists for you I can be paid in cava. Thank you. www.twitter.com/starsoakedmusic : 


25 Nov 


Ray Davies curating Meltdown, that's gotta be worth a Kinks video!
Appropriattly, You Really Got Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2GmzyeeXnQ


Rock n roll hardness and swagger from The Dandies and Marner Brown. Interviewed the former, and here is a beautifully soundgtracked grolsch advert featuring 'Open Road' by the latter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNM5Y8SaArE


Led Zep - Whole Lotta Love. Naturally http://t.co/aco1c57


Blues rock explosion 21st Century style courtesy of Popskull singing the tasty sounding Rat Sandwich http://t.co/KuEnTff 


26 Nov


Rainbow - Since You Been Gone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mSkZU8IkjE 


John Lee Hooker and Bonnie Raitt - 'I'm In The Mood' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT-FoZt95D4 


29 Nov


Cab Calloway doing 'Reefer Man' http://t.co/kWoYnYl  


30 Nov


Steve Lamacq played Marner Brown!


1 Dec


Rolling Stones - Lets Spend The Night Together  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqQ9FCVmPaI


And a legendary moment of vintage English Rock Star behaviour courtesy of fabulous role model, Keith Richards http://t.co/RUWCMZC 


5 Dec


The Darkness - 'Get Your Hands Off My Woman' http://t.co/BwtAMN0


Mona - new rock and roll tipped everywhere, eventually by MTV too


9 Dec


Spear Of Destiny - Prisoner of Love http://t.co/pcq90SP


The Beatles- Twist n Shout (Official Video) http://t.co/UIOuwAu


That would be Star Soaked Music TV mixed in with the new passions.


Indie. Just say no, kids.

Tweetzine Times

starsoakedmusic getting the hang of the tweet n blog communication. that's great when there's interaction. 


last week;
 @RechargedRadio 
@wrtweets @thedandies @MarnerBrown @hedoniacs Thanks Starsoaked!!

recharged radio have sessions and interviews., those were some recommendations. not really sure if they will play warehouse republic, the dandies, marner brown or hedoniacs, but if they do that would be something.

@Wheres_Strutter 
@SoundCity cheers. wouldnt watch us tho we pick our noses and everything. 


where's strutter? -  manchester youth culture rock outfit that have the thumbs up from pete doherty but even more cred of their own making. recently seen on sky tv where they were hands down winners of a talent show. their song mr menace is a big tune. 


@wrtweets thank you very much, first proper radio play play next Fri on BBC Radio Birmingham (Brett Birks). Best wishes WR*


also youth culture rock with an american twang in the guitars. scroll down for words on warehouse republic debut single revolver.

@GinInTeacupsUK  Thank you for the support and appreciation! x


new music tv show on line in conjunction with the alternative culture site god is in the tv (described as a friendly drowned in sound). with carl barat doing the first session and interview that is a strong start.


No.25 in the YouTube most subscribed this month; http://www.youtube.com/user/GinInTeacupsUK


@Sabotagetimes #FF @samleeds88 @bonafidezine @RickHincks @tomvictor @donkey_walloppa @mikemanouevre @Cloine @starsoakedmusic @r0wanj0nes @lloyd_evans


more interesting that what passes for writing about culture (envious of the articulation), and entertaining to read at the same time. very kind of them to return the follow friday favour. it did actually work and helped achieve the required first dozen followers.


without the usual myspace and facebook, star soaked is mainly a tweetzine. thank goodness for the inter active nature of retweet and reply. 

The Sea take a break from hard rock n rolling for Xmas

The Sea
@theseauk
have had an amazing year around the UK, USA and Europe.A festive treat is the Xmas song


Happy Happy Christmas 
(Take Off All Your Clothes) 
video!


Getting in the mood for the holidays.


but to hear some full on pychadelic rocking, they have new tour dates up at http://www.myspace.com/theseasounds kicking off in London (Brixton Windmill on 10 December).

Warehouse Republic, single release, 'Revolver'

'Revolver' 

A new single turning music around by  Warehouse Republic

Its time for 2010 music critic quotas "of the year" etc, plus this weeks releases include Plan B, Kylie Minogue, Micheal Jackson and Kings Of Leon to name but few. They have no competion from interest-stirring new artists profile wise, but their game needs to stay raised against young pretenders to the throne. 

Star Soaked got excited recently about the youth culture rock epitomised by Warehouse Republic. Their debut single, Revolver, is available now for 79p from Amazon, iTunes and more. It turns todays mainstream sounds - urban, pop, indie and electronic - around. A revolution in other words, in that its timeless bluesy hard edge contains a howled call to every decade of popular music obsession. Classic Rock can be young and new too, it's in the composition.

SSM not alone in checking out the WR scene early. Similarly anticipating music fans stepped inside The 100 Club a few weeks ago. Because of it being under threat there was an element of pilgrimage to the evening. Sadly, it may be just another Oxford Street basement soon. For now, breaking artists strut their stuff on the same stage as household names. 

They're not heard of but Warehouse Republic must have virtually sold it out. I joined the crush around the entrance, then was packed in again downstairs. That crowd were really loud as well as moving around. Sometimes for new bands they just watch. It sounded like some of them were on the point of screaming. That was slightly ironic considering the punk energy fizzing with elements of early Kinks / Animals chords from the stage. It could have been the 60s or 70s again with the 100 Club at the start of something. That would be iconically ironic.

The single 'Revolver', was a stand out of a great and noisy set. The song has that catchy title chorus and guitar licks that would be at home in a New Orleans music bar. The four band members looked like they were returning heroes and it felt like they were loving it too. 

Star Soaked recently commented in a news story about Warehouse Republic that they were a bit like "a young shambolic Rolling Stones and a lot of fun". Every word was meant. Their fresh faced nervous energy and one or two moments that seemed created on the spot,  made it all the more engaging an EVENT.  They were far from perfect but they can play and this ability held the balancing act together right up to the swaggering, sweat soaked, stage invaded finale.

In Warehouse Republic I think The Beatles fans of all ages may have something new to rejoice in, beyond the homage of the single's title. The may have a long way to go but this is the kind of racket that used to thrill Hamburg underlaid with a new colour to the chord changes. 

I dont know how they managed to entice Rachel Hurd-Wood, an actress who has appeared in movies with Dustin Hoffman,  Colin Firth, Alan Rickman etc to be in the film noir Revolver video but its a string to their bow. So then, a special rock band to discover (and the 100 Club show was undoubtedly one of 2010's best gigs that you wont find in a list of 2010's best gigs.).

www.warehouserepublic.com

Joy Zine - New Music Excellence - a twitter hitter

Star Soaked got a lovely free download of Piney Gir today from the first new music zine to make a musical advent calendar. 

Don't wait for #ff / #followfriday - it's December 1st and the season of Joy. go: @joyzineuk 

Thank you Joyzine for kindly replying to @starsoakedmusic 

“what gave you the idea of the Joy advent calendar? That idea is popular now. Who have you featured/tipped so far?”

@Joyzineuk  We've had Bloc Party, British Sea Power, Art Brut, The Long Blondes + lots of less well know but equally wonderful bands.

@Joyzineuk  TBH, it was so long ago I can't really remember now. I've always been one to get excited about xmas, so it just followed.

Get your free music Christmas presents from http://www.joyzine.org/

The Dandies - biggest rock from Switzerland since The Alps

@starsoakedmusic : 2011 is rock n roll heaven! Believe and pass it on. The music power stars, they will come.

 The Dandies 

(l-r) Adrian Weber (lead vocals/guitar), Dimitri Schubiger (bass), 

Fabian "Fizzie" Voirol (drums/vocals), Eric Weber (guitar/vocals)

(Photographed at London Bull & Gate by Jack Mealing).

Star Soaked refers to dripping in sweat, under the lights, having put your soul into communicating your music to an audience to the point that your twinkle reaches out and converts new disciples. 

This is just what happened recently at a Saint Jude gig when the supporting act played a set that perfectly complemented such an excellent headliiner. I left, star soaked by The Dandies.

Aware of a new buzz, I was determined to catch them live on this trip to the UK. To be honest, I’d just listened a bit on line. I surf the net a lot so only pick up on tunes that can grab attention within a minute. 'Bootstraps' did it by mixing powerchord beats with song writing sensibilities within 60 seconds and I investigated more. I like rocking rock and The Dandies "really got me".

Live, The Dandies were a fun experience, especially as there was a genuine feeling of affection for, and connection with, the audience. They are louder and more full on than the recordings, without losing the pop element of their tunes that hook the songs . It’s pretty mighty.

Sure there had been some camdenshoreditchindiecoolhairandclothes bands on the bill earlier but nowadays its the rock n roll bands that stand out and are more memorable. It’s been as if accessible music, punching the air and singing along had become dirty words in the trendy scene aspect of the music press. Perhaps that’s why garage and blues tinged rock sound so fresh right now. 

The Dandies personify that freshness.

They formed in Switzerland, with a mutual love of classic American bands from both centuries, but also a heartfelt desire to create their own history. It is this urge that I can feel coming off the stage in waves. 

I am actually down the front for an act I’ve never seen before and don’t really know their songs. Within a few bars of them starting to play their punky edged garage rock anthems. 

They have no shame in sounding like the kind of stars that should reclaim Reading Festival with huge, swaggering classic tunes that refer to the roots of one of the original rock n roll festivals when they were more about music than money infatuation.

Following the London shows, singer and guitarist with the band, Adrian Weber, kindly took time out for a quick interview with a curious Star Soaked Music who wanted to know about the Swiss rock n roll scene; 

Adrian: “I guess it’s similar to different scenes around the world – I expect it’s not as big and not as developed as, say, the London scene. You can get a local name pretty quickly and develop to a certain point. Then you gotta move on if you’re serious. Or that’s how I see it at least.”

And putting their money where their collective mouth is, The Dandies are doing just that. Moving on to the city that they made such an impression on. It’s a massive step.

SSM: Do you already have plans and accomodation?

A: "Yes we do have somewhere to live. It’s a tiny apartment and we’ll literally pretty much be sleeping on top of each other. It sounds funny but we can’t wait for all that! This really is our next big step and we’re serious about taking our career to the next levels. London is the place to do that. 

We’ve got some plans too. One of which is a video shoot which we’re really excited for, we’ve never done one before. Also, it’s London. Now that’s a town that can party. That’s in our plans too, of course." 

SSM : So The Dandies had one helluva good time when they were last getting down in London town....

A: "...We did have the time of our lives. Mainly because we were just blown away by the great reception we got. We never expected it. I mean some people who came to the first show ended up coming again to another, it was nuts. The shows were the highlights really!

Oh yeah, haha, there was an after party at our manager’s flat which we shall not speak about, but that would join the shows as one of the highlights."

SSM : sounds like you won some followers...

A: Yes, we did make new fans which was amazing. It was overwhelming for us to get that kind of response. We treat each show as if it’s the last thing we’re ever going to do and want to go out with a bang. It made us really happy and proud that people got that and liked and cheered us on. 

I could go on and on about how we felt in London. But it was amazing. We’ll never forget those shows. That’s why we’re moving over, I guess. 

SSM : Having to fit so much into a short tour, did you get to check out many other bands?

Not really… We saw the bands we played with at the various nights and I was really impressed. Each was awesome yet different at the same time. I love that sense of creativity. When you can hear the influences but it’s still unique. All the bands we saw were top draw! 

The Dandies – who I would have loved to see at their Black Rebel Motorcycle Club support - have made an amazing 2010 for themselves that included appearances at SXSW, Reeperbahn Fetival and those adoration fuelling UK tour dates. They’ve just finished some new recordings, and look to be back in Britain soon where they are on the wavelength to fit right on in.

You wanna have shagtastic fun at a rock concert? Go see The Dandies. Ones To Experience for 2011.

http://www.facebook.com/thedandies / http://www.youtube.com/thedandiesmusic

www.myspace.com/thedandies / www.twitter.com/thedandies

Thank you to the band’s manager, Antony Meola at Yergh Entertainment Group, for help.

Little Devils - New Song, New Shows, New Debate!

Following from the last article, Oranges, Greens and Blues, some more 
Little Devils;
London dates, 2011 European tour, Christmas release and the opinion starts here.


Caught up with Graeme from the band. "Apart from supporting the Pogues on 21st Dec - we are doing a lot of London gigs in December into the new year"

Saturday Dec 4              Hooper’s Bar, Ivanhoe Road, Dulwich, SE5

Wednesday Dec 8          Power’s Bar, 332 Kilburn High Road London NW6 2QN

Saturday Dec 11            Skehan’s Bar, Kitto Road, SE14

Saturday Dec 18            The Cell, 333 Old Street, Hoxton, EC1V 9LE

Tuesday Dec 21              The Pogues Xmas Party @ The Jamm, Brixton, SW2

Friday Jan 7                   Urban Golf, Tube Station, Kensington High St, W8 5SF

Wednesday Feb 16        Power’s Bar, 332 Kilburn High Road London NW6 2QN

Thursday Feb 24            Bar Music Hall, 134 Curtain Road, Shoreditch , EC2A 3AR

"We have a single out at the moment - "Let's All Hear The Christmas Cheer" - a punky country song cut with a slap and tickle of Benny Hill  available on itunes and all good download sites. Be playing it live at the shows, bringing a little light into everyone's lives with a simple tale of the over indulgence, mass comercialsm, marketing frenzy and "X"-cess that sums up the magic of Christmas these days!

We are touring Europe in May 2011 and hope after that to continue work on our new album and further consolidate plans for world domination."

With Central London turning into a no go zone for live music fantatics (aside from Tin Pan Alley and The Social) it was a shame when the West End's best blues bar was the latest venue to shut recently. What a shame, it was aural gold for the ears and a favourite haunt of those in the know. The 100 Club is under threat if it can't raise enough to save itself by Christmas. Star Soaked asked the Little Devils opinion.

"Charlotte Street Blues appeared to fall foul of Camden Council - we played there earlier this year - and had a great time - it's a shame to lose a central London venue - the Council must have their heads up their a**es - for God's sake - aren't times hard enuff for people - we need places like this - during summer there were loads of tourists in the place all really enjoying the music - it's embarassing to think of places like Chicago and Memphis that are not a patch on London - but have much better blues music venues - that are not restricted, constricted and otherwise screwed by the councils. People travel to Chicago from England just to go to the blues bars! Why can't we do things properly?

I hope the 100 Club doesn't go the same way - but we have to re-evaluate how music is presented in London.

There are a few things I would like to see discussed:

Open Mic nites - free entertainment / money for landlords - sod all for musicians - discuss!

Pay to play - bring 30 people to gig or do gig for nowt - discuss!

Bands playing for nothing - no cover charge - musicians selling themselves cheap - discuss!

Over exposure, over saturation, over kill - and no quality control - you can see a band playing most nights for free - good idea? What place has live music in today's society - we have over saturated the market - why pay to see a band? Why buy a band's album?

I am all for bands creating their own music and retaining control and creating their own cottage industry - building fan base thru playing - and little devils busk, play un-plugged, semi plugged and bloody loud! We can make friends everywhere we go - that's how we want it - but the world is awash with music pouring out of every hole - and it devalues the word "music" - it's a cheapened worthless commodity when it is everywhere. I would love to see some ideas on how we can claw back the value of music - it has to start with musicians - tho where and how it ends - i dunno!

Wow, did i say that?  

Got to be starting something...."Graeme - little devils
news of gigs, songs, pix and friends www.myspace.com/littledevilsmusic

videos of the band - busking, live, odds and sods www.youtube.com/littledevilvideos

THE FOLD - FriendsOf Little Devils

I think Graeme might have really started something. These are opinions that will make up further Star Soaked articles. Tune back. Many thanks to Graeme and Little Devils for the interview.

Oranges, Greens and Blues

An ad used to say The Future Is Orange. Now we want it to be green.


But it's not oranges music clubs that have sprung up noticeably lately, it's Blues. Quite a few since the mid 90s in London. Its a see saw. Some of them close, but it's still a sign. A longing for getting lost in music that means more than being rich and famous. Where is could mean more to an artist to see your head moving and foot tapping, than for Simon Cowell and his cling ons to say "you belong on that stage" to the latest karaoke phenomenom. Will return to this subject, but its a mere observation.


A group of London based musicians have been swelling their reputation over the last few years while spreading gospel of the spectrum of musical genres that blues touches. Congratulations to Little Devils, they are the live band at The Pogues after show party on December 21st (Brixton Jamm in South London). For a full list of dates, news and to join their mission.  "This is how it starts...." an apt title for their album.
http://www.myspace.com/littledevilsmusic

The Rock n Roll Revolution Is Not Being Televised

"God gave rock n roll to you."

Argent

Saint Jude, Marner Brown, Popskull, Mona, Hedoniacs and more in the vanguard of the rock n roll hard blues revolution.

Whats exciting me isn't on TV. There is no Snub, Old Grey Whistle Test today. Let alone Ready Steady Go or Top Of The Pops. Don't live in the past, but some cutting edge music for the future wouldn't go amiss. On everything broadcastable at the moment, Pixie Lott is very pretty and has a nice voice. Tinie Tempah is really cool. Beyonce, Kanye West and Lady Gaga etc  are genuine 21st century mega stars and the Warpaint, O Children, Everything Everything wave of music press tips are more than worth checking out. Must be having a female editor for NME that's making it readable again. N Dubz, well they are just nasty in every way but hey they're famous so tongue those butt holes. So yes, admittedly, modern music TV is sparkly, weakly witty, young and stylish. In the mean time, there's a stark side to the bleak future of real life. Raving and rocking are the down to earth escapism that doesn't come into, so therefore ever go out of, fashion.


This Autumn some of the most geniune audience and artist exchanges have been courtesy of Rock n Roll. That is the soul infused, sweat drenched, sex faced ROCK you can only see on BBC 4 in some documentary celebrating legends.


The thing is, at the time they were just the kind of excited exchanges that you can experience for yourself right now off the beaten trail of national music press radar. Having said that, Mona, a band recommended some time ago by one of the Rock Chick Institute, are getting noticed, so who knows? 2011 may actually ROCK!


They've been likened to Janis Joplin fronting The Faces but that just touches on the adoration for Lynne Jackaman's vocals and the might of Saint Jude live. Now very much in demand on the European circuit and more at home in venues like Bush Hall these days, these organically growing stars played an intimate set at The Bull & Gate recently with up and coming Swiss (garage rock n) rollers, The Dandies. Both bands raised the roof and kicked it in the crotch with a total rock show. Ronnie Wood of Rolling Stones is really on the ball and has not only given Saint Jude the thumbs up, but also Marner Brown. Five musicians made for young girls to throw their knickers at. They rock HARD and TIGHT live.


Jon Spencer Blues Explosion are back, and in timely fashion, the uber-groovy Hedoniacs and Popskull are ones to watch getting shows in Camden and The West End. London may be bleeding venues like a slashed wrist but what a soundtrack for Westminster to allow the capital's world live music scene to die to. Or www.savethe100club.co.uk 

Love for Saint Jude (October 2010) Kentish Town, London.

Like raving, rock n roll is for everybody. No limits. Get away from it all. You gotta roll with it.

Robert Johnson really started something.

Rhythm n Blues is not SO LAST CENTURY. From Electro and Metal to the inane day time radio sanctioned of mainstream media, jazz, blues and soul have aural and social power. Today I have been getting down to bass ics at http://www.realrockandblues.com/