@starsoakedmusic *

Janis Joplin - eternal star

2011-05-20T03:17:00.000-07:00

If you like this, can I please recommend Saint Jude.
I have a thing for soulful vocals over big tunes.

You just don't get raw talent exuding from modern music TV in the UK. The closest is Jools Holland's Later show on BBC, but something just a little younger, about real music, would be perfect.

I tweeted The Sea, who are doing well in Europe and USA with their authentic massive rocking pop sound that straddles both centuries. They have recommended a Danish band, Thee Attack. I recommended Popskull and Hedoniacs back to them. The rise of timeless sounds with muscle in their riffs, can only be a good thing.

I woke up this morning and needed to hear guitars sing...

2011-04-28T05:03:00.000-07:00

went and found me some Buddy Guy making love instrumentally...

it also makes me smile, thinking of one of my favourite films ever, The Blues Brothers.

OK. I'm set up for the day now. Yesterday had a fantastic conversation about how a lot of youngsters are turning away from sure-to-get-noticed neat hair cut, afro beat dub step indie grindie in Skins cast wear, to the 20th century rootsy rock n roll sounds. Its something really different from what is everywhere else now, I guess. So come on, baby don't you wanna go...

Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Up Above My Head

2011-04-26T06:14:00.000-07:00

THIS

is rock n roll

Sister Rosetta Tharpe makes me feel like summer time.

2011-04-18T03:54:00.000-07:00

The kind of rock n roll that apologetic "indie" could never be, but the spirit that lives on as independence. Go guitar queen, go.

USA. We're not in Shropshire any more!

2011-03-24T04:37:00.000-07:00

I am so lucky to have family and extended family all over the world. I have enjoyed travelling and visiting over the last month. I am heartened to find that every day music fans USA also pine for more rock n roll, delighted to find Red Gorilla Fest at SXSW and amused that people who cant make it to the midlands (or possibly other parts of London) to see new bands, have come to Texas to catch people who have played a whole five or six miles away from them before. It was all very exciting and rather than rattle off a list of names as you are obviously supposed to do, I just liked the whole experience especially some of those Red Gorilla moments - seemed to be on the wavelength of starter fanzine writer like myself.

H.

The UK Music Charts need a S.P.A.M. filter. Fast.

2011-02-24T02:43:00.000-08:00

I started banging on in the end of January blog, but its not just me with a hankering for something more real. Of course there is less rock in the chart. The Radio 1 etc playlist is as unimaginative and dumbed down as all the other weapons of mass distraction as the world goes through a frightening era on the news. Recently I spent an afternoon with family members. We are all music fans with different tastes but I came to realise that we need S P A M filters on our charts.

Soul Free? Passionless Auto-tuned? Manufactured?

Perhaps the X Factory charts could contain karaoke and conveyor belt pop that gives parody videos on YouTube the number of views that some new major label artists even can only dream of.

34,000 views and counting for the above.

A teenager with a profound knowledge of Katy Perry (whose "I Kissed A Girl" is actually a fantastic pop classic), Justin Bieber, Lily Allen, Sisqo,Rihanna etc and her grandmother were watching 4Music TV UK chart show run down. Much of it had taken the sick danger of hip hop, fused with the slick marketability of pop to create a safe, bank clerk's car soundtrack, of what I suppose is hip pop. The beats were great, don't get me wrong, but the sampling and "featuring" of the majority grew tired for me. Great original music is still possible.

Even Oldplay, Unkeane, Snore Patrol and the rest of the Snoozepop bands have actually got SONGS. This was brought home by the teenager remarking on how good the adverts tunes were. This, dear heart, is because they were a nifty lyrical prose fest married to hooks you could fish whales with. So even after a pensioner's lifetime they still sound immediate and fresh with a singalong factor.

Grandma noted that one video seem to be quite long. "This is a different song now", explained Teenager. Myself, Young-ISH adult, kept quiet. I'd not noticed either, that the bland tune had been followed by a weak one.

Grandma remembered Top Of The Pops starting with the break from Whole Lotta Love by Led Zepellin. Teenager was wowed by the classic rock and pop on the BBC 4 documentaries.

A 21st Century Take on this from new and wonderful rock band Hedoniacs;

Possibly scare the pants off most day time radio play lists, but why? Riffs don't kill people, weapons do.

It is still possible for real people, using nothing more than their song writing skills, vocal abilities, musicianship and charisma to make a crowd fall in love with them. LIVESTARS.

Beyonce, Duran Duran, Adele, Cee Lo Green, Amy Winehouse, Dizzee Rascal, Lady Gaga et al are great pop stars, but without the dynamics of The Pixies, Nirvana or Mona, there wouldn't be enough light and shade. A high percentage of the great 20th century classics are too dangerous for day time play. Radio 1 has burned the bridges that connected it to Radio Caroline excitement. The main thing about Tamla Motown wasn't just how fantastic everybody looked (still cool) but the sounds that are now woven into the fabric of our Western lives.

Crazy - being a song case in point.

I feel that "Pass Out" by Tinie Tempah will last like this, but he was on that very chart show that Grandma and Teenager were watching and I cant remember the song (tho Ellie Goulding was in the video for some reason).

Dubstep, pubstep, whatever. I don't want a new music only station, I like to hum along often. There are 37 artists so far on the Star Soaked Music 2011 Tips List - just three more and I'll have my own Top 40. Not only that, but, sweet vindication!, its February and they actually are all moving and shaking.

The #nmeawards didnt trend last night I noticed. It was a bit too London for me, and thats the capital of Rock N Roll as far as I'm concerned. Besides with Libya, New Zealand and a crumbling UK (its actually the Disunited Queendom, surely?) its not exactly the Brits/Grammys and would have probably fared better coming before them. Or even celebrating its own scene before its proved itself.

I assure myself that if I mixed those onto a playlist culled from a hand picked selection of Brit Award winners, national BBC Radio stations / Xfm playlist stars and some of the Great Escape, City Showcase, God Is In The TV and Artrocker tips that StarSoaked Radio would be listenable for many Grandmas and Teenagers alike.

Mick Jagger pays homage to Solomon Burke at The Grammys 2011

2011-02-14T01:29:00.000-08:00

Sir Mick. Grammys 2011. (Incidentally upstaging Lady Gaga, who arrived in an egg carried high above heads, with this performance).

The Grammys is about all kinds of music and they are both around now, and really happening. That's certainly something good for 21st Century music.

There's Something About Watching A Band Play Together

2011-02-05T04:39:00.000-08:00

A personal favourite
Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton and out there beats from Ginger Baker
playing together.

Simply.

Richey Edwards forever on the juke box.

2011-02-01T04:59:00.000-08:00

more meaning though,

On February 1, 1949, RCA Records issued the first ever 45rpm single, the invention of this size record made jukeboxes possible. Thanks to Dean Street Studios for the twitter fact. Also, this is the day that Richey Edwards of Manic Street Preachers went missing from the Embassy Hotel in London. I may have to find them on a jukebox today.

This is the controversial documentary with Simon Price, Steve, Steve Lamacq and (for some reason) Boy George, Shaun Ryder and a sci fi narriative. "The Vanishing Of Richey Manic". Now there's a book, Richard, by Ben Myers. A modern music mystery.

Having seen Shaun Ryder 'singing' on the National Television Awards with Stacey Solomon last week, after being in Celebrity Jungle thingy, there is some irony watching this now.

Give Me Gin And Tonic because I'm feelin'...

2011-01-28T07:48:00.000-08:00

This is just the way to start the weekend.

But I miss Radio sounding this vital.

I miss music TV shows having this much energy and attitude.

I miss the Gallaghers having this much hunger.

Luckily then that there's a load of new excitements round the corner.

Have to agree with the NME band interview about more guitar stuff in the charts again.

The journalism may have been nauseatingly fawning but the first paragraph of the Brother (obviously they miss Oasis too) interview was, at least, funny.

Hopefully the Tips For 2011, Best Of 2010 etc thing stops as soon as the last tax return is filed on line.

It just all goes on for too long. Nobody wants to break away.

What you people need is a band like Hedoniacs on kids TV and the future will be very bright.

This weekend, walking in hills with good music on earphones beckons. i.e. Rock and Rocks.

2011 - Hunt for your rock n roll thrills.

2011-01-16T15:00:00.000-08:00

Tipping is good. Experiencing is better.

Its good to see a variety of 2011 tips. Without following a thousand links, certain names pop up regularly.

One of the bands that will flavour this year can't be tipped as "new" but must be recommended. British Sea Power are like the waves that lap the shores and erode the cliffs. Living up to their name almost, they've chipped away until they are actually 2011's first definite Band Of The Year, courtesy of their latest album, Valhalla Dancehall being released this month.

Touring with Manic Street Preachers wouldn't have hindered their stealthy rise from unde restimation to possible over compensation in some quarters. It's genuine achievement iced with timely, well earned, recognition. From the album, this is Living Is So Easy.

Social networking reveals that outside of their most ardent following, BSP are one of the best known bands whose songs people don't know. That will be a thing of the past, but ties nicely into the media arguing with themselves as this year gets under way. Is (fill in as applicable) dead? I think Goth is this week's genre...

National press opinion is that certain types of music are dying out. In all honestly, the 'Whole Lotta Love' guitar break by Led Zepellin that was the theme music for 70s Top Of The Pops is too hard for the tepid almost-urban pop and apologetic old-play "indie" that make attempts at listening to national Radio 1 such tedious work. Dear young whippersnappers, turn UP the volume.

Some of the biggest true stars right now, make music fans beside themselves with awe. Most people (especially in the UK where they grow em real good) have never heard of these entertainers.

This blog started in November with an article Rock N Roll Revolution Is Not Being Televised.

Oh the (perfectly, well spotted) joy of Classic Rock tipping one of the bands that inspired the article; Saint Jude. A "must see live band" as one to watch. And then some.

Saint Jude are utterly sensational. No autotuner, Shoreditch clone kit or celebrity parents required for their musicianship or the spine tingling presence of front woman, Lynne Jackaman

The Unwanted, or whatever they're called, should (best Mr T voice;) Get Some Nuts. Perhaps Marner Brown could loan them a fraction of their stage presence. The only way to test if rock n roll is dead is to let it have exposure again. Perhaps Radio 1 could play list the next MB single. They certainly looked at home next to Pixie Lott on the front page of YouTube music lately. They're in Star Soaked Music's Ones To Watch 2011 list.

This blog may be less than two months old, but the kind feedback from some bands and managers, so far throws SSM in a proverbial tizzy. Feels like we're on a right track. The new rock n roll really is;

Much as we love Lady Gaga and Tinie Tempah, for being a more edgy kind of pop star, day time national radio is so safe that most of the 20th century's most adventurous, imagination capturing big hits, would be consigned to "specialist" play. Nowadays, that is where the gems are to be found first. It's how Xfm made their name in the early days. They were playing Radiohead when Radio 1 wouldn't. Not that the experimental beat combo would suit either station's programming these days, or need to.

As street talk and it's music has it's own avenues, it wouldn't hurt for the more musically adventurous and harder edged guitar and electro sounds to be heard too. Its the 21st century, after all, and the idea "nice old dears" are so last millenium. Those amazing young adults of the 60s are an inspiration still.

The Last Time by The Rolling Stones would be a noticeable, stand out song on the radio even if released these days. But you'd probably need to listen late at night to hear it.

There will defiinitely be more of this artist on the airwaves and at hot ticket festivals from now on;

You can hear a classic quality in the sound of James Blake, recommended everywhere and in The Brits best new artists list which is a great introduction to the general public and a guarantee of a bright future. He was tipped in The Guardian last April and hasn't disappointed. Watch the above video for a mere 30 seconds. The hype is justified.

While Channel 4 markets it's young/Skins/T4 side, it's not known for actually "breaking" bands. C4 producers seem to keep an eye on mainstream media tips and the well connected.

At SSM we rely on friends, especially in the cities, where there are movements in music that share a concensus, as if by ESP or something.

Star Soaked Music loves the barriers/trousers down rock'n'roll of The Dandies, the crazy as a bag of rabbits art pop scene, the new beat poets, the whip-me sounds of the danciest electro like Midlands outfit, Isolated Atoms, and the bish bosh bash flash of Bashy, the cross over of grime, the teen scene fashion statements of dub step and the multi-tasking of visual creatives connected to music in all kinds of ways.

Its all so exciting that it makes watching Ch4 presenters (except Max n O.B.) and presentations a bit patronising to kids round our way, and like something your bank manager would recommend, to us grown ups.

Hang on. There's lots of cash behind the people on telly, so the money people already approve. The 16 year olds with Muddy Waters AND The Libertines in their collection, even 10 year old Willow Smith, have a real edge. A natural suss that can be found in artists in their 70s, or just outta school.

This is a minute of a song SSM reviewed last month soundtracking the riot for them at their last London show. What the hell? A junior echo of The Strokes or something? Perhaps its just that rocking out is actually the underground thrill right now. Either way, the kids are obviously HAVING Warehouse Republic as one of their own 2011 tips.

The young/the old, they know where its at. There was some twitter feedback about her mum having better taste, when Fearne Cotton's mother chose some tracks recently on the radio.

There are kids that LOVE BBC 4 documentaries alongside Hollyoaks, and wish there was a music programme more like The Old Grey Whistle Test, The Word, Snub, The Tube etc. A special mention for Tony Wilson who took his love of music onwards to Factory Records and The Hacienda. Joan as Policewoman, on the God Is In The TV show Gin In Teacups, sings wonderfully. The session is quality with an obsession for music. It shows and comes complete with a not-your-usual interview. No wonder they've racked up over 50,000 views in two months http://gininteacups.co.uk/

20th Century's Punky Reggae partying, Radio Caroline, Ready Steady Go, raves and hip hop have flavoured our current melting pot. Modern national, mainstream TV and radio don't need to embrace the untipped. Much of their material comes signed, published, TV advertised and or with management/a booking agent that will ensure high profile gigs. These are self fulfilling by nature. What adds colour to the now predictable predictions are acts that seem to come from nowhere.

Thanks to affordable social networking, word of mouth about recommended music can be written too. Video clips help decide where to spend scarce cash. BBC Introducing shows around the country are a great way to be heard. Additionally, pro active buzz artists have been getting excited about being featured on some of the up and coming new music stations that necessity has created.

If you tweet, search Twitter for @amazingradio or http://amazingradio.co.uk/ *
@rechargedradio or http://www.rechargedradio.com/ * @propagandaradio on the cool as polar bear paws http://www.xstreameast.co.uk/ - they are all links to where some wicked talents have been showcased already, this year alone. The inclusiveness reflects what's happening at the best new music nights.

Those clubs are where the action is AT. That should be the next article, perhaps a few tweets worth for a general concensus from whoever answers. What Are The Best New Music Clubs?

Cock n Bull kid started on the hot-ticket circuit and is now frankly ready for day time radio and TV to embrace a big popular music tune such as One Eye Closed, for instance.

Is rock dead? Are Brother really any good? All three answers ("yes", "no", "whatever") are equally correct, depending on your point of view.

The recently born music publication that believes in rock n roll, Louder Than War, articulated this with the kind of investigated insight that seperates personal fan blogging (erm, like SSM) from thought provoking journalism. That's why they're in our Ones To Watch http://louderthanwar.com/ too.

It doesn't matter as much as living for the moment. A google search for best new live music clubs throws up no particular events, the nature of grass roots is fluid, but perhaps the events that the above artists play at and the accopanying documentation of early attention are a good place to start.

Can Star Soaked Music predict this year's big things? Of course not. Experience favourite next excitements? Yes indeed. Do it. Make and feel the difference.

Which of the current artists and songs will stand out in 50 years? Only time will tell. Tips for 2011? Only December will tell. Nuff nuff chopsing for now.

Gay Bar- Electric Six- Official Music Video

2011-01-12T02:16:00.000-08:00

I think that the tone needs to be set for 2011. Daytime national radio won't do it, so it's up to us music fans. Say it with guitars.

U2 - New Years Day

2010-12-31T07:13:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-28T09:16:00.000-08:00

Star Soaked TV

2010-12-21T04:33:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-12-21T03:51:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-10T04:02:00.000-08:00

Greetings From London

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

2010-12-10T03:23:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-07T03:52:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-06T08:09:00.000-08:00

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'

2010-12-06T07:58:00.000-08:00

'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

2010-12-01T04:42:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-01T04:19:00.000-08:00

@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!

2010-11-29T07:09:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-25T05:29:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-25T03:22:00.000-08:00

"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.

2010-11-25T02:07:00.000-08:00

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/