Arctic Monkeys are one of my favourite bands. I got to see them a couple of years ago. I got a little scared when Alex started with a new venture. Namely, The Last Shadow Puppets. I thought the Arctic Monkeys were over. Then my fears were put at bay by the announcement of the new album, Humbug. Relief!!
The song is great. The video is interesting. I am not so sure about Alex's new hairstyle though?
Desmond & The Tutus are releasing their new EP, called __And The__. And for a short time only, it is available on a free download. Click here to get it now.
Track list: 1. Suzanne 2. Meatloaf Tribute Band 3. Your Girlfriend 4. New Disaster
I have been listening to it all morning. It's crammed with the typical SuperShane lyrics that tell a story that you can sing, swing and dance with/to. If you miss out the download, be sure to head to one of the following shows to get a copy and see the lads perform the new tracks and some of timeless oldies, LIVE!
La Roux is a Electro Synth duo from the UK and have recently released their first record. It's great. It's totally different and fun. Their most popular track is Bulletproof and has been played in a few sets around the city and is very cool. It's interesting that they insist they are a duo, but Elly is the only one who performs while Ben Langmaid co-writes and co-produces.
I also happen to be a big female vocalist and heavy synth combo fan, so I am enjoying. You thought I was a big female hey? Anyway, the band only started in 2008, and already have an intense tour schedule and have won two awards for best new comer and best female newcomer. Go band. Check out the A L L remix of Bulletproof. La Roux - Bulletproof (A L L remix) zShare
So, Sassy has done it again. This time, Ben Rausch has put together a mix made up EXCLUSIVELY of bands in his area. That is, Pretoria, Johannesburg and Centurion. It has a very interesting track listing:Download the 43 minute mix featuring some underground underground acts and some CRITICAL HITS. At times you might get confused at how one track becomes another with his seamless mixing. Click here for the mini-set!! Keep your eyes peeled, as Sassquatch is set to be announced as one of the djs for a set at a TBA CT party soon!!!! Don't forget about Blaise's farewell party tonight!!
Discotheque, Friday night. It's your last chance to say cheers to Blaise, and another chance for you to break down to some HUGE electro beats. Come down to the Annex. It's a quaint room with it's entrance just around the corner from the one you may be accustomed to. It's a wicked cool extension to the regular Assembly venue. See you there. Get your presale tickets here. Facebook event
In an effort to promote their new album, Civil Twilight's first single is available on a free download. Just think about it, you could be one of the first people to start gossiping the news of this awesome band. Download and share. Soldier - Civil Twilight
Civil Twilight just released their music video, Soldier, again. They released it a while back with the album, Human. It got pulled by their new record company, and now they are releasing it again. Check it out, it's very cool. And, and, and Steve Mckellar (leading vocalist and bassist) looks a little like Robert Pattinson from Twilight. Along with the video, they have released their self titled album, available on iTunes and 'anywhere that good CDs are sold' except in SA, yet. Check out more of their stuff here.
It wasn't really the Chevelle before party, but it sure felt that way.
Saturday night was supposed to be a fun gigging night with the typical Assembly crowd. It was set to feature some dancing and some foosball. It wasn't. Firstly, it was so unbelievably full, there was little room to move let alone dance. It was sold out. Secondly, the crowd was uncharacteristic of a typical Assembly rock show. Jocks jocks JOCKS, every-freaking-where you looked! I was scared to bump shoulders with anyone lest I get beaten up by an ill tempered thug sporting his girlfriend's pullover because he poured beer on his t-shirt on purpose (true story). At one stage, the aforementioned jock and four of his friends, including an IT guy who does freelance work for my company decided it would be fun, no, a LOT of fun to stand in a circle, take off their shirts and pour beer on each other's heads. Now, we are not talking about weedy guys, I am referring to some plus sized boytjies who spend almost every unemployed minute at gym and have a diet exclusively made up of protein shakes. Those guys. Those guys who make up for their lack of height by being as wide and expend most of their mental capacity trying stuff a larger subwoofer into their retarded car. I am digressing so let me continue... Oh, yes, there was a band. Zebra & Giraffe played their last show of their East Coast winter tour. And boy were they happy it was over. Not to say they didn't enjoy it, they did. But frontman Gregg Carlin expressed his gratitude at being finished with the tour. (I would really like to insert a quote here, but unfortunately most of what he said was written on his face. You know, lines of wariness and the like.) Their show was good, well, the little I was able to 'see' of it. The sound was great and their two (??) new songs were very promising. Drummer Darren appreciated the positive commentary on the new tracks, but said they were a still under construction.
The Wedding DJs followed Z&G with a set that made me yawn a number of times. Clearly not my vibe. This said, there were many people who got their freak on and danced themselves stukkend. But, they just played tracks with little concern for mixing or transitions. Anyway.
It was a fun night, mainly thanks to the beef cakes who eventually got thrown out.
So Friday night did not carry the wow factor that so many had hoped and expected for. While New Young Pony Club's Lou Hayter is nothing short of visually beautiful, her DJ set, was, well AWFUL!
Inge got things underway with her typical experimental self. It was interesting. Her stage presence is bewilderingly enchanting.
The turn of Ashtray Electric arrived, and they impressed. They were probably the most enjoyable act of the evening. I only have one question about Overstared. Does anyone who knows anything about wine, like sweet wine? The song doesn't go, "The DESERT wine tastes sweeter..." Personally, I don't like sweet wine. Now, if the song went something along the lines of, "The honey tastes sweeter..." , or "The liquer tastes sweeter..." (if it has to be alcoholic) I would be all for it. It doesn't. Oh well. Girls seem to think it's beautiful. I am getting sidetracked.
The reason for the evening, was the launch of the controversial, most interesting, Vice Magazine. I got a couple of copies. I haven't really looked too much at it just yet, but it looks pretty controversial. I am looking forward to some time to read a few of the articles. Unfortunately I feel the need to reiterate the disappointment of Lou's set. She started the set with some reggae/hop. No actual New Young Pony Club beats. Things, progressed and turned to some more heavy electro. Still no NYPC tracks. Eventually, shortly before I gave up on her, Ice Cream began. No remix, just straight track. At least it made the cut. Then, rock. Not 'indie' rock, RAGE AGAINST THE freaking MACHINE rock. It was the most bizarre DJ set I have heard, I am sure of it. Fortunately for her, some people were either tripping or couldn't look beyond her music profile, and so they seemed to enjoy it.
It's Blitz! - Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Such a great album. And, might I add, quite different from their other stuff, and refreshingly so. When I first heard their single, Zero, I was addicted. I downloaded the video and played it to all my friends. A friend who had the album said, I would prefer the track, Dull Life. I told him he was lying. And I was sure he was. Zero is easy to listen to and made me stoked. Then, the day arrived. I got hold of the album in it's entirety and sure enough, Zero's hold on me began to weaken in a big way. Soon, I was listening to some of the other beauts like Heads Will Roll and Shame and Fortune. But my favourite track on It's Blitz! has to be Dull Life. Listen to it, and if you disagree with me, well, you're an idiot, plain and simple. Kidding. but the whole album is really an easy listen, which for some more conservative listeners is in sharp contrast to the 2003 album, Fever To Tell and more specifically, tracks like Date With the Night and Tick.
Anyway, if you haven't gone out to get it, GET IT. You should be able to get it from Astore, if not, try online. My biggest complaint with this album and I guess the band in general is that I have to scroll down so far on my iPod to get to them. It is taxing on my fingers.
Check out Heads Will Roll live below: (Man, what I would do to see this band live.)
I will post a Heads Will Role remix from DAN OH tomorrow. It's pretty great.
It's been a long time coming, but it's finally here. I still have people coming up to me and talking to me about Marriage Material of the Week Part #1. I have heard things like, "I went to school with that girl." "She is at my university." Fun stuff. Apparently, she is just like I described her. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Due to my lack of continuity, I have had a lot of 'potential material' to sift through for this edition.It seems as though I am favouring blond girls currently. Sorry about that. I will make a special effort for the next episode, if possible.
This girl is quality. How do I know? Well, off the bat she is clearly competing for the affections of this unnamed celebrity look alike. Competition is good. Competition builds character.
Her smile is genuine and heart felt, not sleezy or cheap. She looks young, but not the annoying type of young. She looks mature enough to be able to have a conversation without her concentration wanning.
The beer is a let down, but I am going to give her the benefit of the doubt, and assume she is merely holding the beverage of choice for the celebrity.
So, the New Young Pony Club are amazing live. This is according to Sean from we-are-awesome.com (or weareawesome.com in the latest GQ). "Best band I have EVER seen!" His words.
It's not the full band/group/contingent. Lou Hayter typically responsible for keys is playing a DJ set at Assembly on the night. Nevertheless, this is possibly the biggest thing that has ever happened to the club music scene in Cape Town!
Vice can give you what you want! Vice can make your heart beat short. Vice Magazine is coming to Cape Town. This very exciting publication is released (with different content) all over the world and is responsible for bringing Lou to our shores.
In addition to Lou, you can expect to see the likes of: Ashtray Electric Haezer Inge Beckmann (formerly of Lark) Ree-Burth (Soweto Rock) DJ Lapse
If you want tickets to this historic Vice Launch, click along to we are awesome, or email blaise at info@theassembly.co.za.
I love music, and most things that relate to music. I also enjoy writing. So I have decided to create an amalgamation of my interests. Therefore, Smack Talk serves to entertain, create awareness and be an outlet for my interests.
If you have a band and would like to be seen, known and loved, you can email me. richardcoleking[at]gmail[dot]com