Wolf & Vlad

The last time we heard from Wolfmother, 2/3 of the band had left due to "creative differences". Frontman Andrew Stockdale decided to forge ahead and continue on with his retro rock juggernaut, recruiting three new members, guitarist Aidan Nemeth, bassist Ian Peres and drummer Dave Atkins. And now, the new-look, post-breakup Wolfmother has dropped a new single from the highly anticipated untitled sophomore album.

'Back Round' sounds pretty much like, well Wolfmother. As usual it is filled with the trademark chunky guitar riffs and massive drum fills, with Stockdale's lead work sounds more impressive as well, now that he has a rhythm man to back him up.

Head to Wolfmother’s website to download this awesome track, or grab it below for you lazy bums.


Wolfmother - Back Round

In other news, Kasabian has released a brand new track titled 'Vlad The Impaler' from the upcoming 'The West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum' out June 8th. “Vlad The Impaler” is an explosive psychadelic anthem, and though the chorus that goes "Get loose, get loose" is not exactly catchy, it's strange enough to make you want to press the repeat button. Be sure to be treated to the track's awesome video starring Noel Fielding from The Mighty Boosh as well.


Kasabian - Vlad The Impaler

V in KL

It is neither Valentino Rossi nor Vincent Chase. Excitement is rushing down my blood. The boys from Sydney are coming up again after those lucky ones caught them in action back in July in the land of our sibling neighbour. They are signed under the home to the equally cool Cut Copy and The Presets. Does all the best Australia electropop come from the amazing Modular Recordings?

V = Van She. The band's debut 'V' is full of good ol' disco-inspired cheeky pop numbers that any electropop/synth fans should lay their ears at. Van She will be headlining the latest installment of Heineken Green Room on 1st November at the newly refurbished Zouk Mainroom. Also playing is Tokyo’s Dexpistols and KL's very own DJ duo LapSap. The lineups are going to promise a mind-blowing party. Dexpistols was unheard of and LapSap has-seen-couple-times, so Van She will be the one that I am going to kick in all my energy. If I look not even slight entertained in the other two sets, sorry guys, I am keeping them all in before unleashing in the final set.

By the way, admission is by invitation only. I will do anything filthy just to lay my hands on those invites.

Van She - Sex City
Van She - So High

-Sim-

Let's mourn

Readyset Glo is a bi-monthly indie disco night at Velvet Underground Singapore. Previous guests include Van She, Steve Aoki and the Ed-Banger crews. People were talking about Readyset Glo presents the Mystery Jets Live on 20th September. So I got all excited, thinking that there might be chances of it happening here in KL too, or at least a trip down south would not be a bad idea. Then someone picked up a shotgun and shot me straight into my head when I heard it is cancelled.

Apparently the Camera Obscura show scheduled on 31st October in KL as per shown in their MySpace might not be happening too. All these disheartening news deserve to be mourned for.

MGMT is touring Australia in December, but this is nothing to cheer about either. It is happening a little too late, with the fact that I will be in Perth a little too soon, two weeks before the gig. I will be delirious if any organiser is willing to bring the most-hyped indie duo here. If you are reading this, and you happen to be some gig organiser/promoter or you know someone is, please spread some delightful news.

Has the sky always been this grey?

Mystery Jets - Two Doors Down
Camera Obscura - If Looks Could Kill
MGMT - Electric Feel (Aeroplane Remix)

Bring Back Some Glowsticks, Would Ya?

Klaxons is set to release yet another single from their Mercury Award winning album, 'Myths Of The Near Future’. The 'As Above, So Below' single will be digitally released in France on October 22nd with a Justice remix as well as a French version of the original track.

Klaxons - As Above, So Below (French Version)

Speaking of Klaxons, the jealousy revives as the occasional writer is going to catch the energetic band live next week. It is totally saddening to live in this good-live-music-deprived nation. I think the organisers should consider changing their jobs. I mean Whitney Houston ? Shaggy ? K-Ci & Jojo ? Oh come on, you've got to be kidding me.

We Are Scientists - This Scene Is Dead

Descanse en paz

D. Antonio José Puerta Pérez, Sevilla FC (1984-2007)

Belle & Sebastian - I Don't Want To Play Football

Spinning Monkey Kick

This is taken from the 49th Grammy Awards Nominee List.

It wasn't a surprise to me that the boys got nominated for the Best Alternative Album category, but Best Rock Instrumental Performance? What the heck?! This track is just a b-side and their one and only instrumental track, and they are already being put up against the other nominees who are more than 25 years older than themselves. These kids are plain genius.

Just thought of bringing this up, Patrick's favourite, Joe Satriani is also nominated. The rest of the nominees are also some widely recognized musicians who have been doing this for many years. So I don't really expect Arctic Monkeys to win, if they really do, surely I am gonna laugh hard.

Arctic Monkeys - Chun Li's Spinning Bird Kick

Arctic Monkeys Win Mercury Prize

The most hyped band on internet has won this year Mercury Music Prize with their debut album "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not". As much as I like Arctic Monkeys, it never crossed my mind the band would win the Mercury, because normally it doesn't go to such mainstream album. A lot people say the lads don't deserve it, but I think the album is a solid one with many great moments. Who cares what those indie weirdos who practically bashed all bands that sell more than a dozen records think?

Hmm, I wonder if fatty Andy gets his share of honour?

The band's latest b-side:
Put Your Dukes Up John (The Little Flames Cover)
Baby I'm Yours (feat. The 747s' - Barbara Lewis Cover)

Malaysia in Headlines

Last year, Malaysia was named one of NME's 2005 cool places for being the bootlegging capital of the world. This time, Malaysia was in the NME news for wrong reason again.

I was browsing through the NME site, "Pussycat Dolls cause controversy in Malaysia" was spotted in the news section. Organisers of Pussycat Doll show had been fined 10,000 ringgits for flouting decency laws in our Bolehland. But the fine had been reduced by 50 percent for the organisers settled the fine early. I didn't know the Malaysia's annual Mega Sale carnival even covers legal fine. Now I wonder, are we citizens also entitled discount for the fine of losing ICs? If I turn in early for robbing/snatching, do I get discount too?

Pussycat Dolls pretty much dress and move the same level of 'indecency' in their videos, how come the video are getting considerably excessive amount of airplay on local TV without being labelled as sexually suggestive as suggested by our Minister on the show? Anyway, How could you expect six strippers who disguise themselves as singers/dancers dress decently according to our Minister's standards as in what Siti Nurhaliza would wear?

Also read
Mariah upsets Malaysian Muslims
Malaysia tells US band to cover up

Sufjan Stevens - Super Sexy Woman

Forza Azzuri

Scandal verdict awaiting...

Beirut - Postcards From Italy

Scientists Are Coming To Town

After 6-month drought of live rock music, I can finally set my eyes on We Are Scientists. According to The Star, the Brooklyn-based indie outfit is slated to play at Zouk KL on 9th of August. I shall start counting the days to sheer excitement of infectious power pop and witty attitude. There's one problem though, Zouk only opens to aged above 21, hmm who cares? Fake it all the way!

Surprise
Ram It Home
Be My Baby

Adiós, La Selección

Well done, Española, try harder next time.
See you in Euro 2008.

The Decemberists - Kingdom of Spain

Team Segundo, Tercer Triunfo

Oh No! Oh My! - Walk In The Park

Fantástico Comeback

Art Brut - Fight!

Viva España

Ratatat - Spanish Armada

Crash Into The Mountain

The Oscar's winners were announced few hours ago. Crash won the Best Film. Click here for full winners' list.

I recalled watching this film 2 months back in December, during a flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur. The film is about several interweaving stories which revolve around a racially diverse group of people in L.A. All the characters collide into each other in unexpected ways after a crash accident. It focuses on the sensitive racism issues, and some scenes are indeed provocative. The film is strong yet I was kinda suprised that it beat the overhyped Brokeback Mountain in the Oscar. Nevertheless, Crash was the only nominated best film I have seen so far, so I couldn't comment much. For those who haven't seen it, worth checking it out.

Songs from Crash:

Stereophonics - Maybe Tomorrow

Kathleen 'Bird' York - In The Deep

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Everyone is racist. Me and you.