Not A Secret

Holy shit, it's Passion Pit. That's exactly how I was introduced to this little (not-so now) band over at the now-on-hiatus Good Weather For Airstrikes way back last year. The rest was history. Since then, the good people at GWFAS has launched Neon Gold, a 7″ vinyl singles label and its first release was none other than the mindblowing Sleepyhead by Passion Pit, one of our 2008 top tracks. The band has also been named BBC's Sound of 2009 and making buzz waves in the blogsphere.

With a full-length studio album 'Manners' due to be released on May 19th, 2009, they are set to be the Vampire Weekend or MGMT of 2009. After hearing 'The Reeling', the teaser from the most anticipated debut of the year, a leak would be a great early birthday gift for me! The video is equally amazing as well, I absolutely dig the distressed, animated paper and torn-up gig flyers. Deep! Check it out here for yourself.

Hang on, there's more. The band just dropped another track 'Little Secrets' from the debut as part of a remix contest. You can find the official contest info and upload your remix here. Now I am starting to get extremely excited for the elecro-pop goodness wrapped in the debut LP. I am feeling a little sick of too much 'Kids', people should start dropping these good shit from Passion Pit!

Passion Pit - The Reeling
Passion Pit - Little Secrets

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

Brain Thrust Mastery

We Are Scientists are back, with a drummer short. The departure of Michael Tapper was a shame, but fortunately, that happened after the recording session of the upcoming album, 'Brain Thrust Mastery', which means drummings in the tracks will still be nothing short of incredible. The first single 'After Hours' continues with The Scientists' usual guitar-driven riff and upbeat rhythm, and it's pleasant enough on the ear after a few listens. The track comes with a pretty amusing video too. 'Brain Thrust Mastery' is set to be released on 17 March.

We Are Scientists - After Hours

Club 8 & Pelle Carlberg @ KLPAC, 25.1.08

Concert-deprived Malaysia has been longing for some decent international live music and the night has come true with the arrival of swedish twee pop duo, Club 8 and singer-songwriter, Pelle Carlberg.

I attended this Labrador Asia Tour on Friday with a friend. An early depart to KLPac had us waiting for more than two hours, but it paid off as we managed to meet Pelle before show, who seems to be very friendly. At 8.30pm, the door opened and we got ourselves first row, just right in front of the stage. Local bands Ferns and Couple were first up opening for the two headliners. They warmed up the crowd with their brand of power pop by playing a set of 4-5 songs each and the audience seemed to enjoy them quite a bit.

As the light went off, Johan Angergård appeared on the stage with a full line up of band, followed by the lovely Karolina Komstedt. After a brief introduction of themselves, the band kicked off the show with 'Cold Hearts'. During the second track 'Heaven', the bassist faced some technical difficulties with his bass guitar and had it changed, before drowning us back into their wonderfully Scandinavian pop melodies. The set consists of 14-15 songs, those I can recall are crowd-favourite 'Whatever You Want', 'Football Kids', 'London', 'Love In December' and 'Jesus Walk With Me'.

Karolina seemed to be rather shy on stage with her soft spoken voice. She contributed the sound of harmonica during the track 'Boyfriends Stay' while Johan injected a different element into the rather peaceful set, playing the rock number 'Saturday Night Engine' during the encore. Things seemed to be a little held back by the flawed sound system but nevertheless, the same groovy, melancholy sound of the band is still there without the loss of any of the heart, soul, and overall fun that characterise Club 8's modern Swedish pop.

After a short interval, Pelle Carlberg appeared on the stage with his band. Pelle is really an energetic and charismatic singer, playing some beatiful guitar riffs while doing dance moves along the way. Tracks played include hits from his latest album - 'Go To Hell Miss Rydell', 'Crying All The Way To The Pawnshop', 'Middleclass Kid', 'I Touched You At The Sound Check', 'Clever Girls Like Clever Boys Mucher More Than Clever Boys Like Clever Girls' as well as some old materials of his former band, Edson. There is a swing to his music that really got the crowd going. At some points, Pelle explained the meanings of his songs which mostly revolve around situations in his life as a pop artist. The audience was pretty much amused by the imaginative and witty lyrics.

The climatic 'Pamplona' was one of the highlights of the show where everyone was singing along to the catchy 'Na na na na' part as requested by Pelle himself. He also did a wonderful cover of The Darkness’s I Believe In A Thing Called Love with only his acoustic guitar as accompaniment. Duet track 'I Love You, You Imbecile' was the closing piece where Club 8 appeared on stage again to give a hand on vocal and instruments. The show ended off with the band thanking and bowing to the crowd.

Videos:
'Pamplona'

'I Love You, You Imbecile'

Surprisingly there was an autograph session held after that. Pretty weird for some indie bands to do something that normally only pop stars do.

I had an enjoyable night, and money was well spent. I went in not knowing much about the two Swedish acts and emerged a fan after that.

Conquest

The White Stripes' remake of Corky Robbins' 'Conquest', off their album, 'Icky Thump', is set to be released as the latest single in the US on December 18th and in the UK on December 31st. The B-sides of this single were co-produced by Beck, who contributed vocals and piano to 'It's My Fault For Being Famous' and slide guitar to 'Honey, We Can’t Afford To Look This Cheap'. The mentioned tracks plus an additional b-side called Cash Grab Complications On The Matter are released as a series of 7-inch of black, white and red colored vinyl singles. The b-sides also feature an acoustic Mariachi version of 'Conquest'.


The White Stripes - It's My Fault For Being Famous
The White Stripes - Honey, We Can't Afford To Look This Cheap
The White Stripes - Cash Grab Complications On The Matter
The White Stripes - Conquest (Acoustic Mariachi Version)

Watch Meg and Jack step into the bullring as matadors, with the latter showing off bull-fighting skills, until there's an unexpected role reversal. A rare sense of humour in White Stripes' collection of videos. Pretty amusing.

Teddy Picker

Already a fan favourite, ‘Teddy Picker’ is set to be released as the third single from Arctic Monkeys' sophomore album, 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' on December 3. As for B-sides, the Sheffield lads have teamed up with Richard Hawley for a duet and recorded a version of 'Bad Woman', a cover of Pat Farrell And The Believers' 1969 track. Also we can hear an instrumental track titled 'The Death Ramps' as well as 'Nettles, a short and upbeat trademark song of them. These two songs are too released by Artic Monkeys on a limited edition vinyl under a pseudonym called The Death Ramps.

Arctic Monkeys - Bad Woman
Arctic Monkeys - The Death Ramps
Arctic Monkeys - Nettles

The track comes with a Strokes-ish video directed by Roman Coppola, which features the band in a recording studio performing the song. Coppola is literally only able to make the same type of video but having said that, he has perfected it. The Strokes should definitely take him back.

Double Trouble

Damon Albarn's back, but not with Blur or Gorillaz this time. The Good, the Bad and the Queen is a supergroup which consists of the frontman of Blur and Gorillaz, The Clash's bassist Paul Simonon, former Verve member and Blur and Gorillaz guitarist Simon Tong, and Fela Kuti drummer Tony Allen. New album titled The Good, the Bad and the Queen, produced by Danger Mouse, is set to hit the shelf in January 2007. Meanwhile, a single "Herculean" will be released on 30 October 2006 and deleted on the same day.

I am rather disappointed after listening to the new single, as it is rather bland, or I am just being too greedy expecting Albarn to go back to Blur's sound at its high. Maybe it will grow on me, or let's hope the album would be better. And one thing that bothers me is that Albarn seems to be preoccupied with all his side projects, when are we going to hear Blur's new album?

The Good, the Bad and the Queen - Herculean

Pete Doherty and Carl Barât reunited for Strummerville charity Clash cover of Janie Jones. However, they didn't record it together, and the track's official list of contributors includes Babyshambles, Dirty Pretty Things, The Rakes, Mystery Jets, The Holloways, We Are Scientists, The Paddingtons, Larrikin Love, Cazals, The Noisettes, Good Books, Lady Fuzz, The Kooks, Jack Penate, Laura Marling, Maccabees, Lisa Moorish, Light Speed Champ, Jamie T, Jeremy Warmsley, Statik, Guillemots and Kid Harpoon (Phew!).

Babyshambles & friends - Janie Jones

Check out the video and see who you can spot!

First Single, Second Video

Check out The Raconteurs' brand new video for the single "Steady As She Goes" [mp3]. Little Jack Lawrence, PK aka The Killer, BB Bumkin and Copper Kid were competing in a soap box race , and the first place got to drink milk!

First video here.

The Vines' New Video

As promised, here's the video of Anysound by The Vines. Enjoy!

T In The Park

T in the Park is back! On the 8th and 9th July with even bigger and stronger lineup. Some bigger acts already confirmed include Glasgow very-own Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Who, Kaiser Chiefs, Arctic Monkeys, etc. More will be announced in coming weeks. Me looking at the line-ups, goodness those who managed to snatch the tickets are one lucky bunch. This year tickets were already sold out in a record of 40 minutes. Anyway, this doesn't really concern me because I could never afford to attend the event. Though the accomodation can be easily taken care off, with my aunt living in Glasgow, the air fares to Scotland can already burn a big hole in my pocket. Haih, I shall just set my mind on the follow-up to Bangkok 100 Rock Festival (hopefully there will be one), albeit smaller and has much lesser acts, it would be more affordable and nearer to my home.

T in the Park Flashback:

Franz Ferdinand "Take Me Out" @ T in the Park 2004

The Strokes "Last Nite" @ T in the Park 2004

Oasis "Live Forever" @ T in the Park 2002

Beastie Boys "Intergalatic" @ T in the Park 1998

Updated by YS

The Vines' Vision Valley

You can preview The Vines' latest offer where they discuss track by track from Vision Valley. Also, check out the new Craig Nicholls. Is there something slightly different about Craig? Absolutely obviously there is. Where have the insanity and extreme behaviour gone? Clearly, he has survived Asperger, and hopefully, the new Craig continues to bring us good music.

The Vines - Don't Listen To The Radio

Stream other songs from Vision Valley here

Updated by YS in favour of YoongBing

The Raconteurs' New Video

Check out the video of The Raconteurs' debut single, "Steady as She Goes (mp3)". Jack White has got rid of his Willy Wonka look! Guess he passed his top hat to Brendan Benson. And what's with the cows running around in the video?

Post-Libertines Era

Last year was The Libertines.

This year, Arctic Monkeys have made history at Shockwaves NME Awards 2006 by claiming a hat-trick, winning Best British Band, Best New Band and Best Track. Worth to mention, Pete Doherty was there. What a great archievement for these young lads to beat other great bands like Franz Ferdinand, Oasis and Kaiser Chiefs! Check out the full list of winners here. (My prediction was way wrong.)

Arctic Monkeys @ NME Awards 2006 Acceptance Speeches

Explain to me if you understand what were they saying. I don't get their heavy Sheffield accent.

Mp3:

Arctic Monkeys - Curtain Closed/Rockefella Skank

Shockwaves NME Awards 2006

NME Awards 2006, one of the largest public voting music event, will be held on Thursday, 23 February at London's Hammersmith Palais to honour some of the biggest names in rock music scene and celebrate the best in new music from 2005.

Here are my votes:
Best British Band - Franz Ferdinand

Best International Band - The White Stripes

Best Solo Artist - Patrick Wolf

Best New Band - Arctic Monkeys

Best Live Band - The Strokes

Best Album - Bang Bang Rock & Roll by Art Brut

Best Track - Area by The Futureheads

Best Live Event - Glastonbury 2005

Best Live Venue - London Brixton Carling Academy (don't really know where it is)

Best Radio Show - Colin and Edith, Radio 1 (just copy from somewhere...)

Best Video - A Million Ways by Ok Go

Best Music DVD - Bullet In A Bible by Green Day

Best TV Show - Little Britain

Best Film - Lords of Dogtown

Best Website - www.nme.com

Hero of The Year - Bob Geldof

Villain of The Year - Liam Gallagher

Sexiest Man - Julian Casablancas (i'm not gay!)

Sexiest Woman - Meg White

Best Dressed - Brandon Flowers

Worst Dressed - Justin Hawkins

Worst Album - Cray Frog

Worst Band - Black Eyed Peas (who else?)

I've already voiced my favourites, what about you? Their fate is in your hands, so cast your vote here!