Retro Man Blog: September 2017

Saturday, 30 September 2017

The Len Price 3 "Kentish Longtails" Album Launch Gig at Water Rats September 15th

The Len Price 3 at the Water Rats Kings Cross photographed by Paul Slattery

Our first Retro Man Blog Night at the Water Rats in Kings Cross since moving from the Half Moon in Putney was the sold-out launch party for The Len Price 3's new album "Kentish Longtails". Amy Kilroy-Buck reports back and Paul Slattery provides the photos... "The Water Rats in Kings Cross may be better known to some readers as The Pindar of Wakefield, famous for hosting Bob Dylan, The Pogues and numerous other big name acts and recognisable to fans of The Prisoners as the location for the band's now legendary appearance on The Tube in 1984. Since then it has undergone a name change and a facelift, and is a rather pleasant little pub with a back room that holds 200 people. It's a new location for Retro Man Blog to host one of their special gigs, which had sold out some weeks previously, as have their next two shows at the same venue for The SolarFlares.

The Len Price 3 at the Water Rats Kings Cross photographed by Paul Slattery

The Len Price 3 have always had a reputation for electrifying live shows, and as the promo for the gig had promised us 'unexpected sights, lights, sounds and guests' there was a good deal to live up to. DJ Dave Edwards took the place of a support band and after the doors opened at 8pm he had a good hour of tunes, with the back room lit by swirling psychedelic oil lamp projections. 'Unexpected sights' were amply provided by film projections onto a screen as we were treated to the quite staggering weirdness of "El Topo", a 1970 acid western (apparently that's a thing). The band arrived on stage shortly after 9pm, and opened with a blistering rendition of "Childish Words". The striped blazers of their early gigs are long gone, and have been replaced with some rather fetching dark red shirts, but the swaggering attitude and energy that sets them apart from many of their contemporaries remains unchanged. Obviously as an album launch the focus was always going to be on new songs, but there were plenty of old favourites mixed in too, with "My Grandad Jim" and "Pictures" appearing early on, much to the delight of the audience.

The Len Price 3 at the Water Rats Kings Cross photographed by Paul Slattery

The Lennies are always an energetic band, but all three were particularly animated and did genuinely seem to be having a whale of a time. We didn't have to wait too long for the arrival of the promised special guest, none other than long term LP3 associate Graham Day, who joined the band on keyboards and guitar for a few songs (yes, apparently there is nothing he can't play) before sidling back into the wings to watch. In previous years its been very unusual to hear the band do their slower, gentler songs live, so it was good to hear the minimalist renditions of "Pocket Full of Watches" and "Letting You Down" before they stormed back into the rest of the set. I can't think of many gigs I've been to where everything has gone completely smoothly, and this was no exception; a broken kick drum pedal early on, Glen's Epiphone taking a nosedive onto his pedals and a brief scramble to get things working again before giving up on the pedal board entirely and going straight through the amp. Of such things is live music made, and the band approached these hiccoughs with good humour and some gentle banter before carrying on regardless.

The Len Price 3 with Graham Day at the Water Rats Kings Cross photographed by Paul Slattery

A mix of old and new material rounded out the set, with singalong favourites "London Institute" and "Julia Jones" drawing a particularly enthusiastic response from the crowd. The band played for just short of two hours, no mean feat in a rather cosy venue, and were joined again by Graham Day for a cover of The Gaolers "Get Off My Track" before rounding off their encores with "Chinese Burn". The Len Price 3 occupy a strange place in today's live music scene; they dislike being labelled as Mod apparently (possibly another reason for the retirement of the blazers) and have never perhaps enjoyed the success and popularity fans feel they should, playing only a small number of gigs each year and remaining largely ignored by the music press. It's important to consider though that this may be exactly the way they want it, although as "Kentish Longtails" gathers momentum there are more reviews than ever springing up online, and dates already being advertised for gigs next year. Could this be the start of something bigger for The Len Price 3? As a fan, I hope so. All in all a fantastic gig from a band who just keep getting better".

- Amy Kilroy Buck September 2017.

The Len Price 3 with Graham Day at the Water Rats Kings Cross photographed by Paul Slattery

This feature first appeared on the Louder Than War web-site here. With thanks to Amy, Paul Slattery and Geb Babey. All photos copyright Paul Slattery.

Thursday, 28 September 2017

The Flamin' Groovies at Under The Bridge London September 21st - Review and Photos by Paul Slattery

The Flamin Groovies and Dave Edmunds at the Robin Hood pub in Monmouth January 1978. Left to right: Chris Wilson, Mike Wilhelm, Cyril Jordan, Dave Edmunds, Dave Wright & George Alexander. Photo by Paul Slattery.

I’ve been listening to The Flamin' Groovies now for 45 years. I first heard "Teenage Head" at a party in Cape Cod went out and bought the album (which I still have) and became a huge Groovies fan. I first met the the band at The Robin Hood pub in Monmouth in January 1978. They’d been recording the "Now" album at Rockfield Studios with the legendary Dave Edmunds and I ended up on the road with them in 1978 when they were promoting the album. The Groovies are Rock and Roll legends now – their jangling guitar based power pop has influenced new generations of rock musicians and they are back again on the road reborn with a new rhythm section and their first new album in 25 years "Fantastic Plastic" which seems to be garnering 5 star reviews everywhere. Original member George Alexander and drummer Victor Penalosa both appear to have parted company with the band despite featuring on the new album. I was sad to hear the news quite frankly as I had got to know them both well over the last few years since the Groovies reformation.

The Flamin' Groovies at Under The Bridge by Paul Slattery

Cyril Jordan of The Flamin' Groovies at Under The Bridge by Paul Slattery

The band's new rhythm section is Chris von Sneidern on bass guitar and Tony Sales on drums. Chris is a well-known San Francisco musician with several acclaimed albums and was the subject of the 2009 documentary "Why Isn’t Chris von Sneidern Famous?" Tony is the son of Tony Sales and nephew of Hunt Sales (who together formed the famous rhythm section in David Bowie’s band, Tin Machine, and recorded and toured with Iggy Pop and Todd Rundgren, among others). Have a listen to Iggy’s "Kill City" album. He’s also the grandson of the actor Tyrone Power. Well you would expect two guys with such great music credentials to do justice to a band like the Flamin' Groovies and that they do in spades. They are superb musicians and both add to the soaring vocal harmonies.

The Flamin' Groovies at Under The Bridge by Paul Slattery

Chris von Sneidern of The Flamin' Groovies at Under The Bridge by Paul Slattery

More than forty years down the road singing with the Groovies Chris Wilson still handles the lead vocals with true emotion in a set list that includes classics like "Tore Me Down", "Teenage Head" and "Shake Some Action". On the excellent Paul Revere and the Raiders cover "Hungry" Chris leaves the guitar on the stand, grabs the mike and gets down the front of the stage to belt out an amazing whiskey-fuelled vocal. The numbers from the new album sound great and get the proper Cyril and Chris jangly guitar duel treatment. "What The Hell’s Going On" is a cracker as is "I Want You Bad", Cyril still favouring his heavy-as-steel Dan Armstrong plexiglass guitar – Cyril loves this guitar – you can see it on the cover of their 1971 album "Teenage Head".

The Flamin' Groovies at Under The Bridge by Paul Slattery

Tony Sales of The Flamin' Groovies at Under The Bridge by Paul Slattery

I’m glad that there is now a fully fledged version of "Let Me Rock" on the new album. The only recording I had before was a version recorded in Cyril's front room as a demo for United Artists records which ended up on the "Grease" EP on Skydog records. "Let Me Rock" is the final song of the evening and it's a really great finale to an excellent performance. For me it’s always a treat to listen to this band and take their photos, they are true legends that just have Rock 'n' Roll oozing out of their pores. (Paul Slattery September 2017).

Present day line-up backstage at Under The Bridge: Chris Wilson, Cyril Jordan, Tony Sales, Chris von Sneidern

Chris Wilson with The Only One’s John Perry

You can get more information on The Flamin' Groovies and details on how to order their new album here. With thanks to Paul Slattery for the feature and excellent photos. Don't forget our special Retrosonic Podcast with Chris Wilson is available to listen/download for free here.

Sunday, 3 September 2017

Las Aspiradoras & The No-Things at Weirdsville August 26th

Las Aspiradoras at Weirdsville - Photo © Retro Man Blog

I know it has become a bit of a standing joke that after every visit to Weirdsville I proclaim that I have just witnessed my new favourite band. But thanks to Mr A and Alexandra Beat Girl (and Ade when it comes round to their yearly Hipsville A-Go-Go Weekenders) I get the rare chance to see some superb acts from all corners of the globe, well, if globes had corners that is. Some I have seen before like Giuda and Les Kitschenette’s but it’s often the first chance I will get to see such a band play live. For example, I have seen The Revox and The Jackets from Switzerland, Autoramas from Brazil, Los Sustos and Viv & The Sect from Mexico, Kinoko Hotel, The Ladybugs and The Stompin’ Riff Raffs from Japan, The Satelliters from Germany, Messer Chups from Russia, Shupa from Spain and Johnny Mafia and Les Grys-Grys from France. I don't know how but they even managed to book Davros & The Deep Space Deviants all the way from the planet Skaro!

The No-Things at Weirdsville - Photo @ Retro Man Blog

Tonight’s opening act The No-Things are in comparison, relatively local to Weirdsville in that they come from Edinburgh and they have a familiar vocalist, well not at first they don’t because he is missing when guitarist Alex, bassist Scott and drummer Calvin take to the stage and crank up the opening number. It’s Laurent from Les Bof! and he is in the crowd down at the front dancing away before suddenly leaping on stage to join in. With his impressive sideburns, Beatle-boots and stripey T-Shirt Laurent is the quintessential Garage Rock front-man. When he's not blasting out some superb harmonica he's dancing, spinning and leaping into the audience at every possible opportunity.

The No-Things at Weirdsville - Photo @ Retro Man Blog

Second song “Don’t Get On My Tits” is an absolute snotty-nosed Garage Rock classic and I keep finding myself rather embarrassingly singing it aloud in the office; it boasts an unbelievably catchy chorus and it has a rude word in it, what’s not to like? Likewise "Diamond Ring" and "Birds Flyin' Outta My Head", stand-out tracks on their "Here Come The No-Things" LP are insanely catchy and the brilliantly nagging guitar riff to "J'vais être Riche" gets lodged in your head for days after. While the rhythm section are impressively locked in tight there's a nice Punky edge to Alex's guitar that adds to a thrillingly unpredictable sound. It's raw Garage Rockin' R'n'B at it's best.

If I thought The No-Things were wired then I was in for a bigger shock with headlining act Las Aspiradoras who upped the fizzing energy levels to the max. They kicked off with the triple shot of "Malmete", "Para Ser Guay" and one of my favourites "Autodestrucción" without even so much as a 'hello' and proceeded to storm through a relentless set crammed with well over 20 more songs. Singer/Guitarist Chicho has one of those voices that is sometimes described as if he 'gargles with razor blades and gasoline' and he is a suitably energetic front-man. Like Laurent before him, Chicho seems to spend most of his time among the audience, either kneeling down slashing out some great riffs or even laying on his back spreadeagled on the floor. At one point, Mr A gets in on the act and strums Chicho's guitar enthusiastically as he lays there. Jungle Julia is an stunning visual foil to Chicho, she looks great and plays the organ with her elbows, knees and feet (you have to see it to believe it...) as well as the rather more conventional method. They also possess a great rhythm section featuring Juanjo on bass, who trades poses with Chicho and there's Oscar on drums, who leans precariously into his mic to add some backing vocal harmonies.

Some of my personal highlights included "Ni Rastro De Polvo" and "Mi Adicción" which I would love to sing along to if my Spanish was any good; but all their songs have hooks that really do stick in your mind. They also play some choice cover versions such as Freddie Cannon’s “Palisades Park” and Los Macana’s excellent “Radio Go” that go down a storm on the night, as does Chubby Checker’s “Karate Monkey” which inspires some audience participation of accompanying monkey grunts and karate moves. I think I spent the whole set with a huge soppy grin plastered all over my face; they are that kind of band. You can’t help but smile and jump around, or in my case being an old git and rather shy, I can’t help but stand there, tap my feet and nod my head in time to the music. But believe me, inside I am jumping around like a loon! Weirdsville, you have done it yet again!

For more information on Las Aspiradoras check out their Facebook page here and The No-Things can be found at this link. Weirdsville happenings take place on the last Saturday of every month so if you want to be introduced to your new favourite band, check out their web-site here. More photos of the gig can be found at the Retro Man Facebook page here and there are some more videos of both bands at our Retro Man YouTube channel, along with many more Weirdsville acts.