The Blue Aeroplanes live at The Borderline London June 13th

The Blue Aeroplanes live at The Borderline London - Photo by Steve Worrall

It seemed slightly ironic for a band that boasts one of the largest line-ups in rock that The Blue Aeroplanes should decide to play the Borderline, which happens to have one of the smallest stages of all London venues. Last time they played here things were so tight that dancer Wojtek Dmochowski inadvertently kicked a member of the audience in the head, mind you he was swinging from the lighting rig at the time!

The Blue Aeroplanes live at The Borderline London - Photo by Steve Worrall

That sense of barely controlled chaos is what makes The Blue Aeroplanes such an exciting live band, and tonight at one point there were five guitarists on stage leaving Wojtek to strut his stuff amongst the crowd. Even the lull between songs becomes interesting as various members avoid getting tangled in guitar leads and try to duck swinging mic stands and guitar necks as they swap places on stage. There are bands, such as The Fall, who have a huge history of ex-band members but few who attempt to get most of them back together to play a gig. Tonight's disappointment at finding out that Rodney Allen would not be appearing is tempered somewhat by the inclusion in the line-up of original guitarist Nick Jacobs and Angelo Bruschini, who's on a break from Massive Attack.

The Blue Aeroplanes live at The Borderline London - Photo by Steve Worrall

It's Brushini who gets things started with the familiar twelve string intro to "Jacket Hangs", surely one of the best opening motifs to any song, a sublime riff, and then vocalist Gerard Langley intones "Pick a card, any card, wrong!". It's probably the song that has come to define the band, the opening number on their most acclaimed album "Swagger" - it captures just what I love about them. The numerous layers of intricate guitars, Gerard's riffing poetry with the backing vocals providing harmonies, it's all crammed perfectly into "Jacket Hangs". Next up is a song from new album "Anti-Gravity" called "My Old Haunts" and then we are transported to the late 80's with the lovely circular riff to "Veils of Colour". Back to the present with a bump and the rocking "25 Kinds Of Love" and then it's two more oldies "Warhol's 15" followed by the catchy "Severn Beach" which is sung by Nick Jacobs.

The Blue Aeroplanes live at The Borderline London - Photo by Steve Worrall

Things quieten down with "Weightless" and as on the "Swagger" album the ending of this beautiful song slowly transforms and builds into the spiralling funk of "...And Stones" which gets the audience moving. Latest album opener "Sulphur" manages the rare feat of a new song that doesn't seem out of place following straight after a classic such as "...And Stones", I think this song could quickly grow into a fan favourite.

The Blue Aeroplanes live at The Borderline London - Photo by Steve Worrall

Another new number follows sung by the excellent Gerard Starkie and then things get frantic with "Colour Me", surprisingly the only number from the "Beatsongs" album to make the set tonight. Oldies "King of The Soapbox" and a wonderfully raw run through of "Bury Your Love Like Treasure" close the show with a beaming audience shouting for more.

The Blue Aeroplanes live at The Borderline London - Photo by Steve Worrall

As an encore Nick Jacobs and Rita Lynch have their turn in the spotlight before the band return for their traditional set closer, an extended jam through Tom Verlaine's "Breakin' In My Heart" which could have gone on all night if the crowd had their way.

The Blue Aeroplanes live at The Borderline London - Photo by Steve Worrall

The new songs sounded very promising on first listen and "Anti-Gravity" was available for sale at the gig in beautiful gatefold-sleeved vinyl glory only. I left clutching a copy, excited that there really does seem to be a resurgence of bands releasing vinyl again. However, this romantic dream was somewhat ruined by getting home and discovering that the needle on my stereo was crocked and I couldn't play the damn thing! Maybe there's something to be said for downloads after all...

The Blue Aeroplanes live at The Borderline London - Photo by Steve Worrall

Retro Man on Soundtrack of Our Lives in Shindig! magazine's "Happening" issue 7.

The superb garage psychedelia magazine Shindig! have kindly featured a little piece and photo of my recent trip to Slussens Pensionat to see The Soundtrack of Our Lives. It can be found in issue 7 of "Happening" - you can view and download here

Shindig! Quarterly 2 is also available here and features The Electric Prunes, Donovan and The Lovin' Spoonful amongst others.

The Monochrome Set live London Camden Dingwalls June 12th

The Monochrome Set live at London Camden Dingwalls - Photo by Steve Worrall

It was great to have the rare opportunity to see The Monochrome Set live again, I've been looking forward to a new album since the superb "Trinity Road" which was released way back in 1995.  I was slightly disappointed to find out that they were not promoting any new material, but this did mean that the band could play a show crammed full of older classic material. In fact I imagine that many die-hard fans in the audience would have written tonight's set list if they had the chance.

Bid & Lester Square - Photo by Steve Worrall

The band take the stage to recorded jungle sounds and the familiar tribal drumming intro to "The Monochrome Set (I Presume)", Lester Square, with pipe clenched between teeth, looks dapper as usual as he spins out the song's intricate guitar intro. Next up it's right into "The Lighter Side of Dating" closely followed by "Jet Set Junta". The band are in good spirits and look positively cheerful, something not usually associated with the Monochrome Set!

Bid from The Monochrome Set - Photo by Steve Worrall

It was a real treat to hear so many old numbers, but this is not to do a dis-service to the band's later albums, they did play three well received numbers from "Trinity Road", with "I Love Lambeth" one of the night's highlights. There was a powerful run through of "Forever Young" from "Charade" but nothing from the wonderful early 90's double whammy of "Dante's Casino" and "Jack" which was a bit of a shame, but that minor gripe was quickly dispelled by the crunching guitar riff intro to oldie "Alphaville".

The Monochrome Set live at London Camden Dingwalls - Photo by Steve Worrall

"Eine Symphonie Des Grauens" is my favourite song of theirs, and it sounded great, built around an inventive bass riff, with an almost Arabic motif - it highlights Andy Warren, surely one of the most underrated bassists around. The set ends with their "hit" "Jacob's Ladder" and the band leave to frenzied calls for an encore.

Bid returns for an emotive "Goodbye Joe" and then it's bang into "He's Frank", recently covered by Iggy Pop. More encore pleas and we are treated to "Fat Fun", a song that must date back to Andy and Lester's time with the original Adam & The Ants. Then it's crowd favourite, "The Mating Game", and finally the instrumental "Lester Leaps In".  I'm sure they would have played more but for Bid's concern about everyone catching the last train home, Sunday is not the most rock'n'roll day of the week that's for sure.

Andy Warren, Bid and Jennifer Denitto - Photo by Steve Worrall

So, a rare treat indeed and a wonderful reminder of just what a great band The Monochrome Set are. It's such a shame that we have to wait so long to see them live, and even longer for new material, but it certainly does make you appreciate it when the chance comes along. Make sure you don't miss out next time they play near you, it could be a very long wait for the next opportunity!

Robyn Hitchcock Live Firestation Arts Centre Windsor June 02nd 2011

This was a great opportunity to catch an intimate solo acoustic show from Robyn Hitchcock in an excellent small Arts Centre Venue. The Firestation in Windsor is a great little place with auditorium style seating looking down onto a well lit stage area and the sound throughout was top quality.  After a well received support set from Terry Edwards (see separate review below) Robyn Hitchcock takes the stage in customary "loud" shirt and is straight into "Queen Elvis". 

Robyn Hitchcock with cellist Jenny Adejayan - Photo by Steve Worrall

An old Soft Boys number "Only The Stones Remain" is up next and then a wonderful version of "I Often Dream Of Trains" and I'm reminded that Hitchcock is an underated, although maybe slightly unorthodox, guitarist. He is then joined by the superb cellist Jenny Adejayan who fills the songs with inventive playing, and The Egyptians track "Wreck Of The Arthur Lee" is a real highlight.

Terry Edwards joins Robyn Hitchcock and Jenny Adejayan on stage - Photo by Steve Worrall

His between song banter is something to behold, psychedelic shaggy dog stories that at one point managed to place Dave, the Landlord from Minder's Winchester Club into a Jean Cocteau Movie, it's a trip!

"The Museum Of Sex" from one of his albums with Peter Buck as The Venus 3 is followed by a song I hadn't heard before called "Old Man Weather", one of two from latest album "Tromso, Kaptein". Then "Sinister But She Was Happy" really showcased Jenny's cello well, but it was "Dismal City" from "Tromso, Kaptein" that proved to be the high point of the gig for me."Sounds Great When You're Dead" closes the set and then Robyn returns for a nice cover of The Doors' "Crystal Ship". Jenny and Terry Edwards take the stage for another cover, this time Captain Beefheart's "My Head Is My Only House" and it all ends with a spirited run through of the Venus 3's "Ole Tarantula".

Terry Edwards, Robyn Hitchcock and Jenny Adejayan - Photo by Steve Worrall

Terry Edwards - Live Firestation Arts Centre Windsor June 02nd 2011

Terry Edwards (left) on stage with Robyn Hitchcock - Photo by Steve Worrall

Just a quick mention of the excellent Terry Edwards' support slot at the recent Robyn Hitchcock gig in Windsor.  Generally regarded as a respected session musician and collaborator, he has performed and recorded with artists including Lydia Lunch, Gallon Drunk, Tindersticks and The Blockheads, Terry played a set consisting of tracks from last year's solo album, "Cliches". This is an intriguing album of cover versions inspired by Alex Chilton's similar project, with a nod to Chet Baker along the way. Here live, they are stripped to the very basics of Terry's sweet voice, sax and acoustic guitar.  It's difficult to think of a more eclectic set list of covers, ranging from The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Beatles, to James Brown and 30's musical staples such as "Lulu's Back In Town" and Ray Noble's beautiful "The Very Thought Of You". But the obvious affection Terry has for the songs manages to ensure that it isn't a cynical exercise, you get a real feeling of honesty and genuine joy at playing songs that mean something to him personally.

As well as his appearances with Robyn Hitchcock, Terry will play with Lydia Lunch and the Big Sexy Noise as part of Ray Davies' Meltdown Festival at the Royal Festival Hall, London on June 18th.

"Clichés" (Sartorial Records).

The Soundtrack of Or Lives - Live photos from Slussens Pensionat, Orust May 20th & May 21st 2011

Ian Person, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Ebbot Lundberg, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Martin Hederos, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Mattias Bärjed, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Fredrik Sandsten & Ebbot Lundberg, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Fredrik Sandsten, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Kalle Gustafsson Jerneholm & Ian Person, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Ebbot Lundberg, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Ebbot Lundberg, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Mattias Bärjed, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Ian Person, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Ebbot Lundberg, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Martin Hederos, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Ebbot Lundberg, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Ebbot gets the crowd going - Photo by Steve Worrall

Ebbot Lundberg, The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Photo by Steve Worrall

Crowd shot, The Soundtrack of Our Lives at Slussens Pensionat - Photo by Steve Worrall

The Godfathers - "Outside, NOW!!"....New Single "The Outsider" released on Secret Records/iTunes

The Godfathers - "The Outsider" out now on Secret Records/iTunes

The Godfathers, the legendary sharp-suited guitar gangsters, are back with a superb new single "The Outsider" released on Secret Records and up on iTunes now.

The release of another single earlier in the year, "Back Into The Future", reminded me just how great the band were. Here was a classic slice of raw R&B riffing rock, up there with the best of their classic songs. It transported me back to the late 80's/early 90's when The Godfathers were one of the best live bands on the circuit, and nobody wanted to miss their St. Valentine's Day Massacre gigs.

"The Outsider" is not so typical of their sound as "Back Into The Future", it's a menacing, slow burner which starts off with a repetitive guitar riff, eerie Hammond organ flourishes niggle away in the background and the song increases in tension with sudden bursts of Arabic style strings. Singer Peter Coyne has lost none of his trademark vitriol as he gleefully spits out lyrics of alienation and mistrust, and I feel this is one of his best vocal performances. 

Patti Smith once sang about being "outside of society" and The Godfathers have certainly taken this mantra to heart, they seem to revel in the "Outsider" tag and they might have just written their own anthem.