Live Music Roundup for May
When you get a craving for hard-charging riffs and walls of distortion, who's gonna scratch that itch? Fu Manchu àthat's who!
| 11 May 2007
Edinburgh
Once touted as "the next Kurt Cobain," The Lemonheads' frontman Evan Dando has survived drug abuse, trial by media and even the dissolution of his own band. Now The Lemonheads are back, and having released one of the best albums of their career (last year's The Lemonheads, featuring contributions by J Mascis) they're more than ready to rock the socks off The Liquid Room in time for the venue's 10th birthday on 8 May. Expect joyful, alternative pop perfection – just like Momma used to make.
We've praised them before and we'll do it again: peculiar Glaswegian posse How to Swim will intimidate, instigate and entertain the crowd at Cabaret Voltaire on 13 May. Thoroughly weird, seductively strange – call them what you will; their brains are clearly wired differently to most everyone else's. Expect lyrical intelligence, passion and a really very interesting take on that thing we call rock and roll.
Formerly of The Delgados, Emma Pollock is well on the way to carving out an impressive solo career for herself. Newly signed to the splendid 4AD label, she'll be in celebratory mood when she performs her woozy, folk-inflected songs to a rapt Cabaret Voltaire on 14 May. Sultry, delicate and wondrously melodic – you'll already know if this is your bag.
We always give him a shout out when he's in town – and he always obliges by putting on a spellbinding show - Nick Harper will entertain, entrance and amuse when he stops by Cab Vol on 18 May (plus Glasgow King Tut's on 20 May). Harper has talent to burn: his passion, charisma and wonderful covers have made him a Skinny favourite – take a gander.
Glasgow
One of the most fascinating bands to come out of Scotland in a long while, My Latest Novel play the Classic Grand on 5 May. Densely orchestrated, completely involving and deliciously off-kilter, this band certainly possess a certain je ne sais quoi that sets them apart from the pack. This should be a smashing gig.
Myths of the Near Future is one of the most surprising albums of 2007 so far, and Klaxons one of the few bands to have transcended the rock rag hype and evolved into something genuinely interesting. Gloriously shambolic, steeped in punk attitude and dripping with pop hooks, a Klaxons gig is a rapturous, sweaty and joyful affair. Have it. Carling Academy 6 May.
A symptom of Warp's recent diversification away from electronica; Grizzly Bear were one of that label's most interesting signings last year. Lush, psychedelic and winningly melodic, Grizzly Bear serve up slices of woozy nostalgia that are shot through with a healthy dose of experimentation. Imaginative, moving and utterly sublime, this should be something special. Nice N Sleazy, 17 May.
Melody and dynamics are all well and good, but when you get a craving for hard-charging riffs and walls of distortion, who's gonna scratch that itch? Fu Manchu – that's who! Sure, they've been mining the same seam for 15 odd years, but when you strike gold first time out, there ain't much cause to reconsider your position. Fu Manchu's buzzing, fuzzing riffs are made in heaven. Don't pretend you don't love it. Cathouse, 27 May.
Once touted as "the next Kurt Cobain," The Lemonheads' frontman Evan Dando has survived drug abuse, trial by media and even the dissolution of his own band. Now The Lemonheads are back, and having released one of the best albums of their career (last year's The Lemonheads, featuring contributions by J Mascis) they're more than ready to rock the socks off The Liquid Room in time for the venue's 10th birthday on 8 May. Expect joyful, alternative pop perfection – just like Momma used to make.
We've praised them before and we'll do it again: peculiar Glaswegian posse How to Swim will intimidate, instigate and entertain the crowd at Cabaret Voltaire on 13 May. Thoroughly weird, seductively strange – call them what you will; their brains are clearly wired differently to most everyone else's. Expect lyrical intelligence, passion and a really very interesting take on that thing we call rock and roll.
Formerly of The Delgados, Emma Pollock is well on the way to carving out an impressive solo career for herself. Newly signed to the splendid 4AD label, she'll be in celebratory mood when she performs her woozy, folk-inflected songs to a rapt Cabaret Voltaire on 14 May. Sultry, delicate and wondrously melodic – you'll already know if this is your bag.
We always give him a shout out when he's in town – and he always obliges by putting on a spellbinding show - Nick Harper will entertain, entrance and amuse when he stops by Cab Vol on 18 May (plus Glasgow King Tut's on 20 May). Harper has talent to burn: his passion, charisma and wonderful covers have made him a Skinny favourite – take a gander.
Glasgow
One of the most fascinating bands to come out of Scotland in a long while, My Latest Novel play the Classic Grand on 5 May. Densely orchestrated, completely involving and deliciously off-kilter, this band certainly possess a certain je ne sais quoi that sets them apart from the pack. This should be a smashing gig.
Myths of the Near Future is one of the most surprising albums of 2007 so far, and Klaxons one of the few bands to have transcended the rock rag hype and evolved into something genuinely interesting. Gloriously shambolic, steeped in punk attitude and dripping with pop hooks, a Klaxons gig is a rapturous, sweaty and joyful affair. Have it. Carling Academy 6 May.
A symptom of Warp's recent diversification away from electronica; Grizzly Bear were one of that label's most interesting signings last year. Lush, psychedelic and winningly melodic, Grizzly Bear serve up slices of woozy nostalgia that are shot through with a healthy dose of experimentation. Imaginative, moving and utterly sublime, this should be something special. Nice N Sleazy, 17 May.
Melody and dynamics are all well and good, but when you get a craving for hard-charging riffs and walls of distortion, who's gonna scratch that itch? Fu Manchu – that's who! Sure, they've been mining the same seam for 15 odd years, but when you strike gold first time out, there ain't much cause to reconsider your position. Fu Manchu's buzzing, fuzzing riffs are made in heaven. Don't pretend you don't love it. Cathouse, 27 May.