Live Music Roundup for October
Howling Bells are exactly the kind of band you should be getting excited about. Go and see them
| 13 Oct 2006
Edinburgh
"Mr Rumsfeld, a question from me to you. If Saddam is such a jerk then why, in 1982, did you give him a pair of gold spurs?" This is what Defiance, Ohio ask in Tanks! Tanks! Tanks!, which critiques US military spending and the use of prison labour. Not only do they have a hell of a point, but the song also makes you want to dance – "Nuclear heat-seeking battleships: shake your hips, raise your fists!" The thing about Defiance, Ohio is that they're all about community and Doing It Yourself. That's why their first album was put out independently, a joint effort by folk in France and the USA.
"[If] we achieved this project, then anyone else can do it too," explain the liner notes. "To us, being profitable will never equal being enthusiastic and free, doing things with your friends for fun and because we find a deeper meaning in all of this." Their lyrics reflect this: the personal is political, and their songs tell of friendship, insecurity, sustainable living, riding bikes and examining privilege. As for the music, the inclusion of a cello, banjo and violin extend standard notions of what punk rock sounds like. Defiance, Ohio bring their brand of socially conscious folk-punk to Edinburgh's Subway Cowgate on Oct 24. [Nine]
Other Edinburgh highlights this month:
The wonderful Field Music play Cabaret Voltaire on Oct 2. Their
Beach Boys harmonies and gentle shimmering melodies will warm your
heart.
Loudmouthed punk veterans the Anti Nowhere League take to the stage of
the Liquid Room on Oct 13. Snotty, gobby, old-school noise.
Nick Harper will weave his magic at Cabaret Voltaire on Oct 20.
This man can do stuff with a guitar that is unnatural. Check.
Glasgow
24 years later and Public Enemy are still dropping the razor sharp rhymes - Chuck D, Flavor Flav and Professor Griff will entertain the Barrowland on Oct 3 (as well as Edinburgh's Liquid Room on Oct 2). Their most recent release, 'Rebirth of a Nation' is steeped in old school production values and serves as a rousing political call to arms. This old dog has still got plenty of bite – watch and learn from the masters.
Hyperactive actress-turned-rocker Juliette Lewis will play the ABC on Oct 4 with her band, The Licks. It would be a lie to say that Lewis' band originally came to our attention for any reason other than her being famous, but Juliette and The Licks have gone on to build a fearsome live reputation. These songs ain't classics, but Lewis' visceral, over the top performances have thrilled and entertained crowds wherever they've played – and with Dave Grohl on Drums for album number two they may yet surprise us with an album that's worthy of serious attention. This gig will be a riot.
Aussie stars-in-waiting Howling Bells slip into King Tuts on Oct 15. Their sound is strange and seductive; awash with bizarre atmospheres - woozy and utterly infectious. On top of this they are possessed of an incomparable vocalist in the form of Juanita Stein. They're really bloody good and are exactly the kind of band you should be getting excited about. Go and see them.
Lacuna Coil unwind their lush, metallic racket at the Barrowland on
Oct 10. Should be quite a show.
(Hed) Pe play the Barfly on Oct 12. They may not be as
heart-stoppingly ace as when they first started out but this gig could
still ignite.
Skinny favourite Final Fantasy plays ABC2 on Oct 26. Expect
gorgeous, violin-based magic.
"Mr Rumsfeld, a question from me to you. If Saddam is such a jerk then why, in 1982, did you give him a pair of gold spurs?" This is what Defiance, Ohio ask in Tanks! Tanks! Tanks!, which critiques US military spending and the use of prison labour. Not only do they have a hell of a point, but the song also makes you want to dance – "Nuclear heat-seeking battleships: shake your hips, raise your fists!" The thing about Defiance, Ohio is that they're all about community and Doing It Yourself. That's why their first album was put out independently, a joint effort by folk in France and the USA.
"[If] we achieved this project, then anyone else can do it too," explain the liner notes. "To us, being profitable will never equal being enthusiastic and free, doing things with your friends for fun and because we find a deeper meaning in all of this." Their lyrics reflect this: the personal is political, and their songs tell of friendship, insecurity, sustainable living, riding bikes and examining privilege. As for the music, the inclusion of a cello, banjo and violin extend standard notions of what punk rock sounds like. Defiance, Ohio bring their brand of socially conscious folk-punk to Edinburgh's Subway Cowgate on Oct 24. [Nine]
Other Edinburgh highlights this month:
The wonderful Field Music play Cabaret Voltaire on Oct 2. Their
Beach Boys harmonies and gentle shimmering melodies will warm your
heart.
Loudmouthed punk veterans the Anti Nowhere League take to the stage of
the Liquid Room on Oct 13. Snotty, gobby, old-school noise.
Nick Harper will weave his magic at Cabaret Voltaire on Oct 20.
This man can do stuff with a guitar that is unnatural. Check.
Glasgow
24 years later and Public Enemy are still dropping the razor sharp rhymes - Chuck D, Flavor Flav and Professor Griff will entertain the Barrowland on Oct 3 (as well as Edinburgh's Liquid Room on Oct 2). Their most recent release, 'Rebirth of a Nation' is steeped in old school production values and serves as a rousing political call to arms. This old dog has still got plenty of bite – watch and learn from the masters.
Hyperactive actress-turned-rocker Juliette Lewis will play the ABC on Oct 4 with her band, The Licks. It would be a lie to say that Lewis' band originally came to our attention for any reason other than her being famous, but Juliette and The Licks have gone on to build a fearsome live reputation. These songs ain't classics, but Lewis' visceral, over the top performances have thrilled and entertained crowds wherever they've played – and with Dave Grohl on Drums for album number two they may yet surprise us with an album that's worthy of serious attention. This gig will be a riot.
Aussie stars-in-waiting Howling Bells slip into King Tuts on Oct 15. Their sound is strange and seductive; awash with bizarre atmospheres - woozy and utterly infectious. On top of this they are possessed of an incomparable vocalist in the form of Juanita Stein. They're really bloody good and are exactly the kind of band you should be getting excited about. Go and see them.
Lacuna Coil unwind their lush, metallic racket at the Barrowland on
Oct 10. Should be quite a show.
(Hed) Pe play the Barfly on Oct 12. They may not be as
heart-stoppingly ace as when they first started out but this gig could
still ignite.
Skinny favourite Final Fantasy plays ABC2 on Oct 26. Expect
gorgeous, violin-based magic.