Monthly Archives: November 2013

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The King Lives

Everyone knows the King. Elvis was a God amongst Men. His originality and heart felt rock ballads and rockabilly care free attitude to life, stole the worlds hearts.

Elvis Presley in his prime

That slick quiff always makes me wonder if it was raining outside.

You know his songs, now find out some stuff you might not have known.

1. Elvis Presley might not have been known at all had it not been for an impromptu moment of fun whilst recording. When Elvis first walked into Sun Records in 1953 and paid to record his own song the shy but self-confident young man declared ‘I don’t sound like no one’ when asked who he sounded like. However Presley failed to make an impression on more than one occasion to Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Records. Whilst recording late one night in 1954 the session was coming to a close and Presley was still struggling to make an impression, sure he could sing but nothing Sam heard set him apart. Until moments later. A brief break was taken and Elvis started singing Arthur Crudup’s ‘That’s All Right Mamma’ whilst the musicians played along behind him. Suddenly Sam stopped them and forced them to go carry on while he pushed record – this didn’t sound like anyone he’d heard before.

2.Although Elvis passed away in 1977, more than 36 years ago, he still gets frequently toured around the world. Elvis In Concert, which uses video footage of Elvis whilst his old band plays alongside him, has toured worldwide since 1998 stopping in 2012. However, it still carries on in 2013 at smaller venues around the UK and Europe, with new band members. There is also talks of one day there being a hologrammed image of Elvis’ tour.

3. ITV’s recent documentary ‘The Nation’s Favorite Elvis Song’ aired on TV and coincided with an album release. This album has so far sold over 107,000 giving Presley him another Gold album. According to RIAA, Elvis now has a total of 91 gold, 52 platinum and 25 multi-platinum album awards by the organization.

4. On the recent Forbes ‘Top-Earning Dead Celebrity’ list, Elvis came #2 with only Michael Jackson coming above him. Not bad for someone who passed 36 years ago. Elvis apparently rakes in $55 Million pounds a year. This is helped by the 600,000 people a year that visit Elvis’ home, Graceland, (second only to the White House) as well as touring and Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) licensed products.

5. Maybe Elvis got lucky with his fame and his impromptu ‘That’s All Right’ was part of being in the right place at the right time. But arguably, his work ethic played a major part in his success, and shouldn’t be overlooked. In 1955 through to the end of 1956 Elvis toured almost non-stop all calendar year with only the odd few days off. Elvis served in the Army from 1958-1960 – without touring or given special treatment. He appeared in 33 feature films in total and returned to the stage in 1969 until his death in 1977. In his 8 years performing, from ’69 onwards, he gave 1126 concerts.

Want to know more? Look at his official website Here.

Here are my Top Ten Tracks… Don’t agree? Leave a comment below!
1.Mystery train
2.That’s All Right
3.Are you Lonesome Tonight
4.Reconsider Baby
5.Heartbreak Hotel
6.Thrill Of Your Love
7.Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues
8.Anyway You Want Me (That’s How I’ll Be)
9.An American trilogy
10.I’m Leavin’

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Live Review : The Skints @ The Platform

It’s difficult to put a finger on what kind of music The Skints make, as it seems to combine rap, ska, punk rock and blues into something that can’t quite be called any of these. This doesn’t bother the audience however, with a pleasing mix of young and middle aged stoners swaying in the 300-capacity room above Lincoln’s Engine Shed.

As guitarist Josh Rudge takes the helm , lead singer Marcia Richards coyly avoids the spotlight. Bassist Jonathon Doyle (Captain Haddock for this evening) produces some smooth grooves, as they dive into “Rise Up”. He’s soon accompanied by drummer Jamie Kyriakides, who for a monkey has a downright angelic vocal presence. One of the standout tracks from their LP “Part & Parcel”, it sets the tone perfectly, and provides an ideal tempo for all of us.

The Skints before going on stage.

The band didn’t neglect Halloween.

I first saw The Skints at a show in the south-east nearly three years ago, and it’s great to see them having come this far. They’ve stepped up a level musically, and they’re certainly getting peoples’ attention, after supporting the likes of The King Blues and You Me At Six . My heart has belonged to Marcia since I was 16, and I see no sign of that changing.

For more information on the band, including a full list of their releases, smash this link .

http://www.theskints.co.uk/

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Live Review: Palma Violets @ The Engine Shed

Swaggering on stage to the blaring sounds of ‘Invasion of the tribbles’ by that old punk rock rabble Hot Nasties, Palma Violets are met by a crowd enthused with the energy of some sort of coke driven euphoria. And following the warm up heckles of merch guy, crowd worker and all round nutter – Harry Violent, the band blast right into a brilliant set of gritty, dirty, old school punk rock.

Guitars explode, drums rattle and the crowd loses it (including myself and my posse). It’s unusual to see a mosh pit at an indie band, but when it happens it’s a beautiful thing.

Palma Violets were so mental on stage we couldn't get a good shot!

Palma Violets were so mental on stage we couldn’t get a good shot!

Front man Chilli staggers around the stage like a man possessed, accompanied by lead guitarist and fellow vocalist, Sam Fryer who stands with shades donned, cool and comprised, breaking calm now and then to go crazy with Chilli for a bit before he has to return to the mic. Theres a great synergy between the two lads on stage and the crowd seemed to really go for it.

In fact, the band was so mobile it was virtually impossible for us to get a good picture of them doing their thing.

Chilli and Harry Violent hug after the encore, how sweet.

Chilli and Harry Violent hug after the encore, how sweet.

‘Best of Friends’ was the best song of the night by far. Explosive energy, bellowing vocals and all round low-fi grit left me feeling like I was in some dirty, back alley punk club in the late 70’s (In a really good way of course). A personal highlight for me would have to be screaming the chorus for the song along with Harry Violent in the midst of the mosh pit, skinny-jeaned teens flailing all around us like a Topman-tornado.

 

 

 

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Review – Bonobo “Late Night Tales”

Brighton based musician and Producer Simon “Bonobo” Green released his Late Night Tales compilation this week, and the results are superb.

Bonobo live on stage

Bonobo on stage in Phildelphia.

‘Late Night Tales’ is more or less exactly what the name says. Artists are invited to produce a compilation of songs best suited for the end of the evening, and the results are mixed and released, with an added spoken word story on the end. The series boasts an impressive collection, with other compilations produced by the likes of Metronomy, MGMT, Fatboy Slim, Four Tet and Jamiroquai.

In this case, Bonobo’s multi-genre down tempo offering certainly ticks all these boxes. An eclectic mix of relaxing songs from recent times to over 30 years ago, the album flows perfectly, and is the ideal way to wind a night down. Featuring tracks from Nina Simone, Shlomo, Lapalux and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, it gives insight into Bonobo’s own influences, giving context to the jazzy presence on all of his releases.

The compilation ends with Benedict Cumberbatch reading the third part of the “Flat of Angles”, a bleak but beautifully written love story by Simon Cleary. It’s difficult to explain, but this series is truly something unique as far as my experience goes, and ending with spoken word from talent such as Cumberbatch, Brian Blessed and Sir Patrick Moore truly sets it apart.

All in all, this compilation is one of the best releases I’ve heard in the last six months, and has put me onto a series I’m sure to follow closely. It definitely deserves a listen (check it out in our spotify tab), earning a 9/10 from me.

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Lostprophets’ Ian Watkins pleads guilty of child sex offences

Ian Watkins, front man and lead singer of welsh rock band Lostprophets pleaded guilty in court to a series of allegations of child offences, Including the plot to rape a baby.

The 36 year old from Pontypridd stood on trial with two other women at Cardiff crown court.

Watkins has ben described as a committed and determined pedophile

Watkins has ben described as a committed and determined pedophile

Watkins pleaded guilty to the attempted rape and sexual assault of a 13 year old girl, but did not plead guilty to rape.

He also admitted conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal.

Watkins was described by the court as a ‘determined and committed’ pedophile who was planning to teach children and babies how to use drugs.

Meth, Coke and GHB we’re found in Watkin’s property during police searches and drugs have been described as playing an integral part in his offending against children.