Current song you are listening to(or the Last song you listened to)

[Gray]

I've been quite impressed with what I've heard of St Vincent, just not had the time to give it a proper go yet. Will do, just not this week, too much other stuff happening.

[Edit]

And yeah, the song that broke her in America was Hide And Seek, when it was used in some godawful teen soap, a couple of years after the album was out. Some rapper I forget even sampled it for one of his songs. Both of those things surprised me, she was "mine" and it didn't seem right that these clueless American teens now suddenly adored her. That, of course, was just my own elitist arrogant assholier-than-thou stupidity, it gave her much more exposure and probably prolonged her career significantly, so even though I despise teen soaps in general and whichever that one was in particular, I can't help but to be grateful for it.

Then again, I discovered her back in 2006 when she did an American tour and played on Jay Leno and David Letterman. I was just stunned by what I heard, when Goodnight And Go came on. And the the song built up to a weird stalker twist. And then... VOCODING! I was in love!

:ahem:

Point being, she must have been already popular enough to do American talk shows by the time I found her, so I can't claim to be one of the original fans in any way, shape or form. I just loved what I heard when I heard it. I was vaguely aware of her previous band Frou Frou but never paid enough attention, I didn't know it was her at the time.

[Edit again]

Oh, I remember now, the Frou Frou I heard back then reminded me a bit too much of Lamb, which I loved, so I dismissed Frou Frou as some lame wannabes and didn't hear more than a couple of songs. And yet again, I was clearly wrong. Sometimes I like being wrong, but in this case, I could have discovered Imogen Heap much sooner if I hadn't been so dismissive. I guess the lesson here, kids, is try to be less of a jerk than I was. You might find something.

[Gray]

EBM in wheelchairs? I saw a live video from some recent festival of 242, lead singer must be 60+ by now, he looks small and shrivelled up, but can still bounce across the stage like a motherfucker on speed. Not a wheelchair yet. NEP are a bit younger, so I'd expect some bouncing.

I was just looking up my Nitzer Ebb tickets, and there was a link to... sweet merciful crap - Front 242 are playing Glasgow next year! It took me slightly less than half a millisecond to decide if I could spare the £28 for a ticket. I'm going! Woo! Only seen them live 3-4 times, and last time was over 15 years ago. I can not tell you how excited I am about this. Wow! Wow! Wow! WOW! WOW! WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!

:jumps around on the floor like an idiot, then runs around in circles and falls over:

:gasps:

Um, I... *gasp*... kinda... um, sorta wanna see them... a bit. Can you tell?


Or, like, um... whatever...

[Gray]

Imogen Heap live. Just got back. Awesome. Not only is she an extremely talented musician, she's also pretty damn well funny. I have so many things to say about this great show, but I should probably sober up first. Nothing I can post can convey the awesomeness of the gig, so I'll just post this instead:

Imogen Heap: The Walk


I don't want to detract from the awesomeness of her performance, but as a drum nerd, the live drums kicked all sorts of ass you don't get on the albums. Props to the drummer, and whoever tweaked the reverb on the kit, it sounded amazing.



[Edit]

This song was not played at the show, but I've been thinking about it for weeks now. And for 14 years. Those of you who even vaguely know me will instantly realise why verse one is so dead on accurate. It's what I use to push people away.

[Pyrian]

Well this is nice.

[Tocky]

Just before the world went to shit.

[Gray]

I always liked that Dandy song.

But this week, I've mostly been playing angry shouty Nitzer Ebb, because I have a ticket to see them live next week. Gotta love those hard basslines!

I only saw them once before, decades ago. I believe lead singer Douglas McCarthy said "it will be a cold day in hell before I ever get on stage again with -that- guy", hinting at one of his bandmates. Well, I guess hell has frozen over, or they just need the money, but they're playing here next week and I can't wait. I don't really keep up on the gossip, maybe they became friends again 15 years ago, I don't really care. All I care about is the very bouncy music that makes my feet move. And this moves my tired, old, fat white bald guy middle aged feet.



[Edit]

I'd just like to add, I often post loud angry shouty stuff. I enjoy it. It releases pent up frustration. In real life, I'm a very calm, quiet, collected person. Not angry or shouty at all. Very peaceful, loving, caring. I get all the aggression out of my system through noisy music. I've not been in a fistfight since 1981. I'm really much more mellow and calm than I might seem. I'm six foot tall and shave my head, which works to my advantage, nobody has ever tried to mug me, but if they did, I'd probably wet myself or run away. I may be built like a brick wall, but I'm just a big softie. I am by no means a hard, cool man. My hardest weapon is sarcasm.

[PigLick]

omg nitzer ebb i didnt realize anyone else listened to them. A friend of mine gave me a cassette tape of theirs sometime in the early 90s i was sold.

also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vKrL_YVqSg

[Gray]

I almost dismissed them immediately purely based on the those lame 1970s turtlenecks, but it was actually quite good. Not heard of them before.

[Edit]

I mean the Peddlers. I liked that. Nitzer Ebb at one point wore white 1980s turtlenecks. That was not my point. It looked silly on them and did not fit the angry shouty angry shoutiness. And yet it's what I wore on stage for my first and hopefully last concert. I looked like a total dork. 30 years later, it still stings.

[Gray]

I just came back from a pretty damn awesome concert. Nitzer Ebb.

I wasn't feeling well. I've not slept well this week, I really didn't want to go outside, and have to mingle with (bleh), people. It can be quite difficult when you have CFS. Nevertheless, I had a ticket, and I didn't want me feeling like crap stop me from going. So I went.

After some misnavigation, too tired and took the wrong street, I eventually found the venue, with five minutes to spare. Apparently, I was third in line. This does not bode well.

For about 45 mins, an hour maybe, I was just standing at the far back of the room, an old converted church (which may seem more or less appropriate later, depending on how well you know NEP), having a couple of pints. I found it somewhat strange that early on, it was almost just me and a dozen goth chicks. Is the opening act particularly appealing to women, or do they genuinely like NEP? But the room slowly filled up, people with band t-shirts, some even older than me. Yeah, ok, these are the fans arriving.

Eventually, the opening act started. It was pretty good. Liebknecht, never heard of it before, he claimed to be some guy from Leipzig, Germany. Some stuff was quite good, but at times, he felt a bit like a hard techno DJ, and even did an unexpected cover (not a mix) of Adamski: Killer, spliced with tiny bits of Front 242: Headhunter, with him shouting the Seal vocals. Strange, but not bad.

Once Nitzer Ebb started, it was quite crowded. We fans are such cliches. About 85% of the room was dressed in all black, with various band logo t-shirts. The other 15% just looked like normal people, except slightly older than the average in the room. If my point of reference is anything to go by, those are usually the hardest, oldest fans. Perhaps too old to dance like idiots now, but knew them before when, etc.

It's not often that I find myself in a room full of people I will probably have something in common with, but I was too tired, unwell, didn't feel social, decided not to speak to anyone. If I'd have felt better, I might have chatted a bit, perhaps made some acquaintances, but I wasn't up to it tonight, so I just stood in my corner. Seemed a bit like a wasted opportunity, but I couldn't really do anything with it today.

They started with songs I love. Then they played more songs I love. It took me quite a long time to warm up though, I was still just standing at the back of the room, tapping my feet, because I wasn't feeling well, but the increasing number of beers combined with the raised excitement of the songs and the audience eventually made me dance in my tiny spot. By the end of the gig, sweat was just shooting out of my forehead. So, job well done, they managed to get someone quite unwell have an actual good time.

By the time they got to Join In The Chant, I was drunk enough to dance like an idiot in my spot, but not drunk enough to join in the chant. To the casual observer, I'm sure it must be quite unsettling watching 400 people pump their fists and shout quite aggressive slogans, but I think we passed that stage in the 1980s and people now should know it's not quite as hostile as it may seem.

And then another few great songs, much longed for. And then, after encores, they thanked us the audience, and said they'd been Nitzer Ebb. Pronounced NAI-tzer Ebb. Bloody hell. I've listened to them since the bloody 1980s, and never heard them pronounce their own band name, I've always said NEE-tzer Ebb. I've heard people from my country pronounce it NAI-tzer before, but I just assume they got it wrong. Shows what I know. Maybe I've just not been paying enough attention, too busy pumping my fist and not chanting stuff. I feel a bit clueless now. But it was good show. Nay, a GREAT show. I really, REALLY enjoyed it.
I can't imagine any true fan would not.

I guess this goes back to my chosen naivity; I just enjoy the music I like for what it is, I don't necessarily want to know anything about the people who make it. Or their names, or what they look like. Or in this slightly embarrassing case, even how I'm supposed to pronounce the band name. I don't waste my money on band t-shirts or merchandise, I prefer to spend it on the actual music instead, because that's what's giving me a buzz, not having a shirt that says I went to live tour so-and-so that I'll wear to some other gig to prove how cool I am. I'm generally a bitter cynic in most cases, so I try to maintain what little naivity is left, to balance it out.

Anyway, here's Join In The Chant. Just pretend you have 400 Scottish people shouting all the words instead, and Douglas jumping up and down the stage as if he was half his age.


[Edit]

That was just an old video of the studio version that I found. It looks live at first but was NOT from tonight. I'm guessing 1987. Tonight was a lot bouncier, Douglas wore a black suit and stupid-looking shades, but jumped around enough for me to not care. Pure energy.

[Tocky]

I always get a T shirt. It's the same reason I keep momentos from trips and childhood books and toys. They take me instantly back to that time and I recall what I felt and who I was with and snippets of scenes like snapshots I long to relive. I don't show I'm sentimental at the time but I keep things, often small things, as a touchstone. The truth is I fear ever forgetting because it's all been so wonderful.

So many moments stitched together become a life.

Anyway I like that you document so well. It lets me live a part of your life too. I'm greedy. I would live everyone's life if I could. If only I could force you to interact with those around you more. It's a bit like cliff diving. If you don't think about it you can do it. If you do then you hold back and the more you do the more inert you become. Always jump right off. Not that I haven't just observed happily. I just think you need to jump more. Eh. As long as you enjoyed yourself I don't suppose you have to force others to enjoy you too. A lot of folks see me as intrusive I'm sure.

Been raining a lot here. I hope it quits before we go to mt. Nebo. I love cabins and cold and fires in a fireplace of stone and long vistas. But as long as it isn't in my shoes I love the rain too.

[SirLord Best]

Currently enjoying playing The Fratellis music again! if ever there was a song that makes you want to get and dance....

[Gray]

I did something a bit unusual for me. I went to see another great band, only two days after seeing another great band. I don't usually do that. Yesterday I was hungover from the first band, and undecided whether or not I should go, but as I sobered up, it became more and more apparent that I bloody well had to. So I went. For the first band, I got my ticket online, planned for months, but the organiser was so vague about the venue, it made me quite uncertain. They also organised the second gig of an artist in a similar genre, so after night #1 went well, I finally decided I could trust them and went for night #2 as well, paying at the door.

So, tonight I went to see Die Krupps:
2020 Vision


Same venue as Nitzer Ebb a couple of nights ago. Opening act was... interesting. Really quite good. They didn't introduce themselves, or if they did I missed it through all the loud angry shouting, so I had to ask the mixing desk guy later, they were Nightmare Frequency. Very intense. The "singer" was not on stage, but bounced around down on the floor with the audience like an angry shouty caveman, shirtless and sweating so much I could smell it from across the room. The drummer was awesome, very hard, impressive, like a human drum machine, also very intense. Third member was a female keyboardist, providing basslines, occasional blips, chords, call-and-respone angry shouts. Over all, they were really good, but I'm happy I wasn't standing closer, I was a bit too tired to have that level of angry shouty aggression jumping around directly near my face, I do prefer that from the safety of the stage. Yeah, I'm old.

The official opening act was an LA band called Viral, kind of Slipknot-type, all wearing orange jumpsuits. Pretty good. Rocked quite a lot, but could not match the sheer intensity of Nightmare Frequency.

Then, Die Krupps. Like any old band that's been around for decades, of course, they started with their most recent album that they were touring for. I've listened to it a lot, and some songs are really really good. Some, um, meh. But they didn't play those. Then, a selection of older material. I noticed at the soundcheck that, OMFG, they were bringing out the Stahl-o-phon! I've never seen that in real life. It was not as I expected, I thought it would be like a xylophone but with steel pipes instead, and well, it kind of was, except it was just 4-5 pipes and they were massive, the smallest probably 3" and the largest maybe 8", not a steel replica with much smaller pipes. Would they play it? Why would they bring it if they didn't!

And yes, at one point, in one song, Jürgen bashed it once per bar, like a very noisy snare drum, and I thought, this is nice, but is that it? That can't be it. And it wasn't. I was sort of hoping for the stahl-o-phon solo of, say, Wahre Arbeit Wahre Lohn, but that's in German and we're in an English speaking country, so perhaps not. And no.

They played many of my favourite songs, songs I came there to hear. Like this one, which he introduced as "this is a song about fascism". For the casual observer, I'd like to clarify that they're against it, the song should make it pretty clear.

Fatherland:


There was one other song that I thought to myself, I really, really really love this one. But maybe it's just me. It seems rather overlooked. Surely, they won't play it. And then they bloody well did. It starts with a growling engine, and I thought, oh, I hope this is what it sounds like, but still, not quite believing they'd play it. But then I heard the stereo-panned bassline. Yes! This was it! And this is it:

Metal Machine Music
(this is not from tonight's show, just some live show I found, but I've already posted the studio version, and this is a rough enough approximation of what tonight was like, and you can see the stahl-o-phon; tonight the solo was longer!)

And, THIS is what the stahl-o-phon was for! He actually played the whole damn solo, and then some! Awesome to hear, if you like metal-clanking noisy noise. I was so happy I almost fell over jumping up and down. But I had yet again cleverly positioned myself at the far back, with a table to stand by this time, so I could hold on to that. Yes, ok, I was drunk at this point, but my CFS also means my internal gyroscope is fucked and my muscle control is poor, so I always have to struggle to not behave like an idiot, even when sober, and I was not sober now.

But I was happy. That did it for me. Then, another couple of great songs before their time ran out. As the lights came on, I walked up to the stahl-o-phon to take some photos, I'll have a look at those later.

In short, an awesome show. If Nitzer Ebb filled the entire room with people 85% dressed in black, Die Krupps filled the same room to maybe a disappointing 60%, but 95% dressed in black, some old and fat but still jumping up and down. A great show.

The only recent song I wished they would have played was the very subtle and not at all in any way offensive song to old fat men with small hands and golden toupées, FU:


But meh, you can't have everything. Not enough time.

I always get a T shirt. It's the same reason I keep momentos from trips and childhood books and toys.

I get that. But I usually buy a CD after the gig, to remind me. Or I used to, they don't usually sell them anymore, so I try to burn it into my mind as I'm there, experiencing it, so the next time I hear the album I already own I'll always remember how awesome they were live. But your mileage may vary.

[Edit]

About mementos, my wife kept every single concert ticket to every show she ever went to. They're neatly organised chronologically in a ziploc bag. Starting with Elton John when she was 13 or so, before he got famous. She was always embarrassed about that, wished it would have been a cooler band, but it was her first concert. Independently, decades before we met, I used to do the same, I saved tickets and rock festival programs, but I threw out all of that stuff when I moved to Scotland, I figured I had already absorbed all the possible nostalgia I could from them. But now, when I live in a major city when good bands actually play, I've started saving my concert tickets again. Perhaps as a tribute to my wife now that she's gone. Perhaps just for, you know, mementos and nostalgia. I'm not quite sure why I started doing it again, I just am. Perhaps just because there are more of them now and I might forget, because my memory sucks now.

[Edit again]

This is not from tonight's show, but it is definitely the opening act, Nightmare Frequency, they played that song and others, except were surrounded by a lot more people. Also they were not monochrome. If you like angry shouty stuff, perhaps do the research I'm too tired to do just now. I'm going to bed.

[Tocky]

I put my tickets in photo albums with pictures of that era. I haven't put together many albums lately though.

I like Die Krupps. Such a sweet gentle sound they have. And I do believe they have recorded my favorite Trump song. It captures the essence of my feeling for him. But this evening I don't want to think about him. Instead I just want to feel good...

[Gray]

Oh yes. they're just soft, lovely, sweet and cuddly. Hardly any sarcasm at all.

I just have to point out that their first release was in 1981. At that time they were not sounding the way they do now, but if you think they sound like Rammstein, I'm not gonna tell you who sounded like Rammstein first, I'll leave that as an exercise to the reader.

I do wish they'd have played Germaniac, that's somewhat of a mission statement, sarcastically viewing Germans as non-Germans all too often seem to.

[Gryzemuis]

Glad to see you enjoyed Nitzer Ebb, Gray. And don't worry, I think the whole of the Netherlands was mispronouncing their name too. I certainly was. (And I think I'll keep mispronouncing it in the future too. ) They are not one of my favorite bands, but I did buy That Total Age back in 1987. And I have listened to it a few times over the last decades. (That's better than a lot of other old music).

I don't know who you mean by "sounded like Rammstein first".
But this is one of the oldest German bands (1982) I can think of with a sound that resembles Rammstein.
(And yes, I saw them live too. They were associated with Einsturzende Neubauten, but I like Kowalski a lot better, tbh).
(Maybe you were referring to the Neubauten ?)

(This is the other "classic" by Kowalski).

[demagogue]

I love these guys so much.


I was feeling happy watching this entire thing. It's the kind of feeling that feels such a relief getting unashamedly let out, because usually I have to keep it bottled up just so I don't have to face how soulless and cynical so much contemporary music seems in comparison. I think what I like about these guys is that they have a kind of reverence for the history of the music that they make, but they're also not just wallowing in it. They're also making new music that, while it knows and taps into its own roots, it also pushes out into new territory & is still part of our age at the same time.

Edit: I was about to say there's only one other band these days that gives me that same feeling, and I'll be damned if they didn't put up a video of their own epic concert in the same week.



What a week for great music!

[qolelis]

As every Christmas: Acthung X-mas by Tyskarna från Lund:


It's obviously meant to be taken very, very seriously. The German is also a very good representation of actual German. And if anyone thinks they stole from Kraftwerk, that's wrong, it's of course the other way around.

Edit:
On a perhaps more serious note:
Lately I have mostly been listening to some work in progress, but right now I'm going through all the NPR music I've neglected, for example The Comet Is Coming:

[Tocky]

I've listened to The Other Favorites many times since you posted them, Demagogue. They do indeed make me happy. On that note Merry Christmas, everyone.

[Risquit]

Rorcal-Muladona

https://open.spotify.com/track/0XTki...TzqgjjUU3Lq9rA

[scumble]

@dema - thanks for the Vulfpeck - found the live album on Apple Music, great instrumental funk.

Something I came across which is like a collision of Eurythmics and Autechre or a similar sounding artist. I may be making that comparison as she's Scottish like Annie Lennox.

[Tocky]

[henke]

Suddenly remembered the late 90's George Michael video where he's dancing with a bunch of clones of himself and had to google it to make sure I hadn't just imagined the whole thing.



Oh it's real, it's very real, and y'know what, still good. The special effects have held up better than one might've guessed, and the whole thing gets increasingly hypnotic as it goes on. The song itself ain't bad either. Bit of a straightforward cover, but still solid.

[Tocky]

I had never heard Rival Sons on the radio till today. Mostly the stations play the same fifty or so songs from the seventies, eighties, and nineties over and over. I like to think my talking them up did it but likely somebody just has good taste after all. It was this one.

[Tocky]

I know most here don't like blues as much as me but damn.

[scumble]

The music isn't bad either...

I don't choose to listen to blues on purpose mostly but those girls are amazing.

Also want to know what that lush chord in Dream of the Archer is.