| Free Your Mind And The Rest
Will Follow (En Vogue) it's the 21st century. What shape / size / age
/ nationality / gender etc etc is a respected musician?  (click thumbnail
for full size image) timeless pop band break on through to the other side!
The Bluetones put a
smile on the miserable, cynical, snide, war-torn, money worshipping new millenium...
repeated attempts to rid the planet of this band have failed miserably - their song
writing, the relationship with their fans and their live shows are too strong. Their
soul-free musician hating detractor should try a little charm and a lot of style
instead...
The Bluetones have never stopped flying the flag of independence, and are determined to
write, perform and record forever - they are as obsessed with music as much as their fans.
Their own Superior Quality Recording Label and cyber space record shop are modern day
successes although The Bluetones could have been popular in any of the rock'n'roll
decades. They've broken through from the 20th to the 21st century successfully though.
Even if not a fan, respect is due. I saw them blow the roof off a venue at the end of
2001, the atmosphere was mental for a band you're not allowed to go mental for. Of course
I will not be missing them on their March 2002 Tour. And you? Blue? ...or blind...
They couldnt fit all their "best of"s on one LP, but they've tried -
"Pachinko" is released on 25 March. Now that's what I call pop music! website: www.bluetones.co.uk / label/management: Superior
Quality www.superiorqualityrecordings.co.uk
"They told me to burn my books and my CDs / And that my friends were a
satanic, evil influence on me / And you say rock'n'roll destroys the soul? I say, BITE
ME." ("Human Punk" first Miss Black America EP)
and now the new Miss Black America single "Infinite Chinese Box" is out now on
Integrity Records (dist. by SRD) it's fucking ace, and their wild live shows are winning
deserved attention - check them! pronto! www.missblackamerica.net
LIKE FATCAT-LAPDOG BUSH'S ECHO (TORY BLAIR) 51ST STATE ESTABLISHMENT MUSIC PRESS
WORSHIP AT THE CHURCH OF U.S.A. But not everybody is believing the hype. YOU CAN COME FROM
ANYWHERE AND CREATE GREAT MUSIC! ("It Ain't Where You're From, It's Where
You're At" - Ian Brown)
21st Century care-n-share vibe is spreading without the permission of the establishment
music press and word-of-mouth remains alternative media of choice...
I mean The Strokes are great, but my mate Lucy The Song (and friends)
got put off by the unpalatable brown tongues of some music press that they no longer
believe in or buy. Luckily they got turned on big time, by the radio. There's an ace, down
to earth interview with the band by Toby L at RockFeedback and
"Is This It" producer Gordon Raphael also writes for this website started in
reaction to the UK media www.rockfeedback.com
P.O. Box 704, High Wycombe, HP15 7GL
The White Stripes are ace too, but if you believed the establishment
media, that nothing was really happening recently, in a kingdom whose underground is
increasingly UNITED by modern communication, then you were being misled. There were
quality performances from acts like The (International) Noise Conspiracy and
Mo Solid Gold (to name only 2), a huge brace of fuel-pop rockers whose
adrenaline was pumped up further by being ignored made for some great live 2000/20001
shows and paved the way for a lively 2002 as they start breaking through. So Solid
Crew proved punk's still not dead after a quarter of a century... (complete with
negative side) and those touting music as a fashion didnt even notice the number of Cuba
references being worn at music events, despite the only successful peace mission (MSP)
also taking place there last year. There were reports from all over the place of some
ferociously fantastic gigs of all kinds are taking place under nose, under ground...
Passion not fashion. Question everything, press included. The awards, charts, lists,
spite-n-trite, cool-n-trendy self promotion new music journalism shit just isn't
connecting with people still in love with music in the way they always have been, and
looking for something on their wavelength. Alternative pop(ular) bands with obsessive
followings or some kind of image often appear to be a joke in a world of celebrity
worship. At the other end of the spectrum from the Pop Idols, some bands still sleep in
their tour van yet manage to have people follow them because of their music and
performances. Try the alternative media instead.
Luckily the apathy free attitude of the UK jedi doesnt give a flying fuck what you're
SUPPOSED to like or not, and bands are on the vibe. Independent, self opinionated media
has supported the excitement over the years. Now some are going national or getting
increased distribution in 2002. Their readership swelled by the new band circuit.
Britain/Ireland, The Rock N Roll Isles are a dancing nation. Music & many people
have fused here, despite all the separatism in the world. Gigs have that vibe. Common
sense is wide spread in the music life. A nation more on a wavelength with pop stars than
politicians.
Dance has it's underground sorted! As usual Rock N Roll is just getting out of bed with
a hangover. For word of mouth recommendations check out Independent media/word of mouth
and band's own websites. i.e. Independent mag, The Fly is free in rising-talent venues
nationally and for music obsession check out the independent Disorder and other nationals
like Mojo, Rocksound, Uncut, etc And highly recommend viewing is www.playlouder.com - they
really do walk it like they talk it
some 21c-punx wavelength...
The Beta Band won't fall into the mould (a.k.a. "difficult" by the
mouldy) their fan family's still building in USA (where they toured twice with Radiohead
last year) -and they have reached souls world wide. The gigs are magic hip hop rock raves
from another planet. In January (Planet Ocean) we met two lovely earthling space cadets -
Danny from Supergrass, and Rhys Ifans (who praised the Rocklands area of Punk City where
he used to live). All kindsa beings (celebs included), love The Beta Band. The Beta Band
don't care, they care about what they do and have made an inspirational impact on both
musicianship and performance since visiting earth in the 90s. That's why all kindsa beings
love them. Oh, and I still love "It's Not Too Beautiful" and "The Hard
One" from their first album with all my heart. Nur! www.betaband.com
Careless Talk Costs Lives (Whatever Happened To The Music Press) old skool music media
veterans, journalist Everett True and photographer Steve Gullick (Melody
Maker, Nirvana etc plus...) got fucked off with things, took their finger out their arses
and did something about it with an independent magazine that launched at the end of last
year and is PACKED with independence. Friends, bands & alternative clubs help with
distribution and zines do mutual promotion swaps. Loadsa the music fans that you actually
see at gigs, are involved. Send £3.50 cheque per issue (payable EMINENT MANAGEMENT &
PRODUCTION) at Studio 4, 4th Floor, Old Truman Brewery, 91-95 Brick Lane, E1 6QL (mark
envelope Careless Talk) check out issue content etc at www.carelesstalkcostslives.com
business enquiries colin@carelesstalkcostslives.com
When Corporation Blend opened Mo Solid Gold's legendary 100 Club gig the
place was already nearly full -word was out. Both bands share King Adora/Mansun fans
in their posse, admirers of glamourous polished performers. C:B have
attitude overload and the tunes to carry it off - of course I went to see them again
(they'd won even more fans) and like Gertrude, The 80s Matchbox B Line Disaster,
Miss Black America, The Duvals, Kinesis, Plastik and many more they are tearing a
hole in the arse of the boy/girl band pop phenomenom by giving rock fans of all ages a
homegrown alternative to spend their money on. Go out and see these bands - there's a
reason why a social network has grown up around them. Some are coming to national
attention now but see the fanzines and webzines for the bigger picture, earlier
introductions etc
More recommended independents: R*E*P*E*A*T fantastic long standing fanzine, record label, gig promotions the
works. Responsible for the first Miss Black America release and for livening up Rock N
Roll Isles life P.O.Box 438, Cambridge CB4 1FX www.repeatfanzine.co.uk
There's Drowned In Sound (who promoted Miss Black America tours). It's one
of THE essential sources of information for alternative music fans. Sean is also involved
Probe Magazine and organising alternative media conventions this year. Join in, network
etc... surf to www.drownedinsound.com
Black Velvet -
Shari has loads of rock and roll adventures, an alternative magazine that is the UK's
glossiest independent rock publication (packed with words and pictures) and also a website
that should be surfed to. 336 Birchfield Rd, Webheath, Redditch, Worcs B97 4NG - www.blackvelvetmagazine.com
Terrible Beauty music
fan life, politics, intelligence and thought provocation. Inspired by MSP,
this is another long running underground publication with a following. Mary and Viv are on
the vibe, T.B. also organises new art riot events . P.O. Box 37509, London SE25 6ZB -
email sw17massive@hotmail.com for latest info
Extreme Radio - a
pillar of the N.W. rock community www.exstreamradio.com
Organ Magazine/Org Records , Unit 212, 326 Kensal Rd, London W10 5BZ www.organart.com
Radio 2XS top notch
alternatives www.radio2xs.com
Also checkout http://uk.indymedia.org/
Chris T.T. classic
songs/performer/hero www.christt.com
Corporation Blend incendiary
with attitude overload www.corporationblend.com
Kinesis peeooar
rock energy with twists www.kinesis-official.com
King Adora big
anthemed, obsession-inciting glam rock dolls www.kingadora.com
Mansun - guitar
gods, in some quarters www.mansun.net
Mother Stoat Records 21c punk label, hear clips, buy online, gigs etc www.motherstoat.com
Radiohead broad
ranging sound n vision genius with consciense www.radiohead.com
RockSound - broad
minded enthusiasm with the thumbs up from musicians and fans alike! - http://www.rock-sound.net
Radio Ga Ga:
couldn't believe it when "Gramarye"
by LA rock band Remy Zero didn't make all Radio playlists in '99 - RZ are essential! Luckily,
they are soon-to-be not-so-secret - "Save Me" from new LP
"The Golden Hum" is signature tune to "Smallville: Superman The Early
Years" (Channel 4 TV) and word of mouth is doing the rest.
I don't have a favourite radio station right now. I'm
playing what I want to hear (Jimmy Cliff, Chris T T, Public Enemy, The Hives, Super Furry
Animals, Mansun, Asian Dub Foundation, Brothers In Sound, Madonna, Mo Solid Gold, a promo
by The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster who recently set The Paradise Bar in Rocklands
alight when they played (courtesy of the lovely Matt who also manages Mo Solid Gold) and
Capital Letters EP by The Duvals. I do think Radio 1 are on the rock n roll isles vibe
tho...
Punk City Nights Out....
although gr8 stuff is HAPPENING all over BritainIreland, I live in the capital. Come
out to play with us!
XFM is one place to
get free tickets, if you're skint. Or if somebody hands you a flyer for a gig - ask them
for a preview - who knows, your life may be changed by it! On the vibe... T*R*A*S*H (Monday nights West End
alternative pop n beauty) Club Fandango www.clubfandango.co.uk
/ www.fiercepanda.co.uk (Tuesdays
Camden Dublin Castle), Computer Blue (monthly electro-disco-pop club escapism www.computerblue.co.uk ) Betsey Trottwood
Farringdon, Stay Beautiful www.staybeautifulclub.net
(monthly rocking glamour Caledonian Road), London
Callin (nu-punx, original punks and riotous party
atmosphere) contact Barnet via londoncallin@hotmail.com
and Share The Joy (irregular free form love & peace club by the House Of Rock /
Unemployable Welsh Scum DJs / Rocklands website) that's just a few!
This is a man's world alright, look at the fucking state of it! There is hope tho...
The House Of Rock posse introduced me to the fab Gertrude who not only blast
their guitars with panache and grrrl powered fury but are the core of FrockOff! ... Eh?
Well, sick of 'the old boy's network'? Wondering where all the talented female bands, djs
underground artist are? FrockOff! is an organisation which aims to give center stage to
quality female performers. Inspired by some of the riot grrrl aspirations of the early
1990's, FrockOff! recognises how crucial it is for female artists to succeed on their own
terms, without having to succumb to those well worn sterotypical ideas of feminity, which
the music industry still loves to feed off and shove down our throats on a daily basis.
Network and more at http://www.gertruderock.com
and don't miss Gertude live either, they really DO BLAST with style
useful? hope you can read this on the tube, something to do. or if the letters are too
small, hope you can wipe your arse with it if you end up in a club with no bog roll.
anyway, gonna leave the last word to the sleeve notes from the first Miss Black America EP
because they struck a chord with my dream of unity and tolerance in the future...
love, peace, music, minxy mcnaughty.
"We are you... gay in San
Francisco, black in South Africa, a Chicano in Ysidro, an anarchist in Spain, a
Palestinian in Israel, a Mayan Indian in the streets of San Cristobal, a Jew in Germany, a
Gypsy in Poland, a Mohawk in Quebec, a pacifist in Bosnia, a single woman on the Metro at
10pm, a peasant without land, a gang member in the slums, an unhappy student and, of
course, a Zapatista in the mountains"
ARTS NOT ARMS! - Evening
Star is a Rocklands publication. For inclusion write to SE8 4LS - 9 or therocklands@yahoo.com fly to Rocklands,
Punk City, (UK of Rock N Roll Isles, Planet Water) thru the cyberspace galaxy: http://welcome.to/rocklands
...SHARE THE JOY |
