So to those of you lucky enough to live in the USA, Dashboard Confessional have confirmed they will be touring and playing their first full length "Swiss Army Romance" In its Entirety!
March 24, 2011 @ The Marquee Tempe, AZ
March 25, 2011 @ Emo's Austin, TX
March 27, 2011 @ The Palladium Ballroom Dallas, TX
March 29, 2011 @ Newport Music Hall Columbus, OH
March 30, 2011 @ Bogart's Cincinnati, OH
March 31, 2011 @ Cannery Ballroom Nashville, TN
April 01, 2011 @ Amos' Southend Music Hall Charlotte, NC
April 03, 2011 @ The Masquerade Atlanta, GA
I am really holding out hop that Chris Carraba decides to bring this tour to the UK at some point, still cant believe its been 10 years since this record first came out!
I saw him do a solo show a couple of years ago in a tiny venue and he didnt play much of this record, so i can only imagine it would be amazing!
Couple that with the Further Seems Forever reunion, this year is going to be a good year for Dashboard/Chris Carraba fans!
Glen xo
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Sunday, 6 February 2011
A Rough Guide: Death From Above 1979
Last month the fantastic news broke that Death From Above 1979 where reforming to play the Coachella Music and Arts festival in America. So, in honour of this, i decided to give you a rough guide to this incredible band! Enjoy!
Death From Above 1979 is Jesse Keeler and Sebastian Granger. The duo are from Canada and were signed to Vice recordings in America and the credible 679 recordings in the UK. The thing about DFA1979 that set them apart from alot of bands was that their raucous sound was created by just Bass (Jesse) and Drums (Sebastian). Jesse also handled synth duties on a number of tracks and the vocals are shared by both members.
Death From Above 1979 were originally just called Death From Above, but due to legal action from label DFA records the band added "1979" to the end of their name, if im honest with you, i don't know why!
The band broke up in 2006 after releasing just one album (see below) and a number of singles and EP's, citing that they just wanted to spend more time with families and a number of creative differences on many levels.
The band first came to my attention when i was at a My Chemical Romance Gig in 2004 (yes, i did just say MCR, im not ashamed, that band released 2 solid records in their day!) and i was hooked from then on. They were something complete different, a wall of solid, abrasive, yet somewhat melodic punk rock and roll that really made you want to put your dancing shoes on! and the fact that there was just two members making such a racket with only a bass guitar and a drumkit was unreal! Unfortunately i only got to see them the once, but fingers crossed they come to the UK again, as ive heard the reunion isn't just a one off! fingers crossed!
So... what do you need to listen too? the following:
You're a Woman, Im a Machine (2004)
This album is an album that literally everyone should own. I wont lie, it isn't the easiest record to get into straight away, but the more you listen to it, the more it sucks you in. Opener "Turn it Out" blasts out of your speakers with a bass line that could shake the ground, and the wailing drums will make you grit your teeth at first but then have you nodding your head approvingly. The when lead single "Romantic Rights" hits you are hooked in, with the Queens of the Stone Age style groove, and witty lyrics. "Blood on our Hands" has all the swagger of a Rolling Stones song and by this point you are still wondering how on earth are they making this incredible sound with just two instruments at their disposal!
The album has all the elements of a great rock and roll record, it is dark, sleazy, and is over far too quick and leaves you begging to hear more!
In the UK the album was released with bonus disc of remix tracks including mixes by German dance duo Justice, and Mstrkrft, as well as a great "mash up" of "Blood on our Hands" and the Futureheads "Hounds of Love" which is fittingly renamed "Blood on our Hounds" (picked this up on a nice white label 12" some time ago)
Other Releases
Death From Above 1979 is Jesse Keeler and Sebastian Granger. The duo are from Canada and were signed to Vice recordings in America and the credible 679 recordings in the UK. The thing about DFA1979 that set them apart from alot of bands was that their raucous sound was created by just Bass (Jesse) and Drums (Sebastian). Jesse also handled synth duties on a number of tracks and the vocals are shared by both members.
Death From Above 1979 were originally just called Death From Above, but due to legal action from label DFA records the band added "1979" to the end of their name, if im honest with you, i don't know why!
The band broke up in 2006 after releasing just one album (see below) and a number of singles and EP's, citing that they just wanted to spend more time with families and a number of creative differences on many levels.
The band first came to my attention when i was at a My Chemical Romance Gig in 2004 (yes, i did just say MCR, im not ashamed, that band released 2 solid records in their day!) and i was hooked from then on. They were something complete different, a wall of solid, abrasive, yet somewhat melodic punk rock and roll that really made you want to put your dancing shoes on! and the fact that there was just two members making such a racket with only a bass guitar and a drumkit was unreal! Unfortunately i only got to see them the once, but fingers crossed they come to the UK again, as ive heard the reunion isn't just a one off! fingers crossed!
So... what do you need to listen too? the following:
You're a Woman, Im a Machine (2004)
The album has all the elements of a great rock and roll record, it is dark, sleazy, and is over far too quick and leaves you begging to hear more!
In the UK the album was released with bonus disc of remix tracks including mixes by German dance duo Justice, and Mstrkrft, as well as a great "mash up" of "Blood on our Hands" and the Futureheads "Hounds of Love" which is fittingly renamed "Blood on our Hounds" (picked this up on a nice white label 12" some time ago)
Other Releases
- Romance Bloody Romance: B sides and Remixes - was only availible in America, i would love to get my hands on a copy!
- Heads Up! - their first EP which is long out of print and extremely hard to get hold of a physical copy, originally released in 2002, and reissued in 2005... now out of Print Again!
Further Listening
- MSTRKRFT - Jesse Keelers electronic moniker, released "The Look" in 2006 which has a very disco electro sound, similar to that of Justice, and Chromeo. Second record "Fist of God" saw a new direction with guest vocals from a number of rappers including Noreaga, and Ghostface Killah, but was still full to the brim with dancefloor fillers
- Bad Tits - Sebastien Grainger's band with Joshua Reichmann, formerly of Jewish Legend and Tangiers. The duo began playing shows in early 2010, with Grainger on drums and samplers, Reichmann on guitar and keyboards, and both singing. They released a debut vinyl 7” and digital EP titled "Garbage Night" on the label Hand Drawn Dracula.
- Sebastien Grainger and The Mountains - released an EP with The Mountains titled American Names and later a self-titled LP, in 2008. The band toured for a year and a half, opening for such bands as Metric, Albert Hammond Jr & Bloc Party in North America and Europe. They were signed with Saddle Creek Records in the USA, Outside Music in Canada and JVC in Japan
Where to Here Them
So there you go, all you need to know about getting into Death From Above 1979. They really are a band you need in your life! Normally i would put a little section to say who they might sound like, but they really are that original that they don't sound like anybody! When i get round to compiling my "Top 100 albums you need to hear before you die" , their "You're a Woman, Im a Machine" will be featured high up that's for sure!
Glen xo
All Night Drives is now on Twitter!!
So i decided that i should a make a Twitter for this blog, because i actually want people to read this page, and to be somewhere that people wanna add to their favorites, and come back and see what i have to say.
You could say im thinking too big, but everyone starts somewhere!
anyway, if you dont have a blogger account (which truth be told i dont know many people who do) then you can follow All Night Drives on twitter!
Follow All Night Drives on Twitter
Every time i post on here i will link it to Twitter so you can keep up to date with whatever nonsense i have to say!
Glen xo
You could say im thinking too big, but everyone starts somewhere!
anyway, if you dont have a blogger account (which truth be told i dont know many people who do) then you can follow All Night Drives on twitter!
Follow All Night Drives on Twitter
Every time i post on here i will link it to Twitter so you can keep up to date with whatever nonsense i have to say!
Glen xo
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Band of Horses in Brixton
Band of Horses, Mojave 3, Goldheart Assembely - Brixton Academy, 03/02/11
Tonight me and my girlfriend ventured to London on what seemed like the coldest day ever to see Band of Horses, and here's the lowdown on a quality evening.
As we arrive at the venue Goldheart Assembly are already onstage, they seem quite good, yet not really blowing my mind. The have some good ideas though and could probably go somewhere, mixing elements of americana, folk, and even a nod towards a touch of shoegaze... i doubt this will be the last time we hear of this band.
after a wait of what seems like ever Mojave 3 take to the stage. To clear it up from the start, their name is pronounced MO-HA-VAY, not MO-JAV as i thought it was. Mojave 3 don't try to re invent the wheel with their indie folk sounds, and i must admit i had never head of them before tonight, but i shall be investing the time to hear more. There is obviously a big influence from the headliners of tonight's show in their sound, and even had Band of Horses frontman Ben Bridwell join them onstage for a number.
By 9 o'clock the floor of the academy becomes wall to wall rammed and people are anxious for Band of Horses to arrive, and when they do it was worth the weight. At first its just Ben Bridewell and Tyler Ramsey onstage and they give a beautiful rendition of "Evening Kitchen", then launching straight into "The Great Salt Lake"
From then on there is not much banter between songs, just a working class band doing what they do best, all lush melodies, dual harmonies, and a back drop of photography and even some personal moments from the band.
Any song you could want to hear them play was aired from "Is There a Ghost", "Compliments", and "Laredo".
Without question the highlight of the night, and it was pretty much a given, was the gorgeous "No Ones Gonna Love You" which produced a mass sing a long, and was as every bit as good as the first time it blew my mind on "Cease to Begin"
All in all a fantastic night, and was definitely a great Christmas present from my girlfriend! if i had to pick out any flaws in the show, was that i was hoping to snag a copy of the Band of Horses/Cee Lo Green split 7-inch... but alas, there was none on sale.... eBay it is then!
Glen xo
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Promise Me Tomorrow head out on the road
My friends Promise Me Tomorrow are heading out on their first ever tour this month! Be sure to go check them out, and they will probably need places to stay and bread and water etc... so help them out!
17th - Man on the Moon, Cambridge
18th - The Marquee, Norwich
19th - Club Wired - Manchester
22nd - Go Club - Birmingham
23rd - Wycombe Academy, High Wycombe
24th - Walkabout, Wolverhampton
25th - Corporation, Sheffield
26th - Audio, Brighton (w/Paige)
if you havent already, go hear them and download their EP for FREE!!
Glen xo
A Rough Guide: William Fitzsimmons
Ok, its the back of 2am, and in a hearty attempt to get the ball rolling with this blog, and knowing full well i wont be able to sleep if i don't do something productive, i have decided to introduce the first of many "A Rough Guide" posts. Some will be artists you have heard a million times before, but theres always room for improvement, and some you may never have heard of before, so what better way to start it, than the great, and somewhat "underground" William Fitzsimmons!
So to give you a little background about William Fitzsimmons. He is a Pennsylvanian singer-songwriter signed to the Mercer Street label, both his parents are said to have been blind, giving a young William a house that was filled with alot of sound and was learning various instruments from a young age. Fitzsimmons has a masters degree in counselling, and has worked a therapist to the mentally ill. His Music touches on very personal matters, and the soft picked guitars, light electronic beats (sometimes) combined with his whispering vocals create a beautiful sound which could give warmth to even the coldest of hearts!
The Sparrow and The Crow (2008)
This was the last studio album Fitzsimmons Released, and the place any new listeners need to start. I was told about it by a friend and as soon as i heard it, it blew my mind. The Album was created in the year following his divorce, and with every word, and every syllable you can hear this is the catharsis a broken man needed.
The Opening line of the first song "After Afterall" is the simple sentiment of "I Still Love You"... and from the get go you will want to know why William still loves this woman, what happened, why are they apart, and anyone who has experienced any kind of heartache can find hope in this record knowing that they are not alone.
Lead single from this record was a mid tempo folk number "If you would come back home" where Fitzsimmons croons about his lost lady love, and there is a slight degree of hope to the track "Just Not Each Other" where you can almost feel him finding the strength to tell himself that it will be ok and he will not be lonely forever. This Album is a must have for anyones collection who enjoys their music real, and to the point. There are no metaphors here, and no gimmicks, just a man who has a story to tell and some demons to exorcise.
Goodnight (2008)
Goodnight is William Fitzimmons second album. The most notable difference between his debut (2005's Until We Both are Ghosts) and The Sparrow and the Crow, is the use of electronic beats. No, i don't mean Dubstep or Fidget House, but more subtle in a Postal Service kinda way.
The soft guitars are still the prominent part of the music, but the light beats accentuate the guitars and compliment Fitzsimmons whispers perfectly. This record is believed to be about the divorce of his parents, and the beginning of a breakdown in his own relationship (although i have no confirmation of this, its what i have taken from the record)
It is heartfelt, and very moving. songs like "Its Not True" and "Please Don't Go" will bring a tear to your eye and if you have a girlfriend, you will definitely be calling her up reminding her that you love her. The Stand out track on a personal level is "Everything has Changed" which is directly about the loss of his father, and you really believe William when he is telling this story of his parents separation and fathers passing. It is probably not as hard hitting as The Sparrow and the Crow but is still a tough listen yet very accessible. Definitely a record you should not be missing.
Other Releases
Until We Both Our Ghosts (2005): Debut album, very folk, very beautiful. Lead single "Passion Play" was also used on Greys Anatomy
Derivatives (2010): A remix album of sorts. New interpretations of 8 of Fitzsimmons songs and a sweet cover of Katy Perrys "I Kissed a Girl"
Where to Find Him
William Fitzsimmons on Myspace
William Fitzsimmons on Facebook
Further Listening
If you Like what you hear here, you should maybe check out the following
So there you have it, a brief guide to getting into the next big thing in folk. A true genius, and judging by his rise in popularity through the Internet and his forthcoming new record (Gold in the Shadow drops in march!!) he will be talked about alot more this year! I am going to see him at the Jazz Cafe next week, so expect a heavy blog about it!!
Glen xo
So to give you a little background about William Fitzsimmons. He is a Pennsylvanian singer-songwriter signed to the Mercer Street label, both his parents are said to have been blind, giving a young William a house that was filled with alot of sound and was learning various instruments from a young age. Fitzsimmons has a masters degree in counselling, and has worked a therapist to the mentally ill. His Music touches on very personal matters, and the soft picked guitars, light electronic beats (sometimes) combined with his whispering vocals create a beautiful sound which could give warmth to even the coldest of hearts!
The Sparrow and The Crow (2008)
The Opening line of the first song "After Afterall" is the simple sentiment of "I Still Love You"... and from the get go you will want to know why William still loves this woman, what happened, why are they apart, and anyone who has experienced any kind of heartache can find hope in this record knowing that they are not alone.
Lead single from this record was a mid tempo folk number "If you would come back home" where Fitzsimmons croons about his lost lady love, and there is a slight degree of hope to the track "Just Not Each Other" where you can almost feel him finding the strength to tell himself that it will be ok and he will not be lonely forever. This Album is a must have for anyones collection who enjoys their music real, and to the point. There are no metaphors here, and no gimmicks, just a man who has a story to tell and some demons to exorcise.
Goodnight (2008)
Goodnight is William Fitzimmons second album. The most notable difference between his debut (2005's Until We Both are Ghosts) and The Sparrow and the Crow, is the use of electronic beats. No, i don't mean Dubstep or Fidget House, but more subtle in a Postal Service kinda way.The soft guitars are still the prominent part of the music, but the light beats accentuate the guitars and compliment Fitzsimmons whispers perfectly. This record is believed to be about the divorce of his parents, and the beginning of a breakdown in his own relationship (although i have no confirmation of this, its what i have taken from the record)
It is heartfelt, and very moving. songs like "Its Not True" and "Please Don't Go" will bring a tear to your eye and if you have a girlfriend, you will definitely be calling her up reminding her that you love her. The Stand out track on a personal level is "Everything has Changed" which is directly about the loss of his father, and you really believe William when he is telling this story of his parents separation and fathers passing. It is probably not as hard hitting as The Sparrow and the Crow but is still a tough listen yet very accessible. Definitely a record you should not be missing.
Other Releases
Until We Both Our Ghosts (2005): Debut album, very folk, very beautiful. Lead single "Passion Play" was also used on Greys Anatomy
Derivatives (2010): A remix album of sorts. New interpretations of 8 of Fitzsimmons songs and a sweet cover of Katy Perrys "I Kissed a Girl"
Where to Find Him
William Fitzsimmons on Myspace
William Fitzsimmons on Facebook
Further Listening
If you Like what you hear here, you should maybe check out the following
- Peter Bradley Adams
- Cary Brothers
- Iron and Wine
- Joshua James
- Rosi Golan
So there you have it, a brief guide to getting into the next big thing in folk. A true genius, and judging by his rise in popularity through the Internet and his forthcoming new record (Gold in the Shadow drops in march!!) he will be talked about alot more this year! I am going to see him at the Jazz Cafe next week, so expect a heavy blog about it!!
Glen xo
A New Year, a New Start, a Massive Blog Post!
Hello to anyone who may be viewing this!
so about 6 months ago i came up with a totally unoriginal idea of starting a blog to write my own reviews and thoughts on music, because in the days of the internet and social networking and such, no one has ever done that! The driving force behind it was to review my friends band Promise Me Tomorrow and to give them a little bit of exposure to a few people who may not know about them (see previous post). I then wrote about 4 other blogs and decided to never log back in and do anything else on here, but as Bob Dylan said "the times they are a changing"
So with that thought in mind, i scrapped any other posts i wrote, as it was basically me wittering on about a nothing of any interest, and decided on a drive i took this evening i am going to get behind this blog and give people some views on all things musical (by this i mean music, not broadway productions)
I am going to be approaching it from a different angle this time, i will not be reviewing albums like a cookie cutter magazine or website, it will be more the sharing of some thoughts, and opinions.
I wont just talk about hardcore or metal or whatever the trends are these days with the scenesters, but everything and anything that decides to take me fancy. If i want to tell you how great a grindcore record is... i will... if i want to gush about how rad i think the cast of Glee are... then i will... if you choose not to like it that day, then dont read it, but i can garuntee that you will stumble across some musical rantings you will find forthright and incisive.
You may or may not care, a few notes about me, so you get an idea of the kinda music nerd you are dealing with here and you can brace yourself for the nonsense i will be speaking.
Im 28 years old and been a music fan since i got given my first cassette tape and player for my 8th birthday way back in 1990. Id love to tell you it was something cool like Bleach by Nirvana, or maybe The White Album by The Beatles... however it was the soundtrack to the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Film (and yes i probably could still sing every word to T.U.R.T.L.E power!) But even so, it opened my eyes to music, and i was hungry for more, albiet cheesy late eightes early ninties pop music, and a fine selection of motown and soul such as Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, and Luther Vandross that my mum used to play in the house alot!
I first realized music could have a voice and anger at the age of 10 when a friend at primary school bought in a cassette tape he had got from his older brother, none other than N.W.A's Straight Out Of Compton...
I borrowed it and made a copy of it, and my little Sony walkman probably got sick of hearing it. I had no idea about the struggle in South Central Los Angeles, and i certainly didnt care for "guns and bitches" all i knew was these guys were pissed off and wanted everyone to know about it (not until many years later did i actually do my homework about what N.W.A were all about)
So for a few years hip hop dominated my listening pleasures until about 1993 when i heard Nirvana, and everything changed. Yes i was a late bloomer to grunge and punk rock, but form the moment i heard Lithium for the first time i knew then music for me was never going to be the same, and not just something i put on and listened to the beat.
I wont bore you to details with moments of musical history in my life such as the first time i heard The Smiths and thought it was the worst thing ever then end up having Morrissey as the biggest inspiration in my life and seeing Morrissey live 5 times and crying my eyes out like a little girl whos pigtails had bee ripped out.
but you get the idea!
Ive worked in record shops pretty much for 10 years now, independents and chains stores, ive seen the downloading industry cripple singles charts, and pretty rule sales of music, and the way we listen to and access our music change completely... so if anyones says i dont know what im talking about when it comes to music, they are wrong... big headed as that may sound, its true.
So with that said... i welcome you to this blog, and i hope it finds you well, and you find it interesting.
please feel free to send me love or hatemail, or if you are an aspiring artist or band and want me to give you a mention on here and talk about your music, then drop me an email at: allnightdrivesxo@hotmail.co.uk
i will leave you with a fitting epitaph from the excellent book "High Fidelity"
"Do i listen to pop music because im unhappy, or am i unhappy because i listen to pop music?"
Glen xo
so about 6 months ago i came up with a totally unoriginal idea of starting a blog to write my own reviews and thoughts on music, because in the days of the internet and social networking and such, no one has ever done that! The driving force behind it was to review my friends band Promise Me Tomorrow and to give them a little bit of exposure to a few people who may not know about them (see previous post). I then wrote about 4 other blogs and decided to never log back in and do anything else on here, but as Bob Dylan said "the times they are a changing"
So with that thought in mind, i scrapped any other posts i wrote, as it was basically me wittering on about a nothing of any interest, and decided on a drive i took this evening i am going to get behind this blog and give people some views on all things musical (by this i mean music, not broadway productions)
I am going to be approaching it from a different angle this time, i will not be reviewing albums like a cookie cutter magazine or website, it will be more the sharing of some thoughts, and opinions.
I wont just talk about hardcore or metal or whatever the trends are these days with the scenesters, but everything and anything that decides to take me fancy. If i want to tell you how great a grindcore record is... i will... if i want to gush about how rad i think the cast of Glee are... then i will... if you choose not to like it that day, then dont read it, but i can garuntee that you will stumble across some musical rantings you will find forthright and incisive.
You may or may not care, a few notes about me, so you get an idea of the kinda music nerd you are dealing with here and you can brace yourself for the nonsense i will be speaking.
Im 28 years old and been a music fan since i got given my first cassette tape and player for my 8th birthday way back in 1990. Id love to tell you it was something cool like Bleach by Nirvana, or maybe The White Album by The Beatles... however it was the soundtrack to the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Film (and yes i probably could still sing every word to T.U.R.T.L.E power!) But even so, it opened my eyes to music, and i was hungry for more, albiet cheesy late eightes early ninties pop music, and a fine selection of motown and soul such as Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, and Luther Vandross that my mum used to play in the house alot!
I first realized music could have a voice and anger at the age of 10 when a friend at primary school bought in a cassette tape he had got from his older brother, none other than N.W.A's Straight Out Of Compton...
I borrowed it and made a copy of it, and my little Sony walkman probably got sick of hearing it. I had no idea about the struggle in South Central Los Angeles, and i certainly didnt care for "guns and bitches" all i knew was these guys were pissed off and wanted everyone to know about it (not until many years later did i actually do my homework about what N.W.A were all about)
So for a few years hip hop dominated my listening pleasures until about 1993 when i heard Nirvana, and everything changed. Yes i was a late bloomer to grunge and punk rock, but form the moment i heard Lithium for the first time i knew then music for me was never going to be the same, and not just something i put on and listened to the beat.
I wont bore you to details with moments of musical history in my life such as the first time i heard The Smiths and thought it was the worst thing ever then end up having Morrissey as the biggest inspiration in my life and seeing Morrissey live 5 times and crying my eyes out like a little girl whos pigtails had bee ripped out.
but you get the idea!
Ive worked in record shops pretty much for 10 years now, independents and chains stores, ive seen the downloading industry cripple singles charts, and pretty rule sales of music, and the way we listen to and access our music change completely... so if anyones says i dont know what im talking about when it comes to music, they are wrong... big headed as that may sound, its true.
So with that said... i welcome you to this blog, and i hope it finds you well, and you find it interesting.
please feel free to send me love or hatemail, or if you are an aspiring artist or band and want me to give you a mention on here and talk about your music, then drop me an email at: allnightdrivesxo@hotmail.co.uk
i will leave you with a fitting epitaph from the excellent book "High Fidelity"
"Do i listen to pop music because im unhappy, or am i unhappy because i listen to pop music?"
Glen xo
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