IDEAS

This looks rad. More stuff at Steve Gullick hq.

Steve Gullick Exhibition

Going from Fuerteventura 25º to Manchester snow ain’t fun fun fun. So this week has been a struggle. In these moments it’s good to get some Jim Phillips art in your world. One of the worst things ever is artists who paint surf waves wrong. Yeah St Ives gallery right back at you. Alas no problem for Mr Phillips.

Rest in peace Doug Fieger. The song keeps on…

Here in Manchester this week there’s a turf war going on. Police Sgts are being paid off, there’s money to be made, all hells broke loose cause the first ones free offer is null and void. Loser. The big squabble is between Manchester Now and Manchester Then. Why now? 2 reasons – 2010 newie band list included like 6 out of 10 Manchester musicians who duly got compared to (yawn) Manchester bands off the past. And reason 2 the launch of Peter Hook’s new club Fac 251 with all the rehab rehash of those Factory Record day. Go check Fuc51 and Guardian for some bedtime reading.

It is at these moments that I think where do I stand? Well I stand in Manchester not Marple firstly (meow). But if you’re not going to get compared you need to be better. Is NYC stalling in 1988? No cause the new bands are better or at least shoulder to shoulder with the CBGB forefathers (yes I hope the new Strokes album is great). I stand by the best two Manchester gigs I’ve seen was the Ting Tings at Sankeys and Nine Black Alps at Korumba pre- busy with bullsh$t buzz. And if you really want to get on one about cool then cool is Mark Gonzales. Case closed.

And now for some Mark Gonzales…

Not really. But this time next week I’ll be here. Wowza.

Today is the last day of tracking newie “Rip Off”. Last Take! I’m loving it but we need some quality time apart, it’s not you it’s me. “Rip Off” orbits the beautiful world off Run This Town, In Bloom & My Lovely Man.

See what I did there! just dropped 3 mammoth songs with no hold back. I like that. When bands say “We’re like the Rolling Stones”, Are You? Really, When you write songs they’re better than this, well done you, order the champagne.

Anyhows I’ll upload it soon once it‘s passed the Mancunian Way drive by mix test.

Yes I am abit peeved about it. Yes it’s a low score cool points in your stratosphere but not in mine. The departure of John Frusciante from the Chili Peppers has funked me off. For me, I put the Peppers up there with the Beatles/Stones (probably higher than the Stones) so the thought of a new guitar slinger doesn’t appeal. No doubt the newie can play the notes but with Frusciante the songs are/were so much better. Damn It. Reasons why I like the Peppers 

1) They played the vision skate escape 1988 with prime time Hawk v Hosoi which was the start of all things good.
2) Flea & Anthony went to the Stacy Peralta film Z Boys premiere.
3) Anthony championed Robert Williams kinda.
4) They’ve gone from being all about their instruments and energy to all about the song.

So it’s 2010. Hello 2010 you look better than 2009 already. There’s been a lot of music prediction lists about. ALOT. I’m not a big fan of lists sorry. If The Drums get their songs mixed better and louder they’ll rule the school. I also like this song by Frankie & The Heartstrings called Fragile. Good song.

Exciting up Manchester at the moment is Dan Parrot’s Love & Disaster label. Check em in Dazed&Confused. 

This isn’t ohh its from Manchester must mention it. This is step the f*ck aside there’s a new label in town. I hope it does well. There’s no reason why Manchester shouldn’t have an ace label. Watching some old footage over Chrimbo about Creation Records (yes I know tis London) they sure had some fun. 2010 bring on the fun.

I am gonna keep it short and sweet. I’ve read some drivel this week mostly Where the Wild Things Are reviews and awkward Julian Casablancas interviews. (I’ve read that back. It unintentionally rhymes?) Anyhows… So I don’t want to add to the noise. Plus it’s nearly the holidays but nearly isn’t close enough. My feet are cold. And I want to sleep in. On Thursday I went to see Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks at the Deaf Institute, on Friday I went to see Julian Casablancas at the Ritz. Learn from the best fudge the rest. Here’s some noise.

 Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – Thursday, Deaf Institute

Stephen Malkmus

Musical outro parts are good.
A great original guitar player, he sings he noodles, he plays lead parts that harmonise with his melody, he plays E9 chords. A slacker free zone.
Gary Jarman from the Cribs was roadie for him. You gotta love the Jarmans.
The Pavement band were much missed, they bring a lot to the table. More than I realised. 

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks

Julian Casablancas – Friday, The Ritz

Julian Casablancas

Phrazes for The Young may go down as a great lost Strokes album.
Julian genuinely seemed to miss his Strokes brothers and was a bit downbeat they weren’t with him.
I really look forward to hearing Nikolai play bass live again. Melodic with aggression a great musician.
The band he had were ace and the two drummers were on it.
Twin guitar parts work really well.
 ‘Is This It’ is surpass able. Julian has more song writing nouse these days. Fingers crossed.

…I hear from my shoe shine guy there’s been some talk about Christmas singles this week. I’ve made my choice. Pure white virgin 7inch vinyl. Over and out.

Christmas Vinyl

Whilst making Headphones these songs influenced me. Have a listen see if you can spot where, when and what. PS Dearest Joe Satriani as much as I love the idea of suing other musicians over the use of notes. I didn’t use any of your notes, not even one. Love + Hugs Piran x

Britney Spears Toxic

Willy Mason Still A Fly

Friendly Fires Skeleton Boy

The Rolling Stones Sympathy For The Devil

Star Trek

Star Trek – A Review by Piran
It’s really good. Like how the new(er) Star Wars films should have been if they’d paid attention to what was good about the first three. Lesson 1: Have a story Lesson 2: Go easy on the green screen baby.

4/5 Stars Recommended.

In other news… I still don’t care much for the Star Trek TV shows, ermm expect some sci fi phased synth in one of the new songs (like that wasn’t gonna happen), and I now roll with the Vulcan salute round the house, “Live long and prosper”.

Piran Yesterday

Please note – Mark Kermode did not spam me on Bebo, it was Myspace. I changed it as my love for eye torture myspace is wa-wa-wa-waning.