Beehive Recommends - Hollands

Hollands are from New York and have a new EP out on the 13th October called 'Mother'.

They are a mixture of rock'n'roll, strings, pounding drums, driving guitar, but add into all of that some cello, violin and some softer moments and you have Hollands.

This band have my attention and the individual members have some very strong backgrounds in the music business, however for once no name dropping, just a strong emphasis on checking them out.

I personally reckon we will be hearing more about these folk in the coming months.

Listen:
'Air Conditioned Heart'



MP3: HERE.
Website: MySpace. Official.

As mentioned the EP Mother is out on the 13th so keep an eye on their website for more details and enjoy!

Beehive Recommends - Secondstar

Secondstar is Liam Carey and a few other fine musicians.

With a new EP out called 'Teeth' which is best described as a mixture of alt-folk-rock with guitar, banjo, layered vocals, drums, cello and whistling and with bunches of harmonies.

Secondstar are in my opinion worth checking out if the above description gains your attention.

The band live in Brooklyn, New York, and a follow-up EP called 'Feets' should be out in a few weeks.

Listen:
'Great Machine'



MP3: HERE.
Website: MySpace

You can find out more about Secondstar at their MySpace site along with details of getting hold of a copy of 'Teeth', and of course stream a few more songs there.

The Troggs - Live In France 1981

This is the The Troggs live in concert in Dijon, France, back on the 5th October 1981.

Famous for a number of sixties hits including 'Wild Thing' the band found a sympathetic ear at French label New Rose in the 1980s, the label releasing 1982's Black Bottom LP.

This concert would therefore be around the time of the recording of the album and some new material is featured, and with a release on the horizon touring in France made eminent sense.

It is fascinating hearing them do covers of Buddy Holly and The Stones with Reg Presley's accent & vocal style putting a 'Troggs' slant on the proceedings. I never thought of The Troggs as a 'play it loud' rock'n'roll band, I stand corrected!

Source: FM Broadcast

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3 @192kbps

Genre: Pop, Rock, R&B.

Set: Majority of concert

Set List:

01 - Love Is All Around
02 - Feels Like A Woman
03 - Strange Movie
04 - Black Bottom
05 - I Don't
06 - Peggy Sue
07 - Satisfaction
08 - Evil
09 - I Do Do
10 - Night Of The Long Grass
11 - Give It To Me
12 - With A Girl Like You
13 - Wild Thing
14 - I Can't Control Myself
15 - I Can Only Give You Everything

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments: This is another of those French FM Radio broadcasts where the presenter pops up here and there to tell you your listening to The Troggs, however thankfully this does not detract as he has been edited out (a little roughly) where possible and the band are just doing their thing regardless.

Download link in comments below or click on the picture.

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk - The Troggs

Stereolab - Live in Liverpool & London 1999.

Sadly Stereolab have called it a day for the time being, however having been together for nineteen years the desire to take a rest and move on to new projects is understandable.

This is the band a decade ago from two different concerts both recorded by the BBC.

Tracks 1 to 5 are from a BBC Broadcast at The Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool on the 28th, October 1999. Tracks 6 to 15 are from a BBC Broadcast at The Queen Elizabeth Hall, London on the 3rd June 1999.

Source: FM Broadcast

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@224kbps

Genre: Post-rock, indie rock, ambient.

Set: Two sets (neither complete).

Set List:

Liverpool:

1. Escape pod.
2. The free design.
3. Metronomic underground.
4. Op hop detonation.
5. Analogue rock.

London:

6. Miss modular.
7. Escape pod.
8. The free design.
9. Analogue rock.
10. Op hop detonation.
11. Percolator.
12. Rainbow conversation.
13. People do it all the time.
14. Metronomic underground.
15. The seeming and the meaning.

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments: The wikipedia entry for Stereolab which is pretty comprehensive includes the following:

Called "one of the most fiercely independent and original groups of the Nineties", Stereolab were one of the first bands to be termed "post-rock". Their primary musical influence is 1970s krautrock, which they combine with lounge, 1960s pop, and experimental pop music. They are noted for their heavy use of vintage electronic keyboards, and their sound often overlays a repetitive "motorik" beat with female vocals sung in English or French. Stereolab often incorporate socio-political themes into their lyrics.

These two concert elements give a fine feel to the live capabilities of the exceptional Stereolab.

Download link in comments below or click on the picture.

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk - Stereolab

Beehive Recommends - The Dustys

Working my way through this weeks music inbox I came across The Dustys for the first time. It was one of those moments that when I started listening I found my self immediately stop everything else my attention grabbed. I like those moments so thanks The Dustys!

Part of their bio states 'The Dustys began as a new direction for veterans of the DC-area garage punk scene, getting together to write fuller, more power-pop and acid rock influenced tunes. Though they’ve always been in love with classic sounds like Big Star, Badfinger, Can, and T-rex, it was a revelation to finally get a chance to merge that sweet love with the muscle of the Devil Dogs and the stoner grooves of Fu Manchu or Red Sparrowes'. and 'The Dustys sound is classic without being nostalgic, psychedelic without being pretentious--banging enough to make you dance but intricate enough to take you on a roadtrip through the desert in every song'.

I would only add that I really like what I have heard so far and hope we get to hear a whole lot more before long.

The Bravery got hold off their debut EP last year and to cut the story short The Dustys are on tour with them in the USA & Canada throughout October & November!

Listen:
'Dangerous Little Signs'.



MP3: HERE.
Website: MySpace.
Buy: HERE.
Tour Dates: Tumblr

Beehive Recommends - Hey Ocean!

There are days when bands like Hey Ocean! are madatory listening. Days when you need a boost, your spirit needs a little lift, or you kinda wanna jig around a bit.

Having just announced their Fall tour in Canada & the USA a good number of people are in for a treat as their live shows are reckoned to be pretty special.

Quoting some of the detail (it's Friday I am intitiled to copy and paste a little! 'Often described as one of Canada’s best up-and-coming acts, Hey Ocean is a young band with an extraordinary talent for blending various musical styles into a brand of infectious pop that is uniquely their own. Together, Ashleigh Ball, David Beckingham and David Vertesi have created a musical repertoire that cannot be ignored – be it on radio, television or your neighbor’s iPod, Hey Ocean will soon be everywhere. What began as a very casual musical partnership on the beaches of Costa Rica, has now morphed into one of Canada’s most successful independent bands. Their rapid success can be attributed to their do-it-yourself attitude, which has recently helped build their self-owned label, Pop Machine. Continuously leaving fans in awe, Hey Ocean combines sheer talent, charismatic songs, and an undeniably energetic live show, making them a must see band for 2009! It’s Easier To Be Somebody Else is now available on iTunes. '

Listen:
'A Song About California'



MP3: HERE.
Website: MySpace.
Tour Dates: HERE.

Captain Beefheart - Amsterdam 1974

Captain Beefheart (aka Don Van Vliet) and The Magic Band had a rather tumultuous relationship at times, and in early 1974 he found himself touring with a new set of musicians.

Don Van Vliet's music attracted a devoted following and his influence on fellow musicians, particularly those of the punk and New Wave movements, has been described as incalculable. He stopped touring and recording in the early 1980's to concentrate on painting.

This is Captain Beefheart nonetheless in characteristic form back live at The Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, on the 22nd June 1974.

Source: FM Broadcast

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps

Genre: Experimental rock, psychedelic rock, blues-rock, avant garde, protopunk.

Set: Full set

Set List:

1. Mighty Crazy - Be Your Dog.
2. Sweet Georgia Brown.
3. This Is The Day.
4. Abba Zaba.
5. Peaches.
6. Who'll Be The Next One ? and Yer Gonna Need Somebody On Yer bond.

Links: Semi Official Fan Site HERE.

Comments: In 1974, immediately after the recording of Unconditionally Guaranteed, an album which continued the trend towards a more commercial sound heard on several of the Clear Spot tracks, The Magic Band, which had by then coalesced around the core of Art Tripp III, Alex St. Clair, Bill Harkleroad and Rockette Morton, decided they could no longer work with Don Van Vliet, who was by all accounts a severe taskmaster. They left to form Mallard.

Don Van Vliet quickly formed a new Magic Band of musicians who had no experience with his music and in fact had never heard it. Having no knowledge of the previous Magic Band style they simply improvised what they thought would go with each song, played much slicker versions that have been described as "bar band" versions of Beefheart's songs. A negative review described this incarnation of the Magic Band as the "Tragic Band," a term that has sadly stuck over the years.

Reloaded - 09/06/2015 - download link in comments.

Gong - Live In Norway 1974

This is the classic line up of Gong performing live in Oslo, Norway back on the 15th December 1974.

For the uninitiated Gong are a Franco-British progressive/psychedelic rock band formed by Australian musician Daevid Allen.

Between 1973 and 1974, Gong, now augmented by guitarist Steve Hillage, released their best-known work, the "Radio Gnome Trilogy", three records that expounded upon the (previously only hinted at) Gong mythology, Flying Teapot, Angel's Egg, and You.

In 1975 the band line began to alter and key members of the group moved on.

Source: Soundboard

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps

Genre: Progressive rock, psychedelic rock, space rock, jazz fusion

Set: Full set (unable to confirm).

Set List:

01. Invocation [06:13]
02. Master Builder [07:00]
03. A Perfect Mystery [02:59]
04. Tropical Fish [07:13]
05. I Never Did Before [07:56]
06. White Christmas [00:28]
07. Solar Musik Suite pt. 1 [06:09]
08. Solar Musik Suite pt. 2 [03:42]
09. Flute Salad [09:35]
10. Oily Way [03:10]
11. Outer Temple [03:51]
12. Inner Temple [05:16]
13. A Sprinkling of Clouds [02:30]

Links: Official Site HERE.

Comments: This year has seen the classic Gong line up reunite and record a brand new (and quite funky) album entitled 2032. I first discovered the band through there initial British release of Camembert Electrique which was given a belated UK release in late 1974. It was priced at 59p (that was the price of a typical single rather than an album), ensuring that sufficient numbers were sold for the album to chart had it not been barred from the charts for being so cheap.

I discovered this concert on another site and as a long time fan of Pothead Pixies, Flying Teapots, and all manner of other crazy Gong things, could not resist presenting this concert on the Beehive !

Reloaded - 29/May/2015 - download link in comments. 

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk - Gong

Arcade Fire - White Session 2005

This is Arcade Fire performing live for France Inters 'White Session' back on the 9th March 2005. I read somewhere that the difference between the White and Black sessions on France Inter was that the White session was without an audience, well there is clearly an audience here so who knows.

There is also a French presenter that likes to get his voice heard between songs, I am sure you could edit him out fully but in fairness he does stop before they start a new number.

Source: FM Stereo

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@224kbps

Genre: Indie Rock, Post Punk, Baroque.

Set: Full set

Set List:

Intro
01 - Wake Up
02 - Neighborhood (Laika)
03 - No Cars Go
04 - Une Année Sans Lumière
05 - Power Out
06 - Rebellion
07 - Neighborhood (Kettles)
08 - Crown Of Love
09 - Neighborhood (Tunnels)
Outro

Links: Official Site HERE.

Comments: The session was recorded at Maison de la Radio, Studio 106, White Session
Paris, France, on the 9th March 2005 and subsequently broadcast on France Inter on the 5th May 2005. This is a really feisty performance from Arcade Fire once again demonstrating just what a superb band they are. I know this has been in circulation as a boot for some time however this really is a fine audio copy.

Reloaded - 29/May/2015 - download link in comments. 

Buy: - MP3's at Amazon.co.uk - Arcade Fire

Beehive Recommends - Loads of Different Music!

It's getting nearer to that time of year when the music biz tends to release what they hope will be big sellers (and the repackaged best of 'whoever' emerge of course), so it's great to see that there is still no shortage of new & newer bands vying for attention.

The Kora Records continue on their march for world domination with Sweden's Fredrik (pictured) who have their second full length album 'Trilogi' released this coming November 17th. Fredrik started out in late 2006 as the songwriter/sound artist duo of Fredrik and Lindefelt. The idea was to attempt narrative structures in music through the combination of electro acoustic composition and folk-infused musical form. Before the release of their critically acclaimed debut, Na Na Ni, the lineup was expanded to a 6-piece.

On stage the sextet could be seen playing banjo, clarinet, cello, wind up music boxes and hand made instruments along side bass, guitars and drums. The following 6 months saw Fredrik back in Malmö recording new material in the form of an EP-trilogy. Each one was surreptitiously self-released on highly limited 3" CDs in hand made origami packaging. Fredrik and Kora present the release of the EP’s as a proper full length entitled Trilogi. You can get a good feel for the band at their MySpace site.

Listen:
'Locked in the Basement'


MP3: HERE
Website: MySpace
Kora Records: Store.

Paper Garden records are also pretty busy right now and will be featuring a number of their acts at the Pop Montreal Festival on October 1st & 2nd.

We've featured Darla Farmer already here on the Beehive, and now its the turn of the fabulous Emanuel and The Fear.

From Brooklyn, New York this 11 piece band are a little bit Arcade Fire, a tiny bit Polyphonic Spree and pretty much their own thing as well.

Both Darla Farmer & Emanuel and The Fear have been drawing the attention of the likes of David Byrne, TV On The Radio, and Apples In Stereo, and if you are in or around Montreal here's a chance to catch up with them.

For the rest of us you can check them out here.

Listen:
'The Rain Becomes'



MP3: HERE.
Website: MySpace.
Paper Garden Records: Shop.

I have of course featured The Dimes here before and not to long ago at that. The band have a new album scheduled to be out on the 24th November 09 entitled 'The King Can Drink The Harbor Dry'.

It is a mixture of modern folk meeting sixties pop, with influences ranging from Simon and Garfunkel to The Beatles' White Album, my goodness we are name dropping today!

Anyhow from what I have heard so far it could well be the Folk-Pop album of the year, but as always don't just take my word for it, here is the opening song from the forthcoming album.

Listen:
'Damrells Fire'



MP3: HERE.
Website: MySpace.

The new album form Brookville is out on the 29th September the third and some time since the last his bio explains why. 'After releasing two critically acclaimed albums—2003’s Wonderfully Nothing and 2006’s Life In the Shade— under the Brookville moniker, musician and producer Andy Chase didn’t think he had another in him. Whatever it was that had inspired those albums seemed to have disappeared and Chase, who also plays in the critically-acclaimed band Ivy, assumed that his tenure with Brookville was complete.

Turned out that after the release of Life In the Shade and a North American tour with French pop act Tahiti 80 - whom he produced - Chase simply needed a break. Simultaneously playing in three bands, producing Juliana Hatfield and Trashcan Sinatras, being a partner in New York’s Stratosphere Sound recording studio, signing three new acts to his label Unfiltered Records, and trying to maintain a ‘normal’ life as a husband and a father can do that to you'.

Seems a reasonable enough explanation for me. Anyhow this remixed version of one of the forthcoming songs arrived in the mailbox on Friday, and as I liked what I heard he gets the Beehive thumbs up.

Listen:
'Break My Heart (James Iha remix)'



MP3: HERE.
Website: MySpace.

Finally just one piece of news. WNYC's Soundcheck hosts the premiere Performance by Rosanne Cash of Her Upcoming Album 'The List'.

Rosanne Cash and her band will debut several songs from the album live and over the airwaves at 93.9 FM on WNYC's popular chronicle of music and culture, Soundcheck, on September 23 at 2 PM, giving the world intimate insight into one of America 's best loved musical families. Her performance will simultaneously stream live as a videocast.

*UPDATE* The link for the video stream on Wednesday 23rd September 2pm (New York time) is www.wnyc.org/thegreenspace

Hope you enjoy some of the recommendations, new music is alive and well!