Saturday, 23 May 2015

Tower Of Power - Ultrasonic Studios 1974

Reloaded 23/May/2015 - Beehive Candy may at times feel, less a labour of love and more a chore, when it comes to replacing our many lost files. However when we are reminded of fantastic performances such as this one and the musical diversity it adds to this site, it does make the whole replacement thing, seem a far more worthwhile project.

A fine and funky concert complete with the full power house of rhythm is captured here on this recording of Tower Of Power and fit for 'Bumpsters' everywhere! 

Recorded with an appreciative audience at Ultrasonic Studios Hempstead, NY, USA back on May 14th, 1974 this is a superb example of the band who continue to impress and perform today.

Some background from Wikipedia here that covers up to the time of this concert - The roots of the band go back to the summer of 1968, when tenor saxophonist/vocalist Emilio Castillo met Stephen "Doc" Kupka, who played baritone sax. Castillo had played in several bands, but it was Castillo's father, who told his son to "hire that guy" after a home audition. Together, they would become the backbone of Tower of Power. Within months, the group, known as the Motowns at the time, would begin playing various "gigs" around Oakland and Berkeley, their soul sound relating to both minority and rebellious listeners.

By 1970, the now renamed Tower of Power (including trumpet/arranger Greg Adams, first trumpet Mic Gillette, first saxophone Skip Mesquite, Francis "Rocco" Prestia on bass, Willie Fulton on guitar, and drummer David Garibaldi) signed a recording contract with Bill Graham's San Francisco Records and released their first album, East Bay Grease. Rufus Miller performed most of the lead vocals on this debut album which included the single Sparkling In The Sand, which received airplay on famed Bay Area soul station KDIA.

Augmented by percussionist/conga/bongo player Brent Byars, guitarist Bruce Conte and keyboardist Chester Thompson, Tower of Power moved to Warner Bros. Records. With Rick Stevens now singing lead, 1972's Bump City would give the band its first national exposure. This album included "You're Still a Young Man", which peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100. Emilio Castillo, who co-wrote and sang lead on "You're Still a Young Man," told Songfacts that the song was based on a true story concerning a former girlfriend who was six years older than him. Though not released as a single, "Down to the Nightclub" received heavy airplay on West Coast FM stations and several AM stations. Both songs still get substantial airplay on oldies radio and remain fan favorites.

Tower of Power, released in the spring of 1973, the third album for the band, now featured Lenny Williams on lead vocals and Lenny Pickett on first saxophone. This was the group's most successful album. It peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart and was RIAA certified as a gold record (for sales in excess of 500,000 copies). The album also spawned their most-successful single "So Very Hard To Go". Although the single peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, it landed in the Top 10 on the surveys of many West Coast Top 40 radio stations, hitting number 1 on many of them. The album also charted two other singles on the Billboard Hot 100, "This Time It's Real" and "What Is Hip?" The latter is possibly their most enduring song.

1974's Back to Oakland spawned another hit, "Don't Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream)", that reached number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, plus "Time Will Tell", which charted at number 69.


Source: Soundboard (Pre-FM master recording). 

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps. 

Genre: Soul, funk, R&B, jazz.

Set: Full Set. 

Set List:

CD One.
1. Intro
2. Oakland Stroke
3. Squib Cakes
4. This Time It's Real
5. Soul Vaccination
6. You're Still A Young Man
7. Clean Slate
8. So Very Hard To Go
9. Get Your Feet Back On The Ground

CD Two.
1. Time Will Tell
2. Man From The Past
3. Down To The Nightclub
4. Just When We Start Makin' It
5. Knock Yourself Out
6. What Is Hip?
7. Outro

Web: Official HERE.

Reloaded 23/May/2015 - download in comments.

Friday, 22 May 2015

2015 - Out Of Our Inbox - Edition Five

What a way to start this round up of some fine music that has come our way in the last few days. Have you ever listened to a song and half way through your already wanting to listen to it again? Tamara Williamson had that very effect on me this week. I was also puzzled by the fact I had never heard any of her material before, simply because it is just so good! Much as some in the music industry berated the emergence of file sharing and downloading, the reality is artist's like Tamara can be discovered anywhere around the world with just a little exposure. Well Beehive Candy are happy to assist when music this good comes our way.

Tamara had this to say regarding her latest album, 'Sister, Mother, Daughter, Wife' - The importance of this album is paramount for me as it helped me work through some of the tougher ideas I've faced and helped me start living outside of the bubble I had created for myself.

Every song on the album explores a different women's story that I felt needed to be heard. The album was first conceptualised when I discovered the story of Victoria while listening to CBC Radio. 
I'm thankful for the help of Mitchell Girio for producing and Richard G. Benoit for Mastering this collection of songs. Also, Morgan Doctor, Mitchell Girio, Kevin Hearn and Garen Graves for playing on the album. Hope these stories connect with you as they did with me.

Two songs featured from a remarkable album.

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Far In The Maples are gearing up for the release on July 14, 2015, of the album Skywork. This was produced by Steve Greenwell (Joss Stone) at Lakehouse Studios in Asbury Park, to 'showcase song-oriented music that’s both honest and contemporary with a classic timelessness, from an infectious new band driven by songbird Regina Conroy and multi-instrumentalist Reshy P'.

We are reliably informed of the following - Turning the celebrated, swingin’ sound of the Jersey Shore inside out, Far In The Maples is poised to cast a new seaside musical legacy built upon the nuances of internal emotion with unexpected soundscapes, unforgettable melodies and the sweetly understated vocals of its alluring lead songstress through its debut album, Skywork (Refrost Records/AWAL).

They could have just said this is a really bright, uplifting, collection of songs, but I guess you have to get noticed anyway you can these days, quoting some more - Regina’s love for great American singer-songwriters like Natalie Merchant, Shawn Colvin, Avril Lavigne, and Michelle Branch, with Reshy’s wide-ranging leanings from punk to electronica, inspired by Billy Talent, Millencolin, Sum 41, Owl City, Paramore, and beyond. It's a very strong debut, so if you love the 'celebrated swingin' sound of Jersey Shore', you will love this! Website HERE.

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Now if your a regular visitor to this place you will know that I'm often tempted by the suggestion of well mixed up genres. So tell me that Old House Playground 'is a three piece contemporary blues/alt-rock band with roots in the song writing culture of traditional Greek folk music' and I will be intrigued, particularly as I know nothing much about traditional Greek folk music.

So the story goes - In 2009, Tryfon Lazos (vocals, guitars) and Andreas Venetantes (drums, percussion) together with bass player Conor Loughran moved from Athens to Manchester to experiment with new musical paths and forms of expression.

Inspired by the likes of Tom Waits, Django Reinhardt, Nick Cave and Greek artists Psarantonis, and Marcos Vamvakaris together with analog sounds and street musicianship, Old House Playground met producer/musician Chris Evans, with whom they would record their first album God Damn That Gold. A couple of months before the recordings took place, Conor left the band, with Tryfon and Andreas continuing as a duo. The album was released in June 2012 by the independent label Evening Economies/Fat Bob Records and accompanied by an extended UK tour. From working men’s clubs and mainstream pubs to the Dalston hipster playground, the response was overwhelming.

I would struggle to put it better than the following so lets just repeat it - “They've got the deep, gravelly lo-fi blues with a bit of old-time swing and rockabilly on the side - imagine a pared down Bedlam Six fronted by a young hybrid of Jack White and Nick Cave. His lyrics are dark, twisted stories with a certain literary flair” - Cath Aubergine, Manchester Music.

Website HERE. Great song below and more on their web place.

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Next up Survival Guide. Taking the short cut to what Survival Guide are all about here's someone elses words - Survival Guide is the compelling artistic endeavor featuring California vocalist and keyboardist Emily Whitehurst. Her music falls somewhere between indie rock and electronic, always with descriptive, storytelling lyrics, strong vocals and a sprinkle of pop. After supporting Joan Jett, performing at First City Festival 2014 (Beck, The National, Phantogram) and recording a freshman full-length album, Survival Guide was named one of the Top 12 Bay Area Bands of 2014 by San Francisco's premier rock radio station, Live 105. 

The upcoming album (now actually released), entitled "Way to Go", conjures feelings of a dark modern fairytale and showcases Whitehurst's vocal range and talent, following two previously released 7" vinyl singles, "Hot Lather Machine" and "Wildcat", released on San Francisco's Side With Us Records.

A really fine album that matches the expectation aroused by the comments above You can find out more HERE on their website.
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Slightly Stoopid recently began streaming “One Bright Day” from their upcoming album, Meanwhile… Back at the Lab (to be released June 30th through the band’s label, Stoopid Records). This perfect summer jam features band friend and Grammy Award winner Angela Hunte (best known for co-writing “Empire State of Mind,” with Alicia Keys and Jay Z). Slightly Stoopid is McDonald, Miles Doughty (guitar, bass, vocals), Ryan “Rymo” Moran (drums), Oguer “OG” Ocon (percussion), Daniel “Dela” Delacruz (saxophone), Paul Wolstencroft (keyboards), Andy Geib (trumpet, trombone) with special guest and “unofficial 8th member” Karl Denson (The Rolling Stones/Greyboy Allstars) on saxophone.

They asked us if we like to share the song, we listened, we liked, we very nearly danced until my frightening sense of rhythm pinned me back in the chair. Upbeat and so shared as requested.


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I am going to shamelessly copy and paste the words of another writer (again) to get across the background to the exceptional Ella Squirrell.

'Ella Squirrell grew up surrounded by creativity in the beautiful town of Bridport in Dorset. She has always felt at one with the natural world, returning to nature as a comfort in her song-writing. She has recently spent six months living and working in London, after discovering it to be a great base for music, and has returned to Dorset with a wealth of experience.

Ella picked up her first instrument aged 10. She copied folk songs on an Irish penny whistle, before moving on to the guitar when she was 11. Her dad is a professional musician, playing mandolin in a trio folk band, and he fully encouraged Ella’s musical growth. He taught Ella the basics before she started teaching herself by taking inspiration from other songs.

Ella recalls writing her first successful song aged 15. She started with just 3 lines and the stepped away from it for a while. When she came back to it, the words began to flow, with a little help from her poet mom. She taught Ella to be brave with words, combining senses and placing the listener in the atmosphere and experience of the writer. This gave Ella the confidence to write her own songs.

Song-writing is a cathartic process for Ella. She sees it as the best outlet for strong emotions, whether she is feeling down or feeling really happy. Allowing herself to be honest in her song-writing is the key to her creativity.

Ella has followed in her dad’s folk footsteps, but with a modern pop twist. She is always learning from other musicians, and believes collective song-writing and collaboration is key for musical growth. She meets musicians at open mic nights and is constantly inspired by their work and attitude.

It is no surprise Ella loves collaboration as she grew up partaking in spontaneous jam sessions with family and friends in the creative bubble of Bridport. She gained most of her skills in this way, having never studied music. She doesn’t read or write music; her melodies exist in her head, inspired by what she hears around her, and she teases them out into reality'.

OK edited highlights and I know the town of Bridport in Dorset very well and would concur it does seem to have something in the water that gets the best out of people musically. Also well done whoever wrote the press release for not mentioning a certain Polly Jean Harvey who also of course hails from Bridport, that must have been quite tempting, so there I have. I would add as an aside West Dorset is a beautiful part of England however as this is not a travel guide what about the music? Excellent, absorbing, just listen and enjoy it. Website HERE.

A couple of live dates:

27th May2015
The Jam House, Birmingham
The Launch Pad - a regular showcase of some of artists that the Jam House considers "ones to watch".

4th July 2015
Big Mix Music Festival, Lyme Regis
The Big Mix is Lyme’s own youth music festival by the sea,

Wednesday, 20 May 2015

The Walkabouts - Live in Holland 2005.

Reloaded 20/May/2015 - I just wanted to highlight this concert and of course the band again. Call me slow on picking up on things, but I only recently discovered that they also had a side project 'Chris and Carla' and there is another source of great music to listen too. Superb band I thoroughly recommend checking them out, if you have not yet done so.

I was trying to remember when and how I first came across Seattle's The Walkabouts and after I had just about given up and was going to introduce this concert by saying I could not remember how and when, a little light came on somewhere in the memory as I recalled quite clearly that one of their songs had been included on an Uncut magazine sampler CD, some years ago, (and for the record the promotion worked as I went on to buy many of their albums).

Having formed back in 1984, the band have toured Europe on a good number of occasions. This is a really good quality soundboard recording of the band that has has a little further mixing and editing to a very high standard. Performing live at 013 in Tilburg, Holland back on August 28th 2005, this is The Walkabouts.

Source: Soundboard

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@224 - 320kbps.

Genre: Indie rock, Alt. country, Country rock.

Set: Full Set.

Set List:

01. F Your Fear
02. Coming Up For Air
03. Devil In The Details
04. Jack Candy
05. Whisper
06. Train to Mercy
07. Acetylene
08. Before This City Wakes
09. Northsea Train
10. Stir the ashes
11. Blue Head Flame
12. Kalashnikov
13. Grand Theft Auto
14. The Light Will Stay On
15. Have You Ever Seen The Morning
16. Snake Mountain Blues
17. The Last Ones

Band Line Up:

Chris Eckman - guitar, vocals
Carla Torgerson - guitar, vocals
Terri Moeller - drums
Michael Wells - bass
Glenn Slater - keyboards

Links: MySpace site HERE. Fan Site HERE.

Comments:

Background information on the band from Wikipedia: The Walkabouts are an American rock band formed in Seattle in 1984. The core members are vocalist Carla Torgerson and vocalist and songwriter Chris Eckman. Although the rest of the line-up has changed occasionally, for most of the time the other members have been Michael Wells, Glenn Slater and Terri Moeller.
The band draws inspiration from folk and country music, particularly Townes Van Zandt, Neil Young and Johnny Cash, but also from other types of artists and musical styles such as Scott Walker, Leonard Cohen, French chanson and Jacques Brel. Their sound is typically rich, with string arrangements and keyboards in addition to the standard rock instruments. In reviews the band's music is often described as melancholic or mellow, while Eckman's lyrics, concerning such themes as human relations, loneliness and restlessness, are often emphasized as poetic.
The Walkabouts have achieved commercial success and a strong fanbase in Europe, where they have done promotion and extensive touring since early 1990s. They have occasionally even made it high on the record charts in countries such as Greece and Norway.

Reloaded 20/May/2015 - download link in comments.

Tuesday, 19 May 2015

Quality Not Quantity - A Few Good Ones

A new feature on Beehive Candy - 'Quality Not Quantity - A Few Good Ones' is where we let the music do most of the talking (or singing, strumming, playing). This feature will help us provide as many artists whose music we like and have been bought to our attention, a feature on Beehive Candy. You can take it as read, this is in our very, very humble opinion, music worth a serious listen!
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Liz Brennan - Although the songs have been around for a while, we are told that the 'Expecting To Fly' EP is getting another well deserved release through Demented Pop Recordings. Take note!
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Milton Star - follow their successful double A side record 'Salvation' and 'Sorryville' with the release of their new single 'Things Fall Apart', which is due out on the 15th June on Stereogram Recordings. This really takes them further as atmospheric story tellers. If you like the previous release featured below, get hold of the new one, it's outstanding. Facebook HERE.


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Sasha Siem - A little bit of Bjork and maybe some Joanna Newsom? Plus a massive amount of individual talent, from composing through to singing and performing. Sasha Siem has released an incredible debut album 'Most Of The Boys'. Unique in a special and worthy manner.


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Cultfever are a Brooklyn based duo who have been gaining considerable attention for their genre hopping sounds, that are routed in what I can only describe as cinematic indie rock or pop, only to add it's more than that. Confused? Well give them a listen, sometimes it really is easier to let the music do the talking. Website HERE.

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The Newcastle four piece Street Party In Soho are most definitely attracting positive attention and plaudits in the UK. Both BBC radio and XFM exposure along with a demand for the band to perform live has raised the bands status. They are annoyingly young and talented, what's going on there then!

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Shooze - are a three-piece ska-punk band from Redditch, West Midlands, UK. Members Jon Kings (lead vocals/guitar), Ryan Kings (vocals/bass), and Ricky-Lee Cooper (drums) describe their music a hybrid of seventies' ska, punk & reggae, saying "We're bringing the best raw 70's street vibes back to life with a modern groove. Its all about a raw live sound, back to basics – real band music like it should be heard & experienced live”. That's good enough for a listen surely!

Monday, 18 May 2015

Tom Waits - Akron, Ohio 2006

This is Tom Waits performing live at The Civic Centre, Akron, Ohio, back on Sunday, August 13th 2006. I am not certain if the source of this recording is taken directly from an FM broadcast, however it is a probable assumption as the final track ends without a smooth fade suggesting the radio announcer may have been cut off in their prime.

Whatever the recordings history, this is a very fine quality recording of Tom Waits in concert in a tour that showcased some of the songs from the forthcoming November 2006 album release 'Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards', that said this edited recording only featured one song 'Bottom of the World' from that album.

Although the NPR broadcast was only part of the show, I have read elsewhere that the featured tracks were by far the best performed ones at this gig.

At the beginning of 'Tom Trauberts Blues' Tom Waits remarks about a man and a shirt which was apparently a reference to somebody getting on stage and throwing a shirt at Tom or his piano. The crowd were also described by somebody at the concert as 'the worst they had been amongst' with even a fight in the audience at one point. All of which makes sitting at home and listening to the edited version of the performance kinda rewarding in some ways.

Interestingly the tracks broadcast from the whole concert did not all run in order, as performed in the show, actually that's quite a boring point, to much detail, no need to become obsessive, "and now back to the music".

Source: NPR FM Broadcast.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@192kbps.

Genre: Rock, avant-garde, experimental, folk, blues, jazz.

Set: Edited Broadcast.

Broadcast Set List:

Make It Rain
Shore Leave
Falling Down
Tango Until They're Sore
Tom Traubert's Blues
Eyeball Kid
Murder in the Red Barn
Trampled Rose
Bottom Of The World
Til the Money Runs Out
Get Behind De Mule

Band Line Up:

Tom Waits, Bent Clausen, Duke Robillard, Larry Taylor, Casey Waits

Full Setlist: 

Make It Rain 
Hoist That Rag 
Shore Leave 
Dead and Lovely 
God's Away on Business 
Falling Down 
Tango Till They're Sore 
Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis 
Tom Traubert's Blues (Four Sheets to the Wind in Copenhagen) 
'Til the Money Runs Out 
What's He Building? 
Eyeball Kid 
Trampled Rose 
Murder in the Red Barn 
Bottom of the World 
Shake It 
Encore:
Day After Tomorrow 
Lie to Me 
Get Behind the Mule 
Encore 2:
Clap Hands 
Sins of My Father / Wade in the Water

Tom Waits website HERE.

Download link in comments below.


Priory Of Brion (Robert Plant) - The Beaufort Theatre Wales 2000


Reloaded 18/May/2015 - Yep, fifteen years ago more or less since Robert Plant toured extensively as Priory Of Brion around the UK. Featured again by request and also as audience matrix recordings go this is very good audio and the unique selection of songs just adds to this little piece of music history.

This is Robert Plant's touring band Priory Of Brion who undertook a good number of gigs between July 23rd 1999 through until Dec 21st 2000. This is the band live at The Beaufort Theatre, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, Wales, back on the 11th February 2000. During this phase of live concerts the venues tended to be smaller in size and as can be heard from this concert recording the atmosphere was warm and included some fine banter with the audience.

Excerpted from ROOTS magazine, Aug/Sep 2000 - Robert Plant explains Priory of Brion

The name of the band incorporates a reference to a society which was an offshoot of the Knight’s Templar called The Priory of Zion and the film The Life of Brian.

An approximate explanation of which might be; A kind of secret society not to be taken too seriously or over revered. He explains that he and Kevyn Gammond, now a college lecturer, have remained ‘best mates’ since they were in The Band of Joy together in the mid-sixties. Discussing how, on the music scene, everything seemed to go back to that era Robert said to Kevyn “We used to do that. Let’s do it again.” Kevyn knew some really good musicians, ex students, who were starting to teach and do mixing and dance music, so they had a rehearsal in a barn and that was the beginning of the Priory of Brion.

Enhancing the air of mystery which surrounded the band in the early days, Robert created alter egos for the musicians by giving them false names and telling brief stories about their new characters. Thus Kevyn Gammond, lead guitarist became Carlisle Egypt. Andy Edwards, drums, was usually known as the man in the pointed hat and crossed sticks - Alistair Crowley. Paul Timothy, keyboards and acoustic guitar, generally referred to as TIm to avoid confusion with Paul Whetton, often became Owyn Glendwr - fresh from some border skirmish local to the current venue. Paul cool, calm and collected Whetton, bass guitar, became the enigmatic Brian without whom the whole adventure would have been impossible. Occasionally names have changed, notably when ‘Brian’ underwent a mystical transformation on a journey up the Norwegian fjords and became the terrifying Eric Bloodaxe. More recently the band have been referred to by their (alleged) ‘real’ names but we have yet to be told who the vocalist is. 

Source: Audience matrix.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@228kbps (variable to 242kbps).

Genre: Rock, blues rock, folk rock, country rock.

Set: Full Set.

Set List:

01. Intro
02. Season of the Witch
03. A House Is Not a Motel
04. Bummer in the Summer
05. Waiting For My Man
06. Girl From the North Country/If I Were A Carpenter
07. Darkness Darkness
08. Think
09. Early In the Morning
10. Money
11. We're Gonna Groove
12. Baby Please Don't Go
13. As Long As I Have You
14. Gloria
15. No Regrets
16. Trouble In Mind

Website: Official Robert Plant HERE.

Reloaded 18/May/2015 - download link in comments below.

Sunday, 17 May 2015

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - WMMR Concert 1982

Reloaded 17/May/2015 - We have added a You Tube soundtrack of another Joan Jett and The Blackhearts  gig recorded for broadcast at The Ritz, New York in January 1982. Set lists vary so both are worth a check out and both feature the feisty Joan Jett and on form Blackhearts. The New Jersey gig was originally featured on Beehive Candy in December 2007. 

Celebrating their 15th year as a rock radio station Philadelphia's WMMR featured a number of bands live in concert during 1982-83.

WMMR is held in high esteem by its listening audience and by many rock music bands and musicians for its influential role and longevity in American rock radio. It is widely recognised as the leading rock station in one of the nation's largest markets.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts were one of those acts involved in the celebrations, and this is them recorded live in Emerald City for WMMR.

Emerald city was the new name given to the old Latin Casino club in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA.

The concert was around the time Joan Jett and the Blackhearts recorded their hit album 'I Love Rock N Roll'.

The hit single was a re-recording of the title track, which in the first half of 1982 was number one on the Billboard charts for seven weeks in a row. It is now Billboard’s Number 28 song of all time.

Set list:

1. Bad reputation
2. Don't Abuse me
3. Victim of Circumstance
4. I love Rock and Roll
5. Summertime Blues
6. Too bad on your Birthday
7. You're Too Possessive
8. Wooly Bully
9. Make Believe
10. Black Leather
11. Do you wanna touch me there?
12. Movie star

Source: This is not broken down to individual mp3's and the overall gig length is 43:12. The sound quality is very good FM stereo mixed from the soundboard.
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Also Live at the Ritz, New York, 1982 You Tube audio track.

 

Tracklist:

01. Bad Reputation 0:00
02. I am gonna Run Away 02:13
03. Wooly Bully 04:52
04. I Love Rock and Roll 07:00
05. Nag 10:45
06. Wait For Me 13:27
07. Black Leather 17:39
08. Crimson & Clover 20:50
09. You Don't Know What You've Got 24:05
10. Victim of Circumstance 27:15
11. I love playin with fire 34:02
12. Do You Wanna Touch 36:40
13. Shout 41:16
14. Rebel Rebel 46:22
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Some excellent Joan Jett and the Blackhearts CD's in store at our Amazon affiliate HERE.

WMMR home page HERE.

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Reloaded 17/May/2015 (New Jersey WMMR gig) - download link in comments.

Friday, 15 May 2015

2015 - Out Of Our Inbox - Edition Four

Buckle up boys and girls, things could get real loud and KABOOM!!! 

Starting off this edition loud and proud, with The Unknown. When I saw Tim Myers name mentioned I was keen to hear this new album (released a couple of weeks back), as the last work with his involvement registered positive so this was a must hear.

The promo had this to say - Get to know The Unknown, an impressive alternative band fronted by multi-instrumentalist and former One Republic member, Tim Myers.

The Unknown is gearing up for the release of it’s debut album, Album One which effortlessly combines modern-alt swagger (Cage The Elephant, Black Keys) and 60s mod rock (Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Doors). 

The leading single “Are You Ready for Me” has already generated significant buzz and been featured on Showtime, MLB TV, Brooklyn 99, General Hospital and a host of other TV shows.  Additionally, the band’s song, “Come & Get It” has been showcase on commercials for the Windows Phone, Nissan and Citibank. "Are You Ready for Me" has already garnerd over 300.000 views on YouTube! 

The Unknown brings to the forefront Myers’ distinctive talent on guitar, keyboards, drums and bass.  "Album One" features contributing vocals from Carah Faye of Shiny Toy Guns and additional guitar, bass and drums from Dave Bassett of Shinedown. Myers and The Unknown perform a dynamic and energetic live show, having played at Coachella Music Festival, the Troubadour and the Canyon Club. The band is about to embark on their 2015 tour, which will cover most of the US and Europe.

This is a really strong album, the nod's above to various references is in fairness valid. The Unknown add their own inspiration and direction and you end up with a varied collection of great songs and music. Rock with style!
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Welshly Arms are new to me, however they have been around since early 2013. They describe themselves as follows - Welshly Arms combines their love of blues with rhythm and soul & good ol’ rock and roll, to create a fresh throwback sound that represents their Midwestern roots. Comprised of Sam Getz (vocals/guitar), Brett Lindemann (keys/vocals), Jimmy Weaver (bass/vocals), and Mikey Gould (drums), Cleveland-based Welshly Arms pays homage to many of their collective musical influences. Listen to “The Touch” or “Two Seconds Too Late” from their debut E.P. Welcome, and you just might hear a little Jimi Hendrix, The Temptations, Otis Redding, or Howlin Wolf. 

The ten song debut LP from Welshly Arms is packed full of gritty and bluesy rock and roll anthems that are infectious and compelling. "Love In A Minor Key," "Never Meant To Be" and "The Touch" are standouts, but don't get us wrong, there's no filler here.

OK that's Jimi Hendrix referenced twice now and as we are only on the second band I guess that if nothing else, it just goes to show what a powerful legacy the man left to music. As for Welshly Arms, well they are most definitely powerful, however it's hard to drop them into a specific genre, they mix things up in a very entertaining manner so yes blues, soul & rock'n'roll all done deliciously.

Website HERE.

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Want to know how to get featured on Beehive Candy? Say your music has similarities to Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins,The Cure, This Mortal Coil, Marissa Nadler and then don't disappoint us! Lights That Change have those comparisons drawn and it is a fair reflection, indeed having listened to the track 'Voices' I have gone all young again and am excited about their album due out this summer, mind you I promise not to have an eighties hairstyle which somehow just seem so right and yet so very wrong. Put simply I love this song!

Words about them say - Lights That Change is an alternative ethereal dreampop outfit, hailing from North Wales and headed by Marc Joy. After many years producing other artists, he finally turned his attention towards his own creative endeavours. Thus was born Lights That Change, channeling new energies into sculpting horizons of perfect dreamscapes, primarily based on guitars.

Lights That Change released their debut EP ‘Rainbow On Your Shoulder’ in 2013, followed by ‘Whispers in February’ and have received support from BBC, Tom Robinson, and Amazing Radio, among others. 

Over the past year, Lights That Change have undergone a reformation, with Mandy Clare on vocals, John Bryan on bass and Marc Joy on guitars. They are now gearing up to release their debut LP ‘Byzantium’ this summer, which includes guest vocals from Rebecca Palin (Golden Fable) and drum programming from Mal Holmes (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark). 

“I’m extremely happy to be involved in Lights That Change,” says Mal Holmes. “This has given me the freedom to create something special for ‘Voices’ and the new album doing what I love to do … this is why I started playing drums in the first place”.

We proudly present the first single from this forthcoming album, entitled ‘Voices’, chalked full of ethereal wave post-punk magic reminiscent of 4AD’s golden era.  Here Mandy Clare lays mesmerizing vocals over a bed of drifting, powerfully moving soundscapes.  Lights That Change will also be bringing their new permanent lineup to U.K. live audiences soon.

Check out Ear To Ear Records for more HERE.

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We are yet again off to Australia, what on earth is going on down under (apart from all the sunshine, glorious beaches and Kangaroo's - hows that for some English stereotyping from those of us, up at the top end of the planet).

Immigrant Union will independently release their second full-length album, Anyway, in Australia on May 29th and I have to say, it's a good one.

Quoting now - Immigrant Union feature a sound that frontman Brent DeBoer describes as “Spiritualized being baptised in a river of Creedence Clearwater.” The five-piece recorded their self-titled full-length debut album with producer Gregg Williams (Sheryl Crow, The Dandy Warhols, Blitzen Trapper). Limited edition colored vinyl copies of Anyway and CDs are now available via the band's official website.

“Immigrant Union’s song “War is Peace” was just about my favorite new song on my list of CMJ bands. I put it on All Songs Considered last Tuesday and then listened to their entire album. When it was over, I listened to it again!” (Bob Boilen: NPR All Songs Considered)

The video for “In Time” serves as an ode to the forthcoming festival season. Guitarist Bob Harrow explains: “I’ve been to festivals on my own before, and they have generally turned out to be the coolest ones.” He recently described the ambitiously amusing manner in which Immigrant Union made their “In Time” video:

“Brent shot and directed this clip featuring me going to Soundwave festival in Melbourne. He filmed it using stop animation, so for the entire shoot I had to move in slow motion. I remember people looking at me and probably thinking ‘I’ll have what he’s having, thank you’. Whenever I would interact directly with people, I’d explain whilst being filmed, “We are shooting a music video and I have to move in slow motion, so you got to do that too - can you light my ciggie, nice and super slowly, please?”

The process of editing “In Time” was further proof of Immigrant Union’s commitment to their craft. The band immediately went into edit mode, which, according to Harrow, was “a bit difficult after drinking about 90 beers.” When all the photos were lined up in chronological order, it turned out that the band had the exact amount of footage needed for the video. According to Harrow, “you have to shoot about an hours worth of photos to get one minute of footage, so it's good that Brent basically never put the camera down. To sync the footage with the movements and lyrics of the song, we had to move a few shots around, but we couldn't remove any footage.”

After a few hours of editing, Immigrant Union were finished. With another in an increasingly long line of artistic endeavors under their belt, the gentlemen of Immigrant Union “kicked back and watched it over and over. It was a proud moment.?"

Website HERE.


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"Shane Tutmarc is one of my favorite new voices in rock and roll." - Wanda Jackson

Well if Shane is good enough for Wanda who are Beehive Candy to argue or differ. I love the video we feature below but first of all let's just point out that Shane Tutmarc is releasing a single a month in 2015, I've heard four of them and and they vary considerably so don't think the featured one is the scope of Shane's music, it's not and he has some very creative talent.

Some more about Shane - Some may know Shane Tutmarc as the front man for Seattle-based indie-pop band Dolour, which featured Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes).  However, after packing up Dolour, Tutmarc packed his bags in 2010 and moved to Nashville, where he refined his sound, blending garage-rock, folk, blues, country, gospel, and pop to create an Americana flavor that pays homage to its predecessors, but also knows when to expand on and experiment with different influences.  The result is something that has been described as Nashville rock-n-soul; but, after one listen to Tutmarc’s music, you won’t be worrying as much about labels and genres as you will be singing along.

Having recorded a full-length in Nashville, Borrowed Trouble, which has since been placed on the back burner due to an investor in the album pulling out at the eleventh hour, Tutmarc has kept busy playing around Nashville and the Northwest, as well as producing other artists.  However, he recently has decided to release a single a month throughout 2015, with plans to compile the songs and release a full-length in 2016.  The singles will be released by Portland, Oregon-based indie, In Music We Trust Records.

The April single hit on April 28th and is "Suicide Weather." 

The first single, “Poison Apple,” digitally released January 27th, found Tutmarc delivering a melodic garage rocker.  Produced by Tutmarc, the song features his uncanny ability to carve out a melody while creating a fun, but also serious rock beat, allowing him to weave between genres without sounding forced or contrived.

The second single, “Tennessee Girl,” released February 24th, took a 180 and found Tutmarc offering up a more traditional country song, an upbeat love song about a man traveling, yearning to get back to his girl in Tennessee.

The third single, released March 31st, "When You Found Me," was originally recorded for Borrowed Trouble, but re-recorded for the single-a-month plan.  A guitar-driven, muddy blues-influenced, mid-tempo rocker, the song showcases Tutmarc's ability to get gritty, without losing his melodic sensibilities.

It’s this ability to vacillate between styles, and also merge them effortlessly when he wants, that has made Tutmarc a go-to man for co-writing in Nashville, as well as a producer.  His agility in his songwriting and musical breadth help him carry out his vision, whether it’s a dense, lush, or sparse song that Tutmarc feels he needs to carry out his message.

That is why he looks forward to 2015, and the freedom to slowly craft an album, while releasing singles each month, keeping new music outpouring, and not tying his hands with the pressure to go in and create a collection of songs immediately for a release.


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Where would we be without some LA synth-rock to add to the mix this time around? Well if you don't like synth-rock you might say fine without it, then again you might find The Eiffels will change your world or at least your take on this style of music. They are a band that are starting to get seriously noticed  (so don't forget if you heard about them on Beehive Candy first, - can't do our street credibility any harm). There's bags of energy and I defy you to stay still listening to the featured track unless you are devoid of any sense of rhythm (were not asking you to dance, but an occasional nod or foot tap would be quite acceptable).

Words about them are as follows -  The Eiffels are ready. Their debut EP is set to release this spring, with a supporting United States tour beginning in April. For a new band, they are already getting people’s attention. San Diego’s alternative rock station, 91X, took notice of their infectious sound and quickly spotlighted two of their upcoming singles, “I Did It Now,” and “More.” Shortly after, they were asked by legendary rock venue, The Casbah, to open for the burgeoning Coachella performers, White Arrows. 

The Eifflel’s brand of synthy rock is somewhere between Phoenix and The Killers, but their influences are much broader, ranging from 80’s pop, to classic rock and punk. Influences aside, their spirited lyrics and captivating hooks are what really set them apart from the conventional indie act.

The Los Angeles based, 3-piece is comprised of Sean Ulbs (vocals, guitar), Benjamin Sturley (bass) (Beware of Darkness), and Lee Stuart (drums). Working with producer, Ethan Kauffmann (Wild Party) and Will Brierre (The Killers, Neon Trees, Walk The Moon, Imagine Dragons), The Eiffels’ sound is undoubtedly ripe for radio embrace, however, the genuineness of their songwriting is what gives their music its unmistakable depth.

The Eiffels are busy preparing for their US tour and already back in the studio working on their next EP. Expect to hear a lot from them in 2015.

Now turn the song up and leap around the room!


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Hey were off to the Sunshine Coast, you know the one in Australia! Maybe I should set up Beehive Kangaroo and be done with it. Mind you were back down under for a very good reason. Agnes J Walker and Damian K have released a stunning song that you just, must give a listen to. It rounds off this round up with absolute class so enjoy!

Some fine words from and about them - Recorded on the humble Sunshine Coast comes the debut single of songwriting duo, Agnes J Walker & Damian K teaming up to show the world a little slice of blues/soul/gospel heaven. ‘Come Home’ presents as the result of an unsuspecting collaboration, and a very spontaneous release from the two musicians.

Vocalist/guitarist Agnes J Walker said she stumbled across keyboardist Damian K at an Open Mic night, and from that point have been jamming together (as members of Agnes J Walker & the Cry Babies – Agnes’ band), with the two coming together to combine song ideas, eventuating in the debut single.

“We had the ability to be free when songwriting together from the very beginning, and that is sometimes quite difficult... For me, the song was a way to convey the messages of people who don’t have a voice to express themselves, but when they listen to this song, I hope that they can feel a sense of hope and relief for the future,” – Agnes J Walker

For collaborator, South-African born Damian K (Khoury), the single is his way of accepting Australia as his new home, and allowing to see all the amazing opportunities he has opened himself up to.

“Breath, let go (lyrics from the song) symbolises a feeling of being at peace with my decision to move to Australia... it’s hopeful, deep, and intense, which are all feelings that were real to me when moving to this country, and the beauty of this song is that, for me, it relates to a move, but it can be interpreted in so many ways” - Damian K

Thursday, 14 May 2015

Kraftwerk - Toccata Electronica 1995

Reloaded 14/May/2015 One of my favourite 'unofficial' recordings by any artist. The various remixes are clearly very professional and also quite intriguing. The bands minimalist approach on their website and other searches I have made don't give much away about this recording. It is clear however that some mainstream music websites are unaware this was never officially released by the band. 
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Toccata Electronica is possibly the most stunning bootleg of Kraftwerk ever 'released'. Comprising of rare and different remixes of many well known Kraftwerk songs this bootleg first surfaced in 1995 as a CD with professional looking packaging and high quality audio. Different pressings including differing artwork and CD labels are in circulation however the front cover is usually the one shown opposite.

On one CD version the band are called 'Kundendienst' and Kraftwerk are not mentioned on this CD at all. On another version released as a CD the band is confirmed as Kraftwerk but the album is called "Kundendienst". Toccata Electronica is however overwhelmingly the most produced and circulated version of this compilation both as CD and as music files on line.

There remains a significant error on this release namely track eight which contains a sample taken from the Kraftwerk song Home Computer but the song is actually by a techno group called 'Time To Time' who comprised of Martin Recke, Stefan Grino and Udo Weiler. 

Like many other so-called Krautrock bands Kraftwerk was heavily influenced by the pioneering compositions of Karlheinz Stockhausen. Hütter has also listed The Beach Boys as a major influence, which is apparent in its 1975 chart smash, Autobahn. Fellow bandmember Joey Pursel also made a similar remark comparing Kraftwerk's German identity to the Kinks and their strongly-English brand of pop/rock.

Kraftwerk's lyrics deal with post-war European urban life and technology—traveling by car on the Autobahn, traveling by train, using home computers, and the like. Usually, the lyrics are very minimal but reveal both an innocent celebration of, and a knowing caution about, the modern world, as well as playing an integral role in the rhythmic structure of the songs. Many of Kraftwerk's songs express the paradoxical nature of modern urban life—a strong sense of alienation existing side-by-side with a celebration of the joys of modern technology.

All of Kraftwerk's albums from Radio-Activity onwards have been released in separate versions: one with German vocals for sale in Germany, Switzerland and Austria and one with English vocals for the rest of the world, with occasional variations in other languages when conceptually appropriate. 

Source: Studio Soundboard.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3 variable 242kbps average.

Genre: Electronic music, synthpop, Krautrock, experimental music.

Album: Full original version.

Track List:

01. Computer World (Robotron-Mix) [0:05:41.97]
02. Tour de France (Orig. 1983 Kevorkian Ext. 12" Remix) [0:06:46.22]
03. Techno Pop (1983 Version) [0:04:34.93]
04. Metropolis (Machine-Version) - Live Utrecht 10.12.81 [0:05:37.64]
05. The Model (Catbonic-Mix) [0:05:19.53]
06. Neon Lights (Ton-Up-Mix) [0:05:25.33]
07. Pocket Calculator (East-West-Mix) [0:05:22.13]
08. Zehn kleine Negerlein [0:04:49.80] * NOT Kraftwerk
09. Radioactivity (Kevorkian 12"-Remix) [0:07:27.36]
10. (Demo) Die Roboter (Special German Kling-Klang-Remix) [0:03:42.97]
11. Les Mannequins (Orig. 1978 Ext. French Remix) [0:06:03.69]
12. Dentaku (Orig. 1981 Ext.-Remix) [0:04:56.64]
13. Tour de France (Orig. 1983 German Kling-Klang-Version) [0:06:51.66]
14. Stratovarius (Live Bremen 21.6.71) [0:05:38.33]

Website: Official HERE.

Reloaded 14/May/2015 - download link in comments.

Renaissance - Academy Of Music 1974

Reloaded 14/May/2015 - This has been requested for re-posting many times, however I do not know of any other file that has corrupted as much as part one of this recording, that said I am now hopeful that part one will work fine.

One of my all time favorite (officially released) live albums has to be Renaissance Live At Carnegie Hall from 1976. Despite the emergence of punk and the associated back lash to the 'millionaire rock stars' and the music business excesses, somehow Renaissance seemed to sit outside of the fury.

For me it was simply a band that were both astonishing musicians and writers rather than posers and pretentious, and their live performances reflected this. Annie Haslam's five octave range, and the balanced use of a live orchestra just added to the bands credibility'

This is a recording originally broadcast live on WNEW from a concert at the Academy of Music, New York on the 17th May 1974. It makes a great companion to the subsequent Carnegie Hall album and the sound quality is crisp and clear.

Renaissance (including Annie Haslam and Michael Dunford) will be performing live this summer, some forty years after the original incarnation of the band was formed.

Source: FM Broadcast (WNEW - New York).

Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@320kbps.

Genre: Progressive rock, Folk.

Set: Full Set.

Set List:

1. Introduction & music
2. Can You Understand
3. Black Flame
4. Carpet Of The Sun
5. Cold Is Being
6. Things I Don't Understand
7. Running Hard
8. Ashes Are Burning
9. Mother Russia

Comments:

Renaissance were accompanied by a 24 piece orchestra & conductor. Ashes Are Burning included Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash) on guitar and promoter Howard Stein on piano.

The Academy of Music was a theater and opera house located at East 14th Street and Irving Place in Manhattan, New York City. The Academy was built in 1854 and seated approximately 1,500 people. It was rebuilt in 1866 after being destroyed by fire. It served as a venue for rock concerts in the 1970s, and in 1985 became the Palladium nightclub. The theater was demolished by New York University and replaced by the present Palladium Residence Hall.

Reloaded 14/May/2015 New part one link, (part two fine & as before) both in comments.

Wednesday, 13 May 2015

Sandy Denny - London 1972

Reloaded 13/May/2015 - I am delighted to be able to share this rare recording of Sandy Denny again, this is a treasure for all Sandy Denny fans. 

This is a recording of Sandy Denny live at the Eltham Well Hall Open Theatre, London, back on May 5th, 1972. This was apparently an open air gig with folding chairs provided for the audience.

The recording was made on a Radio Shack $20 cassette recorder with a built in condenser mic, and considering this, the sound quality is surprisingly listenable with clear vocals and instruments and very little 'noise or hiss'. The recording made it on to DAT and kept the quality as close to the original standard as possible. For fans of Sandy this really is a must have. Richard Thompson was also in the band. 

Sandy Denny's second solo album, Sandy (with a cover photograph by David Bailey) was released in 1972 and for many remains her most cohesive musical statement as a singer and songwriter.

Source: Audience recording.

Sound Quality: Mono very listenable mp3@160kbps.

Genre: Folk, electric folk.

Set: Full set.

Set List:

01 For Nobody To Hear
02 Bushes & Briars
03 Love's Made A Fool Of You
04 The Music Weaver
05 Crazy Lady Blues
06 Reynard The Fox
07 Sweet Rosemary
08 Matty Groves
09 It'll Take A Long Time
10 The Lady
11 John The Gun
12 Down In The Flood
13 When Will I Be Loved
14 Rigs Of Time

Website: Official HERE.

Reloaded 13/May/2015 - download link in comments below.

Paul Simon - Live in London - 2006

Reloaded 13/May/2015 - This first appeared on Beehive Candy in January 2009, survive the gushing intro and your in for a superb gig.

This is Paul Simon live at the UCL Bloomsbury Theatre, London, on the 25th May 2006, in part promoting his then new album 'Surprise'.

Source: FM Broadcast from BBC Radio 2 originally aired 21.00-22.00 on Saturday 3rd June 2006.

Sound Quality: Excellent, recorded 'off air' in stereo, converted to mp3 @ 192kbps.

Genre: Folk - rock and pop orientated - oh come on you know !

Set: Limited set tailored for radio broadcast (see my comments).

Set List:

01 Introduction
02 Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
03 Outrageous
04 Slip Slidin' Away
05 You're The One
06 Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard
07 How Can You Live In The Northeast?
08 The Boxer
09 Father And Daughter
10 Loves Me Like A Rock
11 Graceland
12 Wartime Prayers
13 Outro

Links: Official site HERE. Wikipedia tries to stay factual HERE.

Comments: The UCL (University College Theatre) is in Central London and seats 535, making for quite an intimate gig, especially for someone who can fill major city parks.

I understand he also performed 'Cecilia' and 'Boy In the Bubble' on the night, these may have been edited out to fit the show into a nice rounded one hour (ah - those schedulers and their stop watches).

Ironically the introduction goes on way to long and is rather gushing, (learning point, never let an obsessive fan near a microphone). The first song 'Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes' is nicely re-worked, the guy after all is a musical legend, that's all that needed to be said at the start.

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(Reloaded 13/May/2015 - download link is in comments below).

Buy Paul Simon - MP3's through Amazon - Paul Simon mp3 selection

Tuesday, 12 May 2015

2015 - Out Of Our Inbox - Edition Three

Edition three already, well there have been some real gems come our way and so to share them seems reasonable, would you not agree, anyway enough tripping over my own words and down to business or music if you prefer...

Well if this round up is called 'Out Of Our Inbox' and a glance above confirms that it it, then King of the Travellers did not so much come out of it, more they leaped, charged and flew out, taking no prisoners, with the fantastic track 'Trenches'. An absolute powerhouse of a song, genre busting, energising and what's more there from Freemantle, Australia, so once again Australia is throwing up another great band for the world to discover.

They have been described as follows - Having already established themselves as one of Fremantle’s most exciting up and coming bands, King of the Travellers are set to explode onto the national scene with the release of their upcoming single ‘Trenches’. A band that’s almost impossible to pin down to a single genre, The Travellers draw on a number of influences including punk, folk, gypsy music and sea shanties. In their two and a half years as a group, they've proven themselves to be amongst the most entertaining live bands in Perth today.

‘Trenches’ very much follows in this vein, with an emphasis on punk and sounds from Eastern Europe. The use of mandolin, French horn and accordion coupled with the distinctive vocal delivery of singer Nathan Hull gives the song all the trademark sounds of a King of the Travellers song. The single was recorded at Blackbird studio with acclaimed producer Dave Parkin (Jebediah, Karnivool, but not the coach of Carlton Football Club’s 1995 Premiership team) and mastered by Grammy Award winning William Bowden (Gotye). ‘Trenches’ paints a picture of a handful of soldiers in a nondescript war choosing a bottle of booze over guns and ammunition. It’s short, sharp, catchy and brimming with attitude.

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Crooked House Road are a Toronto based indie folk band who contacted Beehive Candy just over a week ago and kindly provided me with a copy of their debut album due out on May 23rd 2015 and the self titled album is produced by Juno winner and Grammy nominee Ken Whiteley..

This is how member Shaina Silver-Baird describes the band - Crooked House Road began when I met Mirian Kay at an open mic and we immediately sparked a friendship. She became my musical partner in crime and we began performing my original songs around Toronto. Since then Crooked House Road has grown into a full band with our own unique fusion of folk, pop and blues music.

After a successful first show at Soulpepper Theatre, we set out to build our repertoire and find a solid collective of musicians to write our first full length album. In a way the Crooked House Road musicians found us: Derek Gray was my upstairs neighbour; Gram Whitty was a substitute musician we brought in for one gig and never let go; I met Joshua Skye Engel at synagogue playing a show for kids; and Tom Mifflin was an old buddy from university.

Website: HERE.

From this highly recommended album we have the following live session recording of the opening track:


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You have got to check out El Conjunto Nuevo Ola (ECNO), and their incredible music. Here are some well written words about them as I'm being lazy again.

ECNO’s mission is simple: blend elements of cumbia, new wave, rock, and disco to get audiences dancing. Offering original songs and hits from iconic groups such as La Sonora Dinamita, Chico Che, and Rigo Tovar, ECNO have appeared on several prominent Hispanic television networks, including Telemundo, Telefutura, and Univision. More information on El Conjunto Nueva Ola is available on their official website HERE.

A peculiar concept for a band, ECNO have drawn attention from thousands of people who have labeled them “los enmascarados,” or "the masked ones.” Their faces are covered with luchador (wrestler) masks at all times, thus hiding the true identity of each group member.

While many media reporters have asked, no one yet knows who these anonymous rockers are. What is known is that ECNO have graced the stages of the top Hispanic television networks, including Telemundo, Telefutura, and Univision. The one common factor in all of their performances is top-notch entertainment and the band’s obvious intent to spread a genuine sense of goodwill. Singer Urbano Lopez of ECNO recently summarized the band’s goals:

"At our shows, we want the good times to be a sure thing. We are musical wrestlers, and our enemy is the mundane and boring aspects of everyday life. We want every single audience member to sing, dance, and enjoy themselves.”

Lots of great videos over on YouTube HERE. The wonderful cover version of Billy Idol's 'Dancing With Myself' below.



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Jennie Vee is gaining a lot of attention from some very influential people in the music business. She is currently on tour as bassist for Courtney Love, who is touring with Lana Del Rey. Jennie’s second EP, Spying, is due out this summer, as her solo career goes from strength to strength.

As I Remain bone idle here are some words written about Jennie by someone else - Last year Jennie caught the ear of Grammy Award-winning producer Chris Lord-Alge (Bruce Springsteen, Green Day, Stevie Nicks) when he handpicked and remixed her song “Wicked.” Years after Alan McGee left a handwritten compliment for Jennie because he liked her demos, the Creation Records founder immediately booked her for his first-ever Creation Unsigned Acoustic Night. Snow Patrol’s Paul Wilson mixed the title track of her upcoming release. In the UK and Europe, Jennie is signed to 25 Hour Convenience Store, owned and operated by Gary Powell of The Libertines. 

Jennie’s dedication to memorable songwriting reminds listeners of what they love about ‘80s college rock. But she also makes her songs her own, steeping her mixes in the soothing brashness of deeply revered shoegaze and dream pop pioneers such as Ride and My Bloody Valentine. Jennie’s vocals, unfettered, deeply emotional, feature perfectly arranged verses, driving pre-choruses, and finally, airy, memorable choruses.

She has very recently made an excellent cover of Echo and the Bunnymen’s “Lips Like Sugar,” and we feature the video below!


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Will from The Rebel Light contacted us a few days ago and had this to say - Music saved my life…and so did moving to California.

A few years ago I moved to the West Coast.  I was in a band that I didn’t believe in, playing songs that I’d written but felt soulless.  Fortunately for me that band fell apart.  

When we started The Rebel Light, nothing was planned and no direction was discussed.  We just let the music take control and simply stopped caring about what or who we should be or sound like.  Most importantly we just ignored all the bullshit and just started playing what we felt in our hearts….. 

The culture and those infamous California vibes began to seep into our soul and penetrate every part of our music. 
We became truly inspired by our new world and our sound slowly began to evolve, taking in the past and present sounds of the California landscape. We think we have finally found our own voice and hope that our music does an okay job at representing our new home. 

We have really tried to embrace that DIY spirit and produce/engineer all our own music….recording vocals in a bathroom and the drums in a woodshed. We start reaching out to some radio stations ourselves and so far people seem to like what we are doing.

Clearly California and the West Coast has it's own special something that sparks so much great music along with innovation and experimentation. The band have been getting airplay from some of the better U.S. radio stations ( KROQ, KCRW, KEXP, KTCL, KCSN), and from what I have heard from The Rebel Light deservedly so! Check out the track Strangers, it has that 'Californian something'.

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We are back to Australia for our final piece in this round up and Ludodowwn (which my spell checker is telling me should be 'let down' and nothing could be further from the truth). There has, in my opinion, been some really strong tracks in this round up and Ludodowwn is a great artist to end with, so until next time, Enjoy!

Ludodowwn is the work of 20-year-old West Australian songwriter and electronic producer, Bensen James. Beginning as a medium for bedroom sound experimentation, James found it demanding more and more of his attention, resulting in his departure of several bands and university to decipher what it wanted. After a long process of evolution, Ludodowwn now wants to be heard. 

Big World is the compelling first single, a suburban ode about longing for connection. Fusing understated lyricism with over large soundscapes, Big World announces an exciting new voice in electronic music.

The Wildmans - Mollie Elizabeth - Jazmine Mary - Mariel Buckley

Photograph by Magnolia Ellenburg The Wildmans - Autumn 1941. The Wildmans will release Longtime Friend on July 11, 2025 via New West Record...