Swear I'm not Paul: 22/06/2008

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Saturday, June 28, 2008

Album News: Modest Mouse - New EP


Finally, there's a release date (well release month) for some new material from Modest Mouse. Their upcoming EP, which is due to feature "repolished outtakes from Modest Mouse's last two discs", is due sometime this September.

Songs slated to appear include 'The Whale Song' and 'Satellite Skin'. Johnny Marr is expected to make an appearance, and a song (or two) with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is rumoured to make the cut.

Expect more details in the coming weeks.

Download: The Verve 'Mover'

From 12pm (midday) on Monday, you will be able to download a song which missed the cut for both A Northern Soul and the Verve's forth album (it's called Forth, or perhaps Four depending on the source, but most likely the latter). 'Mover' will be available for free (yes zero euro!) from the band's new website theverve.tv

The track will be available as a free download for one week only, and is a bit of a tease of what's to come. (Or maybe it isn't, it's fourteen years old now!)

Here is the song live over a decade ago:

Album News: Oxford Collapse - Bits



Remember the Night Parties
? Of course you do, it was a great album, how could you forget? Well, Oxford Collapse have announced details of their fourth album, Bits, which comes our August 5th in the UK (2nd of August release date in Ireland so).

They've also released a tracklisting for it. Some hardcore fans (and youtubers) will recognize some of these songs from their recent shows.

Tracklist:
‘Electric Arc’
‘The Birthday Wars’
‘Vernon-Jackson’
‘Young Love Delivers’
‘Back of the Yards’
‘A Wedding’
‘Featherbeds’
‘For the Winter Coats’
‘Men and Their Idea’
'John Blood'
'B-Roll'
'I Hate Nobody'

This Week's Gigs: Cork, 28 June - 4 July

Live at The Marquee, Cork

Saturday, 28 June
Christy Moore

20:00€35-€45
Sunday, 29 June
MeatLoaf
20:00€59.80-€65.70
Monday, 30 June
Neil Young

20:00Sold Out
Tuesday, 1 July
Massive Attack

20:00Sold Out
Thursday, 3 July
Paul Simon

20:00€10-€12
Sunday, 6 July
Paul Weller

20:00€52.80
Monday, 7 July
Pink

20:00€55-€60


Friday, June 27, 2008

Live Recommendations: 27-29 June 2008

Glastonbury is on this weekend. Any other year I'd be staying in glued to every BBC channel (and BBC interactive) watching live and delayed coverage from the stages other than the Pyramid Stage. This year Glasto has a great lineup (yes, even Jay-Z), but the act that stands out most for me is the beloved Neil Diamond. Yes, he's a guilty pleasure, but his most recent albums are fantastic. I never thought I'd see him at Glastonbury! There's plenty of Irish talent at the festival, Jape, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, Sinead O'Connor, and... Gilbert O'Sullivan!

If you do stay in to watch it on TV, acts I'd recommend checking out are The Raconteurs, John Mayer, Vampire Weekend, Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong, Neon Neon, Pete Doherty, Laura Marling, Glasvegas and The National.

If you do decide to go out, like me! There's plenty of brilliant (well two) artists playing in Dublin while everyone else is getting mucked to the eyeballs in Pilton, England. Morrissey plays the Royal Hospital Grounds on Saturday, and then Neil Young brings his brilliance to Malahide Castle on Sunday. I'll be there, give me a shout if you see me. (That's if you know what I look like!) The Frames are in support.

Tonight sees the Delorentos play with the Kinetics at The Academy. I've seen them both live, and I must say the wrong band are headlining. If you can, drop in just to see how great unknown punchy music should sound. I'll also be in attendance for the Saving J single release at Tower Records (just off Grafton Street), to see them 'Kick Off' a brilliant instore performance.

I'll be hoarse next week from all this gigging. Who says I don't half enjoy myself?

This Weekend's Gigs: 27-29 June 2008

Friday, 27 June 2008



Autoban
Crawdaddy

20:00€10
The Cool Kids
Crawdaddy
23:50€15
Delorentos, The Kinetics
The Academy

20:00€28
Kathleen Edwards
Whelan's
19:30€17.50
Offshore
The Village

20:00€10-€12
Saving J
Tower Records

17:30FREE

Saturday, 28 June 2008


Boyzone
RDS
Gates 17:00, Show 18:00, Boyz 20:30
€79.50
Morrissey
Royal Hospital Grounds, Kilmainham
20:00 €55
Pierce Turner
Whelan's
20:30 €28
Tidal District
Crawdaddy
20:00
€10

Sunday, 29 June 2008


Neil Young



Malahide Castle



Gates 17:00,
Show 17:30,
The Frames 18:30,
Neil Young 20:30
€81.25



Yurodny
Whelan's 20:00 €12

Live: Kid Sister at Crawdaddy cancelled

The girlfriend of A-Trak (that's Kanye's DJ) was due to play her first ever Irish show at Crawdaddy next month. Sadly this has been cancelled. Not postponed or anything, falt-out cancelled. This is a pity as Kid Sister looks to have a great career ahead of her, if single 'Pro Nails' is anything to go by.

Full refunds are available from all the usual outlets, wherever you got your ticket, ticketmaster and the like.

Her debut album Koko B. Ware is expected later this year. Hopefully after that she'll return to our shores.

Photos: New Sigur Ros Promo shoot


Sigur Ros have released photos (and uploaded them to their Flickr account for your viewing pleasure) to promote thier new mainstream-embracing record Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust.

As you can see Kjartan has the most disturbing stare of anyone this side of Death from the Discworld.

This isn't really news, but I want to freak other people out with this picture too!
Find the rest of the pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sigurros/

Wanted! Setlist for Jay-Z at the RDS

EDIT: Now posted here: http://swearimnotpaul.blogspot.com/2008/07/setlist-jay-z-rds-dublin-26-june-2008.html

Thanks Robert.

If anyone has a setlist for Jay-Z's show last night where he once again pulled out 'Sunday Bloody Sunday', could you please email it to me at swearimnotpaul@gmail.com

Many of our readers have been enquiring about it.

Thanks.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Upcoming Brilliance: The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound


On August 18th, New Jersey "punk rock band" The Gaslight Anthem release the follow-up to their splenid debut album Sink or Swim. I put punk rock in inverted commas, because this usually indicates some sort of post-Sex Pistols nonsense. The Gaslight Anthem are very far from nonsense. Their music is a kind of dirty rock infused with nuanced referencing and witty lyrics. Family Guy would be proud of some of their intertextuality! (Is it still called intertextuality when one band references another's lyrics?)

The Senor and the Queen EP was released to much acclaim (well a small bit of acclaim, but all from notable sources) earlier this year. Their upcoming release The '59 Sound could well break them into the mainstream, and deservedly so. Promotion proper for the album begins on July 22nd when the band release a 7 inch of 'The '59 Sound' and 'Even Cowgirls Get The Blues'.

Expect them to be vaunted by Pitchfork and other mainstream sources when the album is finally released. Check out this stunning tune from their first release this year (the EP), then you'll know why I put them in the "Upcoming Brilliance" category.

The Gaslight Anthem - Blue Jeans and White T-Shirts

Album News: Annie - new 7" 'I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me'


While not quite Album News, per se, anything new from Annie is always special. Her new album Don't Stop is due to be released later this year, and there has been rumours of some sort of collaboration with fellow Swede-popster Robyn. Maybe they should start a side-project called Turnip! I'm so clever sometimes...

Annie-how, on the 14th of July, Annie's new single 'I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me' is being released as a sweet little seven inch single. Annie is due to play Glastonbury this weekend, and if I was going, she is someone I definitely would be checking out.

In an interview with NME Magazine this week, Annie said that if her new album was an animal it would be called Don't Stop The Pig, sounds fabulously like a Dave Matthews Band song. She also indicated that Alex Kapranos (him from Franz Ferdinand) plays lead guitar on 'My Love is Better' and 'Loco'

The video for her new single is already available for viewing, and can be seen here:

Album News: Fiction Family - Betrayal (né The Real SeanJon)

With Chris Thile off doing his Punch Brothers thing (they play The Sugar Club, Dublin on Friday 11th of July), and Nickel Creek on hiatus (or split up, or whatever), siblings Sean and Sara Watkins have some time on their hands. Sara Watkins is scheduled to release a solo album some time this year. There are no concrete details at present.

Older sibling Sean, has started a new band of his own along with Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman. They originally had the name The Real SeanJon (after Puff Daddy/P Diddy/Sean Coombes himself), but have sinced changed this to Fiction Family. Personally I think The Real SeanJon is a much cooler name. They have finished recording their debut album, Betrayal, which is expected to hit record stores later this year. Probably Autumn-time (or Fall if you're across the water).

To whet your appetite for the album (mine is well whetted already), here's a few videos of them playing songs from Betrayal live:

The Title track, 'Betrayal'


'When She's Near'


'War in My Blood'

Setlist: Journey, National Stadium Dublin, 25 June 2008

This setlist was posted by official Journey forum poster "Gee", who has a delightful username! Also, thanks to Carlos for the updates! Sadly, singer Steve Perry left journey ten years ago now, so it's not the same Journey your parents had. Arnel Pineda, his replacement, sounds uncannily like him - so really it's not all that different.

Majestic
Never Walk Away
Separate Wayes
Only the Young
Guitar Segway
Stone in Love
Ask the Lonely
Keep on Runnin'
The Journey Revelation
Who's Cryin' Now
Change for the Better
Lights
After All These Years
Mother, Father
Key Segway
Open Arms
DD Harp Segway
Wheel in the Sky
Edge of the Blade
Faithfully
Don't Stop Believing
-----
Escape
Anyway You Want It

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Setlist: The Police, Stormont Castle, Belfast, 20 June 2008

Sorry for the delay in posting this, but everyone who went to Stormont was far too hungover after Sting and company's wonderful performance last weekend to even get up for work this week, never mind post a gig review or setlist online!

Message In A Bottle
Walking On The Moon
Demolition Man
Voices' / 'When The World...
Don't Stand So Close
Driven To Tears
Hole In My Life
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Wrapped Around Your Finger
De DoDoDo De DaDaDaDa
Invisible Sun
Can't Stand Losing You
Roxanne
King Of Pain
So Lonely
Every Breath You Take
Next To You

Here's 'Every Breath You Take' from the encore:

Live: Howe Gelb at Whelan's postponed

Giant Sand singer Howe Gelb's upcoming show at Whelan's (due to take place on July 31st) has been postponed, to be rescheduled at a later date.

Through all my trawling of Google, I could not find a reason for this, but I am told that tickets for the original show will still be valid for the rescheduled show. Alternatively, you may return the ticket to wherever it was bought (some Ticketmaster no doubt) and get a full refund.

EDIT: Apologies for calling him "Howie" rather than "Howe" in the original post.

Album News: Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul


The new Oasis album has a "mega" title (because everything about Oasis is "mega"), Dig Out Your Soul. It's just the kind of album title you'd expect from Manchester City's most famous supporters. I'm an Aston Villa fan, the best we have is Nigel Kennedy, Ozzy Osbourne, and Prince William. My God.

The band's seventh album will be released in good ol' Blighty on October 6th, so expect an Irish release, as usual three days beforehand. Single 'The Shock of The Lightning' will raise anticipation levels when it's released on September 29th. The song is written by Noel with Liam on vocals.

Noel commented on the track:"If 'The Shock Of The Lightning' sounds instant and compelling to you, it's because it was written dead fast. And recorded dead fast. 'The Shock of The Lightning' basically is the demo. And it has retained its energy. And there’s a lot to be said for that, I think. The first time you record something is always the best."

He also had this to say about the album itself:
"I wanted to write music that had a groove; not songs that followed that traditional pattern of verse, chorus and middle eight. I wanted a sound that was more hypnotic; more driving. Songs that would draw you in, in a different way. Songs that you would maybe have to connect to – to feel."

Something different from the Gallaghers so? Probably not, I'd say it'll just sound like another Oasis album (not necessarily a bad thing). After hearing Chris Martin chime on about a "latin feel", it's hard to take anything artists say seriously. Have they heard their own music? And, it's always hard to take anything Noel Gallagher says seriously. MEGA!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Bizarre: Cover of Radiohead 'Nude' played on computer parts



A man with far too much time on his hands created his own Computer Love version of Radiohead's 'Nude' from last year's pay-what-you-want album In Rainbows.

Instruments used were:
Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Guitars (rhythm & lead)
Epson LX-81 Dot Matrix Printer - Drums
HP Scanjet 3c - Bass Guitar
Hard Drive array - Act as a collection of bad speakers - Vocals & effects

See the man in action and watch the video here:
http://www.geekologie.com/2008/06/wow_radioheads_naked_played_on.php

Album News: Beck 'Modern Guilt'



Beck's 'Modern Guilt' as you all know is being produced by the thinner guy from Gnarls Barkley, DangerMouse. The artist himself claims the album, titled 'Modern Guilt', has a 1960s British vibe. So it'll be like a Beatles album then? I seriously hope that's not what he's aiming for.


The album is being released July 7th in the UK and Europe (Irish music fans will get to hear it on the 4th), and is a blisteringly short 30 minutes length. 'Walls' features Cat Power on guest vocals.

Tracklist:
01 Orphans
02 Gamma Ray
03 Chemtrails
04 Modern Guilt
05 Youthless
06 Walls
07 Replica
08 Soul of a Man
09 Profanity Prayers
10 Volcano


Clips of four of these songs appear in this promotional video, each lasting about 30 seconds. The songs in order are: 'Gamma Ray', 'Youthless', the title track 'Modern Guilt', and 'Walls'.

Live: Eric Clapton covers Arcade Fire 'Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)'

Well, not really. It was claimed that the power went during Eric Clapton's performance of 'Layla' at Malahide Castle. In fact, it was actually a problem with the wiring, as the power was still working onstage (thus Clapton and his band didn't realise what was happening and played on).

Here's a video of the ill-fated performance:

Album News: The Verve album named: 'Four'

Richard Ashcroft and company have finally announced the title of their new album. It's one of the most bizarre and original names of the year. Oh no, it's just called 'Four'. Didn't take much thinking that. Hopefully the lyrics are a bit more developed!

After the world debut of 'Love is Noise' on Zane Lowe's radio show last night, you can now stream the single on their Myspace page here:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=205396700

The album itself will be out on the band's own label, On Our Own, and will be released August 19th.

Another song from the album 'Rather Be' was captured live in concert:

Album News: Kings of Leon 'Only By The Night' due September

Kings of Leon 'Only By The Night'
Formerly hirsute band Kings of Leon have announced details of their upcoming fourth record, 'Only By The Night', which will be released on September 22 in the UK, and on the 23rd in the US, so expect it on September 20th in Ireland. The band themselves produced the album, along with Angelo Petraglia and Jacquire King.

Check out a live recording of one of the tracks due to make the album, 'Manhattan':
(Unfortunately the uploaded has not allowed embedding of this video, so here's the link:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hp1RrE6hFvs

Also, here's a cutting from Rolling Stone about the album:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zckVl1-P8do/SE6YBee1dgI/AAAAAAAAAHY/acBhgHRTqJQ/s1600-h/Rolling_Stone-_6.12.jpg

Monday, June 23, 2008

Album News: Conor Oberst - Self-titled cover art

Conor Oberst released (or maybe it was leaked) the album art for his upcoming self-titled debut record (well unless you count all those Bright Eyes records). here it is:



If it's anywhere near as good as Cassadaga or I'm Wide Awake It's Morning, I will be a happy man indeed.

Stream: The Verve new single 'Love is Noise', 7pm tonight


The Verve's comeback single is due to be played on Zane Lowe's (that's the hairy Gonzo from MTV, whose band Breaks Co-op played Oxegen two years ago without him) BBC Radio One show between 7 and 9 tonight. Knowing radio stations, it'll probably be played somewhere in the second hour meaning you'll have to listen to trite beforehand. Ah no, Lowe usually plays good music. Unless it's his own of course.

Stream it here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/

News: Total Guitar announces Dion song as "worst cover ever"

Total Guitar magazine, a magazine notable for having such legends as Slash and Buckethead on its cover, has announced its list of the worst cover versions ever. Jimi Hendrix's version of 'All Along The Watchtower' topped the Best list, but Canadian crooner (and former Eurovision winner - always a wonderful title) Celine Dion topped the list with her version of the AC/DC classic 'You Shook Me All Nigh Long'. How does an artist like Cion (as my female friends adoringly call her) even think of covering a rock classic?

Other songs to make it onto the list were our own Westlife, with 'More Than Words', Girls Aloud vs Sugababes 'Walk This Way' (the worst on the list, in my opinion), and the legend that is Mike Flowers with 'Wonderwall'.

The Beatles and Nirvana featured on the Best covers list, as did Guns 'N' Roses with McCartney's 'Live and Let Die', which I think is a horrendous massacre of a wonderful Bond theme.

But surely the worst cover of all time has to be by the legend that is Fred Durst. And he even has more than one to choose from...


And even worse:

This Week's Gigs: 23-26 June

Monday, 23 June 2008



Joan as Police Woman
Tripod19:30€24.50-€27.50
Sunburned Hand of Man
Crawdaddy
20:00€14
Therapy
Club M
23:00€5

Tuesday, 24 June 2008


The Grey's Anatomy spin-off Private Practice starts on RTE. You'll probably end up watching that, because there's no-one playing.

Wednesday, 25 June 2008


Antics Crawdaddy 23:00 €3-€5
Damon and Naomi
Whelan's 20:00 €15
Journey
National Stadium
20:00 €52.80
Luciano
The Button factory
19:30 €25.50

Thursday, 26 June 2008


The Creaks
Whelan's - Upstairs
21:00 €11.50
Dry County
Whelan's
20:00 €13
Jay-Z
RDS 20:00 €65.70
Declan O'Rourke
The Academy
20:00 €30

Setlist: Queens of the Stone Age, RDS, Dublin, 22 June 2008

If you ask me, it should've been Linkin Park supporting Queens of the Stone Age, but obviously there are more fans of the band we all though were better than Limp Bizkit ten years ago or so. Granted, they're miles better than Limp Bizkit, but at the time they were both lumped into the same genre. Queens of the Stone Age, started off great, and seemed to go downhill after Nick Olivieri left them. Is a band without all the original members still the same band? Are The Who actually The Who anymore? Or REM? And how in God's name can the Sugababes insist on calling themselves that, when they've gone through more lineup changes than Rafa Benitez's Liverpool?

Millionaire
Feel Good Hit of the Summer
Do it Again
Song for the Deaf
Burn the witch
Little Sister
Sick Sick Sick
Misfit Love
Battery Acid
3s and 7s
Song for the Dead
No One Knows

Setlist: Linkin Park, RDS, Dublin, 22 June 2008

Although Jay-Z is in town for his own show this week, there qas sadly no sign of him last night. (British readers please note, you can catch them together in Milton Keynes on Saturday 29 June). But despite the wind, Linkin Park still put on an electric performance at the RDS.

What I've Done
Faint
No More Sorrow
Wake 2.0
Given Up
Lying From You
Don't Stay
In Pieces
Somewhere I Belong
Points Of Authority
Leave Out All The Rest
Numb
Shadow Of The Day
Valentine's Day
Crawling
In The End
Bleed It Out
Pushing Me Away
Breaking The Habit
A Place For My Head
One Step Closer

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Setlist: Eric Clapton, Malahide Castle, Dublin, 21 June 2008

Saturday night's waterlogged concert will definitely not go down as one of Clapton's best, but any chance to see the man himself is always welcome. The rain finally did stop and there were glimpses of sunshine, but the power failed for the audience during Layla and again during the encore, ruining what could otherwise have been a perfect (but wet) evening.

Tell The Truth
Key To The Highway
Hoochie Coochie Man
Isn't It A Pity
Outside Woman Blues
Double Trouble
Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad
Driftin'
Rockin' Chair
Motherless Child
Travellin' Riverside Blues
Running On Faith
Motherless Children
Little Queen of Spades
Before You Accuse Me
Wonderful Tonight
Layla
Cocaine
-----
Got My Mojo Working (with Robert Randolph)

Setlist: Eric Clapton, Marquee, Cork, 20 June 2008

The first of the legendary Slowhand's concerts in the Emerald Isle was also the opening night of his 2008 European Tour. And after a few shows, they're sure to get better (although how Clapton could possibly get any better is a mystery to me).

Tell The Truth
Key To The Highway
Hoochie Coochie Man
Little Wing
Outside Woman Blues
Double Trouble
Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad
When You Got A Good Friend
Rockin' Chair
Motherless Child
Travellin' Riverside Blues
Running On Faith
Motherless Children
Little Queen of Spades
Before You Accuse Me
Wonderful Tonight
Layla
Cocaine
-------
Got My Mojo Working (with Robert Randolph)

Setlist: Tom Baxter, Savoy, Cork, 21 June 2008

According to our sources (those down south in the People's Republic of Cork), Tom was on fire for his set last night. So much so, he even put down the guitar and picked up a bodhrán on set closer 'Don't Let Go'.

A Night Like This
Skybound
Tell Her Today
A Day In Verona
Hot Wax to A Stone
Better
Smile
Tragic
Half A Man
This Boy
Icarus Wings
Don't Let Go
---------
Love is Not Enough
My Declaration