sorry for the lack of updates...

Been too buzy and my computer is slow. Someone get me a new one.

If anyone cares, update is coming soon.

Musical marathon week

Aaah, I can already smell it...it's the weekend!
And this weekend is special. Happy to have two crazy guys from Paris for a visit. Crash Normal play at Spasibar on friday night with Firefly Effect and others. This show is sponsored by none other than Redyellowcab.....did I mention they rule? Well now I did.
Maybe another show saturday...
Sunday, Arcade Fire are back in town. Saw them at Garage a few years back and yes they might be over hyped, but they are still a great live band.
The week continues Tuesday with Music For A While (a great Kurt Weill cover band), and wednesday Liars play at John Dee. If I have any energy left by then, there are several more shows later in the week.
Pictures, music, and maybe some video will be uploaded when I'm conscious again.

My new favorite video (this week)

Sunday is a great day for youtube.
Here is something pretty cool.
Just found this on Last Days Of Man On Earth:

Reesa and the Rooters - Vix Bidet Party



Info about this Philly band here and here, and search
youtube for two more videos...
.............................................................

I ended up missing the Slaraffenland show because I got a free ticket to the biggest nerd fest in town: Play! A Video Game Symphony . They played a couple of old favorites and alot of stuff I could care less about. Fun to see weirdos in capes and masks though. KORK (The Norwegian Radio Symphony), plus a choir and some guest made it watchable.
Next weekend is the start of a concert marathon...can't wait!

Bush League

Toronto's Bush League are either ex or current members of Teen Crud Combo, The Killer Elite, Pecola, Picastro, Ugly Stick, No No Zero, and No Dynamics. Not much info on them as they seem to refuse to use the web.
They have released a 10'' record on a french label: http://yakisakana.free.fr/ It's LOUD and LOFI.
Don't know alot about them, but they do include members of Pecola...so that's all you really need to know.
Here is a Bush League video called "Krush my skull"
Go here for the original article on tobescene.

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Tomorrow I'm heading for yet another Redyellocab show:

Don't know much about either band, but that can be the fun part of going to a show. You might get blown away by something you've never seen before....or run screaming with your ears bleeding. I'm sure it will be the formentioned tomorrow.

Slaraffenland and Pow Pow on Myspace.

#s @ Spasibar

Numbers put on a good show. Lots of new songs.
HJ and I (Team Antiharrs) also got to dj! Fun had by all.
Here are a few photos:

Catch Numbers on tour all over Europe now.

Numbers

This is a lazy post (nothing new there), but thought I would mention that Numbers are playing tomorrow at Spasibar. Numbers are from San Fransisco and according to Tigerbeat records: "they play fast primal punk disco beats, while trading detached boy/girl vocals back and forth amidst intermittent bursts of noisy guitar and fuzzed-out buzzerk bass." ahem ok, that was the old Numbers. Not better, not worse, just different. The new records is slower and more moody. New record out on Kill Rock Stars called Now You Are This.
Here is some old and new Numbers you can check out:
Make up your own damn mind what you like best.
From old to new:
Numbers - I'm Shy
Numbers - Hot Fire
Numbers - Beast Life
Numbers - Mind Hole

BUY: Tigerbeat Records
BUY: Kill Rock Stars
Band info: www.myspace.com/numbersmusic
More info: www.numbersmusic.com/

Future of Vialka

Future of the left was great last week. Found out Falco hates Paris. Go see them there and start a fight or just buy him a drink and give him some kind of response in the audience (i.e. don't sit on your hands) and he will be happy.
Vialka put on a great show for way too few people. According to Eric their future includes doing an east coast US tour soon. The new material is great.
Here are some pictures and a short video from the Spasibar show here in Oslo:



My future includes NUMBERS at Spasibar next week (sponsored by the good people at redyellowcab.com. See you there.

Vialka

Vialka are back in Oslo to play at Spasibar October 11th. This is going to be great. I saw Vialka a few years ago. It's an insane mix of balkan rock, and french. What can I saw about this band....its got be be witnessed.
They are playing all over Europe in the next few weeks.

(right click save, listen, buy, repeat)
Vialka - Village Mentality Part 2
Vialka - Trop Tard



Purchase info and more sounds:
http://vialka.com/
http://www.myspace.com/vialka

Future of the left

So I've been to some shows in the last few weeks, and there is more to come. I saw Grazhdanskaya Oborona who are an old punk band from Siberia, Russia. Sounds cool right? Well it it's better on record. The band seemed bored and just going through the motions. The booze was cheap so I didn't mind.

I wasn't going to go see Against Me! but I found out Future of the left is opening. Future of the left include ex members of some band called Jarcrew and Scottish legends Mclusky. Like me, I know you love Mclusky. (what? no?) If there is one band I regret not going to see it's Mclusky. Didn't know anybody that was able or cared to go when they played in Seattle a few years back (this happened several times) Instead of going I sat at home...I've regretted it for years. One thing Ive learned is to just say fuck it and go to shows even if its by yourself. So basically Future of the left is as close as I am going to come to seeing Mclusky. It might not be as intense as Mclusky, but worth the Tuesday outing.

Here is some ear candy:

Future of the left:


Here is Mclusky on some teenybopper TV show:



Mclusky - To hell with good intentions


Future of the left is playing with Against Me and Steriogram at Garage in Oslo on tuesday.

Info: www.myspace.com/futureoftheleft

What makes the grass grow?! Blood, BLOOD, BLOOD! What are we gonna do?! Kill, KILL, KILL!"

Yes Yes Y'all!
Back from vacation in London. While in London I got drunk with Matyi from The Fighting Cocks....a weekend well spent.
The Fighting Cocks are a bunch of lunatics from Essex who play Gypsy electro-punk. (They haven't robbed or killed me yet on my visits.)
The Balkan music craze is sweeping large parts of the world now, but these guys (and gals) have been doing it for a long time in one form or another. First as the legendary Szeki Kurva, and now as The Fighting Cocks.
Some noise:
The Fighting Cocks - Love Somebody, Yes I do
The Fighting Cocks - Dance of the Fighting Cocks
The Fighting Cocks - King of the Street
Szeki Kurva - Ramraid
Szeki Kurva - Happy Shopper
Szeki Kurva - Chicken Head
Szeki Kurva - Balkan Express
When I last checked The Fighting Cocks are: Matyi, DJ Assassin, Pinky, Anna, Cherry, Ilaria and Molly.

Some videos:







The Fighting Cocks are ready to play your barmitzva, graduation or dog fight anywhere anytime. I heard there miiight be a Sezki Kurva reunion this xmas too!
Band info:
www.myspace.com/thefightingcocks
http://www.f-cocks.demon.co.uk/
BUY this shit

Bonus:
You can listen to lots more here

Direct flight: Paris - Nomeansno

Got off the plane at 9:45 PM and stood with my bag in hand at Garage in Oslo at 10:30 just in time for Nomeansno. Eventhough I was a total mess, it was fun. Lots of new songs; in other words no greatest hits show.
A couple of pix etc:



They have a new-ish record out called All Roads Lead To Ausfahrt.
Have a listen or whatever....
Nomeansno - In Her Eyes

On tour in Europen now.

info: http://www.nomeanswhatever.com/

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Paris was nice. Did not make any shows... All I saw was a bunch of neo-hippies dancing their freak trance dancing through the Paris streets.

Next weekend I'm heading for London. Good times!

Paris!

CMA is heading for Paris for the weekend! Maybe I'll find some good music; who knows. Maps played tonight, it was ok. Reminded me alot of Mew. Maps are probably gonna be big with their easy listening electro rock. Next weekend: London! I got the extra mile(s) to find you good music. Don't say I don't love you.

I still got you Icecream

So, it seems like "grunge" is back at Sub Pop. Pissed Jeans sounds like a cross between Tad and Paw...anyone remember those bands?

I don't mean that as a bad thing...honest. I was raised on that type of stuff (for better or worse).

Sub Pop still got it.

Pissed Jeans - I Still Got You (Ice Cream)

Can you believe they still can't say the word "pissed" on american radio? What a bunch of shit.

info: www.myspace.com/pissedjeans

Purchase: www.subpop.com/megamart

My idea of fun...

So the Stooges were great....obviously. Nice to see Mike Watt on bass. Don't think I've seen him since he played the first ever foo fighters gig...? I don't remember. Anyway, Iggy was a wildman on stage as expected. They played in the square of what looked like an old castle. A prefect setting. The Setlist was as follows: * Loose * Street * 1969 * I wanna be your dog * T.V. Eye * My idea of fun * Dirt * Real Cool Time * No fun * 1970 * Mind Room * Fun House / L.A. Blues * Skull Ring * Trollin' - Extra: * Not right * I'm fried * Little Electric Chair * She took my money * I wanna be your dog. (played twice) Well that's the official setlist, I have no idea what really happened due to being in an alcohol fuled state. I do remember Raga Rockers doing a decent opening set and Liliedugg (an old Norwegian punk band from 1980) doing a great set at the after party.
Here are a few terrible pictures and some useless video. enjoy!
Worst video I ever shot, but hey, I could barely stand.

Stooges

Seeing The Stooges in Fredrikstad tomorrow.
I can't wait.

Iggy is 60 and is in better shape then I ever have or ever will be in my life.

Full report at the end of the week.

Let the sleigh-bells ring!

I wanna be your dog

G.A.Y.

Gay Against You are from Glasgow Scotland.

According to the press release they "inhabit the middle ground between Cyndi Lauper and the Locust." I'm not sure that fits, but they do put on an insane show. Last night at Spasibar there was wire strangling, blood and spastic dancing. This show was organized by the good people at http://www.redyellowcab.com/

Check out Gay Against You - Sooo Heat

Band info and more downloads: www.myspace.com/gayagainstyou

Buy: http://www.adaadat.com/

Locust

So the Locust played here the other week. Good energy and a pretty good turnout. Opener was Otto Von Schirach who's insane disco metal was filled with references to farting, puking, buttsex and zombies. In other words, real sophisticated humour.
Somebody filmed some of the Locust show.
Take a look:



I've been a bit burned out lately, so I've missed alot of shows (including the Oslo jazz festival), but I promise to destroy more of my hearing for your reading pleasure very soon. Added a link to http://www.redyellowcab.com/ on my list. This is a new booking company you will hear alot about in the future. Lots of exciting stuff on the way...

Øya Festival wrapup.

Well, the festival is over; people are back to their boring lives at work. What a letdown. I started my week of loud noise watching GTUK at Spasibar who also played later at the festival. He's a wild German guy who screams over insanely fast Nintendo beats....great stuff. Tuesday Magnus Moriarty, Ranheim and Bungalow Ranchstyle rocked Internationalen. Wednesday it all started in the park with expensive drinks and lots of good music. Boredoms were fantastic. 3 drum sets and a wall of noise. Fuck hippie drum circles, Boredoms are the real shit. Tinariwen played heartwarming African desert blues, followed by Woven Hand who's intense singer ...always gives a good performance. GTUK put on a great second set of the day followed by about 3 NIN songs before I left. Thursday opened the day with a Norwegian band called Real Ones and one called Deadends...a nice suprise. Followed by Gogol Bordello. Man, this Balkan rock thing has really catched on lately....where were everyone like 5 years ago? It was just as good then. Malajube played a solid set (not as wild as at garage, but still good) followed by CocoRosie who frankly annoyed me. I like it on record, but got bored quickly live. Justice then put on a great set of hits...the kids went wild. Would have been much better in a club though...they pretty much got kicked off stage for playing too long. The sad thing about festivals is that when a show is great and the crowd is dying for an encore, they cant do it because of the tight time schedule. New Young Pony Club followed Justice....then Tool played. I lasted 3 songs before I left. (I was a fan ca. 1995...I guess I'm getting old) Later that evening I witnessed one of the best shows I've seen in years: (and if you've been paying attention, I've seen alot). Patrick Watson at Øya Night. (Come back to oslo Pleeease) Patrick Watson is a genius...enough said. Norwegian singer songwriter Ingrid Olava opened up and put on a touching show. This turned out to be a brilliant combination and a fantastic night. Woke up Friday really hungover and made it just in time for Architecture in Helzzzzzz.... Later, Spoon put on a good show, although they looked confused by the sunlight in the middle of the day. Can't be the most fun time to play.... Next up Devandra Banhart bored me with mumbling burnout hippy music and I quickly moved on to the best show of the day: Battles. I first saw Helmet in...91-92 wish I'd seen him more often. Hypnotic intense beats. Tight like a drum machine. Other members are from Don Cabellero who I've been a fan of for some years. These guys can play! Next, ...And you won't know us by the sound of our songs played and it didn't do much for me. Keep in mind at this point I'm a wreck so I'm alittle extra critical. The Jesus & Mary Chain was disappointing, yet played an ok set. The sound was horrible and they looked like they were sleeping onstage. They seemed to just be going through the motions. I guess I would do the same if I got alot of money to reunite and play...OK maybe not. Rocky Erickson finished off the night. Where the hell did all these Norwegians hear of this guy? The crowd was insane. Personally I've only heard the 13 Floor Elevator stuff....This guy got to play 3 encores and people would not leave the area. Even the stagehands and people in the back were frothing at the mouth. Good to see and old rocker get his day. I ended the night at a local club where Shining played a"secret" gig. Intense and great as always...as far as I can remember. Should have stayed at home Saturday...hungover and the music was not as great as the previous days, but I fought on trying not to loose the little sense of youth left in my body. Listened alittle to Rockettothesky followed by a set by The Melvins (including Big Business). Good mix of old and new, but the guitar and vocals drowned a bit in the 2 drum sets. Canadian band The Besnard Lakes who I'd never heard of were pretty decent, so was The Go! Team afterwards, but I was mentally and physically far from enjoying live music by that time. The obnoxious Lady Sovereign; who was the only English solo artist that showed up (Lilly Allen was sick, and Amy Whinehouse was hanging out at a rehab in London) played something while I tried to sleep; followed by more female hip hop with Yo Majesty who are famous for playing topless.....meh. I stayed the entire day to check out Primal Scream but I went home after 3 songs this night too. Seems like I cant handle a full week of music and drinking anymore. Oh well, I'll be back next year.
Below are a bunch of pictures and crappy video clips that I took.
Better videos are on Youtube and several full show are here: http://rita.nrk.no/community/oya07/ (read post below for how to see them if you don't speak Norwegian) You can watch em and tell me I'm wrong about some of the shows if you like.



Patrick Watson:

Woven Hand:

Tinariwen:

Spoon:

Rocky Erickson:

Ingrid Olava:

Melvins:

Malajube:

Justice:

GTUK:

Gogol Bordello:

Battles:

Vidoes are below.....

Øya wrapup 2: The grainy/bad video cliporama!

Here are a few short clips I took at this years Øya festival:

Battles:
Tiiight!




Justice:
This kids went crazy even in the afternoon....



Boredoms:
Definetly not boring.



Patrick Watson put on the best show of the festival:



Patrick Watson:
Record out in Europe very soon.



Spoon:
Great, but too early in the day.



Only 11+ months until the next Øya festival...

Øya video!

Go to http://rita.nrk.no/community/oya07/
and click on your favorite artist (not all were filmed unfortunately.)
Listed by day (onsdag, torsdag, fredag, lørdag) on the right.
Then click on "spill" and woahla! there you go.
I'll post my own 30 sec crappy video clips and some nice pictures later this week.
I've got to catch up on email at work first.
Bonus: If you click around on the same page you can also find live shows from the Hove Festival...but then again who wants that? Oh you do? OK.
The quality is good....but it's not up for too long. Rip the audio and video for fun.
They festival was pretty good; lots of solid performances and some not so solid.
Highlights included: Patrick Watson, Spoon, Battles, Boredoms, Woven Hand, Malajube, GTUK, and Justice among others... Pictured above: Battles.
A good week had by all...more soon.