The Internet unites and music fans show their colours December 20, 2009
Posted by jennikate in opinions and rants.Tags: Killing in the name, RATM, UK Christmas number 1, x-factor
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The big music news this past week in the UK has been the battle between Rage Against The Machine ‘Killing In The Name’ and Joe McElderry’s cover of ‘The Climb’. For those that don’t know – Joe is the x-factor 2009 winner.
In the past few years x-factor winners have won the UK Christmas number 1 single place. Every year there’s a campaign to ‘beat the x-factor and get *insert song here* to number 1′, but until this year the campaigns haven’t been powerful enough.
So what made 2009 different?
Firstly, in 2009 we saw the advancement of social media, Twitter took over the world and musician’s everywhere started tweeting. Facebook continued to be a driving source of keeping your friends updated – and the two worked hand in hand to keep rock fans updated and united about when and where to buy their chosen single.
Secondly, downloaded songs count towards the charts and there are a number of large retailers selling downloaded songs. Not that long ago you had to physically go to a store and buy a CD, and then you had to buy it from the right store for it to count. Today it’s easy to get a song to a retailer and almost any song can be counted. ‘Killing In The Name’ incidentally is also the first number 1 composed entirely of download sales and is the biggest electronic sale of a song ever.
Finally, a well known song was chosen to unite people. For some, the song didn’t matter, but for others ‘Killing In The Name’ was the perfect choice, the lyrical content and the bands political statements being a big factor in gaining their support.
OK, we all know that RATM’s music ultimately lines the pockets of Sony Executives, as does the x-factor. But it was never about who made money from this.
From the start it was about showing that just because you won a reality TV show and all your fans bought your CD in the first week of sales – didn’t mean you had the unalterable RIGHT to be the biggest selling single in the lead up to Christmas. Time and again through the debate people mentioned the x-factor winners ‘right’ to be the number 1, and that is what has everyone’s backs up. Yes RATM for number 1 was an organised campaign, but you can argue that the x-factor is too. This was two campaigns to get a song to number one creating a buzz and interest in music and the popular charts once again.
An added benefit of this race were the charities with RATM fans donating directly as well as profits from much of the sales of ‘Killing In The Name’ being donated as well.
There’s no big winner or loser here – but there is a clear showing that there are more people in this country that care about quality musicians and refute anyone’s ‘right’ to be marketed into being the best. Will this change anything in the long run – probably not – but it has shown the power of the Internet to unite music lovers in a cause and will hopefully introduce a new style of music to kids who’ve never been exposed to anything like it before.
The RATM campaign was started and co-ordinated by @jon_magic and @moogyboobles – who did an amazing job of keeping us going! Congrats to them.
Placebo @ The O2 Arena London December 13, 2009
Posted by jennikate in gig review.Tags: placebo, silversun pickups, the horrors, the o2 arena
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Placebo at The O2 Arena, London
Wednesday 9th December
supports Silversun Pickup and The Horrors
I find it hard to choose my favourite band. Is it the one that I listen to the most, the one that I see live every time they plan, the one that currently makes me happy… there’s so many ways to choose and far too many bands to choose from.
But, I think if I had to choose, it would be Placebo.
They’re not always top of my play list and I’ll go months without hearing a single song. But whenever I turn them on or come across them they evoke so many more feelings in me than any other band has, they have to be way up the list!
They also, not coincidentally, held the title of ‘best ever gig’ I’d seen, from 2003 to 2009 (when Lostprophets took over that title). Mind you, it’s a tough call not to put them right back to the top after last week.
It’s the first time I’d been to the O2 arena so we booked seats. I’m suspicious of being on the floor at arena venues as so often you just get trapped in a crowd of people who are not feeling the music. At least with the seats you can guarantee a good view and a space where you’re not impacted by indifferent audience members.
The venue deserves praise. The sound quality was superb and the headline set well mixed. The supports did fall into that trap of sounding like they were trying too hard to fill an arena with sound instead of just playing their music and letting it happen, but then again, maybe that’s just their style of music! Silversun Pickup remind me of a not quite so good Killing Hannah, roughly similar in style and the singer’s voice had the same sound as Mat Devine’s. The Horrors seemed very much like The Cure, which was nice, but too many of their songs overdid the sound.
Placebo were amazing. I’d last seen them in 2003 when it was just the 3 of them in a moderately sized venue in Melbourne. Tonight they were backed by strings, brass, keyboards, extra guitars and backing vocalists. However, all the support were just part of the background. The stage space kept the focus very much on the 3 members and their energy and passion took over the arena.
They’re not a band that talks much and they don’t need to. They let their music set the scene. Each song has so many layers in sound and meaning that you can experience it on a hundred different levels. Some people just take it at surface value and enjoy the tune, others tap into the deeper meanings and are affected in a very emotional way. It makes them a very accessible band that allows people to take what they want from the experience.
For me, it was one of those gigs that you do remember forever and it well deserves to earn the top of my best ever gigs list. But then, Lostprophets also evoked a very emotional response or me so it’s a tough call!
I left the arena emotionally drained and full of awe and happiness. My only complaint is that I know it will be a while before I have the chance to see them live again.
Lostprophets @ Kentish Town Forum October 23, 2009
Posted by jennikate in notes.Tags: Lostprophets, The Blackout
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Lostprophets
Supports: The Blackout & The New 1920’s
22 October 2009
Kentish Town Forum
—-
EDITED 30 October 2009
Once I calmed down from my excitement I found I did have the words to describe the night!
Reviews are now live at Room Thirteen:
Lostprophets
The Blackout
Best Gig Ever
The Blackout and Lostprophets are the perfect team and rocked the room.
Lostprophets were passionate and energised and the new songs sound amazing.
This night easily beats my former best ever gig, Placebo at The Palace in Melbourne 2003, into second place.
Sean Smith (The Blackout) and Ian Watkins (Lostprophets) have a very similar stage presence and the rest of the bands are relaxed but full of energy and banter with the two front men naturally. These are bands that are full of mates just having fun and making supercharged music.
It’s impossible to write a proper balanced review of your favourite bands, especially when the put on a performance like last nights.
There aren’t words good enough to describe how amazing the night was.
PR People – they’re essential to DIY bands October 11, 2009
Posted by jennikate in opinions and rants.Tags: media, PR, publicity
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It’s been a quiet few weeks, some overseas travel and a cold have kept me from getting out and seeing bands, but thankfully the drought is over and there are some fun times lined up.
Recently I was chatting to the singer of a band that are coming close to breaking out and he made an interesting comment – they’ve only just hired a PR guy, and suddenly have become aware of all the ways of getting their name out, that they didn’t know of before.
This is something I can understand. Before joining RoomThirteen.com as a writer, I had no idea just how many music mags, both offline and on, exist and just how powerful they can be for up and coming bands.
I suspect a lot of young bands aren’t aware of them either.
Every story that is written about a band drives publicity. The more people they talk to and the more the word gets out, the more others hear and want to know more.
In the UK there are some big players in terms of publicising bands – Kerrang! magazine and tv, Rocksound magazine, Scuzz TV and MTV two are the big rock sources along with a few radio stations.
But underneath those are hundreds of smaller publications and sites that have high readerships and that can also channel bands through today’s social networks, building press and getting kids to gigs.
In today’s web of social networking it’s becoming easier for bands to be DIY in terms of creating their music and getting it out there – but it always helps to have a PR person on board that has the contacts in the media, to make the introductions and send out the CDs – thus allowing the bands to get on with what they do best, make music.
Full Scream Ahead – We Write Our Own Anthems September 23, 2009
Posted by jennikate in music review.Tags: full scream ahead
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Full Scream Ahead
EP Review – We Write Our Own Anthems
Dissatisfied with the large volumes of manufactured dross on the airwaves, Full Scream Ahead decided to write their own anthems.
Vocalist Justin Percival has a very distinctive voice and style. From the almost spoken verses, the rasped passion of the bridge through to the full voiced smoothly sung choruses it is one that will be instantly recognisable. Subtle guitars from Will Slater wind their way through the verses keeping the focus clearly on the lyrics, before soaring into a full uplifting sound as the choruses rise, Percival’s voice going with them in a powerful outpouring of emotional sound. All the while backed by James William’s subtle drums and Alex Percival’s refined bass keeping time and adding depth to the sound. This pattern continues throughout the EP showing that Full Scream Ahead are unmistakably a lyrically led band, and with very good reason.
These songs tell a tale and it’s clear there are stories behind each one. ‘As Good As It Gets’ with it’s question as to what are we waiting for and is there something more to life, ‘Rio’ all about a girl, ‘Stealing of a Nation’ showing their love for their country and their worry about the state of things, the overwhelming outpouring of emotion on ‘Play With The Light’ that can’t be ingored. And they do all of this with uplifting positive music, no whining or moaning for these Britains.
This is a band full of passions, questions and opinions. Full Scream Ahead sound like a seasonsed team that’s spent years perfecting their sound. It’s hard to believe they only formed in 2008.’
We Write Our Own Anthems’ is avaiable now and Full Scream Ahead have done what they promised, giving us six heartfelt, thoughtful anthems. I suggest you get your hands on it as soon as you can.
This review was originally written for roomthirteen.com but as two writers were accidentally assigned the same EP mine wasn’t needed and so I’ve posted it here!
The Blackout @ Camden Barfly August 9, 2009
Posted by jennikate in gig review.Tags: The Blackout
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The Blackout
August 3 2009, Camden Barfly
A night of irreverant fun. These boys love to have a good time and while most nights they’re absolute professionals organising a structured set that ensures the fans get what they want, occassionally they just break loose and put on a night of randomness.
The Barfly in Camden for the launch of their latest single Save Ourselves (The Warning) was one of complete and utter randomness. Handing control of the set list to the fans, the room chose most of the songs. This lead to a long night of fast tracks with high energy and sweat pouring from every person in the room.
Singer Gavin Butler crowd surfed his way from the stage to the bar at the back of the room and sang most of a song from the top of it. There was crowd surfing, stage diving and craziness all over and the room was wall to wall passion.
Towards the end the single was played, followed by traditional closer I’m a Riot. Deciding that the night couldn’t end there the band huddled and came back to play one more song (which I wish I could remember what it was!)
This was a night for the fans and as a fan I can say it was damn amazing and just fun fun fun.
Plastic Toys @ The Barfly, Camden August 5, 2009
Posted by jennikate in gig review.Tags: plastic toys
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Plastic Toys
in support of Laruso
Monday 27 July, The Barfly, Camden, London, England
Plastic Toys – what can I say, I love this band.
It’s a mix of glam-rock, bluesy, electro but deep and dirty – it rocks you to your core and the style and passion oozing from the stage seeps into your very soul.
On fine form as usual, new drummer Sammy Lee fitting in seemlesly.
Playing as second supports, straight after The Baddies and just before headliners Laruso, unfortunately most of the crowd seemed to be friends and family of those bands and left the floor a bit empty for Plastic Toys. It was the crowds loss though as anyone who bothered to stay were treated to a sleazy slick performance with the band owning the room and keeping us highly entertained.
Sonisphere Festival, Room Thirteen and The End? Well no! July 31, 2009
Posted by jennikate in notes.add a comment
Sadly for my blog, but happily for me, I’ve been taken on as a writer for www.roomthirteen.com
This means less reviews on this site, but it’s not the end. I will still be writing my rants and opinions here along with some reviews that are not needed by r13.
So – for loads of reviews on all styles of rock music – check out Room Thirteen and I’ll see you back at mylifemysoundtrack soon with some thoughts on Sonisphere.
My Passion @ St Michaels Church July 17, 2009
Posted by jennikate in gig review.Tags: JM Kanes, Kyra, my passion, sleepercurve
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My Passion
with JM Kanes, Kyra and Sleepercurve
Friday 26 June – St Michaels Church, Camden, London, England
An interesting venue for a decidedly interesting band.
St Michael’s church is a church, admittedly one with all the pews removed, but a church none the less.
Heading to the night I had high hopes for the venue, a church would normally have amazing accoustics. Those accoustics though did the bands no favours tonight. JM Kanes and Kyra tried hard but the cacophany of sound bouncing around resulted in the lyrics becoming lost and the melodies becoming distorted.
Sleepercurve with their slightly softer sound fared a tad better, but still fell victim to the odd echoes.
Even so, they out on an energised, passionate set and clearly had fun. Playing music they love to a crowd ready to appreciate what they had to offer.
Tonight, though, was always about My Passion.
Ending their Corporate Flesh Party tour this was the big one, the all ages event, the homecoming, the night packed with fans, family and friends. They didn’t disappoint.
Their energy and enthusiasm filled the church and the crowd was a mass of movement from start to end.
While, thanks to the venue it occasionally took a few minutes to decipher which song was which, this didn’t matter to anyone. The night was about being a part of the fun and passion that these talented boys have to offer. This was the night they came out guitars blazing and put on a show that no one will forget.
Download Festival 2009 @ Donnington Park June 15, 2009
Posted by jennikate in Festival Reviews.Tags: a day to remember, Attack! Attack!, dear superstar, dir en grey, donnington, download, dragonforce, exit avenue, faith no more, fei comodo, Fightstar, hexes, Hollywood Undead, korn, limp bizkit, marilyn manson, motley crue, my passion, parkway drive, slipknot, The Blackout, You Me At Six, zz top
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Download Festival
12-14 June 2009
Donnington Park, England
Three days of belting sun, dust, sweat and insanely good music is over for another year.
Download 2009
A well organised line up, an easily accessible layout and a fourth tent full of Britain’s new talent, we couldn’t have asked for anything more (well maybe a third set from The Blackout on Sunday if we were to be greedy!)
My favourites
That’s right, for those that missed it, The Blackout played two sets at Donnigton this year.
Filling in for The Ghost of a Thousand who sadly had to pull out, The Blackout backed up their solid early Friday main stage set with a loud, heavy party in the Red Bull Jam tent on Saturday night. Scheduled against Slipknot, The Prodigy and Anvil, the tent was a fan only location and the boys put on a show that was even better than usual.
Whether in a room, a tent or the main stage at Donnington, the six of them instinctively know just what to do to make it one of the best nights of your life. The energy and connection between them draws you in and it’s impossible to stand still.
Their Saturday set was one of my favourites from the weekend.
Second favourite was someone we only managed to see part of. Slipknot clashed with The Blackout’s second set and it was a tough decision to leave that main stage. Right to the very back of the arena, the sheer wave of sound that Slipknot produces knocks you off your feet. The depth and breadth of the percussion intertwined with the melodies of the guitars and vocals blends into a resonance that touches your soul. Watching an arena full of people jump and wave is something you don’t get to witness often, but I have the feeling Slipknot produces that reaction regardless of where they play.
Last in my top three was My Passion. An English band that are starting to receive well deserved notice, they got the adrenaline pumping in the Red Bull Jam stage with their blend of electronic punk rock. Their music isn’t for everyone, but within one song the tent had sorted itself out and the crowd were there to be entertained. The four of them are a ball of energy that somehow, amidst their constant frenetic movement, manage to produce interesting and infectious music that won’t let you stand still.
My Honourable Mentions
Two come from the Red Bull Jam stage. The quality of music being made in Britain today is second to none and it’s great to see these bands being given the opportunity to get it out to the masses.
The circle pit of the festival – Attack! Attack!
It was not the biggest nor the most violent, but it was the most impressive.
Ryan (guitar) called for the crowd to create a bit of a circle around the supporting column in the middle of the tent. Rather than just run around it, the crowd spread and a good two thirds of the tent was taken up with a visually spectacular pit that lasted till the end. Team that with Attack! Attack!’s solid performance and high energy and it was a set worth seeing.
The best wall of death – Fei Comodo
The Red Bull tent was almost full when they called for a wall of death. The entire crowd parted, kids that were passed out at the back jumped to life to participate and Marc (vocals) dropped into the tent to join in. On his word the entire tent rushed to each other and became a frantic mass of bodies caught up in the fun.
The best ‘remember those days’ set – Limp Bizkit
I was only just starting to see bands regularly when they were big and never got to see them play. I’m not ashamed to say I own their earlier albums and always loved them for their fun and crazy music. Watching them live was a real treat. Discovering I remembered the lyrics to most of their songs was an added bonus. Fred Durst (vocals) pulling two guys out of the crowd to dance and sing on stage just topped of the set. It was all about swearing, jumping, punching the air and just letting everything out in a loud fun way.
My disappointments
I almost don’t want to put them in here, but You Me At Six were a slight disappointment.
Overall they put on a strong show, Josh (vocals) and Max (guitar) being their usual crazy selves and bringing the crowd along with their passion. So, why a disappointment? There was too many times where Josh asked the crowd to sing the words. While this works in an enclosed venue, you have to be extremely well known for it to work on a festival stage. I’m sure the fans in the front knew all the words, but for people standing just behind the second barrier, we couldn’t hear a thing. Once or twice is ok, but when almost every song has a point where the stage goes silent and you’re left wondering what the words of the song are, it leaves you rather lost. They’re still young and have a lot to learn and hopefully someone will tell them it’s best to just keep singing when you’re outdoors on a big stage!
My real disappointment of the weekend was Marilyn Manson.
I wasn’t expecting anything particularly shocking, I know he gave up that stuff years ago, but what I was expecting was a well formed set of music. That’s not what we got. There was silence after every song and few words said throughout the set. His songs were well performed but were quite soporific and we ended his set feeling rather drained and floppy.
My new discoveries
Two bands I came across were Parkway Drive and Dir En Grey. Both have vocalists that use their voices more as sound producing rather than lyric producing instruments. Contrary to what you may expect from bands tagged as metalcore, both created smooth and sensual atmospheres with their sound, taking you away from the heat and the dirt and into another mindset entirely. Musically they are both top notch and worth seeing.
A quick run down on the rest we saw:
A Day to Remember – sounding very American, a solid metalcore band with a strong vocal performance.
Dear Superstar – rock, proper rock and all the swagger and guitars to go with it.
Dragonforce - technically brilliant but that’s about it. It is all about the skill for them rather than a well rounded song.
Exit Avenue – to their credit they handled a technical glitch well, but their songs were choppy and the set didn’t really flow.
Faith No More – FNM I used to love them, I still respect them, but we were tired and their long lead in lost us. I know they put on an amazing set, but it didn’t have the impact on me that I wanted and, I’m sorry to say, we left early.
Fightstar - A well structured set of old and new, there is a chemistry in this band that is clear to see. Without being anything particularly new or brilliant, they present a strong sound and can play a wide range which makes them a band to watch.
Hexes - Loud and fun
Hollywood Undead - opening the festival, first up on the main stage usually means a small crowd, not so for Hollywood Undead. The place was busier than I expected. This band has a following that surprised me as, while they’re fun, I do just feel like they’re a throw back to the late 90s.
Korn - as good as you would expect. Their songs are distinct recorded and that ‘Korn’ sound translates well to a live set. They had the crowd and held them from the opening note to the final chord.
Motley Crue – one statement to the Crue… when you’re playing a festival please do not use the side of stage screens to showcase your latest artistic ventures, please allow the cameras to show us what you are doing onstage. We were there for the spectacle of Motley Crue, not the music, and if you can’t see what they’re doing there is nothing left.
ZZ Top – watched from a distance while we waited for another band, these badass old dudes have still got it. With every word out of their mouth they demanded your attention and it was a great old rock set from start to end.
So, Download 2009 is over, there are more festivals coming up later in the year, but this is the big one, this is the rock one and once again they’ve done the rock world proud.
