Week Commencing: 4/10/04
By: Toby L, Sabuhi Mir
You've possibly noticed the laxity with which we've been approaching our 'Weekly' Editorials of late.
In fact, you may have even noticed that they're not very 'weekly' with them at all. Readers, I provide specifically one reason/excuse: the autumn release-schedules.
For some reason, once upon a time each year, the record-labels see it fit to cram as many records, singles and concerts into a season known to Americans as 'the fall'. Their reasoning? Well, the Xmas market is too competitive to begin with - unless you're peddling 'The Best Of Craig David', then Arab Strap's latest is hardly going to cause a flutter in the local Woolworths. Sad but true. So indie's and major's alike see the September-November period as a beauteous opportunity to fling all their alt-noise on to the public's ears. Great for all, obviously.
But there's writing to be done. Us at rockfeedback grind our fingers to flaccid pulps to keep our reviews section as loaded as possible, and - even still - we fail to provide coverage for everything we hope to. Forgive us. So, as a result, in our pursuit to execute opinions on such matter, certain things fall by the wayside - namely this section and the Band of the Week (which we should christen Band of the Fortnight according to its regularity of updates).
Rejoice, however, we aim to pay you back for such delinquent unprofessionalism with our two impending live-promotions which we're plugging mercilessly: Thursday October 28th and Friday October 29th respectively. The latter is our fourth anniversary party. Come and get drunk.
Gigs this week, London: That touring, loveable car-crash known as Babyshambles rolls into town for a two-night stint at the Scala (Weds/Thurs 6-7th; sold out); The Delgados are unleashing their luscious, new 'Universal Audio' LP on to suspecting ears at the London Shepherd's Bush Empire (Thurs 7th; £12:50); The Hidden Cameras grace the 'new' Marquee (Tue 5th; £8:50); glam-punk types The Glitterati are Barflying it in Camden (Fri 8th; £6:00); New York's French Kicks are likewise Monarching themselves (Tues 5th; £6:00); Kings Of Convenience attend to needs at the Queen Elizabeth Hall (Weds 6th; sold out); Laura Veirs impresses Lock 17, Camden (Tues 5th; £12:50); Razorlight entertain the masses within Brixton Academy (Sat 9th; sold out); Slipknot / Slayer bring their double-bill noize to Hammersmith Apollo (Sat/Sun 9-10th; sold out); Sparta are back at the Islington Academy (Tues 5th; £9:00); The Zutons and The Futureheads try the Shepherd's Bush Empire (Fri 8th; sold out); and Yourcodenameis:milo and Agent Blue are ICA-ing it (Weds 6th; £7:50); while Winnebago Deal (s)mash up Camden's Underworld the same nite. Who says the capital isn't f**king rocking?
Alt UK chart-action, this week: REM are back in the top-five with 'Leaving New York'; banned-video merchants The Streets at 10 with 'Blinded By The Lights'; Super Furry Animals still don't give a f**k at number 16; The Rakes' 2nd single 'Strasbourg' is 57; and The Boxer Rebellion's 'Code Red' is 61. Albums: Mazzer Manson hits four with 'Lest We Forget', his cash-in greatest-hits; Interpol's spellbinding 'Antics' reaches an unjustly low 21 (didn't buy it? You're a c**t); and Thirteen Senses' debut album, 'The Invitation', reaches number 60 in its first week.
The current rockfeedback playlist: Further to the above, just what isn't currently on our I-pods and PCs; you tell us. Still, standing out the most as we type - Oceansize's return-EP, 'Music For Nurses'; Elliot Smith's tragic swansong LP, 'From A Basement On The Hill'; and Tom Waits' 'Real Gone'.
'Til we next convene.