Support from Smackvan and Northern Alliance Is this music?@13th Note, Thursday, 19th March
Doug Johnstone usually plies his trade in alt-folk types Northern Alliance, but for the purposes of tonight it’s just him and his acoustic guitar. In addition to his musical escapades Johnstone is also an author. His recent book ‘The Ossians’ charted the fortunes of the eponymous fictional Scottish band, and tonight Johnstone plays songs he wrote for his creations. A bit confusing, perhaps, but you don’t have to have read the book to appreciate Johnstone’s songwriting. ‘My Evil Twin’ is a quality blast of slacker indie, and ‘St. Andrews Day’ is a pleasing exploration of Scottish psyche. The Ossians may only exist in Johnstone’s head, but he does a pretty good job of channeling their spirit.
Next up is Smackvan, who are something of an enigma. Their debut single was released around a decade ago on a label created by Belle and Sebastian’s manager especially for that purpose and they hardly ever gig, which makes tonight’s appearance at The Note feel that extra bit special. Let’s just say you wouldn’t stick their music on at a party. It’s dark, downbeat, introverted stuff, with mournful guitar arpeggios combining with affecting vocals. Yes, the mood is bleak and subdued for the most part, but through the darkness the band creates some sublime moments.
The new Le Reno Amps album ‘Tear It Open’ is an exuberant blast of rockabilly punk which really comes into its own live.The band clearly know how to have a good time onstage and throw themselves into their performance with reckless abandon. There’s also a sense of playfulness about the band- on ‘Outsiders’ they pause for what seems like ages before launching back into the song with gusto.Songs like ‘You Do Your Thing’ and ‘Going Under’ show that the songwriting partnership ofScott Maple and Al Nero know their way round a killer hook and a catchy riff. Not only that, but they have a commanding stage presence that grabs you by the scruff of the neck and refuses to let go until the end of the set. Le Reno Amps do indeed tear up the stage tonight, much to the delight of the 13th Note punters.
“I don’t know” says Erik Sandberg. “People go on about that but Postcard only lasted for a couple of years. We have a lot more respect for Chemikal Underground.”
Perhaps that’s not what you’d expect to hear from the singer of Wake The President, as the mention of Postcard Records acts like Orange Juice, Aztec Camera and Josef K are usually never too far away when people talk about the band. However, with their newly released debut ‘You Can’t Change That Boy’ , Wake the President are set to blaze their own trail.
Erik Sandberg and his guitar-playing brother Bjorn have been in bands since the age of 16 but Wake The President’s current line-up, which features bassist Mark Corrigan and drummer Scott Sieczkowski, has been together for 3 years. “When we met Mark that’s when things really started to click musically” says Erik. “We shared similar influences like Felt, The Smiths and The Beatles.” Erik was a student at Stow College when he asked Douglas MacIntyre, director of Stow’s Music Industry Management course, if he would be interested in working with the band. During the course the students release and promote an album from a band of their choosing on Stow’s Electric Honey imprint, with previous acts having included Belle and Sebastian, Snow Patrol and Biffy Clyro.
Wake The President got the nod, and they are grateful for the time and resources Electric Honey have invested in them. Indeed, although the college usually just works with bands for around a year, they are now in their third year of working with Wake The President. “We’re the first band they’ve worked with for that length of time” says Erik. “They’ve given us time to breathe and develop. “
The band recorded ‘You Can’t Change That Boy’ last summer at Chem19 studios. They enlisted the production services of ex-Delgados drummer Paul Savage but admit recording was a fraught process. “There were times when it was amazing and times when it was very stressful” admits Mark. “The studio’s out on this industrial estate and it’s a bit like a nuclear bunker because its has no windows. I think we got cabin fever after about three days.”Indeed, such was the stressful nature of the process, the band recall they had to do 19 takes of the song ‘Professor’.
Despite the stresses of the recording processes, Bjorn says he is happy with the outcome. “Paul pushed us in the studio and I think it worked” he remarks. “He also made sure we kept things fairly stripped-back and didn’t add too much extra instrumentation.” Mark is also satisfied with how things went. “For us, recording at Chem19 was like the holy grail” he says.“I remember listening to the drums on Arab Strap’s ‘Philophobia’ and thinking I’d love to record there, and I’m happy we did”
Wake The President’s songs offer tales of deceit, infidelity, and West End debauchery. “Glasgow’s a very hedonistic city and I’ve found myself in situations I perhaps shouldn’t have been in” says Erik, adding that many of the songs stem from his own relationships and break-ups. As for the songwriting process itself, Erik says it starts with him writing something then taking it to the rest of the band. “When I first write something it’s basically just a ditty” he says, “When the others get involved it becomes something else.”
Wake The President - 'Sorrow For Clothes' video
The band isn’t Erik and Bjorn’s only musical venture. In 2006 they set-up ‘Say Dirty’ records, which has put out acclaimed releases by the likes of Endor, Zoey Van Goey and Bela. Erik and Bjorn say they were inspired by the DIY attitude of famous Scottish labels like Postcard and Chemikal Underground, but at the moment the label is being put on the back burner as they focus their energies on Wake The President. “We couldn’t give everything to both the band and the label, and our heart is set on the band at the moment” says Bjorn. “However, the label’s always there and I dare say we’ll put out a lot more records in the future”.
While the Glasgow music scene is much lauded at the moment, Wake The President feel somewhat detached from it. “I don’t think we really fit into anything” says Erik. “To me the Glasgow music scene isn’t anything special. I mean, there’s good bands like De Rosa and The Phantom Band but I’m more interested in American acts like The Pains of Being Pure at Heart at the moment.”
The band admits they have a gang mentality, and Erik feels that they’re often wrongly pegged as Postcard Records copyists. “Nobody seems to take us seriously here, whereas if we go somewhere like London people seem to get it a lot more quickly” he says.
They may see themselves as musical outsiders but you can’t keep a good band down and Wake The President are adamant that they will continue to plough their own furrow. Their combination of upbeat pop and twisted lyrics is an intriguing and rewarding listen, and is sure to find many new admirers in the months ahead.
‘You Can’t Change That Boy’ is out now on Electric Honey
Support from The Invisible @ABC, Glasgow, Sunday 15th March
You have to commend The Invisible for trying something original. Their unusual, progressive sounds take a while to get your ears round, but when you do you realize there’s plenty of interesting stuff going on. Experimental rhythms, funky bass, and the superb vocals of frontman Dave Okumu create a rich aural tapestry. They don’t have the immediate accessibility of the headliners, but it’s clear The Invisible are a talented bunch.
It’s been three years since the Doves last toured and frontman Jimi Goodwin smiles broadly as his band take the stage to a warm reception. They make the bold decision to start with a new track and launch into ‘Jetstream’. It’s a cracking tune, and its taut synths and brooding rhythm section sound fresh and inventive. The song gets a positive response from the crowd, suggesting it was a good move for the band to make it available as a free download on their website. Another new song, ‘Kingdom of Rust’ also does a fine job of whettingthe appetite for the album with its understated, majestic sound.
Ostensibly thisis a gig to promote Doves’ new album ‘Kingdom of Rust’ but it’s not released until April 6thand the band decide to play it safe by drawing on their older songs. Their 2002 breakthrough album ‘The Last Broadcast’ is well represented, with the likes of ‘Pounding’, ‘Words’, ‘The Last Broadcast’ and ‘Caught By the River’ all get an airing tonight.
Unfortunately for Doves, their performance can mostly be described as competent. There’s no doubt they’re trying their best but they seem to lack confidence tonight, giving away the fact they’ve spent almost four years out of the live domain. The band’s new album may be called ‘Kingdom of Rust’, but they’ll hope their sound is a little less rusty by the time it’s released!
The band manages to blow-off the cobwebs eventually, ending their set with the euphoric rush of ‘There Goes the Fear’. As the song draws to its triumphant, tribal-drumming conclusion, Dovesremind everybody just how good they can be when they’re in full flight.
Doves release their new album 'Kingdom of Rust' on April 6th and play Glasgow Barrowland on 22nd April
Support from Ross Clark and The Scarfs Go Missing and Over the Wall @Oran Mor, Glasgow, March 8th 2009
Over the Wall look like they’re having a good time on stage, which, in turn, makes the crowd warm to them and have a good time themselves. The duo of Gav Prentice and Ben Hillman write catchy, slightly eccentric pop songs with a sense of humour.There’s certainly not afraid to experiment either, switching between mandolins, trumpets, keyboards and guitars during their set. Plus, any band that high fives each other during songs knows a thing or two about showmanship!
‘Keyboard heaven’ is a brilliant ode to casio love and new song ‘Angela’ features a mesmeric riff and glorious trumpet flourishes. The magnificent ‘Thurso’ is a superb closer, ending, as it does, on a euphoric distorted guitar and trumpet solo!
Ross Clark is a lad who’s not short of confidence. Along with his band- The Scarfs Go Missing- he gives an assured and accomplished performance tonight, with Clark’s compelling vocals drawing you into his lovelorn songs. Meanwhile the rest of the band create, a full, raucous, accompaniment, with their backing vocals and layers of guitar reverb lending a powerful dynamic to the sound .
It’s tempting to describe it as a Glaswegian take on the Americana of artists like Hank Williams and Ryan Adams, but songs like ‘Silversword’ and ‘Sex Is For Losers’ have their own unique personality. Not only that, he can work a crowd to! Definitely one to watch.
Fresh from being voted the Is this music? best live band of 2008, it’s safe to say that We Were Promised Jetpacks have built-up a strong reputation for delivering the goods, and tonight they don’t disappoint. The slowburning intro to ‘Keep Yourself Warm’ has the crowd’s rapt attention, and as the songs bursts into life its clear we’re in for a scintillating set.
The massive-sounding ‘Quiet Little Voices’ is next, cranking the intensity up another notch with Adam Thompson’s soaring vocals and the guitar pyrotechnics of Michael Palmer. It’s worth mentioning just how tight the band sound with the rhythm section of Sean Smith and Darren Lackie propelling along songs like ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’ and ‘Moving Clocks Run Slow’ with aplomb.
There aren’t many bands who infuse their music with the same uplifting energy as We Were Promised Jetpacks. Make no mistake folks, their time is now!
Le Reno Amps come from a similar tradition of left-field songwriting as the Pixies and The Violent Femmes. The Aberdonian quartet’s music is hard to pigeonhole, which is a pretty good thing in itself. Whether you call it rockabilly, power pop, or alternative country, there’s no doubt that the songwriting partnership of Scott Maple and Al Nero have captured a distinctive voice for their band. Le Reno Amps are upbeat, quirky and rollicking good fun.
The stripped-back production from Sons and Daughters cohort Andy Millar serves the direct style of the songs well. There’s no mucking about here, just punchy, tightly arranged tunes with ear-catching melodies.
‘Outlaws’ is a stomping start to the album, as Scott Maple describes his attempts to salvage his relationship with his girlfriend while having to deal with her disapproving parents. ‘You Do Your Thing’, ‘Threads’ and ‘Going Under’ also offer tales of estranged relationships over some beefy riffage.
Things come to a head on ‘The Stand Off’ as Maple yells ‘I’ve Got My Pride’ in anguished fashion before a deranged heavy-metal outro kicks in. The song then segues nicely into the serene acoustic finger-picking and plaintive slide-guitar of ‘Body’ in what is the album’s most sublime moment.
Musically, Le Reno Amps are ploughing a more unfashionable furrow than most, so they probably won’t attract too many skinny-jean clad indie hipsters. However, those who are simply fans of good music should embrace this band in all their energetic, hard-rocking glory!
Yet again, top Scottish bands are descending on the South by South West Festival from March 18-22. Every year Austin, Texas plays host to the music industry showcase and in the past it has proved a valuable platform for Scots to promote themselves Stateside.
For the first time ever Scotland will have its own evening showcase. Primal Scream will headline, with support from Glasvegas, The Proclaimers, Camera Obscura, Dananananakroyd and We Were Promised Jetpacks.
The Scottish Arts Council is also giving financial backing to send some more of our best up-and-coming acts, including screamo-upstarts , Flood of Red, rockers Twin Atlantic, Glaswegian Post-Punk outfit Nacional and Edinburgh's Come On Gang.
The excellent Shetland based singer-songwriter Astrid Williamson was also scheduled to perform but unfortunately took the decision to pull-out. She says she has decided to visit Texas later in the year because her album will not be coming out until June.
Previous festivals have seen the likes of Snow Patrol, Biffy Clyro, The Fratellis, Franz Ferdinand and Frightened Rabbit make their mark.
Wake The President- ‘You Can’t Change That Boy’ (Electric Honey)
Released on StowCollege’s student-run record label Electric Honey, ‘You Can’t Change That Boy’ is an immensely accomplished debut.Those Stow kids have taste, having previously put out albums by Belle and Sebastian, Snow Patrol and Biffy Clyro. Wake the President are certainly worthy of such company.
The band are very much a product of Glasgow, and reflect both the city’s character and musical heritage. ‘Wake’, for example, references the River Kelvin, and the influence of Postcard Records bands like Orange Juice and Aztec Camera is there for all to hear.
However, it would be wrong to dismiss Wake The President as just a parochial indie band in thrall to their heroes. There’s something vital, something necessary about their music, as they evoke the spirit of the city in a way few others have managed.
Lyrically there’s a lot to appreciate, as singer Erik Sandberg displays a biting wit and a knack for a wry turn of phrase. On ‘You Can’t Change That Boy’ the melodies bristle with effervescence as Sandberg sings “Evening is a time for mirth and gaiety”. The irresistable pop hooks of ‘Remember Fun’ bob along brilliantly as well, describing a girl with a ‘Lovely Body’ and a ‘Promiscious Mind’ as the guitars jangle.
Perhaps there’s something slightly twee about songs like ‘Remember Fun?’, but in truth most of the album has a darker undercurrent reminiscent of Arab Strap. These are tails of deceit, infidelity, and dark passions wrapped-up in infections melodies.
‘You Can’t Change That Boy’ is a rich, rewarding and beautifully-realised album. Glasgow may be Wake The Presidents spiritual home, but there sound is sure to win hearts much further afield.
Wake The President are holding an album launch party at Pollockshields Burgh Hall on Fri 6th March
We Were Promised Jetpacks are a name to look out for in 2009. Recently I chatted with Adam from the band about singing to Fat Cat, recording their debut album, and heading out on tour...
We Were Promised Jetpacks are a young Scottish band with a lot to look forward to. Last October they signed with Fat Cat Records, home to fellow Scots The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit, and now they’re hoping to bring their energizing indie-rock to a wider audience.
While WWPJ have made a name for themselves in Glasgow, they actually formed at High School in Edinburgh. Singer/guitarist Adam and guitarist Mike have known each other since primary school, and when Adam met bassist Sean in his third year computing class he was introduced to drummer Darren. They then spent a summer in Darren’s attic honing their sound, before playing their first gig at their school. “Our earlier songs had a lot more jagged guitar and the singing was a bit higher-pitched” says Adam.
We Were Promised Jetpack’sdebut is due for release in June and is currently being mixed by Peter Katis, who has worked on albums by The National, The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit.“It’s a bit stressful waiting for it to be mixed ” admits Adam. “You’ve only got one ‘first album’ and you want it to turn out right.”
In order to capture the energy of the band’sperformances, the album was recorded live. “We all just played together in a room without wearing any headphones, and they just recorded the instruments separately” explains Adam. “So, on my guitar part, for example, you can also hear a bit of the other instruments, which helps gives the sound different layers. We want it to sound live, but also quite polished.”
The Jetpacksgot their first taste of a proper UK tour last September with their friends Frightened Rabbit and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. “It was great to get an introduction to touring from people that we know and like” Adam notes. In addition they recently shot a video for their forthcoming single ‘Quiet Little Voices’. “We were told we needed a video for the single so we decided to make one with one of our friends” says Adam. “We shot it in a wood in Corstorphine but unfortunately it didn’t end-up being the best quality. However our manager knew someone in Dublin who could shoot a video for us with proper HD cameras and stuff, so we ended-up doing it over there instead.”
In some ways the singing to Fat Cat has come at an awkward time for the band, as three of the four are in their last year of university. “It’s a bit of a hassle having to go down to gigs in London in-between classes” Adam admits. “I don’t really want to do uni stuff at the moment, I just want to do stuff with the band, but I don’t think my parents would be best pleased if I dropped-out in my last year! At the moment we’re just doing a few shows here and there but hopefully once we graduate we can tour the UK properly and go to Europe and the States.”
The album was initially scheduled for an April release but was pushed back to July because the mixing was taking longer than expected. “It’s a blessing in disguise” says Adam. “If they’d released it earlier it would have been right in the middle of exam time!”
The band will get the chance to play a couple of stateside shows in March, as they have received funding from the Scottish Arts Council to attend the influential South By Southwest festival in Texas. They will be playing as the first act on a bill which includes The Proclaimers, Glasvegas and headliners Primal Scream. Not only that, but Seattle radio station KEXP have organised a show for the band in The Bowery Ballroom in New York. “It means we can have a four day holiday in New York before we go to Texas, which is pretty fun for us!” says Adam.
So, with a seemingly bright future ahead, how is Adam enjoying life as a Jetpack? “It’s really exciting at the moment, there’s news coming through about the band every day” he says.“I can’t wait until uni’s finished so that I can travel with my friends for a year and play music. Hopefully if the album doesn’t bomb then we’ll get to do it for a bit longer than that!”
Adam probably shouldn’t worry too much. The reputation WWPJ have built-up on their home turf is spreading not only south of the border, but to the other side of the Atlantic as well. Let’s hope there’s plenty of fuel in those Jetpacks, because they might be scaling some dizzy heights in the future!
We Were Promised Jetpacks play the Oran Mor, Glasgow on Sun 8th March with Over the Wall and Ross Clark
I've contributed to such publications as The Herald, The Big Issue and the News of the World amongst others. I also write and sub-edit for the website 'Is this music?'. I hope Sonic Contact will be an entertaining addition to the deluge of music-related insights that already exist on the vast, amorphous plane known as the blogosphere!
