The Rise And Fall Of Music Monday

12 weeks ago I started the first weekly update to this blog. Music Monday was to be my way of sharing my favourite lesser known bands with you all and for 10 weeks I delivered everything from hardcore punk to hip hop. Unfortunately for two weeks now I've let you down. There's two reasons for this: firstly I started to struggle to find quality artists to recommend and secondly I simple ran out of time on the the Monday's in question. Fear not music fans for Music Monday is not dead. Starting next week it's back and, hopefully, better than ever. For now here's a quick look back at the bands featured and reverandglass's pick for their best tracks:

Week 1 - Cats:For:Peru "Love in a Lift"
Week 2 - Gay For Johnny Depp "Shh, Put the shiv to my throat!"
Week 3 - Foxy Shazam "Wannabe Angel"
Week 4 - The Wake Effect "Ten Things to do if I Live"
Week 5 - The Pretty Reckless "Make Me Wanna Die"
Week 6 - Burn Before Reading "Markers"
Week 7 - My Vitriol "Falling off the Floor"
Week 8 - The Arkhams "She's Lost Control"
Week 9 - Fucked Up "Looking for God"
Week 10 - Cee Lo Green "Fuck You"

Well it's been an interesting 10 weeks and hopefully you'll check back next week to see the rebirth of Music Monday. In the mean time I'll leave you with a mini post for who should have featured in week 11:

There are few pieces of music, in the grand scheme of things, that are guaranteed to make the hairs stand up on the back of you next, that get the blood pumping in your veins faster than before, that make you want to get out of your seat and save the world. For me there are two pieces in particular that never fail to have that effect and the fact they both appear in the same movie just emphasises the point. The movie in question is Kick Ass and the composer John Murphy. You may not have heard of John Murphy, he's certainly not the household name John Williams is, but you'll probably know his work. If you've seen 28 Days Later, Sunshine or Kick Ass you'll be familiar with his soaring scores and even if you've missed all those amazing films you're bound to have seen Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or Snatch. So for now it may be the end of Music Monday as we know it but turn the volume up and just enjoy Adagio in D Minor.
Cheers,
R.

Movies Are Teh Awesome!

I'm not calling this feature the same thing every week because I'm lazy and might decide to miss a week or two. Unlike the ever popular Music Monday the Sunday movie show (actually, I like that name) is not just devoted to new or unknown gems and as if just to prove that point this week's film is 20 years old.

David Lynch's Wild At Heart is a twisted take on the Wizard of Oz starring Nicholas Cage and that bird off Jurassic Park (Laura Dern) with a strong supporting cast including Willem Defoe and Crispin Glover (Marty McFly's Dad in BTTF). As you would expect from Lynch it's a roller-coaster of weird going's on and uncomfortable characters that spins throughout this crazy love story, road movie that pays endless homage to Elvis Presley and Wizard of Oz while carving itself into your memory in the way great movies do.

If that doesn't appeal, and to be honest on paper it sounds like an awful movie, then rest assured your life will be enriched upon viewing. If you've never found love for David Lynch's works then this is a perfect place to start. Wild At Heart is easily more accessible than Mullholland Drive and definitely less creepy than Twin Peaks or Blue Velvet.
Cheers,
R.

Music Monday Week 10

This week's Music Monday couldn't have been made easier without someone typing it for me. Simon Pegg, bless him the hero that he is, suggested we all get Fuck You by Cee Lo Green to number across the world. It's actually a good track it NSFW so plug in you headphones and enjoy.



Now get yourself to http://www.ceelogreen.com/ for more information.

Cheers,
R.

The Rev's Movie Recommendation Of The Week!

Back in the glorious old days there was an awesome show on ITV on a Sturdays called Movies, Movies, Movies! After a while it changed it's name to Movies, Games and Videos! but the gist was the same. Anyways, to compliment my awesome Music Mondays I have decided to offer you all Reverandglass's Movie Recommendation Of The Week! Wooo!

huh-hmmm... First up is the film that earned Anna Faris the "Stonette of the Year" award at High Times magazine's Stony Awards in 2007. If that's not reason enough to go out a get a copy then read on...
Smiley Face introduces us to Jane F (Anna Faris) on a day when she accidentally gets ridiculously stoned on some contraband cupcakes. What follows is typical stoner movie japes as Jane tries to replace the cupcakes, pay the electric bill and make it to an audition while more baked than the cupcakes that got her in this mess in the first place. Faris gives possibly her best performance to date as the hardcore stonette with all the best intentions and is backed up with an equally strong comedy cast of isn't-that-thingey-from-that-film?s. As ever with these sorts of films our lay-about, waster heroine is lovable enough for you to root for despite her misdeeds and as ever everything wraps up nicely in the end. If you are male, ever smoked weed, are a teenager or just love Anna Faris I urge you to find and love Smiley Face.
Cheers, R.

Music Monday - Week 9

When I decided to start Music Monday I wrote four names on a scrap of paper. These were to be the first four bands featured and represent four of the six permanent fixtures on my walkman (mobile phone these days). But then three weeks in I forgot all about my list and started finding new bands to recommend. I made a mistake, I erred, I ballsed up. I'm desperately trying not to segway into the band's name with a terrible pun. The band I shamefully overlooked and bring to you now is Fucked Up.
       Now, I know they've been around for a long time and have been the darlings of MTV and NME in recent times but too few people know about them for my liking. First time I saw them I fell in love with this scary noise monster fronted by a fat, hairy man called Pink Eyes. Their brand of experimental punk combines all that's lovely and frightening about old school punk and all that remains of experimental that didn't disappear up the arse of prog in the seventies.




http://lookingforgold.blogspot.com/

Music Monday - Week 8

It's been one of those weeks where I've got nothing done. I've had a pile of bill waiting to be paid and a stack of emails clogging up my inboxes (that's right I have 3 email accounts to make me feel important!) The one thing I did manage to do, albeit accidentally, was find a band for Music Monday. The Arkhams hail from Queens, NYC and play "rock n roll like you’ve never heard while still respecting your good taste." Their song Insane features on the soundtrack to the videogame Wet which I picked up this week when I should really have been doing more productive things. Sounding like a blend of all good genres that end "-abily" The Arkhams raised a smile in me and instantly transport me to a grindhouse Rob Zombie flick directed by Quentin Tarantino anytime they're on my stereo. As ever, I recommend you check them out!



http://www.myspace.com/thearkhams
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Arkhams/45282022669

Music Monday - Week 7

Sneaking in just in time this week is the band that made my all time favourite album ever. If you don't already own Finelines by My Vitriol go out tomorrow and buy a copy. Despite only having released the one album and a deluxe edition with alternate mixes and b-sides they are still touring and recording. For now here's "Always: your way" (apologies for quality)



www.myspace.com/myvitriol

Music Monday - Week 6

A few months ago the local meat market hovel of a nightclub near me in Aldershot was taken over and turned into a reputable gig venue. As with all things these days they set up a facebook page to advertise upcoming gigs, one of their posts was commented upon by a young man from Farnham suggesting his band for a support slot. So impressed by this blatant self promotion and bravado I had to find out about the band for myself. So began my short, but entertaining, quest to find out more about Burn Before Reading.

Burn Before Reading

A short hop skip and a hyperlink across the web led me to a band Fierce Panda described as, "four young men from Farnham who play drivingly intense indie rock which is casually littered with the odd terrifically bionic chorus." Sounding somewhere between Maximo Park and The Editors with moments of the great and greatly missed Model Morning they skillfully craft 3 minute pop songs that no one would be ashamed to blast out their stereo on a summer's evening road trip. At this time of year I can think of no higher recommendation. They're bound to be playing a festival near you this summer so check out their website for free demos and then wait with eager anticipation for the full length album which I hear is on its way.


http://www.myspace.com/burnbeforereadingband
http://burnbeforereading.co.uk/

(special thanks to Shed Heyman for the info to help make this possible)

Music Monday - Week 5

I was struggling to find an act for week 5. When I started my installments of Music Monday I wanted to give shout outs to great bands you probably don't know, trouble is I'm not exactly at the cutting edge anymore. Most bands these days are more fussed about their pointy shoe, skinny jean, perfectly coiffed appearances than making music that still works without a laptop and more delay than a shitty rail company on a rainy day. So while I was trawling through the unsigned bands I befriended on myspace back when it was cool I realised all the good bands have split or made it big enough to be wasted on Music Monday. Then, while I was losing heart, I found, by way of Kerrang!, The Pretty Reckless.

 The first track I heard raised a wicked smile from the corners of my mouth. There's a playfully dirty voice that emanates from the dangerously beautiful Taylor Momsen who sounds more mature and worldly at her unbelievably young age of 16 than almost any other female vocalist I can think of on the young side of 30. Make Me Wanna Die featured on the Kick Ass soundtrack and just forces you to nod your head to it's infectious pulse just like the best sleazy rock should. Sleazy rock from a sixteen year old?! I'm avoiding making comparisons to Courtney Love but if Ms Love fronted Evanescence with Jack White on guitar you might come close to The Pretty Reckless. Their new EP is available at itunes and amazon (no I'm not posting links find them yourself) so surf across and purchase it now.

http://www.myspace.com/theprettyreckless
http://www.theprettyreckless.com/

I did make a movie!

Well not really a movie more a video slideshow of some photos I took while drunk. Abstract photos set to a soundtrack of dubious quality jazz guitar improvisation! Who could ask for more?

Music Monday - Week 4

Delayed due to some pizza based sleepyness, but still as awesome as ever! This week I've had the good fortune to discover the wake effect. Their song 'Ten Things To Do If I Live' was used as the promo music for TNA wrestling's latest Pay Per View and a hop, skip and a web search later it turns out there's a whole album available to download, for free on the official website. Combining electronic rhythms with driven guitars to produce a typically American sounding brand of infectious rock that gets stuck in my head was a sure fire way to get promoted here. 'Ten Things To Do If I Live is in the middle of their range which does vary from soft ballads to full onrockers. Check 'em out!

http://www.thewakeeffect.com/
http://www.myspace.com/thewakeeffect

Music Monday - Week 3

It's not often that I come across a band whose name alone is sufficient to make me check them out. In the past I've been swayed into parting with my cash thanks to fit bass players (Million Dead), accidentally seen live performances (Gene) and once even because their t-shirt was cool (4ft Fingers) but until I received a email promoting gigs by this weeks choice I had never been intrigued just by a name. And what a name it is! As soon as I saw it I heard a crazy cacophony of sounds in my head, I imagined a circus of noise and fun and down right quirkiness that I could resist. And boy they didn't let me down! Foxy Shazam are everything fun experimental music can be, combining rock, pop, classical, metal and anything else they feel like into energetic works of art that feel like they might fall apart at any second but never fail to raise a smile. If you haven't heard them their myspace is full to bursting with tracks and videos and I cannot recommend them enough. The video is for 'A Dangerous Man' taken from 2008's 'Introducing' find headphones, turn up the volume and discover your new favourite band!

http://www.myspace.com/foxyshazam

Music Monday - Week 2

Knowing how much I fail at regular updates I'm disproportionately proud that today marks week 2 of Music Monday! Wooo yay! I was a little unsure about this band. I found them in the basement of Rock City supporting Million Dead on their final tour. They were the second best support act I didn't previously know (The Cooper Temple Clause are number 1). They have enjoyed such critical acclaim as Men Only (yes the porn mag) saying, "Well, you could probably not like them if you don't like your bands to scream their heads off and play riotous rock music, and by King Dong's false dick do they scream!" I love them in a far more hetero way than they love Johnny Depp. Enjoy, or be repulsed by, Gay For Johnny Depp.
cheers,
R.
http://www.gayforjohnnydepp.com/

Music Monday

In a probably failed attempt to provide at least some regular content to this blog I thought I'd use Monday nights to share some of my recommendations for bands and albums to light up your stereo and excite your ears. First up is cats:for:peru who hail from Sheffield. They recently release their debut album which I thoroughly recommend you pick up if you can. They have some great tracks on myspace my personal favourite being 'Love in a Lift' and they sound like "Perfect avant-pop that John Peel would undoubtedly be championing" according to Sandman Magazine. What more can I say except to suggest you also find out the story behind the name.
cheers,
R.

www.myspace.com/catsforperu