Category Archives: Music

Death Magnetic

Metallica album cover art

The original Thrashers return!

I, probably like many other Metallica fans, gave up following the bands new efforts after the Black album of 1990. It was a combination of my new found love of Indie/Grunge music that I got over exposed to in University, and the fact that the subsequent albums were really quite weak for a band of their calibre.

But the boys are back, with a new Bassist (Robert Trujillo), and a leaner, meaner, stripped back sound under the guidance of Rick Rubin. People are saying it’s the best work they have done in 20 years, and I’m not surprised. If Rubin can make Neil Diamond cool and popular then he was always going to succeed in bringing something special back to Metallica.

I haven’t yet downloaded the album, but the initial snippets I have heard sound good..and I like the album cover art, which was actually produced by Coca Cola’s design agency.

Travis @ Hammersmith Apollo

Travis

Another really fun gig from Fran and the boys, playing songs old and new. The sound mixing was really poor though, and I especially noticed it at the start. However, the sheer enthusiasm of their performance annulled these problems, the guitarist even managed a crowd surf-whilst playing the guitar, Fran was all over the stage (and even fell over the drum stage), and for the last song, ‘Why does it always rain on me?’, Fran got everyone to pogo under threat of death by sniper from the celebrity box. Great stuff.

****

Wilco, Shepherds Bush Empire

Wilco band photo

Wilco have to be one of the best bands around that I know of. Years of experience, beautiful mature songwriting, endless sonic experimentation to add texture to the songs (and they do it live really well), blistering solos, mellow moments, rocking moments, Jeff was in a good mood too so fun banter with the crowd…these guys really are a class act.

*****

Rodrigo y Gabriela

These guys focin ROCK!! Went to see them at The Shepherds Bush Empire, I was blown away by their performance. Great fun, brilliant percussive playing with Acoustic guitars.

http://www.rodgab.com/

Tarantula A.D. in Prague*

Tarantula A.D. in Prague

Tarantula A.D. in Prague

* with special guests Pearl Jam

Went to Prague and Vienna to catch Tarantula A.D. supporting Pearl Jam. My friend Marcos Bro Danny plays the Cello and other things in the band. Pretty awesome all round! I even got to chat to Stone Gossard briefly in the pub. Cool.

And Prague is beautiful, as is Vienna, had an excellent time going out and partying.

Search this site

Categories