Here at Decadence in Berlin HQ we are feeling rather generous and are offering up some of our songs for free download. Why not, eh? They were recorded some time last year at the Smash Rooms in Ketley, and there is a run-down of the track listing somewhere in the past posts. you may want to read up about the songs. But here it is for your listening pleasure.
In other news, it seems our gig this Sunday in Shrewsbury has been cancelled due to a double booking. But to make up for it we are going to be playing in Aberystwyth in March so keep yr eyes peeled on the myspace for that.
Well, it turned out I couldn't rationalise which design was the best so I ordered all four. Yes, you read correctly, all four. They should be in some process of creation as I type, and hopefully next week they will arrive on my doorstep. Until the finished product comes however I got around to making some mock-ups.
Tonight Lucy and I are off to see Joyous at the new Little Civic. I'm quite interested to see what they are like as currently their myspace is a little barren (they are in the studio at the mo), so this will be my first taste of what they have to offer. You can read a little more about them and check out their très cool t-shirts over on their myspace or read their amusing blog - link over on the right.
Next gig for us is a week on Sunday at the Source bar in Shrewsbury - a double headline with Is This Paris? It's a tale of two cities, so to speak. Stay tuned for further information.
So this evening has been spent playing around with badge designs which are a long time over due whilst drinking some lovely Jim Beam I bought at Christmas and listening to Yeasayer's new LP and (wait for it...) Ke$ha's album, which is my obligatory pop album of the year. It's actually very enjoyable, although it does sadden me that she has basically ripped Uffie off and made a career of it whilst Uffie... well, what did Uffie do? Did she ever release a record? Who knows.
Anyway, I digress. Above are four badge designs for you to ponder. Which do you like best? Let me know, as I am going to be getting them made during the week. You'll have to use your imagination to think of them as circles, as I couldn't be bothered to spend any more time fighting Paint Shop Pro.
It's seems very rare that I come across someone local that is doing anything remotely different to the same-old, same-old alternative nights that burn out and fade away faster than the NME's latest fad band. However, just when I think that all is lost, along comes Out of Step to provide a breath of fresh air on the stagnant Wolverhampton scene. Promoter Rich Cartwright has been doing a stellar job in creating not only a club night which embraces more experimental and lo-fi outfits rather than mainstream mainstays, but also acknowledges the work of local artists and writers who they work with in the design of their posters, various compilations and, most recently, the Out of Step zine. With plans to bring in up-and-coming buzz bands from out of town and even a tape cassette label, 2010 looks to be a promising year for Wolverhampton's independent scene. The club night runs monthly on the last monday of the month at Alchemy, a couple of doors down from the Old Little Civic. The next night is February 22nd and has a post-hardcore vibe going down with Advantage and Still Bust. Make sure to go support the night and pick up a copy of the current zine which can be found in various locations around the West Midland region (I found mine in The Victoria, Brum). If you do get a copy keep your eyes peeled for my three life changing records.
I can also confirm that we will be playing at Out of Step on April 26th with La La Vasquez, a lo-fi three-piece all-girl noise-pop group. I am looking forward to that immensely. Read more about them here.
So Saturday saw quite a busy day for us. First up was a trip out Walsall way to JJM studios for a meeting with a chappy called Leon for the Surface Unsigned competition which we have unwittingly decided to enter. We got lost on route as A: I was driving, B: I don't have satellite navigation, and C: Walsall is a maze of crazy junctions, traffic lights and multiple lanes. We got there eventually however and watched a motivational video which made me question the true reason people want to be in a band, but still, we booked ourselves into the competition and our first competition gig will be at the Flapper in Brum on April 11th, exciting. We've got tickets so scream if you want to go faster... I mean, holler if you want to come watch us "rock in" (in the words of the man from Copperhead in the video).
After driving home and a couple of hours respite, we headed back out, this time for our gig in Oakengates at the launch of a new rock/alternative night at Eden nightclub. Sadly, nothing seemed to go to plan and it ended up us not playing (or any other acts for that matter) due to the small problem of their being no P.A system. D'oh! Thanks must go to Ol' Man Smash at the Smash Rooms for hooking us up with some mic stands at short notice, but all in vain. We did consider a mime set but decided against it out of common decency. We did however take the opportunity to continue our fast food odyssey earlier in the evening by making a trip into TFC (Tender Fried Chicken, surely not copyright infringement in any way) for some tasty treats. I had chicken nuggets and chips. The nuggets were very hot and were some of the best reconsitituted chicken parts I've had in ages. Can't fault them. Lucy had the same, Robert declined food as he had already eaten. Back at the club it was clear that we weren't going to be able to play so we packed up. Rob and Lucy headed off but I stayed around for my DJ set which was enjoyable and saw me play some old favourites (which may have been a little self-indulgent) like Taking Back Sunday and Hell is for Heroes. It was a busy night, just a shame about the bands not being able to play, so sorry to anyone who came especially for the live music!
Back to the present. Chew Lips released their album (physically) today so I popped into HMV to bag myself a copy, as did the Lucy Brown. It's cracking, image Karen O fronting some minimalist electro and you'd be on the right lines. Here's the video for current single Play Together:
Here at Decadence in Berlin HQ we are feeling rather generous and are offering up some of our songs for free download. Why not, eh? They were recorded some time last year at the Smash Rooms in Ketley, and there is a run-down of the track listing somewhere in the past posts. you may want to read up about the songs. But here it is for your listening pleasure.
