ALBUM REVIEW: HUMBUG – ARCTIC MONKEYS

When the Arctic Monkeys play live, they do everything wrong. They’re shy, play their biggest hit as an opener and close on a slow moving, depressing track like 505. Faced with legions of cardigan wearing hipsters and laddish Britpop fans, they play Warren G or Public Enemy before taking to the stage with a drummer that is dressed exclusively by JD Sports. All of these things, combined with the impossible politeness of Alex Turner, go against any traditional template for rock success. But, against all odds, it works and for a band with the live power of Oasis and the kind of uniquely British lyrics unseen since The Smiths split, a new album is as exciting as any live event.

Humbug is an album that between skeletal bass and twisted, imaginary gloom manages to pull out anthem after anthem. Whether it’s the kind of spitting, brooding angst of Pretty Visitors or Cornerstone, a waltzy love song, all tracks have giant choruses and the required sing-along potential for the current tour circuit of arenas and festivals. More than before, vocals are pushed forward, perhaps after Turner found his softer voice by inventing The Last Shadow Puppets and becoming skilled in the ways of the croon. Or perhaps it’s because Queens of The Stone Age main man Josh Homme produced seven of the ten tracks on Humbug. Put against the wall beside the band, rock slab Homme looks every inch the greasy redneck biker who has come to steal the children and bury them in the desert. Instead, he’s helped the band add scale to their tales. This album wasn’t written in a lonely bar while casting imaginary characters in Sheffield soap opera songs and it shows.

Homme’s trademark heavy drone is everywhere and for every bass blowout, there’s the familiar jangle and rapid riff attack from Turner. On My Propeller, the song is driven down, constantly descending until the chorus drags the song out of depression and back to the kind of sunshine indie that you’d expect from Ash. It’s a weird mix and one that only works because the band are as open to new ideas as anyone. On paper it reads like Dave Grohl lending Morrissey a hand but on record, it makes perfect sense. Just as fellow Queens of The Stone age guitarist Dean Fertita joins The Dead Weather to release Horehound, similar traces of the Homme/Queens of The Stone Age influence can be found on those songs. A couple wouldn’t feel out of place on Humbug, which shows how diverse and versatile the Arctic Monkeys really are.

First single Crying Lighting is a star spangled psychedelic run through the strange subjects that Turner can transform into songs in minutes. Like the first album, songs are often narratives but narratives in the style of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas instead of traditional songs about Sheffield or ‘cuddles in the kitchen to get things of the ground’. Put that Mardy Bum lyric beside ‘make a mess lioness’ from Dangerous Animals and you’ll see swaggering, primal confidence replacing the embarrassed idea of fronting a rock band. This is the Arctic Monkeys album that demands a bigger stage and a giant band to fill it. Happily, that’s just what Turner and friends have become, without actually noticing it themselves.

Juliette Lewis and The New Romantiques: Live at Koko, Camden, May 15th

She’s been at this for 5 years, she happily tells the audience, thanking them for their support. Where other actors have dabbled, faded and fucked off when a big movie contract comes through, she’s never given up.

Even tonight, minus old band The Licks, she’s going full throttle as she arrives on stage just after midnight. “This is my new band, I needed to do something groovier” she announces months after using MySpace to inform fans that The Licks were “at the end of their run”. The new band is called The New Romantiques and their sound is heavier than anything from The Licks and, if we’re being honest, much more fun, original and adventurous. Writhing about, all big hair and determined hand gestures, she’s terrifying and every inch Iggy. The gurning, screaming and drums aren’t exactly a surprise and there’s nothing like ditching your old band and getting a new one in weeks to relight the fire. But when a full pint makes contact with her face, she’s off into the crowd to initiate the smackdown like a fully fledged WWE superstar, half panto, half crazed sinewy spider. Wherever you sit on the actress/artist side of the argument, the desire to make it to the rock A-List is clear and if you disagree, she’s simply going to stab you in the face. Less Karen O, more Courtney Love, she’s the hardest woman in American rock.

New songs from forthcoming album Terra Incognita are met with a good reception. The assorted mix of skinny jeaned scenesters and longtime fans dance to the basic, instantly accessible basslines despite the 2 hour indie disco just minutes before. Girls with studded headbands, cowboy boots and leather jackets rush to the front igniting the doubters. How do you convince someone that you’re a real rock star and not living out a rich kid fantasy? Get a major name producer on board (check) write your own album (check) and tour the shit out of it to silence the critics. Tonight, she manages it. Next stop is Brighton’s Great Escape festival. The Licks never got this kind of reception, not even in front of 85,000 drunk Foo Fighter fans at Hyde Park. Which is saying something.

5 Festival Hates…

 

1. TWATS IN HATS

JK might have started this trend but it can be traced back to The Levellers and indeed clowns. This should be a warning. Every year at every festival, IT consultants and drunken rugby-fucks go and buy a jester hat to prove their wackiness outside of their mundane workplace. These people are also the first to put on the paper crowns from crackers at Christmas and the last to leave your house party. They know of no fashions and think that by wearing novel head gear, they’ll stand a better chance of getting into the NME or The Guardian. Sadly, this only works for fit girls. Wear a silly hat and you’ll get exposed slated and laughed at on the internet. 

2. BIG BUMS

No, this isn’t a jibe at fat people but – BUT – it’s never nice seeing exposed, sunburned, unwashed ass when you’re eating a hot dog. I mean, there’s hygiene issues here, not to mention the occasional presence of hair or the stray slither of festival issue bog roll. Festivals are meant to be sun drenched free love paradises – not full of females who behave like Bob The Builder, look like Michelle McManus and believe that their 28 inch waist has remained static since leaving high school. 

3. MOBILE PHONE USAGE

A couple of camera snaps is fine because, like, we do that all the time. Ahem. We’re talking about recording songs and, worse still, calling a friend and shouting down the line before proudly raising the phone in the air like a sonic broad sword. Worse still, the man pictured is pumping The Feeling to someone as intelligent as him at the other end of the line. We imagine it’s his mum, the one waiting for him back at the tent.

4. QUEUES

Unavoidable of course, especially for the never-ending pits of poo that makes a standard chemical toilet seem like the ultimate bottom-related luxury. Worse still are the things that happen in queues. People talk about Keane, discuss their bowel movements, the plan of action for the day, who they shagged last night and talk loudly on mobile phones while gesturing to an invisible man, still partially high from their first joint of the day.

5. THE FOOD

Burger for breakfast, burger for lunch and burger for tea. By the end of the festival, it’s likely that your anus will be vomiting out meaty Frisbees like a fleshy yet rubber monster from a David Cronenberg flick. The only respite is Falafel or sweets, both of which have much the same effect on your bottom. Caffeine and beer doesn’t  help either. The solution? Cider, water, crisps and chocolate bars.

 

1. TWATS IN HATS

JK might have started this trend but it can be traced back to The Levellers and indeed clowns. This should be a warning. Every year at every festival, IT consultants and drunken rugby-fucks go and buy a jester hat to prove their wackiness outside of their mundane workplace. These people are also the first to put on the paper crowns from crackers at Christmas and the last to leave your house party. They know of no fashions and think that by wearing novel head gear, they’ll stand a better chance of getting into the NME or The Guardian. Sadly, this only works for fit girls. Wear a silly hat and you’ll get exposed slated and laughed at on the internet. 

2. BIG BUMS

No, this isn’t a jibe at fat people but – BUT – it’s never nice seeing exposed, sunburned, unwashed ass when you’re eating a hot dog. I mean, there’s hygiene issues here, not to mention the occasional presence of hair or the stray slither of festival issue bog roll. Festivals are meant to be sun drenched free love paradises – not full of females who behave like Bob The Builder, look like Michelle McManus and believe that their 28 inch waist has remained static since leaving high school. 

3. MOBILE PHONE USAGE

A couple of camera snaps is fine because, like, we do that all the time. Ahem. We’re talking about recording songs and, worse still, calling a friend and shouting down the line before proudly raising the phone in the air like a sonic broad sword. 

4. QUEUES

Unavoidable of course, especially for the never-ending pits of poo that makes a standard chemical toilet seem like the ultimate bottom-related luxury. Worse still are the things that happen in queues. People talk about Keane, discuss their bowel movements, the plan of action for the day, who they shagged last night and talk loudly on mobile phones while gesturing to an invisible man, still partially high from their first joint of the day.

5. THE FOOD

Burger for breakfast, burger for lunch and burger for tea. By the end of the festival, it’s likely that your anus will be vomiting out meaty Frisbees like a fleshy yet rubber monster from a David Cronenberg flick. The only respite is Falafel or sweets, both of which have much the same effect on your bottom. Caffeine and beer doesn’t  help either. The solution? Cider, water, crisps and chocolate bars.

 

A Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly ’so called’ news story

We would like to say more, but we’re not sure we’re allowed to. But we like Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly and can exclusively unveil this picture below – we think, though we haven’t asked Warner. I mean, should the internet be the place for promoting bands? The following image could be banned for having porn overtones, of course, clearly being a sex face. We await clarification on this. We like the bit about ‘endorsing a product’ and direct you towards the headline of the agreement.

Les Gars at Year Zero this Friday!

At the Proud Galleries in Camden this Friday are Keith, the excellent Les Gars (above) and, in the vein of TV bands such as Hamfatter and er, Towers of London, Bad Robots are supporting!

But, Robots aside, it will be great. If you see one, ask for a photo. And say you always wanted to meet Hamfatter.

Hear Les Gars here, then get your tickets here.

Zak Starkey’s The Penguins hit London…

This Friday, great London club night This Feeling features The Penguins on the bill.

Book tickets here to see the ex-Oasis sticksman (they don’t last long). Support comes from Sergeant – who, ironically, are the current Oasis support band of choice.

Our advice is to get there early (space is very cramped) and do the cocktails…before the Red Stripe. Do not mention Tony McCarroll, do not accidentally chant Wonderwall and do not ask any questions about Pete Townshend.

The ‘lost’ Ian Brown interview

There’s a few things you need to know about this interview. It was conducted on March 13^th 2000 at a time when Ian had recently been released from jail. The stupidly huge interview was done for a magazine that covered video games (not prison life, music or drugs). Most importantly, however, it was conducted at a time when I had only interviewed minor indie types like Travis, having recently left college. And people like Travis NEVER talked about drugs or called people cunts. I considered posting this as a Podcast but I sounded like a nervous chipmunk, so you’ll just get this transcript instead. The bit about rocket scientists confused me a bit and, also, I don’t use the words ‘musical’ and ‘landscape’ in the same sentence anymore. 

The Stone Roses were recently given the  ‘best album ever’ award from NME readers and you were nominated for a Brit for your solo work. How does it feel to get praise like this at two very different points in your career?

It’s strange really. The Roses getting voted Number 1 is great, but we never actually got paid for the record because we signed the contract before there were CDs and 95% of what we sold was CDs. I’ve got mixed feelings. It’s hard to punch the air thinking we’ve been voted Number 1 when you never saw a penny. The Brit thing, I think they only put me in there for credibility really. Tom Jones is in there, he’s only sold 40,000 copies of his album. You get a Brit Award, you’re guaranteed half a million sales. They’ll give it to him to get him his money back. I wouldn’t have minded winning it, just to say ‘thanks for your prize, but I’m not really arsed’. A Brit award is kind of a reward for the money you’ve made – it’s music and art – you can’t say this is ‘best’ and this is second.

So what did you think of the Brits as a whole?

Pretty damn poor, wasn’t it?

Would you have performed if they asked you?

Yeah, I was trying to get on and do Billie Jean. They nominated me, but they wouldn’t let me play. They wanted to use my name for credibility but didn’t want me to take part. Fuck ‘em.

You were 25 when the Stone Roses took off. A lot of bands now have much younger singers – if you’re 27 you’re sort of perceived as being past it. Why do you think that is?

It’s a way of getting money off young kids. The first music engineers and producers were ex-rocket scientists, clever people – the whole industry exists on young peoples’ cash – it only exists in the west. Obviously if younger people are buying records, they want them represented by young people. I was 26 in ’89, looking back, the Pistols would’ve been 19, the Stones would’ve been 20. I did think we were old at the time. John was 27, Mani was 27…

Do you think it was better that you were a bit older, though?

I wouldn’t of minded being out there at 19. You could say it made us all a bit more stable because we didn’t go mad when we were 27 but I don’t think it makes much difference. If you’re out there, age 19, it must be fantastic.

After Britpop and the popularity of guitar bands now, it seems as though record labels are looking at modeling agencies for musicians before they look at new bands.

Yeah, it’s like it’s gone back to the 1950’s. Look at Robbie Williams. I call him a ‘stripper for kids’, like a Chippendale for kids. But look at him now, he’s as big as Elvis.

John Squire has just signed a model for his new band…

I think it’s like Oasis, now you can hear them and listen to what talent they actually have, now they’re under the microscope. You see that, basically, they’ve just got a good looking singer. They’re pretty much, musically, less than average really…

You like their original stuff though?

I never really heard their LPs, just the singles. I did like the first singles they put out, they were different. Now they just sound boring. You know what you’re getting – it’s style over substance.

With your new album Golden Greats, how does it fit in to the musical landscape in 2000?

I don’t know. I just made the sounds I like to hear. I tried to get it as musical sounding as possible. I tried to put uplifting lyrics in there. To me, it doesn’t sound like anybody else and that’s a hard thing to achieve. I wasn’t smart enough to think it’s ‘going to be like this and go in this direction’, it just came out. There’s bits of everything in there, a bit of rock, electronic, beats, dubby sorts of sounds.

Where do you envisage your music going next?

I’m working on some new stuff, it sounds like kung fu music at the moment. Like the Enter The Dragon soundtrack! It minimal but it’s got beats.

Is it important for your sound to keep a dance angle?

I think that’s what made the Roses. We had beat, we had a groove. Any of the bands that copied us, whether it was clothes, guitar or a haircut – they all missed the point. The thing that set us apart was the fact we had a groove, a beat. That’s what people tuned in to. The beat is the most important thing. If you’ve got a shit drummer, it doesn’t matter what you sing like.

At the moment, there’s a few bands adding the Roses’ kind of beat…

Yeah, I don’t mind it. Imitation is flattery and all of those things. We did say when we started out, we wanted other kids to see our band and form a band. We only formed a band because in ’84 there wasn’t anything out there. I’m happy that anyone is influenced by the Roses, I just don’t rush out and but their LPs.

You’ve always had a strong stance on drugs, has that changed?

I always think it’s a lie that people out of their faces are cool, the music industry has perpetuated that myth by saying ‘Keith Richards is cool because he’s off his head’. There’s nothing cool about it. The guy can buy the best gear and when he feels ill, he can go in a nice rehab clinic.  To push that sort of thing is sick. I like it when big stars say ‘drugs are for mugs’ you know? It’s sad because now cocaine is massive. If you’ve got nothing, it’s kind of glamorous. It used to be the preserve of the rich, but now a wrap is ten quid, it’s like a status thing. I don’t think you’re being rebellious, I think you’re destroying yourself. You’re not rebelling against anything, you’re just losing yourself.

You mentioned Keith Richards. Do you think that there’s any point when rock stars should call it a day?

I don’t think age is anything to do with it. I went to see Carlos Santana the other week and that was fantastic. If you’ve got it you’ve got it, you know? I do know a sound engineer for the Stones, they actually use a guy called Bernard from Tackhead – he does an impersonation of Mick behind the curtain! Mick only sings one in every fifteen words because he’s got this guy behind the curtain singing for him. They mix the two together. Imagine that, people pay 120 quid for a ticket and he’s miming. It’s not even his voice. I hope it gets exposed, it’s criminal.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Dead Prez. Fantastic LP. It’s hip hop but they don’t sing about guns and bitches and shit. The Ghost Face LP too. I mainly listen to hip hop, I still buy new reggae stuff too.

What do you like about hip hop?

The lyrics really, I like the construction of the sound. It sounds really modern, stuff like Q Tip. I went to New York recently and there’s loads of deviations of that sound. Like electric pylons when the rain is hitting it. That kind of modern, electric sound. Those producers understand music you know? They’re flippin’ out there. It’s far and away my favourite type of music. All the soul greats too love them. Did you see that 60’s soul show on Channel 4?

Yes. It was surprising to see people like Marvin had drug habits though…

They reckon that Marvin was on coke during every record he ever made. You can hear it in music when there’s cocaine. There’s a hollow, there’s a void. He’s singing it how it is, telling us about the destruction in his head.

So Golden Greats is a completely ‘clean’ album then?

Yeah, all the guys I work with are like little miners. They’d all do 18 hours a day. They’d never even think about taking drugs to keep themselves on it.

Do you think it’s a bit sad that the Happy Mondays have reformed and are a support act to bigger bands at the moment?

I take exception with the Mondays because their label collapsed and they were owed a load of money. They were owed around a million between them and they didn’t make anything. I don’t begrudge a band like the Mondays going out and earning some money. I think it’s sad that a band of that caliber had to end up signing on the dole.

You’re learning Spanish at the moment?

Yeah, been learning it for the last three years really. My wife’s Mexican. When I met her she could hardly speak English so that was the time I started. I’ve got a child due this week, but I’m thinking that I might end up with a wife and a kid speaking Spanish, laughing at me! I’ve got an ambition to go to Spain and Mexico and sing my set in Spanish.

You’re writing a book?

It’s about the experience of going into prison, when it becomes a zoo. To contrast with the life in prison, I put a few stories in there about festivals in Tokyo. It’s a good thing to do to get it out of my system. I didn’t even swear at that stewardess, people don’t really know that full story because they can only read what was reported in court. The main reason in doing the book was to address the bullshit that had been written about me. It’s a good story, to be in jail and be like a famous zoo exhibit – everyone wants to come and check you out.

Did it shake you up, being in jail for four months?

No. You can’t go any lower though, apart from losing a limb or being in a car crash…

How long did it take you to get back to normal?

I couldn’t stop walking around my house, I couldn’t sit still. Everyone I meet now says what a load of bullshit it was that I was locked up. Same with the kids inside, they know I’m not a criminal.

Did you ever feel threatened?

I really did think there would be someone in there that wanted to knock me out, like a jealousy kind of thing. I thought they’d piss in my food and bum me in the showers. There wasn’t any of that, they’d give me radios and clean socks. It was the officers who called me a knob, trying to get me to respond and get extra time.

When are you releasing new material?

February next year. I had to rush Golden Greats because I just got out of jail. I’m gonna take my time this year!

Get well soon Noel!

As you may know, Noel Gallagher was pushed over by a 47 year old stage invader recently – at V Festival in Toronto.

We’d lke to point you towards the following video of the event…watch Liam go in for the kill.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Here’s some facts which suggest the Oasis marketing man has taken too many drugs/is now American:

* Buskers are playing the new Oasis tracks in New York as Noel had to cancel the scheduled Oasis gig.

* After years of avoiding the internet and computers, Noel now has a blog! Read it here.

* Oasis are playing a gig for MTV at the Eden Project on 27th September – Eden staff can’t get tickets, Cornish people coudn’t get them (it was an internet only booking system) and only Camden MTV types and friends, hairdressers, lovers, children, pets and friends of the pets can attend.

Rock Hack is being updated…

Or put into a format that everyone can use and read without going blind.

Old posts are being wedged into the blog at the moment and more regular updates will appear soon.

In the meantime, click here – it’s Girl’s Aloud – see if you can spot why the gig had a press photography ban…

Kate Nash interview, 2nd June 2007

She’s on a UK tour, she’s done Jools Holland (the show, not the man) and is going to do Glastonbury. She’ll slap you if you mention the words Lily and Allen but quite likes Patti Smith. And Peter Andre.

Hello Kate. How’s the tour going?

Really well. Liverpool was really good, we’ve had great crowds.

No disasters?

No, well, sort of. Hangover disasters. A couple but nothing too bad.

You’re playing Glasto – are you nervous?

Really excited but so nervous. It is nerve wracking – you’ve just got to try and get past the nerves and perform well.

Any collaborations planned?

If it happens, I’m up for it.

Who do you want then? Any requests?

Patti Smith, please!

Are you camping?

Yes! I want to camp and hang out with everyone.

So if Kate Moss said you could stay in her nearby mansion and share the helicopter ride each day, would you do it?

Oh God, no, I don’t think so…

Are you disappointed that you haven’t had any Tweedy/Lily style showbiz spats yet?

No, I can’t be bothered. I just get worked up and it’s a waste of time – I have opinions on people but I don’t want to attract gossip, it would ruin my life! I’ll just have spats in restaurants when the food isn’t right and say “what the fuck!” – that’ll keep me going.

How’s the first album going?

It’s going well, but it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done – trying to understand sounds and working with producers is weird. You just think about so many different angles, but you still want the integrity and everything to be right. 

You’re from Harrow, North London. You’re the most famous thing to come from there since Sabrina – the dancer from Misteeq, true or false?

That’s amazing! Is she from Harrrow? That’s so cool! It’s false, though – did you know Peter Andre is from Harrow!

No. How do you know?

Er, I think I liked him when I was, like, eleven!

Harrow doesn’t have a vibrant music scene, just a Primark and a rubbish nightclub called Time if we remember correctly. And a goth student pub called Trinity. We went there once.

I played my first gig in Trinity! It’s changed! There’s a lot of good bands playing there now. I think it’s really good, there’s more interesting music around now. I think it’s important for your local area to have a decent music scene.

You’ve just done a gig in Exeter – so, in celebration of the city, please rate these Devon bands out of 10, please…

Muse!

Live, God, I’d say 10!

Coldplay!

I dunno, Parachutes was such a good album but then I went off them. I’ll give them 5.

Reef!

Who?

They had a song called Place Your Hands? The singer looked like a baboon and grunted a lot – it has a bit which goes ooohh, ahhuhhh, ahu, aha, ooooooh?

Nope, never head of them – I’m sorry! Actually, can I give Coldplay an extra point because I’m thinking about how good Parachutes is.