Continually gutted we didnt attend this event !!
Oooh Aaah Just a Little Bit, Oooh Aaah A Little Bit MOKE
Now I have slapped my own wrists as I have had this draft post sitting for months – its been in the forgotten folder along with the Xmas Netsounds Takeover report – lets face it, that gibberish will never see the light of day but I will post some Finding Albert/Kitty photos at some point soon……maybe. Anyhoo – apologies to Sanctuary Management who gave me the heads up on these guys and my copy of the album Collider – still listening to it regularly – forgive me Murray. Here come da blurb…………
Amsterdam-based Moke formed in 2005. A coming-together between Belfast-born lead singer, guitarist and lyricist, Felix Maginn (formerly of Supersub), Tröckener Kecks’ guitarist Phil Tilli and Supersub’s drummer, Rob Klerckx. Drafting in bass player Marcin Felis and keyboard player Eddy Steeneken to complete the line-up, Moke’s voyage of discovery began…
2006 brought an early indication of Moke’s credibility and abilities when they were booked as support to Paul Weller at two gigs in the London Forum in December of that year. 2007 saw the release of their debut album “Shorland”, produced by Joeri Saal, who mixed Paul Weller’s album, “As Is Now” at Studio 150, Amsterdam. “Shorland” rapidly grew to prominence across-the-board in Dutch charts, prompting the single releases; “Last Chance”, “Here Comes The Summer” and “This Plan” (the latter being featured in a Toyota television advert),
Moke continued to advance their reputation of delivering-up strong live performances by playing a criss-cross pattern of gigs throughout Benelux during 2008; including opening the main stage on the main day at Pinkpop festival. In October 2008 they broke into new markets with a pan-European support slot on Paul Weller’s tour; a further and clear indication of Weller’s seal of approval on Moke’s sound. Followed, shortly after, by support on Keane’s German tour.
2009 opened on another high-note in the band’s progression, supporting Amy Macdonald’s German shows. 2009 also marked the release of the band’s second album, “The Long And Dangerous Sea”, again with Joeri Saal taking on the production duties and front cover photography by Anton Corbijn. This spurred a handful of singles which reached deep into Dutch charts. The video for “Switch” found Moke decant from the Netherlands and into the blistering heat of the Navarra desert in Northern Spain for the shoot.
Since then, Moke have continued playing to increasing and appreciative audiences – gaining the the status of #1 ‘Indie’ band in Holland along the way; reflected through album and single sales and regular appearances on mainstream, prime time television shows in Holland. Factor in dynamic performances in front of massive crowds at Lowlands, Pinkpop, another Paul Weller tour support in May 2010 and support for Razorlight, along with several performances accompanied by the Metropole Orchestra; including the Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam in October 2010, and you will be drawn to the correct conclusion.
Thats the latest video from them which appeared in January of this year. The album, Collider, has been a steady listen in my motor for best part of a year now. Definitely worth checking out – I find bits of it reminds me of Robbie Williams when he was working with Guy Chambers – dont let that put you off, that was when his songs were at their best wasnt it ? Check them out and decide for yourself. About time we saw them over on these shores methinks. The Modfather is NEVER wrong (apart from fashion disasters circa Style Council Era….) and hes on record as saying of Moke “Fucking smashing tunes”. Cant say fairer than that
A Little Late Night Grooving For You…….
Nae bad, fit Rock yersel ?
Cos I’m knocking on a bit I enjoy things that make me feel young again. Oil of Olay, ginseng, cod liver oil and big, brash rock n roll bands. Previously Estrella, Ketimine Deco and ROADWAY have been the acts that took me back to my mullet-sporting, denim cutoff-wearing, mid 80′s dickhead again. The guy who would wake up most Sundays with a raging hangover and a busted neck from headbanging. Don’t get me wrong, all of those guys have taken the genre bang up to date – I havent noticed any spandex……..yet – I’m watching you Ross McEwen, yes, YOU. So here are DeadFire, the latest hard-rockers to propel me back to my youth with their old-skool, riff-based rock n fucking roll.
So these loons fae the toon, Charlie Munro, Gordon Leith, Rich Lewis and Tunk Reid have supported stoner rock giants Hawkwind in Aberdeen as well as Baachus Barachus, The Brimstone Days and fellow Granite City dwellers Bisongrass and The Little Kicks. They’re now looking to branch out of Aberdeen and have so far played Glasgow and Edinburgh and I’m hoping for some Inverness action from them at some point in the very near future. Recently released their debut album with a wee perty at TheForum in Eberdeen. I’ve given it a few blasts while out and about in the motor (cheers Charlie !) so if you like your rock n roll hard, loud, funky and Scottish then go and give these guys a blast !! Take a listen to these clips of fans at the album preview…………….as he says – if you like it – fine – if you dont – also fine. Me ? I like it – It makes me 17 again which, as Mrs Dontblog will tell you, is a vast improvement from my usual childish, immature shennanigans running around like Im 12 ;) . Midlife crisis anyone….?
GO ON GO ON GO ON. FIT ARE YE WAITIN FOR ? GO THEN !!!!
Campfires in Winter cover Avicii vs Nicky Romero – I Could Be The One
The Insider Festival
What the FLOCK ??
If I was in the business of handing out awards for BEST NAMES IN MUSIC this act would be well up in the nominees. Simple and I love it!! DIGITAL JONES. Sounds like a 21st century blaxploitation hero/mp3 pirate !! Digital Jones and the EP Release starring Harrison Fjord ?? Stop it !! I received one of those electronic mail type things – the fellas that use the phone line as opposed to blokes in vans and bikes etc etc and don’t use the letterbox hole in your door – email, that’s the word, from singer Nikki to tell me all about the new EP, FLOCK, and its subsequent launch night. Id been recommended to Digital Jones by none other than Roberta ‘Banana Sessions’ Pia. Are they all mad – have they read the shit I put out on here……..Im honoured to say the least !! Thank you ladies.
I put my big fancy important reviewers hat on and have listened intently to this EP and given my words great deliberation and thought before putting this ‘review’ on here. It’s important to me that I get my feelings on this piece of music across in the appropriate manner !! Sooooo in the tradition of my other (all 3 or so of them) ‘reviews’ in this site lets keep it simple and to the point.
THIS IS FUCKING BRILLIANT !!
There you go – a phrase that is used often but not lightly on this ‘nonblog’. Ive spent the last half an hour bopping round the library here at Dontblog Towers and in the process I have smashed 4 priceless Ming vases and my collection of Faberge Uggs – expensive bejewelled boots from Australia….. Everyone is screaming about the Daft Punk album stream this week – I was underwhelmed. This is more my half pint of cider. It’s common knowledge that I’m an utter sucker for that mix of live drums and serious hard and software a la Homework and Digital Jones pressed the correct button (that one between my lugs) and I’ll be sitting at work this weekend wishing I was in Edinburgh watching this stuff being unveiled at The Caves. As always, hoping for some Inverness appearances before too long. Standout track if I absolutely had to pick one would be Beggarman cos its an absolute stonker but every track is a doozie !! There – shitey big bad nasty reviewer man has gone away now. You can open your eyes again.
Find DIGITAL JONES On………………… BANDCAMP FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD
Digital Jones are proud to announce the upcoming launch of their first EP F L O C K and heres what the press release had to say……………ctrl-V…….more eloquent than me….
The Edinburgh based, live electro band have been evolving their sound and live performance
over the last 7 years, with core members, vocalist Nikki Kent and drummer/producer Phil
Mcbride being at the heart of this process, working with different musicians and releasing
their debut album Click Clack in 2010. Since then they have paired down their outfit to a
streamlined trio with bassist and horn player Chuck Dearness, and focused on their live
sound. Flock, self-released on the 18th May is the offspring of this process.
Expect layers of vintage synths (Moog, Roland SH101), pedal harmonium, 80’s drum beats,
dominant and defiant vocals and haunting harmonies, melodic horn lines, a whole lot of sub
and a good old fashioned dash of disco. Each of the four tracks has a quality that differs
from the next with a common thread that is visceral, raw and driving. Influences include Little
Dragon, Radiohead, Jamie Lidell, Roisin Murphy and Queens Of The Stone Age.
Digital Jones have teamed up with Chapel Perilous Art System to celebrate the launch of the
EP at the Edinburgh venue The Caves. Chapel Perilous Art System is a new team of sound,
light, and visual artists and technicians, collaborating to create innovative, cohesive and
immersive productions. The event will see Digital Jones presented in the context of carefully
curated audio visual experience with bespoke 3D projection mapping visuals from
Adventures in Light and full club sound from the Chapel P sound system.
The event will also provide the first opportunity to hear The Boney Kit Steppa, live! The solo
incarnation of Tim Lane (Hidden Orchestra/ truthoughts) combining his skills on the drums
and trombone. As well as this Digital Jones will be supported by some of Edinburgh’s finest
DJ’s including G Kemp (Animal Hospital) and Astroboy (Samedia, Four Corners).
