This’ll be the last of my unofficial London Calling preview posts, since we’ve only got two more days to go! But before I get to this week’s New Band, I have to do a little whining about the most devastating of line-up changes. The mighty Black Wire, one of my most beloved bands, has cancelled their appearance on Friday night. Frankly, I’m hurt. I have bought all of their releases since the very first 7″ (because I figured any song called “Attack! Attack! Attack!” just had to be cool), and have supported them ever since. I thought their debut full-length album couldn’t possibly live up to their great singles, but I’ve never been more wrong. Plus, I’m the only person I know that put it on their “Best of 2005″ list. And yet, despite my undying devotion, they’ve snubbed me. Sigh. I just want them to know that I still love them, though this will take me a little while to get over.

Larrikin Love

Luckily, there’s still plenty to get all excited about this weekend. The last of the newer bands that I’m really looking forward to is the slightly odd Larrikin Love. I don’t know much of their music yet, but I know enough to be excited. They’ve got some ska and reggae in them, and a little Libertines. So far, my favorite is “Happy As Annie”, which sounds a bit like an indie-Madness with some sweet banjo action. Their previously released singles are all limited-as-hell (as far as I know), but you can buy the tracks from their Transgressive release from the label’s newish Digital Store. (Also, on a semi-unrelated note, be sure to get yourself the Transgressive Singles Collection: Vol 1, due for release in the UK on April 17th, so you can check out some of the great stuff most have us have had to miss out on.)

Anyway, be sure to check out Larrikin Love if you’re at the Paradiso this weekend, or listen to a few of their songs at, shockingly enough, their myspace page. (Their official site doesn’t have much on it yet, but you can have a look at their tour schedule and see if they’re coming to a theater near you.)