Monthly Archive

Tonight is the night 100b has been waiting for - The Raconteurs, live in Amsterdam. Hot damn!, are we excited about this show. Fine, we say that about everything, but this one really is something special. See, I’m meant to be moving away to a far-away land, but things are moving slower than the slowest thing you could possibly imagine. Which is putting a cramp in our concert-going style, because we have no idea what upcoming shows I’ll still be here for. It’s a gigantic pain in our asses. So Tam and I are always scheming about what we should risk buying tickets for and we’ve missed out on a few things, but so far there’s been no big disappointments.

So when we heard about The Raconteurs, we immediately started planning. They hadn’t even released their first single and we were already talking about one of us flying over to the other, just so that we would be able see them together. When I saw their name on the Melkweg’s schedule, I nearly peed my pants. I would’ve bought those tickets even if I had to walk here from my new home, so it worked out alright that the Big Move still hasn’t happened.

I’m going to go ahead and say that Broken Boy Soldiers is by far the best album released so far this year, and I’d be willing to bet good money that it’ll still be at the top of the list in December. I triple-dog-dare someone to put out something even better. With Jack White and Brendan Benson teamed up, I knew it would have to be good, but I never expected it to be what it is. Pretty much every track is my favorite while it’s playing, but this is the best of the best, if you ask me. The thought of seeing them play it live tonight is so exciting, I might really pee my pants this time.

   The Raconteurs - Intimate Secretary

(In other news, Tam found this story, which says that the Soledad Brothers aren’t really breaking up after all. It sounds too good to be true, so keep your fingers crossed.)

Whoa, I forgot it was Wednesday! And the funny thing is all day I’ve been thinking about what I should write for next week’s posts, while I was enjoying last night’s concert afterglow. (Yes I did go see Franz Ferdinand and it was amazing. Don’t judge me, I’m weak.)

I apologize about the tardiness, but I’ll try to make it up to you with today’s great New Band with some serious potential. I bring you Buen Chico! Ok, let’s see, how can I explain what they sound like. They seem to have some nineties Britpop influences with some sixties pop mixed into it. They sound like such a pleasant bunch, it’s very hard not to like them. On the other hand, their inoffensiveness does make them a bit safe, though they are brand spanking new, so it might be too soon to tell.

Let me put it this way: after hearing six of their songs, so far they’re not the most edgy or innovative band I’ve heard this year, but they make me so happy I can’t wait to be done with this post and dance around with them. You can listen to their debut single “Giving Your Gifts” and even the B-side “Drip Drip Tick Tock” on myspace. If you, however, want to hear a reason why I might have jumped the gun on telling you how safe they sound, download “La La La” on their official site. It makes my ears want to do a happy dance of their own.

I don’t really have anything to say about this week’s Poptastic Day song. I think this says it all:

I don’t know what this image was originally; I really wish it was a poster (but I’m pretty sure it’s a record sleeve, how sad). It’s got all the different Hustles (hmm, did you know there was more than just that one??) and handy little pictures showing you the moves. You have no idea how much I’d like to take credit for finding this, but I found it over at Frank’s Vinyl Museum, the internet home of weird music. You can check out the large version, in all its glorious detail, here. (How awesome is the guy doing the ‘Foxy Trot’?!?!) Thank you, Frank!

   Van McCoy - The Hustle

Enon is one of those bands that’s almost to odd to describe, but still manages to sound poppy somehow. I love this song. It never fails to cheer me up. Lord knows I need some happy these days. The exam period is upon me and one of my exams is getting in the way of a potentially mind-blowing concert. Now I have to choose between my stupid education or seeing Franz Ferdinand in a ridiculously small venue. The jury’s still out, but they’re starting to think that diplomas are highly overrated anyway. You’re probably right if you’re thinking that a Franz Ferdinand song would have been more appropriate today, but their awesomeness just bums me out now.

   Enon - Daughter In The House Of Fools

You know, I was really tempted to just give up on New Band Day today and ask (if there’s anyone out there reading this) for some suggestions. I know it’s because I haven’t had the time to browse around until I find that great new band that must be out there, but I haven’t been very inspired by anybody I’ve come across lately. Most of the bands I’ve checked out in the last few months have felt, well, sort of generic.

But I did run into The Bishops, who I’m enjoying very much. I’m ashamed because I should’ve known about these guys a while ago, it seems, but better late than never. They’ve got an Early Beatles-y thing going on, which I find oddly comforting. But with a little current indie attitude thrown in for good measure. That’s my take on it anyway. Plus, those twins are both adorable and a little creepy, at least in the above photo - or is it just me?

Their second single, “The Only Place I Can Look Is Down” was out a few weeks ago, but you can listen to it on their myspace page. Or check out their tour dates and whatnot on their official site.

The title of this song has an odd history. Kyu Sakamoto had a hit in Japan with the bittersweet song “Ue O Muite Aruko” in 1961. Two years later a British group did an instrumental version of the song and called it “Sukiyaki” after one of the band member’s favorite Japanese dish. So when the original Japanese version caught on, they released it under the same name. There is no logic behind the name change, it has absolutely nothing to do with the actual song. Imagine if they renamed all Britney Spears’ songs after American foods in Japan, because the Japanese audience would remember it better. Ah, remember her first single “Sweet Potato Pie”? Good times …

My mom remembers learning the song when she was little from her Japanese friend and she can’t stand the cover versions. But just about everybody seems to have covered the song, in several languages and in several styles. From Bryan Adams to the nineties R&B group 4PM.

Anyway, here it is, the first Japanese song to climb the charts in the West. It even hit the number one spot in the US! The original title means ‘looking up as I walk’, I don’t know what the rest of the song is about, but I’m pretty sure it has nothing to do with beef and noodle soup. Hey, whatever happened to whistling in songs? Someone should bring that back.

   Kyu Sakamoto - Ue O Muite Aruko (Sukiyaki)

I got the most recent Decemberists album, Picaresque, about a year ago and, well, barely listened to it at all. So much time went by that I totally forgot about it. But then Tam bought us tickets to see them last month, and I pulled it out again. I thought I might have another listen before the concert. What the hell was I thinking, letting that CD sit around getting dusty?!?! Flippin’ idiot!

The concert was awesome; I loved the Decemberists even more. Within minutes of getting home that night, I downloaded their other two albums from emusic, but only had the chance to listen to them over the last week. Now I can’t stop. There hasn’t been a day in over a week that I haven’t listened to at least one, if not all, of the Decemberists’ albums.

So I bring you “Eli, The Barrow Boy” as the song that soundtracked my week. As much as I love each and every song, that one is still by far my favorite. It’s a deeply sad and haunting song. Sometimes we love music because it lets us feel achingly sad, it gives us an excuse. If that wasn’t true, why would Coldplay be so popular? We all like to feel sad sometimes, it feels good. But that’s not why I love “Eli, The Barrow Boy”. The Decemberists are fantastic story-tellers. I love to listen to their songs - not just in the background but really listen - because they’re so full of wonderful detail that I can picture the characters. I can see Eli, selling his coal and marigolds. I can picture the church yard where he was buried. It’s not just a song. It’s a tragic tale of love and loss and death, written and sung with so much care that poor Eli might as well have been a real man that the world forgot.

   The Decemberists - Eli, The Barrow Boy

I’m honestly undecided whether I like this band, but I can’t stop listening to them. I’m fascinated, that’s for sure. Just when I think I’ve heard this all before they surprise me and I stick around and think, OK one more song. The thing is they have two myspace pages and the one has songs I really do like a lot, the other not so much. So I went to their official site and it seem that the songs I don’t like as much are the ones they have samples for on the site.

Now I’m confused. All I can say is listen for yourself. The ‘good’ myspace page has four lovely songs you can download. I especially like “Part Two” and “Obviously Apparently”. These songs are actually a bit different. Pretty vocals and interesting but poppy melodies. Fiends sounds like Marc Bolan doing a fifties pop hit complete with shoo-waddy-waddies. Then there’s the ‘not as good’ myspace page where they sound much punkier and less like a band I might want a full CD of.

   Crash Convention - Part Two

When I first introduced Poptastic Day, I said something about never posting anything that’s considered ‘good’ music. The Del Vikings are probably breaking that rule, but there’s a certain smiley corniness that comes with doo-wop, so I reckon it’s alright.

I got my current record player for my birthday a few years ago, and I went on a bit of a record shopping expedition in celebration. I went around to this 50s music shop in Amsterdam in search of some Coasters or Buddy Holly or just something good and cheerful. They had the sleeve (not the record, mind you) for Elvis’ ‘68 Comeback Special on sale. The man running the shop acted like I was a moron for asking why. I guess the question was just too stupid for him to bother answering, and I still don’t know why you would sell a sleeve with no vinyl. The only thing I can think of is that it’s so rare, people might want a better condition sleeve than the one they have or whatever. But the thing is, I emailed some vinyl collectible shop in the UK after that, looking for that same Elvis album; they didn’t have it but had looked it up for me and, according to them, it’s not especially rare or worth all that much. Hmm, I guess I’ll never know about that sleeve thing.

Anyway. I looked around for a while and when I went to pay for the one record I wanted, the man asked if I had found what I was looking for. With total disdain, of course. I guess I was just not good enough for 50s music, there’s no way I could properly appreciate it. I was a little tired of his attitude, so I said that no, I hadn’t found anything on my list actually. When I mentioned The Coasters, he made some snide remark about them being just a novelty act and implied that real music lovers don’t like that crap, so he didn’t bother to stock any of their records. Sigh. I also mentioned that I wanted some Del Vikings, and it was like he turned into a completely different person, smiles all around. As if me knowing about the Del Vikings made me a more respectable person. Geez, what an ass. I haven’t gone back to that store since, and I never will.

I guess that was just a totally random story that I felt like sharing for some reason. The Del Vikings may not be ridiculous like most of our Poptastic Day posts, but they’re (slightly cheesy) Pop at it’s finest. I don’t mean to imply that they weren’t great - they were a fantastic group and every note they sing makes me grin. If you don’t know about the Del Vikings, learn more at Destination Doo-wop. “Come Go With Me” is a classic - I especially like the big YEAH! almost exactly halfway through the song, look out for it.

   The Del Vikings - Come Go With Me

Aaaaaaah yes, the blog has gotten a nip and a tuck, my friends! Look how pretty! Bean has certainly outdone herself. 100B looks goooood and it knows it. Here’s some Demolition Doll Rods in celebration of our new and improved look. Also for all of you out there who feel a bit blah today: listen to the song and believe it, baby.

   Demolition Doll Rods - You Look Good

I keep a list of new bands and artists to check out, names I’ve come across here and there that I don’t want to forget. Or, I used to. I was tidying up my computer a few days ago and I found the list, which I’d made about 6 months ago and had completely forgotten about. I think it’s safe to say that that system isn’t really working for me.

Anyway, Jamie T was on that list; I remember seeing one of his videos on MTV one day and jotting his name down. I finally looked him up this week, so I guess it’s better late than never. I went to his official site and started listening, then quickly decided that I didn’t like it. Less than a minute later, I had completely changed my mind. I don’t know why. I’m not sure I even understand this guy. Is this indie? Ska? Reggae? Rap/Grime (like The Streets)? Pop? I don’t even know. But it’s different from anything else and that’s definitely a good thing. His ‘links’ section has only the Mystery Jets and Larrikin Love listed, which makes some kind of sense to me, so if you like either of them you might like him too. The more I think about it, the more I think Jamie T just might be totally awesome.

He has a new single coming out on July 3rd, “Sheila”. I haven’t had a chance to check out all the music on his site yet, but I actually like “So Lonely Was The Ballad” best so far. This is his official site, and this is where you can listen to some songs and watch some videos. You can also listen to his stuff on his myspace page (surprisingly enough).

I am shocked that these sisters are not still “ripping up the charts”. Shocked! They could have been the next black female British Hanson. Though come to think of it, what happened to those guys? I guess when the cute wears off all you’re left with is a bitchin’ song! This song defines the nineties, it’s poppy and kind of crap, but you are never gonna be able to get it out of your head. The main theme is that they’re gonna be superstars and, for a second there, they were. I love when they spell out their name, that was huge in the nineties!

The group was named after the leadsinger Cleo. I always wondered if the other two sisters felt any resentment about that. Ok, I didn’t “always wonder” that, that would make my life kind of sad. Anyway, that’s all I know about the trio, which isn’t a whole lot. If you want to learn more about them check out the Wikipedia, if you just want to enjoy the poppy goodness:

   Cleopatra - Cleopatra’s Theme

Today is West Memphis 3 Awareness Day. If you’ve never heard of them, here’s the deal. There’s these three guys in prison in Arkansas, for crimes they had absolutely nothing to do with. Today marks the 13th anniversary of Jesse Misskelley, Jason Baldwin, and Damien Echols’ imprisonment. They’ve been locked up for 13 years. If you’re sitting all cosy in your bedroom, like me, you can probably help them.

Before I tell you just a little bit about their case, something has to be mentioned that is usually forgotten. The WM3 were arrested for the murders of three little boys, just eight years old. At the end of this post, I’ll give you all some links to read more about the case in general, and you’ll be able to find out more about the original crime as well. Suffice it to say, it was horrible and hideous and should never, ever, ever have happened. As important as it is to get the WM3 out of prison, it’s just as important to remember that whoever is actually guilty of this crime should be found.

Jesse, Jason, and Damien have come to be known as the West Memphis 3, obviously, because of where they’re from and where the murders took place, a kind of poor and very religious area. These three were picked out because they were different, because they listened to heavy metal and wore black clothes. It may seem insane to some of us, but I guess they seemed like a threat to a lot of people. The investigation had gone on too long with no arrests and something had to happen, quick. Damien Echols, who was seen as a problem child to some members of the community, must have seemed like a sure shot. He was weird and didn’t fit in anywhere and thus must have been involved in some kind of satanic cult. Jason just happened to be his best friend, so he may as well be taken down, too. And Jesse? Well, a young man who is pretty close to being mentally handicapped is easy to manipulate, which is exactly what you need to set up a case against someone when you have no evidence whatsoever. These three guys fit the bill perfectly, and the police wouldn’t have to deal with the community panic any longer. It was quick and easy and they could all look like heroes.

Jesse was questioned, and was forced into a confession. If you don’t believe me, read the transcripts of the interrogation. When Jesse says something that conflicts with the what the police know to be true (most obviously with the time of the murders), they twist him around and put words into his mouth until he spits back exactly what they want him to say. Young and probably very scared, it didn’t take him long to figure out how to make it all stop.

With a description of a satanic ritual in hand, the police went for Damien and Jason. With evidence like Damien’s journal (with disturbing Metallica lyrics and satanic doodles written inside) and an expert on satanic cults, the trials were pretty much what you’d expect. Jesse and Jason are now serving life sentences, and Damien is currently on death row.

The case is incredibly complicated and I wouldn’t be able to give you accurate detail, so I haven’t even tried. I hope I’ve given you enough information to make you want to know more. If you’re with me on this, help them. What they need most is support and money. A lot of their legal work is done for free, by lawyers and experts who believe in them. But they still need to pay for other stuff, most importantly DNA testing that wasn’t available when they were originally tried. You can donate to any of their defense funds, but Damien really needs it the most, for now. If you can’t donate anything, tell your friends about them and maybe they’ll tell someone else, and so on.

I don’t know how to write about these guys without being emotional. I worry about them at night. I think of them when I’m out having fun at a concert because they should be out having fun as well. I think about how frustrating it must be to be locked away, year after year, and how trapped they must feel in a legal system that has done nothing but let them down. It breaks my heart. The only thing I can figure is that I can help Damien in whatever way I can, which will in turn help Jesse and Jason, which will in turn help the many others out there in similar situations. If you have the time to be reading this, then you surely have a half hour to read more about them. Please do, every little bit will help them.

Go to the official WM3 support site and find out more about the three and the case. The site is run by three supporters, who do all of the work for free, and have an amazing archive of legal information and evidence online for you to look through for yourself.

Donate to The Damien Echols Defense Fund via Paypal, which you can find out about here.

Find out other ways to help here.

Order the amazing book about the case, by journalist Mara Leveritt here (US) (though, if you order via wm3.org, they get a percentage of the total to help run the site) or here (UK). While you’re there, also pick up Damien’s beautifully written book, Almost Home, to hear his side of the story.

Watch the two documentaries by the makers of “Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster” (The first was made during the trials, the second four years later), available to order on DVD here and here (US), or here (UK - amazon has it listed as a US import, but it isn’t).

The Crimea have come up with a unique way to make some potentially big money for charity. They’ve started The Big Swap for War Child. The idea is, if I understand it correctly, that they have an item - right now it’s a rare Arctic Monkeys 7″ - and if you’re interested you offer them something in return that is higher in value. They want to keep trading up and up until they have an item that is worth a million pounds. So dig through your closet and antiques and other things people might pay a bundle for and help these guys out. Check out the Big Swap Site for updates and more detail on how it works or go to their myspace.

It’s been an exhausting week. Seriously, I’m about to fall asleep right here and it’s not even 9 o’clock. Thank God I don’t have a job, eh? Anyways, it’s been one of those weeks where the smallest dumbass thing will put you in a grumpy mood. A while back, I wrote a post about how Johnny Cash was helping me through a similar week. But even he couldn’t help me this time. The only thing that kept from me from being a total grump was some good ole glam rock. Hold onto your seats, it’s T. Rex!

I had read about Marc Bolan and T. Rex before I had actually heard them, and I guess I expected something a bit more … shocking. But time changes perspective and things that once seemed outrageous are now kind of sweet. (Kiss, anyone?) I didn’t really expect T. Rex to be so fun and poppy. And I didn’t expect that gentle and polite English accent that Marc Bolan has, especially combined with lines like “Wear your hair long, baby, can’t go wrong!” Man, that’s classic.

Anyways, it makes me enormously happy and cured the grumpys, so my Soundtrack Day choice for this week is “Ride A White Swan”. Get up and dance, you know you want to.

   T. Rex - Ride A White Swan