Category Archives: Rock
INTERVIEW WITH HOLGER CZUKAY OF CAN.
INTERVIEW WITH HOLGER CZUKAY OF CAN. The word innovator is one of the most overused words in the English language. However, Holger Czukay, who cofounded Can in 1968 deserves to be called an innovator. He’s also a fascinating person to interview. When I interviewed him, we discussed all things Can, Holger’s solo career and even, the merits of …
THE COSMIC DEAD-RAINBOWHEAD.
THE COSMIC DEAD-RAINBOWHEAD. For over forty years, Glasgow has had a vibrant and thriving music scene. That’s why Glasgow is regarded as Scotland’s true musical capital. Edinburgh by comparison, is the poor relation. I dare say, denizens of Edinburgh will protest, and claim The Proclaimers as their own. That however is nothing to boast about. …
ELEKTRO HAFIZ-ELEKTRO HAFIZ.
ELEKTRO HAFIZ-ELEKTRO HAFIZ. For many musicians who have been part of a band, embarking upon a solo career isn’t easy. It can be a risky business. Especially if the band is successful, and has released groundbreaking albums. This makes embarking upon a solo career a big decision. Often, band members have invested much of their …
DJ FORMAT’S PSYCH OUT.
DJ FORMAT’S PSYCH OUT. Nowadays, compilations of psychedelia are commonplace. Indeed, hardly a week goes by without another compilation of psychedelia being released. Alas, these compilations vary in quality, and are best described as the good, the bad and ugly. The best compilations of psychedelia are lovingly curated by knowledgeable and enthusiastic compilers. Others compilations …
HOLGER CZUKAY-MOVIE!
HOLGER CZUKAY-MOVIE! In 1979, Holger Czukay’s career was at a crossroads. Can the group he cofounded in 1968, had split-up. After releasing eleven albums in eleven years, one of music’s most innovative groups were no more. This came as no surprise to Holger Czukay, who was about to resume his solo career. During the ten …
KLAUS GESING, BJORN MEYER, SAMUEL ROHRER-AMIIRA.
KLAUS GESING, BJORN MEYER, SAMUEL ROHRER-AMIIRA. Collaborations are nothing new. Musicians have been collaborating for over a hundred years. Some of the earliest collaborations took place between delta blues’ singers. Then as music evolved, and new genres were born, artists continued to collaborate. Especially jazz musicians, who have collaborated on many intriguing and innovative albums. …
LAU-THE BELL THAT NEVER RANG-S.A.Y.A. NOMINEE.
LAU-THE BELL THAT NEVER RANG-S.A.Y.A. NOMINEE. Ever since the release of their 2007 debut album. Lightweights and Gentlemen, Lau have been variously described as “adventurous,” and “modern folk’s most innovative band.” That’s no exaggeration. Lau are, without doubt, one of the most exciting and ambitious folk bands of their generation. That’s why Kris Drever, Martin …
CHVRCHES-EVERY OPEN EYE-S.A.Y.A. NOMINEE.
CHVRCHES-EVERY OPEN EYE-S.A.Y.A. NOMINEE. It was 10.30pm, when there was a knock at the door. The old couple from up the stairs stood there almost embarrassedly. “Could you possibly turn it down a wee bit. We’re trying to sleep?” This actually happened to Chvrches during the recording of their new album Every Open Eye which recently …
MOSKUS-ULV ULV.
MOSKUS-ULV ULV. The roots of pioneering jazz trio Moskus, can be traced to the prestigious Trondheim Conservatory of Music. That’s where bassist Fredrik Luhr Dietrichson first met drummer Hans Hulbækmo and pianist Anja Lauvdal. Little did they realise at that first meeting, that they would go on to form one of the most innovative groups …
RM HUBBERT- TELLING THE TREES.
RM HUBBERT- TELLING THE TREES. Twenty-five years ago, in 1991, RM Hubbert made his first tentative steps into Glasgow’s vibrant musical scene when he joined Me, Hubby and Thom. Since then, the man that’s known to all as Hubby, has become a stalwart of the Scottish music scene. He’s been a club promoter, and a …
EMMA POLLOCK-IN SEARCH OF HARPERFIELD-S.A.Y.A. NOMINEE.
EMMA POLLOCK-IN SEARCH OF HARPERFIELD-S.A.Y.A. NOMINEE. Most people haven’t heard of Castle Douglas. Why should they? It’s a small market town in Dumfries and Galloway, in south-west Scotland. However, Castle Douglas has been home to some famous faces over the last 224 years. This includes a potter, politician, footballer and two rugby players. However, they’ve …
ADMIRAL FALLOW-TINY REWARDS-S.A.Y.A. NOMINEE.
ADMIRAL FALLOW-TINY REWARDS-S.A.Y.A. NOMINEE. Often, the hardest thing about forming a new band is coming up with a name. It can be a long and tortuous process. Especially, in the internet age. A new band have to ensure the dot com address hasn’t been taken. If it has, it’s a case of starting the process …
GET ME HOME FOR TEA-RARE PSYCHEDELIC ROCK FROM THE UK.
GET ME HOME FOR TEA-RARE PSYCHEDELIC ROCK FROM THE UK. This year, more than any other, Record Store Day seemed to divide the opinion of record buyers. There were a number of reasons for this. Partly, it was because many veteran record buyers felt Record Store Day was being hijacked by the major labels. Their …
BRIAN ENO-THE SHIP-COLLECTOR’S EDITION.
BRIAN ENO-THE SHIP-COLLECTOR’S EDITION. Back in the early seventies, having recorded and released an album, bands headed out on tour. These tours could be gruelling, and last over a year. Some bands embraced touring, and the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle that came with it. Bands partied through the night, consuming copious amounts of drinks and …
COMMANDER CODY AND HIS LOST PLANET AIRMEN-COMMANDER CODY AND HIS LOST PLANET AIRMEN/TALES FROM THE OZONE/WE’VE GOT A LIVE ONE HERE.
COMMANDER CODY AND HIS LOST PLANET AIRMEN-COMMANDER CODY AND HIS LOST PLANET AIRMEN/TALES FROM THE OZONE/WE’VE GOT A LIVE ONE HERE. By 1975, it was all change for Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. After releasing four albums for Paramount, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen moved to Warner Bros. They were hoping …
MIAOUX MIAOUX-SCHOOL OF VELOCITY-S.A.Y.A. NOMINEE.
MIAOUX MIAOUX-SCHOOL OF VELOCITY-S.A.Y.A. NOMINEE. Following up a critically acclaimed debut album is never easy. It never has been, and never will be. That’s why many artists labour long and hard over their sophomore album. In some cases, three years pass by. During this creative struggle, an artist is said to be suffering from second …
RACHEL SERMANNI-TIED TO THE MOON-S.A.Y.A. NOMINEE.
RACHEL SERMANNI-TIED TO THE MOON-S.A.Y.A. NOMINEE. At this time of year, Scottish musician’s thoughts turn to the most prestigious prize in music, the Scottish Album Of The Year Award. Albums released between April 2015 and March 2016 were eligible for the 2016 Scottish Album Of The Year. However, now only twenty albums remain. The ‘great and good’ of …
NICOLETTE LARSON-NICOLETTE/IN THE NICK OF TIME/RADIOLAND.
NICOLETTE LARSON-NICOLETTE/IN THE NICK OF TIME/RADIOLAND. Although Nicolette Larson was born in Helena, Montana in 1952, growing up, she led something of a nomadic existence. This couldn’t be helped. Her father worked for the US Treasury, and was often transferred to other towns and cities. By the time Nicolette graduated high school, the Larson family …
CAUSA SUI-RETURN TO SKY-VINYL EDITON.
CAUSA SUI-RETURN TO SKY-VINYL EDITON. Nowadays, not many groups manage to release eleven albums in eleven years. Instead, they spend two or three years ‘perfecting’ their future Magnus Opus. It’s changed days indeed. Back in the early seventies, bands were often contracted to release two album each year. Groups like Yes rose to the challenge, …
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