As many of you may or may not know, I coach youth soccer during the summer months. This year, I have a group of twelve 10-11 year-old boys. It took them a while to gel, but they’re finally starting to look like a team. We hit the practice field for the final time last night…our first game is Monday night. We’ll play every Monday and Wednesday night until the end of July. Anyhow, a large percentage of my time will be dedicated to those boys the next couple of months, so I figured I’d best make a proper introduction.

Sticking with soccer for the theme of this week’s Music Fix, I decided to look across the pond for inspiration. Have you ever heard of Soccer AM? Every Saturday morning from 9-12 during the football season the show can be seen on Sky Digital. The show brings a pretty wide variety of entertainment to viewer…including new music.

The following songs are from a few recent Soccer AM Saturday mornings:

MP3: The Pigeon Detectives - “I’m Not Sorry” (Removed by request)
MP3: 1990s - “You Made Me Like It”
MP3: The Twang - “Either Way”

- Kip!

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I’ve only heard great things about Anton Corbijn’s biopic of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis, and was pretty psyched when I found this.

You can watch some clips of the movie, and hear Anton talking about it here. More info about the movie, like cast, pictures and such, can be found at Joydivisioncentral.com.

Expect some great music, of course!

- Cecilia

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Well, it’s not easy being a celebrity’s kid. Just look at Rod Stewart’s struggling singing offspring, Sean. (”Who??” you ask… My point exactly.) Charlotte Gainsbourg, daughter of legendary French poet and singer Serge Gainsbourg has managed to escape the “in-parent’s-shadow” psychological trauma and has become a diversified and well-respected artist. Not that her relationship with her father Serge was exactly healthy- she put out her first album, which was entirely written and produced by her father, at the age of 13. Songs like “Lemon Incest” highlighted Serge’s ultimate control over the project (and perhaps terrible judgement as a father), but the album gained Charlotte the reputation of a child prodigy on the rise. (Proof that the French will pretty much promote anything as long as there’s a healthy amount of controversial sex involved.)

Everyone expected Charlotte’s musical career to take off after the success she saw in France, but her father’s grip proved too suffocating for the young starlet, who threw herself into acting instead. This was not a bad move, considering she has become, since then, a huge star in Europe with impeccable taste in roles (you might remember her from Michel Gondry’s recent movie, Science of Sleep), but she’s also managed to keep in touch with her musical roots with occasional contributions, such as singing backups for Badly Drawn Boy, or by lending her voice to Madonna’s “What it Feels Like for a Girl” (2001).

After a chance meeting with the group Air and super-producer Nigel Godrich at a Radiohead concert, Charlotte began working on her second LP, 5:55 with the help of her incredibly successful friends. Contributions by Jarvis Cocker, reknown composer/arranger David Campbell (Beck’s dad) and Fela Kuti percussionist Tony Allen also helped to create a dreamy, yet sharp sounding slice of ambiguous delight. The contrast created between the graphic, sometimes violent imagery and Charlotte’s sleepy, lush voice is reminiscent of Air’s more austere, less pop-oriented work, and could pretty much be paired together with Air’s Pocket Symphony, not surprising as both albums share the same producer and many same contributors. For some ambiant, dewy melodies and lyrically stimulating tracks, check out 5:55.

Track listing
1. 5:55
2. AF607105
3. The Operation
4. Tel Que Tu Es
5. The Songs That We Sing
6. Beauty Mark
7. Little Monsters
8. Jamais
9. Night-Time Intermission
10. Everything I Cannot See
11. Morning Song

Mylène

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There’s something about 3 day weekends that brings a level of excitement I haven’t felt since I dry humped the arm of my parents’ sofa the very first time. Yeah, it’s probably the fact that like everyone else, I truly hate punching the clock that leads the blind. Anyhow, I figured I’d best post the second edition of Music Fix before leaving for the weekend. There’s no need to fret, you’re in good hands with Sean and co. steering the ship while I’m away.

As previously stated, this category is an outlet to present three songs that played a role in my week somehow. I met a charismatic young lady from Oklahoma this week who was kind enough to fill my week with music related exchanges. I promised to turn her on to a few songs by The Replacements, so here goes…

I know the following statement might make a few Mats fanatics cringe, but I honestly don’t enjoy the vast majority of the recordings while the band was on the Twin\Tone label…Let It Be would be the exception. Their last full-length for the label was chock full of great songs…”Unsatisfied” and “Answering Machine” being two of my personal favorites. Here’s the album’s opening track:

MP3: The Replacements - “I Will Dare”

The band’s first release on Sire Records was the amazing Tim. Depending on what day of the week it is, I may or may not tell you this is my favorite…truth of the matter is I hold this trio of albums equally near and dear. Rhino Records would later use the title of the albums 9th song “Left Of The Dial” for the title of their 80s box set…”I Will Dare” was their song selection. “Kiss Me On The Bus” has been a staple in my mixed tapes diet for girls for eons…why change that now?!

MP3: The Replacements - “Kiss Me On The Bus”

1987s Pleased To Meet Me was the beginning of the end for the band in a sense. I’m sure Wikipedia would tell that story much more accurately than I could, so I won’t go there. The song title “Can’t Hardly Wait” was used for the title of a 1998 comedy featuring my celebrity look-a-like Jerry O’Connell (or so some say). The album also featured the song “Alex Chilton”, which was a token of Paul Westerberg’s appreciation for his idol of The Box Tops & Big Star fame. Speaking of Alex Chilton, you can enjoy his guitar fills on the following:

MP3: The Replacements - “Can’t Hardly Wait”

Hopefully this post made it from Point A to Point B without too much rambling. I’m a sucker for pop culture and rarely get to use it. Speaking of pop culture references, Paul Westerberg recently scored the soundtrack for the movie Open Season. “Love You In The Fall” is definitely worth checking out…the album as a whole is pretty damned solid.

Have a safe Memorial Day weekend, folks!

- Kip!

PS: Issue 60 of The Big Takeover was in my mailbox today. That means it should be on news stands soon. Pick up a copy and check our ad out on page 34 with company from Brian Wilson and Paul Weller.

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Rock n Roll TV caught The Love Me Nots‘ recent show in Hollywood at Safari Sam’s!

Click here to view live show footage and an exclusive interview by Share with Nicole and Michael.

Upcoming Shows:
5/25 at Asbury Lanes (NJ)
5/26 at The 449 Room (NJ)
5/27 at The Middle East (Boston)

MP3: The Love Me Nots - “Move In Tight”

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The Jesus And Mary Chain performed a new song on Letterman Monday night. Did you see it? Me either. Heh. It’s a damned good thing that YouTube once again came to the rescue and allows me the opportunity to share their performance of “All Things Must Pass” with you.

Upcoming Shows:
Jun 22 Meltdown London, London and South East
Jul 4 Super Bock Super Rock Lisbon
Jul 13 Summercase Festival Madrid
Jul 14 Summercase Festival Barcelona
Aug 12 M’era Luna Festival Hildesheim
Aug 31 Connect Festival Argyll
Sep 1 Electric Picnic Stradbally, Laois

MP3: Jesus And Mary Chain - “April Skies”

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I recently had the chance to email ‘interview’ Larry Schemel, the guitarist for Midnight Movies. Their newest LP, Lion the Girl, was released on April 24th. It’s an excellent listen and showcases a darker indie sound. Think of Interpol fronted by Justine Frischmann and you might be in the ballpark.

The band members are - the obscenely gorgeous Gena Olivier on lead vocals, Larry on guitars, Sandra Vu on drums & flute and Ryan Wood on bass & keyboards.

1) Gina was originally singing from behind a drum kit but has now moved to the front with Sandra playing drums. How has that changed the band dynamic?

It has definitely made the band stronger and more versatile,Genas vocals are no longer compromised from behind the kit.
Sandra and Ryan are a very strong rhythm section and that has helped take us to the next level in our live show and in
song writing.

2) James Iha remixed your single ‘Patient Eye’. How did that come about?

James loved the song and asked us if we were into remixes,which we are, we love when other artists remix songs and we thought what James did to it was really cool.

3) Are you all fans of ‘dance’ music?

Yes, We’re into alot of electronic music and and like bands who cross over into rock/dance and electronic..Bjork, Primal Scream, Death in Vegas,David Holmes, CSS and Hot Chip among others.

4) You recently finished up a brief tour with Blonde Redhead. What was that experience like?

It was a great tour, Blonde Redhead are very cool people and had sold out crowds every night, We played to packed houses and the audiences were very receptive to our band, It’s a bit of a challenge to play in front of a crowd who you know for the most part are there for the headliner, Blonde Redhead have a very strong fan base. We were very happy with the response we got.

5) Your band is LA-based. How do you feel the city influences your work (if at all)?

Our music has a definite light/dark thing going on which i feel is a reflection of living in L.A., we would probably sound the same where ever we lived but i think there are certain aspects of living in L.A. that do influence us, especially the landscape- the city, the Hollywood hills, the ocean, it can be all very cinematic at times and we take alot of inspiration from our surroundings.

6) If you could play with any artist - living or dead - who would it be?

That’s easy -The Velvet Underground

7) What’s something everyone should know about you but few do?

I played with L.A. legend Chris D. in a reformed Flesheaters a few years ago, If any artist beside the Doors or X personifies noir L.A. it’s Chris D. Also my big sister Patty is one hell of a drummer ,buy a copy of the Hole record “Live through this”, she kills

TOURDATES:
Jun 1 Spaceland w/ THE RAVEONETTES Los Angeles, California
Jun 2 Cafe du Nord w/ THE RAVEONETTES San Francisco, California
Jun 4 Doug Fir Lounge w/ THE RAVEONETTES Portland, Oregon
Jun 5 The Triple Door w/ THE RAVEONETTES Seattle, Washington
Jun 7 The Detroit Bar w/ THE RAVEONETTES Costa Mesa, California
Jun 8 The Echo w/ THE RAVEONETTES Echo Park, California
Jun 9 The Casbah w/ THE RAVEONETTES San Diego, California

MP3:
Midnight Movies - Parallel Paramour

VIDEO:
Patient Eye

- Sean

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I recently decided it was long overdue to create a category on the site to call “my own”. Cecilia turns us on to the best Sweden has to offer (and more) in her Friday 5. Jesse keeps us up to date with new bands to watch in Under The Radar. Sean starts our weekends off on the right note with Weekend Jams and Weekend Parties. I currently don’t have any role other than paying hosting charges. Heh.

Welcome to the debut entry of my new category: Music Fix. I plan to use it to share three songs that somehow played a role in my week in one form, shape, or way…yet have no significant story to make them worthy of posting by themselves.

Those of you paying attention know that we here at Rock Sellout are cyber friends with the folks at Filter Magazine. I’m a Field Rep for the magazine and received my monthly package from Vizion this week, so I distributed various promo items to local record stores this morning.

In my shipment was a CD called Filter Magazine Presents: Welcome To The Desert 2007. I listened to it from driveway to driveway…here are three of my favorites from the CD:

“First Love” was the first song I heard from The Maccabees debut album Colour It In. I think there were 3 others released before their album came out in the UK last week…I’m assuming “First Love” will be the band’s first domestic single when the album releases here in the States on the 22nd. I really like what I’ve heard from these guys! The quirky vibrator-stuck-in-throat vocals remind me of The Undertones…and that’s not a bad thing.

MP3: The Maccabees - “First Love”

Speaking of our friendship with Filter…Sean recently had the opportunity to interview Robert Levon Been of BRMC. A few days later, he wrote a review of the BRMC show in Phoenix which was the first featured review in Filter’s BRMC Tourzine.

MP3: BRMC - “Weapon Of Choice”

Electric Soft Parade are siblings Alex and Tom White. Originally called The Feltro Media, the band eventually renamed themselves The Soft Parade (and later, The Electric Soft Parade after threats to sue over the name from a Doors’ tribute band). They released their critically-acclaimed debut album, Holes in the Wall in 2002 and were nominated for a Mercury Prize that same year. They also perform in the band Brakes with British Sea Power’s Eamon Hamilton and The Tenderfoot’s Marc Beatty. Click here to read the rest of the article and Q & A the band had with Mr. Ryan.

MP3: Electric Soft Parade - “If That’s The Case, Then I Don’t Know”

The moral of the story? Rock Sellout likes good music and Filter Magazine. Do us a favor: SUPPORT ARTISTS. BUY MUSIC.

- Kip!

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My computer seems to like me again (somewhat, anyway) so this week I’m delivering the Friday 5 on time. Now, let’s enjoy some m.u.s.i.c. and celebrate the weekend!

“A synth band with guitars” - that’s how New Young Pony Club describe their sound on their MySpace. Fair enough, but this song has some added spice thanks to the remixing abilities of Van She. Sean, if you haven’t heard this yet then you better download it, cause I think you’ll dig it.

MP3: New Young Pony Club - Ice Cream (Van She Tech Remix)

Is there such a thing as country-tinted garage rock? Or perhaps it’s just their retro-rock sound that’s confusing me. Apparently The Detroit Cobras mainly record obscure cover songs, so I guess this is a cover too. However the case may be - the song and the performance is absolutely great. Lead singer Rachel has an awesome voice.

MP3: The Detroit Cobras - As Long As I Have You

The Legends are one of those bands that mixes modern indie-pop with early shoegazing - it’s soft, pretty, quite dreamy but not flaky. And the fact that they are signed to Labrador, the home-label for loads of great artists is pretty much a guarantee for high quality. Sit back, listen and enjoy.

MP3: The Legends - These Old Hearts Of Ours

I actually featured The Models in my very first Friday 5 post, but I really like this song so I’m hyping them again. Great rock; reminds me a bit of Sahara Hotnights in their early days, although these girls definitely can stand on their own.

MP3: The Models - Nightlife

I’m not sure how to describe Froid’s music, but I guess you could say they sound like a cross between The Cure and Radiohead. This track is exceptional, trust me. The piano is epic!

MP3: Froid - The Sun

That’s it for this week!

- Cecilia

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First of all, what a beautiful beautiful venue.

The opener for Feist was Chad Van Gaalen & his compadres. A beautiful composition of folksy & quirky. Chad would stand there softly marching his feet, remarking that he’s usually a one man band, so the feet are his drums. It was very funny. I was weary – sometimes openers aren’t always that great, but the fact that they were opening for Feist probably gave me an idea they would be good. Chad also regaled tales of the past & sang a song about a guy he knows that is a ‘hash fiend’. He made us laugh, I felt like I was in the twilight zone.. At one point, he had a friend come on stage & play the fiddle. All in all a great band. I look forward to seeing what he’ll put out next after Skelliconnection.

The lights dimmed & the audience (I hate calling it a crowd!) started getting slightly excited. And by slightly I mean VERY. She came on, her straightened hair flowing so natural under the dim lights. The first thing I noticed is how beautiful she really is. 13th row, right centre orchestra – and you feel like it’s right up front.

Even though there were tons of people there, it felt like an intimate 200. I would give you a set list, but after the 5th song, I stopped writing & focused my attention all on her. I didn’t want to move my head to look away anymore. I do know that the first song she played was ‘Honey Honey’.

The one thing that I was really impressed about – if you want to get technical – is how REAL her voice is. If you listen to her CD & you hear her LIVE, it is the same thing. There is no overproduced sound like most bands have these days. Acoustics, live, in your ear. The way she looped her voice & sang with it was enough to put someone in a trance. Her witty jokes & modesty really wins you over. The way she made the audience sing with her – you knew she felt she didn’t want it to be all about her – even though you were there to see her.

My favourite song of the night, which is my favourite song off the album – ‘Intuition’. Of course, you know, it happened when she came back out for the encore. I was really sad when she walked off & the song wasn’t played. When she came back – she sang that song & I felt like my whole night had just been completed.

She, also had a friend come out, Ben Mink (Producer, Engineer, Artist, Musician, etc) – he came out to play the fiddle. She also mentioned that if it wasn’t for him, 1 2 3 4 wouldn’t have been on the album as she was going to scrap it off. So thank you, Ben Mink!

Because it’s all about me & my night at the concert, I just wanted to give an insight about how I felt being there. An emotional replay, really.

Leslie Feist, you have made my last 2 months amazing. Your music has inspired my life & many things in it. Thank you for allowing me & thousands of others to see you play live, beautiful & heart wrenching music.

I wish I had photo’s from the night, but being the goody two shoe I am, I complied with the rules & didn’t bring mine. However, everyone else decided they would, oh well!

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