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Nirvana / Guided By Voices / Beastie Boys / Velvet Underground / Elliott Smith / The Smiths + more live in London!
4 or 5 Magicians are hosting their second annual christmas party. The first was hilarious fun ... Ice Sea Dead People did a 20 second thrash cover of Silent Night. We got everyone on stage for a cover of Do They Know It's Christmas. This included my dad who did his best Bono impression. Sam Isaac tried to get me to sing one of his songs. I politely declined and let him do it. Paul Hawkins' trousers fell down. I didn't even wear any trousers, just a Mrs. Santa dress. I might well crack the dress out again this year!
Following on from my unequivocally successful (critically, and almost commercially) alt-rock covers show in August, which featured the cream of the crop of Britain's indie underground taking on the hits of their heroes such as Pixies, Sonic Youth, Sebadoh, Built To Spill, Archers Of Loaf, Weezer, and Guided By Voices, I've booked another such show to act as a good, old fashioned, end of year knees up, again at the Brixton Windmill.
Basically each band will play a normal set of their own songs, but blend in at least two covers by a classic alternative act from days past. Apart from my band who is reprising our entirely Guided By Voices set.
Here's what's goin' down :
There's Nothing Wrong With Covers II : Generation Xmas
Sunday 21st December 2008
The Windmill, Blenheim Gardens, Brixton
6:00pm to 11:15pm
£4
Popular Workshop are NIRVANA :
Probably the best three piece in London right now, taking on probably the best three piece of all time. Popular Workshop recently released their debut album We're Alive And We're Not Alone, and at the desk for the recording was Steve Albini, who of course, also recorded Nirvana's In Utero LP. Albini gave bass player Luke a one off, custom built bass distortion pedal, come and hear it growl out Radio Friendly Unit Shifter (hopefully!).
www.myspace.com/popularworkshop
4 or 5 Magicians are GUIDED BY VOICES :
We had hoped to be REM but our drummer announced he was leaving the country shortly after we decided this. The two were officially not connected. SO, we're reprising our much lauded Guided By Voices set from August, this time with me drumming as well as singing, and this time it will be longer, faster, better, and all the other things Andrex promise. If all goes to plan it will be 24 songs in 45 minutes (and about 12 new ones since last time, for anyone that was there wanting to see something a bit different). You have to see it to believe it.
William as BEASTIE BOYS :
Actually, it's a tie between Popular Workshop and William for best three piece in London. And this I HAVE to see. If they don't ALL rap there is going to be some serious answering to be done. William released one of my favourite albums of the year, it's called Self In Fiction, GET IT! I'm sure they will have some to sell at the show. They kind of sound like a band that you think existed but they actually didn't. Like a great lost indie gem. I told them this and I don't think they understood what I was on about. I'm not sure I do to be honest. But one thing is for sure, they are WELL GOOD MATE!
www.myspace.com/williamtheband
Mystery Band TBC as Could be Anybody really :
Do YOU want to play? This slot has been cursed up until now, we've had five awesome bands (by my reckoning) say yes, or appear likely to play, only to change their mind / have to pull out, and just today we have experienced this once more. SO if you are i) REALLY GOOD, ii) Can do at least two covers convincingly by a classic alternative band, and iii) Can bring a few paying customers down, then GET IN TOUCH QUICK! Send me a note.
James St. James as THE VELVET UNDERGROUND :
I met this dude the other night at a gig and he seemed like a lovely fellow, so much so I asked him to come play. He used to be the singer in a band called Jamie and The Lionhearts, now he isn't, he's doing this solo project which sounds top banana from his one song on myspace. Femme Fatale please!
www.myspace.com/jamesstjamesmusic
G Minor as ELLIOTT SMITH :
My old mate and occasional 4 or 5 Magicians contributor Graham Pembrey is playing his first proper solo show right here for y'all. It's really great stuff, check out his myspace. He's taking on Elliott Smith. He told me he's a bit nervous. Sounds like classic Elliott to me! Should be cracking!
Adam Carrier as THE SMITHS :
I fucking hate The Smiths. But I know a lot of people like them, so old acquaintance Adam, who has been touring the London acoustic / open mic circuit for a couple of years now comes along to play a couple of Smiths classics for all you lovers out there.
Raymond Detritus as FUCK KNOWS! :
The ever irreverent Jonathan Wood, one time bass player / dancer for 4 or 5 Magicians brings his one man christmas extravaganza to the party. Apparently he's doing some christmas covers and won't tell me what. Expect bass, drum machine, cheap keyboard, partial nudity, but mainly, the unexpected.
www.myspace.com/raymonddetritus
Doors are at 6:00 and shortly after, a kind of acoustic tag team begins, with Raymond Detritus playing a song before and after each acoustic act, so make sure you get down for doors, music kicks off at 6:10! It should all be over by 11:15 latest, well in time for last tube trains.
For more info go to www.windmillbrixton.co.uk
Facebook event : http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=35460734263&ref=mf or if that doesn't work search for "Dan's Awesome Christmas Party Gig".
WHO'S COMING?