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Why am I here? Because there are far too many gigs going on, aren't there? Haven't got a clue how many. Happening tonight, for instance, are more gigs than I can count on my fingers and toes. There are a lot of great things put on every week and I'm actively discovering new stuff every week. There's obviously a lot of crap too and like me, you probably don't have trillions to spend or the patience to waste time watching rubbish. But you wanna be there first, yeah? You wanna make people jealous they weren't at Muse's Water Rats gig or jj72 and My Vitriol at the Camden Falcon, like I was. [I won't ramble on like this in every one, promise.]
Most of the time tho I'm lazy. I want everything served up on a plate. I keep waiting for someone to make me a good guide of what gigs I should find myself at but no-ones started one. Yeah, I know there are previews and big long listings (what good are lists? every band has a name, even the crap ones.) time out and the back pages of the nme but they don't tell me about all the best stuff, it's usually the bigger stuff or obvious to claim it's gonna be the best gig ever stadium type stuff. And sometimes, just sometimes, stadiums can be good - you can't quote me on that tho - hence "scale is not important". I want the world and his dog to be affected by the things that affect me and there is no reason, not with the internet being as ace as it is, for his dog to miss out (scientists will eventually make dog-internet, trust me). That's the why outta the way, so without much further ado, on with the first issue...
WAIT! Who am I? I'm not gonna get all profound on yo ass. My names Sean Adams and I run Drownedinsound.com a website made my music junkies for music junkies. I'm 20. I've been called a professional ligger. I need a haircut. I'm-a rock kid. I am into arty music like Electrelane. I like Emo (all music is emotional, natch!). I love Elliot Smith (not literally, LURRVE him, but his music, which is existential of him, sillybum). I've seen iDLEWiLD a silly amount of times - 14 times, last count. The 15th isn't too far away neeever. Seen Muse, The Cooper Temple Clause and 'A' lots too. I love loud guitars! Then again, at 3am I like nothing better than Arab Strap cranked right up loud whispering. Or breakbeat. Or some Tom Waits - yeah I like weird stuff too. I'm currently listening to some Sublime mp3's off Audiogalaxy... I love The Roots - hip-hop is great. Soul Music is what it's all about, innit? When I was younger, living at home in Weymouth, my dad used to play me Otis Redding, James Brown, The Cure, The Jam and my mum made sure I knew all the words to Bowie's best bits before I could read. What else? I'm quite partial to a bit of metal every now and then - old folks hate that stuff, don't they? They're losers anyway.. in short, my taste is kinda broad and bracketless. Southern Comfort and Lemonade is my poison of choice (incase you ever wanna whet my humming). Think that's who I am covered, roughly.
I'm gonna regret this, but this is my first WEEKLY (?!?!) guide to gigs in London that I think everyone should goto. Previews as it were. I'm making this for lazy people but for gawd sake, listen. Read me when you want to look like you're working. Print me and read me on the tube going to a gig or on the toilet at work. Wherever. Whenever. Scribble stuff in yah diary, ferr surrr. Just enjoy your newly oiled'n'fuelled world of gigs, clubs and events. Anyway, wait no longer..
Hang on! Sorry, forgot to say... I'd like to dedicate this to the proactive people who get off their McArse's. Thank you. This is my gift back to you.
For real this time, here we go...
Monday 08 April 2002 Second on the bill at the Monarch/Barfly.inc are Vero. I don't know a helluva lot about them but they've got that big Feeder-y rock sound - swooping guitars, drums driving the melody, etc. Kinda similar to Crackout, really. Press Counsel look after them. Also playing are 2 bnds tat snd like txt mssg spk, nmly: tyl and sld.
Over at the Borderline on Charing X Rd are a band I thought would of given up a while ago, but they ain't. They's called Spearmint and they're perfect for pulp fans.
Tuesday 09 April 2002: I really, really, really recommend Silverman @ The Enterprise (which I think is in Camden - gotta find it meself). They've taken the internet download by storm with their art-pop creations which sound somewhere around the Sneaker Pimps era when they had the sexy tones of Kelli Ali (now doin it solo, was out on tour with Garbage). One of the best unsigned bands around imho.
This isn't really a recommendation, more a word of warning. the pin-ups @ the Dublin Castle. Avoid. Unless you think bands playing tragically bad punk, with shit lyrics is worth watching. They're part of the whole Sid Abuse circle of Reading bands, says it all really. New Tellers are playing, meant to be quite good. It's a Club Fandango night.
I keep hearing yanky boyzzz Fenix Tx's single about threesomes on X-fm. The cooler kidz will all be there, complete with uniform band tee, baggy jeans, wallet chain and girls with more facial hair than the guys. It's @ ULU.
Feet First @ Camden Palace has a band called Senser. Dunno anything about them. Onstage at 12:30, as per..
Wednesday 10 April 2002: I'll be at the Metro for NoPassingPhases night for Oxford instruMENTALists the rock of travolta. They don't take post-rock very seriously and pull lots of Spinal Tap-esque m/ moves. Phil, who's one of the 6 members, co-runs Truck Records. Support comes from Querelle who're one of my favourite bands and they aint signed yet either. Think Blonde Redhead, Sonic Youth, Seafood and stuff of that ilk. 3 Italians, livin in Islington. Their singers called Gypsy, his sister plays bass and Valentina from Econoline is on drums. There's also psycho sun + the cost of living who I'm curious to see.
Over at the Monarch there is the return of Liberty 37, whom since releasing one of the best rock records in recent times on Beggars Banquet, have been dropped, but have writ and released a self-financed (I think it is anyway) new album. It's better than the first one 'n all! Support comes from dumb-standardised-nu-metallers Goatboy and some band called Imperial Leisure.
If you want an evening of pop, toodle over to the Water Rats for fonda 500, the lollies and special mystery guest. Bless 'um.
Thursday 11 April 2002: There's a toss up between an MTV gig at The Hackney Ocean with S*p*r F*rry *n*m*ls, the quite-frankly best band with big hair in the world ever The Cooper Temple Clause and Vex Red which'll be ok, I spose. Bit of a trek from Lewisham... Or over at Metro there is my favourite Scandinavian band, SPAN. Support comes from punk all-girls, the suffrajets and a band I dont know anything about called the futureheads. Or, or, OR Five Miles High have their weekly Thursday showcase down at the West one Four. They've got the sparkly G*bug (formally glitterbug), some great guitar rock-pop from the best intentions and newbies plan 9.
Friday 12 April 2002 Not spotted any small gems for Friday, yet. But Brixton Academy will be holding the 1st of 2 nights of for worshippers of Faithless. Check out the 1 Giant Leap record with their ex-members on, tis good for a world-music type thang.
Saturday 13 April 2002: Faithless @ Brixton Academy, again. There's a potentially good night @ the Dublin Castle with nectar internal + cult of embers + seedling don't know much about the bands but think they're all pretty good. Earthtone 9 play their last ever gig @ the Garage - yay! Toby Slater him-from-Catch promoting his new indie
Sunday 14 April 2002: Probably a good day to spend in bed or have a bbq or read a good book - Fight Clubs a great read. Unless, however, you fancy some (un)necessary loudness from Kilkus at the Monarch. Don't take yer mum unless she's got more piercings than wrinkles.
Monday 15 April 2002: More rock @ Monarch with Wilt (formally Kerbdog) and Orgy-lookalikes Redefine.
Tuesday 16 April 2002: Bloody hell, the Monarch, a-fucken-gain!!! This time, do not ignore me. Cus it's Biffy Clyro!!! Probably my favourite small band at the moment. Imagine a band who'd turn a horror movie into a love story through extremely methodological but not clinical at all, far from it... Also playing this Kerrang! night are dumbfeck-metallers the kennedy soundtrack and former Stony Sleep, power-rockers Serafin who're part of Muse's Taste Media wagon and recently signed to Elektra.
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