Programme Nine
1. White Stripes - Jolene
(from "Under Blackpool Lights") (DVD) (Shock - released
22 November)
"Jolene" is, of course, the Dolly Parton country standard.
Hear Dolly explain the story behind the song here -
http://www.voiceofanangel.net/askdolly.html
This is from the soon to be released live in concert DVD. Called Under Blackpool Lights because it was recorded in the English seaside resort. We particularly like Jack's introduction to the song -
JW: "I heard George Harrison say the Beatles used to go and see
Blackpool lights. What is that?"
Audience: (General commotion)
JW: "Different place altogether?"
Audience: (No)
JW: "I'm in the right place but the wrong time?"
Audience: (Yes)
JW: "That's how I feel every day"
Nothing about the DVD on the band's site yet -
http://www.whitestripes.com/main.html#
but you can read about it here -
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/04-10/18.shtml
2. Nirvana - In Bloom (Sub Pop Version)
(from "With The Lights Out" (CD Box set) (Universal -
released 29 November)
Nirvana should need no introduction. This clip is from 1989 and is part of the box set. This was shot in the pr-Dave Grohl days when Chad Channing was their drummer. He went on to a band called the Methodists but further information about his post-Nirvana movements is sketchy. You can read an interview with his parents here -
http://www.nirvanaclub.com/articles/nfcinterviews/channing/
"With The Lights Out" has its own website here -
3. Fischerspooner - The 15th
(from "#1") (CD) (Capitol/EMI)
Cover of a great song by English punk/post punk band Wire from
1979. Wire appeared on the seminal "Live at the Roxy" album along
with X Ray Spex, Buzzcocks and other first generation punk groups -
and recorded a debut album of very short quite brutal songs called
Pink Flag. The lush "The 15th" was from their third album "154" -
longer and less brutal songs were the order of the day by then.
Wire's website is here -
http://www.pinkflag.com/
New Yorkers Fischerspooner were early movers in the electroclash world. Read about that scene here -
http://www.trendcentral.com/trends/trendarticle.asp?tcArticleId=200
http://80music.about.com/od/toppicks/a/electroclash.htm
and check out Fischerspooner's website here -
http://www.fischerspooner.com/
4. Dimmer - Case (NZ)
(from "You've Got To The Hear The Music") (CD)
(FMR)
Dimmer is, of course, the group fronted by former Straitjacket Fit Shayne Carter - and at this year's New Zealand Music Awards they won best rock album and best rock group (although it must be the least "rock" venture Shayne has ever been involved in.
"You've Got To Hear The Music" is the second Dimmer album and features contributions from Anika Moa, Bic Runga, members of Fat Freddy's Drop and Dr. Graham Downes (from the Verlaines and the Otago University School of Music).
The album has just been re-released with a bonus disc containing six acoustic numbers recorded at the Grey Lynn Bowling Club and the Helen Young Studios. It's called the Dimmer Folk Club Sessions. Read about it here -
http://www.fmrecords.co.nz/news.cfm?NewsId=205
The Dimmer website is at -
http://www.dimmer.co.nz
5. Bads - Feels Like Rain (NZ)
(studio performance) (unreleased - album due in
February)
A special recording for Hum from the new band led by Dianne Swann (Everything That Flies, When The Cat's away) and Brett Adams (Mockers). Dianne and Brett formed the Julie Dolphin in London in the early 90s. They had a single of the week in NME and toured with Oasis, Green Day and Catatonia.
They supported Radiohead on two tours - Dianne is the female silhouette seen playing keyboards in the Radiohead Live at the Astoria video and the other voice on a song called 'How Can You Be Sure?' a duet with Thom Yorke which featured on the Japanese version of the BENDS and on the B side of 'Fake PlasticTrees'.
Dianne and Brett formed the Bads when they returned to Auckland in 2002. They have released one single ("Don't Go Losing") and just about finished recording their debut album. A new single "Bit By Bit" will be released to radio and TV in a couple of weeks then one more single before the album is released in Feb. The album is to be called Earth From Space.
http://www.bands.co.nz/southrecordings/feature.php?fid=3
6. Peachy Keen - Not Your Kind Of Girl
(NZ)
(from "Peachy Keen") (CD) (Monkey Records)
Auckland based jazz/lounge/pop act. Read about them here -
http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/newsdetail/pi_newsitemid/388
Their label, Monkey Records, also has a website (but hasn't been
updated with Peachy Keen information yet) -
http://www.monkeyrecords.co.nz/index.html
7. Ben Novak - Turn Your Car Around
(NZ)
(unreleased)
Auckland singer-songwriter - from an album to be called "Songs" which is currently in production. On this track he was backed by the rhythm section from Bic Runga's album "Drive" and Stella* members Chris Van de Geer and Andrew Maclaren. Not a lot more information at this stage. Watch this space.
8. Manic Street Preachers - The Love Of Richard
Nixon
(from "Lifeblood") (CD) (Sony)
First new music from the Welsh band since 2001. Their career has been notable for their hardline political views and a lot of guitars - but this one is notable for a wash of keyboards and a surprisingly tender treatment of one of the more controversial ex presidents (not they're ready to forgive and forget by any means).
The band's website is at -
9. Secret Machines - Nowhere Again
(from "Now Here is Nowhere") (CD) (Warner
Music)
http://www.thesecretmachines.com/
10. Scavengers - Mysterex (NZ)
(on "Scavengers") (CD) (Xerox/FMR)
One of the original New Zealand punk bands - and one of their best songs. (Unfortunately "True Love" was never captured on video). This one was inspired by original member Mike Lesbian's decision to quit the band and get a real job (to become a 9 to 5'er, a social climber. Oh yeah).
We're playing this because the Scavengers are playing in Auckland at the Rising Sun on Saturday 13 November. Or, at least two thirds of the classic line up is. Ronnie Recent reverted to being Brendan Perry and found fame and fortune in England with 4AD band Dead Can Dance. If his site is up and working you can read all about him -
Filling in on bass and vocals for this gig is Dion Palmer from the D4 (who covered Mysterex on their debut album.
Like so many punk bands the Scavengers recorded legacy was intitally restricted to singles and tracks on compilations. They were collected on a year or so ago on this disc.
http://www.punkas.com/thescavengersalbum.html
More Hum next week - with our final episode in this series. G'night.
