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Dave Gahan – Hourglass

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Dave Gahan – Hourglass

After Dave Gahan technically “died” in an LA hotel room, he experienced an artistic birth: joining in with Depeche Modesongwriting duties, and making a solo, guitar-led album debut 'Paper Monsters'. Co-produced with fellow musicians Christian Eigner and Andrew Philpott, 'Hourglass' is more steeped in electronics, with Gahan continuing his cathartic process of confession on tracks like the downer than down “Downbeat”. Gahan is a way off from being a David Sylvian – but not as far as you might think. DAVID STUBBS

After Dave Gahan technically “died” in an LA hotel room, he experienced an artistic birth: joining in with Depeche Modesongwriting duties, and making a solo, guitar-led album debut ‘Paper Monsters’.

Co-produced with fellow musicians Christian Eigner and Andrew Philpott, ‘Hourglass’ is more steeped in electronics, with Gahan continuing his cathartic process of confession on tracks like the downer than down “Downbeat”.

Gahan is a way off from being a David Sylvian – but not as far as you might think.

DAVID STUBBS

The Cult – Born Into This

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The Cult – Born Into This

“The eco-system needs it’s predators” mused Ian Astbury last year, and few beasts in rock’n’roll come bigger than The Cult. Those assuming Asto may be a few Tipis short of a reservation following his spell as Jim Morrison can think again. Amped to an industrial sheen by producer Youth and packed with stripped-back stadium choruses, Born Into This rips from the speakers like an irate Velvet Revolver, Billy Duffy’s relentless axe-hero riffing matched by Astbury’s typically waspish lyrics. “Taste the whip babe!” he bellows in “Undercover Of The Night” homage “Dirty Little Rock Star”. Still King Of The Jungle. PAUL MOODY

“The eco-system needs it’s predators” mused Ian Astbury last year, and few beasts in rock’n’roll come bigger than The Cult. Those assuming Asto may be a few Tipis short of a reservation following his spell as Jim Morrison can think again.

Amped to an industrial sheen by producer Youth and packed with stripped-back stadium choruses, Born Into This rips from the speakers like an irate Velvet Revolver, Billy Duffy’s relentless axe-hero riffing matched by Astbury’s typically waspish lyrics. “Taste the whip babe!” he bellows in “Undercover Of The Night” homage “Dirty Little Rock Star”.

Still King Of The Jungle.

PAUL MOODY

Keane Release Exclusive Download Version Of Single This Week

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Keane Release Exclusive Download Version Of Single This Week

Keane have released an exclusive download version of their forthcoming single 'The Night Sky' for the War Child charity this week. Raising money for the UN Award winning charity, the single is avaliable exclusively as a download at www.warchildmusic.com prior to it's official release next Monday (October 29). The lyrics for the track ‘The Night Sky’, are written from a child's perspective about the war-torn devastation around them. Keane became patrons of War Child last year, as singer Tim Chaplain explains: "We are very proud to be patrons of War Child. One child dies every three minutes because of armed conflict, and all of us can do something about it. War Child do something quite extraordinary and unique in helping to make the lives of future generations better, we hope everyone wants be a part of that." The full track listing is as follows: CD 1. The Night Sky 2. Under Pressure 3. Put It Behind You Now (Ffrisco Mix) Limited 7” (with free print) A. The Night Sky B. Under Pressure

Keane have released an exclusive download version of their forthcoming single ‘The Night Sky’ for the War Child charity this week.

Raising money for the UN Award winning charity, the single is avaliable exclusively as a download at www.warchildmusic.com prior to it’s official release next Monday (October 29).

The lyrics for the track ‘The Night Sky’, are written from a child’s perspective about the war-torn devastation around them.

Keane became patrons of War Child last year, as singer Tim Chaplain explains: “We are very proud to be patrons of War Child. One child dies every three minutes because of armed conflict, and all of us can do something about it. War Child do something quite extraordinary and unique in helping to make the lives of future generations better, we hope everyone wants be a part of that.”

The full track listing is as follows:

CD

1. The Night Sky

2. Under Pressure

3. Put It Behind You Now (Ffrisco Mix)

Limited 7” (with free print)

A. The Night Sky

B. Under Pressure

80’s Psych Rock Legends To Play Full UK Tour

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80’s Psych Rock Legends To Play Full UK Tour

The Cardiacs are preparing to go out on their first full UK tour since 2000 next month. The art rock band who formed in 1977 are also preparing their first studio album of new material since 1999's 'Guns', which is due for release early next year. The album's first taster will be a brand new single 'Ditzy Scene', backed with two other brand new tracks 'Gen' and 'Made All Up' - which is due for release just prior to the tour's start on November 5. More information about the band and to pre-order the single - check out www.cardiacs.com. The band will play the following venues in November: Brighton, The Old Market (November 12) Oxford, Zodiac (13) Bristol, Thekla Social (14) Nottingham Rescue Rooms (15) London, Astoria (16) Stoke On Trent, The Sugarmill (20) Manchester Academy 3 (21) Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms (22) Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach (23) Leeds, The Woodhouse Liberal Club (24)

The Cardiacs are preparing to go out on their first full UK tour since 2000 next month.

The art rock band who formed in 1977 are also preparing their first studio album of new material since 1999’s ‘Guns’, which is due for release early next year.

The album’s first taster will be a brand new single ‘Ditzy Scene‘, backed with two other brand new tracks ‘Gen’ and ‘Made All Up’ – which is due for release just prior to the tour’s start on November 5.

More information about the band and to pre-order the single – check out www.cardiacs.com.

The band will play the following venues in November:

Brighton, The Old Market (November 12)

Oxford, Zodiac (13)

Bristol, Thekla Social (14)

Nottingham Rescue Rooms (15)

London, Astoria (16)

Stoke On Trent, The Sugarmill (20)

Manchester Academy 3 (21)

Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms (22)

Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach (23)

Leeds, The Woodhouse Liberal Club (24)

New Pink Floyd Box Set To Be Released

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New Pink Floyd Box Set To Be Released

A new collection of Pink Floyd's studio albums is to be released as a limited edition box set in December. The 16 CD collection entitled 'Oh By The Way' will be packaged up as faithful replicas of the original vinyl editions, in a similar way to the recently released Dylan best of box set. The Pink Floyd studio collection will be accompanied by a 20"x30" poster and a new portrait collage by Storm Thorgerson of 40 images from the band's history. The box set limited to 10, 000 pressings is released through EMI in the US on Decmber 4, retailing for $249.00. It is expected to be released in the UK around the same time. The 'Oh By The Way' box set includes: The Piper At The Gates of Dawn A Saucer Full of Secrets More Ummagumma (2CD - Gatefold) Atom Heart Mother (Gatefold) Meddle (Gatefold) Obscured By Clouds The Dark Side of The Moon (Gatefold) Wish You Were Here Animals (Gatefold) The Wall (2CD - Gatefold) The Final Cut (Gatefold) A Momentary Lapse of Reason The Division Bell To pre-order a copy on import, or to see the individual sleeves, click here for a US online stockist.

A new collection of Pink Floyd‘s studio albums is to be released as a limited edition box set in December.

The 16 CD collection entitled ‘Oh By The Way’ will be packaged up as faithful replicas of the original vinyl editions, in a similar way to the recently released Dylan best of box set.

The Pink Floyd studio collection will be accompanied by a 20″x30″ poster and a new portrait collage by Storm Thorgerson of 40 images from the band’s history.

The box set limited to 10, 000 pressings is released through EMI in the US on Decmber 4, retailing for $249.00.

It is expected to be released in the UK around the same time.

The ‘Oh By The Way’ box set includes:

The Piper At The Gates of Dawn

A Saucer Full of Secrets

More

Ummagumma (2CD – Gatefold)

Atom Heart Mother (Gatefold)

Meddle (Gatefold)

Obscured By Clouds

The Dark Side of The Moon (Gatefold)

Wish You Were Here

Animals (Gatefold)

The Wall (2CD – Gatefold)

The Final Cut (Gatefold)

A Momentary Lapse of Reason

The Division Bell

To pre-order a copy on import, or to see the individual sleeves, click here for a US online stockist.

Charalambides: “Likeness”

John Mulvey
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I was playing this new album by Charalambides in the office yesterday afternoon, and someone mentioned that it would sound pretty good - and, well, pretty unnerving - on a mixtape with tracks from the recent PJ Harvey album, "White Chalk". It was a good point, and it made me listen to this album in quite a different way. I've been very taken with Charalambides for a few years now. In many ways, they're one of the forerunners of the whole acid-folk/new psych thing, having made innumerable rare and far-out albums since the very early '90s. I can't pretend I've heard anywhere near all of this stuff, being most familiar with the albums they've recorded in the past few years for the comparatively overground Kranky label. But I think you could roughly characterise the band - they're predominantly a duo of Christine and Tom Carter, though a third player, Heather Leigh Murray, figured in the line-up for a while - as a sort of desert analogue to the earthy, forest-dwelling types that have driven the scene from various rustic corners of New England. Charalambides originate from Texas, and I always think you can feel the desert in the gaps between Tom's febrile guitar improvisations and Christina's lonesome ululations. "Unknown Spin", from 2003, was where I came in, I think, and its slowly unravelling meditations suggested a kind of ambient correlative to the dusty boom of desert rock. The last couple of Kranky albums, however, have had much more definable songforms - last year's "A Vintage Burden" even recalled more conventional indie-psych types like Mazzy Star; still stark, but warmer and more approachable melodically, perhaps. "Likeness", in contrast, is compellingly austere fare, but it remains relatively accessible. Here, Christina Carter selects her lyrics from ancient folk songs in the public domain, then delivers them with a sort of stentorian ardour while Tom Carter constructs spare, looming new settings for them. I'm reminded, inevitably, of Nico, and also of Low's stealth and measure. Alan Sparhawk, though, never freestyles like Tom Carter as the magisterial "Do You See?" winds to a close; a freak-out that's at once abandoned but which doesn't disrupt the meticulous atmosphere of the album. And, now, I'm curiously reminded of that PJ Harvey record, too. The instrumentation is very different from Harvey's piano studies, but the feel is strangely similar: a kind of enrapturing antique stillness to it all, with romantic verities being teased out of a reticent and uptight performer. Both albums, if this makes sense, feel like they're inhabited - maybe even played - by ghosts.

I was playing this new album by Charalambides in the office yesterday afternoon, and someone mentioned that it would sound pretty good – and, well, pretty unnerving – on a mixtape with tracks from the recent PJ Harvey album, “White Chalk”.

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Win! Tickets To An All-Star Jimi Hendrix Tribute Night

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Win! Tickets To An All-Star Jimi Hendrix Tribute Night

To celebrate the launch of the 'Jimi Hendrix Experience ‘Live at Monterey’ 40th anniversary edition film - a special all-star tribute night is taking place in London's West End this Thursday (October 25). A special film screening is taking place at The Hippodrome, near Leicester Square followed by a Hendrix tribute concert featuring several rock artists, including a surviving member of the original Hendrix Experience. The all-star band features former Thin Lizzy guitarist Gary Moore, Hendrix Experience'sMitch Mitchell on drums, Band of Gypsys' Billy Cox on bass, Primal Scream's drummer Darrin Mooney and Dave Bronze on bass. The new DVD of 'Jimi Hendrix Live at Monterey: The Definitive Edition' celebrates the 40th anniversary of Hendrix's debut at the legendary Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Uncut.co.uk has two pairs of tickets to give away for the launch party this Thursday - all you have to do is answer the following question and email your daytime contact details to: farah_ishaq@ipcmedia.com Question: What was Hendrix's birth name? The film starts at 7.45pm at The Hippodrome - followed by the all-star hour-long tribute concert and launch party at 9pm. Check out the official Jimi Hendrix website here:www.jimihendrix.com For more details about the film and to buy tickets for the Hippodrome event - check out:www.hendrixatmonterey.com

To celebrate the launch of the ‘Jimi Hendrix Experience ‘Live at Monterey’ 40th anniversary edition film – a special all-star tribute night is taking place in London’s West End this Thursday (October 25).

A special film screening is taking place at The Hippodrome, near Leicester Square followed by a Hendrix tribute concert featuring several rock artists, including a surviving member of the original Hendrix Experience.

The all-star band features former Thin Lizzy guitarist Gary Moore, Hendrix Experience’sMitch Mitchell on drums, Band of Gypsys‘ Billy Cox on bass, Primal Scream‘s drummer Darrin Mooney and Dave Bronze on bass.

The new DVD of ‘Jimi Hendrix Live at Monterey: The Definitive Edition’ celebrates the 40th anniversary of Hendrix’s debut at the legendary Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.

Uncut.co.uk has two pairs of tickets to give away for the launch party this Thursday – all you have to do is answer the following question and email your daytime contact details to:

farah_ishaq@ipcmedia.com

Question: What was Hendrix’s birth name?

The film starts at 7.45pm at The Hippodrome – followed by the all-star hour-long tribute concert and launch party at 9pm.

Check out the official Jimi Hendrix website here:www.jimihendrix.com

For more details about the film and to buy tickets for the Hippodrome event – check out:www.hendrixatmonterey.com

Cut Of The Day: Paul Weller Jams With The Charlatans

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Cut Of The Day: Paul Weller Jams With The Charlatans

Today's clip of the day is this great black and white footage of the Modfather Paul Weller performing a Jam classic with The Charlatans. The live run through of 'A Town Called Malice' is from the soundcheck for the Versus Cancer charity concert which took place at Manchester's MEN in March this year. Check out the great clip here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b85pI3Kp1c&rel=1 If you have any trouble viewing the embedded video, click here.

Today’s clip of the day is this great black and white footage of the Modfather Paul Weller performing a Jam classic with The Charlatans.

The live run through of ‘A Town Called Malice’ is from the soundcheck for the Versus Cancer charity concert which took place at Manchester’s MEN in March this year.

Check out the great clip here:

If you have any trouble viewing the embedded video, click here.

Uncut’s Worst Gigs – Ever!

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Uncut’s Worst Gigs – Ever!

In last month's UNCUT, our writers, friends and favourite musicians reminisced about their favourite gigs. Well, in this month’s issue we’re looking back on the worst gigs we’ve ever seen - including The Stone Roses, Bob Dylan, Kevin Rowland and David Bowie - with rare photos from the shows too. We're also going to publish one of the worst gigs every day, with online exclusives, so feast your eyes on this, and be glad you weren’t there! For the full top 30 - see the November issue of Uncut - with Led Zep's Robert Plant on the cover. ***** 14 | YES Madison Square Garden, New York September 6, 1978 MICK HOUGHTON: I’d been filling in as house-writer at Warners when I was asked if I’d mind taking two journalists to cover Yes’s Madison Square concerts. I didn’t think twice, although, for 10 years, I’d successfully managed to avoid ever seeing Yes. This was 1978 and they were the sort of band punk was meant to have wiped out. Dealt a minor body blow in Britain, the restored, ‘classic’ line up including Anderson, Squire, Wakeman and Howe, had sold out four nights at the Garden in just hours. The decibel level of the crowd was deafening, mercifully all but drowning out the group. This was Yes, renowned for complex dexterity yet all I recall was being pinned to my seat by chest-pounding bass and drums. If prog was supposed to be dead, no one told the sky-high rows of fanatics, passing joints, chucking Frisbees and setting fire to polystyrene cups. Faraway, Yes were like tiny orcs on the huge revolving stage, amid billowing smoke, ploughing through endless songs and countless encores. That night brought it home – punk had been a mere blip for Yes and their kind. ***** plus WERE YOU THERE? Not even UNCUTs war-weary gig-hounds have been to every show in history – but you lot probably have. Email Allan_Jones@ipcmedia.com to share your memories, of the ones we've published or any which we have missed, and we’ll publish the best in a future issue

In last month’s UNCUT, our writers, friends and favourite musicians reminisced about their favourite gigs.

Well, in this month’s issue we’re looking back on the worst gigs we’ve ever seen – including The Stone Roses, Bob Dylan, Kevin Rowland and David Bowie – with rare photos from the shows too.

We’re also going to publish one of the worst gigs every day, with online exclusives, so feast your eyes on this, and be glad you weren’t there!

For the full top 30 – see the November issue of Uncut – with Led Zep’s Robert Plant on the cover.

*****

14 | YES

Madison Square Garden, New York

September 6, 1978

MICK HOUGHTON: I’d been filling in as house-writer at Warners when I was asked if I’d mind taking two journalists to cover Yes’s Madison Square concerts. I didn’t think twice, although, for 10 years, I’d successfully managed to avoid ever seeing Yes. This was 1978 and they were the sort of band punk was meant to have wiped out.

Dealt a minor body blow in Britain, the restored, ‘classic’ line up including Anderson, Squire, Wakeman and Howe, had sold out four nights at the Garden in just hours. The decibel level of the crowd was deafening, mercifully all but drowning out the group. This was Yes, renowned for complex dexterity yet all I recall was being pinned to my seat by chest-pounding bass and drums.

If prog was supposed to be dead, no one told the sky-high rows of fanatics, passing joints, chucking Frisbees and setting fire to polystyrene cups. Faraway, Yes were like tiny orcs on the huge revolving stage, amid billowing smoke, ploughing through endless songs and countless encores. That night brought it home – punk had been a mere blip for Yes and their kind.

*****

plus WERE YOU THERE?

Not even UNCUTs war-weary gig-hounds have been to every show in history – but you lot probably have.

Email Allan_Jones@ipcmedia.com to share your memories, of the ones we’ve published or any which we have missed, and we’ll publish the best in a future issue

The Uncut Playlist: new stuff!

John Mulvey
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The post seems to have finally sorted itself out, so a decent load of new records arrived at Uncut yesterday, making today's playlist feel a good bit fresher than some of late. Regular readers should be reassured that, though, Radiohead is uncharacteristically absent, I'll probably put it on after this Butthole Surfers reissue has finished. Some things shouldn't change for a while yet, I guess. 1 Black Mountain - In The Future (Jagjaguwar) 2 Pylon - Gyrate Plus (DFA) 3 Caribou - She's The One (Hot Chip Remix) (City Slang) 4 American Music Club - The Golden Age (Cooking Vinyl) 5 The Verve - The Thaw Session (available from NME.com) 6 Labradford - Prazision (Kranky) 7 REM - REM Live (Warners) 8 Johann Johannsson - Englaborn (4AD) 9 Kaki King - . . .Until We Felt Red (Velour) 10 Elvis Perkins In Dearland - All The Night Without Love (XL) 11 Butthole Surfers - Piouhgd/Widowermaker! (Latino Bugger Veil)

The post seems to have finally sorted itself out, so a decent load of new records arrived at Uncut yesterday, making today’s playlist feel a good bit fresher than some of late. Regular readers should be reassured that, though, Radiohead is uncharacteristically absent, I’ll probably put it on after this Butthole Surfers reissue has finished. Some things shouldn’t change for a while yet, I guess.

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Andrew Bird To Go On First Headline UK Tour

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Andrew Bird To Go On First Headline UK Tour

Andrew Bird has announced details of his first headlining UK tour, backed by a full touring band, to take place next month. A limited-edition tour CD that includes reworked versions from the album, fresh tracks and a cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Oh Sister’ will be available on a first-come first served basis at the UK shows. The singer/guitarist/violinist/whistler is also to release a new single 'Heretics' on Decmber 3. The track which features on the BBC TV trailer for Michael Palin's Europe show, is taken from Bird's acclaimed album 'Armchair Apocrypha'. Now on his sixth album, Bird has gone from cult obscurity to appearing on David Letterman's US show, and touing with bands like Wilco and My Morning Jacket. Andrew Bird will be suported by Loney, Dear on his five UK dates, they are: Belfast Speakeasy (November 4) Glasgow Arches (5) Birmingham Glee Club (6) Manchester Academy 3 (8) London Koko (9) More information about the shows and album are available from Bird's official website here: www.andrebird.net

Andrew Bird has announced details of his first headlining UK tour, backed by a full touring band, to take place next month.

A limited-edition tour CD that includes reworked versions from the album, fresh tracks and a cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Oh Sister’ will be available on a first-come first served basis at the UK shows.

The singer/guitarist/violinist/whistler is also to release a new single ‘Heretics’ on Decmber 3.

The track which features on the BBC TV trailer for Michael Palin‘s Europe show, is taken from Bird’s acclaimed album ‘Armchair Apocrypha‘.

Now on his sixth album, Bird has gone from cult obscurity to appearing on David Letterman‘s US show, and touing with bands like Wilco and My Morning Jacket.

Andrew Bird will be suported by Loney, Dear on his five UK dates, they are:

Belfast Speakeasy (November 4)

Glasgow Arches (5)

Birmingham Glee Club (6)

Manchester Academy 3 (8)

London Koko (9)

More information about the shows and album are available from Bird’s official website here: www.andrebird.net

Black Mountain Announce Rare UK Shows

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Black Mountain Announce Rare UK Shows

Black Mountain have announced that they are to play two rare UK shows in December, just prior to their All Tomorrow's Parties appearance on December 7. The band will play London's Cargo venue on December 5, and Nottigham's Rescue Rooms on December 6. The band signed to Canadian label Jagjaguwar are also set to release their second album 'In The Future' on Januray 21 - the follow up to their self-titled debut which featured highly in Uncut's albums of the year in 2005. To read Uncut's first review of 'In The Future' - which also includes the track 'Stay Free' which appeared in Spiderman 3 - click here for John Mulvey's Wild Mercury Sound blog. The album is being released on CD and double vinyl LP. More information is available from the band's official website here:blackmountainarmy.com Black Mountain will play their first UK dates since 2006 at: London Cargo (December 5) Nottingham Rescue Rooms (6) All Tomorrow’s Parties curated by Portishead (7) SOLD OUT

Black Mountain have announced that they are to play two rare UK shows in December, just prior to their All Tomorrow’s Parties appearance on December 7.

The band will play London’s Cargo venue on December 5, and Nottigham’s Rescue Rooms on December 6.

The band signed to Canadian label Jagjaguwar are also set to release their second album ‘In The Future‘ on Januray 21 – the follow up to their self-titled debut which featured highly in Uncut’s albums of the year in 2005.

To read Uncut’s first review of ‘In The Future’ – which also includes the track ‘Stay Free’ which appeared in Spiderman 3 – click here for John Mulvey’s Wild Mercury Sound blog.

The album is being released on CD and double vinyl LP.

More information is available from the band’s official website here:blackmountainarmy.com

Black Mountain will play their first UK dates since 2006 at:

London Cargo (December 5)

Nottingham Rescue Rooms (6)

All Tomorrow’s Parties curated by Portishead (7) SOLD OUT

Madness Ready First New Album In Years

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Madness Ready First New Album In Years

Madness are to release their first new studio album since 1999 next year. 'Lucky 7' the follow-up to 'Wonderful' is due for release in 2008, with a new single 'NW5 (I Would Give You Everything)' named after the London postcode for Camden set for release on January 14. The track, the first taster of the new material, has just been added to the player on Madness' MySpace page. The track has already been released alongside a new version of 'It Must Be Love' in Germany where both appear in the new film 'Neues Vom Vixxer'. The band are touring the UK this December, hopefully previewing some of their new tracks, playing the following venues: Aberdeen Press And Journal Arena (December 6) Belfast Odyssey (7) Liverpool Aintree Pavilion (8) Cardiff International Arena (10) Plymouth Pavilions (11) Birmingham NEC (12) London O2 Arena (14) More details available from Madness' official website here:www.madness.co.uk

Madness are to release their first new studio album since 1999 next year.

‘Lucky 7‘ the follow-up to ‘Wonderful’ is due for release in 2008, with a new single ‘NW5 (I Would Give You Everything)‘ named after the London postcode for Camden set for release on January 14.

The track, the first taster of the new material, has just been added to the player on Madness’ MySpace page.

The track has already been released alongside a new version of ‘It Must Be Love’ in Germany where both appear in the new film ‘Neues Vom Vixxer‘.

The band are touring the UK this December, hopefully previewing some of their new tracks, playing the following venues:

Aberdeen Press And Journal Arena (December 6)

Belfast Odyssey (7)

Liverpool Aintree Pavilion (8)

Cardiff International Arena (10)

Plymouth Pavilions (11)

Birmingham NEC (12)

London O2 Arena (14)

More details available from Madness’ official website here:www.madness.co.uk

The Verve: “The Thaw Session”

John Mulvey
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Just a quick one today: I must admit that, a few months ago, it was hard to imagine Richard Ashcroft ever being involved in music I’d like again. But The Verve reunion has thrown up a few intriguing possibilities, not least the suggestion that they may sidestep all the windy balladry and return to the sort of cosmic orientation that made the band so interesting in the first place. All this anticipation was kind of confirmed today, when I heard this download that’s turned up on NME.com. It’s called “The Thaw Session”, it seems to be what we can only call a jam, and it goes on for a reassuringly preposterous length of time. Listening to it for the second time right now, I’m reminded of a bunch of very early shows I saw the band play, when Nick McCabe’s levitating, ambulatory guitar lines seemed to goad Ashcroft into ever more cosmic behaviour. Part of me – I guess I was maybe 23 at the time and a committed indie kid, for my sins – recoiled from the unmediated hippiness of it all. But a lot of me was drawn to it: like the Spiritualized records of the time that Verve (as they were then) had studied so assiduously, it pointed to the expansive possibilities offered by psychedelic music. I suppose I’ve never looked back. I always liked the early singles best, though, when it felt as if McCabe was in the ascendant, when Ashcroft was impelled to behave like a dislocated spirit more than a belligerent, romantic everyman. So it’s encouraging when “The Thaw Sessions” appears to begin in the middle of a wandering, fragile McCabe riff, then spends a long time happily going nowhere much. An astral synth hum provides a constant. Jones and Salisbury have a feathery, jazzy flutter to their rhythms, a real loose-limbed feel. And Ashcroft is a ghostly, mystical presence, drifting in and out of the mix, extemporising vaguely – recapturing, most importantly, the subtlety which has eluded him so completely throughout his solo career. If I could find an analogue in their existing catalogue – or at least from what I remember; it’s been a while – it would be with “A Man Called Sun”, a liquid, quicksilver vibe that’s a million miles away from the plodding, foursquare balladeers they went on to inspire. I’m reminded of Echo And The Bunnymen, and how their reunion saw them suppress the mercurial aspects of their sound in order to conform with prevailing indie mediocrity. The Verve, heroically, seem to be taking a diametrically opposite path. Let’s just hope these jams never solidify into anything so prosaic as songs. . .

Just a quick one today: I must admit that, a few months ago, it was hard to imagine Richard Ashcroft ever being involved in music I’d like again. But The Verve reunion has thrown up a few intriguing possibilities, not least the suggestion that they may sidestep all the windy balladry and return to the sort of cosmic orientation that made the band so interesting in the first place.

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The Ruts’ Guitarist Paul Fox Has Died

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The Ruts’ Guitarist Paul Fox Has Died

Paul Fox, best known for playing guitar with Southall based 70s reggae-influenced punk band The Ruts has died aged 56. The guitarist, who had been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer earlier this year, succumbed to his illness this morning, whilst at home in Uxbridge. Fox has been in semi-retirement for many years, but in 2006 decided to tour in the UK and Europe as Foxy's Ruts, with his son Lawrence on drums. A benefit show was organised for Fox after his diagnosis in May this year. Artists from the UK punk scene who Fox had worked and been friends with over the years all turned out for the gig; including The Damned, Misty in Roots, the UK Subs, Tom Robinson, John Otway, Splodge and TV Smith. It was at this benefit show, that the surviving members of The Ruts performed together for the first time in 27 years. Former Black Flag member Henry Rollins stood in for the bands' late Malcolm Owen who died of an overdose in 1980. For more, go to the Ruts website here: www.clubska.com/www.humanpunk.com/index.html Pic credit: Redferns

Paul Fox, best known for playing guitar with Southall based 70s reggae-influenced punk band The Ruts has died aged 56.

The guitarist, who had been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer earlier this year, succumbed to his illness this morning, whilst at home in Uxbridge.

Fox has been in semi-retirement for many years, but in 2006 decided to tour in the UK and Europe as Foxy’s Ruts, with his son Lawrence on drums.

A benefit show was organised for Fox after his diagnosis in May this year. Artists from the UK punk scene who Fox had worked and been friends with over the years all turned out for the gig; including The Damned, Misty in Roots, the UK Subs, Tom Robinson, John Otway, Splodge and TV Smith.

It was at this benefit show, that the surviving members of The Ruts performed together for the first time in 27 years. Former Black Flag member Henry Rollins stood in for the bands’ late Malcolm Owen who died of an overdose in 1980.

For more, go to the Ruts website here: www.clubska.com/www.humanpunk.com/index.html

Pic credit: Redferns

First Carter USM Show In Ten Years Rocks Glasgow

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First Carter USM Show In Ten Years Rocks Glasgow

Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine (Carter USM) played their first gig for a decade at Glasgow Barrowlands on Saturday (October 20). The indie band formed in 1987 by singer Jim "Jim Bob" Morrison and guitarist Les "Fruitbat" Carter split up in 1998, after releasing seven albums. The pair briefly reunited under the name Who's The Daddy Now? for some shows in 2001 and 2002, where Jim Bob and Fruitbat played a set each with their respective new bands before reuniting at the end of the night to perform some Carter USM songs - before disappearing to work on their own musical projects again. The sold-out show in Glasgow this weekend saw the band play for nearly two hours, and even included covers of the Pet Shop Boys' 'Rent' and Inspiral Carpets' 'This Is How It Feels'. The reunited Carter USM are due to play just one more show this year, at London's Brixton Academy on November 2. More details are available from the band's official website here:http://www.carterusm.co.uk. The band played: Surfin' USM Second To last Good Grief Charlie Brown Midnight On The Murder Mile Say It With Flowers Do Re Me Re-Educating Rita Sealed With A Glasgow Kiss Rent Anytime Anyplace Anywhere Only Living Boy In New Cross After The Watershed Prince In A Paupers Grave Lenny And Terence Glam Rock Cops RSPCE Travis Lean On Me Bloodsport For All The Music Nobody Likes The Impossible Dream Encore: Is Wrestling Fixed? A Sheltered Life This Is How It Feels Sheriff Fatman GI Blues http://www.carterusm.co.uk

Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine (Carter USM) played their first gig for a decade at Glasgow Barrowlands on Saturday (October 20).

The indie band formed in 1987 by singer Jim “Jim Bob” Morrison and guitarist Les “Fruitbat” Carter split up in 1998, after releasing seven albums.

The pair briefly reunited under the name Who’s The Daddy Now? for some shows in 2001 and 2002, where Jim Bob and Fruitbat played a set each with their respective new bands before reuniting at the end of the night to perform some Carter USM songs – before disappearing to work on their own musical projects again.

The sold-out show in Glasgow this weekend saw the band play for nearly two hours, and even included covers of the Pet Shop Boys‘ ‘Rent’ and Inspiral Carpets‘ ‘This Is How It Feels’.

The reunited Carter USM are due to play just one more show this year, at London’s Brixton Academy on November 2.

More details are available from the band’s official website here:http://www.carterusm.co.uk.

The band played:

Surfin’ USM

Second To last

Good Grief Charlie Brown

Midnight On The Murder Mile

Say It With Flowers

Do Re Me

Re-Educating Rita

Sealed With A Glasgow Kiss

Rent

Anytime Anyplace Anywhere

Only Living Boy In New Cross

After The Watershed

Prince In A Paupers Grave

Lenny And Terence

Glam Rock Cops

RSPCE

Travis

Lean On Me

Bloodsport For All

The Music Nobody Likes

The Impossible Dream

Encore:

Is Wrestling Fixed?

A Sheltered Life

This Is How It Feels

Sheriff Fatman

GI Blues

http://www.carterusm.co.uk

David Lynch To Appear At London Film Festival

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David Lynch To Appear At London Film Festival

Innovative filmmaker David Lynch is to launch his new book in the UK by collaborating with folk guitar star Donovan at a Times BFI London Film Festival event tomorrow night (October 23). Lynch, famous for the originality of films such as 'Blue Velvet' and 'Mulholland Drive' will be discussing his new book "Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity" as well as his forthcoming new movie 'Inland Empire.' The event will also see a performance from Donovan, who will play a set of his greatest songs from the 60s and 70s. Donovan, known for hits such as ‘Mellow Yellow’ and ‘Sunshine Superman’ has just taken up the post of heading up the musical wing of the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace. Taking on the new role fulfils Donovans 40-year interest in transcendental meditation. The pairing have previously performed together at similar events in the US - launching the book and movie. CATCHING THE BIG FISH – Tuesday 23rd October takes place at the BFI Southbank (formerly the National Film Theatre) at 9pm. For ticket information for this, and other LFF events - go to www.bfi.org.uk here.

Innovative filmmaker David Lynch is to launch his new book in the UK by collaborating with folk guitar star Donovan at a Times BFI London Film Festival event tomorrow night (October 23).

Lynch, famous for the originality of films such as ‘Blue Velvet’ and ‘Mulholland Drive’ will be discussing his new book “Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity” as well as his forthcoming new movie ‘Inland Empire.’

The event will also see a performance from Donovan, who will play a set of his greatest songs from the 60s and 70s.

Donovan, known for hits such as ‘Mellow Yellow’ and ‘Sunshine Superman’ has just taken up the post of heading up the musical wing of the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace.

Taking on the new role fulfils Donovans 40-year interest in transcendental meditation.

The pairing have previously performed together at similar events in the US – launching the book and movie.

CATCHING THE BIG FISH – Tuesday 23rd October takes place at the BFI Southbank (formerly the National Film Theatre) at 9pm.

For ticket information for this, and other LFF events – go to www.bfi.org.uk here.

Uncut’s Worst Gigs – Ever!

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Uncut’s Worst Gigs – Ever!

In last month's UNCUT, our writers, friends and favourite musicians reminisced about their favourite gigs. Well, in this month’s issue we’re looking back on the worst gigs we’ve ever seen - including The Stone Roses, Bob Dylan, Kevin Rowland and David Bowie - with rare photos from the shows too. We're also going to publish one of the worst gigs every day, with online exclusives, so feast your eyes on this, and be glad you weren’t there! For the full top 30 - see the November issue of Uncut - with Led Zep's Robert Plant on the cover. ***** 2 | THE STONE ROSES Reading Festival, August 25, 1996 MICHAEL BONNER: As someone for whom the Roses’ debut had been a pivotal record when growing up, I can’t quite remember why I’d never seen them live. I know I had a ticket for one of the Brixton shows, in December 1995, but the reasons why I never went are lost in the mists of time. And so, I spent most of this particular Reading weekend in a state of hyperactive excitement about finally seeing them live. John and Reni had left the band, and with new guitarist Aziz Ibrahim and drummer Robbie Maddix, the line-up was, admittedly, unrecognisable beyond the name. But still, I clung to the dream – I was finally going to see the Roses. I went with a friend, and we spent the Sunday afternoon mounting what felt like a military expedition, working out complex equations involving wind speed and direction, relative humidity and visibility to establish exactly where the best place to watch the Roses would be. We found a spot and waited for the band to come on. It started well enough, opening with “I Wanna Be Adored”, Ibrahim doing a fine impression of Squire’s swirling Celtic guitar motifs. Three minutes in, everyone’s smiling. And then, Ian Brown began to sing. His voice was flat, atonal, eye-poppingly dreadful. The crowd began to drift away, many shaking their heads in disbelief. People were actually crying at how bad it was. It felt like an entire generation had been let down. And it doesn’t get much worse than that. ***** plus WERE YOU THERE? Not even UNCUTs war-weary gig-hounds have been to every show in history – but you lot probably have. Email Allan_Jones@ipcmedia.com to share your memories, of the ones we've published or any which we have missed, and we’ll publish the best in a future issue

In last month’s UNCUT, our writers, friends and favourite musicians reminisced about their favourite gigs.

Well, in this month’s issue we’re looking back on the worst gigs we’ve ever seen – including The Stone Roses, Bob Dylan, Kevin Rowland and David Bowie – with rare photos from the shows too.

We’re also going to publish one of the worst gigs every day, with online exclusives, so feast your eyes on this, and be glad you weren’t there!

For the full top 30 – see the November issue of Uncut – with Led Zep’s Robert Plant on the cover.

*****

2 | THE STONE ROSES

Reading Festival, August 25, 1996

MICHAEL BONNER: As someone for whom the Roses’ debut had been a pivotal record when growing up, I can’t quite remember why I’d never seen them live. I know I had a ticket for one of the Brixton shows, in December 1995, but the reasons why I never went are lost in the mists of time. And so, I spent most of this particular Reading weekend in a state of hyperactive excitement about finally seeing them live. John and Reni had left the band, and with new guitarist Aziz Ibrahim and drummer Robbie Maddix, the line-up was, admittedly, unrecognisable beyond the name. But still, I clung to the dream – I was finally going to see the Roses.

I went with a friend, and we spent the Sunday afternoon mounting what felt like a military expedition, working out complex equations involving wind speed and direction, relative humidity and visibility to establish exactly where the best place to watch the Roses would be. We found a spot and waited for the band to come on.

It started well enough, opening with “I Wanna Be Adored”, Ibrahim doing a fine impression of Squire’s swirling Celtic guitar motifs. Three minutes in, everyone’s smiling.

And then, Ian Brown began to sing.

His voice was flat, atonal, eye-poppingly dreadful. The crowd began to drift away, many shaking their heads in disbelief. People were actually crying at how bad it was. It felt like an entire generation had been let down.

And it doesn’t get much worse than that.

*****

plus WERE YOU THERE?

Not even UNCUTs war-weary gig-hounds have been to every show in history – but you lot probably have.

Email Allan_Jones@ipcmedia.com to share your memories, of the ones we’ve published or any which we have missed, and we’ll publish the best in a future issue

Cut Of The Day: Killing Joke On The Tube

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Cut Of The Day: Killing Joke On The Tube
As reported this morning, Killing Joke's bass player Paul Raven has passed away unexpectedly. So today's cut of the day is a reminder of one of Killing Jokes best known tracks 'Kings And Queens' - recorded live on The Tube programme in 1985. The track featured on the band's fifth studio album 'Nig...

As reported this morning, Killing Joke’s bass player Paul Raven has passed away unexpectedly.

So today’s cut of the day is a reminder of one of Killing Jokes best known tracks ‘Kings And Queens‘ – recorded live on The Tube programme in 1985.

The track featured on the band’s fifth studio album ‘Nighttime’.

Check out the clip here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSNJ96STO28

If you have any trouble viewing the embedded video, click here.

Download First New Verve Material In Ten Years

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Download First New Verve Material In Ten Years

The Verve have made 14 minutes of brand new material available to download from NME.com today (October 22). The band's first new material - entitled 'The Thaw Session' is the band's first to emerge since they announced their reformation after an eight year hiatus. Rather than talking over ideas for their reunion with a band meeting, the Wigan legends met in a studio in Richmond and jammed out some musical ideas together, resulting in the track they have given to Uncut's sister title NME. Front man Richard Ashcroft said: "We all decided that rather than meeting for a cup of coffee or a beer, we should meet in a studio where we can do what we do. Straight away." The track will be available for seven days only. Check out Uncut's review of The Thaw Session - read John Mulvey's verdict on his blog here. For more information on The Verve's new material - which they expect to record early next year, click here for Uncut.co.uk's previous report. The band are playing the following dates starting next month - with a new added date at Nottingham Arena on December 11. Glasgow Academy (November 2,3) Blackpool Empress Ballroom (5,6) London Roundhouse (8,9) Nottingham Arena (11) London O2 Arena (December 13) Glasgow SECC (15) Belfast Odyssey Arena (17) Manchester Central (20, 21) Pic credit: Dean Chalkley

The Verve have made 14 minutes of brand new material available to download from NME.com today (October 22).

The band’s first new material – entitled ‘The Thaw Session’ is the band’s first to emerge since they announced their reformation after an eight year hiatus.

Rather than talking over ideas for their reunion with a band meeting, the Wigan legends met in a studio in Richmond and jammed out some musical ideas together, resulting in the track they have given to Uncut’s sister title NME.

Front man Richard Ashcroft said: “We all decided that rather than meeting for a cup of coffee or a beer, we should meet in a studio where we can do what we do. Straight away.”

The track will be available for seven days only.

Check out Uncut’s review of The Thaw Session – read John Mulvey’s verdict on his blog here.

For more information on The Verve’s new material – which they expect to record early next year, click here for Uncut.co.uk’s previous report.

The band are playing the following dates starting next month – with a new added date at Nottingham Arena on December 11.

Glasgow Academy (November 2,3)

Blackpool Empress Ballroom (5,6)

London Roundhouse (8,9)

Nottingham Arena (11)

London O2 Arena (December 13)

Glasgow SECC (15)

Belfast Odyssey Arena (17)

Manchester Central (20, 21)

Pic credit: Dean Chalkley

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