Tag Archives: Arctic Monkeys

New Bandicoots video: Shady Lane

Video: The Bandicoots – “Shady Lane”

Video by Austin Blackmore. Single out now.

You know what they say about the 70s: If you remember them, you weren’t there. Well, this Hamilton, Ontario quartet was definitely not there and I’m not sure what they think the 70s where all about, but this ain’t it, despite the ridiculous story they tell in the press release accompanying this song.

What The Bandicoots do know how to do is write a clever pop song. Maybe they got their vision of the 70s via The Arctic Monkeys, who have also dabbled a bit in the fashion, if not the music, of that decade? Because “Shady Lane” could easily be an outtake or companion piece to one their early story-songs like “Mardy Bum” or “Fake Tales of San Francisco.”

I look forward to hearing more from these guys and would be happy to help them discover the 70s with a marathon viewing of Dennis Hopper’s The American Dreamer and a rack of Harvey Wallbangers.

The Bandicoots: web, twitter, amazon, apple, spotify, wiki.

Arctic Monkeys – Black Treacle

Nobody can accuse Arctic Monkeys of resting on their laurels…or their fashion. In the span of five years the band has put out four albums (not including side projects), toured the world a few times and hit all the hip festivals. And what started as a neo-Mod band with a healthy nod to musical and fashion mentor Paul Weller has transformed to a bunch of roughneck long-hairs to now what appears to be Eddie Cochrane rock-a-billy heroes. The Mod v. Rocker wars are officially over.

The new single from 2011’s Suck It and See comes complete with a slick video that highlights the band’s new style and infatuation with American road movies. There’s not so much a story here as an homage to tried and true themes: runaway brides, escaped convicts, desert drives and put-upon drivers.

Cool song, cool video, super cool hair.

VIDEO

Arctic Monkeys – Black Treacle

Arctic Monkeys Web Transmission 2009

Video: Arctic Monkeys Web Transmission 2009

Sad you missed the Arctic Monkeys when they passed through your town? Well, now you can pretend you were there with their latest “Web Transmission” wherein they perform a 20-minutes set for your viewing pleasure. Track list is:

• Pretty Visitors

• Crying Lightning

• Potion Approaching

• Red Right Hand (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds cover)

• Secret Door

Arctic Monkeys: iTunes, Amazon, Insound, wiki

New Arctic Monkeys video: Cornerstone

Video: Arctic Monkeys – “Cornerstone”

The next single from Humbug, this one’s a ballad with typically clever lyrics about bumping into a series of girls who bears a passing resemblance to your ex: “She was close / Close enough to be your ghost / But my chances turned to toast / When I asked her if I could call her your name…” Who knew Alex Turner would turn into such a crooner! He totally pulls it off.

The video, directed by Richard Ayaode, keeps it simple. But it’s hardly boring.

Arctic Monkeys: iTunes, Amazon, Insound, wiki, web.

Lonely at Lollapalooza 2009

Lollapalooza 2009Lollapalooza 2009

Grant Park, Chicago, August 7-9, 2009

This was my first trip back to Chicago since moving to Portland, Oregon in December 2008. As much as I love Portland, there is a large piece of my heart in that city by the lake. It’s where I was born, it’s where I formed my favorite band, and it’s where my son was born. It’s still my city.

So it was with great excitement and anticipation that I returned to see friends, drink a lot of beer and catch some live rock and fucking roll. I’d been planning and thinking of this trip since before we even moved so you’d think I’d have had all the details ironed out like the Arctic Monkeys‘ fitted shirts. You don’t know me well and the Monkeys no longer wear Fred Perry, but more on that later…

Continue reading Lonely at Lollapalooza 2009

New Arctic Monkeys – Crying Lightning

Arctic Monkeys - Crying Lightning

Bad ass new track from the Arctic Monkeys‘ third album, Humbug (August 25, Domino Records) and Produced by Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) and James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco). “Crying Lightning” is a simmering creeper anchored with a spooky bass line and reverb guitars. I like.

Arctic Monkeys: iTunes, Amazon, Insound, wiki

Album track listing and US tour dates after the jump.

Continue reading New Arctic Monkeys – Crying Lightning

Arctic Monkeys vs. Sean "Diddy" Combs

Video: The View From Sean’s House Party

You’ve gotta watch this. The jist: Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders goes to a party at Diddy‘s house and develops a quick bromance with his host. Warning: you’ll find it impossible to hate the former Puff Daddy after watching this video, so if that’s part of your deal you might want to skip it. On the other hand, if you appreciate bone-dry, sarcastic humor and giants pots of grits, you really have to watch this. It’s awesome.

PS – The passed out honky at the end is none other than Simian Mobile Disco DJ James Ford, who is currently producing the third Arctic Monkeys album. “Yeah, put the drink on his head.”

MP3: Arctic Monkeys – “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor”

Arctic Monkeys: iTunes, Amazon, Insound, wiki.

Sincere thanks to P. Friddy for leading me to this.

The Last Shadow Puppets – The Age of the Understatement

The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the UnderstatementThe Last Shadow PuppetsThe Age of the Understatement (Domino)

The Last Shadow Puppets are Alex Turner from Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane from The Rascals. You likely know the former and if you’re a die-hard anglophile (or bona fide member of the British Empire), you probably know the latter. A few years ago, Turner raced to fame with a band that was mostly discovered by fans on a Libertines-focused message board and driven by the catchy stutter of their single “I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor.”

The Arctic Monkeys touched a nerve with story-songs that painted vivid scenes of urban blight and teenage angst against the backdrop of a Britain in decline. The fact that American kids dug it just proves how goddamned catchy the songs really are.

Continue reading The Last Shadow Puppets – The Age of the Understatement