Left For Dead is relocating! All details here.

Unfortunately Left For Dead, The shop which I have been a semi-regular visitor of since it's opening in late 2013 has had to move to a new location. As the owner has said himself,* "trade has really slowed since December and once I had costed everything up, it simply wasn't viable to keep the CF shop running". It has been obvious that this was a possibility to me as a customer for some time. The custard Factory has been a bit lifeless lately. This may be partly down to the also sadly missed Urban Village. Yet I should mention that The Urban Village still holds vintage fairs in the Custard Factory and closed because of the owners decision to retire. 
Even though Left For Dead was by far the best independent in Birmingham (in my opinion), The Music & Video Exchange, Swordfish, Milque and Muhle, The Diskery, and Polar Bear records are all still active, and hopefully doing well. As well as one or two stalls in The Oasis Market. 

https://www.facebook.com/LeftForDeadshop/photos

Left For Dead's new site is in Shrewsbury. In Andy's own words "Shrewsbury is a great town and the shop is in a fantastic location; 5 minutes walk from the train station and a couple of minutes walk from the major car parks. There's a bunch of excellent pubs, restaurants and bars nearby. I've got lots of plans and ideas for the new shop; alongside Left For Dead's continuing commitment to carrying quality new releases and back catalogue I am also going to open a coffee den on the second floor. I will also continue to put on in-stores and I have already had discussions with a venue in Shrewsbury regarding promoting touring bands." The store is being prepared to open on 14 Wyle Cop, officially opening it's doors on the 27th. Personally I feel sad that Left For Dead is leaving The Custard Factory, but I cannot begrudge, Andy for making the decision to move. I will miss the in-stores, and the freebies that I have been given along with my new CD's (Yes, I still buy CD's). I've discovered many great bands through the freebies. Such as Nils Bech, Vertical Scratchers, Cymbals, Twilight Sad, Evans The Death, Diagrams and many more. Independent record stores are a big part of any area's music scene. I will make an effort to visit Shrewsbury at some point, the new shop already looking bigger and a bit nicer than the old one. Shrewsbury's gain is Birmingham's loss, and a reminder that an independent is for life, not just Record Store Day.

*Source: Email for loyalty card holders

A blockbuster is being filmed round the corner from my house

Hang on a minute! I thought as I read my Facebook feed. That's just down my road! A major film starring Paddy Considine (Hot Fuzz, Worlds End, Bourne Ultimatum), and Gemma Arterton (Quantum Of Solace, Other stuff). The film in question is a zombie flick 'She Who Brings Gifts' which has been filming in various locations across the last few weeks.  Including Birmingham's city centre a few days ago. I have found a little secret entrance that takes me right on to the set but I am far too nervous to use it, as security staff are guarding the area. I think I saw one zombie but mostly I have just seen visitors with passes (the bastards!), security guys, and general film staff. There are bloody big trailers round one of the corners and the outside has clearly visible wreckage, cars, tables and a tent which will be set alight between the hours of 8:00 and 3am. While I am going to be up at 3 am it will not be to stalk Gemma Arterton*, but because I am an adult with a job and responsibilities (annoying as that may be). I may have another walkabout tomorrow afternoon, but by then most of the filming will be done and the crew will be staring to pack up and leave. The film is based on an established book, and early press shots show the cast looking fierce. I am definitely going to see the film as this is the most exiting thing to happen to Shirley since Parkgate (which isn't that exciting).
I'm going to see the film when it's out, after all how often do you see your neighbourhood in a film at the cinema?

* I'm not a perv, while it'd be nice to meet Gemma, it would only be to say hi and welcome her to the rather small, and dull town that is Shirley

Lunar Festival review: Day 3

Midnight Bonfires

Follakzoid

Midnight Bonfires (6.8/10) were the closet thing to a conventional indie rock band that played all weekend. Their bright clothes and smiles were a match for the bright summery indie pop that they played. In the Bible Inn I caught Redditch hopefuls, Byron Hare (6.8). The self proclaimed 'post pop' act's music is both retro and soulful, fronted by the amazing voice of Jodie Ollis. They reminded me a little bit of Alabama Shakes, another band who play an updated take on retro soul and blues.

A big surprise was a rare set from Follakzoid (8.4), who played The Sunflower Lounge later that night and filled in for Zun Zun Egui. The Chilean psych band make most of our UK psych bands sound pretty tame. Their songs are funky and groovy yet brooding and very long. The hippys flocked to the front to dance to their spaced out grooves. Evoking the manic drum driven energy of CAN but being much more accessible and tuneful. Follakzoid were my new favourite band from the moment I first heard them. Their lack of English skills was partly responsible for their detached on stage cool. They made brain melting psychedelia seem as easy as 1,2,3. Cd and vinyl copies of their

Sun Ra Arkestra leading the procession

first and second albums sold out within minutes of the set.
For those not in the know the BBC radio-phonic workshop, composed the Dr Who theme tune and were amongst the first musicians to make electronic music as far back as the early 1960's. Unfortunately many of the shows they sound-tracked are now long forgotten.Yet the quality of the soundtracks they produced still stands, Especially the Dr Who theme tune, which I loved being able to hear live. Back in the Bimble Inn RM Hubbart (6.8) played an intimate show. Hubbart is a Glaswegian singer songwriter, winner of the Scottish album of the year and master of the acoustic guitar. Many of his songs are about his struggles with chronic depression, and sound a little bit like Ben Howard. Hubbart has a very dark sense of humour and his very honest and heartfelt talks in between the songs, were as funny as they were sad.

After this I started to pack up my tent so I didn't get a chance to see much music. What little I saw of Sylvan Esso didn't impress me much, their cold electronica seeming far more 'hip' than 'hippy'. I missed most of Julian Cope although his stories and songs were a perfect match for the festivals vibe. I saw most of Sun Ra Arkestra from the burning fire on the other side of the festival. Jazz just isn't my thing. Sun Ra Arkestra's Marshall Allen, had the honour of lighting the giant wooden bird  in the campfire, and a huge procession followed him and the Sun Ra Akestra around the site to watch him burn it. Fire breathers and jugglers kept us entertained for a little bit, while

the fire warmed up my sunburn.
The Bootleg Beatles (9.6) have pretty much perfected their act since forming in 1980, and have a history as long and as strange as the Beatles themselves. They were a perfect closer as everybody knows and loves the songs The Beatles produced between 1966 and 1970, yet many of those songs never got to be played live. Starting out as the tight trousered mop tops of 66' they were able to quickly transform into the Sgt Pepper's lonely hearts club band and then later into the Abbey Road Beatles. With such an eye for detail that even Paul wasn't wearing shoes. It's not like we needed a boost of peace and love at Lunar, but we got it from the bootleg Beatles anyway. The songs were spot on, the clothes, and even little details like the hair and moustaches were spot on. Unfortunately after this I had to leave. A little part of me is in a field in a little village a mile or so away from Solihull.

You can see photos of the artwork of lunar at my instagram https://instagram.com/birminghamstreetart/ a follow up blog or two of leftover photographs will be published shortly

Lunar Festival: Day 2 review

My Brightest Diamond

A night of shivering in my tent was followed by a gorgeous morning and fruity fresh made pancakes for breakfast. Plank! (6/10) started things on the main stage. Whose musical ability and percussion driven jams reminded me of seminal krautrockers' CAN.
Jane Weaver (7.2) and My Brightest Diamond (6.8) both put on sets of arty pop, the former playing a mix of space rock and dream pop, the latter St Vincent avant garde pop,  both are amazingly talented, singers with great songs,  and I feel that both are  hugely underrated. I also  got to meet Jane Weaver in person, the encounter was a little awkward, but she was very friendly and happy to sign my CD.

Jane Weaver

Syd Arthur (6.8) have gained a lot of hype of late. They've got style, and their take on 70's prog rock sounds fresh. All the elements of an amazing band are there, yet I felt something was missing. I'm not quite sure what though. The Pretty things (8.8) are one of the great unsung British bands, yet they are finally beginning to get the respect they deserve. S.F. Sorrow is now seen as a classic album rather than the commercial failure it was on release. In a way this isn't all so bad, as they have aged much better than their contemporaries The Rolling Stones. Two new younger members have given the band a blast of energy, yet the original members still have the fire in their bellies, and natural cool that made them so dangerous the first time round. For me the highlight was hearing their take on acoustic slide guitar and blues classics by Robert Johnson and Bo Diddley.
Wilko Johnson's (8.8) take on the blues is much more rough and raw. What amazes me the most about

Wilko Johnson

him is how he manages to make barre chords sound so distinctive, his machine gun style lends a power to his playing that few guitarists can match. While his stage craft, his gurning and shuffling has been perfected from years in the business. Wilko is a born entertainer, and he belongs on the stage.

The Pretty Things

I'm happy that I got to meet Public Service Broadcasting (9.2) and could tell them how much I loved their 'Race For Space' LP, and give them my idea for their LP3. My signed copy of their first album is something I will treasure. On stage PSB had TV screens, a light up Sputnik, a horn section and a dancing astronaut. J Willgoose Esq, hilariously used his sampler not just for the songs but also to communicate with the audience. A posh voice which announced 'Thank you. Lunar Festival!' that also had a response to every heckle that could be thrown at it. PSB prove that music can be cerebral without being pretentious or overly serious. My face hurt from smiling so much.

Public Service Broadcasting

 
Much like the night before there was plenty of choice for things to do afterwards, and at 2 am I went to bed happily listening to the sound of a man violently throwing up.

Lunar Festival Day 1 Review.

The Drink

Allah Lahs

I'd loved my Lunar Festival day trip last year so much that camping for the full weekend in 2015 was a foregone conclusion. I'd already made some friends with my neighbours early in the after noon after putting up my tent. After getting a bit of a lecture about Shamanism I checked out Hoopla Blue (6.0/10). Who deserve credit for being a young band that sound completely unique. Mixing post punk vocals, reggae bass and a few other styles to create a sound that is strange and experimental but not too proggy or self indulgent. I want to love their music, but I don't. At first The Drink (7.2/10) seemed quite subdued, their singer's voice and mellow sound reminding me a lot of Cate Le Bon and the 70's 'Canterbury scene'. The bands talent shone the longer they played, as they jammed on on their songs, it was a joy just hearing them play. Zervas and Pepper (7.2/10) kept the positive Canterbury vibes going while later on Allah Las (8/10) lived up to the hype, with a great set. The 6 piece including both drums and hand percussion have done for 60's surf pop what The Strokes did for 70's punk. Few bands evoke such effortless cool. Goblin (8/10), Who composed several cult Italian horror film soundtracks (none of which I've seen) put on a master-class in instrumental progressive rock, the reworked themes  to films such as Suspiria are dark and scary yet accessible and kind of fun.

Mark E Smith

The Fall (9.2/10) are brilliant musicians, tight rehearsed and very professional, Mark E Smith on the other hand, came on in an ill fitting suit, covering his face with two microphones (one of which he used to doubly amplify what ever instruments he liked). Throughout the set barely a single word he sang was decipherable, seemingly totally wasted, he seemed genuinely happy to see children enjoying his music. At one point he picked up a leather handbag walked about with it then put it down. he hid around the back of the stage, getting someone else to sing most of the lyrics. Mark E Smith is a fascinating character, his genuine lack of anything resembling a fuck and the bands post punk grooves came together to make something very special. Tinariwen (8/10) had their work cut

Tinariwen

out for them, and it took them some time to gain their momentum, as their music uses a hand drum rather than a heavy drum kit, they had to play for a bit until the audience were in tune with their laid back grooves. Mixing blues guitar  with traditional Malian folk music and donning full traditional African dress. They took turns to play the guitar and danced and sung.  Despite having no hits they completely won over the crowd, by the time they'd finished the cries for an encore were deafening.

As well as the live music being a main draw Lunar also has amazing food, The Jabberwocky toastie company and Handmade Burger Co being two of my favourites. As the temperature dropped I danced  and flirted in 3 different club nights all with totally different styles of music. Though the roaring fire was the hottest place to be.

Table Scraps - More Time For Strangers, Album Review

Well here it finally is, the début Album by Table Scraps, it's called  More Time for Strangers. It's been released today on a label I've never heard of (the spectacularly named Hells Teeth), It was recorded in a 14x10 rehearsal room in 11 hours at a cost of £88 using 4 track cassette and a digital recorder. The CD booklet has no lyrics  or unnecessarily long thank you lists,  just a picture of them both in black and white looking menacing (they're lovely really). All this reflects what  the album sounds like and backs up any fan's of the band's idea of what it may sound like. It is raw rock n roll. None of the edges have been shaved off from their incredibly raw early demo's. Scott Abbot sounds angry, his vocals distorted and buried in the mix. The riffs are huge, the solo's short nasty and brutish, the drumming is simplistic (Poppy still clearly uses her basic standing set up). More time for strangers captures their live sound brilliantly. The most impressive thing about Table scraps music is still how much conviction it is played with. Despite being from Birmingham, Table Scraps music sounds like it was made to soundtrack grizzly, exploitation films, where naked chicks ride bides and rob stores on long desert stretches with shotguns. If you buy one album by a two piece punk band this week get Slaves awesome 'Are you satisfied' LP, if you have £5 left over get this.

8/10 

 https://table-scraps.bandcamp.com/album/more-time-for-strangers