Since My Baby Left Me

May

…LIKE A CLOCKWORK

Categories: Events, Music, My life and Rock
Tags: 2013, Josh Homme, Like a Clockwork, new release, QOTSA, Queens of the stone age

This is the first moment this week I’m having a coffee, relaxed, and even though I’m wasted after a exhausting week of work, I feel like writing. It’s weird because it’s afternoon, there’s still daylight and I’m more like a night writer, but perhaps the fact that I’m isolated from any external noise thanks to the headphones makes me be in the mood for this.

Subtle artificial light, my house in shades, and the recently leaked new album by QOTSA, …Like a Clockwork, right into my ears, help me to withdraw and forget about the damn containers, endless excel charts and other crap.

I love experiencing the first encounters with an album which has been so long awaited. It’s like having a date with someone you feel attracted and somehow you idealize. You’re excited, exultant, yet you’re nervous and uncertain, because there’s a chance there’s something you don’t like which could ruin the whole situation.

I had a chance to listen to …Like a Clockwork last night with the headphones on too, and even though I was knackered, I did like the songs. But I admit my criteria at 1.30am is not the most objective, and the album became kind of soothing lullaby. Wonderful all the same.

Now I’m awake and ready to dissect probably the darkest QOTSA work up to date. I reckon this album is darker and harder than Lullabies to Paralyze.

I really like the evolution of Homme’s main project. QOTSA are not rookies anymore, and their current style is very unique, completely detached from those desert stoner tunes which marked their starting point 15 years ago. Homme is not the ginger kid anymore, took control of his career and kept on experimenting until he found his own thing. This is a fact that annoys those Kyuss crazy fans who can’t comprehend why he split ways with Garcia, and therefore will never accept QOTSA. With the passing of years I’ve learned that things most times happen for a reason, and if Homme decided not to go on with Kyuss he could justify if case he felt obliged to provide explanations.

Probably you’ve read this already but nowadays I like QOTSA more than Kyuss, or at least their presence is more constant. Of course Kyuss are very important in my musical personal story, and their albums are unbeatable, but QOTSA and I are growing old together and at this time I feel completely related to their style. It’s rock, even pop, refined and classy, and keeping groove.

The campaign for promoting the album is one of the most fascinating I’ve had the pleasure to enjoy in long time. QOTSA and the British artist Boneface have joined to deliver one of the most attractive combinations of music and artwork ever. The amazing cover, likeclockworktv.com, the videos, the promo on social networks…the tenuous atmosphere created is simply brilliant and magnetic.

I really like when bands try to set some kind of ties with their fans by this constant bombing of gifts for your pleasure which will eventually conclude with the release of the album. This leak wasn’t casual. It was a strategy, and I’m very glad about it, otherwise I’d have waited for 3 more weeks.

This is the 4^th time I’m listening to …Like a Clockwork. I like it. I really like it, but it’s not an easy piece of cake. It’s like a trip to an awkward place, a bit frightening but appealing at the same time.

The opening cut Keep Your Eyes Peeled is a dark and insane blues, a risky bet. I don’t think everybody is ready to face it, and it’s a statement implying what’s to come is definitely rough. There are absolute lysergic songs such as Kalopsia, The Vampyre of Time and Memory or Like a Clockwork. There’s lots of Pink Floyd scent in there. And then direct hits such as I Sat by the Ocean, If I Had a Tail, My God is the Sun which are 100% QOTSA.

At this moment, the hidden surprise is definitely Feathered Friends. Instant crush. It’s epic, intense and overwhelming. Haven’t read much about collaborations, but apparently Trent Reznor, former QOTSA bassist Nick Oliveri, Mark Lanegan and (!!!) Elton John are present in this song.

My date has finally been a total crush and I’m now glad and excited. Now I’ll have to wait for the record to be officially released and receive it at home. Today Homme and QOTSA have made my day. Wish all were like this. I’m happy!

May

ALBUM OF WEEK 16: COME FIND YOURSELF

By Toi Brownstone 1 Comment

Categories: Music, My life and Rock
Tags: 2013, album of the week, albums, Come Find Yourself, Fast, Fun Lovin Criminals, Huey Morgan

When Spring breaks I’m always in the mood for Fun Lovin’ Criminals. Temperature’s rising, sun is shining (not today nscht!) and you feel like spending time outdoors having a cold beer or a Martini. And then you need some groovie soundtrack.

Fun Lovin’ Criminals fit my requirements perfectly. They got the groove, they’re classy and sexy and like I said before, they always make me feel like moving my ass and dance. Trying to define their style so you have a clear idea is a bit difficult: rock, rap, soul, funk…I insist the combination is explosive.

Few weeks ago (delay commenting albums at this point is unacceptable, I know) while adapting to my new working situation, I decided to add an extra push, a motivation to have an outstanding week, thus I planned it was going to be the Fun Lovin’ Criminals week.

Yep, I spent the whole week listening to their stuff, and it was fantastic. The more I listen the more I love them. I reckon they are one of my top 5 favorite bands ever.

This time I’ve chosen their debut album as the album of the week.

100% Colombian blew my head off, and with Welcome to Poppy’s they stole my heart, but being realistic, the series of hits they faced the world with Come Find Yourself quickly caught my attention, showing they weren’t just another alternative 90’s band. They were Huey, Fast and Steve (former drummer), and they were ready to kick ass.

Probably those who are not acquainted with this band’s discography, sure remember the single Scooby Snacks including Pulp Fiction’s opening samples, which cost them a lawsuit. It’s a pity because the connection FLC-Tarantino could have been one of the most successful ones, as they share many features in common.

Elegance and class are perfect synonyms to Fun Lovin’ Criminals. Huey provides the attitude, the sensuality thanks to his rapping singing style and his deep voice. Neat and very defined drums mark the tempo masterly. Steve, Mackie or currently Frank, FCL features excellent drummers. And finally the orchestra man, the genius, Fast. Bass, keyboards, trumpet and all kind of arrangements. Awesome! If you ever get the chance to see FLC or any of their side projects I strongly encourage to attend their shows. This trio is spectacular on stage, really.

Well, so regarding Come Find Yourself, apart from Scooby Snacks there are some FCL classic anthems such as The Fun Lovin’ Criminal, King of New York (La-di da-di, free John Gotti), The Grave and the Constant, and Come Find Yourself among others. The style varies from one to another. Some are more rockin’, others are groovier, and some are slower, but there’s one thing in common: all of them cause you the urge of dancing, and give you the good vibes.

I love many many bands, but there are quite few which can get me in such great mood as Fun Lovin’ Criminals. And the best thing is that every time I play their songs in parties among friends, most of times everybody ends up dancing. #Jeah!

May

SMELLS LIKE 90′S – MAY

By Toi Brownstone 1 Comment

Categories: Events, Music, My life, Playlists and Rock
Tags: 2013, Barcelona, dj session, playlist, Psycho Club, Smells like 90's

On Thursday, I dusted off the time machine and set its destination back to the 1990s, to recover some tunes and play them @ Psycho R&R Club, on my second Smells like 90’s session.

Many people despise this decade, the purists say it was a barren period, but I couldn’t disagree more. This decade marked my growth from a kid to a semi adult, and all my personality was developed and defined. Musically speaking those were the years I started this long journey of musical enlightenment, thus all the styles which impacted and conquered me, did it to settle forever.

I’m definitely a 90s girl, regardless of the discoveries done in the last 15 years. Grunge, stoner, Scandinavian rock, punk rock are my styles, and they’re still being appealing to me. Impossible to quit listening. Nowadays my album purchases can be classified in 90s, new album releases or completion

Thursday nights at Psycho are a good chance to recover albums I hadn’t touched in years, I try myself and follow what my mood says, and I become nostalgic.

Last night even though the pub wasn’t packed I was quite up to dj’n, and Charly, one of the owners who love 90s, was very enthusiastic about my selection.

So here’s the playlist with almost all the songs I played. Enjoy!

REMARKS

- Actually song #2 was Sins of America, by D-Generation.

- I Need by L7 was played right after Rid of Me.

- Stoned by Redd Kross came after Traveller’s Tune.

May

100% GUARANTEE SEAL

By Toi Brownstone Leave a Comment

Categories: Events, Music, My life and Rock
Tags: 2013, gigs, live show, Rock n' Roll, Spike, The Quireboys

Can’t believe it’s Friday at last! It’s been such a busy week and I’ve been doing so much extra time at the office I haven’t been able to write any single word. Don’t think I’m very happy about it, just the opposite. It’s quite frustrating when work overload absorbs you that much, free time is minimum and you’re so wasted your energy is reduced to none, so it’s impossible you get focused enough as to write a damn worth sentence.

Friday evening, in jammies already, I’ve said to myself I had to write something, not just for those following this blog (eternal thanks), but also because this is my therapy, my escape valve, and yes, my pride and joy.

On Wednesday I was so burnt out with my job I made it to The Quireboys show at the very last minute.

I wasn’t supposed to attend, considering the busy gig calendar scheduled for the next two months, and the fact that the show was on Wednesday really frightened me.

As the day of the show was getting closer I had this weird feeling of betrayal. I’m not a huge fan, in fact I only have an album I purchased quite recently, their outstanding debut A Little Bit of Fancy. I can’t remember the first time I saw them, but the truth is that every time they’ve played in town, I’ve never failed them, and they never disappointed me, their shows turning into a community party.

I joined a packed group of friends at this bar where Budweiser is sold cheaper than at any supermarket, so cheap everybody was feeling generous and buying beers to everyone. We all were in party mood. For real. And that’s what I needed.

I don’t feel the need of reviewing the show right now. If you are acquainted with this band, it’s not difficult to figure out The Quireboys didn’t miss any of their hits: Mona Lisa Smile, Sex Party, 7 O’Clock, Hey You…Their set list never fails.

I’d like to talk about a couple of things worth mentioning.

When I arrived at the bar, I was told that the drummer had quit the day before. WTF? How are they gonna play? I was frightened the gig was altered or the substitute drummer they had just hired wasn’t able to learn the songs properly. That fact almost made step backward, however the guy was a pro, the band members were marking parts and changing, and we didn’t notice anything weird. Spike, the singer, requested a big applause to the drummer after explaining this incident.

Funniest thing is that this wasn’t the only awkward situation the band was passing through. Spike told us he broke his leg recently. Again, WTF??? He was wearing these flared jeans so we hadn’t noticed anything and, to tell you the truth, probably after some beers and some bourbon, the singer wasn’t in pain, as he was moving as if nothing happened. Awesome!

Thinking of these two incidents in depth I reached several conclusions:

Spike can be a drunk but he’s a pro. He’s good at singing, is a great performer, a funny frontman, and I reckon he loves his job, and manages to transmit this party mood to everyone.
PROFESSIONALISM. Those who attend shows quite often can recall some terrible performances caused by erratic behavior, tension among band mates, lack of focus, terrible sets, and awful playing due to drunkness or highness or just because.
A drummer leaving the band 24 hours before a tour implies a complete disaster. Many bands have cancelled dates due to illnesses or personal problems, and if cancellation was announced nobody would be surprised. However they went ahead, covering the vacancy with a drummer, likely to be close to the band, or so it was the general impression.
Nothing can stop you if you want to rock. I’ve seen amazing efforts coming from people in the name of rock, and I’ve travelled and done crazy things to fulfill my passion. You can be injured, with flu, or just sick. If you want, you can.

It’s amazing something as simple as the performance of a band can be so inspiring and enlightening. This time it wasn’t just the party, the friends, the music and the hangover.

Just for this, I won’t question whether to attend or not a Quireboys show in the future, because they’ve earned the title of one of the most effective and reliable bands in the world. 100% guarantee seal!

May

YOU CAN CALL ME FREAK FOR…12 HOURS.

By Toi Brownstone 3 Comments

Categories: Characters, Events, Films and Series, My life and Trash
Tags: 2013, Freaks, May the Fourth, Star Wars

My Darth Vader Lego alarm clock woke me up some hours ago. I turn around and saw Han Solo on my Star Wars pillowcase. Went straight to the kitchen and had some nice chai tea using my Star Wars cup.

After breakfast, I washed my hands pouring some strawberry soap from my Japanese R2-D2 dispenser, had a nice shower, and put this Star Wars characters t-shirt.

I’ve opened my computer with this Star Wars behind the scene shot with Han, Leia, Luke and Chewie laughing at the Millenium Falcon cockpit, and now that I’m writing these stupid lines I sit in front of my Bobba Fett and Han Solo Potato toys, escorted by the original Star Wars frame poster on the wall.

I see this picture every day

I am not a collector, I’m not so constant and don’t feel like investing tons of money in just one thing, or theme. Perhaps I like too many things as to collect, I don’t know. The truth is that I’m surrounded by lots of references and items related to The Holy Trilogy (of course I’m only referring to the classic one), which are present on a regular basis.

If you’ve ever thought of me as a freak but never dared to tell me, now it’s the time. I allow you to call me freak in my face, just for today. Cause I am, and these films coming from a Galaxy, far far away, made a permanent impact on me. Can’t help the constant references.

Today, yes, May the 4^th, it’s the Star Wars day. From all the stupid and ridiculous days celebrated, this happens to be the most appealing to me, thus The Imperial March I will listen, and speak as Master Yoda I’ll try.

Hope you have a fab day, friends, and again

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU.

May

ALBUM OF WEEK 15: RATED R

By Toi Brownstone 3 Comments

Categories: Rock, My life and Music
Tags: 2013, album of the week, albums, In the Fade, Josh Homme, London, Mark Lanegan, Nick Oliveri, QOTSA, Queens of the stone age, Rated R, Underworld

Just one month remaining till QOTSA new album release, … Like a Clockwork, I’m starting to get nervous. It’s taken Josh Homme 6 years to take control back of the band, leave his others projects for a while, and record an album. It’s been too long since the fans don’t received new stuff, and we are eager! Got my copy preordered.

Little by little I’m recovering the different albums of their discography, and every time I do it, I’m full of enthusiasm. Queens Of The Stone Age has become one of my favorite bands, and Josh Homme not only an object, well, figure of desire, but also one of my favorite personal rock icons, thanks to his unique voice, so criticized by many, his style playing guitar, his talent writing music, and his charisma.

This time Rated R, QOTSA’s second work, is the album of the week.

Released in June 2000, when I was still living in London, I attended a promoting show at The Underworld, actually 3 days before its release worldwide and even though it was a great night and I was introduced to Josh by -cough, cough- Dave Wyndorf, I was a bit disappointed. They didn’t sound as groovie as their previous shows, and songs were too fast.

Somehow it discouraged me from listening to this album for long time and for some time, as I’ve already explained here, I really lost my interest for the band. Just because of one show. Sometimes I don’t understand myself, really.

I remember as if it was yesterday when I decided my hissy fit had to come to an end. I went straight to the record store, didn’t feel like digging and wasting my time, so I went straight to the guy and asked him for the album. I said R, and he didn’t know what I was talking about. I said Rated R and he stared at me as if I was an imbecile. Finally I asked him for QOTSA and he reacted. This was the “blue album”. What a pro, holy shit!

I came back home and started playing it on the stereo nonstop. First impression was that it wasn’t as great as the debut album, but quickly I swallowed my words.

Rated R was the album which took them to massive success. Apology for drugs, Mark Lanegan’s first collaboration providing lead vocals on In The Fade, which is AWESOME, and backing vocals on several songs, charismatic and insane Nick Oliveri also joining the band for the first time and becoming a very active member, both as a showman, musician and troublemaker, and a handful of hit songs which blew people’s minds. The cocktail couldn’t fail.

Not only QOTSA’s trademark were Homme’s killing guitar riffs and voice, which by the way he’s been polishing throughout these years adding more varied dynamics, and widening his register. The master formula, was based on the repetition. Repetition of riffs, of drums, of backing vocals, of phrasing…of everything. Sometimes drums barely change from verse through chorus, and don’t perform “complex” rolls. With this I do not mean drums are simple, no way.

One of the most boring things a drummer has to do is to play on their own, in order to practice and improve their skills. You might ignore I used to play drums a bit. Not a skillful one, neither a crappy one. But as usual, missing people to jam with, and lack of encouragement from certain people, prevented me for attempting to go further. My story with instruments is a sad one. Never was too constant, I didn’t get my own drum kit and since all men I’ve been related to have been musicians (some of them very talented and multiplayer), I never took myself very seriously and didn’t believe in myself enough as to give it a try.

All this confession has to do with the fact that for some time I went to these rent-a-studio-per-hour places for some months one hour a week, to play drums by myself. I had these hearing protectors for workers, with my headphones inside connected to the iPod, in order to play over the music. Considering the repetition of QOTSA’s songs and the structures, I used to play the debut album and Rated R a lot, at a low level, of course, but it was definitely a good motivation. Auto Pilot and You Can’t Quit Me Baby used to blow my head. But I quit drumming eventually.

When you face R for the first time, first impression is based on the hits I was mentioning: Feel Good Hit of the Summer, The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret, and Monsters in the Parasol. It’s when you start digging beyond that when you start truly enjoying this album. If I had to choose my favorite songs probably the chosen one would be In the Fade and Auto Pilot, followed by Leg of Lamb and Better Living Through Chemistry. Still, in my opinion Rated R is not as complete as Queens of the Stone Age or Songs for the Deaf, but I love it anyway.

Apr

MASTERS OF INK & NEEDLE: JARNO KANDAHAR

By Toi Brownstone 2 Comments

Categories: Tattoos
Tags: Finland, Helsinki, Jarno Kandahar, Masters of Ink & Needle, tattoos, Tatuata

A couple of weeks ago I told you about Finland, Michael Monroe and Demolition 23.

There’s another attractive related to Finland to add to the list. This time is a tattoo artist, Jarno Kandahar, who works at Tatuata tattoo parlour, in the heart of Helsinki.

I was trying to remember when or how I discovered Jarno, but I really can’t recall. As you will notice, his style is far away from the new old school I’m so fond of, closer to the Japanese. What I reckon is that this was the first piece of his work I saw back then.

I’m not really into birds nor crows, but this one really caught my attention. The tail feathers, the eye and the beak are very clean and realistic, and the chrysanthemum background to contrast so much black, is excellent.

The development and amazing talent of Jarno is better observed in big pieces. His designs include many details and elements which wouldn’t achieve the same harmony if reduced in scale. Jarno’s strength is on big scale.

As already mentioned, Kandahar is brilliant in Japanese style: dragons, masks, Koi fishes, flowers, geishas and warriors…

Every artist has some theme he or she is good at. Miss Arianna is the best with lighthouses, Pietro Sedda is unique working on those conceptual human faces, Bigfatjoe Ankarfyr loves the personification of animals, and Emily Rose’s ladies are the most beautiful on Earth.

Jarno’s best are birds. Crows, swans, mockingbirds, or herons are terrific. Again, the realism of feathers, the glance of the creatures’ eyes, their beacks, the claws…they are super artistic, as if painted on canvas.

The treatment of colour is completely different to the old school style. In general tones are darker and more subdued. The use of black and grey palette is constant in birds, for instance, adding flowers or a highlighted colored element to enhance the contrast. Check this deer.

Brown tones with dark yellow and black shading define the animal. The green leaves as the background to create the contrast. Green tone is not highlighting.

Animals are more, let’s say monochrome, and all the intensity of color comes with the decoration elements.

Color treatment is different when dealing with Japanese works. Color is more intense and livid, and this time, the background is set on grey and black tones.

The style of Jarno is very artistic. His pieces make me think of classic paintings related to natural scenes. The great designs covering large parts of the bodies are excellent, and the composition of his pieces is rich and wonderful.

It’s important to me the fact that many tattoo artists I admire and follow, also praise Kandahar’s work. I find that a good quality stamp so to speak, and to be honest, even though his style does not match what I like for myself, I really think he’s a very talented artist.

If you want to contact him or appreciate his work properly, you can visit Tatuata’s website or FB page.

May 2013
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