In today’s Soundbites – our look back at the past week’s news, reviews, and tabloid gossip – The Stone Roses, and the world’s music press, descend on Warrington, Pete Doherty may not yet be the new Laurence Olivier, sex, drugs and rock n roll gets scientifically proven, the latest Escapists track is reviewed and our pick of the week’s new videos is selected.
The Stone Roses made a surprise early return to the live stage this week in a typically unconventional fashion; picking the auspicious surroundings of the Warrington Parr Hall to make one of the most anticipated comebacks of recent years. A set full of classics – which merely hints at what fans can expect at their more high profile shows which are still to come – can be seen here.
Sex, drugs and rock n roll. For years they’ve been as inseparable as strawberries and cream, lamb and mint, and many other less interesting culinary examples. And now researchers with nothing more important to do have apparently ‘scientifically’ proven its inherent danger. “The results provide evidence in support of the integration of risky music-listening behaviors within research on and programs aimed at reducing more traditional health-risk behaviors such as substance abuse and unsafe sexual intercourse,” the researchers have said. Read more right here.
Talking of sex, drugs and rock n roll, the Hacienda celebrated its 30th anniversary this week with a gathering of some of its more famous ravers in an underground car park. First opening its doors to the public on May 21st 1982, the club took a while to get going to say the least, but soon became the cultural epicentre of the late 80s Madchester scene. More on the party at this link.
Jake Bugg was one of the first new acts to catch Live4ever’s eye this year, and with each new impressive slice of 50s-inspired songwriting which emerges it’s getting ever harder to imagine a better talent coming through during the rest of 2012. This week, the video for new single ‘Lightning Bolt‘ was premiered, while a stomping live version on Later…with Jools Holland is sure to introduce this exciting talent to a wider audience. Visit our Videos section to sort through all of the week’s new and classic videos.
“For a while I was homeless, and while living in the woods around Austin I met a guy called Chief. He was in need of help rolling a spliff when I first met him, so I obliged. Sitting in his wheelchair by the flowing springs, with long black hair and smooth stolid features he totally captivated me. He told me all sorts of amazing stories and gave me advice. He originally told me about the Fifth Nation – I learned from him that they were the Mohawk Tribe, the Fifth of Six Nations forming the Iroquois Confederacy.” One of the more original ways of coming up with a band name we’re sure you’ll agree. Find out more about the Fifth Nation story to date with this week’s Presents feature, and take a read through our review of the duo’s latest album ‘Nathaniel‘.
During his early days with The Libertines, it seemed Pete Doherty‘s life-affirming anthems were all set to put him along side some of the all-time great British songwriters. A wasted decade on, and instead it looks like it’ll be his acting talent which will be most affiliated with some of those glorious predecessors. Joining ‘a long line of successful musicians and pop stars who have become truly awful actors’ was how one publication summed up his acting debut in the new film Confession of a Child of the Century. More examples of the boot being put in here.
You can always count on The Flaming Lips to inject a bit of fun into the world of rock, and this week their latest challenge has been revealed to be an attempt on the world record for most gigs in one day. “I’ve accepted the attempt at breaking the world record of performing 8 shows in 24 hours,” frontman Wayne Coyne has said. “And I’ve explained to the music freaks at MTV, VH1 and CMT that I am not a host.” Read more on the band’s bid to break Jay-Z’s record here.
Escapists will issue debut EP ‘Burial‘ on May 28th, whose title track’s snarey drum-beat and shoegaze guitars combine for an atmospheric din which brings to mind brighter Glasvegas moments before the white jeans and self-obsessed dirge. The band are already getting attention from the right places, and it’s easy to see why with this impressive first release. ‘Burial‘ is featured in today’s New Tunes Guide. Look, listen, discover.