From Russia with love

Even though I've been listening to Track 3 'Jessica' on repeat for the past day the demo just wouldn't do it for you. Rarely does a demo do anybody justice to anybody. None more so in this case of the Russia singer Ed Rice whose razor sharp belter of a voice on CD sounds rough, frail and at times broken, like a morning after a night on the JD and Lucky Strikes. A far stretch from the live performance we have witnessed in, ironically, a Rock Club just outside Manchester where Russia cast their calpyso spell upon the dazzled crowd.



Comparisons serve only to pigeonhole and flatter or infuriate the artist. The writer will always try to refrain from dallying in such simple descriptions but these names serve not to elaborate the description but to highlight the quality of such a band. When asked bluntly, prior to the soundcheck, "What do you sound like?", they offered Paul Simon as an influence. Of all the names that follow this is the hardest to pin on Russia. Paul Simon of Graceland, Lady Smith, Bridge Over? The safest thing said is you can dance to Russia like you can dance to Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes.



As the night progresses, to the obvious delight of the appreciative audience, voices chirp surreptitiously in the crowd. Bandied around are the names of legends, Van Morrisson, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton and pop contemporaries of Razorlight and Vampire Weekend. These are frivolous likes and putting no stead in them we reach the crux of the caper, "It's not who you're compared to, it's how many records who you're compared to has sold." Food for thought?

It has been said the larger an area the band is named after the worse the band is. Russia are out to smash that rule.

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MinionTV - on the road

Stuck in a van on a journey from London to Liverpool, Justin and I got talking. Having been to see MinionTV play in some dive in Camden it was 3am and delirious time so I half-arsed convinced him I was a journalist from the NME and these were my big interview questions. Sucker.


You are a founding member of the band. When did it start out?

Around 5 years ago but more officially two years ago but I've known Ste [Stephen Johnston - guitar] for a while.


What does the name MinionTV mean?

It symbolises about a hundred different stories. To me it means nothing.


What instrument do you play and what gear do you use?

Guitar. A Gretsch Duo Jet. It's not an expensive one. I have a Vox AC30 amp. ZVEX Fuzz Factory. Boss DD2. Boss bass distortion. Electro Harmonix Holy Grail [reverb]. Electro Harmonicx Phaser. Tremelo. Ebow.

An entirely unrelated picture of George Harrison.

Whats the weirdest thing to ever happen to the band?

Every gig is weird because people don't really expect the kind of music we are playing.


Who do you idolise or aspire to musically?

Just to be myself. Also, Radiohead as people as much as a band. They are ever-changing, experimenting and consistent.

Justin mentioned Radiohead. This is what Radiohead used to look like.

Why have you got no singer?

We all like instrumental music. We would have singing if we felt it needed it.


Your first album was quite spectacular. What will your next album be like?

Personally, I'd like it to be beat-driven. Bass and beat-driven less of the guitar riffs and more heavy.


What direction do you see MinionTV going in the future?

Less guitary more electronic. Sticking to short songs, catchy melodies, not too different, like, from what were doing at the moment. If we could get away with doing an epic 30-minute heavy electronic song I would. And more visuals would be good.



interview with Justin Bailey
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Metro Manila Aide - Framus Endorsement

Metro front-muffin Saul Godman is featured on the Framus guitars website. A jolly trip to the German factory could be on the cards for Saul, further heightening the erotic sounds of the Metro machine!

Saul said about his AK1974 "I never like to slow down mid-solo, only speed up in the opposite direction... so the sleek neck, delicious cutaway, easy access to the higher frets and rampant tone make it a sheer pleasure to play. I can't put it down!"

Yummy!


Pic: Lauren McBride

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Tip Top Tips for 2000 and beyond

No links, you like it go find it.

I.C.H.

Colchester badd ass punk dread. Each song has been averaged at 643MPH tha is 9 light years a second. They are fast!




Meatfeast

Birmingham quartet with more ability than sense. Who'da thunk Jazz and Thrash would go together so well?


Pic: Adam Baker


2 Sick Monkeys

2 Sick Monkeys have done 9 million more gigs than anyone ever. They're a band who's messages you can live your own life by.




El Toro

Scouse sounds from the underground. Surfin' bird and a line of Vibrato. Really feeling this.



Photo: Johnayliffe.com


Billy Liar

There is more talent in this man's key chain than in the entire polyphonic spree. His Doc Martin would crush Chris Martin's mush.


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The Temps EQUAL the world record of most gigs in a day!

"To come this close and not get the record feels a bit like a failure but we have done seven gigs in twelve hours and had an unforgettable day."

The Temps on their record breaking day that ended at Head of Steam, twelve hours after it began at the New Band Stage. Damaged equipment, (a broken guitar amp and bass guitar) made the final show on the steps of St George's Hall impossible and the world record of 'eight gigs in one day' a gig too far.

The record breaking day for the Liverpool lads began at the New Band stage in Williamson Sq. at 11am before moving to the Pier Head for an impromptu set in one of the areas the festival doesn't stretch to. Other shows at Heebie Jeebies, Mocha Lounge, the deck of a ship in the Albert Dock, Head of Steam and a performance from the steps of the Granada TV building saw the band rack up a record breaking seven MSF performances in twelve hours.

Seven shows in one day at Mathew Street Music Festival must be a new MSF record and The Temps have added something unique, spontaneous and organic to an enormously successful event for the city.

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NoMeansNo

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The Vermin Suicides

While The Rolling Stones exist the resurgence of a classic rock band will never be something worth writing about. Classic hits performed at 50% energy with new musicians, extra backing vocals, extended guitar solos. You know it, you've seen the likes Meatloaf, Def Leppard and Bon Jovi. They're shite. It's gross. The difference between these and The Vermin Suicides is the songs they perform tonight have never been hits as they've never been released and rarely played live.

This new line up including Sexy Alec on bass and Paul 'PR Racing' Robbo on lead guitar has never been tested. They may all look like cover band crooners suited to whining away in a local boozer but on closer inspection here is a band performing their debut album with double the energy and stigma of teenagers.

When upbeat catchy pop punk / classic rock is performed this good you can't fail to have a good time. It may not be The Rolling Stones but it's better than a Bon Jovi concert.

www.myspace.com/theverminsuicides

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