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REVIEW TRIBUTE BAND ! THE BUM-CLOCKS I Leith Dockers Club, Edinburgh,
Wed 10 Jun mo '
Leith's Bum-Clocks are the only Robert Burns tribute band who play in the style of Iggy and the Stooges. If that sounds too high-concept for you. a glance over those involved mean they demand a listen. The Bum- Clocks — ye olde Scottish name for a beetle, making them the Scottish Beatles — are Tam Dean Burn (actor). his brother Russell (Fire Engines‘ drummer) and Malcolm Ross. sometime guitarist with Josef K. Orange Juice and Aztec Camera. , Could they be Leith's first ever ! supergroup? They're really very good. either way. Ross and Burn (Russell) create raw. distorted havoc with the music. impressively echoing the Ashetons' sound. Before a Leith Festival I audience so familiar to the band he i l I l I
can even tell his mum to be quiet, the white-suited Burn (Tam Dean) reflects both Iggy and Rabble in his forceful personality and vulgar wit; witness a merging of ‘Green Grow the Rashes O' with a growled chorus line of ‘ah wannae be yir dug'. and a version of ‘Nine Inch Will Please a Lady' that really needs no lyrical updating. (David Pollock)
I www.myspace.com/burnbrosross .
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REVIEW POP
JARVIS COCKEH
ABC, Glasgow, Fri 12 Jun
mo
One lanky. raised arm appears through a cloud of smoke. and the packed-out ABC goes nuts. I'm struggling to think of another UK performer who commands such instant. indulgent devotion — and naked lust. actually. as the room is thick with sex. and Our Jarvis's every perfectly-choreographed scissor kick elicits the kind of involuntary screaming not heard since the early years of E. Presley’s pelvis.
While he's still every inch the English eccentric. there's something raw about this version of Jarvis. The scorched. ripped-out vocals on the middle section of mostly new songs. notably relationship-ender 'l Never Said I Was Deep'. seem to betray a hitherto only joked-about self-loathing in the national treasure. lt's a deeply affecting. intense set. climaxing in a screaming, writhing version of “Black Magic'. He then comes back on stage for another hour’s worth of encore. which never quite regains that intensity. But, at the end. shirt transparent with sweat. there's no doubt the country's favourite entertainer has still got it.
(Kirstin Innes) I jarviscocker. net
PREVIEW ROCK
(Camilla Pia)
REVIEW INDIE ROCK
THE BRITBUS TOUR Bongo Club, Edinburgh Tue 9 Jun om
After parading their talents through the streets of Edinburgh on an open top bus during the day. it was back to familiar territory for the five up-and- coming Scottish bands selected to play as part of the Britbus showcase. First up. The Beatnic Prestige bring their own brand of mod rock with sharp and frantic pop songs. which
are only bettered by their even sharper ;
attire. Followmg them, Dundonians The Daze take us back to 89 with a Vibe akin to The Stone Roses in all their baggy pomp. Track “Music is My Maker' however. shows the band are more than a starry-eyed tribute band.
Our Lunar Activities may not get the crowd bobbing up and down and reminiscmg. but the Stornoway outfit's frenzied blend of indie-punk recalls a younger and more pissed off ldlewild. while The Strands do their best to melt the speakers with their unpretentious rock.
Closers The Debuts showcase synth-heavy indie that prompts a bit of dancing. Five bands in one night can get heavy on the legs but it's worth the wait.
Scotland's leSICal future. it would seem, is in solid hands. (Allan Valentel I WWWMGDNIDI/SCOUk
Brllaus Tour
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WHITE DENIM Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Mon 29 Jun
Relentless touring can have strange effects on a band. but in White Denim's case it left them so stroppy that they came up with their best record to date. Fits takes its title from the ups and downs and tantrums of the recording process as the Texan trio set to work in their notorious studio-cum-trailer, but as frontman James Petralli explains. it left them a much more bonded band. ‘We really became family over the last year. When we were making the record we were pulling against each other a lot and I think it was due to a combination of us all having pretty strong personalities and also a distinct viSion of what we want to do musically. But in the process we learned a lot about playing together and how to interpret each others' emotional states.’ he laughs.
In this second offering the threesome follow a more coherent and coheswe path. while still staying true to their thrilling experimental tendencies. In fact, the work started out as one continuous piece of music but eventually bits and bobs were trimmed out to make separate songs.
It is a way of writing White Denim are keen to carry on exploring. ‘We‘re working on this new freakbeat ’psych thing right now which will be constructed like a mixtape with a really good steady build and consistent flow and rhythm to it. There are so many different ways to make music now, it makes sense to try out new stuff and keep pushing things forward.‘
REVIEW FOLK ROCK WOODEHBOX WITH A FISTFUL OF FIVERS Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh, Thu 11 Jun 0000
With a combined musical history that takes in solo singer-songwriting, conventional indie-rock bands (The Common Redstarts. Parka) and alternative multi-instrumental squadron Orkestra Del Sol. the six- piece. Edinburgh and Glasgow-based Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers have some diverse experience to draw upon. Yet under the nominal leadership of singer and guitarist Ali Downer. aka Woodenbox. and his long-time drummer and writing partner Nick Dudman. they've carved their own defining style.
Playing a blend of classic country- rock and Mexican brass. the group make an upbeat sound which is still precise and well-composed. Their songs are equally suited to the dancefloor and to home listening, although the slightly eerie tone in slower tracks such as ‘Draw a Line' would mean they fit well in a Spaghetti Western soundtrack. the lingering horn sounds recalling Ennio Morricone. Added country-rock kudos. also. to the members who appear to be growing epic. Eagles- style beards. (David Pollock)
I w. m yspace. com/awoodenbOX
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