Flares n Seagulls

Roadtrips and Test Tubes.

flaresnseagulls — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:21:00 +0000

It’s the first roadtrip of the year for New York Johnny and Ska Dude as they get themselves to Beat Generator Live in Dundee to see Peter and the Test Tube Babies. You can read how much they enjoyed it here.

Dangerous Chemikal Alert

flaresnseagulls — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:56:52 +0000

B reviews the latest release from Chemikal Underground Records, RM Hubberts 13 Lost & Found. Read what he has to say about it here.

Video of the Week

flaresnseagulls — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:57:39 +0000

We’ve often pondered having a video of the week featured on FnS… sometimes something from the vast back catalogue out there but also something new from the many links to such things that we get sent to us… good idea? bad idea? already done to death?

Let us know what you think folks.

New York Johnny’s Best of 2011

flaresnseagulls — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:55:47 +0000

It’s that time of year when lists are everywhere and FnS is no different… here’s New York Johnny‘s best albums and gigs of 2011.

Albums
1. Moon Duo – Mazes
This is the side project of Wooden Shjips mainman Ripley Johnson so it’s probably a bit of a swick having two of his albums in my picks. But, hey, what can I say? It’s a sound I like. A bit more electronic in this than the WS album, it brings a touch of Suicide into the mix of psychedelic drones and skewed rockabilly shuffle beats. Try it, you’ll like it.

2. Loaded 44 – Wasted On You
The best punk album I bought all year by a mile. It sounds like Debbie Harry fronting the UK Subs. And I definitely mean that as a good thing haha! Pure and strong vocals singing pop hooks over muscular punk guitars and a driving rhythm section. Sure there’s the odd track that’s slightly off the pace but there’s a good 10 songs on here that could be HIT singles in a better world.

3. Wooden Shjips – West
Find a chord, fuzz it and play it for five or six minutes. That seems to be the Wooden Shjips methodology. It doesn’t sound like much on paper but it’s pretty great when you listen to it. Groovy, drugged out, 70’s spacerock for the 2010’s.

Gigs
1. Alice Cooper / New York Dolls – SECC, Glasgow
Total legend exceeds high expectations could have been the headlines for this one. The perfect gig for Halloween. Great seats, great players, great sound, the setlist a perfect balance of hits and surprises. And I got to dress like a zombie!

2. The Boys – Rebellion Festival, Blackpool
My best festival set of the year was pushed so close by Jello Biafra, The Outcasts and The Cravats. This just shades it though as singing bassist Duncan “Kid” Reid turned in a tour-de-force of a performance for his last UK gig with the band. This was the old cliché of giving 110% made real.

3. Les Savy Fav – The Tunnels, Aberdeen
The best of the local gigs I attended this year by some way. A major coup for AGP landing this one and it was great to see a hefty midweek turnout at The Tunnels witnessing the surf-punk sounds and madcap antics of Tim Harrington and co. This really had to be seen to be believed.

And so it begins…

flaresnseagulls — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:24:34 +0000

Still Burning catches up with Cara Mitchell, a young lady who has recently supported the likes of Stephen Fretwell and Pearl and the Puppets in Aberdeen, as well as reaching the final of the Cafe Drummonds 2K competition. Read the interview here.

Farewell to a Legend

flaresnseagulls — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:00:07 +0000

Its taken a while to be completed but last month Still Burning went along to the Music Hall to see Glen Campbell play on The Final Farewell Tour. Review and pics here.

Sam’s on Sunday

flaresnseagulls — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:20:01 +0000

From the front page of Kerrang magazine to the front page of FnS, its all kicking off for headliners Twin Atlantic this week as they play to a sell out crowd at Aberdeen’s The Forum. Support on the night was Dinosaur Pile-up and Arcane Roots. Review and pics here.

Enjoy the Silence

flaresnseagulls — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:05:20 +0000

It was a night for the ladies of metal to strut their stuff and own the stage with Lacuna Coil from Italy and Straight Line Stitch from the USA at The Lemon Tree. Review from B and pics from Still Burning here.

Still top prime cut of meat……

New York Johnny — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:30:10 +0000

Alice Cooper – Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow – 31/10/11

Giving up a night of guising in the name of rock ‘n’ roll, New York Johnny made the trip south to spend Halloween in the esteemed company of the greatest guiser of them all, Alice Cooper. Not a review as such but here’s some of his thoughts on the night.

Honestly, This World

flaresnseagulls — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:48:54 +0000

Prepare to be amazed. Album reviews are well and truly back on FnS. At least, for a while. Hopefully longer. Anyway, new contributor “B” loses his FnS virginity by reviewing the latest release from our friends at Olive Grove Records The Moth and The Mirror – Honestly, This World. If you do not already own it we think you should, read why here.