BAADER MUSIC

Baader-Meinhof is the phenomenon where one happens upon some obscure piece of information-- often an unfamiliar word or name-- and soon afterwards encounters the same subject again, often repeatedly. Baader-Meinhof is the phenomenon where one happens upon some obscure piece of information-- often an unfamiliar word or name-- and soon afterwards encounters the same subject again, often repeatedly.

[baadermusic]

T in the Park looked beautiful last night! #tinthepark #scotland #balado #festival

[baadermusic]

WHITE - LIVING FICTION

“Living Fiction” is the debut release from Glasgow band WHITE, and it’s not difficult to see why it’s getting so much attention. Predominantly, the vocalist has a commandment in his voice unheard since The Associates’ Billy Mackenzie, which is just as creative as every other instrument present.  With the smooth grooves of the seventies sounding guitars and the eighties saxophone piece, there is a confidence you can’t quite ignore and a legitimate suspicion that WHITE know something we don’t.  While the cool bass guitar gives the track a subtle edge, the synths modernise the retro funk vibe and give flavour to what could be a new disco sound.

 There is a wealth of influence in “Living Fiction” that makes this debut single pretty much impossible to label genre-wise, and limited information on the Glasgow artist behind the track yields any attempt to try and do so.  We could tell you to imagine Billy Mackenzie singing with Kool and The Gang, or we could just tell you to go and listen to the track.  Go and listen to the track.

[baadermusic]

ROXY AGOGO - CROCOD!LES

With the age-old combination of genius and insanity, “Crocod!les” by Roxy Agogo reminds us a lot of Dr. Frankenstein; the circus-esque synths that play throughout the track are almost hallucinatory and there is without a doubt, an audible madness in the track. The strong Glasgow accent that begs for your attention (literally) takes on the sharp thoughts of psychosis before and during a serious narcotics trip, which just about rounds up the insanity.  If you imagine the narrative for this trip had been written by Irvine Welsh and proof-read by John Cooper Clarke, you’ll probably find the genius in Roxy Agogo somewhere nearby.  Lyrics such as “freaking out feels good” make you feel strangely uncomfortable and the repetition of “You promised I’d be OK” even more so, but there are surprising board riffs of surf and skate genres that manage to ease the song’s listening. 

For the mainstream chart-consuming public, this track is probably on the darker side of experimental.  For those with a penchant for alternative and post punk obscurity, indulgence awaits. Baader Gives: 8/10

[baadermusic]

After shocking footage emerged of Taylor Swift being attacked at this year’s Grammys, we still felt compelled to share the courage of the country singer turned pop superstar 2 months on.  A true professional! 

[baadermusic]

Only Real, Broadcast, 29th May 2014

This was a difficult one for Baader – after hearing “Cadillac Girl” we were optimistic and looking for good things from Only Real, aka Nial Galvin. The youngster (21), famous for his bright red hair, grew up in West London and is hyperactive with his stage presence – from opening track"Punks and Potions" to the sun-kissed "Get It On", Only Real is colourful in body movement as he raps with an attitude that conveys intelligence and a social awareness that you’re only really privy to if you’ve made it through public school. Heavy use of a chorus pedal (think Nirvana in Come as You Are) on almost every track left the set feeling a bit one-dimensional, and although pairing this with a West Coast vibe takes you back to the park with a carry-out on a sunny day, it’s not quite convincing enough. It is inevitable that comparisons to Jamie T and King Cruel follow Only Real around, and unless he draws more inspiration for his album, he risks staying in their shaddows. To summarise, full of Real potential, Only not quite stepping up to the mark.

[baadermusic]

The Wild Curve - Warriors

We can’t get enough of the latest offering from new Glasgow band The Wild Curve. ‘Warriors’ is a great mash up of synth pop; from the huge chorus synths reminiscent of M83 to its laid back, chill out vibe - perfect for your summer soundtrack. Another hit we’ve added to our playlist alongside the euphoric ‘Diamonds’ that they revealed a few months back. Check them out athttps://soundcloud.com/thewildcurve

[baadermusic]

STAGE AND DAGGER, VARIOUS VENUES, GLASGOW Having reviewed the schedule for this year's Stag and Dagger and made as many shows as we could, we narrowed down our picks and eventually chose our three best shows to review.   Our first visit of the day to Broadcast was to check out Toronto based quartet The Beaches, who have a strong queue from the doors to the back of the venue waiting eagerly to get downstairs to see the band - who are most certainly worth the wait.  The all female band have an agressive energy and an attitude that allows them to perform as their Donnas-esque punk rock roots carry them.  Untamed and let loose, The Beaches have a bursting venue of (mostly) new fans - which we assume from the lack of lyrical knowledge - and can mark this show as a winner. 

Over at the ABC2, US trio Wet take to the stage and the buzz band from Brooklyn quickly demonstrate why they are rapidly building critical and fan acclaim. The West Coast influence and slow RnB rhythms of "You're the Best" and "Don't Wanna be Your Girl" are close in many ways to Canada's The Weeknd, and the dreamy simplicity of the tracks are often contradicted by the commanding vocals of singer Kelly Zutrau. Effortlessly oozing cool makes them a fascinating watch and an even more enjoyable listen.  Without a doubt, our favourite discovery at the festival. 

Going from effortless to check list cool, we stay at the ABC 2 for our next band. Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens have been gushing over Royal Blood for a few months now, so it’s no surprise the Brighton Duo have packed out the venue this evening.  Opening with the lesser-known “Hole”, gives the crowd a chance to listen and take in the band, before the notorious opening notes of “Come on Over” swipe the carpet from under the audience and sends them into overdrive.  The riots continue for most of the set, through the raunchiness of “Figure it Out” and well into the eagerly anticipated “Little Monsters”, which curates mosh pits and crowd surfers at every turn.  For two young guys entertaining such a boisterous crowd, bassist / vocalist Mike Kerr and drummer Ben Thatcher are particularly passive.  Their calm onstage demeanour in the dark upstairs venue is only a compliment to the alluring danger that clouds their performance, no more so than during closing track “Out of the Black”; the opening snare hits trigger the crowd to divulge in utter chaos, legs in the air, silver zippers from leather jackets glaring in the epileptic lights and beer everywhere, all while the lyrics “YOU MADE A FOOL OUT OF ME” are screamed into the night.  If you missed them this time round, don’t make the same mistake again – Friday 11th July, T in the Park, King Tuts Tent.

[baadermusic]

Drake is currently our favourite rapper.  He is soo Baad. The way he serenaded that lucky lady Pearl at The Hydro and cleaned her  “dirty dress” (it was not dirty - it was very clean) and then sang about these “dirty dresses” that we can’t have (“don’t need no dirty dresses”) was one of the most genuine artist-fan interactions we have seen in a long, long time. 

This our favourite Drake gif, the one where he looks like ROSS GELLER

[baadermusic]

The Jesus and Mary Chain have announced they will perform “Psychocandy” in its entirety during three gigs this November.  London, Manchester and Glasgow will host what we are assuming to be the preview shows before a 20th anniversary festival tour. We can’t help but feel it won’t be quite as special without Douglas Hart or Bobby Gillespie but a show not be missed nevertheless.

[baadermusic]

Two Stones by Walking on Cars isn’t a new song by the band, but one that is new to us. Their Irish roots have seen them draw comparisons to the likes of Kodaline, however the gritty, emotional vocals from singer Patrick Sheehy give then a more mature sound and add a sincere depth to the track.  Although they haven’t yet picked up the commercial interest of their fellow Irishmen, we doubt it will belong before this ensues. 

[baadermusic]

BRODY DALLE - GLASGOW GARAGE 18th April 2014 Having last graced Glasgow in 2009 with her post-Distillers outfit Spinnerette, tonight has been a long time coming for the city’s Brody Dalle fans.  “Die on a Rope” and “Dismantle Me” from The Distiller’s “Coral Fang” album kick started the set and ensured the audience were fired up for the night ahead. New tracks “Don’t Wanna Mess With Me” and “Meet the Foetus / Oh the Joy” were well received and demonstrated Dalle’s aggressive vocals are still as unique and engaging as ever, whereas “Parties for Prostitutes” aired more of a sinister whisper, a seduction whose lyrics were not as soft as the waltzing rhythm would suggest. In just one short hour, Brody and her gang departed the stage and there was a strong disapproval over the lack of encore - this is unusual in an era where bands lap up the applause for as long as they can, waving off only to return a few minutes later.  Not Brody.  When she says thank you and good night, she means it, conjuring an angry desire reminiscent of much of tonight’s set.

[baadermusic]

A no frills intro, punchy lyrics that the every day man (or woman) can relate to and one of the bloody catchiest choruses I’ve heard in a long time - add to this some strident guitars and the bitter sweet vocals of singer Johnny Madden and you have “Distance Yourself”, the new single by Glasgow trio Baby Strange. With a Simonon-esqe bass  injecting tension into the murky riffs, this is how you do a pop hit with punk undertones.  Baby Strange will be heading out on their UK tour later this month, dates on their facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BABYSTRANGEMUSIC