Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

How’s everything going?

Good. Thanks.

How did you go about the songwriting process for this new album?

Pen, paper, and guitar J

Isn’t it tough to make decisions with three people in a studio?

We had a big split up with our drummer before we started recording “HOWL” so I guess it was just the two of us. That doesn’t always make it easier though, the 3 rd person can usually break a stand-off pretty quick. The studio can bring out the best and worst in people though if you’re not smart.

What microphone do you prefer when you are tracking vocals for an album?

Neumann or SM57

I’ve always enjoyed your B-sides. Is it sometimes tough to choose what goes on the album and what doesn’t?

We actually wanted this album to have more of the spirit of our b-sides, more loose and carefree. That’s something that’s always eluded us on the final LP’s… This time I think we got it.

One of my favorites of yours is “US Government” was there any particular inspiration behind that track?

That’s a pretty direct ‘fuck you’ to the American government and the system everyone live in. We’ve revised the song recently and we’re playing a completely different version of it live now, it seems important to make people look at it again from a different point of view.

What is going to be the next single off “Howl”?

“Weight Of The World” or “Shuffle Your Feet”… I’m not sure yet.

Are you guys heavily involved in picking the releases and their artwork and such?

Yeah, but we’re really proud of every song on this album so we’re open to whatever…

The band has already built an audience in Europe . How would you compare the audiences to those in the States?

There’s not as big of a difference as everyone thinks… The press is a different animal all together and the British press can be more tabloid than in the states, but people are pretty much the same all over the world, it’s a relief actually.

Whats next for the band?

Tour, tour, tour.

Keane – This Is The Last Time

Sensitivity is the new king. Keane comes out the door with a little piano-driven ballad for us. After the success of Coldplay, Travis and Feeder with the more “sensitive” songs, it is only natural you will get upstarts like Keane. With influences like Feeder and Coldplay, the song has some likeable qualities. There is nothing too new here so I can’t get excited about it. Still, the tune is good. It’s Coldplay light.

By John Siwicki

LCD Soundsystem – Movement

James Murphy is at it again providing us yet again with a dance floor classic. “Yeah” was brilliant piece of music that really set the bar a little higher. How could someone follow it up? “Movement” starts off a hand clap and a very funky beat. Then James’ voice kicks in and then about a minute and a half in. The band kicks in and it turns into a full on rock song. Its still got that funky beat, yet those crushing guitars really make it hard to stand still. Also, of a note the B-Side here “Yr Cities A Sucker” is a funky little number that shouldn’t be missed either. This is a movement!!

By John Siwicki

Joseph Arthur

Where are you from?

Akron. Ohio

Can you tell us a bit about how you met Peter Gabriel and how you got
signed?

He called me out of the blue
Someone gave him a tape I made which I guess he liked

How do you write songs? Any special techniques

I let inspiration lead
I never force myself to work
I let the work come
Its all very natural

Can you tell us a bit about how the “Our Shadows Will Remain” album was
recorded?

In stages
First in New Orleans
Then New York City
A very long and involved process
With sense of discovering something giving me energy

Your new single”Devil’s Broom” is quite something. How did this one come
about?

I remember writing it on the couch
I called a friend just after
And sang it to him over the phone
He liked it a lot and so I thought I might be onto something

Who does the artwork for all your releases?

The artwork is my own
With design help and the critical eye of Zachary Larner Like any good producer he gives me a lot of confidence to pursue my ideas

You’re renowned for painting huge canvases as part of your performance.
Where did the idea to paint on stage come from?

I thought of it in my loft
Where I always paint
It was almost time to go back on the road
But the painter in me wasn’t ready to let go
So I took the painting with me

What would be your greatest fear?

Hurting someone I love

What does the future hold for yourself?
Only God knows

Kings of Leon – Aha Shake Heartbreak

The kings have made their mighty return. The boys have seen and done a lot and have matured a bit since their mega debut “Youth And Manhood”
We start things off with “Slow Night, So Long” starts off rather slow with some jumpy yet soft bass. It’s a slow and calmer start to the album I think we can even say this track is a bit Who influenced. “Pistol of Fire” is about well sex. The band have been noted to of had their first experiences while supporting their debut. They did travel the world a few times. The lyrics are a bit on the silly side. They don’t seem to take a serious approach to it. “Its gonna tickle your gonna giggle, its gonna tickle, tickle for free” I don’t know about these lyrics. “The Bucket” is clearly the most accessible track on the album and one of the finer songs by the boys. The song deals with the times and trials of touring. It’s got a catchy hook and grabs you it keeps you hanging with that those rapid tom toms. “The Bucket” is a fine track that really kicks up the tempo of the album. “Soft” is a nice jumpy little number. It deals with of course the topics of sex. Yes, he did say “perfect nipples” but the instrumentation almost reminds me of the Strokes. “Razz” has a brilliant intro with that inducing bass. The track is certainly one you can move around to that bass line takes center stage. A true highlight of the record. “Four Kicks” clocks in as our shortest track. It does pack a punch. “Caleb” sounds frantic here and that guitar riff is very catchy. Its got that messy and dirty appeal it isn’t too catchy. It’s quick and brilliant.
The Kings have made a solid second album. Lyrically it’s not their finest hour. But it’s an interesting tale of a group of young men indulging in beer, women and seeing the world. I know these guys are capable of making a amazing album its inside them and only time will tell.

By John Siwicki

The Verve – This Is Music: The Singles 92-98

Much like Placebo, Super Furry Animals, and Supergrass – favorite bands from my teen years – The Verve is now releasing a “best of” album. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but it has been about 12 years since the release of The Verve’s first album. Now – I am not too well informed of the Verve’s early work. I will be honest: “Urban Hymns” is what got me hooked, but this is the positive aspect of a hits album – it can show you a band’s whole career or it can fill you in on what you have missed or it can help you remember those magic moments you had with certain hit singles. Also, it reminds you of how good a band really is. That is the case with The Verve. The Verve were a brilliant band. Tracks like “This Is Music” and “On Your Own” are purely classic songs that can’t be touched or rivaled by any other band’s work.
Since the demise of The Verve, some members have branched off into other bands. Richard, the lead singer, went solo and Simion, the guitarist, toured with Blur recently. But with a catalog like this, it will be hard to top the work done by The Verve. This is their music and this is their legacy.

By John Siwicki