Thursday, December 29th
* We have a new song called "teenwolf" as of yesterday. None of the rest of the band know this, yet.
* I just re-bought the first Urusei Yatsura album, because I couldn't find my copy. It is FANTASTIC.
*
Tom on 12.29.05 @ 09:50 AM GMT [link]
sigh
I've turned comments off, because of ridiculous spam. I miss the days where you could have ANY kind of website without attracting that kind of nonsense. I'll re-enable the comments as soon as I find the people responsible and fire them into the sun, using some kind of excellent cannon.* We have a new song called "teenwolf" as of yesterday. None of the rest of the band know this, yet.
* I just re-bought the first Urusei Yatsura album, because I couldn't find my copy. It is FANTASTIC.
*
Tom on 12.29.05 @ 09:50 AM GMT [link]
Wednesday, December 21st
things about 2005, should anyone care...
my favourite albums:
1. why? - elephant eyelash
2. arab strap - the last romance
3. maximo park - a certain trigger
my favourite singles / EPs:
1. darren hayman - cortinaland EP
2. the research - come on chameleon / I love you but...
3. why? - sanddollars EP
my favourite gigs (ignoring local bands due to BIAS):
1. reggie and the full effect at the old angel, nottingham
2. the research, each of the eight times I've seen them
3. the arcade fire at the carling academy, birmingham
4. slint at the forum, camden
5. arab strap instore at reveal records, derby
other wonderful things:
* the little explorer's new song, that I heard for the first time at first floor on 4th December... earth-shatteringly good
* dragonflies draw flame, who became absolutely incredibly good when I wasn't looking
* monkey swallows the universe, generally
things to look forward to in 2006:
* MSTU album!
* the research album!
* plans and apologies album!
* islands (the band that emerged from the ashes of the unicorns) album!
* LARDPONY ALBUM!!
the end. merry christmas and a happy new year in advance, hip hip hooray!
Tom on 12.21.05 @ 11:52 PM GMT [link]
2005
that's all our gigs for the year over, then. the acoustic one last night went better than expected although I don't think it's likely to sway us from the ELECTRIC WORLD for very long.things about 2005, should anyone care...
my favourite albums:
1. why? - elephant eyelash
2. arab strap - the last romance
3. maximo park - a certain trigger
my favourite singles / EPs:
1. darren hayman - cortinaland EP
2. the research - come on chameleon / I love you but...
3. why? - sanddollars EP
my favourite gigs (ignoring local bands due to BIAS):
1. reggie and the full effect at the old angel, nottingham
2. the research, each of the eight times I've seen them
3. the arcade fire at the carling academy, birmingham
4. slint at the forum, camden
5. arab strap instore at reveal records, derby
other wonderful things:
* the little explorer's new song, that I heard for the first time at first floor on 4th December... earth-shatteringly good
* dragonflies draw flame, who became absolutely incredibly good when I wasn't looking
* monkey swallows the universe, generally
things to look forward to in 2006:
* MSTU album!
* the research album!
* plans and apologies album!
* islands (the band that emerged from the ashes of the unicorns) album!
* LARDPONY ALBUM!!
the end. merry christmas and a happy new year in advance, hip hip hooray!
Tom on 12.21.05 @ 11:52 PM GMT [link]
Friday, December 16th
sheffield: best. donkeys.
nottingham: good. a refresher bar.
derby: we played alright, but I hated every second of it. on the plus side, nobody seemed to notice. which was nice*. joe atom's cock.
the end.
we're doing an acoustic gig on tuesday, then REST. I decided yesterday that I was going to become prolific. expect seven albums in 2006. well, either seven or none. THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND.
* or was it?
Tom on 12.16.05 @ 12:13 AM GMT [link]
the odyssey
so, our three date, five day "tour" comes to an end.sheffield: best. donkeys.
nottingham: good. a refresher bar.
derby: we played alright, but I hated every second of it. on the plus side, nobody seemed to notice. which was nice*. joe atom's cock.
the end.
we're doing an acoustic gig on tuesday, then REST. I decided yesterday that I was going to become prolific. expect seven albums in 2006. well, either seven or none. THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND.
* or was it?
Tom on 12.16.05 @ 12:13 AM GMT [link]
Sunday, December 11th
Here's a couple of songs that I don't know what to do with...
Coffee Is My Cup Of Tea
I've tried to write several songs about coffee, but none of them are as good as "Coffee Girl" by MK Ultra.
The Gog
This one emerged from some kind of practice jam. Mandy came up with the title, I'm not sure what it means (although wikipedia tells me that 'the gogs' are a range of hills). We played it live once, but it was about 813% more distorted and had 98.3% less glockenspiel, so it was a bit rubbish. The lyrics were written at that gig, just before we soundchecked.
...goodbye!
Tom on 12.11.05 @ 12:02 PM GMT [link]
TUNE!
We're playing in Sheffield later. Are you in Sheffield? THEN COME AND VIEW THE SPEC-TACLE.Here's a couple of songs that I don't know what to do with...
Coffee Is My Cup Of Tea
I've tried to write several songs about coffee, but none of them are as good as "Coffee Girl" by MK Ultra.
The Gog
This one emerged from some kind of practice jam. Mandy came up with the title, I'm not sure what it means (although wikipedia tells me that 'the gogs' are a range of hills). We played it live once, but it was about 813% more distorted and had 98.3% less glockenspiel, so it was a bit rubbish. The lyrics were written at that gig, just before we soundchecked.
...goodbye!
Tom on 12.11.05 @ 12:02 PM GMT [link]
Tuesday, December 6th
ENTER the NEWS ARCHIVES!
Monday, December 5th
The Scarlet Tuesday / Lardpony / Monkey Swallows the Universe
@ The Grapes
The Grapes tonight feels like a family reunion where a distant cousin has returned to the fold. Although Lardpony hail from deepest Derby, their indiepop stops and starts could go undetected amidst Sheffield’s DIY ethos.
The first chords to be strummed this evening are from a Vaselines’ song. The words are sung by Monkey Swallows the Universe and it doesn’t matter if it’s a sickly novelty song they cover as they lay out their trademark charm and flair to a packed hypnotised crowd. Praise doesn’t always have to come from a review or an opinion as the collective expression of the audience suggests how MSTU appeals to them - that of contorted glee.
It’s then time to trade C86 mixtapes. With most touring bands you feel they have merchandise to sell off in a cynical attempt to pay for their petrol. Most forget to pack their charisma but with Lardpony you feel happy to buy, share or steal their enthusiasm. A large part has to do with the Casio noises and the clever oblique lyrics - oh, and the fact that each song is no more than two minutes long. ‘Self-Destruct With Me’ and ‘Catwatching’ are highlights, recalling Bearsuit or Fonda 500 but ‘Zombie Bride’ is a song to dance to and sing along with the chorus. It’s pure indiepop refinement that counts 3,6,9 and Lardpony have it.
The Scarlet Tuesday have a lot to deliver after the first hour of entertainment has passed. But this is the Scarlet Tuesday and they know how to hold their nerve. In a line they stand and melodic, well structured indiepop comes out of the speakers. Although the first two or three songs are treaded carefully, the blitzkrieg drumming makes songs such as ‘Spy vs Spy’ sound weighty and entertaining. See everyone in the queue for Offbeat then.
Michael Cornin
Tom on 12.05.05 @ 05:44 PM GMT [link]
sandman review
I just found a review of our last Sheffield gig by googling for Lardpony. Yes, it has been a slow day. I make no apologies. It's from Sheffield Sandman and it's pretty excellent.The Scarlet Tuesday / Lardpony / Monkey Swallows the Universe
@ The Grapes
The Grapes tonight feels like a family reunion where a distant cousin has returned to the fold. Although Lardpony hail from deepest Derby, their indiepop stops and starts could go undetected amidst Sheffield’s DIY ethos.
The first chords to be strummed this evening are from a Vaselines’ song. The words are sung by Monkey Swallows the Universe and it doesn’t matter if it’s a sickly novelty song they cover as they lay out their trademark charm and flair to a packed hypnotised crowd. Praise doesn’t always have to come from a review or an opinion as the collective expression of the audience suggests how MSTU appeals to them - that of contorted glee.
It’s then time to trade C86 mixtapes. With most touring bands you feel they have merchandise to sell off in a cynical attempt to pay for their petrol. Most forget to pack their charisma but with Lardpony you feel happy to buy, share or steal their enthusiasm. A large part has to do with the Casio noises and the clever oblique lyrics - oh, and the fact that each song is no more than two minutes long. ‘Self-Destruct With Me’ and ‘Catwatching’ are highlights, recalling Bearsuit or Fonda 500 but ‘Zombie Bride’ is a song to dance to and sing along with the chorus. It’s pure indiepop refinement that counts 3,6,9 and Lardpony have it.
The Scarlet Tuesday have a lot to deliver after the first hour of entertainment has passed. But this is the Scarlet Tuesday and they know how to hold their nerve. In a line they stand and melodic, well structured indiepop comes out of the speakers. Although the first two or three songs are treaded carefully, the blitzkrieg drumming makes songs such as ‘Spy vs Spy’ sound weighty and entertaining. See everyone in the queue for Offbeat then.
Michael Cornin
Tom on 12.05.05 @ 05:44 PM GMT [link]
Friday, December 2nd
• Sunday 4th December
• First Floor
• 5pm til late
• £4
5.30 Concertina Turner (weird girl / boy / scottish people pop music that I've only seen when drunk)
6.15 The Jesus Years (instrumental EXCELLENCE feat. the world's actual best drummer)
7.00 The Death of Artists (superb goth-y synthpop with dancing)
7.45 Little Explorer (emo / post-hardcore if it wasn't rubbish - i.e. they're great)
8.30 Lardpony (we're playing a new song - or two new songs if you haven't heard the last one)
9.15 The Dust Collectors (strange jazz / spoken word / fantastic)
10.00 Arsey Rob (one man and his synths - electronica fun)
10.45 ChrisMartin™ (chris = guitar, martin = drums. math-rock, sort of)
11.30 Twinkie (comeback gig after broken arms! the best band)
12.15 Fixit Kid (shellac vs kyuss / screaming / AAAAAAAARGH!)
this is actually the best line-up for a gig I can remember.
also coming up:
11th December in Sheffield (at The Earl - click for poster)
14th December in Nottingham with Nutron Stars (at Cabaret)
15th December in Derby with The Atoms and The Vaxines (at The Vaults)
20th December in Derby (acoustic xmas gig at Bar Vida with Monkey Swallows the Universe and DDF)
Tom on 12.02.05 @ 08:04 AM GMT [link]
gig on sunday
• Sunday 4th December
• First Floor
• 5pm til late
• £4
5.30 Concertina Turner (weird girl / boy / scottish people pop music that I've only seen when drunk)
6.15 The Jesus Years (instrumental EXCELLENCE feat. the world's actual best drummer)
7.00 The Death of Artists (superb goth-y synthpop with dancing)
7.45 Little Explorer (emo / post-hardcore if it wasn't rubbish - i.e. they're great)
8.30 Lardpony (we're playing a new song - or two new songs if you haven't heard the last one)
9.15 The Dust Collectors (strange jazz / spoken word / fantastic)
10.00 Arsey Rob (one man and his synths - electronica fun)
10.45 ChrisMartin™ (chris = guitar, martin = drums. math-rock, sort of)
11.30 Twinkie (comeback gig after broken arms! the best band)
12.15 Fixit Kid (shellac vs kyuss / screaming / AAAAAAAARGH!)
this is actually the best line-up for a gig I can remember.
also coming up:
11th December in Sheffield (at The Earl - click for poster)
14th December in Nottingham with Nutron Stars (at Cabaret)
15th December in Derby with The Atoms and The Vaxines (at The Vaults)
20th December in Derby (acoustic xmas gig at Bar Vida with Monkey Swallows the Universe and DDF)
Tom on 12.02.05 @ 08:04 AM GMT [link]