I came across them when I heard their track Kundalini eyes featured on the most recent Reverb Conspiracy compilation,(put out by the people behind the Austin Psych Festival.
Kundalini Eyes
Dead Skeletons were formed by Jon 'Noni Dead' Saemunder in 2008. Saemunder was previously known for his visual artwork, which features strongly in Dead Skeletons.
Other members include Ryan Carlson Van Kriedt, previously with the fantastic Asteroid #4, Henrik Bjornsson and Will Carruthers, the former bass player with the hugely influential Spacemen 3.
"Dead Mantra is a battle of life winning over death and the sonic palette that colours the struggle between fight and surrender is consistent throughout. In the middle of this hypnotic maelstrom come the otherworldly vocals. Bathed in echo and reverb, they attempt to find their way from a spiritual battleground that suggest a strange ambiguity over whether the desire for life can keep morality away for just that bit longer."
In 1994 singer 'Nonni Dead' was diagnosed with the HIV virus leading him to develop the Dead Mantra.
The Mantra frames their work, from the stunning visuals to the songs themselves.
Check out their album 'Dead Magick', 2011 - A Records.
I first discovered Spacemen 3 when a friend lent me a bunch of records he thought I needed to hear. In there were records from Bikini Kill, The Red Krayola, Stereolab, Pavement and Royal Trux.
I loved them all but the record that jumped out at me the most was 'Taking Drugs To Make Music To Take Drugs To'(1994).
I think was first attracted my to the album was the monochrome, psychedelic artwork. It reminded me of hippie campaign artwork and 13th Floor Elevators gig posters.
The record is made up of 13 fuzz ridden freakouts. With lazy, drawn out vocals and lengthy instrumentals.
I loved the simple lyrics and repetitive, hypnotising sequences and soon brought up every spaceman recording I could find.
One of those first tracks I heard was 'The Sound of Confusion'...
Spacemen 3 was primarily the partnership of musicians Pete Kember and Jason Pierce, perhaps know better as Sonic Boom and J. Spaceman. After Spacemen 3 disbanded both musicians went on to have productive solo careers under different guises. Pete Kember released under the names Sonic Boom and Spectrum whilst Jason Pierce had great success as Spiritualized.
Kember has released a prolific amount of material since his departure from Spacemen 3. 'Soul Kiss (Glide Divine)', 1992, and 'Spectrum', 1990, are must listens. As well as his solo material, Kember has collaborated with the likes of Silver Apples, Kevin Sheilds and Jim Dikinson.
Spectrum
Although at the time of release Spacemen 3 did not sell a ton of records or find great success, today they are hugely influential. MGMT, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Animal Collective, Dead Skeletons and even Florence and The Machine,(slightly randomly), cite Spacemen 3 as a key inspiration for their sound.
Recently there have been a serge of young psych bands who wear their love of Pete Kembers' work on their sleeves. The Vacant Lots, as featured here a few weeks ago, Asteroid #4 and Hookworms show their admiration more obviously than others. One of the first Asteroid #4 recording was a great cover of Spacemen's 'Loosing Touch With My Mind'.
In the last 10 years Kembers profile as a producer has been getting higher and higher. The last MGMT album, 'Congratulations', a big budget production, features Kember on production. His presence and influence is clearly heard throughout the album especially, in my opinion, on the track 'I Found a Whistle'.
Kember in the studio with MGMT recording 'Congratulations'
Other production credits include his work with the electronic artist Panda Bear on his recent release 'Tomboy'. It's a great album from the Animal Collective founder..CHECK IT!
Kember performing live with Panda Bear
I recently came across a band Kember has been working with called Teen. The all-girl, Brooklyn based, band have a far 'poppier' sound than I have heard Kember work with before. The mixture of Kembers tripped out synths and production with their upbeat pop songs creates something really great.
Sonic Boom's website is a great source of information, especially the 'Spacelines Track Notes'. Another great Spacemen related resource is the fan run Spacemen 3 site. Also the Soft Focus special on Pete Kember is well worth a watch, Kemper and Ian Svenonius in a room together - oemgeewhat!!
I'm seeing Spectrum live, for the first time, in .... 4 days!! I's going to be emotional :)
I'm sorry I have been so quiet on here recently, I have beenshoulder deep in dissertation madness!
Being stuck inside has however given me a chance to listen to loads of music. New sounds and tracks I had forgotten existed.
I have been going through my record collection, breaking the circle of the same ten records that I seem to have got stuck in.
Gong, Edith Piaf, Nuggets compilations, Sic Alps and Nico are all back on the menu.
Here are two songs...with the same name :o !
The Jesus and Mary Chain - The Living End
I have been blaring the Mary Chain loads recently, especially their debut 'Psycho Candy' - absolute classic!
I cannot wait to check them live at Primavera, in Barcelona, this May.
Bongwater - The Living End
Bongwater were a lo-fi experimental act based in New York city in the late eighties and early nineties. The duo, musician Mark Kramer and the actress Ann Magnuson, released a total of four albums of their unique brand of psychedelic, experimental indie pop. Kramer later went on to not only produce dream pop sensations Galaxy 500 but became an important factor in the formation of the bands sound.
Happy Easter from the Easter bunny from outer space!
Hoping everyone had a great Easter weekend!
I spent the weekend dancing to Rock 'n' Roll with friends at the fantastic Club Stomp, working on my Dissertation and saying "welcome back" to the sun!
I have been listening to Moon Duo's album 'Escape', 2010 - Woodsist Records, on repeat this weekend. Check out their great KEXP sessions on youtube.
Recently I stumbled upon The Vacant Lots, a psych-rock band from Vermont, U.S.A. There mixture of minimalist rock, shoegaze and garage psych is exactly what I have been looking for recently. It appears they, like me, are Spacemen 3 obsessives and this comes across in their music.
They were only formed three years ago yet already have such a definite sound. Thick layers of drones, phasers, synths and dirty guitars all covered in a sea of reverb = perfection.
I have decided to put some posts together about my greatest influences. A condensed biography, a selection of images and some of my personal favourite tracks.
The first in the series was an easy choice, Nico!
I first came to hear about Nico through her album 'Chelsea Girls', before I had even heard of the Velvet Underground and their work. I was totally struck by her unique voice, low and harsh with a thick German accent.
Nico was born Christa Päffgen, in Nazi occupied Cologne in 1938, to a working class rural family. She left school aged thirteen when she was scouted by a fashion house and invited into the world of teenage modelling due to her cheekbones, perfect skin and full lips.
She moved to New York aged 17 to focus on launching an acting career and landed roles in La Tempesta and La Dolce Vita.
In 1965 she met Brian Jones, Bob Dylan and Jimmy Page and went on to record her first single, 'I'm Not Saying', that summer.
Through Brian Jones she met, possibly the most important meeting in her life, Andy Warhol and instantly was enlisted to act in his experimental art-house films including 'Chelsea Girls' and 'Imitation of Christ'.
When Warhol began to manage, and finance, The Velvet Underground he suggested they take on Nico as a 'chanteuse'. The band reluctantly agreed and Nico came to sing on tracks 'I'll Be Your Mirror', 'Femme Fatale' and 'All Tomorrows Parties' on the album 'The Velvet Undeground and Nico'. The album came out to little acclaim at the time but has since become a classic album, appearing in Rolling Stones '500 Greatest Albums of All Time' list and inspiring millions of musicians.
Following her collaboration with the Velvet Underground she released her debut album as a solo artist 'Chelsea Girl'. The album is made up of cover versions of respected artists such as Jackson Browne and Bob Dylan as well as tracks especially written for her by ex-bandmates John Cale and Lou Reed.
My favourite track off the album is 'Eulogy To Lenny Bruce'. When I first heard it it blew my mind, it was the first 'art music' i had ever heard and I loved the distant dreaminess of it.
After 'Chelsea Girl' Nico went on to release a series of solo albums, my favourite being 'The End'.
In the late 1970's/80's Nico spent a lot of time in Europe, especially the UK. During this time she struggled with a severe heroin addiction, left over from her factory days. This time in her life is documented in the insightful book 'Songs They Never Play On The Radio', written by her keyboard player at the time James Young. The book is an unflinching glimpse at the unglamorous world of a former 'Warhol Superstar' suffocating in her addictions.
Nico died in 1988 from a heart attack whilst riding her bicycle. Tragically she had just kicked her drug habits and had been concentrating on a regime of healthy eating and exercise.
Here is a video of a (spontaneous) live collaboration with little ole me and island favourites BullyBones at the Solent Inn last month!
The video was put together by talented island cinematographer Conner Henriette, also responsible for the other two promotional videos BullyBones have put out (find them on their Youtube channel).
Catch them live again at the Loft this Friday when they appear at Club Stomp to celebrate the launch of their debut album.
Last Tuesday, the 11th March, I made my way up to London to watch the mighty return of Dream Pop superstars My Bloody Valentine.
The handful of dates follow the release of their first studio album in 22 years.
Hammersmith Apollo - Photo Courtesy of James Thourpe
Support came from french act Le Volume Courbe, playing a diverse 45 minute set of material. Some songs reminded me of the folk-pop we have seen scattered in the charts throughout the year, and others were sweet, layered noise-fests reminiscent of My Bloody Valentines earlier works. Frontwoman Charlotte Marionneau has a stunning voice that lies on top of the music beautifully..and I am a total sucker for french pop.
A Sea of Shoegazers My Bloody Valentine were mind bendingly, awe inspiringly, unforgettably brilliant. Everything I had hoped they would be. After I saw them headline Bestival 2008 (also mind-blowing)I was desperate to see them play inside, where the sound wouldn't be sucked up by the wind. They played a mixture of old classics and new material from their new release 'M B V', which stood tall next to respected oldies such as 'Feed Me With Your Kiss'.
My Blurry Valentine
'You Made Me Realise', and its famous 'holocaust' section, were a highlight for me. I don't think I moved a muscle the entire song, ...just AWESOME!
I left gutted I hadn't brought a ticket for the following night...but more excited for Primavera than I already was!
With the weather being so bitter and central heating on constantly I have been using my Blue Labelle hand oil religiously. Blue Labelle are a Ventnor based company specialising in 100% natural and botanical skincare. Every product I have tried smells amazing, moisturises and lasts for ages! The hand oil is approved by the Vegan society and contains lots of magic antioxidants.
I have this lipstick in 'Carmine', a warm orangey matte colour. Besame specialise in replica 1940's cosmetics. The lipstick is in a gold plated bullet case reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour. It stays on well and does not require lipliner! All Besame lipsticks are enriched with A, E and C as well as aloe and green tea extracts.
I am pleasantly surprised with Primal Screams new track 2013. I love the guitar from Kevin Sheilds, of My Bloody Valentine. The album is released early May, 2013 being the first single to be taken from it. I read on Pitchfork the album features Debbie Googe, also of My Bloody Valentine fame, on bass whilst their regular bassist Mani tours with The Stone Roses.
This Thursday I popped into the King Lud to check out their weekly 'an audience with..' night.
This week was the turn of Punk band Rilke supported by the magnificent Hentai Babies. DJ Nipsy provided the soundtrack to the evening, playing Pop-Punk and Grunge classics (and forgotten gems) all night.
Hentai Babies
Hentai Babies played a great set as always. Every time I see them play I love them more and more...cannot wait to hear the results of their time spent at Studio Humbug this last month.
Paul McCann
(My personal favourite, 'Righteous Rainbows')
I love Bianca and Paul's matching outfits!
This was my first time seeing Rilke. Sadly I missed them play the 'Valentines Day Massacre', at the Loft, alongside BullyBones and Natelys Whore. They played a short, to the point, crazy and energetic set.
Rilke
I checked out their facebook page when I got home that night. I love their artwork for the recent cassette split alongside James Hunt and Max Williams entitled 'Isle of Wight Acoustic Punx'. So exciting to see the Isle of Wight DIY scene so active.
Keep up to date with live music events at the King Lud by following their facebook page!
xx p.s: Sorry for the poor photos....slowly getting used to a new camera!
