El Perro Del Mar - Walk On By (Saint Etienne Remix) (Hype 0286R)

Perfect timing for this fantastic remix of El Perro Del Mar's new single off her new album Pale Fire. Saint Etienne kick off their North American tour here in Toronto on October 24th in support of their new album Words And Music. This was available as a free download but has since evaporated.

Public Image Ltd (PiL) at The Opera House, October 18th

Thursday night and Johnny Lydon (nee Rotten) was in town bringing some PiL to the Opera House. Tuco was at the scene, drinking beer and taking notes. A light drizzle in the city wasn't enough to stop this post-punk legend act from bringing the noize but it was enough to delay a decent crowd from getting to the venue on time. The festivities kicked off at quarter to nine, not without a fire alarm going off and some Toronto firefighters heading back stage.

The crowd was definitely older; not surprising since PiL have been around since the late 70s. Besides the iconic PiL graphic emblazened on a few Ts, I noted an Echo and the Bunnymen T as well as a Day Glo Abortions T. Those were the days.

PiL bounded on stage at quarter to nine and opened the set with their big hit (This is Not A) Love Song. I'd managed to snag a decent spot on the floor with a decent sightline. First thing I noticed was the odd oud-shaped guitar played by Lu Edmonds. Edmonds went through no less than 4 guitars during the night. Scott Firth, the bassist also managed to trot out some kind of a digital upright bass, a traditional bass, keyboards and a laptop.

The sound was pretty good actually - and the shape of most of their longer songs took on a certain characteristic. A short guitar riff or bass riff repeated several times allowing Lydon to sing/talk over top of the whole structure at his own pace. Johnny's still got those unique vocals - belted out , shaking, but still in controlled.

Of course, Johnny Lydon has his own brand of charm which he used to work up a tepid crowd that was compared unfavourably with the lot from Montreal. That's been a consistent theme with musicians that come to Toronto - weak audience feedback. I guess we came to hear PiL not each other.

The bass was really turned up throughout the night and Firth didn't miss a trick. He stayed right on top of the reverberations accented by a solid performance by drummer Bruce Smith. While the guitar and bass got a few chances for some soloing, the drummer didn't get as much. Of course, the main event was Johnny Lydon - everyone knew that. He even had a music stand up at the front with him like a conductor of an orchestra (sans baton).

PiL played for two hours and the show was done with the crew breaking down the set seconds after the band had exited stage right.

The set list did not stray far from PiL's recent DVD release "There is a PiL in Heaven":

(This is not a) Love Song
Deeper Water
Albatross
One Drop
Flowers of Romance
Disappointed
Warrior
USLS1
Reggie Song
Death Disco
Bags / Chant
Religion
Out of the Woods
Rise
Open Up


Best moments: Religion, Warrior.

Awkward moments: Chastising the audience of predominantly old men for showing less enthusiasm than two young women near the front. That's pretty much always going to be the case Johnny.

FYI: The Grid did a little interview/write-up with Johnny Lydon - check it out if you want to know more. Apparently he prefers Donna Summer to Radiohead.

Cult of Youth - Garden of Delights (Hype 0285)

Love this band with their old skool alternative punk eighties sound. Taken from their new album Love Will Prevail.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOKpKcYmsJM

Alt-J (∆) - Tessellate

Video: http://youtu.be/Qg6BwvDcANg

Some people are tipping ∆ (pronounced Alt-J) to win the 2012 Mercury prize with their debut album "An Awesome Wave", which seems like a pretty good shout given the quality of the tracks that I have heard so far. The album was released in May in Europe and September in North America. Looks like a band that will be worth catching live if you can -- they have plenty of tour dates listed on their website, although they might not be passing through your locale any time soon (there are currently no Toronto dates listed). Enjoy.

Teeel - Mygirl (Hype 0284)

Great eerie new wave experience...Teeel just released his second album University Heights this year although this great track isn't on it..Keep churning them out!!!!

Whigfield - 4Ever (Hype 0283)

Brand new track from nineties eurocrush girl Whigfield who brought us club cuts Saturday Night, Another Day, and Think Of You back in the day. Its 20 years and she is back with some nice bubblegum dancepop.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwbR6jCWk5Q

Payolas - Soldier (Retro 031)

Released as a b-side for the huge hit Eyes Of A Stranger this became a hit single in its own right 30 years ago.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfCxqfMu7BM

Purity Ring - Belispeak II feat Danny Brown (Hype 0282)

Great remake of Purity Rings Belispeak cut with additional vocals added in from Danny Brown. 4AD madness once again. Their album Shrines was released this year.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpdyGFmct78

Sylvester - Do You Wanna Funk (Retro 030)

Essential disco/club track from 1982 that cracked the UK top 40 but was ignored by North America pop charts. Classic!!!

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Vh-a2l6SY

Myrath - Tales of the Sands (Hype 0281)

Oriental Progressive Metal band from Tunisia. Dream Theatre in a Desert. Apparently these guys were on tour with Tarja Turunen (formerly of Nightwish) earlier this year. Really hope they tour North America!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1g62x7qybA

Inc. - The Place (Hype 0276V)

One might think we have a side deal with the label given the number of 4AD items we post on this website. This is the official video release of our previously hyped track. The album is out in 2013.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVmNaMy_CLA

PSY - GANGNAM STYLE (Hype 0280)

I imagine the North American clubs are going crazy when this song comes on. Great track and crazy video. Novelty? Maybe. Massive? Definately.

Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0

First Aid Kit - When I Grow Up (Fever Ray cover)

Video: http://youtu.be/WAs5y2lvO-Q

Thanks to Josh for the shout out and for posting another fantastic Retro track. Today's track is one I have been meaning to post for a while. It's a cover of a Fever Ray song of the same name; Fever Ray is the pseudonym used by Karin Dreijer Andersson, who is half of electronic duo The Knife. Incidentally, Fever Ray, The Knife, and First Aid Kit are all Swedish. First Aid Kit, which comprises the Söderberg sisters, play a lot of folk songs. They are on a North American tour at the moment, but we've missed them. Perhaps next time.

Joe Jackson - Steppin Out (Retro 029)

Glad Dunstan jumped in with a retro post. Things had gotten busy for me and I hadn't posted for awhile. This Joe Jackson single hit the North American charts in October 30 years ago too but maybe alittle later in the UK. New Wave pop goodness.

Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dopneKcyNXU

Musical Youth - Pass the Dutchie (Retro 028)

Video: http://youtu.be/dFtLONl4cNc

This was the U.K. number one thirty years ago this week, wresting the top spot away from Survivor's Eye of the Tiger. Enjoy.