Monday, May 14, 2007
(1:01 PM) | Alex:
Punk Rock Monday: Nottingham Edition
Since Anthony in the States, I am going to repeat his Punk Rock feature. But like all the best punk rock, it has a twist. In order to remind him of his other home, with us UKian sorts, all bands from here on in are from Nottingham or nearby.First up, some snotty, messy, foul-mouthed gutter-snipe punk. Lovvers tear it apart at every show I have seen them at, which is a few since their guitarist is a friend. I have never left one of their shows without being battered to crap.
Shaun, the leader singer, was a member of the objectively incredible art punk outfit The Murder of Rosa Luxemburg. I once tried to see them, but sadly didn't. Please forgive the sound quality and this does not reflect their entire oeuvre.
This was a band with dynamics and several modes. Their Secret Bark Language EP displayed an entirely different side to their character. Members who represented this side later left to form the more tranquil Scarecrows and the Elliot Smith pop of House of Brothers.
Though not punk rock, The Hellset Orchestra are my favourite prog-power-pop-weirdos. Incredible live, real presence.
Also notable are Lords, who play Beefheart influenced swampy blues, with occasional jazz overtones.
Chris from Lords does solo stuff under the name Last Of The Real Hardmen. Who are pretty damned different and gorgeous.
The drummer in the previous video is Patrick Farmer who is heavily involved with the Nottingham avant-garde scene and puts on gigs with Knee Knees. He's our answer to Chris Corsano, and plays in brutal free-improv Hella-falling-over-AMM with Art Ensemble of Chicago watching duo The Good Anna.
What is more punk rock than free improv? Best bit about that video: the faces of the punters.
Adam - if you want sexy, and I do mean sexy check out Felix, the mean streets of Nott's answer to Cat Power or Regina Spektor.
Thanks for having me.
[Update]
Almost got kicked in the face for including one of my favourite other Nottingham avant-gardists - the Popul Vuh loving, Thuja sounding like, drone, free-folk types and good friends of mine The Exploits of Elaine. The previously mentioned The Good Anna play as part of them, Patch (Patrick) on bowed banjo and amplified objects and Graham on guitars and whatever else. Sublime stuff. Check out Dave Bell on the wok in this video. While not playing wok he runs an incredible indie record label that are well worth checking out for all manner of left of centre delights.
