The One & Only Official Music Geeks' Thread

[DanK]

The Knife!

Awesome stuff.

We swedes rule!

The Knife. Weren't they the original releasers of 'Heartbeats' that another Swede Jose Gonazlez covered? Did a brilliant job of it to i might add. The man is seriously talented.

[Blind3]

The new Pearl Jam album, self-titled, is due out May 2nd.The first single from it, Worldwide Suicide, is available as an MP3 now.Big announcement, possibly re: tour dates, is tomorrow, or is today(3/7) if you're not in the US or Canada. :xyxthumbs:

[DanK]

The new Pearl Jam album, self-titled, is due out May 2nd.The first single from it, Worldwide Suicide, is available as an MP3 now.Big announcement, possibly re: tour dates, is tomorrow, or is today(3/7) if you're not in the US or Canada. :xyxthumbs:

For me this is PJ's last chance. Their last few albums have been just plain boring. Not bad, just boring. I would love to see them kick-arse with this latest CD. Here's hoping.

[aveslacker]

The new Pearl Jam album, self-titled, is due out May 2nd.The first single from it, Worldwide Suicide, is available as an MP3 now.Big announcement, possibly re: tour dates, is tomorrow, or is today(3/7) if you're not in the US or Canada. :xyxthumbs:

Well, how is the new single?

[Marijn]

Has someone already heard the new Danko Jones album? It seems to be quite good. He'll be performing at some Dutch and Belgium festivals this summer.

[Feest]

No one w/ the name Danko can be anywhere near 'good'. X'C

[Marijn]

Well, this guy just proved you wrong. C-ya, Steef.

[J.C.]

Has someone already heard the new Danko Jones album? It seems to be quite good. He'll be performing at some Dutch and Belgium festivals this summer.

Yup, his album was released on the 'Luisterpaal' a couple of weeks ago. I must say I wasn't really impressed, but I would still like to visit one of his concerts though. As you'll probably know he has a great live reputation.

[Philippe]

Roger Waters on tour : ça ira !

http://www.rogerwaters2006.com/

:band:

[Kowalczyk]

David Gilmour is on tour as we speak! He was in Amsterdam for two shows last week. Must have been in Paris just before or just after...

Ironic: Waters and Gilmour are not exactly on speaking terms (they can't stand each other), but when they play in Holland they attract almost exactly the same audience of old 'Floyd heads'...

K.

[Over Pasanens Head]

Ironic: Waters and Gilmour are not exactly on speaking terms (they can't stand each other), but when they play in Holland they attract almost exactly the same audience of old 'Floyd heads'...

K.

Apparently acording to the recent Gilmour interview in Mojo, their relationship isn't as bad as it used to be although they aren't going out of their way to talk to each other.

[aveslacker]

Roger Waters is a brilliant, brilliant man, although how he hasn't yet killed himself is beyond me. But he's also a bit of a dick.

David Gilmour is, after Bob Dylan, the most underrated guitarist out there, imho.

[Kowalczyk]

Saw Robert Plant & The Strange Sensation in action at the Heineken Music Hall last night, and it was absolute rubbish. His last album was surprisingly good, but this show... uninspired, lame, no 'spark' whatsoever. He played a handful of Zeppelin tunes, but some of them in very different versions.

All in all: a disappointment and a waste of time.

Luckily, I knew that my good mate Jamcocteau was upstairs at the Paradiso at the same moment, waiting for Willard Grant Conspiracy. They started quite late (23:00), so when I arrived I'd missed only two or three songs.

Now this was more like it. WCG do a sort of 'dark americana', a bit like Lambchop. Guys like Nick Cave and leonard Cohen are never far away, either. Check out their stuff. It's of great beauty. Willard Grant Conspiracy is their name; latest album is called Let It Roll.

Next up: Candi Staton, the grande olde soul lady, tomorrow night at the Paradiso.

K.

[Kowalczyk]

I just wanted to talk to you about this band named Augie March.

My good mate DanK was so king to bring me two cd's by this Australian band that - as far as I know - have not been released in Europe. And I must say: I love 'em.

The funny thing is: they sound like a number of bands that I hate (or can not really love). There's a bit of Muse in it, a bit of Turin Brakes, a bit of Travis, a bit of Jeff Buckley; especially on their latest major label album Moo You Bloody Choir. All of those bands are not crap, but they don't do anything to me.

But Augie March are a bit different... On Sunset Studies (2000) they sound like all of the artists I mentioned above, yet there is a distinct 'indie' quality to their sound. Sunset Studies actually has a very fragile 'lo-fi' sound to it. The songs are poetic and never have a predictable structure (that's what Augie March have in common with Jeff Buckley).

Not all of the tunes on Sunset Studies are great. Moo You Bloody Choir is a major leap forward when it comes to their songwriting. The album sounds a bit more 'major label' (production-wise), but the songs still seem to have a certain twist or edge to them, a certain depth that bands like Travis and Turin Brakes totally lack, if you ask me.

Quite a discovery, to be honest. Thanks a million, Dan. Next time it's my turn!

K.

[DanK]

I just wanted to talk to you about this band named Augie March...Quite a discovery, to be honest. Thanks a million, Dan. Next time it's my turn!

K.

I saw these guys play at in front of only about 10 people before they released their first EP and at the time you could tell that they already had something serious to offer. When their first CD was released at the time it was critically acclaimed like there was no tomorrow. RS magazine said something like it was possibly the most important debut release by an Australian band ever. Pretty big call, but they were pretty spot on.

Over their 3 full length albums to date they have established themselves way and above any other bands in this country (and imo ahead of most anywhere else), but have yet to be found out by the masses (but this is slowly changing).

Glenn Richards (songwriter/vocals) imo is close to (if not the best) going around at the moment.

Their music sounds so familiar yet so different at the same time. I absolutely love it. ‘There is no such place’ from ‘Sunset Studies’ to this day is still one of my all time fav songs.

Glad you liked it mate :xyxthumbs:

[roche]

I'm heading to Amsterdam in August for a vacation of Pearl Jam and, hopefully, Ajax.

PJ is playing in Arnhem at Vitesse's ground. How far is it from Amsterdam to Arnhem? And has anyone seen a show at the Gelredome? If so, what can you say about it?

Finally, has there been any buzz about a Pearl Jam show in Amsterdam?


Thanks!

Oh, and when is the Ajax schedule usually announced?

[Tom_]

I just wanted to talk to you about this band named Augie March.

Did we discuss them on here before?

Anyway, I always liked them, they had a song on the radio several years ago that was fantastic (can't remember what it was called). I saw them this year at the big day out, hoping to see them again in a few weeks' time at the HiFi Bar. Still haven't got around to getting any of their CDs yet...

[Cedric]

Yeah, someone presented Augie March here several month ago. I downloaded some songs since, but they are nothing special for me. Maybe it wasn't the best ones to discover this band.

[DanK]

Yeah, someone presented Augie March here several month ago. I downloaded some songs since, but they are nothing special for me. Maybe it wasn't the best ones to discover this band.

Yeah, I tried my hardest to get you guys onto them a while back. I forced Ko to listen to 'em and he seemed to enjoy it. So I have converted a few :xyxthumbs:

They are IMO far and away the best band in the country at the moment. And have been for some time.

Try to have a listen to 'One Crowded Hour'. Its the first single from their 3rd CD. But I would say that they are one of these bands that are better as a whole album rather than hit single or two, then the rest of the album is rubbish. Which for me, is the way it should be.

[Kowalczyk]

I'm heading to Amsterdam in August for a vacation of Pearl Jam and, hopefully, Ajax.

Fair chance I'll be going to that one as well. There's a (slim) chance that I'll be on vacation, but I'll probably do that a few weeks earlier. Wanna meet up and travel together?

PJ is playing in Arnhem at Vitesse's ground. How far is it from Amsterdam to Arnhem?

Direct train service. Approximately one hour. Piece of cake.

And has anyone seen a show at the Gelredome? If so, what can you say about it?

I've seen loads of gigs there. From Radiohead to Bruce Springsteen, from Metallica to the Spice Girls, from Rammstein to Paul McCartney.

Generally I don't like stadium shows for all the obvious reasons, but I must say: the Gelredome is as good as it gets (for a stadium). The ground has retractable roof, but it's not made of glass (like the one at the ArenA) but out of iron. So when the roof's closed, it's pitch dark, which makes for an 'indoor' atmosphere.

As for the sound: it was surprisingly good each time I was there. But that doesn't mean a thing. The quality of the sound doesn't depend on the venue, as many music fans seem to think. With modern equipment and good sound engineers you can create an absolutely tremendous sound everywhere. Problem is: not every band has good equipment and great sound engineers.

Finally, has there been any buzz about a Pearl Jam show in Amsterdam?

Nope. I'm pretty sure this is it. Amsterdam has a venue for 5,500 (Heineken Music Hall, which is too small) and one for 55,000 (the ArenA, which is too large) - and nothing in between. Most of Pearl Jam's past shows were at the Ahoy' in Rotterdam (10,000). Shame they wanted to make it a bigger show this time.

Oh, and when is the Ajax schedule usually announced?

Normally in early July. It could be the opening weekend of the Eredivisie... Not sure, but it's possible.

K.

[Tom_]

As for the sound: it was surprisingly good each time I was there. But that doesn't mean a thing. The quality of the sound doesn't depend on the venue, as many music fans seem to think. With modern equipment and good sound engineers you can create an absolutely tremendous sound everywhere. Problem is: not every band has good equipment and great sound engineers.

My two cents:

Totally disagree. Some venues definitely sound better than others, although it depends on whereabouts in the crowd you are. In my experience small clubs are a lot nicer than big venues in terms of sound quality.

I've seen several bands at multiple venues and noticed a difference in sound quality, which can't be explained by different engineers. I've also seen multiple bands at the same venue and noticed that the sound was awful every time (I'm thinking of the Palace Complex in Melbourne), and at others noticed that the sound was brilliant (the HiFi Bar).

What about outdoor festivals? The sound at those is terrible, with the noise bouncing off stands etc. Same goes for stadiums.

Anyway, take into account the bands that can't afford good equipment and engineers -- they sound better at better venues ;)

Just my humble opinion...

[Blind3]

www.PearlJam.com (or www.tenclub.net ) announced a 22 show European Tour today.The tour kicks off in Dublin on August 23 and ends,so far, in Athens on September 30th. Arnhem is the only announced Netherlands date.More shows to add to the 21 I'm seeing in the US.YAHOO!!!!! Can't hit Arnhem, but definitely looking to combine Ajax and some show dates. :headbang:

[raymon]

Cool! PJ is playing at the Leeds festival. Must be possible to get tickets for that.

Saw PJ once, in the RAI in Amsterdam, crap venue, crap crowd, but a fuckin' great show. Would love to see them again.

[DanK]

...I've seen several bands at multiple venues and noticed a difference in sound quality, which can't be explained by different engineers. I've also seen multiple bands at the same venue and noticed that the sound was awful every time (I'm thinking of the Palace Complex in Melbourne), and at others noticed that the sound was brilliant (the HiFi Bar)...

Man, I hate that place (Palace). I have seen Ryan Adams & The White Stripes there and while the sound wasn't "too" bad, the venue itself is appauling. The stage is too low, there is nowhere decent to stand apart from the small 2nd tier which is overcrowded. Then if you stand at the back near the bar the idiots leave the TV's on advertising the very hall you are in, which is distracting in a dark room.

For me its one of the worst venues in the our great city. Whats funny though, is it was recently voted one of the "icons" of Melbourne so shows what I know.

Give me the Palais (next door to it) or the wonderful Forum. I have seen Augie March, Mercury Rev and Ryan Adams there and all of them brilliant.

[Kowalczyk]

@ Chugger: What I'm trying to say is: I'm a music critic and I've seen a gazillion shows at almost every Dutch venue, large or small. Large arena shows in particular are attended by many people who don't go to concerts too frequently. I mean: the people that pay 120 euros for the Rolling Stones are not the people who see shows at the Paradiso or the Melkweg twice a week.

When I hear people from that category moan about the sound, they always blame the venue. In many cases they literally say something like: "Jesus, does that Ahoy'/Gelredome/ArenA have a crap sound, or what!" (what they mean is 'acoustics').

I am a more experienced and frequent concert visitor than them and I always know at least 15 shows at the very same venue where the sound was absolutely perfect.

In other words: it's not the building. Of course (as you say) some venues have good acoustics, whereas others have not. But with the speakers they have today (the ones that blast straight forward like a laser beam), a good report from the local crew on the acoustics (so that they know where to hang 'clusters' of speakers) and a team of professional sound engineers, you can 'beat the circumstances'. Always and everywhere. If your show sounded like sh*t, your sound people did something wrong.

Smaller bands, that play smaller venues, use the P.A. system of the venue in 99% of the cases. So, in theory, the sound quality should be more or less the same every evening. Wanna know why that isn't the case?

There are two categories of bands. The first category will either bring a professional sound engineer or trust the sound people of the venue (who know the P.A. system very well). The second category have an ex-roadie as their sound engineer, or a good mate, or some old hippie with long hair and a 'Grateful Dead 1974 World Tour' T-shirt.

First category of bands will sound fine; second category will (in many cases) sound terrible - even at small venues. Reason: lack of professional craftsmanship and (a practical thingy) many 'sound engineers' from the second category are... deaf. They've been on the road with bands forever and love rock & roll so much that they never wore earplugs. These people are simply deaf after 15 years, and subsequently adjust the sound so that it sounds good to themselves.

K.