LONDON CALLING - the AAPA proposal...

July 2006


If you are going to put on a showcase of around 20 of the new and upcoming UK bands who are supposed to be making a difference then we would suggest that more thought and imagination should go into the selection procedure of the bands (see our previous comments and observations in the gig reviews from the 2 events in Amsterdam from November 2005 & March 2006) rather than what appears to be just doing favours to certain promoters or agents?! ... Lets be honest, what should be a unique opportunity and experience for both artists and punters alike often ends in disappointment because each time too many poor bands are selected. So (as per July 2006), if you wanted to have the most impressive London Calling event so far then AAPA would like to (strongly) recommend the following bands who have yet to appear at the indoor version of this event:

CAPTAIN - ZERO 7 - THE FRATELLIS - LITTLE MAN TATE - KLAXONS - DEAD DISCO - iLiKETRAiNS - LADYFUZZ - HOT CHIP - THE PIPETTES - SHITDISCO - THE AUTOMATIC - THE DEAD 60`s - ALEX SMOKE - THE IVORIES - DELUKA & KUBICHECK!


And if bands like THE ZUTONS can play this event more than once then THE SUBWAYS, LARRIKIN LOVE, FIELD MUSIC, BROMHEADS JACKET & DUELS would also make a very welcome return now that this time around they actually have CDs available?


FOOD FOR THOUGHT? ...



AAPA - July 2006





Or just check out the "Latest News" or "New Bands" sections here at www.aapa.nl for more up to date info ...


latest additions (from August 2006), also worth checking out: BAT FOR LASHES, THE DYKEENIES, CAMERA OBSCURA, THE PIGEON DETECTIVES, BLOOD RED SHOES ,GOOD SHOES & DARTZ!



UPDATE - October 2006: Oh well, looks like only a few of our tips were eventually chosen.



PREVIOUS LC EVENTS - The AAPA Reviews...

LONDON CALLING

Paradiso - Amsterdam: 31st March & 1st April 2006

Towards the end of last year we questioned the selection process used by the promoters when planning this alternative music event (see gig review below from Saturday 5th November 2005 which also gives more of an insight into the history) that usually takes place a few times a year at the Paradiso and gives the Dutch public a chance to go and see new, recently established, or up and coming bands from the UK. In all fairness the last London Calling was very poor (we only saw 3 bands worth praising back in November!) However, on this occasion we got the distinct feeling our comments and review (which at the time had been sent to the Dutch OOR magazine) had struck some kind of a raw nerve? - For one, the line up this time looked a lot more promising (at least 5 bands having already had some kind of AAPA coverage), and the second reason was that upon arrival the main promoter kept doing a really bad job at not seeing us throughout the entire 2 days we were there (and just in case you’re wondering, yes he does know me ... since around 1993-94!) - But the way I looked at it was like; if our review ensured that this event is now an improvement on last time then surely that’s good for everyone? Anyway, enough of that … the event had sold out and we will be going back and forward between the main hall and the 2nd room upstairs to give our verdict on as many of the bands as we can that came over to Amsterdam (31-3 & 1-4-2006):

DIRTY PRETTY THINGS – The band who contain the other former members of The Libertines are first up on the Friday evening because the opening act (Tiny Dancers) hadn’t even arrived yet. The main hall was almost full when Dirty Pretty Things hit the stage. They even had a small section of the crowd who had obviously travelled across with them (and later they had one stage diver but unfortunately he wasn’t caught – although thankfully the stage isn’t that high in this venue!) The latest band to be adored by the likes of the NME then launched into what can best be described as a very experienced band playing a very energetic set. Their drummer was excellent and their changeovers almost immaculate, while their interaction with the crowd was more than acceptable and on the evidence here tonight DPT are a lot better than Babyshambles, but the stark reality here is the question: where were those exciting songs that are going to be required to help propel them onto becoming the new Clash or The Jam which their press pack implies? 6.5/10

THE IMMEDIATE – This band are appearing because Young Knives couldn’t make it. The Immediate go through their entire set swapping instruments and taking it in turns to sing while spending most of their time on stage resembling novices in search of an identity and most definitely in need of an actual drummer – Not one song stood out (or should I say they all became instantly forgettable) while the final impression was that as a band both musically and image wise they were all over the place! Their only consolation is that they are young and have time to change direction (something that Humanzi who played on Saturday haven't got!) 2/10

THE FUTUREHEADS – They exploded into their set ... very tight, loud, in your face, along with a great response from the crowd. Their set was a mix of their self titled debut album and songs from their forthcoming album (see Latest News section) ... They had about 40 or 50 fans at the front who went berserk throughout their entire gig, including 8 or 9 crowd surfers of which one managed well over a minute on everyone's raised arms. Tonight the star in the band was their drummer who was able to belt out all kinds of different tempos while sat almost rigid throughout the entire gig whilst using only his wrists, hands and the occasional nod of the head. By the end of the gig there were even people dancing on the upstairs balcony and The Futureheads instantly became the act to beat! 8.5/10

WE START FIRES – A real breath of fresh air from this young band from Darlington who came on straight after THE FUTUREHEADS in the upstairs room with a tight, well-rehearsed set of garage punk and pop songs driven along by an impressive rhythm section that consists of a great little speed drummer who reminded me off Craig Gill (inspirals) and a really cool bass player. They maybe lack a bit of experience or confidence with their public interface skills but that is bound to improve over the coming year and most definitely a band to watch out for … as for their image, polka dots and leopard skin printed tops on the same stage don’t really mix girls! 7/10

TINY DANCERS – This band were called up at the last minute as replacements and where late in arriving so ended up playing the last set on the Friday. When they finally sorted themselves out they came on stage but it quickly became apparent that their image was in contrast to their style of music which turned out to be Country & Western influences mixed in with one or more members most likely having over played their Ocean Colour Scene CDs at home! – They are competent at what they do but totally irrelevant in 2006! 4.5/10

saturday...

THE LONG BLONDES – Here was a female dominated band who the NME keep reminding us are "still without a record deal" - and on the evidence of this gig that doesn't really come as a surprise! Ok, musically they were pleasant enough but in this kind of setting that immediately translates into boring. Only one of their songs (with the line "I just want to be your sweetheart") is worth checking out again while the 3rd song they played had a distinct mid 90`s Morrissey jangle thrown in, while on stage the female lead singer ended up spending far too much time turning around to wiggle her arse at the gathered crowd instead of concentrating on her timing and singing! - or maybe that's why some of the music papers are hyping them up?! 5/10

THE CINEMATICS - Although our expectations were high prior to the gig based on the reports we had received about this Scottish band from contacts in the UK and as far away as Munich (where as far as we know they haven't even actually played there yet?), we didn't expect The Cinematics would turn out to be that good that they ended up being one of the best bands who played here over the entire weekend. Powerful songs, a really tight set, cool image, fantastic voice along with a very impressive guitar and mike change at the same time midway through their set when both fell apart. Some say that they sound like Suede, which is partly true and not a bad thing in our opinion, but at the same time we also have a singer who can really sing with fantastic range, while the band came across as a solid unit that any record company will be both proud and excited about. This was a great gig. In fact, thinking about it, if THE FUTUREHEADS hadn't returned to do their second London Calling event then THE CINEMATICS (and contrary to what OOR magazine are implying with their review) would easily have been the best band at the entire event! - We can't recommend them highly enough and a band to keep your eyes out for this coming summer. 7.5/10

HOWLING BELLS – Back in the main hall we then get to see a band with a female singer who according to their press release come from Australia, while her voice is compared to PJ Harvey?! The Australia info may well be true but the voice comparison most definitely isn't! - The Howling Bells in fact have a singer who probably can't sing going on the amount of false notes she came out with and almost zero stage presence going on the amount of time she spent rooted to the spot. When they got to a song with the repeated line "look away" my impression was that a lot of the audience wished that they could but as she had been given a slot on the main stage there was nowhere really else to look! Which was a shame as the rest of the band, especially the bass player, seemed to have a lot of decent ideas. 4/10

HUMANZI - Now I know that its supposed to be all about the music and appearances are only superficial but that is only the case when your songs or music are that strong that people are willing to ignore the fact you are ugly! With Humanzi we have a problem because musically they had nothing new to offer while appearance wise they consisted of a singer who looked like Meatloaf`s younger brother, a balding bass player who the longer the gig went on resembled the singer from 70`s band Mud, and some old bloke with a really bad perm on drums! - If there was a "most comical band of the event" award then Humanzi would win it with ease - They really were that bad! 1.5/10

THE KOOKS - With a new album - Inside In / Inside Out - in the shops now on a major label (Virgin/EMI), good press and a tour budget that most of the other bands here tonight could probably only dream about, The Kooks enter the main stage to flashing blue lights and the dramatic theme tune from the Tarantino produced film "From Dusk Till Dawn". A superb entrance ensured the audience at the front went wild, but sadly that then remained the high point of their gig! The singer didn't have any range, which may have explained why the instruments were given a loud outhouse sound along with a flashing light show? OK, at times they did have some catchy choruses but there was nothing new or anything to really get excited about. It is of course possible, maybe even likely that The Kooks will shift enough albums to keep their record company happy but I think that this will have more to do with the shift in attitude from the buying public on the European mainland who appear to have finally realized that the MTV influenced Americana Rock really is past its sell by date now rather than the fact that bands like The Kooks are unique! And this change in attitude could now help bands like them to obtain more press and eventual sales than those British bands from the mid to late 90`s like Dodgy, The Bluetones or Supergrass, which raises the question: is that a good thing for the future of music?! 6/10


Unfortunately we had to leave straight after The Kooks left the stage, so missed the last main gig of the night by The Mystery Jets. We did however include one of their songs on our Play-list for April. More info on all the artists who appeared at the London Calling event in Amsterdam can be found at: www.londoncalling.nl/

Overall rating: A lot better than last time but still too many non-starters amongst the bands on show to make it a memorable event. The highlights this time around were THE FUTUREHEADS, THE CINEMATICS, WE START FIRES and possibly DIRTY PRETTY THINGS. The rest of who we saw were more or less forgettable. Overall rating: 6.5/10 - AAPA – 6th Nov 2005

LONDON CALLING

Paradiso - Amsterdam: 5 November 2005

This alternative music event which takes place at the Paradiso has been running for over ten years now and gives the Dutch public a chance to go and see new or up and coming (mostly British) bands. As a result this can often be a very much hit and miss affair, for the most part dependent on the vision of both the promoters and agents in being able to predict and then persuade the right kind of bands to appear.
Leading up to this weekends event the press pack proudly boasts that a lot of the new British bands who broke through in Holland at Lowlands this summer had all seen their Dutch debuts at a previous London Calling event, but this kind of statement can be a double edged sword because although guaranteed to attract extra people to this weekends event, it has a huge risk of back-firing should the new crop of bands on show prove to be less impressive or just plain copyists compared to their predecessors. All my previous experiences with London Calling have usually turned out to be a bit of a mixed bag, and over the years have ended up looking at it in a somewhat cynical way.
For a start, the name of the event has always puzzled me, with the title presumably taken from a song by The Clash? But the reality is that the vast majority of British bands don’t come from London and have never been based there. It’s a bit like a certain American thinking that Holland is the capital of Amsterdam! But let’s not worry about that for now, because it’s just gone 8pm on Saturday 5th November and apart from one non-music event worth mentioning (see *), over the next five hours we will be going back and forwards between the main hall and a 2nd room upstairs to give opinions on most of the bands that are on show tonight. #

AMUSEMENT PARKS ON FIRE – The only American sounding band to appear at this event are about to come on stage in the main hall which was filled with people standing or sitting full of anticipation. Their press release implied they were a sensational live band, influenced by The Pixies and Dinosaur Jr. Instead we got a set that was full of extended feedback and guitar solos, while their singer has either got a really bad cold or is purposely trying to sound nasal? This band have obtained their influences from the 90’s but without moving on which makes you ask what’s their point or relevance? About half way during their set gaps started to appear in the crowd. Maybe they should just ditch their name and re-name themselves “The Nasal Drones”? 4/10

GUILLEMOTS – Next up are a band who (if you believe their press release) has been compared to Eels and Arcade Fire. Now every band will have its influences but this lot appear to have excluded subtlety and added a large dose of all the indie bands from the 90's instead. On tonight’s showing Guillemots are a bit like a rich college band that are desperately trying to look cool and have forgotten about songs, in particular melody. For a live performance they have no bite whatsoever, looked dreadful and towards the end of their set it looked like a recent visit to a coffee shop was also starting to kick in. 2.5/10

BATTLE – Back down in the main hall we then get to see Battle, who turn out to be one of the liveliest bands of the night. A very tight rhythm section and up tempo set, who with the exception of their last two songs kept reminding me of The Cure, but as a band they looked like four individuals of which none will ever appeal to the new Goth’s, even if it was a decent performance. 6.5/10

FORWARD RUSSIA! – A cool sounding name for a band but these also quickly disappoint the gathered crowd and unless things changed dramatically then this entire evening was probably going to end up being a waste of time. Forward Russia! had no stage presence and their singer looked like he was a reject from The Darkness. Their female drummer wasn’t that good which may have explained why she’d resorted to wearing a short skirt and no bra in an attempt to divert attention away from her lack of drumming skills? They ended up coming over as a noisy novelty act, especially when you consider that as far as the audience was concerned the highpoint of their set was when one of the bar staff walked through the crowd with about 200 plastic cups stacked on top of each other! 2/10

DOGS – This band consist of four young lads and a 5th member who I thought at first was a roadie left on stage to add some extra guitar! This lot do come from some place in London and while trying to look the part, their dress code gave impression they were real fashion victims. They were here tonight to help promote their new single “Tuned to a Different Station”. Unfortunately by calling themselves DOGS they’ve also left themselves wide open to having their music described as DOG SHITE! 3/10

DUELS – Back up to the 2nd room to see the hotly tipped Duels, who are very much influenced by David Bowie, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing and so far tonight they’re the best band on show. They’re a tight unit with a lot of stage presence and recommended for future listening. 7/10

*At around half past eleven it was time for a bit of fresh air and while stood outside the main entrance we then got to witness some of the Paradiso door staff in action, or rather how two of their staff dealt with a harmless drunken youth who had chosen to simply sit down on the curb next to a vehicle that then turned out to belong to a mate of the door staff. After initial threats to move away were not fully understood by the youth, two of the door staff quickly moved onto violence at which point the owner of the vehicle then thought it was a good time to also jump in and deal out a few shoves and the occasional punch with it now being three against one! The end result being that they chased him away wearing only one shoe, and just when you couldn’t imagine the scenario getting any more pointless, the smallest doorman (he was no taller than 1.70m) decided it was then really big and clever to pick up the discarded youth’s shoe and then throw it across the other side of the road? – Now I know that door staff can have a difficult job but this was just unnecessary and very cowardly behaviour.

CLOR - As it approaches midnight, we return to see the last band to play in the main hall. Their set was very tight and goes down really well with the audience. They have an excellent rhythm section, with some of their keyboard sounds turning very glam rock at times and in parts even resembling Goldfrapp. On tonight’s performance it was maybe a shame that the singer and keyboard player never bothered to dress for the occasion. They currently have a self-titled album out and just like previous band Duels are also recommended for future listening. 7/10

TEST ICICLES – There had been a lot of hype about this band prior to this event so it didn’t come as any real surprise that they became the first band of the night not to be ready when they were due on stage. But with at least 40 minutes since the last band had vacated the stage in the upstairs room there shouldn’t have been any excuses or delays for a band that didn’t even have a drum kit? Then it slowly began to annoy the audience that once on stage they continued to mess around for another 15 minutes before they were ready and it wasn’t long before their front man was then whining that his monitors were not working properly. They were rapidly coming across as a bunch of amateur spoilt brats, to whom the hype was no longer justified. When they did finally get into their set they then seemed to think they were the new Prodigy without the songs to back it up with and it wasn’t long before they were losing their audience. This wasn’t so much hype but “over hype”. 4.5/10

Unfortunately we had to leave just after 1am to catch our last train out of Amsterdam so we missed Chikinki & The Infadels who will have played their sets after we left. If you would like further info on these 2 bands then please go to: www.chikinki.co.uk or www.infadels.co.uk

FIELD MUSIC – We also just missed this set at the very start of the evening by this much-touted band from Sunderland, but reports from people who did see them were all positive. They currently have a new single/EP out called If Only The Moon Were Up. For more info go to: www.memphis-industries.com

# Please note that the LONDON CALLING event is usually on two consecutive nights, but we didn’t attend on Friday 4th November, which saw gigs by The Zutons, Brakes, White Rose Movement, Kid Carpet, The Race and Queen Adreena. There should have also been an appearance by Manchester band Alfie but apparently they pulled out at the last minute.

The Paradiso press pack for this London Calling event can be found at: www.londoncalling.nl/

So, another event has now drawn to a close and some of the bands who’ve played here will have attracted some new fans, but the simple fact and harsh reality is that the majority of bands who’ve ever appeared at a London Calling event over the years have usually ended up never actually doing anything worthwhile afterwards, which unfortunately once again questions the selection process used by the promoters when planning this event which surely with more time and effort could be so much more than just a over hyped showcase for mainly average at best bands. Overall rating: 5/10 - TerryA – 6th Nov 2005







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