Florence And The Machine - Live Roundhouse (2009)

Florence And The Machine - Live Roundhouse (2009)

I am not sure I even know what Electric Proms is, but I am sure my friends in the UK can enlighten me. I am guessing it's something like the Black Sessions or the Peel sessions, a chance for a new artist to show their wares and to demonstrate how well they rock. This Florence And The Machine bootleg is straight from the Electric Proms, recorded at the famed Roundhouse Studio Theater in jolly old London, England on 10/22/09. It is from a radio broadcast, so the clarity and songs are straight clean. The set includes my favorites "My Boy Builds Coffins" and "Dog Days Are Over" both of which are polished songs from some very cool demos (posted here a while back). I used to love Florence And The Machine, back when they were new and un-nurtured. I guess I am trying to say that they WERE original and less dance-y and more alternative rock. I guess the demos had more of the artist and less or the producer in them. My early favorites for sure. I know the band is coming in April to SF, so there may be a chance to go see them at The Mezzanine, along with all the other fashion/art students and the goth hangovers. Lastly, it is important to weed through these songs and find your favorite. I would dump the Daft Punk inspired songs and look for the ones that remind you of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs. You crazy Brits!

Florence And The Machine - Live Roundhouse (2009)

01 - Between Two Lungs
02 - My Boy Builds Coffins
03 - Drumming Song
04 - Hurricane Drunk
05 - Cosmic Love
06 - If I Had A Heart
07 - I'm Not Calling You A Liar
08 - Dog Days Are Over
09 - Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
10 - You've Got The Love

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Girls - Black Session #304 (2009)

Girls - Black Session #304 (2009)

Respect to the bands coming out of San Francisco that are really laying on that hip beach vibe - 60's wall-of-sound thing. Bands like Girls, who have managed to hit the indie web hard with their "Lust For Life" single and some solid garage rock almost spiritually inspiredby Brian Wilson. I know they have the Pitchfork audience and maybe made some change off the unrated videos, but these guys have managed to capture and revive a sound that was almost lost to all of our ears. This famous Paris "Black Session" is factually number #304 and recorded in the famed Studio 105 at the Maison De La Radio. Recorded 10/5/09 for radio broadcast, these selection of songs from Girls only album are performed loose and rustic. Including my favorite - "True Love Will Find You In The End" (Daniel Johnston) and "Morning Light" two tracks worthy of this France recording. The original recorder also included the banter and interview clips as part of the overall experience. This helps to give us some context as well as deliver a smattering of Girls related sonic sounds. Excellent sound quality from a band on the rise. We shall see what the latest EP holds, if the road influences their sound or if they mix it up and deliver another jangly indie pop record. Can't wait...

Girls - Black Session #304 (2009)

01 – Intro

02 – Lust For Life

03 – Banter

04 – Laura

05 – Banter

06 – Ghost Mouth

07 – Banter

08 – God Damned

09 – Banter

10 – Headache

11 – Banter

12 – Big Bad Mean Motherfucker

13 – Banter

14 – Solitare

15 – Banter

16 – Substance

17 – Banter

18 – Summertime

19 – Darling

20 – Banter

21 – Hellhole Ratrace

22 – Morning Light

23 – Banter

24 – Lysandre

25 – Banter

26 – Allright

27 – True Love Will Find You In The End

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McCrank's Juke - Best of SXSW (2010)

McCrank's Juke - Best of SXSW (2010)

What can I say - the final moments of SXSW are almost a week and older. The Austin sponsored party has brought us the token and over-polluted sounds of Broken Bells as well as the crisp and new indie sounds from some of the younger and wiser bands, like Best Coast, Shivaree, and Codeine Velvet Club. You probably got your fill of the hyped up major industry bands and maybe even snuck in to see some of the legends as they graced the various venues on 6th street. Patti Smith and elder rockers like Billy Bragg added some legitimate moments and other bands like The XX capitalized on the scene and the heavy media-ocrasy. I myself tried to steer away from the heavy-hitters and only managed to attact a few of the below musicians. They seemed to be putting it all out on the venue floor and perhaps even creating their own scene and sounds. I must admit, as a child of the 90's I had to take in the Hole concert/explosion which was probably about as mammoth as I could get. With the beers and BBQ flowing this year's fest was almost as good as the last. They seem to be building and shaping this festival to be more dynamic with web, movies, music, interactive. It was an amazing explosion of talent and tastes. As for the Best of SXSW 2010, the below bands are my picks. They managed to distract me and amuse my ears completely. I was starstruck. Honorable mentions go to: Washed Out + Small Black, Jakob Dylan + Neko Case, The Besnard Lakes, and Japandroids. Therefore, here are my picks for The Best of SXSW 2010:

McCrank's Juke - Best of SXSW (2010)
01. Hollywood - Codeine Velvet Club
02. When I'm With You - Best Coast
03. Sleepover - Pomegranates
04. Promises - The Morning Benders
05. Got Friends - The Jealous Sound
06. Floating Vibes - Surfer Blood
07. My Heart Belongs To You - Shivaree
08. Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt - We Are Scientists
09. Lay Down In The Tall Grass - Timber Timbre
10. Sympathy for the Devil / Skinny Little Bitch - Hole

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Echo & The Bunnymen - Evergreen Demos (1997)

Echo & The Bunnymen - Evergreen Demos (1997)

These are the demos from the sessions which created the Echo & The Bunnymen's 'comeback' album from the '90s. The working titles of the tracks appear here and would be the basis for the hits "Nothing Lasts Forever" and "Don't Let It Get You Down". I had always heard about this bootleg in circulation, but I hadn't experienced much difference between the demos and the final cut songs off the "Evergreen" album. To me they were virtually the same and to my ear there was no difference between tracks. Well that must have been because I only had a rough cut or third generation of this boot. This version is clear and contains studio mp3@256 which is fantastic! The original demos even sound rough and more Electrafixion and less Echo & the Whineymen (Sorry The Fountain, is like that). I especially like the demos for "Crystal Ship" which happens to be "Empire State Halo", Antelope, and "I Will Fly Tonight". They all sound better here to me than on the finished album. This download is the best one this year. Superior quality, rough never before heard takes, and virtually none of the production - that usually kills an albums rough spirit. I wouldencourage you to download this and maybe send a special thank you to the T.U.B.E website - where it was originally offered. Many thanks!

Echo & The Bunnymen - Evergreen Demos (1997)

01 Antelope

02 Baseball Bill

03 Burt (I Want To Be There)

04 Crystal Ship (Empire State Halo)

05 Don't Let It Get You Down

06 Evergreen

07 I'll Fly Tonight (instrumental)

08 Never, Never, Never (Nothing Ever Lasts Forever)

09 Polly (instrumental)

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Siouxsie and the Banshees - Demos and Outtakes (1977 - 1981)

One of my current favorite bands is the ever classic Siouxsie and the Banshees. They were upstarts in the blooming British punk rock scene, behind the Sex Pistols and other jam bands from the late 70's and early 80's. The band quickly evolved to create "a form of post-punk discord full of daring rhythmic and sonic experimentation." The Times cited Siouxsie and the Banshees as "one of the most audacious and uncompromising musical adventurers of the post-punk era." I couldn't agree more, as they've managed to stay relevant, much like a great novel or Romantic master's painting. Now if only the record company could give us fans what we want (no not even those tacky $10 CDS). More demos, unreleased masters, B-sides, forgotten singles and remixes. In other words, everything Siouxsie. Well, we can't keep waiting, especially in this economy of downsizing. They won't even release the recent albums re-mastered??? Can you believe that? Well wait no more. This bootleg is a demos and outtakes session, full of singles in their rawest form. You get "Spellbound" and "Israel" and other rare singles and demos that will make you harken back to your goth early years. If you love some of the latest Cold Cave or The XX sounds, then this is the seed that got them here. Includes great takes on "Love In A Void" and "Psycho" - some singles that spark and deliver the new wave/punk/goth sounds. These demos may not be as solid as the recently released Peel Sessions, but the do deliver more rare Banshees. The outtakes cover the period from 1977 - 1981, but perhaps via the title you'd already gathered that. enjoy these rare tracks. Let me know your favorites...

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Demos and Outtakes (1977 - 1981)

01. Captain Scarlet

02. Scraphead

03. Psycho

04. 20th Century Boy

05. Love in a Void

06. Israel

07. Spellbound

08. Arabian Nights

09. Into the Night

10. Monitor

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Echo & The Bunnymen - Live Glastonbury (1985)

I love Echo & The Bunnymen. Probably one of the only 80's bands with balls. Never content with reaching mainstream and always doing what they want, not what others lump on them or demand. They're rock n' roll and not all pomp and circumstance like the other bad-boy hair bands from that era. Simon Le Bon are you listening? I know they take a lot of flack for not measuring up to U2 or Simple Minds, but they've managed to do it their way. This year we should see lead singer Ian Mcculloch's biography, which should shine a light on the early days and thoughts of the band as they dabbled in the alternative rock universe. If you are a huge Echo & The Bunnymen fan like myself and Black Francis (yes, I said it) then you'll know that this Glastonbury set is a rare and solid Bunnymen bootleg. It features rough demos like "Satellite" and "All In Your Mind" from the future release, 1987 self titled album (the grey one), as well as Scandinavia tour covers like Bob Dylan's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" and the Rolling Stone's "Paint It, Black". Recorded live at the famous Glastonbury CND Festival 6/23/85 in the UK. This is a better show than the 1987 appearance, more stripped, raw and full of that youthful angst they've seemed to lose in the later half of 2009. Now if you're one of the kids and you've not taken in all things Bunnymen - this might be a solid live bootleg to start with. If you're a collector, then add it to your stash - as these thigns don't last forever. ;-0 I wish they'd go back and add some of these hits to their tour stop at San Francisco's Fillmore in March. Now that would be a worthy bootleg!

Echo & The Bunnymen - Live Glastonbury (1985)
01 She Cracked
02 The Back Of Love
03 Heads Will Roll
04 My Kingdom
05 Crocodiles
06 Friction
07 Rescue
08 Angels And Devils
09 The Killing Moon
10 The Cutter
11 Satellite
12 All That Jazz
13 It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
14 Villiers Terrace
15 All In Your Mind
16 Heaven Up Here
17 Thorn Of Crowns
18 Paint It, Black
19 Do It Clean
20 Soul Kitchen

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David Byrne: Unplugged - Live San Francisco (1992)

David Byrne: Unplugged - Live San Francisco (1992)

David Byrne is about as far away from a Leprechaun as possible, so it is rare that he should be featured on McCrank's Juke this fine St. Patrick's Day. Perhaps it is the green beer or maybe solo David Byrne just goes really well with Corned Beef. Now I know he's not Irish, heck he's even Scottish, but it hits home with this green beer and the bar food I am inhaling now. Come to think of it, I just read that David is working with St. Vincent's Annie Clark so perhaps now is the time to pop this post off, while Byrne is getting some news worthy traffic. You don't mind do you David? This bootleg is a Paddy's day gift, featuring a ton of solo material unplugged and in a live vibe! Recorded live in beautiful San Francisco, California, USA on December 13, 1992, this show delivers a quality soundboard at 320 kbps. Also of note, tracks 1-10 recorded December 13, 1992 San Francisco, CA and other tracks, 11-21 listed as Live on Tour 1992. So in essence a mish-mash of cabbage and corned beef. The quality is in the music. My favorites are of course the covers (both Prince and Neil Young) and nods to his past - via the Talking Heads "Psycho Killer". Now after bumping this bootleg, don't you think Byrne goes well with St. Paddy's, a bike rack, and some green beers?

David Byrne: Unplugged - Live San Francisco (1992)
01. Cowboy Mambo (Hey Look At Me Now)
02. (Nothing But) Flowers
03. Naked
04. The Future (Prince cover)
05. Gypsy Woman (Crystal Waters cover)
06. Girls On My Mind
07. Wall Of Death (Richard Thompson cover)
08. Road To Nowhere
09. Rockin' In The Free World (Neil Young cover)
10. Psycho Killer
11. Something Ain't Right
12. Man Without Name
13. Greenback Dollar
14. A Walk In The Dark
15. Girls On My Mind
16. Tiny Town
17. Dirty Old Town
18. Last Night
19. (Nothing But) Flowers
20. Naked
21. Dallas (10.000 maniacs 'MTV-Unplugged' session)

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The Cure - Imaginary Songs (1980)

The Cure - Imaginary Songs (1980)

Sometimes it is hard to replace quality, passionate, and alternative - qualities bands like The Cure emulate. I mean Cold Cave, Atlas Sound and others are giving it their best shot, but sometimes grandpa's music reigns out. The Cure for instance, continue to tour, crank out killer albums (yes 4:13 Dream and Bloodflowers, come to mind) and inspire a generation of musicians. The band can be found at the massive festivals and in turn playing the smallest arenas. Always milking and changing their sound and band members, Robert Smith is delivering quality Cure records and some amazing re-issues from Three Imaginary Boys and upwards. The quality bootleg below is one of the most inspired and well-liked bootlegs in circulation from The Cure. The June 28, 1980 'Zomerpop '80 Festival' recorded live from the Veenendaal, Netherlands - has come to be known as "Imaginary Songs" a reference to the Cure hit "Three Imaginary Boys" from The Cure's debut album, released in May 1979. The bootleg is amazing featuring "A Forest to Forever" as the closing encore songs. The band has yet to splinter at this point in June of 1980 and the 80's new wave has paved their way from punk to their new alternative sound. They jump out of the gate with "10:15 Saturday Night" and some other hits to entice the audience. A truly amazing concert experience, if you haven't yet been. Gaze now, back to the year 1980 to hear them at their most inspired and early-best.

The Cure - Imaginary Songs (1980)
01. Three Imaginary Boys
02. Fire In Cairo
03. In Your House
04. 10:15 Saturday Night
05. At Night
06. Jumping On Someone Else's Train

07. Another Journey By Train
08. M
09. Grinding Halt
10. A Forest, Forever

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McCrank's Juke - March Mix (2010)

McCrank's Juke - March Mix (2010)

It's that time - where I drop my mix tape for the month of March. The McCrank's Juke line-up this month features a comeback, a couple of new bands, and a smattering of oldies to help tide you over till April. I really like the new stuff coming out from The National - that I am hearing on Jimmy Fallon, Twitter, and on Pitchfork. The sounds are legendary, making the last two albums look like warm-ups. Are these guys on the U2 / Coldplay train? Additionally new sounds from rap superstars and underground virtuosos - Diamond District lead off this set. I really like these guys and expect them to "massify" in 2010. I suspect that because they don't run with the likes of Ludacris or Jay Z - that they may still be legit and up germinating. Additionally, I have thrown in a 1984 rare B-side from original ska rockers General Public and a nod to The Smiths from Courtney Love and Hole. No ones said this blog would be easy, make sense, or evenbe coherent. The music mix collects the pieces and helps you to visualize some terrific musical textures. Rife with covers this list also, seems to capture the early half of March, with singles delivered from Fanfarlo, Wooden Shjips, and a killer video from Auf der Maur. The Areola Treat is an up and comer, with some strange vocals and killer pimp hooks. I suggest you go out, click the links, experiment with the sounds. You'll find something you like - I assure you!

McCrank's Juke - March Mix (2010)

01. Street's Won't Let Me Chill - Diamond District

02. Dishwasher (1984) - General Public

03. Out Of our Minds - Melissa Auf der Maur

04. Loos Lips - Wooden Shjips

05. Luna - Fanfarlo
06. Suffer Little Children (The Smiths Cover) - Hole

07. Roy Orbison Covers - Nina Diaz (Girl In A Coma)

08. The Daily Mail - Thom Yorke

09. Whole New Way - The Horrors

10. 100 Silhouettes - The Areola Treat

11. Vanderlylle Cry Baby - The National

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Prince - Live Yokohama, Japan (1986)

Prince - Live Yokohama, Japan (1986)

This is a very fine bootleg, in the sense that it captures the last time that Prince performed live with his backing band The Revolution. It is also the final concert from the Parade tour on September 9, 1986. The concert is a staggering 53:16 / 56:41for each disk and it is the absolute very last Prince and the Revolution concert ever! Recorded live at the Stadium, Yokohama the sound quality is surprisingly impressive, and is the best of the four 1986 Japanese shows in circulation. The show was held in a 50,000 stadium, yet the quality of the recording has a rather intimate feel. The show highlights include a very lengthy piano segment with rare performances of 'Do U Lie?', 'The Ladder' and 'Condition Of The Heart'. 'Sometimes It Snows In April' is also given an airing, and ends on a rather emotional note with Prince thanking Wendy & Lisa. The closing 'Purple Rain' is extremely lengthy, and the show ends leaving a lump in your throat knowing that this is the last ever time The Revolution would perform together as a band.

DISC 1

01. AROUND THE WORLD IN A DAY

02. CHRISTOPHER TRACY'S PARADE

03. NEW POSITION

04. I WONDER U

05. RASPBERRY BERET

06. DELIRIOUS

07. IT'S GONNA BE A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT (CHANT)

08. CONTROVERSY

09. A LOVE BIZARRE (W/ SHEILA E)

10. DO ME, BABY

11. HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW - LADY CAB DRIVER

12. AUTOMATIC

13. D.M.S.R.

14. WHEN DOVES CRY

15. LITTLE RED CORVETTE

16. DO U LIE?

17. THE LADDER

18. CONDITION OF THE HEART

19. UNDER THE CHERRY MOON

20. ANOTHERLOVERHOLENYOHEAD

DISC 2

01. LOVE OR $

02. HEAD

03. POP LIFE

04. GIRLS & BOYS

05. LIFE CAN BE SO NICE

06. 1999

07. AMERICA

08. KISS

09. SOMETIMES IT SNOWS IN APRIL

10. PURPLE RAIN

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Jane's Addiction - Live Norway (2003)

Jane's Addiction - Live Norway (2003)

I like to think that I am a good natured Jane's Addiction fan. I saw them recently on the Nine Inch Nails tour with original bassist Eric Avery (who after shows last week in Australia, has officially left the band) and they threw down some thunderous rock. It reminded me of their early LA shows and residencies. I have since learned that they've added Duff McKagan, who played in Velvet Revolver and was formerly in Guns N' Roses as their new bassist of choice. I guess Flea was too busy with his Thom Yorke project and Chris Chaney couldn't crawl out of the hole that would be the former "Strays" album. Either way, I am sad to see Avery go, but glad that I locked in a show for the tour. The show I have provided below, isn't from thqat tour, but rather from the 2003 Strays era. It includes a Pink Floyd cover and some of the rare tunes from the last album. I guess I am just anticipating some great things from them this year in regards to new music. (Please say it isn't like Satellite Party). I present to you the live Jane's Addiction show, recorded in Norway in 2003 to promote the Strays album and before their last break-up (of which there's been too many).

Jane's Addiction - Live Norway (2003)

01. Up The Beach

02. Stop

03. Ain't No Right

04. True Nature

05. Been Caught Stealing

06. Three Days(Fades Out)

07. Just Because

08. Strays

09. The Riches

10. Ocean Size

11. In The Flesh (Pink Floyd Cover)

12. Mountain Song

13. Leve Blitz

14. Jane Says

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Carbon/Silicon - Live The Islington Academy (2010)

Carbon/Silicon - Live The Islington Academy (2010)

Like they do in Midnight Cowboy, I was cruising the old Carbon/Silicon forum and stumbled upon a nice, rare live show from Mick and the boys. This short, but very sweet four track set from Mick Jones, Leo and Tony James features guest drummer Rusty Egan and is from their recent show supporting Rich Kids, last month. Recorded live at the Islington Academy on January 7, 2010 this show was a benefit for guitarist Steve New, who is suffering of an illness. In addition it allowed some very old friends to get together and jam. The set here, is a greatest hits four set, by Carbon/Silicon, many of the tracks from the first official release. (The newer tracks seem a bit less hip and too rushed-off). The songs are performed with fun energy, making the concert highlight, the magnificent performance of "The News". An awesome "Why Do Men Fight?" also deserves a mention – a good old rambling epic – like the old Carbon Silicon days.

Carbon/Silicon - Live The Islington Academy (2010)

01. Global War on Culture

02. The News

03. Why Do Men Fight?

04. What The F*ck

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The XX - Live Paris (Black Session #306 - 2009)

I am a huge fan of The XX, from August 2009 via their appearances and huge raves from Pitchfork and Stereogum. This three-piece band from Wandsworth, UK are an eclectic mix of new-wavers, art-studio geeks, dream poppers, and raw teen musicians. Their sound has already captured many ears and they seem to be this year's Moby - selling songs to commercialize and spread their electro-indie sound. The XX, blew up my ipod, until I heard several members have left the band and tours had been re-scheduled. I kind of lost track of them after that, when they contiued to simmer and blow-up. This Paris Black Session, recorded in 2009, is an example of the overworked and sensational band - hitting the Big Country, Joy Division meets Daft Punk button. Recorded on 10/26/09 at the famed Studio 105 in Paris, France - the band make ample opportunity to display their hit singles "Crystalized" and "Heart Skipped A Beat". I think this band has a huge upside and possibly the ability to make more than one stormy and alarming album - that will hit the Pitchfork and music bloggers of the world in the nutsack. Fade to black...

The XX - Live Paris (Black Session #306 - 2009)
01. Intro
02. Crystalised
03. VCR
04. Islands
05. Heart Skipped A Beat
06. Fantasy
07. Shelter
08. Basic Space
09. Teardrops
10. Infinity
11. Night Time
12. Stars

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