ARE YOU SURE WHAT SIDE OF THE GLASS YOU ARE ON?

It's been over five years since I started this thing. Fucking hell. When I go back and read my early posts - well, first I laugh my ass off because the shit Brigid and I got into on 13th street was ridic - but I also kinda cringe. I mean, forget the writing. Totally get why people hated Sarah and me for existing. But like, how did we DO it all? It seems like there was a party or a gig every night. And if there wasn't one, we pretended. It was amazing, and I often find myself longing for those days when I walk through the East Village. Walk past where the Hole used to be. Walk past where Lit still is (albeit filled with unfamiliars). Alt.Coffee, once a hangout for cracked out kids without home internet and um, Carlos D, is now some sort of green living space. These are signs of an apocalypse - but not one as dire as you may think.

The fact is, the scene of five years ago has aged. When it started, we were all fresh out of college. May be stating the obvious here - but it is a hell of a lot easier to party when you're fresh out of college. We're older now. Somewhat wiser. Definitely more jaded. Not only is it a fact of social life, it's a fact of working in the music business. When you see so many bands hint at greatness, only to fade away like smoke - it's easy to become a cynic. And cynicism doesn't lend itself to blogging. Which I suppose is why I let this shit lie for two years. I've been so uninspired. But now I'm trying to fix that. And remedy my boredom with writing.

Things on the music landscape are still pretty crap. Well, actually, let me restate. There are few NEW bands impressing me these days. However, there are a couple that I've actually found listenable.

The first, HAUNTS, is a major grower. In fact, I fucking hated them when my friend Ian first played it for me. He gave me a few tracks and told me that Haunts are what the Horrors should sound like. You see, I love the Horrors. I would never try to convince you that their music is for everyone, but their combination of style, sound and attitude makes them one of the better groups out there. (Please read and digest what I'm saying here before attacking with the "their songs suck" responses). You see, Ian loves the Horrors' style. But hates their sound. And when he discovered Haunts, he decided they were the aural manifestation of Jack the Ripper style London - the perfect soundtrack to Shoreditch (which yes, is somewhat cringeworthy at base level). In his mind, that's what the Horrors should've been (I disagree of course, The Horrors are a fucking modern garage-psych-punk band, but whatevs, you can't argue with him). So, I took some time to digest Haunts' songs, and eventually found them creeping into my consciousness - more often than expected. Then I went on the road with Lostprophets and got the chance to see Haunts in action (they supported). The crowd before them was incredibly hostile - they were there for Lostprophets and didn't give two shits about Haunts. But the guys sounded great. And as far as style goes - I came very, VERY close to ripping the singer's patent leather Doc boots off him (literally. I pretty much accosted him in the production office). Haunts are sleek and dark - and if you can get past the Peter Murphy rip-off vocal style (which I obvs can, seeing as Interpol are one of my favorite bands evs), I think they might very well become a nightlife soundtrack of choice.

HAUNTS VIDEO



The other new record that I've been obsessing over is Ladyhawke. But see, she represents precisely what's put me off the music business, the blog scene, etc. Her record RULES. And I generally HATE chick singers, but she's an amalgam of every great chick singer that ever was - Stevie Nicks, Pat Benatar, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes, Lita Ford (who is apparently trying to make a comeback now - someone needs to hook her up with a Ladyhawke duet pronto). But the thing is - by all accounts, Ladyhawke is terrible live. And when I say all accounts - I'm not just talking press. We all know how grumpy and glib music journalists can be (more on that in a future post, I promise). I'm talking friends who have toured with her. Shit like that. She's too shy and unpolished in person - which, IMHO, is clearly a product of the hype machine. Artists aren't given time to cultivate and perfect their craft anymore, which is a real shame, because unless someone's the whole package (again, said package being talent, sound, style, and attitude) - no one cares beyond album #1. So anyway, listen to the Ladyhawke record, and pray for her that she ups her live game so we can actually declare ourselves fans.

LADYHAWKE VIDEO




That's all I'll say for now. I actually have plenty more on my mind, but this post is getting too long and in the spirit of true blogging, I'll tailor it to our collective low attention span. That said, stay tuned, cuz I'm back y'all.