IT IS ALL HALLOW’S EVE!
On the night that HE came home, Audio Antihero present a special Halloween mix that is bound in human flesh and inked in human blood. One could say that our mix’s are always ghastly…but this time it’s intentional.
A selection of my favourite goresome songs with a few snappy lines snuck in too.
Playlist:
What are you are about to see…
Fabio Frizzi – Theme from Zombie Flesh Eaters
The Misfits – Horror Business
Rob Zombie – Dragula
Benjamin Shaw – Chocolate Girl (Demo)
Bodily Dismemberment...
Dillinger Escape Plan with Mike Patton – Come To Daddy
May we hear our song...?
Vincent Price – The Monster Mash *
Iron Maiden – Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter
Tom Waits – Poor Edward
Superman Revenge Squad – Yeah This House Is Haunted
YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT DEATH IS / A constructive criticism from Donald Pleasence
Dr Dre feat. Hittman & Ms. Roq – Murder Ink
Fantomas – Spider Baby
The Alan Parsons Project – The Cask Of Amontillado
Comus – Song From Comus
DEAD:HELL RATIO - An observation from Ken Foree…
AFI – Fall Children
Mark Fry – The Witch
Alkaline Trio – Halloween
Joseph LoDuca – Dawn / Incantation (from ‘The Evil Dead’ the ultimate experience in gruelling terror)
The end?
Grudgingly omitted:
The Fiends –Demonomania
The one night superground (members of the excellent Rif Mountain stable) covering Misfits classics and making them sound as demonic as they deserve. It missed out purely because I couldn’t find the bugger.
The Ramones – Pet Semetary
Rockin’ arse song from a scary arse film.
Paul Hawkins & The Awkward Silences – My Darling Frankstein
A nice b-side from Mr ‘I hate myself but I want you to die’ himself. I simply found it too late. I advise people give Shakin’ Hawkins a listen though.
Cradle Of Filth –anything from ‘Midian’
This album is actually a classic. I’m sorry but it is. Not so much of a classic that I didn’t totally forget about it until I’d finished the mix though.
Extradition Order – Islington Creeper
I forever debate whether that opening line is ‘I kill ladies at the weekend’ or ‘I drink baileys’. Sadly I’d already played this ‘jam’. Corker though.
Nosferatu D2 – anything
I thought I could justify them on the name but none of their songs are particularly horrific. You should still buy their album and t-shirt though. I included some Superman Revenge Squad at least, to keep the Parker demon happy.
Lovage – Archie & Veronica
It would have been wrong to feature the same vocalist three times (I love you Mike Patton). This IS about necrophilia though. ‘You lie on your cold slab feeling my warm stab’. Hell yes.
Akimbo – Great While Bull
As much as they scare me, there is nothing ‘Halloween’ about Sharks. But lord this album is terrifying.
I was also sad about letting songs about demons and killing people from Nick Cave, Mudhoney, Kyuss & The Melvins go to waste. ARGH! And I should have used ‘Dirty Frank’ by Pearl Jam. I’m a fool.
*Idea stolen from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6wDsmSbuUw (it's ripped from vinyl and the vinyl jumped...sorry)
Be careful kiddies, all this superstition didn't come from nothing!
This mix is dedicated to my dear mother Rosemary...
Till we meet again,
Jamie - Audio Antihero: Spookiest in Commercial Suicide
www.audioantihero.com
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Sunday, 24 October 2010
Audio Antihero's "Never Say DIY!" Radio Vol.13!
The snitch is snack. Hello.
Following up our "Birthday Mix" which had EVERYONE talking is Audio Antihero's "Never Say DIY! Radio" Vol.13. Which I'm positive you won't be able to shut up about either. 13 is our lucky number after all.
A desperate reminder that you can now get our albums physically and digitally off sites like Amazon, Play, eMusic, iTunes, etc. Benjamin Shaw's EP (whose song '12,000 Sentinels' features here) is £1.79 inexplicably. Links & Info: http://onlineantihero.blogspot.com/2010/10/benjamin-shaw-nosferatu-d2-digital.html
Playlist:
Sonic Youth - Pink Steam
For a band who's been going a jillion years, it's quite odd for them to make (what I consider) their best album twenty five years in but Sonic Youth aren't particularly typical. Possibly the standout song from 2006's "Rather Ripped" and evidence why Thurston Moore & Lee Ranaldo might be the best guitar duo on the planet.
Shield Your Eyes - Reading Right Into Words You Took No Time To Say
Shield Your Eyes - Reading Right Into Words You Took No Time To Say
I've been meaning to sneak some Shield Your Eyes in for quite awhile and now they've got a new studio album coming out on Monday there's no better time. At the time of recording this Toby Hayes (Meet Me In St Louis, Shoes & Socks Off and Amateurs) was on bass. Vocalist/Guitarist Stef also performs solo blues as Guns Or Knives. The title to this song makes me sad and reflective.
Esther Phillips - Home Is Where The Hatred Is
Esther Phillips is a lady I actually know very little about but I came across her on a compilation during my very short lived fascination with 'Blaxploitation' cinema. This has got to be one of the finest vocal performances I've ever heard, serious pathos. She sure paints a picture.
Tall Ships - Chemistry
Tall Ships (from Falmouth) are pretty bright hopes for this despicable country of mine. I've seen them supporting Danananananakyroyd and Minus The Bear and on both occasions they've very much held their own. They combine that technicality ability stuff that generally means nothing with a lot of heart and subtly. Hopefully the new EP (out now on Big Scary Monsters) will hold up as well as the first.
Troy Von Balthazar - Magnified
'Soon it will be too late, we won't be young together' (sniff). Also, sorry Troy, I mean no disrespect by smothering you in Benjamin Shaw's fuzz. Chokebore rock too.
Benjamin Shaw - 12,000 Sentinels
Another fuzzing beast from Ben's "I Got the Pox, the Pox is What I Got" EP (which I should say scored a mighty 9/10 from The 405 this week. Ba-Bang). Some people compare this to a sea shanty...I'll let them have that. You can own this and 5 and a 1/2 other classics by following this link: CD & MP3.
Neil Young - Are You Passionate?
The gorgeous title track from Mr Young's 60000th album. Despite the pretty bad rep it has, it's one I had to give a go. As a teen I was a very big fan of Booker T & The M.G.'s "Soul Dressing" album (and later life has delivered "Green Onions" etc) so I was pretty excited that Neil was going to use them as his backing band (I was similarly excited about him using Pearl Jam on the awesome "Mirrorball"). The album isn't perfect and soul isn't necessarily a style that comes most naturally to him but it works enough and this is a beauty.
My Ruin - Miss Ann Thrope
Cor! This is the probably the best and worst song I'll ever play in these mixes. This was a compilation favourite when I was (much) younger and I still have a lot of affection for it. It's just...brutal...and very very rude. I love the fact that Tairrie B used to be a rapper on Eazy E's label. It also features Jessicka from Jack Off Jill. But that's another shameful story.
Broken Shoulder - Stille Nacht
Some solo work from Neil of the mighty Fighting Kites. Apparently the instrument in question is a Khaen, which is Vietnamese. It makes me feel clean.
That's all folks.
Tell your mothers and sisters that I miss them dearly,
Jamie - Audio Antihero: Sleaziest in Commercial Suicide
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Benjamin Shaw & Nosferatu D2 digital releases - AVAILABLE NOW
Yo Cashcows,
Here's another opportunity to give us some money. Nosferatu D2 & Benjamin Shaw's records are now available digitally.
Buy Benjamin Shaw’s “I Got the Pox, the Pox is what I Got” EP digitally from:
HMV (£1.79): http://www.hmvdigital.com/artist/benjamin-shaw/i-got-the-pox-the-pox-is-what-i-got
7Digital (£1.79): http://www.7digital.com/artists/benjamin-shaw/i-got-the-pox-the-pox-is-what-i-got/
iTunes (£2.49): http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/i-got-pox-pox-is-what-i-got/id394932234
eMusic: http://www.emusic.com/album/Benjamin-Shaw-I-Got-the-Pox-the-Pox-Is-What-I-Got-MP3-Download/12163386.html
People have said this about Benjamin Shaw and his fuzzy EP:
He also has two very attractive music videos in which he kills people:
Nosferatu D2's "We're Gonna Walk Around This City With Our Headphones On To Block Out The Noise" available digitally:
What people have said about Nosferatu D2 and their album:
Plus the CDs are available via Play and Amazon: http://onlineantihero.blogspot.com/2010/10/nosferatu-d2-benjamin-shaw-cds.html
And forevermore the records and T-shirts are still available from our webshop: http://audioantihero.com/Shop.htm - T-shirts are now in pretty limited quantities.
Spread the word and make us rich men.
Never Say DIY!
Jamie - Audio Antihero: It's our birthday and we'll DIY if we want to.
www.audioantihero.com
Here's another opportunity to give us some money. Nosferatu D2 & Benjamin Shaw's records are now available digitally.
Buy Benjamin Shaw’s “I Got the Pox, the Pox is what I Got” EP digitally from:
HMV (£1.79): http://www.hmvdigital.com/artist/benjamin-shaw/i-got-the-pox-the-pox-is-what-i-got
7Digital (£1.79): http://www.7digital.com/artists/benjamin-shaw/i-got-the-pox-the-pox-is-what-i-got/
iTunes (£2.49): http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/i-got-pox-pox-is-what-i-got/id394932234
eMusic: http://www.emusic.com/album/Benjamin-Shaw-I-Got-the-Pox-the-Pox-Is-What-I-Got-MP3-Download/12163386.html
People have said this about Benjamin Shaw and his fuzzy EP:
"Quite beautiful." - Subba Cultcha
“Benjamin’s songs come across as modern urban fairytales. Like wolves in grandma’s clothing – TLOBF RECOMMENDED.” – The Line Of Best Fit
"Fastidiously DIY in sound...A ‘name’ for 2010." - God is in The TV
"Underground notoriety beckons - 8/10." - Rock Pulse
“Up there with the best of this year...on the 'to watch' list for 2010 - 8/10." - The Music Fix
"An alterative idol in waiting..." - Fractions Of One
"Defiantly ramshackle. The only fear is that Shaw's style may fail to attract the attention it deserves." - The Skinny
"Shaw comes across like the shy-type come good, confident and confessional, full of cheek and charm and most adoringly self-depreciative- 4/5." - Is This Music?
“Brilliantly moving. Nothing less – 9/10.” – The 405
“Drowns his sorrows in wine, black coffee and cacophony.” – Tom Robinson. 6Music
“Benjamin’s songs come across as modern urban fairytales. Like wolves in grandma’s clothing – TLOBF RECOMMENDED.” – The Line Of Best Fit
"Fastidiously DIY in sound...A ‘name’ for 2010." - God is in The TV
"Underground notoriety beckons - 8/10." - Rock Pulse
“Up there with the best of this year...on the 'to watch' list for 2010 - 8/10." - The Music Fix
"An alterative idol in waiting..." - Fractions Of One
"Defiantly ramshackle. The only fear is that Shaw's style may fail to attract the attention it deserves." - The Skinny
"Shaw comes across like the shy-type come good, confident and confessional, full of cheek and charm and most adoringly self-depreciative- 4/5." - Is This Music?
“Brilliantly moving. Nothing less – 9/10.” – The 405
“Drowns his sorrows in wine, black coffee and cacophony.” – Tom Robinson. 6Music
He also has two very attractive music videos in which he kills people:
When I Fell Over in the City - Benjamin Shaw from Antiherovideo on Vimeo.
The Carpeteer - Benjamin Shaw from Antiherovideo on Vimeo.
Nosferatu D2's "We're Gonna Walk Around This City With Our Headphones On To Block Out The Noise" available digitally:
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/were-gonna-walk-around-this/id394761351
What people have said about Nosferatu D2 and their album:
"Your record collection is incomplete without its inclusion." - The Line Of Best Fit
“Some kind of alchemy, not to be repeated – a mix of tension, bitterness, and a way with lyrics that no one has, or will, match – 9/10.” – Drowned In Sound
“Perfect in their hopelessness.” - Pitchfork
"If Pavement were from a small English town and had to watch Christmas reruns of Only Fools & Horses." - Organ
"A lo-fi masterpiece - 9/10." - The Music Fix
"Thrashing frenetic guitars, and hectic jaw-drop drumming, with what sounds like Zed from Police Academy on vocals - this is a win, win, win situation! 4/5." - The Skinny
“Some kind of alchemy, not to be repeated – a mix of tension, bitterness, and a way with lyrics that no one has, or will, match – 9/10.” – Drowned In Sound
“Perfect in their hopelessness.” - Pitchfork
"If Pavement were from a small English town and had to watch Christmas reruns of Only Fools & Horses." - Organ
"A lo-fi masterpiece - 9/10." - The Music Fix
"Thrashing frenetic guitars, and hectic jaw-drop drumming, with what sounds like Zed from Police Academy on vocals - this is a win, win, win situation! 4/5." - The Skinny
Plus the CDs are available via Play and Amazon: http://onlineantihero.blogspot.com/2010/10/nosferatu-d2-benjamin-shaw-cds.html
And forevermore the records and T-shirts are still available from our webshop: http://audioantihero.com/Shop.htm - T-shirts are now in pretty limited quantities.
Spread the word and make us rich men.
Never Say DIY!
Jamie - Audio Antihero: It's our birthday and we'll DIY if we want to.
www.audioantihero.com
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Audio Antihero's "Never Say DIY! Radio" Vol.12: Birthday Mix
Hello,
Well, it quite crept up on me but Audio Antihero are now one year old. Thanks to everyone for all the deodorant, shaving foam, vouchers, socks and 'kool dewd' cards. Much appreciated.
Those of you who haven't got us a present yet can do so by ordering on of our albums:
As of today, Benjamin Shaw is large and in charge on iTunes, Amazon, Play, etc. But it's cheapest from HMV & 7Digital where you can nab it for £1.79.
Nosferatu D2 have been riding high on the iTunes alternative page like the kings they truly were. You can order it from Amazon (please ignore the journalist leaches who're selling the unopened promos we sent them), Play (ditto), iTunes, eMusic, etc etc.
Personally though, I'd get them on CD from our webshop or Bandcamp as they're prettier: http://audioantihero.com/Shop.htm
In celebration of our big day is a half relevant mix:
Playlist:
Greg Dulli - So Tight
My shell of a life as a Nosferatu D2 fanboy has seen me absorb a lot of Ben Parker's musical recommendations. I've hit none of these musical bottles harder than soul grunge legends The Afghan Whigs. This shows the Whigs' frontman Greg Dulli solo for the first time. "Sexy lady...". He's a despicable man...
Benjamin Shaw - When I Fell Over In The City (Demo Version)
Benjamin Shaw - When I Fell Over In The City (Demo Version)
For our birthday, I thought it might be nice to see one of our man Ben's most popular songs in its infancy. It's awesome and fuzzy, even by his standard. Order the "I Got the Pox, the Pox is what I Got" EP and t-shirt from our webshop and watch the gloriously grisly video here:
When I Fell Over in the City - Benjamin Shaw from Antiherovideo on Vimeo.
Arab Strap - Packs Of ThreeAn odd thing about the fairly famous Arab Strap is that I'd never heard of them until someone told me they sounded like Nosferatu D2. It seems that spending my teenage years listening to nothing but The Smiths, Joy Division, Jeff Buckley, Dr Dre and (hed) P.E's first two albums was a silly thing to do. Like I said about Mogwai's "R U Into It", pretty much my entire family are Scottish and not a single one of my trips to Scotland has been half as interesting as this (except for when I was about 5 and we made a wicked snowman which I stabbed a lot with my electronic He-Man sword).
Fleetwood Mac - Sara
Because it upsets me that some of our younger hipster fans are missing out on Stevie Nick's gorgeous voice. Plus, I don't like the bad rep "Tusk" gets.
Los Campesinos! - We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
Because frankly, without Gareth Campesinos! kind words about the Nosferatu D2 album just over a year ago, most of you would probably never have heard of us. He did us quite a service. This is probably my favourite song from their eclectic catalogue of magic. "You said he's got his teeth fixed, I'm gonna break them!".
Nosferatu D2 - A Footnote (Demo Version)
Demo version of a Nosferatu D2 classic. "Every band I've ever loved has let me down eventually" - except one. Album and t-shirt available: http://audioantihero.com/Shop.htm
Superman Revenge Squad - The Summer We Finally Cut Our Hair
Part 2 of our Ben Parker double bill. I think the new "Dead Crow Blues" EP has to be Ben Parker's strongest work since the death of Nosferatu D2. I absolutely love it and Martin on Cello is well and truly earning his keep, more musical and more touching than any of the previous recordings to appear under the SRS name. The bridge of this song is so perfect it practically stops time. Order it now from: http://recordshop.greedbag.com/buy/dead-crow-blues-1
Runaround Kids - Clandestines
Following on from the burned out musical regret of Superman Revenge Squad, it gives me heart to pick up with The Runaround Kids. Outrageously young and full of hope, they represent everything wonderful about alt.rock energy. The Runaround Kids pack Johnny Foreigner and Los Campesinos! anxieties into a Get Up Kids delivery and come up trumps. Their new single is excellent and available now from Bandcamp. They're due in London on December 11th at 4 Denmark Street for SeeSound Saturday. Benjamin Shaw is also on the bill.
The Outdoor Types - Got A Concept, Got A Job
The Outdoor Types are a really cool glammy folk rock band. I always forget to include them in these mixes but having seem play a delightful acoustic set on a bill with Benjamin Shaw yesterday, I finally remember. Your lives are better now. Album available from Rough Trade via I Blame The Parents Records, who we love.
Bill Withers - Who Is He (And What Is He To You?)
How do you give a duck soul? Put it in an oven until its Bill Withers. Thank you. Listen to this and you can be sure that a young Greg Dulli was taking notes. One of many solid gold classics from Mr. Withers.
Karate - Caffeine Or Me?
A classic from Southern Records. I happened to meet Benjamin Shaw at Southern Records, it's also where I got the belief I could set up a doomed DIY label. Southern is very significant to us. Ben also loves Caffeine. I love this song (and also caffeine).
Thanks all - Never Say DIY!
Jamie - Audio Antihero: Specialists in Commercial Suicide Since 2009
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Ben Parker's Hired Gun Radio
Hired Gun Radio is back, we had our first installment a few weeks ago from Benjamin Shaw and have now coaxed Ben "Nosferatu D2 / Superman Revenge Squad" Parker into doing our second show.
Below you'll find the playlist and his commentary on each choice:
1. "I'm Hurt Bad" by Angelo Badalamenti (Twin Peaks season Two soundtrack)
I had this vague idea that, if I was ever asked to DJ a night, for whatever reason, I’d start the set with this song. But I’m not sure that that is ever going to happen. So I’ve started this mix with it instead. It’s from the second season of Twin Peaks, which is quite possibly my favourite television series ever. (The first series of TP is much, much better than the second, but I like some of the music from the second more). I listen to Angelo Badalamenti’s soundtracks quite a bit actually, often when I’m reading, and I like the way they can be so ominous – this one, like a lot of the music from the second series, completely changes half-way through and is, I think, pretty chilling.
2. "At Break of Day" by Bonnie Prince Billy (Ease Down The Road)
A lovely little song by Will Oldham, AKA Bonnie Prince Billy, as I’m sure you are already aware. I had to include one of his songs, as I’ve been a massive fan for quite some time – I got Arise Therefore when it came out (and that is, I think, a masterpiece of an album) and since then I’ve brought everything he’s released and seen every show he’s done in the UK. Live he is probably the most charismatic singers I’ve ever seen, which quite surprised me when I first saw him.
3. "Got The Time" by Anthrax (Persistance of Time)
The first guitar player that I wanted to play like was Scott Ian out of Anthrax – I think because when I started playing guitar I was really into heavy metal and most heavy metal guitarists just seemed to play really fast solos and stuff and Scott Ian mainly played rhythm guitar, albeit really fast rhythm guitar, and also, although he wasn’t the singer in the band he seemed to write all the songs and be the leader and be the coolest one in the band. So I thought I could perhaps be a songwriter and guitarist that didn’t have to sing but still got to write the lyrics. Anyway, one of the first singles I brought was this, which is a cover of a Joe Jackson song, and still sounds quite exciting now I think.
4. "There's Still Time" by Lambchop (No You Cmon)
A little beauty from Lambchop. I love Kurt Wagner’s voice.
5. "Feathers" by The Twilight Singers (Blackberry Belle)
I was going to put an Afghan Whigs song on, as I love their stuff a lot, but opted for this instead. Afghan Whigs were one of the only bands that both me and Adam (from Nosferatu D2) liked. The other one being Dinosaur Jr.
6. "Our Sea" by Appendix Out (The Rye Bears a Poison)
Appendix Out was the name that Alasdair Roberts used to go by. This is off the first record, and is another beauty. I once travelled round Europe for a couple of weeks, and the only tape in my walkmen was this first album. I then got quite obsessed with his songs and had to stop listening to them as I was worried I’d just start writing songs that ripped him off. Nowadays he’s a lot more folk, and I couldn’t even begin to be able to play most of what he plays and sings, so I can listen to his songs without this worry. Great lyrics on this: “If we bought a house with the money she left what would be embedded in the walls…”.
7. "Do The Right Thing" by Leatherface (Minx)
The album that this is from was another obsession of mine – I had Leatherface’s Minx on cassette and really wanted it on CD, so spent literally years looking for it in second hand record shops. As soon as I did track it down - £3 in the record/tape exchange shop in Camden – it got re-released. This is the ‘single’ from the album.
8. "Fleurette Africaine" by Duke Ellington with Charles Mingus and Max Roach (Money Jungle)
I had to include some jazz, just because Jamie seems to hate it. And this is beautiful. Really.
9. "We're Gonna Play The Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood One Thousand Times Tonight" (We're Gonna Walk...) by Nosferatu D2
I like this song the most, I think, off the Nosferatu D2 album. It was us trying to write something that would add a different feel to the album. A bit like Brother Woodrow off Afghan Whig’s 'Gentleman', I think we thought originally. Some reviews say I’m using distortion on my guitar, but I’m not – I’ve just turned the amp up really high and am hitting the guitar with a drum-stick. The guitar still has little dents in it from this, and the pick-up packed up after the recording.
Buy Parker:
The Audio Antihero released Nosferatu D2 album is available now for £5.99 - BUY (t-shirt also available). It is also available on iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, Play, Napster, etc from today.
Ben Parker's Jonbarr Hinge and Benjamin Shaw will be playing the upcoming SeeSound Saturday on October 16th at 4 Denmark Street (Formerly Peter Parker's Rock N Roll Club) - INFO.
Never Say DIY!
Jamie - Audio Antihero: Specialists in Commercial Suicide
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Congratulations to The Music Fix.co.uk
As someone who had the dubious honour of attending the BT Digital Music Awards I was delighted to see The Music Fix win 'Best Blog' (probably my first non-sarcastic applause of the evening).
How do I know these people are geniuses? They liked our stuff:
Nosferatu D2 - We're Gonna Walk Around This City With Our Headphones On To Block Out The Noise (Audio Antihero)
A year in music can often be as much about what you’ve missed as what you’ve heard. Looking through the end-of-year lists there will be the usual suspects in each one, but it’s in the personal lists that some real magic can be found. My first exposure to this was via one of those lists, the excitment about it made it a must to track down. This is an album that is destined to become a pivotal part of cherished record collections. WGWATCWOHOTBOTN is a lo-fi masterpiece rescued from total obscurity by Audio Antihero Records. The band have now split up but to quote Jamie the label owner, “To me, walking away from Nosferatu D2 would be like having Nirvana’s Bleach, Jeff Buckley’s Grace or Springsteen’s Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and just saying no, I won’t sell enough, I won’t bother. Classics can be big and small.” This is a record that inspires such devotion, that people feel it HAS to be released and heard outside of a small circle. It’s an abrasive, underground experience assembled by two brothers. Under produced - and all the better for it - like early Pavement or The Fall. Andy’s vocals sometimes spoken, sometimes spat with acrimony. Had John Peel still been alive these songs would be charting high in the Festive 50. Be glad this wasn’t allowed to disappear into nothing - this is an album that shouldn’t be in a box under someone’s bed, it should be in a CD player in your house. 9/10 - http://www.themusicfix.co.uk/capsule/2009/12#8339
A year in music can often be as much about what you’ve missed as what you’ve heard. Looking through the end-of-year lists there will be the usual suspects in each one, but it’s in the personal lists that some real magic can be found. My first exposure to this was via one of those lists, the excitment about it made it a must to track down. This is an album that is destined to become a pivotal part of cherished record collections. WGWATCWOHOTBOTN is a lo-fi masterpiece rescued from total obscurity by Audio Antihero Records. The band have now split up but to quote Jamie the label owner, “To me, walking away from Nosferatu D2 would be like having Nirvana’s Bleach, Jeff Buckley’s Grace or Springsteen’s Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and just saying no, I won’t sell enough, I won’t bother. Classics can be big and small.” This is a record that inspires such devotion, that people feel it HAS to be released and heard outside of a small circle. It’s an abrasive, underground experience assembled by two brothers. Under produced - and all the better for it - like early Pavement or The Fall. Andy’s vocals sometimes spoken, sometimes spat with acrimony. Had John Peel still been alive these songs would be charting high in the Festive 50. Be glad this wasn’t allowed to disappear into nothing - this is an album that shouldn’t be in a box under someone’s bed, it should be in a CD player in your house. 9/10 - http://www.themusicfix.co.uk/capsule/2009/12#8339
Benjamin Shaw - I Got The Pox, The Pox Is What I Got (Audio Antihero)
Born from noise, a gurgling, a hissing and a humming comes the striking opening chords of ‘Thanks For All The Biscuits’ followed by a voice so fragile, almost defeated, yet carrying such swathes of emotion it’s hard to keep the tears in. These are folk songs constructed from matchsticks, barely able to support their own weight - a sigh would leave them in pieces on the floor. So delicate; constructed with 100% proof emotion. This collection of six songs from this Blackpool singer/songwriter is up there with the best of this year and certainly puts him on the 'to watch' list for 2010. Through the despair and sorrow there is a black humour, the English trait of laughing in the face of misery exemplified. There are genuine moments of laughter. Ben inspires a rare empathy in the listener - sharing his plight but also the glimmers of light that work their way to the surface. Fans of Lupen Crook, Nick Drake, Jeffery Lewis, Adam Green and something left of centre but heart-warming will utterly adore this. 8/10 - http://www.themusicfix.co.uk/capsule/2009/12#8341
Born from noise, a gurgling, a hissing and a humming comes the striking opening chords of ‘Thanks For All The Biscuits’ followed by a voice so fragile, almost defeated, yet carrying such swathes of emotion it’s hard to keep the tears in. These are folk songs constructed from matchsticks, barely able to support their own weight - a sigh would leave them in pieces on the floor. So delicate; constructed with 100% proof emotion. This collection of six songs from this Blackpool singer/songwriter is up there with the best of this year and certainly puts him on the 'to watch' list for 2010. Through the despair and sorrow there is a black humour, the English trait of laughing in the face of misery exemplified. There are genuine moments of laughter. Ben inspires a rare empathy in the listener - sharing his plight but also the glimmers of light that work their way to the surface. Fans of Lupen Crook, Nick Drake, Jeffery Lewis, Adam Green and something left of centre but heart-warming will utterly adore this. 8/10 - http://www.themusicfix.co.uk/capsule/2009/12#8341
Geniuses! Take note world: people who like our stuff win awards.
The above albums will be available from Amazon & Play.com from tomorrow (October 4th). Get your customer reviews in! READ MORE: http://onlineantihero.blogspot.com/2010/10/nosferatu-d2-benjamin-shaw-cds.html
Never Say DIY!
Jamie - Audio Antihero: Specialists in Commercial Suicide
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Audio Antihero's "Never Say DIY! Radio" Vol.11
Audio Antihero present another 11 songs of 100% pure rock (except for the percent that isn't).
I'm pleased with it.
Nosferatu D2 & Benjamin Shaw's Audio Antihero releases will be available from Amazon.co.uk & Play.com from Monday the 4th of October:
Playlist:
1. The Good The Bad - 001
This is something I was lucky enough to come across at work (the real job...groan). Two minutes of rock. In their own words 'The Good The Bad would like to share The New School Surf & Flamenco with you'. This song is available from their website and comes from the upcoming 'From 001 To 017' album.
2. Internet Forever - I Don't Care Who You Did Last Night
Surely that opening is a homage to Joy Division's 'She's Lost Control'? Regardless, this song is a lovely fuzzy little number from a band who've proved a lot in a very short space of time. This song is available on the delightful 'Playing For Pakistan' tribute album that Fractions Of One released. BUY HERE.
3. Frankie & The Heartstrings - Ungrateful
New single from one of the best live bands in London. Go to see them as soon as you possibly can and then buy this on your way out.
4. Benjamin Shaw - The Carpeteer
Our man Benjamin Shaw, having his cake and eating you too. His EP (released by us, obviously) is available via Play & Amazon on Monday the 4th of October (and check our webshop for t-shirts) and digitally worldwide from October 18th.
The Carpeteer - Benjamin Shaw from Antiherovideo on Vimeo.
5. Johnny Foreigner - Trailer CaptainsEveryone's hero, Johnny Foreigner is having some financial difficulties due to some not-nice-music-men who've not given them their agreed funding for a US tour. The solution? Johnny Foreigner have self released four digital albums in hopes of raising the cash. Head over to the Johnny Foreigner Bandcamp to order the lot. This little lovely comes from their self released debut album (Pre-Kelly).
6. Nosferatu D2 - I Killed Burt Bacharach
They didn't do a very good job of killing him but the song is a delight. Listen carefully, I swear Ben Parker's guitar 'tells a story' in this monster jam. Their Audio Antihero released album will be available via Play & Amazon on Monday the 4th of October (and check our webshop for t-shirts) and digitally worldwide from October 11th.
7. D R E A M E N D - My Old Brittle Bones
7. D R E A M E N D - My Old Brittle Bones
I knew nothing of this band until Ian at the Have Fun At Dinner blog recommend them to me. Lovely, swirling, scrapping lo-fi acoustic noise-ness. The whole album is a delight and has kept me warm in the rain all week now. "Oh your Ghost, it will find me..."
8. Mudhoney - Hate The Police
This definitely rocks despite my non-existent hatred of law and order. I'm seeing Mudhoney on October 6th at The Electric Ballroom to see if I deserve my unexpected workplace nickname as 'The King Of Grunge' (I definitely don't). This was originally written by The Dicks, who I don't like as much.
9. Invasion - Conjure War
In the absence of The Afghan Whigs we look to the mighty INVASION to chemically fuse soul and guitar rock together. Though, despite Invasion's insistence of flashing their underwear on stage they still don't get as sleazy as Greg Dulli. Invasion are one of the bright hopes of British Metal (a scene I know nothing about but I've decided this).
10. Sparks Vs Faith No More - Something For The Girl With Everything
For my money, Faith No More are absolutely the greatest rock band of all time. Sparks are not. But as obscure and slightly inexplicable collaborations go, this is mega-awesome and incredible fun. See also: "This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us".
11. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - The Mercy Seat
At the time of writing this, I'm just home from seeing Grinderman for the second time in two days. Tonight, Cave SLAMMED a guy in the audience for requesting 'The Mercy Seat', a Bad Seeds song at a Grinderman show. So, THIS ONE'S FOR YOU BUDDY.
Enjoy.
Never Say DIY!
Jamie - Audio Antihero: Specialists in Commercial Suicide
Nosferatu D2 & Benjamin Shaw CDs available on Amazon & Play from 04/10/2010
Yo Antiheroes,
Just to say that our first releases will be available on Amazon & Play.com from monday the 4th of October courtesy of Horus Distribution.
Nosferatu D2's "We're Gonna Walk Around This City With Our Headphones On To Block Out The Noise" CD:
Press:
'“Some kind of alchemy, not to be repeated – a mix of tension, bitterness, and a way with lyrics that no one has, or will, match – 9/10.” – Drowned In Sound
“Perfect in their hopelessness.” - Pitchfork
"Your record collection is incomplete without its inclusion." - The Line Of Best Fit
Benjamin Shaw's "I Got the Pox, the Pox is what I Got" CD:
Press:
"Quite beautiful." - Subba Cultcha
"An alterative idol in waiting..." - Fractions Of One
"Defiantly ramshackle." - The Skinny
"Pools of buzzing synths, effects and distorted cries. Like a nightmare Mark Linkous may even have rejected from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ for being a little too ‘ominous’." - Americana UK
Nosferatu D2 will be available digitally worldwide on October 11th. Benjamin Shaw will be available on the 18th.
Please spread the word and share the: AUDIO ANTIHERO SAMPLER.
Never Say DIY!
Jamie - Audio Antihero: Specialists in Commercial Suicide
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