Archive for October, 2008
by Modculture 15 October, 2008
As part of the Motown is 50 celebrations some heavyweight acts from the label are to play a UK tour in 2009.
The Once In A Lifetime June arena tour has a line-up to behold; confirmed acts so far are The Miracles, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Jr Walker’s All Stars, Mary Wilson (of The Supremes), and The Commodores.
The tour dates look like this:
Newcastle Metro Radio Arena (June 23rd)
Nottingham Trent FM Areba (24th)
London Wembley Arena (25th)
Birmingham National Indoor Arena (26th)
Manchester Evening News Arena (27th)
Liverpool Echo Arena (28th)
Tickets for the shows cost around £35-40 (plus booking fees), and can be booked via See or Ticketmaster, amongst others.
by Modculture 14 October, 2008
If you fancy shifting your trainer buying hobby from pastime to obsession, the Collective Disorder book should be an essential first purchase.
Produced by Soleseek, this luxurious limited edition book is about trainers – and nothing else. In fact, there aren’t any opinions or witty one-liners, it’s just packed full of images of vintage and deadstock trainers. A full-colour wish list if you like.
There’s 280+ pages of classic and rare trainers, with stylish hardback and box/sleeve to keep it in one piece. And that’s something you’ll need to do – just 100 of these being made, so certain to be a collector’s item itself, the book sells online for £29.95 plus postage.
Find out more at the Soleseek website
Via Retro To Go
by Modculture 12 October, 2008
If you like a bit of beat, psych and garage, you might just like the Like Dynamite to your Brain blog.
It claims to be dedicated to ‘Lost vinyl obscurities. Mostly 60′s Garage, Beat, Freakbeat, Psych & Jangly Pop. Also 60′s Soul & R&B, 50′s novelty, and rock and roll’. And it doesn’t just talk about them – the tracks themselves are there in MP3 format.
One to add to your blog reader, you’ll find it via the link below.
Like Dynamite to your Brain site
by Modculture 12 October, 2008
If you’re on the look out for a credit crunch-friendly night on the south coast, look no further than C.A.F. in Hastings.
Residents Rowly and Southern Sam will be joined by Da Do Ron Ron’s Simon Bridger, and local lass Linda Seddon for a blend of soul, funk and Hammond grooves.
It takes place at Bar-Celona on Friday 7th November from 10pm – 2am, full details above. If you miss it the night should be a regular fro now on, first Friday of each month.
by Modculture 12 October, 2008
Not strictly mod, but a movie that’s certain to be of interest is the reissue of cult Brit flick Babylon. Indeed, this 1980 movie was co-written by Martin Stellman (who penned the Quadrophenia movie around the same time) and also stars Trevor Laird (Ferdy), with the tale of youth alienation not a million miles from the Quad movie.
But it’s a great movie in its own right – set in the pre-riot streets of Brixton, it’s the tale of Blue, who fronts the Ital Lion sound system, gearing up for a battle with the rival Shaka crew. But Blue’s life is falling apart – he loses his job, suspects his girlfriend is cheating and he’s on the receiving end of a beating by plain-clothes coppers. When the sound system gear is trashed by racists, he takes the law into his own hands.
If you want a full review of the DVD, check out Cinedelica, which has it covered in infinite detail. The movie is out to buy from Monday October 13th, complete with full digital restoration, commentary by the cast and crew, as well as a Q&A from a recent BFI showing.
Read the Babylon DVD review at Cinedelica
by Modculture 9 October, 2008
In November All Mod Icon will publish a 48 page full colour edition printed on 130 gsm glossy paper to commemorate Paul Weller’s 50th year. The magazine will have a limited edition print run of 5000 and will be priced at £4.99. Pre-orders will be available from October 16th.
Contents will include:
3 Decades Of Modernism – An overview of Paul’s career with contributions from Joel Stoker (The Rifles), Johnny Clarke (Dogs), Steve White and Gabrielle, Icon Classic -Confessions Of A Pop Group reappraisal, Icon Classic -Our Favourite Shop reappraisal, Icon Classic – Wild Wood reappraisal, Twink interview, John Reed interview, Steve White interview, Candie Payne interview, 22 Dreams review, an exclusive Paul Weller Interview by John Reed, Gary Crowley interview, Mark Baxter interview, Carleen Anderson interview, Thousand Things review and a Weller At The BBC review.
For more info, email the editor at allmodicon@hotmail.com
by Modculture 9 October, 2008
Psychedelic prints are a staple of the 1960s, from Twiggy’s own line to Biba and beyond. Carrying off a busy print and bright colours together can often be difficult, but this Tibi mini shift dress has the balance down pat.
With a colour palette of reds against white, this paisley print manages to be bright and firmly rooted in a sixties feel without being blinding. The more muted approach avoids a cartoonish retro feel, too. In a simple shift, with a short hem and high cut collar, the final product stands up next to its true vintage counterparts.
It’s available online from Blue Fly for $230.
Find out more from the website
Via Retro To Go
by Modculture 9 October, 2008
We couldn’t let this southern soul release pass without mention, so good is the material on offer.
Take Me to the River: a Southern Soul Story 1961-1977 is a 3CD set from Kent that chronicles the golden era of southern soul. With 75 tracks on offer, from the likes of Joe Simon, James Carr, Otis Redding, William Bell, and Joe Tex, and featuring songs recorded in studios such as Broadway, Royal, Stax, and Muscle Shoals, it shows off the astounding quality of the music made in this tradition of American musical history. As it covers many classic songs ‘Take Me To The River’ is a compilation suitable for those unfamiliar with the sound, but it also includes a few tracks available on CD for the first time to whet the appetite of the connoisseurs. Each track has an accompanying essay to give the reader plenty of background information, as well as the usual label and artist shots that are compulsory for this sort of release.
The monthly music magazines have been salivating over the compilation, so don’t just take our recommendation of it. Everyone seems to agree that this is one of the best compilations to have come out this year. Take Me To The River is out now and available for £27.98 from Amazon here.
by Modculture 9 October, 2008
In early 1967 the Stax/Volt Live Revue toured Europe, stopping at the Finsbury Park Astoria on March 17th. Were you there? If so Radio 2 would like your help.
As Gemma Newby explains, Radio 2 are making a series called Wish You Were There?, ‘taking musicians back to a gig in history they would have loved to have been at. With stories from fans, journalists, producers and house staff who were present on that night we’ll build a picture of what it would have been like to have witnessed a concert that was groundbreaking for its musical style, the success it brought Stax, the catapult of Otis Redding on the international stage, and for contributing to the breaking of social and racial boundaries’.
If you wish to share your memories of the Astoria show you can email Gemma at gemma.newby@allout.co.uk
Back in the day Otis Redding released the LP Live In Europe, which featured his Astoria performance. It has been recently reissued and expanded upon on CD as Live In London and Paris, but there is no news of an official UK release date as yet. However the album is available on import from Amazon here.
by Modculture 9 October, 2008
Sometimes all a mod needs to keep happy is some mid-60s beat-pop. Step forward The Invisible Lead Soup.
The London five-piece – Mark, Colin, Tony, Ted, and Tim – possess the harmonies of vintage US folk-rockers, mixed in with the pop-nous of Steve’s Winwood and Marriott. The Zombies and Rubber Soul-era Beatles are obvious influences, whilst the driving rhythms and understated vocals on tracks such as ‘Brand New Shirt’ and What She Said’ are also reminiscent of contemporary acts such like The Higher State and Beep Seals. The subtle but fluid Hammond organ playing is an added bonus to the psych-beat treats. Mark and Colin from the band also have another band on the go called The J-Pegs, where they play similar, if slightly more pared-down, material.
Try and catch either act in a dingy basement near you soon!
The Invisible Lead Soup can be heard here and here. The J-Pegs are here.
