Tuesday, March 29, 2005
I've Got Angst In My Pants!
Among all the new wave rock hits like "Whip It" or "Burning Down the House" there is a hole, where the band Sparks has been erased from popular culture memory. I am here to remind said culture of the importance of the Electro-Disco-New-Wave wonder. He band was started by two fashion catalog model brothers from LA, Ron and Russell Mael, in 1971. They originally played under the name Halfnelson and were discovered by quirky pop musician and producer, Todd Rundgren early in their career. Throughout many music transformations from art rock, to disco to New Wave, Sparks is a truly prolific and amusing band.
They released a UK hit album, Kimono My House in 1974, in the realm of English glam rock. Their electro disco song hit like "# 1 Song in Heaven" is a notable tune, which imagines the moment after death when the song is playing on every radio in heaven (kind of morbid, ha?) but I must say, my favorite Sparks so far is the 1982 album "Angst in My Pants", which features songs like Sherlock Holmes, My Moustache and Mickey Mouse. Absurd and sexual lyrics make the songs way worth listening to. "Fog matters to you and me, but it can't touch Sherlock Holmes
Dogs bark and he knows their breed
And knows where they went last night
Knows their masters too
Oh baby, hold me tight
Just pretend I'm Sherlock Holmes"
However the most current song, that fits right into our current little post punk revival, is Angst in My Pants. I could dance to this song all day, but everyone knows I've got angst in my pants...
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Our Bones Were Chalk
Imagining dust and ashes of someone gone is similar to the music I hear from Robot Ate me. It is like sad drum machines and intimate vocals, maybe some accordions. The vocals are clear yet the sounds are sometimes muted. This band falls along the lines of avant pop, electronic pop and something I found at a thrift store, like a little sad knitted doll in colors like an old 70s photograph. It sounds like a strange grey day where skeletons have picnics on the ashes of their former lives.
With that introduction, Here is a little track, Our Bones Were Chalk, that seems to emanate the ashes of sound. Another slightly faster tune,On Vacation from the album On Vacation, seems like a cross between Neutral Milk Hotel and Postal Service. I must confess the former track from the 2002 release, They Ate Themselves suits my melancholy fancy more than the newer number, but I suppose we can't all stay sad forever..
This band is coming to San Francisco (and alot of other US locations) on a tour. Check out the SF show: 3/23 San Francisco, CA - Makeoutroom
It is next week, but I can't make it.. Their website has all the tour dates listed.
GO see them and report back!
Monday, March 07, 2005
Muisc For Unicorns is Changing Locations!!!
This webpage will now be viewable on
www.unicornrock.com
Yes, we now have our own Domain. Moving up in the world.
Please make the changes to your links!!
Tell friends!
-the management
Friday, March 04, 2005
Who is Cricket Engine?
Cricket Engine, a magical ride through samples and glitch, is an important Bay Area electronic musical creature. Fortunately I managed to connect with Sean from CE and bring you, the reader, a fully illustrated (by the band) Interview! Each image following the question is meant to point to the locus of truth within Sean's responses.
What is your full name?
Sean Patrick Maylone Maylone Maylone
Why Cricket Engine? (as a name)
"Damp Mammoth" was the runner up.
Who is in Cricket Engine?
Left head to right heads: seth pereira, cody dingle, ian hill, scott scheu , sean maylone
Where did Cricket Engine form?
Pretty much the epicenter was a town called Cool, California, I'm not making that up you jealous motherfuckers, it's where we are from.
Who writes the songs?
The two, big purple arms we all share.
What inspires you to make the Music?
Everything beautiful and absurd in the world, Frank Stallone.
Have you played any dance parties?
Archibishop Anglebreak says: "Hells yes."
Are you using laptops or synthesizers to make the music?
Yeah, all that shit.
Do you use samples in the music?
Intergalactic prospector says: "Darn tootin' there is!"
What bands are making music right now, that inspires you?
It's hard to answer on behalf of everyone, but I think a good run through would be Plaid, Broken Social Scene, Do Make Say Think, and Ratatat.
How would you classify CE?
We kinda go all over the buffet table, electronica is a pretty safe term to use around these parts though.
If CE were a food, what food would it be?
A neon banana assualted by dark wolves.
Tell me about the venue in the abandoned mine.
If I say too much, an 18,000 year old curse will send a mummy to kick the shit out of me until I look like a thrift store Mr.Potatoehead.
What about the D&D Side project you were working on?
It's called D & DJ, right now it's just a look in my eye but if I find enough talent I'm going to make the greatest Dungeons and Dragons gangster rap album ever.
Is CE planning on releasing on a label soon?
We are pushing some numbers and label representatives around.
Are there any up coming shows we we should know about?
No, we post all our shit on our website and our myspace site whenever we set it up though.
Will Cricket Engine do a photo shoot that I set up?
If we are allowed to photoshop in any of our members too busy to make it, then it's a deal
What words of inspiration do you have for the fans out there?
...(see picture)
