dea Lesson No.1: November 2006

Saturday, November 25

1, 2, 3, 4 GUITARS



So as the season of covers bands and manic depression also known as Christmas approaches (apparently), here's a pick you up of fine musical standards in the shape of Lesson No.1's first gig of 2007. To be specific, Thursday 25 January. Hell yes.

The Blood Brothers are a super-spazzed pop-art-screamo quintet from Seattle who've smashed out five variously brilliant albums on labels like 31G and, erm, V2. The latest, 'Young Machetes', is released on Wichita over here in January and already knocking about on import. It's pretty great. They're currently touring the US with ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead. Three tracks offa the new record are over at their MySpace and there's also a selection of older gubbins right HERE.

After a little confusion over who would be The Blood Brothers' main support on their UK tour, it's definitely confirmed as Help She Can't Swim (so apologies anybody who wanted to see White Circle Crime Club, who aren't now supporting, but check 'em out regardless as they sound rather splendid). HSCS are a bunch of noisy art school boys and girl from around the south coast and London last seen round these parts, we believe, supporting the infinitely less brilliant Art Brut. But don't let that put you off: enjoyably yelping indie-punk LP 'Fashionista Super Dance Troupe' came out on Fantastic Plastic a coupla years back and they're due to follow it up real soon with new album 'The Death of Nightlife'. Tunes THIS WAY.

There's at least one more band to come (more on that REAL soon), but in the meantime all that's left to say is: this is all happening at Clwb Ifor Bach, Womanby Street, Cardiff and tickets are £8 from the Clwb site. They're selling like, if not hot cakes, then at least moderately warm scones and pretty sure this is not only the smallest venue on this tour but also the cheapest tickets. Result.

Thursday, November 16

NOVEMBER (B)RAIN



THIS WEDNESDAY (November 22nd) brings that time again when the supposedly bi-monthly Lesson No.1 Pop Quiz grinds back into random action - blame the quite wonderful Baroness and Torche for disrupting normal service in October.

We got rather drunk at the last quiz. Won't you join us this time around for fun, frolicks, and mainly answering questions about musical subjects of OUR choosing to win great cash* prizes (*cash = unspeakably good CDs and probably booze too). Then dance, drink and waste the night away watching the Lesson No.1 DJs remember how to use a cross-fader once more. FUN.

All the details are cunningly contained within the flyer above, but just in case of pictorial error: Buffalo, Windsor Place, Cardiff; things kick off at a leisurely pace around 8pm and it'll cost you £1 per person to enter.

And, yeah, quit it already. Think of a better title for this post. Go on. Do it. Now. Put it in the comments below. And we hope there's more inspiration going round with your pop quiz answers.

Wednesday, November 1

DARK POWERS



Everybody likes a bit of unadulterated noise come Friday night, right? What? You prefer to get plastered on tart fuel alcopops and lose all sense of dignity? Well, join the club, but for one evening only join Lesson No.1 with a litle help from Clwb Ifor Bach's Beneath The Surface night and check out an all-anti-American treat next Friday (November 10th).

Coughs are three boys and three girls from Chicago playing messed-up noise-pop/punk/no wave. Their new album 'Secret Passage' is just out on Load Records, home of Lightning Bolt, USAISAMONSTER, Noxagt et al, but this gives scant clues as to the mania served up by this sinister six. And the closest they're coming to Wales apart from Cardiff is, erm, London. So don't miss out. Check 'Dark Powers' from 'Secret Passage'.

Bringing the scratchier half of supporting local noise are The Physicists, three girls and one boy serving up the finest riot grrrl/skronk rock Cardiff has to offer. Having been frequently seen around town playing shows on punky/grrrly bills, this is the first time we’ve put them on in over 18 months. Since then they’ve released a single on Complete Control and toured Wales with soon-to-be-glue punkers Adequate Seven. Sound and, apparently, vision right on over HERE.

Opening fun comes via The Spines, the debut show from a one-man mystery machine who describes his creation as "Sunn0))) meets Suicide at Budokan". He is called Chris and has done time in some South Wales noise/experimental projects from the turn of the century like Know Point and Botanophobia. So he’s not that mysterious, really. Nowt to listen to yet, but rest assured it'll doubtless include some of the most brilliantly obscure equipment seen since World War One.

So shimmy on down to Clwb Ifor Bach from 8pm and splurge a whole five pounds on starting your weekend in messy style.