JOHN DAWKINS - THE HAND THAT "ROCKED" THE ENEMY !

One of the bands that captured my attention in the last two years were "The Enemy"

Now that their new record "Music For The People"  is out it's time to chat a little with my mate John Dawkins that helped them following the right way and surely become a better "Enemy". Listen well to this Coventry boys and Tom's words are mature and coherent for a very young man as he is (http://www.nme.com/news/the-enemy/43730).

After the interview you can watch two videos, one from the current record  and one from their first record that for me is a milestone, "You're Not Alone" about the closure of the local Peugeot Factory:

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/4920740.stm).

1) On You:

(King_leer – KL):

 In your own words, what is your "Job description"? What is nowadays to be a manager?

(John Dawkins – JD):

Management for me is providing answers and guidance and options for your band to get to their optimum in terms of performance and success, with as little struggle as possible. I am a manager that gives the bands options when looking for answers and direction, and allows the final decision to lie with them. If i think they have made the wrong decision, i let them know before they press the button why i think it’s wrong. If they choose to press the button after that then that’s their choice, but i believe in complete artist control. However when a situation needs to be grabbed by the neck, the mutual respect between band and manager should allow this to happen without any problems. We are facilitators; it can be a thankless task, but also the most rewarding.

 

2) Still on You:

(KL):

How did you discover “The Enemy” and what are their main strengths?

(JD):

I had been made aware of the enemy under their different guise of “bridges” in 2005. I received a demo off Liam (drummer) through my mum as he worked for her; the demo was good but not right. It was obvious they could play but they were more bluesy & prog. I lent them my advice and what i felt they needed to do, and when they were ready and had made the changes to get back in touch. They did that in Feb 2006 with a new sound, closer to their soul, a new bass player and a new name. I put them in the studio with a guy names Matt terry, cut a 3 track demo, and the rest is history.

Their strengths – hunger /desire/ ability/song craft/lyrics/intelligence/stage craft

 

3) On Lyrics.

(JD):

I think bands like the clash really got my ear; Strummer was a General in my eyes, even though i discovered them as a 12yr old in 1992. Then came the jam – where initially that’s entertainment grabbed me like no other song, then the lyrics came later for me, cos i feel as a kid it’s always about the melody and the hook rather than the lyrics. Other bands like Shack, The Beatles. They really hit home with me as a youngster, the made me socially aware, and bands like Oasis made me realise i should live my life to the full and enjoy it.......rock n roll star!

 

4) On the world's financial crises:

(JD):

Someone is making a lot of money out of it aren’t they?! That’s one thing i do know, Greed has caused this, yet the poor will suffer more, and money will make money once more. I think we will suffer for a few more years. But fuck it, were alive and we have our loved ones, nothing is ever that bad.

 

5) On your own:

(KL):

Tell me whatever it comes to your mind. Something you want to share with us.....musically or not!!

(JD):

You need to check out my other artists – I’m very excited about both

EXIT CALM – www.myspace.com/exitcalm

THE SHAIYANS – www.myspace.com/theshaiyansmusic

Also add me on facebook, let’s chat music, and add my blog – www.myspace.com/jrdawkins26

 

THE END

PETER DOHERTY II

NEW SIDE PROJECT ON THE RUN?

Photo by Luzikz.com

P.s Next Sunday, the final post on my experience with artist,management,staff and studio!

SUBJECT: PETER DOHERTY FIRST EVER PORTUGUESE SESSIONS IN PORTO LAST SUNDAY:

Note: Bellow, copy of today's "press release":

During last Sunday and since the musician was in Porto to perform in a local student festival, I had the chance to finally put Peter recording in a local studio. Since the album sessions project failed last summer and the continuously need that Peter has to record some demos, this time with the effort of Peter, Adrian Hunter - his manager, João Bessa – Studio Engineer, Parlophone-UK and myself, we took the crew to Boom Studios in Gaia City, owned by one of our most important National performers, Pedro Abrunhosa for a session.

The session took place on last Sunday afternoon. Consisted on Peter with acoustic guitar and vocals, assisted by Iain Slater and João Bessa on the mixing table.

Peter recorded material for future work, solo or with Babyshambles to be released under the contract with the label.

One of the great moments was after 6/7 takes the recording of one old tune, “The Ballad of Grimaldi”.

For the complete story on Pete’s gig and sessions follow the next post this blog :

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/gracewastelands

http://www.myspace.com/lazyeyeartists

http://www.parlophone.co.uk/

http://www.boomstudios.pt/

http://www.myspace.com/king_leer

PADDINGTONS T-SHIRT CONTEST

Hi there,

You can comment the previous post on the Padd's and win a official t-shirt. I'll accept comments until next Friday. Winner will be announced during the weekend.

P.s. Until now just Portuguese bloggers comment it. Where are you from abroad? S&H are on me!

Cheers,

KL 

THE PADDINGTONS - FROM HULL TO THE WORLD!

The Paddingtons were from the beginning a band that caught my attention for two reasons. First, because I recognized in them the sound of “The Clash” but with a personal touch. The other reason was that here in Portugal they were practically unknown. It’s impossible to resist to tunes like “First Comes First” and “Panic Attack”.

Now that they’ve released by the end of 2008 their second record, “No Mundane Options”, it’s a great time to know them a little better.

Extra:  I’ve got one official T-shirt from the last record to offer. What do you need to do? Just send a comment about the band through the blog and I’ll choose the best. Please send your name and e-mail address for future contact.

Thanks,

Take a look at their site http://www.thepaddingtons.net/

King_leer

THE INTERVIEW

On videos: 

 

(King_leer): What's the general message you wanted to pass in the video from

"What’s the point in anything new"? “And, by the way for you, what is the point.......? 

(Grant): I think what we where trying to achieve by the video was that you can do anything on your own, there is a real sense of community in the video, with us all helping out each other. 
 
(Josh): I never saw it like that, but your kinda right... I had the idea because I love the film 'snatch'.

(King_leer): Any particular story on the making of it? 

 
(Josh): yeh..... The horse that's in the video.... It took me 5 hours to ride it there, with a cart.... 8 miles across hull... I was freezing when I got it to the shoot.

     On resemblances: 

 

 
(King_leer): I never "judge" a tune or album before a couple of months listening. With "First comes first" it was clear you were similar with The Clash but in a different way. You could find some continuity in your message and sound. It's not easy being called the "new Clash" but with originality. It was your purpose from the beginning or it came with the time? 

(Josh): The Clash was the band that bought us together and influenced our sound at beginning.... It was a band we all loved and still do.... Best band ever.
   
(Grant): I don't think it was a conscious decision, not at all the movement in sound seemed more organic then forced, and we where listening to new, different styles of music so it’s inevitable that we would change but also you can never fully leave your roots so original influences do shine through.

 
  On the Global crises: 

 

(King_leer): Well, she is here and she came to last (Crises). Probably it's time now to face it and think on solutions and be positive, otherwise we may face one "Panic Attack". Last week we had one episode with Portuguese (like me) and foreign workers...What would you think we must do to skip these difficult times?

(Josh): We aren't skipping it. You've got to ride it.... Use it as inspiration!

(Grant): I don't think skipping this crisis would be an option for me, yes we could do without it but i feel out of struggle you get the best from humanity, especially with creative arts, all the best music in world had a message of struggle and anger, which has help people to strive for a change.

 

On Fashion: 
 

 
(King_leer): I won't ask the trivial question but there's something i'd like to know. Since 2005 we could saw a great approach between music and fashion. From the Libertines and its members to Razorlight, you and more music connected people were also connected to the catwalk in some way. Any special reason? The fact you know each other well and probably attend to the same venues and environments is the cause? 

(Josh): we looked good, or so they thought we did... Everyone needs inspiration, the fashion world called on us for short while. In and out ......
It’s worse than music industry though.... Quite fake... Hey ho we've all got to do something 
 

 
On lyrics and influences: 
 

(King_leer): What artist/band most influenced you and tell us a particular song/lyric that has a special meaning for you and (if possible) tell us why.
 
(Josh): Lyrically it’s our lives that influence us.... All the stuff around us... Our home town 'Hull' places we go.... Our relationships.... Each other.... 
Musically..... Lots of stuff.
We all listen to different stuff and are always listing out for new stuff.... The clash as I already said were big influence on us.... Everything about them... Their attitude was perfect, their image even better and the music 'amazing'.
 
  
 

THE END

THOSE DANCING DAYS - IN THEIR OWN SPACE SUITS !

Last Saturday i had the chance to see the perform of these five young – very young – women from Sweden. Usually I don’t do gig reviews at my blog but since I chatted a little with them after the show here’s the result and my opinion.

The around one hundred people that saw their debut in Portugal certainly kept two kinds of different sensations:

First, the venue , the majestic Theatro Circo from Braga with it’s excellence and professionalism from their workers. They always brought to us new values in terms of music even if the final cash return is not 100% granted. But this is another story.

Second, the sensation that they saw one excellent performance from five teenagers with a dozen of musics to play (in the encore they said “we played all are musics”) with a excellent live vibe and visible enthusiasm. Besides Linnea the singer, Lisa from the keyboards takes the control of the dancing and the apparent semi-madness. Cissi, on the drums disguises her age with the will to bit the drum-kit. Mimmi, like her instrument, she’s the quiet one, while Rebecka on the guitar is the most talking “TTD”.

Sure they are a little bit “green” but, the warning is here. For those who have space in the line-up’s to the Summer festivals, they sure grant a excellent one hour show at the end of the afternoon. Move fast.

The gig was quick, about one hour. The audience continuously asked for “Action Man” but the ladies gave us another “Hitten”  with an excellent performance by Linnea.

To Know (fast session of questions & answers):

Since the day before i was chatting with Peter Morén (Peter,Bjorn & John) I told the ladies that he asked me to say “Hi”! I said it!

Q: What’s the reason for the album title “In our space hero suits”?

R: Basically, we fell that when on stage, we do the best of our best so it’s like he have a super hero suit on, you know?

Q: What were/are your biggest influences ?

R: Linnea e Lisa – Several, nothing specific.

     Rebecca – “Typical Girl” ? (I really don’t know what Rebecca meant).

     Mimmi & Cissi – The Strokes

THE END.

"CRISIS" ISAAK - The best medication to face it !

Are we in Crisis? Yes, we are and there’s plenty of them!

Since it’s Easter time I, sinner, confess myself: I do appreciate this gentleman’s whom I’m speaking next. I’m sure, although some will deny (Oh Judas!!) that men, women, young, old, hetero, metro, by’s, gays, lesbians and so on melted tear or equivalent when listening to Chris Melodies. It’s part of our nature.

“Wicked Game” was edited 20 years from now. Everyone knows this tune from one at the time almost unknown musician to today’s also actor and host of his own tv-show, Chris Isaak.

I remember that I bought this vinyl called “Wicked Game” before being edited around here. It was a mix between one best-off and original tracks since it was Chris fourth studio album.  In the following year he became widely known after the soundtrack of David Lynch’s movie “Wild at heart”.

Chris doesn’t belong to the musical landscape that usually inhabits my  neurons but is in fact a unique performer.  Nearly 53 he still has the same vitality and singing capabilities that are his trade mark. He edited recently a new album called “Mr. Lucky” and, i believe the name fits well. I’ve always admired his personality and above all he is a man of principals and as he assure, he likes to take care of his own, a friend. His band, his mates are the same for almost 20 years.

I won’t take more of your time but wouldn’t want to skip this date…

I’ve chosen from his last record after the first listening, 3 tunes that although the message is almost the same, they capture all that I’ve told you until now. Pay attention to the third track on the player.

In the video bellow, a mini interview where you can watch some stories on Chris background and the delicious tale on how he and his brother “strike” their mother with ballads that from ballads they’d get only the name.

On the video player, opening, there’s the acoustic version from “Wicked Game”

To you all a nice Easter.

King_leer

 

"I and the public know,

 What all schoolchildren learn,

 Those to whom evil is done,

 Do evil in return." 

 H.W. Auden, 1939