Hello People.
Welcome to Episode One of the ‘Your Shrunken Head’ Music blog. There may be more, but who knows! The premise is simple. I pick the tunes, you play ’em. It’s a musical collaboration.
In these times of social distancing and isolation music can bring us together and provide a bit of comfort. Episode One’s playlist is made up of tracks from the bands I’ve seen live most recently, and the bands I would have seen even more recently had we not found ourselves where we are today. It’s a reminder of the good times gone by, and also a view into the future, where we can all get together again and see the artists we already know, and perhaps discover some new favourites.
A fitting place to start is with Earlstown’s The K’s. It was never destined to happen with me and them this year. The original gig was scheduled for the same day as the Merseyside derby. The derby got rearranged. I scrounged a ticket for their sold-out gig, but bailed out at the last minute due to this virus malarkey. It was probably one of the last big gigs in Liverpool. Until next time, for now here’s Glass Towns.
I never leave home without this next band, Inhaler. There’s a really big buzz around this Irish band. Some of it is to do with the fact that singer Elijah Hewson’s dad is Bono. But forget about that, this band’s material stands up for itself. This track is ideal to listen to in the garden on a sunny day. Ice Cream Sundae.
Early contender for my ‘Gig of Year’ (and it will be a smaller that usual field this year) is Micheal Head and The Red Elastic Band at The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds. I’ve been a big fan of his for years. On the night, Head played a great set of songs encompassing his entire career with The Pale Fountains, The Strands, Shack and The Red Elastic Band. One of the many highlights was this next song, Newby Street, a line from which provide the title for today’s playlist.
Among the many great finds for me in the last few months were this next band. Brummie baggy revivalists Ivory Wave. I saw them with friends (you know who you are) playing above a pub at Live at Leeds. It was One O’Clock in the afternoon. The place was rammed and everyone was dancing to this band’s infectious beats. One of the songs they played was this next track Cool Kids.
I’m hoping for big things for this next band. Things may stall a bit for all artists who have started to develop a bit of momentum, but I can still see a bright way forward for Liverpool’s Garage/Psych foursome The Cheap Thrills. Their dancy, trippy, synth laden, guitar driven songs would have been ideal for 2020’s festivals. You’ll just have to be patient. Until then, here’s Codependence.
Richard Hawley‘s support slot for Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott’s Edgeley Park was one of those bonuses you sometimes get when you book tickets for a big act before supports are announced. I was delighted to see him on the line-up. He didn’t disappoint. One of the songs he played during a great set was the classic, Tonight The Streets Are Ours.
Back to today and the here’s the latest release from Winsford’s finest The Luka State, [Insert Girls Name Here]. It’s a typical ‘balls out’ Luka rock and roll song. Some of The Luka’s earlier releases have over a million listens on Spotify, their live performances are blisteringly energetic. Give them a listen and go see them live when you can.
There are some brilliant female artists and bands out there, not that you’d know it from this playlist! This shocking gender imbalance will be rectified in future episodes (oh, there will be more), when acts like The Seamonsters, Dream Wife, Dry Cleaning, and The Mysterines will be getting an airing. But for now here’s three times Mercury Prize nominated Anna Calvi‘s stunning Don’t Beat The Girl Out Of The Boy. Her headline slot at the Future Yard Festival was simply breathtaking.
It was easy to come up with an artist for the final song for this episode. They have a song for every occasion. I might finish every episode with a song by them. Four lads from Merseyside who shook the world with their own brand of rock and roll music. Being at home at a lot more, having to watch early evening television, I’m sure we can all agree with the sentiments expressed in this classic. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, from the legends that are Half Man Half Biscuit – Knobheads on Quiz Shows.
Until next time, look after one another.
Ian.
@TheKsUK
@CheapThrillsTCT
@TheLukaState
@potteryband
@annacalvi
@IVORYWAVEUK
@InhalerDublin
@RichardHawley
@Mick_Head
Your Shrunken Head 