We dance to all the wrong songs…

There were two gigs in the past weeks that I wasn’t at. This is because there is no justice in the world. First of all, Frank Turner played Wembley. I really hate all that ‘I was into this before you were into this’ chat – who cares? Normally people get into bands when they get popular because that’s when they get really good. Having said that, I’ve been going to see Frank since I was a teenager – since Sleep is for the Week, which I just got on a limited vinyl pressing for Record Store Day, which is awesome – and I still love everything that he does. I don’t care that more people have jumped on the bandwagon, that’s great, there’s still room for more. It’s a real ‘Local boy done good’ kind of feeling that I have when I try to imagine the 11,000 people who packed out Wembley to see the show on Friday. My only complaint is that I wasn’t there to see it too.

This is my favourite video (so far) because he got his mum up on stage to play in one of his songs. This is exactly what you should be doing when you play the biggest show of your life: get your mum involved.

Another show that I should have seen is the triumphant (so I hear) reformation and return of Refused, who played Coachella in California over the weekend. The only UK date they’re playing is Download and I’m unlikely to make that. Proof, if ever it was needed, that God hates me.

I need to see this before I die.

Crusades – Golden Throats teaser

These posts are getting a little bit predictable. I seriously can’t get enough of Crusades at the moment and this video should pretty much explain why.

Video filmed and edited by Jawn McClenghan. Check out Crusades on Facebook.

Are you restless like me?

Tom Gabel is, if I’m honest, one of my favourite people. I like his take on punk, I don’t think he’s ever ‘sold out’ by improving his sound and I love that he’d rather something sound slightly strange than not say exactly what he wants to with his lyrics. My favourite thing about Tom is the way he rarely modulates his singing style, no matter whether he’s playing with the whole band or just a battered old acoustic guitar. My brother showed me this video the other day, it’s pretty cool and damn impressive.

Come on Bessie, Slow and Steady

I just can’t get enough of this at the moment, every single track on Rise or Die Trying has more hooks than most albums. I haven’t been to a punk show in so long and I’m missing it like hell. Someone hit me up and we’ll get some tickets.

Choke on the truth of a million dead.

This song, by one of my favourite bands, inspired the name for on of my favourite bands. ‘Nuff said.

 

One Foot in the Grave

So it was my birthday yesterday, and I must confess to feeling old.  I know that, compared to the span of your average human lifespan (even in Glasgow), I’m still on the youthful end of the scale.  But that doesn’t help.  I don’t know whether this song helps or hurts, but it’s certainly all I want to listen to right now.

Check out the new album White Crosses and the whole back catalogue.  Tom Gabel is an angry, angry man who gives me hope.