Buzz Magazine August 2013 | Page 38

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DINOSAUR JR Solus, Cardiff University Students Union Mon 2 Sept Making a long-awaited return to Cardiff this autumn are Dinosaur Jr, 20 years after the band’ s last appearance in this city. The Massachusetts indie-rock heavyweights will be bringing their seminal and often imitated“ ear bleeding country” to the Great Hall early next month. The classic line-up of Joseph‘ J’ Mascis, Lou Barlow and Emmett‘ Murph’ Murphy reunited in 2005 and proved to be one of the most successful comeback stories of recent years. Not only did the band tour the world whilst releasing quality new music as they went, the Amherst natives coexisted much more cohesively than during their previous stint. Unfortunately, it would appear that some of the tension and issues that initially drove the power trio apart were simply simmering below the surface, with Murph dramatically upping( drum) sticks before a recent European tour. Dysfunctional as ever, then, but it’ s hard to focus on anything of that sort when the music remains just as vital as it was the first time round. Dinosaur Jr’ s mixture of belligerent noise, yearning melodies and abstract imagery has produced some of the finest and altogether more unconventional rock songs in modern musical history. What is even more remarkable is that they have achieved their exalted status despite touting a virtually unchanged formula – deafeningly heroic leads, densely melodic bass chords, and the roughest of rough-and-tumble drums. Expect to hear genuine contenders for the best single ever made in Freak Scene and The Wagon, large swathes of quite possibly the best record ever made in You’ re Living All Over Me, not to mention the choicest cuts from the Mascis-only years and the subsequent post-reunion records Beyond, Farm and the most recent, ever-so-slightly more mellow I Bet on Sky. With a back catalogue spanning three decades this will be a set light on filler but heavy in pretty much every other aspect. For anyone with even with the smallest interest in guitar music, this is an evening not to be missed. When considering the combustible nature of the individuals involved, it is that much more essential. Who knows when they’ ll be back again? Tickets: £ 18.50. Info: 09 2078 1458 NICK MERRIMAN
LEONARD COHEN
Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff Tue 3 Sept For nearly 50 years, Leonard Cohen has been combining his keening, darkly humorous lyrics with plaintive folk music to create music of singular beauty. He first came to prominence at the fag-end of the hippy era with songs that brought him flattering comparisons to Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. Since his first album, Songs Of Leonard Cohen, he’ s created a style that is completely inimitable, and yet hugely influential. Sometimes derided for being‘ depressing’, melancholic would be a better description, his oft-overlooked humour keeps the darkness in check, and when he sings lines such as“ I was born like this, I had no choice / I was born with the gift of the golden voice,” with a vocal air redolent of late nights, whiskey and cigarettes, it takes an effort of will to keep the smile from your face. Now a spry 78, Cohen seems to relish performing with concerts lasting for hours. He has been known to return for up to five encores while performing with the grace and verve of a man half his age. This is Cohen’ s first visit to Cardiff in five years, and – sad as it is to contemplate such things – may well be his last, so don’ t miss this chance to see a performer who really does deserve the title‘ living legend’. Tickets: £ 25- £ 75. Info: 029 2022 4488( DG)
THROWFEST 2013
Hobos, Bridgend Sun 11 Aug Dust off your studded collar, get out your Ozzy wig and pull on your skinny black band tee and anything else that may make you look as brutal as possible, and get yourself to Hobos in Bridgend on Sun 11 Aug to experience Throwfest. The day will feature some of the best touring metal, hardcore and indeed metalcore talent, sure to give you a splitting bangover on Monday morning. The event, sponsored by Monster Energy Drink and established by Dirty Dog Promotions, is back for a second time after last year’ s huge success. Leading the lineup are Glasgow-formed Bleed From Within, a band renowned for groove infused riffs, bruising melodies and the growling vocals of front-man Scott Kennedy. Infectiously catchy Canadians Liferuiner also stand out of the bill, having recently U-turned on writing traditionally depressing metal lyrics, instead encouraging listeners to“ believe in the dreams worth waking up for”. Other highlights include charismatic headliners Devil Sold His Soul and post-hardcore group Heights, critically acclaimed by Kerrang!, Metal Hammer and Rock Sound among other publications. Come down to one of South Wales’ premier rock venues to see a perfect example of how this genre is still dominated by vast amounts of gifted musicians always willing to push the limits of their music. Admission: £ 12 /£ 10 adv. Info: www. hobosmusicvenue. com( TH)
MERCHANDISE
The Globe, Cardiff Tue 27 Aug It never seems to have been confirmed if Merchandise are named after the Fugazi song Merchandise, a definitive razz to corporate would-be co-opters of the culture they built. It would make a sort of sense, insofar as Merchandise are very much a product of the DIY hardcore scene in Tampa Bay, Florida, playing in various noisy and utterly uncommercial groups. On the other hand, the quintet sound nothing like Fugazi, or much else that’ s commonly understood to be‘ punk’. Active since 2008 or so, their wish to craft something from the punk-shunned music they liked – 80s synthpop, foppish indie, Krautrock and jazz – found an appreciative audience in the American underground, less so in their own scene. Over time, and circa last year’ s LP Children Of Desire especially, the upper tiers of the music press climbed aboard – and why not, for Children..., while distorted and weird, displays a rangy grandeur in its songwriting chops. Totale Night, an album-length five-song EP, complemented it earlier this year. Although Merchandise’ s catalogue to date has been released either by themselves or on tiny indie labels, their previous DIY punk asceticism has clearly relaxed: this lengthy UK tour includes two Carling Weekend dates. Their natural environment, you imagine, is in slightly smaller venues like this one. Tickets: £ 8. Info: theglobevenue @ gmail. com( NG)
WALL2WALL FESTIVAL
The Swan Hotel, Abergavenny Sat 31 Aug + Sun 1 Sept It’ s a good time to be a jazz fan in South Wales: Abergavenny’ s very own Black Mountain Jazz Club are hosting their first festival, and it’ s set to be a whopper. On the last day of August and the first of September, wall2wall Festival will see a wide range of local, national and even international jazz maestros gather at the Swan Hotel( and a nearby marquee venue) in order to give the people what they want – jazz, in case you hadn’ t guessed. Particularly exciting is the inclusion of big names such as master trumpeter Damon Jones, singer-songwriter-cum-essayistcum-poet Sarah Gillespie [ pictured ], and celebrated band leader and saxophonist Gilad Atzmon. However, South Walian heroes Heavy Quartet, formed way back in 1983, and RWCMD graduates Martha Skilton and Ben Treacher will be there to showcase some of the best of what the local scene has to offer. Kicking off with free event Jazz Through The Ages – a whistle-stop, family-friendly tour through jazz’ s dynamic history, led by Parliamentary Jazz award winners Brass Jaw – and culminating with the aforementioned Gilad Atzmon, performing with his band the Power Cats the weekend really does cater for jazz novices and jazz connoisseurs alike. So mark the date, tell a friend, and make sure that this year’ s festival isn’ t the last. Tickets: £ 30 marquee package per day; individual prices vary. Info: 07958 612691( PM)
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