Author: John W. King

Skating Polly – my New Favourite Band

Skating Polly – my New Favourite Band

Posted by | Wednesday 9 October 2019 |

I’ve discovered some absolutely amazing new (to me) bands in the past year, but the one that stands out the most is Oklahoma’s Skating Polly.  Since receiving their promo in April, it’s been a sheer delight working my way through their back catalogue of 4 stunning albums online, singles and 31 official music videos.  Indeed Grace Jones was #2 on my “people I’d like to photograph” list (Sade is #1 in case you’re interested) and when I got my photo-pass approved it was a punch-the-air moment, and yet it was still Skating Polly’s gig next week that I was...

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Chromatics – New Album, Single and October UK Tour

Chromatics – New Album, Single and October UK Tour

Posted by | Tuesday 8 October 2019 |

Oregon’s Chromatics are back with a new album, single/video and UK tour later this month. Their atmospheric songs have been featured in a whole host of TV series including Bates Motel, Gossip Girl, Mr. Robot, Parenthood, Revenge, Riverdale, 13 Reasons Why, and Twin Peaks, and the movies Drive and Taken 2. Their new album “Closer to Grey” is out now on Italians do it Better, and from the opening track it is superb. Check out the video for lead single “You’re No Good” Catch them on tour in the UK and Ireland later this month: 22/10/2019 – Dublin –...

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Emika Remix Album + UK Tour

Emika Remix Album + UK Tour

Posted by | Friday 27 September 2019 |

If, like me you’ve been desperately waiting for Emika to perform live again in the UK, then I have great news for you! But first, if you enjoyed last year’s “Falling in Love with Sadness” album, a remixed version is out this Friday, 11th October. You can pre-order here. A few of the tracks are already being streamed by: Electronic Beats Resident Advisor DJ Mag The UK leg of Emika’s “Falling In Love with Sadness” tour currently looks like this: Sunday 1st December: Paradise Palms, Edinburgh Wednesday 4th December: Hare & Hounds, Birmingham Sunday 8th December: The Louisiana, Bristol...

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The Toy Dolls – New Album and UK Tour!

The Toy Dolls – New Album and UK Tour!

Posted by | Friday 13 September 2019 |

Like most people of my age I suspect, my first introduction to The Toy Dolls was through “Nellie the Elephant” on Top of the Pops.  It was a mad but great single, and I eagerly awaited their next Top 40 hit which never materialised (according to Wikipedia their next single “She Goes to Finos/Spiders In The Dressing Room” peaked at number 93).  In those days there was no internet to go and check out bands other work, so it was around 1989 before on a whim I bought “Ten years of Toys” the compilation album on CD, and I...

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Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Edwyn Collins
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Edwyn Collins
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Edwyn Collins
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Edwyn Collins
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Edwyn Collins
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Edwyn Collins
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Edwyn Collins
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Edwyn Collins
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Edwyn Collins
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations
Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review
   Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations

Edwyn Collins + Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations – Gorilla, Manchester – Review

Posted by | Tuesday 10 September 2019 |

Edwyn Collins with support from Gabi Garbutt & The Illuminations Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth Street, Manchester, M1 5WW Back in 2015 I saw Edwyn Collins and his wife/manager Grace Maxwell being interviewed by Dave Haslam (talk about 3 legends!) about his music and of course his double-cerebral haemorrhage in 2005 that affected his speech and movement on 1 side.  Something that would have ended the music career of many, but Edwyn is a fighter!  Having chatted to him briefly afterwards about Edinburgh and stuff, it was clear that he’s also a lovely gentleman. After the talk he performed 3 songs...

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