Thursday, January 28, 2010

The Darkness - 10th Anniversary


The pattern continues! Another new band! The first this year! This time, it's The Darkness! How they wound up here is a bit different from the others. There's this one song of theirs that was on Planet Rock last week, and I thought it was another. When I realised it was going to be a challenge, I weeded through their short career. I always knew that they were trying to be the new Queen, as the press pointed out regularly. Many Darkness songs do remind me of Queen. They even got former Queen producer Roy Thomas Baker to produce their last album!
The band came to an end four years ago because brothers Dan and Justin Hawkins were becoming the new Liam and Noel Gallagher (oasis), if you know what I mean! Also, Justin fell into the rock 'n' roll clichés and was admitted to the clinic. He started the spinoffs British Whale and Hot Leg, while Dan and remaining members Richie Edwards and Ed Graham started over as the Stone Gods. These offshoots are indie-signed as Atlantic/Warner UK couldn't handle the sum of the parts.
I might go lightly on this one this time, as there's not much to work with. There are a few bootlegs out there to fill the void, but I'm afraid The Darkness will stay dark, although the rumour mill is on again.  Watch this space! (UPDATE: Band are back together.  More to follow!)

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Yes - Quasi-Mystical Vision - 17/6/76


Don't forget Patrick Moraz! The cover is not Roger Dean, but an incredible simulation!

Recorded from FM radio on the Solos Tour. Courtesy David Couch and Joker Productions.

My Yes-timony here.

1. Siberian Khatru
2. Sound Chaser
3. I've Seen All Good People
4. The Gates of Delirium
5. Long Distance Runaround/Moraz Solo
6. Clap
7. Olias of Sunhillow
8. Heart of the Sunrise

Download

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Yes - Drama Tour 1980

Into the Lens 45

This is the first post of the new year. In anticipation of the next leg of the latest Yes tour, I'd like to share four bootlegs from the 1980 Drama tour. I was given these after I made an inquiry in NFTE (do look for it), and I hope this'll happen again for the last concert I saw and the next one I will attend. As is the norm for bootlegs, the sound quality is not that of an official release, so please be warned!


Into the Drama

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Fly from There (named changed from Fly from Here because thats the name of the new album)
Part 1
Part 2

The Age of the Buggles
Download

Complete Dramatised Tour
Part 1
Part 2

More from other dates coming soon!
Do also visit my Buggles site!