Lydia Lunch & James Chance @ "Nuit Ouf" Disco -Punk au 104, Paris Jan 14 2011

"Nuit Ouf" Disco punk, No wave & post Punk 1976-1982
@ CentQuatre (104)
Paris Jan 14-15 2011

You could get an haircut for 2 euros (center), first band "Hyphen Hyphen" (far right)

ALL NIGHT PARTY at the trendy 104 in Paris, early start as the doors are opening at 9:00 PM, we're having a look around before the first band plays on the main stage. As we are the first one in we 're having a hair cut ( for 2 euros only), you could also have a Shiatsu massage ( 2 euros) , there is also Body Painting.
First band Hyphen & Hyphen is getting on stage as we're having our hair cut by "Art Hair" artists.
There are so many things it's hard to see it all but we're just on time to see Lydia Lunch, she's playing with a drummer a guitar player and a guy on keys and saxophone.
Heavy shit à la Black Sabbath with bits of Stooges, simple riffs but very efficient.
Not that much to say : show was great that's the kind of music we like @ ROCKERPARIS, she ended her set with a Lou Reed cover ( see setlist for details).

Legend Lydia Lunch

setlist & one of the 3 bathtub (far right)

After this heavy performance, we're going outside as some of us want to have a bath, there are 3 huge wood bath-tubs outside, the weather's warm even at past 11:00PM and the water's not too hot.
Afetr getting dry we're back inside for some more artists performances including a fashion collection show from Sakina M'Sa.

Icarus has been shot down ( far left), I guess It's Open ( center) Huge Lyrus (far right)

Make Up ( center) & fashion show (far right)

Far from being the best fashion show I've been to ( we're used to Chanel, Stella Mc Cartney's and all at ROCKERPARIS ) but it was fun & Punk remember it's a celebration of Punk tonight.
The atmosphere is lively everywhere you go and if you don't like live gigs you can dance to the music as there are a few DJs playing their stuff ( not really for us) in room 200 for the whole night.

James Chance & Les Contorsions ( Ex-James White)

James White aka as James Chance is headlining on the main stage : a mix of "bad" funk à la James Brown with Punk (?) and free jazz for a really cool set.
The guy is acting funny is stage, the music that's NOT Punk at all doesn't prevent some people to pogo down the front.
First time I'm seen people pogoing at a Funk Free-Jazz gig.

Can't tell you it was great but the guy's an underground legend and the set was fun.

It's now way past 1:00 AM but there is some more at the other side of the 104 with the performance of Musique Post-Bourgeoise, it's not a gig it's a "performance" just imagine Karl Marx fighting with a hosepipe for 10 min and then dancing with 2 French baguettes as another guy sitting on a sofa is talking into a megaphone and electronic music is playing in the background and you'll get a taste of what we've seen.

Musique Post-Bourgeoise feat. Constantin Leu performing

Almost 3:00AM and it's time to go to bed and as we're leaving the premises there are still people trying to get in to the sold out all night Disco -Punk Party @ 104.

Monet Exhibition @ Grand Palais in Paris Jan 14 2011

Monet exhibition @ Grand Palais in Paris
Jan 14 2011

Paintings are behind this crowd (right Pic)

Last ten days before the end of the Monet Exhibition @ Grand Palais. It's a fantastic success with hundreds of thousands of people since the opening, 3 months ago on Sept 22 2010.

We already booked our tickets in advance but as we're in France it's not really well organised even though they're trying their best so we had to wait 20 min before getting into the exhibition. We were lucky because people without tickets are queuing for more than 4 hours.

Once we're in there it's like being @ Harrods on the first day of the sale. A fucking mess.
Impossible to get near the paintings with hundreds of old people pushing you and commenting very aspect of his painting which is really a pain in the ass.
So get the audio comment so you won't have to hear them.

If it wasn't so crowdy the exhibition would be fantastic , there are dozens and dozens of paintings over two levels representing all his carreer as a painter with different "styles" and many different locations ( Normandy, Paris , London , Argenteuil, Bougival...). Some more interesting than others.Some you like some you don't but...
It's impossible to judge the work on each painting as long as you don't have it in front of you, it's really incredible on many of them.

One of my favorite ( left)

I'm sure he would be proud to be so popular but I really don't think he would agree with the conditions his paintings are seen as it's well over crowded.
It looks like the guy in charge of this mess has decided to make lots of money on his back.
Don't know if there will be visits during the night ( The already did it for another exhibition) but I urge you to choose that option even at 2:00 AM.
At least you won't get any old geezers.

See ya on saturday for the Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibition, Can't wait to be trampled on again.

Soundgarden to release 'Live from I5' from 1996 tour on March 22

Soundgarden have announced that they will be releasing their first-ever live album taken from the west coast leg of their 1996 tour. The album will be called Live on I5 and will be available March 22nd 2011. As their website explains, "we had always intended to release this as a live record and now it’s time to unleash the fury!"

Tracklisting in full:

1. Spoonman
2. Searching With My Good Eye Closed
3. Let Me Drown
Tracks 1-3: Recorded live at Crosby Hall, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA – November 30, 1996
4. Head Down
Recorded live at Mercer Arena, Seattle, WA – December 18, 1996
5. Outshined
Recorded live at Crosby Hall, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA – November 30, 1996
6. Rusty Cage
Recorded live at Pacific National Exhibition Forum, Vancouver, BC, Canada – December 7, 1996
7. Burden In My Hand
Recorded live at Salem Armory, Salem, OR – December 8, 1996
8. Helter Skelter
9. Boot Camp
Tracks 8 and 9: Recorded live at Crosby Hall, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA – November 30, 1996
10. Nothing To Say
Recorded live at Mercer Arena, Seattle, WA – December 18, 1996
11. Slaves And Bulldozers
12. Dusty
13. Fell On Black Days
Tracks 11-13: Recorded live at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center, Oakland, CA – December 5, 1996
14. Search And Destroy
Recorded live at Mercer Arena, Seattle, WA – December 18, 1996
15. Ty Cobb
Recorded live at Crosby Hall, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA – November 30, 1996
16. Black Hole Sun
Recorded live at Mercer Arena, Seattle, WA – December 17, 1996
17. Jesus Christ Pose
Recorded live at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center, Oakland, CA – December 5, 1996

Adam Ficek @ Gibert Musique, Paris 12 Jan 2010 5:00 PM

Adam Ficek aka Rose Kings Castles @ Gibert Musique
Paris Jan 12 2011

Adam Ficek on his own on acoustic guitar to promote his record in this famous Record-dvd Store in St Michel just next to the Sorbonne.
Small gathering of devoted fans for the former drummer with The Babyshambles, maybe 5:00PM wasn't the best of time as all the kids are still in school or at work.
Anyway Adam did a great short 30 min set with his cool and soft songs from his records including a couple of new songs at the end.
As often the "late" Oliver Peel missed the gig.Nice Jacket !

Cocoon @ L'Album de la Semaine, Canal+ Jan 11 2011

French Pop-Folk duet Cocoon is back with a new album " Where the Oceans end" ( click for video of first single) and they are promoting it with a small concert @ Famous Canal+ tv show : L' Album de la Semaine.
The studio 104 is packed for the first gig of the year here.
The duet ( the man on guitar and the girl on piano, both on vocals) are playing with a bass player, a drummer and a cello + violins on some songs.
Very good Pop-Folk band as you can't hear any french influences which is a good point and is probably why they're so good and they're singing in English.
Great vocals harmonies and catchy tunes.
Very nice start for our first gig of the year.

SETLIST ( not in order): Sushi, Dee Doo, Oh my God, Comets, Cathedral, Mother, Dolphins, Sea Lions II + encore with Dolphins, Sushi.

Check our previous review of Cocoon Live @ the Trabendo Session on Jan 29 2009.

Anna Calvi will playing @ Album de la Semaine on Jan 18.

Next shows in Paris for january 2011

Lots of Patti Smith in Paris for the new year

Jan 11:
Helloween + Strativarius @ Elysée Montmartre
Cocoon @ L' Album de la semaine (Invit' only)
Jan 12:
Adam Ficek @ Gibert Musique 5:00PM & @ Truskel Bar 9:00PM (FREE SHOWS)
Jan 14:
Lydia Lunch @ 104 in Paris ( Gig +Disco Punk night with DJs sets + Exhibition and many more for the whole night)
Jan 17:
Anna Calvi @ Black session, C'est Lenoir ( Invit only)
Projection of the movie "dream of Life" with Patti Smith @ Cité de la Musique
Jan 18:
Patti Smith " Poetry & Music" Tribute to Mapplethorpe @ Cité de la Musique SOLD OUT
Accept @ Elysée Montmartre
Jan 20:
Patti Smith "Unplugged dreams" @ Cité de la Musique
Pony Pony Run Run @ Studio SFR
Jan 21:
Patti Smith & Philip Glass "Tribute to Alan Ginsberg" @ Salle Pleyel, SOLD OUT
Jan 22:
Patti Smith performing " Horses" @ Salle Pleyel SOLD OUT
Jan 23:
Bird On The Wire @ Oliver Peel session

Jan 24:
Bird On The Wire & Milk & Fruit Juice @ Espace B
Jan 25 & 26:
"One shot Not" TV recordings ( Artists ???)
Jan 25:
Bird On The Wire & SuperBravo @ L'International for "Mon Petit Club" Party
Jan 26:
Thin Lizzy ( well it's more a Lizzy cover band)@ Bataclan
Jan 30:
Jae (Norway) et General Bye Bye (Fr) @ Oliver Peel session


and remember Check first before going... Thanks

Discover 3 unreleased Serge Gainsbourg songs

Click on Picture above for a preview

To celebrate Serge Gainsbourg's death anniversary, it's been 20 years, a box-set of unreleased songs will be out next month.
Here's a preview of 3 songs, in fact only 2 as the second one is just a jam with no vocals.

It's Elvis' birthday

Happy Birthday ELVIS

He's born on Jan 8 1935
He would be 76

Adam Ficek (Roses Kings Castles) to play 2 shows in Paris on Jan 12

Adam Ficek from Roses Kings castles ( and former drummer with Peter Doherty's Babyshambles) will play 2 free shows in Paris on Wednesday January 12.

• Gibert Musique Store, Bd St Michel M° Odeon @ 5:00 PM
• Truskel Bar , Rue Feydeau M° Bourse @ 9:00 PM

Be there !

Listen to 2 new songs of R.E.M's next album "Collapse Into Now"

Cover for "Collapse into Now" and R.E.M. @ Live8 in Hyde Park, London 2005

COLLAPSE INTO NOW, R.E.M.'s new studio record, is set for a Tuesday, March 8th release in the USA on Warner Bros. Records. The album, the band's 15th, will be released internationally on March 7th. COLLAPSE INTO NOW was produced by R.E.M. and Jacknife Lee and features guest appearances from Patti Smith, Lenny Kaye, Joel Gibb, Peaches, and Eddie Vedder. Stay tuned for more details!

Trailer for new album:

Listen to "It happened Today" and "Oh my Heart" (click on links)

Amy Winehouse is rehearsing new songs for Brazilian gigs @ Summer Soul Festivals

AMY WINEHOUSE FOUND DEAD IN LONDON
So sad, all latest Pics HERE, here.


Check the videos from her first show in Europe in Belgrade HERE
June 18 2011

Rehearsing in England (c) http://amy-winehouse.org/gallery/ & http://twitter.com/zalon

Amy relaxing in Rio de Janeiro on Jan 5

Amy is staying at the Hotel San Teresa in the south of Rio de Janeiro prior to her forthcoming gigs in Brazil:

8th January 2011 - Summer Soul Festival, Il Divino, Florianopolis
11th January 2011 - Arena HSBC, Rio de Janeiro
13th January 2011 - Summer Soul Festival, Covention Center, Recife
15th January 2011 - Summer Soul Festival, Chácara do Joquei, Sao Paulo

Gerry Rafferty dead at 63 RIP

GERRY RAFFERTY RIP 1947 - 2011

2011 is starting very badly, Gerry Rafferty died this morning, he was 63.

He was wellknown for his Hits "Stuck in the middle with you" with his band Stealers Wheels and the song "Baker Street" on the "City to City" album (Pic left above) as a solo artist.

One of my all time favorite record is " Can I Have My Money Back".(Pic right above)

Listen to Mademoiselle K's new album today and meet her in Paris

French female rocker Mademoiselle K gives you the opportunity to listen to her new album 'Jouer dehors' ( it will be out on Jan 17) in a bus and you will be able to meet her personally.
It is today @ Place de la Republique in Paris @ 6:00PM

Other listening parties in France:

Mardi 4 janvier : Paris - 18h : place de la République

Mercredi 5 janvier : Rennes - 18h : 264 av du Général Patton

Jeudi 6 janvier : Toulouse - 18h : croisement rues Amélie et Gabriel Péri

Vendredi 7 janvier : Marseille - 18h : 59 rue d'Endoume

Samedi 8 janvier : Lyon - 16h : Ninkasi - 267 rue Marcel Mérieux

Chuck Berry collapses on stage in Chicago Jan 1st 2011

The 84-year-old Berry’s head lay on a keyboard, and he didn’t move for a couple of minutes before he was helped off stage by three people shortly before 10:30 p.m. He returned 20 minutes later after most of the auditorium had cleared out. He tuned up his guitar and tried to play before telling the audience he had no strength. He then did a variation of his legendary duck walk off stage. (from Chicago Sun-Times)

Chuck is trying to tune is guitar before being escorted out by staff:

Take some rest, Daddy !

Chuck is telling the audience he can't play before leaving the stage for good:

Sonic Youth @ HMV Hammersmith Apollo, London Dec 31 2010

Dec 31 2010: Late show for Sonic Youth has they're making their way on stage at midnight to a countdown to the New Year and tickertape (see video)
The Pop Group & Shellac opened.

SETLIST:
1) Brother James 2) No Way 3) Sacred Trickster 4) Calming the sanke 5) Hey Joni 6)Anti-orgasm 7) Poison arrow 8) Schizophrenia 9) Antenna 10) What we know 11) Massage to History Encore 12) The Sprawl 13) 'Cross the Breeze Encore 2 14) Kool Thing.

Enjoy !

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION @ Shepherd's Bush Empire, London Dec 30 2010

PICTURES from the UK shows on Glenn Hughes official site

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION featuring vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH, TRAPEZE), drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN), Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER) and rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa played London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on Dec 30 2010.
Tickets were VERY expensive for a band with just one album: £75 for level one seats and £50 elsewhere.

SETLIST: click for videos
01. Black Country
02. One Last Soul
03. Beggarman
04. The Revolution in Me
05. Down Again
06. Too Late for the Sun
07. Song of Yesterday
08. The Ballad of John Henry (JOE BONAMASSA)
09. The Great Divide
10. Medusa (TRAPEZE cover)
11. No Quarter (LED ZEPPELIN cover)
12. Sista Jane
13. Black Country (reprise)
Encore:
14. Burn (DEEP PURPLE cover)

Smokin'