Kool & The Gang @ Olympia Dec 4th 2008

Kool & the Gang are Fresh again with a campaign organised by american washing powder maker Procter & Gamble.
You could find the brand new cd of Kool & the Gang " Still cool " when buying a pack of washing powder ( that i won't name )
As you can see on the picture of the Olympia marquee the name of the Washing Powder brand is written BIGGER than the name of this 70's Funk band.
WHAT A FUCKING SHAME !!!

Anyway it was a real success commercially.
Now enough of business bullshit and let's talk about music, they're still making music , aren't they ?
Well first i have to say that it was a nightmare to get in , as they've decided to let a couple of hundred people in every 10 min , just to make it look so cool on tv : " Look at all the massive crowd in front of the Olympia ! Yeah man ! They 're BACK ! "
Nice lesson of how to make an event out of NOTHING .
They're doing exactely the same in trendy club , so don't be fooled next time you're walking in front of a club with a massive queue. You think WOW there's so many people outside , this club must be so cool . NOT

Nice opening with " fresh ", very groovy. Many people on stage a dozen all dressed in white ( It's better when you take pictures ) . I won't be able to tell you who are the original members , not the singers they're too young , maybe the horn section and bass player . The audience is dancing along the music as long as Kool & the Gang is playing old hits . New songs are welcomed by an embarrassing silence , i can understand that the new cd is complete crap.

Platinum ceremony

Of course the show is interrupted in the middle , just for P&G to remind you who is the boss here tonight , Hoops sorry they were given a platinum award for sales of more than 100 000 records , Hoops sorry again ! not records : Packs of washing powder ...
Can't fucking believe it !

one of the two singers working the audience

Show went on without any problem in a cool atmosphere a bit of Jazz , a tribute to godfather James Brown some singalong ... and their hits at the end .
A few thank (fuck ) you's to Procter & Strangle from the band...
Very groovy show as long as they're playing the hits but too many average songs in the middle section. And of course too much pollution by sponsors .

Kool & the Gang loosing completely their credibility ( if they still had one )
to a fucking washing powder

Didn't bother to go at the aftershow cocktail party at the upstairs bar as there's too many people queueing for it .
Nice to be home before midnight.

"Ladies night" :

From what i've been told today , the organisation of the show was so bad that people , after waiting for 2 hours to get in , couln't see the concert as P&G printed too many tickets for the capacity of the Olympia. So many were left out .
Too bad , i was at the mezzanine and when the show started there were many empty seats on both sides.

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan + Marie - Flore @ Trabendo Paris Dec 3rd 2008

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan are bak at the Trabendo club in Paris a few months after playing La Cigale in June .

First there is a cute French young girl ( ? ) who played a few songs on her own.
The girl is so shy it's hard to believe . She's almost sorry to play in front of us.
She did a very nice set reminding me of the early Cat Power, she's singing with a very soft voice, when she's pushing it a bit she has a high clear voice.
She's the Mistery girl tonight as no one could gave me her name ( i'll try to find out ).
YES I CAN : She's Marie-Flore , i don't know why but i guess it was her , it's funny a friend of mine ( the famous Oliver Peel ) talk to me about her a few days ago and here she is in front of me in flesh & blood . So Marie - Flore if ever you're reading this , hope you'll do an Oliver Peel session soon.
Check her myspace : http://fr.myspace.com/mariefloresmusic

Here's a link to a video i've recorded at the Trabendo : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ5kbttO_Mw

Opening artist : Marie - Flore

Same kind of music with headliners Isobel & Mark , that's their 3rd show in Paris since they started working together. They're still promoting their latest studio record " Sunday at devil dirt" but their were selling a live double CD at the merchendise .
Nothing has change with the happy couple (LoL) Mark has still the same very low voice , closed eyes , mic in hand all dressed in black and Isobel is still doing so nice soft vocals , playing a bit of Cello eyes wide open .

People are listening religiously. Not really the type of music to headbang to .
Sometimes you need to hear some laid back music and just relax , that's what we did tonight :
Relax and enjoy this fine gig.

Setlist

Their most heavy song for tonight :

Show ended early 10:30 pm so then we went to the Truskel hoping to catch the end of Adam Ficek ( Babyshambles ) but we were too late as the show had started at 9 pm instead of 10 pm. So we went home. Just called a friend past midnight and Adam was back @ The Bergerac bar to play , from what i've been told , a better show than the one the previous night.

Adam Ficek ( Babyshambles ) @ Café Bergerac Paris Dec 2nd 2008

UPDATED DEC 3rd WITH VIDEO

Adam Ficek drummer for The Babyshambles is playing in this tiny bar next to the hotel France Albion where Pete Doherty used to come .

Very relax atmosphere , a bit like going into a bar to hear one of your mate playing the guitar for fun. Arrived there around 10 PM , he was already playing. Can't really tell you every song he played while i was there ( a couple of hours ) but he definitely did some of his songs ( he's got a solo record out ) and some Babyshambles ' .
A couple of guys ( and a girl : see picture ) played guitar with him with singalong from the 20+ crowd that gathered to hear him play.
Nice way to end the night with Adam who's one of the nicest lad i have ever met.
And he's got class : have a look at the way he put his scarf around his neck on the right picture above .
He should be French ;-)


He's playing tomorrow at 10pm at the Truskel ( M° Bourse ).

Check his Myspace to hear some of his songs :
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=281053977

It was a special gig for me as it was my 200th for 2008. ROCK 'N ROLL

Everlast @ Album de la semaine Canal+ Paris Dec 2nd 2008

Setlist

First time i was seeing Everlast live or even hear anything about them, well i check their Myspace before going...to know how they sounded like .
And I liked it very much .
4 musicians : one singer playing guitar, one monster drummer , a bass and guitar player and a keyboard player .
In Canal+ studios ( 150 capacity ) they 've done a great set of , well it's hard to describe they have some groovy tunes à la Stevie Wonder , some others are more folk-rock ( they did z cover of Johnny Cash ) but always with some samples for the beat that could make you think of Rap without beeing rap . A bit like what Junkie XL did with the Elvis Presly song . The singer has a low voice with a flow . So it's a mix of different influences that is sounding close to Pharrel williams ' NERD but different.
Do you get me ?
The thing i'm sure is that it was VERY GOOD .

The Faces for 2009 Tour

Ronnie Wood confirmed that The Faces will tour in 2009 after rehearsals last month that went very well .

First shows will be in Ireland in July 2009: July 4th in Limerick ; July 5th in Dublin ; July 7th in Cork.

The Rascals + Music is not Fun @ Maroquinerie Dec 1st 2008

French support band : Music is Not Fun

Second show in Paris this year for The rascals , this time they're playing the Maroquinerie .
Nice to be back here in this tiny club just a couple of days after Pete Doherty's solo gig .
French band Music is not Fun is opening , decent set and they're singing in English, Nice !

The Rascals Live

Last time at the Fleche D'Or in September , The Rascals did a killer set , at the time i haven't heard their first album Rascalize.
Check our review + photos and Videos from the September gig here :
http://rockerparis.blogspot.com/2008/09/rascals-fleche-d-or-paris-sept-5th-2008.html
Opening with " out of dreams " i knew straight from the opening song that they would do another killer set, Rascalize is a great record and the songs are working even better live. Miles is a funny lad looking a bit like a young John lennon and has to be very focus on his pedals using numerous effects on his guitar.
Watching The Rascals play live, you can see the HUGE gap between young french rock bands and young english bands. Technically they are perfect and their songs much more difficult to play and attractive than ALL french bands put together.
This Baby Rocker French scene is so laughable compere to this ( very ) good English young band.
They've played a new song " Chills and fever" .
The audience loved them , once again many girls tonight and the place is packed ( but not Sold-out ).
They did a cover of Echo & the Bunnymen ( " all that Jazz" ) and ended their very short set (only 65 min ) with John Lennon's " Instant Karma " ( see video below ) .
Sad they've played most of their set in the dark.
One of my TOP 10 Gig for 2008 ( it's my 198 th this year so far ... )

Miles Kane surrounded by girls + Setlist ( may be in different order )

Joe Edwards + Miles Kane signing autographs

Video of " I'll give you sympathy" : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=nrekhu4gv6E

Video of last song John Lennon 's " Instant Karma " :

Razorlight + Housse de Racket @ Bataclan Nov 30th 2008

French beauties from the first row & Johnny " Pete Townshend " Borrell

It looks like Razorlight are no more media darling or even the audience's darling as the promoter was trying desperately to fill up the Bataclan offering 2 tickets for the price of one on some websites selling tickets.
There's more people ( around 1000 ) than for Dirty Pretty Things a few days ago but the balcony is closed ( reserved for 20 VIPs in fact ).
French band Housse de Racket opened, they are a novelty act but are doing pretty good in France with a hit single so they are a bit more serious now. Only 2 guys : one on drums and one on guitar ( a fly V )and vintage keyboard , all dressed in white.
Nice set with their 80's sounding music ( especially the keyboard ).

After playing the tiny Maroquinerie ( capacity 500 ) a couple of months ago , Razorlight is back in Paris @ the Bataclan , they've already played here on their last tour and the place was packed. What Happened ?
All dressed in black now Johnny's rocking the girls down the front without doing too much , he doesn't strip anymore and now has nice clothes ( see picture ) , it's an improvement from last tour when he was dressed like shit with his ridiculous INXS white tee-shirt and white trouser -white sneakers .

They are a bit more rock on stage with a couple of blues orientated songs ( one of their songs sounds like "Gloria " ) and others with a WHO feeling . But they're still pop.
See picture for complete SETLIST .

The music is awright , not fantastic but entertaining.
They've added a guy on piano and a girl on keyboard and backing vocals to nice effect.
Good show but a bit too light for me.
NB : The whole show was recorded on video by a cameraman working for Razorlight from the balcony.

Razorlight 's setlist & stage plan

Last song of the show " Somewhere else " :

Here's another video from the Bataclan : " Burberry Blue Eyes"
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=yi91xU3D7Fw

Tomorrow night, hard to make a choice between The Bellrays @ Trabendo and The Rascals @ Maroquinerie : both bands are really good.

contact : irockinparis@yahoo.fr

HEAVEN & HELL @ Hellfest 2009

Heaven & Hell Feat . Tony Iommi , Ronnie James Dio , Geezer Butler & Vinny appice have been confirmed for next year's HELLFEST near Nantes in France .
Other bands are Manowar , Anthrax + numerous other metal bands.
Hellfest Clisson June 19 -20 - 21st 2009
http://www.hellfest.fr/web08/

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan are playing the Trabendo in Paris on Dec 3rd , get 2 tickets for the price of 1 here :
http://concertandco.francebillet.com/ficheManifestation.do?codman=TB312

Tonight it's Razorlight @ Bataclan

PETE DOHERTY @ Maroquinerie Nov 28th 2008

UPDATED Saturday 29th with 2 NEW VIDEOS

Breaking News:
Roses Kings Castles will play the Truskel in Paris on Dec 3rd

Pete Doherty solo @ Paris' tiny Maroquinerie ( 500 capacity ) , it's been announced a couple of days ago and was Sold-Out in a few hours.
Pete arrived at the venue around 8 pm for a quick soundcheck.

He was on stage and played one song ( Love's cover " Alone agian or " ) before introducing a french young guitar player ( Miggles ) who did 3 songs on his own . ( very average )

Pete came back on stage to do one more song ( " Beg , steal or borrow " ) before introducing the next support slot : A french trio ( The Nellingtons ) that was complete crap ( they even slaughtered " Mr Tambourine man " ). They were sooo bad that the audience started throwing shit at them .

Pete was welcome back for his concert straight after that shitty french "band" .

A few new songs , some oldies and a cover by the LA's ' there she goes ".
Nice atmosphere here , people requested songs he did them. He invited one of his friend to sing , WOLFMAN for a couple of songs, the poor guy was so out of it that he barely could open his eyes.
SETLIST from http://meinzuhausemeinblog.blogspot.com/
( Setlist corrected Saturday 29th 3:30 pm )

01: Alone again or ( Love cover )
-------
02: Beg, Steal Or Borrow
-------
Proper Set :
03: New Love Grows On Trees
04: East Of Eden
05: Down In Albion
06: Bucket shop
07: Palace of Bone
08: What A Waster (Libertines)
09: My Darling Clementine
10: Dilly Boys
11: Good Old Days (Libertines)
12: Don't Look Back Into The Sun (Libertines)
13: Fuck Forever (Babyshambles) [ video here ]
14: Death On The Stairs (Libertines)
15: Last Post On The Bugle
16: Unbilo Titled (Babyshambles)
17: For Lovers ( + Wolfman)
18: La Belle et La Bête (Babyshambles)
19: Back From The Dead (Babyshambles)
20: Time For Heroes (Libertines)
21: Can't Stand Me Now (Libertines) [ video here ]
22: Wolfman (with Wolfman) [ video here ]
23: There She Goes (The La's Cover) [ video here ]

The set was very short he only played for 75 min, so that was a let down, well... i mean he could have played a longer set. But Pete was as cool as ever talking to people, reading stuff they were throwing at him , he put a cartoon of him on his mic ( see picture ).

All pictures and video recordings © Guino Patrice

Another video from Pete Doherty & Wolfman : "Can't stand me now " + "wolfman " + " There she goes" cover from The LA's :
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmy11NCTp4E

Don't forget to watch our video of Carl's Dirty Pretty Things live @ Bataclan a few days ago :
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=prOi98ex3eY

Motorhead @ Zénith Paris Nov 25th 2008

I arrived a bit late at the Zénith and had problems getting my ticket from the guest list ( Bastards ) so I missed the first 20 min of the show.
It's a small zénith ( 4000 ) but it's SOLD OUT .
For once with Motorhead the sound is clear and not too loud.
Beautiful stage set up with a drum riser and 2 screens ( a first for Motorhead ).
No Bomber tonight as Mickey told us , in his dressing room after the show , that it costs 10 000 dollars a show. It needs its own truck and 3 people to operate it .
Nevertheless with Motorhead it's "No mercy for the wicked" , a 300 mph show .
95 min of ultimate Rock ' n Roll for your ears .
A couple of new songs AND LOTS OF CLASSICS . ( see setlist )
Fuckin' AWSOME !!!

Motorhead's Setlist

We went ( with Gael ) backstage into Mickey Dee's dressing room with a few girls. had a chat with him for an hour. We all left to the Guinness Tavern in Paris for a few ( well lots of ... ) drinks.
Mickey joined the houseband for Noir Désir's "Tostaky" , a song he had never heard of ... and played it perfectly . He later played a Stones ' song ( can't remember which one ! ). We left him at 5 am outside the pub as they were taking a cab for another location , i needed to sleep a bit.
That's what i call ROCK 'N FUCKING ROLL

Backstage

Rocking @ Guinness Tavern

Video from Paris :

Bruce Dickinson Press conference in Paris

Bruce Dickinson , lead singer in IRON MAIDEN is in Paris to promote the release on dvd of his movie " A chemical wedding " : http://www.chemicalweddingmovie.co.uk/
A story about Aleister Crowley's ressurection .
Screening @ 6 pm and press conference @ 8 pm ( we're gonna be late for Motorhead ).
Bruce seems to know A LOT about Aleister Crowley.
The atmosphere is very relax in this small private cinema in front of Europe 1 radio near the Champs Elysées .
Too bad I have to leave before the end to go to ... MOTORHEAD.

Review © Guino Patrice

Blabbermouth has used Rockerparis to inform metallers around the world about this conference.
check their site , there is the Trailer plus other stuff about the movie :
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=109739

Franz ferdinand 's cover " Tonight "

Here's the cover for the new Franz Ferdinand cd " Tonight "

PETE DOHERTY @ Maroquinerie on Friday

BREAKING NEWS :

PETE DOHERTY

TO PLAY THE ---MAROQUINERIE--- IN PARIS
ON FRIDAY 28TH NOV

Tickets on sale NOW on Digitick and tomorrow on other sites.

IT IS SOLD OUT ! SORRY

Dirty Pretty Things @ Bataclan Paris Nov 25th 2008

Last show in Paris before the split @ Bataclan .

The marquee ( left ) and fan (right )

Dirty Pretty Things decided to split a couple of months ago and to finish their European tour.
They've never been on top commercially or musically , just above average. So Carl decided to give up. The perspective of seeing the last show in Paris didn't motivate Carl's fans as the Bataclan is far from being full , the balcony is closed.
A little bit less than a 1000 people tonight but lots of ( beautiful ) girls ( see pictures ).
I've never been a great fan of the DPT , they never could match the Libertines or Babyshambles who have ( had ) more commercial success.
DPT have too many average songs and the concert tonight didn't change my mind at all.
They rock but something is missing in their music.
Nice show but nothing that fantastic.
They've played extra encores including Nirvana's "In Bloom" and a couple of Libertines songs.
Just hope that Carl will come back with a stronger band , I met him a few times and he's one of the nicest & coolest musician i have ever met.

Charming Girl waiting for a kiss from Carl ?

SETLIST : from http://meinzuhausemeinblog.blogspot.com/
01: Wondering
02: Holly Go Lightly
03: Buzzards And Crows
04: Doctors And Dealers
05: Blood Thirsty Bastards
06: Kicks Or Consumption
07: Come Closer
08: The Enemy
09: Hippy's Son
10: Chinese Dogs
11: Gentry Cove
12: Plastik Hearts
13: Last Of The Smalltown Playboys
14: Gin & Milk
15: Deadwood
-----------------
16: Truth Begins
17: B.U.R.M.A.
18: You Fucking Love It
---------------------------
19: France
20: In Bloom (Nirvana Cover)
21: I Get Along (The Libertines)

NB : Patrice our photographer has decided to take pictures of beautiful girls at concerts like his fellow friend from Germany Oliver who has a great site with lots of reviews and pictures of rock concerts from France and Germany.
Check this : http://meinzuhausemeinblog.blogspot.com/



Check our past review of DPT @ Rock en Seine in August 2008 with lots of pictures from Patrice Guino here :
http://rockerparis.blogspot.com/2008/08/rock-en-seine-rem-kaiser-chiefs-dirty.html

Marianne Faithfull @ Fnac Montparnasse Paris Nov 24th 2008

Late afternoon Marianne Faithfull is at the Montparnasse Fnac store to talk about her brand new cd " easy come , easy go ".
She's really relax and in the mood to talk, members from the audience asked a few questions and then she signed a few records.
Not that many people , around 100, so everything went smoothly.
Nice hour with this 60's icon.

Then we went to the Olympia for the first of 3 shows of Leonard Cohen in Paris.
160 euros for a ticket , no fucking way.

Leonard Cohen @ Olympia Paris

Here's an article from the BBC on my mate Ray Morrissey from London who has been to more thant 5000 gigs since 1973 and still rocking.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7741457.stm
Check his site for the latest from London , check his database with all the gigs he went to starting 1973 with Queen opening for Mott the Hoople .
http://www.raysgigs.com/raynews.php