The Room Friends Style

I've always said The Room is the gift that keeps on giving. Check out how The Unusual Suspect has made it into a Friends-style intro.



Cheep cheep cheep cheep.

King Prawn interview + new songs

A week ago, I featured King Prawn as part of the GDAC Playlist. I talked about how their song The Dominant View is a favourite song of my friends and I for many years and generally got nostalgic, as I do. Little did I know that Da Prawn were actually back!

Their drummer, Nikolai, filled me in on their return, shared some stories and took the English language on a merry dance. He’s quite the wordsmith!

This is the best screengrab I could get from Youtube.. The 2.50 mark of this song is relevant, more on that later..

As always, I asked for a Generic Band Biography to start.

We formed initially in the mid 90s. We were the leftovers on the London music scene, the ones that no one wanted,  you only had to look at us to see that  the industry would take one look at us and say what the fuck am I supposed to do with that?  So it was a natural progression that our music would take the same path. It's been a rocky one overgrown with some right cuntish weeds but we armed ourselves with razor sharp musical machetes and got hacking.

We released four LPs in our first incarnation and through sheer bloody mindedness we worked ourselves to a position where we were the king of the freaks and kings of the road.

We've always leapt through styles in our songs but ever present was the underlying anger and mistrust of the world in which we live and those that control it.

So what's it like being back? 

It doesn't feel much different for me really, just like we took a ten year holiday then eventually got bored kicking sand around on the beach and twiddling cocktail umbrellas so went back to work and found the office space hadn't been filled. 

How did the reunion come about? And can you explain the lineup changes

We got regular annual offers to do shows and have always said no, it's hard to pinpoint what made this time any different really... fear of a finite existence where the scythe waits at every street corner? Yeah it was probably that.  We have a new bassist in Zac Chang, he's a big rocksteady bear; solid like granite. We also have an extended horn section, a couple of guys that we have collaborated with for years and who featured on past releases. They are Marvellous Matt Dowse and Mr Alex Gordon. We sound far fatter than we ever used to, before it was like a street brawler now it's like an army marching to war.

What has everyone been up to since we last heard from the band?

Hustling, dodging gainful employment, dodging each other, driving to distraction, walking the plank and trying to stay afloat on a savage turbulent sea.

How has the scene changed since you've been gone? Ska punk was thriving in the UK in early noughties with yourselves, Farse, Whitmore, Spunge..It's been, what, ten years? 

Even in our own scene we were never 'in-fitters'.  We were always the minor key minority in a major key majority. I'm not sure there's going to be any ska in any of our new stuff, there may be, there may not be. To us it's not a big deal, it doesn't define us. The songs will be strong, fresh and mint like toothpaste whatever style they're in.

I'm guessing the internet is playing a bigger part in promotion now..

The internet is a big tool that whilst around when we were has changed the whole ball game

in how bands can interact and inform.  Although at the day's end social media is still merely

an extension of the same cliquey competitive willy waving bullshit human condition

and is able to display the very worst side of our collective soul just as quickly as it can the best.  Come to terms with that and we're all gravy.

 

How have your live shows been going? Is your audience mostly older folks now or are some of the younger British ska bands brought a new audience for you?

Very well thanks, we haven't really done enough shows to gauge just what the audience is. Reading and Leeds seemed younger, like the younger siblings of our crowd back then that were always left at home sulking when their elders went out and tied one on. To be honest if the music is good then it transcends generation and reaches to all age groups. I think the nature of our music and punk in general appeals to the young and the young at heart through the sheer energy of the music and the passion with which it's delivered.

Da Prawn were favourites of Kerrang! magazine for a time, and The Dominant View was featured heavily on p-rock TV, what kind of bands were you touring with at the height of your initial fame? 

Fame eh? Are you sure you've got the right band here?! That side of our business always made us feel uncomfortable, but thankfully we never got close to the kind of scrutiny that tears your life apart and makes daily life unbearable. This was never part of why we do what we do. We make music, you only have to look at the state of our culture and it's depressing obsession with idiots that ain't worth a fuck to know that that way lies monsterdom... To actually answer your question we played with all sorts of acts, playing with Madness was a pretty big deal for me as when I was like ten One Step Beyond was the first LP I ever bought. Gig was a disaster though, biggest stage we'd ever got on and we had no monitors for half the set so we were a shambles. Happy days.

More importantly, you must have some great tour stories! Diss the goss..

They pretty much all involve outwitting the international plod and border guards all over Europe.

We made Howard Marks look like a rank amateur.  They might have taken my clothes and dignity but they'll never take my refer! Anyway If I tell all this shit now then you won't buy my internationally acclaimed book when it lands will you?  Plus I'm not entirely sure what was real and what was a dream now. 

What bands are you listening to now, any new stuff you'd recommend? 

I don't know about new stuff, some stuff may be 30 years old but maybe it's new to me. It's a right old mixed bag of bollocks as you'd expect, at the moment I'm listening to The Sound Defects, Dizraeli and the Young Gods, Bedouin soundclash, Sebastien Tellier, Dangermouse, Friendly Fires, 2nd Class Citizen, Prince Fatty, Mala, Shaolin Afronauts, Ebo Taylor, Madlib, Fat Thumbs Ronnie (these can't all be real, can they? - Alanso), and lots of King Prawn demo ideas to see what/how things can be bettered.

So..what the hell is The Dominant View about anyway?

Dominant View is essentially about finding a real nice vantage point, like a well worn bench on a

clifftop on a clear sunny day and just sitting down and taking it all in, reflecting on the finer things in life. That's right innit Al? (he means singerAl Rumjen, not myself - Alanso) ..oh..it's about the perspective and false reality that the marketing and advertising world portray as a norm, when in actual fact it's so unattainable it's harming to the self esteem and mental well being of the easily impressionable.

Was the bridge and 'three snare hit' part at 2.50 or so subconsciously influenced by the bridge in Bullet In Your Head by Rage Against The Machine by any chance? 

I guess so, I mean we didn't sit around and intentionally say 'right we're lifting that!' But back when we were starting out we did rinse the shit out of their first LP. After that though they did stop being too influential on us, I think we lose a little respect for anyone that adheres to strict rigid formulas when it comes to their art form, it's all a bit one trick pony.

Speaking of snares, what gear do you use?

I sold all my kit after Prawn split back in the day, I sold it instantly, just had had enough of drumming, didn't even wanna see as much as another stick. I've picked up bits again over the years playing in Left Step Band but never wanted the arseache of lugging around another full kit. The set up I use now is a Pearl sensitone elite bronze phosphor 14 by 6.5 snare. I did a little research as I wanted to pick up the best mid range price snare going and this kept coming up on forums. Our soundman loves it, he told me to never ever change it. It's a real beast of a drum, deep with a crack like lightening. The shells are a DW birch prototype kit that's about eighteen years old. It's piano black and pretty mean. I picked the whole lot up on Ebay auctions, stands, cases the works, I just couldn't be dealing with going to shops and getting overcharged - a geezer drove down from Sheffield with the shells for me!

Check Da Prawn on Bandcamp and Facebook for music and tour dates. They're touring UK right now, so get on that.

Bayside release lyric video for new song

Bayside are back and sounding more like the younger, healthier cousins of Alkaline Trio than ever (and that's a huge compliment from me) with a new song and lyric video.

Less Than Jake: See The Light Review

Less Than Jake have always reminded me of the kind of underachieving friend you had in school. Sure, you grew up with him, had a lot of good times, and still have good times when you meet up, but there came a point when you thought come on, dude, step up your game.

Well, to stretch this metaphor further, the guy has done some night courses, put a deposit on an apartment, bought some nice work shirts and is ready to kick ass. In other words, See The Light is easily the best thing Less Than Jake have done in years, maybe ever. Of course their fans have already taken to Youtube, bemoaning the decline of 'their' band, but I think LTJ are ready to take ska back to the mainstream. (Ok, maybe not, but it's really good guys).

Lead single My Money Is On The Long Shot shows that the band have finally ditched the 'punk' (aka poor) sound of previous albums and embraced easier on the ears production that enhance their melodies. Ska was never meant to be harsh. Madness and Bad Manners were like a warm hug for your eardrums. Now Less Than Jake are ready to become legends.

Opening track Good Enough is classic LTJ, while Jump is one of the best melodic punk songs I've heard in years and is probably my favourite song on the album. The contrast between the dual vocalists is something I always think the band should have used more, and a good chorus is made great because Roger takes it.

The first 5 songs are very strong. It's raining, it's November, but all I want to do is go on a road trip and eat ice cream with my friends! Bless The Cracks seems like it might be a slight sticking point for fans, varying between radio rock and a 77 rehash, but the chorus saves the song for me, would sing along in my bedroom and feel I 'really get the lyrics'/10.

It's not a perfect album, for the record. American Idle sounds like a bad Foo Fighters b-side and Sunstroke is a filler song if I ever heard one. But the lulls are few and always precede a quality song. Most encouraging, besides the better production values, is the step up in songwriting and the brass section.



While they will never reach the level of Streetlight Manifesto, songs like A Short History Lesson and Weekends All Year Long, the two songs that end the album, go a long way in filling the void left by Streetlight. I saw LTJ a few years ago and it remains one of my top 5 shows, this album has me hoping they'll tour near me again and not take 5 years for another release!

Rating: 9/10

Top 10 Obnoxious Party Songs

What do you do when you don't really like clubs (except in certain situations), but love getting drunk with your friends and acting like idiots? Have regular house parties, of course!

While I love pop punk, heavy shit, Irish folk songs etc, they're not always the right soundtrack to get a party going. I'm talking about a 'let's keep drinking all night, woooo!' kind of night, when everyone is feeling like they're in a rated R movie. Then you gotta break out the obnoxious party songs! Plus, I generally have a low tolerance to clubs, so big houseparties where I have some control over the music is best. Also, a lot of parties use the youtubes, so bonus points for songs that have videos.

Kesha - Blow (Cirkut Remix)

This is an ideal song to get the party started. Nearly everyone knows/has an opinion on Ke$ha so there's a common ground to go on and a nice introduction to the ridiculous dubstep that is to follow. I actually jam Ke$ha on the reg, which confuses/irriates some people, but I genuinely like her pop songs. No homo, no troll. Shout out to my internet homegirl Ashley for awaring me of this track!

Breathe Carolina - Blackout

I still remember first seeing this video on Scuzz and not knowing what the hell what was going on. They look scene as fuq, are playing instruments but...I want to dance? This jam is Serious! So catchy. I don't think this song ever got as big as it should have but I did hear it being played in my local Safeway when I was picking up groceries at like 5.30 and that made me lol.

Sam and the Womp - Bom Bom Bom

So hopefully by now, everyone is good and drunk, because this is the kind of song that can turn the party up a notch, or send everyone retreating to bed. It was number 1 in the UK so obviously some people like it, but you gotta judge the timing of this one. All going well the beat and infectious melody will whip your fun friends into a dance frenzy and seperate those who are there to party from those just looking to crash.

Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers

I love this song as it's got some funky dance beats going on for a little while before going full obnoxious club song. Dizzee can shite on about whatever he wants, but it's all about the build up to dat dirty bassline. If you have access to a strobe light, now would be a good time to use it. Have danced to this in an apartment kitchen in the early morning at least once.

Millionaires - Party Like A Millionaire

Another make or break moment in the playlist. This is the ultimate college girl 'finds herself' at a houseparty song. Imagine if Ke$ha had sleazier cousins that were fun to party with, but, you know, not at your house.. This is a sweet song though, I love sing-song rap and the chorus is so good it's annoying. At the very least people will be mildly offended by how obnoxious the song is! It's time to embrace the excess or go to bed.

Azelia Banks - 212

What an absolute banger! I heard this song on the way to work one day and spent the whole day thinking about getting drunk and playing it that night with my friends. It's the ultimate white person at a club song. Simple enough to dance to, explicit enough to feel like you're edgy/a gangsta and catchy enough to stick in your head.

Knife Party - Internet Friends

I was at a party once where a guy rolled his eyes when I played Skrillex, then proceded to play Knife Party. LOL. Oh yeah, cos the two dudes from Pendulum have so much more street cred than the dude from From First To Last... Anyway, this is a sweet choon though, and I actually think it's easiers for noobs to get into because of all the media references. This is the opening to play some dub/brostep. Just remember not to go full dubstep.

Skrillex - Bangarang!

Yo, fuck what dubstep nerds say, this shit is bananas. The concept of 'real' dubstep is ridonk, it's a dude programming on his laptop either way. But yeah, this goes hard. Shit gets heavy at times, there's a lot going on, but there are hooks too.


Celldweller - I See Stars Filth Friends Unite

This remix is RIDICULOUS. Celldweller takes a trancecore song and molds it into a metal-influenced eurotrance track that goes balistic when the dubstep drops around 35 seconds in. With the exception of one hiccup it all flows beautifully. And you and your crew can feel badass shouting 'I go looking for friends in the filthiest places' and then going mental.

LMFAO ft Lil John - Shots

If LMFAO aren't enough craic by themselves, there's also the most obnoxious man in the planet Lil John shouting at you to drink more! If people know this song, this could be an epic moment. If they don't know it, the party is probably done immediately. I like to think Lil John is a sweet, soft spoken man who drinks tea and honey when not in character.

Dodgy Film Club: The Last Stand

It's a simple enough premise: The leader of a drug cartel escapes from a courthouse and is racing towards the Mexican border and freedom. The only thing that stands in his way is Arnold Schwarzenegger and his merry band of law enforcement misfits.



The film itself is more complicated, however. I mean, the cast is actually kinda decent for an action flick. Arnie, Johnny Knoxville as the wildcard, Forest Whitaker as the government police guy, some feisty chick as a female cop and some handsome dude as the loveable badboy. What's more, there is actually some attempt to pace the film at the start, to establish a storyline and build the characters.

On the other hand... How long has Arnie lived in America now?  Dat accent! Even in the storyline he is meant to have spent part of his career in LA. Then there's extended fight scenes, a shooting and a car chase within the first 28 minutes, too. And the police team are laughably cliche. Arnie, despite barely being able to speak understandable English, is the insightful, all-knowing Sheriff, backed up by:

• a chief Wiggum type chief 
• the above mentioned feisty girl 
• an All American guy who seems like a noob

There are times when this feels like a disaster blockbuster from the 90s. The amount of back and forth scenes alternatively showing the action on the road, at a roadblock and at police/govt HQ is like something out of Armageddon or Independence Day. When is Arnie getting involved in the action for reals you guys??

After about 35 minutes however, I found I was invested! Two cops were stranded when Arnie shows up. Within 5 seconds he has run over one guy with his jeep, smashed the window with his elbow and shot two more guys with a shotgun, now we're getting somewhere!

The siege element of the movie is when things really kick up a gear. This is some classic A-Team-esque 'baton down of the hatches and use what you have' action. Johnny Knoxville and the bad ass are made deputies (wat?) and the team set up their own road block with some impressive weapons that are questionably legal.

There are inconsistencies all over the place. Despite being hopeless in an earlier shootout, the female cop is extremely proficient with a sniper rifle, but she can't use a walkie talkie without slamming it on the ground each time.

It's worth watching, probably more suited to a guys night in than Dodgy Film Club, though. There is one spectacular mid air kill from Arnie though and some classic moments if you have missed him in this kind of role.

GDAC Playlist: King Prawn - The Dominant View

I can't overstate how big the p-rock channel was for me. It was the rabbit hole that I fell into to find punk rock and ska, providing a soundtrack to my teen years. Years later and my friends and I still revert to these songs when drunk or road tripping.



The Dominant View was a song I'd forgotten about until it was played at a house party a few years ago. This song was typical of British p-rock bands; though predominantly (heh) ska and punk, it has a pinch of nu metal. And of course they have a midget playing the bass.