Showing posts with label Ride. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ride. Show all posts

Tuesday, 20 January 2026

Vapour Trail

Photo by Joe Dilworth

Cover version of the month #116
Trespassers William covers Ride's Vapour Trail

Trust me #110 - Vapour Trail by Ride

I started revisiting, reading and writing about Ride's blissful Vapour Trail for my Trust Me series and playlist. I'm still going to add it to that playlist. However, while researching the song, I discovered a gorgeous slow burning cover by a band called Trespassers Williams, hence, Vapour Trail is added to my cover version of the month series and playlist. Read on!

Ride burst on to the independent music scene in 1990 with a trilogy of EP's and debut album Nowhere. Aged between 18-20, the band seemed to be in their own world. Andy Bell, Mark Gardner (guitars and vocals), Steve Queralt (bass) and Loz Colbert (drums) looked fantastic, like a real gang and the four friends had a clear vision for their sound and values. 

Many labels were in the race to sign Ride from early doors, but Creation Records was the label Ride wanted - The Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine being crucial factors. There is a great section on Creation chasing and getting Ride in the magnificent Creation book My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry For The Prize by David Cavanagh.

Vapour Trail, the closing song on Nowhere, seems so perfectly formed. Magical. If Ride's EP's and much of their debut album had a wall of noise that marked them as shoegazers, Vapour Trail had more space, a string quartet and a crystaline, chiming 12-string riff that really highlighted the bands development and maturity.

The song rides in on warm chords and Andy Bell singing the first line before the band fall in behind him.

First you look so strong, then you fade away

The sun will blind my eyes, I'll love you anyway

Thirsty for your smile, I watch you for a while

You are a vapour trail, in a deep blue sky

There are only 2 verses, with Bell singing about a love that seems to be fleeting (like a vapour trail), while he wants more. Each verse is followed by a la, la, la, la, la refrain. i particularly like the third line in the second verse - Bell is all in.

Tremble with a sigh, glitter in your eye

You seem to come and go, I never seem to know

And all my time is yours as much mine

We never have enough time to show our love

"I remember writing the riff in a hotel room on a very early Ride tour. We were in a bed and breakfast type scenario, and I was sitting on a bed with an acoustic to get that four-chord pattern which is really very simple. It’s played on two 12-strings. People seem to be quite interested with the guitar sound on this record, if there are fades or effects, but there’s not; it’s just two 12-strings. It’s just one of those magical songs. That’s the one that everyone talks about on the album in my experience. These songs are the easiest to write and the ones that you don’t really think about at the time. It came out so easily and it has that effortless feel to it. I guess it is the one I’m most proud of from that era." Andy Bell, MTV Hive, 2011

The second refrain finishes just before the 2-minute mark and everything cuts to leave the guitars before the drums come crashing back in, bass underpinning everything. Then comes the gorgeous string quartet over the top, the guitars continue to chime, the drums are cool and the bass is holding it all. 

Ride are lost in the music and invite the listener to do the same, letting things flow for almost 2-minutes before the guitars and Loz's ferocious drumming cut to leave the string quartet to play the song out. Sublime! Heart-achingly beautiful.

As mentioned above, I've recently discovered a gorgeous slow burning cover of Vapour Trail by Trespassers William who released their version as a single in 2003. The song also featured on the Bella Union UK version of second album Different Stars, that was initially a self release in 2002.

Anna-Lynne Williams and Matt Brown are the two constant members in the band, who released three albums between 1999 and 2006. Cast, a compilation album of b-sides and rarities came out in 2012.

How on earth do you cover Vapour Trail?!

Well, Trespassers William don't just show their love for the song by playing and replicating it. Instead, they slow the whole thing down, it's a dreamy swoon. Anna-Lynne Williams has a voice that sounds like a secret being whispered in your ear. It’s fragile, melancholic, and utterly captivating. You can tell they've spent a lot of time with this song. 

Gentle and persistent piano, reverb-drenched vocals, distant echoes of slide(?) guitar, then a little jangle, before a solo is introduced over the top. Oooft this gives me the tingles.

If Ride's version is a teenage Andy Bell writing about the excitement of new love and infatuation, the Trespassers William cover is like a heart-aching reflection of a love that's long gone, but fondly remembered.

Utterly gorgeous. Enjoy.

Ride's original and the Trespassers William cover of Vapour Trail are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE I've also added it to my Trust Me playlist.

Previous covers of the month blogs

13. Hurt
39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash
64. Lola
82. Drop
87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire
92. Valerie
101. Shout!



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Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Tenement Trail 2024

Last October, on a particularly wet, windy and stormy day, I ventured into Tenement Trail to catch Kerr Mercer opening the day at Saint Lukes. I was quite taken by the buzz around the area as fans and bands headed to BAaD to pick up wristbands and to check in.

I couldn't hang around due to a family engagement, but I vowed to return in 2024.

Return I did. My friend Joe and I headed toward the Barrowland, BAaD and Saint Luke's for just after 1pm and literally as we picked up our wristbands the heavens opened and the blue skies turned to grey. The rain battered it down, so we opted to head to stay exactly where we were and grab a beer and some lunch in the BAaD courtyard - thankfully covered! 

Hanging outside BAaD

There was sunshine after the rain though and we headed round to the Barrowland for our first bands of the day. Peach Crumb opened proceedings in the downstairs (Barrowland 2) bar with a short 25-minute set, ending with their two singles NBDY and Keeping Busy. The third song in their set stood out for me though. Singer Becca ditched her acoustic guitar to strut, dance and pull shapes to a more energetic style and sound in comparison to the rest of the quite dreamy set. 

yesandmaybe 

Yesandmaybe were on next and they absolutely blew me away. I can't recall seeing a band so perfectly formed at such an early stage since .... probably Chvrches. Joe and I caught them line checking and they had quite the set up. It turns out that yesandmaybe are a Scottish/French duo who met online and worked up an album that way. Live, they were amplified by an ace drummer (Craig who was formerly in Twin Atlantic), bass and additional guitars/synths.

Think The Strokes crossed with Phoenix. Gigi (I think) from France is an exceptionally inventive guitarist, while the singer (I didn't catch his name) played soaring stadium synth riffs and sang with a similar cool distorted effect on his vocals like Julian Casablancas. 

Every song sounded like a potential single. Train To Nowhere is apparently the title of their forthcoming debut album (they already have that in the bag, despite this being their second gig) and thr title track sounded impeccable. Songs like God Isn't Real and Bloody Madness also sounded sublime. Dressed in sharp black suits, the band looked as sharp and cool as their songs. 100% ones to watch.

DEFINITELY YES - yesandmaybe in Barrowland 2

While tempted to stay in the Barrowland 2, Joe and I opted for some fresh air and a walk round to BAaD to see a band called Dallas Love Field, simply because we liked the name. We enjoyed the band too! The four piece created a glorious shoegaze, psychedelic racket with some dreamy lead vocals. Some of the lead guitar work was reminiscent of the sounds Nick McCabe would create on the first Verve singles and album.  I'd definitely go and catch them live again. There is little information about them online at present, but it sounds like they made their live debut at BLOC in March 2023 and are now working with Jason Shaw who has previously worked with Ride. Sounds like a good match! I can imagine them releasing on the Sonic Cathedral label that Andy Bell is involved with.

Dallas Love Field in BAaD

After catching up with a couple of friends, a further walk led us to The Gate, a beautiful speakeasy style pub across the road from The Barrowland. We arrived in time for most of a secret acoustic set by Slix, a band from Greenock that my friend Joe (a native of that part of the world) had his eye on. We somehow managed to get a seat at the far side of the bar and enjoyed the few songs we heard, that included a cover of Digsy's Dinner by Oasis. Slightly odd choice of cover, but hey.

Exiting on to the Gallowgate we decided that more food was in order, handy as we were right outside Ho Lee Fook, a super cool Thai street food 'hole in the wall' type place that is becoming an Instagram hit. Having sampled their food before, I was delighted to go back. They were in demand, so Joe and I had 20-25 minutes to kill, so we opted for a nearby Celtic bar for a quick beer.

TTSSFU

We then took our food back to BAaD for TTSSFU from Manchester. More cool shoegazey sounds from the 4-piece who looked super delighted to be up in Glasgow and playing in such a large venue to a packed crowd.

That is one thing Tenement Trail has going for it, the festival puts (often) fledgling bands on big stages to crowds way bigger than they would normally play to. It's a little sink or swim, definitely an incredible opportunity.

Last up for me, as I had yet another prior family engagement, was a trip back to the Barrowland to see Greenock boys Slix on the main stage. They pulled a sizeable crowd and seem to be on the up as they have announced a headline show at The Garage in April. 

We didn't catch all of their set as I was getting picked up and Joe decided to head to Saint Luke's where he caught some of Imogen and the Knife, Parliamo and then headliners Neon Waltz who he particularly enjoyed.

Congratulations to Tenement Trail on a fantastic 10th anniversary festival. I remember when it started up at the top of Sauchiehall Street. It is amazing to see how it has grown to become an absolute staple in the Scottish music calendar. I hope to attend next year.




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Thursday, 21 September 2023

INTERVIEW - Andy Bell

Back in August 2020 Andy Bell released a brilliant single called Love Comes In Waves and he very kindly answered some questions for my blog. Being the lovely guy he is, Andy was 100% up for another interview ahead of 3 Scottish dates next month under the guise of GLOK, his electronic alter ego.

GLOK play Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms 11th October, Aberdeen, The Tunnels 12th October and Glasgow, Stereo, 13th October.

You can get tour tickets and pre-order Gateway Mechanics, the new GLOK album from this link.

Read on for an excellent interview. Andy is exceptionally open and honest as he reflects on his career, his songwriting and looks to the future. Is this an exclusive on a new Ride album?!

You've been super busy with Ride - the new albums have been fantastic and you've had a chance to reflect on your discography with reissues and playing albums in full on tour. 

Are there any songs (old or new - maybe you could choose one of each) that you particularly look forward to playing live? Why?

I really love playing Seagull off Nowhere because it’s never the same twice. I saw some early footage of us playing it recently, from 1990 or so, and the start what I was playing was all straight strumming, and Loz was playing a kind of Velvets beat. Now we do a version which is a bit more faithful to the recorded version, but there’s still parts of the song that can go into new places each time we play it. Of the newer songs - Lannoy Point is a favourite because it gets the crowds going. 

Seagull - Live on KEXP, 2015

Seagull - Live on The Happening, 1990

Lannoy Point

When you're writing, do you know in advance if the song is for Ride? Or does it depend where the song takes you? 

It’s not always immediately apparent and some would actually work in a variety of guises. But usually by the time I’ve finished a demo I know where it’s going to be going. If it’s a song with verses and choruses then it’s going to be for Ride, unless it’s going down a more folky path, which is often the sign that it will end up on a solo album. And the more dancey or  soundscapey music is for GLOK. But I don’t work on 1 song and finish it. I work on dozens of things all at the same time, everything is unfinished, I just dip in and out, and eventually something sounds done. Time will pass and I’ll suddenly feel like grouping sets of tracks together and sending them off towards a final point.

You recently toured America with The Charlatans. How did that go? Would you consider a tour or some one-off shows in the UK? I'm sure either would be immensely popular!

It was brilliant and we’d like to do it again. And yes, I’d love to do it in the UK. They’re a lovely bunch of people and so are their fans. 

NOTE - The Charlatans and Ride have just confirmed that they will be touring America again in early 2024.

You recently reissued Carnival Of Light, an album I really enjoyed when it was released. However, it is well documented that it created quite a bit of tension in the band at the time. Was it hard to revisit? What do you think of the album now? Do you have any favourite songs from it?

When I heard the remastered version I thought it sounded great, the production stood up really well. What I think it lets it down is my own songwriting and singing. I love the songs the rest of the band wrote, and some of mine on Carnival of Light are OK. The music and playing I like. I just don’t think I was playing to my strengths at the time. My favourites on the album are Moonlight Medicine and Only Now. 

Moonlight Medicine

You seem to have everything pretty nailed at present; Ride, your solo material and also your electronic alias GLOK. How are you feeling about writing and creating? Are you 'in the zone' at present?

I am working through a process, something I’ve been going through for the last few years. I feel like I’m still clearing the decks and opening the channels for myself to get into some kind of ongoing flow state. The music I’ve released since 2019 is all part of that. What was going on up to that point I regard as some form of hoarding and I don’t think that’s very healthy artistically. 

I’m definitely not there yet in terms of my headspace, there’s a time lag as well. Ironically the times when things are released can often end up being times when you feel at a dead end, possibly due to being in a different state mentally, having to look back over where you’ve been can prevent you seeing where you’re going. Right now I’ve not worked on anything new for weeks. It’s been a mad Summer and I’ve done almost no music, I’m feeling the lack of it, like I really miss it. I guess I broke my hand, that’s held me up a bit too. But saying all that, I feel like I’m getting into a better and better headspace musically all the time. It’s just an ongoing process. 

With GLOK, what kind of set up do you have for playing live? And, at home or in the studio, do you have a favourite synth or drum machine?

I have my guitars, pedals and amps, and I have re-edited backing tracks which have been remixed by me from the GLOK multitrack masters, to play over. To play them I use DJ equipment because that allows me to extend or reduce different sections as and when I want to. For GLOK gigs I am also joined by my friend Chris (Innerstrings) who will be bathing the whole thing in a psychedelic light show. 

You recently worked with Dot Allison who has released a beautiful album. Is there anyone you'd love to write for or play on a record with?

There’s an artist called Justine Forever, who has just released an incredible track called Klaus, I’d love to work on a track with her, but in a way I’m happy enough just listening to her music, it’s probably better than GLOK anyway. 

Klaus

Speaking of writing songs for people - You wrote songs for Oasis and Beady Eye. Would you ever consider writing a song for Liam and sending it on? He does have people writing for him. Turn Up The Sun was such a perfect song for him (and Oasis). I was at Benicassim in 2005 and you came on to play that first, it was so powerful. 

I think with songs like Chinatown and Once, Liam has no need to be working with someone like me. He’s doing amazing and more power to him. The songs I wrote back in Oasis and Beady Eye, I’m very proud of them and he gave them everything vocally, he delivered them with total commitment every time, it was amazing. I think that Turn Up The Sun was the best thing I wrote for Oasis so it was an incredible feeling for me that it got played so much on that tour. 

Once

Turn Up The Sun - Benicassim 2005

What was your favourite Oasis song to play live? Why?

Rock n Roll Star was the one I had the best time playing, because it just rips. 

Rock n Roll Star - Wembley Arena 2008

Lastly, what next? Any plans or are you going with the flow?

I have the GLOK UK tour in October, there’s also the GLOK live album Gateway Mechanics which is released on September 29th via ES (Electronic Sound). 

You can get tour tickets and pre-order the album from this link:

https://linktr.ee/AndyBellGLOK

We also have a Ride album finished and ready to go. It’s been along time coming, without a doubt the longest gestation period ever for a Ride record. It was mastered by John Davis, who has tragically just passed away. John was a very talented man who was a lot of fun to be around, a huge Bowie fan, and so enthusiastic and positive. He’ll really be missed. So yeah, the records ready. We just signed off on the sleeve art and then it’s up to the record company to give us a release date. But we’re really happy with it.




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Friday, 10 December 2021

Never Ending Mixtape part 67

 


Welcome to the latest additions to my Never Ending Mixtape which now has 154 hours 32 minutes of music, approaching 2,500 songs.

Thanks so much if you are one of the 259 people that follow it. And thanks also if you check in now and again. I hope you rediscover an old favourite or discover something new and wonderful you haven't heard before.

I add songs regularly as I go, there is no particular method. Unlike the mixtapes when I was younger that were restricted to 60 or 90 minutes. Back then I would meticulously plan the running order. With no limit on this mixtape, I just add songs all the time. I do like playing the playlist on shuffle though.

Here is a list of the latest songs I have added. Check out Hey Boy by The Magic Kids that I first heard very recently while DJ-ing recently with my friend Barry in Mono. Barry also played Foggy Notion by The Velvet Underground which sounded absolutely incredible.

Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or CLICK HERE

Weirdo - The Charlatans

Taste - Ride

Today - Ride

Polar Bear - Ride

Bye Bye Pride - The Go-Betweens

Paint - The Lemonheads

Stephanie Says - The Velvet Underground

I'm Sticking With You - The Velvet Underground

Hospital - The Lemonheads

Half The Time - The Lemonheads

Nature #1 demo - The Charlatans

Hope Is The Last Thing To Die - David Holmes

Kitchen - Godstar

Sunshower -  Godstar

Every Step Is A Way Through - Marioni

Love Having You Around - First Choice

Together We Stand - Araiana Greenblatt

Chaise Longue - Wet Leg

Wet Dream - Wet Leg

What Kind Of Lady - Dee Dee Sharp

Oh Girl - The Ch-lites

Have You Seen Her - The Chi-lites

Ecstasy - New Order

Leave Me Alone - New Order

Laurie (live) - Tim Burgess

The Only One I Know - Tim Burgess

Trianon Masp - Monokini

Another Version Of The Truth - Tim Burgess

We All Need Love - Tim Burgess

Just One Kiss - Tim Burgess

Always Together With You - Spiritualized

I Think I'm In Love - Spiritualized

If The Kids Are United - Sham 69

The World Is Waiting - Gerry Love & Frank Popp Ensemble

Only For Tonight - Pearl Charles

What I Need - Pearl Charles

Kill All Hippies - Primal Scream

Light My Fire - The Doors

Jump Into The Fire - Harry Nilsson

Without You - Harry Nilsson

Early In The Morning - Harry Nilsson

Taste of Cindy - The Jesus and Mary Chain

Fake ID - Spyres

Free Today - Albertine Sarges

Oh My Love - Albertine Sarges

Before You Gotta Go - Courtney Barnett

Like A Ship - Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir

Jolene - Dolly Parton

Can't Seem To Make You Mine - The Seeds

It's Getting Better Man - Oasis

On Melancholy Hill - Gorillaz

Kissaround - Sister Vanilla

Rill Rill - Sleigh Bells

Lonely Planet Boy - New York Dolls

Chameleon Queen - Cats Eyes

Don't Cry, No Tears - Teenage Fanclub

Days Of Heaven - The Dream Machine

Hey Boy - The Magic Kids

Foggy Notion - The Velvet Underground



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Wednesday, 28 April 2021

The Indica Gallery EP by Andy Bell

 The Indica Gallery was a counterculture art gallery in swinging central London between 1965-1967, most famously known for being the place that John Winston Lennon met Yoko Ono. In one of my favourite Lennon interviews he describes this meeting; walking in and seeing some step ladders and a magnifying glass, he perches on top of the ladders and peers through to see the word YES. If it had been NO or MAYBE then he might not have stayed, but the positive nature appealed to him and he stayed. The rest, as they say, is history.

Anyway, The Indica Gallery EP is the first of three EP's that Andy Bell is releasing between April and June 2021. Each EP will be released in a different format; 12-inch, 10-inch and then 7-inch, hence the series will be called Ever Decreasing Circles.


Bell's debut solo album The View From Halfway Down was one of my top 10 albums of 2020 and Andy also very kindly gave a very insightful interview for the blog around the release of his single Love Comes In Waves.

I love the creative energy that seems to be pouring out of Bell. Ride have produced some incredible music since reforming, while outwith that, Andy is releasing experimental electronic music under the guise of GLOK and psychedelic guitar pop with lots of grooves under his own name.

Electronic music and blissful psychedelic grooves gel on the 6-track The Indica Gallery EP as the artist Pye Corner Audio is let loose on 5 of the gems from Bell's debut solo album; Indica, Skywalker, Cherry Cola, Love Comes In Waves and I Was Alone. The 6th song is Bell in his GLOK guise also remixing Indica.

The remix of Cherry Cola is a particular favourite. The last couple of minutes are beautifully dreamy, there is feedback in the background as a sublime electronic riff is allowed to run and run, before fading to the guitar riff from the original.

Elsewhere I Was Alone just seems to float and glide. Ladies and Gentleman, we are definitely floating in space with this beauty! The pH value on this remix is a clear 14. Sublime.

Love Comes In Waves is transformed into ... well psychedelic waves that just keep coming! Skywalker sounds like it could do with a 12-inch all to itself, just taking off before teasingly being brought back down.

Love Comes In Waves (Pye Corner Audio remix)

With Indica it's interesting to compare two different artist taking on the same song. Pye Corner Audio layers beats and synths, creating a warm melting pot you could easily get lost in. Then Bell, as GLOK, starts with blips before adding beats, synth bass and then introducing a riff that reminds you this a remix, taking you on a trip. The remix compliments the original perfectly. 

The Indica Gallery EP is further proof that Andy Bell is in a rich vein of form right now. He seems to be blessed not only with real creative energy, but with the outlet to get things out there. Martin Jenkins aka Pye Corner Audio, works wonders, taking the songs to new places, yet they feel right, like this is a journey they had to go on.

Jenkins and Bell met at The Social in October 2019 for label Sonic Catherdral's 15th birthday party

"Pye Corner Audio was headlining with bdrmm and myself playing live sets, as well as Simone Marie Butler, Maps and others djing. Before this legendary night was over, Martin and I agreed we would work together on something, sometime. I wasn't sure he' remember the conversation, but luckily he did."      Andy Bell

"It gave me a great deal of pleasure working on these remixes, and I think the EP is a fitting companion piece to the album." Martin Kenkins aka Pye Audio Corner

Andy Bell - Bandcamp

Cherry Cola (Pye Corner Audio remix)

Pye Audio Corner - Bandcamp



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Friday, 21 August 2020

Love Comes In Waves - Andy Bell interview

 

Andy Bell's love of music shines through on his social media channels. During lockdown I've enjoyed Andy's tweets of him playing cover versions (and tutorials) of his favourite songs. In addition Andy has talked openly about celebrating a recent landmark birthday. 

And then Andy posted news that he would be releasing The View From Halfway Down, his debut solo album, on 9th October, before treating us to a taster with the single Love Comes In Waves.

The fresh psychedelic pop vibe of the single sent warm tingles down my spine, there is an urgency and playfulness to it, there is a constant flow and drive, Bell sounds like he's having fun. The guitars sound glorious and I immediately wanted to play it again.

I was so inspired that I sent a few questions off and I was thrilled to receive a reply!

So read on for a feature length interview taking in the impact of COVID, Ride, GLOK (Andy's electronica alter ego), recording with Andrew Weatherall, the solo album and what Andy hopes the album will be thought of if he has succeeded.

A desire to create and play leaps out from the interview and I look forward to hearing the album in October, I'll be blogging on that on release.

But first - A few links and the video for the single before we get started;

Andy Bell - Bandcamp  

Ride - website 

GLOK - Bandcamp

Album pre-orders from Sonic Cathedral

How are you? How has life been for you over the last 5-months? What have you had to put on hold? What have you had more time to do?

I'm really good thanks. In the grand scheme of things I feel like I've had things pretty easy during lockdown. Luckily no-one in my family has been taken ill. It's hard not being around people outside of our family unit, but that has started to ease a little in the last few weeks. But there are still folks, such as my wife's parents over in Dublin, who we haven't been able to see at all, and that's been hard.

When this all started I had just come back from a Ride tour of Europe. It was the start of February and COVID was looming over the horizon but not here yet. Ride has a summer of festival gigs lined up and we were looking forward to that But Ride was coming to the end of a cycle rather than launching into a new one. This meant that we were mentally prepared to be winding down anyway, at least for the moment, which made it easier I think.

My immediate plan was to prepare for the first GLOK gigs, which had been put in the diary from March onwards. My GLOK live debut was due to be at an event called Music's not for everyone which was curated by Andrew Weatherall, and this was cancelled, not because of COVID, but because the great man tragically passed away at the start of the year. In fact his funeral was the very last time I saw people out and about, before lockdown started.

Mr Weatherall's passing was such a massive loss to music. Andrew was a titan of the musical culture I grew up with and definitely a hero of mine. It was sad to me on a personal level as well because we become friends a couple of years earlier, when he invited me down to his studio, ostensibly to buy a guitar off him. In the event, I ended up staying for upwards of 2 weeks, because when I plugged the guitar in to try it out, I ended up playing on something he was working on (a track he eventually titled Making Friends With The Invader - the guitar is a Vox Invader) and then another and another. These sessions, which took place in Summer 2018, were a fantastic memory that I will carry with me forever. Andrew had also become something of a mentor to GLOK and one of his last remixes, possibly his last one, was of a GLOK track called Cloud Cover. (check it on Bandcamp) 

As well as the Music's not for everyone gig, GLOK also had shows lined up at the Social, the Great Escape and Worlds Unknown. I was figuring out to convert my album Dissident into a live setting, when lockdown just obliterated all those plans. There was a GLOK remix album about to be released Dissident Remixed which ended up getting put back a few months due to COVID, that's now been released and has done really well. It's great - it includes that excellent Weatherall remix but also great mixes from Maps, Timothy Clerkin, Richard Sen, C.A.R. and many more.

So no GLOK gigs, no GLOK remix album, no Ride festivals, lockdown left me with only one thing to work on, an EP which I'd planned to put out on Sonic Catherdral, to follow up a 7" I'd released in 2019 as part of their singles club. I was trying to figure out which songs to put on this 12", out of all the possible choices, and it was doing my head in until I had the idea to maybe expand it from 20 minutes to 40 and make it an album. The change from an EP to an album was a direct result of lockdown. That, and a shedload of DIY!

You've announced your solo album The View From Halfway Down is coming out in October. Did you set out to write a bunch of new songs or did it just happen?

For me it was more a question of track selection. I recorded a lot of tunes with Gem Archer at his stdio back at the start of 2016, directly following the death of David Bowie, and this album draws from that but also other bits and pieces. The songs on this album were mostly finished before all of this. It was mainly vocals and mixing that happened this year.

The lead single Love Comes In Waves is real melodic psychedelic pop. Did anything specifically influence the sound of the single or forthcoming album? What kind of stuff were you listening to?

The influences shine through as clear as day I think, it's the music everyone knows I'm into. The Beatles, Krautrock, Spacemen Three, The Stone Roses.

Would you like to play some solo shows when it is possible?

I'd like to, yeah. I'd like to play some Ride shows too! And some GLOK shows! I'm basically desperate to play a real gig again. Ride did an online gig the other day, and although it was great to do, it basically just highlighted everything that was missing from that moment. I miss our audience and I can't wait to get onstage on a real tour with Ride again. I feel cheated out of the end of our last tour, but hopefully we can pick up again where we left off when this is all over.

What can fans expect from the album?

It's a pretty humble affair. Around half of the tracks are instrumental, it's not so much of a "songwriter" album. It's more about a listening experience, I tried to make something that I'd want to listen to. It's pretty gentle most of the time, touches of psychedelia, I think it sounds great in the sun. Basically, if I've succeeded, it's the ideal shoegaze barbeque album.



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Wednesday, 1 August 2018

How Does It Feel To Feel


Ride formed in 1988 when four teenagers met through two different art colleges in Oxford. Andy Bell, Mark Gardner, Loz Colbert and Steve Queralt kind of knew each other but came together to form Ride and they quickly made their mark by self-recording and producing a demo tape with the songs Chelsea Girl and Drive Blind.

Ride looked, sounded and acted like a real band. Bell was a huge fan of independent guitar music and their demos quickly got into the hands of people like Jim Reid from the Marychain and word got out that they wanted to sign to Creation Records. The full story behind this and their subsequent rise to indie fame is brilliantly documented in the Creation book My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry For The Prize.


Their early EP's thrilled music fans across the country, Ride then delivered a brilliant debut LP in the shape of Nowhere in 1990, following it swiftly with Going Blank Again in 1992. Both contained seminal tracks like Vapour Trail and Leave Them All Behind. Their sound was psychedelic with vocals lost in the mix of guitars at times, their performances led to NME and Melody Maker labelling them (and other bands) shoegazing.

Ride's Carnival Of Light album then came out in 1994. I loved it and remember watching their Glastonbury set live on the BBC and marveling at the way they looked and sounded. They sounded fresh, the guitars had been stripped back a little, the vocals were clearer and they seemed to be developing as songwriters. Little did I know that there was quite a bit of internal conflict between the band with Mark Gardner having all his songs on side 1 and Andy Bell taking side 2.

Side 2 also contained a cover - How Does It Feel To Feel? by the band The Creation (who the label was named after). The opening of guitars feeding back over a beat captivated me as an 18-year old and I still feel the sense of energy and urgency now.

It is a glorious noisy and psychedelic mess for 3-minutes and 45 seconds. Gardner and Bell's voices combine brilliantly to ask a series of questions through the verses before most important question becomes a the chorus.

How does it feel when you slide down a sunbeam
How does it feel bursting clouds on your way
How does it feel that the night is over
How does it feel never to sleep again
How does it feel to feel
How does it feel to feel

Ride's version is very true to the original. The feedback that 60's beat bands were discovering and exploring (notaby through the commercial success of The Who and The Kinks) is key to the energy of the song. It is garage psychedelic pop brilliance and Ride cover it beautifully.






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Monday, 26 June 2017

Weather Diaries by Ride


Weather Diaries is the sound of 4 friends reconvening after a couple of decades of life experience and rediscovering the chemistry that once propelled them to the forefront of the UK indie scene. The fire has been relit and on the stand outs Ride sound fresh, vital, forceful and like they are having fun.

Erol Alkan produces and what a splendid job he does; there are the fantastic guitar sounds you would hope for (and expect) on a new Ride album, Andy and Mark's voices combine gloriously, but there is also a little pop edge that Alkan is perhaps responsible for.


The album opens with Lannoy Point, a groovy instrumental jam for over a minute before Mark Gardner returns on vocals singing about being wiser for time and a better sense can start again. It's a promising start - dreamy vocals, good groove and chiming guitars at all the right moments.


Erol Alkan's production comes to the fore on All I Want with a distorted sampled vocal at the start, the music is suddenly more psychedelic, the drums sound fantastic.  Ride still like to sing about feelings (see Lannoy Point) and some of their lyrics are still touched with the teenage innocence that won them so many fans back in the late 1980's early 1990's.

I can feel how you want me to feel
I can know what you want me to know

The backing vocals are pure early Ride and when Mark Gardner and Andy Bell combine in harmony then magical things can happen. I think back to their Glastonbury 1994 performance for their Carnival Of Light album when they just looked and sounded like the kind of band I wanted to be in.

Ride at Glastonbury in 1994

The title track is a beauty, especially when it hits the chorus and everything is lifted in that glorious psychedelic way that Ride can hit when on form, all swirling guitars and harmonies.

I'm unsettled by the weather, it's getting stranger, 
Should it be this good right now? Are we in some kind of danger?
Is this atmosphere just me, or is the sky too blue?
It's too perfect, something's got to give
I'm going inder, where are you?

Rocket Silver Symphony has a slow pulsing synth instrumental intro suddenly bursts into life after 2-minutes as Ride find their guitars and pedals. The synth then has a groove and the vocals are more poppy than normal for Ride, but then they return to classic Ride harmonies for the chorus.


Lateral Alice zips along at under 3-minutes and sounds more American than any previous Ride recording, even mentioning surfing!

Cali takes things further and is extended to over 6-minutes. Gardener and Bell sound brilliant, a standout on first listen and also a few listens down the line.

The album closes with White Sands, a song clearly about the bands break up and make up. It's only after a few minutes that it turns into a song that sounds remotely like Ride - the Ride we know.

The breath between twenty years
That same breath tonight
We'll always betray ourselves
Always hold back time

 Weather Diaries has enough to satisfy old fans and win new fans and turn them on to their back catalogue. More importantly, Weather Diaries sounds like a band not only rediscovering themselves, but strengthening friendships.



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Sunday, 15 January 2017

Never Ending Mixtape Part 4

The Monkees kick off the 4th instalment of the Never Ending Mixtape with their psychedelic masterpiece Porpoise Song (Theme from Head). I remember reading about Head as a teenager - did The Monkees really make a crazed LSD inspired film co-written by Jack Nicholson?

YES - and it is even crazier than it sounds.

Moving on from The Monkees we also have some psychedelic tunes by the likes of the Polyphonic Spree (who have performed Porpoise Song with The Monkees), Flaming Lips, Ride and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

You'll need to go down to the 50th song to start this section of the Never Ending Playlist embedded below, or start from the beginning! Or you can play each individual song below.


Porpoise Song - The Monkees
Wanting to feel, to know what is real


Light and Day/Reach For The Sun - The Polyphonic Spree
Seeing The Polyphonic Spree live is a little like a religious experience for me. It's not just their robes that led to some people questioning if they're a cult; it's the sense of freedom in their songs, asking questions and searching for answers, being positive, being reflective, being true to themselves and seeing how far they could take it.


Race For The Prize (remix) - The Flaming Lips
The Soft Bulletin is an incredible album. This song used to (and may still) start Flaming Lips sets. I remember seeing them at the Barrowlands and Wayne and his band were their own roadies - true punks - they saved money when touring by sorting their own equipment. They burst on to the stage with fans dressed as animals, confetti, a light that Wayne swung above his head and played this glorious song. 


The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
OOH haven't listened to this in years, what a tune, what a groove. I love everything about it, the vocals are strained and soulful.


I'll Be Around - Yo La Tengo
Just sublime, what a gorgeous riff and feel to this song.


French Disko - Stereolab
Stereolab were beloved by John Peel and that is how I discovered them. Unique punk pop with a psychedelic (disco) edge. One of those bands that can transport you away from reality to get lost in their music, grooves, imagery and imagination.


Dream Baby Dream - Suicide
Suicide were on of those bands that loads of my favourite artists would mention - Bobby Gillespie, Norman Blake, Duglas T Stewart.... among others (later on James Murphy). I first heard this on a free CD given away with Mojo/Uncut many, many moons ago and instantly fell for it.

Keep that dream burning
Dream baby dream, forever


Touch - A Certain Ratio
Not a band I am very familiar with at all but I've just finished reading Peter Hook's Substance book and I wanted to take some time to check them out. This is funky as funk. The band would regularly venture to New York and the disco/club scene had a HUGE impact on them.They play Glasgow in February.


Bizarre Love Triangle - New Order
Have to include New Order as I've been listening to them a lot recently while reading Hooky's book. This and Temptation are my real favourites.


Lips Like Sugar - Echo and the Bunnymen
The Bunnymen's Songs To Learn And Sing is a sensational (compilation) album. The belief, ambition, arrogance and audacity of the Bunnymen transpired to songs like Lips Like Sugar - incredible.


Leave The All Behind - Ride
Ride were really young when they burst on to the scene with a string of EP's that led to their debut album Nowhere. It was only with the release of second album Going Blank Again that I discovered them. This just blew me away; over 8-minutes of blissed out guitar psychedelia.

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