10 Quick Questions With Hugh Cornwell, formerly of The Stranglers

The Stranglers were one of the most influential punk bands from the UK, and although they never had the crossover success that peers like The Clash and The Sex Pistols had, they remain one of the most important acts in the history of rock n roll. While while a version of the band is playing Glastonbury this year, they didn’t invite original vocalist Hugh Cornwell along with them. Instead, he opted to record an excellent new solo album that you can download for free from his site, where you can also purchase the record on one of three different packages, a la NIN’s The Slip. He is also playing a Yele Haiti benefit at The Red Devil Lounge on March 31st, part of a three week North American tour.

Spinning Platters had an opportunity to e-mail Mr Cornwell a few questions concerning his legacy, his thoughts on the current version of The Stranglers, and here’s what he had to say:

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Album Review: Marina & The Diamonds – The Family Jewels

I first heard Marina and The Diamonds’ album The Family Jewels in my usual fashion: in the background while I did something else.  It caught enough of my attention that four songs in I turned to YouTube, wanting to know more.  What I found there horrified me. This travesty of a video made me spend the next two days telling everyone who would listen about this horrible woman they should never listen to.  Now it’s three weeks later and per lastfm I have listened to these songs 186 times.  So, what happened?  Continue reading “Album Review: Marina & The Diamonds — The Family Jewels”

Album Review: Live From Axis Mundi — Gogol Bordello

The amazing Gogol Bordello are gearing up for a very active 2010. They have a new record coming out on April 27th, called Trans-Contiental Hustle, which will probably be excellent. Around this time, they will be kicking off a world tour, which gives Europe and Northeastern America quite a bit of love, but very little affection toward the rest of the world. (As of yet, of course…) Well, I know all of that can be a long way off, and with all of the Gogol news, it’s hard to be patient for something new. That is, of course, only if you missed the late winter release Live From Axis Mundi.

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Spinning Platters Podcast Episode 19 – We Are the Wolves in the Throne Room

This podcast is Number One

Episode 19 of the Spinning Platters podcast is a two-part affair where Gordon, Dakin and D.P. welcome Gabe and Amy from Sonic Living into the Studio on New Montgomery for our official SXSW preview episode. We discuss how we each approach seeing as many of the nearly 2000 bands playing as we can (including some insiders’ tips), and go off into assorted topics like the genius of R. Kelly, what it’s like working at Pixar, and more. You can subscribe by pushing the giant button to your left, or you can listen within. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Podcast Episode 19 — We Are the Wolves in the Throne Room”

Show Review: You Say Party! We Say Die!, Fake Your Own Death and Nylon Heart Attack at Bottom of the Hill, 3/12/10

In case you didn't know, this isn't Bottom of the Hill.

Rock ‘n’ roll is defined as getting off work at 9, going to Bottom of the Hill at 10, leaving at 1, getting home at 2 and going back to work again at 7. But two things are in my favor: It’s a slow news day, and Sim Dynasty is down, so I have no distractions and can tell you all about the show I saw last night. Continue reading “Show Review: You Say Party! We Say Die!, Fake Your Own Death and Nylon Heart Attack at Bottom of the Hill, 3/12/10”

New Release Round Up 3/9/2010 – 38 Instant Album Reviews

Does Pouria think that this guy delivers?

There was a lot of boring crap for most of my listens. A few fun gems in there like Prizzy Prizzy Please and Via Audio’s Animalore. Continue reading “New Release Round Up 3/9/2010 — 38 Instant Album Reviews”

Show Review: The Big Pink, A Place to Bury Strangers and io echo at Great American Music Hall, 3/10/10

When are they gonna play Dominos?

The amps were turned up high and the lights were turned down low at the Great American Music Hall on Wednesday night, as some feedbacky, shoegazery throwback bands were on the bill. The Big Pink showed up with half of the band missing, A Place to Bury Strangers ended their set in blood, and hardly anyone got there early to watch io echo. It was a weird show that featured good music, but was less than satisfying in the end. It could have been better. Continue reading “Show Review: The Big Pink, A Place to Bury Strangers and io echo at Great American Music Hall, 3/10/10”

Show Review: Little Boots, Dragonette and Class Actress at The Fillmore, 3/9/10

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Casting another glance at the sound guy? (Photos of Little Boots by David Price.)

At 6:00, I was crowded into the country section at Amoeba waiting to watch Little Boots perform a short in-store at Amoeba. She played four songs there, all solo, sang them beautifully (including a Kate Bush cover), and then proceeded to sign copies of her album as I made my over to The Fillmore to see her full band set. Little did I know that only hours later, I’d be trying to defend her to people, for The Fillmore show was not a good night for Little Boots. All was not lost, though, as there was definitely one band worth seeing. Continue reading “Show Review: Little Boots, Dragonette and Class Actress at The Fillmore, 3/9/10”

Album Review: Liars – Sisterworld

My first experience with the New York combo Liars is an interesting one. I went on a date with a girl to go see the band Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. The opening acts were two New York bands, one band that was already getting a fair amount of press called The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and the other was Liars. They blew my mind! They played brilliant layered noise that was chaotic and danceable. I was overjoyed to learn about this new band. My date thought that they were absolutely wretched. By the end of the night, I had a new favorite band, and she started making out with some guy that resembled Kim Thayil of Soundgarden. I think I won.

The years have been very kind to Liars, gradually improving upon their sound, while also building a fan base. I was always going to be excited about a new release by these guys, but nothing prepared me for Sisterworld.

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Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 3/10/10-3/16/10

Hunting for H2O this weekend at Thee Parkside
Hunting for H2O this weekend at Thee Parkside

Hey Kids! It’s time for your early/mid-March guide to music in the bay. It’s going to be good! Lotsa bands visiting on their way to Texas, lotsa people starting tours that end at Coachella… Spring is a good time for living in Northern California!

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