Ready for the Weekend

9:58 Mar 19, 2010 65

I love the new Hot Chip Chip album, and I'm over the freakin' moon about the new Peter Serafinowicz-directed video for 'I Feel Better''. I won't attempt to describe it: just go look.

Meanwhile, it cannot go unremarked that three of the five finalists in the Music category of South By Southwest Web Awards were New Zealand sites.

Take a bow:

Fat Freddy's Drop TV.

Shapeshifter.

And Splore.

The actual winner was Echo & the Bunnymen.

Looks like Flash welcome pages are the way to the SXSW judges' hearts. Don't tell Steve Jobs though.

The Verlaines are playing at the Montecristo Room tonight. I should be getting along there after a chaps' outing to the rugby. I would be greatly obliged if the Blues not only won, but also played some rugby worth watching.

Weirdest album preview evar? Holy Fuck streamed 'Latin America' from their forthcoming album Latin live on Chatroulette this week. Fortunately, they've now also made it available for free download as an MP3.

Did you know that the 3Ds' Dave Saunders and novelist Rachael King used to be in a band together? My buddy Andrew Moore has posted a long-lost clip of the Battling Strings, from 1986, probably.

And here's one for Alex Chilton. RIP.

Meanwhile, sorry to bang on about this, but last night's Media7, on Asperger's and autism in the media, is online for your viewing pleasure and I'm quite proud of it. The extra-nice thing is that our older son, Jimmy, who's Asperger, came in for the recording on Wednesday evening, met people, sat in in the control room (he's just started a screen production and performance course), met people, chatted and had a fine time. That fade-to-black at the end? Jimmy did that. There's also a list of further information and links on the topic in a blog I wrote for our TVNZ website.

You could vote for us as "best show" in the Freeview Awards ...

Make like it's Friday ...

65 responses to this post

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Jake Pollock, 11:39 Mar 19, 2010

Raumati South • Since Nov 2006 • 489 posts Report
Grant McDougall, 11:54 Mar 19, 2010

I would be greatly obliged if the Blues not only won, but also played some rugby worth watching.
It'd be nice if the Highlanders could do the same tomorrow, but I don't live in hope.
Also, while there's not much I agree with Chris Rattue about, I was inclined to agree with the sentiments he expressed in the Herald earlier this week, saying there'd been more excitement in the Tigers win over Manly than there'd been in five weeks of Super 14.
Cheers for the Holy Fuck link, their LP titled, er, LP is outstanding.
Sad to see Alex Chilton go. I remember buying Big Star's Sister Lovers (so-named because Chilton and drummer Jody Stephens were dating twins at the time) at Sounds Unlimited in Newmarket, in the late '80s.
The shop assistant beamed and said "Every home should have one". I couldn't agree more. RIP Alex, thanks for the great music.

Dunedin • Since Dec 2006 • 760 posts Report
bob daktari, 11:55 Mar 19, 2010

Jeffrey Lewis at tabac this weekend for me... if his facebook is correct (promoter fail methinks)

auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 540 posts Report
3410, 12:08 Mar 19, 2010

I finally met Graham Reid at Christmas after reading him for decades, and the one thing I wanted to say to him was to thank him for turning me on to Big Star in '92. Still some of my most favourite records. Highly recommended discs.
Nice to talk to Jimmy a bit on Wed.; good guy. I told him he had a great name for blues singer, and he replied that he'd heard that, or something like it, a lot.

Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report
Robyn Gallagher, 12:28 Mar 19, 2010

The 'Mats said it best:

Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report
Eddie Clark, 12:31 Mar 19, 2010

The 'Mats said it best
Indeed. Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton.

Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 273 posts Report
3410, 12:52 Mar 19, 2010

BTW, no one ever talks about Big Star's Live album, but it's the greatest.

Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report
Paul Litterick, 13:01 Mar 19, 2010

Big Star, live, in 1993 - their first gig in 19 years:

Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1000 posts Report
Paul Litterick, 13:20 Mar 19, 2010

Another sad loss: Charlie Gillett who, among many other things, was a enthusiast for Fat Freddy's Drop.

Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1000 posts Report
Jonty, 14:02 Mar 19, 2010

Thank you, Russell, for that fascinating Media 7 programme. Like many other people I've had a brush with Asberger's upon discovering that one of my grandchildren (a boy) was diagnosed as such when he was about 13, as too was the son of a close friend who was of a similar age.
My grandson exhibited many of the symptoms, particularly at school -- inability to concentrate, disruptive, frequently being ejected from the classroom, misunderstood by teachers, etc. My daughter, in desperation (they were living up north at the time), finally took him to a specialist in Auckland who prescribed a short course (2 years) of Ritalin. She and I discussed the implications of this treatment (there was a great deal of controversy surrounding it at the time). But I have to say, the result was remarkable, the transformation astounding and greeted with astonishment by his teachers. His marks immediately began to improve (though reading, grammar, etc, was a difficulty) and he very quickly topped the class in maths. At the same time he could find his way around a computer with great skill and became part of a national online gaming team. Ending the course of Ritalin didn't seem to affect his new-found ability to concentrate and as he matured he began to understand himself and his shortcomings. The family moved to Australia about 18 months ago and he has recently been accepted at Melbourne University. One could weep when one thinks that all this potential could have been lost.
My friend's son was similar, but different. An awkward, clumsy child, very tall for his age, who would unintentionally come out with something inappropriate at just the wrong moment. Ostracized at school and a bit of a loner. Doted on by his mother but treated coldly by his father, it was a difficult situation for him, but he showed surprising abilities on his computer. When he was 11 or 12, a mutual friend of ours took around an old guitar and showed him how to play a few chords. All his focus now went into the guitar and his computer. A few months later, when paying a visit, his mother insisted I listen to him play the guitar. I was utterly gobsmacked to hear this gawky boy sit down a give a very presentable rendition of the beautiful guitar piece, Romanza. He moved on to play bass in a school band and thereby finally gathered a group of friends who appreciated his skills. He's now doing music and philosophy at Victoria Uni.
You mentioned in the programme that not all Asbees will become maths geniuses. But I'm heartened to be able to report that these two lads, though still having other social difficulties to contend with, are beginning to find their way in life and ultimately happiness.

Katikati • Since Mar 2007 • 102 posts Report
philipmatthews, 14:06 Mar 19, 2010

I believe that Rachael King was in the 3Ds for a time as well. There was a period when Denise Roughan was out of the band; don't think she was on any records though.
I read in my local paper than Wooden Shjips, when they played Wellington the other day, pulled out a version of Snapper's "Buddy". From one legendary psych-rock band to another ... Anyone happen to have seen or filmed it? Somehow their visit got drowned under Pixies-mania.

Christchurch • Since Nov 2007 • 656 posts Report
Cecelia, 14:28 Mar 19, 2010

I have just watched Media 7 and enjoyed it very much. Great people on the panel.

Hibiscus Coast • Since Apr 2008 • 559 posts Report
Geoff Lealand, 14:36 Mar 19, 2010

Media 7 was top-notch last night but I am still not warming to The Ad Show which followed. They need perspectives from outside the advertising industry, and less self-congratulation.
One weekend I don't need to angst about the Chiefs. It is their turn for a cup of tea and a lie-down.
Going to the The Old Crow Medicine Show tonight. I hope they are good.

Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report
philipmatthews, 14:38 Mar 19, 2010

Media 7 was top-notch last night but I am still not warming to The Ad Show which followed.
I only saw the first ep. Didn't do it for me at all and I haven't gone back.

Christchurch • Since Nov 2007 • 656 posts Report
giovanni tiso, 14:39 Mar 19, 2010

They need perspectives from outside the advertising industry, and less self-congratulation.
The panel that discussed the Rhys Darby ad could easily recycle themselves in cabaret as The Three Douches. I liked the show apart from that segment though.

Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report
Paul Williams, 15:26 Mar 19, 2010

Hey Jonty, thanks for these two lovely stories. Will watch the media7 ep asap...

Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report
Paul Rowe, 15:34 Mar 19, 2010

Geoff, Old Crow were great last night, you're in for a great show.

Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report
Anarchangel, 15:53 Mar 19, 2010

Much as I love Echo and the Bunnymen, I'm a little shocked that the award went to a website that automatically plays loud music and opens pop-up windows won an award. Is it 2002? That said, that was a common failing among the nominees.

Since Sep 2007 • 8 posts Report
Grant McDougall, 16:10 Mar 19, 2010

I believe that Rachael King was in the 3Ds for a time as well. There was a period when Denise Roughan was out of the band; don't think she was on any records though.
Rachael's involvement in the 3Ds has been massively over-stated, mainly by people that had little or no connection to the Dunedin scene at that time.
Rachael was in the 3Ds for, at most, six months, mainly for the Orientation tour at the start of (I think) '92. She didn't play on any recordings (or certainly isn't credited as doing so on any).
I was told at the time why Denise wasn't in the band, but I'm not going to elaborate here, sorry.
This isn't a slight on Rachael, who was a fine bassist for The Cake Kitchen, but I just want to put things into the right context.
I read in my local paper than Wooden Shjips, when they played Wellington the other day, pulled out a version of Snapper's "Buddy". From one legendary psych-rock band to another ...
The classic first ep and Shotgun Blossom line-up of Snapper was outstanding, but they were never as good after it splintered. They really were a "that line-up or not at all" type of band.

Dunedin • Since Dec 2006 • 760 posts Report
Andrew G, 16:13 Mar 19, 2010

I too enjoyed the Media 7 show last night. I have it on series link via MySky but it misses the start every week. Slightly frustrating but I'm sure I'll live.
Sad news about Alex Chilton. I'm still getting over Mark Linkous's (Sparklehorse) death from a couple of weekends back. No more please.

Napier • Since Mar 2007 • 53 posts Report
philipmatthews, 16:20 Mar 19, 2010

The classic first ep and Shotgun Blossom line-up of Snapper was outstanding, but they were never as good after it splintered. They really were a "that line-up or not at all" type of band.
I have a soft spot for ADM, myself.
Hope it didn't sound like I was overstating Rachael King's link to the 3Ds -- just adding another connection to the Battling Strings thing Russell talked about.
Did you see the reformed 3Ds live, Grant? If so, any good? I didn't get around to it.

Christchurch • Since Nov 2007 • 656 posts Report
Paul Litterick, 16:20 Mar 19, 2010

The panel that discussed the Rhys Darby ad could easily recycle themselves in cabaret as The Three Douches.
Awful people; that segment should be distributed to schools so that small children can be warned of the sort of people who influence their lives.

Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1000 posts Report
Grant McDougall, 16:35 Mar 19, 2010

Did you see the reformed 3Ds live, Grant? If so, any good? I didn't get around to it.
Yeah, I did actually, at Sammy's. It wasn't as cataclysmic for me as it was back then, mainly because I knew what to expect. But they certainly played a stormer and can still really cut loose. The songs themselves are still powerful and have aged well.
About half-way through I also realised there were people in the audience who weren't even born when I first saw them, which was a weird feeling.

Dunedin • Since Dec 2006 • 760 posts Report
Steve Barnes, 16:43 Mar 19, 2010

Ah, those were the days.

Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report
philipmatthews, 16:52 Mar 19, 2010

For me, the 3Ds are one of those bands who were so great at the time that I don't want to spoil my memories of them if there's even if the slightest risk they'll be half-arsed. Which it sound like they weren't. But there are some reunions of great bands that have been duds by all accounts: Throbbing Gristle, the Gang of Four, the current PiL one. Bit nervous about the idea of the Swans one too.
I guess I'm for bands making the right records at the right time, being brilliant but short-lived, rather than turning up again to play the equivalent of the Las Vegas circuit. I like the shape of this argument from Mark Fisher, which is really aimed at bands not splitting up when they should:
Here they are: The Fall, Sonic Youth. Another year, another record. Persistence, consolidation, becoming an institution: wasn't this everything that post punk's scorched-earth modernism disdained? And the problem isn't confined to the groups who have stayed together, because even those that did break up return. Fill in your own example here – but you would be hard pressed to come up with anything more grotesque than the return of the grandaddys of the post punks, returning as grandads: the Stooges, strutting back onstage in their sixties, geriatric teenagers singing 'Last Year I Was Twenty-one'. In the age of Web 2.0, nothing goes away, everything comes back – if not in the flesh, then as a YouTube clip.
The expectation that groups split up belongs to what in retrospect seems like the speeded-up popular culture of the '60s and '70s. A pattern was established that was followed as much by Throbbing Gristle as by the Beatles. A group would make a name for themselves, release their landmark records and then disintegrate, usually in the space of less than a decade. (But whereas the Beatles never came back, Throbbing Gristle, of course, did.) For those of us whose perception of pop temporality was formed by this accelerated '60s and '70s culture, there's something disappointing about the dogged persistence of a group, even – or perhaps especially – if we are fans.

Christchurch • Since Nov 2007 • 656 posts Report