“I know loads of you noticed that I dropped the shaker half-way through that song,” announces Jack Goldstein, the unassuming front man of Oxford band Fixers. After a brief apology and deliberation the group reach a mutual decision. “Let’s play it again.”
Most people inside Hoxton Bar & Grill were too busy bopping to notice the slight hitch. They are not complaining though, as the five-piece launch back into an immaculate rendition of ‘Crystals’, a sparse but pulsating slice of pop. This, merged with sweet harmonies, is their signature sound.
The unorthodox decision to replay the same song, to get it just right, is a reflection of Fixers’ craftsmanship and attention to detail, the result of which has seen these boys come far, very quickly. The BBC, NME magazine and the Guardian are all over these guys and it is easy to see why. They layer chiming guitars over electro samples and build up to epic choruses – without straying into Snow Patrol territory.
Every song is greeted with approval from the eclectic mixture of observers, which ranges from hipsters in their twenties to old timers with – evidently – cultured tastes. The set is paced brilliantly with a blend of up-beat grooves and lower key atmospheric moments that keep everybody engaged throughout.
Taken from their upcoming EP ‘Imperial Goddess of Mercy’ the lyrics “I’m in love with a tropical world” on ‘Trans Love’ just about sum up the mood inside the venue. There is definitely an element of sunshine to Fixers’ music.
It seems harsh to pick out individuals in what is so obviously an all round talented outfit, but drummer Michael Thompson is worthy of a special mention. He barely drops a beat all evening and injects an incredible amount of energy, the evidence of which glistens on his forehead as the evening progresses.
After an hour of top tunes, the band closes with new single ‘Majesties Ranch’. This dynamic tune, driven at times by dirty guitar and at times by three-piece harmonies, sounds like something the Beach Boys may have dreamt up if they were touring Africa in the 80s.
As the set draws to a close Fixers thank the crowd politely and wish us all a very pleasant evening. We like Fixers.
Last month Cougar Microbes took over Tom Robinson‘s Now Playing @6Music program selecting some of our favorite tracks. By popular demand here is a full audio version of the show as well as the live tweets that accompanied it.
Cougar Microbes has teamed up with Southern Comfort to offer one lucky reader the chance to take three mates to the Southern Comfort Juke Joint party on the 17th November at Islington’s Metal Works.
On the dance floor you’ll rub shoulders with live brass band musicians as they jam along to beats by DJs Blonde Ambition, The Dixon Brothers, Domin8or and John Hendicott.More importantly headlining the one-off night will be Hot Chip’s very own Joe Goddard.
To enter simply answer the following question in the comment section below:
What is your favourite Western Movie quote?
The competition is open to UK residents who are over 18 and our winner will be selected at random on tuesday 15th.
These tickets are like gold dust, but if you don’t win, don’t cry, check out facebook.com/SouthernComfortUK for details on the next Juke Joint. Good luck!
Melvins had already achieved cult status before some of their fans were even born. Still, the ‘Godfathers of Grunge‘ continue releasing albums and touring prolifically putting many of today’s artist to shame.
The band are currently winding down their European date and are due to play the final show of this tour at Bristol‘s sweet Thekla venue on the 4th of November for what should be an explosive night
Personally, I have a good bond with the venue having played a couple of shows there in my “rockstar” days. Back then I remember crashing on these cute little leather corner sofas whilst the rest of the band where loading the gear. To date some of the best sleep I’ve ever had before the rest of the band dumped a bucket full of water on me!
Presumably the lovable sofas are now gone and there will be no dumping of water this time. Still, it will certainly be great to see Buzz Osborne and co gracing this intimate venue and tearing it’s roof off.
Fresh off the back of a successful nationwide tour Matt & Kimhave just announced a special New Years Eve show.
The Brooklyn mischief makers will be playing at the Hammersmith Ballroom on December 31st for what is set to be an electrifying way to end the year and usher in 2012.
For those of you who are interested tickets are available today at noon EST.
Cougar scribe Olivia was already heading to the Isle Of Wight when we asked if she could write a short account for us. Here is what she liked:
If there was one festival I was looking forward to this summer it definitely had to be Bestival. The Isle of Wight based festivity boasted an incredible lineup this year which included some of my all time favourite artists : The Cure, Brian Wilson, Boys Noize, Primal Scream, Robyn and Public Enemy amongst many many others.
Headlining along side The Cure was the Ice-cold-landic Queen Bjork who majestically performed her new album ‘Biophilia‘ accompanied by an Icelandic choir and an intriguing instrument which she claimed to have created. Overall she left much of the tired crowd in some sort of trance-like awe. True to oneself she did not perform her hit ‘ It’s Oh So Quiet‘ ( which she supposedly hates ) and it seems that many would have wished to hear more of her early work such as ‘Bachelorette‘ or ‘Isobel‘. However she did thank us for ‘our patience‘.
One of the highest point of the festival was definitely the return of Public Enemy with the more than enthusiastic Chuck D and hype man Flavor Flav ( and yes, his clock) who managed to make an eager crowd dance on some classic rap tunes, reminding us of their position as moguls of political hip-hop. To be noted : PE’s guitarist Khari Wynn is probably one of the most impressive guitarist I have ever seen live. Hip Hop music was also represented by the pioneer of hip hop Grandmaster Flash who without doubt managed to give us a good lesson of what DJing should be and sound like.
The most disappointing act was in my opinion, Kelis whose perseverance in going towards electronic music and DJing is seriously starting to infringe upon her work ie: how could she mix Madonna‘s ‘Holiday‘ with the classic ‘Milkshake‘? and how, how on earth could she play the most annoying song of the summerLMFAO‘s ‘ Party Rock Anthem‘. Please Kelis, stick to what you are amazing at.
Finally the band i was most eagerly awaiting: The Cure. I genuinely never thought that I would one day ‘stand‘ in front of Robert Smith, one of the leading figures of the post punk/New Wave culture, who wrote some of the most amazing songs in the library of British rock music. Well their performance was as impressive as their career. They kept us dancing and singing for more than two hours playing their biggest hits from ‘The Lovecats‘ to ‘Boys Don’t Cry‘ and of course my all time favourite ‘Lullaby‘.
Overall this year’s Bestival was a success with some great music and a super atmosphere. I can now say that I saw the Village People ( and had a great time ), the fabulous Robyn eating a banana on stage (once again); even though I managed to miss PJHarvey, Brian Wilson, Chromeo or Modeselektor. I guess I’m going to have to work extra hard to catch them all during the remainder of this year.
Cougar favourites WHY? Are returning to England with some special dates planned for October. The multi-talented trio have announced a set of unplugged and personal shows and have handpicked some intimate and warm venues this time round.
Expect to hear all the classics from “Oaklandazulasylum” and “Elephant Eyelash“, “Alopecia” and “Eskimo Snow” as well as a first taste of the yet to be titled fifth album In what will be the band’s only UK performances this year.
Here are the dates for the shows presented by One Inch Badge and Tidal Shift Concerts:
- 23 Oct – Colston Hall 2, Bristol (Grade II listed building and fully functioning gig venue)
- 24 Oct – Union Chapel, London (Grade II listed building, a working church and sublime sounding venue for live music)
- 25 Oct – Duke Of Yorks Picturehouse, Brighton (the oldest functioning cinema in the country)
Anyone who has seen Yoni Wolf and co. live will tell you this is going to be a special one!!
When Girls released ‘Album‘ in 2009 they were a rare band whose buzz was equal to their talent. The follow up EP, ‘Broken Dreams Club‘ further cemented my infatuation with it’s Everly Brothers meets fuzzed out pop sound.
The San Francisco band have been gearing up for the release of their second full length ‘Father, Son, Holy Ghost’ and the track ‘Vomit‘ is the first official single.
With a European tour planned for November there is no doubt Girls are on the up.
to feature an array of amazing releases and artists (past, present, old and new) with the goal of promoting them to anyone interested and anyone who stumbles across this site.
If you like any of the tracks, please go buy the albums and help finance the artists producing this great music.
If there are any issues with the tracks featured do not hesitate to contact: "team (AT) Cougar Microbes (DOT) com and we will happily oblige.
