The musical superduo Ashtar Command, composed of Chris Holmes (Sir Paul McCartney‘s go to DJ) and Brian Liesegang (Founding member of Filter) first showed up on our radar with a track on the PS3 game ‘Red Dead Redemption‘. Their debut album ‘American Sunshine‘ was an unexpected and delightful revelation.
Chief Cougar Microbes collaborator Kyle hailed it as an “incredible masterpiece that should be known collectively throughout the web as the most underrated album of 2011 .
The album is slightly conceptual, non-surprisingly themed around an “American Sunshine” indie-super-collabo-album idea. Which basically means they have everyone from Har Mar Superstar, Rachel Yamagata and Alex Ebert, to Joshua Radin and Z. Berg doing their thing.
However it never feels that these artists were just added in ‘just because’. There is no gimmick here, its pure music. The tracks combine a range of haunting algorithmic synth-outs to indie progressive rockfests that leave your ears and soul wanting more.
Hopefully Holmes and Liesegang feel that yearning and continue to release incredibly original and unique musical experiences long into the future. If 2012 isn’t the end of the world that is“.
Popular music and the way we consume has changed a great deal in the past 20 or so years. CAKE on the other hand exist in their own bubble continuing to pinch from seemingly dated influences and turning them into something all together more timeless.
The Californians, who I finally saw live this summer, pull off every move from their personal playbook on ‘Showroom Of Compassion‘ guaranteeing old fans will have crack a wry smile and new fans curiosity will be aroused.
Throughout John McCrae‘s delivery is as laid back and sarcastic as ever. He reels off topics ranging from relationships, cars and a few sly references to the economy dropping in his trademark “oh no” while the band again show why they are some of the best musicians in the business, something they are not often given credit for.
The band appear to have been revitalized by the launch of their own label and the chance to record in their home studio. The result is a set of songs that is as tight as any album they have produced in the past.
CAKE circa 2011 are not a lightyears away from their 1993 counterparts. Another “The Distance‘ may elude them but in my eyes they deserve their spot as the deadpan elder statesmen of alt rock.
Cougar writer Emilyadded: “Listening to CAKE always brings me back to my carefree high school days, and their new album is no exception. It is as fun as their previous releases, and feels a bit retro without edging towards anachronism.”
Young The Giant are set to release their upcoming ‘Remix EP‘, available through their own Facebook page, featuring re-edits by the likes of Two Door Cinema Club, Tokyo Police Club, Ra Ra Riot (not a club evidently) and more.
The Orange County band have also made song stems for six tracks available for fans to create their own remixes which can be found here. own Facebook page.
The quintet are also offering fans a chance to contribute their own remix with song stems being made available here. The best fan submission will actually be included on the EP.
In anticipation of their Reading & Leeds Festival performances in late August the band plan to release new single ‘Cough Syrup‘ on August 22nd through followed by their self-titled debut album.
You could argue that catching CAKE live has been the most overdue live show of my life. Ever since a friend bought me ‘Fashion Nugget’ for my birthday many many years ago I have followed the Sacramento band’s every move and enjoyed their musical endeavours.
Somehow events have conspired against me so that I have always missed out when the band were touring near me. I thought this would surely change given my recent re-location to Los Angeles but with no dates in my vicinity for their this could well have been the review that never was. Instead I spotted a scheduled date in Las Vegas and made sure nothing in the world would stop me from being there.
For those who don’t know the Cosmpolitan Hotel is situated in the middle of the Vegas Strip and boasts a glamorous pool that overlooks several of the key sites the gambling Mecca has on offer. Not knowing what to expect I was relieved to see a sizeable crowd lining up at the entrance; despite the 15 dollar beer and overpriced hotdog/burger combo this was starting to look like a real rock n roll show.
To see CAKE in such extravagant surroundings has got to be one of the most surreal musical experiences you can imagine. Here is a band that has made it’s name as the sarcastic outsider to the traditional music business trappings performing within sight of a replica Eiffel Tower. Indeed, the irony is not missed by singer John McCrea who, before the band has even played a single note, warms up dishing out a trademark jab at the luxurious surroundings and the distance the stage is from the VIP section.
The band kick off proceedings with their cover of Willie Nelson‘s ‘Sad Songs And Waltzes‘ before shifting up a gear with ‘Opera Singer‘, ‘Wheels‘ and a glorious rendition of ‘Rock N Roll Lifestyle‘, which McCrea delivers with added venom. It is also around this time that he begins what is an on going, and largely amusing, tirade about the barbecue smoke being purposefully situated to blow towards the stage to specifically make him hungry.
Next up is ‘Sheep Go To Heaven‘ which somehow sounds even catchier than it does on record. What is most impressive about this initial salvo is how tight the band sound live. What follows is a pick and mix of old and new favorites blended together with the audience greeting each trumpet/guitar solo with enthusiastic cheer and shouting back every memorable lyric. In particular the classic track ‘Mexico‘ and ’Sick Of You‘, from their latest album, seem to blow the metaphorical roof off of the pool.
After over 20 years in existence these guys (perhaps unsurprisingly) all prove extremely skilled at their individual craft. The rhythm section consisting of Gabe Nelson and Paulo Baldi is ridiculously talented whilst Vince DiFiore provides some flair with his trumpet, one of the unique aspects that differentiates CAKE from other bands. Whilst the focus may often fall on frontman McCrae guitarist Xan McCurdy gives him a run for his money delivering impressive licks and posing like a rock god.
After a slightly over-extended tree giveaway which sees the band hand out a tree to one fan who then promises to plant it and take care of it (incidentally, CAKE have said they will not be returning to London until the winner of the tree there sends proof that it is fine) the band launch into their first encore. I would be hard pressed to name a track in the band’s repertoire as demonstrated by this encore with ‘Satan Is My Motor‘ and ‘Never There‘, plus new song ‘Federal Funding‘ played as good, if not better than, on record.
Whilst their cover of ‘I Will Survive‘ is left out the band seem to cover all their bases with this excellent setlist pretty much hitting all the right spots. However, no CAKE show would be complete without arguably their biggest two tracks and the band are savy enough to leave these to last. After yet another tirade about the, now admittingly irritating, barbeque smoke the 5 piece show how it’s done with ‘Short Skirt/Long Jacket‘ before upping the stakes with a wicked rendition of ‘The Distance‘.
Longtime and new fans would have been delighted with the as CAKE dropped more memorable hooks and lines than old ladies dropping quarters at the slot machines. As for me, I will hopefully catch the band again in a “normal” venue but as a first time experience I couldn’t have asked for much more.
Cold War Kids just released a video for ‘Skip The Charades‘, the second single from their new ‘Mine Is Yours‘ album. The track is probably the most straightforward thing I have heard the Californians perform but definitely has a certain charm to it.
The video, directed by Moh Azima, adopts an equally simplistic approach relying on the music to carry it through. I think it works a treat.
CWK set out on an extensive US and European tour which will see them performing Lollapalooza amongst other summer festivals.
A huge sun and a huge moon hung in the Old Vic Tunnels as part of a cosmic art installation when I went to see Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros. It was the light and the dark, symbolising very well what the band express to the extreme, amidst a psychedelic backdrop of beautiful wierdness.
Alex Ebert takes the bright side of their sound and takes it away from the demons and the bad memories and gives us his debut solo album; Alexander.
It seems as if, rather than a departure from Edward Sharpe, Ebert just had too many ideas and too much zest for life to be able to wait for the next album. His rasping yet joyful wails float dreamily upon distant eukele, and guitar echoes, whilst rhythm is rarely more than the shaking of a tamborine or a hand clap. And it needn’t be more. The more lo-fi sound, suits what is Ebert‘s biggest asset; his massive voice.
Had Ebert been around in the summer of love in San Francisco he could have been at the center of the face painting and the casual fornication, and converted thousands to his visions and great music. Not that he doesn’t have this now, I just doubt he hears quite as many cries from audience members as “I’m going to get naked because I’m free and I can! Who’s with me?!” Or maybe I’m wrong.
The truth is, despite the beautiful pictures Ebert paints, he’s actually a very diciplined song writer, that carefully crafts his sound into accessible songs. ‘Old Friend‘ sounds like a long lost folk tale from the turn of the century sang into a canyon. Whereas ‘Lets Win!‘ could be a country song from the early sixties that sounds so familiar, yet fresh sounding enough to brighten any Monday morning.
‘Glimpses‘ is an epic confession that because Ebert‘s voice is so raw, sounds like it was sang on the spot, and as with ‘Bad Bad Love‘, his voice couldn’t be more evocative. It’s like Dylan if he was a little less of a miserable sod.
Basically, Alexander Ebert sounds like an epic travelling gypsy who has told his tales far and wide giving him a true gift for writing and performing. This is course ss opposed to the kind of singing travelling gypsys who I usually encounter that sound like they should be gently put down.
Last month we featured Coyol‘s retro aesthetic mentioning that the band were planning to release six individual EP’s for each track in time for the start of September.
Now the duo have unleashed the second installment in the shape of ‘Gone Gone‘. The track took failing relationships and the feeling of hopelessness as a way to inject some authentic emotions into this song. The result is bleak but moving
It’s official! I am relocating to California for the next few months. The blog is still going to maintain a keen focus on the British scene – with most of the team remaining London based – but I definitely plan to explore the music on offer in LA and beyond.
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.
The musical superduo Ashtar Command, composed of Chris Holmes (Sir Paul McCartney‘s go to DJ) and Brian Liesegang (Founding member of Filter) first showed up on our radar with a track on the PS3 game ‘Red Dead Redemption‘. Their debut album ‘American Sunshine‘ was an unexpected and delightful revelation.
