Neurotic Mass Movement, who played at our Free Pussy Riot Benefit in September, launched their new single Tragic Machine to a packed room at The Old Blue Last last night. While hundreds of Shoreditch hipsters were queuing in the cold autumn air to get into the latest fashionable (and overpriced) clubs, we were treated to four fantastic bands with no cover charge whatsoever. This was a gig patronised by discerning fans of quality, original independent music, and not people simply looking for a freebie on a Friday night.
Cold Specks @ Union Chapel
After a long time on the film festival circuit I have recently returned to the world of music gigs for the first time since my twenties. I’ve seen a good variety of venues, from dingy pubs to more iconic ones that all seem to have O2 appended to them. My first visit to the Union Chapel in London was something of a surprise, principally because it is still a functioning church, so it was a totally seated event, in the church pews, which are not built for comfort. To add to the civilised nature of the event, there was even ushers selling ice-cream from trays, like you used to see in all cinemas.
FREE PUSSY RIOT TOKYO EVENT announced!!
SHATTERJAPAN is proud to announce that we will be hosting another FREE PUSSY RIOT event — but this time in TOKYO!!! Date has been fixed as Sunday 4 November and will be held at Las Chicas B1 basement venue. More details to come!!!
Beware of Mr Baker
Although The Beatles and the Stones dominated sixties’ music in Britain (and the rest of the world), their drummers were very much in the background. When it came to world of rock percussion there were three names at the forefront; Keith Moon, John Bonham and Ginger Baker. Ensconced behind their double bass drums and a sea of cymbals and toms they were the real wild men of rock, given to all manner of excesses. In Moon’s case, his infamy far exceeded his skills on the skins. Bonham was undoubtedly a master of rock drumming, but it was Ginger Baker, with his origins in jazz and a fascination with African rhythms, who was the greatest innovator of the era. Beware of Mr Baker, showing in the Documentary Competition at London Film Festival, follows the life of the rock legend (and the only survivor of the three) from his childhood in South London up to the present day.
Maverick Sabre @ Brixton Academy
As if writing about music wasn’t hard enough, we feel the need to somehow label and classify it. like biologists do the flora and fauna. In less complicated days there was classical (orchestral), jazz, rock, pop and folk/country, but as music grew into an industry (as in business) those genres developed their own sub-genres and sub-sub-genres, then fusions and hybrids of those genres. With that in mind, trying to come up with a generic label for last night’s gig at the (O2) Brixton Academy was a bit tricky. Urban (whatever that means in musical terms) or MOBO would probably cover it in broad terms, but whatever it was, it was some of the best of what London and Britain has to offer, and Brixton, the home of Soul II Soul, was a fitting venue for it, even if most of the acts were from North London.
San Cisco @ The Lexington
Young West Australian band San Cisco are on a campaign for world domination. Already a big hit in their own country, with one of their videos on YouTube already surpassing two million views, they played three showcase gigs around London this week. We caught up with them at The Lexington where they were supported by MT and Cut Your Hair.
Video highlights of Free Pussy Riot gig
Our Free Pussy Benefit Gig on September 9 was a huge success in raising both awareness and some much-needed money for the appeal fund. We have put together a clip reel, featuring some highlights from the speeches as well as performances from the bands.
Good Vibrations
Balaclavas, punk rock and a railing against collaboration of church and state. Not a Pussy Riot gig, but 1970s Belfast, and this time it was the IRA that had the headwear.
RIV BURNS says FREE PUSSY RIOT
Next up in our ARTISTS SAY FREE PUSSY RIOT photo campaign is Manchester promoter of some of the best gigs in the north of England RIV BURNS. Riv runs regular Off With Their Heads nights at legendary Salford venue Islington Mill and has been very supportive of the Pussy Riot cause, recently organizing a Pussy Riot fundraiser event at Kraak Space Manchester. She also participated in our ARTISTS SAY FREE PUSSY RIOT VIDEO made for the 9 September FREE PUSSY RIOT LONDON fundraiser concert. Thank you, Riv! Continue reading RIV BURNS says FREE PUSSY RIOT
FACTORY ACTS say FREE PUSSY RIOT
Next up in our ARTISTS SAY FREE PUSSY RIOT photo campaign is Manchester band FACTORY ACTS AKA Susan and Matt. The band has been very supportive of the Pussy Riot cause and recently performed at a Pussy Riot fundraiser event at Kraak Space Manchester. Thank you, guys! Continue reading FACTORY ACTS say FREE PUSSY RIOT
VUVUVULTURES say FREE PUSSY RIOT
Next up in our ARTISTS SAY FREE PUSSY RIOT photo campaign is London band VUVUVULTURES. VVV have been very supportive of the Pussy Riot cause — they contributed to the ARTISTS SAY FREE PUSSY RIOT VIDEO we made for the 9 September FREE PUSSY RIOT LONDON fundraiser concert, during which bass player Nicole Marie Bettencourt Coelho read out a personal letter received from jailed Pussy Riot member Masha. Thank you, VVV! Continue reading VUVUVULTURES say FREE PUSSY RIOT
SOPHIE MAYER says FREE PUSSY RIOT
Next up in our ARTISTS SAY FREE PUSSY RIOT photo campaign is London writer and editor SOPHIE MAYER. Sophie’s currently pioneering an amazing project POEMS FOR PUSSY RIOT — to commemorate the 1 October appeal hearing for imprisoned Pussy Riot members Masha, Katya and Nadia, English PEN will publish an international poetry protest for Pussy Riot. You can find Sophie’s contribution to the project below. And her message in support of the Pussy Riot cause is: “Artists, daughters, sisters, mothers, friends, brave citizens: Pussy Riot need to be free!” Thank you, Sophie! Continue reading SOPHIE MAYER says FREE PUSSY RIOT
PENNY ARCADE says FREE PUSSY RIOT
Next up in our ARTISTS SAY FREE PUSSY RIOT photo campaign is performance artist, actress, writer and activist PENNY ARCADE. Penny recently completed the London run of her Bitch! Dyke! Faghag! Whore! show to great acclaim. Thank you, Penny! Continue reading PENNY ARCADE says FREE PUSSY RIOT
MAYA POSTEPSKI says FREE PUSSY RIOT
Next up in our ARTISTS SAY FREE PUSSY RIOT photo campaign is drummer MAYA POSTEPSKI of super cool Toronto electro band AUSTRA. Maya also has her own project Princess Century and has worked together with Robert Alfons on Trust. AUSTRA has been very supportive of the Pussy Riot cause and released their striking protest video below in support. Thank you, Maya! Continue reading MAYA POSTEPSKI says FREE PUSSY RIOT
Lucy Rose album launch
As the cold, damp autumn evenings start to settle in, there was a little ray of warmth as the English rose that is Lucy Rose launched her debut album. An enthusiastic crowd packed into the Rough Trade East store in London’s famous Brick Lane on Monday evening to hear a set covering most of the songs off the album. Made up of delicate, slightly melancholy melodies, they still have a hint of summer optimism, rather than a dark night of the soul that winter can bring, with Lines being one of the most upbeat.
ZOE KONEZ says FREE PUSSY RIOT
Next up in our ARTISTS SAY FREE PUSSY RIOT photo campaign is London-based musician ZOE KONEZ. An amazing songwriter and guitarist, Zoe runs a regular music night in London and also has a band Cat Bear Tree who appeared in our ARTISTS SAY FREE PUSSY RIOT video. Thank you, Zoe! Continue reading ZOE KONEZ says FREE PUSSY RIOT