2012/02/29
2012/02/28
2012/02/27
Mojo & Weller, Kicks and Flicks...
In this month's MOJO magazine we celebrate Paul Weller's 20th year as a solo recording artist, with an in-depth interview and a look back at the album that relit his fire, 1992's brilliant Paul Weller. We hear from the musicians who helped drag Weller out of his self-imposed exile at the dawn of the '90s, a time when he says he would "pick up the guitar and it was like an alien. It was like, How does this work?"
Weller also compiles the free covermount CD, previews the latest in his trio of experimental rock albums - the newly-minted Sonik Kicks - and picks over the bitter falling-out with his erstwhile production partner, Simon Dine. "You've got to be able to adapt as you get older," Weller tells MOJO's Pete Paphides, "or you go under."
A good moment to remind ourselves of some of the highlights of his solo years so far, in sound and vision. Paul Weller: always changing, always the same...TBC HERE
The New faces (Via Bax)
The New Faces: A Short Film (Trailer 1) from Dean Chalkley on Vimeo.
Paul Weller: Sonik Kicks track-by-track review
Our verdict on Weller's new album for 2012 Terry Staunton, Thu 2 Feb 2012. Music Radar.
The music he made with The Jam some 30 years ago is enough for Paul Weller to have earned his place in the history books, an impressive enough body of work for fans to overlook the occasional missteps that followed.
The Style Council weren't everyone's cup of tea, but still produced some powerful and vital work, especially the album Our Favourite Shop. Weller's second rebirth, as a solo artist, started well, the albums Wild Wood and Stanley Road both musically eloquent and lyrically articulate statements, the man himself growing up at the same pace as his original new wave audience.
A patchy period followed, but he was back on track with 2008's 22 Dreams and 2010's award-winning Wake Up The Nation, a genuinely reinvigorated writer and performer with little to prove but a lot more still to say. Subsequently, Weller's new album has been eagerly awaited; would be able to sustain such an astonishing level of quality? Would he be content just to rest on his laurels?
This is Paul Weller, though, one of the most passionate artists of his generation, and Sonik Kicks finds him refusing to sit still. Laurel-resting is not on the agenda.2012/02/26
A year ago... Dedicated to all the football fans in UK, very impressive crowds...
Was there with Gentleman Si and the wild boys.
First album I've made sober for fuck knows how long...
2012/02/25
Gildas Lepetit-Castel, photographer
When a man is tired of London, he's tired of life. Samuel Johnson.
Check his very Brilliant site and London section.
2012/02/24
The Irrepressible Paul Weller (Mojo)
2012/02/22
A full hour with Nick Ward! All About the New LP, Cadenza and much more...
Away From the Numbers' Blog about Sonik Kicks
The months proceeding this album has seen long time Weller fans wondering what he's up to,the lacklustre show at Hammersmith with a set of songs straight out of the last tour a year previous didn't bode well for this release. Sonik Kicks takes the ideas and different soundscapes of the previous two albums 22 Dreams and Wake Up The Nation. Both had cracking songs,and both had their merits but i feel fell apart at times, by the sheer volume of material not worked through properly. So when the hardcore start to question their long time hero,Weller does what he always does when being questioned....Comes back Cool,Clean and Hard. TBC Here
2012/02/21
2012/02/20
TCT 2012.
Stars from the world of rock, pop and comedy will shake up the iconic London venue between 30 March and 3 April.
The 2012 shows will feature two of this year's Brit Awards nominated female artists, Jessie J and Florence + the Machine. Dubstep pioneer, Example, the Teenage Cancer Trust Outstanding Contribution To Music NME Award winners, Pulp and the effortlessly funny, Jason Manford plus special guests will also be taking their turn on the legendary stage.
Tickets go on sale at 9.30am Friday 24 February.
Visit www.teenagecancertrust.org for full details.
2012/02/18
2012/02/17
MOD RADIO UK presents : the CAPTAIN STAX SHOW #84
Andy Lewis - Barney's Theme (2:59) Paul Weller - That Dangerous Age (2:27) Natt Weller - Make It Louder (2:49) Sam Paglia - Mr. Kowalsky (2:35) The Right Now - Half As Much (3:23) Mark Ronson Erykah Badu, Modeliste & The Dap-Kings - A La Modeliste (5:28) The Dramatics - The Devil Is Dope (5:16) The Soul Messengers - Burn Devil Burn (3:48) Ohio Players - FOPP (3:50) Bobby Franklin's Insanity - Bring It On Down To Me (Part1) (2:27) Lavice & Company - Thoughs Were The Days (3:02) Dennis Coffey - Scorpio (4:07) Donny Hathaway - Young, Gifted & Black (6:36) The Action 13 - More Bread To The People (3:07) Joe Simon - Let's Spend the Night Together (5:41) TRACKS SELECTED CPT.STAX SHOW RECORDED A LA MODELISTE, FEB 2012
FRIDAY NIGHT friday 07.30pm (gmt) REPEATED saturday 11.30am saturday 04.30pm sunday 07.00am sunday 04.30pm tuesday 04.30pm wednesday 10.30pm thursday 04.30pm friday 03.30am
Weller: I'd like to work with Miles Kane. (NME)
The punk veteran, who releases his 11th solo album 'Sonik Kicks' next month, has said he would like to collaborate with 'The Colour Of The Trap' singer, who he called "a talented lad". Speaking to NME in a video which you can see by scrolling up to the top of the page and clicking, Weller responded to a question about how he would most like to work with by saying: I'd like to do something with young Miles Kane. I think he's a talented lad and we could do something good together. TBC Here
2012/02/16
Paul Weller rare 1990 interview. Positive energy of Madness.
This was a big story for us. It was done in the summer of 1990 when Paul Weller hadn’t done an interview for 2 years.
Thank you to Fiona Cartridge of, The Sign of the Times, shop in Kensington Market. She sweet talked Weller into talking to us. It caused a sensation to the point, that in an attempt to try to get the interview off me, "The Face", invited me to their office. I am still proud to this day to say that I turned them down. I went on to write the sleeve notes for , The Greatest Hits of The Jam. Then Paolo Hewitt stepped in, becoming the official sleeve note writer for, The Jam, and the, Style Council, compilation albums......fair enough.
Remember, Paul Weller's career at this point was in limbo. I like to think the affection and understanding of fans, like the Boys About Town fanzine and myself, contributed slightly in Paul, re-launching a highly successful solo career. Please note, Weller mentions, The Soul Stylist book, this didn't actually surface for another 12 years. Enjoy this great piece from the Positive Energy of Madness archives.
to be continued here
2012/02/15
2012/02/14
It's a Gaz Gaz Gaz.
Former Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes has said that he is relieved to have gone solo and doesn't miss being in a band.Coombes is set to release his debut solo album 'Here Come The Bombs' on May 21, with a single 'Hot Fruit', preceeding it on May 14. You can stream his new track 'Sub Divider' now by scrolling down to the bottom of the page and clicking on the link. The track is his first new material since Supergrass announcing their split in June of 2010.
Speaking exclusively to NME, Coombs said: "With my solo album I'm making the kind of music I want to make. I don't have to have a discussion with a bandmate where I'm trying to convince them of the direction I want to go in. Right now I don't want to to be in a band or anything like a band."
2012/02/13
That dangerous age: order it at RefleX, the official last standing shop!
Evening all, Its with great delight that I can tell you that the new Weller single will be a REAL single and not a little file you forget about on the I-pod. A CD and two deluxe 45s folks! Happy Days. So here's the info, taking pre-orders now, don't panic if i don't reply immediately, having modem problems and will get them all confirmed as and when. Here goes:
1 CD £3.99 b/w Portal to the Past / That Dangerous Age (Ladytron mix)
2 Deluxe 7" No.1 £4.99 b/w That Dangerous Age (Matt Helders Arctic Monkeys remix)
3 Deluxe 7" No.2 £4.99 b/w Green Motorik Version
All pre-orders to me as normal at afne04343@blueyonder.co.uk. With Full name, first line of address and what you need. Please state any quantities over one of each clearly please. Usual postage applies