Mr. Oizo – Stade 2

First off, if you’re into “cheap” electronic music and think David Guetta is an angel sent from heaven, you should not read any further. Just go to McDonalds and enjoy your Happy Meal as it is easily digestible. Thank you.

Quentin Dupieux a.k.a. Mr. Oizo did it again. He released another banger of a record named Stade 2. But how does it sound like? It’s system overload, busta! Stade 2 is THE soundtrack when accidentally getting the wrong hole at your girlfriend’s and, awkwardly enough, she’s enjoying it. This is no music you get to hear in your wannabe stylish lounges or clubs. The sounds are way too unconventional to fit everyone’s taste and a lot of people will not enjoy this record. These people are more used to standard 4/4 timed electronic pop with Usher whining about how sad his life would be without you (who is this you person anyway?). But really; who fucking cares? The only thing that matters is that there’s one french bastard who puts a smile on my face each time he releases a new record. It may not be as fucked up or “dancy” as Lambs Anger but I’d rather stick to Mr. Oizo craftsmanship than to Skrillex’ bullshit music. Wouldn’t you as well?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1xTQ9pHOb8]

RIP Chuck Schuldiner

I am not a big fan of Death Metal and I am that kind of guy who never knows what to say when someone is feeling bad or died. Chuck Schuldiner died 10 years ago today and with him did the only Death Metal band I really enjoy listening to. I never knew this guy personally but when I watch his videos or listen to his songs I feel some kind of strange. He often made me smile and I even can’t say why. His music simply makes me feel good. Chuck seemed to be a very charismatic and down to earth dude with a brilliant talent.

It’s a real shame that you have gone but your music is still here and never shall be forgotten!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSxwe98QFiQ]

This video was displayed on Chuck’s funeral and it’s made by his mother with her choices of music.

                                                 R.I.P Chuck Schuldiner!

Kirby’s Adventure

Every single one of us has got his ultimate favorite videogame. When I talk to my friends about their favorite game, classics like Mario Kart, Rock’n Roll Racing, Mega Man or Zelda come up.

Given the fact that I never owned a Super Nintendo as my parents knew that this would worsen my mental labilities, I had to stick to my beloved old Nintendo; a gift from my uncle Sergio when I was 8 years old. (thanks man!!)

But as I never was a fan of complex, gruesome and scary games I preferred playing more childlike games, the likes of Super Mario Brothers, Ducktales or Chip’n Dale – Rescue Rangers.

But if there’s one game that changed it all for me it has to be Kirby’s Adventure.

Yes, KIRBY! The tiny pinkish cuteball whose appetite is more insatiable than a bulimic’s.

What I mostly love about this game is Kirby’s ability to transform into a vast number of objects after sucking and digesting his enemies. I adored the broad spectrum of choices this game had to offer, something I had never experienced in a videogame before. Just keep in mind that this cute little creature devours it’s enemies with ease. No blood, no traces of violence; and yet this adorable little fucker couldn’t be more cruel! I wonder why PETA did not come up with an Anti-Kirby campaign yet, considering Kirby’s gluttony towards poor, innocent creatures… Oh, how I love this game!

Some people may complain that the Kirby franchise is just too easy to play. So what? It’s the overall gaming experience that matters. This game is soooo enjoyable and cute. Simply, the best time waster on a rainy Sunday afternoon, trust me; I spent a lot of Sundays playing the whole game in 2-3 hours and I could never get enough of it. This is one of a few timeless NES classic that deserves an 11 out of 10.

And the best for last, I’m not even the owner of this game. Some bloke at primary school loaned it to me and forgot to claim it back… Dude, whoever and wherever you are; THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Another big Kirby fan undoubtedly is Destructoid’s Jim Sterling who couldn’t be more right with his National Kirby Day video. You should totally follow him on twitter and destructoid.

(Long video loading time is long, sorry…)

 

-Eric-

Immigrant Song – Karen O with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Trent Reznor joined forces with Atticus Ross and Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontlady Karen O to record a cover of Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song. The song will be part of the official soundtrack (created by Reznor) for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. The heavy industrial beat keeps pushing and Karen O’s singing reflects the psychedelicoriginal in a modern way. Good cover in my eyes, what do you think?

Immigrant Song – Karen O with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross by Fluke Hawkins

Turbowolf – Turbowolf


Beelzebub’s newest breeds call themselves Turbowolf. Striking riffs, powerful lyrics, wolves on fire, the turbo is loaded right from the start. The fact that sometimes you get the suspicion to have heard all this once before in the past doesn’t dampen the mood.

Young Alice Cooper welcomes you on the journey through the river Styx. Turbowolf’s debut is pure stereotyped poser-riffmaster-rock’n’roll. Take it or leave it. Their style is nevertheless pretty multifarious. It actually goes from Metallica to a metal version of The Hives, but far more trashy. Not to forget the playful use of Nintendo-like electro-sounds.

Young John Garcia meanwhile never fails to summon you successfully to bang your head. After a fast first half of the album, with songs like the heavy Ancient Snake, The Big Cut makes you realise that the intensity is unlikely to weaken.

And if it does, the storm never really is over. Young Axl Roseleads you through a slower song called Son (Sun), though “slow” is not a synonym for “weak”. The final song is nothing but the best possible way of starting a live concert in order to make everyone totally freak out. Too bad you have to wait until the end to enjoy Let’s Die, but hey, a nice thrill of anticipation is always good.

A very powerful debut of the four guys from Bristol. However, as far as I’m concerned, I would spend some time in the sound: it is ugly like hell, which is a good thing, but in general, it is bog-standard and the energy of Turbowolf deserves more!

Recommendations: Ancient Snake, The Big Cut, Let’s Die.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGcUhhTA-xM]

Dirty Crows Album Pre-Production Day 5 and 6

The pre-recording session is over. Even though one could have had the feeling that now and then it seemed quite probable that one of the guys would become insane, I think everyone will miss this great week.

The last two days were a little shorter because Jan had other obligations. Pre-recording the last two songs turned out to be pretty difficult, especially because the guys were having trouble to find a better chorus for Got No Chance Against Rock’n’Roll. Everyone’s quite confident that it will turn out all right in the end though. Time was short, but there are still over two months left until the final recordings will take place in the Ghost City Studios in Germany.

The band now has three important tasks before entering the studio: first, clean up the mess that was left in the Fiction, secondly, undergo caffeine withdrawal, and last but not least, work on the remaining songs and rehearse the other ones ad nauseam.

At the end of the day, one must say that Dirty Crows now have a newer, deeper sound, which is more desert than ever before. The guys learned a lot in only six days and they are very thankful to Jan for the chance he gives them.

Dirty Crows Album Pre-Production Day 4

“Don’t think, PLAY!“ Is for sure the most used, NOT overused, sentence in the “Fiction tent”. I really like this approach and after a few initial difficulties it is also the band who tries to change their attitude into a less forced one. Playing by what you feel and not what by what you have (strictly) defined. It is all about feeling the music.

The band is still aroused by an inspirational atmosphere and they already have re-created 6 songs. The result is stunning and I especially dig Daniel’s “new” style of hitting that bitch of a drum kit.

The eating was great again. Thanks to Liz and to the guys for the leftövers ;).  After the delicious “Gromprenzaloot”, Cés and Ben from Inborn paid a visit to the Laduno and had a beer with us.

The band just as ElGore are really going to miss these inspiring, enjoyable and funny times in the Fiction.

ps: Jan just thinks too much instead of just playing Smack Down 2, that’s why he lost his match against Marc!

The Jacob Conspiracy and Dirty Crows live @ Rockbox (Rives de Clausen)

As you have noticed, this week is going to be dedicated mainly to the album pre-production of our sweethearts, Dirty Crows. So, to keep the point, here you have a little report about their last live performance.

Friday night, Rockbox, live music. Could you ask for more? The menu tonight: Dirty Crows followed by The Jacob Conspiracy, what a coincidence!

Not so many people present, shame on you Luxembourg! Never mind. Not an easy job for Dirty Crows but they completed their task confidently. Although a bit tired, they rocked their set from alpha to omega. Big excitement arose when hearing Got No Chance Against Rock’n’Roll, especially when thinking of the coming album. Can’t wait for 2012.

The Jacob Conspiracy. Bigger crowd, a few more girls, always good! A masterful set by the boys, driven by a powerful bass play and confident singing. Emily, better than on the radio, followed by Desire, the party was on! A few midlife crisis guys joined the crowd, and with a little help of the bass player they even managed to get the other people to party even harder. Good show! Great evening! More of it please.

Dirty Crows Album Pre-Production Day 3

Day 3, the longest day so far. While Luc was trying to set up a new personal record on Tekken 3, the boys together with Jan were still working at full blast. People show up from time to time to bring food, coffee and beer, and the best thing about that is that also those who aren’t in the band benefit from it (yes, it is true, the guys from El Gore are all spongers but damn sexy ones!). Thanks to Liz, Jasmine and Ted to name but a few. Also Ben from Inborn! dropped by for a short visit.

Mood is still good, although a slight cabin fever shows up from time to time. Normal thing to happen. Productivity doesn’t suffer from it, on the contrary! Little Kalashnikov Blues has grown to a man-eating monster, live and in colour straight from Armageddon. Jan motivates the guys not to think so much but just to play as much more. Daniel’s drumming is getting better from day to day, the same goes for Marc’s singing. Mauro’s bass is powerful as never before and Phillippe has taken pleasure in making his guitar freak out from time to time.

As for the physical problems, Daniel’s fingers are now bleeding the whole day and Mauro has started to assist him. Well, considering the fingers it’s not that bad, but sometimes you need to bother about brain damage, especially when you observe a crazy drummer nearly break down the whole rehearsal tent with a rubber-snake! Don’t ask for details, it’s just too complicated to describe. Use your own imagination.

So, the most important points of day three in a nutshell: Daniel is going nuts, coffee is important when working until 2am, “Nuddelszalot” is yummy and spilling beer inside the rehearsal tent is rarely a good idea.

Stay tuned!

Dirty Crows Album Pre-Production Day 2

It is cold in the Fiction, fucking cold, and the guys are working their asses off. Together with Jan, the band analyzes and deconstructs every single song; a nerve-racking job but a profitable an interesting one.

It looks like the band is slowly growing, not only as musicians. Their views grow wider and even if there are some hard times, they seem to really enjoy the moments of being togehter becoming better and better.

So far I have heard three songs and I have to say that Dirty Crows moves more and more away from the old Rock’n’Roll style and evolutes to a first class fist-in-your-face desert rock band. As Philippe (guitar player) said: “We play less but it kicks more asses”. Word!

Thx to Liz for the lasagna.

Thx to Sylvain for the coffee and for spilling it over my trousers.

Thx to Sternkopf who is kicking Eric’s ass everytime we play Fifa 98.