The Beat Happening’s Last Stand!

After six issues, fifteen spectacular gigs, and a whole lotta love, The Beat Happening is taking an indefinite hiatus from the world of publishing and partying.

But to ensure that we go out with a bang, we’re holding a very special party with rather limited entry, with balloons, party poppers and a shite hot line up!

THE OLD BLUE LAST, GREAT EASTERN ST, LONDON
WEDNESDAY JULY 8TH, DOORS 7.30PM
£4 ENTRY PLEASE

ART BRUT (DJ SET)
PETE & THE PIRATES (DJ SET)
VELOFAX (DJ SET)

+ LIVE:

THE COOLNESS
Sleazy electro rock + neon + so much irony that nobody’s sure if they’re being ironic any more = the ultimate party band. A Coolness gig is like a party in Prince’s pants, and you’re all invited!

STIG NOISE SOUNDSYSTEM
Live breakcore with mariachi-stylee brass, they’re pretty much unclassifiable. Signed to Wrong Music, home of Shitmat and DJ Scotch Egg, they’ll make you pull dance moves you never knew existed…

IS TROPICAL
Featuring members of indie urchins Ratty Rat Rat, Is Tropical are the musical equivalent of the Strokes and Holy Fuck having a food fight with pineapple chunks, before deciding to settle their differences over a coconut daquiri and a rollup.

THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESSO
One man, one spandex suit, and one keyboard. When their powers combine, they become the most ridiculous lounge-hip-hop act you’ve ever seen. Rob Da Bank likes him too.

Our guest DJs will be spinning some old school rock n’ roll, electro, hip hop and funk throughout the night to keep those feet a-dancing til the fat lady sings!
Seeya there, and thanks for the memories everyone!

The Beat Happening Sessions presents…Selfish Cunt + R O M A N C E 27/03/09

The Beat Happening Sessions presents…

SELFISH C**T LIVE SET AND INTERVIEW

+ ROMANCE

Friday 27^th March, The Enterprise, 2 Haverstock Hill, Camden, London

Hot on the heels of the Beat Happening Bash, which in 2009 saw the likes of Micachu & the Shapes, Chrome Hoof, Screaming Tea Party, Art Brut, Capitol K, Goldielocks and Bearsuit performing or spinning tracks at their monthly events at the Camden Monarch, comes the Beat Happening Sessions. Following the event’s successful launch, which saw Pete and the Pirates take to the stage for an acoustic set and live interview, comes the latest instalment in the shape of glam-punk anarchists Selfish C**t

The concept is simple: the band performs a live set, and then the writers of Beat Happening magazine interview the band on stage. Following the interview is a live audience q & a. What makes your favourite band tick? What inspires their lyrics? What do they prefer, jam or marmalade? Ask them yourself at the Beat Happening Sessions. The added twist is that the interview will then be published in the subsequent issue of Beat Happening magazine, one of London’s most reputable new music magazines, which in the past year has seen its pages adorned by the likes of Nick Cave, Mars Volta, Battles, Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols.

Led by the flamboyant and always provocative Martin Tomlinson, Selfish C**t have been courting controversy and amassing a cult status as being one of the most explosively confrontational acts to have emerged in the UK in recent years. From being listed by The Guardian as one of the forty most important bands in the country, to hitting headlines for publicly brawling with Pete Doherty, to being banned by a number of venues around the capital, the band have a wealth of stories to tell. With a new record on the horizon and some major tour dates lined up, to hear their side of story, up close and in the flesh, is a unique occasion.

Support comes from London’s much-hyped gloom-merchants, Romance. Having recently been featured on the front cover of not just PIX magazine but the NME, the band are being hailed as one of the spearheads of a new goth movement involving the likes of White Lies and Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump. This could be an all-too-rare opportunity to see them in a small venue before they go stellar.

Tickets are £7 and VERY limited – buy one here:

https://fan.musicglue.com/sale/saleproducts.aspx?productid=989c543e-e9e1-43d5-98e2-52af6e95946e

The Beat Happening Sessions

Friday 27^th February, The Enterprise, 2 Haverstock Hill, Camden, London

Tel: 0207 4852659

Doors: 7.30pm

Tickets: £8adv

+18 only

http://www.myspace.com/ixnewyork

http://www.myspace.com/isthisromance

 

 

 

The Beat Happening Sessions presents… The Laurel Collective and Ex-Lion Tamers, plus the newest side-project from Art Brut

The Beat Happening Sessions presents…

LAUREL COLLECTIVE LIVE SET AND INTERVIEW

+ EX-LION TAMERS

+ FUCLHER, SMITH AND DANCE (ART BRUT)

Friday 27^th February, The Enterprise, 2 Haverstock Hill, Camden, London

Hot on the heels of the Beat Happening Bash, which in 2009 saw the likes of Micachu & the Shapes, Chrome Hoof, Screaming Tea Party, Art Brut, Capitol K, Goldielocks and Bearsuit performing or spinning tracks at their monthly events at the Camden Monarch, comes the Beat Happening Sessions. Following the event’s successful launch, which saw Pete and the Pirates take to the stage for a acoustic set and live interview, comes the second instalment in the shape of London-based art pop sensations The Laurel Collective.

The concept is simple: the band performs a live set, and then the writers of Beat Happening magazine interview the band on stage. Following the interview is a live audience q & a. What makes your favourite band tick? What inspires their lyrics? What do they prefer, jam or marmalade? Ask them yourself at the Beat Happening Sessions. The added twist is that the interview will then be published in the subsequent issue of Beat Happening magazine, one of London’s most reputable new music magazines, which in the past year has seen its pages adorned by the likes of Nick Cave, Mars Volta, Battles, Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols.

The Laurel Collective, hailing from Italy, Nigeria, Wales and England, create 80’s-influenced experimental alt-rock, jam-packed full of melodic eccentricity to melt hearts – having been compared to the likes of The Mystery Jets and ‘a weeping Morrissey being shot out of a canon’, they’re one of the most exciting new bands on London’s indie scene – Steve Lamacq certainly thinks so, having last summer made ‘International Love Affair’ his single of the week on BBC 6 Music. Beat Happening will be chatting to them on-stage about their plans for the year ahead.

Support comes from London’s much-hyped Ex-Lion Tamers – named after the Wire song of the same name, they’re proudly carrying the baton for scuzzy lo-fi post-punk into 2009. Finally, following The Laurel Collective’s set and interview will be a showcase of Fulcher, Smith and Dance, the newest project to come from Art Brut members, Mikey B and Jasper Future. Like a new romantic Joy Division, their songs drip with heartfelt passion and burst with energy.

Entry is 5 English pounds, on’t door.

The Beat Happening Sessions

Friday 27^th February, The Enterprise, 2 Haverstock Hill, Camden, London

Doors: 7.30pm

Tickets: £5 – buy your here:

https://fan.musicglue.com/sale/saleproducts.aspx?productid=61e7ab9e-53ee-4c2a-9a78-6d8bc0a33971

http://www.myspace.com/thelaurelcollective

http://www.myspace.com/weareexliontamers

Wanna quiz Pete & the Pirates?

 

 

The Beat Happening Sessions presents…

 

PETE & THE PIRATES

 

+ THE BOBBY MCGEES

+ PEVIN KINEL (VELOFAX)

 

Friday 30^th January, The Enterprise, 2 Haverstock Hill, Camden, London

 

Hot on the heels of the Beat Happening Bash, which in 2009 saw the likes of Micachu & the Shapes, Chrome Hoof, Screaming Tea Party, Art Brut, Capitol K, Goldielocks and Bearsuit performing or spinning tracks at their monthly events at the Camden Monarch, comes the Beat Happening Sessions.

 

The concept is simple: the band performs a live set, and then the writers of Beat Happening magazine interview the band on stage. Following the interview is a live audience q & a. What makes your favourite band tick? What inspires their lyrics? What do they prefer, jam or marmalade? Ask them yourself at the Beat Happening Sessions. The added twist is that the interview will then be published in the subsequent issue of Beat Happening magazine!

 

Kicking off the brand new event are Reading four-piece Pete & the Pirates. Their punk-tinged folk-rock has seen the support the likes of Vampire Weekend and be hailed by Steve Lamacq as ‘the best new pop band of the year’, and their debut album, Little Death, was met with critical acclaim all round. With a new single imminent, and a second album on the horizon, the Beat Happening Sessions provides the perfect way to find out what they have in store for 2009.

 

Support comes from Brighton’s oddball antifolk duo, The Bobby McGees, whose twisted but twee lyrical stylings have been described as ‘Belle and Sebastien with domestic violence’, and from Velofax’s Pevin Kinel, a walking advert for the loop pedal; his rich layers of improvised instrumentation are jaw-dropping, as is his acapella version of Aphex Twin’s ‘Windowlicker’.

 

 

The Beat Happening Sessions

Friday 30^th January, The Enterprise, 2 Haverstock Hill, Camden, London

Doors: 7.30pm

Tickets: £8 adv, available here:

 

 

 

Beat Happening’s Albums of the Year: The Scribes Have Spoken…

Yes, it’s that time of year again folks, where we start looking to the year ahead, full of wonder about what lies in store. Unless you know already. But before we look ahead, a cursory glance over our shoulder is required, if only just to make some sort of sense of what’s actually happened in the past year – it’s a bit of a haze to be honest. 2008′s seen some monumtal records released, whichever side your bread’s buttered on, from the modern classic that is TVOTR’s Dear Science, to Fucked Up’s crossover hit The Chemistry of Common Life, as well as some captivating debuts from the likes of MGMT, Glasvegas, Fuck Buttons, and lots more. Some of us humble scribes at Beat Happening compiled a short list of our five favourites of the year….

 

Matthew Laidlow

House Made Of Glass

Death By Panda

(Self released)

Most bands struggle to release stuff every few years of any quality. Death By Panda have released three albums this year, all for free, and consistently deliver something that sounds like Explosions In The Sky meeting broken Brian Eno electronics.

http://www.myspace.com/deathbypanda

 

Notes From Life On The Wire With A Wrecking Ball

Capitol K

(Faith and Industry)

I don’t know why more people haven’t heard this album. It’s ridiculously accessible and doesn’t contain tracks that are 200BPM fast and sample squirrels. The masses are missing out.

http://www.myspace.com/capitolk

 

Mars People Meets The Trinitron

Trinitron Meets The Mars People

(Self released)

Randomly sent to me via Myspace to review for another website, this record is completely bonkers but in a tripped out psychedelic guitar instrumental way. Getting praise where they hail from, LA, world domination must be happening for their soon.

http://www.myspace.com/tmtmp

 

Put Your Slippers On

Tim and Sam’s Tim and Sam Band With Tim and Sam

(Full Of Joy Records)

For anyone who likes Tunng, you’ll adore this release from a band who should easily pick up more fans in 2009. A good record to put on when you’re feeling hung over from the night before.

http://www.myspace.com/timandsamstimandthesambandwithtimandsam

 

Filling Up The City Skies

Pretty Lights

(Self Released)

I literally got introduced to this album a few days ago and I can’t stop listening to it. Using all sorts of styles from hip-hop, dubstep and house there will be something for everyone. A free download of their latest album is available.

www.myspace.com/prettylights

Plum Woodard

 

 

Seventh Tree

 

Goldfrapp

 

(Mute)

 

A huge sidestep from how we previously knew and loved Goldfrapp, this was a perfect fresh start to 2008. And where it was different, it was stand-alone fabness on its own merits.

 

http://www.myspace.com/goldfrapp

 

 

Only by the Night

 

Kings of Leon

 

(RCA)

 

A true coming of age for the hairy mumblers, the Kings waved this record awesomely in our faces at Glastonbury. The ultimate in autumn releases, my sex was massively on fire.

 

http://www.myspace.com/kingsofleon

 

 

Oracular Spectaculor

 

MGMT

 

(Columbia)

 

I’m way past puberty but Andrew Van Wyngarden still had me gazing at the album’s record sleeve for way longer than is acceptable for a bird in her mid-twenties. Easily the soundtrack to 08 and not far off being that of the decade: ZING!

 

http://www.myspace.com/mgmt

 

 

Attack and Release

 

The Black Keys

 

(Nonesuch)

 

I’m a perve when it comes to unbridled seventies throw backs of a musical nature. Proggy, fuzzy, psych and sexual, Attack and Release was my very own tarantula on wax.

 

http://www.myspace.com/theblackkeys

 

 

Stainless Style

 

Neon Neon

 

(Lex)

 

Gruff Rhys and Boombip’s one-off (or is it..?) was bizarre and a little bit daft, but mildly epic by way of compulsion. With Har Mar and Yo Majesty! bunging in their tuppence worth of cavorts, Stainless Style is a modestly seminal piece-a moosik heestory.

 

http://www.myspace.com/neonx2

 

Cian Traynor

 

In Ear Park

Department of Eagles

(4AD)

 

Everything that the members of Grizzly Bear have done since 2006′s Yellow House makes them seem increasing like a genuine super group, but this tops it all: stark song-writing, immaculate production and soulful vocals. Timeless.

www.myspace.com/deptofeagles

For Emma, Forever Ago

Bon Iver

(4AD)

 

Along with Fleet Foxes, this is easily the breakthrough album of the year. Although everyone knows the story behind it by now, the end result of Justin Vernon’s solitary sojourn in the Wisconsin woods is set to endure for a long time.

 

www.myspace.com/boniver

Microcastle/ Weird Era Cont

Deerhunter

(4AD)

 

A well-produced, wonderfully cohesive synthesis of rock’s most adventurous and comforting moments

 

www.myspace.com/deerhunter

Self-Titled/Sun Giant EP

Fleet Foxes

(Bella Union)

 

Possibly the most talked about band in 2008, Fleet Foxes stand out as the year’s biggest success story. Reverb-soaked vocals and shimmering baroque arrangements provide an uplifting release of endorphins every time.

 

http://www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes

Swimming

French Kicks

(Vagrant)

 

Warm harmonies and a singular song-writing motif sustain Swimming‘s cosy atmosphere – perfect for some winter time listening.

 

http://www.myspace.com/frenchkicks

 

 

David Hellqvist (www.davidhellqvist.bogspot.com)

 

Antidote

Foals

(Trangressive)

 

This is immaculate punk funk from one of Britain’s most promising bands. Clever Oxford lyrics, bouncing rhythm beats, screeching guitar melodies and the guts to leave two massive tracks – ‘Hummer’ and ‘Mathletics’ – off their debut album must be applauded. Bring it on, boys!

 

http://www.myspace.com/foals

 

Intimacy

Bloc Party

(Wichita)

 

They might number 49 in NME’s top 50 Albums of the Year list, but just because Rosie, 14, from Swindon (or whoever reads the NME), doesn’t ‘understand’ Intimacy doesn’t make it shit. No, this is a great comeback from one of Britain’s bestest and cleverest bands. Just listen to Russell’s furious guitar on ‘One Month Off’.

 

http://www.myspace.com/blocparty

 

Glasvegas

Glasvegas

(Columbia)

 

This is – together with Foals’ Antidote – the debut album of the year. For many reasons: the Scottish accent, the black clothes, the painstakingly honest lyrics and the beautifully put together wall of sound. Just a shame James Allen had to be such a cock on Never Mind the Buzzcocks…

 

http://www.myspace.com/glasvegas

 

For Emma, Forever Ago

Bon Iver

(4AD)

 

Media hype? Sure, but he deserved every bit of it. Makes me want to break up with my girlfriend, move out to a cabin in the forest outside Birmingham, drink shitloads of whiskey and write nine sentimentally perfect tracks. But it’s not gonna happen – it’s too cold and I’ve just bought a box set of The Wire’. Let’s just listen to the record once more, shall we?

 

http://www.myspace.com/boniver

 

Dear Science

TV On The Radio

(4AD)

 

Dave Sitek has been dipping his producer fingers into many a great record this year – including Foals – and he managed quite well with his own bunch as well. Golden Age, Family Tree and Dancing Shoes are not only eclectic, eccentric and electric, but also just plain bloody fantastic. Good enough reason, eh?

 

http://www.myspace.com/tvotr

 

 

Jack Howson

 

 

Alegranza

 

el Guincho

 

(XL)

 

Amazing to think this is the work of just one man. Intelligent, original but mostly just unadulterated fun.

 

http://www.myspace.com/elguincho

 

 

Self titled

 

The Muslims

 

(1928 Recordings)

 

Only properly ingested this EP-plus latterly, but now I’m hooked hard with a pure and almost dumb devotion to this Strokes meets Stooges rock ‘n roll. They’ve since re-branded themselves The Soft Pack. More’s the pity.

 

http://www.myspace.com/thesoftpack

 

 

Dear Science

 

TV On The Radio

 

(4AD)

 

The kind of album David Bowie wishes he could still make. Or Prince, for that matter. If only I could dance, I would to this – often.

 

http://www.myspace.com/tvotr

 

 

Alas, I Cannot Swim

 

Laura Marling

 

(EMI)

 

Entirely penetrative – it bored its way deep inside my consciousness. Not particularly original, of course, but lyrically it is staggeringly mature.

 

http://www.myspace.com/lauramarling

 

 

For Emma, Forever Ago

 

Bon Iver

 

(4AD)

 

Magical and impossible to completely get to grips with. There is nothing about this record that I don’t adore, from the cover onwards.

 

http://www.myspace.com/boniver

 

Jon Sebire

 

 

Waited Up Until It Was Late

 

Johnny Foreigner

 

(Best Before)

 

A gloriously angular collection of the guitar led maelstrom those endless demos and singles promised. Beautiful, free and devilishly ramshackle.

 

http://www.myspace.com/johnnyforeigner

 

Dig!!! Lazarus, Dig!!!

 

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

 

(Mute)

 

With the success of Grinderman the Bad Seeds were somewhat overshadowed last year, but with this transcendent collection proved they are still Caves spiritual home and most vital inspiration.

 

http://www.myspace.com/nickcaveandthebadseeds

Shield Your Eyes

 

Shield Your Eyes

 

(Run For Your Life)

 

Like a Greek riot Shield your eyes run amok across your cochlea with a debut album of caustic sonic terrorism that heralds the dawn of something special.

 

http://www.myspace.com/leavethetapesrunning

 

Black Diamond

 

Buraka Som Sistema

 

(Enchufada/Fabric/Sony BMG)

 

The MIA approved sound of the streets from Africa via Lisbon. An album that simply makes you want to move.

http://www.myspace.com/burakasomsistema

 

 

Sunday at Dirt Devil

 

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan

 

(V2 Co-Operative Group)

 

This is the sound of your dreams fucking as the sun comes up on a night of green chartreuse abuse. Two of the best voices in music.

 

www.myspace.com/isobelcampbell

Beat Happening Issue Four Lands!

 

We here at Beat Towers have issues. Four of them to be precise; in a world where the likes of Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers and Northern Rock are collapsing, it’s a miracle that little old Beat Happening is still alive, like a humble cockroach getting on with its business in the  midst of a nuclear war.

 

Issue four arrives officially on Monday 24^th November (check the stockist page to find out where), although you can get a sneak preview here from Sunday 23^rd, or if you venture down to Brick Lane, you will find some early editions in Rough Trade East.

 

This issue contains a just incredibly frank interview with Deerhunter, as well as a surprisingly insightful interview with Andrew WK, and some great interviews with Mogwai, Shitdisco, Deerhoof and El Guincho, and The Spinto Band – we also have the low-down on Bestival, Nail the Cross, Jersey Live and Branchage Film Festival, and the capital’s coolest gigs past and future.

 

Enjoy folks, roll on Issue Five!

 

ANDREW WK

 

 

 

 

 

 

The November Fenchurch Beat Happening Bash and Other News…

 

THE FENCHURCH BEAT HAPPENING BASH!

 

Saturday, November 8^th @ The Monarch, Chalk Farm Rd, Camden, 8pm-2am

 

EZRA BANG & HOT MACHINE

www.myspace.com/wearehotmachine

 

MATHS CLASS

 www.myspace.com/mathsclass

 

MAYOR McCA

 www.myspace.com/mayormcca

 

GOLDLIELOCKS (DJ SET)

 www.myspace.com/goldielocksmusic

 

SELFISH CUNT (DJ SET)

 ww.myspace.com/ixnewyork

 

November’s instalment of the Fenchurch Beat Happening Bash comes hot on the heels of, well, the October one, obviously, which saw the likes of Bearsuit, Gentle Friendly and Miss Odd Kidd rocking the stage of the Monarch, as well as a headline DJ set by the almighty Chrome Hoof. Many boozes were drunk, many lips were kissed, and many heads were sore the next morning – but that’s the price you pay when you step into Beat Happening territory.

 

And it’s all happening again, this time with the amazing blues/anti-folk/rapsmith that is Mayor McCa. Hailing from Canada, the man has the same number of limbs as you or I, but is infinitely more adept at using them; playing the drums, guitar, keyboard, harmonica, and clarinet, he’s basically the best one man band you’ll ever see. Recent support slots with the likes of Daniel Johnstone, Regina Spektor and Foals confirm them as people of rather fine taste.

 

Maths Class are next up. Their punk spin on the math rock phenomena of recent times has seen them win an army of fans, and Beat Happening were witness to one of the greatest gigs of the year, a double-headliner with Rolo Tomassi in Maths Class’ own flat at the unofficial afterparty of this year’s Great Escape festival. The police were called, but not before the boys belted out a twenty minute adrenaline-fuelled blast of digi-punk. They’ll be massive soon.

 

Headlining the live bill is Brooklyn’s Ezra Bang & Hot Machine; having toured earlier this year with the legendary Public Enemy, they’re over in the UK and have been winning a legion of new converts, having been described in such terms as ‘an extremely camp version of Chuck D’, and ‘like Grace Jones fronting Rage Against the Machine’, and quite simply, ‘scary’.

 

With the much-talked-about British rapper (and November’s Mixmag coverstar) Goldielocks behind the decks between bands, and some very special guests, in the shape of London’s favourite/least favourite (delete as appropriate) glam-punk anarchist, Selfish Cunt, popping down for a headline DJ set later on, it’s going to be the best Fenchurch Beat Happening Bash yet. That’s a promise.

 

THE FENCHURCH BEAT HAPPENING BASH, SATURDAY 8^TH NOVEMBER @ THE MONARCH, 40-42, CHALK FARM RD, CAMDEN, 8PM – 2AM

 

Tickets are £5 and available from www.monarchbar.com

 

In other news, the dates for the next couple of Fenchurch Beat Happening Bash’s are confirmed… first off is our Christmas extravaganza on December 20th at the Monarch, with The Wizard & the Frog confirmed along with a DJ set by Men In Masks (none other than telly’s Jeff Leach), with more acts to be confirmed. Then there is January 10th, line up still TBC.

Beat Happening will also be hosting an event on January 17th at the Roxy, near London Bridge, for the London Short FIlm Festival, with a screening of the documentary ‘One Man In a Band’, as well as independent music video screenings and some extra special live performances… watch this space for more news.

Last, but not least, in this news round-up, Beat Happening Issue 4 will be hitting the streets of London from November 10th….