In particular, I showed up just in time to see the Ninetynine set; the first one of the year, I believe, and the first time I had seen them since London. The sounds wasn't ideal, but the energy was there and it rocked. (Incidentally, they seemed to rely on a MiniDisc for a lot of the rhythm loops; perhaps they're running out of Casiotone keyboards or something?) They did a new song, with Amy singing; it sounded a little New Orderesque, at least to my ears. (Occasionally I wonder just how much they were influenced by New Order/Joy Division; that and the guitarwork on Woekenender and Laura's lyrics sounding just a tad Barneyesque in places.) Anyway, they rocked.
The audience was full of pale indie types who don't usually go in the sun; some were looking a tad awkward in bathing costumes, others came wearing band T-shirts and shorts and such. (I was the guy in the Gentle Waves T-shirt and brown cords, looking rather out of place in the sun.)
I know, and could probably name the keyboards they came from. Just that they have usually only used the MD for the VL-1 loop from Woekenender and gotten the other beats live.
I was wondering whether the sudden reliance on MiniDiscs had aught to do with them having left a broken MT-40 in London.
They were using both loops off MD before the tour at the CD launch.
I know this because I had to operate the damn thing.
Well, I guess New Order made it OK to have a lead singer who can't sing in tune.
New Order? Don't you mean the numerous "this is an A, this is a D, this is an E, now start a band" punk bands of the late 70s? (Aside: when you think about it, Casio keyboards are quite punk.)
Anyway, I was referring more to some of Laura's lyrics having the same sort of cryptic quality as some of Bernard Sumner's (pre-Prozac) lyrics.
I wanted to go to that but there was something else on here. I've heard B(if)Tek have a new album coming out in April and they probably would've played stuff from it there.
"This is the arpeggio key, now start a band..."
Cords. *shakes head* I know you were wearing them when I was down last, I'd just thought you'd gotten over that stage...
Actually, you haven't seen them. I picked these up at Portobello Rd. Market in London.
Anyway, the only musical act I've heard of using the automatic accompaniment functions of a keyboard (as opposed to the drum loops, which is what Ninetynine et al. use) is Wesley Willis. Mind you, Wesley Willis is more punk than fuck.
(Incidentally, he uses a Solton Ketron, whatever that is.)
Oh, and Margarita Pracatan.
Pracatan!!!
They are Casio beats - they're just on minidisc because it's easier that way!