Let’s Kick Some Ass…

Craig — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:54:23 +0000

It’s a little know fact, this, but every Renaissance Man since Pongo Waring himself has had a deep appreciation of the action movie genre. Imagine how chuffed we were, then, to receive this link from fellow renaissance man Paul McGhee:

Incidentally, Paul’s blog Gold & Popcorn is a fantastic read.

Feed Him Flapjacks

Craig — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:24:16 +0000

BEARDS!

admin — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:00:13 +0000

Possibly the most apropos of nowt thing ever posted on here (and that’s saying something), here’s our name spelled out in BEARDS…

FOTS-POD#22 - “Robson Man 2″

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:40:47 +0000

Episode 22 of the Friends of the Stars Podcast is now up on the internet. …Don’t all rush at once.

This hour-long episode, entitled “Robson Man 2″, finds Cam and Craig in blistering form as they discuss the various merits of iPhones, Spotify and SKY Sports before moving on to give an insight into the working processes of a band lumbering towards the completion of it’s 2nd LP. It’s nowhere near as dull as it sounds, honest.

FOTS-POD#22 - “Robson Man 2″ - DOWNLOAD MP3

Listen:

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TRACKLISTING:

Love Like A Fountain - Ian Brown
Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J
I Have Learned To Do Without You - Mavis Staples
Beard of Bees - Stately Homes of England
It’s Time To Move On - Tom Petty
Prisons - Trashcan Sinatras
No Regrets - The Walker Brothers
On The Floe - Thin White Rope
Saturday Gigs - Mott The Hoople

Liner Notes (with Spotify links, where available)

Ian Brown - Love Like A Fountain

Ian Brown has made a bagful of groovy in his career - here’s one of the best. BTW drummer Simon Wolstencroft was a total metronome when he played with The Fall in the late 80s and early 90s…. it’s him on this (ie it’s not a loop).

LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out

20 yrs old - pretty classic.

Mavis Staples - I Have Learned To Do Without You

One of the greatest, sexiest, most soulful, most powerful voices ever committed to shellac.

Stately Homes of England - Beard of Bees

Fellow Brum-centric but multi-city musical troupe, this is a great tune. Andy from the band used to work with Cam too. Two musical geniuses under one roof - what were the chances?

Tom Petty - It’s Time To Move On

FOTS love TP but even we maybe weren’t as au fait with his 90s and naughties output until recently. This is a typically beautifully judged and introspective gem from Wildflowers - probably his most cohesive and listenable album (if Damn the Torpedoes and Full Moon Fever have all the blockbusters and Hard Promises has moments of peaking genius and the rest all have wonderful moments). Incidentally, Wildflowers isn’t credited to The Heartbreakers, even tho they all play on it and…musically… it’s probably them at their finest. Check Benmont’s piano on the title track… heartmelting.

Trashcan Sinatras - Prisons

More perfect tunecraft from Scotland’s enduring bridesmaids. They are from Cam’s home territory (Irvine, Kilmarnock) and he’s very evangelical about them. In 20 years, over five albums, they have hardly missed a beat. Check em all out.

The Walker Brothers - No Regrets

When Scott went back to his “hombres” in the 70s, commercially washed up, kind of need of some middle of the road paydirt, they came up with some real gems. Sounds obvious, but even so it would be great to hear Glen Campbell doing this.

Thin White Rope - On The Floe

In the late 80s and early 90s, before Kate Thornton decided Indie was cool and some twisted notion tugged at Cowell’s bawhairs from the future, students up and down the UK were listening to REM, Throwing Muses and these guys. I have always loved great outros, that build and build and go right through the gears… Tumblin’ Dice does it, The Concept does it, Motorway to Roswell does it, On the Floe does it

Mott The Hoople - Saturday Gigs

I haven’t checked but Mott may have been played more on these FOTS PODS than any other band. That’s because they rule and people might not fully know just how great they were. This was their farewell single. I mean…C’MON… what a farewell 45 this is! Maybe, MAYBE, bettered by Beat Surrender but that’s a moot point (a Moot the Hopple point?….sorry).

Incidentally, farewell singles are much missed - a kind of grand gesture by bands to their own gangs. A bit of a thank you to the boys. FOTS would love if it you commented on this post with other examples of the lost artform of the farewell single, when the band came out in advance and said it would be their last…. so the expectation was REALLY high and yet they still delivered. Looking forward to them.

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Live in Bristol!

admin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:59:52 +0000

Commercially Inviable artists Richard Burke, World of Fox and Friends of the Stars will be sharing the bill in Bristol on Friday 5th Febuary at the Grain Barge.

FRIDAY 5TH FEBRUARY // GRAIN BARGE - HOLD BAR // 8PM // £3

Facebook Link

COMMERCIALLY INVIABLE RECORDS SHOWCASE featuring:

?FRIENDS OF THE STARS
?WORLD OF FOX
?RICHARD BURKE

Prepare for a full evening of music from the innovative label that is so commercially inviable! See below for a summary of what each act tends to get up to… Check out the music online and see you down in our intimate Hold Bar.

?FRIENDS OF THE STARS?
http://friendsofthestars.co.uk/
FRIENDS OF THE STARS are a Country/Folk collective from Birmingham, UK that has never done things the easy way. Nor have they often gone the right way; at least, not before a couple of ambitious, ill-conceived or simply stubborn blind alleys have been ventured down first.

— Not known for their work-ethic or good fortune, the band have nevertheless chalked up several achievements since forming (as Buick 6) in the summer of 2000. Their debut 7″ single, “Drunk on My Porch”, was well received in alt-country circles and lead to airplay and two live sessions with the late John Peel. An ill-advised deal with Sanctuary Music followed, as did a lengthy courtship with major label BMG, before the band imploded briefly amidst accusations of them being ‘too Country’.

— Regrouping, the band recorded “The Gun Quarter Tapes” at their own studio, before abandoning release plans for reasons unknown. Starting once again afresh they then recorded their debut album, “Lighting & Electrical”, which endured a tortured gestation before finally seeing the light of day in September 2007. Released on the Commercially Inviable label the record garnered many fine and complimentary reviews.

— They are currently recording their second album, “Faith’s Meat Kiosk”, and claim to be making significant progress. As with their debut album, this release will also be handled by Commerically Inviable Records.

?WORLD OF FOX?
http://www.worldoffox.com/
http://www.myspace.com/worldoffox
“Everything is for the Best”, is the debut album by WORLD OF FOX and was released on Commercially Inviable Records in October 2009.

— A prolific and committed independent musician, Simon Fox was formerly leader of Birmingham’s post-rock pioneers, Grover. Between 1993 and 2003 Grover released a host of albums, singles and split releases on independent labels around the world. Broadcasts on BBC Radio1 (including a Peel Session in 2001), plus airtime on a variety of independent stations in Europe and the USA, helped Grover build a dedicated international fan-base and influence the UK post-rock scene.

— Since then, Simon has quietened down, trading sweeping guitar theatrics for more intimate, acoustic-led song-writing. The new songs, performed under the moniker WORLD OF FOX, show a more personal, reflective side, with deceptively rich arrangements, a disarming wit and a flair for creating intimate moods. Recordings feature Simon playing a wide variety of instruments, including guitars, banjo, percussion, keyboards, Theremin, mandolin, even occasional brass and woodwind.

— As well as performing solo, Simon can often be seen/heard collaborating with other artists. Most notably, he was one half of electronica duo Krafla, was a founder member of the Experimental Music Collective, recorded and gigged an album with Clair Horton, is currently working with James Summerfield and is a regular guest DJ for the Grumpy Man DJs.

?RICHARD BURKE?
http://www.myspace.com/richardburke
RICHARD BURKE is a 31-year-old singer from Birmingham, UK and the latest signing to Commercially Inviable Records.

— He previously screamed his way through seven years of Indie rock mayhem with the wonderfully shambolic Starries before deciding that his delicate, lusty vocal chords were much better suited to the comparatively quieter world of off-kilter folk.

— Burke’s forthcoming debut album, “An Ocean Full Of Broken Stars”, clocks in at just under 30 minutes and is simply a magical, mesmerising collection of songs. Listeners to the album will immediately be drawn to future single, “Brown Eyes, Dark Hair” and his stunning, highly personal take on Yazoo’s “Only You”.

— Throughout the record and at his live shows, Burke consistently wraps his words and melodies around musical arrangements that would fall flat in the hands of less dextrous vocalists.

— Whilst Indie Rock mourns his loss, then, Off-Kilter Folk can rejoice as he melds the fluent guitar style of Jose Gonzalez to the tunefulness of Teenage Fanclub, all the while incorporating his wonderfully quirky and often heart-wrenching lyrics.

— To paraphrase the shy, often self-deprecating man himself, some people just think he’s shit. A more generous, objective observer would suggest that such people merely fail to see his worth. For the record, we think the naysayers are misguided fools.

— “An Ocean Full Of Broken Stars”, will be released on Commercially Inviable in early 2010.

Meadowlands Festival 2010

admin — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:29:23 +0000

Friends of the Stars are late additions to the bill at the 2010 Meadowlands Festival in Lewes (which we believe is in Sussex), and takes place over the May Bank Holiday weekend of 29th and 30th. We’re not sure at the moment whether we will play on Saturday or Sunday, or indeed where on the bill, but we’ll post more details as and when we have them. In the meantime, here’s the festival poster.

FOTS-POD#21 - “A Robson In Winter”

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:11:39 +0000

Happy New Year from Friends of the Stars. Here’s wishing you a safe, happy and prosperous 2010.

As for us, we hope to have a new record to tell you about shortly..watch this space. In the meantime, it’s time for another installment of our ever-popular Podcast. Somewhat amazingly, we’re now clocking in with Episode 21.

FOTS-POD#21 - “A Robson in Winter” - DOWNLOAD MP3

Listen:

Episode 21 finds Campbell and Craig tucking into a couple of afternoon beers during the recent post-Christmas lull. The boys discuss Craig’s recent fatherhood following the birth of his son, Mac Charlie, and also the joys of accompanying Executive Producer Robson on a fraught trip to IKEA. The podcast once again features swearing and also music from Kris Kristofferson, The La’s, Randy Newman, Bobbie Gentry and more.

Enjoy

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TRACKLISTING

Feelin’ - The La’s
Closer To The Bone - Kris Kristofferson
Trains to Brazil - The Guillemots
Fancy - Bobbie Gentry
Solsbury Hill - Peter Gabriel
Who You Gonna Call on Judgment Day - Prince Far I
Lyla - Oasis
Raspberry Beret - Hindu Love Gods
Everyday - Slade
Here I Go Again - Whitesnake
Baltimore - Randy Newman
Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll) - George Harrison

LINER NOTES: (Now with Spotify links, where available)

The La’s - Feelin’

Way too long for one of the best British bands ever (with obvious caveats, natch) to make an appearance on a FOTS Pod

Kris Kristofferson - Closer To The Bone

Bob Dylan is on this recent high watermark from the former Oxford Don and chicken murderer. A sanguine ode to getting old - makes songwriting sound effortless, right?

The Guillemots - Trains to Brazil

Pretty amazing songwriting chops on display again. We kind of knew Fyfe a while ago when he was part of marvellous Brummie oddballs The Courtesy Group, a band fronted then and now by Fyfe’s brother and good pal of FOTS Al Hutchins, who performed at our album launch party for Lighting & Electrical.

Bobbie Gentry - Fancy

Bobbie Gentry is a bit of an unsung songwriting heroine - probably unsung because she was a looker too. But, in her own words, “”Fancy” is my strongest statement for women’s lib, if you really listen to it. I agree wholeheartedly with that movement and all the serious issues that they stand for — equality, equal pay, day care centers, and abortion rights.”

Peter Gabriel - Solsbury Hill

Man, Genesis and Peter Gabriel take a lot of liking but you can’t deny this tune. Amazing.

Prince Far I - Who You Gonna Call on Judgment Day

Scary Dub. The former Studio One bouncer’s first album “Psalm’s for I” features the Lord’s Prayer and various Psalms and was dedicated to the illiterate who could not read the Bible for themselves.

Oasis - Lyla

By a mile the best thing they have done in the last 15 years - great tune and confirms what all the cool people knew already, that they coulda been AMAZING (without the dough, the drugs, the genes)

Hindu Love Gods - Raspberry Beret

Warren Zevon and guys from REM give this classic Prince tune a nice Paisley (Park) Underground vibe

Slade - Everyday

Lovely ballad but if you was a burd, you wouldn’t want Noddy bellowing at you, wouldya? After a bottle of Mateus Rose, it would feel like the gates of hell were in fact mutton chops flecked with Banks’ bitter foam and pork scratchings.

Whitesnake - Here I Go Again

When Whitesnake were pioneers of British heavy metal (which, at its best, was just great rock music made by Wilfred Owen and Beano fans), they made this awesome tune. Then David Coverdale nobbed off to America and remade it, with a supermodel and spandex. The first one was better

Randy Newman - Baltimore

Randy Newman is becoming a bit of an obsession, as was The Wire when I finally got around to it last year. This is a FOTS tribute to both.

George Harrison - Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)

All Things Must Past was the best thing any ex-Beatle ever made

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Hark! The Herald…A Jailbird Sings

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:00:16 +0000

Here’s a Christmas treat for you from Friends of the Stars….

“Christmas Inside” by Barry Linnie & Friends of the Stars

If Friends of the Stars were going to do a Christmas song, it just had to be about Yuletide in prison, right? The whole story of how “Christmas Inside” came about can be found on the Sunday Herald website but the potted version is as follows:

Writer, broadcaster and pal of FOTS, Graeme Virtue, asked the band to help him with a very scientific project for a piece he was writing for The Herald, Scotland’s quality national newspaper - He was seeking to harness the essence of Christmas songs and to replicate it with a song of his own. Graeme (pictured below) takes up the story of the song’s creation…

“Sonically, I want to shoot straight for the mass-market, mimicking the soaring secular hymns of Coldplay and Snow Patrol, those galactically popular songs of mid-tempo tenderness and iPod-ready transcendence. But instead of generalised expressions of hope, longing or catharsis, I want to tell a proper Christmas story, with a beginning, a middle and, obviously, a punchline”

Not sure if we ever found that essence, Graeme, but we had a laugh working on it and the tune’s our once-a-decade stab at going for those elusive Snow Patrol millions buried somewhere deep underneath the middle of the road. In 2019 Bono’s gonna help us sing “Foreign Muck” via satellite at a gig in Digbeth; and 2029 might involve a laser keyboard like Jean Michel Jarre has.

Anyway, Graeme also went on BBC Radio Scotland last weekend to talk about it and play wee snatches of the tune. Listen again here (about 1hr 2mins in, right after The Dickies).

Merry Christmas and lots of love from Friends of the Stars

DOWNLOAD “Christmas Inside” (MP3)

Performed by Barry Linnie vs Friends of the Stars
Written by Graeme Virtue and Cam Docherty
Vocals and Guitar - Barry Linnie (aka Graeme Virtue)
Guitars, Bass, Glock, Programming - Cam Docherty
Arranged and Mixed - Cam Docherty

Looks like we have a new roadie…

Campbell — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:16:58 +0000

Friends of the Stars Family Announcement

We would like to congratulate our brother Craig and his girlfriend Val on the birth of their baby son earlier today. Mother and son doing great, Dad probably being a big jessie as we speak.

With Love
FoTS
x

X-Factor Silence…

Craig — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:28:28 +0000

Last year I was occasionally writing about X-Factor here, as do most other Country/Folk artists on their own sites. This year, I’ve kept reasonably quiet on whole thing. There are two reasons for this…

1) It’s a lot more fun to participate in the live bile-fest that occurs each Saturday night over on Twitter

2) The nice folks over at Holy Moly do a much better job than I ever could. Matt Edmondson’s videos in particular are well worth a gawp at.

For those that hate X-Factor: Don’t worry, it finishes soon.