OZ Beat: Music That Matters

Mower

Fans of Ikara Colt, The Buzzcocks, and (at a stretch) The Strokes should look out for Mower. They are signed in the UK to Graham "ex-Blur" Coxon's Transcopic label. Their single (just released over here) "The Morning After" is awesome, excellent and fabulous. So there.
--NeilM

Ikara Colt / Spoon

Couldn't stay for Rocket from the Crypt last night--because I hate them. Ikara Colt was the show. I hadn't even found Ilene yet in the crowd when I heard her scream when Ikara Colt said they were kinda locked in to a short set because they were low on the bill. Ilene fills the room with "No way--we have been waiting 6 months for you to play here." My friend Ed and I followed with "you should be headlining." The band loved it and thanked us from stage. Watching a room full of people who really don't know this band get into them was a thrill. After their set I stayed through Sahara Hotnights only because I was looking for the band members from Ikara to thank them. Couldn't find them so we left the club and went to the bar next door to drink. About an hour later, Ikara Colt appears on the street doing some photos. We ran out of the bar screaming Ikara Colt. They turned toward us--perhaps out of fear. It was some of the most fun chat I have had with a band yet. They so much want to please--and on this US tour they need some affection. It is a shitty bill. The show itself--I expected to see a talented but mopey front man (think Mark E. Smith) and instead I'm staring at the new Iggy. Fucking flawless in concert and what a charming band. Spoon tonight was very generous in delivering new material. It is still the best pop around but they have added an edge that I haven't seen or heard from them before tonight. The new material (both songwriting and performance) reminded me of seeing Costello on the This Years Model tour. As wiped as I am feeling--Spoon did it. The band that played before Spoon tonight deserves nothing less than death--I even called the club so Ilene and I could miss them—but the club lied to me about set times and we were stuck with their entire performance. I would say it was "bad Neil Diamond" but that would be redundant. It sounded like just like Neil Diamond—fucking awful!!
--Dem

Liars / Von Bondies / Ikara Colt / Yeah Yeah Yeahs

I guess you heard about The Von Bondies and the YYYs which are said to be excellent on stage. Two great albums. YYYs went back in studio recently to register new songs. Their album is quite short but really worthwhile. Karen O is amazing.

Check out also Ikara Colt. This is a really good band, a bit like McLusky from Scotland. I guess Ikara Colt comes from London, they sound a bit like sonic youth… they are excellent… You can download their whole album on Kazaa or Audiogalaxy.

I also heard about the Liars who are said to be awesome on stage. Does anyone know them? I haven't heard anything yet.
--Suzel
[France]