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‘IT'S A ROCKTAGIOUS, TRAINWRECK OF AN ALBUM'
That loving feeling
Having built a rep for their awesome live shows, Glasgow's Dananananaykroyd have unleashed a tremendous debut album. Malcolm Jack gets affectionate
ou‘ll probably have been aware of the name
Dananananykroyd being shouted from the
rooftops of the Scottish music scene for a few years it’s so joyfully unwieldy you could hardly have missed it. Yet. only now are the self-styled ‘fight-pop' (ilasgow sextet set to release their debut album. ll('_\' lz'i't'r_vonc.'. which arrives on fresh London based label Best Before Records. So what's taken them so long'.’ Personnel changes for one thing drummer Paul (‘arlin — one of two sticksmen in the band ~ only took his stool eight months ago. just after the hand signed their record deal.
‘When the band started [in 2006] it was just a bit of
fun.‘ (‘arlin explains. 'Six pals getting together to play some gigs as a hobby. But things changed. got a bit more professional and then Best Before came in.
‘lt‘s working out great.‘ he adds. ‘What we‘ve achieved since we got signed I think is terrific. We're all very proud of it.‘
Amongst other things. Carlin refers to Dananananaykroyd touring the [K with Foals and liurope with Kaiser Chiefs. recording their debut long player in New York and making a big splash at industry enormo-showcase South by Southwest. ‘How do I describe it'." Carlin ponders. struggling to find adequate words to sum up the SXSW experience. ‘lt was the trip of a lifetime. without sounding too cliched. Austin itself is some place — it's like an assault on all the senses.‘
Danananarmykroyd have had a few limited edition releases. including a belting EP Sissy Hits. which came out last year. But none have captured the bands
64 THE LIST 2-16 Apr 2009
sound — in all its splintered. early ldlewild—meets- Fuga/i. deafeningly loud-yet-keenly tuneful glory - quite as successfully as Hey Iii't'rymu'.’
('arlin agrees. ‘lt's a rocktagious. train wreck of an album.‘ he beams. emphatically. ‘The guitars will tear your face off. the drums are ferocious. the singing‘s great. We‘re very pleased with how it sounds.'
The ‘fight' part of the ‘fight—pop‘ genre Dananananaykroyd have created for themselves. tongues-in-cheeks. is slightly misleading —— while (‘arlin describes the sextet as a 'hardcore band at heart. he says they eschew its aggressive ethic in favour of something more positive. ‘We can't be bothered with any of that macho bullshit. We want everyone to love each other and have a good time.~
For proof. attend one of their live shows and witness their ‘wall of cuddles' - a novel spin on the mosh-pit wall of death. ‘We split the crowd up the middle.‘
(‘arlin explains. ‘but instead of kicking lumps out of
each other. they then go to the next person and give them a hug. It‘s a beautiful thing.‘ Having sparked mass love-ins across Europe and
North America over the last few months. the wall of
cuddles will finally be retired after [)ananananakroyd’s album launch show in Glasgow. ‘lt‘s time for it to go: it‘s getting too big.‘ (‘arlin laughs. But fear not: ‘We’ve got something new to unleash on our audience] he adds. 'We don‘t want to leave them wanting.‘ Not anymore.
The Arches, Glasgow, Mon 6 Apr; Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Tue 7 Apr.
THE BEST ROCK, POP, JAZZ & FOLK
>l<
=l< Ceilidh Culture The capital's inspired mix of song. story and celebration hosts 80 gigs in 31 venues featuring Brooklyn's own Kris Delmhorst (pictured) and Fife's own Jackie Leven. Various venues. Edinburgh, until Sun 73 Apr. (Folk)
>i< Steele a. Milligan The atmospheric environs of this ancient sacred space make a fitting backdrop for this piano/trumpet duo. See preview. page 65. Ross/yn Chapel, Edinburgh, Thu 2 Apr. {Jazz}
>i< Flying Lotus, Hustle and Hudson Mohawke A rambunctious bill of hip hop- inspired dancefloor alchemy with LA's finest beatsmith vibing it up with Glasgow's most wanted. Sub Club, Glasgow. Fri 3 Apr. (Rock 8 Pop)
>it Young Fathers and Tokyo Knife Attack This double bill help make the third birthday of most excellent club night La Roche Rumble go off like a giant firecracker in your pants. The theme is hats. The fancier the better. Pollock Ex- servicemen '3 Club, Glasgow. Sat 4 Apr. (Rock 8 Pop, Clubs) >i< Dean Owens and Kim Edgar With new single ‘Raining in Glasgow‘ Owens is clearly tempting fate but this is just one of the provocative. intelligent, acoustic pop songs in his considerable cache. The Twisted Wheel, Glasgow, Mon 6 Apr. (Rock 8 Pop)
=l< Dananananaykroyd See preview, left. The Arches, Glasgow, Mon 6 Apr; Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Tue 7 Apr. (Rock 8 Pop)
=l< Playback This novel night brings together the best of all the open mic nights in the city; so expect an eclectic mix of music, comedy, poetry and more. a place to spot the heroes of tomorrow. Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, Wed 8 Apr. (Rock 8 Pop)