list.co.uk/music MUSIC
GANG LIFE Ian Svenonius, the ‘Sassiest Boy in America’ * returns to Glasgow
and
T he outspoken impeccably dressed originator of the garage- funk hybrid known as ‘gospel yeh yeh’ is returning to Glasgow for a night of shimmying and shrieking.
‘Depend on us for martial rhythms, minimal riffs with maximum fuzz, bass throbs, shouts, mutters and confessions, as well as bewitching call and response tunes to make any indentured workforce proud,’ implores the band. Svenonius, the strutting focal point of Chain & the Gang, possesses all the chops necessary to get even the most uptight gig goer sashaying – it’s not all bluster, however. A veteran of the DC punk scene, Svenonius has seen it all and is variously known as an author, a socio-political commentator and
activist and, as the former host of online arts programme Soft Focus, independent music’s answer to Michael Parkinson. The former Nation of Ulysses, The Make-Up and Weird War frontman has always espoused radical politics through his music, and Chain & the Gang is no different. Cool Blood, the collective’s recent third collection (on K Records), gives a wry nod to Truman Capote’s vision of the American nightmare and urges listeners to pull on your soft shoes, sprinkle some talcum powder and slide your way to a different way of thinking. (Chris Taylor) *As voted by teen magazine Sassy in 1991.
CCA, Glasgow, Tue 27 Nov; Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh, Wed 28 Nov.
HITLIST THE BEST ROCK, POP, JAZZ & FOLK
✽ Swans Reformed, and riding a wave towards
many end of year best-of lists, we predict, with latest album Seer, the noisemongers return – read our interview with Michael Gira, page 77. The Arches, Glasgow, Fri 16 Nov. (Rock & Pop)
✽ Rodriguez If you’ve seen the documentary, Searching for Sugarman, you’ll know what a big deal this is. The 1970s singer-songwriter finally gets to bask in his better-late-than-never glory. See feature, page 76. Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 25 Nov. (Rock & Pop)
✽ The Blue Nile: A Walk Across The Rooftops Classic Album Sunday
celebrates the work of The Blue Nile this time, with this geek-out album playback session. See Blue Nile album review, page 79. Berkeley Suite, Glasgow, Sun 25 Nov. (Rock & Pop)
✽ Bits of Strange Homecomings Tour FOUND and King Creosote perform the
latter’s My Nth Bit of Strange in Umpteen Years in its entirety. Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, Thu 29 Nov. (Rock & Pop)
✽ GIO Fest V Improv jazz fans rejoice. The long weekend brings new works from Jim O Rourke, plus performances from Glasgow’s own Improvisers Orchestra. See preview, page 95. CCA, Glasgow, Thu 29 Nov–Sat 1 Dec. (Jazz)
✽ Orbital Back from retirement, and ready
to rip up your Sunday night, it’s the brothers Hartnoll, and their pulsing techno. The HMV Picture House, Edinburgh, Sun 2 Dec. (Rock & Pop)
✽ Sebastien Tellier (pictured top) Enigmatic, politicised, lover of a white suit, the former Eurovision singer (he represented his homeland, France) promises to enchant with his deeply danceable, eccentric, wide-ranging pop. To win tickets, see page 82. The Arches, Sun 9 Dec. (Rock & Pop)
15 Nov–13 Dec 2012 THE LIST 75