A big brown bag of propaganda from Philly

When I received this excellent bag of cd's from Philadelphia the other day, I was impressed for several reasons. Not only were both the E.P's from Animal Train and Piss boys of an excellent standard, but also the rather cool Punk compilation Brown Bag Propaganda is full of totally raw, unhinged punk music. Music so sharp it is likely to slice of the top of any self standing mohican with it's 26 tracks of excellent loud punkage, courtesy of bands from all around the world. If that wasn't enough to get you excited, it also arrived in its own brown paper bag.

It also wins kudos for holding the record of distance traveled, as it has flown halfway across the world to arrive in our safe hands.

Go check it out now.....Brown Bag Propaganda

and all men shall hear the Wolf People....

It's probably fair to say that Wolf People have been one of my favourite bands since the emergence of Tuckshop. They seem to endlessly produce wonderfully raucous, psychedelic records, full of howling guitars, fierce rythms and pumping flutes. Their latest single Tiny Circles continues this form and will no doubt sell out like it's predecessors. Having a few spare minutes, we were able to throw a few questions at one of their members Jack Sharp.



So Wolf people, do you actually like wolves?

Sure. Why not? It’s just a name though.

How do you feel every time there is a full moon?

Precious

I notice that the excellent artist Pete Fowler has done some work for you, is he a fan?

He likes the band and he’s played records at a few shows we’ve done. We’re big fans of his so it was a thrill for us to submit songs for the monsterism library project. That’s where that illustration comes from, there is an insert with all the artists drawn as monsterism characters.

In fact, it seems that you must have a fine selection of artistic friends as all of your ep's have been accompanied by inspiring artwork, is there anyone you think we should check out?

Joe Hollick (guitarist) does the artwork for the self released EP's. That’s his day job. They’re nice aren’t they? ( Yes, Very nice indeed)

There is a friend of ours Mark Oliver who is an incredible artist and is hopefully going to be doing some covers for us in the future. He can be found at www.dancingeye.co.uk. Him and Peter O’Dowd make these amazing magazines full of illustrations. It’s real, they’re not messing around!

What has been the strangest thing you've witnessed at a Wolf people gig?

Human pyramid.

I'm a quite a fan of the teenage werewolf genre, what is your opinion of teenage werewolves being allowed to participate in high school and even play basketball?

Haha, I wouldn’t know. We’re not teenagers and we never went to high school. Some of us never even went to school.

What was the last record you tapped your foot to?

Bumblebee by Lavern Baker. It’s a Rhythm & Blues record from 1960, I’d never heard of it until yesterday.

As a band we’ve been listening to a lot of Soft Machine, Dungen and Erkin Koray.

Where can we get a copy of your latest E.P?

We have a 7” single out that you can buy from Finders Keepers Records.

We made a few home made CD’s to sell at gigs recently but nothing official. We have just finished putting together a cut & paste collection of all our early recordings which will be our first release for Jagjaguwar Records. That’ll be out on vinyl and download in January.

We’re recording the first proper album in September and that will come out some time next year.

Wolf People can be found in various dark caves around the country playing their sweet, sweet music. You can also find them at www.myspace.com/wolfpeople

The Living Room is soon to be viewed by you!

Well, we've literally just finished filming the first ever Living Room session. I reckon that it'll be a couple of weeks before it's edited together, however It's going to be a beauty so keep your eyes peeled!

The Zetland Players were excellent and the new Living Room team worked as well as any fluid passing football side managed by the late great Brian Clough.Here are a few pics for you to peruse, however, we do have more technicolor wonders on Facebook and some Black and White Bad Boys on Myspace.

The Tixie licks - music made for Pirates

I suppose that it's normal to have an added interest in things that go on in your home town, so it felt extra special when I received a cd in the post from a band called The Tixie Licks, a band who are based in the same very town that I spent my formative years in. Not only are they from the good old town of Penzance, home of Pirates and Pasty's but they're actually very good and their E.P is full off anti folk style goodness that would keep many a lo-fi fan happy on the Hi-fi. Expect Plenty of plays on upcoming episodes of Tuckshop Community Radio and visit them on myspace now by clicking on this sentence.

Ice Cream Van Man - this diet is no fad

I've never needed much of an excuse to buy an ice cream on a sunny Saturday afternoon, so I was very happy to hear the sweet chimes of an ice cream van whilst on Hampstead Heath Yesterday. As I faced the direction of the music, I was even more excited by the sight of a small Ice Cream Van which had been entirely constructed out of cardboard! Embracing this brilliant idea, assuming that the ice cream seller had built it himself, I began to trek up Parliment hill wanting to satisfy my sweet tooth. As I navigated the steep climb, getting nearer to the van, I noticed how the ice cream glistened in the late afternoon sunshine, "these are going to be good" I thought and I stepped up a gear.














It came as complete surprise when reaching the Van that the cardboard design didn't stop at just the vehicle. Ice cream was indeed for sale, but this was the type that was made entirely from cardboard, though the disappointment didn't last long as I immediately purchased a 100% fat free, non dairy, vegan cone for the bargain of £2. It looks amazing, is without a doubt the best thing I've bought in a long long time and is now going to sit very proudly on my mantle piece.














If you would like to know more about Ice Cream Van Man and it's mastermind William Alexander, please visit his website here...

August Club Ugly - 'it aint half hot mum'

Well, thanks again for those of you that popped down to the Social on the 18th. I have to say that this one was yet again a beauty. Fun was had by all as all the bands were not only excellent, but also friendly and quite happy to share various equipment.



















It was a warm evening in London and the early part was spent with people preferring to enjoy a drink out on little Portland street, in fact I think there was literally no one inside during the early part of the evening. This changed however once The Welcome Committee (AKA Jamie) climbed up onto the stage armed only with his guitar and book of songs. Those that tune into Tuckshop Community Radio will be quite familiar with the melodic rumblings of this fine chap, sweet melodies and narrative lyrics blend into perfect harmony and everyone in the Social sat, stood and listened in awe.














Second on the bill were the mighty impressive So Say So, Who I must admit, I had little knowledge of, other than a quick listen on their myspace page, before I went on Holiday. This unfamiliarity didn't last long though as not only were the band thoroughly likeable, but they also hit the Social Crowd with such a full belting sound that everyone stood in amazement. We were all gripped by their roller coaster of a set and it's no wonder that this fine band have been picked to support American Indie band The Veils at the Scala in late September.













" I hope we're ok tonight" Said Jamie, the frontman of Last Dinosaur, "it's been a while since we last played", and after the superb set from So Say So, they did indeed have a lot to live up for. However, riseth the gig, riseth the band and there was nothing extinct at all about their performance. Violins played alongside guitars, the crowd nodded along and even the soundman jumped about excitedly behind them all. An album is not far on the Horizon and I think everyone who was at the gig will be looking forward to it's release.

Here are some more pics....

Superb video from You Say France and I Whist'e

As soon as I heard the uber talented 'You Say France and I Whistle'. I knew that It wasn't going to take long for me to become a fan. Their music is a striking blend of perfect Scandinavian guitar indie pop and every single record that they have sent me is not only faultless in sound but also perfectly constructed . Sweden may be famous for contemporary design, but You Say France and I Whistle is the best soundtrack for any time spent lounging in a Yngve Ekstrom Lamino chair, or even any sofa for that matter.

Check out this awesome video for their record 'when lovers die', personally I've always been a fan of monkeys playing drums and men baking cakes in David Beckham shirts...infact I'm off to get my ticket to Sweden right now.