Karohemd's World

Bitter Ruin are trying to get their new single "Trust" into the charts and you, my friends, can help by buying it on amazon or itunes (there's a video, too).
I'm not just asking because I'm friends with the band but also because they really deserve it and it would be cool to get some fantastic music into the charts.
They are yet unsigned so this could be a big opportunity for them.
Thanks a lot.


Have a look at my Bitter Ruin tag for more about them.

Got out of work on time to catch the 5:15 train and made it to the Underworld at just before 6:30 where there was a queue but no open doors. civi was there and later fractalgeek so at least I had a few people to talk to while we were waiting in the freezing cold. Around 7 they told us there had been problems during soundcheck. Another 10 minutes or so later and the doors finally opened. I'd also found a random bloke who needed a ticket so my spare wasn't wasted.

First on the bill were Pettybone, a rather retro, all female hardcore/punk band who didn't do much for me but they had a good energy/vibe on stage.

Then, Bitter Ruin, the "musical sorbet of the evening". I've been talking about them repeatedly so just listen to their music if you haven't heard them. They played a great set of favourites, keeping the new songs secret, dammit (especially as I can't make the 15th).

Next up, back to loud and fast music in the shape of Bo Ningen from Japan. The best I can describe it is "psychedelic wall of noise" or "Merzbow with guitars". They also had a lot of hair. ;o) The more and longer they played, the more I warmed to them and I really enjoyed their set. Here's an interesting bit about them from the Guardian.

And finally, the main event, Gentlemen & Assassins, consisting of (at least this instance) Sxip Shirey (mad beatboxer and improv percussion monkey from NYC), Brian Viglione (best known as drummer and other half of the Dresden Dolls) and Elyas Khan (who I knew very little of/about and who sang, played guitar and a sequencer thing).
It's hard to describe, really, as there was a lot of improvisation and mix of styles but they played a couple of tracks from Sxip's latest album and other things and it was fantastic and a lot of fun. Sxip is a mad genius who uses his voice(?) to make noises and occasionally to sing, all kinds of bells and whistles (incl. the Sxipenspiel made by Neil Gaiman and AFP) and various actual and improvised percussion instruments. Brian is a beast on the drums (but unfortunately was sitting in the back in red light and usually covered by Sxip). Elyas sings in an Arabic/Middle Eastern style and plays guitar. The combination is just wonderful.

I'd taken the camera along because I knew The Underworld aren't usually arses about it but the light is still awful and was mostly red. I don't think I'll post any of Bitter Ruin's because they had only red light. Also, due to the distance (I was on the main level in the back) a lot of them were blurry. :o( A few samples:



They finished early and I made the 23:15 train to Cambridge.

Got up around 10:30 and send my setlist to alixandrea but soon almost fell over so went back to bed for another snooze (until 1, oops). I'm really getting old...
Made a first start on the Sacrilege photos and then headed down to London to meet up with ginasketch at wahaca in Covent Garden for nommy food. A fantastic ceviche of scallops and shrimps, deeply flavoured chicken mole and surprisingly tasty grilled cactus (which I ordered simply so I could say I've had cactus but was positively surprised) and a portion of churros with excellent chocolate to finish.
We then wandered around Covent Garden a bit where we had a fun conversation with the fossil man (I didn't buy anything despite being tempted because I have too much crap already) and made our way to the Spice of Life.
Grabbed a drink and met up with sea_of_flame, davedevil, civi and nadriel before making our way downstairs for the Bitter Ruin release party.
The venue is tiny and on two levels which makes it hard for most of the people on the top level to see the stage but I had a reasonable spot at the bannister.

The support band (whose name I've forgotten) from Brazil were fantastic and played some sort of swing and blues inspired cabaret music. The singer had a fantastic, strong voice that sounded at least 20 years older than she was. They also had a skeleton on drums and an upright bass. Excellent stuff.

Then Bitter Ruin came on and they were amazing as usual. The new songs are brilliant and expand their repertoire wonderfully. Amazing what you can do with just one acoustic guitar and two voices.
They finished around 10:30 which meant I was able to catch the 11:15 train and get home before 1.

Watched Doctor Who while waiting for my bedroom to cool off before bed.

The light wasn't too bad, just a little too much red (even more so on the Saturday). Obviously, I didn't have the freedom to move around so they are a bit static and microphones and other gear are in the way quite often.


Even more on flickr.