The Beastles (dj BC)

There are a lot of mash-ups available out there but this is still a favorite, even after repeated listens.

The Beatles V’s The Beastie Boys equals The Beastles by mash-up artist dj BC - ch- ch- ch- check it out!

There are even sites which serve as boot camps for mash-ups.

The Beastles (dj BC) - Tripper Trouble

Josef K

Josef K is a tormented character in Franz Kafka’s novel The Trial. Josef K were also a dark, spiky and angular Glaswegian band from the post-punk era.

Forming in 1978 as TV Art and renaming themselves Josef K in 1979, this four piece only recorded two albums, 1980’s “Sorry For Laughing” - which was rejected by the Postcard label’s boss Alan Horne for being "too well produced" - and “The Only Fun In Town” in 1981, which included re-recorded versions of several tracks from “Sorry For Laughing”. Following a handful of singles, for both Postcard and Brussels-based Les Disques Du Crepescule, and with the declaration that they had already done what they set out to do, the band split in 1981.

Infamous for their disdain for the press, promoters and even their own careerist notions, they were the cutting edge of the Postcard label which also included Orange Juice, Aztec Camera and The Go-Betweens. Sadly, while composing this blog I have just become aware that Edwyn Collins of Orange Juice has recently suffered a brain haemorrhage and I'm sure we all wish him a full and speedy recovery.

In the years immediately following their split, apart from each member's involvement in numerous other bands, Josef K would spawn a legion of imitators, playing a major role in the development of the C-86 scene. For more information on the C-86 scene, check out Indie MP3 who have just completed a restrospective on Postcard bands. Josef K have also been an obvious influence on many of the recent new-new wave/no wave/post-punk revival bands, particularly fellow-Glaswegian’s Franz Ferdinand.

“It’s Kinda Funny” is a more down tempo track and this version is available on “Young And Stupid” which compiles all of the band’s singles, although a different version of “It’s Kinda Funny” is available on “The Only Fun In Town”. Both of these album releases are available from LTM/Boutique.

Josef K - Its Kinda Funny

Wolfmother

Wolfmother could be considered to epitomise Something Old, Something New. Their track Woman sounds so much like it's influences - the 70's hard rock of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin - that it's freaky. But even more bizarre is that the band claim the track started as a funky Earth, Wind and Fire influenced jam.

The Sydney-based 3 piece recorded their self titled 4 track EP themselves, largely from songs previously recorded for a demo to get the band shows, and it was then mastered by Jim Diamond of The Dirtbombs.

The Wolfmother EP is available from Modular Recordings.

Wolfmother - Woman

Cabaret Voltaire

Cabaret Voltaire emerged from Sheffield, England in the mid 1970’s where they began playing with tape loops and sound experimentation, including the use of sonic manipulation and cut-ups as well as working with “found voices”.

Influenced by the Dada movement, Cabaret Voltaire were as much performance artists as musicians during their early career. After signing to the Rough Trade label in 1978 they began releasing records that mixed punk influences with their experimental sounds, incorporating tape loops and sampled effects with infectious beats. They would later move into “industrial electro-funk” and house music.

Cabaret Voltaire were one of those bands who had limited success during their career, but were very influential on the industrial and electronic music scenes.

Yashar is a hypnotic, “ethno-techno” dance floor favorite from 1982 which was released after they had signed to Rough Trade but while they were still in their more experimental phase.

Yashar is available from Mute Records on “The Original Sound of Sheffield '78/'82”.

Cabaret Voltaire - Yashar

Wolf Parade

Wolf Parade howl from "the stinking winds" of Montreal, Canada. Their two E.P.'s are currently sold out, but they are rumoured to be releasing a full length album on Sub Pop records in April 2005.

More Wolf Parade tracks can be heard at New Music Canada

Wolf Parade - Dear Sons And Daughters Of Hungry Ghosts