The Kills at Koko April 23rd

Bit of dirty, throbbing rock n roll for me last night courtesy of the rather magnificent The Kills appearance at Camden's Koko.

Amidst a sea of skinny jeans and Hoxton hipsters Hince's bluesy guitar and Mosshart's Hyndesque vocals provided complete cut through. I actually thought most of the audience where there for the support band who were so good I can't even remember their name.

Anyways the gig was in support of the release of their new album, "Midnight Boom" a much poppier, tighter album than previous releases "Keep on Your Mean Side" and "No Wow". Along with the obvious new stuff lots of old material was played last night which is great live as its so intense and really does go right through you. Music to have lazy, hungover sex to methinks.

The set was played with a passion and rawness I have not witnessed for a long time. It was like The Kills had become a Goddess fusion of Ian Curtis and Bobbie Gentry with the devil on guitar.

Very good indeed.

Here is the video to their new single "Cheap and Cheerful":

Sod the NME Awards - what else to do this Thursday

So I have officially had awards fatigue. What with Control not even being nominated for a single sodding thing at The Oscars when it was clearly the best film of last year and the frankly sickening Brit Awards the last thing I would like to do is hang out at the NME Awards with a bunch of pretentious "trustafarians".

Instead I will be at The Exits signing party at the mighty Club Criminal where I will get to watch a very cool line up of bands including the awesome Sixty Second Silence.

I will then be shuffling my bottom along to the very 1st Plastic Factory at Juno in Shoreditch where they are giving away free Cd's, masks and sweeties!

Thursday is officially the new Friday.

Hives dates announced

Goood news Terry Nutkins...The Hives have announced details of a UK tour in April 2008. Tickets go on sale at 9am, Friday 11 January.

The Hives will release the infectious, funky anthem that is We Rule The World (T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S) as a single on 25th February 2008, backed with exclusive remixes by Mattt Helder from Arctic Monkeys and Nick Zinner from Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Don't forget, The Nick Zinner mix is available to download completely FREE until 21st January only: http://www.u-download.co.uk/thehives

The Hives are also inviting submissions for the sleeve artwork for the new single from their fanbase(see previous posting). Anyone can enter the competition and the winning design will adorn the 10" single sleeve and accompany the digital release when it hits stores in February.

The dates

14 April – Norwich, UEA (01603 508 050)

15 April – Newcastle, Academy (0870 771 2000)

16 April – Nottingham, Rockcity (08713 100 000)

17 April – Bristol, Academy (0870 771 2000)

18 April – London, Brixton Academy (0870 771 2000)

Tickets £17.50 REGIONAL / £18.50 LONDON

Buy from 0844 576 5483 or www.livenation.co.uk (all tickets subject to booking fee)