Released by girl power band Grýlurnar (The Witches) on 21. April 1983 on the Icelandic Spor Label. Grýlurnar were inspired by The Slits & Siouxsie, to name a few.
LP sold 5500 copies. Recorded by Louis Austin (of Judas Priest) & RaggaGísladóttir Band Members: Ragnhildur(Ragga) Gísladóttir (vocals/keyboards), Inga Rún Pálmadóttir (guitar), Herdís Hallvarðsdóttir (bass), Linda Björk Hreiðarsdóttir (drums) "Sísí" was/is a floor filler @ every Icelandic party. Songs: Side 1 1. Sigmundur Kroppur 2. Þú Ert Of Hvít 3. Djásnið Mitt (4:15) 4. Tröllaþvaður (2:49) 5. Lalli, Leifur Og Laumi á Vínberjauppskeruhátíð 1969
Side 2 1. Sísí 2. Í Trjánum 3. Valur Og Jarðarberjamaukið Hans 4. Betri Er Limur en Limlestir 5. Lilja Laufey Þórsdóttir 6. Grátkona
Back with more Icelandic music after 2 weeks of almost silence. Rising ... Just like Jesus Two bands had Jesus in the band's name: Texas Jesús& Quicksand Jesus. Texas Jesús were six jolly teens from Keflavik who started to make music back in 1992. Following the 1993 events in Waco, Texas, where the self-proclaimed prophet David Koresh led his Branch Davidian religious sect to their horrible deaths, the band thought the name Texas Jesús would be nicely inconspicuous. The band quickly gained reputation for energetic live shows and bright and silly tunes somewhat inspired by Czechoslovakian cartoon music. That same year they recorded and released a cassette called “Nammsla Tjammsla“. It was recorded on a 4-track and initially released in 100 copies which quickly sold out and whose covers were hand-coloured by members of the band. Due to popular demand it was soon released in 100 more copies albeit not hand-coloured that time around. At the annual Icelandic Music Awards the same year they were nominated as Band of the Year. 1996 saw the band touring Denmark and Finland and releasing their debut album, “Jæja Vinur“, which was considered more of a compliation of their best material to date. Shortly after they disbanded. Lead singer, Sigurður Óli, now fronts the Copenhagen-based klezmer-punk band Croisztans. Bassplayer Sverrir and frequent guest-vocalist Ragnheiður (Heiða) Eiríksdóttir now play in the band Hellvar. Source: Last FM
The band Quicksand Jesus was formed in 1993 @ Þjórsárdalur. They made the album "The more things change, the more they stay the same" in 1994. Quicksand Jesus (named after a Skid Row song) had 1 song on the soundtrack of Ein Stór Fjölskylda (One big family) (Smekkleysa, 1995): "Low Down". Band members were singer Guðfinnur "Finni" Karlsson, bass player ArnarBjarnasson, guitarist Franz Gunnarsson, drummer Davíð Ólafsson & backing vocalist Iris on "Low Down".
GusGus had the track "Is Jesus your pal?" on the "Polydistortion" Album (4AD, 1997). Vocals by singer Emiliana Torrini. Song was written by Slowblow, track is featured on "Quicksilver Tuna" Album (1994).
Is Jesus your pal? Do you call out his name, when your concience is shivering?
Do you need someone too, just like those people who find peace in someone's promises? You sure don't need my promises...
So come and sit on my box, enjoy the view of this water, where my lifeboat is sinking.
If you open your eyes, take a look at this mess, could you fake your reflection, child?
If you reach out for more, you'll find nothing but sorrow. 'Cause knowledge is hollow. And pride is hard to swallow.
So come and sit on my box, take a view of this water, where my lifeboat is sinking. Mínus made the album "Jesus Christ Bobby" in 2000. Produced & Recorded by Curver Thoroddsen @ Studio Rusl & Frosti's bedroom. Mixed by Ken Thomas @ Thule Studios. Guest vocals on track "Modern Haircuts" by Sugarcube Einar Örn Benediktsson.
Another night down town Listening to the, soul compositions And I'm thinking "What did I do? What did I do to deserve this shit?"
Jump around around around around around To the sound Of mediocrity Of mediocrity Jump around To the sound Of mediocrity
Mock the crowd With the low IQs Keeps on dancing To the so-called Blues!
Nothing but kitsch Nothing but kitsch Nothing but kitsch Nothing but kitsch ass motherfuckers Nothing but kitsch Nothing but kitsch ass motherfuckers
And I'm telling you Some people are just destined for desk jobs And desk jobs only But no matter what I say They keep on playing And they keep on playing Anyway
And it goes on And on And on And on And on And on And on And on
Jump around around around around around To the sound Of mediocrity Of mediocrity Jump around To the sound Of mediocrity
Mugison has put the song "Jesus is a good name to moan" on his infamous "Mugiboogie" Album (2008). Live @ Botanique, Brussels (February 2010) www.youtube.com/v/3hLBa8NAK_Y&hl&fmt=18
You said Jesus is good name to moan I love your moaning over the telephone
You were in my private parts but nowhere near My love I love - I want to hear you moan
Jesus is such a good name to moan Such a good name
Maybe he's a friend someone dear Maybe he saved your life when I wasn't here
Have you made your bed with myrh and aloes? Baby do that quote form the bible
Cause Jesus is such a good name to moan A good name to moan Feldberg's song "Dreamin'" got a remix entitled Jesus & Judas Remix (2009)
Music: Toggi, Bjarki Jónsson, Don Pedro, Helgi Egilsson, Hallgrímur Jón Hallgrímsson Lyrics: Toggi Toggi: Vocals Don Pedro: Guitars, programming Bjarki Jónsson: Rhodes Helgi Egilsson: Bass Hallgrímur Jón Hallgrímsson - Drums, Backing Vocals Ólöf Jara Skagfjörð - Backing Vocals The Boys Choir of Breiðholt: Heroic Backing Vocals String Arrangement: Northern Lights Orchestra Produced and Recorded in Wömbin Studios & Studio Mjöt by Bjarki Jónsson, Don Pedro & Toggi Mixed and Mastered by Addi 800 Special thanks to Eberg Artwork Designed by Karitas Pálsdóttir Medialux
It's time for the 22nd I loveIcelandic musiccontribution to an international initiative, the Music Alliance Pact, aka MAP. I take part in this Blog Alliance since the start in October 2008. On a monthly basis music bloggers from around the globe select a track from their country which is then posted collectively and simultaneously on those blogs - giving each nation's track international exposure.
A trip around the world in 33 songs with a take off in Iceland:
This month I contributed "Owls'", a song of the 1st EP ofCosmic Call for Iceland.
Cosmic Call is a five-piece indie rock band from Akranes, a small town on the West Coast of Iceland. Band members are singer/guitarist Sigurmon, Fjölnir on guitar, synthesizer & backing vocals, Begga on bass and backing vocals, drummer Pétur & Ása on violin & synthesizer. They are inspired by Arcade Fire, The Cure, The Pixies, Joy Division & Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They recorded one EP so far, which was released on 24. July 2009 on Future Records.The song “Owls” is a track of this limited, hand sewed edition of 1000 copies made by the band & family members.
Cosmic Call @ MySpace Future Records ARGENTINA: Zonaindie The Kyoto Connection - H.E.A.T. The eighties are back! At least, that's what we felt after listening to No Headphones Required, the cc-licensed brand new album by The Kyoto Connection. This amazing band delivers sweet electronic music mixed with Japanese juice and Flashdance-like synth sounds. If you like it, you can download the whole record from their website.
AUSTRALIA: Who The Bloody Hell Are They? Kimbra - Settle Down I’ve been following Kiwi-now-Melbournite Kimbra’s work for a year now, most of it in the form of either guest performing with other bands or solo with a guitar work. Only recently I’ve heard her new stuff, produced by Franc Teta. The song Settle Down opens with cut up beat boxing vocals – a bit too close to Bertie’s style of production for my liking – but is rescued and lifted by the chorus and soared into lush harmonies, that are all part of Kimbra’s own signature sound.
BRAZIL: Meio Desligado Dead Lover's Twisted Heart - Where I Am Where I Am is part of the first full length album of the Brazilian band Dead Loverís Twisted Heart, released a few weeks ago. Far away from the indie-folk influences that are highlighted in the bandís history, itís a great pop song which could easily be in any album from She & Him or The Ting Tings.
CANADA: I(Heart)Music Forest City Lovers - Pocketful Of Rocks Over the last few years, Forest City Lovers has morphed from simply being a vehicle for Kat Burns' acoustic folk into a full band with a knack for writing catchy folk-pop. On their new album, Carriage, Burns is joined by members of The D'Urbervilles, Ohbijou and Born Ruffians, among others. As this track (on which Burns is joined by Ruffians front man Luke Lalonde) demonstrates, the results are simply magical.
CHILE: Super 45 Maifersoni - La Turbulencia Quiere Hacernos Levantar Hoy Maifersoni is the musical adventure of young Enrique Elgueta, in which he decides to blend psychedelia and noise in a lo-fi-ish perspective, with a strong pop accent. Taller Deslizante (Gliding Loom) is his first work, released this month on Chilean net label Michita Rex. It captures Panda Bear's contemplative spirit, Sonic Youth's fondness for experimentation and Vashti Bunyan's warmth, creating a resounding weave that - with the likes of El Sueno De La Casa Propia and De Janeiros (both highlighted on earlier editions of MAP) - is giving Chilean pop a new perspective.
CHINA: Wooozy Lilysay - Last Party The band Lilisay is a Beijing-based trip-hop band, founded by Lilisay and Shang Shao in March, 2010. At first the band started as a shoegaze duo, but as time went on they have evolved into a trip-hop band. After the first gig at D22, Lilisay met Li Wei. Sharing the same taste in music, they decided to collaborate. After several rehearsals and performances, they settled on Trip Hop/Electronica. Last Party is one of their early songs, which reminds a lot of the 80s shoegaze stuff.
DENMARK: All Scandinavian Waking Life - Chirango With The Flaming Lips and The Shins among their influences, Copenhagen based six-piece Waking Life work in uplifting, danceable ways. Hereís first single, Chirango - from their forthcoming debut album Fiction - an upbeat indierock song with ukulele, bells, trombone and whatnot that would make you all smiles if it hadnít been for the rather serious lyrics.
ENGLAND: The Daily Growl Wet Paint - Dead Night Here's a wee MAP exclusive. Ace east London scuzzy rock types Wet Paint are back with another album of great tunes and noisy guitars. No word yet of when the album's going to be released, but here is a track from it. A sneak preview of what's going to be a fantastic record.
ESTONIA: Popop Opium Flirt - Parade In Chimes Opium Flirt have been playing live, writing and recording music since 2004. Projects have included music for multimedia installations, films and choreographic performances.
Parade In Chimes is taken from the new album DejaVoodoo.
FINLAND: Glue Delay Trees - Cassette 2012 Just a little bit over a year ago, MAP featured a song by a Helsinki indie band that shocked the scene with a superb self-released EP. Now signed with an important label, Delay Trees offer the first single off their debut full length, out in September. The dreamy intensity of Cassette 2012 anticipates a new round of tender pop songs that will melt your ears.
FRANCE: ZikNation I Love My Neighbours - Swedish Babe Everyone has neighbors. You can hate them or love themÖ but one thing is for sure: it's impossible not to love these crazy Neighbours. Presented as a big step between Block Party and Nirvana, I Love My Neighbours is a very good acidulated pop/rock band. Instigated by an omnipresent battery and swaying bass riffs, the three boys swing between pop songs and true aggressiveness. A schizophrenia materialized by the guitar riffs and the melodic and tortured voice of the singer. A noted French magazine called Les Inrocks wrote about them : " These Parisians enter by the large door of the new english scene, dance and pop, with a full bag with catapults provided by Nirvana ". Prepare yourself to apply the theory of the "Bang Bang", because there's gonna be rock n'roll...
GERMANY: Blogpartei Herpes - Keine Experimente Herpes may be the most 'German' band ever, posted on the MAP. Their straight-forward electropunk with pseudo-political lyrics draw the line from infamous Superpunk to the stepsons of Kraftwerk, like Trio or DAF. Hence, their label has to be Tapete Records, and yeah, of course they live in Berlin. Keine Experimente is the single from their recently released album Das Kommt Vom Kussen.
GREECE: Mouxlaloulouda Mikael Delta - She's A Boy Mikael Delta began his career as a member of the band Stereo Nova. He is one of the most prolific and influential musicians in Greece in the past decade. His latest album, Tech Me Away is made of thrillingly danceable sounds and references to techno music scene, disco and electronica.This is music that hits the head, heart and hips all at once. You can dance to almost anything here. She's A Boy demonstrates Deltaís talent for building simple, clattering dance beats and riffs into audio addictions. But what takes you by surprise is Etten's marvellous voice, which pops up like a primary color and paints absolutely stellar pictures.
ICELAND: I Love Icelandic Music Cosmic Call - Owls Cosmic Call is a five-piece indie rock band from Akranes, a small town on the West Coast of Iceland. Band members are singer/guitarist Sigurmon, Fjölnir on guitar, synthesizer & backing vocals, Begga on bass and backing vocals, drummer Pétur & Ása on violin & synthesizer. They are inspired by Arcade Fire, The Cure, The Pixies, Joy Division & Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They recorded one EP so far, which was released on 24. July 2009 on Future Records.The song “Owls” is a track of this limited, hand sewed edition of 1000 copies made by the band & family members.
INDONESIA: Deathrockstar Sir Dandy - Jakarta Motor City Sir Dandy or Dandy Ramdhani or Acong, is the vocalist of one of the most obscure garage band in Indonesia Teenage Death Star, known for their quirky style on stage. This is his latest project, recording ballads using only his guitar and sunglasses on his garage-band software. This song tells us the story about the motorcycle flood in Jakarta.
IRELAND: Nialler9 Bingo - Cold Without You Bingo is a 21 year-old producer from Dublin who makes luscious tracks with nods to dubstep, garage and UK funky. His music recalls the likes of Mount Kimbie, James Blake and Burial. If you find yourself in Dublin on a Saturday night, be sure to check the listings to see if Float, Bingo's new club night is taking place in either Twisted Pepper or Tripod. You'll find the likes of the vocal-twisting Cold Without You coming out of the speakers.
ISRAEL: Metal Israel Ghost Bike - Ghost Writer Jerusalem, Israel's Ghost Bike will take you on an ambient trip-hop via the vehicle of dub-influenced electronica, spinning your mind in sonic circles with aural tales of dark, intense emotion. Diverse musical elements like Middle Eastern chants and beats mix with spooky haunted house effects and everything in between to create this sonic tapestry. Some Hollywood producer in need of a soundtrack should pick this stuff up.
ITALY: Polaroid Movie Star Junkies - The Wallnut Tree It's summer, a damned hot summer. I wanted to sail away on an ocean wave but it's all covered in spilt oil. I don't care. My beloved surfboard wonít let me down. I put the new Movie Star Junkies record on (wild guys, you should see them live) and drink last drop of rum. A toast to the Birthday Party and the Gun Club. Everything is perfect now. C'mon, let's put out to sea. Goodbye.
JAPAN: JPOP Lover Sputniko! - Google Song Sputniko! (Hiromi Ozaki) is an experimental electro pop female musician based in London. Since 2007 Sputniko! has shown music, performances and films exploring intersections between technology and popular culture. In 2009 she published the DVD Parakonpe 3000, a collection of eccentric music videos talking about the quirky ways in which we engage with technology, such as google searching your crush's name or desiring to become a cyborg to eliminate periods.
MEXICO: Red Bull PanameriKa Orlando - Solo Dios Sabe Orlando is a singer from Tijuana, Mexico with an organic approach to his compositions. He creates memorable pop choruses that rely on acoustic progressions and just released his first formal LP titled Capullo. This is the first single from the record, under production and arrangements from his collaborator El Poeta and additional mixing by the much respected composer Murcof (also from Tijuana). Solo Dios Sabe is a song that ideally represents Orlando's soft acoustic sound and its blend with slight electronic details.
NETHERLANDS: Unfold Amsterdam Bird On The Wire - Strange Days Although formed in the harsh winter of 2010, when their first burst of song material emerged, Amsterdam trio Bird on the Wire write laid-back indie pop that's perfect for a sweltering summer. Simple, sweet and ever so slightly melancholic, the soft, lulling vocal harmonies of Rosa, Thijs and Nina remind of Camera Obscura, balancing the folk sounds of the '60s with contemporary lo-fi pop.
NEW ZEALAND: Counting The Beat The Body Lyre - Pig The Body Lyre is a multi-instrumental duo putting together an album, Escape Songs, song by song over the 12 months of 2010. Each month a new track is completed and put on-line for download at http://thebodylyre.bandcamp.com/ At the end of the year the album will be released on vinyl. The music is guitar based and reverb heavy, with a touch of surf, a pinch of country and a sprinkling of Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra.
NORWAY: Eardrums KooKooo Kitchen - Sweet Caress KooKooo Kitchen is one of Oslo's more interesting new bands. In front are Eva and Marianne, constantly fighting for attention with their vocals and guitars, sometimes nice and harmonic, the next second as rough and edgy as it can get. The girls are backed by Henning and Brox on bass and drums. The combination of their sharp, ringing guitar sound, the heavy use of toms and the in-your-face attitude of the vocals reminds me of the early days of Siouxsie and The Banshees. KooKooo Kitchen has a lot of the energy of The Banshees, but the music is filled with lovely pop-harmonies. As they say themselves "Dirt under their nails, and nail polish to cover the mess." A video is currently in the making for their song Bedsheet. Keep an eye on their myspace page for details.
PERU: SoTB Kinder - Encuentro Inesperado Kinder is based on experimentation to create its sound, it has only an EP titled Mini-EP, on which each song is the result of the combination of different rhythms, electronic sequences and some playful samples. These features give Kinder, in several of its songs, a curious relationship to a childlike theme; this line achieves its balance when its sound gets into the instrumental environments. It's probably this style that predominates in its first LP, ready for release sometime this year.
PORTUGAL: Posso Ouvir Um Disco? Madame Godard - Atlas 1977 The quintet Madame Godard have (on MySpace) one of the best covers of Clashís Spanish Bombs that you will ever hear. They produce a sound that is a mix of world music, folk and pop but always humorous. After almost ten years of hiatus, they have released their first LP, Galapagos, this year, which has been acclaimed by the Portuguese critics and audience.
ROMANIA: Babylon Noise Identitate - Alone Alone. Sleepless nights and lonely early mornings when the lights go down and the dawn breaks. The music is rising in loops, choruses that add up to this beautiful and minimal psychedelia. Identitate is a Romanian artist currently splitting his life between London and Timisoara. His third album called Who I Am and What I Want features songs originally meant to be soundtracks for short films and it can be downloaded from here
SCOTLAND: The Pop Cop LightGuides - The Lion And The Pocketwatch It's the middle of festival season and nothing goes down better than a meaty power-rock anthem, which makes LightGuides the perfect alfresco band for the summer. The Lion And The Pocketwatch has a monster chorus that Biffy Clyro would raise devil horns to, while singer Mark Cowan's vocals aren't too dissimilar to Nate Ruess of Fun/The Format fame.
SINGAPORE: I'm Waking Up To... Cheating Sons - The Last Queen Look at some Singaporean cliches and you'll be faced with an urban cityscape with sterile modern amenities. But scratch the surface and you'll remember that we were once a humble fishing village that actually remembered how to relax. Cheating Sons sounds like a band that is in the process of retracing those roots, turning over every leaf and scribbling notes in the margins of journals. To say they're updating a nostalgic country-rock sound would be downplaying the creativity behind the band's songwriting. While they're still recording their debut album, they were nice enough to share this demo with us because everyone back home is so excited about the music these boys are making.
SOUTH AFRICA: Musical Mover & Shaker! Jack Parow - Onder Draai Die Duiwel Joints Move over Eminem. Jack Parow has arrived. Heís white. He raps. Oh and yes, heís Afrikaans. Jack Parow truly is original; he is in fact the ìoriginal donker dodgy Afrikaans rapperî. His lyrics are brash, brazen and funny and his song Onder Draai Die Duiwel Joints showcases his unique style. He has caused quite a stir in the music scene, locally and internationally alike. Heís set to take over the world. Watch out!
SOUTH KOREA: Indieful ROK Glittering Blackness, Fall - 3 After playing together for a few years, post-rock act Glittering Blackness, Fall took it in their own hands to release an untitled EP - their first - at the beginning of this year. The septet counts a media graphics responsible to its members, ensuring interesting imagery to go with their captivating music. The song simply going by 3 builds up beautifully during the first half before a strong finale where the listener will wish for it never to come to an end. The whole EP is available for download from last.fm.
SWEDEN: Swedesplease The Telepathics - 23:59 This little nugget of Italian/Swedish electro disco from The Telepathics is a certain cure for the end of summer blues. This duo is comprised of Cristiano and Isabella. The song is not quite as sunny as their sun drenched faces shown above, yet still it brightened my day considerably.
SWITZERLAND: 78s Alvin Zealot - Bricks Over Bricks If it comes to name a current common denominator in the Swiss rock music scene there is no getting around Alvin Zealot - four young guys from Lucerne who made a highly addictive and unpretentious rock'n'roll-record. Tears Of St. Lawrence sounds bold and experienced at the same time. Quite an effort for a debut by four teens.
VENEZUELA: Barquisimento Tomates Fritos - Perdoname Tomates Fritos was born in Puerto La Cruz, east of Venezuela and since the beginning, in 1997, the group has edited 4 LPs and have been part of important music festivals like Festival Nuevas Bandas (1998) and Cool Summer Music Festival (2002). Their music comes from mixing Spanish pop-rock with classic rock from the 60s and 70s, developing a unique sound, flooded with energy that has captivated tons of fans. This song, Perdoname, has been played very often in radio stations all over the country and belongs to their latest CD, Hombre Bala.
172. Song of the Week is "Dare Devil" by Bellatrix.
This is a track of the Album "It's all true", released in 2000 on the London-based Fierce Panda Label (NONG 14CD).
Kolrassa Krókrídandi was formed in 1992 by 4 girls of 16 years from Keflavík. They won the battle of the bands competition (Musíktilraunir) in 1992 & signed a record deal with Smekkleysa (Bad Taste Label).
In 1998, after making 3 popular albums (+ one in English "Stranger Tales"), they decided to take on the world and revamped their sound and changed their name to Bellatrix. They released the album "g" with Global Warming Records and quickly built a strong fan base in the UK& Skandinavia. Bellatrix toured extensively around Europe & even did a tour with Coldplay. The band co-headlined the Carling stage at the Reading & Leeds festival in 2000. They became the darlings of the indie press in Britain and signed to the legendary label Fierce Panda by founder Simon Williams in 1999 and released their final album "It's All True" in 2000.
Elíza released 2 solo albums & an album with the band Skandinavia. Sigrún plays keyboards in the band Dýrðin. Ester Bíbí plays bass in Singapore Sling. Anna Magga plays guitar with the band Miss DaisyandVaginas. Kidda plays bass and guitar with Kristín Eysteins, Kalli plays drums with the band Bob Volume.
Bellatrix @ MySpace
Cartoon in Fréttablaðið Newspaper on 22. July 2010
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