the fyrehaus

The Jarmans, wary of getting to comfortable as a three-piece band, have announced that Johnny Marr (The Smiths) is joining them to record some new material.

Marr, who has also played with US indie rockers Modest Mouse, met bassist Gary Jarman at a barbecue in the USA.

Gary told NME: “I was a bit defensive at first - I was like, ‘Who’s this other English guy at the barbecue?’

“He came up and started talking to me and then the penny dropped about who he actually was. We became mates, then one day we went out for afternoon tea. We drank a few pots of this white tea he’s really into, and decided to work together.”

They’ve already started writing songs together, recording could be released some time this year.

I don’t know what’s cuter, feeling threatened by another Brit at a barbecue, or them sitting around drinking white tea.

Supergroup Freebass to use Liam Gallagher as a front man and play the Manchester vs Cancer benefit next week, which will raise money for Christie Hospital, where the late Tony Wilson was treated.

Said supergroup are Freebass, consisting of Mancunian musical stalwarts Andy Rourke (Smiths), Peter Hook (New Order) and Mani (Primal Scream), who are said to have an album in the pipeline. Or as Gordon Smart puts it: “All three founder members are from the Manchester area and play the bass guitar on the material.”
. . .
Rumours about Freebass have been bubbling under for sometime now, but the new news is that the band are to receive a supersized boost by the addition of Liam Gallagher, of popular rock outfit Oasis, and Ian Brown, of popular defunct rock outfit Stone Roses, at the gig. Both groups are/were from Manchester, and so: “City fan Liam won’t be impressed but I have dubbed the group ‘Mancs United’”, boasts our Lord Gord Almighty.

I love a well-made documentary, especially the kind broken up into convenient 45 minute bites. So I’ve watched a few “history of rock” things on MTV and VH1 before. But the BBC/VH1 Classic “Seven Ages of Rock” was really fascinating, especially because it’s unapologetically British in point-of-view. They certainly don’t ignore the American scene, but it is really only important in its relation to and influence on the British scene, all leading up to the apotheosis that is contemporary British Indie Rock, cockily titled, “What the World is Waiting For.”

In case you were wondering the ages are:

1. The Birth of Rock: The Who, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix (the BBC didn’t pay for worldwide rights to the Hendrix footage, so he’s largely missing from the VH1 cut)
2. Art Rock: Pink Floyd, The Velvet Underground, David Bowie
3. Stadium Rock: Led Zepplin, Queen, Kiss, Springsteen, U2
4. Heavy Metal: Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Motley Crue, Metallica
5. Punk Rock: Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Television, Patti Smith, The Clash
6. American Alternative: Nirvana, REM, Black Flag (Actually, more like, the story of Kurt Cobain and some other guys. But really interesting.)
7. British Indie: The Smiths, Oasis, Blur, Stone Roses, The Libertines, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand

I’m still trying to figure out how this story is missing Factory Records, other than a passing reference to dropping E at the Hacienda, though I suppose one could argue that is the story of Tony Wilson, and not any of the bands or the music. It’s a very linear story they’re trying to tell, so if you don’t quite fit in to the story, I guess they cut you. I’ve also confirmed yet again that I like punk, and generally hate metal. (Except for Master of Puppets and Enter, Sandman? Metallica can leave me alone.)

I’m terribly happy that there was a disparaging remark about Coldplay, whom I hate. For Sarah’s reference, the interviews with Damon Albarn and Alex Kapranos (and Dave Grohl, for that matter) are totally adorable, and Noel Gallagher comes off like a prat. A very rich prat.

You can go to VH1 Classic to see video footage of all the bands, including some that got left out, and keep your Tivos peeled for the reairing.