Garbage back on the road

Posted on July 6, 2017 by Craig Micklewright

My favourite band in the world ‘Garbage’ fronted by the enigmatic Shirley Manson, hit the road this week for their co-headline ‘Rage and Rapture’ tour with the industry-icons Blondie. Their first stop? The Mountain Winery, Saratoga CA. The band seemed to be on blistering form and even dusted off a few classics they hadn’t played in a while, including their famed James Bond theme ‘The World is Not Enough’ which showcased Manson on brilliant vocal form (see below). Video courtesy of: YouTuber kyocarmesi

The tour spans various venues across the states as shown below, and I myself, as someone who can’t get to the shows themselves, am looking forward to some great footage. From this evidence, Shirley and the boys are not going to let themselves get upstaged all that easily by Debbie Harry and her Blondie band-mates.

Garbage autobiography

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Craig Micklewright

For an avid fan of alt-rock veterans ‘Garbage’ the long-awaited announcement of a book being released that covers their 20+ year career was huge news. It’s been often rumoured and never really dismissed, but nothing had been heard of the book in well over a year.

So the news today that the book had not only an official name ’This Is The Noise That Keeps Me Awake’ (a lyric taken from their hit song Push It); but that it’s also been put up for pre-order at all good book retailers like Amazon was a big surprise. The book promises to be a thorough exploration of the band’s career, from their humble beginnings at the legendary Smart Studios in Wisconsin through their rise to Grammy nominated multi-million selling rock stars right up to now, independent darlings of the live arena doing things on their own terms. With full colour pictures and written by the band members themselves, this will surely be a cherished possession of any genuine Garbage fan – such as me!

The book which will be released in hardback is currently pencilled for a July 11 2017 release, and that date can’t come quick enough.

Garbage – Strange Little Birds

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Craig Micklewright

(updated 24/06/2016) After a long wait the one album I have been looking forward to for the last few years has finally landed. Yes ladies and gentlemen my favourite band Garbage are back … and could this be one of the best things they have ever created? Let’s see…

After extensive play over the last two weeks I can confidently say this is a particularly polished, quality album from the alt-rock pioneers who first made waves back in 1995. 21 years later and Garbage have still got it, even to the point of further developing their sound to create something with a well defined mood through the whole album, which I feel the band hasn’t totally nailed in years. Strange Little Birds tells a story of obsession, jealousy, regret and eventually hope. It’s really quite powerful. Personal highlights include the sublime rock-ballad ‘Night Drive Loneliness’, the powerhouse anthem ‘So We Can Stay Alive’, moody stadium rocker ‘Blackout’, and the heart-breaking ‘Even Though Our Love Is Doomed’ – but really I like every track and I haven’t felt that way since Version 2.0. ‘Sometimes’ whilst possibly my least go-to track, is still a perfectly ominous opening and powerfully introduces ‘Empty’, which is the most radio-friendly track at least as far as today’s radio songs go. Yet there’s a lot of potential here for singles; Night Drive being an obvious one as well as ‘If I lost You’ with it’s decidedly Madonna-like chorus. I also really enjoy the slightly trippy vibe to ‘Teaching Little Fingers To Play’. I should also add the closing, suitably epic ‘Amends’ makes me think of a moody western about a woman seeking redemption.

‘Magnetized’ is possibly the only track on the album I don’t totally enjoy … but I still like aspects of it. Also the subjects explored, despite best intentions are not exactly new ground for this band. However it’s the delivery and the craft that impresses most. It’s also an album that left me wanting more … no bad thing, but I’d have loved a couple more tracks than the 11 we get here. So overall, stellar work from Shirley Manson and her band mates; musicians & producers Butch Vig, Steve Marker and Duke Erikson. You’ve proved the nay-sayers rather foolish indeed and have delivered some of the best work of your career. I’d say Strange Little Birds will surprise a lot of people, critics especially, and in this homogenized, cookie-cutter musical landscape we find ourselves in – that’s a very good thing indeed.

Verdict: 4 /5

Beyond a fan boy’s wildest dreams

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Craig Micklewright

I can’t believe I’m typing this and NOT making it up. On Monday night of the 13 June 2016…I got to MEET my favorite band in-the-flesh and tell them how much I love their music and even have a photo taken. That’s not to mention the fact I also got to watch them rehearse and eventually perform a full concert at the Troxy in London.

Front row … what an amazing view

Yes I just typed all that and it really happened. I am looking back on it now in disbelief. Lead singer Shirley Manson was everything I could have hoped and more and on getting to actually speak to her, I almost lost it emotionally, but with her assistance I didn’t cry – but it came worryingly close. She was a real gem and so nice and genuine. In fact the same can also be said for Duke Erikson and Steve Marker, who were so lovely and I shook their hands and well, just wanted to press pause on the moment and wallow in it. It was simply one of the greatest night’s of my life thus far. Sadly drummer and producer Butch Vig couldn’t make the gig as he’d been signed off sick with a sinus infection.

Shirley Troxy.jpg The concert that followed this was incredible, spanning the full gamut of their 20+ year career and every song was performed with such energy, enthusiasm and power that I was totally floored. Personal highlights were the rarely sang ‘So Like a Rose’ which Shirley performed aided by her guitar and was a tribute to photographer friend Matt Irwin who had recently passed away. Also my favourite Garbage song ‘Why Do You Love Me?’ was delivered as a thankyou to the loyal fan-base, and it was also great to hear several new tracks from the new album, including ‘Blackout’ and ‘Empty’. I had purchased a VIP package for this event and as well as what I mentioned above, I also got early entry and was right at the front. In comparison to the last time I saw them at Brixton Academy, I found the sound although very loud, much better and I didn’t come away with the ringing and deafness I experienced last time. So it was such a better experience and with all the trimmings I can safely say this was a dream I never even considered would be realised … but it was!

Yes at one stage Shirley Manson sang directly to me

The pictures above were taken by myself so you can get a good idea of the view I had. What an experience which I fully recommend if you get the opportunity. I conquered several fears and personal obstacles to achieve this and feel so proud of myself for doing so. Also few front women in the industry have the sheer charisma, likeability or stage presence of Shirley Manson and I tell you now, she delivered 100%.

Not just a band … but a way of life.

Thank you Garbage for such an amazing experience!

Garbage and a dream realised

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Craig Micklewright

Well, it was a long time coming but on Monday the 9th of November 2015, I finally got to see my favourite band Garbage in concert at Brixton Academy, London. The near-sold out show was such an incredible experience that putting it into words isn’t easy. I had a long wait, queuing up for a few hours before finally finding my seat and waiting again. There was a long wait until the support act The Dutch Uncles came on, who were enjoyable even if their music seemed a bit ‘samey’. However it was a good indication of the decibels I was about to be assaulted with.

Video courtesy of Youtuber eStorm

Following this was a really cool intro, that involved a white sheet dropping to cover the stage and surrounding area entirely, then an archival video to the tune of Garbage b-side Alien Sex Fiend showed footage of the band back in ’95 along with a commentary on their origins in Madison, Wisconsin along with news footage of Princess Diana, OJ Simpson and the beginnings of the Internet. This all then built up to the four members being presented in tall large images one after the other. Then it was time for the first song, Subhuman which was performed entirely behind the sheet with the members only visible as silhouettes. Very bold and utterly ingenious. As this occurred I recalled actually shaking with excitement, an overload of emotions and feelings that I’ll admit brought tears to my eyes.

A picture taken by my brother from where we were seated

I won’t go into too much detail of the show which spanned almost two hours and covered approximately 23 tracks spanning the entire first album and nine b-sides – topped off with an encore that threw in a couple of tracks off other albums which were Cherry Lips and Push It. Throughout the guys and Shirley were on fine form – for a 49 year old Shirley Manson’s energy was intoxicating – she jumped and danced and head-banged around the stage like a woman half her age, and it was incredible to witness. In between some songs she told stories, such as her strong feelings regarding the LGBT community as well as funny anecdotes like how cold she was walking to Smart studios to do some recording, and the frozen hairs in her nose inspired her to write the song Driving Lesson (because she wished at that moment she could drive). Little moments like that and the rather emotional story of Kick My Ass detailing the tragic suicide of song writer Vic Chestnut made the night even more special.

Highlights for me musically were performances of Not My Idea (really got the crowd going that one), Fix Me Now (sounded amazing), Only Happy When It Rains, Stupid Girl (excellent light show), Kick My Ass (a beautiful song that again got me very emotional) and also Cherry Lips (a real crowd participation anthem). Less effective, due to the immense sound and volume were As Heaven Is Wide (Shirley seemed to get drowned out by the guitars and drums) and to an extent Vow which felt too harsh and intense to completely appreciate. But I’m a concert novice and it probably was too loud and over-powering at times for me … yet the good seriously outweighed the not so good, and the high production values, that glorious intro, Shirley’s sheer exuberance and various brilliantly delivered songs overshadowed any quibbles.

Garbage blew the roof off Brixton on Monday and the whole event won’t be something I’ll get over for a very long time. So thank you Garbage – you made this long-time fan very happy indeed.

Darkling4Life.