Re: Infinite Monkeys

["Paul Vallis" <paul@bo...madasafish.com>]

Thanks for the plug, PV2!  Hopefully see you on the night.  Apologies for
not making it to the Thekla.  Didn't realise you'd be on your own.

I've seen the Radon Daughters once before and really enjoyed them too.
They did an odd version of a Hendrix cover when I caught them at the
Louisiana, but I can't remember which one (maybe The Wind Cries Mary or
Fire?).  The rest were originals and as Paul says quite distinctive.

Morningstar.  Hmmm.  I've seen the Morningstar Small Orchestra a couple of
times, and I've been very unimpressed indeed.  Shoddy, under-rehearsed
performances of what seemed like lack-lustre material was my impression,
although a tighter, smaller unit could kick some life out of the songs I'm
sure.  There's bloody loads of 'em in the band - sorry, orchestra - which
might account for the looseness of performance, but whereas some bands do
loose and get away with it by being consummate musicians or simply from
the experience of having played together for a long time, Morningstar fall
down badly.  I think a lot of them aren't really musicians at all, and
Jesse may be given credit for trying to make something of them, but I'd
rather they didn't inflict it on me until they had it rehearsed and tight.
I may be doing Jesse a disservice to say that it seemed like a bit of an
ego-trip for him to be fronting such a large ensemble, and everything did
revolve around him - but it did come over that way sometimes.  I've only
met him once, which was recently, and he didn't come over as the kind of
guy who would be like that, but I guess you never can tell.  He made some
fab music (and some not-so-fab, to be wholly accurate) music with the
Moonflowers years ago, and they certainly did "loose" better then!

I guess I'll just have to try and catch them without the "small orchestra"
in tow.

PV
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Paul Vearncombe
  To: blueplanes@st...net
  Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2001 2:30 AM
  Subject: Re: [blueplanes] Infinite Monkeys


  Following on from Mr Vallis' email I would like to confirm that Infinite
Monkeys do, indeed, rock.  Good songs, interesting arrangements and a fab
guitarist.  Not to mention yer man Vallis himself on vocals.  So I'll be
there, certainly.

  Now then.  Gerard's gig at the Thekla.  Where do I start?

  I find that gigs are never as much fun when you're on your own but I had
a fantastic night in the end.  Support band Radon Daughters were
outstanding, it must be said.  Good enough to make me buy their album
anyway.  It's worth checking out - they have a cool and distinctive sound.
Next on were Morningstar who were a put together for the tour, apparently.
A brilliant guitarist who had a fantastic voice, a keyboard player, an
excellent female rhythm section, who also sang vocals, and ex-Strangelove
man Patrick Duff on vocals and guitar.  They played some of Patrick's
songs, and a few covers, and were generally a joy to watch.  They backed
Gerard when he came on, and played flawlessly all night.  Gerard was on
form as usual, and performed most of his new album.  The version of "Art
Star", with the girly backing vocals was a highlight.  Gerard's girlfriend
Ann Sheldon, who was standing next to me, called it the "Pinky and Perky"
treatment!

  Anyway, it was great fun and the perfect end was when Ann invited me
backstage where I entered full fawning fan mode and told the band how
great they all were.  Fortunately it was all true.

  Anyone who hasn't got it already should get themselves a copy of
Gerard's "Record Player".  The sound quality's not 100% but the songs make
it well worthwhile.  The sad news is that Rodney's album has apparently
been shelved indefinitely as he wasn't happy with it.  Who knows what will
happen there...

  If anyone is still after Gerard's record I might be able to find out
some contact details.  Show of hands?  Anyone?

  PV2




  ----- Original Message -----
    From: Paul Vallis
    To: Blue Aeroplanes Group
    Sent: Monday, June 18, 2001 4:09 PM
    Subject: [blueplanes] Infinite Monkeys


    A blatant plug to the Bristol contingent.

    My band, Infinite Monkeys, are playing at the Louisiana on Tuesday
26th June.

    We're guitar rock of a seemingly indefinable sort, but with me and our
lead guitarist being big Aeroplanes fans a bit of influence may have
sneaked in.  4 out of the 6 of us are actually Bristolians, so maybe its
in the water.  Come along and judge for yourselves!

    PV2 who posts stuff up here came along to our last gig.  Maybe he'll
give you a better idea?

    By the way, how was Gerard's gig at the Thekla?  I got dragged to the
Oyster Band instead.  Good gig, but I know where I'd rather have been.

    PV