A simple question, a difficult answer...

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

Your favourite British band making music today...who are they?

Let's not include bands who no longer function (sorry New Order lovers), solo artists, duos (but trios and above are OK) or boybands/girlbands who 'only' sing and dance. I'm being deliberately rockist in this respect as I'm curious as to how much people here go for the traditional band dynamic. I can think of only about 5 or 6 active acts from the UK I like and listen to and I'm not sure I really love any of them. I still think it matters!

My answer: Hot Chip. I don't think they're very good live (altho some do) but I like their ideas generally and I suppose I can relate to them as people pretty well which is often a plus for reasons that should be obvious ('that could be me without massive lifestyle change' etc.). Something is definitely missing from their 'sound' that would make it truly awesome but 'My Piano' is ace.

Comments

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Can Hot Chip cut it live Steve? :)

(I'm kind of serious here because a mostly-studio-based dance act feels like as much a 'cheat' here as including Girls Aloud)

I don't really think I have an answer to the question. Erm, I've enjoyed some Klaxons tracks this year.

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

well Hot Chip play live a lot but I find them weaker when they do.

I do like the idea of 'the person wot made the sounds on the record' doing the same on stage tho - even tho I never go to gigs now.

and there'd be no point asking the question otherwise because half the people here would probably say GA!

[carsmilesteve.livejournal.com]

neds are putting a new alBUM out, if carter can't count ;)

[piratemoggy.livejournal.com]

Johnny Panic, for fairly similar reasons as you like Hot Chip; I don't often think 'oh man, I could totally be in that band' but with Johnny Panic I not only feel I *could* be one of them but have a sincere desire to be so. Unfortunately the last time they switched bassists I was washing my hair or something.

They are absolutely lovely in person, too althought the time I met two of them, just before I went to university, all I did was squeak a bit because I am veh veh lame like that.

I know everyone else thinks they're a bit sad and they are quite geeky but they are simultaneously an immense comfort and catalyst for me. That and they sound a bit like Manic Jimmy Eating Busteds which if I am honest is all I really want in a band.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

I have never heard of Johnny Panic (no reason why I would have I guess) - idiot's guide?

[strange-powers.livejournal.com]

Belle and Sebastian, I guess. A lot of the UK acts I really care about fall outside your criteria, and are more like solo acts or girlbands. Lots of bands in the US and Canada, but I can't think of too many that I'm still passionate about in Britain.

[carsmilesteve.livejournal.com]

there not as good as they used to be though are they? although have you seen the "art prints" they've got on the website, ooooooooh, pretty...

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

I am the opposite, I think Hot Chip lack something (a lot) on record but are great live, and getting better as they veer more and more towards ravey wig-outs. They're probably the only 'band' by your criteria I can even tolerate from this wretched country. If all British people were banned from pop music tomorrow we wouldn't lose much.

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

I've only seen Hot Chip live twice and never at a gig they've headlined. But I remember the first time I saw them supporting Goldfrapp I really wanted them to be more manic somehow, not just blokes standing there twiddling away - perhaps something closer to what Jaxx do live but obv Hot Chip are never that raucous or involving ragga MCs and whatnot.

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

Here's the list of UK bands I like, based on criteria outlined above, that I posted on ILM:

Hot Chip
The Clientele
Camera Obscura
St. Etienne (but only really when Xenomania-produced)
Ladytron
The Shortwave Set

Go Team are banished because until they get at least twice as many ideas as they currently have ;)

[sbp.livejournal.com]

Shortwave set irritate me somehow, I've seen them live a couple of times. They do have one catchy song though.

[sbp.livejournal.com]

Goldfrapp. Loved them ever since I saw them on a whim in the new bands tent at Glastonbury one time. Have seen them live a bunch of times and they're currently working on a new rekkid. OK, when they're recording they're a duo, but when live there are five of them and it's the same five every time, so I reckon they count as a band. Plus they're very pop these days.

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

I would've said Goldfrapp but as you say they record as a duo.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

I think there are a few fans here of what I (sniffily) term "lyrics indie". The post-B&S diaspora snags a few more.

My favourite track by a British band this year is McFly's "TRansylvania" - do they count? This sounds lamely "popist" but it's the first song by them I've really enjoyed.

The last British Band album I really loved was the first Clientele one, I think, back in 2000 (?) but there are probably others ib between. When I listen to old music it's very often British bands though. Hmmm.

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

McFly definitely count. I'm still not sure I've heard 'Transylvania' tho.

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

If Stereolab count as "British" then them, still.

I must say the question is pretty alien to me now, especially if we have to factor in how well they perform live. Who goes to 'gigs' by 'bands' anyway? ;)

My favourite new British band that released a record this year: Ghosts

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

I thought Ghosts were Australian!

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Also <lj user="xyzzzz_" to thread - there are loads of good IMPROV dudes I'm sure.

Improv/Skronk/Noize groups

[giddyoldgoat.livejournal.com]

I'm sure Julio will have a gd ans, but until he gets here can I just say that there are actually v. few interesting British underground GROUPS currently active. Noize making tends to be a pretty solitary activity by and large - eg you have geezers like Matthew Bower/Neil Campbell/Richard Youngs/Phil Todd/Dylan Nyoukis working by themselves, or as duos (ie Bower and Marcia Bassett playing together as the awesomely awesome Hototogisu) but rarely in larger groupings. I guess there's Vibracathedral Orchestra, and regular improv ensembles like Evan Parker's trio who play pretty much every month at the Vortex, and I know Ascension have reformed, but after that Lex is basically OTM - Brit 'rock' music SUX

Just me (unles ben_graham turns up later i guess ;))

[carsmilesteve.livejournal.com]

i suppose it probably is Art Brut though, although their second alBUM isn't as good as the first one. they are ace live also.


oh, there's always half man half biscuit of course ;)

Re: Just me (unles ben_graham turns up later i guess ;))

[miss-newham.livejournal.com]

No no, I'm right with you there...

[martinskidmore.livejournal.com]

I can only think of a few lingering acts - Saint Etienne, the Fall. None that have started in the last decade or so mean much to me.

[fathands.livejournal.com]

I have to say the Clientele, and Camera Obscura for recent gigs. Belle and Sebastian when they're on form still are good. Also Broadcast, Ladytron, British Sea Power, Gorky's, and Tindersticks.

[lockedintheatti.livejournal.com]

Depeche Mode, although mainly based on their live shows these days as their recent new stuff hasn't been all that great.

Other than that, I adored both Delays albums (and they're great live) although they've been dropped now and not sure if they are still active. Maximo Park are the only current UK indie band who I enjoy both live and on record.

[poptasticuk.livejournal.com]

Delays got a new deal and have a new single next month! They are my favourite British band followed by The Feeling, unless I've forgotten anyone.

I can't believe no-one has mentioned The Feeling!

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

That'll serve me right for not looking at the internet for two hours. The Feeling tick all the boxes - singer/songwriter/instrumentalists, pop songs and lyrics, high entertainment value AND the bassist looks like Dec out of Ant and Dec.

They're the most recent UK band featuring more than 2 ppl I have bought an album by (most recent w/ less than 2 ppl: Groove Armada).

Re: I can't believe no-one has mentioned The Feeling!

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

'I can't believe no-one has mentioned The Feeling!'

i thought you were the only one on here who really likes them tho!

i expect cis to show up and rep razorlight v soon.

'They're the most recent UK band featuring more than 2 ppl I have bought an album by'

ah now this is another question! i didn't actually buy 'The Warning' yet...i might have to quite a few years back here...

YOU MUST ALL HEAR THIS BAND!!

[byebyepride.livejournal.com]

http://www.myspace.com/lordsofbastard

I spent an hour thinking 'god do I really not like ANY british bands at the moment' and then I just remembered that I saw a band called Lords of Bastard playing in a club a couple of months back. It was a party for the 10th anniversary of SL records, and since I've known Ed since he started the label I went along. Anyway this was the best live rock / metal performance I've ever seen. The single doesn't quite do them justice.

Re: YOU MUST ALL HEAR THIS BAND!!

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

They sound like Queens Of The Stone Age...

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

I like TWO songs by Arctic Monkeys.

I could've said Gorillaz I suppose as they are at least half British.

And I must give New Young Pony Club album a listen to see if they are cop. If 'Ice Cream' is only the 5th or 6th best track on it that would be good. Otherwise, eeh...

[fathands.livejournal.com]

I heard the Fourers on 6music last night and rather liked them. Anyone know anything of relevance to tell me?

[damnspynovels.livejournal.com]

Are New Order no longer functioning? I thought they were still active, only minus Peter Hook?

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

well i'm with Hooky on this one heh.

Easy!

[jel-bugle.livejournal.com]

Dragonforce! Though, they are pretty multi-national!

Though, I do only like a very few British bands. After the 'force it'd be Iron Maiden.

[barrysarll.livejournal.com]

Do The Indelicates count? Based around a duo, but the rest of the band are listed on sleeves.

[skyecaptain.livejournal.com]

Judging from my year-ends so far, the best British bands around (in order of how much I liked their 2007 album), best to less-best, are Lucky Soul, the Fratellis, the Clientele, Arctic Monkeys, Maximo Park, and the Go! Team (careful with that doubling talk...do we really want a Go! Team with four to six ideas?? Let's not rock the boat here...). (I'm not even sure if all of these bands are British.)

[infov0re.livejournal.com]

Hah, Dragonforce. Not true, but they are fun!

I think Fields is probably my favourite British band atm. I know they don't do it for everyoen, but to me, they're just fabulous.

[mooxyjoo.livejournal.com]

i downloaded the new bees record after i heard a nice single on a chance listen to the public indie rock station while traveling with my dad. but i haven't played the whole thing through yet.

uh, i think that's it. and i'm having great difficulty remembering the last british record i bought or stole. maybe dizzee rascal (i listened to the ugk track two or three times).

[poptasticuk.livejournal.com]

Delays and The Feeling are my faves but I know some good up-and-coming ones, like The Tigerpicks, Flamboyant Bella, Passenger and Chungking.