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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

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!

[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.

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

In fact there is NOT ONE white British male making good pop music today! (poss EVER)

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Yes this is true! I think the question-as-stated is interesting, I do find it curious that a lot of the more prominent poptimists are SO disengaged from the small-band format.

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

I've seen them thrice, and they've been quite manic each time, getting progressively so over the years...a bit of an LCD Soundsystem vibe actually.

[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 ;)

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

i am going to spend the next 10 minutes trying desperately to think of examples to prove you wrong ha ha

[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.

[sbp.livejournal.com]

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

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

examples is what I want...

[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.

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

Shortwave Set irritate the hell out of me because they are so damn TWEE. May as well give in and start liking the Fat Magic Numbers (nein danke)

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

I don't suppose Richard X counts...I don't suppose he will release an X-Factor 2 any time soon.

Re. "EVER"

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Check the icon

Re: Re. "EVER"

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

OK straight white British male!

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

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

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

[chezghost.livejournal.com]

I thought Ghosts were Australian!

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

I want to pinpoint the exact moment British pop lost Richard X down the back of the sofa...one minute it seemed as if his sound would be the template for an entire generation of British music, and the next it's all haircut indie as far as the eye can see?