TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB ON GROUPIES, VEGETABLES AND KANYE WEST

TWO Door Cinema Club frontman Alex Trimble sounds weary. Polite, but weary.
The Northern Ireland trio returned from Tokyo yesterday after a six-week tour and have retreated during their limited downtime.
They’ve been touring like mad and play Camden Roundhouse on March 12.
But for now, Alex has allowed us to disturb the precious time with his girlfriend, to discuss keeping healthy, his debt to Kanye West and handling groupies.



Two Door returned from Japan with a selection of very personal souvenirs he said: “It can be a lot more quiet and more mental. I guess it’s more extreme. The (fans) are kind and polite and bring us presents. We got drawings of ourselves, caricatures, which are a bit strange, some chocolates with our faces on them and a lot of socks –strange but quite cool.”
The band have collected new material from snatched soundcheck jams and notes on the road and Alex expects some of this new material to make a debut at the Roundhouse.
There are no outrageous demands on their rider, although lettuce may be deemed contrary to the rules of rock ‘n roll.
Alex said: “I’m vegetarian so I get very picky – there have to be healthy things. If we don’t say that we end up with bread and cheese so there’s a lot of veg. Being healthy is important when you have such a hectic schedule.”

The boys learned the hard way: “At the start when we were a smaller band…we didn’t carry the weight to get what we needed and ended up living on crisps and bread. We were in a terrible way, always tired and never got anything done but it’s getting easier.”

Alex has learned from touring with heroes Phoenix, the importance of keeping the band’s friendship, which can be tested when trapped in a tour bus.
He said: “You all need your own space. You can always get into your bunk, put your headphones on and zone out from the rest of the world.”

And they owe a debt to Kanye West for posting their first music video for I Can Talk on his blog.
Alex said: “He seemed to like it, we haven’t heard from him since. We were an unknown band…for such a famous person to give us that press – did so much for us, thousands of people heard of us after that – so many liked us on facebook and followed us on twitter after that. That was a really big thing for us.”

I can also reveal the band have rented a house in Glasgow, where they will record the next album: “We’ve got a lot of connections in Glasgow…it’s always a place we loved. We can go there and have a bit of a social life rather than being completely cut off when we’re on tour.”

And his tip for handling groupies?: “There’s a lot of attention, a lot of groupie-esque propositions. We’re always happy to talk to fans but as soon as it gets a bit more heavy we make our excuses and move on.”

MYSPACE FAIL, PRIMROSE HILL'S MYSTERY GIRLBAND, SILVER BULLET'S GOOD NEWS AND MORE

IS IT wrong to dislike MySpace? I know it’s supposed to be a forum for the great unsigned but seriously, it’s impossible to navigate, takes an age to load and seems to be a graveyard for spam.

I’d rather check a band out for real, see their shaky YouTube uploads, or go to their official websites, where it doesn’t take a year to work out where their next gig is.
No offence MySpace but can’t you redesign – again?

• So much to look forward to this year – Pulp at Wireless, Two Door Cinema Club at Roundhouse and my guilty pleasure...Linkin Park at the Roundhouse for the iTunes festival – don’t judge me.



• What’s this about an emerging girl band called Primrose Hill? Have I missed out on the next big thing? Checked them out on MySpace – aside from “snippet” to single LOL, only info is they are three 13-year-olds, loads of spam messages – case in point. Don’t sound bad given their youth.

• Slightly old news but haven’t had a column to mention this – Nambucca, which burned down in a great Islington musical tragedy, but which then inspired The Flowerpot – has reopened and has an overflowing list of live gigs coming up – time to return to Holloway Road.

• Brilliant news for Finsbury Park’s coolest “pop-up” venue. Looks like it will have to drop the “pop-up”, after its lease was unexpectedly renewed. Still, nothing’s permanent so make the most of it while it’s still here.

• My digital radio is stuck on a channel that only plays ‘90s music – good memories but confusing – only bought it for 6 Music, XfM and Radio 4.

MOURNING THE FLOWERPOT + ALICE COOPER'S FREAKY HALLOWEEN + TALIB KWELI'S BAD LUCK

MUSIC lovers of Camden Town are upset – favourite Kentish Town hangout The Flowerpot closes on Monday.

Born from the fire which turned Holloway Road muso-magnet Nambucca to cinders, it has become the real Camden music scene – a free gig every night, quality guaranteed. Musicians ran it, worked the bar and kept the dream alive but sadly, they say they’re gutted their lease has been sold. No more secret gigs from Jamie T and Reverend and the Makers. While they look for a new home at least New Year’s party with Foals at HMV Forum is still on.



Here's a recent interview with the guys who ran the place - before we knew it was closing Find The Flowerpot and You Won't Want to Leave.

• The saga of Talib Kweli’s bad luck continues. Last week I told you he raged at the plug being pulled on his Roundhouse set – see proof here. This week he tweeted his frustration that he wants to work with The Noisettes frontwoman Shingai Shoniwa but one of her people doesn’t know him so won’t put him in touch – ouch, ego dent x2. Sure Shingai would jump at the chance – if she gets it.

• If you don’t recognise Big Boi from HMV Forum's listings (November 1), he’s from Outkast – maybe you want a ticket now.

• A whole lotta music’s going on in Kentish Town’s Bull and Gate on Saturday at the Emergenza Festival. See the acts before they’re famous.
• Fans of Halloween horror may enjoy Alice Cooper’s Halloween Night of Fear (Sun and Mon) at the Roundhouse – too much freakiness for me.
 
• Feeling Gloomy’s Halloween Party at 02 Academy Islington (Oct 30) features Depeche Mode tribute act Speak and Spell – can’t get more scary than that.

MS DYNAMITE'S EMAIL REVIVAL

NOTE: Slight delay on putting this one up, event has passed but here's my interview with Ms Dynamite. Tim Robbins interview will be up later this week. 

THERE'S a movement taking over the Roundhouse – and it's gathering pace as we speak.
From tomorrow, young people will seize control of Camden Roundhouse, mastering every aspect of the Turning Point festival of comedy, music, circus, cabaret and theatre.
More than 300 artists have been signed up to take over five stages over the next three days, featuring the likes of Professor Green, Toddla T, Ms Dynamite, Roll Deep and Devlin.

So who better to tell us a bit more than Camden institution Ms Dynamite aka Niomi McLean-Daley.
She's been building up her career again but due to some unhappy interaction with the Press, her management have insisted all interviews be conducted by email – beware an abundance of exclamation marks.
So here's how it went:
RG: What’s so special about Turning Point?
MD: It's put on by young peoplel!!! I LOVE THE CONCEPT OF THAT! We commonly talk about young people with such negative and biased views! I'm of the belief that if we 'as adults/society/the authority' etc.
give young people respect, love, faith, time and tools to grow with the things that inspire them, and a chance to fulfil their passion, they will succeed EVERY SINGLE TIME! I know this gig will prove that!!!
I love that it's in Camden and at the Roundhouse, who are absolutely amazing with young people!!!
They offer SO MUCH in terms of music, media and the arts to young people and I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND AND ADVISE EVERYONE TO CHECK OUT WHAT GOES ON AT THE ROUNDHOUSE!!! (under and behind the shows).
RG: What can we look forward to from your appearance?
MD: ENERGY, POSITIVITY and MORE ENERGY!!! Xx
RG: Who are you most excited to see on the line-up and why?
MD: I'm excited to see everyone (not a cop out) but I genuinely like all the artists and am happy to be working along side them in 'this' particular show! I think it'll be amazing!
RG: What do you think of the Roundhouse as a venue?
MD It's amazing, I've seen my brother (Akala) and a few other artist, groups perform/act there... This'll b my first time though, I can't wait!
RG: What are your favourite Camden haunts/ favourite things about Camden?
MD: I LOVE the multi-culturalism of Camden!!! I love the fusion of styles, foods, music, dress codes, ages, energies and beliefs!!!
RG: Any Camden gripes?
MD: Camden have the most HASTY, UNFORGIVING, NO LEE-WAY what so ever TRAFFIC WARDENS, I've ever experienced! Parking is a complete nightmare!!!
RG: What’s it like to have a musical sibling?
MD: All my siblings are musical... I have a younger brother who goes by the name of 'Snooze' he raps, writes, produces, directs, designs websites, films videos etc, a sister named Jessica who has an amazing voice and is an amazing writer and the others are a bit younger (still in school) but all are equally talented in a musical/creative way!
It's the nature of our family, we've never known it any different, my mum and dad ALWAYS have and had music blasting in the house!
We used to make up songs and perform for our parents and aunties and uncles as birthday presents at bbq's and parties... When myself and Kings (Akala) look back, we're just like "how did we ever not see this
happening?"... :o)
RG: Akala told me he’s become vegan and enjoys eating at Inspiral cafe in Camden Lock. Are you a vegan? If not, could you ever be?
MD: I'm not a vegan but am a veggie and can I just say I LOVE INSPIRAL!!! I'd like to become a vegan, but food is still my weakness, my comfort, my addiction & my passion.
I can't help but think about ALL the CRAP I'd miss if I became a vegan... But it is exactly that... Crap! And I will get there one day, soon as I get the discipline my brother's blessed with! Lol!
RG: What’s the strangest gig you’ve ever done?
MD: I've done great gigs, fantastic gigs, amazing gigs, funny gigs, sad gigs and not so good gigs but never really a 'strange' gig?
RG: The Mercury Music Prize has just passed by, who did you want to win and why?
MD: Corinne Bailey-Rae... I love her! She's one of the sweetest, most graceful, ambitious, talented young women I've had the pleasure of meeting!
RG: How has your music progressed since then and what direction do you want to continue in?
MD: Umm, the turns and twists my career has taken since then would fill this whole issue and more!!! Lol!!! There have been many highs and lows but I'm in an amazing position now, totally recognising and appreciating that the lows made the highs sweeter and that its all been equally neccessary to get here where I am today! :o)
RG: What did you think of (winners) The XX?
MD: Yeah, they're cool... I like what they did with Aaliyahs 'Hot like fire' and also the 'Florence and the Machine' cover (of the cover) they did was great too!
RG: Do you think the prize helped your career?
MD: Definitely!!!
RG: Do you think there’s any truth in the belief that the prize can sometimes do more harm than good?
MD: Depends how you look at it?
RG: If you were in an American high school, what clique would you have been in as a teenager?
MD: No clique... I've always been a leader that floated like the wind through different 'groups', I had my days with my 'middle class' friends, my days with my 'hood' friends, days with my 'grungy' friends and days with my super-slick friends, black, white, Asian, Male, Female etc etc, we just did our thing.
I'm me, me has never belonged to 'one group' of people and can't be defined by one style... I've always done me!
RG: What’s the worst trouble you got into at school?
MD: Oh the list is too long!!! Lol! X
RG: Lady Gaga, love or hate?
MD: I'm full of love for 'everyone', hate no-one... a more accurate answer would be "I respect her hustle!"
RG: Tell me something no-one knows about you.
MD: There is genuinely NOTHING no-one knows about me! I LOVE to talk and am not ashamed to chat my business!... I'd tell any-one anything... Other than obvious stuff! If I'm happy, sad, hyper, tired etc. The world knows about it! I've always been like that!
RG: What do you like to do when you’re not making music?
MD: Be with my son!!!
RG: Who would you most like to collaborate with?
MD: Damien Marley!
RG: What’s it like being a famous mum?
MD: I LOVE IT!!! :o)
RG: You’ve had a bit of a reputation for being political in the past., are you happy with the election results?
MD "Yeah, I'm over the moon!".. Lol! I'll leave it to your common sense, xx
RG: If not, who would you like to see as Prime Minister?
MD: I think a group that represents our society (of young, old, rich, poor, English, African/Caribbean, Asian, Eastern-Europen, Spanish, Japanese, gay, straight, religious, athiest, with disabilities, from conventional AND single parent families etc etc etc) that would govern our 'world' with compassion and 'open ears'... Would be a BEAUTIFUL sight!
RG: What are you working on at the moment – what direction are you taking musically and what kind of subject matter are you thinking about?
MD: I'm having fun with music, trying all different styles and directions and am talking about a wide range of subjects!
RG: Who are you listening to at the moment that you’d recommend our readers to watch out for and why?
MD: I worked with Katy B nearly 2yrs ago and am really happy to hear her able to bless the world with her talent/gift! Also Emeli Sande, I can not wait for her album!!!

ENGLEBERT HUMPERDINCK, EARTH, WIND & FIRE, REALLY? + I AM KLOOT AND AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT'S UNION VISITS

ENGLEBERT Humperdinck. Earth, Wind & Fire. What are these words? Who are these people and why are they even on this page? 

As much as I’ve looked out for the next big thing in San Francisco, I haven’t been near a radio, I’m staying in a flat without a TV and with people who don’t like guitars/electro, or any music I like. 

So this is all I’ve got so far. Apparently 74-year-old lego haired Humperdinck – once famous for his version of Release Me (your parents/grandparents may know it) is still alive and singing in the wine country of Sonoma, California, early next month – I know, I saw his name in shiny lights as we drove past. 

Also, I’ve been talked into seeing veteran disco kings Earth, Wind & Fire in a vineyard somewhere – think I might slip away and check for young blood among the grapes.

• They’ve been nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize and now they’re off trying to seal the deal by playing fave venue, Islington’s Union Chapel (Sept 29). Then again, I Am Kloot may not even want the
ill-fated award, which has been known to dampen an act’s career (see Speech Debelle).
• Last year the Camden Crawl won best digital campaign at BT’s Digital Music Awards. The awards are looming again (Camden Roundhouse, Sept 30) and we’re hoping the crawl will continue its winning streak. As I’m yet to get hold of an iPhone, I can’t nominate for new category Best Music App so instead I’m trying to guess who will top Camden rapper Akala’s 2009 performance this year.
• Former Record of the Week contenders Airborne Toxic Event play an acoustic show at the Union Chapel (Oct 3). Their single Sometime Around Midnight is timeless. One not to miss.

NOT QUITE THE FINAL COUNTDOWN FOR EUROPE + CHAKA DEMUS AND PLIERS RETURN + N-DUBZ WEDDING SINGERS?

FOR some time, long-haired bandana-wearing air-guitar-playing crowds have gathered at The Monarch for some collective classic rock worship with metal covers band Metalworks.
So imagine the shock when Europe guitarist John Norum and bassist John Leven were spotted walking past the Chalk Farm Road pub after their Roundhouse iTunes festival gig on Sunday.
After some convincing they joined the band onstage and Norum grabbed Monarch bar supervisor Gabor Dudas’ guitar to play their big hit The Final Countdown. A moment of rock bonding ensued as the pair saluted each other in a Wayne’s World-style bull-horns salute.
In the past, members of Iron Maiden, Sisters of Mercy and Judas Priest have dropped by – defo the place to be for ageing rocker-spotters.
Can't find a clip of their Monarch show but here's how it went down minutes earlier at The Roundhouse


• Here’s an amusing vision from the past - Chaka Demus and Pliers played the Jazz Cafe last week – I still have their album on cassette tape – brings back memories of some fave road trips!
• Spotted a guy asking N-Dubz on twitter how much it would cost for them to play at his wedding. Any guesses? Which twitter-active band would you ask?
• Former Record of the Week contenders Trench City play a charity gig at Charlotte Street Blues Bar on August 14 – could be fun.

KOKO'S SECRET STASH OF STRIPEY CARDIES, ROBERT PLANT'S GOLD TOUCH + THE RETURN OF MS DYNAMITE

NEXT time you’re racking your brains over where you left your favourite neon stripey cardigan after a night out, check the nearest British Heart Foundation charity shop. Turns out Koko donates all lost property there every two weeks so it’s sure to be a haven of cool-kid garb – just one fact I discovered in the smallprint of a press release about Koko being named London’s most environmentally friendly venue. Even the new roof terrace has been laid with rubber tiles from 6,600 reclaimed truck and car tyres. At least you won’t worry about getting struck by lightning.

• For some, Led Zeppelin can’t be touched and their memory must be preserved intact at all costs and left in peace. For others, anything associated with Led Zep is gilded in gold. If you’re of the latter view then Robert Plant and the latest incarnation of Band of Joy play a rare show at Kentish Town’s HMV Forum on September 2. It precedes the release of Plant’s 10th solo album Band Of Joy, recorded in Tennessee and co-produced by Nashville legend Buddy Miller. Here's a taste of what to expect:

• At The Good Ship, next Saturday (July 31), are Horseman Shakes and the Draymen. I just picked them out for their bemusing name.

• Camden revivalist Ms Dynamite joins Professor Green for the three-day Roundhouse Turning Point Festival, alongside Toddla T, Devlin and many more (September 17-19).

CATCH THE DEAD WEATHER TONIGHT

THE DEAD WEATHER
CAMDEN ROUNDHOUSE

YOU wouldn't think to look at it but, when they're not hosting shocking karaoke nights the Boston Arms in Tufnell Park's got a secret attraction that pulls in the kind of names that could headline the Roundhouse.
That's why those in the know keep an eye on their listings.
Last year White Stripes man Jack White’ ultra-cool supergroup The Dead Weather played a secret gig there – and all the paps were waiting to snap the gaggle of celebs who packed in to see them.
And, with a line-up comprising Alison Mosshart (The Kills and Discount), Jack White (White Stripes and The Raconteurs), Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age) and Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs and The Greenhornes) – there were a lot of famous friends.
But if you missed them there last year, there's still the chance to catch them in the arguably more comfortable surroundings of Camden Roundhouse on June 28.

N-DUBZ TAKE OVER YOUR TV, PRECIOUS BLACK KEYS TICKETS, GET YOUR SOCKS ON FOR MICHAEL JACKSON MEMORIAL

IF YOU'VE been lucky enough to snap up a ticket for The Black Keys at Camden Roundhouse (June 23), clutch it tight, everyone wants one and quite rightly so. 

If you’re looking to mix it up, how about some N*E*R*D* at Kentish Town Forum (June 21) – we love you Pharrell. Over at Camden Barfly there’s Aussie quartet Blackchords on June 18 and diminutive Tiny Tempah (June 21). Or if you think you can do better, how about Rockaoke at Proud Camden on June 27? Meanwhile, I need to set my TV to record the N-Dubz documentary on Channel 4 on Monday – Camden’s sure to feature heavily and these guys are always good for a laugh.

• Buskers wanted! Aspiring musicians dreaming of playing the iconic 1970s Brunswick Centre can now send in demos for consideration. All genres are welcome, see www.brunswick.co.uk/brunswicklive. Tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, acoustic pop trio Miccoli will play a special two-day gig.

• Leaping from Verdi to Erasure, Britney Spears to Peggy Lee via Jacques Brel, Judy Garland, Kylie Minogue, and Soft Cell, London Gay Men’s Chorus is bringing the stunning Seven Deadly Sins to Camden Roundhouse (June 25 & 26). Adding a touch of the urban are DNA Mix, a group of young, straight, rapping dads, who’ve teamed up with the Chorus to mash up Jealous Guy. Information fromwww.lgmc.org.uk

• It’s a year since poor Michael Jackson’s death and the famous Club de Fromage is paying tribute to the King of Pop at the 02 Academy Islington (June 26). Dig out the white ankle socks, roll up your sleeves and remember anyone in fancy dress skips the queue.