Clap Your Hands

 

This musical journey through songs that feature handclapping takes us back to the 1970's. Do Anything You Wanna Do shot up the charts in 1977. Eddie and the Hod Rods were classified as a punk band because of their fast-paced guitar playing and their ‘do whatever you want’ attitude. In fact, they were one of the last successful pub rock bands, and their only connection to punk rock was that the Sex Pistols were their support act and smashed up their kit.

There’s no need to talk about Slade and their significance to glam rock.

There’s no doubt that Gary Glitter should be featured in this series as a representative of rock and roll. But I thought long and hard about whether I should give a convicted paedophile a platform. Ultimately, the song is not to blame for its criminal performer.

Chapter 3

 

Bedford Falls Players is a collective from DJ's and producers from the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire area. Founded by Mark Cooper, they have consistently released excellent tracks and remixes over the last few years. Their latest EP The Moon was released a few weeks ago. Hard beats, a thumping bass and occasional guitar riffs are reminiscent of a 1970s soundtrack set against the backdrop of endless motorways. 

Trade Secrets

 

Duncan Gray, the founder of the excellent tici taci label, has just released a new track that seems absolutely perfect for the summer. A gently captivating indie dancefloor track with a distinctive bass line that drives the track forward. Bleeps, sweeps and a twangy sound provide the necessary highlights in a very good track. 

Monday's Long Song

 

Just in time for the start of summer, another heatwave has hit southern Germany. Temperatures of around 30 degrees are drawing thousands to the outdoor swimming pools, and there is no sign of the heat letting up in the coming days. We are expecting temperatures to rise to just under 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday. This means that any physical exertion leaves you drenched in sweat, and a fan is the most frequently used household item. 

Musically speaking, I’ve also taken it down a notch in this heat and have been listening to Rhythm Collision again. The Ruts were at the forefront of British punk when they formed in 1978. With their political punk, infused with reggae elements and a flair for melody, national fame was guaranteed.  

After their singer, Malcolm Owen, sadly passed away following a heroin overdose, the band – now calling themselves Ruts DC – set out in search of a new sound. Alongside this, they played as Kevin Coyne’s backing band; he also lent them 1,000 pounds so they could record another album. Working with producer Mad Professor, they consistently pursued a dub reggae direction and, in 1982, released one of their best albums, which unfortunately failed to attract nearly enough buyers, leading the band to eventually split up shortly afterwards.  

Ruts DC Meet Mad Professor - Love And Fire

Die Summe der einzelnen Teile

 

Kante are a German indie band who released a number of good albums around the turn of the century. Their calm, flowing blend of post-rock and krautrock, with German lyrics, quickly won over the German indie scene, and with Die Summe der einzelnen Teile they even had a hit in the indie charts.

Lyrically, they refer to the famous quote by the Greek philosopher Aristotle: ‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.’ Which makes sense, given that on their second album they incorporated string and wind instruments into their sound to create something new and more beautiful.

This band came back to mind when I heard Acid Pauli’s recently released remix. He’s turned this track into a faster-paced techno version that really works. It’s great that the next generation still remembers the classics from a quarter of a century ago.

Clap Your Hands

 

This edition of clapping hands spans three decades of music. Let’s start with a song from the disco era. In 1977, a French producer duo had the idea of incorporating flamenco rhythms into disco beats. Santa Esmeralda turned it into a global hit, which younger listeners will only recognise from the final sword fight scene between Kiddo and O-Ren Ishii in Kill Bill.

The American singer-songwriter Sam Beam, also known as Iron & Wine, has also drawn inspiration from flamenco. Although castanets rather than clapping hands set the rhythm, this video is worth featuring here.

One of The Temptations’ absolute classics from the sixties simply has to feature in this series.

That's What It Sounded Like When They Started

 

2005 saw the first internet craze surrounding a band of which only a handful of songs could be found online. Their concerts were sold out without a single song ever having been officially released. That all changed overnight when Arctic Monkeys, four lads from Sheffield, were signed to a record label and released their debut album.

That all changed overnight when Arctic Monkeys, four lads from Sheffield, were signed to a record label and released their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am That’s What I’m Not. That all changed overnight when Arctic Monkeys, four lads from Sheffield, were signed to a record deal and released their debut single, I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor. The album eventually shot to number one in the charts, leaving the likes of Robbie Williams and the Sugacubes trailing behind.

What did the Arctic Monkeys have that others didn’t? Many bands have incorporated the sound of days gone by into their music, but the Arctic Monkeys were the first to blend wave-pop, non-indie rock, and – above all – 1970's funk and soul with crashing guitars and vocals reminiscent of a hoarse Johnny Rotten. What’s more, they brought back memories of perfect bass lines, driving drums and long-forgotten guitar solos. They subsequently moved away from this style, adopting a more earthy sound and more sophisticated songs.

Arctic Monkeys - Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured

Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor

Arctic Monkeys - Dancing Shoes

Arctic Monkeys - Fake Tales Of San Francisco