Lisa
Simon Live at The Islington
Celebrating the reissue of Denial and Looking Out, Looking In in a pub music room, the intimate setting was the perfect pitch for one of The Who’s longstanding touring men.
Simon's New Albums
Simon Townshend began his musical career at nine when he was enlisted to join the chorus of the Who rock opera ‘Tommy,’...
Fireworks Review - New Lamps Album
Tunbridge Wells Pop Rock trio The Standard Lamps’ reputation has been on the rise after coveted support slots with The Who (including the Hyde park concert in June), Wilko Johnson – whose manager was suitable impressed enough to sign them – and The Bluetones.
With a laid-back, bluesy edge, TSL ease through a feel good album with a loose, are free attitude as found on the title track or Who-tinged ‘The Model World’. It’s easy to see why TSL are so popular live with a sound ready-made for small Blues clubs or large festival arenas.
‘Cats and Dogs’ has echoes of Deep Purple, whilst ‘Bigger Things’ is more simplistic with its whistled intro and gentle acoustic guitar and harmonica. The Skiffle style of ‘Living With Mum And Dad’ is dexterous and entertaining while the more overt Rock and Roll of ‘You Don’t Listen To Your Records Anymore’ is the sort of tune to get everyone up at dancing at the end of a summer music festival.
The Standard Lamps’ “less is more” approach to song-writing and playing is refreshing in an age where overproduced bands fail to deliver the goods to a live audience. Definitely one to watch in 2016.
Mike Newdeck
The Standard Lamps
‘Long Lost Love’
(Right Track)
Modern/Alternative
Los Pacaminos (feat. Paul Young) - The Early Years
Authentic and Lovingly Crafted Tex-Mex from the Heart of London Town.
I’ve been a fan of Paul Young (Wherever I Lay My Hat etc.) from his days in the Q Tips; one of the finest Soul/R&B Revues I’ve ever seen; and their version of SYLJFM is still in my Top 10 of all time; so it pains me to say a) I’ve never seen his latest incarnation – Los Pacaminos play live; and b) I actually had no idea they had released three albums and a couple of EP’s!
Thankfully with this sparkly new disc (there’s a second waiting for review soon, too) I’m finally putting b) right; but sadly; like cheap French wine; the band don’t travel very well, so I guess I won’t see them play live any time soon.
So; to the music……
The opening track My, My, My starts with a glorious accordion break from Matty Irving; and it’s not too far away from the Pogues ‘Fiesta;’ and the song itself sets the tone for a frivolous but exceptionally well executed hour or so of ‘Border Music;’ taking in styles as diverse as Ry Cooder through to Buddy Holly, Doug Sahm and even Hollywood Elvis.
Second track Manana; slows things down with a delightful Rumba beat; as Paul Young does his finest ‘Aloha’ Elvis impression; or at least so it sounds to me….and I love it.
As I understand it, all of the songs on the original album are self-penned; but any or all could easily come from the back catalogue of the Sir Douglas Quintet, The Mavericks or even the lighter/fun side of Tom Russell. Early on Perdita is guaranteed to get even me, with my two left feet on the dance-floor; as will the glorious Raised on Margaritas and I would love to direct a video for the waltz-time ballad, Poor Boys.
The Ry Cooder influence oozes out of every note on the instrumental Terra D’Ensuenos and fans of the Mavericks would crawl over flaming coal to hear that band sing No Seas Tonto Mujer; which is sung in a very authentic sounding Spanish by the All English Band.
There’s not a bad song among the 15 tracks on offer; and me and Mrs. Magpie ended up having harsh words over which is the best song here; both songs come from the Rare EP’s; with me loving their reconstruction of You’d Better Move On; which sounds nothing at all like the Rolling Stones version that I grew up listening too; and is all the better for it; and Mrs. Magpie has plumped for Hey Baby Que Paso; which I have a copy by the legendary Texas Tornados; who were probably another huge influence on the fledgling Los Pacaminos.
I first played this album on one of the first sunny days of Spring; and now two weeks later I’ve decided it would be like a little ray of South x South Western sunshine on the wettest of British Summer days.
Los Pacaminos (Featuring Paul Young)
The Early Years
Recado Records
Released April 22nd 2016
Los Pacaminos - A Fistful of Statins
You know you’re getting old, when that fresh faced laddie from Streetband turns out to be sixty years old, and singing with a London based Tex Mex band. But that’s life.
To be fair, I had a vague recollection of Paul Young being interviewed about his new venture, but had never heard any of their material until now. And with their two albums being reissued, it’s a fine time to catch up with them. Because they are very good at what they do.
And it’s straight down the middle tex Mex, with accordions galore, a touch of Western Swing, and the still impressive vocals of Mr Young. With the band chock full of well respected musos, it’s clear that this is something they really enjoy doing, rather than just being paid for it.
Which probably explains the decade long gap between releases. Both albums have been expanded, with the debut gaining three tracks from an early EP, and “A Fistful Of Statins” gaining two brand new tracks and a cover of the Bee Gees ‘Words’.
I’d missed all this first time around, but have had a real blast getting to grips with this. Don’t let it slide this time
The Rocker 24th April 2016
BUY 'A Fistful of Statins' at Amazon
'Long Lost Love' - MOJO Review
Who-endorsed suburban diarists take a stand for the common man.
Having supported the Bluetones, Kentish power trio The Standard Lamps were adopted by the Who for their 2014 Arena tour, on which charismatic and chatty frontman Mike Wilton, a lightly bearded, cardigan-wearing young Townshen-alike, faced the 10,000-strong crowds as if he was playing in a front room.
Their first ‘proper’ LP, given a sparky mix by Who/Manics engineer Sean Genockey, has an equally at-home feel, its tales of life in the English suburbs (one song is disarmingly called Living With Mum And Dad) recalling the unguarded lyrical candour of early Difford or Weller and the neat song craft of The Jam, Costello and Gallagher. Titles such as The Model World and 12:15 might echo others’ past glories but they’re still perfect creations in their own right – and boy, the Lamps’ crunching power-rock digressions are a thing to treasure.
Pat Gilbert, MOJO
A Double at the Half Moon
As part of Independent Music Week, Simon and The Lamps will be performing 'on the double' at the famous Half Moon in Putney on Frifay 29th January.
Now in its third year, Independent Music Week is a 7-day nationwide celebration but with a local grassroots focus. Over 120 venuse around the country are taking part in what will be a massive boost to local music, with a heady cocktail of bands and performers.
Simon and the Lamps are honoured to be taking part and can't wait to give their fans the perfect start to what promises to be a great 2016!
Saddle Up, Stetsons On - Los Pacaminos Review
Mix together one large shot of Tequila add a touch of Paul Young & top with some embroidered Cowboy Boots and you have the perfect cocktail for a great night out.
Los Pacaminos certainly didn’t disappoint. This vibrant musical talent brought humour and toe tapping Tex Mex music to the Ropetackle Centre in Shoreham.
You may be forgiven for thinking that Paul was the sole focus of the audience but you los pacaminos would be wrong. Undoubtedly there were many fans of his in the audience, his reputation as a recording artist and 80's icon precedes him, but it was an eclectic mix in the crowd.
The cowboy shirts gave away many of the people who had seen Los Pacaminos before but equally there were those in the audience (including us) that had not seen the band before so had no preconceptions as to what to expect.
From the get go you could tell it was going to be a night where it would be impossible to sit still for long and not be absorbed into the music. For any Paul Young fans this is a very different but equally exciting side to his musical talent. Full credit should go to Los Pacaminos for creating songs and a set where it genuinely didn’t matter if you had not heard the tracks before, it never felt that you were listening for a first time. Each are consummate musicians and Drew Barfield’s rendition of ‘Belle’ was definitely a personal favourite of the evening.
It is also clear that the band have a passion for what they are doing and enjoy the buzz that only comes from performing in more intimate venues. The close interaction between musician and audience is what transforms a night – it unites both in that moment.
Los Pacaminos - Here’s hoping it's not too long before they pay Sussex a visit again and that Paul will also bring a future solo tour to Brighton.
If you manage to catch Los Pacaminos on their current tour what you will come away with is not only the song ‘Tequila’ repeating itself automatically on involuntary shuffle in your head but the feeling that you have been part of an amazing night’s entertainment. Enjoy.
Review by Sussex What's On - November 18th 2015
The Lamps supporting The Who
As if to hammer home the benefits of youth, support act The Standard Lamps at times look and sound uncannily like the Who of 40 years ago...
...their gangly, light-bearded singer and guitarist Mike Wilton sharing Townshend's easy way with a big crowd, and teasing everything from scratchy skiffly rhythms to hard, proggy riffs from a cherry red SG. A three-piece, they are tight and bluesy, with Wilton riffing on his harmonica, but they're also able to deftly channel The Jam's angled, modernist pop on tracks such as The Modern World.
MOJO magazine - Review of The Lamps supporting The Who at Nottingham Capital FM Arena 2015
TSL and The Bluetones
"Next up was a very lively and loveable trio from Tunbridge Wells called The Standard Lamps.
They opened up with their rolling track ‘I’m a Little Bit Scared of You’ which was a great way to introduce themselves to the near capacity audience who had flocked to the O2 in Bristol on this Sunday night for a stunning night of musical entertainment.
Next up, they played ‘The Model World’, a song that had been recently featured on Radio 2 courtesy of Janice Long’s ‘After Midnight’ show, it was aired at 12:41am and they went on to say that their trucker fan-base had increased drastically!"
MusicMuso review of The Lamps supporting The Bluetones September 2015
Full review is HERE
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