Ida maria has recorded an acoustic session for Napster Live featuring four tracks, including a cover of "I got erection" by fellow Norwegians Turbonegro. I'm reluctant to install the 3rd party software required to view it, but those of you who are inclined to peep it can go here: mail.napster.com/a/hBIhEt9Aan4pgB7SDWXAZX7pbHB/naps22" target="_blank">https://email.napster.com/a/hBIhEt9Aan4pgB7SDWXAZX7pbHB/naps22

MP3: The Greencoats - Hello!

I considered saving this one for the weekly Gbg Spotlight, but I figure I might as well run with it. The Greencoats are a psych-pop-rock band featuring members from many, many other notable acts such as Franke, Bolywool and Douglas Heart along with guest appearances from malin Dahlberg (We Are Soldiers We Have Guns) and Jonas Odhner (Sonores), among others, the latter being credited with both percussion and engineering duties (often that's just as important as playing an instrument). Of those acts, Franke is probably the best reference point as they definitely have a lot of the same shambolic rock'n'roll vibe and devil-may-care attitude, though The Greencoats go for a far more retro feel. For instance, check out those excessive drum fills and tell me you don't think of Keith moon. And that organ tone, too 0- total 60s rock. I dig this.

The Greencoats - Hello!

Convoj/The House Floor
Split 7"
Sound/Friends Network

I should've covered this one ages ago, so here's to making up for lost time! It's a new song from Convoj and I'm incredibly excited about it as I've been waiting for new material from these guys for ages upon ages. And now with rumours of a new album actually coming to fruition (finally!), we might as well check back in here for a taste of what to expect and well, they certainly didn't reinvent the wheel on this one -- if you dug the band's previous postpunk-influenced, angular rock'n'roll noisepop, then you will be contented. They're as great as ever, with powerful, driving beats and compelling, exuberant vocals. Pity it's only one track, but I'll take what I can get.

Elsewhere, on the flipside, we're treated to a track by Virginia-based act The House Floor. They're a band who follows in the fine harDCore tradition of their neighbors, 'cept that instead of taking after Fugazi (yay!), they tend to follow more in the footsteps of Jawbox (boo!). The song is way too long, it doesn't go anywhere and it has no hooks whatsoever. A decent rhythm section doesn't make it okay, in fact it only disappoints me more because it means they're not talentless.

On a more positive tip, it's worth noting that the art direction on this record is great. I love the cover design and limited palette of black, grays and blue printed on heavy white paper. The matching white vinyl is a nice touch, too.
- Avi Roig

Thomas Denver Jonsson is ooing to the UK in September:

09/18 - Catweazle Club, Oxford
09/20 - The Electric Dustbowl: Americana UK live!, The musician, Leicester
09/21 - The Golden Fleece, Nottingham
09/22 - Vox @ The Vale, Glasgow

Apparently he's also playing the It's a Trap! Clubnight at Debaser malmö on August 9, but I'm waiting for official confirmation before I post anything. Jonas?

Suburban Kids with Biblical Names will contribute a new song to a split 7" being put out by UK label OIB Records. In other news, they'll be playing the "A Day at the Races" fest in manchester, England on August 2.

Cafe Superstar is offering up a free download of various friends and artists doing cover and remix versions of every song from Frode Fivel's album "A kid is just a kid": m/" target="_blank">https://www.cafesuperstar.com/

Drummer Tim Flinth has parted ways with When We Fall. Read the band's full statement: myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4667144&blogID=417479143" target="_blank">https://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4667144&blogID=417479143

Lampshade report that they've completed work on seven new tracks. One happens to be a cover of "Den støjende tid" by Nikolaj Nørlund which will probably end up on a comp this coming fall and they also did a track called "Silkesår" which will feature guest vocals from Teitur.

"Reader's companion" alums Fun have posted their European tour diary from may: m/popup_index.php?text&text=euro_tour_2008" target="_blank">https://www.noisecorewalze.com/popup_index.php?text&text=euro_tour_2008
Expect the usual Finnish debauchery and maybe a few surprises?

Detektivbyrån is seeking road crew help: m/3372150/" target="_blank">https://detektivbyran.blog.com/3372150/

Now in-stock: m/store/product.php?productid=585">Christian & Karla-Therese Kjellvander - Santiago Alquimista et al - Live
Yep, that's right! It's the new Christian Kjellvander live album recorded with his wife Karla-Therese (a fine musician on her own, I might add). I'm not sure I'm supposed to be selling these yet, but screw it! Act first, apologize later! Tack Fredrik!

Also back in stock and ready for ordering:

m/store/product.php?productid=467">Kristofer Åström - RainawayTown (CD)
m/store/product.php?productid=73">Kristofer Åström & Hidden Truck - So much for staying alive (2CD)
m/store/product.php?productid=147">Kristofer Åström & Hidden Truck - Go, went, gone (CD)

Crucified Barbara will support Backyard Babies on tour in the UK and elsewhere:

09/02 - Academy 2, Birmingham
09/03 - Rock City, Nottingham
09/04 - Academy 2, Newcastle
09/05 - Cathouse, Glasgow, Scotland
09/06 - Corporation, Sheffield
09/07 - Academy 3, manchester
09/09 - Concorde 2, Brighton
09/10 - The Brook, South Hampton
09/11 - T.J's, Newport, Wales
09/12 - ULE, London
09/13 - Waterfront, Rotterdam, Holland

The Local talks to Sofia Talvik as she prepares to tour the US for the first time: https://www.thelocal.se/13228/20080723/

metal martyr reports that Iron maiden will face off in a game of football (aka, soccer if you live in the US) tomorrow July 24 against an all-star Norwegian team featuring members from Dimmu Borgir, Cadaver, Turbonegro and more: metalmartyr.com/iron-maiden-strappin-on-their-football-boots/" target="_Blank">https://www.metalmartyr.com/iron-maiden-strappin-on-their-football-boots/

Dagens Nyheter on Live Nation's domination of the Swedish live music scene plus an interview with Thomas Johansson, head of the company's business strategy for Europe and Asia: https://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2198&a=807546 (in Swedish)