Kenny and Nicke from Hellacopters.

20.09.08

In which our hero and heroine drive about 7 Swedish miles each way in the small Iberian peninsula to catch the show of the year.

It really isn't that far. A good road trip is always a good road trip, especially when it's done Bonnie and Clyde style, a deux, cruising down the highway with music on, loving the life.

It never ceases to amaze me, the number of people who DON'T do this sort of thing. Each day that passes brings us closer to the end, so if you don't live today, there really isn't much point at all in waiting for tomorrow. So, when the Hellacopters (more on them later... a lot more) announced their last tour "before the fall", that is, the demise and break-up of the band, self-inflicted / self-pronounced though it may be, it was clear to me that we must attend, at the very least, the closest show to home. That meant cruising up to La Coruna or A Coruna as the Galicians call it. (It's all spilt milk to me anyways, the Galician pronounciation).
We checked into our 4 start hotel found via venere.com for a mere 58 euros and were off to an auspicious start there when I realized that for some reason even though we were on the same longitude (or is that latitude, I always mix those up!) with Portugal the clock was an hour ahead and we were late to meet the mighty mighty Hellacopters at their hotel. We showed up when they were just finishing dinner and heading to the venue - a cavernous, airplane-hanger style brand new convention facility where the sound, much to the band's concern, threatened to bounce off the metal ceilings and floor to ceiling glass windows on the right, bare cement walls on the left. At least the room wasn't square, and there was the promise of bodies in the room with happy tickets sales figures in the thousands... Nicke commented, "Funny that it takes us announcing a break up to bring people out to a live concert". Indeed - humans are always morbidly attracted to the end. But in this case, as he announced on stage, the night was definitely a party, not a funeral!

Testify:

For those who don't know them, over the last 14 years the Hellacopters have been a revered institution in rock n roll circles, and rightly so. Formed when Nicke, then drummer for Entombed, called up the Backyard Babies' Dregen for a jam with Kenny Håkansson (bass), and Robert Eriksson (drums), the band reportedly released their first 7" vinyl single on their own label, Psychout, and recorded it in just three takes. Old school. It didn't matter too much when Dregen left the band to stick with his own Backyard Babies - Andersson & co. carried on and firmly established their reputation as the heirs apparent to the MC5, arguably the best American rock n roll band of the 60s, and surely recognized as pioneers of the electric guitar and the use of distortion. As brother Wayne Kramer once told me, "you gotta play the amp" and not just the guitar - something few bands seem to do.

But I digress. Back to the 'copters show. On record, they have written and recorded some of the sweetest, most urgent guitar melodies of the last decade, and their rock n roll prowess is unsurpassed by any of their contemporaries. Everything about them exudes greatness, even their humility - you'd be hard-pressed to meet nicer individuals playing such music. The fact that they have decided to quit at the top of their game, releasing an album of relatively unknown songs by other bands that they are friends with and admire, is absolute proof, beyond their music, that these boys are meant for the history books, equals with the Stones, Elvis, the MC5, whoever. First class.

Thank you Hellacopters, RIP, respect (the rock).
N.

Fading Ways' Swedish street-team leader Johanna Sjoberg recently came to Portugal to catch my live acoustic set at Fabrica Braco de Prata, and before a late-night crowd of friends and family a few videos were recorded by Johanna. They are now on YouTube. Thanks Johanna for the visit, the videos, and have fun with all the Portuguese red wine back in Sweden!

After an excellent dinner last night (mussels a la poivre, garlic shrimps, and spaghetti aglio e olio with some very spicy chillies I was inspired to take a couple of photos of the bottles of red that we enjoyed. The best Portuguese reds (with some notable exceptions) are rarely exported out of the country, leaving the Portuguese to enjoy their own best wines at home for prices that, by London wine standards, are absolutely ridiculous. That extends itself across the table, however, as the mussels here are also incredibly cheap - Setubal has some of the best seafood I have ever tasted.

From left to right, in the photo, we vary in price range, in Euros, from 4.99 to under 2. These are: Herdade do Porto da Bouga, Quinta da Esperanca (Farm of Hope), Dona Ermelinda, Vila das Gamas Vidigueira and the humble JP Azeitao. While the latter is a basic budget table wine for the hard times when you're an AAWD ('alcoholic artist without dough'TM), its pedigree originates with the great Joao Pires & Sons wine estates that now include the Bacalhoa brand in Azeitao, just a few kms from Setubal. JP have some excellent reds as well as the famous Moscatel de Setubal, a great desert wine. Bacalhoa also produces one of the best cabernets I have tried, clocking in on the wallet at an astounding 14.99. That one is reserved for the successful tours and gold record parties, of course! Posh? Haha. Anyways, the JP Azeitao is Bacalhoa's humble blend of the Castelao, Aragones and Syrah castes that wins our cheapest decent wine award.

Next up we have a curious recommendation courtesy of "El Burguesito" my psychologist friend and doctor Miguel Moita (www.eraumavez.org), who must also have fallen in somewhat hard times as he used to exclusively drink Bouga. The Vila das Gamas Vidigueira, from the Alentejo region - for those not familiar with Portuguese geography, that's the province directly southeast of Setubal, covering the entire southern half of Portugal north of the Algarve. Not much goes on in the Alentejo, actually, and you can drive for a few hours through some lovely fields and rolling hills (it is mostly flat) without seeing a soul. But in the 'montes' there is typical farming activity and includes some of the countries' best vineyards. I would in fact make the case for the Alentejo region being responsible for Portugal's most enjoyable wines, although the rich northerners from the Douro river valley would obviously disagree. These are the wines of the people. But I digress.

Vila das Gamas Vidigueira, clocking in at about 2.50 blends the Alfrocheiro, Aragones, Trincadeira and Castelao castes. Note that Castelao, I believe, is also marketed under the brand name Periquita and thus widely exported - I have seen Periquita in Canada and Sweden for example. This 2006 Vidigueira is more refined than the JP Azeitao and has character - a distinct personality.

Next (to the left) is my latest find, courtesy of my sister Andreia and her man Vitor Guerreiro, who brought not just one but two bottles. Family! Dona Ermelinda, at about 3.50 damage to the wallet, is an absolutely unbelievable find (sometimes sold at a higher price, and rightly so!) from the Palmela region (just north of Setubal, beautiful old village on a hill with an amazing castle) featuring the Castelao grape once again. My new favourite, and names after the wine-maker's Grandma!

At about 4.00 Euros comes the much-awarded Quinta da Esperanca, or "Farm of Hope", featuring 6 prizes below its label including the Gold award from Canada's Selection Mondiale des Vins 2007, the German Mondus Vini prize, and the International Wine Challenge (Bronze) 2007. I suspect the caste/grape to also be Castelao, although it is not specified on the label. An excellent tasting wine as well, but not quite the Dona Ermelinda.

Finally, at 4.99, the Herdade do Porto da Bouga - available exclusively at Pingo Doce supermarkets - is already a classic around here, well deserving of mention alongside the other greats (Monte Velho, Marques de Borba, etc.) that I urge anyone visiting Portugal to try. It combines the Trincadeira, Aragones, Alicante and Syrah castes with Portugal very own Touriga Nacional grape - a national treasure!

Well, that was a lot of typing and it's made me thirsty. A nossa!

But, pray tell, what does it say? It appears to quite enjoy that little home-recorded album from last x-mas. After the Euro 2008, however, I refuse to learn any more German in protest of Ballack's arrogance and spite so unbecoming in a sportsman! Scheussliche!

And so, without further ado about the footie or unnecessary explorations of the Portuguese fear of success syndrome, I introduce to you... The Leyton Rifles:

I have been hard at work on the 5 preliminary rough mixes that will make up this exclusive Supporters' disc. You can find out more about the Phase Two of the Leyton album support package at www.fwmusicstore.co.uk. Suffice it to say that I strongly believe that a direct connection between you and my music, my music and all of you, is much more valuable than the little money that passes between us, and the artist experience is just that: priceless. I wish I could come and play guitar in all your living rooms, or could have you all come over to mine for a set or two. The need to play is stronger than me, and if wasn't for those amongst you who occasionally write me very very nice encouraging words about what I do with these musical urges, I dunno what I'd do. So thank you.

In other news, I've recently offered Jamendo the Blacklight Skies album, something I have been meaning to do for a while now. You can download it for free under the usual Creative Commons license. While you are there, check out the Fading Ways Share sampler series volumes that are up, 5, 6, and 7 I believe. It's been a few years now that I've watched Jamendo grow, and it is awesome to note that they now have 10,000 albums available. Happy 10,000 Jamendo!

Over n out for now. Need some sunblock...

Greetings from Portugal!

All great intentions aside, I was not able to make any blog entries over the 7500 kms of the 'A Reckoning...' tour, which also included a few days of R&R (no, not that r&r, that one over there) as well as three days of recording - The Leyton Rifles managed to knock off the last 5 tracks for the upcoming Elite Nylon album, which I will now spend the Summer mixing in my new home... expect further blog entries detailing the creative process of finishing the album. I've never been much good at digital mixing (no patience) but given the new realities of digital vs. analog home studios, I do have to get used to it.

So, for now, consider this brief missive as a sign that I have not entirely forgotten my blog. O, and the title? Well, for the first time in my life, I am not suffering from Post-Tour Depression Disorder, which is very common amongst touring musicians. Perhaps the cure can be prescribed to others as follows:

1) Play a good tour, have as much fun as you can, rah rah rah.
2) Plan to return not to your former home but a new one.
3) Ensure your new home is bigger than the former.
4) Sunlight. Be sure there is sunlight where you go.
5) Keep those shades on.

If all else fails, hit the road again and plan another tour. But this time, for me, that won't be necessary. Am quite happy with the new home. The sun is shining, the sea is close, the food is great and tremocos rule!

N.

I am keenly looking forward to getting the hell outta Dodge (that's London) to play an acoustic set next week in Gothenburg... all the action (acoustic action) will unfold at a club I have played before, Rock City's Rockbaren:

www.rock-city.se & www.rockbaren.com
Kristinelundsgatan 14,
41137 Göteborg

10 PM. Featuring several new songs of the 'Reckoning' Ltd. Ed. album, of which a few numbered & signed copies will be on sale...

It should be said that this gig would not happen if it wasn't for the amazing efforts and dedication of my good good friend Janne Prusti from Goteborg's Chuck Norris Experiment.

Incidentally, I should add that I am quite disgusted at the fees increase that Ryanair is charging for musical instruments. In retrospect it might have been cheaper to book my Gibson an extra seat than to pay another 25 pounds...

But hey a good Neil Leyton day isn't complete without some level of complaint or another, huh? 'Tis in my nature.

Last night in bed, however, I though of a good quote that I once read in John Cougar Mellencamp's Lonesome Jubilee album... and it shall be my motto for this London weekend prior to the Sweden trip. Sit down for this, as I don't often quote from religious texts and generally consider them to be quite dull. With that disclaimer in hand, I can appreciate and share the beauty of this passage...

"What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing...

...There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour." - Ecclesiastes I & II