Martha and the Vandellas at The Button Factory, May 8th, 2014

Martha Reeves and The Vandellas at The Button Factory Factory last Thursday night. Either you were there, or you're sad. She can still sing, is still feisty, and still rocks, at 72. One of the great aspects of the show was the pan-generational audience - grannies in their 60s and 70s, and 16-19 year old, all grooving. Smiles all round.

Frank

I saw Frank this evening. Not a bad movie, but nothing to do with Frank Sidebottom. Do not consider it a biopic. A bit suspect the way they make him American. Also a bit suspect the way they retrospectively superimpose social media on a scene for which it had not even been invented. Meh! Alright, but a bit of a cynical exercise.

I loved Adam And Paul, and liked Garage, but with What Kevin Did, and now Frank, 

Lenny Abrahamson has gone right downhill.

A straight's idea of indie music.

A Shonen Knife movie - by a first time director

Shonen Knife at Whelan's, May 6th, 2014

Cracking show by Shonen Knife in Whelan's last night, the third time I've seen them in said venue. They haven't disappointed me so far. As the man said:

"There are two kinds of people in the world: those who love trashy Japanese girl pop/rock, and those who have something wrong with them."

Or as the title of the 1989 tribute album to them goes: Every Band Has A Shonen Knife Who Loves Them:

http://www.allmusic.com/album/every-band-has-a-shonen-knife-who-loves-them-mw0000654531 

PS Also a mention for support Kate's Party. Good tunes, and an adventurously idiosyncratic young guitarist...

So this chap approached me on Bridgefoot Street today and said: "You look like an intellectual sort of man. Do you know what the answer is?" Says I: "The answer to what?" Says he: "The answer is blown' in the wind."

The Double, Calvary

So I was at a couple of press shows of films this week. The Double, on Monday, is not very good, quite ordinary in fact. Certainly not as good as it thinks it is. But, then again, Richard Ayoade's previous film, his debut, Submarine, although it has a few nice touches, wasn't that great either. On the evidence of two films, he seems to specialise in deeply annoying central characters. Either you have sympathy for them, or you don't. Or maybe they just wear out your sympathy.

Happily, Calvary, on Tuesday, more than made up for yesterday's disappointment. At the risk of critical hyperbole, I have to say I think it's almost perfect. Probably the best Irish film since Adam and Paul. 'Irish and so black', as Robert Forster of The Go-Betweens had it, in a different context. Following the enjoyable romp that was his debut The Guard, this episodic, immersive study of faith and existential doubt (as well as being a casual who-is-going-to-do-it), marks director John Michael McDonagh out as not merely one to watch, but someone who could be destined for greatness. Brendan Gleeson is great too, as are all the other familiar actorly faces. Most importantly, it doesn't sentimentally bottle it, but follows through.

I always get so cheered up when I see a great film after a medicare or bad one.

Simone Felice at Whelan's - Saturday, March 29th, 2014

Simone Felice played a killer set at Whelan's last night. A real treat to be there. Check out his 

new album, Strangers. He and his excellent band of two are in Belfast tonight.