Photos/Review: ATP I'll Be Your Mirror (London, UK) Day Two

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

All Tomorrow's Parties I'll Be Your Mirror (London UK) Day Two - May 26, 2012
Photos/Review: Rhona "Wiglet Bill" Aquilina

Arriving at London’s Alexandra Palace for day two of IBYM 2012, it is immediately apparent that it is much quieter than day one. Obviously there aren’t many things louder than Slayer yesterday, but there are many fewer people around today. As I gaze at the time card for today’s shows I notice that the Great Hall where Melvins, Sleep and Slayer played yesterday isn’t being used today. Rather, yesterday’s ‘B venue’ The West Hall is now the main stage and a second stage has been set up in the Panorama Room.
As there is a small wait before the bands begin, we decided to locate the Panorama Room since we had no idea where it was. When we found the room we were relieved that no one we really wanted to see was playing in there. The clue is most definitely in the title “Panorama Room”: It was a long narrow room, with one long side made up almost entirely of windows, looking out over the park. Whilst it was a lovely view, it was incredibly bright in there, especially since London was undergoing a heat-wave.

We left the Panorama room and crossed over into West Hall to check out Umberto, billed as ‘horror score creep-scapes for the digital age’. I must admit it didn’t float my boat, perhaps I just wasn’t in the mood. Aware that there were extra curricular activities to be enjoyed in the park we decided to take a look at the boating lake (which was lovely) and vowed to return for Floor.

Mudhoney documentary "I’m Now" screening in Seattle on June 8

I wasn't even aware that a documentary on Mudhoney was in the making, but it appears that I'm Now is completed and will be premiering appropriately at The Triple Door in Seattle on June 8. Do we have any readers in Seattle that plan on going? There is an 8pm showing open to all ages, and then a 10:30pm screening that is 21 and over. Tickets can be purchased online or over the phone by calling 206.838.4333.

According to the press release:

This documentary tells the story of Mudhoney from their very beginnings, to following them on their recent world tour and everything in between. Complete with testimonials from friends, music industry veterans, and musicians such as Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard & Jeff Ament, Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore & Kim Gordon, Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil, and Mudhoney themselves, this movie shows the true story of the founding fathers of Grunge (please do not describe Mudhoney as the founding fathers of Grunge).

I’m Now is a portrait of a band that has seen and done it all, while never losing site of why they originally started playing music… to have a good time!

The website for the film offers no information as to when the documentary will be playing elsewhere (the CBGB Festival seems like it would be appropriate), but we’ll keep you updated on any screenings in the NYC area. Below, watch two teaser trailers for I’m Now, and let us know if you make it in…

All Tomorrow's Parties Announces I'll Be Your Mirror London 2012 Festival

What the WHAT?!

Oh, All Tomorrow's Parties. Your I'll Be Your Mirror Festival in Asbury Park, NJ feels like just yester(day 1, day 2, day 3). And today the venerable festival promoters have confirmed the second UK I'll Be Your Mirror event, to be held in London's Alexandra Palace from May 25-27, 2012.

And have they got some cool stuff planned for you Londoners. Not only is the festival curated by Mogwai (who we're still waiting to see in NYC...), but it'll be headlined by Guided By Voices (with new material!) and will feature Slayer performing Reign In Blood in its entirety on the first night of the festival. Other acts confirmed so far include Sleep, Melvins, the reunited Codeine (!!!!!), Mudhoney (!!), and easy Future Nostalgia contenders Yuck. Damn, you guys.

Tickets go on sale this Friday (11/11) at 10am GMT - check out ATP's page for a breakdown of single day and weekend pass prices. Oh, and did we mention there's a trailer for the Slayer portion of the event? Because there is, and you can check it out after the jump.

Interview: Mark Arm (Mudhoney, Green River)

Mudhoney (left to right: Steve Turner, Guy Maddison, Mark Arm, Dan Peters) Photo credit: Shawn Brackbill

by Francesca McCaffery

Mudhoney are probably one of the most defining and significant bands of the early Seattle underground music scene in the early nineties, which of course became horrifically termed “grunge” forever after. With wailing lead singer and guitarist Mark Arm, drummer Dan Peters, guitarist Steve Turner, bassist Matt Lutkin (present bassist, Guy Maddison), Mudhoney’s roaring, nostalgia-free punk sound both inspired and paved the way for Soundgarden and Nirvana’s astonishing commercial success. Mudhoney continue to play their wonderfully searing and sonic punk rock today. Singer Mark Arm recently spoke with us about the band’s early success, his favorite bands as a kid, Mudhoney’s upcoming album, and that damn callous in his throat.

Francesca McCaffery: I wanted to start out and ask about your very, very beginnings-how you actually got to be a real, authentic rock star without selling out for a second. We’re particularly interested in your beginnings with one of your first bands: Green River. (Half of the band, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament went on to form Pearl Jam.)

Mark Arm: I really at this point don’t remember all the facts, necessarily. It’s so long ago! I kind of remember…but when things happen so long ago, it’s kind of hard to remember what was real, after telling the story so many times. I’m not sure how far away from the truth they are, if that makes any sense? But when we got together for the Sub Pop 20th anniversary in 2008, you know, I had to go back and listen to Green River records. And it really just became apparent to me, the way the music was, the way it was produced… it was kind of, much lighter than the shit that I was bringing to it.

Mixtape: Fucking Nostalgic #2 (Fairytale in the Supermarket)

Yesterday was Record Store Day. Unfortunately it fell on the day after my birthday so sleep was necessary. Meaning I missed all the good exclusive stuff. Still picked up some records though, all of which are included in this mix.

Fairytale in the Supermarket - the Raincoats

Rory Rides Me Raw - the Vaselines

Disorder - Joy Division

The Biggest Lie - Hüsker Dü

Dead Love - Mudhoney

Life is Shit - the Dead Milkmen

The Sprawl - Sonic Youth

Toadies/Retreat - the Minutemen

All World Cowboy Romance - Mission of Burma

Available to stream or download below...

Fucking Nostalgic #2 (Fairytale in the Supermarket) by csgersbeck

Welcome

Hello -

I fervently follow and admire new music, yet when a veteran band like Mission of Burma releases a new album, I can't help but admit that it blows 99% of what I listen to out of the water. Hence "Fucking Nostalgic." Because I'll always be fucking nostalgic about what shaped my musical tastes, and I'm sure many avid music listeners will say the same. There is a stigma attached to "reunion" tours that they are about nothing but cashing in. But as Polvo, Mudhoney, Wire and Dinosaur Jr. have taught me, truly innovative and original bands cease to hang up their creativity with age.

Stay tuned for live concert photos/reviews, interviews, weekly vinyl mixtapes, essays, and in depth album reviews from music's past.

J Mascis @ Swan Dive (BrooklynVegan SXSW Day Party) 3/19/11. More here.