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February 29, 2008
Neon Lights: Eamon Hamilton
The final performer on Saturday's kick off to the 2008 Neon Lights calendar is Eamon Hamilton, better known to the blog-music devotee as singer and songwriter for Brakes (you can triple that if you feel so inclined). The Brighton, UK band is signed to Rough Trade in the UK, which has brought us such flashes in the pan as the Smiths. He wrote one of the most laser focused political songs of these dark days containing only the lyrics, "Cheney, Cheney, Cheney, Cheney, Cheney, Cheney, Cheney/ Stop being such a dick." Their latest record, 2007's The Beatific Visions drew Trans-Atlantic praise that most bands would murder for in publications like NME, Spin, Pitchfork, and the BBC. With that record's successor on his mind already, Eamon's solo set will see some newbies mixed in among the proven oldies. He's been touring this set around the UK, opening for his old band mates British Sea Power, and occasionally wrestling behind them on national television. This will be the first time this material will be played in this manner, for US audiences. Not too bad for our first ever European import.
A smattering of audio-visual evidence for review:
Brakes - "Hold Me in the River"
In which our man, the pugilist, tries his hand at suburban boxing and gratuitously mentions Scarlett Johansson.
Brakes - "Hold Me in the River"
Brakes - "Hi How Are You?/"Heard About Your Band"
(live @ Trash, London)
This first rant against mid-song audience chatter will likely greet any patrons whose late night drinking has effected their internal volume control. And the second war against incessant self-promotion likely applies to Williamsburg in even greater depth than in did to London.
Brakes - "Beatific Visions"
(live @ Chop Suey, Seattle, WA)
You'd think that the song above, a sweet melodic pop song, would translate best to a man-and-his-guitar revamp. Or perhaps it'll be the tender country winders such as the one below that are best suited to the troubadour act...
We'll all find out together on Saturday night/ Sunday morning, I suppose.
And even though I don't think he was with them at this point, how about a song from Eamon's running buddies British Sea Power, just for kicks.
British Sea Power - "Fear of Drowning" (early single version)
Remember folks that you still have a pair of opportunities to gain free admission to the extravaganza, and see Eamon along with Crystal Stilts and Titus Andronicus. For the first, check the details at Prefix and for the second just avert your attention to a previous post on this very site. Your reasons for resistance are looking ever thinner...
Posted by Jeff Klingman at February 29, 2008 09:35 AM
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