INTRODUCTION
It's the 10th issue of MILC, and there's lots to smile about!!
That's right. Our bi-monthly portal of Miloco-related facts (and maybe at points fiction!) has reached double figures, prompting us all to throw caution to the wind and celebrate triumphantly at this landmark achievement. OK it might not be the same as reaching the summit of Everest, or walking on the moon, but it ain't bad for a bunch of laughing cows who 20 months ago set about on a mission to fulfil their passions in recording studio reportage, and hence began to share their resulting produce, MILC, with the knowledge-thirsty world of music fanatics.So 20 months and 10 issues later, and what do we have in store for you this time? Well it is of enormous satisfaction to present an interview with one of the UK's most successful producers of the last two decades, Gareth Jones, who shall be sharing his experiences, wisdom and knowledge whilst discussing his illustrious career in the music industry. Elsewhere, we shall be introducing you to one of our insanely talented engineers, Mark Rankin, our very close friends and neighbours, Terminal Studios, and two new and hugely exciting artists to have recently occupied Miloco studios: Underground Heroes and Ripchord. We shall also continue with regular features Client Watch, and the recently established Equipment Spotlight, this time featuring the expert knowledge of Miloco engineer Joe Hirst on our Altec Compressor at The Square studio.
So never one to encourage a long and over-indulgent introduction to a truly fantastic tale, we shall leave you with the 10th - and dare I say it spellbinding - issue of MILC.
Contents
Gareth Jones
Producer Interview Mark Rankin
Staff Profile Miloco Client Watch
Recent Clients at Miloco Altec 436c Compressor
Equipment Spotlight
Producer Interview Mark Rankin
Staff Profile Miloco Client Watch
Recent Clients at Miloco Altec 436c Compressor
Equipment Spotlight
Underground Heroes
New artist profile Ripchord
New artist profile Terminal StudiosFriends of Miloco
New artist profile Ripchord
New artist profile Terminal StudiosFriends of Miloco
Producer Interview
Gareth Jones
He was a major cog in the engine that propelled Depeche Mode and Erasure into global stardom in the 1980s. He was a key
figure in the rise of German industial 'noise' music, by working with Einsturzende Neubauten and Palais Schaumburg. He's
produced and engineered Interpol, Madness, Orbital, Inspiral Carpets, Nick Cave, Moby, Skunk Anansie, The Futureheads
and Embrace to name very few. Damn it, he even built The Garden studio while working with John Foxx (of Ultravox
fame, and the then-owner of the studio) as his engineer. The Garden is of course now Miloco 4.
Throughout our own history, he has worked in our various studios with the likes of Sheep On Drugs, The House Of Love, Philip Boa, Sons And Daughters and Erasure themselves. Having very recently reinforced his long-term relationship with Miloco whilst producing the debut album for the fast-rising Southend band, These New Puritans, we thought it was about time we paid a tribute to the master himself. Step this way to find out what happened when MILC met Gareth Jones
Staff profile
Mark Rankin
Recently securing credits on forthcoming albums by the likes of Kate Nash, Acoustic Ladyland and Underground Heroes, it is clear to see that Mark's skills are beecoming increasingly in demand, which is why you should learn a little more about the man. So, come hither for the MILC staff profile on the hugely gifted Mark Rankin...
Miloco client watch
Client Watch
The average Briton is caught on CCTV roughly 300 times a day, so we thought we'd put such a staggeringly preposterous statistic into good use and keep a watchful eye on our clients' day-to-day affairs by tapping into the system. Hacking into Police computer systems / nerdish surfing on music anorak websites. What's the difference? Here's Client Watch.Miloco clients shine at Great Escape
Festival season has landed, and an army of Milocees past, present, and undoubtedly future, have already been through mounds of guitar strings, drum skins, and even first aid boxes as a result of many scintillating shows. Brighton's Great Escape Festival was indeed testament to this, with headliners Gallows stealing the show over two unforgettable performances of their razor-sharp, gut-wrenching punk onslaught. On the Thursday night, guitarist Stephen Carter needed stitches in his head after clattering himself with his axe, and there could well have been more A&E occurrences, judging by the near-carnage of Friday night's moshpit at Zap. A huge congratulations to all our clients on their show-stopping gigs, amongst them: Kate Nash, These New Puritans, Foals, Alberta Cross, Late Of The Pier, Ali Love, The Pistolas, Friendly Fires, Art Brut, Mumm-Ra, The Dykeenies, The Maccabees, and basically every other band there ever was. If we have missed you out, it doesn't mean we don't love you!!
www.escapegreat.com
Patrick Wolf's ton of tittle-tattle
To be a fly on the wall in the life of Patrick Wolf over the last couple of months would have been either inspiring, compelling, tiring, possibly a little confusing or a combination of all of them, and I'll tell you why. On March 23, our favourite electro-folkie announced multiple dates across Europe and America, and hence set forth on a jolly jaunt with Amy Winehouse to promote his recent LP, 'The Magic Position'. Fans were jubilant. On April 23 he announced on a webchat he was to quit music for good after growing bored and angry with the media constantly "cross-checking" him. Fans were traumatised. On April 27 he denied he ever meant that he was to retire, and was simply a bit smashed when deciding to test his fans reaction to such a statement on the webchat that night. Fans were perplexed. The latest chapter in this story of multiple tangents emerged on May 16, when our beloved Patrick claimed he'd be around forever and quitting music would be on a par with committing suicide. Fans were relieved, and perhaps a little scared. To be continued...
www.patrickwolf.com
Jarvis Cocker to curate this year's Meltdown
The Meltdown Festival hits London's Southbank Centre on June 16 for a week, and this year Jarvis Cocker will take the helm and steer the event from the very start to the very finish. Previously curated by John Peel and Morrissey, Meltdown this year will be shining the spotlights on such unknowns as Iggy & The Stooges, Motorhead and Jesus & Mary Chain, courtesy of Jarvis' wooing powers. More acts to follow...
www.myspace.com/jarvspace
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/meltdown
Sean Ryder speaks of new Mondays album, produced by Howie B
Anyone who witnessed Howard Marks attempt to interview Sean Ryder at the Great Escape Festival on Friday May 18 will know that Sean is a hard egg to crack, in terms of getting any useful words out of him. However someone prior to Marks did get him speaking - if only minimally - about the forthcoming Happy Mondays album, co-produced by Miloco favourite Howie B, and Quincy Jones' grandson, Sammy Levine. Described by Ryder as "fresher" sounding than their 1990 classic 'Pills Thrills and Bellyaches', the new album was halted in its promotional plans when Sean's partner-in-crime Bez (the skinny one dancing like a monkey with marraccas) was denied entry to the US. The legendary Manchester band will play a selection of UK venues throughout June.
www.myspace.com/happymondaysmusic
Bloc Party in Ibiza!
It's a non-stop shindig for Bloc Party. From the haunts of East London the boys are set to take a trip to the Spanish clubbing island of Ibiza this summer, where they are to showcase their DJ skills at the Judgment Sunday residency at the Eden club in San Antonio, promoted by Judge Jules. They will be playing the club's Back Room on July 22, while fellow Milocees Futureheads and Shitdisco will fill the slot on other dates throughout the summer. Oh yes, and Embrace are also being brought in to tear up the dance floor. Hmmm.
www.blocparty.com
www.thefutureheads.co.uk
www.shitdisco.co.uk
The Life Of Brianstorm
Ever wandered who or what Alex Turner is singing about in the Arctic Monkeys' recent single? Well the Sheffield superstars have revealed that this Brian chap is the product of a rather surreal experience they had backstage at gig in Osaka, Japan. After appearing in somewhat peculiar attire, a stranger named Brian left with them his business card and, after immediately leaving, a rather spooky atmosphere, prompting the boys to draw out a brainstorm in attempt to work out who the hell this "oddball" was and quite what he wanted. The end result: Brianstorm. You learn something new everyday!!
www.arcticmonkeys.com
Larrikin Love have thrown in the towel
Tissue time I'm afraid, as the fantastic Larrikin Love are no more. One of the spearhead acts in bringing London's
alternative scene back to the mainstream with the album 'Freedom Spark', the 4-piece band have decided after two
frenzied years of success that it is time to go their separate ways. It's not all chronic tears, sleepless nights
and months of counseling mind, as they have each stated they will continue to make great tunes, just not with each
other. We wish them all the best of luck for the future.
www.larrikinlove.co.uk
Kate Nash Hits The Road
The UK's hottest-tip of the moment, Kate Nash, is to embark on a healthy tour of the UK, so you can all witness
for yourselves her sheer greatness. In fact, she has already started, so don't hang around in booking a ticket to
one of the following (unless of course by the time you have read this, the gig has been and gone forever, in which
case pursuing tickets for it would be pretty dim):
The Great Escape Festival (May 19)
Reading Fez Club (20)
Leeds Cockpit (25)
Bristol Fiddlers (26)
Nottingham Rock City (27)
Birmingham Glee (29)
London ICA (31)
Wakefield Escobar (June 2)
Manchester Late Room (3)
Liverpool The Loft (4)
York Fibbers (5)
Edinburgh Henry's (7)
Aberdeen Tunnels (8)
Dundee Reading Rooms (9)
Glasgow King Tut's (10)
Newcastle Cluny (12)
Exeter Cavern (14)
Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach (15)
Sheffield Leadmill (July 23)
www.katenash.co.uk
Equipment Spotlight
Altec 436C Compressor review by Joe Hirst
Over at MILC HQ, we love our reviews, but we also love our studio equipment in all shapes and sizes, ranging from our Neve VR60s right through to our toilet brushes. So it seemed obvious to combine both passions and do this feature. However, as much as sharing our detailed comprehension of lavatory cleansing utensils does puzzlingly appeal, we thought we'd instead opt for providing a little insight into something a bit more glamorous, and hence present a review on the Altec 436c Compressor, situated at our Hoxton Square studio. This month's guest reviewer is Miloco's very own Joe Hirst, whose grasp of both cutting-edge and vintage studio gear, is something to behold!! Joe Hirst reviews the Altec 436c.
New Artist Profiles
We at Miloco are always looking to take in new rising bands, polish them off, dress 'em up and shoot them out of a human cannon for the adoring public to relish. Of course health and safety laws normally have the last say in such precarious activities, but from a metaphorical point of view it paints a pretty accurate picture of what we thrive on doing. Two bands that will shortly be cannon-balling at freewill are Underground Heroes and Ripchord, both of whom have been on sparkling form at various Miloco studios recently, and truly deserve a thorough bigging-up. So that's what we're going to do...Underground Heroes
Chatham's finest 4-piece combine their chirpy charm with some pretty awesome ska-punk, reflecting on mates, girls, nights out on the razz... oooohhh those loveable rogues!!! Put your hands together for the Underground Heroes
Ripchord
They've toured with the Kaiser Chiefs, they love Blur, they adore Merlin sticker books, they aspire to 'Keeping Up Appearances', they were snubbed by Tommy Schitt and the Punishment Fuckers, they are great, they are Ripchord
Friends of Miloco
Terminal Studios
And to the final chapter of the issue, 'Friends of Miloco', where we for once throw down our pens, pads and ego-centric vanity
to shine some light on another company's qualities. This time we pay tribute to not only one of the British music industry's true survivors, but
also our good friends and neighbours, Terminal Studios. Like Miloco, Terminal boasts a rich history in the UK's music
industry, and like us pride themselves on catering for a hugely diverse range of artists.
Not only that, but we've also both settled near London Bridge where we have seen each other build our homes,
experiences, wisdom and families! Lord, it's almost like marriage. Here is our tribute to the wonderful
Terminal Studios
