From Across The Pond 04.22.08: Kings of Leon as Glastonbury Headliners and the Music of GTA

Posted by Sean Reid on 04.22.2008

In this weeks From Across The Pond, Seán Reid discusses American bands that make it bigger in Europe than back home and some of the hidden European gems in past Grand Theft Auto soundtracks.

Hey all and welcome to another exciting edition of From Across The Pond, bringing you the best in European music. I was reading on the site about how a number of you guys think that Kings of Leon aren't a "real" Glastonbury headliner. I guess you guys don't realize that while Kings of Leon have a great fan-base over in the States, they are treated like Gods over here. While they couldn't headline a big American festival, they have enough of a following over here to warrant them getting a headline spot at Glastonbury.

This got me thinking though, how many other bands are there from the States that, while had a fan base back home, found more fame here in Europe. Two old school acts that jump straight to mind are The Pixies and Sonic Youth. I think you'll find that most people will agree that both these acts where embraced much better here than they where back home. But why is this? Surely such talented acts should, and deserve, receive world-wide acclaim from the get go. I think that Europe has more of a tradition of trying to establish a music scene that is constantly trying to push buttons and reinvent the rules. I mean how ground breaking where The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, the Beatles and Black Sabbath to the world of music? They all tried to do something different, and it worked.

Now I'm not trying to say that America cannot produce acts that flip off the rule book of music and do something different. Sonic Youth and The Pixies did that multiple times over. But why are American audiences reluctant to try something new? It's something that I find hard to understand, and I hope one day to see it changed. But for now, take my word for it; Kings of Leon are an excellent choice to headline Glastonbury. So let's also not blame them, or Jay-Z, for the decline in ticket sales. Let's be honest, it's the shitty weathers fault.

Grand Theft Audio
Another act who seems to have established a bigger following over here in Europe is LCD Soundsystem, but thankfully it looks like that is all about to change, thanks to this. Yes, LCD Soundsystem are being used in the trailer for the most anticipated computer game ever, Grand Theft Auto IV. I have been counting down the days for weeks now to this games release, and next week cannot come sooner. I'm just happy that I know I'll have next weeks article in the evening before GTA IV comes out over here, and I have college off, giving me a week of solid game play.

One of the best features of every GTA game is, of course, the soundtrack. Each year it manages to top itself again and again. I can say that I found a number of bands through these games that I love to this day (Faith No More jump straight into my mind.) This about of exposure is great for bands both old and new. So, to celebrate the release of the game, let's look at some of the best European tracks to feature within the series that you may have missed.

Frankie Goes to Hollywood-"Two Tribes"
Found on Wave 103 in Vice City.
You know, before I played this game, I never realized how great this song was to play during a destruction derby or anything remotely violent. Sure the lyrical content says different, but something about this song just clicks with carnage. It helps that it's also a brilliant track too. I know Frankie says relax, but it's hard to sit still when this track hits my stereo.

The Who-"Eminence Front"
Found on K-DST in San Andreas.
Sure, you had to endure Axl Rose doing DJ duties in order to hear it, but any chance you have to hear The Who do what they do best; you are a fool to miss. This along with "Free Bird" where the best songs to have playing when you where in those areas that involved nothing but driving. Really set the tone and mood perfectly.

Moloko-"Sing it Back"
Found on Rise FM in Liberty Cities Stories.
A song that was one of the defining tracks of the 90s for me. Great tune, great beat, and when the singer is an attractive Irish lass, it becomes harder to hate. One of the less well known acts of the trip-hop era of British music who became over night sensations thanks to this song. Just like Frankie Goes to Hollywood, it's not a song you'd think of straight away for a GTA soundtrack, but it oddly suits the game perfectly.

New Order-"Blue Monday"
Found on The Wave 103 in Vice City Stories.
It's very fucking hard to top Joy Division. How on earth do you about creating music, while living up the legacy of your old band? Simple, do a u-turn and do something very different, and that's what the surviving members of Joy Division did with New Order. "Blue Monday" became an overnight success and suited those neon lights of Vice City perfectly.

The Cult"She Sells Sanctuary"
Found on V-Rock in Vice City.
I know there are other songs on V-Rock that I could have thrown in here, like Ozzy and Iron Maiden. But if you where all expecting those tracks, then why bother mentioning them? This list is more about those hidden European gems within the game, and they don't get as overlooked as this track. The Cult possessed fantastic song writing skills, and "She Sells Sanctuary" has got to be one of the greatest tracks to come out of the eighties. Still holds up all credibility to this day, and was perfect for when you had the helicopter and where flying around Vice City. Plus it helps that it became the new image my mind produced when I thought of this track, instead of that crotch stuffingly bad music video. And no, I'm not going to link it; no one should be made suffer by having to watch it.

Primal Scream"Moving On Up"
Found on Radio X in San Andreas.
Ignore all those gospel choirs that have covered this song over and over again, because this is what rock music is all about. And there are very few bands as rock n'roll as Primal Scream. While most fans would have preferred a harder song like "Rocks" to be put on the soundtrack instead, I think this track suits the game perfectly. And with Radio X presenting a mammoth of high quality rock n'roll, it's good to have a nice mellow track placed in the middle of it all. Beautiful.

So, with the new soundtrack coming out soon enough, what songs should you be listening out for when you're driving around in-game? Well the full list obviously isn't out yet, but so far I can already see some great European tracks, such as:
Simian Mobile Disco"Tits and Acid"
Artic Monkeys"Brian Storm"
Mylo"In My Arms"
Humble Pie"Cocaine"
And if past stations are anything to go by, we will be spoiled for choice.

So that's all for this week. I'll hopefully see some of you on Xbox live next week and we can all run around screaming how great this game is. I won't be hard to find. I'll be the one guy shouting "Yeah, yeah, but what about the soundtrack!?!"