July 2010
2 posts
The Scene and the Fans
People who dress like a neon snellen chart seem to like music made by graduates of the ADHD generation.
Swings and Roundabouts
In truly predictable fashion, the internet backlash against last year’s X-Factor headline grabbers Jedward upon delivering the video for their latest single, a cover of Blink-182’s ‘All the Small Things’, has begun.
If you’re not well versed in X Factor-ology, the Irish twins single handedly brought the maligned Saturday night talent show into a whole new realm of...
June 2010
4 posts
“Hash Browns are not love. But sometimes, just sometimes, they look so good you...”
“Whether slavishly prone to hiding behind shields that allow limitless reaction...”
PS
If I was writing a top ten including live music, I should probably have put these in as well (cheers Maryam). That’s why I should stick to just having releases in there…
Groezrock Festival
Absolute stormer of a festival. So excited I got to go and work there this year and met some ridiculous people.
I haven’t been further away from home than France in like 6 years, so ending...
14 tags
2010 in music so far...
Quarters one and two of 2010 have been packed full of brilliant lines ups in the UK, and a barrage of new music from promising new artists and established veterans -
To indulge of some voluntary self-importance for a moment, I thought I’d compose a list of my top ten things that have happened this year so far. I was going to confine it to releases, but there have been some rather special...
May 2010
1 post
Found.
Should probably note that there’s spoilers in the following…
Usually far from being in the business of making long-winded self-indulgent blog posts, I make an exception today citing a connection between a television show and a recent existential crisis as the perpetrators of an increase in perceived self-worth.
I recently hit the age of 22, which basically makes you too old to be...
February 2010
1 post
It could be worse...
Yesterday, Blakfish officially announced they have split up.
One of the most promising bands I’ve heard come out of the UK underground in a long time. I loved watching and working with the Blakfish guys, and it all just feels a bit premature.
Champions is easily the best thing I heard in 2009, and the guys will be sorely missed.
Honest, we’ll forget it even happened if you reform...
October 2009
1 post
Fall Out Boy - Greatest Hits
So. Fall Out Boy are releasing a greatest hits.
Why?
What the fuck does Island think they are playing at?
2 new songs?
19 songs everyone who likes them already has on a format they prefer?
Good riddance.
September 2009
3 posts
10 tags
Paint it Black / The Steal (The Peel- Kingston...
The Steal
After a bit of a surreal car journey of wedding and poo stories, the Peel beckoned for a very promising night of hardcore.
Our Time Down Here opened proceedings, and although I’ve seen them play better, it was an enjoyable set of older favourites and future Banquet Records album track singalongs from one of the promising UK hardcore bands. 3.5/5
Ceremonyreally didn’t sit...
10 tags
Coldplay / Jay-Z / Girls Aloud / White Lies...
Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Jay Z
I picked up a ticket for this patchwork quilt of a stadium gig at late notice, and decided that £50 was a bargain for one of these epic scale adventures into London for some stadium fun.
I turned up as White Lies were starting, and to be honest, I didn’t really watch much. What I saw confirmed that they pretty much just play the same song over and...
I don't have much time to post at the moment!
I lost my job in July, and promptly found a new one that keeps me hellabusy.
I’ve been enjoying the following recently:
Set Your Goals Blitz Kids Fall Out Boy AFI Now, now every children
I went to Reading and rekindled some love for bands, found some new awesome bands and was let down by some old favourites.
And got lung cancer from the plastic fires.
I’ll be getting back to...
August 2009
1 post
June 2009
18 posts
6 tags
Rx Bandits- Mandala
Rx Bandits are a band that are tragically (or if you like, luckily) kept away from mainstream ears and, at short intervals, inspiring the kind of intense whispering that reminds you of exactly how many people look up to their particular brand of emotionally uplifting and technically startling rock.
Mandala is the third album since Rx Bandits began ditching the “late-90s ska-punk...
5 tags
La Roux- La Roux
I don’t hide my love of girls singing pop songs very well, and Elly Jackson’s almost Minnie Mouse esque vocals over the top of ‘80’s influenced pop electro remix-fodder’ has bundles of charm to it.
Ms. Jackson and co-writer/producer Ben Langmaid’s debut album under the La Roux moniker has been hotly anticipated since ‘In For The Kill’ stormed the...
6 tags
Blakfish- Champions
People bitch and moan about the UK music scene endlessly, and seem to be transfixed on comparing the creative output of a country 1/6th the size of another on a level playing field. But look at the evidence around you guys; Epitaph is snapping up more UK bands than ever, and we’ve got some fantastic home grown and talented bands emerging all the time.
One of those bands is Blakfish. They...
11 tags
Lemuria (Brighton Prince Albert- 14/06/2009)
Lemuria
I seem to be magnetised to ending sunny days in a sweaty room these days. I arrived shortly after Pecker finished, so there’s not a whole lot I can say about the ex-Immollato Tomatoes guitarist fronted band).
First up was Hometown Show, still on fairly early and playing the second graveshift shift of the evening. I enjoyed the set and thought that instrumental switcharound...
6 tags
Regina Spektor- Far
Russian born Regina Spektor’s curious brand of alternative-pop, most notably in 2006’s Begin to Hope is something that doesn’t appeal to all ears. Mine, on the other hand, love a bit of it.
Far doesn’t quite take the reigns in such an obvious way from the last effort, delving a little less into the weird for the most part and exploring ever-so-slightly more commercial...
5 tags
Things to get you excited #4
Artist: Rx Bandits Release: Mandala Record Label: Sargent House Release Date: July 28th 2009
I’ve been a big Rx Bandits fan for quite a few years now, and supporting them with my old band sticks in my head as a proud moment. The band have gone from strength to strength since ditching the traditional ‘ska’ structures, and have made some of the most technically impressive and...
2 tags
Things to get you excited #3
Artist: Atom Gang Release: New EP Label: 100% Music / Royal Black / Skullcow records
Atom Gang’s debut album “I See, Said the Blind Man” was one of my favourite releases last year, and frustrating as frontman Ellis’ tendency to tire of songs is, new output from one of the UK’s best unsung bands is always something to look forward to.
Since changing name from...
5 tags
Spinnerette- Spinnerette
Similar to the Taking Back Sunday review, I’m going to keep history out of this review. Basically, if you know who Brody Dalle is you know the back-story. This is not and never has been the new Distillers record, though that didn’t stop, and is likely the cause of, lots of other people and myself looking forward to new output from an early teenage punk icon.
Spinnerette put out a...
5 tags
Mutiny on the Bounty- Danger Mouth
Now then. Mutiny on the Bounty, as one of the plethora that make up the new breed of the Big Scary Monsters records roster, are one of the only bands (notably alongside label-mates Blakfish who they tour with in August) that remind me of why I enjoy going to gigs and putting bands I love on, regardless of the here-to-be-scene attitude of many bands and gig attendees I’m despairing at...
4 tags
Hey Vampires EP now on Amazon, iTunes and Spotify
I’m really proud of what the guys have been doing live and on record, as well as being very excited for what’s coming up for them. Problems Solve Yourselves was released on CD in March, and is now available online. If you would like mp3 files for your iPod, you can visit the following digital outlets:
iTunes:...
5 tags
The Mars Volta- Octahedron
The Mars Volta’s previous albums are most enjoyable when listened to all the way from start to finish. Playing the songs in order is the most sensible journey from the first note to the last, and Octahedron is no different at all.
It’s more mellow and a little less experimental than the older efforts, and because of this, Octahedron has a tendency to meander through it’s eight supersized tracks...
“It’s been exactly twenty years since people died for democracy in protests...”
5 tags
Release an album already! #1
Artist: Rig Up Explosive Listen: http://www.myspace.com/rigupexplosive
Rig Up Explosive are a bit of an enigma, they kind of fit into the Lostprophets and Taking Back Sunday brand of pop-rock, but there’s this uplifting side to them that sets them apart. It’s just a bit different really.
The first time I heard Rig Up Explosive was last March with the release of EP We Come As...
4 tags
Iron Chic- Shits/Giggles
Iron Chic
Iron Chic (ex-Latterman / Small Arms Dealer) have posted Shits/Giggles from their upcoming 7” for Dead Broke Rekerds.
This is the first new music since last year’s self released free-to-download demo, and sees the band pick up where they left off. I’m looking forward to seeing these guys when and if they come to the UK! One of my favourite new punk bands around at...
4 tags
Guilty Pleasures #1- La Roux
Vocalist Elly Jackson and producer Ben Langmaid’s brand of electro-pop is current obsession of mine and notable remix fodder in the bassline and dubstep scenes.
I’m not a massive ‘retro for the sake of retro’ kinda guy, and perhaps I’m in danger of holding hands too tightly with the NME here, but when pop music is as good as this, I don’t even care!...
7 tags
Dave House- Intersections
For me, the little pocket of Surrey called Kingston-Upon Thames and the family of residing musicians and gig-goers contained within is synonymous with independant record store Banquet Records. They’ve put out some brilliant releases under that moniker, including Dave House’s last two albums, so there’s high expectations with every release.
Last time I heard Dave on record was...
9 tags
The Ghost of a Thousand (Brighton Audio- 30/05/09)
The Ghost of a Thousand
After a long day out in the sun, going into a darkened room wasn’t at the top of the list of activities I had in mind for a Saturday evening, but a free show is a free show and complaining about being in the sun all day would a little too British of me.
Taking the 7:30 openingslot is This City. I’ve seen the band play better than they have tonight, but...
9 tags
Photos: TGOAT / Blackhole / This City →
May 2009
15 posts
6 tags
You Know It's Summer When... #1
The Thrills | So Much For The City
I didn’t know how a band from Ireland made me feel like I’m in California when I first heard this, and I honestly still don’t, but I really couldn’t care less! A Twitter conversation between Treat and Sean Reid prompted me to rediscover this past favourite, I would suggest doing the same and i’d wager that you feel twice as...
1 tag
“The world’s a big blue marble that I’d like to share with you”
– Mike Park
3 tags
SpotifiPhone
Color Monkey, the company designing the interface for the application Spotify are developing for the iPhone, have posted mock ups of what we can expect once it’s released.
I think it looks fantastic, and I can’t wait for the application to finally arrive. I’ve owned an iPhone for about two months and the Last.FM application just isn’t cutting it. It’s laggy, far...
3 tags
“I propose mixing Wetherspoons and Spotify. Spoonsify. You can get drunk for free...”
3 tags
Things to get you excited #2
Artist: Mutiny on the Bounty Release: Danger Mouth Record Label: Big Scary Monsters Release Date: June 2009
Mutiny on the Bounty are, in my (slightly ignorant) opinion, Luxembourg’s greatest export, and after they shredded the faces of early birds at a recent BSM Showcase in Brighton, the band are set to release their debut album in the UK. Those of you into post-hardcore should be...
3 tags
Things to get you excited #1
Artist: Blakfish Release: Champions Record Label: Hassle (CD / Mp3) Big Scary Monsters (12” Vinyl) Release Date: 10th August 2009
Whenever Blakfish have invaded Brighton, they’ve left hangover shaped holes all over the south east’s favourite insomnia themed seaside resort. Ask anyone present at the Hobgoblin for the Big Scary Monsters showcase, most of whom left with the...
6 tags
Epitaph on Spotify →
If, like me, the mid to late 90s represents a fine era in alternative music to you, then these new additions from Epitaph Records to the Spotify catalogue should be of some interest!
My highlights from the new additions:
Green Day- Kerplunk!
Motion City Soundtrack- I Am The Movie
Agnostic Front- Riot, Riot, Upstart
Rancid- Rancid
1 tag
“In song you sing the words, but in prose they sing for you.”
10 tags
Classics of Love (Camden Barfly- 17/05/09)
Classics of Love
I haven’t actually ever been to Camden Barfly before. I’ve been to pretty much every other venue in that area of London, and to be honest, I get why people want to play there. The stage is the right height to overview the crowd, and the square room makes the venue sound good and feel quite busy, even if it’s not at capacity.
Sharks were the first band on. The...
4 tags
Rig Up Explosive- Take It Up With The Captain...
I have to say, I love it when the UK’s homegrown bands start well just to keep getting better, and the demos Rig Up Explosive have been kicking out recently are awesome. I’ve also enjoyed stalking the band in the land of the 140 character update and explaining the virtues of writing a Lost concept album to them.
Anyway, despite not having heard the original version of Take It Up With...
13 tags
Ten awesome pop songs sung by girls
My love for filthy, filthy pop music is hardly well hidden, so here’s a fine, ten-strong selection of nuggets belted out by the finer sex in the last decade or so:
TLC- Unpretty
The Saturdays- Up
Holly Valance- Kiss Kiss
All Saints- Pure Shores
Girls Aloud- Sexy! No No No…
Spice Girls- Spice Up Your Life
Jennifer Paige- Crush
Sugababes- Overload
Rihanna- Don’t Stop the...
5 tags
Taking Back Sunday- New Again
Before I start this review, I should probably mention that I thought ‘Louder Now’ was a great record. There, I said it.
Anyway, in the case of Taking Back Sunday, the less said about the back catalogue, the better, as it’s such a panic button for rational thought with some people…
‘New Again’ starts with the title track, which is Taking Back Sunday making...
9 tags
Three favourites from 2009 so far!
Propagandhi | Supporting Caste
Supporting Caste might just be the best Propgandhi album so far. More riffs than you can shake a stick at, it’s thrashy skate punk at it’s most technical and impressive, the addition of a new guitarist has done wonders for the band in the studio and on stage.
P.O.S. | Never Better
I’ve never been more glad that someone that came up...
7 tags
Rancid- Let the Dominoes Fall
A good few years ago, I bought a copy of Dave Mirra BMX for Playstation. The soundtrack to this game contained songs by bands that shaped my listening habit as a young teenager.
The bands on this soundtrack included Sublime, Dropkick Murphys, Swingin’ Utters, Social Distortion and Pennywise, but most importantly, a song called Maxwell Murder by Rancid.
As a young bass player, the solo (even...
Introduction / Hello
My name’s Tom.
I grew up in Dorset and played in bands from the tender age of 14. The first one was ‘the Dead Letter Bandits’. I played guitar and sang in the DLB beforefilling in on bass for a band called Mr Chipsticks, which led to me playing bass for a skacore band called Weapons of Brass Destruction.
After a few years of that, I moved across the south coast to Brighton and...