Search for guitar melodies performed on Saturday, 22nd November 2008.
guitar melodies
Your term - guitar melodies - is very common.
We have limited the results to 300 articles.
A simple blend of sweet, melodic melodies, infused with a warm glock rockin beats cooked up by a lean mean fat guitar grilling machine. Basically its indie pop.
"Being a promoter is terrifying" - Leeds guitar virtuoso Jon Gomm takes on the promoter-role as he brings his 'Leeds Guitar Night' concept to the Brudenell Social Club on July 6th.
Uplifting melodies and memorable riffs, the band will be showcasing their new music at venues around Leeds soon.
Singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist, described by Acoustic Magazine as "One of the world's most successful, gifted and inspirational guitar players"
Band Profile: The Jen Low Band
Jen Low - Lead Vocals, Lyrics, Melodies Chris Backhouse - Saxophone Simon Waggott - Keyboards, Lead and Backing Vocals Karl Moon - Guitar The Jen Low Band is based around the lyrics and melodies of a twenty-something singer songwriter from Leeds.
pop rock
ska punk
Pure pop punkers The Needles hail from Aberdeen and yet despite such remote parts they've managed to lay claim to a "Tipped by the NME" tag...
Due To Debt: Stealing all the awesome
Ok, so the cover note with this CD states "Our music is intended to cross heavy rock with the emotion of blues and the aggression of metal along with melodies and feelings produced from the best songs we enjoy ourselves".
Music people can get their stomp on to!
One song is rarely enough to get to know any band, but this first brush with I Am Kloot is at least a pleasant one for this reviewer.
A grunge band with the muscle of an Ox and delicacy of a butterfly the Hull based band In:Audium deliver their new EP Digital Saviour.
Chiara Lucchini - vocals / guitar Jonny Lee Hart - guitar / vocals Tim Oldfield - bass Dan Stretton - drums / vocals The Chiara L's are a female fronted four piece guitar combo based in Leeds but with roots in Piecenza, Beeston, Churwell and Leicester.
5 O'clock Charlie: Find A Place EP
Oh Jesus, Cast are back. No, honestly they are. Well a slightly tarnished, illegitimate son but you get the vague picture.
The Prize Fighter Inferno: My Brothers Blood Machine
With all the recent success of Coheed And Cambria's recent 'Good Apollo...' album it was only a matter of time before lead singer, Claudio Sanchez' side project would see light of day.
The CD from Spring was quite a mixed bag because there were 10 tracks on here. The 1st track, "Not At The Same Time", was a blast from the past because at the start I half expected Mick Jagger to come out dancing!
The High Chairs: Second Thoughts On Dreams And Doubts EP
The High Chairs are taking on that increasingly daunting task of getting their name around as another unsigned indie band in Leeds.
Alt-americana / Post rock.
Akaysia Parker: Urban Lullabies (sampler)
Imagine having melted chocolate poured into your ear, while you have you face rubbed with feathers, simultaneously having the back of you head vigorously stroked - is it a nice feeling?
The coolest and at the same time most disturbing CD cover I've seen in a while contains a gem of a rock track.
Dan Pearson - Vox/Guitar Sean Hatherley - Lead Guitar Mike Neilson - Drums Scott Coutts - Bass/Vox The Signs are here to stay..four talented and charismatic musicians brought together by a love of soaring melodies, roaring guitars and seismic drums, the boys have a knack for creating radio-friendly choruses made to be sung around stadiums around the world.
For the most part, this Lincolnshire based folk-rock outfit, offer pretty ordinary acoustic picking/strumming tunes of the brand that will be eternally popular in pubs whose name begins O' or round the campfires of crusty festivals.
Band Profile: Medicine For The Meek
Medicine For The Meek formed in early 2007 when singer songwriter Shara Meek collaborated with some of Leeds Finest musicians.
Danny Yates - Vocals, Lead Guitar Jono Yates - Guitar, Backing Vocals Tom Emmett - Bass Guitar Nici Todd - Drums Jerico* are a mixture of post punk / indie rock.
indie pop rock
Now, I don't think these are Mexicans that like drinking cola, but I have never met them to be sure. 'Come Clean' starts with a thumping tumble of dirty drumming, then leads in to a guitar riff, similar to Queens Of The Stone Age.
Formed in early 2008, The Parangle are a four piece rock band that aim to deliver music that draws influence from a wide range of musical styles while keeping their sound fresh and distinctive.
Lisa Brown are a bit of a surprise. With that name you expect a solo female acoustic guitar type thing going off but it's nothing of the sort.
Cave In's swirling guitars mix with a post-hardcore edge to offer something a little more intelligent and creative than some of their pop-punk contemporaries from across the pond.
Hailing from Ireland, but sounding decidedly American, Drat are here to tide over all the Weezer fans who are tired of waiting for Rivers to get off his ass and write some more albums.
alternative rock
On many occasions throughout history a tiny crowd has witnessed a great miracle. Throughout musical history small numbers have seen something magnificent, which has transpired for the artist to go beyond these initial setbacks to playing huge venues and sell millions of albums.
They hail from Wakefield. A lady I thank you and 3 Gentlemen folk. Spangly bittersweet guitar melodies been the sound that the masses may or may not sway along to.
There's a band in front of you playing really good music, great pop music on guitars, with beautiful intertwining vocal melodies from a lovely lady and a lovely man.
The Bed: Soma Riot Wave Machine
Bursting open in a wave of distorted guitars and firecracker drumming "Soma Riot Wave Machine" opens promisingly.
Bifta Smoking Eskimos: The Columbian Cold EP
We now have a scoop the NME would love to get their hands on, Richard Ashcroft formerly of The Verve and currently enjoying a bafflingly successful solo career has sneaked over to Huddersfield and recorded an EP in secret, working under the name Bifta Smoking Eskimos.
Decoration: The Thomas Pink Session
A busy yuletide schedule forced this review into 2004 and subsequently stopped it being my unsigned CD of 2003 and yet although I am sure to receive many more CDs from eager young artists in the coming months, I am unlikely to receive many that better this!
The Nearly Men are a five-piece swing / skiffle / pop group.
Here we have three tracks that could be heard anywhere across the land. Grungy punk rock is the order of the day but there's neither the tunes nor the talent to match the enthusiasm here.
Band Profile: Albert Ross & The Otters
Albert Ross, Vocals, Piano, Guitar Laura Haughey, Vocals, Melodica, Organ Dave O'Donnell, Vocals, Guitar, Piano Rob Julian, Bass, Horns Kerry Harrison, Drums and all things percussive This Leeds band is a collaboration of friends and fellow musicians who have decided to come together at long last.
In their own words "a group of four 17 year olds from Huddersfield" and bearing all the trademarks of youth combined with guitars and adrenaline.
The Wedding Present: Interstate 5
In 1997 The Wedding Present was put on hold while Leeds favourite Indie son embarked on a new path exploring strings, flutes, film scores, sweet melodies and a lesser degree of big guitar.
Now while some bands are off being all angular or throwing a bit of electro into the mix or just being plain emo there are some bands that still just like to make songs the good old fashioned way.
Helica's demo is quite impressive. Soft guitars, rock songs with melodies, subtle drums and a gorgeous female voice.
Deadstring Brothers @ New Roscoe
Decisions, decisions! In town tonight there's Joseph Arthur at The Cockpit, Brendan Benson at the Uni and then his friends from Detroit, Deadstring Brothers at the New Roscoe.
23-year-old songwriter Misterook has been around a fair bit as far as music is concerened. Since the age of 13, he has played guitar and wrote with countless bands from funk, soul, rock/metal, solo folk artistes, right through to experimental live drum and bass projects.
Joan of Arc: In Rape Fantasy & Terror Sex We Trust
Joan of Arc's Tim Kinsella is one of those multiple-attached US artists who can sneak into the Leeds Fenton one May evening, en route from Paris to Dortmund via Glasgow and Manchester, and maybe 100 people know.
The Thrills' latest album "Teenager" is an album filled with their trademark sounds. Songs "The Midnight Choir" and "Nothing Changes Around Here" both rely on the tried and trusted formula of early hit "Santa Fe", but they are also the standout tracks.
Rob Leach's three-piece Anechoic do three sweetly melancholic songs with minimal fuss. They are very agreeable, highly listenable tunes with a consistently intelligent feel.
This is an honest, brave and at times naive collection from the ambitious Mr Denby, an acoustic saunter through 10 tracks of heartfelt angst.
lo-fi indie
Pre-gig opinions on The Somatics suggested they are a classic example of 'an acquired taste', and with a small, but loyal following in Joseph's Well on Thursday night you couldn't help but think that The Somatics will forever retain their cult, underground status despite signing to a significant indie label in Beggars Banquet.
Unclejohnny: Old Men Round A Table
I've heard a lot about this band from various people but never actually seen or heard them so it was good to finally hear them.
Four-track demo of angular post emo from this Batley 4 piece. The band unashamedly wear their influences on their sleeves.
When a comparison copout is available it is bound to be used lazily to speed up the record-in-review-out process, so if we were to tell you that The Please have all that made being Strokes-like cool, you would rightly start to wonder whether we had found an easy option and baled.
Jonjo Feather releases his debut single in April 2008
Leeds songwriter Jonjo Feather will release his debut single, 'I Suppose', on 14th April 2008 through the local record label Dead Young Records.
First up at Tuesday's Elustrious night were Leeds skank-meisters UNIT - a seven-piece whose horn enhanced take on dub was straight from the lo-fi, speaker-shuddering rulebook of 60s and 70s Jamaican studio supremo King Tubby.
Ludwig: They Came For My Brain
I really appreciate electronic warped music. Mainly because it's almost like getting dance music and completely screwing the whole lot up creating something original.
(spunge) @ Leeds Festival 2002
Well-established ska-punkers [spunge] were watched by a large crowd in the Evening Session Tent. They've been plying their trade for years and are now on the third album 'The Story So Far'.
Rachael Kichenside: Like The Tides EP
After performing live sessions for the likes of XFM and the BBC and winning the hearts of the local press in her Manchester hometown, Rachael Kichenside seems intent on becoming a household name with her brand of polished folk-pop.
James Trevelyan (Lead Vocals) Anshul Kapoor (Lead Guitar) Alex De Boer (Keyboards, Vocals) Simon Fitzpatrick (Bass Guitar, Vocals) Greg Sykes (Drums) A shared passion for guitar driven, melodic rock inspired five Huddersfield University students to start making music together.
Fifth Goodbye: This Is My Impression EP
Sadly, I cannot remember back to my experimentation with guitar playing so the name of the guitar effects used to open Bandstand escapes me, so for my lack of technical knowledge I do apologise.
Jetplane Landing: What The Argument Has Changed
"Summer Ends" is the first feel-good hit for the summer, a buzzing guitar-pop mix of lo-fi indie, delicious melodies and "woo hoo hoo" harmonies packaged up into a two and a half minutes Pavement-meets-Ash adrenaline rush.
Band Profile: The Smokin Jones
From a song-writing partnership spanning over 3 years, The Smokin Jones was formed in Leeds, UK, by singer Kris Jones and guitarist Kevin Sumpter after a chance encounter at a Shaun Ryder gig.
Canada seems to be producing some great bands of late with many beginning to enjoy worldwide acclaim, perhaps it's time The Dears got a piece of the action?
Broadcast 2000: Building Blocks
I'll begin this review by thanking Broadcast 2000. This CD is like a breath of fresh air and perfect for chilling out and laying back.
It's clear to see, or rather hear, why Repairman have become touring companions of both Gomez and Athlete of late.
Sonus are a tight guitar based three-piece I have not yet heard before. They seem to feed off each other well, and enjoy being on stage (small as it is at the packhorse).
Dan MoFo quotes "Our style has been described as very laidback and completely fresh and original". To whoever said this I must disagree.
The Cribs @ Leeds Festival 2006
Last year in the Radio 1 tent The Cribs gave a performance that completely won me over, becoming not just a band with good pop tunes but now the ability to deliver them in the live arena with the same quality they managed to capture on record.
Intense, edgy and powerful alt-rock.
Following their sold-out self-titled debut single, Your Vegas offer up a second limited edition single Flybuzz - limited edition not being a PR way of saying small run then?
When a great band come together there are good odds on them coming from Manchester, so it is no surprise that Snowblind, a combination of Leeds' Jane Murphy and Liverpool's Paul Williams, claim a Manchester heritage.
Scatter remind me of Ten Pence None The Richer of Dawson's Creek fame. On 'Shallow' seemingly teenage angelic vocals from lead singer Amanda ring out over a picky, plucky, jangly chorus-laden guitar and a laid-back rhythm section.
Unfortunately promising Leeds outfit Very Arcane are no more! But fortunately for us the majority of that outfit have regrouped under the peculiarly named O Fracas.
The gig-opener Richard Jones tentatively occupies the stage, hunched over his guitar with hair carefully covering the face.
After arriving home from my brief holiday in Iceland, it's ironic to find a song about summer waiting on my doorstep.
The duo of Rodrigo Y Gabriela have wowed crowds at Glastonbury and Womad with their amazing guitar skills.
Pussy Whipped have cooked up a quadruple helping of shoutyness lady style this evening with about 100 at the Bassment to witness the scenes.
Terms like precocious are banded around a little too easily in music today. Talent forgoes the spotlight and an artist's age is sadly the main talking point.
Superelectric: I Like It Too Much
With no biog and no current info available on the old entirenet, Superelectric are an Indie Electronica mystery.
First of all this gig is criminally under attended, because all three bands are really good. Beards are a three piece who come on stage dressed head to toe in what look like nu-rave garden gnome outfits.
Nerve Engine: Underneath The Sprawl
This is the second release from the multi regional band and once again self recorded in keeping with their independent attitude.
My Morning Jacket: Sweatbees EP
Ok, lets get it out of the way. The Flaming Lips. There, I said it. It's something My Morning Jacket are going to have to live with; people will always make comparisons.
Rock/Alternative
The Delamores @ Xscape (Castleford)
The Delamores' vocalist Lee never breaks sweat. He is an enigmatic, quiet man who prefers to leave the jocularities to jovial bassist Baz, who tonight is sporting a canny leopard print guitar.
indie
David Kitt @ Leeds Festival 2001
Ahhh, Leeds festival, the well-known meeting point for the world's loud and not-for-the-fainthearted rock bands, some with egos so big they match the intensity of their sound.
Sad times rule at the Well as the latest Monte Carlo incarnation comes to an end. Sad, but happily the tunes as just as fine as ever, as Carl's voice soars above the tight rhythms of his fellow Montes.
Dirty Fakirs are a 6-piece from Hebden Bridge who have been bringing their unique style of super heavy northern grooves to audiences since August 2006.
What a relief, The Xenith Sound appear to have finally found the "Sound" their moniker so proudly advertises.
Jon Doe's: For Emergency Use Only
Having been around since 1998 it is hoped that Jon Doe's would now be at ease with their craft enough to have overcome all those painful mistakes synonymous with any bands early days.
Here's a band that probably spend all their time listening to music from the 60s. Light and playful almost cuddly infused with the desire to churn out classic guitar based sing along pop.
The Twilight Singers @ Leeds Festival 2006
Gregg Dulli and his new line up perform to a packed out Carling Tent and you can only feel sorry for those misguided souls who would rather watch Franz Ferdinand than be here.
The Gold Fever: California / Hear My Voice
Oh no it's that dreaded genre, a genre in which a band can be very very good or damn shite! Strangely enough The Gold Fever are neither, they have simple Ramones style guitar riffs mixed with indie melodies and vocals, yes kids, here we have another Indie-punk record, a genre which has confused us all.
Imposing verses give way to thunderous monolithic choruses, as Fulc deliver yet another explosive lesson in how grunge rock should sound in a post-Nirvana world.
Although not as "cutting edge" as some of those acts currently lauded by the music press, it would be futile trying to deny Ben Arthur's talent for penning crisp couplets and catchy MOR country-blues-Americana.
"Lick Your Ticket" is Chikinki's major label debut but is by the letter of the law their difficult second album.
The Venna Blast - angular post-punk that rather washed over me I'm afraid. A few half decent songs were present but my interest was not.
Anyone who remembers 90s indie rockers Midget will know of Richard Gombault, and obviously this, his new project.
Spitfire Charlie: Spitfire Charlie EP
Leeds students Spitfire Charlie deliver a 6 song blues / classic rock inspired EP in their aim of "Leeds Domination".
A hectic lifestyle means that it has taken me a good week or two to actually get round to playing this CD.
I am Jack: Stockholm / Subside
Having only two tracks yet weighing in at nearly 14 minutes I am Jack are a DJ's worst nightmare. Short and sweet this band certainly aren't, but hey, you certainly get your money's worth.
Sarah Lawton takes to an empty stage with her acoustic guitar accompanied by Paul Bratt on congas with Hilary Jones on cello.
Last Night's TV: Quiet Storm EP
The opening song "Quiet Storm" will be on Last Night's TV's forthcoming album "Too Much in Doubt". The three other tracks, "Some Place to Go", "Shoes, Model's Own", and "Gone" (this last played solo) can only be found here.
"Is there an album and where can I get it?" These will be the first words out of your mouth after listening to just 30 seconds of "Stay Safe Tonight" by Nikoli.
Jonjo is a pop star, a songwriter, a creative multi-instrumentalist genius.
Southampton scamps Black Nielson swan onto the stage with all the demeanour of your average tramp plodding down the lane to the offie to buy a four pack of kestrel super strength.
I was absolutely shattered when I went down to see Edison Medicine and Mr Dogg play at Joseph's Well on Thursday night.
9 Years ago I had the pleasure of seeing Adrian Legg performing in Manchester, a gig which changed my view of the acoustic guitar.
Motion City Soundtrack @ LMUSU
Through my own ignorance, I had not heard much from these guys, who have been one of the most influential rock bands in the word.
Playing acoustic guitar before Jon Gomm must be a rather daunting experience but Tim knocks out quite a strong set of songs with confessional and indeed rather poetic lyrics with fresh sounding strummy guitar.
I like my music to be snarling, intense. I love my guitar wretched and spiky. I love pit bull style, bite yer arse, spitty vocals.
Fury of the Headteachers: You Took a Scythe Home
Fury of the Headteachers have come up with a unique style of punk music. It's hard, full of aggression and passion, but they never lose their sense of purpose.
Biogs don't always play fair, a too well written biog can actually have an adverse effect - rather than promoting a band's worth it actually leaves you questioning whether your editor sent you the right one and didn't mix them up in the post.
Bradford based Dusty Not Digital are a relatively new band, formed in late 2005 by songwriters Luke Hirst and Lewys Rees, and have already won the Musicians Centre Battle of the Bands, followed by constant hard work and gigging.
Chugging bass, airy guitars, respiring vocals and climactic songs at an andante pace, presenting Monomania's recent white label 006 promo.
According to their press release, the three members of Seed are only 16. Blimey. At such a young age, it's fair to say that they have plenty of potential.
Full kudos must go to Dinosaur Jr for upholding the noble and valiant art of the guitar solo; almost every track on new album "Beyond" features at least one example of smartly-executed fretboard frivolities.
Here we have ten diamond white 80s pop songs with mighty swirls of darker third millennium awareness.
You've probably already got records in your collection that sound like this one, the thing is, you probably stole those records from your dad.
Damien Rice's debut album 'O' saw him reach a great success, and as a result of this I couldn't wait to get my hands on '9' to find out what the Irish singer/songwriter had been doing for the past four years.
Findlay Brown: Separated By The Sea
Inspired by wanting to re-ignite his relationship with his long-term Danish girlfriend, Separated By The Sea is Findlay Brown's debut album.
Local lads Union Jackass thought it about time to put something down to chronicle where they are as a band.
Kid iD: Broken Little Monkey EP
American styley alt-soft-rock-folksy voice boy Ralph Pelleymounter has emerged from the bottomless pit of solo acoustic performers and lends his sultry vocals to the backdrop of a full line up, thus Kid iD are born and henceforth comes this natty little EP.
The Longshots: Million To One EP
'Ex-Girlfriends' kicks off in incendiary fashion and sets the tone for the next eleven and a bit minutes of your life.
Football and music. Everyone knows the horror stories. The Anfield rap for instance, Del Amitri singing for Scotland, or even that atrocious butchering of 'Come On Eileen' that plagued every radio station and TV channel during Euro 2004.
One obvious disadvantage of calling yourselves Breakthemould is that reviews of your recorded output are inevitably going to query whether or not you do actually "break the mould" in terms of pushing new musical boundaries.
Creature With The Atom Brain: I Am The Golden Gate Bridge
After two vinyl-only EPs, The Snake and Kill The Snake, I Am The Golden Gate Bridge is the first full-length album from the bizarrely named Creature With The Atom Brain, the brainchild (no pun intended) of Aldo Struyf.
Right to begin with I promise not to make any comments connecting poor bands with Bradford - I have recently had several, shall we say sharp remarks, pointing to the fact that I may be being unjust regards the city.
It's official: My Red Cell offer no comfort to back pain. Not being skilled in the art of medical science or physiotherapy could be an excuse, but I put it to you the reader that if their barrage of leaping and yelping had been in any way exciting I'd have forgotten about my oh-so-amusing fall down a flight of stairs earlier in the day.
Sounds Like Violence: With Blood on My Hands
A light that burns twice as brightly burns twice as fast, and on the basis of Sound Like Violence's debut long-player the incendiary chutzpah of the Swedish quartet's first EP has been replaced by a rather limp and Killers-lite approach, that possesses all the spark of a twatted cooker.
Stateless @ Brudenell Social Club
It is about 8.15 when the Worriedaboutsatan boys set up in front of the Brudenell stage. There is a small crowd of people gathered to watch Gav and Tom as they begin to create strange noises scattered with heavy cut up beats and slow swarming chords.
Somewhere there is a local pub that thinks The Tonic are the effing business and musically there is no denying it.
Frock: Frozen Jungle Entertainment
Great from beginning to end. I mean great as well. Fredrick Kinbom is a great. A Swedish singer songwriter working in Brighton, born in Stockholm with some tracks mixed in Rio de Janeiro.
This Town Needs Guns: And I'll Tell You For Why
The term "emotive rock" is normally enough to put the willies up even the most hardened genre hopper these days, the phrase conjuring up images of whiny American oiks churning out meaningless regurgitated clap-trap.
Jon Gomm @ The Junction (Otley)
I couldn't miss the chance to see Jon Gomm in a remote pub in Otley, just far enough away from the rowdy bars in Leeds.
The Wooden Spoons: Tales of the Professional EP
The Wooden Spoons are made up of identical twins with an ear (or four) for lush melodies and the gift of good storytelling.
Tonight is a very unusual night at the cockpit, for the first time ever I have seen tables and chairs set out in room 2.
The Cut: Walking Lonely Streets EP
Has anyone ever seen a really cheesy porno flick, or even a piss take of one? If you have then you will most likely have heard that defining music that plays in the background.
Tonight's showcase at Josephs Well was in aid of Link Community Development to raise money for the Leeds University Hitch hike to Morocco.
Whoa! Where did this come from? Like a rabid dog let out of its cage whilst on numerous class A drugs, The Lies are all about fast, loud, in your face songs.
The Needles: In Search of the Needles
Aberdeen's guitar-pop bashers The Needles have finally made it on to a long player, not that at 35 minutes it's that long!
four day Hombre @ Fibbers (York)
Fibbers of York is a great venue that has started to attract some great bands. Tonight was no exception.
Joseph's Well is already half full by the time that Leeds' The 7 Inches open up proceedings, immediately jetting us back to the eighties with some old-skool indie in a Wedding Present style.
Le Loup: The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly
Inspired by the tale of a man's journey in a time of crisis, re: Dante's 'Inferno', The Throne Of The Third Heaven...
Nina Nastasia @ City Varieties
Apart from the most spellbinding songs, drawn from all three albums, Nina Nastasia also treated us tonight to five world class accompanists and some astonishing arrangements that had been worked out in just a couple of days before the gig.
Rhode Island all come from Leeds. You will never have heard of them. This is because their current CD goes under a different guise.
The Innocent OJs: Keep Your Enemies Closer
As guilty as their namesake was, the Innocent OJ's are just as guilty of flagrantly flaunting their record collections in their music.
d-koy have hair that has not been seen since Hundred Reasons first graced the stage all those years ago.
The Breech blend a likeable enough mixture of soft-lad introspective indie with some classic pop/rock melodies to produce a relatively straight sound.
Entering the Cockpit the first thing that hits you is the heat, the second is the fact that Brassy are already on stage.
The first thing that hits me about The Start is the female vocalist. She (Aimee Echo) has a very distinctive voice that you'll either love or find that it grates you, ever so slightly.
Dead Fly Buchowski @ Faversham
Imagine Johnny Greenwood screaming The Bends out at full blast through a 12ft wall of amplifiers. Then imagine he's playing it inside a giant washing machine that's on full spin at 10,000rpm.
First on were local band The Stays. Having seen them play a few months back, the progress they have made as a live band in such a short space of time was apparent from the outset.
deep house dance pop
It should be said upfront that emo, or post-hardcore, or any style of rock that may come close to verging on those descriptions is not usually my forte.
Viva Voce: Get Yr Blood Sucked Out
The follow up to their acclaimed international debut The Heat Can Melt Your Brain sees man and wife team Viva Voce broaden their sound...
Local showcases are always unpredictable and without pretense thus making them top reviewing candy. Occasionally rousing, sadly more than often easily forgettable and very very rarely awe-inspiring.
I've always liked The Primrose as one of Leeds' smaller music venues and I have always managed to catch some good bands there, tonight was no exception.
Fell City Girl boast drama. And I mean drama. The kind of textured melodies reminiscent of some obscure New Zealand pop exercise by the name of The Veils.
Fresh from an NME pasting, Your Vegas take to the Faversham's stage in front of a good sized crowd. The review of new single 'Flybuzz' criticised the band for daring not to be an identikit copycat of every other band you can hear on the radio or read about in the press.
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. @ Cockpit
I completely missed Dartz; slack I know. I did get stopped at the door though, where I was stood queuing with non other that Get Cape.
Taxi To the Ocean hail from the Netherlands, although it would be mighty expensive to get one there. There is a definite influence of Pearl Jam in there, especially with singer Just Posthumus' long locks and head swaying.
Stateless are the band of Chris James, Leeds friend of the Shadow. Mixing hip hop, dance and rock they are a good start to the show, and should have been on after the next group.
A half full Fibbers sees local lads Sixty 6 take to the stage for their first ever gig. The youthful three piece burst into their opening number with a degree of confidence and if I'd not been told you wouldn't have thought it their first time on stage.
Ten Seconds Of Chaos @ Joseph's Well
I attended this show not quite knowing what to expect as I had heard a mixture of opinions on several of the bands, but when I arrived to a relatively large anticipating crowd, I thought I might be in for a good night.
Aarkle Hooman: Pink Gorilla EP
The Pink Gorilla EP is the dazzling debut from the bizarrely named Aarkle Hooman. An upbeat electro pop rock duo who were once a full band but then felt that they sounded better as a keyboard/guitar combo.
Came across Astrid on the Roadworks Tour when she was one of the supports for Adam Masterson along with Bodixa.
Chapter Thirteen @ Joseph's Well
For a rock band like Chapter Thirteen an acoustic gig is to say the least - unexpected. I've seen the band many times and when I first heard about this gig I wondered what was going to be left without the crunching guitars and the wide range of effects they usually use in such an imaginative way.
Last Night's TV: Know and Love
A well presented 3-track CD with evocative picture sleeve (good photo by Susan Porteous) from Spencer Bayles (vocals and guitars and songs), Owen Marriott (percussion and recording) and Sarah Jones (violin).
With a badly scribbled post-it note as an inlay Pigzipper introduce themselves with little decorum. The same impatience with which they hastily prepared for a review seems to have also influenced the giddy desire to fill out this 10 song album with everything they have ever committed to tape...
Five bands, three hundred words, no time for an introduction. Go. Tonight's Tea Time Shuffle was opened by current Bright Young Things, Behaviour.
indie rock
Mmmmm it's a bit nippy out! So I took the car, unfortunately the heater took so long to get going I was still cold (going blue actually) when I arrived.
Benjamin Wetherill: Woodland Whites & Spring Curls
Heavens! Another Benjamin Wetherill CD is quietly making its way around the Leeds scene. This time however, it's even more stripped down than his previous EP.
Dogged by guitar trouble throughout his set, The Lodger battles on with an aggressive guitar style juxtaposing nicely with the tuneful vocal melodies.
The Packhorse is one strange venue. The gigs are held upstairs in the attic right out of the way and it almost feels as though it's a secret club only a few know about.
I remember the first time I saw Jon play live - it must be going on three years ago in the Packhorse I think, quite a gangly fellow I thought, bit of a Goth maybe, would he start singing about powder paint and lipstick and have a big moan?
Foley (2) @ Royal Park Cellars
My first trip of 2004 into the deep dark depths of the Royal Park Cellars. It's often dirty rock you find emanating from the cellars but this evening it's an altogether more mellow collection of bands.
Apparently I have quite the skill at finding myself at heavy rock shows. And the more I do, the more I begin to see the merits and creative aspects of the genre.
With recent single "Further" catching the attention of ears across the nation Longview could be on their way to becoming the NME's latest darlings.
This is the third album from Jeff Klein, a New Yorker relocated to Austin, Texas. It opens with the title track, with lullaby acoustic guitars and some truly beautiful, sparse, throbbing slide guitar.
Another acoustic night at Joseph's Well and it's noticeable how popular these nights are becoming with around fifty or so sitting and standing in the candlelit venue.
Kerouac: I Hope Everything's Alright In Your World
Andy Aitchison and Dan Little are in ambitious territory with this CD. There are the basic shapes of three good songs.
Ocean Colour Scene: North Atlantic Drift
Accompanying this latest album by the band it seems the nation loves to hate is a press release ranting about that fact but stating that OCS have defiantly continued to produce great music and be a great band.
The Twilight Sad: Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters
Epic, intense, dramatic, cinematic... just a few words you might use to describe this Glasgow-based quartet's debut album.
On entering The Cockpit the support band (M.A.S.S I believe) are nearing the end of their set, after a brief listen we decide to stay in the bar and prepare to jostle for a position near the front of a packed crowd.
Ash are a strange beast. After the success of their album '1977' back in 1997, they went all a bit mental and released 'Nu Clear Sounds', which was nothing but a disappointing mishmash of ideas, from blazing rock to nu-metal ish scratching and screaming, it was patchy at best.
The final night of Ash's tour falls in Leeds due to the gig being postponed from a couple of weeks ago.
The Party Animals @ Highwood Hotel
Tonight, The Highwood saw 4 bands. I'll admit here that I'm not too sure who is who with this bill (in approximate terms).
Biffy Clyro are, inexplicably, one of those bands you're not really allowed to like. All too often dismissed as lowly emo, the Scottish three-piece band have somehow never quite broken in to the mainstream.
With a top ten single and a top ten album to their name in recent weeks, it is of no surprise that tonight's gig is sold out with the standard touts outside asking for any spare tickets.
The Belles: Never Said Anything
déjŕ vu : n. 1. (Psych) illusory feeling of having already experienced a present situation. 2. Something tediously familiar.
I never realised there were so many Candians in Leeds, I'm pretty sure they outnumber non Cannucks here tonight.
I thought Leeds was all about indie rock n roll and skinny white boys with guitars?? NO! Of course it's not you silly boy.
Stuck halfway between Leonard Cohen and Nick Drake stands Benjamin Wetherill. Like his mentors, he makes beauty out of misery, armed with nothing but an acoustic guitar and the odd flutter of woodwind instruments and a cello.
Viva Stereo: Optimism is Not a Curse
Yet more testament in the case against the well oiled machine that is the UK music industry and its super efficient scouting system.
Band Profile: Redwood Thinkers
"Dealing in personal, personable and down-to-earth everyman's storytelling, Redwood Thinkers daub a wash of homely yellow ochre over everything and invite you to consider everyday realities with an accepting eye " LEEDS MUSIC SCENE "Known for their melodic, acoustic folk rock with great vocal harmonies and truly original song writing, the Redwood Thinkers energetic yet calm performances are well worth catching live." SANDMAN MAGAZINE "Highly memorable, hook laden acoustic based music with confidence, nice people, great music, sublime harmonies.
Juno 2 are a band I've heard a lot about but only seen play live once. They didn't particularly blow me away on that occasion, although I seem to remember thinking at the time that they had some good songs and could be great, if only they'd perform a little.
Minus The Bear @ Joseph's Well
Minus The Bear are a breathtakingly awesome band with a sound so in tune with the times whilst being apart from other bands of the guitar-electronics melody section, base-drums rhythm section set up.
Tunng's 3rd long player "Good Arrows" is without a shadow of doubt their best so far. This album is the marvellous sound of an already great band fulfilling the promise of their previous outings.
Pure Reason Revolution @ Cockpit
Due to Vib Gyor pulling out, it was a good two hours before Benjamin Wetherill took to the stage to play his trademark set of Formby covers, banjo strumming and all those minor keys.
Upon the first listen to this EP I would have sworn I was listening to a group of twee American rockers, however these lads are from Essex!
Bad Beat Revue @ Joseph's Well
There are about a dozen people in the room but I think somebody has forgotten to tell Bad Beat Revue's front man.
Edward Harrington - Guitar, vocals Alex Greaves - Bass, vocals, percussion Robert Harrington - Drums, vocals, percussion When Edward, his brother Robert and their friend Alex decided to form a band in 2001, the then-young-teens could only have dreamed of the status and respect they would achieve within half a decade.
Echodine: Fragments from the Wilderness
Bump. A packet lands on the floor. Great! More music to Osmosise. Echodine? Aww man, is this one of those, "one man and his bleep machine" affairs?
For a band about to release their second single to be playing a headline set at the Leeds Met is no small feat.
Rhode Island: Sunshine Skylark Bridge
Type the words "Rhode Island" into Google and you'll find websites on The Rhode Island Department of Transportation, The Rhode Island School of Design and The Official Web Site of the State of Rhode Island - Your gateway to information about living, working, visiting, and doing business in Rhode Island.
Daniel Webster: While The Motors Are Humming Below Us
From the very start of the first track on this eleven song record, you realise that Mr. Webster knows his quirky pop music.
Kill Manticore @ Royal Park Cellars
For all my scheming and plotting, it is the simple things in life that keep me most amused. Plans. I love plans.
One of the many good things about tonight's gig was that the bands had got together to do a CD with a track from each band on it, free to the first 50 in the door.
Due to various factors, I have had this album for quite a while now. This I am pleased about as I have a relationship with this album just as I have with all my albums that I have invested in and, due to this, I feel adequately prepared to review it.
French Kicks: The Trial of the Century
The first track of this decidedly melodious album opens up like a blooming flower, with all the passion of The Walkmen and the synth-pop giddiness of Pulp aligned in a wonderful, mind/body/soul-warming manner.
What a day to pick as your headline slot at the Vine... 9-11 was host to some damn fine rock action tonight, and not the sort that usually has me in a spin...
Two words: Unlucky & Resilient....for if you are to make it in this business you must expect the former and master the latter.
CJ's Music Bar is a relatively new venue on the Leeds live music circuit and is tucked away somewhat in the depths of Kirkstall.
rock electronica
The French Defence: A Guide To Nursery Rhymes
I have had my fair share of criticism of late. Some so called "Intellectuals" have branded my views as 'sub-standard', 'shod' and 'Pig-headed'.
Rage Against The Machine @ Leeds Festival 2008
Another sunny start proves the weathermen wrong again and brings out huge crowds. Standing on his (soap) box, Beans On Toast is one man with a guitar, making the world a better place through songs about sex, drugs, politics, MySpace and wellies.
International Trust: Talk of The Town
International Trust are about as complicated as beans on toast. You think this is a derogatory statement?
Invention Of Hands: Consider Yourself Denied EP
The first thing I noticed was the high standard of the artwork & packaging, which would not look at all out of place in the racks at HMV; however, the CD itself is plain and detracts from the overall appearance.
The Darkness: Permission To Land
You must understand, The Darkness are not a joke band. This is not the Electric Six playing it for laughs.
The first act to play the bigger stage of the Cockpit tonight are Ins and Outs. The Leeds-based band stumble through a set of 'lager rock', accompanying two big pairs of lungs which concentrate on being as loud as possible, instead of the idea of tuning. What did entertain the crowd was probably more to do with their unique dance moves.
Red.Star.Line: Pure / Rewards For Informers
Quite Great Publicity Presents! This present was packaged like a Spaceman's lunch, all silver foiled and important.
Inner City Sumo @ Cardigan Arms
It wasn't a huge crowd that braved the Kirkstall Road winds to see these 4 bands in The Moog Productions evening at The Cardigan Arms.
alternative rock
"The first band will start at 8," shouted the manager of the cockpit. Ah good I thought. 8.10 ... 8.20 ...
It's usually the way that those who are the most lacking in self-confidence are usually the more talented with the least to worry about - take it as a good omen, then, that all of tonight's acts are surprisingly self-deprecating.
It doesn't seem all that long ago that you would see a Kaiser Chief every week, most often behind a bar.
It is now hard to dispute that the Leeds music scene (the guitar driven part of it at least) is in the rudest health it has been in for quite a while.
Herdwhite: Lost In The Big City
I'm bombarded with a soundscape of guitars, synths, samples, beats, male/female vocals and industrious effects.
Duncan McFarlane Band @ New Roscoe
Hmm.... the New Roscoe you say? Isn't that where the tribute bands play? Well yes I suppose it is, but periodically they offer a night over to a group of performers who can really write songs and play them without pretending to be someone else.
If Live & Uncut aren't an advertising sham, then they're a shambles - but let's talk more about the music.
The Sleepy Jackson: Personality (One Was a Spider One Was a Bird)
The Sleepy Jackson made a critical impact with their 2003 debut Lovers and in the eyes of many this could only ever be a difficult second album by comparison.
Jeff Klein: Everybody Loves A Winner
After around Europe with One Little Indian label mate Jesse Malin, this is Jeff Klein's first UK release.
Grand Volume: Send Me Your Champion
Obviously not short of confidence, this trio from Manchester, as Send Me your Champion aspires to throw down the gauntlet to today's crop of rock bands and, on some levels at least, succeeds.
Annihilation Nights has become a bit of a must see for metal fans in Leeds over the last few months, showcasing some of the best local talent monthly.
One of the most underrated acts to emerge from the same Scottish scene as the likes of Idlewild and (obviously early) Snow Patrol, Seafood, through no fault of their own have just never caught on to the mainstream in a way that their combined talents have always merited.
Frightened Rabbit @ Brudenell Social Club
When the two planned supports pull out last-minute, it would be very easy for disaster to strike, and this evening Yonderboy and Fran Rodgers are drafted in on very short notice to avert a possible catastrophe.
When I got there I was not sure who was supporting the Donnas and had no great expectations of them. The room took ages to fill up and I thought that it may be quiet due to other gigs taking place in Leeds, but as the SAHARA HOTNIGHTS took to the stage the room was nicely filling up.
Stateless are: Jimi Sturdy, drums & piano, Chris James, vocals & guitar, and Jon Taylor, ex-Duran Duran, on bass & vocals.
Come on guys! Where were you all tonight? Despite the abysmal weather, I can't believe than less than fifty people made the effort to get out to the Met Bar to see one of the UK's leading unsigned bands - and in their hometown gig as well!
Dawn Parade @ Royal Park Cellars
Unison take to the stage sporting interesting T-shirts, boy band hair cuts and are apparently very new to the music scene; however, they don't actually show it a great deal.
four day Hombre @ Royal Park Cellars
I had a feeling tonight was going to be a good night and it was. Steve Kind introduced each of the bands and let us know what we were in for...
Despite getting lost on the M621, I clawed our way back to Elland Road and skirted around the edge of the inner city road to Joseph Wells.
Popup: Chinese Burn / Stagecoach
A positively energetic guitar-laden introduction on 'Chinese Burn' paves the way for yet another popup piece of pure [expletive-ridden] brilliance.
Proof if there ever was that this is the best advice I can give to anyone who loves music. WATCH THE SUPPORT BAND.
Band Profile: Captain Wilberforce
Formed after an impetuous fit of song-writing one weekend early in 2004, multi instrumentalist / vocalist Simon Bristoll, aka Captain Wilberforce, has come a long way in a short time.
Stafrćnn Hákon @ Brudenell Social Club
Following in the well trodden footsteps of many an Icelandic band comes Stafrćnn Hákon. He (Ólafur Örn Josephsson) arrives in Leeds fresh from his interview with yours truly, and having received some truly hilarious review soundbites for the new album 'Ventill/ Poki' ("it's like crying magical tears"- Aquarius).
Catylyst @ Woodkirk Valley Country Club
WOODKIRK VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB is turning into one of the most popular venues in Leeds with a mix of local, novice, signed and professional bands playing week in week out.
Clarkesville: The Last Chapter
A drop of rain was the final ingredient for propelling Travis into the major league of the UK's recording artists.
Burn The Mona Lisa: Plastic Pop
Displaying genuine heart-on-the-sleeve histrionics, Burn The Mona Lisa are said to be on a mission to 'overthrow the overrated' according to the media blurb accompanying this release.
Recently, there's been a contrast of sorts when going out - some nights can be spent bumping into some of the most passionate promoters and talented musicians the city can offer; people who have a genuine enthusiasm for the music scene in Leeds.
Shearwater's 4th album "Palo Santo" sees existing band member Jonathan Meiburg rise from the shadow of Okkervil River's Will Sheff and take full command of the songwriting and vocal duties with positive results.
A Northern Chorus: Spirit Flags
I know this band. Well, sort of. I remember about a year ago, that someone was posting on the Sigur Rós message board talking about (because he was in) a band called 'A Northern Chorus'.
Tony Bliar really has Britain under his spindly thumb. In the Red corner, weighing approximately 180 lbs, representing middle class Britain, we have James "The Boredom" Blunt.
You say nu-metal and I say nu-punk, nu-metal, nu-punk, nu-metal, nu-punk, hey let's call the whole thing off!
The Bronx as support. What a show. I last caught these guys on the Kerrang! tour earlier this year, where singer Matt Caughthran had broken his knee, which didn't stop him jumping into the crowd.
Captain Wilberforce: Everyone Loves A Villain
This release is quite a confusing listen. The explosive, fuzzy power-pop 'gems' of Captain Wilberforce's previous releases set the tone, with a thoroughly tolerable, bubbly aim to please.
When a record like this comes through the post, reviewers earn the right to get a bit overemotional. After having umm'd and ahh'd over whether it was slightly unreasonable to nab the opportunity to review The Pattern Theory again, my desperation to hear this overrode my better sense.
As I'm standing about by the bar Ormondroyd wander around on stage checking instruments and wires, trying not to look too conspicuous as people like me stare at them.
Clowns. More club and gig night should have clowns. Tonight, The Power Of Omnipotence got some clowns to join the boozed-up throngs.
GU Medicine's mix of heavy rock and roll is delivered with convincing force, just like the headliners.
I never intended writing a review of this gig, especially as most of you were probably there anyway. But here goes ...
As a solo electronic musician, EXIS (AKA Joe Williams) has a whole world at his fingertips, an entire universe of possibilities and adventures.
May 2001 and two bands melding the chiming, rain-soaked, guitar chords of prime era Madchester, the pounding rhythm section of 'rawk titans' Led Zep and the dance savvy of ADF/Primal scream take to the stage at Joseph's Well.
Alien Crime Syndicate: Ten Songs in the Key of Betrayal
"Some people tell me to turn it down, I tell 'em no 'cause I like it loud" is a choice phrase taken from Guitar Assault Number One 'Forever Is Rock n' Roll' and a nice little taster of what this album is all about.
It is often said that 'genius steals', however he was usually 'round mi girlfriends' at the time and has ten or fifteen people willing to testify that he's 'a good boy, always in church on Sundays and would never steal so much as a middle-eight'.
indie pop
Good Shoes: Think Before You Speak
I was slightly sceptical about how I would find South London quartet Good Shoes' début album, 'Think before you speak'.
Tonight may be billed as 'Forest of Sound Vs Gizeh Records', but the musically complementary and socially affable dynamic between the two rooms, and quite literal musical-chairs of collaboration going on in the Packhorse, negate any connotations of rivalry.
Wildbirds & Peacedrums @ Brudenell Social Club
I like to think that one day Forest of Sound will make a mistake: they are clearly just too good at choosing the right acts to book for the right nights.
To release this double A side at any other time of the year than sweltering July would have been highly foolish.
Electric Soft Parade @ Cockpit
Actress Hands have just released a split with the headlining band, having just toured with their fellow Brighton and Metway studio regulars British Sea Power.
Tonight the Highwood, yet again packed to capacity saw another three bands from Leeds' increasingly fertile music scene.
Just as The Buzzcocks and more recently the Sex Pistols have celebrated their thirty year anniversaries, The Misfits and their horror punk are touring for their birthday.
The memories are hazy, the order of events may not be quite right but I know two things; beer flows freely in The Fav and amazingly it didn't rain, or at least certainly not enough to water down my Sol or to kill any of the musicians on stage.
This was my first Tea Time Shuffle for some time, and I was excited to be down reviewing a band I actually discovered through LMS - Plastic Fuzz.
Fifth Goodbye put in a refined performance in front of an expectant crowd to promote their new EP entitled 'This Is My Impression'.
Visa @ Woodkirk Valley Country Club
Free pizza anyone? Not only do you get a bright and diverse 40 minute set from this Leeds based outfit, but you also bag yourself some unwanted pizza, compliments of the management (that is if you get there early enough.
For a band that describes themselves as 'Italian Pop / Dutch Pop / Chinese Pop' I was somewhat anxious of the audio content of Yonderboy's demo.
Kings of Convenience: Riot On An Empty Street
Flashback a few years, and to Bergen, Norway. One of many Scandinavian towns and cities being proclaimed as new centres of cool, two guys released an album called 'Quiet Is The New Loud'.
York, eh? Lovely place, full of historical importance and quaint old streets full of olde shoppes. As for music though, it's probably not the first place you'd look for talent.
Beneath Augusta: Mellonova 00-03
Something must be happening in Canada these days. From the nation that brought us such luminaries as Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, and the miserable Alanis Morisette, the country that sits atop the United States of America is quietly out-doing their southern neighbour for quality musical exports.
Djevara: Third World War: Cast the First Stone
"Third World War", an opening track that explodes in your face, waltzes its way through a world of emotions, and politely passes you onto track two "The Death Of Cliff Richard".
When I arrive at Blank Canvas the first band has already started. It's ˇForward, Russia!, a band that I have heard glowing reports about but never seen.
"It may be hard to pronounce but if you learn it I'm sure you'll find it will pay". And so the confusion starts.
Strike Anywhere @ Joseph's Well
It's bloody freezing outside, it's a 5 o'clock kick off and it's nearly 6.30. Nice one Paul, you tit.
Excuse me in advance. I may rant slightly in this review. First off the trains lashed up, severely. Forcing me and my able sidekick to go gig-goer hunting at Shipley train station in order to round up a posse who could get a mini-bus taxi with us instead.
The first act on tonight's multi-cultural tour is the Icelandic beauty, Hera. Although not normally swayed by singer songwriters, finding them too introspective and mood dependant, Hera undoubtedly has a remarkable talent.
Town. Okay. Everyone knows where town is right? That's a good place to start. Now, make your way up to Park Row.
Vessels @ Brudenell Social Club
The Brudenell has played host to a number of extremely special shows in recent times, and tonight Vessels laid down a pretty good claim as to why this should go down as one of them. The homecoming gig of their UK tour, tonight showcased some of the very best in emerging talent from Leeds, culminating in one of the finest shows Radio One's favourite unsigned band have ever performed.
It's nice to see former Neighbours star and sometime TV presenter Mark Little is doing well for himself, in a bizarre turn of events he appears to have given up shit-ass, late-nite, programs on ITV and 'found' feedback!
After an interesting wait at a bus stop (involving a chance meeting with a young lady who would later attempt to kiss me), I finally boarded a bus, which the driver said would be heading past the Royal Park.
The Scaramanga Six @ Joseph's Well
Well blimey! I walk into Joseph's Well at about 3:20pm after standing in the pissing rain for 20 minutes outside the place (yes, you said you were opening at three!) but at least it gave me chance to sober up slightly seeing as I had been in Carpe Diem for the three previous hours and was somewhat jolly already.
After the most stressful and unnerving day ever I was in need of some music, so off I race to RPC just in time to catch the catch the start of the All Star 69ers.
It's Friday night and I think I might go out, have a few beers, and watch some bands I've never heard of.
Daniel Powell interviews Fightstar, one of those bands that manage to inspire fiercely contested opinion.