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acoustic
Mark B & Blade @ Leeds Festival 2001
"...running out of time..." - it's a shame that this lyric signifies the end of an awareness-expanding insight into how great hip-hop can sound when in the hands of musicians as talented as Mark B & Blade.
The common man's James Blunt, but with better lyrics is how I would describe Ali Whitton as he opened up a remarkable acoustic based night at the Mixing Tin.
Mark Owen: Four Minute Warning
Awww, it's the cute one from Take That! For younger readers a little history. Robbie Williams was once in a boy band called Take That.
After witnessing the horror of the cheeky girls the previous Monday in this very same venue I have to admit I was quietly looking forward to this gig.
He clearly needs no introduction. If you don't know his name where have you been? He's the sound of '07 don't you know?
Mark Ronson is that hip-hop guy who remixed "Just" by Radiohead last year. That song was fucking rad.
The Warehouse may be out on a limb, up there near the ring road, but if this is a precedent for future Friday nights - then it'll be worth every step.
The upstairs room at the Cardigan Arms is a perfect place for an acoustic gig. With its small, dark room, the atmosphere is made even better by the dozen or so candles that are situated around the room, creating a very intimate feel to the whole place.
Dead Disco release their debut single on Monday and are coming to the end of their current UK tour. Mark Shahid caught up with the girls (and boy) on their travels...
Forget The Darkness. The true kings of the classic rock revival have arrived. The howling screaming mess that is the The Black Velvets burst onto the stage in the slot normally reserved for the lowest of the low in terms of talent and stage presence.
Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan @ City Varieties
Euros Childs, former frontman of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, provides some strange folk indie to warm up the crowd.
Daft Punk @ Wireless Festival 2007
With my usual Sunday morning lie in, and the insistence of a cooked breakfast, I didn't arrive at Harewood House until after 3.30pm; arriving just in time to see Datarock leave the stage.
Band profile for the band Mark Ronson
Band profile for the band Mark Wilson
Band profile for the band Mark Lanegan
Band profile for the band Mark B & Blade
Band profile for the band Mark Owen
Band Profile: Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan
Band profile for the band Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan
indie rock pop
indie rock
four day Hombre playlisted at Radio One...
four day Hombre have been selected by the Radio 1 music panel to be playlisted from today: "If you listen to Radio 1 you may just catch us being played alongside the likes of Blue feat.
Michael Mallinson Launch Party
New rising accoustic singer songwriter michael mallinson gets to gig with some of leeds heaveywait Musicians
alternative
Glasswerk is United with Leeds: new music site launched...
Your favourite independent new music promoters, Glasswerk.co.uk, are heading along the M62 to the fine city of Leeds on Sunday August 1st to launch the Glasswerk Leeds piece of the jigsaw puzzle...
Poor Embrace. Faced with the fact underground success will never be theirs and the acceptance of those wimpy looking skinny kids in tight jeans being even further away, they sold their collective soul to Lucifer with middle management demeanour himself - Chris Martin.
indie rock
Portabello forced to take timeout
In a freak garden wall climbing incident, Mark, of the meticulous rhythm method, has broken the big bone that goes into the hip (the femur, apparently).
Band Profile: Project Metropolis
metal hardcore
Band Profile: Red Go Green Stop
Sanjodh Toor - bass Gary Norris - drums Mark Parvin - synths Anna Hetherington - vocals Leigh Oliver - guitar
Blink 182 @ Leeds Festival 2003
I have this problem with Blink 182. At first I hated them, with their oh so funny fart jokes and massive over exposure, then I heard the albums and really liked them for their clever, witty and well written songs, then I saw them live and hated them again for their piss poor performance, lack of drive and reliance on dog/ dad/ dinosaur raping antics.
Fronted by the 3 previous members of The Touch, Daybreakers are a 6/7 piece blues rock collective combining huge soundscapes with psychedelic groove-pop licks.
post-hardcore
Raucous rock and roll punk rock with an Irish tinge.
Mondo Generator @ Leeds Festival 2004
Former Queens of the Stone Age (QOTSA) bassist Nick Oliveri is second to last tonight on the final day of Leeds festival with his band Mondo Generator.
There are six tracks of home-made music-like stuff here. Track 6 is called "Danube" and it lasts for 17 minutes and 28 seconds.
indie rock
indie rock
Playfully messing around with choir-boyed Mark E. Smith vocal quirks, this is more big drum racket from Beachbuggy.
Mark Goodall (guitars and vocals) Steve Goodall (bass guitar, drums, rhythm programming) Jeremy Dyson (keyboards, programming, effects) Tim Crusher (accordion, keyboards)
90's band Terrorvision are back for a very short tour and this was the warm up to it. There were concerns beforehand about whether they'd cut it anymore, or whether they'll turn into that sad band trying to recapture past glories, but playing to ever smaller crowds until they end up at Butlins.
psychedelic experimental rock
Band Profile: Clown Around Town
indie rock
Leeds-based rock band.
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.
Terrorvision: Take the Money and Run
There was a time when Terrorvision were truly at the top of their game - but two years on from their split, will anyone really want a new live album?
The New Mastersounds to release an album on 29th January
The New Mastersounds release a new album on the One Note Records label on 29th January. The album, entitled '102%', will be available on both CD and LP vinyl formats, and features guest sax and flute player Rob Lavers, who plays on four of the tracks.
Band Profile: The Nervous Shakedown
"A whole grain slice of dirt rock!" LMS.
Anita Mann (drums) Mark Crossley (vocals, guitar) Ali Valium (backing vocals, bass , synth) The band have performed live under forever changing line ups and finally settled as a three piece.
indie rock
Vicious Cabaret to release their debut album
Vicious Cabaret have revealed that their debut album will be out later this year. Titled 'The Next Utopia Will Be Better', the album will be out on Monday 26th November on Borderline/Imprint Records, with distribution via Cargo and State 51.
Melodic/indie/pop rock
Formed in 2004, Move To Cuba are a three-piece consisting of Mark Regan, Matt Poole and Chris Powel - a frenzied guitarist with a soul shattering voice brought together with a gut-punching rhythm section.
funk soul jazz
alternative rock
Pull Tiger Tail: Let's Lightning
So here are my simple and easy-to-follow guidelines for tossing off 500 words on Pull Tiger Tail:. One - Pull Tiger Tail are currently the Jonathan Wilkes to the Klaxons' Robbie Williams.
Girl power. Synth pop. It's in right now and Leeds has a monopoly on cool. Or so it seems. Dead Disco, as their name suggests, are a tad uninspiring.
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.
Calling all Leeds music lovers ... Quidrophenia returns
Quidrophenia, Leeds' increasingly popular bandfest, is returning to Oporto for the fourth time with another amazing line-up set to rock Call Lane on 18th February.
Kaiser Chiefs to release their third album in October
Leeds band Kaiser Chiefs have this week revealed that their third studio album will be 'Off With Their Heads'.
O.C.D. is Mark Hadley's current electronica/live project. Mark was the leader of CYPH3R when he last did Leeds gigs.
Experimental band from Huddersfield.
Band Profile: Erin's Third Incident
Erin's Third Incident are at the moment a three-piece (soon to be a five-piece) indie/punk band, with influences ranging from oasis to the white stripes to green day, the list goes on.
The Bed: Soma Riot Wave Machine
Bursting open in a wave of distorted guitars and firecracker drumming "Soma Riot Wave Machine" opens promisingly.
Workout Holiday is a collection of re-recorded songs from the first two EPs by White Denim. This ramshackle three-piece from Austin have been causing a bit of a stir of late, and on this evidence it's fairly easy to see what the fuss is about.
Think early New Order or Joy Division, think Arab Strap, remember the Blue Aeroplanes and take a pinch of Echoboy for the backing tracks and you will be somewhere near the mark for describing Cosmonaut.
heavy metal
punk hardcore emo
Kaiser Chiefs to perform at the 2007 BBC Electric Proms
The BBC today revealed the first of more than 80 artists who will be performing at the 2007 Electric Proms.
New York based singer-songwriter Ian Love has created a pleasant debut album, but it doesn't quite hit the mark.
Tickets still available for Party In The Park 2004...
On Sunday 25th July, 96.3 Radio Aire, Leeds City Council and Yorkshire Evening Post bring to Leeds: PARTY IN THE PARK 2004 at Temple Newsam.
The Victorian English Gentlemens Club: La Mer
The accompanying press blurb is refreshingly stupid and "eeh, I'm zany me" in nature, and luckily the two tunes contained herein are up to the mark to denounce any zaniness over talent argument.
Fulc album and single release news
Fulc return to the famous Sawmills Studios, Cornwall in January 2003 to record tracks for their debut album on Stunted Records, scheduled for release in September 2003.
Alternative pop has never sounded as good as it does on this 5-track EP from Plastic Fuzz. Taken from the huge 100 track concept that is the album DOTs, this funky piece of indie pop lights up the winter night like one of those new nuclear plants going into meltdown.
When the Foo Fighters were born from the smouldering remains of Nirvana there was collective, worldwide pants wetting as the grunge world considered the possibility of the music to come.
Kaiser Chiefs release the DVD of their Elland Road show
Kaiser Chiefs have this week released the DVD of their hometown gig at Elland Road on 24th May. Filmed at the home of Leeds United in front of 40,000 fans, 'Live At Elland Road' covers the band's biggest headline show to date, and the video includes a cameo performance from Mark Ronson and The Cribs' Ryan Jarman.
Beautiful Feet must have been rubbing their hands together with the recent success of bands like Keane and the dreary Thirteen Senses.
Formed in early 2008, Guilt Pursuit are a four piece, post-punk band constisting of lead vocalist Eddie Short and his backline of Ben Fowler, Mark Ellis and Alex Tommis.
The Pocket Gods seem to get everywhere at the minute and here is Mark Riley of said outfit, again cropping up co-writing and producing the strange sounds of Zaam.
Imagine a world where Axl is king, and Wayne and Garth are the court jesters. Time stands still beyond the Eighties, and Francis Rossi and Lemmy have a love child.
What comes next in your career if you've just heard you've got your first 5-star CD review (in Country Music People magazine) and Bob Harris has told the world of Radio 2 that you're one of Britain's best current singer-songwriters as he too endorses your new album?
Belfast four piece V//Formation haven't just been scouring their computer keyboard for some weird characters that will make their name leap off the page (or annoy reviewers everywhere: see Forward "it's not an 'i' it's an inverted exclamation mark dude" Russia!) Oh no V////////!!!!!formation have also been listening a lot to Placebo, Pixies and JJ72 for it is an ear pleasing blend of the 3 amongst pinches of Interpol and The Walkmen that make up the two songs on this their proper debut.
indie rock
After an interminable wait, a severely depleted Melaton grace the stage. The lead singer informs us that traffic made them late and half the band are still stuck in it, so they will attempt a shortened set with him and the bass player.
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.
Spitfire Charlie: Hard To Let You Go
The biog accompanying this release talks of "plans for the summer" but at the last report 3 out of 4 of Spitfire Charlie were heading for pastures new.
The Kennedy Soundtrack @ Leeds Festival 2002
The hard rock antidote to The White Stripes on the Main Stage, these Welsh rap-metallers roared with rage.
Simple Kid @ Leeds Festival 2002
The Irish lad centre-stage normally peddles his wares on his own gives it a go with a full backing band in the Carling Tent.
The Icarus Line: Black Lives At The Golden Coast
A few years back while at Roskilde Festival in Denmark, I had the good fortune to find myself seeing a band that weren't originally on the bill - there were 5 of them, all in red and black and with a lot of red eye shadow action.
After recruiting ex-Fangs bassist Sarah Fox, I wanted to see what JJ72 had come up with in their long absence.
Grammatics: The Shipping Forecast
I take it I have to take these guys pretty seriously. They've bagged the first track on the new Dance to the Radio compilation and they've been popping up at shows loads recently across their hometowns York and Leeds.
Superelectric: Everything's Fuzzy
Everything's Fuzzy welcomes the return of the psychedelic, indie dance vibe of Superelectric and follows last year's sampler E Is For Effort, A Is For Attainment.
indie rock
There was a time around the release of their debut album "Lido" when Clearlake were regarded as heirs-in-waiting to Jarvis Cocker's throne of writing deadpan songs celebrating the everyday lives of ordinary people.
Serotonin (Hampshire): Untitled
To quote the band's press release, "Serotonin are exactly what their name suggests, a sudden rush of euphoria to the senses to put it simple, Serotonin ROCK." Well they are almost right, but I wouldn't have put the word rock in capitals.
First onstage tonight are the Bradford-based quintet Seven Hours, who mix a dose of funk into their otherwise straight-ahead rock sound.
Folk / Acoustic
electroclash punk funk
It's hard to write critically about something I haven't had any interest in, nor have any knowledge about.
indie rock
"Nice With a Pen" and "Absent Minds" are two breathless streams of rhyming weaponry from MC Dermo (known to his family as Tim Rhodes).
Formed in mid-2006, Siren Lake have worked hard and fast to establish themselves as one of the most interesting young bands Yorkshire has to offer.
What happens when reviewers get together to form their own band? Do they right the wrongs of all the mountains of dross they have had to wade through in their time?
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 Casanovas are an antipodean rock band, which should tell you something. Picture the big riffs (think ZZ Top), swagger vocals (Mick Jagger) and 80's rock drums.
Education: Cool As You, Charles
Method Education use brash guitars and a singer that sounds rather like Morrissey to create rip-roaring 80s style punk-pop tunes.
Usually, doing a bit of on-line research on a band as you sit listening to their latest single will reveal a little juicy fact or will at least give you the bit of inspiration needed to start writing - even if you just find out the band members' names and where they're from.
This Et Al kick start the weekend with a wall of noise that pulses through you like an adrenaline shot.
Having never heard of the band Zurich I didn't know what to expect, but even with quite a cool metropolitan name I didn't really feel this record from the off.
four day Hombre single release date confirmed...
four day Hombre release their Radio One acclaimed First Word is the Hardest debut single on July 7th.
The line up for Clarence 15 (free music festival) is announced...
The Wakefield Music Collective have this week announced the line up for their annual festival. Clarence 15, a free music festival, is scheduled to take place in Clarence Park (Wakefield) on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st July, with pre-festival gigs at The Snooty Fox on the Thursday and Friday.
Formed autumn 2004, Baseburner will stop at nothing to get their music heard. When asked what they play the four piece outfit simply reply 'RAWK!' and get over excited.
The Tennessee Traincrash @ Cockpit
We've been in the Rocket for an hour and a half so far, patiently waiting while amateur night clears its throat.
As The Somatics take to the stage, it is noted that not only is Bruce the drummer the closest thing to Animal from the Muppets on drums, but that he looks stylish in a trilby hat.
With the first twelve seconds sounding like it could be the opening theme of a new American drama, (I envision a big collage of shots of good looking actors in a hospital or running from the police) The Enemy's new single 'Had Enough' is with us.
The Pocket Gods: Nub Country Flyby
The Pocket Gods are the brainchild of singer songwriter Mark Lee and despite the mention of "various guest artists" this is a fairly solo sounding affair - distorted vocals, distorted guitar over a cheap and particularly monotonous drum machine.
This was always going to be an anticipated release, not just because it is the first single from new album 'Comfort In Sound' but, of course, to see if and how Feeder have coped with the tragic loss of drummer Jon Lee at the start of the year.
Al Donlon - Keyboards, Vocals Craig Hale - Vocals, Guitar Nick Hawes - Guitars Christopher Lambert - Drums Mark Wilson - Bass, Vocals Craig Hale carries round a tiny silver 'piskie' with him wherever he goes.
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!
The Vessels (London): Don't waste your time
It always strikes me as funny as some bands find fame, fortune and celebrity girlfriend's easy to come by whilst others who provide music in a similar style and of equally, maybe greater, quality are only given recognition in the pages of magazines who employ journalists who actually know what they're on about rather than coke heads who want to look and sound cool, but invariably just sound like cocks.
This is a charming and, as it grows, surprisingly arresting single. It has to be said that it leaves me rather annoyed with myself for failing to turn up on time to the recent NME Tour show.
"You Alight: Reduction" with an out of tune guitar isn't a great first impression, but as the tune kicks in it has quite a nice hook to it.
Red Bee Society: When We Talk of Horses
Every so often a band comes out of nowhere and punches you in the kidneys before ripping out your heart and then skipping off down the pub laughing.
Cynically some musical match ups are made around the record company board table, as fat execs clasp their hands together at the thought of the money they'll make off the back of the novelty value and the combined fan bases' joint spending power.
Teenage darkness doesn't cut it for me, not compared to a full lifespan shaded by recurring periods of inner turmoil.
This two tracker from The Outlines is a self-produced side step from the rock-pop formula adopted on previous releases.
Tonight was going to be another boring Monday night in as usual. I had planned to go the Faversham to see Four Day Hombre but as I hadn't got a clue where it was, and each of the maps I tried looking at all have different things on them, so I had resigned myself to not going.
Here we have ten diamond white 80s pop songs with mighty swirls of darker third millennium awareness.
Fulc announce the release of their debut album Biting Insomnia.
Fulc have announced that the release of their debut album Biting Insomnia will be on Monday 19th May 2003.
Hadouken! to appear live at HMV to promote their debut album 'Music For An Accelerated Culture'
Hadouken! mark the release of their debut album, 'Music For An Accelerated Culture', with a series of free live shows and signing sessions at stores up and down the country - the band will appear live in Leeds at HMV (City Centre) at 4.30pm on Friday 9th May.
To my left a group of student girls are dressed as cats. I feel 'elf conscious and try not to stare. Instead I search behind, there's a chap who must be at least seven foot tall.
Leeds Town Hall celebrates 150 years of music making
Next month, Leeds Town Hall will celebrate its 150th anniversary and Leeds International Concert Season will mark this special occasion with a celebratory concert.
Hybrid Kid are a project emanating from fair London town. They quote some pretty impressive influences and are refreshingly for once, are not far of the mark.
Blah Blah Tin: The Interesting Inept Music Thing
Home produced and bearing all the hall marks of it Blah Blah Tin are not here to trouble the charts, but instead to do exactly as they please with a drum machine, synth, dirty guitar and big collection of records by The Fall.
Half Man Half Biscuit @ Cockpit
It's been a while since this band have graced any stage in Leeds, and it's an obvious welcome return judging by the full house that's in front of them, even at 14 quid a pop.
Cardboard Cowboy: The Boxroom Tapes Volume 2
This work-in-progress demo starts with breathless vocals and stomping guitar that bounces off some delightful bass lines before collapsing in a heap, regaining composure and then stomping off again.
The Playmates: Smash Hits / Jackie Wright
The Playmates just reek of scuzz. They've got scuzz seeping out of every orifice. They've got scuzz in places you don't even have places.
Despite sitting down to listen to this demo with something approaching a hangover, my sluggish mind cannot be fooled into thinking it is rubbish.
Five nice blokes, four affable tracks. Some springy little guitar riffs and a load of enthusiasm. A goofy, friendly CD with a big SG type guitar in moody black and white on the sleeve.
If blues-rock is as close as you like to get to the blues and you like it revved-up and with the occasional touch of rowdiness, then a pretty positive forecast can be made for The Raindogs.
Shadow of Memories @ Joseph's Well
Tonight is a 4 band line-up featuring Botulus Canis, Foruta, Eborsisk and Shadow of Memories. Due to my bus situation I arrive just at the start of the second band, Foruta; so unfortunately I can't review the first band.
A couple of days prior to the festival, a frightening thought occurred to me. Ash, still reeling from last week's tour bus crash in America, would be unfit to play and that Reef or Toploader were on standby to take their place.
Farming Incident: Our Glorious Five Year Plan
The black sheep of the Wrath Records family, Farming Incident have been ploughing (ouch) their trade in these fields, as it says on the tin, for five years or so.
Leeds bands announced for Carling Stage at Leeds Festival 2004...
Carling Stage bands have been announced this week for Leeds Festival 2004 and the line up includes a number of local bands.
Lou Barlow: Holding Back the Year
About to embark, or currently on - depending on when you read this - a pretty miniscule tour of the UK is alt rock granddaddy Lou Barlow.
deep house dance pop
This Holiday Life: The Fallout
This Holiday Life are almost too knowingly good. Only an American band, and a Californian band at that, could be so unashamedly mellow and well produced, while singing such nifty songs with such passion and style.
Luke Hirst: Songs for a rainy day
Luke Hirst gets off to a better start than most beginner singer/writer/guitarists. His guitar playing is crisp and well-recorded.
The Cat's out of the bag - Cloth Cat officially launches....
The Cat is finally coming out of the bag! After being in existence for nearly 8 years Cloth Cat is now making its paw mark with 'The Cat in Hells Dance' event, which to all intents and purposes will be the project's launch.
A Silver Mt. Zion: Horses in the Sky
"Horses in the Sky" is the third and most expansive album to date from this collaboration of various artists from the Montreal post-rock scene.
MARK CROSSLEY - GUITAR/VOX PETE HILEY - GUITAR/VOX GAV BAILEY - BASS/VOX JAMES RUGG - DRUMS Jack Afro formed in September 2005 from the ashes of Leeds based band Lucky Royale.
If anyone's guilty of throwing the term "sounds like Tool" around, then it's me, and maybe Simon Glacken, but in this case, Broken have obviously been studying their copies of 'Lateralus' and 'Aenima'.
This three track demo gives notice of an interestingly slap-happy West Yorkshire band with leanings in a Stephen Malkmus direction.
'Before The End' isn't the Levellers at their best. It sees them forgo most of their folk leanings in favour of a pounding drumbeat that runs throughout the whole of the song, and will probably leave you with a massive headache.
The Tennessee Traincrash @ The Vine
The intimate carpet, curtains and ceiling lights of the Vine's upstairs room dispense a surreal good humour to all who have entered the packed-out space, up here on the edge of abnormality.
Although I liked their early singles I failed to be inspired by Duels' debut album "The Bright Lights", hence it was more with interest rather than any actual desire that I approached this, their second album.
It's impressive! - there have not been a straighter set of pub rock songs committed to record for a considerable time.
rock metal
Fulc talk to Andy Roberts about single, tours, Kerrang and strippers...
Billy Talent: 4 Piece from Toronto, they seem to be getting some really good press at the moment and look set to be the next "Big Thing" with the angst ridden pocket money wielding teenage Sum 41 fans out there.
Shut Your Eyes And You'll Burst Into Flames: Signal Noise
Already a mainstay and one of the most immediate and sublime highlights of Leeds' very own 10 legged, triple afro adorned post-punk 5 piece Shut Your Eyes And You'll Burst Into Flames' ever staggeringly good live shows, it's not a shock that 'Signal Noise' is the opening shot of what could be a very special musical journey indeed.
Sandman Leeds set to launch their music magazine this month...
Sandman Leeds, the new monthly local free music magazine, is launching in Leeds on 30th September. Since September 2002 Sandman has been running in Sheffield covering gigs, news, demos, new releases, specific bands and artists and listings.
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.
It's time for bleeding the money cow dry again, with The Wonder Stuff back in the game. There's the cheeky Miles Hunt, the rocker Malcolm Treece, quiet bassist Mark McCarthy, and drummer Andres Karu hidden behind excellent fiddle player Erica Nockalls, who has good posture and is probably classically trained.
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.
Those of you whose interest in the rock press goes no further than Kerrang! might be a bit surprised to learn this but there is actually quite a burgeoning sleaze/glam metal scene underground in the UK at present.
Little Japanese Toy: Disused No 5
Well, first thing's first: Little Japanese Toy score a whopping 0/10 for presentation. The demo consists of a hastily scribbled on, almost unreadable CD-R.
Rock. Or, if we're feeling particularly fruity, RAWK. Down-and-dirty, balls-fully-out Rock, fat of ass and fat of riff.
Band Profile: Waking the Witch
acoustic
Daryl Palumbo (formerly of Glassjaw) returns with his new band's second full length album after 2004's strong, if rather inconsistent, debut effort Decadence.
The Whip have been around in various incarnations for a number of years now; with the rise in popularity of artists such as Digitalism, Justice, Soulwax and MSTRKRFT and other established indie bands such as Bloc Party embracing electronic music perhaps now is their time.
Whilst the music world seems to be in a fervour over the latest wave indie bands from the North West who all sound remarkably and uninspiring similar, Manchester band The Whip have produced a stand-out indie-electro dance album.
Alternative Pop & Rock act with a nod towards the more obscure...
Over the last few years we've seen the size of bands decline. Whether it be the bassless White Stripes or the vocal lacking Lightning Bolt it seemed bands couldn't get any smaller.
Farming Incident: Please leave the state in the toilet in which you would wish to find it
Farming Incident are by far and away the most challenging horse to ride in the Wrath stables. They share none of the immediacy of there stable mates and with good reason.
Identity is a vital thing in popular music. What you sound like is never as important as how the audience relate to your personality.
No two ways about it. This is a purely beautiful debut album. Semifinalists have managed to condense hours of sweeping, emotional epic music all the way down into 3 minute wedges of charming pop music.
Although all of tonight's bands are relatively young, its safe to say that when Saving Lenny take to the stage and begin their first song, they're the pick of the bunch.
Following their huge single Just For Tonight, their top 10 debut album Started A Fire, a sold out tour from January to March, North Yorkshire five-piece, One Night Only have announced a new headline tour for May.
More funky house music? Oh yes. King Booty sound like some sort of cross between those endless 'chilled dance music' CDs you see clogging up valuable space in Virgin Megastores and the sound of French dance music from about 1998 - 1999.
The Durbervilles @ Otley Folk Festival
There are certain bands who have been busy round West Yorkshire for quite a few years, getting better at what they do rather more quickly than they get better known for doing it.
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.
rock pop
Rock/Alternative/Metal
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.
"Heavy as John Prescott's Wallet" Progressive/alternative metal - you decide!!!!!
The Lab: Time To Change Time? (Walk)
Urban black speech patterns and street styles in the US and Caribbean lend themselves to snappy call response mutual name calling, bragging and story telling.
I'd never been to basement before as I kind of think of it as out of the way, and not somewhere I really want to walk at night, but I saw the note asking for a reviewer, realized it was going to be an electronica based night and then got told I could get into the club afterwards for free, once I had paid for the gig - SOLD!
After spending some time listening to this new mini album from Brighton's angry grungers, The Zico Chain, I have learnt several things. My grunge threshold is considerably lower than I previously thought. Comparisons to legendary bands can be a thankless task. Confidence in yourself can be a saviour.
Amycanbe: Being a Grown-Up Sure Is Complicated
Being A Grown-Up Sure Is Complicated - sure is! Reflecting the alternation into adult life, Amycanbe's awaited debut album portraits music from the body and the soul.
There are few bands on the local scene that are capable of producing a piece of work as accomplished as this.
Herdwhite: Lost In The Big City
I'm bombarded with a soundscape of guitars, synths, samples, beats, male/female vocals and industrious effects.
An especially young crowd had been let out to play by their parents for this gig, and it showed in their random appreciation of their fine friends on the stage performing.
Royal Park Cellars announce Xmas Xtravaganza show...
Panama Promotions have announced a special show to mark the end of their Autumn 2003 season at The Royal Park Cellars featuring no fewer than six acts from Leeds' and West Yorkshire's rock fraternity - and from farther afield - who will take to the stage in a single evening performance from 8pm to Midnight on Saturday 20th December.
Grandmaster Gareth: The Party Sounds Of Grandmaster Gareth
Give this man a minute and he'll give you a melody. He'll give you a surreal story in sixty seconds. He'll even give you a bonus track that's half as long as the album itself!
Reverend And The Makers @ Cockpit
There's an air of anticipation amongst the crowd; The Cockpit is sold out and as this is the closest venue to Sheffield of their July tour dates plenty of people have made the trip up the motorway from Sheffield.
Jack Peat is a fairy. He used to be the drummer in Kram but as they were offered a record contract for one single he bottled out and wanted to focus on University.
The Shallow Call arrive surrounded by the type of over enthusiastic hyperbole which is usually reserved for world beaters like Radiohead, et al.
Shallowend: Shining Brighter / Tigers
Back in May last year I reviewed Shallowend's first release "The Waterfall" EP and at the time made the point about the difficulty I faced in being objective in reviewing a band where I new one of the members quite well.
Dashboard Confessional: Don't Wait
Acoustic-emo superstars Dashboard Confessional are back after two years of writing and recording the follow up to the 2003's million selling "A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar".
Cardboard Cowboy: Unload Your Head
Punkabilly Pop Rock gunslingers swagger through ten fat tracks of rhinestone. Allegedly. Here's the finished final debut album from Cardboard Cowboy in its Sunday Best Hat and Spurs.
Various Artists: Urban Fusion II
Mark Wright of Our Tuli sent this great CD in to LMS. And that tells a tale, by omission. Arts Leeds of the City Council, and a whole boatload of worthy sponsors put time and cash in to make the project possible.
"You've got to see Voodoo Glow Skulls. They, like, invented ska-punk man. Mad as fuck", mumbles the ever-reliable drunk, fired in the general direction of where I'm standing.
Former Leeds student, and Bootis former, now based in Brighton.
From the truly glorious, rousing opening riff, you can tell that 'Morden' is going to be a tale of teenage angst for our times and what a tale Good Shoes turn it into.
Kesh Patel and Alex Routledge have modest ability and titanic self belief. Their self-produced CD arrives with a wallet full of expensive printed gubbins telling us about their astonishing talents, rising popularity and forthcoming tour.
Band Profile: Unexploded Shells
Awkward indie noise-pop
Stateless are: Jimi Sturdy, drums & piano, Chris James, vocals & guitar, and Jon Taylor, ex-Duran Duran, on bass & vocals.
In doing his "which band will please Wedding Present / Cinerama fans" homework, it appears the promoter has missed the mark with his choice of support.
Ella Guru: 3 Songs from Liverpool
Key words. Exquisite. Pastoral. Oceanic. Delicate. Tender. Mellifluous. Treasured. Arboreal. Confiding.
Panic At The Disco @ The Refectory
With a platinum selling debut album, masses of emo kids following their every move, and now the abandonment of the '!' in their name, Panic At The Disco once again came to the city of Leeds and put on a show.
'Intense and claustrophobic music from Bradford. Extra proof, as if anyone needed it, of the Leeds/Bradford axis of musical accomplishment. More edge than a very edgy thing.'
Monster Killed By Laser @ Packhorse
At gigs in pubs I usually turn up too late to see the first act, sadly today was not one of those days.
The Futureheads @ Brudenell Social Club
The Holy Terror are four impossibly fresh faced youngsters apparently raised solely on a diet of the Slits and Babes In Toyland.
Signal Generator: Square Wave EP
The "Square Wave" EP from Huddersfeld's Signal Generator (Peter Morttram) is four tracks with (as far my lugs can tell) not a square wave anywhere.
Why is it that only guitarists can pull off wearing a cowboy hat? And why is it only drummers who wear vests?
After hearing the amazing split 7" from these two Leeds bands I was positively salivating at the prospect of tonight's show.
From Autumn To Ashes @ Joseph's Well
As a way of celebrating some monumental Birthday, the city of Leeds has taken it upon itself to throw a massive party, and invite loads of bands from around the globe to join in.
Being 747 @ Royal Park Cellars
First up are an intriguing prospect called Jail. This band features a front man armed with a yellow fluorescent tube (lit up, of course), wandering around the stage and the crowd and it's not really obvious if he knows what he's doing or not.
Various Artists: DTTR Compilation: Out Of The Woods And Trees
Responsible for a roster which contains the likes of The Pigeon Detectives and ¡Forward, Russia!, there is no doubt that the mighty Dance To The Radio label has played a major part in the recent explosion of music coming out of Leeds.
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.
It was tempting to add the PA to the line-up on this one, as it affected the night nearly as much as the bands...
In the field of heavy metal/ hard rock, some bands try their very best to push forward the template to an otherwise limited genre.
Will Ridge interviews Tim Wheeler and Rick McMullen of the band Ash and tries to establish what the future has in hold for them now they have turned their back on the conventional album.
Tonight's gig at the increasingly popular Rocket venue again showed the diversity of talent playing in Leeds at present.
Here's someone who can turn up anywhere in front of an audience who don't know what's coming - and the two sides of the arrangement find they're made for each other.
Detwiije: Would You Rather Be Followed By Forty Ducks for the Rest of Your Life
God bless post rock bands and their inability to come up with short, precise titles. In the world of post rock, reviewers tend to miss the point, and label a band "the new" someone or other, or even worse than that, they simply grab a handful of random bands in the genre and apply their names to newer bands in order to give them a starting point as to what they're trying to do.
David Thomas Broughton @ Faversham
Nothing could prepare me, or the dozens of those in my locality for what we were about to see "grace" the stage in front of our very eyes.
Divided by Zero's new 4 song CD has the angelic whine of Mansun and the fresh innocence of a local band.
I'm always suspicious of a CD when I see a quote from Pete Tong on the front cover, and there it is on the front of this Munkie album, 'Progression'.
Explosions in the Sky: The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place
Texas guitar band Explosions in the Sky have been building themselves a reputation over a slow-burning three years of intense and single-minded music making.
Queens of the Stone Age: Lullabies to Paralyze
Does the Josh Homme-Nick Oliveri rift really matter? It has preoccupied most writers reviewing this record, and it has certainly provided plenty of column inches in the NME.
"Do you think your weekend could get better?" Mike Skinner asks the crowd as opening track (also the opener, title track and latest single from his new album) Everything Is Borrowed comes to a close, and he is greeted with euphoric response from the crowd packed into the new (though you wouldn't know it from the state of the floor) Academy in Leeds.
Graham Jones - Bass Mark Priestly - Guitar Bruce Renshaw - Drums (dep) Ruth Coffey - Congas Caroline Standen - Flute/Alto Saxophone Alison Sheldon - Clarinet Paul Lee - Soprano/Tenor Saxophones Christine Smith - Tenor Saxophone Richard Scott - Baritone Saxophone Helen Mills - Trumpet Jem Dobbs - Trumpet Steve Etheridge - Trombone Rich Warrington - Trombone Throwing a party?
Hub's first EP is a self-titled three-track from the Leeds-based five piece formed in early January 2006.
In the dereliction of Leeds' nineteenth century railway arches Mark Linkous coaxes sublime and fragile music from a tangled mass of leads and electrojunk from the twentieth.
Interview: From Autumn To Ashes
Daniel Powell talks with Long Island post-hardcore band From Autumn To Ashes when they play as part of Live At Leeds 2007
This elegantly European-looking collection of four pieces from five piece Khopek comes cloaked in pale blue mystery.
So how does this work? Out of nowhere, a lo-fi, home recorded CD goes on the stereo after a hard day.
Alec Empire: The Golden Foretaste of Heaven
Starting your own record label with an advance bestowed on you by another record label could either be a great example of "sticking it to the man", or being a supremely selfish narcissistic tit depending on your viewpoint.
Napoleon IIIrd @ Brudenell Social Club
The Engine Room's fourth birthday celebrations were always going to be something special. The Brudenell Social Club was absolutely heaving, filled with many a familiar face from Leeds' bands.
Hot news! The Fat Cats have invented Punk Swing. No, really. And it's dead good. This five-piece (bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, saxophone) are a genre-hopping delight.
The Cockpit is sold out tonight and the biggest challenge for me tonight will involve trying to get a brief glimpse of the band, as most of the Hundred Reasons fanbase seem to tower above the 6ft mark.
On the surface of things, The Young Knives do not come across as an instantly likeable band. Their whole geek-chic image, seemingly meaningless moniker and ludicrously named bass player (The House of Lords, those of you who were wondering) make it easy to mark them down as achingly hip, annoyingly pretentious passengers on the indie scenester bandwagon where being able to pout is much more important than being able to play.
Stylus are a heavy rock band from Cleckheaton. Their three track demo is available for download from the music section of their website.
What an honour, reviewing 2 of my favourite bands in the world, as well as the added bonus of Harold.
This collage of thrash/black metal bands laid on a good spread of vocals, gifted guitar riffs and good old-fashioned head-banging...
Ahhhh, fuck. What the hell is that? After a few seconds of silence I was tempted to increase the volume on my speakers, little did I know that this was not a wise idea; the next thirty seconds were to be taken up with some chaotic, distorted and loud effects.
It's a cold wet Saturday night, we're stood outside the Mixing Tin so we can hear ourselves think, and I'm talking to Tom Summerfield and Glenn Pearson from Sound Club who have just finished an amazing set, in support of Tom Hingley.
Patience. Doctors have plenty of them, but alas the general music-buying public of today have very little.
Curtis Eller's American Circus: 1890
Weird is good. Wonderful is better. Weird and wonderful cannot be beaten with anything. This here artefact, electronically emitting noise like a raree-show demon from the audio equipment to my right is Curtis Eller's first CD album, recorded by himself in league with his very own and very mighty American Circus.
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.
Sounding like a hybrid of The La's accompanied by Beach Boys-esque style vocals The Restaurant open a mixed evening at the Vine in terms of style and quality.
Levellers @ St George's Hall (Bradford)
3 Daft Monkeys are a three-piece made up of a female violin player / vocalist (Athene Roberts), electric bass player Jamie Waters and male vocalist / 12 string acoustic guitarist Tim Ashton, who also plays a kick drum and occasionally adds whistle to what their website calls a "colourful carnival of sound".
The folks at Soundpeople who compiled this monster collection are probably the same sort who just can't help themselves trying one of everything at the pick'n'mix stall.
Ali Whitton and the Broke Record Players: A Failed Attempt At Something Worth Saying
What have we got here then? Thoughtful acoustic pop, I'd say, and done to a pretty fair standard - from Whitton's lyrics sung in his quite striking voice with its often pleading tone, through to arrangements well handled by the Broke Record Players.
Can the quality of unsigned Leeds bands get any higher? The FutureSound 2000 has certainly opened a lot of people's eyes to the standard of music out there in Leeds, and if you think of the bands that aren't even playing...
From Autumn To Ashes @ Cockpit
Mixed bills can (sometimes) be amazing. Other times however, they can kill any atmosphere that there may have been for any of the bands individually.
Orange Goblin @ Rio (Bradford)
With last week being the 50th anniversary of Elvis recording "That's all right mama" I've been kinda depressed.
Veil Cassini's debut EP proves that the Devon quartet have a hundred and one ideas when it comes to music, and for some reason they try to cram every last one of them into two songs, 'Silhouette' and 'Box & Cox.' Take almost any part of these musical mazes and you'll find enough off-kilter ideas to kit out five more songs.
The first-floor room at Milo's is, under normal circumstances, easily missed. You may have passed it en route to the facilities, but normally you'd be loafing around downstairs thinking that the (admittedly consistent) bar soundtrack was about as much aural stimulus as you'd require for an evening's drinking-cum-socializing.
Maximo Park: Our Earthly Pleasures
I had the privilege of meeting singer Paul Smith at a small record store in Durham way before 'Apply Some Pressure' had propelled them to Radio One stardom - way before the fabulous Jo Whiley had jumped on the indie bandwagon.
Why, oh why, oh why?? What is it with female bass players? Now I've been in bands with three myself and my current partner in rhythm, Miss Ravelle, is an exception to this rule...mostly anyway.
If you happen to be young, intelligent and restless, Coventry is a surprisingly inspiring place to be today- if only for all the wrong reasons.
Victoria Holdsworth talks to Terrorvision's Tony Wright in Sheffield during the band's 2007 tour
It is unaccountable that Crosscut Saw don't seem to have a growing audience. The music room at the Grove is no barn with its licensed capacity of 80, yet going there to see them one can feel concern whether there'll be enough listeners to generate decent door money let alone atmosphere.
It's midweek and outside is an Arctic wasteland, let's go out! I got my woolly hat and crampons on. Filled the St Bernard with brandy and my pockets with dried fruit, switched off all my appliances at the plug (my kettle being switched off might stop it from getting colder outside, possibly, it's science) and set off like an explorer, an explorer looking to discover new musical landscapes, new Kings and Queens and peoples and customs.
Great my car is playing up, just in time for a drive to Leeds! I finally arrive at the Well to catch the last half of Shallowend's set.
Towers Of London @ Joseph's Well
Oi, Arctic Monkeys fans, listen up! Whether you like it or not, we're gonna flood your marketplace with THIS!!
For the first time in the running of this competition have I managed to find out what the rules are for scoring, and what catgories the judges are marking out of.
A cold, dark and blustery Monday night in Leeds must have seemed like a million miles from Portland, Oregon but The Thermals did everything in their power to warm it up and a half full Joseph's Well was certainly appreciative.
Two Gallants: What the Toll Tells
In the world of the commercial mainstream Arctic Monkeys are being proclaimed as the Messiah himself, uniting the indie elite, the council estate hobbits, and even your mum and dad in the dawn of a new musical explosion.
Red Go Green Stop @ Carpe Diem
Seizethedayer Festival, in which promoters of local bands get together and organise an all-dayer, featuring a carefully selected mixture of said local talent at Carpe Diem, a basement venue with a good atmosphere a mere brick throw away from Millennium Square.
I'm not sure whether it would be sensible to say anything negative about Yes Boss. If the lyrics are to be believed then the wrong side of Noah is clearly not the place to be.
The Research: The Old Terminal
It may surprise some of my acquaintances, but I didn't always spend my spare evenings propping up the bar at the Faversham nursing a pint of Theakston and stroking my chin to the latest peripheral sounds.
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.
Ske: Life, Death, Happiness & Stuff
OK, this is getting ridiculous... yet another Icelandic band ventures down south for some loving. Ske (which means 'happening' in Icelandic, but 'slut' in Japanese) are a collection of writers and musicians that work in the fields of theatre music, film music and TV ad jingles that decided to make an album of guitar based pop songs.
The Cut @ Lawrence Batley Theatre (Huddersfield)
"Who needs Glastonbury when we've got Huddersfield!" announced the compère at the Noisebox Festival at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in the town.
IIIIIIIIIINNNNN ONE! The Scaramanga Six. I haven't seen this lot for a while, and I'm looking forward to it.
Various Artists: Lancaster: The Bands
You would have thought that Lancastrians would have come to terms with the fact that they're never going to get the better of us lot, but it would appear that they're still up for the challenge.
Various Artists: Digital Northerner III
If you procure Digital Northerner in the expectation of the latest bleepy electro-pop from the north of England then you're in for something of a shock.
Gruff Rhys @ Hebden Bridge Picture House
With his second solo album "Candylion", Gruff Rhys has produced one of the most charming records of the year and tonight is a chance to witness the Welsh genius at work in the flesh.
Upon arriving at the pub, I purchased the usual pint of wife-beater and made my way down stairs. Sitting down in the rather empty basement room I was surprised that the first band was not already on.
Various Artists: Holly Is The Enemy
For years the beguiling Holly Hernandez has charmed this scribe through her 'Demo Hell' column in the Melody Maker and more latterly the NME.
A Hawk And A Hacksaw @ Holy Trinity Church
Contemporary Music Network tours are usually pretty special. But this was extra special. This was my first time in the Holy Trinity Church, and whilst the architecture hardly resembles that of the York Minster or Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, I don't think there are any live venues in Leeds which can match this type of setting.
Upon recent visits to The Vine I must admit to being impressed by the seemingly more coherent approach taken to choosing the line-ups for nights, with what appears to be more consideration given to how compatible bands are both in terms of their musical style and fanbase.
The Distillers @ The Refectory
It was cold, it was raining and I had to queue up for like half an hour to get in... but to be honest that's the only real negative of the night; well there is another but I'll get on to that soon enough...
This Et Al @ Brudenell Social Club
"Shall we get started, then?" comes the casual enquiry from Two Minute Noodles, after a playful soundcheck from the duo.
Guided by Voices: Human Amusement at Hourly Rates
I'd heard Guided By Voices albums are notoriously erratic with songwriter Robert Pollard obviously missing a prominent branch of musicians philosophy best personified by Creedance Clear Water Revivals John Fogerty: "It doesn't make it mo' betta when you add mo' junk".
The Music @ Roadhouse (Manchester)
Review featured with permission from www.manchestermusic.co.uk Not unlike the amount of feather boas and leopard print present for the Manic Street Preachers, or backwards caps for Limp Bizkit, the traditional demin clad bowlheads fill Manchester's Roadhouse for the most hyped band this year.
Various Artists: Showcase: West Yorkshire SXSW 2007
'This town is in disarray' claims the opening track from this sampler, but clearly not in a bad way. As an album it may suffer from being a hotchpotch of radically different offerings from local record labels, but I'd be surprised if any unwitting industry mogul - into whose hand this disc may have been thrust at the recent SXSW festival, and who actually took the time to give it a spin - failed to diagnose a clean bill of health for the current Leeds scene.
First on was Math Hill & The Horrible Children. Previously advertised as medieval folk songs played to modern arrangements, the outlook was questionably dim.
There's a new club open in town. It's pretty exclusive and the house band is Leeds' Yellow Stripe Nine. Conveniently, Club DeccaDance's owner is the band's lead singer. In fact, it's his creation.
A good crowd turned up for tonight's free Barfly sessions gig but there was plenty of room and it could have been promoted a little bit better because many of the genuine fans who would have paid to see these bands knew nothing of it.
Considering the amount of publicity Jens Lekman has been getting in recent months, it was a little surprising to see The Fav wasn't packed.