Search for riff rock performed on Thursday, 21st August 2008.
riff rock
We found the term riff rock in 224 articles.
Rock, Paper, Indie: Charlotte Oxnard talks to Wakefield rock band The Humour.
indie rock
funk rock
punk garage rock
rock metal grunge
rock blues
Various Artists: Shock Rock: Wall Of Sound
New rave. Makes you want to look away doesn't it? New talent being pigeonholed into genre specific straight jackets, and all as a sorry excuse for the latest scene or fad to grow and take hold of our vulnerable teens.
Starkitten: Cynic's First Choice
Starkitten serve up a peculiar mixture of straight down the middle Rock / "I know that riff from somewhere" Punk / Ride 'em cowboy Rockabilly and all with a clear Pop sensibility.
Ricky Warwick was, and still is, the formidable front man for one of the heaviest rock acts the UK has ever seen. Victoria Holdsworth asks the questions...
They're from Wales. And damn proud of it, it would seem. Novello come from the label 'Dragonffli' ("spelt the Welsh way") and are purveyors of catchy, sometimes dark, atmospheric rock music, but without the cheese of similar rock bands, or the pointless whinging of most emo bands, which they maybe sound quite similar too.
Band Profile: That Fucking Tank
Two members of Kill Yourself keep themselves entertained with semi improved riff and dance rock like Oxes or Ruins or Pink and Brown.
...From The Shards Of Comets!: Less Magic, More Mechanics
Post-rock seems to be becoming quite popular these days with bands such as Mogwai, Godspeed You Black Emperor and Explosions In The Sky beginning to claim plaudits from all over the place.
The tractor beam slow paced opening holds you just long enough for 'Slither' to explode into its main riff with some good old rock'n'roll "Hey"s before Scott Weiland's deep purr slithers atop of the bass and guitar's grunt.
Cheer Up Mungo Hump and the Daddy Special: Untitled
'Sonic instigator' opens this CD with an infectious guitar riff, funky bassline and a vocalist that can actually sing.
Rock. Or, if we're feeling particularly fruity, RAWK. Down-and-dirty, balls-fully-out Rock, fat of ass and fat of riff.
les Flames!: Mutley, 1, From Essex
"We've got the rock, we've got the roll, we've got the sounds to get you excited, we've got the rock, we've got the roll, come on let's go!" sing the les Flames!
Malibu Stacey: Cuatro discos de stomp
The first time I saw Malibu Stacey, I had no idea who they were but was blown away by their professionalism and purist punk rock style.
Remo are from the growing collection of "alternative" rock bands hailing from the city of Bradford lately.
That Fucking Tank to release a 7" picture disc single
The astounding behemoth 2-piece rock riff outfit That Fucking Tank have finished recording sessions for their new release just this month to be released this year through On The Bone Records.
The Japanaro line-up has changed since they recorded their four-track EP last year, boasting a new sound and a new vocalist.
That Fucking Tank: Andrew/James
Spazzing two-piece avant-rockers That Fucking Tank return with this 7", released in conjunction with Spanish synth sound merchants Grabba Grabba Tape.
With a name such as The Crypt, you'd be forgiven for thinking that this band is a Goth-rock or black metal outfit.
Funk Rock bands are a dying breed (discuss in 500 words or less). The first question then is why? Because the majority of them are not very good and they tend to be the biggest exploiters of tired and tested, slap-bass-riff-driven, meandering five-minute background music.
The Bellrays: The Red, White and Black
The down and dirty bass guitar riff of "Remember" kicks off this second Poptones offering from The Bellrays before some rolling drums interrupt proceedings along with strangled guitar for company and then we're off into a rifftastic headlong dash to the chorus.
The Music Roll Exchange: Untitled
The Music Roll Exchange (North London with Huddersfield connections) have their chief blurb-writer primed to start abbreviating the name (they shall be known as TMRE) before anybody has heard of their carefully chosen long name.
Although its now two or three years since nu-metal brought guitars and rock back into the mainstream, there has been a resurgence of interest lately with bands who are mixing the archetypal heavy rock sound with early nineties classic grunge influences.
experimental
Hoggboy have brought their mates along from Sheffield for this show taking in some of their recent releases.
Yourcodenameis: Milo: Schteeve
Following their impressive Albini produced debut mini album, Yourcodenameis: Milo release their first single proper produced this time by Flood.
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...
Imagine Status Quo with occasional bongos. Got it? Ok, that's half way to the sound of 10,000 Things.
Listening back to Beasts' original demo recording - released in April last year - it' amazing to note how much a band can achieve in just a few months.
Being confronted by a venue the size of a half-empty aircraft hangar doesn't daunt York's heroic threesome.
This Black Velvetine's latest release, the three track EP "Goodbye" reeks of all things sleaze, snot and debauched rock.
"Nowhere to Hide" is a clanging bluesified rock piledriver with Americano vocal affectation in the style of Pub Rock, but no particular song.
Leeds' latest progressive-alt-rock band, Blue Sky Project, show plenty of promise with this record yet generally fall just short in delivering the quality goods expected of a band fronted by enigmatic singer / songwriter / guitarist / promoter / label boss Lewis Denby.
Motley Crue: If I Die Tomorrow
In December last year cock-rock legends Motley Crue, well known for their drug overdoses and womanising, decided to reform to give music one more crack.
Northern Ireland's loss is Manchester's gain regards Jist, originating in the former and decamping to the latter.
Yourcodenameis: Milo: They Came from the Sun
The cover art can convey many impressions about an album. Usually they are correct, as is the case here.
Various Artists: Brew Records - Vol. 1
Newly formed in June in this year with the intention to showcase "more of the experimental music bursting out of Yorkshire" Brew Records Vol.
It's Monday night. And people have left their warm cosy houses, braved the elements and piled down the Well for a sloppy, dirty, nasty sludge-rock extravaganza!
Band Profile: Seven Story Mourning
post-hardcore emo
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?
Various Artists: Dangerlust / Hinterland - split single
"Touch My Ass" eh? Well, if you describe yourself as a dirty, sleazy scuzzy rock band then I might have to pass on that - I might catch something.
This latest offering from the up-and-coming whippersnappers from Welwyn Garden City encapsulates perfectly what this band are all about; a three-minute burst of loud, simple, magnificent punk rock.
The Yo-Yo's: Given Up Giving Up
I remember five years ago as a poor student living in Stoke-on-Trent getting the first The Yo-Yo's album and lending it to anyone who'd listen.
Leeds' own The Dharma (formerly know as Unyson) display a buried love of Freedom Rock on this 3 track demo, that's big choruses, hands in the air and the wind in your hair.
The Sugars: Doo Wop (Sugar So Sweet)
Bands such as Arctic Monkeys may dispute that image isn't everything, and whilst it certainly isn't, it's always good to find a band who, in addition to writing first-rate songs, also have a good ol' bash at looking damned good.
Andrew WK @ Leeds Festival 2002
The one-man party machine drew a large crowd to the Main Stage to witness some self-abuse antics. The performance is full of energy from the start; Mr WK and backing band run around like lunatics.
As this CD finished, I found myself asking 'oh right, is that it?' You see, Agent Blue are not the most original band in the world.
To be honest I've never seen Downfall before, never heard a single note played by this lot before, I've heard good things, don't get me wrong, but I've never been to a gig to see them play, call it laziness I guess...
Somehow while living the rock 'n' roll lifestyle Red.Star.Line managed to find the time to whip up a whole album.
The Fencott Disaster: Ambulance Fever
Shout, scream, whine, loud, fast, stop, start, feedback, riff, rock, ravage, thrash. That's The Fencott Disaster in 12 words.
An American band with guitars and a violin will bring images of Hillbilly country rock. Add a hint of reggae and you'll be forgiven for thinking it's the Mad Hatters tea party.
Fury of the Headteachers: Farewell Comrade
Fury of the Headteachers' fresh take on punk rock can be heard on their new release, 'Farewell Comrade'.
While many of Leeds' rock fans were the other side of town (Razorlight at LU) some of us were supporting local talent.
Spitfire Charlie: What did we do last night?
For some reason after hearing the name Spitfire Charlie bounded about I'd started picturing a bunch of Oasis-soundalikes in Parkas.
Viva Voce: Faster Than A Dead Horse
Viva Voce's latest single 'Faster Than A Dead Horse' is a psychedelic pop gem. Soak up the feel of the song and you'll think you're cruising through San Francisco in the mid-60's.
There's the possibility of a successful band here, but it's unlikely to be named Louie. I mean, it could form from Louie, or component members thereof, but for now all we see before us is a band going through the stage of self-finding, identification and formation.
The Parnell Deception: Untitled
According to the press release The Parnell Deception are "often described as Tool thrown into a melting pot with Radiohead".
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.
Chicken Legs Weaver: Street Cleaner EP
Royal Park Cellars' favourite Sheffield band Chicken Legs Weaver are unfeasibly good. Doing research on the band I have turned up virtually nothing.
progressive metal
"It'll be really funny and everyone will forgive our recording foibles if we call our demo 'Poorly Produced Demo' upfront - hey it's irony man!" Umm, well it isn't funny and it should really have been called 'Poorly Mastered Demo' lacking as it does in EQ or volume.
Richard Nixon would be proud. At last, something good with his surname. This 3 track EP from Manchester quartet Tricky Nixon is mighty impressive.
Imagine going to a gig and getting given a CD to review. Well that's what happened with this CD by Seven Hours.
Lyrics. I've never been good in identifying quality lyrics. That is lyrics that others deem to be of any quality.
The A.M. @ Fez Club (Sheffield)
If you have never been to, or played the Fez Club, I would recommend that you go. Nice staff, a friendly atmosphere 'Moroccan' / middle east décor and silken sheets for the bands to hide behind and call their dressing room.
This three-track promo CDR is awesome. No really. I didn't understand it at first but once my wife had taken over and proclaimed how much she loved the record after just one listen, I had to work out what it was that I had missed...
Flies are Spies from Hell @ Royal Park Cellars
For this sleep deprived reporter, the prospect of having to walk deep into Headingley on a Thursday evening, with an exam at 9 O'clock the next morning, was not a particularly inviting one, but none the less I upped the courage and made the effort.
The Pigeon Detectives: Untitled
The Pigeon Detectives are one of the most entertaining live bands around Leeds at the moment. On stage their frantic and furious frontman belts out shambolic rock 'n' roll gems like there's no tomorrow, often threatening to decapitate one of the band's guitarists as he throws his mic stand, microphone and himself around the stage in an uncontrolled fit of pleasure.
Rhode Island announce themselves with the borrowed voice of a court house judge from some seedy American backwater.
Interesting ways to sort out your band's musical direction number 341 - take the Kaiser Chiefs' sharp approach to indie-pop, add a dash of razorblade guitar riffs, some Stooges style onstage hyperactivity, stick a rocket up its jacksy and enjoy.
The opening guitar induces a wince, the shaky drumbeat turns the wince into a grimace and as the vocals come in teeth grind until there's nothing but flesh.
Planet Of Women: Waking Up the Neighbourhood
"November spawned a monster" sang Morrissey back in 1991. Fourteen years on and this turn of phrase could be applied to some of the current wave of artists riding on the coat-tails of the glam rock/ cock-rock resurgence instigated by The Darkness.
This isn't a bad little EP from this newly formed London ensemble; actually it's quite good although after reading their extremely long-winded blurb I got the impression they may be trying to be too alternative for their own good.
Tetra Splendour @ Leeds Festival 2002
Plundering the heavy riff cookbook, Porthcawl's Tetra Splendour sure make a better live proposition than on record (fine single 'Pollenfever' excepted).
The Beauty Shop: Rumplestiltskin Lives
Beginning with a quirky, memorable acoustic riff, this swaggers along for just over three and a half minutes, the vocals ranting about all the drudge of Americana like a drunken cowboy dragging his boots through the mud.
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.
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.
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.
The Scaramanga Six: The Continuing Saga Of
Whatever they might get up to in Huddersfield, The Scaramanga Six are pretty big in the large city of Leeds.
Imagine you've just accidentally walked into Doctor Who's Tardis. Easy enough mistake to make, there you are wanting to make a phone call to your mum to tell her to put the Sheppard's Pie in the oven when suddenly your find yourself trapped in a blue time travelling device.
Barnsley based Relay carry off an accomplished and familiar sound. "Different to anything else around at the moment" says a quote from the accompanying biog, written by someone who clearly hasn't listened to The Rain Band, The Music, The Cooper Temple Clause, The Verve, Mansun, Primal Scream and countless others that have mixed the dancier / funkier side of rock with Indie.
The Nervous Shakedown: They've Come To Save Us
Here's a question for you. What do you get when you cross Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age and the Desert Sessions?
Three Children Of Fortune: Scarlet Fever
Despite sounding like an early-eighties kids cartoon a la Mysterious Cities of Gold, Three Children Of Fortune are in fact a post-rock trio from Medway who specialise in creating a "visceral, angry and abrasive take on British guitar music".
Like many of today's music buying public I'm too young to remember The Jam as they were but like so many others I have a few of the albums in my collection and I can hum the classics.
Smilex are from Oxford. They're inventive and spirited and should do a fizzing stir-fry of set at the Royal Park Cellars when they come to Leeds on November 1st.
The Horrors: She Is The New Thing
"It's weird, because when we do gigs we just set out to play our songs and not annoy or wind up anyone - but we often cause loads of trouble in the process" says keyboard player Rhys 'Spider' Webb.
This is very primitive guitar rock with a swagger and attitude that some people are just going to love.
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.
Upon first listen this EP made little impression on me, as 'Mucktub' made way for the second track 'Regular Guy', I found myself wondering if my CD player was stuck on repeat mode, and had to check that this really was a new song.
The Lodger: The Lodger Sings A Demo CD
The Lodger is starting the Britpop revival as of NOW. His lyrics are honest and insecure at times but he ain't no bedroom melancholic, no no.
Listening to the first track provided for me here in neat digital form I marvel at the fact that The Bayonets only formed a few months ago.
The Killers: All These Things That I've Done
The Killers are probably the most aptly-named band around at the moment, after having whipped, bludgeoned and slayed their way across the British music scene with sharp ties and nicely-pressed trousers.
I like Milburn a lot. They're one of the reasons I started reviewing because you never know when you'll be sent a gem of a CD to cover that you just absolutely love.
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.
Wednesday night's show at Joseph's Well was one of the best I've seen in the last three months. The two bands fit well together and each played good, rocking sets.
i concur: Lucky Jack / Build Around Me
As far as 'post-rock' goes, i concur appear to amass all the hallmarks of the genre with the precise and systematic grace of the consummate disciples they purport to be.
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.
Charly Six: Get Drunk, Screw, Get High
The boys that once were Brass Monkey are now the men standing up to be counted as Charly Six. With a sound that has undergone several incarnations there has always been some question as to which C6 would be turning up.
Last Riot: Shoot For The Sky EP
Purple fiery dice adorn the front of the Shoot For the Sky E.P, suggesting a devil-may-care rock'n'roll attitude but there's also a hint of glam sparkle about it which builds up the fear that Last Riot might be as camp as KISS.
Now don't get me wrong here, I've nothing against Kurt Cobain - the guy made some damn fine music in his time.
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.
The Blackout: The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout!
The Blackout have never claimed to be reinventing the wheel. Most of the criticism levelled at the valley boys are usually due to their lack of originality.
Raw, loud and unrestrained, the latest offering from the boy/girl blues trash outfit is the epitome of nicotine-stained scuzzy rock 'n' roll.
indie pop
Parisman: A Lesson In The Art Of Balance
Parisman take one great leap into their own future with this very polished three track CD. No more uncertainty about how to balance the rock and the electronics.
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.
Entering the Cockpit the first thing that hits you is the heat, the second is the fact that Brassy are already on stage.
Defining yourself in a saturated market is hard at the best of times, and for many bands that choose punk or grunge the struggle is for acceptance when stereotypically most "piss poor local bands" usually fall into this category.
The name Demon Summer immediately conjures up images of Satan chilling on a beach in Cornwall while the sun beats down on his already fiery flesh.
You have to feel a bit sorry for MoFo as they take the stage to an audience numbering approximately three.
The Parkinsons: A Long Way To Nowhere
It doesn't seem like yesterday that I reviewed and interviewed four guys for Mean Fiddler. Riotous exhibitionists, yet the nicest guys you're ever going to meet out behind the scenes, they were out on a day trip to prop up the Saturday morning third-stage festivities at Leeds Festival, and the 'Fiddler, whatever their reasons, didn't publish any of it.
I will make no apology for the lacklustre performance given by openers KENOSHA, who decided that the paying customers were not worthy of them playing a part in the proceedings.
Blue Sky Project: Masquerade EP
I have awaited more tracks from Blue Sky Project since listening to their last EP on MySpace (oh the beauty of the Web!) and thought they had potential, so naturally the next offering from them needed to exceed all expectations.
A year ago The Noise were sounding like a young and excitable pub rock band with a bit of a cheek. A new year, and a new release and they still have the same plunderous love of 70's bluesy rock and roll and much the same basic sound.
I'd never previously seen any of the bands I saw on Wednesday night but when I left at 11:15pm I felt like I'd heard three of them somewhere else before.
Two support bands. Why? Why oh fucking why? Maybe I need clarification, but I thought the whole point of a support band was to warm up the crowd for the main event, not take away all the time from them?
Having spent four years of my life in Bradford, I still never worked it out as to why this curry capital of the north has managed to take it's place as the 'must have' of any self respecting Rock bands tour dates.
All Star 69ers @ Joseph's Well
Tonight's Northern Xposure event is opened up by Welsh band Novello, who play interesting, energetic, loud rock music.
Is it me? I keep hearing recordings that make no demands, move no stones and promise no thrills. The Reverse come from Crouch End and make much of acoustic guitar strumming.
Too excitable too soon, my young boys. Puscha's (albeit high-energy thrashing-at-the-bit heavy-breathing) second single gets all hot and bothered before it has anything to show for itself.
Hub's first EP is a self-titled three-track from the Leeds-based five piece formed in early January 2006.
"like Sevendust battling it out with deftones and Metallica" - The Machine
Various Artists: Bright Young Things 2007
Fifteen quite individual tracks - and yet there's more than a hint of overall unity to this. Not sameness: far from it, but a feel that it wouldn't be impossible to cook up a narrative thread plotting the journey from minute 1 to minute 59, and so award concept album status as well as whatever other accolades are coming to BYT 2007.
This second offering from York-based alt-rock outfit Heroic Trio, the follow-up to last year's Driveby EP, is a decidedly mixed affair.
10,000 Things have always had a reputation as a fearsome live band. Who am I to question that? The Things appear to be living out the sex, drugs and rock'n'roll dream to great success.
Oh God here we go again. Haven't we reached our quota of tawdry predictable Coldplay tribute acts yet...
Receiving an EP from a band that lists influences ranging from Radiohead to Jeff Buckley to Nirvana, I had no idea what would greet me when I started listening.
Yellow Stripe Nine: Look Sharp EP
Yellow Stripe Nine are a band I've heard of but never heard, until now, and on the basis of this CD I'm wondering why.
No Hope In New Jersey: Steady Diet Of Decline
I first heard No Hope In New Jersey's debut single release 'Narcolepsy' about two years ago. Much anticipation was thus created.
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.
After arriving home from my brief holiday in Iceland, it's ironic to find a song about summer waiting on my doorstep.
Despite the disappearance of much of the area's student crowd, the second batch of Fake Hips welcomed a health-sized crowd by the time Liverpool-based Friday's Ghost arrived onstage.
Nine Black Alps: Everything Is
Nine Black Alps are the latest in the long line of bands to be adorned with that oft used title 'The Next Nirvana' but for anyone who is now hearing band names such as Silverchair, Puddle of Mudd and Bush, fear not.
Stephen Dale Petit: Guitararama
Even for willing listeners this album may challenge sustained concentration, but it's not short of highlights, and has real momentum on opening in quintessential electric blues style with 'Sacramento' and 'Alexis Korner Says'.
I bet Thee Virus House really get annoyed all the time with people printing their name The Virus House, because yes that wasn't a spelling mistake or typo, they are Thee Virus House.
Do Me Bad Things: Time for Deliverance
Okay so I'm heading into this review with a kinda biased viewpoint of the band to begin with after seeing their piss poor performance at the Reading festival this year.
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.
Neils Children: Always the Same
Wow that's a sick guitar sound! Yet it pounds around my head picking up on each one of my senses. This is a crazy indie-punk number from Neils Children, sounding like The Futureheads mixed with Pistols-esque vocals yet they have their own unique psychedelic feel to the piece.
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.
Marc Bolan & T-Rex: 30th Anniversary Singles
When music of the 70s is mentioned the word T-Rex usually follows. This highly influential glam rock band led the glam rock generation invasion and this collection of hits re-released on vinyl with exclusive b-sides shows their prevalence is still with us even after Marc Bolan's tragic passing.
It's a chilly Saturday night, and my feet have past the point of freezing. Upon reflection, acid pink sling-backs are unsuitable for an occasion where any amount of walking is required.
L-shaped karaoke joint, The Vine, is the place to showcase bands without stroking their egos or firing them into major limelight.
Angels & Airwaves: We Don't Need to Whisper
As the frontman of Blink 182, Tom DeLonge sold millions of records and gained huge popularity off the back of songs about falling in love, shagging your mum, and being a teenage delinquent.
Fonda 500 @ Royal Park Cellars
If there's one thing I love its a bit of swagger in the face of adversity. A nice big "Fuck You" when things aren't going quite right.
Tonight's support act Aereogramme are an oddity - they have a singer who resembles what you imagine Fran Healy would look like if he acquired a bit of a meths habit, a guitarist who's the dead spit of Bill Bailey and a bassist who looks like he's on loan from Saxon.
Patience. Doctors have plenty of them, but alas the general music-buying public of today have very little.
Young Heart Attack @ Joseph's Well
I'm starting to wonder if someone's put a curse on me which has condemned me for an eternity of always missing the opening act when I go to review gigs at Joseph's Well - this is no less than the third time in a row that it's happened.
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.
We all know about the "difficult second album" phenomenon. I mean, it's featured every year in the Great Rock and Roll Clichés Annual, next to such chestnuts as "we write songs for ourselves and if anyone else likes them it's a bonus" (he said whilst looking nervously over his shoulder at the suits from his record company) as well as the whole kafuffle of throwing a TV in through a hotel window.
Entering the barely packed side room at first glance this does not seem like the prime of Switches' domains, stage drab and atmosphere mellow.
The second night of the reborn It's Gone Ballistic, the weekly local band showcase taking place at the Rocket Venue on a Tuesday night saw a male-female split.
drum 'n bass
Various Artists: On The Bone Records: Compilation One
Eventually, a compilation release is the logical step in any promoter's relationship with their artists and audience.
Colour of Fire, acclaimed local(ish) alt-rockers, opened up tonight in front of a reasonable crowd. Having just finished a considerable UK tour, they didn't seem at all tired, or perturbed to back in their regular gigging territory.
"Swift will remove your mask, whether dressed in white or dressed in black." they claim. A surreptitious war on Slipknot fans?
It's hard to put a finger on it, but whatever it is, Jonjo Feather has it, and he's got it in spades.
Naïve sounding rockers "Columbia Drive" are Newcastle based, with an international tinge in singer Louise Dal's CV.
The Vine seems to have a cross section of every genre of rock 'n roll tonight, as we move through pseudo funk, light indie, Maiden-esque metal and then finally some anthemic indie stompers.
Ahh, the rigour of That Fucking Tank's riff-ravaged post rock is quite a detachment from the banality of everyday life.
Pounding of drums and wail of guitar signifies that My Exploding Heart have come to the stage. Singer/guitarist Danny Carr thrashes out power chords like it's the last time he'll play a gig while faces of orgasmic exhilaration come from frantic drummer Mike Quarry.
After reviewing rock bands for the last few months, it's an unexpected change of direction that sees me listening to this 4 track CD by dance trio Emmet.
Virginia Creep: Crack Out Baby
There was a time, years ago, when hulking behemoths stood astride the world we call 'Rock!' with their axes in hand and their lean bodies covered in garish spandex, tight fitting leather and tremendously outrageous haircuts.
Full line up for Futuresound 2004 is announced...
Futuresound Music can now confirm which thirty bands have got through to the next round of their unsigned competition, Futuresound 2004.
A popular place with the alternative crowd, the Bassment was an impressive half full as That Fucking Tank took the stage at 8 o'clock.
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.
I'm always suspicious of acts whose press releases seem overly keen to labour the point that their musical influences are made up of a diverse mix of seemingly irreconcilable bands and artists, as well as stressing the fact that their sound cannot be "pidgeonholed" in any way whatsoever.
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...
Scatter: Women Of A Certain Age
"Scatter's debut CD 'Judas' was a lament to Leeds Utd golden boy Alan Smith's vile decision to join Man Utd." Aaah, football fans.
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.
"Send in the cavalry from up above" request Australians Heather Barnes and Gareth Hudson of The Good.
The Ebb are about to reach make or break time. Ball-busting, tribally triumphant drums soundtrack the band's rock and Borrell swagger onstage, the supremely confident singer causally sauntering across the pit before thrashing himself into a Columbia sized riff.
It's Friday night and I think I might go out, have a few beers, and watch some bands I've never heard of.
It's around 9 o'clock when I wander down to Carpe Diem, feeling a little dazed and inebriated. (I blame the afternoon spent in the pub celebrating degree results).
A band are generally on to a good thing if people leave the venue after their set in tears. OK, so sometimes a band might be just too damn scary and terrify young children into weeping.
This is infectious, intelligent, tough music that thrills the hairs on your arms and tucks your granny up at night with a cup of something poisonous.
This 10 track CD on Eggbert Records is a celebration of traditional guitar pop values. Danny Slack, Sam Forrest, Dave Hunt and Tom Johnson do timeless craftsman-built songs as if English punk had never happened.
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'.
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.
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.
Duncan McFarlane Band: Woodshed Boys
After having had the pleasure of catching this band live several times I had very high expectations of this album.
Lightning Bolt @ Brudenell Social Club
The venue is slowly starting to fill when Like a kind of Matador take to the stage. A trio comprising of a guitarist, a drummer and a flutist who then proceed to produce some mighty fine concept rock.
1. You are showing your age. Zenith. If only we were allowed guns in the UK. Pete Docherty (the last remaining soap rocker© in the world) would be joining the list of M.I.A.s and personally we think that would be dull and boring.
The Strokes @ Leeds Festival 2002
Firstly let me state the thing this weekend confirmed for me, above all others, that people at festivals so often have such varied opinions about the bands they saw.
Billy Bragg: Mr Love & Justice
Everything I don't really want to say about Mr Love and Justice is forced out of me by knowing that the slack and meandering four and half minute first track is also the single from the album.
An evening of contrasts at the New Roscoe was enjoyed by a pleasantly sizable crowd - given that it was a Wednesday night and clashed with the nation's prima donnas kicking a bag of wind with scant success - proof, if proof be need be, that live music at grass roots level is alive and kicking.
IIIIIIIIIINNNNN ONE! The Scaramanga Six. I haven't seen this lot for a while, and I'm looking forward to it.
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".
Ahhh The Raveonettes. The first time I saw them was in May last year, mostly to promote 'Beat City', the final single from their debut mini-LP 'Whip It On'.
Deja vu. Deja vu from the exact same time last year. Stuck in the same pokey Cockpit auxiliary room with an altogether comatose audience but nevertheless an incendiary performance from one of British rocks most talented outfits.
My day started off surreally, an early morning phone call from my old dear asking me if I've heard of a band from Sheffield, called Milburn?
A sparsely populated Rocket bar greets us tonight, surprising considering who is playing but nevertheless, we obtain some drinks and make our way to two of the twelve spare stools.
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.
Guitarist with Icelandic rockers Mínus (pronounced "Meenush") Frosti, has an informal chat with Gavin Miller about touring, singing songs in English and why Iceland is the hip place to be nowadays...
It all sits a bit on knife-edge this one; I can't be the only one that feels it. The sweet, sweet taste of anticipation impregnates ever fibre of my body and, in empathy with a dog on heat, I pace round the Refec like a chained beast.
I arrived at the Cockpit at about 8.00 pm and was pleasantly surprised to see the venue very busy for that time of night and on a Monday.
The Subways: Young for Eternity
Just over a year ago hotly tipped new band The Subways were handpicked by Michael Eavis to play on stage at Glastonbury and since then their rise has been nothing short of amazing; going on to support Oasis and headlining some of the most raucous music events of the year including The Camden Crawl and XFM's Xmas Party.
'Fly Away,' the debut album from DIY punks Fandangle is a seamless, jazz-meets-punk fusion, and is unashamedly good fun.
"The first band will start at 8," shouted the manager of the cockpit. Ah good I thought. 8.10 ... 8.20 ...
Seasick Steve and his guitar 'The Three Stringed Trance Wonder' have recently come off the festival circuit and preparing for a UK tour starting this month so Sam Murray rang his Norway home to find out about the man, the music and get a story or two.
There's always been a place for humour in music. All the best bands had wit without being cheesy and over the top with it, and tonight proves that humorous observations and amusing asides don't mean you have to be the Grumbleweeds.
Lightning Bolt @ Brudenell Social Club
Arriving at the venue around 5pm, the Brudenell Social Club is already packed out with a whole variety of people.
No it's not the Onion Cellar, though you'd be excused for referencing that particular venue. However, the grass is, indeed, green(ish), unlike The New Roscoe's shiny brass which is busy reflecting the populating of here, and the faces of solitary guys, with an honest lustre, (that match-making call was a good one).
There is laughter in the air tonight; people look determined to have fun. Young innocent faces rejuvenate my past and my Sixth Form days come flooding back to me.
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.
The Scaramanga Six @ Joseph's Well
Review featured with permission from www.whisperinandhollerin.com Wrath Records are a new label in Leeds, based around 4 bands who have a lot in common.
Tupamaros @ Royal Park Cellars
First - an apology to NONE OF THEM KNEW THEY WERE ROBOTS - as I trotted down the steps of The Cellars for this my first "Collective AKA" night, I heard the final chord of their set and saw the singer lie down on the stage.
Yo La Tengo @ West Yorkshire Playhouse
You gotta love the music industry. I arrive at the rather plush West Yorkshire Playhouse excited, yet a little nervous because of all this guest list stuff.
As another long night bleeds into another bright, sunny day, bleary eyed tent dwellers emerge from their probably now a little bit on the stale side canvas abodes to see out the last day of the festival.
Wildhearts @ Scarborough Castle
So this is what I missed Leeds Festival for then. Catching the train out to the coast first thing on a Saturday morning (well, halfway to the coast - due to trouble on the line I end up getting a bus from York) to see the last ever gig by both Wildhearts and Terrorvision, today has the omens of being a good day.
By all rights Shatner really ought to be extinct. Given that the Big Brothers who quietly go about the business of corrupting the nation's youth decided to adopt the policies of Pol Pot somewhere around the late 90s, someone ought to have got round to sending Jim Bower & co to the glue factory by now.
Interview: Charlotte Hatherley
Kate Zezulka meets up with Charlotte Hatherley to counteract the Spice Girls' comeback by spreading a little real girl power...
We catch up with power-pop trio Kenosha who chat about fame early in their careers, rehearsing in Bridlington and almost having a 'we're not worthy!' moment with their heroes...
Joseph's Well in Leeds have played host to some rather well-known bands if their posters are anything to go by - and over the last few months it seems like they've booked mostly Biffy Clyro support bands (thisGirl, The Boxer Rebellion, X is Loaded and some little London outfit named Brigade...).
MMMMBZZZZ goes the clock and I'm buzzing for pound a pint. I'm sat there, as per every pissing Friday afternoon, shooting the shit with Tommy B.
Badly Drawn Boy: Have You Fed the Fish
Badly Drawn Boy's "Have You Fed the Fish" (AKA All Possibilities) is a recording project devoted to two questions: "who is Damon Gough?", and "how can he survive as an aspiring artist in 2002?".
One Bullet Left @ Snooty Fox (Wakefield)
The Snooty Fox in Wakefield is slightly different to the majority of pubs that you'll will have no doubt drank in.
Daniel Powell and Alexisonfire's Dallas discuss everything from gig etiquette to the band's previous albums, and everything in between
I give you fair warning. I am about to break the ancient, time-honoured and globally respected code of the International Covenant of Authors, Note-Takers, Writers, Reviewers, Interviewers, Talkers and Editors (or ICANTWRITE for short) covering the critique of musical releases and/or performances on precisely 2 counts. In fact one of these has already been broken. So apologies if this warning comes too late in the day and has already caused you unnecessary distress.
Truvine @ Tut'n'Shive (Wakefield)
So this is the location for Wakefield's newest acoustic night (featuring two non-acoustic bands tonight, just for the hell of it).