Search for rock genre performed on Thursday, 8th January 2009.
rock genre
We found the term rock genre in 244 articles.
Sonic Boom Six: The Ruff Guide to Genre Terrorism
First impressions are usually right. When you first meet someone you are supposed to make a decision on whether you like them or not within six seconds.
funk rock
indie rock
If this CD didn't have "we are mods" written all over it I could get fairly enthusiastic. It's fresh, it's shouty and it's self assured.
indie rock
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.
Not too sure what to think about this EP really. A 4 piece "Yorkshire-based alternative rock outfit", recorded this on an 8 track in their drummer's garage in true punk rock fashion apparently.
What is clear from the outset is The Touch have talent. Blues driven pounding rock and roll filled with impeccable harmonies and soul.
Eddie Vedder inspired an entire generation of rock vocalists to realise they could sing respectably, Chris Cornell spread the word with Soundgarden, but more recent acts have pushed it to exhaustion i.e.
Band Profile: Friends of the Family
Drums - Chris Jackson Bass - John Summers Vocals / Guitar - Michael Burton Guitar / Vocals - Benjamin Dunn Formed at the tail end of 2004, Friends of the Family are a collective of songwriters who met while studying for one degree or another at the University of Bradford.
Rolla, in their previous life were the band Rollerball, who won Futuresound last year and did it quite well.
Three Man Amp's take on the genre of indie rock is one that has been heard before and will most likely be heard again, thanks to the never ending supply of bands that are churned out by record labels to meet the demands of the lazy MTV2 fans, who base their musical tastes on the NME chart.
Funeral for a Friend: Escape Artists Never Die
On one hand faced with a mountain of press and media that can say nothing bad about the black haired post-nu-metal-rock-core-emo-make-up-your-own-new-genre band, whilst on the other hand faced with a similar level of interest in the music as my regular hobby of sticking pins in my eyes - this was not going to be an easy task!
New Leeds radio station Interplay Radio looking for unsigned bands...
Over Easter a new Leeds radio station called Interplay Radio will emerge, broadcasting on FM from the 2-8th April.
Playing the two-track Weeve demo CD brings back some memories, mainly images of bands such as Soundgarden, Bush or Pearl Jam vocals/structure but with a typically British indie-guitar style.
Days Of Worth: The Western Mechanism
Somehow no matter how hard you try - and I mean really, really try - you just can't imagine Surrey as the backdrop against which tales of angst-ridden suburban alpha-male woe are set to wistfully melodic slabs of post-hardcore rock.
Emerging in the late 80s Senser were one of the first bands to bring us rap-metal. As innovators of the scene they were doing something new and refreshing.
The Zico Chain: Where would you rather be?
The Zico Chain have been pushing on the boundaries of the rock mainstream for a while now with their mix of grunge and heavy rock.
Malcolm Middleton: A Brighter Beat
Break and post break-up songs are great. Ask any disco fan. Or pop fan. Or country fan. Or folk fan...
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.
Sounding like coffee table jazz funk, but with a rougher Tom Waits on vocals, Seven Hours are a bit of a mixed bunch.
The CD cover is black and the font looks rather gothic so I am not expecting any summery pop as I slip Misled Vision's demo into the tray.
Shadow of Memories: Too Much Within
Darkly epic melodious doom-metal from the rock metropolis of Headingley, Shadow of Memories latest audio instalment is the two-track EP "Too Much Within".
Bradford slacker rock outfit Harmacy are a bit of a find. I've never heard of them before but if they're gigging locally I'd recommend checking them out.
Brainwash Festival II revealed
19th-21st October will see the second Brainwash Festival take place at the Brudenell Social Club and Royal Park Cellars venues in Leeds, and once again all profits will be going to charity.
Plasticine: The Man Who Makes Volcanoes
Describing yourself as the sort of band journalists hate to write about because you are so genre defying is equivalent to tying up a lamb in front of a lion...
4 Letter Holiday: Carefree Demo
Describing themselves as a no-nonsense rock band, 4 Letter Holiday hit the nail square on the head. It's always interesting to consider what any band's motives are in the music they write/record/release.
The Apes: The Fugue in the Fog
This debut album from Washington D.C. four-piece The Apes is a powerful synthesised guerrilla war waged against anyone who will listen.
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.
Carietta White: No More Regrets EP
Leeds-based Carietta White's debut record offers an interesting example of a band who have undoubted talent, but are perhaps not playing to their strengths.
As the first band of the night Sawthroat take the stage, many people in the venue seem unaware of their presence.
Hub's first EP is a self-titled three-track from the Leeds-based five piece formed in early January 2006.
Hailing from York, four piece Kanuba crank out a kind of Red Hot Chilis-ish, Foo Fightersy racket, with some heavy riffage, some screaming and some funky moves.
Wrestling Jacob: The Darkened Glass EP
Hmmmm... too much of this smacks of the one genre that strikes fear into the most hardened music fan, Christian Rock.
Sometimes you wish you could though, go back that is. Back to the moment before putting on the CD would be a good start.
Fans of the late Mogwai and Sigur Ros albums are in for a treat. Recommended by a random person I met at Crash Records, this album is a must have for any post rock fans wish list.
Futuro: Keep It Short And Keep It Simple
ART ROCK! Wait, it sounds like Maroon 5. Hmm. Known in hip circles for my LURVE of ART ROCK! (not really scarf yielders) and Maroon 5 (of course, I love them.
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.
Somehow while living the rock 'n' roll lifestyle Red.Star.Line managed to find the time to whip up a whole album.
The New Amsterdams: Story Like a Scar
Story like a Scar opens with two undeniably perfect tracks defining the album genre as mellow folk. The New Amsterdams incorporate country-style instruments such as a harmonica, banjo and stand-up bass for a brilliant effect.
This formulaic piece of Finnish Scandinavian rock metal offers precious little to tantalise the eardrums.
It's sort of reassuring to know that a propensity for sanctimonious songwriting can be found anywhere the world over.
All My Friends Are Dead: Days Of Sleep
Falling somewhere between the orchestrated Icelandic experimental pop sound of Sigur Ros and the dynamics of the post-rock genre sits the Leeds based 5-piece All My Friends Are Dead.
Formed from the ashes of seminal 90s metallers Carcass, Arch Enemy typify the ferocious intensity that is death metal.
As Green Day have been propelled into front runners of the pop punk genre it seems almost natural that a whole hoard of hero worshippers would crawl out of the woodwork to offer their tributes.
The Mars Volta: L'via L'viaquez
What's this? Everyone's favourite genre melding, afro haired nutcases The Mars Volta go funk? Believe it.
Not to dwell on the past, but my anticipation for this double single from Lewis Denby was so much after his critically-acclaimed 'Lookout Posts and Telescopes' EP which I had been lucky enough to cast my critical ears over last summer.
The Hoarse: The way we bring it down
Where The Hoarse bring it down is simply to your local pub jam night. With a proficient wibbly blues guitarist and armed with a bucket load of tried, tested and generally worn out pub-rock clichés this is the stuff the 12 pint fat bloke at the bar will tell you is the best band you've ever heard.
Buzz Forward & Space Boy: All the way from outer space...
We should all be wary of music that takes itself too seriously and is full of pomp and self-importance...
The Holiday Plan: Stories / Sunshine
Summer is almost here. The sun is beating down and the ground is starting to slowly toast in the scorching heat.
I arrive at the Cockpit just in time to see openers Captain take to the stage. They go on to set the tone of the evening with their shimmering, often delicate indie pop music.
Tonight's entertainment was a mixed bag of punk, blues and prog, stoner doors stuff, which surprisingly went together well, though no band lit up the evening as something special.
A fortnight on and another four bands feature at Lock & Load. Tonight we open up with the sounds of Metallica's "Enter Sandman".
It's happening, I can feel it in my waters, bubbling beneath the surface, a new genre will infest the radios, TVs and magazines of the UK in the year two 00 five, led by Franz Ferdinand, Razorlight and The Killers, this is the bastard offshoot of what came of The Strokes inspired NY explosion at the turn of the century, ladies and gentlemen feel free to dance again because indie dance rock is back and it's catching like a fire in a hay factory.
Despite his 14 albums, 2 number one hit singles, cult novel, industry awards and massive 90,000 people gigs, the chances that you have heard of Robin Auld are probably fairly slim seeing as all of the above took place in South Africa.
This Town Needs Guns: And I'll Tell You For Why
The term "emotive rock" is normally enough to put the willies up even the most hardened genre hopper these days, the phrase conjuring up images of whiny American oiks churning out meaningless regurgitated clap-trap.
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.
New record label to emerge in Leeds...
A new Leeds-based record label - "Performing Chimp Records" - was officially launched at the start of this month with the release of its first title onto the streets of the city - the album Hypertension by local guitar-maestro Jon Gomm.
electroclash punk funk
Above Them: But Inside I'm Dancing
Angry, shouty, emo rock comes at you from your speakers. Rip me up, burn me up and tear me fucking down!
Terra Diablo: Swings & Roundabouts (album sampler)
These tracks are from Terra Diablo's soon-to-be-released debut album on Zuma. Terra Diablo are a kind of Glasgow cross between Leeds bands Four Day Hombre and Parisman - in that they operate at a similar near-breakthrough level and get serious local respect.
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.
Mindless Self Indulgence @ LMUSU
Support act Templeton Pek are at an unfair disadvantage right from the very start, as the appalling sound quality reduces their set to a wall of noise.
With long instrumental sections and packing the small stage with a cacophony of noise, Held In Hands delivered a chaotic and often clashing set.
The Vitamins: You Got Me Singing
We're forever being told that vitamins are good for us. Now it's time to find out the whole truth... Formed two years ago (contrary to pesky scientists belief, I am told), The Vitamins are said to specialise in 'whitebluespoppunkrock', although they could do will adding a little 'glam' tag to their snappy genre; 'You Got Me Singing' certainly contains the sultry distinctive stomp of many a T-Rex pretender gone by.
Monotone: Nothing Lasts Forever
"Nothing Lasts Forever" is the recent demo from three-piece Monotone, who claim their influences include Jeff Buckley, Morrissey and Nick Drake, though I really can't see much of a comparison.
Phluid's "Iconoclast" EP, a three track CD, features the band returning to a much more raw, energy driven sound.
When listening to singer/songwriter Pete McGann, it's clear that he doesn't want to be pigeonholed into any particular genre.
These guys truly are caught in the middle - between carefully de-glamourized Streets-style urbanism on the one hand, and tightly coiled guitar rock on the other.
As faKe, this band was heralded as "one of the underground metal scenes brightest prospects". This fact is drilled home throughout the promotional material with this CD, including reviews of faKe.
This venue was the first place I ever came out to in Leeds and I can now appreciate what a find it is.
Mogwai: Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait
Mogwai have always been seen as one of the rightful heirs to the upper echelons of the post-rock pantheon, their 1997 debut Young Team proving to be both a boisterous statement of intent and the warning shot that was fired across the bows of the bloated sub-Oasis-junk that was cluttering the mainstream hinterland of the time.
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'.
Designated Driver: Design At Edd River
Middlesex's Designated Driver do what a lot of modern Emo frat-party nu-punk rockers don't - they actually write songs that feel like they mean it rather than purely sounding good when you've got a skinful.
Disarm: By Any Means Necessary
What can I say about Disarm? This is a band of energetic musicians that makes a team Sir Alex Ferguson would be proud of.
d-koy: Nothing is what it seems
That's a nice looking lady, or is it a bloke, no it can't be, never, or is it? d-koy have returned again with another example of their zany mixture of pop, funk, metal and rock.
Kill Hannah: Until Theres Nothing Left Of Us
Kill Hannah's 'Until There's Nothing Left of Us' saw a US release in 2006. Now, two years later, it finally gets a UK release with a modified tracklisting that sees a number of the album's original songs dropped in favour of three tracks from Kill Hannah's as-yet-unreleased-in-the-UK debut, 'For Ever and Never.' The result is more a 'best of' than a coherent album, but you can hardly blame Kill Hannah for wanting to make the best possible impression on the UK audience.
The new single release from Parva is live favourite Hessles, a savage two and a half minute testimony to life in the Leeds area.
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".
Funk? That's the question isn't it!? Why funk? Is there something in the genes of white 16-18 year-olds, who when forming a non-"rock" band makes them think "I know, funk"?
Deathcab for Cutie @ Leeds Festival 2002
The Seattle revival starts early in the Evening Session Tent, but there's not a plaid shirt in sight this time around.
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.
Pure Reason Revolution: The Bright Ambassadors of Morning
Sounding like the first half of someone's album, Pure Reason Revolution have quite an ambitious single here.
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.
Why aren't Cope playing live more often in Leeds - or have I been missing something? This CD is pretty good you know, with an almost retro/indie rock feel to it.
Various Artists: ...and besides everyone knows it's not just boys fun: Manifesta Compilation #1
Everyone knows that women do not a good rock star make. That is, of course, utter bollocks, and Manifesta are out to prove it.
The Xenith Sound: Fear is the Enemy
Xenith Sound are all about lovingly recreated classic rock with very meaty guitar lines cutting under Toff Banks' soulful and gutsy voice.
Prime Mover: Cabbages and Kings
Now then chaps and chapettes, how do you like your bass? Hidden away murmuring nicely in the background, contributing nicely to the overall convivial atmosphere but at a comfortable level where it can be safely ignored, rather like an elderly family member at a Christmas shindig?
The Bluebirds: The Bluebirds Album
The unwritten law that states "All blues bands must attempt to have either the word blue or blues or some clever word play with the word blue in their name" strikes again...
And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead: Worlds Apart
What's the future of rock and roll in 2005? With many bands filling the charts with standard indie ballads, a lot of people would say it's in a sorry state as the expressionism is lost and individuality is getting harder and harder to find, whilst maybe others would argue that the fact this music is becoming popular is a sign of the times changing, of "alternative" music making it big in waves, and that maybe the influx of younger (and older) fans turning to the genre can only be a good thing?
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.
This accomplished recording goes out as a three-track CD on September 13th on Over Unity Records. Lead song "Prototype" adopts early Parisman style with some Depeche Modish keyboard licks that lead into a guitar/bass/drums band song with a keyboard middle section that isn't quite rock and isn't quite dance.
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.
Some music genres never die. The recent wave of highly polished new wave music a la Stellastarr, The Killers, and even Fountains of Wayne is looking to get even bigger, especially with this neon nugget set to blow the charts skyward.
There are few bands on the local scene that are capable of producing a piece of work as accomplished as this.
The Kinison: You'll Never Guess Who Died
We're only a couple of weeks into the New Year and already the influx of poor quality, tight t-shirt wearing, American emo fuckwits has begun.
After the bloated corpse of Britpop (1992 - 1998) had finally gone up to the musical genre in the sky, it left its protagonists in an agonising position.
With the classic lyrics, sound, inspiration and even the look of model rock and roll bands, Broken Dolls release their new single 'Stronger'.
acoustic pop
A nervous anticipation greets Cornershop when one-by-one they take to the stage to gradually build up tonight's opener "Heavy Soup", taken from their latest and rather excellent album "Handcream For A Generation".
Rather notorious for their wallowing and broody contemplation, Turin Breaks' fourth album was hardly going to go all-out-rock on us.
I remember the days when Charly Six were Brass Monkey and I was interested to see what they would be like after all this time.
r'n'b jazz
Fallacy & Fusion: The Ground Breaker
Fallacy & Fusion are a rap ensemble from London who play Leeds in the near future. The initial 47second "News Flash" is quite amusing and, I assume, informative if you can understand the incestuous slang that dominates it.
Sadly, I've forgetten the accepted history of the synthesizer. Did Prof. Moog descend from the mountain top to impart the mystic benefits of his new electronic musicianship?
Nu-metal has become increasingly popular over recent years, so much so that it can now be afforded its own place in the compilation CD market, no longer confined to an occasional Kerrang cover disk; one such recent compilation is the Supercharged album, a twenty track mix of nu-metal, pop-punk and primarily Americanised, now mainstream, rock marketed directly to the young kids at Garage and Star.
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.
I Hate Kate: Embrace The Curse
Contrary to its gothic title, album-opener 'Bed of Black Roses' is a giddy blend of breakneck punk riffs and fizzy electro beats that sets the tone for I Hate Kate's début album 'Embrace The Curse.' Frontman Justin Mauriello, former vocalist of Zebrahead, has the perfect voice for this brand of helter-skelter pop-punk, his strident-edged vocals cutting clearly over even 'Bed of Black Roses' raucous punk chorus.
There's always at least one band in your life that you love for no good reason, it defies the rest of your general taste in music and the rest of the peers in the aforementioned band's genre.
There are two songs on their debut single, lead track Factor 8 and additional song Spinning. With all records, there is always a song that you prefer over another.
Tonight was unlike the typical gig where, if you want to catch the first band, you have to rush your tea and give yourself indigestion running down to the venue for at least 8 o'clock.
You have to admire this 4 track EP from Manchester's Nun. Whatever you feel about music, this massive, sprawling mini-epic is worth a listen if not to see just how far they push things.
Is this night at the Mixing Tin proof that the traditional guitar / bass / drums / vocals band set up is dying out and becoming tired?
Sucioperro: Random Acts of Intimacy
Competing for the youth of the nation's musical hearts and minds is no easy task. Sometimes you need a gimmick, a ruse that will make you or your band stand out from the many others who are all after the increasingly short and fickle attention span of the mainstream media and record buying public.
i concur: Whatever it's going to be
Further proof (if any was needed) that Leeds musicians integrate with the insatiable appetite of a randy swinger when forming new groups and projects are new four piece i concur.
Okey dokey, it's Halloween, it's miserable outside, and I'm nice and warm tucked up in the Cockpit ready for a night of bouncy hooky punk rock.
Tonight sees another staple D.I.Y. gig at the Fenton, promoted by Pray For Hayden and showcasing three local bands talents alongside the Winchester based-Second Monday who have travelled up the M1 to see what all the fuss is about in our Musical Mecca of Leeds.
It's been a funny few years for Incubus. From the dizzy heights of success with the mall-metal of their breakthrough album 'Morning View', to nu-metal's untimely demise and losing their bassist, the good looks of lead singer Brandon Boyd aren't the only thing that draws people to them any more.
Metal. After much deliberation, discussion, digestion, I would have to say, my favourite type of Metal would have to be Pig Iron.
Thursday: A City By the Light Divided
Thursday will forever be cursed with being tagged as the band that sprung the traps on the infamous genre of 'screamo'.
Four Tet @ Brudenell Social Club
After a feeding frenzy to buy tickets back in the heady days of summer, I was expecting a wee bit more excitement amongst the gig-goers for this one.
Joseph's Well's regular clientele of students and office workers were besieged tonight by metal heads from across the county.
Fran Rodgers: Let The Rain Fall
Fran Rodgers is making me cold. This room was warm a minute ago, in fact the thermostat says 23°C but my body is freezing because the inconsiderate woman is giving me a serious chill.
This was a night to remember - it rocked! And it ROCKED! And the longer it went on the better it got.
punk pop
Apparently I have quite the skill at finding myself at heavy rock shows. And the more I do, the more I begin to see the merits and creative aspects of the genre.
The world is undoubtedly a better, not to mention considerably more interesting place with The Butterfly in it.
To say that I was a fan of Napoleon IIIrd would be a severe understatement; this so called low-fi wizard of leftfield rock is about as appealing as leprosy and manages to push the crowd to the recesses of the dingy corners of the bar for salvation.
Dashboard Confessional: Dusk and Summer
One time, on one of my regular bored trawls through the lower vestiges of the internet in search of some light entertainment, I stumbled across a semi-amusing game called "create your own em* band name".
The image of silent film star Harold Lloyd hanging from a clock face on the front cover feels significant - Lloyd is captured struggling with the hands of time.
While !!! certainly wouldn't win a 'Google-friendly' award they seem to have built quite a loyal fan-base and concreted a strong reputation as an enthralling live act.
There are plenty of things to like about The Plight's debut release. Whether it be the darkly themed artwork, the knowingly sarcastic lyrics or the old skool riffage, there is something here for everyone to get into.
Gavin Miller talks wih Stafrćnn Hákon prior to the forthcoming tour of the UK, which includes a Leeds show on 19th Sepember...
A five-track interactive CD, featuring a well-produced video and a complete photo gallery, with additional sound clips throughout, is the latest offering from Mr Dogg.
Stateless @ Brudenell Social Club
First of all, the taxi is a rip-off. I swear the driver takes us round the backest of back streets on the way to the Brudenell Social Club for this month's edition - and the last before a summer break - of The Engine Room.
A good name, a good front cover, and a kudos-worthy work ethic, and oh boy it fits in my CD player like a penis in a vagina.
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.
The Holiday Plan: The Wasting Time EP
The amount of shouty, disjointed emo grows bigger by the day, and it ain't about to die down any time soon.
Tonight features the "other bands" taking part in this year's FutureSound 2000 competition. By "other bands" I am of course referring to the fact that so far we have see all-guitar, mainly indie/punk/rock bands, yet tonight we see what else is on offer around the Leeds live scene.
This four track EP from Huddersfield's Signal Generator manages to do away with (admittedly now antiquated) notion that electronica is an automatically forward thinking and inventive genre.
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.
Yndi Halda: Enjoy Eternal Bliss
Can anyone remember instrumental guitar-music (or, ahem, "Post-Rock") being in such robust health as of now?
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.
Quick refresh on Recess. This Recess is not the "grunge Recess" that has been reviewed a couple of times in the live section over the past month or so.
Nights like this, usually, are all about nostalgia. The Misfits are the long-standing torch bearers of a Goth-punk scene that has all but left them behind, younger, hungrier bands such as Alkaline Trio and My Chemical Romance taking Goth to new places and heights that could only be dreamt about back in the day.
Bilge Pump @ Brudenell Social Club
It may be Friday 13th, but as someone who as of yesterday is free from the clutches of academia for 3 months, I am most certainly not going to let that stop me from having a top night; and judging by the line-up, a little superstition isn't going to get in the way at all.
Ethan Daniel Davidson: Free the Ethan Daniel Davidson Five
A chance encounter with a couple of drunken Americans leads to me receiving a few albums from Detroit's Times Beach Records for review.
It was some time around Christmas 2003 if I remember rightly. I was at a festive gig at the Royal Park Cellars to see Robochrist, Xi and the Sisters of Murphy.
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.
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.
drum 'n bass
...Emo... Damm! I bet myself I could get through this whole review without mentioning that word. Bugger.
Stagger - Melodic-indie/Post-punk Leeds based band
International Trust: Talk of The Town
International Trust are about as complicated as beans on toast. You think this is a derogatory statement?
Whether it was the presupposed idea that Lightspeed Champion would be akin to Dev's former insane, urchin punk band Test Icicles, or the belief that such a gig would only attract indie scene kids, The Cockpit was looking bare...
"Heavy as John Prescott's Wallet" Progressive/alternative metal - you decide!!!!!
Republic of Loose: This Is The Tomb Of The Juice
Sounding pretty similar to one of Josh Homme's myriad of side projects, Republic of Loose are actually closer to jazz/soul or Dr John-esque funk than dirty, scuzzy rock.
The Sugars: The Curse Of The Sugars
The Sugars appear to have been purveying their darkly sweet brand of rock 'n' roll to us lucky Leodensians for some time now, but this semi-eponymous long player is their debut full-length offering.
The Perfect Strangers @ Rocket
I almost didn't make tonight's gig. Having arrived early to interview Beat Route 62 I was called out from work and had to disappear back off home, luckily not too far away.
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.
First up tonight are 'The Humour' and, if you're reading this gents, I hope you live up to your name because I, err, missed your set.
Various Artists: Dance To The Radio: What We All Want
If you don't live, eat and breath it, the Leeds music landscape has almost been unfathomably applauded for the bands it produces and the nights that exist within its figurative walls in recent years.
Cathy Simpson talks to The Blueskins about music, festivals, The Beatles and lazy journalism...
Girls are in vogue this evening at Wired, a new monthly night at The Fenton imported all the way from that other big city at the eastern end of the M62.
Mogwai: Happy Songs For Happy People
'I Know You Are But What Am I?' asks one of the tracks on Mogwai's new album. Well, I am an intrigued music buff and you are one of the finest records of the year.
'Bone Garden' is the first single to be lifted from I Am Ghost's second album, 'Those We Leave Behind.' It sees them abandon the rock opera of their debut 'Lovers' Requiem' in favour of post-hardcore snarling, galloping drums and wailing guitars.
Biffy Clyro: Singles 2001-2005
A cynical attempt by Biffy Clyro's former record label to cash in on the Scottish trio's newfound popularity?
"Is this the Mighty Mighty Bosstones?" my mate said as soon as I put this CD in to play. "I used to love them." So what is it with Ska Punk?
To my shame, I can't remember the last time I've done this - turn up at a gig with almost no knowledge of any of the bands on the bill.
Average, average and average. Armor For Sleep are darn average. Why are they average? Good question. On the surface every trait possessed by AFS is matched toe to toe by every other successful emo band of the last three or four years.
Your New Antique seem to have a solid formula for a fierce double-pronged attack on the music scene. The first of these slightly threatening-sounding prongs is one of the most efficient ways to endear your band to the media, which in this case comes in the form of a press pack.
The Appleseed Cast @ Brudenell Social Club
A Swedish sauna? The surface of Mars? No, tonight ladies and gentlemen we are privy to the delights of live music in the Brudenell in mid-June.
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.
Regardless of how bad a day it might have been for everyone here this evening, for those who managed to catch i concur's set, things certainly improved - brilliant performances like this transcend most contexts.
Storming out of Sweden are brother and sister combo Olof and Kristin Dreijer, aka The Knife. Unlike other famous brother and sister combos, the music isn't thrashy garage rock, nor is it arty punk pop.
CJ's Music Bar is a relatively new venue on the Leeds live music circuit and is tucked away somewhat in the depths of Kirkstall.
Various Artists: Gnarly Dude 2
Compiled by Voltage Records head honcho Tim Walker in conjunction with the skate website middle-age-shred.com, the sequel to the original "Gnarly Dude!" compilation features 23 bands from across Britain and the U.S.A.
How healthy/unhealthy must British music and the Leeds scene be right now if Boy Kill Boy can barely half fill the Cockpit second room?
The Dirty Skirts: Feeling The Pressure
First impression of 'Feeling The Pressure' is that it tosses together bits of indie and electronica and expects them to sound coherent with minimal effort.
Ok so it's another wet dreary evening at Leeds and I have no idea where the Faversham is, that is until I realised that it was right behind the Uni which made me feel like a complete knobby creek.
You say nu-metal and I say nu-punk, nu-metal, nu-punk, nu-metal, nu-punk, hey let's call the whole thing off!
In the field of heavy metal/ hard rock, some bands try their very best to push forward the template to an otherwise limited genre.
A Northern Chorus: Spirit Flags
I know this band. Well, sort of. I remember about a year ago, that someone was posting on the Sigur Rós message board talking about (because he was in) a band called 'A Northern Chorus'.
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.
Yourcodenameis: Milo @ Joseph's Well
This wet Sunday evening starts off with Kram, a Leeds-based trio whose name I've heard pop up in every second conversation this week.
Punk glam rockers Phluid's debut LP 'Cynical Smile' does exactly what you want it to - plays loud, fast and with it's cross dressing, black-eyed, drug pumped heart on it's sleeve.
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.
Putting Air Traffic as the second band on the line-up is extremely misleading. The implication given to the unsuspecting audience is that their performance will be equal to that of a slapdash support slot; anyone expecting this kind of set is about to be proved wrong in the most spectacular fashion.
Does an increase in age signify a decrease in dress sense? In the middle of a completely black-donned audience, whose average age is around 16, stands a balding 25 year-old.
In the fallout from Radiohead's The Bends I fell in love with this genre, big melodies from bands with lead singers who probably sent Jeff Buckley lyrics to their ex girlfriends to let them "know how they're feeling".
I am loving the whole boy/girl vocal trend that seems to be kicking off at the moment. The Subways, Young Heart Attack, The Raveonettes all get the thumbs up from me for proving that rock 'n' roll is not gendered.
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.
SAVING LENNY The first impression I got of this band was the noise. Two guitars can often be noisy and in this instance that was the case.
I was excited about this gig. I've enjoyed The Music's debut album and have been looking forward to tonight for sometime - tickets sold out about 4/5 weeks earlier so I was expecting an electric atmosphere inside this rather strange new venue under Leeds train station.
OK, here's a strange one - a CD that comes with a disclaimer! Apparently it's "by no means EP quality and the songs aren't the finished article", but having enjoyed the USA live onslaught, I was keen for a listen all the same.
Red Stars Parade: a refreshingly piquant slice dropped into Leeds' musical soft drink
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.
As support band Sound Team launch into their brief but stunningly good set it is evident that this band are meant for big things, even despite the slightly dodgy name.
It's nights like this that show what's great about the Leeds music scene. As I'm walking to the Well it pisses it down.
Leeds' local punk, emo and ska promoters Strikepunks put on a veritable banquet of emo hardcore deliciousness this Friday, as the Cardigan Arms played host to four hot new bands playing the circuit for nothing more than that which is the greatest love of all, that wonderful love of music...
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".
The Paddingtons @ Joseph's Well
Matt Knee is the smiliest drummer I have ever had the pleasure to watch! It made my night to see someone up there who was clearly enjoying every moment and who was not too ashamed to show his excitement.
If Live & Uncut aren't an advertising sham, then they're a shambles - but let's talk more about the music.
Tonight, with James from Duels deputising for Rich (drummer, broken elbow), Leeds four-piece The Hair performed at the Brudenell Social Club supporting Good Shoes. Charlotte Oxnard managed to catch up with them for a few words afterwards...
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.
The Fratellis @ Leeds Festival 2006
Day three: my, doesn't time fly? The sun's out too, which is a welcoming start to the day especially for those camped out near the Main Stage for the first of two Flogging Molly appearances.
Dave Sugden finds out why Aeon have a problem with drummers!
Last weekend saw the first Morley Battle of the Bands and proved to all that attended that this was not a one off event and that the future of the Morley Battle of the bands is secure.
I must apologise to the first band of this evening (Superman's heroes or something?). Anyway. I arrived slightly late (8:40) but I thought that I'd still catch about 20-25 minutes of the first band.
Stuffy and The Fuses: Join me or Die!
Stuffy and the Fuses crash in like a lump of hard coal through the window. There's a scary noise, some local damage, and a cold wind rushes in behind.
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.
Interview: The Casual Terraces
Andy Roberts catches up with The Casual Terraces before their gig with Radio Clash...
Various Artists: Sounds of the Rhubarb Triangle
Whilst the 'Rhubarb Triangle' historically describes that polygonaceae-rich patch of land between Wakefield, Rothwell and Morley, I suspect that this compilation celebrates the musical output of the first-named metropolitan outpost.
Neil Cowley Trio @ Millennium Square
The Leeds Jazz festival has become an easy way for the average music lover to be exposed to a whole host of talented Jazz musicians from across the UK.
After already being one up on the fact I had seen these girls perform all these tracks live, whilst supporting The Almighty in Sheffield, I was interested to see how well it sounded on more produced level because their set was pretty bloody good.
Panic! At The Disco are without a doubt a breath of fresh air and a much needed kick up the arse to that old 'emo' thing the kids are still frothing over.
A great concept for a night - no doubt. Let's drag some foreigners kicking and certainly screaming across those windy rain plagued hills separating the land and cram them into Leeds' "most intimate venue" to try and conquer a largely partisan audience, forced to miss the footie and demanding satisfaction.
The Butterfly @ Brudenell Social Club
The Engine Room is made of metal this evening as the most entertaining DIY night in Leeds introduces us to three bands that are as heavy as led - The Butterfly, Mishkin and the wonderfully titled White Boys for No.10 Down Syndrome Street (more usually known as (the slightly more offensive) White Boys For Gay Jesus).
I've been harbouring a prejudice for a long time now. To me, there is something innately distrustful about underground/unsigned bands who have that polished sheen of 9-5s spent in the rehearsal room about them.
Ten Seconds Of Chaos @ Joseph's Well
I attended this show not quite knowing what to expect as I had heard a mixture of opinions on several of the bands, but when I arrived to a relatively large anticipating crowd, I thought I might be in for a good night.
Victoria Holdsworth chats with Kava Kava main guy Pat Fulgoni.
Blue Sky Project: Fenestrae EP
'Fenestrae' is, quite simply everything one could possibly want from a proper debut, and more. The band lure you in on 'Splitlips' with Joe Wingfield's piano setting a false tone of an EP that's going to give you an easy ride before inescapably This Et Al-like guitars encroach on the sound.
This is Rob Nichols third and most assured album. It's comprised of relaxed and natural sounding arrangements of ten fine new songs.
We're Not The Cool Kids: I'm A Hungry Little Girl EP
If somebody told me that Mary Cook (a.k.a. We're Not The Cool Kids) lived an entirely solitary existence, away from anybody else's music or influence, I think I'd believe them, at least for a minute (that being the minute that someone informed me that there was a Springsteen cover on her EP).
Leeds Music Scene and Wintermute have a gossip about the new "Fun With Wizard Stencils" EP, managing along the way to incorporate some obligatory wizard magic.
Various Artists: Big Tunes: Ministry of Sound
If you are part of the clubbing scene at the moment, you will either already be familiar with these tunes, or you soon will be as they continue to make waves in the clubs.
Funeral for a Friend @ The Refectory
Who was Franz Ferdinand? He was an arch-Duke of the Austro Hungarian Empire until 1914 when he was killed by an assassin in Sarajevo.
Upon entering Jesse Malin's dressing room at Sheffield's Club Zero we encounter not only the man himself but also a bowl of jelly babies. This can only be a good thing...
British Fiction: Twilight's Lost and Dreaming of Modern Peacocks
The Lab: One is a collection of ten tracks by ten artists all orbiting the indie and folk genres. Despite the genre correlations, each track has its own unique sound, making for a constantly surprising compilation.
Brass Moustache @ Joseph's Well
"Smile... JUST SMILE!" Cue camera flash. "Oh, Mum!" Not the most auspicious start to a gig, but what can you do to control proud parents?
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.
Bright Young Things 2008: the 15 successful bands are revealed
Following an intense two-day judging process, the fifteen successful acts for Bright Young Things 2008 have been announced today.
So, Royal Park Cellars has had a refurb, complete with new stage and drum riser (excellent, now I can see all the hard work normally hidden by the singers).
Victoria Holdsworth talks to Editors prior to their visit to Leeds to headline Millennium Square on Friday 19th May
Bands old and new played to an expectant Warehouse on Sunday, as legendary rock gig 'The Valley' resurrected itself from the ashes.
Foo Fighters @ Leeds Festival 2005
Sunday started like any other day. Apart from this Sunday I happened to wake up in a field with 30 odd thousand other bear soaked, bleary eyed, unwashed, desperate bladder controlling festival revellers.
The Duke Spirit @ Joseph's Well
Fact: good image + good stage presence + good songs + lot's of A&R men = getting a good record deal. ...And all this is true about Duels, the first band on tonight, at an absolutely jam-packed Joseph's Well.
The Machines Will Take Over @ The Railway (Featherstone)
First impressions of Featherstone's The Railway? Normal pub... ominous looking equipment lying around...