Search for rock guitar riffs performed on Thursday, 8th January 2009.
rock guitar riffs
We found the term rock guitar riffs in 244 articles.
Meaty yet melodic heavy rock from Bradford. Awesome vocals & devastating riffs.
"Being a promoter is terrifying" - Leeds guitar virtuoso Jon Gomm takes on the promoter-role as he brings his 'Leeds Guitar Night' concept to the Brudenell Social Club on July 6th.
Refreshing Heavy Rock from this Leeds based band! Rock yer f**king socks off!
Band Profile: Nature's Misison
alternative rock
punk rock
alternative rock
Rock/Alternative/Metal
indie rock
Four-piece rock band from Leeds
pop rock
alternative rock
Leeds-based rock band.
alternative rock
indie rock
Archie Bronson Outfit: Der Dang Der Dang
This is the second album from the retro-blues rock group Archie Bronson Outfit. Hailing from the West Country before relocating to South West London, they studied art with, amongst others, members of The Duke Spirit.
The Ga Gas are being heavily tipped to be the next big 'rock and roll' band, following the likes of The Darkness and Velvet Revolver.
The Riverside Happy: The Beaumont Sessions
Starting like some soppy mid 80s rock ballad, 'It Hurts' the first tack on this two track CD from The Riverside Happy, isn't sounding too good.
The coolest and at the same time most disturbing CD cover I've seen in a while contains a gem of a rock track.
There's a band in front of you playing really good music, great pop music on guitars, with beautiful intertwining vocal melodies from a lovely lady and a lovely man.
Crash Cartel: Dirty Little Secret
Crash Cartel are a now defunct four-piece punk rock/grunge outfit, based around the University of Plymouth from winter '01 to spring 2003.
Soul::Rock is how Indirah describe their unique sound which fuses old-school soul vocals with ferocious guitar riffs and frantic, exotic rhythms.
I will admit on first listening of this CD I was a bit underwhelmed. It sounded a bit too samey, nothing original.
The Black Velvets continue with their brand of old school rock with their third single 'Glamstar' and the band are doing well for themselves with a slot supporting Motley Crue on their upcoming UK tour having already supported The Who.
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.
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.
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.
Xposure? Hmmm, while images form of a shirt-bulging boy band or a nu-metal outfit, it's no surprise they were subsequently repackaged as Redwood.
Desert Monkey: Made Great By A Breeze
Starting off with the title track sounding like a rougher Kyuss with furious bluesy guitar riffage and fat drums, Desert Monkey are looking like quite the heads down, balls to the wall rock band.
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.
Amongst their list of influences Slice cite RHCP and Jurassic 5, and with this in mind they proudly wear their heart on their sleeve; their sound is a confident and expert blend of Funk Rock and Hip-Hop, though thankfully with their own accents not fake American ones.
A: Hi-Fi Serious (with DVD Serious)
Hi-Fi Serious: a constant hi-octane buzz dealt from twelve tracks fired out at warp speed; gloriously unashamed mainstream UK rock, with heavy guitar riffs that emanate from an inherently delightful radio-friendly pop core.
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.
Danny Yates - Vocals, Lead Guitar Jono Yates - Guitar, Backing Vocals Tom Emmett - Bass Guitar Nici Todd - Drums Jerico* are a mixture of post punk / indie rock.
The Fencott Disaster: Rome and Step On It
Four-track EP from these boys - 4 songs of NY garage influenced post punk, not a bad effort, some of the guitar work is quite interesting with the dual lead thing going on and with the bass rumbling away in the back makes for an ok listen.
Garon Shark are a young rock'n'roll four-piece from Huddersfield (what is it with that town?) I'm very impressed with their three-track offering, which suggests a band influenced by a variety of rock bands and styles and showcases an ability to write some excellent songs yet leaving enough room for improvement (without it being an insult to say so).
iLiKETRAiNS? Were these lot stoned when they thought up their name? According to their website, no! They do actually like trains.
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.
Dean Roy Holmes - lead vocals + bass Chris Kipper Summers - lead guitar Bryan Bell - rhythm guitar Phil Rhodes - drums From Pudsey in Leeds, 45 Revolutions formed in 2003 and have already played the many respected venues in and around the Leeds area including The Cockpit, Joseph's Well, Rios in Bradford and The Dry Bar in Manchester.
Imaginative, Intelligent, Witty and Funky is how I would describe tonight's openers, Soulwax. However, there is one other word that sums them up.
This demo kicks off in encouraging style, with 'Thieves and Lovers,' a blend of innovative riffs, subtle hooks, genuinely heartfelt lyrics and slick drum rolls.
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...
Electric Mud Generator @ New Roscoe
Electric Mud Generator play Lead Guitar-led heavy 70's rock with elements of blues and a whole lot of talent.
Yet another band playing a part in putting Leeds on the rock 'n' roll map, The Glitterati are back with the second single to be taken from their self-titled debut album.
Electric Mud Generator: Souls of Infinity
Appropriately with a name containing the word "mud" this is a dirty throaty blues rock stab from the Leeds outfit.
Graham Coxon @ Leeds Festival 2004
Soulwax are the evil, broodier incarnation of 2manydj's. But like their funk soul brother, they take their chosen rock template and run with it.
The Nervous Shakedown: Untitled
Well known for their sleazy stoner rock The Nervous Shakedown have been spreading their own brand of guitar filth across West Yorkshire.
The Black Velvets: Get on Your Life
In an era when rock music is well and truly back, The Black Velvets are gonna settle in to a CD collection near you just nicely.
Baggage is unfortunately in possession of the dodgiest 5 second intro in music history and you generally have to stick to the rule that anything which reminds you instantly of The Darkness can not be a good thing.
Nerve Engine: Underneath The Sprawl
This is the second release from the multi regional band and once again self recorded in keeping with their independent attitude.
If you're not familiar with the story, Milburn are a four piece spiky indie band from the realms of Sheffield that are best buds with, you've guessed it, Arctic Monkeys.
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.
What a relief, The Xenith Sound appear to have finally found the "Sound" their moniker so proudly advertises.
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.
Having had this band recommended to me, receiving an email from BMG with a sound snippet and then stumbling upon a lonesome copy of this EP I decided that it was fate and took the poor little blighter home with me.
Geekgirl: May Contain Traces Of Boy
From Manchester comes the three piece band Geekgirl. A punk-rock-pop cross breed with numerous riffs and madcap grooves.
Imposing verses give way to thunderous monolithic choruses, as Fulc deliver yet another explosive lesson in how grunge rock should sound in a post-Nirvana world.
Helica's demo is quite impressive. Soft guitars, rock songs with melodies, subtle drums and a gorgeous female voice.
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.
Les Savy Fav record like a fucked-up Pixies and play live like complete mad bastards in an art-punk, post-hardcore vein, which is no surprise when they feature a front man like the bearded Tim Harrington.
Welcome to the dark side of the garage. Imagine, if you will, the sound of Iggy Pop wandering into The Strokes' studio and repeatedly battering them about the head with a mic stand while shouting "NO NO NO!
The aptly titled "EP One" is the first of 3 that will be released over the next twelve months from Brighton debutants Nothing.
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.
As another dark day descends upon the Leeds City centre, Dark Olive and The Boolean try to set some light upon this miserable day.
This formulaic piece of Finnish Scandinavian rock metal offers precious little to tantalise the eardrums.
Queen Adreena: Pretty Like Drugs
Katie Jane has long been a star, campaigning the right of the grrrl to fucking rock, her latest band replacing the awesome noisefest that was nineties band Daisy Chainsaw.
The Nervous Shakedown: Untitled
"Heavy Grooves & Fucked Up Blues" proudly proclaims the scrawled biog and ain't that the truth boy! Musically like taking a corner at full whack on a Speedway track, spitting mud over the crowd.
This Black Velvetine's latest release, the three track EP "Goodbye" reeks of all things sleaze, snot and debauched rock.
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.
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...
Local band Parva blast out any remaining hangover from last night and prove that Leeds can not only host a festival of this quality, but can also supply the bands that make it rock.
Story Of The Year: The Black Swan
'The Black Swan' is the new long awaited album from Story Of The Year. Having never really been into them, or really giving them a chance to be honest, I thought that perhaps I was missing out on something, especially as they seem to have a major following and this will be their third studio album.
Naïve sounding rockers "Columbia Drive" are Newcastle based, with an international tinge in singer Louise Dal's CV.
Aarkle Hooman: Pink Gorilla EP
The Pink Gorilla EP is the dazzling debut from the bizarrely named Aarkle Hooman. An upbeat electro pop rock duo who were once a full band but then felt that they sounded better as a keyboard/guitar combo.
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.
Biogs don't always play fair, a too well written biog can actually have an adverse effect - rather than promoting a band's worth it actually leaves you questioning whether your editor sent you the right one and didn't mix them up in the post.
The Sugars only drink cola from those snazzy '50s-style bottles and rock harder than a seven nation army of Jack Whites greased up in pomade looking for a wrestle.
"...bridges the chasm-divided demographics of indie-pop and post-punk excellently" www.drownedinsound.com
It's splendid when a trip down to a nearby pub results in you getting nicely sloshed and seeing a good band.
If The Vine is less than half empty then The Terminals performance is anything but half-arsed. Singer Phil Privelidge teeters on one leg as his eyes bulge and his vocal cannon rains more blows on our ears, already battered to submission by the howitzer guitars and gunshot drumming.
Orange Goblin @ Rio (Bradford)
With last week being the 50th anniversary of Elvis recording "That's all right mama" I've been kinda depressed.
The Tennessee Traincrash @ Royal Park Cellars
The irony is lost when the Traincrash (male) vocalist jokingly asks if his woolly hat makes him look like Nickelback, as his delivery smacks, quite sadly, of grunge wannabe throughout.
Due To Debt: Stealing all the awesome
Ok, so the cover note with this CD states "Our music is intended to cross heavy rock with the emotion of blues and the aggression of metal along with melodies and feelings produced from the best songs we enjoy ourselves".
Dirty Fakirs are a 6-piece from Hebden Bridge who have been bringing their unique style of super heavy northern grooves to audiences since August 2006.
There's two of 'em, one plays guitar and one plays drums. And that's pretty much where any similarity to The White Stripes ends.
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.
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.
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.
Its been twelve years since Californian based punk rockers AFI first decided to form a band in order to avoid to the real world, and they are finally being tipped to make that jump from underground to mainstream with their sixth album Sing the Sorrow.
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.
Dogged by guitar trouble throughout his set, The Lodger battles on with an aggressive guitar style juxtaposing nicely with the tuneful vocal melodies.
Phluid's "Iconoclast" EP, a three track CD, features the band returning to a much more raw, energy driven sound.
I listened to this CD on the strength of a recent storming gig at The Rocket where I was impressed by the combination of the vocalist's swagger and the low slung guitars, two definitely admirable qualities.
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.
This venue was the first place I ever came out to in Leeds and I can now appreciate what a find it is.
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...
School age kids and those a little more, how shall I put it, mature - those that experienced punk the first time round - seem to have a fascination with France's most delectable garage punk export: les Flames!
Tonight's showcase at Josephs Well was in aid of Link Community Development to raise money for the Leeds University Hitch hike to Morocco.
First on were Philadelphia band Burning Brides who kicked off with loud, messy, head banging metal. The trio included a female bassist; Melanie Campbell and frontman Dimitri Coats who hammered his way through the set with ragged vocals, raucous guitar riffs and big, curly Slash hair.
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.
After the breakup of Leeds band Priority One in 2002, guitarist Joe Kemp and bassist Lewis Denby agreed to work together again in the future.
goad are in lower case. Even on gig listings the band tell me that they begin with a small 'g'. A warning perhaps, so that you don't make any mistakes.
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.
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.
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.
Captain Wilberforce: Mindfilming
The captain(s) in question are Simon Bristoll and Daz Battersby, a duo split between Leeds and Birmingham.
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.
I was slightly nervy before reviewing this CD; the reason being that I'd heard a number of people comment adversely on it - at first I could see what they meant; but the more I've listened to it the more it has developed.
Before going to this gig I had the vague impression that this night would be devoted to 70's rock and I wasn't far wrong.
Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite was responsible for several things. He pioneered the "Blur are Shit" t-shirts that were sported by several people during the mid 90's, much to the amusement of the NME.
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.
The Prototypes: A Twist Of Fate
I can't fathom The Prototypes. A Twist of Fate comprises four songs each of which have their own unique style.
Is this night at the Mixing Tin proof that the traditional guitar / bass / drums / vocals band set up is dying out and becoming tired?
After debuting on a handful of live shows the band have a healthy C.V of support slots with Silver Ginger 5, The Jellys and playing with Terrorvision at their last ever gig (which incidentally was their first) Butterfinger are absolutely amazing.
Dead At 27: Scatter the Shrapnel
"Scatter the Shrapnel" is the second EP from this Halifax based band and featuring a wah guitar heavy, punked up version of the Grange Hill theme tune, this is a band who aren't as morbid as their name suggests.
In the field of heavy metal/ hard rock, some bands try their very best to push forward the template to an otherwise limited genre.
The Xenith Sound @ Royal Park Cellars
The basement of the Royal Park pub is pretty empty as Nex take the stage, but it quickly fills up once the reverberations can be felt through the floor upstairs.
Band Profile: Unspeakable Easels
post-rap hip hop
London trio Plastik are straight down the middle Indie pop-rock merchants, unfazed by scratchy angular scenes that no doubt surround them and standing tall on the back of well written tunes rather than the right look.
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.
Once again I found myself racing for the front barrier with roughly half the population of Leeds' High Schools in order to witness what has to be said, one of the most mind bogglingly unhinged extravagancies this city has held in quite some time.
Chugging bass, airy guitars, respiring vocals and climactic songs at an andante pace, presenting Monomania's recent white label 006 promo.
Authors of Malicious Code: Part 1
I've been listening to this two track CD for the last 24 hours on and off, trying to find something to write about.
Electric Mud Generator @ New Roscoe
So tonight sees me journeying out to the outpost known as the New Roscoe to take in two local old-skool metal bands I've heard good things about.
Sister Morphine: Sister Morphine EP
This four piece, hailing from Bristol, although new on the scene are no fledglings. Currently touring with Kasabian, it is clear to see why there is such a growing interest in this energy fuelled band.
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.
Upon the first listen to this EP I would have sworn I was listening to a group of twee American rockers, however these lads are from Essex!
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.
Oh my gaawwwd, they've only gone and bettered themselves! Maturing fast into a psychedelic rock crossover act with huge prospects for the future, Leeds four-piece The Music have released an extremely impressive follow up to last year's debut single.
So here we are then, for another instalment in the Bright Young Things series, put together by Steve Kind.
Capital State: Revolution Thoughts EP
You have to respect Capital State. They just keep coming back at you. Ever since I saw them at Leeds Festival back in 2001, I've been intrigued.
Ahhh, you can't beat a bit of a shuffle in the late afternoon, and this month Mr. Rob Paul Chapman's showcase again failed to disappoint.
Remember those bands you had when you were in school? The one I was in, unfortunately, split up after a while, but I'm convinced we'd sound like this if we had kept it together.
The acapella intro of 'Velvet Prose' and immediate ska-like upbeat tempo make you want to keep listening to this song and quite right too because this is very, very good.
The Yards: The Devil Is Alive And Well And In DC
Years of songwriting isolation and hidden solo outings at North Yorkshire's famous rock recluse Blakey Ridge have done wonders for ex-Seahorse frontman Chris Helme.
Moving Units @ Brudenell Social Club
Comparing bands is a funny business. You can say that a band are like the Happy Mondays, and mean it to be a good thing, but find that you are actually putting someone else off.
Classic 70s/80s Rock sounds different from each side of the guitar. When your foot's on the monitor speaker those ringing power chords, the thrill of that stereo effect double lead solo, the surge of the harmonies and the deep judder of the rhythm section feel like the power to take over the world, if not a small section of the universe.
After a week of assaulting the laser on my overworked CD player and my wife's ears through demo offerings from both these bands, I knew, before even walking through the Vine door this was going to be a fantastic showcase.
Ohio's finest are here at last. After two nondescript support sets The Black Keys take to the stage to a rapturous welcome from the Leeds crowd, who seemed a bit volatile tonight it has to be said, as even before the band had taken the stage, a fight had to be broken up by bouncers.
So here we have an "unsigned band showcase". Call me bitter, and even counter productive in the encouragement of fledgling bands but I hate these things.
Viva Stereo: The Surface has been scratched EP
Sounding like the bastard love child of Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and Death In Vegas' Richard Fearless, Viva Stereo are cooking up quite a sound.
Tonight's high profile appearance for US band Sleater-Kinney has moved. Its moved next door after the overwhelming response to the girl-punk rock band has left the Rocket Venue unable to cope - just short of 250 people are packed into the Cockpit for the bands first non-festival appearance in Leeds and the first gig on their Uk tour.
A third sold-out Leeds date for the UK's latest finding, The Music, and this time it doesn't take a guest DJ appearance to bring in the crowds.
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.
What is there not to like about this trio of lads from Donny? Signed to the infamous Dance To The Radio label here is the first release by the band on 7" vinyl, an old school fashion which is coming back and making every trendy indie kid go out and get a gramophone.
Inspirita is one of those albums that get better with every listen. It's an album which draws all kinds of influences, from Metal to Jazz.
Portabello: Once Around The Sun
Portabello are a professional bunch. This CD is well produced, looks good and is being pushed through major retail chains nationwide from an independent base without using the usual distributors.
Hidden behind a Wakefield office block lies the Snooty Fox. After a chance meeting with Xi, we get directions to the venue, which is to be part of Xi's whirlwind tour of the Mainland's shores.
DUM FLUX The first band on in the New Roscoe pub was a rarity; a talented punk band. Their set included strong drumbeats, nice bass lines and good guitar chords and riffs to make it an enjoyable one.
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.
The monthly TTS, or the Tea Time Shuffle, could soon become an institution. It's Friday, it's 6 o'clock, the Hi-Fi bar is well and truly open and 3 and a half of Leeds finest bands are playing before your increasingly Southern Comforted eyes and all for just a fiver.
For fuck sake, it's deafening in here. Irony is that I avoid suggesting to the soundman that it could be worthwhile him twitching his fingers in a general right to left and downward motion because, quite frankly, it is soooo loud he would not hear my request.
The bands are really packed in for this all-dayer organised by Bombed Out Records, Leeds' finest purveyor of melodic hardcore bands.
Fahrenheit 451: The Catastrophe EP
Deeming themselves to be an explosive mix of Muse and early Manics, I approached this CD tentatively, with a mixture of doubt and excitement.
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".
The Glitterati @ Joseph's Well
I was too late for tonight's openers - I arrive and they say "thank you and good night" - just too late.
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.
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.
Quite an eventful Saturday evening in the end. Firstly, I chatted away to Aeon prior to the Juno-2 gig at Royal Park Cellars - the interview should appear on the site in the next week or so - and then I bumped into Bella.
What a great opening. The first 35 seconds of "All our so called bad luck stories" are fresh young and just fantastic.
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.
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...
The Grates are a difficult band for a young man such as myself to review. Having seen them live I am aware of something which cannot fail to cloud my judgement of their latest record.
AntiProduct @ Brudenell Social Club
If there was one thing that fatally crippled the "nu-Brit-indie" uprising of last year, it was the lack of general excitement and, more to the point, characters about the whole thing.
Donning a pair of mucky old Converse Trainers - I headed down to Bad Sneakers, I felt, suitably attired.
Pen Knife Love Life @ The Vine
The crowd at The Vine had previously been occupied in deep conversation throughout the blur of the previous bands and were now livened up and transported into the madness and vibrancy of this five piece up and coming rock/emo/death metal band from West Yorkshire.
Considering the torrential rain wiping out anything on the streets across Leeds, the Well was surprisingly full.
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'.
The Glitterati @ Fibbers (York)
After some initial confusion it turn out this is the Phluid I already know of, not a York band by the same name.
I had not heard any of these bands before the day of the gig, so I wasn't really sure what to expect.
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.
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.
The evening kicks off with MOJO PIN, a young band who I have not heard before. I was suitably impressed for a first hearing (normally I prefer to hear bands at least once before I review them); although the vocals were a little soft in parts and definition to the words would be an asset, especially when announcing songs.
It was with some trepidation that I approached The Mixing Tin last Friday as the bassist of reasonably new boys on the scene The High Chairs, had been sporadically emailing me and seemed like such an affable and friendly chap that I was absolutely terrified that the band would be awful and I'd have to say something negative about them and crush poor Roj's hope and dreams.
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.
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.
OFM @ Counting House (Pontefract)
"Doncaster's finest" reads the promo. Overzealous PR, or straight-laced fact? My mission - uncover the truth.
Rhode Island: Sunshine Skylark Bridge
Type the words "Rhode Island" into Google and you'll find websites on The Rhode Island Department of Transportation, The Rhode Island School of Design and The Official Web Site of the State of Rhode Island - Your gateway to information about living, working, visiting, and doing business in Rhode Island.
Firstly an apology. I'm going to get a bit nostalgic in this review. Please bear with me. Back in the crazy days of the Leeds Music Scene (circa 2001) I saw a band play several awesome gigs at The Well.
Aces & Eights are one of the only recent bands who have not come directly from MySpace. Rather than relying on the support of their, admittedly, over 1000 "Friends" they've worked their way up through the grimy Leeds pubs to arrive, not quite signed and slightly tainted, at the Cockpit.
It's Saturday night, the cellars are dark, and Steve Kind is bellowing for us to greet rock uber-beasts CATYLYST, and as they take the stage amidst the roar of two distorted guitars, I'm sitting on the edge of my seat with my fist poised for punching the air and I'm ready to rock.
City And Colour @ Brudenell Social Club
City And Colour are a curious act to find in a place like this. To think that a member of an internationally renowned screamo outfit would bring his solo acoustic tour to the Brudenell sounds absolutely ludicrous.
A very fine evening of music was presented by Logo Magazine in conjunction with Leeds based Uglyman Music Ltd and Stuckup Music.
Schizo Fun Addict: Atom Spark Hotel
As sensible as it is plain mental, as simplistic as it is complex, as delightfully naïve as it is pure genius.
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.
As readers will see from the by-line at the bottom, we are breaking our rule of not reviewing our own gigs.
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.
Female-fronted ensemble playing piano with auburn hair and vintage-style dress. No I'm not talking about Kate Nash but Rose Elinor Dougall aka Rose formerly of the Pipettes.
The Music have had a phenomenal start to their working lives. Three years on from their origins in Kippax, expectations and circumstances have said "this album has got to be massive." Early gigs at the Duchess of York in January 2000 showed glimpses of their root talents: a searing voice and twitching charismatic in Robert Harvey and a guitar trance demon in Adam Nutter.
Stars Of Track & Field: Not Here To Shop
Having spent the last three years in Carlisle (at University) I watched the development of a local band by the name of Stars Of Track & Field.
'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.'
Tonight is a very unusual night at the cockpit, for the first time ever I have seen tables and chairs set out in room 2.
The 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).
Electric Six @ Brixton Academy (London)
An evening of pure cheesy-student-rock music laced throughout with lyrics befitting the kind of teenage cliché that surfaces so often on title sequences to All American Highschool dramas.
I've been waiting outside the Cockpit for about 30 minutes now stood here on my bill with nothing but a rock to keep me company.
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.
Clowns. More club and gig night should have clowns. Tonight, The Power Of Omnipotence got some clowns to join the boozed-up throngs.
Bilge Pump @ Brudenell Social Club
The Brudenell Social club played host to three bands, all helping to raise funds for the Asian Earthquake Disaster appeal.
Occasionally bands with edgy names proclaiming gritty sounds can sell themselves short, others should be seriously checked under the Trade Descriptions Act.
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.
I am told that Sugarvalve are a 'heavier Foo Fighters' but for the few songs that I hear they sound more like a bad Aerosmith.
Us Anglophones seem reluctant to embrace le rock français. While we'll happily pose and mosh to Scandinavian garage, dance to French electronica and (reluctantly) acknowledge that our Gallic neighbours do the rap thing better than us, digging French boys with guitars appears to be a little beyond us us still.
It was a brisk night, a cold night, a night that flirted with rain and hail showers. The Clue Machine - part bionic, part cybernetic, frivolously journalistic - suckled upon a cigarette in his car, digesting his prior investigation of the venue.
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".
Various Artists: Bright Young Things 2002
The Bright Young Things CD for 2002 is being distributed by Leeds City Council in April as a free addition to the glossy and widely available Leeds Guide.
The first band to take to the stage tonight are the local three-piece punk-rock outfit Erin's Third Incident.
Quick, someone call Tony Blair. If Saddam Hussein gets his paws on this lot we're all shafted!!!! Forget exocet missiles and hydra bombs.
It's another night of nervous expectation down at Joseph's Well, but maybe the uncertainty surrounding what's on show only makes the taste sweeter when things go right.
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.
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!
Beneath Augusta: Mellonova 00-03
Something must be happening in Canada these days. From the nation that brought us such luminaries as Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, and the miserable Alanis Morisette, the country that sits atop the United States of America is quietly out-doing their southern neighbour for quality musical exports.
The Scaramanga Six @ Packhorse
It's a brave idea by The Bone crew - take the Packhorse, double the venue part, open the bar, let people see one band, then wander to the other stage to see the next 5 mins later.
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.
Having become rather disconsolate by seeing many unsigned bands who simply mimic their heroes, often succeeding in recreating the look rather than the sound of say the Libertines, Oasis and the Strokes, it was refreshing to see two bands for whom the music definitely came first at the Bassment.
After an unfortunate false start, Blindeye showcase a set of fairly run-of-the-mill grunge-style rock songs, including a couple of vaguely interesting dabbles with effects pedals and not much else.
'Fly Away,' the debut album from DIY punks Fandangle is a seamless, jazz-meets-punk fusion, and is unashamedly good fun.
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.
10,000 Things @ Brudenell Social Club
Time for the three kings to return to their kingdom, time for a superb local act to grab some of the glory and have some for themselves.
Minus The Bear @ Joseph's Well
Minus The Bear are a breathtakingly awesome band with a sound so in tune with the times whilst being apart from other bands of the guitar-electronics melody section, base-drums rhythm section set up.
Impossibly big-mouthed Richard Archer of chart-hugging Staines chancers Hard-Fi props the bar up and gazes amenably into the eyes of his young paramour, trying hard not to notice being noticed and no doubt savouring the relaxed Thursday night vibrations and eclectic vinyl selections of the Chicken Shack DJs.
It about time the best band in Leeds came back to claim the unofficial crown from the local indie kids.
e·mo·tion (-mshn) n. An intense mental state that arises subjectively rather than through conscious effort and is often accompanied by physiological changes; a strong feeling Emo is a type of music that is rapidly gaining popularity in the UK, despite being popular in America for some time now.
Enthusiasts of tonight's bands nervously surround me, uniting in small rival groups, all with a clear objective at hand, to support and more importantly, cast a vote for the devoted band of which they are acquainted to.
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.
The Blood Brothers are skinny, polite and nervous. When they perform however, a fairytale nightmare is cast upon the room, melancholy, bitter, estranged from reality and reeling with sarcastic vitriol.
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.
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).
Another Saturday, once again striving for that elusive intimate gig, the night that blows all the others out of the water, the Leeds hard rock fraternity, raise two fingers defiantly toward its heavily subscribed, yet vastly popular indie scene, and turn out in force to the one place they feel at home.
The Nervous Shakedown @ Woodhouse Liberal Club
"You're walking around with that shit in your hair; you're walking around like you just don't care..." TNS The Woodhouse North-West Ward Liberal Club is as big as its name.
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.
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.
four day Hombre @ Royal Park Cellars
There's a vibe in the air tonight, a tangible, swelling excitement that seems to accompany the Hombre lads everywhere they travel.
I like a place where the beer is cold and my feet stick to the floor. The Cockpit, my own little microcosm of punk, rock and roll and all that is indie.
First up, playing to a half empty square, are The Motorettes. These Geordie guys aren't half bad really, even though they fit the mould of typical indie rockers.
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.
For all of those about to read, if you know either of these bands then you will most certainly know what will be coming up in this review.
Bands old and new played to an expectant Warehouse on Sunday, as legendary rock gig 'The Valley' resurrected itself from the ashes.
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).