Search for rock tune performed on Thursday, 8th January 2009.
rock tune
We found the term rock tune in 282 articles.
A Day Left: The pseudo post neo modern avante bassment garden rock EP
Two spelling mistakes in a pisstake title that takes no piss is not a good start. A sound check drum intro to a trying-hard-to-impress first track takes things down another notch.
Band Profile: The Pigeon Detectives
rock indie
Interview: Pulled Apart by Horses
Pulled Apart by Horses are a new, sickening, rock-dirge act who seem to be getting a little bit of attention, even though they've only played about four gigs and have two tracks on MySpace. Chris Lowe asks this motley crew what the deal is.
The Hightones: The Attic Tapes
Oh yeah baby, bring back that rock and roll! Only - if they could play and sing that would be great, but with out of tune vocals and guitars throughout I must say that from listening to this first track "Till The Night Is Through" I am NOT impressed.
"As far as ambition, hard graft and commitment are concerned, no-one has a patch on us" ... that's as maybe, but as far as songwriting and putting your finger on a good tune there's plenty that do.
The Dharma: Can You Rely On Them
Upon receiving this CD, I thought - 'Looks promising, very slick. Maybe a better photographer could have made the live looking cover shot look a little less like they are performing at an open jam night to an empty pub.' 'Can You Rely On Them' is a tune that upon first listen seems to pull no punches, upon second or more listens you will be thinking 'what the hell is going on with these guys.' It is filled with lots of quirky little solos, which do showcase a lot of musical talent that is there, somewhere!
A couple of Sheffield websites have kind things to say about Dangerlust, a band formed last year out of a previously ditched project called Floater.
Rock music. It's not that simple these days. Like a supermarket that has so much variety it's hard to know what to get, rock music has so many flavours, it's hard to pin down which flavour of rock music is rock music these days.
Let's look at it simply. "Caravan", Percy's latest release on Mook Records, is a whirlwind blast of a catchy alt rock tune within quick-fire distorted guitars.
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.
The coolest and at the same time most disturbing CD cover I've seen in a while contains a gem of a rock track.
Coming across all Garbage crossed with Madonna is Harry with her second single from debut album "The Trouble With...".
Five guys, no musicians, one demo CD, six tracks. Not very promising is it? It's some kind of rock from somewhere near Scunthorpe.
Aaaaghh yet another "The ....s" band, but wait what's this? No disaffected vocals, no New York / Detroit attitude, no heroin references.
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.
Glazed are three wacky dudes who can't play or sing particularly well. Their songs have a moment or two where it sounds nearly OK.
30 Day Hex: Black Square : Yellow Square
30 Day Hex class themselves as "experimental rock" and bring us an 11 track album full of melancholic madness.
Northern Ireland's loss is Manchester's gain regards Jist, originating in the former and decamping to the latter.
The Glitterati: Do you love yourself?
Poptones is steadily building up a healthy roster of artists with a fair range of diversity. From Martin Carr's Brave Captain to Cosmic Rough Riders via The Bellrays.
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.
Diawara, in my opinion, have to be one of the most improved bands over the last year. Musically they have got so, so much tighter and their songwriting has improved as demonstrated on this EP.
I like my music to be snarling, intense. I love my guitar wretched and spiky. I love pit bull style, bite yer arse, spitty vocals.
A lot of you will know of Geordie boys Carma. They tend to pimp themselves around these parts quite a lot.
Ten Seconds Of Chaos: Don't Cut Me Out
Within the limitations of full-on rock guitar-band music Ten Seconds of Chaos squeeze out every possibility to maximum effect.
Lee, Kieran, Cameron and Si from Rising Times are the new boys on the English rock scene and they've already made a huge impact, having just supported The Cooper Temple Clause and opened at the QuingDoa International Festival in China in front of 27,000 revellers.
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.
This three track demo gives notice of an interestingly slap-happy West Yorkshire band with leanings in a Stephen Malkmus direction.
Lovechild have self belief and ambition. They've sent their stuff from Belfast to Leeds, and they're determined to get a wider audience.
I heard Change My Mind on BBC 6 Music this week and rather liked it, but as usually happens with me I didn't have a clue who I was listening to.
Remo are from the growing collection of "alternative" rock bands hailing from the city of Bradford lately.
The Pipers: Medicine Cabinet EP
Imagine, if you will, The Spin Doctors meet Pavement with Ray Lamontage as the lead singer. That's what we have here with this fantastic EP from The Pipers.
Kesh Patel and Alex Routledge have modest ability and titanic self belief. Their self-produced CD arrives with a wallet full of expensive printed gubbins telling us about their astonishing talents, rising popularity and forthcoming tour.
What is clear from the outset is The Touch have talent. Blues driven pounding rock and roll filled with impeccable harmonies and soul.
With the ample crowd salivating in anticipation it's finally time for the main event, and American rockers Ok Go fail to disappoint launching a violent tirade of killer hooks and candy floss anthems.
Pink Grease are sexy in a trashy, New York fanshionista way, and with the inclusion of The Greasettes- three girl backing singers- you can guarantee there will be someone on stage you want to fuck.
The reformation of the late-nineties' most brutal of crowd pleasers is welcome news as 3 Colours Red once again rock like Armageddon.
US Maple @ Brudenell Social Club
Monday nights. It's the start of the working week (Christ) or it's still the weekend for the proverbial student.
First up tonight are Imodiom; to say the least they are unprepared. After an unsure start the set quickly went downhill.
It's not often that I listen to a review CD as many times as this. Unyson's six track "Science Fiction" has some right good songs, played and sung with style and conviction.
A brief introduction for some of our younger readers: Def Leppard formed in the late 70s, and featured five 'longhaired lovelies from Sheffield' TM.
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.
For a while now I've been searching for something fresh and new to add to my heavier collection, but at the same time something that still clings to the roots of the legendary bands that I grew up with - thank god for Dialog.
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.
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.
Ever remember that band Violent Delight? You remember, the cheeky chappies that had a minor hit with that song about wanting to be a girl.
It's always hard being the first band to kick off a whole festival and today it was the job of Icelandic melodic rockers Minus to win over a crowd of festival goers who probably had no idea who they were.
Instant Species: The Take Away EP
If I had my own way, Instant Species would write all of their songs in the style of the third track on their latest CD, "The Take Away EP".
The Hair are foot soldiers in the great army of rock and roll. They play bluesy soulful rock, with some keyboard frills.
Jonah Matranga's newest outfit it is then. A near legend in the, dare I say it, emo world - leading such bands as Far and Onlinedrawing to great success and also guest starring on many friends' and musicians' releases due to the respect he commands in his occupation Jonah is obviously very talented, let's put it that way.
Finally returning after a few years concentrating on their DJ project 2 Many DJ's those affable Belgians David and Stephan Dewale are back with a new Soulwax single.
The Japanaro line-up has changed since they recorded their four-track EP last year, boasting a new sound and a new vocalist.
Having defected from the tedium of eternal teenagers Ash for a full time solo career and having been prompted to do so on the basis of "enthusiasm shown by Ash fans for her writing" it's questionable whether Miss Hatherley is deserving of a solo career all together.
If the names of the bands are anything to go by, this could be an interesting night of James Bond subterfuge, Pussy Galore and go-go gadgets.
In their own words "K.O.Kaine are a post-modern flurry of anger guitars, tormented words, hellish shrieks and bastardized beatings" Fair enough!
Whole Sky Monitor: We Grow Up EP
Whole Sky Monitor start from a great name and a well tended niche in the Leeds music scene. We have a confident guitar band here, with strong drumming and top production values.
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.
Delay pedal mania, breathy reverb ridden vocals & keyboard noises that go woooooooouuuuup..p..p..p! Inevitably your reviewer is going to reach for their off the peg Coldplay (tired) and Elbow (starting to look worn) comparisons!
It's a genuine shame that throughout the 4 songs on offer from Huddersfield's The Pretty Machine the kick drum infuriatingly sounds likes a wet fart being loudly let off in your ear.
Brutal Tinkerbell @ New Roscoe
If ever there was a lesson for new bands to learn then Future Sons Of Rome are it. 1) Your singer should never wear sunglasses unless you are playing on the main stage of a festival or have sold out a well lit arena.
The opening bars of the mistitled "Orgasm" are beautifully done. A well controlled and very sweet guitar phrase leads into Anthony Slattery's very good vocal delivery on a big open song.
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.
The Lockjaws: Look Dad, You Can Cook Muffins On It
Crawling out of the dingiest and filth ridden areas of Bradford come the alcohol fuelled Lockjaws. A band bred on old school punk rock, beer, Guinness, late nights, hangovers, lager, kebabs, vodka, cider, gin, whiskey...
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.
Wheat: Everyday I Said a Prayer for Kathy and Made a One Inch Square
A rather morbid album title and a rather uninspiring band name wouldn't make this album stand out to most people.
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.
"Lonely" imbeds itself in my head immediately. Unfortunately it's because it has the worst guitar lick ever.
I get to the Mixo about 1 and a bit songs from the end of "unknown opener"'s set, so I can only comment as follows - it's a bit emo, a bit metal, a lot out of tune and a bit pretend standing still moshing at the front.
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.
She's Not Dead: Bedtime Stories
Some very accomplished playing, programming and production work lifts this 3 song (2 and 1 remix) CD out of the "ordinary" category, but limitations in the lyrics and overall sound holds it back from moving into the "extra-ordinary" league.
Instalment four of Sarandon's four 7" 7-song mini albums is not an easy sentence to say when drunk. Through out The June Bride you can't help but wonder what some of these songs might have turned into had they not been governed by the strict rules of fitting onto a 7" single.
'Burn America Burn' is the second single taken from the Levellers' upcoming 'Letters From The Underground' album.
The winners of Zane Lowe's Fresh Meat (?!) award open the proceedings with some rock and roll. Brighton garage rockers The Lodge have a heavy twinge of The Stooges about them, and play simple but catchy singles 'Piece of Cake' and new tune 'Noose'.
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.
I had not heard any of these bands before the day of the gig, so I wasn't really sure what to expect.
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.
Dinosaur Pile-up @ Leeds Festival 2008
Matt Bigland, guitar and vocals, Tom Dornford-May, bass guitar, and Steve Wilson drums are the relatively new Dinosaur Pile-up.
I was lucky enough to review Harmacy's first offering. They must have liked what I wrote because they sent me another one!
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.
I've never seen the Mixing Tin so packed midweek, especially for a Monday night! So it looks as though we are in for a treat with the band line up this evening - or so I thought!
The 45s - now there's a name I don't think we'll be hearing the last of. Impressive at times (though I still think there's a lot to work on) pinpointing the influence in their style has proved difficult; though Britpop is a starter for ten.
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.
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.
Out of all three bands playing at the Futuresound gig tonight it's obvious as the crowd disperses onto the dance floor which band most people have come to see.
This is straightforward simple soft rock from somewhere in the early 1970s. Three tracks, three slightly different grooves with an identifiable consistency.
The new single release from Parva is live favourite Hessles, a savage two and a half minute testimony to life in the Leeds area.
The Rosie Taylor Project: Black And White Films
It would be easy enough to dismiss 'Black And White Films' after a cursory listen. Boasting a gently plucked guitar line that trundles along for four minutes without really deviating, and lacking anything that could really lay claim to being a 'chorus', it's a tune that can pass you by as lightly and unobtrusively as a gentle breeze.
As summer goes into slow-dissolve Bodixa bring us their first CD and an opening track called 'Goodbye Winter'.
"Rico sounds like the bastard child of Tom Waits and Kurt Cobain" - Q Magazine. You gotta love Q, once the epitome of cool, now an absolute joke.
International Trust: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' is an odd track to say the least. It's a perfectly crafted indie/pop song with radio friendly keyboard hooks and half decent production values.
With a name such as The Crypt, you'd be forgiven for thinking that this band is a Goth-rock or black metal outfit.
Jesse Malin: Glitter In the Gutter
After owning 'The Heat' for some time now, I was really excited about the upcoming album from New York's Jesse Malin.
This is the first single release from the Dance to the Radio label that doesn't feature a Leeds artist.
Everyone's favourite Swedish pop-punk mavericks launch their latest long-player "Kingswood" with "Ray" being the lead single.
You're 25. You live with your mum. You work as a cleaner at the nearest supermarket. You sweat profusely.
Every time I go to the Packhorse, Leeds seems to be in the middle of a hurricane or similar. The walk from the city centre up to Hyde Park is a blustery and soaking one, but once inside things start to pick up immensely, with one of the most impressive local lineups at the venue in some time.
Right to begin with I promise not to make any comments connecting poor bands with Bradford - I have recently had several, shall we say sharp remarks, pointing to the fact that I may be being unjust regards the city.
This song is ace. It's piss funny quite frankly, the musical equivalent of Just Seventeen. Call me cynical but it smacks of some record exec deciding on finding a pretty girl, getting her a rock backing band and giving her some angst song to sing about boys.
This is a good CD. I'm told nothing about the band before I slot the disc in my machine, just a pretty piss poor name and a green CD/r.
In a music scene as wide and varied as Leeds is at the moment, you're bound to get the odd one or two who just seem so captivating, so unique and so... "where the fuck did this guy come from?"
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.
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!
Tonight's showcase at Josephs Well was in aid of Link Community Development to raise money for the Leeds University Hitch hike to Morocco.
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.
Six By Seven: Ready For You Now
This is a right good conventional guitar/keyboards band doing a proper pop song with all the right ingredients and no artificial colouring.
Easy Now All Stars @ The Wardrobe
I hadn't been warned what to expect when I arrived at the wardrobe. I guess I was expecting a gig, followed by a DJ set.
Here are six recorded songs from a Halifax band with the same name as a tune by muso wonderbillies Dark Star.
A real mixed bag here; think maybe "I Should Coco" era Supergrass fused with funky disco, throw in some West Coast summer pop harmonies and sprinkle on some heavy rock riffage.
Pushbike Army: Four From Alexandra Grove
Music, like life, can be a dispiriting place at times. No sooner are ideals espoused than one sees them tarnished by those whom one supposed to be their champions.
I went to The Vine once in hope to see these guys play but unfortunately when I arrived they had finished and I was treated to this God-awful electro band - but finally I am happy to hear some of Vatican Jet's material.
Futuresound winners This Et Al are button pushers! You can just bet that A&R eyes light up like a Christmas tree when they hear this.
"100,000,000 Bon Jovi fans can't be wrong" declared the New Jerseyites' career spanning box set. Whilst there is no doubting that Bon Jovi have consistently 'shipped units' for over 20 years and won just about every music award going (along with Jon Bon Jovi's Oscar nomination for his solo work) there's a serious divide over the band's credibilty.
Awoo, the third album from Canadian oddball folk-rock types The Hidden Cameras continues on a similar musical, a lyrical exploration as previous albums Smell of our own(2001), and Eco Homo(2003).
Walking on 'stage' (i.e. area defined by monitors, speakers etc) following a spasticated 'Freres Jacques', in their usual display of solidarity, les Flames!
The Breech blend a likeable enough mixture of soft-lad introspective indie with some classic pop/rock melodies to produce a relatively straight sound.
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.
Despite some speculation as to the true identity of The Rebellion Threat Kills, tonight's mysterious support band, it's clear that much of the enthusiastic audience at the sold-out Pack Horse venue were given a tip-off that Sammy USA were the act in question.
Luke Hirst: A Demonstration By...
Looking all serious and sombre in the accompanying promo pictures, Luke Hirst aka The Saint conjures up the images of windswept mountains, upon which he pours his heart out to a soft rock soundtrack.
It should be said upfront that emo, or post-hardcore, or any style of rock that may come close to verging on those descriptions is not usually my forte.
Spring have a smooth rock style that has not been much heard in the last twenty five years. Punk - first from America and then in its nastier English variant made it as good as compulsory to throw some tasty venom into each and every musical cake you could bake.
The Scaramanga Six: Horrible Face
Sweet sounds but with a raw quality, then biting operatic bitter vocals crooning "Where did you get that horrible face?" Then a soaring heartfelt chorus yelping out "You ugly ugly cow!" The Scaramanga Six certainly know how to bend the rules of pop music and when they do it it still create a very successful end product.
On first tonight were Saving Lenny. Whom I missed. Moving on... Cactus warmed the crowd with their own brand of rocking guitar based songs with the occasional metal influence, but not so much that it wasn't accessible, especially in this venue, which is more of a wine bar than a rock club.
Ripon's The Call get collared by Andy Roberts on their debut visit to Leeds...
The Bandits: And They Walked Away (album sampler)
Well, at least I only had to suffer five tracks. If these are the best, God preserve me from the others.
Hi fans. Last year (or in 2005, depending on when you read this) Supergrass made a bold and brilliant album called 'Road To Rouen'.
Graham Jones - Bass Mark Priestly - Guitar Bruce Renshaw - Drums (dep) Ruth Coffey - Congas Caroline Standen - Flute/Alto Saxophone Alison Sheldon - Clarinet Paul Lee - Soprano/Tenor Saxophones Christine Smith - Tenor Saxophone Richard Scott - Baritone Saxophone Helen Mills - Trumpet Jem Dobbs - Trumpet Steve Etheridge - Trombone Rich Warrington - Trombone Throwing a party?
Good old rock and roll that's what Vatican Jet dish out! Apparently standing in for Being 747, these lads did a great job!
Jumpcut describe the opening track of their debut single release as "a pop tune and as such a blatant attempt to crack the Top Ten", but it can safely be assumed that this is tongue-in-cheek optimism from the instrumental three-piece.
Punchy. Bleepy. Dark. Literate. A call to arms for the under-represented of Leeds pop's moodier and, dare I say, disenfranchised elements.
As darkness falls all around the Headrow in Leeds City centre, most of the people on the streets are setting off to the trendy wine bars, the oversized clubs and most are incapable of stringing two words together.
Having not heard a thing from The Knife's latest album, Silent Shout, I'm was intrigued as to what 'Like A Pen' sounded like.
The second instalment of Ryan Adams' 'Love Is Hell' sessions, his original attempt to follow up 'Gold', rejected by the record label for being too depressing and dark, opens with 'My Blue Manhattan'.
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.
"All songs written by Instant Species, except track 3 - written by some other guy" What the inlay is trying to say is that the third track on this CD is a cover of the well known country theme tune "The Littlest Hobo", rocked up and thrown back at you as a cheeky addition to a well produced CD.
Following on from a whole album full of stuff back in 2002, Samsa are back in the hunt with a three track EP that comfortably fulfills the promise of the best stuff on that first expedition.
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'.
After arriving home from my brief holiday in Iceland, it's ironic to find a song about summer waiting on my doorstep.
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.
U2: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
For some reason when I was younger I really disliked U2. I'm not sure why, I just know my cousin had posters of them on her wall and a U2 scarf.
The Alarm: In the Poppy Fields
The Alarms' fresh new CD has two halves. Tracks one through six are clear throated, sharp sounding 80s post punk rock, evoking U2, Echo and the Bunnymen, Big Country and The Alarm.
Imodiom are a young, energetic, underskilled, 12-year-old pop punk/rock band. OFM are a fantastic, under promoted, slack drummered, great frontmanned, beautifully written, lo-fi grunge band.
Rhode Island all come from Leeds. You will never have heard of them. This is because their current CD goes under a different guise.
The Sunshine Underground @ Cargo (London)
Cargo, home of the Shoreditch Twat, overpriced chips, and bad service. However, tonight the service provided by The Sunshine Underground is - unlike the London Underground - First Class.
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.
Beautiful Feet @ Hard Rock Cafe
This was my first visit to the Hard Rock and I was expecting great things. Apart from Jimi Hendrix's belt the venue disappointed slightly, but neither of tonight's acts did.
Bad Beat Revue @ Joseph's Well
Let's get this over with. Western Suburbs have a female drummer. She's hot. Men stare, under the pretence they are watching the singer of course, but you can see their eyes wander slightly toward the back of the stage.
Jalopy Pop is a sugar filled, super happy, smiley faced ride from start to finish. Song after song of catchy, infectious American pop that is so chirpy that it could brighten up the day of the most miserable, down in the dumps bastard.
MIZKARRAGE OF JUSTICE - for a first gig these guys did well! They opened their set with 'So What' by Metallica and surprisingly did well.
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.
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.
Patience. Doctors have plenty of them, but alas the general music-buying public of today have very little.
Well, another night of Bright Young Things bands down at Uncle Steve Kind's joint and tonight it is The Gordon Bennetts, Mutiny and Harold.
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.
I battled my way through the scrum of fancy dress students that seem to be permanently hanging about near the door of the Packhorse, skipped passed the street drinkers getting out of the cold, and headed upstairs.
Old school punk taught us a lot of things, but one thing it didn't teach us was high production values - someone should have informed The Explosion.
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.
On this seven track CD "doh, ray, me" Andie Mills makes a strong case as a distinctive solo performer.
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.
Hallelujah Johnson: 33.3 Revolutionsperminute
Hallelujah Johnson have plenty of talent, some crafty-sounding beats and some cunning turntable noises.
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.
These guys are from New York and it's safe to say they are cool cats. Lump 'em in the same bracket as The Faint if you must - essentially, "electroclash rock band".
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.
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.
Naïve sounding rockers "Columbia Drive" are Newcastle based, with an international tinge in singer Louise Dal's CV.
Chevron @ McDermotts (Wakefield)
Wandering into McDermotts on Saturday night I noticed that tonight held the promise of music. Four bands whose apparent self-proclaimed musical leanings sounded tempting (if beer mat flyers are to be believed).
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.
This Et Al: The Figure Eight EP
We'd seen angry young men come and go before, and Leeds has been brim-full of earnest tunefulness for years, but from the early days This Et Al seemed like something a little different (remember the red shirts?) But here, three years on from the split 7" that launched Dance To The Radio, the main differences between themselves and contemporary Leodensians such as the band with whom they shared that single, ¡Forward, Russia!, seem to revolve around the resolute failure of the national media to pick up on their efforts.
The Diawara frontman looks in his element as he energetically takes it upon himself to cover every square inch of the stage before the night is up.
What once was Parva is now The Kaiser Chiefs. With a brand new set and a brand new sound the band introduce their new selves to us with "Less Is More".
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?".
Bloody hell, it's busy in here for a Monday. Usually a night of rest following the weekend, but tonight a haven of rock and roll activity the likes of which we haven't seen since...
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.
The last few years have hardly been a triumph for Embrace; set up as "the next Oasis" their debut album reached the number one spot and, while not selling 'shed loads' ('tent loads' anyone?), did seem to set them up nicely for future records.
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.
"Welcome to your new job/ hope you have a wonderful first day" goes one of the lines in 'First Day', the riotous major label debut single from Sunderland's The Futureheads.
A few weeks ago I teased Kez, lead singer with local band Albeit, after they secured a support slot with Scottish rockers Idlewild at Bradford University.
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.
The Scaramanga Six @ Leeds Festival 2007
Wintermute - The Carling Stage Wintermute's prize for winning the Cockpit's Futuresound competition is the opening slot at the festival, 11.30am on The Carling Stage.
Hooks For Hands - The Carling Stage A packed out and excitable Carling Tent rips into a huge roar as unknowns Hooks For Hands take to the stage.
The folks at Soundpeople who compiled this monster collection are probably the same sort who just can't help themselves trying one of everything at the pick'n'mix stall.
Indicator @ Railway Pub (Rodley)
This was always going to be a special gig for Indicator because not only is it their first ever headline show, its also the first gig since the release of the "Critical Resistance EP" and as a group of slightly pissed up punks gather in the pool room turned rock club of "the Railway" it's impossible to ignore the great sense of expectation in the air.
On arrival at The Cockpit it appears I'm not on the guestlist after all. Spotting a man with a clipboard who looks like he must be part of the touring entourage I explain my predicament.
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.
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?
Concrete Bullet are radio friendly. There, I've said it. Radio friendly. Wait, where are you all going??
Ric Neale: Hasn't Heard of You Either
Ric Neale does faultless pro-style songs with a contemporary r&b flavour. Great voice, slick sidemen and a warm jazz inclination add up to a luxurious journey through eight memorable tunes.
Coming to gigs by yourself is never a lot of fun, but thanks to the army of apathetic student types that I call friends all wimping out, I'm here on my own.
That Fucking Tank @ Brudenell Social Club
The monthly Packhorse night, Leeds On The Bone had moved to the significantly bigger Brudenell Social Club for a bumper edition.
Pulled Apart by Horses @ Faversham
It has seriously taken me a few days to piece together this review. I've been finding it a strain on my creative juice-box to summon the correct words to emphasise the compelling amount of joy received from this gleefully amazing line-up which only set punters back a mere £4.
This Et Al: Everything's irrelevant and no idea's original
The big art rock sound of This Et Al has plenty of variety and invention about it. There's a range of influences from Radiohead through Mogwai to Interpol and a vigorously accomplished approach to playing their instruments.
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.
Live music seems to be undergoing some kind of renaissance in Leeds at the moment, with several new venues popping up here and there.
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.
The Queen's jubilee had offered many music events across the city, and I happened to wander in on the Anonymous Groove one at the dry dock.
Crack In The Sun: Jim'll Fax It EP
Firstly I will say I am not a huge fan of new punk bands but somehow after seeing these guys live in some place in Northwich the other night the energy and humour onstage from these Mansfield lads compelled me to grab a hold of one of their free CDs which humorously had several cut-outs of Jim Bowen (one complete with a doll of Bully!) on the cover along with...
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.
Another Saturday night at the Highwood saw the typical mix of youth and experience that has become all so common under the banner of the bearded soundman.
I'd just like to say that most of this review IS personal opinion, as to start off with all the bands were superb musically.
A Swedish hitchhiker near York asked if I played a musical instrument and when the answer was no he told me he was returning from Ireland.
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".
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.
Ryan Shirlow and the Bloody Marys @ Fibbers (York)
I'm starting to feel like a York correspondent for LMS as I stroll down to Fibbers to catch one of Leeds' most talked about bands of the moment.
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.
There's was no support listed for tonight's gig, so it's a surprise when a lone figure wanders onto the stage and picks up an acoustic guitar.
Ali Whitton and the Broke Record Players are a band you can't help but like. Although I am told they've been gigging around Leeds forever, tonight is the first time I have come across them.
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.
These days, The Library looks like an enormous music venue, only scaled down. It seems eerily suited to the This Et Al of old, draped as it is with imposing red and black curtains, but the recently-refurbished venue plays perfect host to all five - count 'em - acts on tonight's bill.
A pretty quiet start to the evening for a Saturday night in Leeds, and bloody cold too, so I was looking for something to warm my cockles.
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.
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.
Miss Black America @ Buff Club (Otley)
Otley, centre of the known universe, is on the case yet again. With a Royal Park Cellars triumph behind them on Wednesday, Miss Black America are all over the NME on Thursday.
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.
The memories are hazy, the order of events may not be quite right but I know two things; beer flows freely in The Fav and amazingly it didn't rain, or at least certainly not enough to water down my Sol or to kill any of the musicians on stage.
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.
Leeds' Stateless, after seemingly never ending games of label (hip)hop scotch, have finally released their long awaited self-titled full-length.
If God was Scottish and in a band (and some troubled FF fans think he already is), by divine right he would be signed to Chemical Underground.
Further proof, if proof was needed, local music is still very much alive and well. The hasty uprising of the Faversham and its current status as indie mothership and NME bum buddy has been nothing short of miraculous, as are their reliably superb Saturday night offerings.
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.
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 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.
The first act on tonight's multi-cultural tour is the Icelandic beauty, Hera. Although not normally swayed by singer songwriters, finding them too introspective and mood dependant, Hera undoubtedly has a remarkable talent.
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.
Leeds 5 piece Infrasound kick things off with the aptly titled "Fire in the City." Bringing the Happy Mondays' penchant for funky beats and mixing it with the earnest pounding of the Walkmen if only fronted by Ian Curtis, the band produce a nice line in giddy space epics.
Being first on the bill is never an enviable task. This point is emphatically made by the demonstrative display from tonight's headliners Chikinki, replete with the most hyperactive and manic lead this side of Axl Rose and Wayne Coyne's illegitimate love child.
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.
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.
Dum Flux opened up the evening in a punk rock fashion. Melodic, energetic but let down by out of time guitars and slightly out of tune vocals.
four day Hombre @ Joseph's Well
I was looking forward to this gig as I knew pretty much nothing about goad and Leafeater and hadn't seen four day Hombre for almost 10 months.
"It may be hard to pronounce but if you learn it I'm sure you'll find it will pay". And so the confusion starts.
With Leeds festival just around the corner it's that time again for the Futuresound competition. Tonight was the turn of The Black Helicopters, Ten Seconds Of Chaos and The Xenith Sound to win over the crowd and more importantly the judges with their interpretations of what passes for good music these days.
Boy, am I excited! I'm told that The Cut are one of West Yorkshire's hottest bands around. Whoopie! Insert CD and we're on fire, baby!
This three track demo starts very bright and clear on some strong arpeggiated guitar, with a movement through to a slowly rising bass and drums crescendo that speeds up a little uncertainly.
I always deem it wise to respect an artist's decision to go solo (rather than ask questions) and especially those who then decide to produce a solo album, all that despair, loss; love and heartbreak in one album must surely be an intense experience to put yourself through?
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.
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.
Another cracking line-up courtesy of the Blue Star boys, this time with a bit of a rockier edge leading to possibly the fullest showcase since Leeds Music Scene maestro Dave Sugden and Joseph's Well manager Karl Baird began the monthly nights back in December 2000.
Something's not quite right. As we walk into the Cockpit, I'm forced to dash behind the nearest jukebox as I hear a haunting "Exterminaaaaate" from behind me.
Now I don't know a great deal about Ska, and I'm not overly familiar with punk, therefore I was really looking forward to tonight's gig, as I was sure it would be a bit of an eye opener for me.
When I arrive at Blank Canvas the first band has already started. It's ¡Forward, Russia!, a band that I have heard glowing reports about but never seen.
Stateless @ Brudenell Social Club
It is about 8.15 when the Worriedaboutsatan boys set up in front of the Brudenell stage. There is a small crowd of people gathered to watch Gav and Tom as they begin to create strange noises scattered with heavy cut up beats and slow swarming chords.
'Fly Away,' the debut album from DIY punks Fandangle is a seamless, jazz-meets-punk fusion, and is unashamedly good fun.
Various Artists: Full Charge: High Voltage Sounds Compilation
What with all the exciting musical happenings occurring in our own backyard at the moment, we folk of West Yorkshire could be accused of having become ever so slightly introspective when it comes to seeking out our sonic thrills these days.
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.
Biffy Clyro @ Leeds Festival 2007
Mute Math - The Carling Stage The New Orleans quartet are perhaps only known thus far as recently re-doing the Transformers theme and for their excellent video to "Typical" which has attracted over 1 million views on Youtube.
Love with Arthur Lee @ City Varieties
With one brand new song and the Love band playing more confidently than ever, this was the Arthur Lee bonus gig to complement last year's triumphant tour.
International Trust @ Brudenell Social Club
I'm a prat. Got my times muddled and missed out on opening band Chops. Oops. I hear they were stupid but great, so that's that one hastily out of the way.
OFM @ Counting House (Pontefract)
"Doncaster's finest" reads the promo. Overzealous PR, or straight-laced fact? My mission - uncover the truth.
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.
The Polyphonic Spree: The Beginning Stages of...
OK. This is the story. Tim DeLaughter was in a psychedelic band called Tripping Daisy. The guitarist had a fatal drugs accident and Tim created the Polyphonic Spree in 2000 as an experimental gospel pop rock orchestra thing to bring joy to as many people as could be got into the band or into the gig.
The regular Tiny Cat nights at the Atrium have been going long enough now for them to be considered part of the Leodensian gigging furniture.
Victoria Holdsworth chats with Kava Kava main guy Pat Fulgoni.
Arctic Monkeys: Who the Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys EP
How many million sales exactly? It beggars belief, it really does. Sorry to break yer suit jacket and jeans-wearing hearts kids, but it's time someone said the truth about this - the Arctic Monkeys are simply Not Very Good.
It doesn't seem all that long ago that you would see a Kaiser Chief every week, most often behind a bar.
Fold your hands you walk like a rock star. The Dandy Warhols represent the triumph of substances over substance and their first two albums are testament to this with a handful of quirky, catchy and perfectly snotty pop gems along with dawdling tunes you might call "Atmospheric" or "Filler" if your in generous mood.
The Scaramanga Six @ Joseph's Well
Well blimey! I walk into Joseph's Well at about 3:20pm after standing in the pissing rain for 20 minutes outside the place (yes, you said you were opening at three!) but at least it gave me chance to sober up slightly seeing as I had been in Carpe Diem for the three previous hours and was somewhat jolly already.
Various Artists: Digital Northerner III
If you procure Digital Northerner in the expectation of the latest bleepy electro-pop from the north of England then you're in for something of a shock.
Mr Shiraz @ Warehouse (Huddersfield)
Well if there was ever a rock 'n' roll town, it's gotta be Huddersfield. Why bloody Huddersfield? I asked Mr Shiraz and their pop impresario and all-round genial chap of a manager, and they all just said 'You'll see'.
Dan Glendining is a song writer and musician whose previous band Headswim made a little progress into the national consciousness during the 90s.
Yet another cosmopolitan line-up, yet another eclectic yet highly accomplished night of music. This job certainly ain't getting any harder.
Red Stars Parade: a refreshingly piquant slice dropped into Leeds' musical soft drink
In all the years of being a fan this was the first time I saw Marc 'live'. I had seen former associates of his from Vicious Pink some time back.
The Durbervilles: Alternative Route to All Destinations
The Durbervilles have returned to prominence with their radio show (Sundays 2pm, BBC Leeds) and with the release of their overdue third album Alternative Route To All Destinations - a phrase with meanings zipping about in it like a pinball, scoring points on Alt Country and a few more on Folk Roots, against a colourful background of the band's wanderings since their previous collection three years ago.
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.
It about time the best band in Leeds came back to claim the unofficial crown from the local indie kids.
Drifting, as they do, in a special dimension of their own, Galitza pulsate on a separate cycle to the ones we can normally understand.
The Scaramanga Six: Strike! Up the Band
Strike! Up the Band is a monster. The 13 songs, the two videos and the SIX SIX SIX count-in absolutely guarantee one hell of a good mood.
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.
The night begins as Dead Combo take the stage, and this electro-rock duo have a rather big challenge in front of them.
Pretty Girls Make Graves @ Joseph's Well
This a belated review, for the simple fact I have been away in Edinburgh, breathing in clean Lothian air and sampling many types of whiskey since Tuesday, and amidst my general binging found no time to write the piece coherently.
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.
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.
On the 17th December '05, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the hardest working front men in the music industry, Ian Prowse (no relation to the bloke that played Darth Vader). He is the lead singer with the band Amsterdam.
The Scaramanga Six: Cabin Fever
"Glad you all could join me, on another pointless journey". So begins the 2nd album proper of Wrath's finest premium export The Scaramanga Six.
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.
Tonight it's a six band special with some of the Leeds and District gentry cavorting on the same boards.
The Machines Will Take Over @ The Railway (Featherstone)
First impressions of Featherstone's The Railway? Normal pub... ominous looking equipment lying around...
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).
In a full transcription of the interview that appeared in the May 16 issue of the YEP, Andy Roberts talks to Noble - guitarist from eclectic Bowie-esque soon-to-be superstars British Sea Power about growing up in Leeds and more...
The greatest festival of nu-wave this side of anywhere, Nastyfest continues to be the crown jewel in the Faversham's sizeable repertoire.
Daniel Powell and Alexisonfire's Dallas discuss everything from gig etiquette to the band's previous albums, and everything in between
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.
"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.