Search for serious sound performed on Wednesday, 7th January 2009.
serious sound
Your term - serious sound - is very common.
We have limited the results to 300 articles.
sound people/virbrations promoter off mixing tin
It's a cold wet Saturday night, we're stood outside the Mixing Tin so we can hear ourselves think, and I'm talking to Tom Summerfield and Glenn Pearson from Sound Club who have just finished an amazing set, in support of Tom Hingley.
The Bribes have a sound which can be described as quirky and upbeat. A driving sound which instantly grabs you by the lugs and kicks you in the stones, leaving you heaving in a pile by the side of the road waiting for another kicking.
Well it's been three years since the good old The Xenith Sound formed and they are still forging ahead with that unique futuristic sound they managed to create a while back.
rock alternative
An integral piece of modern music promotion is the framing devices bands and their associated promotional agencies use for classifying and categorising their sound.
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.
What a relief, The Xenith Sound appear to have finally found the "Sound" their moniker so proudly advertises.
For as grandiose as their biog describes them, employing such everyday phrases as "dramatic melodic edge", "distinctive atmospheric sound" and those favourite biog-bites "inspiration" and "soaring", The Xenith Sound are a rock band.
The Printed Sound: The Announcement EP
These days the term "Indie-rock" is enough to strike fear into the heart of even the most hardened, weathered hack.
The Printed Sound: A Tale Of Two Cities
Nice name. Nice sound. First track 'A Tale of Two Cities' is a nice little stomp of a song, all plodding beats and clean, choppy guitar stabs.
The Lost 45s UK: The Next Projected Sound Of...
The Lost 45s UK are famous for being a band that supported The Who but this EP shows that The Lost 45s UK are much more than being just a support band.
Misled Vision: The Sound of Silence
With a band name like Misled Vision and a CD title "The Sound of Silence" a pundits paradise awaits...
After a hugely successful year, including headlining the NME stage at V2003 and supporting REM in Europe, Feeder sign off with the title track from superb 'Comfort In Sound'.
LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver
James Murphy is a man who owns lots of records, and judging by the influences present on Sound of Silver, it's clear to see that not only of the size of his record collection is enormous, the quality of it is too.
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.
As support band Sound Team launch into their brief but stunningly good set it is evident that this band are meant for big things, even despite the slightly dodgy name.
Girls Aloud: Sound Of The Underground
WAIT! Don't leave just yet. Lets give the girls a chance. Yes everything indicates that you should run screaming from this record.
Sneaky Sound System are 2 guys on the club scene in Australia who, in time honoured tradition, have recruited singer Connie Mitchell to add a little glamour to proceedings.
The Sunshine Underground @ The Vine
The Printed Sound began proceedings on Friday night at The Vine, following their inclusion into the first Leeds HMV Showcase.
Tonight's openers are perky, sprightly young pups Vatican Jet, who kicked off the April TTS with such style.
Lisa Brown are a bit of a surprise. With that name you expect a solo female acoustic guitar type thing going off but it's nothing of the sort.
Sound Asleep @ Woodkirk Valley Country Club
CUTOUT HERO This three-piece were the first band of the day that I saw as I was late. Playing a mellow sort of rock/punk with even a little bit of ska thrown in every now and then, they sounded pretty good for their age, and were reasonably well rehearsed.
Various Artists: Big Tunes: Ministry of Sound
If you are part of the clubbing scene at the moment, you will either already be familiar with these tunes, or you soon will be as they continue to make waves in the clubs.
The Xenith Sound announce the release of their debut single
The Xenith Sound have announced the release of their debut single - titled "The Warning" - with a launch party scheduled for Leeds' Cockpit venue on Wednesday, 12th April.
Sweat drips from every pore; they bleed your life and finances here folks. Here been the cockpit. Atmosphere is sold in bags, buckets even.
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.
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.
Micky P Kerr releases a single on new Leeds label Sound People
Leeds artist Micky P Kerr has this week released a double A-side single. Available from Monday 30th October on new independent Leeds label Sound People, the single includes the songs "www.mickypkerr.co.uk" and "Dreamers Club" and is released on CD and digital download formats.
Yes! Finally! I'm in the elite crowd where you can claim you've seen a band where the number of band members outweigh crowd members!
Band profile for the band Sound Club
Band profile for the band Sound Team
Band profile for the band The Hush Sound
Band profile for the band Sound Asleep
The Printed Sound: The Announcement / Lips
First thing that comes into mind is The Killers crossing paths with The Kings Of Leon, so nothing overly original here.
Band Profile: The Xenith Sound
Band profile for the band The Xenith Sound
Brasil to release their debut single on the Sound People Records label
Local band Brasil have announced the release of their debut single on the Sound People Records label.
It may have been the 1st of April but there were no fools on display tonight. Kicking off proceedings were the highly energised Vatican Jet who ripped through a set of grinding riffs with a sharp British edge.
An addictive combination of sound, lyric and attitude that make you want to jump around like a demented frog!
Easy Listening this is not. Opening with a demented Wurlitzer esque drone with sugar sweet female vocals daintily skipping amongst the disturbing synth sounds this could be the background to some B-Movie title sequence.
Various Artists: Shock Rock: Wall Of Sound
New rave. Makes you want to look away doesn't it? New talent being pigeonholed into genre specific straight jackets, and all as a sorry excuse for the latest scene or fad to grow and take hold of our vulnerable teens.
Band Profile: Sneaky Sound System
Band profile for the band Sneaky Sound System
Band Profile: The Ultimate Sound Of Dirty Dancing
Prepare to take a trip back in time to the summer of 1962 when Baby, on a summer vacation with her family at Kellermans Holiday Park, meets Johnny Castle, the dance instructor.
"Innovative four piece with a hybrid sound comprised of Funk, Rock and Soul."
Nightmares On Wax: In A Space Outta Sound
Nightmares on Wax are one of Leeds' most beloved institutions - particularly among those with a certain predilection for a certain form of naturally growing intoxicants.
Fall Out Boy @ Millennium Square
In the absence of an arena (or anything bigger than the Uni's Refectory in actuality) it seems Millennium Square has stepped up to the plate to become the pinnacle of Leeds' gigging venue possibilities.
Bodixa are a female fronted five piece from Leeds who produce a blend of emotive and beautiful music. Strong harmonies and a big helping of good song writing talent lie at the heart of their distinctive sound
"KRAM are very fucking loud" -Tom Goodhand (Sandman) "It's KRAM's ability to take you from one note to a full massive sound, usually in one song that separates them from most bands" -Glasswerk
Rob Galloway Dubbed 'The Rebel of the Leeds Music Scene' ROB GALLOWAY describes himself as Beck meets Iggy Pop, creating an electric sound from dance beats, guitars, trip hop and punk rock
The Echo are a group of musicians and songwriters descending from various backwaters across Northern England. With its Americana twist and tequila-toting atmosphere The Echo conjure a cinematic live sound.
Band Profile: Team A vs Team B
The most recent gigs in the Team A vs Team B adventure feature a newly evolved acoustic sound augmented by double bass, mandolin and a melodica nicked from The Futureheads' instrument toychest.
Band Profile: Authors of Malicious Code
No one review has pinned down a paticular sound that this band creates, a fusion of individual influences creates a poppier version of QOTSA while also showing Serafin, Nine Black Alps, DFA1979, Muse and many many more.
Most new bands tend to struggle to find their sound and manage instead to just about hold together some songs.
Kinesis. One of those bands whose name keeps popping up, but I have no idea what they do or sound like or even if they have horns and tails.
Having been around since 2005 and being quite big on the Bradford scene, Hoover Dams were a band I'd heard of, but this was my first time hearing their music.
Futures is the first single to be released from Zero 7's new album "The Garden" which is set to be released in May.
For a band renowned (well, at least by themselves) for their "political" and "eccentric" sound 'The Way We Were' is decidedly humdrum, a song in danger of being added to the already overflowing pile of would be bargain-bin singles from thoroughly unremarkable bands.
The Martini Henry Rifles: And then we hit a truck...
From the onset I thought I was gonna hate this with a passion, another band from the arrogantly titled "Future of Rock and Roll " Sonic Mook Experiment toss comp.
I've got to admit, I've been avoiding this band like the plague. Its nothing personal, but a name like Milf just conjures up images of a bad Blink 182 rip off act with 'hilarious' fart into a microphone japery.
The Baddies: Monkeys in their Money Suits
Wow, it's another nu-mod punk band, but hey, they aint half bad, they have a real catchy sound as this live mini EP shows.
Grammatics to release a 10" vinyl single in April
On Monday, 7th April, Leeds four-piece Grammatics will release a new single on the Dance To The Radio record label.
This CD is bloody amazing! I was given this when we had just played a storming set at Josephs Well. I had the original "Wow Signal" EP from VISA, which I acquired from the Blue Star gig a couple of months ago.
Palo Alto return with this 3 song promo on Valentine Records but ultimately it's fairly flat and the year and a half away seems to have done little for the band's sound.
An American band with guitars and a violin will bring images of Hillbilly country rock. Add a hint of reggae and you'll be forgiven for thinking it's the Mad Hatters tea party.
In a week of gigs at the Met, this is the first one I'm going to where I have an idea what to actually expect!
Aereogramme: Sleep and Release
What a strange album this is, it's quite hard to describe what this album is like, but I will try. Weezer-ish riffs go into piano/string -led ballads (are they?) and then crank it out hardcore style.
The Invention are a lovable bunch of lads armed with all the weapons a band needs to survive nowadays: a vocalist; guitarist; bassist; and drummer.
Luxury Car: The Heart of The Matter
Perth (Scotland not Oz) trio Luxury Car provide an excellent glimpse into their electronic world throughout this four song debut.
Glasgow's Eska should have gone down a storm. Their dynamic noise, all stop-start rhythms and waves of sound should have had the crowd in awe, but they simply stood and stared.
Captain Wilberforce: Dreams of Educated Fleas
Seven songs of mature melody and thought provoking stuff from the quaintly named Captain Wilberforce.
The Tamborines: What Took You So Long
Despite the misspelling, The Tamborines have a name as obvious as the day is long. Far more interestingly the 3 piece consist of two Brazilians (the nationality not the haircut) and one French drummer, which makes the wall-of-sound Indie influenced by the likes of Teenage Fanclub and The Jesus & Mary Chain all the more surprising.
Good to see Leeds' answer to the Mary Chain still going strong. Now down to a trio, the reduction in personnel luckily hasn't blunted Vicious Cabaret's razor-sharp sound.
Great, the new 7" single from Pop Threat shows a rawer sound, one that I've not heard from the Leeds four-piece since their self-titled EP on Mook two years ago.
Watching glimpses of Great North Patrol live it wasn't difficult to spot a comparison in both their stage presence and their music to bands like Oasis.
The biog of London based Dripfeed makes numerous references to Coldplay and although the music itself has a distinct whiff of the band it stands up enough by itself to dispense with such lazy comparisons.
I will admit on first listening of this CD I was a bit underwhelmed. It sounded a bit too samey, nothing original.
If you haven't experienced the rather marvellous Pop Threat for a while, you'll be intrigued by the fact that they sound nothing like their earlier days.
The careful listener will notice that there are actually 3 tracks on The Lies new offering but the tendency to segway between songs of a similar structure, tempo, sound and key will have the casual listener feeling as if they have wandered into a mod-rock-opera.
Volcanoes hail from the new Leeds (Sheffield). The four piece have a stripped back indie blues sound that although not devoid of influences, has a pretty strong personality of its own.
Band Profile: Larry The News Guy
I'm Larry The News Guy. I'm also known as Loz Budd, Laurence Budd, and Laurence Edwin 'Bundle' Budd to my Dad.
ska emo punk
The Answer are embarrassing. It sounds like Creed threw all their Bon Jovi records out and got into The Sweet and Aerosmith.
With another single from forthcoming album 'The New Fellas' this is The Cribs' latest slice of disjointed guitar pop.
Here is a thing, this is ace but you should not buy it. Why? Because you would be much better off buying the album which is even better and full of tunes just as good as this one.
Just because they're kids with guitars, don't expect Outl4w to be in the same mould as McFly/Busted. You won't find any watered down rock for the teeny-bop masses on this album.
Mr Shiraz: Sleeping With The Enemy
Dum Dum. Dum Dum. Dum Dum. Dum Dum. The bass drum thumps with moody guitars then the wailing brass kicks in to captivate you rather than provide a tune.
The Bed: Soma Riot Wave Machine
Bursting open in a wave of distorted guitars and firecracker drumming "Soma Riot Wave Machine" opens promisingly.
With the noise of American hardcore, driving, distorted guitars, but with indie vocals over the top, these Glaswegian lasses are similar vocally to Juliette and the Licks, minus of course the male Licks.
Rio's is a decent sized venue that looks well-suited to hosting live bands; when Kharma 45 opened their set with "Come On" there was only around 3 dozen people present yet their powerful sound filled the venue giving the impression of a far larger crowd.
dub ska
Melodic, atmospheric indie rock and roll.
Purple Orm: Sounds From Small Town
Apart from the name I have little to complain about Purple Orm. This 3 piece from Castleford (I'm guessing) have a steady rock and roll sound that is likeable enough on this 3 song CD.
Alternative dark psychedelic progessive space rock.
Oh my God, it's an album - ten tracks titled "Anthology 2000" - ok, I have a few hours, lets have a listen then.
The Composers: A Way Of Being Free
Apparently The Composers "thankfully don't sound much like most of the other bands in East London", thankfully indeed?
The Lost 45s UK to release a limited edition double 7" single pack
The Lost 45s UK release a double pack 7" vinyl single later this month with a launch party scheduled to take place at Baby Jupiter on November 25th.
The Get Up Kids @ Leeds Festival 2002
The Get Up Kids are hailed by some as the only band worth the emo moniker. They do turn out catchy guitar laden tunes, but their sound is a lot poppier than strict emo and all the better for it.
Yet another indie/ rock four piece are here to stifle our souls. Hooray. This time it's Sleeve, a Sheffield formed band that "live in a dream." There's a bit more to them than the usual Oasis sound-a-likes.
Animal Collective @ Irish Centre
Light being faster than sound, the first thing that hit me as I descended from the (quite expensive!) bar was a blinding light, pulsating from the stage.
Last Night's TV: Too Much in Doubt
Last Night's TV bring us their 14 track album of laid-back chilled tunes. Mostly a progression on the acoustic material from their previous EP.
The Bribes hit the headlines through Facebook hijacking
Unsigned Leeds band The Bribes hit the news this week as they duped over 4,000 people into joining their Facebook page by pretending it was a protest group against the London 2012 Olympic logo.
The Nervous Shakedown: Untitled
The White Stripes have a lot to answer for. Not only did they prompt the entire record industry to sign any band with a 'The' in the title, but they also made every label sign up the obligatory dirty blues riffage band.
The Apes allegedly make music around drawings they make. If this is the case then I would love to see this art-form and would love to hear there reasoning behind introducing their Tapestry Mastery EP with a monologue of a robot receiving a parcel through the post and proceeding to put into his cassette recorder.
Beautiful Feet: Unfinished Business EP
Beautiful feet have a very pleasing sound, a Radio 2 Sunday morning sound, a keeuuwwwwl sound - not a bad thing, in fact with the increasing number of noisy guitar monkeys out there it is refreshing to hear someone being subtle with their instruments.
The Masked Musician: Perfectionist Being
The Masked Musician is a Leeds based solo artist responsible for everything from writing to producing the songs.
Diverse: It's Making Me Crazy EP
Diverse. A word true to fact in this band, as five people from backgrounds ranging from members of senior choir to musical freaks come together and create a musical sound which is so new in today's scene with two vocalists.
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.
The Twilight Singers: I'm Ready
Never judge a band by their name. The Twilight Singers sound to the untrained ear like a band who faff about on acoustics and sound crap and basically like a bunch of half-arsers.
Test Icicles: Circle, Square, Triangle
I love hearing a song for the first time on the good ol' MTV2 and getting excited about it. It's reliably a tingly feeling that only comes around once every so often and should be embraced while you apprehensively wait for the credits to role to reveal the artist responsible.
The New Shapes: There's No Escaping You
It's strange to think that Mersey beat was the sound of the youth in the early 60s when today it sounds so restrained and unthreatening.
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.
The Ripps sound like Supergrass but are so much more annoying and much less inventive. They sound like they'd be friends with The Kooks and all the other user-friendly J17-reader bullshit that's going on at the moment.
Phluid's "Iconoclast" EP, a three track CD, features the band returning to a much more raw, energy driven sound.
alternative rock
Hot Club De Paris: My Little Haunting
A few of my friends have been raving about Hot Club De Paris for quite a while now so I thought I'd take the opportunity to get acquainted with them via this single.
Susskind: The April Shower Demo
First of all I was going to blast them on the production here but, no, because it clearly states that it is a demo so I'll forgive Susskind for that.
The Yards: Forget Your Regrets
Man, The Yards really did draw the short straw when it comes to 'The' bands names didn't they? I can't think of many nouns that are left but 'The Yards'?.
That's clever isn't it? The song title's got a violin in and so has the song! Very clever that! Ok enough of the sly comments, let's just sit back and listen to the emo-rock that has been made to sound Irish by the addition of the worst sounding violin in musical history...
The Fencott Disaster: Ambulance Fever
Shout, scream, whine, loud, fast, stop, start, feedback, riff, rock, ravage, thrash. That's The Fencott Disaster in 12 words.
Duelling saxes used to be a phrase that would have me running for the hills, fingers in my tinnitus inflicted ears.
The Dirty Soul: Perfection is bad for the soul
Indeed it is... perfection that is, but is the soul in question actually The Dirty Soul themselves? Not perfect but steady and steadfast, standing as they are on a blues and swaggering pub-rock foundation.
Distophia play cool lo-fi indie with franticly fast guitars and pop melodies. Lots of distortion and effects muddle the sound a little, and whilst they're a small-compact-venue-sort-of-band, ideal for the Fenton, there are what-would-that-sound-like-at-the-Well moments.
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.
Based loosely around brothers Chris and Richard Adams and friends to hand, Hood have positioned themselves, over a series of albums, in a unique point in modern UK sound craft.
Dan Pearson - Vox/Guitar Sean Hatherley - Lead Guitar Mike Neilson - Drums Scott Coutts - Bass/Vox The Signs are here to stay..four talented and charismatic musicians brought together by a love of soaring melodies, roaring guitars and seismic drums, the boys have a knack for creating radio-friendly choruses made to be sung around stadiums around the world.
There must be something in the water down in Derby, as Umlaut recorded this three track EP down in the mid(ish)lands.
Against Me!: As the Eternal Cowboy
Against Me! released the best album, in my opinion, of 2002 with their full length debut "Reinventing Axl Rose" with Gainesville luminaries No Idea Records.
The Charlatans: Forever. The Singles
Releasing an album that spans a career can be a hit and miss affair. The sound and songwriting styles change and great songs can be lost in a sea of meritocracy.
Listening to the first track provided for me here in neat digital form I marvel at the fact that The Bayonets only formed a few months ago.
rock electronica dance
More of a commercial sound than the last CD, which is noticeable from the outset. Whilst I have to admit I liked the kinda raw feel of "Too little Too Late" this could be a step into the right direction for the band.
The UK music scene is at a crossroads. Without directions there are no clues as to which way it will turn or what is in store around the corner; even the national press are undecided.
The Refectory is a shit venue. Lets be honest here, I've seen countless bands here over the past few years, Dragonforce, Trivium, Alkaline Trio and Funeral For A Friend to name but a few, and every time I leave bitterly disappointed.
Despite going down to the Well to see all three bands I only saw the first couple of songs by openers Uma and Shallowend-playing-Pavement later on in the headliners set.
All My Friends Are Dead: Untitled
Another group to add to the new movement of Leeds-based post-rock outfits, All My Friends Are Dead arrive with a three-track debut demo that, while showcasing a promising musical style, still feels a little unfinished.
Another chewed brick through the window. Another moshingly ripped up piece of adrenalin with amplifiers.
Three long years I've been waiting!!! Finally Mover are back in town... hurrah!! I had never heard of the band before I saw them support The Bluetones in 1998 at the T&C but they completely blew me away.
Hillstomp claim to play a brand of North Mississippi trance blues... yep that's what I thought. But surprisingly this is a real musical gem.
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.
Tonight's opening slot came from the young band STEALTHMAN. A great start tonight, mixing material from their 'Maria' EP with newer stuff and a few covers.
The Boy Least Likely To: Fur Soft As Fur
The third single from the exclusive in the know club that is "The Boy Least Likely To". Those in the know apparently include the likes of Steve Lamacq, Clare Grogan and Rough Trade.
While the majority of current mainstream dance music conjures up images of ring tones, annoying frogs and pretty yellow birdies, the Bodyrockers have managed to avoid this stereotype and give themselves a fighting chance of actually having more than one hit.
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 accomplished recording goes out as a three-track CD on September 13th on Over Unity Records. Lead song "Prototype" adopts early Parisman style with some Depeche Modish keyboard licks that lead into a guitar/bass/drums band song with a keyboard middle section that isn't quite rock and isn't quite dance.
I remember the days when Charly Six were Brass Monkey and I was interested to see what they would be like after all this time.
John Canvas of Humanfly is a man who has abandoned lyrics and singing in favour of screaming "YEEEEEAAAAAH!" in a tight voice.
When they stopped including their finest moment "The First Big Weekend" in their set, for those of us who like their indie with a slice of pop or are simply nostalgic, it was never quite the same.
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.
Mary-Jane: What I Came Here For
I first heard Mary-Jane on Manifesta's (the people behind the now sadly deceased Bar Phono's Pussy Whipped club night) brilliant little compilation of all things riot grrl in Yorkshire - the not so catchily titled - ...and besides everyone knows it's not just boys fun.
It's true what they say about first impressions, they do. Last that is. I first heard Strike Anywhere during our yearly pilgrimage to Newquay and shit, it was like a smack in the mouth (well I suppose it wasn't like a smack in the mouth as that would be less than pleasant, but you know what I mean).
Ten people sit on the floor. Why? Are they as bored as I am? Are they also drawing comparisons with the aptly titled new long player from tonight's entertainment: The Bar at the end of the World.
The Charlatans @ Leeds Festival 1999
Well the year goes fast doesn't it? Another year and yet another festival at Leeds' Temple Newsam Park and yet again this is another one that we all enjoyed.
Andy Clare: Only in Your Glory
Andy Clare follows his three track demo with a consistently well tempered 6 track mini album "Only in Your Glory".
U R Penetrators sound is hard to pin point but it makes you dance!
Some bands spend a fortune on their music. Fancy expensive guitars, Roland keyboards, flash drum kits, the works.
This Ain't Vegas: The Night Don Benito Saved My Life
Chaos sometimes bring with it greatness. Step to the plate This Ain't Vegas, your moment in the sun is surely here.
Noise á Noise: Looking Ahead EP
Hailing from Los Angeles and yet taking influences from such UK stalwarts as the The Kinks, Buzzcocks and The Jam.
Dressed like they never left the 80's, Honeycomb Love are loud, fun & sleazy as you like with their 80's metal style.
"Synth-punk", "funk punk" and "neo-trash-pop" is what they say, and it is true to say that Surferosa are more pop than punk, with a sound dominated by a synthesiser and Mariann's powerful, yet seemingly glitter-and-candy-obsessed girly pink voice.
Having formed only just over a year and a half, this four piece are already on their second, self produced, EP and have a sound which is far more accomplished than you would expect for their time together, a kind of catchy, technically solid, alternative rock with a feeling of credibility.
Openers Kenosha play to around 10 people due to an admissions cock-up tonight, and therefore have a hard job ahead.
Band Profile: The Burning Skyz Revolution
The Burning Skyz Revolution, the freshest sound of the naughties. See them live, you'll see!
Scout come blasting back with this 4 track EP with more funk Jamiroquai would be shaking in their boots.
funk rock
Saturday night saw a packed house at the Cockpit, where over 300 people were out in force to witness a three-band bill topped by Capital State.
It's very hard to describe this album. Mainly because it is a hybrid of so many different genres, it's almost impossible to pin it down.
The Hedrons: One More Won't Kill Us
The Hedrons' debut album 'One More Won't Kill Us' is an enthralling cocktail of punk. The girls have mixed attitude with melody and have produced an engaging album that will have you hooked.
Varsity Drag @ Jockey (Wakefield)
There is a little buzz about Wakefield tonight as a member of the much loved Lemonheads is due to appear in our very own Jockey.
SAMMYUSA take a while to warm up, delivering a couple of songs that consist little more than controlled feedback - as well as the addition of a vocal sample in the opening instrumental.
My Chemical Romance: Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
The inner movie style sleeve of this album describes it as "The story of a Man. A Woman. And the corpses of a thousand evil men..." This is punk rock with a dark side and ever present gothic undertones with passionate and often anguished lyrics focusing around death and heartache ("say goodnight to the heart you break and all the cyanide you drank..." from 'To The End').
The Unseen Guest are duo Declan Murray and Amith Narayan. On this 10 song lavishly produced album (music and packaging) the pair broadened their horizons beyond the standard acoustic back bone of their music with some interesting eastern editions.
Band Profile: The Resplendents
pop soul funk
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.
Flaccid Soapher are a four piece rock'n'roll band from Halifax. They call themselves experimental, but the sound on this CD is straight down the middle smalltown heavy guitar music built in four bar chunks with a blues foundation.
After seeing this band live for the first time earlier on in the year, I just had to listen to their EP as soon as it was made just to see if these Bradford psychedelic punk-ish rockers live up to their live performance in the studio.
Electro Rap Core from Rome... sound enticing? Nope didn't think so. What does Electro Rap Core mean you ask?
Rex Radio are an up and coming four piece from the smoke (London), but we can't hold that against them.
I was really excited to see this gig, cos we've all heard so much about Mozo, The Real Fucky Fucky sound crazy, and the preview of bop section in cops and robbers sounds really cool.
The Black Hawk War: Enemies of Fate
Minimal packaging, minimal production but respectable never-the-less. The Black Hawk War feature a fairly convincing drum machine and a sound that plods along slowly, full of ugly guitars.
To a backdrop of a velvet curtain and harsh white lighting Johnny Borrell exploded onto the stage. His extremely accomplished voice swept through all our favourites: 'Golden Touch', 'In The Morning', and so on.
Playing the two-track Weeve demo CD brings back some memories, mainly images of bands such as Soundgarden, Bush or Pearl Jam vocals/structure but with a typically British indie-guitar style.
Yourcodenameis: Milo: Schteeve
Following their impressive Albini produced debut mini album, Yourcodenameis: Milo release their first single proper produced this time by Flood.
O.C.D. is Mark Hadley's current electronica/live project. Mark was the leader of CYPH3R when he last did Leeds gigs.
Wire Happy: Problems of Everyday Life
This CD is a strange one. Basically Wire Happy is a guy called Kevin who sits at his fourtrack machine making recordings of very short length and fitting lots onto an album.
Band Profile: Grown Up Scandals
Hailing from Yorkshire, The Grown Up Scandals are a band with That Classic Sound. Urban? Yes, but more than that.
The Dirty Skirts: Feeling The Pressure
First impression of 'Feeling The Pressure' is that it tosses together bits of indie and electronica and expects them to sound coherent with minimal effort.
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!
John Peel gets the ball rolling tonight; just as I sit down to review spiky Leeds starlets Lorimer, he plays the cover of Ferry-penned "Over You", the second song on their new "George Oldfield" EP.
The first thing that hits me about The Start is the female vocalist. She (Aimee Echo) has a very distinctive voice that you'll either love or find that it grates you, ever so slightly.
Cardboard Cowboy: The Boxroom Tapes
There's a lot to like about this collection of four tunes, which are true testament to what can be done with home recording and some decent song writing.
There was a bit of an air of anticipation, for this gig. Parva's first hometown gig for a while, riding the back of their recent chart position, The Catheters shooting up the airwaves and the press' adoration for The Libertines, made this something of a "must-see" gig.
The Four Marys: Sweet And Sour EP
It's seems that the mighty Pale Man Made have grown some legs and spawned another band in the form of guitarist Christianne's other project known as The Four Marys.
Parting company with one's musical tastes takes a lot in today's tightly packed music world, but the styles of Vicious Cabaret and The Humour are two bands not of the norm and can hold their heads up high among the rest of the Arctic Monkey wannabies out there as they challenged listeners at The Mixing Tin in Leeds to a different style of music.
Arriving early as I knew the small venue would be rammed, I am surprised that there is to be no live music until 8.30pm.
Malcolm Middleton: A Brighter Beat
Break and post break-up songs are great. Ask any disco fan. Or pop fan. Or country fan. Or folk fan...
The Wave Pictures: Instant Coffee Baby
The Wave Pictures have got a very distinctive sound. Not that they're particularly unconventional, it's just that they're instantly recognisable to anyone who is familiar with their music, which is partly down to Dave Tattersall's idiosyncratic voice.
Saturday night and four bands take to the stage at Leeds' Premier pub/venue location, The Duchess. First up are the duo of Andy Parrott & Rob Karl, who unfortunately I missed.
Stealbackyourlife are a Brighton 3 piece, playing jarring, often jazzy math-rock, heavily influenced by At The Drive-In and Biffy Clyro among many others.
alternative indie
Awesome Funky Magic from the tightest, heaviest, most powerful 4 piece in Leeds! Maji are not to be missed!
Longwave @ Leeds Festival 2002
Another New York guitar band? On first cursory glance you may be tempted to throw Longwave on the towering pile with all the rest, but stop a moment, stay and listen (as many did) and you may change your mind.
Superkings are a North West four-piece (including piano, cello and guitar). They are an intricate, bitter-sweet piano-pop outfit, dealing in slow, darkly-melodic love songs as well as upbeat, jazz-imbued indie gems.
The band that was once Baby Chaos is now Deckard. Like their former self, Deckard have not yet quite been able to really break through and let the world know what they are all about.
Alec Empire @ Leeds Festival 2002
From the Atari Teenage Riot ashes came Alec Empire's solo project: an electro-metallers dream; digital hardcore to the techno masses; just plain loud and scary to the uninitiated dope heads sprawled out on a massive festival field in the north of England; and a sound engineer's nightmare.
This two track sampler from Silvertin reveals a fondness for a sound that is quickly growing "old fashioned".
And None Of Them Knew They Were Robots: ANOTKTWR
It's always a surprise when something you happen to pick up because of the attraction of the band's name alone, turns out to be rather good.
Hairstreak was not the German General in Allo Allo but it would perhaps be more interesting if this was.
LaRusso: My Indecision Is Final
Self recorded and self produced eh? Usually sounds like a recipe for disaster amongst local bands. Well, not this time, I suggest everyone ships out to Casa La Russo and asks them to work their magic on their own records.
Band Profile: The Window Right
electronica
Field Music: Write Your Own History
The shining, swirling, sun-drenched pop with peculiar but often alluring percussion that made up Field Music's self-titled album is, unsurprisingly, the staple of this B-sides collection.
Model 13's "California 4 Play EP" has now been placed in music collections in over 1,000 households, due to some clever band marketing, and is blatant melodic-punk in a Blink 182 style.
I've heard a lot of noise about these guys and with their self titled album, would it get louder or would it have to be drowned out?
Mountaineers: Motions Of Interplanetary Dust
Mountaineers 'do not aspire to evoke a past we cannot relate to, they do not sound like anyone else...
A Cuckoo creates a dusty and nostalgic blend of acoustic based esoteric poetry. Songs of love and light weave in and out of musical paintings that are delicately splashed with the auburn colours of strings, the oak texture of acoustic guitars, the glistening silvers of music boxes and glockenspiels, subtle golden tints of bells, the vermilion and sepia sound of melotrons and vibraphones and the gentle breeze that is A Cuckoo's voice.
Band Profile: Go Ahead Backup!
indie pop
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies: When we won't have to make the freezing scene no more
Some extravagant praise comes ahead of this CD. So I'm on my guard. But fear not. It's pretty not bad.
Right, first things first, I hold my hands up and openly admit that I have no love for the style of music touted by Hatebreed.
David Kitt @ Leeds Festival 2001
Ahhh, Leeds festival, the well-known meeting point for the world's loud and not-for-the-fainthearted rock bands, some with egos so big they match the intensity of their sound.
Inner City Sumo @ Cardigan Arms
It wasn't a huge crowd that braved the Kirkstall Road winds to see these 4 bands in The Moog Productions evening at The Cardigan Arms.
The second week of stunning talent presented Live@theLoft, Xscape.
The evolution of Parisman begins when Mike Saville and Shaun Halloran, unable to play an instrument between them, decide to start a band.
The Thrills' latest album "Teenager" is an album filled with their trademark sounds. Songs "The Midnight Choir" and "Nothing Changes Around Here" both rely on the tried and trusted formula of early hit "Santa Fe", but they are also the standout tracks.
Dr Strangemoose: Lay of the Cutlery Shiva
Surely a better name for this 7 song mini-album would have been "...I presume" and you should always be wary of bands that use made up "Funk" words like "Shiva" and include song titles that sound like an Aztec ruin - exhibit A: "Ja Sam Nakaza".
Five O'Clock Heroes: Run To Her
Oh Jesus, When is this endless tide of pretty boy piss poor pop going to end? "Run to her" skips merrily around on my CD player but I think I am going to take it out in a minute and use it as a coaster.
Icarus Sister have the ideas and the attitude. But they hesitate in their achievement. They have three songs in minor keys and a confidence in the truth of their own feelings.
Unfortunately I missed the opening band but arrived just in time for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. This band is a six piece playing a kind of punked-up Faces/Stones rock'n'roll with no less than three gutarists (for some reason).
Rock/Alternative/Metal
The Packhorse is one strange venue. The gigs are held upstairs in the attic right out of the way and it almost feels as though it's a secret club only a few know about.
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.
Glaswegian 3-piece Feel Like Falling have an accomplished and familiar indie power-pop sound that will provide interest to many fans of guitar driven grit.
Another five-band line up at Joseph's Well marks another Northern Sound Exposure event. What makes these gigs so enjoyable from my point of view is that the organisers always try to feature new bands and it's the perfect opportunity to check out some of the potential bands of tomorrow.
Built By Snow are the type of band who name-check Pacman in their lyrics, and stuff their songs full of oldschool gaming sound effects.
Walking on 'stage' (i.e. area defined by monitors, speakers etc) following a spasticated 'Freres Jacques', in their usual display of solidarity, les Flames!
Band Profile: Captain Backfire
Captain Backfire are a funky blues-rock six-piece from Leeds, England. Having formed in early 2007, Backfire have been gigging, recording and writing ever since.
'Oh Yeah' represents everything that is thrilling about The Subways; their beauty, youth and passion all rolled into just under three minutes of loud, racy punk rock.
Aaaaghh yet another "The ....s" band, but wait what's this? No disaffected vocals, no New York / Detroit attitude, no heroin references.
Steve Sanderson: Time and Tide EP
"And now something for our older listeners....", a phrase that probably puts the fear of god into most of our readers, and a phrase that could quite easily precede Steve Sanderson's adult orientated northern folk blues.
SAVING LENNY The first impression I got of this band was the noise. Two guitars can often be noisy and in this instance that was the case.
The Faversham as always has a good mix of Indie elite with the odd middle-aged couple wondering just where their evening went terribly wrong.
The Sleepy Jackson: God Lead Your Soul
The timing couldn't be better for the return of Australian eccentrics The Sleepy Jackson as they release the first single to be taken from their forthcoming album 'Personality'.
Heads We Dance: The Human Touch
'The Human Touch' by Heads We Dance is five minutes of industrial-tinged electro with futuristic synths and robotic noises aplenty, and a modest amount of addictive beats.
Hot Club De Paris: Everyeveryeverything
Yet another mouthful of a title, Hot Club De Paris prove they have the goods to back up this pedantism with another distinctive and adventurous slice of jerky, Scouse indie-pop.
Fury of the Headteachers: You Took a Scythe Home
Fury of the Headteachers have come up with a unique style of punk music. It's hard, full of aggression and passion, but they never lose their sense of purpose.
Rock/Alternative/Progressive
For anyone that might be put off by the fact Two Gallants are signed to everyone's favourite indie emo label don't be; Two Gallants aren't standard Saddlecreek fair.
The basic Samskara sound is a rasping flush of rockish guitar riffs, led cheeringly into the foothills of sexual conquest by the bright-voiced hollering of tomcat youth.
Band Profile: Working With Kenzi
Working With Kenzi formed in 2004 in a moment of boredom-induced bedroom songwriting. Long-time friends Emily and Fliss, tired of writing parodies of songs they hated, set about writing a more serious tune.
This was a night to remember - it rocked! And it ROCKED! And the longer it went on the better it got.
Five bands, three hundred words, no time for an introduction. Go. Tonight's Tea Time Shuffle was opened by current Bright Young Things, Behaviour.
Every wednesday Live@TheLoft Xscape Castleford
Firstly, I do not hate Senses Fail. I am a big fan of their early work, their first EP and its lead track 'Steven' are fantastic slices of hook-laden pop-core, heavy enough to raise an eyebrow among metal heads, and with lyrics to suit even the most sensitive of souls.
Quality. Mariko made a welcome return back to Leeds' Rocket Venue and produced a performance worthy of their recent press exposure.
Tonight's support are nearly as good as the headliners. The King Blues have got the mixture of ska, punk, and politic bashing down to a fine art, and pour so much raw energy into their performance it is hard for anyone present to stand still.
The Völtz formed in late 2005 in Headingley, North Leeds. They played their first gig to a sold out Leeds Cockpit five weeks later.
Although sporting an impressive name, as soon as the Bonsai Kittens emerge onto the stage all hopes are lost.
The Wow featuring ex-members from Spy vs. Spy and Future Adventures ... blah blah blah ... to be honest I don't care who they were in, I hate this ex-members of whoever rubbish.
Cheer Up Mungo Hump and the Daddy Special: Untitled
'Sonic instigator' opens this CD with an infectious guitar riff, funky bassline and a vocalist that can actually sing.
This latest release from Mud Hut new boys Mondo, left me wondering if there was more to this band than meets the eye.
If you were thinking that the worse thing about Filthy Sanchez was their name, you're wrong! Yes it is appalling and fits the "funny when you're 14 and you know what it really means" category but the real travesty here is a lyrical one.
I was lucky enough to review Harmacy's first offering. They must have liked what I wrote because they sent me another one!
Don't be silly, of course they're still going. And they've just delivered an album so perfect it chills the blood.
Jonny's Nubile Disco @ Carpe Diem
It's Leeds Festival Weekend and the majority of Leeds' revellers seemed to have poured to Bramham Park as many folk stagger around the City centre in wellies and, for girls, the obligatory tiny denim shorts and aviators.
The Paradimes present a mix of bright vocal and guitar melody with the backdrop of a tight and dynamic rhythm section.
As the first band of the night Sawthroat take the stage, many people in the venue seem unaware of their presence.
The Iinviisiibles: Do Paranoia Don't
The Iinviisiibles come at you from that hollow wrench of nausea that trembles on the edge between fear and laughter.
Ok well put simply Chickenhawk are a tad demented. Demented is good. I like that and I quite like Chickenhawk.
On a warm evening in Leeds a band could be heard playing. Scouting For Girls are playing at the Cockpit with support from the newly formed Leeds band The Faraways.
hardcore punk
metal rock
Host Media Centre offering Leeds bands and musicians free studio recording time!
Host Media Centre in Leeds has today revealed that it will be offer free two-day recording slots to Leeds' unsigned artists throughout 2007!
There appears to be quite a few bands called Seed, this one however are two brothers from Leeds. Their brand of safe pop-rock is well produced and performed but lacks any real ingenuity.
It makes a change tonight that the Rocket is actually packed to it's brim tonight and it only helps that the music being played is deserved of such a crowd.
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!
Sounding like coffee table jazz funk, but with a rougher Tom Waits on vocals, Seven Hours are a bit of a mixed bunch.
LUdO: And The Crowd Say Yee Ha Ha
This sounds interesting: "four people locked in a savage struggle to get their tiddlywinks home the fastest...
four day Hombre single release date confirmed...
four day Hombre release their Radio One acclaimed First Word is the Hardest debut single on July 7th.
A guilty pleasure of mine has always been 'dumb music'. Okay, I'll happily listen to 'Bush Baiters' and 'Peace Preachers' without too many complaints, but sometimes one needs to wind down and forget about the troubles of the world for a few hours.
The Shining Reserves start the evening off with some delightful loud and proud tracks. A fairly tight set with a regular rock rhythm and original local band sound.
I had not heard any of these bands before the day of the gig, so I wasn't really sure what to expect.
This is big hearted music. "After Everything" is a 3 track CD with one very fine song and two OK tracks.
"Lick Your Ticket" is Chikinki's major label debut but is by the letter of the law their difficult second album.
Ocean Colour Scene: A Hyperactive Workout For The Flying Squad
There was a time once when Ocean Colour Scene were nigh-on one of the biggest bands in the country. What were we thinking?
The Amazing Pilots @ Royal Park Cellars
Any band with a name containing the word "fury" give you a huge hint as to what they're going to sound like before playing a note, so it's no surprise that Two Wheel Fury provide a riotous, fun affair ranging from punk to alternative rock sounds.
acoustic experimental
Band Profile: Late Night Dog Fight
hardcore rock
Having J Mascis at the helm may bring illusions of driving guitars, messily fighting with themselves, but here he has returned to his first instrument, the drums, along with Dave Sweetapple (bass), and Kyle Thomas of feathers to create a sound far removed from anything they are well known for.
Before we get stuck into the review I feel it's necessary to have a whinge. Stealthman were supposed to be playing tonight but unfortunately the landlord decided to be a prick and ban them from the venue due to them being under-age, after they had lugged all their gear in and sound checked.
Designated Driver: Design At Edd River
Middlesex's Designated Driver do what a lot of modern Emo frat-party nu-punk rockers don't - they actually write songs that feel like they mean it rather than purely sounding good when you've got a skinful.
My anticipation of this release has been huge. It would be safe to say that of all the releases in 2007, I was looking forward to this one the most.
Barnsley based Relay carry off an accomplished and familiar sound. "Different to anything else around at the moment" says a quote from the accompanying biog, written by someone who clearly hasn't listened to The Rain Band, The Music, The Cooper Temple Clause, The Verve, Mansun, Primal Scream and countless others that have mixed the dancier / funkier side of rock with Indie.
acoustic
Bloody hell aren't we all lucky to be part of the Leeds scene these days? Almost every week there's another great band churning out yet another rather splendid CD.