Search for strange mix performed on Thursday, 8th January 2009.
strange mix
We found the term strange mix in 256 articles.
Bastion 4: The Tale Of Gideon Strange
There appears to be an uncanny tendency for singles that are described on their press blurbs as "infectiously summer-sounding" to make their way into my possession when the weather is generously providing me with the chance to experience first-hand what it might be like to be drowned in a tidal-wave of piss whilst making my way through a Norwegian tundra.
Seagull Strange: La la la la Ley
As song titles go, it's not up there with the Gods, it's more towards Rola Cola than the Rolls Royce end of names.
Band profile for the band Seagull Strange
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.
The Cribs: Another Number / Baby Don't Sweat
The A-side is "Another Number", a gloriously lackadaisical amble down lo-fi lane. This one just prods and teases and you think that any minute it will kick off, guitars a blazing, yet after a couple of minutes it just finishes.
Rudolf Rocker: Rabbiting With Richard Dido
This is Rudolf Rocker's second album released on Leeds' very own House Of Mook label. John Peel listened upon the band favourably, as he did with many 'Mook' arists and you can hear why.
thrash metal
Bruise are an astonishingly good act; you feel like you have known them and their music for ages. Isobel Morris' vocals are haunting yet intrusive and cover a broad range.
This, the farewell tour of Leeds' greatest outsider band Cud, is to be a blinder. Maybe not all the hits are here, but the setlist covers their five original releases with a bit of everything.
Hmmm... so funnily enough it appears on this evidence that this lot were floppy-haired indie kids in glam metal headcases' clothing all along then.
Strange one this. You'll probably remember this song from a couple of years back when it was an enormous house classic around the world for an artist going by the name of Grace.
Band Profile: Bad White People
Kieran - Vocals Parksie - Guitar Paul - Guitar Olly - Bass Joe - Drums A bit strange to find a welshman, laaanndoner, coupla chester blokes, lich-vegas guitarist all joined together.
Lowlife UK: That's Just How It is
After the strange voiceover about no becoming a movie/rock star and being lied to (not very punk is it, to 'sell out') the pace is consistent throughout.
indie rock
Wire Happy: Short Cycles From A World Of Bumps And Swirls
'Short Cycles...' is a strange experience, which I must make that clear right now. As Kevin Mottram (aka Wire Happy) kindly points out it was originally intended to be a soundtrack to a game; and I can't decide if that admission was a good one or not pre-listening.
Band Profile: Anderson Congress
indie rock
"We're the warm-up band" announces Cooper's entrance to tonight's proceedings. Following on from the previous night where we were entertained not only musically but also through an on-going dialogue with Four Day Hombre, we are again in conversation with tonights bands.
A strange record this. There's a sort of lilting rural tune to it, but some almost clumsy chord changes going on underneath and an over-hit acoustic guitar (what is with big stars making expensive Gibsons sound like Yamaha beginner guitars?).
Jon Gomm @ Love Apple (Bradford)
I think we all know the story by now. A young sprightly reviewer who has never seen Jon Gomm before sits himself down and waits in anticipation.
I'm intrigued. Track three on this CD is called 'Reykjavik 101', which is a sort of name check of one of my favourite films ever.
Band Profile: Astonishing Sod Ape
electronica
The Scaramanga Six: Are you one of the Family?
Save for the first twenty seconds of the opening and title track "Are you one of the Family?" (On their own Trinity Records label), an opening in which The Scaramanga Six have recorded some very strange effects, including explosions, I actually like this track.
As apposed to sounding like some raw disco-punk, or nu-indie-disco DFA sound-a-like, this record reminds me most of Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5, Afrika Bamabaata and general dodgy 80s 303 led hip hop.
Vae Solis @ Royal Park Cellars
So, metal night at the Royal Park, and the turnout looks quite good as the first band, BEYOND REDEMPTION, take the stage.
The Ordinary Boys: Week In, Week Out
Here's yet another over hyped band from the NME school of how to rock. It's very strange how exciting "new" bands these days seem to be ripping off old bands.
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.
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.
The Pocket Gods seem to get everywhere at the minute and here is Mark Riley of said outfit, again cropping up co-writing and producing the strange sounds of Zaam.
The poster on the door has an ominous message - "last gig for at least 9 months" - dare we expect then a classic Cud set, with all the drama, trimmings and japery?
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.
Charlotte Hatherley: Behave EP
Charlotte Hatherley, you've shamed me and I deserve it. Having not got much from a first hearing some months ago, I misguidedly turned my back on a lot of innocent pleasure.
Friday night comes around again and the Duchess plays host to another trio of local bands. Well, I say local, but we really have to go as far as York for the first band on tonight, Baggy Blue Sky, and as far as Sheffield for a selection of the main band, Tenbob Swerver.
The Mars Volta: L'via L'viaquez
What's this? Everyone's favourite genre melding, afro haired nutcases The Mars Volta go funk? Believe it.
Punk glam rockers Phluid's debut LP 'Cynical Smile' does exactly what you want it to - plays loud, fast and with it's cross dressing, black-eyed, drug pumped heart on it's sleeve.
I Am Kloot are a stripped-down, intelligent slice of Manc attitude. This, their third LP sees them taking their winning formula of angular balladry into more brooding and questioning territory.
It's easy to be endeared to a band that describe themselves in their biog as having a "common love of strange cheeses, fresh vegetables and variety of pickles".
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.
The Young Knives @ Leeds Festival 2008
British Sea Power start the final day and drive away any remnants of the morning's deluge. Unfortunately the wind, or the Main Stage's volume limiter, conspire to also wash away the sound, so only the manic flag waving at the front gives hint to how good they are.
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins: You Are What You Love
'You Are What You Love': a beautifully heart-rending account of a life in which the persona of the song is in a strange sorta love with the wrong sorta guy.
As always I'm going to show my complete ineptitude at reviewing by saying I don't know how to review it.
Devo, Jon Spencer, Deerhoof: My girlfriend has turned them all off. Now Cowtown have joined that exalted list of mysterious headache providers.
The CD from Spring was quite a mixed bag because there were 10 tracks on here. The 1st track, "Not At The Same Time", was a blast from the past because at the start I half expected Mick Jagger to come out dancing!
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.
Mutually parting company with your record company would probably knock the wind out of most bands' sails but not for Manchester trio I Am Kloot.
Hot Club De Paris: Hey! Housebrick
Hot Club De Paris release 'Hey! Housebrick', a solid foundation, a well worked underpinning, good craftsmanship, the distinctive first slab and cement to the whole overall property development that is the new album.
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 evening kicked off with new lads BAZOOKA JOE. I am told that this was their first show. They definitely deserve credit for their performance, they put on an excellent show with some pretty damn good pop/ punk tunes which got the kids pretty warmed up -like they needed it - I think it was the sweatiest show I have been to all year.) Plenty of people were up dancing especially for the outstanding cover version of Celine Dione's "My heart will go on." Watch out for them in the near future.
Whiskas caught up with Jarcrew on their tour with Million Dead ...
Heavy on the Dinosaur, light on the Junior, dropout lifestyle gurus Mascis, Murph and Barlow return and it's not so much where you been as why are you still here.
The Horrors: She Is The New Thing
"It's weird, because when we do gigs we just set out to play our songs and not annoy or wind up anyone - but we often cause loads of trouble in the process" says keyboard player Rhys 'Spider' Webb.
The Apparatus are a Welsh based indie-punk band - I use the word punk in the broadest possible sense of the word - this is more of an attempt at the commercial and tedious punk rock that we've heard a million times.
Staerimto can be described as lush, poignant, quirky folk. In this DIY solo effort lead by John Perry there are moments of brilliance and also emptiness.
'A night of shoegaze.' Hmm. There seems to be some confusion over what shoegaze is. I mean...some of my friends don't even know and they're hip as fuck.
Charlotte Hatherley: I Want You To Know
Ash albums were always a right old mess - tracks were either totally poptastic gems or just plain shit.
Captain Wilberforce: Mindfilming
The captain(s) in question are Simon Bristoll and Daz Battersby, a duo split between Leeds and Birmingham.
There's not a lot more I can say about Brian Eno that hasn't been said before. Pretentious bastard or a musical genius?
That Fucking Tank: Day Of Death by Bono Adrenaline Shot
Oh That Fucking Tank how I love you so, with your instrumental death disco music that makes my ears bleed while I dance away.
An ex-baseball player, originally from Canada, now based in Paris and with 'Square', his first release for a major, maybe the pioneer of 'A.O.H' (that's 'adult orientated hip hop(c)' to you and me).
The melancholy guitar swirling and reflective lyrics of The Somatics' eponymous debut album quickly evoke thoughts of aspirations unrealised and of opportunities spurned.
Tell me I'm not the right audience for Andy Shades and you're probably onto something, but I've seen him in concert and know he's a decent musician who works with others of the same ilk, some of whom are the US playing here.
Apparently trucker style baseball caps are now "cool". Well Grandaddy were wearing them long before the ponces and poseurs deemed them suitable to wear and continue to do so now they are, but for much different reasons I'm sure than the world's fashion victims.
After attending a sensational Ok Go! gig at Joseph's Well, Kaiser Chiefs' front man Ricky Wilson gave a quick insight into his feelings on the upcoming Brits and how the last 18 months has been for him and the rest of the band.
Sigue Sigue Sputnik @ New Roscoe
Before I start I'd better point out that I like the Sisters of Mercy - have done for years, and probably always will.
I wasn't sure if it was because I'd just seen the picture that came in the CD sleeve that I thought this music sounded really sexy.
The Cribs @ Bradford University
The Cribs weren't set to play close to home on this tour, so when Ryan Jarman announced this Bradford University show as their 'home-town gig' the Wakefield chants were inevitable.
It's rare I listen to a CD and sense a lack of discernable musical talent but for some strange reason that's what struck me about "The First Drop".
Crash Cartel. Hmmm, now there's a name you can't help but think you've heard before but in which lifetime god only knows.
The Earlies: No Love in Your Heart
The Earlies sound weird. Think Trumpets, violins, synthesisers, beats and pianos. It shouldn't work, but it does.
Fine Apple, one of Bradford's unknown bands outside the area, choosing to ply their trade at Rios, bring us a great four-track EP.
Electric Mud Generator @ New Roscoe
So tonight sees me journeying out to the outpost known as the New Roscoe to take in two local old-skool metal bands I've heard good things about.
The Sweet Chap: Superman 3 / Girl With A Curl
From a label who will only release things as MP3 downloads, which in my opinion, is a brilliant idea, The Sweet chap swings and saunters over to my place, bottle of vino in hand, sleazy look on face.
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.
Earl: What Are You Waiting For?
Now this one's a hard one, not often do I recieve or listen to dance tunes with a huge amount of interest, but as I put this CD on, I suddenly like dance music!!
Downfall - those long-serving purveyors of rock speak to Andy Roberts on the hiatus surrounding their latest release, perfectionism and The Music...
Bloody hell. A band who site The Beach Boys as influences are hard to come by nowadays... Thankfully The Composers aren't one of those bands who say someone is an influence when in reality only have one song on mp3 which they kinda like.
When I received this EP from Dave I knew absolutely nothing about Hatch or their music so this is a new experience for me!
Farming Incident: The Swine Fever Diaries
Farming Incident are still doing their own experimental, art-rock thing. It's still lo-fi and it's still very strange.
I arrived at Leeds' latest venue, The Rocket bar, shortly before Icelandic outfit Bellatrix take to the stage.
The duo of Rodrigo Y Gabriela have wowed crowds at Glastonbury and Womad with their amazing guitar skills.
Agent Blue: A Stolen Honda Vision
It's been a strange few years for Potteries punkers Agent Blue since they first came bounding over the horizon some three years ago.
Felix Leiter: Lighter Than Leiter
"Lighter than Leiter" is a 2 track CD with "Ten to Seven" and "Learning to be Selfish" pushing out the word about this back to basics three piece band.
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.
Smashing Pumpkins @ Leeds Festival 2007
Probably the luckiest thing that could've happened this weekend did actually happen. The sun came out.
Victoria Holdsworth caught up with The Yards' Chris Helme and his guitarist Chris Farrell for a chat to find out if they'd be playing in our yards any time soon.
IIIIIIIIIINNNNN ONE! The Scaramanga Six. I haven't seen this lot for a while, and I'm looking forward to it.
This three track demo gives notice of an interestingly slap-happy West Yorkshire band with leanings in a Stephen Malkmus direction.
Superelectric: Music For Joyriding
"10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-0-Do It!". The 16 second countdown of Go! is complete. Having listened to the Superelectric demo CD (absolutely amazing) and seen the live show a couple of times I could see a different direction on their free CD, Music For Joyriding.
Buck 65: Secret House Against the World
This is the latest long playing offering from Canadian hip hop poet Buck 65. His voice is a deep and rich drawl spilling out his lyrics above the varying musical backdrops.
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.
You can't help but wonder what kind of band would have an album cover featuring a naked woman being mounted by a giant scorpion.
Shut Your Eyes And You'll Burst Into Flames @ Brudenell Social Club
Arriving on stage later that billed did nothing to quell These Monsters' instrumental blasts of squalling guitars with blasts of saxophone.
Son Of Dave @ Brudenell Social Club
Having attended the show on a recommendation from a friend who had seen his performance on Later... I was unsure what to expect from Son Of Dave having heard the eclectic descriptions.
One man and his acoustic guitar can be a great platform for tedious journalism - emo, troubadour and cult hero are usually the order of the day for any given Get Cape or Bright Eyes review.
Monday nights are always strange nights for gigs. It's kind of like an extension of the weekend, but with the knowledge that it's Tuesday the next day and still a full week of work ahead.
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.
Remo are from the growing collection of "alternative" rock bands hailing from the city of Bradford lately.
Good Shoes: We Are Not The Same
With this CD comes a challenge, in three stages. Each level increases in difficulty. Are you ready? They are as such.
Screaming Mimi: Dorothy Millette
A word of warning: do not listen to this record. Do not listen to this record, that is, if you are of a nervous disposition.
After reaching no 24 in the national indie charts earlier this year with their debut release on Siamese chinS Records ("Snow"), a single that also made the band Radio One's "Unsigned Session of the Week" things appear to be going from strength to strength.
Adjágas is the Sami word for the mental state between waking and sleeping. Fuck knows what 'mun ja mun' means though...
It hardly needs stating that Selfish Cunt won't be troubling the top ten. A commendable refusal to join the ranks of commercialism which may make listeners feel SC are sincere.
The Kinison: What Are You Listening to?
Chillingly amazing first song, lads ('The Farm and The Girls'). OoooooOoooOoohh! That was a shudder, that was.
dub rock dance
It worries me when a band advertises themselves in their biography by the fact that their lead singer has big tits!
Squarepusher: Hello Everything
A purveyor of experimental music and a bass guitar fanatic, Squarepusher has become one of the world's most respected electronic artists releasing one acclaimed record after another on the mighty Warp Records.
We arrive to the sound of a cat being tortured. Who can be perpetrating such a hideous act? It's ex-Hope Of The States band, Troubles.
Little Japanese Toy: Disused No 5
Well, first thing's first: Little Japanese Toy score a whopping 0/10 for presentation. The demo consists of a hastily scribbled on, almost unreadable CD-R.
"I've been here for ten minutes, and so far I've heard ten minutes of feedback". Someone said that to me last night at The Vine about mid-way through The Somatics' set.
For someone raised on guitar music, the whole concept of electronic music doesn't always sit well with me.
alternative rock
For his first venture into solo work the Pearl Jam frontman has produced this soundtrack for close friend Sean Penn's film 'Into The Wild'.
The very last Blue Star Music gig happens with possibly one of the busiest crowds, best bands and best mix of indie rock from the straight up young upstarts (Solo and Diawara) to the wit, charm and brilliance of the experienced Mama Scuba and Being 747.
The Whip have been around in various incarnations for a number of years now; with the rise in popularity of artists such as Digitalism, Justice, Soulwax and MSTRKRFT and other established indie bands such as Bloc Party embracing electronic music perhaps now is their time.
The old days when folk was seen as only for the "crusties" are gone. Thanks to troubadours like Willy Mason, Frank Turner and Get Cape,Wear Cape, Fly, folk is now in the lug holes of many young as well as old people.
Apparently I called these guys jazz in an earlier review, and they got a bit mad. So, I sit with the new full length offering from the band spinning on my computer (us kids don't do CD players anymore y'know) with an open mind and my Miles Davis CDs as far away as possible...
The 60's eh? Ford Consuls, Formica, Richard Dimbleby, Judith Chalmers, Cliff Richard and Marty Wilde.
You have to feel a bit sorry for MoFo as they take the stage to an audience numbering approximately three.
Mungo Hump sounded as proficient as they did interesting as they blasted through their first two songs but the set averaged out from that point onwards.
This sound is so big now; '80s and '90s electronics rediscovered and manipulated in a way truly worthy of the 21st century.
Come on then. Let's hear it for the Yorkshire accent. This chunky, 'T'-dropping, broad wedge of a thing is ace; so sing in it.
Third album proper from the genre melding Danes, 'Set & Drift' sees Diefenbach occupying territory somewhere between camps indie and electronic.
On first hearing that Jewel had recorded a Pop album it seemed a strange move. This down to earth, cowboy dating, sensitive poet ditching her acoustic guitar in favour of a beat box?
Tupamaros @ Royal Park Cellars
First - an apology to NONE OF THEM KNEW THEY WERE ROBOTS - as I trotted down the steps of The Cellars for this my first "Collective AKA" night, I heard the final chord of their set and saw the singer lie down on the stage.
Electric Soft Parade @ Cockpit
Icelandic moodsmiths Lorien aren't exactly influenced by the Sex Pistols. No, Radiohead are probably more their bag.
Extreme. Noise. Terror. Three superb words and once put together, one racket mungously loud outfit, and arguably the forefathers of Melt Banana, who have taken ENT's blueprint and booted it into outer space with extra electro madness.
I'm sat at the Irish Centre, it's about 8.15pm, I'm lost. See, me being a complete tit I didn't think to check how to get to the Roscoe.
There's something instantly familiar about opening track 'Chloe'. It took me a while to figure out what it was and then it suddenly hit me.
Received wisdom has it that Steer are something of an acquired taste. On the basis of this performance it is difficult to fathom what it is that needs to be acquired to appreciate their music other than a pair of fairly basic functioning ears.
goad are in lower case. Even on gig listings the band tell me that they begin with a small 'g'. A warning perhaps, so that you don't make any mistakes.
Given the amount of hype openers FLIPSIDE give themselves, I could be forgiven for thinking I'd walked into the wrong venue had it not been for the stately John Keenan on the door.
Joan of Arc: In Rape Fantasy & Terror Sex We Trust
Joan of Arc's Tim Kinsella is one of those multiple-attached US artists who can sneak into the Leeds Fenton one May evening, en route from Paris to Dortmund via Glasgow and Manchester, and maybe 100 people know.
When Morrissey sang the immortal Smiths lyrics: "I should have been wild and I should have been free/but nature played this trick on me" he had in mind the kind of people that are in the groups I'm watching tonight.
Dave Sugden gets five minutes with Beat Route 62 in the Cockpit dressing room
Jack Peat is a fairy. He used to be the drummer in Kram but as they were offered a record contract for one single he bottled out and wanted to focus on University.
The Machines Will Take Over @ The Railway (Featherstone)
First impressions of Featherstone's The Railway? Normal pub... ominous looking equipment lying around...
The Sunshine Underground @ Faversham
Strange things are happening in the dance world. Warp records not only sign Geordie punk monkeys Maximo Park in a holyfuckthisisn'tthenewBoardsofCanada moment but they also release a white soul album.
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.
Kerouac: I Hope Everything's Alright In Your World
Andy Aitchison and Dan Little are in ambitious territory with this CD. There are the basic shapes of three good songs.
Colin Mounsey: Where Did Everything Go So Badly Wrong?
Colin Mounsey has issues: "This man created evil, this man created pain" just two of the accusations labelled at Daniel O'Donnell's favourite bearded man on 'Fuck You Jesus'.
What a great opening. The first 35 seconds of "All our so called bad luck stories" are fresh young and just fantastic.
I must say I am a little late in reviewing Pop Threat and for that I apologise unreservedly to the delightful Juliet who cornered me after a Scaramangas gig at Ver Well one night last year.
Schadenfreude. I bet The Nearly Men do this a lot. To put it quite frankly, there's a hell of a lot of bands out there that are not fit to lick these talented bastards' shoes.
Ash are a strange beast. After the success of their album '1977' back in 1997, they went all a bit mental and released 'Nu Clear Sounds', which was nothing but a disappointing mishmash of ideas, from blazing rock to nu-metal ish scratching and screaming, it was patchy at best.
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.
Love Panda: Should'a Seen It Coming
It all started with the White Stripes. Then, all of a sudden, bands started to crop up with strange combinations of musicians.
Death of Fashion: Hello Movement
New York City envelops and spits out another victim here, unable or unwilling to breathe under its weight of music past.
Kaiser Chiefs @ L'Aeronef (Lille)
A strange little venue, on the third floor of a shopping centre. The key word though is 'little'. About the same size of the Met, it's smaller than anywhere you're likely to find the Chiefs in this country any more.
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.
To say that I was a fan of Napoleon IIIrd would be a severe understatement; this so called low-fi wizard of leftfield rock is about as appealing as leprosy and manages to push the crowd to the recesses of the dingy corners of the bar for salvation.
Press releases are strange things. Take Kansas quartet Conner for example - "away from the scrutiny of a music scene such as New York or LA..." One can only imagine that if Conner did come from New York they would be described as "hailing from the hotbed of America's music scene" or something or other.
When I heard the first Beirut album, 'The Gulag Orkestar', I thought that Rufus Wainwright had started singing with Romanian folk bands.
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.
Scatter: Women Of A Certain Age
"Scatter's debut CD 'Judas' was a lament to Leeds Utd golden boy Alan Smith's vile decision to join Man Utd." Aaah, football fans.
Paranova @ The Old Cock (Halifax)
The Old Cock has recently been celebrating the renewal of is entertainment license, and a decent sized crowd had assembled in what is the town's temple of live music. The support slot was filled by a band new to my ears, a swampy rock outfit named The Roller 6ix.
Malcolm Middleton @ City Varieties
Malcolm Middleton cuts a strange figure onstage at the Leeds City Varieties. His is a personality that would instantly spring to mind if someone were to ask for an example of unease or embarrassment, and that's an impression made even clearer by the faded grandeur of the venue.
Irish Indie band Ash play the Leeds Met on 1st May, but as a sneak preview and a thank you to their loyal fans, the band played an exclusive free gig at the Virgin Megastore, Leeds.
Was I the only person left in Leeds who hadn't seen Bilge Pump yet? I suspect there might be one or two guitar band members who haven't had the experience.
Joseph Seager managed to ask Italian pop/folk/indie band Amycanbe a few questions, from how their tour of the UK has gone to what they'll be up to this Christmas...
After spending Saturday watching sport, namely Leeds Utd beating Liverpool, then spending the early evening at Joseph's Well, where the glamorous (or is it sexy?) Albeit were set to headline yet again, I ventured down to The Rocket.
In truth I know nothing about the contemporary black music scene. I'm a stranger and lost with no bearings.
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...
Simian Mobile Disco @ Leeds Festival 2008
August Bank Holiday is upon us again and that brings with it Leeds 2008 and a rocking end to the summer music festival season.
It's somewhat disconcerting how bands now appear pre-packaged within a handy little publicist bundle.
Yorkshire bands in the spotlight at MIDEM and SXSW
Huddersfield's award winning social enterprise Timeless Music Project has just returned from France where it has launched the breakthrough new music development initiative 'Independent Sounds Of Yorkshire And The Humber 2008'.
David Thomas Broughton @ Faversham
Nothing could prepare me, or the dozens of those in my locality for what we were about to see "grace" the stage in front of our very eyes.
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.
The Mars Volta: Frances the Mute
Ok I know that The Mars Volta have always been a bit of a controversial subject, bit like marmite really; you either love them or you hate them.
Capital State: Revolution Thoughts EP
You have to respect Capital State. They just keep coming back at you. Ever since I saw them at Leeds Festival back in 2001, I've been intrigued.
Modest Mouse: We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
Modest Mouse are one of my best discoveries of recent times. They bring together abrasive, left field musical influences and pop inspired melody which turns into something strange, unnerving and beautiful.
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.
Ok first things first I got to this gig rather late and missed the first two acts. I really felt quite bad about that, and it also means I have no words to write about David Broad and Michael Rossiter (who I am sure were fantastic if the last two acts were any thing to go by)...
This long awaited punk festival finally arrives in Leeds, but not to the punters' disapproval. With doors opening at four, most people are expecting local band, 25th Cock (as Rich from Not Katies informs me) to be arriving on stage soon, but instead they don't even bother to turn up.
And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead @ LMUSU
Now almost two years since its release, though not dated a single day, "Mistakes & Regrets" is greeted with the loudest roar of the night before even a word is sung as the unmistakable slow melody line builds up into a blast of intense raw energy, a Stateside version of The Cooper Temple Clause's "Panzer Attack" for want of a comparison.
Leafeater @ Pennington's (Bradford)
Leafeater are on top form tonight, showcasing tunes from their eagerly awaited debut album which they are releasing in April on their own label GAK Records.
There are few bands in 2004 that can quite captivate the listener in a complete contrast of emotions like Aereogramme, we speak to singer/guitarist Craig B about the release of impending mini album "Seclusion", touring the world in a beat up transit van and... skeleton xylophones
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.
It is said everybody is worth their 5 minutes of fame. Be it car crash reality TV carnage or that guy who once streaked at Wimbledon, everyone deserves their moment of glory no matter how fleeting.
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.
Leeds lads Guns on the Roof, with an average age of 18, have supported Stiff Little Fingers and the UK Subs here before.
I love gigs like this. You go down to some random (admittedly, in the case of the Faversham, glorified) pub on the outskirts of the city to see a band or two that you've never heard of and to be brutally honest, probably never will again.
Bone Box: Death of a Prizefighter
Umm, this is brilliant. This kind of music not being played on Radio 1 is what is wrong with the world.
The Cockpit is the place of dreams. Yeh, maybe a bit hyperbolic, but somehow smothered in truth. The venue, which is a stone's throw from the train station, is the hub of uncategorisable style dripping with the Northern nonchalant indie darlings clad in their sprayed on jeans.
A bunch of really hairy, middle-aged blokes are on stage playing rock and roll, having a shout at George Bush, and causing mayhem.
Ahhhh, fuck. What the hell is that? After a few seconds of silence I was tempted to increase the volume on my speakers, little did I know that this was not a wise idea; the next thirty seconds were to be taken up with some chaotic, distorted and loud effects.
The Mixing Tin is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, especially late into a weekend night and tonight, the Noisebox showcase featuring four of the hottest bands around, is no exception.
It's difficult to see where Pendulum get their rock-dance crossover act credentials from, but as an accessible drum and bass act, Pendulum are the best.
With Vib Gyor about to record their next single - "Secret" - Victoria Holdsworth caught up with the Leeds band at Beached 2006
Ah, how I love Mine with its alluring red leather sofas and twizzly stools. I've only settled in twenty minutes before the dashing Lucky Jim claims the stage as his own playing songs which tell of experiences deeper than we unsuspecting punters could ever imagine and to which said venue doesn't do justice.
The second night of the reborn It's Gone Ballistic, the weekly local band showcase taking place at the Rocket Venue on a Tuesday night saw a male-female split.
Town. Okay. Everyone knows where town is right? That's a good place to start. Now, make your way up to Park Row.
Cleverly deciding I was going to go to this at the last minute, I made it to the Roscoe just in time to find Beautiful Feet sitting down with their drinks and having a few pats on the back.
Tom Napper & Tom Bliss @ Cock & Bottle (Bradford)
With this year's move to a new home, the world's oldest folk club is suddenly closer to Leeds than ever before, just when folk music is elbowing its way back into the general consciousness.
It's nice to see former Neighbours star and sometime TV presenter Mark Little is doing well for himself, in a bizarre turn of events he appears to have given up shit-ass, late-nite, programs on ITV and 'found' feedback!
Orange Goblin @ Rio (Bradford)
With last week being the 50th anniversary of Elvis recording "That's all right mama" I've been kinda depressed.
Storming out of Sweden are brother and sister combo Olof and Kristin Dreijer, aka The Knife. Unlike other famous brother and sister combos, the music isn't thrashy garage rock, nor is it arty punk pop.
I have to admit that I wasn't really sure whether or not I wanted to see "Meet the Fockers", OK the first one was amusing but was there really enough mileage in the concept to spawn a sequel?
Hi fans. Last year (or in 2005, depending on when you read this) Supergrass made a bold and brilliant album called 'Road To Rouen'.
Various Artists: I Can Count Volume One
Mmm, electro, n' stuff like that. Good, innit? 'Specially if you're signed to I Can Count Music, a record label fresh from Bob-Monkhouse-himself's seal of approval.
Ahh, the rigour of That Fucking Tank's riff-ravaged post rock is quite a detachment from the banality of everyday life.
In a time before you were born, dearly beloved, an Icelandic child called Björk joined a punk band called KUKL.
GU Medicine's mix of heavy rock and roll is delivered with convincing force, just like the headliners.
So then after months of waiting the night was finally here, our first chance to see the Academy. After an hour in Walkabout (who will do a roaring trade on a Friday night with two quid drinks compared to £3.20 next door) we got our first glimpse of the Academy and our first reaction was how busy it seemed.
When the lead singer of Trap 2 walked onstage tonight I couldn't quite believe what I was seeing. Was this four piece really to provide support for Kasabian or a tribute act??
Joseph's Well tonight is certainly a strange place to be. Sweltering and packed to the rafters with anybody who's anybody, and anybody whose not, in the whole of Leeds.
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.
Various Artists: The Velvet Orchestra / Solus Locus - split single
'The Creator' is a slice of prog-rock madness you're either going to love or not understand in the slightest.
I love bands from Washington D.C. Especially bands that were or are on Dischord, the innovative, politically conscious and close knit label co-founded by Ian Mackaye (Teen idles, Minor Threat, Fugazi).
Experimental Audio Research @ Brudenell Social Club
After 6 hours of a mix of all sorts of music at the Woodhouse Liberal Club, a benefit gig for Love Music, Hate Racism, it's time for the next gig just down the road from where I used to live.
Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan @ City Varieties
Euros Childs, former frontman of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, provides some strange folk indie to warm up the crowd.
Zombina and the Skeletones @ Bassment
I would like to start by saying that I wasn't going to do a review for this gig when I went, but in the Bassment they have these new drinks called 'Vodka Mudshakes'.
Ske: Life, Death, Happiness & Stuff
OK, this is getting ridiculous... yet another Icelandic band ventures down south for some loving. Ske (which means 'happening' in Icelandic, but 'slut' in Japanese) are a collection of writers and musicians that work in the fields of theatre music, film music and TV ad jingles that decided to make an album of guitar based pop songs.
Easy Now All Stars @ Hard Rock Cafe
I hate to start anything on a negative point but... Flaming Lips! There. I got it out of my system. Not that it's a bad thing sounding like the 'lips, but it has to be a drawback when you realize that people could actually mistake your songs for unreleased 'lips tracks.
Andy Roberts heads round to The Somatics' house for a cuppa and a chinwag about their debut platter, local themes canal spotting and how prog will be cool once they release their new album...
Interview: Help She Can't Swim
Charlotte Oxnard heads over to Bradford's Love Apple to talk to Help She Can't Swim
Tonight showed just how much I enjoy spending my time down at Joseph's Well. Less than 24 hours after being played on national radio, a Peel Session no less, the Lorimer boys are out in force again; Chris on the doors as usual and Jock doing the sound.
Lightning Bolt @ Brudenell Social Club
The venue is slowly starting to fill when Like a kind of Matador take to the stage. A trio comprising of a guitarist, a drummer and a flutist who then proceed to produce some mighty fine concept rock.
Having played at The Cockpit before to only a handful of people, it wasn't looking good for Look See Proof when myself and my friends walked in to The Cockpit to find only one couple sat in the corner.
This is Rob Nichols third and most assured album. It's comprised of relaxed and natural sounding arrangements of ten fine new songs.
Tonight really didn't start well. After I'd encountered the frankly bizarre system of a 'paying guestlist' (?) we are told that due to technical difficulties, original support act Printed Circuit had to pull out, so enter Hood keys man Gareth Spencer and his side project The Unpleasants.
Deja vu. Deja vu from the exact same time last year. Stuck in the same pokey Cockpit auxiliary room with an altogether comatose audience but nevertheless an incendiary performance from one of British rocks most talented outfits.
The Distillers @ The Refectory
It was cold, it was raining and I had to queue up for like half an hour to get in... but to be honest that's the only real negative of the night; well there is another but I'll get on to that soon enough...
Us Anglophones seem reluctant to embrace le rock français. While we'll happily pose and mosh to Scandinavian garage, dance to French electronica and (reluctantly) acknowledge that our Gallic neighbours do the rap thing better than us, digging French boys with guitars appears to be a little beyond us us still.
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.
Johnny Foreigner: Waited Up 'Til It Was Light
Johnny Foreigner are a strange band in that they have consistently got great reviews including a 10/10 for their debut EP 'Arcs Across The City' on Drowned For Sound and an 8/10 for this their debut album from NME, yet they still remain an unknown quantity outside of their hardcore followers and have received little hype compared to what a lot of other new bands have.
Daniel Powell talks to York's Elliot Minor as they begin their tour at Leeds' Cockpit venue.
What a stupid rule! You're in the venue but to get to the room where the bands will be performing you have to go back outside and round to the other entrance instead of walking ten yards through the doors in front of you, quickly supping off the fresh pint you've just acquired!
The Paddingtons @ Joseph's Well
Matt Knee is the smiliest drummer I have ever had the pleasure to watch! It made my night to see someone up there who was clearly enjoying every moment and who was not too ashamed to show his excitement.
So I'm waiting for my friend, in the freezing cold, who happens to be twenty minutes late yes that's you sara gill, I ain't even gonna bother putting your name in capitals.
Chumbawamba @ Trades Club (Hebden Bridge)
Chumbawamba had worldwide fame thrust upon them as the digital age got under way the second half of the nineties.
I knew I really couldn't miss this! I have seen both Albeit and Sugarvalve before but not Mariko. Saying that I feel as though I have.
Before I start I'd just like to say that I've eaten the nicest tea I've had in ages tonight. It was a stir-fry.
Pretty Girls Make Graves @ Joseph's Well
First up at The Well tonight were local sleaze punk rockers Buzzkill. A favourite in the local scene, Buzzkill have developed a popular status and rightly so.
It's Friday night, it's cold and it's wet, so do you stay in and get depressed because you have no friends, or do you go out to catch some top live bands from your local area giving their all in a great pub which sells decent beer, get hideously drunk in a nightclub afterwards, fall all the way home then wake up in a strange bed the next morning with little or no recollection of how, why or when?
The Incredible String Band @ Hebden Bridge Picture House
"You may have gathered by now that we're a bit of a nostalgia act" quoth Mike Heron after a oddly banterless opening of two ISB classics, "you might say we are our own tribute band", well, yes, but I for one couldn't have asked for anything more.
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.
What is a Juma? Well it depends on whom you ask... To some it's a dance riddled drug fuelled monster of funky rock and roll.
I was excited about this gig. I've enjoyed The Music's debut album and have been looking forward to tonight for sometime - tickets sold out about 4/5 weeks earlier so I was expecting an electric atmosphere inside this rather strange new venue under Leeds train station.
Student feeding-ground by day, 'The Refectory' at Leeds University Union may not seem like the obvious location for a night of top musical entertainment, but I was certainly impressed by the sound and light show at the excellent Placebo gig here this time last year.
The Refec is bloody weird tonight. Honest. It's a right merry concoction of young Romeos snuggling up to wistful Juliettes, posh folk draped in gold drinking white wine spritzers, farmers and tonnes of beards.
Your correspondent is tired and weary, drowning in a sea of hipsters, trying not to booze due to previous late messy night après gig and "advancing years".
Slipknot @ Leeds Festival 2000
When I set off to the Leeds festival this year, I'd decided upon writing a full length weekend review.
Dave Cooke talks about life after Landspeed Loungers, Wrath Records, the local scene and the fortunes of his new band...
Victoria Holdsworth spoke to Luke Morley from Thunder before another sell out gig in Sheffield.
Sam Saunders spoke to Chris Helme of the Yards in January 2004...
The Summerfield @ Joseph's Well
The room downstairs at Joseph's Well had been taken over by tables and chairs and subtle candlelight.
We catch up with power-pop trio Kenosha who chat about fame early in their careers, rehearsing in Bridlington and almost having a 'we're not worthy!' moment with their heroes...
Cansei de Ser Sexy @ Leeds Festival 2008
Turning up on Friday morning, swapping my piece of paper for my press pass, pitching my tent in guest camping and making my way to the arena, I was really pleased I'd been able to come to Leeds this year.
Andy Roberts talks to Brody ahead of their end of year festivities at the Royal Park...
Andy Roberts catches up with Catylyst prior to their Joseph's Well gig special...
John McGee gets all giddy and silly and drunk and strange things happen while watching bands. Forgive me if I come on like a drunken raconteur but that's where the story begins, like all good stories should, in the pub, over a formerly nursed pint of cider now in smithereens on a tiled floor.
"Don't call me PJ" - Gemma Hinchliffe caught up with Carina Round at Joseph's Well...
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.
One Bullet Left @ Snooty Fox (Wakefield)
The Snooty Fox in Wakefield is slightly different to the majority of pubs that you'll will have no doubt drank in.
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).
"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.