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Maximo Park: Girls Who Play Guitars
The a phrase "post-libertine" is used a lot these days to describe a certain style of music or band; with the emergence of The Futureheads and subsequently Maximo Park I've noticed a large number of sound-alikes sprouting up that could be described as "post-Maximo Park" bands, so it's interesting to see what the forerunners of the "angular" art-pop scene has to offer.
MonMon are a melodic and angular three piece from Leeds playing loud electric guitars over bass heavy backbeats.
Cathy Simpson talks to The Warlocks about drugs, music, guitars and groupies...
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
Kava Kava are a turbo charged rocked out and funked up live dance rock act with soulful vocals, guitars, electronica, brass, strings and beats. Played live In the USA, Europe and China and featured in a load of film and TV.
Simon Wainwright - Vocals/Guitars/Piano Rich Huxley - Guitars/Vocals/Piano/Rhodes Ed Waring - Keyboards Jason Miller - Bass Ash Ashwell - Drums
Olly Simpson - Bass/backing vocals Kurt Harper - Lead Vocals Jamie Hurst - Guitars Scott Maxfield - Percussion Guy Lassey - Guitars/backing vocals
psychedelic rock
Nobby - Vocals Darkness - Guitars, backing vocals Q - Guitars, backing vocals Chris - Bass Stephen - Drums, Backing vocals
americana
Receiving an EP from a band that lists influences ranging from Radiohead to Jeff Buckley to Nirvana, I had no idea what would greet me when I started listening.
Czech-One-Two... Testing... Leeds 8-Piece alternative folk rock band Cliquant are: Arran Leyland - Voice & Guitars Alex Aspin - Melodica, Glockenspiel, Bass & Keys Andrew Fell - Fiddle & Guitars Oui Bee - Voice & Percussion Joseph Macdonald - Drums & Percussion Ben Crookson - Brass, Bass & Vibes Steph Dowlen - Flute & Keys Robert (Mr Swifty) Swift - Saxophone
Three friends, one band, no gimmicks. GOT MONEY TO BURN, GO HERE: http://www.myspace.com/documentuk
The Hellacopters are so close to being Spinal Tap. Only a lack of exploding drummers, entrances through pods and a miniature Stonehenge is lacking, rockposing and dumb rock songs are the order of the day.
indie rock
This is electro-indie with a bit more indie than the electro. Classic "first tack on demo" sounding, it has balls and insists on dragging you in and making you listen.
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.
Formed only 6 months ago, Wakefield trio Metro play spiky, garage pop. And with some distinction. Opener 'Career opportunities' warbles confidently enough, echoing Lush at their aggressive while 'My lover' is a long lost Belly b-side, all longing vocals and high strung guitars.
Five-piece synth rock pop metal punk thrash disco outfit Jarcrew have been regulars at every shite venue you can imagine for a couple of years now.
Pop Threat: Amarantal Meltdown
Pop Threat's 4-track EP release on Mook Records begins with an eerie twist of distorted, effects driven guitars coupled with vocals by Caroline, creating a total wall of sound, perhaps an up-to-date Sonic Youth with an almost-melody shining through.
Fifth Goodbye are a 4-piece metal band from Leeds. At least that's what it says on the box. At first I thought to myself, "another metal band churning out the same old rubbish" but I was mistaken.
garage rock psychedelia
Ska tinged rock without the horn sections, verging into metal at times with growling vocals and guitars to match.
King Palooka: The Wellington Street EP
I had heard quite a lot about King Palooka from the infamous Leeds Music Scene message board, in terms of musical style.
Band Profile: SuB->TERROR<-NeA
metal industrial
Blimey, these guys are serious. Very serious. There's moody inlay pictures of the band looking all sullen, there's black everywhere and some very arty song titles.
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.
Band Profile: Global Police Force
Global Police Force are tales of Inner city suburban trauma set to FX guitars & beats.
indie alternative
This West Country trio are Joe Taylor (guitars), Sam Nadel (drums) and Adam Newton (bass).
Coming on like a weird mash up of Franz Ferdinand and The Music (they're gonna hate me for that), The Invention storm out of my speakers and into my brain with the infectious 'Lock The Door', all bouncy beats, crashing guitars and soaring guitar leads.
This Holiday Life: The Fallout
This Holiday Life are almost too knowingly good. Only an American band, and a Californian band at that, could be so unashamedly mellow and well produced, while singing such nifty songs with such passion and style.
Anyone who knows anything about music in Leeds knows Parisman have been coming up to the boil for quite some time.
punk garage
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.
Brazil are probably the most over-underrated Leeds band not to come from Leeds. Tonight there are times in their set which opens up the night that are literally entertainment of the highest order, and at other times they drift off into a sort of in-between world where your mind wanders and you lose focus on what they are trying to do.
The Tennessee Traincrash @ Royal Park Cellars
The irony is lost when the Traincrash (male) vocalist jokingly asks if his woolly hat makes him look like Nickelback, as his delivery smacks, quite sadly, of grunge wannabe throughout.
The Pattern: Fragile Awareness
What I like about the pattern is that after first listening I couldn't stand them. I listen 3 days later and I can't stop ...
Above Them: But Inside I'm Dancing
Angry, shouty, emo rock comes at you from your speakers. Rip me up, burn me up and tear me fucking down!
Chapter Thirteen @ Joseph's Well
For a rock band like Chapter Thirteen an acoustic gig is to say the least - unexpected. I've seen the band many times and when I first heard about this gig I wondered what was going to be left without the crunching guitars and the wide range of effects they usually use in such an imaginative way.
Second single to be released from Charlotte Hatherley's critically acclaimed debut album 'Grey Will Fade', 'Bastardo', is a poppy, sun-kissed, fun-packed offering.
Band Profile: Human Rape Symphony
grindcore math hardcore punk
The Dears look like a band on the run. Six disheveled Canadians take to the stage nervously clutching flutes, keyboards, 2 guitars, a bass and best of all, a recorder.
acoustic alternative
Mary-Jane are a dynamic three-piece melodic rock outfit from Huddersfield. Influences include The Distillers, Hole, Babes In Toyland. Debut "What I Came For" CD was recorded in Prague at Faust Studios and produced by Killing Joke's guitarist Geordie.
Band Profile: The Little Blackhearts
rock blues
Bradford-based indie pop band.
Shallowend: Now You Can Own The Experience
If you had never heard acoustic music played well. If you had never heard well-written songs. If mumbling rock with no particular words was your only listening pleasure.
At first - average pub band, at second - a very credible culmination of UK rock stylings, at third - a rather immense experience plagued with the swerve and confidence of another very exciting prospect from Leicester's emerging indie scene.
The Von Bondies @ Leeds Festival 2002
It's early doors at The Evening Session Tent, but that isn't going to prevent squillions of kids getting the Motor City party going ahead of Meg and Jack White's show on the main stage later.
Band Profile: Hooray! Say The Roses
We are a six-piece based in Leeds, from all parts of the country. We play guitars, drums, violin, bass, reed organ, melodica, banjo, piano.
Mr Neil - vocals Ali Valium - guitars George Riley - bass Piggy - drums New single "Smash hits / Jackie Wright" out on Wrath Records late April 2006.
electro/dance/indie
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.
Band Profile: Laboratory Noise
www.myspace.com/laboratorynoise
Monday's Arms is an awesome mix of jangling guitars, stomping vocals and floor-filling dance drum beats that makes even the most pessimistic of people see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel for the Sheffield indie scene.
'No Association' is urgent, hardcore-influenced rock that builds to a passionate tumult of sweeping guitars and strings.
I can't believe how impressed I am with this CD. And not only do I get to listen to some cracking songs - and I mean cracking - I get a whole album of them through the post, a ten-track album I'd pay good money for.
The Koreans are a divided bunch. Their sound is an attempted amalgamation of sensible guitar rock and Kasabian style electronica.
Bradford slacker rock outfit Harmacy are a bit of a find. I've never heard of them before but if they're gigging locally I'd recommend checking them out.
Angryfloss is a girl/boy duo based in Leeds, UK. They have two guitars, two mics, and one mp3 player loaded with beats.
"How a band can make the sounds Snail Racing do just using bass guitars, god only knows. It's mesmerisingly beautiful" - leeds music scene.
Band Profile: Angel Chain Diaries
indie rock
Michael - Guitar / Vocals (ex-Grammatics, also plays keys in Held By Hands) Russell - Guitar Sergio - Bass Ged - Drums (ex-Boyracer, sings and plays guitars in Downdime)
Tom - Bass Toyan - Percussion Craig - Guitars Richy - Vocals Inflicting a Noisecore assault on the Leeds underground scene for the past year, they have also been seen destroying the stage alongside the likes of HONDO MACLEAN, MINUS, MURDER ONE and PALE HORSE.
Civic Hall in Pudsey to host the first Leeds Guitar Show
Buying a guitar is an exciting, if not at times daunting, experience. The best way to buy a guitar is to see, feel and hear the instrument and that's not always as easy as it sounds.
James Taylor, singer of The Rocks, is in pain. Pain of quite a high degree, it would seem, judging by the flayed vocals which drag themselves gratingly over the most uninspired riff to have emerged in 2004.
The Jon Doe's have been around for a while now - they're a 4-piece emo/melodic punk outfit from Leeds/Bradford - you've probably heard the name but never seen the band...
Tim - bass guitar, guitars Tommy - drums, guitar, vocals Lauren - vocals
Chugging bass, airy guitars, respiring vocals and climactic songs at an andante pace, presenting Monomania's recent white label 006 promo.
Band Profile: Anti Social Mixtape
acoustic punk
nu-folk
It all starts so innocently, like most addictions. Warm guitars permeate the simple piano while the yearning falsetto vocals gently ease into line as "Mr M" slowly takes shape.
Band Profile: The Silver Tree Club
Nick Wallace - Vocals, Piano, Organs Don Mort - Guitars, Lap Steel Neil McLarty - Bass, Vocals, Harmonica Ged Crefin - Drums, Percussion Tom Turner - Piano, Vocals
From the first time I switched this record on, I felt an instant comparison between Mechanical Owl and contempary Jakokoyak could be made.
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: David Thomas Broughton
acoustic folk
Band Profile: I Had An Inkling
experimental rock
Nerve Engine wield their guitars, with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel. Barrage after barrage of "Gugga Gugga" guitars rain down and some intricate playing shows off the highly flexed skills of the band.
Obsessive Compulsive: Crash EP
I was looking forward to listening to this CD, because it had a female vocalist, and I just love listening to bands with female vocalists and this was no exception.
Keeping in tune with the current fascination of resurrecting Britpop, Pioneers arrive with their brand on melodic pop songs, centred around jangly guitars, blistering vocals and fuzzy organ.
Band Profile: The Swing Movement
indie punk
Mark Goodall (guitars and vocals) Steve Goodall (bass guitar, drums, rhythm programming) Jeremy Dyson (keyboards, programming, effects) Tim Crusher (accordion, keyboards)
Imagine going to a gig and getting given a CD to review. Well that's what happened with this CD by Seven Hours.
Authors of Malicious Code: Part 1
I've been listening to this two track CD for the last 24 hours on and off, trying to find something to write about.
Band Profile: Of Trees And Stars
alternative metal
Glassjaw: Cosmopolitan Bloodloss
If the abrasive intensity of the verses, when mixed with angular guitars, shout out post hardcore then the catchy Britrock fashioned choruses really should not fit in.
Four Rooms are from Denholme, Bradford. They formed in early 2006 and have one demo "The Four Rooms Demo," which was recorded in March 2007.
Band Profile: Killing The Old way
indie rock
Scout are summed up in one word. Impressive. Right from the packaging of the CD (which doesn't really count) to the sound of their material, which is likened to the earlier sounds of Blondie.
piano-led rock
Guitars. Lots and lots of guitars. Leather, screaming girls, sweat, passion, sex, sleaze, bourbon. Just some of the things that pop into my head when I think of the words Rock n Roll.
Snowdonia E.P available now from www.myspace.com/mechanicalowl
They came all the way from Japan to play in Leeds, so I thought I could make the journey from Bradford to see Mono, purveyors of epic, sky scraping post rock a la Mogwai, Godspeed, etc.
The Pigeon Detectives: Untitled
The Pigeon Detectives are one of the most entertaining live bands around Leeds at the moment. On stage their frantic and furious frontman belts out shambolic rock 'n' roll gems like there's no tomorrow, often threatening to decapitate one of the band's guitarists as he throws his mic stand, microphone and himself around the stage in an uncontrolled fit of pleasure.
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.
Band Profile: The Royal Park Orchestra
acoustic jazz folk rumba
When the Britpop phenomenon began to die, a drunken conversation at the Good Mixer in the over-hyped Camden Town resulted in the legendary birth of Britrock; a few bands were located for championing in the NME and a few more emerged from the woodwork.
Do Not Miss! These guys RRROCK!
Monotone: Nothing Lasts Forever
"Nothing Lasts Forever" is the recent demo from three-piece Monotone, who claim their influences include Jeff Buckley, Morrissey and Nick Drake, though I really can't see much of a comparison.
Friday night, end of May, and we're down at Joseph's Well to see three top bands play to a 100+ audience.
Rock down and dirty with all the pretensions stripped away - big fuckin' screaming guitars and a natural frontman in John Walker - welcome to Infrasound.
Various Artists: Let There Be... Geek Pie III
This collection from Wakefield's Geek Pie records offers a diverse snapshot of local talent: four very different artists with four very different songs.
I like this CD. Very much. Reviewing acoustic bands is not really my strong point, but this CD just shouts out "play me, play me".
Seven Nautical Miles: Every Ocean Reversed
Like six post-metal Viking Kings wandering in search of their riff Valhalla, Seven Nautical Miles' debut album is a densely layered, dark and brooding affair in the tradition of all great epic post-metal bands - namely, that crushingly heavy, glacial guitars are interspersed with delicate light arpeggios that glimmer like the aurora borealis (ok, enough Viking/Scandinavian clichés).
Fifty or so genuine Radio Aire competition winners and an army of press, liggers, blaggers and Leeds scene wannabes (people who don't have to be in work on a Friday afternoon) crowded into the Faversham.
indie rock
Band Profile: The Nervous Shakedown
"A whole grain slice of dirt rock!" LMS.
Leeds four-piece Dumbsoda make good their attempt at agro-punk. Fast guitars, stop starts, "hey", "ho", and "lets go" used in abundance, and a distinct Celtic influence.
Richard Nixon would be proud. At last, something good with his surname. This 3 track EP from Manchester quartet Tricky Nixon is mighty impressive.
Djevara: Third World War: Cast the First Stone
"Third World War", an opening track that explodes in your face, waltzes its way through a world of emotions, and politely passes you onto track two "The Death Of Cliff Richard".
Yellow Stripe Nine: Look Sharp EP
Yellow Stripe Nine are a band I've heard of but never heard, until now, and on the basis of this CD I'm wondering why.
rock experimental
Viva la Britpop! There's been a lot of talk lately about the resurrection of that old forgotten genre of Britpop.
The Pigeon Detectives: Wait For Me
The Pigeon Detectives have been waiting to unleash this album on the globe, and rightly so. 'Wait For Me', released on label Dance To The Radio, clearly puts the five-piece on the map as more than just friends of the Kaiser Chiefs.
10,000 Things are the band you wanted to be in when you were a kid. The Jim'll Fix It chance to play dirty sleazy riffs and wail boisterous, filthy lyrics until your lungs bleed.
They Drove Me To It: Support in the Downtime
My first impression of They Drove Me To It is one of striking familiarity, which isn't a good start. The opening salvo of 'Enemy' and 'Kill Your Martyrs' could have come from any one of today's indie-lite wannabes, albeit with female vocals and a tad more distortion.
acoustic rock folk
Decoration: I tried it, I liked it, I loved it
John Peel loves them and he's not the only one! This 3 track follow up to the astonishingly good "Thomas Pink Session" is another warning shot across the bows of the music listening public - whistling past with the words "you will adore us" ringing in the ears of all those who dare get in their way.
Anechoic release their single "Just Like You" on Monday 14th March...
Leeds-based Anechoic release their single "Just Like You" on Monday 14th March on Sony. The CD comes b/w "Be Patient Please" and "Clockwork", and the band have been described as having a sound consisting of "vintage pianos, synths and guitars [that] can easily be placed alongside Doves, Radiohead and at times even Brian Eno".
Black Wire: Attack! Attack! Attack!
Now then. A hell of a lot of tripe has been talked has been talked about this lot, a lot of it on the boards of this lil' site.
Fallen is Vib Gyor's first ever single coming via their temporary record deal with Too Nice Recordings.
acoustic
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.
At risk of being derided on the Fracture forum for the rest of eternity, I'm going to try and describe what I saw and heard at the Bassment one night last week.
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.
I have to start off by saying I was a touch disappointed before I'd even taken the CD out of its case.
Black Mountain College: Bright by the Sea
Having earned the prestigious title of 'Pick of the week' on C4 Teletext, Bright Mountain College arrive with a very nicely packaged CD, some epic songs and an ambitious, bold stance on things.
Metronomy are currently touring the country in promotion of their latest single 'Radio Ladio' as well as their 2006 album, 'Pip Paine (Pay the £5000 you owe)'.
Band Profile: Ghosts in the Nightclub
We started out in March 2007 recording songs in our flat. We had a song called Ghosts in the Nightclub and because we didn't get out that much we thought it would fit as both a description of where we were at the time and the odd/paranoid nature of the lyrics.
It's a bit difficult to know where to start with this really as InMe seem to be one of those bands who most people either love or hate.
An electro-guitar experimentalist five piece named after James Bond's original weapon of choice before the now legendary Walther PPK, Berretta formed in Leeds in 2001.
This CD has a five star production on some uncertain material. There's a terrific sound to it, recorded as it is in a "purpose built studio" (what other sorts are there?).
Vessels: White Fields and Open Devices
"You're going home in a Yorkshire ambiance!" Vessels are five young men with a grand, epic vision that resonates throughout their debut album "White Fields and Open Devices".
'Ow do, Sirs? It would stand to reason, that within a year or so of the Arctic Monkeys' slightly bemusing and chaotic arrival onto the music scene, there was suddenly gonna be a deluge of two bit chancers picking up guitars and warbling away in local dialect.
blues rock
The Belles: Never Said Anything
déjà vu : n. 1. (Psych) illusory feeling of having already experienced a present situation. 2. Something tediously familiar.
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.
death metal
The Downfall compilation and album recording news...
New track from The Downfall - Centre of Our Tension - will be released on a Positive Impact compilation CD.
Cave In's swirling guitars mix with a post-hardcore edge to offer something a little more intelligent and creative than some of their pop-punk contemporaries from across the pond.
Limited to only 500 copies worldwide, this 7" single on Independiente is the first offering from the Australian band's impending album Radio Wars (set for release in February).
What immediately struck me about this four-track CD when I first listened to it was the quality of the production.
Various Artists: ¡Forward, Russia! / This Et Al - split single
"Everything Is Brilliant In Leeds" reads the t-shirt slogan of a certain bunch of Loiners currently dominating the nations airwaves.
"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.
emo metal rock
With a title like "Romantic Exorcism" you'd be forgiven for expecting some sort of death metal anthem when you press play.
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?).
garage punk blues
Funeral for a Friend: Into Oblivion (Reunion)
Nearly four minutes of the classic song structure. Build up your intro with strings, kick in with ear-splitting guitars, add a catchy chorus, repeat it minus a few instruments, before throwing everything out there for one last effort.
Liam Gallagher shows the world the side of him that so far only Nicole Appleton has been privvy to with this endearing little ballad.
Various Artists: Maybeshewill / Her Name Is Calla - split single
The two bands that make up this 12" vinyl split single on Nottingham based imprint Field Records have already built quite a cult following throughout the year.
Better than Bono's receding hairline; Bell X1 are Ireland's pop rock supremos and their latest single Flame is no exception.
The UK's premier futuristic, space aged, intergalactic rockers provide us with another taster from their acclaimed number one album "Absolution".
Black Wire...
I battled my way through the scrum of fancy dress students that seem to be permanently hanging about near the door of the Packhorse, skipped passed the street drinkers getting out of the cold, and headed upstairs.
Four-piece rock band from Leeds
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.
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 Bed: Soma Riot Wave Machine
Bursting open in a wave of distorted guitars and firecracker drumming "Soma Riot Wave Machine" opens promisingly.
The Couderhae Connection: Untitled
A five track demo from a new (to me) acoustic duo is a very pleasant end to a good weekend. Ben Wetherill and Matthew Loveday provide two guitars, alternating voices, a bass guitar and a cello to show off five delicate and (mostly) well-made songs.
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.
This Et Al: Of National Importance
It feels like an air raid! Am I in the blitz? Am I going to survive? HELP! Bloody hell, the new single from This Et Al doesn't half jump out at you.
The Scaramanga Six @ Joseph's Well
Malevolent. Not the crowd - the band. Politburo take to the stage. No lights, a speedy, last minute soundcheck.
Edison Medicine @ Joseph's Well
Apologies to Mizkarrage of Justice, as I was late (I always seem to be late these days). I got there in time to hear something I recognised but couldn't place and as I was scrabbling round for a pen realised it was cover of something.
That Chris from Catalyst is a multi-talented lad, and this is ace. Five tracks of... errr... "techno-metal" I suppose you'd call it.
Hope of the States: The Lost Riots
It is never easy to be labeled "the next big thing" on the basis of a few singles and a handful of electrifying gigs, but Hope of the States have managed to overcome such a daunting task and also the tragic loss of a band member to land firmly on both feet.
Parva's latest single is three and a half minutes of racy, radio-friendly pop and it is no surprise that it has been picked up for airplay by all the nation's leading stations.
There were rumours before this show that lead vocalist/guitarist Adam Sweeney had found religion in the remote regions of Tibet, that Chris had been arrested before the show and wasn't going to show, that Holly had developed an eating disorder from going on the Atkins diet, and that The Alamo had acquired a new drummer whilst they have been away.
psychedelic rock
Due to various factors, I have had this album for quite a while now. This I am pleased about as I have a relationship with this album just as I have with all my albums that I have invested in and, due to this, I feel adequately prepared to review it.
Band Profile: The Western Front
indie rock
Ethan Daniel Davidson: Free the Ethan Daniel Davidson Five
A chance encounter with a couple of drunken Americans leads to me receiving a few albums from Detroit's Times Beach Records for review.
Armstrong: Re:Invent the scene
With a veritable army of fans in tow at every turn, and the whispers surrounding their live performances starting to gain volume, I was a little giddy and had very high hopes for this single.
In their own words "a group of four 17 year olds from Huddersfield" and bearing all the trademarks of youth combined with guitars and adrenaline.
Based in Leeds and Wakefield. Playing a fusion of punky classic rock with a touch of powerpop thrown in.
Zandra Klievens - Vocals Jordan Radcliffe - Guitar Jack Haigh - Bass Sam Marns - Drums David Barber - Guitar Shoegaze guitars and ethereal vocals are a well proven combination, and The ABC Club don't put a step wrong to disprove this.
Zero 7 are a funny one. I absolutely loved their first album 'Simple Things' and could often be found lounging out in my garden on a hot summer's day listening to their chilled out electro beats.
The Durbervilles @ Otley Folk Festival
There are certain bands who have been busy round West Yorkshire for quite a few years, getting better at what they do rather more quickly than they get better known for doing it.
This is such a good idea, and such a good CD that everyone should know about it. Xi have self-produced a three track demo CD that shows exactly where the band have got to after four years of steady graft and four drummers.
Death In Public: I Really Hate Coldplay
The title might suggest something cheeky and knowing but the reality is a rather humourless affair. Lancaster's Death In Public are dark purveyors of towering inferno guitars and flat vocals but other than the naff production which fights with the mix through out, there is little to remember this 2 track CD by.
Voxtrot, originating from Texas, have a more European indie sound than anything found in their part of the US.
Band Profile: The Roman Empire
alternative country
Rolla, in their previous life were the band Rollerball, who won Futuresound last year and did it quite well.
The first "Whatever..." night I have been to at the New Roscoe has left quite an impression on me. An unassuming venue that looks like it should play host to tribute bands, it has a Wednesday night local talent night where three bands play and finishing work early I decided to call in.
Track 1 'Sabbatical' smacks of everything that the said collective stand for: retaining the sound which has garnered them a huge fanbase and critical acclaim from all echeleons of music press.
The Scaramanga Six @ Leeds Festival 2006
Smartly dressed in suits The Scaramanga Six deliver edgy rock tunes with lyrics as sharp as their threads.
There is something about bands with female vocalists that instantly attracts my attention. Is it because it takes my attention away from their drab attempts at music or what?
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.
Pollen, my good people of Leeds, are back. Back with a new download-only EP, to be precise, available from Monday 14th March at their site and jolly well worth your speedy surf across the world wide interweb.
Flies are Spies from Hell @ Royal Park Cellars
For this sleep deprived reporter, the prospect of having to walk deep into Headingley on a Thursday evening, with an exam at 9 O'clock the next morning, was not a particularly inviting one, but none the less I upped the courage and made the effort.
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.
Ben Kweller used to be the frontman of mid-nineties US grunge-pop act Radish, a band he formed when he was just 12 years old.
The most striking thing about this single is how it takes seemingly disparate parts of guitar-based pop music from the last 25 years and turns them into a rolling, modern blast of a song.
The coolest and at the same time most disturbing CD cover I've seen in a while contains a gem of a rock track.
Not bad beginner stuff. But a long way from ready to roll up the slithering pile of shite that is modern popular music.
Bloc Party had an amazing year in 2004 and it appears that their debut album is about to thrust them to the top and beyond.
Just one month into 2003, and we've already witnessed a band worth getting excited about. Ripon's The Call are an intelligent, refreshing four-piece, although it needs to be pointed out that although they go by the same name, they are clearly not the semi-popular 80s Californian group (who even had a 'Best of' album).
The Shallow Call arrive surrounded by the type of over enthusiastic hyperbole which is usually reserved for world beaters like Radiohead, et al.
If the Gods listened to music, you know post-rock would be their tipple of choice. At times it can be the absolute pinnacle of musical accomplishment.
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.
Band Profile: Last Temple Orchestra
Ryan Mal - Vocals/Guitars Jonny Lyons - Bass/Vocals Andrew Barnes - Drums/Vocals Last Temple Orchestra are a romantic, disturbed, broken-hearted cabaret act hailing from Leeds and Bradford in the good Ol' U of K.
Various Artists: Valentine Records Sampler
As the inlays states this represents a "12 month rollercoaster of learning curves, guitar bashing, synth-thrashing and a 'no safety net' approach" and as with any rollercoaster there are some high and low moments throughout this 10 track offering from one of the countries most promising independents.
I nearly wrote this review last night, I'd listened to the demo a fair few times and was all ready to write.
alternative funk
The outstanding voice of Gary Briggs provides an instant reminder of why Haven are seen by many as the next big thing.
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.
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.
Band Profile: Robert J Langley
Rob has been playing around Leeds for several years as a member of Hyde Park Times, more recently with Feluka and on his own, playing such disparate styles as pop, folk, soul, rock, jazz, funk, world, ska, reggae, psychedelia, avant garde and pretty much anything else you'd care to mention.
punk rock
Coming across all Garbage crossed with Madonna is Harry with her second single from debut album "The Trouble With...".
Purveyors of lush, romantic rock and roll they may be, but in a world that needs a handle, these guys will - for the time being - continue to be 'that one with a tap dancer instead of a drummer'.
This demo from Leeds based "groove-metallers" ChasinJade kicks off with 'Kiss The World Goodbye.' This track features an impressive high of pounding drums, raw, live-sounding riffs and screamo vocals, proving right from the start that ChasinJade can deliver the goods when it comes to professional-sounding metalcore.
It's a wet Monday night in Leeds and the Swedes are here to rock us, alright! As steam rises off the unfortunates who have queued in the misery outside, winter blues are quickly vanished by the arrival of punk rockers Sahara Hotnights.
It's an early festive treat for punters at The Vine, although when I arrive it looks like a makeshift Berlin Wall made of sheets has been erected, with the bizarre prospect of a gig one side, and a huge fucker of a piss up with 70 quid plus rounds on the other.
Radiohead classic Creep immediately arouses the distinct, despair instilled vocals of Thom Yorke, the crashing moody guitars and drums and the utter lyrical hopelessness of Thom Yorke.
Buen Chico are quite simply one of the best bands in the world right now. That sounds like a bold statement, but if you don't believe me go fucking listen to them.
Ghosts in the Nightclub @ Royal Park Cellars
I missed Miranda Arieh tonight and I have no excuse for it, sorry. But I stumbled in eventually and had the pleasure of seeing Frankie Eisenhower.
Hailing from York, four piece Kanuba crank out a kind of Red Hot Chilis-ish, Foo Fightersy racket, with some heavy riffage, some screaming and some funky moves.
Apparently turning down deals left, right and centre Countermine seem to be a band in demand. This sub-standard rock ballad is the sort of stuff that A & R men dream of.
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.
Bring Me The Horizon: This Is What the Edge of Your Seat Was Made for
When you have a track entitled "RAWWWRR!" then it can only be Metal Core at its stop start heaviest. Bring Me The Horizon double kick drum it up to the hilt, give themselves one hell of a saw throat and chugga-chugga at quite ridiculous speeds.
My Chemical Romance @ Leeds Festival 2006
With cropped, dyed blond locks, singer Gerard Way leads My Chemical Romance through a rambunctious set filled with highlights from 'Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge'.
Coming to gigs by yourself is never a lot of fun, but thanks to the army of apathetic student types that I call friends all wimping out, I'm here on my own.
Well, well, well (ignore the early bad pun) this is the first time that I have ever been specifically asked to do a review, so maybe I am doing something right, and what better place to do my review than at Joseph's Well?
'Intense and claustrophobic music from Bradford. Extra proof, as if anyone needed it, of the Leeds/Bradford axis of musical accomplishment. More edge than a very edgy thing.'
The Sunshine Underground: Borders
Borders is the fourth unique single (there have been a few re-releases!) to come from Leeds-based The Sunshine Underground on their indie label City Rockers.
Ben Brentnall - Lead Guitar / Vox Louis Lister - Lead Guitar / VoxMark Riley - Bass Karl Jenkins - Drums / Vox Karl Trotter - Guitar / Programming We are a five strong guitar act from Dewsbury who play Rock 'n' Roll with Radiohead twists.
What a day to pick as your headline slot at the Vine... 9-11 was host to some damn fine rock action tonight, and not the sort that usually has me in a spin...
indie pop
Capdown sure are up for fun this afternoon. The Milton Keynes ska-punkers have plenty to say for themselves and engage in banter with their large and fully appreciative crowd.
Remember those bands you had when you were in school? The one I was in, unfortunately, split up after a while, but I'm convinced we'd sound like this if we had kept it together.
Rock? Orange Fall from Swansea take the pure form and do it sharp justice. Searing and original guitar licks and falsetto harmonies with lumber punching drum and bass.
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.
Although it opens with the slightly trembly vocals and chiming guitars best associated with playlist staples like Coldplay and their ilk, the debut single from Glasgow-based foursome The Cinematics may not be destined for Radio 2 after all.
Stateless' new single Exit is a whirling groove of dreamy ambient noise, looping synths, tight tight drums and DJ Shadow-esq samples delivered by the enigmatic KidKanevil.
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.
Mainstream rock. For so long it's been a dirty word, associated with the kind of dross that Bon Jovi would call 'mind blowing'.
Polytechnic: Won't You Come Around?
With their permanent bed head and adorned in cardigans, Polytechnic are an Indie wimp's wet dream. Having previously witnessed a particularly lacklustre live performance that had about as much energy as one of the losing toy bunnies from the Duracell advert, hopes for this single were decidedly low.
Experiencing the sunshine mixed with alcohol and excessive loud noise is never good for the body after your stomach's feeling turgid from the day before.
Band Profile: The Smokin Jones
From a song-writing partnership spanning over 3 years, The Smokin Jones was formed in Leeds, UK, by singer Kris Jones and guitarist Kevin Sumpter after a chance encounter at a Shaun Ryder gig.
Dylan Donkin - a man, a dream or a musical marvel? A slice of this psychedelic-surf pie has produced a smorgasbord of responses.
The latest single from Bird's album, The Insides, is called Slowly Slowly. And what a single it is. Reading the record company blurb that accompanied this CD, I expected big things and I was not disappointed.
It has to be said, I like this. A lot. The former Bingo boys have written an appealing, melody driven guitar pop CD under their new guise Be; a CD that fits nicely into a genre classification of classic indie pop with a clear dance undertone.
acoustic folk indie
'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.
Band Profile: Shut Your Eyes And You'll Burst Into Flames
Fran (vox) Pat (guitar and backing vox) Dave (guitar and vox) Jay (bass) Sean (drums & percussion) Hurling dance beats and pained yelps through any soundsystem they can steal some wattage from, Shut Your Eyes And You'll Burst Into Flames have been terrorising feet into party moves since 2005, when singer Fran with Pat, Dave and Jay (guitars and bass) formed as Leeds Uni friends alongside Sean from the legendary Black Helicopters.
Pearl Jam @ Leeds Festival 2006
Whilst some bands over the weekend will be dwarfed by the enormity of the main stage Pearl Jam seem to fill it just by walking out on to it.
For the most part this West London outfit offer a mix of guitars, sultry vocals and synthesiser that makes for uptempo, fairly harmless but fun listening.
Head Automatica: Beating Heart Baby
Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you the single of the year. Of course it won't win any award for being so, that will go to the next Pop Star puppet to come off Cowell's production line.
Voxtrot: Mothers Sisters Daughters and Wives
Hailing from Austin, Texas, Voxtrot's "Mothers, Sisters, Daughters and Wives" EP is instantly addictive.
There's a band in front of you playing really good music, great pop music on guitars, with beautiful intertwining vocal melodies from a lovely lady and a lovely man.
Finally returning after a few years concentrating on their DJ project 2 Many DJ's those affable Belgians David and Stephan Dewale are back with a new Soulwax single.
I've been listenig to some cool CDs recently. The new Martin Grech album is rather insane and the lastest effort by This Et Al is a bit of an epic while Dalek has been opening my mind to a whole new side of hip-hop.
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.
Band Profile: Test Switch Isolator
Test Switch Isolator, described as 'eclectic', being labeled by many as many things such as Mathcore, Noisecore, Jazzcore?
Scout come blasting back with this 4 track EP with more funk Jamiroquai would be shaking in their boots.
Reading Rotating Leslie's biog you'd be forgiven for being ever so slightly disappointed when you actually come to hearing the accompanying CD.
This song was made for The Boss. The addition of Bruce Springsteen's vocals to this tale of escapism through the car radio is an arena anthem worthy of its recent blitz on Radio 2.
Stanford are the fresh sound which is erupting into the city's local venues and beyond. Hidden away these five diverse talents combine to produce songs jam packed with variety and excitement.
One of the best things about being an instrumental post-rock band has to be choosing what to call your songs.
Having witnessed their insane live show, it's a good feeling to know that Animal Collective don't disappoint on CD.
Shard wail onto my stereo like a fucking alarm bell. Hit me, hit me, hit me! Riffs shooting out of their guitars like bullets from an MK47, vocals that scream down the mic shouting slap me in the face, yes, you, now you bastard!
Perhaps best known for the wonderful "Size Of A Cow" and their collaboration with Vic Reeves, The Wonder Stuff were a strongly supported band in their day.
Although its now two or three years since nu-metal brought guitars and rock back into the mainstream, there has been a resurgence of interest lately with bands who are mixing the archetypal heavy rock sound with early nineties classic grunge influences.
Flowered Third: She is the Monkey Master
This is a 16 song (count'em), labour of love from the Harrogate lo-fiers. It is peppered with Steven Malkmus inspired alt cuts, fidgeting guitars, meticulously picky rhythms, don't give a f*ck vocals and more time signature swapping than you can imagine a drummer being able to cope with...
Sarandon have a simple plan: four 7-song mini-albums short enough to be released on 7" single, this being the third.
Dillinger Escape Plan @ Leeds Festival 2002
Dillinger Escape Plan got things off to a storming start on the Main Stage at Leeds. Coming at you with mighty 3-minute power bursts of songs the kids down the front loved it.
Bad Beat Revue: Still Cheating
How amazing the Internet is! Stick this CD in your PC and Windows Media Player goes off to check its database only to recognise it as Jose Manuel Ramos with his well known song (???) "Cabeza loca".
Formed late summer 2006 as a two-piece jam band consisting of Damian Hughes & Joe Scotcher. Found suitable bass player in September 2006 - Luke Hay.
In the field of heavy metal/ hard rock, some bands try their very best to push forward the template to an otherwise limited genre.
The Sunshine Underground @ Escobar (Wakefield)
Well, today was a wonderful day. Vinyl was bought, satisfying and exhilarating decision was made to quit godawful job, gig was attended.
Local bands invited to submit their CDs for Fuzzy Logic's local band showcase clubnight...
Fuzzy Logic (Wire Club, every Thursday night), with DJ Debstar, have announced a special local band showcase night for Thursday 18th August.
This is a slow pretty song with moments of self-conscious aggression. There's an infectious rising chorus, guitars, multitracked vocals and sonic confetti sprinkled as the production builds.
Spitfire Charlie: No Need To Fight
While others have come and gone, Spitfire Charlie have inauspiciously established themselves as a recognisable fixture on the Leeds scene.
Let's look at it simply. "Caravan", Percy's latest release on Mook Records, is a whirlwind blast of a catchy alt rock tune within quick-fire distorted guitars.
Defenestration @ Leeds Festival 2001
Named after the act of chucking things out of windows and with an average age of 19, these Kerrang! faves certainly know how to scream a tent down.
This is infectious, intelligent, tough music that thrills the hairs on your arms and tucks your granny up at night with a cup of something poisonous.
Girls are in vogue this evening at Wired, a new monthly night at The Fenton imported all the way from that other big city at the eastern end of the M62.
Situationists: Onwards and Upwards EP
This pleasant enough collection of four tracks gambols earnestly along, but is ever so slightly guilty of failing to engage the listener.
This new double A-side is more of the same idea packed Muse-tinged guitar-led adventures from Kram. There are also encouraging signs that they're finding their own sound rather than wearing their influences like big hats with neon arrows.
Following their sold-out self-titled debut single, Your Vegas offer up a second limited edition single Flybuzz - limited edition not being a PR way of saying small run then?
Only Los Angeles could produce something as cool and pretentious as Autolux. Dark art noise rock that gives the impression smiling is banned 'cause it is too passé.
In their own words "K.O.Kaine are a post-modern flurry of anger guitars, tormented words, hellish shrieks and bastardized beatings" Fair enough!
So, after intending to go down to see Terris, I thought I'd still pop down and check out the array of talent that had been put on to replace them.
Straight outta Oslo, Norway and newly signed to Island Records, Span are a complex rock and roll beast with occasional Soundgarden hints that just gets better and better as their show progresses.
The Common Redstarts: Killing Street
Edinburgh four piece The Common Redstarts have made a commendable effort with this release, their second single on Seeca Records.
Six By Seven @ Leeds Festival 2002
Six By Seven always guarantee an intense live experience, and today's display is no exception. Showcasing several tracks from recent album The Way I Feel Today, released earlier this year on Mantra Recordings, the band offer a dark display of searing guitars and atmospheric keyboard mastery that brings a chill to the bone of many in the crowded Evening Session tent.
Having recently received the Futuresound nod of approval, Halifax's The Debuts are on the up and up. These two tracks, their first shot at recorded material, display a nuanced indie-pop sound that is well-balanced if (understandably) a little raw.
As I'm standing about by the bar Ormondroyd wander around on stage checking instruments and wires, trying not to look too conspicuous as people like me stare at them.
The Ebb are about to reach make or break time. Ball-busting, tribally triumphant drums soundtrack the band's rock and Borrell swagger onstage, the supremely confident singer causally sauntering across the pit before thrashing himself into a Columbia sized riff.