Search for vocal harmonies performed on Thursday, 8th January 2009.
vocal harmonies
We found the term vocal harmonies in 177 articles.
Two tracks of melodic punk from ex-members of 46 Itchy. Thankfully the band have forgotten about their cheeky ska past and graced us with 2 smashing tracks of hook laden melodic punk raawk.
LaRusso: Can't Let It Go / Seven Days
A two note guitar motif grabs your attention before a stop start vocal line slowly leads you into the pogo inducing chorus of 'Can't Let It Go'.
Alternative. Alternative is a term used so often today that it begins to lose all meaning, but when I came across this track it was like it had become crystal, because that's exactly what this Leeds 6-piece are. It becomes clear that this isn't a band that just get together, knock out a few riffs and 'slap' a vocal on top.
Band Profile: The Royal Park Orchestra
acoustic jazz folk rumba
When listening to singer/songwriter Pete McGann, it's clear that he doesn't want to be pigeonholed into any particular genre.
Band Profile: Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts
Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts are an exciting upcoming acoustic act, blending contemporary singer-songwriter styles with complex rhythmic arrangements to create a new kind of roots fusion.
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.
Hot Club De Paris: Drop It Till It Pops
I was looking forward to hearing this album having heard Everyeveryeverything and missing them supporting Maximo Park because of an inability to read my watch.
Pete's Sake: If that's what you really want
CD single from this Welsh 4-piece, pretty straight up SoCal sounding pop punk. Complete with American accent.
Smog: A River Ain't Too Much to Love
Minus his infamous brackets, Bill Callahan comes strolling back into town, with his only weapon an acoustic guitar.
Over the years all-woman bands and rock haven't always gone well together. They've either been too poppy and flowery like the Bangles or they go over the top like L7, but almost always forgettable.
Having witnessed their insane live show, it's a good feeling to know that Animal Collective don't disappoint on CD.
Last Night's TV: Too Much in Doubt
Last Night's TV bring us their 14 track album of laid-back chilled tunes. Mostly a progression on the acoustic material from their previous EP.
Funk, why oh why do you keep tracking me down and ask me to review you? I have to start this review by saying that I really don't like funk music.
Anti-Flag are a 5-piece melodic punk band from Pennsylvania, USA. As their name suggests they are a band with some deep-rooted political ideals.
Broadcast 2000: Building Blocks
I'll begin this review by thanking Broadcast 2000. This CD is like a breath of fresh air and perfect for chilling out and laying back.
Loqui: I Can't Believe It's Not Better
An ostentatious biography package accompanies this 'Greatest Hits' compilation from Loqui, which also encompasses their life as Vertigo Green.
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".
punk rock
Ric Neale: Different Than Before
What a talented bunch of folk Leeds has got in its midst and here's another one. Ric Neale is from the singer songwriter class and on the evidence of this CD he could well be top of it.
The Maple State: We Swear by the Light Life
Shuffling in on a drum pattern begging to be sampled, the first few seconds of the song potentially herald an interesting listen.
Well hasn't someone been listening to The Stone Roses? Was it the guitarist? I think it was wasn't it!
Dashboard Confessional @ Leeds Festival 2006
Chris Carraba and his band entertain the main stage with their heartfelt, lyrically strong tunes, laden with rich melody and lush vocal harmonies.
Micah P Hinson: We Won't Have To Be Lonesome
To call this a lovely little record sounds a wee bit patronizing, but the description isn't intended that way.
The Somatics, or so it seems to me, are possibly one of the least talked about most talked about bands in Leeds.
Field Music: A House Is Not a Home
Plinky-plonky: the immediate sensory awareness of Field Music's latest single. Two and a half minutes later, you're not left disappointed; this is plinky-plonky of the highest order.
Le Loup: The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly
Inspired by the tale of a man's journey in a time of crisis, re: Dante's 'Inferno', The Throne Of The Third Heaven...
The opening guitar induces a wince, the shaky drumbeat turns the wince into a grimace and as the vocals come in teeth grind until there's nothing but flesh.
There are two songs on their debut single, lead track Factor 8 and additional song Spinning. With all records, there is always a song that you prefer over another.
The Boy Tate: In The Head Of The Ice Cream Girl
Well, thanks, Dave. 12 tracks, a terrible band name and an even worse title. I cursed the day the editor was born, reached for my trusty Star Trek phaser and set it to "snore".
Band Profile: The Resplendents
pop soul funk
The first act on tonight's multi-cultural tour is the Icelandic beauty, Hera. Although not normally swayed by singer songwriters, finding them too introspective and mood dependant, Hera undoubtedly has a remarkable talent.
The Reindeer Section @ Leeds Festival 2002
It's UK versus US in the Carling tent tonight. A little later, 25 robed Texans will praise trees, melt hearts and make the sun shine at night.
Adam Snyder formally of Mercury Rev has struck out on his own with his debut album Across The Pond. Leaves of grass is the second single to be taken from this album and I have to say that it is the most upbeat alternative country anthem I've heard in a very long time.
Rounding up their U.K tour which has spanned over a month long, Milk 2 Sugars took the stage following the warm up sets of 2 of the North's best ska bands, first up, "Blinded by Ivan", a young band from Scunthorpe, followed by "Grown at Home" a highly infectious group, who had also been clocking up the tour dates over the summer.
Christopher May, guitar slinger for hire. Who? Chris Catalyst, that's who, erstwhile guitarist/bassist for The Sisters of Mercy, Anti Product, The Dead Pets, Ginger from The Wildhearts, amongst others.
Billy Talent: 4 Piece from Toronto, they seem to be getting some really good press at the moment and look set to be the next "Big Thing" with the angst ridden pocket money wielding teenage Sum 41 fans out there.
Counting Crows: Accidentally In Love
So the story goes, Adam Duritz got a phone call from Dreamworks asking him to write a song for the new Shrek film but with only one remit...
A bold effort from The Ga Gas here; their melodic rock sound has certainly set them in line to be pretty big up and coming.
Model 13's "California 4 Play EP" has now been placed in music collections in over 1,000 households, due to some clever band marketing, and is blatant melodic-punk in a Blink 182 style.
Rhode Island all come from Leeds. You will never have heard of them. This is because their current CD goes under a different guise.
alternative acoustic
The Hazey Janes: Fire In The Sky
Between their two October appearances in Leeds, The Hazey Janes release as a download single the song 'Fire in the Sky' plucked from their album Hotel Radio.
Hailing from Detroit, Deadstring Brothers have delivered a fine album worth of songs that evoke thoughts of 'Exile On Main Street'.
Wrestling Jacob: The Darkened Glass EP
Hmmmm... too much of this smacks of the one genre that strikes fear into the most hardened music fan, Christian Rock.
The Landaus look a bit of an odd bunch on stage. There's the Britpop esque bassist, Taylor Hawkins on the drums and two singing guitarists who help bridge the indie to rock gap whilst sounding at times like Caleb Followhill.
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.
Sheffield's Dead Like Harry are a six piece with a strong folk influence. The press release that accompanies this CD bemoans the invasion of Pop Idol and the like upon our ears.
As summer goes into slow-dissolve Bodixa bring us their first CD and an opening track called 'Goodbye Winter'.
Newly signed to Energy Records and about to sign off the live scene after several years' hard work to concentrate on recordings, Bodixa hit us with some intense feedback.
Those misguided by huge amounts of airplay and a marketing strategy based around the novelty of their hair and belt size, will tell you that the current kings of the sunny folk-indie scene are The Magic Numbers.
The Dharma: Can You Rely On Them
Upon receiving this CD, I thought - 'Looks promising, very slick. Maybe a better photographer could have made the live looking cover shot look a little less like they are performing at an open jam night to an empty pub.' 'Can You Rely On Them' is a tune that upon first listen seems to pull no punches, upon second or more listens you will be thinking 'what the hell is going on with these guys.' It is filled with lots of quirky little solos, which do showcase a lot of musical talent that is there, somewhere!
Canada seems to be producing some great bands of late with many beginning to enjoy worldwide acclaim, perhaps it's time The Dears got a piece of the action?
This two tracker from The Outlines is a self-produced side step from the rock-pop formula adopted on previous releases.
Frightened Rabbit @ Brudenell Social Club
When the two planned supports pull out last-minute, it would be very easy for disaster to strike, and this evening Yonderboy and Fran Rodgers are drafted in on very short notice to avert a possible catastrophe.
The melancholy guitar swirling and reflective lyrics of The Somatics' eponymous debut album quickly evoke thoughts of aspirations unrealised and of opportunities spurned.
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...
Jerry Cantrell @ Rio (Bradford)
How influential were Alice in Chains? Maybe not as influential as their nineties grunge peers Nirvana, maybe not as highly touted as their glum superstar friends Soundgarden, but if you step back and look at the crop of bands that are now doing a piss poor impression of one of the heavier, yet more diverse Seattle bands from the grunge explosion, you'll realise how that most of these bands (Godsmack to name the most blatant copyists, even taking their name from a song from "Dirt") were losing themselves in the misery that was one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the 90's, 1992's "Dirt", rather than jumping around and trying to craft three chords into sub-Nirvana anthems.
I regret to say that last night's show at Joseph's Well was possibly the most unsatisfying one I have seen so far.
Waking the Witch set to record a live DVD at their new album's Leeds launch party
Local girls Waking the Witch release a new CD - 'Boys from the Abattoir' - on 5th February and have announced a 40-day nationwide tour to coincide with the album.
It's true what they say about first impressions, they do. Last that is. I first heard Strike Anywhere during our yearly pilgrimage to Newquay and shit, it was like a smack in the mouth (well I suppose it wasn't like a smack in the mouth as that would be less than pleasant, but you know what I mean).
This sounds a bit like acoustic-folk versions of stadium rock songs. Fat choruses sit amongst some delicate arrangements of piano and guitar.
Lupen Crook: A Silver Boot for Sam
When Lupen Crook's fragile, heartbreaking voice echoes out against a backdrop of country-based folkified O'Brother Where Art Thou banjos, pianos, double bass, fiddles (reversed!) and deep, beautifully low, four-part male vocal harmonies (phew!), I know I'm in deep-west acoustic heaven.
Jesse Malin: Glitter In the Gutter
After owning 'The Heat' for some time now, I was really excited about the upcoming album from New York's Jesse Malin.
indie rock
Imagine going to a gig and getting given a CD to review. Well that's what happened with this CD by Seven Hours.
Being confronted by a venue the size of a half-empty aircraft hangar doesn't daunt York's heroic threesome.
Palo Alto is a city in west California known for its electronics industry. It has got together as a huge band of 55,000 members, elected Elaine as their lead singer, signed to Valentine Records and produced "Wades into Water" its second release on said label.
Jon Doe's: For Emergency Use Only
Having been around since 1998 it is hoped that Jon Doe's would now be at ease with their craft enough to have overcome all those painful mistakes synonymous with any bands early days.
Having been brought up listening to all the 60's and 70's hippy-mod bands, it was a real treat to be sent this CD, all I can say is these guys have some talent between them, and a very decent producer.
I went to The Vine once in hope to see these guys play but unfortunately when I arrived they had finished and I was treated to this God-awful electro band - but finally I am happy to hear some of Vatican Jet's material.
Various Artists: Across The Pennines VI
The heightened sense of regional pride in The North can become a bit absurd sometimes. Then again, on the strength of the deeply Northern music on the sixth Across the Pennines compilation, perhaps a little superiority complex is allowed.
There are 3 things in this life guaranteed to make skinny white boys dance like a Jim Henderson inspired character.
Halifax-based covers band playing popular music
"It may be hard to pronounce but if you learn it I'm sure you'll find it will pay". And so the confusion starts.
four day Hombre: The First Word is the Hardest
Perfect pop. Just what daytime radio should be playing all the time. Three accomplished tracks on one CD with style, passion, ingenuity and wit.
Venues with pillars are shit. Especially big huge stone ones a few feet square. That aside, the Blank Canvas is a rather cool venue and seems to be increasingly used.
Band Profile: Redwood Thinkers
Sounding like Fleetwood Mac, smelling like the Barenaked Ladies and looking like the Beautiful South the Redwood Thinkers are a Leeds based acoustic / pop five piece who were described in Sandman Magazine as "truly original song writing...
Delmonica as a band has existed for a couple of years, growing and evolving. In one of their earlier incarnations the musical leaning was towards Detroit punk, New York garage & Motown, but the eclectic musical tastes of the band has resulted in the current line up and sound taking a more refined yet lo-fi twist.
I've heard a lot of noise about these guys and with their self titled album, would it get louder or would it have to be drowned out?
The Bellrays: The Red, White and Black
The down and dirty bass guitar riff of "Remember" kicks off this second Poptones offering from The Bellrays before some rolling drums interrupt proceedings along with strangled guitar for company and then we're off into a rifftastic headlong dash to the chorus.
It's impressive! - there have not been a straighter set of pub rock songs committed to record for a considerable time.
This second offering from York-based alt-rock outfit Heroic Trio, the follow-up to last year's Driveby EP, is a decidedly mixed affair.
The Flaming Lips: At War With the Mystics
The Flaming Lips have achieved with their last 2 albums what evades 99.9% of all other 'successful' acts - whatever your criteria for classing that is.
After arriving home from my brief holiday in Iceland, it's ironic to find a song about summer waiting on my doorstep.
With recent single "Further" catching the attention of ears across the nation Longview could be on their way to becoming the NME's latest darlings.
The Glitterati @ Fibbers (York)
"We all wanna be big, big stars but we don't know why and we don't know how". So sang Counting Crows, which subsequently became their 'how'.
I missed the first couple of songs by Low's support act, My Latest Novel, due to a half hour frantic search for my ticket.
If Live & Uncut aren't an advertising sham, then they're a shambles - but let's talk more about the music.
Jalopy Pop is a sugar filled, super happy, smiley faced ride from start to finish. Song after song of catchy, infectious American pop that is so chirpy that it could brighten up the day of the most miserable, down in the dumps bastard.
Having originally burst on to the radar in 2003 with their brilliant and acclaimed demo "Subtractive", it has been too long before Anechoic produced a follow up.
Having had this band recommended to me, receiving an email from BMG with a sound snippet and then stumbling upon a lonesome copy of this EP I decided that it was fate and took the poor little blighter home with me.
Erin's Third Incident @ Joseph's Well
Eukanuba (I think that's what they're called) look like your dad playing rock music, squeezed into tight leather trousers (disappointingly I already used the World of Leather comparison in a previous review, but it applies here, too) with too much hair in some cases, and not enough in others, and being festively plump from the seasons celebrations.
All Time Low: So Wrong It's Right
If you like your pop-punk to sound just like the early The Starting Line or New Found Glory with a pinch of pre fame Fall Out Boy songs, sweet summary vocals and hooks that could catch Moby Dick, then All Time Low are your new favourite band.
If I Were King are a six-piece group hailing from Halifax and Huddersfield who formed in 2004. Radio One recently commented that the band 'combine three-part vocal harmonies, dynamic guitars, keyboards, violin, bass and drums to create intriguing pop sensibilities'.
This is a good CD. I'm told nothing about the band before I slot the disc in my machine, just a pretty piss poor name and a green CD/r.
My Morning Jacket: Sweatbees EP
Ok, lets get it out of the way. The Flaming Lips. There, I said it. It's something My Morning Jacket are going to have to live with; people will always make comparisons.
Against Me!: As the Eternal Cowboy
Against Me! released the best album, in my opinion, of 2002 with their full length debut "Reinventing Axl Rose" with Gainesville luminaries No Idea Records.
A lot of you will know of Geordie boys Carma. They tend to pimp themselves around these parts quite a lot.
What once was Parva is now The Kaiser Chiefs. With a brand new set and a brand new sound the band introduce their new selves to us with "Less Is More".
Fran Rodgers: I Fell To You Under Winter Sun
Delicately weaving arpeggios underpin Fran Rodgers' latest single; however don't be fooled that this is fey music for the faint hearted - the minimal instrumentation of voice and guitar creates a level of intimacy and a haunting intensity that is enough to scare the bejesus out of anyone casting a cursory ear over the release.
The Glitterati @ Joseph's Well
I was too late for tonight's openers - I arrive and they say "thank you and good night" - just too late.
The Futureheads @ The Refectory
Four blokes in a band with a passion for making a clever arty punk racket grace the stage tonight in a triumphant manner.
Blank Space: My Day with the Astronauts
The opening track to this impressive CD is a polite mellow number with country tendencies. Mainly acoustic guitar and piano with beautiful vocal harmonies and subtle use of percussion, this track shows the talent of the singer songwriter, Alex Dew.
First on were local band The Stays. Having seen them play a few months back, the progress they have made as a live band in such a short space of time was apparent from the outset.
According to their press release, the three members of Seed are only 16. Blimey. At such a young age, it's fair to say that they have plenty of potential.
What is there not to like about this trio of lads from Donny? Signed to the infamous Dance To The Radio label here is the first release by the band on 7" vinyl, an old school fashion which is coming back and making every trendy indie kid go out and get a gramophone.
Grannys4skin: Inventing The Pildo EP
With their abrasive, cartoonish vocals and shock-tactic lyrics, Grannys4Skin aren't going to be to everyone's taste.
As the heat of another summer fades away and the clouds roll in, Vancouver Island's Jets Overhead provide the perfect soundtrack to your new friend, the bittersweet malaise.
Entering the barely packed side room at first glance this does not seem like the prime of Switches' domains, stage drab and atmosphere mellow.
It's already the penultimate Futuresound heat but nobody seems to be tiring just yet. In fact, given this evening's exciting array of artists, there will perhaps be a higher number of people disappointed to see the competition wind up than those relieved to push it towards its conclusion.
Scotland's sonic purveyors of progressive alt-rock return with their third album in as many years. Throughout this timeframe we have witnessed the bands initial fusion of cathartic pop/metal grow increasingly sophisticated, with the three-piece's latest offering Infinity Land being a great example of what may-or-may-not become known as "everything but the kitchen sink-Rock".
Various Artists: The First Brainwash Compilation
A compilation can be such an artificial exercise, in so much as a collection of songs - of any merit or standard - plucked out and forced together will make an interesting patchwork but won't necessarily give the impression of a considered and unified entity.
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.
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.
I eventually got down (taxis eh, only an hour late) to Joseph's Well in time to see Sposh. Rumour has it that before the Sposh set, I'd missed a most excellent opening act called Mahwa.
"We're in for a treat here," was my first thought when glimpsing this rather professional looking, although homemade, I'm assured, CD.
A much-billed single launch beckoned tonight at the Fenton with a joint headline of les Flames! and The Scaramanga Six.
While many of Leeds' rock fans were the other side of town (Razorlight at LU) some of us were supporting local talent.
Wrinkle Neck Mules @ New Roscoe
'Even Jesus Christ could use a little wine' Wrinkle Neck Mules: Big Dipper Have you noticed the flyover approach to Sheepscar?
That Fucking Tank @ Brudenell Social Club
The monthly Packhorse night, Leeds On The Bone had moved to the significantly bigger Brudenell Social Club for a bumper edition.
I've been harbouring a prejudice for a long time now. To me, there is something innately distrustful about underground/unsigned bands who have that polished sheen of 9-5s spent in the rehearsal room about them.
It was always going to be a little bit special. Buzz. Anticipation. Electric atmosphere. One song. Could have been twenty.
The 'Well' quickly filled up with sweat, a good turn out. Pat on the back for everyone that turned up, especially the few sporting spiked Mohican's.
Crack In The Sun: Jim'll Fax It EP
Firstly I will say I am not a huge fan of new punk bands but somehow after seeing these guys live in some place in Northwich the other night the energy and humour onstage from these Mansfield lads compelled me to grab a hold of one of their free CDs which humorously had several cut-outs of Jim Bowen (one complete with a doll of Bully!) on the cover along with...
Having arrived at the Well a bit late, I arrived to see the end of the first act, a duo performing what I'd probably call the most traditional set of the evening.
The Cooper Temple Clause @ Cockpit
Sahara Hotnights: four girls who according to the poster at the entrance play "pop-punk ditties"... that's got to sound like The Donnas then?
The Good Die Young @ Cockpit (acoustic bar)
As is becoming the norm with most reviews nowadays, I saunter in just after the first act Nick McCormick was scheduled to play with my excuses at the ready.
On arrival at The Cockpit it appears I'm not on the guestlist after all. Spotting a man with a clipboard who looks like he must be part of the touring entourage I explain my predicament.
Some time ago, March to be exact, I happened upon a band at Joseph's Well. That band was the Anti-depressants, and after being treated to the promise and potential of an all too short set, I have tried to keep an eye out for them.
It doesn't seem all that long ago that you would see a Kaiser Chief every week, most often behind a bar.
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.
Rhode Island: Sunshine Skylark Bridge
Type the words "Rhode Island" into Google and you'll find websites on The Rhode Island Department of Transportation, The Rhode Island School of Design and The Official Web Site of the State of Rhode Island - Your gateway to information about living, working, visiting, and doing business in Rhode Island.
The Scaramanga Six: Strike! Up the Band
Strike! Up the Band is a monster. The 13 songs, the two videos and the SIX SIX SIX count-in absolutely guarantee one hell of a good mood.
Those of us braving the wind and rain on Sunday night were treated to a quality evening of unplugged entertainment as the Well played host to another Naked Bar Guitar evening.
Ahhh, you can't beat a bit of a shuffle in the late afternoon, and this month Mr. Rob Paul Chapman's showcase again failed to disappoint.
I've always liked The Primrose as one of Leeds' smaller music venues and I have always managed to catch some good bands there, tonight was no exception.
With people still slowly drifting into the venue The Glitterati take to the stage. A crack of drums and a howl of overdriven guitars sees the band launch into 'Heartbreaker' and a rampant set that keeps upping the energy levels with each song until you feel veins are going to burst somewhere on stage.
Town. Okay. Everyone knows where town is right? That's a good place to start. Now, make your way up to Park Row.
A pretty quiet start to the evening for a Saturday night in Leeds, and bloody cold too, so I was looking for something to warm my cockles.
Ojos de Brujo, or wizard eyes in English, are one of the most important bands on the world music scene bridging the gaps between genres in ways mainstream artists can only dream of.
I always deem it wise to respect an artist's decision to go solo (rather than ask questions) and especially those who then decide to produce a solo album, all that despair, loss; love and heartbreak in one album must surely be an intense experience to put yourself through?
Ah, the mighty Dance To The Radio night strikes again. Never a month goes past without another three bands more than worthy of headlining a show all by themselves being wheeled out and cast asunder to a crowd that in the most part aren't overly familiar with the talent on show but are more than willing to co-operate (or at least pensively listen) to what DTTR has to offer.
indie pop
It is now hard to dispute that the Leeds music scene (the guitar driven part of it at least) is in the rudest health it has been in for quite a while.
A warm steamy night for October makes the Brudenell's atmosphere slightly muggy and uncomfortable. However the eager crowd form orderly huddles cross legged on the floor and spend several minutes stripping of layers to survive the heat.
Mmmmm it's a bit nippy out! So I took the car, unfortunately the heater took so long to get going I was still cold (going blue actually) when I arrived.
The Charlatans: Up At The Lake
The first song on this album is the title track. It rocks and stomps, demanding volume. Burgess blends his natural voice, with the falsetto style he adopted on the 'Wonderland' album.
Various Artists: Sounds of the Rhubarb Triangle
Whilst the 'Rhubarb Triangle' historically describes that polygonaceae-rich patch of land between Wakefield, Rothwell and Morley, I suspect that this compilation celebrates the musical output of the first-named metropolitan outpost.
A charity gig for the Asian earthquake appeal saw local men-of-the-moment Kaiser Chiefs headlining on the eve of their short tour in America, and saying a fond farewell to the Joseph's Well crowd that has championed them over the last year and more.
Captain Wilberforce: Everyone Loves A Villain
This release is quite a confusing listen. The explosive, fuzzy power-pop 'gems' of Captain Wilberforce's previous releases set the tone, with a thoroughly tolerable, bubbly aim to please.
Tindersticks: Waiting For The Moon
Tindersticks are one of the UK's most talented, and rather unfortunately, overlooked bands of the past 10 years or so, and 'Waiting For The Moon', their latest LP, should go a long way to help give the band the attention they deserve.
It's Saturday night, the cellars are dark, and Steve Kind is bellowing for us to greet rock uber-beasts CATYLYST, and as they take the stage amidst the roar of two distorted guitars, I'm sitting on the edge of my seat with my fist poised for punching the air and I'm ready to rock.
After such a packed night on Tuesday, it was a bump back down to Earth tonight with a much smaller crowd who'd come to see four very different bands, none of which I'd seen before, so I looked forward to each one.
Various Artists: Digital Northerner III
If you procure Digital Northerner in the expectation of the latest bleepy electro-pop from the north of England then you're in for something of a shock.
Bright Young Things 2008: the 15 successful bands are revealed
Following an intense two-day judging process, the fifteen successful acts for Bright Young Things 2008 have been announced today.
I am loving the whole boy/girl vocal trend that seems to be kicking off at the moment. The Subways, Young Heart Attack, The Raveonettes all get the thumbs up from me for proving that rock 'n' roll is not gendered.
A Northern Chorus: Spirit Flags
I know this band. Well, sort of. I remember about a year ago, that someone was posting on the Sigur Rós message board talking about (because he was in) a band called 'A Northern Chorus'.
Leeds Music Scene and Wintermute have a gossip about the new "Fun With Wizard Stencils" EP, managing along the way to incorporate some obligatory wizard magic.
The Scaramanga Six @ Leeds Festival 2007
Wintermute - The Carling Stage Wintermute's prize for winning the Cockpit's Futuresound competition is the opening slot at the festival, 11.30am on The Carling Stage.
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.
As ever I'm late, it looks like I've already missed 2 bands and I've already missed the first song from Indicator.
So I'm wondering where my drunken comrades are and thinking if I'm going to get my coat back from the bag they have before I have to brave it back out into the winter night.
Another month, another Blue Star Music showcase and top of tonight's show are INSTANT SPECIES. You can never be too sure where these guys are coming from.
Colour of Fire, acclaimed local(ish) alt-rockers, opened up tonight in front of a reasonable crowd. Having just finished a considerable UK tour, they didn't seem at all tired, or perturbed to back in their regular gigging territory.
It's a curious trait about us humans, we find release and fulfillment in a variety of different ways.
Brass Moustache @ Joseph's Well
"Smile... JUST SMILE!" Cue camera flash. "Oh, Mum!" Not the most auspicious start to a gig, but what can you do to control proud parents?
The cross-over between the audience for tonight's gig and that for last week's visit to the same venue by the NME's "Indie Rave" tour is not great.
Pretty Girls Make Graves @ Joseph's Well
This a belated review, for the simple fact I have been away in Edinburgh, breathing in clean Lothian air and sampling many types of whiskey since Tuesday, and amidst my general binging found no time to write the piece coherently.
The first band to take to the stage tonight are the local three-piece punk-rock outfit Erin's Third Incident.
After an interesting wait at a bus stop (involving a chance meeting with a young lady who would later attempt to kiss me), I finally boarded a bus, which the driver said would be heading past the Royal Park.
Another cracking line-up courtesy of the Blue Star boys, this time with a bit of a rockier edge leading to possibly the fullest showcase since Leeds Music Scene maestro Dave Sugden and Joseph's Well manager Karl Baird began the monthly nights back in December 2000.
A gig in aid of 'A GOOD CAUSE' eh? (the 'good cause' in question being Wheatfields hospice). Thankfully tonite's gig and the Junction 47 II CD it is designed to promote owe more to the 'Help' album than they do to 'Live Aid' - bringing together genuinely good bands from Leeds to do what they do best - play quality music with scarce a lighter-waving ballad featuring a children's choir in sight...
The memories are hazy, the order of events may not be quite right but I know two things; beer flows freely in The Fav and amazingly it didn't rain, or at least certainly not enough to water down my Sol or to kill any of the musicians on stage.
The annual Bright Young Things showcase has been very much like a 'Kinder Surprise' over the last few years - yes you may look back fondly enough, but you'd rather have a 'Fizzy Cola Bottle' (Futuresound competition) or even a 'Flying Saucer' (local band nite at Joseph's Well) because, at the end of the day, while the 'Kinder Egg' promises much, open it up and a crappy toy that you play with for five minutes and then lose down the back of the sofa is all that confronts you.
Bands old and new played to an expectant Warehouse on Sunday, as legendary rock gig 'The Valley' resurrected itself from the ashes.