So....cool story- take a listen

https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:1124370450:playlist:4K14itMxuyxvZymAB3PkRR"



This kid is werid

P.S Chumbawumba have split
P.S I will not make a lame joke using Chumawamba song lyrics

PURE LOVE- Bury my bones

Frank Carter is honest about his most recent career move “I’m so sick of singing about hate/It’s time that I made a change” and Carter does a convincing job despite lyrics riddled with morbid undertones. His anthemic vocals and pop punk riffs only go so far to hide the Gallows front man underneath ready to pounce, spit and scream at his crowd. This band is re-hab for carter and it’s a matter of time before he relapses into the arms of his brother and fellow band mates.

Don’t get me wrong I love this song and I believe carter is channeling all his passion into this new project but I feel the transition from Gallows to Pure Love is all too literal, even down to his suit and shirt in new video for Bury my Bones. Sometimes simplicity can be perfect- but the video lacks thought and care and as a secondary creative outlet for artists I find it very disappointing.

Pure Love playing the Glee club B’town tomorrow!

We are Augustines

My new Love -We are Augustines formally Pela are on a UK tour in May and you can get a free download off their debut album 'Rise Ye sunken ship' from itunes following this link:- www.weareaugustines.com.

Must Listen 'Book of James'

March playlist

Childish Gambino- Heartbeat

MIA-Bad girls

Foxy Shazam- Oh lord

Jessie Ware- Running (disclosure remix)

Sharks- Arcane Effigies

The Milk- B-road

M80-Midnight City

Alabama Shakes- Hold on

Childish Gambino has many strings to his bow, not only is he famous for his filthy lyrics and chart topping single ‘Bonfire’, he’s also an established comedian and co-writes and stars in 30 rock with Tina Fey. The show depicts Fey as the head writer of a live comedy sketch series mirroring her actual experience writing for Saturday night live for 9 years. The comedy is arguably unknown to British audiences despite critical acclaim and a brilliant cast including Alec Baldwin. I highly recommend this show and please persevere; it takes a while to fully appreciate its humour.

They may have a rubbish name and a few mediocre bordering on tedious songs such as ‘Broke up the Family’ but The Milk equally have a number of crackers. B-road, (All I wanted was) danger and their cover of Galvanize by Chemical Brothers are particularly engaging, their 60’s soul vibe and lead singer Dan Le Gresley’s unique voice and good looks certainly sets them apart from the crowd. Dan has an uncanny resemblance to Brian Fallon with his long, blond slicked back hair and has all the qualities of an excellent front man including a rock star name.

Most anticipated album release: The explosion - Bury me standing

Dave Hause of  The Loved ones recently tweeted the biggest news, well to my ears anyway, that punk band The explosion are releasing their third album ‘Bury me Standing’ which fans and the band  themselves never thought would make it to the shelves. After two album releases and signing to Virgin, they were dropped suddenly and despite recording their third album it was never released. Years later they were encouraged by The Bouncing Souls during a number of one-off shows they played together to release their album through Chunksaah records, an independent label owned by the souls.



Although this may seem promising for the band, Matt Hock (lead singer) is quick to deny a reunion, as questioned by Tyler Evans for Amp magazine he says “before you get too excited it’s a single release not a plan on a reunion”  which will disappoint many fans, he explains part of the reason is down to his fellow band members, “don’t get me wrong, they’re fantastic people, but I don’t have an interest in being in a van with them really (laughs)” and who blames him after being on tour for years and despite a loyal a fan base they never increased in size.

Both Hock and Walsh (guitar) knew the band needed closure and without the release of ‘Bury Me Standing’ this could never be achieved. I cannot help but speculate that if this album is well received they will be tempted to ride on its success, especially when The loved ones, Walsh and Gonzalez (bass) current band is on hold while lead singer Hause is touring with his solo project. It all seems like perfect timing, too perfect in fact.

Warning- If you value your hearing do not listen to this song

Reverend and the Makers- Bassline

This goes out to the lucky few that this record has not yet reached. A number of reports have confirmed during this song people have suffered from uncontrollable bouts of sobbing and in a few isolated incidents ear drums have burst on the first key of the record- it's damming news for the band who just want to make a positive difference.

I however, am severely sleep deprived as my faith in music has taken a serious blow, so please for your own sake do not listen to this song.

In case you are curious and feel slightly compelled to listen to it I will spell it out to you once and for all, its shit!

Tweet of the day

 @ The Gaslight Anthem
          We're gonna call our new record "Handwritten" can't wait for you all to hear

          https://twitter.com/#!/gaslightanthem

MIA- Bad girls

In all her weirdness MIA manages to churn out records that appeals to the masses and ‘Bad girls’ is no exception. She certainly abides by her lyrics "Live fast, die young, bad girls do it well” and the only way to describe her video is to imagine your local Tesco car park at 3am with a handful of boy racers doing wheel spins and use the desert as your back drop and you’re pretty much there. Alternatively take a look at the video yourself.

The Horrible Crowes- Elsie

The Horrible Crowes- Elsie could easily be mistaken for a Gaslight Anthem record, perhaps the reassuring help from his band mates on this album and wife Hollie explains some of the similarities between Fallon’s side project with Ian Perkins.

Similar to Green Day whose American Idiot album tells a lyrical story, Fallon draws from the same semantic fields to illustrate Love and Life. In particular he focuses on the preciousness of time and how this shapes situations and feelings. For instance the concept of changing seasons and natures physical cycle is featured throughout the album, for example on track 6 he mourns the loss of a relationship that ends in the winter “and there was blood on my teeth/ from the long winters here” and still describes his sufferings in spring “See all I can do is think about you/ And miss all your kisses like the spring.” Using seasons as an indicator of time symbolises how easily it can escape you and the immeasurable healing process after a relationship. The intensity of these lyrics are heightened by its symbolism with nature,  the never ending cycle as a metaphor for relationships which begin, deepen and solidify and eventually end.

Fallon continues to focus on memories, he sings “I carry the ghost of my lovers at once” expressing how none of his past lovers have ever left him. Track 5 in particular is very poignant “And I just fell to pieces on the night that you said you were leaving/ You can’t come back from the heart that you left/ So go tell everybody that your man is dead.” In this chorus he is forthcoming about the relationship coming to an end and the difficulty of trying to regain what was lost. I also believe Fallon tries to emphasise the power of the mind that will keep these encounters alive and the everyday triggers that will either haunt or enrich your memories in the future.

‘Go tell everybody’ is the triumph on this album but every song stands alone. I Love that Fallon delves from the same lyrical repertoire, it is particularly comforting as a huge fan of his work and have yet again been left reeling by his vocals.

http://www.thehorriblecrowes.com/

November playlist

Stay Gold- The Big pink
Sunday Girl- Love u More
Monarchy- You don't Want to Dance with me
Joe Goddard- Gabriel
Sbtrkt- Pharaohs
Joker ft William Cartwright- On my mind
WU LYF- We Bro's

Just a taster of a few tracks I'm listening to right now, I particularly love Joker- On my mind. It's had huge airtime on Zane and Grimmy's radio show and I’m sure will be a household track in no time. 

Also worth a listen is Jade Williams A.K.A Sunday girl. The dancers all claimed for whiplash after the making of this Video (joke) but it's worth a watch nonetheless just to see her eccentric outfits and neon pink lipstick. Although I like the song, I have a feeling she is more style over substance. See video below

Marcus Foster- I was Broken

It’s clearly the year for male singer/songwriters, just take Ben Howard, Benjamin Francis Leftwich and Ed sheeran for example who have soared the charts and have sold out tours, is there room for one more?

Marcus Foster’s latest release ‘I was Broken’ features Kristen Stewart of Twilight fame. She is far removed from the harsh northern scenery depicted in the video, but there is no denying she could break your heart as she seductively poses down the camera lens to the lyrics “I was broken/ for a long time/but it’s over now.” The chorus content could easily be mistaken for The Wanted but I don’t mind, what is lacking in lyrical content he makes up for in vocal complexity. In his video every emotion can be read across his furrow brow, I am utterly convinced by him.

Foster has the ‘boy next door’ appeal and just like his contemporaries he would happily wear a hoody and jeans to his next show. Unlike Ed Sheeran who has the lexical range of a dictionary, Foster’s talents lie in his vocal ability to make even the most mundane lyrics have exceptional meaning. He could have easily made it without the aid of Stewart but has arguably fast tracked his career and paved the way for success in the American market.

Tragedy- Pukkelpop

One of Belgium’s most popular festivals was struck by tragedy this year after freak weather conditions caused the death of five people and multiple causalities. Heavy rainfall during the three day long festival caused staging to collapse, crushing festival goers underneath and chaos to those surrounding. I do wonder whether more could have been done as these conditions aren’t unheard of in Belgium where temperatures typically soar above 40oc during the summer season, heightening the expectations of freak conditions.

I experienced these temperatures first hand at rockwerchter festival in Belgium last year only a short distance from Pukkelpop which attracts some of the biggest names in music. In 2010 two stages were shared by the likes of Green Day, Muse, Pink, Rammstein, Pearl Jam and is also why it’s popular amongst locals who substantiate a large proportion of the audience. Belgium as a city had a lot to offer and is possibly the only place I was served cheese as a complimentary side to my beer. I also managed to catch a short leg of the tour de France as well as see Kelly from the stereophonics wondering around cathedral square ahead of his performance at Rockwerchter.

Unfortunately newspapers have been plagued by tragic stories, the most recent at Pukkelpop this year and those trampled to death at Germany’s love festival the year before. Let’s hope the muddy condition of Glastonbury is all that graces the front pages in the years to come.

V 2011- Hurts

After watching the highlights on channel 4 it made me sit back in awe, although not a lot was happening on stage a haunting atmosphere especially during their hit single ‘Wonderful Life’ was undeniable. It’s strange to think how they achieve this when Hutchcraft and Anderson are practically inactive on stage, yet the combination of subtle instrumental from the orchestra, Anderson on piano and impeccable vocals proved to be the winning formula. The only notable activity was the sporadic movements of the dancers placed at either end of the stage, dressed in lace with slicked back hair, they reminded me of the iconic females in Robert Palmer’s video ‘Addicted to Love.’

Unlike so many bands that tend to overwork their performance for a festival crowd, Hurts have done the opposite, stripping it bare and allowing the musical and vocal talent to shine. In interviews with the Northern pair they can appear awkward and unnatural in front of the camera and the composition of their performance perhaps reflects their modest and somewhat timid personalities. They sure know how to dress though and give Plan B a run for his money in the dapper-ness stakes.

The Flaming Lips-Primavera Sound Festival 2011

New Video- The Gaslight Anthem- Bring it On

If anyone asked me what's my favourite band? Without a doubt its the Gaslight anthem. If you had read my previous blog I try to explain how difficult it is (for me anyway) what I love about a particular band. I remember reading an album review, bought it online and I solidly listened to sink or swim for six months straight- end of, that’s where it all began, three albums and an EP later, watching various live performances in the UK and Europe and my love remains. My most memorable moment was watching The Gaslight Anthem at Glastonbury on the John Peel stage in 2009 with Itch Fox lead singer of King blues, three days without a shower and sweating profusely.

New single Bring it on taken from their latest release American slang is one of the more definitive tracks of the album. I think the concept of the video is weak and uninteresting, the sweeping camera is juxtaposed with still life images and the band performs in an abandoned warehouse. What interested me most was the actors look of despondency and one very familiar face, Dave Hause. Better known for his solo work of late, he is also the lead singer of the loved ones accompanied by Chris Gonzalez (Bass), Dave Walsh (guitar) formally of the Explosion and drummer Mike Sneeringer. The explosion broke up in April 2007 after being dropped by Virgin records and two albums releases, all members have gone on to join new projects. The video captures the song meaning well, Fallon sings “Wait a minute/ Wait a minute/ Wasn’t I good to you” questioning his part in the breakdown of the marriage leading to an acceptance that the other party has moved on to a new relationship “If it’s better than my love/ Go on and take it all”

Brian Fallon is currently on tour with Dave Hause, Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music and Dan Andriano from Alkaline Trio. The revival tour begins in Bristol on 27^th September, I’ve got tickets…..more importantly have you?
http://www.therevivaltour.com/

Single I can’t get enough of…..Foster the people- Pumped up Kicks

It’s had lots of airtime yet I never tire of this track. The band was recently interviewed on Radio 1 by Greg James after he employed two listeners as the president and vice president of bumdancery on the show after they made a video to this song. The video by these chaps is posted below but im sure you can imagine it’s content, perhaps I should make a tribute  to this clip as everytime I listen to this track I cannot help but shake my bootay either.

Album I can’t live without- The bouncing Souls- How I spent my summer vacation.

 

Doc Martins- 'With Souls Bouncing' how the band name originated

 

Formed in 1987, the Bouncing Souls have a discography spanning 24 years and 8 studio albums. The third track on the album True believers is easily the standout single with its simple AB rhyme and  punk inspired Woah’s in the main chorus combine to create a truly catchy record. The lyrics focus on the importance of friendship especially in this track and Manthem written about the friendship between Greg Attonito, the lead singer and the bassist Bryan who have been friends since childhood. Unlike many artists whose sole focus is romantic love, The Bouncing Souls decide to centre on an association that can be just as consuming, a relationship between friends.

How I spent my summer vacation is one of my favourite releases and has a lot to do with these lyrics “It was a darkness all my own/ a song played on the radio/ but it went straight to my heart/ I carried it with me/ until the darkness was gone” from the track Private Radio. The lyric describes the effect music can have on an individual and the healing qualities it can posses. I have been reading a book by Jodi Picoult called Sing you home about a music therapist using music to help provide solace for burn victims and hospice patients. It also explores the idea that there is no proven reason that individuals feel the desire  to sing, dance and tap their feet along to a beat, just like I can’t explain easily why the Souls music really touches me. All I do know is the combination of uplifting melodies and lyrics about lasting  friendships goes a long way to explain why I feel inspired about the music this band have produced.

Hailed as Australia’s equivalent to Glastonbury, Good Vibrations better known as Good Vibes to locals is famous for its bad weather and this year was no exception.

Wellies and rain macks are essential so in many ways Good Vibes is a lot like any other UK festival, but there are some major differences, for starters the temperature. Whereas at previous festivals I have worn three layers and a cagoule, I opted for denim shorts, a tank top and a thin plastic coat, the type that can only be purchased at theme parks and lasts for the duration of one rowdy mosh pit.



Me with my bum in the air and friend Liz outside a nando's stall

 Then there is the size of the festival, GV has three stages compared to its UK counterpart with four large main stages and hundreds of smaller set-ups and activity based stalls. The length of time is also disappointing as no camping is available and festival goers are encouraged to the after show party at a nearby club venue. There are four shows across Australia in Sydney, Perth, Gold Coast and Melbourne and very expensive at $160 for a ticket (around £90) but despite these shortcomings the acts such as Fat Freddy’s Drop, Fenech-Soler and Kelis made up for it. Headliners Faithless and Friendly Fires also shone on the day unlike the sun but there is nothing like a bit of hot, spicy chicken at a nando’s food stall whilst watching Ludacris to shake the rainy blues away.

 

We are the Ocean - Go Now and Live

Dan Brown- Screaming vocals

Liam Cromby- Clean vocals, Rhythm guitar

Alfie scully- Lead guitar

Jack Spence- bass guitar

Tom Whittaker- drums, percussion

The second release from We are the Ocean, Go Now and Live does exactly what it says on the tin. The final track ‘Before I die’ vocalist Brown and rhythm guitarist Cromby take it in turn to sing ‘Take the time to enjoy the moments/Don’t waste your life/Next thing its all over.’

The band has taken a more mature approach to the composition of their eagerly anticipated second album. They have ditched the bleached blonde hair and the screamo vocals in favour of Brown’s grovelly, rich vocal tone. Even the lyrical content of their tracks ‘How do I explain how I feel?/ Every time I do there’s no one to turn to so why do I even try?’ to the video for The Waiting Room solidifies their transition from teenage upstarts to respected musicians. The video is not over complicated by a storyline and instead focuses on the band performing as a unit. Every word is executed by Cromby with such emotion I cannot draw my eyes away and is a sign that the band truly believe in the music the are producing.

It’s not going to be an album that will stay in my CD player for long, but worthy none the less.

The Team I'm supporting......

St Pauli FC from Hamburg, Germany has a large cult following despite quite modest success on pitch. They have a large and loyal fan base not only are they the first German team to officially ban right- wing nationalist activities but the fans have a strong influence into club making decisions. The fans are responsible for the team’s unofficial emblem, Alex Rosamilia, guitarist for The Gaslight Anthem regularly wears a cap with the punk inspired skull and crossbone design which has become an iconic image for the club.
The Gaslight anthem are not the only band to support the club, Californian band Bad religion have been following for years and they’ve even played a charity match against St Pauli’s third team in 2000. Georg Holm, bassist of the Icelandic band Sigur Ros and Editors guitarist and synthesiser player Chris Ubanowicz have also been known to wear the unofficial merchandise. St Pauli also take influence from their rock musician fans as they open their home matches with 'Hells Bells' by AC/DC. 



Alex Rosamilia wearing St Pauli FC cap


It is no coincidence that punk bands have been associated with St Pauli as they both share anti-racist, anti-fascist and anti-sexist ideologies. It may explain why the club has the highest female fan base in all of German football. In a world of sport that is plagued by hooliganism I am glad there is a team as popular as St Pauli who proudly adopts a set of values which may change the face of football and an epic soundtrack to go with it.