Wednesday 30 December 2009

Review - The Humans - We Are The Humans

The Humans - We Are The Humans

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6 out of 10

It would appear we have the President of Estonia to thank for the existence of this band - or perhaps it should be Robert Fripp, who declined the Presidential invitation to tour the country, thus galvanising his hard-working wife, Toyah Willcox. Whoever deserves the gratitude; let us not bow down too far, too soon - although by no means a poor effort, this debut album is far from exemplary. Plenty of it is self-indulgent, bass-heavy dribble, with la Willcox' oh-so-serious tones singing of who-knows-what around the sides. Quicksilver is a genuine score, however, with Labyrinth a close contender. Both capture a genuine sense of other-ness without seeming as arch as the other tracks. I sense that without the big names, this would not stand up for long on its musical merits but who knows where the band may go next? At least it isn't more turgid identi-pop.

Listen: www.myspace.com/wearethehumans

Tracklist:
1. We Are The Humans
2. Is It Wrong
3. Twisted Soul
4. Telekinesis
5. Quicksilver
6. Labyrinth
7. Icarus
8. Noise In Your Head
9. This Belongs To You
10. Demigod

Review - Hammer No More The Fingers - Looking For Bruce

Hammer No More The Fingers - Looking For Bruce

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5 out of 10

This band audibly bound along in the wake of Weezer, Ben Folds, et al. But yelpier. There's a bit of Bloc Party in the mix, too and, as you might expect when someone mentions the 'Party, the band's PR do indeed use the word 'angular' to describe their guitar sound. As they're American, you might expect that to change to 'Anglia' in the near future.

It's hard to find fault with such a stream of happiness but I'll try - the college-boy vocals are average and the songs aren't anything earth-shattering, either. Mushrooms is the band at their best, I feel, but the rest is the sound of a stall being set up. They now need to create something worth selling.

Listen: www.myspace.com/hnmtf

Tracklist:
1. Automobiles
2. Shutterbug
3. Radiation
4. Nobody Knows
5. Fall Down, Play Dead
6. Mushrooms
7. Poison Apple
8. Nitro
9. Concrete
10. I Fell Asleep

News - Weatherbox: Broken Glowsticks

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Weatherbox have a new song on their MySpace page called "Broken Glowsticks".

News - The Number Twelve Looks Finished

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The Number Twelve Looks Like You have decided to disband. You can read their statement below:

"To all our loyal fans:

When I first started picking up my guitar and playing my favorite songs I always aspired to be able to experience what these talented artists/musicians were feeling. They get up on stage night after night to deliver a show and connect on this level that is metaphysical with their fans. Perhaps fans look up to those artists because they are this kind of gateway to a greater Utopian sense of being that transcends whatever dismal reality we live in. Of course, there are musicians who do this for the wrong reasons and I have had the displeasure of encountering many of these types but they always end up chewed up and spit out by the same people that brought them there. What we forget is that this tightly knit community of genuine original music universally travels and destroys all barriers to bring even the 2 most opposing characters together. It also stands the test of time.

I’m glad to say I had quite a journey with this band (my first and only band). To write music only for myself and have others enjoy was the greatest thing I could ever happen to me. I saw many faces that genuinely appreciated what we were doing and that was what always kept us going. We may have never reached the pinnacle of what we could have been yet we fought hard and brought challenging ideas to those who chose to listen closely. There comes a moment where one takes a step back and reevaluates what has been built. The Number Twelve Looks Like You brought together a ruthless, diehard, demanding fan base that always made it fun to never know what to expect at every show. I can guarantee that every show we ever played was priceless to us even when there were only 5 kids. Those 5 kids in the middle of shitstown will always remember the bedlam that was our band.

Due to many ongoing issues and the slow deteriorating of the band throughout the years, #12 has decided to let this little monster go to sleep. It is best to leave this band with high standards it set for itself than to water down anything good that we had. I’m equally sorrowful it had to end in such a manner however this will hopefully give rise to a new chapter of music and creativity from the members. I will continue to pursue my ongoing visions of music, Jon will be drumming till his heart stops the beat, Chris is going to design a computer system that will brew a delicious IPA, and Jase is going to be the head of Warner soon.

All this is just my meek thoughts and opinions. I want to give thanks to all the fans that gave me the opportunity to take my guitar playing to the next level and to travel the world with such a fine group of gentlemen. It was 9 years of hard work and we saw lots of bands come and go while trudging along with minimal requirements. We shared the stages with many amazing people and I have innumerable memories that have made an impact on me.

The band was never rich/famous and that was not the goal. We desired to play music we genuinely enjoyed creating while being able to support our own accumulating responsibilities. Unfortunately these personal commitments have overpowered anything we can achieve which is typical of the way this society is structured. It is virtually impossible for the arts and music to thrive in a society that does not support it. You either get duped into playing along or fight the uphill battle to something better.

Please continue to demand quality from the saturated industry of monkeys that keep on pumping out formulaic rubbish. Hopefully one day it will rid itself of such leeches that feed off your pockets and insult your taste. All this is addressed to those who are continually seeking a culture that is evolved in thought and expressiveness. We may have not spearheaded any movement but we tried all throughout to do something different and personally we feel we achieved that.

Farewell to all.

Alexis G. Pareja"

News - Please Forgive Dallas Green

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City And Colour will release a digital single on the 12th of January featuring "Forgive Me" and an acoustic cover of Alexisonfire’s "Boiled Frogs".

News - Avenged Sevenfold Drummer Passes Away

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Sadly Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan the drummer of Avenged Sevenfold has passed away.

This is taken from the band’s MySpace page:

"It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan. Jimmy was not only one of the world’s best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy’s family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time.

Jimmy you are forever in our hearts.
We love you.

M Shadows, Synyster Gates, Zacky Vengeance and Johnny Christ"

News - Luke Leighfield (awesome) Album For Free!

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You can download Luke Leighfield’s (awesome) new album "Have You Got Heart?" for free online. Read the details from his MySpace blog below:

"On 17/11/09 I released my third album, ’Have You Got Heart?’ The album was recorded with UK super-producer Peter Miles (The King Blues / Futures) and it is well good.

You can download it FOR FREE from http://lukeleighfield.bandcamp.com right now! (Click ’Buy Now - name your price’ then enter £0.00, or any other figure if you have some spare cash).

Alternatively, you can buy the album in a deluxe, limited edition, hand-numbered (/1000) 40-page CD photo book with free poster and other stuff from http://lukeleighfield.bigcartel.com

Let me know what you think, and tell your friends. Thanks!

Luke"

News - eat sleep attack 2010 Plans

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Here’s an update from eat sleep attack (Sam Little formerly of Fleeing From Finales and Clarkson):

"It’s nearly the end of 2009 and I’m not gonna lie, I can’t wait for it to be over.

Don’t get me wrong it’s been an amazing year, I’ve been to some amazing places and met some incredible people. Released a CD that’s sold out of it’s pressing, done something like 120 shows on public transport and on my own, saw Taylor Swift and ultimately had the best of times. . It’s made me really love life and maybe that shows in the songs I’m writing now.. which brings me on to the main reason for this blog..

I’ve been keeping you waiting for what seems like forever, and I’ve been rubbish at letting you know why and telling you what’s happening. Well truth is, it’s caus I’ve actually been well busy, but as far as I care.. that’s not an excuse! You guys (&girls) come first!

My new CD is on it’s way, it’s four tracks of absolute niceness. I’m dead excited to show you all, but if I’m honest I’m also excited to get it back!! Y’see, I recorded it with top producer Jason Boshoff in November but being the extravagant man he is, decided to go on holiday for the entirety of December (and a little bit of January too) so I’m actually just sat with my guitar waiting for the tracks myself! It’s one of the many many reasons that I’m so excited for new year, for those that follow me on twitter (@eatsleepattack) will know ahah. But yeah.. as soon as it’s in my hands I’ll put something new up on the internet so you can hear and I’ll get to working on putting the CD up for sale etc.

I’m also working on getting out on the road a HELL of a lot more, doing shows both on my own and also with my fantastic new live band. They’re epic in themselves and we’re gonna have a lot of fun touring! So I’d definitely reccomend you get down to a show..

But yeah, have an incredible new year’s eve! I’m going to be at a pyjama party being awesome and probably wont remember anything in the morning. Take care yeah?

¢¾"

News - MiMi Soya / Summerlin Tour

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MiMi Soya will be touring the UK with Summerlin in February.

Their next single will be "Should Have Called In Sick" released through LAB Records in February around the time of the tour.

News - Visible Noise Go Into The Abyss...

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Into The Abyss will be recording their debut EP in early 2010 and are set to tour the UK. There are rumours that Visible Noise are taking serious interest in the band...

News - Dead Swans European Tour Starts Today

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Dead Swans start their European tour with The Carrier today. Full dates as below:

30.12 - JH Soho - Leuven,Belgium
31.12 - AJZ Chemnitz - Chemnitz,Germany
01.01 - Beatclub - Dessau, Germany
02.01 - Fangelset - Goteborg, Sweden
03.01 - Skylten - Linkoping, Sweden
04.01 - Hafenklang - Hamburg, Germany
05.01 - Spirit - Dortmund, Germany
06.01 - Event Stage - Zizers, Switzerland
07.01 - Feierwerk Sunny Red - Munchen, Germany
08.01 - Shelter - Wien, Austria
09.01 - Jugendhaus West - Stuttgart, Germany
10.01 - Katakombe - Aschaffenburg, Germany
11.01 - The Joiners - Southampton, UK
12.01 - The Croft - Bristol, UK
13.01 - Moho Live - Manchester, UK
14.01 - Capitol - Glasgow, UK
15.01 - Club Revolution - Peterborough, UK
16.01 - Camden Underworld - London, UK

Sunday 27 December 2009

News - The Lord Of Tube

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Tubelord have the following upcoming tour dates lined up in 2010:

27 Jan Dublin Academy 2
29 Jan Cork the Quad
30 Jan Belfast Auntie Annies
20 Feb Hitchin Club 85
23 Feb Cardiff Arts Institute
24 Feb London Borderline
25 Feb Oakford Reading
26 Feb Middlesborough Westgarth Social Club
27 Feb Newcastle Head of Steam
1 Mar Oxford Jericho
3 Mar Brighton Freebutt
4 Mar Bristol Start The Bus
5 Mar Leicester Firebug
6 Mar Kingston Hippodrome

News - Me Vs Hero Go Giggedy Giggedy Gigging

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Me Vs Hero have some headline shows lined up:

16 Jan Bury St Edmunds Pot Black
23 Jan Newcastle Academy 2
2 Feb Preston 53 Degrees

They also have dates with Breathe Caroline and Lights and Sounds:

18 Jan Portsmouth Drift In The City
19 Jan Leeds Cockpit
20 Jan Birmingham 02 Academy 3
21 Jan London Islington Academy
22 Jan Manchester Roadhouse
24 Jan Stoke Sugarmill
26 Jan Cardiff Barfly

News - Metro Station Are Down To Two!

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Anthony Improgo has left Metro Station.

Link: http://twitter.com/xAnthonyImprogo/status/6982068526

News - Blink 182 European 2010 Tour

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Mark Hoppus has announced that Blink 182 will be touring Europe in the summer of 2010.

Link: www.pickrset.com/markhoppus/?p=1218

News - Coheed And Cambria Go To Church

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Coheed And Cambria have posted a cover of The Church’s track "Underneath The Milky Way" on their MySpace page.

Wednesday 23 December 2009

News - Dropout Year Holiday EP

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Dropout Year have a free holiday EP online. Read all about it here:

"The time has come, once again, to release our annual FREE Acoustic Holiday EP ... to you, our friends. You’ve all been behind us for over 5 years now, and this is the least we could do to say thank you, and to let you all know how much you are appreciated.

We have named this year’s EP "The Seven Levels Of The Candy Cane Forest." We hope that any true fan of the Christmas classic ELF can appreciate this reference :)

The EP is available starting at 12pm EST today to our email subscribers. To subscribe to our email list, just click here: http://ymlp.com/signup.php?id=geuwjeugmgb. It only takes a minute, and we promise to keep your contact info confidential, and to only email you when there’s actually something important to share ... *cough* like a FREE EP :)

If you’d like to download the "The Seven Levels Of The Candy Cane Forest," but don’t want to subscribe to our email list, check back HERE later in the evening today for a link to get the EP. It will still be FREE, don’t worry. I mean, it is the season for giving after all!

LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE EP DIRECTLY: (will be here tonight)

Curious where we recorded the Holiday "The Seven Levels Of The Candy Cane Forest?" Well, it was tracked over the course of a few days with our old drummer Justin Childers over at Tightrope Recordings. Justin has been producing bands in the Baltimore area for a few years now, and is a great choice for up-and-coming bands looking for quality recordings at an affordable rate. Hit Justin up and tell him Dropout Year sent you!

Share this EP with your friends and family, and we hope each and every one of you has a Happy, Happy Holiday!

-Steve, Brandon and Adam
DROPOUT YEAR"

News - Weezer And Geffen Records Go Their Separate Ways...

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Weezer and Geffen Records are parting ways. A deluxe edition of "Pinkerton" and a rarities compilation called "Odds & Ends" will be released early next year.

News - We Are Only Fiction Are Over

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We Are Only Fiction have split up. Read the statement below:

"I’ve been turning this over in my head for months, now. At first I was angry, then confused, then incredibly bummed, then I entered a brief period of fantasy erotica, until, finally, I was able to come to grips with it ... WAOF is over. Sure, to 99.999999999% of everyone in the world, that doesn’t mean a thing. We never had a significant fan base, we never sold an ass ton of records, we never really toured like we had always wanted. Most people never knew who we were. For me, though, WAOF was my life. We had been a band in one way or another since 2002 (formerly under the name "Ruckspin" for those of you who go way back, haha), and it had been the focal point of my life since I can remember. It was hard for me to let go of WAOF. We had worked for years for people to give just two shits about our band, and finally, at last, we were starting to get a little tiny bit of recognition (Alternative Press, AbsolutePunk, The Daily Chorus, IndieVision Music).

However, it was not enough to keep the WAOF turd from being flushed. Travis decided his time with WAOF was over in September. Being that the core of this band had essentially always been myself and Travis, things were bound to fall apart, and shortly after his departure they did just that. It took 7 years, 5 different bass players, and 5 different drummers for WAOF to become what it was, but only a few short months for it to fall apart entirely. I always felt like something had gotten in the way of us maximizing our full potential ... college, member issues, jobs, the list goes on. We could never get 4 guys, on the same page, at the same time. Does anybody really care about this? I don’t know, but I feel obligated in some way to let the few people who read our blogs know.

I have posted one last video from our tour in May and our last set of promo pictures with our new drummer (who we never got to even make an official announcement about) Pete Alexander, formerly of our good friends Looks To Make History. Also, I have posted a crap load of songs from everything we have ever released (Out From The Cave, The Concept of an Enemy, Spotlight Compilation, The Sippy Cup Sessions) for streaming. If you’re interested, Out From The Cave and The Concept of an Enemy are both on iTunes and Amazon.

Lastly, a sincere THANK YOU to anyone and everyone who ever supported our band in any way ... whether you just listened online, watched us at a show, bought a CD or shirt, took our fliers and didn’t throw it on the ground immediately, helped us book a show, played a show with us, let us crash on your floors, shower in your homes, or poop in your toilets ... whether you’ve been following us for years or just now heard about us ... anyone who was kind enough to give our band a chance, thank you so much.

Personally, I want to thank all the members who dedicated their time and efforts to this band over the years, whether you moved halfway across the country for us, Derek, commuted from Rome to Woodstock for 2 years, Patrick, whether you spent years playing with us or only a few months, or even if you just showed up for practice regularly. I have had a true pleasure sharing the stages, studios, and practice spaces, living in and out of vans, listening to you fart constantly, eating sunflower seeds, chopping wood, throwing fruit out the van window, almost getting beat up in Denton, TX, and seeing all sorts of random shit with all of you. Its been fun.

We still have a bunch of CD’s and some tshirts left over. If you want one, get in touch with me (email: tylerbhill@gmail.com), and I will hook you up with a significantly discounted price.

While this marks the end of WAOF, this is not the end of our respective musical journeys. Please keep in touch.

Your friend,

Tyler / We Are Only Fiction"

News - John Nolan Free Live EP

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John Nolan has a new live EP up for free download through bandcamp.

Review - DJ Hell - U Can Dance (feat. Bryan Ferry) (Single)

DJ Hell - U Can Dance (feat. Bryan Ferry) (Single)

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5 out of 10

Is this more two-for-the-price-of-one desperation? DJ Hell has The Ferry in to cut a libidinous moan or two for his New Year floor-filler. Here's hoping he doesn't play the radio edit on December 31st, as it only wakes up with twenty seconds to go. Some big guns have been wheeled in for remix duties; Carl Craig has two shots at it (a good job, really, since his first - a typical Ibiza bumble - falls well short), Tim Goldsworthy has obviously been playing far too much Super Mario Galaxy. It's left to the Simian Mobile Disco to best capture the Ferry spooky-smooth, with the album version truly the devil's work.

Listen: www.myspace.com/djhell

Tracklist:
1. U Can Dance (Radio Edit)
2. U Can Dance (Carl Craig Remix v.1)
3. U Can Dance (Carl Craig Remix v.2)
4. U Can Dance (Tim Goldsworthy Remix)
5. U Can Dance (Simian Mobile Disco Remix)
6. U Can Dance ('Teufelswerk' Album Version)
7. U Can Dance (Video)

News - The Houston Brothers Free MP3 Download

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You can grab a free download of The Houston Brothers track "Confederate Dunce" taken from their forthcoming album "The Archer" which will be released on the 16th of January through Chocolate Lab Records from here: www.chocolatelabrecords.com/confederatedunce.mp3

Tuesday 22 December 2009

Review - Various - Chaos Days & All Or Nothing - Split EP

Various - Chaos Days & All Or Nothing - Split EP

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8 out of 10

Kicking off the EP, Birmingham punks, All or Nothing put everything they can into the two tracks they are given. Hate Being the Dip Guy propels the Split off to a great start, reminiscent of hardcore punks Set Your Goals, the song is a sure-fire party anthem, almost impossible not to remember and definitely a hard song to avoid bouncing along to. The vocal work is decent but the track really picks up in the outro chorus with the inclusion of the backing vocals. In future, it may be wise to do some more dual vocal work as the backing vocalist has a voice that is perfectly suited for the genre All or Nothing seem to occupy.

Don't Do This lacks the immediacy of the previous effort but is no less worthy of some hyperbole. Possibly sounding even more like a Set Your Goals song, Don't Do This has the sort of chorus guaranteed to get any crowd moving. It sounds like a back-handed compliment, but this is almost the perfect support-band song. At a gig, if you a seeing a support-band you don't know, you need a song that has a catchy hook and the ability to get the crowd involved even if they've never heard the song before. This song supplies all of these things.

Chaos Days are possibly the slightly more musically adventurous of the two. Though paradoxically, while You & I is the best song on the disc, At Heaven's Gate is dragging up the rear. It is clear that the singer has been listening to Daryl Palumbo in his formative years and his voice has so many of the intonations that the Glassjaw frontman possesses, it's almost uncanny. Just listen to At Heaven's Gate and it could be a Head Automatica song. Regardless, their two efforts have a greater maturity to them than All or Nothing's. You & I is a brilliant song, well worth repeated listens. And while I decided their second effort to be the worst song on the disc, it is still not a bad song whatsoever.

It's definitely refreshing to hear decent British pop-punk that ascends the usual tosh that gets on Kerrang TV. I recommend heartily that you pick this up, support British bands and find two that you will be looking out for in the future.

Listen: www.myspace.com/allornothing & www.myspace.com/chaosdays

Tracklist:
1. Hate Being the Dip Guy - All Or Nothing
2. Don't Do This - All Or Nothing
3. You & I - Chaos Days
4. At Heaven's Gate - Chaos Days

Review - The Postmarks - Memoirs At The End of the World

The Postmarks - Memoirs At The End of the World

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7 out of 10

Quality 1960s soundtrack sounds with a 21st century sheen. The Postmarks have delivered themselves into the space occupied previously by the likes of the Cardigans and the Sundays. They even tip a wink towards Portishead on occasion but this is no hardcore trip-hop trip we're on. Oh, dear me, no. To be honest, I feel underdressed for this album - it seems to demand one is clad in one's Sunday best and heading out for a party on a yacht somewhere. Full marks for having a singer who looks like Avengers-era Diana Rigg morphing into Kate Beckinsale, though. And the theremin. You may not be cool enough for this album. You have been warned.

Listen: www.myspace.com/thepostmarks

Tracklist:
1. No-One Said This Would Be Easy
2. My Lucky Charm
3. Thorn In Your Side
4. Don't Know Till You Try
5. All You Ever Wanted
6. Run Away Love
7. For Better. . .Or Worse?
8. I'm In Deep
9. Thorn In Your Side (reprise)
10. Go Jetsetter
11. Theme From "Memoirs"
12. The Girl From Algenib
13. Gone

Review - Eels - End Times

Eels - End Times

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7 out of 10

This one's dark, even for Mr. E. There are glimmers of light but the overall demo nature of the album makes for quietly grim listening. Tracks are cut short, roughly hewn. It's still beautiful, though - just not something to listen to at a party, if you get me. Maybe a party for one.

Listen: www.eelstheband.com

Tracklist:
1. The Beginning
2. Gone Man
3. In My Younger Days
4. Mansions of Los Feliz
5. A Line In The Dirt
6. End Times
7. Apple Trees
8. Paradise Blues
9. Nowadays
10. Unhinged
11. High and Lonesome
12. I Need A Mother
13. Little Bird
14. On My Feet

Review - The Humans - These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ (Single)

The Humans - These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ (Single)

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6 out of 10

You could be forgiven for drowning in your own scoff at this band but belay that nostril-flare for a moment. They talk a fair bit of 'deconstruction' in their blurb so let's deconstruct this, their debut single. Musically, it's a precise Queens of the Stone Age rock-out with some choice guitar Fripperies and a thunderous REM (Monster era) bass. This makes Toyah Willcox' American accent even more incongruous but then, given the song, it'd be hard not to twang it a bit. It's a mystery but nowhere near the car crash you might expect - more someone in the opposite carriageway slowing down to have a look.

Listen: www.myspace.com/wearethehumans

Tracklist:
1. These Boots Are Made For Walkin'

Review - Nosferatu D2 - We’re Gonna Walk Around This City With Our Headphones On To Block Out The Noise

Nosferatu D2 - We’re Gonna Walk Around This City With Our Headphones On To Block Out The Noise

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7 out of 10

This brotherly duo - who ceased trading under the Nosferatu D2 name in 2007 - are a godsend for anyone still feeling the pain of the passing of John Peel. They embody almost every band and everything Peel championed, from wit and the Wedding Present to heart and Hefner. You'll also hear the Cure, Joy Division, the Fall, Half Man Half Biscuit. . .the list goes on. Yet their shambolic incisiveness never grates or bores. I can see this album inspiring bands of the future - it keeps a flame alive.

Listen: www.myspace.com/nosferatud2

Tracklist:
1. Broken Tamagotchi
2. A Footnote
3. Colonel Parker
4. Flying Things And Pests
5. I Killed Burt Bacharach
6. 2 People, 0 Superpowers
7. The Mojo Top 100
8. Springsteen
9. We'll Play The Power of Love By Frankie Goes to Hollywood A Thousand Times Tonight
10. It's Christmas Time (For God's Sake)

Review - Charlotte Gainsbourg - Heaven Can Wait (feat. Beck) (Single)

Charlotte Gainsbourg - Heaven Can Wait (feat. Beck) (Single)

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4 out of 10

Despite all the celeb weight behind it, this is a bit dull. It's been released to get a rub off the hoo-ha surrounding la Gainsbourg's recent perceived naughtiness in the film Antichrist and may well succeed. It's not remotely naughty itself, mind. Just a bit breathy and inconsequential, what you'd expect from the daughter of the couple who recorded Je t’aime... moi non plus. The remixers make a good fist of things, though, with the Jackson Escalator one thudding out on top, punching above its techno weight before warping up a jazz club.

Listen: www.charlottegainsbourg.com

Tracklist:
1. Heaven Can Wait
2. Heaven Can Wait (Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear Remix)
3. Heaven Can Wait (Nosaj Thing Remix)
4. Heaven Can Wait (Jackson Escalator Remix)

News - RM Hubbert - First & Last

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RM Hubbert releases his debut album "First & Last" on the 1st of March through Ubisano.

Live dates:

December 23rd - The Admiral, Glasgow
May 8th - Citizens Theatre, Glasgow

Monday 21 December 2009

News - It Must Really Suck to Be Four Year Strong Right Now

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Four Year Strong’s new single called "It Must Really Suck to Be Four Year Strong Right Now" is up for streaming on their MySpace page now and out to download through iTunes.

News - Saves The Day Forced To Have Line-Up Changes

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Saves The Day have been forced to have some line-up changes, read about it from head honcho Chris Conley below:

"hey guys, wanted to give you all an end of year update. being that Glassjaw is back in action and touring extensively throughout 2010, Manny and Durijah are leaving Saves The Day so they can be available to rock with the jaw. Saves is moving forward as always, getting two new band members ready to tour this January with New Found Glory. Spencer Peterson will be joining on drums and Rodrigo Palma will be slappin’ da bass. we are so stoked to have Spencer and Rodrigo on board, you guys will love them. Rodrigo has been playing bass in bands with Arun since they were both 16, and he’s already part of the Saves The Day family, so we’re keeping it real. Spencer has been busy out there in the world of rock, manning the drums for Hidden In Plain View and Charlotte Sometimes as well as filling in for other acts when needed. both dudes are talented and down to Earth. all this being said, unfortunately we have not had the opportunity to record Daybreak with the new personnel, however we do have studio time booked at the end of the NFG tour. obviously, the album will be released in the new year. i’m sure you all can understand the difficulty transitioning through lineup changes, and i assure you this change is for the best. we have more motivation and drive to rock now than ever before and i feel lucky to have Arun, Rodrigo, and Spencer to come along lifting the veil of illusion so we can all feel the One and Only Truth... All Is Rock. love you. C"

News - 1997 Don’t Have Much Luck With Vocalists!

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Kevin Thomas (vocals) has left 1997.

Statement: "Hello all 1997 friends and family, its Kevin. Some of you may have noticed how I did not appear on the last tour after the 4th of November. Due to personal differences in the direction of the band, I have decided to leave 1997 in pursuit of a different adventure. This is my own choice, no one, no event made the decision for me. I still love everyone in the band and wish them the best. The music, and memories I made with all of them will always remain close to my heart. I will never forget skipping work to write the first songs with Caleb in a shitty attic apartment, quitting my job to continue full time building something great with all my friends. I want to experience life in a different fashion now. This is not the last of me, keep your ear to the ground and you will hear me running back to you. I want to thank everyone that has supported us on our insane journey together, it has been a wild ride! Keep listening to the 7s and love every minute of that beautiful music! Thank you! -Kevin Thomas"

News - Krystle Warren Loves Nick Drake

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Krystle Warren will be appearing alongside Green Gartside, Lisa Hannigan, Teddy Thompson, Robyn Hitchcock, Scott Matthews and Vashti Bunyan in Way To Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake tour in January 2010.

20 Jan 2010 - Celtic Connections Glasgow
21 Jan 2010 - Brighton Dome Brighton
22 Jan 2010 - Barbican London
23 Jan 2010 - Warwick Arts Center Coventry

News - Justin Bieber Comes To Your Town...

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Justin Bieber fans will get the chance to bring the new star to their home county for an exclusive gig by voting at the official site: www.justinbieberofficial.co.uk

In addition, the 5 fans who bring in the most votes, by spreading the word amongst their friends, will get to travel to the winning show, wherever it is in the country. They will be able to bring a friend (and a parent or guardian if they’re under 18).

News - Marvin B. Naylor - Little Speck Of Blue

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Marvin B. Naylor will release his new single called "Little Speck Of Blue" on the 1st of February through Barcarolle Records.

News - Be Like Jay-Z, Be Young Forever

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Jay-Z’s next single will be his track "Young Forever" which will be released on the 11th of January through Roc Nation.

Sunday 20 December 2009

Review - Benjamin Shaw - I Got The Pox, The Pox Is What I Got

Benjamin Shaw - I Got The Pox, The Pox Is What I Got

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7 out of 10

Strawberry Fields mellotron, lo-fi samples, noise and acoustic guitar. It could be Flying Saucer Attack but thanks to Mr. Shaw's stumbly crackle of a voice, it isn't. Nick Drake is another reference point but this could be an middle-class English Josh T. Pearson or countrified Beefheart - too apathetic to be cross but just as surreal and just as violent, at times ('I want to push cream through the holes in my skin 'til I'm tasty'). This is probably enjoyed from the wrong side of a bottle of wine, like the singer appears to be.

Listen: www.myspace.com/benjaminshaw

Tracklist:
1. Thanks For All The Biscuits
2. 2,000 Sentinels
3. Chocolate Girl
4. The Carpeteer
5. When I Fell Over In The City
6. I Got The Pox, The Pox Is What I Got

News - Rufio Unleash New Music On The World

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Rufio have announced that they are recording a new album which will be released in Spring 2010. They’ll also be releasing a new EP called "The Loneliest EP" digitally on the 19th of January.

News - Four Year Strong Are In The Major Leagues

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Four Year Strong’s new album "Enemy of the World "will be released through Decaydance/Universal Motown on the 9th of March.

News - Keep On Bleeding, Just Keeeep On Bleeding...

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The Bled will release their new album called "Heat Fetish" in March through Rise Records.

Track Listing:

1. Devolver
2. Mouthbreather
3. Running Through Walls
4. Smoke Breaks
5. Need New Conspirators
6. Shouting Fire In A Crowded Room
7. Needs
8. Meet Me In The Bone Orchard
9. Crowbait
10. When Exiting Your Vehicle
11. Night Errors
12. Crawling Home

News - The Xcerts in 2010

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The Xcerts will be supporting Fightstar in February on the following dates:

08 Cardiff Millenium Music Hall
09 Brighton Concorde 2
10 Wolves Wulfrun Hall
12 Sheffield Corporation
13 Edinburgh Studio 24
14 Liverpool O2 Academy 2
16 Norwich Waterfront
17 London Heaven

Their remaining shows of 2009 are as follows:

December - with Flood of Red
20 Glasgow King Tuts
21 Inverness Ironworks
22 Aberdeen The Tunnels

News - Priestess: Prior To The Fire

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Priestess’ new album "Prior To The Fire" will be released on the 8th of March through Tee Pee Records. They will be touring with Big Elf in February 2010:

20th Oxford Academy 2
22nd Glasgow Cathouse
23rd Manchester Club Academy
24th Wolverhampton Little Civic
25th London Underworld

Friday 18 December 2009

News - Rage Against The Average Joe

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So....love it or hate it, the battle between X-Factor and Rage Against the Machine er....rage’s on. Rock Sound are reporting the sales stand at: RATM: 306,115 Joe: 297,199. CHOOSE YOUR SIDES PEOPLE!

News - Kevin Devine - Splitting Up Christmas

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Submitted by Kev (Big Scary Monsters Recording Company): "Due to overwhelming public demand we’ve decided to bring Christmas forward a week. As of now you can buy Kevin Devine’s ’Splitting Up Christmas’ and ALL NINE b-sides as a digital bundle for just £5!

The 10 MP3s are available exclusively via www.bsmrocks.com, are all ripped at 320kbps and will only be on sale until 31st December 2009. They’ll be down before your decorations.

Tracklisting:

01. Splitting Up Christmas
02. Joey (Concrete Blonde cover)
03. Harvest Moon (Neil Young cover)
04. The Longer I Lay Here (Pedro The Lion cover)
05. You’ll Only End Up Joining Them (alternative version)
06. Holland 1945 (Neutral Milk Hotel cover)
07. Lord, I Know We Don’t Talk (live at the Old Blue Last)
08. Write Your Story Now (live at the Old Blue Last)
09. Whatever (Elliott Smith cover)
10. Wolf’s Mouth (alternative version)"

News - Mr Fogg - Keep Your Teeth Sharp EP

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Mr Fogg will release new EP called "Keep Your Teeth Sharp" on the 25th of January through Kicking Ink Recordings / Bandstocks. The album will be released in April 2010.

News - Fightstar On Fire

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Cars On Fire will support Fightstar next year:

9-Feb-10 Brighton Concorde 2
10-Feb-10 Wolves Wulfrun Hall
12-Feb-10 Sheffield Corporation
13-Feb-10 Edinburgh Studio 24
14-Feb-10 Liverpool Academy 2
16-Feb-10 Norwich Waterfront
17-Feb-10 London Heaven

Wednesday 16 December 2009

News - Matthew Thiessen (Relient K) Leaves Tour

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Matthew Thiessen (Relient K) has had to leave their current tour. Here’s the press statement:

"Due to circumstances beyond any of our control, Matthew Thiessen needed to leave the Winter Wonder Slam last evening on a red eye flight to Canton, OH. It is with great sadness to report that Matt’s mother suffered a severe heart attack Monday evening. Matt flew home to be with his family and at his mother’s side as she undergoes quadruple bypass surgery. We truly appreciate your understanding and prayers during this highly emotional time.

In an effort to make most of this situation, the remaining members of Relient K (Ethan, John and Jon) will stay out for the last four (4) shows and play host to Tim Skipper of House of Heroes as they put together a medley of Holiday music and fan favorites. As an effort to make the shows special, we will host a contest to have a fan club member join the guys on stage to perform ’Sadie Hawkins Dance’!

Again, we thank you for your prayers and wish you joy in your hearts during the Christmas season."

News - Japanese Voyeurs Attack 2010...

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Japanese Voyeurs will release their new double A-side single "That Love Sound / Blush" on the 8th of February through Slimeball Records.

Live dates:

Wednesday 13-Jan Dundee Dexters
Thursday 14-Jan Aberdeen Tunnels
Friday 15-Jan Arbroath Devitos
Saturday 16-Jan-10 Inverness Mad Hatters
Wednesday 20-Jan Portsmouth Drift In The City
Thursday 21-Jan Birmingham Flapper and Firkin
Friday 22-Jan Milton Keynes The Crauford Arms
Saturday 23-Jan Cambridge Portland Arms
Monday 25-Jan-10 Guildford Boiler room
Wednesday 27-Jan Brighton Audio
Thursday 28-Jan Stoke Sugarmill
Friday 29-Jan Crewe The Box
Saturday 30-Jan Wakefield Escobar
Sunday 31 Nottingham Bodega

News - Let’s Go To War - Life We Live

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Let’s Go To War will release their new single "Life We Live" on the 25th of January through Last Gang Records.

Track Listing:

1. Life We Live
2. Burn Down The Disco
3. The Whole City's Got A Cold

News - Biohazard Original Line Up Record New Album

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Biohazard in its original line up have announced they will return with a brand new studio album in summer of 2010. The group are set to enter a Los Angeles' Underground Sounds Studio on January 19th to commence working on the album.

The currently untitled album is set for release in summer of 2010. The world tour will commence in April 2010 and will last through late 2011.

Tuesday 15 December 2009

News - Scarlett O’Hara Sign To Rise Records

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Scarlett O’Hara has signed to Rise Records. Their Joey Sturgis (The
Devil Wears Prada, Attack Attack!, For The Fallen Dreams) produced album will be released by the album in 2010.

News - Black Eyed Peas Announce UK Tour

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Black Eyed Peas have announced the UK leg of their eagerly awaited THE E.N.D WORLD TOUR in May 2010.

Tickets for both the main shows and the official aftershow parties go on general sale on Friday 18th December at 9am from www.aeglive.co.uk / www.ticketmaster.co.uk / 08444 775 775

MAY 2010 Tour Dates:

05 London - The O2 Arena
05 London - indigo2 at The O2 - AFTERSHOW PARTY
06 London - The O2 Arena
06 London - indigo2 at The O2 - AFTERSHOW PARTY
08 Birmingham - LG Arena
08 Birmingham - O2 Academy - AFTERSHOW PARTY
23 Manchester M.E.N Arena
23 Manchester PURE - AFTERSHOW PARTY

News - An Evening With: Rufus Wainwright

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Rufus Wainwright UK tour dates are:

April 2010

Tue 13th LONDON, Sadler’s Wells
Thu 15th GLASGOW, Royal Concert Hall
Fri 16th EDINBURGH, Usher Hall
Sat 17th SHEFFIELD, City Hall
Mon 19th GATESHEAD, The Sage
Tue 20th BIRMINGHAM, Symphony Hall
Thu 22nd MANCHESTER, Apollo
Fri 23rd BRISTOL, Colston Hall
Sun 25th NOTTINGHAM, Royal Concert Hall
Mon 26th OXFORD, New Theatre
Thurs 29th IPSWICH, Regent Theatre

Tickets Go On Sale Friday December 18th
London tickets are priced at: £20 - £50
Regional tickets are priced at: £20 - £45

Tickets are available from:
Website: www.artistticket.com
Box Office Number: 0871 230 0333

Brand new studio album "All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu" is due in Spring 2010.

News - Bad For Lazarus Tour Starts Tomorrow

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Bad For Lazarus kick off their UK tour tomorrow playing at The Monarch in Camden for FREE, onstage at 10pm.

The dates are:

Dec 16th London The Monarch
Dec 17th Stoke Alsager Arms
Dec 19th Newcastle The End Bar
Dec 19th Brighton Concorde 2 w/Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster
Dec 21st Cardiff 10 Feet Tall
Dec 30th London Old Blue Last

News - Manchester Orchestra - 12 Days Of Christmas Holiday Gift!

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Submitted: "As a thank you to their fans, Manchester Orchestra is posting a new song on their website each day until Christmas.

They will be bringing Mean Everything To Nothing in it's entirety (Recorded Live for KBZT in San Diego) followed by a surprise song on Christmas Day!

Keep checking back for more gifts! www.themanchesterorchestra.com"

News - Nephu Huzzband 2010 Dates

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Nephu Huzzband have these shows lined up for 2010:

14th Jan - Tiger Lounge, Manchester
28th Jan - 93 Feet East, London
30th Jan - The Chameleon, Nottingham
3rd Feb - Venue TBC, Milton Keynes
26th Feb - Korova, Liverpool

Monday 14 December 2009

News - Kevin Devine Free Christmas MP3

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Submitted: "Kevin Devine is here to bring some genuine yuletide cheer with a free MP3 shaped gift.

Recently released (and promptly sold out) as a strictly limited edition CD single on his hugely successful UK tour, ’Splitting Up Christmas’ can now be downloaded for free from www.bsmrocks.com

Check out the pirate video for ’Splitting Up Christmas’ here: http://vimeo.com/7776910 and some live videos from Kevin’s December tour here: http://tinyurl.com/ybm8cmw"

News - Start Thinking In Straight Lines

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Straight Lines will release their debut album called "Persistence In This Game" on the 1st of February and their single "Runaway Now" will follow on the 8th of February, both through Xtra Mile Recordings.

Track Listing for "Persistence In This Game":

1. Versus The Allegiance
2. Loose Change
3. Runaway Now
4. All My Friends Have Joined The Army
5. Antics
6. To Be Honest
7. Say It For Your Sake
8. The Ballad Of Peter Devine
9. A Place To Stay
10. Perfect Mistakes
11. Oh Blue Eyes
12. Set Me On Fire And Feed Me To The Wolves

News - Eight Legs Are The Best

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Eight Legs will release their single titled "Best of Me" on the 15th of February through Boot Legs. Their album "The Electric Kool-Aid Cuckoo Nest" will follow on the 22nd of February.

Live dates:

19th Feb - Club Strut, Doncaster
23rd Feb - Barfly, Cardiff
24th Feb - 93 Feet East, London
25th Feb - The Rainbow, Birmingham
26th Feb - Elbow Rooms, Leeds
27th Feb - Roadhouse, Manchester
28th Feb - Classic Grand, Glasgow

News - By Shabby and By Rogue

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Shabby Rogue will release their album called "By Hook and By Crook" on the 1st of March 2010.

Sunday 13 December 2009

Review - The Soldiers - A Soldier’s Christmas Letter (Single)

The Soldiers - A Soldier’s Christmas Letter (Single)

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3 out of 10

The Christmas single from The Soldiers (Sergeant Major Gary Chilton, Lance Corporal Ryan Idzi and Sergeant Richie Maddocks), raising money for soldiers' support charity the Army Benevolent Fund, doesn't hold back. It sounds little different to a particularly sentimental and cheesy Westlife song, but there aren't many Christmas records with lines such as, "This time of year it hurts the most, daddy's not home."

While musically 'A Soldier's Christmas Letter' might be dull, at least sales are going to better cause than Simon Cowell's or Rage Against The Machine's bank accounts (Cowell's Syco company and Epic, the label Rage are signed to, are both owned by Sony Music, which is a slight flaw in the 'Killing In The Name' Christmas No. 1 campaign) A real anti-Cowell gesture would be to buy The Soldiers' single or Fucked Up's underground all-stars version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' (featuring Andrew WK, Tegan & Sara, Wu Tang's GZA, Yo La Tengo and 'Arrested Development's' David Cross and others), with all proceeds going to three charities supporting women in Canada.

Listen: www.the-soldiers.co.uk

Tracklist:
1. A Soldier’s Christmas Letter

Review - Bakteria - Defecate! Suffocate! Mutilate! Masturbate!

Bakteria - Defecate! Suffocate! Mutilate! Masturbate!

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0 out of 10

Not much is known about disgusting Mexican thrash/grind four-piece Bakteria, apart from they started in 1992 and trade on stories about how singer Umberto Torres shot someone at a gig and they're apparently banned from touring Canada, Ecuador and Germany. At least that's what the press release from Anstalt Records, the new novelty subsidiary of the revered Nuclear Blast label, would have you believe.

This is known too: 'Defecate! Suffocate! Mutilate! Masturbate!' is a terrible record. Gorier extreme metal bands have always used grotesque and violent imagery of zombies, corpses and sexualised bodily functions, and it's not impossible for them to be more than just provocative for the sake of it, but Bakteria really aren't one of them. The 16 tracks on 'DSMM' range from the ridiculous to stuff you should report to the police, but it's all gratuitous, pointless and the production quality is so cheap that it wouldn't be surprising to learn that these sludgy Metallica-copying riffs and really slow blastbeats were recorded on a dodgy dictaphone.

The opening brace, 'Platypus Bestiality' and 'Sea Corpse' rely upon gurgling, squawking sound effects that are presumably the sound of Torres shagging a platypus and a bloated dead body found on the beach. The rest of the record's lyrics are just combos of rude words in various orders - there's only so long you can listen to someone growl "platypus twat" for and it's considerably shorter than five minutes. But still, you'd much rather listen to "platypus twat" than the necrophilia/child abuse/cannibal fantasies on 'Feed The Faeces To The Foetus' and 'Crib Death'. Seriously, this is one of the worst albums ever made and it would be no loss if other places followed Canada, Ecuador and Germany's lead.

Listen: www.myspace.com/b4kt3ri4

Tracklist:
1. Platypus Bestiality
2. Sea Corpse
3. Shit Vomit Enema Orgy
4. Shit In The Pussy
5. Feed Faeces To The Foetus
6. Colostomy Haemorrhoids
7. Kill, Fuck
8. Crib Death
9. Castrate Wit A Rusty Skate
10. Sloppy Fifths In A Pus Filled Twat
11. Feed The Starving With The Rich Man's Vomit
12. Defecate! Suffocate! Mutilate! Masturbate!
13. Hospital Fuck-fest
14. Shit On My Pubes
15. Chromosomes In The Toilet
16. Mutant

Review - Bandito - Rockin' At The Disco (Single)

Bandito - Rockin' At The Disco (Single)

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2 out of 10

We were all thinking it. What British pop music really needs right now is its own Basshunter. Well look no further than Bandito, aka Russell Graham of Glasgow and formerly of Simon Cowell-backed boyband Pacific Avenue. He's even signed to the same label as Basshunter and everything.

'Rockin' At The Disco' is destined for cheesy school disco and student nights, with its boisterous happy house and tacky fake Ibiza vibes and uninventive four-to-the-floor beat. It even spells out 'disco', like one hit wonders Ottawan's 1980 single 'D.I.S.C.O.' did. Everything about 'Rockin' At The Disco' is so obvious and so been done before that it makes Pacific Avenue sound like Black Flag.

Listening to Bandito it's as if any of the innovators in dance music for the last decade or so, from Daft Punk to the Hyperdub roster, never happened. And no matter how upbeat Bandito is, that's depressing.

Listen: www.myspace.com/banitoonline

Tracklist:
1. Rockin' At The Disco

Review - Pitbull Terrorist - Contraband International Activity

Pitbull Terrorist - Contraband International Activity

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6 out of 10

Finland-based thrashers Pitbull Terrorist come with some good gimmicky background stories; you've got to give them that. The balaclava-wearing four-piece between them claim to have past lives in guerrilla warfare, organised crime, the secret services and, erm, world class athletics, but now soundtrack the activities of global activists Pitbull Pack International. It's similar to the schtick used by Fear Factory/Napalm Death/Paradise Lost affiliated 'Mexican' grind bandits Brujeria, or Slipknot with a lower mask budget, and it's unlikely many genuine guerrilla groups are on MySpace or sell tracks on iTunes and Amazon.

The guerrilla/anarchist imagery continues on songs such as the grimy death meal of 'Dirty Bomb' and the System Of A Down style chug (complete with operatic vocal interlude) of 'The Shit Of The System'. There's certainly no dicking about on 'Contraband International Activity ('CIA' for short), the longest song is 123 seconds - the instrumental 'In Confidence' with its two whirling, powerful riffs - but that leave little time for PT to try many ideas.

The songs that stand out during this 25-minute blitzkrieg of buzzing thrash are the ones that move away from the old school template and bring in elements of crust, grindcore and death metal, such as the combusting, collapsing riffs and blastbeats on 'The Pig'. On 'Ode To The Old', a tangle of shredding guitar parts, singer Ursula occasionally ditches her genderless growls for otherworldly vocals that are far more unnerving, as is the high-pitched voice of guitarist John Keu on 'Guerra'. But otherwise, Pitbull Terrorist aren't as radical as they'd have us believe.

Listen: www.myspace.com/pitbullterrorist

Tracklist:
1. No Resurrection
2. The Silencer
3. Ode For The Old
4. Cut Below The Waist
5. The Pig
6. Economaniac
7. Maus
8. Dirt Bomb
9. The Leak
10. Agent Orange
11. Necessary Evil
12. Guerra
13. You Did Try
14. Let The Gods Do The Fighting
15. Corpocrazy
16. In Confidence
17. The Shit Of The System
18. End Of It All

News - Pathology Joins Victory Records

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Pathology has signed to Victory Records. Here’s the blog from their MySpace page:

"It is with great pleasure that we announce our signing to Victory Records! We have been working tirelessly at writing new music and are ecstatic to be putting our next album out through Victory. We would like to thank Tony and the Pathology team for their diligent efforts in bringing Pathology and Victory together. Most of all, we would like to thank the fans who’ve been there from day one to support us every step of the way. We are very excited and can’t wait to release our yet-untitled 2010 album!"

News - Rivers Cuomo Out Of Hospital

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Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) has been released from the hospital. Read the blog on their official website here: www.weezer.com/blog/default.aspx?nid=23994

News - Gallows Postpone Shows Due To Illness

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An update from Gallows taken from their MySpace page:

"We’re sorry to announce that we’re going to have to cancel the next few shows. Steph is still unwell and is in no state to play a full set in the next couple of days. We’re really sorry to pull shows but we are planning to reschedule all of them for early next year for which all your tickets will be valid and we promise not to disappoint.

We will stil be playing Watford, London and Newcastle as planned.

We will be back in February 2010 to complete this tour for you.

We will be bringing the awesome Sharks back out with us and promise these will be great.

Thu 11 February 2010
COLCHESTER
ARTS CENTRE

Fri 12 February 2010
SWINDON
FURNACE

Sat 13 February 2010
KINGSTON
THE PEEL

Sun 14 February 2010
HASTINGS
CRYPT

Mon 15 February 2010
CAMBRIDGE
JUNCTION"

News - The Tupolev Ghost Split Up

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The Tupolev Ghost have split up.

News - Four Year Strong Album Title Revealed...

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Four Year Strong’s new album will be called "Enemy of the World".

Review - Jookabox - Dead Zone Boys

Jookabox - Dead Zone Boys

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8 out of 10

Positioning themselves as underworld survivors (well, that's what their PR says, anyway), Indianapolis' Jookabox certainly sound the part. Imagine a party held in a cavernous, abandoned sewer, probably beneath a derelict industrial district populated only by the screams of the unemployed, drug-addicted and dead. You're all invited. The all-important vibey tuneage will be provided by the Beach Boys, Cheap Trick, Lichens and the Flaming Lips, who have joined forces to create a broken, neon mind-fuck for everyone to enjoy. Just don't drink the punch.

Listen: www.myspace.com/jookabox

Tracklist:
1. Phantom Don't Go
2. Don't Go Phantom
3. You Cried Me
4. Gonna Need the Guns / Doom Hope
5. East Side Bangs / East Side Fade
6. Glyphin' Out
7. Evil Guh
8. XXXiawn Shell
9. Zombie Tear Drops
10. LIGHT
11. F.I.T.F. #1

Review - Dead Rails - Streetlights (Single)

Dead Rails - Streetlights (Single)

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6 out of 10

An unsigned trio from Swansea, Dead Rails cite Boston as their main influence. Whether that's Boston the 1970s rock pompadours or Boston the overcrowded Lincolnshire market town is a question not, I'm afraid, answered by this single. What it does do is show a band having more in common with the Minutemen and Shellac (although the length of their songs may belie that, at first). There's just the right sprinkle of indie jangle to go with the punk drive, with the title track showing a louche side with Pavement overtones. Here's hoping these particular rails don't lead to a dead end.

Listen: www.myspace.com/deadrails

Tracklist:
1. Prove Yr Love
2. Streetlights

Review - Strawberry Blondes - Fight Back

Strawberry Blondes - Fight Back

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6 out of 10

Surfing a wave leading back through Rancid, the Offspring, all the way to the mighty Clash, Newport's Strawberry Blondes fight for their right to punk. The requisite subjects are here in all their bellowed, shouty glory; boredom, frustration, anger, unemployment, social decay, etc. etc. And all with a knife-sharp delivery to loosen the bowels of any Daily Mail-reading scaredy-cat. All to the good - although I'm not sure what they mean when they describe their music as 'culturally positive' when they have a song titled Culture Sucks The Life Out Of Me but that's just me being my usual pedantic self. Viva la revolucion!

Listen: www.myspace.com/strawberryblondes

Tracklist:
1. Revolution Radio
2. Fight Back
3. Faded Dreams
4. Manners and Respect (feat. King Django)
5. Culture Sucks The Life Out Of Me
6. Hang 'Em All High
7. Goodbye Inspiration (feat. Joey LaRocca)
8. 007 / Rudi
9. No Way Out
10. RCH Punx
11. Out of Luck
12. No Pasaran!
13. Las Brigadas Internationales
14. Hard Times
15. Social Control

Saturday 12 December 2009

News - Bronze Age Debut EP - Free Download

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Bronze Age (ex-Public Relations Exercise) have put up their debut EP "Amberola" online for free download. You can check out the band by grabbing the EP here: www.sendspace.com/file/oah3jb

For fans of: Chickenhawk, maybeshewill, Blakfish, Her Name is Calla

Friday 11 December 2009

News - Sick Of It All: Based On a True Story

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Sick Of It All have finished their new album "Based On a True Story" which will be out in May 2010 through Century Media.

They’ll be supporting AFI in April throughout the UK:

April
*03 - APR - Plymouth White Rabbit (headline)
05-Apr Nottingham Rock City
06-Apr London Brixton O2 Academy
08-Apr Glasgow ABC
09-Apr Manchester Academy
*10-Apr Tunbridge Wells Forum (headline)
11-Apr Newcastle O2 Academy
12-Apr Birmingham O2 Academy

*headline shows

News - The Subtle Way: Thus Far, The Channels Speak

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The Subtle Way’s new album "Thus Far, The Channels Speak" will be released on the 15th December.

News - Follow The Trail...

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Trail will release their debut album "To the Rest of the World" through Twistid on the 22nd of February 2010.

Live dates:

December
16 Dublin Castle, London

January
14 Liquid Nation, London
28 Bull & Gate, London

February
2 Bunglow 8, London
22 Album Release Party - London

News - Pennywise May 2010 UK Tour

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Pennywise will be touring the UK in May with A Wilhelm Scream as support.

MAY
11 - BRISTOL O2 Academy
12 - LEEDS O2 Academy
13 - NEWCASTLE O2 Academy
14 - GLASGOW ABC
15 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy
16 - LONDON Shepherds Bush Empire

News - Bleeding Through Studio Videos

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Submitted: "Bleeding Through are back in the studio tracking their newest material with legendary producer Zuess. Head over to MySpace Metal to check out exclusive videos of the band as they work on the new album. Episode 1 can be viewed now at http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=101252606.

Episode 2 will premiere next week. Hear samples of the riffage that will be unveiled on their debut Rise Records release. The yet-to-be-titled album is expected to hit stores Spring 2010. In the meantime check out tour dates for their upcoming European tour with Machine Head and Hatebreed at www.myspace.com/bleedingthrough."

Thursday 10 December 2009

Review - 3OH!3 - Want

3OH!3 - Want

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4 out of 10

It’s finally happened. The world has run out of sensible band names. So this Colorado duo have obviously shown a bit of initiative and used their secure computer password instead. With such a ridiculous moniker it shouldn’t surprise you to hear that the band predominantly trade in electronica, a description which is deliberately vague as there are sprinklings of so many genres on ’Want’ that it would be foolish to tie the group down to just one. What holds the album together are the funky, dirty electro beats which underpin hip-hop, rock, pop and everything in between.

Usually albums start off well only to fade in the second half, ’Want’ however starts off dreadfully before picking itself up with a few gems. ’Punk B*tch’ opens with the what appears to be the intro from TVs IT Crowd, itself based on an old computer loading up and to be honest it doesn’t get much better. The snake charmer sounding ’Choke Chain’ is just dreadful, one of the worst things I’ve ever heard committed to record. ’I’m Not Your Boyfriend Baby’ displays the aggressive rap that characterises the earlier tracks on the album as well as a segment which wouldn’t sound out of place on an emo album. ’Holler Til You Pass Out’ offends the ears, though it does perhaps shed light on the reasons behind the bands name (Is it hot in here or is it just me/Is it hot in here or is it 3 Oh 3). The problem with the rap based tracks on the album appears to be that the aggressive delivery doesn’t match the underlying mish mash of electronica, ’Photo Finish’ is another track with two contrasting vocal styles and again it’s the more belligerent gangsta delivery which comes off worst.

It’s telling that the high points of the album are those that ditch the gangsta rap lyrics and instead aim for a less confrontational and more fun lyrical style, tracks like ’Don’t Trust Me’, ’I Can’t Do It Alone’ and ’Colorado Sunrise’. The band appears to acknowledge this by remixing three of the better songs to be included as bonus tracks. New single ’Starstrukk’ (yes it is spelt that way) is an obvious choice for a single, and the remixed version with Katy Perry on vocals should be a big hit. ’Still Around’ is a huge surprise considering what has preceded it, a soft, sensitive, slow burner amongst a slew of hip-hop and dance beats.

These days the lines of traditional musical genres are becoming more and more blurred, the likes of 3OH!3 further blur these lines by throwing many disparate musical forms into the mix, often the result is good, on the flip-side it’s often terrible. ’Want’ illustrates this perfectly; some of the songs really don’t work, whereas others will have fans of many genres uniting on dancefloors across the land.

Listen:: www.myspace.com/3oh3

Tracklist:
1. Tapp
2. Punk B*tch
3. Don’t Trust Me
4. Choke Chain
5. I’m Not Your Boyfriend Baby
6. I Can’t Do It Alone
7. Star Strukk
8. Rich Man
9. Photo Finish
10. Still Around
11. Holler Til You Pass Out
12. Colorado Sunrise
13. Star Strukk (Featuring Katy Perry)
14. Don’t Trust Me (Benny Blanco Remix Featuring Kid Cudi)
15. Still Around (Big Mix)

Review - The Flare-Up! - Whip ’Em Hard, Whip ’Em Good

The Flare-Up! - Whip ’Em Hard, Whip ’Em Good

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8 out of 10

The Flare-Up! are a Swedish band, from the same Scandinavian Garage Rock n Roll High School as The Hellacopters, Flaming Sideburns and The Hives. Handclaps and Honky Tonk piano hold down snarling guitars, while stories from the strip club and gutter ring out from singer Manne Andersson in songs like the anthemic title track "Whip 'Em Hard Hard..".

The group picture in the sleeve could mislead the casual viewer into thinking The Flare-Up! would be more of a wet squib. But the speakers are playing a different tune, one that's soaked in Jack Daniels and the devil's dandruff.

Some of the songs sound a bit too similar to some of their contemporaries, ("Little China Boy" is very close to something from the sadly missed Datsun's and "Too Many Zombies" shows their appreciation for the rockabilly scene and the Misfits) and sometimes themselves which is a bit embarrassing (Sure You're Big Enough)...Oh, its a reprise!!? Why wasn't it in the original song? But in rock 'n' roll, if isn't broke, why fix it? Ask the Young brothers what they think about that!?

The Flare-Up! have delivered an album that would have been huge during the heady garage-rock revival days of 2004, when Jack White was king and the Von Bondies were the new Soup Dragons.

I like it; you might as well - its music to get drunk to before you put Kiss on. Do you like to get drunk and put Kiss on? Try this first.

Listen: www.myspace.com/theflareup

Tracklist:
1. Put It In A Letter
2. Vicious Seeds
3. Whip 'Em Hard, Whip 'Em Good
4. Kid Avenger
5. To Kill A Puerto Rican
6. The Rudes
7. Too Many Zombies
8. Little China Boy
9. All Them Pretty Dolls
10. Sure You're Big Enough?

Review - Patrick Wolf - Damaris (Single)

Patrick Wolf - Damaris (Single)

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6 out of 10

Patrick Wolf looks like he'd give Julian Cope a run for his money in the fried fashion stakes. The sleeve of this, the third single from his album The Bachelor, has him looking like an acid casualty from Highlander. Musically, there's more than a whiff of the glens, too, with a light Gothic overtone, like a postcard from Whitby. The aim is apparently for a modern take on an English Romeo and Juliet story but it's more Wuthering Heights. It's mostly a success, too, although I was expecting more darkness, drama and histrionics. Perhaps Mr. Wolf needs to spend more time in the studio and a bit less in the dressing-up box.

Listen: www.myspace.com/patrickwolfofficial

Tracklist:
1. Damaris (Radio Edit)
2. Damaris

Review - The Junk - Novus Ordo Seclorum

The Junk - Novus Ordo Seclorum

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7 out of 10

The Junk are a seven piece ska punk band from Brighton. Novus Ordo Secorum (translated as New Order of the Ages) is their debut EP to be released from all digital outlets on 14th December.

’Scream Your Dreams’ shows the good and bad of ska music, the fantastic, frenetic first three minutes contrasting with the drawn out, plodding final two minutes which frankly goes nowhere. It’s a shame as the lingering feeling on listening to the song is of an opportunity missed. The breakneck drumming, a prominent feature of the band, and the energetic horn section combine to create a perfect skank-mosh-pogo-fest, something that continues over the two other songs on the album. With all seven members listed as vocalists it’s unclear who is singing at any one time, however the gang vocals on ’Far From Here’ and the anarchic shouted style that peppers their music sound add a certain necessary bite.

The three songs on this EP don’t break new ground but it’s the sound of a good time which is all you can ask for from a ska band. If you like your ska fast and rowdy, in the style of Capdown and Streetlight Manifesto, you’ll surely love the Junk.

Listen: www.myspace.com/thejunkpunk

Tracklist:
1. Scream Your Dreams
2. Monkey See Monkey Do
3. Far From Here

News - If I’ve Said It Once, I’ve Said It Thrice

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Thrice will be returning to our UK shores for a run of headline dates in January.

January
18 - Leeds, Cockpit
19 - Glasgow, Garage
20 - Manchester, Academy 2
21 - Cardiff, Solus
22 - Nottingham, Rescue Rooms

News - Sweethead Support Them Crooked Vultures

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Sweethead are currently on tour as main support to Them Crooked Vultures (the super-group formed by Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul).

DECEMBER

Thu 10 PLYMOUTH Pavilions
Fri 11 PORTSMOUTH Guildhall
Sun 13 BLACKPOOL Empress Ballroom
Mon 14 BIRMINGHAM Academy
Tue 15 EDINBURGH Corn Exchange
Thu 17 LONDON Hammersmith Apollo
Fri 18 LONDON Hammersmith Apollo

News - Paolo Nutini Covers Arcade Fire

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Paolo Nutini has done an acoustic cover version of Arcade Fire’s track "Wake Up" which you can check out here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-PRyB_B2Kc

News - All Time Low MTV Unplugged

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Hopeless Records will be releasing All Time Low’s MTV Unplugged set on the 12th of January.

Track Listing:

1. Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don’t)
2. Coffee Shop Soundtrack
3. Remembering Sunday
4. Jasey Rae
5. Weightless
6. Dear Maria, Count Me In
7. Outtakes
8. MTV Unplugged Interview

News - So Many Dynamos - The Loud Wars

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So Many Dynamos will release their album "The Loud Wars" in the UK through Vagrant Records on the 22nd of February.

Live dates:

February
18th - Glasgow, UK - Captain’s Rest www.ticketweb.co.uk
19th - Middlesborough, UK - Uncle Albert’s www.myspace.com/bar_sumo
20th - Nottingham, UK - Stealth vs Rescue www.alt-tickets.co.uk
21st - Leicester, UK - The Firebug www.wegottickets.com
22nd - Birmingham, UK - The Flapper www.seetickets.com
23rd - London, UK - Buffalo Bar www.ticketweb.co.uk
25th - Brighton, UK - Jam www.myspace.com/kongpromo
26th - Oxford, UK - Bullingdon www.tctmusic.co.uk
27th - Southampton, UK - Unit www.joinerslive.co.uk

News - Moonshot: No Sign of Morning

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Moonshot release their new album "No Sign of Morning" on the 18th of January 2010 through EML Recordings.

News - No Consequence Vocalist Quits

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Submitted: "Basick Records are sad to announce that due to health issues, long serving and talisman-like vocalist Phil W. has decided to leave UK Tech-Metallers, No Consequence.

Here's what Phil himself had to say on the subject:

"I want to make sure that people understand I’m leaving the band on the best terms possible - a health problem is holding me back from being the super dedicated vocalist the band needs to keep growing and building on the success of 2009. I love the band like family, I think of the guys as nothing less than brothers and I know that as the band continues to move forward without me - I won't lose contact with some of the best people in my life...

Everything we’ve achieved over the years wouldn’t have been possible without a lot of help and support from some very important people, but when it comes down to it, NC wouldn’t be where it is today without the fans - anyone who’s shaken my hand after a show, bought a t-shirt/CD, come to a show, moshed, broken bones, travelled from other countries to see us... or told a friend to check us out, you guys are what music is about!

I hope that whoever takes over from me in NC realises what a special family they’ll be joining and I am very much looking forward to watching NC continue to grow bigger and better. With a very heavy heart, thank you and much metal love to everyone - Phil "

No Consequence are devastated to be losing such a great friend and talented front man, but will now be actively searching for a replacement to fill the role of second vocalist with the band.

Any interested parties should contact the band directly at info@noconsequence.co.uk or check out the application criteria on the bands MySpace or at www.noconsequence.co.uk"

News - Twin Atlantic 2010 Tour Dates

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Twin Atlantic are touring in 2010 on the following dates:

JAN 26: SOUTHAMPTON, Joiners - 0238 8022 5612 / www.joinerslive.co.uk
JAN 27: CARDIFF, Clwb Ifor Bach - www.ticketweb.co.uk
JAN 28: LONDON, Borderline - 08448 472 465/ www.ticketweb.co.uk
JAN 29: NOTTINGHAM, Rock City - 0871 3100 000 / www.alt-tickets.co.uk
JAN 30: BIRMINGHAM, Academy 3 - 0844 477 2000 / www.ticketweb.co.uk
FEB 01: SHEFFIELD, Academy 2 - 0844 477 2000 / www.ticketweb.co.uk
FEB 02: LEEDS, Cockpit - 0113 245 4650 / www.lunatickets.co.uk
FEB 03: MANCHESTER, Night & Day - 0161 832 111 / www.gigsandtours.com
FEB 04: NEWCASTLE, Digital - 08444 771 000 / www.yourfutureisdigital.com
FEB 06: GLASGOW, ABC - 08444 999 990 / www.gigsinscotland.com

News - Transcend Records Signs...

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Tides of Virtue have signed to Transcend Records. Their album "Malevolence" will be released in May 2010.

News - William Fitzsimmons Gets Covered In Snow

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William Fitzsimmons will release his new Christmas single called "Covered In Snow" on the 31st of December.

Here’s a video of the track performed live in Brussels: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUr36ymsAsk

News - JLS Announce 2010 Arena Tour

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JLS have announced a 2010 Arena tour for December:

DECEMBER 2010

FRI 03 Liverpool Echo Arena 0844 8000 400
SAT 04 Cardiff International Arena 029 2022 4488
MON 06 Bournemouth International Centre 0844 576 3000
TUE 07 Birmingham LG Arena 0844 338 8000
THU 09 London The O2 0844 856 0202
SAT 11 Nottingham Trent FM Arena 0844 4124 624
MON 13 Glasgow SECC 0844 499 9990
TUE 14 Aberdeen AECC 0844 499 9990
THU 16 Manchester MEN Arena 0844 847 8000
FRI 17 Sheffield Arena 0114 256 5656
SAT 18 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena 0844 493 6666
WED 22 London Wembley Arena 0844 815 0815

Buy online at

www.gigsandtours.com & www.ticketmaster.co.uk

24hr cc hotline 0871 2200 260 & 0844 826 2826

Tickets go on general sale 9.30am on Saturday 05 December.

News - Coheed And Cambria: Year of the Black Rainbow

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Coheed And Cambria will release their new album called "Year of the Black Rainbow" in April 2010.

From the band’s website:

"Hey Everybody,

Happy Holidays and all that. We know you have been waiting patiently for Coheed info for 2010, so we hope this fills your hunger for now:

Our new album will be titled, "Year of the Black Rainbow," and is set for release in April 2010 and will be followed by a headline tour of the US, and then on to Europe and the UK for festivals and such.

As most of you know, the new album will be the "Origin Story" or "The Prequel," and likely the final story of the ongoing concept story of "The Amory Wars""

News - Burning Empires New Track Online

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Submitted: "Burning Empires have premiered a new song Accomplice at http://spin.com/articles/listen-fall-out-boy-drummers-new-project. The group features an all star cast including Andy Hurley (drummer for Fall Out Boy), Kyle Johnson (bass for Misery Signals), Ryan Morgan (guitar for Misery Signals), Stu Ross (guitar for Misery Signals) and Matt Mixon (of now defunct 7 Angels 7 Plagues). The new song was recorded in November with Mike Schleibaum (of Darkest Hour) and will be part of their forthcoming release Heirs Of The Soil in early 2010."

Monday 7 December 2009

News - Sun Kissed Kakuzi

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Kakuzi will release their new single "Sun Kissed Planet" on the 8th of February through Major G Records.

News - L-Mo: Got Gumption?

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L-Mo will release their album "Got Gumption?" on the 8th of March.

Sunday 6 December 2009

News - From First To Last - Throne to the Wolves

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From First To Last’s new album will be called "Throne to the Wolves" and it will be released in March 2010.

Review - The Automatic - Interstate (Single)

The Automatic - Interstate (Single)

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3 out of 10

A bold thrust at an enormous, American sound from the Welsh monsters, which succeeds - if you like that kind of thing. Otherwise, it's about as airbrushed as music is possible to be and conjures scenes not of freedom and escape (as the lyrics seem to hint at) but rather of a wet night at the fair outside Merthyr, chomping down on the last bit of undercooked hot dog while you wait for the dodgems and the whiff of sulphur taints the air.

Listen: www.theautomatic.co.uk

Tracklist:
1. Interstate

Review - Rob Himself - Lost In New York (Single)

Rob Himself - Lost In New York (Single)

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5 out of 10

Mr. Himself is going for the real, emotional jugular on this Christmas single and it's for charidee, to boot, so let's get straight on with a fantastically relevant and appropriate review, shall we? There's no arguing with the worthy cause (Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital), so let's just say that without it, the song would rightfully remain on some dusty demo tape, somewhere. You could see it as an 'arm around your new best mate's shoulders on Christmas eve' acoustic sing-along - until it mentions cuddling up under a duvet and watching French & Saunders. Other than that, its dry stabs at McCauley Culkin and the Half Man Half Biscuit-alike guitar solo are the only frivolities worth spending your mortgage money on. But I'd still rather this be Christmas number one than the eXcrement-Factor favourite.

Listen: www.myspace.com/iamrobhimself

Tracklist:
1. Lost In New York

Review - Black Soul Strangers - Lies (Single)

Black Soul Strangers - Lies (Single)

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2 out of 10

First thought on these Donegal wunderkinds is not how mind-blowing their uber-lite Placebo sound is but how clean their trainers are. But there it is - in tiny print to the right of the photograph, 'Special thanks to Puma'. Puma, the band. What an accolade. Black Soul Strangers are a perfect embodiment of mass-market footwear, being ideal supermarket shelf-fodder next to the copies of Hello, Brain Cancer! magazine and special offer cans of wife-beater. If I think of what the Minutemen did with the amount of time this lot piss away here, I weep. Who let the kids outside? They ask. Surely the question is: Who let them in a studio?

Listen: www.myspace.com/blacksoulstrangers

Tracklist:
1. Lies (Radio Edit)
2. Lies (Original Version)

Saturday 5 December 2009

News - evolution Mother’s Mike Vallely In Brawl

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Submitted: "Mike Vallely pro skater, vocalist of Revolution Mother and staunch Anaheim Ducks supporter (he blogs exclusively for AnaheimDucks.com) has found himself unintentionally in the spotlight. During a recent Ducks Game, cameras captured as Scott Niedermeyer of the Ducks went to toss his hockey stick over the glass to a little girl who happened to be Vallely’s daughter. As the stick went over it was intercepted by another man and what follows was caught on camera. Details at link below:
http://www.kingshit.org/article.php?entry_id=292"

News - Blakfish - Free Xmas Show

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Blakfish have got a free show lined up in Brighton at The Hobgoblin.

December 16th - Brighton - Hobgoblin, England (w/Let's Talk Daggers & Shoes and Socks Off)

Friday 4 December 2009

News - Please Enter Gorilla Manor...

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Local Natives have signed to the Frenchkiss Records and will release their album "Gorilla Manor" on the 16th of February 2010.

News - Behave Yourselves, It’s The Cold War Kids!

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Cold War Kids will release their new EP called "Behave Yourself" digitally on the 21st of December and physically on the 19th of January.

News - Introducing The Newest Supergroup: Sweet Apple

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Sweet Apple featuring members of Dinosaur Jr., Cobra Verde and Witch, have signed to Tee Pee Records and will release their debut album "Love and Desperation" on the 30th of March 2010.

News - XO - My Beautiful Girl (Tokyo)

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XO (Jeff and Jake Turner of Say Anything) will release their new single "My Beautiful Girl (Tokyo)" on the 15th of December.

Track Listing:

1. My Beautiful Girl (Tokyo)
2. My Beautiful Girl (Tokyo) (Pocket Remix)
3. My Beautiful Girl (Tokyo) (Rory Allen Phillips Remix)
4. My Beautiful Girl (Tokyo) (Sunday School Remix Parker Case)
5. Tie Me Up (2007 Demo)

News - The First Joke (ex-This Day and Age)

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The First Joke (Jeffrey Martin and Steve Padin formerly of This Day and Age) have put up four new songs on their new MySpace page.

News - Anthony Raneri Solo Demo Online

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Anthony Raneri (Bayside front man) has posted his first solo demo called "The Ballad of Bill the Saint" on his MySpace page.

News - Alkaline Trio: The Addiction

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Alkaline Trio’s new album "The Addiction" will be released on the 22nd of Ferbaury 2010 through Hassle Records in the UK.

Track Listing:

1. This Addicition
2. Dine, Dine My Darling
3. Lead Poisoning
4. Dead On The Floor
5. The American Scream
6. Off The Map
7. Draculina
8. Eating Me Alive
9. Piss And Vinegar
10. Dorothy
11. Fine

News - North Atlantic Oscillation To Support Porcupine Tree

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North Atlantic Oscillation have just been confirmed to support Porcupine Tree on the UK leg of their European tour.

Taking over from Kscope label mates Engineers, who had to pull out of the dates due to unforeseen personal circumstances, the dates kick off this Sunday and are as follows:

Dec 06 2009 WOLVERHAMPTON, Civic Hall
Dec 08 2009 NEWCASTLE, Academy
Dec 10 2009 MANCHESTER, Academy
Dec 11 2009 GLASGOW, ABC

News - Scouting For Girls Announce New Album Details

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Scouting For Girls will release their new album "Everybody Wants To Be On TV" through Epic Records on the 22nd of March. It will be preceded by a new single called "This Ain’t A Love Song" on the 7th of March.

News - Indica Go Nuclear!

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The Finnish all-girl group Indica have signed to Nuclear Blast Records.

"It is very rare to see such enthusiasm that we have already witnessed with all the Nuclear Blast people about our forthcoming debut album in English. We can´t wait to start to work with all of you, to get the album out and to start touring in Europe! With lots of love, INDICA!"

"We are very proud to welcome this young band from Finland to the Nuclear Blast family. Those five exceptional girls have totally captivated all of us. With their magical and self-contained form of romantic and melancholic rock music we are trying to explore into directions which are new to us and and it will be a big but more than exciting challenge!" Markus Staiger, Nuclear Blast President

The new Indica album "A Way Away" is due in early Summer 2010.

News - Kataklysm Album News

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Submitted: "Kataklysm is in full writing mode at the moment for the follow up to the "Prevail" album. The band has also confirmed the mixing duties for the next offering.

Comments guitarist J-f Dagenais:
"I’m really excited to be deep into the writing process for the new Kataklysm album, the band is more focused then ever: This album will be different then "Prevail", but will still have the classic Kataklysm trademarks and hooks. You will see a much more intricate record then weve done in the past. It will contain some really fast and dynamic parts, but we will also aim on a very melodic driven record and it will contain lots of technical parts as well that we haven’t explored much lately. And no worries, the bone crushing grooves are always a must with Kataklysm and will be present. I've also seen Maurizio’s lyrics for this album so far and let me tell you that they hit really hard. I know it's a very personal album to him as he is going through some tough times in his personal life. So I'm not worried on what he will bring to this record, so expect a very real, aggressive and determined Kataklysm album! We know we have set the bar high for ourselves, but we are confident to deliver the goods once again. On the production end I will handle the recording as usual, but for the mix we have decided to enlist Tue Madsen from Denmark. We feel he captured best the band's sound on "In the arms of devastation". We feel it's a winning team and we're gonna make sure you have the best sounding record to date."

On X-mas day on the band`s Facebook, Twitter and Myspace pages, Kataklysm vocalist Maurizio Iacono will reveal the band's new album title. The album is scheduled for release late summer / early fall 2010."

News - Isaac’s Aircraft - "Head To The Feet"

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Isaac’s Aircraft release their new single "Head To The Feet" on the 22nd of February 2010 through Crash Records.

Track Listing:

1. Head To The Feet
2. Friends & Foes (Radio Edit)

Review - Katatonia - Night Is The New Day

Katatonia - Night Is The New Day

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9 out of 10

Sweden's Katatonia have come a long way since they formed back in 1991 and the landscape of metal has changed significantly. Progressive metal has exploded out of the underground thanks to the likes of Mastodon and fellow Swedes Opeth. After producing a steady line of albums, newest album Night Is The New Day still has the Stockholm quintet's ever so distinct melodic edge that sets them apart from the rest of the Scandinavian metal scene.

Production wise, Night Is The New Day is a multi-textured, intense affair that blends crushing doom metal with passages of dreamy shoe gazing and a touch of folk sensibility. It's cold yet ever so complex. The vocals of Jonas Renkse are spine-chilling and resonate with such clarity. Needless to say, this is a dark album from beginning to end.

It would be easy to draw comparisons to Opeth or even some of the more underground bands like Swallow The Sun but Katatonia have managed to set themselves apart as a different animal altogether. The tightly knit intricate guitar patterns that borderline on apocalyptic post metal which adds further dimensions - the progressive metal rulebook isn't being re-written here but first class rendition is definitely displayed.

Night Is The New Day is an album that serenades and smashes you over the head at the same time. Without a doubt a stellar effort from the Swedes creating one of the best metal records of the year.

Listen: www.myspace.com/katatonia

Tracklist:
1. Forsaker
2. The Longest Year
3. Idle Blood
4. Onward To Battle
5. Liberation
6. The Promise Of Deceit
7. Nephilim
8. New Night
9. Inheritance
10. Day & The Shade
11. Departer

News - 65 Days of Static - O2 Adcademy

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65 Days of Static will be on tour next May. You can catch them at the Birmingham 02 Academy on the 5th. Expect a review soon after!

Thursday 3 December 2009

Review - Bilge Pump - The Fucking Cunts Still Treat Us Like Pricks

Bilge Pump - The Fucking Cunts Still Treat Us Like Pricks

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8 out of 10

Slightly less controversial than it's Flux of Pink Indians namesake, the mighty Bilge Pump continue to righteously smite all before them. Not many are noticing, though, which is the very definition of a crying shame and may have influenced the title of this EP. Anyway, if you know the 'Pump (and if you care about music AT ALL then you cocking well should) you'll be aware of their magnificent tight-but-loose whiplash mix of punk, jazz, rock and Mark E. Smith knows what else. This EP is an exceptional no exception.

You may also be aware of how the trio's face / brain pummelling live experience has yet to transfer to CD. There always seems to be a bit of 'distance' between the listener and the music, if you get me. This may be part of some backlash against the over-compressed, everything-louder, must-be-heard-above-the-flatlining-listener's-mind approach of modern popular music production. A fair target. I, myself, dunno. It might be my winter-dulled hearing or a sign that new monitors are needed. Whatever the reason, it's the only type-crit negative I have for this diskette. Really, the 'Pump show, once again, that they have more riffs, thoughts and thumps in a four-song EP than 99% of bands manage in their entire so-called careers.

Listen: www.myspace.com/bilgepump

Tracklist:
1. Tommy's Out
2. I Trampled On David
3. Tilly's Balls
4. Are You There Jude? It's Me, Barry

Review - The Answer - Comfort Zone (Single)

The Answer - Comfort Zone (Single)

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7 out of 10

Rock n' roll will never die. Not while bands like The Answer and their musical time-machine have anything to do with it. They've supported AC/DC and are on the Aussie's erstwhile label, so you should know what to expect - Rock with a dollop of Rawk. Tickling such a musical long-tooth could have been disastrously dull, of course, but this Northern Irish quartet have, somehow, managed to spark a few heartbeats out of the old beast. Comfort Zone is what I believe some call a 'Power Ballad', playing tonsil-hockey with the likes of Bon Jovi and Guns n' Roses. There's even a bit of Axl Rose-ing going on towards the end, where it gets really, y'know, emotional. The acoustic version is very Y & T, only without the luvviness - yet. Here To Say continues this motif and you can almost see the video shot on a beach somewhere Californian, or perhaps on a mountain to give it some gravitas. Sarkiness aside, the band have the chops and the locks and obviously plan to Rawk for some time.

Listen: www.myspace.com/theanswerrock

Tracklist:
1. Comfort Zone (New Mix)
2. Here To Say
3. Comfort Zone (Acoustic Version)

Review - New Education - Arcane (Single)

New Education - Arcane (Single)

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5 out of 10

This band are "the Midlands calling", apparently. Someone should tell them that there's more to the Midlands than sounding like Kasabian. Or in this case, Kasabian, Doves and the Primals go Ibeefah. At least it's interesting, though, and extra giggle-points for what's been done to parts of the vocal. It shows that, unlike most of these lair-rock bands, New Education might just have a sense of humour. Certainly beats the recent output of Primal Scream into a hatted cock, anyway. Oh, and track three isn't 'dub' but that's a small niggle, really. As you were.

Listen: www.myspace.com/neweducation

Tracklist:
1. Arcane - B-Complex Remix (Radio Edit)
2. Arcane - B-Complex Remix (Extended)
3. Arcane - B-Complex Remix Dub