Music
See: Cannibal Animal release new video for I Feel alive
Cannibal Animal have their roots deeply embedded in the darker more primal side of the current post-punk scene. Latest single, ‘I Feel Alive’ hits you like an adrenalised shot of amphetamine spiked directly into your frontal lobe. This is raw to the power of eleven. Plug into the power speakers and turn it up loud, …
Meet: Lisbon – Matty Varty returns for a chat
I caught up with Whitley Bay heroes Lisbon at the end of their successful winter tour at The Rocking Chair. A tired but enthusiastic Matty Varty (lead singer) picked up where our chat had left off last year. Backseat Mafia: So, the end of the tour – what are your highlights from the last few …
Live Review: Lisbon / Feral Mantra / The Wired at The Rocking Chair, Sheffield, 18/02/16
Lisbon are the kind of band it’s very easy to get excited about. They’re enthusiastic about their music, whether it’s finessing new material in the studio, getting the tech just right ahead of a gig, or playing one of their fun-drenched, sweat-soaked gigs to a highly appreciative audience. They’re also incredibly savvy when it comes …
Album Review: Wild Nothing – Life of Pause
I’ve been smitten with Jack Tatum ever since I heard “Nocture” back in 2012. Such beauty and bittersweet melodies in that song. I knew right then that this Tatum fellow knew how to turn emotional dials with the magic that is music. He was also tapping into my childhood growing up in the early 80s. …
Not Forgotten: Black & White by The Stranglers
Its early 1978 and I’m standing in the horrible brutalist Ryemarket Shopping Centre in Stourbridge, a copy of ‘Sounds’ in my hands (well all over my hands such was the nature of ink in those days) and the proceeds of my paper round in my pocket. I was thirteen and was deep in the thrall …
Not Forgotten: The Czars – Before… But Longer
Like many people, I only know The Czars as the band John Grant was in before he temporarily turned his back on the music industry. As such it is tempting to approach them as little more than a footnote in what is proving to be an extraordinary solo career, however there’s more to them than …
Say Psych: Playlist 2/2016
Here’s my second playlist of the year, which is shaping up to be yet another brilliant one musically with some great new releases and long overdue re-issues. Flemish Weave by Mugstar “Rarely after listening to an album do I just want to sit in silence for a moment to think about what I have …
See: The Sherlocks release new video for ‘Last Night’
Forged from the same Sheffield steel as the Arctic Monkeys, four piece The Sherlocks have made an impressive fist of following their indie rock path to stardom so far, gaining support from the likes of Annie Mac and Huw Stephens, who eulogised about the bands live performances. Before heading off for the BBC introducing stage …
Not Forgotten: Comus – First Utterance
I first became aware of Comus back in early 1996, when First Utterance enjoyed its first foray onto CD. Described by a reliable publication as “Freaky Folk Prog”, the largely acoustic music, idiosyncratic vocals and traditional instruments sounded right up my particular strata. Sadly I was a penniless student at the time, so intrigued was …
Album Review : The Skiffle Players : Skifflin’
The Skiffle Players are possibly the first skiffle supergroup in 60 years. A group of west coast alt.country notables, featuring Cass McCombs, Neal Casal, Dan Horne, Aaron Sperske, and “Farmer” Dave Scher. Names familiar to people who have listened to Beachwood Sparks, the Cardinals (ex backing band to Ryan Adams and Gin Wigmore), and various solo …