Music
Live: The Membranes, Brudenell Social Club, Leeds 04-07-2015
It’s a very hot summers night in Leeds, and as The Membranes take the stage, it’s clear from the off that the temperature is set to carry on rising. Opening number, “The Universe Explodes Into a Billion Photons of Pure White Light”, initially takes a few of the crowd by surprise. Taken from the bands …
Track: Department M – Bleak Technique
Initially the project of Leeds’ Owen Brinley, Department M has developed into a growing concern, a full live band in fact that includes Tommy Davidson from Pulled Apart By Horses. They’re a creative bunch too, having already released record owns the Too Pure singles club and Fierce Panda in the last two years, and now …
News: The Stranglers ‘English Towns’ mini tour
There are only a few days to go before The Stranglers embark on another tour. It does not seem long since the band completed its extensive and very successful UK tour back in the Spring, which left me with the impression that they are enjoying playing live more than ever. If this is the case they are …
Say Psych: Album Review – Smoke Beach by Kill West
Kill West have already established themselves as firm favourites here at Psych Insight thanks to their debut EP (Kill West), still available on Drone Rock Records. Their mix of upbeat surf rock, droning psychedelia and downbeat blues seemed to provide the perfect balance. This is something that the band have transitioned to this release of …
Sarah Cracknell reschedules Leeds City Varieties gig
I was one of those punters who turned up for Sarah Cracknell’s much anticipated City Varieties appearance on Sunday June 21st only to find it been cancelled at the last moment due to a throat infection. The St Etienne singers has now rescheduled for Sunday 26th July as she promotes her highly acclaimed second solo …
Say Psych: Album Review – Heaven by Sundays and Cybele
I first came across Sundays and Cybele earlier this year when I heard the 2012 album release ‘Gypsy House’, which had just come out on vinyl on the brilliant Tokyo label GuruGuru Brain. If you are in any doubt about this check out the label’s Japanese Psych Compilation ‘GuruGuru Brainwash‘ which is a fantastically eclectic …
Track: Years and Years – Shine, plus album news
All eyes are on London based three piece Years & Years. At the start of the year they walked away with the BBC’s sound of 2015 prize. Since then, both music lover and critics alike have been waiting to see if they can live up to the hype. They made a great start when ‘King,’ …
EP: John J Presley – White Ink
Following on from his highly regarded singles Honeybee and Left, bluesman John J Presley is back with his debut EP, White Ink. Recorded in one eight hours straight session at Toe Rag Studios with Liam Watson (The White Stripes, The Kills, Tame Impala) whilst on a rare break from tour. “Recording at that hallowed space …
Live Review: Gengahr – Rough Trade East, London 2.7.15, plus gallery
We were in the middle of a heat wave but, judging by the large crowd that formed in Rough Trade East on a balmy July evening, Gengahr were going to get a warm reception whatever the weather. I’m pleased to say that Gengahr’s teenage fans showed up en masse for this in store show, waving …
Not Forgotten – Bill Withers – Live at Carnegie Hall
Sometimes, no matter how great a songwriter or performer an act is, things just never work out in the studio, and it takes a live album to truly reveal their greatness and go on to become their trademark release. Now let’s get one thing straight, Bill Withers is not without great studio albums, intact he …