8/10
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Top 50 of 2012: No.45: Architects - Daybreaker (Century Media)
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
CROOKED WAYS FESTIVAL REVIEW
(Thanks to Nick Wainman and others who took pictures that i stole)
As promised I’ve finally gotten round to my update on Pontefract’s own Crooked Ways Festival, exhausting though it was, many beers were consumed and many bands seen, all I can say is thank god for programs to remind you who they were. As you’ve seen from my previous post I’m a big supporter of small festivals in general and even more so when they’re in my old hometown. I’m hoping Crooked Ways keeps going and more people in future make it down, however I also hope the organisers work on the smaller aspects like naming the small stages with some form of sign!
So first up I made sure to catch Awooga who were awesome last year on the Crooked Ways presents stage and have managed to get themselves bumped up to the Institution stage this year, and it’s easy to see why. They’ve been described as the sound of a star exploding, and that’s pretty close to accurate, colossally heavy guitar riffs over huge basslines, elements of prog than burst into heavier sections and back again, they were good last year, this year they’ve stepped it up further to great, grab their last release ‘V Column’ and expect much better going forward.
Finally my friends turned up and after the obligatory insults and grabbing of beers we heard a decent racket coming from the Crooked Ways presents stage so decided to venture in and check out Yorkshire’s own Carnabells, gotta love this band, and I’ve already downloaded their previous EP ‘She’s a Rollercoaster’ any band that infuses 50’s rock’n’roll into their sound is going to be loved by me, add on to that a modern twist, basslines I can actually here in the mix live and I’ve got a band I’ll be keeping an eye on for future.
Just because I hadn’t been over there yet it was time to check out the Supporting The Son stage and whoever was playing, in this case it was The Blue Haste, I’m not going to go into too much detail here as they were an average rock band, some good riffs and melodies but sorry nothing I’d get excited about.
Back over to the Institution then for local heroes Above Them, described my friend as ‘very tight but I don’t like the songs’, I on the other hand do like their songs because I’m probably more into the Hot Water Music punk infused sound that Above Them excel in. They’re definitely a band I need to give another listen and hopefully check out again live, dodgy tash’s an all.
Quick chat with jonnythefirth from next band Cry Baby Cry, Jonny’s concerned that they won’t sound as good due to his dodgy clacker, Jonny needn’t have worried, Cry Baby Cry were literally the band of the day, I truly feel sorry for people who were not at this stage, I’d describe Cry Baby Cry usually with a sound, but the second you do they’re doing something completely different on the next song, like the blues infused ‘Tombstone’ a highlight among highlights of a great set, Jonny’s vocals mix perfectly with Rosie Doonan’s sultry style, there’s an album on the way and I for one will be grabbing a copy, if this is what they sound like with a dodgy clacker you can only imagine what they can manage at full health. ONES TO WATCH!
I don’t know whether It’s because Cry Baby Cry were so good or just in fact that Rolo Tomassi were so awful, the sound was rubbish and even though I’ve tried and tried to find something I like about this band I just can’t, as my friends pointed out the vocals just sounded like ‘Quack! Quack! Quack! Quack!’ Sorry but I like full on hardcore bands and this was just noise to me.
Next up was the jonnythefirth recommended Middleman, now my friends weren’t too impressed by these guys but I kind of enjoyed the melodies and the metal sections and even to an extent the urban influences, plus I always love rave mixed in a la Hadouken, so while they didn’t blow me away, they did peak my interest and I actually wouldn’t mind hearing more from these guys.
Dilemma time, Max Raptor and Dinosaur Pile-Up were clashing so we had to go with a bit of half and half, starting with Max Raptor who put on a suitably intense performance of raging punk rock, pretty good stuff but you can’t help wishing they’d experiment a bit so the songs wouldn’t be so similar.
Quickly over then to catch Dinosaur Pile-Up, who were impressive if not badly mixed, awesome riffs but you can barely hear a bit of the vocals which kind of ruined it for me, new single ‘Arizona Waiting’ did sound awesome though.
My band of the day next Mallory Knox, having looked forward to them all day, the sound mix was brilliant so you could hear all vocalists, every song as huge as their new album, the only thing slightly letting them down was the lack of energy, I really was expecting them to go off double barrelled but they seemed strangely subdued, still stayed the entire set but I was hoping for a little more. ‘Death Rattle’ still kicked it though.
Over to meet my friends and catch the second half of Pigeon Detectives who seemed to be dealing with a little hostility from the crowd, I think most people were just looking forward to The Enemy, however the vocalist can come across as a little smug (just my opinion which I’ll expand upon shortly), Anyway I cought them knock out a few of the old hits, which was nice.
A good few sing-alongs to tunes in-between and The Enemy take stage, banging out tune after tune, ‘Aggro’ sounded awesome, and you still love seeing a band with their kind of reputation playing a small festival like this, tracks from the new album were going down well, especially ‘Saturday’ and the crowd were going suitably apeshit, myself at this point I was taking a step back, nearly 12 hours of standing was taking its toll and I’m getting old. And this rounded off another great festival.
So where does the future lie? I hear they want to make it even bigger next year, so what kind of bands should they book, well there’s two ways to go, while bands like Pigeon Detectives and The Enemy were huge, they’re already seeing a decline in crowds and venue sizes. I’d actually push to go old school, Shed Seven would slay Crooked Ways, and have a huge local following and I think getting older artists like Grandmaster Flash is a stroke of genius, for the rock stage, there’s some more relevant bands appearing these days such as Baby Godzilla, Eureka Machines, God Damn and Zico Chain are going to get even bigger so book them while they’re cheap. (#JustMyOpinion)
Just because I hadn’t been over there yet it was time to check out the Supporting The Son stage and whoever was playing, in this case it was The Blue Haste, I’m not going to go into too much detail here as they were an average rock band, some good riffs and melodies but sorry nothing I’d get excited about.
Back over to the Institution then for local heroes Above Them, described my friend as ‘very tight but I don’t like the songs’, I on the other hand do like their songs because I’m probably more into the Hot Water Music punk infused sound that Above Them excel in. They’re definitely a band I need to give another listen and hopefully check out again live, dodgy tash’s an all.
I don’t know whether It’s because Cry Baby Cry were so good or just in fact that Rolo Tomassi were so awful, the sound was rubbish and even though I’ve tried and tried to find something I like about this band I just can’t, as my friends pointed out the vocals just sounded like ‘Quack! Quack! Quack! Quack!’ Sorry but I like full on hardcore bands and this was just noise to me.
Next up was the jonnythefirth recommended Middleman, now my friends weren’t too impressed by these guys but I kind of enjoyed the melodies and the metal sections and even to an extent the urban influences, plus I always love rave mixed in a la Hadouken, so while they didn’t blow me away, they did peak my interest and I actually wouldn’t mind hearing more from these guys.
Dilemma time, Max Raptor and Dinosaur Pile-Up were clashing so we had to go with a bit of half and half, starting with Max Raptor who put on a suitably intense performance of raging punk rock, pretty good stuff but you can’t help wishing they’d experiment a bit so the songs wouldn’t be so similar.
Quickly over then to catch Dinosaur Pile-Up, who were impressive if not badly mixed, awesome riffs but you can barely hear a bit of the vocals which kind of ruined it for me, new single ‘Arizona Waiting’ did sound awesome though.
My band of the day next Mallory Knox, having looked forward to them all day, the sound mix was brilliant so you could hear all vocalists, every song as huge as their new album, the only thing slightly letting them down was the lack of energy, I really was expecting them to go off double barrelled but they seemed strangely subdued, still stayed the entire set but I was hoping for a little more. ‘Death Rattle’ still kicked it though.
Over to meet my friends and catch the second half of Pigeon Detectives who seemed to be dealing with a little hostility from the crowd, I think most people were just looking forward to The Enemy, however the vocalist can come across as a little smug (just my opinion which I’ll expand upon shortly), Anyway I cought them knock out a few of the old hits, which was nice.
A good few sing-alongs to tunes in-between and The Enemy take stage, banging out tune after tune, ‘Aggro’ sounded awesome, and you still love seeing a band with their kind of reputation playing a small festival like this, tracks from the new album were going down well, especially ‘Saturday’ and the crowd were going suitably apeshit, myself at this point I was taking a step back, nearly 12 hours of standing was taking its toll and I’m getting old. And this rounded off another great festival.
So where does the future lie? I hear they want to make it even bigger next year, so what kind of bands should they book, well there’s two ways to go, while bands like Pigeon Detectives and The Enemy were huge, they’re already seeing a decline in crowds and venue sizes. I’d actually push to go old school, Shed Seven would slay Crooked Ways, and have a huge local following and I think getting older artists like Grandmaster Flash is a stroke of genius, for the rock stage, there’s some more relevant bands appearing these days such as Baby Godzilla, Eureka Machines, God Damn and Zico Chain are going to get even bigger so book them while they’re cheap. (#JustMyOpinion)
Tuesday, 4 June 2013
Top 50 of 2012: No.46: Gallows - Gallows [PIAS]
The best way to enjoy this album is to see it as an entirely different band than before, which does go to credit former vocalist Frank Carter’s unique style and powerful performance, but it’s also obvious from this release which side took the better route. Starting out with the chanted messages of paranoia before launching into full throttle attack on ‘Victim Culture’ you’re in for 11 tracks of brutal hardcore, Which is where things could be slightly better, at times the albums a little full on, like they’re trying to prove something, this is an 8 album that should have been a 9 or 10 with a little more of the experimentation and creativity that peppered ‘Grey Britain’. Getting back to album at hand it’s still one of the best hardcore punk albums released in the last few years and I get the feeling the next album’s going to take them to new heights, but for now, enjoy having your face ripped off at 100mph.
8/10
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Top 50 of 2012: No.47: Crocodiles - Endless Flowers (Frenchkiss)
Another haze drenched bliss of an album from Crocodiles, this time with the psychedelic cranked up to about 11, you know the album we all hoped The Big Pink would release but Crocodiles went and did it for them. Opening with double hitters ‘Endless Flowers’ and ‘Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9)’ this album does not let up with sunny-pop filtered through My Bloody Valentine’s noise, you get the feeling Crocodiles could be huge, hidden away under all that noise are perfect little pop nuggets, but I prefer the noise. You can only see this band going to bigger and better things, last album ‘Sleep Forever’ was a belter and for me album of 2010, and follow up to this ‘Crimes of Passion’ already scheduled for an August release they really are quite prolific, and if it’s half as good as this they’ll make the my top 50 two years running. There’s a lot of bands pushing the My Bloody Jesus & Mary Chain trip these days, but Crocodiles are far and away the leaders of the pack, because they make you forget those bands existed when you listen to them.
8/10
http://www.normanrecords.com/records/134802-crocodiles---endless-flowers
Sunday, 26 May 2013
Top 50 of 2012: No.48: Disappears - Pre Language (Kranky)
Bit of a surprise this one, having been a huge 90 Day Men fan, especially of their early work, when Brian Case's vocals were bitter and spat out with venom, for a classic example of this see their twisted classic '(It (Is) It) Critical Band', anyway i digress. Over 5 years ago 90 Day Men called it quits and went their separate ways and were much missed, fast forward to 2012 and i'm messing about looking to see if any bands i used to like are doing new projects and i come across Disappears featuring Brian Case. Not only have they just put an album out but it's their 3rd proper album, naturally i picked it up asap and was quite knocked back by the new style, same venom spitted vocals but this time over an almost Joy Division backing, naturally i'm going to like this as i also fucking love Joy Division. One thing that does need to be pointed out is that like 90 Day Men, Disappears are an acquired taste, you won't find powerful choruses, some bits you can barely sing along to, but not all bands are to be enjoyed in that way, some like Disappears are here to mesmerise and enthral you. Throwing out twisting rhythms, through repetetive grooves, at times drenched in reverbed noise and shot through with Brian's laid back drawl, best surprise of the year!
8/10
http://www.normanrecords.com/records/131589-disappears-pre-language
Friday, 24 May 2013
Top 50 of 2012: No.49: Hildamay - Miles Away (Wolf At Your Door)
Another stormer of an album this time from sort of newcomers Hildamay, another brilliant signing from the excellent ‘Wolf At Your Door’ stable. Comparisons have been made to Hot Water Music and with the gruff vocals you can see why, but this album is a much heavier beast bringing to mind bands like Quicksand, Helmet and even at times early 3 Colours Red, but still maintaining a sound of their own. Hildamay are typical of what’s making UK rock bands so exciting at the moment, they join bands like Drenge, God Damn, Baby Godzilla and labelmates Mallory Knox in creating something new and interesting, and something to answer people who say there’s no good new bands these days, there are, you just have to look around for them. Miles Away bursts through the gates with ‘The Dark’ and ‘The Light’ and doesn’t relent for 12 tracks of blistering straight up rock. Now go out and do your bit for new bands and get yourself a copy.
8/10
http://www.wolfatyourdoor.com/shop.aspx?ID=f301c619-6366-44ff-b4d5-d7037cf628d4
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Chris Olley / Six. By Seven Interview
Part of doing this blog is selfish as fuck and here's where the fun also lies, it means i can interview people who's music i've loved for ages, in this case i bought my first Six. By Seven record around 15 years ago which was the Candlelight 7" with awesome b-side Young Man's Stride, and oh yes in future there will be a b-sides article.
Anyway i decided to quiz main player Chris Olley who has recently once again resurrected the Six. By Seven band, now with former Placebo drummer Steve Hewitt and what sounds like a new lease of life.
HD: Loving the artwork for the new album, I’m assuming the union jack moth is the album cover, where did the design for this come about?
CO: Yes it is. It's was done by Paul Barton. Metamorphosis, change, deep meaningful stuff. Eurovision!!!
HD: I’ve seen 2 different release dates for the album so far, can you clarify if it is June 10th? Also is this a self-released thing and will there be pre-orders etc…
CO: It's coming out in early July now. We had to put it back slightly because of something or other. Yes, we don't have a record label as such, we work with the guys at Cargo Records.
HD: With the upcoming UK tour being the first in quite some time, can we expect some older songs as well or is it solely to promote the new album? I personally would love to see 2 sets one of the new album and a separate set of older tunes.
CO: We tried rehearsing some old songs the other day and to be honest they just didn't come up to scratch sonically with the new stuff which I think says a lot about the new stuff. i know you have to play old stuff but do you have to play old stuff just for the sake of it even if it doesn't sound as good? We feel like a new band now and we already have lots of new songs. We will always play So Close though because that one really does sound great still. Anyway, we spent the last 16 years playing gigs all around the country playing songs off those early albums.
HD: From reports I’ve read and comments you yourself have posted it seems like you’re very content with the new Six. By Seven line-up, do you feel a renewed sense of energy now?
CO: Yes!! The new record is by far the best thing I have personally ever done with a guitar in my hand. It's great, I hope it works out for us this time.
HD: You’ve talked about how good sonically the new songs are, do you feel you may have captured more of a Six By Seven live experience in the studio this time?
CO: Definitely, this is the shit!
HD: I’m really looking forward to hearing the new album and reviewing for this site, do you care about reviews anymore? Or does it all just go over your head?
CO: I don't care no.
HD: In the past you’ve tended to avoid the basic album/singles format, ie. Extra releases like the Peveril Hotel albums or 14 track singles, do you think you’ll be slowing down this time or do you plan to keep up the extra weird releases in future?
CO: Don't know yet. I'm just doing a singles Klub on my website which is fun for me. It's interesting working within your own format that you set and make exactly like you want it. Afterall, what is an album these days? It was 'a double sided plastic sound carrier with at least 8 songs and 35 minutes in length' when we signed a deal!! CD's holding umpteen tracks, downloads, singles... You can do whatever you like now. I just did two songs and put them in a card and hand wrote the lyrics to each one and dedicated them to the people who bought them and included 5 photographs. I love doing stuff like that. If we make some money out of this album it would be great to do stuff on vinyl for fans through the website. Trouble is it's too expensive at the moment and then it becomes less exclusive unless you become as big as Oasis or Radiohead. Then you just piss the fans off who didn't get it because it was limited!!
HD: I’ve noticed you have tended to release a lot of bootlegs, any chance of the upcoming tour getting the bootleg treatment?
CO: Don't think so. It will be all over YouTube about two hours after we pack up anyway.
HD: Fanboy question, any chance ever of a Six By Seven b-sides release?
CO: Yeah! We used to sell them as bootlegs. We had over 40 odd B-sides in the end. I don't really wanna be going back anymore though at the moment. I've just pulled all the Bootlegs and back Klatterlog from the website.
HD: I’ve noticed the bootlegs/sessions CD’s seem to have disappeared for now is this just while you concentrate on the road ahead or have they had their time?
CO: Yep! They may come back.
HD: I see you’re keeping the Twelve name alive, can we expect the same for Fuck Me USA? Or has this project had it’s day now, love the 3 disc boxset you did recently for it btw.
CO: Fuck Me USA was an art project. 3 legendary gigs, Glastonbury, Live At Leeds, Aldermaston. A first album, A debut album and an anthology and a box set. The only thing that can happen now is Unreleased second album perhaps and reformation.
HD: Any bands/albums you’re looking forward to this year?
CO: Daft Punk. (that was a joke btw, did you know they had a new album coming out?) I tend to listen out for stuff but mostly listen to 6 music. Am currently loving the new Kurt Vile Album.
HD: Loving the UK dates listed and can’t wait for the Leeds one, are you geared up to do some proper touring again? Or any worries?
CO: We do have an agent but we really need to put bums on seats to be able to carry on touring. Geared up? Yeah, just throw the amps and drums in the van and head up or down the M1.
HD: In general it’s good to hear you sounding positive about the future of the band, I really do hope to hear more from you guys, you deserve it.
CO: Thanks mate. When someone says that, I always think of the film 'Unforgiven' with Clint Eastwood. He plays the part of an old gunfighter and at the end he has his foot on Gene Hackmans chest and is about to blow his brains out and Gene Hackman say's, "I don't deserve this, I was building a house..." Clint just says, " 'Deserve' has got nothing to do with it" and promptly pulls the trigger. And that's it really isn't it?
So there you have it, bang over to https://soundcloud.com/#sixbysevensoundcloud/truce to hear 'Truce' from the new album, it's a brooding beast of a track
Then head over to http://www.chrisolley.com/gigs.cfm and get a ticket to see them live, because 'Deserve' in this case really does apply
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)