Not been so wet recently as summer seems to have graced Shit Island so let’s give you a few tunes to mull over on your Monday travels to work.  first up from Derby brothers Johnny and George Marriott, PET NEEDS play fractured party music (apparently)  so you decide but we think ‘How To Perfectly Pretend’ is a pretty good introduction to the band that I’m sure we’ll all be hearing a lot more form.

 

 

If that didn’t impress you how about this bunch of loons. Dboys is the name punk fuckin’ rock is their game.  Check out this video before we hit you with a live review this very week.

Finally, take a squizz at this absolute cracker courtesy of Hillbilly Moon Explosion.  Sparky from Demented Are Go features on ‘Jackson’ taken from their new album out this week on Jungle records.

The Minack is an open-air theatre carved into the cliff face at Porthcurno, 4 miles from Lands End, in the South of Cornwall. It is one of the most spectacular venues in the world, with the most dramatic, natural backdrops you could ever imagine. Seeing a band here has always been on my bucket list, but the opportunity or the right band has never arisen…until now.

The Levellers have been a constant on my stereo for over 25 years. I first saw them live at an Anti Nazi League festival at Brockwell Park in ’94 with The Manics and Credit To The Nation. At the time they were at their peak, they even headlined the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury that year. I had already been force fed them for 12 months by my flat mate, but they didn’t really click with me, not until I saw them live.

 

It’s a beautiful day (no pun intended)! With no chance of rain or even a cloud in the sky, we take to our seats and admire the beautiful setting, as the sun slowly disappears behind us and the green/blue waves lap against the rocks below us, as if they are also trying to get a glimpse and join in with the fun.

Pictures can’t really do the surroundings any justice and it is difficult to describe how steep the incline is. Let’s just say, if you suffer from vertigo this would not be your ideal evening.

The seating areas are granite pews, many areas covered with grass as padding for your weary ass. The stage area is also granite; to the left a smaller circular raised stage framed by an archway that leads out to the cliffs and the sea.

This is the first of two sold-out shows and the venue is at its maximum 750 capacity. So we squeeze in and take our seats, as around us rockers, ravers and lovers settle for the evening with tinnies and pasties or just a hot coffee for company. As we await 3 Daft Monkeys, it’s clear that bringing a jacket and a flask of Jack Daniels was definitely a good idea.

 

3 Daft Monkeys have been around for nearly 20 years and have regularly supported The Levellers. The Cornish-based four-piece are a full-on gypsy folk band of the highest order. And their good time party songs are the perfect warm up. Singer Tim Ashton is an engaging frontman, along with fiddle player Athene Roberts, who looks like she has stepped out of a Somerset field circa 1994, a drummer who has no drumsticks and a bassist with one too many strings on his bass. They insist on crowd participation, in part to try and attract the dolphins, which sadly never appear.

While the inclusion of three members playing tin whistles is a bit twee for my tastes, overall it’s an entertaining and enjoyable set, full of mournful fiddle and quirky lyrics. The likes of ‘Year Of The Clown’ and ‘Days Of The Dance’ offer much, and it’s easy to see why these guys are regulars on the summer festival circuit.

High energy tunes with rustic, Parisian charm. 3 Daft Monkeys are best seen in a tent at 2am with a can of cider in your hand and a doobie in the other. Well worth checking out.

The years have been good to The Levellers. They may no longer be the angry punks they were in the 90’s, but their socially conscious message is even more relevant than it was 25 years ago. While the touring and record releases are more sporadic then they were back in the day, the band still have something to say. And now they have their own record label and their very own Beautiful Days festival to continue doing things on their own terms.

 

If you have heard the recent ‘We The Collective’ album, then you will know what to expect from an acoustic Levellers show. Tonight, the 6 piece band are joined by a string section and an extra percussionist. With a set that mixes up both old and new songs, deconstructed and rearranged, to bring something new to something old.

Vibrant string arrangements take charge as acoustics and keys take a background role. Opener ‘Exodus’ is a sprawling, cinematic piece of beauty, as 3 violins and a lone cello work the melodies in perfect harmony for vocalist Mark Chadwick to deliver his, still fiery vocals.

The chorus of ‘England My Home’ still bursts with the energy and the passion it did 30 years ago. Beautiful vocal harmonies intertwine with fiddles, strings and banjo, as we breathe the salty sea air.

It’s a chilled affair and ‘Edge Of The World’ and even ‘Alone In This Darkness’ seems quite fitting, as we chillax and watch the surroundings slowly disappear as the world around us ushers in the night and the hues of blues and gentle reds and oranges projected from above, slowly take over and silhouette the band.

 

The Simon Friend led tunes seem especially poignant and emotive tonight. ‘Elation’ With didgeridoo action and beautiful, haunting backing vocals from the cello player, give extra special mystical and celtic vibes. And ‘Men-An-Tol’, well it just seems to have been written to be played right here and right now.

The usually animated bassist Jeremy Cunningham takes a background role and is not involved in several songs musically. He sits, ever smiling, nods his head and sings along, his heavy red dreads bouncing along with the beat. Every now and again he looks up at the crowd as if he has just remembered where he is, transfixed by a view even he and his well travelled band are not that used to.

Old favourites such as ‘Julie’ and ‘Hope Street’ get a welcome airing alongside lesser known tracks such as ‘Drugs Bust McGee’ and ‘61 Minutes Of Pleading’ in a great set that ends with the obligatory crusty anthem ‘One Way’.

‘Subvert’ with its stabs of strings and dramatic drums is like a call to arms and takes things to another level, love it. And the sublime encore of ’15 Years’ proves you can take an upbeat classic, take it down a notch or two and still breathe new life into an old dog.

These beautiful surroundings are not far from where I grew up, and witnessing a band I admire sing a bunch of songs that I have loved for many years, it’s almost a spiritual experience. I can’t say I have ever seen a band play a gig with the sea as their backdrop, and I hope the opportunity arises again.

The gods shone down and granted us the perfect weather for The Levellers to entertain in a setting that is perfect for their music. It sure was a beautiful day.

Author: Ben Hughes

Pictures courtesy of  Roz Hughes

 

Nuclear Blast are delighted to announce the release of Black Star Riders new studio album “Another State Of Grace” on the 6thSeptember 2019. The band will support the record with a full UK and Ireland tour in October 2019 with additional dates in other territories to be announced in the near future.

The album is available on CD, vinyl and vinyl picture disc, limited edition boxset and limited edition light green vinyl. Full album tracklisting for all formats below:

“Another State Of Grace” sees the band deliver another stunning collection of songs. The bands new members Chad Szeliga (Drums) and Christian Martucci (Lead Guitar) further developing the band’s burgeoning reputation as one of the most essential contemporary rock acts. Recorded at Sphere Studios in Burbank, California in February 2017, “Another State Of Grace” was produced & mixed by Jay Ruston (Stone Sour, Anthrax, Uriah Heep).

After a long period off the road, Black Star Riders are back with a 15 date UK & Ireland Tour with special guests Stone Broken and Wayward Sons. Dates for Black Star Riders 2019 UK & Ireland Tour are:

Thursday 10thOctober                                   O2 Academy, Bristol
Friday 11thOctober                                         Corn Exchange, Cambridge
Saturday 12thOctober                                    O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Sunday 13thOctober                                       William Aston Hall, Wrexham
Wednesday 16thOctober                              Academy, Dublin *
Thursday 17thOctober                                   Limelight, Belfast *
Friday 18thOctober                                         Braehead Arena, Glasgow
Saturday 19thOctober                                    O2 Academy, Newcastle
Sunday 20thOctober                                       Rock City, Nottingham
Tuesday 22ndOctober                                    De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill
Wednesday 23rdOctober                              O2 Academy, Bournemouth
Thursday 24thOctober                                   University Great Hall, Cardiff
Friday 25thOctober                                         Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
Saturday 26thOctober                                    O2 Academy, Leeds
Sunday 27thOctober                                       O2 Ritz, Manchester

* BSR and Stone Broken Only    § BSR Only as Guests to Saxon
Tickets are on sale now.
For Ticket Info please visit www.blackstarriders.com

‘Forever’ is the new album from alt-country rebels Vandoliers. Following their first two albums ‘Ameri-Kinda’ (2016) and ‘The Native’ (2017), ‘Forever’ is their first record to be released through Bloodshot Records.

Hailing from Dallas, Vandoliers are among the new wave of country music coming out of Texas. Blending classic country styles with triumphant and punchy punk rock, the band soaks up many of the subgenres that surround them. If you want blues, country, rock ‘n’ roll and a touch of cowpunk and Tejano, this album has it all.

The album kicks off with ‘Miles and Miles’, and steeped in country fiddle the song offers that typically American sound of roadworn weariness, a theme that can be found throughout, such as in ‘Sixteen Years’ and ‘Nowhere Fast’, with the added interest of Tejano sounds that are made full use of throughout. If you’re expecting a record full of lyrics about spit, sawdust, fist-fights and lonesome nights, you won’t be disappointed. While some songs, such as ‘Troublemaker’ are forceful, unapologetically raucous numbers, songs such as ‘Fallen Again’ and ‘Cigarettes in the Rain’ offer a more introspective theme.

The album consistently lies on the edge of a well-produced chaos. And while the slick production represents a very modern band, (just listen to the harmonies and melodies of the poppy ‘All on Black’) the songwriting and wide array of instruments ensure that the record crashes energetically from one song to the next. It rarely lets up. ‘Shoshone Rose’ manages to combine a lot of it into one song – from an opening reminiscent of ZZ Top’s ‘Rhythmeen’, it tumbles effortlessly into something both country and pop.

‘Forever’ is a confident and boastful album mixing classic Americana with modern, full production. The country sounds, punk attitude and anthemic choruses places Vandoliers somewhere between Social Distortion, Rank and File and the Dropkick Murphys, and fans of any of these would certainly find something to enjoy here.

Author: Craggy Collyde

Buy ‘Forever’: Here

As part of Alt-Rockers Press Clubs European Tour their Cardiff date was the final headline show on the tour and opening tonight are PeachFuzz who are a three-piece band from Bridgend and are the vehicle for the excellent songsmith that is Adam Jones.  tonight they open up with a short but sweet burst through their box of excellently crafted songs such as ‘Where Do I Stand’ and ‘Kicking My Heart Around’ and the audience warms to their craft as Adam shows that its not only the likes of Bob Mould or Evan Dando who can write great alternative music and turn the guitars up just as they were hitting their stride with ‘Down To Me’ and ‘Lets Get Healed’ it was time to call it a night but I’m sure anyone in the audience who was new to their songs would have been impressed with what they heard.

Next up were human Heat and their alternative tunes – again a three-piece again influenced by the American College scene of Dinosaur Jr and Husker Du but quite different to Peachfuzz the band alternated between the two vocalists for their Emo screamo tunage. There seemed to be a lot of Against Me happening at times as well as big dollops of Taking Back Thursday but whilst they went down well it wasn’t really my thing at all.

Then came the headliners led by the hyperactive  Natalie Foster who couldn’t stand still and led from the front with a wonderful voice full of passion and conviction.  She drew every ounce out of her performance as she worked the room really well. the band sounded like a band who’d been on the road a while and were comfortable with their surroundings as they crashed through songs like the rush of ‘Let It Fall’ or the anthemic ‘Crash’ but the band have enough catchy songs that will see them a success and the obvious work ethic that sees them travel halfway around the world to entertain a room full of strangers in Cardiff.

Seemingly genuinely chuffed that people are into what they are about and singing along to songs like the epic ‘My Bodys Changing’ and the excellent ‘Suburbia’ the album ‘Late Teens’ was obviously well represented and for the hour on stage they showed a hunger and passion for the music that was infectious and a joy to behold.  I’m sure the next time they sweep through South Wales it won’t be in the small room of Clwb Ifor on a school night it’ll be a much bigger room regardless of what night of the week.  Great effort guys see you again no doubt.

 

 

 

Author: Dom Daley

Bandcamp: Press Club

Bandcamp: Human Heat

Bandcamp: Peachfuzz

ANNOUNCE BRAND NEW ALBUM

FROM HERE

RELEASED ON AUG 23RD VIA EAR MUSIC

PRE-ORDER HERE

 

HUGE UK & EUROPEAN TOUR THIS AUTUMN

Tickets On Sale Now­

Website / My ticket

 

It is often said that the album is dead. We don’t believe this is true”

– Justin, Michael, Dean, Marshall and Ceri

 

In October 1980 three musicians took to the stage in their hometown of Bradford to play a gig under the name New Model Army. Led by frontman and songwriter Justin Sullivan, this was the start of a remarkable journey which, almost 40 years on, has seen New Model Army develop a fervent worldwide fanbase and reach multiple milestones of both creative and commercial success.

 

Members have changed over the years and musical styles have evolved but at the heart of the band Justin has remained, along with a distinct and sincere belief in the power of music to inspire and effect change on a personal and political scale, both locally and globally. With the band’s hugely acclaimed albums Between Dog And Wolf (2013) and Winter (2016) bringing renewed critical appreciation, chart success and an ever-growing audience of new fans to join the legion of faithful devotees, New Model Army return in 2019 with one of the finest records of their career.

 

From Here was recorded earlier this year on the tiny Norwegian island of Giske at the beautiful Ocean Sound Recordings studio and reflects the spectacular isolation of that environment yet has profound messages for the world we all live in and the times we are experiencing.

 

“We all have different lives and different tastes in almost everything, including music”, say the band. “One thing we have in common is the love of bleak, open, cold, rugged landscapes – water, snow, rock. So this was the perfect place for us to work on something collectively – at all times while we were working, we could look up and see the sky, the sea and melting snow on the mountains, all in a constant state of change. So this album has a feel that is different to our other albums, but it still contains all the elements that characterise our peculiarly unidentifiable music – perhaps even more than ever. And ‘From Here’ was an obvious title. The record belongs to a very special place and a particular time – what is happening in the world, where we are as a band and where we are as people.”

 

For a taste of the music and the environment in which it was recorded, click here

 

The album will be released on August 23rd via EarMusic, ahead of a major UK & European tour later this year.

 

From Here will be available as a CD Hardcover Mediabook, Double 180g-Vinyl Gatefold and Digital. A Strictly Limited 2LP Splattered Vinyl-Edition, a Limited 7” Vinyl Single and various bundles will be available via an exclusive direct to consumer: web shop

All tour dates, updates and more information to be found: www.newmodelarmy.org

 

 

 

Camden Rocks Stage Times are here in all their glory!

There’ll be free festival programmes with a clashfinder timetable and festival map available for all festival goers from the wristband exchange on the day.

Remaining tickets are available here!

HARD ROCK HELL announce HRH ROAD TRIP XI – IBIZA 2020, which is being held on 6th to 13th May 2020. The line up includes: SKINDREDTED POLEY (Danger Danger), REEFJOE LYNN TURNERJOHN COGHLAN’S QUOLA GUNSJIZZY PEARL’SLOVE/HATETEN YEARS AFTERWAYWARD SONSSEETHING AKIRAMASSIVEMIDNITE CITY, and more to be announed!

 

Bands – Bikes – Beers – Boats – Brotherhood: The 5 cornerstones of HRH Road Trips– the ultimate rock’n’roll holiday.

Held annually on the world-famous holiday island of Ibiza, the HRH RoadTrip has grown from its humble beginnings 10 years ago to become one of rock and metals most celebrated events.

The event attracts world famous rock and metal artists – such as HawkwindWhitesnake’s Bernie MarsdenMotorhead’s Phil CampbellReefRainbow’s Joe Lynn TurnerSkindredGirlschoolLA Guns and The Quireboys – to play and soak up the sun and unique atmosphere of the Spanish leg of Hard Rock Hell.

Over 4000 rock fans attended this year’s event making it the biggest yet – and next year is shaping up to be even bigger and better.

 

Doesn’t matter if it’s lazing by the pool with banging tunes in the background, making shapes on the most famous dancefloors in the world such as Eden or taking in the spectacular sunsets on the beach … there’s something for everyone.

HRH Magazine’s Adam Kennedy had this to say about this year’s event “With the unpredictable nature of British summertime weather, a five-day hard rock festival located on the Balearic Island of Ibiza doesn’t seem like such a bad idea. You can leave those wellies at home, put your tent away, and comfortably enjoy the diverse bill of entertainment on display without worrying about having to dredge through muddy fields or being washed away by the rain.

As the White Isle awakens from its annual winter hibernation, flocks of revellers will arrive at the party capital of the world as HRH takes over San Antonio’s hotels, bars, and legendary night spots. The event itself once again offers a comprehensive bill of both established and emerging talent whilst encompassing acts that represent many of HRH festival’s different brands. There will also be the chance to take part in Ibiza traditions such as the customary HRH bike ride, pool and boat parties, or take the opportunity to experience the island’s world-famous sunsets with an early evening boat trip.

When Axl Rose penned the lyrics to Paradise City, he could well have been thinking about a location not too dissimilar to San Antonio. At the heart of Ibiza’s Rock n Roll paradise is one of the island’s most beloved super clubs “Eden”. Every year HRH Road Trip will take-over the famed night club and its many different rooms for the duration of the event. Nestled away between San Antonio Bay and the world-famous nightlife of San Antonio town, the 5,000 capacity club is the perfect spot to host an event such as HRH RTX.

Described by one festival punter as being like ‘Download with a pool’ HRH RTX entails several music filled days and plenty of sun, sea and San Miguel plus of course a healthy mix of rock, blues, metal, stoner and prog that will keep the party going until the wee hours during four music-filled club nights.”

HRH Road Trip XI is being held on 6th to 13th May 2020.  For all the details and packages visit www.hrhroadtrip.com or call 044+ 207 193 1164.

Re-scheduled the Rolling Stones US and Canada tour dates. As of today, we are delighted to announce the new dates and all of the cities from the previous postponed shows are locked in, starting at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 21st and including a brand new date in New Orleans!

 

JUNE 2019

21 – Soldier Field CHICAGO, IL

25 – Soldier Field CHICAGO, IL

29 – Burl’s Creek ONTARIO, CANADA

JULY 2019

03 – FedExField WASHINGTON, DC

07 – Gillette Stadium FOXBORO, MA 

14 – Mercedes-Benz Superdome NEW ORLEANS, LA**

19 – TIAA Bank Field JACKSONVILLE, FL 

23 – Lincoln Financial Field PHILADELPHIA, PA 

27 – NRG Stadium HOUSTON, TX 

AUGUST 2019

01 – MetLife Stadium EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (original date was Jun 13)

05 – MetLife Stadium EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (original date was Jun 17)

10 – Broncos Stadium at Mile High DENVER, CO 

14 – CenturyLink Field SEATTLE, WA 

18 – Levi’s® Stadium SANTA CLARA, CA

22 – The Rose Bowl PASADENA, CA 

26 – State Farm Stadium GLENDALE, AZ 

31 – Hard Rock Stadium MIAMI, FL

 

Tickets sold for the original date will be honoured – fans do not need to exchange their tickets. Those who cannot attend the re-scheduled date can refund their tickets by accessing their Ticketmaster account. For transferred tickets, the refund will go to the fan who originally bought the tickets, once they have been transferred back. You can contact Ticketmaster here.

**Tickets for New Orleans will go on general sale Friday May 31, at 10am (local time). The pre-sale for the Rolling Stones mailing list will run from 10amon Wednesday May 29 to 10pm on Thursday May 30 (local time).

We apologise again for any inconvenience the re-scheduling of these dates may have caused you and hope to see you at a show very soon!

Oakland California has delivered more than its fair share of bands to the pantheons of Punk Rock and I’d like to shine a light once again into that corner of the globe and give a big shout out to The Neighbourhood Brats and their Claw Marks.

Neighborhood Brats were formed in December 2010 by vocalist Jenny Angelillo, guitarist George Rager, drummer Kirk Podell and bassist Jasmine Watson. Originally based in San Francisco, Rager and Angelillo (the band’s principal songwriters) relocated frequently around and between northern and southern California during the band’s formative years releasing an EP back in 2013 followed by an LP a year later.

I reviewed a single back about twelve months ago and was really impressed so it was always a no brainer that I would get my mitts on a long player if it was to show up and then hey presto ‘Claw Marks’ is dropped. I might be slightly behind the curve but hey that’s punk rock for you and it takes a while to make it over to certain corners of this cursed island.

With Jenny and George being the two mainstays in the band and other musicians being utilised as and when claw Marks has a great flow to it.  From the fast-paced melodic opener, ‘Dear Angelo’ Jenny’s vocals sound like she’s pacing herself for a marathon and not a sprint even if the rapid rhythm is more Bolt than a gentle stroll and that pace is carried through the first three songs with ‘Late Stage Capitalism’ being the pick of the opening salvo. some great guitar soloing to boot before the breakdown.

‘Night Shift’ is up next and it still sounds great and you have to love the furious piano tonking which also adds variety. Damn ‘Misery Parade’ is a blast and the playing is tight as fuck through the chord changes. The songs are relentless in their pursuit of each other as one hurtles out of the traps and bursts into flames the next one is along in the blink of an eye. With only a few time changes here and there it’s pretty one-paced (fast) I know its not that much of a stretch but imagine nomeansno playing the DK’s on ‘Nina’s ghost’ then we have a bit of a swerve with the pop melody of ‘Down 3rd’ before normal service is resumed for the closer ‘Touching The Void’ in fairness it mixes it up by not hurtling along in a wall of noise.  It’s certainly an interesting album and has a style and is undeniably West coast in its DNA the songs are tight and the pair have worked hard to perfect them and its paid off.  If you want fast tight punk with a bit of edge and great lyrics then ‘Claw Marks’ is what you should be reaching for.  Before they record their third at least!

 

Buy Claw Marks Here

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Author: Dom Daley