Head Noise – ‘Twisted Histories’ [Self-Released]

Head Noise – ‘Twisted Histories’ [Self-Released]

Those avant-garde punk-tinged electronic maestros Head Noise are back with their full-length second album, which comes hot on the heels of last year’s Metric Quid [Mini LP]. The group and their unrelenting assault on the mainstream are like a welcome blast of New Wave lushness in a world full of cut-copy-paste musical puppets.

Marking out their own niche/genre is a clever way of never fitting in, but still getting out there and winning fans on their own accord. With such an eclectic back catalogue, the band has now only gone and recorded a concept album, which is the most unpunk/new wave thing to do. However, doing so is also one of the most anti-establishment things a band like this can ever do.

Taken straight from their own press release is the following quote – With song topics about slapping bald dictators, inbred monarchs and fat men getting stuck in the bath – all to an Oddball Synthpunk and Electropop soundtrack – says it all.

This is the band for those who want something different from the mass-produced chart music of today.

Album opener ‘Primordial Soup’ comes complete with a keyboard riff from heaven, and serves as a great introduction to the madness that is coming. Following this up with the album’s lead single ‘Doin Science’ is something of a genius move as the band and their wacky frontman Mitchell Tennant combine the best elements of Electropop and Synthpunk and proceed to be the innovators that have no musical peers of any kind.

What can you honestly say about songs such as ‘Tojo Head Slap’, ‘Taft in the Bath’ and the future classic that is ‘Napolean Blown-Apart!’, thankfully the only words needed are brilliantly madcap and fantastic! To be honest, the whole album is a joy to listen to and for those who fancy something different from the norm – this is the band for you in all their glorious ’80s synthpunk, DEVO-esque greatness.

Stand-out tracks for me are the aforementioned single ‘ Doin Science’ and Tojo Head Slap’ along with ‘Habsbrug Gobstopper’ and ‘History of the Future’. The band will be celebrating the release of Twisted Histories with an album release show at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff on May 30, 2024 – So best get yourselves along to a show that will no doubt go down in musical history.

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Author: Dave Prince

FM – ‘Thirteen’ (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

FM – ‘Thirteen’ (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

While most bands of their ilk are resting on their laurels FM hit the road running with the release of Thirteen, coming hot on the heels of their double Tough It Out Live set from 2021. This album has no right in being as good as it is. Considering they are now only a few years away from hitting 40 years as a band. And the current line-up has been in place since 2008! With this album being produced by the band themselves, they having never sounded better or more on fire than they do over the 11 slabs of melodic rock gold.


Wasting no time, the album kicks into gear with a none more politically apt ‘Shaking The Tree’. When people mentioned singer Steve Overland’s voice it is normally in awe and this song proves that he can sing anything, no matter what the subject and make you want to fight, love and smile all at the same time. Single ‘Waiting for Love’ is more like what we have become accustomed too from the band, but even that sounds fresh and vibrant, especially in today’s musical climate. The flame is still burning for the page 7 stunner that is Steve Overland and I honestly do not think he has ever sounded this good.


As the band themselves continue to lay down some of the most awe-inspiring grooves, from Merv Goldsworthy’s tantalising bass lines, to Pete Jupp’s backbone drumming and Jim Kirkpatrick’s sizzling solos and last but least Jem Davis glorious keys of parp, the band can do no wrong.


Just like the big hitters of the AOR scene any of these songs could be singles as they are all, that good.
Clearly the band are enjoying and relishing their moment in the sun again. And so they should, as this album is up there with their best.

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Author: Dave Prince