Good things come to those who wait. At least, they do if you’re a music fan; for musicians, good things only come to those who put in endless hours, days, weeks, months, and years of gruelling and brutal hard work. Bearing this in mind, Crooked Trees‘ emergence from the often precipitous world of Kickstarter crowdfunding is a very good thing indeed. Read more…
The Boileroom team sure know how to throw the quietest (or at least best-soundproofed) album launch parties in town. Read more…
Absorbing rather than alienating, feel-filled instead of soul drainingly self-indulgent, and valuing honesty over obfuscation and pretentiousness: Artery is the kind of album you’ll be listening to until you’re old and grey if you afford it the time to sink beneath your skin. Read more…
When I saw Kyshera support LA alt-rock legends Boy Hits Car in Camden, I was blown away by their relentlessly aggressive, self-consciousness-free energy. That same energy forces itself unstoppably through headphones and screen on this track and its accompanying video. Read more…
Drummers get an unfair amount of stick. Even the most talented skin-beaters can only dream of escaping the stream of endless drummer jokes, such as:
Q: How do you know when a drummer’s at your door?
A: The knocking speeds up.
Q: What’s the last thing a drummer says before getting fired?
A: “Hey guys – why don’t we try one of my songs?”
Q: What do you say to a drummer in a suit?
A: “Will the defendant please rise?” Read more…
Although current events are calling much attention to The Boileroom’s soundproofing, personally I’m starting to think they should allow at least a little noise to escape. Sitting in the beer garden running through emails, I almost forgot there was a gig on and could easily have missed: Read more…
Songs like this make me proud to be British. Musically, our underground alt-rock scene is thriving right now, packed full of frequently mathy and always epic tunes – and Atiptoe are doing more than their fair share with tracks like Sir Real. Read more…
Here’s how to spot a professional band:
1) They throw themselves into their performance from note one, needing next to no time to get into it.
2) They make you want to move the moment they start playing. Your body tells you that you’re in the presence of greatness before your brain does.
3) Their playing is airtight, every instrument blending together flawlessly – and what’s more, it all looks effortless.
4) Their songs are performed with such passion and intensity that you cannot look away.
5) They actively communicate with each other onstage. Nobody is shut away in their own little bubble.
6) The band in question put in the effort regardless of audience size, venue, or time of day.
Even if I’d never heard of RedTower, Natassja Saliba, Rob Chapman, Rabea Massaad, Ben Minal, or Dave Hollingworth (the latter of whom were taking a break from recording Dorje’s debut album to session here), I’d have been in no doubt as to their calibre from the moment this low-key late afternoon showcase started. Read more…
Tapestry
When the opening band kicks off with a riff that transports you back to the glory days of alt-metal, you know it’s going to be a good night. Read more…
This is more like it.
When I last reviewed twothirtytwo, I wasn’t too impressed. But on this four-track extended player, things are very very different indeed. Gone are the awful drum sounds, below-par production and scrappy guitar tones; this is a complete 180-degree turn from what came before. Read more…