Tigers Of Junction Street – ‘Tigers Of Junction Street’ [Review]

tigers of junction streetI’m not sure if it’s too early to compare a band to Lostprophets, but I’m going to do it anyway. Until recently, that band was one of my favourite acts ever; regardless of what was cool at the time, Lostprophets were always able to blend it all into a fresh sound with a unique edge. Tigers Of Junction Street do much the same thing – and it’s completely won me over. Read more…

Posted on 26 July 2014

Nothing But Thieves / Passport To Stockholm / Andy Ruddy [Live Review – The Boileroom, Guildford, 21/7/14]

nothing but thievesAndy Ruddy

A really enjoyable acoustic-driven set showcasing plenty of great and engaging songs. Peaceful, serene, lush, and spacious new tunes hinted at serious future promise. Overall, a great start to the night. Read more…

Posted on 23 July 2014

The Xcerts / The Darling Buds / Tapestry [Live Review – The Boileroom, Guildford, 16/7/14]

the xcerts boileroomTapestry

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…

Posted on 17 July 2014

Pavilions – ‘Futures’ [Review]

This is really interesting. A true musical melting pot that barely contains a brew of pop, rock, and punk spiced up with plenty of brilliant musicianship and real songwriting nous, Futures is intense, solid, and gloriously beautiful. Super cool, and an unmistakable sign of greater things still to come. Read more…

Posted on 17 July 2014

Marco Minnemann – ‘EEPS’ [Review]

marco minnemann eeps

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If I’d recorded my reaction to this album’s opening bars, it’d be viral on YouTube by now. You have to ask: How does this guy do it? Most drummers would struggle with that very first high-speed drum flourish, let alone everything that follows. Let’s get stuck in.

Cheap As Fuck And Awesome As Hell sounds like Jeff Beck at his finest. The guitar is brutally tortured, notes squeezed to within an inch of their lives, there’s a super-cool keyboard line and some immense effects, and it all adds up to a fusion tour-de-force that, you’d assume, was created by a group of virtuosi working in collaborative harmony.

Only…it isn’t. On EEPS, Marco Minnemann plays everything. Everything. Vinnie Colaiuta may well be known as “The Alien”, but maybe it’s time that nickname jumped ship. Read more…

Posted on 16 July 2014

twothirtytwo – ‘The Hope We Had’ [Review]

twothirtytwo The Hope We Had art workThis 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…

Posted on 15 July 2014

For Astronauts And Satellites – ‘For Astronauts And Satellites’ [Review]

for astronauts and satellitesWhen I discovered this band, they were opening a show at The Boileroom. Judging by that set and this seven-tracker, it won’t be long before you’ll spot them playing much higher up the list. Read more…

Posted on 14 July 2014

Black Peaks – ‘Closer To The Sun’ [Review]

black peaks closer to the sun

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There are three kinds of bands: Those who sound good on record, those who sound good live, and those who do both. Ideally, every band would fit the third mould – but even if that were the case, Black Peaks would still stand out by a dozen country miles. Read more…

Posted on 13 July 2014

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