Reviews

Dials – ‘Dials’ [Review]

Opinion

Since Paris, nothing has been quite the same. Despite my silence here, the last few weeks have been extremely productive – the novel project that originated with this post has occupied almost every spare moment I’ve had (bar a visit to the Boileroom to check out the excellent Wilde Eyes supporting The Computers) and as a result I’ve been neglecting The Musical Melting Pot a little bit. Hopefully those of you who enjoyed those fiction-flavoured posts will forgive me for this. For the rest of you, let me introduce you to an EP by one of Guildford’s hardest-working bands: the most excellent Dials. Read more…

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Posted on 25 November 2013

Live Reviews

The Computers / Wilde Eyes / The Greasy Slicks [Live Review – The Boileroom, Guildford, 20/11/13]

Opinion

The Greasy Slicks

I made a pretty big mistake in missing these guys. I timed my arrival with the start of Wilde Eyes’ set, but by the end of the evening I wished I’d experienced some more rock ‘n’ roll awesomeness. I’m told these guys delivered in spades, and now very much regret missing them. Read more…

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Posted on 20 November 2013

Reviews

Mr Tom: ‘King & Queen EP’ [Review]

Opinion

I think I need to move to Southampton. Those of you who have been following the Musical Melting Pot social media feeds have most likely noted my love of math-pop quartet Signals; now, having discovered ‘indie banger pop’ band Mr Tom, my loyalty to Guildford is becoming somewhat tested. Read more…

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Posted on 03 November 2013

Live Reviews

Doomed From Day One / Dye The Flux / Stone Giants / Change Persona / Origami Hearts [Live Review – Surrey Uni, 31/10/13]

Opinion

Change Persona

Unfortunately I missed the evening’s openers, Origami Heart – but Change Persona kicked off my evening with a fun and entertaining set of well-practiced punk tunes. Throw in a Sum 41 cover, an enthusiastic crowd, and a frontman in a dress, and you have all the signs of an act with great punk-centric potential. Nice job! Read more…

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Posted on 01 November 2013

Live Reviews

Dials / Yearbook / Insurgents / Red Kites [Live Review – The Boileroom, Guildford, 18/10/13]

Opinion

I love the Guildford alt-rock scene’s current direction. There are so many fantastic bands strutting their stuff in the South East right now – and with this show, local promoters Genrebomb presented a sizeable crowd with no less than four up-and-coming new talents: Read more…

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Posted on 20 October 2013

Live Reviews

The First / Thousand Autumns / Jamie Lenman [Live Review – The Boileroom, Guildford, 11/10/13]

Opinion

Jamie Lenman (AKA Radu The Handsome)

If you had been scanning the Internet for a decent gig to head down to last night, come across the listing for this show, and then Googled the name of opening band Radu The Handsome, you wouldn’t have found anything to do with music (apart from the listing for this gig). You would, however, have found a ton of references to Vlad the Impaler’s allegedly homosexual brother, and perhaps his appearance in an obscure Doctor Who audio story. From this information you might have deduced that this band are a bit into Doctor Who, and might even suspect – rightly – that Radu the Handsome are not a real band at all, but Doctor Who illustrator and ex-Reuben frontman Jamie Lenman and his new band performing under a pseudonym.

But let’s be honest, that’s pretty unlikely. Read more…

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Posted on 12 October 2013

Reviews

Jamie Lenman: ‘Fizzy Blood / Pretty Please’ [Review]

Fiction

The first time I saw her, I was stunned. She is very angular, especially her face. A perfectly diagonal fringe, razor sharp forty-five-degree edge over diamonds of stark white eye shadow.  Precisely defined cheekbones flanking thin, horizontal lips. Black lipstick. A mathematically immaculate kind of beauty – the type that in more primitive times might have been hailed as proof of the existence of some deity or other. Read more…

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Posted on 02 October 2013

Reviews

Dorje: ‘Primordial Audio Chronicle’ [Review]

Fiction

It came without warning. The first telltale signs were almost blissful – a stately, charming set of beautiful and beatific tones that rippled serenely through the air. A false sense of security was erected, and promptly torn away. The first cracks showed in a shady and eclectic side alley, part of an only slightly larger cultural microcosm where esoteric individuals gathered to drink, be merry, and share countercultural views. Read more…

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Posted on 14 August 2013

Reviews

Falsense: ‘Death of a Hidden Influence’ [Review]

Fiction

All it took was a simple slip of the tongue, and vast armies instantly materialised, prepared and poised, ready for war. Breath became artillery; words, ammunition. The ground shook and shuddered with each perfectly synchronised step as hundred-foot-tall soldiers stomped determinedly across a kaleidoscopic, constantly shifting landscape. Read more…

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Posted on 12 August 2013

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