LIVE: THE BLACK ANGELS – 17/09/2013
– GORILLA, MANCHESTER – Considered by many these days to be among the top tier of neo-psychedelic bands, there are some who look no higher than The Black Angels. Well worthy of this type of lofty praise, their style of late night psychedelia is good enough to impress on first listen – or to put it bluntly, blow your f***ing mind. After being exposed to the hype surrounding this band, I was spiraled into repeated listenings, leading to new insights and an even greater... Read More
Album Review: Mark Lanegan – Imitations
Mark Lanegan has never been busier, but the abundance of projects he has taken on over the last two years hasn’t diluted the downtrodden intensity of his work. If anything, his identity as a musician has flourished, and despite much of his work being collaborative he still manages to make his presence felt alongside equally individual artists and produce tracks that bear the hallmarks of his evolving vocal and lyrical style. So, with some of his most accomplished work behind... Read More
LIVE: CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN – 18/09/2013
– NIGHT & DAY CAFE, MANCHESTER – One of the great things about radio is being able to switch it on and listen to a new band. Actually, even to listen to an old song from a classic band is what can make you feel great. It’s all closely linked, as you know each band has some influence from another artist/group and so it becomes a musical round about if you will. So listening to Catfish and the Bottlemen on Radio 1 being played by the likes of radio legend Zane... Read More
LIVE: YOUNGHUSBAND – 17/09/2013
– THE CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER – Younghusband or Young*Husband as they sometimes like to be called was initially a bedroom project of Euan Hinshelwood. Hinshelwood had been in a number of bands but when these failed to develop, he began to write and record his own music and after a few low-key releases , lead to him recruiting a permanent band with his friends Pete Baker (drums/pads), Adam Beach (guitar/keys), Joe Chilton (bass/vocals), who have also been members... Read More
NEWS: THE WAVE PICTURES – NEW ALBUM ‘CITY FORGIVENESS’ + TOUR
No, there is no time-machine trickery going on here and we haven’t just skipped twenty years into the future: in their new video for ‘Lisbon’, The Wave Pictures’ rope in their dads to take over performance duties, and they certainly get into the spirit and show their offspring how it’s done. The single is released digitally on 21st October via Moshi Moshi.The band also head off on their extensive UK tour SEPTEMBER 19 – LIVERPOOL, Kazimar 20... Read More
NEWS: TOP LESS – ‘DANGER LOVE’ VIDEO
Forming as a band while living overseas in Scotland, Top Less now calls Canada home. Hooky vocals, lush multi-layered synth arrangements, thick bass lines and catchy guitars run Top Less through the gamut of electro, dance and glam pop. The lyrics, often ironic and kitsch, strike at the heart of young relationships, partying and friendship. Their larger than life shows are packed full of theatrical content including costume, dance performance, glitter, props and massive video... Read More
NEWS: TWISTED REEL – INTIMATE SCREENING OF CULT CLASSIC ‘WILD STYLE’
Before Hip-Hop became synonymous with guns, bitches and bling, it was all about good music, breakdancing and graffiti… Twisted Reel, the new music based film night to hit Manchester kicks off with a bang with a special screening of ‘Wild Style’ the 8o’s Hip Hop film classic. Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of this seminal film’s release, Twisted Reel’s Wild Style night will bring Charlie Ahearn’s film to the big-ish screen for the first time for many. Acknowledged... Read More
NEWS: CAVFEST – A PRIMARY SCHOOL EVENT LIKE NO OTHER
If you thought the Prime Minister playing ‘Killing Me Softly’ at a primary school at the end of Love, Actually was far-fetched… well maybe you need to think again. If your usual primary school organises a fund-raiser, it is probably unlikely to tear up any trees in the playground or lift any roofs from the main hall. However, this is Manchester and things are a little different in this city. Here, the school is Cavendish Primary, in Didsbury and when they hold a fundraiser,... Read More
LIVE: THE ORWELLS – 13/09/2013
– SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER – Looking around, there is no shortage of garage rock crawling out of the bins in every suburb and back alley of America, infecting itself among the fuzz-demented noise craving youth. That being said, barely legal Chicago five-piece The Orwells fit this mould of what you might call yet another “underground revival”, catching the ears of today’s mud hungry counter-culture with every rare EP release. The Orwells have been... Read More
LIVE: GIANT DRAG / BAD GRAMMAR – 13/09/2013
– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – I’ve been wanting to see Manchester based duo, Bad Grammar for quite a while now and somehow it just never happens, so I’m glad to finally make it to the building of their gig. Upon entrance my attention is immediately diverted to the merchandise stand where I find some rather fetching Bad Grammar tie dyed t-shirts and also some rather beautiful Giant Drag tour posters. I am pleased to note that Bad Grammar singer/guitarist,... Read More
