LIVE REVIEW: STILL HOUSE PLANTS – THE WHITE HOTEL 17/04/2024

Isn’t it brilliant when something connects seamlessly, when something locks in perfectly? For jigsaw nerds it might be that final piece snapping into place to reveal the whole; it might be something as simple as the feel of a key turning to open a lock; it could be something more complex, like the final bit […]
There is something especially engaging about trios. I first became obsessed with the idea in the 1980s due to Big Flame. Slimmed down line-ups bring an element of clarity and demand that everyone’s contribution must be essential. Amongst post-punk acts of this size, the most notable have a frenetic quality, from The Minutemen through Big […]

ALBUM REVIEW – OBJECTIONS: OPTIMISTIC SIZING

LIVE REVIEW:THE ZUTONS – NEW CENTURY HALL 13/04/2024

Standing in the midst of a packed New Century Hall crowd, this feels like a big Saturday night out, a party to celebrate the return of a much loved band, and although they’ve only been away a few years, a rebirth of Zutons psych infused pop is well overdue. Having released the first new material […]
Aerial Salad were one of a good bunch of Manchester bands I was introduced to through Manchester Punk Festival 2022. Opening the Union stage on the festival’s first day, the band were my first introduction to the pool of local bands as a recent transplant to the area. At the time, the band were just […]

ALBUM REVIEW: AERIAL SALAD – R.O.I.

NINA SIMONE: BLACKBIRD – THE COLPIX RECORDINGS 1959-1963

There has always been something effortlessly cool about Nina Simone – that deep soulful voice, coupled with those lush piano tones and band arrangements, whether performing her own tunes or interpreting other people’s songs, there was no one remotely close to her when it came to captivating song deliveries. This treasure trove of delights pulls […]
‘Sportswashing’ may be a new term but examples can be seen well before the attempts made by Saudi Arabia and Qatar to cleanse their global reputation through engagement with top quality entertainment. In 1974, the country then named Zaire staged a World Heavyweight championship fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman known as the Rumble […]

ALBUM REVIEW – VARIOUS: CONGO FUNK! SOUND MADNESS FROM THE SHORES OF THE MIGHTY CONGO RIVER (KINSHASA/BRAZZAVILLE 1969-1982)

ALBUM REVIEW: BEDBUG – PACK YOUR BAGS, THE SUN IS GROWING

Album number four, ‘Pack Your Bags, The Sun Is Growing’ is a genuine down to earth album which is definitely worth your time., even if you may initially feel it’s out of your genre comfort zone, stick with it! Their sound keeps you in a meditative state of mind, just listen to “Halo on The […]
Comprising of former members of The Fall, plus other noted musicians from Lancashire and Yorkshire, Imperial Wax create a heady post punk sound which brims with both angst and optimism, resulting in an astounding second album, ‘Transquiliser’. We caught up with  Sam Curran (guitars/vocals)  Pete Greenway (guitars), Kieron Melling (drums) and Shane Standrill (bass) to […]

INTERVIEW: IMPERIAL WAX

ALBUM REVIEW – CHASTITY BELT: LIVE LAUGH LOVE

When you hear the words Live Laugh Love, you probably think of the insufferable self-affirmation posters, doormats, and other memorabilia that is designed to be as 100% overbearingly positive as possible. Chastity Belts version of this popular phrase is much more endearing. With the four-piece using it with a wink and a nod and exploring […]
The concept of a double album is something that most bands would never dare attempt. RAGE are not like most bands, though, and are celebrating their 40-year anniversary. To mark it unlike any other band, these German power and thrash metal veterans have unleashed a mammoth double album in a way only they could. Combining […]

ALBUM REVIEW – RAGE: AFTERLIFELINES