LIVE: Super Furry Animals - Club Quattro – Osaka, Japan, Nov 24th 2009

Ahh SFA, one of those bands that you never quite know what to expect when you go to watch them. As I’ve pretty much liked the band ever since they released the major debut Fuzzy Logic, I have grown up with them and watched them evolve from the young fresh faced happy go lucky Brit pop pioneers that they started out as, to these five middle aged men, who three of which have more hair between them than an entire army of Ewoks and two with less hair than Harry Hill.

Written by: Whitters | Date: Thursday, 26 November 2009

Alphabeat Take London Crowd to Pop Heaven

Make no mistakes about it, Alphabeat make totally addictive, pure pop music. But Alphabeat are more than a guilty pleasure; simply because no one should feel embarrassed or guilty in liking or bopping along to these excitable Danes. Their sound is in your face; lights flashing, beats pumping and girl’s screaming at the top of their lungs. The question is, what’s not to like about it?! NME once described them as the best band from Scandinavia, bar Abba. And with a second album out now, The Spell, the British public are clearly enchanted by their magic.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Thursday, 19 November 2009

LIVE: Motorhead at Newport Centre - 13th Nov 2009

Another year and another circuit of Motorhead gigs, this time at Newport Centre, South Wales, on the second night of their current UK tour, the trio led their troops through another head-splitting set of the dirtiest Rock ‘n’ Roll imaginable – all with the amps up to ‘11’!

Written by: Jon Stickler | Date: Sunday, 15 November 2009

LIVE: The Young Republic Offer a Mixed Bag at Cargo

The Young Republic are an American band who play American music. Hailing from the south’s musical hub Nashville, Tennessee, their sound is one that has grown from the dusty country roots of that area of the world. The 6 piece collective draw inspiration from all over, sweeping a net across country, bluegrass, jazz, rock and alternative to form their distinctive music. And it is one that definitely grabs your attention.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Tuesday, 10 November 2009

REVIEW: Q Awards - New To Q: HMV Forum Has Faith in Paloma

In the final of six shows for Q Magazine’s Sunday Awards ceremony, the HMV Forum in Kentish Town was home to an eclectic mix of 2009’s more notable new kids on the block. Q served up a selection of folk foot tapping beats, Kanye West influenced tunes and extravagant soulful sounds.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Friday, 30 October 2009

REVIEW: Wolfmother Rock The London Coronet, But Band Of Skulls Lead Pack

Wolfmother entertained an expectant pack of music fans last week, hungry for rock and salivating for roll. Up for the first course were Band Of Skulls. And the Southampton trio, served up five Michelin Stars. Their sound was brash, overwhelming and bounced off the walls of the London Coronet, wrapping the audience in a bubbling cocoon of sound. If none of the audience knew them before, they most definitely made sure they did after. The musical coupling of the Kills-esque male/female singer provided an excellent balance of vocals, bathed in both thumping basslines and crashing riffs. After half an hour of pure sex and Americana, the pulsing audience were well and truly warmed up.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Wednesday, 28 October 2009

REVIEW: Voluntary Butler Scheme - Trading Things In (Single)

Voluntary Butler Scheme is the precious creation of one man, Rob Jones. The Birmingham based solo band-man uses his home studio to create most of this music, making debut album At Breakfast, Dinner, Tea armed with an arsenal of instruments – including a kazoo and a ukulele; a man after any music lover’s heart, I think you’d agree.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2009

REVIEW: Twin Atlantic - Vivarium

Glasgow is a pretty exciting place for music right now. An upsurge of talent is starting to spew from the busy city, throwing us delights that rock and/or roll without losing the home grown twang, instead using it as an extra weapon in their musical arsenal. And emo-rock newboys, Twin Atlantic, are the latest offering from this creative city.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2009

LIVE: The Maccabees @ Brixton Academy

The Maccabees are like that lovely fuzzy feeling you get when you’re in love. Their first, Colour It In, was fun, fast and full of youthful bounce, bursting at the seams with track after track of pure indie energy. Whilst their second, Wall Of Arms, is a more mature outing. Their songs immersed in more epic waters, built for bigger things, bigger venues, and a promise that this band are growing from strength to strength. The Maccabees music is quite simply, a joy to behold.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Friday, 09 October 2009

LIVE: Stereophonics - Cardiff Castle - 3rd Oct 2009

Stereophonics, supported by the GLC, set Cardiff Castle jumping this Saturday afternoon when their special, one-off gig finally landed. Cardiff Castle is an unusual venue. It doesn’t seem that big from the outside, but when you pass through the huge, reinforced gates it all gets a bit Tardis. The fairy-tale buildings and battlements can’t help but add something special to a performance inside. It’s also a good job they knew how to build them sturdy back then, otherwise the Phonics and their fans would have done some serious structural damage.

Written by: Saard | Date: Sunday, 04 October 2009

REVIEW: Porcupine Tree - The Incident

It’s difficult to imagine when Steve Wilson actually sleeps. The Porcupine Tree lead singer is not only the driving force behind PT, this year he produced his own solo album, Insurgentes; collaborated in No-Man, an experimental rock outfit; AND writes music with friend Aviv Geffin for their band Blackfield. He is possibly the hardest working man in music.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Wednesday, 30 September 2009

LIVE: Band Of Skulls Rock A Barfly Buzz

It’s been quite a 12 months for the Southampton based Band Of Skulls. Back in November 2008, the 2-boy-one-girl trio were recording under the alias Fleeing New York as virtual unknowns. Veritable virgins of the music industry. Skip to October 2009, and things have changed. They have just released a brilliant, very complete and debut album – Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, are touring the country’s coolest venues and, rather more impressively; are featuring on the soundtrack of the Twilight movie franchise second serving New Moon. No mean feat by any standards.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Wednesday, 30 September 2009

Review: Blur at Hyde Park, 2nd July 2009

The scene – Hyde Park, the occasion – the reunion of one of the greatest purveyors of the Britpop era, Blur. After the release of 1999s ‘13’ the band sought to deviate from their alternative roots and began to experiment with hip-hop and African music with minimal guitar which was subsequently highlighted by Graham Coxon’s departure in 2003.

Written by: Jaspreet Kaur Takhi | Date: Friday, 10 July 2009