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