Qwel is continuing his rapid release rate with a new single.
Heliocentric is produced by Kip Killagain and they have been made available for download, so click one of the links below and check it out:
Can’t beat a bit of Friday freeness!
Crayon Skateboards have announced today that after some time away from the spotlight Matt Davies has officially joined forces with the Welsh crew.
Go to www.crayonskateboards.com for footage and more.
Photo courtesy of Sam May.
Iglu & Hartly will be giving a song away for free.
The track is called Jump Out Of Your Car is free to download from the web site below and comes from their upcoming album & Then Boom which is due out on September 29th as well as the single In This City on September 15th.
M.I.A. will be releasing Paper Planes as a single in the UK.
The singer, who had claimed she was finished with music, has seen the track become a success in the States thanks to being used on the trailer for the new film Pineapple Express. The track, which samples The Clash and has since been sampled by TI will be released on October 13.
with Hoover & Alabaster Suns
The Underworld
London, August 27th 2008
Sometimes it’s really nice to go to a gig where there’s no fucking young people about to piss you off with their youthful vigour and wide-eyed energy. And it’s fair to say that there aren’t many people in The Underworld tonight under thirty years old. It’s hardly surprising, however, because Bluetip haven’t played since about 2002 and Hoover, despite sporadic gigs, hasn’t recorded an album since about 1994.
With these facts in mind you might be wondering why there’s anyone at this gig at all. Well let me explain. Both Hoover and Bluetip represent some of the best music to surface from the Washington DC record label Dischord Records in the nineties. Started in the early eighties by Jeff Nelson and Ian MacKaye of legendary hardcore outfit Minor Threat with the intention of documenting their local music scene, decades later Dischord have still never released a record by a band outside of DC and have hundreds of incredible releases under their belts. People don’t tend to love single Dischord bands, but fall in love with the label as a whole. Their ethics, their singular vision to keep things 100% independent and their stubborn refusal to bend their own self-imposed rules has given Dischord a rabid cult following. And that explains the healthy turn-out tonight.
First up, Alabaster Suns are what Kevin and Nathan are doing while their band, UK progressive metal kings Capricorns, goes into a deep slumber. With Kevin taking lead vocals, they tread a similar path to Capricorns and effortlessly weave out technical ecstasy and shape-shifting metal that twists and turns and never sits still. Alabaster Suns are a heavy ride.
Although clearly inspired by the heavy dub bass lines and discordant guitars of Fugazi, Hoover created some of the best post-hardcore of the early nineties. Although the band split up in 1994 (and formed in 1992), they have reformed twice in recent year. Once in 1997 to record a mini-album of unrecorded older songs and then again in 2004 to tour Europe and to play some US shows. It was on that tour that they last played The Underworld and they were as good then as they are now. Always an engaging live band to both listen too and watch, Hoover have the advantage of Alexander Dunham (guitar), Frederick T. Erskine (bass) and Joseph P McRedmond (guitar) all sharing vocal duties which keeps things interesting throughout. Then there’s the fact that the band are shit hot players. With drummer Christopher Farrall at the back, leading the band into a series of unbelievably fluid grooves, Hoover are still a thrilling ride that can’t fail to suck you in like a Dyson.
Bluetip were formed in 1995 by ex-members of cult hardcore band Swiz and in albums like ‘Join Us‘ and ‘Polymer‘ they recorded some of the nineties truly classic Dischord Records releases. They toured relentlessly, roaring through the UK in 2002 with Dead Inside before splitting up, allowing frontman Jason Farrell the opportunity to start his current group Retisonic.
Back for two shows only – tonight and one in Spain – considering Bluetip haven’t played since 2002 and they’ve only rehearsed twice, they are on explosive form tonight and the ease with which they recreate the energy and impact of the songs is testament to their talents. Jason in particular is an absolute live wire on stage, careering around the small space, colliding with amps and band mates, swiping his guitar and thrilling the crowd with passionate vocals and proper high energy DC punk rock.
They end with their best song (my favorite at least!) ‘Salinas‘ from the ‘Join Us‘ album and then it’s over, possibly never to return. But here’s hoping…
James Sherry
Silas Baxter Neal has joined Mark Gonzales, Dennis Busenitz, Tim O’Connor, Benny Fairfax, Nestor Judkins, Dave Bachinsky, Lem Villemin, and Vince del Valle on the Adidas Team.
The Habitat pro and Transworld Rookie of the Year has featured on the front covers of Slap, Transworld and Thrasher’s photo issue in the last year and joins the 3 stripes after successful video parts in Inhabitants and Seasons 4. This proves once again that smooth style and pure confidence pays off in the end.
Good work.
The UK Independent Trucks Tour is about to smash the UK to bits.
Check out the dates, places and rippers onboard for this session and weep.
According to the guys at www.supratuf.com these new Supra TUF Skytops are made from high abrasive genuine suede based material that last 5 times longer than your average skate trainer. Since mine usually last a couple weeks of heavy shredding I cleverly calculated that it would take 10 weeks to fully test these badboys and I quite simply don’t have that much time so we’re just gonna have to take their word on that one.
I had a pair of the grey/black/red Muska Skytops (picture) to try out. You can’t help feeling like your something special when your wearing them. I found myself looking down and feeling extra specially cool, kinda how the Muska must feel all the time. You would think that skating in a high top would be weird or awkward but they skate just like a regular low top – if not better. The vulcanised sole gives you great board feel and the innersole has some sort of thick shock pad so no heel bruises when your jumping off of buildings. I’m not sure what the actual material is they make the shoes out of but they skate just like suede. Kickflips roll off the toe and no matter how many i did there was barely a scratch. My feet felt pretty invincible, as if my ankles couldnt be rolled or toes bashed by my board. I skated in them for a good 4 weeks and i gotta say they are still looking fresh and theres barely a mark on the toe and the soles are still holding up. There’s still a lot of life left in them.
So, if your looking for a shoe that looks amazing, outlasts a few skateboards and makes you as cool as the Muska then this is definately the one for you. Oh, and like every other Muska pro model trainer there’s a stash pocket in the tongue for your dank nugz or whatever…
Steve G
United Nations are streaming their entire album online.
The supergroup which comprises Daryl Palumbo, Thursday’s Geoff Rickly and Ben Koller of Converge describe themselves as a powerviolence/grindcore band and will release their self-titled album on September 9th.
Death Magnetic has finally leaked online.
Reports are that the album was being sold in France, before the worldwide release date of September 12th, but despite the leak drummer Lars Ulrich said he was happy enough:
“Listen, we’re ten days from release…I mean, from here, we’re golden. If this thing leaks all over the world today or tomorrow, happy days. Happy days. Trust me. Ten days out and it hasn’t quote-unquote fallen off the truck yet? Everybody’s happy. It’s 2008 and it’s part of how it is these days, so it’s fine. We’re happy.”