The Cool Kids have released a free mixtape.
That’s Stupid, The Mixtape can be downloaded by clicking here. Abjekt loves it more than he loves banana and nut muffins, and he sure does love those muffins.
Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks have just signed to XL in the UK, so expect to get their new record The Bake Sale over here very soon.
The full edit from this Saturday’s Flip Skateboards visit will be ready soon but in the meantime check some clips out from the London demo here courtesy of Alan Christensen and Andy Evans.
Underworld, London
24.06.08
Negative Approach are a vicious boot-boy snarling, bulldog-snapping, spittle-spraying REAL hardcore band. First generation, from a time when this hardcore shit was still fresh, hungry and vital. Things are always better the first time and Negative Approach were right on the front-line in the early eighties alongside the likes of Minor Threat, SSD, Black Flag, Necros etc when this shit was actually dangerous.
And like many classic (some deserving the ‘classic’ tag more than others) bands from the glory days, Negative Approach have reformed for one more chance to let out their rage and grab us roughly by the throats to show us exactly how HARDCORE should be done. Last year they played an incredible show at The Dome in North London but the venue was a little too big to really feel the full impact of their music.
The Underworld, however, is perfect and from the moment they hit the stage, sheer bedlam breaks out across the venue as frontman John Brannon spits out every vicious word with a face screwed up like a Pitbull Terrier, barking out the words like a rabid dog with a voice like sand and glue. Every song is short, violent and anthemic. The likes of ‘Nothing’, ‘Pressure’, ‘Can’t Tell No One‘ and ‘Tied Down‘ have the whole crowd punching the air, punching each other and singing along. It doesn’t matter that these guys are well into their forties, they have more attitude and energy than most of the skinny jeaned stupid haired fuckers that constitute some hardcore today.
Showing their pure punk roots, they end the set with a rousing version of Sham 69’s ‘Borstal Breakout‘ as the crowd run around in circles like headless chickens. Sadly, that’s it as tonight is Madball’s show.Yes, you heard right. Negative Approach supported Madball. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA. Follow that guys.
Words and photos by James Sherry
Milton Keynes Bowl
29.06.08
A surprisingly sunny day in Milton Keynes was the setting for a surprisingly top-notch line-up headlined by the scorned by many but actually well good Linkin Park.
Openers innerpartysystem proved naturals on the massive stage, communicating their electro-tinged rock with assured accuracy and getting more than a few heads in the audience bobbing. Next up were The Bravery and though I missed most of their set I did catch their ‘hit’ which sounded like a great soundtrack for the weather. Unfortunately I’m told the rest of their set was dull as dishwater.
Enter Shikari proved their position as one of the country’s most popular rock bands is justified as they put on a ridiculously hyperactive performance with the star turn coming from drummer Rob who treated the crowd to a series of bizarre dances both in front of and behind the drums.
Although I missed a chunk of NERD‘s set, what I did see was also most entertaining. The sight of Pharell grinding up against a random girl from the audience whilst she squealed with delight may’ve been a little sickening but it was also quite fun and proved the guy does have some sort of a sense of fun which I would have debated against before seeing this. New track Everyone Nose was a highlight along with Lapdance and Rockstar.
Pendulum probably got the most people dancing that day with their high octane rocked-up drum ‘n bass getting the majority of the crowd moving and pointing fingers. But… Nothing could detract from the genius that is Jay-Z as the big man was up next. 99 Problems backed by Back In Black? Yes please! Freestyling about girls having a chance with him if they don’t tell the missus and about the queen looking after his jewels? Alright then!
Seriously though, Jay-Z proves he has every right to headline an event like Glastonbury even when fulfilling his duties in a supporting role such as this. Flawless and with a fantastic backing band including a phenomenal drummer, this is someone who can pretty much do no wrong.
Linkin Park are late on. And I’d already decided to leave early. Despite loving Hybrid Theory recently, this band is very much a guilty pleasure for me so as soon as I got my fix of ‘tunes’ from that era I was good to go. The opener was the rip-roaring One Step Closer which basically satisfied my hunger right then and there. As we walked away I sung along to another of the greats but by this point I’d decided that there was no way I’d sit through the shit just for the hits.
An unbelievably eclectic bill attended by an extraordinarily eclectic crowd delivered the goods and each band seemed to be similarly rapturously received with virtually no bottling and little complaint from the crowd. All in all, a lovely Sunday.
Winegums.
Yep, it’s news when those Iowa dudes put new masks on.
The new album, All Hope Is Gone, is out this year and promises to be heavier than ever if the first track is anything to go by. Click here to check out the masks for the new era of Slipknot.
In the meantime, enjoy a song that isn’t new, but is still great:
Cannibal Ox’s Vordul Mega has announced the tracklisting for his new album.
Megagraphitti will be released in August and features production by El-P and Bronze Nazarath with guest spots by Vast Aire and Monsta Island Czars’ Tommy Gunn. The full tracklisting is:
1.) Stay Conscious (produced by Zach One)
2.) AK-47 f/ Vast Aire (Cannibal Ox) (produced by Opto)
3.) Opium Scripts f/ Billy Woods (produced by Bond)
4.) Hattori Hanzo (produced y DJ Marmaduke)
5.) Air Battery f/ Tommy Gunn (Megalon of Monsta Island Czars) & Billy Woods (produced by Bond)
6.) Trigganomics (produced by Bronze Nazareth)
7.) Broken Halo f/ Invizzibl Men & Hi-Coup (produced by Lex Boogie)
8.) Light (produced by Bond)
9.) In the Mirror f/ Vast Aire (Cannibal Ox) (produced by Sid Roams)
10.) Beautiful (produced by Armyfatigue)
11) Learn (produced by Ravage)
12.) Peanut Butta Up’s (produced by DJ Marmaduke)
13.) Keep Living f/ Billy Woods (produced by El-P)
14.) Imani (produced by Essex Dogs)
15.) Megagraphitti (produced by Zach-One)
The Bronx have posted a live video of a track from their upcoming Mariachi album.
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriba!
Gallows recently updated their MySpace with news on their eagerly-awaited second album.
The band said:
“So seeing as it feels like we released Orchestra Of Wolves back in the 19th century, we thought we’d give you a little update on what’s happening with the new record. We’ve been writing for the last few weeks and have about a dozen tracks that we feel could go on the album so far. BUT… we also plan to write a whole load more before we begin recording so this album is going to be all Killer no Filler.
Recording is scheduled to begin on September 1st with the producer GGGarth Richardson who’s worked with legendary bands like Rage Against The Machine, Melvins & Red Hot Chili Peppers. We’re really excited to begin recording and we hope to have the record released worldwide in February 2009. So it’s a little while off yet but will be worth the wait!”
Jay Dords of Boggin Zine has updated us on what activity is going on on the Emerald Isle this month and he mentions to look out for Irish skateboard magazine THE WIZARD on your travels.
Jay also says that a new new Monkeybird video is set to be released within the week, that’s from the makers of landmark Irish videos 6 counties, what’s the point etc. Expect illness from Clynn, Dlynn, Plynn and O’ Hanlyin. Dords also wants you to know that he loves watching Gleaming the Cube and that if you missed it, you can watch some footage of Van City here.
Japan’s progression and efficiency in most fields never really lets us down. Well apart from those Tetris blokes on Youtube. You at the back! Stop sniggering! It’s NOT funny. ‘Smile‘ marks the impressive14th full length effort from the Tokyo rock trio and shows no signs whatsoever of disappointing.
Boris are by no means a one trick pony. They can turn their hand to anything with successful results as shown on previous release ‘Alter‘ (their collaboration with Sunn O))) drone god, Stephen O’Malley who also guests on the album). The band’s diverse streak continues with this release.
On ‘Smile‘ the band slip effortlessly from epic yet peacefully melodic drone of opening track ‘Flower Sun Rain‘ to the down right, balls out, rock’n’roll as heard on tracks ‘Statement‘ and ‘Laser Beam‘. The, at times, breathtaking axe-work, courtesy of stoic goddess Wata, shines throughout this record.
She is perfectly accompanied by band mates; Atsuo, who pounds the skins like he’s on crack but with all the precision of a brain surgeon. Rhythm guitar, bass and Vocals are taken care of by Takeshi who drives this band with elegance and grace then a in split second can unleash a wall of furious noise. Rad, I know.
Lyrically, I can’t understand a bloody word. They must be singing about Satan or cool robots or something. None the less, this album has more layers than a stay at home, alone, in your pants, Saturday sandwich.
So the final score and verdict: Human Tetris blokes on YouTube who suck, score 0. Boris who totally rock your f’n balls off, score 14.
Tom Lindsey