Crebral Ballzy are back with a brand new video straight out of a warzone. ‘Another Day’ is two and a half minutes of energetic thrashing matched with a true video portrayal of a young lads action man fantasy.
A couple of mates, each with sub machine guns, an armored car and a box of smokes. Simple pleasures then. ‘Another Day’ is the B side to Cerebral Ballzy’s upcoming single ‘City’s Girl’, due out September 17th on new label Federal Prism, founded by Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio. Click play and watch the battle commence.
Our friends at new DIY label Beach Community have launched their first release ‘Life’s A Beach’, a cassette compilation featuring tracks from 18 bands that define the current punk and hardcore scene. Over the space of an hour this compilation plays through the likes of Balance & Composure, Make Do And Mend, The Story So Far, Defeater, The Wonder Years, Real Friends, Joyce Manor, Gnarwolves, Citizen and many more.
The tape is limited to just 250 copies (50 bi-colour blue/yellow, 100 metallic gold and 100 metallic red) and features artwork from James Callahan of www.barfcomics.com. You can pre-order it from www.ilovebeachcommunity.com.
Craig Dermody is back with a second LP from his indie pop project Scott and Charlene’s Wedding. Any Port in a Storm is an autobiographical account of a rookie year in New York. Dropped straight from Melbourne into NYC, Dermody wears his heart on his sleeve, telling tales of adjusting to the jeopardies of the Big Apple, homesick for Oz.
His vocal warble sets the tone of this record perfectly in opener ‘Junk Shop’ sauntering into the slacker groove of this charmingly sluggish batch of tunes. Track by track you’re invited further into Dermody’s daily struggles, offering you to share his burden. ‘Fakin’ NYC’ sees him adjusting to a new expat life, finding a new job and feeling out of place, doing anything for coin.
Lyrically, this album feels personal and poignant, but thankfully humorous at times too. ‘Lesbian Wife’ is a humble story of loneliness. Caught up in the middle of freak storm, Dermody is reduced to cooking his tea on a camping stove, enduring the toils of Hurricane Sandy alone, pining for Australia.
Musically, Any Port in a Storm is a real ode to the lo-fi. A whiff of the 13th Floor Elevators lingers comfortably on tracks like ‘Downtown’ boasting a retro groove and guitars that jangle more than a wind chime in a hurricane. But while it’s safe to say that Dermody’s a garage man, it’s comforting to hear modern similarity too, the quick intricate riffing on ‘Charlie’s in the Gutter’ remind of fellow New Yorkers Beach Fossils.
Never hurried or rushed, Craig Dermody’s Any Port in a Storm is jammed full with 11 slack tracks, each laced with true garage swagger. This is a great summer album, so grab a copy and soak it up.
DEAF HAVANA
w/ There For Tomorrow, Canterbury
Sherperd’s Bush o2 Academy, London
15th November 2012
Shepherds Bush Empire was the venue for Deaf Havana’s biggest headline show to date. Selling out five days before the show, this was shaping up to be quite spectacular, and in no means did the night disappoint.
There for Tomorrow, forming in 2003, have established themselves as a major act on the rock circuit in the US, playing all the dates on the 2011 Vans Warped tour and releasing two full-length studio albums. Having headlined the Garage in London in November 2010 with support coming from Deaf Havana, it was clear from the start that the quartet had some fans around the venue with various screams and dancing, an overall solid performance.
Next up were main support Canterbury. After gaining a major fan base after releasing their debut album, ‘Thank You’ as a free download in 2009, they returned in 2012 with their much anticipated follow up studio album ‘Heavy in the Day’. Playing songs from both albums, including ‘Wrapped in Rainbows’, ‘Survivor’ & ‘Gloria’, at the end of which front man Mike Sparks thanked the crowd for their constant support of both themselves and more importantly the British Rock scene, which he then went onto say was booming which was apparent from tonight’s British acts. Finishing off their set with ‘Friends? We’re More Like A Gang’, Canterbury continue to show why their ones to watch in 2013.
A year on from releasing their album ‘Fools and Worthless Liars’, Deaf Havana are playing their biggest headline show since forming in 2005. Albeit with some technical issues early on, and starting their set with an alternative, slower version of ‘Youth In Retrospect’, it wasn’t long before they sent the sold out crowd into frenzy. Having the option to play material off both their original and deluxe edition, it was anyone’s guess as to which versions of the songs they were going to be played. A song that stood out to me on both versions of the albums was ‘Anemophobia’, tonight they showed how diverse they were as a band both live and recorded as they started the song off on a piano like that of the alternative version and then kicked in as the whole band to finish it off.
During their set it was clear to see how overwhelming the night was to James Veck Gilodi and his fellow bandmates. They used the platform to announce that they will be supporting fellow Brits You me at Six at their Wembley show that was met by a lot of screams from the crowd. Coming on for an encore, they were joined by eight members of the London Youth Gospel Choir to do renditions of their three songs ‘The World or Nothing’, ‘Fifty Four’ and Finished off with ‘Hunstanton Pier’.
This show will stick in the minds of the band and fans alike for quite sometime, and tonight has been a clear reminder that Great Britain have got one of the finest rock scenes, which Deaf Havana will keep climbing.
PARKWAY DRIVE
w/ Emmure, The Words Alive, Structures
The Roundhouse, London
17/11/12
Parkway Drive are the headliners at tonight’s show at a packed out London Roundhouse, and judging from the expectant air looming about the venue, it’s going to be a great night.
Up first are the techiest band tonight; Structures. They sound great and manage to get the crowd pumped up early in the night. Definitely one to watch live, as they sound a great deal more powerful on a stage than a CD.
Next on are The Word Alive, who blend melody and heaviness superbly. They manage to cram loads of songs into their relatively short set and the crowd seem to be warming to them by the middle of the performance. Pleasingly, the band seem utterly grateful to be able to play to so many people, and thank the crowd over and over, which is good to see!
Emmure are probably the ultimate marmite band. Yes, lots of people will turn their noses up at them, but they manage to pull off one of the best live performances of the year tonight. They sound monumentally heavy, and the crowd react to all of frontman Frankie’s commands without thought. They too sound better live than on a cd, thanks to massive tone and drums, along with Frankie’s unique vocal delivery. Grand.
Parkway Drive however, will ALWAYS steal the show when it comes to a live performance. Packing 2 projectors and all the lights you’d ever want onto the stage tonight, PWD are on perfect form, sounding monstrous as usual. They are deliver their set like it was their last ever show, with the crowd response matching as they go mental throughout the entire performance. With a lengthy setlist comprising of all their best songs from previous records and some huge new tracks from new release ‘Atlas’, their show is pretty much spot on, and they remain THE live band to beat. Very, very impressive indeed.
Structures The Word AliveEmmureParkway DriveParkway DriveParkway Drive
Earlier this year the Jägermeister Music Tour tour saw Skindred, Therapy? & Black Spiders play to over 12,500 music fans on a successful UK run. Arguably 2013’s tour will top that…
The illusive yet infamous Ghost are set to headline the tour with talented French metallers GOJIRA and British newcomers The Defiled to follow in support. With Jägermeister subsidising the ticket prince to a tiny £5 there really is no excuse not to attend and miss out on Ghost’s first major headliner run in this country.
The dates are as follows:
MARCH 2013
18 – SHEFFIELD Academy
19 – GLASGOW Academy
20 – BRISTOL Academy
22 – BOURNEMOUTH Academy
23 – BIRMINGHAM Academy
24 – BRIXTON Academy
BRING ME THE HORIZON & DRAPER ‘The Chill Out Sessions’
With their third studio album ‘There Is a Hell, Believe Me, I’ve Seen It. There Is a Heaven, Let’s Keep It A Secret’, Bring Me The Horizon began to experiment with the atmospherics of their sound. Now collaborating with producer/chillstep artist Draper, the Sheffield based metallers have embraced this element and dropped an exquisite EP, ‘The Chill Out Sessions’.
As the name and artwork suggests this EP is a beautiful sound scape, the perfect backing track to relaxation yet it maintains elements of Bring Me’s emotional charged music.
Although Bring Me The Horizon will always remain attached to the metal scene, the direction of this EP isn’t a surprise as vocalist Oli Sykes is publicly fixated on post-rock band Worship, likewise guitarist Jona Weinhofen equally adores Scandinavian experimentalists immanu el. With immanu el reported to feature on Bring Me The Horizon’s next full length ‘Sempiternal’, the band’s development will be an exciting prospect to witness.
10,000 music fans, 28 bands from 6 countries performing across 4 stages with 4,065 cans of Monster Energy Drink consumed, sums up the triumphant success that was 2012’s sold out Vans Warped Tour UK.
After soaking up the brilliant atmosphere for the early part of the event at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace, team Crossfire situated themselves in the main room to bring you back the info on performances from the Monster stages.
First off, we caught Breathe Carolina [3/5]. Now obviously this sort of electro/screamo vibe is not normally the kind of thing you would hear us raving about, but fair play to the duo, they really know how to work a crowd. The music maybe takes itself a little too seriously considering it is essentially just pop, but nonetheless, Breathe Carolina are widely adored by hyper-active fans.
Breathe Carolina
Following Breathe Carolina comes a completely different monster, UK born and bred metalcore titans, Architects [5/5]. Their thunderous blast beats and sub drops destroy the ear drums of a riff hungry crowd who respond with the biggest pits of the event so far. ‘Follow The Water’ and ‘These Colours Don’t Run’ are particular highlights of Architects’ set which ends with a union of voices screaming ‘You Fucking Pigs’ and the whole band surfing across the crowd.
ArchitectsOn Stage With ArchitectsOn Stage With Architects
3oh!3 [4/5] introduce themselves as a pop band, realistically that’s what they are, not typically a traditional Warped Tour artist. However, when you perform with such stage presence it doesn’t matter what genre you are tied to. ‘Don’t Trust Me’, ‘Starstrukk’ and ‘Punkbitch’ are all guilty pleasures to a crowd usually fed on punk and metal, but there really is no shame in enjoying these pop tarts when the bass is cranked up to such a dirty level.
Bringing the music back to the classic sound of Warped Tour, New Found Glory [3/5] bounce through an energetic set featuring all their hits with ‘My Friends Over You’ and a cover of Sixpence None The Richer’s ‘Kiss Me’ highlighting a charismatic performance. Showing professional brilliance, the band fought through technical difficulties to produce some of the most fun filled pits of the day. Even without being the biggest pop-punk fan, the infectious and uplifting sense of nostalgia was enough to get anyone involved.
After having been away from consciousness for a while, The Used [4/5] return to the UK with a commanding presence. ‘All That I’ve Got’ and ‘The Taste Of Ink’ are captivating and allow fans to reminisce the days when The Used were undoubtedly the king of emo. But it’s ‘Pretty Handsome Awkward’ that stands out of a polished set due to the punishing pit it creates.
Although known for being a bit hit and miss when it comes to live performances, Bring Me The Horizon [5/5] stole the show this time around at Warped. If the sound of screaming was deafening when the band walked on to the stage, words cannot describe the intensity when front man Oli Sykes appeared. It seems this generation’s metal poster boy left his demons behind for Bring Me’s set, as his presence was nothing short of iconic. Technically brilliant, impeccably tight, energetic across the stage and featuring surprisingly impressive clean vocals from Jona Weinhofen, this performance cements Bring Me The Horizon as the ones to beat in metal with new material from forthcoming album ‘Sempiternal’ sounding equally as brilliant as previous work.
Oli Sykes - Bring Me The HorizonOli SykesBring Me The Horizon
Oddly enough, Lostprophets [3/5] appear a little out of place as headliners. Although their extensive and impressive history earns them this slot, they aren’t quite the buzz band they used to be. But ‘Shinobi vs Dragon Ninja’ brings utter destruction whilst ‘Rooftops’ holds the crowd firmly in the palm of Ian Watkin’s hand. When a set list is filled with classics such as ‘Can’t Catch Tomorrow’ and ‘Last Train Home’ you wonder why we ever doubted their dominance.
Ian Watkins - LostprophetsLostprophetsVans Warped Tour UK Crowd
‘Koi No Yokan’ was already tipped as one of this year’s hottest albums, but when ‘Leathers’ and ‘Tempest’ were dropped early as a prelude, anticipation for this record became sky-high.
The hype was justified as in just over 50minutes, Deftones manage to portray beauty in the heaviest fashion whilst maintaing a tender sense of vulnerability.
As always Deftones have offered a record packed full of individual miniature gems, whether it is the storming ‘Swerve City’ or chugging ‘Gauze’. However on first listen ‘Koi No Yokan’ is lacking a masterpiece… Diamond Eyes featured ‘Sex Tape’ and White Pony hosted ‘Change (In the House of Flies)’ yet this record doesn’t have that one heart-wrenching, standout track on its debut play. But give ‘Koi No Yokan’ patience and it starts to shine, it’s a grower and firmly reconfirms Deftones as the championed king of the alt-metal throne. This record in a live environment will be astounding.
Various Artists ‘Punk Goes Pop Volume 5’
[Fearless Records]
Now in its 5th edition, through Fearless Records, our favourite bands that come in all different (melodic) shapes and (dynamic) sizes have again transformed cringe worthy songs into a gigantic hamster wheel of fun, all in the name of punk.
Forever The Sickest Kids didn’t have many lyrics to remember with ‘We Found Love’, but what they did do brilliantly was add their extremely contagious pop punk remedy. Almost unrecognisable is ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’ re-worked by The Maine who undoubtedly do an excellent job, shaking the truly pop track into something so much more. From the intense intro straight through to Frontman John O’Callaghan’s bold vocals in the chorus that sees him showing off a melody nothing short of charismatic. Then there’s the guitar riff injected with astounding effects once found in much heavier music. The Maine’s rendition has an electrifying momentum, exactly that this track needed.
An unexpected yet very much impressive piece comes from Upon This Dawning who take on ‘Call Me Maybe’ and see it through with a storm of metalcore dual vocals including hugely destructive screams, as well as a drum beat that is very much alive. Who ever thought they’d find themselves fist punching the air and getting ready to start a circle pit to this song?
Attacking the boy band trend, We Came As Romans give The Wanted a run for their money as they cover ‘Glad You Came’. The group chants matched with Dave Stephens and Kyle Pavone vocals ablaze with a frankly radiant vibe, let’s hope they add this to their set list next time they’re in the UK.
Chiodos’ Craig Owen has carved a name for himself from day one and only he would ever dare to reinvent ‘Paradise’. Craig takes the number one hit like a bull by the horns, but unlike the rest of the compilation which never ceases to make chart toppers 1000x heavier, this one is head turning due to leaving affectionate leaving goose bumps over your skin. Anyone with their hearing still intact will appreciate this creation.
What do you get when you put together pop punk princes Mayday Parade, rising star Vic Fuentes from Pierce The Veil and a radio signature song in the form of ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’? …The biggest stand out track to ever feature on such compilation of course! It seems, not only are Mayday Parade great at their own songs but they can cover a critically acclaimed established song with ease.
Memphis May Fire set their goals high by choosing to reincarnate Bruno Mars’s ‘Grenade’ – previously nominated for Record of the Year at the Grammy’s. An unpredictable choice yet the band that blew us away last month with their support slot to Of Mice & Men, went away and tore apart this ballad; exchanging a soulful heartbreak/love song for a furiously brutal anthem laden with scorching power.
The final track deserves the status of being an absolute belter. ‘Ass Back Home’ is reconstructed by Secrets who should leave Gym Class Heroes sat on the edge of their seats. We’re definitely not favouring any genre but it’s a fact to say some of these original tracks needed a serious make over and they got just that.
Full track list:
1. Memphis May Fire “Grenade” (Bruno Mars)
2. Upon This Dawning “Call Me Maybe (Carly Rae Jepsen)
3. Mayday Parade ft Vic Fuentes “Somebody That I Used To Know” (Gotye)
4. We Came As Romans “Glad You Came” (The Wanted)
5. Like Moths To Flames “Some Nights” (fun)
6. Breathe Carolina “Billie Jean” (Michael Jackson)
7. Forever The Sickest Kids “We Found Love” (Rihanna)
8. Issues “Boyfriend” (Justin Bieber)
9. The Maine “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” (Cyndi Lauper)
10. Craig Owens “Paradise” (Coldplay)
11. Crown The Empire “Payphone” (Maroon 5)
12. The Word Alive “Mercy” (Kanye West)
13. Secrets “Ass Back Home” (Gym Class Heroes)
Crebral Ballzy are back with a brand new video straight out of a warzone. ‘Another Day’ is two and a half minutes of energetic thrashing matched with a true video portrayal of a young lads action man fantasy.
Our friends at new DIY label 
Craig Dermody is back with a second LP from his indie pop project Scott and Charlene’s Wedding. Any Port in a Storm is an autobiographical account of a rookie year in New York. Dropped straight from Melbourne into NYC, Dermody wears his heart on his sleeve, telling tales of adjusting to the jeopardies of the Big Apple, homesick for Oz.
With their third studio album ‘There Is a Hell, Believe Me, I’ve Seen It. There Is a Heaven, Let’s Keep It A Secret’, Bring Me The Horizon began to experiment with the atmospherics of their sound. Now collaborating with producer/chillstep artist Draper, the Sheffield based metallers have embraced this element and dropped an exquisite EP, ‘The Chill Out Sessions’.
Various Artists