Category: Music

The Sonics

Post author By Dave
Post date January 23, 2015

Sonics The Sonics
‘Bad Betty’
Revox Records

We’re all used to reunions, cash ins and very vague versions of classic bands coming back to have another go at reigniting their long lost youths but as come backs go, few can challenge The Sonics for sheer ability to pick up and kick back into where they left off some forty years later!

It’s impossible to over exaggerate the influence that The Sonics had when they detonated out of Tacoma, Washington in the early sixties. Their primal fuzz, distortion and garage rock grooves was so far ahead of their time they practically invented every form of rock music that’s come since.

The Sonics have had a few reunions over the years but this coming March 31st sees the release of their first new studio album since the release of Introducing back in 1967. Titled This Is The Sonics and due to be issued through their own label, Revox, the first taster from its grooves has just been released and ‘Bad Betty’ very quickly asserts itself as a comeback worth waiting for. High energy, explosive and full of fuzz, despite fast approaching their seventies, ‘Bad Betty’ sounds like no time has passed since and The Sonics have effortlessly recaptured the energy and aggression of their teenage years.

Produced by Jim Diamond (White Stripes, Dirtbombs) and featuring original members Jerry Roslie, Larry Parypa, and Rob Lind, The Sonics also now feature Freddie Dennis from The Kingsmen and Liverpool Five, plus Dusty Watson who played with Dick Dale and Agent Orange. And if ‘Bad Betty’ is anything to go by, This Is The Sonics promises to eclipse even their early material for amp-slashing, foot stomping garage rock mania. Bring it on!

James Sherry

Tags Dirtbombs, garage rock, jim diamond, Sixties garage, The Sonics

Buzz Chart Single Reviews

BC Camplight

Post author By Dave
Post date January 22, 2015

BC_Camplight BC Camplight
‘You Should’ve Gone To School’
Bella Union

BC Camplight is the alter ego of Philadelphian songwriter Brian Christinzio, who, after releasing two eloquent psych-pop albums in the mid-00’s, now finds himself reborn into his recently adopted home of Manchester. Though this seemingly simple change of location becomes intriguing when partnered with the knowledge that his brand new album is titled, How To Die In The North. Regardless, the album’s lead track, ‘You Should’ve Gone to School’, see’s the self-proclaimed “guy who blew it” eating his own words.

Opening with a bassline that could have raised the eyebrows of Bernard Edwards himself, this single sees BC Camplight boasting inscrutable song-writing prowess. His hooks are so simple it hurts. The most prevalent being a swirling, cylindrical vocal siren that looms above the chorus, surrounded by an airy and effortless chord progression that never tires. Breaking into the verse, BC explores all manner of lyrical avenues, flying through the glass in his automobile after enduring the cold harsh stare of the creatures in the air, adding a mind bending charm to this marvellously crafted pop tune.

How to die In the North is out now on Bella Union. Check out the video bellow starring Felix the cat.

Tags BC Camplight, pop

Buzz Chart Single Reviews

Gengahr

Post author By Zac
Post date January 21, 2015

Gengahr
‘She’s A Witch’
Transgressive Records

gengahr_loresstevegullick__large

At the back end of 2014 it was Genghar‘s seductive Powder tune that left us salivating for more, and now the wait is over, but it’s even better. Brand new tune ‘She’s A Witch’ sees them move into pole position as one of the most exciting bands of 2015 armed yet again with vocal steez most bands can only dream of.

Some will have spectacular oracular shivers as the four piece canter towards a superb bass laden chorus that you don’t want to end. It has psych, it has pop but most of all it has sheer class. There are no donkeys here, just pure thoroughbreds, as we await an album on Transgressive sometime this year that we hope just gives even more.

This single is out on March 16th, look out for them on the road in the UK at the following dates:

Feb 25th The Eagle Inn, Manchester
Feb 26th The Waiting Room, London

Buzz Chart Single Reviews

GANG

Post author By Dave
Post date January 20, 2015

gang_silverback GANG
‘Silverback’
Sexx Tapes

Kick off the week with your ears stinging as Brighton’s GANG emerge with their treacherous head-banger of a new single, ‘Silverback’.

As soon as this monstrous riff kicks in you almost jolt 40 years back in time. These three scuzz mongers make no attempt to hide their love for ‘70s throwback octofuzz and maxed out organ tones that Jon Lord himself would surely give a tip of the hat to. Vocally, frontman Eric Tormey stands alone, howling his pained damnations high above the din.

Coated in sludge, GANG catapult into their filthy basement jam B-side with gusto. Mashing slack chord abuse against a fierce throat shredding mantra, this trio are daring you to question ‘Not A Reason’ as the ideal house party scream-along.

The ‘Silverback’ cassette also features a bonus mix by fellow Brightonite and fuzz advocate Theo Verney, grab a copy of this sludgy sleaze via Sexx Tapes from January 30th.

Tags brighton, GANG, Sludge, Theo Verney

Buzz Chart

Solids

Post author By Dave
Post date January 14, 2015

solids
Solids
‘Off White’
Fat Possum

Your teenage years are often regarded as particularly challenging ones. With the pressures of interacting with the opposite sex, learning to drive a car, trying to be a social butterfly with tons of friends, and awkwardly stumbling your way into what everyone else felt the need to call ‘the rest of your life’, it was a whirlwind of emotion for even the best of us.

But who would’ve thought these trials and tribulations of youth could be portrayed so well in a music video by a scuzz punk two piece from Montreal? Hit play below and watch the lobster boy strike out on his own and beat the bullies. The good guys always get the girl in the end, right?

‘Off White’ is taken from Solids debut album Blame Confusion, out now on Fat Possum.

Tags lobster boy, punk, solids

Music News

PKN punk band to enter Eurovision!

Post author By Zac
Post date January 14, 2015

PKN_band_eurovision_song_contets_punk

Legendary Finnish punk band Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät (better known in these parts as PKN) have been selected for their home country’s televised Eurovision Song Contest process and have made it through to represent their country! Congratulations!

Read our recent interview with the band here!

Brought to worldwide attention by the fantastic documentary about their lives called ‘The Punk Syndrome’, Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät have all grown up with learning difficulties and disabilities and have found expression, release and noise in punk rock. The film tells the story of their lives and the band and is a must see.

Last December they toured the UK with Hard Skin for the second time and the excitement and energy they generate from the stage will now be televised across the world!

This could well be the most punk rock event of 2015. Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät MUST WIN.

Follow their journey from updates on our FB page. Enjoy their song entry ‘Aina Mun Pitää’:

Watch the trailer for their documentary:

Tags Aina mun pitää, disabled punk band, eurovision 2015, eurovision song contest, finland, finnish punk, learning difficulties, Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät, PKN, punk band, punk rock, vote for Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät

Music News

POND share an insane new music video

Post author By Dave
Post date January 13, 2015

pond

Taken from their forthcoming album, Man It Feels Like Space Again, POND enter the year with a hilarious new music video for the album’s second single, ‘Zond’.

Watch the Perth four-piece quench their thirst for the futuristic, the mind bending and the downright daft as they ride a time traveling sofa, appear as inflatable monsters and make a psychedelic mess in this hilarious new music video below.

Man It Feels Like Space Again is due January 26th 2015 via Caroline Records.

Music News

Brian Harvey from East 17 has lost it

Post author By Zac
Post date January 13, 2015

brian_harvey_heritage_potato

A decade ago, (after eating three giant baked potatoes) Brian Harvey from East 17 accidentally ran himself over in his own car. Today, he wants to avenge the music industry that gave him his notoriety and has smashed up his gold discs in a rant saying:

“This is what I think of you all. Fuck your record industry, and fuck your weird pedophile world. Fuck you.”

2015 is proving to be Armageddon.

Music News

Swervedriver reveal full details of new album

Post author By Dave
Post date January 7, 2015

swervedriver

After the exciting announcement that 2015 would see the highly anticipated follow up to 1998’s 99th Dream, Swervedriver today reveal that their fifth album I Wasn’t Born To Lose You will be released worldwide in March 2015 via Cobraside.

In celebration, the band have shared their first single from the album titled ‘Setting Sun’, which is due for release January 13th, and features a B-side cover version of Televisions “Days”.

Stream the glorious ‘Setting Sun’ below and bask in the fact that Swervedriver’s fuzzed-out soundscapes and sure song writing sensibilities remain blissfully intact.

I Wasn’t Born To Lose You track listing:
1. Autodidact
2. Last Rites
3. For A Day Like Tomorrow
4. Setting Sun
5. Everso
6. English Subtitles
7. Red Queen Arms Race
8. Deep Wound
9. Lone Star
10. I Wonder?

Tags Creation Records, shoegaze, swervedriver

Buzz Chart Single Reviews

Viet Cong

Post author By Dave
Post date January 7, 2015

Viet Cong
‘Silhouettes’
Jagjaguwar

Fast approaching their self-titled debut album, Canada’s Viet Cong have shared a colossal new single titled ‘Silhouettes’.

Despite arriving with their deliciously lo-fi and psych’d out ‘Throw It Away’ cassette in 2013, the Calgary quartet’s latest offering sees them veering into the black with a huge post-punk synth sound and grinding bass guitar riffs.

Their clashing guitar chords almost recall of Silent Alarm-era indie before Matt Flegel’s damaged croon soars high above the din into a shimmering pre-chorus, shining a piercing light into the sinister gloom Viet Cong show such prowess in conjuring.

‘Silhouettes’ follows the equally affecting ‘Continental Shelf’ with gusto, find both singles on their forthcoming self titled album, due January 19th on Jagjaguwar.