Conor Oberst’s Bright Eyes have gone back into the studio to work on their next album. The album, which doesn’t have a title at the moment, is being lined up for a release in spring of 2007. Reports are that there are around 30 songs to choose from and it is likely that 12 will be the final number on the album.
There will be some notable appearances on the album, from Gillian Welsh, M. Ward and Sleater-Kinney.
Check out www.saddle-creek.com and www.wichita-recordings.com
London Scala,
06/04/06
You never know when you might discover your new favourite band, so try and give support acts a chance. Imagine Bloc Party and the Mars Volta wrestling each other in a pit of post-hardcore filth, and you’ll have a rough idea of what Keiko sound like. Unfortunately, the half-empty venue does their sound few favours; and whilst the band give it their all, the constant echo robs them of their subtle edge. Shame.
Never mind, because 65daysofstatic are here to blow our minds with a truly awe-inspiring set of mesmerising, intricate, abrasive math rock. Synths pulse as the Sheffield quartet unleash tsunami-sized waves of white noise from their instruments, constantly changing tack to keep our senses scrambled like those of the proverbial rabbit in the headlights. It’s a gloriously futuristic sound that almost defies description; suffice to say that there are few bands like 65daysofstatic around, and in the live setting they are an unmissable experience. They surely can’t remain such a well-kept secret for long.
After the various troubles surrounding their split from Sony, it’s heartening to see that Hundred Reasons are back with a vengeance. From the moment they rip into the opening ‘Broken Hands’, it’s clear that they’ve never sounded or looked so confident; guitarists Paul Townsend and Larry Hibbitt leaping around the stage as singer Colin Doran greets the heaving moshpit with palpable enthusiasm.
Such stage presence would, of course, be futile without the songs to back it up; but the band have just released what is arguably their best album to date in ‘Kill Your Own’, and consequently the new tunes are greeted with much the same fervour as old favourites like ‘I’ll Find You’ and ‘If I Could’. The thunderous riffs and huge choruses of ‘Feed The Fire’ and ‘The Perfect Gift’ sound even more impressive in the live setting, whilst Colin’s voice is almost drowned out by those of the crowd on the more mellow ‘The Chance’.
Don’t even try throwing the dreaded e-word at them; few of today’s ’emo’ bands would want to compete with Hundred Reasons when the Surrey quintet are on such blistering form. If you’d consider yourself unfamiliar or even uninterested in them, now is most definitely the time to put aside your preconceptions.
Regent Hall – London
07.04.06
It’s not often you get to sit in pews to see Ian Mackaye perform a show, so this was an exceptional opportunity.
We didn’t organise tickets in advance, but we held a sign that someone else had made and held it aloft the queue on Oxford Street until 2 tickets were bought at face value – most people had helped us quite willingly, scene shows like this tend to hold that reality and that is why we are here.
With buns and orange juice replacing beer and cigarettes, the show started with Fugazi’s very own Ian Mackaye on vocals and baritone guitar and his partner in crime Amy Farina on drums and vocals who usually shares her duties with The Warmers.
The duo opened with “Shelter Two” beneath full strip lighting and a silent audience. Seriously, you could hear a pin drop in there at times and rightly so, I mean how many churches do you sit in and make loads of noise? This track opens the wonderful self titled album on Dischord and is the perfect example of what sound this pairing deliver throughout this evening and it’s swiftly followed with the enigmatic bass line from “If It’s Water“, reminiscent of Fugazi at their peak and with Farina at her best on vocals.
We are reminded that we can still rock whilst seated but also that we cannot take life for granted. You see, the political undertone to accompany such beautifully crafted songs is so much more apparent when you see this band live, as they have time to talk between songs and explain the meanings behind the lyrics. People reading this who are tuned into Mackayes previous bands such as Minor Threat, Fugazi, Skewbald, Egghunt, Embrace and Teen Idles will know all too well that Ian Mackaye has very strong feelings about how the dark side of life drains us. We are talking mainly about Government abuse, how we are conditioned into thinking the way they want us to think, all delivered to us in such a subtle way that it can be overlooked by most of us on a daily basis.
But this undertone is injected into this set in a beautiful way, attributing tracks such as the wonderful “You Won’t Feel a Thing” where the audience is asked to contribute vocals from every seat to finish the song and it’s a real moment for artist and fan as the church becomes a man made choir. It’s a great gig to be watching, they have the audience on their side all night from here on in and they are enjoying every minute of it. They talk to the crowd about how Crystal Palace played the last time they visited and how the show in Bristol was cancelled due to Mackaye being too ill to even talk.
BTW, If you are from Bristol reading this and were looking forward to the show, then he was seriously gutted they didn’t play it and wanted you to know that, so I guess sometimes you have to pass these messages on for the right reasons.
The duo then played a track called “Cut from the Cloth” dedicated to John Loder who passed away last August and was the founder of Southern Records. He had worked with Dischord Records for 21 years, loved his music and dedicated his life to a scene that supported his tastes worldwide. It was a touching moment as the lyrics fell into the angelic surroundings across the pulpit and pillars and merged with “Mount Pleasant Isn’t”. With its upbeat drum beats and quirky message the crowd were called into action again and sung the lyrics “
the Police will not be excused, the police will not behave” that apparently beat the voices at the Welsh show. Sorry Wales, but we were on form tonight.
With thunderous applause filling the church, Ian’s precision plucking started the sleepy melodious drive of “On The Face Of It“. This song is one of my personal favourites on their album, as it is one of those songs that takes you out of normality and directly into cotton wool. It was followed with “All These Governors“, Ian explains how Governments “are like the weather, they come and go“, which lifts the chilled atmosphere, supplying yet another classic song to the static, seated crowd. This is just sublime and by now I am one of 500 people feeling in awe of such a show, it was simply unique.
Mackaye has plenty of time to talk to people all night. He talks about how the i-pod store on Regent Street looked freaky, like a Turkish bath where people bathe in information and how music venues are now cattle farms for youth culture to drop cash into. He had a lot to talk about on the subject of George Bush and how much of a clown that President really is and the songs flowed.
“All You Find You Keep” is followed by the melodic vibes of “Crude Bomb“, Amy is dedicated a track called “Blessed not Lucky“, then Mackaye changes mic’s to support a spotless version of “Minding Ones Business“. This show does not really want to end but does, leaving everybody feeling very special to have witnessed something so pacifying, yet so political. It was very unique setting.
But the communication was clear and bands like The Evens prove you can still get a message out by using music – if only George Bush knew how to rock..
Zac Slack
Images on this page borrowed from www.southern.net where you can also read an Ian Mackaye interview about The Evens.
Visit the Dischord site to find out more about the label and order a CD.
Club NME @ KoKo
31/03/06
If you like The Strokes, Editors and Interpol then youll love these guys…Kill the Young are 3 brothers from Manchester in their early 20s, they formed the band 7 years ago and so far have played over 350 gigs. They played at In The City last year and were signed off the back of that performance to French label Discograph who released their debut single ‘Origins of Illness’ and self titled album in France in 2005 and this year they have plans to conquer home turf..I caught them midway through their UK tour when they played Club NME.
I’ve been waiting to catch these guys for a while now and when I heard they were playing Koko I couldn’t refuse. The venue’s great, perhaps its all the red velvet trim and the huge glitter ball, but gigs in there always go down well. I got there just in time to catch the first track, the venue was almost full and there were a few hardcore fans down the front ready and waiting. The stage was so full of smoke that you could barely make out Olly behind on drums but he definitely made his presence known as did Dylan, the jack in the box bass player, who bounded happily around the vast koko stage. Tom showed off his catchy guitar rifts and lead vocals whilst hiding shyly behind his long hair and slender frame.
They play their new single ‘Addiction‘ fairly early on which caught the crowds attention, and followed with ‘Change The Record’ a catchy indie pop number and from then on they had the audience hooked. They managed to squeeze a few absorbing guitar solos into their set and keep interest with the stage dynamics between Tom and Dylan, the band gel well together onstage and clearly enjoy themselves up there. By the time they played their last single ‘Origins of Illness’ and the grohl-inspired ‘Sail Away‘, which kicked off the mosh pit, the lower level of koko was rockin!
Considering it was a club night, the band played out a quality 7-8 song set and after falling in lust with their album (produced by Dimitri Tikovoi and mixed by Flood) it was great to finally see the live version which if anything has made me hungry for more.
Unfortunately no UK festivals have been confirmed yet so ill just have to make do with the Buffalo Bar on 19th April! New single ‘Addiction‘ is out on 10th April, check out their myspace site for streamed tracks and the new video.
FYI – The name Kill The Young is reference to the current state of modern Western society and the pressure being applied to young people to grow up too quickly. By eating into the time spent being carefree and young, society is effectively killing youth and snuffing out any possibility of rebellion or counter-culture.
Nicky Ibbitson
It’s April already and we’ve had our first real day of sunshine in 2006. To celebrate this momentus and rare occurance, we’re going to throw your way some new indie, punk, metal and hardcore to dine out on whilst the inevitable rain comes pouring down. Move the valuables out of the room, turn the volume up and get to rocking, because The Pit is unleashing some brilliant stuff for you!
DIRTY PRETTY THINGS – Bang Bang You’re Dead (single)
(Vertigo Records)
www.vertigorecords.co.uk
www.dirtyprettythingsband.com
Raising from the ashes of The Libertines, Carl Barat and drummer Gary Powell are here to wipe the smug grin off Pete Doherty’s face with their debut single BANG BANG YOU’RE DEAD. Produced by Dave Sardy ( Jet/Oasis/Dandy Warhols) it’s the perfect appetizer for their album ( set for release on May 8th) Jumping off with a mournful New Orleans-esque fanfare, the tracks bounces along – with Barat’s wonderfully familiar vocals swinging along with the thumping drums. There’s no denying the single has the same jaunty swagger and the same wonderfully addictive chorus as some Libertines tracks, which leads to the question – can Dirty Pretty Things ever shake off the Libertines mantle, and more pointedly – do they want? With a ready made loyal fan base already in place what more could they ask for? But with 3 ex Libertines in the race now, what of the fourth? I’d recommend putting your money on the dark horse in this race. Ex Libertine bassist John Hassell’s and his as yet unsigned band YETI have just finished a hard slog in the studio – what this space for their debut , they could yet come out on top.
FALLOUT BOY – Dance Dance( single)
(Mercury)
www.falloutboyrock.com
www.mercuryrecords.co.uk
I can’t quite take Fallout Boy seriously now I’ve seen the pictures of guitarist Pete Wentz’s ‘Little Pete’ floating about online, but nevertheless the pop punk pranksters from Chicago demand our attention with their second single Dance Dance. Basically if you liked ‘Sugar We’re Going Down’ you’re going to like Dance Dance; it’s cut from the same cloth, an upbeat anthemic ditty with sing-along choruses, which wheedles it’s way into your head. Some clever little person’s coined the word ‘Mainstr-emo’ and that’s what this is : emo for the masses. Glorious guitars, tambourines meshed with anxious tones coupled with angst ridden lyrics – Fall Out Boy have hit on a successful formula and this rough and tumble single is another notch in their belt ( just keep that belt done up next time Pete..).
THE FADES – Caca / Fruitmachine(single)
(Genepool)
www.thefades.co.uk
www.genepoolrecords.com
The Fades describes themselves as ‘punk soul rockers’ – and they may have hit the nail on the head. CACA bounces out of the stalls with a racing bass, coupled with pulsating drums and jagged guitars. Vocals are almost spoken but it’s the chorus that hits you squarely between the eyes with its contemptuous, in-your-face turns. Ultimately this offering is accessible punk; racing along, twisting and turning with new intensity, there’s a sense of urgency which carries the tracks along. B side Fruit Machine is reminiscent of The Clash, production is raw and unpolished, edgy vocals coupled with dirty guitars – in a world of super slick production and vocals auto tuned to hell The Fades have a real’ sound that’s a breathe of fresh air, and this London based four piece are anything but generic. If you’re sick of of the sugar coated American punk pop and overly produced indie – then THE FADES could be the perfect antidote.
FIZZGIG – Fizzgig
(Self Released)
www.fizzgigonline.com
The self titled mini album from Cincinnati upstarts FIZZGIG is bursting with up-tempo beats, easy on the ear choruses coupled with heavy guitars and endearing melodic lyrics. Tracks seem familiar after only a few listens, there’s nothing overly original or different to make them stand out from the legions of same same pop punk bands out there which is a shame, because ultimately this is a really likeable and talented four piece, who sound like a cross between Weezer and Smashing Pumpkins. But despite the lack of originality, kudos to FIZZGIG for recording and producing this album off their own back and on their own label. With the current love affair with punk tinged power pop this guys will be successful but here’s hoping their next release have a little more of their own identity stamped on it.
THE ORGAN- Brother
(Too Pure Records)
www.theorgan.ca
www.toopure.com
With a name like THE ORGAN you’d be forgiven assuming this was a full on grunt-rock outfit, and so it’s a pleasant surprise to find a wonderfully talented quintet of girls behind the name. Hailing from Vancouver, THE ORGAN’s debut UK single ‘Brother‘ paves the way for their album ‘GRAB THAT GUN’, which touches down this week. Tinged with a light melancholy, the track is a simple arrangement, but starkly beautiful. The vocals courtesy, of Kate Sketch, have a tragic air of vulnerability to them. But this isn’t cry-into-your-pillow emo, rather it’s an almost folk meshed indie, and The Smiths’ and The Cure’s influence wheedles it’s way through the track. THE ORGAN prove to be an unexpected treat, their atmospheric, poignant take on life is both charming and uplifting.
THE DEAD PETS – The Revenge Of The Village Idiots
(10 Past 10)
www.thedeadpets.co.uk
If you like loud, fast, chaotic rock n’ roll, then you ought to like the Dead Pets – it’s that simple. Imagine Motorhead brawling with Madness for the last can of super-strength cider in the fridge; a mix of buzzsaw guitar and brash horns that’s guaranteed to get any self-respecting punk rock fan dancing. Smart, and often side-splittingly funny, ‘Village Idiots’ sees the band taking issue with the tabloid mentality (‘If It Sells, It Sells’), drug addiction (‘Mother’s Ruin’) and debt problems (‘Never Never’) with no shortage of tunes or charisma. They’re probably playing near you soon; you know what to do.
BACKYARD BABIES – People Like People Like People Like Us
(Century Media)
www.backyardbabies.com
The colourful Swedish rockers have returned with another helping of Stockholm-via-Sunset-Strip rock n’ roll, and boy, does this one taste good. Hellacopters main man Nicke Andersson is on production duties; and there are echoes of his band on the swaggering riffs of ‘Cockblocker Blues’ and the soulful ‘Roads‘. For the most part, though, it’s bubblegum sleaze punk anthems of the highest order, with the chorus of ‘Dysfunctional Professional’ sure to lodge itself in your brain within first listen. A life affirming record that is best enjoyed with the volume cranked up and the booze flowing freely.
DARKEST HOUR – So Sedated, So Secure
(Victory)
www.darkesthour.cc
The term ‘metalcore’ is fast becoming a dirty word, largely due to the legions of bands peddling plagiarised Iron Maiden riffs over a horribly over-produced approximation of hardcore. So be grateful for the existence of Darkest Hour, a band who inject some much needed intensity and integrity into the genre. This re-release of their second album (from 2001) hits home with the force of a fully grown tiger chasing a wounded wildebeest; with all the speed, roaring and shredding you could wish for. The two bonus tracks are highly worthwhile, but the real surprise lies in what follows you’ll have to discover that for yourself, though!
MCLUSKY – Ism
(Too Pure)
www.mclusky.net
Welsh trio Mclusky were never really afforded the recognition they deserved, despite three excellent albums and some frenetic live shows. Finding themselves in a scene awash with Strokes clones, they took a raw garage punk sound and twisted into bizarre new shapes, topping it off with a dark, often-sarcastic sense of humour. Songs like ‘Joy‘ and ‘To Hell With Good Intentions’ rock in a Sonic Youth/Pixies manner, with a shot of small-town rage thrown in for good measure, and there are doubtlessly many more treats to be found on the b-sides and rarities CDs (available as part of a limited edition 3CD set). Sadly, they split up last year; but here’s your chance to catch up on what you might have missed.
SICK OF IT ALL – Death To Tyrants
(Abacus/Century Media)
www.sickofitall.com
The legendary New York hardcore stalwarts have been in the game for twenty years now, and ‘Death To Tyrants’ is proof enough that they’ve lost none of the righteous fury and urgency that made classics like ‘Scratch The Surface’ so compelling. There’s no showing off here; just track after track of fast, furious, no-frills hardcore, with potential future live favourites in the likes of ‘Die Alone’ and the heavyweight riffing of ‘Uprising Nation’. There are many younger bands out there who’ve taken inspiration from Sick Of It All‘s legacy, but on ‘Death To Tyrants‘, Lou Koller’s crew have struck a hefty blow for the old guard.
CANNIBAL CORPSE – Kill
(Metal Blade)
www.cannibalcorpse.net
Chances are that whether they realise it or not, everyone has either seen or heard Cannibal Corpse at some point in their futile lives. Though they made a little-known appearance in the Jim Carrey classic ‘Ace Ventura’, the aptly titled ‘Kill’ is yet another mainstream-loathing and delightfully disgusting masterpiece from one of death metal’s longest serving legends. Let the bloodbath begin.
FACEDOWNINSHIT – Nothing Positive, Only Negative
(Relapse)
www.facedowninshit.com
Hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina; Facedowninshit melds the ethos of hardcore and punk, the sincerity of blues and a forceful urgency to create their own unique brand of southern fried dirt metal. With latest opus ‘NPON‘, the trio have delivered the type of honesty that resonates in every word, every riff, and through every last drum beat. Pure sludge brilliance.
LAMB OF GOD – New American Gospel
(Epic Records)
www.lamb-of-god.com
If you were unfortunate or just plain stupid enough to miss Lamb of God’s now infamous Metal Blade / Prosthetic released debut ‘New American Gospel’, then on April 17th comes to chance to redeem yourself. Re-packaged with 4 bonus tracks including the fan favourite rarity ‘Nippon‘, this was to be the album that would lay down the foundations for modern day metal as we know it.
SOILENT GREEN – Confrontation
(Relapse)
www.soilentgreen.net
Much like fellow underground royalty Eyehategod (of whom they share six-stringer Brian Patton), New Orleans’ sludge-metal masters Soilent Green are undoubtedly one of heavy metal’s most criminally unsung heroes. Hailed as one of the genre’s “top 10 most important bands” by US super-mag Rolling Stone, ‘Confrontation‘ is possibly the most devastating and intensely focussed album of their career.
SYLOSIS – Casting Shadows EP
(Self Released)
www.myspace.com/sylosis
Within 12 months, chances are that any self-respecting metalhead will know the name Sylosis. The Reading based quintet are one of the UK scene’s fastest rising and most talented prospects; currently attracting various major label interest with a blistering concoction of classic and contemporary metal ferocity. Beat the rush and pick up a copy of their forthcoming ‘Casting Shadows’ EP to discover the UK’s next breakthrough sensation.
HERESY – Face Up To It!
(Boss Tuneage Retro Series)
www.bosstuneage.com
From the mid to late eighties, Heresy were the absolute kings of the UK hardcore scene. They were blindingly fast and heavy, yet their short and viciously sharp songs were infected with enough buzzing riffs and melodic hooks to keep you coming back for more. In short, they wrote good songs! Their live shows were heroically high energy affairs, with each member high jumping around the stage as each track exploded into life. They only ever recorded one full length LP, reissued here with twelve bonus tracks recorded in rehearsal. The album’s original recording was plagued with problems and the band were never happy with the thin, tinny sound they got from the studio but had no money left and no other choice than to go with what they had. The songs themselves, however, made it all worth it and the album still did well on release. Thankfully, this reissue has been completely remastered and ‘Face Up To It!’ finally has the punchy sound it deserves. A must for fans of real hardcore.
THE HORROR – The Fear, The Terror, The Horror
(Violent Change)
www.wearethehorror.co.uk
Talking of real hardcore, let me introduce you to the sheer raw power of The Horror. Fuck all of that metal shit masquerading as hardcore, this is the real deal. Fast, pissed off and utterly direct, The Horror plug into the roots of hardcore, feeding off the power of seminal bands like SSD, Void, Negative Approach, DRI etc and spewing them back into the present in a wave of bile and hate. This is vicious stuff. Their second full album and just as short and razor sharp as before. They’ve certainly not fucked with the formula and stick to what they do best.
PENTAGRAM – First Daze Here Too
(Relapse)
www.relapse.com
When Black Sabbath single-handily created heavy metal back in 1970 with their dark, morbidly black debut album, greasy haired teens the world over filled their lungs full of thick dope smoke and took their cue to take rock music in a much heavier, darker direction. Pentagram hailed from Washington DC and throughout the seventies created some of the best and most influential doom rock, combining those classic Tony Iommi riffs with the heavy blues of the Groundhogs and The Who and the obscure, twisted heavy rock of Sir Lord Baltimore and Captain Beyond. Although the band came very close to success throughout the seventies, that big record deal never came their way and it wasn’t until the eighties that they finally started releasing records. But their seventies material is the best and Relapse have done the right thing and expanded on their previous demo collection with this double CD of primal rock grooves. Unmissable.
VARIOUS – Creative Outlaws
(Trikont)
www.trikont.com
In many respects, the art of the compilation album is dead. Destroyed by endless record label samplers, magazine giveaways and thoughtless cash-ins, to find one with some love and passion put into it is rare. Anyone old enough to remember the joy of compiling a compilation tape for a friend will be able to relate to this. Hours were spent selecting and compiling, sometimes working to a theme, sometimes just selecting your choice tunes of the week. Well, ‘Creative Outlaws’ has that vibe. Created from American Underground music recorded between 1962 and 1970, ‘Creative Outlaws’ is the perfect title for this collection of freaks and misfits, ranging from the blasting rock of Hendrix and MC5 to the weirdy-beardy lunacy of Captain Beefheart and The Fugs, this is a truly challenging romp through the American Underground when the times they were a changing. A true piece of history.
MOTORPSYCHO – Black Hole/Blank Canvas
(Stickman)
www.stickman-records.de
Although this is their first album in three years, usually prolific Norwegian art-rockers Motorpsycho have not been lazy in their absence. ‘Black Hole/Blank Canvas’ is a double album of sprawling moods, sounds and styles. Mixing indie, post-punk, stoner rock and Krautrock to stunning effect, this is constantly challenging and absolutely never boring! Songs like ‘No Evil’ ride that difficult divide between experimentation and melody, making sure the songs still have enough hooks in them to keep reeling you in like wet flappy fish whilst never resorting to the obvious or retracing their steps. Great stuff. Highly recommended.
We all know everyone loves them, that’s why they’re number 1, but how about a sneaky peak at the video for Gnarls Barkley’s smash single Crazy?
Have a butcher’s by clicking here!
www.gnarlsbarkley.com for all the rest.
British rockers Bullet For My Valentine have shot themselves in the foot resulting in being sensationally kicked off their first full tour of the US where they were supporting Rob Zombie. Front man Matt Tuck posted comments on Zombie on the group’s official boards.
Tuck said Zombie’s management and crew were “money grabbing fucks” due to the UK group being forced to match the headline act’s merchandise price of $40 a t-shirt, and also said his band weren’t being treated well on the tour. Soon after Tuck put out an official apology through the website, but was told to bugger off soon after.
Bullet For My Valentine will return to the UK live scene in June as part of the Download Festival’s main stage line-up for Sunday June 11th alongside fellow serial whinger Axl Rose.
Oxford based rock trio King Furnace will release their debut single ‘Crash!‘ on May 8th through Akuaba Records. A full-length video for the track was recently completed, and is expected to be available in the coming weeks.
The band will undertake a short tour of Northern Ireland to coincide with the release, before heading back to familiar shores for a one-off London date at Kentish Town’s Bull and Gate.
See www.kingfurnace.co.uk for more information.
King Furnace May 2006 tour dates:
Thu 11th The Oak Bar Portadown, NI
Fri 12th The Duke Bar Warrenpoint, NI
Sat 13th The Hoot Bar Downpatrick, NI
Mon 15th Lavery’s Belfast, NI
Sat 20th Bull and Gate London”
Wu Tang’s Ghostface Killah is back, and he’s back with a bang. Fishscale is a monster of a rap album, with exceptional production from all across the spectrum, from MF Doom to London’s own Lewis Parker [who produces Shakey Dog, the track you can stream here] and of course brings in some tight flows from Ghostface himself.
Always energetic and bringing the rhymes with a voice that has as much physical presence as a Lennox Lewis punch, Ghostface doesn’t let up on this album, especially on the standout tracks The Champ, Shakey Dog and Be Easy. Another bonus on this album is the reuniting once more of the entire Wu Tang [including ODB], on the track 9 Milli Bros. It’s always great to hear New York’s premier crew hitting the bars with their distinct style.
Ghostface has always been able to produce great tracks but sometimes his consistency has lacked a little, but not on Fishscale. He brings a great mix of party tracks, slower songs and always gets that head nodding, a sure fire way of being a smash. Cop this album as soon as you can, it’s a banger.
Camden Underworld
05/04/06
It was like being transported back 5 or 6 years when I walked past the World’s End, next to the venue. Kids wearing huge baggies, key chains, nu metal patches and t-shirts, all lined up to see the return of (hed)pe. I was looking forward to it, and had been bumping their album Broke in anticipation for what I expected to be a pretty rowdy show.
Unfortunately, I was dead wrong. Whilst the set started well, with Jahred and his group bringing the crowd to boiling point by knocking out some nice chunky nu metal, it went downhill faster than a rollercoaster at Alton Towers. Firstly, the set included just 2 songs from Broke, easily their best album, and was filled instead with third rate reggae and fast punk stuff that barely anyone knew or cared about.
Secondly, Jahred’s constant spiel about getting his nuts licked and how bitches should shut up and listen to Fall Out Boy just made me shake my head like a mother hearing her son use a cuss word at the dinner table. It got boring quickly, as did his talking about what a fool George Bush is. It’s not like we don’t know this, he’s been around 5 years, talk about something else.
The final straw for me was the encore. Or encores. There is absolutely no need for a group to walk off stage and come back on 4 times. In fact, the final time they re-emerged, they were facing only a half full crowd as everyone had assumed that they’d finally finished and started to leave.
Nu Metal isn’t as dead as everyone seems to think, with a full venue wanting to hear an hour long set filled with it, but if (hed) keep playing sets like this, then they’ll be digging their own grave, without needing the press to help them.