Caught in the Crossfire

The Guild of Taxidermists

www.myspace.com/voyageofthenarwhal

Narwhals are found northwards from Ashford through much of London. The population found here are most abundant. However, the Narwhal is rare in Siberia and Alaska. The Narwhal is one of many hardcore/screamo species. The species features ex members of Soon the Darkness, After Every Tempest and Sea of Shit. It resembles City of Caterpillar, Breakwater and other early ‘Ebullition’ style bands in appearance and is considered a relative of this mammal.

The Narwhal is a social animal. It is known to live in small groups of 5 individuals. Sometimes, males gather in a pod of bachelors. During the migratory season, Narwhals tend to lead other groups, which results in hundreds and thousands of species going in one direction

Narwhals make use of pulsed calls. They are also known to whistle, yet it is rare. It is believed that individuals may have specific calls. They produce these sounds to communicate with their group members. The sounds can be pulse and tonal. Pulse sounds can be as high as 20-40 kHz. Tonal sounds made by Narwhals tend to be about 0.3-18 kHz. Field recordings of these communications have been posted above but are of fairly poor quality due to squally conditions at sea and the reclusive nature of these creatures around humans.

I Quit

www.solarise.info

In 2001 Belgian singer songwriter, J.P.Risse moved to Scotland. The placement of an advert in a Glasgow music store led to him meeting Rodger Hughes. Inspired by their love of music they started writing songs together. They approached Gary McMillan and Daniel McGuire and formed Solarise. In 2003 the band released their debut EP, “Songs for the Devil.” It immediately caught the attention of the Scottish media, inspiring one radio presenter to proclaim Solarise as “One of the most exciting & innovative bands of the year!”

They soon attained much international interest through increasing airplay throughout Europe, and were soon approached to perform at a range of festivals. Performing extensively throughout most of 2004, Solarise quickly earned themselves a reputation as one of the most interesting and exciting live bands in Scotland, combining their eclectic blend of music with stunning visual images, produced by artist Tom Elliot

In autumn 2004, the band started recording their debut album, “Still The Same Dream”. Album preview tracks impressed BBC Radio 1’s Jo Whiley so much she included the band in a weeklong ‘Best of new British’ feature on her show. The Album was recorded in Scotland and mixed by Producer, Rudy Coclet in Belgium. In spring 2006 Solarise will be playing a series of dates throughout the UK to coincide with release of the album. Solarise are currently looking for a manager to take their band forward and during this search they are hard at work on their follow up album.

“Fireworks”

www.drugdealercheerleader.co.uk

Bored with the latest wave of soul-destroying guitar music, DrugdealerCheerleader is a rock’n’roll band, pure and simple. There’s no doubt about it the music that the band are playing isn’t the most appealing to the so called trend-setters in their ivory towers – but by god it’s filled with fuel-injected passion. DrugdealerCheerleader don’t care about what the trendy set perceive as cliché. They wear make-up, say “motherfucker”, have loud distorted guitars, pogo on stage and simply rock with no thought for those that don’t want to roll with them. Marrying melody and energy DrugdealerCheerleader’s songs are filled with ocean-wide hooks and a devil may care attitude. All that’s left to say is go and dust off the rock’n’roll attitude put it back on and watch out for the next generation…

“Fuck ’em if they can’t deal with it” – DrugdealerCheerleader front man Hilda on being told to calm his act down….

“Part Time Punk”

www.myspace.com/heygravity

Hey Gravity are a two girl/three boy rock and roll song machine out of London. HG is also the new project fronted by singer/chanteuse Justine Berry, who has been described as that rare find in the musical landscape of 2006; a girl singer that can actually rock, drawing comparisons with Chrissie Hynde, Debbie Harry, PJ Harvey, Peaches and other girls with attitude.

Justine also recently collaborated and brought some rock and roll fire to two tracks on the 2005 album from breakbeat duo Atomic hooligan ‘You Are Here’, which was voted Best Album Of 2005 in the Breakspoll Awards and one of the top albums of the year in magazines including DJ Magazine. Hey Gravity sees Justine, along with new campadre/guitarist Anna on guitar, Andy, Paul and Stuart, moving forward, with a bunch of great new songs recorded, including ‘Part Time Punk’ (available from their site for free download), ‘Risen (she said)’ and ‘Inside Out’- already getting feet moving and tongues wagging.

“Twax”

www.myspace.com/keiko

Let’s be honest. There’re too many bands in this world that sound exactly like some other band – and that band probably wasn’t so hot to start with. In the last few years we’ve witnessed the rise of identikit emo and sexless metal – an endless, soul-crushing repetition choking the once mighty fire of rock ‘n roll. Goddamnit, doesn’t anyone want something new?

Keiko are a band that do, and anyone who’s seen or heard them would certainly agree that they provide it in spades. This is a band for whom comparisons are not easily made – or if they are, they’re usually rendered obsolete by the next chorus. Keiko are frenetic, aggressive and unpredictable, but Keiko are also accessible, melodic and – whisper it – catchy.

They’d hesitate to call themselves ‘punk’ because of the connotations of Neanderthal stubbornness it now entails. Keiko’s music explores odd time signatures, jazz harmonics and some migraine-inducing structures. On the other hand, they’re not mad on the word ‘prog’ because it makes them sound pretentious and bloated. Keiko’s music is lean, vital and brimming over with energy.