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Buzzbombs – 13 banging new tunes

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Useless Eaters – ‘The Moves’ (Slovenly Records)

Useless Eaters is basically Seth Sutton, and much like the reverb-troubadour Jay Reatard (RIP), he’s been defecating droplets of punk distortion like loose stool, while making music hard like a bar-room stool to pick up in a saloon brawl. The album Singles: 2011 – 2014 contains rich pickings ranging from Devo-esque futuristic Cle-punk like ‘Bloody Ripper’ through to anthemic ‘I Hate The Kids’ featuring garage rock doyen Ty Segall, but my fav is ‘The Moves’, coming on like electrodes to the abdomen. – Nick Hutchings

Pinkwash – ‘Cancer Money’ (Sister Polygon Records)

Set to destroy London’s Power Lunches with their raucous two-man din on June 9th, Pinkwash are steaming with rage on their latest cut. And with good reason. “Long after acceptance comes extreme bitterness”, guitarist Joey Doubek recently told Pitchfork of the track’s deeply personal inspiration. It does’t take a genius to figure this one out, do not miss the chance to see them next month. – Dave Palmer

The Black Tambourines – ‘No Action’ (Self Released)

This Cornwall band stole the show back in 2013 with ‘Ghost At A Party’. A tune that was on repeat in here for what seems like forever. Well, they came back for a Record Store Day release with a new track that sounds like they’ve been up for weeks on end on speed and moonshine. Gone are the laid back sneers and melodic surf jangles, now replaced with ferociously snarling garage punk. We cannot wait for the new album in August as this band have so much to give – watch this space. – Zac

Ex-Cult – ‘Cigarette Machine’ (Castle Face Records)

Get in on this title track from Ex-Cult’s 2015 EP. Super dark, hypnotic and raging Death Punk from Memphis, Tennessee. Anyone got a light? – Pete Craven

Dirty Fences – ‘Judy (Don’t Go)’ (Slovenly Records)

Judy is a punk, and that’s why the Ramones enthralled scuzz bucket glam racketeers Dirty Fences don’t want her to go. Using ‘The Dirt’ as their how-to-guide, they will probably wind up making both friends and enemies, throwing windmills and nunchucks, punching bouncers and kissing groupies. It’s a helluva ride back into the 80s on the four DeLoreans of the apocalypse. – Nick Hutchings

Ceremony – ‘The Separation’ (Matador)

Ceremony are unable to make the same record twice. Every album they’ve released has been a step in a new direction and this one may be the boldest yet. Famously named after a New Order song, Ceremony’s new album, The L Shaped Man is the band fully embracing an influence from the classic Manc band. Vocalist Ross Farrar now croons, not roars. It’s bound to upset more than a few fans of the band’s visceral earlier material but it’s a step that feels natural for the band. Check out the first single, ‘The Separation’, now and embrace the synths. – Tim Lewis

The Magic Gang – ‘No Fun’ (S/R)

Only 2 weeks ago I found myself packed like a sardine in someone’s bedroom in Brighton where The Magic Gang had the entire place swinging from the light sockets – until the electricity blew. Their laid-back catchy pop tunes have become somewhat infectious since, and every time I hear this track in public I start bundling people. – Zac

Riddles – ‘Wizards Of War’ (Energy Snake Records)

Hailing from Hastings, this band of delinquents first pricked our ears with the crushing ‘Psyhedelic Power Engine Iron Claw Thunder Mistress’ single, dropped exclusively for Record Store day just gone. Reassuringly, they’re still burning up the road ahead with this anarchic video to match the single’s insane B-Side ‘Wizards Of War’. Turn this one up as far as it’ll go. – Dave Palmer

Long Knife – ‘Teenage Death Ceremony’ (Self Released)

Totally ballistic Poison Idea infatuated Punk Rock from Portland, Oregon. Here’s a crusher from their new album Meditations on Self Destruction. They’ve just torn up the UK. You snoozed, you loozed… – Pete Craven

Blazing Eye – ‘No Outside’ (LVEUM)

At long last, La Vida Es En Mus have made Blazing Eye’s eponymous debut EP available for us Eurotrash. This LA band seem to be picking up fans from all over the world, uniting punks with their blown out Japanese-style hardcore. This is the opening song and probably the one they’re most known for. I recently saw them in New York and the second this song started, it went loony. One of the most exciting bands in hardcore and fingers crossed, a Euro tour is planned for 2016! – Tim Lewis

Sheer Mag – ‘Fan The Flames’ (Wilsuns RC/Katorga Works)

Having wowed us all late last year with their infectious 7″, Sheer Mag delivered the goods in the live arena too, leaving audiences stunned and industry tongues wagging aplenty at SXSW this year. Taken form their new release II, ‘Fan the Flames’ delivers more of the same irresistible garage rock, and sees singer Christina Halladay on fierce form. – Dave Palmer

White Reaper – ‘I Don’t Think She Cares’ (Polyvinyl)

White Reaper’s sophomore record …Does It Again mixes lovelorn punk rock angst with almost Phil Spector-esque keyboard melodies, and ‘I Don’t Think She Cares’ is a fine example of what this young Kentucky trio can do. Two minutes, buzzsaw guitars, killer chorus…job done, and done well. – Alex Gosman

Gruesome – ‘Demonized’ (Relapse Records)

If you are of the opinion that much of extreme metal these days is riddled with pro-tools and over technical, depleting so much of the power and energy, then check out Gruesome – these guys know how to do it! This is pure, raw, high energy death metal, just like they used to do it in the old days. Total Death, early Sepultura and Obituary worship, this is a massive guttural energy rush. Old school but not old age.

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Features Music

14 bands to hear in 2013

List choices from Zac, Joe Parry, Jennu Chu, James Sherry and Sean Hendrie.

2013 will be awash with all sorts of musical projects new and old. Knowing there are so many to choose from out there, we decided to throw together a selection of what we are listening to in here right now with an eye on what all of these bands have in the can for this year. Genre-wise, these are across the board so click play and find something you like.

Yep, there’s 14. No top 10 or top 20 bollocks. Dive in.

PISSED JEANS

Not a new band by any means but Pissed Jeans are a riot that need your attention! New album ‘Honeys’ is coming this month on Sub Pop and we can confirm that it is the heaviest record on no legs and about to completely wreck your ears. Kind of like Black Flag in a fight with Unsane on meths. Expect more carnage, more noise and more chaos from this lot this year. Superbness incoming.

WILDMEN

Roman garage-punk has never sounded better if you are tuned into the psych sounds of upcoming duo Wildmen. If you are digging the sounds of Fidlar and Black Lips then this moustache’d two-piece may well be right up your strasse. Listen to this single and if you want more head here.

JADED EYES

Jaded Eyes hail from Leeds and feature members of UK hardcore veterans Voorhees and The Horror. Taking their musical cues from legendary melodic DC punk rock outfits like Dag Nasty and Government Issue, Jaded Eyes are both gritty and melodic, staying true to the roots of emotive punk rock whilst at the same time they manage to sound contemporary and relevant. They have an album due on Boss Tuneage Records later this year.

SINGLE MOTHERS

As dangerous as they are impassioned, Single Mothers have been tearing up US stages with the likes of Quicksand, Touche Amore and Pianos Become The Teeth. Expect blood, sweat and a debut album in 2013.

YOUNG AVIATORS

This Scottish trio will be flying the flag for catchy indie-pop throughout 2013. Young Aviators are currently putting down the finishing touches to their debut album with producer Jamie Savage and have a free download up for grabs from here.

COLD CROWS DEAD

This ‘supergroup’ will be making their mark in 2013 with a project that should also grace stages this summer at festivals. Welcome to the wonderful world of Cold Crows Dead. their first offering ‘Ghost That Burned Your House Down’ is dark, deep and deadly addictive. If you are fan of Eels and Sparklehorse then you will be clicking this faster than others. Genius stuff.

WOODLANDS

As chillers go, Woodlands could be a great choice for stoners in 2013. The Swedish trio have an album of laid back but rocking treats that would sit well alongside records from Budgie, Yoko Ono, T-Rex, Grateful Dead and Neil Young.

DIAMOND RUGS

Talking of Black Lips, Ian Saint Pé from the band and his merry men who make up super-group Diamond Rugs should be releasing their debut sometime in the first quarter and hopefully with a tour to boot. Their album is sleaze-laden, stuffed full of pole-dancing, garage steez and all recorded down in Nashville. Don’t miss it.

GOAT

Afro-Beat collective GOAT mesmerized the Crossfire office with their stunning album “World Music” in late 2012. This crew come from Korpolombolo in deepest, darkest Sweden and have an incredible array of sounds that range from African to classic 70’s funk and will inject colour into your life on first listen.

THE CHILD OF LOV

More great, laid back tunes with 70’s inspiration comes from The Child of Lov. Double Six will be releasing more goodness from this solo artist this year, look out for him.

THE WYTCHES

Brighton’s hottest new filthy garage-grungers The Wytches should be on your radar right now. This new video for ‘Digsaw’ says it all, go grab a free download of it from here and wait for news of their debut release soon.

BABY GODZILLA

This year’s hottest metal band will be Baby Godzilla. Why? Because they have the lot in terms of banging riffs and fantastic harmonies and they also have something different to offer than the standard metalcore that hung about doing the same old melodic choruses and throat engaged verse malarkey in 2012. Get stuck into this track Powerboat Disaster as a first dip into what this Leeds 4-piece are about to unleash this year. Ph: Julie Kane

THE FINAL CRISIS

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Unsigned five-piece from Leeds formed in 2009 have two solid EP’s, 2010’s ‘Counterparts’ and 2012’s ‘Seasons’ under their belt. With an impressive following from sharing the stage with the likes of For The Fallen Dreams and Protest The Hero, The Final Crisis have the potential to be dark horses come this year. For fans of: Parkway Drive, For The Fallen Dreams and The Acacia Strain.

MY EXTRAORDINARY

Alternative rock five piece My Extraordinary are set to make a name for themselves in the near future. The Newcastle upon Tyne band are set to tour with Yashin this year. Prepare for them to unleash their awesome riffs on you. For fans of: Deaf Havana, Mallory Knox and Don Broco.