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Features Music

Introducing: Wildmen

When you think of the word ‘punk’ most people would probably not consider Italians to be in the top five regions famous for it. Look further though and you will find some underground treats like Wildmen here, a duo with a mission to keep the garage-rock flag flying in a country where the punk scene from old concentrated heavily on the subject matter of depression and the proletariat; the scene was politically motivated, sexually charged and fueled by that good old Italian blood found in no other country.

Made up of Giacomo Mancini (guitar) and Matteo Vallicelli (drums/vocals), Wildmen have a solid groove and can kick out a decent jam so we asked Fabiana Giovanetti to introduce them to you.

I know you have been also in some punk and hardcore bands. Which bands have you played in, what do you think you learnt from these past experiences?

I played in a couple of hardcore punk bands and still play with a band called Smart Cops. I think I learned a lot from the hardcore scene. Especially from touring. It helps you maturing the right attitude towards life in general when you have to sleep in a German squat full of rats and stuff like that.

If you had to describe your music in just three words, which ones would you pick?

Fun, fun, fun.

How much has the 60s garage-punk influenced your music? Is there any garage band in particular that you are drawing inspiration from, or are you influenced by other genres?

Of course we dig 60’s garage punk. Every band on compilations like “Nuggets” of “Back From The Grave” was a great inspiration for us but we don’t give a shit about the “garage revival” thing and don’t want to sound like them. We are very open minded and we listen to anything – even hip hop or techno…

Would you like to share with us the “legend” about how you formed the band?

There was this kind of saloon rumble in a bar in Trastevere (Roma). We were there and took part in the fight, and we became friends.

Why did you decide to record Wildmen in analog instead of digital?

We knew these friends who had this studio and decided to work with them cause we really liked their productions. It was very natural. Besides that, the tape has a warmer sound and we like it. We were very happy with the results.

You are now collaborating with Shit Music for Shit People, a label that is highly focused on the records and the artwork. How much is the product itself important, when it comes to a release?

It is very important to have records that sound but also look good, cause it’s easier to sell! Hehe… And you need to sell records when you are on tour. “Cash rules everything around me”, you know.

Was it your idea to suggest and use Francesco De Figueiredo’s art for the cover of the album?

Francesco is a good friend and we decided to work together. Again, it was very natural. We are really satisfied with the artwork he did. In fact, you couldn’t tell it’s a garage punk record. It looks more like a 90’s techno 12″ and we like this.

How much of the punk attitude you deliver when on stage? How is the chemistry between you whilst playing?

We just play really hard, trying to sound as big as we can even if we are just a duo. We need to concentrate on the show. I guess we are more “punk” while we are not playing, actually…

Do you have any interesting/embarrassing anecdote about a gig to share with us?

There are several, but since they all concern girls, drugs or faeces we prefer to keep quiet.

The apocalypse is coming and you have to put one track into a time capsule to preserve for future generations, what would it be?

“Be My Baby” by The Ronettes.

When you are not busy writing and performing with Wildmen, what do your daily lives look like?

Very boring.

Which are the main appointments in your agenda for the rest of 2013?

We are going on tour in Europe again in May and then start writing a new record.

Wildmen’s debut self titled album is out now vinyl 12″ and digital download via Shit Music For Shit People. Fill your ears and buy the album from here.

Categories
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

thefinalcrisis

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.

Categories
Buzz Chart Music Single Reviews

Wildmen

Wildmen
‘Haters Gonna Hate’
Shit Music For Shit People

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wildmen_hatersgonnahateThose who picked up the limited edition, spaghetti stained ‘I Spit On Your Graves‘ 7″ that was released by the Italian based label Kuma Records will be stoked to know that the duo known as the Wildmen are ready to release a full length in February and this is the first offering.

The band bring their own version of 60’s garage-punk back with a tashe-tinged groove similar to our favourite four-piece, the Black Lips but brings a dose of goodness that we keep coming back to this month. The duo simply rock and roll at the perfect temperature.

‘Haters Gonna Hate’ is the latest slice of Wildmen magic that is served up with a message to go fuck yourself. You know Haters Gonna Hate. So just keep walking down the road. Get some of this here.