Category Archives: New Music 2025

THE GRUESOMES: The Dimension Of Fear.

Posted on by

There are many things we can thank Canada for, but the one thing I am eternally grateful for, is that one of the best bands all time are from there. The Gruesomes.

The Gruesomes were a band I found on my own when I was about 20 ish (I’m 38) and when I found them, I felt like I did the first time I heard The Cramps and The Cure. I felt like I had found a home and being a weirdo wasn’t so bad at all. The Gruesomes debut record came out in ’86 (the year I was born) and 40 years later, the record still sounds effortlessly slick and ahead of its time. There is something so fantastic and beyond description within that record. I remember going to a market in Camden about 8 or 9 years ago when I was still living in London, and I did my weekly trip to buy records on my lunch break. I had 2 records in my hand, but all of a sudden, a copy of Tyrants Of Teen Trash caught my eye. I had been searching EVERYWHERE for this record, and all of a sudden, I am staring at it. Holding it in my hands. My holy grail. It was in my hands. I put the other 2 records pack, and bought The Gruesomes. I had the finest record of all time in my possession. I was the luckiest person in the world.

A few weeks ago, the band released The Dimension Of Fear. A record named by a fan, and it’s a solid name for a solid record. This record could easily have been released right after Tyrants Of Teen Trash. It has that typical sound of theirs; the sound that I know and love. The sound that feels like home, and the band have never sounded better. I hope one day they do a proper tour of the UK- I wouldn’t be mad if they didn’t make it to Manchester because I’d absolutely find a way to get to see them. But for now, let’s talk about why their new record rips and is one of the best records of the year.

The Dimension Of Fear is 12 songs in half an hour. You’ll want more, but what you get is essentially the best of The Gruesomes. It’s a sensational record, and it’s the band at their very best. I simply cannot praise this record enough, but I will. I will not shut up about this record at all. It’s their first record in 25 years, and those 25 years have sure as hell dragged! This is a stunning record, and if I was into marking records out of 10- it would exceed 10 out of 10. Gerry and Bobby’s vocals have never sounded so strong. You know they’ve been around for some time, and you’d probably expect there to be a change in how they play or whatever but absolutely not. This band can put any new bands to shame. They’ve got an abundance of energy that you wish you had even a fraction of. You wish you were as cool as The Gruesomes!

Just Go Away and That’s Using Your Head show us exactly why the band are one of the best, and I love that they are still playing shows. They are showing everyone how it’s done. They for me, are just one of the most underrated bands of all time. I love how they have that 60s Garage Rock sound but have carried it on beyond that (I know they formed in ’85, but I mean they perfected a sound before their time and made it theirs.) The Gruesomes know how to make songs that make you want to dance in a questionable fashion, they make you want to sing along as loud as you can to bops like What In The World, Broke My Brain and You’re Outta Luck. You cannot help but listen to this record and feel you’ve gone back in time BUT! BUT! If you’re already a fan of The Gruesomes, you’ll feel like they’ve never been away. I wasn’t born when their debut record came out (same year but I was still cookin’) but listening to their new record makes me feel like I’ve heard them for the first time but also really happy that I get to hear new music from a band I absolutely love.

Like a lot of bands I love, The Gruesomes make me wish I could play guitar or something because this is the kind of music I’d want to make. It’s just a prime example of slick Garage Rock/Punk, and it just makes you feel good. The band sure know how to make their fans feel good with their punchy Garage Rock sound, and I love that the band have been together for so long. You can truly hear in the music how much fun they have together and that beautiful childlike feel in their songs just has you hooked. The snarly vocals, the urgency in the sound. The playful and rowdy sound that just makes you want to ignore everything around you and soak up this record. It’s a masterpiece. It’s The Gruesomes in all their wonderful glory and I am so so grateful that they are still together and making music like this. It’s a flawless record, and you just cannot get enough of it.

They still have that rebellious schoolkid sound, and that sound is something you cannot help but love. You cannot help but be obsessed with it. Everything about this record is all us fans of The Gruesomes could ever want from them. It’s massively exceeded what I thought the record would sound like. I knew it was going to be a dream of a record, but this is truly something else.

Get yourself a copy and play it as loud as you can. And have it on repeat. I feel I could write a thousand plus more words on this record, but hopefully I’ve summed up my love for it and why it’s one of the best records of the year and was worth waiting 25 years for. Just don’t make us wait another 25!

The Dimension Of Fear is out now via Soundflat Records. Get some snotty Garage Punk in your ears!

PINS: I’ll Be Yours.

Posted on by

The world is terrible, but PINS are back! One of my favourite bands from Manchester are back. Listening to their new single, I’ll Be Yours is making me feel exactly the same way I did when I first heard them back in 2011 or 2012. It was either Shoot You or Luvu4lyf that got me hooked. I felt like I had found a band that were going to make me love a city that I loved even more and truly appreciate the music there. It made me want to leave where I was living at the time. I made that move in 2018, and I’m still here. Music makes this city. As do the people. Home is where the music is.

Alright, soppiness aside- I’ll Be Yours is PINS at their very best and my god how I’ve missed them. It’s been around 5 years since their last record (Hot Slick) was released, and this year marks 10 years of the divine and delicious Wild Nights record. I urge you to buy tickets for this, as this band are wonderful live.

The new single sounds like how The Shangri- Las or how The Crystals would sound if they were around now and had a heavier sound. In short, PINS have that beautiful 60s Girl Group sound that I love so much but have added this heaviness to it that just makes it so exciting. I’ve missed this band so much. I can’t put into words how much it means to have them back. Who needs Christmas or birthdays!? This is what we need.

The guitar on this insane, and you just know it is going to be a dream to hear live! PINS are a band that absolutely need to be seen live. Every show I’ve been to, they’ve just sounded better and better. I cannot wait for the tour, and to hear these songs again. Oh, I’ve bloody missed them.

I’ll Be Yours is a gorgeous number to have on repeat and waste the day away too. It’s everything PINS are in 2 minutes and 6 seconds. If you’ve never listened to them before, start with this and go back. Go back and get lost in their stunning and powerful sound. They’re the best of the best, and I’m so glad they are back.

Tour starts in a week, and you can get tickets here: PINS Tour

This wasn’t so much a review but me going on about why this band are bloody great and a call for you to get tickets for the tour.

VIVA PINS!

JASMINE.4.T : I Can’t Believe I Did This Without You.

Posted on by

There aren’t many bands/singers I will bawl at the second I hear their voice or pay attention to the lyrics. One in particular goes against this, is the beautiful and just wonderful human being- jasmine.4.t.

I’ve written about Jasmine a few times, and her music means so much. Her words mean the world- it’s like feeling at home or safe in the person you are. She’s just amazing and seems to always know what to say. She’s just incredible.

Rather than me tell you why her new single, I Can’t Believe I Did This Without You is incredible and go into detail why, I want to use this to show why this song is important using Jasmine’s words. Anyone can listen to the song and hear it’s importance, but I want to share why it is such a vital song and the importance of the deluxe version of You Are The Morning (which is out on Friday.)

Read carefully, and please support Yulia in any way you can. Free Yulia. Free Palestine.

“This deluxe version of my record is dedicated to political prisoner Yulia Trot aka YBT. I met Yulia at the first queer event I ever attended. It was six months after I had come out, and I was still living in Bristol but staying with friends in Manchester. Yulia and I became really close – she taught me how to do my makeup over FaceTime, supported me through my marriage ending, and when I became homeless I moved onto the sofa of her one-bed flat in Manchester until I found a room. She stayed by my side through the toughest times of my life, giving me the strength to carry on through my transition, and in time we became each others’ chosen family. When I started performing as Jasmine, she would come on the road with me as roadie/security. There were a few times when she put herself between me and men twice her size who wished to harm me.

As the project grew, Yulia continued touring with us, running the merch stand and selling her handmade friendship bracelets for the benefit of Trans Mutual Aid Manchester, an organisation that supports members of my community with essential costs. She became a close friend of the whole band and a vital, supportive and reliable member of our community.

One evening in November 2024, while we were recording a live session for 6 Music, we heard news that Yulia had been arrested that day in a violent raid on her home. She is one of the Filton 24, arrestees alleged to be connected with a group of actionists entering the UK headquarters of Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit systems in August 2024, where £1m worth of damage was said to be caused. This included killer Israeli drones that have been reported to target Palestinian children in Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Our beloved Yulia was initially arrested under terrorism law in a gross misuse of legislation that allowed heavy-handed police powers. She was then charged with the non-terror offences of burglary and trespass, but transferred as a political prisoner to a maximum security private prison on the other side of the country, away from her family and friends, where she will be held on remand for a total of two years until her trial. As with several other protestors that the state wishes to make an example of, she was kept in the rehab wing so that she would experience sensory torture from the constant screams of inmates experiencing withdrawal symptoms. The prosecutors’ details were shared with Israeli state officials in a breach of judicial independence. The United Nations have intervened in this case, stating that anti-terrorism legislation “may have been used to circumvent procedural safeguards in relation to detention, and as a specific and general deterrent” in a serious breach of human rights standards. Several international humanitarian law firms have cosigned a letter (https://eldh.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/UK-Filton-18-Statement.pdf) warning that this case signals a serious backslide of democracy and the rule of law.

Since her arrest, Yulia’s chosen family and friends have been regularly visiting her at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey and supporting her financially while in prison. Her absence is felt deeply and the visits to the prison carry an enormous emotional toll for us all. It terrifies me to see how my best friend’s mental health has deteriorated – she is autistic and is really struggling on the inside. There have been several periods where we have worried about her not surviving until her trial.

Entering the prison as a trans woman is terrifying, knowing how trans women are treated in prison. The first time I visited I was groped, and the second time I visited one of the guards made a joke about sexually assaulting prisoners. Though Bronzefield is the largest “Woman’s Prison” in Europe, several inmates there are transsexual men who are forcibly detransitioned on entry and denied access to their testosterone. Recently a trans man died in custody there – he was one of Yulia’s friends. This all happens while pride flags are displayed in the visiting hall. These daily traumas are wearing down on Yulia to the point where she thinks she is no longer herself, and will never be the same again.

Since my record was centred around themes of queer solidarity, queer friendship and queer love, three things that I believe Yulia personifies, it made sense to dedicate this deluxe version to her. These are some of the songs that she loved the most and often requested live, in particular “Did U No”, which was her favourite. I visited Yulia in prison during the recording session for this track, and I remember crying, screaming, and channeling my rage at the state into the vocals when I returned to the studio that evening.

We had planned to record “Did U No” for the album originally, as it was also a favourite of Phoebe’s, but sadly we ran out of time in LA. It is such a joy, now, to be able to finally get it down. It is joined by “Find Ur Ppl”, which was the second song that I wrote after coming out (following “Woman”). “Find Ur Ppl” is a song about meeting Yulia and the Manchester community, which feels vitally important given how many young trans people are in danger, isolated and in need of the safe haven of queer camaraderie. “I Can’t Believe I Did This Without You” and “I Don’t Think Anyone Else Could Hold The Same Place In My Heart” are two new songs on this release that I wrote during the LA recording sessions for the album, up on the roof of Sound City Studio between takes. I recorded five songs as demos and sent them as a thank you to my bandmates and producers after returning home to Manchester from LA. It’s nice to have more polished versions of these two. The remaining song, “Please Can We Hold Each Other Yesterday,” is a more recent ode to lost time with loved ones. I demoed this track on my phone and Steph Marziano (the awesome producer of these new tracks) liked it so much, as it was, that she suggested we didn’t re-record it and release it as is. I love how these tracks have turned out, with the help of Steph and the incredible band lineup that I have been playing live with this summer – Phoenix Rousiamanis on violin and keys, Maeve Westall on drums and Emily Abbott on bass.

Now when I sing these songs, I am singing them to my best friend, my mother, my sister, my daughter – the political prisoner Yulia Trot. Of all the things that I have lived through, nothing has felt as big as losing her. I hope that one day she will be able to hear these recordings. I hope that one day she, all of her co-defendants, and all of Palestine, will be free.

Please support Yulia’s friends and family with visit costs and read more at freeyulia.com and follow @freethefilton24 on Instagram.”

Jasmine will be on tour in the UK and Ireland in November:

11th Nov – Scala, London, UK
12th Nov – Thekla, Bristol, UK
13th Nov – The Art School, Glasgow, UK
15th Nov – Academy 2, Dublin, IE
16th Nov – Gorilla, Manchester, UK

SLICERRR.

Posted on by

Well, it’s happened. I’ve broken my word to myself where I vowed to never buy tickets to a show at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester. It’s a 5/10 minute walk from my flat but it’s also the worst venue in this city. I’ve not seen some bands there because I hate it so much BUT Amyl And The Sniffers are playing next month, and I cannot ever not see them. I saw them at a small venue in 2019 and to see them play a place like this is just WILD. Deserved but wild. Also, the support bands are insane. The Menstrual Cramps were a band that Raz loved so I’m partly going for him. And my girlfriend is desperate to see Amyl And The Sniffers too- I don’t think anything I tell her is going to fully prepare her for the experience!

Alright so, here’s a bloody great band from Helsinki for you-SLICERRR. Their debut EP came out in February and trust me it’s a ripper of a record. No part of it sounds like a debut record- it sounds like something a band deep into their career would make. It’s a fantastic record, and it’s one I am proudly obsessed with. If you can’t play a record on repeat relentlessly, then why bother?! This is everything I want from a record and more. It’s a proper rowdy Garage Punk record. It’ll make you want to down cans of lukewarm beer, throw empty cans at passing cars and run off into the night (I don’t advocate for throwing shit at people, but you get my point!) It’s a record to waste the day to and it’s a record that’ll make you wish you could go to their live shows every night. The energy throughout the record is divine.

I don’t know what the Punk scene is like in Helsinki but if there are more bands like SLICERRR out there- send them my way. This is incredible. The record touches on tough subjects such as the difficulty of modern life all the way through to the hectic nightlife of Italian cities (as a slightly more than half Italian human being, I welcome this!) The EP is a work of art; it’s just everything you could want from a record and these 5 songs are made to played loud and on repeat.

The record opens with Losing My Grip which perfectly sets the tone for the record and is a perfect introduction to the band. You really feel immediately what the band are about and right away fall in love with their sound. There’s probably a bunch of bands I could liken them to, but that’s not fair and comparisons serve no one at all. All you need to know is that the last minute of this song is a furious and shows you exactly why SLICERRR are one of the most exciting bands around. In some ways though, the song reminds me a little of Bored by Crows and that’s probably why I love this band so much. That’s the only comparison that’s needed, and I think it shows exactly how and why SLICERRR are so good! I know I say this a lot, but if I had ANY musical talent, I’d want to be in a band that sound like this. They just have this perfect Garage Punk/Garage Rock sound, and it just makes you want to MOVE. I feel like SLICERRR can only add positive things to your life and record collection. Who do I need to ask to demand a UK tour?! This is the kind of sound I absolutely adore with everything I have.

The EP is a perfect insight to the band, and I’m so excited to hear what’s next from them and to just get more and more music from them. SLICERRR are a joy to listen to, and I really hope that if you listen to them, you love them as much as I do. They deserve any and every bit of success they get because they really have such a strong sound and it’s a sound I can’t get enough of. They’re an incredible bunch of musicians and definitely deserve your attention, and love.

If you’re a fan of Küken- then you’ll love SLICERRR. Both bands have the same urgency to their sound and it’s just divine! (Sorry about the comparisons I said I wouldn’t make!)

Check out the EP (released via Dödstil) here:

CROCODILES @Zerox, Newcastle 28th August 2025.

Posted on by

Thursday night was my 20th Crocodiles show (it was also the bands 100th show with their current lineup) and it was without a doubt; the best I’ve ever seen them. Of course, my view will be entirely biased because I love that band a hell of a lot, but others at the show said the same thing so, I reckon it’s a fair comment!

The night before, my girlfriend and I had been in Edinburgh to see Chappell Roan and that was something else. Getting back to the hotel at 3am was not the same magical experience and we spent most of Thursday asleep. I think the pizza from Scream For Pizza cured me though. Hands down best vegan pizza I’ve had. I’ll probably say this throughout- but Zerox is my favourite gig venue. My heart does belong to the Shacklewell Arms and I think the Brudenell in Leeds is next level BUT Zerox has something else. It has something I can’t quite describe but it was the perfect place to see Crocodiles for sure.

If you’ve never seen Crocs before, then you may not be sure what to expect. However, don’t do what I did and stand right at the front next to the speaker. It’s been 2 days and my hearing in my right ear is slowly coming back. Anyway, if you’ve not injured yourself in some way at a show- have you even had a good time?! Charlie gently placed a Palestine flag on the stage before the band started, and it just reinforced my love for the band. Crocodiles are for the people. They are for those who get overlooked and they will always speak out. Sometimes they speak louder than most, and it’s why I adore them.

The hour and a bit that they are on stage is what sheer joy feels like. They play all the hits such as Wait Until Tomorrow, Love Beyond The Grave and Upside Down In Heaven but for me, it was Brandon dedicating Mirrors to little old me. I didn’t expect it and I felt like a little kid. The last time someone did this was probably around 8 or 9 years ago, and it was Tall Juan covering Chinese Rocks by the Ramones. I felt so cool! That feeling came back around and was the perfect way to make show number 20. There is something so special about seeing a band you adore live, and being able to see them in a new city is always good too (even if you did feel half dead beforehand!)

Since Raz died, I have honestly found it tough to write about music. I’ve got a lot that I probably need to listen to and write about, but I think seeing Crocodiles has slowly brought that love back and the love for writing. They always get me through. Their set was incredible and I’m pretty sure that when I turned to my girlfriend during the start of their cover of 1969, she probably thought something was wrong with me (more than usual!) It was a ripper of a cover and I hope they keep playing it. There was once a video on YouTube of their take on I Wann Be Your Dog but I’ve searched endlessly for it, and it’s gone. I hope their cover of 1969 makes it online somewhere because it is SO good. They ended the night with another cover- Jet Boy, Jet Girl which always goes down well. They sure know how to make classic songs their own. It’s part of what makes them great. The crowd were gorgeous in every way too and it was so good to see people appreciate Crocodiles in a way that they absolutely deserve. They have my heart for sure!

There’s a handful of bands that I love that I could happily watch play every night, and Crocodiles are one of them. It was easily the best show I’ve seen them play and I think maybe part of it was due to the venue and how you could sense a true feeling of community there. The venue wasn’t rammed but it was definitely full of love for the beloved band from San Diego.

Hearing a large chunk of songs from their latest record Upside Down In Heaven (2023) was so good and it’s safe to say that songs like I’ve Become What I Fear Most and Surfing With Death live are unreal. It makes you appreciate the record even more. They’ve released 9 or 10 records, and each one shows just why they are one of the best bands around and you can truly tell they love what they do when they are on that stage and the bond, they all have with each other is just a joy to watch. Seeing Charlie swing that guitar of his around like a machine gun will never ever get old!

I hope they play Zerox again because I will happily use annual leave from my job to travel to see them. An incredible venue.

Also, it’s vital to say that Jade Hairpins were on before Crocs, and they were gorgeous. Jonah from the band donned Charlie’s slick long leather jacket during Crocs setlist and stood at the front which was one of those “you had to be there” moments. If you weren’t there, then you missed out! Jade Hairpins played an incredible set too, but what do you expect when you’ve got members from Fucked Up there, right?!

In short, the show was just a dream. A wild and sweaty dream, and one I’m going to remember for some time.

THE BURGERS: Kick Fights To Lose.

Posted on by

I’ve wanted to write about music recently, but it’s seemed pointless because the person I’d want to share new (or new to me) music with, is no longer here. Anyone who knew Raz will feel that. Nothing feels right, and it doesn’t feel real. It’s a really strange feeling, and one I wouldn’t want someone I really hated to experience. Loss is brutal. It’s cruel. I’ll do my best to write this. I’ve got my cat next to me. The second she sees me put my laptop on the kitchen table; she sits next to me. Not looking at me, but making sure I’m protected. Sweet little Mary, I appreciate you- but a bird scared you earlier today so leave the protecting up to me angel!

I had an email from Zac (the brains and bones behind The Burgers) in May, so this is very delayed. The Burgers is not a band. It’s more than that, and it’s Zac’s first record in English. It’s also the third record as The Burgers. It’s a proper Punk record, and it’s a joy to listen to. As I listen to this rowdy delight of a record blast into my ears- I can’t help but wonder if Raz would dig this record. I reckon he would, and that’s good enough for me. The idea of The Burgers started in China, but now Zac is based in Glasgow. I hope the next records Zac makes are influenced in some way by Glasgow because the Scottish sure know how to make beautiful music.

Kick Fights To Lose is a great record, and it’s a strong Punk record. I feel I’d end up finding this record eventually as it’s everything I want from a record. It’s loud, it’s raw and the songs aren’t that long. Perfect for my almost laughable attention span. Although, music does seem to be the only solid thing that can hold my attention. Again, not a bad thing! This record has 14 songs, and you get immediately that these songs need to be heard loud. You can imagine a rowdy crowd going wild to these songs, and Zac having the time of his life on stage! At the moment, my favourite song on the record is Anarchy Means You Can Shoplift. It’s a brilliant song and the title is also great. It’s a dig at those who deserve it, and I’m here for it. Zac does make music with a message and with humour. His lyrics are great, and I hope he does have confidence in himself with this record because making your first record in English must be pretty daunting, but he’s done an exceptional job here.

I’ve listened to his previous records, and there’s no denying how great Zac is. The Burgers is a great project. I’m a fan, sign me up! There’s a lot to love and admire about this record, and it’s one of those records that, with every listen I find myself appreciating everything on the record even more. There’s a proper DIY feel to the record. I don’t know if Zac has done everything on his own here or if there’s anyone else involved musically- but it’s a great record. It’s played well and put together beautifully. For me, it’s just the perfect Punk record all the way through. You’ve got songs that show disappointment in a vulnerable yet honest way, you’ve got songs that may make you laugh in parts but the main thing to take away from this record- is that it’s from the heart. It’s truly from the heart, and I really hope Zac puts out more records like this because it’s a joy to listen to. I don’t care what language he sings in; I just love his music a hell of a lot.

You can really feel the hard work that’s gone into making this record, and that’s apparent on every song. Every song deserves its place here. I love the lo-fi feel on Pillow, Duvet and Me. The sound and vocals on this are quite quiet and a little distorted but that adds fragility to an already delicate song. I love how this song goes right into Girl With Arms And Legs, and again this song is another vulnerable number. Zac’s seen a beautiful girl and he feels out of place and like a freak, and the way he expresses this is so open. He does it in a way that we can all probably relate to. But Zac, you’re not a freak at all. It’s a strong record. No skips. Just delightful Punk anthems all the way through.

Some of the songs on the record will break your heart (It Was A Joke is a solid example of this) and others will make you want to throw your body around and trash stuff. There’s no middle ground here, and sometimes you need that from a record. You know, in an ideal world, Zac would be able to tour the world with this record and everyone gets to see these songs in the best way- live. Sadly, the world doesn’t work like that, does it. I can only encourage you to buy the music and support The Burgers in whatever way you can!

BODY MAINTENANCE: Far From Here.

Posted on by

If a band can give you a doom and gloom feeling on a sunny day, then you’ve found musical bliss. I know some may want the cheery type of music, and that’s nice for them. But I want something that emotionally makes me feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. I want music to make me think and feel a type of way that I may not always get. I think it was John Peel that once said, “I just want to hear something I haven’t heard before.” And that’s probably a really strong way to approach listening to music and trying to find something that speaks to you.

I wrote about Body Maintenance a few years ago. I think I was taken aback that they are a band from Melbourne and thought they were from a dark alleyway in Berlin from the 1980s. They sound like every band I’ve ever loved and adored but also have something very new about them. That new sound is smack right in their new record, Far From Here. Some have likened the band to Joy Division (I may have too) but when you listen to this record, you hear something else. I’ve played the record a few times now, and I’m still trying to work out what that “something else” may be. But I guess, I’ve done a John Peel and found something I haven’t heard before.

Far From Here is a remarkable record and is of course, the band at their absolute best. This is the kind of record that would cause you to go down a rabbit hole of trying to find bands like this, and I’ve done this many times before and in turn, ended up finding bands who I’ve become obsessed with. The record opens with the stunning The Surface but for me, it’s all about track number 3- The Face That I Stood Behind. This live would be next level. The whole record feels like an outer body experience, and I reckon seeing this band live would be exactly the same. This song is over 5 minutes of music heaven, and I want to hear it at every single opportunity I can. We then go smack into The Boundaries which reminds me a little bit of The Cure, and that is only ever a good thing.

We’re always looking for something different- not better, just different. Better is a question of taste, so leave that out. This record is different. It’ll get you in the mind, body, and soul. It’ll make you wish you could spend the rest of your days listening to. To be honest, that’s how you should feel when you listen to the band. Everything they do and have done is just a joy to listen to, and their new record really highlights how great a band they are.

Slates is one of the tamer moments on the record, and it goes beautifully into Broken Sculptures which again is another favourite. I’m likely to change my mind on which song I love the most by the time this is written and posted but believe me- this is a record you need to listen to and own. It’s really worth going back and listening to their previous records after immersing yourself in this one too- you may end up appreciating the band even more so because they really are exceptional musicians. I just bloody love them.

In just 8 songs, Body Maintenance have firmly proven why they are one of the best bands around. Australia knows how to put out exceptional music- from my beloved Silverchair to Royal Chant to Amyl And The Sniffers, and to Body Maintenance. There’s something in the water, and we can’t get enough of it. This is such a remarkable record; the drums on Days In Arcadia is another strong moment on the record, and the way it slides right into Golden Fire is divine. Needs to be studied! Golden Fire is a gorgeous way to end the record, and it of course leaves you wanting more- how could you not? The vocals on this remind me a little of the band White Lies (I loved them when I was at Uni.) It’s an atmospheric number that will get you right in the gut, and honestly- that’s the record all over. It was made to be utterly felt with all you have and for it to consume every ounce of you. It’s just a flawless record that deserves your attention, time, and love.

You can stream the record on their Bandcamp now, and it will be released near the end of the month. It will be out in the UK via Drunken Sailor Records on the 27th June.

jasmine.4.t : The Deaf Institute, 31st May 2025.

Posted on by

Sometimes you listen to a record, a song or find a singer and you just know that they are going to impact your life in a way that will stay with you for a long time. A band in particular for me that first gave me this feeling was Garbage back in 1995. Fast forward 30 years, and I get the same feeling with the Angel of Manchester- jasmine.4.t.

Her debut record, You Are The Morning is an ode and celebration of Queer love and community. She lets us in delicately on her journey as a transwoman, and that is something to truly treasure. I’ve been to a lot of gigs in my time but I can honestly say that Jasmine’s show last night at The Deaf Institute was the safest I’ve ever felt and I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one. I want to mention briefly (and I will be writing about them separately soon) the support acts from last night Ether Mech and Lucas Assagba. Both acts were divine, and the perfect way to start the night.

There are many reasons as to why the show was so special last night- but the two worth noting are, it was homecoming show for Jasmine and her band. They sold out The Deaf Institute! One of the most iconic and best venues in our beautiful city and it was sadly drummer Eden’s last show with them. Sadness and joy- the two things I felt a lot of last night! I knew in my gut I was going to feel every feeling possible last night, and being in the eyeline of the setlist made me prepare myself slightly. But the second Jasmine and Phoenix stepped to the stage, any mental preparation I did went right in the bin. I saw a few videos on Instagram this morning of the set, and in some of them you can see my little head just staring at the stage with this ridiculous grin on my face. The show felt like home, and I was SO proud to see Jasmine.

For me, I thought Elephant was going to be the one that broke me but instead, I cried out of sheer happiness. To see a room so full of love, kindness, acceptance, and safety really got to me. It’s awful right now for those of us who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and it’s extra fucking hard on our trans siblings, and to be in a room for those few hours where how we identify doesn’t mean we are at risk felt like being home. I really hope Jasmine knows exactly what she’s done and keeps doing with her music, because it’s so powerful. It’s beyond music, she’s beyond being a singer.

The set opens with Jasmine and Phoenix stepping up to the stage to play Kitchen, and they then treat us to Bobby (and Alex G cover.) These quiet moments showed just how tender music can be. Jasmine then introduces Eden and Emily to the stage where they rip the venue apart with Guy Fawkes Tesco Dissociation. This live hits you in a way a record cannot touch; it’s also a song I’ve sang/yelled at my cat many a time (I’m so sorry Mary, I do it because I love you.) Skin On Skin and Highfield nearly bloody break me as does Breaking In Reverse, but I kept it together because I was just happy to be in a room so full of love and joy. For me, the tenderness of Roan truly cemented just how gorgeous a musician Jasmine is. It was such a quiet moment, and nobody moved. We all just stood in awe of her. The song is beautiful anyway, but you truly feel how much it means to Jasmine when you see it live.

I think a lot us who went last night will agree that the performance of Woman was one of the most precious moments of the show. Jasmine split the crowd so her gorgeous friend, Bola could dance whilst they sang such a vital song. After the hate and hurt that comes from the UK Supreme Court Ruling (and the world in general being hateful), having the crowd chant “Fuck the Supreme Court” felt GOOD. Another person simply cannot police how you identify. Another person NEVER EVER has the right to make you feel small or make you feel like you should hide who you are. Queer people have ALWAYS been here. Trans people have always been here and they always will be. Non-Binary people have always been here, and we’re going nowhere. I never felt more proud of who I am than I was last night, and feeling secure in that is down to the home I have found in Jasmine’s music.

The band rip through Did U Know (which NEEDS to be recorded) but the set ends with an INSANE cover of Toxicity by System Of A Down. We all know that Jasmine has a delicate voice, but have you heard her properly scream and belt out a song? MY.GOD. I loved Emily’s stagedive during this, and the way she launched herself back onto the stage and play her bass as if nothing happened! Everything was left on the stage last night, and it was an honour to see it. I’m just so proud of Jasmine, and to be there for her sell out homecoming show was just extra special. I feel I could write thousands of words on why this was one of the most important gigs I’ve ever been to, but I think, if you’ve listened to her music- you will really get why it means so much. On record you can feel the emotion, but when you see it live, it feels so different. Songs like Roan live felt different and you could just see the love pour out of Jasmine as she sang this. Everyone on that stage last night (support acts too) gave their all, and in return, they received all the love in the world back.

The setlist I took from the stage last night is now signed, framed, and hangs above my record player in my room. It’s more than a setlist. It’s a sign to keep going and to be proud of who I am. I think aged 38, I’ve finally got there.

Jasmine has just announced another tour for later in the year, so if you missed out this time- you’ve got a second chance. I simply urge you to go see Jasmine live because you will truly know what it means to feel safe and seen. And hopefully there will be more System Of A Down covers.

I cannot write this without mentioning Yulia- Jasmine’s friend. If you follow Jasmine on social media or have been to her shows, you will know who Yulia is and how important she is. She is currently in prison because quite simply, like anyone with common sense, believes in a free Palestine. Please read and support Yulia here: https://www.freeyulia.com/info/ It is a heavy read so please be careful.

PSYCHIC PIGS: S/T

Posted on by

If you’re looking for say, 10 really loud Punk songs to knock you out or burst your eardrums- then you need the debut record by Psychic Pigs. A band fronted by half of one of my favourite bands in the world, Brandon from Crocodiles (a write up on Charlie’s Crush Of Souls project is coming) has created Psychic Pigs with his buddy Jonah Falco (yep, from Fucked Up) and made one hell of a rowdy record.

I won’t liken the record to anything Brandon has previously done (but if you loved one of his many bands such as Flowers Of Evil, then you’re going to adore this) but if you are a fan of Crocodiles, then you will love this delightfully loud record.

The record was made in London, and you can hear hints of UK Punk in the record all the way through. With Jonah on production and drums, Brandon is responsible for the vocals and guitar. Put these two together, and you’re of course going to be blessed with something truly incredible. These 10 songs were made for you to trash a room to, break stuff, throw yourself around a room and really get wild. I live on the 8th floor and it’s tempting to throw the TV off the balcony whilst listening to this record (I won’t!) This record was made in only 4 days, and you can really hear the rush and urgency on it. Songs like Everyone Pays massively sounds like it could have been born from early Hardcore days; you can hear what has influenced Brandon a lot on this record and his writing yet again will blow your mind. Charles and Brandon are two of the greatest writers of our time, and their genius shines always- whether together as Crocodiles or separately. I just adore them.

This record by Psychic Pigs is beautifully filthy and is there for you to totally immerse yourself in- in every way possible. It’s a record that’ll cause or cure a hangover; it’s a record to play really loud when you’re on your own. It’s a speedy and mucky record, and only good things can rise from the dirt, right? This is a record that goes beyond being a side project- it’s got this drive and bite to it that makes you feel like you are hearing Brandon’s voice for the first time, and also, you get exactly the same feeling from Charlie’s Crush Of Souls project. In short, they make beautiful music regardless.

The songs on this record don’t really hit over the 2-minute mark, so it’s pretty easy to just have this on repeat constantly. I love Hello Oblivion the most right now, but I’ll change my mind in a few hours and find a different song on the record to adore. I just think Brandon and Jonah have created something really important here, and it goes beyond being a rowdy Punk record. It feels comforting in some ways and maybe that’s because for me, Crocodiles have constantly (since 2008/9) been my ultimate comfort band. Every record is associated with something or has got me through something, kind of like having a buddy there right in your corner, y’know? There are so many hints of Hardcore bands on this record mixed with something that’s utterly nameless, and I think when you find something that you cannot describe, you’ve probably found something to treasure for a long time.

The lead single off the record (self-titled) was the perfect introduction to what we were going to get on this record- that snarly Stiv Bators attitude flows throughout the record and is so prominent on the lead single. It’s a brilliant song to get us all hooked on the Pigs. If I won the lottery, I’d pay for Brandon to bring a Psychic Pigs tour to the UK because this is a record that’s got to be witnessed live. New Dark Age

venue where you don’t know where the stage ends or begins-everyone just merges into one, and personal space doesn’t exist. Beer and sweat falls on you, and neither is your own. Perfect.

For me, the second half of the record is where the rowdiness really kicks in and songs like Masochist oozes a real Punk attitude that may have once scared your mum but she will tell you she’s seen and knows more than she lets on- so who’s scared now?! I know this is a great record because even though I have it playing super loud, my cat Mary, is happy to still be asleep next to me. She’s a Punk at heart- she didn’t really get a say in it.

Cool Society is a dig at how awful politicians are and how those who live in the real world know exactly what’s going on and how politicians aren’t in touch with any of us. How could they ever be? The frustration on this one is glorious and Brandon really lets the world have it with this one. This is another close favourite but truth be told, the whole record is a real masterpiece. The frustrations, the truth and all that goes along with it is what makes this record divine. The record ends on I’m On Drugs, and it’s fair to say this record is a wild trip that you won’t be able to get enough of. Inject these songs right in and let them consume you.

Psychic Pigs are released out of the dirt and into the wild tomorrow via Slovenly Records. And if you live in L.A, they will be playing a release show tomorrow (23rd) at Permanent Records Roadhouse with Tenement Rats