Category Archives: Uncategorized

Brand New.

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It all started by accident. It was 2001. I was a lost cause. That’s how I felt from my first day of high school until that day in 2006 when I started University. Some things just stay with you. Luckily, I destroyed it. Its ghost likes to haunt me sometimes, but I ignore it. My love for Brand New was by accident. I was listening to Morrissey, as usual and I saw something that said “bands influenced by Morrissey.” So my curious mind went with it. Some of the bands were truly awful. I have no idea what influenced them, but it sure as hell wasn’t Morrissey.

I clicked on a song to listen to. The title intrigued me because it just seemed a bit depressing. The No Seatbelt Song. The song broke my teenage heart. The song became a borderline obsession. I managed to drag myself away from it. Then I heard Seventy Times Seven. Every ounce of angst and rage I ever felt was being summed up in this song. Feeling so useless and disgusting never felt so fucking good. I’d play it all the time. It was like a prayer. It was everything I wanted to say but couldn’t say. Brand New say the things I could never say. Right now, I can relate to more of their songs than I could imagine. It just proves that they instantly became a highly influential band. Maybe not for you to start your own band, but for you to realise how you feel- and why you feel that way.

Your Favourite Weapon is poetic fury and pissed off feelings- your standard batch of teenage angst at its finest.

Then along came Déjà Entendu. This album is one of the few albums that I will always struggle to put into words, to just describe how it makes me feel. What it did for me, and what it still does. Jesse’s lyrics on this record are enough to make the strongest person in the world have a minor breakdown. I remember when I first heard The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot and just cried. If you’ve ever felt like you’re in the way of a person, a burden or just a waste of a person- you will feel this song. If someone has ever meant so much to you, but the words are forever lingering on your tongue- this song is for you. The last verse is love at its poetic best. The last line always gets to me, “You are the smell before rain. You are the blood in my veins.”  If you’ve ever loved, you will understand this line more than you wish to. This record is so pure and honest; if you don’t have it in you to love it- then you’ve probably never felt real human emotion. The first record just reeked of heartbreak and anger, but with Déjà Entendu it just pours out so much wisdom, and in a way-patience. Jesse’s lyrics on this album are vulnerable, and this vulnerability makes it so easy to relate to. When someone is that open with their music, you honestly cannot help but feel every single word. I bet you still play this record and scream along to every single word now as if it was written for you. There’s a part on this album, in a song that, for me always ALWAYS makes me want to weep out of sheer joy. Okay I Believe You But My Tommy Gun Don’t is one of my favourite Brand New tracks, and it is one I have been listening to a lot at the moment. Recently I paid extremely close attention to when Jesse screams “This is the reason you fall.” The way he screams this line has lately made me really feel the song. Lyrically, it is one of my favourites. It is made up of lines that make you understand just how much Morrissey was and is an influence to him. As a huge Morrissey fan, I’ll admit I was reluctant those years ago to listen to Brand New. I just thought they’d be another rip off. Far from it. So far from it. You can see how they are influenced but by no means are they a carbon copy. I think this song also has one of my favourite lines ever in a song. A line that I have firmly related to since the very first time I heard it. You think when you hear something so long ago; it will gradually lose its meaning. Not always. If anything, the line means more to me now than it did when I first heard it. The specific line I am talking about is, of course “My tongue’s the only muscle in my body that works harder than my heart.” One simple line just evokes so much truth.  Last year saw Guernica be far more apt to my life than I ever wanted it to. The line, “….remove whatever makes you hurt, but I am too weak to be your cure.” Just summed up everything. If someone so close to you becomes sick, you’ll fully understand. There was a time where listening to it became too much, I just couldn’t. But it gradually became my safety net, and comfort blanket. I could write about this album until my hands become numb from typing, but I’ve got to move on before I rant like I’ve never ranted before.

The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me; aside from being my favourite album title of all time, it is also my favourite Brand New record. This record came out when I was figuring out who and what I was- and more than likely, hating it. This record along with a few others eased the process of me becoming okay with who I was. I gave up trying to this record. I gave up trying to be what was expected of me to this record. I see this as a positive; I don’t know if others will. However, I’ve learnt to never care again what they or anyone thinks.

What I love about the third record is how painfully deep the lyrics are. Lyrics are a big deal for me. I can’t connect over a key change. I connect over a phrase- and how it is said. Every single song on The Devil And God…is so heartbreakingly easy to relate to. I don’t want to get too personal because you don’t need to hear it- and I honestly don’t know how I’d word it.

There’s certain lyrics on this record that just make me think, “Have you been living in my head?” As a 25 year old who is still trying to take in the universe, I can relate more to this record as I get older. I’ll never know enough, I will never learn enough- I may never be sure of many things. Records like this make being an adult less hard. They say being a teenager is chore- adulthood isn’t exactly a stroll in the park now is it. I’m not saying I hate it, far from it. I love getting older. You appreciate things more- twinges of understanding come through more. The song that I brutally identify with is Milestone. To be honest, I don’t get how you can listen to that song and not see yourself in it. There’s just certain lines that make me freeze with how in awe I am of the way Jesse writes, and how he can get to the very bone of how YOU feel- because it is how he feels. I find a lot of comfort in this record now, more than when I first heard it because I’m older- and he was of course older when he wrote it. It just goes back to the constant growing pains we face all the time. The line I think that really gets to me is “I used to pray like God was listening. I used to make my parents proud. I was the glue that kept my friends together. Now they don’t talk, and we don’t go out.” If a person was to ask me what line from a song sums up anything and everything I feel, and have ever felt- it’d be that. Then you have a line from Degausser, “I can’t shake this little feeling. I never get anything right.”  You can shake off the self doubt you carry, but it has a tendency to leave an unwanted trace sometimes.

The songs are delicate, and as Jesse screams the words it is almost like he is screaming out your frustrations. He is your voice.

I’ll admit, I’ve not heard Daisy. I’m still stuck in awe with The Devil And God….I don’t think I am ready to hear it just yet. I know it’s been a while, but I don’t think I can listen to it just yet. Maybe it makes me a shit fan; I don’t know. I really don’t.

There is so much I could say about Brand New, but my love for them is private. I have a few bands that I hold like this. I have a few bands that I tend not to let me love for them shine out. Of course I have no problem with pouring out my love for Warpaint or Morrissey onto a page- but there is something about Brand New that I hold very dear to me. Maybe it’s because it is emotionally exhausting to write this way- but it is the only way I know how. I try hard to avoid being personal, and I know it is a horrific and shit way to write. I keep trying to stop, but I can’t. If you have no feeling about something, ignore it- I suppose. Brand New are the light at the end of that fucking tunnel that has fast become the bane of your life. Brand New are a crutch. They are the God to your Devil. They exorcise all the badness inside and make you feel human for feeling that way. Like I said before, they say the things you wish you could say. It makes you feel okay with it, because at least someone can get the words out. They get the words out better than you could’ve hoped for or ever imagined.

Just Like Honey.

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The Jesus And Mary Chain are my favourite band of all time- that will never change. However, when I hear about someone covering them, it causes me to get a bit angry and sad. They never seem to get it right. Why? Because they’re not The Jesus And Mary Chain. I can let it go when it is for a good cause though.

I was just reading something on a site, and I saw Seapony had covered Just Like Honey. It turns out 11 bands have all covered this song for charity. I read up about it, and I honestly think it is one of the most beautiful ideas I’ve seen in a long time.

If you head over to : http://justlikehoney.co.uk/ You Indie kids are in for a treat.

More importantly, if you click here : http://justlikehoney.bandcamp.com/album/just-like-honey you’ll be helping out a really good cause.

Information from the page reads :

I’m running the London Marathon for Breast Cancer Care  (www.breastcancercare.org.uk).  I asked 11 bands I featured on my podcast  (www.JustLikeHoney.co.uk)  to cover the same song: Just Like Honey (original by The Jesus & Mary Chain). The compilation costs minimum £8 (about $12) but you can give more to support more people affected by breast cancer.            

This is a wonderful idea, and one I will contribute to for sure. I’m not going to say anything about the artists that are featured on the compilation at all. It wouldn’t be right, but I can tell you that every single version is brilliant. No version ruins the original. Each version is done in such a perfect way. Some have take onboard the distorted sound, others have made it sound more vulnerable. This is a charity that is so very dear to my heart, as you know- so please support it.

Thank you.

x

Birdeatsbaby-Feast Of Hammers.

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I know they say you should never judge a book by its cover, and I guess you should never judge a record by its artwork? When Feast Of Hammers arrived in the post this morning (thank you Mishkin!) I instantly fell in love with the artwork. It has an anchor on  it; this is why I love it. Aside from the artwork, the album is really bloody good.

I’ve already said before why I love Birdeatsbaby, but listening to this record I am finding more reasons as to why I love them. They’re just so fucking mental. I love mental music. The kind that just makes you think, “Did they just say that?!” Or just the general feeling the music gives you. Take their lastest single, Incitatus- if this song doesn’t creep you out or feel like something is chasing you, then you’re not listening to it properly. Watch the video to it. It is so fucked up and beautiful. I’d stop watching it, but I like how much it scares me. It’s so damn eerie. If Kate Bush went extremely weird- this is what she would’ve sounded like for sure.

I have only one problem with this record, and I’m going to mention it now before I carry on- it isn’t long enough. I know there’s 12 tracks, but I want more. I want a double album or something. I know the only solution is to just play the record over and over- which is what I intend on doing. I know I banged on about Lana’s album, and how dark it was. And how much I love it. But, Lana my dear- this is your competition. Having said that, as soon as Garbage put their new album out- I won’t care about anything really. I’ve been waiting since 2005 for a new record, and it’s coming. However, I will still be playing Feast Of Hammers. It’s a record that you just cannot ignore, and if you’re dumb enough to ignore it. Then I’m going to assume you love really awful folk music.

Feast Of Hammers is not for people who like pretentious arty music or who think wearing a dead person’s jacket is cool. Nothing is cool. Cool doesn’t exist. Unless you’re name is Lou Reed. Feast Of Hammers is so damn raw and brutal. I could listen to Mishkin’s voice all day (again, I plan on doing so.) I don’t need to really tell you how good this record is, you should already know by now just how brilliant Birdeatsbaby are. If you’re someone who is partial to listening to music based on how strange the band name sounds; then Birdeatsbaby are for YOU.

I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that Birdeatsbaby get the recognistion they truly deserve with this record. I know a lot of bands throw tracks on a record just to fill space, but that doesn’t happen on Feast Of Hammers at all. Even the Interlude fits perfectly. It belongs there, even though it only lasts just over 50 seconds.

Feast Of Hammers makes me feel like I am sailing on a haunted boat in the dark. Ghouls and demons are preparing to launch themselves upon me, and evil spirits are lurking to take over my body. Bring it. It sounds like a bloody good time to be honest. So, if like me and you’re sick of every wanker announcing that it is snowing all over social networking sites- fuck them off, and go watch the new video to Incitatus. It’s just weather- no big deal. Go enjoy some fucking eerie music that makes you feel like Edgar Allan Poe has possessed you with his twisted and glorious words. This album is just awesome.

Play it loud, play it all the time. Treausre it FOREVER. This is a beautiful record that just really, deserves your attention. It’s out real soon and your can purchase it from : http://www.birdeatsbaby.co.uk/shop

I know I could’ve written more about this record, and probably wrote down better things- but just go get the record. Then you’ll see how remarkable it truly is.

Birdeatsbaby-Incitatus(video.)

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After what seems like forever with teasing us with a snippet of their new video; Birdeatsbaby have unleashed their brilliant new video for Incitatus.

The video is so fucked up and dark- I love it. It’s just a ridiculously creepy video. It’s mental and truly worth the wait. It’s beautifully and wonderfully deranged. When I saw bits of it, I thought..”Have they gone Human Centipede with this?!” They haven’t. Don’t worry. That doesn’t happen. Just watch it. It’s twisted and delightful.

Don’t forget, the album Feast Of Hammers drops 20th February.

 

Former Lover.

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They say you never forget the first time you get your heart broken, don’t they? Do they? Have I made that up? Whatever. You probably don’t. Mine was 20th October 2008. The day that The Long Blondes announced they split up. I remember feeling like shit, and realising that the world was a BITCH. A massive bitch. Since then, all I’ve wanted is for them to re-form. There’s two bands I care about re-forming. The Long Blondes and The Jesus And Mary Chain. I know I’ve got to stop clinging onto false hope. I think now? Now I’m ready to do so. How come? Because Dorian Cox has a new band, and Kate Jackson’s solo stuff is brilliant. So, rant out of the way as per…

Former Lover come from one of the best places in England; Sheffield. I’m not just saying this because my mother is from Yorkshire. I just firmly believe that Sheffield produces some incredible music. Former Lover are just reinforcing this notion.

Former Lover are made up of Dorian Cox, Dan Dylan Wray and Myrtle; and I think I love them all more than I probably should. The music is the kind you will play when you can’t sleep because you know that they will sum up how you feel. They’ll be the band you cradle when nobody else is around at 3am when you’ve had too much wine, and you’re feeling too emotional. As it says on their bio :

“…to create quiet music to soundtrack insomnia and 3 am breakdowns.”

Falling apart has never seemed so appealing.

At the moment they have about 5 amazing tracks up on their Soundcloud page : http://soundcloud.com/former-lover

Please do NOT compare them to The Long Blondes. Just don’t. This is new, and different. I understand why you’d feel the need to do so- but please don’t. When you close one chapter of life, you’ve got to write a new one- consider this the new one.

Panda Riot.

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Panda Riot. Brilliant name for a band. Is the music as good as the name? In short, yes.

I don’t really need to write any more on the band do I? Oh I do. And I will (or at least try to.)

Labelled as “dream pop.” You’d probably think, “Oh here we go. Another rip off of Beach House.” You’d be a tit to think that. You can be dream pop and still sound NOTHING like those who also fall into this sub-genre. Thing is, I do love a lot of bands that fall into this category but I’ve never really understood what the hell dream pop was. Is it pop music that’s dreamy and makes you sway your body? Is it pop music that isn’t bland and actually makes you feel something? I honestly have no idea. There’s lo-fi elements here. There’s a bit of shoegaze. It’s slightly distorted. Why is it called dream pop? I won’t lose sleep over not knowing. Although, I could look it up I suppose.

Panda Riot come from Chicago. Home to err..R.Kelly. Oh god, I know. Trapped In The Closet. What a wonderful thing that was. The midget, and Bridget (she doesn’t like cherries..yes, I’ve watched ALL of it.) Actually no, they are now based in Chicago but they’re from Philly. Sorry about that- my bad.

Their ep- Far And Near is something you really need in your life. You’ve got to get involved with Panda Riot. I’ll help you, so you don’t have to do anything. Lok, just click here : http://pandariot.bandcamp.com/album/far-and-near-ep

The more I listen to them, the more I’m starting to really understand what this dream pop sound is. I’ve started to realise that most of the new bands I listen to, do fall into this category. I have no idea who came up with it; but I like it. For me, it’s a style of music that just makes you feel good. Nobody wants to be sad all the time now do they.

If you love delicate vocals (if you don’t fall in love with Rebecca’s voice, go see a doctor- you’re probably ill) and music that makes you feel like you’re floating out of your body- Panda Riot are for you.

Oh, and they’ve also covered Paper Planes by M.I.A. Go listen to that too!

Hunters.

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If The Kills get you to support them on tour- you know you’re fucking good. You know you’re one of the best new bands around when this happens to you.

Hunters are just so obnoxiously loud. I don’t mean this in a bad way at all. I mean this in the most loving and praising way possible. If they weren’t loud and brutal- I wouldn’t write about them. There’s no point expressing a load of hate for something/someone. I’m not the one on stage every night singing my heart out- I’m in no position to judge. I love Hunters. In love. Total love for them.

Isabel’s voice reminds me of Patti Smith. See, if Patti went a hell of a lot more aggressive with her music- this is what it’d sound like. You know how much I love Patti. I love her as much as I love my mum- big love. If I was going to make a list of bands I want to see live before my heart stops- Hunters would be on my list. I’d love to be in the front centre, right in the midst of this sweaty, riot of a show. It’d be the best thing wouldn’t. Smashing and throwing your body about until you feel like you’re going to fall down. But you won’t fall, because the music will excite you much. You wouldn’t stop.

It’s really no surprise that Hunters are out of this world. They’re from Brooklyn. Foxy Brown to Friends (band) this city has, and is still producing some of the best music your raggy ears will ever hear.

My advice to you? Stick with Hunters. Who cares if they don’t become fucking huge and play stadiums on their own headline tour. Who cares. They have a REAL underground and Punk feel to their music. It is genuine and it oozes so much heart. The fury. The passion. The sheer brutality in that guitar makes me glad to be alive and that my hearing is my strongest sense.

Check them out! : http://huntersny.bandcamp.com/

Sweater Girls.

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Sweater Girls are sweet. Not in the way that you use the word to describe something good. I dislike it when people use it like that; I think it’s daft. Don’t use it near me, I’ll only want to throw something at you. Depending on how much I like it, depends on what I want to throw at you. They are sweet in the, cute kind of way. You listen to them and think, “This is what the American version of Camera Obscura sound like!” I love Camera Obscura, and I don’t really trust anyone who doesn’t. How can you listen to Away With Murder and not feel so much?! Emotionless fools.

So, Sweater Girls. They aren’t all girls. Maybe they don’t all wear sweaters. That’s not a problem. The music is bloody good- that’s all that sounds. On their bio on their Facebook page, it says the following:

“We are an indie pop band, influenced by jangly guitars, friendships, loneliness, and laughter. Sweater Girls aim to melt hearts with songs that remind us of our best friends, happiest and saddest moments and our favorite songs.”
Even if I hadn’t heard the music first- this alone would’ve made me love them. I know I am fond of music that is dark and would probably scare anyone half to death; but I have a decent side to me. And that side of me loves music like this. It’s gentle but you do get touches of heartbreak in their music. It’s just so delicate and honest. These are qualities that I love in music and also, in people. If I think you’re fragile and honest-I’ll probably want to talk to you. And I’m not someone who has much to say really.
If you’re one of these suckers to a commercial holiday and you “celebrate” Valentine’s- put a song by Sweater Girls on a mix CD for the person you like. If they’re worthy of your affections- they will appreciate it.
You don’t always have to be a rock, let Sweater Girls melt your heart.

Neverever.

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Today, I finally got hold of The World As I See It by Albert Einstein. If you’ve never read it; you’re missing out. I’m just under half-way through (a book holds my attention more than anything) and I can already sense that this will be a book that I reference for the rest of my life. I don’t know why I’m telling you, I guess I just hope my fellow fans of Neverever are intelligent and love books? Regardless, just read the book.

So, Neverever. What do you need to know? They’re from L.A. I know what you’re thinking, “Stop with the L.A. band already!” The thing is, English music is boring me again. It’s not making me excited at the moment- so I’m looking for bigger and better things. You know of my love for Garage Rock bands- they just have everything I want. I like my music how I like my women….odd, I guess? But not too odd. My music can be as strange as it wants to be. I don’t want a woman that barks at dairy produce at 2pm on a Friday.

Neverever are currently the band that are giving me that “I’m in love” feeling. Not with a person, but with a sound. I don’t have any chums that dig this kind of music. It’s a good thing I guess, because it means I don’t have anyone constantly saying to me,”I hate what you listen to.” I get that A LOT. It’s a good job nobody I know reads what I write here, because they’d hate it. I think if any did read this- they’d tell me how they hate how I write, and they hate what I listen to. It’s okay, I don’t want to share Neverever with anyone right now. I want to keep them as my own. Just like how I feel about Dum Dum Girls, 2:54 and Swim Deep. There’s others, but there are some bands I’ve got to keep close to me and not let anyone I know catch on. Not yet anyway. What sometimes happens is, I find a band/singer. Write about them on here. I’m called various names for liking such things. A few months later….BOOM! They’re everywhere. It’s cool. It’s cool. But you’re not taking Neverever from me. Not yet.

So why do I love Neverever so? Because they make me feel like I’m some place beautiful. Somewhere better than where I am right now. Okay..they make me wish I was in L.A. There. I said it, okay? Big deal. They make me wish I was in L.A. drinking cheap whiskey on a beach watching everything pass me by.

It’s like the Count Five meets Dum Dum Girls with slight touches of Blondie. I fucking LOVE this. I really love this. My excitement is back. It’s back- and it is all for Neverever. I want to listen to them in some shitty, dark, filthy underground bar surrounded by sweaty bodies that are throwing their limbs about like children that have drank too much cherryade. This is stunning stuff. Neverever, can you please come to the UK and scream your songs in my face? I’ll scream back right at you. God…this is it kids. This is what you need. If you don’t want it, or need it- then I’ll take it. I’ll take all of it. I’m never going to recover from whatever I’m feeling for this band right now.

Dirt Dress.

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The more I listen to L.A. Garage Rock bands such as Dirt Dress- the more I want to pack up my stuff and fuck off to L.A. and just get lost in the music scene there. If I had the money, or if I ever won the lottery- I’d go. I wouldn’t tell anyone. I’d just go. Maybe I’d call when I got there, I don’t know. I’d probably love life too much to give anything else a second thought. If only I was selfish enough to put myself first and do something, right?

Man..I fucking love Dirt Dress. This is some raw and harsh Garage Rock right here. Would you class it as a genre? Sub-genre I guess. Well, if you want to call it a genre- it’s easily my favourite. That and Shoegaze. They’re my favourites. I don’t need to include Punk because Punk is my heart- that will never change. Garage Rock is just everything the world needs right now. Some bands that are in this genre create a sound so aggressive it makes you want to punch the nearest wall- yet they can have another song that just makes you want to dance until every limb and bone is unable to move anymore.

Dirt Dress are three extremely talented guys from the City of Angels. I seriously need to get myself there. If anyone in L.A. sees his- I’ve not got a criminal record, I have an English accent and I love music- employ me? Some may say I have nothing to offer, but give me the chance- because I have. They just don’t know me. They’re arseholes.

Alligator Lungs. I’m enjoying this track. I’m going to call this and Junk as my favourite tracks by them. This is incredible. I’ve never taken drugs, but I’m going to asume that the way Dirt Dress are making me feel right now is like having a fucking nice time on some kind of substance. I’m 25, and I’d rather have a cup of tea- shut my eyes and fall into another world than take some kind of drug to make me feel. I’ve got an old soul. An old, and possibly worn out soul.

What I love about Garage Rock is how dirty and unpolished it always sounds. I guess that’s why it is called Garage Rock. It has that innocent and simplistic feel to it- yet it is a hard sound to stay genuine to. Because some grubby paws always seem to want to cash in, and turn it into over-produced and over-hyped mundane tripe! We won’t stand for it no more. If you’ve lost your faith in music, give Dirt Dress a listen. Everything you want from a band will be found in their music.

It’s brutal, it pours out passion with twinges of fury- it is Garage Rock at its finest. I instantly fell in love with them. Remember, it is okay to fall in love instantly with a band/singer- but be cautious and careful with a person. Dirt Dress are like a hybrid of Captain Beefheart meets Richard Hell. I love this. I love this a hell of a lot. I’m in total love.

Dirt Dress, I love you. Please come to the UK. I need you.