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AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS: Cartoon Darkness.

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Some bands make the world better by making music that you truly feel in your gut. Their music becomes the voice in your head that you need when things feel a little too much. That’s the thing with music- it’s always there. People aren’t. They come with conditions and at times, demands you cannot meet. Music doesn’t do this. So, what does this have to do with the new Amyl and The Sniffers record? Absolutely everything, and more.

Cartoon Darkness is THEIR record. The record they were always destined to make. It could have been immediately, or it could have been in 15 years’ time- but it’s now and thank god it’s now.

The record opens with the latest release, Jerkin’. It feels like it’s a much-needed dig at male journalists who objectify Amy. We’ve all seen it- not just with Amy, but countless of other female musicians. They seem to think talking about what someone is wearing is far more important than the words coming out of their mouth. That isn’t journalism, that’s being a total prick. But what do I know!

We then go smack into Chewing Gum, which is lyrically, one of my favourite Amyl and The Sniffers songs. They’ve come a long, long way from being a little pub rock band, but it was so obvious that this was going to happen. Some bands are destined to make it, and this band are one of them. I won’t focus too much on the songs that have already been released, but I do want to mention that hearing Big Dreams in between Tiny Bikini and Its Mine is so beautiful. Big Dreams is THAT song you go to when you feel awful, and it just makes everything alright again. Then, you go back and play Chewing Gum. That’s when it all clicks, and you feel alright.

Over the past 8 years or so, they’ve been making their own noise and on their own terms. I remember hearing the Giddy Up EP and it blew my mind. I felt like a kid in the 70s hearing Punk for the very first time. I found the band I was always was meant to find, and it’s been a wild ride since. Everything they’ve released has been magical; how can a band be this good? HOW? For them, it’s easy. Each of them has this glorious style and sound that just has you hooked. Bryce is an insane drummer; Gus is THE coolest bassist, and Dec is just a monster on the guitar. Amy is one of the best frontwomen around. Actually, fuck gender. Irrespective of gender- Amy is one of the most charismatic and divine singers I’ve ever seen. The way she holds a crowd, how she can control them and just have everyone hooked on the band? Effortless. If you’ve seen them live, you’ll know exactly what I mean. This band have it all, and then some!

Cartoon Darkness is a treat for us Punk fans. It’s 13 songs and just over half an hour long. As someone with awful attention span and cannot sit still for too long- this record feels like every single thought bouncing in my head. Like a pinball machine in the corners of my mind- back and forth, then a bit chaotic in the middle. It’s a fucking great record. Right now, my favourite song on the record is Doing in Me Head closely followed by Pigs and maybe Motorbike Song. I think Doing in Me Head may be my solid favourite; I don’t think I can change my mind on that (this isn’t counting Chewing Gum or Big Dreams.) The record is fun, and sure some of the topics are heavy, and Amy has said the record is about a range of things such as war and climate crisis- but there’s fun on this record. It’s got an innocence to it, and you find that in everything this band do. There’s this beautiful gentleness and fragility on Bailing on Me- it’s heartbreaking, and hearing her voice so delicate on this will cut through it. It’s such an easy song to relate to. We’ve all had someone who constantly lets us down, and when you get to the point of realisation of it and let it go- that’s the biggest relief. Trust me. Letting things and people go that just let you down may feel tough, but when you do it- everything feels lighter. It’s one of the quieter moments on the record, and it then goes right into U Should Not Be Doing That (the bass reminds me of Psycho Killer, and it’s SO good!) Me and the Girls wraps up the record- it’s a chaotic night out with a description of the morning after; the perfect way to close a phenomenal record. Also, don’t overlook the power of the song Tiny Bikini- that song will also be incredible live. The whole record is a fervent work of art.

I guess in short, we can say that this is their best record so far. Their finest release. I’ll always, always have space in my heart reserved for Giddy Up- it started everything for me, and to hear the band go from songs like Stole My Pushbike to all they’ve created on Cartoon Darkness is a joy to see and hear. There’s no other band quite like them, and I honestly don’t think we’ll ever get another band like them. Bands like this are so rare, and we’ve got to treasure them whilst we have them. The band will ALWAYS have that rowdy and raw sound, and it’s so clear on It’s Mine. That song is going to be WILD live. The whole record is going to be insane live; I cannot wait. Imagine witnessing It’s Mine and Motorbike Song live! It’s going to be unreal.

Their debut self-titled record to Comfort to Me, then to Cartoon Darkness- you can definitely hear the growth. The production, the way the band play, the writing and the strength in Amy’s voice is unreal. This record is their first on a massive label, but it’s not changed their sound at all. They’ll always have that beautiful raw sound we all fell in love with many years ago.

The energy on this record will set you up right for the day. I think I’m on my fourth or fifth listen now, and I just keep picking up on more things to love about the record. There’s so much to love and appreciate on this record. The second part of the record shows a more vulnerable side to the band lyrically, and I think Going Somewhere may be their biggest sounding song to date. This live is going to rip. I cannot wait to hear these new songs live; their songs are all made to be heard live-that’s the kind of band they are.

Every song on this record deserves its place and needs to be played so loud. It’s one of those records that makes you so proud to be a fan of the band.

JASMINE.4.T: Elephant.

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For the past few months or so, I’ve been obsessing over a singer that is based in the city the city that I too, call home. I should have written this months ago, and now I’ve got a list of records I want to write about that’s longer than I intended to have. I’m not one for prioritising things (life is too short for order and structure) but this should have been done months ago. I guess the best time to do it is now. On a Tuesday afternoon as my cat has another nap next to me, occasionally moving when she thinks a bird is flying past.

Jasmine.4.t is everything you could want from a singer/songwriter. She’s honest, relatable and has a beautiful way with words. For the most part, I listen to music that could be loud enough to wake the dead but we all need balance. Jasmine is that balance, and she does it in the purest way possible. She recently supported the equally stunning Tom Rasmussen at their Manchester show last week (I couldn’t go and I feel I will regret this forever) and you can only imagine how beautiful that would have been. Jasmine’s voice is there to comfort anyone, but there’s something else to her beautiful sound that feels like home. Her voice is so delicate, so gentle; you cannot help but feel connected to the words she sings and how she sings. How can someone so wonderful create such beauty? Turns out, pretty easily. Her voice feels like the comfort you need when everything is really heavy. It’s like a protective cloak.

Jasmine’s new song, Elephant was released today and if you listen to it in passing, you’ll just think it’s a really good song. That’s absolutely fine, but if you want the meaning, here you go: “I wrote ‘Elephant’ very early in my transition about my first t4t love. It’s about when it hurts because you’re trying to be friends but you both want to be more. My life in Bristol fell apart when I came out and, having no safe place to live, I was staying on queers’ sofas in Manchester, traumatised and in no place to start a relationship.” When you read that, it changes how you hear the song in the best way. It shows this vulnerability that we may not get often, and I guess that’s why you really feel every word, right? No one should ever feel unsafe, and I think as Queer people, we do find it hard to feel safe and when you find a safe space- you cling onto it. I think that’s why I stay home a lot- my safe space is wherever my cat is. I cried when I played Elephant earlier because it is such a beautiful and honest song. I keep using those two words to describe Jasmine’s music, but I don’t think there are any other words right now I can think of. Initially I was going to write about their music in general, but Elephant is too an important song to not give attention to. There’s light and heaviness on this song, and in Jasmine’s sound in general. The tender moments are to be treasured and the louder moments are there to be truly felt and be turned up. You get a real sense of community in her music, and that feeling doesn’t come around often. It is to be treasured and to be kept close.

The video shows Manchester in all its glory, and why it’s such a beautiful city. Even when it’s pissing it down (all the time, we get it. We hear it all the time!) it’s still the best place, and it’s still home. I’m so happy that Jasmine calls this city home and feels safe here.  It’s important to mention that Jasmine’s band are also trans, and having that support on tour for each of them must be such a relief to know you always have someone there who understands and again, keeps you safe.

Jasmine’s debut record, You Are The Morning will be out 17th January. The last song on the record, Woman sees Jasmine backed by the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles. I reckon that’ll be the song that makes me cry like an absolute baby. If Elephant is anything to go by, I’ll probably weep listening to the whole record anyway! I am SO excited to hear the record and to see what’s next for Jasmine and her band (Phoenix Rousiamanis and Eden O’Brien.) They deserve the world and more.

I also want to mention that Jasmine does a lot of work for/with Trans Mutual Aid Manchester. They’re a grassroots organisation based here, and they do amazing work in the community. If you have a few minutes to spare (which you do, because you’ve read this! Please read up about the work they do and how you can help here: https://linktr.ee/tmamcr )

CROWS: The Deaf Institute, Manchester. 10th October 2024.

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Last night I went to my first gig of the year. I tried to work out why I’d left it so late in the year, but I don’t think I wanted to see anyone so far. Everyone I want to see is towards the end of the year, so I guess it worked out. It was also the first gig I’d been to in 7 years totally off sertraline. After 7 years, I stopped taking it in May. There were days where I forgot to take it, then I decided I didn’t want another summer of sertraline sweats! I know you’re not supposed to just stop, nor would I tell someone to do what I did, but it worked for me. I went to the Crows gig last night, and I felt. I felt more than I had in a while, and it felt like every bit of work I’d put into myself to “get better” had finally paid off. But that doesn’t mean all is okay; nothing and no one ever fully is, and that’s absolutely okay. It’s more than okay. Sometimes you need to go see your favourite band play in one of your favourite venues and listen to the songs that fixed parts of you no person or medication could ever touch.

Before I get into it- let it be known that headline bands starting at 8.30pm is delightful. More of that please! Home by 10.30pm- BLISS! I mean I’m still tired now, but it was absolutely worth it. It always is.

The band glide onto the stage and immediately annihilate the room with the opener, Reason Enough. That song live something else, truly. This band live are something else. You don’t just see them once and feel it’s enough. The setlist was divine, and of course in an ideal world they’d start at 6 and do all 3 records, but we don’t want to tire them out! The setlist is all I could want. Hearing songs like Room 156 and Healing live will ALWAYS make everything better. I thought they’d be the songs that would make me sob like a child that’s lost its favourite toy, but I held it together. If any song was going to ruin me, it would have been Vision of Me but again, I held it together. I think hearing Vision of Me live takes you to a different place where it doesn’t hurt so much to hear it, you know? If anything, it was an honour to see the new songs live and hear them the way they should be. Each of them owns the stage in their own way, and at times you don’t know where to look. For the most part I think I had my eyes closed and just took everything in. It felt like home, and it’s a hard feeling to find and keep. Music is always a constant. It’ll always be there.

High praise needs to be given to Jack Milwaukee for his exceptional sound talents. I’ve never heard a band so loud at this venue, and as soon as I got home, I was fully aware that my hearing was not that great. Would I sleep through my alarm in the morning? Nope. But the worry was there. If you don’t leave bruised or slightly broken, and in this case, unable to hear- than you’ve had a good time. The sound was so good! It was so slick, so loud and just perfect.

There are so many moments during the gig where you can’t believe you’re witnessing a band so bloody good play a room so small. These songs would sound perfect in a stadium with us all belting them out, but you also feel at home in these small venues singing your heart out with a few hundred people, to the songs that have saved you many times. And continue to save you. Just before they played Every Day of Every Year, James gave a little speech about having anxiety and it getting better; I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated something so much at a gig before. It was one of those things you needed to hear at that moment; and it made a world of difference. I think that’s part of why I love this band and why their songs mean so much. Also, I forgot just how divine Wednesday’s Child is live. Holy shit! James’ vocals on this are unreal, and live? Live it is INSANE. They all make this song sound so big live. When James shouts “Blame me for all your mistakes” it just takes you on this wild ride. It’s up there as being one of the best songs I’ve seen live. Demeanour was insane live too. Under 2 minutes of chaos- perfect!

 A couple songs into the set and he goes wandering round the crowd and at one point later in the set, he extends the fancy mic (you know the one!) to someone in the crowd for them to sing into. Tiny moments stick with you, and my god James’ voice is STRONG. Anyone who has seen them live knows how slick their set is and how strong they all sound together- but maybe it was down to Jack being an exceptional sound/tech person, but they sounded heavenly last night. Sometimes, you go to a gig, and you want to stay in that moment for the rest of time because it’s so comforting- last night’s show was exactly that. Way more than that.

There was a solid mix of old and new songs, and every song just felt like a rush to the body. Like you were being jolted back to life. I know I’ve mentioned it, but I’ll never get over the power Room 156 and Healing has live. With every listen, regardless of the setting, those two songs just seem to mean more and more to me. I think I feel the same about Every Day of Every Year; there’s reassurance in those three songs that you cannot get anywhere else. You’ve got the classics such as Slowly Separate, Garden of England and Closer Still; but when you witness The Itch live- my god! Something hits you. There is something about this song live that can correct every uneasy feeling you have. You can’t help but allow your eyes dart across the stage when this song kicks of- Steve goes wild on the guitar, Sam destroys the drums, Jith makes the bass sound like a demon and James brings it in with his vocals. This happens on every single song, but The Itch live does something else to the mind and body.

The night ends with Is It Better? I don’t think there’s a more fitting Crows song to end the gig with. It’s hopeful but cautious, and I think because it has so much power live- it makes you want the gig to start over again and you witness and feel all of this again and again. They aren’t a band that you see once and that’s it. Absolutely not. They’re a band that you keep seeing because watching them grow in every way is joy to witness and hear.

I’m doing this all again on Tuesday evening, and it cannot come round quick enough.

CROWS: Reason Enough.

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I have stopped and started writing this more times than I can admit. I have deleted, deleted, and slammed my laptop shut, then tried again to even start this. How do you even start writing about this record? It’s pretty obvious that Crows have never (and will never) release a bad song or record. The 3 singles from the new record have all been exceptional (I don’t think any song has truly moved me like Vision Of Me has, and I’m sort of able to listen to it now without having a little cry! That’s growth 😉) and sometimes when a band releases such strong singles, you feel the rest of the record may not match up. There is nothing to worry about on Reason Enough. I have no idea how many times I listened to it yesterday, but I didn’t feel ready to put my thoughts down. But I am now.

The record opens with the title track, Reason Enough. If you’re looking for the best opener for a record this year-it’s this one. The drums and the bass? HOLY.SHIT. It’s got this heaviness to it that is on a Stoner Rock level. Jith and Sam truly shine on this one. The drums feel like a crashing into the ear drums and the bass feels like someone is possessing your body with electric shocks, and you’re not mad about it. When it all comes together and gets heavier, and heavier- as a Crows fan, you feel this relief. Relief that this record is FINALLY here. Inject this song right into my eardrums. I don’t care about the damage. James’ vocals on this are simply perfect, and Steve’s guitar on this should be illegal. In fact, it should be a crime for a song to be this euphoric. The way it changes for the last minute or so, and the song comes alive in a different way altogether- are you kidding me?! This live is going to be wild.

I’m going to skip over Bored, Is It Better? and Vision Of Me because I’ve already written about them, and I think my feelings towards Vision Of Me are very clear. In 30 years’, time, I will still be calling it as one of the most beautiful and honest songs ever written. I want it tattooed on my skin and carved into my brain. It’s a reminder. It’s a crutch. Much like Healing and Room 156. I think they’re my holy trinity of Crows songs; I’d play them to someone who hadn’t heard them before, but I don’t think I could handle a negative reaction! Anyway, let’s move on because I will go into why Vision Of Me is probably one of the best songs ever written again!

Land Of The Rose is a perfect anthem declaring how shit this country is. Turn on the news and all you see is pain, poverty and politicians repeating their nonsensical lies. This is why we need bands like Crows. This is why we need music or any form of art- it’s an escape but also helps you to see how awful it all is but can give you a little bit of hope that it might get better. Maybe. The way James writes and sings about shame, despair, and every emotion possible. The lyrics on this record are heavy; but with aspects of sadness flowing throughout. That isn’t a bad thing at all- it just makes you think, and it also makes you feel less alone, and odd for feeling the way you do. The songs on Reason Enough feel a lot more personal and tougher. There is still that beautiful gentleness in James’ writing that we lean into and cling onto. I guess at the heart of it, when you find a band that you truly get and they get you- it becomes a safe space, doesn’t it? This record definitely feels like a safe space. As far as political songs go, this one holds some true weight and given how awful this country has been; we need songs like this to really hammer home that things HAVE to improve.

Every Day Of Every Year is another one I’m excited to see live. I love the way the lyrics take you on a journey of every thought you’ve probably had, and by hearing someone else say it- you feel this connection. It’s a connection you won’t get from friends, lovers, families- it’s one from music and sometimes that’s the biggest and most permanent connection we’ll feel, and that’s absolutely fine. I’d be lost without that type of connection, and this song is a really solid way of expressing that. Every single day this feeling repeats and every single day you fight with yourself and the world to keep fucking going. It’s hard, I know. But I like to think it can and does get a little easier. What do you have without hope? I think this song is on the same level as Vision Of Me- there’s something about the lyrics that really get you in the gut. The guitar on this one is of the best moments on the record.

There’s such a natural growth on this record, and I don’t mean from Silver Tongues to Beware Believers to Reason Enough. I mean every single song in its own right is a step up from the song before, and that’s how you know you’ve found a truly special record. The way we get to Lie To Me from Bored is a whirlwind, and it’s heavenly to hear. You can hear the band grow with every song on this record, and you can really feel it in every single element of the songs. The production on this record is unreal too. It always is with Crows isn’t it. Lie To Me is exceptional, and the way we go right into Living On My Knees? Who gave the band permission to be this great? They just took it. Over and over again. The line, “I’m not strong enough for self defense” cuts through you, my god! What a line!

Living On My Knees is my favourite. Of course, I’ll change my mind in a week or so. I’ll call Vision Of Me as my favourite Crows song ever (please see holy trinity a few paragraphs above!) but Living On My Knees is something else. It makes you want to write; it makes you want to get every raw feeling out there; it makes you want to have this song on repeat for hours. It just gives you something that you can’t put into exact words, but you know you’re listening to something truly remarkable. There are heavy moments on the record, but there are also lighter moments, and it’s found on Silhouettes.

James’ vocals on Silhouettes will blow you away. It’s a different side to what he can do, and I think it’s one that will leave us Crows fans in awe for a long, long time. The bass on this is divine- again, it should be a crime for something to sound so perfect. I feel bad for any band about to release anything after next Friday because Reason Enough is THE record of the year. From around 2 minute 20 on Silhouettes, you cannot help but let every part of you feel smacked about from what’s going on in this song. When James sings, “You don’t find peace when you’re older” my god it gets you in the gut. This song truly shows the growth in the band in every single way, and how they have a distinctive sound BUT you can hear they’ve pushed themselves on this record. Go back and listen to their earlier stuff, then listen to Silhouettes and you’ll hear how stronger they all sound- both together and separately.

Reason Enough ends with D-Gent, and it reminds me of their earlier sound. The record starts heavy and ends heavy, and what more could you ask for?! This record is made up of their best work to date, and the opener and closer of the record are the backbone of it. What happens in the middle is that you get a mixture of soft, loud, gentle, vulnerable, anthemic and healing songs. Every emotion possible is in the middle, and you may feel all over the place but the closer, D-Gent brings you back to where you need to be. Where you should be. This record feels like home.

Record number 3 is THEIR record. Sound-wise it is full of moments that will make you realise why you fell in love with the band at the start. For new listeners, you’ll probably have found a band that will become your life. Crows have completely nailed it with this record, and I couldn’t be prouder to be a fan if I tried. The record is honest, political, brutal, heartbreaking, hopeful and an ethereal work of art. It’s the band at their best and I love so much how they have experimented with their sound and made something really out of this world.

The first few listens, I had to stop what I was doing and really take in the record and what was going on. Then with more and more listens, I was able to really get into what spoke to me on this record. It’s obviously everything, and honestly? The 3 singles we’ve had so far don’t do this record justice. There’s so much creative freedom on this record. Everything is heavier and you can really hear in the songs that not everything has been overthought- it’s just a natural progression, and like James said- “This is Crows in high definition.”

WATERBOARDING SCHOOL.

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I know nothing about the music scene in Gothenburg, but if it sounds anything like Waterboarding School, then they’re all doing fine! There’s 5 of them in the band, and they’ve been around since 2017. Their newest single, In The Morning came out last month but I don’t want to focus on that- I’m going to do my best to write about how great they are.

Waterboarding School have a beautiful 60s Garage Rock feel to their sound, and they’re perfect to listen to as you do a whole load of nothing, because sometimes, it feels good to do just that. I’ve come home from a few days seeing my family and friends, and as I listen to Waterboarding School, my cat is sat in the window sunbathing. I think this band are the ideal soundtrack for her to do just that. She’s heading off into dreamland with the slick sounds of Waterboarding School playing. What a life she has!

Their debut record Back Rubs came out in 2019 and this was followed by 2023’s Bridge Reviews. Two records in, and it is fair to say that they’ve got a solid sound that you just can’t get enough of. I love how they remind me of the Count Five and The Vagrants, and July. Mix those three bands together, and you’ve got yourself Waterboarding School.  The band have this blissful style, and when you listen to them, it’s hard to have a care in the world and sometimes you just need a band that take that weight off your shoulders, y’know? They do it so well and you cannot help but fall in love with their sound.  I feel their debut record has more of the 60s Garage Rock feel, and releases after this, they’ve developed a slightly different sound. But it’s a solid sound regardless. I’m sold! Sign me up to whatever they are selling!

Trying to find anything out about this band obviously brings up things you don’t need to see or read, but when a band is this good- the music says it all. The first two releases only had 4 of them in the band, but regardless of how many there are of them- they just have a really distinctive sound that gets you hooked immediately. It always starts with the vocals, and Filip’s are bloody great! Once you’ve been hooked in this way, the rest just takes over your ears. If this is how good the music scene is in Gothenburg, then take me there now! This band should be massive. It’s criminal that they aren’t, but maybe the third record will be it. Maybe that’ll be the one that brings them over to the UK and they play a bunch of sell-out shows here, and we all fall in love with their sound. That’s fair, right? You’ve got the super relaxed sounds of Sighurd, then you’ve got the chaotic Moving On from the second record. They’re just so good, and they just make everything alright. Sometimes you need a band that make everything alright. I like the wave of comfort you get from them, especially in songs like So Tired. That’s an easy one to relate to! I think so far, my favourite may be Can’t Stand (from their debut record) but honestly, with a band like this, you can’t have favourites for too long!

The two new songs (You Got To Go and, In The Morning,) are a little heavier sound wise, and if this is the way the new record is going to go- then we are in for something truly special. They may have only formed in 2017, which actually, is a good amount of time to know your sound, but it feels like they’ve been around for longer. In The Morning feels like a proper summer Psych-Rock number, and I’m excited to hear what’s next from them. Go backwards from the two new songs when listening to them, and you’ll definitely hear a band that are well on their way- all we can do it listen and go on the ride with them.

If you’re looking for a band to listen to whilst you do nothing, then Waterboarding School are the band for you. Sometimes you need a band that you connect with in that way, and this band do it so well. Listen to them as loud as you want, and do nothing. What could be better?!

TEEN MORTGAGE.

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Sometimes you need to listen to something really noisy, just so you can feel something like a billion vaults go through your skull in the hopes of adding excitement to your day. Or whatever gets you through.

That’s where you need bands like Teen Mortgage. A duo that feels like a billion electric shocks to your skull. Do you feel anything yet? Probably not. Keep listening.

They are loud. The good kind of loud. The kind that makes you want to be as loud as them. Maybe louder? Only do what you can, if you want.

I know nothing about them, nor do I need to or want to. All I know is that they are pretty fucking good, and again, I’m late to the party. I don’t like parties anyway. This came from needing something loud to listen to at work. It’s doing the job. I have no idea how long they’ve been making music for, but in this case- time means nothing. Does it ever? Sometimes. When it drags, you feel like you could just gauge your eyeballs out to do something. We’re all waiting around for something. Usually for the day to be over. Light relief can always be found in music. I love the sound this band has. There’s slight hints of Melvins mixed with Heavy Lungs, and other bands I love. There’s a beautiful rage in their sound, and you can’t get enough of it. There’s this delightful fury in the songs that makes you want to throw things around and smash ‘em up. Do it. You’ll feel better. They have this energy that’s in the beloved Bruise Control and Death Goals. Loud. So fucking loud. So good. Inject this right into my eardrums.

Pick a favourite song? No. Not yet. I’ve spent a solid few hours listening to them on repeat, and Sick Day has this ridiculous feel to it. It’s the drums. Always the drums. It makes me feel like I’m slamming my head into a wall but with no feeling at all. Of course, the reality would be a headache, or worse. Anyway.

The Change is a solid one too. That’s one to play if you want someone you care about to like this band. If someone doesn’t dig them, it’s all okay to have trust issues over it and reassess your relationship with them. It’s okay. The Change COULD be one of my favourites, but every song I’ve nearly deafened myself with is exceptional. I feel like this bad mood I’ve been stuck in for a while has slightly lifted. I think I just need a nap. I always need a nap. My cat has got it figured out: wake up, have a little snack, maybe run around. Sleep for 5 hours. Repeat. Sleep again. More sleep. Could SHE handle this band? I’ve subjected her to some sorts at home- I think she’d be alright with this.

They’re the best at what they do, and this heavy sound they have is just a real joy to listen to. They’re the kind of band that make you fall back in love with music again. I’d noticed I’d been obsessively listening to set bands/songs over and over again. I don’t like when I do that, so finding Teen Mortage came at the right time. Ed is a giant on the drums. There’s this grand Melvins feel to his style- really sludgy, really loud. Then you’re hit with James’ vocals and guitar- add all this together, and you truly have a band worthy of every fraction of your attention, time, love, ears, anything/everything.

Teen Mortgage make music that is cathartic; it feels like a huge release listening to them. The modern world is too self-centred, and sometimes you just need a band like Teen Mortgage to smack you in the face with the kind of music that would probably scare your family.

Play it loud. Burst those eardrums*

*Don’t!! I don’t want you hurting yourself.

AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS: Chewing Gum.

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I guess to some degree everything I will every write about Amyl and the Sniffers will just be a repeat of anything I’ve said before. However, the love I have for this band just grows and grows. How could it not? They are easily one of the best bands. Ever. Not just now, but ever. There is something about them that captures every tiny and massive detail about music that I love. I feel they always seem to put something out when you just need it. There’s a handful of bands that I feel this way about, and that feeling is unlike anything else.

Chewing Gum gives fans of the band everything they could want and more. It will give new fans/first time listeners something to cling to and believe in, and to fall in love with. I’ve had it on repeat since yesterday, and the video? Oh man alive! That video is just top tier. The song is a gentler pace than a typical Amly and the Sniffers song but the lyrics? It’s the band at their best. There are parts of the song that just hit you in the gut, and for me it’s: “I’m the voice of my young self when I was just a childs,she sings ‘Hey hey girl, you are doing fine.’ “ You know when you just need something that can only be found in a piece of music? That’s it. This is it. Maybe it isn’t so bad? Who knows.

What I love about Amyl and the Sniffers is the innocence in their songs (some not all) and the way of seeing the world. It is so precious. If I was a teenager and I was listening to this band for the first time, I’d definitely feel like I had found a home. There’s something so beautifully safe about the band, and maybe it’s the words. Maybe it’s always the words, but the words mean everything. It doesn’t always have to be so tough and brutal, y’know? They’re more than a Punk band, they’re more than a band. And songs like this just reinforce that.  I love how they always stay honest to who they are as a band, and how hard they have worked to get where they are and I think it truly shines in the line, “I was dreaming of a dinner that would fill up my plate. I was doing the dishes, cleaning, but I never ate.” I love this. The power this line has is just divine.

Amyl and the Sniffers do not have any bad songs at all. You’d be stuck trying to find a less than average song by them. They just make it seem so easy, but there’s years and years of hard work in this. I remember hearing Stole My Pushbike years ago, and the song I think is no more than a minute long? I heard it and was hooked. That one minute turned me into a fan for life. I think it came out in 2016/17, and I wasn’t having the best time and I just solidly listened to them every day and I remember it feeling like a weighted blanket around me. I still get that same feeling with every time I listen to them. It’s in Guided by Angels, Balaclava Lover Boogie, Chewing Gum and beyond. Every single song.

I love so much that they aren’t afraid to be vulnerable with their songs too. The ending of Chewing Gum hit me right in the gut again: “I used to be oh so tough, but for love I’ll be dumb. Stuck on you, stuck like glue, stuck like chewing gum.” Write this on my forehead. Inject this lyric into my blood. Put it everywhere. I feel it more than I want to. It’s easy to be tough isn’t it, but keeping it up is exhausting (I say this as someone who can probably cry at anything!) It’s such a perfect line. It’s a perfect song.

I don’t really like writing about songs in general, but this one is special. Really special. The whole song feels like a letter to maybe Amy’s younger self? I don’t know, but when you have lines like “Don’t you get caught up in stuff you never had” you can’t help but think it’s maybe reassurance for younger Amy turning into an adult and teaching her all she needs to know about getting to where she needs to. Hard work always pays off. It takes time, always. Bands like Amyl and the Sniffers are a proper example of this.

Their 3rd (full length) record, Cartoon Darkness will be out on 25th October.

CROWS: Vision Of Me.

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Sometimes the biggest comfort you can have is a band you love, putting out a song that just rips you apart. That comfort is found in knowing someone else gets it. The things we keep close are released by someone who doesn’t know our name or face. That feeling of anonymity makes it easier to absorb every feeling the song gives you. You weren’t prepared to have a little cry on the tram to work at 7.40 this morning, were you?

For me, Crows are a band that gently get to your soul. It’s all well and good finding a band that can mend or break your heart or calm your mind- but when you find one that get you right in the gut- that’s when you know you’ve found THAT band. Vision Of Me is the second release from their new record, Reason Enough. And in all honesty? This song should have come with a warning. No song should break you like that. Lyrically, it’s their best work. I don’t think I’m going to hear a song like this for a long, long time. I’m okay with that because A) It’s Crows and no one can ever compare to them and B) I don’t think I’m a tough enough person to handle it. I’d rather welcome being overly sensitive than be told to toughen up. Vision Of Me has this beautiful sadness and honesty to it. You don’t have to be wallowing in your own sadness to feel sadness at the moment. The world is absolutely cruel and sick at the moment, and it probably won’t heal in my lifetime. Vision Of Me is a beautifully written song and it reminds me of Healing and Room 156 from Beware Believers- it has that gentleness to it that comes naturally to the band. I think for those who love this band, they’re a safety net. I know they are for me. I want to avoid listening to Vision Of Me because it is painful but my god it is one of the most important songs I’ve ever heard.

The lyrics feel like a healing process. They are a healing process. There are lines in this song could break the toughest of humans, and by no means am I tough at all, so it wasn’t hard for this song it floor me so early this morning, and I keep getting teary eyed every time I try listen to it again. The video is a work of art too- my god the way it reminds me of Wonderful Life by Black is too much (Top 5 greatest songs of all time, irrespective of genre. Thank you!) There’s beautiful hints of bands like Interpol in their sound and that’s probably why I love Crows so much but honestly? Nothing can compare to this song. I just know that Reason Enough is going to be my favourite record of the year. I know their show in Manchester will heal and break and heal and break me. The best bands will do this to you.

I don’t think any line will get me in the gut like “I need a break from this reality, and it seems like you do too” or “It’s the staying alive that’s hard” do. There is so much hope in this song. It does feel sad, but as I force myself to listen without bloody crying, I can feel and hear the hope. And I get that a lot from their music, and that may just be why I love them so, so much. Their music is like a backwards hug from the person you love the most. When James sings “Peace is easy, and love is easy. It’s the letting go that hurts.” You might as well rip my heart out of my chest with rusty pliers (please don’t.) Bloody hell. A work of art. A painful and relatable work of art. Up to that line in the song, I’m alright but there’s something about that line that makes me just bawl.

The video fits the song perfectly- I won’t spoil it for you, but the last shot of the video got me right in the gut too. That last shot sums up the song in the most poetic and purest way possible. I always think I couldn’t love Crows as much as I do, but they then go and do something like this, and it just throws me. Surely it must be a crime for a band to be this great? I think with everything they do; they will always improve. And I know you cannot improve perfection, but this band do it every single time. I hate wishing time away, but I cannot wait for the next month and a bit to pass, so I can religiously listen to the new record over and over.

For me, I find listening to Crows are really cathartic process. I listen to them every single day- they’re my comfort band afterall, but sometimes, I step away from that and really take in how phenomenal they are. Vision Of Me is one of those moments. I honestly don’t get how someone could listen to this song and not be moved by it.

Most of their UK tour dates can be found here: CROWS Concerts & Live Tour Dates: 2024-2025 Tickets | Bandsintown

Reason Enough is out on 27th September via Bad Vibrations Records.

THE FADEAWAYS.

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I know I should probably keep track of the bands I write about it, but my brain doesn’t work in that way. God knows what kind of way it works in (if it even works at all!) Anyway, all I know is that I’ve written about a fair amount of bands from Japan but there’s one in particular that I should have written about a LONG time ago, but never did because I’m an idiot.

So, I’ll put me being an idiot aside for a bit and write about The Fadeaways and their newest record, Pretty Wild which came out only a few weeks ago.

The Fadeaways are THE perfect 60s Garage Rock style band. For me they are every band I love (that fit this genre) and more. They remind me of very early The Pretty Things, The Gruesomes (aka greatest band of all time) and there’s definitely hints of the most beloved band- Ramones. If I listen to something and I can hear the Ramones or The Gruesomes lurking in there somewhere- then I’m happy.  

I’ve made myself believe I’ve written about the band before, but even if I have- it doesn’t matter. What matters anyway! The Fadeaways make me want to ignore all my daily responsibilities and just listen to music like this all day. The true test of how great the band are? Well, my cat hasn’t run off the second I started playing them so that’s something. Normally she goes off into another room and sleeps. Not this time- I think little Mary has good taste. Anyway, back to The Fadeaways. I won’t limit myself to telling you just about their most recent release, but the band have been around FOREVER and there’s a lot to cover. For me they just have that really, really strong and addictive sound that, no matter what they do, it’ll always be the most energetic and mind-blowing thing you’ve ever heard. There’s this beautiful snarl in Toyozo’s voice that just makes you feel like you’ve heard music (in general) for the very first time.

They’re the kind of band you would play if you wanted to influence a younger relative, so they go find their own path musically. They just have this bite to their sound that you cannot help but fall stupidly in love with. The second you play their record, Teenage Hitsville- that’s when you know..that’s when you brutally know you’ve found something to really submerge yourself in and to just ignore everything around you. Will it sound like this record? No. Never. Go head first into this record and take it from there. Let it burst your eardrums and take your soul. That’s how they all get you in the end!

Japanese Garage Rock and Japanese Punk is MASSIVELY underrated, and when you have bands like The Fadeaways- how can you even THINK about ignoring how great it is? It makes you want to sack off where you live, take your possessions and your cat- and move to where the bands are. That’s how good they are. But we have social media, so it makes that kind of dreaming easier to do! Everything about The Fadeaways is just cool, and I know that the term “cool” is so redundant and I think I’ve only ever called one person cool (Lou Reed. The coolest ever.) Their sound and their style is perfect, and the way they play…my god! Have you ever heard anything so rowdy and so wonderfully chaotic? You probably have- but not like this. They make the kind of music that bar fights break out to, and all you can do is watch and throw the nearest beer in the direction of the biggest person there, then bolt out the door like the cowards we all are!

The band formed nearly 20 years ago, and in that time, they’ve toured the world and put out some incredible records. It should be illegal for a band to be THIS good; they’ve got this sound that, sure we’ve heard in other bands to a degree, but there is something about The Fadeways that stands out. They’re louder (even though there’s only 3 of them) and the noise they make is nothing short of “INJECT THIS INTO MY BODY RIGHT NOW” kind of feeling. Like, sure you can feel every vocal and note in your ears, but you want it to hit you deeper. You want the songs pouring out of you. That’s how great they are. What are their live shows like? Probably as intense. I will make a promise to myself to try see them if they ever play the UK again because a band like this cannot be missed at all. I think they make the kind of music that is designed to be heard live. To really experience it in a dark and sketchy basement bar and at the end of the night you leave covered in warm beer, probably without one of your shoes and don’t even try looking for your jacket- why did you even bring one?

The band are wonderfully chaotic, and I can only apologise for not writing about them sooner (the apology is to myself.) For me, The Fadeaways are the kind of band that you listen to (how you are feeling doesn’t matter) and you just immediately feel better. I love the loudness; I love how together their sound is and I just love how they combine everything I love about music and make this beautiful noise. You feel like you’re hearing the greats for the first time- The Dead Boys, Ramones, Count Five, Beefheart…all of them and more. The Fadeaways make you want to start a band, and I hope there’s a bunch of Punk kids in Japan listening to them and feel the urge to start their own band and in 20 years’ time- someone will be writing about them.

* I didn’t write about the new record. All I did was tell you how great the band are and to be honest, that should be enough (if you weren’t already aware of how great they are!)

CROWS: Bored

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I can safely say that whenever Crows release new music, everything seems okay. It doesn’t matter what’s going on- the second those notes kick in, the second I hears James’ sweet, sweet voice- everything is alright.

I must have played Bored about 10 times this morning as I was getting ready for work, then as soon as 10am hit- I was on YouTube watching the video. The video made me miss London slightly. That feeling sensibly left me. I think I was just overwhelmed with sheer joy because there is a new Crows song! On the back of this, there’s a new record and of course- A TOUR!

Bored is just over 2 minutes of Crows at their best. The sentiment of Bored hits me right in the gut. I don’t think I’m bored; I’ve just got a poor attention span. But they pick up on the mundane of daily life such as queuing, settling for less and wanting something to happen just to ease the boredem. “If there’s a lack of connection, I leave” YES JAMES! Sing that line with your chest and more. I felt that. I feel every single word on this one. It picks up beautifully where the Beware Believers record left off. For me, Crows are my comfort band. I didn’t know I could have one specific band that would be it. Turn out, that band is Crows. I’ll hold off going into detail about that- I’ll save it for when the record comes out in September. In the meantime, watch the video. Play the song as loud as you can. As often as you can- treat it like a prescription.

To quote James, “‘Bored’ came out of that cycle of waking up and not being able to shake the feeling of wanting to bang your forehead against a brick wall.” I think every single one of us can relate to this. Songs like this make that heaviness less so, and that’s why I love this band with all I have. There’s something about them that transcends words because maybe, words aren’t needed. Why use them if you don’t have them. Why the hell have I written this? I think I needed an outlet because who’d want to listen to me bang on about why I love this band! Anyway, watch the video.

The new record, Reasons Enough will be released on 27th September via Bad Vibrations Records.

Crows will be on tour from October, but are playing a one-off gig this week at Third Man Records/Blue Basement in London. Tickets for the October/November shows go on sale this Friday, and the dates are:

July
4 – London @ Third Man Records / Blue Basement
October
5 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
9 – Brighton, UK @ DUST
10 – Manchester, UK @ The Deaf Institute
11 – Glasgow, UK @ King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
12 – Dublin, IE @ The Soundhouse
14 – Nottingham, UK @ Rough Trade Nottingham
15 – London, UK @ Village Underground
17 – Bristol, UK @ Exchange
18 – Hebden Bridge, UK @ The Trades Club
28 – Cologne, DE @ Yard Club
29 – Hamburg, DE @ Turmzimmer
30 – Copenhagen, DE @ Loppen
November
1 – Berlin, DE @ Urban Spree
8 – Kortrijk, BE @ Sonic City
9 – Luxembourg, LU @ Rotondes
10 – Nijmegen, NL @ Doornroosje
13 – Lille, FR @  L’Aeronef
14 – Paris, FR @  La Maroquinerie
15 – Tours, FR @ Au Temps Machine
16 – Rennes, FR @ Antipode MJC Rennes