THE CREEPING IVIES-What Would Joey Ramone Do?/Ramona Wolf.

Posted on Oct 19, 2013 by Olivia

The Creeping Ivies have been a band I have cherished for some time. I remember when I first heard them I immediately wished I was slightly musically gifted because they made the kind of music I wish I could make. If I was in a band, this is EXACTLY how I’d want them to sound. I’d probably be slightly more aggressive just to be obnoxious for the hell of it. Why not! Music is freedom and is also a way of putting on an act. Maybe it wouldn’t be an act.

I love Becca and Duncan because they are two of the best musicians I’ve heard in quite some time. Becca is a stunning guitar player who has this control in her vocals that is found in the likes of Patti Smith. Then you have Duncan who reminds me of a young Bobby Gillespie in The Jesus And Mary Chain; playing with fury and the desire to make your body move in the most outrageous way possible. The Creeping Ivies make you want to turn your back on everything society expects from you, everything your family, friends, lovers, peers and the like too. They make you turn into the person you want to be by creating such freedom in their music.

The Creeping Ivies have a new double A-side single out very soon, What Would Joey Ramone Do?/Ramona Wolf.

What Would Joey Ramone Do? Is probably one of the things I say to myself when something baffles me. Sometimes I substitute Joey Ramone for Morrissey. What Would Joey Ramone Do? is The Creeping Ivies at their creepy best. It reminds me ever so slightly of their song, Ghost Train. Mainly for the brilliant trembling you can hear in Becca’s voice, she seriously has one of the most distinctive voices I’ve heard in a very long time. When I listen to The Creeping Ivies, it just makes me wish they were playing London some time soon. Stupid commitments got in the way last time. Always the way. What Would Joey Ramone Do? is an excellent punch in the gut kind of song. It makes you want to leap about the way Joey used to do whilst wearing your battered leather (fake leather for me) jacket until every ounce of frustration falls out of you.

Ramona Wolf sounds like the soundtrack to the most pleasurable nightmare you’ll ever have. You can imagine being hunted down in a desolate and murky forest by the most stunning vixen; you run and run, but you don’t care if she catches up with you because you are in awe of her beauty. You probably start caring once she rips you to shreds though, always the way isn’t it. Ramona Wolf sends chills down your spine, as you immediately feel as if you are trapped in the woods with no way out. The feral beast called Ramona will get you, you might as well let her.

The Creeping Ivies are one of the very very few bands who take their influence of Punk and Garage rock and use it in a way that doesn’t seem like a blatant rip-off. What they have done is, taken bits of both and created something that I do hope in years to come will be influencing other bands to make this kind of music. If you cannot scare the shit out of those listening at least once, you’re probably doing something wrong.

Becca and Duncan will be releasing their second record, Ghost World early next year via Dead Beat Records. I have every faith in them that they will create something equally as mind-blowing as their debut, Stay Wild. When I wear a t-shirt of The Creeping Ivies, it feels the same as wearing a (fake) leather jacket. It is like armor/protection. It makes me feel like nothing can touch me; their music has the same effect. Except, I don’t wear the shirt as much as I’d like because I’ve ripped it. Most of my clothes are ripped, but it’s okay. I’ll probably just get a new one.

Anyway.

The double A-side single is out 16th November (4 days after my birthday) on Holy Smoke Records. You can stream the single right here: http://thecreepingivies.bandcamp.com/

DESIGNER MUTTS.

Posted on Jun 11, 2013 by Olivia

“Picking off what’s left of the rest of us,
And selling it off to the wolves.”

As I started listening to Designer Mutts, I was distracted by something utterly hateful and vile. There’s small-minded pricks out there who have made a page on Facebook called “Ban Islam.” It is a pity you cannot ban small-minded and disgusting people; such as those who made the page and also those who agree with it. It just made me dislike people even more than I wish to. It was heart breaking to see photos of a young Muslim man praying and vile creatures taking it upon themselves to make vicious comments. What hope do we have? Maybe we truly have none left. I don’t think I can put into words how angry this has made me feel. Thing is, people will always have these warped views. For now there is nothing we can do. For now.

Moving on to something a lot less harmful; Designer Mutts are two lads from my favourite Australian band, Royal Chant. The lyrics to their songs are perfect. I’m obviously going to say this because I have massive love for lyrics. I read the lyrics to the songs before I hit play. The thing is, it isn’t the words they write but the way Mark sings them. He sings them in a way that causes you to immediately connect and feel as if it is YOUR life he’s singing about. Maybe he is. I feel that way whenever I listen to Royal Chant, and also Designer Mutts. There’s a wealth of frustration in the songs that is infectious in the most pleasing way imaginable. These songs were made for you to scream along to in your room, without caring if anyone hears. Maybe you want them to hear your frustrations also; get them to join in. Designer Mutts aren’t made for sacred listening. They are made for you to play as loudly as possible.

The essence of hopelessness is something I really love in the songs. To some that may sound morbid, but when you’re from a place that lacks culture and ambition- these are the kind of songs that save you. Fortunately, some of us are able to leave. The best part of leaving a place that has drained you behind is knowing that you never have to look back. When something or someone destroys you, all you can do it rebuild. Nothing nor no one is worth being a wreck over. Music heals, music is the truth.

My favourite track off their debut release, A Day At The Wauchope Races is a song called Unrecognizable Blues. I adore the pissed off sound in Mark’s vocals. The lyrics alone stand tall, but his voice just seriously makes it. Designer Mutts play with such fury and fight. You cannot help but feel they are in the midst of leading you into a revolution (or maybe a resolution) and you stand in front of them echoing their thoughts and words. This is how powerful they are. This is how powerful music can be, and should be.

I find it easy to write about them because to me, they’re more than a band. They’re friends. Friends I’ve yet to meet (distance is a pain!) but I’ve read some of the things Mark has written. As a lyricist and just on his blog, and it is like someone has ripped my thoughts out and put them down in an eloquent manner with a touch of rebellion.

Designer Mutts doesn’t deserve to be compared to Royal Chant. Some of the same members are in the band, but that’s it. Completely different otherwise. I guess though, one other thing they have in common in this honesty in the songs. An honesty that is rare. These guys aren’t afraid to bare their soul and let every feeling; regardless of how ugly it is, be known. Their debut release is something I hope they are deeply proud of, I know I am.

You can listen to A Day At The Wauchope Races here: http://dirtymabrecords.bandcamp.com/album/a-day-at-the-wauchope-races

MIKEY & THE DRAGS.

Posted on Jun 10, 2013 by Olivia

Creepy sounding Garage Rock is my favourite. Such as The Gruesomes to Scotland’s finest, The Creeping Ivies. If it creeps me out and has a Garage Rock feel to it, I’ll fall in love with it. If it doesn’t make me feel like I’m in 2013 (and what a shit time to be in) then I’ll be a loving fan for as long as time will allow me.

Mikey & The Drags are a bold yet sensual Garage Rock band that will make the most stiff-jointed person throw their limbs about in a flailing fashion; the pleading vocals and thrashing instrumentals are all played with such vigor, which places them miles in front of anyone else trying to do this style. They make music that is effortlessly rambunctious, every note is a pleasurable punch to the face. You cannot help but declare yourself as their biggest fan as soon as you’ve heard the first few seconds of Spill Your Guts. If I had any musical talent, this is the kind of music I’d want to make. Immediately influential; enough to make you wish you had some musical talent. I listen with frustration and the desire to create something. Yet all I can do is write about how fantastic Mikey & The Drags are, somehow that seems enough. For now.

They play with such power and with a purpose. They play with such bite that you cannot help but be in awe as soon as you hear them. Every time I hear music like this I wish I was a million miles away from where I am or back in a time where this style of music was everywhere. By everywhere I mean basement bars that had questionable health and safety regulations. Back to a time where music had some rawness to it; fortunately we have Mikey & The Drags to kick up a storm and are making something of worth.

A lot of bands that fall into the Garage Rock genre seem to want to play ridiculously fast, causing you to not really appreciate the music as much as you’d like. I’m all for playing as loud and as fast as you can- but Mikey & The Drags seem to have really captured the true essence of Garage Rock yet made the genre their own. Not many can do that, and if they do they sometimes get it wrong. Mikey & The Drags do it so perfectly and brilliantly.

Their songs may be short, but they have that unity feel that is seen in bands such as New York Dolls to The Vagrants. They have a gang vibe to their music. They dress exquisitely; everything just fits their sound wonderfully, which makes everything they do seem so effortless. They aren’t trying to be a certain way just to be “cool.” No one is cool, it’s a redundant phrase. Unless you’re Lou Reed, then it exists. Other than that, we’re just the disciples of him aching to be as poetic. Fortunately Mikey & The Drags have got it right. This is ferocious and fearless music as its best; much-needed and massively appreciated.

I think I need to start some kind of petition to get them to the UK or maybe someone could send me to America to see them. Either option is fine by me.

You can listen to Mikey & The Drags’ soulful and thumping sounds right here : https://soundcloud.com/mikey-20

Play as loud as you can and let your limbs be wild and free. They unleash all that’s been dormant inside of you for far too long. If anyone is going to drag out your inner beast, let it be these guys!

THE RICH HANDS.

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Olivia

This was meant to be an album review, but for some reason I can’t open the file I was sent. And if I’m honest, I feel uncomfortable reviewing records. I’d rather listen to everything a band/singer has done, and try to write something of worth. If they put everything they have into making a record, then who am I to dissect it and tell you why you should buy it? I’d rather just go through all they’ve done and tell you why they’re great.

Which has led me onto writing about a band called The Rich Hands, a trio from San Antonio who have only been going a couple of years. In some songs they remind you of very early White Stripes, but when you get past that (it isn’t a bad thing) you realise just how brilliant they are in their own right. A typical sound that I adore- full of heart and oozing with such pure rawness. A lot try to emulate this kind of music, but it seems so natural for The Rich Hands to make. They are pure Rock & Roll with a delightful Garage Rock backbone. Garage Rock is the kind of music that always makes you feel more confident than you actually are- much like Punk. It is bold and it is honest. The things we want to be is found in Punk and Garage Rock; they allow us to be tough even when we are the most sensitive of souls. Filling us with bravado as we strut to the rambunctious sounds- just for some time to be oblivious to our own thoughts. Music is the purest of escapes.

The Rich Hands are everything you want your favourite (new) band to me. Their music is delightfully wild and frightfully brave. Their sound makes you feel like you are anywhere but where you are and not in 2013. They take you to the dirtiest of bars and wash your soul clean with their rowdy scenes. Music to lose your mind to and music that just sets you free.

The Rich Hands are releasing their debut record DREAMERS digitally on the 28th May, on cassette on 4th June and finally on vinyl on 9th July all via Fountain Records. You can listen to previous released here on their bandcamp page: http://therichhands.bandcamp.com

Garage Rock.

Posted on Feb 27, 2012 by Olivia

Aside from Punk, Garage Rock is the only other genre to own my heart. I’d put Shoegaze and Riot Grrrl up there but for me they were more like a movement rather than a genre. Of course Punk was a movement too, but..well, you know what I mean. For me, Garage Rock is such an important genre of music. As much as I love songs that last over 5 minutes and take me on some weird trip, I also love music that lasts about 2 minutes and has the ability to make me feel like I’m being punched right in the chops. Passionately furious and enough to make you want to dance. Throw in some psychedelic vibes and I’ll be the happiest person around. It isn’t just Garage Rock bands from the 60s that make me feel this way, bands that are around now that can be seen as Garage Rock make me feel this way too. Take the debut record by The Horrors for instance. It had EVERYTHING that was Garage Rock. Short songs, loud guitars and vocals enough to deafen you. Sure not all Garage Rock is like that, but fuck man..as far as debut records go that one was a SOLID.

So this is what I am going to do. Instead of rambling on and on about it, I’m going to give you my 5 favourite OLD Garage Rock bands and my 5 favourite NEW Garage Rock bands. If you want to disagree or hit me with some bands I should check out, then PLEASE let me know. Just be gentle if you’re going to be negative, okay? Thanks. Alright, here’s the first lot.