Tag Archives: Manchester

LOS TRASGOS MUERTOS.

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Manchester. The home of music. Kick anyone in the teeth who disagrees (to an extent.) It has some of  the best venues, the best bands (past and present) and the accent is the best in the North West, even if Manchester is on the wrong side of the Pennines it is still a brilliant city.

A lot of bands I love and write about are from Manchester. I don’t go looking for them, it’s just coincidence that this happens.

After waking up at 5am with a bastard of a migraine (I now feel like someone has punched me everywhere) I feel alright enough to listen to something moderately loud and brutal. Ready?

Los Trasgos Muertos are from the grimy and dark streets of Manchester. Hoodlums with balaclavas luring you into alleyways to sell you their music and to claim your soul. This may or may not be true. The band members have names that could either be friends of Jack The Ripper or the potential to be bad but good superheroes. We’ve got Von Beek, ‘Captain’ Reed and Il Fleishe. Names that just make you want to know the band, and bloody love them with their leather, battered gloves around your neck screaming their songs at you.

How do they sound?

A thousand furies echoing in the horrors of your mind. A gut-ridden plague ripping through you with no hopes of being sane at the end of it. Los Trasgos Muertos are loveable swines who make gloriously decadent music. If you want something creepy yet thrilling, then these guys are for you. They are loud, bloody hell they are loud. They are the kind of band that make you want to ditch everything, move to Manchester and throw yourselves into the Manchester music scene. Or this could just be me. That’s alright. The best kind of noise is the noise that is unapologetically loud and fearless. This is all Los Trasgos Muertos are.

The Psyche sub-genre (if you want to be like that about it) is brilliant. It is full of mind-blowing brilliance that allows you to free your mind and to feel something from the gut and beyond. The good stuff takes you on trips that nothing else on this planet could, and you don’t want to come down from it. Real life remains a mundane blur, but you come home and play something like these guys and you’re away. Where do you go? Who knows. You just go there.

Los Tragos Muertos have a cult-like feel to them. Join them. Give them your soul.

You can stream their new record, Eponymous EP right here: https://play.spotify.com/artist/5oQAKnW2TgWsVGLN0Kf1jE

Play it as loud as you can stand, go somewhere entirely lucid and eerie. Be free, get free and stay free. Go.

PINS- Too Little Too Late.

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Middle fingers and glitter. Sometimes you just have to tell someone to fuck off. As satisfying as it is to have a sweary rant in your head (all of the time), sometimes you have to just let it all out. Don’t ever feel bad about it.

PINS are back, and their new song Too Little Too Late is a different sound to what Girls Like Us sounds like. Both equally sublime, but wonderfully different.

Their new record, Wild Nights is out 8th June via Bella Union and going by their show last week, it’ll probably be in my Top 3 records of the year (number 1 has already been claimed by Crocodiles) They are supporting Sleater-Kinney in March and Drenge in April. They will also be playing a show at The Lexington on 27th May.

The track listing for Wild Nights is as follows:

Baby Bhangs
Young Girls
Curse These Dreams
Oh Lord
Dazed By You
Got It Bad
Too Little Too Late
House of Love
If Only
Molly
Everyone Says

Too Little Too Late will be released 30th March.

PINS- Sebright Arms 26th February 2015.

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When you become a fan of a band, it is usually their live shows that explain why you love them. Most bands I’m a fan of sound a billion times better live than on record. For the interaction and to see their faces as they play certain songs. It feels like it’s just you and them.

PINS are a band that HAVE to be seen live. On record they are exceptional, live they are perfect. Their show last night consisted of them playing their new record in full. If you’ve heard their debut, Girls Like Us you will know of a certain sound they have. A little dark, a little sinister and mixed with songs to chant along to. Their new record is nothing like Girls Like Us. If this becomes a problem for whoever listens to it, then they probably need their head checking.

I’ve no clue what the titles of the songs are, but I can tell you they are brilliant. With their first record they became a band to pay attention to, with their second they have become a band that will kick the behinds of those wanting to start a band, motivating them to make their own noise. They’ve truly found their own sound here on the new record, it isn’t too heavy and it’s utterly divine.

As I was listening to the songs last night, one band in particular came to my mind. A band that I hold as high as my mother. A band from the home of music, Manchester. PINS new songs have wonderful dreamy elements that are found in songs by The Stone Roses. I looked on feeling like a proud parent. This is a band that have done something really special, and I can only hope more people pay attention to them. I remember hearing Say To Me/Luvu4lyf and being amazed at what I was hearing. This was heavy and creepy stuff, it was incredible. The same feeling hit me again last night as I watched them rip through their glorious second record. There is something about live music that moves you, and last night was a proper example of that.

The new songs are powerful and inspirational. There is wisdom in the lyrics and fury in the drums. If Sophie doesn’t make you leave wanting to be a drummer, then you’ve probably been watching with yours eyes closed the whole time. A truly magnificent show, and I can honestly say (and I say it a lot) the best time I’ve seen them.

They end their set with Girls Like Us which ends with Faith bringing some fans on stage (one being Robert from Crocodiles!) to join in with the jumping about. The song is mixed with number 1 party jam, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. A brilliant end to the show. The show last night was a showcase of things to come from PINS, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear this new record.

The only crap thing about going to a PINS show is the amount of creepy old guys standing near the front and taking photos of the bands legs. Come on now. If you’re looking to get off on something, I’m fairly sure you can find a porno for free online. But anyway, if you ignore that then you can just appreciate how bloody great the band are. Faith’s voice is a lot stronger, Lois is a delight to watch because she bops up and down on the stage like a kid who’s downed a lot of cherryade and had a sherbet based sweet as her main meal. They are going to easily become an influential band in no time, they’re on the right path to doing so. Oh and before I forget the other thing that wasn’t great about last night was that Anna wasn’t there. Get well soon! PINS are quite frankly one of the most exciting bands around, on record and live they take you some place truly magical. Nothing really feels the same afterwards.

2:54: Manchester/London February 2015

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Seeing a band you adore live is a great feeling. Sometimes, well for the most part, it seems to be a sort of release and a purely cathartic experience. That’s what music should be about and when you see it performed in front of you it becomes heightened and more important.

2:54 have just finished a 3 day tour in the UK. I did 2 out of 3 dates and I won’t lie, I wish I did all 3. If you’ve seen them live you will know how addictive it can be. You leave wishing to be in that moment solidly for the rest of time. You want to tell the words back to Sugar. You want to lose yourself during No Better Prize. You air drum along to Creeping. These moments become you. Don’t part from them.

Manchester was the first show. There is something really special about seeing bands in Manchester. The venue was idyllic and the crowd were a beautiful lot. Manchester crowds aren’t afraid to move. The last time I saw 2:54 was a month or so before when they did a secret show at the Shacklewell Arms to about 50 people. This show however, was dark and loud. Euphoric filled moments. Alex’s intense drumming. Rich’s brutal bass playing. Hannah’s inspiring guitar playing. Colette’s delicate but powerful voice. You will not find a better constructed band. With no need to talk in between songs, this band have gorgeous stage presence. In short, they make you want to start a band.

Last night they played historic Camden venue, Dingwalls. This show had a real Punk vibe about it. You can find this if you look hard enough. Colette said there was a strong Punk feel to the show last night, and she wasn’t wrong. Bodies were moving in time and some off beat. The music was rightfully being felt in all the right places.

I’ve loved them since I heard Creeping a few years ago. If I could find the word to describe how it made me feel and how it hit me, I would. It all comes to life when you see them live.
A strong sense of pride. The band I adore are nothing short of excellent and are making the kind of music that really moves you.

I interviewed Colette and Hannah in Manchester( I will type it up soon) and it felt like I was talking to two friends. Their bond is so pure and lovely to witness. You know how some people can communicate without saying a word? That’s them. I don’t think any other band has a bond as strong as that. Quite simply, the sisters are the most gracious and kind individuals I’ve met in a long time. Their music may be heavy and intense but personality wise they are just wonderful people. If you go see them, talk to them afterwards. Tell them I sent you!

And now it is all over. America is getting them next. Is it too late to have a Kickstarter page to find me to go out there? I’m too much of a wuss to get on a plane for 8 hours anyway!
Their on stage presence just makes you want to start a band. I think I spent most of the time staring at Alex and being in awe of how great a drummer he is. He makes you want to do exactly what he does. He truly is phenomenal and I hope if anyone ever made a list of the best drummers around he would be the top choice. But please know that during each song, all band members truly do shine but during some songs you take notice of a certain band member. No Better Prize sees you staring at awe at Hannah’s guitar skills. This song is a real intimate part of the show- it’s just Hannah and Colette on stage playing this. They perform it with such power, you don’t realise that there are other people in the room. Sure Hannah nails it during the end of Scarlet, but there is something extremely fragile and poignant about this song and how they do it live.Speaking of Scarlet, that’s the one where you really focus on Rich and how great a bass player he is. He moves furiously and plays with such purpose, making you wish you could play like that. Scarlet is the song that everyone goes nuts to, and I reckon it’s the bass that sets us all off. How could it not?! Blindfold is a personal song, whoever you are you will feel this song. You’ll see yourself in it and for this reason and how Colette sings it makes it her moment. Of course she’s got a brilliant voice, but there is really something about Blindfold that really makes you connect with the song. That’s the job of the singer, and she does it perfectly. Colette’s voice reminds me of singers I love such as Shirley Manson and Patti Smith. She can sound so delicate in one song but can flip to being dominant. Regardless, you pay attention and you listen. Alex Robins. Where do you begin on his drumming. After much thought I think I’ll go with Creeping. Inititally I was going with Crest because it’s so brutal and is one of the louder tracks on the record. But, I’ll stick with Creeping. He smacks the cymbal like a wave crashing crumbling and faded rocks. His drumming on Creeping sends the song swirling all around you and no part of you feels like you are where you are. Put all of these factors together from each of them, and you truly do have, hand on heart, the perfect/ideal band.

When I listen to 2:54, I just want to sit and write about what their music does and it all it stirrs inside of you. When I see them live I wish to cast real life aside and do something other than what I have to do every day. There is truly something special about them and I feel for anyone who has yet to see it, or who has yet to listen to them or has disregarded them. They’re easy to write about because they are just everything I love about music and why I probably won’t be satisfied until I’ve made some kind of career out of writing about music. 9-5 doesn’t sit well with me, it makes me feel uncomfortable. I don’t adapt to routine.

Music should do something to you that a person can’t. It should take you to a place that no mode of transport can drag you too. It’s a wave of emotions and moments of realisation. If you’re feeling lost, go to a gig. Go to a record store. Go into the unknown and be transported towards something else. Something you have probably been looking for. I recommend you start with 2:54. Listen to them on the move, in your room. Go to their shows and allow yourself to feel something so gloriously sacred.
 

*Note: This was written at 9 this morning on the train to work in about 20 minutes, 2:54 make it so easy to write about music and all it means to a person.

BAD GRAMMAR- Clown.

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“Sweetheart, your make up is terrible”.

 

When I was at Uni, I went to pretty much every Gossip gig I could manage on a student budget. Turns out, it was a lot. Thankfully it wasn’t a phase and is something I still do. Last year I think Bad Grammar could have possibly been the band I saw the most, closely followed by Crocodiles. This year, who knows who it could be. Probably more of the same to be honest, that’s perfectly alright with me.

If your daily life is a pain in your behind and other areas, if you are bored with the repetitive strain of daily life then Bad Grammar are your saviors. This Manchester based duo are the most ferocious and probably loudest band I’ve seen in a long time. The Jesus And Mary Chain were loud when I saw them, but it was mainly feedback wasn’t it. Bad Grammar play like two feral kids being let loose in a school music room and they don’t really care for who hears them. Their new single, Clown pretty much showcases this in all its brutal glory.

If you’ve seen Lucy and Ben live, you’ll probably be left feeling as if you should start a band or something as brave. I’ll be honest, when I’ve seen them live I’ve pretty much stared in awe at them rather than pay attention to the songs. Every time I see them, I feel it is the best time I’ve seen them. There is something about watching them that is truly brilliant. I love the way Ben flails about on the stage, jumping around like a kid that’s drank a load of Cherryade and snorted some Party Rings. Lucy beats the shit out the drum, and is easily one of the best drummers you’ll see (and hear.) They’re one of the hardest working bands around and don’t ever seem to not be playing a show, so you’ve really got no excuse!

Produced by Ryan Pinson (who worked recently with the equally awesome God Damn) Clown is a loud number that will make you want to throw your body about until you feel it is about to snap. Clown b/w Who’s Yer Mate? will be out in the Spring on Flatpack Records. They’ve managed to capture the energy from their live shows into a song, that will leave you wanting to follow them up and down the country to attend their shows (don’t stalk them, creep.)

Have some dates for your diary:

Saturday 24th January – The Boileroom, Guildford
Sunday 25th January – The Louisiana, Bristol
Friday 13th February – Lomax, Liverpool
Saturday 21st February – Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, London (Free Entry)
Friday 27th February – Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar, Brighton
Monday 2nd March – The Flapper, Birmingham
Friday 27th March – The Castle Hotel, Manchester (Single Launch)

You can stream the track here:

THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN- Psychocandy Shows.

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“But you break me in two
And you throw me away
And you spit on my head
You trip me up.”

After spending more money on gig tickets, travel and accommodation – it is with a slight bout of deafness and sheer joy that I can say, I have finally seen The Jesus And Mary Chain live. Twice. In the space of a few days. Not sure how I am not totally deaf, but it’s fine. It is an excuse to not listen to anyone (not like I do anyway.)

I don’t want to turn this into a comparison of Manchester vs London. I’m siding with London because I was at the front, I can’t hear and the venue was a lot nicer. The Troxy is one of the most stunning venues I’ve ever been to. I’m usually a fan of venues that look like they’re about to fall down and are the size of a shed, but I like to make an exception. Instead, I’ll just go on about how TJAMC are one of the best bands I have seen live, finally.

I knew it was going to be loud. I knew it was going to feel like my ears were going to burst and bleed. I wouldn’t have bought tickets if I wasn’t alright with that. The crowds at both nights (and I’d imagine for most dates/all) consisted mainly of middle-aged men having the time of their lives. Some crying onto their best friend’s shoulders, most shouting the words back at Jim as if he’s some modern-day Messiah (he probably is, let’s be honest.) For me, it felt like a Morrissey show but with a bit more bite. How these guys react to TJAMC is how grown men are at a Morrissey show, without the stage invasion. There is something beautiful about seeing this. TJAMC appeal to those who are awkward, unsure but carry the weight of daily feelings like no other. They are for those who do not mind the darker side of having emotions, what they do mind is being told how to offload it all. How do you offload it? You stick on TJAMC and you think of someone or something that is really eating you. This is how you come alive.

I wasn’t even a mere thought before Psychocandy came out (I was born a year and one week later, always late.) but it has become one record that I quite simply, cannot live without. Is it a bold statement? Is it foolish? There a few thousand from over the past week or so who will probably agree with me. United. It’s a record that means more to me than anything else I’ve ever heard. I’ve felt every ugly and passionate feeling Jim sings on that record, and fuck me I am not ashamed. I’m sort of proud that I am able to relate to such a remarkable record. See, I just can’t live without it. To see it live in its entirety was something no part of me ever thought I would see. I never ever thought I would see TJAMC live, ever. I have a tendency to like bands that have most members dead or they hate each other. Sometimes both. Thank you Jim and William for getting your shit together.

I expected nothing from the shows, all I cared about was seeing TJAMC. The excitement I had was probably borderline irritating, I don’t care. If you get the chance to see your favourite band in the whole wide world live, go. Just go. I don’t care how you fund it, just go. Treat yourself. You need to.

There was an atmosphere at both shows that I sincerely hope was at all of them. It was a mixture of relief, absolute happiness and shock that it was about to happen. I know this isn’t a live review, all it is is something unleashing how it feels to see their favourite band of all time live. Finally. There was nothing wrong with these shows, every element of it was perfect. Last night, William played a bum note during a song and Jim just turned to him as if to say, “typical” shook his head and grinned. William was like the mad scientist surrounded with amps and pedals. Jim was every bit the brilliant frontman I knew he was. There was no need for painful conversation between songs. I’m not a fan of that. And I don’t think they are either.

Seeing You Trip Me Up and My Little Underground live meant more to me than I thought they would. Those songs hold more sentimental value to me than a song probably should. More than I want them to, but seeing it all live was like a release. A sigh of relief, yet I didn’t want it to end. TJAMC have been missed, so dearly missed. I hope they never leave us again because we needed it. Live music needs bands like them. Being brutally loud and not apologising for making you feel as if your ears are bleeding. If I don’t get injured or go a little deaf at a gig, I probably didn’t have a good time.

TJAMC’s music is the polar opposite to me, sound wise. They are brutal, somewhat sinister and loud. I’m too shy for my own good, but I’m alright with clinging onto that. Psychocandy is a release of all sorts, and to finally see it live goes beyond the words I have written.

They opened with April Skies. A song I thought would be too much for me to witness, but my god it was beautiful. To just watch that over and over would be something else. Maybe they’ll do a tour for Darklands…that’d be nice. There is no doubt in my mind that TJAMC are the best band, ever. How Jim Reid feels about the Velvet Underground is how I feel about them. Ultimately I do feel the same about the Velvet Underground, obviously. I think that’s quite clear. One of the true special moments last night was Miki Berenyi joining them on Just Like Honey. Oh, and Kevin Shields was sat upstairs too. Shoegaze heaven.

The shows I went to were euphoric and loud. Seeing middle-aged men take their partners with them as if to say, “This has been me for the past 30 years, this is who I am” was just beautiful. The songs are as important as they always were, much like the band.

VIVA THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN!

MORRISSEY-World Peace Is None Of Your Business.

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“I turned silences and nights into words.

What was unutterable, I wrote down.

I made the whirling world stand still.” 

                        -Arthur Rimbaud

 

There is no greater feeling than your favourite singer releasing a record. You wait, you ache and you wait some more leading up to it. You tremble in the first listen knowing you are listening to something truly remarkable. It doesn’t matter who this singer/band is to you, it’s just a mutual feeling. Especially when that person is more than likely responsible for you still being alive….just. Sort of. Depends on the day.

Could I ever write an unbiased piece on Morrissey? No. Will I defend him? Yes, well..within reason. Do I think World Peace is his best work? Of course. Lord knows how long Morrissey fans have been waiting for this. And of course, the cynics will come out in their masses to find fault in it. They probably like Kings Of Leon or something equally dull.

World Peace Is None Of Your Business is flamboyantly clever, dry and accurate. It is everything I adore about Morrissey. I thought after reading his biography a handful of times I really understood my love and admiration for him, but I was wrong. But when am I ever right. I thought  understood my love for him, turns out I didn’t. Not quite.World Peace is lyrically a work of art, and I will gladly place it next to Vauxhall And I as his best work. He has this way of getting to the root of an emotion, churning it out and spitting it out for you to taste. And when you do, you understand. You understand whatever it is that is choking you.

I’m Not A Man is lyrically one of the strongest songs on the record as it dips into society’s skewed vision of what it is to be a man. A nod to Meat Is Murder of sorts is hinted in the line, “I’d never kill or eat an animal, and I never would destroy this planet I’m on.” Man destroys, and Morrissey’s sensitive and gentle disposition feels out of place on this planet. You don’t have to be a man to identify with this, you just have to human. Gentle and kind.

As I listen to the record, I start to make sense of my love for Morrissey. It’s his words and how he uses them. There’s always been comfort for me in his words. If I could communicate using his lyrics, I’d probably feel less awkward in my skin. Too much skin. He has this way of telling it like it is without being grand or pretentious, although some would argue that he is. If that’s the case then they’ve probably never paid any attention to his lyrics. His words are why he is a hero to so many.

I’ve read a few reviews where they comment on how tight his band sound, but I don’t know enough about Music to comment on that. Boz is there still, so I’m happy. As I listen to World Peace Is None Of Your Business, I am visualising these songs live. Kiss Me A Lot is one I hope he puts into his live shows- at his longing best, this song is glorious. Earth Is The Loneliest Planet has one simple line in it that just means everything, a simple line that holds so much; “But you’re in the wrong skin.”If I heard that line whilst a teenager teetering into adulthood, it would have been a touch easier. As an adult, well..I think it still does the same as it would.

Staircase At The University has the same kind of dark humour that is found in Girlfriend In A Coma. The pressures of a young girl excelling in her studies to which she finally packs it all in, and throws herself down some stairs. Splitting her head in three ways. I love the line, “And if it breaks your heart then don’t come running to me.” You can relate that to anyone, it doesn’t have to be someone who is constantly studying. We all know that one person….

Kick The Bride Down The Aisle is a stroke of genius for this alone; “You’re that stretch of the beach that the tide doesn’t reach. No meaning, no reason . The lonely season.” I can’t help but wonder where he comes up with these wonderful words, and how. And in Mountjoy we’ve got the gorgeous statement; “What those in power do to you reminds us at a glance, how humans hate each others guts. And show it given a chance.” If you want an understanding of how shitty the human race can be, just listen to Mountjoy.

There will be mixed views on this record, some will declare it as his best work to date. Some will yearn for past releases. It is his tenth solo record, you can’t possibly expect him to keep making the same one over and over again! He just excels himself with every record, and he will last longer than those who put him down. You won’t win.

I’ll end this with a section of lyrics that I feel are entirely true, and are a highlight for me. A selection of lyrics that I believe in and treasure. In all his delicate, honest and observant nature, he just says it all so beautifully:

“Slamming one shots, gentle pain
Someone calling out my name
Sex and love are not the same.”

World Peace Is None Of Your Business just reinforces my love, respect and admiration for Morrissey. I could have mentioned this, I could have mentioned that. Maybe I’ll re-read this and add more. But for now, I’ll stick with this being one of the best records of the year.

VIVA MOZ.

BAD GRAMMAR-Forced Fun.

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Everything sucks. But mainly because I’m no longer in Brussels. I went there on Saturday until Monday, and I had a delightful time- but people in Brussels aren’t fans of my kind. My kind being…vegetarians. Sorry about me and my lack of desire to eat a dead animal. It’s been 11 years nearly, I’m not going to change my ways. Luckily, I know the French word for “cheese” so I was alright. Brussels is a place I’d happily return to and stay there. I’ve decided it is now my favourite place, and every day I will dedicate 5 minutes to quietly sulk about the fact that I am not there. It’s worse when you’re unemployed isn’t it.

So I might as well write about a record that adds a bit of joy to my day now it is out.

Forced Fun by Bad Grammar is made up of a handful of songs that make you feel like you’re being satisfactorily beaten up. They leave you battered and bruised with their unapologetic and ferocious vocals; courtesy of Ben. Lucy’s drumming makes you pretty much disregard any other drummer you’ve ever heard. They’re the band that you need to listen to if you’re wanting to start your own band and make a racket. I really love the title of the EP. I think most of us can relate to being forced to enjoy ourselves. Hanging out with people who know someone you sort of recognise, if you squint slightly. Urgh..no thanks. Can I just stay at home with my books? I can’t? Fuck you, I can.

Forced Fun is the best EP of the year. Right next to it is the new Brown Brogues one, but I’ve already gushed about how awesome it is. Now it is Bad Grammar’s turn. A fine Mancunian band that no one could get bored of listening to. The EP opens with Stay Toned. Play it whilst you sweat it up at the gym. Just play Bad Grammar at the gym or go for a massive run whilst listening to them. Exercise to these wonderful tunes. Or you can stay at home and break stuff to it. Go for the latter; add some rebellion to your life.

Miley Serious is a delight of a song. It’s pun o’clock with this band. They’re bloody brilliant. See, I first heard about them when I saw them live and when the first time you hear about a band is at a live show, it kind of makes you love the band more than you would than if you heard them on record first. If you’ve experienced it, you’ll understand what I mean. I’ve just gone round the houses to try make my point again. The EP is about 15 minutes long (maybe a bit less) and as someone with a questionable attention span, I can safely say that this EP is just an absolute pleasure to listen to.

Weekend Dad is my favourite Bad Grammar song, and it’s my favourite of theirs to watch live. It’s under 3 minutes of sheer angst in the most glorious fashion. It’s the breakdown towards the end of the song that has a brilliant lo-fi/Garage Rock feel to it. Think early Wavves. Bad Grammar have made their own sound which is like nothing else, and I know so many people say this about other bands but you can always find some fault in their cheap declarations. I’m rarely right, but I think I am with this one. It’s a sound that you won’t find in piss ridden alleyways or arenas, or even lurking in your local. It’s a sound that has quite simply, come from two incredible musicians who deserve a wealth of success.

The EP ends with their new single, Temper Temper. The EP starts loud and ends loud. It is a riot for the ears that you cannot ignore. They’re playing The Old Blue Last on 29th April. It’s free; come on down! Their live shows are something else, and they have this infectious energy that is equally evident on record. In the past few months I’ve written about Bad Grammar a lot, but when you find a band you really believe in- why on earth should you shut up about them? I’m possibly repeating myself by stating how brilliant Ben and Lucy are.

So, I suppose all you can do is buy their EP from here: http://flatpackrecs.bigcartel.com/product/bad-grammar-forced-fun-pre-order Go on, treat yourself.

Buy it. Play it constantly and as loud as you like. Go see them live.

ELBOW.

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“The dream again nobody understands
Walking through the long grass on your hands
It’s not a job to do today
Sleep it off.”

 

I think anyone with even half a brain cell is aware of Elbow and just how wonderful they are. I was a fan for some time, but shut off my interest when someone I used to know was a huge fan and of course, as is the way, didn’t turn out to be that nice. Maybe they’ve changed now. I can only hope because I like to try see the good in people.

In an ideal world I wouldn’t be writing this at 5.45am on a Sunday. I should be asleep. My neighbour came home an hour ago, and has decided to shout and play really bad dance music. Attempting to listen to Elbow with a really awful and irritating bass line in the background is proving to be a bit of a challenge, but nothing in life is ever easy.

Initially I was going to write about their new record, The Take Off And Landing Of Everything but I feel the need to try go deep into their career and what they mean to me. Hopefully I won’t fall asleep on my laptop. Although, I’d really love to sleep right now.

It’s an unwritten fact that bands from the North of England express certain feelings better than other bands from the rest of England. The North is looked down upon for many reasons, I blame Thatcher. But the North of England has so much to offer, it’s just easy to mock it. The architecture in Manchester is beautiful, Yorkshire has glorious countryside. You can find beauty almost everywhere. It is also home to some of the greatest writers of all time; Morrissey, John Cooper Clarke, Mark E Smith, Ian Brown and obviously, Guy Garvey.

If I could remember the first time I heard Elbow and Guy Garvey’s soothing voice, this may be more interesting. Sorry about that. Pin pointing what it is I love about Elbow is really easy- Guy’s lyrics. If you want to hear someone truly pour their heart out in a way that is just so open and vulnerable, then just listen to their lyrics. Or even, read them. Guy’s lyrics read like heartbreaking poetry that were designed to comfort and heal. Their music expresses every good and bad side of being in love, being a failure to yourself, disappointing others and being ashamed of any hurt you’ve ever caused someone. They say the things you don’t have the guts to say just yet, but you feel it. And to feel it is a start. You have to take baby steps sometimes, because it is all you have.

What I love about Elbow is their struggle to get a record deal and to be heard; they’re the underdogs but not in a way that causes you to pity them. If anything, it just makes you believe in their music more than you already do. I guess it’s easy for me to love them, because I can relate all of this to my daily battle with attempting to get a job. I feel like I am fighting a losing battle, and fully aware that at aged 27- I’ve really not amounted to much. The only person to blame is myself, and I make sure I am aware of it. Elbow’s music soften the daily blow of it all, and kind of make me less ashamed with carrying the burden around of being a burden. Maybe I’ve gone far too deep into their music with this, but if I don’t get to the core of it and take myself with it- I wouldn’t be writing this, or anything for that matter.

When people talk about their favourite band or just a band they love, you can see in their eyes that they are trying to find the right words and they try to go back to the first time they heard them, so they can capture it all for you. Sometimes we cannot do it, so a load of rubbish pours from our mouths. Or in my cases, hits the keyboard. When your mind turns into a state of chaos when trying to think of the reasons, that’s when you know the band mean a lot. I’ve never seen Elbow live, but I’ve watched live clips and to see how people react to them is just something else. There is a bond between them and the fans that is truly moving. I think it all goes back to knowing how hard they have worked to get where they are now.

Their signature sound is atmospheric and soothing. Guy’s gentle and vulnerable voice evokes so much emotion as you listen to them. There aren’t many bands that can instantly turn me into a crying mess, but Elbow are easily one of them. I can’t really think of anyone else off the top of my head who does that, but I’m sure there are others. There always is. But none do it quite like Elbow. Guy writes songs in a way I wish I could, and probably how most wish they could. He writes about his faults and the things he’s done that he’s not proud of in a way that makes you own up to your own errors, but you don’t beat yourself up too badly about it. His words on daily life just speak to you. They speak so loudly and oh so clear. The way he describes love; not just in a romantic way but towards friends and family is just something else. He makes you want to hug those you love so tightly and to just let them know that you love them.

At the moment Picky Bugger and Not A Job are the two songs I really cannot do without. They are the two songs that sum up everything right now. Sometimes you hear a song and think, “I’d be lost without that.” That’s what Elbow do, especially with those two songs. There is something about them that just describe what the mouth can’t get out from the brain. We all need songs like this. Then you have songs like The Bones Of You that describe love like no other has ever done really. Play it to the one you love, the one you cannot do without. Don’t say a word to them, let Guy do the talking.

Elbow are the guts you don’t have just yet. They are the comforting words you need when everything is just really awful, like you have no way out. They’re the kind of band you wish you could tell them just how much they mean to you, but the best you can do is something like this. However, it is a start and I know I’m not the only one who loves them like this. I know I’ve missed so many things out, and there is so much more I could say about Elbow. Maybe I will another time, but for now- I think this is more than enough. And if you want to fall in love with Guy’s record collection and speaking voice, then listen to his show on BBC 6 Music every Sunday.

“You little sod, I love your eyes.”

BAD GRAMMAR- Temper Temper.

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One of Manchester’s finest noise makers, Bad Grammar have just put out the video to their exquisitely loud new single, Temper Temper.

The video shows a few blokes on an evening one, with one of the hugging a traffic cone at the end. It’s alright pal, happens to us all eventually. So I’ve heard.

Bad Grammar are playing at Hoxton Bar & Grill this Friday, tickets are about £5. Someone buy me a ticket? I’m pretty poor. You can buy a ticket (or two) here: http://billetto.co.uk/events/shiva-and-the-hazards The line up is pretty cool. You’ve got Shiva And The Hazards, Abjects and of course Bad Grammar.

Bad Grammar’s EP, Forced Fun is out 31st March on Flatpack Recordings.