Tag Archives: Music

THE MEN: Buyer Beware

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Since Friday morning, I’ve been solidly listening to the new record by The Men. I didn’t even know a new record was coming out! Now, I’ve loved this band for a long time. My uncle and I both adore this band so this release took us both by surprise. They’re a band that blow your mind with every listen and having an unexpected new record land was just what I needed.

It was their third record, Open Your Heart that had me hooked and I still stand by it being one of the best records that Sacred Bones have ever released. It’s a record that is so effortlessly slick and as much as I hate clichés- it is utterly timeless. It’s one of the most enthralling records of modern times, and it turns out- The Men do not make terrible records. Ever.  I love this band because no genre can define them. I guess at the heart of it all, they’re a Punk band but they’re beyond anything and everything. They are criminally underrated. With their new record, they’re firmly justified yet again why they are one of the greatest bands ever. They just have this way of creating records that fit exactly what’s going on. The world is on its arse due to world leaders being absolute idiots- what better record to soundtrack this all than the new record by The Men?

They’ve been going for I think, 18 years now and there’s no way this band can ever stop. A world without their music would be dull and meaningless, and yes, I know the world is cruel and cold right now- but not everyone is a twat. The music they make is like a guidance or a call to fighting back, and that’s what we need. If you’ve got the privilege of having a platform where you can voice this and be heard- use it. And that’s exactly what they’ve done with this record. Every song on this record feels like a kick in the teeth and is made to burst those little eardrums of yours- and it’s never sounded or felt so good. They’ve got that snarly Dead Boys tone right through the record and I think it really comes alive on At The Movies. This record is heavenly. It’s loud, it’s important and it’s The Men at their very, very best. They’ve made some killer records in their time and if I was ever in the position to move Open Your Heart from being my favourite- Buyer Beware would be my number one.

The title song on the record again sounds like Dead Boys and I think that may be part of the reason as to why I’ve fallen in love and into a deep obsession with this record. It’s got everything from that era of Punk thrown into it, and maybe it’s the record they were always supposed to make? That sounds odd because every record they’ve released is a masterpiece, but there is something about Buyer Beware that feels different. It feels bigger and it feels like the kind of record that could and should win them new fans, and make us old ones love them even more. In short, it’s a bloody remarkable record. The way Nothing Wrong goes right into Control should be a crime for how slick and wonderful it is. What a move!

I reckon there will be songs I play more than others but for now, I’m listening to it solidly in chronological order and that’s rare. Normally I listen to something a few times then hit shuffle. Not with this record. I think to get the most of it, you just have to listen to it over and over, and soak up every word. Take in every note. Let every guitar sound feel like a kick to the ribs, let the drums feel like someone is smashing your body into a wall and let the bass guide you wherever it is you need to go. The songs are loud, fast, and vital. This is THEIR ultimate record. At the moment, I think PO BOX 96 is the one that’s grabbing my attention the most, but the more I listen- the more I change my mind slightly. Get My Soul is a ride of a song, Control is just a work of art. There are no bad moments on this record. The only downside? Maybe it could last longer. Maybe the song Charm could last 5 minutes or 10. It’s the band at a gentler moment, and my god what a song it is. That peaceful side of the band comes out in rare moments and when it does, it sounds SO good. It’s a beauty of a song. Charm is one of those songs that will stick with you for a long time. I really hope this record brings them over to the UK because they are a band I’m just dying to see live. You just know it’d change EVERYTHING. The music means the world to me now as is, but to see them live? That’d be something else.

The Men have again created another masterpiece, and they are showing no signs of ever slowing down. The world needs this band. This record is all about being resilient and fighting back; it’s about standing up and not backing down. That’s the kind of noise we need right now. Will the world listen? Who knows, but at least we’re not alone.

L.A. WITCH : 777.

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photo credit: Marco Hernandez

One of my favourite bands are back! A band I will write about until they call it a day, and even then, I’d continue. I just love them. Little secret- I’ve heard the new L.A. Witch record, and the new single 777 is just a small, small hint at how great the record is. It’s the band at their very best and is just a dream of a record. But for now, we have the lead single- 777.

The new song doesn’t even hit the 3 minute mark, so the rightful thing is to just have it on repeat for as long as you can. I recommend letting it take over your life (or ears at the very least.) L.A. Witch are one of the coolest bands around, and the new song is effortlessly that. So slick, so cool. I adore everything about this one- it’s the guitar and how it makes you feel like you’re being chased. Not sure where you are or who is after you, but there’s a calming fix to it all. And that comes from Irita being an absolute menace on the bass and Ellie keeping pace on the drums. Sade’s vocals have never sounded so good! She has one of the most distinctive vocals I’ve ever heard. You can easily liken other singers to each other, but there’s something about her vocals that just towers over anything else you’ve heard. And will hear.

The new record, DOGGOD (“The album title is a palindrome fusing together DOG and GOD—an exaltation of the submissive and a subversion of the divine. It’s a nod to the purity of dogs and an acknowledgement of their unconditional love and protective nature that’s at odds with the various pejoratives associated with the species.”) is almost a love record- it touches on every aspect of love and the devotion of it. 777 is a prime example of this, as it’s a song about devotion to the point of death. It just oozes sheer passion and the acceptance of the obvious fate that will occur. The layers of this song in under 3 minutes is just divine. It’s a proper romantic record from start to finish- and 777 is a strong introduction to the new record, and to show us what L.A. Witch are made of (but you know that already!)

DOGGOD was recorded in Paris, and I don’t know if it’s me reading way too much into something again- but the new record feels heavier in the best way possible. There’s something about that city that brings out the best in musicians/bands, and I think it’s definitely done it here with L.A. Witch. There are parts of 777 that remind me of two records by The Cure- Faith and Seventeen Seconds (which are essentially, two of the greatest records of all time) and I think you really get that from the new record in general. What they’ve done with 777 is give us a beautiful introduction into their new record and the direction of it. At times, it’s the band with their faithful sound but as wonderfully demonstrated on 777, it shows that the band are unafraid to push themselves and create something totally unexpected.

The devotion and love on 777 is prominent throughout, but it is the last line that does it; “Don’t forget I too fight by your side. First in line I am ready to die.” I would probably sing this to my cat to be honest. But in all seriousness (I would die for that little angel though!) that line is so powerful and just sums up the passion and devotion. The new record is a proper romantic record- like going to the end of the universe and back again for the person you adore, and it being no trouble. The kind of love most want and deserve, and the band just sum it up perfectly and effortlessly.

DOGGOD is out on the 4th April via the always wonderful, Suicide Squeeze.

CHEAP-SKATE.

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What is there to do on a boring Sunday evening but write about one of the most exciting bands from Australia- CHEAP-SKATE! I genuinely thought I’d written about them before, but turns out I’ve ignored the list on my phone of bands I want to write about for some time now, so I’ve deleted it. My notes app is a questionable place and the list of bands I had jotted down was probably the only coherent thing I had on there.

I’m very late with this, and this is a band I should have written about years ago it seems but, I do not like order or being organised. I don’t like it when it’s forced upon me, and it makes me want to do the opposite of what I’m told. Basically, I don’t like being told what to do. Even if I’m the one telling myself what to do. I’ve gone off track- sorry! By years ago, I mean in 2022 which is still pretty recent, right? Anyway, CHEAP-SKATE started in 2022 and over the past few years they’ve become a solid name in the Australian Garage Rock scene, and rightfully so.

What our boy Blaike Murphy has created as CHEAP-SKATE is something really beautiful. It makes you want to drink lukewarm beer in the sun and attempt to skate down the promenade. I cannot skate but I LOVE skateboarding as much as I love football, pizza, and music. Oh, and my cat. CHEAP-SKATE make the kind of music I wish I could; if I was in a band, I’d either want it to sound like this or The Jesus And Mary Chain. I remember listening to CHEAP-SKATE towards the end of 2022/start of 2023, and I remember getting this eternal summer feeling from the music. It felt like even on the coldest of December days, the sun was on my back when I was listening to them. That feeling hasn’t gone at all, and I know CHEAP-SKATE is Blaike’s side project, but I just hope he never stops making music as CHEAP-SKATE.

With a handful of singles and EPs already out there, there’s no denying just how bloody great CHEAP-SKATES is. I wish I could tell you their best songs or where to start, but I can’t. You just have to go in head first from the start and work your way to present day (or to a few weeks ago.) One of the last releases was SUN, which came out at the start of December if I remember correctly, and it’s made up of 5 songs and it doesn’t even hit the 15 minute mark. So, if you’ve got a really bad attention span- then it’s the record for you. CHEAP-SKATE are the band for you. There’s this divine sun-kissed sound going on, and it’s the fuzzy guitar, it’s the intense drums and blissed-out vocals that make CHEAP-SKATE the band that they are. However, there was a nice surprise drop 2 days ago and new EP GROM came out. It may only be 3 songs, but those 3 songs totally rip. They were written and recorded in a few hours, and if this is what CHEAP-SKATE can do in a few hours, then there’s no telling how great what comes next will be.

CHEAP-SKATE make the kind of music for those of us who are alone a fair amount of the time- stick our headphones on and go about our day with our favourite sounds in our ears. By no means is it a bad thing, if anything it brings a lot of inner peace and you know what? You, me, whoever- we deserve it. There’s no better feeling than being at peace with yourself, and listening to music that makes you feel good, you know? No better feeling. CHEAP-SKATE for me are just another band that I’d sell my kidneys to see live. You can just tell that the energy is right, and the show would be unreal. If I ever won the lottery (have to play it first, I know!) there’s a bunch of bands I’d be bringing over for tours, and CHEAP-SKATE would be high on my list.

I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is about the band that I love so much, but I think it’s the feeling I get from listening to them. Everything just feels alright, and given how cruel the world is- we all need that band in our corner. It all started in 2022 with the song I Don’t Wanna and now we’ve got to the GROM mini-EP; everything in between shows us why CHEAP-SKATE are such a great band, and one worth telling any and everyone about. I love that listening to the band makes you feel like you’re hanging out with someone who REALLY gets you. That’s a rare feeling- to find it in music and in a person, and Blaike does it in such a way that isn’t overwhelming, and the songs are delicate when they need to be and I think that’s part of why the band own a piece of my heart. I feel like I’m hanging out with my best mate when I listen to CHEAP-SKATE, and it’s such a pure feeling to gain from listening to music. We don’t get it enough, and I think that’s why bands like CHEAP-SKATE need to be treasured and appreciated. There’s a strong lo-fi DIY sound to the music, and its Surf-Punk at its finest (if we’re needing labels) and hand on heart, this band feel like home.

If you love bands like SKEGSS, WAVVES, Hockey Dad, Goblin Mode…all the good stuff! Then you’re going to fall in love with CHEAP-SKATE. I can’t wait to hear more from the band this year because the sheer joy they bring is just heavenly!

SNARLING DOGS: S/T LP.

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Craving some loud, rowdy music is like wanting a pizza or something else that’s apparently bad for your gut. You want the music to hit you in the gut and give you tummy cramps right after you’ve consumed too much of it- utterly gluttonous but exactly what you need at that time. This is where the debut record from Snarling Dogs comes in. It’s the kind of music that, if it came out when Dead Boys did- your folks probably would have been disappointed or kicked you out. I’ve got a cool mum, so she’d probably say this wasn’t for her, and let me carry on.

As far as debut records go, this one is a real ripper of a record. It feels like a thousand kicks to the face in the most majestic way possible. Snarling Dogs are the kind of band who you just KNOW put on a hell of a show. They’ve got this beautiful and rowdy feel to their sound. Does it feel like you’re listening to Dead Boys for the first time? Yes. It’s got that edge to it, it’s got that bite of Young, Loud and Snotty. One of the finest records of all time. Perfect from start to end. That’s exactly what you get with Snarling Dogs. Put on your battered leather jacket and go cause some trouble! This record, although it came out in November, is the antidote to those January Blues we’re all hearing out. Hey, don’t let anyone tell you that you need to have a bad time- or good time for that matter!

Only one song just goes over the 3 minute mark, and if you’re like me and have a really bad attention span- this band will give you all you need. I’m playing it quite loud, and my cat is happily sleeping away next to me. Is this what joy is? I think it just may be! If she can sleep through the noise and not run off scared, then it’s fair to say that Snarling Dogs know where it’s at. They’ve got such a chaotic sound, and honestly, this record makes it hard to accept this is their debut. It’s truly something else.

I’m An Animal has a real Stiv Bators feel to the vocals mixed with David Johansen (New York Dolls) to it. There’s a lot going on on this record, but that’s not a bad thing. Every song serves a purpose, and that purpose is to play the bastard really, really loud.

The adrenalin on this record is divine; imagine being in the same room as the band as they recorded this monster of a record?! I love the ferociousness of every single song, but the one that oozes it the most has to be Sniper and it then goes smack into Highway Of Hurt. Come on now! This is so good; it should be illegal! I feel they’re a band that need to be seen live, and this record was made for two things- to be played loud and to be seen live. Can someone get this band to the UK? It’s so easy to love a band like this when you’re already obsessed with Punk. As someone who does need/like quiet in their head, having music like this go through my bones and soul calms everything. Do I know why? No. Do I want to know why? Nope. Snarling Dogs have been influenced by so many bands I love and have taken that inspiration, and made something really remarkable. It’s the kind of music you’d chain smoke to (I don’t smoke but go with it) and probably down about 20 beers (I can only drink one before I feel sick!)

You can easily imagine bodies being thrown about in the pit at their shows, and people leaving covered in beer and sweat- none of which may be their own. I just love the sound they have, and I hope whatever comes next for them is just as big as this record. Like I mentioned above, this doesn’t feel like a debut record but you can tell it’s been a long time coming this record, and that hard work has truly paid off.

The record is filthy in the best way possible. It’s rebellious, it’s loud, it’s smutty, it’s all the things we were warned against. It might even be bad for our health, but that just makes us want it even more. And louder too. Their debut record is like a rabid dog gnawing at your leg, and will not let go at all. This band won’t let you; they need you to listen.

THE BATTERY FARM: Dark Web.

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Some bands are put here to make a difference. Some go beyond making a difference, and you wonder how we managed to get this far without them. The Battery Farm aren’t just a band; they’re something else. Something that we need, something we’ve needed for so long.  There are messages and meaning in every single song. You don’t need to be told what they are, use your ears to work it out. You’ll get there. I don’t think they realise how powerful they are. There are some bands that just make a difference- think of bands like Benefits. The messaging is clear.

Dark Web is a fighter of a record. It’s rowdy. It’s angry. Really angry, and we’ve got a lot to be angry about. Ben’s vocals on Hail Mary start soft in comparison to how gritty his vocals usually are, but you can hear the rage. You pick up on that rage. The whole record feels like a smack in the face but also a call to change. His vocals really kick in on this song, and it’s that raw and gnarly tone that really pricks up your ears. You HAVE to listen.

You can really sense that this was a cathartic record to make, and you feel it may have taken a fair bit out of them to make. It’s a record that HAS to be heard live, I don’t think it was made for any other purpose other than getting it heard by as many people as possible wherever they can. Dark Web starts gentle, like Ben’s vocals are light on this but the last 30 seconds or so- his voice is still light, but there’s something really menacing about it- and it’s so beautiful.

Icicles is the oddest sounding song on the record, and I mean that in the best way possible. Musically, its brilliantly all over the place. The guitar has NO business sounding that slick and that good on the record- you can move to this one. But the heaviness of the lyrics creates this collision of worlds and what you get is a song that just stops you. You have to really sit and listen to this one; it pulls you in different ways and that’s not a bad thing at all.

For me it’s all about the passion, fury and honesty on the record. The most open song on this record is It’s A Shame, Thanks A Lot. The way Ben speaks about his experience and his mental health on this really, really hits you. I’ve had to stop and start this one a few times. Anyone who has had to carry around having really shit mental health will get why this one hits the gut very hard. I don’t see a need for me to write about this song because it is SO personal and so vulnerable. Just, there was a time where this song would have summed up everything I was feeling, and I’d have turned it off. I think the band have created something here that will help so many.

As far as second records go, they’ve nailed it and then some. They’ve surpassed all they did on their debut. Dark Web shows us exactly what they band are made of. How loud they can do, how fearless they are musically and lyrically and how much they have grown from then to now. They’re a band that Manchester is proud to have and claim. They’re just everything we need, and so much more. This is The Battery Farm at their finest, but we know they’ll keep getting better.

Bands that challenge their fans and those who listen are to be treasured, and we need to treasure The Battery Farm with all we have.

BAMBARA: Pray To Me.

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That feeling of a band you absolutely love and adore putting new music out never ever gets old. Last week Bambara announced a UK/EU tour for April 2025, and I cannot wait to see them again. They’re one of those bands that when you see them live, they change EVERYTHING. They become a band that you don’t just see once and that’s enough. They’re a band that you have to see, no matter what. They put on a show that goes beyond being put into words- you HAVE to witness it. You HAVE to be in that moment. It is the most euphoric thing and you never want it to end. I cannot liken it to anything else.

And with a tour comes a new record, and a new song to lure us all back in. We never went anywhere, we’ve been waiting for this for so long. They’re back with a new song called Pray To Me which is 3 and a half minutes of heaven. It’s Bambara at their very best, and of course that happens with everything they do. They’re a band that get better every single time, and how on earth can they top anything else they’ve ever done? They’re a criminally underrated band for sure. Reid has one of the most calming voices I’ve ever heard. You could be having a really tough day, and the second you start playing a Bambara song, it all feels okay. The lyrics are dark and unholy, and that’s why I love them. I love how dark, poetic and twisted the lyrics are. Reid could easily write a novel with these lyrics. Not a poetry book- I’m talking a super eerie novel that messes with your heard, and you cannot help but go back to it. Think Tony O’Neill, Arthur Nersessian – the good stuff. Pray To Me is violent and haunting; there’s no way you can get enough of it.

The video fits the mood of the song perfectly. The close up of Reid’s face as he recites these beautiful and chilling words to the camera- this band couldn’t be any more perfect if they tried. If you go back and listen to every song in full, you’ll hear just how their sound has developed and gotten firmer. They have such a distinctive sound, and it’s one that may scare the listener a little bit but there’s the dark romanticism in the songs that make them so divine. We don’t need those boring and artificially sweet love songs. Give me the dark and eerie ones. They make more sense.

Bambara will be releasing the record via Bella Union (what a sign!) and the tickets for tour go on sale tomorrow. Everything you need is here: https://www.bambaranyc.com/tour

The new record, Birthmarks is out 14th March, and you can pre-order the best record of 2025 here: https://bellaunion.com/products/bambara-birthmarks

AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS: Manchester Academy, 9th November 2024.

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Last night I saw again, the best band of my generation, live. I’ve been thinking about what makes Amyl and The Sniffers so great and it’s down to the live shows. It’s the energy, it’s the band, it’s the fans. From seeing them at the Deaf Institute in 2019 to last night at the Academy; I can safely say that every time I’ve seen them, it’s made you feel like it won’t be long before they become a band that play stadiums. Their sound is THAT big. Their energy is even bigger.

From the second the band step on stage to Mobb Deep’s CLASSIC Shook Ones Part II (any band that walk on stage to that are excellent!) you know that you are seconds away from greatness. Amy steps to the mic and tells the crowd to pick anyone up who falls, don’t touch anyone who doesn’t want to be touched and to get rowdy. I think we can apply those rules to daily life. The setlist consists of 22 songs, and you feel it isn’t enough. You want more and more (I’ll ALWAYS want Stole My Pushbike back on the set along with 70s Street Munchies!) but the new record live is insane. They start with Doing In Me Head which is one of the best moments of Cartoon Darkness. They absolutely rip through the new record, and it’s that energy that is so rare, is what makes the night.

One of the things you spot at an Amyl and The Sniffers show is that there are no age limits- the crowd is so diverse and I think the older people in the crowd lasted longer in the pit than the younger ones. It was so beautiful to see. Amyl and The Sniffers are beyond being a Pub Rock/Punk band; there’s something else there, and it honestly above any words I or anyone could write down. You know what was the seller for me? Having the show projected on a screen behind the band because this short-arse can’t see anything! But I saw it all. I got the tickets as a birthday present to myself, and I think, even though I dislike my birthday, celebrating it like this was alright. Mainly because it wasn’t ON my birthday, but you get my point.

There are tender moments in the set such as Knifey and every female person sang that song as if their life depended on it. I remember hearing it for the first time, and I bawled. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been moved by that song. Bailing On Me nearly had me crying, but I remembered being told that no one is worth crying over so I stopped myself. It felt good. For me, hearing Motorbike Song live was all I wanted. That was the new song I was looking forward to the most. It’s so loud, it’s fast and it’s just a dream of a song. Of course, songs like Hertz, Guided By Angels and Security are belted out by everyone- how could they not be? They all created beautiful moments, and show why Comfort To Me is one of the greatest records ever made. However, I reckon every record they ever make will be the greatest so we’re fine. This is a band to put all your faith, love, and energy into. Pretty sure I had goosebumps from the second they stepped on stage to the very end of the set. The encore was Balaclava Lover Boogie and GFY- excellent way to end the show! There are SO many moments during the show that just blow your mind. Me And The Girls live absolutely dicks over the album version. The song rips anyway, but live? My god!! U Should Not Be Doing That holds a very special place in my heart as does Chewing Gum. Oh man having Maggot and Some Mutts in the setlist is a dream too! Every song deserves its place!

I adored how everyone was having the time of their lives last night. Sure, drinks were being lobbed across the room and being dropped, but that’s because everyone was busy dancing and screaming along to the words. A personal highlight for me was someone coming up to me to tell me something but I had no idea what they were saying, so they then said “Don’t listen to me, I’ve just got me tits out!” And that pretty much sums up the night. Freedom for all. Fun for everyone. It was a blast, and I hope they come back soon because their live shows really do give you a kick up the arse.

The new record hasn’t been out long, but everyone knew every single word and shouted along with Amy. Her voice has become so much stronger over the years, and I think you really hear it on songs like Chewing Gum and Big Dreams. As for Dec- show me a better guitarist right now, because you absolutely won’t find one. He’s something else. Gus is THE coolest bassist. Bryce is just exceptional. Together they show exactly why Amyl and The Sniffers are the best band around. This band are for us underdogs, the weirdos and the ones who do not want what you’re selling.

I’d like to end this by saying a very personal highlight of the night was me turning to my best mate during Jerkin’ to try tell him something important and he stopped me because he HAD to shout “WANK WANK WANK” during the song. I’d have been disappointed if he didn’t. The joy on his face was heavenly!

If you’ve never been to an Amyl and The Sniffers show, you are missing out. It’s as simple as that. I adore everything they stand for and how they treat their fans, and also- how the fans treat them. Amy Taylor has that Patti Smith quality about her, and I hope when Amy gets to 75, she’s still shouting the words to Jerkin’ every night in a different city. We need bands like this so badly- especially at the moment. At the start of the show, Amy gave a little speech about the state of the world and how shit it is, and the words hit. The world is absolutely terrible but there is more of us that want to do good and help, and we just have to be a lot louder now.

So, in short, this was an amazing show and the atmosphere was beautiful. If I could go to an Amyl and The Sniffers show every night, I bloody well would.

PS- This is one of the lamest reviews I’ve done but I hope you take away from this that Amyl and The Sniffers are the best live band around. Thanks!

BRUISE CONTROL: Left Behind.

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Writing about Bruise Control is a dream. It’s a luxury. It’s something I’ll never get bored of because I just bloody love this band with all I have. I’ve seen them play small sweaty venues and I’ve seen them rip the roof off the Albert Hall whilst supporting Amyl and The Sniffers (if you were there, you’ll know how special that gig truly was!)

Manchester’s finest are back with an excellent new single and video to match. Left Behind is a perfect Punk anthem. That’s what Bruise Control are about- writing perfect anthems that sum up the fury and frustrations of daily life. They let it all out, and in turn, we shout the words back at their shows. They are one of the most exciting bands around- and I don’t just mean in Manchester. I mean in general. My love for this band is massive, and I could write you a full on thesis on why they are the best but I’ll save that for the next record. I’d say that Left Behind is Bruise Control at their very best, but anyone can tell that they are ALWAYS at their very best- it’s dead easy for them. Their sound is theirs, and theirs alone. No one else out there sounds like them, and that’s why they are such a joy to listen to.

I adore the chorus of the song, and it massively sums up the pains of living in a city that seems to want to build ugly high rise glass buildings. Green space is a myth. Community spaces are turned into pretentious coffee shops. It’s a drag to see, and it’s happening everywhere. It’s happening here in Manchester, and it’s heartbreaking because not only are these glass buildings ugly as fuck; they’re painfully expensive. Nowhere should cost that much to live. It’s vile. Anyway, I’m going to end up ranting so I’ll stop. I’ll save the rants for when I get a taxi because local taxi drivers LOVE to talk about how awful these buildings are, and I’m totally here for it.

Learn the chorus, and shout along with the band.

We desperately needs bands like this, and when you find them- cling onto them. Sometimes you just need to find something in a band like Bruise Control because they let it all out.

Their biggest headliner show is in a few weeks at YES in Manchester on the 29th November. Buy a ticket, learn the words. Have a lovely time!

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 )