DATE ARCHIVES : June 2011

S.C.U.M – ‘Amber Hands’

London shoegazers’ S.C.U.M have announced their first single from the forthcoming album, Again Into Eyes (due in September via Mute).

 ‘Amber Hands’ comes hot on the heals of ‘Summon The Sound’ (released earlier in ’11) and treads a very similar path; mammoth shoegazey rock with slightly darkened arrangements and wistful sentiment adding to Thomas Cohen’s epic crooning drawl.

‘Amber Hands’ is out on July 18th and comes backed with mixes by Sonic Boom and Silver Apples and exclusive track ‘Fountains’. Their debut album follows in September. It’s looking very promising.

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 S.C.U.M – Amber Hands

Free Music: Strummerville – ‘Songs For The Summer’

The Joe Strummer New Music Foundation, Strummerville, has teamed up with Brothers Cider to release a one-off free compilation, Songs For The Summer.

Strummerville is a not for profit organization was set up in memory of the late great Joe Strummer. It plays an important role in supporting and endorsing musical projects and upcoming bands in the UK and elsewhere. Latest project, Songs For The Summer is an eclectic mix of new music from some of the bands that Strummerville is supporting – 11 tracks by 11 different bands, all unique and diverse. There really is something for everyone here .

There are some rather stunning inclusions, long time favourites The Vagabonds don’t disappoint with highly charged rip-roaring punk rock goodness of ‘John Mellor’. Meanwhile The Welcome Committee drop the breezy and uplifting ‘Rich Kids’, La Rebla Fam the skank fuelled and grimey ‘A British Morning’ and Dark Moon, the dark and wistful ‘Blackbird’.

You can sample my personal picks below and Songs For The Summer is available to download for FREE from here.

 Download: Dark Moon – Blackbird

Download: The Welcome Committee – Rich Kids

Download: The Vagabonds – John Mellor

Download: La Rebla Fam – A British Morning

Arctic Monkeys – Colour Of The Trap (Miles Kane Cover)

Arctic Monkeys were on French radio station OuiFM recently to record a live session as they continue to promote their latest album, Suck It And See.

While at the station the band played a number of tracks before Alex Turner decided to cover his good friend and fellow Last Shadow Puppet Miles Kane’s ‘Colour Of The Trap’. It’s a mellow acoustic cover and Turner’s distinctive croon takes centre stage a la ‘Piledriver Waltz’ and ‘Love Is a Laserquest’.

Don’t forget both Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane play Oxegen (Saturday) in less than two weeks.

Mp3: Arctic Monkeys – Colour of the Trap (Miles Kane Cover)

via weallwantsomeone

Free Music: Steel Horse – On A Steel Horse We Ride EP

Steel Horse is a solo side-project from Dublin troubadour Stefan Murphy (AKA The Mighty Stef).

Stef has just unveiled a brand new EP, On A Steel Horse We Ride which sees him embracing his punk Id and influences like The Things, Devo, Moldy Peaches, Jeff Lewis and Magazine. We are introduced to new side of Stef, trading his renowned penchant for gothic folk-rock in favour of DIY punk rock; stripped back, fuzzed up and feisty with an added dose of swagger.

It’s 4 tracks of brilliantly riotous rock n’ roll including a cover of Yeah Yeah Yeah’s’ Zero’ and was lovingly created using:

1 x Human Male
1 x Acoustic Guitar
1 x Fuzz Pedal
1 x Toy Keyboard
1 x Nasty-Ass programmed Beat

On A Steel Horse We Ride is FREE to download from Bandcamp.

Download: Steel Horse – Burning Motorcycles

Download: Steel Horse – Somebody To Fuck

Video: King Kong Company – Uncle Trouble

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Waterford based dance outfit King Kong Company recently reformed after a legnthy absense, following a split back in 2000.

Their return has been nothing short of prolific, releasing a new track and video every month since February. KKC intend on releasing an album by the end of 2011 too.

The stomping ‘Uncle Trouble’ is the track for the month of June, the most impressive track to date. Keep your eyes peeled for more tracks in the future.

Event Horses – ‘Dance With The Devil’ (EP)

Have you got enough riffage in your life? If not Event Horses are the answer to all your problems.

Formed in April 2010, the punk-pock and hardcore trio have already become a hot favourite within the North of Ireland music scene following some high-profile gigs and their critically acclaimed debut EP, Faces.

The Antrim 3-piece’s second EP, Dance With Devil serves up three savage slices of aggressive rip-roaring punk-rock fury. We are confronted with a relentless aural assault of gritty, raw and energetic songs as they screech their way through dangerously addictive riffs and foot stomping drum beats that are ‘Dance With The Devil’, ‘From The Start’ and ‘Desperate Times’

A caustic racket to be reckoned with no doubt, these guys are going destroy places with their live shows.

Dance With The Devil is out now on Generation Peace Records.

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Event Horses – Dance With The Devil

Glastonbury ’11: Bits n’ Bobs

Glastonbury is over and done with for another two years, but thanks to the brilliant BBC coverage we were all able to enjoy a lot of the weekend’s action from the comfort of our respective couches.

Much of the weekend’s antics isn’t online yet but here are some of the highlights from across the weekend…

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The legend that is Jimmy Cliff

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More feel good vibes from Primal Scream

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The Kills ripping it up

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The Horrors new album really can’t come quick enough

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Elbow doing what they do best

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Old masters The Chemical Brothers tearing it up.

Pete And The Pirates – One Thousand Pictures

It’s been about three years since Pete and the Pirates released jangly upbeat debut Little Death.

The Reading outfit’s forte remains well-observed, ditsy, easy on the ear and infectious indie although One Thousand Pictures is far less carefree and jaunty than its predecessor.

There has been a definite maturation, both lyrically and musically, with a real preference for slightly psychedelic, pithily whimsical songs about the British way of life. Sanders timeless songwriting ability of capturing the everyday ponderings and personal portrait we got from Ray Davies in his pomp. Encapsulated by ‘Come to the Bar’, a celebration and critique of drinking culture (you decide) or album closer ‘Half Moon Street’, a lovely, wistful ballad about a couple held together only a shared love of drinking.

Tom Sanders’ distinctive and emotive vocals triumph alongside the band’s often eccentric and downright peculiar music. As well as the touching and rousing there is an underlying sense of fun to One Thousand Pictures. be it the adorably infectious ‘Motorbike’, the more experimental ‘Winter1’ and it’s off-kilter synth channelling to the perfect pop of ‘United’.

One Thousand Pictures is both melancholic and beautiful, fragile and robust and rowdy and rousing without ever feeling forced or misplaced. Not since Mystery Jets’ 21 has there been an indie-pop album so close to perfection. They don’t come around very often so enjoy the moment.

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Pete And The Pirates – Come To The Bar

Pete And The Pirates – Half Moon Street via Jaumita

Video: Anna Calvi – Desire

English songstress Anna Calvi is releasing ‘Desire’ as the second single from her spellbinding eponymous debut album on June 20th.

‘Desire’ is pretty typical of what the album’s all about; wonderfully rich, brooding and dramatic gothic pop. It is accompanied by a moody video directed by Aoife McArdle and will be available on 7″ and via digital download, backed with a reworking of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Joan Of Arc’.

Calvi plays Vicar Street, Dublin on November 19th and The Empire, Belfast on November 20th.

 

Echo & The Bunnymen – ‘Do It Clean’ (Crocodiles & Heaven Up Here Live)

For three decades Echo & The Bunnymen have been serving up some of the finest indie/post-punk on the planet and they can throw together a set list to rival any band. In recent years however, McCulloch & co. have taken to touring classic albums instead.

Do It Clean was recorded at a sold out show in their hometown of Liverpool, playing classic albums Crocodiles & Heaven Up Here. I have yet to get my hands on a copy but they have kindly made ‘Pride’, ‘Crocodiles’ and ‘Show of Strength’ all available via their facebook.

Also, The Bunnymen take their ‘Ocean Rain Tour’ to Dublin’s Olympia on Friday 23rd of September. The band will perform their classic 1984 album, Ocean Rain live, accompanied by a full string section. I’ve already got a ticket, it should be immense!

Do It Clean is strictly limited edition and is only available via the Echo & The Bunnymen website.

Mp3: Echo & The Bunnymen – Pride [audio http://www.bunnymen.com/Pride.mp3]

Mp3: Echo & The Bunnymen – Crocodiles (Live) [audio http://bunnymen.com/Crocodiles.mp3]

Mp3: Echo & The Bunnymen – Show Of Strength [audio http://www.bunnymen.com/Show%20Of%20Strength.mp3]