The Big Moon - Formidable

1.    Who are these fine ladies? 

The Big Moon are an indie rock buzz band from London, England. They have been together since 2014 and Formidable (Nov'16) is a new single from their debut album Love In The 4th Dimension (April'17). 

2. What's this Formidable like then? 

Formidable is an epic, slow build, from the desolate, slow, melody with voice and guitar until the invincible all in well past the minute mark. Then it keeps building, going out with a blistering lead break and a scream-it-to-the-sky version of the chorus. A stone-cold fucking belter. No doubt.

3. Who are The Big Moon similar to? 

The Doors, The Runaways and Elastica. 

4. What plaudits have the press ladelled on Formidable? 

“Rousing, fist-clenching stuff” – DIY. 

“A powerful punch of grunge-pop” – London The Inside.

“Vulnerable and imperious, verging on epic” – Bitter Sweet Symphonies. 

5. Which bands have inspired The Big Moon?

Some of The Big Moon’s main influences are Spring King, Palma Violets, The Pixies, Weezer and The White Stripes. 

6. Why should I give Formidable a lash? 

The epic weave of musical textures and the tight lead breaks. 

7. Do The Big Moon have any more cracking tunes? 

The Road is sound and Cupid is a bit of a belter too.

8. Any more words pet? 

The Big Moon's debut album Love In The 4th Dimension was produced by Catherine Marks who has done the hard yards for Beware Of Darkness, The Amazons and INHEAVEN.

 

“Did she make you swallow all your pride?”

The Wildhearts are a hard rock band from Newcastle, England. They started in 1989 and, despite going through a multitude of line-ups and hiatuses, are still going strong.  The band are influenced by bands like The Clash, KISS, The Ramones, Nirvana and Twisted Sister. Despite having a top twenty single with I Wanna Go Where The People Go (1995) and a top twenty album with P.H.U.Q (1995) commercial success, particularly in America, alluded them. I Wanna Go Where The People Go is The Wildheats' iconic song and a genuine rock anthem. 

“I wanna be where the cunts like me are buried six feet under the ground”

The So So Glos - Dancing Industry

1.    Who are these hard chargers?

The So So Glos are a punk band from Brooklyn, New York, started in 2007. Dancing Industry (Feb’16) is the second single from their third album Kamikaze (Sept’16).

2. What's the low down on Dancing Industry? 

The tune comes bouncing out of the traps at heartbeat pace, with a fire truck siren sense of urgency and an anthemic gang chorus. Light, upbeat, passionate and joyous.

3. Who do The So So Glos sound like? 

A mix of The Clash, The Ramones and The Strokes. 

4. What's the good word from the press?

“Brilliantly uplifting tune” – Kerrang.

“Giddy and scuzzy” – Stereogum.

 

“Charged up” – Consequence Of Sound. 

5. Which bands ignited The So So Glos' fire?

Some of the bands that have influenced The So So Glos are The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Nirvana, Green Day and The Kinks.

6. Why should I give Dancing Industry a crack?

There is a fresh energy to Dancing Industry, with it's combination of frenetic punk rhythms and garage band, that equals the best new thing at the minute.

7. Do The So So Glos have any more bangers?

Missionary bangs a bit harder.

8. Any more words?

Kamikaze was recorded with John Reis (Rocket From The Crypt) and Mike Mogis (Rilo Kiley).

 “If you’re gonna keep up you’re gonna have to dance,

And drive an ambulance at the same time”

Larrikin Love were a London indie rock band that played music with elements of punk, reggae, folk and calypso. They lasted from 2005 - 2007 and were most often compared to The Clash, The Libertines and The Pogues. The bands biggest inspiration was The Waterboys. The band only released one album The Freedom Spark (2006) and it had the band's most popular song Happy Annie which broadens out from the reckless speed of the start into a swinging Dexy's Midnight Runners' Come On Eileen-esque barn burner.

“Children please beware,

I’m choked with fear”

The Stone Roses - All For One

1.    Who are these legends? 

The Stone Roses are an indie psych rock band from Manchester, England. Started in 1983 and still going strong they have two long players on their immortal roll of honor. All For One (May'16) is the lead single from The Stone Rose's third album, Third Eye, due for release this year. All For One is the first new music from The Stone Roses in 21 years.

2. What have The Stone Roses got in the tank?

All For One comes on with a swinging riff and sounding more direct, like Oasis, and with the same anthemic sing-along pay off. All For One is an upbeat, snappy tune with Ian Brown's detached trademark vocals providing the trippy vibe of yore. A stellar comeback.

3. Who do The Stone Roses sound like? 

The Telegraph compared aspects of All For One to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry and The White Stripes. The Stone Roses have generally been compared to Oasis, The Happy Mondays, The Charlatans, Primal Scream and The Smiths. 

4. What have the press said about All For One? 

"Has undoubtedly got anthem potential" - Manchester Evening News.

"Stone Roses circa the 90's, but with a revitalised spirit" - Consequence Of Sound.

"A starry-eyed psycedelic jangle with some old school blues-rock swagger to it" - Stereogum.

5. Which bands had a hand in The Stone Rose's magic sound? 

Some of the key Stone Rose's influences are The Smiths, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, T. Rex and The Clash.

6. Why should I give All For One a blast? 

All For One is a belter that brings something fresh and something nostalgic together for the old fans while introducing new fans to a pivotal band of the nineties without alienating their modern sensibilities. A classy balancing act has been achieved with All For One and it's 'we are all in this together' message continues in the fine Northern traditions of solidarity and is ripe for all ears.



7. What are The Stone Rose's classics? 

Fool's Gold is the band's most successful song, a modest top ten or twenty hit around the world, a tight dance masterpiece led my a drum masterclass and the only ten minute song worth listening to. She Bangs The Drums is an intense, euphoric banger with the best bass intro to an indie rock song ever. Made Of Stone is a melancholic sing-along that still charges at windmills, has a fiery John Squire lead break, and is the best song The Stone Roses ever made.

8. Any more words? 

All For One was produced by Paul Epworth who has worked for Coldplay, Paul McCartney, Primal Scream, Adele and U2 to name a few. 

In 2004 one hundred musicians and critics voted The Stone Rose's debut album The Stone Roses (1989) the best British album of all time in The Observer, ahead of The Beatle's Revolver, The Clash's London Calling and Van Morrison's Astral Weeks.

"Inside of me, for all to see

In harmony, all one family"

The La's are an indie jangle pop band from Liverpool, England. Formed in 1983 they periodically reform but have only one piece of gold in the vault, the debut self-titled album The La's (1990).  There She Goes (1990) was one of four singles from the album but is far and away The La's most popular song and a minor chart hit in the US and a top ten hit in the UK. Consequence Of Sound said There She Goes has "one of the most memorable opening riffs in pop rock" and is "one of rock's most memorable and poignant love songs." While The La's largely eluded the adulation heaped on their peers, nonetheless, There She Goes is emblematic of the revolutionary, effervescent, milieu that British indie music enjoyed in the early nineties. 

"And I just can't contain

This feelin' that remains"

KONGOS - Take It From Me

1.    So the KONGOS aye?

KONGOS are an alternative rock and that fight out of Paradise Valley, Arizona, by way of South Africa and England. Playing since 2007 they have three long players on their roll of honor. Take It From Me (April'16) is the lead single from the third album Egomaniac (June'16).


2. What are they touting?

Take It From Me is more of the same clamoring, drum heavy rocking goodness with the infectious accordion we have all come to know and love. Sound as a pound and with a solid streak of taking the piss out of others and themselves.


3. Who do KONGOS sound like?

Cage The Elephant's retro-vibe with a side of AWOLNATION's big noise and Ben Harper's guitar.

4. What have the muppets in the press said about Take It From Me?

“An anthemic hook fueled by a clever call-and-response” – Ground Sounds.

“Signature accordion and slide guitar” – Best New Bands.“

“The song is a hit!” – Populove.

 

 

5. Which bands have had a hand in KONGOS creation?

Some of KONGOS influences are Jackson Browne, Dire Straits, The Prodigy, Pink Floyd and The Police.

6. Why should I give Take It From Me a fair crack of the whip?

Take It From Me is a radio-friendly melange of sounds and some snarkiness.

 

7. Do KONGOS have any more bangers?

Number one hit Come With Me Now is worth the kudos and Hey I Don't Know is no slouch neither.

8. Any more words?

KONGOS are four brothers, who's pops made tunes too, who produce and record their own music and are nice guys.

 

 

“It’s kinda like a cigarette smokin’ you”

 

 

 

The Steve Miller Band formed in 1966 and have eighteen albums that are an integral part of what we consider today the sound of classic seventies rock. Steve Miller is the god son of Les Paul the man who made the sound of rock'n'roll possible. In April 2016 Steve Miller was inducted into the Rock'N'Roll Hall Of Fame and tore them a new one, creating a controversy that destroyed what little credibility The Black Keys had. Jet Airliner was one of three singles from Book Of Dreams (1977) an album All Music said “is a highlight of the ‘70’s classic rock era and one of Miller’s finest releases.”
 

“Somebody's tryin’ to make me stay

You know I’ve got to be movin’ on”

 

 

 

  

PARTYBABY - Your Old Man

1.    Who are these bright new things?

PARTYBABY are Noah Gersh and Jamie Schefman and they fight out of Los Angeles, California. Your Old Man (Oct'15) is the second missile fired from these musical marvels.


2. What flavor of wonderful is Your Old Man?

Your Old Man is instantly lovable garage punk that reeks of gut punching honesty. At turns chill and sweet and noisy with an epic chorus that soars free into the stratosphere on gritty glam rock wings.

3. Who have PARTYBABY been compared to?

The consensus is FIDLAR. PARTYBABY are hitting the road in April with SWMRS and The Frights so that is the kind of pool they swim in. A fucking great one.


4. What have the pundits in the press said about Your Old Man?

“Snarling punk rock with a tab of anthemia” – DIY.

“An intoxicating blend of frazzled punk and impossibly infectious melodic refrains” – The Fat Angel Sings.

“Melody and hard rock edge” – Pigeons and Planes.

5. Which bands brought the favors to PARTYBABY’s party?

Everclear, Primal Scream, Fatboy Slim, Sparklehorse, SWMRS and more.

6. Why should I give Your Old Man a spin on the turntable?

Your Old Man brings a fresh, savage, attack to garage punk rock elevating it above and beyond the current crop of fine fucking soldiers battling for a righteous cause. Your Old Man packs the whallop of a steel-capped kick to the taint and is just as satisfying as collecting some sack with the follow through. It has a rich tapestry of musical textures, rhythms and blinding production too.

7. Do PARTYBABY have any more of these blinders?

The debut single Everything's All Right brings the pain and blows out the cobwebs.

8. Any more words fool?

Noah Gersh was a member of Portugal. The Man and Jamie Schefman is a producer and engineer and put his genius to shine on 30 Seconds To Mars last two long players.

“Do you ever talk to your old man?

Does he understand what we do on the weekends?”

It would be rude to ignore 30 Seconds To Mars for the follow-up seeing as how Jamie Schefman shared engineering duites on their last two albums. The alternative rock band roll out of Los Angeles, California and have been on the job since 1998 and sold over 15 million albums. This Is War (2010) screamed off the album of the same name that sold four million albums and a million singles. This Is War is bombastic nonsense but it is fun.

“Raise your hands into the sky,

The fight is done, the war is won”





131's - This Ain't Culture

 

1.    Who are these punk prophets?

 

131’s are a new punk band from Melbourne, Australia. This Ain’t Culture (Feb’16) hemorrhages off the 131’s debut self-titled E.P. due in June.

 

 

2. What’s the good word?

 

This Ain't Culture is straight up punk rock, hard as an endoscopy performed with a bricklayers fist and a hand held camera. With crashing guitars, booming bass and furious vocals This Ain't Culture hands out a furious belting to issues of central importance to us all and is an anthem for the marginalised, the dispossessed, the punk nation.

 

 

3. Who do these sainted heroes sound like?

 

The 131’s sound similar to Rancid, Bruce Springsteen's good ones, The Clash, Motorhead, The Jam and Bad Religion say Triple J. And so say all of us.

 

 

4. What have the poxy press said about This Ain’t Culture?

 

 

“Spirited punk rock” – The AU Review.

 

“Heartland rock hooks rallying in their call-to-arms approach” – Rolling Stone Australia.

 

“Punk rock roots and ballsy lyrics” – AAA Backstage.

 

 

 

 

5. Which famous few have left an indelible mark on the fine musical canon of the 131’s?

The 131’s are influenced by nothing but the greatest bands to walk God's green earth. To wit The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Rancid, Radio Birdman, The Saints, The Birthday Party, The Jam, Cock Sparrer (fuck me dead Fred that's how you sling a bass), Rose Tattoo, Bad Religion and Social Distortion.

6. Why should I give This Ain’t Culture a fair crack of the whip?

 

This Ain't Culture is music that matters, that warms the cockles of the heart, that stirs passion and dares you not to shake your arse with manic intensity. The 131's have made a statement of intent and smacked it with contempt right out of the park.

 

 

7. Do the 131's have any more of these bright burning treasures?

 

Debut song so stay tuned. Dig into the gospel of King Cannons for something similar. Take The Rock has the same power, politics and fury.

8. Any more truth?

 

Singer Luke Yeoward fronted Auckland punk band with a bit of mongrel, Suicide Dogs, and rock'n'reggae band King Cannons.

 

The rhythm section, Rich and Hank Richards played in punk rock band The Dirty Love.

The 131’s are opening up for godfathers of punk the Stiff Little Fingers in Melbourne at the end of March. That is the royal nod right there.

 

 

“Culture grows when it’s left alone, not intervened with, bought or sold”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dessert is served by iconic punk legends Stiff Little Fingers. Forged in the flames of Ireland's fight for freedom from the English and senseless sectarian violence in 1977, Stiff Little Fingers are one of punk rock's most popular and influential bands. With ten long players in their role of honour and still going strong the band wrote inflammatory songs that raged against political and military oppression and social alienation. The live album See You Up There (1989) captured the band at the peak of their phenomenal powers at the legendary venue of the Brixton Academy, London (1988). Stand out tracks include Alternative Ulster, Gotta Gettaway, Wasted Life and Suspect Device. A life lived without this album would be hollow and meaningless.

 

“You got the army on the street,

And the RUC dog of repression,

Is barking at your feet”