Roxy's Wardrobe release
by Jodie Humphries
Roxy's Wardrobe celebrate the lauch of their new single - 'Chemicals.Perfume.Burn' with a single pre-release party at The Croft on the 30th January with special guests, The Fuel and Sleeping With Satellites.
Copies of the news single with will available at the gigs.
For now, check out the video which accompanies the release
DJEVARA press release
by Garry Hutchinson
DJEVARA
PART ONE OF THE BAND’S STUNNING NEW ALBUM IS OUT THIS SPRING!
UK, EUROPEAN, AND US TOURS ALL SOON TO BE ANNOUNCED….
Irrepressible DIY merchants ‘DJEVARA’ releases ‘The Rising Tide (part 1): Corsa Al Ribasso, through Genin Records/Shellshock on 8th March 2010.
"Energetic, passionate, honest, determined” – these are words that recur in press feedback to Djevara's trademark approach, which is obvious from their third release. Each Djevara record has become progressively more personal and emotionally complex than the preceding one, both musically and lyrically, and this new release is no exception.
Djevara is genre-less, playing a heavy but unpretentious progressive rock music which nods to many genres but is a slave to none. But then, this is to be expected from a band that is as big fans of Saul Williams as Refused. The band’s second critically acclaimed album, "Third World War: Cast The First Stone" is a dark, desperate and angry embodiment of frustration and catharsis aimed both internally and externally. Bass (vocalist/guitarist) again uses his bruised perspective of a second generation young British* man of ethnic origin in this new album- a perspective still unusual in a heavy rock band in the UK, even in the year 2009.
Djevara is perhaps best known for being stalwarts of the UK underground DIY scene, doing everything from running a label to putting on series of events and festivals. This shouldn't be surprising seeing as Djevara is influenced equally heavily by the DIY ethic and originality of Fugazi's approach, the get-up-and-get-some attitude and stubborn determination of Henry Rollins, and the community oriented pro-activism of Asian Dub Foundation.
Raw and energetic, Djevara is constantly active; a central pillar of the underground alternative rock scene in London, constantly touring the UK and Europe as part of a growing and vibrant independent scene. In these new pioneering times for independent artists, a whole new generation may yet take up Djevara's call to arms.
*part 2 is expected out some time later in 2010,
**though not according to all, noting shocking recent European election results.
REVIEWS OF PREVIOUS RELEASES HAVE QUOTED:
“Champion!" - Rock Sound
“An exciting album of blazing, streetwise British promise”/”an excellent album" 8/10 Metal Hammer
“so eyeball-poppingly angry you can't help but be swept along”/”Inspiring.” KKKK - Kerrang!
“The UK’s true Underground heroes make an album that deserves to be heard by everyone, now!”/ALBUM OF THE WEEK- Subba Cultcha
“A kind of positive chip on the shoulder from the gut/heart” Organ
ARTIST: Djevara.
TITLE: THE RISING TIDE (part 1): CORSA AL RIBASSO
RELEASE DATE: 8th March 2010.
LABEL/DISTRIBUTION: Genin Records / Shellshock
CAT NO: GENIN016CD
FORMAT: Album
TRACKLISTING: 1. Jesus vs Mohammed (Ali); 2. Lines In The Sand; 3. Once More With Feeling; 4. Corsa Al Ribasso / Homeless; 5. View From A Glass House; 6. Rising Tide Of The Disconnected.
INFLUENCES: Therapy?, Fugazi, Refused, Tool, Rage Against The Machine, Oceansize, Faith No More, Skunk Anansie, Shellac, Massive Attack, Converge.
PRESS CONTACT: Garry Hutchinson / SaN PR: garry.hutchinson@s-a-n.co.uk / T: 01429 280582.
Another year goes by
by Jodie Humphries
2009 has been the busiest year so far for LiveMusicScene and me as well as I made it to as many gigs as I could. This year has seen some clear talent shining through from Bristol as it finally starts to get the attention it deserves through a few key bands doing well.
There have been many standout bands for me this year, plus many standout gigs. I’ve found new bands that I want to keep going to see over and over again. I hope that 2010 will continue to bring new bands to the site and that I continue to tick of that list I have of bands I want to see – which for the record, I managed to get to see quite a lot of bands this year that I’ve been meaning to see for ages.
I can’t really pick a favourite gig as there have been so many great ones to pick from. The best moment for me though, has to be going back to the beginning of the year when my name was listed in the dedication section of Left Side Brain’s album, ‘Collider’. I was really chuffed to find my name listed, as not only would I go as far as saying they are my favourite band, I can also class them as friends.
I also have to say that getting to interview The Enemy and getting a few words in with Charlie from Fightstar was absolutely brilliant this year and that I hope 2010 continues with this success.
Not only has 2009 brought some fantastic bands, it has also brought the brilliant Simon Lawrence and his photo’s. I’m sure by now I owe him plenty of drinks for the photo’s he’s done for the site, so I just hope he’s not keeping count. A huge thanks also goes out to the lovely Dean Murphy from OffBeat Promotions – you’ll struggle to find a nicer and more genuine person.
When it comes to new years resolutions, I have two – get to as many gigs as possible (which should be helped as I’m currently looking to actually move to Bristol) and make sure I listen to Bristol Introducing every week too see what bands the team are recommending.
Happy New Year
Jodie
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Last Letter Read Interview - November 2009
by Jodie Humphries
Rob Bateman, the vocalist from Last Letter Read took some time out to answer a few questions for LMS about how the band is currently doing. Last Letter Read are a pop punk band from West Sussex.
Again, many thanks to Garry from S-a-N for arranging the interview.
1. How would you describe your music to someone who doesn’t know you?
A unique sound of powerful pop punk music, with catchy melodies, deep lyrics and dynamics throughout.
2. Is there one particular gig you’ve played that really sticks out in your mind as being the best gig you’ve played?
Nottingham Rock City, supporting All Time Low in August 2008. The crowd were incredible; I’ve never seen so many people packed into a room like that. Plus it was such an honour to support a band we look up to so much.
3. What’s the most embarrassing moment you’ve had while you’ve been on stage?
One of our guitarists was standing on a monitor, then jumped up, unaware that there was a stage light inches from his head. He wacked his head, and fell down, but carried on playing. Embarrassing but committed!
4. What music are you currently listening to
Fall Out Boy – Folie A Deux, The Dangerous Summer – Reach For The Sun, Cartel – Cycles. Plus the new Kids In Glass Houses single is brilliant.
5. If you were to ever meet your main influence, what would you ask them?
I already have met them. I met Patrick Stump after the Fall Out Boy show at the Brighton Centre earlier this year. Although it was nearing midnight by their tour bus, and with a load of screaming girls. He was a genuinely nice guy, and because my camera wasn’t working at the time, he came back after speaking to everyone else to take a photo with me. I’d just love to sit and have a good long chat with him about singing, warm ups, song writing and influences.
6. What would be your ideal line-up for a gig if you could have anyone playing?
It’s such a hard decision. But I think Fall Out Boy headlining, and supports from Quietdrive, All Time Low, Kids In Glass Houses, Motion City Soundtrack, Relient K, Bowling For Soup, Sugarcult and ourselves. I guess I was thinking more of an afternoon to evening open air gig, then a club night, but hey, it’s my gig!
7. How was supporting MC Lars?
Always a pleasure. We’re such great friends now; it just feels great and so comfortable when we perform together. We have such fun every time performing on stage together most times too.
8. What makes being in Last Letter Read worth it
It’s worth it for so many reasons. Coming out of the studio with songs you’re so proud of is one. Or being on tour, getting to play to a different crowd each day, not knowing what’s going to happen that day. Most of all it’s having people sing along to the songs you’ve written with your best friends. That will always make it worth it.
9. Why should people see you live
People should see us live because we put our all into our performance. It’s full of energy, crowd participation and songs you can really get into. Also, we love meeting new people at shows, and talking them into letting us sleep on there floors.
10. What’coming next for Last Letter Read?
We’re going to re-launch ourselves with this new EP ‘These Stories Roll’. So expect more podcasts, tour dates, a full length album next year and tons of surprises along the way.
www.myspace.com/lastletterread
Isolated Atoms Interview - November 2009
by Jodie Humphries
Grant Ashman from the band, Isolated Atoms took some time out to answer a few questions for LMS about the band.
Many thanks goes out to Garry from S-a-N for arranging the interview.
To quote their Myspace, "Isolated Atoms are an explosive Electro Rock band from The Black Country." This four piece are gradually building up a reputation for themselves as being a strong, confident band, so in other words, check them out while you can. Hopefully we'll see them in the South West soon.
1. How would you describe your music to someone who doesn’t know you?
I would describe the music as exciting alternative electro rock music, with attitude and intelligence mixed throughout the songs.
2. Why should people pay attention to you as band?
Because we want to be the best in what we do, we believe we can get to the stage where we want to be, which is not just a run of the mill band doing a tour and an album and being happy with that, we want to be iconic and have a legacy!
3. What are your main influences?
We get compared quite often to bands such as Joy Division, Depeche Mode, Interpol and Placebo. We all like those bands but we never started out saying you know what we should sound like this band or that band our sound just happened naturally. It’s Nice to get compared with people you respect as a musician but we strictly are just being ourselves. We have influences from Guns N Roses to The Doors to Scott Walker to Prince to Jay Z to dub step and even some George Michael chucked in - a mixture of all music and I believe everyone in the band taking influences from all over the shop is only good for the music.
4. What would be your idea line-up for a gig if you could have anyone playing?
If I could pick the final days line up of a festival it would be have to be in eastern Europe, with the line up say of say seven bands or artists:
1. Bauhaus
2. Stone Temple Pilots
3. Scott Walker
4. Johnny Cash
5. The Doors
6. Rage Against The Machine
7. Isolated Atoms would be a challenge to headline that - ha
5. If you were to ever meet your main influence, what would you ask them?
I would like to meet Jim Morrison and ask him if he had a good world when he died.
6. How would you describe the current muc scene?
Erm the current scene, I think right now there isn’t anyone really doing something different to really grab people’s attention. There doesn’t seem to be a Rockstar around since Oasis finished. It’s waiting for someone to really take over that mantle.
7. Where does your band name come from
The band name came around when I was listening to Joy Divisions album ‘Closer’, my favourite song was ‘Isolation’, we had just started the band and Jake our drummer came up with Isolated Atoms, it worked well and suited the music and also makes us sound like we really enjoy science.
8. Does everyday life get in the way of the band at times?
No it doesn’t, we are fully committed to the band and devote nearly all of the time we have on making the music sound the best that it can possibly sound, In my opinion you have to be fully committed and have a huge amount of drive to succeed in this business but if you don’t want to have that you can always go on the X Factor or Britain’s Got Talent.
9. How do you all know eacother?
We know each other from previous bands we were in, I was in my first band with Mark (Guitar) 2nd one with Jake (Drums) apart from David (Keys) who I just met one day while we were both in Stourbridge.
10. What would be your ideal future for the band?
Just a long successful career in the music industry, still making records and still enjoying our music in years to come.
Hawklords Zoo pay a visit
by Jodie Humphries
The town of Frome is to be treated to a rare visit as Hawklords Zoo descends on the town in February. Featuring an array of legends, such as Alan Davey who so kindly did an interview with me last year, this is one gig not to be missed by a long shot.
Hysterical Injury Interview - October 2009
by Dave Urwin
The Hysterical Injury took time to have a quick chat with Dave about life as Hysterical Injury.
1. Where did the band name come from?
It stemmed from reading about Freud’s research with Anna O. and the concept of how the mind can inflict physical injury, but also we liked its humorous possibilities. We felt that, along with the high syllable count, there was mileage in that.
2. You used to be a three-piece and are now a duo with bass and drums – were there ever any thoughts of bringing in a replacement guitarist and do you see any additional members joining in the future?
We felt that band members shouldn't really be interchangeable or replaceable. So when Rob left it wasn't a case of putting out a search to find a guitarist before we could continue as a band. It was just a case of carrying on with what we had.
At the moment we are still enjoying making music as a duo. But if we found someone who had a similar musical viewpoint to us and we felt we could make music with them then we wouldn't say no to an extra member.
3. How did you start out, were you friends before the band?
Annie - I had been recording demo's of songs and was looking for people to play with, particularly a drummer. I advertised on a forum and had a few bites so had to audition. Lee was by far the most interesting drummer! That's how we met.
Lee - I had been drumming on desks and cushions for a while and just decided maybe it would be a good idea to actually be in a band rather than not be in one. I had met Rob at uni and we had been playing together in a few bandesque incarnations. I was then asked to drum for a Low Profile (local Bath band) fund-raising gig because I finally had a real drum kit. I got a few lessons to confirm to myself that I could actually drum and my drum teacher said to just go for it and audition for some bands. Annie's advert, which sounded interesting, was one of the bands I auditioned for.
4. What are your thoughts on the local music scene?
There are some really good dedicated promoters who are devoted to bringing forward thinking music to Bath, like Purr and Word of Mouth (now moved to Ireland as Booking Agents). Both promoters have supported the more interesting bands from around the local area - Bucky, The Jelas, Venus Bogardus, Munch Munch, Ivory Springer, The Fog Band, Thought Forms. But I think they have felt up-against-it so to speak. There is a real appetite for uninspiring safe music followed by people unwilling to scratch the surface, but that is a global thing. It’s happening within all genres and scenes. I think the Bath/Bristol area boasts some inventive little venues like St James Wine Vaults in Bath as well as Mother's Ruin, The Junction and The Croft in Bristol. The scene is as good as you make it.
5. Can you briefly describe what you do and who are your main influences?
Lee - I drum, carry things and occasionally drive for the band. My main musical influences are mostly from electronic music as I suffer from a weakness to any music that sounds like it was programmed for a NES in the early 80's. I'm not entirely sure if my drumming influences show in my playing, as I normally just move my hands as fast as I can and aim them towards the kit and hope for the best, but I do have a few influential bands/drummers I like. In no particular order: 400 Blows, The Feelies, Joy Division/New Order, Bad Brains and The Advantage. Recently I have been listening to Death and fIREHOSE. I just like stuff that sounds interesting to me.
Annie- I play bass, sing and occasionally program my laptop for solo expeditions. I love finding new music to listen to; I am like a child in a sweet shop! At the moment I adore Marnie Stern, ZU, Planningtorock, Fuck Buttons, Minutemen, Dizzee Rascal, Lightening Bolt.....can't deny Sonic Youth as a main influence, I used to play guitar all day long alongside Goo and Washing Machine.
6. What were the first albums that each of you ever bought?
Lee - Jamiroquai - Travelling without moving. Although I'm not 100% sure, I only really started *listening* to music when I was about 20, I do remember liking the hihats in Cosmic Girl though. If I were to convincingly lie I would say the first proper album I bought as a person interested in music would be Chairs Missing by Wire.
Annie - I bought Kylie Minogue's first album (Kylie?) when I was little with my pocket money! I loved it! But I guess that’s fairly embarrassing! The first album I ever owned, however, was Bob Marley - Rastaman Vibration (my aunt gave it to me) and I had this old record player (my granddad gave it to me) that went three different speeds -33, 45 and 78 and I used to love listening to that record on 78! I don't think Drum and Bass had happened yet?!
7. How do you want the next few years to pan out with the band?
We are looking to record an album in the next few months for which we'd like to find a good label to put it out on. We are also looking to get on the festival circuits and all that, but mostly we want to keep doing what we do. Finding that exciting, refreshing, challenging feeling and turning it in to music we have fun playing for ourselves and others.
8. If you could choose one ultimate location / venue to play a gig where would it be?
All Tomorrows Parties for definite!
Mini Fightstar Interview
by Jodie Humphries
Not only was I lucky enough to see the Fightstar gig, I also managed to get backstage after the gig and grab a few moments with Charlie himself to ask a few quick questions, and grab a quick photo.
Asking how he thought the gig had gone, Charlie answered, “Yeah good man good. It was running late so we had to cut a few songs. It was fun; the kids seemed really up for it. It was our last gig of the summer, so it was a nice way to end. We’re going out on an October tour, but this was the last of the festival season.”
When Charlie mentioned the tour in October, I had to point out the lack of Bristol date, to which he said, “I know, we had such a great time at the last one. It was good, so I think we’ll come back at some point. We’re hopefully going to do a few shows in January, as we’re re-releasing a special edition of ‘Be Human’, which is going to come out in either November or January, but we’ll definitely do some more shows around then.”
Talking about ‘Be Human’ and the band, Charlie said, “I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved with this album. I think it’s my favourite of the ones we’ve done. I’m pleased with the cover we’ve been getting from everyone. It’s good man, things are going really well.”
And finally slipping in the question related to Busted, of asking if Charlie feels he is finally getting away from a band that split up several years ago now. Charlie replied, “Yeah, yeah sure. It seems like we’ve got a real fan base now, they’re really passionate about what we do.” When I said that he couldn’t have moved further away from the original band, Charlie said, “I know its good isn’t it.”
I may have only got a few minutes with Charlie, but he was a lovely guy, and I was really grateful for him sparing me the time when they were just off stage, and had to rush off.
Priscilla Ahn Mini Interview
by Jodie Humphries
Again thanks to the lovely people over at Mercenary Publicity for this latest interview with Priscilla Ahn
1. How would you describe your style of music to those who don’t know you?
I think its very easy listening, pretty mellow. My songs all come from a real place. Some are a little sad, but still have a sense of humour in there.
2. I’ve seen that on your website, you’ve discovered a liking for ‘Colman’s Mustard’, is there anything else that you’ve discovered you like in the UK that you can’t get in America?
The BBC channel....good news, ya know? Um....well, now we have a top shop in NYC, so I can't say that anymore.
3. How was playing Glastonbury?
Glastonbury was hot, intense, and a fun show. It was quite warm out, and intense because we had to lug all our gear over 2 miles of rolling hills and crowds of people to get to our stage. And then it rained on us on the way back. The crowd was amazing though, and made it all worth the sweat and blisters. I couldn't get over how huge the festival was though!
4. Have you ever found yourself star-struck?
Yes. George Clooney was eating at the table next to mine, in LA, and I had just moved out there. So he was officially my first celebrity sighting. But I've been star struck with Willie Nelson, and Neil Young as well.
5. What would be your ideal line-up for a gig if you could have anyone?
Hmm...Opening for Willie Nelson and Neil Young and Andrew Bird....all in the same night, and then we all sing "Georgia on My Mind" together for the encore.
Mini Broadway Calls Interview
by Jodie Humphries
Thanks to Mercenary Publicity, this is the start of several mini interviews. The first one is with Broadway Calls. I hope you enjoy.
1. Are you looking forward to supporting Offspring?
Yes! Very much. Those guys have been around forever, and it's an honor to open for a punk band with their track record. Green Day, Rancid, and The Offspring are the bands that really broke California punk into the mainstream in the 90's so it's pretty exciting.
2. What do you miss when you’re away from home touring?
I know we all miss our girlfriends a lot. Our families. I miss the nights spent in a bar or at a friends house just laughing and having a great time. It's nice though because we get to do that on tour as well, just with different friends. There's also the missing of comfortable sleeping arrangements....
3. Where do you see Broadway Calls in ten years time?
Who knows? I'd love for us to still be doing what we're doing, but on a larger scale. If in ten years from now, we're playing the same setlist, and playing in front of the same kids every night as we are now, that might get pretty boring. Progression is the key to happiness.
4. What would be your ideal line-up for a gig if you could have anyone?
I'd love to play a show where we played with, in no particular order: Polar Bear Club, Rancid, Alkaline Trio, Green Day, Refused, The Weakerthans, Hot Water Music, and Kid Dynamite. That would be fucking epic.
5. Why should someone go out and buy your music?
People should buy our music, because we work very hard on it. This album has so many days and hours poured into it, and it's in my not so humble opinion, a great pop punk record. People usually spend more than it costs to buy a record in a single night at the pub. Buy Good Views Bad News, and it won't give you a headache in the morning, and you'll have it forever.
