Alt-UK

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Archives for July 2004

Adzuki – Transitions

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This is a 5 track EP from the band with an average age of 17. You would never have guessed their age from this effort – they portray a considerable amount of maturity in their music and nothing about them suggests that they are of a younger age than anyone else on the Mighty Atom roster. They play good, exciting rock music and are definitely on to something quite special.

When you listen to Adzuki you don’t just pass them off as another average Rock band in this scene of mediocrity – you can see that the band have great talent, and have some individuality about them that makes them stand out from the pack. Adzuki are a band with character – their songs actually mean something to you and speak out to you – a lot of bands seem to fail to do this. This band are definitely going to be a band to look out for in the future and most certainly will become Kerrang favourites at some stage or another. The vocals here are really spot on, with vocalist Dan obviously putting his all in to them and creating a sound, which is really quite special, and truly enjoyable. There are also some truly inspring guitar riffs, some pounding bass lines, and drumming that really stands out. Being a drummer myself I can often look at bands drumming abilities as a crucial point – so the fact that Adzuki have such a talent hitting the skins gives me even more reason to love this band. There is not a single track on this EP that is at all dull, or uninteresting – every single one of these tracks is a gem in its own right and could quite easily be released as a single.

I really did enjoy listening to this band and will definitely be checking them out in the future as at the tender age of seventeen I am sure that there will be a lot more to come from this band with them ever improving and increasing in confidence as they play more and more live shows. If I get the opportunity I will definitely be travelling to check this band out live to see how they cope in the setting of a gig as they are great on CD but the true test is in the live performance. Do they have what it takes to become the next big thing in the next couple of years? I think they just might.

Rating:
Review StarReview StarReview StarReview Star

Inside The Mind Of Henry Holmes – Breaking Bridges, Burning Wishes

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ITMOHH are an experimental rock band that are based in Kent and on the 3 tracks on display in this demo the band show some great promise. Although the songs don’t always sound amazing, the band are definitely giving it a good go and are certainly not following any sort of trend. The band try out new things – and this is great as when it works the band really do sound good, but when it doesn’t they can sometimes sound a bit messy.

On first track, ‘Breaking Bridges’ I do no think that the shouts really fit in that well, however on the second and third tracks the bands hardcore vocals really work well and make ‘Shallow’ and ‘Cenotaph Falling’ sound really quite special. The band mix Rock and Metal, with Stoner, and add in to their music elements of Jazz and Funk in order to give it those all important finishing touches. I like what the band are doing on this CD and would definitely see them live at some point in Kent and check them out in the flesh. The band have some great bass lines, epic guitar riffs, and cool drumming that is nicely paced and really suits the music at all times. The music goes from calm to mental at the flick of a switch and this really works well in creating a sound that is truly original and like nothing else that anyone else out there is creating at the moment. I love the bands screaming vocals and fast paced musicianship – this is certainly something they can work with in the future and use on the album to make it sound truly rocking.

ITMOHH are definitely creating music that is original, but on the first track at times it can be a bit too original and not sound too good in places. I am glad that the band are Kent based as it means that I can regularly check them out and witness them grow as a band – this should be really fun to see as the band gradually come in to their own. ITMOHH have a lot of material that they can work on and make it sound really good if they put in the time and effort. It will be interesting to see how the bands album turns out as this EP hints at something special but never really truly explodes.

Rating:
Review StarReview StarReview Star

Hotwired Radio – Volume 1

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Ok, as far as compilation CDs go – this one is a pretty shoddy attempt! Its not that they didn’t get any good bands to go on the CD, its just that they really haven’t organised it at all well and there really is no running order to the CD whatsoever. This compilation was thrown together the day of the launch party for the CD so it had to be cobbled together in a couple of hours and pressed off without really giving it much thought.

There are 18 bands here and listening to the CD in running order will almost certainly make you cringe as none of the tracks follow on at all and it all just becomes a bit of a mess. The first track that comes on is Sparehed3 – this is quite an impressive track. There are some strong vocals, bass lines and riffs that really power the song home – trouble is there is about a 10 second period of nothing at the end of the track which really disrupts the CDs flow almost straight away. The next track is then a lot quieter than the first and you will have to alter the volume on the CD just to be able to hear The Mono Effect. Aside from the poor production of this CD – there are a few good tracks that really stand out to me to be quite good. As I have already mentioned, the Sparehed3 track is quite impressive and I will definitely be checking them out again but other bands that really appealed to me were Itch, Kneehigh, and Atticus. Problem is, I had already heard all of these bands CDs before so although the tracks found quite impressive – I had already heard them before so it was nothing new to me. This is not the fault of Hotwired as its not as if they made the compilation CD to impress me but the fact a lot of the bands I truly enjoyed I had heard the tracks before made it even harder to really enjoy the compilation. However, there was another track which really stood out to me – this being the band Angry Boy. I liked what this band were all about and think that the track that they have on this compilation CD is really quite cool and well worth a listen. It is called ‘Routine Something’ and really is quite a remarkable tune and I truly enjoyed listening to it.

I think this CD has now sold out – so you will not be able to get a copy of it but you will be able to listen to past shows that the songs will appear on if you go on to the Hotwired website. If you are looking to broaden your CD collection then bands of sound investment are definitely Angry Boy, Sparehed3, Itch, Kneehigh, and Atticus.

Rating:
Review StarReview Star

Stalking Tom – Rusted Red

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Stalking Tom are an unsigned dark, melodic Indie Rock four piece band from Oakland, California. This site generally deals with the unsigned music of UK bands so it was good to receive a CD from a States band to see what the quality of the music is like over there. If the music of Stalking Tom is to be believed then unsigned bands in America are pretty amazing!

This is the debut release from Stalking Tom and it comes in the form of a 5 track EP to show off their talents, and boy do they have a lot of those. I really enjoyed listening to this EP as it was full to the brim with quality and possesses a lot of promise for the bands next release, which according to this press pack they are already writing material for. This EP is a great starting point for the band as there are five solid tracks here that combine melodic Indie with dark vocals, and some seriously amazing guitar hooks, thumping drum beats, and amazing bass lines. The band certainly has a lot of character and it is this character in them which makes them stand out from the pack. Stalking Tom is not your average sort of Indie Rock band – they are far from being average. Their music is truly amazing and it is hard to believe that this is their first release as they sound like a truly experienced band that know exactly what sound they are aiming to create in their music. I really like this bands vocals – they are quite aggressive yet they convey a lot of meaning and real emotion. Music is all about emotions and Stalking Tom certainly have a lot of this – this joined with the fact that they have a lot of talent makes way for a very interesting band.

My favourite track on the CD has got to be the final track, ‘Trigger.’ This is an awesome way to end the EP as it really leaves the listener hoping for more. It is an interesting track, and probably the most diverse track on the CD and this is what really had me hooked to this one in particular. It is on this track that the band try something new and a bit different to them and I think they have really done well on it – this track really makes the CD a memorable experience and Stalking Tom is definitely not a name you will be forgetting in a hurry after this one. A perfect end to an extremely promising CD, from a band that is sure to bring much more in the future.

I really can’t wait to hear what the band have to offer with their next CD as there is so much promise in this CD and the band are definitely on to a winning formula. If the band can improve upon what they have created here and continue to progress as a band then soon they will definitely be signed and pushing out a multi million selling album no doubt. There is no question about it that they have the ability to do such a thing – it is just a matter of the band getting their music heard by the right people.

Rating:
Review StarReview StarReview StarReview Star

Boomshanker – Hassle in the Castle

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Time again for me to write a review of one of my favourite UK bands of the last few years – Boomshanker. The band are just so fresh, and vibrant – they bring tremendous life to a scene full of bands who are copying one another. Boomshanker definitely are a band making original material – its like nothing you ever heard before, the band combine psychedelic rock with indie, and throw in a bit of hip hop to make their sound complete. You can really hear all these genres in their music coming through strong and it really does make way for a great, fresh burst of life in today’s Rock scene.

There are 7 tracks on display here – 6 of the bands finest tunes plus a remix of Local Friendly Drug Dealer thrown in on the end for good measure. Right from the offset of ‘Home’ you can tell that this CD is going to be a cracker with the bands fresh, exciting sound coming powering through. The vocals really are strong on this track, and the singer of Boomshanker has obviously been perfecting his sound for some time as on this track the vocals are nearing on perfect. They are truly melodic with amazing lyrics to accompany these super vocals and some truly inspiring guitar playing, blinding bass lines, and incredibly drumming that is sure to impress. I am proud to name Boomshanker as one of my favourite bands around – and if you are new to the band then listen to a few seconds of this track and I can guarantee that you will share my enthusiasm for them. The quality of this CD definitely does not stop here and as it continues into ‘Bad Karma’ you can tell that this is not a CD you are likely to be forgetting in a hurry. On every track, the vocalist seems to create a whole new sound in his voice and pulls it off equally well every time. He truly is a strong talent and possesses a lot of style and charisma that is sure to push the band through to the big time.

‘Body Off Baywatch, Face Off Crimewatch’ is definitely another tune to look out for from the band. It is such a melodic masterpiece and really is a piece of musical genius. I am not sure how the band manage to pull off every track with such immaculate style but somehow they do and it is truly incredible. When listening to this CD you just seem to go in to a state of shock as the music is so good that it is just unbelievable. The more you listen to this CD, the more you believe Boomshanker to be the greatest band of all time. I really feel that the music of Boomshanker is truly inspirational and there is no reason why they should not go all the way to the top. If their live performances are half as good as this CD is then there really is no reason why they are still unsigned after such a long time. Boomshanker have been a long time in the making with many a change in line up, but I truly think that they have finally cracked it and found the winning formula. Not a single track on this CD, and each and every single one here will touch your heart, and deeply inspire you to attempt to make music anywhere near as good as this.

‘Local Friendly Drug Dealer’ has been a favourite tune of mine for quite some time now so it was a joy to see the track feature on the CD. Every time I listen to this track I can’t help but smile for the duration, as it is such a masterpiece of a track and just makes me feel like dancing. This track is so melodic, and deeply moving at a spot on pace – I truly feel that if nothing is perfect then this is as close to perfect as music is ever going to come as it is a superb piece of musical mastery. I love the break in the middle that makes you believe that the track is over, before dragging you back in to it for one last blast of Boomshanker glory. Everything is immaculate in this track – not a single note is put out of place, and this is what makes it so pleasing to the ear and soothing to the mind. You have not lived until you have heard Local Friendly Drug Dealer by Boomshanker – it has to be said. After being blasted away from the sheer quality of LFD, you will then be treated to a remix of the super cool track. I really loved listening to this remix as I had not heard it before and before receiving this CD did not realise that the band had done a remix of the track even. There is some astonishingly good keyboard playing throughout the track and some superbly placed power chords put in for good measure and extra firepower. LFD will shock you, and surprise you that music this good has even been created, but the remix will take you to a whole new level of ecstasy and excitement. The remix had me see the track in a whole new light and has brought me to love LFD even more than I did before. I didn’t think I could possibly like it any more than I already did but I was proven wrong when listening to this track as it brought a whole new level to the track.

Boomshanker’s music goes deep inside of you – they really do push musical boundaries to their limits and come up trumps every time. There are so many different styles and genres tested in the bands music and it is hard to take them all in on first listen – you have to give the CD a good few listens before you can really understand this band and what they are all about. I have listened to this CD at least ten time so far and am still discovering new, hidden depths that I failed to see on previous listens. I feel that this is a CD that will continue to warm your heart and never get old no matter how many times you might care to listen to it. Boomshanker are a truly inspirational band creating music that no one in their right mind could possibly ever call boring. Boomshanker truly bring music to life, creating music fit for a king. If I were to choose a CD that has had the biggest impact on my life then I would choose ‘Hassle in the Castle’ every time.

Rating:
Five Star ReviewFive Star ReviewFive Star ReviewFive Star ReviewFive Star Review

Stalefish1 – Smashed Bottles and Broken Fences

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Ok, here is a 10 track album from the band that is Stalefish1 who produce some catchy Rock/Alt Metal tracks. The band have some killer guitar riffs, some amazing slap bass playing, and finely toned vocals but the problem is that there are a million and one bands out there that sound exactly the same as this band. This is their first album and the production of the album is excellent and will probably have the band seeing some serious attention from Kerrang and Scuzz. They do their genre proud, but its just such an overdone genre of music and there are so many bands doing the same thing that when you listen to it all you can hear is a million other bands playing to you and you can not appreciate that this is a totally different band, that being Stalefish1.

When I first put this album in to the CD player I thought yes, this is some catchy metal and I could possibly get in to it – but as I continued to listen to the album and listened to it in its entirety a few more times I began to realise that there was nothing new here even though they are hitting all the right notes at the right time. This is finely produced Rock/Metal album from the band but when reading that they are influenced by such bands as Hundred Reasons, Deftones, and Incubus it is obvious in that they sound remarkably like all of them at points. Stalefish1 also seem to draw a major influence from the Lost Prophets and have stolen the bands portrait guitar hooks. The band have produced ten fine tracks if you look at it from a production side as everything is spot on, and the vocals are sounding really good. However, if you are like me and look for bands that are a bit different and stand out from the pack for making the music that they are then there is going to be nothing here that will impress you as it has all been done before.

I would warrant this band a higher rating as they are good at what they do, it is just that I fail to see past the fact that the band are too busy stealing aspects from other bands than focussing on making original music. It is clear as day that Stalefish1 have a lot of talent in their grasp – if only they would use the talent they possess to create something that is their own.

Rating:
Review StarReview Star

The Briggs – Leaving The Ways EP

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This is The Briggs third release to date since they formed back in 2001 and has been produced by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones bassist Joe Gittleman. This is a really cool Punk Rock CD that will have you wondering why this band weren’t snapped up for a label like Epitaph or Fat Wreck long ago. The band are releasing this EP on Side One Dummy Records and track ‘Waiting In The Shadows’ is also featured on the 2004 Vans Warped Tour Compilation CD.

Right from the offset of this CD you can tell that it is going to kick some serious arse. The band play top quality Punk Rock with various different sounds coming across in their tracks. Each of the six tracks on display here are packed with their own individual goodness with the bands Rock/Punk crossover really coming off well. The band pull off all six of these tracks with immaculate style and sure do have a talent for what they do. Each track is different with ‘All On Me’ making the band come across as a slightly more aggressive Offspring. This track seems to come out of nowhere and it is a great little track, showing that the band can cover all spectrums of Punk and Rock. This CD is packed full of fast paced stuff that will have you jumping around like a mad man. The vocals have a strong Tim Armstrong edge to them which I really enjoy as some of their material reminds me of the Rancid of old. My favourite track on this EP has to be ‘Waiting In The Shadows’ as this is a strong track with a super chorus that will have you instantly singing along. There are some seriously strong bass lines, funky guitar hooks, some truly skillful drumming, and vocals that will just blow your mind. This song is truly infectious and will have you humming along for weeks. If you don’t enjoy this track then there must be something seriously wrong with you because it truly is a blinding track that I instantly fell in love with.

I had not heard of The Briggs before getting my hands on this EP so I was quite pleased, and impressed to hear this EP as I had not known what to expect so for all I knew this band could have been appalling. Luckily for me they weren’t and I truly enjoyed listening to this EP and will be sure to enjoy it many a time in the future. Make sure you check out this band at some stage as they really are a band to look out for on the Punk circuit.

Rating:
Review StarReview StarReview StarReview Star

Orca – The Days Are Restless…But The Nights Are Explosive

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The band return here with a 5 track EP that is sure to once again put a smile on your face. This Plymouth band really does know how to pen a fine tune and I really think that they have progressed a lot since ‘The Thought Of Falling’ was released. The band has really matured and the sound they are not creating is much more relaxed and it has a distinct flow about it. Every song on this EP seems to fit in perfectly creating a Post Hardcore CD that you are not going to forget about in a hurry. This is not a CD that will be left to gather dust for long – you will find yourself continuously playing this release as it really is that good. I am not normally a fan of Emotional Hardcore but Orca really are a band that play the genre well and seem to know it like the back of their hand.

Here are 5 strong tracks that will get you tapping your feet away to the awesome drum beats, playing air guitar at the catchy riffs, and singing along like a madman as vocalist Dan powers out the main vocals. The backing vocals provide an excellent backbone for the band with them coming in occasional for the most perfectly timed shouts. I really love this band, and have enjoyed both their singles and their album, and it was great for me to listen to this EP because they really have improved a lot. The change from the album to the first single was big, but this time the leap is massive. The band are obviously a lot more experience than they were before and as a result are now playing some truly top quality music. I love every single track on this CD but my favourites have to be tracks 3, and 5. ‘Three Sheets To The Wind’ purely because of the punchy drum intro and ‘Hopes Ever Shifting’ because it just seems to bring the CD to a climax perfectly. They couldn’t have possibly picked a better track to finish the CD if they had tried for a year as this one really does work well and give you one last punch of action before bringing the EP to a volcanic finish. They finish the EP in style with this track – an epic track that combines melodic, heartfelt vocals perfectly with hardcore ramblings of shouting genius.

This is a great EP and really is the bands best material to date – hopefully we will see an album next from the band as I would really like to see another one from them as they have come a long way since their debut cracker. The band have certainly come a long way so far and I really feel that they can go a long way further and become a legendary Post Hardcore band in the long run. They are just oozing with talent and every time I hear them they seem to possess more energy and eagerness to perform.

Rating:
Review StarReview StarReview StarReview StarReview Half Star

Punk Rock Is your Friend (Kung Fu Records)

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Ok, when you look at the track list for this compilation CD the first names you tend to notice that are on the CD are such acts as The Vandals, No Use For A Name, and Tsunami Bomb. However, these are not the tracks from the CD that are really the most impressive. The idea of compilation CDs is to introduce new bands to your CD collection and this is no exception to the rule. When reading the press pack I found that 2 demos are included from newly signed band Underminded. Underminded are a really cool band – they really kick off the CD ion style with a really heavy track that will really get you in to the CD. Another band that will impress are The God Awfuls. I had not heard of them before but after hearing their contributions to the CD I will surely be checking the band out in the future.

Audio Karate are the first band on the CD to really disappoint as I had heard great things about this band but their shouty approach just didn’t do it for me. I am all for hardcore when it is done well but I really don’t think this track has been done well so at the moment I am not really too impressed with this band I had read such rave reviews of. The No Use For A Name unreleased track on the CD is worth giving a listen as it is quite a cool little track, but with other bands on the CD that are much lesser known, yet much more talented it is really hard to fully enjoy the track the band have to offer in ‘This Aint No Way To Live.’ I was looking forward to hearing The Vandals and their tracks on the CD as I had been quite impressed with what I had heard from the band in the past. Sadly, the music on display here was nowhere near their finest material and it really left me quite disappointed. The Tsunami Bomb remix of ‘Roundabout’ is really good. I have found Tsunami Bomb to be a bit of a hit or miss band in that you never know whether you will see the good, or the bad side of them. Here, we are truly seeing the good side of them and the quality of the remix really does do them justice and add excitement to the tune. However, on the other track the band have to offer, ‘Dawn on a Funeral Day’ we unfortunately seem to be experiencing the downside to the band.

A definite stand out band on this CD is Useless I.D. – a band who offer up two fresh sounding songs that are quite happy sounding and you can have a really good dance to. I am not usually a fan of this sort of vibrant, upbeat pop tinged Punk Rock music but the band really do it well and as a result really are the highlight of this CD. I would give the two tracks on display from the band here 5/5 if they were on their own as they really are good tracks and if you are thinking about purchasing this CD then these two tracks alone are reason enough to go out and buy it as at under 5 pound for it you cant really go far wrong. I had not really checked this band out before hearing them on the compilation but I will definitely be getting my hands on more of their material in the future as this stuff is musical gold. If all of the bands stuff is anywhere near as good as these two tracks then I could just have a new favourite band on my hands. I don’t know how the band have done it but they really have produced two amazing tracks of fine punk rock with uplifting, upbeat, fun music that will just make you want to dance and have a good time. This my friends is party music at its finest!

So, all in all this compilation is really quite an average release with relatively few tunes really managing to impress on a mass scale, but there are glimpses of genius on the CD which make it well worth spending your hard earned cash on. There are some added bonuses on the CD in videos from Antifreeze, Goldfinger, Neil Hamburger, Ozma, and The Vandals so even if you are not in to the music then there are always some visuals for you to get in to.

Rating:
Review StarReview StarReview Star

Pama International – Too Many Freaks, Not Enough Stages

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Ok, if you are in to your Ska then you will probably already have come across Pama International at some point. They are an amazing chilled out Ska band with seriously experienced band members that make way for an awe inspiring live show. This album is being released on Sean’ very own Jamdown label – a label that hasn’t really had much happening since releasing 4ft Fingers – At Your Convenience album way back when. The band have been playing a load of live shows lately and they have been going down a treat – if you ever get a chance to go and see Pama International live then make sure you don’t let the opportunity slip as you sure would regret it if you did.

Here is an album with 8 tracks on it – although there seem to be relatively few tracks from the band for an album, after giving it a listen you will soon discover that tracks are long, but they quite easily stand the test of time. Pama International are a band that play mellow, laid back Ska, Reggae and 2 Tone that will get you skanking with what seems like ease. The band have obviously put a lot of work in to this album, and it has ultimately come out smelling of roses. I have always admired the band for their strong music with its mellow vibes that you can truly chill out to – it is bands like these that are great to listen to in the car on the way to the airport to your holiday destination as the music just lets you kick back and relax and get in the mood for dancing. I love every single one of these tracks with every one just making me want to get up and dance, but one of my favourites just has to be ‘Don’t Live A Lie.’ It has some truly catchy lyrics, drum beats that guide you through the track perfectly, and a general rhythm to the song that just seems to work and fit together perfectly.

Pama International are definitely one of the UK’s coolest bands with their super mega chilled out grooves that will get inside your head and stay there for months. Pama are not the sort of the band that you are going to be forgetting in a hurry – tunes like these stay with you forever and will constantly be playing on your mind. There is so much to take from the music of this band that you have to listen to this album many times before you can even begin to understand where the band are coming from and what they are trying to do. In a world of average, poorly skilled Ska bands – Pama International are a shining light, and will hopefully show the way for Ska bands of the future with this album. You can buy the CD now from the bands official website – this is well advised.

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