Archives for August 3, 2004

You may or may not know this yet but recently the popular UK E-Zine Punktastic has formed its own label and ‘Un-Scene’ is the first CD to be released on the label. It features 16 tracks from some of the top bands in the UK right now, with the more established artists as well as artists just coming through in to the limelight that are worth watching out for. There will be a 6 date Punktastic tour in August featuring co-headliners My Awesome Compilation and Not Katies – two bands at the very heart of this compilation CD.

The CD all kicks off with Sonic Boom Six and them putting all their effort in to creating a catchy little opener for the CD. They also close the CD, and although their two tracks – ‘Un-Scene’ and ‘Boom Bye Bye’ are not bad tracks – it is definitely not the best material from the band. For most bands these tracks would seem like solid efforts, so anyone knew to the band might not realise it but Sonic Boom Six are actually a lot better than what they show on this compilation. Another band I feel has not come out at their best on this CD is Route215 and track ‘Jesus Was Sexy.’ It is definitely not a bad track but the production of it on CD really lets it down a bit. I have been informed that this is an amazing live track and I can truly believe this as the energy and passion is obviously present on it – it just hasn’t recorded too well and this really is a shame as they really are a class act.

There are a number of tracks that I really loved on this CD – one track I was surprised to find myself enjoying was the Tanaou track. I had never heard this band before and just expected them to be a bog standard Post-Hardcore band, but they really are something quite special. They have a lot of bite in their tracks – mega aggression, and some killer guitar riffs. This is definitely a band to watch out for I think as they are a truly talented bunch, with a top track in ‘Kissing Chaos Part One.’ The 3DBs Down track is another that I found myself really enjoying with their fun Ska Punk. They seem to combine the vocal talent of Fat Mike with cool Ska riffs, strong drum beats, and blinding choruses that will totally blow you away. I am proud to say that these guys are from Kent – they really are a glimmer of hope in what has come to be a sea of mediocre Ska Punk bands. Phinius Gage, Stories and Comets, Short Warning and also A Destructive Issue are also all amazing bands in their own individual ways and are all creating music that is just a bit different and exciting. You should check out these bands for yourselves – I am sure that in this bunch you will find a band to suit your needs whatever your tastes in music may be.

There are two tracks that really steal the show for me on this CD – with the awesome efforts from My Awesome Compilation and Matthew Reynolds respectively. Matthew Reynolds is the lead singer of Howards Alias – but he also somehow finds time for this awesome solo acoustic Ska project. It is completely different to what Howards Alias are doing at the moment, and really is amazing. He is such a strong talent and when he stops doing this solo project it will be greatly missed. Matthew Reynolds just has so much talent and you just get such a buzz from listening to ‘These Lights’ – it is truly unbelievable. The other track, ‘Wish You Well’ is completely different yet is equally as good in its own way. This is another acoustic track but is a far cry from the Matthew Reynolds track – this is acoustic Emo and is definitely at its finest. Even though I am not the biggest fan of the genre – I can definitely see that My Awesome Compilation are a band with a hell of a lot of talent. They are vocally very tight, and there is some strong acoustic guitar playing here that really helps the vocals along. I really like the way the backing vocals fit in with the lead vocals and help compliment them so well. You really have to hear it to believe it – but MAC have really created something special in this track and this could quite easily have been the finale to the compilation.

This is not the best compilation CD you will ever hear but it is definitely one of the better ones. I wasn’t too sure whether I would enjoy it too much other than the Matthew Reynolds track before I received it but it really does sound good and the compilation as a whole just seems to flow really well. Punktastic had to filter through roughly 250 songs to come up with the track list for this compilation and have definitely done a good job of it. A lot of hard work on the behalf of Punktastic has obviously gone in to the creation of this CD and the site has now really gone up in my estimation. I respect this website a lot more than I did before because they have created a compilation CD that really shows UK music in a good light, and at its very best.

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