The Beatles

Many people can connect with the Beatles; it’s hard to find someone who isn’t a Beatles fan. I’m putting this down to the number of genres that they crossed into; Mersey Beat, ballad, psychedelic, rock… the list is endless. Album sales reaching record amounts, the hundreds of world records that these four share is astounding, and it all happened to four young lads from Liverpool. John Lennon was a troubled teen that had a poet buried deep inside of him that was just waiting to get out. Everyone thinks of the Beatles as four happy chaps but if you listen to songs such as ‘Julia’, ‘Help’ and ‘Norwegian Wood’ it’s clear that this was a troubled genius that was crying out, in his poetry, for love and attention. And it was Lennon who brought Paul McCartney into the group. Paul is the charismatic brown-eyed boy who had all the girls weak at the knees with one smile. A better guitarist than a bassist, but his song writing outshone his other abilities. It’s easy to see why Paul had so much to smile about when you listen to how cheeky and uplifting his songs are. Take ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’, ‘When I’m Sixty-four’, and the middle half of ‘A Day in the Life’, for example. It’s easy to see in the latter where he and John differed in writing styles during their later years. From Paul, The Beatles gained George Harrison: an excellent guitarist with a shy nature. It was a long time until George had a well deserved number one with ‘Here Comes The Sun’ – and for many people it’s a favourite. I love listening to isolated guitar tracks from the many works of The Beatles because of how blown away I get by George Harrison’s talent as a guitarist. Harrison never fails to surprise me — there’s always something new that I have never noticed before in his work. The replacement of Pete Best caused a stir throughout the early Beatles fans, but when Ringo sat down behind that famous Ludwig drum kit, hearing the chants of “Pete Best forever, Ringo never” almost every night, his cheeky smile warmed their hearts and Ringo became as much a part of the Beatles as John, Paul or George was. A warm hearted drummer that lives without the recognition he deserves from fans all over the world. Without his steady drum beat, songs that we love so much would have never sounded the same. Ringo was a simple drummer, although he was never allowed freedom to do what he wanted. Despite this, it both John Bonham and Keith Moon would have been out of place in The Beatles.

I can’t think of a Beatles song nor album that I don’t like. The first time I listened to them changed my life. It was at that point I decided that I wanted to have a career in music and for many years that has stayed consistent, and I thank The Beatles for most of the amazing things that have ever happened to me.

Daniel Clark

If there were ever a more appropriate song title for an EP called British Summertime than “19 Degrees”, I’ll eat my hat. The song is a superbly written indulgence in nostalgia, and its power lies in its simplicity. It captures beautifully the feeling of an August evening, five beers in, after the barbeque’s finished, but the sun’s not quite gone down. This is the strongest track on the EP, in my opinion, by far.

Which is not to say that Sunshine Eyes is weak. The song describes a summer romance, and it does it well. The female vocals on this track turn it from a pleasant listening experience to a superb track in its own right. Clark and Ladd sing together beautifully in perfect harmony, and it’s a superb end to an excellent record.

The only disappointment about this EP was that it was finished after 11 minutes.

The EP is available on bandcamp for however much you think it’s worth.

Adam Yauch, thanks to Fabio Venni

Fei Comodo have decided to call it a day after nine years of making music. The 1st August will be their last live show together.

New music will be forthcoming from Slipknot, who are going back into the studio in 2013 to record a new album.

It has emerged recently that despite protestations to the contrary, Courtney Love has not owned the rights to Kurt Cobain’s likeness since 2009, Frances Bean Cobain does, along with his compositions.

The Prodigy’s new album will be called, tentatively, How To Steal A Jet Fighter. It is currently under production.

Gallows next record will be released on their own label, called Venn Records, which they have set up with the help of PIAS. It is believed that the album is nearly finished.

Another group whose record is nearly finished is NOFX, whose most recent effort is now completely recorded, and is being mastered right now.

On the 28th May, Millencolin will release a follow up to their Melancholy Collection, entitled The Melancholy Connection. It’ll include two new songs and twelve rarities from the Pennybridge Pioneers sessions.

One Nine Nine Four, the documentary about the early days of punk rock, has leaked on the internet, and the director has spoken about his thoughts on the leak. Follow this link to find out what he said.

Johnny Marr has nixed rumours saying that The Smiths might be reforming. He didn’t beat about the bush, his words were: “The rumour of the Smiths reunion is untrue. It’s not happening”.

Free Music
Somebody That I Used To Know, by Coheed & Cambria
Rize Of The Fenix, by Tenacious D
Remember This, by Artist Vs. Poet
All or Nothing, by Pennywise
Bury My Bones, by Pure Love
Neck of the Woods, by Silversun Pickups

Dave Grohl, by Paul Flynn

The late 1980’s, early 1990’s, was a major era in the transformation of music, we all know that. But why? Although Nirvana weren’t completely original and not the first to do what they did, people listened. They, above anyone else, had the ability to shock an audience. This is what Kurt did, it was what he was born to do, and still, today, the further we get from Kurt’s death, the more bands we can find like Nirvana.

Nirvana didn’t see themselves as anything special, anything to be worshipped. They played music because it was something they liked to do. Nirvana’s success was, as former-drummer Dave Grohl said “something that could’ve happened to anyone”. Nirvana did a lot of phenomenal things in their time, like recording Sub Pop’s most successful album yet, Bleach. Bleach was recorded in 1989 and ended up selling more than 1.7 million copies. We might think nothing makes a bigger impact than an album that sells over 1.7 million copies, but we’re wrong. Nirvana only got bigger and better. Recording their second album, Nevermind, was really what did it for Nirvana. “Nevermind really changed the face if the music industry”, as producer of the album, Butch Vig described it, “it wiped away all the hair bands, all the pop bands — it did away with all that kind of music”. I suppose this album became the album to fulfil Kurt’s promise; to “debase modern music”.

January 11^th 1992 was the day that changed everything, brought Nirvana to bigger things. Nevermind became no.1 album in America, beating pop’s biggest name, Michael Jackson. For a young group of rock stars from Seattle to make it to no.1, above Michael Jackson, was an amazing achievement. Nirvana grew bigger and better, and it was when Dave Grohl joined the band that they transformed into rock monsters of the world. Grohl brought a specific style with him that allowed Nirvana, as a band, to produce something greater and more unique.

After the tragic end to Nirvana and their music, the remaining members continued on to do their own things, Dave Grohl being the most successful. Any rockstar who says they don’t look up to Nirvana, or they don’t take inspiration from the way they impacted on the world, is lying! Nirvana, and Kurt himself, have left on imprint on so many rockstars to this day.

“He left such an imprint on me and now I play music for a living. If it wasn’t for Nirvana and that scene, I wouldn’t be doing this”
- Ben Kowalewicz

“For me, Nirvana changed the way music was made. They took the bar and broke it in half, and they gave us all permission to express ourselves based on our guts”
- Jared Leto

The impact that Nirvana has left on music stars, to this day, will never be forgotten. The amazing thing about Nirvana is that they don’t need to be making music to be influencing people, they’re just there, with everyone, all of the time.

Pussy Riot, thanks to Igor Mukhin

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Greg Ham, of Men At Work, who has sadly passed away.

Members of Pussy Riot, a Russian punk collective, are being denied bail, and are in prison following their arrest during anti-Putin protests last month. All three women face three to seven years in jail, and have denied any involvement in the protests.

In other sad news, Levon Helm, of The Band fame, has also passed away. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends as well.

Pusher Jones, a new collaboration between Frankie Perez, Scott Shriner, and Joey Castillo, is an animated band with the director of The Simpsons on board. The band are contributing a track to the Avengers soundtrack.

Frank Turner has announced a UK tour, after headlining at Wembley. The tour was announced following the gig, in which Billy Bragg played support to 12,000 fans. The tour will have 18 dates.

Mic Todd, Coheed & Cambria’s former bassist, has been diagnosed with testicular cancer. After the incident last summer, Mic has a lot on his plate, and we wish him a swift recovery.

Millencolin will be celebrating their twentieth birthday with an album, The Melancholy Connection. Epitaph will release the compilation, featuring two new tracks and twelve rarities from the Pennybridge Pioneers sessions.

Deftones have begun work on a new album, their second without Chi Cheng. Chi is not yet fully conscious, although his condition has improved over the past few months.

Work on the new Gallows album has begun, their first with Wade MacNeil (formerly of Alexisonfire). It will be a follow up to their EP Death is Birth, on which MacNeil debuted for the group.

Alexisonfire themselves have been the victim of theft, apparently a trailer was stolen, along with the kit inside it. The band are asking anyone who sees gear with Alexisonfire spray-painted onto it to get in touch with them.

Courtney Love has been causing problems on twitter again, claiming that Dave Grohl tried it on with Frances Bean Cobain. Frances has denied it, saying that her mother should be banned from twitter.

New Releases
True Romance, by Motion City Soundtrack
The Power Within, by DragonForce
Ekki Múkk, by Sigur Rós
Generation Freakshow, by Feeder
Semilla Caminante, by LoCura
Older Than My Old Man Now, by Loudon Wainwright III

The Who, thanks to Jean-Luc

Let’s start off by talking about the music, and to get down to the core of that, we have to speak about Pete Townshend – the master of concept albums and crazy ideas. It never takes anyone long to become a Who fan, nor does it take long to turn someone into a Who fan, it usually just takes listening to Baba O’ Riley – a fantastic anthem composed by the very man himself. In their early mod days it was obvious that Townshend was going to go on to be a fantastic writer and a key part of British rock and roll history, listening to those opening chords to ‘Substitute’ it’s hard to not raise a smile and know that your ears are in the hands of a genius. I’ve not even mentioned the fact that Townshend managed to sum up a whole generation in the lyrics of ‘My Generation’ and also again in ‘Substitute’ , claiming “I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth”.

The man to give these songs a voice was none other than Roger Daltrey. His voice changed dramatically over the years and during the recording of Tommy it was almost as if a switch clicked and for the first time his musicianship matched that of the others in the group. His voice is like a lion’s roar as he tears through those classic Who songs that we all know and love. It’s a huge difference to their mod era where he sounded so young and naïve – but that’s what made them great. Hearing him sing them now it’s not quite the same, though he can still pull off the chorus.

Next, John Entwistle, or the Ox, as he is also known. From the very moment the Who began recording he was on the top of his game, and never did he slip at all. The way his fingers cross the fret board is like lightening, and I’ve never heard him miss a note yet. Entwistle often surprises me with his music skills — it’s not often one looks to the bass player as perhaps the strongest musician in a band but with Entwistle it is no surprise that he is the driving force behind the Who.

Last, but far from least, Moonie, Moon the loon or just simply Keith, Keith Moon. Turning into a maniac as soon as he sits behind his drum kit, he unleashes all of the anger and frustration he holds inside of him to create cascades of drum fills, aiming his sticks to wherever they land and creates immense pleasure for anyone who listens. The drums are usually the most inconspicuous instrument during a song but as you listen to the Who it’s not unusual that all your attention is focused on the drumming. It’s almost like an ear magnet – like a secret power that only Keith Moon knows the secret to, it’s rather exciting.

Of all the bands I listen to I will always take an unreal amount of pleasure of listening to the Who, no matter how many times I’ve listened to each of their songs I’m constantly getting surprised by the music, and the stories behind it. Long live the Who!

OneState — Migratory Patterns

OneState have been making a few ripples in the big pond that is UK punk of late, supporting Sonic Boom Six and Random Hand, being compared to Propagandhi, and picking up favourable reviews from all over the internet. And I can understand why.

Their debut EP, Migratory Patterns, is a very powerful punk record. There’s a lot of energy in the three tracks that the band have put together, but enough quiet time to make it comfortable to listen to — it isn’t quite a complete assault on the ears. The guitars work well together and the drums are accomplished, and the closing two minutes of the EP are superb, and leave you disappointed that they signal the end of the record.

The EP has a few flaws, however, one of which being an inconsistency in production. Scar Song and Back To Your Class, the second two tracks on the record have a much more accomplished sound while Latin Square, however, sounds almost like a demo — the quality of the production is poor. The vocals are distorted across the record, which makes it seem like a stylistic choice, and it’s not one that I feel works particularly well, especially on the last track, Back To Your Class, which has an altogether more relaxed feel to it, particularly in the middle before building back up again towards the end.

Despite this, the EP is hopefully an omen of things to come — the Bristol fourpiece have put together a strong record that has already begun to open doors for them. An investment in recording and production, and their debut album will be one to watch out for.

KLOGR

KLOGR are an Italian outfit that refer to themselves as sitting “on the thin line between alternative rock and alternative metal”.

The first track on the record, “Live Dying” blows this out of the water — Till You Decay is very definitely a metal album. It’s not particularly heavy metal, but it’s metal nonetheless. Within ten seconds, the distorted, tuned-down guitars begin to sync up with fast, bass-heavy drumming, and the obligatory harmonic hit at the end of each bar that has gone far beyond a cliché. And yet, Gabriele Rustichelli’s voice is enough to stop me dismissing the album all together.

Rustichelli, as front man, has had a lot of control over the direction of the group artistically, but also, as the album was recorded and produced at his ZetaFactory studios, he has also been able to impose himself on the group’s sound through the production. To his credit, the album is superbly produced; every instrument sounds clear and powerful, but without being overpowering.

As the album plays through, one song fades into another, with relatively little to distinguish between them. For all of the plus points of this record, originality is not one of them. Chord progressions and drum beats are re-used, and even the shine of Rustichelli’s intriguing voice begins to fade. The record is neither original in terms of style, nor in terms of variety. There is nothing particularly wrong with that — there is relatively little that is completely new under the sun, but after listening, I did wonder what it added to what already exists.

Till You Decay is a competent, solid, listenable metal album, and does a perfectly good job of ticking the boxes. If you enjoy Killswitch Engage, Trivium, Bullet For My Valentine, and so on, then KLOGR will go nicely into your music collection. If you’re not a metal fan, then probably one to miss.

Jim Marshall, thanks to Penmachine

Joshua Radin has begun mixing his new album today, according to his twitter.

Yellowcard have finished their next album, less than a year after their last. The band got back together in 2010 after a hiatus, and seem to be churning out the records at breakneck speed. The record should be coming out later this year on Hopeless.

Jim Marshall, of Marshall amp fame has unfortunately passed away. Our thoughts are with his family.

Punk Rock Pravda are running an interview with the guy that was the catalyst for the Boston-wide moshing ban. You can read it in full here. The gist of it is though that he doesn’t agree with the ban.

The King Blues have decided that they are going to call it a day. Their last album will be coming out in July, called Long Live The Struggle.

The Gaslight Anthem have finished mastering their new album, and it has been sent off to Mercury. They are hoping for a release this summer.

Another group to have finished recording their new album is The Offspring, according to a post on their Facebook page.

Pennywise have had to cancel a few shows thanks to Fletcher Dragge being hospitalised “due to illness”.

Reel Big Fish have started recording their new album, and they’re hoping to turn it round before the summer. You can read our interview with them from a couple of months back here.

New Releases

The Episodes, by Taproot
No One Does It Better, by You Me At Six
Plans Within Plans, by MxPx
Nation Of Wusses, by Infected Mushroom
Day Job, by Suburban Legends
Weapons, by lostprophets

Tegan & Sara, thanks to Dustin Rabin Photography

Tegan & Sara are back in the studio recording their seventh album, which will be their first in three years. They’re hoping it’ll be completed by June, and released this year.

Gogol Bordello will be on tour from the end of this month until the end of July. They are taking in three continents and will be accompanying Primus on at least some of the dates.

According to their website, it seems that Killswitch Engage are recording a new album.

A lawsuit against Paramore, alleging that their song “The Only Exception” was plagiarised, has been dropped.

Owl City’s new album will be released in August, and apparently is heavily influenced by European trance. Interesting.

Neil Young and Crazy Horse will be releasing an album of traditional folk songs on June 5th, called Americana.

Marilyn Manson’s new album has an unusual surprise guest, one Johnny Depp. Depp plays drums and lead guitar on a cover of You’re So Vain.

Allister are at work recording a new album, according to Tim Rogner’s blog.

Flogging Molly recently played a concert in Boston, which has lead to the state declaring that they will be cracking down on “aggressive dancing” (ie: moshing). The club where they played was issued a fine for not acting to prevent injuries, although none were reported anyway.

Matchbox 20 have finished writing their new record, according to Rob Thomas’s twitter.

John Mayer is dealing with a recurrent vocal cord granuloma which has resulted in him declaring an indefinite break from live performances. Long story short, with plenty of rest, his condition should improve — without the rest, he may do irreparable harm to his voice.

Frank Turner has set a tentative release date of January 2012 for his follow-up to England, Keep My Bones, and the record will be released on Xtra Mile Recordings.

Pennywise will release their new album, All or Nothing, their first with Zoli Teglas as vocalist, on the first of May.

Yellowcard have also begun recording a new album, according to a number of twitter sources.

What are all of these links? Where has the “Free Music” section gone?
These links will connect you to Spotify so that you can listen to the artists, albums, and tracks we mention. It seemed a little nonsensical to have a “Free Music” section when all of the music that is linked to here is free, so from now on, the “Free Music” section will become a “New Releases” section, highlighting the newest releases that we’re most excited about (or interested in).

New Releases
Noctourniquet, by The Mars Volta
Anarchy, My Dear, by Say Anything
Guilty Pleasurez, by Brokencyde
Of Peace, Quiet and Monsters, by Dan Andriano in the Emergency Room
No Surrender, by Taproot