Thursday 2 October 2008

NEWS: Reckoner Gets Animated

The indisputable highlight of Radiohead’s In Rainbows has finally been given the visual treatment.

The video for ‘Reckoner’, the latest single to be lifted from the Oxford’s algorithm Kings seventh studio album, was created by competition winner Clement Picon from France.

A budding Spike Jonze, Picon was selected from the four winners who entered the In Rainbows Animated Video Contest. The winner was picked by the members of the band themselves.

In an unexpected turn of events following the band’s rejection of music industry traditions and traits and self-release of the LP, the much anticipated video appeared first on MySpace Music.

In addition the site will also feature the three runners-up in the coming weeks.

This just goes to emphasise that fact that no-one really knows where and wehn Rdaiohead are going to pop up again with more new and exciting material and content.

Fortunately though the band have also posted it on their official website.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: photobucket

Thursday 25 September 2008

NEWS: Cocker Preaches In The City

Music-conference-slash-festival In The City has today announced one of their most exciting guest speakers for this year’s music conference.

Former Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker is to appear at the international music convention founded by Tony Wilson, which takes place in Manchester over October 5th, 6th and 7th.

Cocker will take to the lectern on the final day of the event. His lecture will discuss the function of lyrics in modern popular music.

Entitled ‘Saying the Unsayable’, ASAD is told it will be a completely biased and subjective exploration of a selection of Jarvis’ favourite songs on top of a dissection of some of his own lyrics.

He's likely to talk about Leonard Cohen, Pete Doherty, Hot Chocolate, Amy Winehouse, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Neil Sedaka, Dory Previn, Katerine, Rozalla, Arctic Monkeys plus many more he hasn’t thought of yet. There will also be an in-depth analysis of ‘Louie, Louie’.

Other keynote speakers already confirmed include former Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham, UK Culture Secretary Andy Burnham MP and some guy called Sean Adams from some site called Drowned in Sound. Other guest speakers and panelists will be announced over the next few days.

More details are available from In The City’s official website.

This news story can be found on Drowned in Sound with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: Google

Tuesday 23 September 2008

NEWS: The Futureheads Bootleg Their Own Work

Sunderland’s finest four-piece, The Futureheads, top off a fantastic major-label-free twelve months with a full UK tour.

Not only are they touring, but in a Pearl Jam fashion, the Futureheads are releasing a number of live shows which fans will be able to buy as digital and actual CD albums from The Futureheads’ online store. The first of which, recorded at 2004 Quart Festival in Norway, is already available from this very link.

The tour dates are as follows:

November
29th London Astoria
30th Whitehaven Civic Hall

December
2nd Glasgow ABC 2
3rd Glasgow ABC 2
5th Cardiff Point
7th Norwich Waterfront
12th Sheffield Academy (Pet Sounds)
19th Gateshead Sage
20th York Duchess

Tickets are on sale now.

This news story can be found on Drowned in Sound with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: Google

Thursday 18 September 2008

NEWS: Foo Fighters to take ten year hiatus from UK

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl today sugggested that that the band may not be returning to UK shores for ten years.

His dramatic statement comes after the band played two stonking summer shows at Wembley Stadium.

Unfortunately, this means Grohl and the boys may well be on their way to grandfatherhood before we see them grace a UK stage again.

Speaking to BBC 6 Music Grohl said: “After doing Wembley, we shouldn't come back there for, like, 10 years. We're over there every year, every summer, and I think it's time to take a break and come back when people really miss us.”

Elaborating further he went onto say: "It's a funny place being in the band now because we've been a band for about 14 years," Grohl said. "We've gone from playing the Astoria, to playing Earls Court to playing Wembley. That wasn't really the goal but hey, we'll take it."

"We've never really taken a long break," he said. "I think it's time.”

The band have crossed the pond no less than three times in the last three years and were joined by Led Zeppelin on their last night at Wembley.

Here’s hoping they can still rock like Page and Plant in ten years times...

This news story can be found on Drowned in Sound with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: Google

NEWS: Watch: Björk & Antony 'Dull Flame Of Desire'

The video for Björk’s next single, 'Dull Flame Of Desire' is now online

Taken from Volta (reviewed) and out on the 22th September the song is a collaboration with Antony & The Johnsons front man Antony Hegarty.

As with everything associated with Iceland’s pop pixie, the video is pretty conceptual.

Three amateur directors were picked from hundreds of competition entrants and given the responsibility of producing a video worthy of the Björk’s prestigious music video library.

The two singers performed against green screen in New York then each director was sent the raw footage to edit and create their piece. The directors were each given their own section of the film to develop how they saw fit. The three parts were then edited together here in the UK to create the final piece.

Watch the video right here, right now:

This news story can be found on Drowned in Sound with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: hejhejmusic.com

NEWS: Doherty & Barat Impromptu Reunion

Former Libertines band mates and likely lads Pete Doherty and Carl Barat joined forces once again last night when they performed an impromptu set in London town.

The surprise performance took place at the Prince of Wales pub in Camden where Doherty was playing his own material for an MTV documentary before a gaggle of fans.

When Barat strolled out on stage though the congregation couldn’t believe their luck.

The cockney couple performed classics from their days as leaders of The Libertines, including 'Don’t Look Back Into The Sun' which transformed into a rendition of Oasis’ 'Don’t Look Back In Anger'.



This news story can be found on Drowned in Sound with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: blogs.guardian.co.uk

NEWS: The Rapture Mix Tapes

New York post-punk partiers The Rapture are releasing a compilation LP of inspiring tracks gummed together with their own finest DJ glue.

Released on October 20th Tapes is the latest in the DJ Kicks series which has seen contributions from Hot Chip and Four Tet in the past, delivering their own brand of mixtape mastery.

According to the press release:

Tapes is a treasure trove of rare grooves and cult classics spanning three decades, from the late 1970s to 2008. One key thread running through the mix is the evergreen sound of the New York underground, epitomised by classic tunes like Vaughan Mason & Crew’s 1980 disco-rap milestone ‘Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll’ and the irresistible beat-pop ditty ‘I’m An Indian Too’, recorded in 1979 by East Harlem’s Don Armando and his Second Avenue Rumba Band. NYC’s latest clubland stars also make their mark, from neo-disco supergroup Arcade Lover to hip-hop DJ Frog’s dazzling robo-funk alter ego, Dances With White Girls.

There’s also a selection of European-grown talent crammed into the tracklist too but the overriding influence is clearly 80s disco and hip-hop.

Of course a heavily influenced back catalogue like The Rapture’s is expected to be as eclectic as Winehouse’s taste in illegal substances so it’s only natural to expect a few unfamiliar names alongside golden roller-disco oldies.

The proof is in the pudding as they say so have a gander below for the full tracklisting:

Tracklist:

1. The Undisputed Truth - “Earthquake Shake”

2. Ghostface Killah - “Daytona 500”

3. Junkyard Band - “The Word”

4. The Bar-Kays - “Holy Ghost”

5. Vaughan Mason & Crew - “Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll”

6. Northend - “Tee´s Happy”

7. Don Armando´s Second Avenue Rumba Band - “I´m An Indian Too”

8. Martin Circus - “Disco Circus”

9. Arcade Lover - “Fantasy Lines”

10. Thomas Bangalter - “Club Soda”

11. Kiloo & Phonique - “The Passion (Phonique Mix Down)”

12. Armand Van Helden - “Flowerz”

13. Cajmere feat. Dajae - “Say U Will”

14. Syclops - “Where´s Jason´s K”

15. DJ Mujava - “Township Funk”

16. Donk Boys - “Cpstyre”

17. Dances With White Girls - “Everybody´s Got To Make A Living”

18. Alter Ego - “Why Not?!”

19. Paul Johnson - “Get Get Down (Extended Mix)”

20. Kid Crème - “Austin´s Groove”

21. Richie Havens - “Going Back To My Roots”

22. Galaxy 2 Galaxy - “Afro Arps And Minimoogs (S2)”

For more information visit these websites:

www.therapture-tapes.com

www.myspace.com/therapture

This news story can be found on Drowned in Sound with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: Press Pack Shot

Thursday 11 September 2008

FEATURE: How great is the BBC?

This feature was posted on Drowned in Sound:

DiS was surprised and excited to hear news that the BBC are working on a project to make all their glorious audio and video music content available to download.

The download service being developed by BBC Worldwide will offer streamed and paid download material from it's vast music archives.

This is a very exciting prospect. All the Peel sessions, Led Zeppelin's performance on the Old Grey Whistle Test, grunge hammered out on Top Of The Pops direct to your computer's video library.

With potential to be bigger than the iPlayer, DiS is naturally gagging with excitement. Details of the launch date have not yet been made available but that's not gonna stop us celebrating the news of this new music download service.

So in anticipation we thought we'd raid the YouTube archives and bring you some BBC music highlights that have inspired, awe struck and left DiS generally motived to keep pushing the good musical word.

Have a look below and see what you think of our selection. If you have any better ideas post them below and we'll soon let you know if you're right or wrong.

1. At The Drive 'One Armed Scissor' (Jools Holland 2000)

No-one was expecting At The Drive-In (pictured above) to incorporate a piece of seating furniture so creatively into the performance. This one track set was ground-breaking and sent jazz-grunge shockwaves far beyond television centre. Watching it back again it hasn't lost any of it's aggression and appeal.

2. Blur 'Universal' (Glastonbury 1998)

One of many Glastonbury performances you could pick from the Beeb's extensive annual coverage of the festival. The song's explicit optimism struck a cord with everyone in the audience both in the field and the armchair. This track especially seems to marry the message of every Glasto undeniably well.

3. Nirvana 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' (Top Of The Pops 1991)

Probably one of the funniest clips you'll see in the list. Kurt can already be seen giving fame the cold shoulder here as he refuses to tow the TOTP party live and perform conservatively. He deliberately puts on a Morrissey-esque low voice to either poke fun or entertain. Either way his efforts to fail failed as The Observer newspaper listed the performance as the third greatest in the programme's history. Amazing!

4. David Bowie 'Fame' (Bowie at the Beeb 2000)

The thin white Duke returned to his old stomping ground just days after his incomparable headlining set at Glastonbury 2000. The exclusively recorded intimate gig would be the blueprint for other, more contemporary performances from The Streets and Coldplay's outdoor show at Television Centre (youtube). This was easily the best time to see the most influential man in rock do a unbelievable greatest hits set.

5. The Maccabees 'First Love' & 'Latchmere' (BBC Collective 2007)

Bringing us bang up-to-date and coincidentally with a bunch of lads much loved by DiS are The Maccabees. The band performed in 2007 as part of the BBC Collective Sessions, a culture magazine that was available on the website (bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/). Unfortunately closed now but that doesn't mean we still cannot adore the amazing sound and visual quality of the magazines extensive archives. This is what live music should sound like.

This news story can be found on Drowned in Sound with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: Google

Videos: YouTube

Wednesday 10 September 2008

NEWS: To The Bones Release Album, Single & Video DIY-Style

DIY music may have had a massive boost from Radiohead this year but it's still alive and well at grassroots level.

Black leather clad Bolton rockers To The Bones (pictured above) release their debut album Duke Type A on 29 September although that's not the story. On the same day they'll release the single 'Rex' through Medici Records.

The label had a very humble birth not long ago when Conor McGloin, the head of the imprint and formerly of Kinesis fame, decided to use the rest of his student loan to fund the band's forthcoming releases, tour and video. And with some success to.

To The Bones are about to embark on an 11 date tour in and around the releases and the video to 'Rex' looks as professional as anything Coldplay could throw at you.

Filmed during a house party, it cost nothing to make hiring only one cameraman, four lights and got every drunk for atmosphere.

They must be doing something very right for their high octane riot rock, endorsed by Manics and Idlewild producer Dave Eringa, has been deemed fit for a showcase slot at Manchester's music industry do In The City at the beginning of October.

You can watch 'Rex' below but the list of tour dates are as follows:

  • 10th September - London Notting Hill Arts Centre
  • 19th September - Grimsby The Matrix Club
  • 3rd October - Bolton Kico Club
  • 7th October - Manchester Cellar Vie (In The City Showcase)
  • 9th October - Basingstoke Light Lounge
  • 10th October - Oxford The Wheatsheaf
  • 11th October - Chelmsford Barhouse
  • 16th October - London The Metro
  • 17th October - Brighton The Freebutt (w/ Killa Kenada/The Horse)
  • 24th October - Derby The Venue
  • 31st October - Salisbury The Barn

This news story can be found on Drowned in Sound with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: BBC

NEWS: The Stills hit UK with new album & tour

Glorious Canadian pop rockers The Stills have announced a handful of UK live dates for November this year.

The tour will coincide with the UK release of the quintet's third LP Oceans Will Rise. In shops on 20 October through Arts & Crafts the statement from The Stills' press people insist the 'new album showcases a reinvigorated band armed with a razor-sharp sense of melody and a wholly rejuvenated sense of itself.' DiS agrees.

Only a couple of months ago the band found themselves opening for Paul McCartney at the Quebec City 400th Anniversary concert in front of quarter of a million people so this mini-tour is sure to bring them back down to Earth.

The dates for The Stills November UK tour are as follows:

  • 25th November - London Cargo
  • 26th November - Manchester Night & Day
  • 27th November - Glasgow Stereo
  • 28th November - London Koko Club NME

This news story can be found on Drowned in Sound with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: BBC


NEWS: Elbow React To Mercury Victory

Every media outlet, not just music publication, has been reporting on Elbow's triumph last night in the race to become the Mercury Music Prize winners last night during a swanky ceremony in London town.

Going somewhat against the grain of previous winners, Elbow's victory is already proving extremely popular across both critical and fan-o-spheres.

After being handed the award for 'Album Of The Year' Elbow frontman Guy Garvey (pictured above) said, "This is quite literally the best thing that has ever happened to us."

"It feels great, very unexpected. I suppose you could look at it in the same way that certain Bedouin tribes look at a bowl of milk. It's something that doesn't occur very often, and it's so much sweeter for it."

Despite the mickey taking, Garvey is said to be genuinely grateful and quite taken a back by the band's achievement.

"Having said that, it's been a long time that we've been doing it and this is a cause for celebration. I'm just so very proud that we've been working together this long - to this end. We really wanted this"

'The Seldom Seen Kid', the band's fourth album was quoted by the Chair of Judges, Simon Frith, as "an album of epic songs, rooted in their locality, a switchback of emotions rooted in the everyday, the sound of musical ambition perfectly realised. Elbow’s album is triumphant, heartbreaking, unerringly melodic and life-affirming.”

Highlights from the evening's events will be broadcast by BBC Two on Friday 12 September. The programme will feature the live performances on the night from nominees The Last Shadow Puppets, Adele, British Sea Power, Neon Neon, Laura Marling and winners Elbow.

To watch Elbow perform on the night cast your eyes beneath:

This news story can be found on Drowned in Sound with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: BBC


Tuesday 9 September 2008

NEWS: Britney Rules While Brand Appals At The MTV VMA 2008

Cast to the background of the Spears/Brand/promise ring hype that lavished the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night was the small victory for Britain’s The Tings Tings.

The terrifically tuneful twosome from Manchester pipped Coldplay and Cowell-backed behemoth Leona Lewis to take home the ‘moon man’ for Best UK Video.

Jules De Martino and Katie White were also nominated against Duffy and Estelle but won the award for their single 'Shut Up And Let Me Go' (a video that looks a lot like ‘Seven Nation Army’ to the author).

They’re minute contribution to the evening’s lip-syncing success was cast into the shadows by Britney Spears as she took her first baby steps back into the limelight after the world last saw her being bundled into an ambulance and her children ripped from her then ample bosom.

Other moments of interest came when Russell Brand, the evening’s host, decided to take the opportunity to call on America to elect Barak Obama President and then rip the piddle out of promise rings and the virgins who decide to their lilywhite innocence on their sleeve.

Wet, Christian, homeschoolers The Jonas Brothers, who performed on the night, are proud wearers of promise rings (made infamous by the organisation The Silver Ring Thing) and appeared to take grave offense when Brand sordidly declared he was looking to collect all three pieces of jewelry from the three before the night was through.

On learning the error of his ways the camp cockney duke of homoeroticism apologised and carried on with the show, a spectacle and preceding line of gags a lot funnier than Jamie Foxx’s Busta Rhymes impression.

The rings indicate to the outside world that the owners are against pre-martial sex and have been the subject of much controversy in the US, not least for cashing in on the middle American belief system (this link is a parody of the extremist Christian religion, Westboro Baptist Church).

Britney took away three gongs (Best Pop Video, Best Female Video and Best Video) for 'Piece Of Me' and thanked "God first and foremost for just blessing me like this".

She must be oblivious to the fact that the world has seen her go from pop princess to drug addled divorcee in a matter of months. Not exactly a blessing some might say.

Have a look at Russell Brand's hilarious 'digging-himself-outta-the-hole-he-just-dug' post-show interview below:



Words: Dean Samways

Image: Mirror.co.uk

Tuesday 19 August 2008

NEWS: When Two Tribes... Play Acid Folk?

An innovative approach to touring is coming to the UK this September courtesy of leftfield promoters No-Fi and [No.Signal]. They're to unite some of underground music’s most eclectic artists from the US and Finland on stage.

Each of the nights on the eight date tour, dubbed concisely as ‘Approximately Infinite Universe – A Caravan of Raw Sound Magic From Finland and the US’, will be a unique performance of a never-before-seen collaboration.

The shows will see each of the Finnish acts inviting an American counterpart onto the stage to perform a piece composed in the months leading up to the tour, and after only two days of rehearsal.

The Finnish artists taking part in this wandering jam session are Islaja, Kemialliset Ystävät, Es and Tomuntonttu. They are joined from across the pond by Fursaxa (pictured), Samara Lubelski, Axolotl, Blevin Blectum and Skaters.

In a statement, No-Fi and [No.Signal] had this to say about the vision behind the tour:

“In conjunction with the artists themselves – [we] designed this approach as a way of taking the aforementioned trans-Atlantic influence exchange, trapping it in a vacuum and making it feedback on itself in order create a whole family of brand new musical beasts.”

Selected dates on the tour will feature screenings of specially commissioned work before the live performances.

Each concert will include two acts with the four groupings rotating during each date.

The concerts will also be recorded and released as digital-only compilations.

The dates of the tour are as follows:

  • 19th September – Glasgow, CCA
  • 20th September - Aberdeen, Lemon Tree
  • 21st September – Sheffield, Bar Abbey
  • 23rd September – Birmingham, Hare & Hounds
  • 24th September – Newcastle, Gateshead Sage
  • 25th September – Manchester, Contact Theatre
  • 26th September – Bristol, The Cube
  • 27th September – London, ICA

All tickets are available via TicketWeb, WeGotTickets, Venues' direct website, various national record shops. More info via the main website: http://no-signal.net/aiu

Have a look below for some exclusive footage of Islaja playing an exclusive instore show for Rough Trade:

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

Friday 15 August 2008

NEWS: AC/DC Doppelgangers To Invade Reading

‘Back To Skool’ styled rockers AC/DC have announced an exciting competition for all fans attending the Reading Festival later this month.

The festival will play host to two massive billboards advertising the Melbourne band’s new album, but , more specifically, one will have these words:

"Come to the AC/DC billboards dressed like Angus, let a friend take a picture of you in front of the 60x40 and upload it to www.acdcrocks.com/uk the best "Angus" wins a 2 person-trip to an AC/DC rehearsal in the USA."

So, does exactly what it says on the tin then?

The prize is a trip to the States where the winner will see the band perform an intimate, competition winners only gig before they start a full US tour proper.

When you’re next in Asda then, head for George, get yourself a blazer, a pair of shorts, cap and a satchel (all for a shilling) and get practising your best rock gurn and Angus devil horns.

For inspiration have a look at the classic 'Highway To Hell' video below:

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

NEWS: The Prodigy Return To Jilt The Nation

Comeback kings of the concrete jungle, The Prodigy have announced their biggest UK tour in three years.

After a series of festival shows this summer the band are spending December taking in Carling Academy venues up and down the country on what is being called ‘The Invaders Academy Tour’.

The dates of the shows are as follows:

  • 7th December - Carling Academy, Liverpool
  • 8th December - Carling Academy, Glasgow
  • 9th December - Carling Academy, Birmingham
  • 11th December - Carling Academy, Sheffield
  • 12th December - Carling Academy, London Brixton
  • 13th December - Carling Academy, London Brixton

Tickets will go on general sale on Thursday 21st August with prices between £27.50 and £30. For the die hard fans, website members will be able to bag pre-sale tickets 24 hours earlier at www.theprodigy.com.

The greatness of The Prodigy’s greatness direct to your eyes below:

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

Wednesday 13 August 2008

NEWS: Hopper Does A Spector

Inspiration can be taken from anywhere and anything. Here at the Quietus it’s mostly pulled out of alcoholic pools of thought at our local. For a while now Hollywood has turned to the music industry and its cult figures for a spark of artistic stimulation.

Not so long ago Johnny Depp took on the guise of an inebriated Keith Richards in those pirate films before Heath Ledger slapped on some make-up and did his best Sid Vicious impression, apparently, opposite the big bad bat. Now it has been announced that Dennis Hopper is to imitate legendary music producer Phil Spector.

The star of Apocalypse Now, Easy Rider and, that classic, Speed, is to play a Spector-esque music producer in an episode of the US TV show Crash, a small screen spin-off of the movie of the same name.

Hopper said his character is “totally out of his mind.”

“It's really amazing because we don't have any restrictions, like language problems or sexual problems; we can do anything we want and we're really out there."

Spector, the producer of The Ramones and the controversial Leonard Cohen album Death Of A Ladies' Man, has certainly led a life of excess and Hopper's character looks set to be as self-destructive.

“In my episode we had an orgy. I'm doing drugs all the time. I'm smoking grass. I'm having orgies. Hey it's music, it's rock 'n' roll baby. It's gonna be an eye opener.”

As of yet it’s not known when the episode starring Hopper will air in the US but the Quietus is certainly looking for forward to seeing Hopper pull off that mad Spector afro if the make-up department feel like a challenge.

Watch a snippet of Hopper playing a very mad photojournalist in Apocalypse Now below:

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

Monday 11 August 2008

NEWS: Colin Greenwood Plays Bass In Hollywood

Just as Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk denied the employment of Radiohead as score supremos for his new flick Choke, one member of the band has been branching out into Hollywood on his own.

Thick-thumbed Colin Greenwood has contributed to a soundtrack for a new film released this year.

In amongst playing some massive outdoor dates, rewriting the textbook on how to release an album and recording groundbreaking videos the Radiohead bass player has found time to perform on the OST for new independent film Woodpecker.

Teaming up with Lee and Tyler Sargent of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and composer James Lavino, Colin has followed his younger brother into Hollywood after Jonny last year wrote the music for Let There Be Blood.

The film, directed by Alex Karpovsky, has already had screenings at a number of festivals including South By South West, Wisconsin and Maine International film festivals.

An official release date is yet to be announced.

Visit the official Woodpecker film website here.








This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

Friday 25 July 2008

NEWS: Oberst Streams Entire New Album On Official Site

Bright Eyes star Conor Oberst has made his new, self-titled solo album available to all via a stream on his website.

Conor Oberst will be officially released through Wichita Recordings on August 4 but it is already up on his official website as a live stream for those who’re too impatient to wait a week or two.

A single, ‘Souled Out!!!’, will follow on August 25 as a special one-track 7” with a special etching on the B-side by artist Kaite Murphy, creator of the Grace McSorely comics.

ASAD is told the track will also be made available via all the normal digital outlets.

This news story can be found on Drowned in Sound with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: Google

EP REVIEW: One Day As A Lion, One Day As A Lion (Released: Out Now)

The trouble leaving something familiar is forming a new cohesion with the unfamiliar. This almost always take time and often compromise and, however rarely, heartbreak.

The One Day As A Lion partnership between Zack De La Rocha and Jon Theodore (former Mars Volta drummer) has produced familiar substance of little groundbreaking worth. Listening to the self-entitled EP it’s difficult to hear anything new beyond the distinctive vocal chord assault.

Like Audioslave, this could be Rage with new faces conforming to what was already a successful but ageing sound.

The biggest flaw in all the tracks is the oppression upon them, not allowing them to become, to drop into a heavier, faster form. Sure ‘Ocean View’ has a breakdown with some hastier drums but no sooner do you want it to liftoff into a thrashing solo to that stirs moshpits, it finishes.

There’s still some powerful stuff though. ‘Last Letter’ is an anti-religious wake-up call, ‘Wild International’ is the customary anti-war war cry and ‘If You Fear Dying’ is a kick up the arse to all the paranoid victims of this quietly hysterical terrorist era.

Watch Rage Against The Machines 'Killing In The Name Of' below:

More interesting than these long-time Rage romanticised themes is De La Rocha’s vocal experimentation. Blurting what are some impressive melodies for the usually shouty MC his efforts unfortunately end up sounding like Ozzy Osbourne, albeit, early Ozzy.

The thing about familiarity is that sometimes you want it back so badly eventually the change heartbreaks your heart. There’s little compromise here. Potential to turn these songs into anthems is squandered, the sound shows little progression but then despite this refusal to move forward it still sounds as angry as ever, which will do us.

This review can be found on Thrash Hits with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: Google

Wednesday 23 July 2008

NEWS: Slayer To Split

Thrash-metal's forefather Tom Araya has hinted that Slayer may split after they have finished recording a new album.

Araya spoke exclusively to the Quietus’ moshier sibling Thrash Hits declaring there may not be a future for Slayer after the band complete their recording commitments with American Recordings.

In the interview Araya said: “Let's put it this way, this is the final record of our commitment with Rick Rubin. When we first signed a deal with him back in 1986, we never sat down and said, ‘How long do you guys want to keep this together?’

“We signed the deal and we've just been doing records since. Then, by the time we did Seasons In The Abyss, our third record with Rubin, we had a manager (Rick Sales) who did a really good job of renegotiating an entire new deal for ten records.

“We just continued making records with no game plan other than ‘We're gonna do a record and then tour’, ‘We're gonna do another record after the tour’ and so on.”

The end isn’t as close as fans might fear though with plans continuing for what may be the band’s final album.

“We're working on new ideas now just so that people can have a taste of what's coming. Kerry (King) and Jeff (Hanneman) are putting together ideas, so what the end result of this next two and a half months is, I don't know. Once we've put together new material, we can get together and discuss our future plans.

“Seeing a 50 year old man headbanging on stage would make me cringe. If I was watching that, I'd think, ‘Dude, you're a little too old for that, aren't you? You're gonna fall off!’”

A live performance of 'Eyes Of The Insane' by Slayer is available below:

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

NEWS: Rhys Sticks His Oar In Racial Row

In the ongoing ‘racism fued’ between Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke and The Sex Pistols’ John Lydon, Super Furry Animals singer Gruff Rhys (pictured left) has stepped forward and made a statement.

Earlier this week the Bloc Party singer alleged he was the victim of an "unprovoked racial attack" by Lydon and his entourage at a Spanish festival.

As a witness to the incident the Neon Neon collaborator told MTV: “Kele is a very brave man and what he said is exactly what happened. The statements Kele has said are absolutely true. It did happen.”

The Quietus understands that Rhys is yet to make an official statement to police.

Currently touring with his Mercury Award-nominated side project Rhys described the attack as "horrific".

Lydon has denied reports branding Okereke a "liar" and claiming the singer is using the incident to seek "publicity".

Watch Neon Neon's 'I Lust U' below:

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

NEWS: Skinner Hits The Streets

After exciting fans with a little teaser of new material, The Streets have announced a full nationwide tour for October.

The tour is expected to showcase new songs from the forthcoming album Everything Is Borrowed.

The Quietus was among the first to announce a medley of new music taken from the album which was made available on Mike Skinner’s mySpace earlier this month.

Skinner and the gang kick things off in Glasgow on 4th October and finish things up in typically raucous fashion in Leeds in the 19th.

The Streets’ fourth LP is due for release around the same time as the live dates.

The tour will take in the following cities:

  • 4th October - Glasgow Barrowlands
  • 5th October - Manchester Academy
  • 6th October - Sheffield Plug
  • 9th October - Birmingham Academy
  • 10th October - Newcastle Academy
  • 11th October - Oxford Academy
  • 13th October - Southampton Guildhall
  • 14th October - Preston 53 Degrees
  • 15th October - Norwich UEA
  • 17th October - Bristol Academy
  • 18th October - Nottingham Rock City
  • 19th October - Leeds Academy

Or click here to be taken straight to the See Tickets website.

The Streets new video 'Escapist', complete with intercontinental wanderings that would make Ian Botham proud, can be seen below:

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

NEWS: Bittersweet Tensions For Ashcroft

Stringy northern soulster Richard Ashcroft has hinted that there is still tensions within his band despite their seemingly successful reformation.

Friction has reportedly been brewing within The Verve camp as they have been putting together their new album Forth, ten year after their last long player Urban Hymns.

This shouldn’t be taken to heart though, as the singer told BBC 6 Music they’ve never necessarily seen eye-to-eye.

“Obviously there's baggage and things that you've got to sift through," he said. "It's not some Mills & Boon scene running down the beach as the sun sets. But it is the case that these four people make a unique sound together.”

Nick McCabe, the band’s guitarist confirmed that there’s always been an element of conflict within the band but that this only serves the music, man.

“We've had a lot of time to think about things, but hopefully we're older and wiser, and it just seemed to me that I put a huge chunk of my life into this and there is no way that I would turn my back on it if there was ever a chance of it working again,” he told the Beeb.

The Verve returned to the live stage with a headline set at Glastonbury this year. You can find it just beneath this scribble:

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

Tuesday 22 July 2008

NEWS: Sigur Ros Play Biggest Gigs Yet

Cunning linguists Sigur Ros have announced that they are to play their biggest UK shows ever in November.

The Icelandic quartet have only just touched down on earth again after playing to the biggest crowd ever assembled for a Latitude festival headline act on Saturday 19th July.

Now they’re celebrating the success of that show by returning to these shores for five more dates towards the end of 2008.

The venues and dates are as follows:

  • 4th November – Wolvehampton Civic
  • 5th November – Blackpool Empress Ballroom
  • 7th November – Bristol Colston Hall
  • 20th November – London Alexandra Palace
  • 21st November – London Alexandra Palace

The band’s latest album Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly) went into the Top 5 upon release earlier this month.

A special deluxe edition of the album is available to pre-order from the the Sigur Ros website now. It is officially released in September.

Have a look at the much talked video for 'Svefn-g-englar' by clicking below:

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

NEWS: The Mercury: 2008's Most Anticipated List

The nominees of the annual Mercury Music Prize were unveiled at a London shindig earlier this morning.

In the running for the coveted award are Quietus favourites British Sea Power, Elbow, Neon Neon and Radiohead.

Last year’s winners were new rave accidental pioneers The Klaxons (pictured above) with their debut album Myths Of The Near Future.

The winner will be announced during all the pomp and ceremony of a true industry back-slapping bash on September 9th.

The complete shortlist for the 2008 Mercury Music Prize is as follows:

  • Adele - _19_
  • British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
  • Burial - Untrue
  • Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
  • Estelle - Shine
  • Laura Marling - Alas, I Cannot Swim
  • Neon Neon – Stainless Style
  • Portico Quartet - Knee Deep In The North Sea
  • Rachel Unthank & The Winterset - The Bairns
  • Radiohead - In Rainbows
  • Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
  • The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement

Last year's victorious contenders can be seen below:

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

NEWS: Oasis’ Studio Bribe

Ego juggernauts Oasis today declared that they kicked U2 and producer Rick Rubin out of Abbey Road studio in order to record their new album.

Guitarist Noel Gallaher is claiming this morning that the band paid the owners of the legendary London studio to evict the Irish rockers.

The situation dates back to last December when U2 had been booked to take up the controls in the sound-booth.

“U2 were booked in there with (producer) Rick Rubin. I was like, ‘U2? U2 have to have a fucking six-hour meeting (to discuss) whether to get tea or coffee in the rehearsal room! They are not coming in here any time in the next five years’.”

Talking to Mojo Gallagher went on to say, “The guy from Abbey Road was like, ‘I've got it block-booked for the exact time you want it.’

“We actually went down to Abbey Road with a bag of money, and said, ‘We can pay for the studio now’.”

Dig Out Your Soul, Oasis’ new studio album is released on October 6th, preceded by the single, ‘The Shock Of Lightning', out on September 28th.

Although there’s a wait for the album, the band have already released the artwork which you can see below.

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

NEWS: Ozzy Returns To The Studio

The pickled Prince of Darkness is returning to the studio to work on a brand new album, so ASAD believes.

According to Blabbermouth.net Ozzy Osbourne will be penning and recording new music after his live appearances this summer.

In the coming weeks Ozzy will be performing at the Monsters of Rock show in Calgary, Canada on Saturday 26th July and Ozzfest 2008 in Dallas on Saturday 9th August.

On top of this his last release, Black Rain achieved gold certification and he is billed to feature in a brand new reality TV show starting in the autumn, in the States at least.

Keep it ASAD to read the latest new on the album developments as they happen.

To watch the mighty Black Sabbath pound out 'Ironman' at last year’s Ozzfest click below:

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus

NEWS: CSS Tour Second Home For A Second Time

Brazilian party pixies CSS are to tour the British Isles once again later this year.

Current star of our friend’s The Lipster’s first TV feature, Lovefoxx is giving her catsuits another airing throughout October.

The tour will no doubt cement the new album Donkey into the hearts and minds of the die hard fanbase, alongside classics ‘Alala’ and ‘Let’s Make Love And Listen To Death From Above’.

CSS are scheduled to play the following dates:

  • 5th October - Sheffield Leadmill
  • 6th October - London Shepherds Bush Empire
  • 7th October - Norwich Waterfront
  • 9th October - Coventry Kasbah
  • 10th October - Manchester Academy
  • 12th October - Edinburgh Liquid Room
  • 13th October - Nottingham Rescue Rooms
  • 14th October - Bristol Thekla
  • 15th October - Brighton Concorde

Tickets are available from See Tickets.

To have a look at the new video to ‘Left Behind’ from Donkey, click away:

This news story can be found on the Quietus with other pieces by Dean Samways.

Words: Dean Samways

Image: the Quietus