Wednesday, February 25, 2009

So many things - so little time!

The title says it all really. There are many ideas, bands, concepts, artists I want to talk about/review/discuss and I just haven't had time to get on this blog and write anything in the last week or so.

So in just a quick little post, before I disappear to try and crack some shorthand, to point you in the direction of a few little bands I've been noticing recently (or watching carefully for some months). I hope to get some time to review/write about in general soon so this will provide my prompting list. In the mean time feel free to have a nose about on your own...

Sargasso Trio - From Norfolk, featured on Hot City Sounds album last summer along with other Norwich/Norfolk lovelies such as The Kabeedies, Bearsuit, The Neutrinos and Violet Violet. Baby, I'm Depraved has got me hooked and wanting more.

La Roux - catchy and getting some mainstream attention at the moment. NME and OMM and others have been tipping little Elly Jackson for big things in 2009. Single, In For The Kill has probably been chirping out of a radio near you recently.

And the others:
Lykke Li
Little Comets - Newcastle band. Make noises with a variety of things. Look out for One Night In October available to dl or buy from a shop now I do believe.
The Joy Formidable - flipping marvellous welsh lovelies who are a treat live.
Sam Issac - about to go on tour again.
Ladyhawke - has just/is just about to re-release Paris Is Burning
Polly Scattergood
Inner Party System
The Gentlemen
Emmy The Great

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Bambi Get Over It

A lone guitar entices you into Jeanie, the first track on Bambi Get Over It's self titled 2008 EP. The bass gently oozes into your subconscious and before you know it your sucked through the CD to the hyperactive Bad Man and a punchy rendition of Boi. Finally you're deposited at the end of the EP by the eerie wail of closing track Severed.

The distinctive sound of Bambi is a carefully sculpted melting pot of funked-up bass, jangling guitars, mandolin with a dollop of 'ooompa's, and 'boi's. Formed in October 2007, the five piece have been performing their special brand of catchy indie tunes across the cobbled paths of Norwich, England for some time now.

Outright experimentation means Bambi have created wonderously individual songs that seep into your soul and rampage through your veins - somehow managing to be energising and relaxing all at once.

Listening to Bambi Get Over It is like reclining in the shade on a hot summer's day sipping ginger iced tea at a barn dance. Eccentric, peculiar but actually damn cool.


Listen to the tracks, get the latest gig information or ask Bambi to play in your city at Bambi Get Over It

Monday, February 16, 2009

Put your hands up for Zane - We love this DJ: LCR, UEA Norwich November 2006

NB: THIS REVIEW WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED IN December 2006 ON MY PREVIOUS BLOG. I have decided to pull all my music reviews/comments etc into one dedicated music blog. A select few old articles will be posted here alongside new posts. Enjoy!


The Master of new music returned to UEA last night (November 30, 2006) and delivered a musical lecture not to be forgotten. From the Beastie Boys to Justice vs Simian to the running man to Pendulum via The Killers, House of Pain and Faithless, Zane Lowe held his apprentices captive from the first beat.

Hot from his Radio 1 show, Zane took command the second he stepped up to the decks. And the crowd dutifully responded to his orders to get themselves on the dancefloor. Packed tighter than ten elephants in a mini, the LCR marinated in a delicate combination of sweat and fat juicy tracks. Littered with truly bizarre moments; a butt naked man getting on stage to do the running man and the sheer madness of everyone moshing to Last Night fighting for the last square inch, the LCR was at the beck and call of Mr Zane Lowe, DJ extrordinaire.

Unbelievably Zane Lowe’s performances at UEA are yet to be a sell out night. His eclectic mix and sheer skill as a DJ make this one of the best nights the student union holds and well worth the fiver for the ticket. Refreshingly, Zane seems to LOVE UEA unconditionally. Like a loving father, he comes back to his illegitimate children and teaches them how to dance their socks off to the most gorgeous, thumping musical concoctions. If you haven’t yet witnessed Zane’s mastery in the LCR make it your new years resolution to go before the end of 2007.

Yellowcard at the LCR, UEA Norwich March 2006

NB: REVIEW WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED IN March 2006 ON MY OLD BLOG.
I have decided to pull all my music reviews/comments etc into one dedicated music blog. A select few old articles will be posted here alongside new posts. Enjoy!


On the last night of their UK tour Yellowcard inflict their rock and violin combination on an unsuspecting UEA.

Support act, Engerica, received mixed reactions from the crowd. An impressive set, but at a time when the rock genre is at saturation we need something new and different. And on tonight's performance, that's not going to be Energica.

Yellowcard on the other hand, were in control of the UEA crowd directing the mosh pit into chaos and scaling the imposing speakers.

Violinist, Sean Mackin, demonstrated that it is possible to play and jump simultaneously. After an astounding drum solo, drummer, Longineu "LP" Parsons III, briefly clambered from behind his kit to shake his dreadlocks at the crowd.

As the LCR sang along to breakthrough single, Way Away, only second in the setlist, there were fears the band may have peaked too soon. But it was trumped by a selection of stonking tunes throughout the night, proving Yellowcard deserve more recognition.

Standing outside on the cold March night, chatting to the band afterwards, it became apparent how genuine they are. Out to have a good time doing what they love, braving the cold signing the variety of objects proffered at them; including shoes! Yellowcard seemed estatic to have played UEA and more than willing to hang around afterwards.

There aren't many bands who would do this, but then Yellowcard aren't your average band.

Muse at Earls Court, London December 2004

NB: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED December 2004 ON MY OLD BLOG.
I have decided to pull all my music reviews/comments etc into one dedicated music blog. A select few old articles will be posted here alongside new posts. Enjoy!

A huge venue, sold out for two shows, but is it big enough to contain Muse’s ego? Muse’s eccentricity shone through the night, much like the swirling logo that flashed across the London skyline as we left the venue. Supported by Soulwax and The Zutons on the first night of the two dates, Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard entertained Earls Court in the only way they know how - excelling beyond the boundaries even they created. From the opening chords of Hysteria to the closing ring of Stockholm stopping off to play “the new one”, drop balloons in Plug In Baby and squeal through Dead Star. If on the first night Matt trashed a guitar and threw another one into the crowd, what will the final night of Earls Court hold?

Their live show is one that will never cease to amaze, provided you’re not sucked into the dangerous oblivion of the moshpit. Love them or loathe them, live, Muse destroy the rulebook they wrote on live performance. Astounding, breath-taking, cliché-ridden; there are no words to describe the egotistical Muse experience.

http://www.muse.mu

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

This blog is currently under construction.

Give me a week and I'll have it up and running!

Pop back February 16th 2009!