Music
AlbumReview: John Carpenter – Lost Themes II
I’m not sure what you’d call this, a second wind? Third wind? Dust in the wind? Whatever wind it is, it’s a mighty one for John Carpenter. In a few print interviews I’ve read with Carpenter over the last few years he’s sounded a little on the bitter side regarding films. He was to the …
Live Review: Hong Kong Dong/the Poneymen, Le Hangar, Liege 15.04.2016
Le Hangar gigs are always an enjoyable affair. The Leffe prices are the best in town and there’s a large open fire in the centre of the room full of crackling logs, giving a cosy campfire ambience, (you still have to go outside to smoke though!). Tonight’s show is free, as part of a larger …
Not Forgotten: The Divine Comedy – Casanova
Released during a time when a generation were generally in thrall to the simple pleasures of Britpop, were pilled-up moon-eyed dancers, or still moping around listening to American angst merchants, The Divine Comedy’s Casanova was an album that stuck out like a sore thumb with its bright and breezy charms. Sophisticated without being self important, …
Past Lives: In loving Memory Of Prince: A Personal Dedication
As a music blogger, this is a post I never wanted to write. In fact, it’s a post I never thought I would write. Prince has always seemed ageless; immortal. I never considered there ever be a day we would lose this man, because I assumed he would outlive us all. I have never seen …
Not Forgotten: Spirit – The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus
Spirit are a band I knew by reputation rather than any familiarity with their music, at least until I picked up a copy of The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus late last year. While at the moment they are best known for being the band that Led Zeppelin are currently accused of plagiarising (despite the …
Album Review: The Posies – Solid States
While power-pop has undergone something of a resurgence in the last decade or so, in truth, it really hasn’t gone away since the hey-day of At Budokan. Prior to that much of power-pop’s groundwork had been laid by the likes of Raspberries, but it was Big Star who are now regularly name-dropped as the cornerstone …
Live Review: Faultlines, Our Hollow Our Home and Cold Summer @ The Key Club Leeds, 15.04.16
Tonight the Key Club sees Leeds’ very own Faultlines release their EP, All We’ve Ever Known. Cold Summer take to the stage in front of a fairly sparse crowd, however this doesn’t seem to unnerve frontman Dan Feast even a little bit. He spends most of his time in the middle of the floor, much …
Live: Butcher Babies, Sumo Cyco – Rebellion Bar Manchester, 16/04/16
Sumo Cyco, fronted by a very Harley Quinn looking Skye Sweetnam, completely unravel the crowd from their self-conscious mind-set by hanging out at the back of the Rebellion Bar, being such a small show with such a small crowd Sumo Cyco present an oddly infused physical look; multi coloured hair, blue bears and marching band …
Feature: Prince – An obituary
I was peeling the potatoes for this evening’s meal, when my other half came in the kitchen, obviously in a state of shock. She showed me the message on her phone. Fuckin’ hell. Prince has gone. 2016 has been a terrifyingly brutal year for cultural heroes, and some will effect the individual more than others, …
Premiere: Room 22 – “T.O.S.C.”
Since the release of their debut, “Ricky Spanish” last year, plucky Hull three piece, Room 22, have been turning heads and making noises in all the right places. They’re a young team that are doing more than their fare share at keeping the D.I.Y. ethos of punk alive. Originally taking their influences from the Punk …