[Gig Review] Hidden Charms plus support @ The Warehouse, Huddersfield for Hud Radio. Thursday 24th September 2015

I was invited down to this gig by Richard, the drummer from Bang Bang Romeo, who is involved with the Uni radio station, planning and setting up some gigs. This can only be fruitful for possible future ventures down to Hudd! Looking forward to these already but in the mean time I had a evening of talent lined up in a decent sized venue which seemed to make their stage a priority with plenty of lighting and decoration around it. Wish some more venues would pay abit of attention to their stages... but anyway, I digress!

 

The first act I saw was a singer/songwriter name Fran Minney. Cool little acoustic set with her partner playing some really nice tunes and Fran sounding like you should be laid in a field with sunshine and cider. She tried her best to get the crowd involved but being first to perform unfortunately for her there were only a couple of people joining in. Still got a couple of tracks that I would souncloud again.

 

FACEBOOK - Fran Minney

SOUNDCLOUD - Fran Minney

 

Second up, Larkins, who look like they could have rows of screaming female fans at every gig but sound a little bit more technical than that sort of crowd usually attracts. The lads have a few really wispful, solid indie corkers ready for your ears to enjoy. My only annoyance was the dreaded "oh oh oh"s featured in the track that they're releasing as a single. For me that just screams that they want to make it by instant, formulaic music... you lads are better than that! Really spot on guys to chat to afterwards so i'll keep my fingers crossed for you boys. If you wish to delve into Larkins world, you can do so here...

 

FFO: Arctic Monkeys, Marsicans, Two Door Cinema Club

 

http://www.wearelarkins.com/

FACEBOOK - LARKINS 

SOUNDCLOUD - LARKINS

 

I feel abit like a stalker when it comes to Bang Bang Romeo now, they keep impressing me more every time I see them and having spotified (maybe not a word... yet) the hell out of them in recent weeks, I think they're providing a soundtrack to this time in my life which I am more than happy about. Again I would like to review the sheer quality of this band throughout all it's areas. Drums, extremely strong and providing the groundwork the rest to build on. Bass, add an extra layer of cool on to the sound. Lead guitar, sickeningly great in it's delivery and has me transfixed every time. Vocals... well... shook me to my core doesn't really go hard enough. An operatic assault on my senses would be a better description. This band shine bright at the minute for me and with upcoming 'Big' gigs, I can only see this ever increasing. Check these out before they creep up on you:

 

FFO: Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Led Zeppelin.

 

 

Bang Bang Romeo Website

FACEBOOK - Bang Bang Romeo





SOUNDCLOUD - Bang Bang Romeo

 

 

 

Hidden Charms were exactly that for me, hidden! Hell knows why because i'm pretty sure It's All Indie has written something about them before. Maybe because I'm miles away from their base of London where they've been tickling the NME residency of Koko, i'm going to use that as my excuse for missing the boat on these guys so far. However I am now fully on board! Smashed it live and there's no wonder they have attracted some attention from legendary music producers. The guys go so hard they look like they're enjoyable in pain. Some technical difficulties on the evening still didn't stop them roaring through with great success. I think the biggest compliment I could pay them is they just had that aura that comes along with a band every now and then. Heroes to talk to afterwards aswell and i'm the lead singer was just being polite but he did tell me I could go free to any gig of theirs in the future... no matter how big! hahaha I'll hold you to that.

 

FFO: The Rolling Stones, The Who, The White Stripes.

 

 Hidden Charms Website

FACEBOOK - Hidden Charms

  

 

 

All Photo Credit: Joe Brumby

Fingers crossed my next time down in Hudd will be as good, I'll certainly keep you posted.

 

Twitter - @JaseHare

The Wytches to play last-minute show

The show is to act as a 'warm-up' for their Field Day appearance and will take place this Friday 5th of June at London Fields Brewery with Chain of Flowers, Claw Marks, The Bodies and Prison Whites also on the bill.

Tickets are here.

Listen / [SOUNDCLOUD]

Echo Lake unveil "Dröm" from their new album "Era"

"Era" is the second album from London based band Echo Lake. Their début album "Wild Peace" was released in June 2012, after the then five piece had surfaced 18 months prior to a flurry of blog attention.

You can check out their new track "Drom" just below.

Echo Lake - Era
1. Light Sleeper
2. Waves
3. Era
4. Dröm
5. Sun
6. Nothing Lasts
7. Heavy Dreaming 

Listen / [SOUNDCLOUD]

EP Review... Coquin Migale - F E E L EP

Coquin Migale are a fairly unknown entity and seem keen to keep it that way with a mysterious yet gripping second EP, that fuses together ends of the musical scale, piece by piece.

The Newcastle quartet seem to thrive off their ability to inter-weave in and out of varying melodies. One minute they're not far off the tight, picky riffs of Foals in 'Gold' and 'Socotra', then the next they verge a nose dive towards the depths of heavy metal. The reverb of the electric guitar is the one constant, which strikes a strong chord throughout the EP, taking minimal breaks in 'Interlude' for a bombardment of hefty drums.

'Gold' throws back similarities to previously released track, 'Icarus', in the way it could integrate three different songs into one. However, 'Paris' is as strange as Coquin Migale go, toying with various speeds and rhythms throughout which could be mistaken for being chaotic. Starting with ghostly vocals and ending with a gentle jam, its brief but erratic guitar shred in the middle sounds like an early Bloc Party and The Editors gathering as they bond over speed.

For all the different influences etched into the EP, final track 'Socotra', brings another into the frame with the rowdy indie-rock chorus fitting in nicely with the more raucous sounds from B-Town bands, Jaws and Peace. The climax of the EP ends in a way that the band have become accustomed to; with a heavy whirlwind of riffs. If there's one thing to be said about Coquin Migale, it would be that it's hard to put your finger on exactly what they're all about. Whatever it is though ought to be burrowing through the obscurities and turning heads their way.

Coquin Migale - F E E L
Out of 10: 7/10

By Josh Shreeve

Buy/ [iTunes]
Follow/ [Facebook]
Listen/ [Soundcloud]

FLATS Announce New Release On SweatShop Records Imprint‏

Following on from recent news that FLATS are due to release début album, 'Better Living’', the band have announced the release of single by new London band Psychic Pussies on their own SweatShop Records imprint at the end of March. A super limited run of 300 7" vinyl, containing two tracks of pummelling Melvins-tinged mayhem, will be let loose on March 31st. Go to ssrlondon.net for more details.



FLATS have also made available for free download 'Foxtrot', that was posted on their Soundcloud page recently and is taken from album 'Better Living', which itself is set for release on April 30th. Go to their facebook page to download/listen now! See the video below.



[FACEBOOK]
FLATS - Foxtrot

Free MP3... Doc Moores - Of The French

Doc Moores are back, the young Brisbane based band have released a brand new demo, entitled 'Of The French'. They've certainly crafted an old song but with the pop sensibilities that we love them for. The opening minute or so is a bit darker compared to their older work but if you're a fan of Two Door Cinema Club you'll love the vocals.



The sound is certainly progress from their previous three songs, not saying they're terrible or anything but a band that progresses from early work yet that can still produce some great music is one to keep an eye out for.

Of The French by Doc Moores

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Introducing... Cold In Berlin

Led by captivating front woman Maya, Cold in Berlin are just about to release a Remix EP with contributions from producer Pete Baker, Witch House cult act Heretics and the renowned Drumcunt; this is the last piece of work he did in England before moving to Japan. They offer energy reminiscent of early grunge and even earlier no-wave, yet the noise they make is all their own. Creating delightfully sinister hooks that will bond your blood cells to the dark side then release them straight into your head with gloriously pounding crescendos.



They've got half of the next album written and have spent parts of this year touring around Europe with their German tour diary to be captured on the Artrocker website in October. After the success of their album 'Give Me Walls' they've got an exciting year ahead with the White Horse EP, a single early 2012 shortly followed by a new album.

[FACEBOOK]
[OFFICIAL SITE]

Introducing... Spector

Spector are, Fred Macpherson (vocals), Christopher Burman (guitar), Thomas Shickle (bass), Jed Cullen (synth, guitar), Danny Blandy (drums). Spector are a band that play a dark type of Post-Punk Revival with a touch of their new influences such as Editors and Arcade Fire. With great soulful lyrics and a powerful presence from the front man, Spector can only now snowball on from the festival scene to be massive in 2012! Having already seen them play live at a festival, I would like to say that I will be more than pleased to see them again!







Fred can really sing, coming all the way from the heart this lead singer has such a great presence when listening to their music. If you wanted a track to get into them from the get-go, just listen to 'What You Wanted' or 'Never Fade Away' - the latter which is below - they already have two great tracks in the wings for their début album.



Spector - Never Fade Away by Luv Luv Luv



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[OFFICIAL SITE]

EP Review... Rapids! - Fragments EP

Fragments' is the brand new EP by Rapids !Available in the UK through Heist Or Hit Records. And it's available in the US through Old Flame Records on the 27th September 2011. Rapids! are Matt Holliday (Vocals & Synthesizer), James Davies (Drums & Vocals), Rob Murray (Guitar), Steve DaCosta (Guitar) and Tim Richards (Bass). They play Post-Punk Revival with a Dark-Tropical twist to it, just give them a listen, you'll love them!



Littleblood:

The start of the song has a punchy synth that ripples right through you, with even darker sounding noises coming in from all angles you are treated to cool hush vocals from lead vocalist Matt. This track is like walking at night through London on a late Friday night, you are aware that it's dark yet there is something perhaps waiting for you around the corner about to jump on you. And there it is (in the song...), the last minute, it picks up pace then flows into a mass of deep riffs and even more dark synths.

Out of 10: 9/10



House Of Sand And Fog:

A tough one to follow, but this track does not let you down. With a bright start this sounds like it's going to be less on the dark side, and more on the Indie-Rock side. With hints of Editors thrown into the mix (addictive synths) you are once again listening to a track that you can warm to. This number is one aimed for the clubber in you with a beat to seriously tap your feet to!

Out of 10: 8/10



Statuesque:

Once again a dark synth welcomes you to another one of their cracking tracks, yet this one like the one before it is a bit more dance orientated with fast drumming, catchy guitar riffs and punchy vocals. The chorus sounds like a tornado is heading your way, and it doesn't let up, pounding its way into your head and after it goes into the bridge you are now in the eye of the storm. It all goes a bit quieter, but there is this looming rush coming, it builds slowly and you are thrown back into the madness. Terrific stuff, seriously!

Out of 10: 8/10







Comets:

The shortest track on the EP and it does seem like the band are slowly edging their way through their influences, this track is a whole lot more poppy than the others. Imagine an old Foals band jamming to Bloc Party tunes. The track is so upbeat and brilliantly positioned in the EP as it makes you feel a easy whilst giving it a listen. I bet this song when it's being played live must have at least half of the place bouncing! It's just got festival anthem written all over it!

Out of 1o: 9/10



Nameless // Faceless:

The last studio track on the EP and what a way to end it! A combination of the dark synths from the start of the EP to the high notes of the track right before it. Punchy hooks, enticing you into a sense of lust. This track is just so sexy, the way it's played right down to how it's sung. Rapids! are pretty slippery customers here, where to put this track? In the Indie-Dance section or the Post-Punk Revival section? One thing is for sure, this will be played a lot from me!

Out of 10: 8/10



Nameless // Faceless (Bloc Party Vs Co-Pilots Remix):

The remixed bonus track is upon us. With this being the last track Russell Lissack remixed before he went away to record with Bloc Party he certainly gives it his own personal make-over. The way it comes across is all dark like the start of the EP, but with a lot of danceability thrown into the equation. This could easily be a track off 'Intimacy Remixed', but one thing is definitely for sure, the 2nd half of the song is one for the clubs!

Out of 10: 8/10



Rapids! - Fragments EP

Out of 10: 8.3/10



Rapids! - Littleblood by HeistOrHit

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Rapids - Nameless // Faceless (Bloc Party Vs Co-Pilots Remix)

Introducing... Drive

It does seem to be the place for up-coming bands right now, the Hertfordshire county of the UK is certainly producing some great young bands and here is another! Drive, are a four piece Alternative Rock band from Hertfordshire. Two of the members originally met at Glastonbury 2010, and after a few glitches with previous bands along the way, the four-piece eventually formed in April 2011 and started writing immediately. After a few sessions they made a demo with a friend of theirs, which was passed around the Internet at some speed. What came of it? 'No Feel'







‘No feel’ has featured on several different English radio stations, and has even leaked its way into the American radio waves, and I can see why! With over 2000 plays on their own soundcloud account the track is a dark post-punk track with hooks, crunching bass and deep vocals. If you want to compare, they sound like a new Chapel Club for the young generation. They have been also recommended to fans of Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine and some newer bands on the scene such as Tribes and Wavves. If I were you I'd download their stuff as soon as you can, it's great, honestly, great tracks, download them at the bottom of the page!



No Feel (demo) by Drive.



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Drive - Falling Back (Demo)

Drive - No Feel (New Mix)