ANTI-MANIFESTO

Anti-Manifesto is a collective of people from Edinburgh who play music. We organise shows and release music on physical and digital formats. Our goal is to support the ever growing underground music scene in Edinburgh and give exposure to new up and coming bands and artists from all over the world. Anti-Manifesto is 100% DIY!!

[antimanifestomusic]

PREVIEW - GROEZROCK 2016

Spring time is upon us, and that means that it's Groezrock time.  For those of you who don't know, Groezrock is one of the worlds largest punk rock festivals and it takes place in the small Belgian village of Meerhout.  Each year the line up is stellar and this time is no different (though some internet haters are not too keen on the lack of “big” or exclusive names playing this year considering that it's the 25th anniversary of the festival).  Don't listen to them.  Here's 10 bands that are going to make Groezrock 2016 a total blast of a weekend.

1 – No Use For a Name and Friends

Monster Energy Stage – Saturday 30th April @ 10.20pm

The tragic passing of No Use For a Name front man Tony Sly affected the punk rock community greatly.  Tony and No Use are an integral part of the West Coast Epi-Fat scene, so it's only fitting that his legacy is remembered with one of these special performances featuring original members of the band and guest singers from various bands playing the festival. Who should we expect on stage with the band?  I'm guessing Spike from Me First & The Gimme Gimmes, Frank Turner, Joey Cape, members of Mad Caddies............either way it's going to be one of the highlights of the weekend for sure.  It's really annoying that they share a set time with Sick of it All however.

2 – Dillinger Four

Back To Basics Stage – Saturday 30th April @ 9.45pm

Yep, you read that right.  Dillinger Four are playing a gig.  What a rarity and a treat. For a band that aren't the most prolific these days, they have a back catalogue worthy of the hype, so you better make the most of their set, because it'll be a while before they're back across this way.  Expect lots of sing-a-longs and pile-ons!!!

3 – Dag Nasty

Back To Basics Stage – Saturday 30th April @ 11.10pm

When it was announced that Dag Nasty are playing Groez, that was enough for me to get a ticket.  The influence that this band hold on the punk and hardcore scene is astounding.  They might have started in 1985, but their fast paced melodic hardcore sound still stands tall today, and you'll be hard pressed to find a modern melodic punk band who don't hold a bit of Dag Nasty to their heart.  The band have reunited with original singer Shawn Brown and are also releasing a new 7” next month, so this is not the last we will hear from Dag Nasty.  Welcome back!

4 – Youth of Today

Back To Basics Stage – Friday 29th April @ 10.05pm

Groezrock has done it again and surprised us with another hardcore original in the form of Youth of Today.  They were at the forefront of the youth crew/straight edge scene in the United States in the 80's and their message is still being received today loud and clear.  Featuring members who would go onto be in bands such as Shelter, CIV, Gorilla Biscuits, Rival Schools, Better Than a Thousand, Judge and much more, this is pretty much the ultimate hardcore super group (if there's such a thing).  Warning – there will be stage diving.  Lots of stage diving!!

5 -  No Fun At All

Impericon Stage – Friday 29th April @ 10.45pm

In the 90's, Sweden seemed to produce the best melodic skate punk (even rivalling the West Coast of America).  Along with bands like Millencolin, Satanic Surfers and the majority of the Burning Heart Records roster, No Fun At All were pioneers of the genre and today still influence countless bands with their high energy, super fast, melodic punk rock.  The band haven't released any new music in a while, but here's hoping after this and the high profile tours they've been doing recently that that will change.

6 – Pup

Watch Out Stage – Saturday 30th April @ 8.20pm

Pup are going to be huge.  The Canadians self titled album released in 2014 turned more than a few heads with its massive sing-a-longs and insane amount of energy to match.  I caught Pup the last time I was at Groezrock, and they're definitely a must see again (though they are on at the exact same time as Iron Chic, argh!!  What a stupid clash).  They will release a new album next month, so expect a few songs from that as well as the one's you know and love.

7 – Clowns

Watch Out Stage – Saturday 30th April @ 4.15pm

Holy moly, I'm excited to see Clowns again.  I caught the band when I was in San Francisco last year and it was one of the greatest shows I have ever witnessed. Coming all the way from Australia, the band combine awesome west coast hardcore with the swagger and rock n roll of the Bronx and with a frontman to rival Matt from the aforementioned Bronx and Damian from Fucked Up, it's quite a sight to behold.  Expect them to destroy the Watch Out Stage to bits.

8 – Muncie Girls

Back To Basics Stage – Friday 29th April @ 5.45pm

Amongst all the international touring bands on the bill, it's great to see an awesome UK band get the recognition they deserve.  Muncie Girls are going from strength to strength and their debut full length album From Caplan To Belsize (released on Specialist Subject Records earlier this year) has been getting praised every review it gets.  If melodic indie/pop punk rock is your thing, then you want to see Muncie Girls.

9 – Night Birds

Watch Out Stage – Saturday 30th April @ 5.35pm

Despite being from New Jersey, you're going to get some high octane 80's West Coast influenced hardcore mixed with surf rock from Night Birds and you're going to love it.  Their recent new album released on Fat Wreck (Mutiny at Muscle Beach) doesn't stray too far from the path of their previous albums, but if it works so well in the first place, don't change it.

10 – PEARS

Back To Basics Stage – Saturday 30th April @ 1.45pm

Last but not least, PEARS might actually be the band I'm most looking forward to seeing. Their debut album Go To Prison was great, but their new album Green Star (released on Fat Wreck) is awesome.  It's a mad mix of super fast hardcore, riffs, punk rock, screaming and melody.  It all works so well together and I expect their live show to be just as raucous as their music is.  Excited?  Yes!!

Obviously that's only 10 bands that I've picked out.  There's lots of other bands that deserve a special mention – Rancid playing And Out Come The Wolves in full will be so much fun, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes are the ultimate festival band and Burn are another hardcore original that I didn't think I'd get to see along with Dag Nasty and Youth of Today. Check out the full line-up at www.groezerock.be

[antimanifestomusic]

REVIEW - BRITNEY “BRITNEY 2″

When I purchased this album a couple of months ago, it came with a T-shirt of such remarkable pinkness that haunts my subconscious so much I find it difficult to take off, and a personally addressed letter at once erotically allusive and vaguely threatening. All of which suggested that this drums/bass/vocals three-piece of total fucking loons are up to something special. In at least one sense of “special”.

The album itself does not disappoint. Take the opening track “Gaping Maven”, which settles into a surprisingly groovy bass line given the wall of noise it opens with. Britney let it all hang out here: chopping and changing between fast grooves; layered screaming and vocal effects; walls of noise balanced against somewhat-less-walls-of-noise-ish bits. The rest of the tracks are variations on this formula. Which is not to say the album is boring or predictable. And when everything comes together (“Hell Wisher” and “The Thespian’s Moniker” especially), it’s ace. Melody and harmony are not strong points, or even points at all, but I’ve no complaints about that. It’s much more fun than grindcore.

Still, I have no fucking clue how to describe this in a helpful way. I’d guess – from the short, fast, songs and screamed vocals – that there’s an influence from the heavier and techier end of the hardcore/punk genres, but Britney aren’t heavy so much as just extremely noisy. And the whole album is infused with a gloriously batshit craziness a world away from the grim seriousness of a lot of techy hardcore/punk. If you’re in Scotland, the best reference point I can think of is this: Britney are as close to techy metal nutcases Secta Rouge (RIP ?) as it is possible to be without being a metal band or indeed having any guitars. If that’s no help, I’m sorry, I’m lost. But if there’s a category for drums/bass/vocals combos that refuse to take either melody or themselves seriously, Britney are firmly in it.

My one complaint is that the recording quality doesn’t fully unleash the Britney beast. Live they’re on another level entirely.  You will be amazed. Go buy the album straight after you watch this video first:

4-and-a-bit/5

BRITNEY 2 by BRITNEY

[antimanifestomusic]

REVIEW - BANGERS “BIRD”

Back in the year 2011, my old band Shields Up played a gig in Glasgow supporting American punk rock heroes Iron Chic.  Iron Chic brought Bangers on tour with them.  I'd already seen Bangers a couple of times before this, but that night was a proper holy fuck moment.  Going into this gig I was super excited to see Iron Chic for the first time, having loved their full length record which had been released some time before this..........but little did I know that I would leave the night more hyped and energised by Bangers.  Iron Chic were good, but they're not the most engaging of bands to watch live (I'm sorry punk police, please don't arrest me).  The sold out crowd were there to see Iron Chic, so they had nothing to lose that night.  The tour support however have the task of having to grab the attention of the casual listener and make sure that the crowd who might not have a clue who they are, go home knowing that they've seen something special. That's how I felt that night.  For a 3 piece, the energy was phenomenal and even if you didn't know the words to the songs, I guarantee you were singing along with whatever you thought you could hear Roo singing. Some bands just manage to do that to you.  It's great.

So anyway, it's safe to say that I really like Bangers and when I found out that their new LP “Bird” was coming out, I jumped at the chance of hearing it. “Bird” is officially the Cornish bands 3rd full length record following 2011's “Small Pleasures” and 2013's “Crazy Fucking Dreams” (however the “Dude Trips” collection of EP's and splits and last years “write and record an album in 48 hours” project “Mysterious Ways” make up a pretty meaty back catalogue).

They kick things off with the awesome “No!” and “Mannequin” in typical full on Bangers punk rock style.  Roo's vocals are still gruff yet melodic, the guitars are still buzzing with the subtle technical proficiency we've come to expect and the Andrew and Hamish rhythm section has come up trumps again!  Good start!  3 songs in and “I Don't Feel Like I'll Ever Be Clean Again” takes the listener off guard though with a more Weezer-esque touch to the song writing.  The band do say themselves that there's an “ever increasing focus on rock” on this record and it does show.  The balance between the scuzzy pop punk of old and the “rock” works together really well.........and in fairness it all comes out sounding like Bangers.  They've never been a band to follow trends and conform to what ever is hip at the moment.  That's what makes Bangers such an important part of the UK punk rock scene.  They have their own identity and sound.

The likes of “Stressful Festival” and “Fleshlings” are the fist in the air sing-a-longs we've come to love from Bangers, but it's “Asimov” with it's post-punk vein that wouldn't sound too out of place on a Futureheads record and “The Trousers of Time” (especially in the lyrical content) that make this LP stand out from the bands previous releases.  It's enough expansion of influences to know that the band wouldn't be happy making the same record over and over again.....and we're all the better for it to be honest.

If the world was a fair place, then Bangers would be playing sold out tours everywhere they went.  I genuinely feel that if they were American then they would be held in the same high regard as the likes of Iron Chic and The Lawrence Arms are, and that's no diss on those bands, it's a compliment to how good Bangers are.  I can't recommend this album enough.  Get it in your life now!

5/5

“Bird” is out now on LP and CD through Specialist Subject Records

Bird by BANGERS

[antimanifestomusic]

Stream the new PMX EP "Dark Days" at Dying Scene NOW!!

Holy moly!!  PMX are totally back and are sounding as badass as ever!!  You can stream the new EP “Dark Days” (out on Make That A Take Records on 5th of September) via the fine people at www.dyingscene.com

Check it out NOW!

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Yorkshire ska/metal/punk rockers play Edinburgh on their last ever tour!

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Joey Cape (Lagwagon) is releasing his new solo record next week on Fat Wreck Chords.  He’s just uploaded a video to accompany the track “Life Is Strange”

Order the album on vinyl and CD from www.fatwreck.com

[antimanifestomusic]

New EP from Paper Rifles OUT NOW!

3 track album

Paper Rifles have just released a new EP on Struck Dum Records.  The EP is a digital only release, but a brand new 7″ will be available soon (also on Struck Dum Records).  Watch this space for more news on that!

[antimanifestomusic]

After a long hiatus from gigging, PMX are back and they’re just about to release a new EP “Dark Days” through Make That a Take Records.  It’s available digitally on Saturday 29th August and the CDs will start shipping soon after!  FAST AS FUCK!!

[antimanifestomusic]

Pre-order the new Murderburgers album NOW!!

1 track album

The Murderburgers have put up a pre-order for their soon to be recorded up coming full length record.  Help them fund the cost to do it by buying the album in advance now.  Here’ what Fraser Murderburger has to say - 

BIG AND LOVELY NEWS! NEW ALBUM PRE-ORDER AND NEW DEMO POSTED ON OUR BANDCAMP!

That's right, lovely mates! Before touring the US in October, a new Murderburgers album will be recorded and produced by the one and only Matt Allison at Atlas Studios in Chicago, which will be released sometime in Spring 2016 on Asian Man Records/Round Dog Records (the release date stated on Bandcamp is actually the pre-order end date, so just ignore that). Intruder Red and Intruder Yellow from MASKED INTRUDER will be playing drums and bass on the album, and Zack from Dear Landlord will be doing some backing vocals, too. So yeah, it's going to sound awesome. A demo version of one of the songs we will be recording called "The Waves" is on the pre-order page, so that'll give you an idea of what the new shit sounds like.

I'm pretty broke right now for various annoying reasons, but didn't feel comfortable doing a Kickstarter, so I've started a pre-order for the album with bonus stuff instead. This way I can hopefully cover some recording and travel costs, and you lovely people can get something extra you wouldn't get otherwise, without me putting pressure on everyone about hitting a target. Not only can you pre-order it digitally (for £1 less than it'll be when the album comes out), on CD and on LP, but there are also limited edition packages on there with bonus stuff like an exclusive Murderburgers t-shirt designed by our good friend WOLF MASK, drumsticks used during the recording signed by Intruder Red, studio notes signed by Matt Allison, original lyric sheets for songs from the new album, and the new album demos in a handmade, hand numbered sleeve. Every pre-order comes with a download of "The Waves" demo, and every CD and LP pre-order comes with a download of "The Waves" demo as well a disgusting personalised art piece done in crayon by my horrible self. If you need an example of what my "art" looks like, just give an 8 year old a box of crayons and a tab of acid and you'll soon get the idea. Feel free to pre-order the shite, and feel free to spread the word. Every pre-order will be much appreciated and will definitely help a lot! Thanks, lovely friendly mates!

[antimanifestomusic]

Wrestling shirts for Hardcore fans, Hardcore shirts for Wrestling fans, Brother.

Straight outta Richmond, Virginia comes Big Boot Leg Drop!!!  Awesome punk rock and hip hop inspired wrestling shirts.

[antimanifestomusic]

The new EP from James Johnson (Elk Gang / ex-Shields Up) is available now from Anti-Manifesto on CD and download.  Check it out now.

[antimanifestomusic]

REVIEW - SWEET EMPIRE “OLD IDEAS KEEP FIGHTING US”

If you like your punk rock to be socially and politically aware, then Sweet Empire are the band for you.  Hailing from The Netherlands, “Old Ideas Keep Fighting Us” is the bands second full length record following on from 2011's “This Season Needs Guns,” and if the previous effort had you excited for more, then you're in luck as the latest LP does not disappoint.

The band blast through 13 tracks of high energy Descendents/Dag Nasty inspired punk rock in very little time at all, in what's a short sharp shock to the system.  Musically the band aren't breaking any new boundaries, but if something works fine in the first place, it doesn't need fixed.  The super catchy guitar riffs work neatly together with the Karl Alvarez (Descendents/All) bass style and the vocal melodies will have you singing along with your fist in the air after one listen.

Lyrically Sweet Empire shine, and this makes them stand out from the crowd. Animal rights, environmental issues, fighting for a revolution and religion are all covered and it's amazing to hear a  band sing so passionately about subjects that has an impact on their lives and on our society.  

This isn't an album force feeding you an individual's political and social opinions, this is an album raising awareness of the issues that affect us all.  The least you could do is listen to Sweet Empire and hear what they have to say.

(4/5)

“Old Ideas Keep Fighting Us” is out now via Shield Recordings, Laserlife Records and Gunner Records.

LISTEN HERE!!!!

[antimanifestomusic]

REVIEW - JEFF ROSENSTOCK “WE COOL?”

When way-more-DIY-than-you punk rock weirdcore band Bomb The Music Industry called it a day, did you think frontman Jeff Rosenstock would stop making music?  Nah!  After all, BTMI started off as a solo project for Jeff and then went onto be a full band touring and releasing music together, so it was only a matter of time that Jeff would make a triumphant return.  

His previous solo effort “I Look Like Shit” was released when BTMI were still together, but “We Cool?” definitely feels like a fresh start. For one, it's being released through large indie-punk label Side One Dummy.  Another thing, the record sounds massive.  Jeff's songs have never sounded so huge, and as much as I love his previous work, it really feels like the chaos has been reigned in a touch, making everything a bit more cohesive.  Musically it's what you'd expect from Jeff, really noisey pop songs spliced with punk rock, folk and indie-rock that will have you singing along with every word.  Yes there are Weezer comparisons, but I think when you listen to the songs, you instantly know that it's a song written by Jeff Rosenstock.  The man knows how to write a catchy song.  Lyrically, I don't think he could be more open and honest.  He's telling it as it is.  This is a man in his early 30's at a cross roads in his life, where you start reflecting on the past and trying to make sense of what's going to happen in the future.  I guess being a man around the same age as Jeff I know what he's going through.  My friends are also buying houses and settling down......but I love going out partying and drinking beer.......damn, what am I doing with my life?  

“I got so tired of discussing my future

I’ve started avoiding the people I love” - Nausea

I genuinely don't think that there's a bad song on this album and picking a favourite few is tough, but the album opener “Get Old Forever” which leads into “You, in Weird Cities” is outstanding.  “Hey Allison” is another belter of a tune.  Amazing stuff.

I know it's early to make this decision, but this is my album of the year.  Jeff has totally upped his game musically and lyrically, making this pretty faultless in my opinion.  Upbeat music with lyrics so raw, full of emotion and completely relate-able.  You need “We Cool?” in your life now.

(5/5)

“We Cool?” is out now on Side One Dummy/Quote Unquote Records

LISTEN HERE!!!!!!

[antimanifestomusic]

It’s been a few years since Californian hardcore punks Good Riddance have graced us with a new album, and holy moly they’re back with a bang!!  “Dry Season” is taken from their forthcoming new album “Peace In Our Time” out on Fat Wreck Chords on the 21st of April 2015.

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*WARNING - PUPPETS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS VIDEO*

Timeshares are back with another album jam packed with anthemic punk rock in the form of “Already Dead” which is out on Side One Dummy Records on the 28th of April 2015.  Pre-order it at http://sideonedummy.bigcartel.com

In the meantime, enjoy the awesome video for “The Bad Parts” taken from the new album.

[antimanifestomusic]

RIP TRAILS

I can't believe we're posting this, but we woke up this morning to find out that Trails are splitting up.

Trails have been a massive part of Anti-Manifesto over the years, so it's gutting to hear that they're calling it a day.

The band will be playing a couple more shows before they split (including a weekender in Scotland), so keep an eye out to see if they're playing near you.

Buy their latest LP/CD directly from us HERE!

Sam from the band explains the reason behind the split - 

TRAILS ARE FUCKING DEAD. (Refused pussied out)

With a heavy heart it's time to announce that Trails are splitting up. A lot of you already know, and in a way it's been a long time coming. When Will left last year we were just about to release our album, so as much as I didn't want to do the band without him at the time, it certainly wasn't a point at which we could stop. Having invested so much time, energy and money into the album we needed to see it through, release it, and tour it to the overwhelming masses.

Touring is the measure of every band, and tends to be the thing that takes it's toll. We didn't do a lot of touring by any means, and I think that was in part our downfall. Due to work commitments it became a struggle to do any substantial touring at all, and a leap of faith with a couple of different small booking agents saw the UK tours we did do be pretty dismal. Getting out to Europe was always great in every way as everyone knows, and I regret not being able to get out there again with my friends to tour the album, travel to new places and meet more like minded people (especially with all the stock sitting in my house!). That's one of the things I've loved, travelling all over Europe only to find that for all the interesting differences in culture, the people within the punk scene hold strong similarities in ethos, taste and humour, and it feels like where ever you go you share a common understanding with people before you've got to know them. Maybe it's just the South Park connection (don't watch German dubbed South Park though, ruins it).

We've never been a band driven by money or fame (a shocking admittance I know based on our pop stylings and sexy boy looks), but there needs to be some sense of progression for everyone to remain on board. Some sense of 'this is going somewhere', 'we're building up a name for ourselves' etc. We never really felt that, and while we did plenty that we can all be proud of – 2 Eps, 2 singles and an album (most of which were self produced (by Will) but thanks also to Chris Coulter and James Kenosha), 11 'Trails original concept' self produced music videos, multiple self booked UK and Euro tours – everyone has their own cut off point, and when Adam chose to leave as well, it didn't really feel right to carry on what had been a band of 4 mates without 2 of them. So it's over, with no sense of relief or light-heartedness. Since the inception of Jeremy George when I was in Sixth Form, the various incarnations of this band have been a large part of my life and my main creative outlet for the last 10 years, and I can't really imagine what I'll do past this right now.

It seems like I'm being told something I couldn't tell myself, that maybe it's the right thing to do to draw a line under it and start afresh with something new, rather than plough something into the ground, or as it was put 'driving down a cul-de-sac'. I prefer to think of it as the open road, never knowing what lies ahead, but there we are. It's a hard decision to make, as even on this most recent UK tour, at some of the most quiet, empty, depressing shows we've done (and that's saying something) the people we did meet and play for were adamant often to the point of anger that we shouldn't split up, they wouldn't let us, we were too good, it was a waste of talent etc. So you see how this has split me, but in the end it has split Trails.

All that's left to say is the generic but heartfelt thanks to all our friends and families, everyone who's booked a show for us, let us crash on their floor, all the bands we've played with and hung out with, everyone who's come to a show, bought a record, everyone who's genuinely been into our music and our band. You know who you are, it means a lot, no one can take that away from us. Thank you. Take it away Bill:

“The world is like a ride in an amusement park, and when you choose to go on it you think it's real because that's how powerful our minds are. The ride goes up and down, around and around, it has thrills and chills, and it's very brightly coloured, and it's very loud, and it's fun for a while. Many people have been on the ride a long time, and they begin to wonder, "Hey, is this real, or is this just a ride?" And other people have remembered, and they come back to us and say, "Hey, don't worry; don't be afraid, ever, because this is just a ride." And we … kill those people. "Shut him up! I've got a lot invested in this ride, shut him up! Look at my furrows of worry, look at my big bank account, and my family. This has to be real." It's just a ride. But we always kill the good guys who try and tell us that, you ever notice that? And let the demons run amok … But it doesn't matter, because it's just a ride. And we can change it any time we want. It's only a choice. No effort, no work, no job, no savings of money. Just a simple choice, right now, between fear and love. The eyes of fear want you to put bigger locks on your doors, buy guns, close yourself off. The eyes of love instead see all of us as one. Here's what we can do to change the world, right now, to a better ride. Take all that money we spend on weapons and defences each year and instead spend it feeding and clothing and educating the poor of the world, which it would pay for many times over, not one human being excluded, and we could explore space, together, both inner and outer, forever, in peace.”

[antimanifestomusic]

I'm sure like us, you're still mourning the premature end of Edinburgh's best punk rockers, The Walking Targets.  The band are sadly missed around here, but you can still enjoy their awesome tunes, and now they're available for FREE!  

Download it all now!!!