Orange Juice Punx Reviews

This is a blog which reviews upcoming music and gigs, from punk to acoustic and metal to folk, we review most of what the music world has to offer. As well as this, we also give our opinion on current topics of the time.

[orangejuicepunx]

We are back!

I am pleased to announced that Orange Juice Punx are back in business after our long hiatus. With more professionality and personality than ever before, still reviewing a multitude of music from punk to indie, we will cover it all!

If any bands have an EP, LP or even a single that needs reviewing we promise to review it and share it online for the world to see. Just send myself, Charlie Hill @ [email protected] with the title of your music and your act as well as a link to your facebook page and we'll reply within a day of the email.

[orangejuicepunx]

Bandit The Panther I Have This Town

Bandit The Panther are a lo fi acoustic-folk-punk-ska group from the London area. I found out about this band by finding one of their badges in my pocket after a night out with no memory of how it got there, so i thought i would check them out. First impression, like The Clash but acoustic, but upon listening to it more i realised i like this more than i ever liked The Clash.

This first track from this six track EP is called 'Landing The Sleep Attack' and if Johnny Hobo's Love Songs for the apocalypse wasn't proof enough trumpet and acoustic guitar sounds great this song will do it for you. This song is also a great start to showing off the great sing along moments this whole EP features throughout it.

The second track is titled 'Turning Rebellion Into Bunnies', which is generally about the music industry and what the band think is wrong with it; "this worn out indie craze, has seen such better days". This song also has this amazing acoustic ska breakdown part which is a great addition to the song, along with the whistling bit just after, which i find myself doing to myself when not thinking about it. This and the third track 'From Summer To Streatham' really show how this is the bands interpretation on a 'summer' album. 'From Summer To Streatham' is a ska song, with a great fast beat (as to be expected). And also features an amazing sing along part which is just 'I feel it in here', which is hard to not want to join in with, and just wraps the song up nicely.

The fourth track is the title track from the EP 'I Have This Town', this is a fun very summery track which although may not be the best track almost encapsulates the EP as a whole. It is upbeat with 'wo-oh' bits, and an easy to pick up and sing a long chorus. By this point a clear theme in these songs.

Next is 'Landmarks', which is a slower reggae type song, with more great sounding trumpet. I especially love the reggae strumming on the acoustic in this song, probably one of the best examples of acoustic reggae i've ever heard. And it then ends on this great happy guitar riff and one last repetition of the main line. This song or the last would probably be the best from the EP if i had to choose one (which i still can't it seems).

Finally is 'The Schooner', this son takes a slightly more melancholy tone for the end of the EP, in both lyrics and music. The lyrics from this song stand out to me more than the rest of the songs, even though all the song have lyrics which truthfully speak about life and living in certain aspects, even if a little cliche, who doesn't like a cliche. But this song has all this, and then spoils us with two amazing sing along bits, which sends the EP of on a great note. Then almost to show that this was meant to be there summer EP the last word said is even 'Summer'.

Have to say i love this EP, and have done ever since i first heard it a few months ago, and have been meaning to review it for a while, with work and things our reviews have been a bit more sparse than we would like. I was goign to give the EP a 4/5 but after i got my hard copy with this note...

.. I coundn't not give this one a 5/5...this stegosaurus made my day.

[orangejuicepunx]

Mask of Judas - "Axis" 4.5/5

Mask of Judas are a progressive metal band from Chichester who cover most aspects from the metal genre, with heavy riffs, rough vocals blended with technical solos and clean vocals, Mask of Judas have got the right mixture to go far in the metal industry. Their most recent release 'Axis' is made up of 5 songs which give the listeners a taste of what they're about. The first thing that caught my attention about Axis was the detail of the artwork that was used for the mini-album. As you can see above the mood of the picture just screams out metal for the world to hear. 

Now onto the music, the album kicks off to a start with the first track Crown The Sun, beginning with quite a heavy riff alongside what seems to be complex solo parts, which is ideal for a melodic rhythm, and perfect for getting the audience in the right mood for what's to come later on. This energetic melody of the song is shortly joined by the raw screamjs of the lead vocalist Jo Challen, putting most bands to shame with the level of quality within the growls, combined with the rhythmic sounds of the fast drumming and the guitar riffs, make the song a great starting piece for the album. Halfway through the song, the vocals switch to clean and display the talent the vocalist has, being able to switch from the harsh growls and screams to the melodic voice with ease, and being able to do both well.

The next two songs Endeavour and Axis follow on similarly from the song prior, however manage to hold onto their own piece of individuality to be able to differentiate them from eachother, and reflect on the range of subgenres that Mask of Judas are. Axis shows the ferocity of the band, with edgy, rough breakdowns alongside visceral growls, whereas Endeavour displays the talented solos and clean vocals far more. However, both pack the punch to set of any number of mosh pits and walls of deaths live. Following on from Axis, the fourth track entitled The Ascension truly demonstrates the drummer's ability to drum skillfully and fast, as are the perfect ingredients for a good djent metal band such as Periphery for example. This mixed in with almost mathcore sounding guitars creating their own unique sound.

The final song, Should You Leave With Nothing, wraps up what was mainly presented within the rest of the mini album, with heavy riffs, fast drumming, and unique mathcore'esque' spirals. Mask of Judas demonstrate their progressive and experimental side which overall creates an original and nice sounding melody. Another point to make about this song is the guitar solo that takes place roughly halfway through the song is out of the world, which shows the talent that goes on in Mask of Judas. Overall, Axis is an great album to debut  and with a full album on the way, I can predict  big things for this band. The only downside I see with the mini album is that the songs could be less samey, and to try more experimental techniques in order to change this, but nonetheless, this album is 4.5/5 and I would recommend those reading this review to check out this band.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/maskofjudas

'Axis' - http://maskofjudas.bandcamp.com/album/axis

[orangejuicepunx]

Luke Nothing Windmills EP review.

This review is another lo fi folk punk band who really need a bit more notice than they already have. This EP is massively in tune with the scene being recorded his laptop and mixed by him and his friends, and to make this better all of the donations (which is all that has to be paid for the album) goes to either a Parkinson or Alzheimer charity.

The first song called 'It's An Awful Condition' and shows some depth and saddness about what the EPs donations are for. This is an interesting song as it shows an insight i have never come across before in music, making it lyrically great. Like most these songs musically it is pretty standard folk punk type thing, which is always good; this track does have good lead guitar with it though.

The second song from the EP is called 'Town Hall', a simple song, not as much depth in the lyrics but sounds like a great sort of sing along at gig song, and i have managed to get the few lyrics there are stuck in my head since first hearing it, so can't be to bad!

The next track is called 'I Could Of Been Someone' and i probably contested for best track all in all to me. As well as another great sing along chorus, which is a core feature in these songs, there are good verses and a pretty interesting story along with it about the hobo who threw his life away. 'Rise To Fame' is the next track, and a slower more melancholy song about people dying at war, and ending up alone, and is genuinely sad story. I also like how harmonica is played in this one, sounding nice and bluesy.

The fifth song is called 'I'm Invisible', which is the track i think is contested with 'I Could Of Been Someone' for best on the EP. It was a sing along chorus just like the other, but in this one one of the verses has this great fast singing, then another has a female voice, which both help break up the song a little and help it stand out more. Love this track.

The last song is called 'Minefield', this is a barer sounding track to most the others, with only one guitar and voice throughout the most of it. It is a slower song, leaving the EP on a slower slightly more thoughtful note.

This was a good EP to review, been a while since i've done a folk punk one and i miss doing them. Also would like to mention this was a request, and how happy getting requests for reviews makes us! Giving a rating to this is hard, but i think a 4/5.

Listen/download for free (donations for charity) here: http://lukenothing.bandcamp.com/album/windmills

And find his face book page here: https://www.facebook.com/LukeNothing

[orangejuicepunx]

Our first video! Dan Kemp at The Bird's Nest

[orangejuicepunx]

Anti Vigilante - "Tempest" 4/5

Anti-Vigilante are a hardcore punk/ska band from Milton Keynes, with heavy riffs iconic from the hardcore genre and amazing saxophone rhythms that you'd expect from a typical ska punk band, Anti Vigilante are covering both sides of the punk genre and  their most recent album "Tempest" shows us how Anti Vigilante can pull this off spectacularly and as its this album's 1st birthday today I've decided to review the album. 

The album kicks off with their debut single for "Tempest" 'Go Out And Play', beginning with a heavy riff ideal for any pit, this riff is then accompanied alongside the sound of the sax, after a few seconds of this intro, the bass kicks in with the vocalists who's voice sounds like a rougher, more raw version of Anthony Kiedis from RHCP, complimenting the rest of the music, the combination of which gives the audience the perfect formula to skank and dance along to the music. The next song follows on with more of a slow ska punk intro which leads into an awesome riff to dance to, the bass line in the background giving the song that bit extra for it to be thoroughly enjoyable. The song ends with a heavy guitar riff combined with a slow, heavy drum beat create the right recipe in order to transfer to the next song, 'The Rot.' This starts off with a quick drum beat to be quickly joined with an equally fast ska riff, the chorus comes in soon after this with "Slowly our lives slip away!" accompanied by a rhythm perfect to nod your head to at the very least.   

The next couple of songs (Be On The Watch & Create the Fear, Sell The Solution) display the rougher more political side of Anti Vigilante, especially in the latter song, as some will be able to tell within the title. This displays the potential Anti Vigilante have for the future, among such greats as Anti-Flag and Rise Against, I reckon that they could be up there in due time. The album continues throughout in a similar pattern to the songs mentioned beforehand and although it could be criticised for being quite 'Same-ey', Overall it works for Anti Vigilante, and the several songs that stand out most for me, are ones that'll be repeated on my ipod for years to come, such as 'The Rot' or 'Push on Through'. The song that stands out to me however, is 'Song For A Friend' which shows the softer side of Anti Vigilante through the light melody of the acoustic guitar accompanied with violin, and although the song isn't even a minute long, the emotions conveyed throughout make up for it.

Overall, Anti Vigilante delivered a highly enjoyable, ska punk album which was able to incorporate heavy hardcore beats within and still flow through as if they'd been doing this since birth. If I had to be critical of one element I'd say to have more diverse riffs, but the way they sound, it wouldn't be much of an issue if they carried on. 4/5 for the album, and if you ever get a chance to see Anti Vigilante live, I'd highly recommend it!

Anti-Vigilante’s Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/antivigilante?fref=ts

[stencilmag]

[orangejuicepunx]

Reel Big Fish Tour with Less Than Jake and Zebrahead 

[orangejuicepunx]

Albion Cradle To The Grave album review

Albion a four piece punk band from Ipswich have released their first full album 'Cradle To The Crave', and are back from the first review i wrote for this, so thought it would be fitting to keep up with them. At only seven tracks this is only a short one, but no less worth listening to at some point.

This album starts of sounding very much like what i would expecting from the band, starting with a bare sounding guitar on the first track 'This Is England' and as well on the title track after. 'This Is England' features a very crunchy riff throughout, as is to be expected from these guys, broken up with a solo part at the end. Both these songs also have some great lyrics, and with the vocals in general it shows a sort of caged anger which isn't shown in many current punk bands, such as Drones who are a far more wild sounding group. The vox in the band are to me similar to that of Black Flag in this respect, especially in the track 'Cradle To The Grave'.

The third track 'Alien Agenda' is about as lyrically punk as you can get, with lines like "government run the media, tea time propaganda, they control you with the shit they feed ya", pretty damn punk. After this are track four and five 'Mary' and 'Friendly Fire', which are two quite typical tracks, punk riffs, sounding like a Black Flag only recorded nicely. 'Friendly Fire' is a sort of typical anti bible punk song, but about half past it does start to show off some more melodic riffs and then after a short drum breakdown type thing the best solo from the album.

The next song is 'In Albion' like all the tracks shows of the contained anger sound, which sounds great in the chorus when the lyric goes "No death no fucking glory". This is probably one of the best tracks of the seven, along with the next track 'Walls Of Babylon", which being the most interesting of the tracks probably takes the place of the best in my view. It is interesting because of just how different it is, the riff is really sort of jagged sounding, and the noise is just great for when you want it. And does have the great line "This is no utopia, this place is fucked". The breakdown is also great in this, and shows how they can mix up their breakdowns; after the music fades out it then starts back with a marching rythm sounding guitar, which slowly but surely gets faster until it breaks breaks back into the main riff of the song to great effect.

The band name Albion is from what our country England was previously named, and they say they are on a mission for a return to this archaic country, and this album certainly show a want to change drastically the country we live in. I would give this album a 6/10

Find band and listen at https://www.facebook.com/GoodShipAlbion?fref=ts

[orangejuicepunx]

Drones Mutiny review

A four piece punk band from Camberly, who are just that, they are pretty damn punk. As described Asher Baker at a Drones gig "If i was asked to name a punk band i would say The Clash...then Drones". The band whilst reminiscent of bands like Rise Against and Anti Flag, who undoubtedly influence the band, they still keep their own style with the raw vocals, giving it a more punky dirty edge than those other bands. This album was released last September on Lockjaw Records, but i only just got it so am reviewing it anyway.

The first few songs off the album (Jack Won't, Mutiny and Thursdays a Full Moon) are all pretty standard short punk songs, which set the clear standard for what the band sound like (I had trouble realising when one ended and another started) which is a nice angry sounding punk vibe with all the rhythmic riffs and good bass hooks of bands like Rise Against. A great bit from the first track is the bass heavy intro, i personally love intros like this and it made me think of great bands like Anti Flag and Millencolin. The best of the three songs is probably Mutiny the title track, may only be one and a half minutes long but there in the part after the first verse where the guitar slows but the drums carry on and sounds great.

The next two songs carry on as expected with The Jester a pretty standard tune, carrying the high energy they keep going in these songs. Then is Spite, which from the very start reminded me of Hate Me by the Distillers, so starting with an aggressive riff, it carries on with this theme throughout and Spite is really the word which springs to mind. There is also at one point half way through an interesting change in tone with a smooth bass loop, nicely breaking the song and setting it apart from the others on the album.

The next two songs Assassins Of Youth and Shells Fall, Pins Pulled both have music videos, and are probably two of the best from the album, in them they manage to sound like an amalgamation of a variety of the best punk bands i can think of, but with an edge a lot of them lack in their music.

The Static Truth carries on like the first few songs, but then Raise The Arms in contrast starts with just guitar and voice, before going into the faster punk bit, although being similar it is just different in a good way. Which is a needed change in the album, and although it in my view the best track on the album it is the sort of thing you couldn't put more than one song like the album. 

The last two are Watch It Burn and Call Your Own, Watch it burn being another just cracking punk track, and Call Your Own which similar to the others. Leaves you at one point thinking it will end on a vocal bit it goes back into another fast chorus, going out how it started, with the fast punk energy.

May of used punk to describe this band a lot here but that is simply because that is literally just what they are, to describe them i would say think of a typical fast paced punk band, but better! Great live and on record this album would be 7/10 for me. 

Find them on Face book here: https://www.facebook.com/dronesuk?fref=ts

[orangejuicepunx]

All Action Hero + Support, The Lounge Bar, Alton, 07/06/13

A great range of different music was on full display on the 7th, headlined by locals, All Action Hero whom you may remember from my own first review of their debut EP. The night was described as "A night of silliness and volume in abundance", and indeed it was a night full of hilarity and silliness all around.

First on to the stage were The FaiL, a punk band from Aldershot, who although recently lost their original singer put on an awesome show, with a sound similar to Drones, reviewed last week. Showing a range of their original songs, one of which was inspired by Aldershot's own, Tiffany's, The FaiL displayed what kind of sound they wanted to make, and it was one the audience enjoyed.

Following on from The FaiL, the rock band Colin took to the stage for their debut performance at The Lounge Bar. Playing a range of originals such as "I Spilt My Milk" and covers like "No one knows" - Queens of the stone age, Colin put on an entertaining and hilarious performance, displaying similarities to The Darkness, although minus the high vocals, truly a band to look out for in the future! 

After Colin,  Metal band, Gravel Rash who return from their last performance at the battle of the bands at the lounge bar, with a different vocalist, Gravel Rash performed a variety of songs with rock & metal influences, similar to the sound of Motorhead. However unlike Motorhead, the band performed a cover with their old vocalist of "I like to move it" for the whole crowd to dance along to.

At last, All Action Hero came on, playing mixtures of their debut EP and their new EP released this year, they played to a animated crowd. Not even the problem with the blanket above could keep them playing a great show, set with a pit & many hoedowns were had. Overall, the audience loved their performance and I would personally recommend you to see them.

The FaiL - https://www.facebook.com/TheFaiLUK?fref=ts

Colin - https://www.facebook.com/colinisaband?fref=ts

Gravel Rash - https://www.facebook.com/GravelRashUK?fref=ts

All Action Hero - https://www.facebook.com/AllActionHero

[orangejuicepunx]

Anti Vigilante + support at The Lounge Bar Alton

Last Saturday was a great night at the bar with Anti Vigilante's much appreciated return after quite a long while, with support from Chapter Eleven, Drones and The Karma Party. Was meant to be Random Hand headlining the night but they had to pull out (being re scheduled for October time this year), but the all the other acts stepped up and filled the hole for quite a smashing evening.

Opening the night was Chapter Eleven, who have become a favorite at the bar,  a great guy along with that and the band which got me into folk punk type music, and with the bias aside from  that aside this was probably the best he has played for a while, even to the extent of maybe one of the best shows he has done that i've seen. He played a mix of his own songs which are all pretty decent, and you need to go see him live to see the best ones these days as the EP out no longer represents the band, especially liked Carry On, Carrion, which he introduced with a bit of This is the life, which sounded great, and luckily enough was the recorded song! If you get a chance go out to see Chapter Eleven and show much love, may convince a new EP out of him! (also have to say this slot was meant to be Lead Shot Hazard, Asher's ska punk band but the bassist could not make it).

Next up to make a contrast from the acoustic, personal music of Chapter Eleven came on Drones, a fast punk band. In the words of Asher Baker when i asked him what the band was like "Drones are pretty punk, like if you asked me to name a punk band i would say the Clash...then Drones". This is the first time i have managed to see this band and i have to say i almost regret not making it to see them sooner! Their show was great, they played a mix of great punk tunes with a great energy produced by the band. A great band to go with any sort of punk line up!

Then was The Karma Party, and this is the second time i have seen them at the bar, and i have to say they have got much better in the time they have been away, not to say they were not good in the first place. Although it took maybe two songs to get into it, they then played a medley of well known hip hop songs with the message of "we don't care what you listen to", which from this point on had the crowd moving around like crazy. The rest of their set went on smoothly and i was actually wanting more when they left stage, which screamed their improvement to me.

Then headlining the night was Anti Vigilante, a ska-core sort of band with fast ska riffs, crushing heavy guitar, song sing along choruses, and even some double bass pedal in there for good measure. And from the very first song the crowd were dancing and moving around like no ones business, which is always great to see and to be a part of. Then each song was great and was well received by everyone. To say this was a triumphant return to the bar would be to say the least, they really stepped up to fill Random Hand's boots in the headlining spot, and everyone was glad to see them with a longer set!

Not moved around at a gig like this at the bar for a while now, was an amazing night and really reminds me why i love the Lounge Bar and all the bands that play the shows. All the bands were great, and put on a great set, would recommend any of them. 

The Lounge Bar can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/LoungeBarAlton

Chapter Eleven: http://www.chaptereleven.co.uk/stay-positive/

 https://www.facebook.com/chapterelevenband?directed_target_id=0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-sSMamgu3k

Drones: https://www.facebook.com/dronesuk?directed_target_id=0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDYNZDLBnto

The Karma Party: https://www.facebook.com/thekarmaparty?directed_target_id=0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1ne_vB2d4g

Anti Vigilante: https://www.facebook.com/antivigilante?directed_target_id=0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtnnbM-XDYM

[orangejuicepunx]

Headstone Down - Debut EP (3/5)

Headstone Down are an unsigned metal band from Hampshire, from having played shows with such bands as Karhu, they are here to melt people's faces with their heavy riffs. Their Debut EP features 2 original songs recorded by the band which are entitled 'Flawed' and 'Breathe'. 

'Flawed' begins with a typical metal riff combined with a low gutteral roar which sounds like they mean business. this is then carried onwards with the main rough riff alongside the screaming, which gives the song the perfect ingredients to headbang to. The EP then leads onto the second song 'Breathe' which begins with the clink of the cymbal which leads on to the main riff, which shows a more lively energetic sound than of which they showed in 'Flawed'. This coupled with the harmonics and rough vocals makes this equally a good song to mosh and headbang to. The song is closed with the vocalist screaming "Breaaathe!" along side the breakdown styled rhythm in the background.

Overall, the EP is a great beginning for a band who've just started recording their music, which is why they've got 3/5 stars for their EP, I'm sure within a few years I will be see more of them, especially with the reception they received at their last show in Alton. I'd definitely recommend you check this band out on their facebook and see them if you get a chance

Headstone Down - https://www.facebook.com/Headstonedown

[orangejuicepunx]

MoCara Identifyah EP review

This is the second EP from MoCara, a four piece upcoming punk-reggae band from Surrey. I reviewed their single Egomania a while ago, and they were right in saying that it was the direction that they intended to take the band in from the last EP, you can tell the change from less rock sounding to more reggae heavy sound, still keeping some nice bluesy lead guitar in there, which i think suits them far better.

The first tracks on the EP are 'Sammy Psychosis' and the title track 'Identifyah', which are both pretty solid tracks where you get what you would expect from the band from the old EP, 'Sammy Psychosis' especially reminded me of the first album, it had the same solid riff and drumming, and then a great chorus. Even though 'Identifyah' is the title track i have to say it was my least favorite track here, although it does have a very good solo, and the drumming stood out for me in it also, i didn't click with the song as much as the others.

Next up is 'Blue Sun, Gold Sky' which is where this EP really picked up for me. It is pretty clear that this song was heavily influenced by Sublime (i even think they borrow the riff from 'Caress Me Down' as it goes into the second half), but this is not a bad ting, they still retain their own sound enough. But it starts with some really nice reggae and ska riffs, then has an amazing fast punk bit in the middle, which nicely breaks up the song as it then goes into a dub reggae section, with great solos (ehem Sublime). I have listened to this track a few times in a row now.

The next couple of songs 'Obsession' and 'Second Coming' are then after 'Blue Sun, Gold Sky' keeping the upward theme. 'Obsession' starts with a lonely reggae riff, which soon comes into the main riff in the song before the verse, and in the verse the reggae is really simple sounding and with the singing here it became my favorite part of the song. Then 'Second Coming' sounds rather similar to 'Obsession' in both the verse and chorus, at least for the first half of the song where a solo starts the difference, and then a great breakdown which is the defining moment in the song. The Last song is 'A good Nature To Forget' which is another great dub track; generally all averagely good again, it does start with bass standing it out. But this song comes out after the breakdown then solo, which feel great in the song, and are a perfect way to end the EP.

So Identifyah is a great improvement for the band in my eyes, they are taking themselves in a new direction which suits them perfectly and i hope to see more from them! 4/5!

(tour)

Free stream: https://soundcloud.com/mocara/sets/identifyah-ep

MoCara on FB: https://www.facebook.com/mocaramusic?fref=ts

MoCara stuff: http://www.mocaramusic.bigcartel.com/

O.J.P FB: https://www.facebook.com/OrangeJuicePunxReviews

[orangejuicepunx]

Pat "The Bunny" Schneeweis's 'The Mark Inside' EP review

I'd been looking forward to new stuff from the band Ramshackle Glory for a while, so it was a happy surprise when i saw Pat had released this EP 'The Mark Inside' of just him playing a few of his own.

This EP is a great example of Pat's song writing, and if you wanted to hear what just his (newer) music sounds like i would say this is where you should go! It shows a real contrast to his music from Johnney Hobo, you can see how his music career has aged and matured in many ways. A large part of why I and i'm sure many others listen to his music is for the lyrics and what the songs are about; in essence these songs are just as much about the same as his music has ever been, with themes including problems in the world, the end, depression, building a life and of course anarchism. In the information he says "I present a more fictionalized account of my life in these songs than i have in the bulk of my previous work" referring to the fictional scenarios told in song to tell 'truth' of some sort, which is a perfect way to describe song writing i have not thought of before this EP (i recommend reading the little spiel on creative authenticity on the bandcamp). 

The songs are all worth listening to, but i would say the best song from the EP would be 'Song For A Netflix Account', which is about just living life really; with a lyric i especially like "Let's fill up out shopping carts with the things we need and just role out the front door..." reminiscent of songs by The Anorexic Olsen Twin, who have a couple of songs about just taking what you need if you need it, following the anarchist idea of property being theft, so why shouldn't they take what they need to live. At the end of each verse he sings a line in a way which is why i love his music where he just sounds like he is putting his all into it, especially with the line "And hope that thats enough to build a life!".

Another song which stopped me was 'A Song For a Stray Cat On The Fence' which is firstly a great name for summing up how i am sure many of us have felt if you think of it in a certain way. This one seems to me to be slightly more of a call back to Johnney Hobo mostly musically, although i thought of this connection at the line "I set fire to the house to get my self out alive", and again at the line "Freedoms beautiful and terrible, it's nothing soft or sweet", and it is brilliant to listen to something which sounds like old and new together.

There is also a rather lovely cover of 'Wasted' by Black Flag to be heard, and Black Flag covers always go down well as an addition right?

If you already listen to Pat The Bunny's stuff this is really worth listening to, and if you haven't heard him before i would say this is actually a good place to start! A 4/5 for a great EP.

Listen/download/read Pat's own commentary  at: http://ramshackleglory.bandcamp.com/album/the-mark-inside

Ramshackle Glory's FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/ramshackleglory?fref=ts

Our FB: https://www.facebook.com/OrangeJuicePunxReviews

[orangejuicepunx]

Takedown 2013 Preview

Returning to Southampton Uni, this May is Takedown Festival, Now Takedown festival offers a variety of different bands, ranging from Skindred (2012) to The Algorithm (2013) from local bands to touring ones, Takedown has them all.

This year, as shown on the poster is headlined by Welsh Post-Hardcore guys from The Blackout, supported by new hits, Don Broco who last year  released their hit "Priorities" receiving great success, even being part of Kerrang!'s top 10 albums of 2012.

So what more is there to Takedown? Well being sponsored by Monster, they've got the Monster Energy Stage headlined by While She Sleeps, who've recently got back from a tour with Asking Alexandria, and show much promise as well.

But enough of who's headlining what stage and who's at the top of their leaderboard at Takedown. Here is my top 10 (non headlining) bands to check out at Takedown Festival:

10 - Idiom 

Idiom are a DIY Alt. Metal Quartet from the South-West of UK, their style is reminiscent of Rage Against The Machine and have toured with such bands as Skindred, Devildriver and Bring Me The Horizon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMsSFiaLuKc

9 - Our Hollow, Our Home

Our Hollow, Our Home originally set out as Deadlines but changed that last year when they became Our Hollow Our Home, returning this year under a different alias, they are bound to blow some minds who see them live. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EWiX-shMyw

8 - Rat Attack

Midway through their headline tour, Rat Attack are definitely a band you should check out, as I've reviewed earlier when supporting Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, this "Party" Punk band are definitely a band to jump around to and have a good time, especially if they perform Heartbeat with vocalist, Liam Cromby of We Are The Ocean

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piBa8sEWt_4

7 - Max Raptor

Max Raptor are a Punk Rock band who are returning to Takedown on the main stage to exhibit their energetic performance, with new material off their debut album which will be released this year

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbyKUC22Fo8

6 - We Are The Ocean

We Are The Ocean are a Rock Quartet from Essex who've performed over many festivals including Butserfest & Reading, although they'll be performing without their old screaming vocalist, Dan Brown, these guys will be able to capture the crowds with such hits as Young Heart & Runaway. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDnfCVAGKt8

5 - Hildamay

Hildamay are a rock band who've played with such bands as Kids In Glasshouses and Funeral For A Friend, their debut album, Miles Away featured such tracks as The Light and Changing The Key and will be a great band to see perform at Takedown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGCAzEDp_24

4 - The Algorithm

A slight difference from what I'd usually listen to, The Algorithm are a mixture between electronica and rock with new riffs from the new guitarist and melodies, this band will blow people's minds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwG97ah0mEU

3 - TesseracT

TesseracT are a progressive metal band from the Uk, this band are credited as the pioneers of the Djent movement within metal, if you love decent riffs, you're going to love TesseracT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYhfH59OLC8

2 - Don Broco

As said before, Don Broco emerged as great newcomers last year with their album, Priorities, not only did this album reach the top 10 albums by Kerrang, they also sold out their headlining UK tour, even having to had dates with support from Pure Love. Don Broco's catchy riffs and lyrics, make their performances unforgettable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4krA0h_IY0

1 - Mallory Knox

Mallory Knox are a rock band from Cambridge and also the band I would recommend you see the most, after releasing their debut album Signals this year, Mallory Knox joined Don Broco on their Priorities Tour and with such amazing songs as Beggars, Oceans and Death Rattle, Mallory Knox are bound to get the whole audience singing along to their lyrics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFBQQ3BY2Sg

[orangejuicepunx]

Jake & The Jellyfish debut album 'Overdrafts And Credit Cards' review

Finally managed to pull myself away from the new Streetlight manifesto album today to review Jake & The Jellyfish's new album, as promised in the gig review when i saw them a few weeks back. This folk-punk band from Leeds are in my top bands on the scene in England right now (if you hadn't guessed this was going to be a good review yet). Jake & the Jellyfish deliver great music, with incredibly catchy lyrics with just as catchy melodies, which create incredibly easy and enjoyable listening.

The album starts with one of the few revamps from their EP; 'Tunnel Vision' which is a good example of how they can go from sounding like a stripped down folk band into a punk band when the whole band comes in. The new version is a lot cleaner sounding than the EP version, which on this song makes it just seem far more flowing. It then goes really well into the next song which is the title song of the album, which is a great song to listen to if you want to get what the band are about as it were, it shows of a good standard of their folky bits, and then punky bits, and has a chorus which is hard not to get stuck in your head in my opinion.

"Smoke to much, and that ok, it's just a socially acceptable point of being awake"

The next two songs are 'Rise And Shine' then 'Spare Change': 'Rise And Shine' is actually a ska song, which is dance-able, and creates a nice break up of the rest of the album, and makes the album all the more diverse and exciting. Then following in the same vain as this 'Spare Change' is a reggae song with quite punky breakdowns, which along with 'Rise And Shine' make the nice change from the norm to liven up the album, but not so different it confuses the album. 'Spare Change' also has a melodica to play with the offbeat, creating a great mix up of instruments, and has the insanely catchy lyric "spare change for some change, but no more for war" (which they have on a patch)

Then is the second of the EP re hashes, 'Landfills'; a rather folky song about how we are effectively sucking the world we live in dry of resources, living in a wasteful society, which seems to me to be a large part of the message of the band, and they get it across in a way not many bands do. After this is 'Black, White & Grey', another good song along the same lines musically as 'Overdrafts And Credit Cards', though lyrically rather different. 'Forever Cynical' is a song learning more toward folk, featuring some banjo along with the violin and no drums until the end to create this feel. The next re-done song is 'Dotted Line' which is probably their best known song, and the one which got me into the band in the first place, the same as many others i am sure, it has a music video up on youtube, which should be watched.

"I'm so tired, but i spend most of my days asleep, tea and TV are clogging up my week"

The next two are probably my favorite from the album, 'People Watching' and 'Parking Space'; 'People Watching' features sweet violin parts, which is the songs defining feature. And 'Parking space' is a brilliant song which is really calm and slow, but what puts this song above the others for me are the lyrics, they are a really truthful observation of life as it is, such as; "tell me what should i do when i got debts to pay, and my work day is through" or "our perception of walkable don't stretch very far", which goes along with the general message of the band. Also has the lyric "i'd rather sit and drink ale by the fire", which conjours a happy image in my head (ale is good). 

"Break in and break even, break even and break free"

The album then finishes on the re-do of 'Same Old' which the same as they end their live shows, is a great choice of song, it is far more stripped down sounding than anything else on the album, and and ends on a lamentic note, which does make you want more of the band. 

Pretty much not got a bad thing to say about the band i don't think, love the album, love the band, 9/10. Amazing live also, would recommend listening to it and buying it if you have not yet. Also have to say their merch is amazing, probably my favorite t-shirt...

I think that they have just finished the album release tour not long ago, but i am sure they will be back before long!

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[orangejuicepunx]

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