Rad Times Promotions

DIY music promotions / label / blog, based in Norwich. Play music, have fun.

[radtimesuk]

Rad Times #17: JOINERS + The Psychles & Excuses. Friday 6th May 2016. Gringos Mexican Tequila Bar, Norwich. FREE ENTRY (Taking donations for Mind).

JOINERS (Alternative ft. ex-members of Southpaw, The First & 32fps) https://www.reverbnation.com/joiners https://www.facebook.com/joinersuk/

THE PSYCHLES (Psychedelic Rock Trio) https://myspace.com/the.psychles https://www.facebook.com/The-Psychles-813965111975838/timeline

EXCUSES (Alternative / Pop Punk) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJqy-JPm4hA https://www.facebook.com/excusesofficial/

+1 MORE TBC

Join the event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/224298977947202/

Gringo’s Mexican Tequila Bar 25 Prince of Wales Road Norwich Norfolk NR1 1BG

[radtimesuk]

*** T O N I G H T ***

Rad Times #16: PROJECT MORK + Bono! & Capone. Friday 15th April 2016. Gringos Mexican Tequila Bar, Norwich. FREE ENTRY (Taking donations for Mind).

"Project Mork really are something you need to see for yourself. Completely mental tech-thrash punk hardcore madness signed to Aaahh!!!! Real Records. You will love it." - Matt (Rad Times Promotions).

PROJECT MORK (Shabba-Thrash/Hardcore/Punk/Goodtimes) http://music.real-records.co.uk/album/smell-the-blade https://www.facebook.com/Project-Mork-40636530926/

BONO! ((Punk/Hardcore) https://bonohardcore.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/bonohardcore

CAPONE (Punk Rock) https://www.reverbnation.com/caponepunk https://www.facebook.com/CaponePunk/

Gringo’s Mexican Tequila Bar 25 Prince of Wales Road Norwich Norfolk NR1 1BG

RAD TIMES PROMOTIONS Blog: https://www.radtimesuk.tumblr.com/ Downloads: https://www.radtimesuk.bandcamp.com/ Shop: https://www.radtimesuk.bigcartel.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radtimesuk Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/radtimesuk YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/radtimesuk

[radtimesuk]

Bono! added to Friday’s line up with Project Mork at Gringo’s Mexican Tequila Bar, Norwich. 

Join the event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1705295916385119/

[radtimesuk]

Was interviewed at the last gig I put on about why I now raise money for Mind at my shows for a documentary about mental health. My part is around 6:20 in.

[radtimesuk]

***SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT***

Excited to announce I have Project Mork playing for us at Gringos Mexican Tequila Bar NEXT FRIDAY (Friday 15th April). Completely mental thrash tech hardcore punk ska everything vibes. Honestly, just have a listen: http://music.real-records.co.uk/album/smell-the-blade

Join the event page here to keep updated: https://www.facebook.com/events/1705295916385119/

[radtimesuk]

Interview with Tim Rowing-Parker of WOAHNOWS.

Name / what you do involving music? I'm Tim, I play in WOAHNOWS, record bands and teach music at a youth club.

Where are you from? Cornwall.

How would you describe your music? Noisy, poppy, indie punk.

Who are your main influences, musically? Loads. I grew up as a total punk kid, but listen to a real wide variety. I think most of my favourite songs are soul, but I never thought I could achieve something that good. Although lately, we're letting that influence slide in, in our usual scrappy way. 

What do you hope to achieve in music? I'd like to listen back to songs I'd written in years to come and think, "yea, that was alright actually."

What is your opinion on the Norwich music scene? It's great. In my old band it was always one of the tour highlights. I remember one time, people having to stay around after to help clean footprints off the ceiling of some tiny pub. Olives? There used to be people crowd surfing and doing all kinds of crazy shit the moment we'd start the first song. I remember thinking that everyone was having such a good time they wouldn't even notice any mistakes so it was always a pretty relaxed affair. 

What has been the highlight of your musical career so far, and why? Not one grand shining moment, but getting to travel to so many places and have friends all over the place. Feeling part of a community I only dreamt of as a kid growing up in a place where I didn't feel i belonged. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget? None. I'm sure there have been some pretty embaressing moments along the way, but I don't think I'd be the person I am without them. So, I wouldn't want to forget anything, although I might hope other people have.

Where can we find out more / listen to your music? All the usual places, we're all over the internet. Like google and that.

Anything else you’d like to add? Look forward to coming back to Norwich with The Smith Street Band later this year. x

Interview by Matt Beauchamp of Rad Times Promotions.

[radtimesuk]

Last night we ran completely over time, the mics were electrocuting people, the drum kit fell apart, we had to tape a mic to a drum stand and the feedback was horrendous in general, but we still played the rock show and everyone sounded awesome. That was the most DIY gig I've put on in a while and I loved every second of it. Huge thanks to everyone who helped make it happen, another great night! Here's my good friend Lottie enjoying the vibes.

[radtimesuk]

Who wants to play this with us at the Rad Times Pop Punk party this Friday?!

All event details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/509964625875935/

[radtimesuk]

RAD TIMES POP PUNK PARTY. Friday 18th March 2016. Gringos Mexican Tequila Bar, Norwich. FREE ENTRY (Taking donations for Mind).

BEST INTENTIONS https://bestintentionsuk.bandcamp.com https://www.facebook.com/bestintentionsuk

COUCH https://couch.bandcamp.com https://www.facebook.com/Band.Couch

AJQJ https://soundcloud.com/ajqjband https://www.facebook.com/AJQJBand/

NOT PENNY’S BOAT https://notpennysboatuk.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/notpennysboatband

MARK BALDWIN (Breaking Sirens) https://breakingsirens.bandcamp.com https://www.facebook.com/Breakingsirensband

Gringo’s Mexican Tequila Bar 25 Prince of Wales Road Norwich Norfolk NR1 1BG

Join the official event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/509964625875935/

[radtimesuk]

THIS FRIDAY.

[radtimesuk]

Interview with Ross Stephen of Bright July for Ross. 

Name / what you do involving music? I’m Ross, I play Guitar and a little Bass, as well as writing and arranging the music for Bright July For Ross. I’ve also been teaching guitar since 2008, and have played in many local bands.

Where are you from? Sunny Gorleston in Norfolk. Well, It’s sunny right now at least! You should go there sometime… Gorleston sports some of the best chip shops this side of Norwich.

How would you describe your music? It’s rock I guess, but not heavy rock. I worked hard trying to avoid any blues vibes too. Mark (singer) and I worked hard to make the vocals slightly unusual and emotive. He really has the best voice I could have imagined, and when I listen to this EP I feel his voice steals it for me. I would say that I worked hard to write music that was emotionally charged, but not in an obvious upfront manner, but in an indirect way. As I friend said to me about writing recently; Don't tell them that you feel happy or sad, but show them.

Who are your main influences, musically? I love so much music, from Squarepusher to the Dave Brubeck Quartet  and Joni Mitchell. The main influences for this record would be more in line with Hendrix, the Doors and Radiohead.

What do you hope to achieve in music? The first thing for me was to write and record something that I was a big fan off. I have achieved that. I love this EP. It’s great, truly. Every aspect of it, from the songs, to my singer and drummer. I managed to get Carl Doggett in from the Doggett Brothers to drum. The man is a power house of a musician, and a great session player.

The Production on the EP is world class. This EP does not sound out of place next to anything else out there. It was recorded by Sotos at Ashwood Studios Norwich, over the course of a year, and no detail was missed.

Outside of making something I was proud of, I would like to make this into a live act and record the album. This is a studio project for now, but the music needs to go live. I would also like to excel at writing. I find it such a challenge to write a song. I can write riffs and vibes so easily, but a song is so much harder for me to write!

What has been the highlight of your musical career so far, and why? Well for me that first time, 24 years ago, when I managed to wrap my hands around my first G chord and make to sound like something more than a collection of buzz. It’s all been good since then!

Getting signed to a label was a great moment too.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? It’s all good… the errors and missteps just make us stronger.

Where can we find out more / listen to your music? My EP ’The Great Sun’ by Bright July For Ross (on Ashwood records)  is available on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and most other main streaming or downloading services. Come find me on facebook too.

Anything else you’d like to add? Always brush your teeth.

Interview by Matt Beauchamp of Rad Times Promotions.

[radtimesuk]

Interview with Jack Brown of Pretend Happy (Rock from Barnstaple).

Name / what you do involving music? Jack, I sing and play guitar in Pretend Happy.

Where are you from? I live in Barnstaple Devon but was born in Maidstone, Kent.

How would you describe your music? Our music is just honest rock music really. There's no gimmicks or anything.

Who are your main influences, musically? Weezer, Failure, Superheaven, Nirvana, etc.

What do you hope to achieve in music? I don't know anything I'd like to achieve specifically - I mean, I think the ultimate achievement would be to keep doing what we're doing and enjoying every moment. 

What has been the highlight of your musical career so far, and why? Recording the album at the Ranch with Lewis Johns would probably be the biggest highlight. It was an incredible experience to work with Lewis and the best couple of weeks we've ever had as a band. It's like having a second family. Were all best mates. So it was awesome.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? I'd like to forget 99% of our old material? 

Where can we find out more / listen to your music? iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, Soundcloud etc - our album Tired Eyes is up on all of them now.

Anything else you’d like to add? Thank you to anyone for even noticing that our band exists!

Interview by Matt Beauchamp of Rad Times Promotions.

[radtimesuk]

Pushing Daisies “Stay Sad” EP Review.

There's four dudes in Bristol who definitely need a cuddle right now. Bristol based emo band Pushing Daisies seem intent on sulking with their newest release “Stay Sad”, but don't be fooled by their melancholy demeanour, this record is more than just a few sad songs.

Already having thrown up two releases in the last year, Pushing Daises have been working hard on sculpting their thick, beefy and emotive sound. “Stay Sad” is a definite step up, and is just the output needed to prove their worth as a band to keep your eye on.

Opening up the EP is the fast paced “Hazel”, coming straight in with a punchy rhythm and an absolute wall of guitar. It's not hard to see where these boys draw their influences from, Basement-esque guitar riffs saturate this song, and the record as a whole. The next few tracks slow down, with some serious headbanging moments. For better or for worse, the thick guitars are unrelenting. But, when the hilariously depressingly titled “Phil Collins Was There For Me More Than My Dad Ever Was”, kicks in, your attention is once again gripped. In one word; heavy. 

At over five minutes, the closing track “Kingsuti” goes through quite a transformation. Starting life as a weighty full on rock banger, growing into an atmospheric end. With a wide guitar melody playing out the record accompanied by a spoken word sample, it's a fitting end, providing a welcome new texture to their hefty sound.

Stay Sad is an exciting release, and it's lively and in your face presence will allow Pushing Daisies to make a significant mark on the scene. Stay Rad.

Review by Mark Thaxter of Rad Times Promotions.

[radtimesuk]

Interview with Bowels (Grunge/Punk from London).

Name / what you do involving music?  Soroush: Hi im ASAP ROOSH, otherwise known as Soroush by many, and I am a voice man as well as a string man. Jack: I’m Jack. I am the ideas man along with Soroush and I also sing. We’re great. Ashwin: I’m Ashwin, I play drums and do backing vocals.  Karim: I’m Karim and I play the deeper strings. 

Where are you from?  Soroush: We’re all from very different parts of the UK. I’ve been in London for most of my life, Jack’s from Nottinghamshire, but he recently moved to Kingston. Ashwin’s from Banbury in Oxfordshire, but he’s been living in Kingston for a while now and Karim is from Bedford but started living in Brighton last year.  Jack: Grabbing talent from all round the country.

How would you describe your music?  Soroush: We tend to stick to “Grunge/Punk” because our sound is pretty tough to describe. Everyone seems to have their own subjective way of describing our music. My favourite description is “Bowels are a grungier, angrier version of Teen Suicide”.  Jack: We make angsty kid pop songs. Ashwin: I’d say Grunge with elements of Anti-Folk. Karim: I’d say Grunge but with a lot of emotion and a lot imagery.

Who are your main influences, musically?  Soroush: My main influences as a musician are the typical people like Kurt Cobain and Thom Yorke, because I’m basic. But then I also aspire to sound musically similar to individuals like Rick Maguire from Pile, Alex G and Bulldog Eyes. As a band I reckon we take a lot of influence from Pile and a lot of other Exploding in Sound Records artists, mixed with a little bit of the 90s vibe from bands like Pixies and Sonic Youth. Jack: It usually comes from what we are listening to at the time, but it ends up sounding like a heavy Pile + Wavves mix. I’d say even Swans at some points. Overall, it’s amazing music mish-mashed and funnelled down into a mess, hence the name. Ashwin: I’m very influenced by current shoegaze bands like “Nothing” with my drumming style. Karim: I take a lot of inspiration from hip-hop artists like Wu-Tang and Mellowhype. Often times DIY artists as well.

What do you hope to achieve in music?  Soroush: I’ve always dreamed about playing to a full venue of people shouting my lyrics back at me. Being able to help other people and other musicians has always been my dream. I just want to tour the world and meet cool new people and give them a kiss on the cheek.  Jack: I care immensely about the artistic merits of our music and I want one day to make something cohesive that I can call legitimately “good”. Ashwin: This is the first band I’ve been in that hasn’t been just a fuck-about. I can see a great future with this band.  Karim: I wanna play in a venue that’s so compact and so full and so hot and sweaty that the gig gets cancelled. I also really want to rip a 12 foot bong on stage like Cyprus Hill. That’s the dream.

What has been the highlight of your musical career so far, and why? Soroush: Think playing with Roam has to be the highlight of our musical career. That was probably the biggest thing we’ve done even though it was a house show. But I can promise you, Bowels are brewing up bigger things. Jack: Well we haven’t achieved much. Our show at Power Lunches really connected us with the DIY scene. That kind of community support is the best thing you can hope for in a band. Ashwin: Just releasing the demo was something I never thought I’d be doing with any band. Karim: Getting to play Power Lunches on one of its final days and playing with Roam was an honour. The third best moment has to be the first show we played which we actually couldn’t play. Ashwin will mention it later.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?  Soroush: All The arguments, all the sad times, and most of all, Requiem for a Dream. That film has scarred me for life. Jack: We fight a lot. We play a lot of shit gigs to a room of 5 people. Probably those. Soroush: Me and Karim fist fight a lot. Ashwin: The first show we ever played, I got super wasted and couldn’t play the drums, so it just sounded like I was having a stroke. I’d definitely like to forget that.  Karim: I really want to forget playing one of our shows and having absolutely no idea how to play one of the songs we were covering, so I just pretended to play.

Where can we find out more / listen to your music?  Soroush: Check us out at www.bowelspunx.bandcamp.com. 

That’s where you can find all the tracks we’ve released so far. We put up some teasers on our facebook or soundcloud from time to time if we feel like it. We have all the other social media as well, you just gotta search. Come see us at our shows as well, that’s a great way to hear our music.

Anything else you’d like to add?  Soroush: I just want to announce that we are soon heading into the studio to record our debut EP which we will still not name. It’s got some old tracks and some new tracks on it. We’ve also got big things coming, so go check us.  Karim: This year we get to play with really great bands like Sunbather, Simmer, Leatherneck, Water Canvas and many others. I just have to shout them all out.  Soroush: Thank you to Rad Times Promotions for interviewing us. Kiss kiss, love love. Peace be with you. Jack: P.s. Jack is Cute. Ashwin: Hummus is life

Interview by Matt Beauchamp of Rad Times Promotions.

[radtimesuk]

Ducking Punches premiere ‘Fizzy Brain’ LP: “We really tried to push the boat out.”

Ducking Punches premiere ‘Fizzy Brain’ LP: “We really tried to push the boat out.”

The brand new Ducking Punches full length album “Fizzy Brain” is streaming NOW via Punktastic. Get on it!

http://www.punktastic.com/radar/ducking-punches-premiere-fizzy-brain-lp-we-really-tried-to-push-the-boat-out/

[radtimesuk]

RAD TIMES POP PUNK PARTY. Friday 18th March 2016. Gringos Mexican Tequila Bar, Norwich. FREE ENTRY (Taking donations for Mind).

BEST INTENTIONS https://bestintentionsuk.bandcamp.com https://www.facebook.com/bestintentionsuk

COUCH https://couch.bandcamp.com https://www.facebook.com/Band.Couch

AJQJ https://soundcloud.com/ajqjband https://www.facebook.com/AJQJBand/

NOT PENNY'S BOAT https://notpennysboatuk.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/notpennysboatband

MARK BALDWIN (Breaking Sirens) https://breakingsirens.bandcamp.com https://www.facebook.com/Breakingsirensband

Gringo’s Mexican Tequila Bar 25 Prince of Wales Road Norwich Norfolk NR1 1BG

Join the official event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/509964625875935/

[radtimesuk]

For a limited time only: Hello Bear are offering their single “Prepare to Die, Obviously” for FREE digital download via the following link: https://hellobearband.bandcamp.com/track/prepare-to-die-obviously

[radtimesuk]

December Theory are a folk punk & spoken word duo from Norwich / Manchester who currently have two EPs out via Rad Times Promotions for FREE streaming / digital download via the following links: "A Notable Lack of Self Control": https://radtimesuk.bandcamp.com/album/a-notable-lack-of-self-control "Lost Things": https://radtimesuk.bandcamp.com/album/lost-things

They are back in Norwich for another run of gigs across our fine city starting at The Plasterers Arms on Tuesday 29th March & wrapping things up at The Murderers on Friday 8th April. All event details below.

Tuesday 29th March. THE PLASTERERS ARMS w/ Ben Rickard & Ewan Mazzei. https://www.facebook.com/events/1134388133238262/

Friday 1st April. MASH TUN w/ Dr Clyde & Grazing Saints. https://www.facebook.com/events/613665558771196/

Wednesday 6th April. THE ROSE (Open Mic). https://www.facebook.com/RoseOpenMic/

Thursday 7th April. GONZO'S TEA ROOM (Open Mic). https://www.facebook.com/clubkartel/

Friday 8th April. THE MURDERERS (Event page coming soon)

Join the official event page for the “Norwich tour” here: https://www.facebook.com/events/757109601087250/

Dates booked by Matt Beauchamp of Rad Times Promotions.

Photo by Matt Neave Media.