The Kaos vibrantly recreate the classic early 2000s pop punk vibe, bouncing frenetically between the four walls of diversity that is their short, 3-track debut EP: The Philosophy. Nothing short of impressive for a first attempt, the songs - Chowmein, Monster and title track: The Philosophy offer something as different but equally as characteristic as the names would suggest. With no time to spare, the -piece straight out of - instantly summon the likes of New Found Glory and early Blink-182 to your bedroom or the dance floor. The lead guitar is rich with melody, but more importantly races ahead to crash head first into instances of much edgier alt-rock territory with a groove and drive that at times, when left uncontrolled - could catch itself on fire. It's in moments like these - when The Kaos really sing. The more manufactured and carefully constructed layers during the end of the first track's vocal overlay (Chowmein) and - wear off more stubbornly as unwelcome overproduction compared to their raw, raspy outputs which in contrast bleed with nothing but intensity that is guaranteed to make almost any punk fan feel alive. It is inevitable that a young, fresh group like The Kaos are still finding their feet, but there is an undeniable charm to the naiive sensibilities and carefree attitude to songwriting their music captivates. Invigorating to say the least, and with more variation than you could usually expect flowing exasperatedly from one song to the next, somehow The Philosophy rarely for one moment feels disjointed. This demonstrates the progressive and songwriting abilities, originality and skill. As the - adapt from one sound to the next, we are given a taste of -. Taking any listener on a relentless voyage of pop punk, alt-rock, groovy, edgy beyond-teenage rebellion - there is a sense of maturity to the fine-tuned execution of skilled musicianship and lyrical high points such as '' and '' in - which bite back against the softer, so cliche that it's instantly sing-along-able lines of woah woahs and '' that staple the walls of opener, Chowmein together. Whether this instant familiarity serves to draw you in or push you away, what happens next is unpredictable, thoroughly enjoyable - and best left uncontrolled pop rock chaos. This EP should come with a warning label and anyone unprepared to rock out should take note. The vocals aren't necessarily as versatile or likeable in style as the rest of the effort, and might be letting the quality of these songs down slightly in their weaker points of delivery, however do blend into the sound for the most part and don't takeaway from the carefree sound enough to be entirely revised. Some work could certainly make these stronger and it could be argued that this disjointedness adds another edge of colour to their sound. The production value might be under-performing, but at a time when the DIY aesthetic plays such a strong part in much popular punk music, this is hardly likely to cause this young group any problems.
A brand new music publication, bringing you some of the freshest sounds from around the world.
everyone for fresh new sounds and kick ass reviews and updates on all things pop punk and hardcore please check my mate’s (Isha Shah Photography) amazing music publication New Roots no regrets can be had it’s better than pizza (but not better than burritos, but come on, that’s impossible) you can read last month’s edition for FREE here http://issuu.com/newrootsmagaz…/docs/july2015finishedsingles go go go many exciting things ahead for this magazine, trust
Australians really took over Download 2015 and made it shake with an unbeatable force that took crowds by storm. Circling in the pits like sharks, the crowd for Parkway Drive was moving so fast and with violent energy yet no one appeared to be getting injured. In Hearts Wake got everyone together and made the crowd alive even at 11am on the first day, and alongside Northlane who put on the most beautiful performance, had free posters and stickers to pick up at the Impericon tent. The Australian hardcore scene has always had strong contenders, but now it seems stronger than ever and Northlane’s new album is something that seems very promising.
Jeremy McKinnon - During If It Means A Lot To You at Download 2015 got girls to sit on guys’ shoulders and sing with him in an intimate acoustic rendition that got some tears falling and some fangirl hearts melting no doubt. He gave the crowd what they wanted mostly, including toilet roll (much needed with all the muddy boots that kept kicking everyone in the face) and everyone seemed beyond delighted, except some fans who were disappointed in the quality of the live performance and sound which, admittedly was not their best. But I feel they are still one of the best live bands out there and that they accounted for and made up for this by making the set more intimate and unique.
The highlights of the festival last weekend down in Donington Park were more than a few...
In Hearts Wake started the lineup on Maverick Stage with such an amazing performance, they played a rich sound, new songs, old songs, and with so much more confidence and excellence than on previous tours in the UK, the set with the epic images behind them certainly added to their presence but it’s the band themselves who really captivated the crowd and created a beautiful sound and atmosphere. In the Impericon tent, In Hearts Wake were also giving away free A1 posters of Skydancer, which was super awesome.
Counterparts and Northlane also made amazing performances and sounded very clean and tight on stage. Definitely excited for the new Northlane release! You can pre-order it now along with lots of very tempting merchandise bundles.
Northlane also gave away free posters and stickers in Impericon, so many free things!
Parkway Drive... easily one of the best live post-hardcore bands. Now I understand what everyone has always been saying. It was a first time seeing these Australians perform live, and the pits were intense! Their music has now captivated me and their performance was amazing to watch.
The Ghost Inside won me over and were also very inspirational, their lyrics rung clear over the crowd singing them back and everyone felt very much at home in that tent. I’ve now started to appreciate and follow this band.
Trash Boat and ROAM both made amazing pop punk energy, getting pits and people jumping and crowd surfing! Both were really enjoyable sets and got me feeling good, and made me want to follow their music.
Upon a Burning Body closed their set with their cover of Turn Down For What, which left everybody dancing like crazy, confused, but feeling good, no one could deny it. They liked it.
MAN WITH A MISSION, a crazy Japanese band that infuse rap, electronic, dance, hardcore, punk and pop rock into something very catchy. They wear wolf masks on stage that have eyes that can light up and got the crowd to do some synchronised specific dance moves with great success, and even came out to take photos and meet fans in the crowd afterwards. These guys are now under my radar.
Madball made the craziest pits and energy! They got the crowd going and really know how to have a good time. If you want to have fun to hardcore music and go crazy, Madball are where it is at. I would definitely see them play again for a good time even though their music isn’t what I would listen to at home.
Yellowcard got me emotional and blew the crowd away ending their set with everyone’s favourite - Ocean Avenue. Nostalgia but it didn’t feel stale, so fresh! Their new songs really brought the set to life and to the present moment and made me excited to listen more to their newer material which seems very cleanly produced, and a new look into the pop punk sound.
Three Days Grace played a short but sweet set of their most popular songs but all-in-all everyone was pumped and this felt very fitting.
Enter Shikari really mixed things up playing original and unique remixes and even stripping things back, the lighting was intense if not very distracting and ethereal, and despite the cold and gloom and it being the last band at Download competing with others, they got 1000s of people jumping and smiling and yelling, and it felt really good.
Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! Have come a long way since a year ago when in the UK many people were still treating them as laughing matter and crowds were hard to move. Now at Download 2015 even in the early morning they have the whole tent packed and everyone is having a good time, going crazy and movement is everywhere. The set rolls on with a constant energy and leaves everyone wanting more but also a little exhausted from all the bouncing about and their contagious melodies and energy on stage which really helped pick up spirits.
A Day To Remember got really involved with the crowd and even though their performance was not the highest, they gave the crowd the songs they wanted and Jeremy made special efforts to connect with fans, coming down the platform and into the crowd throughout most of the set. Toilet roll and beach balls were thrown about as is standard by now and Jeremy did not get into the famous hamster ball, however did play a beautiful acoustic version of If It Means A Lot To You and a cover. His voice was perfect on these cleans making up for his poor screaming performance in other songs in the set. Most people walked away smiling, sweaty and pumped.
Overall, Northlane and The Ghost Inside surprised me the most on how tight and well they played on stage. A Day To Remember and Enter Shikari really made efforts to make their sets very intimate, unique and special. MAN WITH A MISSION won craziest experience and performance. Madball were the most fun with the crowd and got the craziest energy going. But it was Parkway Drive that really were the most perfect performance of Download 2015, not even headlining main stage, there were people all the way up the hill, everyone was captivated and those pits were enough to shake the earth.
This Indie Rock group StrangeWave from Fort Pierce, Florida have created a fresh summery, surfer sound also with some punk vibes flowing through the guitar and punchy, raw and emotional vocals.
They claim to be an ‘indie rock band, in the vein of beach fossils, cloud nothings, and bleached…’ the rest is a mystery. The song In The End has contrast between bitter emotion in the vocals and a jumpy gig vibe from the guitars and drums.
There is a wide variety of music blogs posted on here, labelled by genres, style, content, contributors, etc. If you submit to them, you can image to promote your blog and to help others to find it. This is a great place to promote your own blog and look for other music blogs to network with. It enables contributors and browsers to all discover and share more great music together. Perfect for creators, discoverers, and music lovers in general.
Authors - With/Without (from the EP releasing on 18th April: Further)
Authors are a new band from Birmingham, UK. The vocalist of Authors (Adam Cullen) used to be in the dissolved band, A Room For Two (2008-2010), (later Autumn's Anything and The Deep South) along with James Harrison who is now the vocalist of Oceans Ate Alaska.
Adam Cullen has since produced solo work, which is beautiful, acoustic and acapella type relaxing and soothing intricately melodic music with atmospheric feelings - and can be listened to on his soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/adamcullen Perhaps the best track available on there is his most recent original song, Hearts Of Gold.
Authors definitely have promise, and are a band to watch, especially with the history of the vocalist and his beautiful song writing and vocals which are not to be missed.
For more information on the band and to purchase or download the EP 'Further' when it releases in about two weeks from now on the 18th of April.
If you are attending Hands Like Houses at the Asylum in Birmingham on 26th of April, you will be attending the first Authors show, as they are supporting! The show is sold out, so sorry that it will be hard to find tickets, Hands Like Houses are also a band to see! Hands Like Houses will however be at Hit The Deck this year which is not yet sold out.
From the renown 8-bit artist's album Intrinsic. This is such an intricate track with an unbeatable drop and rhythm. The synthetic sounds combined with the elegant piano motifs make this really dreamy. Smiletron is worth looking into, especially if you like ambient 8-bit sounds, or ambient electronica, or liquid drum and bass as this album and song leans towards that sound.
Other songs to listen to:
Fjords
Taiga
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Bandcamp: http://smiletron.bandcamp.com/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/smiletron
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smiletron
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As of January 1st Smiletron is now working under the name of Tri Angles.
The facebook page for which can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/itsmisterangles
Certainly! I love to hear new music, and submissions from bands themselves are great. Simply click the submit button. Include whatever promotional materials you want (links, songs, videos) and the submission will be sent to me as an ask to check. I don't post every submission I get, only those I think that are good. But I do check out the music of every musician or band that sends one. Then, I will either post it directly or edit it into my own post about your band if I really enjoy the music~
I didn't know there was a text post limit. All the reviews wouldn't fit in one post, so here are the rest of the reviews of every single band on the Hit The Deck 2014 lineup! Click the read more break to enjoy a brief description of the sound of every band, my opinion, comments, ratings and links to a song or album of theirs to listen to on YouTube. I hope this helps you decide who is worth seeing this year!
Brand New
Alternative/Punk like Taking Back Sunday and The Wonder Years. Most people know this band apparently. Now I wonder why I didn't. They are very good, maybe nothing too new, despite the name, and maybe the vocals, which I enjoy the refreshing varying textures/sounds of. Certainly good melodic, emotional, nostalgic and narrative music - worth listening to!
Link: http://youtu.be/qgtkPKZ2OPk
Rating: 6/10
Would I go see them? Yeah!
Saves The Day
Emo Punk, Taking Back Sunday/The All-American Rejects/happy-but-sad-punk-esque, but also a more edgy and warm feel, smooth vocals that carry feeling. Enjoyable and addictive, these songs have substance and feel dance-y. I enjoy them!
Link: http://youtu.be/NwW0q65VIas
Rating: 6/10
Would I go see them? Yes.
Kvelertak
Metal, all-outgoing from Norway. The kids as the singers are hilarious in their music video. That's the most enjoyment I got and I had to turn it off, it was just shaving my hearing away with all the shredding and not giving me a reason to listen, I can't stand 'toaster grating' metal like this. Not enough melody or change in structure and lyrics are far from decipherable. Many people, however love it! It has a good energy.
Link: http://youtu.be/DbrtS8E0kpY
Rating: 3/10
Would I go see them? No, no, never, sorry.
Pulled Apart By Horses
Just no. Sorry, but singing about your balls being on fire, no matter how good the song just spits on the entire thing and throws it into a garbage pit. It's a shame because I like the feeling and rhythm they set up.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlGYwXdgpY8
Rating: 0/10
Would I go see them? No way, sorry guys.
A Plastic Rose
I really like this song! It feels really original and personal and deep but with nice layered guitars and vocals that feel familiar but can't be pinned down by genre. The alternative almost indie but not indie rock they create is really lovely and heartfelt.
Link: http://youtu.be/nL8HmEDNfuc
Rating: 6/10
Would I go see them? Maybe.
The Action Plan
This is so insanely energetic and catchy and kind of cheesey and awful at the same time. Pop punk at its best and worst. Like Forever The Sickest Kids and Man Overboard. I love it but I don't think I could have this as my favourite music any day. It wins my ears but not my heart and mind.
Link: http://youtu.be/Kph_uVerSgA
Rating: 8/10
Would I go see them? Yes!
Adelphia
Some of their other songs are more comparable to You Me At Six and are less elegant and precise than this. This is my favourite I have heard so far. Sometimes the vocalists fake American accent bothers me but it's a beautiful voice. This acoustic-y alternative rock is really nice and careful at best and slightly generic at worst, they have some beautiful songs like this one though, so they're worth it and will hopefully only get better in time.
This starts out really well, a 90s hardcore and experimental new mixed retro sound. But then the vocals drown the mix and saturate in ugh. Sorry guys.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrlbI9ppIiI
Rating: 2/10
Would I go see them? Nooo.
Baby Godzilla
Very thrashy with some random banjo/country rock infused in there, mostly grind-y hand made metal type rock. I don't know what you call this but it's awful to me and I never want to hear it ever again.
Link: http://youtu.be/Gqy4bEJjyoU
Rating: 1/10
Would I go see them? Nope.
Bastions
This thrashy metal rock just chugs on from one beat to the next and screams exasperatingly short of any melody make me want to cry. If you like non melodic thrashy metal then you have some here.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPour6PHxGo
Rating: 2/10
Would I go see them? No.
Bats About Bats
This is all the music I could find by this band. This is terrible, they are not taking this seriously and their music is below amateur.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDBBRLMcdt8
Rating: -999/10
Would I go see them? Never ever, wow they suck.
Battle Lines
Electroni-pop, indie-rock. I love this! The dreamy soundscape going on with sensual sexy female vocals and an almost elecronic-shoegazer but groovey feel to it all, it is very unique and I can see this band going far. It's not what I'd usually listen to, but change is good.
Link: http://youtu.be/RG9sR1ljp3c
Rating: 7/10
Would I go see them? Maybe, yes.
Brontide
Math-rock type ambient acoustic and heavier sounds. I really like a lot of these songs they are so intricately balanced and composed. I just wouldn't enjoy it live as much, very slow/not something to sing or dance along to. The complex rhythms are mesmerising, having said that. The heavier riffs sound harsh in places and also ruin the elegant musicianship behind the songs.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BES2U1zPbjI
Rating: 7/10
Would I go see them? No, sorry. Good musicianship, beautiful music (for the most part), just not for live performance.
So, today I went and listened to every band on the rota for this UK festival dominating venues in both Nottingham and Bristol during April (29th and 30th). Here is a fast-paced review of the lineup. Take it with a pinch of salt, and bear in mind this is personal opinion, so not everyone will agree. But I hope the objectivity in describing the bands and the links to their music, will help you to make your mind up! Click the 'Read More' break to read the review.
Brutality Will Prevail
Epic guitar riffs ride over slow and gentle sad vocals and slow and gentle alternative and indie rock guitars. It would be a gem to many. I agree it is something special.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8Isl2-MtwM
Rating: 3/10
Would I go see them? No.
The Charm The Fury
Netherlander band with a female screamer who unlike iwresteledabearonce's actually sounds deep, powerful and, well, good. Gothic sounds, and fresh hardcore and post-hardcore preciseness. Deep, philosophical and thought engaging lyrics alongside gritty, no-nonsense candid ones. I love this combination! This band has everything in balance and this whole album is like a well conducted orchestral piece and holds together in an aggressively elegant way. The power and emotion in the riffs and melodies holds well with the aggressive guitars and rhythm that carries throughout for an album that puts a fresh edge on the post-hardcore scene. My new favourite band. The title track is striking and has notes of We Came As Romans latest album there, for fans of We Came As Romans, Chunk! No Captain Chunk, A Day To Remember, I See Stars, Issues and The Word Alive.
Link: http://youtu.be/yA_QA324QiY
Rating: 9/10
Would I go see them? Definitely, yes! Top priority!
Cytota
This post-hardcore feels very different. Not under any label sound. The cleans are very nice and more normal rock cleans almost shouty singing in a Nickelback way but in the way they never could be good. The riffs are actually really beautiful melodies. I love everything about this. There is so much variety in the sound! They have won me over.
Link: http://youtu.be/i8DPNjIdz_E
Rating: 7/10
Would I go see them? Yes!
Dead Harts
Generic post-hardcore gone wrong and very crappily produced. Imagine someone chewed Memphis May Fire and Miss May I up and spat them out and then mashed them around some more and threw some random and awful things things in there.
Link: http://youtu.be/wyMO2Um9h5M
Rating: 1/10
Would I go see them? Noooo.
Death Remains
I like this. The guitars sound clean which makes the gritty screams stand out and provides a nice contrast and a change in the post-hardcore sound, some generic chugging has been employed, but overall the song progresses really nicely with some lovely echoing melodic singing reminding me of Dead By April or Linkin Park but contrasted with the much heavier elements these parts sound much more golden.
Link: http://youtu.be/rI7skVMnkpM
Rating: 5/10
Would I go see them? Yeah, maybe.
Dinosaur Pile-Up
Indie-Alt-Rock gone wrong and spun around and made a bit old. I don't like anything about this.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONLYyef_m_g
Rating: 2/10
Would I go see them? No.
Elegies
Wow, strong start and I love the way they overlap guitars. The overlapped vocals are very powerful too. This sound is very full and epic. I think I am in love although I am not entirely sure why. This is hardcore perhaps, also it isn't, it's an epic sounding rock. Imagine 30 Seconds To Mars A Beautiful Lie album meets Architects Hollow Crown album meets Bring Me The Horizon's Sempiternal album and then given a fresh edge. They may need more refining, but as a start this band have it good.
Link: http://youtu.be/eCWjqqW7IhY
Rating: 8/10
Would I go see them? Maybe!
The Front Bottoms
The dogs and cute lyrics make this worth it depsite the awkward vocals. I like the way it reminds me of Say Anything and Man Overboard, I don't like the way it reminds me in the first verse of a poorly crafted 'geek' song. I like the overall feel though and it's a nice progression and simplistic but clever structure. This is different, and nice, at least and interesting and cute.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1rzsT2t2YY
Rating: 6/10
Would I go see them? Maybe~
Ghouls
This band is definitely set apart from the rest. The brass band and the classy rough English accent vocals, along with the jumpy grimey energetic music that combines ska-punk, pop rock and... bedroom rock! I love it actually, I want to high-five them all, this is awesome. Not to be taken entirely seriously, this music is fun and raw!
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLI_Xg8GMl8
Rating: 8/10
Would I go see them? Might do!
The Gnarwhals
Wow, this makes me smile. I love this raw, bedroom demo, having a good time, grungy, grimy, having a laugh with mates feel. It has energy and feels English. I do love it. As crappy and crude as it may appear, this has substance. I'd dance to this any day!
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii9AoAKNsmk
Rating: 10/10
Would I go see them? Hahaha, yeah! I can't resist.
Gnarwolves
Scarily similar to the scarily similar named gnarwhales. Not sure who influenced who. Pretty sure it can't be a coincidence. As this is more professionally produced, I'd assume it to be the older band. Still hilarious. I don't love it as much. More aggressive and angry feeling and harsh, but still amazing! I'd be head banging to this, not as much energy though. Feels like angry kids yelling over their angry, fast guitars and drums with thick British accents and lots of energy drinks and skate parks. Grungy, grimy, raw and gritty, hard but also kind of plain.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPSINVJw4Xk
Rating: 7/10
Would I go see them? Hahahaha, yeah, maybe!
Grappler
The guitar riff from the start reminds me of All I Want by A Day To Remember, which isn't a bad thing but it also kind of is. This is a very very different song, so I think it's fine. I like the rhythm, and the feeling. Harsh and blurry rough hardcore, shouty, but enjoyable and melodic guitar riffs sing through with forward moving rhythms on rhythm guitar. Nothing special, and yet it feels kind of like something to hold onto.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibV2oPeBXYo
Rating: 5/10
Would I go see them? Yes.
Koshiro
Like you've just woken Dead By April up a couple of hundred years after April and they are all very angry and sleep-deprived. Not the worst thing, very well produced. Just not my thing. If you like heavier metal/hardcore than Dead By April but with some of those punk/gothic/melodic elements thrown in like pinches of salt here and there, this could be for you.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfJkhdb77cc
Rating: 5/10
Would I go see them? No, I wouldn't hate it if I was there though.
Kristopher Roe (From The Ataris)
Catchy, clean and beautiful melodies, pop-punk with an alternative and almost emo edge to it. The Ataris sound great and I can see why they have so many loyal fans still loving these acoustic renditions by one of the members. I would go and see this even though I don't know The Ataris! I think that has to say something. This is very enjoyable acoustic happy sad music with feeling and heart. If anyone ever knew and was a fan of Holiday Parade or is a fan of All Time Low's old stuff, or Man Overboard, or Something Corporate/Jack's Mannequin - then I think you'll love this!
Link: http://youtu.be/neWKGbX5Hus
Rating: 8/10
Would I go see them? Yes.
Lacey
I didn't want to turn this off and was hooked from the second it began. Cleanly produced, thick with sound, gentle but sweet guitar melodies combined with rhythmic guitars. The feeling and soft vocal in the bridge was so beautiful it sold me over. Feelings like Taking Back Sunday but energy and melodies like Hawthorne Heights and Blink infused with true tears and teenage tragedy. I love it!
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Il58ADxko
Rating: 8/10
Would I go see them? Yes!
Lyger
This is actually quite addictive despite how it might seem at first listen to be kind of generic. It feels sort of epic but also kind of laid back rock that has a solid feel and shouty but clear vocals. I like it, but I am not a huge fan. Give it a try whoever you are though because it is good.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnRrkhIqDwI
Rating: 4/10
Would I go see them? Maybe if there was nothing else to see.
Memphis May Fire
Not that much to set them apart from other post-hardcore bands on Rise and Sumerian, but then again I love nearly all those bands and a lot of them are very original. Okay, the vocals are different and I like the harmony of gritty/clean combined in the both screams and cleans there is a combined feel, and I like the lyrics, and the power of the way they're said. If you like I See Stars, Issues, Woe Is Me, Rise bands and Sumerian Bands, and want something new here it is! I'm sure you would know them though.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1HIegAANIk
Rating: 4/10
Would I go see them? Yeah.
More Than Life
Unique combination of quite minimalist layers of guitars and dreamy vocals, cleans, shouts, gang vocals and a soft and pretty melody. I like the combination it feels new and like a rainy day. Alternative rock that feels kind of laid back but also emotional and a tint of aggression, tint of sadness and a splash of feelings and nostalgic sense of time.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI2lHSPkW1c
Rating: 5/10
Would I go see them? Yes.
Nai Harvest
I like the laid back indie/old post hardcore but slowed down tint they have on this acoustic-ish shouty, intermingling guitar rock. Down to earth and then add some air and trees and dreams. Worth a listen, anyway.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuJfxv-1JAU
Rating: 4/10
Would I go see them? Yes, perhaps.
Neck Deep
This is so energetic and punk-rocky I can't get enough! I love it. Why have I not heard them before? New Found Glory, Blink, Man Overboard, The Wonder Years fans, maybe you'll be happy maybe not. I loved it either way!
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbOEGnDksKQ
Rating: 8/10
Would I go see them? Yeah!
Palm Reader
Well, this is rough and ready. Sounds raw, shouty not much progression in the song it just chops and changes with fast guitar riffs and a nice thick under layer of chugging. Well, if you like this sort of hardcore grime it's okay I suppose. I have heard many many worse things.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKEp4LJEWRk
Rating: 2/10
Would I go see them? No.
Patent Pending
This is so cute, hilarious and catchy bubblegum pop/pop punk. I love it. Hahaha. The 8-bit and comedy theme wins me over. Reminds me of Stereo Skyline if anyone remembers them? I was excited this would be Bowling For Soup meets Amy Can Flyy meets The Summer Set but it's more awful on their other songs, I love the electronic element here. I think if they stuck with the 8-bit theme they'd do themselves more favours. Cheese-core deluxe with lots of sugar sauce. I wanna jump up and down and roll the windows of my car down and eat Calippo.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZeR-vxREvw
Rating: 4/10
Would I go see them? Sure, for a laugh and a good time!
People on Vacation
I can't take this seriously. Ugh. Wow, it's so cheesey I want to cry. It's like Bowling For Soup woke up in their worst nightmare of how they could have turned out, wow get me out of here. Pop Punk thrown up by what sound like 40 year old men who spend too much time watching TV and not enough time listening to good music.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwgBhKjDSDg
Rating: 0/10
Would I go see them? Never ever.
Rat Attack
Very catchy and hypnotic, fresh boppy rythm of rock. Generic lyrics let it down. Amazing production. I can see why this is getting good reviews from Kerrang and Rock Sound. I don't like the generic lyrics, but I can see how it is appealing, like The Lost Prophets make a non-sex-offending comeback and add some Red Hot Chilli Peppers and fresh twist. It's alright, not for me though.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLBNk00ijhU
Rating: 1/10
Would I go see them? Nope.
Save Your Breath
They're alright. This song is happy and something to jump around to. Like a crappy The Story So Far or New Found Glory. But still good enough to sing and dance along to.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ3uuGX7NhI
Rating: 5/10
Would I go see them? Yeah.
Seahaven
The vocals cut through what is really simple, delicate and finetuned rustic laid back rock music. It ruins it for a lot of people, me included. I like them otherwise, I like the tune of them in most parts, and the lyrics. I just wish they were sung by a softer or lower voice and quieter. This is still good music, hard to describe. Nostalgic and rusty, slow paced 90s feeling.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3dftR9-W_Y
Rating: 3/10
Would I go see them? No.
The S.T Pierre Snake Invasion
They have to get some credit for the terrible comedy. This music is a joke, which I know they mean but I mean... the video is funny, it makes me laugh, the song itself is just something that makes me want to clench my teeth and walk away from. At least their ridiculous name works for the material.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_NKF9ULKmw
Rating: 1/10
Would I go see them? No...
The Summer Set
Well, I feel a bit sick at the same time as wanting to bop my head and sing long. This sickly sweet sugar covered pop is like Carley Ray Jepsen meets Justin Bieber meets Disney Channel. Well, I wouldn't usually like this, but they are small and write this off their own backs for what I know. It is catchy, it makes me move, and feels happy and summery, so I guess it's stuck in my head and kind of addictive like a bad sweet you know you shouldn't eat. It's terrible and yet I want to listen at the same time.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P07t59qCC4
Rating: 2/10
Would I go see them? If I wanted to sing along and wear kiddies sunglasses and drink lemonade, why not.
Thomas Nicholas & Matt Kennedy
I don't like the vocals they feel creepy. The sound feels like a weird bad movie ending credit song mixed with The Beatles wannabe turned more rock and edgy. It fails in my opinion although a nice attempt. I am sure it will make it into some low budget movies, and obviously has a lot of fans. I am not one of them.
Would I go see them? No. I have a headache thinking about it.
Versechorusverse
Wow, I hated that. Cringe-worthy dad-rock-pop. The harmonica just made it worse. Never again please.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4FjcoZLkrA
Rating: 0/10
Would I go see them? No.
Verses
So generic it made me want to fall asleep. Washy rock, nothing aggressive or emotional. People who like non-aggressive non-emotional rock, here you go.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q7KEbmQJTM
Rating: 1/10
Would I go see them? No.
Vukovi
The first time a female singing Hayley Williams style vocals hasn't made me cringe. Well done on that. The music isn't half bad either. If you like Paramore type bands, or like Paramore type bands but something about Hayley's voice bothers you, here you go! Not for me.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqU7nlxL1_4
Rating: 5/10
Would I go see them? No.
The Xcerts
The strong Scottish accent is beautiful but also very distracting, for me at least. I can't really listen to the music or take it seriously. I am part Scottish and I have nothing against it. I like the songs they are passionate and sound big and echo-y which is nice. They are quite slow though, which can also be nice. If you like slow, echo-y pop rock/alternative rock with unusual accent vocals, this is for you.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz4li06RVA4
Rating: 4/10
Would I go see them? Maybe. Seen them before, enjoyed it. But not interested in seeing them again.
The Maine
This is my favourite (non-hardcore) band in the whole world. So, I am going to be biased of course. But I hope for good reason. The Maine have amazing, inspiring, deep, poetic, also casual everyday relatable lyrics that feel personal but also so far out. The music is so heartfelt, and catchy, it can be danced and sung along to and every album of theirs is so different. I chose my favourite track, 'Run' from their latest album Forever Halloween released 2013. They don't have a single genre, I'll say alternative rock but their older stuff was pop-punk more so.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0rhcRek8vQ
Rating: 10/10
Would I go see them? Yes yes yes yes! Every time, always! Can never get enough.
Hawthorne Heights
I already know I like this band. More than I like listening to them, I love it when I hear them in a club! And live? They blew me away at Warped Tour USA in 2013, they were the best performance there, hands down. If you don't know them they are an emo very subtly post-hardcore punk band that have been around for a long time (Like Blink or The All-American Rejects) and have that late 90s, early 2000s feel about them, and have many albums. I like them all but my favourite song and perhaps their most famous is Ohio is for Lovers, so I'll use that as an example.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUO-sRLotOI
Rating: 9/10
Would I go see them? Yes, definitely!
William Becket
The Academy Is... are my second favourite (non-hardcore) band, so again, I am going to be biased here. Although, I am not saying the William Beckett made The Academy Is... they are not the same thing, although, in a way he did have a huge influence on their sound. I happen to love his solo stuff too! So, if you were/are a fan of The Academy Is... and haven't given him a chance yet or heard his solo music, you should. It has the same gritty, witty, lyrics that creep into your heart along with catchy and smooth melodies. It has the same energy, but with a new freshness to the sound and really clean production. Every song is its own sound too! It's hard to pick one. I love them all. He is a great person too, and a great performer, definitely go see him live if you can.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIurJbZjRKE
Rating: 10/10
Would I go see them? At every given opportunity! Forever!
The Word Alive
I'm an electronic hardcore junkie, so this is my drug for me. I like them, not a lot, but I think I should get more into them as they are good. If you like electronic hardcore/post-hardcore, bands like I See Stars, Sky Eats Airplane, US Attack Attack!, Asking Alexandria (early songs), you should like these. Also, if you like bands on Rise and Sumerian.
I made this playlist on YouTube comprising of songs I enjoyed, whether seriously or for comedic reasons, and songs I already knew I liked, alongside some whole albums, of the artists who are going to be there. Not every artist made it to the list. I completed a review today which will be posted later.
For now, put this on shuffle, and enjoy getting hyped for one of the best and most underrated festivals in the UK! Get tickets if you haven't already, they are pretty cheap at £30 and totally worth every penny! If you live outside the UK - you're missing out on this one!
Tickets: (both Nottingham and Bristol): http://www.alt-tickets.co.uk/alttickets/event_ate_17605a.html
This Netherlander band hailing from Amsterdam, falls nothing short of unusual. They have a female screamer, who, unlike iwrestledabearonce, actually sounds deep, dark and loud, and good. Without having read this, I would never have guessed there was a female member in this band.
This album is a piece in itself. Beautiful, strong, melodic cleans sing out over the cleanly produced but highly energetic, fast moving, fresh sounding post-hardcore riot of guitars and drums, and the amazing female screams which lay a unique edge into these songs. The lyrics are crisp and range from deep, philosophical engaging questions and ideas, to dirty, raw and personal thoughts. The combination is flawless and addictive.
The album progresses throughout and never has a dull moment. This band are to be watched for the next step they will take, and their music will hopefully only progress from here. For now, buy this album!
And then go to check them out at Hit The Deck festival in April 2014 (UK).
And like their facebook page for further updates and tour dates to be announced, and also a page where all their lyrics can be found:
Former vocalist of alternative rock band The Academy Is... (2003-2011) [Decaydance, Fueled By Ramen, Atlantic] William Beckett delivers stronger than ever as a solo artist. Of course, his presence in the retired band is missed. This solo project is a few worlds away from the music he used to create, however it still has the same inherent energy, feeling and rawness to it that he used to put into The Academy Is... and is invigorating and fresh sounding for an acoustic rock pop type project with plenty of twists, no two songs sound quite the same style, just how The Academy Is... never sounded quite the same throughout its albums. But, this is new, and exciting and Beckett is definitely one to watch out for.
In 2013 he played Slam Dunk Festival in the UK and Warped Tour in the USA, and this year is scheduled for Hit The Deck festival in the UK, don't miss his set! Sometimes he will play one or two Academy songs, but don't request them repeatedly as he is there, ultimately to play his solo music - which is great in itself.
With Beckett's witty, gritty, unusual and poetic lyrics, (that all Academy fans already all know and love) these songs have instant and lasting charm. The production on these songs is so clean and loud, making for a really great sound, definitely worth buying on CD.
Stuck in Love (Featuring Ryan Ross) (What Will Be EP 2012) http://youtu.be/389qxPtJfmU
Oh, Love (The Pioneer Sessions 2013) http://youtu.be/ePuZLUMyF0A
Compromising Me (The Pioneer Sessions 2013) http://youtu.be/DIurJbZjRKE
Dear Life (What Will Be EP 2012) http://youtu.be/rcESO3V2u7Q
Pick up the Phone Featuring Max Bemis of Say Anything (Genuine & Counterfeit 2013) http://youtu.be/PaVZjNikLA0
Hanging on a Honeymoon (Genuine & Counterfeit 2013) http://youtu.be/rZEBgZgNm2o
Official Website: http://thewilliambeckettblog.com/
Official Store: http://williambeckett.merchnow.com/
'Experimental folk' music with elements of electronica at it's most tranquil and beautiful dream-state.
I came across this artist as the backing music on k-awoshin's tumblr page. The lyrics to 'Lift Me Up' stayed in my mind, so I googled them desperate to find who sung this beautiful song. I found Mree's official website, and this song as well. This song is as beautiful and dreamy and ambient almost trance-like in this acoustic one-piece, Mree. I immediately purchased her albums, and don't regret it. However, these 2 songs do stand out significantly as better and more beautiful songs compared to the others.
Mree - Lift Me Up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbTnYWyjx-E
Mree claims inspiration from Bon Iver, and I think fans of LIGHTS (especially her Acoustic EP) should feel a connection to her sound as well.
Both Mree's albums, Winterwell 2011 and Grow 2013.
Official Website: http://www.mreemusic.com/ Includes store, lyrics, bio, news, links, etc.
Official YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/mreebee3 Includes official videos, live videos, recording sessions, original and covers
Rediscover's new project aka Wes Quinonez/Wes James.
Music Video release tomorrow.
One of the most innovative and lesser known but amazing electronic producers. Originally from Toledo, Ohio and played and produced songs solo and in a band/group called Rediscover including dates at Warped Tour in 2009.
Top charting works as Rediscover include the albums Call Me When You Get This which was available in hard copy in Japan, and second full length, Sleepless Nights.
This new project is fresh and Wes has developed into a matured sound. He is now signed to Universal and should be coming into mainstream media soon so be one of the first to catch this while it's fresh before it booms.
Check out his older songs from Rediscover on his old Soundcloud and his new works as Le Youth on the Le Youth page.
