The Blood Armnew album, Turn And Face Me

The Blood Arm return with a new album, Turn And Face Me. Their sound comes across like something taken from an alternate universe, where Dexys Midnight Runners, Elvis Costello & The Attractions and Adam & The Ants formed a super group and updated their sound for the new millennium.

Originally from LA, the four-piece are Nathaniel Fregoso (vocals), Dyan Valdés (Keyboards), Zebastian Carlisle (guitar) and Zachary Amos (drums). They began as the brainchild of UCLA film student, Nathaniel, and weren’t fully realised until he met guitarist Zebastian in a karaoke bar in Koreatown.

The two came together to start molding their sound, and it wasn’t long before they invited classically trained pianist, Dyan and microbiology student Zachary to join the group, creating the final line up of what is set to be one of the hottest bands this year.

They’ve already made waves in this country with their energetic live shows supporting the likes of The Killers, Maximo Park and Hot Hot Heat.

Their second album, Turn And Face Me, is an amalgamation of everything that made the late 1970’s pub rock and new wave scene such an exciting period, with more than a heady dash of first wave Brit Pop.

The explosive opener “She’s A Guillotine” is a blend of tribal drums, classic rock ‘n’ roll guitar and a backing track filled with organs, piano and percussion that will get listeners jumping out of their seats and on to the dance floors. It’s a fantastic introduction to the rest of the album, and leaves you with no doubt that the rest of this release is going to be a real barn stormer. “Relentless Love” completely strips down the production, allowing
Nathaniel’s vocals to take the limelight, layered over the top of minimalist drum machine, uncluttered guitar and simple, yet effective hooks. The rest of the album sounds like an instant party, each track creating an atmosphere that’s fun, exciting and almost impossible not to stomp your feet to. It closes with “Forever Is Strange“, a slow tempo torch song that allows listeners to come back down to earth after the fast paced experience of the previous 11 tracks.

Frank Turner

Xtra Mile Recording artist Frank Turner will be playing his 1000th live show since September 18th 2004 this month. The event will be marked at the Strummerville Spring Session gig on April 21st at Hearn Street Car Park in East London. The event will be a real celebration of Frank’s prolific work ethic whilst raising money and awareness for a great cause.

Frank will then head out on a sold out solo tour of the UK in May, with a couple of summer festivals confirmed at the Download Festival where he will headline on June 12th on the Third Stage and another headline spot at Blissfields Festival on July 1st.

The folk punk poet has already been confirmed for an appearance on the main stage at the brilliant Leeds/Reading Festival this year and is currently preparing his brand new album England Keep My Bones for release later in the year.

The album track I am Disappeared can be heard below, as a brilliant teaser for what to expect on the new album.

Frank Turner – I Am Disappeared

Standard Fare @ the Lexington

Standard Fare are a very tight three-piece hailing from North Derbyshire and now based in Sheffield.  They are Andy Beswick, Danny How & Emma Kupa who plays bass & sings most of the catchy well constructed sweet ‘boy-meets-girl’ love songs.  The guitarist’s quiet and bashful softly spoken vocals are the antithesis of Emma’s infectious and unique vocal style.  I’ve been racking my brains since I first heard Emma sing as to whether I can think of a comparison, but alas, all I can say is, I love it!

In amongst a big wave of indie pop music that for many bands offers little more than reproduction of the jangle and twee indie pop of the 1980’s Standard Fare have something different to offer, but most of all they have great pop songs.  Tonight they were as tight and professional live as they are in the studio.  The well received set included songs from last year’s wonderful debut album, The Noyelle Beat and their new single Suitcase and Nine Days released this month on Melodic Records.

Up-tempo tracks like the excellent 7” singles Philadelphia, Suitcase and Fifteen had the crowd dancing and cheering for more. The guitarist looked bashful as he swung his guitar and stepped up to the microphone, looking down or away from the crowd.  In fact he looked so young I thought he must have come straight from school.  By way of contrast, Emma Kupa revelled in fronting the band with an amazing vocal delivery – such a strong voice.

A perfect live set so good that it left me wondering if tonight’s headline band were going to be effected by such a strong, popular performance.  But I needn’t have worried.  After all, tonight’s headliners were Brighton’s finest export since the Lo-Fidelity Allstars.

Shrag @ the Lexington

When Shrag took to the stage it seemed the whole room was full of expectancy.  Shrag are Helen King (vocals and keyboard), Bob Brown (guitar and vocals), Steph Goodman (keyboard and vocals), Russell Warrior (bass guitar) and Andy Pyne (drums).  Here is an indie pop band that has it all, hopefully not at the peak of their powers but certainly on form.  But would they deliver a set as good as the last time they played the Lexington?

Tonight Shrag sounded even better than when I previously saw them play in October 2010. Once again they gave a solid performance and looked so at home with Helen (King) now commanding centre stage (is she turning into a pop star?) while their songs are delivered with more power and edge – more post-punk angst than twee indie pop!

The sound system was great for a small venue but I don’t think it was just down to the soundman that made Shrag’s sound punchier than before.  The solid backdrop of guitar, bass and drums allows Helen & Steph to be the focal point with their Casio synths and their duel vocals that they deliver so well with a range of riot grrrl, twee C86-style indie pop and post punk music. The set comprised of tracks from their two albums, the first being a self-titled compilation of early singles and their second album – Life! Death! Prizes! which was one of my favourite albums of 2010.  They have some great songs – Tights in August, the recent single Ghosts Before Breakfast, the brilliant Their Stats and the perfect pop song, Rabbit Kids, amongst them.

Like Standard Fare, Shrag can call upon a wealth of quality pop songs that, with their confident stage presence, help to lift them above other bands in amongst what appears to be a 1980’s indie pop resurgence helped by labels like Fortuna Pop. Keep it coming!

johnny foreigner

Having returned from a lengthy absence to release their debut EP/Mini album with the impossibly long name, on indie label Alcopop! towards the end of last year, Johnny Foreigner are suddenly back in the game again, announcing a Spring UK tour.

The Birmingham indie punk rockers will first perform in their hometown at a one off gig as part of the Topman CTRL Student parties week at the Custard Factory on March 7th.

Since the release of their EP/Mini album in 2010, Johnny Foreigner have been on the road doing what they do best, with a series of shows across the UK and USA over the winter.

The band have already started work on a new album which will be their third full length and it has been mooted that some of the new tracks might be ready to be heard during the upcoming UK tour although that has not been confirmed and Johnny Foreigner are keeping it all close to their chests as usual.

The band have also confirmed their place at this years Camden Crawl on May 1st and there will be a full European tour starting in later in the month, with dates to be confirmed soon.

Johnny Foreigner UK and Spring tour dates:

March
7th Birmingham – Custard Factory (Topman CTRL show)

April
2nd Edinburgh – Haddowfest
3rd Edinburgh – Haddowfest
19th Aberdeen – Cafe Drummonds
20th Glasgow – Nice n Sleazy
22nd Nottingham – Bodega Social
23rd Preston – Mad Ferret
24th Milton Keynes – Sno Bar
26th Birmingham – Hare & Hounds
27th Liverpool – The Shipping Forecast
28th Manchester – Night & Day
29th Stoke – Underground
30th Wimbledon – Grove Tavern

May
1st London – Camden Crawl

smoking hearts

Kicking off their UK tour with a free show in London tonight, The Smoking Hearts will be showcasing their new vocalist Ben Mills, formerly of Essex hardcore band The Takeover.

Previous singer Rodd Lethal quit the band by text message last year, just as things were hotting up for the band following the release of their debut album Pride Of Nowhere which had received rave reviews from the likes of Kerrang! and NME.

Before auditions could take place, Ben Mills heard of the vacancy and soon emerged as a prime contender upon his first meeting with the rest of The Smoking Hearts. His credentials for the job received a huge boost when he drunkenly stumbled backwards into a baby’s push chair! Fortunately the push chair was empty at the time and no babies were harmed in the recruitment of the singer!

Mills joins drummer Matty Taylor, Bassist Calvin Roffey, Guitarists Nobba Green and Simon Barker in making up the current line up of The Smoking Hearts.

The Smoking Hearts will be playing at the following UK venues during February:

FEBRUARY

1              Purple Turtle                      London                 FREE SHOW!

7              Edge of The Wedge        Portsmouth

8              Marquee                             Norwich

10           Bar 1:22                                Huddersfield

11           Bang Bar                              Basingstoke

13           Railway Hotel                     Southend On Sea

15           The Bowery                        London

17           Red Lion                               Stevenage

18           The Flag                               Watford

19           Mutiny Club @ Backline                Guilford

20           Harry’s Bar                          Stoke-on-Trent

For further information visit The Smoking Hearts website.

Funeral Party-Live at BBC

Having carved out a reputation as the darlings of the East Los Angeles underground scene during the post punk dance craze revival, Funeral Party have announced the release of their highly anticipated full length album The Golden Age of Nowhere will be released digitally on March 29th, with the vinyl release happening on February 15th.

The Golden Age of Nowhere is produced by Lars Stalfors engineer at Mars Volta, who was instrumental in the bands early success in the suburbs of LA, helping create the ‘East LA Theme song’ Chalice which could be heard thumping out on iPods throughout Southern California.

To ease the pain of waiting for the album release, Funeral Party have announced that they will release a new EP of recordings made late last summer at the BBC for the Zane Lowe show, the Live At The BBC EP is released today, January 25th.

Featuring several tracks that the DJ added to his ‘Hottest Record In The World playlist’ at the time, the EP provides a taster for the impending album release, featuring three songs from the full length record in original and remixed versions.

Funeral Party – Just Because

Funeral Party – Live At The BBC EP – Tracklisting:

1. Just Because (Live At The BBC)
2. New York City Moves To The Sound of L.A. (Live At The BBC)
3. Finale (Live At The BBC)
4. New York City Moves To The Sound of L.A. (Dave Sitek Remix)
5. Just Because (Kids Of 88 Remix)
6. New York City Moves To The Sound of L.A. (Mike Relm Remix)

Funeral Party are currently touring the UK and Ireland, catch them at the following venues in January/February:

Jan 25
The Fleece
Bristol, UNITED KINGDOM

Jan 26
O2 Academy Oxford
Oxford, UNITED KINGDOM

Jan 27
Manchester University Students Union
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM

Jan 28
King Tuts Wah Wah Hut
Glasgow, United Kingdom

Jan 29
Tunnels, Aberdeen
Aberdeen, UNITED KINGDOM

Jan 31
The Stiff Kitten
Belfast, UNITED KINGDOM

Feb 1
O2 Academy 2
Dublin, IRELAND

Feb 3
Newcastle Cluny
Byker, UNITED KINGDOM

Feb 4
The Cockpit
Leeds, UNITED KINGDOM

Feb 5
The Bodega Social Club, Nottingham
Nottingham, UNITED KINGDOM

Thank You

Words shape thoughts, distort lips and can lead to promises; promises that can be broken. So to unwrap the sonic thunder-flash of Golden Worry, mostly free from the threat of broken promises, is a visceral joy. There is no rhyme or reason, just untarnished feeling; the kind of raw emotion that Gang of Four, Joy Division, Animal Collective and Liars can muster at their instrumental best.

Since forming in 2006 Thank You have had all manner of words cast in their direction, words often used to try and pinpoint a sonic delivery that is hard to define; art, rock, post, progressive, punk. But we all know that words are just words and when music is this good they’re rarely needed, so I’ll try to be brief.

The opening, helter-skelter guitar rhythms of 1-2-3 Bad could lead to the sort of pleasant but undistinguished 4x4, all-terrain angst-thrash employed by many an indie wannabe. Thankfully, ten seconds in the percussive lines are drawn, a rousing clarion call to the guts of freedom.  There is no set verse, chorus, middle eight structure, just distorted attacks that coarse and pulse on the chopped, hypnotic flesh-skin sea – a malleable template for the rest of the album.

Like a pre-division Warsaw Thank You alter tone and texture, sometimes subtly, often with right-angled force, with such skill that numbed and bleached emotions are beaten and bruised into action. But melody is not left to rot. The lilting organ refrain on Birth Reunion skips into view clutching Jamie, Wordsworth and the magic torch; before descending into rousing, pick-blurring flurry.

Thank You attack then refrain, caress then frighten, all the while clutching your hand with a breathtaking force, energy and grasp of the sonic promised land. It’s a promise they can keep alive long after the needle has lifted, when words only serve to pollute the air and sour the ears.

There are no live dates planned but keep checking the band’s myspace site.

In the meantime experience the born-again joy of Birth Reunion.

The first single to be taken from the album is Liar which was released earlier this month and finds the band in fine form  as indeed they are throughout the album.

Dive Dive – Liar

Potential kicks off with the punchy punk rock of Mr 10% which pretty much sets the tone of the album, perhaps more refined than previous Dive Dive albums but with all the essential ingredients you would expect from them.

Stand out tracks are Mr 10% and the excellent single Liar, Your Call Is Important, Collapse From The Hurt and the absolutely brilliant Ape Like Me.

The new album Potential by Dive Dive is out now on XtraMile Recordings

Fearless Vampire Killers

Fearless Vampire Killers are a London based band specialising in their very own take on Death Pop/Punk music, constantly touring and building a strong fan base, they have support slots looming with Turbowolf and Chickenhawk as well as gigs in school assemblies, churches and working men’s clubs.

They have recently released their first EP called In Grandomina/ Ruple & Evelyn on which the five tracks form the soundtrack to a novel written by the bands Laurence Beveridge. The artwork for both the EP and the book is created by lead guitarist Barronè.

To honour this the band are making a limited edition run of books and CDs with hand printed covers available to fans through their website in what appears to be an industry first for a debut EP.

Musically, think of Avenged Sevenfold or The Used, if they had more Bowie and Queen albums in their collection, that is the official line from the band themselves and it is fair to say that the theatrical side of the band does appear to owe something to both early Queen and Bowie music.

Have a listen to the recently made video for the track Palace in Flames which has been received well by the music media as well as fans.

Fearless Vampire Killers – Palace in Flames

“The novel illustrates the origins of Grandomina, the fictional city our songs are set within. It serves as an introduction to our world, for those who’d like to dig deeper. All our music is conceptual, but the lyrics are used as metaphors to describe our real experiences, and we are just as excited by someone taking the song in their own way, as we are someone reading into the history of our world.” – Fearless Vampire Killers

Fearless Vampire Killers EP In Grandomina…/Ruple & Evelyn is available now as a unique EP/Novel release through iTunes and Topspin media.

E.P FORMATS ON OFFER

1.   DIGITAL EP £1.99
5 x Audio tracks plus Palace in Flames video

2.   DIGITAL EP + eBOOK £2.99
5 x Audio tracks plus Palace In Flames video + PDF eBook

3.    CD EP £3.99
CD with 5 x Audio tracks plus Palace In Flames video + PDF eBook + secret scrapbook digital content

4.   CD EP & T SHIRT BUNDLE £11.99
CD with 5 x Audio tracks plus Palace In Flames video + PDF of book + secret scrapbook digital content & T shirt

5.   DELUXE BUNDLE £18.99
CD with 5 x Audio tracks plus Palace In Flames video + PDF of book + secret scrapbook digital content

Book – Hand printed cover, signed by the author, hand numbered limited edition of 100 plus set of 5 postcards, each one signed by a member of the band

Marco Pirroni and Chris Constantinou formed The Wolfmen in 2005. Marco’s first live performance was at the 100 club Punk Festival in September 1976 playing guitar with Siouxsie & The Banshees. He also played guitar in Rema Rema and enjoyed great commercial success as guitarist / songwriting with Adam & The Ants.  While Chris Constantinou (bass & lead vocals) formed Jackieonassid after working as a bass player with Adam Ant and Annabella Lwin (Bow Wow Wow).

The Wolfmen’s first projects were soundtracks for Bravo TV’s ‘I Predict A Riot’ and for two hitherto-silent early 1990 fetish films for the ICA/MoMI’s inaugural Fashion In Film Festival.

Early Wolfmen records were released through Damaged Goods. These include a mixture of limited edition EPs and vinyl singles, all of which sold out and gained praise and radio airplay from Jonathan Ross (BBC Radio 2), Mark Lamarr (BBC Radio 2) and Phil Jupitus (BBC 6Music).

The Wolfmen have also worked with several other artists including Lou Reed, Sinead O’Connor and worked with Primal Scream on a cover version of Screaming Jay Hawkins ‘I Put A Spell On You’ for an Alexander McQueen catwalk show.

The band’s debut album, ‘Modernity Killed Every Night’ was released in 2008 and a second album will be released next Spring.

Buzzin Music recently spent time with Chris Constantinou and Marco Pirroni asking about the past, present and future.

Buzzin Music: Chris, did you first meet Marco Pirroni working together on Adam Ant’s solo material?

Chris Constantinou: Yes – I was signed to RCA records with my band, Drill who Chas Chandler (of The Animals, a former manager of Jim Hendrix & Slade) was producing and managing and it had come to an end.  I saw an advert In the NME ‘bass player wanted – must be able to stand and deliver’ Claire Russell from RCA records (who later managed me and Annabella Lwin when we signed to S2 records ) said they had been through loads of bass players and were sick of auditioning people but she managed to blag me an audition I turned up and It was just Adam and Marco at Nomis Studios sitting behind a raised bench In a rehearsal room with an amp and a chair In the middle.

Adam asked loads of stupid questions and I had to fill in a questionnaire – did I drink, do drugs, have any criminal convictions, did I like kinky sex…that sort of thing.  Marco was just scribbling on a bit of paper like he was taking notes but I later found out he was just drawing some silly shit. It was an audition to take over for Gary Tibbs In Adam and the Ants.  I forgot about it and then a few months later the phone rang and it was Adam.  He apologised for the delay in calling and asked if I would like to go on a world tour with him. He said he was going solo & would I be ok with changing my name to Chris De Niro (Adam thought I looked a bit like De Niro in the film Taxi Driver).   I toured with him for 4 years or so – doing all the television performances and videos and then we made the Vive Le Rock album with Tony Visconti.  It was fun for a while.

Buzzin Music: How did The Wolfmen form?

Chris Constantinou: I had a band called Jackieonassid in which I was singing and playing bass guitar and was trying to find a guitarist who could play like Marco. We had a session booked at a studio in North London with Harvey Birrell and I asked Marco to come play guitar on the tracks.  We got talking and he said he wanted to put an album together for his label and so we decided to join up and do an album together.  That’s how The Wolfmen started off and the first album ‘Modernity Killed Every Night‘ came about.

Buzzin Music: The latest single, ‘Marilyn Monroe’ comes with a “JFK” mix.  This follows a previous single “Jackie, Is It My Birthday” & ep track, “Jackie Says”.  Is there a JFK thread going on here?

Chris Constantinou: Not JFK exactly, no.  Strangely enough I was in a band called Friends of Jack with Bob ‘ the count’ drummer on Vive Le Rock – then I wrote this song called ‘Posing As An Angel‘ while in Jackieonassid, which later became ‘Jackie Is It My Birthday? ‘ featuring Sinead O’Connor.  Then some of the Jackieonassid songs ‘Andy Warhol‘,  ‘Plastic Charm‘, ‘Jackie Says’ and others have a ‘Jackie’ in them. I don’t know … maybe I just need therapy to find the answer to that.

Buzzin Music: Am I right thinking Marco Pirroni & yourself worked with Ari Up on the recent Revenge of the Killer Slits album?  Were you aware she was ill or did her death come as much of a surprise to you, as it did to me?

Chris Constantinou: Yes we did that at Edwyn Collins studio. Paul Cook from the Sex Pistols was on drums, me on bass, Marco on guitar and Ari Up on vocals.  I then did more work on the tracks at Marco’s, post production and mixing.  Actually I’ve never even heard the finished mastered EP because no one gave me a copy!  I’ll go download it on ITunes later if I can.  Ari Up was a real live wire.  An amazing character, running around the studio vibing herself up for the takes.  Really, really great performances.  I was impressed, and a decent person too.  No, I wasn’t aware she was ill so it was a shock to me.

Buzzin Music: The second Wolfmen album is due out in early 2011.  Will there be a UK tour supporting the album release?

Chris Constantinou: Yes, The Wolfmen will tour.  It’s about time.  The album is called  ‘Married to the Eiffel Tower ‘. Steve Musters produced the album and Courtney Taylor-Taylor from The Dandy Warhols and Jacob Portrait handled post production and mixing . It’s out in May 2011.

Buzzin Media: You’ve also recently written with other artists, most notably Lou Reed, are you currently working on other projects apart from The Wolfmen?

Chris Constantinou: Yes we’ve written some tracks with Sinead O’Connor for her new album and she sang with me on our single ‘Jackie Is It My Birthday‘.  We’ve also co-written some tracks with another artist that Sinead’s manager looks after called Rosie Vanier who’s great and  and produced an album with Indian pop star Daler Mehndi which is a crossover album of new wave and bangra. Daler sent us his vocal files and we wrote and played Wolfmen type songs.  Somehow it worked.  Stephen Pooch made a documentary when Daler came over for a few days.  It’s on YouTube.

We also wrote and produced three tracks with Namgyal Lhamo.  We’ve also been working with some young, developing artists who are really good that Sony-ATV our publishers have introduced us to; and we’ve also written music for films, adverts and tv stuff which has been a bit of fun.

Buzzin Music: Can you name one contemporary artist that you would like to work with & why?

Chris Constantinou: Cheryl Cole.  We could write and produce a real sleazy VU (Velvet Underground) type track for her to sing on.  She would have to write the lyrics and melody herself and we would insist on no auto tune. It would be funny to hear her say ‘you wolfmen absolutely smashed It’  or ‘you wolfmen are right cheeky chappies’ Seriously though, I’m not sure which current artists I’d to work with.

Buzzin Music: Marco, the first thing I know you were involved with is playing guitar for Siouxsie & the Banshees at the 100 club gig in September 1976 supporting the Sex Pistols.  How did you hook up with The Banshees, was it always going to be just one gig, and was performing 20-odd minutes of the Lord’s Prayer as awful as it sounds?

Marco Pirroni: We just hung around the same set of people in the Kings Road, our paths were bound to cross and no it was never meant to be more than one gig and; as far as it being awful, I’ve never heard it since but I remember it
sounding great!

Buzzin Music: Was there ever talk of becoming a permanent member of Siouxsie & the Banshees?  Was it something you would have liked to been involved in?

Marco Pirroni: They never asked me but I don’t think I would have done it anyway.

Buzzin Music: Of all the bands you have been involved with, Rema Rema is probably the least known or spoken of.  But members went on to form three bands (if you include you forming the new Ants with Adam, along with Wolfgang Press & Renegade Soundwave).  What was it like at the time and how do view the Rema Rema songs now?

Marco Pirroni: I can’t really remember what it was we were trying to do now.
I think we thought we were very clever and groundbreaking and in some respects we were.  But I haven’t heard that stuff for years.  As soon as I have finished something I don’t tend to ever listen to It again.

Buzzin Music: Were you surprised when you heard what the other members of Rema Rema went on to do & do you still stay In touch with them?

Marco Pirroni: I saw them all a few months ago and its bizarre because nobody’s really changed that much.

Buzzin Music: Gary Asquith (singer with Rema Rema & Renegade Soundwave) once told me he felt Rema Rema could have gone on to bigger things if it wasn’t for Adam Ant ‘headhunting’ you to join Adam & the Ants. Do you feel the same?

Marco Pirroni: I can’t see what they ever could have done with or without me; and Adam didn’t headhunt me I was already out of Rema Rema when he called me.

Buzzin Music: How did you get to know Adam Ant & how did you feel when he asked you to join him in a new Ants line-up?

Marco Pirroni: I knew him through Andy Warren who was in the Ants at the time and I was very interested with working with Adam, especially as he said it was a whole new project.

Buzzin Music: How did that song writing partnership work with Adam Ant?

Marco Pirroni: Like a very classic writing partnership.  Two guys with guitars in a room swapping ideas.  A bit like Father Ted when they are trying to write ‘My Lovely Horse’.

Buzzin Music: From outside looking in, it looked very much like everything to do with the Adam & the Ants look, sound & direction was completely controlled by Adam, is this true?

Marco Pirroni: Not really.  Musically it was Adam, (Chris) Hughes and myself.  Directionally it was both of us.

Buzzin Music: How did you feel when Adam decided to go solo but still wanted you to write the songs with him?

Marco Pirroni: I was very happy.  I wasn’t interested in performing anymore so it was a perfect situation for me. I really don’t like being in a band.  But a working partnership with one or two other people suits me fine.

The Wolfmen’s  second album ‘Married to the Eiffel Tower’ is scheduled for release in May 2011 and will include their current single, Marilyn Monroe and the 2009 single with Sinead O’Connor,  ‘Jackie, is it my Birthday? ‘.