The organisers of the Manchester Punk Festival have just
released the second of a series of compilations showcasing some of the amazing
bands that are playing the festival this year on April 17th and 18th.
I take a look and give my verdict.
The first song on the compilation is by Swedish heavyweights
Atlas Losing Grip. These guys
expertly combine metal and melodic punk rock to create a sound all of their
own. The song Nemesis features on the 2015 album Currents. I’d imagine that
Atlas Losing Grip’s set at the festival will have some of the biggest mosh pits.
Manchester’s Leagues Apart are one
of the bands that I’m most looking forward to seeing at the festival. I’ve not
seen them live since they played Anti-Fest at Hatfield University back in 2012,
which are far too long ago. They play raspy voiced sing along punk rock similar
in style to Hot Water Music and The Lawrence Arms. Last year’s debut album
Brief Interviews With Hideous Men made it into my top ten of the year list,
their set is not to be missed. They will also be playing a Rancid cover set at
the after show party at Retro Bar on the Saturday night. Pacer guitarist Dave House brings his brand of indie,
pop and punk to the acoustic stage. The song Follow Me has an uplifting feel to
its despite its downbeat lyrics. The song has a quality about it that you know
will have a live audience captivated by every word. Hardcore punks Throwing Stuff will no doubt have of
the most entertaining sets of the festival. Having seen them support Masked
Intruder last year I don’t think I’ve ever seen a band put more energy into a
performance.
Pop punk act Hindsights
are a band that are on a lot of peoples “bands to look out for in 2015” lists.
Playing on the Friday night just before the awesome Creeper they are sure to
appeal to a lot of the younger members of the festivals audience. The X Ray Cat of The X Ray Cat Trio
will be playing the acoustic stage. From Leeds, he combines surf, rockabilly,
punk rock and psychobilly for what could be one of the most interesting and
unique sets of the festival. The word unique can also be used for Beat The Red Light (my favourite band
name in punk rock). Combing one of the best horn sections in the business with
elements of ska, hardcore, thrash and metal there isn’t another band quite like
Beat The Red Light. Headlining the aftershow party at Joshua Brooks, these guys
from High Wycombe will pull out every last bit of energy you have for one final
dance/skank/slam. Hampshire’s Almeida
are another band who use elements of metal music in the sound. Some of the
guitar work is as technical as I’ve ever heard from a punk band. Lead vocalist
Tom West brilliantly carries the melody with is soaring delivery and will get
you singing songs back at his at the top of your voice. Check out their debut
album Fantastic Massacre, released on Lockjaw Records.
The Domestics,
from Suffolk are somewhat of a throwback to legendary 80’s hardcore bands such
as Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Poison Idea and Chaos UK. This is fast and furious
punk rock at its finest and will go down very well with older members of the
festival as well as introducing younger fans to a classic era of punk music. Liberation
member Joe Yorke brings his brand of
acoustic folk, punk, ska and reggae to Manchester. Like a lot of the bands at
the festival Joe is fully steeped in the DIY ideology rooted in punk rock and
many of his songs are about politics and solidarity. Chesire’s Simmer are a band who describe
themselves as ambient punk and are another band who the youngsters will adore.
The music is a great mix of punk rock and indie and the vocals are far more
relaxed and laid back than what you would usually expect from a punk band. The
vocals remind me of a band who I cannot remember the name of, check back later
to see if I actually remembered the band. Completing this compilation is Tim Loud of Bootscraper with the song
The Other Guy. Another of this county’s seemingly endless supply of immensely
talented acoustic folk/punk types, Tim Loud will play a very entertaining set.
The Other Guy reminds me of the Mad Caddies, if the Mad Caddies played acoustic
folk music. The sound is fun and jovial and certain to put smiles on faces and
get toes a tapping.
Stream and download the compilation here: https://manchesterpunkfestival.bandcamp.com/album/manchester-punk-festival-vol-2
Buy tickets, see all the bands playing the festival and find out more here: http://manchesterpunkfestival.co.uk/site/
Now listening to Rampant Horse Is Rampant by Leagues Apart
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