Tuesday, 21 August 2018

Album Review: Magic Gone by Petal (by Richard Mair)


Magic Gone is a truly depressing title; it sounds like it should be the soundtrack to the death knell of a relationship. A realisation that it’s over; what made it sparkle has disappeared… and in many ways that’s exactly what the sophomore album by Scranton native Kiley Lotz (without the supporting stars who accompanied her on Shame) has created. Magic Gone is sombre, cold, distant and haunting, yet at the same time beautiful, warm, endearing and passionate. In its simplest form it's quite possibly one of the most successful break-up albums I’ve heard in a long time. It’s a schizophrenic album in the best way possible and the kind of journey that only a skilled songwriter can effectively take you on; making you angry and broken or reminiscent and hopeful at the same time.


The path through “Magic Gone” is via two acts: the first “Tightrope Walker” and the second “Miracle Clinger” whilst stylistically similar show a subtle difference in Petal's outlook. The first half finds a pre-breakdown Lotz hiding from view, putting on a facade almost; with the second half offering a more bare and exposed perspective, whilst intrinsically sadder, quieter and more vulnerable; yet hopeful and optimistic. It also feels as if the first half has a feeling of trying to pretend or hide from the acceptance that a relationship is over; whereas the second shows a realisation that things have changed. The album is also much more mature than the debut “Shame”. For example, take “Photobooth” with its uplifting chorus of kissing under street lights and feeling lucky; there is certain optimism within many of the songs off that album. If “Shame” showcases the start of a new relationship, or youthful naivety, “Magic Gone” is world weary, shining a magnifying glass on the relationship and its final throes.

The real outlier on the album is opener “Better Than You”. It’s the most obvious “punk” song of the collection; fuzzy, noisy and fast. I first saw Petal live supporting Beach Slang and that’s the obvious comparison to make; however the positivity exuded by James Alex is removed and replaced by a neurotic and paranoid Petal battling through regardless. It’s a song about being isolated set to the backdrop of playing to empty rooms. As an opening track it puts you right where Lotz wants you for the forthcoming journey. Yes it’s an upbeat song but it’s dark... It’s also about being true to yourself and if anything resonates about this album it’s that one message. Don’t compromise your ideals, love yourself for who you are and cherish those around you.

Following tracks “Tightrope” and “I’m Sorry” are both painful. The first of physical pain, with a beautiful 3rd act and stunning musicality, it skips along nicely following a quiet start and in the final stages showcases Lotz’s range. It’s also the song that most reminds of the additional musicians who accompanied Lotz on “Shame”; it has some real Tigers Jaw moments. It’s a nice nod to the previous album but also helps show how Lotz has grown as an artist in her own right. The second of these is a much more personal pain; its feelings of something ending permeate through the soft guitar. It’s a tough song to listen to with Lotz admitting she is sorry over and over, before a full band kicks in at almost the 3:30 minute mark. It’s a bold move but one that pays dividends.

Last year’s “Comfort” which acted as a forerunner to the album was possibly my favourite EP of 2017 and its inclusion here is welcome. A quiet, angry song, where Lotz blames herself for the reaction she generates in others. Led by just a guitar all the heavy lifting, melody and depth is provided by Lotz’s voice; soft for most of the song but loud and defiant as the song concludes.

The first half of the album finishes with “Shy”, another simple guitar led song; it’s one that speaks again of paranoia, of second guessing the partner’s perspective and their views of Lotz. It’s a fitting end to the Tightrope Walker element. It’s the realisation that something has ended... and a great set up to side B.

Miracle Clinger by contrast feels subtly different. Kicking off with title track, “Magic Gone” finds Lotz in a different place; there seems like more resilience to the song, the feelings of giving up appear to be replaced by a feeling of moving on. It’s more contemplative and reflective as opposed to the raw pain of side A.

“Shine” is a slow burner, a beautiful guitar line accompanied by the gentle drums of the only other player on the album, Derrick Macias. It’s a song that alludes to sexual identity and partly confusion around how to fit in; or be what other people want you to be. Again the lyrics are superb and the delivery full of emotion.

Both “Carve” and “Something From Me” are quiet songs, finding Lotz in a much calmer more serene place, and act as a chance for her to showcase not only a musical ability but also a fantastic range. In terms of content Carve is very much about hiding away whilst Something From Me, with its piano melody a soft accompaniment to Lotz’s voice, deals with mundane everyday things that one often focuses on whilst having a relationship breakdown. Both are equally stunning and complement the other fantastically.

Closing track “Stardust” is special. It’s very reminiscent of a subdued track by emo legends The Hotelier; it sounds like a song that could have made it onto their last opus “Goodness” and it’s one that hits all the feels. Everything clicks from the acceptance and defiance of Lotz’s vocals to the changes in tones to the slightly off kilter melody providing a unique and paranoid feeling; at times feeling claustrophobic yet escapist as Lotz lets her voice exist in a space outside the song. This is the epic culmination of the journey where Lotz questions the life she could have had. It feels like an acceptance of past mistakes and awareness of the good things of the relationship but the end at the same time. After all the flip flop emotions, angst and frustration on show over the previous 9 songs this is the escape; this is Lotz moving on and accepting who she is and where she is in life.

Writing this review has been hard as the sheer quality of the lyrics, musicianship and craft can’t be fully appreciated by my words alone; it’s a truly living, breathing album where we get to see all the pain and emotion bottled up within the fragile human psyche as one deals with change and turmoil. I’ve obviously painted a picture of a near perfect album and in many ways it is. Everything feels polished, carefully considered and a labour of love; but at the same time it feels slightly flawed - but deliberately so. The only human element on show (Lotz’s voice) sounds completely natural, raw at times and certainly not over produced, allowing her natural accent to come through in places; when in a lower register some of the clarity gets hidden, and Lotz almost mumbles through, reinforcing the perspective of trying to hide away. These imperfections generate a human “flaw” throughout the album; reminding you all the time that this is the story of a real person. I should also add I’m typically ambivalent to what feel like “concept albums” but again here it all works and flows naturally. The journey needs to be followed as Lotz intends; taken in isolation some songs don’t click in the same way as they do when heard in order. It’s an album you have to consciously invest time in to fully appreciate, in much the same way as one would imagine Lotz has in crafting it.

Petal return to the UK later this year. Based on past performances and such a stunning collection to showcase, these gigs promise to be ones not to be missed!

Stream and download Magic Gone here: https://petalpa.bandcamp.com/

Like Petal here: https://www.facebook.com/petalPA/

This review was written by Richard Mair.

Monday, 20 August 2018

Album Review: Fangs by Dynamite Dynamite


Back in 2015 Dynamite Dynamite released one of my favourite albums of the year in Apologies/Apathy. This past April the Scunthorpe based four piece released a brand new five track EP on the magnificent Umlaut Records titled Fangs. Quite criminally it's taken me until now to get around to checking it out. Is it worth the wait?


Fangs begins with the song Good Work. After the initial intro I'm quickly reminded of why I loved Dynamite Dynamite so much in the first place - those incredible duelling vocals, one clean and one raspy. Not only does this give some great variety on the song but it allows for some amazing harmonies. I love harmonies. This is the type of song I imagine is at its very best in a live setting with some great sing-along moments, those aforementioned harmonies and some great breakdowns. Up next is Werewolves which was originally released as a single before the release of Fangs. Werewolves isn't quite like the Dynamite Dynamite I know and love. They take those superb vocals and big choruses and give it a harder and, dare I say it, more of a metal edge. The riffage on the track is really amped up to levels I've never heard before from Dynamite Dynamite.

This Town Ain't What It Used To Be sees the band go back to their more classic style. Musically there's some powerful and crunchy guitars that will really get you jumping in the pit between shouting each and every line back at the band. This is modern pop punk music done very well. The penultimate song, Bad News, is a rockier track perhaps verging towards more of an alternative rock style. It's great to hear Dynamite Dynamite playing around with these different sounds rather than sticking to the tried and tested formula. This rockier style certainly gives the song and lot more bite and a whole load of additional urgency. It shows off what a great bunch of musicians the chaps in Dynamite Dynamite are as well with some superb displays on the guitars and the drum kit. Last up is Have Mercy. Have Mercy immediately had me throwing my fist in the air with the band despite never having the heard of the song before. If that's not the sign of a great song then I'm not sure what is. This is just a great track from start to finish and if you only listen to one song on Fangs then make sure it's this one. But seriously listen to the whole EP, it's a banger.

I feel like Dynamite Dynamite are among the most underatted bands in the UK's punk rock scene. They seem to be one of those bands where either you love them or you don't know them. They don't appear to be overly active anymore in regards to playing heaps of shows but they're still putting out superb releases. Check this out!

Buy Fangs here: https://umlaut-records-slne.squarespace.com/merch-1/dynamite-dynamite-fangs-ep

Like Dynamite Dynamite here: https://www.facebook.com/dynamitedynamite/

This review was written by Colin Clark.

Saturday, 18 August 2018

Album Review: Sugarcane by Poor Me


Poor Me are a five piece punk rock band from Denver, Colorado. The band formed towards the end of 2010 and have recently put out their third release titled Sugarcane. Sugarcane follows on from their debut Readymade and second release Cosplay. According to the band, Sugarcane is inspired by "a proliferating feeling that the world is getting harder to navigate morally. Falsities are acceptable as warrants for our beliefs, social issues are diluted and polarized until they are palatable for the ill-informed, and confidence in ourselves is replacing the competence of collaboration. As we negotiate circumstances in our lives, we have a plethora of sources to turn to for direction. We can gut-check the moment, or we can turn to science, philosophy, religion, government, our families, etc. – each has its limits, its agendas, but increasingly, a satisfaction with conversion rather than persuasion. Watching the world turn this direction is frustrating, but not surprising... the carrot and stick has always been this effective on the masses."


The EP begins with the song So, Brother. The track starts off in quite a bouncy skate/pop punk way that really draws you in. And then, just like that, Poor Me flick the switch and the vocals jump into an intense raspy hardcore style that reminded me of Thomas Barnett of Strike Anywhere. This really gave a lot of life to the song and left me really wanting more. The second track on the EP, Mistakes Can Be Made, has a bit of a theatrical rock element alongside Brett Delaney's superb vocals. It really feels as if Poor Me take us on somewhat of a ride full of fantastic melodies and hard hitting intensity. The track is about realising that you don't have to be perfect all of the time and coming to the conclusion that you better yourself by learning from your mistakes.

Up next is the EP's title track, Sugarcane. Sugarcane certainly has a bit of an 80s metal edge to it. Not the cheesy hair metal stuff but the good stuff. The first third of the song is spent building towards the chorus and the shift in tempo is really striking in the most wonderful of ways. The poppier sound of the chorus really made me fall in love with the track, it's jam packed with energy. The penultimate track on Sugarcane is named Papa Tells Me. I really enjoyed the atmospheric beginning to the song with a jangly guitar riff, simple drum pattern and a soft ooooh-ing harmony all accompanying Delaney's vocal. This jumps into a harder style at will that quickly had me headbanging along to the song. I think that this song, perhaps more than the others on Sugarcane, really shows off what a great bunch of musicians Poor Me are. The final track on the EP is Perpetrators and is more of a straight forward punk rock song. Sure there are plenty of shifts in tempo but the theatrics are toned down. Poor Me manage to squeeze some of their most melodic and most intense moments into this four minute masterpiece that captivated me from beginning to end.

I didn't know much about Poor Me before getting sent Sugarcane. I really enjoyed the originality of this EP. It's taken the melodic hardcore punk rock sound and given it a whole new twist. This is a great EP from a great upcoming band.

Stream and download Sugarcane here: https://poorme.bandcamp.com/album/sugarcane

Like Poor Me here: https://www.facebook.com/PoorMeMusic

This review was written by Colin Clark.

Friday, 17 August 2018

Album Review/Column: MXPX by MXPX (by Dan Peters)


Here is my totally unbiased review of the new self-titled MXPX album in fifty words or less. It’s the single greatest piece of musical art to come into my life in the last 6 years and I loved it without reservation and will do till the end of time.


Phew now that I’ve got that out the way, what I’d like to talk about is the fact that one of the biggest bands of my childhood decided to Kickstart this album for funding and what that says about the music industry. MXPX are far from the first band to have kickstarted an album but, in my narrow view of musical genres, they are certainly the biggest and, bless them, they have been incredibly candid throughout the process when people have asked questions. They therefore make an excellent case study on the trend of crowdfunding music.

MXPX were a band in their twilight circa 2012. Their previous full length album, Plans Within Plans, is noticeably darker in tone than anything that came before it with songs like Screw Loose, Cast Down My Heart and Nothings Gonna Change casting a bit of a shadow over a group whose positive lookout on life had always been such a strong part of their personality. The band has had numerous issues with record labels over the years and have been open about not being well compensated for record sales. After years of hopping from label to label it seemed like Plans Within Plans would be the last official release of the band. MXPX alumni Tom and Yuri stopped touring and MXPX All Stars became a thing instead of a true blue touring MXPX.

Cut to around 2013 and Mike Herrera started an acoustic solo project, and in doing so fully embraced social media to get his music out there. MXPX stayed alive through sheer force of will on Mike's behalf and he can be found in numerous acoustic appearances on any number of social media outlets and YouTube channels. This experimentation with how to distribute their music led to an official MXPX acoustic album and also an official from the ground up re-recording of Life In General on Bandcamp. For me it was a dream, having such easily accessible music from my favourite band and I’m sure a lot of other people felt the same.

Then the Kickstarter happened. The band explained that they were all together again, that they loved what they did again and that they weren’t having anything more to do with labels and the stresses that come with being tied down. They had already recorded the music and set a modest $48,000 dollar target to help market and distribute the album. Having your favourite band explain they’re back in full force and that for a small amount you can help their dream come true was an easy sell for their huge and passionate fanbase. They absolutely smashed the target, coming in well over $200,000 at the close of the campaign. Finally, blessedly we got the MXPX album we’ve been waiting for and it was everything I could’ve hoped for and more.

The lyrics are full of joy and hope and there’s a lot of mention of that “weekend” feeling, symbolic to me because in order to get to the weekend you have to slog through the week to appreciate it and this is a band who went through that slog and is clearly now in an excellent place. The full line-up is in check, the energy, excitement pure unadulterated joy (in songs like All Of It) can be clearly felt. So what changed? Certainly having some time away from something can make you miss it more, but I think it’s the freedom that came with unshackling themselves from the main things tying them down. Let’s Ride, an album standout track, is about the freedom to go and travel wherever you like and when you’re attached to a label you’re beholden to them and don’t have that freedom. Having to only please fans that love you enough already to support you in your career is a far better way to live (although no less daunting due to expectations). There have been a spate of “surprise” albums over the last 18 months, where artists have put out their newest creations without pomp and ceremony and, for me personally, MXPX are the biggest of the bunch. Anything that takes away from the music industry and places the power back with the artists is a great thing in my mind and I hope many more bands are encouraged to follow suit as a result.

So, in conclusion, this was a very differently created album and is a richer happier more fulfilling experience to listen to as a result. There will be no prizes for guessing what will be at the top of my end of year lists and I can’t recommend you listen to it enough.

Like MXPX here: https://www.facebook.com/MxPxPx/

This review/column was written by Dan Peters.

Thursday, 16 August 2018

News: Loads Of Shows At The New Cross Inn This September


So I think I might be moving in to the New Cross Inn this September. Be Sharp Promotions alongside Umlaut Records, Till The Wheels, Make-That-A-Take Records have announced six superb punk and ska shows featuring bands from England, Scotland, America and Canada. Check out the details below.

Sept 7th / UNIFORMS / Break-Ups - Band / Crushed Veneer / 1 more TBC
https://www.facebook.com/events/2078738848825611/

Top Tens: Ten Reasons To Keep Going To Gigs In Your Thirties


Recently I've seen an article about how going to gigs makes you live longer floating around on the social media. I'm sure you've probably seen it as well, as the kids would say "it's pretty viral innit bare tings." Whenever I see this article pop up it always gets me thinking about how I'm now making some good headway into my thirties and I still spend a lot of my spare time and income travelling into London in the middle of a week for a gig, very often multiple times a week. This is some contrast to some of my nearest and dearest friends of the same age who are happily married, have beautiful kids, successful careers and are home owners. I often think that I should slow down all of this gig going and think about becoming a proper grown up.… and then I learn about another upcoming gig than I simply cannot miss. It's an ongoing and endless cycle. Whenever I think about quitting the going to gigs game, I quickly remember what I love about going to gigs. So, I've compiled a list of reasons I still love going to gigs in my thirties.

1. Music Is Best Experienced Live
You may have already realised this if you've been following this blog over the past four years but I am a bit of a music fan. Growing up there was always music on in our family house and that tradition has continued in Emma and mine's little house in Bedford. Whether we're playing a record or streaming music, we're usually listening to something. I'm not up to date with any of the current 'box sets', ask me if I've seen a film and the answer will more than likely be no. That's because I prefer listening to music and I love it even more when I experience it live. There's something so special about seeing a band play your favourite songs right in front of you. I feel like this is really how you were supposed to experience these songs.

2. Meeting Your New Best Pals
Think about the friends you've made since you left education. Are the majority of them from work? A lot of mine are too, and many are definitely lifelong ones, but do you find that whenever you meet up away from work that work still dominates the conversation? I've found it's different with my gig friends. We never talk about work, we talk about the thing we love more than anything in the world – music! (Except when the World Cup is on, when the World Cup is on we talk about the World Cup).

3. It's Better Than Watching The Rubbish That Is On TV Most Evenings
What would you rather do with your evening? Watch the latest episode of your favourite soap or reality TV show or go out and see a great band? It's a no brainer for me – great band every single time! Something I've never quite been able to fathom is why someone would stay in to watch a TV show instead of going out and seeing people doing something fun. Especially in this day and age of catch up TV.

4. Don't You Just Feel A Bit Old And Creepy In A Club?
Admittedly I have been in clubs very few times in my entire life let alone since I reached my thirties but I can only imagine that if I was going to now I'd feel extremely uncomfortable and out of place. I'd feel like I was twice as old as everyone else, I'd worry that the young ladies would be cold in their fashionable going to clubs (I guess) dresses, I'd be worried about accidentally bumping into anyone and I would just hate the overly macho attitude of the gentleman in attendance. Quite ironically I'd complain about how loud the music is and how I can't hear anything my friends are saying. At a punk show it's very very rare for these type of feelings to occur. I love the comfort zone of a punk rock show.

5. It's The Best Way To Support Your Favourite Bands
In this digital age where you can hear music from all your favourite acts for free the best way to support them financially is by going to see them at a show (and maybe buying some merch). That's as good a reason for keeping going to my gigs in my thirties as anything I can think of. If nobody goes to see bands live then they can't afford to keep on being a band and then the gigs stop and I spend every night sitting at home being quite bored and miserable.

6. It's Also The Best Way To Support Your Local Venue
I read a stat recently that stated that something like four pubs in the UK close every day. A lot of this is due to gentrification with councils and land devleopers deciding that we need more yuppy apartments. If all the pubs and music venues close then there will be nowhere for bands to play. Then they can't make money and stop being bands. Then I spend every night sitting at home being quite bored and miserable.

7. It's Much More Fun Than Going To The Gym
Going to the gym seems to be cool these days. Getting fit is important and I commend anyone who tries to keep their bodies fit and healthy. I like to try and keep fit but I like my exercise to feel like I'm having fun and not just endlessly repeating myself lifting things or running without ever getting anywhere. Instead I like to go to a ska gig and spend a couple of hours skanking away and singing along to my favourite songs and, as it's a ska show, more than likely a couple of covers. That's so much more fun than attempting to do a sit up.

8. Reunion Shows
It's always fun to be a bit cool and smug and say that you remember when a band was playing pub shows once they hit big and start playing large venues. It's even more fun when you can say I remember this band before they got back together for this run of reunion shows. That's something you can only really do when you're an older gig goer.

9. It's Great For Your Mental Health
There's so much rubbish in life that is so easy to get bogged down with. Between the stresses of working, chores, paying bills, supporting Crystal Palace and the country seeming like it's falling apart more and more each day, it's important to continue to keep doing the things you love, no matter how old you are. It will keep you happy, it'll continue to give you amazing memories and most importantly it will keep you sane.

10. Your Bands You've Seen Live Spreadsheet Will Have Even Higher Numbers
I assume it's not just me and C-Rage who have written down every single band we've ever seen and totted up exactly how many times we've seen them. Imagine having been regularly going to gigs for ten to twenty years and therefore what an impressive list of bands you are likely to have. Then think about how all your friends are going to love hearing about all your stats.

This top ten was written by Colin Clark.

Wednesday, 15 August 2018

Album Review: Resurgence by For Heads Down


For Heads Down are a five piece melodic punk rock band from Siegen in Germany. Back in July they released their second album Resurgence with the help of Melodic Punk Style Records. The thirteen track album promises crunching riffs, pounding drums running alongside melodic vocals and catchy choruses.


The opening track Fatty Livers And Deep Pockets is a positive song about feeling better when you get on stage and play a gig. It's about how you can forget all of life's problems and find a way to escape. It's the same feeling we all get when we attend gigs. When I first clicked play on the track I kind of expected more of a harder edge to the poppy sound that greeted us, this sound worked really well with the message within the song however. On the next song, In This Case, we feel the harder edge of the For Heads Down sound. Christian Kalmbach puts in a sterling performance behind the drum kit as his beat really gives the song an incredibly strong back bone. Alongside this we have some wonderfully urgent sounding guitars with Philipp Nowotny's soaring vocals. This is the sound I expected from For Heads Down and I really enjoyed it. How It Feels continues with this sound. The song has a pounding also metal-like intro that had my head banging immediately. For Heads Down do something really interesting on the song with the music and vocals seemingly being played at different tempos to create quite an effect. This adds more urgency behind Nowotny's emotional lyrics.

The fourth song, Stuck In Reverse, starts out with a huge sing-along beginning before we get into some proper shouty vocals that add some aggression into the song. I hadn't really realised that some aggression was missing from the songs before it was added. I think this is where For Heads Down are at their very best. Last Man Standing makes you feel like For Heads Down are going to slow things down for the fifth song with some more jangly guitars and a more plodding style until the vocals hit and come at you faster than ever. It's when we reach the chorus that you feel fully involved in the song as you can shout along "Til I'm the last man standing, believe in the better times." This is a song that takes you through a series of highs and lows before slowly fading out and launching into the fifty second song Calculator. Sound wise this is a definite ode to the 90s EpiFat sound that has influenced so many of the current crop of punk rock bands throughout the world. If you love that EpiFat sound then I'm very confident that you're really going to enjoy this song. The seventh song is titled Side Effects. This track continues the melodic punk rock style, with the longer intro to the song really standing out. It feels kind of retrospective, a song that is supposed to make you think and take a look at yourself.

Goals features an incredible guitar solo which alone is worth listening to the song for. The vocals on the track feel more subdued compared to what we've heard on Resurgence so far and it's a welcome change as it adds a bit of variety to the album. Following this is a slightly poppier number in the form of Much The Same. It features one of those great long intros that make you feel like something big is about to happen. It ticks all of the boxes for melodic punk rock – crunching guitars, powerful drumming and soaring vocals. This is a great advertisement for what For Heads Down are all about. The title of the tenth track is Quiet Irony. Quiet Irony starts off slowly with some rumbling bass and slowly builds up. This build gives the song a hell of a lot of intensity from the outset. We are then greeted by a kind of clunking style with Nowotny's vocals working overtime to carry the melody of the track. I really enjoyed this approach to the song as I thought it really spiced things up a bit.

Smile is a song about looking back on your life in the search for answers. This track again sees For Heads Down in retrospective mode. Like on How It Feels, it feels as if the music and vocals are going at two different tempos which creates a great sound. This is one of those great songs where you can listen to it ten times in a row and keep hearing new little bits that you love. The penultimate track is titled Wasting Time. Wasting Time is probably my favourite song on Resurgence. Musically it's a little harder than anything else but features great sing-along moments throughout. The build towards the big finale is superb and I can imagine a room full of people with fists in the air shouting the words back at the band. This is what I love. Last up is the five and half minute long Feeding The Beast. Being such a length I was expecting this to be an epic ending to Resurgence but if I'm being completely honest it felt as if it could have been placed anywhere on the album. That doesn't stop it being a great song, because it is but I was really expecting something a bit more.

Melodic punk rock seems to be making a big come back throughout Europe. Resurgence is a very aptly named album and should cement For Heads Down among the very best in the genre.

Stream and download Resurgence here: https://forheadsdown.bandcamp.com/

Like For Heads Down here: https://www.facebook.com/forheadsdown

This review was written by Colin Clark.