Gillian Carter – Lost Ships Sinking With The Sunset review

Posted on June 11, 2013 by

GClostshipsYou’ll  be hard pressed to find a genre that is more bleak and dark then screamo in 2013. Not that there’s anything wrong with that though – sometimes the bleakest records are the best. The raw emotion seeps through and seems to strike a nerve with a lot of people, which is probably why Gillian Carter have built up their a dedicated fan base since forming in 2005. Their third album, Lost Ships Sinking With The Sunset, is about as bleak and honest as you could get within the space of 17 minutes – but it’s some of the finest work of their type of music to come out this year.

As the band kick things off with Recently…, they prove just why screamo still has a place within the music world in 2013 more so than ever. Whilst a lot of people may not “get” it, those that do cling on to it – infatuated. The musicianship that Gillian Carter have is second to none and it shines brightly on this record. Short bursts of excellence are shown on tracks like Dissertation #1 (Trapped) and the 60 second instrumental Thesis Statement. Waking Up (Lost Ships) is hard evidence as to why Gillian Carter have built up such a cult following over the years – they’re tight, clean and sound better than ever this time round. A more melodic side to the band is shown on the longer (rather, long for this record at 4 minutes) Sinking With The Sunset – this is the band at their darkest but also at their very best.

It’s not all doom and gloom though, the noodley guitar work on Spring Song actually makes for a seemingly more upbeat, happy ending. It somehow fits perfectly in to the record however as it ends before it’s barely begun. But it’s enough to show off the talent that the band have been harboring and for that, they deserve all the credit they can possibly get for this album.

Lost Ships Sinking With The Sunset is out now via Dog Knights.

Gillian Carter on Facebook

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The Mongoloids and Wrong Answer gear up for European + UK tour!

Posted on June 11, 2013 by

Mongotourposter_zps55663c7aHot on the heels of their most recent release, Mongo Life, The Mongoloids are set to hit mainland Europe and the UK this month bringing Wrong Answer along for the ride as well as a whole host of other hardcore talent to throwdown with. The 20 date tour will see the tour hit Germany, Italy, Belgium and 6 dates in the UK.

Broken Teeth will also be joining the bill for the whole of the UK leg. The dates can be found below so make sure you catch the band if you have the chance!

13. Jun – GER/ Hamburg – Hafenklang
14. Jun – GER/ Berlin – Cassiopeia (small room)

15. Jun – GER/ Hannover – Bei Chez Heinz
16. Jun – GER/ Duisburg – St. Peter
17. Jun – NL/ Tilburg – Extace
18. Jun – BEL/ Gent – The Frontline
19. Jun – UK/ Birmingham* – Wharf Chambers
20. Jun – UK/ Manchester* – Audio
21. Jun – UK/ Glasgow* – Star & Garter
22. Jun – UK/ Bristol* – The Fleece
23. Jun – UK/ London* – The Grosvenor
24. Jun – UK/ Southampton* – Unit
25. Jun – FRA/ Paris – Les Combustibles
26. Jun – FRA/ Bordeaux – The Bootleg
27. Jun – ITA/ Arese – SGA
28. Jun – GER/ Schweinfurt – Stattbahnhof
29. Jun – AT/ Vienna – Venster 99
30. Jun – HU/ Budapest – Trafik Klub
01. Jul – PL/ Krakow – OFF.KIJÓW klub
02. Jul – GER/ Dresden – Chemiefabrik

*/ together with: Broken Teeth

Mongo Life is out now.

Fore more info on the tour, visit the Facebook event page!

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Bloody Mammals – Eventually Your House Will Burn Down

Posted on May 24, 2013 by

bloodymammalsWithin the first 10 seconds of Bloody Mammals latest EP, they’re already using everything they’ve got to come out swinging and start shouting in your face. It’s less a bad thing and more the best way for the band to introduce themselves to those unfamiliar with them. This Neighbourhood Is Cursed is only the start of the journey – as Bloody Mammals pick up the pace and unleash themselves unto the unsuspecting world.

The band are able to mix melodic punk rock sounds with a slice of post-hardcore to create their own unique blend of music. The title track shows off the real edge that the band bring to the table whilst Tie Down Team slows things down a bit whilst still being able to keep the ferocity that the band has. It may not be something that’s instantly gripping on the first listen, but there’s something quite musically endearing about Bloody Mammals sound – Eventually Your House Will Burn Down is also one of their first proper releases too and if this is anything to go by, then they will only get better with time.

Madam brings back the faster punky side of Bloody Mammals; not just another flash in the pan UK band, they are obviously keen to impress and with this EP they certainly can do. Timber continues the onslaught as the band weave their way in and out all 90 odd seconds of it, setting the ending of the record up with a climatic Long Song. Whether ironically titled or not, Long Song is over 3 times as long as some of the rest of the band’s material clocking in at 5 minutes 14 seconds. So not long for some band’s standards, but definitely for Bloody Mammals. It’s a risky move pulling it off and the song could, in theory, be two separate songs; they do manage to pull it off though. Impressive musicianship and a fairly long outro manage to bring Eventually Your House Will Burn Down to it’s end.

With this EP now under their belts, Bloody Mammals will now be looking to future and deciding their next move. Whatever it may be, be sure to be close by when they are ready to make it.

Eventually Your House Will Burn Down is out now.

Bloody Mammals on Facebook

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Her Parents – Happy Birthday review

Posted on May 22, 2013 by

a1241003049_2When everybody thinks back to their school days, more often than not they think of happy times and all their classmates who they once knew and the friends they made for life. It’s at that point that someone says “Do you remember that lairy kid that used to get in everybody’s face and be really over the top?”

Well if four of those lairy kids formed a band, then it would probably turn out to be something like Her Parents. Their second record, Happy Birthday is essentially an album that isn’t afraid to shout in your face, spill your beer and call you a prick. And whilst a lot of people may hate the idea of that or classify it as “the worst night out”, Happy Birthday is actually one of the finest Alcopop!’s finest releases. If you wanted an introduction to Her Parents, then you probably won’t get one. They get things under way with You’ve Got Mail  and there’s barely time to stop and gather your thoughts over the 18 minutes that the album lasts. The short but sweet Why Are You Hitting Yourself is a perfect example of the Her Parents ethos – the fact that they quite frankly and quite rightly so don’t give a fuck.

Carrying on with the theme of bullying, the excellent Why Don’t You Just Fuck Off sees the band rather bluntly question the reasons as to why you (yep, you) won’t just fuck off. Ok, so this obviously isn’t a record for everybody but if you like that kind of thing, then it’s going to be right up your street. With most songs being around a minute and a half (sometimes if that), it’s perfect for kids with ADHD as well – songs like I Live In A Tree and the amazingly titled Cunt Dinosaurs are just a couple of reasons why Her Parents are in a league of their own. It’s hard to say a lot about the bands second album, it’s brilliantly confusing – a musical entity, if you will. But if you like your music fast, in your face and more than likely willing to fuck your spouse and then kidnap your parents then this record will be for you. If not, it’s probably best you take Her Parents advice and do fuck off.

By the time the album finishes with Personal Christmas, you’ll be left collecting your mind fucked thoughts from off the floor and pressing “play again/repeat” for another round with Her Parents.

For fans of: ADHD (the condition).

Happy Birthday is out now via Alcopop!

Her Parents on Facebook

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Golden Tanks – R.D.H.B. review

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

GTRDHBThe (official) debut EP from Reading boys Golden Tanks has been a long time coming. It might not well be one of the most anticipated releases of recent years from a UK band, but it certainly should have been. If R.D.H.B. isn’t proof enough that Golden Tanks will soon be progressing to dizzying heights, then there’s something very wrong with the music world as we know it.

The band take no time in getting to grips with things and unleashing all hell as they crack open proceedings with the heavy sounds of 859 – it’s the sound of a band ready to take on anything that comes within a few feet of them but a band that have found their sound and make it look easy. Coming in hard with their Cancer Bats-esque hardcore punk sound, Golden Tanks are a breath of fresh air in the UK scene – it’s a far cry from the majority of the half baked so-called rock bands being churned out in the UK in recent years.

The one-two punch that Ten Days and Burnt Bridges is enough to take down the biggest of bands and make them look tiny in comparison to Golden Tanks massive sound. Showing no signs of slowing down or turning things down a notch, the band continue to annihilate with R.D.H.B. before ending with Fangs.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with R.D.H.B. – no flaws, no mishaps, no low points. As a debut EP, Golden Tanks have done everything they could have done to impress and more and this certainly won’t be the last time we hear of them. Just hopefully next time it’ll be a full length instead of an EP.

For fans of: Fights & Fires, Cancer Bats.

R.D.H.B. is out now.

Golden Tanks on Facebook

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Eager Teeth – S/T review

Posted on April 5, 2013 by

ET Album CoverEager Teeth have barely even broken into the UK scene as a band yet but they must be doing something right. Releasing their debut self-titled record on A Wolf At Your Door is merely the start of what is set to be a long and winding road to inevitable success.

Eager Teeth’s mix of post-hardcore with alt. rock is one that most will be familiar with. It’s worked extremely well for their label mates in Mallory Knox and why shouldn’t it work for Eager Teeth? They pack a punch and their music is sharp. Exploding into gear with the excellent Mary Rose’d, the band make it seem easy – the band have taken the time to polish their sound and even the opening first track alone is something to be immensely proud of. Whilst the song title Baby I Don’t Wanna Know sounds more like the name of a dreadful Chris Brown song, it’s actually a well crafted punk number that shows off just how much talent Eager Teeth have locked up and ready to share with the world – and there’s a lot.

There’s a lot of catchy punk throughout the record, but Eager Teeth show they’re more

Hi Res ET Promo

than just catchy with more melodic post-hardcore sounding tracks such as Constant Entertainment and New Bones. There’s a good chance that for most people they won’t like

Eager Teeth the first time round – it may take a while, but they’re certainly not a band to be written off straight away. They work extremely hard and have a lot of talent – not to add that they can be added to the list of one of the many bands flying the flag high for the UK rock scene. Previously released Exorcise Bike is the band on top form – another high energy punk number that proves Eager Teeth are intent to make their way to the very top. And who can stop them? Time will tell, but they could certainly pull off a few surprise moves in the months to come. But they deserve everything that comes their way – like most bands, it hasn’t been the easiest of rides but they’ve made it this far and show no signs of slowing down or stopping just yet.

A reprise Baby I Don’t Wanna Know sees out the record Eager Teeth Choir style and it’s pretty obvious that this won’t be the last we see of them anytime soon. With a full length record to their name and a contract with A Wolf At Your Door, what’s next for the boys from Brighton?

For fans of: Mallory Knox, Scholars.

Eager Teeth is out now via A Wolf At Your Door Records

Eager Teeth on Facebook

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Fights & Fires – We Could All Be Dead Tomorrow review

Posted on March 28, 2013 by

CDDG4T1-003.pdfSince the release of their previous album, Proof That Ghosts Exist, Fights & Fires have been hard at work over the past two years. Touring relentlessly all over Europe and writing and recording their sophomore release, it’s been a busy couple of years for the punk n’ rollers. The result of being hard at work though is about to pay off in the form of We Could All Be Dead Tomorrow – an obvious step up and massive improvement from their debut record.

Kicking off with Chase The Blues, it’s already apparent that Fights & Fires are back and coming out swinging at full force – a wrecking machine out to destroy everything in its way. They’ve got a new edge to them, a more polished hardcore punk sound in the vein of bands like Every Time I Die and it’s obviously working for them after having just secured at spot at this years Groezrock Festival in Belgium. Songs like Back Bone and Tread Water see the band throwing every ounce of their weight into their music and giving the rest of the bands in their scene a run for their money, while the short You Don’t Always Reap What You Sow does its job of proving that Fights & Fires are a force to be reckoned with in a mere 96 seconds.

Since Proof That Ghosts Exist has been released, it’s apparent that Fights & Fires have got tighter, polished their sound and got heavier. If you thought that they were a good band before, then they’re now fantastic and this record will surely establish them as an important band in the UK punk scene. The slower, darker Cats Lives acts as a intro for the onslaught that Mothers Advice brings – it’s easily a high point on the record and this is the outcome of a band that have dedicated their lives to their music – a powerful, heavy, tight as fuck hardcore punk record. This is what will make Fights & Fires the band to watch in 2013.

As the record comes to a close with BFF… For Now and the epic Small Town Boy Pt. II, it’s obvious that this is not just a band producing great music but a group of friends having the time of their lives. The fact that they’ve created a fantastic punk record is just an added bonus. We Could All Be Dead Tomorrow has essentially been two years in the making and the wait has been well worth it. Welcome back Fights & Fires, it’s your time to shine now.

For fans of: Every Time I Die, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster.

We Could All Be Dead Tomorrow is out now.

Fights & Fires on Facebook

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