Author Archives: andrewcream
Various (ALGB3) – Alt/Punk Vol. 2
This project is, according to the blurb on the A Lonely Burning Ghost bandcamp, “focussed on putting together top quality, freely downloadable compilations featuring tracks…[that] deserve to be heard”, which about nails it. This is a disparate, but well thought … Continue reading
Among Giants – Back and Forth
Among Giants are exactly the sort of thing I’m trying to describe when I am talking to mates about forming a new band, lying somewhere between Osker (oh please get back together!), Interpol and Andrew Jackson Jihad on the musical … Continue reading
Southpaw – Stitches
The list of acts that Berkshire’s Southpaw cite as influences must be huge, as each individual song on this five-track EP is reminiscent of two or three different bands, with little overlap. They are clearly influenced by several emo and … Continue reading
Direct Effect – Sunburn
Direct Effect combine all the best aspects of old school and new school hardcore punk. Do you like it wild and loose, with songs that sound like the only thing holding them together is the intense fury of the band … Continue reading
Dad Rocks! – Year of the Flesh
Dad Rocks! is the work of Snӕvar Njáll Albertsson; the Icelandic quarter of death-indie (their words) band Mimas. ‘Year of the Flesh’ is his second album, and one I have been eagerly awaiting. It’s easy to compare Dad Rocks! to … Continue reading
Wonk Unit – Nervous Racehorse
Wonk Unit. Good ol’ Wonk Unit. One of the few UK bands who are genuinely hard to categorise and can be hard to understand. Basically, they’re a bit weird, but in a good way. Essentially, Wonk Unit are a punk … Continue reading
Nightmares For A Week / Banquets – Split
Nightmares For A Week open this split with a delicate build up, reminiscent of Manchester Orchestra’s first full length. It flows straight into a bouncy country-punk-pop number that would fit on any Midwestern blues/punk record you’d care to mention. They … Continue reading
Muncie Girls / Great Cynics – Split
The first thing that strikes me about this split is how much Muncie Girls sound like a chilled out, poppier Above Them. ‘Everyday’ is extremely catchy, and a great introduction to the record. It’s a very good pop punk song, … Continue reading
La Dispute – Rooms of the House
I hope I don’t offend any La Dispute fans, but I find it hard to describe them as a real band in the typical sense. The band is all about vocalist Jordan Dreyer, their songs are more like stories set … Continue reading
Mike Park: Music to make you smile
It’s a popular opinion that Mike Park is one of the nicest people in punk music. The softly-spoken musician and label owner has been active for over 25 years, putting out countless releases through Asian Man Records and playing solo … Continue reading
Scene Better Days 