Author Archives: andrewcream
Alt Track – Whistleblowers EP
I should hate this. It’s horribly commercial – but the lyrics have a directly political theme and it’s laced with punk attitude, despite the pop sensibilities dominating proceedings. It’s hip-hop with an edge. The title track has the most ‘rock’ … Continue reading
Banquets: Feast or famine
Infectious songs are usually associated with watered-down radio fodder, so it’s always utterly refreshing when a bona fide good band has an ear for a melody. New Jersey’s Banquets are certainly one of those bands – their latest self-titled release … Continue reading
You Blew It! – Keep Doing What You’re Doing
If you flit your vision across a review and it reads something along the lines of “…draw their influence from late 90s emo”, then you might roll your eyes and refresh your Facebook feed. And who could blame you? Bands … Continue reading
Real Life Version – The Sound Of Progress
What are your top five bands from Slovenia? Struggling? Well here’s one to get you started: Real Life Version. They’ve been around for a while actually; forming in 2005, they’ve toured Europe extensively and already have an album under their … Continue reading
Boston Manor / Throwing Stuff – Split
Splits often work better when the bands involved sound nothing alike, which is certainly the case with this release. Throwing Stuff treat us to their two-track aural assault first. They are certainly one of the ‘bands to watch’ at the … Continue reading
The Gathering of the 500 (Conflict, Subhumans + more) – The Underworld, Camden – December 7, 2013
Camden Underworld is one of my favourite venues. It’s dark, not too big, it has that ‘sticky floor’ feeling and bogs that stink like fuck – perfect for a punk all-dayer. The doors open an hour late – so far, … Continue reading
Random Hand, Jake & The Jellyfish, Will Tun & The Wasters + Wreck The Place – The Packhorse, Leeds – December 20
It’s been around 10 years since ska punk was last deemed ‘cool’. These days, the people who used to spend their time skanking at gigs while wearing abnormally baggy shorts now often scoff at those who partake it the activity. … Continue reading
Couchsurf around the world
People may say that Couchsurfing is another form of social networking, like Facebook or Twitter, but it’s so much more. It is a community made up of all kinds of people who enjoy traveling, partying and exploring new cultures. It … Continue reading
Gnarwolves + Nai Harvest – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham – December 16
Gnarwolves want your weed. The plea went out across the venue, written on every wall, taped to every shirt and emblazoned across a large piece of cardboard on the merch desk. Hopefully they got some, because boy did they deserve … Continue reading
Liberate yourself from the in-crowd
Animal liberation has become nothing more than a fucking status update on Facebook. The world of social media has extenuated the “me, me” attitude and everybody wants to be seen. Love and liberation are becoming fashion accessories and it’s a … Continue reading
Scene Better Days 