Category Archives: Reviews

Manhattan Coast – This One’s For You

Considering This One’s For You, the third EP in Manhattan Coast’s fairly brief existence, is a self-release, it sounds very well produced. So props to whoever accomplished that. Props also to guitarist Geraint Rees, doing his level best to hold … Continue reading

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Neighborhood Brats – Total Dementia

When you feel like life is getting a bit serious, it’s nice to just switch off and listen to some unpretentious, uncomplicated music. LA’s Neighborhood Brats fit that bill, providing a great soundtrack to the weekend. The band write scuzzy, … Continue reading

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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The Franceens – Stepford Smiles

The Franceens have a stripped-down garage punk sound that I like very much. There’s an energy in there that shines through every track and a back-to-basics rawness that shines when they are at their best – rocking out. While definitely … Continue reading

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