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The New Believers - You're Free To Do As We Tell You
The New Believers are a new band. So new in fact, I couldn’t come up with a list of band members off the Internet, and they only have one song posted on their Myspace page. Lucky for them, that song, “You’re Free To Do As We Tell You (Television)” is off to a pretty good start.
There is not a lot to be said about Wound's self-titled debut EP, because there is not much going on here.
The band’s drummer is extremely talented, and the guitarist can play a mean solo when he puts his mind to it, but those two aspects aren’t enough to save the EP from sounding like every other metal record out there.
The Smoking Hearts will be unleashing a whirlwind of punk music into the world on March 8th 2010 with the release of their debut album 'Pride of Nowhere,' but for now, the band are concentrating on the release of the first single from the album.
THE SMOKING HEARTS release debut album ‘Pride of Nowhere’ on 8th March. A whirlwind combination of relentless punk rock and cutting rock’n’roll, the band have already played live with the likes of Gallows, Bring Me The Horizon, Misfits and Skid Row. These guys will be ones to watch in 2010… See full release details below.
A FREE DOWNLOAD of album track ‘George Street Wrestling’ is available at this link - http://tinyurl.com/smokingheartsDL
The Smoking Hearts will be stamping their mark on the British music scene on March 8th of 2010 with the release of debut album Pride Of Nowhere. Storming out of rural England, The Smoking Hearts unleash a whirlwind combination of relentless punk rock and cutting rock’n’roll.
TWIN ATLANTIC - LIGHTSPEED
The four-piece band hails from Glasgow, UK. This is apparent through vocalist, Sam McTrusty's Scottish accent when he sings. The rawness in his delivery of the lyrics adds more intensity to the already fierceness of this song.
We spoke to Young Guns frontman Gustav Wood about the current Kerrang! Relentless Tour 2010 and their current reign in the rock music world.
"We are a pretty determined and ambitious lot, but none of us thought if would be like this, certainly hoped for it though. We've had an amazing year, winning Best Newcomer in both Rocksound and Kerrang! is a huge deal for us, I can't believe our fortune at the moment. That said, we work really hard and try not to take anything for granted.
The Boy Who Trapped The Sun is a singer-songwriter from the U.K, looking to tap into the States’ seemingly unquenchable thirst for these types of acts.
It’s an attempt that the Home EP won’t prove entirely successful, but does open the door for him if he can find his place musically.
The EP’s five cuts feature the standard fare for an early, indie release: mostly acoustic guitar driven numbers, with some electric guitar or pianos sprinkled throughout to add a little flavor. The vocals are uniform throughout, calling to mind Thom Yorke or Glen Hansard from the Swell Season.
JAY FARRAR & BENJAMIN GIBBARD LIVE at BOULDER THEATRE, COLORADO
"As you know, it’s really fate, circumstance and Jack Kerouac that brings us together tonight.” Jay Farrar said this right before launching into another song inspired by Kerouac’s novel, Big Sur, which is the basis for the album Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard released last fall entitled One Fast Move or I’m Gone.
"Fuck, I don't know what I'm doing, let me start again" says the American-Russian songstress to a crowded theatre in Manchester Thursday night. The songstress is the one, the only Regina Spektor, and the theatre is Manchester Apollo.
"Greetings all,
over the past week or so we've been going through the mixing process for our new album and things are sounding amazing. (we'll talk more about that soon) in other news we've been rehearsing everyday and with that said are so excited to announce our first shows of 2010. In addition to what's already familiar we'll be playing a few new songs, so this should be a blast...can't wait to dance and sing with all of you, it's been far too long."
Join the guys on tour at the following dates:
3/11/10- Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
3/12/10- Nashville, TN @ Exit/ In
3/13/10- Birmingham, AL @ WorkPlay Theatre
3/14/10- Little Rock, AR @ The Village
3/16/10- San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
3/17/10-3/21/10- Austin, TX (SXSW festival) @ TBD
3/22/10- St. Louis,MO @ The Firebird
3/23/10- Indianapolis, IN @ The Emerson Theater
3/24/10- Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop
3/26/10- HOODWINK Anaheim, CA @ Grove of Anaheim
3/27/10- THE BAMBOOZLE Anaheim, CA @ The Festival Grounds at Angels Stadium
ATTACK! ATTACK! ANNOUNCE UK TOUR DATES FOR 2010
ATTACK! ATTACK! announce first UK dates of 2010!
Following more than a year of solid touring in support of their self-titled debut album, released in October 2008, Welsh melody merchants Attack! Attack! took some well earned time off to begin work on it's follow up. Said follow up is planned for a summer release, but expect to hear the first fruits of their new material around the time of their newly announced UK headline dates in May.
UK TOUR DATES 2010
30th April - London Borderline
1st May - Birmingham 02 Academy 3
2nd May - Newcastle 02 Academy 2
3rd May - Glasgow Kingtuts
4th May - Aberdeen Warehouse
6th May - Sheffield Corporation
7th May - Oxford 02 Academy 2
8th May - Southampton Joiners
9th May - Cardiff CLWB IFO BACH
FUN LOVIN' CRIMINALS ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM AND 2010 TOUR
FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS HURTLE INTO 2010 WITH THE FIRST PARTY ALBUM OF THE DECADE!!
‘CLASSIC FANTASTIC’ IS RELEASED ON 1ST MARCH
The multi platinum funk soul brothers, with 4 Top 10 albums to their name, return for the first time in five years, with the first classic party album of the decade, featuring collaborations with Roots Manuva and Paul Kaye.
UK TOUR DATES 2010
Sat 6th March - Manchester - O2 Academy
Sun 7th March - Leeds - O2 Academy
Mon 8th March - Glasgow - O2 ABC
Tue 9th March - Newcastle - O2 Academy
Thu 11th March - Bristol - O2 Academy
Fri 12th March - Oxford - O2 Academy
Sun 14th March - Leamington - Assembly
Mon 15th March - Nottingham - Rock City
Tues 16th March - London - Koko
We recently spoke to Welsh rock band Lost Prophets about their brand new album 'The Betrayed' and their upcoming UK tour.
"It feels sometimes like the charts have little meaning these days. I mean I look at it and look at the top 40 and then you get to a stage where the songs that get in the top 10 aren’t actually written by the people who are performing them...."
Dublin four piece Delorentos are set to release their debut album ‘You Can Make Sound’ on April 5th with their new single ‘S.E.C.R.E.T’ to follow it up on March 1st.
The band have had some personal issues to battle through including hitting a creative block followed by lead singer Ronan walking out, but everything is happy again in the Delorentos camp as the music is flowing and Ronan thankfully returned to the band after realising his initial mistake.
Midnight Youth’s debut album, 'The Brave Don’t Run,' is so good, I sent away to the other side of the world for it. After hearing one of the New Zealand rock band’s singles, 'All On Our Own,' I scoured the internet for any of their other songs. I just had to hear more of the catchy indie pop sound that I had fallen in love with so quickly. Unfortunately, it became clear that my only option was to order directly from the band’s site, so voila, 35 NZ dollars and a few weeks later, and one of my favorite CDs of the year arrived here in the United States.
It seems to be becoming a bit of a trend for bands to release their music as free downloads, but if the bands are happy to miss out on making money in favour of pleasing their fans, then we are all for it.
Young Guns are the latest band to offer up their latest creation as a free download, available from January 25th. Talking about their choice to do so, front-man Gustav Wood said “we wanted to release the new track as a free download-only single, because we wanted to give something back to those that have given us so much; it’s the least we could do.”
The next wave in the continuing success of Biffy Clyro is heralded with the confirmation of a major UK tour that commences in April. Having recently completed a triumphant sold-out tour that concluded with a landmark date at O2 Academy Brixton, the trio’s next run of dates will see them play to almost 20,000 people and includes another major London show at Hammersmith Apollo.
April
29th – Perth, Concert Hall
30th – Sheffield, O2 Academy
May
1st – Blackpool, Empress Ballroom
3rd – Leicester, De Montfort Hall
4th – Portsmouth, Guildhall
5th – Bristol, Colston Hall
6th – London, Hammersmith Apollo
Released on January 18th, the hauntingly romantic ‘Many of Horror’ will be released on CD, coloured 7” and regular 7” formats. Each format will feature all new b-sides.
YOUNG GUNS RELEASE FREE DOWNLOAD
YOUNG GUNS set to release explosive new and unreleased single ‘Winter Kiss’ on January 25th as a free download. Video for the track online now!
By the time hotly-tipped, High Wycombe quintet YOUNG GUNS unleash forthcoming single ‘Winter Kiss’ to the masses, it will have been just over a year since they emerged to an unsuspecting UK rock scene. Since debuting with digital single ‘In The Night’ last January, a track that was also included on their debut EP ‘Mirrors’ at the end of the June, the band has hardly been off the road.
‘Winter Kiss’ is the first new material since the EP offered up by the band, who are currently on their fourth pressing of ‘Mirrors’, having already shifted 4,000+ copies and counting since June. As front-man Gustav Wood explains;“we wanted to release the new track as a free download-only single, because we wanted to give something back to those that have given us so much, it's the least we could do after such a great year.”
“The song is a little darker than people might have expected from us, both thematically and sonically,” he continues. “We wanted to push ourselves a bit creatively and explore things like strings and piano that we hadn't yet had time to. Without giving too much away, the song deals with the idea of feeling isolated, even if you may not actually be alone.”
Musée Mécanique
SINGLE ‘LIKE HOME’
RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 25TH 2010
(Souterrain Transmissions)
First conceived in a museum of antique arcade machines, Portland-based Musée Mécanique’s debut single ‘Like Home’ is a truly beautiful trinket to lure you into the new year. It will be released on limited edition 7” vinyl on January 25th through Berlin label Souterrain Transmissions.
Compared to the likes of Neutral Milk Hotel and Sufjan Stevens, Musée Mécanique were selected as a Guardian new band of the day just before Xmas, so you can read more about them HERE
The single precedes the release of their debut album ‘Hold This Ghost’ on February 15th, which I’ll be sending out over the coming weeks. Look out for a review on AmpedReviews.net!
THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE LIVE AT THE CORPORATION, SHEFFIELD
Although the ticket clearly states that doors open at seven o’clock, upon entering the Corporation we’re informed that the first of tonight’s three bands isn’t on until eight thirty, due to an art exhibition being held at the Corp earlier in the evening. Why no-one noticed they’d scheduled a gig and an exhibition on the same night, is anyone’s guess. Even worse, the Corp’s Wednesday night School Disco is supposed to kick off at ten o’clock. Later on in the night, a chat with some of the school tie-wearing multitudes, reveals that they were holed up in one of the club’s teeny secondary rooms while the gig was on - something they’re none too pleased about.
“If we’re not married by 22, could I be so bold and ask you?” is the first thing heard on the album, as Rebecca and Charles gently sing the line in unison along with the gentle sounds of a guitar playing as 'When I Go' opens the album. It is a simple folksy song, singing of young love and obviously written from the mindset of someone looking to their future, with a bit of remorse and a bit of questioning hope. It’s a young, optimistic love song to put it simply, as are the majority of songs on the album.
According to Jenna's Revenge's MySpace page, they self-proclaim that they play "unashamed, 'old school,' feel good rock" music. Mission accomplished. Just listening to Everything at face value, it's evident that these four guys just want to play rock and roll. However, if they want to support a living with their rock and roll, they're gonna need to attract paying fans.
The latest offering in the wave of British post-punk bands, Attention Thieves has some pretty big footsteps to walk in. Their self-titled E.P. – due on December 4th – gives a four-song taste of how the band from Reading, England, plans on following their piers.
'Arcane,' the new single from British band New Education, is the best kind of radio-rock: it gets in your head on the first listen, the music rocks, and the lyrics manage to be sweet without being sappy.
WELCOME TO THE NEW LOOK AMPEDREVIEWS.NET WHERE WE WILL STILL BE BRINGING YOU THE LATEST CD AND GIG REVIEWS AS WELL AS INTERVIEWS, AND WE WILL ALSO BE BRINGING YOU THE LATEST NEWS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY! ENJOY!!
DEAD CONFEDERATE - THE RAT
Dead Confederate's first record was a swirling, raucous mix of southern steel guitars and heavy rock sensibilities. 'The Rat' indicates that Georgia-based group haven't changed things too much.
The guitars are still as alternately sweet and throbbing as they have been, but 'The Rat' shows that the band has a great ear for melody, and an amazing ability to change up styles - and time signatures at the drop of a hat.
'Crash Love,' the eighth studio album from the punk/goth/rock band AFI, is one of the best albums of the year. These guys are masters of grandiose vocals, shrieking guitar solos and perfectly-executed gang vocals. It’s been almost three and a half years since AFI’s last studio album, 'DecemberUnderground,' but boy, was it worth the wait.
The first three tracks - 'Torch Song,' 'Beautiful Thieves,' and 'End Transmission' are absolutely killer, and perhaps the album’s best, but all the songs are gems, from the 1980s revival of 'Veronica Sawyer Smokes' to the guaranteed pit starter 'Cold Hands.' Lead singer Davey Havok’s voice gets better with every album, and the rest of the band has obviously been improving their skills as well. Every single track on the CD is worth a listen (or maybe a couple hundred). This album is energetic, epic and completely mosh-able, thank goodness.
We talk to the young front man about the Kerrang! Relentless tour and what it feels like to be an unsigned band that is currently making huge waves in the rock music industry. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Lost Prophets
We talk to Lost Prophets about their new album 'The Betrayed' and their current tour of the UK READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Funeral For A Friend
We talked to Funeral For A Friend members Darran and Gavin about their new 'Greatest Hits' album and how Gavin felt about joining the band. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Angel Ibarra from Aiden
Back in June we talked to Aiden guitarist Angel Ibarra about the new record and the recent troubles that the band have faced. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Jay Farrar & Benjamin Gibbard - Bolder Theatre, Colorado
"As you know, it’s really fate, circumstance and Jack Kerouac that brings us together tonight.” Jay Farrar said this right before launching into another song inspired by Kerouac’s novel, Big Sur, which is the basis for the album Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard released last fall entitled One Fast Move or I’m Gone. READ THE FULL REVIEW
Regina Spektor - Manchester Apollo
"Fuck, I don't know what I'm doing, let me start again" says the American-Russian songstress to a crowded theatre in Manchester Thursday night. The songstress is the one, the only Regina Spektor, and the theatre is Manchester Apollo. READ THE FULL REVIEW
The Birthday Massacre - Corporation, Sheffield
Wide-eyed and smirking with demonic glee, she pulls faces, waves at the audience with all the enthusiasm of a child who’s been popping too many E numbers. READ THE FULL REVIEW
Frank Turner - Plymouth Uni Great Hall
Frank Turner takes to the stage, he receives a hero's welcome from the Plymouth crowd. He is joined onstage by a full band made up from time to time of members of Fake Problems. READ FULL REVIEW
The New Believers are a new band. So new in fact, I couldn’t come up with a list of band members off the Internet, and they only have one song posted on their Myspace page. Lucky for them, that song, “You’re Free To Do As We Tell You (Television)” is off to a pretty good start.
There is not a lot to be said about Wound's self-titled debut EP, because there is not much going on here.
The Smoking Hearts will be unleashing a whirlwind of punk music into the world on March 8th 2010 with the release of their debut album 'Pride of Nowhere,' but for now, the band are concentrating on the release of the first single from the album.
The four-piece band hails from Glasgow, UK. This is apparent through vocalist, Sam McTrusty's Scottish accent when he sings. The rawness in his delivery of the lyrics adds more intensity to the already fierceness of this song.
The Boy Who Trapped The Sun is a singer-songwriter from the U.K, looking to tap into the States’ seemingly unquenchable thirst for these types of acts. 
Dublin four piece Delorentos are set to release their debut album ‘You Can Make Sound’ on April 5th with their new single ‘S.E.C.R.E.T’ to follow it up on March 1st.
Midnight Youth’s debut album, 'The Brave Don’t Run,' is so good, I sent away to the other side of the world for it. After hearing one of the New Zealand rock band’s singles, 'All On Our Own,' I scoured the internet for any of their other songs. I just had to hear more of the catchy indie pop sound that I had fallen in love with so quickly. Unfortunately, it became clear that my only option was to order directly from the band’s site, so voila, 35 NZ dollars and a few weeks later, and one of my favorite CDs of the year arrived here in the United States. 
It seems to be becoming a bit of a trend for bands to release their music as free downloads, but if the bands are happy to miss out on making money in favour of pleasing their fans, then we are all for it.
Although the ticket clearly states that doors open at seven o’clock, upon entering the Corporation we’re informed that the first of tonight’s three bands isn’t on until eight thirty, due to an art exhibition being held at the Corp earlier in the evening. Why no-one noticed they’d scheduled a gig and an exhibition on the same night, is anyone’s guess. Even worse, the Corp’s Wednesday night School Disco is supposed to kick off at ten o’clock. Later on in the night, a chat with some of the school tie-wearing multitudes, reveals that they were holed up in one of the club’s teeny secondary rooms while the gig was on - something they’re none too pleased about.
“If we’re not married by 22, could I be so bold and ask you?” is the first thing heard on the album, as Rebecca and Charles gently sing the line in unison along with the gentle sounds of a guitar playing as 'When I Go' opens the album. It is a simple folksy song, singing of young love and obviously written from the mindset of someone looking to their future, with a bit of remorse and a bit of questioning hope. It’s a young, optimistic love song to put it simply, as are the majority of songs on the album. 
According to Jenna's Revenge's MySpace page, they self-proclaim that they play "unashamed, 'old school,' feel good rock" music. Mission accomplished. Just listening to Everything at face value, it's evident that these four guys just want to play rock and roll. However, if they want to support a living with their rock and roll, they're gonna need to attract paying fans.
The latest offering in the wave of British post-punk bands, Attention Thieves has some pretty big footsteps to walk in. Their self-titled E.P. – due on December 4th – gives a four-song taste of how the band from Reading, England, plans on following their piers. 
'Arcane,' the new single from British band New Education, is the best kind of radio-rock: it gets in your head on the first listen, the music rocks, and the lyrics manage to be sweet without being sappy. 
Dead Confederate's first record was a swirling, raucous mix of southern steel guitars and heavy rock sensibilities. 'The Rat' indicates that Georgia-based group haven't changed things too much.
The guitars are still as alternately sweet and throbbing as they have been, but 'The Rat' shows that the band has a great ear for melody, and an amazing ability to change up styles - and time signatures at the drop of a hat.
'Crash Love,' the eighth studio album from the punk/goth/rock band AFI, is one of the best albums of the year. These guys are masters of grandiose vocals, shrieking guitar solos and perfectly-executed gang vocals. It’s been almost three and a half years since AFI’s last studio album, 'DecemberUnderground,' but boy, was it worth the wait.
The first three tracks - 'Torch Song,' 'Beautiful Thieves,' and 'End Transmission' are absolutely killer, and perhaps the album’s best, but all the songs are gems, from the 1980s revival of 'Veronica Sawyer Smokes' to the guaranteed pit starter 'Cold Hands.' Lead singer Davey Havok’s voice gets better with every album, and the rest of the band has obviously been improving their skills as well. Every single track on the CD is worth a listen (or maybe a couple hundred). This album is energetic, epic and completely mosh-able, thank goodness.
Alberta Cross - Taking Control
Frank Turner - Plymouth Uni Great Hall