Gig Review: Stereophonics/Jake Bugg @ Portsmouth Guildhall

Stereophonics- Portsmouth Guildhall 22/3/13:

Stereophonics have been on my list of bands to see for ages, but they’ve always sold before I get a chance. So as soon as I saw they were playing locally I was going to do everything in my power to get hold of ticket. Luckily for me, I managed to get my hands on a ticket as the gig sold out really quick.

With millions of record sales, 8 studio albums, a greatest hits compilation and numerous sold out tours to their name, it is remarkable that Stereophonics are still regarded as an underrated band.  One listen through their ‘Decade in the Sun’ greatest hits album shows what a strong collection of songs they have at their disposal. Add to that the songs off their latest album ‘Graffiti on the Train’, plus years of experience, and you know you’re in for a good time.

The support act, a young guy called Josh Weller, was good. I have to admit, I only caught the very end of his set, as I may or may not have been down the pub, but after hearing a few songs I wish I heard more. Similar in a way to Frank Turner, he plays with a youthful energy that really got the crowd going.


Josh Weller

There was a mix of people in the audience, but mostly of a generation of people who grown up listening to the Stereophonics; something that made me feel slightly more youthful than usual. It all helped to create a good atmosphere though, as people really got involved.

Stereophonics kicked off with current single ‘Indian Summer’, which even though was new, went down a treat with the crowd. Even though the tracks from ‘Graffiti on the Train’ have a slower, bluesy sound compared to their older stuff, they have lost none of the energy and enthusiasm. This is shown when they play old crowd favourites such as ‘Bartender and the Thief’, ‘Local Boy in the Photograph’ and ‘Have a Nice Day’.  They know exactly how to get the most of the crowd when playing them.

Other favourites such as ‘Just Looking’, ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ and ‘I Wouldn’t Believe Your Radio’ were also very well received. The newer tracks, even though not as well known, were well appreciated by the audience, and showcased the versatility of both the band and the vocal talents of singer Kelly Jones. They closed their set with ‘In a Moment’, ‘Mr Writer’ and a rousing rendition of ‘Dakota’, which had every single person inside the venue singing along.

The only gripe of the evening was the omission of ‘Pick a Part that’s New’ and ‘Handbags and Gladrags’, but you can’t have it all. Getting to see them in a small, intimate venue like Guildhall though and perform their other hits, was a real privilege. They are a band built for festivals and huge arenas. With a UK arena tour in November recently announced, you’ll have to get tickets quick before they sell out, again.

Stereophonics

 

Jake Bugg- Portsmouth Guildhall 24/3/13:

 

What can be said about Jake Bugg that hasn’t been said already? Those who know the name will already be familiar with the Nottingham teenager’s talent. With a number one album and one sold out UK tour already to his name, Bugg has already been making huge waves on the UK music scene. I’m a big fan of Bugg’s debut album, so was I was interested to see what he was like as a live act. Fair to say, I wasn’t disappointed.

Before Bugg took to the stage though, there was music from the support artist Misty Miller. She may have only played a short set, but I was impressed with what I heard. She plays upbeat acoustic songs with a bluesy/country rock sound, and has similar vocal sound to American artist Lissie. She also reminded me a bit of indie band Rilo Kiley. As well as touring with Bugg, she has also toured recently with Tom Odell, another up and coming talent on the British music scene. She will only get better in time, after her sound develops and matures. Her E.P. “Girlfriend” is well worth a listen though. Definitely a name to keep an eye out for.

Bugg then took to the stage to much noise and applause. It is hard to believe he is only 19. He plays with a maturity far beyond his years. A cover of Johnny Cash’s ‘Falsom Prison Blues’ was a particular highlight. It takes a brave man to take on a Cash cover, but he pulled it off brilliantly. Other highlights of the set included the singles ‘Two Fingers’, Taste It’, ‘Seen It All’ and ‘Lightning Bolt’ which all received full crowd participation. Other earlier songs, such as ‘Broken’ went down well with the die-hard fans in the audience. There were lulls in the crowd during some songs, but that will disappear in time as people become more familiar with his music.

There was an interesting mix of people in the audience. From teenagers and students to the ‘older person’, there was a real diverse range of ages. It was a tad surprising as I anticipated a younger audience, but there were a fair few families out. Just goes to show the broad range of appeal that Bugg’s music has. The only thing that annoyed me though was the crowd. Not everyone, but certainly near me there were some people who were only there for the better known songs, and talked through the rest of the show. It was irritating as well as distracting. It didn’t take anything away from Bugg’s performance though.

It is really hard to believe that he isn’t yet out of his teenage years. He plays with a real maturity and confidence beyond his years. I have seen artists around his age before, and they are a little nervous and play within themselves a bit, which is perfectly understandable. Bugg though has enough confidence in his own material that he plays the songs as their meant to be played. Playing to a capacity crowd that doesn’t need to be won over must have also been a great help. There wasn’t too much crowd interaction, but he was very well received and put on a very good show.

He is due to appear at a number of festivals, and his Autumn UK tour is in very high demand, with extra dates already being added. From my experience, it is well worth seeing one of the best young British talents around at the moment. Being 19, he can only get better, which bodes very well for the future.

 

 

Girls and Guitars #2

I’m going to begin by making a confession. I didn’t plan on doing a second ‘Girls and Guitars’ blog. After the success of the first one however (it’s my most read by far) I thought it would be worth another go. Plus I’ve discovered some new bands since, to add to the small list of bands that I didn’t include last time.

Even though rock is predominantly male scene, there have always been female artists around. You had the likes of Janis Joplin in the 60s, The Runaways, Girlschool, Heart and Pat Benatar in the 70s and 80s and bands such as Garbage and Hole in the 90s. Even if they weren’t fronting bands they could still be found, such as Charlotte Hatherley from Ash. Recently however, as I stated in my previous G+G blog, there has been female fronted rock bands around lately and, after some recent musical discoveries, thought it would be worth writing another one with some artists to check out. The names on this list are arguably less well known, so there’s a chance you might find your new favourite artist.

Enjoy :)

Alex Ryder: Arguably the lowest profile artist on this list, Alex Ryder is an artist I discovered totally by accident via Twitter. It didn’t take long to be impressed by her music though after checking her out on YouTube. There’s a real 80s vibe to her music, but still manages to sound fresh and contemporary. Essentially, it’s a real radio friendly sound. The title track from her album ‘Won’t You Listen’ in particular is a perfect example. Musically there are similarities between her and Bryan Adams, but vocally there are hints of Bonnie Tyler in there as well. Having developed a fan base in her native Canada, she released her debut EP in 2011 to much acclaim. Now getting airplay on radio stations across North America, as well as some stations here in the UK, her reputation is building nicely. Definitely an artist worth checking out and keeping an eye out for.

Barbe Q Barbies:  Scandinavia has been producing a number of top quality rock bands recently, and with this all girl rock band from Finland, you can add another name to the list. If you are familiar with bands such as The Runaways or The Donna’s then there is a real chance you will like this. With big riffs and catchy choruses, there really isn’t anything not to like. They deliver a strong dosage of hard rock laced with strong vocals that packs a punch; the sort of music that is best enjoyed when turned up as loud as possible. There’s a real attitude present in the music that really helps to set them apart. If you like straightforward rock n roll, then you will love this.

Deap Vally: If you ever wondered what the White Stripes would sound like if Jack White was replaced by a girl, then this is pretty close to what you’d end up with. While comparisons to the aforementioned White Stripes are obvious, that does not mean they are rip offs of the old blues sound. Vocalist and guitarist Linsey Troy is a fierce presence in front of the mic as well as laying down some heavy riffs, while Julie Edwards backs that up with some mean beats on the drums. Having only formed in LA in 2011, there is a lot of hype surrounding the duo. Seems to be justified so far however, as they have already supported The Vaccines on their UK tour, as well opening for Muse on a number of European dates. They have already started something special, and with their debut album due out later this year, 2013 could be big year for Deap Vally.

 Dirty Harry: A name that may not be familiar to some, Dirty Harry (born Victoria Harrison), is a rock singer who walks the line between pop and rock. On her album ‘The Trouble With… Harry’ she manages to merge the two perfectly, having a sweet pop song one minute before turning it into a snarling rock song the next. Or just singing a rock song from the get go, which is more common. There are pop elements however, with ‘Ten Things’ and the album opener ‘Goddess on the Dance Floor’ being perfect examples. The album gets notably after the opening couple of tracks, concentrating with a harder rock sound. Comparisons between Courtney Love and Hole would not be far off the mark, and are distinct influences.  Unfortunately though, for whatever reason, it didn’t quite work out, and she now DJs under the name Amazonica. It’s a real shame, because she’s very talented and there are some great songs on that first album.

Fit for Rivals: If you take a glancing look at this band, it would be easy to pass them off as another bunch of kids who fit into one of the current subgenres of rock; ones who all share a similar image, and all sound pretty much the same. Fit for Rivals are not one of these bands. For start, as they state on their Facebook page, they don’t try to fit into a sub-genre, they just play pure, straight forward rock. Another thing that sets them apart, is the ace they have up their sleeve; singer Renee Phoenix. The husky tones of her voice are unexpected, but boy they work well. Add that to a tomboyish image, similar to Joan Jett (as if that’s a bad thing), you have band that is immediately something a bit different. Put those things together and the result is a contemporary rock sound that doesn’t sound like it’s been done a thousand times before. Just take a listen to ‘Crash’ with the infectious riff and catchy chorus; you’ll see what I mean. Currently working on their second album, they are (somehow) still yet to be signed.

 Pearl: Being Meat Loaf’s adopted daughter, there was always going to a chance that Pearl Aday was going to follow in the Bat out of Hell man’s footsteps. Having spent almost a decade as backing singer to her step-father, she finally released her own solo album ‘Little Immaculate White Fox’ in 2010, with this song being the pick of the bunch. It certainly seems that being Meat Loaf’s daughter has influenced her sound, although she has gone in her own direction. A fusion of hard rock with strong vocals makes this song one you’ll want to listen to on repeat.

 Saint Jude: Even though they are new to the scene, Saint Jude can already count people such as Ronnie Wood and Jimmy Page as fans, as well as being championed by Classic Rock Magazine as “a rock and roll stick of dynamite waiting to explode.” That’s big talk I hear you say, but having seen them live myself at London’s High Voltage Festival, it is totally justified. If you’re into your old style rock and roll, then you’ll really like this. Fronted by supreme vocal talents of singer Lynne Jackaman, Saint Jude offer something different. Certainly something different to the other bands mentioned here. The focus is much more on rock and roll, or rock and soul as they also call it, rather than hard rock. The result is fresh sound, maybe a throwback to bands of old, but in today’s music scene, there’s not really anyone like them.

Stalingrad Cowgirls:  A young band that was only around for a few short years, but still managed two albums in that time. Another all girl rock band from Finland, they announced in 2012 that they were calling it a day. However, before their amicable split, they opened for the likes of Iggy Pop, Muse and Motley Crue, something that gives you a clue to kind of music that is on offer. In fact they aren’t a million miles away from the Barbe Q Barbies mentioned above.  Their debut single ‘Won’t You Get It’ is a great mix of huge sound, including a brilliant catchy riff, and a colossal chorus that you can’t help but sign along to. It should have been the start of a lengthy career, but alas it wasn’t to be. If you like your music loud, then this another band to add to your playlist. They may not appeal to everyone’s taste, the more ‘mature’ listener may think it’s not for them, but what can’t be denied is that their fresh brand of rock n roll was good while it lasted.

The Deafening: Bursting onto the rock music scene this year with their debut album ‘Central Booking’, The Deafening are a New York based rock band  influenced by the likes of Guns n Roses, Kiss and AC/DC. That’s all well and good I hear you say, but plenty of bands draw influences from them, what makes these guys different? Well the answer lies in vocalist Lena Hall. She may resemble a rock chick version of Katy Perry, but don’t be fooled, she means business. There is a snarling attitude to her voice and vocal delivery that really helps make these guys stand out. She has fantastic range and presence, which helps give their music real character. It certainly suits the heavy riffs and rhythm section with a sleazy sound that is the bands forte. If you are at all into hard rock, then you cannot ignore The Deafening.

The Dirty Youth: Another relatively new band, The Dirty Youth are a girl fronted rock band hailing from Cardiff, Wales. Other than the striking pink hair of singer Danni Monroe, the thing that you can’t but notice is the pure energy that the band plays with. However they manage to back it up with crunching riffs and soaring vocals, something that is demonstrated perfectly in their single ‘Fight’ below. If you’re a sucker for good riff (as I am), then you will be hooked on ‘Fight’ within a few seconds. Add to that a good vocal range, with more than a hint of Katy Perry, you get a really good solid sound. After success at festivals such as Download, The Dirty Youth are band with a growing fan base, and are one to watch for the future.

NY Loose- Ok, so this band was around in the 90s, and aren’t exactly current. Their one and only release appeared in 1996. But I found their ‘Year of the Rat’ album kicking around in my collection and thought that it would fit nicely into this blog. It’s a proper hard rocking album, full of attitude. One listen of the final song ‘Spit’, with the chorus of “I wanna be your Rock n Roll” tells you all you need to know. The scratchy riff of ‘Rip It Up’ is a further example of rockiness of this album.  There was a number of female led Brit Pop bands in the 90s, such as Sleeper, but NY Loose are different and have a heavier sound. There is a similar sound vocally to The Runaways, although the guitars are heavier. Singer Brijitte West may now have her own band, but it can’t be denied that this is a little hidden gem that deserves a bit more recognition.

I’ve decided to include these separately as they are stand-alone songs, rather than bands. They are two songs that appear on Slash’s 2010 collaborative album where he worked with Fergie and Nicole Scherzinger. The result is two fantastic songs.  Ones that show even though they are mainly based in the world of pop (where they can shift more records and make more money), their real talent lies in the world of rock. People questioned, and maligned Slash for working with them, but they really are brilliant. It’s a shame we will probably never see a rock album from either of them, as they have the potential to be strong.

 

 

 

That's it, hopefully you enjoyed it and found some new artists in there that you like.

Thanks for reading :)

New Music- Best Music From 2013 So Far

2013 may only be two and bit months old, but there has already been a great array of new music hitting the airwaves. From some big names making a comeback to others releasing their debut, there has been plenty for music fans to get their teeth into.

Here I’ve included a selection of some of the best new music I’ve heard this year. Some of the artists I’ve included will be familiar, the more mainstream bands. However there are also a few newer artists that have got some fantastic songs out that deserve to be heard. I’m all for promoting new bands/underrated artists who deserve the exposure. It’s not an exhaustive list, and there are bands that I have mentioned in previous posts (Pure Love) that aren't listed, while others will be talked about in upcoming blogs (The Deafening). Basically it’s just music that I’ve heard that’s worth sharing and telling people about. So take a look, have a listen and watch out for potentially cracking albums.

Enjoy J

 Biffy Clyro- Black Chandelier: Ok, so this song might have been around since the back end of last year, but being as the album was only released in January, then I may as well include it here. I wasn’t sure about this song when I first heard it, but it has really grown on me, and now I love it. It’s the first single off the Scottish rockers new album ‘Opposites’ and its vintage Biffy Clyro. There’s a distinctive hook with the “drip” lyric in the intro and a very Biffy Clyro-esque chorus. If you’re familiar with the stuff off their last album ‘Only Revolutions’, then it’s pretty much more of the same with this song. Not that that’s a bad thing. With a headline slot at Reading/Leeds festival this year, they’re showing that they’re one of the biggest bands around at the moment. From the album ‘Opposites’.

Bon Jovi- Because We Can: This new song Bon Jovi I can imagine will really divide people. They will either love it or hate it. Personally I really like it, its harking back to their 80s sound. They have never been afraid to experiment with a different direction, but this song is reminiscent of what Bon Jovi are best known for; big rock anthems. Even though it doesn’t have the same intensity or presence as say ‘Bad Medicine’, its radio friendly sound and sing along chorus mean that it’s still an enjoyable song to listen to. Goes to show that the New Jersey veterans still know how to write a catchy rock song.  From the album ‘What About Now’.

Buckcherry- Gluttony: Buckcherry only really know how to play one way, but they do it so well, why change. This is evident from the lead single off their latest album ‘Confessions’. The theme of the album is based around each of the seven sins, hence the song title ‘Gluttony’. If you know Buckcherry’s style, then you know exactly what you’re going to get here. For those who don’t, they play their own brand of sleazy rock ‘n roll, with lyrics usually based around sex, drugs or partying (but not always) with a guitar solo thrown in for good measure. It’s a formula that works, especially since its music that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Once you understand that, you can enjoy it for what it is; just pure, balls out, rock n roll. From the album ‘Confesssions’.

Crashdiet- California: 80s Hair/Glam Metal has been enjoying somewhat of a revival in recent years. But it is not the Sunset Strip of LA that is busy producing sleaze fuelled rock, it is Scandinavia, and in particular Sweden. It’s where Crashdiet hail from, and they are one a number of bands bringing the sound of the 80s to a new generation. This, the second single off their fourth album ‘The Savage Playground’, is a great example of what the band are all about; huge riffs, big choruses and a sleazy rock sound. It will be a familiar sound to fans of bands such as Motley Crue et al., and it’s good to hear a new generation of bands keeping the genre alive. From the album ‘The Savage Playground’.

David Bowie- The Stars (Are Out Tonight): The return of David Bowie has been dramatic as well as unexpected. With this, his first new material for over a decade, Bowie has shown that the old magic is still there. It’s to be expected that there would be some scepticism about whether age has caught up with him after a prolonged absence, but they are quickly dispelled once the song starts. I think the best way to describe it, is that it sounds like David Bowie. He hasn’t tried to modify his sound to fit in with any current trends, he’s just written song totally for himself, and it’s all the better for it. It’s safe to say that Bowie’s most successful years were before my time, but that doesn’t mean that this, as a stand-alone track, isn’t a good song to listen to. It might be a bit of a slow burner, and take a bit of getting used to, but it’s well worth sticking with. From the album ‘The Next Day’.

Frank Turner- Recovery: If Bowie’s latest song sounds like David Bowie, this song very much sounds like Frank Turner. With a new album due for release in April, this, the first single, gives you an indication of what to expect. To be honest if you’re familiar with his previous work, then there really are no surprises with this song.  Fans of Frank Turner will take to it immediately. People who aren’t, well there’s not much not to like. If you’re looking for a happy sounding, upbeat acoustic song, then you’re in the right place. It’s one that will get your foot tapping that’s for sure. It’s the sort of music made for belting out in sun at a summer festival. From the album ‘Tape Deck Heart’.

Halestorm- Freak Like Me: This song isn’t exactly new to me as the album it taken from was released last year. If you’ve read my previous blogs however, you’ll know I’m a big Halestorm fan, so I’m not going to pass up the chance to tell people to go check them out. Following on from their recent Grammy success with the lead single ‘Love Bites (So Do I), from the album “The Strange Case Of…”, they released this, the third single. This song shows Halestorm at their best; a surging rock anthem with a huge fist pumping chorus. It also showcases the supreme vocal talents of Lzzy Hale, although it’s not unique in that respect. You just have to listen to their other songs to find that out. It does give the song some bite though, something that contrasts really well to the softer songs on the album. A fantastic song from a band that are well on the way to becoming huge and getting the success their talent deserves. From the album ‘The Strange Case Of…’.

Hardcore Superstar- One More Minute: This is, hands down, one of the best rock songs you will hear all year. It is 80s style sleazy rock at its very finest.  The song starts with a tribal chant that slowly builds before exploding into a delicious, Motley Crue style riff. You then get a brief acoustic interlude while the vocals start, but they’re soon interrupted by thumping drums reminding you where this songs heart lies. The verse then builds before it crescendos into a chorus that Def Leppard would be proud of. The tribal chant then returns mid song after another verse, but merely as an introduction to a brutal guitar solo with the big party chorus finishing the song. It’s a fantastic song that is structured perfectly. It has so many elements that grab hold of you, and when put together as a collective are impossible not to get hooked on. Hardcore Superstar was a name that I was aware of in the past. This song though made me sit up and take notice. I suggest you do the same. From the album ‘C’Mon Take Me’.

Houndmouth- Penitentiary: This song may have appeared on an EP back in August, but I only read about this band in the latest edition of Classic Rock Magazine so I’m a bit late to the show. However CRM said that there is an album coming our way this year, so I’m going to use this as a heads up for an album to look out for.  If this song is anything to go by, I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a brilliant blend of country infused blues/folk rock delivered in a gentle and laid back manner. There’s also a wonderful harmony that really hits during the chorus. Furthermore, there’s a slight twang in the vocals that gives you an indication of whereabouts the Kentucky quartet are from. If you like this, the EP is a must. It should be enough until the album comes out. From the album ‘Houndmouth EP’.

Jake Bugg- Seen It All: This guy just keeps going from strength to strength. The latest single off his debut album and it’s another great track. To be honest, that statement is a bit null and void, because the whole album is brilliant. This just happens to be the latest catchy single. It’s another example of Bugg’s Dylan-esque style with an upbeat folk rock sound commentating on the state of working class life. He is a great young talent, and this song is further proof of it. He writes music that is mature beyond his years, which makes it an exciting prospect to see what comes next. Having already sold out 3 separate UK tours in just over a year (finally managed to get myself a ticket for the upcoming one :D ), Bugg is on the way to becoming a huge star in years to come. From the album ‘Jake Bugg’.

Miles Kane- Give Up:  I was a big fan of Miles Kane’s debut album, so when I heard this I was taken totally by surprise. To be honest, when I first heard it on the radio I had no idea it was Miles Kane. I really liked what I heard, but was shocked to discover it was his new song. Gone is the indie, retro sound and in its place you find everything’s just, well, bigger; bigger guitars, bigger vocals, bigger chorus. Just a bigger, rockier sound. The result is the best song that Kasabian have never written. You can still tell it’s him, the same personality and swagger is still there, it’s just delivered differently. Kane has stated that the music on his new album “doesn’t mess around.” From the evidence on show here, he’s right. Album TBA.

Orianthi- Fire: I’ll come clean, this track isn’t exactly new. It features on the Aussie guitarist’s ‘Fire’ EP that was released back in 2011. Those tracks however appear on her new album ‘Heaven in this Hell’, hence the inclusion here. That and she is one extremely talented musician. Her last album ‘Believe’ was brilliant, a mixture of pop rock and rock n roll. This time, I think touring with Alice Cooper has had an effect because this is all rock n roll. The riff is fantastic and heavier than anything on her previous album, and there’s a maturity about the slight change in vocal style as well. There’s a real presence to the song as well as a subtle personality and attitude. All these factors mixed together help create this snarling rock song. I’ve said before that Orianthi is one to watch out for. This is just another case in point. From the album ‘Heaven In This Hell’.

Pulp- After You: Legends of the 90s Britpop scene return with their first new material in a decade. Well technically it’s a previously unreleased demo track, but it means it’s a previously unheard Pulp song, which is good enough. It’s an absolute cracker as well. No surprises it is typical Pulp, which is no bad thing. Jarvis Cocker fronts with his usual effortless swagger and showmanship, with his distinctive hushed vocals. Even though it’s an old demo it sounds remarkably new and fresh, and doesn’t sound dated, like it’s stuck in the mid-90s. It’s a brilliant song, and I hope they follow it up with an album and a tour. But the one new song will do for now. Available as a single to download.

Rhye- Open: I stumbled across this new artist called Rhye totally by accident. In fact if it wasn’t for an advert before another song on YouTube, I wouldn’t have discovered her. I’m glad I did though, because this song is brilliant. Imagine a cross between Eva Cassidy, Dido and Lana Del Rey and that’s the sort of sound that you’ve got here. You may be thinking that there’s nothing new there, but there’s a quality in the delivery of the vocals that hooks you in and keeps you listening. It’s a wonderfully gentle and relaxing song from an artist who is definitely worth keeping an eye out for. From the album ‘Woman’.

Stereophonics- Indian Summer: The first single off their new album ‘Graffiti on the Train’ see’s Stereophonics take a different musical direction. If you’re expecting another ‘Dakota’ or ‘Bartender and the Thief’ style song, then you’re out of luck. What you have instead is a more mature, mellower sound, and you know what, it works really well. There’s still the same Stereophonics character, just delivered slightly differently to how they have on previous albums. It’s a fantastic song, and easily sits up alongside their other big hits. From the album ‘Graffiti on the Train’.

Suede- It Starts and Ends With You: Another 90s band making a return after a lengthy absence, and they’re back with a bang. With this, their first single in a decade, it’s like they’ve never been away. The hooks are there, as are Brett Anderson’s distinctive vocals delivered with his usual swagger. It really shows Suede at their best. The extended rest that the band had has evidently done them the world of good, as they sound remarkably fresh. Anderson describes it as a “bittersweet, bouncy pop song” and that is more than a fair assessment. It’s great to hear Brit Pop making a return, as Suede are one fantastic, yet underrated band, and this song should help them gain a new generation of fans. If the rest of the album is as good as this, then 2013 could be a big year for Suede. From the album ‘Bloodsports’.

 

The Darkness- With A Woman: Big riff? Check. Distinctive falsetto vocals? Check. Slightly crazy video? Check. Is it The Darkness by any chance? Yes it is, with this the third single from their third album ‘Hot Cakes’. They only really know how to play one way, and that’s to wear their heart on their sleeves and play their own brand of hard rocking rock n roll. Nothing new there then. That’s far from a complaint though; you’d expect nothing less. The Darkness know what they want to play, and they do it really well. If you sit back, don’t take it too seriously and enjoy it for what it is, then you’ll find a good, fun record. If anything, this song sounds better live.  If you’re still in need any persuasion, then the video includes a parody of Van Halen’s ‘Hot for Teacher’ with the inclusion of a bear. Fair to say The Darkness have well and truly returned. From the album ‘Hot Cakes’.

 

The Mowgli’s- San Francisco: Another band I wouldn’t have heard of if it weren’t for an advert on YouTube, but I’m glad I checked them out. Folk/Pop/Rock bands are popular at the moment, and these guys fall into the same category. However instead of just writing them off as jumping on the bandwagon, it’s well worth giving them a chance. Sound wise they’re a mix of Kassidy and Of Monsters and Men, which is a real fun and lively mix. It’s the sort of the song that lifts your mood when you hear it. The kind of song to make you forget the crappy cold weather (got to love the British weather) and make you want to crack open a beer on a hot summers day. It’s a really uplifting song, and is seriously catchy. Honestly, give this song a listen. You won’t regret it. Available to download.

The Virginmarys- Just a Ride: I saw this band live last year when they opened for Feeder, and I was seriously impressed. Not just because they were a support, but because they had a rawness and energy that made them stand out. The drummer especially is particularly entertaining to watch. They are band who have been around for a little while, but have only recently released their debut album ‘King of Conflict.’ This song is a great introduction to sort of music they play; pure rock ‘n roll. If you like Foo Fighters style rock, then this will be right up your street. They are getting rave reviews, and from my experience of seeing them, they are bang on. Another band to add to list of artists recently who are showing that rock is in a healthy state right now. They are definitely a band with a big future that’s for sure. From the album ‘King of Conflict’.

What Now- Move Like A Sinner: South African trio What Now announce themselves onto the world stage with this, the lead single off their debut album. Its dark and brooding, but at the same time somewhat elegant. It’s pure simplicity goes someway to helping with that. The song starts with lone piano notes before the drums and bass kick in with a killer rhythm. The electronic beat might not be particularly fast, but it really does keep you guessing as to where the song is heading. Not subject matter wise that is, doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work that out. When the chorus kicks in, you soon notice that singer Tyron Layley actually has a pretty decent voice. Your attention moves from the bass line, to the vocals as the song has big chorus. Using the vocals of guitarist Ryan Morris in the second half of the song is a good touch as well, as it gives the song a slightly different dimension. All in all this song is really well put together. It shows that simplicity can sometimes reap the best rewards. From the album ‘Move Like A Sinner’.

So there you go, 20 of the best songs of 2013 so far. Hope you enjoyed it. Hopefully you may have just discovered your new favourite band.

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Thanks for reading :)

Music in Video Games: Soundtrack to a Generation

Right, before you say anything about the title, I know that it’s not just people of my generation who play video games. But as these helped form the soundtrack to my childhood and beyond, it seemed an appropriate title.

I’ve played computer games for as long as I can remember. From games like ‘Word Rescue’ and ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ games, to MS DOS games like 'Indianapolis 500' and 'Brian Lara Cricket', computer games have always been a part of my life. Then there are the likes of 'Crash Bandicoot', 'Driver 2', 'Gran Turismo' and 'Burnout' on the Playstation and PS2 that I played a lot. There were also games such as 'Doom 2', 'Wolfenstein 3D', 'Return to Castle Wolfenstein' and 'Medal of Honor: Allied Assault' on PC that make up some of my favourite games of my childhood. They are games that don’t get old and are just as good today as they were ten+ years ago.

You could be forgiven then that this is a bit of a nostalgia trip. The music video games however has help ed to shape my taste in music. Now it might be quite predictable, but for me, the two main titles for music in games are Grand Theft Auto Vice City and the FIFA Football games. The soundtracks to these games have been phenomenal. They aren’t the only games included, but the bulk of the music included is from these games.

Hopefully this will invoke some memories. I’m not going to include really well known songs because, well, if I did then this blog would go on forever and I’ve already included quite a few. No doubt there will be songs that you recognise, and haven’t heard for ages.

GTA Vice City:

Vice City for me has the best soundtrack to any game. It is arguably the best part of the game.  There are so many brilliant songs, many that I have only heard within the game. All of the songs are classics, and are instantly recognisable to people who have played it. Depending on what station you listened to of course. It is a great introduction to 80s music, and without it I doubt I’d have strong interest in music from that era.

 Emotion 98.3:

The decade of the “Power Ballad”, this station includes the likes of Foreigner, REO Speedwagon and John Waite in its line-up of rock ballads. These three below however are the ones that I associate most with the game. They are all songs where you can’t not turn the volume up and sing along.

 

 

Fever 105:

Not my favourite station, but this is a great song. A mixture of R&B and New-Wave with a great bass line, it is the song Indeep are best known for.

 

Flash FM

Who doesn’t love a bit of 80s pop, and Flash FM offers some of the best. It’s one of my favourites. The likes of Michael Jackson, Bryan Adams, Lionel Richie and ELO all get airplay on this station. However arguably it’s not the A-Listers who have the best songs. Without doubt, these are some of the best songs on the game.

 

 

 

 

V Rock

The 80s was a great era for rock, with Hair Metal undoubtedly the king, although thrash and NWOBHM was also prevalent on the scene. V-Rock manages to cover the variety of metal quite well. Including the likes the Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne and Judas Priest they have all the bases covered. Again however, it’s not the songs from the household names that stick in the memory.

Wave 103:

I love New-Wave music. If there was a particular area of 80s music that’s my favourite, New-Wave is it. Along with Flash FM, Wave 103 was one of my favourite stations. With the likes of Blondie, Spandau Ballet and Frankie Goes to Hollywood on the playlist, it was always one of the stations I changed to. However there was some other great music included, as you can see below.

GTA San Andreas:
In my opinion, the soundtrack of San Andreas isn’t as strong as Vice City. It certainly isn’t as memorable for me. And that’s after I’ve started to play game again recently on the Xbox. One station though sticks in the memory, and who doesn’t secretly love a bit of country and western. There’s nothing quite like driving round the Badlands, in a pickup with some country music pumping out the stereo.

K-DST:

K-Rose:

FIFA Football:

There is one series of games that I have played more of than anything else, and that is the Fifa Football games. Starting with FIFA 96, and apart from a few years playing Pro Evo (when it was better, but that’s another argument for another time), up until the current game, FIFA 13. I love the variety, but also the consistency. There are always great songs on the game, even if you don’t immediately know the songs to look at them. Once you’ve played the game for a few weeks though, you realise you quite like most of the songs on there. Even if you haven't played the games, its well worth checking these songs out.
 

FIFA 99:

The first FIFA game where the music really stood out for me. Both tracks are sounds of my childhood and bring back highly pixelated memories.

FIFA 2000:

FIFA 2001:

With a mixture of electro rock, Ska punk and one of Robbie Williams’ best songs (even if the line “from Stoke on Trent to Beverly Hills” is a bit crap), this a great example of the diversity on the old Fifa games. This was continued the next year with the inclusion of Moby and Utah Saints. The music on these old games was great. Certainly would never have discovered some of these artists if I hadn’t played them.  Once they progressed onto the PS2, the music included went a bit more mainstream.

FIFA 2003:

The first ever game I had on the PS2, the music on it was quality. Again it featured a real mixture of music. From Indie such as Idlewild (You Held The World In Your Arms) to R&B like Ms Dynamite (Dy-Na-Mi-Tee), there was a real mix. However these are the ones that stick in my mind most. I know technically it’s a remixed version of ‘Complicated’ that’s used in the game, but I prefer the studio version.

FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010:

I loved this game.  It was such a bright and vibrant game visually it was a really good experience playing it. It makes the usual FIFA titles look dull in comparison. The soundtrack was brilliant as well; there was a real global mix of music.

FIFA 11:

The first FIFA game that I had played properly for a good few years, and soundtrack was still top quality. A mix of new and established artists.

FIFA 13:

The most recent title from the franchise continues with the great soundtrack theme, with these songs being the pick of the bunch.

(Liverpool) Club Football 2005:
This game title didn’t last very long, and wasn’t particularly good, but it did include both Franz Ferdinand and Snow Patrol in its soundtrack, which helped. First time I’d heard of either band, and became a fan of both. Definitely a case of the music being better than the game.

Le Mans 24hr (PS1):

Being a motor racing fan, I loved this game as a kid. Looking back at it now and the graphics were basic, but it was a good game at the time.  I loved the title track to it as well, albeit a different version to the album version.  Certainly made me aware of the band (after taking ages to find out who it was by and what it was called), and I subsequently ended up getting the album. I seriously recommend the album as well (13 Tales from Urban Bohemia), you won’t find many better.

LMA Manager:

Before Football Manager became the undoubted king, you had Championship Manager on PC, and the LMA Manager series on the PS2, if you fancied your chances at football management. LMA Manager was great fun. Having played 02, 03, 05 and 06 versions of the games, the title tracks to these games hold fond memories.

 

FlatOut:
One of the best racing series to appear on gaming consoles, just for pure fun, and they all had great soundtracks. Don’t remember the music too much from the first instalment, but this song is pretty good. It is the song that sticks in my most from that first game.

FlatOut2:

This game had a better soundtrack. The music included was from more established artists, and really complimented the game well; a mixture of garage rock and pop punk that goes well with fast paced action of the game.

Flaout Ultimate Carnage:

Even though the tracks aren’t from bands that are high profile, the songs on FOUC are brilliant.

Forza Motorsport 2:

Took me ages to work out where I had heard this song before. Low and behold it was appeared on Forza Motorsport 2. Shows that Gnarls Barkley have done more than just ‘Crazy’.

Gran Turismo 3:

I am eternally grateful for Sony including Feeder on the soundtrack for GT3. It introduced me to their music, and I have been a massive fan ever since. In fact I turned all the other songs off and just left these three on the soundtrack in game.  I love all three songs, especially Just a Day.

Need For Speed Underground:

Can’t talk about games from my childhood and not include NFS Underground.  Played this game to death back in the day, and these two songs are the ones that take me back when I hear them.

So there you go, finally reached the end. Sorry its a bit longer than usual, but there was a lot of music from a lot of games. I know there'll be a lot of games that I didn't include, and a lot of music missed out from the ones I did, but its all personal preference.

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it :)