Singles Roundup No.10
Bonjour, Willkommen, Hi ya and hello to With Guitars Single Roundup Mo.10. There are some great releases below, complete with videos where possible. Please tell us what you think, do we need for instance more old school Northern Irish Punk? Or more Electro? Indie? Metal? Or if you are keen to find out more about the bands and artists below, just demand With Guitars interview whoever. Any missives in in the Comments box at the end of this feature.
Damn Vandals
‘The Beautiful Mind EP’
Sexy Beast Records (Released 27th February)
With the dismal fact that many of the current crop of guitar bands are basing their sounds on recent acts – "were this generations Killers" – is one example and no I won’t mention who uttered that bile inducing quote.
So it is a relief to welcome back Damn Vandals with their Beautiful Mind EP, following on from last years striking singles ‘Cant go dancing when you’re gone’ and ‘Bayonet’ both of which made the withguitars Festive 50.
Damn Vandals make debauched indie rock that hints to a vintage era (think Echo & The Bunnymen) without resorting to blatant plagiarism.
With no interest in being this weeks Kasabian, they instead create quality tunes with a timeless edge.
Searing guitars, disciplined drumming and that defined vocal of Jack Kansas all dominate these 4 tracks, of which ‘He pulls a knife’ and ‘Beautiful Mind’ are the standouts. 8/10
Jamie Gambino
Toy
‘Left Myself Behind’
Heavenly
Endorsements from members of The Horrors and an interesting back story as three fifths of Joe Lean and the Jing jang jong and 1 segment of the Pipettes backing band The Cassettes, Toy have already paid their dues in enough shitty bands to allow them some time off in what could be one of the most thrilling ones of the new year.
If your favourite albums have celebrated their 20th anniversary of late then Toy is the natural progression. What’s particularly striking with this track is not the first three or so minutes but the final five. What starts off being an above average jagged indie track turns into a stunning use of guitars, softly chiming ala Cocteau’s to begin with then culminating into a crescendo of shoegaze noise which is bordering on the stunning.
If Toy have another eleven songs of an equal standard up their sleeves it’s in the bag. 9.5/10
Chris Todd
The Guns
‘Missing Girls’
Wales has been home to bands such as Lost Prophets, Funeral For A Friends and Bullet For My Valentine over the past decade. The next big band to come from the valleys is The Guns.
The different between The Guns and the other bands mentioned is they don’t look as if H and M or Triple S have vomited over them. The most refreshing part of The Guns besides their music is that they look completely different from how they sound.
Upon looking at live shots of the band I expected a hardcore band but after listening to their track “Missing Girls” its pure old school rock and roll at it’s finest. They have catchy chorus along with the riffs and rhythm to put the bands in the big leagues to shame.
If any with guitars readers can remember The Tokyo Dragons then The Guns sound as if The Tokyo Dragons have done a speed ball and are ready to party. If you want something new with an old school essence then check out The Guns.
‘Missing Girls’ has the track to be an alternative anthem for 2012 if it’s heard by the right people. 8/10
Chris Storey
Schwervon!
American Idle
http://schwervon.bandcamp.com/track/american-idle
Out now to stream or as a free download until Thursday 2nd February
American Idle is the second track to be streamed by indie duo Schwervon!.
Culled from the bands new album ‘Courage’ that was recorded in Memphis with Sonic Youth, Cat Power producer Don Easley, and featuring sleeve art by talented photographer (and with guitars contributor) Phill Hutchinson.
Clocking in at just under 2 minutes American Idle sees Nan and Matt on melodic form, with Nan’s sweet, self assured vocal dominating throughout. It seems touring with the likes of Belle & Sebastian and The Vaselines last year has had an effect on Schwervon! the new material shimmers with a polished perfection, as Easley enhances the group’s sound.
Although not as vital as their earlier work, American Idle is both immediate and impressive, make sure you download the full set as this should be the soundtrack to your summer. 7.5/`10
Jamie Gambino
Kris Menace
‘Falling Star’
Compuphonic
In the short amount of time that Christophe Hoefell has recorded under the nom de plum Kris Menace, his impact on dance floors has been immense. His driving 80s influenced electro tracks have rocked dance floors worldwide be it his impressive debut triple album ‘Idiosyncrasies’, his plethora of remixes for artists as varied as Depeche, Kylie or Robbie Williams or his stand alone singles such as this taster for his second long player due for release later in the year.
Unlike the harder material for his label Work it Baby; ‘Falling Star’ has Menace taking a more chilled approach, it’s more back to mine than first to the floor,. This is trance infused electro we’re talking about here, it’s hardly getting down to a Sade album but Falling Star’s hypnotic, almost serene take on trance is surprisingly muted but by no means less than essential listening.
9/10
Dot Hacker
‘Dot Hacker EP’
Due February 27th
http://dothacker.org/ http://twitter.com/dothackerband
Before forming Dot Hacker in the modern dark age of 2008, the four were already established musicians, recording and touring with an impressive list of respected artists including: Beck, Gnarls Barkley, PJ Harvey, Charlotte Gainsbourg, The Butthole Surfers and Broken Bells amongst many others. Klinghoffer, the band’s lead vocalist, also currently plays guitar in The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Hope that explains where, founding members, Josh Klinghoffer, Clint Walsh, Eric Gardner and Jonathan Hischke are kinda coming from, least it helps me, faced with such an impressive four track EP debut.
In different measures, alternative, angular, when you’re talking percussion or guitars chords, relaxed alt rock from another time, I guess, it is hard to fathom with modern bright production, trying to discover the ghostly influences from a glittering past that make Dot Hacker. My castigation is due to my growing feeling I am not conveying or detailing Dot Hacker with much aplomb, the band deserve mine and your attention. Apart from the sparkling Inhibition’ or the splendid ‘Order / Disorder’; ‘Eye Opener and ‘Rewire’ are well constructed. At least three of the four songs, (‘Rewire’ is better served as another strong track I hope, on the upcoming album) are good, with a just a little push all could be singles.
Post world economic crises, Los Angeles Dot Hacker have produced a quality EP to warm ourselves round urban campfires. The gas and oil may be running out soon, least we will still; it will be some soundtrack with songs like ‘Inhibition’ or ‘Order / Disorder’. Bit of a landmark release. Quality. 8/10
Steve Janes
Zulu Winter
‘We Should Be Swimming’
Play It Again Sam Records
Due February 27th
Hotly tipped five piece Zulu Winter follow up their debut single ‘Never Leave’ / ‘Lets Move Back To Front’ with the bands first release for new label Play It Again Sam. We Should Be Swimming is bouncy, dancey, indie that should be filling dance floors from now until festival season.
Zulu Winter have a sound not unlike Arctic Monkeys mud wrestling the Foals into submission, which judging by the impressive list of scheduled shows is no bad thing. New to Q show, NME awards show, SXSW appearance, Horrors support all await the band. In fact Zulu Winter fit all the criteria to go far, get in quick before the rush 7/10
Jamie Gambino
Lay Siege
‘Obolus’ EP
Lay Siege are a four piece hardcore band from Milton Keynes. Their description on their sites lists them as having an aggressive outlook, which I say is an understatement.
This EP has to be one of the most brutal pieces of music I’ve reviewed so far for with guitars and I’m honoured that they are British. It’s about time a band stood out from the crowd in our dismal country.
The equation of aggressive upbeat riffs accompanied by a ferocious vocal and a deafening rhythm section is always a winner and Lay Siege seem to have mastered this equation, just like Pythagoras dominated his famous equation. Sorry for the mathematical reference guys and girls.
I’ve just finished listening to this EP three times in a row and it goes without saying it’s getting played for a fourth time. Kudos goes to Lay Siege for being the first band I’ve heard in 2012 that have blown me away.
I suggest anyone into hardcore music to check these guys out fi you are looking for some new music. 7/10
For fans of Liferuiner, Demoraliser, Architects)
Chris Storey
Inspiral Carpets
‘You’re So Goof For Me’ / ‘Head For The Sun’
Here is a release that woke up the office, a major player in indie before complete with the Hammond Organ which sent up Clint and the boys up perfectly for Madchester. Of which they were up there with The Happy Mondays, Stone Roses, New Order amongst the Hacienda spawned scene, you can still hear, at the Dry Bar. On the odd evening you will hear songs by the above, plus a dozen more and I bet you have already guessed it, the Inspiral Carpets.
So here’s the first release in 16 years, ’bout bloody time. The first (we hope not the last) fruits to come from "a Manchester Studio" gives us, one brand new song and a reworked early crowd favourite.
‘You’re So Cool For Me’ is a new composition, pleased to report. The sound of which, is glorious to these poster adorned walls. A full blooded Carpets, doing what they do best write a wonderful slice of INDIE favourite; guitars only surpassed by Clint Boon’s direct vocal. The sound is probably harder, punchier than most familiar with the 1990’s would expect, for starters, the Hammond organ, does play its part, but does not dominate. Jangling this is not, this release has purpose and drive, that will see this song firmly at the end of their set, when the March 2012 Tour kicks off. The reworking of their 1985 indie-rock track, ‘Head For The Sun’ sounds just as strong with a thumping vocal again, if slightly shorter and pumped up in 2012.
This is not a cry of nostalgia, far from it. Want to see a fine band that will deliver a memorable night full of anthems, great tunes with a few major and minor chords thrown in for good measure. "You’re So Cool For Me’ will fit right among the best of Inspiral Carpets songs. 8/10
Steve Janes
Chubby Dubz
‘Direct Experience EP’
Loungin’ Recordings
2011 belonged to a tune from one half of this collective. Oliver S’s ‘Doin’ ya thang’ was an unmissable slice of prime time house music. With 1988 coursing through its veins, it was a track which also sounded slap bang up to date. The vocals throughout the track of a DJ tired of playing ‘his shit’ and throwing the decks open to the crowd before the police came to bust the party was an absolute thriller and a total joy to mix with.
This EP continues the retro theme as ‘Doin’ ya thang’, the title track mixes dark metronomic synth notes and throaty vocals about leaving no room for doubt and other such guff. A second mix of this track transports it into early 90s house music thankfully without pianos. Completing the package are ‘Spirit’, a slinky based loungey house number which performs its business at the very height of sophistication and ‘Led to believe’ which continues in the same vein as the title track, four house cuts to die for. 9/10
Chris Todd
Young Guns
‘Bones’
PIAS
‘Bones’ is the first track released from Young Guns second album that goes by the same name. This track is emotional radio friendly rock at its finest.
The hook of the song being the lyrics “I feel it in my bones, I know I’m not alone” striking a chord with all listeners. No matter how old and wise you get everyone has felt alone at some point in there life to then realise that they aren’t.
The music plays a very important role in getting every heart felt word that front man Gus sings into the head of the listener. The music is as passionate as the vocal and doesn’t let up during the songs three minutes and twenty four seconds.
If you want to listen to a band who are set for even bigger things than they are currently achieving then listen to Bones by Young Guns. 7/10
Chris Storey
Picturebook
‘At Last’ EP
If a Friday night down Paradiso’s in Skegness is your idea of fun, Picturebook would make the ideal soundtrack while you wolf down yer two for one WKDS…alone. If however you prefer to have your electronic music with a side order of creativity, then this EP is not the place for you. Think of the lowest common denominator and multiply it by infinity, you are nearing the depths Picturebook reach.
Clinging onto the vaguest indication of cool, oooh, one of them featured on a Deadmau5 track, the first two tracks on this EP contains every lyrical cliché backed with nightmare inducing euro cheese ala Cascada, third track ‘Terminally in love’ is a sweet enough ballad but it’s like finding a strand of gold in a vat of hot dog poo. 2/10
Chris Todd
Johan Reinhold
‘Shoot Me Down’ (Remix EP)
Johan Reinhold has been making the right noises in his native Sweden and is now making moves towards dominance further into Europe. The original is not the song to achieve this, it’s the kind of thing that even Radio 2 but pass on as being a bit too mehh. A couple of the remixes however are much improved, Manchester’s
The Kill Van Kulls (think Hurts without major label money and brill cream) transform the original into a pounding electro track attacked by waves of 80s synth sounds and New Zealand producer Frnknstyn gives another Auckland dubstep producer, Mt Eden, a run for his money with a remix crammed with bass filth which utilises techno and trance sounds effectively and thankfully avoiding sounding like the atrocious Skrillex. 7.5/10
Chris Todd