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Thursday 28 April 2011

Inimisus



I first came into contact with this band through a good promoter friend of mine while I was still doing gigs. The bassist of the band Tom “T-Lo” Lewis had contacted him in regards gigs if I recall correctly.  I had a listen to their tracks on My Space (yes it is still in existence) and I was suitably impressed and also bemused at the same time. The reason for this was the talent level within the band had the sound of a band which had been signed and had been together for a long time. Yet Inimisus were the opposite of this impression, they were unsigned and had only been together since 2010

So a quick introduction to who this band are, the five piece metal band hailing from Trowbridge, Wiltshire and consist of  Jack 'Jacko' Adrey (Vocals),  Ralph 'Razza' Yandell – Guitars), Patch Sanders (Guitars), Tom 'T-Lo' Lewis (Bass)  and Toby Wrobel (Drums). The band formed in 2010 and was formally named “Traitor Betrayed”. Inimisus very quickly became rather popular within their local music scene with their unique sound.
When asked what makes them unique from other bands in the local scene T-Lo said “We've definitely developed an "Inimisus" sound as people have said, though I'm not sure how.  I don't know really, I guess the stark contrasts in the music we make, how it can go from crushing break down, to harmonious epic riffage to soft, guitar led interludes.”


Another impressive attribute of this band is that their first live gig - usually a hit or miss experience for bands - was totally packed. T-Lo commented that "It was the most packed I have ever seen the venue." add to this a string of shows afterwards-  including playing on the back of a truck- in the same venue with the same effect, and you can see that this band were in for big things. The band also got the amazing opportunity to co-write  a song with Jonny from Devil Sold His Soul.

When quizzed on the state of the unsigned music scene T-Lo stated "There are a lot of awesome bands out there who should be signed, and who have great potential, but also too many who are just doing 'more of the same' .. who have NO inspiration or emotion in their music. So it's a very mixed scene, really."






When you see a band have the rather quick ascent  in popularity and establishing themselves within the local music scene as well as Inimisus have done you tend to wonder where the band see themselves in the future. It's the one question musicians tend to hate as it can make them look either two ways - egotistical if they say big things or  modest if they answer with realistic aspirations,  As for T-Lo he went for the modest approach   "I wouldn't want to say, of course, everyone has hopes and dreams but I can't really say how far we'll get. Hopefully with the new merch, mini-tour and 8Track e.p we have coming up, our name will become known further out."

If you are looking for new music to listen to I highly reccomend you listen to Inimisus, you will defiantly not be disappointed. I look forward to the day I get to see this band live, if their recorded tracks are anything to go by it will be  a fantastic show. 


The band are playing at the following Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Inimisus/133379536702329?sk=info
Saturday April 30th - The Gryphon, Bristol
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=181884298525083

Sunday June 26th - The Croft, Bristol
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=201429593213111
For bookings of the band please contact them at Inimisus@hotmail.co.uk


You check them out on their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Inimisus/133379536702329?sk=app_178091127385

Andrea Caccese- “Icarus Falling / Set the world on fire”.

               


If you are a regular reader of my articles or reviews you will know I like to find original perhaps quirky artists to write about. Well this piece of work is no different, I received an email from this artist regarding his work and as usual my curiosity set in. Now when you hear so much music within a week it can become quite draining wading through so much that sounds the same, occasionally you come across a little musical gem. 
The musical gem in question is a Swedish based artist called Andrea Caccese who took a rather inventive approach to recording his debut EP “Icarus Falling / Set the world on fire”. The story is rather charming; from discussions with Andrea he revealed that his ep features 4 tracks that come from different sessions; recorded in apartments, hotel rooms, trains and airports during Andrea’s travels all over Europe in late 2010 and in his new hometown, Västerås (Sweden) in early 2011 with the help of cellist Nadja Ali. 
The music itself is soulful and almost ghostly at times. The arrangement of the songs with Andrea’s vocals, raw guitar and the beautiful tones that comes from Nadja’s playing is uplifting and shows how simple music can be the most stunning. All the tracks have a different personality to them so it is near impossible to pick my favourite track from the EP. If stripped back honest music is your taste then Andrea Caccese is defiantly the artist for you. 


 Latest tracks by sitstillpromotion 

Andrea is touring the UK starting 18th May and all his details regarding this can be found on his facebook page or his website. 
His EP “Icarus Falling / Set the world on fire” is available for free download on his website and there is also an option to buy the EP in the form of a limited edition 7” vinyl. 


Your First Mistake - Today Is A Good Day, To Bury Bad News

          Your First Mistake - ‘Today Is A Good Day, To Bury Bad News


One of the latest trends in music practically Scottish music is the rise of the accent based singing technique. Everywhere you look in the scene bands are doing it no matter what genre although it’s practically within the indie rock genre that it prevails more than anywhere else. The problem with this type of singing is that when you have a band get very famous very quickly any other band sounded remotely similar get classed as a “copycat” band or as most people call it with regards to the Scottish accent based singing - “a Biffy clone” .


 Latest tracks by YourFirstMistake 


Due to this ongoing stereotype from critics it amazes me when bands come along singing in this style and still manage to put their own spin on it and come out with something original. One of these bands is a recent discovery of mine in the form of East Lothian six piece Your First Mistake. On further research of this band I discovered that they have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Senses Fail, Young Guns, Deaf Havana, Flood of Red, The Wonder Years, All Or Nothing, Save Your Breath, Paige, Me vs Hero, Yashin, Not Advised, Survive Atlantica, HerBrightSkies and many more. 
They also released their debut EP “Wide Awake and Watching” recorded with Bruce Rintoul (Twin Atlantic - Red Bull Records) which was received with critical acclaim and even caught the eye of Kerrang! Magazine, who wanted to do an introducing piece on the band after hearing it. After a slight line up change the band are back with a new video in the works and a new single. 
This latest offering in the form of "Today Is A Good Day, To Bury Bad News". The track starts with crackly, distorted almost stripped back tone added to this strong Scottish vocals and your off to a good start. The song then progresses building throughout in tempo and tone culminating in a full frontal guitar screeching and bellowing vocal finale. The song has the ability to grab you at the start and lure you into a false sense of knowledge that you know what to expect then delivers something far better than your expectations. 
I will be keeping my eye closely on this band in the future. From what I have heard of not only this latest offering but from their past EP and also their rave reviews from various sources, big things are certainly on the horizon for this band. I urge you to check them out and add their music to your collection. 

Johnny Reb -The Portugal sessions

                        Johnny Reb -The Portugal sessions


Before I review this music work there is an interesting story I was told behind its creation. The band themselves are very influenced by the Smiths and Morrissey and as such they tracked down Boz Boorer via My Space. For those who aren’t up to scratch with all things Morrissey or the Smiths, Boz Boorer was Morrissey’s guitarist and producer. On finding his email address the band continuously contacted him until there was a response. Within this response was an invitation to go to his home studio in none other than Portugal where the name of this musical work originated. Even more exciting for the band was the equipment they used there to record was the same equipment Morrissey had used to record some of his works that included some of the bands all time favour tracks by him. Add to this personal contribution from Boorer himself on the tracks in the form of saxophone and you had a “dream come true” trip for the band that other could only dream of. 


 Latest tracks by Johnny Reb 

Throughout the record you can hear the heavy influence of the smiths and Morrissey within every element of the tracks. From the vocals right down to the guitar and cymbal beats, if you are not a fan Brit indie rock then this is definitely not your musical cup of tea. On the other hand if you love the strong vocals of Morrissey and such then this record is for you and will delight your love for the genre. 
The record is made up of ten solid tracks all with the upbeat tone you would expect from this genre of music. It opens with the very raw sounding “Nine On The Line”, which is one of my personal favourite tracks Within the first twenty seconds the raw sound of the guitar caught my attention completely and from then on it was kept through the whole record. The record then goes through a musical journey with strong lyrical writing behind each song and the mix of different song tempos. This mix of tempos keeps the attention of the listener making every song stand out from the last. The record completes its journey with the musical finale “Crumbs” featuring none other but Boz Boorer. Now achieving what the band had by getting a record recorded by this man not only in his home studio but then getting him to attribute to it by playing one of the tracks is outstanding and shows what bands can achieve when they put their minds to it. The track itself is very impressive indeed, the mix of distorted vocals at the start and the saxophone complement each other very well giving the track a very unique sound. 
Overall “The Portugal Sessions” is an excellent example of strong writing and music passion. I would also say that it is a tribute to what can be achieved when you do not give up on your dreams. Johnny Reb are defiantly a band to look out for in the future if the standard of this recording is anything to go by. 


Friday 1 April 2011

Acrylic Iqon



I first met this band while doing media coverage at the Burns Festival in Ayr last year, I was doing some interviews for the Ayr Play battle of the bands competition that night and this band were playing as part of it.   There was something special about Acrylic Iqon which set them apart from the rest that night and made me metaphorically sit up and take notice.  In such a short space of time this band have achieved great things not only did they win Xfm's "rock school" but they have also had the opportunity to play some prestigious support slots alongside the likes of The View, Idlewild and The Fratellis.
Their latest offering in conjunction with Kittiwake Records is their debut single "Close your eyes", if you have ever listened to any other tracks by this band you will know what I mean when I say their music has the ability to lift your mood. This new track is no different, the dual vocals compliment each other perfectly and they have the well known Scottish "twang" that has  become common from the scene. The song incorporates the usual upbeat and as some have said "power-pop" tones I have come to associate with this band.  All in all a fantastic offering from one of the up and coming bands of the Scottish scene.  If you haven't already checked this band out then I highly recommend you do. 

You can check this band out live at their release party with support from Run From Red and Forgotten Sunday Saturday 2nd April at:

The Bay
142 West Regent Street
Glasgow
G2 2 RQ

£4 entry/Doors 7PM

You can check out Acrylic Iqon and their tracks here


Some New Stuff

Good Evening Folks,

My apologies for the lack of content since October I started a new job and its been a bit hectic as of late. A lot of changes have been made in my life as well hence the blog has been affected by this. Worry no more though :), I am back and I have some new stuff coming up. There is also a very exciting opportunity that going through the first stages of happening so I shall reveal all when it happens.

I have been busy working away on some press packs for bands the last couple of weeks and helping out my good friend Preston from Jackhammer Promotions and Management who is based in Brighton. Congratulations are in order for him to as he has now been confirmed as booking agent for a rather interesting band called Bad Pollyanna.   I have also been working with my good friends from New Device who just completed their latest UK venture called the Powerage tour with Lethargy, Million Dollar Reload and The Treatment. I had a fantastic time working the merch table for the ND guys and  the banter from the rest of the bands was fantastic. I would recommend you check them all out.

Anyway to wrap this up got a lovely email from my good friend Robbie Harrison from School Lane Records tonight regarding a band he works with called Acrylic Iqon who I met while doing media coverage at Ayr's Burns an all that music festival. The band have their debut single coming out and their launch night is tomorrow night at The Bay in Glasgow. I advise you check them out they are fantastic. I shall be doing a review of said single tonight with a small piece accompanying it. I hope you enjoy it.

One last note to end my prattling on if you would like to be covered or you know someone I should be covering in this blog then please do not hesitate to contact me at lovemusicpr@gmail.com

Jenn