Sunday 29 May 2011

12 Dirty Bullets : Downsides to Making a Living



How has this album existed for almost 2 years without me knowing about it?

At a time when all I seem to be doing is waiting for debut albums from numerous up and coming bands or anticipating the next album from well loved established bands (and hoping they're not shite), I stubled across 12 DIRTY BULLETS completely by accident.  If it wasn't good enough to listen to a few odd tracks here and there I discover that they've had an album out since June 2009.  Oh happy days! 

12 Dirty Bullets are from London and they are :-

Jamie Jamieson - Vocals / Guitar
Michael Smith - Lead Guitar
Josh Jamieson - Bass / Vox
Loz Rushworth - Drums

They include in their influences The Smiths, Oasis, The Cure, The Sex Pistols and The Cribs and numerous others. (Lots more about the band themselves on their Facebook and MySpace pages)


I downloaded the album this afternoon and I must have played it over 100 times. It is superb!

I had the rare advantage of not having heard any of the tracks before and not knowing which were singles and therefore hearing them for the first time as a collection.  (I read somebody describe one particular band's songs as "Music By Numbers" recently and I guess that's a good way of separating good bands from bad. These songs are DEFINITELY NOT MUSIC BY NUMBERS).  Every one of the 11 tracks is lyrically clever and, I keep using this term but, very well crafted musically.  I already feel like I've had these songs inside my head for years. 

From the opening title track to the beautiful closing "Away With The Stars" this album is nothing short of pure quality and you should buy it NOW.

I can't wait to see them play live.

Mick

x

Tracklist:-

01 Downsides to Making a Living
02 Dark Tales of a Policeman
03 Fatman
04 Fire
05 Black Roses and Violence
06 Good Time Girls
07 Rock 'n' Roll Pretty Boys
08 Sweet Susie
09 Champagne and Cocaine
10 Keep Chancing
11 Away With the Stars

It's available on iTunes HERE (You can also preview all the tracks)

The 2 singles (that I now know about ;) are available on iTunes HERE

The band's Facebook Info page is HERE and it includes 4 complete tracks from the album.

The band's MySpace page is HERE
They're also on Twitter HERE

(If anyone has a CD copy of the album they want to sell me cheap then gimme a shout)
(where have I seen that bloke on the sleeve art before?)

Friday 27 May 2011

Check out WHERE'S STRUTTER? (Updated)



"WHERE'S STRUTTER?" are a band that you will be hearing a lot of in the future, that is guaranteed, or I'll hang up my Indie Pen...

Although there isn't much official stuff doing the rounds to listen to yet, YOU MUST SEE THEM LIVE.  Also I've thrown together a few links below where you can listen to some stuff and get addicted.

Tha band are Max Lees (Bass Guitar), Danny Green (Lead Guitar), Lee Broadbent (Drums) and Paddy Neville (Vocals).  They formed in 2008 in Manchester and apparently got their name from a missing snake called Strutter.  Hence.....  anyway....

They've already supported The View and Twisted Wheel and have been making a number of small festival appearances recently. There's still one planned live data to come in their calandar if you're within travelling distance of Wigan they're playing the Independence Festival on Saturday 28th May.  More details HERE

Anyway enough trivia. Get some tunage in your ears with these links:-


The first track I wanted you to hear is "Butterfly". As I couldn't find this version on line anywhere, I made this video. Have a listen:-



There's a couple of songs available on Sound Cloud:-

1. You, me and the devil makes 3 - HERE
2. Manhunt - HERE

"You, Me and The Devil makes 3" is available as a free download from the band HERE

There are also a number of demos available on YouTube:-

SEE YOU AROUND:-



COMEDOWN:-



BLINDED BY THE SUN:-



BONES:-



There are loads of contact points for the band, all of which are listed on their Facebook INFO page HERE

I'll keep you up to date with what they're up to, as and when...

Mick

x

UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE
-------------------------------------------------------

Few more song / video links. Also a link to the band's MySpace page which is worth a visit for some listenage.

THIS IS THE SINGLE???? "Mr Menace" <<<----- A MUST HEAR SONG

This most, if not all, of the gig at The Academy Supporting The View.



The Where's Strutter? MySpace Page is HERE


(As ever, if you're in the band and have anything for me to review or share then please get in touch)

IPD recommendation: The Twang - Guapa EP.






























Just because of the news that there may be a new Twang album in the pipeline, I thought I'd remind everyone of this EP.

Now I don't know if I was just half asleep at the time but it seemed like there wasn't very much promotion for this EP when it was released, and it doesn't seem to be available on iTunes anymore either but don't let it slip by. IT's CLASS!!!

The EP, which is STILL AVAILABLE on Amazon (see below) has 4 tracks:-

1. Guapa
2. Subscription
3. Whoa Man
4. February Snow

All of the tracks can be bought individually at Amazon HERE

Unfortunately Amazon are shit at selecting which part of a song they put up for preview but you can get an idea of the track's sound before you buy.

Highly recommended. Watch this space for album news......

Mick

x

Tuesday 24 May 2011

Middlesbrough Intro Festival Is nearly here.


The INTRO FESTIVAL is less than 2 weeks away now.  The line up gets better every year with top artists such as EXAMPLE, FUN LOVING CRIMINALS, MILES KANE, FEEDER, WRETCH 32, NEVILLE STAPLE, THE CHAPMAN FAMILY, THE COMPUTERS and loads more on this year's bill.  There are over 15 stages around the town, all with a variety of quality worldwide and local acts performing.

The Intro Festival has again been recognised in the national press as being in the top 100 festivals in the country, and when you consider that there are THOUSANDS of festivals put on every year, that shows what an achievement this is. 

I don't need to say much else apart from GET YOUR TICKETS NOW as they are not available on the day and there is no admission without one.  They are available at a host of places online and around town.  So check the Official Intro Festival web site HERE for more details and to see the full schedule.

(Click HERE for the Intro Brochure in PDF format.)

Let's hope that the weather God is kind to us on June 5th.

Mick

x

GET THIS: Ed Sheeran Debut single available for pre-order.


The debut single from the God-Like lyrical genius Mr Ed Sheeran will be available on iTunes from June 12th.  You can pre-order 'The A Team' and listen to previews now HERE

You can also watch Ed Perform an acoustic version on his web page HERE

Although The A Team is billed as Ed's debut single, it has been around for a while now and was previously available on the Loose Change EP.  An AMAZING collection of songs that you really have to introduce yourself to TODAY.  It's still available on iTunes HERE


Ed has lots of live dates coming up so check his web site. 

(He has promised to come to Middlesbrough SOON :0) so I'm looking forward to that. BIG TIME!)

Check him out if you haven't already, you'll be glad you did.

Mick

x

BROTHER - New Year's Day video Exclusive.


The video for BROTHER's next single New Year's Day is online now HERE

Check it out.  Brilliant song.

Mick

x

Saturday 21 May 2011

ALL THE YOUNG - Welcome Home available on iTunes NOW

Welcome Home - Single, All The Young


The new single from ALL THE YOUNG - Welcome Home is now available on iTunes HERE

If you're lucky enough to be in Stoke-On-Trent tonight get yourself to the Underground to see them play what is bound to be a storming "Welcome Home" gig.  I wish I was going....

Mick

x

Wednesday 18 May 2011

ALL THE YOUNG - Welcome Home video exclusive.


The video for ALL THE YOUNG's new single Welcome Home is now available exclusively HERE (NME.COM)

See previous post for details on how to get hold of a copy of the song.

Mick

x

Monday 16 May 2011

ALL THE YOUNG release new single details.


It seems a long time coming but All The Young have released details of their second single WELCOME HOME. It will be available to buy via iTunes on Saturday 21st May and the first showing of the video will be exclusively on NME.COM from Wednesday 18th.

WELCOME HOME is the storming seven minute set closer from the band's recent tour.  It's crafted and articulate but still rocks.

You can preview live versions of the track on my YouTube channel HERE

Details of the Vinyl and CD releases will be available soon.

BUY THIS or your iPod will hate you!

Mick

x

Sunday 15 May 2011

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY.

Today is my birthday.

That is all. You can get on with your day now.

Mick
x

(If you want to send me presents, contact me for my address.)

Thursday 12 May 2011

COMING UP: ALL THE YOUNG - Middlesbrough Empire 16th July - BE THERE!!!

Come on Teesside.  ALL THE YOUNG are coming back.  They're playing The Empire in Middlesbrough on July 16th.

They've already been selected by His Royal MORRISSEYness to support him at Stoke-On-Trent and it's only a short matter of time before venues like The Middlesbrough Empire are just too small.

So get yourself there.  Lets get a good crowd there and show bands on their way UP that Middlesbrough is a good place to come. Tell your mates and get them there. The tickets are gonna' be pennies as always and I'll post details around as soon as they are released.

If you've not seen ALL THE YOUNG yet then watch my YouTube videos HERE

The Official ALL THE YOUNG web site is HERE

Mick

x