Indie Guitar Revolution Volume #1 - COMING SOON.

Coming soon ........


Indie Guitar Revolution Volume #1


Tell your friends, tell your enemies. 

The revolution is about to begin.................

12 Dirty Bullets release FREE album. 12.12.12

 

As if 12 Dirty Bullets RIDDLES album isn't enough to satisfy you're Christmas appetite, they've only gone and released a totally brilliant, totally free stripped down album to celebrate 12th of December 2012.  The album is a mix of old tracks , newer tracks and totally unheard tracks all performed in a stripped down acoustic setting and all great versions.

 

The album 12.12.12 is available free from the 12DBs web site HERE - go to the download section.

 

The new album RIDDLES and the debut album DOWNSIDES TO MAKING A LIVING are both still available HERE

 

More info on 12 DIRTY BULLETS HERE

 

Get them in your ears and buy the albums.

 

Support the guitar revolution.

 

Mick

x

Peter Hook & The Light touring UNKNOWN PLEASURES

Peter Hook is taking his UNKOWN PLEASURES show on the road again this month.  The show consists of Peter Hook & The Light performing Joy Division's UNKNOWN PLEASURES album live from start to finish.  A great show.  Get yourself along.  All details are in the video below and also on Hooky's web site HERE

 

 

 

Mick

The Twang - New album 10:20 OUT TODAY

 

The Twang's long awaited third album "10:20" is officially out today and as expected they've played another blinder.  All the months of hard work creating and self funding the project have paid off BIG TIME!

 

A great record from beginning to end. 

 

YOU NEED IT....

 

Show some love and support the lads and spread the word too.

 

They're currently touring the album all over the UK so if you're quick you might catch them.  Details HERE

 

Mick

 

Download the album from iTunes HERE

Buy physical copies from The Band's store HERE

12 Dirty Bullets kick off their RIDDLES UK tour this weekend.

 

12 Dirty Bullets kick off the UK leg of their RIDDLES tour this week off the back of another successful trip to the States.  The tour starts with a SELL OUT show at BARONE, Sunderland on Friday night.  Details as follows:-

 

Friday 26th - Barone Sunderland (SOLD OUT few door tickets left)
Saturday 27th - Pivo Pivo, Glasgow
Sunday 28th - Haddowfest, Edinburgh
Tuesday 30th - The Sesh, Hull

Tickets available at the venues. Hull is free entry.

 

The new album RIDDLES is receiving high levels of praise and is available HERE

 

'She Could Love You Forever', the second single taken from the album is available HERE.

 

 

Mick

 

Depeche Mode announce 2013 Stadium Tour

 

Depeche Mode announce 2013 Stadium Tour

Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher will play 34 must-see shows in 25 European countries to an audience of more than 1.5 million fans, before taking the tour to North America. The tour kicks off with an open-air stadium show in Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park on Tuesday May 7th.

The full tour dates are:


MAY 7 - Tel Aviv - Hayarkon Park
MAY 10 - Athens - Terra Vibe
MAY 12 - Sofia Georgi - Asparuhov Stadium
MAY 15 - Bucharest - National Stadium
MAY 17 - Istanbul - Kucukciftlik Park
MAY 19 - Belgrade - USCE Park
MAY 21 - Budapest - Puskas Ferenc Stadium
MAY 23 - Zagreb - Hippodrome
MAY 25 - Bratislava - Inter Stadium
MAY 28 - London - O2 Arena
JUN 1 - Munich - Olympic Stadium
JUN 3 - Stuttgart - Mercedes-Benz Arena
JUN 5 - Frankfurt - Commerzbank Arena
JUN 7 - Berne - Stade de Suisse
JUN 9 - Berlin - Olympic Stadium
JUN 11 - Leipzig - Red Bull Arena
JUN 13 - Copenhagen - Parken
JUN 15 - Paris - Stade de France
JUN 17 - Hamburg - Imtech Arena
JUN 22 - Moscow - Locomotive Stadium
JUN 24 - St Petersburg - SKK Arena
JUN 27 - Stockholm - Borlange Peace & Love Festival
JUN 29 - Kiev - Olympic Stadium
JUL 3 - Dusseldorf - Esprit Arena
JUL 7 - Belgium - Rock Werchter Fest
JUL 11 - Bilbao - BBK Festival
JUL 13 - Lisbon - Optimus Alive Fest
JUL 16 - Nimes - Antic Arena
JUL 18 - Milan - San Siro Stadium
JUL 20 - Rome - Olympic Stadium
JUL 23 - Prague - Synot Tip Arena
JUL 25 - Warsaw - National Stadium
JUL 27 - Vilnius - Vingus Park
JUL 29 - Minsk - Arena

 

See you in Warsaw (If I win the lottery)

 

Mick

 

 

Franco and the Dreadnought - New (Charity) Single OUT TODAY!

 

Talented singer / songwriter Franco and the Dreadnought follows up the amazing LAST MAN STANDING single with his second offering PLATT FIELDS today. 

 

The single is part of a charity campaign to raise money for  the Friends of Platt Fields, who are a group of hardworking volunteers that keep the park up and going by keeping it tidy, organizing events and even planting trees.

 

There is also a video (below) to accompany the song which was filmed at the park and features some of the volunteers and some of Franco's fans.

ALL of the profit from the single will be donated to the volunteers to help them at their work. The goal is to raise £1000 in one week, beginning today.

 

Oh yeah.  Just in case you're interested, the song is another cracker.  The unmistakeable style and singing voice get you gripped from the opening chords.  Great tune.

 

Not only that (I'm starting to sound like one of those TV adverts for water proof electric razors, but it's worth it), not only do you get PLATT FIELDS, there are also two other great songs, AMERICAN DREAM, THIS ONE'S MINE and a brilliant live acoustic version of PLATT FIELDS.

 

All in all, well worth a tiny bit of you hard earned cash and all for a great cause.  The price?  Well that's up to you.  You decide how much you want to pay so PLEASE go and download it and help support John and the people at Friends of Platt Fields.

Get the single HERE
Hear more from Franco and the Dreadnought HERE
and get more information about Friends of Platt Fields HERE

 

 

Thanks

 

MickDude

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 Dirty Bullets - The new album RIDDLES - OUT NOW.

 

The highly anticipated second album from 12 Dirty Bullets has arrived.  Man! has it arrived? 

 

"Riddles" is 13 tracks of pure class.  Even the 40 second Intro is quality... 

 

It was always going to be a tall order to better their 2009 debut "Downsides To Making A Living" but you know what?  They have.

 

Kicking straight into DREAMERS.  Already a live favourite it is stunning in it's studio form and a brilliant song to start to the album and set the mood for what's to come.

 

SLOW DOWN would have slotted sweetly into the middle of the Downsides... album but fits equally well here, giving an indication of how the new songs definitely have the 12 Dirty Bullets sound that we know and love while still being a major leap forward.  Definitely a good thing in my book.

 

I started writing this review two days ago and it included a track by track review of this album but there is no need for you to be subjected to me 'gushing' about every track because that is the inevitable outcome with such a good album.  Just take my recommendation and hear it once after that your head will do the rest.

 

It's hard to pick out singles from the album but alongside the two we've already had you could easily add EMILY, DREAMERS and SLOW DOWN.  There are no tracks to skip.  Every song really is great and I can't say enough good things about them. 

 

I can guarantee that you will love this album.  You don't have to appreciate the extreme talent that has gone into writing and producing these songs, all you have to do is buy it, listen to it and love it.

 

It is a sin that 12 DIRTY BULLETS are still hovering under the radar of superstardom.  They deserve it.  They proved that with the quality of their debut album and now with RIDDLES they have raised the bar again.  It is their time. Spread the word.

 

You can hear the album version of MOTOWN below.

 

The official release is October 15th but you can buy it NOW! HERE

 

 

Don't tell anyone, tell EVERYONE!

 

MickDude

 

 

 

Oasis' Liam & Noel Gallagher Drunken Interview from 1997 - LISTEN!

Great interview from my tape collection of the Radio 1 Evening Session October 1997 when Liam and Noel were interviewed together for the first time in 3 years.  Unfortunately for Steve Lamacq they went to the pub first.  This interview has everything from chat  about "PLOBLEMS" to Liam offering out The Rolling Stones.  Mintage!!

 

MickDude

12 Dirty Bullets FREE SINGLE from new album RIDDLES out now!

 

The OUTSTANDING 12 Dirty Bullets have been very busy in the last year.  Along side touring the UK and the USA, they have been working hard on their second studio album "Riddles" which is due for release later this month.

 

As a taste of what's to come the band have released a FREE single "She Could Love You Forever" which has been a live favourite on the recent tour.

 

Grab your copy NOW! before they change their mind.  HERE!

 

The band are playing a "Riddles" album launch gig at Dingwalls in Camden Lock on October 12th and the album will be on sale on the night so twice the reason to get yourself there.  If you can't make it then the album will be on general release on October 15th.

 

Can you wait?  I can't.

 

Mick

 

UPDATE - UPDATE -  Watch the video for SCLYF HERE

 

 

 

The Get Alongs new single available now FREE!

The fabulous Get Alongs have been in the studio recently and the first fruit for you to suck on is the FREE single "I'd Rather Listen To The Smiths" which you can hear below.

Listen to it and spread the word...

(Download the song from the Soundcloud link below)
 

Mick



Check out The Get Alongs on Facebook HERE
and on Soundcloud HERE

All The Young announce November and December UK tour.

 

 

All The Young have returned from touring Australia with The King Cannons and immediately announced a UK tour for November and December.  The dates are:-

 

Nov 22 Central Station - Wrexham, United Kingdom
Nov 23 The Sugarmill - Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
Nov 24 Start The Bus - Bristol, United Kingdom
Nov 26 Portland Arms - Cambridge, United Kingdom
Nov 27 Roadmender - Northampton, United Kingdom
Nov 28 Coalition - Brighton, United Kingdom
Dec 01 Night & Day Café - Manchester, England
Dec 02 Academy 3 - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Dec 03 Independence - Wigan, United Kingdom
Dec 04 Fibbers - York, United Kingdom
Dec 05 Brudenell Social Club - Leeds, United Kingdom
Dec 07 Fruit - Hull, United Kingdom
Dec 08 Electric Circus - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

 

Support details will be announced soon...

 

Get up to date details and buy tickets HERE

 

The band promise 'a few surprises' on this tour which hopefully means a first listen to some of the news songs for the second album and a cover of Charlotte Sometimes by The Cure.

 

 

Get involved.....

 

Mick

Be Quiet, Shout Loud Recording New Video @ Mixtape this Tuesday

BQSL, they're not as scary looking in the flesh. :)

 

Be Quiet, Shout Loud are yet another Teesside band with a very bright future and this Tuesday (11th September) they will be recording for their new video when the play Mixtape in Middlesbrough.

 

Featuring Mixtape’s very own Jake Ray-Dio, Be Quiet Shout Loud return to their spiritual home to give us an indie-disco-party to remember! With a new set, a new sound and a new intensity, BQSL are back and you’d be better believe it – especially if you’re a fan of bands like The Infadels, The Music and Reverend & The Makers…

 

“Here’s a Middlesbrough six-piece who certainly know how to rattle the requisite cages. This is a well zippy chunk of off-kilter pop which gradually builds into a sky scraping, indie-disco floor-filling sonic blast of yee-ha! Corking.” – The Crack Magazine

 

So if you want a splendid night of music AND you fancy being famous (?) then grab your mates (and your MAM) and get yourself along to Mixtape @ The Keys in Middlesbrough this Tuesday.

 

Details HERE

 

Follow BQSL on :-

 

Facebook HERE

Twitter HERE

 

and check them out on Soundcloud HERE

 

Also, check out the Mixtape page HERE

 

 

Get involved.  They are good!! (Very)

 

Mick

 

 Portions of this text taken from the Mixtape site. HERE

The Twang - New song and video MAINLINE

The best thing to come out of the Midlands since Cadbury Chocolate, yes, you know it, The Twang, have completed their third album AT LAST!!!! The album, titled 10:20,  is due for release on October 29th on Jump The Cut Records.

“We are delighted with the record and we’re buzzing for you to all hear it... The first cut from the record you will hear is called ‘Mainline’ and we hope it will blow your mind as much as it is ours.”

...and here is the video for Mainline (below).  If this is a benchmark for the album then we're in for a treat.

The band will be supporting the album release with a UK tour starting the night before release in Sunderland.  Full tour details are HERE
 

 

The Twang - Mainline on MUZU.TV.

Keep your eyes on the band's Facebook page (HERE) and Twitter feed (HERE) for further details.

Mick

The Bends are back - New Single out TODAY!!

 

 

Teesside's finest The Bends have resumed normal service and release their brand new single "Take Me To Liverpool" today on Karma Records UK.

Described by North East Live as "...the best thing to come out of Teesside since the Parmo", The Bends are much loved within the Teesside music scene and with constant gigging and hard work, they are growing their audience further afield too.  Check them out and go and see them play.

 

The single is available digitally from iTunes and Amazon.  (below)

GET YOUR COPY NOW!!!

 

Mick

 

 

The single is available at:-

 

Amazon HERE

 

iTunes HERE

 

Spotify users can listen HERE

 

Follow The Bends of Facebook HERE

Check out more from The Bends on Soundcloud HERE


 

 

 

 

 

Not the 5th Smith - James Maker's book Autofellatio available now!

(The Smiths at The Manhatton, Manchester 1983, James Maker on the left)

A lot of people have heard the name James Maker, but a lot more have not.  James Maker's name was bandied about as "The Fifth Smith" long before Craig Gannon hit the Smiths scene.  The truth is, James became friends with Morrissey in the late 1970s during Morrissey's pre-Smiths frustrated writer days when, confined to his bedroom, he would constantly write to music papers such as NME and SOUNDS in support of the glam rock music scene and in particular The New York Dolls.  James being a New York Dolls fan himself 'felt compelled' to contact Morrissey 'as he was the only living New York Dolls fan visible through (his) opera glasses'.

Years later after many a jaunt from Manchester to London and vice versa, James joined Morrissey and The Smiths on stage during their early gigs to 'dance in a cool and understated manor'  and to sing backing vocals on "What Do You See In Her?" (Wonderful Woman).  There was never an urge on James' part to be a member of The Smiths ('I'm far too Susan Hayward to share the spotlight with anyone else').

Instead James went on to form Raymonde.  A band who released one amazing recorded body of work titled "Babelogue" which for me is one of the most underated albums of all time.  The opening track "No One Can Hold A Candle To You" has been covered by Morrissey on a few occasions and is well and truly worthy of more recognition than anything recorded by chart favoured artists since it's release.  The rest of the album is a collection of finely crafted 'Indie camp rock' (remember where you heard it first folks) and yet 'Alternative 80s guitar rock' at the same time.  Great songs, brilliantly delivered.

I only saw Raymonde play live once and that was in 1986 supporting The Smiths at Middlesbrough Town Hall.  At the risk of expleting myself out of decent society conversation - They fucking blew me away!   Bearing in mind there was little communication about line ups in those days (YES Kids - No Internet!!) we had no idea who was supporting.  Then out poured Raymonde onto the Town Hall stage and within seconds they burst into song and captured my attention and adulation for decades to follow.  An amazing experience, never to be repeated.  Unfortnately the album Babelogue isn't currently available for genaral consumption so I expect you to start a campaign NOW to have it rereleased.  (I would, but I've got an alternative guitar music revolution to front....)

Anyway...  as the title of this post suggests, the reason I am recalling such memories is because James Maker has released a book of his memoirs tiltled AUTOFELLATIO (or in other words ' I can suck my own dick' - World Class Title!).  To be honest I bought and began to read this book purely from a Raymonde / Morrissey / The Smiths angle but by the end of the first chapter I was totally enthralled with James' story of his childhood and upbringing that all the aformentioned topics were gone from my mind.  This is such a compelling story of the begining of a lost and unidentified character growing up in late 60s South London via mid 70s London ('Moscow with John Lewis') and onwards into his life in the music and acting world and beyond.  James HAS made a name for himself in certain quarters.  Amongst people that appreciate what he does and what he has acheived,  even if most people are unaware of his work.  Their loss I say.

This book is well worth you investing the time (and the minimal pence cost) to read it.  I'm sure that, like myself, you will be dragged in kicking and screaming from chapter one and not released until the ransom of one crate of Rioja, one guitar and a trestle table has been paid.....

Let the performance begin.

Mick

The book Autofellatio is available via iBooks HERE for a tiny £1.49

Also for the KINDLE HERE for the same price and...

It is also available in print HERE in various states of drunkenness, age and beauty on Amazon.

GO AND GET IT TODAY!!!!

James Maker's blog is HERE

The Stone Roses Amsterdam - Reni has left the building. LISTEN

The Stone Roses played in Amsterdam at the Heineken Music Hall on June 12th 2012.  After the initial set was finished there was a disagreement between Ian Brown and Reni, who then left the building before the band could play an encore.  Below is a recording of Ian returning to the stage to inform the crowd. 


Mick

Unknown Pleasures - Inside Joy Division By Peter Hook - Published 1st Oct 2012

UNKNOWN PLEASURES:
INSIDE JOY DIVISION
BY PETER HOOK
Published in Hardback by Simon& Schuster UK
1st October, 2012

The definitive story of Joy Division told by the band's legendary bassist,

PETER HOOK.

"It's very strange. Over the years Joy Division has become a huge part of music culture. A lot of people think they know what happened. But they don't. Anyone who's ever written a book or made a film about Joy Division, unless they were sat in that van or car with us, they don't know anything about it. Me, Barney, Steve, Ian, Rob, Twinny, Terry and Dave. Only us lot know what really happened..."PETER HOOK

In the frank, no-holds-barred style that has seen his previous book The Hacienda: How Not to Run a Clubreach critical acclaim, Peter 'Hooky' Hook takes us to the heart of Joy Division and the sound that defined an era and inspired a generation with propulsive bass guitar melodies such as 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'.

Driven by the attitude, energy and sound of Punk, particularly the Sex Pistols, four young lads from Macclesfield and Salford shared the same vision and created a band with their own unique sound. Cobbling together instruments and a clapped out old van, they played in pubs and clubs - first across the north- west, then across the whole of Britain, until in 1980 they had released two albums and were on the cusp of touring America.

Then Ian Curtis committed suicide leaving everyone around him bereft.

In Unknown Pleasures, Peter shares previously unseen photographs and paraphernalia and reflects, with eye-opening candour, on the suicide of Ian Curtis: often seen as the "intellectual one" - to Peter and the band he was just "one of the lads". He shares his regret that Ian’s burdens of balancing his epilepsy and the demands of his domestic life only emerged when it was too late.

“I supposed in the end it’s almost too easy to look back and say what you should have done, how you might have changed things. How you might have done things differently and ultimately stopped Ian from doing what he did. What’s harder, what’s much, much harder, is to accept what you actually did do. Accept what you did do, and live with it” PETER HOOK

Covering the band's friendships and fall-outs; their rehearsals and recording sessions; Peter gives a truly fascinating insight, as only an insider can, into the characters who formed a vital part of the Joy Division legend.

A nationwide signing / speaking tour will be announced shortly to follow publication at the start of October. (See you there)

Morrissey & Marr The Severed Alliance - 20th Anniversary Edition - AVAILABLE NOW

UPDATE: Available NOW! See links below.

Morrissey & Marr: The Severed Alliance is among the most successful - and controversial - rock biographies ever published. having denounced the book and called for the death of its author johnny rogan, morrissey later did a u-turn and cited it as evidence in the royalty-related court case brought by smiths drummer mike joyce. now, 20 years after it was first published, rogan has returned to his definitive smiths biography to produce a completely revised edition based on new information and new interviews to add to the almost 100 initially conducted over a four-year period. widely acclaimed as one rock's leading writers, johnny rogan now brings yet more insight and analysis to his best-selling book that revealed, for the first time, the true and unsanitised story of the smiths - the most important group of their generation.

The new and much improved edition was due October 2012.  - But it is actually available now.

Mick

Buy from iBooks HERE
Buy from Rough Trade HERE
Buy from Amazon (UK) HERE

All The Young, The Chapman Family, Janice Graham Band in Middlesbrough TONIGHT

Schedule (ish)

Doors 4PM (£6.00 or limited tickets from Psyche for £4.00)

4:30 The Panoramic
5:30 Randy & The Handstand Band
6:30 Joe Smithson
7:30 Be Quiet Shout Loud
8:30 All The Young
9:30 Janice Graham Band
10:30 The Chapman Family

BE THERE!

Check Out The Get Alongs (Live Video and Demos)

One of the bands supporting All The Young at Keele University were The Get Alongs.  They are a bundle of young musical energy who have already since moved on to play several headline shows around the area of their home town Stoke-On-Trent. 

You need to check 'em......

(Warning: I'm going to use the term Indie-Punk shortly)

Singer Shane Davis is a natural frontman who dominates the stage with pure enthusiasm for what he does and loves to do.......Perform.

Almost as if he were acting out the songs, his movement alone keeps you enthralled.  However as good as Shane is, and you should definitely remember his name, The Get Alongs are not just another one dimensional standard frontman-lead guitar band.  Far from it.  The other band members, Sim Cope on Guitar & Vocals,  Gav Joines on Bass & Vocals and Jack Hilditch on Drums all play their part in an energetic Indie-Punk (Told you) onslaught that barely seems to stop once the gig starts and leaves you afterwards thinking "WTF just happened there?" and in the best way possible.

To top it all, THEY WRITE GOOD SONGS!  

I was very pleasantly surprised to hear such well made and thought out songs from such a young band.  Although their live performances are a torrent of music and words, the demos that the band have recorded so far let you get to know the songs more intimately and appreciate how good they are and more importantly how good the band are going to be. 

You should check out The Get Alongs.  You should probably check them out more than once and if you're still not convinced check them out a third time.  (After that if you're still not on the train you might as well fuck off back yo your JLS CDs)

Listen to the songs, watch the video then go and see them live.  Remember the names.  You will definitely hear more from these lot in the future.

Mick

x

The Get Alongs Facebook page is HERE

The Get Alongs Live @ Keele University 2012

The Get Alongs - The Soundcloud Demos

Hear The Slow readers Club LIVE on The BBC

The Slow Readers Club played a BBC Introducing gig earlier this week @ The Ruby Lounge.  The whole gig was broadcast on BBC Introducing Manchester this week and it's still available to hear on iPlayer for 3 more days.  Get a listen before it disappears.  CLICK HERE (The gig starts around 2Hrs18Mins but the rest of the show is worth a listen too.)

Support The Slow Readers Club, spread the word....

Facebook HERE

Official Web Site HERE

Twitter @SlowReadersClub

Mick

Introducing The Slow Readers Club

All I ever do is listen to music and eat biscuits, but I almost missed The Slow Readers Club completely.  Having heard them,  I just don't know how that is possible and I'm over the moon that I've put it right now.

The Slow Readers Club are a Manchester based Indie / Electro  band who’s output, according to their biog 'ranges from insanely catchy upbeat indie to  angry, introspective downbeat ballads. Their music has drawn  comparisons with Interpol, The Killers and Arcade Fire.'


I could list a whole load more comparissons that crept into my head as I listened to the album the first few times, but I won't because in my mind they have already moved in to the category - Sound's like The Slow Readers Club.

Their debut single Sirens was released in October of last year and was pretty well received and the album followed in December.  A second single Feet On Fire is due and hopefully will do as well in elevating the band's profile, having already being featured on a Soccer AM VT.

I'm really looking forward to hearing them play live when they're up this way but for the moment they only have a few dates sheduled in the Manchester area.  If you're down there, check 'em out.

I really can't recommend The Slow Readers Club highly enough.  You should take time out to have a listen and show them some support and spread the word.

Mick

Preview a few tracks from the album, and see below for info links.

Links:-

Official Slow Readers Club Web Site is HERE
Facebook page is HERE
Youtube Channel is HERE
and follow them on Twitter @slowreadersclub

Gaz Coombes Presents. Here Come The Bombs LISTEN HERE

Gaz Coombes long awaited album 'Here Come The bombs' is released on Monday but you can listen to the whole album now.  You can buy the album by clicking HERE Enjoy.

Mick

Click HERE to listem.

Noel Gallagher Hits The Nail On The Head

Here's an interview recorded with Noel Gallagher backstage at this year's Coachella Festival (below). It's no special interview. Noel's on his usual good form and he speaks about the differences between being in a band and being a solo artist, about technology and the way music deliverance has changed in the last few years, but most importantly, for me anyway, he highlights the fact that everything in the music industry is 'focus grouped' nowadays and anything that 'the random customer' doesn't want they don't get. It's that simple!

(The interview is at the bottom of the page, this is still me rambling...)

There are two points here.

The first is; nobody ever asks ME if I want to listen to ONE fucking DIRECTION on the radio and TV all day. Nobody has ever asked ME if I thought that virtually all of the decent music programs on TV and Radio should be cancelled and their slots filled with commercial factories of utter shite that produce MORE sugar coated 'boy bands' to stand there grabbing either their nackers or the air while they deliver the latest generic pop ballad written by some behind the scenes professional song writer to coin it for some body or some corporation.

The problem is that they usually ask a collection of general punters who are so stupid and consumed by what their mates think is cool that they just go along with the status quo. People like me (and you I hope) never get asked. People who would rather see a bit of creative rock 'n roll in the charts and on TV and who would welcome a return to a world filled with guitar driven indie or rock songs, and a few of the bands that are currently bubbling under the surface who we know are capable of world domination. The big problem is that there are more dickheads in this world than people with brains, so the fact that it's mostly the dickheads that get polled and the dickheads that then spend the money on the shit they have asked for means that TV, Radio and the charts will remain filled with pants, commercial tripe until the revolution comes. (Man!)

The second and very depressing point is this; the music industry and indeed the entertainment industry in general 'focus group' everything nowadays before it costs them any money, to see if it will sell, and if it will then it gets made and promoted to death. If it is not what the majority want then it will either get a much lesser budget or not happen at all. Whether it be a movie, a band a TV show or whatever it is.

Noel points out that nobody asked the world if they wanted Jimmy Hendrix, or Sgt. Pepper’s or The Sex Pistols but they happened and they each made a huge difference to the world and a lot of people loved them. 

It all comes down to money these days, not creativity or talent anymore.  Where are the new Tony Wilsons? The new Alan McGees and John Peels?  People like these have gone and been replaced by Simon fucking Cowell.

The question is; How do we change it?


Mick

12 DIRTY BULLETS tour starts TOMORROW!

They're DIRTY, there's 12 of them and ..... NO there arent.

The amazing 12 DIRTY BULLETS head out on the second leg of their MOTOWN IN YOUR TOWN tour of the UK tomorrow night.  These gigs are going to be special.  Not only will they be playing songs from the brilliant first album DOWNSIDES TO MAKING A LIVING but there will also be a big handful of new songs from the forthcoming album which will be released later this year.

The band have also made the album version of MOTOWN available to listen to. (Check below)

The full tour dates are:-

Thu 26 Apr 7:00 PM O2 Academy, Liverpool
Fri 27 Apr 7:30 PM Ku.bar, Stockton-on-Tees  < See You There?
Sat 28 Apr 8:00 PM Maggie Mays, Glasgow
Tue 1 May 7:30 PM Lark & Linnet, Hull
Wed 2 May 7:45 PM Milo, Leeds
Thu 3 May 7:30 PM Galleon Bar, Blackpool
Fri 4 May 7:30 PM The Box, Crewe
Sat 5 May 9:00 PM The Lanes, Bristol
Sun 6 May 7:30 PM AKA, Banbury
Thu 10 May 8:00 PM The Music Box, Salisbury
Fri 11 May 7:30 PM Open, Norwich
Sat 12 May 7:30 PM Corporation, Sheffield
Fri 18 May 8:00 PM Hope, Brighton
Sat 19 May 7:30 PM Stereo, York   < See You There?
Tue 22 May 7:30 PM Dexter’s Bar, Dundee
Wed 23 May 7:30 PM Head Of Steam, Newcastle < See You There?

Check out the band's official web site for ticket details HERE

Franco and the Dreadnought - Last Man Standing VIDEO

Music lovers of the world.  I give you a song to love.  The quite simply beautiful "Last Man Standing" by Franco and the Dreadnought. There's just no limit to the positive things to say about this song.  It should be revered worldwide and appreciated by everyone.  This is me doing my bit to get the song into the ears of even just one more person.  Have a listen and then spread the word.

Also check out The Franco and the Dreadnought Facebook page HERE for more amazing songs.

Mick

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THIS SATURDAY - Indie Wirks Presents The Kayas

YES folks, you read right.  The KAYAS are fit and well and this Saturday they're gonna' be tearing it up at Wirksworth's Hope And Anchor.

For those who know The KAYAS there's only one thing to say and that's BE THERE!

For those who don't, they are a four peice Indie Rock band and a big breakthrough prospect for 2012/13. The band have reformed after a brief break because the world just couldn't fill the gap. 

Singer/Songwriter Ad Edwards writes tunes that rock AND roll but still have humour and a meaning.  Almost like a poet who just also happens to be in a band.  Ad formed the band in 2007 and they have been through various changes in personnel before settling on the current line up of Ad on guitar and vocals, Philie Jones on bass, Duane Williams on guitar and Abbo Lewis on drums.

The Kayas know how to perform on stage and their gigs are always lively, so if you're in the area, get yourself and your mates down the front and enjoy the party.

Full details of the night are HERE

The Kayas' Facebook page is HERE

Check out some Kayas tunes HERE

IC1s – New Release ‘Not Perfect’ / Emerging Icons

The Brilliant IC1s release single ‘Not Perfect’ on Monday April 30th as part of the ‘Emerging Icons’ compilation curated by BRIT award winning Kaiser Chiefs and released via Emerging Icons/Universal.

IC1s debut single ‘Levitate’ saw massive success as the 2nd most downloaded new entry in the ITunes Alternative Singles Chart in its week of entry, resulting in a peak at #24 in the Alternative Singles Chart.

Follow up single ‘Karma’ was featured on Soccer AM, was Q Magazines track of the day on release and peaked at #40 in the alternative charts. The band donated all profit to UK homelessness charity Shelter.

2011 saw the band work alongside Gary Powell (The Libertines / Dirty Pretty Things) and his 25 Hour Convenience Store record label. Expanding their fan base as far as Oasis discoverer, Creation Records Founder and all-round musical myth-maker Alan Mcgee, The Libertines’ Gary Powell, The Stone Roses’ Mani and many more, the band recently headlined the final date of HMVs Next Big Thing Festival in February 2012. Since inception in the summer of 2010, the band have shared venues and festival stages with Indie giants such as The Charlatans and The Cribs, childhood heroes like Buzzcocks and even mainstream acts such as Tinie Tempah.

The release sees Emerging Icons team up with Kaiser Chiefs in hand picking 13 bands from 10,000 for the labels debut release. IC1s frontman Daniel Coburn says "It’s about time someone did this! They keep saying guitar music is dead, but it’s not where I’m standing, it’s more alive than ever. So hats off to Emerging Icons for giving people a chance".

Emerging Icons founder Kat Jackman says "It’s becoming more and more important to give audiences a filter which highlights good music and shuts out the band. The Emerging Icons initiative not only gives exciting new musical talent a platform to get heard but also gives audiences a trustworthy way to find good new music".

Alan McGee (Creation Records) -

"If you go and see a new band, go and see IC1s, they’re brilliant and post-everything".

Mark Beaumont (NME, The Times, The Guardian) -

"A proper, no messing about, rock and roll band".

Gary Powell (The Libertines/Dirty Pretty Things) - 

"After meeting IC1s and seeing obvious confidence exuding from their being it’s easy to see this is not a band of pomp and circumstance; they actually deliver in spades – an approach to live performance that’s lacking in today’s scene. Highly exciting to watch and thought provoking to listen to – but they’ve also an ace in their deck in lead singer Daniel Coburn. A must see for anyone who wants a real rock and roll band with attitude and ability".

Pete Donaldson (XFM/6music) -

"They're a little bit Libertines, a little bit Ramones - but they're certainly 100% hundred percent London. Whack Jack must surely serve as a stomping, unifying crowd pleaser live. The punk rock chorus comes out of precisely nowhere and is the sort of thing the word 'tasty' was invented for".

Sarah Champion (Absolute Radio) - 

"Love ‘Not Perfect’, Indie pop rock with attitude, particularly infectious!".

Check out the Emerging Icons Compilation HERE

Check out the band's previous two singles HERE

...and, check out the band's official sites NOW!!! :-

Soundcloud HERE

Facebook HERE

Twitter HERE

YouTube HERE

and the band's official Web site is HERE

Alan McGee's getting his.  Make sure you get yours!!