FIVES: THE BEST WONDER YEARS SONGSThis week Lansdale, Pennsylvania’s The Wonder Years released their fourth album - ‘The Greatest Generation,’ a record that sees the pop punk quintet reach their creative peak in a number of ways. With a wealth of material in their discography, Already Heard's Sean Reid and Tom Knott took on the tricky task of picking out the five best songs from The Wonder Years. Find out what we picked and let us know if you agree or disagree?
INTERVIEW: MALLORY KNOXFollowing the release of their superb 'Signals' album, Mallory Knox have certainly become ones to watch in recent months. We caught up with the band to discuss joining Search & Destroy Records, how vital the festival season and touring are, what it feels like to be a part
of the expanding British rock scene and much more.
ALREADY HEARD RECOMMENDS: OVER THE OCEANOver The Ocean have crafted a compelling, brooding record with their latest effort ‘Be Given To The Soil.’ With intense specific precision and delicate accuracy that echoes the likes of Explosions In The Sky and Sigur Ros. Jesse Hill from the band to discusses how the
album came together, the importance of precision, being compared to post-rock pioneers and more.
VERSUS: BRING ME THE HORIZON - 'THERE IS A HELL...' VS 'SEMPITERNAL'After a top ten UK album and an outstanding UK tour with festival dates on both sides of the Atlantic to follow, Bring Me The Horizon are having a fantastic 2013 and are now featured in the latest edition of "Versus." It's ‘There is a Hell, Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There is a Heaven, Let’s Keep it a Secret’ vs the bands latest release, 'Sempiternal.'
ALREADY HEARD TRACK GUIDE: ALEXANDER - SAY HELLOWe catch up with Newcastle Indie Rock quartet Alexander to find out more about their debut album 'Say Hello' for a “Already Heard Track Guide” feature.
INTERVIEW: TITLE FIGHTHaving briefly returned to the UK for the Hit The Deck Festival before starting a European
tour, we caught up with vocalist/bassist Ned Russin to discuss the bands progression in sound, differences between UK and US festivals, their recent split with Touché Amoré,
having friends on tour and more.
Interview: The JCQ
Previously known as The James Cleaver Quintet, The JCQ play melodic and frantic post hardcore/punk rock noise with plenty of sing alongs, all performed by smartly dressed men. You may remember a Lucozade advert a few years back when a band was playing ‘Buck Rodgers’ by Feeder whilst riding down a hill… Yeah, that was them. And this is now.
With new album ‘Mechanical Young’ out in June, we grabbed a hold of Jack and Maud from The JCQ to discuss the new album, the name change and 5 words to describe their new album… And that’s Baby Godzilla soundchecking. Yeah, they play REALLY loud.
‘Mechanical Young’ by The JCQ is released on 17th June on Hassle Records.
The JCQ links: Website|Facebook|Twitter
Questions by Mikey Brown (@MikeyMiracle)
We Are The Ocean Release Music Video for ‘Machines’
We Are The Ocean released the video for track ‘Machine’ from their album ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’.
The JCQ Announce New Album (‘Mechanical Young’)
The JCQ (formerly The James Cleaver Quintet) have announced their new album will be called ‘Mechanical Young’ and is set to be released on 17th June via Hassle Records.
1. Ghosts Diffuse
2. Plainview
3. Resurrection Revenue
4. Aspidistra
5. Love’s No good
6. Amidship & Afloat
7. No Kind of man Pt1
8. iii
9. No Kind of Man Pt2
10. Ruin Age
A free download of ‘Ghosts Diffuse’ can be found by clicking read more.
Canterbury and Hassle Records Join for PledgeMusic Campaign
Canterbury have partnered up with Hassle Records for the release of their next album and will be funded through a PledgeMusic campaign.
The band made the following statement:
“We’ve always been a DIY band and, for that reason, we’ve always had so much to thank our fans for. You’ve supported us so well through the releases of our last 2 albums; we could never have done any of it without the amazing bunch you are.
We’ve teamed up with the guys from PledgeMusic to enable us to empower you, the fans, to help us create our new record – it’s written and almost ready to record! We also feel it’s important to have a label on board to help give this record the best possible release… So, we’re excited to be joining forces with Hassle Records, who will be releasing and distributing this album. Their reputation for breaking bands such as Fall Out Boy, City and Colour and We Are The Ocean, makes it really feel like the natural choice for us.”
A new song called ‘You Are The One’ can be downloaded for free here and can be streamed by clicking read more.
Blitz Kids Release Lyric Video for ‘On My Own’
Blitz Kids’ new single ‘On My Own’ premiered last night on Radio 1, and today the boys have posted a lyric video for the song.
Click read more to hear ‘On My Own.’
FIVES: The Best Cancer Bats Videos
Music videos are fun. Cancer Bats are fun. There’s no other reason for this weeks edition of “Fives” other than we simply wanted to!
Cancer Bats have been destroying every venue possibly over on our shores for many years now. The Canadian hardcore punks have only gone and gotten heavier and more pissed off with each release and their latest release, 4th album ‘Dead Set On Living’ is no different. In our little country they’ve racked up a heap of your favourite small venues, they’ve stormed the bigger stages on support slots with the likes of Enter Shikari and Bring Me The Horizon and knocked the senses out of those who caught them on stages at Reading And Leeds, Sonisphere and Download.
And if that wasn’t enough, there was that one time when they played six different venues in London on the same day in support of ‘Dead Set On Living.’ That’s 6 sweaty gigs, in one day, in our beloved country’s capital. Oh, and when connected on a map the venues created a pentagram, of course.
Ok, so we do have a reason; Cancer Bats are awesome. Enjoy what we deem as their five best videos.
Head on over to our Facebook page to tell us what you think to our choices and what your favourite Cancer Bats videos are!
‘French Immersion’ (from ‘Birthing The Giant’)
As far as music videos go it’s pretty standard. Band playing, lead singer somewhere else singing along to the lyrics etc etc. It’s so simple but I think that’s the reason why I like it so much; you can really get to grips with that riff and head bang without missing too much on screen. Also, singer Liam Cormier riding on a bike is pretty rad. Oh, and singing ‘Save Your Scissors’ by City And Colour at the beginning is a nice bromance with their fellow Canadian brother Dallas Green of Alexisonfire really seals the deal for me. More bromance to come…
New Cancer Bats Song (‘The Great Divide’)
Following news yesterday that they are just one of many new additions to this year’s Download Festival, Cancer Bats have unveiled a new song called ‘The Great Divide’ which can be streamed by clicking read more below.
The track will appear on the re-issue release of ‘Dead Set On Living,’ set for a February 11th release on Hassle Records.
Cancer Bats Announce More UK Tour Dates; ‘Dead Set On Living’ Deluxe Edition Set for February Release
Cancer Bats have announced more dates for their March 2013 headline UK tour.
Support comes from Brutality Will Prevail and Empress.
In additional news, Cancer Bats are set to release a deluxe edition version of ‘Dead Set On Living’ on February 11th. The release will include 3 unheard tracks and the ‘Bat Sabbath’ EP, which features studio recorded song’s from their infamous Bat Sabbath set. Pre-orders can be made through Hassle Records.
March
08 Plymouth White Rabbit
09 Cardiff Great Hall II
10 Birmingham Library
11 Newcastle Academy II
12 Glasgow King Tuts
13 Manchester Academy III
14 Leeds Cockpit
15 London Koko
16 Southampton The Cube
17 Milton Keynes Craufurd Arms
18 Norwich Waterfront
19 Nottingham Rescue Rooms
20 Reading Sub 89
21 Bristol The Fleece
22 Brighton The Haunt
Album Review: Blitz Kids - Never Die
British rockers Blitz Kids make a return with mini-album ‘Never Die,’ an offering for fans whilst they wait in anticipation for a second full length release. Having already rocketed onto the scene supporting names such as D.R.U.G.S and Mayday Parade, the four-piece have a credible reputation and are ready to prove that British rock is alive and kicking.
‘You’re Dead To Me’ opens the record, with Blitz Kids playing their cards right from the beginning with an overly infectious hook, pulling me straight in with the hope that the rest of ‘Never Die’ will continue as it started. Joey James’ very British sounding and diverse vocal range particularly shines in the chorus, hitting a strong note at the end of the track. Also ending is that same initial hook, finally drawing ‘You’re Dead To Me’ to a close with a short but sweet heavier breakdown riff.
New Blitz Kids Video (‘Never Die’)
Blitz Kids have released their new video for ‘Never Die’ and can be viewed by clicking read more.
The track is available to download for free here.
Blitz Kids will release a new mini-album ‘Never Die’ on 26th November through Hassle Records.
Interview: Turbowolf
Turbowolf have been active since 2008 but the chances are you have only heard of this band in the past 12 months or so. For those not in the know, Turbowolf are hard to pin down, mixing a blend of psychedelia, riffs, punk metal (and flamboyant shirts.) They are currently one of the most interesting and best up and coming bands in the UK. It has been a year since their début album was released on Hassle Records but the band have been relentlessly touring the UK and Europe to promote its release, and recently released a covers EP that saw the band put their twisted take on songs from the likes of The Hives and MGMT.
Already Heard caught up with Chris Georgiadis (Vocals/Synths) and Blake Davies (drums) to chat about the success of their début album, their run of UK headline dates, why Black Moth were a bad choice for touring buddies, the hardships of getting Pantera to support them and the prospect of a bigger Pharaohs head and an octopus being added to their live show in 2013. Ladies and gentleman I welcome you to the warped mind of Turbowolf…
Already Heard: This is your first headline tour, how does it feel for you to be doing something like this and how has it gone so far?
Blake: So far it’s been amazing, it’s quite scary, obviously it’s the first time we’ve done it so we are worried about people turning up and you know, paying attention to it but the response has been great, done some amazing shows and met some lovely people.
Chris: Yeah it’s been really good so far, so far so good! We’ve had a lot more people at the shows then we thought, I think our last couple of years of touring, festivals and supporting other bands has definitely paid off. So when we came around this time it brought together a lot of different crowds from different places. We have done a lot of different stuff, so it is quite weird you get people coming to see you and you get ones going oh why are they here, and the others go why are they here, I think we attract an eclectic mix of people because that is what our sound is a mix.
Album Review: Turbowolf - Covers EP Vol.1
It has been almost a year since Turbowolf released their phenomenal début self titled album. Since the release they have racked up rave reviews for the release and their brilliant live show. Everything about this band is crazy, their videos are psychedelic, mind warping views. They have come back with this selection of covers to tease fans before they release their new album.
Featuring covers of The Hives’ ‘See Through Head’, MGMT’s ‘Electric Feel’ (yes you did read that correctly), Lightening Bolt’s ‘Captain Caveman’ and finally Jefferson Airplane’s ‘Somebody to Love’. With such an eclectic array of genres and bands being covered it makes for an interesting listen. Whether you are a fan of the band or the bands being given the Turbowolf treatment.
Feature: “If I…” with We Are The Ocean’s Alfie Scully
Line up changes can be pretty pivotal in a band’s career, especially with vocalists. However, in some cases, it can be a blessing in disguise. I’m going to put it out there right now and saying that We Are The Ocean’s latest move to a 4 piece is certainly a blessing in disguise. I’ve been playing new album ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ a tonne and it’s easily one of the best of the year. Point is, take note of We Are The Ocean.
We caught up with Alfie Scully who provided us with answers involving Alt. Country, Bob Marley and an evil genius as he tackled our “If I…” feature. Read on for some more answers from the man himself.
If I could re-record one song it would be…
Alfie: The Eagles – Life In The Fast Lane.
If I could re-live one tour/show it would be…
Alfie: We did a tour last November supporting our friends The Blackout and in London we played The Roundhouse. I really love that venue so to play and be a part of such an awesome tour was great.
If I had the chance to play one venue it would be…
Alfie: We’d like to be able to play at the Union Chapel one day.
If I could play with one band it would be…
Alfie: Foo Fighters.
We Are The Ocean Stream New Album (‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’)
We Are The Ocean are streaming their new album ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ on Facebook.
‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ is set to be released through Hassle Records on September 17th.
Album Review: We Are The Ocean - Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow
When a band loses a member it can have a major effect especially when it’s your lead vocalist. However for We Are The Ocean, the departure of Dan Brown has surprisingly led the band to continue their natural progression as their third album ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ is a triumphant and powerful British rock record.
For long time fans, last year’s ‘Go Now And Live’ shake off the Alexisonfire comparisons that had plagued the band in some circles with the end result being a well-structured record and saw the Essex band embrace melodies. Fans of that record will instantly be hooked by ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ as the startlingly Liam Cromby has naturally stepped up to lead vocals and provides many melodic and soaring choruses throughout.
Despite the line-up change, the bands aggressive post-hardcore ethos still remains in tact as lead single ‘Bleed’ demonstrates with its fiery, bold chorus WATO kick the album into gear from the get go. While Cromby’s brilliant ability to step up to the role of frontman is shown on ‘Young Heart’ is bright and uplifting.
