Drenge, New

The two most violent brothers in indie have been at it again (no this isn't an Oasis reunion). Rory and Eoin Loveless have been busy recording their new album 'Undertow'. The dark and grungy band is expected to release the LP on the 6th of April as a follow up to their self-titled debut.

And if the promise of a new album isn't enough there will be a string of live dates across April (with a particularly exciting date at the Electric Ballroom. I'll be chucking fists there);



Nottingham, Rescue Rooms (April 10)

Birmingham, The Library (11)

Gateshead, The Sage (13)

Glasgow, Classic Grand (14)

Liverpool, Kazimier (15)

Sheffield, Leadmill (17)

Norwich, Waterfront (18)

Bristol, The Trinity Centre (20)

London, Electric Ballroom (21)


I imagine by now you are foaming at the mouth, but wait- there is a new single. Called 'We Can Do What We Want' is a full throttle assault including the band's new bassist Rob Graham.

Vinyl Staircase, Live

I sat freezing in The Boileroom's garden as someone whispers in my ear "it's at full capacity, people are queuing up outside". I wasn't surprised, a Vinyl Staircase gig isn't something to miss. Especially with support acts as strong as dazy chain, Seers and Annabel Allum.

Surrounded by friendly faces I watched Seers perform their freeform psych which at first felt a bit drab, I was loving it but the crowd didn't seem to 'get' them. And after about two songs in, an enormous circle pit erupted in the already cramped Boileroom. The violent and blood-filled mosh lasted throughout the rest of the local band's high energy and ferocious set. They certainly 'get' Seers now.


All quietened down as Annabel Allum sat crossed legged on the floor and begun her performance. Unsurprisingly everyone could not believe that an artist with such a powerhouse of a voice could be still in a venue of this size. With vocals reminiscent of Daughter she flitted through her set with a wide grin.

As Vinyl Staircase get on stage the crowd erupted. Their high energy plus an already strong fan base equalled an exceptional performance. From the first song onwards, dancing and moshing began. With smiles all around it was clear even to people who had never heard Vinyl Staircase before, they certainly were going to again. With a large repertoire of songs already under their belt, the band could have afforded to slow down their pace at points, purely to give people a breather. A bright future is ahead of these boys

Peace, I'm A Girl

In the past year, Peace have had it a tad bit tricky. After starting writing immediately after In Love (2012) it seemed that the Birmingham band famed for their sun kissed songs would be releasing their new album just 12 months after their debut. But due to the record labels pushing back and back, the highly anticipated Happy People will now be coming out on the 9th February. So for Peace fans up and down the country have been treated to various songs and singles from the vastly different LP.

First we had the pop fused anti-capitalist banger of Money:

And then the brutally upbeat Lost On Me:

The West End Girls influenced World Pleasure:

Now as the album looms just weeks away, the band have released yet another song. It's called I'm A Girl and it's safe to say that it is pretty impressive. It sees the band go in a direction musically that we have never heard from the usually upbeat songs of In Love. It is brutal and violent in it's production and delivery, borderline Blink 182 with rageful guitar solos. But what is the real talking point of this song is it's lyrics.

The very first line strikes real imagination The creators of man were calm, kind and nice. But nature demands that we fuck, eat and fight. This violent juxtaposition really embodies the vibe of the song. Harrison Koisser croons and then screams. The unhinged attack on gender roles and society's obsession with masculinity isn't just meaningful, it also sounds brilliant.

The personal aspect of this song does root in the nature of what Peace do as a band. From the get go they set themselves out as entirely alternative to the masculine stereotypes of indie, dressing in furs and singing about being in desperately in love. It was a breath of fresh air. I'm A Girl is a massive up yours to masculinity, If we live in a man's world. I'm A girl.

Personally, this song really incorporates everything I love about music. It's fun, violent and thought provoking. I do completely empathise with the entire ethos of the song swell. Too many times I've felt emasculated  by the fact that I don't see spend my nights trying to get laid or enjoy playing xbox every night. So a song, and band that actually say that they're glad to not be a 'bloke' speaks massively to me.

Plus the video is the bees knees...

The Petals

In the midst of January and upcoming mock blues I have almost given up. But then my friend linked me a new band that has lifted my mood to get out of bed. The Petals are a band that certainly make me feel good. Their song Big Love, the story of a really crappy relationship really brings it home with the shout-able chorus 'She is feeling PISSED OFF'. The Petals are messy and emotional, just the thing you might need to cure those January blues.