Thursday 20 April 2017

Ten Foot Pole Announce New Album 'Setlist', Out May 26 via Cyber Tracks



Photo Credit Denise Borders

California melodic punk band TEN FOOT POLE has announced the release of their new album Setlist, out on May 26 via Los Angeles based record label, Cyber Tracks. Setlist includes new recordings of eleven previously released songs, plus two new tracks. Pre-orders for the album begin on May 5 and can be purchased on that day here: www.cyber-tracks.com

"We are excited to have fresh new recordings of our favorite old TFP songs, plus a couple of new ones, to introduce modern Ten Foot Pole to our friends, old and new." says vocalist Dennis Jagard.

For their first album in over a decade, Ten Foot Pole knew they wanted to give back to their fans after years of their loyalty. Produced and mixed by Kyle Black (New Found Glory, Strung Out), the 13 tracks featured on Setlist pay homage to the legendary California punk scene - a journey through the eyes of a band who has toured relentlessly on three continents, performing with the likes of NOFX, The Offspring, and Rancid, to name a few. Longtime fans can note the quality of the album simply through the crisp guitar licks and definition in Jagard’s voice.

The new songs, “Scars” and “I Don’t Want To Go” suggest that the years have injected a maturity to the lyrics and complexity to the music, without losing the passion of being an underground act. The new Ten Foot Pole is still as aggressive, urgent and personal as ever, a true testament to the timelessness of American punk rock.

Ten Foot Pole is Dennis Jagard (Lead Singer), Scott Hallquist (Lead Guitar), Keith Divel (Lead Guitar II), Pat Magrath (Drums) and Chris Del Rio (Bass).




Track Listing: 1. Scars 2. My Wall 3. John 4. I Don't Want To Go 5. Kicked Out Of Kindergarten 6. The Getaway 7. What You Want 8. Never Look Back 9. Nova Scotia 10. Closer to Grey 11. Plastic 12. ADD 13. Old Man (Acoustic)

Ryan Hamilton & The Traitors announce August UK tour & unveil new video



Texas based singer/songwriter Ryan Hamilton and his band The Traitors are proud to announce an 8 date UK tour in August and promise the shows will be “as close to a drunken rock n roll show in a Texas saloon that folks can get in the UK. Drinks, music, friends. good vibes and good times all around.” To celebrate the forthcoming tour Ryan Hamilton & The Traitors unveil the official video for infectious single Heavy Heart:


The video captures perfectly the contrast of the different kinds of beauty in the UK, filmed in a nature reserve near Ashy De La Zouch, and then capturing great street art in Manchester.

Heavy Heart is taken from the new album The Devil’s In The Detail , which is an uplifting and energetic yet sensitive record, that celebrates music and storytelling. The 12 finely crafted songs, clearly represent Ryan Hamilton and The Traitors distinctive mix of melodic pop and rock. Aside from Ryan the album features UK musicians, including Ginger Wildheart – who handpicked Ryan & The Traitors as his main tour support in 2016 and plays lead guitar on the majority of the tracks. Scottish singer/songwriter Chrissy Barnacle also provides velvety backing vocals and duets on Don’t Say I Told You So.

The Devil’s In The Detail, recorded in Scotland in a “building that's older than America” with producer Dave Draper, perfectly captures the bands live sound. “It's the first album I've ever made where I haven't wanted to go back and make changes.” explains Ryan “For me, it's a wonderful marriage of pop, rock & country. Something really cool happens when you bring my classic rock, hair metal loving British band mates, and my old school country, pop/rock loving Texan self together. It shouldn't come together as organically as it does, but it works, and we love it.”

Full of melody and charm with no reliance on nostalgia The Devil’s In The Detail is an aural treat and truly deserves a place in your heart. Finally Ryan wants to say “THANK YOU to the wonderful people who are supporting us. We operate under our own record label, and our own management. We are out there competing with the big boys and doing it all on our own terms. We couldn't do it without all the incredible folks in the UK behind us, spreading the word. So, really, from my heart: THANK YOU.”

August HEAVY HEART UK Tour dates: Thu 17th Bannermans Bar Edinburgh Fri 18th Think Tank Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne Sat 19th Brudenell Social Club Leeds Sun 20th Sound Control Manchester Tue 22nd Hare & Hounds Kings Heath Birmingham Wed 23rd The Bodega Nottingham Thu 24th Thekla Bristol Bristol Fri 25th Borderline London

Wednesday 19 April 2017

THE LUMINEERS ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE RECORD STORE DAY RELEASE ‘SEEDS’ 10” SET FOR RELEASE 22nd APRIL



Grammy-nominated Americana stars The Lumineers today announce the release of ‘Seeds’, an exclusive 10” vinyl set to be released in conjunction with Record Store Day. The limited edition release from the critically-lauded Denver-based outfit shows the progression of two of the most popular tracks from their No.1 sophomore album ‘Cleopatra’ (‘Angela’ and ‘Long Way From Home’) from initial demo, through recording to the live entity.

‘Angela’ is a subtle and restrained classic folk-rock song, which could have come straight out of Laurel Canyon in the late 60s-70s. It builds and crescendos seemingly lost in the vault of classic songwriting reappearing in 2017 as ageless and compelling. The 405 labelling the piece as “...the perfect example of The Lumineers' commitment to working through quality material that they believe in.”

The other offering on ‘Seeds’, ‘Long Way From Home’, displays the band’s uncompromising songwriting & emotional prowess in full force, centred on a simple picked guitar line and frontman Wesley Schultz' voice, lyricism & storytelling centre stage.

Discussing the release, Schultz shared, “With ‘Angela’, you'll hear how lyrics change and bridges and verses are moved around. And with ‘Long Way From Home’ you'll hear an entire intro, i.e. a brand new part of the song that was omitted on the studio album, but can be heard in the live version.”

‘Seeds’ will be released on Record Store Day on Saturday 22nd April and you can find it at your local (participating) record store HERE.

The Lumineers are currently in the midst of an extensive North American arena tour in support of last year’s #1 album ‘Cleopatra’, which was described by The Evening Standard as “Echo-laden, sparse Americana illuminated by Wesley Schultz’s remarkable voice.” The band’s current live plot on The Cleopatra World tour has seen them play to adoring fans all over, including two sold out nights at the legendary Madison Square Garden. The band will return to London this summer with an appearance at Hyde Park’s British Summer Time Series (appearing alongside similarly-revered songwriters Stevie Nicksand Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers). Following that The Lumineers hit the road and will perform in stadiums opening up 13 shows with U2.

‘Seeds’ Track List Side A: 1. Angela 2. Angela (Live) 3. Angela Seed (For Fra) Side B 1. Long Way From Home 2. Long Way From Home (Live) 3. Long Way From Home Seed

THE LOUNGE KITTENS release new video for ‘Yeah’ originally by Usher



Taken from their debut album ‘Sequins & C-Bombs’, released last year on Grweat Records, The Lounge Kittens have selected Usher’s ultimate club banger ‘Yeah’ for their latest video offering.

Taking on the roles of Usher, Lil’ John and Ludacris the video sees the girls raising the roof of London’s legendary Dingwalls venue, transforming it into a sizzling hot nightclub with the help of some of their most dedicated fans. During their hugely successful PledgeMusic campaign, Kitten fans were given the chance to be in one of their now infamous videos; a chance which they relished. “The fans were AMAZING.” says Jen, Red Kitten. “We weren’t sure what to expect after giving them the brief but they did not disappoint. They threw themselves into everything we asked them to with typical C-Bomb Squad attitudes – just awesome.”

“Yeah was always going to get the TLK video treatment,” says Blue Kitten, Timia. “It’s such a stand out track for us as we love singing Ludacris’ filthy rap. It’s so challenging to perform live. But the video was a great excuse to mix things up again and try out a different style, particularly when it came to our characters. It was a real pleasure to dance about in trainers without a stiletto in sight!”

The Lounge Kittens head out on their ‘Bringing Up The Rear’ tour tomorrow. See them live at: 20.04 Oxford Bullingdon 21.04 London Dingwalls 22.04 Liverpool Arts Club 2 26.04 Norwich Waterfront Studio 27.04 Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms 28.04 York Fibbers 29.04 Glasgow Garage Attic 30.04 Sheffield Leadmill

Tuesday 18 April 2017

KILLING JOKE announce European Tour includes intimate London show plus Special Guest appearances with Guns n’ Roses



atherers of the UK and Europe, Killing Joke are delighted to announce a series of shows for the summer… “As always, we're looking forward to seeing many familiar faces out there, but also meeting some first-timers. It's wonderful to still be playing live for you, so hope you can join us…” Killing Joke will start the tour with an intimate show at the Scala in North London on Monday, June 12th, before heading into mainland Europe; this run of dates includes 2 shows as Special Guests to Guns n’ Roses in Poland and Germany.

Watch now, Killing Joke’s latest video, the apocalyptic ‘New Cold War’, directed by long-term associate / designer, Mike Coles:


‘New Cold War’ is taken from Killing Joke’s 16th studio album, ‘Pylon’, the band’s third consecutive release via Spinefarm Records; ‘Pylon’ entered the UK charts at No.16, giving the band their highest official UK chart entry in 21 years, their third highest ever! In true KJ fashion, ‘Pylon’ is very much music as ritual – raw, uncompromising and precisely-targeted lyrically; proof that Jaz Coleman, Geordie, Youth & Big Paul, the original Killing Joke personnel, are currently delivering the best and most relevant material of their career, with no mellowing or softening of the edges getting in the way.

With collective nostrils flared and righteous anger carried torch-high, Killing Joke continue to take their music of resistance to fresh levels, both in the studio and out on the road…

EUROPEAN TOUR JUNE 2017: Mon 12th Scala, London, UK (headline show) Wed 14th Zeche, Bochum, Germany (headline show) Thur 15th Batschkapp, Frankfurt, Germany (headline show) Fri 16th Werk 2, Leipzig, Germany (headline show) Sun 18th Fléda Club, Brno, Czech Republic (headline show) Mon 19th Progresja, Warsaw, Poland (headline show) Tues 20th Stadion Energa, Gdansk, Poland (special guests with Guns n’ Roses) Thur 22nd Messegelande, Hanover, Germany (special guests with Guns n’ Roses)

LIFE OF AGONY Premiere Official Video For “World Gone Mad”



Photo Credit Tim Tronckoe

After 12 long years, Brooklyn hard rock legends LIFE OF AGONY are finally back with their brand new album A Place Where There's No More Pain, which is set to be released April 28th via Napalm Records. So far, 2 songs from the album have been released to the public, the title track 'A Place Where There’s No More Pain', as well as the band's just recently premiered single for 'World Gone Mad'. Now LIFE OF AGONY, back in their famous and original River Runs Red- line up fronted by the one & only Mina Caputo, unleash the official, and hell of a scary, video for 'World Gone Mad'!

"The message behind ‘World Gone Mad’ could not be more relevant to what's going on all over this planet right now. People are more divided than ever, and if we continue to ignore the fact that this world is busting at its seams and just continue to "stick our heads underground," like the lyrics suggest, we will see a madness in our lifetime like we've never experienced before,” explained bassist Alan Robert just recently. He continues: "With the 'World Gone Mad' video, we were really looking to break out of the typical performance video approach to capture a high concept visual. There is clearly a strong homage to horror movies such as Hellraiser and The Ring, and U.K. director Leigh Brooks of Firebelly Films went above and beyond to bring our ideas to life. It's definitely the darkest and scariest looking video we've done to date."

Dive into the 'World Gone Mad' and watch LIFE OF AGONY's brand new video here:



Place Where There's No More Pain' coming out April 28th 2017 on Napalm Records.

Monday 17 April 2017

Mt. Wolf share stunning new video for 'Heavenbound' - Album out May 26th



Photo credit Daniel Alexander Harris

Mt. Wolf are delighted to share their new video for 'Heavenbound' on The Independent today. Taken from the forthcoming album - due out May 26th on CRC Music.


London’s Mt. Wolf have experienced much since their early days as a band – line-up changes, enviable hype and interest and, most of all, a sense of expectation that has never left them. With upcoming debut album “Aetherlight” set to not only meet but exceed those tall expectations, they released the emotive and thought-provoking video to the anthemic “Heavenbound”. The song owes a melodic debt to the literate, epic songcraft of Echo & The Bunnymen and The National while retaining the sky-scraping atmospherics that have become the band’s trademark, capturing the band at perhaps their most anthemic yet. Visually, the short films captures that same ethereal connection as it charts a man’s final minutes, projecting the sense that love will always be so much stronger than hate.

The director James Ayling, of Cape Films, says of the video: “I think everyone will have their own interpretation of the video. For me, it was about the idea of death acting as a force to unite people. For some death offers the chance to reflect and ask for forgiveness; for others, it provides an opportunity to find peace and the ability to forgive.”

And this from Mt. Wolf frontman and album co-producer Bassi: “Heavenbound deals with the different journeys entangled with death. The song is largely about letting go and moving on, while the video takes a slightly different approach: compassion, forgiveness and unconditional love for others can triumph in the face of hate and violence.”

Our first taste of “Aetherlight” was the 6 minute opus “The Electric” and alongside the video for “Heavenbound” the album is now available to pre-order direct from their label CRC Music.

Patience has been the key, as the band worked tirelessly behind the scenes towards the all-encompassing sound for their new material that they had always aimed for. After a productive 12 months with super-producer Ken Thomas (Sigur Ros, M83, Daughter) they have returned with a debut album that confirms that sound is now very much realised.

The band will play the following shows to launch the album: 8th June – Hoxton Hall, London 9th June – The Eagle Inn, Manchester 10th June – The Lantern, Bristol

THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE Announce New Album



On June 9, 2017, Metropolis recording artists THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE will release UNDER YOUR SPELL, their seventh release. These 11 songs reveal a side of the Canadian band that audiences may not have seen before. Proving to be the band's most intimate and emotive record to date, Under Your Spell is a captivating hybrid of 80's, electronica, and aggressive guitars, fused with dark, cinematic melodic progressions, blending the expansive breadth of The Birthday Massacre's signature sound, creating a deeply personal, immersive collection of songs.

In addition, the band has announced a North American tour that kicks off on May 18th at Toronto's The Opera House and circles the continent, hitting cities such as Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Orlando, NYC and Boston. (full dates below) Driven by band's signature, unique blend of spiraling synth melodies, walls of guitar, and evocative vocals, Under Your Spell hits all the bases that audiences have come to reliably expect from the band - songs that range from dark, aggressive anthems to danceable, pretty pop - and every shade in between.

There is a rawness to the emotion that is expressed through this album, an openness and vulnerability that perhaps feels new for the listener. It becomes clearer than ever through this release of the tight bond that exists between the band, and their willingness to explore heartbreak and loss together. With these songs, they have entered the darkness of the most fragile emotions, and come back with a cohesive and detailed portrait of music that captures both the anger and the hope that exist within a moment in time.

The Birthday Massacre continue to make the music that is so very unique to them. Once again, they have managed to create an album that somehow feels so familiar, yet challenges the listener to continue alongside them on their ever-changing, ever-growing journey.

THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE Under Your Spell Tour: May 18: Toronto, CAN @ The Opera House 'May 19: Detroit Mi @ Magic Stick May 20: Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge May 21: Minneapolis, MN @ The Cabooze May 22: St. Louis, MO @ The Ready Room May 23: Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater May 25: Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater May 26: Salt Lake City @ The Complex May 28: Vancouver, BC @ Venue May 29: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon May 31: Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre June 1: San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s June 3: Hollywood, CA @ The Roxy Theatre June 4: Pomona, Ca @ Glasshouse June 5: Scottsdale, AZ @ Pub Rock June 6: El Paso, TX @ Tricky Falls June 8: San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger June 9: Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Bar & Grill June 10: Houston, TX @ Scout Bar June 12: Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum June 13: Orlando, FL @ The Social June 14: Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade-Heaven June 16: Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Sound Stage June 17: Philadelphia, PA @ Dracula’s Ball / Trocadero Theatre (TBM Only) June 18: Asbury Park, NJ @ The Stone Pony June 19: New York, NY @ Webster Hall (Marlin Room) June 21: Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall

UNKLE Announce New Album "THE ROAD PART 1" Out June 23rd



After a rollercoaster twenty-five year career as an artist, curator, and tastemaker, James Lavelle returns with UNKLE’s fifth studio album, The Road Part 1. The Road Part 1 is a collection of fifteen new UNKLE tracks inspired following his curation of 2014’s Meltdown Festival at Southbank, their most successful festival to date. It is a collective creative venture by musicians including London folk-rock artist and poet Keaton Henson, Primal Scream’s Andrew Innes, The Duke Spirit’s Liela Moss, long time UNKLE collaborator Mark Lanegan, and Mercury Prize nominee ​ESKA.

Lavelle also found new friends and collaborators in Queens of the Stone Age drummer Jon Theodore and Beck drummer Justin Stanley, who make definitive contributions throughout the record.

Recorded in UK, Europe and Los Angeles’ Pink Duck Studios, The Road Part 1 is the product of a desire to create something fresh and innovative, that also celebrates the rich history of UNKLE, and showcases a new wave of talent such as ​Elliott Power, Mïnk and YSEÉ. The album also features long-term collaborators Philip Sheppard, Chris Goss, Twiggy and Troy Van Leeuwen. Lavelle set out to make a record that tapped into the multicultural landscape of modern London. His mission was to unite the eclectic mix of ideas, cultures and genres under the UNKLE umbrella and create something unique.

James Lavelle praises the role of collaboration, and its importance at the core of the project: “I hadn’t made a record in a long time, and the incarnation of UNKLE had changed in that now, it was me on my own. For that reason, I wanted to make a record that I hadn’t been able to before, going back to the roots of where I came from, with a foot in modern London.” In July of last year UNKLE released their first single in seven years. teaming up with Elliott Power, Mïnk and YSEÉ for the gospel-infused "Cowboys or Indians". Followed by "Sick Lullaby" in February 2017, his second collaboration with Keaton Henson. "Sick Lullaby" is tender and cinematic - a beautiful lullaby that empowers Henson’s delicate vocals.

The latest track from The Road Part 1, "Looking For The Rain," is a call to arms in our turbulent modern world, written by Mark Lanegan with string arrangements by Will Malone (Massive Attack, Unfinished Symphony and UNKLE's "Lonely Soul", amongst others). Creative visual collaborations are a core part of the immersive experience The Road Part 1 offers. Following the immense success of his critically acclaimed exhibition Daydreaming with Stanley Kubrick last summer at Somerset House, Lavelle continued his collaborative relationship with esteemed artists throughout the creation of The Road Part 1. The release will include cinematic and thought-provoking official videos from artists and visionaries including Warren Du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones ("Cowboys or Indians", "Sick Lullaby"); Norbert Schroener ("The Road"); and many more to be revealed.

The official video for the album’s title track "The Road", directed by German filmmaker Norbert Schoerner, has also been premiered exclusively on It’s Nice That. The collaboration follows from Schoerner’s involvement with James Lavelle's Daydreaming with Stanley Kubrick exhibition.



The footage was filmed by using a drone to explore the stark American wilderness. Norbert Schoerner and James Lavelle have created a film that in Schoerner’s own words “describes the ever present conflict between natural landscape and human progress”. The masterfully curated list of visual collaborators extends to the physical release of The Road Part 1. The cover art is from a painting by German contemporary artists Jonas Burgert. The 36-page booklet features artwork by contemporary luminaries including Turner Prize nominee Nathan Coley, John Isaacs, David Nicholson, Norbert Schoerner, Doug Foster, Warren Du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones. It was designed by James Lavelle and up-and-coming designer George Stewart-Lockhart.

In the twenty years since UNKLE’s debut album Psyence Fiction, Lavelle has been prolific. He created four studio albums with UNKLE (Psyence Fiction, Never Never Land, War Stories and Where Did The Night Fall), a host of critically acclaimed film scores, and curated a series of art exhibitions through Daydreaming With..., most notably, the hugely successful Daydreaming With Stanley Kubrick exhibition at Somerset House, and his latest exhibition Daydreaming with UNKLE Presents THE ROAD: SOHO at the Lazarides Gallery earlier this year.

The exhibition at the Lazarides Gallery was a celebration of 25 years of UNKLE, and whilst The Road Part 1 may be their fifth studio album, it is in many ways a new beginning. With shows booked throughout the year and The Road Part 2 already in the making, it feels that even after 25 years, the road for UNKLE has only just begun.

New single from tropical surf rock collective Salt Petal



Los Angeles-based collective Salt Petal is invigorating audiences and critics alike with a tropical surf-dance sound in a category all its own. A cross-border combination of Argentinian folk, Brazilian tropicalia, cumbia and up tempo surf rock blurs ethnic and musical boundaries, bringing to mind Blondie, Os Mutantes, Gal Costa, and 60′s rock and roll. The band’s sound is one of the freshest to come out of Los Angeles, showcasing deep South American rhythms with vibrant indie pop harmonies and textures.

Founding members, Autumn Harrison and Rodrigo Gonzalez started the band after a trip to Buenos Aires, where their late night singalong sessions turned into the beginning of their first record. After performing in small cafes and receiving positive responses from musician friends, they began to play bigger stages and soon became one of the most sought after festival bands in Los Angeles.

Salt Petal has played high profile venues and festivals such as SXSW, Los Angeles Times’ Festival of Books, Echo Park Rising, Chinatown Summer Nights and Make Music Pasadena, performing alongside well-known artists including Lila Downs, Grimes, Robert DeLong, We Are Scientists, La Santa Cecilia, Chicano Batman, members of Blondie, Jane’s Addiction and more. Not only have their videos been featured on MTV Tr3s and the band written up in Billboard, but they recently won an international songwriting competition voted on by representatives of the BBC. The musical collective has also performed a special in-studio for Seattle’s acclaimed NPR station KEXP, broadcasted internationally.

Salt Petal’s latest release, Rare Hearts was recorded at the famed London Bridge Studios in Seattle with producer Eric Lilavois (Saint Motel, Atlas Genius) and mixed and mastered by Raymond Richards (Local Natives, Avid Dancer). The album aims to be a constant reminder for humanity to have faith and love in ourselves, in order to continue to get through difficult moments. The central theme is “exploring the fight everyday against yourself to be able to see what you have around you” reveals Harrison.

Their sound is heavily influenced by the adventuresome explorations of South America's music revolutions in the 60s and 70s, such as Tropicalia, Gonzalez confides,"Tropicalia had such a great philosophy of taking things on, consuming and devouring what was available and experimenting with it in a boundary-less way, in the search of a new identity." Salt Petal aspires to do the same, with their new release Rare Hearts. They write from loving a variety of sounds found in California, with rhythms and sounds from across the Americas considered on equal footing with rock, soul, and blues. The musical collective describes their sound as subconscious and a natural extension of who they are and hope that Rare Hearts will inspire people to be passionate, courageous and of course to dance!

Leading single ‘Telephone’ is a mixing pot of surf rock and 60’s psych, a dance anthem for the millennium. While the single ‘Disco Rats’, successfully showcases Salt Petal’s diverse musical sound. Rare Hearts features heavy trombone, funky bass lines and surfrock guitar riffs, paired with Harrison’s vocals creating a colorful and vibrant musical journey.

Rare Hearts is set for release April 28, 2017 worldwide.

Check "Disco Rats" below: