written by Chris Familton Some bands arrive in a blaze of glory and media attention, still young and in their formative stage but with sparks flying and a need to get that initial brace of songs recorded and released. Others take their time to nurture the songs, tease them out and live within them until they feel and sound just right and have in a … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Deep Sea Arcade | Outlands
written by Chris Familton Warp Records continue their foray into non-electronic acts with this debut release from Brooklyn natives My Best Fiend. In Ghostlike Fading may be made by a bunch of Americans but it has a decidedly English sound and mood. The songs swell and churn, wander and slow-burn with winding narratives that make the album feel a lot longer than its 47 minutes. … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: My Best Fiend | In Ghostlike Fading
Deep Sea Arcade proudly launched their brand spanking new album Outlands this evening in Sydney to an invited assemblage of media people. The band played a brief set highlighting the magic combination of pop nous, melodic hooks and swaggering beat bravado that they’ve proven over recent years on stage and with the singles they’ve released. Continue reading PHOTOS: Deep Sea Arcade Album Release Party (Media) @ Goodgod Small Club, Sydney (07/03/12)
J Spaceman drops the first track from the new album Sweet Heart Sweet Light that is due out on April 17th. Hey Jane is a sprawling, urgent dispatch of Velvet chug and mantra delivery complete with chaotic mid-song collapse and sunrise re-birth that sounds like prime Spiritualized but with a renewed sense of energy post Jason’s medical issues in recent years. And yep that is … Continue reading LISTEN: to Hey Jane from Spiritualized [NEW]
Stream or download the mix by clicking on the arrow on the right of the player… Continue reading MIXTAPE: Mixed Feelings 12
Torche (Miami/Atlanta) have slowly but surely evolved from their sludge metal origins to incorporate stronger rock and pop aesthetics and from the sound of the monstrous new single Kicking it feels like it’ll be reaching its apex on the new album Harmonicraft, due out April 24th via Volcom. It is also well worth the time to dig back into some of their older stuff like … Continue reading LISTEN: To the new track from Torche…
written by Chris Familton It has been one hell of a long break between drinks for Mark Lanegan and the follow-up to 2004’s Bubblegum, though one could never accuse the man of resting on his laurels in the intervening years. As prolific a collaborator as they come, Lanegan has worked with Queens of the Stone Age, The Twilight Singers, The Gutter Twins, Soulsavers and … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Mark Lanegan Band | Blues Funeral
written by Chris Familton Arriving at the soulless Entertainment Centre felt like a Delorean trip back to the early 90s with Sydney’s alternative/grunge/rock/metal community out in full force. Faded flannel shirts were scattered through the gathering hordes while the black t-shirt seemed to be the default dress code for the evening. Inside as the melodic hardcore of The Bronx (who had to hightail it up … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Soundgarden @ Sydney Entertainment Centre (25/01/12)
Iowa continue their stellar string of single releases with Panic Attack, another dose of crestfallen vocals over churn and chime Mascis guitar squalls. They have a highly anticipated debut album Never Saw it Coming slated for release in April via Aerial Mines Records. Panic Attack and b-side Same Solution will be available to download from February 20th but you can stream it over and over … Continue reading NEWS: Iowa release new single Panic Attack…
The War on Drugs continue to deliver some brilliant post-Springsteen/Velvets jangle, drone folk on last year’s Slave Ambient album. Here’s the latest video to come from that LP – Brothers. Continue reading WATCH: The War on Drugs | Brothers
written by Chris Familton On the eve of the cinematic release of Autoluminescent, the new feature length documentary film about the life and music of Rowland S. Howard, I chatted to directors Richard Lowenstein and Lynn-Maree Milburn about the global process of creating the visual document, their memories of Howard and the emotional journey in light of Howard’s passing in December 2009. Autoluminescent rose from … Continue reading INTERVIEW: The directors of Autoluminescent: Rowland S. Howard interviewed
Hoodoo Gurus have decided to celebrate their 30 years together in fine style with a run of shows across Australia featuring some impressive acts and a best of compilation titled Gold Watch: 20 Golden Greats. The Sydney show in particular will be a blast with Hoodoo Gurus performing Stoneage Romeos in its entirety (plus other smash hits) + The Sonics, Died Pretty, Redd Kross, the 5.6.7.8’s, … Continue reading NEWS: Hoodoo Gurus curate their own 30th Anniversary parties…
Doubtful Sounds 