Almost a year since a career defining performance at Reading/Leeds festival last year, Don Broco have played support slots to Futures, The Used and Four Year Strong, performed at the Slam Dunk, Takedown and Hit The Deck Festivals, and now released their eagerly anticipated debut full length album. The Bedford boys set the bar high with their 'Big Fat Smile EP' but 'Priorities' impressively delivers far beyond the expectation.
Despite already hearing title track 'Priorities' as a previously released single, the opening riff prepares you for the album immediately, and the daring yet refreshingly British vocals are one of the attributes we have already grown to love about Don Broco. 'Hold On' and 'Whole Truth' introduce a funky swing to the unique Broco sound before 'Fancy Dress' picks the pace up with a killer outro sure to involve Bobby Damiani in the centre of the wall of death for years to come.
If you're looking for big choruses then look no further than 'Back In The Day' which is as crowd friendly as it gets, and 'Let's Go Back To School' has radio play written all over it while giving an insight into the band's University life. Final track and latest single 'Actors' [sadly] closes one of the albums of the year with Don Broco at their finest - a cleverly structured song with well placed back up vocals that will keep you jumping throughout.
'Priorities' packs more of a punch than David Haye, and there seems to be no stopping this band. Expect their return to Reading/Leeds to be packed, support slots to shortly become headline tours, and with the album sitting at #25 in the charts, don't write off a commercial mainstream success either.
9/10
Tuesday 21 August 2012
Wednesday 15 August 2012
Live Review: Set Your Goals @ Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes
5/08/12 Set Your Goals/Mixtapes/Eager Teeth
The Craufurd Arms located in Wolverton, Milton Keynes regularly plays intimate host to some of the best punk bands from all over the world. Set Your Goals recently brought their upbeat pop punk to the UK with new friends Mixtapes.
Brighton based Eager Teeth hit the stage after local support and warm the crowd with some great sounding tracks including 'Lights Out'. Exposure as the favourite band of 'Dougie from Mcfly' may not be ideal, but touring with the likes of SYG and playing festivals this summer will be.
Mixtapes highly anticipated and first trip to England didn't disappoint. A mixture of one minute 'Maps' songs, and longer melodies from brand new album 'Even On The Worst Nights' delivered a perfect set from the grateful Americans. Even though they can't believe people go to gigs to watch their band, they should start getting used to it as their fanbase will be rapidly increase after this tour.
A lot of critics claim that Set Your Goals never lived up to the hype they earned from 'Mutiny!' but they surely can't find fault with their energetic live show. The band clearly loved every second of this set, playing songs spanning their whole career from 'Goonies Never Say Die!' to latest single 'The Last American Virgin'. Sure, the 'Mutiny!' tracks see more sing a longs from the crowd, but the hour and a quarter fly by with no filler material in sight. Finishing proceedings with half the fans filling the stage [with one in particular showing her feelings for the band when presented with the microphone to sing a long and just bursting out 'I Love You'], Set Your Goals show that pop punk doesn't come any better or more fun than this.
9/10
The Craufurd Arms located in Wolverton, Milton Keynes regularly plays intimate host to some of the best punk bands from all over the world. Set Your Goals recently brought their upbeat pop punk to the UK with new friends Mixtapes.
Brighton based Eager Teeth hit the stage after local support and warm the crowd with some great sounding tracks including 'Lights Out'. Exposure as the favourite band of 'Dougie from Mcfly' may not be ideal, but touring with the likes of SYG and playing festivals this summer will be.
Mixtapes highly anticipated and first trip to England didn't disappoint. A mixture of one minute 'Maps' songs, and longer melodies from brand new album 'Even On The Worst Nights' delivered a perfect set from the grateful Americans. Even though they can't believe people go to gigs to watch their band, they should start getting used to it as their fanbase will be rapidly increase after this tour.
A lot of critics claim that Set Your Goals never lived up to the hype they earned from 'Mutiny!' but they surely can't find fault with their energetic live show. The band clearly loved every second of this set, playing songs spanning their whole career from 'Goonies Never Say Die!' to latest single 'The Last American Virgin'. Sure, the 'Mutiny!' tracks see more sing a longs from the crowd, but the hour and a quarter fly by with no filler material in sight. Finishing proceedings with half the fans filling the stage [with one in particular showing her feelings for the band when presented with the microphone to sing a long and just bursting out 'I Love You'], Set Your Goals show that pop punk doesn't come any better or more fun than this.
9/10
Sunday 5 August 2012
Reel Big Fish - Candy Coated Fury
Songs about hating people, crappy relationships, and fun covers have been Reel Big Fish's game for the last two decades, and they weren't about to stop now. 'Candy Coated Fury' is the band's seventh full length studio album and the addition of Matt Appleton to the band sees the return of the saxophone for the first time since 'Everything Sucks'.
'Everyone Else Is An Asshole' and 'Punisher' kick off the album exactly as you would expect, showing why the ska punk genre was so popular in the 90s, and how people's tastes have changed and not the music.
'Hiding In My Headphones' features new best friends [the excellent] Sonic Boom Six with a slightly slower hip hop influenced track with a British twang that fits perfectly, and it's great to hear Aaron and co. doing something slightly different.
'Your Girlfriend Sucks' must be the hundredth track Reel Big Fish has written about my girlfriend, and this time it turns out they aren't overly fond of her, but as always the horns and tempo are enough to make you smile throughout.
A few lesser known covers round out a solid album for the veteran rockers. And although it seems like an eternity since 'Sell Out', the band are still producing good albums to keep the fans doing the fish.
7/10
'Everyone Else Is An Asshole' and 'Punisher' kick off the album exactly as you would expect, showing why the ska punk genre was so popular in the 90s, and how people's tastes have changed and not the music.
'Hiding In My Headphones' features new best friends [the excellent] Sonic Boom Six with a slightly slower hip hop influenced track with a British twang that fits perfectly, and it's great to hear Aaron and co. doing something slightly different.
'Your Girlfriend Sucks' must be the hundredth track Reel Big Fish has written about my girlfriend, and this time it turns out they aren't overly fond of her, but as always the horns and tempo are enough to make you smile throughout.
A few lesser known covers round out a solid album for the veteran rockers. And although it seems like an eternity since 'Sell Out', the band are still producing good albums to keep the fans doing the fish.
7/10
Sunday 29 July 2012
Redfest 2012
Located in the heart of Surrey at Robins Cook Farm in Redhill, Redfest is the perfect alternative to the large corporate festivals. The 3-day festival boasts 5 stages filled with upcoming British talent; the outside Main stage, Gozibe Introducing stage, Acoustic stage, and 2 dance stages which run until 3am.
Friday afternoon saw the only rain of the weekend, but had cleared by the time Mallory Knox hit the Main stage. The band have been playing festivals shows all summer which shows as the crowd sing a long to tracks from their EP 'Pilot', and new tracks 'Hello' and 'Wake Up' go down well for the upcoming band, one to watch for sure (8). Up next on the Main Stage, Subsource brought their mixture of dubstep and punk but the crowd decided it was too early and the performance falls slightly flat (5).
Over on the Gozibe Introducing stage, Attention Thieves got a lot of deserved attention with their punk/post-hardcore sound and are sure to have gained a handful of new admirers (8). Young Guns are no strangers to British music these days and deliver their expected punk rock to the Main stage. Gustav Wood looks at ease fronting the Buckinghamshire outfit, and tracks from their second album 'Bones' go down as well as old favourites (7). A quiet break to the Acoustic stage saw Oxford-born Adam Barnes playing a mixture of tracks from 'Blisters' and new songs, proving why he attracts such a large variety of music fans (8).
The Introducing stage headliners Shadows Chasing Ghosts didn't get many to play to but still put on an energetic show (7) as everyone headed to see dance rock band Modestep bring in [by far] the largest crowd of weekend, playing singles 'Sunlight' and 'Show Me A Sign' as well as tracks from the charts, finishing the Main stage on a high (8).
Saturday afternoon saw trio Loose Lips play the Introducing stage sounding like a mix between Motion City Soundtrack and Alkaline Trio (6), before Natives hit the Main stage in the glorious sun. Ignoring their Not Advised past, Natives got through half an hour of new tracks which sounded great but left the crowd longing for an album release to really get involved with the New Forest quintet (6). Sonic Boom Six return to the festival scene playing a few older tracks and covers before their new album is out, and gave the Redhill audience a reason to dance. Finishing with 'Piggy In The Middle', Laila and co are back and are more fun than ever (9).
Deaf Havana have played all over the country since the release of critically acclaimed album 'Fools and Worthless Liars' and finally unveiled a brand new song in memory of Phil from 'Hunstanton Pier'. The recent addition of lead singer James's little brother to the live show adds an extra tightness to the sound of the band as they successfully warmed the crowd for the night's headliners (8).
Fei Comodo last ever festival show was seen in the Gozibe Introducing stage as the band headlined Saturday night to an enthusiastic crowd who were mostly seeing the band for the last time. A great send off for the Essex post-hardcore band who will be greatly missed (8). Kids In Glass Houses are veterans on the pop-punk circuit these days, and with 3 albums behind them, the Welsh rockers have plenty to choose from for their hour headlining set. With most of the bands performance haling from the Dirt album, Aled and friends closed the day with smiles all around (7).
The final day of Redfest welcomed Straight Lines to the outside Main stage who unfortunately played to a small crowd, but got through some of their best tracks from 2012 release 'Freaks Like Us' (7). Bedford quartet Don Broco's new album Priorities gives us all something to look forward to this summer, while vocalist Bobby entered the wall of death as he's now expected and fan favourites 'Dreamboy' and 'Thug Workout' were belted out, Don Broco put on one of the best shows of the weekend (9). The Skints slowed proceedings down with their London reggae but disappointingly fell flat (5).
Over at the Introducing stage, Proxies were dancing away to their electronic rock (7) before Hildamay's headline set proved to be only the beginning we will be hearing from them (8).
Redfest has grown and grown over the last few years, and showed that the biggest isn't necessary the best. A highly recommended festival for anyone looking to sample the best of British rock music, chill out to the best acoustic acts around, or to party all night to DJ's.
8/10
Friday afternoon saw the only rain of the weekend, but had cleared by the time Mallory Knox hit the Main stage. The band have been playing festivals shows all summer which shows as the crowd sing a long to tracks from their EP 'Pilot', and new tracks 'Hello' and 'Wake Up' go down well for the upcoming band, one to watch for sure (8). Up next on the Main Stage, Subsource brought their mixture of dubstep and punk but the crowd decided it was too early and the performance falls slightly flat (5).
Over on the Gozibe Introducing stage, Attention Thieves got a lot of deserved attention with their punk/post-hardcore sound and are sure to have gained a handful of new admirers (8). Young Guns are no strangers to British music these days and deliver their expected punk rock to the Main stage. Gustav Wood looks at ease fronting the Buckinghamshire outfit, and tracks from their second album 'Bones' go down as well as old favourites (7). A quiet break to the Acoustic stage saw Oxford-born Adam Barnes playing a mixture of tracks from 'Blisters' and new songs, proving why he attracts such a large variety of music fans (8).
The Introducing stage headliners Shadows Chasing Ghosts didn't get many to play to but still put on an energetic show (7) as everyone headed to see dance rock band Modestep bring in [by far] the largest crowd of weekend, playing singles 'Sunlight' and 'Show Me A Sign' as well as tracks from the charts, finishing the Main stage on a high (8).
Saturday afternoon saw trio Loose Lips play the Introducing stage sounding like a mix between Motion City Soundtrack and Alkaline Trio (6), before Natives hit the Main stage in the glorious sun. Ignoring their Not Advised past, Natives got through half an hour of new tracks which sounded great but left the crowd longing for an album release to really get involved with the New Forest quintet (6). Sonic Boom Six return to the festival scene playing a few older tracks and covers before their new album is out, and gave the Redhill audience a reason to dance. Finishing with 'Piggy In The Middle', Laila and co are back and are more fun than ever (9).
Deaf Havana have played all over the country since the release of critically acclaimed album 'Fools and Worthless Liars' and finally unveiled a brand new song in memory of Phil from 'Hunstanton Pier'. The recent addition of lead singer James's little brother to the live show adds an extra tightness to the sound of the band as they successfully warmed the crowd for the night's headliners (8).
Fei Comodo last ever festival show was seen in the Gozibe Introducing stage as the band headlined Saturday night to an enthusiastic crowd who were mostly seeing the band for the last time. A great send off for the Essex post-hardcore band who will be greatly missed (8). Kids In Glass Houses are veterans on the pop-punk circuit these days, and with 3 albums behind them, the Welsh rockers have plenty to choose from for their hour headlining set. With most of the bands performance haling from the Dirt album, Aled and friends closed the day with smiles all around (7).
The final day of Redfest welcomed Straight Lines to the outside Main stage who unfortunately played to a small crowd, but got through some of their best tracks from 2012 release 'Freaks Like Us' (7). Bedford quartet Don Broco's new album Priorities gives us all something to look forward to this summer, while vocalist Bobby entered the wall of death as he's now expected and fan favourites 'Dreamboy' and 'Thug Workout' were belted out, Don Broco put on one of the best shows of the weekend (9). The Skints slowed proceedings down with their London reggae but disappointingly fell flat (5).
Over at the Introducing stage, Proxies were dancing away to their electronic rock (7) before Hildamay's headline set proved to be only the beginning we will be hearing from them (8).
Redfest has grown and grown over the last few years, and showed that the biggest isn't necessary the best. A highly recommended festival for anyone looking to sample the best of British rock music, chill out to the best acoustic acts around, or to party all night to DJ's.
8/10
Monday 23 July 2012
Live Review: Wolfmother @ Indigo2
6/7/12 Wolfmother + Turbowolf @ Indigo2, London.
A broken down van couldn't stop Bristol quartet Turbowolf from playing this evening, eager to share their own brand of psychadelic electronic metal with the London crowd. The band have been touring the same material for the last five years and finally released their debut album last year to much critical acclaim, seeing the band have singles played on Radio 1 and playing shows all over the continent.
The late arrival tonight didn't allow enough time to perfect the sound quality, but Chris Georgiadis led the set [along with his usual outrageous shirt] with old fan favourites 'Read and Write' and 'Ancient Snake' along with newer tracks 'Bag O Bones' and 'Roses For The Crows'. With seismic riffs and exciting live shows, the band are certainly looking an exciting prospect (8).
"Hello Knebworth", Andrew Stockdale jokes to the Indigo2 crowd, as the Australian band open their Sonisphere replacement show. After several lineup changes and label set backs, Wolfmother now tour as a five-piece and still [despite their worldwide success] only have two albums to their name. Even though 7 years have passed since their debut self-titled record, 'Wolfmother' still dominates the setlist with punters hearing hits 'Woman', 'Joker & the Thief', and 'Dimension' amongst others. A musically excellent performance clearly attracts an older demographic to Wolfmother shows, expecting a real Rock and Roll concert.
Wolfmother approach their live appearances as a band with 25 years of experience, and boasting 6 albums behind them would. An impressive 2 hour performance for a band with just 2 albums, but more material will definitely cut out any filler songs during the middle of the set.
7/10
A broken down van couldn't stop Bristol quartet Turbowolf from playing this evening, eager to share their own brand of psychadelic electronic metal with the London crowd. The band have been touring the same material for the last five years and finally released their debut album last year to much critical acclaim, seeing the band have singles played on Radio 1 and playing shows all over the continent.
The late arrival tonight didn't allow enough time to perfect the sound quality, but Chris Georgiadis led the set [along with his usual outrageous shirt] with old fan favourites 'Read and Write' and 'Ancient Snake' along with newer tracks 'Bag O Bones' and 'Roses For The Crows'. With seismic riffs and exciting live shows, the band are certainly looking an exciting prospect (8).
"Hello Knebworth", Andrew Stockdale jokes to the Indigo2 crowd, as the Australian band open their Sonisphere replacement show. After several lineup changes and label set backs, Wolfmother now tour as a five-piece and still [despite their worldwide success] only have two albums to their name. Even though 7 years have passed since their debut self-titled record, 'Wolfmother' still dominates the setlist with punters hearing hits 'Woman', 'Joker & the Thief', and 'Dimension' amongst others. A musically excellent performance clearly attracts an older demographic to Wolfmother shows, expecting a real Rock and Roll concert.
Wolfmother approach their live appearances as a band with 25 years of experience, and boasting 6 albums behind them would. An impressive 2 hour performance for a band with just 2 albums, but more material will definitely cut out any filler songs during the middle of the set.
7/10
Monday 16 July 2012
The Offspring - Days Go By
You must have been living under a rock for 25 years to have avoided the Offspring's career. Dexter and co. brought their brand of punk rock to the mainstream public in the 90s, and now return with their ninth studio album 'Days Go By'.
Opening track 'The Future Is Now' is an excellent start, sounding similar to modern day Rise Against, as well as 'Secrets from the Underground' proving that the Offspring can provide the same fast punk rock of old. New single 'Days Go By' falls slightly flat and seems dull in comparison, but 'Turning Into You' and 'Hurting As One' will make great listening for die hard fans.
You would think that a career spanning two and a half decades, and after selling over 50 million albums, that the Offspring would know what they were good at by now. Although creating some of the best fun rock songs of all time, 'Cruising California (Bumpin' In My Trunk)' is a disaster and just sounds awkward and embarrassing [think less 'Pretty Fly For A White Guy' and more your drunk parents singing karaoke at a wedding]. 'OC Guns' is also completely misplaced and makes the album disjointed.
A random but welcome re-recording of 'Ignition' classic 'Dirty Magic' brightens the mood before the album peters out, disappointing promise from the start.
'Days Go By' isn't the best album the veteran rockers have produced but nobody was expecting it to be. If used wisely, it has enough good tracks to keep their live show fresh and new, but they won't be gaining too many new fans any time soon.
5/10
Opening track 'The Future Is Now' is an excellent start, sounding similar to modern day Rise Against, as well as 'Secrets from the Underground' proving that the Offspring can provide the same fast punk rock of old. New single 'Days Go By' falls slightly flat and seems dull in comparison, but 'Turning Into You' and 'Hurting As One' will make great listening for die hard fans.
You would think that a career spanning two and a half decades, and after selling over 50 million albums, that the Offspring would know what they were good at by now. Although creating some of the best fun rock songs of all time, 'Cruising California (Bumpin' In My Trunk)' is a disaster and just sounds awkward and embarrassing [think less 'Pretty Fly For A White Guy' and more your drunk parents singing karaoke at a wedding]. 'OC Guns' is also completely misplaced and makes the album disjointed.
A random but welcome re-recording of 'Ignition' classic 'Dirty Magic' brightens the mood before the album peters out, disappointing promise from the start.
'Days Go By' isn't the best album the veteran rockers have produced but nobody was expecting it to be. If used wisely, it has enough good tracks to keep their live show fresh and new, but they won't be gaining too many new fans any time soon.
5/10
Sunday 15 July 2012
Yashin - We Created A Monster
After the release of 'Miles Away But Getting Closer EP' and the departure of vocalist Michael Rice, Yashin recruited two frontmen to fill the void. Scottish screamer Kevin Miles and American singer Harry Radford now create the sound that we now recognise as Yashin. New album 'We Created A Monster' continues what 2010's 'Put Your Hands Where I Can See Them' started for the now American/Scottish band.
An introductory song leads into 'Runaway Train' and 'New Year or New York' showing Yashin's dual vocals at their best. With bands such as Deaf Havana and We Are The Ocean opting for clean vocals only, as well as Alexisonfire breaking up, there may be a gap in the market here for Yashin to exploit, and rival bands like The Blackout on the British scene.
More melodic tracks 'Pushing Up Daisies' and 'The Game' show a softer side to the band, followed by a seemingly pointless interlude before 'Angel's Son' picks up the tempo once again.
TV and radio friendly 'Make It Out Alive' stands out for being partially different, before returning for more of the same to close out the album.
Nothing particularly ground-breaking or new here, but expect the kids to love it.
7/10
An introductory song leads into 'Runaway Train' and 'New Year or New York' showing Yashin's dual vocals at their best. With bands such as Deaf Havana and We Are The Ocean opting for clean vocals only, as well as Alexisonfire breaking up, there may be a gap in the market here for Yashin to exploit, and rival bands like The Blackout on the British scene.
More melodic tracks 'Pushing Up Daisies' and 'The Game' show a softer side to the band, followed by a seemingly pointless interlude before 'Angel's Son' picks up the tempo once again.
TV and radio friendly 'Make It Out Alive' stands out for being partially different, before returning for more of the same to close out the album.
Nothing particularly ground-breaking or new here, but expect the kids to love it.
7/10
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