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Firstly, I'd like to point out that scale isn’t very important to me because sometimes it’s easy to say “a lot of people will adore this or “a major label will make this huge. What-ef-err! The following are just bands whose music touches me from the piles of stuff that totally passes me by. I remember doing it and writing about Muse, jj72 and My Vitriol a few years back in 1998, so I ain’t trying to say I’m always right, but I ain't always wrong. Here goes..
Firstly, the noisier bastids (anyone scared of playing air guitar await the next instalment) that are about doing that whole Pixies bracket of things worth checking out are the likes of Kinesis [ kinesis-online.co.uk] who’ve already been winning over the likes of Lamacq and all us fanzine whipper snappers with their far-too-intellectual-for-Seventeen-year-olds vocalising of the none-apathetic side of our pixelated, stylistically obese generation. They’re going out on the road in February and rumour has it it’s with Engerica [ engerica.com ] who feature on the Soggy Records ‘Dont Think' EP that we’re releasing on March 4th yeah, I know we had a news story saying it was January, but the timing is better in March. Engerica are one of those bands who’re getting ready for parading before the worlds media and rows of hysterical fans. Think the best bits of the Smashing Pumpkins cranked up in a spunky fashion not too dissimilar to Muse jamming along to System of a Down. Or don’t think, if you prefer.
Fitting somewhere amongst this fuzz fuelled loud rawk case are a band who we probably tipped last year and we have continually been wow-ed by. This band I’m frustratingly slow at getting to tell you about are called Biffy Clyro [biffyclyro.com]. First picked up by and signed to Aereogramme’s label for the Scot-trio’s debut EP, the band then got snatched up by Beggars Banquet and have a very special debut LP coming out in March. I’ve somehow wrangled it and we’re helping to promote their February tour with Tetra Splendour, which I am really chuffed about. Means we get our URL mentioned in the NME, yay, etc. They’re touring in January with the DiS-adored Cooper Temple Clause[thecoopertempleclause.com] who also have an album ’See this through and leave' due to drop in the not too distant future and that is one that is going to be one of the records of 2002 I know this cus I’ve heard its shattered, electro-punk, slightly leftfield, slightly primal scream, unstable and at some points poignantly gorgeous tracks. We should have an interview with the band online soon gotta do it first obviously.
Another band who aren’t all that new but worth mentioning cus I can, are ‘A'. [a-communication.com] I got my mitts on a copy of ‘Hi-fi Serious their forthcoming album the other day and I don’t think it would be crazy to expect them to FINALLY make it, the time is right, the country is fed up of being infested by Americans and fun music is high on everyone’s playlists. JP and his high brit-punk-rap squawk over lotsa loud rock action is exactly what is in vogue just now, I think. If it aint, then it should be! Fitting in nicely in this Emo/Punk/Hardcore-ska genre of things are My Dad Joe [ mydadjoe.com ] who’re also on the ‘Don’t Think' EP too (look, I only picked these bands cus I love ‘em and your worlds are empty with bands like them!). Coming at ya from Watford (not California), they sound a bit like the Atari’s mixed with the Vandals which is always a good thing in my book. But please, try not to break your bed to this lot, we don’t have the insurance for things like that!
A friend of mine (hello Hayley!) recommended a band to me called Planes Mistaken for Stars the other day who do that EMO thang the best I’ve heard it, need to get me a copy of their LP’s. Other yankies doing that abrasive-love-song type stuff that I like are Semaphore and Q and Not U will soon be your new favourite bands if you’re clever. And also worth a mention are the slightly more mainstream BoyHitsCar who rawked some at Reading, so they’re worth a minute of your time but obviously if you love them already then they’re worth following around in a moshing can-can line! As are New End Original who’re set for big things, kinda make me think of an American Ash, in a way, which is obviously a weird thing to say when a lot of Ash’s stuff sounds American. Hmmm. Anyways.
Us brits can do this guitar swinging too. Kids Near Water and Hell is for Heroes are two of my current faves and both have records out soon, tours and stuff all happening. Plus Twist [ twistuk.com ] are still on the fringe of rockstardom and set to sign a fairly big record deal soon, I think with a new release around Easter time. Crackout [crackout.com] have something out around Easter too and I believe have bagged the Weezer supports. Well done to them. I heard a really good demo by an Essex band called Arkane the other day, I’ll be looking out for them although I think the track that sounded a bit like King Adora was just my imagination. I live in hope.
That’s the rock side of stuff outta the way, I’m bound to have forgotten a whole heap of stuff that isn’t in the pile beside me but regardless, everything has to end next week, the more avant garde indie side of things for 2002.. byeee!
