Pumpkins Reborn
Rumours of a Pumpkins rekindling (a-la-Pixies) have been rife these past few weeks, after frontman Billy Corgan made public how much he missed his old band.»
Articles
dkiener has written the following articles:
This Et Al - You've Driven For Miles & Not Remembered A Thing / All You'll Ever Be Is A Dancer
Fast becoming familiar faces on the more miniscule stages at the Leeds festival, This Et Al release an offering which will inevitably secure them as one of Leeds' most prominent and versatile outfits; the band's new double A-side vinyl released through Double Dragon Music is testament to their wildly accelerated artistic ambition, and their unfaltering ability to intertwine left-field cacophony with pop-rock brilliance.»
This Et Al, O Fracas, Shut Your Eyes And You'll Burst Into Flames, The Sunshine Underground at The Packhorse, Leeds, Sat 06 Aug
With static Tim Burton haircuts wavering towards the sky, and sharp red shirts cut with straight black ties, This Et Al look something like a gothically distorted Kraftwerk. And then within a moment of taking up guitars, there are arms and guitars flailing, the stage is alight, big and spooky, This Et Al take a crimson hammer to your ears. As heavy and graceful as Far or The Velvet Teen, a sound this big belongs outside this minute sauna - it could conquer much larger venues with ease, even the festival stages. This needs to be shared. Style, nuance, and charisma wrapped up in a painfully gorgeous controlled havoc.»
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith
The world’s biggest ever movie franchise returns for one final instalment, but has George Lucas’ last ever Star Wars film only served to further undermine his pioneering trilogy from the 70’s and 80’s, or is this the most eagerly-anticipated payoff of cinema-going history? After unanimous critical condemnation of Star Wars Episodes I and II, justification in making the trilogy of prequels (and thereby, Lucas’ reputation as a groundbreaking film-maker) really does rest on Revenge of the Sith achieving both public and critical acclaim.»
Antihero - This Is An Emergency
Antihero's debut album proper sounds like a celebration of a crisis, wave upon wave of might and distortion, tears and howls of laughter... this band embraces the anthemic and the underground in equal measure, creating something so beautifully real. Alternative rock's call to arms has been answered. Imagine pure energy and youthful abrasiveness structured into song - 'This Is An Emergency'. You fucking need this.»
Locus of Control - To A Bloody War Or A Sickly Season
Locus Of Control were born to be together, born to bypass trends together, born to make this noise, blood bubbling and creativity bursting. They are undeniably emotional, unashamed of exploring their strengths and frailties to the full.»
Dopamine, The Lucida Console at Leeds The Bassment, Fri 10 Dec
Strapping Halifax quintet the Lucida Console are homely spectres, gentle and touching and wild and ferocious. is this prog? It can’t be, I’m enjoying it too much.»
¡Forward Russia! at Leeds Joseph's Well, Tue 23 Nov
It soon becomes apparent that I would have waited in front of that stage for an era if I knew what was going to hit me. It was dishevelled and grimy and spooky and beautiful.»
Garden State
Thanks, Leeds film festival. I swear I woke up today still dreaming; visions of Natalie Portman and stoner Americana; people pepped-up on antidepressants and spin the bottle; graveyards and pets and family virtues; every moment is worth a freeze frame. It’s all gone soooo symbolic.»
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind - DVD
I hate the way this film has been pitched. Like trash. Like Love Actually. Like Wimbledon. I beg of you, pay no heed to the “romantic comedy” air of Eternal Sunshine’s advertisements and trailer campaign – their ill-conceived lightness offer naught but total misrepresentation of this fine masterpiece. Eternal Sunshine is no mere throwaway summer flick (this is the brainchild of scriptsmith genius Charlie Kaufman, for fuck’s sake) but rather a definitive classic for our generation; innovative and unique and wholly original.»
InTheDark - Spur Persona EP
In The Dark have never lived in a world where Rage Against The Machine have ever been uncool, or where System Of A Down have ever been creatively surpassed... but does saying that America is rubbish in a put-on American accent (when you're from Surrey) not just seem silly to you?»
Locus of Control - Comfort Of Repetition
Listen to this, it seems unreal: metal can still possess soul, balls, vision and depth. Ridiculous? Maybe, or maybe true, plain and simple. Contrary to popular belief, “Meaning” is actually allowed to surf atop a gut-fucking ocean of waves and riffs, with no loss of (hey, maybe it’s the confirmation of) integrity and power. Metal can bust ear drums as it breaks hearts, possessing the ability to look forward with clarity and ambition, all the while bearing the flags of those who sculpted and created before.»
How Antihero saved my life
Aptly, it is the first day of Summer. A beautiful blue sky halos England. The sun radiates heat, bright bright light and optimism. In moments immediately previous, an un-mastered version of Antihero’s forthcoming – and as yet unnamed – album settled down to a finish. I’ve been honoured a preview. The stereo recuperates, and silence sneaks in. I can’t decide whether my head is brimming full or totally empty.»
threekseven - demo
Based in Leeds, these guys are clearly big lovers of post-rock and the Icelandic music scene. However, this is no homage, this is no rip-off, this is the seed of something beautiful sprouting deep roots, and getting ready to gestate and mutate into something awesome. Though this demo still sees 3K:7 as a kid taking those first tentative steps, it is packed with potential and wonder… laden with what mediocre paid journalists refer to as “the X factor”.»
Incubus - A Crow Left Of The Murder
Gone are the playschool drum n bass thrusts of Incubus’ formative years, and in are exciting rock grooves and dance-thumps. There is a new Incubus, surpassing expectation, breaking hearts, rocking hard, very much alive.»
Antihero, Locus of Control at Stratford-upon-Avon Cox's Yard, Tue 30 Dec
Antihero take to the stage. It’s more than just watching a band, it’s more than just hearing amazing music. The fucking air is alive tonight. This band could save your life.»
Hamell on Trial at Leeds New Roscoe, Thu 04 Dec
I’ve left the house on an empty stomach after spilling my tea (dinner/whatever) on the floor; bowl ended up in splinters, lots of cleaning up, and not a morsel as a reward. In one coat pocket I carry notebook and pen, in the other, a copy of 'Human Punk' by John King. I arrive moderately tardily, and just catch the end of the support act. Two guys sounding like the mellow moments in a Michael J Fox film – and the frontman looks like little MJF but without all the boyish charm. It’s a shame, they’d probably be great with Marty McFly doing the whole Chuck Berry thing centre-stage, but then again 9.95 bands out of 10 would benefit from a gimmick like that. Note to self: track down Michael J Fox, make him an offer he can’t refuse.»
The Barbs, The Tennessee Train Crash, No Problem Disko at The Vine, Leeds, Thu 23 Oct
It’s been a weird day. October has gone from cold to colder to coldest. Today, the corn exchange and I witnessed Rik Mayall buying a shit t-shirt (emblazoned with “No-one knows I’m a lesbian” or a slogan of the same ilk) from my mate’s shop. It rained, off and on (and off). The unpleasant day seems to be grinding to an equally cold and unpleasant end. Still, the opportunity to go see some bands in town is a much appreciated intermission from the local brat kids chucking fireworks at my house and our dog. Bring on the Vine.»
Franz Ferdinand at Leeds Cockpit, Wed 15 Oct
The band have no sense of how to dance, they merely jerk around on stage. I’m surprised they don’t have each other’s eyes out.»
Little Japanese Toy at Leeds Life Bar, Tue 14 Oct
"Little Japanese Toy gently bubble into every colour of the spectrum, like a kaleidoscope, before dazzling in a strobe-like rock eruption..."»