Babyshambles -
Down In Albion new album 14 November Babyshambles debut album 'Down In Albion' produced by former Clash man Mick Jones and mixed by Mick and Bill Price. There's with three classics, or uniquely pleasing tracks here on first listen - 'Pentonville' , a surprise toasting rapping tune, maybe a Christmas Number One in 'The 32nd of December' and you can only ponder over what Ms. Moss may think of 'What Katy Did Next'. Babyshambles are Pete on vox, Patrick Walden on guitar, Drew McConnell on bass and Adam Ficek on the drums. They release the new single Albion on 28 November ... busy time coming up ... can Pete stand the pace? XXXXwww.babyshambles.net (Posted 24 October)
The Futureheads -
Area new EP out 28 November Well up to the usual Futureheads high standards, biting delivery, edgy lyrics, punchy instrumentation, catchy hooks - Top Ten no doubt. This three track EP with Area recorded in September at Miloco Garden in London also features Help Us Out and We Cannot Lose recorded at their recent live show in Newcastle. Their second album is due in mid 2006. XXXX
www.thefutureheads.com (Posted 27 October)
Foo Fighters - Resolve new single out 21 November The Foo Fighters return with their third single to be lifted from the excellent double album 'In Your Honour'. More power-riffing you can see live at Radio One's new event Noise & Confusion at Cardiff Millenium Stadium on the 10th December, then Brum, Glasgow, Manchester and two nights at London Earls Court. XXXXx www.foofighters.com (Posted 31 October)
Akira The Don - Clones new single out 21 November Something In Construction signing Akira The Don is preparing for the release of Clones, the first single from his 'Interscope' album. Clones has been built around an Alice Cooper sample, recorded in New York and Los Angeles and is produced by James Brown (not the Singer and Gangster we know and love but the Nine Inch Nails engineer and ex-patriot Brit). Interesting and catchy, Track 2 'Liverpool' has been remixed by Keith Tenniswood - Andy Weatherall's production partner, and Whitey now known as Scott Free provieds a Clones Remix. XXXx www.akirathedon.com (Posted 30 October)
Skin - Alone In My Room new download only single out 7 November Former Skunk Anansie singer Skin has spent the last year in her homebase of Ibiza preparing her second solo album 'Fake Chemical State' due for relese next year. This is a bit of a punky snarler "I would rather spend my time alone in my room than spend it with you!". See her on her 16 date tour in November and December - starting in Norwich on 15 November winding up in Oxford Zodiac on 5th December (Bristol Fleece on 23rd November). XXx www.skinmusic.com (Posted 28 October)
Paul Weller -
Here's The Good News
new single out 28 November The third single from Paul Weller's new album As Is Now will be the Beatles/McCartney's Piano driven 'Here's The Good News' and will include a re-mix by Death In Vegas' Richard Fearless. The great thing about the stirring words and vocals of Weller is that somehow they've never ceased to be relevent, 'News' is a fine song - Top Twenty easily, see The Modfather on an 18 date Tour in November and December (Cardiff International Arena on 26 November). XXXx www.paulweller.com (Posted 28 October)
The Crimea -
Tragedy Rocks new album out now The Crimea's Irish leader Davey McManus is one hell of a live performer and a published author, doesn't use the internet or listen to other bands. He's already created one of my favourite ever songs '1939 Returning' for V2 with The Crocketts. I'm not disappointed with this, the bands first release for Warner Bros. Right from the first chimes of piano on the intro track 'White Russian Gallery' into 'Lottery Winners On Acid' into 'Opposite Ends' and 'Baby Boom' this is formidable material delivered with a unique charisma. Can't wait to see them at Mad4it! at Cardiff Barfly this Friday 28th October. XXXXwww.thecrimea.net (Posted 24 October)
The Subways -
No Goodbyes new single 14 November The Subways brilliant new single 'No Goodbyes' will be their fourth hit from 'Young For Eternity' album. Look out for them on The OC, you'll see them perform 'Rock & Roll Queen' in the US in November and in the UK early in 2006. The band are in the middle of their biggest tour to date and appear at Cardiff University Solus on Monday 31st October, then Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Portsmouth and Reading. XXXxwww.thesubways.net (Posted 24 October)
Antony & The Johnsons -
You Are My Sister new single 21 Nov For some time now, Antony has been raising more than eyebrows in his New York hometown. We know him from winning The Mercury Music Prize a month or so back, and his November/December UK Tour is sold out. An extraordinary achievement which normally is followed by ... well brace yourself Antony ... ask Gomez & Dizzie Rascal ... No doubt the material that wins Mercury has great artistic merit and the touching, beautiful, mellow 'You Are My Sister' is no exception. Sometimes however the Award leaves the public behind. It maybe that this very different material from the very unusual Antony & The Johnsons will break through - I hope so. XXXxwww.antonyandthejohnsons.com (Posted 22 October)
Story Of The Year -
In The Wake Of Determination new album 31 October Story Of The Year are currently touring the US with Funeral For A Friend and release their second album 'In The Wake Of Determination' on Halloween! They'll be in the UK for their Taste Of Chaos Tour starting at Manchester Aollo on 6th November, then Doncaster, Brum, Glasgow, Brighton, Cardiff, and London Brixton Academy on 14th November. Released on Madonna's Maverick Record Label 'We Don't Care Anymore' would make an excellent single. XXXx www.maverick.com/storyoftheyear/site/ (Posted 22 October)
The Young Knives - Decision new single 21 November The Young Knives provide an edgy listen here.
Three young men, drummer Oliver Askew, singer/ guitarist Henry Dartnall and his brother House Of Lords formed the band in rocktastic Ashby-de-la-Zouch (near Donington) eight years ago.
"Manic and menacing" the first choice of the single mums of Halifax are the first signing to Transgressive Records and provide "quintessential Englishness and a Monty Python-esque eccentricity" - well the Arctic Monkeys are Number One ... XXx www.theyoungknives.com (Posted 27 October)
Maccabees - X-Ray
new single 28 November Maccabees hail from Brighton, "She's got X-Ray vision ... ", Arctic style not perhaps strong enough to break the band nationally, but interesting enough to receive a recomendation from The Guardian. XXx (Posted 27 October)
