Jonny Maguire brings soulful vehemence to the Joiners

I haven’t seen the Joiners this crowded since before the smoking ban.

Floods of people came to enjoy the soothing music of Jonny Maguire. Not only would this crowd size be significant for any day, it was on a Sunday.

First up at this gig put on by Solent Uni Students were Twin Kimble. The crowd moved in and sprawled across the odd shaped room as the four lads approached the stage with an undeserved sense of self satisfaction. For a group that’s playing their second show they came across as far too arrogant. The audience didn’t know what to make of them. They were interested enough to stay and listen, but the music just fell on dead ears.

They had hard stomping grooves that made you want to move, but when the vocals came in it was apparent that he was trying way too hard to sound like Jack White.

The support act was up, Nomura, as they climbed up on stage and picked up their instruments, the chatter of the audience was suddenly silenced by the loud surge of music from the stage.

They opened with “Light up the Fire”, the crowd was instantly hooked.
The audience carried on grooving along and Calum, the singer, was giving it his all. Despite having 15 stitches in his lip. 

This passion and vehemence only seemed to grow as the trio powered through their set.

As they progressed further it became apparent at how tight and well suited each member was in the group. The music became louder, with some intense strobes being worked by the lighting.

It was a shame that the audience weren’t moving that much, they seemed as if they wanted too, but a wave of self consciousness was holding them back.

It was definitely a large improvement from the first act.

This held things in the balance for Jonny Maguire, the headline.

How would he follow such intensity, such raw power.

By this point people had emptied the room. The three got up on stage and Jonny was sat there tuning up his acoustic. He announced that this song is about pirates and they went into their opening “Barrels and Bandits”. With the first couple of strums of his acoustic, there was a rush of people and the room was more contained than it had been all evening.

This melancholic, soft, acoustic pop pulled everyone in to see this spectacle. 

Then the three played a couple of covers, with the audience playing the usual theme of the evening and being stood there with a look of bewilderment. Like they’ve never seen somebody play an instrument before, but they like it.

But then who could blame them, the sound and maturity of song writing to come from this 19 year-old was incredible.

They carried on playing, ranging from the melancholic, to the upbeat to the downright heart breaking.

Just as the three neared their last song, Jonny took a second to thank the bands, promoters and the audience before breaking into their song Railways.

They began to play and the crowd finally filled the gap between them and the stage.
The atmosphere relaxed and the little bit of tension which was in the air all night vanished into the abyss.

Nomura play Slades Farm festival

9:15am, on route to Bournemouth. Destination, Slades Farm festival.

The two cars were crammed full of gear and people as we headed down the motorway.

The atmosphere was so intense it could be cut it with a knife, either that or it was just the stink from everybody’s hangover.

As we progressed we found ourselves in tail to tail traffic, as it was an extremely hot sunday; many members of the public were taking refuge at the beach.

As we arrived at this “Sports and Talents event”, which was alcohol-free, there was a general feeling of the uncertainty.

The boys wondered off to find out what the plan of action was. There was a lot of time to kill. We wondered the field, grabbed a bite to eat and then walked through the woods to shade ourselves.

Liam taking it easy before playing.

Eventually it was all set to go. The first act, Billy Brown, came out on the poorly placed stage. It was on the other side of the field, totally away from the main attractions, and had to some how find a way of enticing people to brave the heat and stand in the blazing sun.

Billy played some very melancholic, acoustic folk. By this point my notebook felt on fire as our group sat in the scorching sun, some how trying to forget the fact there was a few hours before they played.

The second act were called Harpin’ On. They played country/rock ‘n’ roll music. That at first sounded interesting, but none of their songs seemed to go anywhere and all sounded alike. With the singer taking breaks from the vocals to amuse us with some harmonica playing.

By this point some of the lads had wondered off to find shade and think about moving their equipment towards the stage.

Once Harpin’ On had finished it was the three’s turn to play. A voice announced that Nomura were on next, although he managed to pronounce the name wrong.

The three grooving out from left: Jack, Liam, Calum

The three climbed up on stage, all without their shirts and looking so beaten by the heat that it was surprising they could stand.

Across the field there was a marching band made up entirely of Batmans that was just aching to be drowned out.

The crowd was mainly consisting of small groups, sat in bunches, sweltering in the sun. The three opened up with “So Good”. A loud thumping sound, like nothing heard that day, came from the stage as a cool breeze met it and ran over the few people who had already gathered. Calum ripped the vocals right on the last line ending at a sudden stop.

They then progressed into playing “Vibrations”. The chilled pace of the rhythm and melody matched the overall mood. By this point Liam’s face was so red he looked as if he was about to pass out.

Jack and Liam playing some heavy grooves.

More people gathered as the sound subtly floated around the field in the heat which left for a light round of applause.

They then announced that they would attempt to pick up the pace. They began to play “Free”, a more funky and hectic tune. Their movement’s were slightly slower from what is usually the standard. They grooved along, pursuing regardless.

When the song came to an end, Calum took the time to thank the audience and give their appreciation.

“Wait Around” followed matching the mood once again with it’s melancholic feel. The clouds began to gather, giving a nice escape from the sun and along with it a cool breeze. Their movements were now a lot slower. However, collectively they swayed and bobbed along.

An intense feeling exploded as they broke into playing “Another Flame.”

Calum persevering through the heat

The music carried through the hot air and danced around the groups of people who were currently trying to ignore the slight tremor from the incessant marching band. The performance was tight, despite the heat. The three were entirely in the zone as they played with such vehemence and passion.

By this point the music had attracted more people, including all the odd balls and freaks. There were the cheeky ones that had snuck alcohol in to this alcohol-free event. There was also a lot of people wondering near the stage with powerful beards.

Calum announced over the mic that it was the trio’s last song and thanked the audience, before strumming the opening to “1X2”.

The three giving their all. From left: Jack, Liam, Calum

Some hard hitting percussion was met by the incredible thumping from Jack’s bass until it peaked and climaxed into the stoner groove. It was an unbelievable sound to be made by just three people.

The sun broke through the clouds to meet the boys last song. Liam seemed to be struggling his way through, with the look of drained determination on his face.

Calum, just got off stage looking hot and drained.

They seemed to get an extremely good reception, whilst the sun kept breaking through the gathering clouds as they finished on a massive explosion of sound and emotion, with some powerful vocals to compliment the brilliance that is Nomura.

Pearl Jam announce new album release ‘Lightning Bolt’

Exciting times for grunge fans everywhere. Over the course of the past years we’ve seen Soundgarden still touring the world, Alice in Chains releasing a new album, Mudhoney also releasing a new album and touring with bands like the Meat Puppets. Even as of yesterday, they were playing on top of the Seattle’s space needle. Oh, and in case you missed my last post, the Pixies released a new song and announced a European tour.

So why bring all this up? What other exciting news could there be?

Well, in case you missed it, Pearl Jam announced yesterday that they will be releasing their 10th Studio album, Lightning Bolt, on 15th October. The highly anticipated album is the group’s first studio album since the release of Backspacer back in 2009. 

The band have also recently announced a North American Tour, and on their ‘Countdown’ section of their website (where they have timers you can watch until they announce something new) there is still information yet to be set off. So fingers-crossed from fans worldwide, there will be an international tour announced.

To wet any fan’s appetite, PJ have released a single from the new album called ‘Mind Your Manners.’ 

The song resonates sounds from previous albums such as ‘Vitalogy’ and ‘Backspacer.’

It’s eerie intro which breaks into a fast, punching, punky beat is accompanied by Vedder’s rough voiced vocal melody that’s sharp and to the point. If this song is a true representation of what’s to be expected for the new album. Then it’s looking like fans will be in for a sharp, concise and to the point LP.

Pearl Jam are one to always out do themselves, even when it doesn’t seem possible. Backspacer is going to be hard to top. However, if ‘Mind Your Manners’ is anything to go by, then ‘Lightning Bolt’ may just do that.

‘Bagboy’, Pixies first song in nine years

The Pixies have released ‘Bagboy’, their first new song since 2004.

Rumours for a new album have been circulating for the past few years, so the release of a new song is promising news for fans.

However, it is strange timing for this release as it comes two weeks after the departure of their bassist, Kim Deal. 

The song itself was released with an accompanying video. The music starts with a very contemporary bass and percussion section with Black Francis’ typical talk-sing style. It is eventually met with the expected eerie, vehement guitar sound, and builds into a melancholic, high sung chorus.

The video itself seems, at first, to portray the day in the life of an emotional child. Beginning with the boy buying bags full of groceries, he then proceeds to cycle home. Once there, it appears as if the imagery is diving into dream sequences, perhaps to portray the teenage angst of this emotional protagonist. We see images of him breaking crockery, taking a bath full of milk and fruit loops, and also running around in a room full of balloons.

Once we’ve taken this journey with him and the end seems to be in sight, the boy begins to completely trash the house. It all clicks into place that these are the items he bought at the start. There was nothing symbolic about the imagery.

The end of the video shows him cycling out of the house as the camera pans round to reveal the true owner tied up. This all happens with the trippy high vocals repeating “Bagboy” in the chorus.

Along with the new single is news of a European tour beginning in September in France. Joining the group on bass is Kim Shattuck, who was the lead singer and guitarist for The Muffs back in the late 80’s. Shattuck has been a member of The Pandoras and The Beards.

The band’s last song was a download only single ‘Bam Thwok” which was released for the band’s re-union in 2004 after their bitter break up in 1993. They have toured on and off for the last nine years.

For anymore news on Pixies check out pixiesmusic.com/new/  and to check out the new video click below.

Queens Of The Stone Age – . . . Like Clockwork

Ever since Oliver Stone’s film ‘The Doors’, it has become a cliche to take peyote and wonder out into the desert for one intense, life changing, drug trip.

If you’re wondering what that trip would be like when it all goes wrong then don’t worry about scoring drugs, traveling, in-fact don’t even worry about going outside. 

Just listen to . . . Like Clockwork. The latest album from Queens Of The Stone Age. This is one intense journey through the desert. One that is impossible to stop. So no worries about Bat Country; then again, that’s the least of your problems.

The intensity starts from the first track ‘Keep Your Eyes Peeled’ and flows nicely into a discordancy that is to be expected from QOTSA. The uneasy sounding verse seeps into an even uneasier chorus.

Josh Homme takes his usual relaxed and lazy approach to vocals, which is partly what gives the band such a unique sound. Stoner Rock is still clearly alive. This becomes more apparent by the second song ‘I Sat By The Ocean’. It has a dirty blues sound with a groove that could have been pulled straight out of the 70‘s.

The album carries on flowing into songs with such intensity. The third track begins with an horrific buzz, as if from an alien spaceship out of an old Sci-Fi film.  As it fades out some beautiful piano begins to play. The rest of the band is lead in by some more intense synth buzzing underneath the vocals and piano playing, as this happy downer slowly progresses.

The album itself has it’s ups and downs, going from a melancholy feel to some fast pace ferocity. This can really be felt in the first single from the album ‘My God Is The Sun’.

The hard fast pace drumming from Dave Grohl pounds through your core, all backed up with a dirty bass line and a stomping guitar. It’s the feeling of being left for dead in the middle of the desert, the end of the song slows down and brings more discordancy, as if it’s  the end of your life, just before it charges back up for a few more hard hitting beats.

The melancholic feel to the LP comes back, the trip has begun to die down now. But it’s still there, lurking in the shadows. ‘Kalopsia’ has a very Pink Floyd-esq sound, like psychedelic lounge music. As the vehemence charges back in and out of the song, it becomes clear that the trust is now gone. This trip has become unpredictable but needs to be finished.

The peak has come and gone. ‘Fairweather Friends’ brings a Zeppelin feel to the album. An interesting fact is that Elton John also contributed to piano and backing vocals on this song, that brings some extraordinary beauty underneath the madness.

More classic antics flow through the album with beautiful noises and un-easement. Vocals going from high to low, solid grooves and strange noises that sound like they’ve been pulled from classic horror films.

Until the final and title track for the album ‘. . . Like Clockwork’. It begins with more beautiful piano and vocals, and slowly builds up until the whole band comes in. The bass has a rock-hard groove with a T-Rex sounding guitar playing over the top. The beautifully stoned sounding song feels as if something terrible is about to take place, even at it’s most relaxed.

An incredible way to wind down from an intense, self produced, trip. Josh Homme and QOTSA have truly outdone themselves.

Nomura’s Self Titled Debut

Ever felt like you’ve heard a band that feels it belongs to a genre but when you go to place them you just can’t? Well this is the perfect description for Nomura’s self titled LP.

The band consists of Calum Newbiggin on guitar and Vocals, Jack Chapman on Bass and Liam Scott on drums.

After playing the south coast for a couple of years, the three piece from Southampton have finally got their genius down onto a nine track LP.  It proves to be an intense ride of emotion, ending with you completely engulfed, as it drags you along from song to song.

The album was recorded at The Ranch Production House by Neil Kennedy and Steve Bega.

One of the many things that make Nomura so distinct is the sheer versatility in their music.

The album opens with theIR track 1X2.  With its real pumping beat it resembles something out of the alternative rock scene from Seattle. Once Calum breaks into his solo it could easily be mistaken for one of Mike McCready’s of Pearl Jam. As the album goes on it twists and turns from fast pace funk to smooth rock ballads, to pop.

After 1X2 you feel yourself bobbing along to the rock ballad that is Better Tmes and then straight into the appropriately named third track, Free. A song with such a huge sound and distinct grove it’s how you’d imagine Led Zeppelin would sound if they took crack and wrote P-Funk. The song builds a sense of un-easement with the fast pace funk and chorus screaming “Wanna be me! So let me be free!”

Then there’s a mellow change with the appearance of the first pop song on the album, Distortion Eyes. This slow paced song is truly beautiful simplicity, with it picking up into Nomura’s unique sound of thumping bass lines and hard hitting drums, to then only flow back into the smooth pop rhythm and melancholy lyrics.

It then bleeds into the atmospheric cry for help of Sweet Ivy. The feeling of loneliness shoots through you as visions of being in a void of nothingness creeps up. This carries on until the transition from depression to anger bursts forwards with the single line “So lonely here, without you.” is repeated, every time becoming more on the edge, until it falls off.

No need to worry as once these lads are done with this beautiful bring down it’s back into some more pop beats with the next three tracks: Vibrations, Another Flame and So Good.

These three bring you out of the darkness and into the summer sun, with a pop rock take that’s like the early Foo Fighters. They’re short, sweet, and to the point.

It then ends with their track Exhale, another appropriately named track. But don’t feel like it’s time to relax just yet, there’s still one last chance for these three to make a memorable last impression. It begins with a dirty grove which develops into a simple rhythm, then slowly grows into a heavier riff that sounds like something from Soundgarden’s Badmotorfinger. It’s as if rock, blues, and pop had an orgy and this song is their baby.

From Left: Liam Scott, Calum Newbiggin, Jack Chapman

Throughout the album subjects like angst, loneliness, and the feeling of being lost or trapped are projected. There’s no specifics to whether this is towards people or some form of object/substance, as the lyrics feel quite metaphoric.

Due to the versatility of the group and the wide range of genres this album spans, it’s hard to nail it down. The most logical answer is one that was jokingly put forward by the group, “Stoner Pop”.

The construction of the physical album is a collaboration of the band and close friends. The artwork was contributed by Olly Hall and the design work by Joe Williams. There’s a special thanks to Steve Chapman on the back, who paid for the sessions at the Ranch.

Overall the album is a work of art and a complete success. They’ve really connected and created a tight, established sound, which is surprising for debut.

For anyone interested in checking out more of Nomura there are links below to a number of pages, where you can find more news on the group and also where you download these tracks.

https://www.facebook.com/NomuraBands/info 

https://twitter.com/NomuraMusic

https://soundcloud.com/uknomura

http://nomura.amazingtunes.com/

http://nomura.bandcamp.com/

Top 10 Surf Songs

The idea for this post was given to me by my friend Thomas Johnson. Since talking to him he has done a post on top 10 songs to work out to. I suggest you check out his blog. http://soundofvinyl.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/top-10-songs-to-work-out-to/

This is my personal top 10 surf songs. Some are songs that are about surfing, some just remind me of surfing for various reasons. It may just be the vibe it gives or because I’ve listened to it on the way to the beach, or maybe because it’s been stuck in my head when I’ve been out in the water.

Music is something that’s very special to me and combining these two passions only seems right. So in my humblest opinion these are the top 10:

Jimi Hendrix – Cry of Love album 

Freedom – Jimi Hendrix

This song always reminds me of the waves. The feeling of paddling as it builds up and then the screech of the guitar molds together with the feeling of dropping in and tearing up a huge wave. The sense of freedom you get with surfing and this appropriately named song just gel together so beautifully. It’s truly intoxicating, Jimi was a genius for sure and this will always be a song that will haunt me in the waves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap5LzKPnyT4

Langhorne Slim – When the Sun goes down

In The Midnight – Langhorne Slim

It’s been a while since I’ve heard this song. It always reminds me of getting up early and travelling to the beach. My surfing buddy Alex Smith recommended this band to me. He would put the album ‘When the sun’s gone down’ on and I fell in love with this song. I’d find myself playing it over and over again whilst paddling around in the surf.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oSBH0wxJOo

 

Damian Marley – Welcome to Jamrock

All Night – Damian Marley Ft. Stephen Marley 

When I was younger Alex and I used to go skating nearly every weekend. We spent the summer listening to loads of reggae, especially anything by on of the Marley brothers. We still put these songs on when we’re in the car on the way to the beach. This song just seems to fit for me as it reminds me of riding waves and concrete. Although it’s not related to surfing at all, it’s such a good song with a brilliant vibe to it, for me it’s the same vibe I get from surfing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJMTVD9rHDQ

Eddie Vedder – Ukulele Songs

Cant Keep – Eddie Vedder 

It’s not surprise that Mr. Vedder would turn up on this list. A long time musician and surfer he knows exactly how to capture the feeling of the waves. This song itself is mesmorising and the video helps capture this perfectly with the choice of images it uses.

The comforting feeling of the ukulele strummed at a fast pace and accompanied by Eddie’s golden voice just works beautifully. Its a song that makes me think of the times when the sea becomes calm and you just drift in the sun waiting for the next wave in between sets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W0B-1iF6S4

Black Flag – Nervous Breakdown ep

Nervous Breakdown – Black Flag 

The build up as it bursts into the song keeps you pumping and fighting through the swells. You feel like a bullet from a gun as you come firing out of this insanity and drop into the wave. You’re “going berserk” as you start cutting back and tearing up the waves. You know you’re going to feel it the next day when you’re surfing to something like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS9B9lLmULE

John Butler Trio – April Uprising

Gonna Be A Long Time – John Butler Trio

If you can think of a summery song, I’m always interested. John Butler has been known for simple songs and some of the most complicated crazy licks that your ears will ever hear.

This is definitely one of his more simplistic songs and coincidentally one of my favourites. It’s from the trio’s latest album April Uprising. It’s the sound of summer and the beach to me. Sitting on the shore and watching the waves, just relaxing with some beers until you feel that you have become music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aIRU-Jz6Ig

Soundgarden – Superunknown

My Wave – Soundgarden 

The haunting and peculiar introduction could be nothing but Soundgarden. It is the unique sound that fans have fallen in love with since the late 80’s. My interpretation of the meaning is that it’s all about doing what feels good as long as your not bringing anyone else down. This to me is the exact philosophy to surfing in crowds. In the words of Chris Cornell “Keep it off my wave.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWdP8B4BHss

Screaming Trees – Uncle Anaesthesia

Ocean of Confusion – Screaming Trees 

Charging waves to this beat leaves you with the image of a crazed coke head on a freak out with a knife. The sound completely engulfs your aura and nothings left but a possessed shell riding waves like nobody’s business. It is soon apparent that the pumping percussion becomes hypnotic with this post psychedelic sound from the 90’s. I love the Screaming Trees and this is a song that brings the feeling of waves and sun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3jlERT_SRo

Xavier Rudd – White Moth

Come Let Go – Xavier Rudd

With a soothing offbeat rhythm that transports you to a tranquil paradise. The feeling of floating on the ocean whilst the waves slowly drift you out into the silence of the sea. This song has to be in the top ten as it really does just make you want to let go, and leaves you completely mindful. All that maters is the moment you’re living in. Xavier Rudd is a genius and I suggest if you haven’t listened to him then you definitely need to check him out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KHVKN0UH34

Pearl Jam – Backspacer

Amongst The Waves – Pearl Jam 

This has to be number one for me. It may seem a little cliche but It really just takes you straight there, the feeling of just “riding high amongst the waves.” For any surfer they’ll know exactly what i’m talking about right now.But regardless of wether you surf or not it’s still an incredible and intense song. I could get all descriptive and use a colourful range of language to describe this one to you, but to be honest you should just listen to it instead of reading what I have to say on this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMfkiAs1X1Q