I first heard Hannah Robinson play at the Bournemouth University Freshers Fair. With a sound that is enchanting (she has been nicknamed the “Soulful Songstress of the South”),  my flatmate and I were completely immersed in her music-give it a listen and you will be too.

She is currently in the middle of recording her debut album, competing in the final of acoustic showcase 'Bournemouth Unplugged 2012', and playing numerous shows around Bournemouth, so we're very grateful that she took the time to answer a few questions for Alt Jukebox:

1.Firstly, why should people come and check you out at your shows?

People should come and check out my shows because generally the local music scene needs people to support it and keep it going. Specifically, if people like soulful acoustic live music then I hope they would enjoy my performances.

2. How did your music career come about? Was it something you've always wanted to do?
My music career began with my big brother teaching me my first 4 chords on the guitar -I continued to teach myself and play songs at home. I then began to sing with friends for fun, as I was in quite a musical social group. I joined a local band as a vocalist for a couple of years, where I got a lot of experience and opportunity to perform, and then I went solo - I was about 16 at this time. When I turned eighteen I was able to got to bars and venues to do open mics and gigs at showcase nights, and at 19 I decided to leave my part-time job and begin my career in music.

3.Who are the bands/artists to have influenced you?
My influences range from my childhood and the music I was exposed to; music on the radio in the 90s, and the music my parents played in the car and in the house. I grew up listening to David Bowie, T-Rex, Faithless, REM, Queen, Leftfield... I blame exposure to The Beautiful South and Suede at a young age for my melancholy streak. When I was a teenager I got into rock music of the time, but I still listened to other genres too. Later into my teens I got into soul music - I think this was through getting into reggae and roots music - and then into blues. All of these genres are still a big passion of mine. I have a diverse record collection.

4.You are currently in the middle of recording your debut album. How's it going?

The album is going well, thanks for asking. I'm very happy with my choice of studio, songs and musicians. I'm satisfied that the songs sound as they did in my imagination, sometimes better! I'm enjoying the process and I'm excited about eventually holding the finished product in my hands and taking a long breath out. And hearing what you make of it...

5.You are also a member of local blues band Paint it Blue-do you find it hard splitting your time between your solo work and your band? What's it like to do both?

I have put a lot of time and energy into Paint It Blue, and I still do, but certain changes have meant I've had more time available to put into my solo material, with the band still progressing too. Paint It Blue has been going nearly four years, but I was writing songs and playing solo before we formed the band, so to me my solo work is not a new venture. Doing both certainly keeps me busy, but I think I have the balance right. I think the band is more of an act with a big sound, and the solo stuff is more intimate and stripped back. I enjoy doing both.

6.What are your plans for the rest of 2012?

My musical plans for 2012 are to complete the album, get it 'out there' and aim to do new things that perhaps would not be so easy to do before. For example, playing festivals and larger venues. I'd love to travel.

7.Thank you for your time. Finally, what tips would you give to young singer-songwriters like yourself?

I would advise young singer-songwriters to play and write as much as they can. Might sound obvious, but you truly get out what you put in. If you're looking for gigs then record a good demo and get out there getting to know and talk to people. The more often you perform, the more natural it will become to you.

Favourites Section

Favourite Record: 

The Empyrean - John Frusciante

Favourite Film: 

Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window (Rope is also fantastic).

Favourite Music Venue: 

Shepherds Bush Empire has a lot of history and beautiful facades.

Favourite Bar/Pub: 

The Trengilly Wartha near Constantine in Cornwall.

Favourite Record Store: 

Square Records in Wimborne is a cool shop as it's a surviving local independent record store. I'm a sucker for FOPP too, a very limited chain with shops dotted around the UK, I always find a bargain.

Favourite Clothing Store: 

H&M

Check Hannah out on:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hannahrobinsonmusic/info

Myspace: http://myspace.com/123han

Youtube: http://youtube.com/HanAcousticMusic

TH

Every now and again a band buzzes on the scene that you become with obsessed with. You study every inch of the web looking for interviews and reviews, youtube them whilst watching attentively and look for download links on blogs or any material you have yet to hear. It is fair to say I have been doing this for Splashh a lot recently. 

Bands are often hyped up and buzz band statuses are thrown about like there is no tomorrow in the music industry, so often when you listen to one of these so called breakthrough band they are actually shit (For god sake Brother were tipped by NME for big success). Sometimes you get a brilliant surprise though, a feeling which I can only imagine can be beaten by winning zillion and zillion of pounds on Euromillions. Splashh are one of these bands that do not disappoint after hearing good things about them, I set about listening to them and fell in love instantly. 

This may sound like me brown nosing Splashh but here is the reasons they are my favourite new band. Firstly their name is pretty groovy and their tunes are brilliant bits of lo-fi magic. There are loads of lo-fi bands about at the moment but Splashh seem to do everything better than anyone else. "All I Wanna Do" their first single is a gem and set to be the soundtrack of my summer. All their other songs are also great and leaving me wanting to hear more. Splashh also seem to be pretty neat with their super cool videos for "All I Wanna Do" and "Lemonade". Lastly their cover artwork for "All I Wanna Do" is mega and hopefully soon it will get a release on vinyl as it would be a lovely little sleeve to have. Apparently they are pretty good live too...hopefully I can check them out soon. I don't know what there is not to love about Splashh...their RADDDDDD! sc

A yearly time lapse of the Margate coastline would show a varying mixture of grey, blue and sun kissed landscapes. The sound of Two Wounded Birds debut reflects these landscapes with a mix of Glasvegasesque doomy rock and instantly catchy tracks in the same mould as The Vaccines debut. "Together Forever" fizzes past quickly and is a slice of summer rock n roll bliss. "Outer World" is the standout moment and in truth should be the finale. The track has a brooding beginning, before elevating into a midst of swirling and spiralling guitars that are worthy of parting the Margate coastline just like Moses did to the Red Sea. Although this album breaks no new ground it is likely to stick in your heard for a while to come and is a dam more enjoyable ride then any of the seaside attractions Margate has to offer. SC
7/10

The Vaccines have returned...well after a couple of months out of the spotlight.  After a year producing one of the finest debuts, smashing every festival and becoming everybody's favourite new band. "No Hope" struts it's way in to your ears and is as cocksure as it should be. Justin Young's voice is much rawer, giving their sound a new refreshing twist while the rest of the music blasts around in Strokesy style. Second album syndrome???? On the evidence of "No Hope" it looks like The Vaccines are going to propel even higher in the indie world! sc

The weather has been surprisingly nice recently and I don't know about you, but I have been blaring out some summery songs. A while back on here I created a summer song Spotify playlist and have now created an alt jukebox Spotify account to publish it. We are on a quest for the perfect summer playlist and we need your help. I have set the options to collaborative so anyone can add songs (you may have to subscribe) so please add the tunes that you play on holiday, festival favourites, stuff you are looking forward to hear this summer and just tunes that make you want to run down the street shouting "I Love Summer". SC

The Horrors ended their UK headline tour in Brixton on Friday, and threw so much noise and spectacular lights at the audience that my head nearly exploded with joy. Dare I say, the best gig I've ever been to? It was always going to be an ace night, as the band's songs are made to be played to a roaring crowd.

I missed the support acts but arrived just in time to see Faris and the lads stroll out onto the stage. With a brilliant crowd brewing with young hipsters and middle-aged blokes in Unknown Pleasures tees getting their post punk fix, The Horrors broke into 'Mirror's Image'. Faris' ominous vocals dragged fans further and further towards the front just in time for the brilliant 'Who Can Say'. 'Sea Within A Sea' was the dog's bollocks, with the crowd grateful for it's arrival like rain in a drought.  I don't normally notice lighting at gigs, but here they acted as the band's sixth member. Projecting outwards onto the audience, The Horrors were essentially silhouettes, which made the focus more on the awesome music. Don't actually know what most of them look like. If the drummer was outside after the gig offering people Toffos from a paper bag I'd ask myself- 'who is that bloke?' and 'why does he have Toffos? They stopped making them about 9 years ago.'

Personal highlight was 'Changing The Rain', which had arms a-waving and a-swaying. It was just brilliant. Just the noise of it all, really. The bass, the drums, it was all a sort of beautiful wall of sound. 'Still Life' was inevitably excellent, and was followed by an encore of 'You Said' and 'Moving Further Away' which evolved into a crazed feedback driven swirl of neverending music. Wish I was a bigger fan as I wasn't familiar with all the tracks, it was so, so good though. See them if you can! JB

There have been some truly fantastic albums released so far this year. The likes of The Maccabees, Mystery Jets, Graham Coxon and Cloud Nothings were very unlucky to miss out on my top five albums of the year so far, while hugely promising and exciting debut albums by the likes of Tribes and Django Django didn't make the cut. In truth these albums all interchange intermittently and so by tomorrow expect my list to be completely different to my top five here:

5) Silversun Pickups-Neck of the Woods

Silversun Pickups' third album is a master-class in shoegaze. Where previous albums had seen the band dismissed by many as sounding too similar to The Smashing Pumpkins, 'Neck of the Woods' saw the band really take a step in their own direction, with their distorted guitar sound coupled with intelligent lyrics and some fantastic drumming.

4) Howler-America, Give Up

Hyped as the new Strokes, much was expected of New York five piece Howler before their debut album dropped in January. Full of superb songs, tremendous hooks and catchy lyrics, Howler's debut was as exciting for the future of indie music as it was to listen to at the time. The hype may have cooled since then, but take nothing away from what is still one of the best albums of the year so far.

3) Blood Red Shoes-In Time To Voices

Fantastically dark, Blood Red Shoes' third album burst onto the scene in March and established their credentials as one of Britain's most underrated and exciting bands. While previous albums, good as they were, felt slightly raw, this effort sees a band seemingly at peace with who they are-one of the most talented rock 'n' roll bands around.

2) Jack White-Blunderbuss

Ahh Jack White. One of the most influential artists of the 21^st Centuries, he has been very quiet since the White Stripes split last year (the less said about his perplexing decision to work with the terrible 'Insane Clown Posse' the better). Not that that should come as much surprise-secrecy and mystique has always played a large part in everything Jack White has done. His first effort as a solo artist, therefore, doesn't surprise in being largely open to debate about who or what inspired it. Jack White's vague answer of it being inspired by death could mean any number of things; the 'death' of the White Stripes, the 'death' of his marriage, you name it. It could literally mean anything and one thing for sure is that Jack isn't telling. Of course, amongst reports of reviewers being sent the lyric sheets rather than a copy of the album, this is probably what Jack wants.

What emerges from the secrecy is a truly superb album. The lyrics are astounding. The music is encapsulating. This album is pure Jack White, and I can give it no higher praise than that.

1) The Cribs-In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull

The departure of Johnny Marr from the Cribs was intriguing for a number of reasons: firstly in the effect that one of Britain's most treasured indie guitarist from one of Britain's most treasured indie bands of all time would have on joining one of Britain's most exciting indie bands of the 21^st century, and secondly how would his departure affect them. The first question was answered with the release of the Crib's fourth studio album 'Ignore the Ignorant' which saw the band couple their intelligent wordplay and catchy hooks with a far more refined sound than on their previous records.

The second question is answered with aplomb on the fantastic 'In The Belly of the Brazen Bull', a master-class in exciting tunes. All of the best bits from the previous albums are married together in the Jarman's finest hour to date. It's the most exhilarating album of the year so far.

TH

If you haven't heard of Bristol four-piece towns yet, you soon will have. Reminiscent of 90's shoegazers' ride, this band have a very bright future. They are currently being hyped by music magazine 'The Fly' as a band to watch and are becoming more and more noticed by the UK's wider music media. They are just about to embark on a UK tour so now is the perfect time to go and check them out! 

The band's guitarist JP very kindly took the time to answer some questions for Alt Jukebox

1)Firstly, you're about to kick off a number of dates across the UK-Are you looking forward to the tour? Why should people come and see you?  

Yeah we're all really looking forward to the tour.  People should come see us if they enjoy loud, exciting guitar bands or listen to bands that are can be vaguely described as shoegaze, britpop or baggy.  The fact that we’re touring with Sulk ensures people will get to see two amazing bands for the price of one.

 

2)What bands/artists have been the main influences on your career?

Macca and I first met at school over a shared love of The Cooper Temple Clause... He leant me Kick Up The Flames and the rest, as they say, is history. As teenagers, when the four of us first started hitting town together, bands like The Cribs, Libertines and Oasis would form the soundtracks to our nights out. But what really inspires us to be Towns is our love of bands like My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, Ride, Chapterhouse, Slowdive, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Stone Roses, the list could go on...

3)You've been featured in the NME's Radar pages. How did it feel to get recognition as a 'band to watch'?

It's nice to get recognition.  But I hope people do more than just watch… come get involved, go to a show, buy some music, share with your friends, and check out our mate’s bands.  People have the opportunity to make their own history.

4)Is there a story behind the name 'Towns'? How did the band form?

When James and I first met at school we would watch his Uncle’s band called Eastertown.  They were named after a local village.  We were too young to be there but always managed to find a way to sneak in.  We took the name from there. We liked Towns because it was simple and has no meaning.

Towns formed this time last year, but in reality we’ve been dreaming of being a band for years.  But it’s only recently that we decided to make it happen.  We’ve all known each other since school and became really good mates during college.  It just feels natural.  I guess we’re quite unique in that respect.

 

5)What are your plans for the rest of 2012?

We’ve just finished another few days recording with Owen Morris, so I expect those songs will be released later this year.  We have our first show outside of the UK to look forward to, we’re playing a festival in Germany over the summer. Later in the year we’ll be also be playing Boardmaster’s and some other festivals that we can't announce yet and in the past two weeks we've played shows at Great Escape with Howler and Liverpool Soundcity with History of Apple Pie and Bleached-our biggest shows to date.  

6)You guys come from Bristol. Are there any up-and-coming bands from Bristol that people should check out (aside from your good selves of course)?

Bristol is an amazing place to be at the moment.  There are so many talented and creative people who all make great music and art.  I would recommend checking out Howling Owl Records (http://howlingowlrecords.tumblr.com/). 

Howling Owl Records is a micro label from Bristol who specializes in special DIY releases on limited runs of cassette tape and vinyl.  So far everything they’ve released has sold out. We first met Joe and Adrian, who run Howling Owl, this time last year when they put Heads Off on their first ever release.  Then to celebrate Record Store Day last month we did a split vinyl with them that featured Too Tired and now they’re about to release a limited run of tapes for our new single ‘Just Everything’ which is coming out on the 28th May. 

But my personal favourites form Bristol are Spectres, The Naturals, Velcro Hooks and GuMM.  But there are so many good bands in Bristol that every week there’s a new gig that blows your mind.

 

7)Thanks for your time. Finally, what's been your favourite moment from being in the band? Any amusing stories?

There are loads of funny stories to tell.  But I wouldn’t be at liberty to share.

Favourite Section

Favourite record? 

This is hard… but lets just say I’m buying all the My Bloody Valentine re-masters on vinyl when they come out.

Favourite film? 

Drive. Has an incredible soundtrack and is beautifully shot.

Favourite music venue? 

The Crypt.

Favourite bar/pub? 

Anywhere cheap.

Favourite record store? 

Rise in Bristol.

Favourite clothing store? 

Anywhere cheap.

TH

A few days before the show, Mystery Jets' singer Blaine Harrison stated on the bands official website that Brixton Academy was the show the band have been waiting to play since they started out. This is their largest show to date As a band from London, this is it. This is the big one. Blaine ends his message with a call to “make this one to remember.” This is a night that nobody who was there-either the band or their devoted the fans-will ever forget.

First the support. Both Peace and Theme Park were impressive, while Slow Club are the definition of a support band you would pay the ticket price to see on their own. I have long been an admirer of this boy-girl duo, and they certainly did not disappoint. 


Rebecca Taylor and Charles Watson are largely unappreciated by the wider music public despite releasing two fantastic albums-a point shown here by a decidedly mixed crowd reaction to their set-with half the audience seemingly content to talk incessantly until the Mystery Jets turned up (some even kept on while the Mystery Jets were playing), while those who actually bothered to listen were rewarded beautifully. 


Rebecca Taylor, suprisingly not clad in the now infamous “Rotherham is the New Berlin” t-shirt which had threatened to become her trademark, is the seemingly louder of the duo. Initially beginning playing percussion, she then proceeded to showcase her talents as a guitarist, then a drummer and finally moved to simply being on vocals, where she displayed an exceptional voice that made all in the venue sit up and take notice. Indeed, it was only once Rebecca had taken a step back from the front of the stage to play the drums that the audience were allowed to appreciate the delicate skills of Charles Watson. This duo have a bright future.

Finally, the main event. The background of the stage is an epically mountainous landscape, reminiscent of the scene invoked by listening to the bands fourth album 'Radlands'-all Southern US deserts and mountain ranges. Slowly, music begins to sound-a beat which only serves to excite the crowd, and suddenly a blood-red sun begins to set behind the mountains. The Mystery Jets come on the stage to tumultuous applause. The audience bays for the opening track, which turns out to be 'Someone Purer', the first single from the new album.

This is then followed by some of the Mystery Jets earlier hits, namely 'Half In Love With Elizabeth' and 'Serotonin', before the band really kick into material from the new album, with 'The Greatest Hits', 'The Hale Bop', 'Radlands', and 'Sister Everett' all given an airing. All of these songs are performed with such infectious energy that it is impossible not to move with them, and, although not everybody in the audience knows the words, the choruses are as catchy as any the Mystery Jets have done and people quickly catch on. 'Sister Everett' in particular is a highlight, with guitarist Bill Rees explaining that the track is based on a buisness-card-carrying nun that the band encountered on a flight who, upon learning of them being in a band spent the entire journey attempting to discourage them from this hedonistic path. Enveloped within these tracks is 'Dreaming of Another World' from the album Serotonin.

Next comes a triple header from the bands second album '21'. 'Veiled in Grey' is followed by the crowd-pleasing tracks of 'Young Love' and 'Two Doors Down'. Rumours of a Laura Marling cameo appearance on 'Young Love' were disappointingly unfounded but both of these songs are fabulous. Both of them raise the roof, with every single man, woman and child in the audience knowing every single word. The excitement that greets these songs is almost tangible.

Lost In Austin', 'Show Me The Light' and 'Behind the Bunhouse' are next. 'Show Me The Light' is dedicated by the band to “a very special person, someone who will always be a Mystery Jet”. Even before it is confirmed by Blaine the audience know it is for Kai Fish, the ex-bassist of the band who recently left after completion of the 'Radlands' album. When Blaine announces that a very special guest will join them onstage for their last song of their set, 'Behind the Bunhouse', the audience dares to dream that Kai Fish will rejoin his former band onstage. Alas it is not he, but the special guest is just as exciting-Blaine's father, Henry Harrison, who, while playing on albums, does not appear as a live member of the band anymore. However, with the enthusiasm that he brings to his cameo appearance it is difficult to see why he declines to play reguarly. Whatever the reason, it brings the show to a fantastic conclusion.

It is perhaps telling that despite the nostalgia of playing what is obviously such an important gig for the band and the introductions of and dedications to former members, none of the songs from the bands first album is played. It's almost as if a Horrors-esque disownment of a debut album far removed from the bands current sound has occurred.

An encore of 'Alice Springs', 'Flash a Hungry Smile' and 'Flakes'. All of these are met with fervent devotion from an audience who realise that they are witnessing something special. After the end of 'Flakes', both the band and audience are showered with gold flakes-a sense of shared achievement at what can only be seen as this bands' greatest victory so far.

Blaine Harrison implored the audience for support throughout the Mystery Jets set with cries of “Are you with us!” On this evidence it's hard not to be. A fantastic band who played a fantastic set and seemingly have a fantastic future. TH

SETLIST:

Someone Purer

Half in Love With Elizabeth

Serotonin

Greatest Hits

The Hale Bop
Dreaming of Another World
Radlands
Sister Everett
Veiled in Grey
Young Love
Two Doors Down
Lost In Austin
Show Me The Light
Behind the Bunhouse
---------------------
Alice Springs
Flash A Hungry Smile
Flakes

Fred Macpherson is no stranger to being in a band. Good bands at that too. His first band 'Les Incompetents' split after just a few singles. 'Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man.', his second effort, went the same way. Spector it seems are likely to go further than that as, after much delay, Macpherson takes great delight in telling the massed crowd at the Electric Ballroom the exclusive news that Spector's much anticipated debut album 'Enjoy It While It Lasts' is due to be released on the 13^th August, much to the delight of those witnessing a terrific performance from a band who may very well be about to provide the hottest album of your summer.

'Enjoy It While It Lasts' does seem to be an apt title for a band whose main on-stage quips revolve around Macpherson's amusing self-deprecation, apologising to the crowd for not meeting expectations or promising that it'll be all over soon. Not that anyone wants the gig to be over. Spector are fantastic. They are one of the most exciting bands around and their debut album must surely match the hype if this showcase of songs-some familiar, others not-is to be believed. These past 12 months have been an unstoppable rise. Less than a year ago, Spector opened for the Vaccines on this very stage. They are now a band well capable of selling out headline shows at such venues. Coupled with well-recieved appearances on Jools Holland, increasing critical acclaim with each new release and a highly anticipated debut album, the future looks increasingly bright for Spector.

Kicking things off with a frenetic rendition of 'What You Wanted', the band get the audience moving straight away. This is followed by 'Grey Shirt and Tie', before the band launch into a number of so-far unreleased songs, with 'Friday Night, Don't Ever Let It End' and 'Lay Low' (which sees Spector leave the stage before playing the song's fantastically vigorous finale). The audience reacted well to all of the new songs, ahead of the singles 'Chevy Thunder' and 'Celestine' which provoke a sing-along end to what has been a fantastic set, the latter in particular, despite only having been released a few days ago.

Interestingly enough the only issue I can take from the night is a slight criticism of the performance of Fred Mcpherson. Don't get me wrong, his stage persona is extremely likeable and funny, but I feel that he is far better when he adopts a fairly stationary pose as a frontman, rather than jumping around, as this enables him to really engage with the songs that he sings and my word he sings them well.

After a short absence, the band return for the encore. Beginning with a tremendously dark cover of 'Nightcrawler', for which the help of support acts Violet and Gabriel Bruce are enlisted, the band then wrap up the evening with the anthemic 'Never Fade Away', which proves to be the highlight of the night with the audience clapping and singing along with increased fervour. Overall a superb performance by Spector, and one which serves to emphasise just how special this band is. All of Macpherson's previous bands failed to release debut albums after promising beginnings-on the evidence of this gig Spector are about to release an exceptional one.

TH

SETLIST

What You Wanted

Grey Shirt and Tie

Friday Night, Don't Ever Let It End

No Adventure

Lay It Low

Upset Boulevard

Chevy Thunder

Celestine

-------------

Nightcrawler (Judas Priest Cover)

Never Fade Away

Last night saw folk tinged Indie-rockers To Kill A King take to the stage at Barfly in Camden. With a nice balance of intimacy and grandeur, their set was a real antidote to that Monday chagrin.

Support band Story Books were great with their set of slow burners, and created a good atmosphere for the headliners who were greeted warmly by the crowd.  Bravely opening without amps or mics, lead singer Ralph Pelleymounter began to play, with the rest of the band armed only with their voices. The TKAK lads then sprang into action with the superb 'Bloody Shirt' taken from the E.P of the same name released last year.
 Highlight for me was 'Funeral', a lovely little number that builds up to a brilliant climax. The chorus shares the same euphoria of going to the toilet after a long car journey, if I may so eloquently say.

With a bouquet of sweet harmonies, riffsome riffs and Ralph Pelleymounter's blatant talent for songwriting, the audience were ultimately charmed by this splendid evening. I look forward to seeing them again at Field Day, check them out if you're not familiar with them, reall good stuff. Here's a video for 'Funeral', it's like Werthers Originals for your ears. JB

Huge thanks to VLAD for giving us this new track before anyone else. The opening riff is very big, loud and grungy before the Brett Anderson reminiscent vocals start, which carries onto a series of memorable lines beginning with “I Wish…” whilst riffs blast in the background. Check it out via the soundcloud link below its brill! Sc

VLAD-CAPTAIN SCARLET by altjukebox

Bos Angeles are a really cool band with some brill tracks. I send over some q's for Rich Board the brawn and brains behind the band... here is the replies I got.

Firstly, is the name Bos Angeles a big up to Boscombe?

Yeah, I grew up in Boscombe so wanted the band name to relect name that. Bosc Vegas was a shady name and was already taken by an off-license so went with Bos Angeles.

I understand the line up has changed, can you talk us through what happened?

It just didnt work out. Bad habits and all the heavy stuff that happen in life meant it couldn't carry on the way it did. It's a shame but these things happen.

Currently im working with two buds of mine, the drummer from Yoofs and the guitarist/singer from Blackwater. They helped me out on the Beach Slalom recordings when Bos first started so they know what they're doing haha!

I love all your songs, however "You're The One I Want" really stood out at The Winchester, could you tell us what the song is about and the writing process for it?

Its about a girl I was getting to know... It was the first song I wrote about my own personal experiences. Normally I would write about mental illness or domestic violence as they made really good love songs but after 60th/70th song I kinda lost interest in that idea.

Normally the process for writing the music for all the songs is the same. I know the whole son before I pick up my guitar. I think a few ideas through and sketch out the whole song in my head within a couple hours. The hard part is transcribing the song to real instruments which can take a while...

What do you make of the comparisons you have recieved to The Drums and New Order?

The Drums are one of the most perfect pob bands around and New Order have some of the best indie tunes I have ever heard so the comparisons are very much welcome! As an accolade its not so important though it gives me and idea how people listen and percieve my songs.

How was playing with DZ Deathrays, did you get to meet the band reenact The Mess Up (Jaegermeister, throwing up galore) music video?

It was a really cool experience. Half got the feeling no one really knew/cared who we were and just went for DZ but that kinda made it more fun in a way... no pressure yeah

Hmmm... Now I've left Bournemouth I have no reson to drink Jaeger bombs!

Your an ex ice cream seller, so what is your favourite flavour?

Vanilla scoop in a black coffee. No regrets.

How was playing the 100 club last year, did the gig have a big significance due to the history of the place?

It was a really shady performance and kinda regret it... got some free shoes though. Its a cool venue but the history and the prestige isnt so important to me. I never really think about that sort of thing.

Bournemouth has some pretty cool bands about at the moment, is this something you are proud of?

Yeah its pretty cool but i'll never admit it. Half of them are my mates so I'm just gonna take the piss and say they're shit hahaa

Now everything is stable for BA, will there be lots more new recording and gigs on the way?

Possible. I'm sitting on an EP worth of demos i've written in the last couple of months. I'm just unsure what to do with it...

Maybe a few gigs over summer. At the moment my time is divided up between getting baked, going on dates, going to university and doing Bos Angeles. Finding time to do band stuff is HAAARRRRDDD.... Hahaha.


Favourite Section
Favourite Record? Braid- Frame & Canvas
Favourite Film? DIY or DIE
Favourite Music Venue? Joiners (Southampton)
Favourite Bar/Pub? The Winchester (Bournemouth)
Favourite Record Store? Hospital Radio Bedside (Boscombe)
Favourite Clothing Store? British Red Cross (Southbourne)

SC

Loads of great records have been released this year already, there may not have been all that many from the so called rock n roll big hitters, but there has still been many plays that are a real treat for our ears. I have selected my top five of the year so far, which was hard enough and would properly change tomorrow. Anyhow here it is:

5. Weird Dreams- Choreography

The guitars chime as the music blossoms with contagious charm and intelligent songcraft. 

4. Pond-Beard, Wives, Denim

Eye widening, jaw dropping and a fun filled album, full of psych rock which explodes all over the place.

 

3. Oberhofer-Time Capsules II

The Strokes meet MGMT, with this gleaming eccentric mix of pop glistened rock n roll songs.

 

2. Graham Coxon- A+E

Schizophrenic thrashes of guitars, jolts of krautrock and the best song about the M1 ever.

1. Mystery Jets- Radlands

God thank Texas and the shack Mystery Jets retreated to for this album, the result is the best indie album of the year thus far, full of choruses and guitar driven rock n roll perfection.

SC

For those of you who have not heard of Two Wounded Birds they sound like a US West Coast surf rock group, but in fact are UK South-East Coast rockers from Margate. This track is the opposite of the sunshine inspired rock n roll melodies you expect, instead a delicate track filled with heartfelt lyrics on loneliness. Much more like the sounds you would expect coming from Margate distinctively British and bleak, yet brimming with beauty. sc

I have been feeling very nostalgic recently remembering the memories from last summer’s festivals and getting excited about the forthcoming festival season. So I am going to post a summary of each of last year’s festivals, the highs and lows etc…if you are remotely interested please read and relive the good times with me.

Festival: Reading

In a tweet: Jarvis woos the crowd with a spectacular performance. 

Highlight: Pulp was one of the best performances I have ever seen (at Glasto I was up on the hill not in the crowd). Jarvis was on brilliant form and had us all wrapped around his little finger. Sunday was really fun- the cling/cberg (for those unaware Carling/Carsbergs) consumption rate hit an all-time high. 

Low point: The Bollocks to Poverty was fun the first couple of nights…until you had memorised the order of tracks they played every night at the exact same time. “Its 12.45pm must be time for The Strokes Last Nite”. Right on queue it is played- come on DJ Dan mix it up you muppet!

Bands: The Horrors, Yuck, Miles Kane, The Kills, Pulp, The Strokes, White Lies, Noah and the Whale, The Vaccines.

What I Thought: Had a big gang at Reading so made it really fun, we managed to buy a marquee on the last day and shelter there under the rain… whilst having the stereotypical festival sing-along to “Wonderwall”. The music and festival vibes were brilliant… I hope The Cure are as good as Pulp were last year! sc

Every so often you listen to an album for the first time more in hope than any real expectation. Of course you know the band. You've listened to what they've done previously and think that you know what to expect. However what emerges from your speakers is simply staggeringly brilliant. That is definitely the case with the Silversun Pickups new album, 'Neck of the Woods'. Their previous two albums could have been by the Smashing Pumpkins. This record sees them take a step in their own direction and my word do they impress.

Silversun Pickup's sound has always been distinguished by the distortion of guitars, but here this takes a back seat and the frenzied drumming of Chris Gualano takes centre-stage, coupled with some superb lyrics. Lead single 'Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)' is a highlight, as are tracks such as 'Dots and Dashes (Enough Already)' and opener 'Skin Graph', but in all honesty you'd be hard pushed to find a weak track on this brilliant album. 

Coming in at just under an hour long, it is surprisingly easy to immerse oneself in and is the sort of album that you could listen to repeatedly and still discover new aspects of the tracks to enjoy on each listen. This album a real treat for any fans of the musical genre shoegaze. TH

9/10

The test of time seems to be damning Howler to that murky grave populated by bands who, once the initial hype over them has worn down, begin to descend into criticism from those that previously lauded them-a road that eventually leads to an overblown/mediocre/boring second album (or in a number of cases, all three), career stagnation and ultimately mediocrity and irrelevance.

Howler were hyped more than most-the now epic tale of Rough Trade flying across the Atlantic on the strength of an unofficial bootleg recording of the band has been told many times before. Critical acclaim from the likes of the NME and a promising debut album culminated in a number of sold-out UK shows which I had the privilege of watching in January of this year. These shows were exciting. They were alive with the spark of a band who had unlimited potential. The audience knew every word to every song and talked of Howler being heirs to The Strokes. This band, it seemed, were the future.

And yet, it seems much has changed between visits to the UK. Less than 5 months have passed and Howler's return to the UK was met with far less enthusiasm and excitement than the previous show. I still firmly believe that Howler are a great band with a very potentially exciting future, but there were murmurs among the crowd that Howler have failed to live up to their hype and are not the “next big thing”. This to me is unfair as the majority of those people were comparing everything about the band to The Strokes, a band who are arguably the best band since the turn of the millennium. Howler are NOT The Strokes. There may be similarities but Howler are a band that deserves to be given a chance to develop into a fantastic band, rather than criticised for not being as good as the Strokes. That said sometimes Howler don't help themselves-during 'Pythagorean Fearem' Howler front-man Jordan Gatesmith loses his guitar and begins an attempt to replicate Julian Casablancas' style as a front man. It doesn't sit well and thankfully only lasts for the one song but provides ammunition for negative comparisons to The Strokes.

Anyway, on to the gig. The support for the gig comes from Canadian band Hooded Fang, playing only their second show in London, and who were good without having a stand-out track from their set to really grab the audience's attention. That said their brand of surf-rock was enjoyable to listen to and subsequent listens of their two albums have given me a nagging feeling that I may have been harsh on my take on them. I would definitely want to see them live again to give them a second chance before I make up my mind either way.

Howler take to the stage to a raucous response from the majority of the crowd-the drummer in a t-shirt saying “I am not Prince's son” to put an end to that particular rumour and Gatesmith in sunglasses just to enforce those Casablancas comparisons, although they are quickly shed after two songs. Kicking things off with 'Wailing (Making Out)', the band were good throughout the first couple of songs without ever being amazing. That all changes following an aborted start to the third song of the set, with the restart seemingly kicking the band into life.

After calling for the audience to suggest a song, the band respond to the calls for Free Drunk by joking that they'd never heard of it before. It must be said that Howler interact with the crowd well-rather strange banter about sending in your shingles-related stories to the band was interspersed throughout the set with more routine converses with the crowd. The band finish with a fantastic rendition of one of the best tracks off the album 'Back of Your Neck', which ends with Jordan throwing his guitar on the floor and seemingly storming off.

However, an encore quickly follows with the band playing album closer 'Black Lagoon', with the guitarist from Hooded Fang roped in to play along instead of Jordan, whose guitar now lies broken on the floor. As the song plays members of Hooded Fang decide to waltz on-stage behind the band as a member of the crowd bursts onto the stage and proceeds to jump around, seemingly unsure of what to do with himself considering the lack of response from security. When they do eventually take the stage invader away he escapes numerous times to continue his on-stage jaunts with the band.

The band played a fairly short set that simply contained all the songs that were on their debut LP. It took a while for a lot of the audience to get into the show but once they did the atmosphere was electric. There were a significant number of people who left murmuring dissatisfaction at Howler, but they were outweighed by a larger number of the audience who had been entranced by the show.

The future is in the balance for Howler. Now the hype is fading, can they establish themselves as the band people hoped they could be? I firmly believe that they can if they are given the time to develop their undoubted talent and fulfil their potential. 'America Give Up' is one of my top albums of 2012 and suggests a band with a big future, if given the opportunity.

TH

I have been feeling very nostalgic recently remembering the memories from last summer’s festivals and getting excited about the forthcoming festival season. So I am going to post a summary of each of last year’s festivals, the highs and lows etc…if you are remotely interested please read and relive the good times with me.

Festival: V Festival

In a tweet: I managed to survive the vast amounts of chino wankers and non-music fans galore, whilst the Scream and Monkeys smashed it.

Highlight: Of all the times I saw Primal Scream at last summer’s festival this was by far the smallest crowd (says a lot about V Festival and the typical goer) but they were brill and I danced away to their brilliant set down the front. Seeing Turners hairdo for the first time was quite cool too!

Low point: Lack of good music and crowd (seemed to only know songs of the Arctic Monkeys festival first album) that is what you get when you go to a commercial festival though.

Bands: Only ventured out of the camping area around headliner o’clock each night for Arctic Monkeys and Primal Scream.

What I Thought: Wondering why I went to V Festival? Yeah I have been pretty bitchy about it thus far… I live in Chelmsford so it's local and full of friends.  It is also the perfect platform to promote mine and my friend’s 'band' (The Cabin…yes we are on facebook) and gabble onto anyone who would listen about our success and future hit singles “Red Stripe”, “Disposable Cameras” and “Welly Wankers”! sc

"Caroline" is set to be the third single from Citizens! debut album which is a belter which James reviewed here. Critics may be quick to dismiss this song for its simple subject matter (it is hardly brimming with emotive lyrics "Love Will Tear Us Apart" style) and repetitive nature. However it has brilliant hooks and is a little blaze of electro pop fun "We stopped making sense" the chorus goes... ironically this song is going to make lots of sense to trendy hipsters on the floors of indie clubs looking for a track to jig too. sc

I have been feeling very nostalgic recently remembering the memories from last summer’s festivals and getting excited about the forthcoming festival season. So I am going to post a summary of each of last year’s festivals, the highs and lows etc…if you are remotely interested please read and relive the good times with me.

Festival: Benicassim

In a tweet: What is the Spanish for a brilliant disaster?

Highlight: You would presume from the low point section me and my mate had a terrible week at Benicassim…WRONG WRONG WRONG. We may have had a fair share of unlucky things happen to us (yes if I was at home I would have cried in my mums arms, eaten a lifetime supply of chocolate and watched the ultimate feel good film “Babe”) but this is music festival and without sounding too much like a hippy the music festival vibe won. Yes rubbish stuff happened but we were in Spain seeing bands we love each night with a great eccentric mix of like-minded people with the real high being running into the sea in the early hours of the first night!

Low point: Me and my friend losing our wallets, my friend getting mugged, losing my radio, breaking my phone, having my eyebrows shaved off, missing Thursday night due to a dodgy state of alcohol inflicted unconsciousness…this may all sound bad but I wouldn’t change it for the world, it put every into context and made all the great stuff that week even better. Oh and the paddling pool idea didn't work as well as expected either...

Bands: Arctic Monkeys, Arcade Fire, BBC, Mumford and Sons, Primal Scream, The Strokes, Elbow. A special big up to Arcade Fire my first time seeing them and they were as phenomenal as I envisioned.

What I Thought: The site was amazing- the close proximity to the beach, Mercadona's wonderful cheap prices and the town was alive the first couple of nights before the live music started. Everyone there was super friendly and really into the festival. Completely different vibe to an English Festival and loved the way the music started late!! Booked my ticket for 2012 let’s hope for a little less misfortune this time around. sc

Where do you stand on crowd-surfing? Do you love the feeling of getting hoisted up by your friends and being held up by the crowd on your quest over the front barrier? Do you hate those crowdsurfers that fly over your head and give you a nasty knock during your favourite song? Let's take a look at crowdsurfing and decide whether it is a gigs deadly sin or the ultimate thrill ride...

Are you under the mentality that if the rockstars can crowd-surf, why shouldn't we be able to? Lots of venues have strict rules on crowd-surfing and threaten to throw people out of the gig for doing so. Obviously there is a health and safety risk when a person’s legs are flying around near another person’s head which can lead to some nasty accidents, as well as some potential devasting beer spillages: "Fuck sake! I spent four pound on that beer and some little mug has made me drop it". I have crowdsurfed numerous times and have found the throwing out part a load of rubbish. At a Foals gig at The Roundhouse, me and my mate went over the barrier four times each, every time we went over the security would say "anymore and you’re out" but each time we were escorted to the side and let back in. Although, there are lots of stories of other people getting kicked out because of crowd-surfing, which is a big bummer. Personally I don't mind crowd-surfing like I say I done it a few times, but can sympathise with people against it so here are three rules that should be laid down for crowdsurfing.

1. The atmosphere has to be right to crowd-surf. The crowd needs to be jumping around or very compact so you are not going to fall, it also needs to be filled with testerone filled teenage boys who are going to hold you up and help you on your way. Basically the gig has to completely going off and the band/crowd going mad in unison as everyone is a bit more up for stuff when this happens. I can understand why people crowdsurf when the gig is going brill and your favourite song comes on, it adds that little bit of adrenaline and excitement to the show. Sometimes band encourage crowd-surfing and want the crowd to participate...it would just be rude not too in this scenario! However sometimes crowd-surfing is plain silly...you would not crowd-surf at a PJ Harvey gig, would you?!

2. Your build. Without sounding rude here... weight is an issue. If you are quite big, crowdsurfing is not an idea to be meddled with. I only used to crowdsurf when I was a young skinny little runt who was easy to hold up. Maybe I'm still a skinny runt... but I am older and wiser now and my crowd-surfing days have pretty much gone. Beware if you are at a Stone Roses reunion show this summer...I fear that there is going to be lots of big, old, sweaty and heavy men trying to crowd-surf to "I Am The Resurrection" and if you are on the receiveing end of their fall you will have to be resurrected from the earth's core you have been flattened into!

3. Position. If you are right at the back you would have to be a bit of pudding to decide to crowd-surf because you’re not going to make it and just end up as a tangled mess on the floor. If you are at the front however, in the livelier section of the crowd, then by all means go for it!!!

Stick to these rules and you may be a crowd-surfer who is targeted to a surprisingly limited amount of abuse. At this point I would like to say Alt Jukebox does not endorse crowdsurfing and believe health and safety is the absolute most important thing at gig's...NOT, go crazy see how many times you can make it over the barrier. I dare you! SC