Altered Skys Altered Setup

Today started out with delays but end on a happier note as I got to know new band on the block, Altered Sky perform and chat about their future plans.

Travelling to Leeds feels like something I do too often now but is something that I love to as it is vibrant city with lots going on, maybe one day I could save the hassle and just live there! The main reason for travelling to Leeds for me has to be the music, the shops and the venues as YORKSHIRE always appreciates bands that come through the area.

The one band in question today is, Altered Sky, a Scottish four piece (five live) that are hotly tipped as the next big thing with their powerful vocalist and infectious rhythms. To promote the debut album, Without Wonderland, they have partnered with Pulp stores and clothing label Jilted Generation to tour around the UK playing the album in full, acoustically. It has certainly helped in their favour getting many fans, new and old excited for the future of where this band can go. Arriving fashionably early as ever to chat with the band before they take to the floor in Pulp store I was greeted with no band and miserable staff. However, this is be expected as working in the music industry is a waiting game full of ups and downs. The band came together to greet the audience 45minutes later than expected, well it isn’t easy parking in a big city you know. To the delight of the fans and the band they do eventually start playing and it was certainly worth the wait as they play through the album (roughly) chronologically. With the audience sat on the floor listening intently and occasionally singing along to the tracks, it’s easy to spot a connection between fans and band that feels almost like a family reunion. 

As they go through the album lead vocalist, Ana pauses between each song to plug the album and discuss the making of or stories behind the songs which is a special insight future fans might be gutted to of missed. The band look like they are coming of age in the music world, ready to step up and this debut album, reflects that with a coming of age spirit, which only furthers the connection with the younger audience. After the set finishes everyone connects sharing pictures, signatures and kind words about this special set. I chatted to them about their new album before bringing out my “excellent” random question ball generator, which all bands seem to love. The small chat will be on-line in September (2015) podcast but for now here is a quote “Rich would be hitting on them zombies like crazy”. A signed poster, pictures and two fingers up to the rude Pulp staff, I was out back off to Hull, feeling very privileged to hear their entire album in full acoustically. Next stop pre-order?!

Overall, the record sounds good enough to stand against other artists such as, We Are The In Crowd or Moose Blood on a record store shelf. It is well constructed and establishes who they are, the only criticism I could find is it does not feel experimental or edgy enough which means they might get type cast to a certain scene. With this said am sure as they mature as people so will their sound as they certainly have the potential and talent to be a shining light on the UK rock scene.

Don Broco release a Automatic hit

Don Broco – Automatic Album Review

Don Broco have kept the energy and excitement flowing from their huge debut album ‘Priorities’ to an equally impressive sophomore album, ‘Automatic’.

“Determination, have I got what it takes” is the first lyrics on ‘Automatic’ and is the words on everyone’s lips as their last album ‘Priorities’ made them into rock stars playing huge venues, how could they top it? Determined to prove they are not just a one trick pony, Don Broco have come back with their high energy yet smooth style. Opening tracks of ‘Super Love’, ‘Automatic’ and ‘What You Do To Me’ instantly grip with their infectious heavy rhythms before ‘Fire’ and ‘Nerve’ display a more produced dance sound usually found in Ibiza. 

The quitest part of the album is, ‘Let You Get Away’ the track maybe seen as a filler with no killer beat. ‘I Got Sick’ and ‘Tough On You’ are great tunes that hints towards The 1975 style.  Ending track, ‘Further’ is a powerful solo song that closes the album with a soaring melody that will be amazing live. If you don’t get the deluxe version of the album you miss out on some of the best songs release in the past year, including the heavy hitter produced by Gil Norton, ‘Money, Power, Fame’ and Iconic sound of ‘I Wanna Know’.

Although they don’t top the last album it is at the same level with great beats, sing along and more swagger than Jay-Z. This record is Don Broco firing on full cylinders, pushing themselves and their sound into the main stream market and hey we think they have nailed it.

Fans of: Bombay Bicycle Club, You Me At Six and Partying, 80’s style.

9/10

Make A Scene Festival 2015 gets bolder than ever

As I sit, tired and sick on a replacement bus service for my train (as usual) I think back to an eventful day at Make A Scene Festival 2015. Its great to see MAS back with a summer festival after last years winter one didn't really feel right.


The day started off with a trail of bad luck, first finding out The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus had pulled out of the fest due to family issues. Then your demise 2004 also cancelling their appearance because of breakdown. However, there still was some great bands including headliners Don Broco. My first mission was to get into the venue, called an original name... "the venue" as the ticket guy could not find me on the list. When he dud he said all wristbands and press pass had gone and would have to get a standard one, I sucked it up and accepted as I headed into the venue.


If you haven't been to MAS before they have a neat set up of two stages next to each other and as one band finishes the next starts which usually makes for streamline run providing bands dont pull out that is. First up on the main stage is Kim Blair, a female vocalist who wants to be a pop star, backed up by a rock band. As she covers various pop songs with her average vocals she stretch's across the stage in a leotard that only serves to make her flat vocals seem more appealing. A contrast happens on the NEVolume/second stage as a local pop punk band hit the stage, Across All Oceans. There songs may not be brilliant but they certainly are catchy, original and a band worth supporting.


Black Nevada are next up showcasing more Middlesbrough has to offer in terms of talent, playing a heavier set they win over new fans alike before, All At Sea do nothing but fill the gap for me. Thiscityisours try to concur this city with their metal core before, Waster waste no time in punching out there awesome punk jams. Then a standout band of the fest took to the stage. They are North Seasons and they are here only because they won a competition and am glad they did as they provide deep and exciting melodies and vocals, think letlive or la dispute and you wont be far off. Boston manor show off their infectious rhythms followed by the unpredictable and entertaining, Creating To Inspire. Things start getting more exciting as too underappreciated bands, Attention Thieves and Boy Jumps Ship hit the stage both providing sing-alongs to fill bigger venues.


Among the few interviews I did with bands none of them were as entertaining as Attention Thieves, who talk chat up lines, record labels and scaring Don Broco in a toilet. All the interviews will be online in the future. Back to the bands of the day, it got busier and more entertaining as the night went on, with Napoleon and Malevolence causing mass chaos with huge pits. Roam also provide an adrenaline filled set that demonstrates how far punk has come drawing in big crowds thanks to the rise of pop punks Neck Deep. Betraying The Martyrs rip open everyone's insides with the heaviest/bass filled set including a jump from the rafters from a rabid keyboard player.

Until it was the moment many had been waiting all day for, Don Broco. Kicking off their set with Money, Power, Fame gets everyone off their feet along with Yeah Man and latest single, Superlove. Hold on provides a huge singalong before the sexy rhyth




ms of What You Do To Me. Then suddenly, the lights go out, the drums keep going and panic erupts on stage as it seems the entire block on Linthorpe road is in blackout. The crowd and drummer finish the song before the band depart the stage. With the power not back ten minutes later the decision of an acoustic evening is decided with only a guitar and Robs power of projection they play Fire, Priorities and Money (again) before miraculously the power fires back up. Don play a new album heavy set, with thug work out thrown in for good measure. They end the night in style with Wanna Know and their heads held high as they have played the best show I have seen in a long while.


This was certainly a day to remember, with a great line up and Don Broco literally bringing the house down. Perfect day minus someone throwing glitter! Here is to next year at MAS when am sure I will still be finding glitter in my eyes.

Downers tell you it's time to find a new place to hang that Noose

Downers – Noose EP Review

A short three track EP which leaves you hanging around for more.

Bouncing with energy from the word go, lead track Graze is a heavy dose of rock with an old school feel. Likewise second track erased, does nothing but take you further into the rabbit hole of who Downers are. The EP finishes on a high by taking it heavy and fast like classic Nirvana with a shot of adrenaline. A great snapshot of what the band can do, more please.

Fans of: Smashing Pumpkins, Pixies and losing yourself on a far out planet dude.

8/10