Promo :: Frank Turner – New Single ‘Isabel’ Released April 12th
Here's someone who needs no introduction, especially to readers of Moon & Back. For the ill-informed and misguided out there, this is Frank Turner. He makes folk music and this is his new single.
Isabel is the third single to be taken from Turner's, critically acclaimed, third album Poetry Of The Deed. It's a bit of a change in direction when you compare it to anthems like The Road and the album's title track, but that certainly doesn't make it bad by any means. It's a little less punk rock and a little more chilled out. Perhaps it'll be another one that'll make people worship at the temple of Turner.
Check out the video below.
Buy Poetry Of The Deed here.
Album Review :: Dave Arcari – Got Me Electric
Traditional delta styled blues Dave Arcari delivers his latest album that grabs you by the throat and never lets go.
Dave Arcari - Got Me Electric © Dave Arcari/Buzz Records
With a powerful, gargling voice and fingers that spit fire across his guitar, Dave Arcari brings a little of the deep south from the windswept Loch Lomond in Scotland. His delta driven, pre-war blues guitar and lyrics that conjure up the far off images of a world much simpler to live in, Acari’s second album Got Me Electric offers new and old listeners a great contribution to the blues scene merging here in the UK.
The Scottish singer/songwriter Dave Arcari is now no stranger to the UK blue scene. Having been hugely successful in a number of indie, blues and country competitions and tours up and down the country, Arcari was recently commissioned by the BBC to compose music for the Robert Burns poem “Parcel of Rogues”. This honour, as part of the Homecoming celebrations and 250th Anniversary of the poet’s birth, has catapulted the bluesy, bearded, badass onto a major stage and subsequent stage, his most recent achievement coming in the form of an appearance at this year’s Glastonbury Festival on the prestigious Jazz & Blues stage.
His latest album Got Me Electric is a fantastic mixture of hard hitting blues and country riffs that shake up the potential stagnant genre. With a positive and progressive attitude towards the more traditional sounding, pre-war sound, Got Me Electric is an album that takes the listener on a journey through the misty, hazy by water way of life and taking the punches, kicks and beatings that life invariably throws at us.
Kicking off the album is the eponymous track “Got me Electric” a great little blues number that demonstrates Arcari’s superb guitar skills, his gargling voice and the meaty sound of the steel guitar he wields with a venom. “Nobody’s Fool” follows this with a melodic, more intricate form of the blues style. Arcari once again demonstrates his deep seated, grimy vocals that perfectly compliment the thumping, constant guitar that makes the listener bob their head with embarrassingly accurate timing. Other highlights of the album include “Homesick and Blue”, “Walkin’ Blues” and “One More Heartbreak” each a delight to listen to and enjoy either with direct contact or even as a background theme track to the drudgery of everyday life.
The jewel of the album is, however, the aforementioned “Parcel of Rogues”, the Burns lyrics given the twenty-first century treatment and pushed through the steel guitar with frivolous vivacity. Arcari’s manipulation of the tempo and historical lyrics are expert in both delivery and production, the audience captivated by the romantic image of Scotland painted by its most famous poet. Although not necessarily still relevant where lyrics apply and some would argue a little too romanticized considering the history that preceded its inception, Dave Arcari never the less brings his own, individual interpretation of blues and country to this piece of classical poetry. It is therefore a fitting tribute to both Burns and Arcari himself for taking material of this nature and bringing them to a wide, enjoyable audience. Got Me Electric is now widely available for both download and purchase from Buzz Records.
Jonathan Whitelaw
Check out Dave Arcari's website and his record label Buzz Records for album availability and tour dates: http://www.davearcari.com, http://www.myspace.com/davearcari and http://www.thebuzzgroup.co.uk.
Promo :: The Twilight Sad – new single The Room out March 29th
There's surely something in the water north of the border; another belter from The Twilight Sad, The Room is out on 29th March with tours commencing around the same time.
Certainly statements of maturation and advancement hold true with the evidence exhibited from The Room:
We have definitely moved on from ‘Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters’, musically and lyrically," says MacFarlane. “It is a step forward from the first record, the song writing and the sound of the band has moved on from that time, which is something we'll always try and do, we don't want to ever stand still and make records that sound like each other.”
Album Review :: Airbourne – No Guts, No Glory
No change please, we're rockers. Airbourne's return to studio work stands and delivers.
Airbourne - No Guts, No Glory © Airbourne/Roadrunner Records
In a world dominated by uncertainty, it is important to appreciate the smaller, infrequent moments that often can pass us by. With a volatile financial climate, seemingly constant threat of imminent doom and the frankly violent level of boredom offered by the likes of The X Factor and other degenerates, it is heart warming to be treated to the brilliantly performed, excellently produced and wonderfully fun latest release from hard Ozzy rockers Airbourne.
Since they emerged on the major market in 2006 with their debut album Runnin’ Wild Airbourne have quickly rocketed up the rankings and become one of the world’s most popular hard rock acts of the last ten years. Aligned very much in the style of the countrymen AC/DC and with frequent nods to other such classic rock gods as KISS, Van Helen, Bad Company and Whitesnake, these lads certainly know how to get a good party going. With a deliciously grimy blend of pseudo blues based, three chord riffs, eye wateringly accurate bass and a drum line that boils the very beer in your belly, Airbourne consistently deliver in the studio and on the road where they have been relentlessly touring since Runnin’ Wild debuted. It is therefore with great anticipation, excitement and aplomb that their second album No Guts, No Glory hits the shops in Europe on March 8th, April 22nd globally.
Kicking off the album with three traditional rock tracks are “No way but the hard way,” the album’s first single release, “Raise the Flag” and the oddly haunting “Born to Kill” the last of which opens the album with a creepy, screeching solo guitar intro before crunching down to a hard as nails, beaten and bruised rock anthem. Continuing in the vein of their previous album, and those of their aged predecessors, No Guts, No Glory is seeped in the style of songs that, as so many have said before, “The wives don’t get to know about”. Concentrating on all the debauchery, hard drinking, smoking and illicit bad behaviour that hard rock has built its own reputation on, the album more than heartily delivers on both the theme and playing styles that fans have now come to expect of this band. It is perhaps only a shame then that only really Airbourne and a very small handful of others are still producing this style of music. Honourable mention of course go to The Answer who, although not nearly as hard or successful, have at least remained true to the hard rock vein, more than can be said of the likes of Wolfmother and The Steroephonics.
As fine and dandy hard rocking, questionably easy riffs and shouty lyrics can be, No Guts, No Glory also aptly displays the wide array of talent Airbourne have when it comes to pace, lyricism and durability. Widely publicised during the build up to the release of this album, lead singer/guitarist Joel O’Keeffe stated that the band lived in the studio, eating, sleeping and existing during the recording of the album, much akin to the likes of Bruce Springsteen during his heyday. With high octane numbers like “It Aint over till its Over,” “Devils Child” and “Rattle your Bones,” the last two only available on the special edition album, it is surprising and refreshing to have a track like “Bottom of the Well” where the tempo is much more relaxed and melodic, the passion and conviction still very much present.
Couple these along with an epic range in subject matter and the album that stands at a whopping thirteen tracks, eighteen on the special edition, delivers on pretty much every front. The excellent summer anthem “White Line Fever” is sure to be played all throughout the warm months on rock stations the world over. This unashamedly crass feast of excess is stark in comparison to the endearingly heart felt “Steel Town” an ode to working class cities and towns and the bands’ own little tribute to their heritage and lifestyles and their audience.
In all, No Guts, No Glory is an excellent, triumphant return to the market for Airbourne. With a subsequent world tour following and the band gaining an excellent, healthy fan base all over the planet, Airbourne are very much poised to take the step from being sole soldiers on the hard rock front lines to upper echelon, fully fledged members of the community. It is often said that any artist, in any genre, needs a really good, solid, stand out studio performance on which to fundamentally launch their careers from. Now, it would seem, Airbourne have just that.
Jonathan Whitelaw
Check out the band's website: http://www.airbournerock.com
Interview :: Fun Lovin’ Criminals Discuss Classic Fantastic
It has been many years since FLC first graced our ears with their presence and original style of gangster rock. Screaming of something more Joe Pesci and Marlon Brando than the gangsters of today, FLC have moulded themselves into a niche. Recently M&B caught up with the wise guys to ask them a few questions of their own.
The latest offering from FLC is called ‘Classic Fantastic’, it is a thirteen track exploration into little more than the usual ramblings of a band far past their day. So far it has been largely panned by the critics and its recent release has done little to excite the masses.
Whilst this is certainly far from a classic there is a new upbeat and positive feel to this ageing bands recent repertoire. So just what does this new direction say about Fun Lovin’ Criminals?
‘Survival’ retorts front-man Huey Morgan from the corner of the room. He sits with his hand resting lightly on his forehead, clad in a black suit with an open-collared white shirt. Every inch the signature look of the band. ‘Mental survival really, coming out of that big lawsuit we had, it just seemed like if we didn’t make a record they would have won. It’s a little cliché if a band breaks up after big legal dispute.’
The long five-year break between albums was no calculated move on the bands behalf but rather the result of a long legal wrangle with a former manager. The result of such drawn out proceedings fell in favour of Morgan’s men and the good times reign again, surely a defining factor in FLC’s new found positivity?
‘Fast had been writing tunes during the whole dispute but it was kind of over the last year and half that we put the lyrics to the songs and really tried to make them a little bit more uplifting‘ continues Huey. ‘It helped us get into the funk a little bit if you know what I mean!’
Morgan has every reason to be in high spirits. The hiatus from musical projects has led him to add further strings to his bow. Currently he presents his own radio show, will soon be hosting his own TV show and is almost about to complete a debut novel. With the recent retirement announcement of Jonathon Ross from the BBC it is little wonder Morgan has been tipped to fill his shoes. A small wry smile as the front man takes another sip of his drink says it all.
To accompany the album a huge string of tour dates have been announced across Europe. From Scotland to Amsterdam FLC will be plying their trade but where is the place they consider home whilst on the road?
‘The audience in Ireland is great, before they get to the gig they are already fucking wired and ready to go’ chimes in Frank enthusiastically. ‘Sometimes, you just know that when you walk out everything is going to be great – it’s really the crowd which makes it.’
Mark ‘Frank Benbini’ Reid is a surprising addition to a band associated with the mean streets of Brooklyn. The last member to join after a string of other drummers, Reid grew up in Leicester, but has since found his home amongst the tales of debauchery on the mean New York streets. M&B Music suggests that the members of FLC now find themselves entering their twilight years and that maybe gigs are becoming a little more suited to a relaxed, elder statesman’s pace. Frank looks towards the last remaining member of the group to speak, Fast, and gives him a little smile. Fast seems ready for this question and leans forward so as to emphasise his point.
‘We’re really pushing our live show more than ever before on this tour’ he explains calmly but with intimidation in his voice. ‘We have about seven different set-lists which we can choose from and loads of great surprises planned.’
Fast pauses, leans back and takes a sip of his drink. Slowly he takes a breath and looks M&B straight in the eyes.
‘The magic is still there.’
Interview & Review :: Tiffany Page
Prior to seeing the Noisettes live at the O2 Academy in Liverpool, I went to meet their main support act and currently little-known, but dead-set future star, Tiffany Page.
After entering the Academy, I was taken through the tunnel-like rooms and lead to Tiffany’s dressing room, where I found her chilling out on her computer, surrounded by her male bandmates who departed to set their instruments up for the evening. It was in the dimly lit dressing room that we had a chat about her influences, the release of her single and album and her plans for 2010.
Jodie (Moon&Back): So, it’s the penultimate date of the tour with the Noisettes tonight, have you enjoyed it? Have you had a good time?
Tiffany Page: Probably some of the best times of my life! I don’t want it to end! I think we’re all a bit sad ‘cause we’ve been getting on really well with all the guys including Tinashé, the first support act... Awww, it’s really sad!
J: Sorry! I didn’t mean to upset you! So, it’s sad but you’ve had good reception everywhere?
T.P: Yeah, incredible! Towards the end of the tour we’ve been getting really good at getting the crowd involved with us. Before, we were completely new at this, you know, we’re very new as a band, and it’s getting more and more fun.
J: Awesome. How are you feeling about your debut single release/launch on the 15th March? Are you excited?
T.P: REALLY excited! Bit nervous, but really excited because obviously I don’t know what people are gonna think of it, but, I’m not expecting anything from the first one, usually it’s the second or third, but I hope it does well!
J: I’ve heard it, I think it’s really good! I like it!
T.P: Aww, Thankyou!
J: I read that the album you’re going to release was recorded in LA and London; that sounds very “Rock ‘n’ Roll”, how was it?
T.P: Yeah, well, to be honest we recorded most of it in the UK but I wrote alot in LA and we used some of the demo vocals from the States and actually from the UK aswell because when I’d just finished writing the music, and I’d been co-writing, I started to lay it down and I really started the songs then because sometimes you can’t replicate, so mostly we used the demo vocals and they were fine, but in the UK I had a hand in, you know, saying what I wanted.
J: Do you have a favourite track on your album or do you like them all equally?
T.P: I do, it’s probably the one that means the most to me, it’s called ‘You Won’t’, I think the ballads are probably the simplest songs on the album and we had real strings on it aswell which was incredible to watch.
J: That sounds really good! Do you write most of your songs yourself or do you have other people helping?
T.P: Yeah, well, with other people. We’d go in and I’d be feeling a certain way or something would happen, I’d have an idea... I prefer co-writing, I’d been writing on my own for about 2 years, ‘cause I learn alot more, I can learn from other people who are more experienced than I am. It’s like, instead of going to school ‘cause I’m still learning.
J: Are your songs based on real life experiences?
T.P: Yeah, definitely, it’s mostly what’s happened to myself. Yeah, I’m 23 but I think I’ve done quite alot already and I’m just starting to be settled now.
J: Obviously apart from your single and album etc, what else do you hope to do in 2010? Have you got many plans?
T.P: More tours, I think we’ve got a University tour coming up and a few tours, no dates are confirmed yet, loads more gigging and hopefully festivals! Just being the best live band that we can possibly be.
J: If you could play any festival, which one would it be?
T.P: READING, because I’ve been 4 times and I love Reading.
J: So to play it would be amazing!
T.P: I know, and not having to sleep in a tent!
J: I was wondering, being female do you think it’s important to encourage more and more girls to kind of take the lead? Especially in rock and punk music?
T.P: Definitely, there are loads of girls coming out at the moment; I think it’s really good. The competition aswell is really good because it makes you want to do better! But, also, I guess with more alternative music, people usually associate it with just being guys; I mean we’ve got people like Courtney Love, we’ve got bands like L7 but now I don’t think there’s that much. I mean, there’s Florence and the Machine... I think it’s quite nice girls doing alternative music. I aspire to be like my idols, you know, like Dave Grohl for one, hence my tattoo... [shows arm] I’ve got one like him [Laughs].
J: I was going to ask who are your idols? Are there any female icons that you look to?
T.P: Definitely Courtney Love, she was definitely one when I was growing up. Um, Cat Bolan. That’s probably it... more...grungey sort of people, but I guess because I’m not a loud person really, because I’m not them and they’re someone I’d love to be if I could be someone.
J: That’s cool. So who are your favourite bands and musicians at the moment, who are you enjoying listening to?
T.P: Loads... I’m listening to Wu-Tang Clan at the moment! Just got back into them. Also a bit of old Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Belle and Sebastien, all sorts of bands, I love music; a bit of The Smiths in the van today actually which was cool!
J: Awesome! So, I’ve read alot of comparisons and reviews about your music, on the Guardian website today actually, I read that people are comparing you to the likes of Chrissie Hynde and that must feel amazing for you... but for people who aren’t familiar with your music, how would you introduce and describe it?
T.P: I’d say it’s very pop-rock, I’d say on the album I hope there’s songs for everyone, my favourite songs on the album are the darker songs because that’s the kind of music I like to listen to. I’d like to say there are songs, hopefully, for guys and girls of all different ages. There’s some happier songs and some darker songs, heavy songs and lighter songs, so hopefully something for everyone!
J: Yeah, cool. Do you think at the moment it’s difficult for lesser-known indie bands to get noticed by record labels? Is it hard work promoting yourself to get that recognition?
T.P: I think it’s alot of luck and putting yourself out there but I used to live by this book called “The Unsigned Guide” and the first thing it says in the introduction is that if you’re talented you will get spotted...it’s whether anything comes of it or not, but you know, you will get spotted. It’s all about gigging but also the internet is a great tool that people trawl. You’d be surprised. Just gigging as much as possible and getting yourself out there.
J: Yeah. I know it’s really tricky and everyone always struggles but if you could name 3 of your top albums of all time, what would they be?
T.P: Phwoar, hmmm.... hmmm... OK....I’ll say; Radiohead – Ok Computer, bloody brilliant album! I’ll say; Hole – Pretty on the Inside, love that... and I’ll say... Wu-Tang Clan – 36 Chambers.
J: Good choices! Right, I think that’s everything covered...
T.P: Yeah? Awesome. Thankyou!
J: Thankyou for your time! Have a great time tonight and all the best!
After the interview, Tiffany had a few hours to chill-out, warm up and do whatever it is debutant rockstarlets do before a gig. She, and her band, followed a great act called “Tinashé” (well worth checking out! www.myspace.com/tinashemusic)
Walking on stage after her 3 male band mates, there was no doubt Tiffany Page had the right stage presence to pull off the grunge/rock material expected of her. With an apparent attitude but gleaming personality, evident from her smile and comfortable demeanour on stage, she began her set.
She shook a maraca and played both acoustic and electric guitars throughout her set. She interacted with the crowd, and received a great reception from everyone in the room. I think people weren’t entirely sure what to expect and were pleasantly surprised to hear a vampish purr-like voice seep out of the petite brunette. The band sounded tight and full with great acoustics in the Academy. I got the impression that every guy in the room wanted to be with her and every girl wanted to be her, myself no exception!
Her set was full of grungey, rock, angsty tunes that all had some lyrical depth. She roared, sang and purred over great guitar riffs and their performance of the debut single received great reception and applause from the audience. Said single, “Walk Away Slow”, is out on the 15th March and is available to listen to on her MySpace (www.myspace.com/tiffanypage). The single has received critical acclaim already and Tiffany has received airplay on Radio 1, thanks to Fearne Cotton.
I think she’ll be huge in 2010 and beyond. She’s fresh and new, a nice break from the synth-ridden, electric ladies of the moment, such as Ladyhawke, La Roux and Florence and the Machine. Her music will reignite your love for grunge and remind you of an old sound if you were once partial to the likes of Hole, Nirvana and Radiohead, or introduce you to a fresh take on pop-rock if you weren’t interested before.
Check her out on MySpace www.myspace.com/tiffanypage and give her music a listen! Her single is available to download on the 14th March. Her music is also featured on Spotify, just search "Tiffany Page". [J]
Promo :: Cha-Cha – Phonographic Love
Riding on the indie-electro waves of the last few years, Cha-Cha are set to make ripples in the mainstream pop pond of 2010. With it's distinctive, harmless disco-beats and bass licks, first single 'Phonographic Love' is described (by the band themselves) as a cross between dirty pop hymns and offbeat disco rock. Fair enough.
Those of you into your MGMT and Empire of the Sun should certainly check out the trio who're currently booking up support slots, setting out on a tour of their own and releasing debut album We Are... this month on newbie-label Pop Noodle Records.
Download the single here, check out the video, and await that anticipated debut album
Cha Cha are Blain McGuigan on lead vocals & bass guitar, Alex Cameron Ward on backing vocals & guitar and Samuel Garbutt on drums.
Promo :: Subsource – The Ides, released 29/03/10
"Something sinister is rising on the horizon..."
So chants Subsource from single The Ides, out March 29th. Story goes: "Four years ago, 20 miles south of central London, four people went into a studio to start a war. Fucked off with so-called live dance acts mincing behind laptops, and rock acts with no more substance than the product in their hair we decided things had to change."
The line up is something of a mix aswell: a Cambridge educated British-Chinese science prodigy, a Norwegian born multi instrumentalist, a nu-skool breaks double bass player, a DnB drummer and occasional killer guest MC Malawian hip hop star Kimba Mutanda.
Album Review :: Airbourne – Ready To Rock
Australia's Hard Rock heirs to the throne's often overlooked EP is a lost gem, tragically overlooked.
Ready to Rock by Airbourne © Airbourne
With their second full album now less than a week away from general release here in Europe, April 20th in the States, Airbourne are the latest and most recent rock success story form Australia. Where their first album Runnin Wild was a success story all across the globe, this up and coming piece No Guts, No Glory is set to sky rocket their popularity. However, for more discerning fans there is the EP Ready to Rock available for consideration and definitely worth listening to.
Hailing from Warrnambool in Australia, this four set outfit consist of Joel and Ryan O’Keeffe on lead vocals/guitar and drums respectively, rhythm guitarist David Roads and bassist Justin Streets, all young, fun loving guys who have a penchant for debauchery, hard drinking and all kinds of fornication. It is no surprise then that they have been described by many as being heavily influenced by AC/DC, their first album often unfairly antagonized and mocked as being too much of a tribute. However, with a massing fan base, there would appear to be a vast majority of listeners out there who would claim that to be a good thing, the other ozzy rockers now pushing on a bit.
Having achieved their popular status from their first album Runnin Wild it now often overlooked that it was their inaugural EP that brought them to the attention of Capitol Records. Released in 2004, Ready to Rock heralded a triumphant debut into the less than populated world of heavy rock. With traditional sounding “Three Chord” riffs, Airbourne hearken themselves back to a simpler, cruder time when rock music was in its infancy.
The eponymous opening track “Ready to Rock” coupled with “Stand and Deliver” are run of the mill hard rock songs, the brothers gelling well with the percussion and rhythm section, a solid foundational opening for the rest of the EP. Other excellent sounds come in the form of “Come on Down” a great little pub anthem and a must for any pre-night out warm up playlist. “Runnin’ Hot” and “Women on Top” which, as the popular advert used to say, does exactly as it says on the tin. The jewel in the sweaty, static and beer soaked crown comes in the form of “When the girl gets hot (The love don’t stop)”. Apart from having a frankly awesome classic rock title and subject matter, the opening, almost haunting guitar riff of Joel O’Keeffe leaves the listener wondering how this band had gone so long without being snapped up by a major record label. Couple that with the frankly brilliant production behind both the song and the rest of the album, the boys do an excellent job of getting the right mix of sleazy, grimy sounding Gibson SG with thunderous drums and a thumping bass line.
In all, although perhaps more of a tribute to AC/DC and other classic rock bands that made the mid seventies to early nineties so memorable for this music than their first official release, Ready to Rock is never the less a wonderful introduction to the Australian outfit. Not as widely available as it perhaps should be, the songs on the EP are slowly and surely being bled into the western market via exclusive downloads and bonus tracks on re-releases of the Runnin Wild album. The upcoming album, released March 8TH, and subsequent tour are set to send Airbourne into the upper echelons of hard rock stardom and with a lot of life and fight left in this band, let us hope that they are ready to accept the responsibility of being hard rock’s royal dynasty for the next four decades.
N.B Look out for the review of No Guts, No Glory coming soon.
Jonathan Whitelaw
Check out the band's official website at: http://www.airbournerock.com
Guest Playlist :: ArdentJohn
Scottish indie-folk five-piece ArdentJohn are firm favourites here at Moon & Back - just press play on their song Where All Paths Lead on the right to see why. We explore the curious playlist that's (musically) keeping them up and night and helping to hone their own unique blend of sound.
Richard Hawley - Remorse Code
Elbow - Scattered Black and Whites
TV On The Radio - Family Tree
Devotchka - Dearly Departed
Bob Dylan - Let Me Die In My Footsteps
Beach House - Used To Be
Camera Obscura - Away With Murder
Sigur Ros - Gong
Flaming Lips - Waitin' for a Superman
Sufjan Stevens - Concerning the UFO Sighting near Highland, Illinois
Many thanks to ArdentJohn for taking the time out to compile this playlist and giving us an insight into their sound. We highly recommend their debut On The Wire which can be purchased here
Latest Posts ::
- Promo :: Frank Turner – New Single ‘Isabel’ Released April 12th
- Album Review :: Dave Arcari – Got Me Electric
- Promo :: The Twilight Sad – new single The Room out March 29th
- Album Review :: Airbourne – No Guts, No Glory
- Interview :: Fun Lovin’ Criminals Discuss Classic Fantastic
- Interview & Review :: Tiffany Page
- Promo :: Cha-Cha – Phonographic Love
- Promo :: Subsource – The Ides, released 29/03/10
- Album Review :: Airbourne – Ready To Rock
- Guest Playlist :: ArdentJohn
