SPECTRES: ‘Hunger’ EP
It was back in September 2011 that LOUD HORIZON first wrote about SPECTRES. The final words in that little piece were: ‘Bottom line is that I love this shit! Here’s the EP in its entirety. It’s the future!‘
And it was indeed!
Since then, the band have amongst other things, won ARTROCKER MAGAZINE’S title of ‘Unsigned Band of the Year.‘ (I may be biased, but THAT’S the reward they ALL want!)
Anyway – about a month ago their label, Howling Owl Records announced that SPECTRES would be releasing a new EP come March. Obviously knowing how to create genuine market demand, the canny people at Howling Owl decided on a Limited Edition release of only one hundred, 12″ vinyl, each with handmade sleeves & artwork.
Unsurprisingly, these have already been snapped up by way of advance orders and so a second pressing is now in production. (You can order a copy of that one here!)
Want to know what all the fuss is about? Well, here you go …… and remember where you heard it first ( I think I’m right in saying SPECTRES picked up their Artrocker award in September 2012 – some twelve months after LOUD HORIZON wrote the above!)
Don’t you just HATE a smart-arse??!
(… and here, just for the hell of it is a track from last year’s EP that kicked the whole thing off:)
Artrocker New Blood – THE DEADLINE SHAKES
LOUD HORIZON recently joined hot new Glasgow band THE DEADLINE SHAKES for a beer and a chat. You can read the resultant ARTROCKER ‘NEW BLOOD‘ feature by clicking here.
DIGNAN PORCH – Artrocker New Blood
The DIGNAN PORCH feature that was prepared for the New Blood section of the current (October 2012) issue of ARTROCKER MAGAZINE has been reproduced within the HORIZON INTO VIEW page.
THE OCULAR AUDIO EXPERIMENT: Artrocker ‘New Blood.’
I have reproduced here the ‘New Blood’ feature that was written for this month’s ARTROCKER MAGAZINE, introducing Boston’s THE OCULAR AUDIO EXPERIMENT.
THE SAVAGE NOMADS
(The following article was written for ARTROCKER MAGAZINE, issue #114, October 2011)
Listening to the refreshing, clean and varied sounds on ‘Coloured Clutter,’ the debut album from London’s The Savage Nomads, it quickly becomes apparent that here is a band whose music, despite the array of influences, is distinctly ‘uncluttered.’
“The album, I think is testament to our record collection; to our parents’ record collections,” explains vocalist / guitarist Cole Salewicz. “The music, I like to think, doesn’t sound like any guitar music coming out of the UK in past ten to fifteen years. We drew influence from everything really. Billy (drums) for instance is very much into dub and reggae; Joe’s (guitar / vocals) really into IDM – artists like Four Tet for example, but can play everything from Metallica to Megadeth, while Josh (bass) is a big Charlie Mingus fan although we initially bonded over The Clash.”
“It’s all about incorporating these different rhythms and guitar sounds”
For his part, Cole initiated The Savage Nomads as a three-piece with Josh and Billy in early 2008.
“At that point it was predominately really stripped down, spoken-word pieces with me more or less reciting poetry over a bass-line and drum ‘cause I wasn’t so nifty on the guitar! But that’s an element of the music that’s continued, we’ve just expanded upon it. That’s how I write all the songs – initially they all come in poetic form and are then developed in rehearsals with the whole band involved in the melodies.”
Cole is aware that The Savage Nomads’ distinctive sound is like likely to divide opinion:
“I have absolutely no problem with that. I like to think we’re provoking thought – it means we’re doing a good job. I think people succumb to music these days that doesn’t really challenge anything that’s come before. It’s all a follow-on to what’s gone previously, which is kind of depressing. We’re quite aware that we’re not a ‘Vaccines’ type band with verse / chorus, verse / chorus structures and as a result will have to graft really hard, build up a following and get the name out there over a period of time. I don’t see it as being and overnight sensation if you like.”
But with the likes of Mick Jones (The Clash) actively championing their cause, and arguably this year’s best debut album from a British band now under their belt, The Savage Nomads may have complete control over their career opportunities sooner than Cole expects.
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IMPACT: Artrocker New Blood Feature.
St .Neotts hardcore band IMPACT feature within the New Blood section of the current ARTROCKER MAGAZINE.
Read what we wrote here.
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FOR ABEL – Artrocker New Blood Feature.
Although Glasgow based FOR ABEL have been around in one form or another for a few years now, I recently met with vocalist Robert Armstrong to prepare a short article for the NEW BLOOD section of ARTROCKER MAGAZINE.
You can read what Robert had to say here.
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JIMMY AND THE SOUNDS: ‘Little Victories.’
Jimmy and the Sounds offer up new single ‘Little Victories’ for our delectation. Still relative newbies in the music game (I base that on the fact they only have one thousand Facebook friends) I can only assume that’s down to lack of exposure rather than musical ability.
‘Little Victories’ isn’t immediately pigeonhole-able, it comprises a lot of the characteristics of a pop punk track with bouncy melodies and shifting tempos. The guitar however is slightly softer and it plays out at a more leisurely Indie pace, think of a fusion between Weezer and Idlewild. The vocals make it a distinctively British track, strong throughout with variance in pitch at the chorus adding an extra kick.
Maybe its this good run of weather we have been having but when I listen to this track I feel the need to be outside enjoying the sun with a few cold beers. This is definitely radio friendly music with commercial potential. Don’t get bogged down on its simplicity, embrace the gaiety…. and mine’s a Budvar!
(Released through New Blood on 30 May 2011)
(7/10)
Gary Moyes
BRITISH INDIA – Last Of The Independents?
Aussie Indie-Rockers BRITISH INDIA paid a visit to the UK towards the end of 2010. LOUD HORIZON’S Colin Jackson caught up with the lads for a beer and a chat, which formed the basis of the ARTROCKER MAGAZINE article (Issue # 108, March 2011) that is reproduced within the HORIZON INTO VIEW page.
Read more:
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