-Raz- has written the following articles:
Fickle Public (nee Purple Munkie) are your typical indie punk band. Think Jetplane Landing or Fugazi style attitude mixed with a healthy sprinkling of sharp Rough Trade style pop rock leanings and, of course, this band is Scottish and that never fails to add a bit of spice to proceedings.»
In a living nightmare before Christmas, DiS found a rather inebriated Raz sitting next to Hundred Reasons� guitarist and producer Larry Hibbitt in one of the grottiest of London's watering holes. Luckily, that was not where this interview took place.»
This gig is showcasing four of the most popular and most hyped bands around at the moment. It is telling that only one of them is British. With a career path reminiscent of the Lostprophets, Bullet For My Valentine have the ability to perform a metal masterclass on a whim and possess ample rock attitude to succeed on both sides of the pond and good luck to them»
This whole metalcore thing really has to be over some time soon. Right? Probably not. With the steady upsurge in emo mentality on the internet quite visible here in the hordes of teenage goons donning their studded belts and ridiculous haircuts this particular metalcore gathering could quite easily be a MySpace convention. It ain’t going anywhere.»
The Lucky Nine are supporting medusa-metallers This Is Menace and are similar in ethos as they too are a band containing members with other musical interests. Similarly, however, they do not wish to be referred to as a ‘supergroup’ and this is by no means a ‘side project’. Oh no. DiS got a brief chat with guitarist Daniel Carter where he explained his views on that matter quite exactly.»
It’s the disappointment that really gets me. Granted, Julian Casablancas was never the most spirited of performers, but even the low level of personality and appeal that he may have held five years ago, in the lead up to the release of their debut album, has quite visibly ebbed. They play their shows to people who want to hear their favourite songs played live, caught up in mass hysteria and amateur hyperbole. There is nothing more to this show.»
It's a familiar sight to behold 65daysofstatic jittering and spasming their way across a stage in amongst various swathes of immense musical architecture. However, it's just gone 5pm and this is not the end of a tour. One can only assume that the level of consumption of illegal substances is not as high as they may be able to muster after a couple months on the road.»
Having trawled the shimmering streets of northern Holland for a long, wintry three nights DiS has returned and recuperated, ready to relay tales and reports of the hottest, wackiest and, above all, best acts to grace this quaint city during the 20th annual Eurosonic Festival. Here’s what we thought to be the cream of the plentiful foreign crop...»
Like many a trail-blazing pioneer rock act, Mogwai used to be the future but after the release of their last album, Happy Songs For Happy People, many wondered if the Glaswegians weren’t a spent force... There are no comparisons to be made here. Mogwai don’t sound like other bands; other bands sound like Mogwai... Mogwai are just as relevant and inspiring today as they were a decade ago when they were wowing the crowds in and amongst the UK’s toilet venues. »
A while ago, Drowned in Sound’s attention was drawn toward a youthful rock combo hailing from the sombre climes of Southampton. This band is Moneytree and so we hooked up with keyboardist Michael Anderson and eager bassist Joshi Finesilver to discuss their aims and ambitions. »
The mighty Hertfordshire chaos-core band, SikTh are to release the follow-up to 'Death Of A Dead Day' in May 2006. There is more to celebrate as, in addition to this grand news, the sextet will be touring. Nice...»
Lying somewhere between Fugazi’s enigmatic abstract punk and every pop sensibility found in rock music are Fickle Public.»
Dragonforce have finally arrived with their new record. Their brand of ‘extreme power metal’ has all the hallmarks of The Next Big Thing, but not in this country. No chance. Inhuman Rampage had a big fat export sticker slapped on it well before they inked any deals. It is the leather pants that replaced the lycra in this absurdly brazen display of fist-pumping, butt-clenching vigour that makes Dragonforce the band that The Darkness could never be.»
This Is Menace emerged from an unhealthy shroud of mystery early in 2005 with their debut album – a collection of heady names and fiery souls from the UK metal underground. DiS caught a few minutes with guitarist, Gez Walton ahead of the hotly anticipated show at the Mean Fiddler.»
Sourced from Anthony Swofford’s bitter war memoir, this is a film of men in crisis and there are no punches pulled. Gritty dialogue and emotive performances are backed up with every facet of desert war life including the porn, the drunken mistakes and the torture of loneliness»
Those crazy Canucks, Nickelback, have been announced as the special guests to the New Jersey rock legends, Bon Jovi, on their forthcoming UK stadium tour.»
This lavish commemorative release reeks of luxury all the way from the extravagant packaging all the way down to the exclusive guitar picks and backstage pass sticker that are found inside. This box set is an essential addition to the collection for any serious Rush fan.»
The year has drawn to a close and here at Drowned in Sound, we think it’s nice to reflect on what we’ve enjoyed and who has given us that enjoyment. Roadrunner Records celebrated a quarter of a century as the world’s leading independent underground metal and heavy rock record label and I love Roadrunner Records.»
Several bands from the UK have been confirmed to play the brilliantly named, annual international music industry showcase that is the Noorderslag Weekend»
Cor, ain’t Tairrie B getting on a bit? Shouldn’t she have done an Idlewild by now and gone all REM? Shouldn’t time have healed all the wrongs? Shouldn’t she just… get over it? As if. Remember: this is Tairrie (f*cking) B.»
Realising a new level of brutality, Chimaira are back promoting their new brand of heavy metal. Mention a power ballad to this band and expect laughter at very least. This is 100% Heavy Metal.»
DiS has been offered five Story One goody bags to give away to YOU, our loyal readers. Each goody bag contains a signed copy of their new Beggars Belief EP, a tshirt, a badge (WOAH) and a poster with that funky tree design on it. Wicked. To grab this unique chance to get free stuff, click this.»
This Nottingham-based quartet quite clearly blend all their favourite musical interests and aren’t ashamed to let it show through their music.»
This week Raziq Rauf provides eye-witness accounts of rare appearances from two of heavy rock’s mightiest staples. Motörhead nab me first with their celebratory 30th Anniversary tour hit London for the final time this year. A few days pass until life sees me north of the river, at the Kentish Town Forum, experiencing the nu-metal tomes of those giants of their industry, Koяn. In a fierce battle between these two rock behemoths, which will be the undisputed victor? This is a no holds barred, no disqualifications, ladder match to reach that pinnacle of having Raz say that you’re the best band. WOW! »
Great things have always been expected and provided by this Norwegian behemoth. The signs are that there will be no respite. The grand tones of their 2005 disasterpiece, Ghost Reveries, take up over half an hour of tonight’s near-two hour set despite numbering only three songs. Calling this a mere saga is not sufficient.»
Can you believe that Symposium happened a whole decade ago? Yup. This is their frontman Ross Cummins’ new band.»
With this single Milk Kan takes you down a wonderful road of folksy antitude. Tailored exquisitely for breakfast radio, daytime radio, drivetime radio and your local indie club, there is surely no way that this can fail.»
There is no doubt that the swagger and attitude of ‘DJs In A Row’ was made for the radio.»
Fiercely ploughing their punk furrows, Allister release their third album on Drive Thru with Before The Blackout. You can take it for granted that this release will please everyone that has been waiting for it but I wouldn’t hold out any hopes for newcomers to the Allister bandwagon.»
This being their second album proper, Minus The Bear is finally being expected to have fulfilled some of the promise and potential that was claimed about them on release of their debut 2001 EP. Menos El Oso should be the record to show their purpose.»
