jbenwell has written the following articles:
Just how much more do bands owe us? Many pour out their hearts onstage. Many hang their souls out to dry on their record sleeves for all to see. Many toil endlessly and tour constantly, always seeking to please their fans. Isn’t that enough, surely we, the general public cannot ask for any more? I say we can. I »
The 10th Avenue Jazz Band’s varied and energetic new interpretations of familiar jazz songs has allowed them to tour the world (Australia, China, Morocco, Canada, Portugal, Norway, Russia, Spain, Italy, the Uk…). Playing anything from Dixieland to cha cha, reggae and waltzes, 10th Avenue have earned themselves a place »
Tonight is the last ever show to be played at the Foundry. Its fate now lies in the hands of some big business who intend to demolish it and make room for a new set of high-rise flats. The world is a cruel and evil place sometimes. Kicking things off tonight are Farse. It seems fitting that one of the band»
This gig meant so much to me that I told my mum I was just going into town but actually drove the 240 mile round trip up north to Leeds with my two partners in crime, Jake and Tim W (OF DiS message board fame!) Was it worth it I hear you ask? Of course it was! (Except now I’m grounded!) First up tonight are Sunde»
Birmingham's premiere music venue, The Foundry is set to be demolished within the coming month. If this action is allowed to continue, Birmingham will lose it's only showcase for alternative music. Over the years, the Foundry has played host to the likes of Nirvana, Rancid, Good Riddance, No Use For A Name, 88 Fin»
Having missed all of CapDown’s set it was up to BoySetsFire to open up my evening. Mixing pummeling hardcore with slower, more emotional moments, BSF are a fearsome live band. With tracks that are at the same time aggressive, passionate and melodic, this is a band fast becoming one of the world’s leading hardcor»
New Found Glory are the latest up and coming punk rock band. Touted as the new Blink 182 they’re certainly building up a large following on both sides of the Atlantic. Playing catchy, fast paced melodic punk with a very noticeable emo influence, they’ve certainly got what it takes to be huge. This will probably be h»
It’s 10.54am on a Sunday morning. I’ve spent the last 2 hours wishing I hadn’t downed so much tequila last night whilst also trying to write a review of Farse’s latest EP, “Whatever Happened to the Allstars”. It’s a hard job, so I think it’s best that I start with the facts: (1) This is the best CD I’ve ever heard »
As New Found Glory take the stage with their schoolboy good looks and singer Jordan’s pin-up qualities, it becomes apparent just how many teenage girls made it to the show tonight. From my point of view this can never be a bad thing and its also done the Foundry a favour because tonight, despite being a Sunday, is anot»
Without wanting to blow away one of modern day society’s most popular myths- size DOES matter! Granted this isn’t true in every circumstance (guys- you can start breathing again now!) but it certainly rings home when you’re standing with 2000 other people in the middle of an Ignite slam pit! Having been going to »
Everclear have had to cancel their UK tour due to circumstances beyond their control. The band deeply regrets any inconvenience or aggravation this may have caused Everclear fans and thank them for all their support. Everclear hope to return to the UK in the very near future. »
Epitaph-signed hardcore-punksters Union 13 were yesterday involved in the break up of a bizarre attempted mugging. After watching headline band the Voodoo Glow Skulls finish their set, Union 13 and 2 members of the Glow Skulls left the venue on the way to their tour bus. Having taken only a few steps outside, the bands»
The Voodoo Glow Skulls were born in the bedroom of Frank, Eddie and Jorge Casillas (Vocals, guitar, and bass, respectively) way back in 1988. Along with close family friend Jerry O’Neill (drums) they soon recruited a brass section and were one of the first bands to ever merge the two genres of ska and punk. Since th»
Ok punks, listen up.
The Extreme 2001 music festival will this year be held at the following venues:
August
18th - S.E.C.C. Glasgow
26th - New River Stadium, Wood Green, London
27th - Wollaton Park Nottingham
Bands already confirmed for the bill are:
Less Than Jake,
»
The line-up for this year's Holidays in the Sun festival, which will run from friday July 6th to Sunday July 8th has been announced. Bands confirmed for the festival include: Friday 6th: Stiff Little Fingers, UK Subs, Sham 69, The Business, DOA, Rotunda and....[spunge]?!? Saturday 7th: SNFU, Citizen Fish, GBH»
From the ashes of 88 Fingers Louie comes Chicago’s latest punk rock export, Rise Against. Boasting thought provoking lyrics, screaming vocals, a disturbing love of pizza and legitimate Mafia ties, this band has it all! “The Unraveling” is Rise Against’s first full-length release. Produced by legendary Mass G»
On arriving at the venue and making my way upstairs to the cramped space that is the second floor of the Foundry, it’s clear just how far the scene’s progressed recently. It’s another almost sell-out crowd and the anticipation for tonight’s show is instantly noticeable. People are happy, enjoying themselves and talking»
If you'd have asked me 2 weeks ago what Australia has given to the rest of the world, i'd have said: crappy soaps, kangaroos and a song by the Manic Street Preachers (For which it can never be forgiven) However, on April 12th i saw Frenzal Rhomb supporting Less than Jake, and what can i say? For me, Australia has fi»
Let’s clear one thing up once and for all; punk isn’t what it used to be, this isn’t the 70s anymore! For one thing, punk is no longer about anarchy. No-one wants to overthrow the government…no-one cares! Yeah, there’s a few groups of throw backs out there who didn’t pay attention to the last twenty something years, bu»
Coming across like what Grade would sound like if they'd been born in Birmingham, Intention make one hell of a noise! Backed by the brutal riffing of guitarists Mothy and Dave, the thumping bass lines of bassist Gaz and the pounding beats of drummer Dave, vocalist Ian's high pitched screams round off the sound nicely. »
I’d heard plenty of Frenzal Rhomb’s stuff on CD and while it was good, nothing could’ve prepared me for their live show. From the very start their set is fast-paced, lively and uplifting punk rock and the crowd goes suitably mental for every song. Coming across like Australia’s answer to NOFX, Frenzal Rhomb certainly w»
In a recent interview, legendary LA ska-punkers, Goldfinger announced Less than Jake to be "baloney-sandwich-eating buffons", as well as "a bunch of two-faced, shit-talking girls". In what seemed like a call to arms, they also asked that a tape be played to Less than Jake telling them that Goldfinger's patience has run»
Last summer a funny thing happened. One day, unbeknown to me, Radio 1 DJ Jamie Theakston reported his single of the week to be Less than Jake’s “All My Best Friends are Metalheads”. Soon after, Simon Mayo declared this to be “the summer of ska”, and when I found out, I have to admit, I was horrified! I’d always prided »
Another great gig at the Foundry, things are really looking up for the Birmingham scene at the moment. First up tonight are local heroes, Farse. Gone are the days of their hardcore inspired riffing, the new look Farse are a much more diverse band, mixing ska, punk, jazz and hardcore. As always, the band are on fine for»
As the house lights dim, and [spunge] emerge onstage with the A-Team theme tune ringing in the background, it becomes apparent just how popular this band now are. Throughout their set, a good proportion of the crowd are dancing, singing along or tapping their toes and it is certainly a lasting mark of the effort the»
Big D and the Kids Table are an amazingly under-rated ska-core band from Boston, USA. They play a tight mix of punk and ska and their live shows are full of energy. If you like the Mad Caddies, Link 80 or Less than Jake, this is definitely a band to check out. I spoke to them after their recent show in Redditch which i»
Released as soundtrack to the film “That Darn Punk”, this compilation boasts tracks from some of the biggest names in punk at the moment. Lagwagon appear with the brilliantly catchy “After You My Friend”, possibly the best song on their latest album “Let’s Talk About Feelings”. Cult ska-punkers Rancid donate their r»
Having just signed the awesome new bands OZMA and M16, it seems KUNG FU RECORDS can’t put a foot wrong at the moment. Recently signed Antifreeze’s debut album for Kung Fu only goes to prove that point. Coming awash with catchy, infectious tunes and heart-wrenching vocals, Antifreeze sound exactly like what you’d get if»
What are the high points and low points of being in MxPx?
Tom: “The high points are playing in front of people, that’s why we do a band. It’s fun! The low points are being away from the girlfriends and the friends, stuff like that.”
What’s been the best gig you’ve ever played?
T: “It’»
First of all, how are you enjoying your time in Britain?
Charlie: “Oh, we love England tremendously. We did a covers album about a year ago and every song on there is originally by a British artist except for the one by Peter Tosh, who’s a Jamaican artist. The UK is really tough on American bands though bec»
