I went to see Boys Like Girls not long back, I really wasn't looking forward to it but it ended up being an incredible night, and it was actually fun instead of a struggle all night trying to push through the crowd. First band Every Avenue were amazing. They make simple, raw pop punk; they're a bit like Farewell and the other quick rising bands at the moment. I definitely recommend. Metro Station were even better than them, as embarassing as it is to admit. Since then, I've gone and bought their self titled album and it's so good. 80's inspired cheesy electro rock might not sound appealing, but it really is. Whether they annoy you or not, the songs are so catchy you're forced to like them.
(Metro Station; photo credit: Robert Chamorro)
Boys Like Girls were obviously the best of all. They played a good sized set at just under an hour and they interacted a lot with the crowd. It was my second time seeing them and I still can't believe how much better they are live. Now I'm just waiting until their next tour :]
(Boys Like Girls)
I also went to the Kerrang! Relentless tour which featured (in order) In Case Of Fire, Black Tide, Dir En Grey, Bring Me The Horizon and Mindless Self Indulgence. I didn't think much of In Case Of Fire, a bit boring and not memorable at all. 3rd time seeing Black Tide and they were as good as they've always been, seriously good band. I hadn't listened to Dir En Grey before and didn't realise they were goth death metal. I was a bit scared for my life on the second row when they opened with an ear piercing scream. They were quite awful tbh. I loved Bring Me The Horizon, they're the reason I went really. Frontman Oli Sykes had been ill and noone knew if he would make it or not, but I'm so glad he did. Full of energy and exactly what you'd expect from them really.
(Bring Me The Horizon; photo credit: www.adamelmakias.com)
But Mindless Self Indulgence stole the night. I'm so glad I finally got the barrier for them. They were actually better than all of the other bands together... x10 :) I love it when bands put on a show rather than just play a few songs and with MSI they never disappoint. There's plenty of banter with the crowd, a huge comedy element as Jimmy Urine is hilarious and just the perfect frontman, and songs played with huge talent. If you only see one band again, make sure it's these.
(photo credit: Paul Harries)
BANDS...
Me Vs Hero
www.myspace.com/mevshero
What I love about these is that they're pop punk with metal elements, which means they stand out from the rest. In one song they might go from a huge intro to perfectly sung vocals by frontman Sam Thompson, to metal-style breakdowns and then onto epic gang vocals. All of this means they'd be amazing live; they're touring with the amazing Paige soon and I'd hate to miss it.
Recommended: Hand Me The Keys To Massey, Starrraiders and Spaceinvaders
Trainspotters
www.myspace.com/trainspottersuk
In the first few seconds of listening you might think Trainspotters are just another indie band, one that often sound a lot like Bloc Party. But you'll soon realise they're something so much more, as this band are indie rock n roll with rapping, something that isn't often done. The rap sounds perfect over the simple drum beat and indie riffs, I think they're really quite amazing ;]
Recommended: Welcome To London.
Driving East
www.myspace.com/drivingeast
Definitely my favourite band of the moment. This pop punk foursome are hardly known at all but they have the most professional sound like they've been doing this all of their life. They have the usual catchy chorus', the beats that mean you can't stop listening and the 'woah's that seem to creep into almost every song of this genre nowadays, but this isn't necessarily a band thing as they do it so well.
Recommended: Backseat, Blue Eyes.
Random Conflict
www.myspace.com/randomconflictband
It takes quite a lot for me to like a hardcore band these days, but this band have everything that gets me liking this sound. They're a local band for me and I feel stupid for not listening to them before now. Even though Random Conflict are a bit heavier, you'll like them if you're into bands like Bring Me The Horizon, except RC care more about their music than their look, and it really shows in the songs. I'm also seeing them support Chiodos soon which I can't wait for.
Recommended: Kellerman, California Baby Get With The Programme.
The Takeover UK
www.myspace.com/thetakeoveruk
This band are totally different to any other on this post. Sounding like they're from 40 years ago, and also sharing similarities to bands such as the overrated Zutons , the highly underrated Sonic Hearts, and very often Strokes-style guitar riffs, they could easily have chart success. This is britpop at it's best, sung by the rough sounding frontman which only adds to the rock and roll element.
Recommended: Don't Wait Up, Ah La La, Kill Me Dead.
I never liked Hit The Lights before but recently I'm warming to them, especially the songs I've heard from their old EP. But they have a new album out 'Skip School, Start Fights' and even though most of it doesn't sound very good, their new single Drop The Girl does. Here it is;
I have 2 songs to recommend, both really different, first First Class Fever's 'Mind Over Matter'. I didn't think they were too good on a first listen, but I couldn't stop playing this one song. Listen here;
www.myspace.com/firstclassfever
Also, Frank Turner's 'Reasons Not To Be An Idiot'. It's indie folk and incredibly catchy. You might have been lucky enough to get it free on itunes last week. This is the only place I can find it online so here's the video;
DOWNLOADS...
-Get Set Radio are giving away another free song, it's a new demo that's apparently gonna end up on the new album, and it's pretty good. Get it here.
-Indie rock band The Pursuit are giving away 4 of their songs in their Sounds Like section on myspace. Get them here.
I'm done. The next post will include a review of the Chiodos gig and more than likely a lot of pop punk bands ;]
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