Steve Jones, Glenn Matlock, Frank Carter and Paul Cook
Never mind the bollocks, here’s Frank.
Original SEX PISTOLS Paul Cook (drummer), Glen Matlock (bassist) and Steve
Jones (guitarist) played a gig to raise funds for London’s historical, small Bush Hall
venue in Shepherd’s Bush (where Jones and Cook grew up) last year. They recruited
fab loudmouth Frank Carter of Frank Carter And The Rattlesnakes.
Several other gigs followed quickly and this year they’ll perform
at the yearly musical event for Teenage Cancer Trust in the historic Royal Albert Hall in London.
TUTV: Without a shadow of a doubt, the perfect soundtrack for Doomsday.
Sledgehammer after sledgehammer, drone after drone, brainfucker after
brainfucker. Always danger in the air.
Cal Francis‘s spoken word performances are bone-chilling. His primal screams
send shivers down the spine. Lyrically, he operates in a space where reality and
surreality meet. No room for birds and bees.
Sonically, they fabricate a volcanic and bombastic wall-of-helter-skelter havoc.
Blood-curdling emo-punk exorcism. Chainsaw chaos. Flabbergasting and
jaw-dropping are the keywords.
Never Exhale is an other-worldly Götterdämmerung experience.
It smells like something is alive and kicking here. A spectacular and
lasting tour de force. No regression whatsoever, only progression.
Photo by TUTV – Belgium, 2024
Canadian noizz bulldozers Metz are on a long hiatus. Ditz will fill the gap. 2025 is theirs. Inhale them.
Band: LAMBRINI GIRLS Who: Two razorblade riot girrrrlzz – vox/guitarist Phoebe Lunny
and bassist Lilly Macieira – from Brighton (UK) with an insatiable
appetite for mass moshpits.
Artist: BENJAMIN BOOKER Who: Absorbing singer-songwriter
from Virginia.
Album: LOWER
His first one in 7 years,
3rd overall.
Pitchfork says: “The New Orleans-based singer-songwriter constructs a corroded
beat-centric grunge that soundtracks stories of violence and perseverance… He pays
sneering homage to the U.S. government’s history of covertly undermining
African American liberation.
The message: This game wasn’t winnable then, and it certainly isn’t winnable now. Booker has seemingly spent the seven years since his last record swallowing down all the hopelessness and dread he could hold. Now he’s spitting it back up like bile. Booker offers pockets of solace amid the outrage.
(Photo by Turn Up The Volume – Brussels 2014)
TUTV: 11 years ago BB released his garage blues/soul rock debut LP. Raw and rough.
I saw him perform an emotional gig in Brussels before about 100 people. His 2nd more laid-back album ‘Witness‘ followed in 2017 and he went away after it and now 7 years he’s back with Lower.
A totally different piece of work. A mostly guitar-distorted, yet quite melodic sound
fits his near-whispering, at times haunting and ominous vocals à la trip-hop legend Tricky. The tone is inky accentuating his downhearted sentiments, his pain caused by
that disease called racism. It’s still present in America’s society an under Trump all white supremacists are crawling back from their caves without any fear. That orange criminal gave them a voice again. Poor, poor America.
This significant, awe-inspiring and cathartic opus reflects the still alarming and
oppressing situation black people have to suffer from. Not only in the USA.
It takes its name from the Ancient Greek flower of the Underworld, and lyrically, Andrews draws more from the great poets than he does from the well of more traditional rock and roll songwriters.
TUTV: Andrews‘ enthrals one again with songs of love and death, songs of hope
and loss. He evokes Nick Cave and Father John Mysty atmospherics where introspection, melancholia and contemplations stir heart and soul. The tone is almost acoustic throughout. The timbre is mellow, affectionate, and melodramatic.
Andrews‘s vulnerable vocals are heartbreaking at times and draw your aural attention uninterruptedly. He’s blessed with a spellbound voice that fits his romantic music perfectly. 9 ruminative ballads, 9 soft-hearted musing for laid-back evenings, away
from all outside noise. A memorable 2025 accomplishment.
Artist:BONNIE “PRINCE” BILLY Who: Alter ego of singer-songwriter Will Oldham. He started his busy journey back in 1993. He released a lot of solo work so far, collaborated with other songsmiths (and still does), and, was also a member of a couple of bands.
Pitchfork says: “A sort of companion to his two previous studio LPs, it’s also his
best and most focused in some time. The Purple Bird is a Bonnie “Prince” Billy country record. Oldham gave himself over fully to the Nashville experience, participating in a series of casual songwriting sessions with various local legends and playing with a wrecking crew of musicians who are deft enough to sound like they’ve been backing him on stages all over creation. There’s a freewheeling spirit to the music they created together, a punchy camaraderie that connects.”
TUTV: BPB doesn’t behave, doesn’t dress, or doesn’t brag like super rock and roll
stars do. He’s a star when it comes to masterly singer-songwriter qualities. For years
he wrote/recorded contemplative records. Both moody and mellow. He’s a unique crooner, a genuine balladeer and a wholehearted vocalist.
And this laid-back collection of country reveries confirms once again what
we know for a long time. Never a dull moment with Bonnie “Prince” Billy.
Dim the lights, relax, listen, feel the warmth, and enjoy the soothing music.
Soul legends THE JACKSON 5 topped the US Singles Chart with I WANT YOU BACK on 3 February 1970, this day 55 years ago.
Their first numero uno.
It was performed on the band’s first television appearances.
On The Hollywood Palace and on their milestone performance
on The Ed Sullivan Show. The single sold over 6 million copies
worldwide.
Back then Michael was a sensational
kid with a singular voice and eye-popping
dance moves. A natural-born star.
Daily noise that works faster than a stream of caffeine
31 January 2025
The brothers Ron (79) and Russell Mael (76), known to the world as SPARKS
are around since 1966. Yes, that’s 59 years and no sign of retirement. Music
is the dominant element in their DNA. They can’t stop.
They canned their 28th (!) album, named it MAD!
and will soon tell us when it’ll see the day of light.
“Our mantra since 1972, amplified in 2025” the bros say.
Ahead of it comes the first preview singleDO THINGS MY OWN WAY.
A booming disco-flavered belter that sticks from the start. The town is
still big enough for both of them.
Wake up people,
it’s amateur hour,
get up and sparkle.
MARIANNE FAITHFULL has passed away yesterday at the age of 78 after a long illness. The wonderful, glamorous persona and singular voice fought breast cancer and Covid-19 the past few years. Her career started as rolling stone girl who was Mick Jagger‘s fiancée for several years.
She recorded/released countless albums. She was a compelling live artist (as I
witnessed a couple of times) and she played in several movies. An icon forever.
A stunning steamroller that gets under your skin faster than
you can say “this is bloody bonkers “. Its red-hot-blooded rush
doubles your adrenalin production on the spot. Blimey. Ecstasy.
Track: ACETA
From their debut EP,
that’ll land in February.
Aceta speaks to someone overwhelmed by anxiety. Someone feeling stuck, unable to
move forward, and uncertain about why. The song aims to bring comfort, offering a
reminder that doubt is a natural part of life and that it’s important to embrace these
turbulent phases, as they always pass with time.
Imagine Idles, Yard Act and Kneecap
throwing punches at each other.
Mind-blowing uppercut. Wowzers.
Band: MARSEILLE Who: Juvenile rock wolves
from Derbyshire, UK.
New single: HISTORY
The song is a love letter to the
dreams we all had as children.
TUTV: These young British gunslingers echo the early hopped-up days of global rock champs Oasis. They have the Gallaghers‘ sassy swagger, cocksure verve and champagne supernova groove. And the vocalist is Liam‘s son, well he could be.
They look cool, they act cool and they sound supersonic cool. They don’t look
back in anger, they want to conquer the future. D’ you know what I mean?
. Instagram – Echo Bass Records
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Track: AN ARTIST IS AN ARTIST
Their first single in 3 years and according to
a press message “the surprising first taste of
what’s to come from the band in 2025”.
An Artist Is An Artist is an instant striking stroke pushed by a mind-boggling
speedy velocity, Skin‘s hyperactive rapping, a paranoid saxophone and a
flabbergasting chorus. Not the titanic bombast we’re used to. Mind you,
still loud enough to wake your neighbours. Fucktastic flare-up.
Band: CHARM SCHOOL Who: The latest project from Andrew Sellers who, originally from Louisville (KY),
has paid his dues in both the NYC and LA DIY music scenes, and his various bands
have played with seminal acts like Joan of Arc, Grizzly Bear & At The Drive-In.
Track: WITHOUT A DOUBT
Cut from their upcoming LP, titled ‘Debt Forever‘,
out on January 24th. More info here.
Album artwork
Sellers about the track: “It’s by far the most pensive, melancholic song on the record, and it seems fitting that it’s coming out right now, amidst all the turbulence in the world. The main theme of this new record is financial uncertainty (or just uncertainty in general), so the main thing I remember about this song is the refrain “Please don’t let me run out of money” coming out randomly during practice one day.”
Interpol guitar echoes are the backbone of
this glorious mid-tempo gem. Close your eyes
and lose yourself in this riveting masterstroke.
The song was inspired by a bet Hersh had with a guy for
a dollar that revolved around the idea that the seasons
don’t change us.
Kristin Hersh strums her acoustic guitar
as she did/does her wayward way for years
now, on this sonic hypnotizer. It gets under
your skin without asking permission.
Instagram – All Albums
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Band: CMON CMON Who: Brussels/London-based indie rock trio,
who started to realize their childhood dream
in their 40s.
It’s the second shared song from their upcoming, new EP, titled Headwind.
It follows CC’s excellent 2023 debut album The Crack And The Light.
Striking artwork by Belgiandesigner Lisa Van de Vyverwith
cover images by Swedish photographer Moa Karlberg.
Turn Off The Lights is exhilarating guitar pop that sticks
on the spot. It has all the entertaining ingredients to be
added to your on repeat list.
An effervescent flow, a dominant and steadfast drum beat, an awesome guitar solo, romantic vocals, blithesome harmonies and a resonant chorus. Sonic warmth in winter.
CC hit the bullseye again!
Band: SNAPPED ANKLES Who:London-based synth mavericks, incorporating
elements of performance art and art rock. Masked
and dressed up as threes on stage.
Track: SMART WORLD
Third single from their new upcoming album Hard Times Furious Dancing. Out on
28 March.
Snapped Ankles never let you down
when you love to sway yourself gaga
to electro dancefloor uplifters like
this acid house one.
Band: RATTLE Who: Musicians Katharine Eira Brown and Theresa Wrigley formed in
2011 after meeting on the live circuit whilst both playing in other bands.
Artist: ERIC SCHROEDER Who: Very productive San Diego-born songwriter
and multi-instrumentalist who released no less than
5 albums in just 4 years and a new one is waiting
in the pipeline.
Track: EMILY
Piece from his new, forthcoming LP
named Cat’s Game out on April 11.
The lyrics speak to a lost love, as he sings, “I long to be where the colors tease, and her love concedes” with wounded swagger benefitting the paradoxical paradise of psychic devotion. There’s a unique form of bittersweet American poetry in Schroeder’s ability to make you feel the weight of longing with every lancing line.
A guitar-infused reviver from start to finish.
Catchy as hell. Emily will bounce around in
your head for quite a while.
Depeche Mode vibes, a touch of New Order and Bauhaus echoes.
Apocalyptic danger in the dark. The world is in a really bad place.
Have a last doom and gloom dance before it’s all over.
Artist: TRISTAN ARMSTRONG Who: Skilled composer and lyricist finding beauty in the quotidian struggles of urban life. His music combines a sense of earnest romanticism and poignant introspection, with a guitar-centric aesthetic.
Track: THE LONELY AVENUE
A cathartic release of rock-and-roll energy inspired by the dualities
of urban life and a longing for home. Written during his early days
in Toronto after moving from Vancouver Island.
Expect a tsunami of riffs and a pulsating
bass engine juiced with avid vocals.
Artist: MR BILLY FRITZGERALD Who: Dublin-based solo artist writing lush indie-pop songs
that simultaneously bathe in the faded light of heartbreak
while pulling you on to the dancefloor.
Track: LET US BE (SINGLE)
Song from his upcoming debut album,
titled ‘A Grand Romantic Gesture’, out on
Feb 20th.
Lyrically the track explores the theme of being with someone when everyone else thinks it’s a bad idea. Billy draws on his own experience, while growing up and learning how to be in a relationship and developing those tools, inevitably and regrettably, people get hurt along the way. Here he delves into this, as he declares love and devotion while facing down the barrage of words against the union. A true Romeo and Juliet story.
Tremendous intro. Infectious upper
juiced with sparkling guitar play,
a puissant, foot-tapping drum beat
and intensive vocals.
Track: HERE WE GO CRAZY
Title song of his upcoming,
15th longplayer.
Mould about the album: “On the surface, this is a group of straightforward guitar pop songs. I’m refining my primary sound and style through simplicity, brevity, and clarity. Under the hood, there’s a number of contrasting themes: Control and chaos, hypervigilance and helplessness, uncertainly and unconditional love.”
Very surprising and very sad news. They were
a wholehearted, perfervid and committed
rock-pop force getting better and better
with every album.
They’ll say goodbye soon with an EP,
named Machine Starts To Sing.
Margolin: “Porridge Radio are breaking up. The one-time Band To Watch announced the bummer news today while sharing “Don’t Want To Dance,” the lead single from one final EP. That project, titled Machine Starts To Sing, will be out in about a month, and Porridge Radio
will play out their final run of tour dates early this year.”
This is the last new music from Porridge Radio and marks the end of the band. The songs on this EP are an important part of Clouds In The Sky They Will Always Be There For Me, and mean a lot to us. We are excited for you to hear them. This band has been our life, we’re family now. These tours will be our last. Thanks so much for listening.”
Along with the bad news comes the first track from that planned EP.
In the light of the split-up DON’T WANNA DANCE is a most gripping,
goosebumps pearl. An emotive power ballad. A heartbreaking tearjerker.
Clouds In The Sky They Will Always Be There For Me
.
I’m gonna miss you, very much, on record and on stage!
