How Tragic… the duality of the name and the singularity of the impact. ‘The Fear’ is your punk rock sweet spot. A soaring, euphoric anthem that snarls, spits and caresses. It’s a bloody film noir, a slice of retro kitsch that respects the trailblazers of the 90s but covers new ground. Thunderous drums and a […]
In September 2021, I interviewed A Certain Ratio just ahead of the release of Loco Remezclada. They had already written 1982. Restlessly creative, respectful to their influences and history, always looking forward. First of all, the stunning album design by Trevor and Craig Johnson. Classic, clean, modern typography and a passionate colour palette that unlocks […]
“Brixton is God” The school kid scrawling it on the wall of the boys’ room all those years ago had it right. If they’re reading this, well maybe they’d be proud of the longevity of their proclamation. Because Brix Smith is still a rock god. She’s back amongst us with her first solo album – yeah, […]
“Life is the lake of existence. It is as turbulent as you make it. As calm as you allow it to be. It forms around you and your thoughts about yourself. Therefore, make sure your thoughts about yourself are consistent with the life you wish to live.” Sananda Maitreya On July 8th, 2022, Sananda Maitreya […]
Are friendships for life a thing anymore? Does our unsettled world give us the right habitat to grow older together as friends? I’m not so sure. But maybe that’s just me. It’s the sign of a deep friendship when you can see someone after, like, forever and it’s like you’ve never been apart. Frankie Cosmos […]
Jarboe. A name synonymous with iconoclastic, incomparable performance art. The living legend inhabiting a mystic world where reality, mortality, sacrifice, reinvention, eroticism, and black humour are satiated through the artistic crucible of seduction and malevolence, tenderness and brutality. A songwriter, performer, recording artist and visual artist drawing from a childhood in America’s south, drawn to […]
Punk performance poet Jay Mitra talks anger, joy and reflection with David Erdos and Giles Sibbald The move from page to performance in modern poetry, while seemingly going hand in hand has often seen previous generations slap it away in favour of hiding behind the stanza. A new generation of poets have now reclaimed the […]
Gurriers. Remember the name because they are starting to cause a stir. They’re raging, visceral and their riffs will make you punch the air. Synthesise the raw ferocity of a (melodic) Metz with the confident rock n roll swagger of early Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and you can start to get the idea of Gurriers’ […]
When you hear and fall in love with those musicians who have combined poetic storytelling with music that shows deep respect and love for its wonderful diversity of guises. That feeling, y’know? Rock ‘n’ roll has always been the haven of outsiders of those who won’t conform, a community, a gang where you can feel […]
It’s 1992 and it’s the Reading Festival. The now legendary Reading festival, I should say. Nirvana, Public Enemy, The Wonderstuff, Nick Cave, Rollins Band, Teenage Fanclub, L7, PJ Harvey, PIL, Beastie Boys, The Charlatans, Manic Street Preachers, Ride, Pavement, Melvins, Mudhoney, Smashing Pumpkins, The Farm… Anything stand out…? L7 seemed to be bulletproof in the […]
