Call Upon The Author

Outside, in Bournemouth, the sun was shining brightly, almost without mercy as the market packed up for the day. Amidst the clang of metal against metal and plastic against the pavement was the excited chatter of those queuing outside the O2 Academy, waiting for the doors to open.
But who cares about what was outside? Who could care when in the depths of the cavernous academy one of the behemoths of music resided alongside one of Britain’s most exciting bands. Although diminutive in size and in name, Little Fish pack a surprising punch.

2010 has been a fantastic year for High Wycombe quintet Young Guns, who are undoubtedly flying the flag for up and coming British rock bands at the moment. Their new album “All our Kings are Dead” has received positive acclaim from the UK’s music press, including an impressive “4K” rating from Kerrang! Magazine, who are becoming a regular in the prestigious rock magazine. We took the time to catch up with Gustav Wood, the bands vocalist, during a busy UK tour to talk, fan tattoos, personal experiences reflected on the album and supporting Bon Jovi.

Whilst a number of our nations “sporting heroes” have not been busting their balls for our approval *cough * the England football team *cough*, rising Liverpudlian rock band Sound of Guns most definitely are. As the band arrive at Coventry’s famous Kasbah venue – after making an appearance on Sky and getting “ spray painted in make-up” according to vocalist Andy Metcalfe, before having to travel in a somewhat decrepit van up to Coventry during rush hour – it is arguable that other, more pretentious bands would cancel the gig due to exhaustion, not Sound of Guns…

Revere finish soundchecking at Southsea’s The Fat Fox, and wander over to where I’m waiting to have a chat with them. As the bar is playing (good) music very loudly, it is decided that this is not a suitable place to conduct an interview, and in the absence of anywhere better we head back to mine for a beer and a chat! Because Revere make music that is intelligent, grown up and somewhat earnest, I’m interested to discover if the band themselves are the same… Singer/ guitarist Stephen Ellis and violinist Ellie Wilson are representing, as I simply cannot fit the entire eight piece ensemble into my palatial shoebox.

White Belt Yellow Tag have apparently just finished soundchecking when myself and my illustrious best mate arrive to interview them. They are Justin Lockey, formerly of Yourcodenameis:milo, Craig Pilbin, and Tom Bellamy ex-Cooper Temple Clause. When they come strolling out from behind the green door, both of our heads snap up – this band are [...]

Something a little different for you today. When Matt Merritt was offered the chance to interview Disturbia founder Frank Major, he couldn’t quite understand why they’d be interested in a music site. Then he realised that Disturbia make shirts for the Prodigy and their tees are often found adorning walking rock god Slash. Suddenly, this interview seemed like a very good idea indeed! So, we sent Frank some questions, and here’s what he had to say!

Despite the enthusiasm of the audience, the energy of the support acts and the overall rawness of the night so far, everybody backstage is strangely calm. Perhaps it has come with years of constant touring but there was still something quite eerie about stepping from a hallway with boisterous yells bombarding the walls, into a room where the most activity going on was someone shifting to get comfortable as they watched the gig downstairs on screen.

Forming four years ago 20 miles south of central London, Subsource are a band that doesn’t conform to any genre stereotypes. They play dance music with the intensity of a punk band, throwing in elements of dub, drum and bass and metal to create a sound all of their own. In their own words, they [...]

Jon Allen, a guy who goes relatively undetected but a guy who puts too much work in for it to be deserved. Hopefully, with the release of his album Dead Man’s Suit and his impending tour of Europe it’s something that is about to change. He’s a great live performer, fantastic at keeping his audience [...]

Alberta Cross first came to this writer’s, and indeed much of the media’s attention in 2008, belated appreciation for the group’s stripped back, acoustic debut after Oasis had taken them under their wing, with many startled by the emotion carried in Petter Ericson Stakee’s distinct, high-pitched warble. Fast forward to 2009, and, despite the acclaim, a new and very different incarnation of Alberta Cross returned. Stakee’s voice still the wondrous focal point, but with a band that roared its support – no longer sadly lamenting but burning rage. Broken Side Of Time was a stylishly delivered desolate Blues-rock debut that left some listeners cold, but captured the anger and frustration of modern times perfectly for others…