Call Upon The Author

Rolo Tomassi is a name I’ve heard many times before, often mentioned in the same breath as Gallows and The Bronx, but I’ve never actually gotten around to giving them a listen. Whilst they do share some traits with the aforementioned bands they have a sound that marks them out as different from the usual hardcore fare. Instead of playing straight ahead hardcore/punk, Sheffield’s Rolo Tomassi throw in synth and more experimental elements into their song. Coupled with having a female vocalist in a genre dominated by males it makes for a more unique listening experience.

You know when you hear somebody on the radio and you’re quite content to ignore their existence, but then you somehow get to listening to their album and, rather frustratingly, you actually quite like it. Yeah? Yeah…this is one of those albums. It’s catchy, it’s slightly varied, when it loses you it’s quick to pick you back up and it’s full to the brim with radio friendly tunes…

The Rising have always been proud to wear their influences on their sleeves, which has become apparent on their debut EP Hey You. They have the obvious Oasis influence, which some Oasis fans may actually like. Others, however, may dismiss immediately, thinking it’s just another ‘rip-off’ and that no one can replace Oasis…

Hey folks, we’re back again with a bunch of brilliant videos for your viewing pleasure! As always we’ve tried to grab vids that you won’t see repeated every 30 minutes on Viva, but that deserve your attention! First up, a lovely acoustic version of the next single by Little Fish. Here we have Juju’s voice [...]

If, like me, you first started listening to music ‘properly’ (ie: seeking it out, rather than listening to what the radio/tv told you to) in the early to mid nineties, then your musical tastes probably take in a lot of what might be called alt.rock and you probably like a bit of grungey angst here and there…

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…

Canadian nonsense-mongers Hot Hot Heat are back, with their third album Future Breeds. I wouldn’t usually mention album artwork, but the effort that’s gone into this one merits it- elaborate and complicated, and every lyric handwritten in fancy fashion… I’ve had this for a couple of weeks and still can’t take my eyes off it. Well, that’s what it looks like, how does it sound? Mind bending, quirky, odd… but then, it IS Hot Hot Heat. Oh, and dead good as well…

Hero are a perplexing band, you’re never quite sure how to take them. Hailing from Canada, they’ve taken the name of their debut album from a Gaelic festival. The album cover too doesn’t seem to fit with their music in the slightest, depicting a medieval scene complete with monkeys on horseback, you’d think there would be a sense of humour present but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Open up the booklet and along with the usual artwork and lyrics you’ll find a glossary of terms, the purpose of which isn’t quite evident. Are they trying to make their material look intellectual and deep?

Larkin Poe are a re-invention of American country popsters The Lovell Sisters – minus the oldest sister. After the departure of Jessica (who, brilliantly, has done things the other way around to most people, by dropping out of a successful band to go to college…), 19 and 20 year old Rebecca and Megan Lovell have renamed themselves with their great-great-great Grandad’s moniker, teamed up with some musicians from Knoxville, and delivered Spring for our delectation. And it’s lovely! The girls have the lyrics, the musical talent, the back-up band, and above all the voices. This EP is a little cracker.

It’s time for some more cracking videos from our favourite artists! First up, we’ve got Them:Youth. We love these boys and they’ve been good friends of the site, so if you haven’t come across the band before (where have you been?) check out the video for their latest single Fever Rising below for your own [...]