The Fuzillis - Krief - Nervous Twitch - J Lee and The Hoodoo Skulls

The Fuzillis - UNGAWA!

Background - London's latest and greatest rock'n'roll party band, The Fuzillis, are ready to Blast Off! This non stop, rock’and’roll grind-a-go go machine was formed in London in late 2014 and features the high energy rock and roll twang of guitar player Dan Criscuolo; the sleazy, growly tenor sax-tones of Thomas "T-Mag" Maguire; the thunderous jungle rhythms of Wilco “The Hammer” van Eijk and the low down tones of the boss of the bass, Mr Frankie Fuzilli Sr. (a.k.a. Zig Criscuolo, bass player of MFC Chicken).

They mix up a sleazy atomic age r’n’r cocktail blending Link Wray and the craziest Las Vegas Grind tunes with a large shot of Grady Gaines' Upsetters, a dash of The Fabulous Wailers, a slice of Nick Curran and top it all off with the wildest titty twistin' tunes on the Planet Earth.

Recent live activity includes multiple Spanish tours and two Dutch tours, the Festival del Valle di Tobalina (with Mambo Jambo and The Limboos), headlining The 10th Anniversary Rock and Roll Circus in Amsterdam, Weirdsville (with Big Boss Man and King Salamis), What’s Cookin’, Bule Bule Toga Fest (with Les Grys Grys and Dr Explosion), The New Barcelona Hayride and Funtastic Dracula Carnival, Benidorm (with Guitar Wolf and The Mummies).

2017 has also been incredibly busy with main feature slots at Hipsville (UK), Surforama (Spain), Voodoo Festival (Italy), Montesquiou On The Rocks (France) and The Rockabilly (Rave). In 2016 they released their (now Sold out) debut single Mogul Monster c/w Beavershot on strictly limited 7” vinyl through FOLC Records.

In 2017 they completed the recording of their first LP "Grind A Go Go, Volume 1" at Space Eko East Recording Studios with Alex McGowan (Jim Jones Revue, MFC Chicken, Josh Homme, Oh! Gunquit, Wilco Johnson, Jah Wobble) in the chair. The album features 16 brand new and vintage grind a go go classics. To support the launch of the record, the Fuzillis will be gigging around Europe starting in Nottingham (Blast Off! Festival) followed by Spain (including support slots with Barrence Whitfield and Mambo Jambo), Italy and the UK. They’re also planning a special UK LP London launch show at Weirdsville on Jan 27th, 2018.

The Fuzillis... One word instr-o-mental grind-a-go go party monsters who’ll make you twist till your toes bleed. BAND-PAGE, FACEBOOK.

Tour dates:
10 Nov UK     Nottingham Blast Off Festival
16 Nov Spain     Barcelona  Apolo 2
17 Nov Spain     Castellon Four Seasons
18 Nov Spain     Madrid Funhouse
19 Nov Spain     Segovia Beat Club
20 Nov Spain     R3 Interview Madrid
21 Nov Spain     TV Show Madrid
21 Nov Spain     Valladolid Backstage Bar
22 Nov Spain     Oviedo Lata de Zinc
23 Nov Spain     Burgos Carmen 13
24 Nov Spain     Ubeda La Teteria
25 Nov Spain     Malaga Sala Velvet
26 Nov Spain     Cox TnT Blues
30 Nov Spain     Valencia 16 Toneladas
01 Dec Spain     Zaragoza Casa del loco
02 Dec Spain     Tomelloso Sala Beat
07 Dec Italy     Macerata Terminal
08 Dec Italy     Perugia Urban
09 Dec Italy     Treviso Nasty Boys Saloon           
06 Jan UK     Brixton Stranger Than Paradise
27 Jan UK     London Weirdsville
03 Feb Spain   Torremolinos   

Just one of sixteen wonderful tracks on 'GRIND A GO GO, Volume 1' I have chosen 'UNGAWA!' for you to savour over. I just love this album, as described above the band are "one word instr-o-mental grind-a-go go party monsters." If you are in need of a massive mood lift, or just want to take a discreet and personal cobweb removal session, then The Fuzillis are a remarkable starting point.

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Krief - Ordinary Lies.

Background - Throughout his successful career as the lead guitarist and co-writer of the Canadian indie rock band The Dears, Patrick Krief has been busy, and we mean b u s y. 

Touring with the likes of Midlake, Morrissey, Metric, Broken Social Scene in places like the Wembley Arena, Hyde Park, Electric Ballroom, Koko as well as V Festival, Redding, Leeds, Glastonbury, T in the Park to name (not) a few, we can confidently say that sonically Krief knows his stuff.

Signed to Fierce Panda Records, his upcoming new single “Ordinary Lies” unveils a musician with a true eloquence of expression. The intimate piano-based intro, in the style of Cat Power’s “I Don’t Blame You”, instantly grabs both ears with its authenticity (fyi, sounds incredible on headphones). It hits you from the get-go and you just know that this is going to be good.

Krief’s soul-bearing Jose Gonzalez/ Ray Lamontagne-esque vocals begin singing with the soft Whitley-like harmonies joining soon after. David Schiffman’s production (RHCP, Tom Petty, NIN, Johnny Cash) is impeccably modest in its approach, where each part- from synths through guitar bits to piano plonks (all played by Krief himself)- serves its purpose, holds its depth and builds the arrangement’s thematic expansion.

“Ordinary Lies” is taken from the forth-coming Automanic Red + Automanic Blue albums, which according to Krief, are "autonomous in their flow and not meant to be listened to in one sitting. Although releasing one without the other simply wouldn’t make any sense — the plot truly exists within the invisible line that bonds them." “Ordinary Lies” is out everywhere via Fierce Panda Records Now, with the double album Automanic to follow on the 17th November 2017. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

UK Tour Dates:
18th November - The Swan, Ipswich
21st November- The Wheatsheat- Oxford City Festival
23rd November- Paper Dress Vintage, London
24th November- Sofar Sounds, London
25th November- Factory, Manchester

Personal and gently developing 'Ordinary Lies' is a captivating song, rich with vocal intimacy, alongside a musical arrangement that drifts up and down with layers of gorgeous sounds. 

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Nervous Twitch - She's So Hip.

Background - Nervous Twitch matched twisted rock’n’roll and punk rock on their previous LPs ‘Get Back In Line’ (2015) and ‘Don’t Take My TV’ (2016). With a Marc Riley 6 Music session under the belts the band return with their 3rd LP ‘I Won’t Hide’ – their first as a three piece.

Nervous Twitch take on both personal and universal themes of alienation, anxiety and adversity transform it into 14 tracks of hook filled fuzzy New Wave Pop – sounding more cohesive than ever before.

This new LP expands on their previous releases pushing their arrangements further whilst maintaining their pop sensibilities, with a range of influences from The Swell Maps to The Crystals, Nervous Twitch take you on a trip through the modern world as seen through their eyes. FACEBOOK.

'She's So Hip' is a small glimpse of the fourteen songs that make up 'I Won't Hide' a feisty affair in part, accompanied by some slower paced tracks. That said the potency, passion and energy is clearly trying to burst out from just beneath the surface throughout the album. It's new wave pop with some clear respect for older new wave, if you get my drift.

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J Lee and The Hoodoo Skulls - 2 Bit Lovers.

Background - J Lee and the Hoodoo Skulls are an instantly addictive contemporary blues rock band projecting dirty guitar riffs, stomping swamp percussion, and gut wrenching vocals. The Surrey based band blends Americana with bluesy retro vibes to create their unique brand of urban blues rock. Their unique, innovative sound is typically the stuff of biker rock legend that you'd find somewhere down an American highway, and thus have to pinch yourself to remember that they come from the UK!

Fronted by Jason Lee Barratt of whom has adopted a phenomenal vocal range thanks to the lineage from his father (Shakin Stevens), but also honed his own sound which soars over the driving guitars of Harun Kotch on lead guitar and Luke Sohl Williams on bass, whilst sitting on solid drum grooves by drummer Wayne Riches (has also been the live drummer for Skin- Skunk Anansie amongst others.) Between them, the band have already played on every corner of the globe with international chart success, received national award nominations, and had music used for various advertising campaigns, (including Henri Lloyd and the Mercerdes Petronas F1 Team.)

Off the back of their debut single Woman going viral online and a successful UK tour earlier this year supporting Shakin Stevens, J Lee and the Hoodoo Skulls are now back with their next single 2 Bit Lovers, which is out on Friday 1st December ahead of a debut album release set for Spring next year.

The new video exposes the band members themselves for the first time, performing amidst chunky choppers with gritty smokey surroundings pulling you into their atmosphere of ballsy blues rock! 2 Bit Lovers sits perfectly between a classic vintage sound, and something originally raw...J Lee and the Hoodoo Skulls have smashed it again! WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

'2 Bit Lovers' just gets on with being a blues rock song that we know is new, however could easily pass for something decades old. It's the modern production that gives the game away, apart from that, this is a timeless blast of full on rock & roll, with more to follow.


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Weekend Wonders: Diamond Mind - Krief - Ayla - Taylor Payne - The Radio Dept. - Slow Hollows

Diamond Mind - Horseless Coach.

Background promo - Diamond Mind have announced their debut full-length album Heavy Metal Sunshine and shared the first track "Horseless Coach". Heavy Metal Sunshine is due October 7 on Wyatt Records. Formed in the summer of 2013, Diamond Mind is one of Edmonton, Alberta's favourite musical exports. Always looking to draw from many diverse wells - pop, noise, soul, all with an eye to the baroque - the band has already mapped extensive territory, leaping forward with the release of each of their three EPs. With these releases the band has won audiences through the unique character of their songs, recorded in environments ranging from attic bedrooms to storied, established studios.

The songs themselves echo this varied topography, ranging in content from intimate, confidential entries, elaborate pseudo-histories and haunting character sketches. Tracing the line back-and-forth between the accessible and the challenging, the music of Diamond Mind carved out an audience among both critics and fans, registering praise not only across Canada but from the international music community. In 2016, Diamond Mind partnered with Wyatt Records for the release of their debut album Heavy Metal Sunshine.

Melodic vocals and a fascinating range of sounds within the music makes 'Horseless Coach' stand out. It's a pop song, that is given a vital edge by the bands mass of imagination.

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Krief - Deo Gratias.

Background - Montreal singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Patrick Krief, has announced details of his highly anticipated fourth solo studio album, ‘automanic’ which will be released on September 30th via Culvert Music- available for pre-order now. He’s also celebrating the premiere of the latest single from the album, “Deo Gratias” which he shared on The Huffington Post this past week.  Krief is set to embark on an extensive Canadian tour in support of ‘automanic’ this fall. 

‘automanic’ is a double album comprised of ‘automanic red’ and ‘automanic blue’, which Krief describes as "autonomous in their flow, yet not meant to be listened to in one sitting." Krief’s deep content is a result of a string of deaths he experienced, blended with heartbreak, grief and despair. Creativity healed adversity and inspired Krief to write poetic lyrics, both earnest and abstract, paired against sounds of contemporary pop and rock, atop dreamy soundscapes and rock ballads alike.

Similarly to his previous albums, Krief created ‘automanic’ independently, playing all guitars, bass, drums, percussion, piano and keyboards. He also recorded, produced and mixed the album between Studio Mixart in Montreal and Studio Bottega, on an alpaca farm in Kelowna, B.C. Mastering duties were undertaken by Phil Demetro (Kevin Drew, Hey Rosetta) in Toronto and engineer David Schiffman (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Nine Inch Nails) monitored the Montreal sessions, the album also features long time collaborator Roberto Piccioni.

Known for his role as cowriter and guitarist in Montreal’s orchestral rock-noir band The Dears, Krief spent a decade with the band crafting a unique style. ‘automanic’ highlights the contrast of sounds in his solo endeavour.

'Deo Gratias' builds gently into a quite powerful song and is most definitely, an enticing taste of what you will hear on the double album to come. With twenty songs in total, it's hard to know where to start. Put simply the variety is staggering, as is the consistent quality across both albums. The statement above that the material is not meant to be listened to in one sitting, is actually quite reasonable. There is a richness across the material that deserves to be broken down, so as to take in the whole and enjoy each track. In summary this is a powerful work, musical art in all it's glory.

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Ayla - Like the Other Kids.

Background - After the unmeasured success of her 2015 debut EP When The World Ends, Ayla returns today with a new offering in 'Like the Other Kids' and a subsequent launch tour.

Premiered last night on triple j's Goodnights, the song's chugging, layered production is anchored by a pounding drum motif that takes it from stunning to anthemic, a catalyst for misty eyes and gentle steps forward despite its "dark imagery". Then there's that voice. The smooth, effortless gliding heights. The insouciant depths. Given a delicate yet self-determined vehicle through the considered nature of Ayla's songwriting prowess, 'Like the Other Kids' represents the dawning of a new age. You'd never guess it was conceived of while Ayla was washing dishes at her parents' house, testing out her rap flow.

Aylas reputation, built to its towering esteem via consistent support from triple j, a deal with Italy's Ego Records (Emma Louise, The Jezabels) and an awestruck slew of online outlets, has reached unshakable heights. Her single 'Wish I Was' claims the accolade of being the #15 most played song on triple j in the year of its release, and snagged international remixes from Spada and Zwette. Ayla has toured her own show across the country and supported heavyweights such as Kate Miller-Heidke (national tour), Husky and Asta. At Woodford Folk Festival, The Big Pineapple Festival, Bigsound 2015 and soon Caloundra Music Festival, her irresistible live show has stood out as a glittering jewel amongst the fray.

Ayla is not up-and-coming anymore, she's here. And with a headline 'Like the Other Kids' single launch tour and new EP on its way, she's only getting started.

'Like the Other Kids' is easy on the ear, and yet there is a lot packed into the song. It's melodic and Ayla provides really good vocals, in what is an imaginative song that flows oh so beautifully.

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Taylor Payne - The Jungle Talks.

Background - Taylor Payne, a prolific song writer from the Sunshine Coast releases her second single after teaming up with The A&R Department. ‘The Jungle Talks’ is pure allure, reeling in the listener with its moody introduction, then diving into the verse with buzzing Pop synths and syncopated drums. It’s a supremely crafted song that builds anticipation right until the very end. Taylor's voice commands a distinct authority, as she brings her story of the jungle to life, taking inspirational cues from The Cure, and Eurythmics.

‘The Jungle Talks’ was recorded at Heliport Studios, Buderim, mixed by Elliot Hendrich and mastered by Mike Marsh. Taylor calls the unique style of ‘The Jungle Talks’ “dark-pop”, and it’s been described as having an 80's pop vibe, riding on a bold synth sound throughout the song, but her voice’s deep register brings a dusky atmosphere to the track. She conveys the song’s sense of adventure with lyrics like, "No need to hide if you know how to run,” before sinking into a deep reverie.

Taylor released her first single ‘Outsider’ in 2015 along with a colourful music video, getting national airplay across Australia as well the US. Her track reached listeners around the globe from it’s feature on Spotify’s The Indie Mixtape playlist. Her latest, ‘The Jungle Talks’ will be released with a music video to exemplify the song’s character. As always, you can expect something slightly askew, yet fun and eccentric. “The Jungle Talks” by Taylor Payne will be released 9th of September 2016.

The first notable thing with 'The Jungle Talks' is Taylor's attention grabbing vocals, and pretty soon after, the fact that this is a really good song. Layered synth sounds and a commanding rhythm work so well with the melodic and pleasing vocals.

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The Radio Dept. - Swedish Guns.

Background - Running Out Of Love is an album about life in Sweden in 2016 moving in the wrong direction:  politically, intellectually, morally. It's about the impatience that turns into anger, hate and ultimately withdrawal and apathy when love for the world and our existence begins to falter. 

The issues addressed throughout the band’s stunning fourth LP - out 10/21 via Labrador - are relevant not just to Sweden but around the globe. New single “Swedish Guns” is a haunting take down of the Swedish arms industry.

The Radio Dept’s new album Running Out Of Love will be released on October 21st via Sweden’s Labrador Records. It's their first album since the critically acclaimed success of 2010’s Clinging To A Scheme. Pre-order the album and receive Swedish Guns as an instant track download.

This is one potent piece of electronic music. 'Swedish Guns' is music with a relevant and meaningful message. The musical soundtrack is very imaginative, complimenting and carrying the vocals superbly.

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Slow Hollows - Softer.

Background - Romantic is the forthcoming release from Los Angeles based post-pop band Slow Hollows. Written over the span of a few months between 2015 to 2016, Romantic is meant to serve as a response to the previous record Atelophobia. Austin Feinstein, the creative influence behind the project, wrote the songs from the album during his senior year of high school.

The project was original started by Feinstein in 2014 and was previously called Hollows. Their first record, I'm Just As Bad As You Are, was recorded in a minimal space and lead Hollows to receive some success playing along side such as Beach Fossils, Nothing, Twin Peaks, Spencer Moody, Antwon and more. In 2014 the name eventually changed to Slow Hollows after a shift in members and style. The current lineup is Austin Feinstein (vocals/lead guitar), Dylan Thinnes (guitar), Aaron Jassenoff (bass), Reed Kanter (synth/keys), and Jackson Katz (drums).

As time progressed, Slow Hollows grew into the post pop five piece from influences of the likes of Pavement and Radiohead as underlying tones of melancholy and indie rock are complemented by horns and various lush instrumentation. Band members were able to mold a sound that echoed truth of fears, self-doubt, and loneliness that speaks universal lengths to their audiences.

The album captures the sadness behind love, being an artist, and is ironically guilty of expressing the hardships and dejection that artists and people face day in and day out. Stating that the band members of this talented group have a deep understanding of emotion is an understatement. The music they create speaks at lengths of the unique interpretation they have of life and they way people feel. why romantic as the title to express their music? Feinstein realized that our society has this romanticised view of mental illness and instability of people who have some merit and are mentally ill. Or have problems that they can't handle. Our society tends to look at that from romanticised standpoint, Cool to look well-tortured artist is sexy.

Record Release Show
11-04-16 - Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Ballroom.

Understated vocals against a melodic and laid back indie rock soundtrack make 'Softer' a very accessible and likable song. It's one of those songs that just drew me in, so much so, that by the end, I was checking out the album release details, pretty much as an automatic response.

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