Single Review - Idle Violets / Fuzz

Written by Adam Gallagher

Idle Violets have hit every correct note possible when it comes to their debut single. The self proclaimed trio of 'Jizz Rock' from Stockton on Tees have splattered a massive amount of the stuff all over us with the track 'Fuzz' as a build up to their EP release "Ol' Evil Tides".

The opening bass chords provided by Richard Federkiel, vibrate through your chest, introduce Joel Clayton a matter of seconds later who shows just truly how good his finger skills are by the shredding of the guitar, accompany that with Micky Cuthbertson who pounds a nice steady beat into the drums, this ladies and gents is a foundation of four minutes and twenty three seconds of pure heaven.

The vocals provided by Joel would make any human weak at the knees, a true raw voice that in certain sections of the song becomes stronger and aggressive, he showcases an excellent vocal range within this song. What is so good about this song is that the vocals and the music being made, go hand in hand with one another and that is the key factor that stands out when listening to this song.

If you've not heard of Idle Violets before, where have you been!? They will certainly blow you away with this track. Without a doubt, 'Fuzz' is just a teaser of an EP which promises to be more Jizz Rock eargasms.

If you've not heard the track yet, click the link below and enjoy -

https://soundcloud.com/idle-violets/fuzz 

Gig Review - Hollywood Ending / O2 Academy 2

Written by Anna McMillan

Pop punk band Hollywood Ending took to the stage last weekend in Newcastle for the last time. The American band made up of Dan Geraghty, Cameron Byrd, Tyler Wilson and the one British member, Chris Bourne (Brother to Busted’s James Bourne) announced that the Never Ending Story tour will be the final appearance for the four piece as they will be going their separate ways once the tour ends. After 4 long years together, the band are set to embark on personal journeys with two members going back to college in the states. 

The boys definitely ended their time as a band on a high with support from the weird but awesomely talented, Astro Safari a three piece techno band who’s style I can only describe as hillbilly. With their dungarees and stomachs on show I couldn’t comprehend what my eyes were seeing. Looking around the Academy I could tell it wasn’t just me who was confused at what I was looking at on stage. Then the rave lights and techno sound affects began to come out of their mics and keyboard.

I give it to them for unleashing their weirdness and I can say that I may have judged a book by its cover because they weren’t actually too bad in the end. Their upbeat, high energy raps were unusual but catchy. They even got the crowds dancing and raving along to their crazy sound.

  

They definitely warmed the crowds up in time for Hollywood Ending to take the stage. 

Hollywood Endings set felt like a mini greatest hits tour as they sang a lot of ‘throwback’ songs as they called them. Their first one being 18, a very boyband kind of pop song with care free vibes of being young and having fun. 

The fun loving vibes continued throughout the night as the boys played their parody cheesy pop track Boyband Song. The song is basically taking the piss out of manufactured, mindless boybands who are brainwashed by management to create the same generic songs to sell records. It even comes with awful boyband style dancing which the crowds happily copied. 

Proving their not about to be a stereotypical boyband, they began another of my favourite songs, The Grocery Store or should I say rap. Their odd sense of humour is portrayed in this high intensity track as they rap about buying food and ‘getting ratchet in the grocery store.’ What can we say, their American! 

Say what you will about the lyrics but it is a catchy song with an upbeat chorus about filling your fridge. The crowds especially love our very own Brit, Chris Bourne’s verse in the song when he raps about buying his PG tips. 

Showing their mischievous ways the boys began to tell the story of when Tyler fell off stage during one of their earlier performances in Newcastle as he stepped back not realising that there was just open air behind him. He even joked about having a massive bruise on his butt for weeks. It is never a dull show when those boys are in town. 

It was quite an emotional goodbye as they thanked their Geordie fans for supporting them by coming out to see their shows in the UK and promised that this would not be the end of their music, hopefully one day they will get back together and create a new sound. 

Closing the show with the song that first introduced Hollywood Ending to the world Don’t Let Me Down, the atmosphere in the room was ecstatic as the fans and support acts danced together for the last time at a Hollywood Ending concert. 

Good luck to the boys in their future, the music was great while it lasted. 

Album Review - Davey Bandman / Every River

Written by Adam Gallagher

Davey Bandman's newest album 'Every River' is a massive statement from the band, showcasing every members talent.

The album starts with the echoing shouts from Mark (Vocals and Rhythm) for Joe (lead guitar) to take it away, which he certainly does that with the opening riffs of 'Leave Me Lie'. I found myself been lured in straight away from the get go, with the guitar chords ringing through out the entire length of this song. It is a fantastic track, which oozes the core talent of the band, the foundation on which Davey Bandman were made on. The ability of being able to produce a song which highlights the full extent of skills the band have.

Heavy bass gets the second track 'Every River' underway and by this point you find yourself telling yourself that you have found a hidden gem of an album. Throughout the album, you can tell the amount of attention to detail the band have put into this release.

Stripping it back to what the band is all about, the next track is 'Tall Trees', if you've never heard the song, then you certainly are missing out on what truly is one of the best songs produced within the North East. It can satisfy anyones needs within seconds of the opening chords, the slow pace of the guitar building up to a fantastically judged tempo of a song along with great vocals and a well fitted drum beat.

The stand out thing about this album, is that every song sounds so different and provides you with just a taster of what the band are capable of producing. The next song 'The Little Green Man That Lives In A Bush' is a prime example of this, this thought is echoed by 'Trouble With Jenny'. Throughout this track you can hear the influence of other bands who have inspired Davey Bandman to create music, it has hints of both Blur and Black Keys but with the raw northern talent which is held within the four piece indie rock and roll band.

'Tell Me' is the penultimate song on the album, and unlike a lot of albums I've listened to recently, the band don't give up on that tempo that is set from the first track to the very last. The stand out moment on this track is the guitar solo around half way through the song, just listening to the music ability is amazing.

The last track is a live edit of the bands locally famous cover 'Addicted To Bass', if you've never heard Davey Bandman sing this song live, listening to it on their album is just a tiny teaser of what truly is an epic all round song. Normally I see bands produce covers and they sound more or less the same, Davey Bandman have completely stripped it down and repieced it together with their own style and sound.

Overall, this album is one that has won me over massively, it has everything you'd expect from an album, amazing instrumentals, fantastic vocals and all round high tempo.