Able's Army - Old Songs

ALOMR favourites and Yorkshire's very own, Ables Army have just released a goodie bag of tunes on Bandcamp.

Compiled of, you guessed it, old songs, that they no longer play live, with a couple of alternative, early versions of songs they still do. This collection gives us a glimpse into the Huddersfield trio's early days, with songs they recorded at home.

Not as raw as you'd expect from what is essentially a "Garage EP", the band's soulful, shoegazing swagger is evident, a blueprint of the throwback Rock n' Roll they would go on to produce in last year's brilliant EP, God Won't Let Me Stop.

My personal highlight comes from track 3, britpop sounding "Toluca To The North", with a catchy chorus blaring between foot tapping verses. I also enjoyed the very well placed scream on track 1 "Something New". It's always quite nice joining others as they take a trip down memory lane, and that is essentially what has happened here. For the rest of us, we have some great little songs we normally wouldn't have been able to hear before.

Old Songs by Able's Army is available now on Bandcamp, where you can name your price. Also, be sure to check out God Won't Let Me Stop on Spotify, and give the lads some support over on Instagram and Facebook.

New Podcast - Mind Cassettes episode 1

As we embark on this challenging time, like most people, we find ourselves in a whirlwind of monotony, reflection and creativity. Off the back of Mr Foxon's recent Tony Hawk's post, we began to reflect on music in pop culture and those tracks that spark nostalgia and excitement. The Tracks that play in our minds and remind us of the good times been, those tracks that we think of in certain situations in life.

Then one bright spark had the idea of recording our discussion and thoughts, and here was born... MIND CASSETTES. Hosted by our very own Mr Foxon.

Check out episode 1 now at MindCassettes
Warning; explicit content and mature references, we discuss GTA gameplay so if the game isn't your cup of tea you might want to swerve this episode. (Or skip to 44mins when we discuss the Top 15 tracks, still some references though) 

Follow us @mindcassettes on twitter and Instagram. Tell us your favourite GTA track and why.

For now Mx

JAEKO - Colder Than The Sea - a review

Hi Guys, hope everyone is doing good in these unprecedented times? I’ve been extra busy painting abstract shapes onto a wall only for the paint to bleed under the tape....quackers tape apparently the best you can get 🙄 I’ve also been slamming the BBQ living my best life getting my pasty arse burnt and fat(ter)...

I’m going to give you all a little bit of joy with the following song, it is to be released on the 23rd May and we at ALOMR have been given early access!

Set a reminder in the diary to check out the newest song from our newest friends JAEKO called Colder Than The Sea It’s absolutely amazing.

From my first listen earlier in the week I haven’t stopped playing it, my first impression is that it is one of the rawest most polished songs I’ve ever heard. Me and the rest of the team at ALOMR all love it, we have been unable to say who they sound like, the drumming is rhythmic, the guitars are a thing of beauty and the vocals just get you pounding those rock hands in the air. What about the bassist you ask, no idea am sure they are doing there best with the limited 4 strings 😂

A word of warning however... do not drive and crank this song, at best you will get 3 points at worst well let’s put it this way the NHS is busy enough. A band hasn’t had me going this fast since the first time I heard False Heads.

I cannot wait to get some tour dates from these guys, I will be there on the front row! Hopefully soon we will have a bit of a Q&A with them so we can get into their minds and what makes them tick.

Check them out before next Friday to get a taste of their brilliance. They've been on our recent playlists and here on Spotify.

Give the guys your support when the new single hits with plenty of listens, you won’t regret it.

Take Care

Riche

Check out the lads Instagram @jaekomusic

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater

Some epic news has just dropped! Activision are remaking the spectacular Tony Hawk's Pro Skaters 1 & 2 in one, beautiful, amazing, 4K package for PC, Xbox One and PS4.

Why are you talking about video games on the best music blog in the world, Chris? Well, friend, the answer to that is easy: Tony Hawk's 1 & 2 had Fuckin' bangin soundtracks!! I am excited as hell!!

If you're my age and into the same things I'm into, your fondest memories will be kick-flipping around downtown Chicago, grinding along handrails in a virtual mall or doing lip tricks on the edge of a school swimming pool. Also, like me, you're probably into the music you're into because of the soundtrack to these games!

I can honestly say, I'd probably never heard 'May 16' by Lagwagon if it wasn't for THPS2, and now it's one of my favourite songs of all time. I am a huge fan of Primus, the first track I ever heard was 'Jerry Is A Racecar Driver' on THPS!

Licensing laws are a tricky thing to navigate these days, so I don't know what songs will make it into the remake, but take a look at the trailer above, featuring 'Police Truck' by The Dead Kennedys! Activision assure us 'Superman' by Goldfinger makes its return, and let's face it, that's the one we want!

It's out September 4th, and hopefully it's gonna kick ass!!

In the meantime, here are my top 10 tracks from the original 2 games!

1. Guerilla Radio - Rage Against The Machine
2. Superman - Goldfinger
3. May 16 - Lagwagon
4. Blood Brothers - Papa Roach
5. You - Bad Religion
6. Cyclone - Dub Pistols
7. New Girl - The Suicide Machines
8. Police Truck - Dead Kennedys
9. Jerry Was A Racecar Driver - Primus
10. When World's Collide - Powerman 5000

May 2020 - New music playlist

Whilst 2020 just keeps getting crazier and the world is either working from home, furloughed or live streaming, I'm here grinding the 9-5+. The emails and PR coming through to us thick and fast, I'm struggling to keep up with all the great tunes. Luckily our Mr Foxon and Riche are on hand to listen, enjoy & post on ALOMR behalf.

That said, I've been compiling a list of tracks that have got my feet tapping in May both submissions to us and those we find whilst perusing the net.

I've got a bunch of music to take you on this journey. Starting you off slow with some mellow alternative indie, moving through to pick up the pace with some modern Indie, a touch of metal and little Punk.

Starting with something chilled and relaxing that I missed in my last playlist 

(Alternative)
Mehro - Perfume. This beautifully graceful acoustic indie/alt romantic oozes 70s undertones perfectly balanced melody with a smooth baseline that almost reminds you of your heartbeat, it seems all of this is designed you make you feel in the song. Mehro's vocals get deep into you and I'd go as far as saying this Californian is your next ASMR fix both audibly and visually! 

Mehro frustratingly only has one track online and it will crave you wanting more, which might explain why he's topped over 1.5m Spotify plays! He's hands on in the production of the video too and I'd suggest checking it out too!

Mehro

Alex Luca - Only the River another title that's hitting big numbers and Alex also only has one track up. This Italian born now Liverpudlian pianist has another emotion grabbing voice bringing a jazzy alternative beautifully calm song to just enjoy.

Owen Denvir - This Could Be Love. This Belfast singer is about to release his 2nd EP Bones and this is the first single off it. This acapella Indie/Pop ballad is true reflection of what an artist can do with their own voice, as so much of the track comes from samples of his own voice and audio glitching in his home during lockdown.

(Indie/Electro/Punk)
Birthday Card - Radio Star. Moving into a little alt-electro-pop from Buckinghamshire quintet band Birthday Card. They've got a nice Daft Punk-esq and MGMT feel, this is their latest track released onast Friday.

Blazar - Better. Raising the tempo, these guys dropped into our inbox, I don't have a huge amount of info but they have a Gorillaz vibe to them, tho it's a poppy Gorillaz meets Justin Timberlake! It's different but in a good way.

The Reytons - Headache. Here we go, one of our favs! The Yorkshire lads with another anthem packed with catch lyrics and this lovely rifts synonymous to the the East- England indie we know and love! ... Coz I don't need the 'eadache n I don't need the agro 'gro 'gro 'gro

The Reytons

JAEKO - Cold Hard Killer. Another DM from the PR world we're so grateful for, otherwise we might not have heard thie newcomer as quick. The progressive rifts and cratchy chorus will have you singing this indie anthems hook for days in end. This one came out a few months ago but it's new in playlists. Keep an eye out for a little more from that's guys soon.

No ID - I Don't Know. Here's another band you'll find yourself digging into more. The St Ives indie band puts The Strokes and Arctic's as influences and this 5 piece let that show. Personally I'm loving some of the sweet bass lines running through this track and that build up after the bridge, wow!

(Let's ramp up the grunge!)
False Heads - Ink (off debut Album It's All There by you're Dreaming). Ahhh this came out a few weeks since now and I can't not include it. If you haven't read our previous posts on FH check them out, reviews, gigs and interview all in the archives! These three bring some serious punch live and their album is a great representation of modern music taking influence from across the spectrum. Ink is the latest installment of beauty! If you have the opportunity (in the post-covid world) to see False Heads get your grungy pit on and get a ticket!

False Heads' Debut Album

Parallel Motion - Slave. Florida based high octane modern metal band. Parallel motion provide a melodic catchy energy for when you want a little Metal in your life.

I've still got plenty in the bag, so don't go too far. 

For now,
M x

Tiger Mimic - It Was Still Dark

Being up North, we tend to cover the Manchester and Yorkshire scene more than any, with Michael's radar firmly set on Scotland, we often overlook what's going down south.

Watching False Heads tear apart Manchester's Soup Kitchen last year, Michael pointed out Alan Wells to me, a photographer with his finger firmly on the pulse of everything modern, everything loud and everything London.

Every now and again, I'll flick through his Instagram, check out his photos and listen to the bands on Spotify, I'll always find a few gems. One gem I found sparkled a little more than the others. That gem? Tiger Mimic.

50% American, 50% English, 100% cool, Tiger Mimic stick out because they are doing something a bit different. A trait which shines through on their new single 'It Was Still Dark'.

The silky soft vocals tell a story of two people who find themselves in a strange place. Singers Jess and Bram often give you a nostalgic Rhythm and Blues buzz, while the most catchy guitar hook you will hear all year, funky skate-punk bassline, quick-fire drum fills and "Hey's" keep the adrenaline pumping. You won't know whether to mosh or to slow-dance.

For fans of Metric or The Strokes, Janis Joplin or The Dead Kennedys (I know, right?), Tiger Mimic are a band worthy of your attention. Formed in 2018, when Jess R (vocals and keys) and Bram Johnson (vocals and guitar) moved to the UK and joined with Ben Willis (Bass) and George Latham (drums), they have a groovy EP, Elephant Skeleton, and will be dropping new music over the coming months.

'It Was Still Dark', produced by Kevin Vanbergen, who has worked with the fabulous Nova Twins, is Tiger Mimic's most polished and catchy work to date, and I'm sure you'll find it on many an ALOMR playlist in the near future. That damn riff will be stuck in my head for weeks!!

We will keep you up to date with all things Tiger Mimic, and hopefully get to see them live once we are allowed to play out again. I totally recommend following them on Instagram too, Jess and Bram have really embraced the lockdown with some brilliant acoustic "at home" sessions and plenty of silliness. Having had a brief chat with them, I can confirm their personalities match the quirky music and psychedelic lyrics.

Go check out 'It Was Still Dark' on Spotify and Bandcamp. While you're at it, check out last year's EP, and show them some support on Instagram and their Official Website.

I think we need to start paying more attention to London!