2019 round-up and a look at 2020

Well its been another fairly crazy year. Admittedly, I didn't get to see half as many bands as 2018 - which was expected due to some pretty heavy travel plans in the summer but I gave it a good go.

Gigs & Events In 2019 I finally saw some names that I've been trying to catch for far too long!

Fleetwood Mac

Mike Herrera (of MxPx, hope MxPx tour the UK next year now!)

Less Than Jake 

Catfish & The Bottlemen

Sam Fender...

...plus some other great days out for; Weekend Debt, False Heads, Sœur, Troye Sivan, Robyn, Sounds of the City, Loserpalooza, SlamDunk, Fireball and more across many great cities; Glasgow, London, Leeds, Manchester, Dublin & Calgary.

2020 is already sizing up to be a big one! We're off to Scotland again to see Weekend Debt in 2 weeks, Madonna in Paris, Stiff Little Fingers Manchester, Sam Fender in Leeds, HellaMegaTour in Huddersfield & MadCool Festival in Madrid. I imagine there will be a ton of indie bands in Manchester between these lot too. 

New Releases and expectations 

2019s Expectations List

The Reytons 

Anteros

No Hot Ashes 

Tigress

Corella

Alice Merton 

Lady Bird

SWMRS 

Seriously that's a good list and they've all released some good new music this year from Singles, EP's and even a few Albums in there! Particularly; No Hot Ashes with their album 'Hardship Starship', frustratingly, I've still been unable to catch live. The rest are still smashing it and getting some great attention. Check them out - more info in last years post.


The 2020 Expectations List

Now at this point I've usually had my head in the game for months listening to and finding new bands. I'm months behind and still stuck on following the bands from the 2018 list - Weekend Debt, Sam Fender, False Heads, Sea Girls... as well as the 2019 list! Which makes this list a little smaller, nevertheless - some great bands I've been tracking that I expect big things from next year;

The Clause - I got introduced to this Birmingham band last year and their tracks 16 & Tokyo are very good! They've released a banger this year In My Element and I'm expecting to hear more great things from them in 2020! Extremely good live & pretty sweet setup too check out the post from February

Sœur - Another band recently introduced to, this Bristol band are a heavy grungy number & duel  fronted by 2 very good female singers! Recently released their 2019 EP No Show  and have a number of EP's and singles from 2017/18. They put on a great show live and I reckon we'll be seeing more of them soon!


The Hunna - Now these guys made it pretty big already. When we started following them in 2016 their EPs were great and their first album 100 encompassed their raw talent well, their 2nd album was overworked and I wasn't a fan, its like Warner broke it!
However, they have spent time with John Feldmann (Goldfinger) he is also a producer and owns record label Big Noise - So I'm eager to see what 2020 brings from these guys!

For now!
Mx

P.s this Christmas jumper tho!

Mike Herrera: Songs and Stories - The DanceHouse Manchester

OK be prepared for full on fanboy mode...

Fanboy Background 
MxPx, a huge influence on my punk fandom, so much so it obviously created my username and blog sign off name. I was originally introduced to MxPx Doin' Time in the late 90's by my best friend (and fellow sometimes blogger) Richard.

We started our early teens heavily into music 80% of the time was Green Day, Blink-182, Mest, MxPx, Millencolin, Goldfinger, New Found Glory, Anti-Flag, Offspring, Stiff Little Fingers...heck the list goes on! But there are a few bands that top the list, forever in our playlists and often start most our nights out or long car rides to gigs, especially... MxPx - Punk Rawk Show and Doin' Time, was perfect for our early teen rebellions.

We've seen so many of those bands countless times at festivals and gigs but over the years I've continued to support Mest and MxPx via cd, mp3, sharing and recently crowdfunding, fully expecting them to just be bands of Nostalgia and bands i only ever get to listen via some form of media. 
Last year we met Tony Lovato and saw Mest in the UK, ticking off all but 1 of those original teen influence bands. It was amazing to stand a talk with Tony, humbling and awesome... leaving 1 more person/band.

MxPx have always been there, never been able to get to see them live. During the crowdfunding of the self title MxPx last year I so wished to be able to pay for the personal appearance reward... if i didn't have a house and commitments I truly would have, but this is real life, I messaged MxPx, PxPx and Mike directly to get the band to tour the UK! Heck I scowered US and Canada gigs to see if I could get to them to coincide with some of the trips I already had out there.

I had given the hope of seeing, let alone, meeting MxPx/Mike.

Fast forward, Fireball 2019
Less Than Jake and Goldfinger billed at the Ritz Manchester, I want to go, but realistically I saw LTJ in august and Goldfinger a few years back. Money was low, my best mate was days away from his 2nd child and I was reside to not going alone..... until I saw that Mike was actually bassist for Goldfinger now!! Not only that, he was bringing is Songs and Stories gig to the UK 1x ticket, Booked to fireball.

I also got ready at 9am for the Songs and Stories sales release... boom, tickets 1 and 2 we're mine :D (just needed a buddy, to go with or id go alone to be honest)
Fireball... going alone, awesome bands and if i get to at least see Mike that's going to be cool enough.I go alone, enjoy the fucking awesomeness of GF and  LTJ. 2 songs from the end of Goldfingers set Mike says we'll be at the Merch stand after this... I've already bought a GF shirt 30mins ago but fuck I head over to that stand immediately... Ha, sweaty and happy I met Mike!  (See last week's blog)


Fast forward 6 days;
Mike Herrera Songs and Stories 

It was a very intimate acoustic gig, maybe 150 people, we're sat front row (at this point it took my Mother with me - long story which will become clear soon - shes a music lover but new to Mike Herrera, although had listened to my punk collections for 20+ years). 

Listening to just Mike, his guitar and some amazing stories - from the influences of old songs to new songs, from drinking tequila and eating Taco Bell, to being told his daughter loves him 'All of it'. 

I was not sure if this was going to be twee or awkward, I just didn't know what to expect. It was neither of that, Mike was a true performer, either on stage with 10 other people with a crowd full of rowdy punk rockers or alone onstage with a handful of fans - He knows how to create a great time. Major Respect.

The Stories were Topical, Relevant, Recent (eg saving 2 people from drowning in the canal in Manchester) and what really got me was the Mental Health, the struggles we all go through - and Mikes recognition of this... more over by doing a beautiful rendition of Millencolin's No Cigar (I think I fell in love with this)
A

[I didnt record much, but this as so worth it - Apologies I did this in vertical for Instagram story- though the horizontal ones will remain private anyway]

Also got a cool snippet of Doin' Time and Lets Ride, but those are both for my Buddies would couldn't be here due to New Family arrivals!!

I don't want to go too much into the show because I think you should experience this yourself, either as MxPx fans, Mike Herrera Fans, or just genuine Music Lovers. There is still time to catch the London Gig or I'm sure this will be available in some other form of media in the future.

The best part is Mike's love of the fans, to get out there and publised his meeting spots/time - without charging 'meet and greets' bullshit.

(More over he did something extremely special I'll post a little later on socials and then re-share here later )

Overall - 10/10
Excellent mix of well delivered stories & Perfect performance and vocals!


Favourites (if I had to)

Lets Ride - Reminds me of my time in the Rockies earlier this year
Doin Time - All Time Favourite of mine
No Cigar - Just wow, the story and influence on Mike, it really hit home.

[My Mum's] Late Again, she relates to never being on time (In fairness she was ready at 6pm exactly so shes got better now x)

Cheers Mike, hope to see you and the rest of MxPx real soon.

For Now, Mx

Fireball 2019! Goldfinger & Less Than Jake

This was my first actual gig I've been to alone, I've seen bands by myself at festivals, but never  full gig alone... why haven't I done this before? IT WAS AMAZING.

Having seen Less Than Jake at Slamdunk and Goldfinger not long back, as well as trying to save money I almost gave this a miss. Then I saw Mike Herrera was playing on bass and he also announced an acoustic gig at the Dancehouse... Well I couldn't say no, ticket bought and it was worth it. Not managed to see MxPx live, despite the huge influence Doin Time and Punk Rawk Show has had on my life, so I needed to get there. 

I mean Punk, ska, LTJ, Goldfinger at the Ritz with a little bit of MxPx touch. There. There. There! It was everything you expect and more, and finally got to hear Rest Of My Life live! Amazing.

I'm going to sign off now but expect more next week

Mx

Weekend Debt - Living Under the Influence EP & Launch Party

Ahh I can talk for days so I've broken this into parts incase you want to skip sections... the EP, the journey, the gossip and the gig. I'm writing this tired and won't get chance to this weekend as were at Slamdunk Festival and I'll be worse after that, so apologies for mistakes!

Living Under The Influence EP
Damn this is a step up both technical and in the orchestration! It's amazing. We finally get a released version of Tories, Tour De France (see previous post for more on that), Miss Cougar... Name says it all. My favourite on this Il Padrino, which starts with some synths and an obscene number of build-ups! COME ON BABY


Launch Party @ Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow 23rd May

Prologue
It's a Thursday night, 200miles away from Manchester, we have work at 9am Friday - a 4hour Strategic meeting to start that day too! Any normal person would wait until the band play a local venue.
No, we're driving the 3hours to the gig and back in the same night.

Both me and Richard book Thursday off to allow us time to get North. At noon we set off, playlist at the ready, Monster Energy & Snacks at hand... Fast forward several hours, a Nando's and a couple of JDs we get to Nice N Sleazy and settle in for the evening.

Talking with WD
Whilst we sip our several JDs, (only a few, no drink driving people!) We catch up with Russell and Harvey, whilst Calvin and Grant are off interviewing / podcasting at the booth next to us.
I've not heard/read that yet, I'll share it when the lads share, but I'm pretty sure it didn't have a patch on the unrecorded conversations that went down on at our booth ;-).
I'll leave those stories between us, but maybe 'The Rus & Harv Podcast' will one day be a thing, then you can find out yourself about 2tonne TVs, Midnight Road Painting, Snakes Procreating and Balcony Scaling.

Ok I will touch on that last one, as that's the story of why the lads were tired. Getting locked out of their flat after late night practice the night before...tales of lost keys, unanswered the buzzers, a construction fence as a pseudo-ladder and balcony scaling. They finally got into their flat at 2am, before having to get up early for photoshoots! 

Got to be honest, I'm feeling very tired, only on 4 hours sleep myself and a long day and drive, sometimes I wonder why we do this to ourselves. 
Ha, nah, this is why we do it, the conversations, the people, THE MUSIC. When a gig starts, that energy from the stage and crowd absorbs into you, you bounce into another world!


The Gig
The support acts Third Party and Two Tone Television were both great warm ups. 

Third Party (check out track RPB on Spotify), they have a different MO, often did some instrument and lead vocal switching which kept us in our toes. Very they're good! Punky / Indie / Heavy - at times they held a similar sound to False Heads!!!

Two Tone Television (check out The Heavy) they were also pretty heavy indie I liked their sound, at this point I was little preoccupied so can't comment too much, I'd definitely say they are a band to listen to and their now in my playlists


Weekend Debt
So this is the 4th time watching these guys, actually, first time with this line up - with Calvin on guitar. I was unsure how things would be without Ewan, I knew the EP was awesome and the sounds were on another level, but the guys have matured, I'm sure this is partly due to natural growth and a technical skill brought by Calvin... Undoubtedly an amazing guitarist!

The setlist was a good set, I don't want to dwell too much on the that, you know we know these guys are good. They are excelling, vocally even better than ever, entertaining both on and off stage. From Grants goosebump generating solo Magnetic Girl to Russell's sheer enthusiasm bouncing more and more as the gig goes on. Harvey with his crowd pleasing/teasing and 'Technical ability' fixing unruly Instruments... And as I said, Calvins guitar skills just another level.

My favourite parts are the rework of some of their previous tracks, adding new layers and tones. I love bands who have great studio tracks but actually perform them slightly differently and with more breadth, it's like you get several versions of a great song! On top of this, some cool feedback effects and even got a pit during Il Pedrino!

Tho the best bit, the suprise - 303 AM ... Fucking... 303 AM.... With a 2 minute solo and crowd energising buildup, I managed to get a little bit of it on video! This needs to be on every gig, infact I'd take 10minutes of this it was fucking Awesome. Plus 303 is my favourite track so this was even better!

THIS 

Ahh we finally get home at 2am. New merch in hand too! Mega thanks to the lads, worth the journey, and I can tell you when these guys play your town - get there! If they aren't playing near you, get to Scotland.

For now!
Michael & Richard

Indoor Pets, Animal House & Ormstons - Deaf Institute Manchester

This was a whim, well, it wasn't, as a friend has been telling me to get to Indoor Pets for a while now, but last week I got a ticket (thankfully) just before they sold out. I had no time to check out the Supports, as I had to catch up on Indoor Pets given I only knew a few tracks.
Honestly if you like Weezer (and I'm calling Temper Trap fans too) you will love Indoor Pets, I cannot tell you this without any more sincerity: Get. On. Them.


Ormstons (@ormstonsuk)

Pretty cool band, 4 Piece from Leeds, they were rocking an Abba cover as we got to the venue. If you're into the likes to Anteros you'll like this group. Was also pretty cool to see Will from Critical Reaction has joined as their drummer, there's another band you should be following, bunch of northern lads with some decent listening! Check out some of my older playlist they feature on a few :)



Animal House (@AnimalHousing)

Ahh now I don't even know how to begin, Aussie / British band based down in Brighton. This 5 piece sound was something unexpected, I think at times It was a go between of The Strokes, Kings of Leon with some Blues and Country (almost Yodelling)! The lead singer certainly hits some high notes! 

Managed to have a chat with the lads after they are a cool bunch. They're playing Jimmy's Manchester in September so get to see them. They are fun! Their take on Tequila is something else, and their harmonies from the 3 backing vocals is pretty unique. They had an energy about them and seemed to enjoy every minute.



Indoor Pets (@indoorpets)

I really didn't think it was gonna bounce so much! From the offset it just went crazy, the floor at Deaf is far bouncier than the Ritz which made for great moshing. The Bouncer was too impressed about this and at one point stood in the centre of the circle with the intent to stop the circle... Fair to say he didn't know the rules of a circle and he swiftly made an exit! Indoor pets got sweat, steamy and damn right awesome. 

Like I said before you need to get on these! 
Here is some of what went down

That's you're lot for now
Mx


Links to bands
Indoor Pets Spotify
Ormstons Spotify
Animal House Spotify

Weekend Debt - Tour De France

Half the time I think I should rename this blog the Weekend Debt Fanpage, the other half it may as well be FalseHeads! In all serious though, it has been a while since I specifically wrote about Weekend Debt, but its 20:19 on 4th April 2019... 3 hours or so until the lads release Tour De France, their first actual release in over a year! I've tried to find out more but they're being secretive and to be honest the fun is in the wait.

I'll be glad to be able to listen to new track(s) on a decent form of media, rather than Soundcloud or some recording at the back of a gig on YoutubeMusic.

If you haven't heard of WeekendDebt they are a Scottish Indie Band (check the tags, I've posted a fair bit on them) and they definitely far too underrated. I came across them a few years back and they have been in my Top 3 New bands since! Ask anyone I work with, I've pushed WD on them and worn my band T's far too much! Check their website and socials to listen to some tracks (links below). Me and the team here at ALOMR love their raw talent and catchy tunes.

Anyway, Tour De France, its out in a few hours so i'm going to listen and give you the low down (either at midnight, or 7am, depending if i'm awake enough to post something meaningful)....

Links here to Tour De France

YT Music

Spotify

Ok it's 12:20am had a good few listens, first things it's got a lot more production in it, sounds a lot cleaner, higher tones and more colourful (tho that may be my earphones stripping some of the bass out). 
There's something about the lads and creating Intros that just pull you in! It just gets you going, hands tapping and ready to go. There's a few voice cracks from Grant at the start of the verses and actually adds a depth of emotion and keeps that rawness to the band too (the bridge 2:50 is testament to this!)

I'm noticing some nice harmonies too! Gotta be honest I'm still only about 60% on the lyrics 😁 #MansNotScottish - but that's what I love, the accents aren't lost, like many bands can often do.  

It'll take a few more listens but "I don't wanna, I Don't wanna knoooww" is already stuck in my head. 
It's everything I expected and more! Well worth the wait. 

This guy is waiting for more details now tho :P EPs, Tour Dates, whatever it is, you can guarantee we will be on it!

Anyway I'm up in a few hours and long day, long night and considering a Chili Hot Wings eating challenge Tomorrow so I need some serious sleep and level headedness.

https://www.facebook.com/weekenddebt/
https://www.weekenddebt.com/
https://twitter.com/weekenddebt?lang=en

WMCYW!

Mx

The Clause - Jimmy's Manchester 2019

It's been a while since I wrote about a gig, been too busy at gigs, making music & on the socials.
Anyway it was about time we gave this place a little more attention.

Thankfully building and sharing music on Social Media is what lead to this next band we went to see - The Clause.

4 piece from Birmingham, I'm gonna copy in their bio. When you read it, you think WTF is going on - how does that even work?
The Clause, are a 4 piece alternative indie band from Birmingham formed in 2016. They describe themselves as having a ‘60’s swagger, an 80’s groove and a 90’s attack with the odd techno influence in the live shows’.

I hadn't read that bio until today, and after the gig last night I was sat thinking how do I even explain this band. Their music spans so much from 70s through to 2000s with swing and swagger of Elvis. Each of their tracks had a different style and certainly can't be criticised of being too samey.

I really worried about what I would even say to explain them, I think, at times the closest comparison was these guys are 2019's Alternative answer to The Hives - tho that does a injustice because these guys are miles better and the Hives!
But I think their bio sums them up perfectly.

These guys played a raft of their released songs including Sixteen, Tokyo & their latest slower track Where Are You Now, they dropped a few covers such as Indeeps Last Night a DJ Saved my life. The lads also played as some new tracks which were even better than their current songs and showing a growth in their own (very mixed) sound. I loved it!

My only criticism was Viva La Revolución, the band did something I really love, and that was drop snippets of great speeches into the middle of songs, I think it's underdone. I just really wish it wasn't Charlie Chaplin's Final Speech, which is amazing, but I think it's too soon after Paolo Nutini used it.

One thing I did notice is these guys certainly have a lot of backing and I'm expecting them to make it big time.

So yea check them out over at all the social places, here's a few links save you some time:
Spotify: The Clause
Facebook: TheClauseBrum
Instagram: TheClause_Birmingham

Band members and setup.
Pearce McMenamin (vocals & guitar) - playing a BoyBlue Rickenbacker (I think it was a 330/12 tho don't quote me on that, 2 single coil pickups, beautiful).
Niall Fennell (Mapex Drums & Synth).
Liam Deakin (Guitar) - Liam started with a sweet Cherry Red dual-coil Gretsch (not a clue which model!) tho with a few strap nut issues this was swiftly swapped out for a sunburned Fender Telecaster!
Jonny Fyffe (bass guitar & backing vocals) - keeping the theme with a Fender Jazz.

Also an orange amp head just to round off that retro image.

Anyways that's all for now. Check out a few pics below, There's more on our socials too. I got a few videos but the quality was crackling, so I implore you check them out and listen on your streaming service etc you know the drill

For Now, Mx

2019, What's going on!

What's going on in so far? A few amazing gigs for you...

Bloc Party have announced 2019 tour playing Silent Alarm album in full!! How Fucking amazing! Unfortunately this mofo is saving for a trip to Canada (yes that's exciting in itself, but missing out on a lot of gigs these next few months :( ) Want to see these them? Check out tour deets here 
http://alom.pw/BlocParty2019

Catfish and the Bottlemen announce 3rd album details and tour! Jesus I'm like on withdrawals, another amazing gig I'm probably going to have to turn down. Though having not seen these guys live yet I'm thinking I may have to stretch my budget and get there some how!
http://alom.pw/Bottlemen2019

Ryan Adams announced 3 albums this, he just seems to be knocking them out left right and centre. Well he's touring this year! And he is certainly worth the dinero to see, amazing talent!
http://alom.pw/RyanAdams2019




All for now, playing catch up this year so I'll be drip feeding you all news.

For now, Mx

Bands to watch out for in 2019

Following on from last years post, here are the Bands/Artist in my sight for a great 2019. Some of these bands are already doing well and i'm expecting to see some massive things come this way - there's a playlist at the bottom so feel free to check them out without going looking.

The Reytons

A band I've mentioned a few times. This Doncaster based Indie Quartet really have that Yorkshire indie sound. This years EP 'Alcopops & Charity Shops' really got me, particular Harrison Lessor! Became my slightly overplay track earlier this year - and deservedly so. We're getting out to see these lads and Feb and I cannot wait! Want to watch them? Tickets here

Anteros

We've shared a few bits about Antero's throughout the year, I believe they're destined from even more in 2019. This London Indie Pop band has a mix of influence from the likes of The Cure, Blondie, No Doubt - and it really shows in  their music. 

No Hot Ashes 

Quartet from Stockport, branded as post-pop-discofunk.

Their Debut EP "Skint Kids Disco EP" was released March 2018. The band is receiving pretty good success so far, listing on some major festivals and embarking on tours. The speed of their uprising is only going to grow over the coming years.

Fancy watching them? check out Neighbourhood Weekender which is listing these guys amongst many upcoming and already established bands

Tigress

5 Piece band from Chelsford, their first EP was released in 2015 and has clocked over 1m plays on spotify. Since then the band has released a few more EP's with a strong reception but not reaching that high number, yet. I'm confident of their 2019 progress!

Corella

Manchester Indie-Pop quartet has had a good few years, hitting some pretty major festivals and even featured on a few major Introducing playlists.

Alice Merton 

German Canadion British songwriter who's doing very well in France. She has several singles and an EP out. Alice also featured on Tom Odell's Jubilee road.

If you're interested Alice Merton is  touring the UK in march - Tickets here

Lady Bird

3 piece punk band from Kent, a kind of mix between Blur & The Streets meet Rage against the Machine. Touring in March too

SWMRS 

OK this one’s a little stretchy as the guys are already doing well in the US and also breaking the UK. Brought onto my radar a while back now as Joey is the son of Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong.
If you're interested the band are touring the UK in march - Tickets here

Lets not forget the artists picked out last year who've been having a really good year, and I can only expect more in 2019. I’ve added some of their latest stuff to the end of this year’s playlist too.

Le Boom

False Heads

Sam Fender

Shame

Sea Girls

Weekend Debt

YONAKA