Our weekly music News Report has evolved into the Full Pelt Magazine, and you can download the fourth issue now for free!
Volume four includes an update from cover starsĀ Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, reviews ofĀ new albums from Black Stone Cherry and King Nun, a live review of Theory of a DeadmanĀ plus a special feature on the upcoming Ash vs The Subways tour!
We have our News Report rounding up new releases fromĀ Neck Deep, Within Temptation, Europe, Lake Malice, Filth Is Eternal, NervosaĀ andĀ Sum 41!
Plus new live announcements fromĀ Yard Act, James, Nothing More, VUKOVI, LynksĀ andĀ The Longest Johns.
Finally, we round up the latest additions to ourĀ āDiscoverā New Music PlaylistĀ withĀ Spiritual Cramp,Ā Butterfly HurricaneĀ andĀ Grove Street!
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
This week we begin with the best live announcements from the past week and up first are Skindred!
Coinciding with the release of their new album, ‘Smile’, the group revealed details of three new live dates set for next March. These dates are punctuated by a headline show at the historic Wembley Arena.
Regarding headlining Wembley Arena for the first time, singer Benji Webbe says: āStanding on that stage is a mark of sheer hard work.We have stood upon that stage supporting many truly great acts. Now itās Skindredās time to take the headline slot.You may think youāve seen us, however this is our opportunity to rise, and to step up like never before!My Sound we come to take over and truly come to rock Wembley with a heart full of gratitude and a set full of the most rockinā tunes that we have ever played live. Unity, love and togetherness. Letās āave it. Quadruple XL.ā
This week also saw Simple Plan announce details of a new EU/UK Tour which will begin in January next year!
Support on all dates comes from Mayday Parade and State Champs.
Drummer Chuck Comeau shares, āWeāre super excited to be coming back to Europe and the UK early next year! After an amazing arena tour with our good friends Sum 41 last fall and some incredible festival shows this spring, weāre thrilled to come back on our own headlining tour, playing full shows for our UK and Euro fans all over the continent.ā
āItās gonna be great to play a bunch of new songs from our latest album āHarder Than it Looksā as well as all the fansā favourites from our early records. We might even throw in a few jams we rarely play live to celebrate, as 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the band and the 20th anniversary of our second album,āStill Not Getting Anyā!.
Weāre stoked to bring our friends State Champs and Mayday Parade with us, two fantastic bands that we and our fans love! This is probably one of the strongest UK / European tour line-up weāve ever put together and we canāt wait for it to kick off next year!ā
This week saw Muncie Girls share news of their split. Thankfully the group will treat fans to one final Farewell Tour later this year!
The band shared, “After nearly 13 years, a demo CD, a demo tape, three 12ā EPs, three 7ā singles, a 12ā split record and two albums, weāre saying goodbye to our band Muncie Girls. We started this band when we were 17 and the biggest goal we could muster up was to release a 7ā single. We ended up doing more things and going to more places than we could ever have imagined. We were lucky to be from a town with such a brilliant music scene and venue, the Cavern, and I remember how it felt to travel to so many cities and discover other scenes just like ours.
The community we found ourselves a part of was so special and really became our lives. If it werenāt for the kindness of total strangers putting on shows for us, feeding us and letting us stay at their houses, we would never have been able to do any of the things that weāve done. We were even once temporarily adopted by a family in Texas when we went to play SXSW and they baked us cherry pie and drove us to our gigs. We were taken on a tour around Australia by complete strangers who became some of our best friends. We went to Japan after some strangers offered to book us a tour and we travelled around on trains and borrowed local bandsā gear, guitars, everything. We spent most of our time touring in mainland Europe where we made friends for life, playing in squats, venues, gardens, bunkers, wherever.
I often heard stories of bands having to sleep in their vans or in parks or service stations. We always had somewhere to stay, no one ever let us sleep rough. I know we were incredibly lucky and we have our scene and our friends and fans to thank for that. Weāve relied so much on peopleās kindness; I hope that we were always grateful enough.
Weāve decided to do a farewell tour and we hope that youāll join us at a show. Muncie Girls will always be a massive part of our lives and we will each always play music, just in different projects now. Thank you everyone!”
Stockholm trio, Normandie, have today returned with, āBlood In The Waterā, their first new music since 2021ās āDark & Beautiful Secretsā album.
Speaking of the track, frontman Philip Strand says, āBlood In The Water is about how “hurt people, hurt peopleā, how negativity is contagious and how it can lead people into negative spirals, where they unknowingly hurt the ones around them.ā
‘Dark & Beautiful Secretsā subject matter drew heavily from Philipās religious childhood, as the band moves into a new era, ‘Blood In The Water’ touches on that a little and acts as the perfect bridge.
āEven though i left the church at a very young age, I was raised with the belief that every person is born with a clean slate, and then our experiences and traumas form us as people. I’ve always seen hurtful people as damaged, sad and maybe even wrongfully judged by their behaviour, rather their past. Nobody was born evil, it’s something we pick up along the way and usually comes from pain and suffering in some way.
With this song, i wanted to get into the mind of the hurtful/hurt person and try to understand their behaviours and patterns. “Love me til my heart stops, hit me like a freight truck” is one of my favourite lines. Iām positioning love as a drug, with the personās tolerance building, leading them to seek being really blown away by their feelings, to cover the pain inside.ā
Haunt The Woods have shared their new single, ‘Now Is Our Time’, which you can check out above.
The track comes from upcoming new album, ‘Ubiquity’, which is released on September 29th.
The band comment: “Written during the global lockdown, ‘Now Is Our Time’ is an angered proclamation of the struggle to sustain oneself in this modern world. Forced to sell our lives by the hour in order to survive, without security or peace of mind and without a feasible alternative.
“Now is the time for change, and the only way for change is to come together against the oppressive, archaic system we find ourselves living in.”
This week saw Delaire The Liar share new single, ‘angel number.’, which you can check out above!
The track will feature on upcoming new EP, ‘Self Defence’, which is set for release on September 1st.
Speaking on ‘Self Defence’, the band said: āIn the throes of desperation, there’s no telling the lengths a person will go to preserve themselves or their loved ones. This EP presents a series of fictional scenarios to challenge the typical understanding of self defence. The usual themes surrounding the topic are present; antagonism, violence, action and reaction, but with a focus on the more drastic instances that require a less reflexive and more considered approach. Instances that require a deeper understanding of the self, emotional capacity for pain, physical capacity for punishment, moral detachment and sacrifice for the benefit of yourself or someone else. This EP explores whether there is any defence too drastic or too difficult to justify when love, pride and responsibility is involved.ā
Grove Street are next up in our News Report with their latest single, ‘Ulterior Motives’, which you can of course check out above!
The single is the latest taste of their upcoming debut album, ‘The Path To Righteousness’, which is out on September 29th.
“Ulterior Motives is a song that goes through the motions of someone who is stuck in a toxic and abusive relationship with someone or something – be it a partner, friend or substance, or even a vice like gambling – and cannot find a way out. They keep getting pulled back into the situation at hand; theyāre in love, addicted, and canāt see the impact of damage thatās being done to them, because theyāve got rose tinted glasses on.
The second verse changes focus from the relationship/addiction itself to how people around that person turn a blind eye to whatās going on, because itās easier for many to just play ignorant to issues than to call it out or address it, which in turn just enables the problem to manifest further.
The outro finds the person coming to the realisation that theyāre better off out of the relationship/addiction, and in order to live a better life they gotta move on.
Musically this is one of our favourite tracks on the record, I feel like it captures our sound as a whole perfectly; from the bouncy hip-hop inspired grooves in the intro that lead into the thrash feel. The outro is personally my proudest part of the record, I remember writing that and being so surprised with myself – like, where the fuck did that come from!!” – Sandy (guitars)
“The Ulterior Motives video started life as a ‘Tour Survival Guide’ skit imagined by Sully (vocals). We were spitballing ideas in the van about all the trials and tribulations we’ve faced being in a touring band, reminiscing about all the previous funny ventures weāve experienced together. Most of these skits are based on true stories, like the time our van got clamped in Slovenia and Joe (bass), using nothing but brute force, managed to rip it off. We hope that other bands can relate to our experiences, and itāll also give people an insight into the touring lifestyle.” – Josh (drums)
Sydney Sprague has shared new single, ‘Nobody Knows Anything’, which you can check out above.
The tracks features on new album, ‘Somebody In Hell Loves You’, which is out September 15th.
āWhen I started writing songs for this record during covid lockdown it felt like the movie had ended and the credits had rolled on life but we were all still here for some reason,ā explains Sydney going into the process of recording the new album.
āEverything was just floating in this void and because of that I felt like I had all the time in the world to just do whatever I wanted. It was weirdly the freest I’ve ever felt. Writing became a way to entertain myself and make myself laugh instead of a way to wallow. I spent a lot of time reflecting on the past and the people around me and processing things Iād never been able to. I was able to be more honest than Iād ever been in my songs. The fact that I’m able to share them now feels a little scary because when I was writing them they were really just for me, but I hope they can bring people the same sense of escape that they brought me.ā
Lewis continues, āThe animated music video (by Studface Productions) was influenced by āone flew over the cuckooās nestā and is set in an old rundown insane asylum. This is the archaic perception of mental health and we wanted the video to symbolise that society has thankfully escaped those outdated ways of thinking and the band are rescued by an unlikely hero; Atticus T. Mouse.ā
Danish newcomers Cold Culture present you with their infectious new single āDownfallā
“Downfall is about when the person you need the most is being distant, in a difficult time in your life. A lot of feelings and thoughts go through people, when theyāre unsure of what they want, which can lead to mistakes, and misunderstanding.” – Mads Zelasny (Vocalist)
Tribe of Ghosts – ‘HIVE’
Brightonās Industrial / Post Metal band Tribe Of Ghosts have today shared a brand new single titled āHIVEā.
āWhen we were writing Hive, we felt that we were at a point where we understood our sound and what we wanted to create. With this in mind, we wanted to craft a song that sets the scene of the world that we build with our music, that explores the electronic and the organic, and declares our intent of giving into the chaos that oozes out of us on stage and in the writing process.” – Guitarist Adam Sedgwick.
Rock fans know that festival season is upon us when we get to the late May Bank Holiday weekend and Slam Dunk Festival brings rock and punk fans to Hatfield and Leeds.
This year that journey takes a little longer for some due to traffic issues, probably borne out of the fact that both events are sold out. Leeds in particular feels like the Temple Newsam is bursting at the seams today.
Queues are unimaginably long for merch, toilets, food or anything else, but thankfully the music (and weather) is very much on point!
We start the day in the ‘Knotfest’ tent for rising metallers Heriot, who attract a decent sized early crowd. That crowd is treated to a blistering set of gloriously heavy goodness and a spirited performance from a band on the cusp of bigger things.
Itās then a short walk over to one of two outdoor main stages, the āAmazon Rock Sceneā stage, where we will spend most of our day today. Taking this stage next are VUKOVI who absolutely own the stage and showcase their superb new album, āNULAā. Singer Janine is able to hold the audience in the palm of her hand and orchestrate the first truly great set of the band.
Logistically the event may be remembered for the wrong reasons, but musically today is fantastic, with that set from VUKOVI one of many that will live long in the memory for all the right reasons.
Thinking, weāll go for a quick wonder around, itās clear that nothing will be quick today, but we do catch a glimpse of girlfriends who are very impressive for the time we can stay. Soon though we must head back down the hill to catch Trash Boat.
This is a band that has grown significantly in almost every sense of the word over the past few years. Their latest album, āDonāt You Feel Amazing?ā, was one of the most surprising of 2021 as the band took their sound to new heights. Today they use the stage to bring many of these tracks to life and the crowd are clearly appreciative of another excellent performance.
Trash Boat are followed on stage by Holding Absence who have just announced that their third album, āThe Noble Art of Self Destructionā, will be out later this year. Their set today is a good mix of old and new including brand new single, āFalse Dawnā and fan favourite āAfterlifeā, which gets a monumental response from the passionate crowd.
Soon enough itās over to Wargasm who are becoming one of those marmite bands where itās almost cool to hate them. The energy and ferocity that they put into their show however canāt be denied and whilst the energy levels for some of the crowd starts to sap, the band push through with tracks such as āBackyard Bastardsā and āSpit.ā getting everyone back moving.
We then head over to the other end of the festival site (very slowly) to the āKerrangā stage where the tent is overspilling already ahead of Boston Manor. The band are on top form right now and have every person singing along to their gargantuan anthems. As they conclude their time on stage with āHaloā you canāt help but think that Boston Manor deserve to be absolutely huge.
Itās a blast from the past next as Slam Dunk keep up their track record of reformations with Kids In Glass Houses. Playing their first shows in almost a decade the band focus their set on āSmart Casualā, which will be getting a re-release later this year. Songs like āSaturdayā and āGive Me What I Wantā still have it and so do the band who fly through the set like theyāve never been away.
Sticking to the same stage we are soon graced by PVRIS who deliver another really good performance which features a well structured setlist. Lynn Gunn leads the trio through a selection of their popular tracks with āYou and Iā and āMy Houseā both getting big audience responses. The band will return with their fourth album in July, and new track āGoddessā goes down very well today complete with guest spot from Charlotte Sands.
We are at the business end of the day now and up next on stage are Billy Talent who are able to deliver a pure masterclass in how to make the most of a shortened festival set. Banger, after banger, after banger as the band deliver suckerpunch after suckerpunch. The crowd reciprocate the bands energy and by the time the set finishes with āRed Flagā, the band have done enough to claim the band of the day moniker!
In the clash of the headliners, we opt to head to the āDickiesā stage for punk icons The Offspring. The band have an endless stream of hit songs, and tonight the band focus more on their back catalogue then they did at Hatfield yesterday.
Their covers section in the middle feels a little too much considering their short time on stage but nobody can deny the final run of tracks which provides a great end to a packed day both musically and in terms of the volume of people on site!
Slam Dunk is a trusted brand these days and musically theyāve delivered once again, but there are undoubtedly some logistical issues that need to be fixed. Perhaps theyāve once again outgrown their homes and need to find bigger accommodation, one thing is for sure though and next May will again see a packed line-up heralding the dawning of a new festival season.
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
This week we begin with the best new releases from the past week and up first are the returning metal icons Avenged Sevenfold.
In a big news week, the group revealed that their new studio album, ‘Life Is But A Dream’, will be released on June 2nd. That release is preceded by their lead single, ‘Nobody’, which you can check out above.
The band stated, “Weāre thrilled to announce our new album, Life Is But A Dreamā¦ available June 2, 2023. Written and recorded over the span of four years, the album was inspired by the writing and philosophy of Albert Camus. Our good friend and brilliant artist, Wes Lang, encapsulated our theme of existentialism through visual art for the album packaging.”
British metallers Bury Tomorrow have shared the latest taste of their upcoming album, ‘The Seventh Sun’. You can listen to new single, ‘Begin Again’, above now ahead of the album release date of March 31st.
Speaking on ‘Begin Again’, guitarist Kristan Dawson says the track is ārepresentative of the change we have all faced in the past few years. It represents an element of renewal and appreciation of where we have been as a band and where we are yet to go. Musically, it serves as a contrast to the heaviness we have presented in the first three singles, but packs a punch in a more positive way.ā
Australian punk rockers Trophy Eyes are back with new single, āBlue Eyed Boyā, a track particularly close to home.
Trophy Eyesā John Floreani says the song āwas written about a trip I took back to my hometown. One friend in particular, maybe my best friend, had recently moved back and regressed into their old ways. Iād mourned the death of this friend long ago, as did the rest of us in our small social circle. To see him again brought me great childhood joy yet simultaneously an overwhelming sense of dread.
I was reminded of something my mother told me as a young boy when my grandmother died; āif you see her now, like this, itās the only way youāll remember her. Best hold on to the good times, youāll always have those.ā
Far From Saints, the new project featuring Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones, have shared their latest single, ‘Take It Through The Night’, which you can listen to above.
The group also this week revealed the news that their self-titled debut album will be released on June 16th.
The members had the following to say:
“It took nine days to record and four years to get it to you! Your record collection will love it!” – Kelly
āItās a labor of love to make a record these days, because you never know whatās going to happen with it frankly, and the outpouring of good vibes and comments, so far, has been really cool to watch.ā – Dwight
āThis is kind of the first time Iām anticipating not feeling somewhat sad around an album release. Iām comfortable with who I am now as a person, as an artist, and I hang my hat not on the praise I receive, but on the work itself. Iām proud of this record, and its part in the greater cycle of creativity and inspiration. Iām grateful to be part of that.ā – Patty
‘Blackout’, the new album from From Ashes To New, is out on July 28th. This week though saw the band share the latest single from the album, ‘Hate Me Too’, which you can check out above.
āSo many of us fall victim to the classic toxic relationship,ā says vocalist Matt Brandyberry. āFeeling like you canāt live without someone but knowing youād be better off if you could. Oftentimes these feelings are mutual, but neither of you can see it. Sometimes we just need an anthem to remind us that being stuck isnāt always the only option and violence never.”
Next in our News Report is ‘Blood In The Water’, the latest single from Ayron Jones, which you can check out above.
Jones announced this week that his second album, ‘Chronicles of the Kid’, will be released on June 23rd.
“As a child, I vividly remember sitting in church and hearing the preacher speak about generational curses,” Jones explains. “For me, the concept of the weight of trauma traveling through time and space, affecting many generations until treated is an idea I take seriously. ‘Blood in the Water’ is my way of actively choosing to heal and transform this trauma by creating new stories and identities for not only myself, but also my familyās future generations. I understand that energy can never be destroyed nor created anew; it can only be shifted. Therefore, while I cannot choose the life I have been given, I can strive forward and choose to take control of the futureā to break these curses now and forevermore.”
“It was the height of the pandemic and like everyone else, I was stuck inside watching the world pass by while having no idea what the future held,” Jones remembers. “Then it happened, the phone rang and I got the call telling me my song went No. 1. Just like that, I’d become one of the biggest names in rock and roll, but I couldn’t leave my couch. I had no idea how much my life had changed until August of ’21, when I went on tour for the first time since signing my first major record deal. That’s when it all hit me. ‘Chronicles of The Kid’ is the story of the truth – my truth. With my voice as my pen and my guitar as the page, the album is an audio journal of self-discovery told through tales of, temptations, triumphs, failures, sacrifice and the price of fame.”
We move our News Report on now to the biggest and best festival announcements from the past week and we get started with Bingley Weekender!
The event revealed their first wave of acts this week including headliners Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Ian Brown and Travis.
They’ll be joined over the weekend by the likes of Jake Bugg, Razorlight, James Bay, The Zutons, Kate Nash, Little Man Tate, Jealous Nostril, King No-One, New Model Army, Lottery Winners and BERRIES.
The inaugural Maid of Stone Festival takes place this July and this week the event confirmed Glenn Hughes as headlining the event alongside Airbourne.
Orange Goblin have also joined the likes of Skindred, The Hunna, Kris Barras Band, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, Elles Bailey and Florence Black on the linup.
Plus The Treatment and The Hot Damn! will be playing a special opening party on the Friday of the event.
Liverpool get ready for No Play Festival this August!
The stunning line-up revealed this week includes Yonaka, VUKOVI, Higher Power, Conjurer, Graphic Nature, Lizzy Farrall, Gen & The Degenerates and more!
Our News Report now turns its attention to the best tour announcements from the past week and up first is the above run of dates from Ocean Colour Scene.
Alongside their August dates, the group will now also be out on the road this December including a date at the Eventim Apollo in London.
MAN WITH A MISSION are next up in our News Report as the group reveal a brand new tour including three stops in the UK this June.
Regarding the tour MAN WITH A MISSIONās Jean-Ken Johnny (guitar / vocals / rap) says, āWe are so excited to announce our WOLVES ON PARADE TOUR is coming to the UK, Europe and North America in May & June! Itās been years since we last toured internationally and weāve missed playing for you all so much! Canāt wait to catch up with you all!ā
Brighton based Electronic Post-Hardcore duo fakeyourdeath have dropped their sophomore single āconsumeā.
“consume explores the idea of materialistic greed and how, as a society, we are fed this idea that without things we cannot be happy. but ultimately thatās a lie. itās a narrative spun by the powers that be and consume was written to see the truth and challenge that way of thinking. consume depicts our disgust at a materialistic culture we all hate and yet want to be a part of.ā – Vocalist, Candi Underwood
Northern Captives – ‘Anxiety Dreams’
UK Alternative Rock outfit Northern Captives release their brand-new single titled āAnxiety Dreamsā.
āItās written as an internal monologue battling anxiety by accepting its existence and not allowing it to direct your decisions or impact what you do day to day. We often speak to ourselves in ways weād never dream of talking to anyone else. It’s important to check in with yourself and make sure your internal dialogue is positive.ā – Vocalist, Sam Cook.
JACKALS – ‘DIG IN’
Northern noise hounds JACKALS have unveiled their new single ‘DIG IN’.
āDig in is based on the idea of drug addiction but narrated by the drug itself, the song personifies the drug and its direct effects on a person. When you let drugs into your life they can sort of take on a whole persona unto themselves and we wanted to shine a light on that and show how destructive these can be. Like that one toxic friend you’ve had that keeps trying to worm their way back into your life.ā –JACKALS
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report, and happy Halloween š!
It’s that time of the year where it’s not just the ghosts and ghouls haunting our News Report but also festival announcements for next Summer!
We start with Suffolk staple Latitude Festival which returns to Henham Park next July. This week saw the organisers reveal Pulp, Paolo Nutini and George Ezra will be headlining in the new year.
They’ll be joined on the bill by the likes of The Kooks, Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, The Big Moon, Lightning Seeds, The Proclaimers and The Beths!
Yes, we have plenty of festival announcements in our News Report this week and next up is Neighbourhood Weekender!
Headlining the event will be Pulp, The Kooks and Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott. They’ll be joined by the likes of The Wombats, Ocean Colour Scene, The Enemy, Self Esteem, Sea Girls and Lottery Winners.
Scotland’s TRNSMT will return to Glasgow Green in July with the reformed Pulp also topping their bill. Also at the top of the line-up will be Sam Fender, The 1975, George Ezra, Kasabian and Royal Blood.
Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott and The Kooks are on this one too, as are Inhaler and others, with many more to come.
Following a successful debut this year, Live At Leeds will once again hold an ‘In The Park’ event at Temple Newsam Park in May.
The line-up includes headliners Two Door Cinema Club plus The Lathums, Everything Everything, The Big Moon, Black Honey, The Beths, Low Hummer and many more.
Speaking about their headline show at Live At Leeds: In The Park, Two Door Cinema Club said: “Excited to say weāll be coming to Live At Leeds in the park next year for the first time! Yoooooooooooorkshire!”
Everything Everything said: āAlways a pleasure to play in Yorkshire, always special to play Leeds, and where better than at this stalwart event? Come and see us Live At Leeds: In The Park!ā
Brooke Combe said: āCanāt wait for next year to be a part of Live at Leeds. See you all there for a boogie and a sing song š„°ā
Panic Shack said: “We canāt wait to play Live at Leeds in The Park!! Leeds has a special place in our hearts, we spent a few late nights here on our first ever tour with The Wytches. Weāre excited to bring back our new and improved dance routine and to just have a bit of a laugh with everyone really!ā
Hannah Wilson from Dolores Forever said: āWe canāt wait to play Leeds. Itās my home town, so it will be mega special. It will be our first time playing Leeds in 2023 and we want to bring big energy vibes!ā
Dan Mawer from Low Hummer said: āWeāre chuffed to be a part of Live at Leeds: In The Park! The festival has a brilliant mix of well established names alongside exciting new artists, all taking place in a truly beautiful setting.
We loved attending last yearās event so weāre honoured to get the chance to play it in 2023. Itāll be really rewarding to take part in an event that will emulate the lovely sense of community we witnessed at this yearās festival.ā
Speaking about Live At Leeds: In The Park 2023, Festival Promoter Joe Hubbard said:
āAfter such an incredible first year in 2022, weāre delighted to be returning to Temple Newsam for Live At Leeds: In The Park 2023! Bringing together bonafide festival headliners such as Two Door Cinema Club alongside some of the best in modern indie/alternative music – itās going to be an unforgettable day and the perfect summer party not only full of singalongs left, right and centre but also loads of opportunities to discover your next favourite artist.
Itās what we do best at Live At Leeds and we canāt wait to welcome everyone back for an even bigger and even better Live At Leeds: In The Park in May. Catch ya down the front!ā
Lytham Festival also returns in 2023 and this week organisers shared the line-up including headliners Jamiroquai, George Ezra, Sting, Lionel Ritchie, Motley Crue and Def Leppard.
Also on the bill are the likes of Blondie and Kaiser Chiefs.
The run of festival announcements in our News Report gets a little heavier now with the 5th Anniversary of Stonedead Festival set to host headliners Blue Oyster Cult.
Also playing will be Therapy?, The Answer, King King, Mason Hill and more.
Following a successful inaugural event this year, Firestorm Festival is back in Manchester next year with a line-up including Royal Republic, Kris Barras Band, Black Spiders, The Virginmarys, Hollowstar, Scruffy Bear and many more!
Bowling For Soup frontman Jaret Reddick will bring his new country project to the UK in December with shows announced this week in London and Birmingham.
Hundred Reasons return with new single ‘Glorious Sunset’
Hundred Reasons – ‘Glorious Sunset’
We move our News Report on now to the best new releases from the past week and we start off with the spectacular return of Hundred Reasons.
The band this week announced their first new album in 15 years! ‘Glorious Sunset’ will be released on February 24th, and you can check out the title track above.
Lead singer Colin Doran says of the first writing session; āI came away from that session not just feeling closer to the other guys, having not seen them for some time, but thinking the music was f****** awesome. We all looked at each other and knew it was a go.ā
He continues about the single: āWhen we started writing again it was really important that we did not go back to any material that had been cut previously. It all had to be completely new. We started writing just before Covid and got together sporadically as and when we could to write and demo which was not our usual way. We would normally be in a room together for the most part but this time it was not always possible. Larry and I would write, The Andy and Larry would write and then I would join the session later in the day (I have a day job) but we were all super happy with what was coming out. This was a deal breaker for all as if we were putting out new material it had to be amazing.
Glorious Sunset came about from an instrumental idea from The Andy which was nearly complete minus any vocal ideas. The lyrics for the song completely changed from the demo version to the recorded version as within that space of time my mother passed away after a 4-year battle with cancer. She had gone into remission twice previously and it come back again but this time it would be terminal. The title of the song took on a new meaning as the song talks about being relieved that someone you love is no longer suffering. The sunset refers to the light that many people say they see when they die.
During recording, Larry started playing around with synths and effects that added more to the song but by the time all of the music was recorded, no one in the band knew that the lyrics had changed so it ended up being an emotionally draining session in the studio that day. In all lots of lyrics changed during that time period as it brought on a new perspective which shaped the narrative of the material.”
āThis album isnāt something we felt we had to do. We simply arrived at a position where the music was so good that it was something we needed to do.ā
Following the release of their latest album, ‘I Don’t Belong Anywhere’, October Drift this week shared the video for ‘Lost Without You’, which you can of course check out above.
Regarding āLost Without Youā frontman Kiran Roy says,Ā āIt’s a song about heartbreak and helplessness. Inspired by a long-distance relationship, with my girlfriend living over 400 miles away in Scotland. Itās about missing loved ones and the struggle of being apart.ā
Book news closes out our News Report this week as Idlewild have announced details of a new limited edition publication entitled ‘Passing Places’.
Roddy Woomble says:
āInitially, we had an idea of putting something together to commemorateĀ The Remote PartĀ tour dates – a programme or a journal, something fans of the band would love to read and have. It would be made in a similar style to Tomās beautifully designed journal Gold Flake Paint, somewhere between a magazine, a journal, a novella and a photo book. Something different and personal.
The journal acts almost like a souvenir programme for the 20th AnniversaryĀ Remote PartĀ shows, particularly for those who travelled up to Ullapool in September, as primarily that is where the journal is set.Ā
This idea appealed to me enormously, so Tom accompanied the band up to the Highlands for ourĀ The Remote PartĀ show in Ullapool, close to where the album was written. As we got chatting on the journey, at the gig and the following day driving around the Highlands, it became clear to both of us that this writing collaboration could be explored in many different ways, not necessarily just about one album.
This is a great writing project for me, working with an experienced writer like Tom, making something special for Idlewild fans all about an album that means a great deal to me, but also to Tom – a journey from two different perspectives.ā
Ahead of their tour supporting Pussy Riot, Brighton’s Ä ENN have shared their new single, ‘Rohmeresse’.
On the song, vocalist Leona Farrugia said, āIāve often felt a pressure running through everyday life: a pressure to be productive whilst being true to oneself. Modern life can be very dissociative and small tasks become a real burden to uphold. I wanted to capture these thoughts through the track, whereby these emotions gradually build to a point of ecstasy.ā
MOSKITO – ‘Sweet Fruit’
Following the breath-taking launch of MOSKITO towards the end of 2021, they now return with their brand-new single āSweet Fruitā.
“Sweet Fruits lyrics portray how easy it is to play away in a relationship, with all the distractions in todayās society. Itās unwieldy temptation at the push of a button. Is it too sweet? What a waste it is.ā – Front man Jake Rudd.
Pollyanna Blue – ‘Haunted’
Bristol-based alt-rock two-piece Pollyanna Blue reveal their latestĀ single āHauntedā.
Speaking of the inspiration for the song, lyricist and vocalist Zoe Collins says, āIn this song trauma is depicted as an unforgiving evil spirit that will come at you at night and relentlessly try to tear you down. Ā The impactful delivery of the lyrics harnesses the real range of emotions of someone experiencing immense feelings of emptiness, sadness and anger.
The lyric ālike a headacheā depicts the side effects of dealing with large and repetitive amounts of trauma and stress to the brain, painting an unpleasant experience for the person being Haunted by their own predicament.ā
After more than a decade of scratching and clawing, momentum is finally behind VUKOVI as they release their third album, āNULAā. Both of this albums predecessors, 2017ās self-titled debut and 2020 follow up āFall Betterā have felt like breakthrough moments only for momentum to stall.
In the aftermath of their debut, two members departed and soon after āFall Betterā was released, the world stopped for the pandemic that derailed so many bands. Thankfully VUKOVI are one band that have made it through and have new music to show for it!
Top tier live shows and a slew of promising singles have rebuilt that all important momentum and now āNULAā is upon us to surely push the band to the next level. The stars finally appeared aligned but there is one all important deciding factor remaining ā is the album any good?
Ominous opening āDEPATUREā instantly sucks us in and prepares us for the journey we are about to embark on. āTAINTEDā and āLASSOā then lock the listener in and ensure they are going nowhere.
Musically immediate and fearless, āNULAā, feels like a statement in every sense of the word. Pre-release singles āSLOā, āI EXISTā, āKILL ITā and āHURTā all set what couldāve been an unattainable standard for the album as a whole. Thankfully the remaining tracks and the cohesiveness of the album manages to maintain and elevate that standard.
Whichever way you want to look at it this is the statement we suggest is it – sonically, thematically and in relation to the viability of the band. The album finishes with a statement of a song in āXXā to really drive the message home.
What message? Well amongst other socially important ones, the fact that the time is very much now for a band long overdue sustained success!
Iron Maiden announce new Triple Vinyl to commemorate 40th Anniversary of ‘The Number of the Beast’
The legendary Iron Maiden have announced the release of a commemorative triple black vinyl album in honour of the 40th Anniversary of seminal third album, ‘The Number Of The Beast’, which was also the first to feature Bruce Dickinson on vocals and was to become the record which catapulted the band to international stardom.
Included in the new vinyl package is ‘Beast Over Hammersmith’ – available now officially for the very first time on vinyl – featuring the live concert from March 1982ās now legendary Hammersmith Odeon London show from the ‘Beast On The Road’ World Tour.
Recorded only days before the release of ‘The Number Of The Beast’ album, itās remarkable to think these now classic songs at that time were still brand new, unfamiliar and being heard live by fans for the very first time. A real piece of history in the making.
Steve Harris comments, āOn this vinyl release we get the chance to put āTotal Eclipse’ in its rightful spot on the album for the first time. The reason it didnāt make it in the first place was that it was all a mad rush when we were finishing the record and we had to get the āRun To The Hillsā single out before the tour and we basically had to pick a B-side and it was between āGanglandā and āTotal Eclipseā and we just picked the wrong one, really! I think āTotal Eclipseā is a stronger song and the album would have been stronger if it had been on there.ā
With new album, ‘The Calton Songs’, out soon on October 14th, Gun have shared the new reinvigorated version of firm fan favourite ‘Inside Out’, which you can listen to above.
As Jools Gizzi says: āWhen the pandemic hit we realised that it was the perfect time to try and counteract the bleakness that was all around. It felt like we couldnāt write anything, or of course tour. Out of that darkness came a desire to completely rework these songs that we know the fans love, and bring a different, stripped down vibeā.
Dante Gizzi added: āItās ironic that those feelings of negativity led to something so positive, a celebration of our career up to nowā.
VUKOVI will be releasing their new album, ‘NULA’, on October 7th. This week saw the band share the latest single, ‘QUENCH’, which you can listen to above.
Willie J Healey has announced that his new album, ‘Bunny’, will be out March 24th. Healey, who support Florance + The Machine on tour this November, also debuted new track, ‘Dreams’ which you can listen to above.
Willie says, āāDreamsā is a song I wrote when thinking about the cost of an ambition. The idea behind the video is, what would life be like if you had to carry all of the money you made on your back, and that if you did have to carry it you probably wouldnāt want as much.āā
Asylums have this week debuted their new single, ‘Instant Coffee’, which you can check out above.
The track comes from upcoming album, ‘Signs of Life’, which is out on October 28th.
Producer Dave Eringa says of āInstant Coffeeā:āItās like all of Lukeās songwriting to date has been leading up to Instant Coffee, a beautifully melancholic perfect pop song with real depth! Late 90ās Albarn meets the great bits of American indie at a classical concert & they all get together for a party!ā
Incredibly talented youngster Nandi Bushell took the next step in her musical evolution this week but debuted her first single, ‘The Shadows’, which you can listen to above.
“Early in 2022 my Dad fell into a depression as his autoimmune disease worsened. It was a difficult time for our family. I wanted to help cheer my Dad up by writing a song for him. He would describe his feelings to me and I would put them into lyrics letting him know, I would be there for him.
My Dad is now doing much better, he is on medication that is helping with his autoimmune disease and has recovered from his depression.
If you are suffering from mental health issues, please reach out for help. If you know of any good charities, groups or organisation in your area please share them in the comments for others.
Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell this week debuted his new musical project, Jealous Nostril. The trio also includes Mystery Jets Jack Flanagan and drummer ELLiS D.
You can watch the video for their debut single, ‘Phase 6’, above.
The group also announced their first live dates in St. Albans and London, with tickets available here.
After a successful debut event this year, Firestorm Festival will return to Manchester in August 2023 for a second edition.
The first waves of acts include Kris Barras Band, When Rivers Meet, Hollowstar, Jack J Hutchinson and former ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast guests Scruffy Bear.
Desertfest returns to London in May and this week revealed the first acts for the festival including Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, Graveyard, Kadavar and more.
We bring our News Report towards a close now with the best tour announcements from the past week and start with Tom Grennan.
Grennan revealed an Arena Tour set for March next year which concludes at the O2 Arena in London.
The news follows new single, ‘All These Nights’ and comes ahead of new album ‘What Ifs and Maybes’.
Speaking about the new album, Tom said:Ā āI’ve called my new album What Ifs & Maybes. It’s about going with your gut, not your head, because you never know what’s going to happen. I’m not afraid to jump into the unknown – because it’s exciting! It’s about rolling the dice and living your best life with nothing to lose. I’m in a new creative space, and I know I’m finally the artist I want to be. I’m so buzzing for these shows, my biggest gigs to date. I can’t wait to get out and play these new songs to everyone. Let’s go!”
The tour announcements keep coming in our News Report this week, and next up is Elles Bailey. Bailey will be playing a lengthy run of dates early next year including a date at Lafayette in London.
Von Hertzen Brothers are in the UK for Planet Rock Winter’s End Festival in February. Fans will now have additional chances to catch the band with headline shows now added in Manchester and London.
Our final tour announcement in our News Report this week comes from Sleep Token and it’s a massive tour for the band as they step into venues such as Brixton Academy.
TikTok star and queen of angsty pop/rock, Charlotte Sands, has released her hard-hitting, fan favourite single āTantrumā.
On the track, she said, āāTantrumā is so special to me because since the first time I played it live, people immediately latched onto it and have been fighting for its release ever since. This song not only represents experiences of anxiety, panic, and rebellion throughout my life and career but also the journey and relationship between me and the people who have made my career possible. Iāve been playing it live for over a year now and Iām thankful for the people who have pushed me out of my comfort zone to release a song that without them would still be sitting in a folder somewhere on my phone. I am overwhelmed with excitement for this song to finally be out in the world, itās been a year in the making (almost to the exact day) and I canāt wait to finally be able to throw a tantrum together.ā
As Sirens Fall – ‘heaven (spat us back out)’
As Sirens Fall share their new single, ‘heaven (spat us back out)’.
āi started writing heaven (spat us back out) just as our last ep ālāappel du vide (part 1)ā was releasing. that ep was a project about grief, and āheavenā very much comes from that same place. itās about giving up on the hopeful delusions that often come packaged with grief. itās about realising youāre coming of age in a dark world and choosing to face it all and grow up anyway – choosing to live.ā Mikey Lord, Vocals
Arliston – ‘Hold My Wine’
Arliston return with the stirring and spirited new single, ‘Hold My Wine’, taken from forthcoming EP āEven In The Shadeā.Ā
Vocalist Jack Ratcliffe says, āWeāve been wanting to make something a bit more playful for a while, so when we first hit on that chorus idea and made a silly middle-class pun on āhold my beerā, everything just fell into place around it. This one was a lot of fun to make.ā
Jack adds,āThe song is about that occasional moment of recognition when you look up from the narrow corridor of your own thoughts and are seized by the idea that everyone else has progressed and developed, while you are stuck in an unchanged rut. The protagonist attempts to do something about it in the chorus ā but inevitably, he gets it wrong.āĀ
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report! This week is dominated by incredible new releases, so that’s exactly where we begin; and where better to start than with superstars Muse!
This week the band shared their latest single, ‘Kill or Be Killed’, which you can check out above. The single will feature on their upcoming new album, ‘Will of the People’, which is out August 26th!
āāKill Or Be Killedā is MUSE at their heaviest! We wanted to update our hard rock sound on this album and with KOBK we found a modern metal sound featuring double bass drum action and even a death growl. Lyrically the song takes influence from my favourite Paul McCartney song āLive And Let Dieā, a dark take on how lifeās adversity can sometimes bring out the worst human instincts to survival at any costs.ā ā Matt Bellamy
Red Hot Chili Peppers announce ‘Return of the Dream Canteen’
Red Hot Chili Peppers surprised fans this week with the revelation that they will be releasing a new studio album this year!
‘Return of the Dream Canteen’, will be available October 14th, and the band had the following to say:
“We went in search of ourselves as the band that we have somehow always been. Just for the fun of it we jammed and learned some old songs. Before long we started the mysterious process of building new songs. A beautiful bit of chemistry meddling that had befriended us hundreds of times along the way. Once we found that slip stream of sound and vision, we just kept mining.
With time turned into an elastic waistband of oversized underwear, we had no reason to stop writing and rocking. It felt like a dream. When all was said and done, our moody love for each other and the magic of music had gifted us with more songs than we knew what to do with. Well we figured it out. 2 double albums released back to back.
The second of which is easily as meaningful as the first or should that be reversed. ‘Return of the Dream Canteen’ is everything we are and ever dreamed of being. Itās packed. Made with the blood of our hearts.”
The iconic Ozzy Osbourne continues to prepare for the release of his latest studio album, ‘Patient Number 9’, which is due for release on September 9th.
This week saw the debut of new single, ‘Degradation Rules’ featuring Tony Iommi, which you can listen to above.
New music was also forthcoming this week from The Murder Capital, who debuted new track, ‘Only Good Things’, which you can listen to above.
Speaking on the new single, frontman James McGovern says,
āThis track for us has been an exciting evolution for the band. Itās so bright. Itās so colorful. This is a part of the narrative of the overall record that we feel reaches a real place of inner calm, inner peace but at its core, itās a love song.
You get a song like this where, the protagonist in this song is quite simply asking – not pleading – just willing to ask their counterpart to rid them of their intrusive thoughts, the devils on their shoulders and to be truly vulnerable. Weāre so excited to go to a place like this because perhaps itās not what is expected of us.
It stood out to me during the creation of this record that it is more about the friends that are still here and celebrating those connections, those relationships and being unafraid of life and itās many seasons. Where āOnly Good Thingsā stands within the record is at a moment where the sonic and the lyrical narrative especially, are of newfound joy.ā
Another band with an album on the way is Dub War who will release ‘Westgate Under Fire’ on August 5th. This week they shared the latest single, ‘Art Of War’, which you can listen to above.
Speaking on the new single, Benji Webbe says, “Mikee āKRUPAā Gregory was reading the book āThe Art of Warā at the time that I was working on songs for the album, I thought it was a great title and just wrote a lot of words about Newport & Nazis.
Frankie Lodge (mentioned in the lyrics) was a guy with mental difficulties who once sang opera in the subway in Newport. Frankieās mural features on the back cover of the album as he’s another piece of Newport history.
Spike T Smith really stepped up and brought the magic on the drums on this track.ā
More great new music as our News Report continues and we turn now to The Virginmarys. The duo this week debuted new track, ‘You’re A Killer’, which you can listen to above.
VUKOVI also have a new album on the way. ‘NULA’ arrives on October 7th, but this week the duo debuted new single, ‘I EXIST’, which you can check out above.
Finally in our new releases section of our News Report, we have Deux Furieuses.
In a big news week the duo debuted new single, ‘Know The Score’, which you can listen to above, and announced new album, ‘Songs From Planet Earth’, which is out November 11th.
We do have a handful of tour announcements in our News Report this week, so let’s get started!
Japanese genre-blenders Crossfaith have announced the UK & EU leg of their upcoming ‘Atlas Of Faith World Tour‘, celebrating 15 years of the band!
Speaking of the tour, frontman Kenta ‘Ken’ Koie, says, “We just got back from festival run in Europe and had such a great time out there. As promised, weāll be returning back to UK & Europe and this will be our first headline tour since COVID.
I know that you guys have been waiting for it just like us so we are very excited to celebrate our 15th anniversary with all of you! We will play new songs and older songs as well, make sure to follow our discography and get sweaty with us! See you in the pit!”
Our final live announcement in our News Report this week, with no noteworthy festival updates, comes from Beans On Toast. The singer will return to the Clapham Grand next June.
Northern indie-pop artist Ellur returns with her new single ‘Close To You’.
Speaking on the single Ellur says, ā’Close To You’ is a song about rejection and coping with it. I decided, last year, I wanted to write more songs that were about me and my relationship with myself. I think this process birthed some of my favourite lyrics Iāve ever written.ā
3REE – ‘Demons’
Australian pop punk duo 3REE have teamed up with fellow Aussie and emo rapper Yung Gwopp for their brand new single āDemonsā.
Speaking about the inspiration for the track 3REE drummer Sean Tighe says, āThis song came to me in a dream, after a nightmare I had. I woke up in the middle of the night with the lyrics and melodies still distinctly in my mind. I immediately put it all down in a voice note and sent it to Mitch. It was that powerful.ā
Continuing vocalist and guitarist Mitch Volcan says, āSean sent me the voice memo and I quickly went to the studio with the verse he sent me and the chorus just came to me all in one go. Itās definitely from a dark place but itās also the realest thing weāve ever written.ā
About the collaboration Yung Gwopp says, āWhen the boys sent me āDemonsā I was instantly a fan. I just knew I had to throw a verse down.ā
Elessar – ‘GOLD’
Pop-Rock trio Elessar present their foot stomping new single āGOLDā.
āI wrote GOLD at a time when the entire world had been locked up, itās about the good vibes only with friends who have inevitably moved on to their next stages in life, kids, marriage, houses. And how the pandemic lockdown made us realise how much we took our friends for granted. Iād have given it all up to go back to that one weekend when money and inhibitions werenāt an issue.ā – Front man Ricky Powell.
Welcome one and all to another edition of our weekly music News Report, where we roundup the best news from the past week. We start off this week with the best tour announcements.
Up first are Shinedown who have announced a UK Tour for later this year which will include a date at Wembley Arena. Support comes from Asking Alexandria and Zero 9:36.
Frontman Brent Smith states, āWe have always been inspired by the UK and European audiences. Their passion for music is extraordinary. We are beyond excited to be returning as headliners, with our biggest show yet!”
“We are overwhelmed by the love and support of our new album, ‘Planet Zero’ and look forward to sharing our new songs, along with all of your Shinedown favorites!!! Cheers!!!ā
Music Venue Trust reveal new wave of #ReviveLive shows
As the music industry continues to strive for a return to pre-pandemic levels of attendance, the incredible Music Venue Trust has announced another wave of #ReviveLive shows.
With support from The National Lottery attendees can bring a friend for free to a plethora of newly revealed shows.
Acts taking part this go around include Everything Everything, Paolo Nutini, The Amazons, The Coral, Baby Dave, Coach Party, Sick Joy, The Goa Express and Thumper!
Inglorious will also be touring later this year with a lengthy trek planned in across the UK. Support comes from A New Tomorrow.
Frontman, Nathan James, comments āI am so excited to get back out on tour with the guys . Over the pandemic we were not able to tour as much as we usually would, but we were able to release albums. So we did! We recorded the We Will Ride album, The Heroine all female covers album and the 1st ever Inglorious live album and dvd. It’s amazing now to be able to pick songs from all of those albums to make the ultimate inglorious set.
On this tour we will be bringing something totally different set wise and we’re really looking forward to playing songs from across all of our albums. Inglorious has always been a strong live act and now more so than ever. Tighter, harder and more determined to show people what we are about.
We hope to see everyone on the āUntil We Die 2022 UK Tourā and cannot wait make some noise for you all again.ā
Burn It Down Festival takes over Torquay again this September and the event has confirmed their stacked line-up for this year.
Headliners Trash Boat and Deaf Havana will be joined by the likes of Static Dress, Our Hollow Our Home, Haggard Cat, Cassyette, VUKOVI, Tigercub, Salem, As December Falls, Death Blooms, Pupil Slicer and more.
We move our News Report on now to the latest new releases, and we start with Deaf Havana.
As the band gear up to release their sixth studio album, ‘The Present Is A Foreign Land’, on 15th July they have debuted new track, ‘Nevermind’, which you can check out above.
LIFE continue to gear up for the release of ‘North East Coastal Town’ on August 19th. You can listen to their new single, ‘The Drug’, above.
Speaking on the new single vocalist Mez Green says: āThe Drug is a love song. I wrote the lyrics in the cold mountains of Italy before taking them into the room with the band. ‘The Drug’ I needed has always been here, the drug I needed has always been near” is, for me, realising that loved ones and those that love you, no matter where you are, can always be present.
I’d never really believed this before and whilst this purity is at the lyrical heart of the song musically the band decided to inject flecks of dance, pop, harmonics, and dirty pulses to give the song drive, repetition and jerk-ability.ā
Norway’s SlĆøtface return with the news that the group’s figurehead Haley Shea will now be leading the band, with Lasse and Tor-Arne leaving to focus on new passions outside the group.
To signal this era beginning they have released a double a-side of ‘Beta’, and ‘Come Hell Or Whatever’. You Can listen to ‘Beta’ above.
“”Beta” was the very first song Mikhael and I worked on together in his studio. It should be listened to while wearing sunglasses, even on cloudy days!
The song is about wanting to connect with people on a deeper level, but feeling like social media sometimes gets in the way, with things becoming somewhat intimidating, shallow and superficial. The song is a confidence booster for myself where Iām trying to be cooler than I am. It was written at a time when I really, really missed the rush of playing live, and I needed to find some of that spark and edge in myself that only really comes out on stage.”
Finally, this week Twister shared their latest single, ‘Own Worst Enemy’, which you can listen to above.
Singer and guitarist Stevie Stoker comments: āTwister are evolving and progressing with every release and the momentum weāre building on the road is really driving us to bigger and better things in the studio. Itās such an exciting time.ā
Indie rock band Sunsleeper have shared their newest track, ‘Blemishes’.
āāBlemishesā is about the slow unraveling of a deeply important friendship, as well as the acceptance of the relationshipās end,ā shares vocalist Jeffery Mudgett. āThe freedom in letting go of a toxic relationship is underrated. Sometimes thereās no need to mourn the end, but rather we should celebrate leaving that toxicity behind.ā
cheerbleederz – ‘notes app apologies’
London indie punk trio cheerbleederz reveal their latest single ānotes app apologiesā.
Commenting on the track and video, the band say: āThis song is about letting go of an abusive relationship. Thereās a lot of fear and doubt that comes with separating yourself from somebody who manipulates you, and it leaves behind feelings of anger, as well as guilt and doubt.
You end up questioning everything while simultaneously harbouring a lot of resentment for the person who treated you that way. We wanted this song to feel cathartic and unapologeticāit ultimately feels very healing.ā
MODES – ‘Infamous’
Kent’s MODES deliver their new single, ‘Infamous’.
MODES frontman Ted Berry reveals that the new singleāInfamous is a song we wrote to reflect on anger and past trauma that we have experienced. We wanted to put this into words to help others feel understood and seen. It’s only human to have been in situations that lead to feeling hurt, angry, and even disappointed in how you have been treated by others.ā
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report, where we share the best music news from the past week. We start this week with a real smorgasbord of tour announcements.
First up, is the above special set of shows from Ash. The band will play 3 ‘Free All Angels’ 21st Anniversary Shows in Manchester, Birmingham and London this September!
Drummer Rick McMurray had the following to say: “We’re delighted to announce that we will be commemorating the 21st anniversary of the release of our 2001 classic, Free All Angels. Not least because we will be joined by the fourth member of Ash, guitarist extraordinaire, all-round Shining Light, the one and only, Charlotte Hatherley. Can. Not. Wait.”
Another band celebrating a special anniversary is Idlewild, who this week announced 20th Anniversary shows for ‘The Remote Part’ in Manchester and London.
The band also announced a reissue of the seminal album on vinyl, which is available for pre-order now.
Bullet For My Valentine also announced a huge UK Tour this week. Taking place early next year, the band will also be stopping off at the Roundhouse as well as a massive Swansea Arena show.
We move our News Report on now to festivals and we begin with Steelhouse Festival in Wales.
This week the event finalised their line-up with Europe and Von Hertzen Brothers joining the party.
They join the likes Ace Frehley, Michael Schenker, Inglorious, Graham Bonnet Band, Orange Goblin, Black Spiders, Green Lung, The Hot Damn! and many more.
Manchester’s Neighbourhood Festival has this week unveiled the line-up for this October with The Snuts, Everything Everything and Sundara Karma at the top of the bill.
Also playing are the likes of Lauran Hibberd, Louis Dunford, Ten Tonnes, The Goa Express, The Skinner Brothers, Anorak Patch, Courting and more.
We move on now to the new releases of the past week in our News Report. We start off with Skid Row who have unveiled the video for their new single ‘The Gang’s All Here’, which you can watch above.
āāThe Gang’s All Hereā for me represents the brotherhood of this band. And with the addition on Erik our bond is more solid than ever. Our fans have always been part of the family, so when it was time to shoot a video, we handed the camera work over to them. After all, they have the best perspective to capture the excitement of a Skid Row show.ā – Scotti Hill
āIām so fāing psyched to finally release this video! This video is by the fans for the fans. A big shout out to all the fans who made this video happen. Thank you!ā – Erik Grƶnwall
The song is the title track of their upcoming album which is released on October 14th.
October Drift release new single ‘Webcam Funerals’
October Drift – ‘Webcam Funerals’
October Drift released their latest single, ‘Webcam Funerals’, this week ahead of their new album, ‘I Don’t Belong Anywhere’ on September 23rd. You can listen to the track above, and pre-order the album here.
“I donāt want to go into too much detail out of respect,ā begins Kiran, ābut this song was written at the time of losing a friend during the height of the pandemic and lockdown. She passed after a long battle with cancer. Her son, a very close friend of mine, was living with me at the time of the funeral.
I watched online from my front room, while many others did the same from their homes. This song was a response to the strangeness and sadness of friends and family members not being able to be at the funeral or there for each other at that time.”
Kiran talks further about the track and album with us on The Full Pelt Music Podcast, which you can watch below.
The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 10 – October Drift
TV Priest have shared new single, āIt Was Beautifulā, taken from forthcoming album ‘My Other People’ out 17th June. You can listen to the track above.
Vocalist Charlie Drinkwater says of the single, āāIt Was Beautifulā is a love song about the past, present, and future. A reminder that love is the most essential thing. The words came fast; it was recorded in a single emotive session, the first song we wrote together after my family had gone through a difficult experience and I think you can hear that in the kind of melancholy euphoria that plays out as the song progresses. In some ways itās a coda to the whole album; a reminder to guard your hope fiercely.ā
APHYXION have released their latest single, ‘Not Gonna Make It’, which you can check out above.
The band elaborate on the theme of the track:
“‘Not Gonna Make It’ is a song about broken love ā a sad reflection of a relationship that once was – and trying to clutch at a straw while drowning in emotions. We never really touched the subject of love in our songs before. While our lyrics have constantly been circling around dystopic subjects both on a worldly and on a personal level, we simply wanted to embrace our emotions and thoughts from a new perspective.
While trying to leave a very black and white way of seeing things, we want to explore the polarity of emotions ā where both love and hate co-exist because of their mutually dependent nature.ā
We close this segment of our News Report with the latest single from Just Mustard. You can listen to ‘Seed’ above, and order their new album, ‘Heart Under’here.
As always we close out our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist! Joining this week:
The Native – ‘Changes’
The Native return with their latest single, ‘Changes’, ahead of the band’s upcoming EP.
Singer Charlie Noordewier says, ā‘Changes’ is about breaking out from the mundane cycle of life that so many find themselves stuck in, and pushing back against the people that put you down for trying to do something different.ā
Chappaqua Wrestling – ‘Full Round Table’
Chappaqua Wrestling have shared their first new single of 2022, and first with new label EMI, āFull Round Tableā.
The band explains: āWe wrote Full Round Table as a reaction to the endless negativity put in our faces about our generationās future. So much news is greeted with the response of how screwed we are – hopeless views from unhelpful people.
Negativity about youth is relative per generation but today it feels stronger. We want to ignore the cynicism, get together, appreciate what really matters, and not let people tell us what we can’t do. The Full Round Table is full of our friends, and thatās not changing.ā
Fixation – ‘More Alive’
As Fixation prepare to release their debut album, they return with new single, ‘More Alive’.
āI wanted to highlight the negative effect social media can have om human relations. It’s harrowing how we spend more time maintaining our online facades, than taking care of our real-life relationships.
With āMore Aliveā we hope to bring attention to this topic and help our listeners make conscious decisions on how they interact with social media.ā – Jonas Hansen / Vocals
