Jackals Rose - All For You

Jackals Rose - All For You

Callum Thornhill

New band Jackals Rose have released a video for debut single All For You.

The band consists of brothers Jake (vocals) and Max (rhythm guitar) James. Alongside these are friends they grew up with in the form of Darren Griffiths (lead guitar), Zak Simmons (bass) and Grant Masters (drums).

Jackals Rose have already been the main support for Domino Records' The Bohicas. As well as this they have played packed out venues around their Essex home town and London throughout 2015.

The single is bulging with raw passion, mind-bending visuals and instrumentation that will struggle to escape your mind. It is a great first release.

All For You is produced by Placebo's Nick Gavrilovic it last just over two minutes. What it lacks in quantity, it thrives in quality.
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All For You is available to stream and download from 30/10/2015.

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Jackals Rose are playing:

The Forum - Turnbridge Wells 22/10/2015
Proud, Camden 07/11/2015
Zigfrid Von Underbelly, Hoxton - 18/11/2015

Keep up with Jackals Rose on:

www.jackalsrose.com

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My Three Favourite Albums (Ever/At The Moment)

My Three Favourite Albums

Callum Thornhill

In no particular order:

I like the idea of someone knowing the tunes I’m into; I don’t like the idea of only being able to choose three. As with any ‘favourites’ it is likely that as soon as I submit this I’ll have changed my mind.

The first of my three choices is Catfish and the Bottlemen’s debut The Balcony. I was lucky enough to get massively into this band before they hit the big time so when I was seeing them it was in really intimate gigs, as well as when they supported Little Comets.

They were always playing around with different songs that made the final track list. When it finally dropped last year there were only three songs; Hourglass, Business and 26 that I didn’t recognise – funnily enough Hourglass is one of my favourites they’ve ever released.

Hearing these new tracks interweaved with the tracks that were so familiar to my ears was a satisfying feeling. I’d pre-ordered ages before release and refused to listen to the leak days before it was officially out. There is always something special about the first spinning of a record not knowing how it is going to turn out.

I think it is the whole production of the album that makes it one of my favourites. The way that they’ve organised the tracks, especially on the vinyl edition, is wonderful. Hearing re-recordings of the tracks that made me fall in love with the band in the early days (Homesick, Rango, Sidewinder and Tyrants) is something else that has made me choose The Balcony for this top three.

When NME gave the album a mere 4/10 I was shocked and appalled, especially now that NME are getting massively into Catfish and the Bottlemen. For a band with only this album out to have sold out multiple UK tours and to take the US by storm it is quite an achievement. The Balcony is easily one of the strongest debut albums to ever be released.

People always says you’ll regret tattoos that you get at this age (19), but I got the very ‘graphic’ album cover of The Balcony and I don’t think I’ll feel that way in years to come...

 

Album number two from my favourites is The Stone Roses’ 1989 self titled release. Like Catfish and the Bottlemen, this record is their debut and I honestly believe that this album is an essential part of anyone’s record collection.

I can clearly remember buying it on vinyl. I saw it on the wall in Stockton’s Sound It Out Records for £30 and knew I had to have it. The crisp sound of the bass in I Wanna Be Adored opening the album is enough to make any music fan go weak at the knees.

The thing with The Stone Roses is that it isn’t just the music that makes the album great. The iconic paint splattered sleeve is one of the most recognisable album covers of all time. Pulling the 12 inch record out and putting the needle down for the first time is an experience you’ll struggle to forget.

Every song on the album is marvellous and the sounds it produces gives you an all year round summer feel. I think with This Is England 90 recently being on television has reignited my love for the Stone Roses. The music. The Fashion. The way they can combine the two and create a ‘cult’ following is unbelievable.

Personal favourites from this album include This Is The One, Shoot You Down and Waterfall. Although jamming to I Am The Resurrection throughout the eight wonderful minutes that it lasts is always a pleasure. Saying this, though, the full album flows beautifully and other that the unwinding Elizabeth My Dear the full album is a giddy ray of acid soaked happiness.

The closest I’ll get to seeing the Stone Roses nowadays is going to be tribute act after tribute act. One day I hope to hear this 1989 work of art in the entirety.

Choosing a third and final album for this list is somewhat impossible. However I have chosen The Streets’ A Grand Don’t Come For Free. Mike Skinner and co. have a mindblowing album at their finger tips.

The soundtrack to many nights on the town, but also an album that I could have on in the background. An essential CD for every car in my opinion, I’ve always liked the idea of driving down the motorway hearing Skinner’s quick wit and lyrical flow.

I was first introduced to The Streets when Fit But You Know It was on the Fifa 2005 soundtrack. Since then I’ve had ten great years listening to the band and heavily listening to their albums. Sadly, like the Stone Roses, I’ve never seen The Streets, nor have I been to see Mike Skinner do a solo gig.

My most vivid memory of A Grand Don’t Come For Free is playing the CD for the first time and Could Well Be In coming on. I think it is the story telling style of singing that Skinner does so well that first gripped me with the song. It is almost effortless, yet the tales he speaks of combine humour, memories and musical brilliance.

The cliché Streets favourite of Dry Your Eyes could soundtrack a million break ups. It is kind of heart touching hearing the lyrics and being like: “yeah you’re right, Mike.” Picking yourself up, dusting yourself down and getting on with life. Almost something that would fit perfectly in a film.

Other stand-out favourites from A Grand Don’t Come For Free are Blinded By The Lights and Such A Twat.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this personal insight to my favourite albums, but like I explained earlier, by the time you’ve read this I’ll have changed my mind.

Muse Desperate To Play Glastonbury Again

Muse Aim For A Hat-Trick Of Glastonbury Headline Slots

Muse have admitted that they are desperate to headline Glastonbury, hailing it as “probably the best festival in the world.” If they were to do so it would be the third time that Muse have headlined the Worthy Farm festival, after performances in 2004 and 2010.

They might be playing dumb and not admitting they’ve had a call yet as Emily Eavis revealed that next year’s headliners are already confirmed. Glastonbury founder and father Michael Eavis recently let the cat out of the bag at the Association of Independent Music Awards that 2017’s headliners were also booked.

Coldplay and last year pull outs Foo Fighters are all but officially confirmed. Adele is strongly rumoured to be the third headliner.

Tickets went on sale last week for £228 and as usual sold out almost instantly. One lucky person to get a ticket was Paul Scott, 22. He said: "I'd hate for Adele to headline my first time at Glastonbury. I'm not massively into Muse but at least they will add a bit of excitement."

Mr Scott continued: "I went to Reading this year mainly to see the Libertines. If they were at Glasto I'd probably cry of happiness. Even watching their surprise set at this year's festival on the television gave me goosebumps."

If Muse were to headline the festival it would certainly be value for money, as is the same with most festivals. If you take into consideration the price tickets cost for the headliners when on tour the price justifies itself. Coldplay, Foo Fighters and Muse are all fully capable of selling out stadiums worldwide so the £228 is a 'bargain' really.

Even though fans are left in the dark about the Glastonbury line-up, tickets are strictly non-transferable. This means that if the acts there don't meet your taste there is nothing you can really do about it. However, there is so much to do at the festival, including over 100 stages, that you don't even need to see musicians.

Festival goer Oliver Watt backed the ticket policy saying: "I quite like the way that Glastonbury tickets are sold. It adds a certain novelty to the whole festival."

When asked if it should be changed he instantly said no, adding: "This year I went to Leeds but didn't buy a ticket until about a month before. I over studied the line-up and had doubts. The brilliance of Glastonbury is that you throw yourself into the deep end but know that you're going to be impressed." Another perk of the line-up being unannounced until after tickets are sold is that new rumours develop every day.

Those rumoured this year include Radiohead, Fleetwood Mac, Blur and of course Prince. Michael Eavis said about Prince: "We're always having a go at Prince, but it's up to him whether he wants to do it or not. Most of the people in the world want him to play here. I did ask him to hop on the train and come down so I can show him around the farm sometime. It hasn't been taken up yet."

Reaching out to Glastonbury fans on Twitter I received a mixed response on a range of issues surrounding the festival. The most interesting coming from @festadvice. Their main concern was with ticket sales, saying: "I think that like most football clubs there should be a loyalty based system. Also the ability to buy 6 tickets makes it even harder to get a ticket."

I asked how the system could be improved and they explained that they: "would be happier with a lottery based system." Even though they complained about this policy, the user has been to Glastonbury five times since 2008. They see the resale policy as effective but easy to get around: " I think this helps stop extortionate prices although you can still get in most the time with someone else's ticket."

Another user was Olivia. She is a self-confessed "festival addict" who has been to the Worthy Farm event six times, Reading three times, T in the Park, Bestival and Truck. She eagerly waits for line-up announcements year after year. Being optimistic she wished: "My prediction for this year are Blur, the Libertines and the Stone Roses." Doubting herself saying: "Out of those three it would probably be only one of them."

Olivia at Glastonbury. Photo from @asdfghjkolivia Twitter.

 I inquired who, out of the list mentioned earlier, she thought would join Coldplay and Foo Fighters (if they aren't just rumours) on the Pyramid Stage. Olivia explained these rumours: "I wouldn't have thought Adele, Muse are the most likely out of the above."

Saying about Coldplay: "The only reason I would see them doing it is that their next album is supposedly going to be their last. If that's released this year then they might headline." Foo Fighters playing this year seems too easy for her. "I'd have thought they'll be 2017 though just to make this year's a bit less obvious."

There will be endless rumours from now until spring when the line-up is finally revealed. Until then you can try your best to guess who will play the prestigious festival.

Girls Against Groping

Girls Against Groping

Callum Thornhill

A Twitter page has been set up in the hope of combating sexual assault at gigs.

“Groping at gigs is too common to go unnoticed,” says Bea; one of the five creators of @girlsagainst.

"It is a campaign with a motive to abolish groping at gigs, as well as general sexual assault." Since saying this the page “are in the process of contacting bands, security companies and venues to establish a solid safety plan.

Victims are invited to send their experiences into the girls in confidence, but if the sender wishes they can have their story posted anonymously for followers to see.

“Running the account alongside Bea (@fioat4eva) are Anni (@queenkruie), Hannah (@hdans1975), Ava (@vanmcann) and Anna (@l0vesick) - a group of intersectional feminist friends that have been victims themselves.

The page has already attracted over 2000 followers in under a week. Those getting involved are “music magazines such as NME and DIY as well as bands such as Peace, Swim Deep and Spector.

Bea adds: “they (Sam & Harrison Koisser and Sam’s girlfriend Nancy) have been a wonderful help to spread awareness, helping us gain nearly 500 followers in under 48 hours.”

Harrison even used one of the experiences featured on Girls Against’s page and wrote: “If you think this is ok then please I beg you do not come.”

From October onwards, gigs are constant events and this is the perfect time to set up the page explains Bea: “Hannah experienced this (groping) at a Peace gig in Glasgow not too long ago, we thought now, with gig season fully underway, would be the best time to raise awareness about these issues.”

The idea is simple, but the effects could be revolutionary. In just a week so many bands have got on board with the page and seem genuinely concerned about what is happening below stage. “We aim to inform members of bands where cases of groping are present so that they know what is happening, and can hopefully get on board and hope us to eliminate it.” She continues: “We hope to get more celebs’ support in the near future.”

The page is open for anyone to use, but as with any successful idea there will be those trying to abuse it. The account posted a Tweet clearly stating this: “we promise we're here for every victim, male or female, but if you joke about harassment you will be blocked. It’s not funny.”

A recent Tweet makes the whole campaign clear: “We are not just here for female victims, we support all other genders including non-binary.”

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KEEP UP WITH GIRLS AGAINST ON:

TWITTER - @GIRLSAGAINST

INSTAGRAM - @GIRLS.AGAINST

TUMBLR - GIRLSAGAINST

An Interview With Plaza

 

Plaza - An Interview With...

Callum Thornhill

A Hartlepool five piece are creating a storm in the local music scene. The BBC have already picked up on Plaza’s roaring success. Huw Stephens has played Fickle and their track Antumbra is on BBC Introducing’s app Vizii.

They are playing Middlesbrough’s Twisterella festival this weekend.

I caught up with singer/guitarist Brad Lennard and drummer Matthew Swinbourne to talk about what is going on in the Plaza camp.

The band consists of three guitarists, a bassist and a drummer. They are all working men but say Plaza is their priority.

“We initially got in touch with the promoters ages ago. But it wasn’t until a slot was made available that we got onto the bill,” explains front man Brad. The promoters of the festival are The Kids Are Solid Gold, who have previously put on shows featuring Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Vaccines and James Bay.

Twisterella is the opening gig for Plaza. From there they will go on to play Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester and Hartlepool before finishing back at Middlesbrough.

After attending the festival last year, mainly to see Brontide, the band were inspired to play the festival in 2015. “We saw how up for it everyone was last year and thought we could have a crowd like this. I’m glad we got on (the line-up) in the end. It means we get to see some ace acts and hang around with them,” they say.

When asked who these “ace” acts were they looked at each other, smirked, and in-sync said Du Blonde. “She’s my favourite woman of 2015,” laughs Brad. Other acts mentioned are Model Aeroplanes, Fickle Friends, Allusondrugs and Lives.

For the Newcastle date of the tour, Plaza have got support from bands they are particularly fond of known as Campfires and Trash. “This and Twisterella are going to be the best shows of the tour” says Brad. Matthew confidently adds: “It will definitely be the most mental. It is free entry and people can bring their own drink.”

While Manchester and Leeds sound ambitious for a band with only one recorded EP, they assured me that they have been working on new material – including a re-recording of EP track Totem.

“We’ve not went ‘Swim Deep’ weird, but the new stuff is a bit different,” Brad explains. “They’re happier tracks, I don’t sound depressed anymore,” he continues.

Matthew describes the change: “We’ve went down a new route, found new influences if you will. On the EP it all sounds quite dreamy and spacey, but on our new music we’ve focused on the styles of Blaenavon and Mink Mussel Creek.”

Even further afield from Manchester and Leeds, Plaza have planned a trip to Thailand next year. Brad giddily pipes up with: “Three of us (bassist William Hamilton, Matthew and himself) were going over there as a bit of a holiday but we looked into it and found out we can play gigs in the bars if we leave a large enough tip.”

“I’m excited for this, but recently I’ve been reading The Damage Done by Warren Fellows and I’m scared that I’ll somehow end up that way” Brad says as he nervously laughs. The “that way” mentioned is that Fellows was sentenced to life imprisonment for heroin trafficking in 1978.

Matthew insists: “This won’t be the case, but if it does happen at least we played Twisterella.”

 

Catch Plaza at Twisterella this Saturday. Tickets here: http://www.seetickets.com/event/twisterella-festival-2015/multiple-venues-middlesbrough/868399

Listen to Plaza here: https://wernotplaza.bandcamp.com/album/plaza   

Interview with Billy Bibby (ex Catfish and the Bottlemen)

photo from Billy Bibby's Facebook page

Back in Business - Billy Bibby's Comeback

Callum Thornhill

Over the past year, Catfish and the Bottlemen have gone from strength to strength. However, former guitarist Billy Bibby is embarking on his own new musical journey.

 “We are currently booking the tour in for early next year” he says, smiling somewhat confidently. The “we” he is talking about are a band he has recently put together. However, there are both pros and cons of going back to being in a band. He says: “On my own I know that I have more freedom to do what I want without asking anyone else.” He laughs as he continues: “obviously there’s less equipment to set up which is nice, on the other hand though being in a band is great because you're never alone on tour. I don't like being on my own much.”

It would be easy for Bibby to completely replicate the sound that gained him a gold certificate for his parts on Catfish and the Bottlemen’s debut album The Balcony. But there is something different with this project. “I tend to see it (the new sound) as a more current country rock feel with a slice of pop thrown in there for good measure because I'm a sucker for a hit.” Who isn’t, though?

Back to the subject of the new band, Bibby is massively confident in who he has recruited. So much so that he may take a step back from his usual lead guitar position. “I have written most of the lead parts for my songs so far, but the guitarist I've got on board now is the dog’s bollocks and I'd be a fool to attempt the solos.”

He points out importantly that: “I’ll still be set up as a solo musician, but with a backing band behind me.” Generously adding “I just don't like to think of them as a backing band and I will treat them as I did like when I was in a band.”

Since going solo, Bibby has played his own live shows. These include shows at iconic venues such as the Camden Barfly. As any musician will tell you, that is a pretty special place; Bibby is no different. “Playing Barfly again was great because I've played that place many times before. I’ve enjoyed every time stepping on that stage and performing for the London crowd.” There was also a gig at Birmingham’s Sunflower Lounge that had to be rescheduled, and hopefully the 2016 tour will get to stop there.

The setup currently for this musical adventure is very much DIY, as it was before Catfish and the Bottlemen became one of the biggest names in British music. He accepts the way things are, though, saying: “I have a lot to learn as a solo musician trying to make it in this industry. But I'm learning day by day and my ambition is to replicate and go better than the success of my previous achievements with Catfish.”

Fortunately, Bibby is still able to call being a musician his profession and not just a hobby. “I'm working very hard every day to put myself back in a position where I can achieve some success that I’ll be content with.”

Keep up with Billy Bibby on:

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