Transmission episode 3: Vandalism and future rock royalty

Transmission episode 3: Vandalism and future rock royalty 

Luton fanzine Vandalism Begins At Home and Kettering kings Monarchs are our two featured interviews as Transmission returns tonight (May 30) for a third thunderous instalment on Diverse FM.



Our boys Matt Crawley and Danny Buckley will be spinning more tunes from local, unsigned and up-an-coming artists in their quest to introduce you to your next favourite band - and Monarchs next in line for the throne with new single ‘You Got Me’. 
We caught up with them for an exclusive chat at Bedford Esquires on Friday, the day they released their desert rock-infused stomp. 
Tune in as the trio also discuss Nick Cave-inspired lyrics and their love for Arctic Monkeys, with a view on why the Bowie-esque album from Alex Turner and co won’t be fully understood and appreciated until 10 years down the line. 




We also have a local music love-in with Ben Barry, who is one half of Vandalism Begins At Home’s self-styled co-conspirator duo, along with Dave O’Brien. 
A man very much after our own hearts, when it comes to local music and arts, Ben discusses why 2018 was the right time to revive the fanzine, 10 years after its first incarnation. 
Busy planning the third edition of the free music and arts zine, Ben gives us the lowdown of what you can expect when it drops in a pub near you from June 8. 

Also, on Transmission this week, which airs on 102.8fm in Luton or available online from anywhere at www.diversefm.com via a listen again feature, get your gig fix with our round-up of the must-see events for the next fortnight, plus hear bangers from the likes of The Barratts, Trampoline, Black Honey, Luton’s Rylands Heath and our Track of the Week from King Purple. 

And, if you want to get in touch with us, you can email Transmission on transmission@gmail.com or find the show on Twitter, Facebook andInstagram and their Spotify show playlists if you search Transmission on Diverse FM.  

MONARCHS - You Got Me (Single Review)

Kettering based 3 piece MONARCHS returned on Friday with their latest single You Got Me, an exhilarating, riff heavy, three and a half minutes of rock brilliance.

MONARCHS have gained a lot of recognition on the local scene in the last 18 months or so with a headline show at Bedford Esquires and support slots with the likes of Gazelle and The Amazons, and this latest effort will further their cause immensely. You Got Me draws musical parallels with the likes of Royal Blood and Feeder whilst the lyrical themes of domination and submission is reminiscent of Dangerous Animals by Arctic Monkeys. Singer, guitarist and chief lyricist Sam Amos admits he doesn't write happy songs but You Got Me enhances the reputation the band have for making dark, brooding rock that they established on previous singles 'Eyes, Lies' and 'Darker Shade of Black'.

All in all You Got Me is well worth your attention, as is the fact that MONARCHS embark on "The Royal Tour" with fellow Northamptonshire band King Purple, starting tonight in Newport Pagnell and taking in the likes of Bedford and Corby (full list of dates below) so go check them out, you won't regret it.

 

PARQUET COURTS - Wide Awake (Single Review)

With a hop, skip and a mighty jump, 2016 saw Parquet Courts become the indie darlings of both the critics and fans alike with their 5th album ‘Human Performance’. A record that whilst still influenced by their obvious love for The Modern Lovers, elevated the band into a creative zone all of their own. One that I’m happy to report continues.  

‘Wide Awake’ is such a funk-punk fuelled art attack, you may as well be shot in the face with a paint gun at point blank range by Neil Buchanan. “This is an ART ATTACK!” BANG!

What started as a quiet night out, has quickly escalated to throwing shapes you never knew you had to this ESG homage.  You’re paint splattered and taking it to the floor with a classic children’s TV presenter, without a care who’s watching.  Perhaps even with Pat Sharp getting in on the action. For now groove really is in the heart and the rhythm is gonna get you in this fun house.

Chucking whistles, cowbells and the funkiest of kitchen sinks into the mix, these New York dwellers leave nothing behind.  Clocking in at just over two and a half minutes, this track makes use of its time with style and substance in equal measure.  It’s also the title track of Parquet Courts recently released new album, which does not disappoint.  Explore it yourself and see where it leads you.

 

                                                                    Words by Ben Barry

TOM GRENNAN - Barbed Wire (Single Review)

The last couple of years have seen Bedford singer-songwriter Tom Grennan experience a meteoric rise. From lending his distinctive vocals to a Chase and Status single to having a song appear on the opening credits of Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage, it seem’s nothing can stop Grennan’s ascent to superstardom.

The 23-year-old’s latest single Barbed Wire is another well-timed leap in the right direction. A hugely soulful number, bristling with the charismatic confidence we’ve come to know and love from Grennan.

The title is a metaphor, says Grennan, “a thing you shouldn’t go near or touch, a path you shouldn’t tread, a girl you maybe shouldn’t kiss...” but the chorus is anthemic and uplifting with the listener being urged not to settle for second best. “Don’t let people hold you back/Gotta stand tall and aim higher/don’t touch the barbed wire”. Fitting sentiments coming from Grennan, whose lofty career ambitions should inspire up and coming musicians everywhere.

With a video for Barbed Wire filmed in the Californian desert due imminently, a debut album Lighting Matches released in July and a headline gig at Brixton Academy on the horizon, it’s difficult to see Grennan getting held back by anything (barbed wire included) any time soon.

Words by Danny Buckley

KING PURPLE - Stuck in the Rough (SINGLE REVIEW)

On May 11^th King Purple released new single ‘Stuck In The Rough’ produced by Ryan Pinson at RML Studios in Wolverhampton.

The song takes you on a swirling journey of early 90s shoegazing tones with the Corby three piece alt-rock band led by the vocals/guitar of Callum Connachie, Luke Carscadden on bass and Frazer Beattie on drums. Comparisons with Soundgarden and The Verve can be found, and that is never a bad thing given that bands like Shame and DMAs are bringing the sounds we loved back then a fresh twist and King Purple are doing the same.

King Purple are definitely ones to watch in 2018, having already supported Transmission favourites RedFaces, Dream Wife and Husky Loops in 2017. 

The are heading out on a joint headline tour with Monarchs kicking off on the 26^th of May at The Swan Revived in Newport Pagnall ending with a hometown show at The White Hart in Corby on the 29^th of June.

A list of tour dates are in the picture below. They are playing loads of local shows so no excuses not to check them out live. 

LISTEN TO THE SONG HERE

Words by Matt Crawley

Gig Review: The Wholls, The Scruff, Tom Grennan @ Edge for The Love Moore Collective 12th May 2018

It’s a preternatural buzz in the back of the skull, under the skin and touching three-striped shell-toes.

 

It’s a sense of something special, seeping out from two towns, too often decried and downtrodden, but no more.

 

This night is Bedford and Luton unified. Together. Learning to love more.

 

It’s the feeling in The Scruff’s poignant ‘Her’, and bare-chested talisman Adam Urwin’s dedication to dialysis-dosed drummer Omar Kouch.

 

Adam Urwin of The Scruff

 

 

It’s the celebration in the back-where-we-belong football chant of “we are Luton Town” and in the frenzied obedience of an audience perched in the palm of The Wholls’ Tordy Cocchiarella as the band tear through their latest single Going Down.

 

Tordy Cocchiarella of The Wholls

 

Mostly emphatically it’s a whole world firmly at the feet of Tom Grennan.

 

Stripped back to the barest of bones, sparks burn bright with inspiration from yet-to-drop debut album ‘Lightning Matches’, as hope crackles with possibility in the ‘Barbed Wire’ proclamation of “don’t let people hold you back, gotta stand tall and aim higher”.

 

The tribal “Na na na” of ‘Sober’ could have spilled forth from the Saturday terraces, while the singalong in ‘Praying’ comes at Grennan’s request, conscious that cooperation is perhaps the key to suspending the L.A. creep of jet-lag. No sleep ‘til Luton.

 

And despite offering a “dyslexic lyricist” disclaimer, there’s not the slightest difficulty in delivering the anthemic swoon of ‘I Might’.  

 

With an effortlessly innate talent destined to fill stadiums and soundtrack the summer, Grennan’s short set is repeatedly extended at the command of a crowd calling for “one more song”, eager to prolong this extraordinarily intimate alchemy on a soon-to-be-scarce scale.

 

And while the ruffian swagger of the ‘Old Days’ finale sees him proclaim “Gypsy Tom has come out to play”, to send new devotees darting into the night, it’s the spine-tinglingly sensational ‘Something in the Water’ that lifts hands high in hallelujah.

                                        

Vulnerable. Raw. Powerful. Soul-sating.

 

Luton bathes it in because, on this exceptional night, they’ve found what they’ve been looking for.

 

Tom Grennan is theirs. Pretty soon he’ll belong to the world.

 

 

Words by James Cunliffe

All photos by Paul Lyme, PJ Photography

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This gig was put on by The Love Moore Collective to raise money for the UK's leading charity for homeless young people, Centrepoint. At the time of going to press they had raised an astounding £700. Massive respect to the girls from the whole Transmission team. We can't wait for the next one.

 

Transission Episode 2: LA to Luton

L.A. To Luton: Tom Grennan wants to be ‘biggest artist in the world’

Rising soul-pop superstar Tom Grennan reveals his plan for world domination in an exclusive interview with us, that is set to hit the airwaves on Wednesday (16 May) from 9pm as Transmission returns for a bumper second episode on Diverse FM.

The Bedford hero – whose tune ‘Found What I’ve Been Looking For’ soundtracks Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage – flew into town from LA on Saturday to perform an intimate sold-out headline slot at The Edge, as part of local Love Moore Collective’s double day of raising funds for the Centre Point, a homeless charity for young people.

Grennan, who on Friday had been filming the video for new single ‘Barbed Wire’ in the Californian desert, tells your hosts Matt Crawley and Danny Buckley: “I want to be the biggest artist in the world.”

The singer songwriter, who was a youth player for Luton Town Football Club before opting for the music game, also speaks about the Hatters’ promotion to League One, plus his passion for supporting local venues, like Bedford Esquires, advice for upcoming artists and selling out venues all over the UK before even releasing an album – though his debut effort ‘Lighting Matches’ is about to drop on July 16.

The record will include other singles like ‘Sober’ and ‘Praying’, all of which he showcased in an acoustic singalong set on Saturday that topped off support from fellow Bedfordians, The Scruff and The Wholls.

We’ll also being feature an chat with the latter and Love Moore Collective duo, Kelly Betts and Saffron Long.

Betts and Long will talk about pulling in favours to land Grennan as a somewhat secret headliner – until the cat was let out of the bag officially late last week – plus their ambitions for the future of the Collective, having also hosted an afternoon warm-up event at Luton pub The Castle on Saturday, featuring music and arts such as spoken word poet Nate Boston and singer-songwriter Leon Bratt.

Tune in too for The Wholls who’ll talk about passing two million listens on Spotify; the underwater video for latest single ‘Going Down’; recording their second album; touring Germany in a tour bus emblazoned with their name; and their excitement for the summer festival circuit.

Join us this Wednesday on 102.8fm in Luton or online from anywhere at www.diversefm.com via the listen again feature.

 

Our boys, Crawley and Buckley will be carrying on their aim of introducing you to your new favourite band, by showcasing the very best of local unsigned artists, emerging talent, news, reviews – with a focus on DMA’s new record ‘For Now’ – and everything you need to know right now about the local music scene.

 

Crawley said: “There’s something great happening in Luton. This is just the start.”

You can email us on transmissionluton@gmail.com or find the show on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and their Spotify show playlists if you search Transmission on Diverse FM.

 

 

 

JOHNNY MARR - Hi Hello (Single Review)

Veteran guitar hero Johnny Marr returns this summer with his third solo album, Call The Comet, having previously influenced an entire generation of guitarists with his work in the like of The Cribs, Electronic and a reasonably well known 1980s indie band from Manchester called The Smiths.               

Having successfully strayed into post punk and new wave territory on his two previous solo efforts, new single Hi Hello sees Marr return to his musical roots with a jangly, rhythmic, guitar driven indie pop gem that is reminiscent of the aforementioned Smiths at their best. Even the lyrical themes of loss and escapism hark back to The Smiths albeit lacking Morrissey's undoubted lyrical genius.

But with a Smiths reunion seemingly getting more unlikely with every ill judged remark that Morrissey makes to the press, their fans will be delighted to hear Marr carrying on the band's legacy in this fashion and will no doubt be hoping that the album (out next month) carries on in the same vein.

BLACK HONEY: Bad Friends (Single Review)

Brighton 4 piece Black Honey have been mainstays of the indie scene for the last few years, having released a string of high quality singles that evoke influences as far reaching as Lush and Nancy Sinatra.

With the announcement that their long awaited debut album is finished and ready to be unleashed on the public his summer, the band have given us a new single to whet our appetites.

Bad Friends represents unchartered territory for the band, in that it’s in essence a proper pop song. Don’t get on your high horse though, they haven’t “sold out”. The swagger and attitude we’ve come to associate with Black Honey is still present and correct but the stylistic shift could open new doors. It sounds a bit like Charli XCX, a bit like Garbage, and a lot like a full blown instant classic that will be the staple of indie club nights up and down the country.

With the album in the pipeline, it seems Black Honey could be on course to be one of the biggest breakthrough bands of the year.
 

FRANZ FERDINAND - Glimpse of Love (Single Review)

Glimpse of Love is the third single to be released from Glasgow indie icon’s Franz Ferdinand’s latest studio album Always Ascending. However, the single version differs from the one on the LP. The reworked recording by Serban Ghenea aims to, according to the band, “add that little bit more kick and punch”.

And this new version doesn’t disappoint. Already one of the stand out tracks on the album, Ghenea has taken Glimpse of Love, sprinkled his stardust all over it and produced one of the finest singles of the band’s career.

Since the departure of founding guitarist Nick McCarthy, Franz Ferdinand seem to have been able to spread their wings a lot more. New members Dino Bardot and Julian Corrie have taken them in a new dance pop direction and Glimpse of Love is 3 minutes of enthusiastic electro brilliance that is reminiscent of the likes of Chvrches, Client or, if you prefer, like a decent version of Blossoms.

WE LAUNCH! – Tune into Transmission  

Our brand new, fortnightly alternative music radio show, Transmission, is set to launch (Wednesday May 2, 9-10pm) on Luton's Diverse FM – and we’re gonna hook you up with your next favourite band. 

We're making it our mission to bring you the very best of local unsigned artists, emerging talent, big tunes, news, reviews and everything you need to know right now about the local music scene.

On the first show, we've got an exclusive chat with Bedford's rising indie stars The Scruff and their new single 'White Flag', plus bangers from the likes of Tom Grennan, The Wholls and Sarpa Salpa, to name just a few.

Don't know them yet? Transmission has got you covered. 

The show, produced by Jack Brown, airs on May 2 from 9-10pm on 102.8fm in the Luton area, but it will also be available live online and from anywhere around theworld at www.diversefm.com or at a later date via the listen again feature.

Don't miss The Scruff, in conversation with us – your hosts Matt Crawley and Danny Buckley – as the awesome foursome continue their ascent, fresh from rave reviews and radio play on BBC Radio 1 and Radio X for last single ‘Her’.

Tune in to hear the story behind the dangerous one-take video for 'White Flag', their love of “skanky hotels” on the road, their UK tour – including their upcoming appearance at Luton’s  Love Moore Collective’s show at The Edge on Park Street on May 12 – the Johnny Cash possibility of playing prisons and a bizarre Elvis-fronted Nirvana tribute band.

We know there’s an immense amount of talent and a thriving alternative scene in Luton, Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas, so we’re delighted that Diverse boss Mick Foster has given us the platform to support music that we love and get you to discover it too.

We’re particularly keen to hear from unsigned artists. Send us your tunes and, if we love them, we’ll play them. 

Or, if you’re a budding music writer, get in touch too and you could pen some reviews for our blog at transmissionluton.blogspot.co.uk.

Email us on transmission@gmail.com or find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and search Transmission on Diverse FM for our Spotify show playlists if you.

Don't miss out!