SQUID - The Dial (Single Review)

As if prisoners within a TV set and perilous to the changing channels, Brighton’s newest noise makers, Squid, hammer from inside the screen.  An angular guitar worthy of Talking Heads or
Television, ‘The Dial’ is bombastic art-punk refusing to be ignored, and far catchier than all logic should allow.

Dropped into anything from wildlife scenes, ancient battles, Love Island and that girl who never finished her game of naughts & crosses, the confusion and frustration builds into a sublime piece of unsuspected brilliance.  Finally something worth the licensing fee.

 

Words by Ben Barry

Transmission Announcement

Transmission turns weekly

Luton’s only indie and alternative radio show is going to be bigger and better than ever as Transmission is moving to a weekly two-hour Wednesday prime time slot on 102.8 Diverse FM.

Switching from a fortnightly one-hour slot, hosts Matt Crawley, Danny Buckley and producer James Cunliffe will provide you Transmission listeners even more of the freshest, new music from rising stars, unsigned artists and the biggest bands and artists around.

And with news, reviews, live sessions, interviews and everything you need to know about the local music scene, you’ll get to hear what’s hot, right now – before anyone else.    

Crawley said: “We’re really thrilled with what we’ve created so far with Transmission and there is no other radio show doing what we do in Luton. We pride ourselves on playing new music first and where Transmission leads, others follow. You’ll hear national radio stations play the tunes we do – only weeks later. 

“But we’ve always wanted to do things bigger and better. We can’t thank Diverse FM enough for giving us an improved platform and we’re ready to share even more of the music that we love.”

Buckley said: “Transmission has been drawing attention from all over the country. Bands and artists are hearing about what we do and have been sending us their music. We started the show saying that if we love a song we’ll play it and that won’t change because that’s how radio should be – no playlists, no pluggers, just a passion for great tunes. And now we’ve got even more scope to give great music the air time it deserves. C’MON LUTON!”  

If you’re in a band or you make your own music, send your tunes to transmissionluton@gmail.com.

You can also read news and reviews on our blog at transmissionluton.blogspot.co.uk.

This news comes soon after we announced our first ever Transmission Live show, with the Iggy Pop-endorsed False Heads headlining at Bedford Esquires on November 17. We’ve got two great support acts lined up, who regular listeners will be familiar with, and we’ll be announcing them on our first weekly show on Wednesday, October 3. Tickets are available at: https://www.seetickets.com/event/false-heads-plus-guests/bedford-esquires/1267409

FALSE HEADS plus guests from See Tickets www.seetickets.com Buy tickets for FALSE HEADS plus guests at Bedford Esquires from the official retailer, See Tickets.Prices from £6.60"

You can find, follow and like Transmission on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and discover interviews and live sessions on the Transmission Soundcloud page. And, after every show, all the tunes played can be found on our Spotify playlists, if you search Transmission on Diverse FM.

JAPANESE TELEVISION EP REVIEW

We’re about to take a journey through time and space with Japanese Television, traveling on a cyclone of organ and hypnotic reverb, that’ll put spirals in your eyes.  This self titled debut EP from the London instrumentalists is actually slightly unnerving, along with a fuzzy familiarity.  Like a 60s TV show repeated by Channel 4 on a Sunday.  Think ‘Time Tunnel’, or perhaps google it.

Japanese Television sound like they’ve been on the operating table of art-punk band Clinic, with their influence heard throughout the four tracks.  Opener ‘Tick Tock’ is the standout, with its effortlessly cool bass-line leading the way as the other instruments shimmer and shake, interchanging as the song takes its course to wherever it may be heading. I dare not ask, I’ll just accept my fate.  Prepare to accept yours.

 

Words by Ben Barry

 

THE VRYLL SOCIETY - Course of the Satellite (Album Review)

Astronaut suit on and ready for launch.  No interplanetary journey today, this is a mission to make contact with The Vryll Society, the latest big-noise coming from Liverpool, currently orbiting planet earth.

Signed to Deltasonic Records, home of The Coral and The Zutons, the label makes for a logical base with its proven record of encouraging melodic, timeless song writing, two qualities you can tick against The Vryll Society, but ‘Course Of The Satellite’ is not simply a retro throwback.  Existing in the here and now, the album takes a journey looking down upon the madness unfolding below.

A Psychedelic-rock influence shines throughout The Vryll Society’s debut, yet the LP remains a far more spiritual pursuit than hallucinogenic.  Its blend of trip-hop production keeping the mission on track, with ‘A Perfect Rhythm’ and ‘Shadow Of A Wave’ lending well timed engine boosts to the space-drifting notion.  With this album The Vryll Society join stars of the classic and modern to create a sign in the night sky that just might point towards a big future. 

Now, how do I go to the toilet in this thing?

 

Words by Ben Barry.

 

 

OH SEES - Smote Reverser (Album Review)

With the fluency of which ideas come to the mind of John Dwyer, Commander in chief of Californian, psych-garage-rock extraordinaires Oh Sees, it must be essential that he records as many albums as his unprecedented talent allows, or risk self-combustion.  A minimum of two LP’s a year the usual output.  With this latest exploration into rock hallucinogenica, there are moments that almost resemble traditional song-writing, the groove machine that is ‘C’ a prime example. Of course this notion is broken with absolute bone crunchers, ‘Overthrown’, along with the band’s trademark space-rock launches to destinations unknown.  After all Dwyer has become the key-master of the genre, able to alter his surroundings at will.

John Peel famously described The Fall as “always different, always the same”, which can also be said of Oh Sees.  ‘Smote Reverser’ delivers everything  you expect from an Oh Sees album, whilst surprising throughout.  The Oh Sees influence has surfaced of late, with a string of psyche bands making waves, and while King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard are very good, Oh Sees are great. 

 

Words by Ben Barry.

 

 

THE SURRENDERS - Shouldn't Have To Dig (Single Review)

West Midlands based four piece The Surrenders first came on my radar when they supported local indie heroes The Scruff at Esquires in Bedford a couple of months back. Having shared many stages recently for This Feeling, The Scruff recruited The Surrenders as main support for their hometown gig and it was an inspired choice as the band's raucous blues rock won them a whole host of new fans.
 
Having since played their self titled EP to death I was glad I wouldn't have to wait long for new music from The Surrenders, as their new single Shouldn't Have To Dig is released this Monday, 3rd August.

The track has a real retro feel about it and you can tell the band are massively influenced by the 60s. Combining the tight musicianship of the likes of The Rolling Stones and The Jimi Hendrix Experience with Connor Brooks' cocksure, soulful vocals, if you shut your eyes it could almost be the summer of love again. In terms of more recent influence you could argue that guitarist Richard Jones' heavy riffs are reminiscent of John Squire's during the Second Coming era. It's the sort of song you can imagine going off with much throwing of beer and limbs at small venues and large ones alike and hopefully it can propel The Surrenders to the next level.

Words by Danny Buckley

SUEDE - Don't Be Afraid If Nobody Loves You (Single Review)

90s legends Suede released the second single from their upcoming eighth studio album The Blue Hour last Friday and it’s a belter.

Don’t Be Afraid If Nobody Loves You sees the Londoners return to the glammed up but somewhat dark indie rock that has made them so successful over the years after string laden lead single The Invisibles. Richard Oakes’ lead guitar drives the song along at pace and Brett Anderson’s trademark falsetto is present and correct in the chorus. You get the impression that DBAINLY would be at home on either one of their most critically acclaimed albums, 1994’s Dog Man Star or Night Thoughts from two years ago.

Eight albums in and it seems that Suede’s creative juices are still flowing as well as ever. It’s a good omen for the new album The Blue Hour, which is available to pre order now ahead of it's release on 21st September.

Words by Danny Buckley

THE TWILIGHT SAD - I/m Not Here [Missing Face]: Single Review

 

 

‘Nobody Wants To Be Here & Nobody Wants To Leave’ released in 2014, was almost the last throw of the black dice for The Twilight Sad.  As fortune favours the brave, the album led to critical acclaim finally breaking through the wall.  The band haven’t looked back since.  Touring arenas with The Cure, and winning over all audiences in front of them with their sound of mope & glory.  Residing on post-rock royalty Mogwai’s record label, Rock Action. They make for perfect bedfellows.  With an unwavering intensity, The Twilight Sad are not just storm clouds, they bring the thunder and lightning with latest single ‘I/m Not Here (Missing Face)’.

Amongst the bleakness, there’s always been a fire raging in the heart of Scotland’s purveyors of doom laden indie.  Here they continue their reign of soul striking, miserabilist bliss.  James Graham’s unmistakable Glaswegian delivery acts as the prophetic voice of the plight and darkness surrounding, as the pounding rhythm builds to a cyclone of emotion.  The Twilight Sad are a dream, or perhaps nightmare come true.  Triumphant in the face of adversity with more sweat, guts and soul than any other band around, long may they continue their journey into the abyss.

 

 

 

Words by Ben Barry.

Gig Review: Bearheads/The Visitors/Bilk @ The Horn, St Albans

Bearheads started off with some powerful and heavy musical resonance which made my ears prick up instantly. The lead singer teased me every now and again with a real husk to his voice which I enjoyed. Although this wasn’t the case all the way through their set. Some songs resembled a young pop-punk band which isn’t really my cup of tea so their set finished and I was left a little confused as to whether I was a fan or not. They did bring a crowd however and they all seemed to lap up their vibes so maybe it was just me.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The Visitors were up next, I have listened to this band previously and have been curious about how they sounded live ever since, and I can tell you, they did not disappoint me. They even threw in an Arctic Monkey’s cover which by the way wasn’t too shabby. You can tell these boys are influenced by the likes of the Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, Libertines etc. The front man brought a mature indie tone to the stage and he wore it well.

Bilk took the stage, three very young-looking lads but they brought some tight knit yet gritty riffs to St Albans that night. With hints of Jamie T and Ratboy and someone else I can’t quite put my finger on I was thoroughly taken back by clever and realistic lyrics being thrown at me. I wasn’t the only one who was enjoying it either, I think the guy jumping around with an England flag tied round his neck definitely having a great time.

 Sol Abrahams of Bilk

Words by Saffron Long.

Photo by Neil McCarty.

 

 

JUST EVERYWHERE - Paint (Single Review)

One of Manchester’s best kept secrets, singer-songwriter Paul Baird lets his imagination bubble take sail once again as Just Everywhere.  The delicate ‘Paint’ is a glimpse into the wonderland that will be ‘Light Side of the Raw, Just Everywhere’s second album due for release on 3rd August.  

Sharing the haze and sparkle of dream-poppers Beach Fossils and Happyness, ‘Paint’ is a tranquil gaze from above the chaos. Encouraging the listener’s own imagination to wander, until you’re living in your very own daydream.  So enjoy the serenity, enjoy its beauty, let your bubble drift amongst the clouds with Just Everywhere.

 

Words by Ben Barry.

INTERPOL - The Rover (Single Review)

 

Interpol’s debut album ‘Turn On The Bright Lights’ is quite rightly regarded as a seminal album. Released in 2002 during the New York explosion, the record had a razor sharped edge on their contemporaries.  Darker, cinematic and well, better.  Suited and booted, Interpol were the complete package, possessing staying-power. Second album ‘Antics’ only lent more weight to the bands reputation, giving them charting “hits”, ‘Slow Hands’ and ‘Evil’.  The years ahead witnessed the band stumble and become stifled.  Unable to grow and push their sound beyond its origins.  They remain a force live, with sets leaning heavily towards their two great early albums.

Enough of the history lesson, what of the new?  A first taste of what will be Interpol’s 6th album, Marauder; ‘The Rover’ breaks no new ground.  Another Interpol song for Interpol fans.  A little  rawer than we’re used to, it comes with some clout.  Perhaps victims of their own success, this single is a good excuse to tour and plunder the back-catalogue but little else.  Having witnessed ‘The Rover’ live, I can confirm it lends itself well to Interpol’s set. I wouldn’t want it taking the place of a loved tune though.

 

Words by Ben Barry.

 

 

TOM GRENNAN - Lighting Matches (Album Review)

There’s always a danger when a band or artist releases a string of singles before their first album that they may have “played their hand too early”, so to speak. A danger that their best work has already been heard to entice you into buying an album that is then filled with sub standard tracks. So it was with a little bit of trepidation that I spun Bedford boy Tom Grennan’s debut record Lighting Matches, having already heard 50% of the dozen songs on it. I needn’t have worried.

Opener Found What I’ve Been Looking For is one of those that has been out for a while but is a track that you can’t help but love. It’s anthemic, singalong qualities were soon picked up by Sky Sports for their Premier League football coverage and you can’t help feel that when the single was released last year was about the time Grennan really started to take off.

Royal Highness and the insanely catchy horn driven melodies of Barbed Wire (our full review of that single is here) continue the record in similar vein before the previously unheard on record Run in the Rain shows a more sensitive side to Grennan and one that will win him over just as many fans as some of his more upbeat singles. Grennan is on record as saying Aboard is his personal favourite song off the album and it’s certainly his best vocal performance, his voice bristling with a classic soulful confidence as he delivers a love song in his own likeable, everyman style, “if it’s cool then it’s cool, won’t fuck around no more”.

Title track Lighting Matches closes side A of the album in brilliant fashion, as Grennan belts out a rousing chorus over a simply beautiful string section and side B begins with the wonderful piano ballad Lucky Ones as the album drifts into more melancholy territory before kicking back in with the superbly upbeat single Sober. But it’s closing track Little By Little Love that stands out on this album for me. As Grennan chants “I saw my devil closing in, never thought I’d do such bad things” you realise he’s one of us. A working class lad who grew up wanting to be a footballer with the same misspent youth, same weaknesses and same vulnerabilities as the rest of us, and that’s what make this album all the more special. A lad from Bedford with an immense talent and an unbelievable work ethic is on his way to the top and that’s something we should all get behind.

The album is out now, and if you haven’t already bought it, do it now and let’s get it to the top of the charts. Tom Grennan is lighting matches, and is about to burn the whole gaff down.

Words by Danny Buckley.

Buy the album...

Brighter Days by B3AR (SINGLE REVIEW)

So I first discovered Myles Smith about 4 years ago in a pub in Luton as a 16 year old singer songwriter supporting local band Exit Black. At the time I could see the talent Myles had as he was finding his way musically. He is influenced by artists such as Jack Garrett, Saint Raymond and Ed Sheeran. The tone in his voice shows real maturity for such a young age and I can't wait to hear more from him individually and with his collaboration with Maurice Amour, B3AR. 

Here is the press release for the new track "Brighter Days" so go check out this perfect summer jam right now.

Myles Smith & Maurice Amour (Brandon Hargrave), better known as B3AR (pronounced ‘BEAR’) are an English, Alternative, Two-Piece, formed in South East England. Since their official formation in February 2017, the two have been extremely busy and have managed to produce and release a Debut EP all of which has been featured on ‘BBC introducing East Midlands’ via the support of local host Dean Jackson. In the brief time they have been going, B3AR has shown evidence of their drive and ambition of wanting to achieve in the industry. They have independently managed to accumulate over 150,000 streams within the first three months of being together, support the ‘Pigeon Detectives’ and ‘Little Comets’ at Nottingham’s most renowned venue ‘Rock City’. The duo has now taken a break as Myles has reached his final year in university and so is committed to completing his course. 

However, the pair have managed to produce 4 collaborative singles set for release in the next couple months. B3AR will return in 2019. 

The first single of the 4, was released on the 19^th June 2018, the song is titled 'Brighter Days' and was written and performed by 'Myles Smith' and 'Brandon Hargrave'.

The song was recorded at Studio 91; engineered/co-produced by Sam Winfield, known for his work with Amber Run, Fickle Friends, Bring me the horizon etc... The drums were recorded by Jimmy Naylor of 'The Pigeon Detectives'. 

Click the link below to listen

BRIGHTER DAYS BY B3AR

SARPA SALPA - Circuits (Single Review)

Northampton's finest up and coming band Sarpa Salpa released their third single Circuits on Friday and celebrated with a packed show at The Lab in their hometown that evening.

Following up their previous effort, the brilliant She Never Lies with something as instantly seductive was never going to be easy but the indie pop four piece have managed it with Circuits. Produced by Bedford based producer Ben 'Faz' Farsetvedt, it's a track that bristles with confidence from the offset. Musically it's reminiscent of the likes of Blossoms and Viola Beach, and feels like the perfect record to blast out in your back garden with a beer on one of these balmy summer evenings we've been enjoying of late. The lyrics though are wonderfully introspective. "I'm ashamed/I've got no-one else to blame/But myself again" sings frontman Marcus Marooth and you suddenly realise this is something a little bit deeper than the throwaway pop song you may have initially suspected.

With the next single already recorded and their live set full to the brim with instantly enjoyable belters, it's difficult to see Sarpa Salpa's momentum slowing down any time soon.

Circuits is available now for download on all streaming sites and will be the track of the week on our show tomorrow night. We also caught up with the band at their show at The Lab and the interview will be on the show tomorrow as well so tune in to Diverse FM at 9pm via the website or on 102.8FM in and around Luton to hear from the boys.

LIFE - Grown Up (SINGLE REVIEW)

Arriving on the wave of new generation, punk inspired, UK bands that not only entertain but inform, LIFE have taken their place alongside IDLES and shame, with a reputation for high energy live shows and rebel rousing bangers.  They are a band with something to say, and they want you to hear it.

LIFE are the sound of The Fall tumbling down a flight stairs, only to pull off a perfect somersault and land on their feet.  That acrobatic manoeuvre is ‘Grown Up’, their new single which demands attention.  It’s a release that upholds the “megaphone in your face approach”, as put to work on their album ‘Popular Music’.  Unlike their debut record, LIFE now take a leap into krautrock to make their point.  It’s strong evidence the Hull punks intend to push forwards without losing any of their fire.  LIFE are a band for the moment, and troublemakers worth getting behind.

Ben Barry

GOAT – Let it Burn (Single Review by Matt Crawley)

So……….where do I start. Well let me just say that I believe this to be the best song I’ve heard since Arctic Monkeys released R U Mine? early in 2012. To put this into context, when that track was released I DJed in a converted toilet (Ginglik, Shepherds Bush) at The Rifles aftershow party and that night I played R U Mine? 5 times in total!  I’m DJing at Club 85 in a few weeks and this will certainly be on the playlist, and every single DJ playlist until I hang up the headphones. 

The other guys at Transmission HQ will tell you that I make sweeping statements all of the time, but this time its for real!, This is the best song in the last 6 years. Let me explain why as I obviously listen to the track whilst writing this.

Now I know absolutely noting about the band Goat but after a quick bit of research I find out they are a mask wearing, experimental, psychedelic rock band from Gothenburg in Sweden who’s back story claims they are just one of many incarnations over the last 30 years of a group from a small, voodoo-worshipping northern town named Korpilombolo. Now as interesting as this is, it doesn’t tell you quite how I feel about this track. And boy does it make me feel something. I feel like the coolest mother fucker to ever grace the planet when I hear it. Not many songs in the last 5 years or so make me feel anything (see Better Man and Iron Sky by Paolo Nutini, R U Mine? by AM and Her by The Scruff) but this does! 

The tribal drums from the very first second beat the rhythm of my soul, the almost banshee vocals pierce it and a jazz flute solo that Ron Burgundy would be proud of lets it pour through me, and we are not even a minute into the track yet. Then bam, this fuzzy distorted guitar starts playing a dreamy almost Hendrix-like riff and that’s the exact moment I feel like strutting down the street like a bad mother fucker from Pulp Fiction. And it doesn’t relent for the next 5 minutes. The final two minutes introduce some climactic strings making it a finale to calm myself down again before I obviously hit the rewind button for the 10^thtime.

The back catalogue is just as good with stand out tracks like Run To Your Mama and Talk To God. Goat headline Stage 2 at Citadel Festival in London on July 15^thand if you’re going you would be absolutely mental to miss it. 

Anyway go listen to the track now for the best 6 minutes of your day.

1,2,KUNG FU! – BOY AZOOGA (ALBUM REVIEW)

1,2, KUNG FU! Is the debut album released on Heavenly Recordings by welsh band Boy Azooga, fronted by Davey Newington (Vocals, Guitar) accompanied by Sam Barnes (Bass), Dylan Morgan (Keys) and Dafydd Davies (Drums) to create a truly unique blend of electronic-indie-rave-rock symphony.

Influences on the album include Black Sabbath (Sitting On The First Rock From The Sun), Serge Gainsbourg (Breakfast Epiphany), George Harrison, Run DMC, Nirvana, The Beastie Boys, Outkast, Happy Mondays and Caribou. There are also traces of Kasabian (Loner Boogie) and Gorrilaz (Losers In The Tomb).  If your tastes are as varied as this then this album does not disappoint. Davey is a multi instrumentalist listing drums, triangle, timpani, xylophone, sleighbells (I Wanna Be Your Dog) and maracas most of which can be found on this album.

My favourite tracks on the album are Loner Boogie, Face Behind Her Cigarette and Sitting On The First Rock From The Sun and will certainly be added to the Transmission Spotify playlist which you can listen to here.

You can find a list of Boy Azooga’s tour dates here.

The video for Breakfast Epiphony was realeased on the same day (8/6/18) and can be seen here.

Listen to the album on Spotify here.