jlawrence has written the following articles:
Elbow:- Not so much from rags to riches as having fallen into luck, armed with an astonishingly uplifting honesty; these are songs written ‘like they used to be’ and there’s no broader compliment to offer.»
'This evening is a celebration of how far the band have drifted from confined spaces. The Ritz is near bursting, and without a memorable hit single to their name, that’s some accomplishment...'»
Newcastle isn't exactly renowned for its hotbed of local talent. Not being from anywhere near the area, I shouldn't be one to pass comment, but it would appear from this highly accomplished demo that we'd be ill advised to ignore for much longer. The Fields, a five-piece, are certainly nothing out of the »
Talk of The Rain Band around Manchester is pretty manic. Comprising members of ex-post-Oasis mob Sussed and with the backing of the ever present Steve Harrison (management to The Charlatans, Alfie) the word on the cobbles was one of,
Punter 1:'Heard that Rain Band yet?'
Punter 2:'Heard of,»
Sometimes your best just isn’t going to appeal. Take new Regal Records signings Athlete for instance; things just aren’t going to plan. The drummer has bust his hi-hat and nobody is particularly bothered. The jaggedly soulful merchant that Athlete are trying to flog sounds interesting enough, but the shambles »
Alfie today signed to Parlophone Records The band, set to release their debut album proper on Manchester label Twisted Nerve early next year, signed a deal in London today. The new album, titled 'Get Alfie' will be released in February 2002. The band are also planning a gig in London in Decembe»
Alfie have announced details of a special hometown Christmas gig. The band who have recently finished recording their debut album proper, will play Chorlton Irish Club, Manchester on December 7th. Tickets are on sale now, and are expected to sell out quickly, with the venue capacity of only 25»
The Whites Stripes have confirmed details of their UK November tour. Playing in promotion of single 'Hotel Yorba' the Detroit punksters play: November 11 - Brighton Concorde 2 November 13 - Liverpool L2 November 14 - Manchester University November 15 - Glasgow Q»
Having earnt his graft in The Smiths and Electronic, Johnny Marr returns with Healers where all the songs are written, played and sung by the man himself. Healers' sound is nothing revolutionary, but it is of full on, epic proportions. 'The Last Ride' is a hypnotic, guitar fuel»
The Charlatans announce two low-key gigs for October.
The Charlatans, having just released new album Wonderland, have announced two gigs in London and Manchester to coincide with their near sold out tour.
The Charlies play:
17th October - London Heaven (already SOLD OUT)
Twisted Nerve's band roster isn't exactly simple to categorise. All sorts of differing genres collide from the avant-garde to the almost twee. Sirconical's defies description. In a nutshell, this release is very much out of the avant-garde. One moment we are greeted with an almost full on attack of drum»
Oxford's retro-futurists The Animalhouse have split. The psychadelic four piece which featured ex Ride duo Mark Gardner and Loz Colbert blame 'creative tensions' as the reason behind the break up. The band only released three EPs and album 'Ready To Receive' in their five years together»
If the charmingly lazy acoustic folk that Manchester’s Alfie deliver has so far failed to warm you, then it would seem fairly dubious that you could be endeared to their cheeky vocalist, Lee Gorton. With the wayward cocky grin and swagger taken straight from his hometown favourite, Ian Brown, and the Charlatans»
Manchester's premier indie label Twisted Nerve has announced a UK Tour in celebration of their thirtieth release. 'Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Twisted Nerve But Were Afraid To Ask' (TN30) featuring rare tracks by all the Twisted Nerve artists will be released on the 24th September on »
Scottish supergroup The Reindeer Section have announced plans of their debut UK tour The band, comprising members of Snow Patrol, Astrid, Arab Strap, Mogwai, Belle and Sebastian, Mull Historical Society and V-Twin are promoting the release of their first album 'Y'All Get Scared Now' at the following»
As recently reported on DiS, Mogwai are to tour the UK in November. All the dates have now been confirmed. They play at: 2nd November - Bristol Anson Rooms 3rd November - Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall 4th November - Leeds Met University 6th November - Belfast Queens Hall 7th No»
Mogwai have announced two live dates for later this year. The post-rock kings play: 4/11/01 - Leeds Metropolitan Uni 9/11/01 - Liverpool L2 Tickets are now on sale and more dates are expected soon.»
Quite where the 45s have suddenly appeared from is beyond me. There I was sitting, eagerly awaiting a Cooper Temple Clause Reading warm up show. The first band were out of the way, and shortly after, a bunch of youngsters took to the stage, going under the name of The 45s. Assuming them to be mere locals»
Lo-Fi Londoners Hefner return to their roots with a raw sounding frazzled scorcher. Darren Hayman has been listening to an awful lot of electronica recently. Having formed and split up a new synth led group, he has brought the sound of the analogue to Hefner for this, the first single to be taken from for»
Alfie, having delivered one of the most audacious albums of the year return with yet another suitably accomplished offering. 'You Make No Bones (revisited)' is, as the title suggests, a re-working of the album track. The difference is not hugely noticeable, but we are gifted a wonderfully melodic l»
A V2001 warm up show, and Alfie are quite taken by the number that have flocked down for this evening's gig in Leicester. 'We weren't expecting so many people to turn up, so any requests?'. It's this understatement that makes Alfie so endearing, almost charming. Lee Gorton, having now sent his infamous »
New Leeds upstarts The Music have finally announced their Southern leg of the UK Tour. Having now completed the Northern and Midlands legs of the tour, the young four piece look to impress further from home. The tour calls at: 21/09/2001 - Oxford, Point 22/09/2001 - Chelmsford, Army»
The last time Gay Dad played Chelmsford, it was a low key affair in preparation for their debut headlining show in London. They were shrouded in hype and there didn't appear to be enough superlatives to help describe ex music hack Cliff Jones' new supergroup. Two years on and Gay Dad return for yet anothe»
Rain at V has become somewhat of a familiarity. The Charlatans, playing their third V festival probably thought just that, meandering on stage to driving rain in a similar vain to how they did at the equally gloomy V98. Back in the saddle, but this year thankfully sober. Living in LA has done them no har»
Epic indie guitar band Haven hit the road for yet another colossal UK tour in promotion of their third single Let It Live produced by Johnny Marr. The tour calls at: 6/9/01 - Dundee on Air East 7/9/01 - Aberdeen Lava Club 8/9/01 - Glasgow King Tuts 10/9/01 - Middlesbro»
Manchester's adopted indie guitar heroes Haven have reinstated their claim as the best epic newcomers with this, their third and most accomplished release. 'Let It Live' is a meteoric belter of a tune. Epic guitars collide with heavily reverbed vocals to turn out a suitably nonchalant anthem. Very»
A celebration in memory of Tim Buckley has been announced at the Royal Festival Hall, London. The event, which takes place on the 26th September for the father of the late Jeff Buckley, has already indicated several big names that will be performing. Embrace, Badly Drawn Boy and He»
Mantra Recordings' 5th Birthday celebrations brings the return of Nottingham's Six By Seven, not exactly a 'party band' but a curious event nonetheless, with this being only the band's second gig proper of 2001 and the anticipation almost exasperating. Since the departure of guitarist Sam Hempton, lost to »
As previously reported on Drowned In Sound, Carina Round is somewhat of a revelation. Lauded on these very pages as arguably the best British female artist of her time, opportunities like this are not to be missed. Arthur Baker's Sunday Session at London's Elbow Rooms is becoming quite a fashionable littl»
For those moments of sitting, gazing out over a beach as the sun goes down in relative peace and harmony can only require a tune of lulling, soothing qualities. Melodies, chiming guitars and lifting synth swirls. A chorus which melts and takes you back to a time of hazy sunny summers. Well done to Bla»
