This has definitely been the most exciting week of 2008 for me in all aspects. My second semester of university began, shortly after finding out that I have a secret wizardry knack for Radio Journalism that was founded within my 74% a grade in my first semester assessment. As of Wednesday, I am now a writer on the university Student Paper known as CANVAS, whose second issue will be available in early march. I'm currently in the process of writing out my story for this issue for the music section, about the band I talked about in my first blog. They were hotly tipped to do well for the year, and as of yesterday, Sunday 3rd February 2008, have charted at #9 with their second single 'Just For Tonight'. I got in contact with their manager and he set interview for me with the band on Friday, to talk about their single and their upcoming album 'Started a Fire' which is to be released on 11th February. So in a month's time I will be able to include a picture of my story in the paper. My first ever story to be printed as a Journalist, how friggin' cool is that! :D
This week's blog is about a very different kind of band to the ones I have mentioned previously, but that does not necessarily mean they won’t be as exciting. Far from it!
The Ghost Frequency
Crazy, Insane, and Mental, are all words that come to my head when talking about The Ghost Frequency; they are definitely one of the most exciting bands from London to see live around at the moment, and for good reason. Currently working on their debut album that is scheduled for release in late spring, and already two singles strong, the band have been hotly tipped for greatness in 2008. A booking at Glastonbury and Reading are certs’ for the five piece who formed in 2005, who wrote songs and gigged for a year in and around London, when they were finally snapped up by the label City Rockers.
With the energy of Linkin Park & Aerosmith combined, band front man Doren Edwards throws himself around the stage, jumping off the lighting scaffolding like a desperate psychopath on LSD. Synths specialists Barney on his trusty Apple and Ross on Keyboards and Synths Guitar light the roof on fire, while lead guitarist Murphy shreds his fingers to dust, and born 'n' bred drummer Ben rips the roof clean off. The band comprises clean sharp boyish rock, with the tenacity and power of break-beat dance. They will leave your ears ringing and eyes burning.
With the release of their first single 'Nightmare' on limited red vinyl in August 2007, the band went from strength to strength as they recorded a video for the song to coincide with their nationwide headline tour and supporting tour with Hadouken! Where I saw them play at Southampton University. The venue was so small you could barely fit Rick Waller within its walls; it was full of annoying ratty teen scenos, who found it enlightening to cover every inch of their bodies in the fluorescent death of Satan that resides within those godly glow sticks.
I cannot for the life of me understand the principles behind why 'nu rave' was coined by Klaxons' manager, it follows none of the codes and conventions of the conventional rave of the late 80s and early 90s. However, I really don't give a monkies, because whatever it is nu rave or not, it’s bloody brilliant. I once read an article a couple of weeks ago, it was talking about all the nu rave nonsense back in the summer of last year, by someone who went to a Klaxons gig, and they could not for the life of them, understand why it is fun for 14 year old to shout "Rave" and throw glow sticks at each other. I left him a nice tasty comment, but for the benefit of this blog, I’m just going to utter a tasty British favourite: "FUCK OFF!"
Seriously, who cares! If they are having it large, then that’s all that matters!
I am hoping to try and organise a night at my University's Student Union and to have Ghost Frequency as the headline band, whether our union has enough money to do this however, is beyond me.
Anyway back to the band. In December 2007 the band released their second single, quite a tongue twister but here goes, 'Never Before Have I Seen A Man Alive Who Looks So Exactly Like A Skeleton'. That's what I thought the first time I heard the name. However once you get past the name then listen to the track. It's very different from the last single, this is where you find the energy of Linkin Park really take off, the beats blow your ears to the size of peanuts, it’s like something from a 80s horror film. Actually I think everything about Ghost Frequency is like it’s from a 80s horror film. They are genre defining and genre shattering on release, over time they may fade out and piddle into nothing like most bands these days, but their significance and importance on the London indie scene at the moment is unquestionable, they won't be forgotten in a hurry, especially by me.
Crazy, Insane, and Mental, are all words that come to my head when talking about The Ghost Frequency; they are definitely one of the most exciting bands from London to see live around at the moment, and for good reason. Currently working on their debut album that is scheduled for release in late spring, and already two singles strong, the band have been hotly tipped for greatness in 2008. A booking at Glastonbury and Reading are certs’ for the five piece who formed in 2005, who wrote songs and gigged for a year in and around London, when they were finally snapped up by the label City Rockers.
With the energy of Linkin Park & Aerosmith combined, band front man Doren Edwards throws himself around the stage, jumping off the lighting scaffolding like a desperate psychopath on LSD. Synths specialists Barney on his trusty Apple and Ross on Keyboards and Synths Guitar light the roof on fire, while lead guitarist Murphy shreds his fingers to dust, and born 'n' bred drummer Ben rips the roof clean off. The band comprises clean sharp boyish rock, with the tenacity and power of break-beat dance. They will leave your ears ringing and eyes burning.
With the release of their first single 'Nightmare' on limited red vinyl in August 2007, the band went from strength to strength as they recorded a video for the song to coincide with their nationwide headline tour and supporting tour with Hadouken! Where I saw them play at Southampton University. The venue was so small you could barely fit Rick Waller within its walls; it was full of annoying ratty teen scenos, who found it enlightening to cover every inch of their bodies in the fluorescent death of Satan that resides within those godly glow sticks.
I cannot for the life of me understand the principles behind why 'nu rave' was coined by Klaxons' manager, it follows none of the codes and conventions of the conventional rave of the late 80s and early 90s. However, I really don't give a monkies, because whatever it is nu rave or not, it’s bloody brilliant. I once read an article a couple of weeks ago, it was talking about all the nu rave nonsense back in the summer of last year, by someone who went to a Klaxons gig, and they could not for the life of them, understand why it is fun for 14 year old to shout "Rave" and throw glow sticks at each other. I left him a nice tasty comment, but for the benefit of this blog, I’m just going to utter a tasty British favourite: "FUCK OFF!"
Seriously, who cares! If they are having it large, then that’s all that matters!
I am hoping to try and organise a night at my University's Student Union and to have Ghost Frequency as the headline band, whether our union has enough money to do this however, is beyond me.
Anyway back to the band. In December 2007 the band released their second single, quite a tongue twister but here goes, 'Never Before Have I Seen A Man Alive Who Looks So Exactly Like A Skeleton'. That's what I thought the first time I heard the name. However once you get past the name then listen to the track. It's very different from the last single, this is where you find the energy of Linkin Park really take off, the beats blow your ears to the size of peanuts, it’s like something from a 80s horror film. Actually I think everything about Ghost Frequency is like it’s from a 80s horror film. They are genre defining and genre shattering on release, over time they may fade out and piddle into nothing like most bands these days, but their significance and importance on the London indie scene at the moment is unquestionable, they won't be forgotten in a hurry, especially by me.
Track of the Week
My track of the week this week comes from the ever growing, ever monotonous, but ever so important United States of America. N.E.R.D has awoken from their supposed death. After the release of the second album 'Fly or Die' back in 2004, Pharell Williams told BBC Radio 1 that the band had lost its direction with label Virgin, and it appeared that it would be their last release together. However, a few weeks ago a new single had emerged. 'Everyone Nose' is a striking track that is oh so very different from their last ventures; although I do sense a slice of 'She Wants To Move' amongst the fluid lyrical structure and sophisticated T-Rex style bass beats of terror. It's not their best work by far, but you can bet that when the upcoming album is released it'll contain come pleasant surprises, so jump on the band wagon while it's still here!
My track of the week this week comes from the ever growing, ever monotonous, but ever so important United States of America. N.E.R.D has awoken from their supposed death. After the release of the second album 'Fly or Die' back in 2004, Pharell Williams told BBC Radio 1 that the band had lost its direction with label Virgin, and it appeared that it would be their last release together. However, a few weeks ago a new single had emerged. 'Everyone Nose' is a striking track that is oh so very different from their last ventures; although I do sense a slice of 'She Wants To Move' amongst the fluid lyrical structure and sophisticated T-Rex style bass beats of terror. It's not their best work by far, but you can bet that when the upcoming album is released it'll contain come pleasant surprises, so jump on the band wagon while it's still here!
Video of the Week
My video of the week, comes from one of my previously featured bands, it seems The Ting Tings are finally getting some well deserved air play, and they've made a spankingly good video, with possibly the weirdest dance routine I’ve ever seen. Someone I can't see the NME Awards Tour crowd standing in line to imitate it! This is a great video for track 'Great DJ' though, the contrasting blue and pink colours are predictable, but its fun, energetic and it put a smile on my face after a shit clean up at work! The single is out 3rd March on BMG
My video of the week, comes from one of my previously featured bands, it seems The Ting Tings are finally getting some well deserved air play, and they've made a spankingly good video, with possibly the weirdest dance routine I’ve ever seen. Someone I can't see the NME Awards Tour crowd standing in line to imitate it! This is a great video for track 'Great DJ' though, the contrasting blue and pink colours are predictable, but its fun, energetic and it put a smile on my face after a shit clean up at work! The single is out 3rd March on BMG
1 comment:
Hey dude, hows it going? Just noticed your linking to my music blog "A Space For Music Liberation". So thought i'd drop by and say yo! Ive enjoyed reading your posts man, you clearly have a good taste in music! Anyway im going to be putting a link back to your site. Btw good work with The Ghost Frequency pick, they are wicked. And your journalism interview sounds awesome! Anyway keep in touch.
Laters, Sid.
www.musicliberation.blogspot.com
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