Glastonbury 2011 Preview

Next week Twitter Tunez will be hitting the road as we are off to Glastonbury 2011. We will be attempting to tweet live from Glasto to give an insight into the highs and lows of the greatest festival on Earth. To get everyone in the mood here are our ones to watch, either in the flesh or on the telly.

James Shingler – Top Five

The Joy Formidable

North Wales’ finest hit the John Peel Stage on Sunday afternoon and will no doubt blow any hangover out of your system. Gonna be loud, VERY LOUD!

John Peel Stage – Sunday, 14:00

Morrissey 

The Moz Father is on the Pyramid Stage on Friday before some other band that we refuse to mention. Expect classic songs and the odd rant from the most outspoken man in pop.

Pyramid Stage – Friday, 20:00

  

Warpaint

The art rockers from Los Angeles are playing two sets – Friday on the Park Stage and Saturday on the John Peel.

Park Stage – Friday, 16:45

John Peel – Saturday, 16:50

Glasvagas

Love ‘em or loath ‘em James Allen and Co know how to put on a show. Catch ‘em headlining the John Peel Stage on Saturday.

John Peel – Saturday, 22:30

Primal Scream 

Bobby Gillespie is one cool motherfucker! Nuff said! – Primal Scream headline the Other Stage on Friday.

Other Stage – Friday, 22:30

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Matthew Evans - Top 5

The King Blues 

The King Blues are one of the best UK ska-punk bands, driven by strong political views they never fail to deliver a show filled with passion and energy. This is true however big or small the venue so expect nothing different on the biggest stage of them all.

Oxlyers in West  - Friday, 16:00

Fatboy Slim 

One of the finest DJ’s to ever grace the planet, Norman Cook is one person who definitely knows how to get a crowd going. This will be a perfect way to round off the East Dance stage on the Friday night.

East Dance – Friday, 23:15

Pendulum 

From one of the world’s top DJ’s to one of the world’s best live bands. These boys have the ability to generate an insane atmosphere reflecting in phenomenal vibes. As far as live shows go, you won’t find anything like it.

Pyramid – Sunday, 19:45

Crystal Castles 

The electronic duo are what you would call “different”. When live, lead singer Alice sounds somewhat like a strangled cat, yet there is something quite brilliant and unique about it. The hardest decision of the weekend will be whether to see these or Fat Boy Slim.

The Park – Friday, 23:15

dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip 

These guys complement each other superbly essentially as a hip-hop duo. Scroobius provides insightful lyrics both sung and spoken, while dan le sac provides the electronic beats. Make sure you check ‘em out for they are wonderfully entertaining.

Oxlyers in West – Sunday, 16:00

[TuneOTD] Zebrahead - RICKY BOBBY

Artist: Zebrahead
Genre: Punk/Pop Punk/Rap
Location: La Habra, California, USA
Label Type: Major
Record Labels: Sony, SPV, Icon, EMI, MFZB Records
Website: http://www.zebrahead.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/zebrahead
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Zebrahead
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/zebrahead

This week marks a historic period of time, it sees the return of mother-fucking Zebrahead, bitch!

The fast pace, up-beat, new single, ‘Ricky Bobby’ delivers passion and energy in abundance. It gives you exactly what you expect from a ZH song, expert dual vocals from Ali Tabatabaee and Matty Lewis bouncing off each other superbly, a wonderful exhibition of modern day punk rock!

The enthusiasm of the band is certainly not lacking either and the humble bunch are back to entertain their adoring fans, placing a huge emphasis on rockin’ out, having fun and partying.

The track begins in a blaze of glory with an electric intro. Furthermore the boys include characteristic aggressive rap vocals and brilliant harmonies. However, the highlights on this track are undoubtedly the lead riffs and Greg Bergdorf’s magnificent guitar solo.

The title of the song is influenced by a fictional character in the US film ‘Talladega Night: Ballad of Ricky Bobby’, and just like Ricky Bobby, this song certainly is a winner!

Ricky Bobby is the first single to be released off their upcoming album, ‘Get Nice’ which is due for release in late July/early August (depending on where you are in the world). The album is also ceremonial one for the boys as it’s their 10^th studio album! In addition, a video is currently being shot for the album title track, ‘Get Nice’, this should be available by late June/early July.

Matthew Evans

[TuneOTD] Falling Faster - THAT GIRL'S GOT WHOREMOANS

Artist: Falling Faster

Genre: Pop Punk

Location: Tamworth, Birmingham, UK

Label Type: Indie 

Record Label: Baby Jump Records

Twitter: http://twitter.com/fallingfasteruk

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fallingfasterband

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/fallingfasterband

Pop punk 5-piece band Falling Faster consist of Elliot Radford (vocals), Luke Pedley (guitar/vocals), Lewis Radford (guitar), Shaun Robinson (drums) and Michael ‘Stanny’ Stanier (bass) originating from the Midlands.

Their latest single ‘That Girl’s Got Whoremoans’ has received plenty of attention since its release roughly three months ago. The track is also accompanied by the band’s first official music video which you can check out on their youtube channel.

The song itself follows a very generic pop punk sound possessing clear positive influences towards such bands as YouMeAtSix, All Time Low and Kids In Glass Houses. Furthermore, the chorus strikes an uncanny resemblance to Simple Plan’s ‘Shut Up’, verging on plagiarism.

A stereotypical teenage pop punk rant about a girl is illustrated by the lyrics, claiming that she isn’t all that, and is nothing but a vindictive liar and con-artist.

The video demonstrates the enthusiasm of the band, although this is a trait clearly lost on drummer, Shaun. As for the vocals, they are very good on the whole, but lack strength and power in places. There is undeniable potential, and with one or two tweaks here and there, Falling Faster could become a force to be reckoned with.

FF will begin recording for their debut album in the near future as a follow up to the EP, The Getaway.

Matthew Evans

[TuneOTD] Paramore - MONSTER

Artist: Paramore

Genre: Rock/Pop Punk

Location: Franklin, TN, USA

Label Type: Semi-independent 

Record Label: Fueled By Ramen

Website: http://www.paramore.net/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PARAMORE  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/paramore

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/paramore

Context varies from being important to completely irrelevant. The latest studio release from Paramore is immersed in it.

Last December brothers Josh and Zac Farro both left the band (prepare for an understatement) on slightly unfriendly terms. There was quite a bit of fallout, especially with a vindictive statement posted by the Farros, responded by the remaining band members in the MTV interview Paramore: The Last Word. The sordid split casts a shadow over Monster, shown by the meaning of its lyrics. Hayley Williams responds to the Farros with “I’m not the villain, despite what you’re always preaching” and declares that now, for Paramore, “the world is ours”.  

The song is ushered in by a pleasing sketchy riff, echoed in the next section. It is a nice thread, which could have been impressive if their rhythm guitar wasn’t drowned out throughout most of the record. This studio or production imbalance doesn’t ruin the song, but restrains it from becoming a bigger beast.

The section that this intro swiftly leads into is the first verse. Musically the verses feature the mix of teasing guitar riffs and driving drum beat that Paramore are used to. It’s an aesthetic they seem to be trying to perfect, signified by many of their previous creations.

Of course the catchy chorus is something that almost every artist wants to perfect and sharpen; Paramore are no different. It is strong, sing-along, and sticks to your cranium like any popular summer song. However, the track is not amazing, as some obsessive Paramore fans would have you believe. Make no mistake; this doesn’t detract the song from being enjoyable.

It’s not surprising Paramore are not treading totally new ground; they have no new members. Backing vocals are naturally provided by Haley Williams. Taylor York has taken up the roles of lead guitar and drums left by the Farro brothers, studio-wise, and this song shows he fills those shoes adequately. However, the drums do not have the flare that Zac Farro brought to them. Also, the guitar solo doesn’t fly or fall; it just hovers, promising more than it delivers. On the flip side, generally the lead guitars create a delicious display, especially during the coda and when creating suspense before the chorus. York’s drumming also shows promise with the energetic bass drum beat that punctuates the final chorus.

The expectation for Paramore is pretty exceptional for Monster, as it is the highly anticipated first proper release (In The Mourning is only really a demo) since their line-up change in December. While this song isn’t brilliant, it’s good and an adequate comeback. But we all know Paramore can do better. The song doesn’t have the swagger of Fences, the emotional dynamo of Decode, or an anthematic torrent like For a Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic. Regardless of these minor shortfalls, there is comfort in the message of this song. Paramore is still a band.   

Monster will be released as a single on iTunes on the 7^th June 2011. It will be featured on the Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon – The Album, which is released on 14^th June 2011, while the film Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon will be released on 29^th June. 

James Ward

[ArtistOTD] Pris

Artist: Pris

Genre: Pop/Post Punk

Location: London, England, UK

Label Type: Unsigned

Website: http://www.prisoff.co.uk/ 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/PRIS_OFF 

Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/i-love-pris

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/I-Love-Pris/

In the days when indie pop has become increasingly boring and sterile, Pris are ready to give the music industry a proverbial (and perhaps physical) kick up the arse. Hailing from London, Pris have the gobby rhetoric of early Manic Street Preachers, the sexiness of Debbie Harry and the trashy pop punk sounds of the Buzzocks. Having already taking pot shots at the Klaxons and Mumford & Fuckin’ Sons, the band caused a minor twitter fury last weekend by calling Ellie Goulding ‘a massive wang’, Brilliant!

Pris consist of Kat (Vocals), Agatha (Guitar), Mary (Bass) and Sam (Drums).  Despite claiming that “Songwriting is for losers”, Pris have produced an impressive array of infectiously catchy tunes including the bittersweet True Romance and fabulous Guessed You Would Be Depressed. Pris are the ultimate DIY band, a melting pot of cigarettes, lipstick, energy, passion and cockiness. Pris will no doubt divide the masses between believers and non- believes. Whose side are you on?

Pris are set to release their debut single The Better You Look, The More You See in the near future. 

James Shingler

[TuneOTD] Sonic Boom Six - WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU MAKE YOU STRONGER

Artist: Sonic Boom Six

Genre: Punk/Hip-Hop/Ska/Reggae

Location: Manchester, England, UK

Label Type: Indie

Record Label: Rebel Alliance
Website: http://www.sonicboomsix.co.uk 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sonicboomsix

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/sonicboomsix 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sonicboomsix

It is so great to know that Sonic Boom Six are back, and better than ever. ‘What Doesn’t Kill You Make You Stronger’ is the B-side to the latest single ‘New Style Rocka’, but the two are completely different illustrating the diversity of SB6.

This track offers dusty dub wobbles and drum and bass beats leaving you with an urge to get your skank on! Barney Boom steals the show on this one with his gutsy raps and rhymes, complimenting the soulful squeaks of Laila K. The inclusion of so much drum and bass is something new to the band, adding another string to the already impressive bow. This new style suits Barney down to a tee, and perhaps this is the first sample of the message portrayed by A-side single, ‘New Style Rocka’.

The video is set in an underpass highlighting the new underground nature of Sonic Boom Six’s sound as they move with the times integrating current influences into their new material. If there is such a genre as punk-step, then this is it ladies and germs.

Originally the band wanted to shoot the video for the next single, ‘Sunny Side of The Street’ but the weather was unforgiving and so they have treated the world with a promotional video for ‘What Doesn't Kill You Make You Stronger’. Check it out!

Matthew Evans