DARTZ 2005-2009

"DARTZ were a Math rock group from Middlesbrough...." begins the obituary on DARTZ's (old?) website, before proceeding to explain what DARTZ, Middlesbrough and math rock are all about. I won't bother regurgitating the information - mainly because they have, with what appears to be judicious copy and pasting of Wikipedia. What I will say though is that DARTZ were good, and at times great. See brilliant singles 'Once, Twice, Again!' and St. Petersburg' for evidence.


I sadly missed their final gig in Kingston the other night but I trust it was a fitting farewell for an underappreciated band. They lost an exclamation mark along the way and are survived by a debut album, 'This Is My Ship', released on Xtra Mile.

DARTZ - THE END, MOVING ON

"Don't forget us". We won't. Goodbye DARTZ.

MySpace // Last.fm

Baddies

One of the most amazing singles last year came from Southend's Baddies, a hotbed for recent musical talent including These New Puritans and The Horrors. The single 'Battleships' was touted as The Futureheads meets Queens Of The Stone Age, a thrilling 134 second rollercoaster ride. I immediately pegged them as ones to keep an eye on in 2009.

A year or so on, Baddies are about to release their debut album, 'Do The Job'. It's already out digitally (on the cheap as well, only a fiver here) but comes out in physical form from the 28th. That's this Monday for those too lazy to consult a calendar. They're also heading out on a pretty substantial tour, headlining dates in the UK and across Europe over the next couple of months. Not bad going.

Early reviews have compared the album to The Hives and Talking Heads, along with aforementioned Futureheads/QOTSA nods. And one extremely favourable review even mentioned Spandau Ballet. Make of that what you will.

BADDIES - HOLLER FOR MY HOLIDAY (BBC RADIO 1 BIG WEEKEND 2009)
BADDIES - BATTLESHIPS (BBC RADIO 1 BIG WEEKEND 2009)

Preorder 'Do The Job' on CD at Play and check tour details here.

MySpace // Website // Twitter

Sky Larkin Freebies

Leeds trio Sky Larkin are giving away a couple of new recordings, which they've been keeping up their sleeve. Speaking of sleeves, the artwork is pretty swish. There's a twisted simplicity to it.


My first thoughts on the new tracks were "WOAH". Of course, that was more to do with the fact that the mp3s were 10+mb each. Pesky 320kbps bitrate. The second thought was that "yeah, these are pretty good".

'Smarts' carries the same sort of dynamism that characterised their debut album, 'The Golden Spike', which dropped in February this year. In fact, it was recorded with John Goodmanson, producer of that album and thus expresses a similarly unhinged sound which I felt made the tracks seem overly messy. He does a grand job however on the acoustic recording of 'Matador', capturing the enchanting essence of its folk transformation.

SKY LARKIN - SMARTS

'Smarts' is downloadable above, 'Matador' can be got on the Sky Larkin website.

Website // MySpace // Twitter

Pavement Reform So Here's A Cover

Understandably, the initial report on Brooklyn Vegan that seminal indie rock band Pavement were reforming for NYC gigs in 2010 was met with scepticism. Then KABOOM! Pitchfork confirmed the rumours. To an extent. Good enough for most so good enough for me.

Having said all that, I find myself in a similar state of mind as to when Pixies reformed for live performances and another stab at music. As a casual fan, I wasn't really fussed enough to pay 40 quid or whatever to see the band. Likewise, Pavement's return doesn't have me bouncing off the walls. Nonetheless, I appreciate their influence and am taking the opportunity to quickly mention a band that were inspired by Pavement (and Pixies and Sonic Youth, Fugazi etc). That band being Kill Kenada.

Back in 2004, it really seemed like Kill Kenada would establish themselves as one of the major "alternative" bands of the time. Alas, an album didn't appear until late 2005 and the buzz had died down long before. It actually depresses me a bit writing about the band, knowing that they should have been so much more successful and popular. I'm not even sure they're still going.

One day I'll get around to sharing all my thoughts on Kill Kenada. Until that day comes, I leave you with a live radio session version of Pavement's 'Grounded', which Kill Kenada recorded for Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1 in 2003(?).

KILL KENADA - GROUNDED (PAVEMENT COVER)

MySpace // Forum

Johnny Foreigner: A Confessional

While today has been relatively triumphant - culminating in my text appearing on the BBC US Open tennis coverage - I let the team down yesterday. I was meant to go to a free Johnny Foreigner show in London, which was being recorded for the DVD to accompany forthcoming album, 'Grace And The Bigger Picture'. I didn't quite make it. Blame a hangover and lack of (available/not busy) friends. Here ends the confessional.

Johnny Foreigner - Criminals from LEFT EYE BLIND on Vimeo.

At around the same time that JoFo were playing that free show, the video to their new single ('Criminals') popped up on the interweb. It's embedded above. Not quite as catchy-shouty as free download single 'Feels Like Summer', the first glimpse of 'Grace And The....' but much of the same otherwise. All the special Johnny Foreigner ingredients are there - boy-girl vocal interplay, crashing drums, chugging bass, frenzied guitar lines and with that occasional splash of gang vocals. But the video's a bit gash. Maybe that's just me though.

JOHNNY FOREIGNER - FEELS LIKE SUMMER

Anyways, after debut album 'Waited Up 'Til It Was Light' lived up to expectations, I suspect that the forthcoming LP shall be similarly great. Here's hoping. And sorry again for possibly stealing someone's place at the free show then not coming. Bad times, I know.

'Criminals' is out on October 12th, followed by 'Grace And The Bigger Picture' on Oct 26th. While all that's happening, there's also a UK tour with Tellison and Japanese Voyeurs.

Website // MySpace

Pavilion

Been hearing a bit of positive chat about 'Ignore The Ignorant', the new album from The Cribs, and their first with ex-Smiths (and I guess, ex-Modest Mouse now) bloke Johnny Marr. Haven't had a chance to listen to it yet myself but head on over to we7.com and fill your boots with the "exclusive" stream. I hate that word.

It seems somewhat relevant ("Don't You Want To Be Relevant?") that today's featured band share a hometown with The Cribs. And more to the point, had their debut single produced by Cribs member Ryan Jarman. The band in question being Wakefield's Pavilion and that single being 'Spoils Of War', voted #25 in John Earls' list of top 50 singles in 2008 on Channel 4 teletext.

Pavilion - Spoils Of War

Must admit I was less of a fan of 'Spoils Of War', finding it hard to look past an obvious comparison to that hit by The Last Shadow Puppets. Still, it's not bad and I quite like the video (embedded above). Also, The Guardian compared them to The Hoosiers so anything I say is bound to be a bit more complimentary. And indeed, the track I'm posting is pretty sodding great.

'Clarity' is The Postal Service meets Weezer with a quintessential British summertime twist. Although melodically uplifting, its lyrics examine relationship issues. Maybe it's not all jolly good fun in Wakey? Regardless, this is a pop classic. Seeing as their first single sold out, I'm hoping 'Clarity' will be single number two for Pavilion on the brilliant Alcopop label. I'd buy about 3 copies myself.

PAVILION - CLARITY

MySpace