Single Review: Coherantt ‘Your Still a Soldier’

Coherantt serves up over six minutes of thumping drum and bass in the DJ’s latest single release ‘Your Still a Soldier’. With a heavy bass running throughout the whole track, the single sounds quite dark at times whilst the lyrics ‘Your Still a Soldier’ are chanted throughout. Mixing drum and bass beats with electro, Coherantt shows that Northern artists and record labels are helping the Drum and Bass scene to expand and blossom.

Forge Music says: 4/5

Alexandra Rucki

Official Site:Coherantt
Myspace: Coherantt @ Myspace

Merry Christmas from Forge Music

Merry Christmas to all our writers and readers, and expect to see an official website in the new year.

Don't forget to support Forge Radio's bid for Christmas number one! You can buy their cover of Band Aid's 'Do they know it's Christmas?' from the Itunes music store for only 79p, which is donated to charity.

Single Review: Skilf (feat. Michelle Ericsson) 'Slow Me Down'

Brighton based mc Skilf, an ex-performing arts student, offers us an old school slice of garage served up with smart, fast-paced lyrics and smooth production. ‘Slow Me Down’ features Californian singer Michelle Ericsson who brings a silky melody to the mix, overlapping the hip hop beats and funky bass line; a formula that will definitely get heads nodding. Skilf quotes Bob Dylan as well as Wu Tang Clan amongst some of his influences, so it would be foolish to expect anything less than an eclectic and appealing single. An interesting sound that is worthy of note.


Pippa Moore

Picture: Skilf @ Myspace

Single Review: The Fratellis 'A Heady Tale'

There is no intro to this single, you just jump into the energetic and vibrant music of The Fratellis. Jon Fratellis' vocals are a bit monotonous sounding but the upbeat and refreshing percussion by Mince Fratellis (drums) save the day. Everything starts coming together and making sense when the guitar and piano break in. The quirky lyrics about heartbreak are original and amusing and make this band ,who have been around for a few years now, stand apart from the sea of indie on the market. This is promising new work from The Fratellis and is one for eclectic ears who like a mix of jazz and rock.

Forge Music says, 3/5

Iris Provias


Official site: The Fratellis

Pendulum @ The Academy - Wednesday, December 10th

Rumour has it that this gig sold out two days into Fresher's Week. Whether this is true or not, Pendulum are a band on the ascent at the moment and they know it. The swagger of their resident MC, Ben ‘The Verse’ Mount, constantly insisting in forceful tones that the crowd “make some noise” or start a “ring of mayhem” was therefore barely needed to work the Academy into a frenzy. Consequently, he came oddly close to sounding like a particularly hardcore holiday camp rep.

Butlins aside, you know exactly where you stand with a band whose aims are as beautifully simple as Pendulum’s. Hence, this was not a gig where the audience was required to stand around in a semi intellectual manner, nurse a pint of best and comment on how musically aware of each other the group members are. Indeed nursing a pint of best was impossible in an atmosphere that came dangerously close to crushing the front rows of the audience in a swirling mass of jumping bodies.

Even so, the sextet are an incredibly tight outfit. Given their past in Australia’s underground dance and drum ‘n’ bass scene, their musical preciseness has developed into one of their major selling points. Speaking of major selling points, Pendulum’s best riffs have long been more than catchy, and they are truly mighty in the flesh. 'Blood Sugar' with its' angry squawks and apocalyptic intro, is made all the more impressive for the pulsating bass that accompanies. However, not all of these hooks are as memorable, 'Granite' in particular suffers from repetition of the main riff for just slightly too long and becomes almost grating.

There was a sense that the Academy couldn’t quite contain the wall of noise it was being asked to deal with. This created a sense of noise spilling over; of the gig suddenly becoming too much for human consumption at any point. It is almost as if Pendulum have a sound tailor-made for parks and stadiums, not compact indoor venues. It remains to be seen whether they can surpass their status as extremely popular and evolve into the next true super group, whose blend of rock, drum ‘n’ bass and electronica sets the trend for years to come.

Chris Goding

Official site: Pendulum

The Prodigy @ The Academy - Thursday, December 11th

Photo: Samuel Valdes Lopez

The second half of the ’90s was a strange time: grunge was dead and buried and a new fad broke and entered our hearts: electronica. Spearheading this movement via intense videos and seriously infectious beats were The Prodigy. Their breakout album, Fat of the Land took the whole world by storm, generating a few copycats and parodies, whilst becoming one of the bonafide albums to have and brag about. Then they disappeared. Rumours flew by and after a disappointing single (2002's horrid 'Baby's Got Temper') and an uneven album (2004's Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned), all hopes for a comeback were done for.

However, today was the day those hopes rose from their graves, uniting a generation of old and new fans alike. To much anticipation, one by one, The Prodigy appeared on stage. Not one syllable had been spoken, but the public went mental, liberating all their pent up energy in jumps and fist pumping.

The band responded by giving their all, including their best known tracks ('Breathe' , 'Firestarter') and injecting new life into tepid songs such as 'Spitfire'. Did people know all the songs? No, and they couldn't care less, as The Prodigy guided them for over an hour of utter madness.

The Prodigy use theatrics and charisma wisely and repetitively, and it makes one wonder why fans think that Liam Howlett is the reason why the band is called The Prodigy? You should see him, surrounded by high-tech equipment, always commandeering his soldiers of sound.

They respond by dominating that uncontrollable, raging beast - the general public, and rendering the whole place into an electronica-fueled gestalt. The line between performer and public blurs, making the Carling Academy tremble to its very foundations.

Barring the few minor technical glitches that made the gig start a little late, it delivered completely, blowing away people's minds, leaving bruises on all parts of the body and producing a satisfactory ear ringing. Yes, for one night, The Prodigy were outnumbered, but they will never be outgunned.


Samuel Valdes Lopez


Official site: The Prodigy

The Gentlemen @ Leadmill- Sunday , November 30th

“Is there anyone here that you haven’t seen since the last Gentlemen gig?” ask the members of The Gentleman. A huge cheer from nearly all the crowd follows. It seems that being a fan of The Gentlemen is very much a community affair. They could be described as The Leadmill’s house band, having supported Palladium, We Are Scientists and many others at the legendary venue.

Due to their loyalty for their hometown, they have a concentrated fan-base, albeit somewhat small. The 800-capacity venue is a long way from full, but with so many familiar faces, it’s obviously a much cosier and friendly affair.

Since this was a night for Sheffield bands, it seems only right to mention the support band - Dead Like Harry. They peddle an interesting form of lilting epic rock, which someone should mention to their head banging bassist. The band play like professionals, but when there are attempts to try to tug at the heartstrings with pathetic opening lines such as ‘You used to be my angel/You used to fly so high’, it appears somewhat wet.

So onto The Gentlemen, who play enthusiastically, despite being exhausted after spending the day filming their music video in the same place. Lead singer Nicholas Noble – imagine Ricky Wilson and Avid Merrion’s lovechild after a shopping spree with Napoleon Bonaparte – beams throughout and the boys are clearly enjoying their upgrade to headliners. The band’s bio promises a wide range of influences, but in truth their nearest cousins musically, for better or worse, would have to be Fall Out Boy.

The band preview a wide range of material from their forthcoming new album, with 'Unique’ and the like sounding tighter than their previous stuff. Despite a disastrous attempt at a French language ballad (which even goes over the head of my French-studying friends) the whole show is a joyous affair, no doubt aided by all the people who’d been there drinking for the afternoon’s shoot.

Maybe it’s time to get a bit more of an extended family though lads?


Rowan Brunswick


Listen to the support band: Dead Like Harry @ Myspace

Listen to the headliners here: The Gentlemen and here: The Gentlemen @ Myspace

Music News: Alexandra Burke crowned winner of Britain’s X-factor

Alexandra Burke was announced as the winner of X Factor last night, bagging a one million pound recording contract and the opportunity for stardom.

The twenty-year old singer from North London beat off runners-up JLS and Eoghan. Despite being the bookies favourite to win, Burke reacted with shock when she was announced the winner. She performed Silent Night, sang a duet to Listen with Beyonce Knowles and concluded the first part of the show with You Are So Beautiful.

Burke has had no previous professional vocal training, but was taught to sing by her mother, who used to sing with Soul II Soul. In 2005 she auditioned for X Factor and got to the judges houses stage, but Louis believed her to be too young at the time and she didn’t make it to the final stages.

The ratings for this years X Factor have been higher than ever, regularly beating BBC one’s Strictly Come Dancing in the battle for viewers. This is the result of appearances from international stars such as Britney Spears and Beyonce Knowles. Furthermore, the replacement of judge Sharon Osbourne by Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole has no doubt contributed to increased ratings, as the singer regularly generates more media interest than the contestants themselves.

Watch the X-Factor final here: X-Factor Final

Alexandra Rucki

The Worst Ever Christmas Songs...

Traditionally, Christmas is a time for giving and, apparently, it's also a time for recording some of the most annoying and horribly cheesy tunes ever to grace the airwaves:

Cliff Richard – ‘Mistletoe and Wine’
Fortunately, the family’s spending Christmas round ours this year, which means I’m not forced to endure my Auntie’s annoying obsession with Cliff Richard and ‘Mistletoe and Wine’. There’s not a lot to say other than this is the most infuriating Christmas song ever recorded. Well Cliff, I’ll never forgive you and it’s hard to forget 3 minutes of relentless, torturous, wet nostalgia.

The Wombats – ‘Is This Christmas’
As if the thought of Les Dennis attempting a career come-back wasn’t bad enough, the Wombats invite him to collaborate on a Christmas single. It’s the biggest fart of a Christmas song ever...so dreadful Jo Wiley might even play it. Hopefully she will though and thus irritate an unprecedented number of people and banish the Wombats to the celebrity graveyard inhabited by their fellow scouser. The video’s even worse; just the three of them; the Krusty-the-Clown-lookalike singer, the annoying bassist and the drummer yelping ‘Is This Christmas?’ Yes it is, now shut up.


Joe Christmas

Picture: The Wombats @ Myspace

Music News: Blur reform for Hyde Park gig

Seminal brit-pop band Blur have announced to NME that they are reforming to play live next year, headlining at Hyde Park on July 3rd.

The full line up - Damon Albarn (vocals) Alex James (bass) Dave Rowntree (drums) with inimitable guitarist Graham Coxon, will appear together for the first time since Coxon left the band in 2002. Albarn and Coxon both indicating that they have put their past differences behind them.

Tickets go onsale at 9AM this Friday (12.12.08)

Horray!

Read the interview: NME

Pippa Moore

Music News: Could Robo-Hand Allow The Long Blondes to Reform?

What happens when music and science collaborate? Well a robotic hand it seems…

Photo: Ross Parry for The Telegraph

Former guitarist of Sheffield based band The Long Blondes hopes to be able to play again following a stroke, thanks to the help of a robotic glove. In October the band were forced to split as guitarist Dorian Cox suffered from a stroke, causing the right side of his body to be paralysed so he was unable to play the instrument anymore. However, advances in modern technology means this may no longer be the case as it has been reported Cox is undergoing neurological physiotherapy, including training sessions with a mechanical glove.

The apparatus is known as a SaeboFlex and assists patients by supporting their wrists and helping them to grasp and release objects.

"It's a fantastic service, it's helping tremendously and I think it can work wonders me and others – it's almost like a gym for my hand," Cox told the Telegraph.

But does this spell a reform for The Long Blondes? Well with lead singer Kate Jackson already announcing that she has been working on solo material, even if Cox does recover a reform may not be the case. Nevertheless, at least there is an element of some hope for fans in the form of a mechanical hand.

Alexandra Rucki

Club Preview: Fantastic Damage @ The Bowery

Finally! A night out in Sheffield that actually plays some Anticon. records. For over ten years, the indie record label has reliably produced some of the finest in leftfield and experimental hip hop, yet is still highly underrated.

Artists such as cLOUDEAD, Why?, Subtle, Themselves and Aesop Rock have continually impressed with a mix of ambient and hip hop overlayed with surreal lyrics often delivered in polyrhythmic, spoken-word style.

This night, taking place at The Bowery, is brought to us by Children For Breakfast & Pickers, Knickers & Shitkickers every Monday and is completely FREE. The perfect opportunity to chill out with a pint and get lost in Anticon....

Picture: Why? @ Myspace

Record label: Anticon Official

Club: Fantastic Damage @ Facebook

Pippa Moore.

Single Review: Keane, 'Perfect Symmetry'

Following hard on the heels of the brilliantly absurd mid-90s pop of ‘Spiralling’ is a new Keane single, ‘Perfect Symmetry’. The name feels appropriate, as it marks a return to the ringing piano and uplifting melodies that saw their debut outsell the likes of Gwen Stefani and Scissor Sisters back in 2004.

Keane are still commonly viewed as a better example of bland than band, which is a shame; post-rehab, Tom Chaplin may remain baby-faced but when bellowing, “Oh boy, you ought to leave this town!” he sounds more fearless than a bulletproof Iggy Pop. Chaplin claims this is their “anthem of peace”... a bold statement, but confronted by the Killers-style communal synth sing-a-long three minutes in, even Dubya would be hesitating over the big red button marked ‘WAR’.

Forge Music says, 4/5


Jeremy Peel

Ultimate Playlist: The songs that have shaped your life

This week, Pippa Moore explains why eclectic is the way to go:

Why? – The Hoofs

Jacques Du Tronc – Et moi, et moi, et moi

Tori Amos – Crucify

Of Montreal – Lysergic Bliss

Chromeo – Fancy Footwork

My love of alternative hip-hop and spoken-word begs the inclusion of Why? on this list because their music is witty, beautiful and poignant. Although Tori Amos may seem a particularly cliché choice, this record is like none I have ever heard before – dark, mysterious and challenging. Jacques Du Tronc is a brilliantly funny and witty Francophile. My increasing interest in electro and house means that Chromeo simply to be on the list (especially considering this song has been remixed by the likes of Crookers, amongst many others) as well as Of Montreal, because their music is catchy and originial and because Kevin Barnes is a genius, if not slightly bonkers...

Of Montreal photo: Leó Stefánsson

Of Montreal @ Myspace

Single review: Portishead, 'Magic Door'

The high pitched beep at the beginning of this track should serve as a warning to the uninitiated. Portishead is a bleak land populated by fractured beats and the tortured vocals of Beth Gibbons. Add into this dramatic piano thuds and a strangled trumpet that sounds like a drunk elephant and you have ‘Magic Door’, the penultimate track on their album ‘Third’. But for fans of Portishead of old, we expected more than this. Gibbons laments ‘I don’t know who I’m meant to be’, and sadly, we don’t know either.

Forge Music says, 2/5

Kimberley Long

Club Preview: Ebony Bones + Rosie and the Goldbug @ Fuzz 4/12/08

After the disappointment of both bands cancelling last weeks Fuzz, this Thursday’s Fuzz club with two promising bands will be sure to provide indie fans with their fix of good music for the week. Support comes in the form of Cornish trio Rosie and the Goldbug. Headed by Rosie on the keyboard, their music has been compared to the likes of Kate Bush, Blondie and the Pretenders. First single “You’ve Changed” was released this Monday, check them out on www.myspace.com/rosieandthegoldbug.
Headlining this Thursday is electopop post punk songstress, Ebony Bones. Expect mayhem and lots of colour and chaos on stage. With lyrics like “Don’t Fart on my Heart” there is something we can all identify with in her music…have a listen on www.myspace.com/ebonybones.
Expect usual fuzz-club DJ’s playing the latest in indie-pop afterwards in Foundry, and Bleach for all the best in rock, punk, ska and metal in Fusion.


Alexandra Rucki

Music News: Those Dancing Days cancel Fuzz Club

Headliners, Those Dancing Days have pulled out of Fuzz club tonight due to illness. The shows looks set to be rescheduled at some point in the future. The offical line from Fuzz is apology for any disappointment caused and that unused tickets can be returned to the point of purchase for refunds. However, this blogger says: don't be rubbish and do that!

Still expect to hear some hot new indie tunes spinning until the wee-hours of the morning. The show must go on afterall....


Pippa Moore

Ultimate Playlist: The songs that have shaped your life

This week, Roz Glynn unravels the mysteries of folk and soul:

Joanna Newsom – Sawdust & Diamonds

The Crystals – He Hit me (and it Felt like a Kiss)

The Smiths – Sweet and Tender Hooligan

Iron & Wine – Boy with a Coin

The Shangri-Las – Leader of the Pack


Raiding my parents’ CD collection before I came back to university produced some great 1960’s pop and soul which explains The Crystals and The Shangri-Las -classics. My growing fondness of folk, and love of distinctive female voices, is why Joanna Newsom takes pride of place on this playlist, with Iron & wine being another of my new found alt-folk favourites. Then there's The Smiths, but well, everyone loves The Smiths!




Joanna Newsom, 'Ys' album artwork: Benjamin A. Vierling

Official site: Joanna Newsom

Too young to listen to 60s, soul and Motown?

“We are the mods. We are the mods. We are, we are, we are the mods.” These very words in the film Quadrophenia, showed how proud youngsters were in the 1960’s to represent their love of soul and motown. Four decades later and young people still have a place for it in their hearts. To some, it’s a dead era and its existence belongs only in the past but does this really matter? So what if the ‘golden age’ of music took off before some people’s time?! The fact that people still like it in this generation shows they like the music on their own accord, rather than being part of what was fashionable.

The loved artists in question include The Supremes, Isley brothers, Spencer Davis group, Curtis Mayfield, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Al Green. A lot of the popular bands people like today such as The Enemy were inspired by bands like The Jam, who in turn were inspired by this musical era. So it’s no wonder the soul and motown inspiration filters through music collections all over the world today.

Other singers with the soul sound are Duffy (whose been compared to Dusty Springfield), Amy Winehouse, Adele, Joss Stone and Corrine Bailey Rae. Infact, it seemed as if they all emerged at the same time, or at least a ripple effect was caused when Amy Winehouse became popular.
But why do people still love the 60’s era? Well it was a time of free love, peace and socio-political libertarianism. It was when music started to become a way of life. It was when different styles merged together to create unique sounds. Motown in particular was uplifting and knocked down racial barriers with people coming together through a mutual love of music. The Funk Brothers must be given the most credit for being the pioneers of Motown. People want to re-live that same laid back approach to life.

And it’s not just the music people want to re-live or retain, but fashionable vintage clothing remains as popular as it was all those years ago too. Any look at Sheffield town centre and you’ll find Freshmans, Cow and other smaller boutiques selling the era back to us. There’s the bi-annual vintage fair as well showing just how in demand vintage fashion is. Even shops like Fred Perry recreate the era with polo shirts galore. Laura, a Univeristy of Sheffield student says: “I wear vintage clothing because you can see something you really like and know nobody else will have it. It gives you a bit of originality. A lot of the vintage shops are cheap too so it just makes sense”.

It seems then that the era is not dead (far from it in fact) with people paying homage to it in some form or other on a regular basis. We simply can't move on: after all a lot of the music we like today had to come from somewhere, and you can bet a good percentage of it was from the 1960’s. Long live the 60s!

Kristiane Genovese

Guns n’ Roses : Chinese democracy

New age trans intro with Chinese speakers in the background does not cut it until the famous guitar solo style breaks in. The lyrics are uninspiring and so is Axl Rose’s voice. The old fans of Guns n’ Roses will not be disappointed since this track is very similar to their previous songs . For others it will sound like recycled old tracks from the band's heyday. Oh dear.

Forge Music says, 3/5



Iris Provias

Single Review: Tallulah Rendall “Lay me Down”

Randall’s hauntingly harmonic vocals ease effortlessly over her latest track “Lay me Down”. Oozing with sheer style and sophistication, Rendall keeps us hooked on her every word right up until the final fluttering moments of this beautifully simplistic offering. A mystical and magical record that almost deserves to be appreciated rather than simply listened to.

Forge Music says, 4/5

Ross Haymes

Single Review: Clinic “Tomorrow”

“Tomorrow’s” monotonous western style riffs mixed with a short-for-breath vocalist and the occasional appearance of harmonica drag it down into the realms of the unimaginative and easily forgettable. A more promising remix by DFA shows us what the band might be more suited to. Ultimately the release misses depth, which seems to be a defining example of what Clinic are all about.


Forge Music says, 2/5



Ross Haymes

Club Preview: Those Dancing Days + Sky Larkin @ Fuzz, 27.11.08:

Reasons to be cheerful: the unquestionable Fuzz Club displays (again) why it is the most revered indie night this side of the Capital when it showcases yet another excellent act THIS THURSDAY NIGHT. Those Dancing Days are a youthful, all-female group from Stockholm, who, having just released their debut album ‘In Our Space Hero Suits’, are creating a stir in the UK with their unique brand of bouncy indie-pop. Single ‘Hitten’ is already a club staple, drawing heavily from girl-group influences such as Blondie and Chrissie Hynde with catchier riffs than you can shake a stick at. If that isn’t enough, of course after the band there is the usual Fuzz dance-floor madness (and don’t forget Bleach in Room 2!): expect a good night all-round.

Tickets: £4 advance (from the union box office).



Pippa Moore

The one and only: Ed Banger Records

If I was asked to describe the current electro-house music scene in two words, I would without a doubt simply say ‘Ed Banger’. Although the label was founded in 2003, it only really gained wider success with the signing of more mainstream electronic acts such as French group Justice, bringing electro music back into the popular music charts and media.

With the release of Ed Rec. Vol. 3 earlier this year featuring the likes of Mr. Oizo, DJ Medhi and SebastiAn alongside other more widely known acts such as Uffie and Busy P himself, it is clear to see that french electronic label Ed Banger Records have more to offer us than the squeaky-clean electro mix of ‘Never Be Alone’ by Justice. 2006 was a big year for Ed Banger, with Justice now the label’s most successful act, gaining critical acclaim for their first solo single ‘Waters of Nazareth’ and receiving best video at the MTV Europe Music Awards for ‘We Are Your Friends’. This demonstrated not only the new musical talent the label had to offer but also the artistic element shown by Ed Banger's art directors ‘So Me’ who have contributed to the instantly recognisable artwork for several of the label’s releases.

2006 also saw Pedro Winter (A.K.A electro-house DJ 'Busy P') the label’s founder, signing the American-born, French-raised Uffie, who added a more underground hip-hip sound to the label. Uffie’s debut single, ‘Pop The Glock’ gained the label international acclaim and also appeared on the Rough Trade Shop's Counter Culture Compilation 2006. Ed Banger can be arguably be credited with bringing more attention to underground electro not just as a niche market, but as a genre now becoming more popular with Indie labels, acts and fans as well as gaining commercial radio play and recognition. DJ Feadz, also signed to Ed Banger, recently appeared at Sheffield’s own electro night Club Pony in October and is perhaps most commonly noted as collaborating with Uffie also released his ‘Happy Meal EP’ earlier this year.

Ed Banger’s success however must be attributed largely to the label’s producer, owner and founder Pedro Winter, an innovative DJ who decided to set up his own label as a division of Headbangers Entertainment in 2003. Not only does Winter manage and produce some of the biggest names in electro and house music under Ed Banger Records, he was also Daft Punk’s manager for over 12 years and as if this isn’t enough he even leaves time to record his own work as DJ Busy P, most recently ‘Pedrophilia’ on 12” picture disc. Through Winter’s passion for French house and electro and his dedication to making music fun and exciting again, Ed Banger practically defines the genre whose artists it showcases. No other label is currently producing electro music from new underground artists to such a high quality and not only to those already interested in the genre, but in a way that’s also accessible to a mainstream audience, establishing house and electro as worthy of being taken seriously.

With more of Ed Banger’s artists set to release records this year, expect acts such as SebastiAn, (with recent album ‘Remixes’) to gain more recognition for their work and really show how to remix a song that keeps people dancing all night, experiencing the energy and atmosphere that electro DJ’s and artists can offer. With Justice’s upcoming ‘A Cross The Universe’ tour as well as a live allbum and DVD Documentary with artwork provided by fans expected to follow in late November, it’s clear that Ed Banger will be THE label to follow in the coming months.


Stefi Avis

Feadz: Club Pony @ DQ, 10.10.08

n650486643_1396894_1948, originally uploaded by fake_french <3.

Picture: Rose Marsh

Club Review: DQ, Club Pony – DJ Feadz, 10.10.08:

France’s finest, the ultra cool Ed Banger Records, brings its electro-house to the cold hills of the North in spectacular style. With Club Pony already a firm favourite amongst fans of synthesisers, drum machines and double vodkas, it doesn’t take a large stretch of the imagination to envisage the anticipation caused by tonight’s guest DJ. Feadz is a Parisian-based artist well known for pulling blinding headline shows out of the hat, as well as for his work with Mr. Oizo and Uffie, who also happens to be his long-term missus. Tonight, DQ is crammed with bodies and when Feadz begins his set there is a manic crush towards the front of the stage accompanied by expectant applause. Feadz keeps the crowd engaged by mixing in some classic house and hip hop tracks with the most up-to-date in European techno and electro music (with a distinct nod to several of his label-mates). The music builds up to immense climaxes followed by hard-hitting beats that make almost everyone in the room want to dance like a twat and pull robot-style shapes. The thin-framed DJ bops about the stage and is visibly happy about the enthusiasm displayed by the Club Pony crowd. Feadz, with his forward-thinking, original and experimental skills, carries on well into the night and ends up leaving everyone with fun-filled memories, if not a sentimental hangover the next day. In the words of Uffie, “Feadz is bangin’”.


Pippa Moore

Single review: Skint & Demoralised – 'The Thrill of Thirty Seconds'

True pop! The jaunty guitar rhythm goes well with the heavily-accented voice in this friendly, optimistic little song from the Wakefield group. Hard to resist for a quick dance in those grey “hey, where's the sun?” days.

Forge Music says 3/5


Samuel Valdes Lopez

Single review: Nick Harrison - ‘Something Special’

‘Something Special’ is a great piece of reggae tinged guitar pop. The piano and vocal harmonies come across bit like early Supergrass, but not quite that good. It’s really quite cheesy, but if you can get beyond this it becomes rather enjoyable, incredibly catchy and dancey. Expect Radio One to be all over this guy come next year, so get your mitts on it before they do.

Forge Music says 4/5


Lee White

Single review: Jonjo Feather - ‘Taxi’

Gnarly and distorted, ‘Taxi’ is a bass driven bluesy track, that isn’t mindblowing, but it’s perfectly enjoyable. It eschews frivolities such as understandable vocals in favour of essentials such as cowbell and handclaps. Under two and a half minutes long, it’s worth checking gout if you like some of The Dandy Warhols fuzzier moments.

Forge Music says, 3/5

Lee White

Single Review: Flashguns - 'Timehouse Blue'

So here we are, at the arse-end of 2008, enduring yet more insubstantial, arty-farty releases for the trend-following topman obsessives who think Morrisey's that bloke off the Homebase adverts. While no-one can question Flashgun's myspace list of favourites -Joy Division, The Cure, Nirvana etc- they would have done well to include more of these influences rather than Foals' intricate and over-imitated stylings. There's a slight hint of the Smiths but lackadaisical lines such as 'I can't live without you' make Flashguns' debut single less 'Frankly Mr. Shankly' and more 'Frankly Mr. Wa**ly

Forge Music says 2/5


Joe Christmas

Single Review: Fat Freddys Drop – ‘Pull The Catch’

New Zealand’s dub-reggae outfit present the follow-up single to ‘The Camel’ before releasing their new album Big BW in 2009. With its hypnotic, bubbling bass line and a mellow brass section, Fat Freddys Drop will trick audiences into thinking it’s summer all over again.

Forge music says - 3/5

Natasha Parker

Single review: Alphabeat – "What Is Happening?"

The band that brought life swaggering back into the pop genre are back with the fourth single from their eponymous album. In a different vein from their previous hits, What Is Happening? is a much lower-key tune. Don’t let this fool you though: the vocal harmony between the leads, Stine and Anders, punctuates the passion behind this story of a failing relationship. You may find it hard to dance to this tune on a night out. Equally, you’ll find it hard to rid this catchy pop ballad from your heads!

Forge Music says, 4/5

Sarah Richards

Single review: I Concur - 'Oblige'

If the thought of an indie/post-rock/shoegaze amalgamation makes you want to dive headfirst into that Large Hadron Collider, then avoid this song like the plague. Although the lyrics are notably less interesting than previous efforts (past subject-matter includes the extinction of a prehistoric crocodile and the mistakes of a South Korean stem-Scientist) I Concur confirm their promising status for 2009 with a Verve-aping middle 8, which more than compensates for the weary and slightly grating intro.


Forge Music says 3/5



Joe Christmas

Single review: The Red Light Company - 'Scheme Eugene'

Sweet melodies, soaring guitars and frantic backing vocals perfectly compliment singer and guitarist Richard Frenneaux' emotive tale of a relationship in-crisis. Imagine Arcade Fire without the dreaded sense of impending doom, the Shout Out Louds if they grew some balls and a chorus which could easily soundtrack the ending credits to the FA cup final and you are some way to realising the true extent of euphoria contained herein.

Forge Music says 4/5


Joe Christmas

Single review: Team Water Polo - 'So Called Summer'

Preston band Team Waterpolo may not be well known just yet, but their topically themed second single may change that. It’s basically a soft-rock/pop record, but has a tongue-in-cheek tone, mixing references to the last couple of dismal summers with a general feeling of expectation some might say comes naturally to Prestonians.

So Called Summer is the kind of record that sounds instantly familiar and sticks in your mind all day. The bouncy tempo, catchy lyrics and endlessly repeatable chorus gives Team Waterpolo a good chance of reaching the charts this autumn.

Forge Music says 4/5


N J Bowen

Single review: Voodoo Six - 'Feed my Soul'

With a name like Voodoo Six, you can pretty much guess what you are about to hear – groovy club metal complete with throaty refrains of “We’re gonna make it baybeh”, of the kind Velvet Revolver would still be playing if their singer wasn’t made of 90% opium.

However, with the powerful descending harmonies of the chorus and Slash-bettering solo the trick is pulled off with flair. It is just a shame that we’re probably destined to hear only ten seconds of the opening riff soundtracking BMX videos on Youtube forevermore.

Forge Music says 4/5



Jeremy Peel

Single review: Silver Spoon - 'Through the Storm'

Hip hop’s favourite fairy tale – the rise from violence and poverty to superstardom – is looking decidedly more worn now than in the day of Biggie and Tupac. And here, with a man recently graduated from Newcastle Uni and nicknamed ‘Silver Spoon’ due to his affluent background, we’re treading on very thin ice. As in, Ice, Ice, Baby.

Luckily for him though, ‘Through the Storm’ bears a muscular and dramatic beat courtesy of producer Sermstyle, falling somewhere between Timbaland and William Walton. With the addition of Silver’s own dexterous delivery and ability to hold a tune, the track slips under the bullshit radar.

But only just: 3/5


Jeremy Peel

Single review: The Saturdays - 'Up'

Second single from forthcoming debut album Chasing Lights, ‘Up’ is a sugar-rush of power pop which may well prove to be a little sickly for most ears. For what it is - an unashamedly poppy song, it’s actually not bad. While The Saturdays certainly can’t be faulted for catchiness, repeat listens may leave you on an insulin drip.

Forge Music says 3/5


Dean Maberly

The Mighty Boosh Aftershow Party - 7/10/08

For the total price of £9.00 ultimate fans of The Mighty Boosh boys (aka Noel Fielding, Julian Barratt and Michael Fielding) could go and party alongside them at Plug. The event advertised as ‘Outrage’, promised a live set from Robots in Disguise and then a DJ set from the Mighty Boosh gang. But was it all a little too good to be true?

Plug isn’t particularly full, but the people who are here you can tell are Mighty Boosh fans. There is a scattering of people in Old Greg costumes, a few Hitchers can be spotted and a curiously large number of people wearing something that sparkles or is sequined.

The night kicks off, as promised, to a live set from Robots in Disguise. Ultimately only famous because of singer Dee Plume’s associations with Boosh man Noel Fielding, they’re not a band to be taken too seriously. Heavily adorned in thick make-up and styled like harlequin clowns, their music is fun, glittery and they provide quite a good slice of electro to the crowd. Taken with a pinch of salt, their tongue in cheek lyrics like “The sex has made me stupid” might have you humming along but I can’t see them being able to release a second album. And when they ask “Are there any electro girls and boys in here?” and get fans to dance on the stage alongside them, I do have to grit my teeth a little and worry that Plug didn’t check people’s ID to see if they are of the legal age to actually be here.

Shortly afterwards in a flash of shiny black hair appears the God everyone is really here to worship - Noel Fielding. The whole population of Plug is suddenly flung towards the DJ booth in an attempt to catch a glimpse of their hero. He parades around the back of the DJ booth, only to disappear with minutes back to the VIP room. Out pops Michael Fielding (Naboo), who is the only one who actually DJ’s throughout the evening. Rich Fulcher (Bob Fossil) makes a brief appearance, and so does Julian Barratt but only for a few fleeting minutes. Rumours spread that the bouncers are giving out backstage passes to the VIP room, but as the room fills it seems these are only handed out to girls who are wearing less than the usual amount of clothes. The rest of the night involves everybody crowding around the DJ booth trying to get some sort of contact with the Mighty Boosh cast.

So all in all, I wouldn’t really describe the evening as an aftershow party, but more of a night spent in Plug with brief appearances of characters from a TV show, who shortly disappear only to look from the VIP room onto the great unwashed of the public. And a load of people huddled around a DJ booth in an attempt to catch a glance of celebrity.


Alexandra Rucki

Singles reviews: Trivium - "Down from the Sky"

Trivium impress straight away with potent dual-guitar work, amidst alternations between melodic and heavy riffing. More reminiscent of the Ascendancy album than later release The Crusade, vocalist Matt Heafy dilutes the clean vocals of Trivum's heavier sound with a return to metalcore screams, warranting only cautious optimism from jaded metallers.

Forge Music says 3/5

Mike Bentley

Singles reviews: Black Kids - Look at me when I rock (when I rock wichoo)

Black Kids follow up disco stompers ‘Hurricane Jane’ and ‘I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You’ with another slice of saccharine sweet indie pop. Although lacking the energetic frenzy of ‘Boyfriend’, Reggie Youngblood’s tales of adolescent desire fuse with funk bass, an irresistible opening riff and enough synth to get even the most lead footed scrambling for the dance floor. An all-round whichoo(n)!

Forge music says 4/5

Andrew Shepherdson

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Thanks for checking out Forge Music online. We've been having some teething problems with the actual website, but we couldn't wait to get writing and bring you some content, which we don't doubt will help you sleep a bit more securely at night.


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