Riffed

2014 has been quiet if anything for The Courteeners. Having released 'Summer' around a month ago, a track completely different to what we've heard before from the Manchester band, we just didn't know what to expect.

'How Good It Was', certainly sounds a little more familiar than 'Summer'. It sounds more like 2013's ANNA. Admittedly, I had to listen to this track a few times to make a solid judgement on it, and I've reached the conclusion that it's yet another solid track, from a band who deserve much more recognition than they actually have. 

We're really excited to see what new album 'Concrete Love' brings, due for release 18 August.

RIFFED's Rating: 8/10

Listen to 'How Good It Was' via Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXL80yGGZOY/

You can pre-order The Courteeners forthcoming album feautring 'How Good It Was', 'Concrete Love', here: http://www.seetickets.com/event/courteeners-concrete-love-album-pre-order/album/799263/

Written by Jamie Craw.

RIFFED x

News has become apparent that the memorial tree of the late George Harrison has been killed due to an infestation of beetles. 

The tree, planted in Griffith Park of Los Angeles was a tribute to the former Beatles guitarist, who like his tree, passed away in the city. There was also a plaque on the tree, of which read "In memory of a great humanitarian who touched the world as an artist, a musician and a gardener." As well as a qoute from Harrison: "For the forests to be green, each tree must be green." Many are saddened by the news of the tree's passing, but have been informed a new tree will be planted in it's place. 

It appears the beetles are getting back at the iconic band for taking their name.

RIFFED x

We recently caught up with Birmingham based band Salute Something. The 5 piece have recently released their debut EP 'Machine Myth' and were willing to tell us a little about it.

1 Who are Salute Something?

We're a 5 piece from Birmingham who have had a long "birthing" period - Dave & Tom started writing tunes about 4 years ago before Dave got a job digging metals out of the ground in Australia. We carried on writing and when he came back last year got a band together.

2 You've just released your debut EP ‎'Machine Myth‎', tell us a little about this?

The EP was recorded over about a month with Matt Pinfield from Drakelow, at his home studio. The songs are a good mix of what we do really, a bit of melody here, some heaviness there. The oldest tune there is 'I Hope Your Kids Turn Out OK', which was originally two separate songs which we welded together while jamming.

3 Who are your biggest inspirations?

Singling out individual artists would be a bit wrong as we all listen to different stuff - we all come from a fairly rock-y background except our keys player Steve, who spent his youth raving.....you'll have to see if you think there's any techno influence to our sound!

4 Where do you see yourselves in 5 years time?

Hopefully in a nice studio somewhere making another record and if not there then off playing gigs - it's what we like best!

5 What's next for Salute Something?

We're playing the Victoria in Birmingham on the 29th August, and will be doing more shows around the West Midlands after that - then we're gonna hit the studio again and get some more music recorded. Watch this space...

Big thanks to Salute Something for the interview. 

Listen to Salute Something's debut EP 'Machine Myth' via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/salute-something

And purchase 'Machine Myth via Salute Something's official Bandcamp page: http://salutesomething.bandcamp.com/

Follow Salute Something on Twitter: @salutesomething / https://twitter.com/salutesomething

And

Like Salute Something on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salutesomething

RIFFED x 

Recently we chatted to Thunderhank, the Americans have recently released their self-titled debut EP and were on hand to introduce themselves. 

1 Who are Thunderhank?

Thunderhank is comprised of brothers Henry and Samuel Bellingham.

2 Favourite gig of which you've played?

Our favourite gig was at Kung Fu Necktie in Philadelphia. The sound was great, the people who worked there were really nice and a bunch of our friends made it out to see us.

3 Who are Thunderhank's biggest inspirations?

We have a LOT of inspirations but recently a couple specific bands have been really been influencing the new material we're working on. Konk, a New York City band from the 80s, have a song called "Your Life" that we've been playing over and over for more than a year now. There's something amazing about a dance tune that's undeniably badass. Also it's just a blast to throw on at a party. Another song that we've been feeling is "Life's a Scream" by A Certain Ratio for all the same reasons. It's cool, confident and a little bit funky. We're hoping that this style of dance music shows up in our own songs. I could go on forever about Grace Jones, Brian Eno and Michael Jackson but those two songs should serve as a good indicator of where we're headed stylistically.

4 Where do you see yourselves in 5 years time?

In 5 years we would like to be playing nighttime sets at festivals. And it would be so much fun to find a great singer to produce a pop record for. Both of those things have been dreams of ours for a long time.

5 What's next for Thunderhank?

The next move for Thunderhank is to release this ep we've been working on and hopefully reach a bigger audience through it.

Huge thanks to Thunderhank for the interview. 

Purchase Thunderhank's debut EP 'Thunderhank' via iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/thunderhank/id684993782

Listen to Thunderhank's debut EP 'Thunderhank via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thunderhank

Follow Thunderhank on Twitter: @Thunderhanky / https://twitter.com/Thunderhanky

And

Like them in Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thunderhank

Visit Thunderhank's official Bandcamp page: http://thunderhank.bandcamp.com/

RIFFED x

The 1975 are a band, who despite their recent rise, are receiving plenty of stick. But, do you remember when The 1975 were it? Admittedly, we've all thought this at some point. 

But let's be honest, what's changed? Well, the reasons plenty have dispersed from The 1975 fanbase are that near enough all of the One Direction fanbase have flooded in since the band covered 'What Makes You Beautiful' in BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge. Since then, 'Directioners' have turned into '1975'ers', spamming the band with love. Matt Healy and the band will undoubtedly be appreciating it, as it's transformed them from an unheard of indie band into a household name, and plenty will say fame is getting to his head, especially after news broke of his apparent drug taking. But also, is this a shock? Not so much, majority of bands out there have done such things and although it shouldn't be, it's the norm. Yeah, the crowds at gigs and festivals where The 1975 are playing will be most certainly be full of screaming girls, and we're not going to lie it'd be like being at a One Direction gig and that's something we'd all rather not be at. But do you remember when 'Sex' was released, there was hysteria, The 1975 were the 'next big thing' and it was 'cool' to like them, and many began to copy Matt Healy's hair cut of that time. But now many seem embarrassed to like them, it's no wonder as to why as, who'd want to be a part of an annoying little fandom? But, when you hear 'Sex', 'The City', 'Robbers', 'Settle Down' and others, admit it, you like it. 

If you were to just distract yourself from the fanbase, you'd have to admit it, The 1975 are a pretty good band, right? 

RIFFED x

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This Competition Is Now Closed - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fancy seeing Jesus Jones at 02 Academy Sheffield on the 9h of September? Well here's your chance.

Simply follow us on Twitter (@riffedonline / https://twitter.com/riffedonline) and retweet this tweet: https://twitter.com/riffedonline/status/491340429036892160

Or

Like us on Facebook (/riffedonline / https://www.facebook.com/riffedonline and like and share this post: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=549603988495077&set=a.536087453180064.1073741828.528095180645958&type=1

Competition closes on 28/07/14 and the winner will be announced on the same day.

Good luck!

RIFFED x

It's that man again, Johnny Lloyd. The former Tribes frontman is our Single Of The Week for the second time with his new track 'Happy Humans'. 

After being our first ever Single Of The Week with his track , 'Pilgrims', Johnny claims the title once again with 'Happy Humans', taken from his forthcoming 'Happy Humans' EP, and it's another track that offers them late 80's vibrations, that overtoned guitaring and that raw voice. All the right ingredients for a Johnny Lloyd song, that once again mix perfectly. 'Happy Humans' has got us all eagerly anticipating the release of the full EP. 

RIFFED's Rating: 8/10 

RIFFED x

We spoke to Jake Cooper of JAWS this week, the bassist from the Birmingham band revealed to us how excited he is for the forthcoming release of their debut album 'Be Slowly', as well as the 'Be Slowly' tour that the band are set to embark on later this year. We previously interviewed Jakes band-mate, Eddy Geach, asking the drummer what's next for him. Geach's answer was about working in KFC, so you'll be intrigued to see what Jake has to say when we askd him the same question... 

1 You and the rest of JAWS are set to release your debut album, 'Be Slowly', in September, tell us a little about the album?

Its our first album, it was totally rad recording every song, can't wait for everyone to listen to all of our jolly good home tunes.

2 You're following the album release with the 'Be Slowly Tour', are you looking forward to this?

Yeah, tour is always fun. different cities, different people, different carpet.

3 You're playing a series of festivals this summer, do you enjoy playing festivals?

Sort of, never really been a fan of camping, sort of isolate and dark. Not my thing, seeing different bands that play the different stages is always fun.

4 Where do you see JAWS in the next five years?

Five years older, "hopefully" a little bit more hairy. 

5 We recently interviewed your band mate Eddy Geach, asking what's next for him, he said working at KFC. But, what's next for Jake Cooper?

Working at Burger King, the fries are better there. 

Huge thanks to Jake Cooper for the interview. 

Jaws' 'Be Slowly Tour Dates: 

15/09 The Haunt, Brighton

16/09 Exchange, Bristol

17/09 Bodega, Nottingham

18/09 McCluskys, Kingston

19/09 Garage, London

20/09 The Oobeleck, Birmingham

22/09 Deaf Institute, Manchester

23/09 Belgrave, Leeds

24/09 Think Tank, Newcastle

25/09 King Tuts, Glasgow

26/09 East Village Arts Centre, Liverpool

Purchase tickets via the link: http://www.musicglue.com/jaws/

Pre-order Jaws' debut album 'Be Slowly', released on the 15th September 2014, via the links:

iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/be-slowly/id881158737

Hard Copy - http://www.musicglue.com/jaws/

RIFFED x

RIFFED caught up with Michael Persall this week, the singer/songwriter from New York is set to release his 'This & That' EP this September and was willing to tell us a little about it. Although Michael Persall may be an unfamiliar name to many here, across the pond Persall is becoming a popular figure, don't be surprised if you hear his name being branded over here anytime soon. 

1 Who is Michael Persall?

I'm a 20 year old singer-songwriter living in New York City attending New York University. I'm from Carmel, California, and I'm pretty much like any other 20 year old you'll find. Love playing and watching sports when I'm not writing or gigging.

2 You're releasing your 'This & That' EP in September, tell us a little about this?

This is a project that I have been working on for about 6 months now. I began recording demos for it and wrote a ton of songs in the winter. I connected with my producer, Doug Schadt, in March, and since then we have been recording the songs and working on the production. The EP as a whole is really just based off of personal experiences, and sort of acts as a timeline for my life the past couple of years. I decided to title it "This & That," because I don't like super deep titles that no one understands. This & That is simple and pretty self-explanatory.

3 We are from the UK, any plans to tour over here?

I was just over there actually last week! I definitely plan on coming back this year and maybe for an extended period of time next summer.

4 Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

In five years I expect to be a very successful touring and recording artist while also working consistently as a songwriter for other artists.

5 What's next for Michael Persall?

After releasing this EP in September, I'll make a video for each song and gig throughout the fall to promote it. I'll also start recording the following EP in the Fall and early winter to release sometime shortly after the new year.

Big thanks to Michael Persall for the interview. 

Listen to Michael Persall via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/michaelpersall and Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelPersall

Follow Michael Persall on Twitter: @MichaelPersall / https://twitter.com/MichaelPersall

And

Like him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelpersall

Visit Michael Persall's official webpage: http://www.michaelpersall.com/

RIFFED x

Morrissey's so called return to the scene this week with his latest album, 'World Peace Is None Of Your Business', has earned the former Smiths frontman the number two slot in this weeks official album chart, narrowly losing out to Ed Sheeran's 'x', which claimed this weeks number one slot. 

'@itsmorrissey' may not have been the controversial singer/songwriter, but 'World Peace Is None Of Your Business' certainly is. Another classic from the king of doom-and-gloom, on his 'return', although many feel as though he never went away. Popular track 'Istanbul' attracted the punters prior to the release of the iconic Mancs 10th solo album, but there appeared to be more punters for Ed Sheeran's latest album, 'x', this week, as once again the 'most influential man in black and urban music' tops the album chart for the fourth consecutive week this evening. 

RIFFED x