The UK's Best New Band: HMLTD

Amongst the constant barrage of arty London, flash in the pan style bands, stand HMLTD. Perhaps it is the extremely polarising nature of HMLTD that makes them seem so genuine. A London based six piece channelling the spirit of a rabid and deranged Adam Ant crossed with the feral attitude of Johnny Rotten. Despite only being together for a year the band have caused quite a buzz all over the country. Refusing to compromise on any small point of artistic integrity has caused the bands live shows to become quite an infamous event. The band also still remain shrouded in mystery, only four songs are available online with each song seeming to breakout of the boundaries of musical genre, ranging from glam to post punk to dubstep.

The band’s first singles (‘Stained’ and ‘Is This What You Wanted?’) were released simultaneously and couldn’t sound more different but at the same time still fit the band’s zany and eccentric style. HMLTD are more than a band, they prefer to think of themselves as an art project similar to the ideologies of a young Velvet Underground and you can see what they mean, they’re music videos are quite a spectacle. The music video to ‘Stained’ is quite a gory traumatising experience of blood, guts and general strange things going on and the video for the new single ‘To the Door’, features some strange neo cowboy epic with a lot of blood and ghosts. 

The future looks bright for HMLTD, boasting appearances this summer at Live at Leeds, End of The Road and The Great Escape festivals. It truly looks like they’re a band that are managing to surface within the bland, boring and unoriginal music that a lot of London bands seem to be churning out recently. With bands like Fat White Family, Savages and Girl Band bringing back the spirit of punk over the last few years, it looks like HMLTD might be the band to change the norm and throw a huge splash of red paint on the UK music scene.

 

Fat White Family Interview

In a time of oppressive government, music always fights back. Fat White Family are a band leading that would be revolution. On their debut album Champagne Holocaust they brought a new mood to music, they became the flag bearers for this new wave of music that has since emerged. After releasing their second album Songs for our Mothers last year I spoke to Lias from the band to see whats happening next.


Q: Fat White Family have a reputation for being overly eccentric and wild during live performances, do you feel a level of pressure from fans to put on an eventful life show?

A: It depends entirely on the setting, mood, relevant level of exhaustion with regards to how long we've been touring and what carry on went on the night before, but generally, I find it extremely cathartic to perform in said manner. You spend along time waiting for an audience, once one finally shows up theres always a way of tucking into the energy they bring with them.

Fat Whites have became infamous for their energetic live performances

Q: Do you find it easy to put across the energy from your live shows when you're in the studio recording?

A: Our studio practice has always been somewhat removed from what we do live, in my opinion sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. They are two separate mediums in so many ways, all the ritualistic elements of a live gathering are stripped bare, there are however a lot more knobs to play with in the studio. It's a work in progress.


Q: Does your level of success as a band surprise you considering the content of your material and the sometimes taboo subjects your songs are about?

A: Now that I see a flurry of bands creeping out of the woodwork, signing proper deals, bands that seem to riff on what we were trying to achieve it doesn't surprise me as much as it used to. Things were ready for a bit of a shake up, that seems pretty clear. That being said I wouldn't mind a few more quid in my pocket for all the hassle it's been dragging our corpses band and forth across the globe.


Q: Are there any Fat Whites songs you particularly love or hate to play live?

A: I love performing all of our songs, I couldn't do it if it bored me.

Fat Whites debut album

Q: I know you've got stuff with the Moonlandingz coming up but whats next for Fat Whites?

A: We have just signed a new record deal with Domino and are moving to Sheffield to begin work on the third album, expect industrial pop, psychobilly, celtic balladry and lounge.

Live Review - Girl Band + Goat Girl

Last night I attended my first gig of the year at my favourite venue, the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, seeing Girl Band with support from Goat Girl. I managed to catch Girl Band live at Field Day in London last year so I knew in advance that the show was going to high energy from the get go, plus the idea of seeing them in such a small venue just added to the anticipation.

But first Goat Girl, an all female four piece from South London who recently signed to Rough Trade. Prior to the gig I'd only ever heard a couple of songs by Goat Girl, the bands two singles Country Sleaze and Scum which I've had on repeat the last couple of months, so I was intrigued to see the band play a full set. As far as song quality goes, they knocked it out of the park, each song more memorable than the last, however it is the two singles that get the biggest reaction from the crowd. Each songs feels short, snappy and angry. The only negative was that the bands stage presence felt like they were purposely distancing themselves from the crowd, that being said Goat Girl seem like a band who could be destined for big things.

Goat Girl

Half an hour later, Girl Band take to the stage, kicking of the set with fan favourite Paul, things quickly get loud. It really feels like Girl Band are such a one of a kind band, the level of aggression the band put across combined with the unusual way they play their instruments (On a couple of occasions the bassist played with a beer bottle) really makes their live shows something special. The band played for just over an hour only stopping for lead singer Dara Kiely to joke with the audience about ex Leeds United players, there was never a moment where the band didn't completely own the crowd. Big songs such as Pears For Lunch and Lawman where highlights of the set and the band ending on their cover of Why They Hide Their Bodies Under My Garage got the biggest crowd reaction of the night. I urge everyone to go see this band live.

Girl Band

Crywank Interview

The brain child of James Clayton, Crywank formed in 2009 and have managed to collect an ever growing fan base. The band specialises in sad and honest songs played on acoustic guitar. After a great year for the band which has seen them massively increase in popularity, I spoke to James to discuss Crywank. 

Q - How do you describe your own genre?

A - I struggle to put Crywank into a genre. I could tell you the genres of music that influenced me most when I started Crywank, but I'm sure those musicians probably don't define too closely to a genre. I sort of just see myself as someone who writes music on an acoustic guitar and Dan does percussion along with it. Since Dan has moved on to a full kit our live sound has changed a lot more. A lot of people say folk punk but as a genre term it comes with a lot of tropes of it's own which I'd hope wouldn't apply to us. I'd say we where more 'punk folk' than 'folk punk' if that makes sense.


Q - Why did you start Crywank? And what are you aims for the project? 

A - It just started as catharsis. I had a lot of ideas in my head that I had no way of getting out. I didn't expect it to ever go as far as it did, I just wanted to try and start making music and didn't really care anymore if anybody laughed at me even though I wasn't all that great. Now I just want to try and tour, travel and record as much as I can. I still have a lot of ideas trapped in my head that I want to get out in some way.


Q -  Any highlights from this year considering how much your music has been blowing up? 

A - This year has been somewhat of a blur for me. I'm just happy the album got out and that people seemed to enjoy it. I'm happy we're playing more shows again. I don't really know about 2016 as a year. A lot of personal issues and obvious global issues sort of punctuated more than any success with my band.  We've received a lot more attention online which has been great and a lot of fun to read (especially the fan art and memes), it's all been on message boards and blogs ran by individuals, the music press is still yet to recognise our existence. I'm a lot more excited about 2017 than I am nostalgic for 2016.

Q - Where did the name come from?

A - It was a nickname I was given by an old friend. The more I thought about it the more I liked it. It links in with 'le petit mort', it's a pun on the term tearjerk, and I think it's both philosophically and emotionally challenging whilst also being juvenile and puerile, which I guess is sort of the ethos of the band. 

Q -  What is your favourite Crywank release so far? 

A - We have a few bootlegs we have at shows which are just CD-Rs of weird demos we did which we only trade for weed. This has proved helpful with getting weed when we're far from home. I think they're pretty cool though. I'm really proud of tomorrow is nearly yesterday. I was proud to have made the first two albums, but I also have a weird cringy relationship with them when I look back on them. Even though TINYAEIS is maybe a bit too blunt or cheesy at points, it was the first time I felt really proud of an album. Like I'd made something way beyond what I ever thought I could. The first two albums felt like preparation and TINYAEIS was me putting all I could into an album.

'Tomorrow is Nearly Yesterday and Everyday
is Stupid' album cover.

Q - Your favourite songs to perform live? 

A - I like playing Crywank are posers a bunch. I am in great pain please help me is also a lot of fun live. They both sound pretty different to recording when we do them live now. Dan does some blasts in I am in great pain, and he goes a lot heavier on the drums in 'Crywank are posers'. They're the two that make me want to wiggle the most when I play.

Q - What are your plans for 2017? 

A - Release another album. Tour Ireland. Tour the UK. Tour Europe. Tour outside Europe. Release a music video. Record and release a live album. Write album 6. I've just left my job and house to throw myself into the band full time. I'm currently couch surfing and just trying to get everything to do with Crywank organised. It's all a bit of a mess. I don't have files or press releases on a computer and contacts to email or anything. I'm pretty useless in those areas, and i have a tonne of emails and messages on a variety of different social media platforms to respond to. pretty much all i'm trying to say is I intend to be more active. I've broken out of a routine to focus on nothing but this, so i really don't want to fuck it up.

Are We About to Experience a Punk Revival?

In a time where the music charts are dominated by radio friendly over produced junk it seems about time for the spirit of punk to once again rise up and force it's way into the mainstream. More and more bands are appearing and rebelling against the generic noise that is modern pop music.

It feels like the scene has been secretly growing for years, evolving without anyone noticing all across the country. Even a band like Slaves, who despite having an edge slightly too smooth to channel the true spirit of punk, are still pushing out angry and rebellious music to a mass audience.

Savages

We've seen bands such as Fat White Family, Eagulls, Savages, Drenge and Girl Band build up a fan base that would have never been possible 5 years ago. These bands have provided a refreshing alternative to the Mumford and Sons hangover that is current mainstream indie. There's only so much Bastille and The 1975 a person can take before the 'anarchy in the UK' attitude takes hold and we begin to long for the next Sid Vicious to appear and give the people a voice.

HMLTD

This year has seen yet more exciting new bands arrive within the scene, Goat Girl, HMLTD and Cabbage take centre stage and bring more frustration to a scene already brimming with anger. The working class is once again not represented by their government. The UK is ruled by oppressive Tory leadership, with a prime minister who deserves an Oscar for her perfect portrayal of Margaret Thatcher. Alternative music is reflecting that anger, as more and more bands with the true punk rock attitude appear and continue to gain popularity, it's hard not to feel like we're on the verge of something big.


I don't for a second believe any of these bands are ever going to have a number 1 single but I do believe they have enough momentum to cause a stir, to shake up society and give people an outlet to express their anger. Regardless of what happens it seems that alternative music once again has gained an edge, we once again live in a country that has a truly uncorrupt punk scene and perhaps it's best it stays under the mainstream's radar as to not to become another capitalist venture. All we can do however, is wait and see what happens but for the first time in a long time, alternative music is exciting again, it feels original and personal and really thats what music should be about.

The 30 Best Tracks of 2016

2016 hasn't been the best year for music, we've lost Bowie, Prince and recently Leonard Cohen to name just a few. Despite this, 2016 has seen the release of some amazing music. Here's my list of the top 30 songs of the year:


30) Die Antwoord - Banana Brain 

 From the album 'Mount Ninji and da Nice Time Kid'. Die Antwoord recently announced they were breaking up but this song shows they're going out with a bang.

29) The XX - On Hold

The first song The XX have released since 2012, this new release show the band going in a very different direction.

28) Loyle Carner - Stars & Shards

Loyle Carner has been called the next big thing and after a couple of successful releases in 2015 and this single from earlier on in the year, he just might be.

27) Honeyblood - Babes Never Die

Despite a line up change Honeyblood are back with a great new album With this song being the albums definite highlight.















26) Childish Gambino - Redbone

Childish Gambino's new album 'Awaken, My Love' dropped earlier this month with this piece of funk inspire hip hop track being the best on the album.
















25) Sleaford Mods - TCR

The title track from their 2016 EP, Sleaford Mod's continue to do what they do best, which is shout a lot.
















24) Bill Ryder Jones - Tell Me You Don't Love Me Watching

Coming from one of the best albums of the year, Bill Ryder Jones delivers one of the years most beautiful songs with Tell Me You Don't Love Me Watching.

23) Slaves - Consume Or Be Consumed

Featuring Mike D of the Beastie Boys, this song shows Slaves are still their angry selves.

22) Radiohead - Burn The Witch

Radiohead's 'A Moon Shaped Pool' dropped this year and was a refreshing change from their disappointing last few albums.

21) The Growlers - City Club

This funky track from their album 'City Club' is a refreshing change from their earlier material.

20) Mystery Jets - Bubblegum

The indie pop masters are back with new album 'Curve of The Earth' in which they prove they've still got it.

19) Yeasayer - Silly Me

The third and best song from Yeasayers new album 'Amen & Goodbye'.

18) The Avalanches - Frankie Sinatra 

The band's first release in 15 years, this exciting single certainly lives up to their debut album.

17) PUP - If This Tour Doesn't Kill You I Will

Canadian 4 piece PUP's second album 'The Dream is Over' shows the band at their finest. This track shows an honest insight to the strains that are put on inter band relationships.

16) Whitney - No Woman

The standout track from Whitney's debut album 'Light UponThe Lake'.

15) Hinds - Chilli Town 

Hinds' album 'Leave Me Alone' was released earlier this year and Chilli Town is 3:11 of jangling guitars and poppy vocal lines.

14) Kendrick Lamar - Untitled 02 06.23.2014.

Kendrick's 'Untitled Unmastered' was one of the best releases of the year, this song however was clearly the best track on the album.

13) Allusondrugs - Good People

This catchy track sounds almost like a poppy Marilyn Manson. Allusondrugs are definitley going to be a force to be reckoned with.

12) Cabbage - Dinner Lady 

Tipped to be the next big thing, Cabbage's insane live shows and a collection of brilliant singles show they're ready to blow up at any minute.

11) Leonard Cohen - You Want It Darker

Released just before his unfortunate death, Leonard Cohen leaves us all with a brilliant collection of new songs and this track is the best of them all.

10) SWMRS - Miley

This poppy track about Miley Cyrus from SWMRS' debut album 'Drive North' is the most catchy song you'll hear this year.

9) King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard - Robot Stop

A band that seem to change genre and release a new album every month, this song from their album 'Nonagon Infinity' shows how talented this band truly are.

8) Temples - Certainty 

This new release from Temples shows a slight change in style and if this song is a sign of their new direction then we could be about to get some great new music.

7) Skepta - Man

Skepta seems to be the leading force in this years grime revival but with his brilliant album Konnichiwa its not hard to see why. This song features a sample from a Queens of The Stone Age track too.

6) PUP - DVP

The only band to feature on my list twice this fast and fierce track from the band might be their best yet.

5) Parquet Courts - Human Performance 

Parquet Courts' fifth album is definitley their best yet and the title track is a perfect example of how great a band they are.

4) Kanye West - Ultralight Beam

The first track on Kanye's controversial The Life Of Pablo, this song shows Kanye at his most creative.

3) Fat White Family - Breaking Into Aldi

This single shows Fat White Family at their rawest. The band have recently gone on a sort of hiatus but have assured fans they'll be recording their third album very soon.

2) Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Rings Of Saturn

Nick Cave's first release since the recent death of his son, it's his most personal album to date with Rings of Saturn standing out as the most honest song on the album.

1) Savages - Adore

My song of the year, this incredible track from Savages which comes from their second album 'Adore Life'.

You can listen to all the songs above in my Spotify playlist.
Top 30 tracks Spotify playlist.

What are Sleaford Mod's all about?

Sleaford Mod's seem to be everywhere over the last year, with their name seeming to appear on every festival line up in the country over Summer and an ever growing vocal fan base, they're here whether you like it or not.

When I first heard of them I have to admit I wasn't impressed, I wrote them off almost immediately as a couple of middle aged, Oasis fans who appear to be undergoing some harrowing mid life crisis and attempting to be down with the kids. After that I pretty much ignored their existance and had no intention of ever trying to listen to them again.

Jobseekers

It wasn't until I by chance caught them performing their track 'Jobseeker' on Jools Holland, a song which I now think is brilliant, that I began to change my opinion. Their live performance was so strange, like nothing I'd ever seen before, I felt like I started to understand what they were trying to do although I wasn't sure if they were achieving it.

In June this year I attended Field Day festival in London and got the chance to see the band live. It was at this point my opinion on the band completely changed, the live energy they had was incredible, the whole atmosphere of the tent was amazing and the lyrics I once saw as lazy and out of touch seemed to become clever, funny, witty and relevant. They owned their set and I was left feeling in awe. I think at this point I began to see the band as something more, they no longer were 2 men who looked like they would be best at home at a Stone Roses concert. Instead they became a piece of art, a satirical social commentary on the working class lifestyle. The elements of post punk and spoken word complementing each other perfectly to form this exhibit of raw wit.

It doesn't stop there either, the band are continuining to release great material, take their latest release TCR for example. This release is 5 songs of poetic pure energy throughout, and with songs entitled things like 'Britian Thirst' it almost becomes impossible to resist they charm they have.

Of course I could be completely wrong and maybe they are just a couple of mod's who just really enjoy shouting but regardless of this I can safely say that I'm converted and a definite fan. So if you like me have wrote of Sleaford Mod's, I urge you to give them another listen and try to look at them in a different light, they might surprise you.

Check this out - Jobseeker live on Jools Holland