Max Jury

Max Jury hails from Des Moines in Iowa. On the limited evidence he has supplied, seems set on providing another chapter in the great US songbook. The eclectic mix of rock, folks, soul and country is channelled through classic acts of those genres but Jury’s identity holds firm.

Expect to see this young man winning over unsuspecting crowds all summer on the festival circuit.

Beg & Crawl

The craftsmanship here, wow, it’s something to expect of seasoned musicians. Not, of a 21 year old. The blend of pop via folk is approaching the bracket of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’. It begs only one question, how dare he be so good so soon?

The intricate use of piano parts and faded vocals serve the joyous melody perfectly. Expect this to ringing out of every radio station this summer!

Standing On My Own

The video reflects all the influences that have gone into forming this heartfelt soul via country record. The heartbreak of country music comes via aching guitars and the lyrics of a damaged soul trying “to block out the sun”.

The use of brass, gives our hero a level defiance that makes you root for him. A simple storytelling tool but one only the masterful often deploy.  

It showcases the up and down emotions of post break up life. Couple this with some high pitch Curtis Mayfield vocals and Jury is most definitely winning.

Cabbage

Who?

Lee Broadbent -Vox 

Joe Martin-Vox/guitar

Eoghan Clifford-Guitar

Ste Evans-Bass

Asa Morley-Drums

The Manchester 5 piece are making huge inroads in 2016 with their post-punk anthems, having played a session for Marc Riley and being championed by John Kennedy.

Here is our track by track rundown of their EP LE Chou, a perfect taste of what they are all about.

Kevin

What a great single this is. It seemingly does whatever the chuff it wants. It draws the listener in to their crazed world immediately and holds you in a blissful state of chaos.

Coming in under the three minute mark is remarkable considering how much is going on. Post punk via the Sonics via T-rex. It’s a brutal assault with great melodies fighting their way out.

Dinner Lady

The first glimpse at their scathing political tongue with jibes at private school kids. Jeremy hardy will lap up the hilarious lines:

“I politely inform her that we’re all out of chips / She gives me a glare / as I bite my fingertips /  I offer new potatoes / And she absolutely flips”

It opens with an aggressive funky guitar riff reminiscent of Fat White Family. It serves Joe Martin’s laconic and venomous vocals perfectly, allowing each verse to build towards an explosive end.

This is juvenile, puerile and brilliant. Just don’t eat their quiche!!!!!

Contactless Payment

Again, the humour is rife, as the protagonist wants to return to the pub to drink and share way too much to the staff:

“don’t worry mate you’re not barred / but you are restricted / to the blues you inflicted / to various members of staff”

The hilarious depression continues with:

“I’ll be feeling sorry / watching Corry with a microwave curry”

Modern Lovers’ Jonathon Richman’s unique vocal style gave him an aloofness and coolness few could touch. Martin has this about his him as well but with a wryness and sarcasm of Irvine Welsh’s character Renton. A fine combination.

Austerity Languish

TT wouldn’t be surprised to learn they are fans of Blur’s ‘Modern Life Is Rubbish’ based on this song. It has the fiery guitars and abrasive lyrics of ‘Advert’ whilst maintaining the pop hooks of ‘Colin Zeal’.

Their style takes them towards punk and 60s garage music rather than Blur’s punk via Kinks style, but, the spirit of using their influences as a framework to embed their humorous ‘fuck you’ attitude towards life is similar. In an era of such bland identities within bands in the UK, this injection of spirit and insolence is gladly welcomed.

White Noise

This is by far, the longest track on the EP. It is also the most interesting musically. The immediacy of youth culture and anarchic pop songs are replaced with a softer spoken word vocal. It allows for a more thoughtful take on how music will get them through this Tory government.

It takes four minutes for it to truly erupt and it is well worth the wait. There is a sense of excruciating pain and vitriolic resentment spewing Broadbent’s shrieks and Joe Martin and Eoghan Clifford’s superb howling guitars. It is a desperate sound compelling music lovers to pay attention.

Le Chou is available to buy here:

http://ahcabbage.bandcamp.com/album/le-chou

Shock Machine

Jamie Righton, one half of the pioneering Klaxons, has launched his new project Shock Machine. The first song available on Spotify is of the same title and will appear on the EP ‘Open Up The Sky’. 

The laissez faire opening channels the Electronic classic, ‘Getting Away With It’ via prog. It’s lightness of touch and angelic vocals thankfully, keep this away from the banal end of prog. 

Righton’s new moniker poses two questions within the song: 

1. Will follow you me to the Shock Machine?

2. Do we need the Shock Machine?  

In short, yes and no. The Klaxons' genre busting nu-rave anthems in ones life was so necessary it felt worthy of dying for. It was something Righton should always be proud of. However, now, he is just making good music to be enjoyed. It sounds like a come down, and in essence, it is. Nevertheless, Shock Machine are something to be curious about and shall be watched with great anticipation. 

Ocean Flaws

Ocean Flaws are a four piece from Brentwood in Essex. Forget the connotations this may bring, they are a band of substance.

They released their debut EP 'Dancing To The Fear' this year and here is our take on it:

Intro

Any intro or opening track should lay the ground work for what is to come and this does just that. It might only be a minute long but the indie-pysche of The Verve circa 'Storm In Heaven' shines through and establishes what Ocean Flaws are about.

Mojo

Singer Callum Quirk lays down a solid marker for iconic frontman vocals here. The angelic nature of Liam Gallagher combines with slight spikiness of Cast's John Power. Like John Power, Quirk is key to the melody which allows guitarists Hamish Monk and Sean Heaney to take us on a trip.

The main guitar riff loops through 'Mojo' inspired by a young Nick McCabe. It has a perpetual feeling which swirls its way to euphoria during the chorus. Not content with this, there are sublime slices of bugged out guitar parts throughout this track. They give this anthem a depth and prove this is not a band looking for a quick and shallow route to the top.

Like A Fool

Much has been made of Aussie band The DMA's evoking the spirit of Britpop lately, well, 'Like A Fool' falls into this category too, for all the right reasons.

There is an honesty and earnestness to the vocals which will allow this track to succed in a pub or an academy venue. The big singalong moments in the chorus are set to unite all those that listen at their gigs.

Again Monk and Heaney combine to take this track from Radio X filler to something more interesting. The big riffs are in place to reel in the masses but, its in the quieter guitar moments and the lyrics, that a level of self-doubt and fragility emerge. This keeps the band interesting and human, not everyone can or should have Oasis levels of confidence (if only someone told Menswear).

Dancing To The Fear

The early spaced out vibe of The Verve is on show once more, whilst Quirk's vocals sit somewhere between Miles Kane and Blossom's Tom Ogden. This blend builds slowly to deliver a storm of aggression, psyche and pop music. Ocean Flaws have the Echo & The Bunnymen knack of pulling together dangerous and accessible sounds all at once.

Silver Screen

'Silver Screen' feels like an anomaly sonically. It has a great Foals groove to it but lacks the edge of the previous tracks. 'Mojo' and 'Dancing To The Fear' work because of the pop sensibilities clashing with the creative guitar parts. Here however, they feel a bit one dimensional and it's a humbling you wont be expecting.

Nevertheless, these are fledgling days for Ocean Flaws and they have an EP under the belt of significant quality.

Skinny Girl Diet

Skinny Girl Diet are a 3 piece from south London who look set for a breakthrough year in 2016. The family outfit are made up of Delilah (singer / guitarist) and Ursula Holiday (drums) and their cousin Amelia Cutler (bassist).

They have harnessed a visceral sound with roots in Siouxsie Sioux, Hole and the ‘Riot Grrrl’ scene from the 90s. However, listen to their podcast with Radio X’s John Kennedy and their wit, charm and intelligence give them far more dimensions.

https://player.fm/series/john-kennedys-x-posure-podcast/episode-187-skinny-girl-diet

They released the EP ‘Reclaim Yourself’ in October last year to critical acclaim and its not hard to see why. ‘Fix Me’ is an onslaught of grunge and punk rock telling the tale of someone piecing their life back together.

Their punk rock ethics and sound are to be seen in all their glory on the ferocious 'Silver Spoon'. It’s a polemic we have heard before but sadly, in today's society its one that's needed more than ever. Attacking a Tory government maybe easy pickings but offering hope to those who think a dead end job awaits should be lauded. 

The She Devils

Audrey Ann & Kyle Jukka form this exciting band from Montreal. Their new EP is just under a week away from release and here is TT's take on what they have done so far.

Come

The Bo Diddley riff in a warped My Bloody Valentine style is both hypnotic and disturbing which adds to their ever growing mystique.

Ann's vocals are a more sexually charged Nancy Sinatra on 'Bang Bang' crossed with the power and alluring charm of Nico on 'Femme Fatale'.

Where There's No One

Procol Harum's classic Hammond hook on 'Whiter Shade Of Pale' can clearly be heard on this simple two chord gem. The fuzzed out guitars and the swirling production give this track a depth and richness which you wont want to end.

The pain and anguish Ann lays bare about her insecurities to her loved one is as beautiful as it is brutal. This is a remarkable feat of of song writing for people so young. The world is theirs to be conquered.  

https://she-devilsinc.bandcamp.com/releases