Bugeye - Ready Steady Bang

South East London’s Bugeye are set to release their debut album ‘Ready Steady Bang’ on July 10th. Produced by Paul Tipler (Idlewild/Elastica/Placebo), it will be available via Reckless Yes.

After their line-up changes and signing to Reckless Yes, their quality levels soared. They began taking risks in the studio with Tipler and, they went from a band who worth a trip to Camden to, one with an eagerly anticipated album.

Staying true to themselves, their archetypal sound remains the bedrock of this album. Former single ‘Don’t Stop’ takes the fury of The Pixies and the pop of Blondie on what is, the definition of a sexy as fuck record. ‘Breakdown’ and ‘Shake and Bake’ both open with the warped seaside synths of The Horrors’ ‘Primary Colours’ before descending into a tale of debauchery. Meanwhile, ‘Blue Fire’ collides the funk of Chic with the dirty garage rock of The Strokes

Despite the musical influences of the US flooding this record, there is something quintessentially English at play. Cynical and dark relationships with booze and partners are often at play. ‘When The Lights Go Out’ launches you into the middle of a tale of alcohol torment via Supergrass circa ‘Life On Other Planets’. ‘Nightlife’ is an unreleased Blur gem that swirls in the haze of weekend escape.

On ‘Sunday Monday’, they have added themselves to London’s pantheon of socially observant writers. The wit of Albarn, the integrity of Weller, and the effortless cool of Frischmann are all present on this instant classic.  

Often, debut albums are a myriad of influences and a sign of what is to come. Bugeye though, having been touring places like the Astoria since 1999. Despite the long hiatus, they have hit an undeniable groove that DM’s are begging to stomp along to.  

Bugeye – When The Lights Go Out

At the end of last month, London’s Bugeye, released their latest single ‘When The Lights Go Out’.  Reunited with Paul Tipler (Idlewild, Placebo, Elastica, LIINES) in the studio, the single is available via Reckless Yes and, will be followed shortly by their debut album ‘Ready Steady Bang’.

With the filth and sexiness of The Stooges in their hearts, Bugeye unleash a ravishing disco punk anthem. The quirks and class of peak Sleeper and ‘Modern Life Is Rubbish’ era Blur combine with their indomitable punk spirit.

They always had the feel of a band you would love live but, not necessarily buy the record. Here, they have shown just what risk taking pioneers they are and, can go on to be.

The hugely anticipated debut is due out 10th July. Not to be missed.

Bugeye – Don’t Stop

For a few years now, Bugeye have been lighting up the underground with their brand of disco punk. Now signed to Reckless Yes, the debut album is finally coming. First up though is, lead single ‘Don’t Stop’, out now. .

Evidently, they have not felt one ounce of pressure signing to a label and recording the debut album. ‘Don’t Stop’ has retained everything that makes them great live. The sexiness and danger of the Pixies and Blondie remains strong.

This isn’t the status quo though, working with Paul Tipler has paid dividends. Not only is it the perfect fit, Tipler having recorded with Elastica and Idlewild. The disco production alongside their stomping punk will make them major players sooner rather than later.

Like all great pop singles, there is something dark lurking behind the music you’re dancing and singing to. ‘Don’t Stop’ examines alcohol abuse, through the prism of regret and hopefully woeful promises to change. It’s an awkward listen for anyone unwilling to dissect alcohol’s influence and for that, it should be truly lauded.

On this showing, the debut album cannot come soon enough.

MOSES – Basically

At the end of February, MOSES stepped out of the studio with Gavin Monaghan once more. The results:

Art work by Ana Ban Ana. The 8th collaboration between the two.

Guitar hooks.

Bass hooks.

Vocal hooks.

This is alt-pop music. Except, it isn’t! BBC6 has become too middle aged and Radio X, well, outside of the Gordon Smart and John Kennedy, we have no idea what they’re attempting. They need shaking by the young working classes.

MOSES, for 2 years have sought to bring people together with songs of solidarity and love. For the first time lyrically, they strike out. Taking aim at society’s trolls, they place the target firmly on themselves and, for the want of better words shout:

“come and have a go if you think your hard enough”.

MOSES have hit upon their greatest bass line to date. Funky punk grooves pave the way for frontman, Victor, to sprinkle his unique vocal magic over.

The la la la’s and the yeah yeah yeah’s are begging to howled back at the band on their upcoming headline shows at Lending Room March 28th (Leeds) and ULU April 11th (London).

*Image courtesy of Mike Rădulescu

Echolines – Imagination Stranger

Fresh from supporting the glorious Bugeye, Newcastle Upon Tyne's Echolines are gearing up for the release of their new single. 'Imagination Stranger' will be available from the 1st March via 6Not4 Records.

Vocally, Charlie Richardson embodies the pop spirit of 80s cult hero Ian Hodgson (Bradford) on their classic 'Gang Of One'. Meanwhile, the sparkling synths and shimmering guitars ebb and flow from sun kissed New Order to the C86 movement.

Lyrically, it recalls the call to action of The Specials 'Rat Race' or The Enemy's 'Away From Here' but, from a more subtle pop laden position. The spiky reflection on society's mindless obsessions feels perfectly timed in these fractious times.

*Artwork courtesy of VanGoth

Twist Helix - Ouseburn

Based in Newcastle, Twist Helix have been at the of North East’s burgeoning DIY since their debut album was released last October. Having been tipped off about them by the glorious Bugeye, we decided to delve into the album.

Concept albums are always a bold move. Many fall by the wayside. So, it comes as quite the shock to see one on a debut album. Nevertheless, tired of clichés such as “a city in decline” and “people left behind”, Twist Helix have shone a light on the artistic undercurrent of the city.

Former singles 'Newcastle' and 'Ouseburn', although local in content, will pull in like-minded souls from pockets of cities and seaside towns that artists have bred life into (Southend and Hastings for examples). 'Ouseburn', sparkles with synth pop a la Passion Pit circa 'Manners' as it meanders its way like the Tyne & Weir river.

‘Newcastle’ though, is a clarion call to all those who thought they were alone in believing their town or city is more than what their told it is. It opens with perhaps the most defiant and inspiring opening line of an album in recent years: 

“This city is not sleeping / It’s dreaming”

It's not all shades of light though. 'Little Buildings' and 'Collapse', demonstrate the sense of loss that has penetrated the social conscious of places like Newcastle in recent times. Unlike blow hard social commentators, they’ve tapped into a spirit and a feeling that paints pictures of both rage and hope. The courage to bring a poetic soul to a fight the rich will resonate the length of breadth of the UK.

Former single 'Graphite' signifies a future beyond their local horizons. Musically, it combines pop dynamism of X Ray Spex with the finer exponents of indie-electronica of the late 00s (Reverend & The Makers, Sunshine Underground). Something bigger beckons for them here.

When you look at the recent success of Zola Jesus or Austra, the festival circuit could be great for Twist Helix this year.

*Image courtesy of Paul Black Music

Bugeye - Disco Dancer

Croydon outfit Bugeye, now a four piece since, have been working with Paul Tipler (Placebo, Idlewild, Stereolab) on their new single ‘Disco Dancer’.

Razor sharp basslines and highly sexed guitar riffs, this is a alt-pop anthem to conjure images of post-punk at CBGB’s in its late 70s/early 80s heyday. We defy you to not dance in the mirror at home to these licks!

The merging of Blondie’s funk and Elastica’s aggression feels a natural home for Bugeye and one they can expand upon to even greater things.

*Image courtesy of Stuart Bennett (Deacon Communication)