29/02/2012

Album Review: Ting Tings

sounds from nowheresville (sony)


The Ting Tings are a male/female duo, much like the White Stripes. Between them they play drums and have a guitarist who sings, much like the White Stripes. Jules De Martino and Katie White (could be in the White Stripes with a name like that) formed the Ting Tings in 2006, and had released their debut single That’s Not My Name in the Spring of 2007.


Album Review: Bleeding Knees Club

nothing to do (i oh you/liberation)


Hailing from Queensland Australia, Bleeding Knees Club play a mixture of explosive, two-minute garage-rock anthems oozing bucket loads of raw energy, teen angst and pubescent punk petulance.


NME Awards To Take Place Tonight

The 2012 NME Awards will take place tonight (February 29th) at London's O2 Academy Brixton.


The event is set to feature live performances from The Maccabees, Kasabian and The Vaccines, with a very special collaboration being performed by The Horrors and Florence And The Machine. Noel Gallagher (also playing live) has been selected to receive the Godlike Genius Award and Pulp, who will receive this year's Teenage Cancer Trust Outstanding Contribution To Music Award, are making their live comeback at the ceremony.


Among some of the artists nominated for awards tonight, are Arctic Monkeys, Muse, Hurts, Lana Del Rey, The Vaccines and Odd Future, with Arctic Monkeys going head to head with Kasabian, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Horrors and Muse for the Best British Band award. Breakthrough acts such as Lana Del Rey, Tribes, The Vaccines, WU LYF and Foster The People are all up for the Best New Band category.


NME will be coming live from O2 Academy Brixton throughout the ceremony and NME will be live blogging the whole event. Check NME.COM from 6pm tonight to follow all the action. To watch the 2012 NME Awards in full, tune in to Channel 4 on Saturday night (March 3) at 11.55pm (GMT).


28/02/2012

On The Radar 28/02/12

A selection of new tracks comprising this week's 'Staff Picks' from the Gigseen TV office ... New music featuring from Sly and Reggie, Esbe and Jenova 7, Heartless Bastards, Gregory Porter and Grimes.

My Teenage Years Through Tickets

I recently stumbled across my collection of gig tickets representing nearly every concert I've been to. They're musty, crumpled and faded, and that's why I love them. Each one has a story or memory attached and chronologically lays out my musical tastes over the years...good or bad.

Rocket Juice And The Moon's First Single

Rocketjuice And The Moon, the new project featuring Damon Albarn, Flea and Tony Allen, have unveiled their first single, Hey Shooter.


The track features singer-songwriter, Erykah Badu, and is the first to be revealed from the band's self-titled debut album, due for release on March the 26th. Albarn first began work on the eponymous LP with the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist and The Good, The Bad & The Queen drummer in 2008 when they met on a flight to Lagos, Nigeria.


Recorded in Albarn's Studio 13 in London, the album also features collaborations with Malian singer, Fatoumata Diawara, Ghanian rapper M. anifest and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. Hey Shooter is just one of eighteen tracks on the record, which the band first debuted at a show at the Barbican, London, in October last year.


Have a listen below:



Hole Guitarist To Release Kurt Cobain Book

Hole's co-founder, Eric Erlandson, has announced a book tribute to Kurt Cobain, published without the permission or co-operation of Courtney Love.


Titled, Letters To Kurt, the book is composed of prose and poetry; a collection of 52 chapters reflecting on rock'n'roll, drug abuse and the death of Cobain, and will be released by Akashic Books on the 8th of April - eighteen years after the Nirvana frontman's suicide.


"I never mentioned to [Courtney] that I had written the book, [but] I'm sure she's heard of it now. I had a lot of hesitation, [But] at some point [the book] just started to click and I started to honour it ... It just came out of me."


The relationship between Erlandson and Love is still somewhat difficult. The guitarist was not brought back into the band when Love resurrected Hole back in 2009. Although Love has recently dismissed the idea of a Hole reunion tour, Erlandson later revealed that Love was asking him to play with her, but he's "just not thinking that way". He also said that his interactions with Love follow the same well-worn patterns: "I felt like there was no transformation in our relationship at all. So that kind of worked its way into the book."


Radiohead Debut Two New Tracks

Radiohead debuted two new songs during the first show of their 2012 world tour in Miami last night (February 27th).


In support of their new album, The King Of Limbs, kicked off their 2012 tour at Miami's American Airlines Arena and showcased two new tracks, Identikit and Cut A Hole during their set.




Drawing heavily from The King Of Limbs' track listing, the set-list was a whopping 24-tracks strong. Radiohead also played the rarely aired, Meeting In The Aisle, from their I Might Be Wrong EP.


The band have also booked various European shows and are preparing for a number of festival appearances throughout the summer, including slots at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Fuji Rock Festival and Bilbao BBK Live festival. Radiohead are set to be confirming UK dates in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled.


27/02/2012

Live Review: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

Last night we went on a little office outing to The 02 Arena for what we will probably claim to be one of the best gigs of 2012.


Coming Up This Week

The full run-down of what's happening in the world of upcoming live listings, new CD/DVD releases and the schedule for new additions to Gigseen's video portfolio, including our free-to-view 'Gig of the Week'.

Gig Of The Week: Travis

Live At The Palace [2003, 1h 56m]
~ watch now ~

A special sell out show in front of over 8000 people on December 20th 2003 at London’s Alexandra Palace, captures Travis at their dynamic best - a full 22 songs providing the soundtrack for an evening not to be forgotten.

Muse Bring Out The Brass Section

Muse have stated that they intend to use a horn section on their next album. Currently recording their sixth studio album in Los Angeles, the band posted photos of "some legendary players" on their Twitter account.


On Twitter over the weekend they let fans know about "The amazing brass from last night. More horns today" and later posted "just done some more horns with some legendary players".


Come Sunday and the message was:


"Now some strings. This album is coming along nicely. Bring on autumn."



Having a horn section fits with what's been heard so far of Muse's latest material. In December Chris Wolstenholme said the album would be "something radically different".


The band has been working hard on the record with arranger, composer and conductor David Campbell, who has previously worked on Death Magnetic for Metallica, These Days for Bon Jovi and Fallen for Evanescence. The new album should be set for release in/by October of this year.


'R U Mine?' Video Released By Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys have released a brand new track R U Mine? online via YouTube.


R U Mine?, which does not come from last LP, the band's 2011 fourth album Suck It And See, was posted online in the early hours of this morning (February 27th), with no details as to a single release plan alongside it. So for now, class as a 'one-off'.


The video sees the Sheffield four-piece drive around in a car while R U Mine? is given its radio debut on US station KROQ.



The band had said that they were planning to release "a new tune" before they undertake a tour across North America in support of The Black Keys. Presumably this is what was intended.


UK Arena Tour For Guns N' Roses In May

Guns N' Roses today announce seven dates in an 'arena' tour of the UK this coming May, as part of a larger European venture.


The dates begin at Nottingham's Capital FM Arena on May 19th and run through until May 31st when the band will headline London's O2 Arena.


Recent news of G N'R's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame remains vague as to whether the 'classic' line-up of the band will actually be performing at the ceremony, due for April 17th in Cleveland. Other inductees this year include Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Faces/Small Faces.


UK Tour Dates:


  • Nottingham Capital FM Arena (May 19)
  • Liverpool Echo Arena (20)
  • Newcastle Metro Radio Arena (23)
  • Glasgow SECC (25)
  • Birmingham LG Arena (26)
  • Manchester Evening News Arena (29)
  • London O2 Arena (31)


Tickets go onsale on Friday (March 3) at 9am (GMT).


26/02/2012

New Single 'Hey Jane' From Spiritualized

Last week saw the appearance of the first single, Hey Jane, from Spiritualized's upcoming seventh studio album; Sweet Heart Sweet Light (full release due April 16th). The first offering since 2008's Songs in A&E, Hey Jane once more brings the band's 'bluesrock-in-orbit' sound back into the light.

25/02/2012

Featured Music: Meredith Sheldon

Meredith Sheldon was a member of the Ben Taylor Band and Family of the Year. Now, she is not... Last month saw the release of this, her eponymously-titled first solo EP/mini-album via Bandcamp.


Having briefly covered her in a live support slot for The Lemonheads' gig down in Brighton back in December, it's good to finally have some recorded material to check out.

UK Tour and Album From Jimmy Cliff

Following a superb performance at the Glastonbury Festival last year, Jamaican legend Jimmy Cliff is scheduled to return to the UK playing London's indigO2 on May 18th and the Birmingham Ballroom on May 20th as part of a larger, worldwide tour in 2012.


The incredibly talented singer, songwriter, musician and actor, will be performing all of his greatest hits including You Can Get It If You Really Want, The Harder they Come and Many Rivers To Cross, all tracks from the cult classic movie (The Harder They Come) in which Cliff starred back in 1972. The shows precede the release of his much-anticipated new album RE.BIRTH which is set for release this summer.


A short trailer for the upcoming LP has been posted online, showing Cliff teaming up with producer Tim Armstrong - the Rancid frontman who has cited Cliff as his most admired artist.



Confirmed 2012 Tour Dates:


  • 14-17th March - SXSW, US
  • 13th April - COACHELLA, US
  • 20th April - COACHELLA, US
  • 18th May - IndigO2 at The O2 London, UK
  • 20th May - Ballroom, Birmingham, UK
  • 23rd May - Mawazine Festival, Rabat, Morocco
  • 25th May - Afro-Pfingsten Festival, Winterthur, Switzerland
  • 26th May - Bataclan, Paris, France


John Peel's Record Collection Archived

The legendary late BBC DJ John Peel's giant record collection is to be turned into an online museum, available to public browsing.


The NME reports that Arts Council England and the BBC will add his catalog, which numbers in the 25,000 LP and 40,000 singles range, and also includes artist and family member interviews, to a new digital service called 'The Space'.

24/02/2012

Hole: 1989 - 2002

It was on this day in 1992 that Kurt Cobain married Coutney Love in Waikiki, Hawaii. The press reported that the couple were expecting a baby on the 10th of September that year, and for a few months after their wedding, the couple were the king and queen of the new rock world. However, all that was soon to come crashing down in a messy spiral of hardcore drugs, alcohol and parental custody charges. We all know the rest..


Jack Bruce to Launch 'Spectrum Road' Supergroup

Jack Bruce, bassist from legendary seventies band Cream, has launched a new supergroup 'Spectrum Road'. Aimed at celebrating the work of deceased jazz drummer Tony Williams, Spectrum Road brings together the Scottish veteran and members of Living Colour, Santana and the trio Medeski Martin & Wood.


The initial line-up was formed under a different but somewhat self-explanatory name: the 'Tony Williams Lifetime Tribute'. Bruce had spent much of the 70s as a member of 'Lifetime', Williams's jazz-fusion ensemble, joining after Cream broke up. Williams died in 1997 and in the years following, Bruce discovered a fellow fan in guitarist Vernon Reid, from Living Colour. Now joined by pianist John Medeski and drummer Cindy Blackman-Santana, Carlos' wife, they have now recorded a debut album and booked a number of gigs for 2012.


Reid explained to Guitar Player magazine:


"The name 'Tony Williams Lifetime Tribute' was accurate in one sense ... but it was too limiting, We're more inspired by the spirit of Tony Williams ... It became important for this ensemble to have an identity of its own, and not for it to be tied or frozen by nostalgia for the past."


Spectrum Road's eponymous debut will be released independently via Palmetto Records on June 5th, four days before the group plays at the Bonnaroo Festival. Some preliminary live footage has already appeared on YouTube.



Scheduled to play the Montreal and North Sea jazz festivals, as well as Tennessee's Bonnaroo and further summer dates in San Francisco, New York and Perugia, they have yet to announce any British dates.


Noel Gallagher to Guest on Coldplay Album?

Noel Gallagher could possibly be set to make an appearance on Coldplay's next album.


The once-Oasis writer, guitarist and singer, was joined by Chris Martin onstage at this week's Brit Awards, when performing with his 'High Flying Birds' and seemingly has been asked by Coldplay to appear on their next studio effort.


A blogpost by one of Coldplay's 'roadies' on their website said:


"Noel stamps on a pedal and starts off a loop of glorious noise. Chris has his iPhone out to record it, excitedly proclaiming it the most amazing thing he's ever heard."

"Where it'll end up, I've no idea, but if it finds its way into a song, Noel could easily be playing on the next record."


At present, Gallagher is polishing off the last few dates of the UK leg of his tour, then heading out across Europe and the US, before returning to home soil for the summer festival season. Busy man ...


Upcoming Dates:


  • Friday 24.02.2012 - Glasgow, SECC Hall 4 (Tonight - Sold Out)
  • Sunday 26.02.2012 - London, The O2
  • Thurdsay 01.03.2012 - Birmingham, NIA (Sold Out)


23/02/2012

Profile: Van Susans

Van Susans are a Pop/Rock sextet residing in London's leafy suburbs. Consisting of Olly Andrews, Olly Groome, brothers Rob Dullaway, Ed Dullaway, Tim Dullaway and Holly McLatchie, the group have a burning passion for melodic harmonies and tales of love and heartbreak,

The Beatles Reveal ... Ringtones!

For more than a decade The Beatles have held out against allowing the creation of ringtones from their music. Now however, 27 of their top singles have been licensed for purchase as annoying, truncated mobile phone alerts.


The Beatles' 2000 compilation album 1, has been converted in its entirety into 30-second iTunes ringtones, the band announced this week. The set includes classics from Love Me Do to Paperback Writer, and includes Yellow Submarine, Hey Jude and The Ballad of John and Yoko.


The move to ringtones would otherwise not be newsworthy except for the Beatles' extreme reluctance to sell their songs as digital tracks. It wasn't until 2010 that their albums' sale on iTunes was finally approved. Within the following week, they sold more than 450,000 full-lengths and 2m digital tracks.


While the ringtone market is not quite as talked-about as it once was, the industry is still worth almost $2.2bn (£1.45bn). Additionally, most mobiles (and many of their users) are now sophisticated enough to use home-made ringtones, not just those that are purchased from carriers. Long before the Beatles began offering official ringtones, fans who had their songs could convert them for iPhone use. And a Google search for "Beatles ringtones" brings up plenty of free, unofficial options, too.


2m Sales of Adele's '21' Since Grammys

Adele's Grammy (and Brits) performances have helped her album 21 surpass 2 million sales mark in the US.


Now in its 21st non-consecutive week at No.1 on The Billboard Top 200 Album Chart (appropriately), 21 is the longest running No.1 LP by a woman in Billboard’s 55-year history. The album has been certified 7x Platinum in the US and has sold over 18 million copies worldwide.


21 has additionally spawned over 16 million singles sold in the US alone, including 7x Platinum certified Rolling in the Deep, 4x Platinum certified Someone Like You, 2x Platinum certified Set Fire to the Rain and Gold certified Rumour Has It.


Reportedly yesterday, the album had sold an astonishing 730,000 copies. In the US market, 'platinum' equates to one million sales.


New Single From Kasabian: 'Narcotic Farm II'

Kasabian have posted a demo for a new song online – The track, entitled Narcotic Farm No.II, follows the 44 second long track Table Tennis Boom Box released last month.



Kasabian recently admitted that they think the music charts are dominated by 'pop acts', insisting there is a 'drought' of rock'n'roll' bands around. In an interview with Contact Music, the band said that they think the charts are 'overrun by pop' and that Kasabian are one of the only UK acts taking a risk with songs. Frontman Tom Meighan said:


"There's a rock 'n' roll drought at the moment, so I'm glad we're here. People are frightened of making records that sound good on the radio."


Guitarist Sergio Pizzorno added:


"We've been overrun by pop and I hate that indie attitude. Life's too short to give a f*ck."


22/02/2012

Album Review: Band Of Skulls

sweet sour (electric blues recordings/ pias)


Having first come across Band Of Skulls at the 2010 student festival, Beach Break, where they performed tracks from their 2009 debut album, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, the band have now progressed onto playing in front of huge audiences on their headline international tour.


Album Review: Perfume Genius

put your back n 2 it (matador records)


Perfume Genius is the pseudonym for Seattle-based singer songwriter Mike Hadreas. He began composing music on the piano after moving from New York and by 2008, had set up a MySpace page to showcase his work. He was signed to Turnstile Records and released his debut full length album Learning in mid 2010.

Album Review: Just Like Honey

Just Like Honey is a compilation album released in early February via Bandcamp by photographer/podcaster Bertrand Bosrédon, which brings together 11 bands covering the classic 1985 Jesus and Mary Chain track of that name. All profits are to be donated to Breast Cancer Care.

Upcoming Bob Marley Documentary Trailer

Marley: The Life, Music and Legacy of Bob Marley, directed by Kevin MacDonald will make its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival this month followed by its North American premiere at SXSW. Prior to this, a short trailer has been released:



Bob Marley's universal appeal, impact on music history and role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled. Marley is the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, and legend, from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. Made with the support of the Marley family, the film features rare footage, incredible performances and revelatory interviews with the people that knew him best.


From Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald (One Day In September, The Last King of Scotland) comes the story of a towering figure of musical history, whose music and message has transcended different cultures, languages and creeds to resonate around the world today as powerfully as when he was alive.


Following its premiere at SXSW, Magnolia Pictures will release the movie theatrically and on VOD on Friday, April 20th.


The Brit Awards 2012 - Results

Last night saw the 2012 Brit Awards ceremony held at London's O2 Arena, and perhaps it is no surprise that both Adele and Ed Sheeran left the building happy, after having very successful years recognised.


Adele added to her award collection by nabbing two Brits, including British Female Solo Artist and the night's big prize, Mastercard British Album of the Year, for 21. And on Wednesday, the U.K. singer will celebrate the one-year anniversary of her chart-topping 21.


Ed Sheeran also came away with two awards, for British Male Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act - no mean feat.


There were live performances from Florence and the Machine, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, Rihanna and, of course, Adele, who sang Rolling in the Deep just a little over a week since her Grammy performance.


Closing the night were Blur who having recieved the Outstanding Contribution to Music award, 17 years on from their first Brit, went on to perform Girls & Boys, Song 2 and Parklife (with Phil Daniels of course). Time ran short for this however and Adele found herself rather rudely cut off - an incident for which the Brits/ITV have apologised.


Brit Award 2012 Winners:


  • British Female Solo Artist - Adele
  • International Male Solo Artist - Bruno Mars
  • Critic's Choice Award - Emeli Sande
  • British Single - One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful
  • International Female Solo Artist - Rihanna
  • British Male Solo Artist - Ed Sheeran
  • British Group - Coldplay
  • International Group - Foo Fighters
  • British Breakthrough Act - Ed Sheeran
  • International Breakthrough Act - Lana Del Rey
  • Outstanding Contribution To Music - Blur
  • Mastercard British Album Of The Year - Adele - 21


Brian May: We Won't Disappoint At Sonisphere

Queen guitarist, Brian May, has assured fans that Adam Lambert will not disappointment as the band's new frontman.


It was announced yesterday (Feb 21st) that the singer would be joining May and Roger Taylor at the band's headline slot at this year's Sonisphere Festival. Interviewed last night at The Brit Awards, May said "Adam Lambert is a phenomenal singer and the sound is amazing at Sonisphere".


"We hope to reach the greatness of Freddie's last gig there. It's a challenge but then again that's life''.


However, the band's decision has provoked huge controversy and mixed reactions from fans over the social networking sites, Twitter and Facebook. One fan wrote on Queen's Facebook page, saying:


"Everything would be better for freddie and the fans happier if they just don't call their resurrection as QUEEN. what's wrong with their own well-known names for the band (like Jimmy Page and Robert Plant)?!"


Rufus Wainwright Reveals New Album Teaser

Rufus Wainwright has revealed an album teaser of his forthcoming release, produced by Mark Ronson.


Wainright is often described as one of the finest songwriters of our generation, and on the 23rd of April, he'll be releasing his seventh studio album, Out Of The Game. The Canadian singer has described his latest effort as the "most pop album" he's ever made.


His collaboration with Mark Ronson was somewhat unexpected in the music world, but with Ronson's previous work with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Adele, ODB, Kaiser Chiefs and Sean Paul, it'll definitely be an exciting pairing.


In the following video, the two describe the specific 70's style they were aiming for:



The first single, and title track, is set for release on the 16th of April via Decca/Polydor has described the track as being inspired by the YouTube obsessed youth of today:


“For the first two verses I'm complaining, but in the third verse, it's tinged with envy as well. I'd like to be that age again and that silly, that excited about idiotic things. So I'm not being insensitive, just tired.


The album also features guest performances by Nick Zinner, Nels Cline, Martha Wainwright, Sean Lennon, and many more.


21/02/2012

On The Radar 21/02/12

Four new tracks comprising this week's 'Staff Picks' from the Gigseen TV office ... New music featuring from Wildlife Control, Trailer Trash Tracys, Van Susans and The Jezabels.

Live Review: Skrillex

When it comes to Dubstep, there’s always a certain amount of politics attached. Is it half-time Drum & Bass that originated in South London? Or is it Garage with a two-step beat from the US? Whichever way you look at it, there's no questioning the impact it’s having on the Dance scene at the moment...

Ok Go: "YouTube Not Profitable For Bands"

Ok Go have said that making money from YouTube is not a business model for bands.


The band's manager, Jamie Kitman, has apparently said that trying to make revenue from the video site was like "finding change in the street".


Despite receiving widespread praise and acclaim for their creative and original music videos over the years, including their 2010 promo for White Knuckles which featured the band and a collection of well-trained dogs, which racked up a whopping one million YouTube views in the first 24 hours of being online, Kitman insists that it's not a viable way for musicians to earn a living.


"I can speak to an artist who gets a lot of traffic, which is OK Go, and I would say that 'trickle' is the operative word, in terms of revenue we receive from places like YouTube and VEVO. The YouTube revenue is so small based on how many streams we've done that I would say it's not a business model, it's like finding change on the street."


Kitman also said that developing relationships with major advertisers wasn't a viable option for "developing bands" who didn't already have 175 million downloads. He suggested that musicians weren't receiving the financial benefit of some streaming services.


Watch their latest video forNeeding/Getting, below:


Live Review: New Found Glory / The Blackout

Camden Roundhouse, London. Friday 17th Feb.


First off, I must admit that seeing New Found Glory at the Camden Roundhouse, London on Friday was not my initial intention.Along with, I suspect, many attending the Kerrang Tour last week, I bought my ticket with the desire to see pop/punk legends Sum41 strut their stuff, some six years after they became one of my teenaged go-to bands.