Subject Matter album review

Subject Matter are a 4 piece rock band from Dublin consisting of Paul O'Keefe, Tommy Devine, Ste Brennan, and Paul Carey.

With a fresh new sound and now an album to back it up, Smash The Mould sets the bar high for other bands. What firstly stands out for me with Subject Matter is they released an album, not just an EP or a few songs, as most bands do. It's a 12 track album, which shows the band are serious about musicianship and what they do.

Beginning their debut is 'Funky Coloured Pitfalls', a catchy number with heavy riffs and chants throughout the whole song you can easily sing (or shout) along to. This leads listeners into 'Give It To Me Straight' and brings us straight into the action, with a slightly punk sound with more chants of 'hey! hey! hey!'

Next, 'What I Know' could be written off as repetitive, but is catchy in places, with a good bass line. An acoustic song is a rarity for this rock band, but 'Dressed to Depress' works extremely well. For me 'See Thru Souls' is the standout track from the album. The intro matches the chorus, and with verses of almost no guitar, they show off the clean cut vocals from the start.

'Keep Me With You' is a tender slow song, displaying that acoustic songs can often be the most powerful from a band. 'The Pass At Dark' has a slight country twang to it, while this is not a bad thing. Shouting lyrics to do with sex and dick, it's one to be remembered. 'O Nani Ama' ends the album with an almost African chant for the title, with a big bold song to finish it all off.

Collectively, the songs are all well written and sound like no Irish band, or any other band right now. The album takes a while to get into, but after a few listens it's very good. I think the band will make a name for themselves on the scene, and they need to be seen live to witness their full potential.



Head to http://subjectmatteronline.com and download their album for free!

Dwelling For Jackals EP review

Having recently just finished supporting Young Guns on their Irish dates, Dublin based Dwelling for Jackals are getting bigger and bigger. The alternative rock 3 piece as of now consists of Cathal Mckeon, Niall Johnson and Dylan Martin and between the three, have a range of influences, including Avenged Sevenfold and 30 Seconds To Mars.

Starting their debut EP off  is 'Last Sleep', the group's big tune, their leading number that fans, if not everyone, will definitely know. The rhythm works perfectly behind the vocals, and builds up to the high point of the chorus.
This brings us into 'Solitary Confinement (City of Kings)', a slow song that gets huge. The piano beautifully sets the tone for the song, and again leads into the climax of the chorus.
'Apocalypse, When You're Ready' is a small acoustic number, with quiet vocals matched perfectly to the music, and will make you want to listen over and over again. This is one reason why acoustic songs can stand out the most.
Finally, 'I Am Bedlam' makes a lasting impression on the listener with a bold and energetic finish, and once again with those big choruses.

Unlike some other bands, none of the songs get repetitive or monotonous. This band show off their flare for writing powerful melodies that have a climactic chorus. After the first time listening to it, I loved it already.
With great songs like this, the group should be even bigger than they already are. Expect huge things!

Listen to their debut EP here or download it from iTunes!

The Cold 100

With a fresh sound like no other band right now, The Cold 100 are a 4 piece band playing "Rhythm and Blooze" as they call it. While it's hard for other bands to recreate the sounds from the 60s and 70s, this group get it exactly right.


Sharing a love for the blues, they have a strong influence from the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Stones and Fleetwood Mac, although the band don't fit into any one particular genre. They play loud, fast rock music, with a powerful rhythm and with great feeling.

Their video for Mr Westcoast Man, the lead single from their debut EP 'Into The Parlour' is trippy and is one to be remembered - certainly something the band would want.



The band need to be seen live to witness their full potential. Expect big things.

Download their EP on the 3rd of March!
http://www.thecold100.com/

In Elegance release video for single

Belfast rockers In Elegance have released their video for new single, Easier Said Than Done!


Review of their latest EP: http://themusicandthemic.blogspot.com/2012/02/in-elegance-ep.html


Check out the band's Facebook page HERE and download their EP from HERE!

Fox Avenue - 18/02/12

After a long wait from the postponed headline November show, Fox Avenue and Jody Has A Hitlist finally made a welcome return to Dublin and Belfast this week. The early matinee show was most likely the reason there wasn't overwhelming liveliness inside the venue of The Academy, Dublin on a cold February day, but that didn't spoil the show for the bands and the audience. With doors opening at 12 noon, I arrived just before 11am, and there were already about 50 to 60 people queuing for the highly in demand place at the barrier.

Broken Glass on Broadway

Starting the show off on a great note were young Irish band Broken Glass on Broadway from Clonmel and Dublin. Considering this was most likely their biggest gig of their short career, the band interacted extremely well with the crowd, and have gained quite a few fans from it. Doing original songs, I think they have a unique sound, as it's nothing quite like anything else in the Irish scene right now.

Kelan; Jody Has A Hitlist

Octane Ok literally had the audience on the floor at one point, and straight away connected with the audience. They put on a great set even if a little repetitive, but sadly it was obvious that the crowd were not here to see them.

Next, Jody Has A Hitlist put on a fantastic live set, beginning with old favourite Nobody's Looking At You, playing the singles from their latest Choose Your Battles EP and older songs. Padraig McAlister, (vocals, guitar) and Kelan O'Reilly (keyboard, vocals) took to the stage with humerous banter that was self called "awkward" at times. The highlight of their hour was Comebacks Aren't Your Thing (I finally heard it live -yes! But it's no Steer Clear - sad face) and the group ended breaking fans hearts (almost) but saying it would be their last Dublin show of the year.

Patrick; Fox Avenue

Even though it was a joint headliner between Jody Has A Hitlist and Fox Avenue, Fox Avenue completely stole the show.

With talk of dead grandma’s and verging on racist comments, you’d think this would make it awkward for the audience. Not for Fox Avenue. Their dedicated fan base know that the boys are only having the banter, and are well known and loved for it.

Dara; Fox Avenue

Playing a brand new song – White Lies – they later showed off their hip hop groove to covers of Hello, Paper Planes by M.I.A, and even teasing the audience by beginning What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction, ending with We Found Love by Rihanna. Ended the show with the big radio hit Tonight.

The guys afterwards were nothing but grateful for everyone staying back to meet them afterwards, thanking everyone individually, with lots of hugs thrown in. I hadn't seen them in almost two years so I was delighted after the day. Definitely worth the wait.

Snow Patrol and Florence and the Machine announce Phoenix Park date

Snow Patrol and Florence and the Machine have confirmed they will play Dublin's Phoenix Park on the 8th of July!


The major concert is the second announcement of the kind, the first being The Stone Roses playing three days previous on the 5th of July as part of their reunion tour. The concerts are a replacement to Oxegen festival being cancelled for this year.


Tickets will go on sale from 8am on Friday 24th February at the price of €59.50.

Kickstart The Season

Kickstart the Season are a Dublin 5 piece, in the middle of releasing a new EP.

The pop-punk band share joint vocals between Ciara Walker and Sean Hodson, giving us a new sound we haven't heard before - in a good way, of course!

Having only formed in the middle of 2011, the band are already up and coming in the Irish scene, and will play their release show in Whelan's on the 16th of February with other favourite Irish acts such as Boy Versus Romeo and Alice Can't Turn Left.

The lead single from their release Take Me Out has strong vocals, with the guitar against it perfectly and leaves listeners wanting more. They are an energetic and simply catchy song, and we can be sure to hear more from them soon!




Make sure to catch their EP Launch show, details here
Expect big things from these guys.
Check out their Facebook page HERE and download the two tracks HERE!

In Elegance EP

When you think of girl fronted rock bands, you think of Paramore, Evanescence, maybe even The Pretty Reckless. Not in this case. Here, In Elegance come into their own. With their newly released 3 track self-titled EP, the Belfast 5-piece have found their own sound, and won’t be giving it up anytime soon.

The vocals are simple, yet powerful, with perfectly fitting guitar sounds and drums for the finished product.

Putting Easier Said Than Done as the opener to this release is perfect, it takes listeners right in to the action, which leads into heavier sound of Burn Bright, Fade Fast which is a completely different sound altogether. As stated before, the vocals on Open Your Eyes are haunting and my, what an addictive song.

The three tracks as a whole have the ability to leave you wanting more, much more.

A brilliant new sound, exactly what we need. I'm glad they don't sound like anyone else and aren't just going down the same route. They are going to be huge. 5/5

Check out their Facebook page HERE and download their EP from HERE!

Kodakid new single and video

Before they set off on their tour for their new single, Shake Skin, Waterford band Kodakid have released the video for it. I had high hopes for this single as The Music & The Mic had already reviewed them before, and let me tell you, my hopes were met. And then some.

The video has a very retro style to it, which fits the song with it's slow rhythmic drum beat, and stand out, heavy bass line. There is definitely a traditional rock 'n' roll feel to this band, and then the vocals come in, keeping with the tempo of the song. And as the song closes, slowly, again with the beat of the drum and quieter vocals, it leaves you wanting more. A simple yet powerful song.




Make sure you check these guys out before they're big.
Check out their Facebook page HERE and the new single will be released as a free download from 9th February HERE!

StayOkay! release new teaser

The boys have released another teaser for their upcoming EP, out in March!

Be excited!

(Note: seriously how do these guys only have 1600 Likes on Facebook?!

You know what to do.. http://facebook.com/stayokay)

StayOkay! release new video and tour dates.

StayOkay! have posted a teaser clip of what to expect from their upcoming EP, out early next year! I for one am excited already.



AND
that's not all..
The boys have announced a mini Irish tour with good friends in Boy Versus Romeo and In Elegance, with very special guests announced at a later date.

Dates are:
10th February - Auntie Annie's, Belfast
11th February - An Cruisin Lan, Cork
12th February - The Good Bits, Dublin
13th February - Kavanagh's, Port Laoise
14th February - Roisin Dubh, Galway

Canterbury announce StayOkay! as support

UK band Canterbury have announced that they will be bringing our good friends StayOkay! on the Irish dates of their upcoming January 2012 tour, kicking off in Dublin's Academy 2 on the 20th of January, and in Belfast's Speakeasy on the 21st.

It'll be a great way to ring in the new year and it's their first shows of what will be a busy 2012 for them!

Also playing are Time Is A Thief.
Tickets priced from €15 including booking fee are on sale now from ticketmaster.ie

Red Hot Chilli Peppers announce date in Croke Park

Having sold out the O2 Arena in a matter of minutes, Red Hot Chilli Peppers have announced they will play Croke Park on June 26th 2012!


The band had a third successive number one album in Ireland with their latest release and tenth album - but first release in five years - I’m With You.


Tickets for what is already being stated as the hottest gig of the year, are priced from €59.50, and will go on sale from www.ticketmaster.ie at 8am, November 4th.

You Me At Six "Sinners Never Sleep" album review

Surrey band You Me At Six have come a long way from their 2008 debut album Take Off Your Colours which established them as the new pop-punkers on the scene. While this album was all about partying, girls and their teenage years, with their second album, Hold Me Down being another slice from this, only having more experience. Now on their third album, Sinners Never Sleep is lust, love and anger. Altogether a stronger, angrier album, this time, wanting to show they are simply just a rock band. This is the end result of the band almost breaking up and constant fights between the members - a grown up album, writing about more important events in life, even though they are barely out of their teens. Leaving mysterious countdown timers and pictures on their website near the news of the album in August, this led to it becoming one of the most anticipated albums of the last few months.
Here's my track-by-track review of their latest offering.


The album opens with the previously released single that everybody knows and loves, Loverboy. It is catchy, full of strong riffs, and of course a chorus full of 'da-da-da's'. Stand out track of the album. Next track is Jaws On The Floor, which shows much change in the lyrics, over the style of song this time around. Lyrics like ‘life’s a bitch but I’m friends with her sister' put with powerful emotion show the change in the band. Bite My Tongue featuring Oli Sykes from Bring Me The Horizon shows an angrier side to the band, and is an all-round thrilling number that gives us an insight to the band from singer Josh Franceschi's viewpoint on the members' hatred of each other. From there on, it ranges into slower songs, something that comes effortlessly to You Me At Six, with This is The First Thing, and No One Does It Better taking a few listens to get into, but then are as addictive as the rest. Little Death has the most catchy, sing along chorus on the album, while Crash is the big ballad, showing the band do acoustic settings perfectly. It is perhaps not as good as earlier efforts (such as Always Attract), yet Franceschi's vocal are as smooth and perfect as ever. The album gets better with another stand out track, Reckless, a bouncy, catchy number with lyrics such as "I'm Mister Reckless with a capital R". This song reminds us of their pop-punk roots, as does Time Is Money, featuring Winston McCall of Parkway drive, showing the band have not forgot where they started. The Dilemma is a simply fantastic song, and a welcome change from older songs. When We Were Younger closes the album, and on a beautiful note too. A 6 minute long song, and keeping with the overall album, it is completely heartfelt and honest from the band.


While the album is so much more grown up, it is still recognisable as the You Me At Six we all know, with fuller vocals, the way guitars and bass work against each other, and the heavy drums. A must have for fans, and will have at least one song that you'll tap your foot to. Hopefully it will be a grower, and it could easily be their best material to date. 7/10

Storyboard are.....

Dublin band Storyboard played their last show today under that name, and have became...
All It's Worth!

Many people thought it would be the end of them, but it's not!
Download their new music here, and some of Storyboard's songs here.