Ist Ist are the latest sensation to come out of Manchester, a place known for its legendary musical acts. Following in the footsteps of fellow mancunians Joy Division, but with elements of the Cure and My Bloody Valentine with epic, soaring soundscapes. Their latest album “Architecture” does justice to these influences, while presenting something refreshingly new.

While some have called them “too obscure to be popular” Ist Ist have a knack for catchy hooks, such as on “You’re Mine” that demonstrates just how wrong those people are. Deep, dark vocals very reminiscent of Ian Curtis of Joy Division and Andrew Eldritch of Sisters of Mercy are used to great effect, and the effect heavy guitars and synths also reminiscent of so many post punk acts provide a brilliant atmosphere. However, the instrumentation I really must cite as masterful is the rhythm section. The combination of electronic and live drums heard throughout the album is a brilliant hit of 80’s nostalgia and are expertly placed. The bass guitarist has definitely worshipped at the altar of Peter Hook, just as I have. The melodic lines played up high, the gothic clean tone paired with the awesome use of fuzz makes me desperately want to go on a bass nerd rant but I’ll spare you for now. Just know that I get so excited when the bass line for “Silence” kicks in.

You’ve probably noticed by now that I’ve made multiple comparisons between Ist Ist and Joy Division, Ist Ist are more an example of superb song writing rather than a wholly original sound. Every single song on this album is brilliantly written and arranged and I only wish I had as much song writing talent. Much like the Greta Van Fleet argument a few years back, sounding similar to another band doesn’t necessarily make that band bad, and in fact provides a new platform for the genre in the modern day. There are worse bands to sound like than Joy Division.

Unfortunately, as brilliant as the writing and sound is of this band, I feel as though they have the same problem I feel Joy Division had. Over the course of the album, I start to become slightly bored by the time I get to later end of the B-side, especially after multiple listens. These songs are not at all bad, and the songs do have variation when it comes to melody and rhythm but I feel as though the tone of the album is too similar between each track. My recommendation for listeners is to listen to the album in its entirety at least once, it’s a great listen and this is an album I’ll definitely be adding to my record collection. But after that take your favourite songs (My personal favourites being “Black” and the aforementioned “Silence”) and add them into your preferred playlists. My recommendation to the band is that they continue with their awesome sound and expert song writing but work more on keeping the listener engaged for longer periods. Perhaps by shortening the albums length or some variations on the vocal style. Still, I love this record and I will continue to watch Ist Ist with serious interest. I have no doubt that they will go far if they keep this momentum up and release an even better follow up album.

Peace, Love and Cowbells,

Oscar

Looking back through my Spotify rewind for the past 4 years has been quite an experience. It shows my growth as both a person and as a musician. I thought today I would tell you a little about my music and my journey through these playlists.

First, a little context. Aged 14, through a combination of edgy friends and Nightcore gamer music compilations on Youtube I discovered the Emo subculture, in particular the particularly awful glam rock/metal boyband Black Veil Brides. My obsession with the group meant I rapidly changed my look, trading in my nerdy suit jacket for a leather one. Within the year I’d acquired a bass guitar and was crushing Seven Nation Army in my small poster riddled bedroom. It was here I was introduced to classic rock and metal. Metallica, Misfits and W.A.S.P were the direct influences of Black Veil Brides and I embraced the school of thrash metal wholeheartedly. Cliff Burton of Metallica quickly became my very first bass hero, the first proper musical challenge I ever had was figuring out how to play For Whom The Bell Tolls.

 Looking back now these bands are so far removed from anything I can relate to now, but as an angry, rejected by the system teenager these songs became the soundtrack of my youth. However, in late 2015 through an introduction to the Smiths by an old girlfriend and a random viewing of the film Sing Street on a plane back off holiday, the healing process had begun. The film had a definitive impact on me, telling the story of a young musician in 1980’s Ireland obsessed with bands like the Cure and Duran Duran. Sing Street remains my favourite film, even if now I realise it’s hardly Oscar worthy (eh? Get it?). The soundtrack is superb, and I quickly went down the rabbit hole that is 80’s indie. Around the same time my bandmates and I all went to see the punk duo Slaves live, and initially my thrash metal roots had made me naively dismiss punk. But when I saw the sheer primal force that is a live punk show, I completely changed my perspective. Through a combination of punk bands old and new, with the ever-present indie influence, my musical vocabulary was beginning to expand.

It’s here where I finally got Spotify, and let me tell you, 2016 is such a mash of really terrible emo music and some actually fairly decent stuff. The worst band by far is Rev theory, a cringey papa roach style act where the lyrical themes are terribly typical for a teenage boy; sex and cars. But where there is dark, there is always light, The Smiths, Hole and even Bob Dylan make an appearance in my top songs. It should also be mentioned that this is when I started studying music full time both in and out of college and I had begun to get a rudimentary understanding of my instrument. Maybe I would have a chance in this industry after all.

The next few years for me are a sense of duality.  On one hand, I had become proficient enough at bass to take my very first steps in the Cambridge music scene. My band Psycho Candy was getting semi-regular gigs, I was going to see live music often and I had even attempted some session work. These are the years that were so formative for me as a musician and as you’ll soon understand, a person. You see, while all these achievements were going on, I was stuck in the deepest darkest depression I have ever experienced. I was living in a YMCA, alone, poor, trapped in a toxic relationship with a girl I hadn’t even met and through my own actions had ruined my relationship with my family. I admit I got low. I was a total mess. My music was my only escape from the realities of adulthood. However, I’m still alive, able to write for you lovely people and that is thanks to a titanic effort from myself, the constant support from my parents and finally an end to the afore mentioned toxic influence. I was eventually able to move back in with my family, and together we moved to Derby where I now study Music full time. By mid 2019 I had started Needs More Cowbell and I could see the light at the end of a very long, very dark tunnel.

It’s now 2020 in the midst of the corona virus pandemic and despite how horrid the world is right now I feel as though I’ve finally settled into my own skin and musically, I’m growing every day. My playlists now include classic rock, folk, Motown and ska, with my staples of punk and indie maturing into a musical sensibility that I can be proud of. I’m writing an album, I’m just about to finish my first year at Uni with flying colours and while I still have bad days, things can only go up from here. Not bad for only 20 eh?

PEACE LOVE AND MOTHERFUCKING COWBELLS,

Oscar

Vagabong are simply stoner rock at its best. South Shields based and they provide the kinda sound if Sabbath and Pink Floyd got together for a jam party that lasted for days and days. Their lead guitarist Scott Makepeace informs me that the band formed just as Covid 19 hit us all and they have not actually met up yet in the same room!!!! All songwriting, rehearsals and recordings have taken place remotely and the results are awesome. The members of the band are Scott Makepeace on lead guitar, Kev Magnesh on guitar (and responsible for artwork/videos), Ian Eggy on keys, Jack D Smith on guitar, Dan Millwater on bass and Gavin Spotiswood on drums/percussion.

Unite has that heavy, thunderous sound of layered guitar riffs against a monstrous rhythm of bass and drums but this single also has a few surprises with changes in tempo throughout-very reminicent of some early Sabbath work and it gives an epic overall sound. If this is a short taste of the soon to be released album then bring it on. I am also reminded of the psychedelic sounds of the late 1960’s and the lyrics makes this a real anthem for the lockdown Summer which is nearly with us!!

Bring it on Vagabong we are all waiting

Peace, Love and Cowbells Bassey https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1O8xqDbq3qCoGrXqdqHyKA

From South Wales this duo of talent Ieu Llewellyn and Arron Hopkins bring you a fusion/genre blend of Pop/Indie/Dance and others thrown in to make a great recipe. I have immersed myself in their two releases, ep’s Are We Cool Yet and the more recent Seaside Fridge Magnets and I’m totally hooked. Yes it has elements of Pop and Indie but it is so much more and I can hear influences from Gorillaz, Joy Division, Sudden Sway (don’t worry no one will remember them -unfortunately) and a smattering of Grandaddy.

I’m excited that these guys are not yet truly discovered……..as I know great things will surely come their way with this sound once the lockdown horrors are over and the best is still to come. They have a sound that oozes confidence and some epic tuuuunes that made me play them several times. This is like a great book you want to re read again and again with my favourites Mauve Wednesday and Poetry Traced In Red literally on ‘play again’ meltdown. They have a confidence in their songwriting that allows them to take you on a journey full of surprises. Layer upon layer of sounds that give the journey a change in scenery on each track.

Fake Friends are the real thing. Fake Friends forever!Peace,

Peace, Love and Cowbells-Bassey

https://www.facebook.com/OurFakeFriends/?ref=br_rs

Nottingham has been waiting, waiting for the release of a new single by the multi intrumentalist Bradley Drawn Boy and I’ve been lucky to hear the early release! Out now and you gotta give this track a listen. A 5 minute 30 second track to take you away from all this madness and to a time of the 90’s house genre fused with a dash of shoegaze/alternate rock. The sound is big and epic and leaves you wanting to hear much more. I can hear rhythms of the Happy Mondays and a mood of New Order and it sounds trippy as the layers are laid on you. You gotta hear this on headphones to experience the immense sound that Bradley Drawn Boy has developed and it’s not always easy to dance with plug in headphones-I know cos I tried it!

This may be a do it yourself project but this track will do it for everyone.

Peace, Love and Cowbells,

Bassey

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Ftrack%2F2LnawrLzFz98qPX4DmC2OS%3Fsi%3DhOgkvJz-STGPusiGQ9o-XQ%26fbclid%3DIwAR2i5VTYF_NsfF12Sp3MmDm66oCbuZth8-qna3TSe0rULhhKAJZaESZB1ok&h=AT2VJXsSbJC4MHHn-3aK1Utwhq-1OCp1LesSfY5G9g14_WgHz6NSyOpw4SXLBJMHCd15iCjL9vud_UuVXGbc2r8KsVgfSdncZCR9lV8Ew69DtfJfBVEDkMCJWYN6wLvrcT8SpQ

Greenthrone are influenced by the classic Sludge/Doom rock genre but they do it so well with thunderous bass and guitar riffs and punishing rhythms from a heavy, heavy drummer. Rising from the ashes of Cincinnati Ohio’s Watchfire, founder and guitar/vocalist Danny Bays-wanting to step in the direction of Doom/Sludge/Crust formed Greenthrone in 2010 as a two piece of guitar/vocals and drums. In reaching out to Columbus, Ohio musician and multi instrumentalist of Deadsea and EYE, Lisa Bella Donna to play drums, the Greenthrone demos were recorded in a couple of sessions during 2010 and 2011. During that time another Columbus resident, Michael Sliclen, also of EYE and Tank Destroyer was brought in on bass but work as a 3 piece never materialised. There the tracks remained for 8 years, lurking underground and online. Flash forward to 2020 and yet another Columbus dweller but Conneticut native, this time drummer Charlie Taylor of Infernal Death and Cult Of Frost-approached Danny about resurrecting Greenthrone as a 3 piece. With Michael Sliclen still in the fold, the new and current lineup was formed and work begun on the follow up to these 10 year old demos.

So how have these 10 year old tracks aged?……..unbelievably good. The songs are fresh and as intense as originally laid down. Hear for yourself and prepare to be Doomed.

Peace, Love and Cowbells

Bassey

https://greenthrone.bandcamp.com/?fbclid=IwAR3bQFhwhm6hMM37mJrIlknluXj6r_V29d54x30QogkmjFvNI1gkFF0InzU

GREENTHRONE
Danny Bays: guitar/voice Michael Sliclen: bass Charlie Taylor: drums The Greenthrone demos were recorded in Columbus, Ohio during 2010-2011. The new lineup is formed and working on an official follow up as of 2020.
greenthrone.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/greenthroneofdoom/

GREENTHRONE
GREENTHRONE, Columbus, Ohio. 711 likes. The Greenthrone demos available on bandcamp were recorded in Columbus, Ohio during 2010-2011. A new lineup is formed and working on an official follow up as…
http://www.facebook.com

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Mark Filer kindly sent me a soundcloud link to his band’s new single and after one listen I just had to hear more. The band consists of John Stenning, Jordan Walker and Mark Filer and appear to have been around for a couple of years. They have released several tracks already on soundcloud, with an obvious influence for the grunge genre this band also reminded me of a much stripped back sound of Hey Colossus and a hint of Queens of the Stone Age and that’s no bad thing. A thundering bass riff imitates the guitar to give a really tight sound and heavy drumming to give a great rhythm sound which is then complimented by growling vocals. Check out this track and then give a listen to their other soundcloud postings-I particularly liked ‘In The Pocket’ live and ‘Anchovy’ and this band would be really appreciated at the annual ArcTanGent Festival which is held just outside Bristol………maybe next year guys!

Peace, Love and Cowbells,

Bassey

I must confess that I don’t know a lot about Pigeon’s Pocket but after listening to their first 2 track single I definitely want to. The band members come from all over Europe with Sylv on drums, Sam on guitar, Alex on bass and Marge main vocals. They were formed late 2019 and are based in Leeds. This single will be accompanied very soon with an ep and I can’t wait to review it’s release. The members state their influences include the American punk bands Lunachicks, The Distillers and Bikini Kill but these 2 tracks show they have developed their own sounds that are worth serious attention.

I loved both of the songs. Drinking The Tide Away has a monotonous bass riff from Alex that really builds tension and when slight variations are played you feel the impact immediately. The drumming from Sylv is so on it-she relentlessly pounds the rhythm with precision not always heard in Oi Punk and holds it all together and the guitarist moves beyond just power chording his way through the song and onto a much more experimental level…………..and finally Marge on vocals has a raw, gutsy sound that drives the message home and lyrics that have more meaning than many others in this genre. Track 2 Bossman Says at just 1 minute 20 seconds is maybe more typical of the Oi sound but this is still a great song and check it out live on youtube.

I understand that Pidgeon’s Pocket only played one gig in Leeds before the world was hit by this virus but once this lockdown is over I’m gonna go see them and so should you. https://www.facebook.com/PigeonsPocket/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

Peace, Love and Cowbells,

Oscar

I just can’t even understand why anyone would sign off on this. These letters calling for DNR’s came from actual GP’s. People supposed to protect us. The NHS is the best thing this country has to offer I’m not denying that. But in my experience they’ve been terrible when it comes to assisting people with autism. It took years of fighting just to get me diagnosed and I’ve seen no support from them since I had that diagnosis. And now they want to kill us. Innocent people whose only crime was being born.

For those who don’t know, GP’s surgeries throughout the U.K. have handed out “Do Not Resuscitate” letters to an autistic support group. This has quickly been taken back after justified outrage but the fact this even happened is beyond disgusting. It is the most heinous, horrific act of hatred I’ve seen against my people as a whole. Most autistic people receive individual discrimination for who they are from those around them. But rarely do we get attacked as a whole group. I am in shock and fury for good reason. To my fellow autists, have hope, you are not alone, we will not allow this to happen. To the ones who signed off on this, I hope you die a slow death for what you’ve done

Anger, retribution and Cowbells,

Oscar