THE BREAKDOWNS – Rock ‘n’ Roller Skates

a3078986893_2The Breakdowns are a four piece power pop combo from Nottingham, but despite their roots, can be heard indulging in some very transatlantic sounds.   They’ve released a couple of excellent albums (with 2011’s ‘The Kids Don’t Wanna Bop’ being particularly worth seeking out), they’ve supported Ginger Wildheart and each year increases their cult status.  2014’s ‘Rock ‘n’ Roller Skates’ [issued early 2015 in the US under the name Los Breakdowns on Rum Bar Records, sometime home of Kurt Baker] takes their previous musical blueprint and polishes it a little, delivering eleven old-style power pop gems in the process.

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FOR THE GIRL – Kick It EP

KICK ITFor The Girl are a five piece indie-rock band from Nottinghamshire.  As part of the promotion for their self-released EP ‘Kick It’ (their second of 2014), the band received good exposure supporting UK pop-punk/emo act Orchard Hill on a short tour of academy venues.  Since each night of the tour was free entry, the four night stint showed a rare generosity, most welcome in the times of hardship facing chunks of the UK during the end of the year.

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THE BOOMTOWN RATS – Live at Goldiggers, Chippenham 1984

In the late 70s and early 80s, the BBC had a series of programmes called ‘Sight and Sound In Concert’.  These specially filmed gigs were simultaneously broadcast on BBC TV and radio.  A few are available commercially – as is the case with the excellent Thin Lizzy performance from the Hitchin Regal in 1983 – but sadly, many are not.  Thankfully, due to repeat showings, many fans have pristine off-airs of shows by Camel, Gentle Giant, Renaissance and others.

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Napalm Death to visit Australia in April

Grindcore/extreme metal legends Napalm Death will play four shows in Australia in April. Joined by Carcass and Extortion at all four dates, these gigs are part of the ongoing promotion for ND’s fifth studio album ‘Apex Predator – Easy Meat’ which was recorded in 2014 and subsequently released in January 2015 on Century Media Records.

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