On the back of a couple of independent EPs, Marmozets released their debut album in 2014 to great critical acclaim and commercial success. Rightly so, too, since their blend of alternative rock, math rock, metal and a smidgeon of punky attitude resulted in one of the year’s best discs. [Full review here]
Category Archives: Live Archive
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.
THEM CROOKED VULTURES Live at Roskilde 2010
The combination of Joshua Homme from Queens of the Stone Age, Dave Grohl and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones brings together three very talented people. Despite the amount of talent shared between the three men, the debut album from Them Crooked Vultures often sounded like Josh plus side band – a very talented side band, granted, but the end results drew too heavily from Homme’s influences. This could be frustrating since Jones began his career as a master arranger (he’s clearly not had a great influence in arranging most of the Vultures’ songs) and Grohl has proven a decent songwriter over the years.
Warpaint – Live on KEXP
With an increasing internet presence and upcoming appearances at major UK festivals, dream pop outfit Warpaint have achieved a proper cult following. With songs that aren’t always instant, it seems the live setting works surprisingly well for the US quartet.
OFF! – Live at Gilman 2011
After a handful of EP releases, OFF!’s debut album (released in the summer of 2012) was the year’s best punk record. Possibly even the best punk record of the previous decade. The combined talents of ex-Black Flag/Circle Jerks frontman Keith Morris and Redd Kross man Steve McDonald was always likely to result in something fairly explosive, but OFF! really pushes their ferocity to brilliant extremes.