For those not old enough to experience Bob Marley in his prime, UB40 provided a very important introduction into contemporary reggae music. Their earliest material, powered by massive basslines and even bigger social/political messages really got to the heart of early 80s Britain. Their first ten years, in particular, presented the work of a band that seemed almost infallible. They could shift from political anger, into 70s influenced dub, through to a deftly played cover tune without missing a beat. Their show from the Hammersmith Odeon in 1983 – still denied a DVD release – is a near perfect example of the early UB’s in full flight.
Category Archives: News
The Shang Hi-Los return with ‘Plymouth Rock’
A new power pop sensation, The Shang Hi-Los, emerged at the end of 2020. Their debut EP, ‘Kick It Like A Wicked Bad Habit’, served up five tracks of guitar driven, bubblegum inflected fun, big on harmonies and bigger on hooks. If their talents were under any doubt, a spirited cover of Chicago’s ‘Saturday In The Park’ which stoked up the guitars without losing any of the original’s 70s pop flair showed how versatile this new, all star band could be.
Little Thief share new video for ‘Under The Patio’
With its garage rock elements, indie rock vibes and danceable grooves, Little Thief’s album ‘Under The Patio’ is a strong contender for “debut of the year”. They’d long proved themselves as an incendiary live act, but their long awaited full length recording proved that their varied sounds could work almost as well in the studio environment.
Black Spiders confirm new run of live dates
Anyone who has seen Black Spiders will tell you what a great live act they are. Whether filling a very reliable support slot, or headlining a small to medium sized venue, the band bring intensive riffs and a great groove throughout. Some bands are meant to be seen live, and the Spiders’ support slots have been known to challenge various headliners in terms of energy.
Shot Down Twice share new video
Canadian rockers Shot Down Twice are set to release their self-titled EP in January 2022. In the meantime, they’ve shared a new video for ‘Talk To Me’.