Lots of bands claim to play hardcore punk, but quite often that means hardcore spliced with bits of metal and other genres that dilute the overall feel. On their 2017 EP ‘Toxic Care‘, Natterers genuinely meant hardcore, with buzzsaw riffs played at breakneck speed. Their only concession to any different style came via a few surf punk riffs, but since those were derived from the Dead Kennedys debut, even those had a shrill and unrelenting attitude that could only come from a hardcore perspective. Like a smack to the jaw, that EP was easily the best punk release of the year.
REAL GONE GOES OUT: Smashing Pumpkins – Wembley Arena, London 16/10/2018
Some gigs come with a huge amount of pre-night excitement. The Smashing Pumpkins’ first – and only – UK date on their 2018 ‘Shiny and Oh So Bright Tour’ is one of those times. Firstly, the tour is the first in decades to feature founding guitarist James Iha. In addition, Billy Corgan has already promised “a show like [the fans] have never seen before”. To say there’s a lot riding on the night is a huge understatement. Can the rejuvenated Pumpkins pull off the near impossible? Can they make the soulless environment of the Wembley SSE Arena feel friendly and justify the cost of a hugely expensive ticket?
Time To ‘Self Destruct’ with Justine And The Unclean
In 2017, Justine And The Unclean delivered an absolute belter of a debut LP. After a couple of punky tracks were offered as digital downloads, the album itself proved far more varied with Covault and co showing they were just as adept at power pop and other retro rock styles.
Grab a free download from The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco
Recently, Essex based pop sensations The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco unveiled a new video for ’59 Grams’ as a precursor to their next album release.
They’ve now also made the audio track available as a free download.
Watch the new video from Hostile
For the uninitiated, Hostile are a groove metal band from the West Midlands. Their work values a heavy riff in the tradition of Pantera and Lamb of God and their first two albums were produced by the legendary KK Downing. So far, they’ve shared stages with Megadeth, Soulfly and Machine Head and their career is going from strength to strength.