It's My Party

Parties In Belgrade
From: London, United Kingdom

Parties In Belgrade are not a Serbian political conference but a dark as sin four-piece 'positive punk' band from London. But be warned this is not the sort of party that you take your little uns. I doubt they'll have any birthday cake or balloons and I'm pretty sure the only clowns that they'll have are the ones from your nightmares.

They sound like a nights playlist at the Batcave, the leading goth club of choice for the darkerati in the 80s, like Sisters of Mercy making scary, twisted balloon animals of the Fall and the Dead Kennedys. It's uncompromising, heavy, intense and sounds brilliant in a darkened room.

Get your black rags on it's time to party with Parties In Belgrade.

Go Try

MP3 - Parties In Belgrade - Statues
This track is published with the permission of Hooked On Music so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright

Go Visit

Parties In Belgrade - Myspace

Go View

Parties In Belgrade Kill The Rats

Do It Yourself 2

"The DIY movement is about using anything you can get your hands on to shape your own cultural entity: your own version of whatever you think is missing in mainstream culture. You can produce your own zine, record an album, publish your own book - the enduring appeal of this movement is that anyone can be an artist or creator. The point is to get involved." - Amy Spencer's 'DIY: The Rise of Lo-Fi Culture' .

Here are some more of the brilliant bands that you'll be able to see playing live at the Do You DIY? event at the Old Queens Head in Islington. It's still better than putting up shelves and painting walls

Rob Marr

From: London, United Kingdom

Simple, brilliant British pop, as it should be.

Go Visit

Rob Marr - Myspace : Last.FM

Sunderbans
From: London, United Kingdom

Young&Losts latest signings. A trio who harness melancholy, folk, eccentricity and moodiness to equal parts aplomb, restraint and frazzle.

Go Try

MP3 - Sunderbans - Road Kill

Go Visit

Sunderbans - Myspace : Last.FM

The Bobby McGee's
From: Brighton, United Kingdom

Charming and exhilarating off-kilter ukulele melodies from the founders of tweecore.

Go Try

MP3 - The Bobby McGee's - Go Tiger Go!

Go Visit

The Bobby McGee's - Myspace : Last.FM

The Lost Cavalry
From: London, United Kingdom

Mark from Fanfarlo’s new and sublime project.

Go Try

MP3 - The Lost Cavalry - Disappear (We Walk On Ice)

Go Visit

The Lost Cavalry - Myspace : Website : Last.FM

The Loves
From: London, United Kingdom

Indie-pop masters previously featured on the Devil's blog way back in 2007 (The Devil Loves The Loves). Their 4th & Final LP "...Love You" will be out on Fortuna Pop later in the year.

Go Try

MP3 - The Loves - One-Two-Three

Go Visit

The Loves - Myspace : Last.FM

Theoretical Girl
From: On the hill, London, United Kingdom

Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and earl grey tea drinker extraordinaire.

Go Try

MP3 - Theoretical Girl - Never Good Enough (Chatterley Version)
This track is linked direct from the Theoretical Girl Last.FM site and is therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright

Go Visit

Theoretical Girl - Myspace : Website: Last.FM

Do It Yourself

"The DIY movement is about using anything you can get your hands on to shape your own cultural entity: your own version of whatever you think is missing in mainstream culture. You can produce your own zine, record an album, publish your own book - the enduring appeal of this movement is that anyone can be an artist or creator. The point is to get involved." - Amy Spencer's 'DIY: The Rise of Lo-Fi Culture' .

Will you be in London or it's immediate vicinity on Bank Holiday Monday, 3rd May? Have you got anything planned? Do you love music? If you answered yes to all three then you should hot foot it down to the lovely Old Queens Head in Islington for 'Do You DIY?' a celebration of DIY music. There'll be live acts, DJs, record stalls and listening booths across both floors of the pub all day. Entry includes free fanzine and raffle ticket to win the contents of the listening booth.

Here are some of the bands that you'll be able to see playing live at the Do You DIY? event. It's better than putting up shelves and painting walls.

Tune into the Devil's blog tomorrow for some more details on bands that will be doing it themselves on Bank Holiday Monday.

NOTE: All the tracks in this post are published with the permission of the labels and/or artists so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright

Go See

Adelaide’s Cape
From: United Kingdom

Acoustic set of intricate and finely crafted nu-folk from Adelaide's Cape who are not from Adelaide and probably haven't got a cape.
Go Try

MP3 - Adelaide's Cape - Belle

Go Visit

Adelaide's Cape - Myspace : Last.FM

Alice Gun
From: United Kingdom

Distilling brutal/beautiful songs from guitars, glockenspiel, double bass, cello, E-bow, accordion and a lopsided upright.

Go Visit

Alice Gun - Myspace : Last.FM

Decimals
From: United Kingdom

New outfit from the former Automatic and yourcodenameis:milo collaborator Pennie.

Go Visit

Decimals - Myspace : Last.FM

Filthy Pedro
From: Anglesey, Wales

Anglesey’s racous founder of antifolk.



Go Try

MP3 - Filthy Pedro - They Kicked Me Out Of Anglesey

Go Visit

Filthy Pedro - Myspace : Last.FM


Line And A Dot.
From: Northampton, United Kingdom

New female folk artist along the lines of Elliot Smith, Alela Diane and Neutral Milk Hotel

Go Try

MP3 - Line And A Dot - The Worst Thing That You Could Do

Go Visit

Line And A Dot - Myspace : Last.FM


Look, Stranger!
From: London, United Kingdom

Talented young chaps with an armoury of pulsing hooks, rich harmony and soaring melodies.

Go Try

MP3 - Look, Stranger! - Shake Hands, Say Hello

Go Visit

Look, Stranger! - Myspace : Last.FM

Marcel
From: Isle of White, United Kingdom

These Isle of White exiles come on like mid-period XTC wrestling Stephen Duffy to the ground.


Go Visit

Marcel - Myspace

Getting Dirty

Dirtblonde

From: Liverpool, United Kingdom

What do you get the Devil who has everything? Well Woon, Filthy Little Angels and fellow scousers Dirtblonde have sent the Devil the best birthday present a fallen angel could wish for. A killer combination of two of the best things to ever to emerge from the FLA stable. A Dirtblonde cover of Colt.45's brilliant Stockholm Syndrome. All wrapped up in a free EP from the FLA website.

Stockholm Syndrome is one of three tracks on Dirtblonde's new EP along with Brooklyn, which I'm assuming is not an ode to the Beckham's youngest although I'd love to hear Dirtblonde's take on the Beckhams, and White Horses. It's dark, uncompromising stuff, sonically raw and brutal the EP sounds like the insides of Siouxsie Sioux's head after a particularly bad nightmare, or the Raveonettes if they were dipped in acid.

It's the perfect present thanks guys.


Go Try

MP3 - Dirtblonde - Stockholm Syndrome (Colt.45 Cover)
This track is linked direct from the Filthy Little Angels site and is therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright
MP3 - Dirtblonde - Superfan
This track is linked direct from the Dirtblonde Last.FM site and is therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright

Go Visit

Dirtblonde - Website : Last.FM
Colt.45s - Myspace : Last.FM
Filthy Little Angels - Myspace : Website

Go View

Dirtblonde
Brooklyn




Dirtblonde
Stockholm Syndrome

It's My Birthday Too Yeah

Happy birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy birthday dear me, Happy Birthday to me.

Yes today's the Devil's birthday. Another year older and another year wiser. OK maybe just another year older! And what better way to celebrate than a post on new Sub Pop sensations Happy Birthday?

Happy Birthday
From: BRATTLEBORO, Vermont
United States


Happy Birthday is Kyle Thomas (aka King Tuff), Chris Weisman, and Ruth Garbus. The trio formed in November 2008 and have recently signed with Sub Pop Records.

The first fruits of the relationship with Sub Pop is the self titled debut album which was released a couple of weeks ago. The album is a throw-everything-at-the-wall bric-a-brac of sounds, colours and borrowed ideas exemplified by the brilliant 'Girls FM'. A track that sounds like at least six different songs rolled up in a ball and thrown at your iPod with careless abandon. It's a birthday party with only The Beach Boys, The Cramps, Pavement and The Ramones invited. Also check out Subliminal Messages which shimmers like a heat haze and sounds like the summer sun streaming through the hair of hippy girls.

Happy Birthday have created a boundary-bending album sifting through the history of music, well the mid 60s mainly, conjuring up a sound that captures the essence of the summer.

Go Try

MP3 - Happy Birthday - Subliminal Messages
MP3 - Happy Birthday - Girls FM
These tracks are linked direct from the Sub Pop website and are therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright

Go Visit

Happy Birthday - Myspace : Last.FM

Go View

Happy Birthday
Girls FM

Chorus Line

The Brute Chorus
From: London, United Kingdom

One of the Devil's favourite UK band's The Brute Chorus have taken some time out from promoting their new single 'Could This Be Love' (due out tomorrow on the Devil's birthday no less!) to chew the virtual fat with the Devil and provide an insight into the inner Brute.

Among other things the band talk about playing to 10 people in a hairdressers, their favourite (and rather rude but laugh out loud funny) joke and their love of Hale & Pace's The Stonk!

The Devil: Why The Brute Chorus? What other names did you ponder before deciding on The Brute Chorus?

The Brute Chorus: We went through several post-it pads. Every time one of us had an idea we’d stick it on the kitchen wall until it was pretty much covered in little bits of yellow and pink paper. We had a gig coming up and a decision needed making so we sat there binning off all the names we weren’t so keen on and gradually distilled The Brute Chorus. It’s from a Bonnie Prince Billy song. I can’t remember any of the other contenders.

The Devil: Who are your biggest influences?

The Brute Chorus: Too many to mention. We all have different ones which can often lead to ‘musical differences’ when we’re writing. There’s been quite a bit of rockabilly in there of late but I don’t think that defines our sound at all. Some folky numbers too… it’s whatever comes out really.

The Devil: What was the first record you owned and what was the first record you ever bought?

The Brute Chorus: The first record I could ever call mine was Kylie’s first album. The first record I ever bought with my own money was Hale & Pace The Stonk. It was for charity. I only just threw those cassettes out actually. I’ve had all my cassettes in a box under my bed for years. I threw them wholesale in the bin. Think I might’ve kept the Kylie though. For old time’s sake.

The Devil: What makes The Brute Chorus stand out from the millions of other bands in the world? What makes you unique?

The Brute Chorus: Our work ethic and our live show. We work really hard at everything for seemingly little reward. We never stop or give up. We’ve got staying power when our contemporaries in similar situations have thrown in the towel which I always think is sad. Music’s a vocation and I hate the thought that anyone could ever walk away from it. Live we’re totally committed on stage, our shows are very energetic and we’ve got the songs to back it up.

The Devil: What's the strangest place you've ever played and would you go back there?

The Brute Chorus: Our mate’s mum’s hairdresser in York. We were supposed to play in his record shop but it was too small so he put us in his mum’s hairdressers next door. It was on the 3rd floor and once we’d set up you could only fit another ten people in the room with us. Most of the audience had to stand on the stairs and there was a one of those helmet hairdryers hanging over Matt’s head. I’d definitely go back but may be just for a short back and sides.

The Devil: Other than The Brute Chorus who are the most exciting bands on the music scene at the moment?

The Brute Chorus: We’re loving Lord Auch (one of the Devil's tips to 2010), Delorean Drivers, The Border Surrender, Anna Calvi, Joe Gideon & The Shark, Jim Jones Revue (a breath of fresh air to a stagnant scene - The Devil), Kirsty McGee (who I sometimes play guitar for), Django Django….

The Devil: If you weren't in The Brute Chorus how would you keep yourself occupied?

The Brute Chorus: I dream of going surfing on the coast of France and hanging out with surfer femmes sur la plage. That would be heaven.

The Devil: How have The Brute Chorus managed through the economic downturn? Any tips on saving money for the Devil's readers?

The Brute Chorus: I wish I knew. We’re all totally potless at the moment. I’m sleeping on a friend’s floor and we’ve all taken on extra part-time jobs to keep the band going. Things are getting better though. We have a new album on the way and various other irons in the fire that could pay off sooner or later. The important thing is not to give in.

The Devil: If you were interviewing yourself what would be your killer question and how would you answer it?

The Brute Chorus: I hate the one that always comes up about influences. But it always gets asked. I usually answer as above.

The Devil: What's your favourite joke?

The Brute Chorus: My dad told me this one last week:

An old lady’s been lying in a coma for several weeks and nothing her doctors do can bring her round. One day the orderlies are giving her a bed bath and the doctor notices a spike in her readouts when they clean between her legs. Thinking this could be a breakthrough the doctor call’s in the woman’s frail old husband and tell him what’s happened.

“To be blunt Mr Smith, we think oral sex could be the key to your wife’s recovery.”
Desperate to revive his wife and willing to try anything Mr Smith agrees to help and that afternoon he steps through the curtains of his wife’s cubicle as the doctors watch the charts for brain activity from a discrete distance. Silence ensues as the needles tickle about on the graph when suddenly the needles flat line and the steady beep of the heart monitor becomes a constant tone. The doctor rushes in to the cubicle and confronts the red faced Mr Smith.

“Mr Smith! What happened?!”

“Doctor! I think she choked.”

The Devil: Anything else you'd like to say the the Devil's readers?

The Brute Chorus: Be cool. Stay in school.

Check out one of the Brute Chorus' favourite artists of the moment...

MP3 - Anna Calvi - First We Kiss (Demo)
This track is linked direct from the Anna Calvi Last.FM site and is therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright

Don't Worry I'm Fine

worriedaboutsatan
From: Leeds, United Kingdom

Recently, worriedaboutsatan (first mentioned on the Devil's blog back in April last year, Losing My Religion) released ‘Arrivals Remixed’, a two disc remix album, featuring re-workings of tracks off last years Arrivals album, by the likes of Her Name is Calla, Golau Glau (also previously featured on the Devil's blog, Ooooh They're Floaty Light), Marco Zenker and many more.

In March 2010, the band put online their new single, ‘Heart Monitor’, which is available to stream in full at their Soundcloud page and released as a highly limited edition tour only CD. But that's not why they're featured on the Devil's blog tonight they're featured because they're worried about me and I love them for that.

Go Try

MP3 - worriedaboutsatan - Morwena
MP3 - worriedaboutsatan - Noise 1
These tracks are linked direct from the worriedaboutsatan Last.FM site and are therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright

Go Visit

worriedaboutsatan - Myspace : Last.FM

Go View

worriedaboutsatan
You're In My Thoughts

The King Is Dead, Long Live King Antics

King Antics
From: London, United Kingdom

London trio King Antics are relative newcomers to the London new wave scene. Formed late last year, their myspace site was only created in December 2009, the trio's early demos are already creating a buzz amongst the blogospheric cognoscenti. Their reverb heavy post punk is blessed with more power than a black hole factory and should come with a warning for those of a nervous disposition. Check out the brilliant Techromancer remix of their track 'Liars' which is a great introduction to a band who are sure to be one of the bands to watch for 2011.

The king is dead, long live King Antics.

Go Try

MP3 - King Antics - Liars (Techromancer Remix)
This track is published with the permission of King Antics so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright

Go Visit

King Antics - Myspace : Last.FM

Go View

King Antics
Liars

O Superman

Superman Revenge Squad

From: Croydon, United Kingdom

The Superman Revenge Squad is the name of a fictional organization in the DC Comics universe who were, as you might have guessed from the name, enemies of Superman. It is also one man called Ben from Croydon and his acoustic guitar. He used to be in Nosferatu D2 (featured on the Devil's blog back in October last year, A Symphony Of Terror) and sounds like an apolitical, self deprecating Billy Bragg with a sense of humour.

To call him a singer/songwriter seems wrong. He is not your stereotypical singer/songwriter carefully avoiding the tortured artist cliches with thought provoking lyrics that actually make you smile. A better description would be performing poet.

With song titles like 'The Angriest Dog In The World', 'The Access Self-Storage Means We're Nearly Home', 'I'm Gonna Go To Bed (Hmmmmm) and 'I'm Ever So Slightly Spontaneous When It Comes To A Crisis' Ben clearly doesn't take himself too seriously which is a refreshing change.

All hail Superman Revenge Squad the indie poet laureate.

Go Try

MP3 - Superman Revenge Squad - Idiot Food
MP3 - Superman Revenge Squad - The Angriest Dog In The World
If anyone from the IFPI is reading these tracks are linked direct from the Superman Revenge Squad Last.FM site and are therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright.
MP3 - Superman Revenge Squad - Kendo Nagasaki
If anyone from the IFPI is reading these tracks are linked direct from the Superman Revenge Squad Website and are therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright.

Go Visit

Superman Revenge Squad - Myspace : Website : Last.FM

Go View

Superman Revenge Squad
Kevin Rowland

Bird Maniax

The Wind-Up Birds
From: Leeds, United Kingdom

Once upon a time dear children of the Devil there was a musical sub culture in the United Kingdom called Grebo (occasionally spelled Greebo). Centred around the Midlands the style was largely the creation of the British music press and never entered the consciousness of a wider audience.

One of the bands that was lumped into the manufactured musical scene was Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine (usually shortened to Carter USM). Why am I telling you all this? Well There Won't Always Be An England, the b-side of Tyre Fire the debut single from Devil's favourites the Wind-Up Birds (Literate Rock), with its takes on football, patriotism, and a thousand years of history sounds like Carter USM's take on 'I Predict A Riot'.

While it doesn't herald the return of Grebo and won't have the youth of Britain donning the Grebo uniform of dreadlocks and partially shaven heads, baggy army surplus clothing, eccentric hats and scarfs and loose tatty jeans it's great to hear a band who know that the musical history of the UK didn't begin with Oasis or Schlock Aimless Watered Down.

Go Try

MP3 - The Wind-Up Birds - There Won't Always Be An England
If anyone from the IFPI is reading this track is published with the permission of Sturdy Records so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright.

Go Visit

The Wind-Up Birds - Myspace

Go View

The Wind-Up Birds
Meet Me At The Depot

Love Notes

The Notes
From: Southampton/London, United Kingdom

One of the Devil's favourite bands Echo & The Bunnymen started out life as a trio with a drum machine. In this form they produced some haunting neo psychedelia like 'Pictures On My Wall' and 'Read It In Books'. Like the early incarnation of the Bunnymen UK band The Notes also operate as a trio with a drum machine and they have that intriguing mix of mystery and menace that personified Crocodiles and the early Bunnymen singles. Unsurprising therefore I love Notes.

Notes tracks are perfectly formed vignettes that pack a punch. With most Notes tracks failing to break the two minute barrier they're ideal the ideal band for the information overloaded noughties. They wear their influences on their sleeves with more than a whiff of The Velvet Underground, a scent of The Jesus & Mary Chain and the aroma of the Sarah Records back catalogue . It's particularly noticeable on tracks such as the Nicoesque Forbidden Fruit, a Femme Fatale for the Noughties, the JAMC drumbeat of Those Days, Those Nights and the slightly tinny twee indie of Summer Love.

The Notes are a band to note (sorry couldn't resist the tempation!).

Go Try

MP3 - The Notes - Forbidden Fruit
MP3 - The Notes - Summer Love
These tracks are published with the permission of The Notes so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright.

Go Visit

The Notes - Myspace

Moving Heaven & Earth

In May Edible Onion, a Philadelphia based collective that releases small run, hand-packaged records, will be releasing a compilation called A Cure For The Broken-Hearted. Each copy of the compilation will come in its very own accordion style book, filled with watercolor illustrations and information about the songs. In anticipation of the release the collective are streaming a different song from the compilation each week until its official release in May. The latest song to be featured is by Philly Psychonauts The New Heaven And The New Earth...

The New Heaven And The New Earth
From: West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

The New Heaven and The New Earth are Roger Alejandro Martinez and cellist Jeffrey Russ. The duo filter classical and baroque music through a
surrealistic, psychedelic pop lens like a perfectly imagined hybrid of early Pink Floyd/Syd Barrett and Owen Pallett's Final Fantasy.

The track that they have contributed the fragile, finespun 'The Book Of Floating' to Edible Onion's A Cure For The Broken-Hearted, a track that floats like a soap bubble on a light breeze. It's vaguely hypnotic, the aural equivalent of a lava lamp.

Luckily you don't have to move heaven and earth to hear the track as you can either download it courtesy of the Devil or trip over to the Edible Onion where it is streaming now.

Go Try

MP3 - The New Heaven and the New Earth - The Book Of Floating
If you're from the IFPI please note that this track is published with the permission of Edible Onion so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright

Go Visit

The New Heaven and the New Earth - Myspace // Last.FM

We'll Go Driving

Night Driving In Small Towns
From: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

The members of Night Driving In Small Towns are land dwellers. Having moved from small South Georgia towns to the city of Atlanta in 2008, the pair have seen their share of topography, and so has their music. Having navigated the spaces between artsy folk pop and brazen indie rock, the duo’s sound is sometimes gutsy, sometimes reserved, but always premeditated.

Andrea Rogers and Colby Wright have written and performed together for almost a decade, getting their craft down to a weird science in the process. Wright provides a lush musical backdrop for Rogers’s intimate lyrics, an amalgamation that has been described as a “potent cocktail” of sound. This intoxicating vibe led to Night Driving’s inclusion in a 2008 list of the “Top 25 Bands on Myspace” as determined by Rolling Stone, as well as their subsequent inclusion on the roster of Atlanta’s Lower 40 Records.

A sound that brings to mind a “lighter” shade of Rilo Kiley, Night Driving In Small Towns’ music displays characteristically mature lyrics juxtaposed with a youthful sensibility. An example of home recording at its finest, Serial Killer was recorded, mixed & mastered by Colby at his apartment in Kennesaw, GA in January of this year, and the vocals were subsequently laid down at Andrea’s.

Go Try

MP3 - Night Driving In Small Towns - Come And Tell Me
This track is published with the permission of Team Clermont so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright

Go Visit

Night Driving In Small Towns - Myspace : Website : Last.FM

Go View

Night Driving In Small Towns
Moonman

Slap Me On The Patio

The Patio Set
From: United Kingdom

I love the Patio Set. They're delivered to us direct from the dark underbelly of the UK music scene. Their debut EP, released late February is a dark, gothic masterpiece. Four tracks that'll curdle your blood.

First track Birches is reminiscent of Theatre of Hate at their most Wagnerian. It's post goth on an epic scale. Second track Bells is thankfully devoid of any bells. It's a twisting contortionist of a song that sounds like a slightly less angry Pop Group. Mines & Prospects races along like a grand national winner being ridden by the Gang Of Four. The EPs final track, Then I Vegas starts off with nearly three minutes of intricate Math rock that comes as a little light relief and then, bam, it turns into a twitchy, fidgety, restless blast of post punk.

The Patio Set sound is redolent of Jack the Ripper alleyways blanketed in a thick pea souper. It's dark, unforgiving and uncompromising. It's music from the dark recesses of the human psyche, songs from under the floorboards, tunes that crawl from the very depths of the human soul. If Tim Burton formed a band it'd sound something like The Patio Set.

It's British Summertime so what better time to check out the Patio Set?

Go Try

MP3 - The Patio Set - Birches
MP3 - The Patio Set - Mines and Prospects
These tracks are published with the permission of The Patio Set so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright.

Go Visit

The Patio Set - Myspace : Website : Last.FM

Scarlet Fever

Scarlet Youth
From: Germany/Finland

I've been off work this week and in between all of those odd jobs that have been neglected for months (years even!) I attempted a spring clean of the inbox. It's amazing what you find amidst the clutter of emails from generous Nigerian bankers, requests for my yahoo password and offers to increase the size of my manhood! One emails that I missed was from German/Finnish nu-gazers Scarlet Youth. Sorry for taking so long to feature you on the blog guys but better late than never eh?

Scarlet Youth are a sort of Finnish shoegazing supergroup with members from ShamRain, Sidewaytown, Iconcrash & Kemopetrol. They deliver beautiful, dreamy shoegaze tinged pop that takes it's cues from Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, The Smashing Pumpkins, Cocteau Twins and Chapterhouse.

Go Try

MP3 - Scarlet Youth - Before The Surface Breaks
MP3 - Scarlet Youth - Gleaming Endless Ocean
These tracks are published with the permission of Scarlet Youth so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright

Go Visit

Scarlet Youth - Myspace : Website : Last.FM

If you like this check out Sidewaytown...

MP3 - Sidewaytown - Asylum (Demo)
This track is linked direct from the Sidewaytown Last.FM site and is therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright

If you like this then you'll love Scarlet Youth

MP3 - The Cocteau Twins - Pearly Dew Drops Drop (Demo)
This track is linked direct from the Cocteau Twins website and is therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright

Double Dagger Works Wonders

Double Dagger
From: Baltimore, United States

The historic hardcore capital of the world has to be Washington DC but the centre of hardcore gravity could be shifting 35 miles down the freeway to Baltimore.

Agit punkers Double Dagger have been raising the noise levels and scaring the bejeesus out of Maryland for a few years. The agitprop trio sound like the loud and unruly branch of a family tree that includes the Pixies and The Dead Kennedys.

'The Lie/The Truth' has that whole Pixies/Nirvana quiet/loud thing going on. 'Luxury Condos For The Poor' is noisy, growling shouty old school hardcore with a title that Jello Biafra would be proud of. Pillow Talk from the trio's latest EP, 'Masks', positively begs you to turn the volume to max and give your ears a good clear out.

With forthcoming EP 'Masks' Double Dagger will be spreading the fear around the globe.

Go Try

MP3 - Double Dagger - Pillow Talk
MP3 - Double Dagger - Luxury Condos For The Poor
MP3 - Double Dagger - The Lie/The Truth
These tracks are linked direct from the Double Dagger website and Last.FM site and are therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright

Go Visit

Double Dagger - Myspace : Website : Last.FM

Go View

Double Dagger
The Lie/The Truth

The Future Is Theirs

Delphic
From: Marple Bridge, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom

First there was Manchester, then there was Madchester and now Delphic bring you Dancechester. Ok that was a bit corny but it's a little more original than the 'nu Madchester' tag that some critics have foistered on Delphic.

Like some of the best Manc bands Delphic combine rock and dance in a way that appeals to fans of both genres. There are times when they come uncomfortably close to sounding like a tribute band, an admittedly very good tribute band, to New Order (Nu Order anyone?) but this can be forgiven as they're still finding their own voice. Oscar Wilde once said talent borrows genius steals and if he were still alive today he'd probably add that stars steal from the best and Delphic are stars.

I won't be the only one banging the drum for Delphic the future is theirs for the taking.

Go Try

MP3 - Delphic - Counterpoint
MP3 - Phoenix - Fences (Delphic Remix)
MP3 - Delphic - Doubt (Ramadanman Remix)
These tracks are published with the permission of Radar Maker and are linked direct from their website. They are therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright.

Go Visit

Delphic - Myspace // Website // Last.FM

Go View

Delphic
Halcyon

Not If But When

Ifwhen
From: NY, New York, United States

Ifwhen is a three piece band from NYC formed shortly before their 2003 self titled debut by Merc, a founding member of All Natural Lemon & Lime Flavors. The trio have just released their latest EP, 'Null Set' their first release since 2008's split 12" with alternative hip hop duo dälek. The EP sounds like the results of an insane experiment where a group of idiot savants were let loose in a music store. It's like a musical car boot sale with donations from Soft Machine, Pink Floyd, My Bloody Valentine, Syd Barrett and Frank Zappa!

Sounds criss-cross and intersect so much that at times it's like listening your entire record collection at once. That is if your record collection consists of psychedelia and shoegazing! Heavily textured distorted guitars meander with odd sample based keyboards and "prog rock meets motown" basslines constantly teetering on the edge of total chaos.

The question is not if but when for Ifwhen.

Go Try

MP3 - Ifwhen - Fear Of Heights
MP3 - Ifwhen - Linked
This track is published with the permission of Ifwhen so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright.

Go Visit

Ifwhen - Myspace : Website : Last.FM

Go View

Ifwhen
Hear Less

Like A Puppet On A String

Elf & Puppet House
From: The Russian Federation

I know absolutely nothing about Russian instrumentalists Elf & Puppet House. A search of the internet doesn't help enlighten me. Other than a cryptic message on their Myspace site about dolls and elves with no past and no names there is nothing. This is a band so underground that they blister when exposed to direct sunlight. They make instrumentals that sounds like the long lost soundtrack to a socialist animated movie. With a name like Elf & Puppet House that surely has to be deliberate.

Go Try

MP3 - Elf & Puppet House - Sky = Ocean
MP3 - Elf & Puppet House - And Time Has Gone Backwards
MP3 - Elf & Puppet House - There, Where There Is No People

Go Visit

Elf & Puppet House - Myspace : Last.FM

Talking Tiger

Anna from London popsters My Tiger My Timing has taken time off from exercising her vocal chords to give the Devil's blog an insight into her influences, the strangest place the band have played and her tips for saving money.

The Devil: Why My Tiger My Timing? What other names did you ponder before deciding on this?

Anna: 'My Tiger, My Timing' is a song by the New York songwriter and musician Arthur Russell - we were listening to his stuff a lot when we formed the band and kinda liked the randomness of it. We removed the comma because we didn't want to be a punctuation band. And now there seem to be a load of 'Tiger' bands which is a bit annoying. Other contenders for the name were Super Super Bingo Time and School.

The Devil: Who are your biggest influences?

Anna - Arthur Russell is one, also Talking Heads, Blur, Happy Mondays, as well as more recent bands like The Rapture, Late of the Pier, Dirty Projectors and Gang Gang Dance.

The Devil: What was the first record you owned and what was the first record you ever bought?

Anna: The first record I owned was, I think, 'The Shoop Shoop Song' by Cher on a 7", and the first record I proudly bought with my own money was 'The Great Escape' by Blur, I think it was £13 and it took me ages to save up for.

The Devil: What makes My Tiger My Timing stand out from the millions of other bands in the world? What makes you unique?

Anna: We love old music but we hate retro bands and we're not into nostalgia or trying to sound like we're from another time - our aim is to make modern music from a UK perspective. We're unique because in an era of backing tracks and shallowness, we're a real live band who do everything together.

The Devil: What's the strangest place you've ever played and would you go back there?

Anna: We've been to some fairly weird places on our travels - playing in a Chinese Restaurant for Chinese New Year (of the Tiger) was one. The owner was terrified that the crowd would jump up and down so much the floor would cave in. We'd definitely go back - the food was delicious.

The Devil: Other than My Tiger My Timing who are the most exciting bands on the music scene at the moment?

Anna: We love Post War Years, La Shark, Fiction, Plugs, Hook & The Twin, Casiokids, Not Cool, Is Tropical - there are some really bloody great bands out there at the moment.

The Devil: If you weren't in My Tiger My Timing how would you keep yourself occupied?

Anna: I have occasionally asked myself this question but I don't think I could ever give up music. I'd stop for a week and then without realising it, find myself writing songs again. I quite like gardening though...

The Devil: How have My Tiger My Timing managed through the economic downturn? Any tips on saving money for the Devil's readers?

Anna: We've always been fairly DIY so I guess we're used to doing things on a shoestring, downturn or no downturn. Money-saving tips? We'll soon have some gorgeous hand-printed t-shirts for sale at very competitive prices - Devil's readers can look fashionable and sort out their summer wardrobe in one easy purchase (product placement!!)!

The Devil:If you were interviewing yourself what would be your killer question and how would you answer it?

Anna: Killer question: What would be your advice to bands starting out? Answer: Turn off your TV, don't read the NME, try not to think too much about the current trend: if it's already defined then it's already over, get your drumbeats right.

The Devil: What's your favourite joke?

Anna: Knock knock/Who's there?/Doctor/Doctor Who? - an oldie but a goodie.

The Devil: Anything else you'd like to say the the Devil's readers?

Anna: Come see us this summer at the Isle of Wight and V Festivals! x

Go Visit

My Tiger My Timing - Myspace // Website // Last.FM

Go View

My Tiger My Timing
I Am The Sound



If you like My Tiger My Timing then check out one of Anna's favourite new bands Not Cool...

MP3 - Not Cool - Limbs Are For Liars
MP3 - Not Cool - Um, You Didn't Do That In The Soundcheck
These tracks are linked direct from the Not Cool Last.FM site and are therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright.

Go Visit

Not Cool - Myspace : Last.FM

MP3 - La Shark - 1958

This track is linked direct from the La SharkLast.FM site and is therefore already freely available so please refrain from alleging infringement of copyright.

Go Visit

La Shark - Myspace : Last.FM