The Quicksand Band: Making The Album Video

One of Dublin's finest alt-country/rock bands The Quicksand Band, have released a behind the scenes video-teaser of their forthcoming debut album "Approaching Rain"  Produced by acclaimed Irish singer/songwriter Gavin Glass and set for release later this year..The album sounds very promising from the brief snatches of songs contained in the video. Keep an eye out for "Approaching Rain" it could be the surprise package of the year.

Review: Suede The Olympia Dublin 24-5-11

Suede kicked of their 3 night residency of reunion gigs in Dublin's Olympia Theatre by performing their genre defining, seminal, 1993 self-titled debut album "Suede" in its entirety. Eighteen years later, the songs are still fresh and authentic.  Although this is not the original line-up (with original guitarist turned super-producer Bernard Butler having refused the invitation to play. He instead opted to re-master tonight's material and follow up album Dog Man Star) their was a certain amount of romance, in the air as the band took to the stage

Dublin quartet Sweet Jane had the unenviable job of support act, on such an emotional occasion for Suede fans. But they steadily won the crowd over, with their dark ephemeral, wall of sound. Lydia Des Dolles voice is a cross between Hope Sandoval and Bilinda Butcher while guitarist Danda Paxton's voice adds a dark colour to the mist of grime   Their musical influences include The Jesus and Marychain, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Iggy Pop and The Ramones.

The crowd sing lustfully along to a Sex Pistols track, as the lights dim and Suede swagger onto the stage, dressed head-to-toe in black. Led by drummer Simon Gilbert who appears to have been in cryostasis, all these years. In fact most of the band seem to have preserved themselves remarkably well.  Brett Anderson strides onto the stage last, to thunderous applause.  The years have been, especially kind to Anderson, who is just as thin as he was in 1993.

From the first note of "So Young" its obvious that this is no mere, money collecting exercise, by a band riding this years nostalgia wave. Suede, clearly have a point to prove, and prove it they do. Anderson's voice is impeccable through the entire show, as he prances and pogo's nonstop. Fan favourite "Animal Nitrate" is the first of many songs to benefit from the addition of Neil Codling on guitar. Though the highlight for many seemed to be, being given "the finger" by Anderson.

However, the man with the most to prove is Richard Oakes, having replaced the architect of Suede's sound, Bernard Butler. Oakes has often been the fan's whipping boy for Butler's departure, rather than the rest of the band. By the time the band play the rousing "Moving" Oakes, has dispelled these misgivings totally, with precise renditions of the guitar parts. He is clearly enjoying himself, especially on songs like "Sleeping Pills" and "Metal Mickey". 

Anderson's voice goes Bowie on the outro of "Pantomime Horse" as he goes down on his knees and repeats "have you ever tried in that way..."  Anderson bounds the stage, like a man possessed, on "The Drowners" going into the crowd at one point. The fan's are also treated to Anderson's signature claps, on this track.

"Metal Mickey" and "Animal Lover" whip the crowd into a frenzy, before the band depart, leaving Anderson and Codling to deliver the albums closing track "The Next Life" This sparse piano balled perfectly suits the intimate surroundings of the Olympia.

After a short break, Suede return to play some fan-favourite B-sides "My Insatiable One" and "For The Birds" Disappointingly, the band opt to ignore calls to play "Killing of a Flash Boy" Opting instead to give fan's a taster of whats to come, in their "Coming Op" gig. Firstly with "Thrash" The crowd go manic as Anderson, once again throws himself into the crowd. They finish the night with "Beautiful One's" where Anderson encourages the crowd to "Sing it!" repeatedly. Once again Anderson bounds into the pit for the final bars, before the band disappear into the night. Just like the characters from their songs.

Keep Shelly in Athens "Remix Compilation"

Keep Shelly in Athens, have compiled a collection of their remixes to date. Including their fantastic re-imagining of tracks by two of Ireland's finest bands Solar Bears and Sacred Animals.

  Our remixes by Keep Shelly in Athens

Review: The Rambleers "Roots"

The Rambleers debut album "Roots" is foremost an album for lovers of classic blues-rock guitar licks. The influence of Rory Gallagher, Led Zeppelin and  Lynyrd Skynyrd is palpable. By attempting to travel this well-worn road The Rambleers, have set themselves a virtuoso level of musicianship to aspire to and in the end, to be judged against.

The guitar, drums and bass in particular are lovingly delivered with some skill on songs like "Roots"and "Ebb and Flow" in particular. The vocals bizarrely have a touch of Madchester about them in places with a deep rooted swagger, whilst also touching the more obvious blues rock keystones. Slide guitar led, folk jamboree  "New Years Day" is one of the albums softer highlights. While "Dirty Blue" pays homage to the call and response origins of the blues itself. 

It would appear that The Rambleers have done the unthinkable and created a credible Irish blues record.

You can catch The Rambleers live every Sunday in The Mezz or check out  http://breakingtunes.com/therambleers for live dates and further details.

Video: Squarehead "Midnight Enchilada"

Richter Collective recently continued their impressive winning streak with the release of Squarehead's latest single "Midnight Enchilada" Its release party at Dublin's newly revamped Mercantile was one of the gigs of the year to date. 

Check out the new video for the single below. But beware, the chorus may cause you to throw your plans for the evening out the window. Being the hummable summer wonder that it is. 

We expect big things from Squarehead in the future. Definitely a band to watch out for in 2011 and beyond. 

Squarehead 'Midnight Enchilada' from Rupert Morris on Vimeo.

Video: Windings - Embury Greenway

Windings are back with a fantastic new single Embrury Greenway check out the video below its top stuff.

Review : We Are Trees "Girlfriend" EP

Bedroom-ephemeral specialists We Are Trees return with their second EP "Girlfriend" the companion piece to "Boyfriend" their critically acclaimed debut release. 

The band believe that when combined, the two EP's create one whole album, a side A and Side B if you will. Having completely swooned over their first release, we were thoroughly excited at the arrival of the next instalment.  And as the cover suggests it is a more sexual platter.

"Teenage Heartbreak" eases us into the EP with the familiar base elements of reverb laden vocals, acoustic guitars and the bombastic complicated-minimalism of Josiah Schlater's drumming. Lyrics of loss are never far away with We Are Trees "you never wanted to be with me ...I cried"  The backing vocals step forward and  the "oohs" invite us to hum along and drift away through the wordless choruses.

"Colorado" centres in a dark acoustic riff landscape with occasional synth stabs The vocals mimic the guitar melody and the guitar melody mimics the vocal melody as the song builds, into a layered atmospheric guitar solo. Once again James Nee conveys his emotions equally well in "oohs" and "ahs" as he does in words. 

"Talk to me girl I never wanted to end this way with you" urges James Nee in his most Beatle like lyric to date on "Girlfriend" An excellent song which showcases James Nee's love of The Smiths and Belle and Sebastian.  The shortest song on the EP "You" is a beautiful finger picked ballad wrapped in a bow of sadness.

"I Don't Believe in Love" is the stand out track on the EP it proves that We Are Trees can rock just as well as they can create ephemeral pop. Distorted vocals lead this Weezeresque stomp, out of the traps.  The half familiar lead lines build into a dark discorded middle 8 section Think "Everlong" for this generation. 

If as James Nee claims his songs are "all about imaginary girlfriends" god help us when his heart really gets broke, because the music he writes will be unbelievably good. "Girlfriend" is an excellent EP which shows We Are Trees have the potential to be a global phenomenon.