Dear People Who Read Clash As Religiously As Me,
Since Peace became the biggest musical discovery since Black Sabbath (potential over-exaggeration) from Birmingham, it seems as though all the small bands that were hiding away in the backstreets and miniscule practice spaces are climbing out of the woodwork. They may or may not be hoping for a similarly sized slice of praise-pie that Peace were served but what is for certain is that Birmingham based bands are pulling their fingers out and are ready to stick them to the man.
Peace, as ever, lead the next charge with their new EP ‘Delicious’ which has some succulent looking cover art, hopefully the tunes are as tasty for the ears as the cover is tasty for the eyes. The bands tunes are hogging late night playlist slots almost as much as Flo Rida does in the day time on Radio 1 and other strands of BBC Radio. ‘1998 (Delicious)’ sounds as though it comes from the alternative universe version of Ibiza where all the trance anthems are strummed out on guitars whereas ‘California Daze’ begs to be sung straight back at the band as they crack it out as a sunny set closer. It will be landing in the laps of lads and lasses alike on the 9th September through Columbia (you read right!).
Jaws are a gang who are new to the B-Town block but are making peace with the other band/gangs Swim Deep and Peace. It’s all rather Warriors-esque around here. They are the third, but hopefully not final part of Birmingham’s youthful revolt on all things non-excellent. Their latest single ‘Toucan Surf’ flows in the same anthemic vein as Swim Deep’s banger ‘King City’ and Peace’s sizzlin’ single ‘Follow Baby’. It will be released through Rattlepop records on 26th August for download. Who needs physical releases in this day and age?
Speaking of Swim Deep; which often happens in my letter, the band are now happily signed up to Sony RCA. Wow.
Who will be next to break out of B-Town? My money, set aside especially for musical bets, is on Midnight Bonfires with their freaky in a good way folk rock. It’s their single ‘Misbehave’ that makes me think this way. The distinctive vocal delivery and decisively different way with guitars to other Birmingham blokes may just stand them in very good stead for the future.
Now, back to even more releases! The three men who make up both a band (The Traps) and a brand (Speech Fewapy Records) are taking a break from promoting the music their friends and favourite bands are making and are now concentrating on their own work for a little bit. Their recent single ‘Your Head Land’ gives us a cheeky indication as to where their up-coming record will take its listeners.
From bands to singer-song-writers. The rather dashing Lawrence Taylor, Birmingham born and bred of course, has sprung his new EP ‘What You Love’ upon the world. He may be another handsome young man with a guitar; but he is a young man with strong vocal character and a knack for penning lyrics that hit you where it hurts in a nice way.
Before your eyes start to itch from reading off a glaring computer screen for too long, I will cease this information overload. But before the beginning of the end can begin, you’ll want to know about the new EP from Caves. They are pumping out the same laid back, amped up lo-fi jams that will always have a place in the hearts of men and women. They don’t care but they do have feelings. They are most probably passionate about skate-boarding, chilling, hanging and pizza. You will try and fail to disagree with their way of life.
P.S. Wide Eyed have started holing up in Harry from Peace’s home studio. What will come of this collaboration? Some pretty groovy stuff I imagine. It’s a shame that we can only imagine until the fruitful MP3s of their labour surface.
Words by Jack Parker
Twitter: @SecretAdmirer60