Here are some bands I think you should all be looking out for in 2009....
YOU ME AT SIX
You Me At Six haven’t got the best reputation when it comes to being ‘credible’ in the music business but let me ask you a question:
How many other bands (with all members aged 18-19) have played a sold out UK tour to 500-1000 people each night and a sold out gig at the 2000 capacity Astoria months before their debut album has even been released? From that perspective you can’t say that they’re success isn’t deserved can you?
Go to any YM@6 gig and its obvious that at least 50% of their fans are teenage girls named MellissaMURDER™ and VanessaVANITY™ etc… But lets face it they’re probably more interested in getting in vocalists Josh Franceshi’s pants rather than the music itself.
Unlike many people I’m not afraid to admit that I have a soft spot for all things pop punk. What’s wrong with bands making music that you can jump and sing your heart out to? Obviously there’s always time for the serious tones of Thom Yorke but once in a while its good to let go and forget about everything and that’s exactly what YM@6 excel at doing.
My general guideline in life is ‘if it’s from Wales it must be amazing’. What’s there not to love about the accent, the music and the gorgeous Aled from Kids In Glass Houses?
It seems that South Wales has recently become a cauldron for new music, with bands such as The Blackout and Kids In Glass Houses, as well as classic bands like the Manics and The Stereophonics. I don’t know if this is due to something magical in the air or the melodic tones of the accent but it’s clear to see that South Wales is quickly becoming a musical hot spot.
The latest offering from one of the worlds most productive musical areas is Attack! Attack! whose mixture of pop-punk melodies are hard hitting and uplifting. I saw them last night supporting Funeral For A Friend at the Kentish Town Forum; and although being the first support act and playing when most people were arriving Attack! Attack! gave an energetic performance including songs Lights Out, Home Again and Time Is Up from their self titled album.
If their Welsh counterparts are anything to go by this band are about to become another one of the valleys success stories.
BOUND BY SIRENS
In their own words Bound By Sirens play ‘rock music taken back to it’s roots’ and from what I’ve heard they’re right. Unlike most bands these days there’s nothing fancy about their songs, there’s no need for Enter Shikari style computer generated sounds or Oli Sykes style screams; they just play songs that you can sing along too and have a good time with which is a refreshing change from the over generated music we are often subjected to.
Despite only loading 2 songs on their Myspace (Night Balloon and This Town) since coming together at the beginning of 08 they have spent most of their time writing their debut E.P and trying to get themselves known around their local Nottinghamshire/Mansfield (their hometown) music scene.
With an array of influences ranging from Jimmy Eat World, Pantera and Metallica to John Lennon and Kurt Cobain it’s clear to see that this is a band who realise that you don’t need to create music exclusively for one genre as in the words of vocalist David Dring Bound By Sirens aim to ‘play to the masses’.
WE ARE THE OCEAN
Bands playing scream charged melodious punk-rock are found everywhere these days and at first glance We Are The Ocean seem exactly the same as the rest. But look past their uniform of skinny jeans and straightened hair and in time this Essex based 5 piece could be a real force to be reckoned with.
Technically what We Are The Ocean are doing isnt exactly new or fresh; instead they are choosing to play an instantly recogniseable mixture of passionate singing, gnarly vocals and sing-a-long choruses. The result of this winning combination are songs that are not only memorable but extremely moshable as well. Songs such as ‘Nothing Good Has Happened Yet’ and ‘These Walls’ clearly indicate a fresh and dynamic young band who aren’t afraid to push things forward and begin to break down the boundaries that their influences such as Alexisonfire have left.
Despite only being in their early days We Are The Ocean to be making a proper go of this music business and taking a proper shot at this rock and roll lifestyle, and somehow they’re managing to do it whilst they’re all still in their teens.
FEI COMODO
Ladies and Gentlemen I welcome you to the birth place of Jodie Marsh… Essex.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the area it’s commonly known for girls who look like they have bathed in Tango and velour tracksuits.
However proving that Essex has more to offer than its current features are Fei Comodo; a Post Hardcore band whose current claim to fame is creating the theme for MTV2’s cult show ‘Mighty Moshing Power Rangers’.
On paper Fei Comodo’s mixture of Metal and Hardcore seems like a recipe for disaster yet it comes together surprisingly well in the form of hard hitting songs such as ‘Break The Ice’ and ‘Bobby Marshal’. Although their debut EP ‘They All Have Two Faces’ is only 8 songs long don’t be fooled into thinking that this is a band with nothing to offer. ‘They All Have Two Faces’ is an EP which is filled with outpouring emotion that is both irresistible and energizing with a twist of gut wrenching vocals and heartfelt choruses.
With an ever growing following of fans it’s clear to see that these aren’t just one hit wonders and given enough time I believe they really could be something special.
