Killer Vampire Bat

Garage Flowers have unleashed their killer debut track Vampire Bat. What does this rabid record sound like? Well, imagine Bob Dylan on a motorbike, with The Stooges, Primal Scream and Black Rebel Motorcyle Club pursuing him down Highway 61 in the 1970 Dodge Challenger from the road movie, Vanishing Point. And then some.....
Garage Flowers is the name of the new band formed by ex-Hurricane 1 vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Alex Lowe. Fronted by gravel-voiced Lowe (think Faces-era Rod Stewart meets vintage Bob Dylan) Garage Flowers are a classic rock and roll act, influenced by The Rolling Stones, Iggy and The Stooges, Primal Scream, Stone Roses, The Who, Johnny Cash, Wilco, The Kinks, REM and The Beachboys. As influences go, they really don't get any better. In an era of corporate indie bed-wetters, Garage Flowers are a good time band you can fall in love with. They have great record collections and cool shoes, and soon they'll be sleeping with your mother's sister, baby! (That's a line from their Kinks-inspired tune, Where To Begin).
This is just the beginning for Garage Flowers - they already have their debut album in the can. Just wait 'til you hear the gentleman thug anthem, Lost My Dog To A Bitch, a cheeky '60s styled garage rocker that sounds like Parklife-era Blur having a fight with The Small Faces in a mod club. If you like the sound of that, then you'll also love the silly sci-fi pop of Phantom Powered Flies (Iggy Pop produced by Joe Meek) and the beautiful ballad, Old Brand New - man, it's so gorgeous it could have come off Pet Sounds.I hope we've whetted your appetite, but for now you'll have to make do with the fang-tastic Vampire Bat - guaranteed to get you in a flap! You can hear more from Garage Flowers at their My Space site http://www.myspace.com/thegarageflowers

Reid all about it

Jim Reid, one half of legendary fuzz-rock duo The Jesus and Mary Chain, is a very busy man.
His new solo single, Dead End Kids, is imminent, whilst his other side project, Freeheat, have just released their debut album, Back On The Water.
The single will also feature Dead End Kids (Demo Version) along with a cover of Bob Dylan's If You've Gotta Go, which has been getting rave reviews from his recent live gigs.
If you're quick about it, you can also get an exclusive recording of Jim covering The Beatles' And Your Bird Can Sing by grabbing the July issue of Mojo, which features an excellent CD of various artists recreating Revolver for the 40th anniversary of its release. It's well worth a listen - Jim turns the song into a spooked-out, stripped-down, twangy country ballad. Awesome.


Click here for more info on Jim Reid

Everything Must Go

While perusing the Selfridges' summer sale, I spotted James Dean Bradfield, the diminutive frontman of Manic Street Preachers, enjoying some lunch in the mozzarella salad bar - how rock and roll is that? Maybe he'd been lured in by the 'Everything Must Go' signs outside - groan!
On a more serious note, James is about to release his first solo album - The Great Western. Recorded in Hoxton and in Stir Studios in Cardiff, (where the band famously made their dark masterpiece, The Holy Bible), it's apparently a ' heroic pop-rock memoir statement that combines the sweeping flourishes of Everything Must Go; the airtight punk of The Holy Bible and Generation Terrorists' wide-eyed lust for life'.
If the new single's anything to go by, then the album should be well worth checking out - That's No Way To Tell A Lie is an epic pop song with a Motown feel and an irresistible melody. Not to be outdone, fellow Manic Nicky Wire has also recorded a solo record - I Killed The Zeitgeist - which is set to be released in September.
Expect plenty of songs about housework, rugby and afternoon naps. If that's not enough for you, then the Manics are also working on a brand new studio album due for release next year. Wire has described it as 'Appetite For Destruction 2!" Watch this space.

Click here for more info on Manic Street Preachers

The Snow must go on...

Er, the sun's gone in. I guess I was premature with my summer celebrations.
OK, so now we need to listen to something miserable, then.
I've never been a massive fan of Snow Patrol - too pedestrian and a terrible image - but there's a corker of a tune on their
new album Eyes Open. Head straight for the duet with Martha Wainwright - Set The Fire To The Third Bar. It's unlike anything the boys have done before - a spectral ballad that chills to the bone. It will take you to 'distant, dark places'.
Roll on the winter...


Click here for more info on Snow Patrol

Hazey shade of summer

I can't believe it - the sun's actually out. To celebrate the arrival of summer, why not get your hands on a copy of the
fantastic new single Always There by Scottish country/power-pop quartet The Hazey Janes.
Taken from the album Hotel Radio, it's a classic mix of The Byrds and REM. What is it with Scotland and top-notch jangly, harmonic pop tunes? I'll be humming this one for weeks... Hmm, lovely.


Click here for more info on The Hazey Janes

The Maybes? Definitely

In the mood for a bit of scorching summer rock and roll? I know we've got the new Primal Scream album, Riot City Blues, to satisfy our need for some good,ole fashioned Rolling Stones riffin', but if that's not enough then check out Liverpool retro rockers The Maybes?
Clocking in at just over two minutes, their debut single, Stop, Look and Listen, (available on iTunes) is an irresistible helping of rough-edged, beaten-up Mersey pop with a side order of Mick and Keef - like The La's relocated to the Deep South.
I'd also recommend visiting the band's My Space site, where you can hear two more tunes - Get On The Resin (a stupidly catchy, twangin' swamp blues racket) and Like Clockwork ( classic Scouse pop - think Lee Mavers, The Stands and Shack). Maybe you should give 'em a listen.

Click here for more info on The Maybes?

Meeting Morrissey

Stop me if you think that you've heard this one before, but have I told you about the time I almost spilt my drink over Morrissey?
One Saturday night, I was checking out this year's 'new Smiths' The Boyfriends at Blow Up, when I came face to face with Mozzer!
I was carrying a round of drinks back from the crowded bar, when all of a sudden; I had to dodge out of the way of an oncoming punter. As I looked closer, I couldn't believe my eyes. There in front of me was none other than Stephen Patrick Morrissey.
I must say he looked great in the flesh. With his distinguished grey quiff and smart attire, he resembled a slightly confused and eccentric uncle who'd wandered into a noisy indie club by mistake!
I almost dropped my beer in amazement. Unfortunately, I couldn't pluck up the courage to speak to him (What would you say?) Overcome by emotion, ("Shyness is nice, and shyness can stop you from doing all the thing in life you'd like to,") I giggled nervously and, with shaking hands, delivered the drinks to my mates. I then spent the rest of the evening boring them senseless by recounting the story of my chance encounter with the godfather of indie.
Apologies to all of the people I called and texted, too - sorry, but I just had to let you know that I'd had one of the best nights of my life ever. And to cap it all, The Boyfriends were amazing, too.
They played one of their finest gigs to date – a memorable set of swaggering modern indie anthems that recall the best of The Smiths, Joy Division and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Even Morrissey must have gone home happy.


Click here for more info on Morrissey
Click here for more info on The Boyfriends

Miserable singer/songwriter alert!

I'm a sucker for miserable singer/songwriter types - I tend to get a lot of them wanting to be my My Space friends! The sad thing is, I usually always agree.
Thankfully, the latest tortured artist to ask me for My Space friendship is actually great. I had a pleasant surprise when Richard Hodgekins popped into my inbox.
His debut single, Everytime I Breakdown, is a fragile, skewed piano ballad in the vein of Ed Harcourt or Ryan Adams. In fact, with his dark 'bedhead' hair and constant cigarette, Richard looks just like Ryan.
Richard and his band Scared will be playing dates soon. Watch this space for more details.


Click here for more info on Richard Hodgekins

Lowe Country

Q and A with Alex Lowe

Former Hurricane 1 front-man, Alex Lowe, has been making solo records for the last few years, but his latest effort, Step Forward All False Prophets, is a real departure for him, as it heralds a new alt-country direction. I had a chat with him about preachers, angels, whores and devils.

Q:Why make a country album?

A:I have always been into that country style - I like Dylan, Tom Petty, Gram Parsons, Jayhawks, Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Sonvolt. I always wanted to make an acoustic album and I am glad I have finally got the chance to do this. I didn't have a chance in hell when I was with Hurricane 1 to really do what I always wanted to do. I don't think it's country as such, but I do think it's quite alternative, as the lyrics are mostly based on strange events. I am really proud of the lyrics - they're my best yet.

Q: What influenced the album?

Dylan - for sure! I have always liked Dylan, but over the past few months I have dug deep and found out more about him. While I was making the new album, all I listened to was Dylan and Tom Petty. My favourite Dylan song is A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall - amazing.

Q: Are you a fan of Johnny Cash?

A: There are no words to describe the man - he was a total rock 'n' roll icon. He was a dirty angel - that's the way I describe him!

Q: Tell me about some of the stories behind the songs.

A: It's funny, but if you listen to the album there is a very spiritual nature about the whole thing. I am not a religious person at all, but there is a sense of a higher being in these songs. They're all to do with angels, preachers, whores, saving people, gunfights and the Devil! I wrote the whole album in five days - I was on a roll.

Q: Are you pleased with the album?

A:I'm very pleased I just want people to hear it. I don't care if it sells or not - I just want one person to love it. Let's hope it's not a lost classic - I don't want to turn into a Nick Drake type person. That would be a bummer!

Click here for more info on Alex Lowe

It's never too lute... Brett Anderson makes 'Scott Walker record'

Brett Anderson (Suede and The Tears) is to release a solo album. The self-titled album will be available next year and features strings and lutes (!), apparently!
Fear not - Anderson hasn't gone all medieval on our ass - the new album has been described by its creator as 'having a Scott Walker feel', which is fine by me. Anderson co-produced the record and also played electric guitar on it. Let's hope it's worth the wait. It's got to be better than that last dodgy Suede album...

iPod 'Most played' Top 10

Why not liven up your rainy Bank Holiday weekend by putting some of these beauties on your iPod? I did.

1) Richard Hawley - Some Candy Talking (from the album Q Covered): "Sheffield crooner turns The Jesus and Mary Chain's druggy indie classic into a towering torchsong that's reminscent of Roy Orbison. A stirrring epic - strings and everything!"

2)The Upper Room - Black and White (single): "I'm a sucker for this blast of '80s influenced guitar pop - it sounds like it's been around for years. Great harmonies, jangly guitars and a chorus to die for. Like finding a tenner in an old pair of jeans."

3)Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs: Different Drum (from the album Sid 'n' Susie - Under The Covers Vol.1) : "Power-pop supremo teams up with Bangles singer to cover the Stone Poneys '60s classic. Irresistible sunshine sing-a-long - dig those harmonies and strings,man. Beachboys associate Van Dyke Parks plays harpsichord and piano - what more do you want?"

4)Pet Shop Boys - Minimal (from the album Fundamental): "Tennant and Lowe are back on form with this sublime helping of streamlined electro-pop - '80s vocal effects, super synth lines, grandiose strings and a bassline that's stolen from New Order. Absolutely fabulous, darling."

5)The Boyfriends - Adult Acne/ Tears Before Bedtime (CD single) : "Wonderfully evocative indie that harks back to the glory days of The Smiths and '80s bedroom angst."

6)Franz Ferdinand - What You Waiting For? ( Radio 1 session): "Scottish art-rockers' take on Gwen Stefani's pop gem. A killer version - new wave disco riot!

7)Richard J. Parfitt - Downtown (from the album Highlights In Slow Motion): "This moving acoustic ballad is taken from the long-forgotten solo album by the former frontman of '90s Welsh punk-soulsters, 60 ft Dolls. Sounds great being played on your iPod at 3am whilst walking through central London in the rain - I'd imagine. You can probably find the album in a bargain bin somewhere - I did. Well worth checking out."

8) Shack - Finn, Sophie, Bobby & Lance (from the album The Corner of Miles and Gil): "Welcome return for Scouse pysch-folk popsters. This is one of the highlights - a beautiful, haunting track that namechecks the cast of Home Away. Weird. Imagine Nick Drake with a penchant for Aussie soaps!"

9) Alex Lowe - Where To Begin (white label): "Former Hurricane 1 vocalist cranks it up on a fuzzy garage rock classic - like Rod Stewart fronting The Kinks. Currently unreleased - honestly, there's no justice in the world."

10) James Roberts - On The Peak (demo): "Ex-Delta singer comes across all Neil Young on this captivating acoustic guitar/piano ballad. Heartbreaking stuff."

Pet Sounds

The best pop comeback album of the year has arrived. Just when you thought Mozzer would clinch the title with his superb return to form, Ringleader of the Tormentors, messrs Tennant and Lowe - aka The Pet Shop Boys - have beaten Stephen Patrick (probably using their funny pointed hats) by releasing their best record since 1990's melancholy classic, Behaviour.
Fundamental, the Pet Shop Boys ninth studio album, is a masterclass in pop perfection - Debussy to a disco beat. Produced by '80s music maestro, Trevor 'Buggles' Horn, it's funny, sad, moving, camp, highly danceable and, er, completely and utterly gay - brilliant!
There are HI-NRG synth romps (new New Order influenced single Minimal and The Sodom and Gomorrah Show), Kraftwerk electro (Psychological), political Euro-pop tunes (Integral and I'm With Stupid) and plenty of overblown, dramatic ballads - the superb orchestral show-stopper, Numb, was written by US soft rock queen Diane Warren and turned down by Aerosmith. How cool is that? I'm going to be domino dancing all week!


Click here for more info on Fundamental

A filthy night with The Boyfriends

I recently saw half of hotly-tipped London band The Boyfriends, who have just returned from supporting Morrissey on his European tour, play a low-key acoustic set at Filthy McNasty's Whiskey Cafe in Islington
The show featured four brand new songs, including one about meeting Elizabeth Taylor on a London bus! Introducing themselves as Journey South (!), vocalist Martin Wallace and guitarist Richard Adderley impressed the audience with acoustic renditions of several live favourites, including debut single I Love You.
At least three of the new songs aired - Apathy in the UK, Wonders Never Cease and British Summertime - are due to appear on The Boyfriends' debut album, which is due out later this year. The band are currently holed up in a London recording studio making the record - it's pencilled in for a September release.
Spotted in the audience were former Kenickie bassist, Emmy-Kate Montrose, and Dickon Edwards of long-forgotten Romo band, Orlando!

Meet The Boyfriends

I've had a busy week trawling London's dark and dingy toilets for fresh talent – and I've been checking out new bands, too! Top sightings this week include fantastic new indie outfit The Boyfriends, whose second single, Adult Acne, is out now.
There's been a serious lack of style and glamour in the rock world of late (One of Arctic Monkeys wears leather deck shoes, for chrissakes), but with their suit jackets, surly charm and fey posturing (front-man Martin Wallace is surely the result of a bizarre experiment in which Mozzer was cloned with one of the Mitchell brothers – a sweet and tender hooligan, if you like) The Boyfriends hark back to the glory days of Britpop when bands made an effort to look good and wrote tunes about London, unrequited love, taking drugs and tawdry sex in stolen cars. Ah, happy days. They're definitely ones to watch out for.
Click here for more info on The Boyfriends
Talking of Britpop, the other week I also found myself propping up the Nottting Hill Arts Club bar with former Rialto main-man, Louis Eliot, who has a new solo e.p. due out later this year We didn't quite make it through until Monday morning 5;19, but we did have a quick chinwag at Alan McGee's cool Death Disco night. Louis was playing guitar in his new female-fronted outfit, The Vitamins. Forget Rialto's classy French film score vibe, The Vitamins play loud, dirty garage rock – think PJ Harvey meets T-Rex.
"I wanted to rock out and try something different," said Louis, who admitted a liking for Suzie Quatro, in particular glam stomper, Devilgate Drive. I can't wait to see Louis' new band again – in fact, I'm already suffering from, er, Vitamins deficiency!

Saint Etienne meets Sixties Soul

Got the arse with The Arctic Monkeys, or bored by the current crop of Joy Division rip-offs that are currently doing the rounds?
Are you gagging for some classic '60s influenced songs and glamorous girlie vocals? I certainly am - so I'm glad I've stumbled across Lucky Soul.
The female-fronted five piece from Greenwich, South East London unleashed their debut single (on 7 inch vinyl - downloads are so last year, darling) earlier this year - and it's a corker.
My Brittle Heart is one of the finest things I've heard all year - think Saint Etienne meets Phil Spector's Wall of Sound and Motown, complete with epic strings, a sunny melody and a swooning chorus. Those Luddites out there who possess a turntable can flip it over and enjoy the brilliant B-side Give Me Love - a towering soul ballad that sounds like Sarah Cracknell fronting The Shangri-Las - yep, that good.
If there's any justice in the world, Lucky Soul, rather than any dodgy football songs, will be the soundtrack to this year's summer. Check out the band's official website herefor plenty of other top pop moments including new single and Northern Soul stomper Lips Are Unhappy, Add Your Light To Mine, Baby (basically Lucky Soul doing Saint Etienne doing The Supremes) and My Darling Anything, a tear-jerking orchestral ballad that sounds like it fell from heaven and was found in a Greenwich gutter, looking up at the stars...