This would be the first time I had seen Suede for a few years and probably the 6th or 7th time I have seen them overall. The first time was at the sadly long defunct Old Trout in Windsor back in June 1992. After hearing the new album ‘Antidepressants’ I was quite excited for this gig. But before I tell you how it was let me tell you about the support band, Bloodworm. They are George Curtis, Euan Stevens, and Chris Walker from Nottingham. They have a strong post punk feel, added shoegaze elements, a sprinkling of dark goth and a huge injection of metal. Their riffs were piledriving and the crowd seemed to love them. Their massive sound hits you head first like a runaway fully laden express train and it feels fucking good! This band may well be huge one day.
Finally it was time for Suede to hit the stage for this sell out show. The band are clearly, and rightly, so confident in the new album that the first three songs in the set were lifted from it: “Disintegrate”, “Dancing With The Europeans” and the title track “Antidepressants”. They sound like they have been part of classic Suede sets for years, but that can’t be true! “Dancing With The Europeans” was one of many highlights for me. Most of the hits were there “Trash”, “Animal Nitrate”, “So Young”, “Metal Mickey” and “New generation”. The latter was making its 2026 tour debut. The song the raised the crowd to a level of mass hysteria though was “Beautiful Ones” as Brett encouraged us all to sing along to that magnificent “la la la la” refrain while we were “shaking our bits to the hits”. Brett Anderson is 58 years old, but that never shows. He is a true showman and worked the stage like he owned it as he welcomed us all to Suedeworld once again. This was a fiery, bombastic, explosive set from a band once again at their peak. It was capped with a goosebumps inducing two song encore of “The Only Way I Can Love You” (from ‘Autofiction’) and “Saturday Night” (from ‘Coming Up). I thought that Suede were good the first time I witnessed them nearly 34 years ago, but who knew they would become such a great band. Even after all this time they get better and better!
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We are big fans of HerOrangeCoat’s music here at Mayhem Towers, so we were very excited when we heard about her new project, the EP entitled ‘The Woodland Sessions’. Georgia a.k.a. HerOrangeCoat was able to undertake and complete the project with funding from the Next Gen fund from Youth Music. She went to five woodland locations and wrote and recorded five songs, each in a single day. Georgia says of the songs “These songs are unlike the rest of my catalogue – these are field recordings designed to capture the ambience of the spaces that inspired the music“. These are gorgeously intimate, soulful and introspective recordings with an ambience of natural sounds underlying each of them. The clarity and fragility of Georgia’s vocals is interwoven with the beautifully crafted gentle ukulele accompaniment. This is an EP that takes me to a very happy place and is perfect for a chilled meditation. I haven’t heard anything so wonderfully raw for a long while. These songs will be recorded in a studio for a later release in May. The five songs are listed below alongside the forest and woodland areas they were recorded.
“The Algae and Hope Grow” (Judy Woods) “I’ve Seen a Deer” (Knaresborough Forest Park) “Down Where the Stories Grow” (Garbutt Wood) “Under the Yew Tree” (Castle Eden Dene) “Adder Stone” (Dalby Forest)
Take a listen, you will love the way this music transports you to another magical place.
Photo by Kevin Donnelly
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Marky Ramone is one of just a few living Ramones and certainly the only survivor from one of their 1970s incarnations. He joined as a drummer in 1978 and stayed until 1983 and came back from 1987 to 1996. He is now touring as Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg. Are they any good? Read on to find out but first I need to tell you about the rather splendid support band Bones Ate Arfa from Brighton. They describe themselves as “a psychedelic street punk/desert rock three piece” and I can see why. For me they absolutely owned the stage with a solid amalgam of heavy metal, punk and angry hair metal. Their songs were immense and when they displayed the “FUCK REFORM” message I was sold! They also exist in a parallell comic book univers, I even bought one of their fabulous comic books! I definitely want to see this lot again.
Finally it was time for a true brudder and some lil brudders as Marky and his boys took the stage. I first saw the Ramones before Marky joined back in 1977 (December 31st) at the Rainbow in London. That night they played 28 songs and 21 of those were played by Blitzkrieg at this Brudenell gig tonight. Typical of the original band there is not much communication between songs although you do get the regular intros counted in as ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR. They were like an incredibly tight and well rehearsed Ramones tribute band, only they had the bonus of an original member. It was a wonderfully nostalgic night in a room packed with blokes of a certain age, like me. Aging punks are always up for a good night and this was no exception. There were plenty of highlights and my particular favourites were “Beat On The Brat”, “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker”, “The KKK Took My Baby Away” and “Blitzkrieg Bop”. They also played a great version of the Louis Armstrong hit “What A Wonderful World” which Joey Ramone covered on one of his solo albums. This was an absolute blast and I loved every minute of it!
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A few regular readers may know that I am now the chair of Love Music Hate racism in York. I have been in this role for just a few months, along with a fabulous team of music loving anti racists! Anyway we have organised our first gig and the press release for that show (which I wrote) is copied below. If you are going, you are very lucky, because it is sold out. But we will be doing more so keep your eyes and ears peeled!
Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) uses the energy and vibrancy of the music scene to promote unity and celebrate diversity through education and events. Our message is simple; there is more that unites us than divides us; and nothing demonstrates this more than music. Whatever the genre, music is living testimony to the fact that cultures can and do mix. Music has the power to unite, to give strength and to effect positive social change. Racism, on the other hand, weakens us; it creates barriers and turns friends and neighbours against one another. Sadly, racism is on the rise in the UK and internationally. We believe that if we work together, we can harness the power of music to stop this destructive force in its tracks. Our aim is to use the power of music to bring together individuals and communities in a beautiful resistance against bigotry and hatred.
We are utilising the power of music by putting on gigs to raise awareness and support. Our first gig is at the Basement at City Screen on Friday 27th February and it is sold out! It has been badged as Love Punk Hate racism! It is headlined by young York band Vagabond. They have played the Cavern in Liverpool, opened Mothership Festival in York and are talented and established York buskers. They are a punk band, but they have so much more. It is a solid and curious amalgam of the traditional and the modern. Punk, pop punk, power punk and funky punk. Second on the bill are the Blair Bitch Project (now named Bitchcraft after a complaint from the horror film franchise). They are an all-girl band who know how to rock. Think Sabbath, Girlschool and Siouxse rolled into one massive sonic onslaught. They conjure some scary, monumental, weird and wonky riffs. Also, on the lineup we have Sweeping Statement. They encompass post punk and prog in a delightful melting pot of sonic excellence. If you used Artificial Intelligence to create a band that mixed largely unrelated genres and encouraged moshing it might well deliver Sweeping Statement. Our second gig is scheduled for Friday 27th March, keep your eyes on social media and the streets for more news on that soon! Finally we would like to thank all the bands for their passion and commitment to the cause by being so willing to give their time and performance for free!
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Earlier this month the High Priestess of Brat Punk and the Queen of all marginilised, mistreated minorities released “Illegal Aliens” possibly her best song so far. It is a powerful protest song driven by anger, caring, empathy. Much of the songs caustic venom and rage is directed at the patriarchal powers that be, notably the fascist Trump regime. It is built on a bed of music made from punk, hip-hop, nu-metal and the lyrics are in your face. The words are raw and passionate and convey a huge outrage better than some of the greatest protest songs that have come before. The depths of Delilah’s ire on this track are never ending. Why are more people not as angry as her at the various shit shows and vile people that are running/ ruining the world? To paraphrase the Sex Pistols Delilah “means it maaan!” Delilah has said “I’m donating all proceeds from my ‘Digital Downloads’ bought directly from my website to MIRAC (Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee) a grassroots volunteer based charity helping immigrants impacted across Minnesota with food banks, legal advise, support and protest organisation.” Go to her website to download this epic song, https://merch.delilahbon.co.uk/
Delilah has described the genesis of “Illegal Aliens” as “a song I wrote and produced in response to the violence happening currently in the US as over 73,000 immigrants including documented citizens and children have been captured and detained in unsanitary overcrowded ‘camps’ with no legal representation or justice. 38 people (that we know) have died within these camps without access to medical care, reporting abuse, SA and violence at the hands of ICE agents. 12 People have been shot and 4 killed, with thousands taking to the streets in protest to defend their neighbours while many hide within their homes in fear. I wrote this song back in February last year and have sat on this rage for too long. Before, I was too nervous to release this song as I had tours in the USA, but now is not a time for holding back, now is a time of urgency as we watch peoples lives being torn apart before us. This song is for those that are standing up and fighting back, a soundtrack to your incredible activism and strength“.
Following on from a first successful tour to the USA Delilah was scheduled to return later this year. However those plans have had to be cancelled thanks to the Nazi regime in the White House. America has become a totalitarian state where anyone who dares to be different, is not white skinned, straight or MAGAs is deemed persona no grata. I am radical leftist woke scum and proud of it. But the state of Trumpstein right now would be dangerous for anyone as outspoken as Delilah. Land of the free? Seriously? Delilah does not want her US fans, or Bon Bons, to be too disappointed so she has organised a one off gig in May at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds which will be professionally filmed and recorded for later release. The show will be dedicated to those US fans that have missed out on the tour and all profits from the show will be donated to 3 charities that will support immigrants impacted by ICE detention and family separation.
I believe that the lyrics are so powerful I have copied them below, I hope you don’t mind that Delilah!
“ILLEGAL ALIENS” – DELILAH BON – LYRICS
She did things that nobody would ever think of Now she wants to do transgender operations on illegal aliens that are in prison This is a radical left liberal As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government That there are only two genders, male and female
Yeah, yeah, yeah All these people in the street Holding signs, scream with me We’re the mothеrfuckin’ change That these men don’t wanna see I see women and workers The immigrants, POC The Indigenous people No LGB without T
All these people in the street Holding signs, scream with me We’re the motherfuckin’ change That these men don’t wanna see I see women and workers The immigrants, POC The Indigenous people No LGB without T
Look, if that is the president How fucking misguided is everything? What happened to loving thy neighbour? You’ve traded him into the government They’re putting them all in these camps We’re watching it all on our apps I’m scrolling my phone and feeling so helpless Just waiting for someone to act Man, fuck your opinions, it’s awful Mexican children in courtrooms You went from “protecting the kids” To letting them die just sat in their classroom I go from believing in change To hiding my face with the shame They’re pointing their finger at immigrants, finger at anything Other than what’s in their face
All these people in the street Holding signs, scream with me We’re the motherfuckin’ change That these men don’t wanna see Looking around at these artists I wonder why none of them talkin’ So many not speaking about Gaza, speaking about nothing Carry on scrolling
All these people in the street Holding signs, scream with me We’re the motherfuckin’ change That these men don’t wanna see I see women and workers The immigrants, POC The Indigenous people No LGB without T
Try to divide us, keep us in silence Segregating the people with violence Talking about freedom, talking about justice Talking about all of those seeking asylum Talking about Gaza, all of those people? Sending them back to the rubble? Sending them back, knowing that nothing exists Go ahead, call it collateral I feel ready for change Ready to say, say it with all of my chest I will take to the street Using my voice for those that gave every breath The President’s calling them aliens Illegal aliens Dehumanize and terrify the majority They’re putting all the blame and the hate on minorities I never get it I see the way that these people are indoctrinated Force fed all the words that they never question Walking blind in the line with a billionaire His right hand in the air, sayin’ “Look what happens when a rich prick gets All of the money while we pay the debt Hands in the air, I’m the worst one yet” Saluting these people that don’t even know what it means yet
Organise, defy, resist (Thirty thousand beds) Organise, defy, resist (In Guantanamo to detain the worst criminal illegal aliens) Organise, defy, resist (Threatening the American people) Organise, defy, resist
Look, if that is the president How fucking misguided is everything? What happened to loving thy neighbour? You’ve traded him into the government You’re feeding your people with scraps While saying that you got their back Distracting the people with immigrants, people with anything Other than what is a fact Sending ’em back, taking the land from the natives Drilling for oil, you’ve killed their environment, fact All of your power is built on systemic racism Putting your foot on their back Watching as systems divide You on the left and you on the right Controlling the masses and trying to hide They are the enemy, they are the reason you’re tired Nothing to do with minorities Nothing to do with the people just living their life Nothing to do with the women and girls You’re raping and killing, removing their rights Nothing to do with the immigrants Nothing to do with the books that you’re setting alight Nothing to do with these people But look at him, look at the men on his side Where is your anger? Where is the “save the children” when children are legal as brides? Where is your passion for kids When all of these immigrant children are spending the night Treated like criminals, treated like animals Holding their palms up out to the sky You’ve traded them into the government
All these people in the street Holding signs, scream with me We’re the motherfuckin’ change That these men don’t wanna see I see women and workers The immigrants, POC The Indigenous people No LGB without T
The problem’s in our phone (They’re fucking the robots) The problem’s in our home The problem is the media They wanna take control (The men are fucking the robots) The problem, the problem We see it every time we scroll The problem is the media (Let’s delete them) They wanna take your soul
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The Nonce Formerly known as Prince has been arrested, finally, by UK police. It is only for misconduct in public office so far, but it is a start. Hopefully this will lead to deeper investigation of his sex trafficking and Pedo activities. I would like to think this is the first domino in a whole row of rich and powerful sexual abusers and Pedos including Trump, Zuckerberg, Gates. Musk and many, many more! When will we also begin investigation investigating Nigel “2 super injunctions” Farridge? <sic> In my dreams I see this as the beginning of the fall of the British Royal family and the House of Windsor as it seems clear that Queen Elizabeth and King Charles knew all about Andrew’s sordid and vile behaviour but chose to cover it up. The age of entitlement must end!
Listen to the victims, that is where the truth lies. I hope every one of the perpetrators suffer for what they have done! America is dead, it is up to the rest of the world to find and punish these vile people that have committed heinous crimes for years with impunity. Trump and his cronies seem to want to normalise rape, sexual abuse, murder, torture and pedophilia. Do not let them!
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Sleuth Gang Unleash Explosive New Single “Run Rabbit Run”– OUT NOW!
Leeds-based seven-piece alternative rock powerhouse Sleuth Gang return with their eagerly awaited new single, “Run Rabbit Run,” set for independent release on 19th February 2026 across all major streaming platforms.
Blending forceful alt-rock intensity with the raw dynamism of nu-metal, metal, rap, and hip-hop, “Run Rabbit Run” captures Sleuth Gang at their most fearless and genre-defying. Produced by Dave Boothroyd at 6DB Studios, the track blends classic hip-hop rhythms with earth shaking nu-metal guitar work, delivering a sound that is both nostalgic and unwaveringly 21st Century.
“Run Rabbit Run” pulls together the hip-hop grooves and heavy guitar elements that define the band. It is intense, powerfully rhythmic, and unapologetically Sleuth Gang. “It’s no fun when the rabbit’s got the gun!“
Emerging from the thriving alternative scene in Leeds, Sleuth Gang have steadily built a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting and unpredictable live acts. Their music has been championed by major national broadcasters including BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Introducing, exposing their unique sound recipe to a growing audience across the UK. Yet it is their visceral, high-energy live performances that have cemented their status as a band to watch, earning them a fiercely loyal following. It was their astonishing live show that made them very worthy winners of the Fulford Arms (York) Battle of the Bands contest in 2024.
“Run Rabbit Run” marks a defining moment in Sleuth Gang’s evolution — a bold statement of intent from a band determined to challenge expectations and carve their own path through the UK alternative landscape. They have described themselves as “Your mum’s favourite boy band” if that is true then your mum is cool as fuck!
The single will be available worldwide from today, 19th February 2026. The full on video will be premiered on YouTube in just a few hours! Click here after 6pm UK time today (19th February) to see it!
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I had an absolute blast interviewing “one woman riot grrrl band” (her words) Nell Davies. She was recently featured in our Mayhem Virgins series and will definitely appear on these pages again in the future. You need her music in your life! Nell talks about her songs, her influences, how she came into music and much more! Click hereto take a listen to the interview and then later check Nell out on Spotify.
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Today is With Just A Hint Of Mayhem’s 17th Birthday! Where th hell has the time gone? So far there have been 2,545 posts (including this one and 1,903,471 views and thank you to every single one of you who has visited, especially those of you that keep coming back for more! Incidentally I have written almost one million words since it all began too. Roll on the next seventeen years, although if we get there I will be eighty bloody four! Here are a couple of 17 themed songs to celebrate.
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This was my fourth gig of 2026 so far, but my first at the fabulous Fulford Arms. This promised to be another excellent night of great music pulled together by Northern Radar supremo Simon P. Read on to find out if it was up there with all the other Northern Radar gigs I have had the pleasure and privilege of attending. The bill included four acts that I had never seen before and that is always a bonus in my opinion. First we were treated to a solo acoustic set from Hull’s Martin Gallagher. His covers were ace and included Queen, Jake Bugg, the Zutons, Queen, U2, Ed Sheeran, the Beatles, the Kings Of Leon and Johnny Cash. His powerful rendition of the Cash classic “Folsom Prison Blues” was spine-tingling. Aside from the covers Martin’s original songs are very special indeed, particularly “Mixed Signals” is a sad song with fathomless emotions. I spoke with Martin after his set and he is not just a great artist, but a top bloke too.
I love it when I find an artist that is difficult to fit into a genre box and next on the stage were Call It Vain and they are exactly that type of act. Their music has elements of hip hop, emo and huge cinematic ambition. The songs are perfectly constructed and a couple in particular really stand out: “Life” and 2025 single “Saturday Superhero”. The echoey jangly guitar and mountainous drums on the set closer were awesome. Call It Vain is Calum Green and at the Fully he was backed on drums by his brother. I believe that Call It Vain has the potential to become much bigger.
If Talking Heads had delved into shoegaze they might have sounded a little like Committee Of Sleep who took the stage next. They are masters of the quiet loud but perhaps slightly more lo-fi than the Pixies. As the set proceeded the sound moved up a few notches as the band proudly displayed their fine jangly pop vibes. But they also know how to rock and their rockier moments are dark and fuelled by some fucking huge solid riffs. This is a highly talented and entertaining band. I can imagine listening to them late at night in a badly lit room while nursing a JD on the rocks. They closed with a song called “Planet Of Chocolate Bars”, a great song with possibly one of the best song titles ever. I am confident I will be seeing Committee Of Sleep again.
Sadly much of the relatively small crowd had left by the time the Silhouettes took to the stage. I loved the song about selling your soul to the devil. The band have perfected the classic jangly pop guitar sound and their song craft reminded me at times of Vampire Weekend but without the African guitar influence. Vocally there were shades of Kaoru from the Dead Zoo. The drummer is immensely talented, I think he might outgrow this band. They closed the set with two covers: “I Bet That You Look Good On the Dancefloor” (Arctic Monkeys) and “Mr. Brightside” (The Killers). These were good covers but I think I preferred the originals, maybe opening the set with the covers might have worked better. This is a young band and I think they will continue to improve as they get more gigs under their belts. So overall this was another fine night of music brought to us by Northern Radar!
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