British artist Nick Hudson has just released a single entitled “Lights Svoboda” which translates as “Lights Freedom”. It was recorded with his Academy Of The Sun bandmate, Kianna Blue. It is an eerie, mesmerising piano-led tune with deeply dark, apocalyptic, and weird lyrics and I love it. Nick is not only a musician and composer he is also an author, a visual artist, and a filmmaker. The latter might explain the wonderful cinematic scope of the song. Nick said this of the track “The opening features a recording I made in Georgia, into my Soviet cassette recorder, of my 20-year-old Russian exile friend who fled to Georgia to avoid facing criminal charges for protesting Navalny’s imprisonment. I had him say “freedom, hope and truth” in Russian. He’s headed to join the Ukrainian army this week”. He added “It features myself on piano, voice, Soviet analogue synth, melodica and field recordings, and Kianna Blue on backing vocals and bass. Originally written for The Quiet Earth (the last Academy Of The Sun album) but now uncannily and undesirably relevant“. All proceeds from the single will go towards charities directly involved in humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine. 100% of Bandcamp proceeds will be donated in support of two charities carrying out humanitarian work on the ground in Ukraine – Red Cross Ukraine and Razom For Ukraine – each of them covering slightly different areas of aid. Further, Revolut Bank will match contributions to Red Cross Ukraine over the next week. Download the single via Bandcamp and learn how you can support Ukraine and its people at this critical moment in world history. I know anything that you can do will be much appreciated by the Ukrainian people suffering the consequences of Putin’s vile actions.
Credits for “Lights Svoboda” Written, arranged, and produced by Nick Hudson. Piano, voice, Faemi M1, melodica – Nick Hudson Bass, backing vocals – Kianna Blue Piano and voice recorded at Church Road Studios by Paul Pascoe. Everything else was recorded between Manchester and Brighton. Mastered by Ian D. Breen/Yas Kween.
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6TH CROWD is, in fact, Ukraine based electronic producer Dari Maksymova and this gorgeous, ethereal slice of electronica, “Соколонько (Sokolonko)” is inspired by an old Ukrainian harvest song. In fact, the lyrics are credited to “the Ukrainian people”. The track is the first offering from Dari’s new album ‘Step’ which is the Ukrainian word for Steppe, which for you fact fans out there means, “a large area of flat unforested grassland in south-eastern Europe or Siberia.” She was working on the album when Putin ordered the invasion and turned Dari’s country into a war zone. This is what Dari has to say about the song and her home. “This is a Ukrainian song from Donbas, my dear home region, which Russia is tearing apart right now. I didn’t know if I’d have a chance to do it later. In my research, as I learned more about folk Ukrainian music, I noticed that modern culture has plenty of references to music from western and central parts of my country, but nothing from the east. Nothing from my home. Culturally it simply didn’t exist. So I decided I wanted to change that balance and bring songs from East Ukraine back to life, to remind myself and everyone that Donbas is a historical part of Ukraine, no matter how badly Putin wants to destroy it. If people don’t remember their own history, someone can rewrite it for them. And then come with guns to “defend” Russian people in Ukraine, Moldova, or Serbia“
6TH CROWD emerged into the electronic music scene just a short while ago in 2020 with her debut EP ‘Avoid The Void’. The tunes on that EP address the Covid-19 situation in Ukraine and the wider world. Later in 2020 Dari released two singles, “1312” and “Не вивожу (Ne Vyvozhu)”. This was followed in 2021 by a second EP, ‘What Happened’. Dari has this to say about the Russian invasion of her country Ukraine which began on 24th February this year. “Over a week ago, Russia invaded Ukraine, shelling cities and killing hundreds of civilians. The Russian president calls it a “special operation” for “saving Russian-speaking people.” A more accurate term for it is “war”. And even more accurately is the intention behind this war: Russification and Russification is cultural genocide. It’s clear that the ancient Greeks don’t exist, but we know of them because their cultural artifacts have been preserved. In the absence of their books, literature, and artwork, we wouldn’t otherwise know anything about them as a people. Their history would simply cease to exist. That’s the goal of Russification – to remove all of the distinct and unique ethnic histories and merge them into one“. She adds “When Communists gathered different nations under the umbrella of the USSR, they desperately needed to rewrite history. They needed everyone to share the same bland fake ethnicity, they needed people to forget their roots. So people would never get second thoughts about belonging to “the great empire”, never question orders and the party line. While, in newly-built cities, their Russification program was going pretty well, people in villages continued to be a real pain in the ass. They lived and worked far from centralized sources of information and relied on the government very little and didn’t rush to become Soviet people. Yes, they lived in the Soviet Union and yes, they worked in Soviet fields, but one thing they did that drove the Russians crazy: the villagers spoke Ukrainian and sang their own songs“. She finishes by saying “Before people had Spotify, they sang to themselves – while working in fields, while fighting, getting married, they sang all the time. Those songs passed from one to another, along with very important information about people. What language they spoke, what they believed, what they hoped, who their heroes were. Songs from people are also songs about people“
Arrangement, performance, recording & mixing: Dari Arranged, performed, recorded, and mixed “Соколонько (Sokolonko)” which was mastered by Alexander Pavlenko (Sunchase). All photography for the release is by Tetiana Shlapachok and Daria Kulnina. You can support 6TH CROWD by downloading this single, available via Bandcamp and Apple Music. All proceeds will support the humanitarian work of Vostok SOS, which includes helping people evacuate and providing humanitarian aid and psychosocial support, including hotlines for affected people and a team on the ground in the region, coordinating aid. You can also add this single to your Spotify playlists. But the most important thing right now is to support Ukraine. You can donate to humanitarian missions, directly to the army, spread awareness about this ugly war, and join demonstrations in your city. There are also many other ways you can help Ukraine now and numerous options for supporting humanitarian aid efforts in the region. Look out for more Ukraine-related posts from With Just A Hint Of Mayhem soon! My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people right now!
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I was able to attend this gig with our newest writer, Juan Brooks, and just before the gig over a couple of hot coffees (we’re proper rock ‘n’ roll) we decided to do this review as a collaboration. So while it is written in the first person the thoughts and words are from both of us. This is a different approach for us and we hope that you like it! being back at the Crescent (a first-time visit for Juan) was great and Joe, Head Honcho of Please Please You, and one of the Crescent’s Kingpins had lined up a great show. Sadly one great band, Cowgirl, had to pull out thanks to that bastard Covid. First up were the Surfing Magazines a relatively new garage-rock group from Leeds. They are made up of two-thirds of The Wave Pictures and one-half of Slow Club. Their surf-style instrumentals were spectacularly good and on these the Surfing Magazines really came into their own. The Dick Dale guitar licks were brilliant. Their cover of Jonathan Richman’s “Egyptian Reggae” transformed the tune into something that would be perfect on a Tarantino soundtrack. In fact, the Surfing Magazines would make an excellent choice as a bar band in a Tarantino film. Their country rock vocal harmonies were incredibly powerful and at times were reminiscent of the Everly Brothers, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and even Beatlesesque in some parts. The guitarist was supremely versatile going from the aforementioned Dick Dale, some Bo Diddley riffs, and the intricacy of Television’s Tom Verlaine. Even the broken guitar string didn’t phase the ace axeman. A powerfully good band!
We had both listened to some tracks from the headliner, Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip before the gig and neither of us could put them into any specific genre. Mik has elements of observational comedy across a great rock sound. But that is only part of what and who he is. Both of us had perma grins for the whole set, if you failed to smile during Mik’s set then you need your happy muscles checked. Mik is a very funny bloke and a great observer of the minutiae of human life. Almost every song has some everyday references from Dad muscles, playing horsey, betting shop pens, stuff you find down the back of the armchair and libraries. Indeed “Libraries” is an awesome track. Mik appears to be completely chaotic, but clearly knows what he is doing and that just plays to him putting on a great performance and a wonderful show. His energy is boundless, is he really 66? While he uses the spoken word approach a lot he does possess a fabulous singing voice that flits from punk, to rock, to folk, and onto ballads. There were so many highlights, “The Zumba Sign’s Come Down” and “Acoustic Synthesiser” are weird, wacky, and wonderfully hilarious. Meanwhile “DB Was A Funny Man” is a song of genius about the Dame himself, Mr. Bowie. Mik weaves in a few excerpts from Bowie hits into it too, notably “run for the shadows, run for the shadows” and “whop whop whop” from Bowie’s “Golden Years”. He also manages o get some Van Morrison elements in there too. The main highlight for both of us was “Sweet Leaf Of The North”, the whole introductory preamble and story, and then the song itself. Apparently Iggy Pop chose this as one of his highlights of the last decade. Sounds like he’s a big fan. Mik creates a sense of northern belonging and togetherness with his followers and has great fun with the audience. His affectionate and heartfelt mickey take of Vinny the sound guy was excellent too. It is worth pointing out that his band, particularly the guitarist Jonny Flockton are blessed with huge musical talent and are the perfect foil for Mik’s performance. Juan perhaps summed up Mik in one sentence by saying “for me, he is a modern-day Northern Ian Dury“! So difficult to argue with that. Both Juan and I have become Mik Artistik evangelists and will be telling everyone we meet that they need to see Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip live!
Written by Bill Adamson and Juan Brooks
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Prairie Brigade (I love that name) was born, not formed, in late 2021. They came together having known each other from playing with other bands. They are based in Kansas City, so while the rest of the world has gone to shit and is not in Kansas anymore, Prairie Brigade is still there. In fact, they have been recording on a farm in Kansas. Their self-titled debut hits the streets on April 12. But as a taster for that, they have recently released the rather timely and topical single, “Is This How The World Ends?” It is two minutes of perfectly crafted power pop with some strong punky elements. The chorus catches you straight away as do the great riffs. It reminded me a little of some of the great songs Gregg Alexander wrote, produced, and performed as Иew Radicals. If I have any criticism it is only that it is a short song. But really, who cares when you can just play it again and again. Given what is going on in Ukraine right now lyrics like “We are so far, the only resistance. We will fight hard, to hold our position” could not be more pertinent. If the end of the world really is nigh then I would be more than happy for this to form a part of my soundtrack for that moment. Personally, I think, believe, and hope that things will get better eventually. I will be pretty fucking angry if I meet my maker before I get the chance to hear the Prairie Brigade album. But either way, this remains a great song whether the apocalypse happens or not. The video for the track is pretty tasty too! Click here to stream on Spotify and click here to download or stream via Bandcamp.
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That mighty metal behemoth better known to us mere mortals as Not Now Norman are back with what I reckon is their best song to date, and let’s face it there is some tough competition! It is called “Save Me” and is available on all platforms now. It is a song about humanity is destroying the planet and was inspired by the Australian wildfires and the talking shop of COP26 that ultimately achieved nothing. We can’t stop climate change, but we can begin to lessen its impact. “Save Me” is a heartfelt message to humanity, especially the younger generation to do something. Listen to Greta Thunberg and her peers and listen to this anthemic song. The riffs are drawn directly from heavy metal Valhalla and Taylor’s vocal performance is passionate, emotional, and in a nutshell fucking awesome. Added to that the whole band is at peak performance. The lyrics are simple but so very powerful, how can anyone ignore words like “Save me from our destiny. Save me from a time, where everything around us dies“. Click here to check out the complete lyrics. This is a mosh pit anthem with a great message. Download, stream, buy it, I don’t care how you get this song in your life, just get it, become a Norminion, and more importantly, listen to it (and I mean REALLY LISTEN), take in the message, and act!
You can catch the band live in Stockton-On-Tees this Saturday, 5th March as part of Women In Music.
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I don’t get the opportunity to review books here on With Just A Hint Of Mayhem, but I am pleased to say that following hot on the heels (ok more than three months) of my review of John Illsley’s autobiography I have just read another, obviously music-related tome. This one is for ‘Into the Never – Nine Inch Nails And The Creation Of The Downward Spiral’ By Adam Steiner, which was originally published in 2020 by Backbeat Books. This is Adam’s first non-fiction book following his first novel ‘Politics of The Asylum’ from 2018. Adam also publishes poetry and is a journalist. Among other things, presumably in his spare time, he has also lectured on Creative Writing and Publishing at Coventry University.
If you are a fan of Trent Reznor’s music then you may well have already read this book, if you’re not then I would recommend that you do, maybe using the album that it covers in great detail as your soundtrack. There is a similarity between Steiner’s book and the ’33 1/3′ Series that has published some great pocket-sized books which explore the creation of classic albums, (including book 78 in the series covering Nine Inch Nails ‘Pretty Hate Machine’) although ‘Into The Never’ goes to a far greater depth to study how ‘The Downward Spiral‘ came about. In fact, one of the huge collection of Steiner’s references is Daphne Carr’s 33 1/3 book.
‘Into The Never’ not only deals with the actual music and how it was constructed and recorded but also analyses the whole creation of the album. Including Trent Reznor’s probable state of mind at the time and that he initially worked on the album at a home recording set up in a rented property on Cielo Drive in Los Angeles. Not just some random property though, this was the house where the infamous Manson Murders took place. Although there is no suggestion that Reznor rented the place because of that. The book has caused me to completely re-examine ‘The Downward Spiral‘ which I always considered a good album. But after playing it quite a few times while reading the book I have come to appreciate it as a great album a truly seminal release and possibly Trent Reznor’s finest recorded moment. Adam Steiner writes with a great intellectual gravity while ordering his words in a beautiful flow that kept me interested from start to finish. Questions about whether ‘The Downward Spiral’ is autobiographical or simply a concept album akin to Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’ are considered. As well as Reznor’s fraught addiction issues and his path on a rocky road to self-destruction (which thankfully he survived) the book also deals with relevant aspects of US social history from the aforementioned Manson Murders to the Columbine School shootings via the Vietnam War.
There are some really sharp references to what most definitely did influence the album or in some cases may have influenced. Including, my list is not exhaustive,
Authors; George Orwell, Greil Marcus, Chuck Palahniuk, Albert Camus
Philosophers and Thinkers; Michel Foucault, Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche
Musicians; David Bowie, Marilyn Manson, Richey Edwards, Kurt Cobain, Ian Curtis, Johnny Cash
Artists; Mark Rothko, Francis Bacon
The book also discusses the theological impact alongside the major world events that probably played a part. Additionally, there are plenty of references to films (‘Natural Born Killers’) and music (“Helter Skelter” by the Beatles). This is perhaps the most in-depth publication about an album that I have ever read and frankly, my musical knowledge and appreciation of ‘The Downward Spiral‘ is so much richer because of it. Fans of Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails will devour this book and those who appreciate great music and classic albums will love it too. Click here to find it on Amazon, or better still pay a visit to your local independent book store or your public library!
Adam Steiner
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Those purveyors of pop-punk perfection, York’s very own Heartsink recently unleashed a new EP onto the world, it is called ‘Mainspring’ and it is rather splendid! It is on Ernald Troutman Records. If you grew up with Sum 41, Blink 182, or even Green Day you will love this seven-song collection. The title track opens proceedings and although clocking in at just over a minute it serves as almost an overture to what is to come. “Starting Over” has “release me as a single” written all over it. It has an awesome production, riffs to die for and hooks, and a chorus that echoes in your head for hours after listening to it. “Andy Bernard Does Not Lose Contests” has a backing that stretches away from the band’s pop-punk comfort zone with some sky-high riffage that borders on great metal. Meanwhile, the harmonies soar and the vocals are packed full of emotion. I assume that Andy Bernard is Ed Helms’s character from the US version of The Office. Enlighten me Heartsink! If you like music that smacks into your head like a sledgehammer until you let it in then “Beacon” is definitely for you. The drumming here is on a kind of level with the power to cause an extinction-level event tsunami. “Keepsake” has a late 70s power pop feel to it and everyone in the band is on absolute perfect top form on this track. Check out the rather spiffing video below. Heartsink show even more depth on the beautiful power ballad “Getting Older”, which after listening to the EP five times is probably my current favorite track. There is real passion and soul on display. The EP closes with the hugely powerful “Chasing Moments” which boasts yet another hook to die for. This is a fabulous EP that shows that these lads are not afraid to step away from their pop-punk roots at times. This will be getting plenty of spins by me and it is a clear sign that the future for Heartsink may be very bright indeed! The band is playing an EP launch show at The Fulford Arms tonight, Sunday 27th February. Get along to it if you can!
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Underground and leftfield York band Tommyrot are about to unleash ‘Turkey Vulture Of Drug Culture’, a four-track EP at the world. The EP opens with the darkly comic and mostly acoustic-driven “Circles”. The song has the feel of a lost nugget from the 60s and creeps into your head quite easily and makes itself comfortable there. The slightly funkier “Waiting On Tobyn” is next and it maintains that gorgeous lo-fi acoustic feel if those lyrics didn’t come from a drug-induced dream then I might have to eat my notebook. It sounds like a lost demo from the 13th Floor Elevators or perhaps Strawberry Alarm Clock. Lead Single “A Very Real Field” grabs you straight away and stays with you for days afterward. While it has a laid-back vibe (I can imagine sipping a beer in the garden while listening to it) I think they will make the song rock like a bastard when they play it live. It has a strong early 70s Kinks feel for me. “Turkey Vulture” is driven by an exquisite bass motif and is the sort of the that The Band might have created had they jammed with the Velvet Underground and Iggy Pop. This is my favourite song from the EP and it needs to become the next single. If he was still with us John Peel would have loved this one. For you fact fans the Turkey Vulture is a real thing and is also known in some North American regions as the turkey buzzard and in some parts of the Caribbean as the John crow or carrion crow. Tommyrot’s earlier release “Funky Feeling” now has a brilliant younger brother in the B-Side of “A Very Real Field”, called “Funky Monkey” which does what it says on the tin, it is as funky as fuck and is like something that George Clinton might have produced for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers had they worked together. Currently, my second favourite of the five, and this one will be awesome played live. There is not a duff track on this EP. Get ‘Turkey Vulture Of Drug Culture’ in your life as soon as it hits the streets. You will not be disappointed! A big shout out to Edd Thomas who hand-painted the stunning cover, which is comparable with some of Roger Dean’s best work and maybe the cover of Elton John’s ‘Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy’. Tommyrot will be playing an EP launch show at The Fulford Arms in York on 26th February.
If you love screaming guitars and sumptuous, swanky 70s style rock then you will absolutely dig the delightful new platter from York band Anthea Drive. The band formed in 2019 and has been through a couple of line-up incarnations before settling on the present team of Cash Richards (Guitar), Sam Elliott (Guitar), Conor MacKinnon (Drums), Dec Suddaby (Bass), and newest recruit Michelle Jade (Vocals). While Michelle doesn’t feature on the forthcoming ‘Russian Roulette’ EP and the lead single “Yes, I Want To Be A Ballerina” she has joined as lead singer. Having heard her playing solo, I think she will improve an already fabulous sounding band. A quick shout to all you fact fans, in case you wondered the band is named after a road in York.
“Yes, I Want To Be A Ballerina” encapsulates every ingredient that a great rock song needs; riotous riffs, pounding drums, bone-shaking bass, great vocals, and hooks that really do hook you. Some of the bands’ key influences can be heard at different points. Notably Guns N Roses and the Foo Fighters on top of that there is a real sense of post-punk and power pop here. Bands like Sniff ‘n’ The Tears, the Motors, Be Bop Deluxe, and in the melody possibly the Buzzcocks. Given the right exposure, and I think they can get it, this is a band with huge potential. Based on this track I am looking forward to experiencing Anthea Drive live very soon and to hearing more music from them!
The single is available now on all major platforms, including Spotify and Amazon (click the links and check it out)
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Maybe it is that I am ancient, but tonight’s crowd seemed like a youth club crowd. But oh boy were they a brilliant crowd. First up was Vaquelin whose current album is a contender, along with Yard Act, for my album of the year already. The band absolutely stormed it and whether they set out to do this they played their set like they were headliners. Adrian’s vocals were soaring and powerful, do you think he looks a little like Enrique Iglesias? (Asking for a friend). Callum’s guitar playing was comparable with both Mick Ronson and Jimmy Page. How long will it be before he uses a violin bow on his guitar a la Page? Jack smashed his drums like he was possessed by the spirit of John Bonham and you could feel Luca’s bass in your chest. The so-far unreleased “Broken Windows” was incredible and needs to be a single! Vaquelin has a very strong core group of fans and I would like to name them Vaquelinians, Gaga has her Little Monsters so why shouldn’t Vaquelin have a fan family? You need this band in your life.
Next up was Rolla who signed a record deal this week. They are from Manchester, they have Brit Pop style, the lead singer, James Gilmore, wears a parka and sports a Liam Gallagher style haircut. That is how they appeared to me, but what did they sound like? Well the band seemed really tight and well-rehearsed and they do have some great songs, particularly “Sweet Lullaby” and “Show Me”. Gilmore also has the swagger, confidence, and charisma of a great frontman. But for me, they were a bit identikit Oasis. Is the world ready for a new version of the boys from Burnage? I said maybe………
The final band tonight was York’s excellent City Snakes and they were a bit special. Scuzzy garage rock like a punked-up Arctic Monkeys with an added portion of that dirty glam sound that the New York Dolls were so good at. The crowd went mental and created some pretty amazing mosh circles for such a brilliant intimate venue like the Fulford Arms. This is a band that knows how to entertain and they have an innate ability to whip their crowd into a frenzy!
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