NEW RELEASES NEWS

Image: Patrick Gosling

PATRICK GOSLING SINGLE RELEASE

Words: Tracy Hyman

Patrick Gosling is a familiar face on the North East music scene, having previously been the frontman in indie band Far Pacific. Along with the added creative freedom, his solo endeavours have led to the South Shields songwriter working with Boy Jumps Ship’s Jonny Rob, recording three tracks in Jonny’s new studio, Deptford Sound.

New single Hollywood is one of those three tracks, a brilliantly catchy piece of observational guitar pop. The hookline in the chorus “She was dancing for fame in Hollywood” will have you singing along for days. The current climate of celebrity and its impact on society is a hot topic for discussion. Patrick looks at the path taken from unknown to celebrity which so many seem obsessed with, along with the subsequent downfall. Lyrics follow a girl and her dreams of making it big, starting simply with gently syncopated, rhythmic guitar before rising to the rich, dynamic choruses. It is a three-and-a-half minute piece of catchy, upbeat guitar pop.

Hollywood is available to download from all major streaming sites from 3rd April. Patrick will celebrate the release at a newly rearranged gig at Head of Steam, Newcastle on Saturday 5th September

VENUS RELEASE WICKED THINGS EP

Words: Steve Spithray

I write this on Sunday 22nd March. The date seems important to note. As we adapt to our new situation, we’re continuing to support bands still releasing scheduled material and continue to provide a platform and give visibility to those still creating. And as March blurs into April, Venus will be the brightest of all the planets in the sky; the Leeds (with a hint of Hartlepool) all-girl rockers release their debut EP Wicked Things on 3rd April.

Opening track No Signs is their heaviest yet; crunching riffs are underpinned by Jess Ayres’ deliciously unhinged lead guitar, meaning those early Guns N’ Roses comparisons won’t go away. As the track bounds around from all-out rock and roll, signature drops and subtle electronica, it’s socially charged, a little dangerous and assuredly informed. God knows the world needs a band like Venus right now. But Wicked Things is also the band’s most mature release yet and in Amy they have their first bona fide classic. Those that have heard the track live will know it sometimes struggles to find a natural spot in the band’s increasingly varied setlist, but the recorded version’s long sparse intro has just enough discordant energy pitted with the band’s now trademark atmospherics that the paean to mental health, where Amy is the alter-ego, becomes a prescient soundtrack to the scarily rational panic many of us are rightly now feeling about the world; for fans of Mazzy Starr and PJ Harvey. Bookending things is more minor-pentatonic abandon on You’re Alright, I Guess, a snarling rock club anthem. Aggressive pure punk, dualling guitars and singer GK’s strongest and most vitriolic delivery yet. An early soundtrack to these troubled times.

Venus release Wicked Things EP on 3rd April

Badger

BADGER EP LAUNCH VIA FACEBOOK LIVE

Words: Claire Dupree

Newcastle’s alt. pop agitators Badger gear up to release their sophomore EP, Power And Agility, on Friday 24th April and will present a live-streamed gig on the same day.

Made of up beat makers Simeon Soden and Chris Maltby, the duo’s fusion of melody-fuelled electronica and spoken word culminate in a maelstrom of sound and fury. “Power And Agility is a culmination of two years of experimentation within the sound harnessed on Seize Warfare.” The duo explain. “The opening and closing tracks Narcasm and Sarcissism are a nod to the IDM influenced pre-vocal tradition of early Badger, and sandwich the pre-Apocalyptic anthem Sadboy and the 6am realisation of Grumble. Lyrically, whilst retaining the common existential themes of the first EP, Power And Agility is less patient in its condemnation and lends itself more space to breathe.”

An internal drift of frequential positioning has seen beatmaster-in-chief Simeon Soden (AKA, ako) take a more commanding role in bass canvasing, whilst lyricist Chris Maltby has taken to the higher end of the spectrum with some experimental guitar lines.

Their live-streamed gig will take place on Friday 24th April via the band’s and label Kaneda Records’ Facebook pages. Also performing will be improvised psych funk two-piece Psydove. Badger launch EP Power And Agility with a live-streamed gig via Facebook on Friday 24th April

Shower of Teeth

MUSIC SHOWER OF TEETH ALBUM RELEASE

Words: Tracy Hyman

Shower of Teeth are a heavy rock band from Newcastle. On the back of two singles Vagabondage and Eccies and Accas, they release their debut album Oranjedoom this month.

Shower of Teeth start as they mean to go on with the opening track Til Death Do Us Party, distorted guitars and racing drum rolls increase in pace until the vocals and guitars come in. Escalating in intensity, it’s a high-paced and ferocious assault. The energy is unrelentless, with vocals screaming across the riffs. Title track Oranjedoom starts with distortion and strummed chords before drums and bass cut across the beats, putting the listener on edge. Heavy and dynamic, their screaming brand of rock music transports the listener to another headspace.

These songs were written with the live show in mind; picture chaotic, frenetic energy, head banging and mosh pits galore; it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted. Final track Nutbush City Blues starts with ever so slightly painful distorted white noise effects until cymbals join guitars, yielding to more riffs and solo-esque meanderings. A gentle interlude in the middle winds the piece down before ramping it back up again to a climactic ending.

Shower of Teeth release Oranjedoom on 12th April