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Introducing… Homework
"Fresh and original – one of the best sounding records I've heard all month."
- Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music
With two critically acclaimed EPs already under their belt and a growing reputation for thunderous live shows, Edinburgh-based synth lovers Homework are pleased to announce their debut album 13 Towers, will be released on 25 March 2013 as a CD and download.
Recorded over just a handful of weekends in a former lighthouse, the band set about working on the album with a fresh approach and one simple goal: to capture the raw energy of all four band members playing together. The result is their most ambitious work to date.
As a taster of things to come, Homework are streaming album track 'The Edge of Control Was Black' on their website www.wearehomework.com.
You can stream the track now via Homework's Soundcloud page.
Having formed in the Scottish capital in 2009, Homework attracted immediate attention from the nation's new music tastemakers, picking up airplay from BBC Radio One and BBC 6 Music as well as being selected to play the renowned T Break stage at T in the Park festival after only a handful of live shows.
Since then, the band has performed at some of the UK's biggest festivals including Rockness, Belladrum, Wickerman and T in the Park, supported the likes of Suuns, Wave Machines, The D.O.T (featuring Mike Skinner of The Streets) and Cashier Number 9 as well as showcasing at industry events including GoNorth, Glimps (Belgium) and Wide Days. Their recorded output and live shows have been consistently praised by radio (Lauren Laverne, Vic Galloway, Tom Robinson and Ally McCrae) bloggers, journalists and audiences alike.
Homework are: O. Kass (vocals, synths), R. Baird (vocals, guitar, synths), R. Kass (drums) and A. Dennis (bass). They hail from the exotic Scottish outposts of Inverness, Mull and Dumfries.
To support the release of 13 Towers, lead single It's All Over will be released on 4th March 2013, followed by a host of live dates throughout the UK in April and May.
- 05 April - INVERNESS - Mad Hatters (Net Sounds Takeover - club night)
- 03 May - ABERDEEN - Snafu (Dirty Hearts Club - club night)
- 04 May - INVERNESS - Brew At The Bog Festival
- 09 May - EDINBURGH - Inspace (album launch party)
Fat Goth release album ‘Stud’ today!
"'Stud' is profoundly uneasy listening at its best, and weirdo freaks everywhere should love it."
- 8/10, Rock Sound Magazine
"...anyone pining for the hard-edged, stripped-down end of the 90s American alt-rock wedge, Fat Goth may be the band for you."
- BBC Music
"The audio equivalent of a bloody massive T-Bone steak covered in BBQ Sauce..." Ally McCrae (BBC Radio 1)
Fat Goth release their brilliant second album Stud today via Hefty Dafty records. The boys are also Rock Sound's Band of the Week with the full album available to stream via the RS website. BBCco.uk, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1 Scotland, Terrorizer Magazine, The Skinny, The List and The Herald have been singing the band praises with more to come from Drowned in Sound, Q and Kerrang!
The boys have already released two free singles - Debbie's Dirty Harry and Creepy Lounge, both of which you can download via the band's Bandcamp page.
You can watch the video for Creepy Lounge now via the band's YouTube channel.
Stud's opener "Surf's Down" and "Debbie's Dirty Harry" doesn't mess around. Fat Goth immediately drag you into their world with fast-paced, dirty basslines and thumping, lightning quick beats. By the time you hit "Creepy Lounge" you can hear elements of The Jesus Lizard's seminal album "Shot" and moments of Unsane. However, after this gloriously raucous start, "Pinball Moron"takes a massive U-turn. Crooning vocals and a countrified vibe, complete with whistles (!), give you an insight to Fat Goth's humour - very Mike Patton circa Mr. Bungle. Moving on, you quickly realise these boys aren't just beats, drums and loud guitars - behind the pounding force of the music, there are intricate moments that showcase their musicianship and diverse influences - such examples can be found on "You'll Find Me In Da Club (and to be perfectly frank, I'm having a cracking time!)" and "Bang Tidy". Here, Fat Goth effortlessly blend moments of off-kilter instrumental perfection with snarling vocals and balls out rock - imagine what Don Caballero would sound like if they joined forces with the Melvins. The entire album is a masterclass in modern day underground rock, delivering some seriously brilliant songs whilst keeping their tongues placed firmly against their cheeks.Originally conceived in 2007, the band started life with drummer Mark Keiller, guitarist/vocalist Fraser Stewart and their old school friend Allan Mitchell on bass. After releasing their debut album Mindless Crap in 2010 followed by their EP DOLPHINS!!!!!!!!!!!!! and single Willy Wonka And The Charlie Factory, Mitchell left the band and was swiftly replaced by Kevin Black of Dundee underground post-rock greats Laeto. Stud is the fruit of the band's collective labour.
Having already played with Chemikal Underground's Holy Mountain, Japanese noise band Tacobonds, appearances at Go North and Wickerman and many a headline show, the band are ready to take Stud on the road in 2013 with dates planned throughout March, April and beyond. All of Fat Goth's dates can be found on their Facebook page.
Stud is available to buy via the band's Bandcamp page. Alternatively, you can purchase it via Amazon, iTunes, Play.com or Deezer. You can also listen to Stud via Spotify.
The band's next single will be Surf's Down, due for release on 1st April 2013, supported by a live video.
The Maginot Band: Sombre Fayre single
The Maginot Band kickstart the new year in style with the release of brand new single, Sombre Fayre.
Arriving hot on the heels of their Christmas single, Veiled Clock, the Scots continue to demonstrate their ability to write contemporary yet challenging pop tunes, with a nod to classic genres of yesteryear the like of which The Band and The Beach Boys would be proud of.
You can view the video for Sombre Fayre on the band's YouTube channel.
Sombre Fayre is available to stream from the A Badge of Friendship Soundcloud page.
There is a real earthy feel to the music The Maginot Band write and continue to explore. Sombre Fayre has moments of whimsical reflection and poignancy pouring out of the lyric content; while the music fluctuates in pace and mood, building towards a raucous conclusion at odds with the more melancholic nature of the track.
The Maginot Band hail from Caithness and have been writing music together on and off for the last few years. After numerous changes to their line-up, they finally settled as a six piece in late 2010 consisting of Jordan Shearer (vocals), Calvin Wilson (bass, vocals), Kevin Swanson (guitar, Vocals), Jamie Swanson (guitar), Liam Whittles (organ, piano) and Darren Coghill (drums). Since the release of their debut EP and follow up single, the band have picked up support from the likes of God Is In The TV, BBC Introducing Scotland, Largehearted Boy and The Vinyl District as well as a feature in Jim Gellatly's column in The Scottish Sun.
With the release of Sombre Fayre this month, a live set at Madhatters, Inverness on February 9th, as well as setting up dates for later in the year, The Maginot Band are aiming to make the most of 2013.
Sombre Fayre is released on 28th January 2013 via When You Awake Records and can be purchased on the The Maginot Band Bandcamp page.
Introducing… Artifacts
“...soundscapes of pure ecstasy.” - Artrocker
London based five piece, Artifacts, kick off 2013 in style unleashing their dreamy soundscapes with the release of the brilliant single Echoes.
Echoes is available to stream now via Artifacts Soundcloud page.
Formed in secondary school whilst under the guise of a different name by Patrick Fitzroy (vocals/guitar), Mark Rivers (sampler/keyboards) and Craig Brown (drums/vocals), Artifacts really honed their sound after adding Sam Upton (guitar) and Tom Doyle (bass guitar) to complete the current line-up. With influences ranging from My Bloody Valentine and Jeff Buckley to Sigur Ros and Radiohead, Artifacts have pulled on a range of influences that has allowed them to maintain a fresh, varied and distinctive sound unbound by specific genres.
The band have developed a diverse sound, cultivating an ability to create both tender and introspective moments as well as raw, edgy melodies which erupt into a crescendo of noise. This is captured perfectly in the single Echoes - a heartfelt opening that builds into high octane vocals, with a smattering of electro and epic guitars, before turning back on itself as the chorus kicks in and melds the track together.
2013 should see a breakthrough for the band with the release of Echoes and the soon to be released single Sad Face due shortly after. The boys will be kept on their toes with a single launch at Madame JoJo's White Heat night on January 29th and a UK/Europe tour being planned in between March and April.
Echoes will be released as a digital download on the 29th January.
Introducing… The Caulfield Beats
The Caulfield Beats are an indie electronic crossover band based in East London. They release their debut EP Garage Electronics Vol. I on 4th March 2013 via Noise Praise - a new electronic label founded by Antwerp.
On first listen, The Caulfield Beats feel like an experimental techno / dub band but the origin of how they created the songs and their influences span deeper than that. The London three-piece created their songs from the DIY culture of electronic experimentation, which arose from illegal software torrenting. “We’re not trying to be clever, just making little collages that come through the world via us,” they note.
The Caulfield Beats video for "glitch::glitch::flame" is available to watch on the band's YouTube page now.
Although their influences are vary from blues to garage rock to punk and everything in between, they’ve cultivated a minimal electro sound that harnesses an 80s electro feel similar to 808 State yet amalgamates it sonically with more modern masters of sound like Kemko and Alejandro Mosso.
The EP track "Two of Swords" is available as a free download now via The Caulfield Beats Soundcloud page.
Developed from the bedroom production of Lawrence Northall, The Caulfield Beats have already gained coverage from a number of blogs and outlets such as Loud and Quiet, Collapse Board and Artrocker during the last couple of years, as well as receiving radio play from the likes of John Kennedy (XFM), Simon Raymonde and Eddy Temple-Morris (XFM).
In the summer of 2012 they emerge as a three piece, after an University induced hiatus with Molly Dixon and Charlotte Northall completing the line-up. This was accompanied by the odd gig including spots at Secret Garden Party (main dance stage), The Great Escape, Xpress festival and a Civil Civic support slot as well as many more gigs in England and especially East London where they are based.
2013 will not only see the release of Garage Electronics Vol. I, the band already have another EP planned, singles and an album. It looks like this year could be theirs for the taking as they push forward with their underground indie electronic crossover sound, creating a fresh new scene of their own.
If you would like more information about The Caulfield Beats or our PR services, please email info@abadgeoffriendship.com