Author Archives: natalie

On Tour This Month – January 2013

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Stuck for things to do this month? Here’s my pick of the best tours for January 2013. Get your tickets now for some (almost) guaranteed great nights out..

Funeral For A Friend

South Wales Post-hardcores hit the UK and Ireland with melodic hardcore band Such Gold, I Divide and Major League. US punks Daytrader have pulled out of the tour. Dates are here.

The Nightmare After Christmas

Female fronted melodic metallers Orestea take on the UK with a bit of help from Bristol 5-piece Ashestoangels. Tickets and info here.

Asking Alexandria

Harcore / screamo quintet tour the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe this month. For a really good night, go to Brixton, Birmingham  or Manchester, where While She Sleeps and Motionless in White are supporting. Check out the dates here.

The Blackout

Welsh post-hardcore boys bring their partying ways to the UK this January, then mainland Europe for the Vans off the Wall music nights in February. More info here.

We Are The Ocean

The Essex four piece will be playing the hits from their latest album ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’. Catch them in the UK this month and next. Dates and tickets here.

RC xx

Friday Classic – Silverchair – Anthem For The Year 2000

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Seeing as its a brand new year this week, I thought I’d turn the clock really far back.. (14 years to be precise) This piece of angsty, disillusioned grunge rock from Australian trio Silverchair is as relevant today as it was back in 1999 when it was first released on the band’s third album, ‘Neon Ballroom’.

What are they up to now?

The band released two further albums, ‘Diorama’ and ‘Young Modern’. Frontman Daniel Johns and part time member Paul Mac had a brief side project, The Dissociatives, which is currently on hiatus due to the member’s commitments to Silverchair. Johns is rumoured to be working on his debut solo album.

RC xx

Thursday Tip – Free Download From Night By Night

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Today loves, I’m writing to you whilst sipping lemsip and shivering under the covers. I’m hoping it’s not that dreaded norovirus, but in the meantime, here’s some music for you to enjoy.

Night By Night are tipped to be the next big thing in British metal, with their debut album due out later this year. You can get a quick taster of their sound with a free download available on they’re website here.

I strongly suggest you go check them out.

RC xx

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Wednesday Wish List – Custom Rock’n’Roll Jackets

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Carrying on the Aiden theme from yesterday, today I’m lusting after some amazing custom made rock’n’roll themed jackets from none other than Aiden guitarist Nick Wiggins (also known as Zombie Nicholas). Sadly we’ve missed out on the 50% off sale over Christmas (but I think these are pretty much worth the price anyway).

Check out this cute looking denim jacket:

There’s many more jackets, vests and t-shirts available on his website here. To place an order, contact Nick at CustomRockNRoll@gmail.com

RC xx 

New Video From William Control ‘Speak To Me Of Abduction’

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Firstly, I hope everyone isn’t feeling too rough today! If you’ve managed to get out of bed, here’s a treat for you – a new video from the master of electro-noir, William Control (aka Wil Francis of Aiden).

‘Speak To Me Of Abduction’ features on the credits of his ‘Live in London Town’ DVD, released last year.

You can catch Wil on tour with Black Veil Brides this spring in the UK and US. Dates on his facebook page here.

RC xx 

New Video From Lacuna Coil – ‘End Of Time’

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They say that New Year’s Eve is all about ‘out with the old, in with the new’, but here’s a bit of old and new, with new music from one of my favourite bands from my younger years (not too much younger, I’m not that old!).

Lacuna Coil’s vocalist Cristina Scabbia has to be one of the best female singers in rock music (sorry Amy Lee / Hayley Williams etc) and these Italians have always had a really distinguishable style from the rest of the metal pack.

Here’s their beautiful new video for ‘End Of Time’.

The band have just announced a US tour this February with Atlanta metalers Sevendust. Check the dates on their website www.lacunacoil.it.

RC xx

DIY Lace Bow Headband

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I love headbands, but the best ones are always really expensive. A while ago I realised how easy it is to make your own, and I’ve never gone back! Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to make a cute little bow headband in a few easy steps.

You will need:

* Thin elastic, about 20 – 30 ”

* Lace (the same colour and as your elastic), about 11″

* Thread (again, same colour you want to use)

* Needle

* Scissors

* Tape measure

* A lighter (optional)

1. Measure your head (judging by how tight you want the headband)

2. Cut the elastic to your head size. Test this out once you’ve cut it, because you might want it a bit tighter.

3. (Optional) Carefully melt the edge of the elastic to stop it from fraying.

4. Sew the edges of the elastic together, so you have the basic headband.

5. Cut an inch off the lace and put this aside.

6. Fold the remaining lace in half, from top to bottom (so its still the same length)

7. Tie the lace in a bow, without knotting it first. This may take some practice (just pretend you already have the knot in the middle and it should work). Try to make sure both sides are even.

8. Take the piece you cut off earlier and fold it in half, lengthways. Wrap it round the middle of the bow and sew it in place. Cut off any extra material from it.

9. Sew the bow on to the headband, preferably over the join so its hidden.

10. Wear!

RC xx

Alternative New Year’s Eve Ideas

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Anyone else looking for some last minute plans for New Year’s Eve? If you don’t like the idea of standing in the freezing crowds, trying to catch a glimpse of the lights on the South Bank, maybe have a quick read of these and see if one takes your fancy? (Again, I’m sorry, this is very London-centric).

 

The Underworld Camden

CLUB SILVER NEW YEARS EVE EXTRAVAGANZA

9pm, £12, Entry: 14+. Under 16s MUST be accompanied by an adult

(Apparently) Camden’s best alternative NYE party! Mostly indie and alternative music, with a bit of cheese too. Tickets here.

The Old Queens Head, Islington

THE OLD QUEENS HEAD NYE PARTY

8pm, £20

Party tunes and a fancy dress theme – come as your childhood ambition.

DJs on the night: Cat Lovers DJs, Bad Sex DJs, Wolf Club DJs, Fin Munro, DJ Risco, Mohare. Tickets here.

The Social, London W1

THE LINE OF BEST FIT

8pm, £16

Indie tunes downstairs with The Line Of Best Fit and Double Denim Records, with Rockfeedback & Transgressive Records upstairs for a heavier vibe. With some live music and guest DJs thrown in, you’ve got yourself a party there. Tickets here.

Hootananny, Brixton,

THE CORRESPONDENTS

9pm, £22.50, Over 21s

Vintage inspired electro jazz from the London twosome. Plus swinging Balkan folk mayhem with Sheelanagig and beats from the Soul Jazz  Soundsystem. Details here.

The Old Blue Last, Shoreditch

PINK MIST NEW YEARS EVE HOUSEPARTY!

8pm, £10

Sadly upstairs with Tubelord is sold out, but downstairs, ‘Whatever Happened To P-Rock’ will be playing punk rock tunes through the night with a bit of help from Team Wolf (Gallows), Beez (Last Resort / Scuzz TV) and more surprise guests.  More info here.

If you’re not in London, or fancy a quiet night in, try a house party watching The Exorcist. (Always a good time)

RC xx

Friday Classic – We Are The Ocean – Nothing Good Has Happened Yet

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This has to be one of my favourite songs of all time. Essex four piece We Are The Ocean have been blending melodic verses and screaming choruses since before it was cool. This piece of rocking goodness is from their self-titled debut album, which came out in 2008.

What are they up to now?

The band have just released their fourth album ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’  and are on tour in the UK from January. Check the dates on their facebook page.

RC xx

Band Tips For 2013

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If you haven’t spent all your Christmas money yet (and why not, if you read my pick of the sales yesterday?), you may want to hold onto that as I’ve got a list of some of the best music coming your way in 2013. Carefully researched (read: I googled the bands I like), here’s some new albums that are worth waiting for.

Black Veil Brides – Wretched and Divine

Conceptual goth-punks release their new album on Jan 8th

 

Fearless Vampire Killers – Exposition: The Five Before The Flames

A five song prequel to their debut album ‘Militia of the Lost’, out March 11th.

 

Night By Night

The classic rockers are planning to self release their debut album this year. (Guess we’ll all stay tuned for details..)

 

Paramore – Paramore

The self titled fourth album from the three remaining pop punks comes out on April 9th.

 

A Day To Remember – Common Courtesy

New album from Florida hardcore 5-piece due for release next year. You can stream new track ‘Violence’ from their site here.

 

Mallory Knox – Signals

Cambridge rockers release their eagerly awaited debut album on January 21st, featuring new single ‘Wake Up’.

RC xx