Artist: Ivyrise
Album: 1000 Feet
Label: Stage Records
Released: 31st August
Reviewed by: Andrew Banks

Hailing from London, Ivyrise have been together as a band since 2007. To date the highlight of their career has been supporting Bon Jovi and playing infront of 60,000 people at Twickenham courtesy of winning a London based newspaper competition. No mean feat in itself!

Their latest single ‘1000 Feet’ is admittedly my first taste of Ivyrise, and they appear to throw in a kind of 80s sounding Def Leppard / Savage Garden hybrid feel. Good or bad, you decide. My opinion is one of indifference. And therein is the problem for me, it’s forgettable, you won’t be looking back on it fondly in a few years, next year or probably not even next month.

I don’t dislike the track itself, it’s pleasant enough, doesn’t offend and I can hear it being played on daytime radio. But it just doesn’t make me feel much in the way of emotion or hanker after listening to it again. Of the three bundled tracks I thought ‘1000 Feet’ was the weakest, the other two being better structured with more to say musically about what Ivyrise are all about. I preferred ‘Over The Moon’ out of them all.

Conclusion: inoffensive, daytime radio thumbs up, but nothing new and won’t change the face of music.

For more Ivyrise visit Myspace

Download the album now from Amazon

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Reviewers: We are being contacted by Promoters to feature live reviews and albums on the site, if you would like to get involoved with attending shows for us all over the UK and/or reviewing albums/ singles for us, Please get in touch via gettothefront@gmail.com

Artist: Arctic Monkeys
Single: Crying Lightning
Label: Domino
Released: iTune Download Available Now / CD Release 17th August
Reviewed by: Andrew Banks

Arctic Monkeys shot to fame in 2005 with the outstanding ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor’ from their debut album ‘Whatever People Say I Am, I Am Not’ which literally out of nowhere hit number one and rightly so…….

Fast forward four years to 2009 and you have the latest single ‘Crying Lightning’, taken from their hotly anticipated third album ‘Humbug’.

In between album two, ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’, and this one Alex Turner did what all talented songwriters do, he went away and came up with a whole new body of work under the guise of a little sideproject. His particular effort with Miles Kane of The Rascals went by the name of The Last Shadow Puppets. And what a success it was. Widespread acclaim followed and I don’t suppose Miles was particularly delighted when Alex started the conversation saying he was cutting his Puppet strings and climbing back into his Monkey suit. Which is where we find ourselves…….

Crying Lightning is the first taster from ‘Humbug’, an album which many moons ago Alex said would be heavily influenced by Queens of the Stone Age, is in fact produced by their frontman Josh Homme. So as such you would be forgiven for thinking that they will up the rock ante and go much much harder. If Crying Lightning is a precursor for what is to follow then I think they might just have softened! Previous tracks were instantly jumpy, punchy, short and to the point, a chance to let go for just shy of 3 minutes. Tracks like Dancefloor, Brianstorm, Teddy Picker……were BAM!

Crying Lightning is a slow burner, a mellower affair, a more mature effort. Dont expect it to be a track to go nuts to, it’s not. It is much more than that, probably to show a change of direction to match Alex’s new long hair. It is still unmistakeably an Alex Turner effort, his vocals are very distinctive, as are the way he writes his lyrics. Still in are the references harking back to an era of youth and a chance to reminisce. This one mentioning old school sweets, Pick N Mix, Strawberry Lace and Gobstoppers. It’s enough to make you demand a return of Pacers!

The track moves on a few different levels and even has a little guitar solo which personally I would have liked to have continued a bit longer, but then I am solo sucker!

Don’t think it will find itself at the top of the music tree winking from number one, although I suspect it will be pretty close, but this reviewer for one definitely wants more and will be interested to hear what direction the rest of the album takes.

(7/10).

Conclusion: As a track to whet the appetite for the new album it ticks all the boxes.

Pre order the new album now from Amazon

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Reviewers: We are being contacted by Promoters to feature live reviews and albums on the site, if you would like to get involoved with attending shows for us all over the UK and/or reviewing albums/ singles for us, Please get in touch via gettothefront@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY UPDATES……

UPDATE 12: Idlewild confirm a UK tour for October, their show for O2 Academy 2 Birmingham for Thurs 29/10/2009 is on PRESALE from Ticketweb

UPDATE 11: P!nk, side seated tickets released for her show at Trent FM Arena Nottingham for Tues 3rd Nov 2009, just onsale from Seetickets [Thanks Eddie]

UPDATE 10: Tommy Reilly adds a show for The Orange Box Yeovil for Fri 23rd Oct 2009, just onsale from Seetickets

UPDATE 9: Vampire Weekend are to play Concorde 2, Brighton on Tues 25th Aug 2009, just onsale from Seetickets

UPDATE 8: Idlewild confirm a UK tour for October, their show for O2 Academy Oxford, Sunday 18/10/2009 is on PRESALE from Ticketweb

All shows onsale from Friday

UPDATE 7: Raphael Saadiq is to play O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Monday, October 19th 09, on PRESALE from Ticketweb

UPDATE 6: Jay Reatard is to play UK dates in the autumn, the date at O2 Academy 3 Birmingham TUE 10/11/2009,  is on PRESALE from Ticketweb

All shows onsale from Friday

UPDATE 5: Baddies are to play UK shows for October,

O2 Academy 3 Birmingham SAT 10/10/2009, on PRESALE from Ticketweb
Borderline. London on mon 12/10/2009, on PRESALE from Ticketmaster

All shows onsale from Friday

UPDATE 4: Soulwaxmas, Soulwax & 2 Many DJs are to play O2 Academy Brixton, London on Friday 11th December 2009, on PRESALE from Ticketweb

UPDATE 3: Master Shortie is to play UK dates this autumn,

The Cockpit Leeds SUN 04/10/2009
Rescue Rooms Nottingham MON 05/10/2009
O2 Academy 2 Sheffield TUE 06/10/2009, on PRESALE from 9am from Ticketweb
O2 Academy 2 Newcastle THU 08/10/2009, on PRESALE from 9am from Ticketweb
O2 Academy 2 Liverpool FRI 09/10/2009, on PRESALE from 9am from Ticketweb
53 Degrees Preston SAT 10/10/2009
Brighton Digital FRI 16/10/09, on PRESALE from 9am from Ticketweb
Norwich Waterfront SUN 18/10/09, on PRESALE from 9am from Ticketweb
Thekla Bristol WED 21/10/2009, on PRESALE from 9am from Ticketweb
Club Academy Manchester SAT 24/10/2009

All shows onsale from Friday

UPDATE 2: Patrick Wolf is to play a special show at London Palladium. London on Sunday 15th November 2009, on PRESALE from 9am from Ticketmaster

UPDATE 1: Toby Keith, the American country singer is to play a UK tour this November,

10/09/09, Glasgow O2 Academy Glasgow, on PRESALE from Ticketmaster

All shows onsale from Friday

Monster Magnet announce their first UK tour in 5 years with support from legendary cult acts Karma To Burn and Lions,

Manchester Academy 2 Wed 09/12/09
Rock City, Nottingham, Sat 05/12/09
KOKO, London, Sun 06/12/09
Garage, Glasgow, Mon 07/12/09
Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Fri 11/12/09
Leeds Metropolitan University, Sat 12/12/09

Tickets onsale from 9am from Ticketmaster, Seetickets, Gigantic, Ticketline

Michael McIntyre adds a show for Odyssey Arena, Belfast for Fri 30th Oct 2009, Tickets onsale from 10am from Ticketmaster

The Enemy announce a date for 53 Degrees in Preston for Sat 7th Nov 2009, onsale from Seetickets

The Decemberists are to play recent album ‘Hazards Of Love’ in full in London this november,

HMV Forum, London on Wed 18th Nov 2009
Coronet Theatre London Thurs 19th Nov 2009

Tickets onsale from 9am from Ticketmaster, Gigantic, Seetickets

Sean Paul, The Official ‘Imperial Blaze’ Album Release Party with Sean Paul at IndigO2, London Friday 28th Aug 2009, onsale from 10am from Gigantic, Ticketmaster

Boxer Rebellion are to play UK shows in October,

Roadhouse Manchester SAT 03/10/2009
The Faversham Leeds MON 05/10/2009

Onsale from 9am from Seetickets

Beyond the Barricade are to play Sunderland Empire on Sat 20th Feb 2010, onsale from 9am from Ticketmaster

Mudhoney are to play TJ’s (Woodhouse Liberal Club), Leeds on Sat 10th Oct 2009, onsale from Seetickets

Wilco are to play UK shows in November,

O2 Academy Leeds, Tuesday, November 3rd 09
HMV Forum, London Wednesday, November 4th 09

Onsale from 9am from Ticketweb, Gigantic, Seetickets

Saxon and Anvil are to play Nottingham & Southampton in 2009, onsale from 9am from Seetickets, Ticketmaster

Oliver, the musical is to show at North Pier Blackpool on Fri 7th Aug 2009, onsale from 12noon from Ticketmaster

Sleeping Beauty, Whitley Bay Pantomime Society, stint added for Playhouse, Whitley Bay for Jan 2010, onsale from 9am from Ticketmaster

Silent Disco is to play at Southampton Unit, Southampton on Fri 7th Aug 2009, onsale from 10am from Ticketmaster

Cliff Richard & The Shadows, extra tickets released for the show at Sheffield Arena for 14th and 15th Oct 09, onsale from SheffieldArena and for Liverpool Echo Arena for 7th Oct 2009 from LiverpoolEcho [Thanks Eddie]

Jay Reatard is to play Whelans in Dublin on Mon 16th Nov 2009, onsale from 9am from Ticketmaster

Further UK shows onsale from Friday

Metallica, extra tickets released for rtheir show at Marlay Park, Dublin for Sat 1st Aug 2009, onsale from Ticketmaster

Chromatones add a show for Southampton Joiners for Tue 8th Sep 2009, onsale from 10am from Ticketmaster

A**L C**T + Mark “Chopper” Read are to play Southampton Talking Heads on Sun 11th Oct 2009, onsale from 10am from Ticketmaster

The Gentlemen are to play O2 Academy 3 Birmingham for Sat 1st Aug 2009, onsale from Seetickets

Jamie T confirms a date for Exeter Phoenix, Exeter for Tues 25th Aug 09, onsale from Seetickets

Jim Jeffries, the comedian adds a show for Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall on Monday, 26th October 2009, onsale from Ticketline

Babybird, further tickets for the November UK tour onsale from Ticketline

Baddies are to play UK shows for October,

The Cluny Newcastle Upon Tyne MON 05/10/2009
Rock City, Nottingham FRI 09/10/2009
O2 Academy 3 Birmingham SAT 10/10/2009
Borderline. London on mon 12/10/2009

Tickets on PRESALE for some shows from 9am, check back for links

Toby Keith, the American country singer is to play a UK tour this November,

11/09/09, Glasgow O2 Academy Glasgow
11/10/09, London, HMV Apollo, Hammersmith
11/12/09, Dublin, Ireland - Olympia
11/13/09, Belfast, Northern Ireland - Odyssey Belfast

Some shows are on PRESALE from 9am, check back for links

Jay Reatard is to play UK dates in the autumn,

O2 Academy 3 Birmingham TUE 10/11/2009
Roadhouse Manchester THU 12/11/2009
Underworld Camden London FRI 13/11/2009
The Croft Bristol SAT 14/11/2009

Some shows are on PRESALE from 9am, check back for links

Idlewild confirm a UK tour for October,

Club Academy Manchester SAT 10/10/2009
Wedgewood Rooms Portsmouth THU 15/10/2009
Electric Ballroom Camden London FRI 16/10/2009
O2 Academy Oxford, Sunday 18/10/2009
O2 Academy 2 Birmingham THU 29/10/2009
The Leadmill Sheffield FRI 30/10/2009

Tickets onsale from Friday, check back for this morning for PRESALES

IF YOU MISSED TUESDAY UPDATES…….

Toploader add a show for ICA London for Wed 23rd Sept 2009, just onsale from Gigantic

Reverend and the Makers are playing a series of intimate free shows across the UK, check frontman Jon McClure’s twitter for daily venues

Fleetwood Mac release more tickets for their shows for November, [Thanks Eddie]

The NIA, Birmingham for Tue 3rd Nov 2009, just onsale from Gigantic, Ticketmaster, Ticketfactory
Manchester Evening News Arena for Tues 27th Oct 2009, just onsale from Seetickets, Ticketline, Ticketmaster
Sheffield Arena, for Mon 2nd Nov 2009, just onsale from Seetickets, Ticketline, Gigantic, Ticketmaster
Wembley Arena, London for Fri 6th Nov 2009, just onsale from Seetickets, Ticketline, Ticketmaster

Lethal Bizzle confirms UK shows for the autumn, some shows on PRESALE now,

O2 Academy Liverpool, Wednesday, October 7th 09, on PRESALE from Ticketweb
O2 Academy Birmingham, Thursday, October 8th 09, on PRESALE from Ticketweb
O2 Academy Bristol, Saturday, October 10th 09, on PRESALE from Ticketweb
O2 Academy Sheffield, Sunday, October 11th 09, on PRESALE from Ticketweb
O2 Academy Islington, Monday, October 12th 09, on PRESALE from Ticketweb

Further shows and these on general sale from Thursday

Steve Earle is to play Alban Arena in St Albans on Mon 14th Sept 2009, onsale from Seetickets

Bruce In The USA, Les McKeowns Legendary Bay City Rollers are to play UK dates in October, some shows just on PRESALE,

O2 Academy Glasgow, Sunday, October 11th 09, on PRESALE from Ticketweb
O2 Academy Sheffield, Tuesday, October 13th 09, on PRESALE from Ticketweb
O2 Academy Oxford, Thursday, October 15th 09, on PRESALE from Ticketweb

Further shows and these on general sale from Thursday

ONSALE THIS WEEK WE HAVE MASTER SHORTIE, BADDIES, IDLEWILD, BOXER REBELLION, JACK PENATE, JAY REATARD, MONSTER MAGNET, THE DECEMBERISTS AND MORE

Get To The Front: Where in the world are you right now?
Peaches: I’m in London.

GTTF: Before you became Peaches you were a dance and drama teacher, at what point did you decide you wanted to be a live performer and producer full time?
P: I was doing it all at the same time. It’s like the movie Flashdance where she is a welder by day and a dancer by night.

GTTF: You play almost all the instruments for your songs, you program your own electronic beats and produces your records. Do you prefer performing live or working in the studio where you can make all your own sounds?
P: Performing is immediate satisfaction and studio takes time. I like the immediate!

GTTF: Your songs have featured in movies such as ‘Mean Girls’, ‘Waiting…’, ‘Jackass Number Two’, ‘My Little Eye’ and ‘Lost in Translation’. Do you have any desires to score an entire film?
P: It would be fun to do a score and appearance at the same time like Jonathan Richman in the movie Something About Mary

GTTF: You’ve done a number of collaborations over the years – Iggy Pop, Marilyn Manson, Bloc Party and Chick on Speed to name a few. Who have you most enjoyed working with during your career?
P: Iggy is the best. Always on it and fun!

GTTF: Which bands/singers have inspired you over the years?
P: Wendy O Williams from The Plasmatics.

GTTF: You have an extremely hectic schedule over the summer! You’re performing at a number of festivals all over the world, what do you enjoy most about playing in the UK?
P: Hmmm they speak English?! They get my stage banter.

GTTF: Do you prefer playing at an open air festival or at a small intimate venue?
P: Intimate venues are always the most fun and sweaty.

GTTF: Are you looking forward to our Get Loaded in the Park festival this summer?
P: Yes definitely!

GTTF: Which other acts are you hoping to catch?
P: I don’t know cuz I go to the sites and the things that come up are burgers and beer so I guess I will just get loaded!

GTTF: Where is the strangest place you’ve ever performed?
P: In a hotel room

GTTF: Which of your songs do you most enjoy performing live?
P: Love them all. A variety is the key.

GTTF: Your live shows are pretty MENTAL to say the least!! Can you describe that feeling you have when you’re up on stage?
P: I’m just focused and giving the audience 500%

GTTF: Your new album, ‘I Feel Cream’ has been described as your most ‘pop-sounding’ album to date. If so, was this a conscious decision?
P: It just happened.

GTTF: Was it a fun album to make?
P: Yes it was fun to make.

GTTF: You recruited some killer artists to work on the new album - Simian Mobile Disco, Soulwax, Digitalism and Drums of Death. How did that all come about?
P: They are friends of mine and as you said killer artists!

GTTF: What gives you your inspiration for your amazing lyrics and song name choices?
P: All the things missing in pop culture

GTTF: What do you do like to do in-between shows when you’re touring?
P: Sleep and visit friends.

GTTF: Do you collect anything from all the places you visit around the world? If so what?
P: Candy rappers.

GTTF: Do you like peaches?
P: Blueberries are my fave.

Listen to Peaches at Myspace

Download the album from Amazon

< back to interviews

Get To The Front: So, where did you all meet and how did Sneaky Sound System first come together?
Sneaky Sound System: It all happened by pure chance. I (Black Angus) was about to start a small Sunday night called Sneaky Sundays in Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia. The night before the first gig I met MC Double D at a Cowboys and Indians fancy dress party; we clicked I asked him to come down and host the night and maybe jump on the mic, albeit occasionally (he had never emceed before!). He ended up busting out a few rhymes while I spun records and everyone went nuts – it worked big time. After a few years of playing the club and festival circuit we stumbled across Miss Connie in a park, where she was playing guitar and singing to a friend (and no, she wasn’t busking). We got chatting and I played a new song I written called ‘I Love It’. Connie loved it and a couple of weeks later we was recorded it. It went on to become our breakthrough hit and the rest as they say, is history.

GTTF: How do you all find working together?
SSS: We’re very different people but over the years you work out which buttons to press and which ones not to. Being in a band can feel like school camp for adults at times, and occasionally you want to buck the system, but for the most part it’s pretty harmonious.

GTTF: Your album for the UK is a mixture of the two albums you released in Australia, how did you decide which tunes would feature on the album?
SSS: It wasn’t rocket science; we just chose the strongest songs and made sure they worked together. It was pretty easy.

GTTF: How have the reactions been in the UK compared to back home in Australia?
SSS: The crowds have been going bonkers and radio has been very generous, so I guess things are heading in the right direction. We were cautious at first but the more time we’ve spent here the more relaxed we have become. You never know if your music will translate but so far it appears we’re on the right track.

GTTF: A lot of people have remixed your work over the years, is there anyone in particular you would like to see remix one of your songs?
SSS: Stuart Price has just done an amazing remix for us, he was top of the list. Would love a Soulwax rework, they haven’t really put a foot wrong and would also like to see what Erol Alkan or Aeroplane could do… they are my favourites.

GTTF: How did you find touring with Robbie Williams? Performing to a crowd or 50,000 people must have been amazing…
SSS: It was one of those defining moments. We had done very few live shows with our band and hadn’t really tested our music out on that many people, so the first show was a bit nerve racking – but it went down really well and gave us a lot of confidence. The sheer scale that tour was incredible… we did 9 shows and didn’t want it to end.

GTTF: Do you get the same buzz from performing to a smaller crowd?
SSS: For sure, but it’s an entirely different trip – you can actually see people when you play smaller gigs. There’s an intimacy that always lets you know exactly how it’s all going, its very immediate.

GTTF: You have a very hectic schedule coming up over the summer playing gigs, clubs and festivals. Which do you prefer? A big open air festival stage or a dark sweaty club?
SSS: It is like breakfast, lunch and dinner. We like every meal but sometimes you really look forward to some more than others. A big festival is like a long boozy summer lunch, and… well you get the idea.

GTTF: Who are Sneaky Sound Systems main influences?
SSS: We grew up on The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Human League, New Order, ELO, The Cars etc and have moved through Italo disco, French house, German techno, Brit pop, American soul, you name it! Somehow all of that runs through our musical veins and we come up with something else.

GTTF: If you were not part of Sneaky Sound System what would you be?
SSS: Depressed.

GTTF: You’ve been nominated for and won a number of awards over the years. What are you most proud of to date?
SSS: Probably winning 2 ARIA Awards here in Australia. It was a very proud moment. We had invited our families and all the friends who had helped out along the way (40 people in fact), so it was nice to share it with everyone. We’re an independent label and had put so much time, energy and money into the project that it really made it all feel worthwhile. Needless to say, it was a pretty big party that night.

GTTF: Who would you most like to do a collaboration with?
SSS: So many people! Prince or David Bowie would be cool. I know Connie would choose Phil Collins in a heartbeat. I think I could come up with a list of 1000 people actually, from obscure to obvious. Should we do that some time?

GTTF: Where would you stage your dream festival and who would play at it?
SSS: Anywhere near a beach. One stage with: David Bowie, Queen (we’d have to bring Freddie back from the dead), Daft Punk, The Cure, ELO and Prince. There would be DJ sets in between by Sven Vath, Boys Noize and Erol Alkan.

GTTF: Are you looking forward playing Get Loaded in the Park this summer?
SSS: Well that is a silly question. Of course we are, can’t wait!

GTTF: Which other act(s) are you most looking forward to catching on the day?
SSS: I just like cruising around checking out whoever, it depends what mood we’re in. It’s a solid line-up so we’re spoilt for choice but the dance tent will probably suck me in.

GTTF: What’s next for Sneaky Sound System?
SSS: Lots and lots and lots of touring. We’re in the midst of a national club tour that will keep us very busy in Australia for the next two months and then we’ll be back to Europe for the summer festivals, then off touring through the US, and we’ve also got a residency at Pacha in Ibiza. We’re also recording a handful of collaborations and will be releasing our record (a combination of our first 2 records) in the UK, Europe and US in the next month. So this year is a big one… ridiculously busy in fact.

Listen to more of Sneaky Sound System at Myspace

Download the latest album from Amazon

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Artist: Bashy
Album: Catch Me If You Can
Label: GGI / Ragz 2 Richez
Released: Out Now
Reviewed by: Roger Goodgroves

Bashy, AKA Ashley Thomas is one of the rising lights in the British hip hop/grime scene. This is the first full album following singles “Black Boys” and “Kidulthood 2 Adulthood” from the movie of the second part. Both those tracks are tagged on the end of this album as bonus tracks.

Listening through the album for the first time I am struck by the mix of musical styles. Some of the tracks are very accessible and are likely to bring Bashy to a wider audience.

“She’s a Gangsta” cries out for a single release as does “Sorry”. On the latter Bashy takes it upon himself to apologise ‘on behalf of all the other guys’ for the way women are treated by men. This is a refreshing approach as too often in modern hip hop women are objectified and degraded. Bashy obviously is a man who likes to look for the positive in life. “Black Boys” held up all the role models for black youth to aspire to.

“What about me?” has a wonderful driving beat and piano riff with soft string arrangement and certainly sticks in the mind and has you humming as you go about your daily chores.

There a few tracks with strong US R&B influence like “Living my dream” and “Life” and appear to me to be Bashy looking for a cross Atlantic angle and acceptance.

There are a few filler tracks for me like “Who wants to be a millionaire?”, “Day before I die” and “Travel the World”. The last is just a stream of destination names with little to hold the track together. The worst of all has to be “Copy Cat” featuring an inane beat and a collection of children’s voices overlaid with Bashy’s rant about one upmanship and lack of individuality.

Overall there are some good tracks and some clever lyrics with plenty of thought and straight talking (”Change” as an example). I wouldn’t suggest the whole album is worth picking up but certainly a few selected track purchases will have you happy to be parting with your money.

For more Bashy visit Myspace

Download the album now from Amazon

(6/10)

< Back to Reviews

Reviewers: We are being contacted by Promoters to feature live reviews and albums on the site, if you would like to get involoved with attending shows for us all over the UK and/or reviewing albums/ singles for us, Please get in touch via gettothefront@gmail.com