Bands From: Newcastle

Pale Man Made


I think it's gonna be a big year for this band, they are releasing their debut album (Oh My, Treasured Things) on their own label (Pinch) and have previously released See I Am on on Fake Dream Records. See I Am actually reminds me of Kenickie. They sound abit like Howling Bells or The Raveonettes with really good Jesus and Mary Chain style fuzzy guitars, shared vocals and super melodic, catchy choruses. They possess dark pop sensibilities if there's such a thing...listen to the excellent Wild Boars and you'll understand.

Myspace
Mp3 - Wild Boars / Parties

Spraydog


Spraydog are a perfect example of a really under rated band who’ve recieved minimal attention over the years, but still keep putting out quality music. It’s crazy to think they formed back in 96 when bands like Kenickie were kicking about. They’ve got their 6th album coming out sometime this year, it sounds a lot more harder and punky compared to their earlier stuff, but it’s super good. If you like bands like Urusei Yatsura or Sebadoh, then you'll dig this. I love bands with shared boy / girl vocals, so they tick every box for me !

Myspace
Mp3 - Pearl Drops

Lanterns on the Lake


Ever since I first heard this band I’ve had the track This Year on repeat, it’s a lovely, heart felt indie ballad with lush instrumentation (Glocks, Violins, Celo etc…). Hazel Wilde’s vocals/ harmonies are amazing, she sounds like Mazzy Star fronting Paris Motel. The guitarist does some nice Smashing Pumpkins esq string plucking at the end of the track which is a nice touch !!!

Myspace
Mp3 - This Year / I Will Lay You Down

Shin Jin Rui


This band are brilliant, they sound like those early / mid 80s punk rock bands….think Mission of Burma / The Wipers or Volcano Suns. My favourite song is Discretion is Assured with it’s Fugazi esq rhythms and minor guitar riffs, the singers vocals are nice and confused to. London Stinks is a funny track. The actual mp3 i've posted sounds different to what i've just described....more current sounding...reminds me of Blur / Graham Coxon...you know that song Coffee and TV.....see what ya think.....they are ACE !!!

Myspace
Mp3 - Safari Of Sorts

George Washington Brown


I thought i recognised this chap...it's none other than Johnny X, the drummer for Kenickie. I like the picture.....anyway, he released a mini album on Static Caravan last year which was filled full of lo fi, quirky, acoustic based tunes. Crutch is a really uplifting track, abit like Badly Drawn Boy or Field Music, with it's tinky tonky piano and harmonies etc...the ending reminds me of a Beatles song...i can't remember which one though, excellent stuff !

Myspace
Mp3 - Crutch

Dressed In Wires


To be honest I don’t listen to a lot of electronic music, but I was instantly grabbed by this track. Knuckle Shampoo is an excellent feminist, in your face, bullshit free rant. It reminds me of something Le Tigre would av done or possibly Dan Deacon, lots of bleeps and Aphex twin style noises. Dressed in Wires has put out a few releases out on Newcastle label Distraction
and has an impressive back catalog, check here.

Myspace
Mp3 - Knuckle Shampoo

Les Cox (Sportifs)


I've been humming this track (The Hand, The Heed) all bloody week, it's ridiculously catchy, with funny lyrics and minimal intrumetation. I like the way it sounds fairly ramshackled, with the low fi drumming and backing vocals, sounds like it was recorded in their bedroom, which adds to it's charm. They actually remind me of Camper Van Beethoven. Good stuff !!!

Myspace
Mp3 - The Hand The Heed

Dog Years


It’s great to find a band like this in the UK, their sound is firmly plugged into the alt / psyc country side of indie, think Wilco, My Morning Jacket or Broken Family Band, really good vocals to. The bass player sports a nice Will Oldham beard. Seven Years Bad luck reminds me of The Violent Femmes, whilst Bellyaches is a more indie affair sounding abit like Rogue Wave or The Shins. They’ve got a new album coming out this year, but till then, check out their last album which you can download for free here.

Myspace
Mp3 - Bellyaches

Trev Gibb


This guy is pretty amazing, he's got such a good voice, abit like Jeff Buckley / Anthony and the Johnson’s. Nervous is a beautiful piano led track, i love the lyric “if you find yourself crying blame it on the gin”. His voice is filled with heartache and emotion which gives his music a real melancholy feel. A & R men sign this kid up !!!

Myspace
Mp3 - Nervous / Tell Me Later When Your Luck Runs Out

Chippewa Falls


Every band from Newcastle has recommended this band to me. They've got their instrumental noodling down to a T, kinda post rock...abit like slint. The group consist of 2 twin sisters and a drummer. They use to be in another band called Me and The Twins which featured the guy from Maximo Park on Guitar. Check em.

Myspace
Mp3 - Valentine

Other bands from Newcastle & Sunderland include:

Obvious choices:
Field Music / Maximo Park / School Of Language / The Futureheads / This Aint Vegas / Kathryn Williams / Kubichek!

Not So Obvious:
Antennas To Heaven
That Defensive arm
The Bubble Project
John Egdell
Moira Stewart
Jennie and The Bets
A Woman Of No Importance
Dots to Dots
Ever Since The Lake Caught Fire
Moleck
The Eye Jab
Catweasels
Minotaurs
Black Flower
Mansions of Glory
The Amateur Dramatics