In News

Seven Day Riot – The Vault – 20/06/20

Seven Day RiotThree months and six days since the last live music event I attended before ‘lockdown’ St Peter Port was back to life with many bars and pubs marking the event with a healthy dose of noise. While there were plenty of options what felt like the first place to fully advertise and get back to business as usual...
June 23, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Rammstein: Paris

All being well on Sunday 14th June 2020 I should have been in Cardiff experiencing the spectacle of Rammstein live from the so-called ‘Feuerzone’ but, ‘what with one thing and another,’ that show has been postponed by a year so I took the opportunity to find the next best thing and watch the Neue Deutsche Härte band’s 2017 concert film,...
June 21, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Last Of The Light Brigade – The Brink

When they released Last Laugh in 2014, despite the title, I’m not sure anyone thought it would be the swan song for indie rockers Last Of The Light Brigade. As their gigs (away from the wedding band circuit) became fewer and further between though, and the individual members pursued other interests (with quite some success) it seemed like that might...
June 19, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Those Fucking Snowflakes – Straight Wealthy White Male Suffrage

Following December’s U Ok Hun? EP Blackpool trio Those Fucking Snowflakes are back with Straight Wealthy White Male Suffrage, another salvo of noisy guitars, bass and drums railing against everything from Donald Trump to those who continue to pointlessly questions veganism. Only Weak Men Fear Strong Women starts the record off as it means to go on continuing where their...
June 17, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

The Crowband – Blackwell

Three years after introducing us to them on Ladies And Gentlemen…The Crowband, The Crowman has returned on record with Blackwell, another selection of his self-styled ‘garage-folk’, now fully under the banner of The Crowband. After an exclamation over the price of the CD, we are introduced to the band and ushered into their world with the surreal and eccentric Uncle...
June 13, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Alfie Butel – Mexico

I first encountered singer-songwriter Alfie Butel at Chaos 2018 when he and his band Mezra travelled over from Jersey to take part in the Sound Guernsey Battle Of The Bands, which they went on to win in convincing fashion. Having returned and impressed again the following the year, now, another year later Alfie has released his debut solo single proper,...
June 9, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Kiya Ashton – Anchor

Back in December 2018 Kiya Ashton released her debut EP, Sweet Decadence, to quite some positive response. Since then she has become even more of a fixture of Guernsey’s live music scene and, during the current break from live public events, has been a big part of the Upload Festival CI series of online streaming gigs which she’s now followed...
June 1, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

May 2020 Playlist

Click here to listen to my full 2020 playlist on Spotify Another strange month comes to an end but, at least where I’m living, on a more positive note as things start to reopen (though we await any kind of announcement about full scale gigs happening again). With that in mind I have another motley selection of tracks that I’ve...
May 30, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Ten Important And Influential Albums Facebook ‘Game’ – Take Two

I’ve put together a playlist on Spotify of all of this so if you just want to have a listen, click here With lockdown in full effect the top ten lists trend has returned to Facebook and, despite having done it before, when I got nominated for the albums one I thought I’d get involved and come up with another...
May 28, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Brave Yesterday – Everything, All At Once EP

Jersey based five-piece Brave Yesterday have been busy building a reputation for their poppier end of indie rock for the past decade and, while they’ve been quieter on record the last couple of years, have been busy playing live but now they are back with four track EP Everything, All At Once. Lead single My Vice starts things off with...
May 24, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Nemesis – The Fermain Tavern – 28/04/07

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Danny and Brin of NemesisAfter it came up and caused some conversation in a flashback post on Instagram recently, and I noticed the original version of this review had dropped off the BBC website where it was originally posted, I thought I’d revisit this show from April 2007 when...
May 6, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Coastal Fire Dept – You Are Stuck

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Relatively hot on the heels of their debut ‘mini-album’ Control, Coastal Fire Dept. are back with a new single (a lead in to their upcoming new album), You Are Stuck. Since we last heard from the band on record they seem to have further solidified their line up with...
May 2, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

April 2020 playlist

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Click here to go straight to the playlist on Spotify Another strange month in April as life under so-called ‘lockdown’ continues to one degree or another around a fair amount of the world. Thankfully there has been a lot of new music entering my world, along with a chance...
April 28, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Tantale – One Moment (Live At St James Concert Hall)

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The last decade has seen Tantale develop their ‘ambient grunge’ sound across three full albums (and an early EP) to become a band with a formidable reputation both on record and on stage – their debut album launch show at The Fermain Tavern in 2012 has long remained a...
April 26, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Dribbler – Beachside

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Every now and then a band crops up that becomes the talk of the metaphorical town and everyone you speak to says you have to hear them – the latest to fall I to this category are Dribbler, a no doubt interestingly named trio from Jersey (Boots on vocals...
April 22, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Hot Juice – I Don’t Mind

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Continuing a run of new singles from Channel Islands artists dropping at the moment is Jersey rockers Hot Juice with I Don’t Mind, following up on their EP from December, This Is What You Want. As the track kicks off with the sound of a live crowd it sets...
April 20, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Teaspoonriverneck – Sunset’s Trip and IV

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard While out for my so-called ‘government mandated’ two hours of outside time and exercise a few days ago (and let’s be honest two hours of dedicated exercise is something unfamiliar to most of us, even now) it struck me that while I have always enjoyed Teaspoonriverneck’s two EPs Sunset’s...
April 18, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Monty Taft – Sacrifice

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard After spending 2019 firmly establishing himself with a string of singles and live shows around the UK and the Channel Islands, including a very well received performance at BBC Music Introducing Live in November, Monty Taft is back with his first new single of 2020, Sacrifice. From the off...
April 14, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

The Damned – Machine Gun Etiquette

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Continuing my looks at records I’ve been meaning to listen to (or re-listen to) for sometime with the third full length album from The Damned, Machine Gun Etiquette. While I’ve always appreciated The Damned, until seeing them live, early in the day at a big Green Day show in...
April 12, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

The Recks – The Milk’s Gone Bad (single)

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard While The Recks have released a string of singles and videos since their debut album, The Beast From The Sea, was released in summer 2018 it has become somewhat obvious to those following the band closely that, up until now, everything has been drawn from that album, so it...
April 8, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Oliver Marson – Time For Love

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Last year Oliver Marson reappeared on the musical scene with Cocaine Romance, a single echoing the sounds of the 1980s with a modern twist, and now he’s back with a follow up, Time For Love. After an abrupt start it’s no surprise that this continues in the same sonic...
April 4, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Silver Ginger 5 – Black Leather Mojo

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard When I first encountered the debut (and currently sole) album from Silver Ginger 5, 2000’s Black Leather Mojo I was still relatively new to the work of their leader, Ginger Wildheart, and, if I’m honest, I wasn’t sure what to think of it. That was when the album was...
April 2, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

March 2020 Playlist

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Click here to go straight to the Spotify playlist To say March has been an odd month for all of us would be an understatement but with that, and particularly before everything kicked off in earnest, there was a lot of great music going on that I’ve distilled into...
March 31, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Kings – American Rust EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard When Guernsey based pop band Kings released their first set of songs they did so as a series of singles they described as being Season 1, rather like a TV show. For their second release though that have been a bit more conventional as they’ve dropped four new tracks...
March 27, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Tadhg Daly – Come Alive

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard While I’ve been following the career of Tadhg Daly for a good while, in fact since his then band The Five Mike Road (still a brilliant name) visited Guernsey in 2013, but this is the first time in a while I’ve written about one of his releases, new single,...
March 21, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Rosalie Cunningham – Self-titled

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Rosalie Cunningham first came to my attention when I caught her former band, Purson, supporting Swedish metallers Ghost at The Warfield in San Francisco. Since then she has embarked on a solo career and, in June 2019, dropped her self-titled debut album. It’s no surprise, based on her past...
March 19, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Vale Earth Fair Sneakaway To The Library and Zine Launch – Guille-Allès Library – 14/03/20

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Beth Brown on stageAt last summer’s Vale Earth Fair a new stage debuted, The Sneakaway, focussing, for the first time that I can recall at the festival, not on music but on spoken word performances. Now the team behind it have staged a night at Guernsey’s Guille-Allès Library featuring...
March 17, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Stone Cold Fiction – Strange Times

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Strange Times, the debut album from Bristol originated, now Brighton based, trio Stone Cold Fiction, originally landed on streaming services and CD in October 2019, but now in conjunction with Guernsey based label Magic Moustache Records it has received a release as a full-scale coloured vinyl record. The band’s...
March 11, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Guernsey Gigs Unplugged Club: March 2020 – The Golden Lion – 03/03/20

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Two years ago Guernsey Gigs launched their monthly Unplugged Club at The Golden Lion (read about that first one here) as something of an alternative to the many (and still increasing) other open mic nights that take place each week around St Peter Port. Rather than just a place...
March 7, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Flexagon – 7 Nocturnes East – Album and Exhibition

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Guernsey’s north east coast, from St. Peter Port to Bordeaux Harbour, is an area much discussed in some regards but in others it feels somewhat over looked. Being the more commercial and industrial part of the island it’s natural beauty as well as the life of it is not...
March 5, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands: February 2020 – Magic Moustache and Bubblebrain Records

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Greg and Joe of Magic Moustache RecordsClick here to listen to the show For my February 2020 edition of BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands we had something a little different as I spoke to a pair of record labels from the islands about events and releases they...
March 1, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

February 2020 Playlist

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Click here to go straight to the Spotify playlist This has felt like another musically very busy month with Guernsey’s music scene getting back into its own swing after the usual quieter January and lots of other stuff going besides. From the Guernsey scene I’ve got a couple of...
February 28, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Sound At St James 2 – St James Concert Hall – 22/02/20

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The first Sound At St James festival, a little under a year and a half ago, marked something of a relaunch of St James (or at least the perception of it) as a venue for more than classical music and rather staid, traditional entertainment. Since then a range of...
February 26, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

The Hillbilly Moon Explosion featuring Mark ‘Sparky’ Phillips – The Sparky Sessions

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard While it’s only in the last few years that I discovered Swiss rockabilly swing band The Hillbilly Moon Explosion for reasons I’m not quite sure of Welsh psychobillies Demented Are Go and their unmistakable frontman Sparky (aka Mark Phillips) have been on the edge of my knowledge for far...
February 24, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Amongst the subjects of discussion beloved of heavy metal fans; from the relative merits and nuances of the sub genres of black metal to which band has the best cash in branded beer and how much of it can you drink in one sitting, one subject always gets things...
February 20, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Havoc presents Terrible Stuntman, Lifejacket, Kings and The Crowband – The Fermain Tavern – 15/02/20

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard KingsAs storm Dennis began to give the island a battering Havoc Events took over The Fermain Tavern for the first time this year for a genuinely varied night of live music with The Crowband, Kings, Lifejacket and Terrible Stuntman. While the storm (and no doubt other less obvious factors)...
February 18, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Parish 13 – A Rum Do

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard I first encountered the Jersey based five-piece Parish 13 at the Sark Roots Festival back in 2017 when I made note of their unconventional appearance and approach as looking like something from Royston Vasey in The League Of Gentlemen. While maybe a little extreme, that description still seems to...
February 16, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Western Stars

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard When Bruce Springsteen released his latest album, Western Stars, in June 2019 there was a rumbling of dissatisfaction from some sections of his fan base that there didn’t appear to be any kind of extensive promotional tour for the record. That concern was, supposedly, answered though when a movie...
February 14, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Vale Earth Fair Unplugged 2020 – The Fermain Tavern – 08/02/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard UkuladeezThe Vale Earth Fair‘s annual unplugged night has become almost as much a part of the Guernsey music calendar as the summer festival itself, albeit with slightly less fanfare. Every year comes with its own surprised and highlights which in the past have ranged from The John Wesley Stone...
February 12, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

The Tarantulips – Gush

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Having spent the last couple of years finding their feet and sound under another name (more about that here) Jersey based trio The Tarantulips have emerged onto the scene with a new single that very much restates their aims. While they’re known for their grunge influenced indie sound when...
February 10, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Independent Venue Week with Beach Riot, Stone Cold Fiction, The Tarantulips and Case On The Base – St James Concert Hall – 01/02/20

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The TarantulipsFor the past six years Independent Venue Week has been championing bars, clubs, pubs and, for want of a better word, music halls up and down the UK that are run independently of major sponsors and support grass roots music both from their own neck of the woods...
February 6, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

L’Islet Records Acoustic Night: Coastal Fire Dept, John Le Sauvage and Rachel Dawson – The Vault – 31/01/20

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Coastal Fire Dept go acoustic(ish)After rounding off their 2019 with a very noisy night at The Fermain Tavern, L’Islet Records started the new year in slightly more low key fashion with an acoustic night at The Vault (though they still managed to fit in a good dose of their...
February 4, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

January 2020 Playlist and Tim And Sydney Mixtape

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Click here to go straight to the Spotify playlist A new year and so a new playlist begins but as ever I’ll add around ten tracks to it a month and post an update here – if you just want to listen to the tracks then head over to...
January 31, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love – My Chemical Romance

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard My Chemical Romance are back… having disappeared in a puff of somewhat over conceptualised and processed within an inch of its life pop rock nearly eight years ago the New Jersey quartet returned to the stage just before Christmas 2019 and have announced a string of shows so far...
January 30, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Fool In Love EP – Joe Corbin

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Fool In Love sees Guernsey/London based singer-songwriter Joe Corbin pick up where his debut EP, Brixton Sky, left off — marrying blues with more relaxed styles to make something of his own. Still Get High starts things off and, while it can be an invigorating stomp of a track...
January 29, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands: January 2020 – Joe Corbin and Flexagon

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Joe Corbin in the studioClick here to listen to the show For my edition of BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands I took a look at two new releases from artists from the islands along with tracks from a range of acts. Joe Corbin joined me in session...
January 26, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

The Gaa Gaas – Self-titled

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Formed out of the rather fertile indie music of the Channel Islands in the mid 2000s Jersey originated, now London and Brighton based, The Gaa Gaas may have taken a while to release their self-titled debut album but now they have it’s a great one for fans of noisy,...
January 24, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Clameur De Haro – The Vault – 18/01/20

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Clameur De HaroAfter attending Saturday’s show from Guernsey’s own not-quite-bluegrass rock ‘n’ roll band Clameur De Haro, I can’t help but feel a little guilty for spoiling their ongoing joke about the lack of coverage the band have received over the last year or so — that said, even...
January 22, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Clameur De Haro – The Vault – 18/01/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Clameur De HaroAfter attending Saturday’s show from Guernsey’s own not-quite-bluegrass rock ‘n’ roll band Clameur De Haro, I can’t help but feel a little guilty for spoiling their ongoing joke about the lack of coverage the band have received over the last year or so — that said, even...
January 22, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Mura Masa – R.Y.C.

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Two years ago Guernsey born and raised artist Mura Masa launched out of the comparative underground right into the upper echelons of the current pop world with a self-titled debut album combining elements of hip hop, electronica and dance that led to him performing stand out sets at festivals...
January 18, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

Greetings From Bury Park: Race, Religion, Rock ‘n’ Roll by Sarfraz Manzoor

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard When I first saw the film Blinded By The Light, about a young British Asian man and his fandom for Bruce Springsteen, I thought it was a nice and entertaining story with a positive message. As the credits rolled though I spotted that it was based on a book,...
January 16, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

The Head Of Helier – Self-titled EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Channel Islands has long fostered a music scene featuring some of the heaviest sounds going from Guernsey’s Earthcorpse to Jersey’s Masticated and Demise Of Sanity you’re likely never far away from someone with an interest in the darker side of music. With that though the notion of one...
January 12, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

The Recks and Mojo – The Imperial Hotel – 31/12/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The RecksWhile I’ll admit I’m normally happier seeing in the new year relatively quietly with Jools Holland’s Hootenany or similar this year The Recks rounding off their best year yet alongside newer band Mojo was enough to lure me out to The Imperial Hotel and the wilds of Rocquaine....
January 6, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

L’Islet Records presents From Darkness, Coastal Fire Dept and Terrible Stuntman – The Fermain Tavern – 28/12/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Coastal Fire DeptThe period of time between Christmas and New Year, euphemistically but aptly referred to by some as ‘Chrimbo-limbo,’ can be a strange one for live music. In the past it’s seen rowdy and raucous highlight of the year events such as Dead Sea Skulls return visit to...
January 1, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

December 2019 and Best of 2019 Playlists

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard As with last year’s December playlist blog I’ve got two in one this month with my usual monthly update and a more focussed ‘best of the year’ including some of my favourite new tracks from 2019 (you can also find one focussing on music from the Channel Islands on...
December 30, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands: December 2019 – Live Session Special

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Click here to listen to the show For my December 2019 edition of BBC Music Introducing in the Channel Islands I presented a look back at some of the best of the live sessions we’ve featured across the year. Along with the sessions recorded in our studio from the...
December 29, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Music in Guernsey in 2019

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard After a couple of years where music in Guernsey had upped its game, across the board, to a level that continues to surprise many visitors to the island, or those who hear Guernsey based bands when they venture away, 2019 has had to me a slightly different feel. While...
December 28, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Monty Taft – Singles 2019 – Bloom, Long River and Friend Not My Fear (Glass)

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard 2019 has been a landmark year for Jersey guitarist, singer, songwriter Monty Taft. From touring the UK earlier in the year to playing festivals across the summer and being invited to play BBC Music Introducing stages in both Jersey and Guernsey along with playing a standout set at BBC...
December 27, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Hot Juice – This Is What You Want

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Back in September Jersey rockers Hot Juice released the single Small Town Blues, followed not long after by the full record This Is What You Want. Clocking in at only 23 minutes the trio (vocalist/guitarist Shay Barker, drummer Harvey Dellar and bass player Tay Broksi) don’t mess about and...
December 26, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Honest Crooks Christmas Party – The Fermain Tavern – 21/12/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Honest CrooksAfter missing a couple of other Christmas gigs for a few reasons I headed out to the last of the bigger ones on the weekend before the big day as ska band The Honest Crooks took over The Fermain Tavern for their festive bash. It was my...
December 24, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Amyl And The Sniffers – Self-Titled

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard My ongoing, if somewhat unintentional, quest to find new things that fall loosely into the area of punk in 2019 has led me to a new and nicely scuzzy low, thanks to Aussie quartet Amyl And The Sniffers. Originally based out of Melbourne their first album proper, a self-titled...
December 22, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Coastal Fire Dept – Control

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Over the last five years, since their rather inauspicious debut supporting Last Of The Light Brigade, the world’s finest (and possibly only) purveyors of self-styled ‘Grunge From The Vale’, Coastal Fire Dept, have been through something of a rotating cast of line ups centred on frontman and chief songwriter...
December 20, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Subhumans – Crisis Point

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard From the moment Trotsky’s frantic, classic punk, drumming, of Terrorist In Waiting open Subhumans latest album, Crisis Point, it’s clear that, despite being the best part of four decades into their career the band have as much drive, power and passion as any punk band out there today. I’ll...
December 19, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

JOHN (aka JOHN TIMESTWO) – Out Here On The Fringes

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The last couple of years have seen a strong return for noisy, abstract, ‘post punk’ style rock from the UK continuing an on and off trend that began in the late 1970s and has rumbled along in the underground ever since with occasional brushes with the mainstream. Added to...
December 15, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Those Fucking Snowflakes – U Ok Hun? (EP)

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Hot on the heels of their debut single Stop Being Dickheads To Each Other, Blackpool post rock trio Those Fucking Snowflakes are back with their debut EP, U Ok Hun? Things begin with the aforementioned single that I’ve already discussed elsewhere (read that by clicking here) and then continue...
December 13, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

IDLES – A Beautiful Thing: IDLES Live At Le Bataclan

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard On the eve of their biggest headline show to date (at Alexandra Palace in London) Bristolian post punk quintet IDLES released their first live album, A Beautiful Thing, recorded in Paris at Le Bataclan in December 2018. Before we even get to the record Le Bataclan is, of course,...
December 9, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

PigsX7, Teaspoonriverneck, Brunt and Track Not Found – St James Concert Hall – 30/11/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs PigsEvery now and again a gig comes around that seems to catch everyone’s imagination more than the usual and, a few months ago, when St James Concert Hall announced they’d booked the awkwardly but brilliantly named Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs...
December 5, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Tiger Army, Grave Pleasures and The Nightmares – O2 Islington Academy – 29/11/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Tiger ArmyDespite this being my fifth time seeing Tiger Army this was my first time seeing them in my usual gig going location of London – on their last UK tour I caught them in Manchester and otherwise attended Octoberflame in 2015 and 2017 at The Observatory in Santa...
December 3, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands: November 2019 – Track Not Found and Brunt

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Track Not Found in the studioClick here to listen to the show On my BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands show for November 2019 we had a live session, a preview a new album and a listen to some of the acts I caught at BBC Music Introducing...
December 1, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Playlist – November 2019

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Another mix of things from doom to jazz to ‘Madchester’ this month. In brand new things there’s music from The Other World’s debut EP The Silver Tree, the debut single from the brilliantly named Those Fucking Snowflakes, the title track from the new Byzanthian Neckbeard album, a preview of...
November 30, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Lords Of Chaos: The Bloody Rise Of The Satanic Metal Underground by Michael Moynihan and Didrik Soderlind

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard After watching the film Lord Of Chaos over the summer I thought I’d finally give the book it was based on a read. Going in I knew the film only focussed on one part of the book and that this goes into more depth around both the Norwegian Black...
November 28, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Brunt – Ataraxy

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard By their own admission, and fitting of much of their music, instrumental psychedelic doom three-piece Brunt aren’t a band to rush things, being (in a positive way) something of the musical version of JRR Tolkien’s Ents. Now, three years on from the release of three track EP Blackbeard comes...
November 26, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Those Fucking Snowflakes – Stop Being Dickheads To Each Other (single)

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Having first heard of Those Fucking Snowflakes (aka Those Snowflakes for the more sensitive and Twitter) thanks to Tom Robinson at BBC Music Introducing Live earlier in the month I instantly vowed to look up their debut single, Stop Being Dickheads To Each Other, and I was not disappointed....
November 22, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Mods vs Rockers: The Risk and Coastal Fire Dept – The Vault – 15/11/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Colin Leach and Mark Le Gallez of The RiskAfter a run of bigger gigs both in Guernsey and further afield there was something refreshing about heading back into a smaller venue on a cold November night to catch what was billed the next chapter in the supposed ongoing conflict...
November 20, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Other World – The Silver Tree EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard A little under a year ago guitarist and singer-songwriter Mike Meinke released With My Headphone’s In under the banner of Mike’s Magic Trip that saw him taking the sonic template he established leading Buffalo Huddleston in a slightly different direction, including teaming up with harpist Alicia Du Coustel on...
November 16, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

24 Hour Party People (FAC 401)

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard From the mid 1970s to the late 1990s one name was, according to Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 film 24 Hour Party People at least, synonymous with the Manchester music scene – Anthony H. (Tony) Wilson. The film charts, to some degree, his career from hang gliding local TV news presenter...
November 14, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Byzanthian Neckbeard – Minaton

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard After a five year break from recordings Byzanthian Neckbeard have released two in as many months first the Extinction EP and now the full length album, Minaton. Continuing some of the themes of their From The Clutches Of Oblivion debut they start the album with a great wrong footing...
November 12, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band by Mötley Crüe and Neil Strauss

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The rock autobiography is nothing new with many musicians of a certain age realising it’s a great cash cow to keep them in people’s minds between usually increasingly infrequent albums – Mötley Crüe’s 2001 take on the idea, The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band (written...
November 10, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Catfish And The Bottlemen, Zuzu and John – BBC Music Introducing Live, Tobacco Dock – 31/10/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Catfish And The BottlemenAlong with all the panels, seminars and masterclasses live music from upcoming artists was a big part of BBC Music Introducing Live and this was highlighted by two ‘headline’ events. One was a night of dance music broadcast on BBC Radio 1 on Friday 1st November...
November 8, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing Live – Tobacco Dock, London – 31/10-2/11/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Over the past 13 years being part of BBC Music Introducing has afforded me some unique opportunities, from visiting Abbey Road Studios to recently going Maida Vale Studios as The Recks recorded a live session there – BBC Music Introducing Live though was a rather different, but nonetheless impressive...
November 6, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

St James Presents… The Space Pirates Of Rocquaine – St James Concert Hall – 26/10/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Space Pirates Of RocquaineWhile we have been spoiled somewhat with notable and highly enjoyable live music events so far this year every now and then one comes along that stands out from the rest and St. James Presents… The Space Pirates Of Rocquaine is certainly one of those....
November 2, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Playlist – October 2019

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Lots of new music this month from various places and a couple of old ‘classics’ too. Starting off with stuff closer to home there’s new music from Byzanthian Neckbeard’s Extinction EP and the new single from Track Not Found. Further afield I’ve got tracks from King Nun’s debut album...
October 31, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Vale Earth Fair’s John Peel Tribute Night – De La Rue – 25/10/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Stretchy’s Damaged DiscoWhen John Peel died back in 2004 it came as a sudden shock to music lovers around the UK as he had been a pioneer for new music, broadcasting on BBC Radio 1 since 1967 and known for championing pretty much every style you can think of....
October 29, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands: October 2019 – Byzanthian Neckbeard and WaterColour Matchbox

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Byzanthian NeckbeardClick here to watch the show For my BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands show in October 2019 we celebrated a couple of the heavier bands to have released new music in the islands in recent weeks. First was Byzanthian Neckbeard who, after a five year break...
October 27, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Recks at BBC Maida Vale Studios – 20/10/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Recks in Studio Four at Maida ValeThanks to BBC Music Introducing I have, over the past few years, had the privilege of visiting some historic locations, from BBC’s own Broadcasting House to Abbey Road Studios and of course Maida Vale Studios. This though was the first time a...
October 25, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Track Not Found – Everyone Hates Track Not Found (single)

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard It’s been nearly a year and half since Track Not Found released any new recordings, the Science (Gone Wrong) single that marked Record Store Day 2018 following their debut EP The Only Way Is Lost, but now they are back with a new single, the maybe ironically titled Everyone...
October 23, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Fontaines D.C. – Dogrel

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard After IDLES and Sleaford Mods, in the ongoing ‘rebirth’ of British(ish) music with a conscience (I know it’s always been there it just feels like it’s again being noticed by the mainstream), comes an Irish viewpoint and take on the idea with Fontaines D.C. and their debut album Dogrel...
October 20, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Darkness – Easter In Cancelled

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard A couple of years ago Lowestoft’s finest rock band, The Darkness, released a record that felt something like a return to form with Pinewood Smile followed by a live album that seemed to capture the band in fully rejuvenated spirit live as well — so, when I heard about...
October 18, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

St James Presents… Sacred Hearts, Thee Jenerarors, The Risk, The Crowband – St James Concert Hall – 12/10/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Sacred HeartsFor the best of the last forty years Mark Le Gallez, and a rotating, suitably motley, crew of collaborators have been carving a furrow in Guernsey’s music scene that have taken them as far afield as Germany and California across a number of bands and the latest St...
October 16, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

King Nun – Mass

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Earlier in the year I had the chance to catch upcoming pop rockers King Nun when they visited Guernsey and played a show at St James Concert Hall only weeks before they opened for Foo Fighters in Dublin and now they’ve released their debut album, Mass. As I expected...
October 14, 2019 by Tom Girard