Hot Chip – Boy From School

In true Hot Chip style this track is based on the repetition of lovely little melodies and yet is never tedious or boring. The overall tone of

Fatboy Slim – That Old Pair Of Jeans

It’s hard to believe Fatboy has been going for ten years now. I guess I am getting old now. “That Old Pair Of Jeans’ is the new track featured on Fatboy’s greatest hits collection. “That Old Pair Of Jeans” is not bad by any means it just doesn’t do anything special. But with that saying the vocals are strong; it’s got a nice reggae groove to it as well. It then breaks down into these chants which, really help round off the song. It’s the best part of the song, it got me singing along. It’s just to run of the mill, but it does beat a lot of his recent output. That last album was dreadful.

By John Siwicki

Damone – Out Here All Night

This Boston four piece makes metal for people like me. They play loud and fast but are not afraid to throw a tune on top of it. Damone has certainly been through a lot to get to the point they have today. People leaving, heath problems, label problems, you name it the band has had it happen. They have a new label (Island/Def Jam) and a brand new record that is rather good.

The album opens with two sure fire hits in the waiting “Now Is The Time” and “Out Here Tonight.” They are both full of big hooks, huge riffs and have good appeal. “Now Is The Time” has got hit written all over it. You can just hear the song being played during a scene in a teen movie. “Stabbed In The Heart” switches gears a bit, its going to hurt to make this comparison but the song like Avril Lavinge with guitar solos. “On Your Speakers” sets everything back to normal, with its think and chunky riffs and that irrestable “woah woahs.” “Get Up And Go” has some athemic like qualities, also when the male singer comes in he sounds like the Def Leopard bloke so they get points for that. Why does ever record have to end with a slow song? Closer on the album “Wasted Years” is a slower acoustic ballad. While, the song does show Noelle’s solid vocal. The song just seems to fall a bit flat.

Who would have thought this album would be as enjoyable as it was? There are some really great songs that will surely make this band huge this summer with the right support. If your not afraid to take a chance and don’t mind your metal with a tune. You will be pleasantly surprised by this record.

By John Siwicki

Muse – Knights Of Cydonia

“Knights Of Cydonia” is one of Muse’s crowning achievement. It is a six minute plus epic monster. The intro is about two minutes long with a horn section and a gigantor, violent, nasty, dirty riff that is almost to big to handle. Some might see this song as to big and bloated for its own good. Lyrically, its not all there but they don’t try and give you to much. They repeat the key lines over and over and just hit you over the head with that riff. This is the third single off “Black Holes and Revelations” and it represents an interesting point for the band. They hit a peak and what happens after this will be fun to see.

By John Siwicki

Hot Chip – The Warning

The London quintet of Felix Martin, Al Doyle, Owen Clarke, Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard make up Hot Chip. The jumped onto the scene with 2004’s “Coming On Strong. ” The album was a bit more chill inspired and less upbeat pop songs. “The Warning” kicks things up a notch.

Album opener “Careful” has a bit of a drum and bass type feel to it but the vocals are very engaging. The breakdown which, features the little warning is quite charming as well. “Boy From School” here Alexis Taylor’s vocals and lyrics are both charmingly twee. It’s a beautiful and melodic tune that could work in a dance environment or as a chill out track. “Over and Over” is a powerful piece that will get everybody up and dancing its almost impossible not to. “Just Like We (Breakdown)” one of the true high lights of the album. The keyboards and syths give it this weird truppy spacey feel. It has a nice celestial dance-pop feel to this one. “Look After Me” has a late night feel to it, it takes the topic of lovers who are a distance away. The tune is really rather gorgeous and sweet. “Arrest Yourself” is the most overtly dance track on the album and the horn freaky in there is a class touch. “No Fit State” finishes us off. Intially, when the vocal kick in it sounded a bit that Chris Martin which, really threw me off, the track is a nice way to wrap up the album some heavy keyboards and sytnths.

“The Warning” is an impressive album with a lot of crossover potential. From their previous release “Coming On Strong” the band has grown in the songwriting and musically.”Boy From School” “Over and Over” and “Arrest Yoourself” just to name a few have become staples in my collection. The band has already spawn some incredible tunes and look forward to what they will do.

By John Siwicki

Towers of London – Air Guitar

They had a track called “Fuck It Up” awhile back which didn’t do anything the title suggested. Now, these Londoners are back with another single. They have been in the press a lot; they have been getting into fights and such, trying to be “rock and roll”. The band tried to make something fun and enjoy but you end up so bored and unmoved. The band seem to try to be the coolest, badest and controversial band out there but all they come across as cheap imitation of Guns and Roses and Sex Pistols. If they really want to keep up these antics of theirs they better get some tunes to back because this is just an awful attempt.

By John Siwicki

Split Habit

How did Split Habit come to be?

I met Chris in the bathroom in high school where we used to go to smoke. Chris always had drumsticks with him and he was a skater so I thought he was cool. He was the drummer of the punk band Dischord and I was in metal band that quickly disbanded. I stole him from the Dischord and we started writing and recording together. I met Frankie through some mutual drinking buddies.

How, if it did at all, did being in Chicago influence your music?

To start: the Smoking Popes are one of my all time favorite bands and inspirations. We aspired to achieve local success like the popes. Chicago is a great city, very underrated. It has produced some of the greatest bands in the world. We always looked up to bands like the Blue Meanies, Smoking Popes, Alkaline Trio, etc. The city of Chicago is responsible for our influences and part of our sound. Thanks god we don’t live in boofoo Iowa, because then I would still be playing metal in some corn field.

What bands influenced Split Habit, and what drew you to the type of music you play?

Ever since I was a kid I loved music. My parents would play the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, and Doors records all the time. I loved music time in my household. Then I was six and my parents bought me my first 45′ We built this city on rock n roll by Jefferson Starship. I played that record until it didn’t work anymore. Shortly after I was introduced to Michael Jackson, Van Halen, and Hall & Oates. I would never be the same. In high school I got turned onto metal. I worshipped AC/DC, Sepultura, Helmet and Metallica. I ditched the metal for punk, NOFX, Green Day, Dead Kennedy’s, and stuff like that.

We all have a lot of musical influences, so this question is quite impossible.

I say we are a mix between Green Day, The smoking popes, and The Beatles.

What are your current favorite bands?

Right now I have been listening to Living End, Ryans Hope, and T.I

I actually don’t listen to much music anymore, the industry is just so flash in the pan and saturated. Its hard to get attached to any new artist these days due to the turnover rate Major Labels have been up to

You describe yourself online as punk, rock, pop punk, and finally apocalypse pop. Could you elaborate on these labels? How would you describe your sound?

We’re not really punk, we just have punk roots. We’re not pop punk because we don’t play that silly gallop beat. We used those labels to try and fit in with the current craze. We re a rock band, straight up. We’re a three piece that can sound just like a 4 piece band but tighter. We don’t use effects and all that crap. We are just straight up rock trio, period.

What were the early days of Split Habit like? Lots of touring/shows or shutting yourself away in a practice room?

The early days were just playing as many shows as possible. We would play anywhere, anytime, for free. Luckily, Allister (Drive Thru records) saw us play once and brought us on our first tour. After that we learned a lot about running a band from them. We rehearsed twice a week and played every weekend. To this day not much has changed.

What was recording your 2002 EP “Biting My Lip” like?

It was exciting to record that EP, because it was at SOLID SOUND studios where the smoking popes recorded most of their catalog. Its like idolizing Mickey Mantle and then hitting one out of the park at Yankee stadium. At that point we had 5 songs we thought we great so we laid them down in a day and mixed in a day. It was very grueling but we thought it was a good representation of what we were doing at the time. Joe Dililo engineered and he was very good to us, considering we had never really recorded at a good studio.

How would you describe that style of sound and playing to your newer album “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”? Has it changed between recordings?

Yeah, every band will tell you that their latest record is their greatest. Put your money….was the experience of a lifetime. We wrote and recorded that album at my house then turned it in to our producer Sean O’Keefe. He revamped a few things and polished us up. Sean is a great guy, talented producer, and a lot of fun. It was no problem to be locked up in a studio for a month with him. I don’t think our style changed as much as the content was better and more produced. Its like Biting my Lip on steroids.

What was recording ““Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” like?

Recording the album was a month long commitment. We tracked the drums in 3 days in Madison Wisconsin at Butch Vigs studio smart. (Garbage was there tracking there latest album) After the drums were finished we tracked all the instruments @ Rosebud Studio (RIP). I was in college so I would go to class, drive to the studio record all night, crash on the couch and then drive to school and repeat that schedule for 3 weeks. I didn’t go home for along time. We had limited time and funds but we came through unscathed.

How would you describe the Chicago music scene nowadays?

The Chicago scene is booming. Every good band we came up with is doing well: Spital Field, Alkaline Trio, Lawrence Arms, Fallout Boy, Lucky Boy Confusion, etc. All the band help each other out but we’re all still competitive.

Are you close with any other bands?

We’re close with a few really great bands: Allister, Ryan’s Hope, and Army of Freshmen.

What does Split Habit have in store for us in the near future?

We are recording a new album this summer, doing warped tour dates, and have several songs lined up for TV shows, and out album will be released in Japan soon. We just plan to rock.

What hopes or goals do you have for Split Habit overall? Where do you see Split Habit in 5 years or so?

To tell you the truth I have reached all my goals for the band. We have traveled internationally, Won the warped tour battle of the bands, played a number of warped tour dates over the last 4 years, recorded an amazing record, signed to an indie label, met thousands of great people, played with the greatest bands ever, and had a great time doing it. If I die tomorrow, I would have no regrets.

Why did you get into music? Why start a band?

I have always loved music, played piano at age 6, drums at age 10, guitar by 14, and now I sing. I wanted to start a band to rock and have a good time. I wanted to create something people could enjoy.

Can you see yourself doing this 20, 30, 40 years from now?

No, I will probably be golfing or entering the World Series of Poker by that point.

What has been your best/worst/favorite/funniest moment with Split Habit?

I would have to say signing to Double Zero records (Mike Felumlee ex ALK3, Smoking popes owned) would be my best/worst/favorite/funniest all rapped into one.

Has it all been worth it up until now?

Yes, it sure has, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

(All Answered by Travis Brown of Split Habit, 6-05-06)

By Michael Schmitt

Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura have been going strong (we hope) for ten years now. How does a decade of making music in the band feel?

I joined the band four years ago, just before work started on the second album Underachievers Please Try Harder. Although as band members I think we are always aware of how long we’ve been doing this and how much time we’ve put in, musically it still feels fresh and new. Our latest album Let’s Get Out of This Country almost feels like our first to me because for so many people, it’s the first time they’ve heard of us and we’ve had a great response. We often joke about how long we’ve been doing this but I think we all feel that there’s so much new stuff happening that it’s more exciting than ever.

Has the Camera Obscura sound changed?

I think it’s natural and necessary for a band’s sound to evolve. Its not that we’ve ever sat down and decided to pursue a radically new direction or reinvent ourselves, which I think is something that as a fan you fear your favourite bands doing, but we’re really keen to develop and improve and keep ourselves interested. Part of the development of our sound has been down to working with an amazing producer on Let’s Get Out of This Country, but mostly I’d put it down to us slowly gaining confidence.

What are your personal favourites from the Obscura collection?

I love A Sister’s Social Agony, Let’s Go Bowling and Razzle Dazzle Rose.

Eighties Fan is a wonderful song, how did the process of writing it come about?

Tracyanne wrote that song the same way she has written all the others. Just feeling the melody and working it out with an acoustic guitar. The song was developed from the naïve but lovely version on Rare UK Bird by Stuart Murdoch who helped produce the version that is on Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi. He helped us reference the girl-group sound we love. Eighties Fan is an example of the first songs that somebody writes while being in a band and making a record is still something of a dream.

Lloyd, are you ready to be heartbroken¹ has been a hit on dance-floors, was that expected?

I guess once it was recorded we started to imagine it being played at the local discos we go to in Glasgow. The song took a lot of time to put together, we couldn’t quite work out how we wanted it to sound but I love how it turned out. I’m quite relieved we’ve finally managed to write a song you can dance to. It’s got six choruses! How can you not want to dance to that!

Interest in the band grew in America, have you toured there and are there any favourite states?

We’ve done two US tours and brief jaunt over for South By Southwest

You were championed by the great John Peel, what are your most fond memories?

We went to Peel Acres several times and every time was special but I think my favourite was when we recorded the live Burns Session. John had invited us down having asked us to try some music to some poetry by our national poet Robert Burns. It was really the first time we all got over our in-the-presence-of-Peel nerves. His wonderful wife Shelia made a fantastic Burns Supper and we all got a bit drunk over dinner. After the show John told us amazing stories for hours while we had drinks. It was such a lovely evening. We owe him a lot. And we miss him.

Do you hope for another ten years, or are things going to change?

Another ten years…that’s a tough one. I suppose I always remind myself that the band won’t last forever and to try and think about what I want from the future. For now though, we’re still enjoying being able to treat the band like a fulltime job and there’s so much more achieve. We’re looking forward to making another album, it’s the best part of what we do. We’d better get some help somewhere along the way though; I’m not sure our backs will hold out another ten years lifting amps and keyboards. Carey answered the questions

By Lucia Hodgson

Zero 7 – The Garden

Zero 7 busted on the scene in 2001 with the sublime debut “Simple Things.” The album also introduced us to wonderful Sia. Sia has gone onto solo success and has remained a strong collaborator for the band. Sia featured on six tracks in total and two of them she duets with Zero 7s Henry Binns. On their new album “The Garden” Zero 7 have lined up Sia and new sensation Jose Gonzalez to appear on almost every track on the album. Just sticking with the two guests really gives the album a very cohesive feel.

The album kicks off with “Futures” which features the first appearance of Jose Gonzalez. Jose’s vocal is as strong and confident as anything he has produced. Musically, the track lets Jose’s vocal shine through, but the track provides a nice full sound behind him. “Throw It All Away” the recent single really showcases SIA’s vocal very well to. It’s a soulful and instantly likeable. “The Pageant of the Bizarre” is another track with SIA on vocals, and probably one of the standouts of the album for me. Its got a top notch hook, very charming but with about 1:45 left in the track, its turn into this mini gospel song. Still, it’s a great track. “Your Place” one of the moments on the album without a vocalist, it’s a very laid back with a nice groove throughout. “Crosses” is a reworking of the Jose Gonzalez track which, he released as a single not to long ago. The new version again gives it some muscle. The addition of the backup singers is a very nice touch. Musically, they don’t try too much and it really hits well.

“The Garden” is a great record. Jose Gonzalez as a guest has added a nice new dimension vocally. Sia’s appearance all six tracks were very impressive, she seems to have grown a lot vocally. The album is cohesive and really plays off together quite well. It is a bit of a departure from the “chill” music that they have been known to make. It’s a step up at times its more confident and soulful. Fans of SIA and Jose should defiantly come have a listen as well.

By John Siwicki

The Futureheads – Skip To The End

“Skip To The End” is the lead single from their forthcoming album “News and Tributes” which, was all recorded rather quickly. “Skip To The End” is unlike anything that the band has done. The track moves a long at nice pace, its sometime to tap you foot to. It just doesn’t seem to go anywhere. Also, the track doesn’t have that swagger that made the band so interesting or the vocal interplay between the three of them as well. The band does get points for trying something new and switching it up a bit, yet the track sadly just average. It just feels like they just tried to tone it down. It is all just a bit boring really.

By John Siwicki

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