Artist Spotlight: Allusondrugs

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Allusondrugs are a 5-piece alternative rock band from West Yorkshire who are of late really making a name for themselves in the local and national music scenes for their distinctive blend of psychedelia and heavy rock. Fresh off the back of glowing reviews from high-profile magazines such as Q Magazine, NME and Artrocker, they are starting to take small venues of the UK by storm; one town at a time.

Their ascent can marked by their release of ever more confident tracks and increasingly professional looking photo-shoots - having both the appeal of their music and media seems to be something this band are gifted with, and something which will undeniably not do them any harm whatsoever.

Their music will please both the camps of metalheads and more indie/alternative fans with their mix of heavy chords and drums which can switch to more shoe-gaze styled tune with more subdued vocals.

A great example of this more subdued style is my favourite song of theirs 'Plasters' which is a light and hazy alternative rock classic which is a dreamy combination of fuzz-laden guitars and floating vocals. This is the kind of song where Cobain-twinned Jason Moules' vocals really come to the fore and impress greatly.



The themes of their songs about rock, relationships and drugs reaffirms how this band are very much the archetypal rock band, interested in things rock bands should be interested in. This youthful energy and even naivety is one of the most enduring aspects about the band, since they do not take themselves with the stony-faced seriousness that so many young bands insist on doing it. Every time this leaves me thinking that they enjoy making and performing music just as much as those who are listening to it.

Jason's lyrics and vocals embody the variety that the rest of the band produces in its music. Stretching from lyrical being fun and almost carefree in mood, delivery and subject, to being more sublime, heartfelt and tender.

Now being signed to Clue Records, a major release is overdue but we should be hearing a lot more from them soon as their ascent is beginning to pick up some real momentum. Hopefully they will go the same way as bands such Marmozets whose their live energy and features in magazines such as 'Kerrang!' were some of the major factors in their astronomical rise.

For fans of: Dinosaur Pile-up / Marmozets / Nirvana / Biffy Clyro




From listening to their tracks, it's clear that they've got the tunes, they've got the live energy, they've got the following; all they need now is one lucky break to propel them to right up to where they certainly deserve to be - one of the frontrunners and posterboys of exciting young bands in the UK this year.

Their live shows are renowned for their energy, and when so many bands fall flat live after showing the goods in the studio, this is a welcome change.

They have a lot of gigs lined up on their tour, so make sure you catch them live and hear what all the hype is about. - get a hold of your tickets and future dates here

• The Wardrobe, Leeds, FRI 11 JUL

• Exchange Arts Centre Keighley SAT 12 JUL

• The Works Skatepark, Leeds THU 17 JUL

• Proud Camden, Camden,  SUN 20 JUL 

• The Rocking Chair, Sheffield,  FRI 25 JUL (Allusondrugs, Public Enemy, Katy B, Simian Mobile Disco)

• Tramlines 2014, Sheffield, SAT 26 JUL

EP Review: Test Transmission - Urgency

Test Transmission are a post-rock/grunge quartet from Leeds and Harrogate. They describe their sound as "Harsh, male vocals twin with melodic female vocals, soaring above a dark ambiance, brought about by effect-driven guitars, heavy undertones and powerful drum beats." and are influenced by bands such as 'Biffy Clyro' and 'Smashing Pumpkins', whist still having a very distinctive sound of their own. They have played venues all over Harrogate and Leeds and seem well on their way to larger venues and more high-profile gigs.

Their début EP ‘Urgency’ was released on 1st Feb, and is available for free download here

Before I start, there's one thing I need to make clear which is also present in other reviews of the EP, the mixing is very poor, the balance between the vocals, guitars and drums in particular makes the overall sound of the album lack a lot of dynamics and balls. In my opinion this should be overlooked when looking at the EP, poor mixing is always an issue for bands on a shoe-string budget and should not really be held against them, and I'll avoid bringing it up again too often. Now that's out of the way, on with the review…

Test Transmission - Urgency EP

The opening track ‘Collateral Damage’ gives the EP a very atmospheric opening, with a brilliant opening riff, being a good statement of intent for what is to come. It is also good to see that each track on the EP is individual, while still retaining a similar sound that keeps them together, something the band should be credited for. The single from the EP ‘With You’ provides a strong song with some nice hooks, good harmonies and intricate guitar parts, working together for a very competent song. ‘Coalesce’ gives a slightly heavier sound to the EP, with ‘chugging’ guitars at the opening, the Biffy Clyro influence prevalent here, however the track could certainly do with being a bit more ‘in your face’ dynamics-wise, something that I’m sure isn’t an issue live. 'Programme' starts with a droaning guitar, reminiscent of one of my favourite songs ‘There There’ by Radiohead. The vocals seem to be a bit out on a limb and isolated from the rest of the music, something that unfortunately does not work that well, unlike for bands such as ‘Joy Division’ where it is one of their most defining features.  ‘Our Promises’ is a more indie-rock ‘The Cure’-type song, a more toned down and tender end to the EP, the song itself is arguably the best on the EP, however the ‘drop’ or ‘break’ about half way through is disappointing, with slightly better mixing, it could sound massive, euphoric and really give the ending of the EP some charisma, rather than the lacklustre thing is it now.

There are a few other overall points I’d like to make; Firstly the vocals for some may be a bit of an acquired taste, while Louise’s vocals may not cause that much of an issue and personally I think suits their ambient sound slightly more, Connors are a lot more distinctive. This is in no way a bad thing, bands like WU LYF (who sadly are no more) had a lead vocalist whose vocals were sometimes painful to listen to and then bands such as Biffy and The Phantom Band which have distinctive regional accents for their vocals. EP’s are also all about potential; they are the tool bands use to get better gigs, radio appearances, festival slots and many more, as well as giving an indication of what the band is capable. The reason I’ve given the band a slightly better review than others is that I think that there is a lot of potential there, and I will be very interested to see where the band decide to go from here, whether ‘bigger rock’ like bands such as Biffy and ‘As I Watch You From Afar’ or more ambient post-rock like bands such as ‘Bon Iver’ or ‘Godspeed You! Black Emperor’, either way I’m sure there is only better come from them.

7/10

Here is the single from this EP, ‘With You’:

The band will be playing dates throughout February including this Friday at The Library In Leeds supporting Jonny Quits (which I will be reviewing – see the event preview here)

Mason