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: Jonny Quits and EP Launch Preview

Jonny Quits are an Alternative-Rock band formed in North London but the twin brothers in the band Jon and Chris Beagley soon migrated up North where their energetic live shows have given them another large fan base, rivalling that of their native London. The band now play live shows in both cities to great reception see here for a clip on NME's website of a show at the 360 Club in Leeds - a venue in which they played to Alan Raw from BBC Introducing, and have headlined venues in London such as The Buffalo Bar in Highbury and Islington.

They cite their influences as ranging from The Kinks to Tame Impala and Jack White, influences which certainly show in their eponymous EP, without seeming unoriginal in any way, giving a new twist to the sounds of the 60s, and incorporating genres from Blues and Psychedelic to Garage Rock and Folk. The band call the EP 'for the 21st century kids who wish they were born 50 years ago' and they certainly achieve that and when nostalgia is as good for bands as it is these days, you will be hearing a lot more of them.

Jonny Quits EP (Released 18th February 2013)

The EP starts with a great opening track 'Drive Around Him' which moves from a pleasantly jittery opening and shifts time to an up-tempo rock song with some great riffs and is catchy in all the right ways. The EP then moves into more psychedelic territory with 'I Don't Know' which has more fuzz than you can shake a stick at and towards the middle of the track takes a trip into some really surreal melodics before coming back down to earth. This psychedelic feel continues for the rest of the EP with the song 'Alice', reminiscent of the classic 'White Rabbit' by Jefferson Airplane and containing some lovely guitar tones. The EP closes with the song 'Oh You' which is very stripped down, laid back and almost eerie at times, drenched in reverb but a perfect end to the EP, rounding it off nicely.

The sound that this EP gives out is very accomplished, very faithful to its influences but still maintains a lot of originality and creative flare. This also is a nice change from the deluge of Indie-Rock bands (not all of which are bad by any means) that seem to be appearing all over Leeds and the rest of the UK. Another note is that the EP comes with a make-yourself origami boat, which is a really surreal, quirky touch that I enjoyed a lot.

8/10

The band can be found at:
Facebook
Bandcamp - Digital download of album

Contact: Jon Beagley - jonnyquits@hotmail.co.uk


Gig Preview: Jonny Quits EP Launch Party, Live at 360 Club Leeds + support and DJ set @ Kaleidoscope

The band are pre-releasing copies of their EP at a launch party on Friday 15th February (see address below) and will be joined by support from; ACACET, Bad Names and Test Transmission. I will be doing a live review of the gig and also will be having an interview with the band beforehand. It sounds like it will be a great night, get your tickets while their hot.

360 club is at:
The Library (upstairs venue)
Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 3AP
Doors 8pm - 11:15pm

Get tickets here -Jumbo Records

AVACET: Very melodic and atmospheric Indie-Rock that I'm looking forward to seeing live. They also remind me of one of my current favourite bands 'Wild Nothing'. This track is definitely worth a download.


Bad Names: Great Alt-Rock which is reminiscent of REM with elements of psychedelic rock, can't wait to hear more.


Test Transmission: Post-rock inspired music with a very effective two vocalist combination with very nice harmonies. They also have an EP out which you can listen to and buy here - which I will also be reviewing.


Mason

Track Review: The Vestals - Perfect Pain//Seventeen

The Vestals are breaking Indie-Rock band from South Wales with a euphoric sound that really establishes them as a band to look out for in the next few years. This AA-side 'Perfect Pain'/'Seventeen' released on Killing Moon Records, contains two unabashed, catchy, well-written songs that sound perfect for a summer playlist and this year's open air festivals.

Perfect Pain is a fast-paced, soaring statement of intent from the band and a perfect single to build up the hype for the emerging band. Seventeen is definitely cut from the same cloth but still adds something different, with a great guitar riff and massive chorus. The sound of these singles puts me in mind of the long line of emerging bands such as The Chevin and NME's beloved PEACE and more than earns the band a place among them.



For fans of: PEACE, Neon Trees, Wild Nothing and The Chevin
Playing locally: Deaf Institute - Manchester (6th February) Duchess - York (9th February)
Contact: joe@divisionpromotions.com - Joe Parry at Division Promotions

Rating: 7

The band have toured with bands such as Swim Deep and Bastille, meaning that this band are showing a lot of promise and are likely to join bands such as the above as the 'in' bands to get for this years festivals such as local ones for me such as Live At Leeds and Beacons Festival. And now they will be touring the UK with the band Pure Love, see dates below.