Squeeze: Trixies (BMG) Released 6 March 2026 CD | 2CD + Blu-ray | Vinyl | DL | Streaming 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0 Written in 1974 but unrecorded and unreleased until now, Squeeze’s 16th studio album is both their oldest and their newest work. Its compelling song cycle of a fictional nightclub is more than just a musical path not taken – it’s a late-career shot in the arm for the band. Robert Plummer is dazzled by the…
Northwich returns this year with their Annual Diversion Festival, an honorary nod to the grassroots scene with a few big hitters to spice things up. Only this year they’ve gone a bit hippy and weird on us. The Salty Dog all rounder Dom gives us the lowdown… ANNUAL DIVERSION ***12th, 13th, 14th JUNE 2026*** !! WE’RE BACK !! After taking a year off (we’ve been blinkin’ busy alright?!) we’re back at it with another ANNUAL DIVERSION!! This year…
INTERROBANG have been making some great pop/noise since former Chumbawumba member Dunstan Bruce reseerected his musical journey after a few years as an award winning film maker. The new single ‘Monosphere’ combines both these worlds with a great song that deconstructs the twisted modern macho toxic masculinity manosphere thinking with a gritty slice of captivating music and a great film… Manosphere music video is Interrobang’s foray into the whole toxic masculinity debate. This promo is directed by Emmy…
Album Review Heavenly Highway To Heavenly Skep Wax Records Vinyl/CD/Digital Released today: 27 Feb 2026 (4.5 /5) Heavenly are seen as* the originators of a whole genre of music – known to some as ‘jangle’, others as ‘twee’ and to the band themselves as ‘indiepop’. As fiercely independent as any punk band, but as sweetly melodic as any chart-topping act, Heavenly combine sharp-edged politics with shamelessly joyful pop music… (says the Press Release) It’s 30 years since their…
John Denton: Waiting ‘Till It All Works Out (Modern Sky) DL/Streaming Out Now Young Salford based troubadour John Denton releases Waiting ‘Till It All Works Out, his second track since signing to Modern Sky. John Denton has been making waves with his heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies for a couple of years now and practically a veteran despite not yet turning 16, undoubtably helped by winning the prestigious Salford Foundation Trust Johnny Marr Award in 2023, earning the…
Space announce Ten Neurotic Fairytales UK tour Liverpool’s finest exponents of dark twisted pop; Space have announced an extensive UK tour commencing in early September in Sheffield before winding their way around the country and concluding in what has become the bands traditional year end spectacular; a home town Liverpool gig. Louder Than War was at last years concluding gig (LTW Review). Tour support has been confirmed as Jimi Boswell & The Dark Shadows. Advance tickets are on…
Photo: Alex Webster LA Anarcho Punks Gottlieb throw fuel on the fire with their incendiary new single Pipe Bomb, an anthemic slab of hardcore straight from The States with a ferocious album to follow in May. Strange things are happening to me already this year, having premonitions and cases of deja vu are becoming the normal and I’m presuming it’s an age thing. Listening to Dead Pioneers on a random playlist I was brought to the attention of…
London newcomers Mouth Ulcers sign to LAB Recordsand share new single ‘Prevail’ (video here), out today (February 26th). Representing a new generation of dark post-punk (The Cure, Bauhaus, Twin Tribes), reshaping the genre into something urgent, youthful and intoxicating, Mouth Ulcers’ atmospheric guitars, tribal percussion and cavernous baritone vocals provide a sound described as ‘music for vampires to dance to’ – moody, physical and irresistibly cool. Drawing from classic post-punk darkness while injecting fresh energy, the quartet stand…
Spoon Speaker Man: Tunnel Vision: Tunnel Vision (Big Pond Records) DL/Streaming Released 27th February Spoon Speaker Man, the electrifying musical collaboration formed by Craig Walker and Dan Worton, release Tunnel Vision ahead of a short UK Tour. Walker, singer, songwriter and guitarist of the iconic Dublin band Power Of Dreams and Worton, drummer with Stourbridge’s finest, Neds Atomic Dustbin, have been friends for more than 30 years. The pair first crossed paths in 1991 during extensive tours with…
Underworld Celebrates Three Decades of Born Slippy at The O2 Brixton Academyby Alex Maiolo This week marks the 30th anniversary of Trainspotting. If you happened to be around then, and were old enough to catch it when it came out, think back to how different it was. The marketing was unlike anything we’d seen before. It commanded you to go see it. The cast were relatively unknown actors, but within months their borderline grotesque bodies were on…
We’re here to talk about Doug Yule. Per some recent comments by friends, first let me say he is still alive. Apparently, I do so many eulogies they just assume when I write about an older legend it means they’ve kicked the bucket. No, presumably Doug Yule is alive and well on today, his 79th birthday, and I’m so happy about that. I think his place in the VU pantheon is finally secure, after years of being dogged…
Wednesday | Bleary EyedO2 Academy Leeds, Leeds24th February 2026 The North Carolina natives ascend to the indie rock big leagues with an incandescent performance in Leeds.“We’ve got one more song to play, and then you can all gather up your belongings.” It’s been that kind of gig; Karly Hartzman has been pulling double duty as both frontwoman and lost property officer. This show was originally booked for the Irish Centre across town, but on the back of last…