Middle Boop at Mogwai

First of all lets start with the support. Fuck Buttons were a band I have tried to get into for a while now, being ATP approved and such but they never really caught me until the gig. The instruments used vary from samplers and synths to childrens toys and other random objects which really makes for a very unique performance, the live sound was brilliant it really did their music justice it really sent you into a world of your own. I'm not sure the crowd knew whether to dance or cry when watching. I am definately a converted fan. Mogwai lived up to their reputation as pretty much the loudest band around, typing this my ears are still ringing almost a week after. The setlist was very much a fans favorite rather than a best of. Playing B sides, and old favorites such as Cody and Herod. The tracks from the new album went down well especially Batcat which was so loud it was almost uncomfortable to listen. All in all it was one of the best, most intense gigs I have seen in a long time and the after show party wasn't bad either.

ZINE VOL /// 2

More details soon promise.x

Fake Problems

What you doing Saturday 8th November, nothing right get down southampton, joiners for a sick punk show! with headliners:
Fake Problems - Straight out of flordia think old Against Me!
With
All or Nothing - Think Set your Goals - pop punk
You Me and the Atom - pompy drunk punk rock at it finest
Chillerton - awesome melodic gruff punk rock
The Cut Ups - sing along punk rock tunes

Friendly Fires ... And Metallica

If you had asked me a few weeks ago what two songs I would be listening to almost non stop. I would have laughed if you had said my time would be spent switching between metal legends Metallica and indie/electro newcomers Friendly Fires. First of all Friendly Fires who for me are the best thing to come out of the recent trend of NME approved bands. Their single Jump in the Pool is catchy, not annoyingly catchy, the sort of catchy that makes you want to play it a few times in a row. Plus its a song that makes me happy when I listen to it. Metallica, a band that I and a reasonable amount of their fans have been inconsistent of late have found that spark again. Teaming up with mr Rick Rubin their latest single The day that never comes is an almost eight minute onslaught of riffs, solos and the odd catchy chorus. I didnt have hugely high hopes for their album but so far so good.

Dope Fiend - Dope Fiend

Dope Fiend are a band filled with tales of booze, birds and barbiturates. This is a track with thumping beat that keeps you moving whether you’re in the bedroom or club it just makes you want to throw air punches and when you put these 2 activities together you don’t half feel manly!
This is a thick slice catchy, danceable and beefy dance music that'll have you singing along in your best Laadon accent in clubs soon. This is a record that can have some kind of mass appeal but you do get the impress that the target audience is the weekend revellers heading down the pub then onto the club no sooner than they have stepped out of the office. But there's nothing wrong with that, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Watch out for this one.

Up Dharma Down

Really really well put together video! We Give In Sometimes - Up Dharma Down

Asian version of incubus?

Lion Rides A Horse!

Last week, a lion rode a horse as part of celebrations to mark National Day, the 59th anniversary of the founding of communist China, I mean why else would a lion ride a horse! fuck sake!

Mixtapes and Cellmates - Mixtapes and Cellmates

Coming from snowy lands of Scandinavia come Mixtapes and Cellmates, think The Concretes but with the beats of Four Tet.
This is quite a spaced out record with plenty of reverb and delay but that is the problem with this album is although these effects has been used effectively and the album moves along nicely it just never seems to go particularly high or low and when it finishes you left a feeling of not being entirely full. It’s a bit like eating gourmet food its good while you’re eating it but after your still feel hungry.
This is good enough first attempt for the band and I’ll be interested to see what they do next but right now I’m still hungry and need something else fill me up until then.



Recommended Listening:
Better Half of Cynical Boys – Mixtapes and Cellmates
In Flagranti – Business Acumen
Padded Cell – Word of Mouth (Glimmers Drunkard Dub)
ZZT – The Worm (Erol Alkan Re-edit)
Cold War Kids – Every Man I Fall For

R.I.P. Oasis

I’m writing this as a life long, die-hard Oasis fan but I feel somehow cheated by them recently. Although they still have the ability to write catchy pop songs the spirit that was Oasis has been replaced with this soulless vacuum of meaningless lyrics and cliché rock ‘n’ roll behaviour.
Take for example their new single ‘Shock of the Lightning’ and the line ‘love is a time machine/up on the silver screen.’ What are they talking about? Is Noel Gallagher confessing a secret love for Greta Garbo? Does he want to take a trip in a Delorian? WHAT!!!
It’s not just them though it’s almost impossible for any ‘band of the people’ to remain relevant and not fall into a cliché ridden pit. The Manic Street Preachers have returned with classic sound reminiscent of the mid-90’s ‘Everything Must Go’ era. I am glad they have returned to this sound but like them all the lyrics have sunk into the pit. The lyrics from the last album are full of political platitudes that lack any kind of anger and passion that existed less than 10 years ago. Arctic Monkeys you have been warned!

The Whip - X Marks Destination

This is the first review I have given to a band I have actually thought was bad.
I bought this album on a recommendation (cheers Barry). The album was designed by Village Green of Fabric fame and it looks great. The sound is catchy, there is no question of that but the best songs sound like a really bad Joy Division. Also the lyrics are appauling. This is a very popular sound at the moment and to be fair they do sound better than a lot on the scene but I was left feeling like I would have rather spent that tenner on Cut Copy or Late of the Pier's album

Mogwai Mogwai Mogwai

In preperation for Mogwai's imminant release of their sixth studio album they have released a mini ep. The first song 'Batcat,' which is also their first single is definately a progression from some of the heavier tracks off of the last album Mr Beast. Its very stripped down compared to their usual style and has reminance of bands like Pelican and Isis, the main riffs are literally brutal.
The other two tracks stay similar to their usual formula. The amusingly titled
'Stupid Prick Gets Chased By The Police And Loses His Slut Girlfriend.' Sounds just as breathtaking as fans have become used to and the last track devil rides incorporates the styalised vocals of Roky Erikson of the 13th Floor Elevators which
really compliments the track. If their album is as good as the ep it will be another benchmark.

The future is... NAWLZ

Nawlz is a new online interactive comic and its brilliant, could it be the future of how comics work? I doubt it but it can work very well along side them. Through the interaction of the site you get to read the story of the comic and it works increabley well from the design, to the illustration even the music. Theres 9 whole chapters there to keep you entertained as well as the mental story line!!! www.nawlz.com

Alex Wright and his Dripbook

Dripbook.com is a new online portfolio site for designers photographers and everybody creative. MB was invited to show their portfolio off to the new dripbook world. Alex Wright is the co-creator of dripbook and also one very good photographer. His work revovles around music and fashion but all his photos just look really... kewl check it out:







http://www.dripbook.com/alexwright/profile/

The one thing with dripbook though is you need a invite so if anyone wants in give us an email middleboop@gmail.com

STEAL this album

So while at the Mumford talk I bumbed into an old college buddy, from the band: THE STEAL. If you like your music strong and fast then I cant recommend these guys enough. I thought their first S/t album was brilliant, but they have come back even stronger with the release of their second album Bright Grey! Judge for yourself though as its up on their website for a little pre-release listen http://www.thesteal.co.uk/ also they are playing their album release show on the 24 Sep @ Bacchus Kingston, defiantly a great band to see live.

Dan Mumford ROCKS!!!

So YCN have teamed up with a few artist to produce some talks on screen printing down at the nike pop up store, shorditch. I was lucky enough to have some free time and popped on down.








Dan gave a good insight into processes and techniques of screen printing, which were all very educational. Also on how he got started as an artist and how to get into the industry...'get in with a band and do all their artworks' case a point with dan was the gallows. Check out: http://www.dan-mumford.com/ for more info and works.



In addition to to the talk he screen printed a limited edition print that is free to pick up down at the store over the next few days (until they're all gone).

Micah P Hinson - And The Red Empire Orchestra

Micah P. Hinson. Just another notch to the already bulging belt of alternative music to come from Austin Texas. With a voice as deep and booming as Johnny Cash he has a lot to live up to. In his fourth instalment Hinson teams up with the Red Light Orchestra shedding new light on his usual dark and gloomy, reverberated acoustic ballads. The highlights coming from track 2 'Tell Me It Ain't So'
in which the track is built up very subtly until the chorus with his heart rendering refrain of 'constantly craving what isn't mine.' Live the thought of a gloomy acoustic guy would be enough to put a lot of people off but his songs are rearranged and his backing band make the songs energetic and so interesting you can hardly take your eyes off the stage. Micah P. Hinson is a name to remember as I get the feeling he has a lot more to offer.

Just say something like your mum afterwards!

ill oriental

Two awesome illustrators from NY & the LDN, both have a real oriental feel to their illustrations and both have great style check them out:

Tomer Hanuka is an illustrator and a cartoonist based in New York City. He works on a range of projects for magazines, book publishers, ad agencies and film studios. In 2008 he won the British Design Museum award as part of the Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions. Currently he teaches at the School of Visual Arts and is working on a graphic novel with his twin brother Asaf.