The Big Pink // The XX // A Grave With No Name

If you were lucky enough to be a The Cockpit last night you would have witnessed one of the best gigs I've been to in ages. First up was Mt.Jade's A Grave With No Name, their opening track full on feedback didn't set high expectations for the rest of the set. However after short 5 song set I had been totally won over their lead singers soothing voice coming from through the discordant sounds reminding me of 90's grunge and shoegaze. Can't wait for more releases from these boys. You can see the music video for their track 'The Underpass' above.

The XX although not being a particularly big fan, their live performance with still disappointing. The every song had the same MPC drumbeat, guitar riffs and dull vocals. After having enjoyed the previous band so much it was a total buzz kill.

Headliners The Big Pink brought the standard back. Opening with their first single 'Too Young To Love' and continued with a scuzzy, drone, wall of sound powered by twin keyboards, bass and solid drums. But you would still drift away in the melody and vocals. Their performance relying on lighting and smoke machines just added to the atmosphere of the music making it a complete aural and visual pleasure. You could understand all the hype in the media about this band. Remember to download their latest single in the post below.

Releases // Monday 20th April

The Legendary Sonic Youth have launched the first MP3 from their new album 'The Eternal' due to be released on 8th June. The track is titled 'Sacred Trickster' and is a great signature hardcore Sonic Youth track and is my favourite song they have released in the last 5 years. Which makes 'The Eternal' which will be the bands 16th album looks promising. The band play a secret show on the 27th April at The Scala, London and have been confirmed for the My Bloody Valentine-curated ATP Nightmare Before Christmas to be held at Butlins, December 4th - 6th, 2009.

MP3:Sonic Youth - Sacred Trickster (zShare)


The Big Pink who have been named the band to watch in 09 so far have not disappointed. Their second single 'Velvet' is a loud, dirty, shoegaze epic track. Available from their new label 4ad on limited 7". Remember you can catch the London lads playing tonight at The Cockpit with support from favourites A Grave With No Name who are over from the U.S. You can download the single below and a remix by New York's experimental group Gang Gang Dance.

MP3: The Big Pink - Velvet (zShare)
MP3: The Big Pink - Velvet (Gang Gang Dance Remix) (zShare)

Remember to check out this weeks playlist on spotify here.

Releases // Monday 6th April

Not many out this week.

The No Pain In Pop label have been bringing you some of the best new bands recently such as Telepathe, Health and Banjo or Freakout. They have now released a eclectic mixpate of tracks which features the bands previously mentioned, Abe Vigoda, Pens and A Grave With No Name. It's only available on CD but for £5 it's going to be worth it.

Ulterior have been tearing up east London shows since forming in 2006. Their aggressive, raw sound has led them to being compared to the likes of Suicide, Jesus and Mary Chain and Big Black. This CD includes both singles '15' and 'Weapons' that have been released on the up and coming DiscError label and a few other new tracks. You can see Ulterior's signature raw live performance on the 1st May at Josephs Well.

This one is available for Pre-Order and isn't out until early May but as only 500 copies worldwide I would order in now. 'Headhunters' is Graffiti Island's best effort so far, it's a simple, bass driven Lo-fi track with the vocals falling in and out of spoken word. The artwork for it's pretty rad too.