Fall Short For Glory: The Daytime Review

Fall Short For Glory Are:

Ed: Vocals/Electronics

Mitch:  Guitar/Vocals

Jamie:  Bass/Vocals

Rozzy: Guitar

Alex:  Drums

They’re a Punk Pop band from Milton Keynes and Bedford.  Formed recently from the demise of a few local bands – they’ve just released their debut E.P: “The Daytime”.

No influences are stated on their websites but from listening to the tracks you instantly know the direction they’re going for: music currently being created by groups such as Paramore, Kids In Glass Houses, You Me At Six etc.

I have to admit this isn’t my favourite genre of rock and my knowledge is somewhat limited. (I had to research the origins, starting in the mid 70’s, the mainstream success of the mid 90’s, up to the influx of American/British groups in the Noughties)

Until we have a host of different reviewers for the different genres I’ll of course review this objectively.

Title: The Daytime

Type: EP

Recorded: EAS Studios in Milton Keynes

Production

I’ve been mightily impressed with the quality of recordings from new bands recently. Just goes to show you don’t have to break the bank to sound professional. This is no exception. Vocals and instruments come through on an equal measure and mixed/mastered very nicely. Perhaps the drums could cut through a bit more in some areas especially the bass drum. Also would prefer the bass guitar to have a more beefy/thick tone rather than the metallic/high range sound – but that’s just my personal taste.

Is It Real Yet

Starts off energetically with heavy rhythm guitar and nice melodic notes from the Lead. The guitars then cut out and you’re left with just vocals, bass & drums for the first verse.  This creates an exciting impact when the guitars come back in for the chorus. You get reintroduced to the intro - then led back into the verse. With a bridge and different parts separating the extended chorus at the end it keeps the song exciting throughout and nothing seems too long.

Stray Away

Begins with a heavy guitar riff & then the rest of the instruments burst in. Immediately I think of being on a beach in California – not a bad feeling! The lyrics may say otherwise but this is an uplifting song throughout – with a chorus that sticks in your head all day. The heavy riffs and double bass drumming in the breakdowns give a nice Hardcore element as well.

Never Look Back

Opens up with vocals that remind me of Ska Punk then leads into the verse. Structurally similar to “Is It Real Yet” but not quite as strong - still has an uplifting chorus that’ll make you want to sing aloud.

Very strong collection of songs and great musicianship from all members of the band. My only qualms were the vocal lines being quite similar throughout the E.P and I felt there were more opportunities for him to put more power into his singing.  

Whilst their contemporaries are playing the major festivals this year - you can catch these guys at the Hat Factory, the Horn, Esquires etc and clearly they’re just as good.

Natalie Mason

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Fri 8^th April –Esquires: Bedford

Speedshot in Northampton

O and local rockers SpeedShot are at King Billy Northampton tonight. Faaaanntastic!

Rusty G's At Bedford Esquires

Bluesy Rockers Rusty G's, whose E.P "The Cutoff" we recently reviewed are down Esquires Level 1 in Bedford tonight, along with local alternative rockers Kill The Image. 8PM, Free Entry. Great!

Hat Factory 31st March

Tonight at the Hat Factory - DTA PROMOTIONS presents: Hard Rockers Arms Of Atlas, Alternative Rockers Lecarla, Melodic Rockers In Remission & Hard Rockers AsDaylightDies. 8PM, £5 Entry. Nice!

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The Lunchbox with Tor & Jamie

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So Long Seattle: So Believe Review

So Long Seattle are:

Josh Burt - Vocals
Will Longman - Guitar
Joe Marshall - Bass
Jedd Eagleton – Drums

They’re a 4 Piece Alternative Rock band from Luton. Having only formed in 2011, they’ve kicked things off nicely with their debut single: “So Believe”.

By Paul’s Music Shack

Approaching a single song as a Reviewer is always different and a bit more difficult than an EP or Album. Having said that, not so with So Long Seattle’s: “So Believe” track!

First thing I noticed instantly about the band and the song is the pure joy of playing rock / punk rock! 

You can tell that they are just having fun and it’s infectious, trust me – listen to it and you’ll feel the energy behind the band. Obviously it’s a review of music, so let’s get down to business shall we?

I’ll go with contrasts:

You all probably heard the abomination of a song called “Friday” by Rebecca Black, right?
So Long Seattle’s song is nothing like it. While “Friday” represents everything I hate about modern popular music you hear on MTV, “So Believe” is what restores my hope in young people; writing and playing music.

• Catchy, tuneful guitars – Check! 

• Lyrics that are well written and aren’t shallow unbearable ramblings – Check! 

• Musicians who know how to play their instruments, rather than base their song on electronic beats in loop – Check!

• A Vocalist who has a decent voice, unlike a certain girl with a voice like a - to quote Charlie Brooker - “Wasp trapped inside in a polystyrene cup trying to get out” – Check!

“So Believe” is exactly the kind of song you expect from a bunch of guys, who play their instruments for fun and, you could say incidentally, are good at it! 

Unfortunately nothing is perfect and this tune has its flaws:

The Vocalist - while he’s doing a grand job singing low to mid notes his voice doesn’t seem to be tailored for higher pitches, but it seems he knows it and he’s not using it too often.

It’s a positive feat for future - being self-conscious is something young musicians tend to miss.

Production of the song, at least for me, is odd. The vocals are quite clearly more pronounced than the instruments - it might be just me - but I prefer a more balanced approach.

Having said that I still think it’s a great tune that I thoroughly enjoyed and I’m waiting impatiently for their next release.

A track worth the listen and it’s definitely worth keeping an eye out for So Long Seattle!

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Sat 2nd April - Breakdown Festival: Dunstable Football Club
Fri 29th April - The Hat Factory: Luton 

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Don't forget if you want your songs featured on the Tracks tab or Soundcloud give me a shout on here or send a track via email to thelutonscene@yahoo.co.uk. Also next week will be starting a Video feature.

Kilto Take

Local Indie Rockers Kilto Take are headlining the 02 Academy in Islington tonight. Nice! So anyone see any local bands/gigs last night? Who did you see? Tell us about it.

Luton Aid

Any local bands interested in playing Luton Aid this year? Email Maz over at: mariana.dimmock@ntlworld.com. Wonderful!

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Danny's Bar: Bedford March 26th

Also for you Bedfordians - if you like your Metal head over to Danny's Bar in Esquires where local Metalliers Brave The Moment and some other great acts are rocking the place. Contemporary! (Ok, enough with the Fast Show quotes!)

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George 2nd: March 26th

And over at the George 2nd, DTA PROMOTIONS presents: Alternative Rockers The Art Of Escape, Alternative Rockers Fallow Fields & Pop Punkers Fall Short For Glory. Free Entry. Great!

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The Castle: 26th March

Tonight at the Castle, Castle Live presents: Gothic, Grungy Rorschach's Journal, Indie Punk Rockers Blumunki & Punk Rockers !Hazard! Free Entry. Nice!

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The Hat Factory Theatre Shows

Quick shoutout for ThehatFactory ArtsCentre who are offering free theatre tickets for the under 26's - including shows that focus on music - until the 31st March.

Hat Factory 25th March

Don't forget this is tonight people.

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Well we're a week old and have had over 100 likes on FB already. Thanks to everyone that has supported us and if you could keep spreading the word that'll be grand!

5 Questions With: Dead Cells!

Dead Cells are a classic rock/rock band from Aylesbury/Luton & Oxfordshire. Formed in late 2009 – they consist of:

Luke Mackinnon: Vocals

Kris Willingham: Lead Guitar

Natalie Mason: Bass

Wojtek Broda: Drums

As this is a pilot, Bass Player Natalie (Me!) is answering all the questions.

Where are you guys from and how did you all meet?

Kris: Waddeston: near Aylesbury

Luke: Aylesbury

Natalie: Luton

Wojtek: Witney

Kris met Wojtek through the Musicians Wanted website Bandmix after needing a drummer for his Thrash Metal band Amityville due to the previous drummer leaving.

Amityville then disbanded and the two decided to form a Rock band. Eventually a Bass player was needed and Kris contacted me also through Bandmix. After my audition I fitted in straight away and work proceeded on finding a singer. A few came through the door and the fourth person was Luke who Kris found on another Musicians site.

How did the band come about and why form Dead Cells?

Whilst Kris & Wojtek still love their Metal – they love Rock as well and decided to form a  band that would incorporate various rock genres and influences – basically to appeal to a wider audience.

Who are your main influences and utilising them; what makes your band unique?

It varies from classic standards like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, AC/DC to modern bands like Audioslave, Chilli Peppers, Down & Pearl Jam. You have Classic/Blues/Grunge/Funk/Metal – even Disco! With all this accumulating together it makes our own sound. Our single Here Be Dragons is a great example of yeah you notice our influences but you can’t pinpoint a band, apart from Dead Cells!

What has been the main highlight of your career so far?

Although our opinions of Battle Of The Bands competitions are such that we don’t participate in them anymore – it was a great high to win the Heats we did in Aylesbury to reach the final in Milton Keynes. Also playing the Furnace in Swindon is our biggest to date, receiving airplay on over 50 radio stations and achieving great reviews of both our singles.

What is the band up to in the next few months?

We are about to receive our second single Here Be Dragons on the 4th April – which includes two live tracks recently recorded from our Hat Factory gig in Luton. Also in April we’re planning to shoot a video to accompany the single. As well as lots of gigs and festivals we’re planning to start work on our first E.P late in the summer and really push to get our names out there.

Upcoming Shows Locally

May 26th – The Red Lion: Stevenage

July 9th – Cerberfest, George 2nd: Luton

August 19th – Luton Aid 7, Hat Factory: Luton (TBC)

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E.P Review - Rusty G's: Cut Off

Rusty G’s are:

James Finch: Guitar/Lead Vocals

Tom Finch: Bass/Backing Vocals

Dan Lopez: Drums

They’re a three piece Rock band from Milton Keynes. Having formed in 2007 – they’ve recorded 4 E.Ps including their latest offering: “Cut Off”. The band have played many high profile shows, won Battle of the Bands competitions and gained a loyal following through constant gigging.

Musically they fuse elements of Hard Rock, Blues, Prog, Grunge, Indie & Classic. They state their influences as ranging from classic bands such as Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Yes & The Beatles to modern groups like Nirvana, Blur, Foo Fighters, The Vines and Biffy Clyro. 

I caught these guys live over a year ago at the Horn in St. Albans. I was impressed by their set and musicianship - but there was only a couple of tracks that really stood out for me and grabbed.

Now with the release of this latest 3 track E.P my perception of them has changed dramatically.

Title: Cut Off

Type: EP

Recorded: Grange Farm Studios in Cambridgeshire.

Held Down

Starts off quietly with the verse that has nice blues arpeggios & percussive cymbals - then leaps into a rocking, emotive - but catchy chorus. Blues Rock is the dominant force all through the track so has a nice 70’s Rock feel – also can hear 90‘s Indie.

Lost Words

Starts off similar to Held Down with the verse - contains slow paced drumming with bass and downstroke/muted guitar strumming - like Held Down the vocals remind me of Biffy Clyro. It then jumps into the chorus where immediately I hear the Grunge influence, especially the Vines. You would class it as a Grunge song but then you hear a Bluesy solo – giving the band their own style really.

Losing You

The opening guitar lick reminds me a little of Ocean Colour Scene - then the drums & bass kick in and I’m brought back to 70’s Blues Rock again. The vocals are quite different this time – more reverb and I can hear bands like Foghat and Ten Years After. Certainly this is the most classic sounding on the E.P. Groovy verses and bridge with a really rocking chorus.

They have created a very strong release here and I just hope they’ll reap rewards with the quality of output and hard work over the last four years.

Rusty G’s will be playing Dunstable a few times this year at the Kings Lynn and Saracen’s Head respectively. Be sure to check them out – I certainly will.

Upcoming Shows Locally

April 7th – The Four Kings Bar: Dunstable

April 8th - The Top Bell: Leighton Buzzard

May 5th - Saracens Head: Dunstable

June 2nd – Saracens Head: Dunstable

July 2nd – Saracens Head: Dunstable

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By Natalie Mason

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Hat Factory 25th March

At the Hat Factory this Friday DTA PROMOTIONS presents Reggae Rock The Gentle Italian, Indie Rockers Kilto Take, Alternative Rock Nazca Lines & Indie Rockers Reversal

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Awesome shows taking place this week. Local Metalliers BlackEye & Brave The Moment are playing the Red Lion Stevenage Thus 24th - Local rockers Reversal, Rubber Cindy & Dead Cells all at Bedford Esquires Level 1 Thus 24th!

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Other Gigs!

Also tonight Pop Rockers Embrace The City are playing Bedford Esquires, New Wave/Hard Rockers HeKz play Scruffy Murphys in Birmignham & Hardcore metalliers Shadow Factory play JJ's in Hemel Hempstead!

Castle Live at the Castle

At The Castle - Castle Live presents The Knockouts (Dunno how to describe them lol, go see for yourself) & rockers Third Law. Free entry from 8:00 pm.

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DTA presents at The Hat Factory.

At The Hat Factory tonight you have an interesting mixture. DTA PROMOTIONS presents Heavy punk rockers The Smoking Hearts, Ambient Rockers Adelaide and Progressive hardcore Escaping Juliet. 8PM, £5 entry with a flyer.

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Saturday 19th March

Right lots of things going on tonight - and no you're not staying in to watch Ant & Dec & Take Me Out!

More Gigs

Blues/Jazzy/Soul hybrids The Shabby Tinkerz are playing The Flag,Watford tonight. Also New Wave/Hard Rockers HeKz are at The Pitz in Milton Keynes. Yeah baby!

George 2nd 18th March

Over at the George 2nd tonight you have DJ sets plus acoustic sets from Jackson Willmott & The Mischiefs. Free Entry from 8:00 pm. George LiveMusicvenue

Dead Cells In Wantage

Local band classic/hard rockers Dead Cells are playing The Swan, Wantage tonight! Any other local bands playing gigs tonight? Get in touch.

Hat Factory 18th March

Ok tonight at the Hat Factory Weight Pro Motions presents Charlie Indestructible/Sleeping With Wolves/Shadow Factory/Jones. £4 entry plus drink offers. Get down and get with it!

Saracen's Head: Dunstable

And if you're in Dunstable - top Bedford Rock/Blues band Horseman Shakes & The Draymen are playing the Saracen's Head tonight!

The Castle: St Patricks Day

For all you Paddy's and plastic Paddy's alike - get down to the Castle: Luton tonight - Irish Music and music from Irish Artists all night, plus drink offers on Guinness & Jamesons! Castle Live

RAW Open Mic Night

There is a RAW Open Mic Night going on at the Hat Factory tonight from 7pm. Go on down if you wanna show off your music, comedy etc....

Brave The Moment

Local metalliers Brave The Moment are playing the Hope & Anchor in London tonight. Get on it!

Hat Factory Review: 10/03/2011

Vertias, Dead Cells, Glass Artery LIVE - Luton 10/03/11

Greetings everyone!

Today - I bring you a live show as my first official review! Oh yes - ladies and gentlemen - music where it belongs, music where it shines the brightest - right here before our eyes and ears performed live.
Sod all the technology, production, mixing, the entire studio magic, tonight we had bands, pulling their own weight and did they deliver!

VERITAS

As a band that not only opens up the night but is also playing their very first show - you can guess there's enormous amount of pressure put on their shoulders. It's not only their own expectations, but the fear of failing the audience - of disappointing them, must've been next to terrifying. I'll not keep you wondering for too long - they did very well indeed!

The entirety of their show was consistently good - stage presence, musicianship and the songs - well prepared from start to finish. Sure, you get the occasional missed note, but that's the beauty of a live show and I'd not trade it for anything else, it's all those little frailties that create the experience.

Sound: Imagine ‘Parkway Drive’ detuned their guitars and made more use of “Djent” techniques; voila! The band list as their influences: ‘Monuments’, ‘Fellsilent’, ‘As Blood Runs Black’ and the aforementioned ‘Parkway Drive’. It shows, but it's not just copy & pasting, oh no.

The vocals by Jay Devlin alone stand tall and proud in the category of Metalcore. He managed a consistent assault of guttural shrieks throughout the set without as much as a cough, well done sir. Although, I'd personally prefer a more clear delivery where I can actually hear the words rather than trying to make out what's being sang. Hey - I didn't say I wouldn’t be nit-picking!

One problem that I had was that the songs started to blend into one another, if not for the breaks between each, you might feel as if it was just a single song. While it might be a good thing - it shows they’ve set a direction for themselves and are avoiding stepping out of their comfort zone - it also means that they're running the risk of being – well, boring.

I do applaud the band's ability to create a very groovy sound though - that's something you don't hear too often from the up-and-coming bands. Instant head-bobbing ensues and you won't notice until your neck starts aching!

The set was strong, if these guys can continue in the same direction with a bit of diversity - I'll be more than happy to see them again.

DEAD CELLS

Unfortunately, being friends with the band members, I'd be - well, let's be honest, my review of the show wouldn't be the most objective one :)

All I can say though, they pulled off another strong gig and yet again they can all go home with heads held up high.

GLASS ARTERY

You'd think that a band with a name like this plays some fragile, delicate music - with the only aim of soothing your soul. Right? Right?

Wrong.

Maybe with the exception of the vocalist’s clean voice, but just wait for him to put on the game face and you're in for a ride.

This band knows how to pull off a good show and I mean it! How do they sound you ask? I don't even know where to begin!

We’ve got a drummer who knows how to assault your ears with death metal double bass machinegun firing, but right after that comes progressive metal complex rhythm drumming! We’ve got guitarists who bring down a hammer blow by mighty Thor himself - with chugging riffs that will make you head bang real hard and invite you afterwards into a journey of soaring notes.

There’s real heavy, relentless and quite addictive tones that make you go: "Hey, this is like ‘Mastodon’" and before the song is finished: "Now wait a minute, ‘Killswitch Engage’?’" and just after it ends "No, that's Glass Artery". It really gives you the impression that you just heard a combination of sounds you are not instantly familiar with.Not a single moment felt too long, too short or pulled out of nowhere.

Song craft-wise these guys strike just the right balance between heavy, in your face tones - the slower, yet so well-fitted parts - to finally the occasional melody that without a doubt drives their music. It's a no small feat, when you have so many bands trying to cut a piece of the cake for themselves these days, to distinguish yourself and merge all the right things to make yourself stand out.

They took no prisoners, up until the very last song, a rather surprising addition to what would already be an exceptionally good set, a resemblance of a ballad.

And this is what I'm talking about!

The guys in Glass Artery not only show they know how to make music that just feels right, but they've shown great diversity. They've proved that they’re not afraid to experiment and show a wide range of styles.
It's oh so very important for any band to be able to stand above the crowd, show something new and offer a different perspective! We've heard so many bands who are so much alike, you'd not be able to tell them apart if not for - and it's a maybe - the sound of vocals. These guys are doing their own thing and it doesn’t seem like they give a damn about anyone else!

Glass Artery pushes all the right buttons; I can only hope they will not give up on spreading their quite unique blend of metal.

By Paul's Music Shack, please visit his blog for all his reviews:


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