Dividers/Ten Speed Bicycle Split

Two of my favourite bands on these sunny shores and some of my favourite people have come together and created a masterpiece of twiddlyemopoppunkmagic and this is what i present to you today.

I have featured Swansea's Dividers on here before, check out their demo here: http://thismusicismylife.blogspot.com/2010/04/dividers-band-of-week.html the four lads have come along way since that release and really honed their Get Bent/Latterman fast pop punk sound. These songs sound MASSIVE and are instantly stuck in your head. Zach shares some vocals on these songs and make a huge impact. Dual vocals fucking rule. Dividers are a passionate bunch of dudes who sing songs about their town, their scene and the ups and downs of life. Scott has added some noodly bits which is always awesome and Gavin's vocals have become even grittier yet still melodic. Basically this rules. If you like anything on Ifyoumakeit, No Idea records, Kiss of Death and diy punk with a heart then get involved in this. If i havnt sold it yet there is also a sound bite from the one and only Alan Johnson in Peep Show. Winner.

Ten Speed Bicycle have been mentioned a few times on this blog having played their first show at my Birthday house show but never had their own post because this is their first release bar a few great demos i was sent. Hailing from London, this is three friends who love capn' Jazz and the emo philly scene a LOT. From the two demos i had its crazy how far Ten Speed have come already as these four songs are again MASSIVE. Taking influence from bands like Grown Ups, Snowing, Cap'n Jazz, Saves the Day and their own lives this is fucking brilliant partytwiddlemo with an authentic english twist. Ive been in love with these guys since they started and this split has cemented them as one of mu favourite UK bands for sure. Kai has taken up vocals on this too creating some beatiful harmonies. So yeah dual vocals again for the win. Members of Can't Relate and best friends, Ten Speed feature some of the nicest and most down to earth people you will ever meet. And Jimmy never stops smiling.

If i havnt sold this to you then i think im wasting my time haha. Two awesome UK bands who have come leaps and bounds from when they started and this is only a sign of things to come.

Another exciting thing about this split tape is my best buddies Sean and Luke are co-releasing this with Gavin of Dividers' label. Sean and Luke (stab) just recently started Youth Camp Records and has already released the new Loose Cannons Demo which you should check out if you like Title Fight and fast pop punk. This is a new, exciting label that is as diy as they come and yeah im stoked. Check out their shiny new website and buy the split and say hello. Again, could not meet two nicer people http://youthcamprecords.webs.com/ Gavin's label What we should be doing is totally diy and totally rad too. re released the never gets dull Spraynard demo tape amongst others, check that out too http://www.whatweshouldbedoing.net/

All thats left to say is buy this and then come and see the RELEASE SHOW in kingston at the fighting cocks on March 31st. Loose Cannons and Manchester party people WELL WISHER will be joining the shenanigans and its gonna be awesome, expect balloons and confetti cannons and mix tapes. COME. If this is too far away there is a mini tour for loose cannons and ten speed so check em out somewhere near you

31/03/11 - Kingston, Fighting cocks W/Dividers *(ten speed bicycle/Dividers split record selease show!)*
01/04/11 - Bristol, venue tbc W/Tireless
02/04/11 - Manchester, Venue tbc W/Dividers
03/04/11 - Tunbridge Wells, The Forum W/Allister & Rufio
04/04/11 - Brighton, The Hobgoblin W/Caves, From Plan To Progress & Corrigan*

Here is the demo, enjoy! http://www.mediafire.com/?95mm63mv3ppuk6w

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Belated Releases of 2010

Yeah yeah i suck, its mid January but whatever. if you care here is a list of my favourite releases of last year with links galore to download and where to buy. This is no order because thats far to hard and time consuming. If you think ive missed something off this list please let me know, im always up for new music

Atlas - Beauty and the Blues

I wont talk to much about this as ive already made a post and uploaded their record here: http://thismusicismylife.blogspot.com/2010/08/atlas-beauty-and-blues.html perfect old sounding hip hop with a de la soul/rj d2 kinda vibe. It really is beautifuly constructed.

The Arteries - Dead Sea

Again i dont want to repeat myself too much, see my post here: http://thismusicismylife.blogspot.com/2010/11/arteries-dead-sea-new-album.html a flawless first? album from the Swansea chaps. Right balance of balls out rock and melody with some arty(ries) bits thrown in and as always, catchy as fuck songs. This album slays. Might take you a while to fall in love with it but when it clicks you will be telling everyone how they should listen. Im putting em on Feb 9th with my buddy Owen at the Fighting Cocks, Kingston with Bastad Rats, Apologies, i have none and Rat Attack. Come and see what the fuss is about. Best live band. Best Dudes. Buy it here and support Andrew (Bangers) label. It rules. http://specialistsubject.limitedpressing.com/bands/the-arteries

Bangers - Dude Trips

I love how loads of my friends released the best stuff in 2010. Bangers being no exception. I guess this isnt an album as such, more a collection of everything they have done to date, Dirty Tactics split, break the habit split AOTU 7" and brits abroad 7". Perfect pop punk for fans off none more black, saves the day and hit the beach. Seriously i talk about the Arteries and Bangers too much so get with the programme and get everything by both bands and get singing. Buy it here: http://specialistsubject.limitedpressing.com/products/6771

Bird Calls S/T

One of my first posts was regarding a new band some friends had formed and i went to their first practice. Since then they have played a bunch of shows (three for me!) and just toured with human hands, rad band, more soon, and released their first record/tape. Its fucking great. Max says they rip off Tubers hard and ive never listened to them so probs should. Total partymo in a discord/shouty vein. so so so good. Just nailed it again for me last week. Download their s/t here or get the tape in a beautiful velvet pouch when you go and see them: http://www.mediafire.com/?cgwcyvc1v12hkc1 they are one of those bands that dont name their songs so sorry if it seems confusing, i tried my best. Enjoy!

Can't Relate - Inhumane E.P

Had to be in my top releases of last year. Ridiculously good hardcore/powerviolence straightedge from london ala limp wrist/punch. I uploaded one song last time, here is the whole EP. One of my favourite moments of last year was moshing to them on the second floor of my friend's house with the police knocking on the door and the lightbulb smashed. They split up every five seconds but everytime they come back they kill it. Saw them a few weeks ago in a practice space in sutton. They ruled. Lets hope we get some new songs this year. Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?42jy648paqgcds5

Ceremony - Rohnert Park

I remember listening and promptly dismissing Ceremony a few years ago when i first fell in love with the Outbreak E.P. Ceremony didnt do anything for me then. They toured with Paint it Black early last year and i saw them three times. every show they blew me away. Holy shit what a band. So brooding, so much energy, arguably the most entertaining frontman in hardcore right now and they also put one of the best sets ive ever seen at This is Hardcore. I immediately checked out their new record Rohnert Park and my god it rules. Its really really different to their previous stuff. lots of instrumental bits and again its so brooding and intense. Bits of the Wipers, gang of four thrown in amongst their cut throat hardcore. Check out track 1 it will explain it better. Buy this record. Fucking amazing. http://www.mediafire.com/?n75875sejosjor2 OPEN HEAD OPEN HEAD. So much respect for that band. They dont give a fuck what you think.

Never Again - Year One LP

They came, they went and they conquered. Split up now but they left a path of chaos at every gig they played. Amazing live band and perfect on record. made you want to stomp through the floor. This was a collection of everything they had released and some new songs. Youth of Today meets infest or xfilesx. Not sure if its sold out yet but track it down. R.I.P Played some of my fave shows of last year. Luke is already in a new band called Stab. They rule. Come and see them feb 27th at the Fighting Cocks, Kingston for a london Hardcore extravaganza: Abolition, Stab, Iron Curtain, Warm Ways and one more.

Cynics - 7"

He went from my being my always drunk and naked friend to being my always drunk and naked friend and one of my favourite solo artists. i bum this dude hard enough so to save his ego get this 7", learn the words and join in the bromance. Playing in Kingston at the Fighting Cocks, Feb 11th with Brothers, Porches and Sauna Youth (all bands you can download stuff from on this blog) come and say hello and marvel at how much of a child Giles looks like. download here: http://thismusicismylife.blogspot.com/2010/09/cynics-aka-giles-bidder.html

Grown Ups - More Songs

I'm seeing a trend with bands ive blogged about being in the top ten. Having been a fan of of the Chicago kids for a while i was so excited to hear they were coming over. They blew me away. Seriously the most energetic band i saw all of last year. The highlight of my year was the house show they played for my 22nd birthday and yeah band rules 100%. Nicest guys. If you like your emo fast, intricate and shouty, get on this. Easily one of the best records released last year. Partymo. Download their debut LP 'More Songs' here: http://thismusicismylife.blogspot.com/2010/06/grown-ups-band-of-2010.html

Myles Pereira - Of Pears and Figs

When i heard my friend Myles was playing music i asked him to play a show right away before i had even heard him. I did not expect what i heard at all. His voice made the whole venue fall silent. it was incredible. Blew me away. Ive posted about him on here already. Check out his EP here: http://thismusicismylife.blogspot.com/2010/09/myles-pereira-of-pears-and-figs.html

Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Rush to relax

Definitely one of my favourite current bands. Bang on simple garage/rock from Australia. Think Gang of Four and i reckon the Wipers. Primary Colours has been on repeat since i first heard of this band and their follow up third album does not dissapoint. More of the same with some driving guitar lines, pretty surfy too. Check this out because everyone i know who has heard this band LOVES this band. Listen here and then buy all three albums. The UK got a re-release of their first and second album on a double cd so get that. www.myspace.com/eddycurrentsuppressionring

Iron Chic - Not Like This

This album is in a lot of people, record label's, magazines and zines top 5 of 2010 and since the release of this album their popularity has increased massively. I got their demo on cd and tape when i ordered the get bent demo and tape in preparation for seeing them both at fest 7. I loved the demo and two songs were huge so i was pretty pumped to see them. Due to queues and being scared about not seeing the Falcon i failed to see Iron Chic at Fest 7 and am still yet to see them. Fortunately they are coming to the UK later this May so i will finally get my chance. The album is brilliant. They have really nailed the latterman anthemic singalongs. The one problem that i and my friend Minty found was that however much we listen to Iron Chic's new album we end up putting Get Bent on instead. No offence guys, i think i just love them too much. Enough rambling from me. This album rules and has some serious Top of the Pops tunes on it so download it here and come check em out when they come over. Expect a split with Pacer soon too http://www.mediafire.com/?qb1ab97rcvowmod

Paul Baribeau - Unbearable

Paul Baribeau is perfect marriage material. The voice, the lyrics, the beard and how listening to him fills you with joy but can also give you goosebumps. Perfect perfect perfect solo acoustic folk with punk overtones. His third album is right on the money and sounds massive. I guarantee your girlfriend or boyfriend will fall in love with him too. One of the most honest singer songwriters around. Hope i get to see him soon. it bugs me i havn't yet www.myspace.com/paulbaribeau

Tigers Jaw - Two Worlds

After the s/t being one of the greatest records ive heard in years being on repeat at work everyday i was expecting big things from the second album. Its great, but it has not grabbed me as immediately as the first album did. Its got some seriously catchy songs such as smile and when i saw them live the new songs sounded even better than on record but its still yet to blow me away. Im going to give it more time. Band rules though. One of the punkest around. Check em out, then listen to all their friend's bands. Still hold the accolade of most downloaded band on This Music is my Life. Check it out: http://thismusicismylife.blogspot.com/2010/03/tigers-jaw-band-of-week.html

Hightide Hotel - Nothing was missing, except me

Ive mentioned this band a tonne at the bottom of posts when i say for fans of. At the end of last year, they like their buddies Snowing released their debut LP after a cracking demo/ep. This is perfect poppy catchy twiddly emo like only the Philly bands know. Its great. Listen to it on cold winter mornings while you walk to the bus and i guarantee it will put a smile on your face. Another band i want to come over SO bad. Download the album and track down the ep and split with By Surprise, both are great. http://www.mediafire.com/?7f9055t41t1m71u

Spraynard - Cut and Paste

So the biggest news of 2011 thus far bar the Descendents playing in London in April and the fact that im going to San Francisco in June to see SLAPSTICK on my 23rd birthday, was that my best friends Spraynard's new album 'Funtitled' (best name) is going to be released on Asian Man Records!!!! HOLY SHIT. im so proud of these guys. Read my full ode to one of the best bands and people in the world here: http://thismusicismylife.blogspot.com/2010/03/spraynard-this-band-could-be-your-life.html download everything, send them an email, they will reply. Best dudes. Their debut LP rocks.

Snowing - I could do whatever i wanted if i wanted

More amazing twiddlemo from phillyyyyy. This is turning out to be quite long so just download and read here. P.s come over please! http://thismusicismylife.blogspot.com/2010/12/snowing-band-of-week.html

So there are some of my stand out favourites. Amongst all this lot Dividers released a killer first EP, 10 speed bicycle sent me two great first tracks from the up and coming partymo kids, Samson had the best idea ever and released a perfect sounding Weakerthans live album with a fuck load of instruments and a bang on setlist,

One of my favourite current hardcore bands Urban Blight released a 7" to go with their European tour which ruled. I had the pleasure of putting them on and seeing them three times. Best dudes, best band. Ill upload that soon when i stop being lazy

Canada's garage pop band Statues released a new album and i also had the pleasure of putting them on last year too. Catchy stuff as always. Rory Matthews released a debut album showing us that he has so much more to offer. The Shitty Limits released a 6th 7" with two rocking numbers. Band can do no wrong. Saturday's kids and Sauna youth both released great second 7"s.

Superchunk not only reformed but did what most bands struggle with when they come back and released a fucking great album. You should go listen to Majesty Shredding right now! Home town heroes Pacer released their first EP 'No 1' speedy bouncing souls punk which is definitely worth checking out. Split with Iron Chic out later this year! Post Shit Notes from the city i was born, Guildford, came out of nowhere with some sloppy and catchy garage. Cant wait for their first release.

Following up from their amazing 7" New York's Nomos delivered more angry as fuck hardcore in their one sided 12". Check my blog for a download. Ex Nowhere Fast did a rough demo for their new band Amateur Video which is brilliant. Still yet to see them though which pisses me off.

Crazy Spirit released some void sounding noise which was great. Good Luck played one of my favourite shows ive put on and been to and released a 7" which is awesome. Hot Club De Paris are never shit and their latest 10" was rad. Wish i could upload their stuff. Maybe one day. Hunx and his punx made me smile and Everyone Everywhere released their debut album which ill admit did not grab me as immediately as previous efforts. I need to spend more time with it.

There you go, my rambling, non nonsensical releases of last year. I probably missed out loads of 'essential' records but there is too much music and not enough time.

Hope this did not bore you

p.s. i want to like the new none more black record so bad but meh. what am i missing?

Some Sort of Threat (RORY) Dude of the Week

I first came across Rory at the Spraynard Swansea show back in the summer of 2009. He blew my mind to be honest. 16 years old and playing guitar better than anyone id seen play acoustic. Political, honest and unique and so so so young we can only expect bigger things. Already penned by many as the next Jon Shoe of the Cut Ups, Rory has a bright future and its a pleasure to be a friend. I picked up his demo and congratulated him after the above show and he has since released an album entitled 'Tangles' which you can download below. If you like Dave House, Gordon Ganos Army, Russ Substance, Weakerthans, ONSIND, Cynics and just general, honest folk music then check out both his EP (written when he was very young but showed so much promise) and his new album.

Im still yet to get Exter's finest to Kingston but hopefully soon. He is also in another band called False Arrests, you should check them out too www.myspace.com/thefalsearrestsfromexeter

Enjoy. Drop him a line on his myspace and get him to play your garden, garage, venue, house. He will probably say yes.

Demo: http://www.mediafire.com/?lqbmt6pcrc9n62q

Tangles Album: http://www.mediafire.com/?703clx4braw9p0i

Snowing - Band of the week

There is a group on lastfm called 'Get Rad' dedicated to emo and from this group i discovered a tonne of bands and Snowing were one of the first i fell in love with. I remember some kid uploading this 5 track demo that did not even have song names. Twiddly, shouty and party and fucking catchy. I was hooked and head over heels. The proper ep then came out which you can download from the ever fantastic IFYOUMAKEIT site: http://www.ifyoumakeit.com/album/snowing/fuck-your-emotional-bullshit/ track 5 is the jam, amazing demo. featuring ex members of Street Smart Cyclist who ive uploaded on here already: http://thismusicismylife.blogspot.com/2010/06/street-smart-cyclist-band-of-week.html Snowing slay. I had the pleasure of meeting Nathaniel, one of the guitarists, in Philly the night after Kid Dynamite as i needed a place to stay. Turned out the guy who hooked me up was THE Sam Rudich of the Snowing song, they couldnt think of a name so just named it after their friend, too good. He played me the album their and i loved it. 'I could do whatever i wanted if i wanted' just came out this week and it rules. definitely gonna be in my top ten of 2010 so get involved if you love algernon (obvious comparison) cap n jazz, grown ups, spraynard, hightide hotel, by surprise, 1994 blah blah blah emo/philly rules.

Check out the new album here: http://www.mediafire.com/?b1j1ul593zk8gel

Come to the uk soon please guys. i want to party.

Hit the Beach - Discography

Ive been planning to unleash this on the world for far too long so here it is. I give you HIT THE BEACH. You know that band Bangers who along with the Arteries are currently destroying every venue in the uk? Well before they were Bangers they were actually a Summer time only party thrash/hardcore band who sang songs exclusively about the beach and wore speedos when they played. Im not joking here, just wait until you listen. The only difference in the lineup to Bangers is Andrew is on guitar and Roo is on bass instead of vice versa as they are now. You will recognise the rasping vocals immediately and i guarantee you will love this and then get pissed off you never saw them. The band's main influence i guess is the 80's film 'Surf Nazis Must Die' which is like a seaside version of the Warriors. Check out the trailer here and then watch it, crazy film, you will recognise some samples from the songs in the movie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8LV1S2q2GA I had the pleasure of seeing this band twice but its not nearly enough and every Bangers show i just want them to leap into some Hit The Beach as they did at a house show i put on last summer in my bedroom.

If you can get past the genius song titles and bring yourself to listen then please do. 1 minute thrash songs about sandcastles, crabs, david hasselhoff, lifeguards and general beach shenanigans. If i ever have money in my life id love to release both these eps on vinyl but until then, enjoy:

http://www.mediafire.com/?7v5h516sq7b9925

Stay beween the flags kids

Arteries - Dead Sea (New Album)

Welcome to the worst blog on the internet. Swansea's The Arteries have been making waves across the country over the last two years and having just toured up to fest again with New Jersey's Static Radio and tours with dead to me, flatliners and another european tour already booked for 2011 i can seriously see this band becoming the 'punk' band in the country.

The new album dead sea came out just over a month ago and is phenomonal. I have no idea how they do it but they can blend melody, rock n roll, shredding guitars, blistering drums, perfect harmonies and the catchiest hooks since... well the first arteries album.

Ive already seen these songs live three times and they nail it everytime. This album in some respects is very different to 'Blood, Sweat and Beers' that album is very poppy and chorusy yet still super fast and intense. This album has the poppy songs and choruses but also has a rock as fuck aspect and some pure guitar sections which build up to these intense instrumentals. Miles' voice has got stronger and he really lets rip in this record. Reading this i sound like a twat so im going to stop there and just say check this out coz it rules. If you have not seen them live a) where have you been and b) do it now. They are having a small break now having been on tour since the summer but be sure to check them on the flatliners tour next year.

Arteries' friend and all round awesome chap, Andrew Bangers' label 'Specialist Subject Records' has released the cd version and you should buy it right now from here if you like the first album, The Bronx, The Steal, ACDC and Descendents and the beach: http://shop.specialistsubjectrecords.co.uk/product/the-arteries-dead-sea-cd-pre-order should be getting a vinyl release early next year in the USA, label to be confirmed so watch out for that too, record nerdz.

I have kindly been allowed to upload a couple of tracks from the album so get a taste and then buy it friends.

Acoustic Associations: http://www.sendspace.com/file/zt2x62

Don't Come Around no more: http://www.sendspace.com/file/b6ujxx

Listen to N.W.A.

Jean Mills Society Torch

Ive been meaning to upoad this record for ages. After i saw Deep Sleep at Fest 7 i got chatting to the drummer Mike for ages and he told me about a bunch of rad bands and his great label: Wallride Records and gave me a few records to take home and check out. This was one of them. Super hyper pissed of thrash/hardcore from Maryland featuring members from a tonne of ex and current bands inclduing deep sleep. The lyrics to this record are hilarious, poking fun at the police, education and and how music isnt metal enough anymore to give a few examples. I fucking love this 7" and i hope you do to. Don't think they played many shows and this is definitely hard to find so check it out. The guitar solos alone will make you air guitar your arse off and i guarantee you will be hadbanging by mid way through. Killer record.

http://www.mediafire.com/?xzu099778cxax97