A 2018 music roundup

Feature by:  Greta Kaur-taylor

@soundwaveszine

As 2018 draws to a close the time has come where we sit and reflect on everything good and bad, in the hope that New Year’s eve will close off the year with a bang, when in reality it ends up with us sat on a sofa drinking some cheap prosecco and wondering where all the time has gone.

Here is our huge feature round-up of 2018 to remind you it hasn’t all been doom and gloom.

A Big thank you to Phee Hagen, Babe Punch, Skegss, Eluders, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, Earls, Jools and of course Railroads for contributing!

Skeggs 📷

Skeggs are a band that a friend of mine introduced me to and I have been loving their sound ever since. This year has seen the release of their debut album My Own Mess along with both UK, Europe and Australia album release tours.

Here are their top 5 singles of the year: Drunk Mums - ‘Roll with the Punches’ Hockey dad - ‘Sweet Release’ Twin Peaks – ‘Blue Coupe’ Scabz - ‘Brett Lee’s Got No I.D’

Babe Punch

I first heard Babe Punch this year and they were a breath of fresh air, bringing you all the noise and the best kind of feminist punk. It also helps that they are a lovely bunch to chat to!

Their top 5 singles:

The Shrives – ‘Money Maker’ “We’ve loved this song all year, it’s so joyful and is amazing live. Even if they have broken our hearts by splitting up this year at least we got this beauty out of it.”

Queen Zee – ‘Sass Or Die’ “Technically this single wasn’t released this year but we will make an exception as they’re so beloved to us. They’re an incredible live band and we appreciate anyone who is unapologetically themselves. We’ve loved watching them grow and succeed this year. “

Peach Club – ‘Cherry Baby’ “Another of our pals who have had a wonderful year. There’s not enough girl power in our industry and specifically not in our genre; seeing women screaming and making a racket is always good. “

Shame – ‘Concrete’ “We’ve seen this band a few times throughout the year, and their debut album has soundtracked a lot of our nights out. They’re so intense and energetic live and this track is one of the best.”

IDLES – ‘Danny Nedelko’ “We all collectively appreciate IDLES a lot, their politically driven lyrics and urgency are something we think is missing from music at the moment.”

Railroads

Railroads are a Leeds based band that I came across this year and they are such a good example of how great new, young talented bands are at the moment. 2018 saw the release of their singles ‘Skint as Possible’ and ‘Pretty Intoxicated’and they are both such anthems. Keep an eye out in 2019!

Frontman Sam Da Silva says; My top 5 singles of the year have to be:

Slaves – ‘Magnolia’

IDLES – ‘Danny Nedelko’

Askies – ‘Mirror’

The Blinders – ‘Gotta Get Through’

“I’ve chosen these particular songs as they all have one element I look for when listening to a song, an earworm chorus. They also have an infectious energy, the heavier/punkier songs on the list make you want to shout and stomp your feet, while the softer songs have you whistling the melodies. These are all songs that have been very present in my listening history this year.”

Eluders

Eluders are a punk duo consisting of Frontman Fin and drummer Brianna. This is another young talented band trying to help create and support a local scene for music where they live. This band is loud and determined to do well. 2018 has seen them record and release two debut singles ‘No One’s Home’ and ‘White noise’ as well as playing a successful array of gigs. Make sure to catch em in 2019!

Their top 5 singles:

Boot fillers - Ladybird (Bri)

'Cut the conversation short' - The Slumdogs (Bri)

‘Dracula’ – Bakar

‘Retina’ – False Heads (Fin)

‘Showgirl’ – Sorry (Fin)

Brianna says “Off-timing in songs like ‘Dracula’ influenced some of our songs heavily because it’s not commonly used in punk music and it makes our music go against the grain. The Storytelling in The Slumdogs song really changed how Fin approaches writing lyrics and how they’re delivered. Bands like Sorry and False Heads show us how well music can be made while retaining that DIY ethos. Not only this, but they also introduced us to new groups of bands and people that continue to influence us."

Fin adds “This year has been really great for music, especially in the UK where a community seems to be really building and bands are continuing to put on more successful events without the help of labels or huge promotional companies. There’s a lot of emphasis on trying new things and experimenting with your sound and I think that is a great place to be coming to an end of 2018 as it stands the upcoming bands in good stead for 2019 where they can progress further and try new things.”

Jools

2019 is a year made for Leicester punx, Jools. The end of 2018 has seen them release their angst-filled debut single ‘Good Morning Britain’ with it being played on BBC Radio Leicester. The band will be playing a show as part of independent venue week at the Cookie on the 2nd of February. If you’ve not heard their single yet you should!

Top 5 singles of the year: Shame – ‘One Rizla’

Kendrick Lamar & Sza – ‘All The Stars’

Fontaines D.C – ‘Too Real’

IDLES – ‘Never fight a man with a perm’

“We feel collectively these singles are one of the many reasons we formed this year. We’re massively influenced by classical guitar-heavy punk music, but also feel heavily inspired and driven by artists that experiment with hip-hop. Punk & hip hop are more similar than people think, in both styles of music artists aren’t afraid to cast their views, Kendrick Lamar is a great example of this. We’ve taken a collective influence from both genres and crafted a sound we are dead proud of. Cheers for that Kung Fu Kenny x”

Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard

I first came across this double denim wearing, energetic band from Cardiff when they toured with the band Our Girl this year and their stage presence and performance is mesmerising to watch. If nothing else, 2019 is the year you should watch Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard.

Top 5 tracks of the year from frontman Tom:

Boy Azooga - ‘Loner Boogie’ “I hope this is ranked in order of greatness because this track slays and every member of Boy Azooga is beautiful and they deserve every success, plus the music is incredible, Dave Newington’s song writing makes me literally cry (and I use literally in the literal sense, I cried listening to Jerry once.)”

Michael Rault – ‘I’ll be there’

The Lemon Twigs - ‘Small Victories’   “Hardly ever does the first vocal line of a song make me scream with joy, but this one did.”

Shoebox Orchestra – ‘Rainy Day’

Father John Misty – ‘Mr. Tillman’

“I pretty much love everything Josh Tillman puts out so I had to put this on the list for good juju.”

Earls

Earls are a Skum punk two piece and they make noise that your ears will like. 2018 is the year they signed to Earwig records supported bands such as LIFE and UK Subs and drawn in chaotic and energetic crowds. 2019 brings their debut album to our ears, so keep an eye out.

Top 5: 

Boy Azooga - Face Behind Her Cigarette (it’s a groovy bop and they are lovely boys)

Idles - Colossus (the whole song is a massive build up with powerful lyrics and a huge climax at the end)

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - American Guilt (funky tune with phat guitar and another excellent song from these guys)

Ghost - Dance Macabre (they aren’t taking themselves too seriously and wrote a great cheesy rock banger)

Disco Machine - Dished (male stripper) (just listen to it)

Phoebe Hagan – Head of music at Insanity radio

@phee_hagan

I met Phee at the Heavy’s at the KOKO this year when she was an intern for a PR company and we clicked straight away, pretty sure it’s because of our shared love for angry feminist music and Richard hell, now she is basically my punk mum, so I had to ask her to write something for this lengthy feature. Here you go!

Shame – ‘Lampoon’

“Demanding your attention straight off the bat with screeching guitars, frontman Charlie Steen’s vocals burst onto the track with his now-trademark snarling vocals, culminating in a track that dares you not to jump into the nearest mosh pit and tear shit up.”

Goat Girl – ‘The Man’ “Another band that released their debut album to great acclaim early in the year, Goat Girl’s ‘The Man’ is the perfect introduction to the riotous four-piece and their carefully honed blend of punk-yet-melodic rock. It’s bursting with snarky attitude, but above all it’s still fun, with the drums on this track providing a beat that’s worth the listen alone.”

Peeping Drexels – ‘Ray Purchase’ “I pretty much accidentally stumbled across this track, and I’m so glad I did. I was at a loose end one evening, and in need of something to do, I went along to one of the Rough Trade Recommends nights held at Rough Trade East – and Peeping Drexels happened to be headlining. I distinctly remember the first time I heard this track, which was on the tube over to the gig as I figured I’d better give the band a listen before I saw them, and it just completely drew me in – eventually ending up as one of my most-listened-to songs of 2018. This track is full to bursting with storming drums, gritty riffs, and heaps of venom spat by singer Dylan Coates – and believe you me, live, they’re truly something else.”

Amyl & The Sniffers – ‘Cup of Destiny’ “If you’re looking for irreverent punk that makes you want to equal parts have a boogie and yet also smash something up, then look no further than Aussie Band Amyl & The Sniffers. They almost literally tore down London’s Moth Club earlier this year, and when listening to ‘Cup of Destiny’, it’s clear to see why. ‘Cup of Destiny’ really goes for it on every level, which is really the entire ethos of the band summed up in one – it’s loud, it’s cheeky, and it’s very, very good.”

King Nun – ‘Greasy Hotel’ “King Nun has been one of my ‘one’s to watch’ for quite a while now, and believe me, they’ve more than earned themselves a spot on that list, and their debut EP released this year shows exactly why. It’s a bit more of the softer side for the band compared to some of their earlier releases and it showcases frontman Theo’s vocals, at times ripping into punk anger, and at others, conveying a serious amount of emotion. It’s a great track, with an even greater message, with the band taking a firm stand against the unwanted harassment that many experience at gigs.”

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Watching the work that I started doing on a small scale get recognition means the world to me, I and everyone involved with the zine want to thank all the lovely people that: read what we post, share our photos, the lovely bands that we get to meet that support us so much in what they do, promoters and venues that have given me so much advice and support because without them I would seriously not have a clue about how to do anything. May 2019 be a good one for everybody! Thank you for supporting us and your local music scene!

Greta Soundwaveszine xx Support D.I.Y

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