Don Diablo and Example release their white-hot new track “Hooligans” on June 29, 2009. An in-your-face, party-hard, club mash up, “Hooligans” comes complete with a genius video that will make even the Skins blush and is unlikely to be seen on GMTV anytime soon.

With its ultra hooky ‘We Came, We Saw, We Killed The Crowd’ chorus and super fat bassline, “Hooligans” has already had the support of Zane Lowe on Radio 1. The track also comes with remixes from Noisia, Spor, Dooley, A1 Bassline and Don’s Disco Mix.

Meanwhile London singer/rapper/musician/producer Example is currently hard at work putting the finishing touches to his next album which is due for release very early in 2010, preceded by a brilliant new single in September. A true genre-busting musical eccentric, Example mixes up rap, electro, garage, drum and bass, pop and rock to produce a genuinely unique modern sound which the NME described as ‘dysfunctional electro pop’.

Example takes his show on the road through May and June, with a range of his own headline shows, headlining the Wonky Pop tour before going on to shows in Ibiza through the summer.

Tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

May 2009

25th Oxford Academy 2 (Wonky Pop Tour)
26th Manchester Roadhouse (Wonky Pop Tour)
27th Glasgow ABC2 (Wonky Pop Tour)
28th Liverpool Academy 2 (Wonky Pop Tour)
30th Newcastle Academy 2 (Wonky Pop Tour)
31st Birmingham Academy 3 (Wonky Pop Tour)

June 2009

1st Nottingham Stealth (Wonky Pop Tour)
3rd London Islington Academy (Wonky Pop Tour)
24th London Proud Galleries Camden (HEADLINE/SINGLE LAUNCH)

Watch the uncensored video

Don Diablo Official Website
Don Diablo on Twitter

Example MySpace
Example on Twitter

Every now and then you come across a new band that stands apart from the rest. A band whose songwriting belies their inexperience, a singer whose range and brilliance at once captivates and enfolds, and an energy that is impossible to ignore.

Melbourne four piece THE TEMPER TRAP have persevered since their formation, playing, recording and eventually catching the ear of the all important stations and festival crowds back home.

They now come to the UK for their first ever live shows and debut UK release “Science of Fear”.

Watch “Science of Fear” video:

The band, Jonathon, Lorenzo and Toby met Dougy when he emigrated from Bali, Indonesia and they soon earned a fiercesome reputation as a killer live band. With a keen ear for melody, matched by infectious rhythms and symphonic, arresting guitars, the band is further separated from the pack by lead singer Dougy’s captivating, unique vocals – and The Temper Trap soon started earning comparisons to the likes of Radiohead, TV on the Radio and Arcade Fire.

A track “Sweet Disposition” was recorded with esteemed producer Jim Abbiss (Massive Attack, DJ Shadow, Arctic Monkeys) and started generating superlatives from fans and media across the world via their MySpace site. They came to the attention of the BBC with a slot on Zane Lowe’s ‘Introducing’ show and gained prestigious spot in the BBC Sound of 2009 top 15.

The Temper Trap kicked off 2009 playing the travelling Laneway Festival in Australia and then became the first signing to the new Infectious Music.

They will release their debut single “Science of Fear” on April 20, 2009, followed by an album in the summer of 2009. The single will be available on limited 7” and digital and also features remixes by Herve, Mistabishi, Filthy Dukes and Boe Weaver.

The NME has already tipped their “impassioned, infectious, surging sound … big brash guitars and anthemic songs”.

The band played UK shows in March in London and SXSW in Austin, and will return for a busy summer in the UK.

The Temper Trap UK (+ Paris) tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

16 April Nouveau Casino ‘Custom’, Paris France
17 April Club NME, KOKO, London UK
24 April Camden Crawl, London UK

15 – 16 May BRIGHTON, The Great Escape Festival
15th Friday COALITION, Drowned In Sound Stage
16th Saturday Komedia XFM Presents Stage

The Temper Trap on amazon.co.uk

The Temper Trap on amazon.com

The Temper Trap MySpace
The Temper Trap Official Website

Maximo Park celebrate their return with a free charity show at the Newcastle College Performance Academy on March 24, 2009.

For those who weren’t already aware – Maximo Park are back in 2009, and they are making a splash.

And, to celebrate their return, the band are set to play a very special show indeed on March 24th.

The gig is a strictly one-off, free event, and fittingly enough takes place at the Newcastle College Performance Academy, one of the UK’s leading lights in performing arts, music and media, and home to a generation of aspiring musicians influenced by the band and their peers.

Wristbands will be available on the day and will be given away on a strictly first-come, first-served basis (one per person) so make sure you get there early!

Moreover, Maximo Park will even be signing 250 “Wraithlike” 7″s at the event – the only copies that will ever be available in the UK. Costing a minimum of £3 (fans will be welcome to donate more if they choose) all proceeds will go to their chosen charity No Surrender. The No Surrender Charitable Trust was set up by Jason Boas, a friend of the band who recently passed away, with the aim to support cancer sufferers all over the world through establishing a social network at www.no-surrender.org. This is a cause extremely close to the band’s heart – last year, they organised a sell-out show with Mystery Jets, Blood Red Shoes and Pete and the Pirates at the Kentish Town Forum with all proceeds once again going to the charity.

All signs point to 2009 being Maximo Park’s most exciting year yet. Case in point: “Wraithlike”, the first teaser off Maximo Park’s forthcoming third album, ‘Quicken the Heart’, was given its debut airing on Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show on March 9, and such was Lowe’s unbridled enthusiasm for the track that he played it twice, back to back: an almost unprecedented event. It is currently available as a free download (for a limited time) on the band’s official website (www.maximopark.com), where downloads have already been in excess of 50,000 around the world and which will be available for 1 more week, as a very special gift to their fans, and to whet their appetites for the imminent new album to be released in the spring.

Produced by Nick Launay, ‘Quicken the Heart’ showcases another side of the band completely; one filled with a renewed sense of looseness, vim and vigour, and one which most certainly picks up the shiny pop baton and goes sprinting with it.

More information on the brand new album to be released very soon…so watch this space!

Maximo Park on amazon.com

Maximo Park on amazon.co.uk

Maximo Park Official Website

The mighty Maccabees are about to return.

They’ve finished work on their new album and, as a taster, are giving away a blinding new track hot from the studio.

“No Kind Words” will be available to download from www.themaccabees.co.uk following its debut play on Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show on Monday 9th February, 2009 at 7.30pm.

The five-piece play their first live dates of 2009 with two club shows in London in February and an Xfm Presents at the Barfly on 5th March prior to their headline tour. They will play London’s Electric Ballroom, their first London headline since the triumphant sold-out Roundhouse show at the end of the Colour It In tour in 2007.

The Maccabees on amazon.com

The Maccabees on amazon.co.uk

The Maccabees 2009 UK tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

Fri 20 February LONDON MATTER, Wonky Pop 10pm-5am, £8 adv, £11 standard, £6 student
Thu 26 February LONDON, KINGSTON-UPON-THAMES McClusky’s 9pm-2am £7, £6 w/flyer
Thu 5 March LONDON BARFLY, Xfm Presents SOLD OUT
Thu 19 March GLASGOW ORAN MOR (Tel: 08444 999 990)
Fri 20 March SHEFFIELD PLUG (Tel: 0114 241 3040)
Sat 21 March COVENTRY KASBAH (Tel: 0871 220 0260)
Mon 23 March DERBY THE ROYAL (Tel: 01332 255 800)
Tue 24 March BRIGHTON CONCORDE 2 (Tel: 01273 673 311)
Thu 26 March CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION (Tel: 08450 50 8258)
Fri 27 March STOKE SUGARMILL (Tel: 0115 9454 593)
Sat 28 March LIVERPOOL ACADEMY 2 (Tel: 08444 77 1000)
Thu 30 April NORTHAMPTON ROADMENDERS (Tel: 0115 912 9000)
Fri 01 May EDINBURGH STUDIO 24 (Tel: 08444 999 990)
Sat 02 May LEEDS LIVE AT LEEDS (Tel: 0113 245 4650)
Mon 04 May BRISTOL THEKLA (Tel: 08713 100 000)
Tue 05 May LONDON ELECTRIC BALLROOM (Tel: 020 7403 3331)
Wed 06 May NOTTINGHAM RESCUE ROOMS (Tel: 08713 100 000)
Thu 07 May NORWICH WATERFRONT (Tel: 01603 508 050)
Sat 09 May MANCHESTER ACADEMY 2 (Tel: 0871 2200 260)
Sun 10 May BIRMINGHAM ACADEMY 2 (Tel: 0844 477 2000)
Tue 12 May CARDIFF POINT (Tel: 08713 100 000)
Wed 13 May SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY (Tel: 02380 632 601)

The Maccabees Official Website
The Maccabees MySpace

Making huge strides into the mainstream, hotly tipped Kentucky quartet Cage The Elephant return with the new single “In One Ear” on October 6th, 2008 on Relentless.

“In One Ear” is taken from the band’s debut album and follows the recent single “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked”.

A stomping, swaggering blast of classic rock ‘n’ roll attitude that adds fresh impetus and pays homage to influences such as Jimi Hendrix, Kings of Leon, The White Stripes and Red Hot Chili Peppers, “In One Ear” demonstrates why Cage The Elephant have become one of 2008’s most promising new bands.

“In One Ear” will be available on CD, 7″ and download formats. The 7″ is backed with an exclusive b-side in the shape of the Wicked Devil’s Remix of “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked” that features a sample of Max Romeo and The Upsetter’s 1976 cult classic “I Chase The Devil”. This remix was recently named Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record in the World.

The single will be also available as a special £10 ticket bundle from www.recordstore.co.uk/cagetheelephant that offers a ticket for the band’s forthcoming UK tour and 3 single formats, including an exclusive Recordstore 7″ that’s backed with a Radio 1 session recording of Iggy & The Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog”.

Having recently relocated to London, the band’s incendiary live shows have graced the road alongside a diverse selection of bands lead by Cage The Elephant admirers Queens of the Stone Age as well as bands including Pigeon Detectives, Foals, The Subways and Simple Plan.

Cage The Elephant also proved to be a resounding and undeniable highlight of The Great Escape following their killer British TV debut with a live performance on Channel 4’s Nokia Green Room. Previously b-listed at Radio 1, Cage The Elephant were also awarded Single of the Week by both Edith Bowman and Jo Whiley.

Having recently played an Ibiza Rocks show with The Streets, Cage The Elephant’s rising momentum continued with blinding performances at Reading and Leeds. The band kicked off the festival weekend initially with a campfire acoustic set in the Reading campsite.

The band will follow the festival shows with an extensive UK headline tour in November.

Cage The Elephant 2008 tour dates:

September 2008

6th – Bestival

Headline shows

November 2008

1st – Coventry, Kasbah
2nd – Oxford, Academy
3rd – Cambridge, Junction
4th – Brighton, Concorde 2
5th – Plymouth, The Hub
7th – Manchester, Club Academy
8th – Leeds, Cockpit
9th – Liverpool, Academy 2
10th – Bristol, Thekla
12th – Dundee, Fat Sams
13th – Glasgow, King Tuts
14th – Aberdeen, Moshulu
15th – Inverness, The Raigmore
17th – Nottingham, Rock City
18th – London, Scala
19th – Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
21st – Stoke, Sugarmill
22nd – Middlesbrough, Empire
23rd – York, The Duchess

“Inexplicably exciting” – NME

“The best musical moment of the year thus far” – The Fly

“A Mick Jagger-fronted Rage Against The Machine” – Clash

“Animated singalongs that aggressively mix rock and funk” – Mail on Sunday

MySpace
Cage The Elephant Official Website

Cage The Elephant just released their self titled debut album on Monday (Relentless Records / DSP) and now they’re set to appear on Zane Lowe, Radio 1 in session at Maida Vale tonight (June 25)!

Tune into Zane Lowe on Radio 1 this evening to hear the band in session at Maida Vale.

Friday, June 27th, 2008 sees Cage The Elephant hit up FOPP in Bristol for an instore launch before heading to Glastonbury for a Friday night performance.

For further details please check:

Myspace
Cage The Elephant Official Website

BBC’s Radio 1 just world premiered The Verve’s new single “Love Is Noise” last night.

Here’s the quote: “30 seconds in and I’m blown away” – Zane Lowe

You can now stream it on their Myspace.

The US release date is August 19th, 2008 stay tuned for more information.

The Verve 2008 tour dates:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to The Verve’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

27 June The Eden Project Cornwall
29 June Glastonbury Festival Glastonbury
4 July Werchter Festival Werchter
5 July Bobital Festival Bobital
11 July T In The Park Kinross
12 July Oxegen Festival Dublin
16 July Italia Wave Festival Livorno
18 July Summercase Festival Madrid
19 July Summercase Festival Barcelona
9 August Summersonic Festival Tokyo
10 August Summersonic Festival Osaka
16 August V Festival Stafford
17 August V Festival Chelmsford

The Verve Official Website

Guillemots’ new single “Get Over It” makes its Radio 1 debut on Zane Lowe’s show, Tuesday 29th, 2008 – so be sure to tune in.

They’ll be previewing tracks from the white-hot new LP ‘Red’, set for release on March 24th.

Upcoming Shows: Manchester’s Ritz (March 9th), Oxford Academy (March 10th) and London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire (March 11th).

Guillemots Official Website

A good New Year’s resolution for 2008 could be to support more live music! If any of these acts happen to be playing in a town near you, go and check them out – you’ll be glad you did!

Cage The Elephant

I really can’t wait for 2008, as it will be the year that the world discovers Cage The Elephant. A five piece from Kentucky, the young quintet are residing in London for the next year or so. This year saw them tour with The Wombats, Foals, Queens Of The Stoneage and The Ravonettes. The band also released their first ever limited edition 7″ of double A side single “Free Love / Tiny Little Robots”. With amazing early support from Gigwise, Click Music, Clash Magazine, NME and everyone else that happens to see them live, CTE are surely the one to put your money on for 2008. Not since Kings of Leon / Foo Fighters / Rolling Stones have we seen a band like this. Lock up your daughters, for Cage The Elephant are loose! They return in 2008 with second single “In One Ear” which has already been getting a lot of Zane Lowe love.

Cage The Elephant on Myspace
Cage The Elephant Official Website

Dawn Kinnard

A weird yet wonderful Pennsylvanian, Dawn Kinnard will be one of those surely to get into the Mercury Shortlist in 2008. With songwriting that breaks all current trends, Dawn is as original as she is incredible. With excellent live shows in London, Dawn picked up features from the Guardian Music online and Q4 Music along with that vital word of mouth ’secret for 2008′ vibe. Always surprising the audience with her guest performer for sublime track “Clear The Way”, Dawn recently was joined on stage by Cerys Mathews in London’s Soho Revue Bar. Dawn Kinnard’s debut single “Fortune Teller / Devils Flame” has already had Radio 1, 2 and 6Music spins and is due for release in January 2008 with the album ‘The Courtesy Fall’ set for an April 2008 release.

Dawn Kinnard on Myspace

Harrys Gym

A Norwegian quartet with a front woman oozing enough cool kid charisma to match that of Karen O, Anna Lise can easily hold a room full of male music critics, and aspiring musicians in the palm of her hand – and in awe! Creating music that slips perfectly into the indie pop rock dance category, Harrys Gym music could be filled in between Bowie and Blonde.

Harrys Gym on Myspace
Harrys Gym Official Website

KT Tunstall

Not much introduction needed for the Scottish lady with the shiny silver guitar. KT released her second album proper ‘Drastic Fantastic’ in September 2007, along with the two singles “Hold On” and “Saving My Face”. A total album chart resident, “Eye To The Telescope” set the bar for KT’s recent offering, and unsurprisingly, ‘Drastic Fantastic’ has also kept the standards high. KT will be back in 2008 with another single and a massive April UK tour.

KT Tunstall on Myspace
KT Tunstall Official Website

Ben’s Brother

A five piece London band with the songs that will have you getting back in touch with your emotional side – Ben’s Brother’s music is powerful with emotive lyrical content. Having recently been forced to rush release their album in the US, the band are set to take the States by storm in 2008. Having had syncs in Greys Anatomy, the band’s new single “Stuttering, Kiss Me Again” was also used in a chewing Gum Commercial that sent the Myspace and YouTube hits through the roof! Their debut album ‘Beta Male Fairytales’ was released in July 2007 and the band will enter the new year in March 2008, with this new single.

Ben’s Brother on Myspace
Ben’s Brother Official Website

Justin Nozuka

A Canadian singer songwriter that has all the young girls cutting off their arms for a piece of him, Justin Nozuka has surprisingly taken on this audience by default. Writing mature and complex old school R&B mixed with modern pop, Nozuka strums a guitar like an old time pro. At just nineteen, he has a long career ahead of him and this year will be the one to take notice of such a talent. Ready to properly release his album and concentrate on his music, Justin has just finally finished College.

Justin Nozuka on Myspace
Justin Nozuka Official Website

Joss Stone

Joss will be releasing her third single of the new album ‘Baby Baby Baby’ in February 2008. She performed at Fashion Rocks, Live Earth, Glastonbury and many others this year, along with her version of “Love” being used in the new Coco Chanel perfume commercial.

Joss Stone on Myspace
Joss Stone Official Website

Union Of Knives

This Scottish indie dance band will return in 2008 for the first time since 2006.

Union Of Knives on Myspace
Union Of Knives Official Website

We have just a handful of bands for you to peruse, here on Band Weblogs. Don’t forget to click on the bands’ website links to learn more about them and to listen to their music.

5 Bands to watch in 2008:

1. The Rushes
The Rushes are Gerard, Dan, Joe and James. Most of them met studying in Leeds. James and Gerard are post-irish, pseudo-catholic-guilt-ridden brothers from Birmingham, Dan is from London and Joe is from Colchester. They like songs more than scenes and are currently near completion of recording their first album for Island Records with producer Victor Van Vugt (Athlete, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey). The Rushes will release the first single from the album, ‘Corners’, in March 2008. Other tracks to watch out for are the brilliant “Will You Won’t You” and “What You Waiting For” – the early demo’s of these songs were released last year and can be heard on the bands myspace.

The Rushes on Myspace
The Rushes Official Website

2. Parka
Hailing from Scotland but now based in East London, Parka have already toured with the likes of Switches, Foals, Boy Kill Boy and The Young Knives this year and amassed more and more supporters along the way. Their recent XFM Scotland session saw the band cover Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” and had the studio rolling about in hysterics by the time they got to the chorus. Parka have also been featured in the Hot New Ones in the NME chart on MTV2 with the angular video for previous single “If You Wanna?”. Parka prepare to release a brand new version of “Disco Dancer” on January 7th, 2008.

Parka on Mypace
Parka Official Website

The three bands below have had a single out in 2007, but we are feeling them for 2008 so have a listen:

3. The Courteeners
Liam Fray was known around the North West prior to the formation of The Courteeners as one of Manchester’s most promising and popular songwriters. Having tired of being unable to make the big sound that he yearned for on his own, he recruited fellow Middleton dwellers, Campbell (drums), Cupello (bass) and Conan (guitar). All known to each other since school days, (Campbell lived next door but one), the transition from solo singer to band was a short and seemingly pre-ordained transition. Early shows at D-Percussion and around the Manchester area saw the band build a fanatical local following in a very short space of time and their shows soon became must attend events in the city.

When the 500 capacity Academy 3 show sold out in July prior to the band signing a record deal or even releasing a note it was clear that they were on the verge of something very special. Tickets for their Academy 2 show (1000) in October sold out as they went on sale. The Courteeners made their first appearance in London in August, playing to another sold out room that saw the mania of their Northern shows translated into a Southern context. That gig saw the music industry fall for the band and “Cavorting” became an NME single of the week whilst mentions in the tabloids and plays on Radio One only served to increase the sense that something important was happening. The next single “What Took You So Long” is set for release January 14th, 2008.

The Courteeners on Myspace

4. The Ghost Frequency
Armed with shards of broken guitar and the acidic crunch of retro analogue synths, The Ghost Frequency came screaming out of North East London like a heart on fire. In a small besmirched bedroom, with a driving fascination with electronic sound and Post-Hardcore, Doran, Murphy, Barney and Ross began piecing ideas together 10 months ago.

An impressive plethora of diverse influences (from At The Drive-In and Dead Kennedy’s, to Dead Boys, Richard Hell and all things New York punk, to the raw driving 80’s synthesis of DAF and The Normal) began to encourage The Ghost Frequency’s fast and unforgiving sound. Coupled with a love for Electro Breakdance from Cybotron plus Spank Rock and MIA and the writings of Haruki Murakami, the amalgamation was set to completion by Doran’s unhealthy preoccupation with Kate Bush, and the arrival of drummer Ben.

The Ghost Frequency are: Doran (vocals / synth), Ross (guitar / synth), Ben (drums), Murphy (guitars) and Barney (synths / computers).

The Ghost Frequency on Myspace
The Ghost Frequency review on Band Weblogs

5. Malakai
Malakai are a two-piece band from Bristol, UK. They comprise of Gee (vocals) and Scott (music). Their sound is a mix of beats and samples, drawing on a wide range of influences from dub to sixties pop, all tied together by Gee’s distinctive voice.

Discovered by Geoff Barrow from the Bristol band Portishead, to date Malakai have released a limited-edition 12″ on Barrow’s Invada label, called ‘Fading World’. ‘Fading World’ was followed up by their debut EP 1 on Island Records in September 2007. The lead track from EP 1, titled “The Battle” was Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe’s “Single of the Week” for w/c 9th July 2007 and The Guardian newspaper featured Malakai as their “New band of the day”.

Malakai on Myspace
Malakai Official Website

The Muse Wembley gigs are going to be brilliant for those lucky enough to go. Support bands for the shows will include: On Saturday June 16: The Streets, Dirty Pretty Things and Rodrigo Y Gabriela. On Sunday June 17: My Chemical Romance, Biffy Clyro and Shy Child with Zane Lowe DJing in between sets. If I had tickets and could only pick one night though, I would go on the Saturday. Great lineup. I’ve said before how much of a Muse fan I am and I love their music.

Watch Muse – “Map of The Problematique” video

*Dates could be added or changed! Go to the Official Muse Website for the latest tour dates and information.

June 16 2007 Wembley Stadium, London
June 17 2007 Wembley Stadium, London
June 23 2007 Parc des Princes Stadium, Paris
June 28 2007 Werchter Festival, Belgium
June 30 2007 Heineken Opener Festival, Poland
July 2 2007 Riga Arena, Riga
July 7 2007 Oxegen Festival, Ireland
July 12 2007 Prince Albert Event, Monaco
July 13 2007 Musilac, Aix Les Bains
July 14 2007 Moon and Stars, Switzerland
July 16 2007 Verona Arena, Italy
July 18 2007 Nimes Arena, Nimes
July 20 2007 Garden NEF, Angouleme
July 22 2007 Benicassim, Costa De Azahar
July 24 2007 Paleo, Nyon
July 29 2007 Pentaport Rock Festival, Incheon
August 1 2007 Arrow Hall, Mississauga, Ontario
August 2 2007 Freedom Hill Amphitheatre, Detroit, Michigan
August 4 2007 Lollapalooza, Chicago, Illinois
August 6 2007 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
August 9 2007 Patriot Center, Fairfax, Virginia
August 10 2007 Philadelphia Festival Pier, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
August 11 2007 Agganis Arena, Boston, Massachusetts
September 12 2007 The McKay Centre, Orem, Utah
September 18 2007 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver, Colorado

Muse Official Website
Muse on Myspace

By: Jenny May

The single and forthcoming album was produced by Steve Osborne (Doves, Elbow) and was mixed by Michael Brauer (Coldplay, Kooks). “Slowly” perfectly captures Grace’s trademark sound, boasting a rapidly infectious chorus.

Previous limited edition singles “Stand Still” and “Wonderful” received much praise including the former being included in The Sunday Times top 40 pop singles of 2006. Radio support for Grace has come from Jo Whiley and Zane Lowe at Radio 1 plus playlists at Virgin Radio and XFM.

Grace have recently performed live throughout the UK and their next show will be on April 25th at the Borderline in London.

Watch the video for “Wonderful” by Grace

“Going to be huge” – The Guardian

Grace Official Website
Grace on Myspace