THE UNDERRRUNNERS, 'NO GOD NO KING'

The Underrruners, 'No God No King'

The first thing that hits you round the face (and the ears) about The Underrruners' eagerly awaited debut LP, 'No God No King' is arguably the strength of its homage to the power euphoria of the 1980s and the nod to the likes of The Cure and Killing Joke. Delve a little deeper however into the foray of the mix, and the punk spirit that underpins the content, and you'll soon see that this is a far trickier beast to label, let alone compartmentalise into any sort of media-friendly package. 

This is a gutsy album, with artwork that sets the tone for an outright revolution using fantastic fictitious rebel imagery that could well be legit to the untrained eye (and unfamiliar ear). Opener 'Joyrider undoubtedly' takes its cues from a wholesome 1980s alt rock pilgrimage to which many of the subsequent tracks pay homage but the production is ultimately pretty clean across the board, adding clarity to the spiralling, spangly guitar-play courtesy of Pete Vincent, crispness to the rich vocals and bouncy bass-lines of Dave Roca and an almost unsettling sharpness to the powerful yet straightforward tempos punched out by drummer Eva Menon.

This isn't your run of the mill punk album, nor it a shameless Cure imitation. Sometimes the guitar leads off into unknown territory which leaves some songs feeling a little unfinished at times, though this mostly lends charisma to the stories told and the rallying cries laid bare in the songs. I feel as though the album would be improved with some more texture, perhaps in the form of some backing vocals or an even greater deviation from the band's clear yet by no means copycat-ed, influences.

Ultimately, the ability to gently navigate between storytelling narrative and fist-pumping, soaring anthem is a great skill indeed - and this album, in spite of the double-negative that crowns its title, is to be commended for its forthright-ness and proactivity, 

Check out The Underruners on Facebook via https://www.facebook.com/TheUnderrunners & on http://www.theunderrruners.com

TRASH CAM: Frankie Teardrop Dead at BSTV # 5, 19/09/14

FRANKIE TEARDROP DEAD

Live at BSTV Episode # 5

The Montague Arms

September 2014

https://www.facebook.com/frankieteardropdead

For BSTV footage of the band in action see:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j13RGuyCI7Q&list=UU6-IWyp6lwkvuYFS796FJ5g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIp539LezvA&list=UU6-IWyp6lwkvuYFS796FJ5g

All photographs: Kate Trash 

https://www.facebook.com/BSTVMusicChannel

TRASH CAM: Matagot at BSTV Episode # 5, 19/09/14

BSTV was pretty damn smug to welcome Matagot to its September Episode at the Montague Arms. Performing 'songs about girls, bodies, and things that make them angry, Matagot is an exciting and innovative quartet based in South East London who draw strongly on riot grrrl ethics, combined with beautiful and often haunting melodic harmonies to create gritty yet pensieve music that lingers long in the mind after it is heard, 

According to Wikipedia, a 'Matagot', or spirit in the form of a animal (usually a cat), is typically an evil creature. It's also alleged to bring riches into any home where it is well-fed. Enigmatic namesake aside, Matagot is undoubtedly one of the most eagerly awaited bands BSTV has had perform at one its nights, which was reflected in the sizeable crowd that gathered to hear them play.

The band was fresh from the recent release of the haunting, brilliant and enigmatic 'Lidless' along with an accompanying music video, and stunned those present with their unique interpretation of riot pop.

Lidless/ Teeth is available to buy via Bandcamp at: 

http://matagot.bandcamp.com/releases

All photographs: Kate Trash

TRASH CAM: th'sheridans at BSTV Episode # 5, 19/09/14

September saw BSTV move to the Montague Arms on Queen's Road for its fifth episode, a celebratory Smörgåsbord Party featuring BSTV favourites, associated bands and brand new acts! It was intended as a best of (or rather, a BST oV) everything we have arranged since our inception in Spring.

First on the bill were th'sheridans, a unique and fascinating band heralding from London, Zürich and Switzerland and LA. Combining ticky tacky drum machines, searing guitar, violin, sometime drums and clever vocal melodies, concepts and harmonies, th'sheridans are one of the most singularly innovative bands - both musically and structurally - that I have ever had the good fortune to hear. Prolific recorders of the EP, th’Sheridans have been recording interesting four-track snippets of art since 2010 and have just released their latest offering, Held at the Gates, produced and distributed through their own Eatery Records.

Held at the Gates, along with all previous material is available on th'sheridans' bandcamp: https://thsheridans.bandcamp.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/thsheridans/399733239467

https://twitter.com/thsheridans

All photographs: Kate Trash

https://www.facebook.com/BSTVMusicChannel

TRASH CAM: Cauldronated live at Proud Galleries, 12/09/14

Cauldronated is drummer Dave Barbarossa, Italian extrasolar poetess, vocalist Eva Menon and synth provider Dave Harman. Together, they create an innovative techno, drum-centric industrial punk band, performing live at the launch of debut EP, 'Buy This Thing'. The EP has been released through Hottwerk Records and Cauldronated is the first live band on the dance label's books.

http://www.cauldronated.net/

https://www.facebook.com/cauldronated

Check out BSTV's interview with Cauldronated and earlier interview with Dave Barbarossa on its Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bstvmusic

All photographs: Kate Trash

https://www.facebook.com/BSTVMusicChannel