We close out our demo week, not with yet another new track from an undiscovered band, but instead with a repost of a track from Circle Six. Two reasons: 1) I am a lazy, lazy man and 2) I've been listening to these guy's four-song demo waaaay more than most of the new CDs I've received in the last six months. As I said the first time I posted this, Circle Six plays slow, crushing doom. We're talking glacier slow and face-melting heavy. I know there's a bazillion other bands doing the same kind of stuff right now, but I kid you not - this is some of the very best I've heard. Few can reach this level of intensity. It's the perfect soundtrack for Good Friday, doncha think?
Circle Six - Broken
Our week of non-stop demo music continues today with yet another band with an unfortunate name, the Instrumen. Everyone should know by now that I'm a sucker for angular hardcore/rock in the fine tradition of bands such as Jesus Lizard and Shellac and these dudes deliver the goods. As is stands right now, the vocals are kinda on the weak side and lacking in personality, but the riffs are solid, twisted and sharp as knives. Once they find their David Yow (whether it's within themselves or in an as-yet-unfound new member), they'll be on fire. I also wouldn't mind hearing a little more melody in there sometimes - they would benefit from the variety. The shimmering riff at the end of "Alcohol" is a shining example of what I'd like to hear more of. But since it's almost Easter, I've decided to post the song "Oh like Jesus" instead. It's seasonably appropriate, right?
Finland's Bitch Alert has a new website: http://www.bitchalert.org/
Two members have left David & the Citizens! But who? The announcement doesn't specify: http://citizensdiary.webblogg.se/130406104816_lets_not_fall_apart.html
The (International) Noise Conspiracy will be embarking on a headlining tour of North America in May, mostly only playing in Canada:
05/19 - El Corazon, Seattle, WA
05/20 - The Plaza Club, Vancouver, BC
05/22 - The Warehouse, Calgary, AB
05/23 - Starlite Room, Edmonton, AB
05/24 - The Distrikt, Regina, SK
05/25 - Pyramid Cabaret, Winnipeg, MB
05/26 - Varsity Theater, Minneapolis, MN
05/27 - Beat Kitchen, Chicago, IL
05/29 - Call The Office, London, ON
05/30 - Reverb, Toronto, ON
05/31 - Babylon, Ottawa, ON
06/01 - L'Anti, Quebec City, PQ
06/02 - Cabaret Du Musee, Montreal, PQ
06/03 - Axis, Boston, MA
06/05 - CBGB, New York, NY
Support on every date except for NYC will come from The Fever.
Dungen will tour Australia with Wolfmother in July:
07/13 - The Barton Theatre, Adelaide
07/15 - Festival Hall, Melbourne
07/16 - Challenge Stadium, Perth
07/20 - Hordern Pavillion, Sydney
07/22 - The Riverstage, Brisbane
Curious as to what Mikael from Opeth has been listening to lately? Check it: http://www.opeth.com/biography/mike_3.html
According to the Motorpsycho news blog, the band has acquired the services of Øyvind Brandtsegg as a touring musician, filling the role once occupied by Helge Sten/Deathprod. Read more: http://motorpsychonews.blogspot.com/2006/04/good-vibes.html
The Horror The Horror will be back in the UK in May:
05/19 - The Angel, Bedford (UK)
05/20 - The Faversham, Leeds (UK)
05/23 - Club Fandango, London (UK)
05/25 - Jabez Clegg, Manchester (UK)
05/26 - Club Nirvana, Wigan (UK)
05/27 - Nambucca, London (UK)
Updated dates for Finland's Goodnight Monsters:
04/15 - Bar Wellington, Tampere (FIN)
05/10 - Carnegie Hall, Tigerfest, Dunfermline (UK)
05/17 - Klub Drushba, Halle (GER)
05/18 - Ilses Erika, PopUp - Das Clubfestival, Leipzig (GER)
05/19 - Grüner Jäger, Hamburg (GER)
Finnish hardcore acts Down My Throat and St. Hood are touring Europe together:
06/02 - Moondock Warm-up Party, Recklinghausen (GER)
06/03 - Hardcore Soccer World Cup 2006, Recklinghausen (GER)
06/04 - tba, London (UK)
06/05 - tba, Glasgow (SCO)
06/07 - Le Bierstube, Tournai (BEL)
06/08 - T’ Verdriet, Zele (BEL)
06/09 - Little Devil, Tilburg (HOL)
06/10 - tba, Wolfburg (GER)
06/11 - MTC, Köln (GER)
06/12 - Wild At Heart, Berlin (GER)
06/14 - Megaclub, Katowice (POL)
Swedish hip-hop artist Supersci will finally release his long-awaited debut full-length "Pinetrees on the pavement" on April 24 via Flyphonic and will be celebrating with two record release shows. The first will be at Club B-line at Grodan Grevturegatan in Stockholm on April 21 and the second will be with Swedish producer Collén (Collén & Webb) at Red Rock in Sundsvall on April 29.
The Bear Quartet has posted a tour diary from their recent German trip: http://www.thebearquartet.com/tour.htm
Swedish only, unfortunately.
Stylus fawns over Under Byen: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3952
Look for our own flattering review to be posted this weekend.