Frank Turner - Headline Show at London O2 Academy Brixton

Having sold out London’s Roundhouse venue 2 months in advance, Frank Turner is overwhelmingly excited to announce that he will be headlining London’s Brixton’s 02 Academy later on this year.

The show will be his largest headline gig so far and an incredible achievement considering his humble beginnings of playing tiny venues, house parties, pubs, car parks and anywhere else that would have him - only a few years ago. Testament if ever there was need for one, that Frank Turner has turned underground cult status into a mainstream success story.

Frank says: “Life has been getting increasingly surreal in recent years, but headlining Brixton really is something special; I'm not sure I ever dared dream I'd get to this stage. It's an honour.”

The news comes just weeks before Frank embarks on his huge headline tour running throughout March, culminating in the sold out Roundhouse gig on 24th March. Coinciding with the tour Frank will also release a live version of hit single ‘Long Live The Queen’ digitally and on limited 7” vinyl on 22nd March 2010. Recorded at Frank’s incendiary sold out O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire show which took place last October, ‘Long Live The Queen’ captures the energy and passion of a triumphant pinnacle of Frank’s solo career. It features on ‘Take To The Road’ - an all encompassing DVD/CD package also released on 22nd March through Xtra Mile Recordings. Picking up where 2007’s ‘All About The Destination’ DVD left off it includes the entire live set from O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, the sold out show at Union Chapel at Christmas, as well as promo videos, tour diaries, backstage interviews, a photo gallery and the audio of the Shepherd’s Bush gig as a bonus CD disc.

Full dates are:
HEADLINE UK TOUR
MARCH 15 Northumbria Uni, Newcastle
16 Edinburgh Picture House
17 Manchester Academy
18 Leeds 02 Academy
19 Bristol 02 Academy SOLD OUT
21 Birmingham O2 Academy
22 Norwich Waterfront
23 Portsmouth Pyramids
24 London Roundhouse SOLD OUT

**EXTRA DATE ADDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND**
DECEMBER
12 LONDON O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON

Following the tour Frank will release the beautiful song ‘Isabel’ as the third single to be taken from his Top 40 album ‘Poetry Of The Deed’. To be released on 12th April 2010

Currently supporting Flogging Molly on their huge arena tour in the USA and having recently sold out solo shows in Toronto, Montreal and LA - the international plot continues to grow with a confirmed set at Coachella Festival in April, dates on the Revival Tour in Australia, gigs in Hong Kong and a slot at the famous Calgary Folk Festival in July. Further summer festivals to be announced over the next few months.

Zane Lowe’s Album Of The Week on Radio 1

“’There’s a beautiful straightforwardness to ‘Poetry…’ that will ring true if you’ve ever been young, in love, lonely, angry at the world or just plain happy to be alive. Which is all of us right?” 8/10 NME

“A latter day Billy Bragg.” 3/5 Q Magazine

"‘Poetry Of The Deed’ passes the test with flying colours." 8/10 Rocksound

“With a growing arsenal of hits and live favourites, Frank’s unleashed another album that will have you singing every word.” 4/5 Big Cheese

"More brilliant folk-punk strummery from everyone's favourite post-millennial wandering minstrel..." KERRANG!

www.frank-turner.com & www.myspace.com/frankturnerwww.xtramilerecordings.com
For further info contact: Dani/Charlie – info@presscounselpr.com 020-7792-9400

Crazy Arm - New single ‘Still To Keep' out 22nd March 2010

Jon Dailey: guitar/bass; Darren Johns: vocals/guitar; Simon Marsh: drums; Tim Rowing-Parker: bass/vocals

Crazy Arm release their third single ‘Still To Keep’ on 22nd March as a digital download and very limited 7” vinyl, to coincide with their 21-date UK and European tour with Frank Turner (and Chuck Ragan in the UK only). The 7” vinyl will be released as a split with Frank Turner’s live version of ‘Long Live The Queen’, exclusively for the tour.

Taken from the debut album ‘Born To Ruin’, the song has been a hugely popular mainstay of the band’s set throughout the past couple years, inspired at once by the crunchy pop majesty of Ted Leo and the earthy protest lore of Dick Gaughan and Phil Ochs. Despite calling out the cruel incompetence of parliament, the police and mindless patriotism, ‘Still To Keep’ proffers a world where positivity and a keen fighting spirit can prevail if we stick together and help each other out – on a personal and political level – even if the answers aren’t always forthcoming.

Crazy Arm’s debut album, 'Born To Ruin' – recorded by Pete Miles on the edge of Dartmoor – was released on Xtra Mile Recordings in June 2009 to much acclaim from fans and critics alike. The title is a celebration of history’s conscientious troublemakers as well as a respectful nod to Springsteen. The album is released on mainland Europe, through Gunner Records, on 19th March 2010.

Full CRAZY ARM tour dates:
March:
Sat 13th White Rabbit, Plymouth
Mon 15th Northumbria University, Newcastle*
Tues 16th Picture House, Edinburgh*
Weds 17th Academy, Manchester*
Thurs 18th Academy, Leeds*
Fri 19th Academy, Bristol*
Sun 21st Academy, Birmingham*
Mon 22nd UEA, Norwich*
Tues 23rd Pyramids, Portsmouth*
Weds 24th Roundhouse, London*
Sun 28th Exil, Zurich, Switzerland***
Mon 29th Universum, Stuttgart, Germany***
Tues 30th Schlachthof, Wiesbaden, Germany***
Weds 31st Uebel&Gafarhrlich, Hamburg, Germany***
April:
Thurs 1st Zakk, Dusseldorf, Germany***
Sat 3rd Lagerhaus, Bremen, Germany***
Sun 4th AB Club, Brussels, Belgium***
Mon 5th Effenaar, Eindhoven, Netherlands***
Tues 6th Tivoli, Utrecht, Netherlands***
Weds 7th Vera, Groningen, Netherlands***
Thurs 8th La Peniche Du Pianiste, Lille, France***
Fri 9th Boule Noire, Paris, France***

* w/Frank Turner & Chuck Ragan
*** w/Frank Turner only

What they said about ‘Born To Ruin’
‘Stunning’ KKKK – Kerrang!
‘Quite brilliant’ – Rock Sound
‘Best New Band’ of 2009 award – Big Cheese
‘Sure-fire contender for best debut album of 2009’ – Rock Midgets
‘An explosive blast of glorious creativity, power and honesty’ – Go2
‘They deserve to be huge’ – Mass Movement
‘Born To Ruin erupts into the room’ – The Music Fix
‘A dramatic, intelligent and impressive debut’ – Sputnik Music

www.myspace.com/crazyarm

For more information please contact info@presscounselpr.com 020 7792 9400

Trail - Release new single 'City' on 1st March

On 22nd February 2010 London five-piece Trail will release their stunning debut album ‘To the Rest of the World’ through indie label Twistid, which will be closely followed by the new single ‘City’ on 1st March 2010 – a driving Editors-esque song with a haunting grooved bass line and melancholic rock riff.

As their name suggests Trail are beating their own path to musical notoriety and acclaim. Formed in 2007 by singer songwriter Charlie Afif and guitarist Alex Mattey the pair brought together their varied influences from Dylan and the Water Boys to 90’s grunge and started to craft a sound of their own. Recruiting mates Simon Glynn on bass, Eireann Kelly on guitar (and later joined by Minco De Bruin on Drums), they started to play some local shows and with a surprising amount of early support quickly became regulars on the London circuit that year playing the O2 Wireless festival in Hyde Park as a result of making the final 11 in the O2 Undiscovered contest (from over 3000 entrants).

With a rapidly growing fanbase Trail started to raise money on inspirational financial platform slicethepie.com. In just 9 months they had successfully amassed enough investors to raise £20k to help record their debut album. It was around this time they began attracting attention from across the Atlantic and soon multi-platinum producer Matt Wallace (Faith No More/Maroon 5) took an interest in the band and their songs. Recognising their songwriting abilities and potential he invited them over to LA to record their album and together they created, ‘To the Rest of the World’.

’To the Rest of the World’ is a mature debut - a sonic journey that takes the listener through all the tumultuous highs, lows and confused in-betweens that follow on from early youth. Opening with the instantly hooky Muse-like ‘Prism’ it's full of high energy, catchy rock anthems (Flare, Forever Young and Fumes) sure to incite approving nods from Foos and Biffy Clyro fans as well as dark, menacing tracks (‘All Down’, ‘I Want To Know’) before the album title track brings the record to a hypnotic climax.

Confirmed live dates:

21 Feb Tommy Flynns Camden, London
22 Feb The Luminaire - ALBUM LAUNCH NIGHT! Kilburn, London
26 Feb The Met Lounge (14+) Peterborough, Midlands
3 March The Zanzibar (16+) Liverpool
4 March The Blue Cat Cafe, Stockport
5 March Milo Leeds
10 March Tommy Flynns Camden, London
25 March Bar Music Hall - Shoreditch, London
26 March The Prince Albert Brighton
31 March The Central Nottingham
22 April Cross Kings London, London
29 April The Camden Rock Camden, London

www.myspace.com/trailmusic

Straight Lines - Announce headline tour and dates with InMe and The Automatic to coincide with the release of ‘Runaway Now’!

- Tom Jenkins (Vocals/Guitar) - Dane Campbell (Drums/Backing Vocals) - James Pugh (Guitar) - Todd Campbell (Bass/Backing Vocals) -

With the release of their debut album ‘Persistence In This Game’ only a few weeks away (15th February) Straight Lines are ready to announce details of their first headline tour and support slots with InMe and The Automatic. To coincide with the tour Straight Lines will be releasing new single ‘Runaway Now’ on 1st March through Xtra Mile Recordings (Frank Turner, The Xcerts, Reuben…). The single is backed with the tracks ‘Cutting Loose’ and ‘Runaway Now (acoustic)’.

‘Runaway Now’ shows Straight Lines’ ability to pen a catchy anthem that encroaches more on the mainstream than ‘Versus The Allegiance’ - their debut EP that was sold at shows towards the end of 2009 shifting up to 200 copies a night. Make sure you catch them now before they transcend their peers!

SUPPORTING INME
9 Feb Moho Live, Manchester
10 Feb Sheffield Uni, Sheffield
11 Feb Waterfront, Norwich
12 Feb Square, Harlow
13 Feb Engine Rooms, Brighton

HEADLINE TOUR
16 Feb Birmingham Academy, Birmingham
17 Feb Masque, Liverpool
18 Feb Rock City, Nottingham
20 Feb Cockpit, Leeds
22 Feb Swansea Hall, Swansea
23 Feb Enterprise, London
24 Feb Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
25 Feb Twist, Colchester
27 Feb Night N Day, Manchester
28 Feb Fibbers, York

SUPPORTING THE AUTOMATIC
2 Mar 12 Bar, Swindon
4 Mar Cavern, Exeter
5 Mar Princess Pavilion, Falmouth
6 Mar Orange Box, Yeovil
7 Mar Guild Hall, Gloucester
8 Mar 02 Academy, Oxford
9 Mar Arts Centre, Colchester
11 Mar Roadmenders, Northampton
12 Mar Sugarmill, Stoke
13 Mar Adelphi, Hull
14 Mar 02 Academy, Liverpool

www.myspace.com/straightlines
www.xtramilerecordings.com
www.myspace.com/xtramilerecordings

For more information please contact Griff (National/Online) or Anthea (Regional) - info@presscounsel.com - 020 7792 9400

Reef - Come Back Brighter

2010 heralds the return of the unstoppable force of nature that is REEF. Dominic, Gary, Jack and Kenwyn are delighted to announce that they will be heading out on the road again in April. The West Country’s favourite sons came together again a couple of weeks ago and such was the energy and positivity between them that a reunion and tour was quickly decided upon. The wheels put in motion, a nationwide tour has been booked and rehearsals booked in.

REEF formed in 1993, signing to Sony imprint S2 Records the following year. Their debut 1995 album REPLENISH achieved Gold status and saw the band play shows with the Rolling Stones, Paul Weller and Soundgarden.

The follow up to Replenish, 1997’s GLOW stormed the UK Charts at Number 1 and included the single ‘Place Your Hands’. In 1999 the band released RIDES (George Drakoulias) and in the same year the band saw off the likes of Oasis and Pulp to win the Music Industry’s Soccer Six competition. Rides was followed by the poppier sounding GETAWAY produced by Al Clay (Pixies, Stereophonics) in 2000 which was most notable for the single ‘Set The Record Straight’. Always a favourite at shows and Festivals alike, the band made many high profile appearances during this period, including Glastonbury and Reading festivals.

TOGETHER – THE BEST OF REEF was released by S2 in 2003. It was around then that he band decided to take an extended break from Reef. They have been working on several projects in the interim including Dominic playing with Mick Jones (The Clash) and Tony James (Gen X) in Carbon/Silicon and Gary and Jack forming THEM IS ME and releasing their debut album in 2008.

THE DATES WILL BE RELEASED EXCLUSIVELY TO FANS FIRST ON 26th NOVEMBER VIA THE BAND'S WEB SITE WITH TICKETS AVAILABLE ON 1st DECEMBER 2009

www.reefband.com
www.myspace.com/reefmusicuk

For further details contact: Charlie (National), Anthea (Regional) or Griff (Online) 020 7792 9400 firstname@presscounsel.com

The Xcerts - End a Triumphant Year with their Final Tour of 2009 and commence work on Sophomore album!

“Ludicrously Punchy” – Steve Lamacq
'...classic piece of air-punching melancholia' - Observer

2009 has been quite a year for THE XCERTS. It all kicked off with the release of their amazingly anthemic single ‘Crisis In The Slow Lane’ which The Observer called a ‘classic piece of air-punching melancholia’. This was swiftly followed with the release of the band’s eagerly awaited Dave Eringa (Ash, 3 Colours Red, Idlewild…) produced debut album ‘In The Cold Wild We Smile’ which got glowing reviews across the board (Kerrang! 4/5, Rock Sound 8/10, Big Cheese 5/5). For the launch of the record the band took to the waters of Loch Ness and performed a very special show on a boat!

The band were invited to play at British Anthems in Tokyo and were flown out to the music industry showcase by the British Embassy to perform live and represent their country. In June the band released the single ‘Just Go Home’ and embarked on tours with Feeder and My Vitriol.

The Xcerts played a whole host of festivals over the summer including Wickerman, Truck and Boardmasters, winning over new fans with every show. To coincide with this the band released a very special live album ‘Live At King Tuts’ exclusively through iTunes which was recorded at the band’s sold out launch show for ‘Crisis In The Slow Lane’.

Last month the band released their third single ‘Nightschool’ and toured with their childhood heroes Idlewild, friends This City and musical stalwarts Funeral for a Friend, despite bassist Jordan Smith being forced to do the tour with a broken wrist! Never content with wresting on their laurels The Xcerts will be hitting the road for one final time before the end of the year. Dates below:

November
12 The Registry, Portsmouth
17 The Freebutt, Brighton
18 Barfly, London
19 New Slang @ McClusky’s, Kingston
December
3 The Ruby Lounge, Manchester
4 Lexington, London
5 Firefly, Worcester
10 Harley’s, Bathgate
11 Devitos, Arbroath
12 Twa Tams, Perth
13 The Cell, Kilmarnock
15 Electric Circus, Edinburgh
19 Doghouse, Dundee
20 King Tuts, Glasgow
21 Ironworks, Inverness
22 The Tunnels, Aberdeen

As well as all of this The Xcerts have found time to work on material that will form their as yet untitled second record. You can expect to hear the first of the band’s new material in early 2010.

http://www.myspace.com/thexcerts
http://www.xtramilerecordings.com/ & www.myspace.com/xtramilerecordings

The Xcerts debut album ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile’ is out now on Xtra Mile Recordings! Here’s what the press had to say:
“Charged with youthful hope and exuberance, every riff and anthemic chorus points to a bright future for these talented lads." - Kerrang! 4/5
“...this debut is inch-perfect, merging heartstring-tugging delicacy with buoyant distortion... If you're searching for pop with balls but no bullshit, look no further.” - Rock Sound 8/10
"'In The Cold Wind We Smile' is a triumphant, life-affirming classic" - Big Cheese 5/5

For more information please contact griff@presscounsel.com (National/Online) or anthea@presscounsel.com (Regional) – 020 7792 9400

The Xcerts - Announce Main Support on Idlewild’s Forthcoming Tour, Dates with This City and New Single ‘Nightschool’

“Ludicrously Punchy” – Steve Lamacq
'...classic piece of air-punching melancholia' - Observer

Having recently rewarded fans’ loyalty with a very special live album ‘Live At King’s Tut’s’ made available exclusively through iTunes, THE XCERTS are now set to release the third single from their critically acclaimed debut album; ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile’. ‘Nightschool’ - a standout fan favourite in the band’s live set – will be released as a download single on 5th October through Xtra Mile Recordings. The angst-ridden anthem will be backed with an atmospheric remix of ‘Home Vs Home’ by The Blueskies.

The video for ‘Nightschool’ captures the essence of the band’s live set with a raucous performance at a house party. Directed by Ricky Gibb and Richard Watson and shot at lead singer Murray MacLeod’s house at night, the video depicts the preparations for and goings-on at the house party building to a climatic end with the band performing live in the garden.

In addition to news of this single release The Xcerts can also announce that they will be taking to the road with friends This City in September and then supporting their childhood heroes Idlewild in October.

You can catch them at the following gigs:

August
15th - Leefest, Kent
20th - Harley’s, Bathgate
22nd GRV - SOS Festival, Edinburgh
29th - Greenbelt Festival, Cheltenham
31st - Beachdown festival, Brighton
September
17th - Cavern, Exeter
18th - Inn On The Sqaure, Barnstaple
19th - Southsea Festival, Portsmouth
24th - The Tap House, Kidderminster with This City
25th - Unit, Southampton with This City
26th - Club Revolution, Peterborough with This City
27th - Fat Sam’s, Dundee with This City
28th - Tunnels, Aberdeen with This City
29th - Oran Mor, Glasgow with This City
30th - Fibbers, York with This City
October
2nd - Rock City, Nottingham with This City
3rd - Academy 3, Birmingham with This City
4th - Bivouac@Scy, Lincoln with This City
5th - Audio, Brighton with This City
6th - Barfly, London with This City
7th - Roadhouse, Manchester with This City
9th - Mad Ferret, Preston with This City
October
10th - Manchester University, Manchester supporting Idlewild
11th - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham supporting Idlewild
12th - Phoenix Centre, Exeter supporting Idlewild
13th - Arts Centre, Colchester supporting Idlewild
15th - Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea supporting Idlewild
16th - Electric Ballroom, London supporting Idlewild
18th - O2 Academy, Oxford supporting Idlewild
19th - Waterfront, Norwich supporting Idlewild

www.myspace.com/thexcerts & http://www.xtramilerecordings.com/ & www.myspace.com/xtramilerecordings

The Xcerts debut album ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile’ is out now on Xtra Mile Recordings!
Here’s what the press had to say:
“Charged with youthful hope and exuberance, every riff and anthemic chorus points to a bright future for these talented lads." - Kerrang! 4/5
“...this debut is inch-perfect, merging heartstring-tugging delicacy with buoyant distortion... If you're searching for pop with balls but no bullshit, look no further.” - Rock Sound 8/10
"'In The Cold Wind We Smile' is a triumphant, life-affirming classic" - Big Cheese 5/5

For more information please contact griff@presscounsel.com (National/Online) or anthea@presscounsel.com (Regional) – 020 7792 9400

The Xcerts - 'Live At King Tut's' Album

“Ludicrously Punchy” – Steve Lamacq
'...classic piece of air-punching melancholia' - Observer

Release mini album ‘Live At King Tut’s’ exclusively through iTunes.
Perform at the Relentless Garage on the Week of Opening!

Having recently returned from tours with UK heavyweights My Vitriol and Feeder, THE XCERTS are now set to release a live album ‘Live At King Tut’s’ as their headline tour continues to roll through the UK. ‘Live At King Tut’s’ captures a very special sold out show from the launch of their ‘Crisis In The Slow Lane’ single released on Xtra Mile / King Tut’s Recordings. The set was mixed by Dave Eringa (Idlewild, Manic Street Preachers) who produced the band’s debut album, and will be available exclusively through iTunes on 27th July. The energetically charged eight song set includes previously unreleased track, ‘Beige’.

Singer Murray Macleod said of the show “It’s every kids dream to play King Tut’s and to sell it out was a big milestone for us. When our soundman Nelly suggested recording it we were nervous but it came out so well that we wanted our fans to hear it too. It’s a bit rough and ready but it represents the breaking point of 2 years hard touring and we couldn’t be more proud.”

THE XCERTS forthcoming tour dates include a show at the newly refurbished Relentless Garage (London) in the venue’s first week of performances in over two years. After that they’ll be stopping off at a slew of summer festivals, playing before old touring buddies BRAKES at Boardmasters Festival.

JUNE
25th Warwick Uni, Warwick
26th Westend Centre, Aldershot
29th Barfly, Cardiff
JULY
1st The Garage, London
2nd The Grapes Cellar, Hereford
3rd Electric Bay Festival, Scotland
4th Electric Bay Festival, Scotland
5th Ice Factory, Perth
24th Wickerman Festival, Scotland
26th Truck Festival, Oxford
AUGUST
1st Hevy Festival, Folkestone
7th Boardmasters Festival, Newquay
9th BBQ Your Life. Brixton Windmill, London (special covers show with Winnebago Deal and 4 or 5 Magicians)
15th Leefest, Kent
22nd GRV - SOS Festival, Edinburgh
31st Beachdown Festival, Brighton
SEPTEMBER
19th Southsea Festival, Portsmouth

www.myspace.com/thexcerts
www.xtramilerecordings.com
www.myspace.com/xtramilerecordings

The Xcerts debut album ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile’ is out now on Xtra Mile Recordings!
Here’s what the press had to say:
“Charged with youthful hope and exuberance, every riff and anthemic chorus points to a bright future for these talented lads." - Kerrang! 4/5
“...this debut is inch-perfect, merging heartstring-tugging delicacy with buoyant distortion... If you're searching for pop with balls but no bullshit, look no further.” - Rock Sound 8/10
"'In The Cold Wind We Smile' is a triumphant, life-affirming classic" - Big Cheese 5/5

For more information please contact griff@presscounsel.com (National/Online) or anthea@presscounsel.com (Regional) – 020 7792 9400

The Jacks - Debut single 'Not Me Not You'

The Jacks are: DOMINICK GOLDSMITH – Vocals and rhythm guitar; PAUL COLLEY – Vocals and bass; JACK GOURLAY – Guitar MARTIN ROONEY- Drums

www.myspace.com/thejackstunes

The Jacks will release their debut single “Not Me Not You” on 29th June. Formed in Spring 2007, The Jacks are Dom Goldsmith, Paul Colley, Jack Gourlay and Martin Rooney. Hailing from Northampton, some of The Jacks met at school, some of them met in a local music store and some of them met in a pub. Plundering sonics from a variety of styles and an array of genres their sound is not limited and will always evolve. Of late, some say their sound is more infectious than swine flu and that it makes you twice as sweaty. Having proven themselves on the live scene by employing immaculate attention to detail they create an impressive live show that is fizzing with energy and yet still incredibly tight.

In their first year this live reputation saw them sell out the Camden Barfly on two occasions and play everywhere from London to Liverpool, leaving a trail of chorus chanting crowds in their wake. They also gained support slots with the likes of One Night Only, Newton Faulkner and Imperial Leisure, and in April 2008 they could be found in their little bus behind press darlings The Long Blondes, having managed to hustle a few opening slots of their UK tour. On the back of this The Jacks attracted the expertise of Saul Davies to produce “Not Me Not You” at the Fish Factory Studios in Neasden. The track was recorded live - like in the good old days.

The term “sound of the summer” is here aptly applied; Not Me Not You, along with B-side “Do Or Don’t”, is the perfect accompaniment to your beach barbeque, better than ketchup in fact. Twinkling harmonies and genuine sing-a-long lyrics combine with a catchy melody to create a song that gallops along faster than Black Beauty on speed. In fact, the only thing better than listening to this song on a sunny day, driving with the windows down and the sun blazing, is seeing it performed live.

The Jacks first single ‘NOT ME NOT YOU’ b/w ‘DO OR DON’T’ will be released on 29th June 2009 on the bands own label, Jangle Chain Records. Cat No. JCR001.
9 June Club Fandango @ Dublin Castle London
10 June The Star of Bethnal Green London
26 June The Ridley Park Blyth
27 June Bedford Esquires Bedford
30 June Club fandango @ Dublin Castle London
4 July The William Cobbett Farnham
21 July The Roadmender w/Kid British Northampton
5 Sept The Roadmender Northampton

Want to know more? Contact Anthea Or Griff on 020 7792 9400 firstname@presscounsel.com

Crazy Arm - Debut album 'Broken By The Wheel'

Debut single ‘Broken By The Wheel’ (Xtra Mile Recordings) Released: 25th May 2009 Debut album ‘Born To Ruin’ (Xtra Mile Recordings) Released: 8th June 2009

Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that Plymouth hard-twang roots-punks, Crazy Arm’s debut album has been a long time coming. Not through want of trying, of course. In late-2006 the band headed into a local studio to bang an album into shape. A year later, and with an arsenal of new songs, they decided to scrap the recordings and start again. Another year later, and with another clutch of new songs, they reluctantly called a halt to proceedings and started afresh, for the third time, with Peter Miles (Sonic Boom Six, The King Blues, Failsafe) at the controls. The fact that his newly assembled studio was only 20 miles up the road, in the middle of a beautiful forest that backed onto Dartmoor, sweetened the deal somewhat.

The result is ‘Born To Ruin’. A debut album that sounds nothing like it would have done three years ago when the band were still in the embryonic stages, and perhaps nothing like it would have done if it hadn’t been recorded in such idyllic surroundings, where pheasants strolled around the grounds and vegan curries were mandatory. Not easy to categorise, and all the better for it, ‘Born To Ruin’ is an aural accumulation of years and years of influence and inspiration: rooted in hardcore/punk, ‘60s protest folk and timeless rock’n’roll. Of course, you may not actually hear the likes of Joni Mitchell, Led Zeppelin, Hűsker Dű, Crass or Gene Vincent but it’s all in there somewhere, adding weight and depth to songs that are as different from each other as they are from any other self-proclaimed punk band you care to mention.

But make no mistake. This is still a punk rock record. In the same way that ‘London Calling’ by The Clash, ‘The Argument’ by Fugazi and ‘Under The Fog’ by The King Blues are punk rock records. They don’t scream their ideas at you, they’re steeped in inventive melodies, and they spill over into many other styles but they are records that stand out as punk classics because of, not in spite of, their willingness to side-step punk stereotypes. For instance, ‘Blind Summit’ and ‘Broken By The Wheel’ may be dynamic country-punk anthems – all slide guitars and self-confession, but ‘Christ In Concrete’ and ‘Asphalt’ harness the dark brooding tones of 16 Horsepower. ‘Reassure Me’ may pack a melodic hardcore punch, but ‘International Front’ – a slight upon imperialist wars – and ‘Henry Fabian Flynn’ pay tribute to the protest song of Dick Gaughan, Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, et al. Elsewhere, live favourites like the galloping ‘Still To Keep’ call to mind the sub-pop sensibilities of Ted Leo or The Replacements, while the title track, and album centre-piece, is an epic celebration of history’s conscientious trouble-makers that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on ‘Physical Graffiti’. All told, ‘Born To Ruin’ is an embarrassment of riches full of stories told from a grass-roots perspective. And for a debut album, it’s something of a true revelation.

The band head out on a UK tour in June (confirmed dates below) to promote the album and are planning a European tour for August. Members are all vegetarian/vegan, atheist, internationalist and support human and animal rights struggles worldwide.

CONFIRMED TOUR DATES FOR JUNE
2nd Cavern, Exeter with NEW BRUISES £3
6th Hobos, Bridgend with A NEW DAY - FREE SHOW!
7th Fawcett Inn, Portsmouth with ASTPAI FREE SHOW
8th TBC
9th Farmhouse, Canterbury with RENTOKILL £5
10th TBC
11th King Alfs, Southampton with NEW BRUISES £5
12th White Rabbit, Plymouth with FAILSAFE - FREE SHOW!
14th Prince Albert, Brighton with LEMURIA £5
15th Norwich Marquee
16th Portland Arms, Cambridge
17th Purple Turtle, London with MISCHIEF BREW £5
18th Evolution, Worcester
19th The Xoo Club, Peterborough with LAUGHING IN THE FACE OF £3
20th White Rooms w/BROKEN FEW + more Sunderland
21st Cricketers w/SOUNDS OF SWAMI Keighley
22nd TBC w/SOUNDS OF SWAMI + more Leeds (tbc)
23rd TBC w/SOUNDS OF SWAMI + more Manchester (tbc)

All doors are at 8pm

www.myspace.com/crazyarm

REVIEWS OF DEMO EP ‘CROSS COUNTRY’
"Here we have a new band that sounds like a grizzled, road-hardy bunch of musicians singing for their supper, such is the inherent power and dirty glory of their songwriting. They should be standing on some huge stages sooner rather than later." punktastic.com "Powerful, progressive, political and inspirational. An immense, energy-fuelled, life-affirming statement of intent yet fragile, honest and heartfelt at the same time." The Fly "Crazy Arm bring hooks and edgy guitars aplenty on 'Cross Country'… I dripped drool all over the keyboard just thinking about a proper full-length." absolutepunk.net "The live energy they muster is immense. Straddling the margins between a punky militancy and folk fragility, they can spit out a tight, snarling, ballsy anthem and break your heart at the same time. Indeed, out of the strong came forth sweetness." 247

Sonic Boom Six - New album ‘City of Thieves’ and tour!

Release new album ‘City of Thieves’ through Rebel Alliance Recordings on 20th April and announce full National Tour!

The cross-cultural soundclash of underground genres that is Sonic Boom Six is back again with the release of their third album. ‘City of Thieves’ follows the concept of a collection of songs that explore and examine life in a large UK city. Built on the bedrock of the band’s unique ska-core/hip-hop/jungle hybrid, SB6 adds dubstep, grime and even a touch of glam rock to the mix while still managing to shove the boundaries of punk.

The album combines a multitude of creative talents with the first class production duties of Peter Miles (The King Blues, The Steal), incredible artwork courtesy of Dan Mumford (Gallows, ADTR) and guest appearances from Al Rumjen (King Prawn, ADF), Robin Leitch (Random Hand) and more! SB6 delivering their indisputably unique style of Ska Punk with a snarling live edge, feel-good brass and sweet dub-beats throughout. ‘City of Thieves’ will be released on 20th April through the band’s own label Rebel Alliance Recordings.

With this authentic album release under their studded belts, SB6 hit the road on a UK tour. Catch them smashing their grimy vocals and killer instruments into every club, festival and bar they show at.

‘CITY OF THIEVES’ TOUR with special guests Random Hand

APRIL
30th BRIGHTON THE ENGINE ROOMS
MAY
01st LONDON THE SCALA (CLUB NIGHT LATE SHOW)
02nd LONDON UNDERWORLD
03rd BRISTOL CROFT
04th EXETER THE CAVERN
05th CARDIFF BARFLY
06th YEOVIL ORANGE BOX
07th READING FACE BAR
08th ALTON COMMUNITY CENTRE
09th MANCHESTER
10th YORK FIBBERS
11th DARLINGTON FORUM
12th CAMBRIDGE MAN ON THE MOON
14th PLYMOUTH WHITE RABBIT
15th KETTERING SAWYERS
16th BRIDLINGTON SPA MUTINY FEST
17th DUNDEE DOGHOUSE
18th GLASGOW IVORY BLACKS
19th NEWCASTLE TRILLIANS
21st PETERBOROUGH PARK
22nd NARBETH QUEENS HALL
23rd BARROW IN FURNESS CANTEEN
24th LEEDS UNI SLAM DUNK
26th LIVERPOOL BARFLY
27th BIRMINGHAM ASYLUM
28th BLACKPOOL WEST COAST ROCK CAFE
29th NOTTINGHAM MAZE
30th SOUTHAMPTON TALKING HEADS
31st LONDON UNDERWORLD

http://www.sonicboomsix.co.uk/
http://www.myspace.com/sonicboomsix

For more information please contact Griff (National & Online) or Anthea at Press Counsel PR. Tel: 020 7792 9400 Email: firstname@presscounsel.com

Jonah Matranga - Solo UK Tour 2009

After a stunning reunion tour with seminal band FAR, Jonah Matranga returns to the UK this Spring, to play a handful of up close and personal shows.

Following a jaunt around Europe and showcases at the music industry festival SXSW in Austin Texas, Jonah, armed with only his acoustic guitar will be performing songs from an impressive career spanning 15 years. This will include tracks from his critically acclaimed album ‘AND’ released by Xtra Mile Recordings in 2007 such as the beautiful, ‘Not About a Girl or a Place’ and ‘So Long’, as well as hits of his previous bands Gratitude, New End Original and the aforementioned Far. These will be intimate and powerful nights of genuine and introspective lyrics alongside undisputable passionate music.

The tour dates are:
MARCH
31 Southampton, Hampton's
APRIL
1 Exeter, Cavern Club
2 Borderline, London
3 TBA
4 Glasgow, Nice N Sleazy
5 Newcastle private gig
6 Leeds, TBA
7 Newcastle, Trillian’s
8 Cambridge, Portland Arms

As with all his shows, the crowds can expect a real personal connection with Jonah. His solo gigs are intimate experiences that break down the barriers between performer and audience, creating a night to remember.

“Brilliant solo debut rendered in classic singer-songwriter style…a rare and undervalued talent.” 4/5 Q

“There are many that do what Jonah Matranga does, but ‘And’ is yet more proof that few do it anywhere near as well.” 9/10 Rock Sound

“…his voice alone is enough to melt the hardest heart and fans will still fall in love with this.” Kerrang!

www.xtramilerecordings.com & www.myspace.com/xtramilerecordings & www.myspace.com/jonahmatranga

For further info contact:
Charlie/Dani/Griff/Anthea Firstname@presscounsel.com 020-7792-9400