ZX Tapes is ALIVE!

So ZX Tapes is back in the game. I have moved it off myspace (as i find unusable) and moved it to TUMBRL - http://zxtapes.tumblr.com/

In time i will move this blog over to there also. I have a few new projects to keep me going for the time being with future releases from Model Radio, Let it Die and Trojan Horse. I have also started a new hardcore band called Eyes Peeled - http://eyespeeledband.tumblr.com/ . We hope to record a demo this week at some point so keep updated through the above link.

Jon x

Les Yeux Fatigues Blog

Have recently stumbled across this pretty new blog and love it! For all your Math rock needs then this is the place to check out. With great post's from Pneu, Zona Mexicana and the outstanding Delta Sleep. Like i say it does seem to be a pretty new blog, but there does seem to be god regular posts.

Check it out!

Les Yeux Fatigues Blog

Pine Barrens

So here is another amazing local band that have just put up their demo on Bandcamp. Pine Barrens are pretty unrelenting. Playing a good fast brand of hardcore with interesting mix up's and changes. For a demo it sounds pretty darn good, bit rough and dirty!

This is a must!

Pine Barrens Demo 2010

Wheelchair, Wheelchair, Wheelchair, Wheelchair

Just when you thought it was safe...Here come's another release by Wheelchair,Wheelchair,Wheelchair,Wheelchair. Old time ZX favourites (search the blog for their amazing split with xHaroldshitmanx) playing there brutal thrash/grind for all to hear.

The EP starts with a typical WWWW intro track, slow and sludgy and heavy before cutting into a 30 second blast of hardcore! And so it continues. The whole EP is a bit rough (thats what we like) and with good mix up's between the slow heavy sludge and the blindly quick fast parts that will give you nose bleeds. This is good, very good and it's free, so get it!!!!


Wheelchair x 4 - Bandcamp (with free download to the Bald and Dead EP)

Facebook

Bluetip (Peel Sessions)

Here's a little treat for all of you Bluetip fans out there. Back in the year 2000 while touring the UK they did a live session for the legendary radio DJ John Peel. They recorded four tracks for the session.

1.Polymer
2.Anti-Bloom
3.Magnetified
4.Castanet

Bluetip - Live Peel Session

Garrison

Before the madness of Gay For Johnny Depp there was the sublimely good Garrison. I wanted to post up their first Bend Before the Break EP, but alas i have lost it! But even so here is the Be A Criminal album. This was a bit of a departure from the more emo fore said EP with a more poppy/punky feel but with pretty dark undertones. With good use of two singers (who sound pretty similar) then it is an enjoyable listen for sure.

I also found some pretty rare footage of them playing Harlow of the Bend Before The Break EP, so you can enjoy that as well!




Garrison - Be A Criminal

This Scares Me

Ok, so i have stolen this from the ever outstanding Circling The Drain Blog but this band was brilliant. Hectic, frantic and straight up fast. There really isn't alot to dislike, if anything about this band. The whole sound is fantastic, raw and fuzzy as hell. Like your tunes fast? Then get some.

This Scares Me 7"

Straight, No Chaser

Ahh what a amazing band these guys were. Inventive, chaotic and powerful. Hardcore as it should be. So you are in for a treat as they posted up all the stuff they put out on the blog link below. Can't recommend it highly enough.


Straight, No Chaser Downloads

That Fucking Tank

Other than having the best name ever these guys are amazing. Have been around a good few years playing all over the UK. Two guys playing great post rocky tunes, like a slightly more messed up Giraffes? Giraffes! then you can't go wrong.

This post is mainly for their first ever music video that some people did for free for them, and to raise some awareness for their hard work!

So here is the said Video!

That Fucking Tank: 'Mr Blood' from JakoMat on Vimeo.

More info can be found at their site here -> That Fucking Tank Site or at their Facebook Page here -> Facebook

Model Radio

I love Model Radio!!!!!! Hailing from the cold UK (hurrah!). I first stumbled across them many many months ago as one of them writes one of the blogs i did a post on a long time ago, but since then i haven't heard much from them. UNTIL NOW! With a few cheeky rough recordings then they are back!

Playing gruff punk, emo(ish), scramz?!? Who cares what it may or may not sound like as it sounds refreshing and well put together. There isn't too many bands doing this stuff well in the UK and it's great to hear some local(ish) lads getting on with it!

Check out there stuff on their Myspace page - myspace.com/modelradiouk or their new Facebook page

They will hopefully will have something out soon and be looking for gigs up and down the UK, so if you can help then get in contact and help them out.

Space Jam

Ok, so i haven't posted on here for ages and after the fall of ZX Tapes then i wasn't sure if to continue this blog but there's so much good stuff out there at the moment!!

First up is a great group of people from the US who put on bands in their house. I thought they are worth a mention as they have only just started up but are already doing a great job. Putting on such bands as Like Nomads, Shrk Wk amongst others. It's always good when people make safe places for touring bands or local bands to play! Here is a short message from their blog:

"booking (theories and practices)
we want to help out as many bands as we can, however we are only doing shows bi-monthly and keeping it to weekends. (except in extreme cases where we are helping out a band on the road that is very special to us)

if you have a show idea or need a show for your tour hit us up at bigbluehouse117@gmail.com

shows.records.providence.art.music.energy"

Here is the link to their blog which includes pictures, Live recording and videos of the past show they put on - Space Jam Blog

Trojan Horse

Here is Trojan Horse. Possibly the most underrated band swimming around my little city. I honestly don't know why as they power a huge prog rock hole through the bland and unoriginal bands that seem to plague this parts.

Now to just call them prog rock is somewhat unfair as they glimmer through heavy pounding beats to amazing sublime tripped out parts that at times blow your furry little heads. All the transitions are smooth and really well thought out, if only every band put this much effort into playing music. With tracks such as Laces and Racists to the happy, clappy Brazilian song then it has something for everyone.

To stream their album or purchase it then go here - http://trojanhorse.bandcamp.com/

So go turn the lights off, stick your headphones on and take a trip.

Age Sixteen

Now sadly departed, but here is their 2009 Tour Sampler CDR they did. As i live in the UK i could never really see them, but they did send me a copy of this. It was before they put out their album so had a couple of tracks off it and was a good taster of what was to come.

Tracklist:

1. Fabric
2. As Personal As A Greeting Card
3. The Lion & The Gazelle

2009 Tour Sampler CDR

Video Post 2

Cattle Drums - Two Pigeons




Shed For You - 12 Seconds




Jenny Piccolo - Donation To The Deaf




Big Kids - Kinda Like Fest Live Set (Part One)




The Exploration




The Shark Ate My Friend




Maximillian Colby - One Gallon Alda




Q And Not U - X-Polynation




Doomtree - Drumsticks




Pre - Fuk is Fun




Antipop Consortium - Dead in Motion

Aesop Rock

Legendary Hip Hop guy from New York. Amazing, intelligent rhymes that show an insight that few can do and backed up with thumbing beats and great samples then it's no wonder why he is on top of his game. With previous Ep's and album like Labour Days, None Shall pass each tagged with their own individual sounds that are ever evolving then you just have to check it out.



Bazooka Teeth EP

Mane Horse

Ok, so i'm stealing this post from the excellent Muzack blog where one of the members of Mane horse writes on. But this EP is pretty outstanding, and i have been listening to it constantly for the past couple of months or so. Hailing from California, this lot play upbeat, sugar rush emo, punk tunes that will brighten up anyone's day. With great twiddly guitars and brilliant vocals what's not to like, if you are a fan of Ape Up!, Cattle Drums then jump onto this!

MYSPACE

What Do You Mean We're Just Friends?

I Have Dreams

Some of the most powerful and emotionally driven music driven music i have ever heard. I had totally forgotten i had one of their EP's until the other day, and when i put it on it stills sounds as fresh as it ever did. Ranging from screamo/emo to gut punching heaviness there isn't much that can top the well put together tracks or the pure intensity of this. GET IT!

Three Days Till Christmas

Cowboys Become Folk Heroes

So i have been on a somewhat nostalgic Screamo binge of recent, going through all my old ep's and albums and this has to be one of my favourites. As raw as it comes really, Cowboys Become Folk Heroes play with a great intensity that has rarely been matched since. With great slower paced break down that gather speed until all hell breaks loose. Outstanding.

MYSPACE

S/T

Ampere

So, i guess most people have heard of Ampere. But if you haven't then get listening! Featuring ex members of Orchid, Last 40 Seconds and Wolves etc this bunch play short, technical and intelligent screamo jams that screams of fast paced energy. Much like a hurricane of awesomeness.

MYSAPCE

All Our Tomorrows End Today

A Troop of Echoes

Been meaning to post this for awhile (sorry guys!). So here is A Troop of Echoes, hailing from the good old US of A! The guys have gone down the post rock kinda groove, with similarities to Toe, a bit of Fago Sepia and all that good stuff which is popping up all over the place. But A Troop of Echoes do it all with a Saxophone and sometime a cheeky bit of keyboard. If anyone ever reads this blog then ya'll know i always like things to be a bit different and to stand out and how this does! The tunes are packed full off energy and are woven together like a fine antique rug. They have also played with the likes of Giraffes?, Giraffes!, Arcing and ZX Favourites Divets. Pisses me off i live in the UK and miss seeing all these awesome bands live!

They have just released (or did so about a month ago) their debt EP so if you fancy some then get to it and grab a copy. BUT if you want a taste then click below for a small sampler of a couple of their tunes. But don't be a mooch and go and grab a copy!

MYSPACE

A Troop of Echoes (3 Track Sampler)