Bullet by Steel Train

Rick Moranis does not carry any stature in his films, always playing nerdy, geeky, vunerable characters so imagine my difficulty in taking a band serious that has Rick for their lead singer. Well, Steel Train have got his doppelgänger leading the line for them and yet I still watched more. I don't know what made me watch the video in the first place, I can't be bothered normally and usually just delete any emails that are titled "New video from....". Something kept me hooked, there's something about the quality of the video (resolution rather than creativity) and the title "Harvey's Kitchen:Steel Train" that kept me watching. I saw this quite a while ago and left it in my inbox for when I had time to share it with you. Hope it was worth it.

MP3: Bullet - Steel Train

Wave Machines

While I was being slack at posting, Wave Machines were putting their best foot forward in the States and having a real go at breaking that little country across the pond. Their debut album is now out over there, they've performed at SxSW and now they're offering a free remix of Keep The Lights On. I'll be back with more soon, might be a week or so...

Nun - I Am Arrows

A quick heads up for you. Check out I Am Arrows web site and get 'Nun' as a free download when you sign up to their newsletter, it's worth it...

Winter - Paper Swords

TJ got in touch from Paper Swords and described his band as mainly orchestral folk-rock. That intrigued me and I was please with what I heard. Try "Winter" and see what you think. On third listen I'm thinking it's really quite something.

The Honey Pies

With 739 unread emails in my inbox I'm having to pick and choose which "request for submission" I pay attention to so it's always nice to get an email from an actual band member. Visiting their site I knew I'd get on with them when I saw their tour poster (see above) it's not that it's clever or funny but it's their "if you like our music you'll find out our tour dates" attitude. Turns out they're touring in Australia which is a bit of a trek for me (I'm struggling to get in to Bristol for gigs at the moment). However I can enjoy the pleasures of their music in my own home by downloading their EP for free here (you can of course make a donation if you like).

Their music has a Pete Doherty influenced feel to it, that kind of 'retro' but at the same time 'current' sound.

MP3: Sex Wax (Demo) - The Honey Pies

The World Cup Starts Today

...and of course everyone's favourite is England. Just ask the Canadians. They got their best band (no, Celine Dion hasn't put a band together) We Are Scientist to represent them in the largest tournament there is - putting a world cup song together for England. This event is bigger than Eurovision and the results are just as bad. However, so far, We Are Scientists are the clear winners. Download GOAL England from the official site, for FREE!

The Whigs - Free tracks off their new album

You may remember The Whigs from the album Mission Control which I think we featured on here in the early days. It may even have been around just before we started. They had an Oasis sound to them then but listening to the tracks off their new album they seem to have a sound of their own, more manly, more towards BRMC's first album. Even better is that you can download quite a few tracks off their album. Either visit their website for Hundred / Million and the title track In The Dark or go to RCRD LBL for Dying and Kill Me Carolyne. That's four tracks, all sounding good to me.

Blackout - The Knocks

This track is getting quite a lot of coverage around the blogs and got stuck in my head this morning. I keep thinking that I'm getting fed up with all this electronica and must find some decent guitar music but then one track gets stuck in my head and there's no other new music out there at the moment. Anyone else finding this? Comments please...

MP3: Blackout - The Knocks

Marina and the Diamonds - Free Cover Version

You may remember a little madam called Marina, we mentioned her a while ago. She seems to be doing pretty well for herself and this cover is proving popular on her tour. Starstrukk by 3oh 3 performed live in Norwich, download it here.

A band called Cha-Cha with a decent sound, no really

Seriously, how did this band end up with the name Cha-Cha? They're so much better than that. With a funky pop sound not dissimilar to The Virgins and the underrated Hockey they could be something of an underground success (can there be such a thing?). The record label are giving you a chance to download their latest single, The Fellowship, for free. Just visit the label's web site here. When I've reviewed the album I'll let you know all about that too.

Tom Williams & The Boat, single, video and a little thing called Glastonbury

Sorry if the above looks like an advert, it's not, well it's not meant to be. It's just the first image I could grab as I haven't got much time to knock this post out. Tom Williams & The Boat are releasing (on my birthday) their fine single 90MPH. I've had it for ages (did I post it, I can't remember) and it would be rude to upload it as they are trying to raise their bus fare to Glastonbury! Yep, Tom Williams & The Boat are performing at Glastonbury. To celebrate download this cool and calming number perfect for watching the sun go down on the longest day which just happens to be my birthday. I don't think they had that in mind when they chose the release date.

MP3: I Once Saw The Moon Turn Black - Tom Williams & The Boat

Did I mention it was my birthday on the 21st? Don't forget I've moved house if you're not delivering the card personally.