What's Wrong With The Mainstream September '10 Playist

I found this art here entitled fosil_rock.jpg surely it should be a rock tape!? Anyway, what a perfect image for this month's playlist which is turning in to a bi-monthly event. So here's the best of the past two months, as I can longer use my iPhone in the car without it blowing up (I'm on my third iPhone in three months) I haven't got much comment to go with the tracks as I haven't listened to them as much as I usually do.

The Naked and Famous are releasing this single as a limited edition 7" vinyl via Neon Gold record label and they are starting to make some waves in the UK. Check them out.
MP3: Young Blood - The Naked and Famous 

Dead Sons new band who have a mature sound that reveals their past - the five members have been in previous bands,  think The Last Shadow Puppets and you won't be far off. I think I discovered them through Sheffield Music Scene.
MP3: Temptation Pool - Dead Sons

Rock music with a drum machine, Drift Run are tipped for big things.
MP3: Addiction - Drift Run

The Vaccines are another band just making their way in to the big wide music world but have previous form within their ranks.
MP3: If You Wanna - The Vaccines

I don't remember where I read it but I'm told that Jay Jay Pistolet is in The Vaccines, he used to go it alone with his acoustic guitar.
MP3: Hooked Up On Us - Jay Jay Pistolet

Philadelphia Grand Jury or the Philly J's as their promoter, I'm assuming fondly, refers to them are doing pretty well in the southern hemisphere and are nominated for the AIR Awards (Australian Independent Records). We've been going on about them for a while on this blog. Are you readers enjoying their music? Let us know, just click on the comments link at the bottom of the post.
MP3: Save Our Town - Philadelphia Grand Jury

I've written an article for next month's Sheffield Music Scene about their new single Littlest Pleasures, it's coming out the end of October. In the meantime enjoy the b-side from the band that describe themselves as “Unbelievably Russian with Romantically Sinister Tendency”.
MP3: Lights Out - Kalenko


This track really reminds me of The Levellers, I especially like the marching beat drumming throughout. This is a different track from the one I posted by The 48ks earlier in the month.
MP3: Falling Down - The 48ks

Catchy, geeky, pop music. Nuff said...
MP3: Things I Shouldn't Tell You - Cancel The Astronauts

Sounds like Marina and the Diamonds, getting lots of radio attention in the UK.
MP3: Prisoner - The Good Natured

This track really gets in with the rhythm of your heart with vocals that go at the same pace. The Spies have a dark, sinister name, this track might just match that name.
MP3: You've Got Some Nerve - The Spies

Tomorrow sees the Walk The Line Festival kick in to gear for its second year and I thought I'd introduce you to a couple of quality acts gracing the festival. First off are The Strange Death of Liberal England. These are quite a find, I was introduced to them through a video of their current single Rising Sea. While I'm not able to bring you that track as a download, the band have given me another nautical themed track that I'm pretty confident equally shows off their prowess.
MP3: Lighthouse - The Strange Death of Liberal England

Last of all is Luke Leighfield. He has a great picture on his MySpace of him looking geeky surrounded by some fit young ladies. Made me smile. Anyway back to his music, bit of a self confessed Ben Folds fan as far as I can work out. This is the title track from his album which you can get free from his bandcamp site. Sounds good to me Luke...
MP3: Have You Got Heart? - Luke Leighfield

British Sea Power - Zeus

British Sea Power seem to have been around for years yet I have only got in to them recently by discovering great tracks like Waving Flags and Please Stand Up. Now while I wouldn't agree with the comparisons that point readers in the direction of The Cure, Arcade Fire and Joy Division, I find it hard to give you any better reference points (explaining why I have repeated those comparisons). All I can say is that they have swirling guitars and understated vocals that draw you in and have you singing along despite not really being sing-along songs. Anyway the lead track from their Zeus E.P. is available for free download, if you like this definitely check out the other tracks I mentioned.

MP3: Zeus - British Sea Power

Cancel The Astronauts

Cancel The Astronauts are indie pop in a can and I like that. Maybe a bit geeky but hey I'm sat at my computer writing a blog so there's definitely a bit of geek in me. I'll be interested to see what more CTA have got in the locker, perhaps the next Wombats?

You can buy the Edinburgh band's EP, Funny For A Girl on their Bandcamp site.

MP3: Things I Shouldn't Tell You - Cancel The Astronauts

Ladies and Gentleman I think we have some talent on our hands

The Good Natured are happy for me to post this b-side. Well I'm certainly happy to oblige. The Good Natured, aka Sarah McIntosh, is certainly a talent to watch and judging by the fact we get a video with the b-side suggest someone else thinks that too.

MP3: Prisoner - The Good Natured

Indra - The Lonely Kings

OK, OK, it's not the normal cup of tea for 3WTM followers, but if you do happen to enjoy a bit of grunge-based rock 'n' roll then maybe this is for you. Indra are relatively unknown outside of their native South Yorkshire, but as far as nu-grunge goes they're pretty decent.

If you like this, then get over to their myspace page to hear more...

Before Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros there was...

Ima Robot and the band are back with a new album. Alex Ebert, lead singer of ESATMZ, fronts Ima Robot and, as you've heard his voice before, it gives Ima Robot a familiar feel. I think I stated at the time that the ESATMZ had created an album with variety across it and this track just adds to that mix.

I was given a link to the video below and it's a great watch, skateboarding and pyrotechnics set to music by Ima Robot. The film is great in itself but keep watching as there is a "making of" section at the end which is nearly as good as the main film itself.



MP3: Ruthless - Ima Robot

The 48ks - Flick 'em the V's

From Donny (Doncaster to pretty much everyone outside of South Yorkshire) and a band with a surprising description on their MySpace. Now before I tell you what their site says I should point out I like this band, I downloaded their free EP, thank you very much and as the MP3s weren't labelled with the bands name I actually went to the effort of reminding myself of who they were. Now I'm lazy and if I didn't like the track I wouldn't have bothered. However the description on the MySpace did not match my experience. Words like "original", "fresh" and "contemporary" are certainly not how I would describe this band. They're a good old fashioned rock n roll band, I can imagine hearing them in a pub and parting with some cash as their catchy tunes got straight in my head. On getting home I would have been pleased with my purchase. As I've got the tracks for free they've managed to endear themselves to a tight Yorkshireman. Check them out. Download the whole EP from their MySpace and remember they're The 48ks.

MP3: Gotta Get Out - The 48ks 

Better Than The Drums

Surfer Blood are better than The Drums. That's what a comment said on a blog I visited recently and I think it's pretty spot on. I then heard the track on the radio and surfer music it really is . Warm sun with a breeze. Head on over to Daytrotter where they did a session recently. There are four tracks for you to enjoy.

Just Dropped In My Inbox - Muse's Tour Support

Muse are back in the UK for a few dates and if you're on their mailing list like me you would have received this:

"Over the next two weeks, Muse return to the UK to play three massive shows! First up it's Manchester's LCCC this Saturday (4th September) and then next weekend the band play two nights at London's Wembley Stadium (10th and 11th September).

And of course at each of these three shows Muse will be joined by some excellent support bands - Lily Allen, Biffy Clyro, Editors, The Big Pink, White Lies, Band Of Skulls, I Am Arrows, Pulled Apart By Horses and White Rabbits.

We thought you might like a taster of these supports, so a selection of the bands playing have very kindly donated us a track each for your listening pleasure."

CLICK HERE to download the MP3s now.

Save Our Town - Philadelphia Grand Jury

The Philly Jays are heading back to Oz after a successful UK tour and now they're letting Save Our Town losse on the world and touring Australia to back up the single. It's more quality from the band featured before on Whats Wrong With The Mainstream.

MP3: Save Our Town - Philadelphia Grand Jury

PS. The end of month playlist will be back at the end of September.