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.

What's Been Going On At Daytrotter?

While I've not been posting quite a few interesting bands have performed for the excellent Daytrotter sessions. Temper Trap (above), Josh Ritter and a new session by Local Natives to name just a few. Drop by, I'm sure a band you like will have performed for them. They're charging for some tracks now (who can blame them) but a lot are still free.

Coming Up In Bristol...

Ever since I moved to Bristol from Reading I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of gigs in the area. Working in storage in Bristol I look forward to my evenings and weekends! The 9s record company Atomic Records got in touch to let me know they will be playing in Bristol on the 4th. Not only that but they have a single out called Empire Strikes Back. A sure fire way to make me check them out. I think American rock with a slight EMO twist might give you an idea of how they sound but you can check them out for yourselves by visiting their bandcamp site where you can download some tracks for free as well as buy the Star Wars named single.

Who else? Only La Folie! Yes the Sheffield band who have featured on here before are performing at The Cooler on the 3rd June. Thanks to Rob of Call The Doctor for the tip off and a hand in bringing them down to this neck of the woods. Anyone fancy going to the gig with me?

It's Hot Hot Heat outside and on my iTunes

Bandages Bandages Bandages, Hot Hot Heat just can't help repeating themselves and their punk-pop (as RCRD LBL describe it) has always been catchy because of it. It's been a while since I've listened to them and the track they are giving away through RCRD LBL surprised me as it was less pop and had more stature. Check it out and see what you think.

It's our birthday

The blog is two years old today, don't worry it's not the end. I've now got broadband and 637 unread emails waiting for my attention. what I did notice pop in to my inbox was the news that Call The Doctor are giving their single away. It was played on 6 Music (see my last post) and the Bristol based band were unsigned band of the day. Head on over to their MySpace to gather up that free tune. Normal service will return soon, I promise.