Kodiak Jack - Your Death My Glory

Very proud to write a post about one of Angry Badger's finest rock bands Kodiak Jack; they are a Portsmouth based rock band who I have seen I think twice and was impressed with their live performances. This post is all about their debut album Your Death My Glory; opening with the almighty Crossfire where vocalist Bryn Roberts sound very much like Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger, it has you hooked on a monster riff that is played throughout the song. Not just the song but the whole album; in every single one of the songs you can hear the biggest guitar solos that make you wonder why these guys are still playing in the small pubs when they could be playing in a massive arena.I love the versatile collection of songs these guys produced; whether is was the fast paced Your City To Burn or a touching acoustic My Condition. 

Overall a fantastic debut album that has increased my love for these guys; cannot wait to catch them on their mini UK tour that they are currently putting together. Kodiak Jack are already blooming in the music industry with their shows completely selling out in their home town and two successful EPs; this album could definitely give a boost to their music career.

Stand out tracks:  Crossfire, Prettier When She Smiles and Waves

Find Kodiak Jack on Facebook, Twitter, Last FM and their official website

We Caught The Castle - Lips EP

This was one of the bands I saw at The Soul Cellar last Friday and was highly impressed with their performance so I got an EP to listen to. First track Lips starts of with a catchy guitar riff that is then followed by a footapping beat and Hayley Williams like vocals from vocalist Hollie Cobb, I also must mention the male vocals work very well here too. Layer Cake sounded a bit different to Lips being it was a little bit more calmer, the kind of rock song you can sway to; that's always nice too. Say What You Want sounded different from the first two songs, this song definately has a valid message we all should listen to; Say What You Want .Overall a brilliant first EP, got a jist of different sounding songs showing me that they are versatile with their music. 2011 may just be their year.

Join them on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Last FM

For fans of Paramore

Rock The Loft @ The Soul Cellar; Southampton 28/1/11

I have been waiting for this since the end of last year; my first gig of 2011 and let me tell you it was a fantastic one. Entering the intimate cosy atmosphere of The Soul Cellar definately made me feel right at home for I was about to see what Angry Badger records had to offer plus see Daniel Leigh perform an acoustic set.

The first band to play that evening were We Caught The Castle, a pop punk band from Reading. They put a great performance with the catchy melodies and how Hollie's vocals harmonised well with male backing vocalists Simon and Robbie. I did recognise Tainted Love, the song they covered, from that Friends episode where Danny Devito plays a stripper so everytime I hear the song I give a little giggle. Overall an enjoyable set, I also got their EP to so you'll see a review about that shortly.

Up next were Bournemouth/London rockers Karmine, I had heard their stuff briefly before and quite liked it so I was wondering what kind of performance they were going to give tonight. I loved vocalist Charlotte (wonderful name) Kavanagh's energy with her wonderfully weird dancing whilst upbeat cheerful rock was played, her voice was remarkable too. They are currently working on the new album.

Orignally New Device were to headline tonight; however due to two guitarists leaving the band vocalist Daniel Leigh came by himself to play an acoustic set. I have seen acoustic sets in the past and like them a lot so I was thinking it would be nice to see. He started off with one of his own songs We Will Be Lovers Tonight, I had heard this song before with electronic type sounds to it; tonight I was absoulutely amazed by this performance. The set got better and better with songs from the new album he is working on with New Device; getting me more excited about their new album also performing In The Fading Light and Heaven Knows from Takin Over. His covers of Livin On A Prayer and Sweet Child 'O Mine were also beautifully performed; so amazing I got a video of one of them (will be uploaded soon). This acoustic performance was so so wonderful, had me nearly in tears and will definatelty see perform an acoustic set again.

Next to play were Timshel; I had seen them before and they do give a very upbeat  performance like they did  last night. I like their quirky sound very much, it gives a bit more of a laid back hippy like atmosphere to the building. I did recognise some of the songs played last night from their EP, which is avaliable on iTunes overall a very studio sounding performance.

Unfortunately couldn't stay for Kodiak Jack's set last night but did catch a glimpse from them and loved their energetic performance. I had heard some of their songs before and quite like them so I'm hoping to catch them again soon.

You can join each one of these bands on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and YouTube. 

Overall a great first gig of 2011, giving me the torch to light the pathway of many more great gigs to come.

Angry Badger Records is Universally Challenged 20/11/10

I was very much looking forward to this event; my main intention was to see In Darklight, who I had seen before and have become really good friends with. Southampton based Indie Rock record company, Angry Badger Records, has bred some fresh up coming rock bands from the south such as Timshel and Kodiak Jack. This event took place at the student union bar at my university so it was in a familiar envrionment where I didn't feel claustrophobic and a generally intimate, friendly atomosphere made me feel at home.

First up were In Darklight, who never fail to impress me with kick ass riffs and indie boy vocals did me proud once again. Starting the set off with songs I assume may be on the new upcoming EP, I could wrong in that department, one of which I had in my head all week; it reminds me of one my favourite songs by punk rockers Cobra Starship. They also earn Brownie points for performing my personal favourite off their debut album What's Happening? Speaking of personal favourites, I found a new one last night in the form of the song Break. I just love how bouncy the melody is and the lyrics are cleverly written.

http://www.myspace.com/indarklight 

Lost Morals were next to play, I recognised lead vocalist Jono Powell from the New Device gig at The Soul Cellar. I remember it was just him on his own since his band were called in at the last minute but he mangaged to pull it off by himself. Anyways last night it was great seeing him with his band Lost Morals, some of the songs I could have sworn I have heard on the radio before. Songs Get Down and She's A Policeman may have been my favourites, I really loved the poetical metaphor of She's A Policeman; a clever way to write about nosy exes :D In Darklight brothers Ben and Lou Sellers mentioned that they sounded like The Jam and Jono had Paul Wellar look about him; I immediately agreed, I could hear Paul Wellar's voice. I bought their EP afterwards, expect to see a post about it soon.

http://www.myspace.com/lostmoralsmusic 

Pompey rockers Moody Tuesday were the next of Angry Badgers finest to play, they very much reminded me of The Who. One of their opening songs made me think of Pinball Wizard, one of my personal favourite songs ever so I was feeling quite excited. I had recieved invites to see them play in local places, which I may attend after seeing an enjoyable set from them last night. There was also a hint of classic rock and roll with a hint of modern day indie, a bit like The Who mixing with Radiohead. There will be an album release as well which you will see me buy :)

http://www.myspace.com/moodytuesdayhttp://www.myspace.com/moodytuesday

The last to play were The Rising, unfortunately I could only catch one song by this band since I had to catch the last train home so I couldn't stay for the whole set. I saw on their page they have an Oasis like sound and I found that description to be accurate after hearing the song on Cloud Nine, but I'll have a better insight of their music once I hear their EP.

http://www.myspace.com/therisingbanduk

Despite a few techinal problems with the sounds, the bands all played very very well and showed Angry Badger records has great new talent to offer. I must confess I used my own noggin to write this today, without notes. Last night I made the vital mistake a journalist should never make; leaving my Blackberry which I use to take notes about gigs and albums....well it's better then carry a big chunky notebook and it's more convient. Luckily I have quite a good memory :) 

 jhyg

In Darklight - Dying To Confess

Here's another review I wrote on iTunes

The next big thing? 5 stars

I saw these guys support New Device at The Soul Cellar and thought they gave a great performance so I decided to buy their album. It was the perfect thing to listen to on the bus to Southampton one lovely sunny morning and I can personally say it was the highlight of my journey. What's Happening? was a perfect opener for the album and a personal favourite song of mine, I also loved the backing tracks introducing the songs too. In The Red had a big impact on me, bought a tear to my eye in fact....for some reason I could relate to the lyrics. I love the fresh new sound, not like any band I have heard so far.

Stand out tracks:  What's Happening?, In Control (Of Not Being In Control), The Human Race and In The Red

This album is availiable to buy or download now :)