Audio Antihero's Haiti Appeal

Audio Antihero are appealing to our millions and millions of fans to give to the Haiti Hospital Appeal. Free music as a reward.

Please have a look:

http://justgiving.co.uk/audio-antihero

Thank you,

Jamie - Audio Antihero

P.S Benjamin Shaw will be performing at the Dogfishtrombone night at Milfords in London on Feb 3rd.

Invitation and Info HERE

I Blame the Parents! (a celebration)

Author's note: It's become obvious, that I'm no good at writing about music and I should try to stop. But I must make the odd exception. Here is one:

I BLAME THE PARENTS RECORDS!

“Sex? Drugs? Rock N Roll? I Blame the Parents!“ is the adorable war-cry of Indie Dad run record label I Blame the Parents Records.

Those familiar with the online review phenomenon that is Indie Dad may have a vague idea of what to expect from a label born of his aging genius; eclectic, noisy, fun, cheeky, honest and wonderfully defiant.

Indeed, indeed, indeed, it is the place to be.

What’s he got on offer? Two lovely 7 inch singles, an EP, a slew of handmade CDR singles and one absolute corker of a full length record; Extradition Order’s ‘Since the Bomb Dropped’ (featured in the AAH Top 10 Records of 2009).

Do you want an introduction? Do you need an in? Your ship has come in, I am this very minute going to drop in a few reviews/descriptions of some select IBTP releases, for your information and enjoyment. Buy some. Support the people who bring music into this dreary world.

Benjamin David & The Goliaths – Storm Coming (single)

Myspace.com/benjamindavidandthegoliaths

Perfectly self-described as “Folk Noire”, Benjamin and his Goliaths offer up two twisted, nightmarish ballads in the tradition of the grumbling genius of Leonard Cohen. Their sound is absolutely huge and Benjamin’s booming voice brings the melodrama, misery and smirks. It’s really something and should certainly be one of IBTP’s proudest moments. More please.

The Alligators – OHOHOH (single)

Myspace.com/theprovoalligators

I bloody hate Alligators (Crocodiles are even worse)…but I bloody love The Alligators. This Utah four-piece really have something special. Vocalist Becca sings with effortless beauty and no small amount of swagger, backed by a group of musicians who know a thing or two about melody and punchy rhythms they’re liable to get a real ‘feel-good-hit’ going. Comparable to a carefree Bellafea, a focused Life Without Buildings or a better Pretty Girls Make Graves - The Alligators have managed a genuinely great single. Recommended.

Docksud – Take Me to the Core of Myself (single, vinyl)

Myspace.com/docksud

Docksud were a very special band, one that will be sorely missed. Though their debut single would come about just as the band were breaking up, this gorgeous white vinyl is no less of an essential purchase. The two songs contained here serve as the best artefact available of Docksud’s music.

Their sound is bleak and fragile, reminiscent of a ‘Disintegration’ era Cure or a ‘Short Eyes’ Curtis Mayfield, but it still packs a real punch, thanks in part to their military like rhythm section and some Johnny Marr like riffing from Maxx Benezeth. Though it seems wrong to single out any particular musician, singer Matias Resich really stands out. His vocal purity is truly overwhelming - I’ll be following his progress in new group I Have Lights.

Docksud’s only release comes highly recommended (though you’ll find yourself hunting demos on the internet forever more). Even the ipod generation can get their kicks with the free digital download that comes with every vinyl purchase. I must have spun this record ten times today…I really miss Docksud.

Extradition Order – Penetrate (single, vinyl)

Myspace.com/extraditionorder

I’m a gentle sort, the word ‘penetrate’ makes me a little uncomfortable…this rocks though. It’s a wee bit vulgar here and there, but the moment the needle hits on red vinyl and the shards of distortion start spraying from your speaker it’s like setting the clock back thirty odd years and finding yourself in a hungry and vital punk scene, where anything felt possible (not that I’d actually know).

Torn between 'punk as fuck' and 80's/90's slop like Mudhoney and a freshly debuting Therapy? – ‘Penetrate’ is loose, heavy, dirty and really awesome. Forgetting the screeches and screams, ignoring the wailing distortion and denying the clattering drums, something that really stands out in this group is their aggressive interest in history and literacy which is best evidenced in bonus download B-side 'Jefferson', a 208 second thrash-fest about their favourite founding father.

This fine seven-inch single is just one piece of a very diverse and alluring puzzle. If you like it, get the album. If you don’t like it, get the album. These Warrington boys are really onto something.

LOVETRON – Kill The Mother (single)

Myspace.com/lovetronmusic

Packaged like an early Sonic Youth record and playing like an Aphex Twin/Minor Threat collaboration, Lovetron certainly have a grimy, ‘cool’, and underground appeal to them -but if there’s a market for this racket I’ve never heard of it. Despite the shrill, thumping, cacophonous nature of their art Lovetron actually sneak a bit of melody into “Kill The Mother” and B-Side “Ray Gun” honestly has a simple beauty to it. Maybe there is a market for this stuff? I like it. If the ‘brutaltechnopunk’ off the roxXOR2 label was something you felt at home with then Lovetron’s ‘Electro-Thrash’ might be right up your street (Lord knows your neighbors will have moved away). I like it. It burns.

Rescue Cat - £10 Bag (single)

Myspace.com/rescuecatmusic

This is a nice little simple pleasure; gently strummed acoustic guitar falls immaculately over sequenced drum loops and fine melodies from a man who sounds remarkably like Grant Nicholas of Feeder fame (sorry man!). A minute’s research into the man behind it all reveals a little bit more of an mixmaster ambition, but what’s on offer here is near perfect pop that’s perfectly eligible for some serious airplay. Uncharacteristically light for an IBTP release, but no less compelling.

Crescendo – Self titled EP

Myspace.com/newrobotexplorers

Packed with sounds and samples, what Crescendo’s music lacks in immediacy it makes up for in depths and layers (much like their awesome window-pained art sleeve). Far removed from that ‘verse-chorus-verse-chorus’ business, this digitial-duo put together slow burning, piano led electronica that builds gently over mechanical beats and pleasing harmonies. A worthwhile entry into the collection of any indie/electro type – and perhaps something those scene-fearing chaps at Domino US might be interested in pursuing one day soon?

Dozal Brothers – Faces (EP)

Myspace.com/dozalbrothers

Sinful, thrash, trash, cacophonous evil, cruel, nasty, mean spirited, ugly, funky, vulgar, lewd and awesome. I wish this House Party decimating duo would be my pals. Love it or hate it, you really can’t ignore it. It makes me spin, dance and shake. I like it.

Steve & The Oh’s – Perfect Catch (single)

Myspace.com/steveandtheohs

You really cant go wrong with this blasting garage rock. Recalls Television, The Pixies and features a member of The Alligators. Complaints? None. This rocks.

And at last, the big dog:

Extradition Order – Since the Bomb Dropped (album)

http://www.iblametheparentsrecords.com/ExtraditionPg.htm

Their single was good, their single was great…but their album is a little piece of Heaven. Fourteen songs of betrayal, lust, greed, murder, savagery, sophistication and industry. These garage punk perverts have turned into murder ballad masters, pushing Nick Cave’s sardonic wit into the moody fury of The Stooges (says me, they'd likely disagree), this is a racket well worth investigating.

‘Islington Creeper’, ‘Candide’, ‘Laura in the Water’, ‘Matches Meet Petrol’ and ‘Peterloo’ should become thunderous live favourites and true classics of this ‘anti-folk’ thing.

This is a definite highlight of 2009, and one that should burn through 2010, aka The Year of Order.

p.s if you aren't ready to jump in for a full album, there's a digital single of 'Laura in the Water' and it has an exclusive and magnificent b-side by the name of House Carpenter. Enjoy.

And with that, I will stop writing about music (my intentions are good, but I'm just not very good at it), I will merely advise that you investigate some of the above; Extradition Order, Docksud, The Alligators...it's all great.

Visit the I Blame The Parents Web Shop: http://www.iblametheparentsrecords.com/ShopPg.htm

Thanks for reading,

Jamie Volcano - Audio Antihero: Specialists in Commercial Suicide

www.audioantihero.com

p.s anyone see Benjamin Shaw & Superman Revenge Squad (Ex-Nosferatu D2) on friday at The Gallery Cafe? It was one of the best gigs I've been to in a long time. They both gave a lot and delivered beautiful sets to a full house. Wonderful stuff. Big smiles.

Download Nosferatu D2 Live supporting Los Campesinos!

Hello fellow Antiheroes, a Happy New Year to all of you!

I just thought I would share a very nice live recording of Nosferatu D2's final gig, supporting Los Campesinos! (with Sky Larkin):

NOSFERATU D2 Live @ The Spitz, Supporting LOS CAMPESINOS! (05/03/2007) - FREE DOWNLOAD

It's an audience recording, so don't expect pristine sound, details will be lost, but as someone who has spent a lot of time to listening to the unlistenable, I have to say this is a really lovely 'bootleg'. I've no idea how the mystery man hero who recorded it pulled it off in such glorious fashion. Besides, it's about as complete a document of Nosferatu D2's bitter end as we're going to find - and I personally love it.

Listen out for Ben self-consciously mumbling 'we're recording an album...I've been told to say that...' - I don't think anyone knew we'd be waiting two or three years for said album to hit 'the shelves'.

Those of you who like a little visual flava can find some videos from the gig compiled on our youtube: Antihero Video (plus Benjamin Shaw's really cool serial killer themed music videos).

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE / LEAK / TWEET / ETC! (and please stop doing it to our other records, we are SKINT!)

It's fitting really that their last live performance as Nosferatu D2 (Adam & Ben Parker have occasionally been seen on stage since with Superman Revenge Squad) would be supporting Los Campesinos! - a group who've been very supportive of their posthumous reissue.

Nosferatu D2 were thanked in the sleeve notes of "Hold On Now, Youngster", Gareth told Pitchfork that Nosferatu D2's debut was his No.2 record of 2009 and he even issued the first 'call to arms' with a blog on their official site: HERE.

If you've enjoyed this live recording, then we'd be grateful if you'd head over to our shop page and considering buying: Nosferatu D2's 'We're Gonna Walk Around This City With Our Headphones On To Block Out The Noise' for £5.99 (inc.P&P)

And why not help guarantee that 2010 is Los Campesinos!'s year by pre-ordering their new album 'ROMANCE IS DEAD' and checking their TOUR DATES?

Again, please share these files. It's a wonderful reminder of what may have been the greatest band on the planet at the time.

To quote a chap you can faintly hear under the resonance of a mind-blowing rendition of, "The Mojo Top 100", 'that was fackin' awesome! that was brilliant!' - well said my friend, well said.

Thank you all,

Jamie - Audio Antihero: Specialists in Commercial Suicide, and a New kind of Awesome

www.audioantihero.com

www.myspace.com/audioantihero

www.twitter.com/audioantihero

Antihero Video