Pennyblackmusic: June 2025 (Reviews Update)
Interviews
Armory Show
Skids' frontman Richard Jobson talks to John Clarkson about resurrecting his 80's project The Armory Show and its dark and nihilstic new album, 'Dead Souls'.
Loft
Yardbirds
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey
Denzil Watson speaks to Pete Astor and Andy Stricklanf from reformed indie band and Creation Records act The Loft about their debut album, ‘Everything Changes Everything Stays the Same’, which has come thirty-nine years after they acrimoniously split up.
Lisa Torem catches up with The Yardbirds co-founding member, Jim McCarty, on the band’s early history, current tour and his role as drummer.
My Bloody Valentine bassist Deb Googe and classically-trained pianist Cara Tivey talk about their unusual friendship and joint album, ‘The Golden Thread’.
Liz Mitchell
John Philip Shenale
Vapors
Dave Barbarossa
Liz Mitchell talks to Adam Coxon about her time as a vocalist in Boney M. being in the first Western band to perform in Russia and the down side of fame,
Lisa Torem talks to John Philip Shenale about extending the sound palette of acoustic instruments and what’s beyond the cacophony of Cage?
Vapors' lead singer/songwriter David Fenton chats about the power pop band’s new album ‘Wasp In A Jar’, upcoming UK and US tours and the health challenges of being on the road
Dave Barbarossa, the former drummer with Adam and The Ants. Bow Wow Wow and Republica, talks to John Clarkson about his second novel ‘Mute’ and new band Third House.
Repomen
Man From Delmonte
Clive Langer
Johnnie Johnstone
Denzil Watson , the frontman with Sheffield indie band RepoMen, talks to John Clarkson about the death in 2023 of the group’s guitarist and songwriter Ric Bower, and the recent ‘A Concert for Ric’ in tribute to him.
Dixie Ernill talks to all four members of Manchester indiepop band The Man From Delmonte about their decision to reform for a series of gigs after an absence of 35 years.
Producer Clive Langer talks to Eoghan Lyng about his band project The Clang Group, their forthcoming second album 'New Clang' and his production work with Elvis Costello, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Morrissey and The Teardop Explodes.
Johnnie Johnstone speaks to John Clarkson about his first book, ‘Through the Crack in the Wall: The Secret History of Josef K’, which is Pennyblackmusic’s Book of the Year for 2024.
Sukie Smith
Garfunkel and Garfunkel Jr.
Dana Gillespie
Annie Hogan
Former Madam frontwoman Sukie Smith talks to John Clarkson about her debut solo album, 'The Glass Dress and a Ringing Bell'.
Eoghan Lyng speaks to Art Grafunkel and his son Art Garfunkel Jr, about their new joint album 'Father and Son'
Irish singer-songwriter Dana Gillespie talks to Eoghan Lyng about her new album 'First Love' and her friiendship with George Harrison.
Multi-talented musician, songwriter and producer Annie Hogan has a wide-ranging chat about her new album with Eoghan Lyng
Visitor Comments
Editorial
Comsat Angels - Interview with Stephen Fellows
The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
Gay - You Know The Rules
Man From Delmonte - Interview
TJ Lind - Interview
Marianne Faithfull - Interview
Eric Bell - Interview
Various - Punk-o-rama 10
Basil Gabbidon - Interview
UB40 - Present Arms
The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
Gay - You Know The Rules
Man From Delmonte - Interview
TJ Lind - Interview
Marianne Faithfull - Interview
Eric Bell - Interview
Various - Punk-o-rama 10
Basil Gabbidon - Interview
UB40 - Present Arms
Our new series Video Vault was inspired by insomnia. I have trouble sleeping sometimes, and in the very early hours flicking through the higher numbers on my television’s remote controls, amidst ancient, long forgotten comedies and forty-year old game shows, found an 80’s usic video channel, which I watched for a couple of hours. The next morning in my bleary-eyed state, I could not remember most of what I had seen. I realised then that out of the thousands of videos I had watched over the years the number I could remember were in double figures. I mentioned this to some of our writers a ....more
Profiles
Nick Dent-Robinson pays tribute to legendary soul singer Roberta Flack, who died in February
Sharks
14 Iced Bears
Big Feastival
Marianne Faithfull
With a new box set ‘Car Crash Supergroup – The Island Years 1973-1974’ being released on Cherry Red, Eoghan Lyng looks back at the early career of seminal cult act Sharks
Dave Goodwin reflects on two John Peel Sessions from indie band 14 Iced Bears which have been released on vinyl by Precious Recordings of London.
Nick Dent-Robinson previews this year’s Big Feastival in Oxfordshire which will include a star-studded Britpop Classical session as well as performances from Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Travis, Faithless and Maximo Park.
Nick Dent-Robinson reflects on the life and career of Marianne Faithfull, who died on the 30th January.
Live Reviews
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts
Steev Burgess feels that folk-punk and one-time Libertines support Max Bianco is a name to watch in his and his band The BlueHearts first headline gig at the Troubadour in London.
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts
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Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Waeve - Club Academy, Manchester, 18/3/2025
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025
David Gray - Apollo, Manchester
Massive Attack - M&S Arena, Liverpool, 29/11/2024
Shed Seven - Mountford Hall, Liverpool University, Liverpool, 21/11/2024
Altered Images - 02 Academy, Liverpool, 23/10/2024
Autumn 1904 - Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh, 1/11/2024
Dream Machine - Hare and Hounds, Birmingham, 6/11/2024
Vapors - Chantry Brewery, Rotherham, 16/11/2024
T Bone Burnett - Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 19/11/2024
War On Drugs - Royal Albert Hall, London, 14/7/2024
Waeve - Club Academy, Manchester, 18/3/2025
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025
David Gray - Apollo, Manchester
Massive Attack - M&S Arena, Liverpool, 29/11/2024
Shed Seven - Mountford Hall, Liverpool University, Liverpool, 21/11/2024
Altered Images - 02 Academy, Liverpool, 23/10/2024
Autumn 1904 - Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh, 1/11/2024
Dream Machine - Hare and Hounds, Birmingham, 6/11/2024
Vapors - Chantry Brewery, Rotherham, 16/11/2024
T Bone Burnett - Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 19/11/2024
War On Drugs - Royal Albert Hall, London, 14/7/2024
Waeve
Peter Doherty
David Gray
Amanda J Wilson watches and photographs a disappointing gig from The Waevve, the current band of Blur guitarist Graham Coxon and his wife Rose Elinor Dougal.
Steev Burgess enjoys two nights at the Blackheath Halls and the Palace Theatre on Peter Doherty's latest tour.
Shirley Procter enjoys a crowd-pleasing set of anthemic songs from acclaimed singer-songwriter David Gray
Most Viewed (articles)
Current Edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Clive Langer - Interview
Sukie Smith - Interview
Garfunkel and Garfunkel Jr. - Interview
Previous Editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Doris Brendel - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Kay Russell - Interview with Kay Russell
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Pulp - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Favourite Albums
Holger Czukay
Aislers Set
Chesterfields
In our Re:View section, in which we look back at albums from the past, Maarten Schiethart praises the reissue of German musician and Can co-founder Holger Czukay's 1987 solo album 'Rome Remains Rome'.
US indiepop legends The Aislers Set recorded a session for John Peel back in 2001, and now it’s available on a shiny 10” EP. It takes Tommy Gunnarsson more than 20 years back in time, and he loves every minute of it.
Dixie Ernill enjoys a radio session from indiepop act The Chesterfields, which recorded for Janice Long in early 1987, has been released on 10” vinyl, on Precious Recordings of London.
Features
In the inaugural 'Video Vault' column Fiona Hutchings chooses Belouis Some’s 'Imagination' as a music video that had a real impact on her.
In our new 'Video Vault' series, Adrian Janes admires the openness and vulnerability for the 2003 video of 'Hurt', the final single which Johnny Cash released in his lifetime.
Maarten Schiethart
Flip Side
Pennyblackmusic
Pennyblackmusic
In Vinyl Stories Dave Goodwin Talks to our Dutch writer Maarten Sciethart about buying vinyl online and in his native Nijmegen,
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem enthuses about a brilliant new book which introduces us to a colourful chain of Chicago-based record shops
Our writers and photographers reveal their albums of the year for 2024.
We reveal the winner of our Book of the Year Award for 2024 and the runners-up.
Photography
Andrew Twambley at The Ritz in Manchester takes photos of German metal band Dominum.
Andrew Twambley takes photos of Kim Wilde at a show on a UK tour at the Manchester Academy.
Ian Dunn photographs Chvrches frontwoman Lauren Mayberry at a solo show at the 02 Academy in Birminham.
Rise Against
Circa Waves
Set It Off
Ian Dunn photographs Chicago-based hardcore band Rise Against at the O2 Academy in Birmingham.
Ian Dunn takes photographs of Liverpool-based indie rock band Circa Waves at a gig at the O]2 Academy in Birmingham.
Ian Dunn photographs American hardcore trio Set It Off at The Institute in Birmingham.
Most Viewed (reviews)
Current Edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboNigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Wings - Venus and Mars
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
Previous Editions
Dashboard Confessional - The Shade of Poison TreesMarika Hackman - Big Sigh
Feedback File - Summerland
Nik Kershaw - You've Got to Laugh
Self Esteem - Your Wife EP
Mixtapes and Cellmates - Mixtapes and Cellmates
Reg Meuross - Songs about a Train
Dave Edwards - Many Rivers
Black - Blind Faith
Forget Cassettes - Salt
Reviews
Philip Jeays
Only Child
Davey Woodward
Nigel Stonier
Romantic and reflective latest album from Jacques Brel-influenced singer-songwriter Philip Jeays
Deep dive into loss, memory and enduring hope on fifth album from Only Child, the project of Liverpool-based musician Alan O'Hare
Eclectic eighteenth album from Bristol-based singer-songwriter and former Brilliant Corners' frontman Davey Woodward
Eighth ‘solo’ album from Nigel Stonier, who is still best known for his role as producer for other artists, but there a feeling that’s about to change with ‘Wolf Notes’
Suzanne Vega
Darkness
John McKay
Waterboys
Outstanding first album in nine years from Suzanne Vega which breaks new ground
Flamboyant and semi-parodic latest album from heavy rock band The Darkness proves to be an album with attitude
Post-punk architect John McKay unearthed on new compilation
Ambitious conceptual album from The Waterboys about Hollywood hell-raiser and mega-star Dennis Hopper
Black Country, New Road
Charles Ellsworth
Vultures
Le Volume Courbe
Inventive change of style for Mercury Priize-nominated Cambridgeshire sextet Black Country, New Road
Enjoyable new album from alt-country singer-songwriter Charles Ellsworrth
Excellent only radio session on 10” vinyl from short-lived 1980’s garage punks The Vultures
Sound and survival on quietly powerful first album in ten years from Le Volume Courbe, the project of French-born but London-based experimental musician Charlotte Marionneau
Wings
Maurice
Martin Carthy
Valerie June
Impressive 50th anniversary reissue of Wings’ under-rated 1974 album
Intriguing debut album from atmospheric French-American band Maurice which is dedicated to joy and rebellion
Vibrant musical reimagining of his 1965 self-titled debut album from celebrated folk musician Martin Carthy
Uplifting third album from Tennessee-born singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Valerie June
Sofia Hardig
Circa Waves
Neil Campbell
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn
Remarkable ninth album from Swedish experimental musician Sofia Hardig
Deeply personal and resonating sixth album from Liverpool indie quartet Circa Waves
Sonic tapestry woven with virtuosity and vision from Liverpool-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Neil Campbell
Ethereal latest album from singer-songwriter and musician Kate Daisy Grant and multi-instrumentalist Nick Pynn
British IBM
MIEN
PinkPantheress
Tate McRae
Melancholic but melodic fifth album from Cambridge-based indie/electronic rock trio The British IBM
If you require an album for the jaded musical palate, then look no further than MIEN’s second eponymous titled album. The crossing point between progressive, psychedelic and krautrock, its an absolute
Fun and distinctive latest mini-album from PinkPantheress, the project of self-styled ‘new nostalgic’ artist, Victoria Walker.
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adam Coxon
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dixie Ernill
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart