Related
Interviews
Adam Donen
Interview
South African-born and now London-based poet and singer-songwriter Adam Donen speaks to John Clarkson about his recently released debut album proper, the orchestral 'Immortality', which was inspired by a romantic break-up and is also a tribute to the last decade
Adam Donen
Interview
In his second interview with us, South African born and now London-based singer-songwriter and poet Adam Donen speaks about the more worldly vision of his new solo album, 'Vampires', and the influence of David Lynch and Ingmar Bergman as well as literature on his work
Al Joshua
Interview
London based singer songwriter Al Joshua, formerly of Orphans and Vandals, chats to Owen Peters about keeping creative during lockdown and his plans post-Pandemic.
Alabama 3
Interview
Peter Allison talks to Larry Love from Alabama 3 about his band's hip hop and sample-infused latest album, 'Shoplifting 4 Jesus', and which finds them reflecting angrily on the global economy, digital piracy and the London riots.
Alex Lipinski
Interview
Young London-based singer-songwriter Alex Lipinski talks to Lisa Torem about his family's wide musical background and his just released debut solo album, 'Lonesome Train'
Alex Monk
Interview
London-based experimental musician and producer Alex Monk, who will be playing the next Pennyblackmusic Bands Night on March 26th, speaks to John Clarkson about his just released debut album, 'The Safety Machine'
Allo Darlin'
Interview
Dixie Ernill speaks to Elizabeth Morris, the Brisbane-born singer with much acclaimed London-based indie pop group Allo Darlin' about their just released second album, 'Europe'
Altai Rockets
Interview
Altai Rockets is the new band of Madam and Sophia bassist, Nick Bergin. Dominic Simpson speaks to him about his band's brooding indie guitar sound and their forthcoming appearance at the Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night at the Half Moon in Herne Hill, South London, which will be only their second gig
Anais Mitchell
Interview
American singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell recently signed to Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe label. Ben Howarth at a show at the Luminaire in London speaks to her about politics and her exceptional new album, 'The Brightness'
Arabrot
Interview
Tom Fogarty talks to Norwegian noise rockers Arabrot at a Halloween show in London about their new album, 'Solar Anus', and recording with its producer Steve Albini
Arco
Interview
Back after a four year absence, softly melancholic London trio arco recently returned with a second album, Restraint'. Philip Vincent speaks to them about it and why they have been so long away
Arrows of Love
Interview
Former front man with London-based alt-folk band, Hush the Many (Heed the Few) Nima Teranchi speaks about his abrasive current band the Arrows of Love and their new single 'Honey'
Band Of Holy Joy
Interview
John Clarkson speaks to London-based alternative rock group the Band of Holy Joy front man Johny Brown about their latest two albums, ‘The Clouds That Break the Sky’ and ‘Funambulist We Love You’.
Band of Holy Joy
Interview
John Clarkson speaks to Johny Brown from London-based alternative rock band the Band of Holy Joy about his group's life-affirming new album, 'Easy Listening'
Band of Holy Joy
Interview
John Clarkson speaks to Johny Brown from London-based alternative rock band the Band of Holy Joy about his group's two new albums, 'How to Kill a Butterfly' and 'The North is Another Land'; writing plays and his group's new radio show
Band Of Holy Joy
Interview
John Clarkson speaks to Johny Brown, Inga Tillere and James Stephen Finn from London-based alternative rock band the Band of Holy Joy about the making of their band's latest album, 'The Land of Holy Joy'.
Band Of Holy Joy
Interview
In our fifth interview with them, John Clarkson talks to Johny Brown, Inga Tillere and James Stephen Finn from London-based alternative/indie rock band the Band of Holy Joy about their remarkable latest album, ‘Neon Primitives’.
Baptiste
Interview
Brooding London group Baptiste are about to release their debut album 'Nothing Shines Like a Dying Heart'. Back for a second interview with Pennyblackmusic, frontman Wayne Gooderham chats to John Clarkson about its recording
Barna Howard
interview
Owen Peters catches up with a somewhat tentative Barna Howard as he showcases his new album 'Quite a Feelin' on a rainy evening at the Servant Jazz Quarters in London.
Bear Suit
Interview
Described by John Peel as "the pop sensation that's seeping the nation", Norwich band Bearsuit are one of the rising stars of indie pop. In one of their first interviews, Gary Wollen catches up with the group on a North London stairwell
Profiles
Blondie
Chris Stein - Negative: Me, Blondie and the Advent of Punk, Somerset Hous
Adrian Janes enjoys Blondie guitarist Chris Stein's evocative recent exhibition at Somerset House in London, which documents the 70's New York punk/new wave scene and his band's forty year career
Dusty Springfield
Dusty - The Musical
Nick Dent-Robinson enjoys a new musical which looks with unflinching honesty at the life of troubled singer Dusty Springfield and which after touring regionally will eventually be launched to the West End of London.
Profile
Godfathers
Andrew Carver reflects upon South London punk/rock 'n' roll band the Godfathers first two major label releases, 1988's 'Birth, School, Work, Death' and 1989's 'More Songs about Love and Hate', which have both recently been reissued
With the black watch and Moon Under Water, The Water Rats, London, 31/3/2022
We preview our next London gig which will take place at The Water Rats on the 31st March with Heist, the black watch and Moon Under Water.
(With The Volunteered and Simon Bromide), The Water Rats, London, 10/9/2022
We preview the next Pennyblackmusic Bands Night which will take place with Heist, Idiot Son, The Volunteered and Simon Bromide at The Water Rats in London on the 10th September 2022.
(With Morton Valence, The Volunteered and Simon Bromide), Water Rats, London, 29/1/2022
We preview the next Pennyblackmusic Bands Night which will take place with Idiot Son, Morton Valence, The Volunteered and Simon Bromide at The Water Rats in London on the 29th January 2022.
DVD-From the Jam
A First Class Return
'A First Class Return' is a two disc DVD filmed on at the London Forum on From The Jam's 2007 tour. Malcolm Carter finds Jam bassist Bruce Foxton and drummer Rick Buckley to have lost none of their energy or edge since they reformed in their set which consists entirely of old Jam songs
Good Pop Bad Pop - An Exhibition of Objects and Keepsakes of Jarvis Cocker
Steev Burgess visits an exhibition of Jarvis Cocker's memorabilia at The Gallery of Everything in London to celebrate the publication of his new book 'Good Pop, Bad Pop' and has a chance meeting with the man himself.
With Hector Gannet and Andy Thompson, The Water Rats, London, 25/5/2024
We preview our next London Bands' Night which will feature The Band of Holy Joy's Johny Brown, Hector Gannet and Idiot Son's Andy Thompson.
Katydids
Profile
Malcom Carter reflects on the career of the Katydids, the band of London-based singer-songwriter Susie Hug and ex-Pretenders guitarist Adam Seymour, who after an absence of over twenty years have recently released online a new EP
Love
Love Story
Love Story’ is a new film documentary which tells of the rise of the band Love from its earliest roots in 60’s Los Angeles until frontman Arthur Lee's death earlier this year. Anthony Strutt attends one of its two London screenings
Madam
When I Met You
Sukie Smith, the front woman with London-based band Madam, talks through the making of the video for 'When I Met You', the first single from 'Back to the Sea', the band's forthcoming third album
Madonna
Profile
With Madonna having just completed a fifteen night residency at the London Palladium, Nick Dent-Robinson recollects seeing an early preview of her current 'Madame X' tour in New York last summer.
Michael Darling
Interview
Lisa Torem talks to Michael Darling, the chief curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, about the 'David Bowie Is' exhibition, which after its run at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, is now about to open there
Pennyblackmusic Bands Night
Lexington, London, 31/5/2014
Dominic Simpson looks back on Pennyblackmusic's 15th Anniversary show at The Lexington in London, which saw sets from Madam, Morton Valence and Rotifer
The British Summer Time Festival
The Libertines at Hyde Park
Gillain Fish criticises the dismanagement of the British Summer Time Festival in Hyde Park in London, which, poorly organised throughout, led to crushing at the Libertines' reunion gig
Rocket Girl
Interview with Vinita Joshi
Mark Rowland talks to Vinita Joshi, the owner of Rocket Girl, which now has released over a hundred records, about her long-standing London-based label which she has run since 1997
Pennyblackmusic Bands Night
Half Moon, London, 24/3/2011
Jamie Rowland reflects on our Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night on March 24th at the Half Moon in South London with Pete Fij and Terry Bickers, Last Harbour, the Owl Service and Roshi ft. Pars Radio
Pennyblackmusic Film
Such is Rock and Roll
We present our new documentary film, 'Such is Rock and Roll', which was filmed at our recent Pennyblackmusic Bands Night at the Half Moon in Herne Hill in London
Rocket Girl
Interview with Vinita Joshi
Label boss Vinita Joshi talks to Mark Rowland about her early musical influences and career and the impact they have had on her London-based label Rocket Girl, which she first formed in 1997
Live
Adam Donen
Shoreditch Church, London, 4/4/2014
Dominic Simpson watches experimental musician Adam Donen, who is now based largely in Berlin and becoming increasingly known as a classical music composer, play a rare rock show to promote his third solo album 'False Bay Echoes' at Shoreditch Church in London
Adem
Union Chapel, London, 25/8/2008
In the splendid atmosphere of London's Union Chapel Anthony Dhanedran watches former Fridge member Adem play a stunning set of both original material and also eccentric covers
Crystal Stilts
Cargo, London, 30/3/2011
In an evening beset with problems, Anthony Strutt at Cargo in London watches New York post punks Crystal Stilts play an enjoyable, if otherwise somewhat unremarkable gig
Adrian Sherwood
Jazz Cafe, !7/6/2016
Adrian Janes watches experimental musician Adrian Sherwood play a compulsive but ultimately slightly unsatisfactory set at the Jazz Café in London
Aggrolites
333 Club, London, 13/9/2006
Daniel Cressey watches American ska/reggae act the Aggrolites play a stunning set to the sadly only partly-filled 333 Club in London
Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir
12 Bar, London, 30/9/2007
The Agnostic Gospel Mountain Choir are obviously capable of serious force with their fierce gospe-esquel blues, but at the 12 Bar in London Dan Cressey finds them on strangely subdued form
Akron/Family
ICA, London, 20/5/2009
Despite having recently lost founder member Ryan Vanderhoof and now being reduced to a three piece, Sarah Johnson at the London ICA finds New York experimental folk act Akron/Family having lost none of their spontaneity, but also having an increased tightness
All Else Failed
Pop, London, 15/7/2005
At Pop, London's latest designer venue,Olga Sladeckova watches new grunge band, All Else Failed, who are about to release their first single, perform a vigorous set
Anais Mitchell and Erin McKeown
Luminaire, London, 25/1/2010
At the London Luminaire Ben Howarth sees Anais Mitchell and her label mate at Ana di Franco's Righteous Babe label Erin McKeown play an exuberant acoustic set to promote Mitcherll's forthcoming folk opera, 'Hadestown'
Anais Mitchell
Luminaire, London, 21/1/2009
Signed to Ani Difranco’s Righteous Babe Records, American singer-songwriter has been making an increasing impact in Britain. Guest reviewer Charles Howarth watches her play a emotive set to an entranced audience at the Luminaire in London
Anais Mitchell
Union Chapel, London, 25/1/2011
Ben Howarth at the Union Chapel in London watches American singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell, with an extensive set of guest musicians including both Thea Gilmore and Jackie Leven, reenact her concept album, 'Hadestown', to standing ovation and hypnotic effect
And Also The Trees
Eventim Apollo, London, 21/12/2014.
Anthony Strutt watches 80's post-punks And Also The Trees play an incredible set in support of the Cure at the Eventim Apollo in London
Andy Burrows
Bush Hall, London, 21/2/2013
Gillian Fish watches former Razorlight and We Are Scientists drummer and now solo artist Andy Burrows play an impressive set at a gig at the Bush Hall in London to promote his recently released album 'Company'
Animal Collective
Astoria 2, London, 1/11/2007
At the Astoria 2 in London, Sarah Maybank watches experimental art trio Animal Collective play a dark relationship conflict-inducing, but hit-and-miss set
Angus and Julia Stone
Scala, London, 8/5/2008
Australian brother and sister duo Angus and Julia Stone have been attracting a rising audience with their blissful, intricate folk-pop. Ben Howarth watches them play a set of effortless and melodic charm at the Scala in London
Ani DiFranco
Union Chapel, London, 10/1/2012
Sarah Johnson watches American singer-songwriter and feminist Ani DiFranco play an energetic and immensely enjoyable set at the Union Chapel in London
Animal Collective
Coronet Club, London, 11/7/2007
At gig at the London Coronet Club, Chris O' Toole enjoys seeing electro pioneers the Animal Collective play an enthrallingly experimental set
Animal Collective
Scala, London, 25/10/2005
Dominic Simpson watches experimental free spirits the Animal Collective play a shamanistic and eclectic set at a packed show at the legendary London Scala
Animal Collective
Forum, London, 24/3/2009
At a keenly anticipated, strikingly visual show at the Forum in London, Mark Rowland watches pioneering electro act Animal Collective play a set which completely splits its audience
Anti Flag/A Wilhelm Scream
Astoria, London, 13/5/2006
At a gig at the Astoria in London, Andy Vincent finds headliners Anti Flag's politically-stanced punk rock starting to quickly grate, but support band A Wilhelm Scream on blistering form
Albums
John Peel Sessions 14.10.95 and 16.06.96
In our Re: VIew section, in which we look back at records from the past, Dave Goodwin examines two Peel Sessions from 1995 and 1996 from Scottish indiepop trio Bis, which have just been released on 10" vinyl by Precious Recordings of London.
Janice Long Sessions 18/11/1985 and 09/07/1986
Dixie Ernill reflects on North West indiepop band The Bodines' 1985 and 1986 Janice Long sessions, which have just been reissued on 10 inch vinyl by Precious Recordings of London.
Breathless
Blue Moon
Carl Bookstein reflects on London based quartet Breathless' evocative, atmospheric and melancholy fifth album 'Blue Moon', which originally released in 1999, is about to be reissued
John Peel Session, 13.01.99
English electronic group and production team, The Cuban Boys, get high marks from iDave Goodwin for this release on Precious Recordings of London for their 1999 John Peel session..
John Peel Sessions 16.02.92 and 20.09.93
Dave Goodwin is impressed by two 1990’s John Peel Sessions by Australian indie pop band Even As We Speak, which have just been released on the ever reliable Precious Recordings of London.
Godfathers
The Godfathers
John Clarkson examines South London-formed alternative rock band the Godfathers' eponymous and rarely heard 1993 album, which is about to be re-released for its twentieth anniversary in a double CD edition
Lucy Show
...undone
Andrew Carver looks at London-formed band the Lucy Show's post-punk debut album, '...undone', which has recently been reissued on the American Words On Music label
Peel Sessions 20.08.94 and 08.04.97
In our 'Re:View' section, in which we look at albums from the past, Fiona HUtchings checks out two Peel Sessions EPs from Leicester indie band Prolapse, which have been released by Precious Recordings of London for the first time on vinyl.
Hymns for Strange Children
Dave Goodwin re-examines the debut set by London glam rockers Rachel Stamp, who looked set to break into the mainstream at the start of the new Millennium.
ROC
ROC
Anthony Strutt examines offbeat London-based indie trio ROC's 1995 eponymous debut album, which has recently been reissued
Re : View : Talk Talk
London 1986
In the latest in our 'Re : view' series, in which our writers looks back on albums from the past, John Clarkson examines 'London 1986', a live recording released finally in 1999 of Talk Talk's final concert
Features
Photoscapes
A Skylight Drive
Anna Gudaniec at the Islington Academy in London takes photographs of Californian hardcore band A Skylit Drive
Alice Donut
There's a Curious Lump in My Sack
New York punks Alice Donut reformed in 2003 after a seven year break, and have just brought a new live DVD from a London show they played at the Camden Underworld earlier this year. Dave Toynton finds their eccentric form of thrash punk highly appealing
Photoscapes
Jane's Addiction
In our 'Photoscapes' series, Matt Williams photographs seminal Californian alternative rock act, Jane's Addiction, at the London O2 Arena
Band of Holy Joy
(With the Bitter Springs and Idiot Son), Macbeth, London, 9/1/2015
Dominic Simpson looks back on our first Bands' Nights of 2015, which at the Macbeth in London, saw sets from the Band of Holy Joy, the Bitter Springs and Idiot Son
Band Of Holy Joy
(With Moon Under Water and Dream Maps), Water Rats, London, 17/1/2020
We profile our next London Pennyblackmusic Bands' night which will take place with The Band of Holy Joy, Moon Under Water and Dream Maps at the Water Rats on the 17th January, 2020.
Soundtrack of Our Lives
Baptiste
In our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' column, in which our writers describe the personal impact of music upon them, John Clarkson writes about hearing in 2000 London-based indie band Baptiste's first two singles, 'A New Career in a New Town' and 'The Quiet Times'
Photoscapes
Basement Jaxx
Popular UK house music duo Basement Jaxx recently played an arena tour of Britain. Anna Gudaniec photographs them exclusively for Pennyblackmusic at the London Wembley Arena
Photoscapes
Brett Anderson
Best known for being the former singer with the bestselling 90's Britpop act Suede, Brett Anderson recently played his first ever solo dates over the course of three nights at the Bush Hall in London. Anna Gudaniec photographs him exclusively for Pennyblackmusic at one of those dates
Chesterfields
(With Karen and Charlie Big Time), Gullivers, Manchester, 18/2/2017
We profile our next London Pennyblackmusic Bands' night which will take place at Gullivers in Manchester, and will feature sets from The Chesterfields, Karen and Charlie Big Time
Clash
Ten Songs That Made Me Love
Eoghan Lyng selects tracks by punk legends The Clash for this month’s edition of 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Following the band’s progress, the cuts chart the outfit’s progress from London upstarts to their incorporation of many of the musical trends that came to define the 1980s.
Cobalt Chapel
Under the Radar
In his 'Under the Radar' column, in which he searches out under-rated artists and labels, Keith How examines Sheffield/London-based duo Cobalt Chapel's self-titled debut album, which is an uniquely inventive psychedelic folk classic.
Gig of a Lifetime
Cribs, Water Rats, London, 2007
In our 'Gig of a Lifetime' column Gillian Fish writes of attending a secret late night Cribs gig at the tiny Water Rats theatre in London
Photoscapes
Dartz
Since forming in March 2005 Dartz have become renowned for their intelligent, spiky, angular pop. At the London Islington Academy Anna Gudaniec shoots them on the last night of the tour
Photoscapes
Dashboard Confessional
American acoustic/electric guitar emo outfit Dashboard Confessional have recently released their fourth album,the Daniel Lanois-produced 'Dusk and Summer'. Anna Gudaniec photographs them at a lunchtime fan club gig at the Borderline in London
Gig of a Lifetime
David Bowie. Hanover Grand, London, 1997
Tony Gaughan writes in 'Gig of a Lifetime' about attending on crutches a fan club only David Bowie gig in the tiny Hanover Club in London at the time of his 'Earthling' album
Photoscapes
Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die come from Buffalo in New York State and combine a hardcore sound with classic rock influences from bands such as Motorhead, the Black Crowes and Thin Lizzy. Anna Gudaniec photographs them at the Mean Fiddler in London
Evidently Spencertown
And the Band Played On
Spencer Robertshaw in his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry column pays tribute to soldier and drummer Lee Rigby, who was murdered by terrorists outside Woolwich Barracks in London on the 22nd May
Faust
(Gig of a Lifetime) Corsica Studios, London, December 2006
In 'Gig of a Lifetime', Dominic Simpson writes about being evacuated from London venue the Corsica Studios after German avant-garde rockers Faust set off a smoke bomb
Photoscapes
Flogging Molly
American-born Celtic folk/punks Flogging Molly recently toured Britain to promote their new DVD 'Whiskey on a Sunday'. Anna Gudaniec photographs them exclusively for Pennyblackmusic at the Mean Fiddler in London
Photoscapes
Hold Steady
Pennyblackmusic phootgrapher takes photos of former Million Dead front man Frank Turner at a gig at the Soho Revue Bar in London
Photography
Bang Bang Romeo
Photoscapes
Alan Bell takes photographs of rising band Bang Bang Romeo at the Hanwell Hootie in London.
Photoscapes
Steev Burgess photographs art rockers The Golden Dregs at the Village Underground in London.
HeaveN Beatbox
Photoscapes
Alexia Arrizabalaga photographs Atlanta beatboxer HeaveN Beatbox at a gig at the KOKO in London
BST Hyde Park
Photoscapes
Darren Aston photographs the Killers, Elbow and Tears for Fears at a BST Hyde Park gig in London
Public Service Broadcasting
Photoscapes
Darren Aston photographs London-based electronic/prog rock duo Public Service Broadcasting at a gig at the O2 Academy in Liverpool
Photoscapes
Marie Hazelwood takes photos of indie pop supergroup Swansea Sound at our 25th Anniversary gig at The Water Rats in London.
Photoscapes
Marie Hazelwood takes photos of indie band The Volunteered at our 25th Anniversary gig at The Water Rats in London.
Wolf Alice
Photoscapes
Darren Aston photographs vocalist and guitarist Ellie Rowsell from North London rock band Wolf Alice at a show at the Arts Club in Liverpool
Photoscapes
Robert Hadley photographs North London duo Zo Lief at a gig at The Castle and Falcon in Birmingham.