Reviews
Michael Carpenter (2001)
Baby
Michael Carpenter's debut album ‘Baby’ is another beneficiary of the recent licensing agreement between new label When! Recordings, a subsidiary of long-standing reissue specialists Castle Music, and
Related
Interviews
Baltic Fleet
Interview
The predominantly instrumental side project of Paul Fleming, the keyboard player with Echo and the Bunnymen, Baltic Fleet has just released its eponymous debut album. Anthony Strutt talks to him about it and how the bulk of tracks were written on the road when the Bunnymen were touring America
Birdie
Interview
Birdie was formed by vocalist Deborah Wykes and guitarist Paul Kelly in 1998. Wykes and Kelly, who are partners as well as band mates and who have a four year old daughter , first met when they were both working as backing musicians for Saint Etienne in
Black Grape
Interview with Shaun Ryder
‘It’s Great When You’re Straight… Yeah!’, the classic debut LP by Black Grape celebrates its 21st Anniversary with a reissue edition and a tour that sees the band play the album in full. Front man Shaun Ryder chats to Richard Lewis about the making of the LP and the group’s upcoming third album
Bon Jovi
Interview
When you're a rock superstar, who do you turn to for musical advice? Jon Bon Jovi tells Nick Dent-Robinson about this and more.
Deltasound
Interview
John Clarkson speaks to Jonjo McNeill and Adrian Huggins from Newcastle-based trio Deltasound, whose debut album ‘When the Attack Warnings Sound’, which reflects ominously on nuclear disaster, they have just released as a pay-as-you-want release
Interview
Papernut Cambridge frontman Ian Button speaks to John Clarkson about ‘When the Magic Went Wrong’, his new collection of short stories and album about a down-on-his-luck magician, which he has recorded under the moniker of Toni Tubna and the Stockholm Tuba Sect, and his work with Gare Du Nord Records.
Interview
Lisa Torem speaks to Jay Bergen about his ‘under-the-radar’ memoir, ‘Lennon, Mobster and The Lawyer’, which is a fascinating account of John Lennon’s commitment to the courtroom when battling two lawsuits, with Bergen as his attorney.
Louise Aubrie
Interview
Malcolm Carter speaks to London singer-songwriter Louise Aubrie about her new solo album 'When I Don’t Love You I’ll Let You Know’ and the surprising influence of Cary Grant on it.
Magic 12
Interview-Divorce and the Single Man
Back for a third interview with Pennyblackmusic, Magic 12 frontman Toby Ingalls, talks to John Clarkson about the group's new album 'High' and how he managed to get it completed when his band broke up just before it was due to go into the studio
Phobos 3
Interview
Steve Jones and Richard Pushong tasted mainstream success in the mid-1990's as Elixir. When their studio was ransacked, they formed a new post-rock band, Phobos 3. They talk to Anthony Dhanendran about the problems and benefits of running two bands
Interview
When British guitarist/songwriter Robin Trower tours the UK and the US in 2024, he will feature songs from his 1974 gold record, ‘Bridge of Sighs,’ which is being meticulously reissued in May. Lisa Torem talks to him about the tour and the reissue.
Silver Sun
Second Time Lucky ?-An Interview with James Broad
One of the great pop acts of the 90's, Silver Sun had various hits and released two albums, but broke up in acrimony when their label Polydor collapsed. Frontman James Broad speaks about the band's reformation and forthcoming eventual third album
Heavy Trash
Interview
Sarah Maybank finds Jon Spencer to be in aggressive mood when she speaks to him about Heavy Trash's new album, 'Midnight Soul Mood', and how he divides his time between it and his other band, the Blues Explosion
Robin Guthrie
Violet Indiana Interview
Robin Guthrie's name in the music business has a great deal of success and importance attached to it. Guitarist Robin's earliest appearance dates back to 1979 when he formed the famous Cocteau Twins with singer Elizabeth Fraser. The volume of the Coctea
Profiles
Endless Highway
The Music of the Band
Malcolm Carter asks if tribute collections are unnecessary especially when the originals can't be bettered, after listening to 'Endless Highway', a compilation featuring the likes of Death Cab for Cutie, Jack Johnson and Bruce Hornsby and dedicated to the Band
India Preston
Interview
Owen Peters heads to Cornwall to walk it's coastline, but gets delayed in Falmouth when he comes across the artistic, youthful talents of India Preston
Liam Walker
Profile
What happens when a talented singer songwriter takes a leap towards TV stardom? Nicky Crewe follows South Yorkshire musician Liam Walker’s path to 'The Voice' and beyond.
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
Johnnie 'Bloody' Walker
A Memoir
When he discovers an old cassette recorder in his attic, Owen Peters is met by a flood of memories of his teenage years listening and taping DJ Johnnie Walker's 70's lunchtime show and his argumentative parents
Film
When You're Strange
Anthony Strutt finds much to recommend in new Doors film, 'When You're Strange', which consists of largely unreleased and previously unseen footage of Jim Morrison
DVD
Transylvania
'Transylvania', which Pennyblackmusic reviewed when it was released in the cinema last year, is an edgy road movie with a stunning gyspy folk soundtrack. Anthony Strutt looks at its new DVD release, which comes with various extras
Film
Ben X
The affecting, but somewhat erratic debut of Belgian director Nic Balthazar, Mark Rowland finds new film 'Ben X', the story of a teenager with Asperger's syndrome who is only truly comfortable when playing a fictional online role playing game, to be an intriguing mass of ideas
Turns 80!
Nick Dent-Robinson leaves no stone unturned when commemorating Paul McCartney’s 18th June birthday, by chronicling the octogenarian’s unprecedented number of accomplishments.
Comment
When is a reissue worth buying? Fiona Hutchings isn’t entirely sure. as she reflects upon the new vinyl version of Prolapse's 1994 debut album 'Pointless Walks To Dismal Places'.
Live
Alabama 3
Brook, Southampton, 17/10/2005
When Philip Vincent saw acid house country rockers Alabama 3 in Southampton this summer, it was for him one of the musical highlights of his year. Back to see them there for a second time, he finds history sadly failing to repeat itself
Faust
Corsica Studios, London, 3/12/2006
At a gig by reformed German 70's art rockers Faust at the Corsica Studios in London, Anthony Strutt witnesses their unique brand of rock'n'roll art terrorism reach unbelievable new heights when they gas their audience with toxic smoke
Coral
Exeter University Lemon Grove, 14/10/2002
One of the most hyped bands of the moment, Ben Howarth was less than impressed when they released their second single earlier this year, but comes away from an Exeter gig totally convinced
Eels
Astoria, London, 23/6/2006
When the Eels toured last year, it was with a string quartet. On their latest tour, they have , however, returned to their rock roots. Guest reviewer Charles Howarth catches them at a show at the London Astoria
Freeheat
London Mean Fiddler
The Mean Fiddler is an underground venue on Tottenham Court Road in West London. Don't be fooled by its outwardly innocent-looking appearance though. Inside it anything but that, as was proved on the night of the 29th November when Freeheat came to play t
Gondwana Orchestra
(Supported by Mammal Hands) Millenium Hall, Sheffield, 30/1/2015
Keith How watches Manchester-based composer and trumpeter Matthew Halsall's sprawling band Gondwana Orchestra play a jazz-influenced set at the Millenium Hall in Sheffield to promote their new album, ‘When The World Was One’
Vic Theatre, Chicago, 16/9/2023
Lisa Torem enjoys the diversity of the set list when Herb Alpert and Lani Hall draw from a lifetime of classic, plus new arrangements from recent release, ‘Wish Upon a Star.'.
Ikara Colt
London Astoria, 20/4/2002
Despite a general buzz about Ikara Colt in the music press, Julia Willis is disappointed when she catches them at the London Astoria
Joe Strummer
London HMV Oxford Street, 16/7/2001
I never got the Clash at all, I'm afraid. But in these days now, when indie has got somewhat boring, it's worth checking out the old chaps to see if they can still cut it in the Y2K. As I said, I never got the Clash but they never pissed me off either. Wa
Moly
Islington Academy Bar, London, 15/8/2005
Olga Sladeckova almost becomes lost while looking for the elusive Islington Academy Bar, but when she finally gets there is enthralled by a stunning set from Guildford-based instrumental post rockers Moly
Mud Morganfield
Space, Evanston, 4/1/2019
Lisa Torem finds bringing in the aftermath of the new year to be a delight when Mud Morganfield aka Muddy Waters Jr. and his band unleashed fresh cuts from his latest album ‘They Call Me Mud’ as well as classics.
Montgolfier Brothers
Britons Protection, Manchester, 10/3/3005
Dixie Ernill wasn't sure what to expect when he went to see the little known Montgolfier Brothers play an intimate set at the Britons' Protection In Manchester, but comes away stunned
Primal Scream
Astoria, London, 5/6/2006
Late to a show by her favourite band, Olga Sladeckova nevertheless finds Primal Scream worth the hassle when she goes to see them at the Astoria in London
Rickie Lee Jones
Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 17/11/2015
Lisa Torem finds Rickie Lee Jones' News Orleans-inspired songwriting to be shining when she returns to the Old Town School of Folk Music in her birth city of Chicago with a new line-up in support of her recent fan-funded release, 'The Other Side of Desire'
Rita Coolidge
Boisdale, London, 17/5/2018
Adam Coxon finds that, despite being showcased in a noisy venue, Rita Coolidge 'surpasses all expectations' when performing select material from new album, 'Safe in the Arms of Time' during a much-awaited four-night appearance in London, where 'she was greeted by the clanging of cutlery'.
Robin Trower
Copernicus Center, Chicago, 29/4/2017
Time stands still for Lisa Torem when Robin Trower and his trio perform at Chicago’s Copernicus Center.
Songhoy Blues
Student Union, Sheffield, 26/2/2016
Nicky Crewe learns more about the history and culture of Mali, where the power and message of protest music is taken to a new level, when watching Songhoy Blues play a gig in Sheffield
Struts
House of Blues, Chicago, 24/11/2018
Lisa Torem is mesmerised by charismatic and energetic British rockers The Struts when they head out to Chicago for a House of Blues gig.
Trumans Water, Ten Grand, I'm Being Good
Camden Underworld, London, 3/6/2003
Mark Rowland's dislike of London's Camden area was recently intensified when he was robbed in the street there, but, despite this, he still manages to forget temporarily his troubles at a post-punk night at the Underworld
Wanda Jackson
City Winery, Chicago, 17/5/2017
Lisa Torem watches Wanda Jackson uphold her rockabilly roots when performing a high spirited concert at Chicago’s City Winery.
Albums
Re : View-Beach Boys
Pet Sounds
When 'Pet Sounds' first came out in 1966, Malcolm Carter could not understand what all the fuss was about. Many years on he writes about why he now feels that it deserves its seminal reputation
A Place to Bury Strangers
A Place to Bury Strangers
Anthony Strutt examines the eponymous debut album of the self-proclaimed loudest band in New York, A Place to Bury Strangers, which he missed out on when it was released at the end of last year
Rise Against
The Sufferer and the Witness
In the latest in our Re : View series, in which our writers look back at albums from previous years, Alex Halls examines Chicago quartet punk Rise Against's fourth album 'The Sufferer and the Witness;, which he missed out on when it was released last year
Features
1963
In 'Raging Pages' guest reviewer Eoghan Lyng contends that author Dafydd Rees ‘apes the lexicon of the era’ when focusing on the Beatles history in his new book ' The Beatles 1963: A Year in the Life'.
Comment
Small venues pack a big punch when it comes to supporting live music. They are important for audiences and essential for musicians. Nicky Crewe examines one of the best, Cafe No. 9 in Nether Edge in Sheffield.
A Life in Music
When chatting with a longstanding fellow writer for her 'A Life in Music' column, in which she talks to a different Pennyblack writer about the impact on music on their lives, Cila Warncke discovers that Denzil Watson doubled as a gigging musician in Sheffield and Lincolnshire.
Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll
April 2011
In his regular 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth pays tribute to durable and underrated acoustic duo, Ezio, who shot briefly to notoriety when then Shadow Prime Minister Tony Blair nominated one of their songs on 'Desert Island Discs'
Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll
October 2010
Ben Howarth in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column examines the issue of music career suicide and what can happen to bands when good ideas start to run out
Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll
September 2009
In the latest in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll', Ben Howarth explains the targets he sets out for himself when reviewing new music and his pleasure at discovering new Bath-based blues-influenced act Kill It Kid
Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll
March 2007
In the latest in his 'Condemned by Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth asks why when we need music for rest and relaxation there is so little for it, before finding some respite with the French duo Air, who have just released a new album 'Pocket Symphony'
DVD-Residents
Commercial Album
When the Residents 'Commercial Album' came out in 1980, it featured 40 one minute tracks. Anthony Strutt finds the DVD, which has been released to coincide with the album's reissue, to be a fine visual assistant to the album
C86
A History and Personal Perspective Part 1
When reading about your indie-pop favourites, you have probably quite often stumbled across the term"C86". And maybe you have wondered what it means. Is it a cassette that is 86 minutes long? Is it a guitar model? Is it a drum machine?
Nicky Crewe
Ticket Rewind
In our 'Ticket Rewind' series, in which our writers reflect on their old gig tickets and their stories, Nicky Crewe wonders when is a ticket not a ticket now we have the ticketless gig and shares memories of a significant paper ticket found as a bookmark.
In the 1970's
Author Geoffrey Feakes takes a deep dive into the 1970s, when keyboardist/composer Rick Wakeman was at the height of his creative career, in the Sonicbond DECADES series. Lisa Torem in her 'Raging Pages' book column examines it
Ruts
Life After Death ? : A Profile
Massively influential in punk circles, the Ruts came to an abrupt end when their singer, Malcolm Owen died of an heroin overdose shortly after they released their debut album. John Clarkson charts the band's history and examines their lasting legacy
Photography
Photoscapes
Andrew Twambley takes photographs of award-winning blues duo When Rivers Meet at a sold-out gig at the Deaf Institute in Manchester.