Important


Reviews


Merzbow (2002)


Amlux
Dynamic and aggressive electronica from the uncompromising Merzbow




Related


Interviews

Alan McGee
Interview Alan McGee - Interview

Alan McGee was the Glasgow-born owner and founder of Creation Records, Britain’s most important music label of the 1980s and 1990s. Anthony Strutt talks to him about his label, his musical career and life in the record industry.


Cabaret Voltaire
Interview Cabaret Voltaire - Interview

One of the most important bands of the late 70's, Cabaret Voltaire were a massive influence on both Joy Division and Nine Inch Nails with their unique brand of electro punk. Guitarist Richard H. Kirk talks to David McNamee about their unique legacy


Cranebuilders
Interview Cranebuilders - Interview

Described as "the most important unsigned band in Britain", Liverpudlian band Cranebuilders have just released their third EP 'Just Idleness'. The group talks to Anthony Strutt about their career to date, and their search for the right record deal


Hazel O' Connor
Interview Hazel Oconnor - Interview

Hazel O' Connor was one of the first important female singers of the 80's, and her film 'Breaking Glass' was one of the classic rock films. John Clarkson talks to her about coming to terms with her past, and her new album 'Hidden Hearts'


Idiot Son
Interview Idiot Son - Interview

Idiot Son have just released one of the small indie albums of the year with the melancholic and thoughtful 'Lummox'. Frontman Andy Thompson talks to John Clarkson about the album and why the London roots of the band have proved so important


Lost Brothers
Interview Lost Brothers - Interview

Cila Warncke chats to Oisin Leech from Dublin-based folk duo the Lost Brothers about his influences and the things which are most important to him


Mike Grogan
Interview Mike Grogan - Interview

With the success of Mike Grogan's recent album 'Make Me Strong', Owen Peters discusses his plans to tour and why history is important


Thalia Zedek
Interview Thalia Zedek - Interview

One of the most influential and important singers and guitarists in American indie rock, Thalia Zedek has a long musical career that expands across four decades and nearly twenty five years. After moving from Washington to Boston in the late seventies,


Interview The Church - Interview

Steve Kilbey, the frontman with Australian post-punk band The Church, talks to Cila Warncke about the places that have been most important to him and new album ‘The Hypnogogue’.


Profiles

Granite Shore
Profile Granite Shore - Profile

Malcolm Carter reflects on Distractions' guitarist and Occultation Recordings' boss Nick Halliwell's band the Granite Shore's debut album ‘Once More From The Top’ which, out in May, he believes to be 'one of the most impressive and important albums not just of this year but the whole decade'


Idles
Profile Idles - Profile

Adrian Huggins reflects on ‘Joy As An Act Of Resistance’, the triumphant second album from Idles, one of the most important current UK bands.


Sarah Records
Interview with Matt Haynes and Clare Wadd 1 Miscellaneous - Interview with Matt Haynes and Clare Wadd 1

One of the most important independent record labels if all time, Sarah Records put out exactly 100 perfect pop releases and then stopped. In the first part of a two part interview, Julia Willis speaks to owners Matt Haynes and Clare Wadd


Live

Idles
Riverside, Newcastle, 23/10/2018 Idles - Riverside, Newcastle, 23/10/2018

Adrian Huggins watches Bristolian ‘not punks’ Idles take to the stage in Newcastle and show why they are one of the most important British bands in 2018.


Nils, GC5, Angels, Saints and Heroes, Th
Dominion Tavern, Ottawa, 10/5/2003 Miscellaneous - Dominion Tavern, Ottawa, 10/5/2003

"The most important Canadian band of the 80's", the Nils recently reformed. Andrew Carver finds the infamous Soria brothers playing "an entertaining set of rock’n’roll", but, with a set of almost entirely new songs, avoiding matching their legend


Mogwai
Barrowlands, Glasgow, 19/10/2003 Paladins - Barrowlands, Glasgow, 19/10/2003

Mogwai's complex form of Maths rock has as many detractors as it does fans. Peter Liddle at the Glasgow Barrowlands finds them continuing to "deliver a sound unlike any other band" and argues that that it is this why they are so important


Features

Comment Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - 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.


Departure
Dirty Words Departure - Dirty Words

The Departure's 'Dirty Words' will be one of the most important releases of the year. While it is not due out until June, Anthony Strutt gives it an early preview


Soundtrack of Our Lives
Lows and Highs with Feeder Feeder - Lows and Highs with Feeder

In the latest in our series, in which our writers write about the impact of music at important times in their lives, Paul Raven tells of how with everything against him and his life in mess Feeder's single 'High' provided comfrot and help


Film
9 Songs Film - 9 Songs

'9 Songs' has created much controversy as it is the first UK made film to be passed uncut to feature full-on hardcore sex. Anthony Strutt argues, however, that it is equally important as it is the first to depict the indie music lifestyle


Soundtrack of Our Lives
Starting Over with the Flaming Lips Flaming Lips - Starting Over with the Flaming Lips

In the latest in our series, in which our writers write about the impact of music at important times in their lives, Neil Palmer tells of how the Flaming Lips' ‘Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots’ helped to salvage his marriage at a time of crisis


Ian McNabb
The Gentleman Adventurer Ian Mcnabb - The Gentleman Adventurer

'The Gentleman Adventurer' is Ian McNabb's 7th solo album, and is being self-released as an internet only release. Anthony Strutt examines a prolific record by one of Liverpool's "most important and under rated songwriters"


1980
Ten Songs That Made Me Love... Miscellaneous - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

Continuing our series where Pennyblack contributors discuss ten songs that are important to them, Dave Goodwin brings together an eclectic mixture of tracks from 1980.


Thoughts on 2001
Feature

I have been doing some thinking about the year ahead in British independent music. While I don't think there will be many major changes, here are some of my thoughts and predictions on some of the important independent music events that will affect t


Soundtrack of Our Lives
Teenage Life and Sonic Youth My Bloody Valentine - Teenage Life and Sonic Youth

In the latest instalment in our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives', in which our writers write about the effect of music at important times in their lives, Dominic Simpson tells of his teenage discovery of Sonic Youth


Will Romano
Prog Rock FAQ: All That’s Left To Know About Rock’s Most Progressive Music Will Romano - Prog Rock FAQ:  All That’s Left To Know About Rock’s Most Progressive Music

In 'Raging Pages', her monthly book column, Lisa Torem examines Will Romano's important and fascinating new book, 'Prog Rock FAQ, All That’s Left To Know About Rock’s Most Progressive Music'