# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Miscellaneous


Interviews


Interview with Innes Reekie and Jeremy Thoms (2019)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Innes Reekie and Jeremy Thoms

Innes Reekie and Jeremy Thoms from Stereogram Recordings speak about its recent expansion into book publishing, and their new book 'Nite Life During Wartime', which is a photographic account of the club and music scene in Edinburgh in the 1980s.


Interview (2015)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Laura Moody talks to Owen Peters on her work ethic as a cellist, singer and lyricist, her new album 'Acrobats' and why she wants men to open up on mental health issues


Interview (2014)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Jamie Havlin chats to rock biographer Nina Antonia about her latest project, editing the Libertines' Pete Doherty's journals for new book, ‘From Albion to Shangri-La’


Interview with Nick Halliwell (2013)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Nick Halliwell

John Clarkson talks to Nick Halliwell, the owner of Occultation Recordings, about the making of the new vinyl edition of The Wild Swans' 'The Coldest Winter for a Hundred Years' , which appears in three different editions


Interview With Nick Halliwell (2012)

Miscellaneous - Interview With Nick Halliwell

John Clarkson speaks to Nick Halliwell, who is also a songwriter, musician, producer and the front man with the Granite Shore, about his label Occultation Recordings, which puts a special focus on vinyl and has seen releases recently from the Distractions, the Wild Swans and Factory Star


Interview with James Houston (2012)

Miscellaneous - Interview with James Houston

Spencer Robertshaw talks to James Houston, the organiser of North Yorkshire festival Galtres, which is now in its eighth year, about his extraordinary festival and its links with charity


Interview (2012)

Miscellaneous - Interview

In their third Pennyblackmusic interview, Anthony Strutt speaks to twee pop group Tender Trap about their musical history and forthcoming fourth album, 'Ten Songs About Girls'


Interview (2012)

Miscellaneous - Interview

John Clarkson talks Wyatt Parkins and Anthony Davis from the flourishing Texas-based independent label Saint Marie Records about the reasons for the rapid rise and success of their label which, despite being just over a year old, has already over twenty acts signed to it


Interview With Natalie Hudson (2012)

Miscellaneous - Interview With Natalie Hudson

John Clarkson speaks to Stuart Mackay, the organiser and founder of the annual indiepop Indetracks Festival, which is now in its sixth year, about the plans and the line-up for this year's festival.


Interview With Flounder (2011)

Miscellaneous - Interview With Flounder

Neil Bailey speaks to Flounder, one of the organisers of the Endorse It in Dorset Festival, about his festival which this year will take place between the 12th and 14th August and whose headliners include the Rezillos and New Model Army.


Interview With Stuart Mackay (2011)

Miscellaneous - Interview With Stuart Mackay

Helen Tipping speaks to Stuart Mackay, the organiser and founder of the annual indie pop Indetracks Festival, which is now in its fifth year, about his plans and the line-up for this year's festival


Interview with Robin Allport (2011)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Robin Allport

Club AC30 is one of Britain's leading shoegazing record labels and club nights. Co-owner Robin Allport chats to Anthony Strutt about his label which has now put out over fifty albums and singles including releases by Exit Calm, Ringo Deathstarr, Air Formation and Model Morning


Interview (2010)



Chicago-based journalist and music writer Jim DeRogatis talks to Lisa Torem about his latest book, 'The Beatles Vs the Stones'


Interview (2010)

Miscellaneous - Interview

London/Brighton-based psychedelic/shoegazing band One Unique Signal speak to Anthony Strutt about their ten year history and playing shows as the backing band with one of their main influences, the Telescopes


Interview (2010)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Influential punk/pop group the Primitives recently reformed after a nearly twenty year absence. Anthony Strutt speaks to singer Tracy Tracy and guitarist Paul Court about their late 80s chart success and getting back together


Interview with David Fishof (2010)

Miscellaneous - Interview with David Fishof

Los Angeles-based promoter David Fishof speaks to Lisa Torem about his Rock and Roll Fantasy Camps which allow fans the opportunity to write and perform music with their favourite musicians


Interview with Sean Birdsall (2010)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Sean Birdsall

With safety an increasing issue at festivals, Spencer Robertshaw talks to Sean Birdsall, the organiser of the North Yorkshire-based the Limetree Festival, about its green and family focus


Interview with Stuart Mackay (2010)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Stuart Mackay

John Clarkson talks to Stuart Mackay, the founder and organiser of the Indietracks Festival, about the continued development and fourth year of his indiepop festival, which is situated on the grounds of 1950's train museum in Derbyshire


Interview (2009)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Edition 59 is a German label that specialises in reissues of records from the 80s and singles and EPs from exciting new acts in editions of just 59 copies. Anthony Strutt speaks to owner, Werner Truckenbrodt, about his label


Interview (2009)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Mark Rowland speaks to Turin-born, but London-based musician Alessio Natalizia about his bedroom project Banjo or Freakout and forthcoming debut alabum


Interview with Paul Marko (2008)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Paul Marko

Paul Marko has recently published a 500 page book about legendary 70's punk club the Roxy. John Clarkson speaks to him about the writing of his book, and, thirty years on after its demise, the Roxy's enduring legacy


Interview with Stuart Mackay (2008)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Stuart Mackay

The Indietracks Festival takes place in a heritage train museum in Derbyshire, and this year will feature over fifty indie pop acts including the Wedding Present, Milky Wimpshake, ballboy, and Darren Hayman. Jamie Rowland speaks to organiser and founder Stuart Mackay about his festival


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

One of the bestelling guitar acts of the 90's, the Presidents of the United States of America got back together in 2004 after a seven year break, and have since toured Europe several times. John Clarkson talks to drummer Jason Finn about their reformation


Interview with Dave Jackson Part 1 (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Dave Jackson Part 1

In the first of a two part interview, Dave Jackson, the vocalist with Liverpool bands the Room, Benny Profane and Dust, and currently the Dead Cowboys, talks to Anthony Strutt about his 25 year long musical career


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Steve Adey has been getting excellent reviews everywhere for his first album 'All Things Real'. He speaks to Malcolm Carter about his remarkable debut


Interview with Tim Gaines (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Tim Gaines

Stereolab's Tim Gaines first band was 80's political indiepop group McCarthy. Tommy Gunnarsson speaks to him about it, and the band's three albums


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Recorded on cheap instruments including a vintage Casio, indiepop trio the Research released their debut album 'Breaking Up' earlier this year. Frontman Russell talks to Mark Rowland about it and why the band try to reject twee comparisions


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

iLiKETRAiNS write songs about Antarctic explorers and show films as backdrops to their live shows. Helen Tipping talks to them in their native Leeds at a show to launch their mini debut album, 'Progress Reform'


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Widely acclaimed, Australian group Howling Bells have just released their debut album on Bella Union Records. Anthony Strutt talks to lead singer Juanita Stein about their decision to move to Britain and her band's cinematic brand of rock


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Psychobilly Southern Californian band have just finished touring with Morrisey. Aaron Brown chats to front man Nick 13 about the problems he has had with constant line-up changes, and the group's increasing status in both the United States and Europe


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

El Perro del Mar is the mantle of Swedish-based musician Sarah Assbring. With her profile growing across europe and her first album just out in Britain, John Clarkson speaks to her about her late 50's and early 60's influenced indiepop


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Massachusetts-based punk metal band A Wilhelm Scream talk to Andy Vincent at a gig at the London Astoria supporting Anti Flag about touring the UK and recent changes in their personnel


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Australian group the Morning After Girls are about to release their debut album 'Shadows Evolve'.Anthony Strutt talks to them about their decision to relocate from Melbourne to Sydney, and why they think they are more likely to meet with success abroad


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Dublin hard rockers the Answer channel a classic rock n’ roll vibe that is both fresh and very contemporary. Aaron Brown talks to very worse-for-wear looking singer Cormac Neeson about their forthcoming debut album


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Atmospheric Boston-based trio Victory at Sea released their best album 'All Your Things Are Gone'earlier this year. Members Mona Elliott and Mel Lederman speak to Ben Howarth about their unique sound


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Silver Springs include in their line-up members of Tompaulin. Anthony Strutt talks to them a gig playing support for ex-Hefner frontnman Darren Hayman about their plan to release their debut album


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Hush the Many's whispering atmospherics have been gaining much acclaim, and they are about to begin a tour with Ed Harcourt. Jamie Rowland talks to them about their unique sound at a London gig


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Six piece band Irish Mainline merge together distorted Jesus and Mary Chain style guitars with Spiritualised psychedelic grooves. Anthony Strutt chats to them about their first British single and touring with Primal Scream and Sonic Youth


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

With their self-released debut single 'The Agent' having had massive pre-sales, Sheffield-based guitar act Little Man Tate seem destined to go far. Denzil Watson speaks to the band backstage before a gig in their hometown on a sell-out tour


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

One of London’s most original sounding bands, electro folk act the Shortwave Set use home made instruments and have recently toured with Goldfrapp. Sarah Johnson talks to Andrew Pettitt about the band's debut album, 'The Debt Collection'


Interview (2006)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Surf obsessed pop punks getAmped are about to release their second album 'Postcards from Hell'. Aaron Brown talks to them at the Manchester Academy about it and why they have become popular in China


Interview (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Quirky indiepop punks the Secret Hairdresser have been around in one incarnation or another for several years. Guitarist and singer Jason chats to Mark Rowland about the groups latest line-up, dubious venues and the bands recent return to the studio.


Interview (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Art rockers Paris Motel play songs about Vita Sackville-West and bisexual Elizabethean female pirates. Emma Haigh chats to front woman and violinist Amy May about songwriting, her group's first 18 months and their self-released first two EPs


Interview (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Only 20, Carlisle-born, but now Bristol-based singer-songwriter Rose Kemp has recently signed to One Little Indian Records. She chats to Sarah Johnson about touring, her latest EP and forthcoming new album


Interview (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Siberian rockers and throat singers Yat Kha have just released 'Re-Covers', an album of covers of songs by largely British artists including Led Zeppelin and Joy Division. Anthony Dhanendran talks to front man Albert Kuvezin about it


Interview (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Liverpool-based group the Dead 60's is a unique combination of ska, punk and reggae. At a secret gig in London Anthony Strutt chats to guitarist Ben Gordon about their self-titled debut album


Interview (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Orenda Fink was one half of much acclaimed duo and Saddle Creek signings Azure Ray, but has now gone solo for her latest album, 'Invisible Ones'. She talks to Ben Howarth about her new record and its strong Haitian influences


Interview (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Formed out of the ashes of Cat on Form and Lady Muck, drums and guitar art duo rockers Blood Red Shoes have just released their debut EP. Members Steven Ansell and Laura-Mary Carter chat to Mark Rowland


Interview (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Multi-million selling songwriter Albert Hammond has written some of the best known songs of the last 50 years and is also the father of the Strokes Albert Hammond Jr. He talks to John Clarkson about 'Revolution of the Heart', his first album in 23 years


Interview (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Hard rockers The Glitterati have recently released their self-titled debut album and have just had their first Top 40 hit.. At a Southampton gig guitarist Nic Denson talks to Anastasia Grabov about his groups's sudden rise


Interview (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview

With their tongues firmly in cheek, eight piece Welsh hip hoppers Goldie Lookin' Chain have become stars overnight. Aaron Brown talks to MCs Eggsy and Mystikal before a sold out show at the Glasgow Barrowlands


Interview (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview

New punk group Dead Fly Buchowski have recently signed to Beggar's Banquet and have just released their debut single 'Blackout'. With their debut album on the way, singer Roddy Campbell speaks to Olga Sladeckova about the group's rise


Interview (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Carlisle-based band SecondtoLast are just about to release their debut EP on Lockjaw Records after 5 years together. The group talk to Mark Rowland about keeping drummers and escaping the trappings of the often pretentious hardcore scene


Interview (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Electronica act Pro Forma created a melancholic punk sound which they dubbed 'The Council House' and featured in its first line-up Franz Ferdinand's Paul Thomson. Founder member Simon Henderson speaks about its past and future


Interview (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview

One of the rising names in the British wave of Americana bands, the Redlands Palomino Co have just released their debut album. Vocalists and guitarists Alex and Hannah Elton-Wall talk to Olga Sladeckova about the album and their future plans


Interview (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Since appearing in Quentin Tarantino's 'Kill Bill', the 5, 6, 7, 8s' profile has escalated. Frontwoman "Ronnie" Fujimaya talks to Olga Sladeckova about the sudden success of her garage rock trio after nearly twenty years in the business


Interview (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Now signed to Fat Wreck Chords, None More Black is the new project of former Kid Dynamite frontman Jason Shevchuck. Anastasia Grabov speaks to them backstage on the London date of their first ever European tour about their debut album, 'File Under Black'


Interview (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview

The Scoundrelles are the new project of former Scientists guitarist Tony Thewlis. He, and fellow band members Hugh Gulland and Yan Quellien chat about their debut album ‘Organic Molecules In Action!’ which had drawn comparisions with the Flaming Lips


Interview (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Featuring former members of Ultrasound and Spiritualized, London based trio the Sunshine Valley Dance Band's music has a similar energy and charisma. Olga Sladeckova chats to bassist Vanessa Best


Interview Part 1 (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview Part 1

One of the rising bands on the innovative Brighton punk scene, Cat on Form have just brought out their first album, 'Structure and Fear'. In the first part of a two part interview, Mark Rowland talks to frontman Steve Ansell


Interview (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview

The project of Georgia producer and studio owner Andy Le Master, Now It's Overhead's airy debut album has drawn comparisions with its lush atmospherics with both the Cure and the Beach Boys. He speaks about why sleep depravation is eesential to his music


Interview with Anthony Bautovich (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Anthony Bautovich

Anthony Bautovich is best known for his work with the much-acclaimed power pop super group, the Orange Humble Band, but has also recently formed his own band the Forresters. He talks to John Clarkson about its debut album, 'Skin Deep'


Interview (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Despite coming from the Rhode Island city of Providence, many of alt rock band Barn Burning's songs have a distinctive rural setting. Frontman Anthony Loffredio talks to John Clarkson about songwriting and his group's debut album 'Weatheredbound'


Interview (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Pete Gofton, aka J. Xaverre, is the brother of Kenicke's Lauren Laverne, and used to play in that group, but now has his own solo career. He talks to Julia Willis about why he prefers playing alone rather than with a band


Interview (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview

One of the rising stars of alt.country , Jesse Sykes' new band the Sweet Hereafter was born out of a troubled past, and features former Whiskeytown guitarist Phil Wandscher. John Clarkson speaks to her about its debut album, 'Reckless Burning'


Interview with Linda Reid (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Linda Reid

Our Sister Vanilla interview of a few months ago proved so popular that we decided to run another one. Linda Reid chats to Anthony Strutt about her band's forthcoming debut album, 'Little Pop Rock' and life with her brothers, the JAMC's Jim and William


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

The sister of the Jesus and Mary Chain's Jim and William, Linda Reid has recently finished recording her debut album, 'Little Pop Rock' under the moniker, Sister Vanilla. She chats to Olga Sladeckova about its making and her famous brothers


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Until recently largely forgotten about, 80's Texan punk pop trio the Judys have recently met with a resurgence of interest. although all their albums have been deleted. Tommy Gunnarsson chats to frontman David Bean about the band's 15 year history


Paul Vittum Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Paul Vittum Interview

Paul Vittum is the founder and head of 'Red Carpet Ring', a small but flourishing independent label from Claremont in New Hampshire. Red Carpet Ring takes it name both from the ringing of sound, and t


Interview Part 1 (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview Part 1

Zum is both a San Francisco music magazine and also a growing independent label. It was first established in 1990 as a small, photocopied fanzine of a few pages by brother and sister team, George a


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

When interviewing Edinburgh-band ballboy for Pennyblack Magazine some months ago, I asked frontman Gordon McIntyre if there were any more bands in Edinburgh that we should watch out for. He mentioned


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

The reason why I was so keen to interview Rydell is because they have released my favourite record of the year, their debut album “Per Ardua Ad Astra” (which translated from Latin means "through hards


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

As frontman for the semi-recently formed The Vultures out of Seattle,Washington,and long-standing veteran to The Mullens out of Dallas, Texas, I was recently able to catch up with Mr Matt Mayo to tal


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Described as "the epitome of fun " and "one of the world's most effervescent bands" , Sit 'n' Spin are known for their great live shows and punky pop songs and have drawn comparisons with the Ronett


Profiles

Crosby, Stills and Nash: Every Album, Every Song (2021)

Miscellaneous - Crosby, Stills and Nash: Every Album, Every Song

Nicky Crewe finds that Andrew Wild's new book in Sonicbond Publishing’s 'On Track' series is a definitive guide to Crosby, Stills and Nash not forgetting Neil Young’s contributions.


The Clash: Every Album, Every Song (2021)

Miscellaneous - The Clash: Every Album, Every Song

Nick Assirati sets out to make the music of The Clash accessible to newcomers and/or younger fans. Fiona Hutchings investigates whether he succeeds.


Albums of the Year 2020 (2020)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Year 2020

Our writers and photographers list their favourite albums of the year.


Profile (2020)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Maarten Schiethart highlights some of his favourite 7 inch and 12 inch releases of the year.


Pink Floyd in the 1970s (2020)

Miscellaneous - Pink Floyd in the 1970s

Keith How finds Georg Purvis' account of Pink Floyd’s history through the 1970s not only fascinating but a compulsive read even for a know it all fan!


Top 10+1 Reasons Q was the Best Music Mag of its Generation (2020)

Miscellaneous - Top 10+1 Reasons Q was the Best Music Mag of its Generation

The news that Q magazine was closing this year after a 34-year run due to Covid-19 sent shock waves through the music community. Ex Q editorial assistant Cila Warncke talks to other former work colleagues about their fond memories of the influential magazine.


Some Reflections (2020)

Miscellaneous - Some Reflections

After talking to comic Jimmy Tarbuck about his recollections of Tom Jones and Elvis, Nick Dent-Robinson reflects upon his own memories of seeing Elvis live.


Profile (2020)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Nicky Crewe examines how the music community in her home city of Sheffield is coping with the challenges presented by the ongoing Coronavirus crisis.


Profile (2020)

Miscellaneous - Profile

The fifth instalment of Cherry Red’s impressive C box sets is here, this time focusing on the dismal pop year that was 1990. Tommy Gunnarsson is far from impressed with the music, but more so with the compilation itself.


A Concert for Jack Bruce (2019)

Miscellaneous - A Concert for Jack Bruce

Nick Dent-Robinson enjoys a fantastic tribute concert to the late Jack Bruce, which filmed at the London Roundhouse in 2018, has just been released on CD and DVD.


The Sounds of Sheffield 1978-1988 (2019)

Miscellaneous - The Sounds of Sheffield 1978-1988

Proud Sheffielder Fiona Hutchings checks out the latest curated collection from Cherry Red Records promising plenty of punk and post punk gems, including twelve previously unreleased tracks.


Profile (2019)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Nick Dent-Robinson profiles this year's Big Feastival, which run by Alex James, the bassist with Blur, is taking place between the 23rd and 25th August in his native Oxfordshire.


Is This The Way Forward? (2019)

Miscellaneous - Is This The Way Forward?

Amanda J. WIndow reflects on a new cash and cardless payment system that was used at this year's Bluedot Festival


Profile (2019)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Zena Grieg profiles this year's Glasgow Summer Sessions which will take place in Bellahouston Park in Glasgow between the 16th and 25th August.


Profile (2019)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Zena Grieg profiles this year’s Boomtown Festival which will include sets from Lauryn Hill, Prophets of Rage, the Streets, UB40 and Gogol Bordello.


Long Slow Train: The Soul Music of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (2019)

Miscellaneous - Long Slow Train: The Soul Music of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Nicky Crewe examines a new book which explores the origins of soul music through the life story and career of Sharon Jones and her house band the Dap-Kings, and finds that the incredible success of Amy Winehouse was possibly at the expense of recognition that Sharon deserved before cancer took her.


Profile (2019)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Zena Grieg profiles this year’s Reading and Leeds Festivals which will take place between the 23rd and 25th August.


Profile (2019)

Miscellaneous - Profile

John Clarkson examines new five-CD box set 'Big Gold Dreams', which documents Scottish punk and independent music between 1977 and 1989, and proves to be the definitive account of a definitive era.


Comment (2019)

Miscellaneous - Comment

Andrew Twambley takes us on a trip through musical history, via gigs large and small and his own collection of old concert tickets.


Albums of the Year 2018 (2019)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Year 2018

Our writers and photographers list their favourite albums and also their favourite gig of the year.


2019 (2019)

Miscellaneous - 2019

Nick Dent-Robinson provides five tips for acts to keep an eye out for and which he predicts for success in 2019.


Interview (2018)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Pennyblackmusic magazine editor John Clarkson talks to Lisa Torem on its twentieth anniversary about the formation and history of our website.


Memories (2018)

Miscellaneous - Memories

Six of our writers and photographers reflect upon their time and years at Pennyblack.


Profile (2018)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Nick Dent-Robinson previews three Oxfordshire summer festivals, the Henley-on-Thames Festival, Cornbury Music Festival and Truck Festival.


Bruce Springsteen: Like a Killer in the Sun (2018)

Miscellaneous - Bruce Springsteen: Like a Killer in the Sun

Forty-five years since the release of his debut LP, American music legend Bruce Springsteen has his lyrics collected and dissected by editor Leonardo Colombati. Stephen Simkin reviews a frequently inspiring volume.


27: Gone Too Soon (2018)

Miscellaneous - 27: Gone Too Soon

The 27 Club has its own sort of exclusivity but what does it take to end up a member? Fiona Hutchings is left wondering where we place the blame in Simon Napier-Bell's new documentary film, '27: Gone Too Soon'.


A Friend of the Devil: The Glorification of the Outlaw in Song, from Robin Hood to Rap (2018)

Miscellaneous - A Friend of the Devil: The Glorification of the Outlaw in Song, from Robin Hood to Rap

Kimberly Bright finds that musician John Kruth has an interesting historical take on the recurring theme of the outlaw in popular music from the Middle Ages to the present day.


Profile (2018)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Keith How is impressed by two new albums of atmospheric and engaging music, the Nils Okland Band's 'Lysning' and the Erlend Apneseth Trio's 'Ara', both of which have recently come out on Norwegian label Hubro Music.


Albums of the Year 2017 (2017)

Miscellaneous -  Albums of the Year 2017

Our writers and photographers list their favourite albums and also their favourite gig of the year


Bob Dylan FAQ (2017)

Miscellaneous - Bob Dylan FAQ

In a new addition to Backbeat Book’s 'FAQ' series Bruce Pollock makes sense of the life and times of Nobel Prize winner and true legend Bob Dylan.


The Roxy Our Story and Rick Poyner (Ed)/Oh So Pretty: Punk in Print 1976-1980 (2017)

Miscellaneous - The Roxy Our Story and Rick Poyner (Ed)/Oh So Pretty: Punk in Print 1976-1980

Adrian Janes reflects on two new books on 1970's punk, one on the legendary Roxy Club and the other on punk fanzines and writing


The Clash FAQ (2017)

Miscellaneous - The Clash FAQ

Tony Gaughan finds American Gary Jucha's'The Clash FAQ' to be the definitive book on the seminal punk band


Steely Dan FAQ: All That's Left to Know about This Elusive Band (2017)

Miscellaneous - Steely Dan FAQ: All That's Left to Know about This Elusive Band

Keith How investigates an extraordinary new detailed biography about Steely Dan


A Memoir (2017)

Miscellaneous - 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


Back to Black: Amy Winehouse's Only Masterpiece (2017)

Miscellaneous - Back to Black: Amy Winehouse's Only Masterpiece

Donald Brackett's new book might claim to focus on Amy Winehouse but Fiona Hutchings fears his attempts at context just cloud the issue


Film (2016)

Miscellaneous - Film

Jamie Rowland reflects on new road movie 'American Honey', which is about a girl joining a travelling teenage magazine crew, and its hip-hop-fused soundtrack


Film (2016)

Miscellaneous - Film

Adrian Janes finds that the thirtieth anniversary reissue of Alex Cox's film about the tortuous relationship of Sex Pistol Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen depresses as much as it compels


Profile (2016)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Adrian Janes finds that the Punk 1976-78 exhibition in the British Library, though by no means exhaustive, succeeds in conveying something of the fraught circumstances in which the punk movement arose in the UK and the excitement and great creative energy it unleashed


Film (2016)

Miscellaneous - Film

Jamie Rowland findS impressive 'Bayou Maharajah', a new bio-documentary about the tragic life of brilliantly talented bot overlooked one-eyed blues pianist and drug addict, James Booker


Profile (2016)

Miscellaneous - Profile

While the original 80's club could be horrendously snobby, Mark Rowland finds that a new four CD Wag Club compilation BOX SET digs out some long forgotten gems


Beatles Gear: All the Fab Four's Instruments from Stage to Studio (2016)

Miscellaneous - Beatles Gear: All the Fab Four's Instruments from Stage to Studio

Ben Howarth finds Andy Babiuk's book 'Beatles Gear: All the Fab Four's Instruments from Stage to Studio', which provides a history of the Beatles' equipment, to be original and unique


Profile (2016)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Anthony Dhanendran examines 'Sharon Signs to Cherry Red', an eclectic new double CD retrospective which features indie label female artists from 1979 to 1985


This Bird Has Flown: The Enduring Legacy of Rubber Soul Fifty Years On (2016)

Miscellaneous - This Bird Has Flown: The Enduring Legacy of  Rubber Soul Fifty Years On

Keith How finds disappointing American author and musician John Kruth's new book 'This Bird Has Flown' on the Beatles 1965 album, 'Rubber Soul'


Film (2016)

Miscellaneous - Film

Jamie Rowland is impressed by Tom Geens’ new film ‘Couple in a Hole’ which tells of a grief-stricken British couple living in a hole in the French Pyrenees and which includes a soundtrack from experimental group Beak


Charity Appeal (2015)

Miscellaneous - Charity Appeal

Our writer Anthony Strutt, who is ill with cancer, is trying to raise £5,000 for charity


Riot on Sunset Strip: Rock 'n' Roll's Last Stand in Hollywood (2015)

Miscellaneous - Riot on Sunset Strip: Rock 'n' Roll's Last Stand in Hollywood

Adrian Janes examines Domenic Priore's book 'Riot on Sunset Strip', which tells the story of the creative explosion in the Los Angeles clubs during the 1960s which nurtured the Byrds, Doors, Love and many others and the greed and politics which shut them down.


Film (2015)

Miscellaneous - Film

Despite seeing immense potential in ‘Buttercup Bill’, the new music-oriented film of American directors Remy Bennett and Emilie Richard-Froozan, Harry Sherriff finds it to be overall dull and disappointing


Profile (2015)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Live musical scores to silent films are maybe a new experience to Owen Peters, but he soon finds out via various interviews around the subject that it is an expanding concept


Profile (2015)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Mary O' Meara examines and reflects upon the still thriving world of the printed fanzine


Profile (2015)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Owen Peters profiles our new series 'Is This Your Year?', in which we will be following the fortunes of five different acts over the course of a year


Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 7/3/2015 (2015)

Miscellaneous - Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 7/3/2015

Billy Seagrave attends his first night of Burlesque at a sold-out Ruby Lounge in Manchester


Profile (2015)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Niick Dent-Robinson looks at country music capital Nashville, which has seen a dramatic recent rise in popularity amongst visitors because of the 'Nashville' TV series


Albums of the Year 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Year 2014

Our writers and photographers reflect upon their favourite albums and also their favourite gig of 2014


Profile (2014)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Anthiony Dhanendran looks at excellent new box set, 'Millions Like Us', which compiles together tracks of many of the lost bands of the late 1970s and 1980s Mod Revival


Excess All Areas (2014)

Miscellaneous - Excess All Areas

Melanie Smith reflects on new book 'Excess All Areas', which looks at some of the most extreme rock rider lists


Interview (2014)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Nick Dent-Robinson chats to rock photographer Scarlet Page about her current exhibition ‘Resonators', which features photographs of around forty guitarists including her father, Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page


Interview (2014)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Nick Dent-Robinson speaks to former Radio One DJ Mike Read about his new autobiography, 'Seize The Day'


Sky Art Sessions (2014)

Miscellaneous - Sky Art Sessions

Owen Peters looks at new TV programme 'Sky Art Sessions', which profiles new and up-and-coming bands


Interview (2014)

Miscellaneous - 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


Interview (2014)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Pennyblackmusic writer Nicky Crewe talks to John Clarkson about some of her musical memories of Manchester between the 1960s and 1980s, which include touring with Captain Beefheart, sharing a house with Martin Hannett, knowing Tony Wilson and working at the Hacienda on its opening night


Edinburgh, 14/8/2014...20/8/2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - Edinburgh, 14/8/2014...20/8/2014

Melanie Smith writes of some of her personal highlights while attending this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival


Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 5/7/2014 (2014)



Dixie Ernill looks back on our recent Pennyblackmusic Bands Night in Manchester, which saw sets from the reformed Brilliant Corners, the Haywains and Horsebeach


The Libertines at Hyde Park (2014)

Miscellaneous - 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


Profile (2014)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Nick Dent-Robinson profiles Fairport's Cropredy Convention for this year, and talks to Chas'n'Dave and Irish singer-songwriter Cara Dillon, who are on the bill this year, as well as Fairport Convention members Simon Nicol and Dave Pegg


Profile (2014)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Nick Dent-Robinson looks at Oxfordshire's Towersey Festival which will take this place this year from the 21st August to the 25th August, and speaks to Joe Heaps, its organiser, and Richard Thompson, the Bootleg Beatles and Eliza Carthy, all of whom will be peforming at it


Lexington, London, 31/5/2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - 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


Book (2014)

Miscellaneous - Book

Anthony Strutt is unimpressed by record label and club night Sonic Cathedral's first book 'Memoirs of a Shoegazing Gentleman', which collates together a series of articles published in the early 1990s in a spoof column in the 'NME'


C86 Box Set (2014)

Miscellaneous - C86 Box Set

Anthony Strutt reflects on the history and legacy of the 'NME' influential 'C86' cassette, which has just been re-released in a three CD box set


Profile (2014)

Miscellaneous - Profile

After attending an intimate gig by singer-songwriter Thomas Dybdahl in Manchester, Nicky Crewe reflects on the underrated Norwegian music indsutry


Film (2014)

Miscellaneous - Film

Anthony Strutt finds Jacques Demy's 1964 French musical 'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg', which has just been released on DVD in a fiftieth anniversary edition, to be one of the classics of 1960's cinema


Rock Biographies (2014)

Miscellaneous - Rock Biographies

Richard Lewis takes a look at the recent success of Morrissey’s autobiography and other entries in the genre and asks why some artists have been profiled in print more than others


Profile (2014)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Paul Waller reflects on three new albums, 'The Organisation of Pop', 'The Art of the 12 Inch, Volume Three' and latest Frankie Goes To Hollywood compilation 'Frankie Said', released to coincide with seminal label ZTT's 30th anniversary


Interview with Vinita Joshi (2014)

Miscellaneous - 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


BBC Radiophonic Workshop (2013)

Miscellaneous - BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Jamie Rowland reflects, with albums of its music ‘BBC Radiophonic Music’ and ‘The Radiophonic Workshop’ just having been reissued, upon the history of the BBC's remarkable Radiophonic Workshop studios


Medora (2013)

Miscellaneous - Medora

Lisa Torem is impressed by new documentary 'Medora', which tells of the mixed fortunes of an Indiana basketball team and which comes with a remarkable soundtrack


Love, Marilyn (2013)

Miscellaneous - Love, Marilyn

Fiona Hutchings examines new Marilyn Monroe documentary 'Love, Marilyn', which drawing on never before seen papers, letters and diaries is told from the perspective of several contemporary actresses including Glenn Close and Uma Thurman


15th Anniversary (2013)

Miscellaneous - 15th Anniversary

Some of Pennyblackmusic's favourite artists and labels help us celebrate our 15th anniversary by sending us their birthday greetings


1 (2013)

Miscellaneous - 1

Twenty-five of our writers and photographers reflect on some of their personal highlights of Pennyblackmusic during the last fifteen years


2 (2013)

Miscellaneous - 2

GILLIAN FISH (London) I started writing for Pennyblackmusic after my sister’s boyfriend put me in touch with Richard Banks, the Pennyblack webmaster who in turn put me in touch with John Clarkson.


3 (2013)

Miscellaneous - 3

JAMIE ROWLAND (London) Probably the most memorable interview I have done for Pennyblack was actually two interviews, one after the other. I started in Camden’s Underworld talking to the Locust, the


Broken (2013)

Miscellaneous - Broken

John Clarkson enjoys new DVD and coming-of-age drama 'Broken', which includes a soundtrack that involves Damon Albarn


She Bops: The Definitive History of Women in Rock, Pop and Soul: (2012)

Miscellaneous - She Bops: The Definitive History of Women in Rock, Pop and Soul:

Fiona Hutchings finds groundbreaking Lucy O’ Brien’s history on women in popular music, ‘She Bop’, which has just been published in a third edition


Shakespears Sister (2012)

Miscellaneous - Shakespears Sister

Tom Fogarty examines four new releases from Shakespears Sister, the art rock project of former Bananarama singer Siobhan Fahey, and which include a reissue, two previously unreleased albums and a collection of remixes


ECR Music Group (2012)

Miscellaneous - ECR Music Group

Lisa Torem attends a launch party in New York for ECR Music Group, which run by musician/producer Blake Morgan, also includes on its roster Janita, David Cloyd, James McCartney and 60's star Lesley Gore


Pennyblackmusic Bands Night (2012)

Miscellaneous - Pennyblackmusic Bands Night

We profile our next Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night which run with the Wickerman Festival will take place at The Bay in Glasgow on June 15th, and will feature sets from Duncan Maitland, the Cathode Ray, Roy Moller and Nicola Black


Half Moon, London, 24/3/2011 (2012)

Miscellaneous - 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 Goes to Cuba (2012)

Miscellaneous - Pennyblackmusic Goes to Cuba

Lisa Torem visits Cuba and examines its music and some of its often surprising influences.


Albums of the Year 2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Year 2011

Our writers and photographers list their favourite albums and also gig of 2011


The Decline and Fall of the NME (2011)

Miscellaneous - The Decline and Fall of the NME

With circulation figures at a low, Jon Rogers, Mark Rowland and John Clarkson discuss the reasons for the decline and fall of the UK's only surviving music weekly, the 'NME'


No Wave Part 3 (2011)

Miscellaneous - No Wave Part 3

In the third part of his four part series, on New York's late 1970's confrontational No Wave movement, Jon Rogers reflects upon Brian Eno's album 'No New York', which featured four of its acts Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, James Chance and the Contortions, Mars and DNA.


No Wave Part 4 (2011)

Miscellaneous - No Wave Part 4

Jon Rogers in the fourth and final part of his No Wave series examines Glenn Branca's band DNA and the long-term impact of the short-lived, but influential movement


No Wave Part 1 (2011)

Miscellaneous - No Wave Part 1

In the first part of a four part series, on New York's late 1970's confrontational No Wave movement, Jon Rogers examines the impact of two of its most principle bands, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks and DNA


No Wave Part 2 (2011)

Miscellaneous - No Wave Part 2

In the second part of his four part No Wave series, Jon Rogers reflects upon the influence of the saxophone-playing James Chance and his band the Contortions


Interview with Vinita Joshi (2010)

Miscellaneous - 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


Such is Rock and Roll (2010)

Miscellaneous - 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


Interview with Bruce Iglauer Part 1 (2010)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Bruce Iglauer Part 1

In the first part of a two part interview, Bruce Iglauer, the the president and founder of Alligator Records, the largest contemporary blues label in the world, talks to Lisa Torem about forming his label, which was first founded in 1971


Interview with Bruce Iglauer Part 2 (2010)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Bruce Iglauer Part 2

while in the second part he discusses how against musical recession it continues to survive


Multiverse (2010)

Miscellaneous - Multiverse

Maarten Schiethart reflets on the history of Bristol-based dance label co-operative and recording studio Multiverse, which has recently had 'Dark Matter', a double CD retropective of it work between 2004 and 2009, released


The Music of 'Scott Pilgrim vs The World' (2010)

Miscellaneous - The Music of 'Scott Pilgrim vs The World'

Comic book series 'Scott Pilgrim' has been recently adapted into a Hollywood film. Jamie Rowland reflects on the integral part that music has to play in both.


Limetree Festival (2010)



Spencer Robertshaw finds the Limetree Festival in Noth Yorkshire to be different from most other festivals in its back-to-basics approach and fan-friendly emphasis


Rockabilly - So What's This Then? (2010)

Miscellaneous - Rockabilly - So What's This Then?

Adrian Huggins writes of his discovery, after getting lost on the way to a stag night, of the thriving current Rockabilly and Psychobilly movements


Lizard in a Woman's Skin (2010)

Miscellaneous - Lizard in a Woman's Skin

Anthony Strutt examines 1971 Italian horror film, 'Lizard in a Woman's Skin', which has just been restored on DVD, and features a psychedelic soundtrack from Ennio Morricone


Evo Music Rooms Recording for Channel 4 (2010)

Miscellaneous - Evo Music Rooms Recording for Channel 4

Sarah Johnsos is in the audience for the making of the first programme in new Channel 4 music proramme, 'Evo Music Room'


Interview with Kenny Paterson (2010)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Kenny Paterson

Kenny Paterson was a studio engineer from the mid 1980's to 1990's at Glasgow's legendary Park Lane Studios. John Clarkson chats to him about his new retrospective CD, 'Park Lane Archives', which compiles together tracks from many of the artists who recorded there


The Life and Times of Liam Clancy (2010)

Miscellaneous - The Life and Times of Liam Clancy

Spencer Robertshaw is impressed by both the raw honesty and poignancy of DVD documentary 'Yellow Bittern' which tells of the life and times of late Irish folk ballad singer Liam Clancy


The Death of the Music Video (2010)

Miscellaneous - The Death of the Music Video

After spending his adolescence watching Much Music, Canada's version of MTV, Jeff Thiessen reflects upon the death of the music video


Interviews 2009 (2010)

Miscellaneous - Interviews 2009

John Clarkson finds impressive on-line punk and alternative rock fanzine Mudkiss' second book, which collates together all of its interviews from last year


When You're Strange (2009)

Miscellaneous - 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


Bubblegum Records (2009)

Miscellaneous - Bubblegum Records

Tommy Gunnarsson examines new Glasgow-based indiepop label Bubblegum Records which was formed earlier this year, and the four EPs and one album that it has already released


All Tomorrow's Parties (2009)

Miscellaneous - All Tomorrow's Parties

Chris O' Toole finds much to recommend in the new 'All Tomorrow's Parties' film, which has been released to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the influential indie rock festival


White Lightnin' (2009)

Miscellaneous - White Lightnin'

Anthony Middleton finds compelling, but also sometimes disturbing new DVD spoof documentary, 'White Lightnin', about the trials and tribulations of white trash dancer and killer, Jesco White


8th Annual Indie Video Music Festival 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - 8th Annual Indie Video Music Festival 2009

Fiona Hutchings finds the contents of the short list of 8th Annual Indie Video Music Festival, which is currently touring and will shortly be released on DVD, to be a decidely mixed bag


Loops Magazine (2009)

Miscellaneous - Loops Magazine

Chris O' Toole looks at new bi-annual publication 'Loops Magazine', whivch is being published in a joint venture between Domino Records and publishers Faber


Volumes 1 and 2 (2009)

Miscellaneous - Volumes 1 and 2

Lisa Torem looks at the first two instalments in British film director Tony Palmer's 'All You Need is Love' 17 part 1970's music history series, which have just been re-released on DVD


Interview (2009)

Miscellaneous - Interview

John Clarkson speaks to Nathaniel Cramp, the owner of London-based record label and shoegazing club Sonic Cathedral, which has just released its first compilation CD and album, which features tracks from all its singles to date


Punk Fiction (2009)

Miscellaneous - Punk Fiction

Mark Rowland examines 'Punk Fiction', a charity collection of short stories, in which assorted writers including Nicholas Hogg, Martin Lloyd Edwards,John Niven, Kate Jackson, Billy Bragg and Billy Childish write short stories based on punk rock songs


Awaydays (2009)

Miscellaneous - Awaydays

Anthony Middleton enjoys the post-punk soundtrack of 'Awaydays', a new film about late 70s Liverpool football hooligans and music fans, but finds it otherwise lacking grit and over stating its social commentary


Sounds Like Teen Spirit (2009)

Miscellaneous - Sounds Like Teen Spirit

Mark Rowland finds refreshing and oddly moving British filmmaker Jamie J. Johnson's new light-hearted documentary about a Junior Eurovision song contest forchildren aged between 10 and 15


Interview with Stuart Mackay (2009)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Stuart Mackay

Jamie Rowland chats to Stuart Mackay, the creator and organiser of train-oriented Derbyshire-based indiepop festival Indietracks, which is now in its third year


Safety Meeting Records (2009)

Miscellaneous - Safety Meeting Records

Anthony Strutt profiles New Haven, Connecticut-based label Safety Meeting Records and three of its latest releases by Crooked Hook, Quiet Life and the Mountain Movers


Communications 1978-1992 (2008)

Miscellaneous - Communications 1978-1992

'Communications 1978-1992' is a new four CD box set dedicated to Factory Records. Anthony Dhanendran examines Factory Records' massive influence and its history


We Dreamed America (2008)

Miscellaneous - We Dreamed America

John Clarkson finds much to enjoy in Alex Walker's new documentary DVD, 'We Dreamed America', which examines the British Americana movement


How Does It Feel to Be Loved (2008)

Miscellaneous - How Does It Feel to Be Loved

New writer Rachel Williams visits and profiles London-based indie-pop and soul club, How Does It Feel To Be Loved


10th Birthday (2008)

Miscellaneous - 10th Birthday

Some of Pennyblackmusic's favourite artists and labels of the last decade help us celebrate our 10th anniversary by sending us their birthday greetings


Classic Album Tours (2008)

Miscellaneous - Classic Album Tours

Anthony Middleton examines the growing phenomenon at concerts of often relatively young bands performing their most celebrated albums in full


Somers Town (2008)

Miscellaneous - Somers Town

Anthony Strutt finds hard work Shane Meadows's new film, which set in the rundown part of north London of the title, tells of the friendship between a British and a Polish teenager


Ben X (2008)

Miscellaneous - 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


Donkey Punch (2008)

Miscellaneous - Donkey Punch

With a strong soundtrack that swings from Peter, Bjorn and John to Bloc Party, Sarah Maybank finds much to enjoy in claustrophobic new British thriller, 'Donkey Punch'


Joy Division (2008)

Miscellaneous - Joy Division

New documentary 'Joy Division' is the second film about the seminal 80's group in just over six months, but unlike the recent Anton Corbijn biopic 'Control', it tells the band's rather than Ian Curtis' story. Anthony Strutt finds much there for both long term and new fans


Profile (2008)

Miscellaneous - Profile

With Portland, Oregon label Audio Dregs' new 'Ambient Not Ambient' compilation, Maarten Schiethart finds the set belief that the electronica, folktronica and electro-acoustics movements are in decline to be a total misinterpretation


Transylvania (2008)

Miscellaneous - 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


Air Guitar Nation (2008)

Miscellaneous - Air Guitar Nation

'Air Guitar Nation' focuses on two contestants competing in the World Air Guitar Cnampionships. Mark Rowland finds that it makes compelling yet slightly difficult viewing


Transylvania (2008)






Sweeney Todd (2008)

Miscellaneous - Sweeney Todd

Anthony Strutt finds Tim Burton's new musical, 'Sweeney Todd :The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'to be a gory masterpiece of dark beauty


Profile (2007)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Russell Ferguson examines the re-release of Cherry Red's 1982 compilation, 'Pillows and Prayers',which now comes in a triple CD edition


Star Stories (2007)

Miscellaneous - Star Stories

CH4's 'Star Stories' provides satirical documentary-style profiles of the rich and famous. Sarah Maybank is amused by the first series which has just been released on DVD


All My Loving (2007)

Miscellaneous - All My Loving

Anthony Dhanendran enjoys Tony Palmer's 1968 music documentary 'All My Loving', which featuring footage of the Beatles, the Who, Cream, Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd, has just been released on DVD


Transylvania (2007)

Miscellaneous - Transylvania

Despite its title and starring one-time horror film actress Asia Argento, 'Transylvania' has nothing to do with vampires and is an edgy road movie with a stunning gypsy folk soundtrack. Anthony Strutt finds much to be impressed about


Interview with Sean Price (2007)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Sean Price

Indie label supremo Sean Price marks a decade in the business by picking his top of the Fortuna Pops


Art Vinyl Gallery, London, 5/4/2007 (2007)

Miscellaneous - Art Vinyl Gallery, London, 5/4/2007

At the Art Vinyl Gallery in London, Dominic Simpson attends an exhibition dedicated to the cover artwork of Domino Records


Profile (2007)

Miscellaneous - Profile

In 2006, almost 50 years after the original series, a second series of 'Radio Ballads' was produced by the BBC, which combined social commentary with music from some of Britain's best folk artists. With all of the new 'Radio Ballads' having been released on CD, Malcolm Carter profiles each of them


(2007)

Miscellaneous -

Jon Rogers devotes a day listening to some of the most unlistenable albums of all time including albums by Lou Reed, Royal Trux, John Lennon and Yoko Ono


Orange Blossom 10 (2007)

Miscellaneous - Orange Blossom 10

John Clarkson finds a three hour double DVD about the 10th Orange Blossom Special, the festival of the German label Glitterhouse, and which featured sets from the Walkabouts, the Great Crusades, Big Bang, Seachange and Robert Fisher of the Willard Grant Conspiracy, totally riveting


Minehead, Somerset, 8/12/2006...10/12/2006 (2007)

Miscellaneous - Minehead, Somerset, 8/12/2006...10/12/2006

Dominic Simpson casts his mind back on December's All Tomorrow's Parties long weekend, which was curated by Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, and featured performances from among others Fursaxa, Deerhof, the Gang of Four, Dinosaur Jr and Iggy and the Stooges


The Art of the Cover (2006)

Miscellaneous - The  Art of the Cover

Jon Rogers writes about cover songs, and examines what make the difference between a good cover and a bad cover


Profile (2006)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Despite only haviing recently celebrated it first birthday, I Eat Records already has six bands on its roster. Adrian Huggins profiles the eclectic Austin, Texas based record label


Interview with Rachel Neiman (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Rachel Neiman

Cherryade Records is a new label run by student Rachael Neiman. With its first release, the debut release by Bristol noise punks Steveless, now available, Jamie Rowland talks to Rachel about how and why she started Cherryade


Interview with Nigel Turner (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Nigel Turner

Now seven years old, the Pickled Egg label has just put out its fiftieth release. Label boss Nigel Turner talks to Sarah Johnson about its history and why we need labels like Pickled Egg.


Profile (2005)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Lucky Dog Recordings is the new label of Tindersticks fromt man Stuart A. Staples. Anthony Strutt profiles it and its first two very limited edition releases


Interview (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Martin Kielty is the manager of reformed Scottish rockers the Sensational Alex Harvey Band. He is also the author of 'SAHB Stories', a biography of the band. He talks to John Clarkson about the group and his book


Interview with Travis Higdon (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Travis Higdon

Texan label Peek-A-Boo Records has given recording space to the likes of Knife in the Water, Spoon and …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead. Owner Travis Higdon talks to new writer Adam Wood about his prolific label


Interview with Blair Purda (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Blair Purda

Canadian indiepop label Endearing Records has an increasingly international profile. Dixie Ernill speaks to label boss Blair Purda about Endearing's decade long history


Interview (2005)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Portland, Oregon ensemble Tracker have recently released the soundtrack to Craig Thompson's much acclaimed autobiographical graphic novel 'Rewards.' Frontman John Askew speaks to John Clarkson about rewards and difficulties of recording it


Interview (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview

After having spent over nearly a decade at the top with his alternative rock label Jade Tree, co-owner Darren Walters explains to Ben Howarth why other things, like a regular Friday night soccer game,have begun for him to take on increasing meaning


Interview (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview

7' trashy garage rock label, Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation has had a lot of acclaim and press since releasing it debut single at the beginning of the year. John Clarkson talks to co-owner, Tiffin, about its rise.


Interview (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Despite only running for only three years, and having to date released just five 7" singles and four albums,Tongue Maste has already worked with some of the best known names in independent music. Owner Theodore Vlassopulos chats to John Clarkson


Interview with Lutz Mastmeyer (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Lutz Mastmeyer

The largest indie label in Germany, Glitterhouse includes on its roster the Willard Grant Conspiracy, the Walkabouts,16 Horsepower and Rocket from the Tombs. Second-in-charge Lust Mastmayer chats about its history and recent 20th anniversary celebrations


Interview (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview

First established in 1994, Cheltenham-based label Ochre Records now has over 50 albums and many more singles to its credit. Founder and owner Talbot chats to Olga Sladeckova about its eclectic history and first ten years


Interview (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview

One of independent musics greatest success stories, Deep Elm have developed a reputation over the last five years as a label to be constantly relied upon. Publicist Chuck Daley talks to Ben Howarth about why Deep Elm is far more than an 'emo' label.


Interview with Uwe Weigmann (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Uwe Weigmann

Firestation Records is one of Germanys best indiepop labels. Co-founder Uwe Weigmann talks to Dixie Ernill in Berlin about its first five years.


Interview with Roland Benedetti (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Roland Benedetti

Parisian label GG0022 had been described alternately as a power pop label,a post-rock label and also an electronica label. Co-owner Roland Benedetti talks to John Clarkson about its increasing international reputation


Profile (2004)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Often seen as the world's definitive emo label, Deep Elm have recently released a free sampler, 'This is How I Kill my Tears'. Ben Howarth looks at how much the label has progressed in the seven years since it first formed


Interview (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Parisian brothers Luc and Nicolas Reverter formed their label Ronda to release records by their much acclaimed band Melmac and since then have used it as a platform for their solo projects. Luc Reverter chats to about their plans to further expand Ronda


Interview (2004)

Miscellaneous - Interview

One of Scotlands biggest independent labels, Creeping Bent is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Label boss Douglas MacIntyre speaks to Olga Sladeckova about its history to date.


Interview with Jimmy Tassos (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Jimmy Tassos

Chris Jones talks to Jimmy Tassos, the head of the Matinee label, about what he thinks about the current state of indie pop and his plans for the label in 2004


Interview (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Up-and-coming post-rock label Tenor Vossa already has three acts on its roster and is rapidly expanding. Owners Ari and Dominic tell how looking for a label for their own band, Breathless, lead them onto greater things


Profile (2003)

Miscellaneous - Profile

The Portland, Oregon label Audio Dregs is one of the most creatively exciting of all current electronica labels. Maarten Schiethart profiles its elusive owner, E*Rock, and Audio Dregs inspiring use of technology


Interview with Edward Jung (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Edward Jung

The former owner of Emma's House Recordings, Edward Jung is back with a new 8" limited edition label, Heliotone. He talks to John Clarkson about starting over


Interview (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Co-founded by Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, Nebraskan label Saddle Creek has grown over the last 10 years from being a small local tape label to a company with an international reputation. Mark Rowland talks to its European chain about its success


Interview with Simon Raymonde Part 1 (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Simon Raymonde Part 1

In the first part of a two part interview, which we are running concurrently this month, Simon Raymonde talks with Olga Sladeckova about Bella Union, the label that he first set up with his ex-Cocteau Twin band mate Robin Guthrie six years ago


Interview with Simon Raymonde Part 2 (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Simon Raymonde Part 2

In the second part of our interview, Olga Sladeckova continues to talk to label boss Simon Raymonde about Bella Union, which is now one of Britain's biggest indepedent record labels


Interview (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Felicite is a new German indiepop label, which specialises in the 7" singles and EP market Owners Tom Hilverkus and Johanna Maier talk to John Clarkson about Felicite's releases to date and their plans for its future


Interview (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Slow Noir is a new label that has been formed by La Nuit Americaine's Christian Govoni, and Pennyblackmusic's John Clarkson and Olga Sladeckova. All three chat to Ben Howarth about Slow Noir's first release, a compilation 'Sunset : False'


Interview with Dave Cawley (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Dave Cawley

One of Britain's biggest indie labels, Fat Cat is perhaps best known for being Sigur Ros' label, but, from its very outset , has always proved remarkably eclectic and broad in its tastes. Co-owner Dave Cawley mulls over its history with John Clarkson


Interview with Louis Posen (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Louis Posen

Born out of very humble circumstances, Hopeless Records is now of America's largest punk labels. Founder Louis Posen chats to Olga Sladeckova about his label's ten year history


Interview with Mike Griffin and Brett Ackerman (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Mike Griffin and Brett Ackerman

Formed out of two other New York labels, Captive Ring is a promising new punk label and cooperative that hopes to put out several new releases this year. John Clarkson speaks to co-owners, Mike Griffin and Brett Ackerman, about their plans for it


Interview (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Upper Class Recordings is a small Toronto-based low budget indiepop record label that is becoming increasingly well-known and established in Europe. Label boss Gareth Jones speaks to John Clarkson about its increasing profile


Interview with Calvin Johnson (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Calvin Johnson

American indiepop label K Records is soon about to celebrate its 21st birthday. Founder and Beat Happening frontman, Calvin Johnson, answers some of Olga Sladeckova's questions about his busy label


Interview with John Askew (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview with John Askew

Oregon-based alternative rock label FILM Guerrero has a rapidly escalating international reputation. Back for a second interview, label boss John Askew takes time out from his busy schedule to talk about his label's frantic last 18 months


Interview (2003)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Edinburgh-based label SL Records has been responsible for releasing some of the best indiepop in recent years, and is the home of ballboy, Degrassi and the now defunct Khaya. Owner Ed Pybus chats to Tommy Gunnarsson


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Over the course of the last nine years, Fierce Panda has been responsible for introducing acts like Coldplay, Idlewild , Placebo and the Parkinsons to the world.Label boss Simon Williams talks to Olga Sladeckova about its extensive history


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Laughing Outlaw is becoming rapidly one of Australia's premier independent labels. Malcolm Carter speaks to owner Stuart Coupe and finds that also a rock journalist, promoter and author,label owner is only one of his many mantles


Interview with Jason White (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Jason White

First established in 1989, Too Pure, which includes Hefner, Rothko and M cCluskey on its roster, is one of Britain's leading independent labels . Olga Sladeckova speaks to label manager boss about recent changes at Too Pure and his plans for its future


Interview with Matt Haynes and Clare Wadd 1 (2002)

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


Interview with Matt Haynes and Clare Wadd 2 (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Matt Haynes and Clare Wadd 2

In the second part of our two part Sarah label interview, Julia Willis continues to chat to Matt Haynes and Clare Wadd about the influential Bristol label


Interview with Eric Ostermeier (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Eric Ostermeier

Intricate and delicate in sound , Minneapolis label Words on Music has been one of the constant bestselling labels on the Pennyblackmusic site. Chris Jones chats to co-owner Eric Ostermeier about the label's first four years and its releases to date


Interview with Sean Price (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Sean  Price

Perhaps the most prolific indie pop label in Britain, Fortuna Pop has now put out releases by over 20 bands. Label owner Sean Price chats to Olga Sladeckova about its 4 year history, and why he now plans to slow things down a little


Interview with Woody Whelan (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Woody Whelan

One of Canada’s best known small independent labels, Mag Wheel is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Label boss Woody Whelan talks to John Clarkson about the past 10 years and his single-handed resurrection of the career of legendary punks, the Nils


Interview with Tommy Gunnarsson and Marie Sorenson (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Tommy Gunnarsson and Marie Sorenson

Pennyblackmusic writer Tommy Gunnarsson recently formed his own indiepop label, Heavenly Pop Hits, with his girlfriend Marie Sorenson. With their first compilation "Hit Music Only' just out, they talk about the problems and benefits of forming a label


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Predominately a dance and electronica label, the British label Iris Light has been releasing records since 1996. Label boss Adam Sykes talks to Ben Howarth about its diverse history


Interview with Rhys Harper and Benjamin Watson (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Rhys Harper and Benjamin Watson

Norwich's the Sickroom Gramophone Collective has met with major success with Bearsuit and is one of the up-and-coming labels in Britain. Owners Rhys Harper and Benjamin Watson talk to Gary Wollen about its spectacular rise


Interview with Aston Stephens (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Aston Stephens

One of the biggest and busiest of all British punk labels, Boss Tuneage currently has over 70 acts on its roster. Label boss Aston Stephens chats to Olga Sladeckova about its ten year history


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

New Boston "pessimistic pop" label Stop Pop and Roll has only put out two albums, but has already garnished a strong reputation for producing quality records. Label manager Aaaron Tap talks to John Clarkson about its growing reputation


Interview with Matt Haynes (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Matt Haynes

Matt Haynes, former co-owner of the legendary Sarah records and now sole guardian of Shinkansen Records, talks to Cila Warncke about his record label, and maintaining a sense of personal politics in a world of commercialism


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

The Subway Organiszation label was one of the great indiepop labels of 80's. It owner Martin Whitehead, who was also the guitarist with the band the Flatmates, talks to Tommy Gunnarsson about its spectacular rise and fall


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Both a label and a club, the Track and Field Organisation is one of the most prolific of the current British independent indiepop labels. Co-owner Steven Drew talks to Olga Sladeckova about both its history and its future.


Interview with Edward Jung (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Edward Jung

Although formed just eighteen months ago, limited edition Manchester based vinyl only label Emma's House has already put out twelve releases, and is developing an increasing profile. Owner Edward Jung talks about his developing label.


Interview with Danny Corr (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Danny Corr

Only a year old, London label Outafocus has already released two CDs by Medium 21, and also the debut EP of Freeheat, ex JAMC man Jim Reid's new band. Label boss Danny Corr talks to Olga Sladeckova about its exciting future.


Interview with Robin Proper-Sheppard (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Robin Proper-Sheppard

?k,tablished in early 1994, the London based independent label Flower Shop Recordings has grown over the course of the last nearly eight years from being a low key 7" limited edition bedroom label into a small self-financing independent record compan


Interview with Jason Gibbons (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Jason Gibbons

Beautiful Pigeon Records is the new 7” singles project of long-term music fan Jason Gibbons. Jason chose the name for a number of reasons. There was an old Moonshake record called ‘Beautiful Pigeon’ and Jason was a big fan of that. He wanted to keep it s


Interview with Tracy Lee Jackson (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Tracy Lee Jackson

If anyone had been playing ‘spot the record label boss’ in a small Whitehall pub on a damp March evening, chances are they would have pointed to one of a half-dozen-odd restlessly handsome men clustered in a corner, joking over pints. They would not, ho


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

LB : Hello, how are you today? AB : Feeling surprisingly fit, thank you, considering how late I worked last night. Woke up fresh after 4 hours, no alarm, no nothing, just kinda ready... If I figure it out, I'll patent it.


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

First formed at the beginning of last year, Film Guerrero is a new alternative rock label from Portland in Oregon with a strong emphasis on detail, and a rapidly growing international reputation. It was initially established by its owner, local record


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Last year they blessed us with the fantastic re-release of The Desert Wolves complete recordings on the CD 'Pontification' . And is if that wasn't enough, they also released the excellent compilation 'The Sound Of Leamington Spa Volume One', that featured


On Labels and Geographic in Particular (2002)



For those of us who are constantly on the search for new music, a good record label can be one of the best friends you could ask for. Anyone who's gone to a record store and/or record site in the last


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Laurent Orseau and his girlfriend Eloise Steclebout are both well known figures in independent rock circles in their native France. The two, who live in Paris, worked until recently for the French


Interview (2002)

Miscellaneous - Interview

Stereorrific is an expanding Boston record label that is run by two brothers, Jeff and Joel Mellin. Both the Mellins are also talented musicians, and while Joel fronts his own five piece band, retro-s


Interview with Jimmy Tassos (2000)

Miscellaneous - Interview with Jimmy Tassos

In recent months Matinee has become the most popular record label on the Pennyblackmusic site . It is easy to understand why. Whereas many talk of some kind of guitar-pop crisis, Matinee release guitar-pop records that are of a consistently high quality.


Live

3

Miscellaneous - 3

For the third part of our four part series, in which our writers and photographers reflect upon great venues, Dastardly, Dave Goodwin and Lisa Torem examine Vinyl Deptford in London, Rock City and the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham and the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.


Comment

Miscellaneous - Comment

Our writers and photographers tell of the bands and acts from the past that they would most like to have seen live.


2

Miscellaneous - 2

In the second part of our series, in which our writers and photographers reminisce upon great venues, past and present, Nicky Crewe, John Clarkson and Cila Warncke remember The Hacienda in Manchester, the 1980's Loughborough University Students' Union and the 1990's London Camden Palace.


1

Miscellaneous - 1

In the first part of this four part series, our writers and photographers will be reflecting upon and providing memories of great venues, past and present. Nicky Crewe, Andrew Twambley and Adrian Janes remember 60's club The Magic Village and 70's venues, Eric's in Liverpool and the London Rainbow.


4

Miscellaneous - 4

For the fourth and final part of this four part series, in which our writers and photographers reflect upon great venues, Amanda J Window, Andrew Twambley and Denzil Watson bring things up-to-date with their memories of the Night and Day Cafe and O2 Ritz in Manchester and the Sheffield Leadmill.


Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 16/10/2019

Miscellaneous - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 16/10/2019

Curiosity took Nicky Crewe to the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards ceremony, where she discovered an evening full of enthusiasm and celebration, with fantastic musicians and surprising guests.


Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara, 15/1/2019

Miscellaneous - Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara, 15/1/2019

L. Paul Mann watches the American Crossroads Trio, in which David Bromberg, Larry Campbell and Los Lobos guitarist David Hidalgo team up for a Californian concert.


Alcazar Theater, Carpinteria, 4/11/2018



L. Paul Mann finds that the Surfrider Benefit brings a diverse group of four song writers to the Alcazar Theater in Carpinteria.


Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, 2/8/2018...5/8/2018

Miscellaneous - Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, 2/8/2018...5/8/2018

Music is just one element of the UK's most freewheeling and eclectic summer festival, Wilderness, says Nick Dent-Robinson. Nile Rodgers gets a rapturous reception while a celebrity cricket match prompts a record number of streakers.


Observatory, Santa Ana, 25/1/2018

Miscellaneous - Observatory, Santa Ana, 25/1/2018

L Paul Mann takes in the star-studded charity gig, Dimebash 2018, at The Observatory in Santa Ana.


Kingston, Oxfordshire, 25/8/2017...26/8/2017

Miscellaneous - Kingston, Oxfordshire, 25/8/2017...26/8/2017

Nick Dent-Robinson enjoys this year's Big Feastival, Blur bassist Alex James' annual festival of food and music in Oxfordshire.


Santa Barbara, 19/3/2017

Miscellaneous - Santa Barbara, 19/3/2017

At the second day of the Starry Nites festival in California L. Paul Mann watches and takes photographs of sets from Asteroid No.4, the Lumerains, Cat Power, Teenage Fanclub and Alan Parsons


Santa Barbara, 18/3/2017

Miscellaneous - Santa Barbara, 18/3/2017

L. Paul Mann at the first day of new Californian festival Starry Nites watches and photographs performances from among others Afishinsea, the Strawberry Alarm Clock, Thunderpussy, the Dandy Warhols and the Kills


Okeechobee, 3/3/2017

Miscellaneous - Okeechobee, 3/3/2017

On the second day of the Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival L. Paul Mann enjoys sets among others from Louis The Child, the Japanese House, Galactic, indie rockers Young The Giant, rapper Wiz Khalifa and EDM star Flume


Okeechobee, 4/3/2017

Miscellaneous - Okeechobee, 4/3/2017

At the third day of the Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival L.Paul Mann sees sets from among others young New Jersey singer Donna Missal, the Revivalists, Sleigh Bells and a combined performance between Usher and The Roots


Okeechobee, 2/3/2017

Miscellaneous - Okeechobee, 2/3/2017

Writer and photographer L.Paul Mann attends the Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival in Florida and on its first day watches and photographs sets by local blues guitarist Roosevelt Collier and Californian seven-piece soul/funk band Con Brio


Okeechobee, 5/3/2017

Miscellaneous - Okeechobee, 5/3/2017

At the fourth and final day of the Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival writer ad photographer L. Paul Mann sees sets by among others Bipolar Sunshine, the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Lumineers and the Kings of Leon


Academy, Manchester, 23/5/2015

Miscellaneous - Academy, Manchester, 23/5/2015

Billy Seagrave attends the second Gigantic All Dayer at the Manchester Academy and enjoys sets from the Primitives, Hurricane No. 1, the Gang of Four, Pop Will Eat Itself, the Inspiral Carpets and the recently reformed the High, who have got back together after an absence of twenty-two yers


Ritz, Manchester, 26/2/2015

Miscellaneous - Ritz, Manchester, 26/2/2015

Melanie Smith witnesses an exceptionally superb night of music with sets from rising stars Palma Violets, Fat White Family, Slaves and the Wytches at an NME Awards Tour gig at the Ritz in Manchester


Mizner Park Amphitheatre, Boca Raton, Florida 18/1/2015

Miscellaneous - Mizner Park Amphitheatre, Boca Raton, Florida 18/1/2015

Carl Bookstein is impressed by the one-day Sunshine Music and Blues Festival in Boca Raton in Florida which this year saw sets among others from the Doors' Robbie Krieger, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, The Both and Los Lobos


Humboldt Park, Chicago, 12/9/2014...14/9/2014

Miscellaneous - Humboldt Park, Chicago, 12/9/2014...14/9/2014

Lisa Torem enjoys sets from among others Patti Smith, the Flaming Lips, Billy Bragg and Paul Weller at the three day Chicago Riot Fest


Nr.Thame, Oxfordshire, 21/8/2014...25/8/2014

Miscellaneous - Nr.Thame, Oxfordshire, 21/8/2014...25/8/2014

Nick Dent-Robinson enjoys Oxfordshire's week long Towersey Festival, which celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, saw performances among many others from Eliza Carthy, Richard Thonpson, Seth Lakeman and the Bootleg Beatles


Newton, Nottinghamshire, 25/7/2014...27/7/2014

Miscellaneous - Newton, Nottinghamshire, 25/7/2014...27/7/2014

Dave Goodwin is enthralled by the three-day Deerstock Festival in Nottinghamshire, which saw appearances from a wide range of indie acts


Henley, Oxfordshire, 8/7/2014...12/7/2014

Miscellaneous - Henley, Oxfordshire, 8/7/2014...12/7/2014

Nick Dent-Robinson is impressed by this year's Henley Festival, which included a stunning performance from Burt Bacharach


Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire, 4/7/2014....6/7/2014

Miscellaneous - Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire, 4/7/2014....6/7/2014

Nick Dent-Robinson enjoys Oxfordshire's annual Cornbury Festival, which saw performances from Georgie Fame, Suzanne Vega, 10cc, Jools Holland, and Simple Minds and a highly impressive set from the Gypsy Kings


Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 23/4/2014

Miscellaneous - Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 23/4/2014

Lisa Torem at the Old Town School of Folk Music enjoys the Chicago date of a tour from some of its regular players to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the iconic Newport Jazz Festival


Mizner Park Amphitheatre, Boca Raton, 18/1/2014

Miscellaneous - Mizner Park Amphitheatre, Boca Raton, 18/1/2014

Carl Bookstein enjoys performances from the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Galactic, Leon Russell, Hot Tuna, Tab Benoit and Stanley Clarke at the Sunshine Music and Blues Festival in Florida


ABC of Canadian Music

Miscellaneous - ABC of Canadian Music

Catherine Christofis photographs the ABC of Canadian Music, which featured Po' Girl's Awna Teixeira, former Twilight Hotel front woman Brandy Zdan and ex-Wailing Jennys' star Cara Luft, at the Old Queen's Head in London


Blueberry Hill, St Louis, 18/9/2013

Miscellaneous - Blueberry Hill, St Louis, 18/9/2013

Lisa Torem watches Chuck Berry at 86 play an inspirational and emotive set in his once a month residency gig at the intimate Blueberry Hill club in St Louis


St George's Hall, Liverpool , 25/8/2013

Miscellaneous - St George's Hall, Liverpool , 25/8/2013

Harry Sherriff finds inspiring the Liverpool Music Awards' annual celebration of local music took place this year in the stunning environment of St George's Hall in central Liverpool


Liverpool Music Awards 2

Miscellaneous - Liverpool Music Awards 2

...while in the second she photographs some of its winners and performers


East Carswell, Galloway, 27/7/2013

Miscellaneous - East Carswell, Galloway, 27/7/2013

Andy Cassidy awakes from a hangover to enjoy the second day of the Wickerman Festival which included sets from Dexys, Roy Moller and the Rezillos


East Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, 26/7/2013...28/7/2013

Miscellaneous - East Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, 26/7/2013...28/7/2013

Dave Goodwin finds incredible Nottinghamshire's Deerstock Festival, which saw appearances from over thirty indie acts including Def Digby, the Gorgeous Chans, Leetabix and the Doggen Star Band, which led by Spiritualized's Tony Foster, also includes members of Selecter and the Fratellis


East Carswell, Galloway, 26/7/2013

Miscellaneous - East Carswell, Galloway, 26/7/2013

Andy Cassidy enjoys the first day of the Wickerman Festival which this year included sets from Chic and Nile Rodgers, Primal Scream, Admiral Fallow and rising Glasgow band Eugene Twist


Ottawa, 4/7/2013...7/7/2013

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 4/7/2013...7/7/2013

In the first week of Ottawa's annual Bluesfest, Andrew Carver watches performances from acts including the Black Keys, Grand Funk Railroad, Sharon Van Etten, the Joy Formidable and Wu-Tang Clan...


Ottawa, 8/7/2013...14/7/2013

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 8/7/2013...14/7/2013

and in its second week the Waterboys, the Specials, Rush, Alice in Chains, Los Lobos and BB King


Cropredy, Oxfordshire 8/8/2013...10/8/2013

Miscellaneous - Cropredy, Oxfordshire 8/8/2013...10/8/2013

Nick Robinson is impressed by Fairport Convention's annual Cropredy Convention which, as well as surprise headliner Alice Cooper and Faiprot Convention themselves playing two sets, also featured 10cc, the Levellers and the Mediavel Baebes


229 , London, 22/6/2013

Miscellaneous - 229 , London, 22/6/2013

Coinciding with a five CD 1980's indie pop box set, Scared to Get Happy was a mini festival at 229 in London featuring ten bands of the era. Dixie Ernill enjoys sets from the Primitives and June Brides, and the return after a twenty year absence of his favourite band the Brilliant Corners


Ottawa, 20/6/2013,,,23/6/2013

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 20/6/2013,,,23/6/2013

Andrew Carver is impressed by five day festival the Ottawa Explosion which, spread across ten venues, saw performances from over a hundred rock, punk and garage acts


Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire,, 4/7/2013...7/7/2013

Miscellaneous - Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire,, 4/7/2013...7/7/2013

Nick Dent-Robinson is impressed by Oxfordshire's Cornbury Festival, which saw headline performances from Van Morrison, Echo and the Bunnymen and Squeeze, as well as excellent sets from 'Downtown Abbey' actress Elizabeth McGovern's band Sadie and the Hotheads and Scottish duo Hunter and The Bear


X and Y Festival

Miscellaneous - X and Y Festival

Marie Hazelwood takes photographs of the Crookes, the Heartbreaks and Catfish and the Bottlemen at this year's X and Y Festival at the O2 Academy in Liverpool


3/5/2013...4/5/2013



Gillian Fish enjoys the Live At Leeds festival, which saw performances this year among others from the Concetines, Pigeon Detectives, Tribes, Swim Deep, Peace and the much hyped Strypes


2/5/2013...4/5/2013

Miscellaneous - 2/5/2013...4/5/2013

At this year's three day Liverpool Sound City Harry Sherriff watches set from among others the 1975, Lulu James, ex-Coral guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones, Darwin Deez and the Sugarmen


Groucho Club, London, 17/2/2013

Miscellaneous - Groucho Club, London, 17/2/2013

Tom Fogarty watches the Soho Hobo, which is the moniker of London musician Tim Arnold, play an excellent set material from as-yet unreleased album, every song which is about his native Soho, at the legendary Groucho Club in London


Briton's Protection,Manchester, 1/12/2012

Miscellaneous - Briton's Protection,Manchester, 1/12/2012

Dixie Ernill watches up-and-coming Salford-based five-piece the Cold One Hundred play a superb set of indie pop at the showcase gig for their debut EP at the Briton’s Protection in Manchester


Camp and Furnace, Liverpool, 29/9/2012

Miscellaneous - Camp and Furnace, Liverpool, 29/9/2012

Richard Lewis is impressed by a dazzling debut outing for the Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia, an all-day event headlined by Dead Skeletons, Wolf People, Mugstar and Time and Space Machine


Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia 1

Miscellaneous - Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia 1

Marie Hazelwood over three galleries photographs several of the bands at one day psychedelic festival, the Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia


Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia 2

Miscellaneous - Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia 2




Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia 3

Miscellaneous - Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia 3




Mathew Street Festival

Miscellaneous - Mathew Street Festival

Marie Hazelwood photographs local acts Hummingbirds, Filter Distortion and Married to the Sea at free Liverpool outdoor festival, the Mathew Street Festival


Gilbert Blecken Photography (1989-2009) 1



Over twenty years between 1989 and 2009, former Pennyblackmusic writer Gilbert Blecken took portrait shots and interviewed mainly British and American musicians as they toured through his native city of Berlin. The photographs in these four galleries chronicle some of those encounters and interviews


Gilbert Blecken Photography (1989-2009) 2

Miscellaneous - Gilbert Blecken Photography (1989-2009) 2

Gilbert Blecken's second gallery consists of: 1. Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) 1991 2. Kirsty MacColl 1994 3. Billy MacKenzie 1994 4. Gary Numan 1998 5. Claudia Brucken (Propaganda) 2001 6. Rose McDow


Gilbert Blecken Photography (1989-2009) 3

Miscellaneous - Gilbert Blecken Photography (1989-2009) 3

Gilbert Blecken's third gallery consists of: 1. Brett Anderson 2008 2. Trish Keenan (Broadcast) 2005 3. Tim Burgess (The Charlatans) 2008 4. Ian Gillan (Deep Purple) 2005 5. Torry Castellano an


Gilbert Blecken Photography (1989-2009) 4

Miscellaneous - Gilbert Blecken Photography (1989-2009) 4

Gilbert Blecken's fourth gallery consists of: 1. Charlotte Hatherley 2007 2. Brendan Picchio and Juanita Stein (Howling Bells) 2007 3. Mira Aroyo and Helen Marnie (Ladytron) 2008 4. Annie 2005


Detroit, 31/8/2012...1/9/2012

Miscellaneous - Detroit, 31/8/2012...1/9/2012

Carl Bookstein enjoys two evenings of powerful jazz at the Detroit Jazz Festival, which saw headline slots from octogenerian saxophonist Sonny Rollins and trumpet superstar Wynton Marsalis


Bodega, Nottingham, 17/8/2012



Dave Goodwin finds former child star and one-time classical singer Charlotte Church expanding into unheard new directions at a gig at the Bodega in Nottingham to promote 'One', her new four song EP


FestEvol 1

Miscellaneous - FestEvol 1

Marie Hazelwood provides photographs over four galleries of FestEvol, a new festival, which showcases local musical talent in the Liverpool area


FestEvol 2

Miscellaneous - FestEvol 2




FestEvol 4

Miscellaneous - FestEvol 4




FestEvol 3

Miscellaneous - FestEvol 3




Ottawa, 4/7/2012...8/7/2012

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 4/7/2012...8/7/2012

At this year's Ottawa Bluesfest Andrew Carver watches in is first week sets amongst many others from Alice Cooper, the Melvins, Fishbone, Billy Bragg, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and Orgone...


Ottawa, 9/7/2012...15/7/2012

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 9/7/2012...15/7/2012

...and in the second week performances from Lauryn Hill, Pack AD, the Cowboy Junkies, the Hold Steady, Bettye Layette and Balconies


Midland Railway, Butterley, Derbyshire, 7/7/2012...8/7/2012



Helen Tipping, despite often terrible weather conditions, enjoys sets at the sixth Indietracks Festival in Derbyshire from Allo Darlin', Colour Me Wednesday, Tendertrap, the Just Joans, the Vaselines and Veronica Falls


Port Lympne Animal Park, Kent, 3/8/2012…5/8/2012



Paul Waller provides a day-by-day diary of this year's Hevy Fest in Kent, which saw sets from Blacklisters, Brotherhood of the Man, Balance and Composure, Vales, Municipal Waste and This is Hell


Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire, 29/6/2012...1/7/2012

Miscellaneous - Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire, 29/6/2012...1/7/2012

Nick Dent-Robinson enjoys Oxfordshire's Cornbury Festival which, combining the traditional qualities of a garden party with a world class array of acts, saw performances from among others Gretchen Peters, Elvis Costello, Seasick Steve and Sam Brown and Her International Ukulele Club of Sonning Commo


Ottawa, 13/6/2012...17/6/2012

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 13/6/2012...17/6/2012

Andrew Carver enjoys five day featival the Ottawa Eplosion which, spread across everal venues, saw performances from an extensive range of rock, pop and garage acts


Naperville, 29/6/2012...1/7/2012



Lisa Torem watches the Steve Miller Band, Joe Walsh and ZZ Top play headlining sets over three nights at the Chicago Festival, the Naperville Rib Fest


Liverpool Sound City 1

Miscellaneous - Liverpool Sound City 1

Over four galleries photographers Darren Aston and Marie Hazelwood provide photographs of their favourite photographs from this year's Liverpool Sound City


Liverpool Sound City 2

Miscellaneous - Liverpool Sound City 2




Liverpool Sound City 3

Miscellaneous - Liverpool Sound City 3




Liverpool Sound City 4

Miscellaneous - Liverpool Sound City 4




Liverpool, 17/5/2012...19/5/2012

Miscellaneous - Liverpool, 17/5/2012...19/5/2012

Richard Lewis at the three day Liverpool Sound City festival enjoys sets amongst others from Mystery Jets, Dan Croll, Willis Earl Beal and James Vincent McMorrow


Destroy

Miscellaneous - Destroy




Leaf Cafe, Liverpool, 27/4/2012

Miscellaneous - Leaf Cafe, Liverpool, 27/4/2012

Richard Lewis attends the GIT Awards, which dubbed 'the Scouse Mercury Prize', saw performances from ten of the twelve acts on the shortlist


Crooked Billet, Stoke Row, 22/2/2012

Miscellaneous - Crooked Billet, Stoke Row, 22/2/2012

Nick Dent-Robinson watches award-winning folk artist Megan Henwood play a passionate and intimate set at the Crooked Billet at Stoke Row in Oxfordshire


Liverpool Music Week 1

Miscellaneous - Liverpool Music Week 1

In a two part photographic feature on Liverpool Music Week, which took place at the end of last year, Marie Hazelwood takes photographs of indie bands Big Deal, the Duke Spirit and Echo Lake...


Liverpool Music Week 2

Miscellaneous - Liverpool Music Week 2

...while in the second part shows she takes photos of Fly With Vampires, the Rialto Burns and Stealing Sheep


Scala, London, 1/11/2011...3/11/2011

Miscellaneous - Scala, London, 1/11/2011...3/11/2011

At indie pop label Fortuna POP's fifteenth birthday celebrations, Anthony Strutt enjoys sets from among others Bearsuit, the Primitives, Tender Trap, Darren Hayman and Allo' Darlin'


CCA, Glasgow, 15/11/2011

Miscellaneous - CCA, Glasgow, 15/11/2011

Andy Caasidy at the CCA in Glasgow is impressed by Leeds-based alternative label Gizeh Record's ambition on the Silent Bells tour, an intimate set of showcase gigs to promote three of their acts, Farewell Poetry, Sleepingdog and Conquering Animal Sound


Roscoe Village, Chicago, 16/9/2011...17/9/2011

Miscellaneous - Roscoe Village, Chicago, 16/9/2011...17/9/2011

Lisa Torem enjoys headline sets from both Californian alternative rockers Alien Ant Farm and Sheffield electro act the Human League at weekend festival the Guinness Oyster Fest in Chicago


Grewelthorpe, North Yorkshire, 26/8/2011...28/8/2011

Miscellaneous - Grewelthorpe, North Yorkshire, 26/8/2011...28/8/2011

Despite difficulties with the weather, Spencer Robertshaw enjoys the family-friendly Limetree Festival in Yorkshire


Oakley Farm. Dorset, 12/8/2011...14/8/2011



Helen Tipping finds much to enjoy at punk/alternative festival Endorse It in Dorset, which includes sets from New Model Army, the Alabama 3, the Members and the Rezillos


Midland Railway, Butterley, Derbyshire, 29/7/2011...31/7/2011



Helen Tipping finds the fifth Indietracks Festival, which includes sets from Hidden Cameras, Jeffrey Lewis, the Vaselines's Frances McKee and Herman Dune, a fantastic experience


Kent, 4/7/2011

Miscellaneous - Kent, 4/7/2011

On his birthday Anthony Srutt at the Hop Farm Festival in Kent watches sets from Morrissey, Lou Reed and Patti Smith


Ottawa, 5/7/2011...10/7/2011

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 5/7/2011...10/7/2011

In the first week of the Ottawa Bluesfest, Andrew Carver watches sets the likes of the Flaming Lips, the Steve Miller Band, Wanda Jackson, Erykan Badu, M Ward and Leon Russell.


Ottawa, 11/7/2011...17/7/2011

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 11/7/2011...17/7/2011

...wgile in the second week, which ended on a note of turbulence with the collapse of the stage during a thunderstorm, he takes in performances from among others Dana Fuchs, the Dirtbombs, My Morning Jacket, Alyssa Reid, Mother Mother and Jane's Addiction


The Bay, Glasgow, 10/7/2011

Miscellaneous - The Bay, Glasgow, 10/7/2011

At an all day warm-up show at The Bay in Glasgow for the then forthcoming Wickerman Festival, Andy Cassidy enjoys performances from headliners Ducan Maitland and and also local acts including Tragic O'Hara, Neil Sturgeon, the Rudiments and Mr Kil


Ottawa, 16//6/2011...18/6/2011

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 16//6/2011...18/6/2011

Andrew Carver enjoys the Ottawa Explosion, a DIY three day punk festival which took place in a variety of Ottawa's homes, record stores, nightclubs, practice spaces and even a laundrette


Liverpool, 19/5/2011...21/5/2011

Miscellaneous - Liverpool, 19/5/2011...21/5/2011

At the three day Liverpool Sound City, Richard Lewis watches sets from among many other the Kooks, Cast, Miles Kane, Dinosaur Pile-Up and Fly with Vampires


ABC2, Glasgow, 20/4/2011

Miscellaneous - ABC2, Glasgow, 20/4/2011

At a show sponsored by Jack Daniels in the ABC2 in Glasgow, John Clarkson watches Sharleen Spiteri, Ian McCulloch, Kate Nash, Steve Mason and new bands Ramona and Kid Adrift play a frequently excellent set of David Bowie covers.


Lexington, London, 4/1/2011

Miscellaneous - Lexington, London, 4/1/2011

Anthony Strutt watches sets from the Loves, Standard Fare and Evans the Death on the first night of Fortuna Pop!'s three day Winter Sprinter festival at the Lexington in London...


Lexington, London, 5/1/2011

Miscellaneous - Lexington, London, 5/1/2011

...while on the second night he sees performances from Comet Gain, the Loft playing their first gig since 2006 and Veronica Falls...


Lexington, London, 6/1/2011

Miscellaneous - Lexington, London, 6/1/2011

...and on the last Darren Hayman and the Secondary Modern, the Wave Pictures and the Leaf Library


House of Blues, Chicago, 19th...21st November 2010

Miscellaneous - House of Blues, Chicago, 19th...21st November 2010

Lisa Torem attends the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in Chicago in which musicians such as Grand Funk Railroad's Mark Farner, Ozzy Osbourne bassist Rudy Sarzo and Mitch Ryder mentor, rehearse cover tunes and create original music together with fans over a long weekend


ICA, London, 18/9/2010

Miscellaneous - ICA, London, 18/9/2010

...while on its second he watches slots from the Primitives, the Blanche Hudson Weekend and the Primitives


ICA, London, 19/9/2010

Miscellaneous - ICA, London, 19/9/2010

...and on the last night Robin Guthrie, Heligoland and Daniel Land and the Modern Painters


Lexington, London, 16/9/2010

Miscellaneous - Lexington, London, 16/9/2010

In an evening that was postponed from April as a result of the volcanic ash disruption, Dan Cressey enjoys a night of death metal from Scandinavian bands, Solstafir, Thunderstone and Kvelertak


6/7/2010...10/7/2010

Miscellaneous - 6/7/2010...10/7/2010

During the first week of the annual Ottawa Cisco Systems Bluesfest Andrew Carver watches sets from among others Iron Maiden, Steel Pulse, Good2Go,Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Carolyn Wonderland and the Flaming Lips


11/7/2010...18/7/2010

Miscellaneous - 11/7/2010...18/7/2010

...while in its second week he also sees performances from John Hiatt, Rush, Arcade Fire, the Gories, Blonde Redhead and Jimmy Cliff


Florida, 13/5/2010...17/5/2010

Miscellaneous - Florida, 13/5/2010...17/5/2010

The Malt Shop Memories Cruise was a Florida cruise trip featuring performances from a variety of late 50's and early 60's acts. Lisa Torem watches sets from amongst others Lou Christie, Little Anthony and the Imperials, the Drifters and Lesley Gore


Minehead, Somerset, 14/5/2010

Miscellaneous - Minehead, Somerset, 14/5/2010

On the first day of a Pavement-curated All Tomorrow's Parties, Mark and Jamie Rowland, Ben Howarth and Sarah Johnson discuss sets from bands such as Surfer Blood, Calexico and Broken Social Scene...


Queens Park, Glasgow, 14/5/2010...23/5/2010

Miscellaneous - Queens Park, Glasgow, 14/5/2010...23/5/2010

At Glasgow's ten day Southside Festival Tony Gaughan is impressed by performances from Squeeze front man Glenn Tilbrook and singer-songwriter Nick Harper as well as sets from local acts such as Carol Laula, former Silencer JJ Gilmour, Howlin' Radio and Acoustic Butterfly


Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, 29/5/2010

Miscellaneous - Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, 29/5/2010

At the Manchester open air festival Hungry Pigeon, Aaron Brown finds heavy rain failing to dampen the spirits of the crowd or Athlete in an exuberant performance from the London-based rockers


Minehead, Somerset, 15/5/2010



...while on the second they talk about performances from Blitzen Trapper, Fiery Furnaces, Camera Obscura, Pavement and Atlas Sound


Minehead, Somerset, 16/5/2010



...and on its third and final day they debate about slots from Wax Fang, the 3Ds, the Dodos, Terry Reid, the Fall and the Raincoats


ICA, London, 28/11/2009

Miscellaneous - ICA, London, 28/11/2009

...and on the last night closers the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, the Tamborines and Texas-band Ringo Deathstarr


ICA, London, 27/11/2009

Miscellaneous - ICA, London, 27/11/2009

...while on the second night he sees sets by Swervedriver, New York-based based-band the Deprecation Guild and Jesu


ICA, London, 26/11/2009

Miscellaneous - ICA, London, 26/11/2009

The 'Reverence 2' was a three day festival organised by the Club AC30 shoegazing label. On the first night, Anthony Strutt watches performances by the reformed Chapterhouse, Air Formation and Ulrich Schnauss


LeBreton Flats, Ottawa, 8/7/2009...12/7/2009

Miscellaneous - LeBreton Flats, Ottawa, 8/7/2009...12/7/2009

In the first week of the annual Ottawa Cisco Systems Bluesfest, Andrew Carver watches sets from acts including the Black Keys, Metric, Iron and Wine, Okkervil River, Lightning Malcolm and Cedric Burnside and the Church


LeBreton Flats, Ottawa, 13/7/2009...19/7/2009

Miscellaneous - LeBreton Flats, Ottawa, 13/7/2009...19/7/2009

...and in its second week the Drive By Truckers, Toots and the Maytals, M83, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Dead Weather and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs


Victoria Park, London, 1/8/2009

Miscellaneous - Victoria Park, London, 1/8/2009

The Field Day is one-day music festival band for indie groups who wouldn't quite fit on the bill at Glastonbury or Reading. Ben Howarth watches sets among others from Fanfarlo, the Temper Trap, Juana Molina and Four Tet, but finds Malian musician, Toumani Diabate, having the greatest personal impact


Wollaton Hall, Nottingham, 19/7/2009

Miscellaneous - Wollaton Hall, Nottingham, 19/7/2009

At the Nottingham Splendour Festival, Peter Allison watches the Fun Lovin' Criminals play a set of rogueish charm, and a Pogues' performance quickly descend into chaos


Wollaton Hall, Nottingham, 19/7/2009

Miscellaneous - Wollaton Hall, Nottingham, 19/7/2009

...while Fiona Hutchings is impressed by 50's-influenced newcomer Imelda May and enjoys Madness' fresh and vibrant-sounding headlining set


Union Chapel, London, 12/6/2009

Miscellaneous - Union Chapel, London, 12/6/2009

Despite main act the Leisure Society having their stage time drastically cut, Ben Howarth finds much to be impressed about at a showcase evening at which the rising Wilkommen Records presented all its current roster of acts at the beautiful Union Chapel venue in London


Minehead, Somerset, 8/5/2009...10/5/2009

Miscellaneous - Minehead, Somerset, 8/5/2009...10/5/2009

All the acts at the All Tomorrow's Parties Festivals in Somerset are usually chosen by a curator. In a break from the usual in which the acts were instead chosen by the fans and the organisers, Dominic Simpson watches sets from the likes of Beirut, the Jesus Lizard, Lydia Lunch and M83


Manchester, 23/5/2009

Miscellaneous - Manchester, 23/5/2009

Sophie Hall is impressed by Manchester's multi-venue Hungry Pigeon festival, which put an emphasis on promoting the newest signed and unsigned acts in Britain today


Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ottawa, 21/5/2009

Miscellaneous - Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ottawa, 21/5/2009

Andrew Carver watches durable New York powerpop act the Figgs play a crowd-pleasing and punchy set at Zaphod Beeblebrox in Ottawa


St Giles Church, London, 11/12/2008

Miscellaneous - St Giles Church, London, 11/12/2008

Anthony Middleton watches Scottish folk artist James Yorkston, although suffering from sound problems, play a set of warm and humour to a rapt audience at the magical venue of St Giles' Church in London


New York, 20/10/2008...25/10/2008

Miscellaneous - New York, 20/10/2008...25/10/2008

Over six days at New York's city-based CMJ festival, Anthony Dhanendran watches performances from acts including Jens Lekman, Dan Deacon, Emmy the Great, Jay Reatard and Litle Boots


Midland Railway, Butterley, Derbyshire, 267/2008...27/8/2008

Miscellaneous - Midland Railway, Butterley, Derbyshire, 267/2008...27/8/2008

At the second ever Indietracks Festival, which takes place in a railway heritage site in Derbyshire, Jamie Rowland enjoys sets from indie pop/rock acts such as Herfner's Darren Hayman, the Bobby McGee's, the Wedding Present and ballboy


Hop Farm, London, 3/7/2008

Miscellaneous - Hop Farm, London, 3/7/2008

Despite battling both the wind and rain, Anthony Strutt finds much to enjoy in rock's great survivor Neil Young's headline performance at new festival the Hop Farm in Kent


LeBreton Flats, Ottawa, 3/7/2008...6/7/2008

Miscellaneous - LeBreton Flats, Ottawa, 3/7/2008...6/7/2008

In the first four days of Ottawa's annual Cisco Sytems Bluesfest, Andrew Carver enjoys sets from among others the Secret Machines, TV On The Radio, Guitar Shorty, Orchestra Baobab, Ladytron and Richard Thompson


LeBreton Flats, Ottawa, 7/7/2008...13/7/2008

Miscellaneous - LeBreton Flats, Ottawa, 7/7/2008...13/7/2008

while in its last week he also sees performances from Bettye Lavette, Jason Collett, Sadie Hell, Seun Kuti, Shelby Lynne and Ray Davies


Victoria Park, London, 20/7/2008

Miscellaneous - Victoria Park, London, 20/7/2008

On the second day of the Lovebox Weekender festival at Victoria Park in London, Sarah Johnson enjoys visually spectacular sets from both Goldfrapp and, in their only British show of the year, the Flaming Lips


Budapest, 8/8/2007...15/8/2007

Miscellaneous - Budapest, 8/8/2007...15/8/2007

The Sziget Festival in Europe has grown over the last fifteen years to being one of Europe's largest music festivals. New writer Marton Nagy watches mixed performances from acts such as the Killers, the Good, the Bad and the Queen, the Hives and Hungarian acts Bridge to Solace and Idoru


Escot Park, Devon, 17/8/2007...18/8/2007

Miscellaneous - Escot Park, Devon, 17/8/2007...18/8/2007

The annual Beautiful Days Festival, which takes place in Devon, is run by the Levellers. Helen Tipping enjoys sets from New Model Army, Afro Celt Sound System, Devotcha, Hey Negrita and the Damned


Solar, Spain, 15/6/2007...17/6/2007

Miscellaneous - Solar, Spain, 15/6/2007...17/6/2007

The Sonar Festival is an annual festia festival of arts, involving visual arts, installations and even a magic show. Anthony Dhanendran ejoys such musical highlights as Altern 8, the Beastie Bots, Skream, Devo and Mogwai


Dour, Belgium, 12/7/2007-15/72007

Miscellaneous - Dour, Belgium, 12/7/2007-15/72007

Based near the small Belgian town of Dour, the Dour festival is an annual four day festival. Ben Howarth sees performances from the likes of Sean Lennon, Bright Eyes, the Frames, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Wilco


Ottawa, 4/7/2007/10/7/2007

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 4/7/2007/10/7/2007

In the first week of Ottawa's Annual Bluesfest, Andrew Carver sees performances from acts as diverse as Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Radio Birdman, Femi Kuti, Toumani Diabete and the White Stripes...


Ottawa, 11/7/2007-15/7/2007

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 11/7/2007-15/7/2007

...and its second week Final Fantasy, Randy Newman, Alejandro Escovedo, Cat Power, Inuk thorat singer Tagag and Gogol Bordello


Minehead, Somerset, 27/4/2007...29/4/2007

Miscellaneous - Minehead, Somerset, 27/4/2007...29/4/2007

At the latest All Tomorrow's Parties weekend, this time curated by Bad Seeds and Dirty Three violinist Warren Ellis, Anthony Dhanendran sees sets from bands as diverse as the Only Ones, Low, Spiritualized, Grinderman and Joanna Newsom


Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ottawa, 26/8/2006

Miscellaneous - Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ottawa, 26/8/2006

80's influenced Toronto-based quintet These Electric Lives' recent Ottawa gig had local acts Embassies of Denmark and City of 100 Spires as support. Despite a rapidly decreasing audience, Andrew Carver watches them put on an energetic set


Escot Park, Devon, 18/8/2006...20/8/2006

Miscellaneous - Escot Park, Devon, 18/8/2006...20/8/2006

At the Beautiful Days Festival in Devon, which is organised by the Levellers, Helen Tipping watches sets from the likes of the Crimea, Czech folk band Dikovej Bill, Goldblade, 3 Daft Monkeys and the Eighteenth Day of May


Camber Sands, Sussex, 12/5/2006...14/5/2006

Miscellaneous - Camber Sands, Sussex, 12/5/2006...14/5/2006

In the first of two All Tomorrow's Parties weekeds this summer, Anthony Dhanendran takes in sets from the likes of Mudhoney, Holly Golightly, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bert Jansch, Vashti Bunyan and Devendra Banhart


Night and Day, Manchester, 14/8/2006

Miscellaneous - Night and Day, Manchester, 14/8/2006

Australian band Howling Bells describe themselves as indie,but have links also to the darker side of alt.country. Helen Tipping sees them play a powerful and diverse set at Manchester's Night and Day in one of the best gigs of the year


Ottawa, 7/7/2006...11/7/2006

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 7/7/2006...11/7/2006

During the first half of Ottawa's 10 day annual Bluefest Andrew Carver watches sets by the likes of Broken Social Scene, Amadou et Mariam, Roxanne Potvin, Mia Dyson, Rickie Lee Jones and Son Volt


Ottawa, 12/7/2006...16/7/2006

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 12/7/2006...16/7/2006

...while in the second half he sees perfomances from Hammell on Trial, the Grande Mothers, Mofro, Fiery Furnaces, Alejandro Escovedo and Roseanne Cash


Clapham Common, London, 31/7/2006

Miscellaneous - Clapham Common, London, 31/7/2006

Anthony Strutt has an enjoyable day out at Ben and Jerry's Summer Sundae in London, which featured sets from Badly Drawn Boy, Echo and the Bunnymen, Larriken Love and the Pipettes


Metro, London, 28/6/2006

Miscellaneous - Metro, London, 28/6/2006

Anthony Strutt is reminded of the the swagger of Echo and the Bunnymen and the Hope of the States as he is blown away by a show by leeds five piece iLIKETRAiNS at a show at the Metro in London


Night and Day, Manchester, 1/8/2006

Miscellaneous - Night and Day, Manchester, 1/8/2006

Glaswegian female four piece the Hedrons have been attracting good reviews, but Helen Tipping is not impressed by their heavy metal riff guitar theatricals at show at Night and Day in Manchester


Barrymore's, Ottawa, 4/8/2006

Miscellaneous - Barrymore's, Ottawa, 4/8/2006

Wolf Parade released a widely acclaimed album in 2005, and have built a formidable live reputation, but Andrew Carver finds them overshadowed by both opening acts at a show at Barrymore's in Ottawa


Carling Academy, London, 19/6/2006

Miscellaneous - Carling Academy, London, 19/6/2006

Rock god extraordinaire Jesse Hughes recently brought his Eagles of Death Metal to London. Daniel Cressey is transfixed at their show there at the Carling Academy


Babylon, Ottawa, 12/5/2006

Miscellaneous - Babylon, Ottawa, 12/5/2006

Heavy Trash is the new band of Pussy Galore and the Blues Explosion's much acclaimed Jon Spencer. At a Heavy Trash show in Ottawa, Andrew Carver, however, feels a weary sense of predictability and deja vu at Spencer's Elvis-inspired stage mannerisms


100 Club, London, 23/5/2006

Miscellaneous - 100 Club, London, 23/5/2006

Little Man Tate recently played a sold out show at London's 100 Club on their first big national tour. Olga Sladeckova is impressed by energetic sets from both them and support band the Repomen


Barfly, London, 25/5/2006

Miscellaneous - Barfly, London, 25/5/2006

Australian group the Morning After Girls recently played a Kerrang-sponsored gig at a London date on their recent tour. Anthony Dhanendran is surprised that, rather than being industrial and heavy-sounding, they sound like a rockier Britpop act


Joseph's Well, Leeds, 12/5/2006

Miscellaneous - Joseph's Well, Leeds, 12/5/2006

Leeds/Bradford-based band This Et Al recently played a homecoming gig of sorts at Joseph's Well in Leeds. Helen Tipping, however, finds their music drowned out by the venue's muddy sound system


Rainbow Bistro, Ottawa, 9/4/2006

Miscellaneous - Rainbow Bistro, Ottawa, 9/4/2006

Vancouver alt.rockers They Shoot Horses, Don't They ? have been getting much acclaim for the energetic stage show. Andrew Carver watches them play an impressive set at Ottawa's Rainbow Bistro


Metro, London, 30/3/2006

Miscellaneous - Metro, London, 30/3/2006

Jamie Rowland watches twee Casio rockers Help ! She Can't Swim, Bearsuit and the Retro Spankees all play fresh and inventive sets at the Metro in London


Arts Theatre, London, 1/3/2006

Miscellaneous - Arts Theatre, London, 1/3/2006

At one of their first London shows, Dave Toynton watches Australian hardcore punk group Jaed play a blistering set


Registry, Portsmouth, 2/3/3006

Miscellaneous - Registry, Portsmouth, 2/3/3006

Tipped for the top, Andy Vincent finds the Strange Death of Liberal England's ethereal blend of folk rock totally compelling at a local bands night show at the Portsmouth Registry


Dominion, Ottawa, 4/3/2006

Miscellaneous - Dominion, Ottawa, 4/3/2006

One of Toronto’s grottiest, nastiest, loudest punk rock outfits, the Brutal Knights have a passionate fan base in Canada. Andrew Carver finds their show compelling, but exhausting at the Dominion in Ottawa


Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ottawa, 5/3/2006

Miscellaneous - Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ottawa, 5/3/2006

At an unfortunately poorly attended show at Zaphod Beeblebrox's in Ottawa, Andrew Carver enjoys performances from four Australian bands-Giants of Science, Brindle, Iron On and the Gin Club


Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ottawa, 6/3/2006

Miscellaneous - Zaphod  Beeblebrox, Ottawa, 6/3/2006

Andrew Carver watches a trio of Danish acts-Kira and the Kindred Spirits, the Figurines and the Blue Van-all play forceful sets at Zaphod Beeblebrox's


Zaphods, Ottawa, 10/12/2005

Miscellaneous - Zaphods, Ottawa, 10/12/2005

Indie pop dance rockers Kiss Me Deadly recently toured North America with Bloc Party. Despite singer Emily Elizabeth feeling ill, Andrew Carver nevertheless watches them play a lively set on the last date of a headlining tour


Capital Music Hall, Ottawa, 19/1/2006

Miscellaneous - Capital Music Hall, Ottawa, 19/1/2006

Leslie Feist has vaulted into the forefront of independent music with her new album 'Let It Die' which includes songs by Francoise Hardy and the Bee Gees as well as originals. Andrew Carver watches her play a diverse set to thunderous reception in Ottawa


Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, 26//11/2005

Miscellaneous - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, 26//11/2005

Hardcore rockers Alexisonfire have a rapidly expanding reputation. At the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth, Andy Vincent enjoys a confident set of old and new songs


Lemon Grove, Exeter, 17/11/2005

Miscellaneous - Lemon Grove, Exeter, 17/11/2005

At Exeter's Lemon Grove, a cynical Ben Howarth watches singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright play a 2 hour set, but finds it defying all expectations and comes away completely converted


Brickyards, Carlisle, 7/10/2005

Miscellaneous - Brickyards, Carlisle, 7/10/2005

London-based trio Stoner have elements, among others, of both Led Zeppelin and Jeff Buckley. At a sadly unattended show in Carlisle, Sarah Johnston watches them rise above the occasion and play a superb set


Babylon, Ottawa, 18/9/2005

Miscellaneous - Babylon, Ottawa, 18/9/2005

Psychedelic rockers the Willowz recently made a last minute visit to Ottawa. At a show attended by as a result only a small audience, Andrew Carver watches them nevertheless able to whip up a storm


Joseph Well's, Leeds, 1/10/2005

Miscellaneous - Joseph Well's, Leeds, 1/10/2005

Screaming Banshee Aircrew combine their unique blend of goth rock with some tongue-in-cheek humour. Helen Tipping watches them play a lively set at Joseph's Well in Leeds


Ronnie Scott's, London, 11/9/2005

Miscellaneous - Ronnie Scott's, London, 11/9/2005

Yat Kha come from a tiny Siberian province on the borders between Russia and Mongolia. Anthony Dhanendran watches them reinterpret songs from acts as diverse as Led Zeppelin, Joy Division and Captain Beefheart to remarkable effect


Barrymore's, Ottawa, 17/9/2005

Miscellaneous - Barrymore's, Ottawa, 17/9/2005

Alt rockers Cuff the Duke have grown in stature since Andrew Carver first saw them a couple of years ago. He watches them play a show energetic enough to make the floor shake at Barrymore's in Ottawa


Avant Garde Bar, Ottawa, 20/8/2005

Miscellaneous - Avant Garde Bar, Ottawa, 20/8/2005

At an evening dedicated to experimental music in his native Ottawa, Andrew Carver watches six artists play sets which vary from compelling to totally uncohesive


Zaphod's, Ottawa, 4/9/2005

Miscellaneous - Zaphod's, Ottawa, 4/9/2005

After glowing reviews on the internet Clap Your Hands Say Yeah found themselves playing their first international tour still without a record deal. Andrew Carver finds the art rockers more than living up to the hype


Leeds, 26/8/2005

Miscellaneous - Leeds, 26/8/2005

New Pennyblackmusic writer Adrian Huggins had to deal with his car being towed back to the garage before he finally made it to the Leeds Festival. He, however, enjoys sets from Iggy and the Stooges and Incubus in what became an otherwise very expesnive da


Escott Park, Devon, 18/8/2005...20/8/2005

Miscellaneous - Escott Park, Devon, 18/8/2005...20/8/2005

Beautiful Days is a small and largely unsung festival organised by the Levellers. Helen Tipping and her friends enjoy a very special weekend of music, camping and with giant seagulls while there


Barrymore’s, Ottawa, 6/8/2005

Miscellaneous - Barrymore’s, Ottawa, 6/8/2005

Former Songs : Ohia frontman Jason Molina has been compared to Neil Young with his latest act Magnolia Electric Company. Andrew Carver, however, is unriveted at Barrymore's in Ottawa


Ottawa, 11/7/2005...17/7/2005

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 11/7/2005...17/7/2005

...while in its second week he sees shows from ZZ Top, the Dears, Josh Ritter, Calexico,the New York Dolls and Holly Golightly


Ottawa, 7/7/2005...10/7/2005

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 7/7/2005...10/7/2005

In the first week of Ottawa's notorious Bluesfest Andrew Carver watches sets from the likes of War, Neko Case, the Sadies, Final Fantasy and Mofro


Shepherd's Bush Empire, London, 15/6/2005

Miscellaneous - Shepherd's Bush Empire, London, 15/6/2005

A massive act in the late 80's and early 90's, the La's recently reformed after a 13 year break. Long-term fan sees them at the Shepherd's Bush Empire and finds times barely changed


Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London, 4/5/2005

Miscellaneous - Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London, 4/5/2005

At a tea time gig at a Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, multii million songwriter Albert Hammond plays his own first gig in 24 years. Anthony Strutt watches him perform an impressive set of old and new songs


Camber Sands Holiday Centre, 22/4/2005-24/4/2005

Miscellaneous - Camber Sands Holiday Centre, 22/4/2005-24/4/2005

The latest All Tomorrow's Parties weekend was hosted by controversial film director Vincent Gallo.Anthony Dhanendran both enjoys and endures sets from The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Buck 65, PJ Harvey and Yoko Ono among others


Babylon, Ottawa, 26/4/2005

Miscellaneous - Babylon, Ottawa, 26/4/2005

Soul act Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings recently strutted their stuff for the first time in Ottawa in front of a packed house. Andrew Carver witnesses one of the five best shows that he has even seen


Zaphod's, Ottawa, 30/4/2005

Miscellaneous - Zaphod's, Ottawa, 30/4/2005

At Zaphod's in Ottawa, Andrew Carver enjoys a performance of high energy show combining 60's British psychedelica and American rock’n’roll from Winnipeg’s Telepathic Butterflies


Babylon, Ottawa, 4/4/2005

Miscellaneous - Babylon, Ottawa, 4/4/2005

Black Mountain have been lauded as the creators of the finest Canadian CD so far of 2005. Andrew Carver watches the Vancouver psychedelia act put on a " hard-hitting show " that shows that they can deliver the goods promised by their debut on stage"


Barrymore's, Ottawa, 22/4/2005

Miscellaneous - Barrymore's, Ottawa, 22/4/2005

Despite having the choice between five shows to go to on one night, Andrew Carver reckons that he has made the right choice after seeing them play "a killer combo of Southern rock 70s rock, R&B and soul" at Ottawa Barrymore's


Babylon, Ottawa, 6/4/2005

Miscellaneous - Babylon, Ottawa, 6/4/2005

Gris Gris released their self-titled debut album last year yo much acclaim. Andrew Carver at the Ottawa Bablyon watches them put on one of the most psychedelic shows that he has ever seen


Zaphods, Ottawa, 24/3/2005

Miscellaneous - Zaphods, Ottawa, 24/3/2005

New Canadian trio Magneta Lane include the Velvet Underground, the Kinks and Nancy Sinatra amongst their influences. Andrew Carver finds the three piece's blend of pop and punk toally captivating in Ottawa


Brickmakers, Norwich, 22/3/20095

Miscellaneous - Brickmakers, Norwich, 22/3/20095

Yankee Nine Niner have been described as being a mixture of Guns ‘n’ Roses and Steve Tyler from Aerosmith, and also draw comparisions with AC/DC. Alex Halls watches them play an exhilarating set at the Norwich Brickmakers


Camber Sands, 25/2/2005...27/2/2005

Miscellaneous - Camber Sands, 25/2/2005...27/2/2005

The latest All Tomorrow's Parties Festival was headlined by seminal post rockers Slint playing their first gig in over a decade. Ben Howarth watches them play a delightful show, and also enjoys sets from the Melvins, Mum and Mogwai


Boardwalk, Sheffield, 26/1/2004

Miscellaneous - Boardwalk, Sheffield, 26/1/2004

At an unfortunately sparsely attended gig at Sheffield's Boardwalk, Helen Tipping enjoys lively sets from psychedelic Norwegian act Freeshine and Brighton-based punks My Deaf Audio


Dominion, Ottawa, 10/10/2004

Miscellaneous - Dominion, Ottawa, 10/10/2004

Icelandic rockers Singapore Sling have something of a history with Ottawa, but until now have never played a club gig. Andrew Carver watches them play a confident and much improved set at the Ottawa Dominion


Lemon Grove, Exeter, 15/10/2004

Miscellaneous - Lemon Grove, Exeter, 15/10/2004

Benjamin Howarth finds London hip-hop rapper Rahzel making a very bad personal impression as a person,yet also proving himself to be a unique perfomer at a gig in the Lemon Grove at Exeter University


Irene's. Ottawa, 19/10/2004

Miscellaneous - Irene's. Ottawa, 19/10/2004

Saturday Looks Good to Me favour a lo-fi Beach Boys type sound. In Irene's in Ottawa, Andrew Carver watches them play a roughhewn, but wistful and heartfelt set


Zaphod's, Ottawa, 13/10/2004

Miscellaneous - Zaphod's, Ottawa, 13/10/2004

Sadly playing to an audience of just 10 people at Zaphod's in Ottawa, Andrew Carver sess neo-psychedelic Israeli quartet Rockfour put on "a satisfying show witnessed by far too few. "


Venue, Edinburgh, 13/10/2004

Miscellaneous - Venue, Edinburgh, 13/10/2004

Billed as "an acoustic punk supergroup", Dead Men Walking includes Glen Matlock, Mike Peters, Kirk Brandon, Bruce Watson and Slim Jim Phantom. John Clarkson enjoys their Edinburgh show on their latest tour


Barfly, London, 19/9/2004

Miscellaneous - Barfly, London, 19/9/2004

The latest recruits to the Digital Hardcore label, Panik DHH are enough to send Slipknot running for their mothers. Daniel Cressey watches them transform the London Garage into "a soundscape of white noise, black noise and just plain noise"


Dominion Tavern, Ottawa, 10/9/2004

Miscellaneous - Dominion Tavern, Ottawa, 10/9/2004

Le Nombre and Les Breastfeeders are two of the best acts on the current garage rock bands on the Canadian scene. Andrew Carver finds three hours going back in a flash as "witnesses rock at its most powerful and exciting"


Kalmar, Sweden, 30/7/2004...31/7/2004

Miscellaneous - Kalmar, Sweden, 30/7/2004...31/7/2004

The last in a trilogy, the Mitt Sista Liv indiepop festival recently took place in a field on the Swedish southeast coast. Tommy Gunnarsson enjoys sets from the likes of Milky Wimpshake, Popundret, the Frenchmen and the Scarlet's Well.


29/8/2004

Miscellaneous - 29/8/2004

..while on its last day Denzil Watson watches performances among others to the 5, 6, 7, 8s, the New York Dolls, Franz Ferdinand, Morrissey, the Libertines and the White Stripes


27/8/2004...28/8/2004

Miscellaneous - 27/8/2004...28/8/2004

Across the first two days of Leeds' annual weekend festival new writer Dominic Simpson catches performances from the likes of Radio 4, the Others, Pretty Girls Make Graves, McLusky, the Shins and the Darkness


Water Rats, London, 8/7/2004

Miscellaneous - Water Rats, London, 8/7/2004

The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players are an art-rock pop band who take old sets of slides from the 50's, 60's and 70's and evocatively set them to music. Emma Haigh watches them reach with dignified humour "a depth that few others could manage"


Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ottawa, 15/8/2004

Miscellaneous - Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ottawa, 15/8/2004

The John Henry's play California country rock of the highest calibre, while the ultra-dark Elliot Brood have found themselves labelled under the"metal folk" tag. With little in common , Andrew Carver watches them play strong sets on the same Ottawa bill


Guildford, 16/7/2004...18/7/2004

Miscellaneous - Guildford, 16/7/2004...18/7/2004

Guilfest has in recent years risen to become one of Britain's recent rock festivals. Over the course of a busy weekend, Philip Vincent enjoys sets among others from the likes of Hot Club of Cowtown, Simple Kid, Katie Melua, and Simple Minds


Ottawa, 9/7/2004....11/7/2004

Miscellaneous - Ottawa,  9/7/2004....11/7/2004

Across the course of the first weekend of the Ottawa Bluesfest, Andrew Carver finds time to take in sets by the likes of the Chains, Pearlene, Dead Moon,Denise James, Asteroid no 4. and the Bellrays


Ottawa, 14/7/2004...18/7/2004

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 14/7/2004...18/7/2004

....while during the festivals' last week he witnesses sets by the Cool Jerks, the Deadly Snakes, Xavier Rudd, Five Horse Johnson, Dave Alvin, the Greenhornes and the Dirtbombs


Bristol, 17th...18th July, 2004

Miscellaneous - Bristol, 17th...18th July, 2004

Now in its 30th year, Bristol’s Ashton Court Festival is one of the more under-rated of British musical festivals. Over the course of a hot weekend Daniel Cressey enjoys and intriguing mixture of local annd not-so-local bands


Barrymore's, Ottawa, 24/7/2004

Miscellaneous - Barrymore's, Ottawa, 24/7/2004

Department of Foreign Affairs have always been a competent stage act. Andrew Carver, however, finds the show stolen from under them by support act, High Strung, at Barrymore's in Ottawa


Barfly, London, 22/7/2004

Miscellaneous - Barfly, London, 22/7/2004

A band with a title like Audio Karate seem guaranteed to give your ears a good pounding. Daniel Cressey finds them thankfully living up to their name at the London Barfly


Buffalo Bar, London, 24/7/2004

Miscellaneous - Buffalo Bar, London, 24/7/2004

Nemo share a love for the likes of Joy Division, Television, Human League and Talking Heads. Back after an enforced break because of line-up changes, Emma Haigh watches them play a compelling set in the London Buffalo Bar


Dirty Water Club, London, 4/6/2004

Miscellaneous - Dirty Water Club, London, 4/6/2004

All-girl rock ‘n’ rollers the 5,6,7,8’s now seem guaranteed success after their appearance in the first 'Kill Bill' film. Daniel Cressey watches them play a snappy set at the London Dirty Water Club


Zaphod's, Ottawa, 19/6/2004

Miscellaneous - Zaphod's, Ottawa, 19/6/2004

One of the rising bands of the Canadian music scene, all-girl five piece the Organ have been getting steady good reviews. At an Ottawa show Andrew Carver sees no reason why they shouldn't share the same profile as bands such as Interpol and the Rapture


Dominion Tavern, Ottawa, 18/6/2004

Miscellaneous - Dominion Tavern, Ottawa, 18/6/2004

Ian Blurton was the one-time frontman with Change of Heart, one of Canada'smost influential acts. Back with a new act C'mon, Andrew Carver watches him play a short, but impressive hard rocking set at the Ottawa Dominion Tavern


Barrymore, Ottawa, 1/5/2004

Miscellaneous - Barrymore, Ottawa, 1/5/2004

Canadian label Kelp Records has just celebrated it tenth anniverary. At a gig to celebrate this at Barrymore's in Ottawa, Andrew Carver watches excellent performances from five of its best acts


West End Centre, Aldershot, 3/4/2004

Miscellaneous - West End Centre, Aldershot, 3/4/2004

Despite it being his sixth straight night of gigs in a row, an exhausted Philip Vincent finds much to get excited about watching sets by fun-loving Geordie guitar rock act the Futureheads, angular trio Mower and local heroes Psirens


Zaphod's, Ottawa, 1/4/2004

Miscellaneous - Zaphod's, Ottawa, 1/4/2004

Beatbox folk outfit Fernbots have recently expanded from a two piece to a four piece. Playing to a small but expanding audience in Zaphod's in Ottawa, Andrew Carver reckons that "soon enough they’ll be playing to crowds as large as they deserve"


Camberley, 21/3/2004

Miscellaneous - Camberley, 21/3/2004

At a Battle of the Bands night in Camberley which is West of London, new writer Phil Vincent watches some of the potential names for the future slug things out


Water Rat's, London, 19/3/2004

Miscellaneous - Water Rat's, London, 19/3/2004

Femme-led Brit Rockers Fiction and Dublin garage rockers Vinyl have been plodding around the music circuit for a few years. At a show at the London Water Rat's, Emma Haigh is struck by just far suddenly they have both come


Dominion Tavern, Ottawa, 6/3/2004

Miscellaneous - Dominion Tavern, Ottawa, 6/3/2004

Hard rockers Tricky Woo have been though many line-up changes and reformations since their first Ottawa show eight years ago. Andrew Carver at the Dominion Tavern finds them still capable of bringing the house down


Capital Music Hall, Ottawa, 16/2/2004

Miscellaneous - Capital Music Hall, Ottawa, 16/2/2004

Andrew WK's super-condensed form of arena rock takes every cliche to the liimits and has as many detractors as its does admirers. Andrew Carver at the Ottawa Capital Music Hall finds himself caught up in a mini riot


Dominion Tavern, Ottawa, 10/1/2004

Miscellaneous - Dominion Tavern, Ottawa, 10/1/2004

At Ottawa's Dominion Tavern Slim Cessna's Auto Club play what several members of the audience, despite the New Year being barely a week old. are already confidently predicting will be the best show they will see this year


HMV Store, Oxford Street, London, 19/1/2004

Miscellaneous - HMV Store, Oxford Street, London, 19/1/2004

At HMV's London flagship store to plug his new album 'Trading Snakeoil For Wolftickets', man-of-the-moment Gary Jules finds that all his audience are interested in is a certain cover song


Capital Music Hall, Ottawa, 6/12/2003

Miscellaneous - Capital Music Hall, Ottawa, 6/12/2003

Broken Social Scene had a very good year this year, winning a Juno Award, the Canadian equivalent of the Grammies, but have decided to bow out. Andrew Carver catches their final show with sister band Metric at Ottawa's newest venue


93 Feet East, London, 17/9/2003

Miscellaneous - 93 Feet East, London, 17/9/2003

At an evening put together by the Bella Union label to showcase three of their newest bands, Olga Sladeckova enjoys strong performances from Jetscreamer, Duke Spirit and Bikini Atoll, the first of whom were making their London debut


Bumpers Roadhouse, Ottawa, 24/9/2003

Miscellaneous - Bumpers Roadhouse, Ottawa, 24/9/2003

Psychedelic pop label Rainbow Quartz likes to send its bands out on the road en masse. Andrew Carver watches three of their acts play impressive sets at a recent Ottawa date


Bumpers Roadhouse, Ottawa, 18/10/2003

Miscellaneous - Bumpers Roadhouse, Ottawa, 18/10/2003

Andrew Carver enjoys three different varieties of "Americana" at Ottawa's Bumpers Roadhouse


22/8/2003-23/8/2003

Miscellaneous - 22/8/2003-23/8/2003

Back for a second year to the Reading Festival, Ben Howarth over the course of it first two days takes in such varied sights as Bowling for Soup, Mull Historical Society, Polyphonic Spree, the Ataris and Blur...


24/8/2003

Miscellaneous - 24/8/2003

...while on the third and final day he watches sets by the All American Rejects, Primal Scream, Sum 41, Grandaddy and Metallica


24/8/2003

Miscellaneous - 24/8/2003

Denzil Watson meanwhile makes his annual day trip to Reading's counterpart in Leeds and watches mixed performances by the Libertines, the Kills. Doves, Beck, Black Motorcycle Rebel Club and Blur


Doncaster Leopard, 10/8/2003

Miscellaneous - Doncaster Leopard, 10/8/2003

"One of the best rock ‘n’ roll bands to have hit the modern scene", Copenhagen's Wild Evil Entertainment Dept recently concluded their first British tour. Alex Halls catches them on "seething" form at the Doncaster Leopard


Ottawa, 4/7/2003-6/72003

Miscellaneous - Ottawa, 4/7/2003-6/72003

The Ottawa Bluefest is a 10 day music festival which across 10 stages takes over the whole city. During the first 3 days Andrew Carver samples such pleasures as Cherry Valence, the Solded Brothers, Speedball Baby and the Fleshtones...


Ottawa, 7/7/2003-13/7/2003

Miscellaneous - Ottawa,  7/7/2003-13/7/2003

...while on the remaining 7 he takes in such other delights as Nina Nastasia, the Shanks and the Sights and watches the festival brought to a gritty close by the Dirtbombs


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


Shepherds Bush Empire, 15/3/2003

Miscellaneous - Shepherds Bush Empire, 15/3/2003

One Big No was a big charity music show against the then forthcoming war in Iraq. Anthony Strutt enjoys short sets from Evan Dando, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Ian McCulloch, Beth Orton and Travis's Fran Healy


Reading Festival, 23/8/2002...25/8/2002

Miscellaneous - Reading Festival, 23/8/2002...25/8/2002

Always an experience, the Reading Festival probably had the best line-up of all the British music festivals this year. Mark Rowland has an an exhausting, but exciting three days


Blackpool Winter Gardens, 19/7/2002-21/7/2002

Miscellaneous - Blackpool Winter Gardens, 19/7/2002-21/7/2002

The most well known punk festival in the UK, Holidays in the Sun this year took place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Alex Halls enjoys three days of punk chaos and energy


London Garage, 15/6/2002

Miscellaneous - London Garage, 15/6/2002

Despite being recently dropped by WEA, Sona Fariq prove to be on explosive form at a recent gig at the London Garage. Julia Willis finds the band making "music to break out of high-security prisons by."


Pow to the People, 31/3/2002

Miscellaneous - Pow to the People, 31/3/2002

The third annual Pow to the People festival at the Camden Monarch in London featured such indie pop lumionaries as the Butterflies of Love, Woodchuck, Cane 141 and Saloon. Gary Wollen has a riveting Easter Sunday


Dudley JB's Wolverhampton

Miscellaneous - Dudley JB's Wolverhampton

Striding onstage to an intro tape of James Brown’s ‘It’s A Man’s World’ you do feel that Essex’s nu-metal saviours Sugarcoma (three girls, male drummer) are maybe labouring whatever point it is they’r


Manchester Apollo, 27th May 2001

Miscellaneous - Manchester Apollo, 27th May 2001

Arriving in Manchester early enough to find the Apollo, I found myself wandering around the city centre none the wiser. Following the general drift of punk mad youngsters, I eventually turned up outside the Apollo, where an anticipant crowd was waiting.


Albums

My Colors Dark (2020)

Miscellaneous - My Colors Dark

Ben Howarth refelcts upon Californian singer-songwriter Sean O'Brien's eighth solo album from last year, which is an enjoyable ride from power-pop to angsty punk.


Diamond Head (2020)

Miscellaneous - Diamond Head

In our 'Re:View' section, in which our writers examine albums from the past, Adrian Janes reflects on a new reissue of Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera’s 1975 first solo album 'Diamond Head', which mixes styles and star guests to often impressive effect.


Chicago Anthology (2014)

Miscellaneous - Chicago Anthology

In our 'Re: View' section, in which we reflect upon albums from the past, Lisa Torem examines 'Chicago Anthology', a recently reissued live compilation album which was recorded at Big John's, a legendary blues club, in 1966


The Velvet Underground and Nico (2013)

Miscellaneous - The Velvet Underground and Nico

In our 'Re View' series, in which writers look back at albums from the past, we are revisiting after Lou Reed's death in October a column from last year from Dominic Simpson on the Velvet Underground's classic 1967 debut album with Nico


O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2011)

Miscellaneous - O Brother, Where Art Thou?

In our Re: View section, in which our writers look back at albums from the past, Richard Lewsis reflects on the soundtrack to the Coen Brothers' film, 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?, which has just been released in a deluxe double CD tenth anniversary edition


Kind of Blue (2009)

Miscellaneous - Kind of Blue

In the latest in our 'Re : View' series, in which we look back at albums from the past, Malcolm Carter reflects upon Miles Davis' 1958 jazz classic 'Kind of Blue', which has been recently re-released in a 50th anniversary box set


Roots of Rap (2007)

Miscellaneous - Roots of Rap

In the latest in our 'Re : View' section, in which writers look back at albums from the past, Mark Rowland writes about 'The Roots of Rap, a flawed, but funky 2005 compilation of early rap hits


Promenade (2007)

Miscellaneous - Promenade

In the latest in our 'Re : View' series, in which our writers re-examine albums from the past, Hen Howarth looks at the Divine Comedy's still under-rated second album, 'Promenade', which was originally released in 1994


Blue Sunshine (2006)

Miscellaneous - Blue Sunshine

In the latest in our Re : View series, in which our writers look back at albums from the past, Anthony Strutt examines 'Blue Sunshine', the 1983 only album of the Cure's Robert Smith and Siouxsie and the Banshees' Steve Severin's side project, the Glove


Nuggets (2006)

Miscellaneous - Nuggets

Conceived and compiled by Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman together with Patti Smith guitarist Lenny Kaye in 1972, 'Nuggets' is the definitive compilation of 60s rock and pop underground music. Now re-released, Geraint Jones assesses it abiding impact


Vancouver Complication (2005)

Miscellaneous - Vancouver Complication

In the latest in our 'Re : View' series, in which our writers lookk back on albums of the past, Andrew Carver examines 'Vancouver Complication', a classic 1979 punk compilation, which has just been reissued on Sudden Death Records with extra tracks


Born to Run (2005)

Miscellaneous - Born to Run

In the latest in our 'Re : view' series, in which our staff reflect on albums that they feel deserve further appraisal, Pennyblackmusic photographer Matt Williams explains why Bruce Springsteen's classic 'Born to Run' rarely leaves his turntable


The Rising (2004)

Miscellaneous - The Rising

In 2002 Bruce Springsteen returned to the public domain with ‘The Rising’, an album of songs about the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centre. Benjamin Howarth explains, why "in a time for heroes", Sprinsteen offers fresh hope


Laughing Academy (2004)

Miscellaneous - Laughing Academy

In the latest in our 'Re : view' series in which our writers look back on records that they feel deserve a second evaluation, Dave Toynton examines 1970's punk band Punishment of Luxury's lost classic, 'The Laughing Academy'


Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire (2004)

Miscellaneous - Start with a Strong and Persistent  Desire

Hard rock band Vex Red were briefly touted as the next big thing, but recorded just one album, 'Start with a Strong and Persistent Desire' before splitting up. Phil Vincent explains 18 months on from their demise why it continues to have a grip on him


Shady Whims and Obstacles (2004)

Miscellaneous - Shady Whims and Obstacles

In the latest in our 'Re : view' series in which our writers look back on records that they feel deserve a second evaluation, Tommy Gunnarsson examines Norwegian indiepop band the Tables' debut album, 'Shady Whims and Obstacles'


Nude Nudes (2004)

Miscellaneous - Nude Nudes

Jon Rogers profiles Honey Tongue's virtually forgotten classic from 1992, 'Nude Nudes', a one-off collaboration between the Breeders and Perfect Disaster's Josephine Wiggs and ex-Spiritualized/Spacemen 3 drummer, Jon Mattock


In the Saddle (2004)

Miscellaneous - In the Saddle

Despite working with the likes of Andre Williams, New Orleans soul diva Betty Harris remains still little known, and was almost totally unappreciated in her prime. Cara Ross examines 'In the Saddle', a 1980's compilation of her work


Divan (2003)

Miscellaneous - Divan

Oedipussy was the solo project of Phil Parfitt, the frontman with Velvet Underground wannabies, ther Perfect Disaster. Denzil Watson comes across an album "truly worthy of the title of Greatest lost LP of all time" in the shape of their only album, 'Divan


Explain the Unexplained (2003)

Miscellaneous - Explain the Unexplained

In the latest in our 'Re :View' series, in which we look back upon albums that we feel deserve further re-evaluation, Andrew Carver examines Los Angeles space rockers Pressurehed's relatively unknown 1997 masterwork 'Explaining the Unexplained'


Between Here and the Night (2003)

Miscellaneous - Between Here and the Night

Malcolm Carter asks exactly what a classic album is, after hearing the Hired Guns' new CD 'Between Here and the Night', which has rapidly become an early contender for his Album of the Year


You Can't Hide Your Love Forever (2003)

Miscellaneous - You Can't Hide Your Love Forever

In the latest in our Favourite Albums series, in which a different one of our writers writes each month about an album of his or her choice, Gary Wollen describes the long-lasting impact on him of Orange Juice's seminal 'You Can't Hide Your Love Forever'


The La's (2002)

Miscellaneous - The La's

In the latest in our series, in which one of our writers examines a Favourite Album of his or her choice, Jonjo McNeill writes about the impact of the La's 1990's classic debut album, and the elusive genius of the band's frontman, Lee Mavers


Out of the Blue (2002)

Miscellaneous - Out of the Blue

In the latest in our series, in which a different one of our writers writes about a favourite album of his or her choice, James Alexander writes about ELO's much maligned 1978 album '"Out of the Blue'.


Features

Vinyl Stories (2020)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

Dave Goodwin in 'Vinyl Stories' talks to some of our writers about their vinyl purchases of 2020.


Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2020)

Miscellaneous - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Cila Warncke reflects on ten of her favourite Memphis soul songs.


Under the Radar (2020)

Miscellaneous - Under the Radar

In the latest 'Under The Radar', Keith How reviews the musical companion to a collection of spooky folk stories, and a power trio from Sheffield by way of Joshua Tree.


Vinyl Stories (2020)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

This month's 'Vinyl Stories' is a rollicking, rip-roaring and surprisingly hair-raising tale from Pete Smith of life at the sharp end of record collecting,


Vinyl Stories (2020)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

Dave Goodwin and record collector Pete Smith share memories and essential tracks from Northern Soul imprint Grapevine Records.


Under the Radar (2020)

Miscellaneous - Under the Radar

In a lockdown special of his regular 'Under The Radar' column, in which he searches out under acknowledged bands and acts, Keith How takes the opportunity to explore some brilliant new music that could easily pass us by.


Comment (2020)

Miscellaneous - Comment

Nick Dent-Robinson sheds a contemporary light on a continued and much-debated controversy, namely, Which band is better, the Beatles or the Stones?


Vinyl Stories (2020)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

In 'Vinyl Stories' avid Northern Soul collector Pete Smith tells Dave Goodwin of his decades-long search for a difficult to find vinyl single.


Albums of the Year 2019 (2020)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Year 2019

Our writers and photographers list their favourite albums and also their favourite gig of the year


Albums of the Decade 2 (2019)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Decade 2

Our writers and photographers in the second of a three part feature choose their Album of the Decade.


Albums of the Decade 3 (2019)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Decade 3

In the third and the final part of a three part feature our writers and photographers choose their Album of the Decade.


Vinyl Stories (2019)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

In his regular 'Vinyl Stories' column Dave Goodwin reflects on Britain's most popular Christmas songs.


Albums of the Decade 1 (2019)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Decade 1

In the first of a three part feature our writers and photographers select their Album of the Decade.


Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2019)

Miscellaneous - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...'Keith How reflects on ten of his favourite songs from 1967.


Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2019)

Miscellaneous - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Nicky Crewe writes of two late 1960's 'Rock Machine' compilations - and ten songs from them - that still have a place in her heart and her record collection.


Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2019)

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.


Under the Radar (2019)

Miscellaneous - Under the Radar

In this edition of his 'Under the Radar' column, in which he searches out under-rated and little known bands, Keith How finds himself returning to Finland, a trip with some musical discoveries and chance encounters.


Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2019)

Miscellaneous - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

Fiona Hutchings in 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' takes us on a tour of the records that mean the most to her from 1979, the year of her birth.


Ticket Rewind (2019)

Miscellaneous - Ticket Rewind

n the latest edition to our column 'Ticket Rewind', our Swedish writer tommy Gunnarsson looks back at some of his old concert tickets and the memories associated with them.


Ticket Rewind (2019)

Miscellaneous - Ticket Rewind

In the latest edition to our new column 'Ticket Rewind', Helen Tipping looks back at concert tickets from her past.


Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2019)

Miscellaneous - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Dastardly reflects on his ten favourite tracks from 1988.


Under the Radar (2019)

Miscellaneous - Under the Radar

In 'Under the Radar', in which he searches out under-rated bands, Keith How writes on a recent trip to Iceland of his discovery of two very different Icelandic electronic artists, Aaiieenn and Bistro Boy.


Ticket Rewind (2019)

Miscellaneous - Ticket Rewind

In the latest edition to our new column 'Ticket Rewind', Pennyblackmusic writer Carl Bookstein looks back at concert tickets from his past.


Under the Radar (2019)

Miscellaneous - Under the Radar

In 'Under the Radar', in which he searches out under-rated bands, Keith How writes on a recent trip to Iceland of his discovery of two very different Icelandic electronic artists, Aaiieenn and Bistro Boy.


Ticket Rewind (2019)

Miscellaneous - Ticket Rewind

In our new series 'Tickets Rewind', in which our writers look back at their old concert tickets and the stories associated with them, our Editor John Clarkson reflects on some of his favourite gigs.


Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2019)

Miscellaneous - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

Dave Goodwin, in our 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' series, reflects on his ten favourite Northern Soul songs.


Vinyl Stories (2019)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

Dave Goodwin in 'Vinyl Stories' uses social media in a plight to ascertain whether all new albums should have a download.


Vinyl Stories (2019)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

In his regular 'Vinyl Stories' column Dave Goodwin investigates five Northern Soul compilation albums that have been reissued through Club Soul/Charly Records on vinyl.


Interviewing Rock Bands and Stars (2018)

Miscellaneous - Interviewing Rock Bands and Stars

Nick Dent-Robinson reflects on interviewing major rock stars and bands and how that has in recent times changed.


Water Rats, London, 15/9/2018 (2018)

Miscellaneous - Water Rats, London, 15/9/2018

Dominic Simpson reflects on our 20th Anniversary gig at the Water Rats in London, which included sets by the Bitter Springs, Idiot Son, Oldfield Youth Club and Raf and O.


Water Rats, London, 15/9/2018 (2018)

Miscellaneous - Water Rats, London, 15/9/2018

We profile our 20th Anniversary Bands' Night which will take place on Saturday September 15th at the Water Rats in London and feature sets from The Bitter Springs, Idiot Son, Oldfield Youth Club and Raf and O.


Vinyl Stories (2018)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

In his regular 'Vinyl Stories' column Dave Goodwin discovers the most expensive records in the world.


Vinyl Stories (2018)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

In his regular 'Vinyl Stories' column Dave Goodwin examines the history of some of the greatest and biggest vinyl collectors.


Vinyl Stories (2018)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

Dave Goodwin in 'Vinyl Stories' talks to Stuart Avis, member of Brighton prog/electro collective Servants of Science, about his love of Sparks, their records and their associated memories.


Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2018)

Miscellaneous - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

Nicky Crewe in 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' writes of her early teens being brought up in the middle of a Northern pop explosion and some of her favourite 60's soul songs


Planet Vinyl A Natural History Part 3 (2017)

Miscellaneous - Planet Vinyl A Natural History Part 3

In the third and final part of Dave Goodwin's examination of the rise of the vinyl record in 'Vinyl Stories', he asks what the future holds for vinyl?


Planet Vinyl A Natural History Part 2 (2017)

Miscellaneous - Planet Vinyl A Natural History Part 2

In last month's Vinyl Stories we took ourselves from the very start of the record to the point of vinyl's world domination. In part two of Dave Goodwin's journey into this rise of the vinyl record he examines the trends and fortunes of in-demand records with the help of an old friend called Jimmy


Planet Vinyl A Natural History Part 1 (2017)

Miscellaneous - Planet Vinyl A Natural History Part 1

Dave Goodwin's Vinyl Stories takes a new turn this month with the first part of a very personal history of the vinyl record - and then some


Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2017)

Miscellaneous - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

In 'Ten Songs that Made Me Love...' Adrian Janes writes of ten of his favourite songs from 1967 and tracks by artists including the Beatles, Pink Floyd, the Doors and Jefferson Airplane


Under the Radar (2017)

Miscellaneous - Under the Radar

In his new column 'Under the Radar', in which he will examining lesser known artists and labels, Keith How investigates Sonido Polifonico, a Sheffield micro label with a taste for the unusual and unknown


Under the Radar (2017)

Miscellaneous - Under the Radar

In the second in his new column 'Under the Radar', in which he will examining the great but often under-rated, Keith How investigates Cambrian Records, the micro-label of Welsh guitarist Toby Hay


Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2017)

Miscellaneous - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Liverpool-based writer Steve Kinrade writes of ten songs that sum up his love of music


Albums of the Year 2016 (2017)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Year 2016

Our writers and photographers list their favourite albums and also their favourite gig of the year


Vinyl Stories (2016)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

Penny Black Music's own American contributor Carl Bookstein changes places to be interrogated by Dave Goodwin in this month's Vinyl Stories


Raging Pages (2016)

Miscellaneous - Raging Pages

Lisa Torem in her 'Raging Pages' examines ‘Lost Rockers, Broken Dreams and Crashed Careers’, a cautionary book that pays tribute to hardworking but unsuccessful musical contenders


Vinyl Stories (2016)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

Dave Goodwin in 'Vinyl Stories' looks back on the record shops of 1970's and 1980's Nottingham by way of five records that shaped those years for him


August 2016 (2016)

Miscellaneous - August 2016

In the first in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column in a year, Ben Howarth looks at a trio of albums that suggest there is still plenty to listen to for someone feeling out of touch with the modern music scene.


Vinyl Stories (2016)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

Magazine Editor John Clarkson remembers his youth and university days in Loughborough and his penchant for home taping way back in the Eighties


Albums of the Year (2015)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Year

Our writers and photographers list their favourite albums and also their favourite gig of 2015


Ten Reasons That Made Me Love... (2015)

Miscellaneous - Ten Reasons That Made Me Love...

Renamed' Ten Reasons That Made Me Love...' for one edition only, Dave Goodwin in 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...'reflects on his passion for Northern Soul music and the things which he loves about it the most


May 2015 (2015)

Miscellaneous - May 2015

A new study claims to prove that the Beatles’ influence was overstated. In his regular 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth wonders whether that’s really the whole story.


July 2015 (2015)

Miscellaneous - July 2015

In his latest 'Condemned To Rock and Roll' column, Ben Howarth asks what the imminent transition of the 'NME' to a freesheet tells us about the state of modern pop music


April 2015 (2015)

Miscellaneous - April 2015

Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' examines Jay-Z's new streaming service and Spotify rival, Tidal


Macbeth, London, 12/6/2015 (2015)

Miscellaneous - Macbeth, London, 12/6/2015

We profile our next Pennyblackmusic Bands' night which will take place at the Macbeth in London, and will include sets from the Band of Holy Joy, Vinny Peculiar and The Black Site


Vinyl Stories (2015)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

In 'Vinyl Stories', his column in which music fans speak to him about their vinyl memories, Dave Goodwin talks to Pennyblackmusic editor John Clarkson about the 1970's Edinburgh record shop that started his musical interest


Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2015)

Miscellaneous - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

Adrian Janes, in 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...', reflects on his ten favourite drum tracks


February 2015 (2015)

Miscellaneous - February 2015

In 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' Ben Howarth reflects on recent UK government legislation towards the growing problem of ticket touts


Singer-Songwriters at the BBC (2015)

Miscellaneous - Singer-Songwriters at the BBC

In his 'TV Music Memories' column, in which he looks at music programmes on television, Owen Peters watches an archive programme of singer-songwriters from the 1960s and 1970s


December 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - December 2014

Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' looks at the recent rise in vinyl sales and asks how this will effect CD sales


Neil Self (2014)

Miscellaneous - Neil Self

Dave Goodwin in 'Vinyl Stories' talks to Northern Soul record collector and DJ Neil Self about three classic double A-sides in his collection


Killers 'Live from the Artists Den' (2014)

Miscellaneous - Killers 'Live from the Artists Den'

In the second in his new series 'TV Music Memories', in which he looks at television music programmes, Owen Peters watches a Killers concert film and interview, which was first shown in 2013 on the Sky Arts channel


September 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - September 2014

With both Peter Frampton and Kate Bush having asked their fans to not use their phones at their shows, Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' examines the issue of mobile phone photography and filming at gigs


October 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - October 2014

With the UK Top 40 now in complete chaos, Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' ask if rock as we traditionally know it is dead


Macbeth, London, 8/1/2015 (2014)

Miscellaneous - Macbeth, London, 8/1/2015

We profile our next Pennyblackmusic Bands' night which will take place at the Macbeth in London, and will include sets from the Band of Holy Joy, the Bitter Springs and Idiot Son


The Forgotten Side of Vinyl (2014)

Miscellaneous - The Forgotten Side of Vinyl

In the latest in his 'Vinyl Stories' column David Goodwin reflects on the art of record sleeves


November 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - November 2014

Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' examines Taylor Swift's decision to withdraw her music from Spotify


(Raging Pages) Vivek J. Tiwary/The Fifth Beatle; The Brian Epstein Story (2014)

Miscellaneous - (Raging Pages) Vivek J. Tiwary/The Fifth Beatle; The Brian Epstein Story

In 'Raging Pages', her books review column, Lisa Torem reflects on 'The Fifth Beatle', Vivek Tiwary's graphic novel about Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein


Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2014)

Miscellaneous - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Dastardly writes about his all-time favourite guitar chord changes


Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2014)

Miscellaneous - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...', Jamie Rowland writes of ten songs that he first heard listening to John Peel's late night Radio 1 show


August 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - August 2014

In 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll', Ben Howarth writes about his increasing hatred of synthesizer music.


Keith Williams (2014)

Miscellaneous - Keith Williams

Dave Goodwin in 'Vinyl Stories' talks to Keith Marshall, who is a Northern Soul collector, DJ and the owner of mail order firm SoulSearcher Records, about some of his favourite vinyl records


Vinyl Stories (2014)

Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

In his 'Vinyl Stories' column, Dave Goodwin speaks to magician Roy Bond about his favourite vinyl records


July 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - July 2014

In 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll', Ben Howarth reflects on the BBC's wall-to-wall coverage of this year's Glastonbury


Special Rider Blues (2014)

Miscellaneous - Special Rider Blues

In his 'Hitting the Right Note' column, Jon Rogers looks at the excessive demands of rock band riders


One Direction (2014)

Miscellaneous - One Direction

Jon Rogers in 'Hitting the Right Note' reflects on the media's hypocritical attitude to recent reports of alleged drug taking in bestselling boy band One Direction


June 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - June 2014

In 'Condemnned to Rock 'n' Roll' Ben Howarth's reflects on YouTube and Spotify's impact on rock music


May 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - May 2014

With its twentieth anniversary having just taken place, Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' reflects on the now routinely derided Britop movement and asks if it was negative as it is is often portrayed


The River, Glasgow, 7th June 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - The River, Glasgow, 7th June 2014

Our Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night in Glasgow, which will take place at new city centre club The River, will feature performances from ex-Hipsway front man Grahame Skinner, Big Hogg, Neil Sturgeon, The Wellgreen, A New International, The Aviators, Zoe Bestel and Nicola Black


Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 5th July 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 5th July 2014

Our Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night at The Ruby Lounge in Manchester on the 5th July will feature sets from reformed indie pop legends the Brilliant Corners, the Haywains and Horsebeach


April 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - April 2014

In 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll', Ben Howarth examines the connections between sport and music


The Phoenix Must Burn to Emerge (2014)

Miscellaneous - The Phoenix Must Burn to Emerge

In 'This Metal Sky' Jeff Thiessen examines the issue of lost bands, and whether they really were the failures they are often portrayed as in their original lifetime


March 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - March 2014

After David Bowie's outspoken comments at the The Brits in February, Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' asks why so few bands or other musicians have failed to engage in the Scottish Independence debate


65 Days of Static, Foundry, Sheffield, January 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - 65 Days of Static, Foundry, Sheffield, January 2014

In our 'Gig of Our Lifetime' column, Adrian Huggins writes of attending a home city gig earlier this year of instrumental post-rockers 65 Days of Static at The Foundry in Sheffield


Lexington, London, May 31st 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - Lexington, London, May 31st 2014

We profile our Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night 15th Anniversary Gig, which will take place on Saturday May 31st at the Lexington in London and feature sets from Madam, Morton Valence and Rotifer


Dave Goodwin (2014)

Miscellaneous - Dave Goodwin

In his monthly 'Vinyl Stories' column Dave Goodwin from childhood to today writes of his own personal favourite vinyl records


February 2014 (2014)

Miscellaneous - February 2014

In his regular 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column Ben Howarth questions the worth and value of the much-hyped BBC Sound of 2014 newcomers' poll


Deerstock Festival (2014)

Miscellaneous - Deerstock Festival

In our competition we have two family tickets to give away for this year's Deerstock Festival


Albums of the Year (2013)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Year

Our writers and photographers reflect upon their favourite albums and also their favourite gig of 2013


November 2013 (2013)

Miscellaneous - November 2013

Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' reflects on Shearwater's new album and covers record, 'Fellow Travelers'


October 2013 (2013)

Miscellaneous - October 2013

Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' asks the announcement of this year's Mercury Music Prize nominees there are no folk, jazz or classical albums on the list


September 2013 (2013)

Miscellaneous - September 2013

With vinyl sales on the rise, Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' reflects on the possible impact of the first 'Cassette Store Day', which took place on September 7th this year


John Clarkson (2013)

Miscellaneous - John Clarkson

In the first edition of 'Vinyl Stories', his new column in which he will be talking to music fans about their vinyl record collections, Dave Goodwin begins by speaking to Pennyblackmusic editor John Clarkson


August 2013 (2013)

Miscellaneous - August 2013

With many of his friends starting to lose interest in music, Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n'Roll' finds the opposite problem and too much new music to listen to


K -The Kult of Keef (2013)

Miscellaneous - K -The Kult of Keef

Andy Cassidy, after watching the Rolling Stones at Glastonbury, examines the cult of legendary guitarist Keith Richards


July 2013 (2013)

Miscellaneous - July 2013

After listening to the Duckworth Lewis Method's comical but clever new album 'Sticky Wickets', Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' asks if too much of an emphasis is being put on misery in pop music at the moment


Buying Records (2013)

Miscellaneous - Buying Records

In Rock 101 Mark Rowland reflects upon the joys even in present times of buying records


J-Jugband Blues (2013)

Miscellaneous - J-Jugband Blues

In letter J of his 'AC's A-Z of Music' Andy Cassidy examines 'Jugband Blues', the last track on Pink Floyd's second album 'A Saucerful of Secrets' and the final album upon which their original front man Syd Barrett appeared


June 2013 (2013)

Miscellaneous - June 2013

Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' questions Daft Punk's strategically marketed new single 'Get Lucky', which is been hyped as one of the musical releases of the year


Glastonbury (2013)

Miscellaneous - Glastonbury

In 'Hitting the Right Note' Jon Rogers reflects on Glastonbury, which this years will include amongst it headliners the Rolling Stones and Mumford and Sons, and its move away from alternative music and into the mainstream


May 2013 (2013)

Miscellaneous - May 2013

Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' relects on the underrated career of Jason Molina from Songs: Ohia and the Magnolia Electric Co. who died at the age of 39 in March


Deerstock 2013 (2013)

Miscellaneous - Deerstock 2013

In our competition we have a pair of tickets for this year's 'Deerstock' festival in Nottinghamshire to give out


April 2013 (2013)

Miscellaneous - April 2013

Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' asks if David Bowie's first album-in-a-decade, 'The Next Day', is against-the-odds a classic


Payday Loan (2013)

Miscellaneous - Payday Loan

In his monthly 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry column, Spencer Robertshaw examines credit loan companies


More Than Mental Masturbation: Honouring Pretention (2013)

Miscellaneous - More Than Mental Masturbation: Honouring Pretention

In 'This Metal Sky', Jeff Thiessen writes about why pretentiousness is a good thing in rock music


I - Imagine (2013)

Miscellaneous - I - Imagine

In his 'AC's A-Z of Music' column, Andy Cassidy has reached the letter 'I', and writes about how the ending of his first teenage romance prompted him into first buying John Lennon's 'Imagine' album


March 2013 (2013)

Miscellaneous - March 2013

With many music journalists pessimistic after the recent Brits, Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' asks if the music industry is in as unhealthy a state as they say it is


Leeds is All I Needs (2013)

Miscellaneous - Leeds is All I Needs

In the latest poem in his 'Evidently Spencertown' series, Spencer Robertshaw, who comes from Leeds, asks if home is best


February 2013 (2013)

Miscellaneous - February 2013

In his 'Condemened to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth assesses the reasons behind HMV's fall into administration and asks whether it has a future


Just Be Thankful for What You've Got (2013)

Miscellaneous - Just Be Thankful for What You've Got

In 'Evidently Spencertown', his regular monthly poetry column, Spencer Robertshaw writes of why, despite everything that is wrong with our lives, we should still be grateful for what we have


Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night, Brixton JAMM, London, 16/3/2013 (2012)

Miscellaneous - Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night, Brixton JAMM, London, 16/3/2013

We profile our next Penny Black Music Bands' Night, which will take place on Saturday 16th march at the Brixton JAMM in London and will feature sets from the Galileo 7, Dave Harding (Richmond Fontaine), T.O.Y.S. and Ten


Albums of the Year 2012 (2012)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Year 2012

Our writers look back upon and reflect upon their favourite albums of last year


January 2013 (2012)

Miscellaneous - January 2013

Ben Howarth, in his ‘Condemned to Rock ‘n’ Roll’ column, examines our current musical obsession with the past and asks what the future holds for pop and rock music


Skyfall (2012)

Miscellaneous - Skyfall

In our competition we have five copies of the soundtrack to 'Skyfall' to give away


Half Moon, London, 3/11/2012 (2012)



Dominic Simpson looks back on our Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night on November 3rd at the Half Moon in Herne Hill in South London, which saw sets from the Willard Grant Conspiracy, Rotifer, Bromide and NOW


November 2012 (2012)

Miscellaneous - November 2012

Ben Howarth in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column is unimpressed by the the Mercury Music Prize


Jingle Bells (2012)

Miscellaneous - Jingle Bells

Spencer Robertshaw with 'Jingle Bells', the latest poem in his 'Evidently Spencertown', reflects upon Christmas


Rebecca Karijold's 'We Become Ourselves' (2012)

Miscellaneous - Rebecca Karijold's 'We Become Ourselves'

In his 'Hitting the Right Note' column, Jon Rogers finds Norwegian singer-songwriter Rebekka Karijord's magical second album 'We Become Ourselves' deserving of attention


Pennyblackmusic Bands Night (2012)

Miscellaneous - Pennyblackmusic Bands Night

We profile our next Penny Black Music Bands' Night, which will take place on Saturday November 3rd at the Half Moon in Herne Hill, South London and feature sets from the Willard Grant Conspiracy, Rotifer, Bromide and NOW


R.E.M, Grand Hotel, Stockholm, November 1998 (2012)

Miscellaneous - R.E.M, Grand Hotel, Stockholm, November 1998

In 'Gig of a Lifetime', in which a different Pennyblackmusic writer writes of a once in a lifetime gig, Tommy Gunnarsson describes attending a fan club only R.E.M. gig in Stockhom in 1998


Ground Zero (2012)

Miscellaneous - Ground Zero

In 'Ground Zero', the latest poem in his 'Evidently Spencertown' column, Spencer Robertshaw reflects on whether drug users really know what they are taking


October 2012 (2012)

Miscellaneous - October 2012

Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' looks at critical reaction towards Bob Dylan in recent years


September 2012 (2012)

Miscellaneous - September 2012

Ben Howarth, in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, questions the value or need for star rankings in music reviews


H (2012)

Miscellaneous - H

In his 'AC's A-Z of Music' column, Andy Cassidy reaches the letter 'H' and reflects on some of the saddest and most heartbreaking songs of all time


Magic J (2012)

Miscellaneous - Magic J

Spencer Robertshaw, in his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry column, writes about romance and falling in love


Sick of the 60s? You'll Have to Change the World (2012)

Miscellaneous - Sick of the 60s? You'll Have to Change the World

In 'Rock 101' Mark Rowland reflects upon the massive debt the world owes to the 60s, but also asks if we have stepped back as a result of it


The Olympics' Opening Ceremony (2012)

Miscellaneous - The Olympics' Opening Ceremony

In a double edition of 'Hitting the Right Note' Jon Rogers praises the opening ceremony of the the 2012 Olympic Games...


The Olympics' Closing Ceremony (2012)

Miscellaneous - The Olympics' Closing Ceremony

...but slates the utter disaster of the closing ceremony


August 2012 (2012)

Miscellaneous - August 2012

In 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll', Ben Howarth writes about Dinosaur Jr's third album, 'I Bet on Sky', which is due out in September


July 2012 (2012)

Miscellaneous - July 2012

Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' writes about Sweet Billy Pilgrim's new album, 'Crown and Treaty', which has proved to be an instant classic


The Spice Girls (2012)

Miscellaneous - The Spice Girls

In 'Hitting the Right Note', Jon Rogers reflects on the new Spice Girls musical, 'Viva Forever', and the current trend of music towards nostalgia


Film Composition: A Tribute (2012)

Miscellaneous - Film Composition: A Tribute

In the latest in his 'Rock 101' column, Mark Rowland looks at writing music for cinema, and what makes an effective film score


Top 5 No. 2: Breathtaking Drummers (2012)

Miscellaneous - Top 5 No. 2: Breathtaking Drummers

In the second of his Top 5 lists for his 'Gimme Indie Rock', Jamie Rowland provides a list of his five favourite drummers


Pop Hypocrisy (2012)

Miscellaneous - Pop Hypocrisy

In 'Hitting the Right Note' Jon Rogers examines pop musicians' penchant for double standards and hypocrisy


May 2012 (2012)

Miscellaneous - May 2012

In 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll', Ben Howarth looks, amidst the decline of the record industry, at the phenomenal rise of Adele


Indieconomy: The Rise of the Bandcamp Bands (2012)

Miscellaneous - Indieconomy: The Rise of the Bandcamp Bands

Mark Rowland in 'Rock 101' looks at how, through internet sites and market stalls such as Bandcamp, groups are increasingly avoiding record labels all together to put their albums and singles out


Sleep (2012)



Spencer Robertshaw in his latest poem in his 'Evidently Spencertown' column writes of insomnia


Music, Morality and Economics (2012)

Miscellaneous - Music, Morality and Economics

Jon Rogers in 'Hitting the Right Note' examines fans' renewed forgiveness of their musical and other heroes, however deplorable their behaviour


Stereotyping (2012)

Miscellaneous - Stereotyping

Mark Rowland in 'Rock 101' looks at the media's habit of pushing everyone into different categories


Adam and Eve (2012)

Miscellaneous - Adam and Eve

In the latest in his 'Evidently Spencertown', Spencer Robertshaw examines the difference between consumer dreams and reality in 'Adam and Eve'


F-Fathers and Sons (2012)

Miscellaneous - F-Fathers and Sons

In letter 'F' of his 'AC's A-Z of Music', Andy Cassidy reflects upon the sometimes sentimental, but yet often volatile relationships between fathers and sons in music


The Long Hard Road to the Middle (2012)

Miscellaneous - The Long Hard Road to the Middle

In his 'This Metal Sky' column, Jeff Thiessen reflects upon Marilyn Manson, and the lack of danger of current rock music


April 2012 (2012)

Miscellaneous - April 2012

In his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth, after a tour of the Abbey Road Studios, examines its lengthy history


Pop's Example to the World's Young Men (2012)

Miscellaneous - Pop's Example to the World's Young Men

Mark Rowland in 'Rock 101' reflects upon the disturbing attitudes that are often displayed by the music industry with regard to violence and sexism against women


E-Eurovision (2012)



In letter 'E' of his 'AC's A-Z of Music' column Andy Cassidy examines some of the surprising facts and statistics behind the Eurovision Song Contest


February 2012 (2012)

Miscellaneous - February 2012

In 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll', Ben Howarth reflects on PledgeMusic, and the ethics of fan funding


Feed the Meter (2012)

Miscellaneous - Feed the Meter

In his latest poem in his 'Evidently Spencertown' series, Spencer Robertshaw reflects upon one of society's most feared and despised social forces


A Record Collection Inspection with Nada Surf’s Matthew Caws (2012)

Miscellaneous - A Record Collection Inspection with Nada Surf’s Matthew Caws

In 'Gimme Indie Rock', Jamie Rowland talks to Matthew Caws from American alternative rock band Nada Surf about some of the records in his record collection


Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night (2012)

Miscellaneous - Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night

We profile our next Pennyblackmusic Bands' night which will take place at the Half Moon in Herne Hill, London on the 24th March and will feature sets from Pete Fij/Terry Bickers, Last Harbour, the Owl Service and Roshi Pars Radio.


January 2012 (2012)

Miscellaneous - January 2012

In his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth reflects upon the continued declining fortunes of HMV, and asks if anything can be done to save it


Poets (2012)



In his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry column, Spencer Robertshaw looks at the influence of poets past and present on society


Heavy Metal: The Sci-fi/Fantasy of Music (2012)

Miscellaneous - Heavy Metal: The Sci-fi/Fantasy of Music

In his 'Rock 101' column, Mark Rowland reflects upon the often maligned genre of heavy metal and asks if it can ever become cool


D-Dogs (2012)

Miscellaneous - D-Dogs

In 'AC's A-Z Of Music', Andy Cassidy looks alphabetically at a different subject in music each month, and, having reached the letter 'D', looks at the surprising role of dogs in music


Gullivers, Manchester, 19/11/2011 (2011)



Dixie Ernill looks back on our first Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night in Manchester which saw sets from the Experimental Pop Band, Brilliant Mind, Becca and The Broken Biscuits and Davey Woodward


December 2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - December 2011

In his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column Ben Howarth examines Darren Hayman's ten inch vinyl EP, 'Christmas in Haworth', and online musical advent calendar


Merry Christmas to All (2011)

Miscellaneous - Merry Christmas to All

Spencer Robertshaw anticipates what Christmas might bring in the latest poem in his 'Evidently Spencertown' series


C-Christmas (2011)

Miscellaneous - C-Christmas

Andy Cassidy describes some of his favourite Christmas music in letter 'C' of his 'AC's A-Z of Music' column


The Christmas Song Remains the Same (2011)

Miscellaneous - The Christmas Song Remains the Same

In his 'Rock 101' column Mark Rowland explains why he thinks that Christmas music needs more albums, rather than just singles


Music and Morality (2011)

Miscellaneous - Music and Morality

In 'Hitting the Right Note' Jon Rogers reflects upon why morality and musicians do not tend to figure well with each other


Crying for Christmas (2011)

Miscellaneous - Crying for Christmas

Jamie Rowland in 'Gimme Indie Rock' examines some of the current seasonal music and explains why crying is okay at Christmas


Profile (2011)

Miscellaneous - Profile

We profile our next Pennyblackmusic Bands' night which will take place at Gullivers in Manchester on November 19th, and will feature sets from the Experimental Pop Band, Brilliant Mind, Becca and The Broken Biscuits and Davey Woodward


Half Moon, London, 29/10/2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - Half Moon, London, 29/10/2011

Jamie Rowland looks back on our Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night on October 29th at the Half Moon in Herne Hill in South London, which saw sets from Morton Valence, Madam, the Doomed Bird of Providence and Rome Pays Off


B-The Buffet Car Attendants (2011)

Miscellaneous - B-The Buffet Car Attendants

In 'AC's A-Z Of Music', Andy Cassidy will be looking alphabetically at a different subject in music each month, and moves on to the letter 'B' where he examines an obscure album which is made up entirely of announcements for buffet cars on trains


The Snobbery Behind 'Selling Out' (2011)

Miscellaneous - The Snobbery Behind 'Selling Out'

In the second instalment in his 'Rock 101' series, Mark Rowland reflects upon why so many music fans object to and take issue with bands and acts that have become popular


November 2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - November 2011

In 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' Ben Howarth considers Pete Townshend's recent Radio 6 Music John Peel lecture in which he described Apple's iTunes as a digital vampire


Genius (2011)

Miscellaneous - Genius

In 'Hitting the Right Note', Jon Rogers examines the over-used term of genius and provides a personal short list of six musical acts that for him fall into that category


Marriage Vows (2011)

Miscellaneous - Marriage Vows

In 'Marriage Vows', the latest in his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry series, Spencer Robertshaw focuses on relationship strife and conflict


Burning Out or Fading Away? (2011)

Miscellaneous - Burning Out or Fading Away?

In the opening instalment in his new regular column, 'Rock 101', Mark Rowland questions whether it is better for rock bands to burn out or fade away


A-An American Prayer (2011)

Miscellaneous - A-An American Prayer

In his new column, Andy Cassidy will be looking alphabetically at a different subject in music each month. He begins with the letter 'A' and the Doors' final album 'An American Prayer', which was recorded in 1978, seven years after Jim Morrison's death


October 2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - October 2011

In his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column Ben Howarth looks at former Undertones front man Feargal Sharkey's attempts to try to enforce through the Digital Economy Act 2010, after the political decision was made to repeal sections of it relating to filesharing


The Rules of Being in a Band (2011)

Miscellaneous - The Rules of Being in a Band

In 'Hitting the Right Note' Jon Rogers provides a list of tips and rules for being in a band


Window Shopping (2011)

Miscellaneous - Window Shopping

In 'Window Shopping', the latest poem in his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry series, Spencer Robertshaw reflects on what propects the future holds for our children after the recent UK riots


The Short Guide to Making the Perfect Compilation CD (2011)



In ‘Gimme Indie Rock’ Jamie Rowland provides a short guide to creating the perfect compilation CD.


Always There (2011)

Miscellaneous - Always There

Spencer Robertshaw writes of love in its many forms in 'Always There', the latest in his 'Evidently Spncertown' poetry series


September 2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - September 2011

Ben Howarth in ‘Condemned to Rock ‘n’ Roll’ asks whether Laura Marling’s much acclaimed third album, ‘A Creature Don’t Know’, has the potential to become a classic


Indietracks Festival (2011)



Neil Bailey in Photoscapes, our regular photography series, photographs some of the bands at this year's Indietracks Festival


Truck Festival 1 (2011)



In the first part of a two part Photoscape new Pennyblackmusic photographer Steve McDermott photographs Dreaming Spires, Gruff Rhys and the Truck All Stars at the Truck Festival in Oxfordshire...


Truck Festival 2 (2011)



and in the second part he photographs the Go Team, Pete and the Pirates and Rhosyn.


Vostok 5 (2011)

Miscellaneous - Vostok 5

In an occasional series to promote the more unusual activities of musicians, Ben Howarth writes about Vostok 5, an exhibition on people and animals in space put together by Darren Hayman and four toher London based musicians


Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night (2011)

Miscellaneous - Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night

We profile our next London Penny Black Music Bands' Night, which will take place on Saturday October 29th at the Half Moon in Herne Hill, South London and feature sets from Morton Valance, Madam, the Doomed Bird of Providence and Rome Pays Off


Tangled Up in Music (2011)

Miscellaneous - Tangled Up in Music

In our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' column, in which our writers describe the personal impact of music in their lives, Glasgow-based writer Andy Cassidy writes about how being given both his grandmother and then his father's LP collections ignited his love for music


Rioting (2011)

Miscellaneous - Rioting

In 'Hitting the Right Note' Tottenham-based local Jon Rogers, after the recent outbreak of rioting and looting in the UK, takes a personal look at riot songs


August 2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - August 2011

Ben Howarth in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column argues the case for defence for the much derided ukelele


Amy Winehouse 1983-2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - Amy Winehouse 1983-2011

In his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry column, Spencer Robertshaw pays testimony to the career of the late Amy Winehouse


July 2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - July 2011

in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' Ben Howarth provides an alternative list of excellent albums of recent years that have tended to miss out on other ‘best of’ lists.


Beer (2011)

Miscellaneous - Beer

In the latest in his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry series Spencer Robertshaw provides a poem about the pleasures and undoubted pain of beer drinking


Drunkenly Clanking the Tambourine: My Life as a Failed Internet Sensation (2011)

Miscellaneous - Drunkenly Clanking the Tambourine: My Life as a Failed Internet Sensation

In 'Gimme Indie Rock' Jamie Rowland writes about his teenage band's rise and sharp fall


June 2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - June 2011

Ben Howarth in ‘Condemned to Rock ‘n’ Roll’ reflects upon the Arctic Monkeys’ return to the fore with their latest album, ‘Suck It and See', after the commercial failure of their 2009 experimental album, ‘Humbug’


Excess All Areas (2011)

Miscellaneous - Excess All Areas

In 'Hitting the Right Note' Jon Rogers examines rock's capacity for bad behaviour and excess


Liverpool Sound City 1 (2011)

Miscellaneous - Liverpool Sound City 1

In the first in a two part Photoscapes, Marie Hazelwood at the three day Liverpool Sound city festival photographs indie rock act the Rialto Burns and singer-songwriter Luke Fenton


Liverpool Sound City 2 (2011)

Miscellaneous - Liverpool Sound City 2

while in the second part she takes photos of the Kooks, former Beta Band front man Steve Mason and Copenhagen-based country pop outfit Billie Van and Her Ranchhands.


Tick Tick Tick (2011)

Miscellaneous - Tick Tick Tick

Spencer Robertshaw reflects in his 'Evidently Spencertown' series on time both past and present in 'Tick, Tick, Tick'


May 2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - May 2011

Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' reflects upon the causes for HMV's declining sales, while the fortunes of Amazon in contrast continue to expand


Pop Stars (2011)

Miscellaneous - Pop Stars

In his regular 'Hitting the Right Note' column, Jon Rogers examines the case for pop music over rock and more serious art


Bloody (2011)

Miscellaneous - Bloody

With summer on its way, Spencer Robertshaw in 'Evidently Spencertown' reflects in 'Bloody' upon a typical British summertime day


Ice Cream Van (2011)

Miscellaneous - Ice Cream Van

In 'Ice Cream Van' Spencer Robertshaw writes of childhood innocence and parenthood


Top 5 (or more) No. 1 : Unique Vocals (2011)

Miscellaneous - Top 5 (or more) No. 1 : Unique Vocals

In 'Gimme Indie Rock' Jamie Rowland provides a personal list and YouTube links to his Top 5 Distinctive Musical Voices


London, 26/3/2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - London, 26/3/2011

Jamie Rowland writes of our recent Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night at the Half Moon in Herne Hill, London on the 26th March with Anthony Reynolds, Nick Garrie, the Hall of Mirrors and Alex Monk


Rydell and the 16 Year Old Amateur Music Journalist (2011)

Miscellaneous - Rydell and the 16 Year Old Amateur Music Journalist

In our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' column, Ben Howarth writes of ten years of writing of Pennyblackmusic, and an early interview with forgotten emo group, Rydell


April 2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - 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'


The Fall (2011)

Miscellaneous - The Fall

Spencer Robertshaw in the latest in his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry column writes of drugs and the media lifestyle in 'The Fall'


Talk Show (2011)

Miscellaneous - Talk Show

In his regular 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry column, Spencer Robertshaw looks at the world of the TV talk show host


March 2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - March 2011

In his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column Ben Howarth writes of some of the excellent acts and bands that he has discovered in support slots at recent gigs that he has attended


Payback Time (2011)

Miscellaneous - Payback Time

In his regular poetry column 'Evidently Spencertown', Spencer Robertshaw writes of the overdue fate of expense account MPs


Drugs (2011)

Miscellaneous - Drugs

In 'Hitting the Right Note' Jon Rogers asks whether drug participation provides musicians with a creative spark or whether that creativity simply has to be there in the first place


March 2011: Words is All That I Have (2011)

Miscellaneous - March 2011: Words is All That I Have

In 'Rock Salt Row' Lisa Torem talks with another Pennyblackmusic writer about a different issue in rock each month. She chats with Fiona Hutchings about the emotions that can sometimes be heightened through music


Censorship (2011)

Miscellaneous - Censorship

Jon Rogers examines the slippery issue of censorship and finds that those rock stars who claim to be serious musicians rather than just pop stars have a very different set of limits


Profile (2011)

Miscellaneous - Profile

We profile our next Penny Black Music Bands' Night, which will take place on Saturday March 26th at the Half Moon in Herne Hill, South London and feature sets from Anthony Reynolds, Nick Garrie, the Hall of Mirrors and Alex Monk


Five Bands Critics Love But I Hate and I Hope You Hate Them Too (2011)

Miscellaneous - Five Bands Critics Love But I Hate and I Hope You Hate Them Too

In 'This Metal Sky' Jeff Thiessen writes of five much acclaimed bands that he feels are highly over-rated


February 2011: Those Wonderful Wizards of Oz: Live or Studio (2011)

Miscellaneous - February 2011: Those Wonderful Wizards of Oz: Live or Studio

In 'Rock Salt Row' Lisa Torem talks with Alligator Records' founder and owner/producer Bruce Iglauer about whether live or studio recordings work better


Hilarious Consequences (2011)

Miscellaneous - Hilarious Consequences

In ‘Gimme Indie Rock’, in which he looks for the best of alternative rock, Jamie Rowland examines Babak Ganjei’s graphic novel, ‘Hilarious Consequences’ and accompanying musical soundtrack which includes tracks from Ganjei's own band Wet Paint, Singing Adams and Bloc Party’s Matthew Tong


February 2011 (2011)

Miscellaneous - February 2011

Ben Howarth in ‘Condemned to Rock ‘n’ Roll’ writes of the surprise addition of Neutral Milk Hotel’s ‘In the Aeroplane Over the Sea’ to Q’s latest Greatest Album Ever poll which compiled together the best albums since 1987


An Angel's List (2011)

Miscellaneous - An Angel's List

In his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry column, Spencer Robertshaw provides us with a romantic poem, 'An Angel's List, for Valentine's Day


Albums of the Year 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Year 2010

Our writers provide their favourite albums, and also favourite gig, of 2010


December 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - December 2010

Ben Howarth in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column mourns the loss of one of his favourite venues, the Luminaire in London, and describes his favourite albums of the year


Authenticity (2010)

Miscellaneous - Authenticity

In his 'Hitting the Right Note' column, Jon Rogers questions the issues of authenticity in rock


An Alternative Christmas Carol (2010)

Miscellaneous - An Alternative Christmas Carol

In 'Gimme Indie Rock', in which he looks for the best in indie rock, Jamie Rowland provides an alternative list of Christmas carols


Virtual Reality (2010)

Miscellaneous - Virtual Reality

In his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry column Spencer Robertshaw in a Christmas poem writes with typical thought and humour about Playstations, Xboxs and Wiis


December 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - December 2010

In 'Rock Salt Row' Lisa Torem talks to another Pennyblackmusic writer every month about a different subject in rock every month. In this edition she speaks with John Clarkson about whether songwriters are simply would-be novelists


London, 29/10/2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - London, 29/10/2010

Mark Rowland writes of an enjoyable evening of music at the Pennyblackmusic Bands Night at the Half Moon, Herne Hill, South London which saw sets from the Willard Grant Conspiracy, the Monroe Transfer, Adam Donen and Altai Rockets


Terry Reid (2010)

Miscellaneous - Terry Reid

In his 'Gimme Indie Rock', in which he examines the best of alternative music, Jamie Rowland upon the sixth anniversary of John Peel's death writes about 70's cult artist, Terry Reid


Cheerful Things (2010)

Miscellaneous - Cheerful Things

In his regular 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry column Spencer Robertshaw is back after a month's absence with the only partially ironically titled 'Cheerful Things'


November 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - November 2010

Ben Howarth in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column tells of reacting against Britpop in his teens and moving down the dangerous path of extreme heavy metal


October 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - 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


October 2010: I Have Just Seen a Place (2010)

Miscellaneous - October 2010: I Have Just Seen a Place

In 'Rock Salt Row', Lisa Torem chats each month with another writer about a different issue in rock. In this episode she and Helen Tipping speak about the effect of landscape and place on musicians


Dissent (2010)

Miscellaneous - Dissent

In his regular 'Hitting the Right Note' column, Jon Rogers asks what has happened to controversy and rebellion in rock music


Penny Black Music Bands Night, 29/10/2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - Penny Black Music Bands Night, 29/10/2010

We profile our next Penny Black Music Bands' Night, which will take place on Friday October 29th at the Half Moon in Herne Hill, South London and feature sets from the Willard Grant Conspiracy, the Monroe Transfer, Altai Rockets and Adam Donen


Velvet Underground and Soul Music (2010)

Miscellaneous - Velvet Underground and Soul Music

In our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' column, in which a different writer writes each month about the personal impact of music on them, Mark Rowland describes how an an unhappy adolescence led to him discovering both the Velvet Underground and soul music


September 2010: I Can’t Get No Hey, Hey, Hey…. (2010)

Miscellaneous - September 2010: I Can’t Get No Hey, Hey, Hey….

In 'Rock Salt Row' Lisa Torem talks with a different Pennyblackmusic writer about an issue in rock. In this issue she speaks with Sarah Johnson about the commercial nature of rock and whether spiritual matters and especially Buddhism have had any real bearing on the music industry


Safetyword (2010)

Miscellaneous - Safetyword

In 'Gimme Indie Rock', in which he examines the best in alternative music, Jamie Rowland looks at now largely forgotten prog folk oddities, Safetyword


September 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - September 2010

With the news that he will be hosting a pop quiz at the Conservative Party's annual conference in Birmingham, Ben Howarth in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' looks at the political career of former Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey that has developed since he quit his solo career


Heavy Metal (2010)

Miscellaneous - Heavy Metal

Jon Rogers in his 'Hitting the Right Note' column writes of his love/hate relationship with heavy metal


Kids (2010)



In the latest in his regular monthly poetry column 'Evidently Spencertown', Spencer Robertshaw writes about parenthood in 'Kids'


The Mercury Awards (2010)

Miscellaneous - The Mercury Awards

Jon Rogers in his 'Hitting the Right Note' column gives his personal assessment of the acts nominated for this year's Mercury Prize


Zykos (2010)

Miscellaneous - Zykos

In the second in his new 'Gimme Indie Rock', in which he will be examining the best in alternative music, Jamie Rowland at the career of enigmatic Texas-based group, Zykos


Pissed (2010)

Miscellaneous - Pissed

In the latest in his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry column, Spencer Robertshaw writes of the after effects of an evening in the pub in 'Pissed'


August 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - August 2010

In 'Rock Salt Row' Lisa Torem talks to another Pennyblackmusic writer each month about a different issue in rock. In this episode she and Jon Rogers examines the effect that the theme of change has had on musicians


August 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - August 2010

With the London Electronic Dance Festival due to take place at the end of August, Ben Howarth, in his regular 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, asks what the future holds for dance music


Satanicpornocultshop (2010)

Miscellaneous - Satanicpornocultshop

In the first in a new column 'Gimme Indie Rock', Jamie Rowland will be focusing on the best in underground, alternative, weird and wonderful music by looking at a different act every month. He begins with Japanese band Satanicpornocultshop.


Safety Pins and Genius, Go Johnny Go (2010)

Miscellaneous - Safety Pins and Genius, Go Johnny Go

With John Lydon about to tour again this month with Public Image Limited, Spencer Robertshaw in his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry series reflects upon the legendary punk figure


July 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - July 2010

In 'Rock Salt Row' Lisa Torem talks to another Pennyblackmusic writer each month about a different issue in rock. In this edition, she talks to Adrian Huggins, who plays bass in the Newcastle-based dance/rock group Delta Sound, about the often under acknowledged role of the bassist in groups


Use Your Mind! Don't Be Blind (2010)

Miscellaneous - Use Your Mind! Don't Be Blind

In his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry series Spencer Robertshaw looks at gangs and knife culture


July 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - July 2010

In the latest in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth examines the links between music and sport


June 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - June 2010

In 'Rock Salt Row' Lisa Torem talks to another Pennyblackmusic writer about a different topic in rock. She and John Clarkson debate about whether Elvis really is the King of Rock 'n' Roll


Mad Musical Machinations (2010)

Miscellaneous - Mad Musical Machinations

With Lou Reed and his wife Laurie Anderson's recent announcement that they will be playing a concert outside the Sydney Opera House for dogs, Jon Rogers in his 'Hitting The Right Note' column looks at some of the grander eccentricities and way-out ideas of other musicians


June 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - June 2010

In his regular 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth writes of his favourite band the Divine Comedy's first new album in four years, 'Bang Goes the Knighthood'


Stone Temple Pilots (2010)

Miscellaneous - Stone Temple Pilots

In the latest in his 'This Metal Sky' column, Jeff Thiessen writes an open letter to American hard rockers about their self-titled first album in nine years


May 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - May 2010

In his ‘Condemned to Rock ‘n’ Roll’ column Ben Howarth analyses the decline of the singles market and looks at how music buying has changed over recent years


Good God (2010)

Miscellaneous - Good God

Spencer Robertshaw focuses on the iPod generation in 'Good God', the latest poem in his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry series


Dark Music (2010)

Miscellaneous - Dark Music

Jon Rogers in his 'Hitting the Right Note' column examines some of the darkest records of time


May 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - May 2010

In 'Rock Salt Row' Lisa Torem talks to another Pennyblackmusic writer about a different issue in rock. In this edition she and Ben Howarth discuss how much of an impact nationality and culture has on music


London, 20/3/2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - London, 20/3/2010

Mark Rowland tells of a memorable night and a mixed bag of highs and lows at the Pennyblackmusic Bands Night at the Half Moon in Herne Hill, London on the 20th March


Pennyblackmusic Bands Night, London, 19/3/2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - Pennyblackmusic Bands Night, London, 19/3/2010

Alan Taylor-Shearer photographs the acts that appeared at the Pennyblackmusic Bands Night on the 20th March


April 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - April 2010

In 'Rock Salt Row', Lisa Torem debates each month with another writer about a different issue in rock. She and Jon Rogers discuss whether protest songs in the twenty first century can have the same impact as they have done in the past.


April 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - April 2010

Ben Howarth in his ‘Condemned to Rock ‘n’ Roll’ column questions whether the plans to cut 6 Music is entirely without merit.


Penny Rap (2010)

Miscellaneous - Penny Rap

In his poetry series 'Evidently Spencertown', Spencer Robertshaw raps about his favourite website


Censorship and Music (2010)

Miscellaneous - Censorship and Music

In his 'Hitting the Right Note' column Jon Rogers looks at a recent Home Office report to curb the showing of sexually suggestive videos before 9 p.m. and asks what implications of this will watershed will be


The Shopping Channel (2010)

Miscellaneous - The Shopping Channel

In the latest in his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry series, Spencer Robertshaw reflects upon one of television's oddest dangers


The Brit Awards Show (2010)

Miscellaneous - The Brit Awards Show

Jon Rogers finds The Brit Awards show for 2010 to be over sanitised and lacking in thrills


March 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - March 2010

In the latest in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column Ben Howarth writes about the uniqueness of Seattle-based singer-songwriter Laura Veirs


March 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - March 2010

In 'Rock Salt Row', Lisa Torem debates each month with another writer about a different issue in rock. In this instalment, she and Jamie Rowland talk about the different seasons and which one makes for the best rock lyrics


Queens of the Stone Age Vs Black Label Society (2010)

Miscellaneous - Queens of the Stone Age Vs Black Label Society

Jeff Thiessen examines the arguments both for and against stoner rock bands Queens of the Stone Age and Black Label Society


I Want to Be Your Rock 'n' Roll (2010)

Miscellaneous - I Want to Be Your Rock 'n' Roll

In his poetry series 'Evidently Spencertown', Spencer Robertshaw's latest poem 'I Want to Be Your Rock 'n' Roll' is a love poem


Baptism, Dylan and A Musical Education (2010)

Miscellaneous - Baptism, Dylan and A Musical Education

In 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' series, in which our writers write about the personal impact of music on their lives, r. fisher writes of his Baptist upbringing and how a lifelong passion for music was sparked after hearing Bob Dylan's 'Blowin' in the Wind' at summer camp


February 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - February 2010

In 'Rock Salt Row', Lisa Torem debates each month with another writer about a different issue in rock. In this episode, she and Mark Rowland talk about the irresistibility of hope in songs


The Brit Awards 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - The Brit Awards 2010

In his 'Hitting the Right Note' column, Jon Rogers finds the nominations list for the Brit Awards 2010 to be both lacking and superficial


February 2010 (2010)

Miscellaneous - February 2010

In 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll', Ben Howarth examines the issues surrounding the Digital Economy Bill which is currently making its way through British Parliament


Albums of the Decade (2009)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Decade

Our writers and photographers select their personal nomination for Album of the Decade


Albums of the Year 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Year 2009

Our writers and photographers provide their favourite albums of 2009


December 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - December 2009

In 'Rock Salt Row', Lisa Torem debates each month with another writer about a different issue in rock. In this episode, she talks with Fiona Hutchings about failed romance and songs of heartache


December 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - December 2009

in 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' Ben Howarth provides an alternative and personal list of Albums of the Decade


So Many Went Before Their Time (2009)

Miscellaneous - So Many Went Before Their Time

In the second in his new poetry series, Spencer Robertshaw with 'So Many Went Before Their Time' remembers some of those musicians who died young


A Women's Decade (2009)

Miscellaneous - A Women's Decade

In 'Hitting the Right Note', Jon Rogers looks back on the last decade and concludes that it has been a women's era


Stairlift from Heaven (2009)



In a new column, 'Evidently Spencertown', Pennyblackmusic writer and poet Spencer Robertshaw presents 'Stairlift from Heaven', which is to be recited or sung in the style of Led Zepplein's 'Stairway to Heaven'


November 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - November 2009

In his regular 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth, back after a month's break, reflects both on the last few years of the column and also his current favourite musicians


The Musician's Forte (2009)

Miscellaneous - The Musician's Forte

In the latest in his new 'Hitting the Right Note' column, Jon Rogers looks at some of the musicians who have used their song writing as a forum for complaining about and bemoaning their lifestyle and situation


November 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - November 2009

In 'Rock Salt Row' Lisa Torem talks with a different Pennyblackmusic writer about a different aspect of rock. In this latest installment, she talks with Dan Cressey about musicians and their cars


King Blues (2009)

Miscellaneous - King Blues

Katie Anderson photographs London-based ska/acoustic folk band the King Blues at the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth


The Spotify Phenomenon (2009)

Miscellaneous - The Spotify Phenomenon

...while in the second part he examines the issue of free, legal music websites such as Spotify and we7


The Reissues Market (2009)

Miscellaneous - The Reissues Market

In the first double instalment of his new column, 'Hitting the Right Note', Jon Rogers looks at the record industry's increasing reliance on reissuing and remarketing classic albums and other albums from the past...


October 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - October 2009

In 'Rock Salt Row', Lisa Torem debates each month with another writer about a different issue in rock. In the latest installment, she chats with John Clarkson about the effect of dreams as an inspiration on songwriters and musicians


The Berlin Albums of David Bowie and Iggy Pop (2009)

Miscellaneous - The Berlin Albums of David Bowie and Iggy Pop

Inn our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' column, in which our writers reflect upon music that has had a personal impact on them, Jon Rogers examines the mid 1970s Berlin albums of David Bowie and Iggy Pop


September 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - September 2009

In 'Rock Salt Row', Lisa Torem will be debating each month with another writer about a different issue in rock. In its third episode, she looks at the self-sabotaging nature of rock stars and debates with Jeff Thiessen about whether men and women see heartbreak differently


Profile (2009)

Miscellaneous - Profile

We profile our first Penny Black Music Bands Night in two years, which will take place on Saturday November 14th at the London Brixton Windmill and feature sets from the Left Outsides, Madam,Mathew Sawyer and the Ghosts and the European


September 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - 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


August 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - August 2009

In 'Rock Salt Row', Lisa Torem will be debating each month with a different writer about a moment in rock history and its impact now. In its second episode, she takes an Aldous Huxley quote which gave the Doors their name, and asks Malcolm Carter if rock music can ever really change perceptions


August 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - August 2009

In the latest 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth pays tribute to DJ Steve Lamacq whose influential 'Evening Session' has recently been axed by Radio One


Madness 'Absolutely' (2009)

Miscellaneous - Madness 'Absolutely'

In our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' column, in which our writers write about the personal impact of music on their lives, new writer Fiona Hutchings tells of first hearing Madness' second album 'Absolutely' as a fifteen year old


July 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - July 2009

In new column 'Rock Salt Row', Lisa Torem will be debating each month with a different Pennyblackmusic writer about a moment in rock history and its impact now. She begins by talking with editor John Clarkson about John Lennon's 1966 controversial quote that the Beatles 'were more popular than Jesus


Boris, Billy, KC and The Cannibals – My University Career (2009)

Miscellaneous - Boris, Billy, KC and The Cannibals – My University Career

Recent graduate Jamie Rowland looks back at his three years at university, and the music that provided the backdrop to his time as a student


July 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - July 2009

In his latest 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Rols' column, Ben Howarth asks if Michael Jackson was any good musically


Shinedown (2009)

Miscellaneous - Shinedown

Shinedown are a hard rock act from Jacksonville in Florida. They have now released three albums on Atlantic Records, 'Leave a Whisper' (2003), 'Us and Them' (2005)and 'The Sound of Madness' (2008, eac


Sounds Like Teen Spirit (2009)

Miscellaneous - Sounds Like Teen Spirit

We have three CD copies of the soundtrack to new British film, 'Sounds Like Teen Spirit', to give away as competition prizes. To hopefully win a prize, answer two questions


June 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - June 2009

In the latest in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' series, Ben Howarth looks at Spotify, a new downloading site from which albums can be downloaded for free and it has been claimed that it will make CDs redundant, and asks if the phenomenon lives up to the hype


May 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - May 2009

In the latest in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth finds the CD, in the age download culture, not dying as many have predicted, but very much flourishing


April 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - April 2009

In his regular monthly 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth writes about searching for the perfect pop song


Jarvis Cocker - My Part in His Downfall (2009)

Miscellaneous - Jarvis Cocker - My Part in His Downfall

In the latest in our 'Soundtrack to Our Lives' column, in which writers write of the personal impact of music on their lives, Anthony Middleton tells of living in Camden in the early 90s as Britpop exploded


March 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - March 2009

In the latest instalment in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth looks back on the career and music of the late John Martyn


January 2009 (2009)

Miscellaneous - January 2009

In the first in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Benjamin Howarth explains his aggrievement at bands who allow their music to be used in TV adverts


Albums of the Year (2008)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Year

Our writers and photographers provide their favourite albums, and also favourite gig, of 2008


December 2008 (2008)

Miscellaneous - December 2008

In his regular 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth writes about his discovery this year of the joy of being able to sit down at rock gigs


November 2008 (2008)

Miscellaneous - November 2008

In the latest instalment in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll'column, Ben Howarth assesses the merits of Girls Aloud, Leona Lewis and other current top charting acts


October 2008 (2008)

Miscellaneous - October 2008

In his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth examines the life and legacy of Rick Wright, the keyboardist with pink Floyd, who died on the 15th September


(2008)

Miscellaneous -

Several of our writers recall some of the highs and occasional tribulations of working for Pennyblackmusic during the last ten years


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Miscellaneous -

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Miscellaneous -

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September 2008 (2008)

Miscellaneous - September 2008

In the latest instalment of his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth pays testimony to some of the older and more established artists who constantly continue to release material of a high standard


The Beatles (2008)

Miscellaneous - The Beatles

In our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' series, in which our writers describe the personal impact of music on them, Ben Howarth writes about the Beatles, who have provided a constant backdrop to his life


Hadouken (2008)

Miscellaneous - Hadouken

At the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth, Katie Anderson shoots rising Leeds-based five-piece electronic group, Hadouken


August 2008 (2008)

Miscellaneous - August 2008

In the latest episode of his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth looks at some of the sacred cows of rock including the Rolling Stones, Pink Gloyd, Alanis Morrisette, Sonic Youth and Fleetwood Mac


July 2008 (2008)

Miscellaneous - July 2008

In his regular 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth pays tribute to Swedish jazz pianist Esbjorn Svensson who died in a diving accident in June


And My Soul Has Been Spiritualized (2008)

Miscellaneous - And My Soul Has Been Spiritualized

In the latest in our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' series, in which our writers write about the personal impact of music on our lives, Jonjo McNeill describes how Spiritualized's early 1995 album, 'Pure Phase', helped him re-evaluate his Catholic upbringing


June 2008 (2008)

Miscellaneous - June 2008

In the latest in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column Ben Howarth questions the current state of music journalism and if music writers are doing an effective enough job


Joy Division's 'Closer' (2008)

Miscellaneous - Joy Division's 'Closer'

In the latest in our 'Soundtrack to Our Lives' series, in which writers describe the personal impact on their lives, Denzil Watson writes about Joy Division's second and last studio album, 'Closer'


May 2008 (2008)

Miscellaneous - May 2008

In his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth looks at Q's recent poll for the Best 50 Albums of All Time, and asks if these really are people's favourite albums


Shield Your Eyes, Shield Your Pies (2008)

Miscellaneous - Shield Your Eyes, Shield Your Pies

Pennyblackmusic photographer-in-residence Matt Williams’ latest photographic exhibition, ‘Shield Your Eyes, Shield Your Pies’, opens at the West End in Centre in Aldershot on May 7th and closes on May 30th. Find out more about it here.


Godwits 1 (2008)

Miscellaneous - Godwits 1

Matt Williams photographs indie/folk act the Godwits at rehearsal in violin and viola player Will's home


Thanks for the Smiles (2008)

Miscellaneous - Thanks for the Smiles

In the latest in our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' series, in which our writers describe the personal impact of music on their lives, Malcolm Carter writes about meeting and falling for his wife against a backdrop of acts such as the Beach Boys, the Chi-Lites, Jim Stover and the Hollies


April 2008 (2008)

Miscellaneous - April 2008

In the latest in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' album, Ben Howarth asks if it is ever possible to really say what music you like


March 2008 (2008)

Miscellaneous - March 2008

In ther latest in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth looks at the career of Frames' frontman Glen Hansard, who, as well as acting in the film 'Once', also has just the Oscar for it for Best Original Song with 'Falling Slowly'


Kerrang Tour (2008)

Miscellaneous - Kerrang Tour

Metal magazine Kerrang's latest tour, which was entitled the Relentless Energy Drink Tour, took place in January and February. For our Photoscapes series Katie Anderson at the Southampton Guildhall photographs two of the acts, Madina Lake and Circa


February 2008 (2008)

Miscellaneous - February 2008

In the latest in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth examines EMI's financial crisis and asks if record labels have been indulging bands' luxury lifestyles for too long


Albums of the Year (2007)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Year

Our writers and photographers provide their favourite albums, and also favourite gig, of 2007


Divorce and Snow Patrol (2007)

Miscellaneous - Divorce and Snow Patrol

In the latest in our 'Soundtrack to Our Lives' series, in which our writers write about the personal impact of music in their lives, Sarah Johnston tells of listening to Snow Patrol at the time of her parents' seperation and marriage break-up


December 2007 (2007)

Miscellaneous - December 2007

In his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth looks at records, both past and present, which didn't quite make the cut of his Albums of the Year poll


Taste of Chaos (2007)

Miscellaneous - Taste of Chaos

Katie Anderson photographs Rise Against, Gallows, Aiden and the Blackout on post-hardcore tour the Taste of Chaos at the Portsmouth Guildhall


November 2007 (2007)

Miscellaneous - November 2007

In the latest in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth writes about, faced with having to move, trying to unsuccessfully reduce his record collection


Travel and Music (2007)

Miscellaneous - Travel and Music

In the latest in our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' series, in which our writers write about the personal impact of music on them, seasoned traveller Adrian Huggins tells of some of the songs that have stuck with him as he has travelled around the world


October 2007 (2007)

Miscellaneous - October 2007

In the latest in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' applauds BBC Radio 4's under rated music programming, which manages to be comfortingly conservative and astoundingly radical and often both at once


Features (2007)

Miscellaneous - Features

In the latest in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' compilation, Ben Howarth looks at the decision of the Chief Executive of EMI to resign, and the long-term effects this may have on music


The European Invasion Part 2 (2007)

Miscellaneous - The European Invasion Part 2

In the second and final part of his account of touring Europe with a rising indie band, Phil Vincent writes of two nights in the Netherlands, and trying to maintain order with his drunken group


Profile (2007)

Miscellaneous - Profile

We profile our 10th Penny Black Music Bands Night, which will take place from 3pm on September 9th at the London Spitz and feature sets from the Bitter Springs, Hey Negrita, Rothko, Friends, Saint Joan, Kelman and Joe Gideon as well as music from the DJs at Uptight


August 2007 (2007)

Miscellaneous - August 2007

In thnis month's edition of his Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll column, Ben Howarth questions whether the Mercury Music Prize has any real purpose


10 Songs (2007)

Miscellaneous - 10 Songs

In the latest in our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' series, in which our writers tell of the personal impact of music on their lives, Dixie Ernill writes about the effect of music at several pivotal moments in time over a 20 year period


July 2007 (2007)

Miscellaneous - July 2007

In the latest in his 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll column Ben Howarth asks, if with the collapse of Fopp, and both HMV and EMI admitting to losing money, if the music industry really is in crisis


The Jam and the Sound of the Suburbs (2007)

Miscellaneous - The Jam and the Sound of the Suburbs

In the latest in our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' series, in which our writers tell of the personal impact of music on their lives, Anthony Dhanendran tells of the discovery during the Britpop era of the Jam


Breakdown (2007)

Miscellaneous - Breakdown

In the third and final part of his series on the 70's punk era, Adam Wood looks at the rise into the mainstream of the punk movement, after the Sex Pistols' infamous appearance with Bill Grundy on the 'Today' show and its subsequent decline as a result


Download Festival 2 (2007)

Miscellaneous - Download Festival 2

In the second part of our two part 'Photoscapes' feature from this year's Download festival, Katie Anderson photographs Gallows, the Cancer Bats and Korn


Resistance through Style (2007)

Miscellaneous - Resistance through Style

In the second part of a three part series, in which Adam Wood examines the 70's British punk movement, he writes about the fashion, fanzines and sexual psychology of the movement


June 2007 (2007)



With the festival season now having started, Ben Howarth casts his eye over the many different festivals on offer to music fans over the course of the summer


The European Invasion Part 1 (2007)

Miscellaneous - The European Invasion Part 1

In the opening instalment of a new episode in his 'Tales of the Sound Desk' series, sound engineer/tour manager Phil Vincent tells of travelling across Europe with a rising indie band, and a fraught first day surviving lost passports, a dodgy van and Rotterdam's lack of parking facilities


London's Burning (2007)

Miscellaneous - London's Burning

In the first part of a new three part series, in which Adam Wood examines the rise of 70's British punk, he looks at the social and the political factors of the country at the time which both generated and developed the movement.


May 2007 (2007)

Miscellaneous - May 2007

In his regular 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll', Ben Howarth looks at the demise of cassettes and CD singles, and finds in the fourteen years that has been a music fan that the more things have changed the more they have in many ways remained the same


April 2007 (2007)

Miscellaneous - April 2007

In the latest in his regular Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll column Ben Howarth questions the thought behind reformed political rockers Rage Against the Machine's recent attempt to shut down the stock exchange by playing an uninvited concert


3/3/2007 (2007)



Our 9th Pennyblackmusic Bands Night which took place on the 3rd March featured strong performances from Viarosa, the Bitter Springs, Joe Gideon and the Shark and Andy Thompson. We look back on a great night of music


Love on the Radio and Spiritualized (2007)

Miscellaneous - Love on the Radio and Spiritualized

In the latest in our series, in which our writers write about the importance of music at memorable times in their lives, Chris Jones writes about falling in and out of love whilst playing tracks from Spiritualized's 'Lazer Guided Melodies' on his university campus radio show


March 2007 (2007)

Miscellaneous - 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'


Profile (2007)

Miscellaneous - Profile

We preview the 9th Penny Black Music Night which will take place at the Spitz in London on Saturday 3rd March and will feature Viarosa, the Bitter Springs and Joe Gideon and the Shark


February 2007 (2007)



In the latest in his 'Condemned by Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth looks at the British singles chart, which under new ruling now takes into account downlaods


Albums of the Year (2006)

Miscellaneous - Albums of the Year

Our writers give their verdict on 2006 and their favourite albums of the year.


December 2006 (2006)

Miscellaneous - December 2006

In the latest in his 'Condemned by Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth writes of end of the year polls and his own choices for Album of the Year.


TDK Cross Central Festival Part 3 (2006)

Miscellaneous - TDK Cross Central Festival Part 3

In the third and final part of his account of working at this summer's TDK Cross Festival in his new 'Tales from the Sound Desk' series, Philip Vincent tells of its second day


Tears in Heaven (2006)

Miscellaneous - Tears in Heaven

Olga Sladeckova writes of an evening at her parents' house in Prague in 2001 spent with her late father and watching with him Eric Clapton perform 'Tears in Heaven' from his 'Unplugged' album


TDK Cross Central Festival Part 2 (2006)

Miscellaneous - TDK Cross Central Festival Part 2

In the second episode of a three part article in his new series 'Tales from the Sound Desk', professional sound engineer Philip Vincent writes about a nightmarish evening working at the TDK Cross Central Festival, which took place at Kings Cross Freight Depot in London in August


November 2006 (2006)

Miscellaneous - November 2006

In the latest instalment in his monthly 'Condemned by Rock 'Roll' column, Benjamin Howarth looks at Christmas and 'Greatest Hits albums


Commuting to Lightning Bolt (2006)

Miscellaneous - Commuting to Lightning Bolt

In the first in a new series, in which our writers write about the importance of music at memorable times in their lives, Mark Rowland explains how Lightning Bolt has kept him sane throughout commuter hell


TDK Cross Central Festival Part 1 (2006)

Miscellaneous - TDK Cross Central Festival Part 1

In the opening episode of a three part article in a new series, professional sound engineer Philip Vincent writes about his experiences working at the TDK Cross Central Festival, which took place at Kings Cross Freight Depot in London and featured acts such as Grace Jones, Goldfrapp and the Others


October 2006 (2006)

Miscellaneous - October 2006

In the latest in his 'Condemned By Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth looks at the competition between independent, major and internet music retailers


September 2006 (2006)

Miscellaneous - September 2006

Radiohead's Thom Yorke, the Manic Street Preachers' James Dean Bradfield and Idlewild Roddy Woomble have all recently released solo albums. Ben Howarth looks at them in the latest in his 'Condemned by Rock 'n' Roll' column


Profile (2006)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Liverpool-based early 80's band the Room featured Dave Jackson and Becky Stringer, who would go on to form Benny Profane. Anthony Strutt looks at their two LPs,'Indoor Fireworks' and 'In Evil Hour', which have recently been released with extra tracks


August 2006 (2006)

Miscellaneous - August 2006

In the latest in his Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll series, Ben Howarth tells how, in the recent barren summer drought for music, he has taken comfort from Paul McCartney's recent album 'Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard'


Star Trippin' : The Best of Mick Wall 1985-91 (2006)

Miscellaneous - Star Trippin' : The Best of Mick Wall 1985-91

'Star Trippin’ is the anthology of former 'Kerrang' rock journalist Mick Wall. Mark Rowland finds very enetertaining 'Star Trippin', which tells of his interviews with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, and the one which ended his 'Kerrang' career with Axl Rose


Tapestry Goes West (2006)

Miscellaneous - Tapestry Goes West

The Tapestry Festival in Cornwall is one of the few British festivals to play host to smaller bands, rather than the usual festival acts. Mark Rowland looks at director Caroline Catz's new DVD film about it


Coachella (2006)

Miscellaneous - Coachella

One of the last great musical gatherings, the American desert festival Coachella regularly attracts 80, 000 music fans. Aaron Brown writes about film director Drew Thomas' beautiful and provocative new film about it which has just been released on DVD


Feature (2006)

Miscellaneous - Feature

Dixie Ernill recently brought his favourite group the Experimental Pop Band up from Bristol to play his local cricket club which is based in a small village just outside Manchester. He writes about his past and present experiences of putting on gigs


July 2006 (2006)

Miscellaneous - July 2006

In the latest his Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll column Ben Howarth writes about downloading and the Gnarls Barkley phenonomen


Feature (2006)

Miscellaneous - Feature

Live albums are notoriously tricky to get right. Jon Rogers writes about some of their greatest successes and worst failures


June 2006 (2006)

Miscellaneous - June 2006

It has been revealed that Conservative Party leader David Cameron has been invited onto Desert Island Discs. Benjamin Howarth wonders how he will make his picks


Doug Hoekstra and Willy Vlautin (2006)

Miscellaneous - Doug Hoekstra and Willy Vlautin

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Doug Hoekstra and Willy Vlautin, the front man with Portland, Oregon-based alt. country band Richmond Fonatine have both just released their fictional debuts. John Clarkson profiles them both


Presidents of the United States of America (2006)

Miscellaneous - Presidents of the United States of America

The Presidents of the United States of America recently returned to touring after an absence of several years. Anna Gudaniec photographs them exlusively for Pennyblackmusic at their first British dates in almost a decade


The Full Ponty (2006)

Miscellaneous - The Full Ponty

The Full Ponty is a two day music festival that is situated near Pontypridd in Wales.Anna Gudaniec photographs Funeral for a Friend, Biffy Clyro, Fightstar, Bring Me the Horizon and Days in December on its second day


Protest the Hero (2006)

Miscellaneous - Protest the Hero

Ontario-based band were the winners of the Best Indie Metal Band award at the Canadian 2004 Indie Music Awards. With their debut album 'Kezia' just out, Anna Gudaniec shoots them at a show at the London Mean Fiddler


City and Colour (2006)

Miscellaneous - City and  Colour

City and Colour is the solo side project of Dallas Green, the singer and guitarist with Ontario-based post-hardcore outfit, Alexisonfire. Anna Gudaniec takes photos of City and Colour at a gig at London's Camden Barfly


May 2006 (2006)

Miscellaneous - May 2006

In the latest in his 'Condemned by Rock 'n' Roll' series, Ben Howarth expresses outrage at the price of many of this year's summer stadium gigs, some such as Madonna's 'Confessions' tour for which tickets cost over £100 each


Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (2006)

Miscellaneous - Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

Anna Gudaniec takes photos of punk rock supergroup and covers band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes on the first of two dates at the London Astoria


Capdown (2006)

Miscellaneous - Capdown

Anna Gudaniec shoots political hardcore/ska band Capdown at a concert at the Astoria in London


Profile (2006)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Leeds band the Dead Pets have long lived in the shadows of punk. With their two albums, 'Revenge of the Village Idiots' and 'Two Little Too Late' now at last officially available after years of obscurity, Alex Halls examines their history


Corbjin, Glazer, Romanek and Sednaoui (2006)

Miscellaneous - Corbjin, Glazer, Romanek and Sednaoui

Anthony Dhanendran looks at the second volume of releases in Mute's Director's Label series, which profiles the work of pop video directors and film makers Anton Corbijn, Jonathan Glazer, Mark Romanek and Stephane Sednaoui


April 2006 (2006)

Miscellaneous - April 2006

In the second in his new 'Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll' column, Ben Howarth muses on Spring releases and the new Morrissey album 'Ringleader of the Tormentors'


Beyond Warped Live Music Series (2006)

Miscellaneous - Beyond Warped Live Music Series

Dan Cressey finds hardcore punk Lennon sadly demolishing any credibility they may have ever once had on their new DVD, which has been released as part of the Beyond Warped Live Music Series


Apollo Memories (2006)

Miscellaneous - Apollo Memories

The Glasgow Apollo was a legendary 70's and 80's rock venue, thought of which makes many Scots over 40 become weak with nostalgia. John Clarkson finds Martin Kielty's new book about the long closed theatre essential, compelling reading


August/September/October 2005 (2005)

Miscellaneous - August/September/October 2005

In the latest in his 'Confessions of a Vinyl Junkie' series Dixie Ernill reminisces about spending more money than he perhaps should in Manchester's Vinyl Exchange, and reflects on going to see Broadcast for the first time


Phenonomen or Hype ? (2005)

Miscellaneous - Phenonomen or Hype ?

The Myspace site has expanded dramatically in recent months . With many bands now having their own Myspace page as well as regular web page, Mark Rowland assesses its increasing impact on music culture


Give 'Em the Boot (2005)

Miscellaneous - Give 'Em the Boot

Anthony Strutt examines Dutch punk label Hellcat's new DVD 'Give 'Em the Boot', which features footage of some of the best bands on their roster including Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros, Rancid, Horrorpops and the Dropkick Murphys


Tribute (2005)

Miscellaneous - Tribute

The John Peel tribute day on October 13th met with an overwhelming national response. Various Pennyblackmusic writers look at a few of the highlights and give some thoughts on the day


June/July 2005 (2005)

Miscellaneous - June/July 2005

In the latest instalment of his 'Confessions of a Vinyl Junkie' series Dixie Ernill writes about attending his first Trash Can Sinatras concert, and another busy but costly two months of record purchases


Profile (2005)

Miscellaneous - Profile

The Supremes were one of the biggest girl groups of the 60's, but the beginning and end of their story was laced with tragedy, lost friendships, law suits and death. Sarah Johnson reflects upon their sad history


Profile (2005)

Miscellaneous - Profile

The daughter of Italian horror film director Dario Argento, Asia Argento is a talented actress, director and a musician. Anthony Strutt examines her career to date


Obituary (2005)

Miscellaneous - Obituary

Paul Cannell, who created the artwork for Primal Scream's 'Screamadelica' and various other early 90's iconic record sleeves, died on the 5th July. Olga Sladeckova looks back and reflects on his life and career


April/May 2005 (2005)

Miscellaneous - April/May  2005

In the latest instalment in his 'Confessions of a Vinyl Junkie'series, Dixie Ernill writes about the joys of compilation tapes at work and summer vinyl purchases


Sex, Censorship and 21st Century Cinema (2005)

Miscellaneous - Sex, Censorship and 21st Century Cinema

After Anthony Strutt's review of Mike Winterbottom's controversial '9 Songs' last month, Mark Rowland takes up the debate and writes about cinema, sex and censorship


February/March 2005 (2005)

Miscellaneous - February/March 2005

In the latest in his occasional 'Confessions of Vinyl Junkie' series, Dixie Ernill writes about all his latest musical purchases and resuming gig-going after a long absence


Retrospective (2005)

Miscellaneous - Retrospective

In his 40 or more years with the BBC, John Peel launched the careers of hundreds of bands. Six months on his from the Radio 1 DJ's death Mark Rowland looks back on his life and the continued impact of his loss to the independent music world


Glitterhouse is 20 (2005)

Miscellaneous - Glitterhouse is 20

German label Glitterhouse Records has put out over 600 releases, and has just celebrated its 20th anniversary. To celebrate it has just released a triple CD box set 'Nevermind'. Anthony Dhanendran profiles it and the label's two decade history


Swedish Singer-Songwriters Retrospective (2005)

Miscellaneous - Swedish Singer-Songwriters Retrospective

Sweden is a haven to an increasing number of excellent, but underrated singer-songwriters. Malcolm Carter profiles and writes about the latest releases of two of them, Jens Lekman and Christian Kjellvander


1937-2005 (2005)

Miscellaneous - 1937-2005

Outlandish writer and author, and inspiration to countless music journalists, Hunter S. Thompson shot himself on the 20th February. Jon Rogers looks back on his turbulent life


December 2004/January 2005 (2005)

Miscellaneous - December 2004/January 2005

In the latest in his 'Confessions of a Vinyl Junkie' series, obsessive record collector Dixie Ernill writes about his latest musical finds, including records by the Kitchens of Distinction, Gene and the Wedding Present


Spitz, London, 22/1/2004 (2005)

Miscellaneous - Spitz, London, 22/1/2004

Our latest Pennyblackmusic Bands Night on the 22nd January featured strong sets from Bikini Atoll, Heist, the Repomen, Lewd and Moly. Olga Sladeckova writes about what was an excellent night of music


Commercial Album (2005)

Miscellaneous - 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


October/November 2004 (2004)

Miscellaneous - October/November 2004

In a new occasional column vinyl junkie Dixie Ernill explains, why having bought records for the best part of 20 years, record shopping continues to excite him


Songbirds Lie (2004)

Miscellaneous - Songbirds Lie

Bohemian New York art rockers The Scene is now have released just four albums in their 24 year history. Maarten Schiethart looks back over their erratic career, and examines their latest album, 'Songbirds Lie'


What Does the Future Hold ? (2004)

Miscellaneous - What Does the Future Hold ?

The culture of MP3 has come more prominent in recent months with improvements in its technology. Mark Rowland asks if it continues to grow if it will eventually lead to the downfall of the CD


The Sex Pistols, PIL and Anti-Celebrity (2004)

Miscellaneous - The Sex Pistols, PIL and Anti-Celebrity

Long overdue, but heavily flawed account of John Lydon's life post the Sex Pistols and in PiL and beyond


The Rise and Fall of Gator (2004)

Miscellaneous - The Rise and Fall of Gator

With a punk soundtrack that includes Black Flag and Anti Flag, new DVD film documentary 'Stoked' tells of 80's skateboarding hero, Mark ‘Gator’ Rogowski, who is now in prison for murder. Daniel Cressey profiles the film, and tells of Gator's downfall


Rise of New Folk (2004)

Miscellaneous - Rise of New Folk

The new folk movement has been on the rise for a couple of years. Withartists such as Elliot Smith, Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake popular all over again, and new ones such as Damien Rise in the charts, Mark Rowland profiles the new movement


Report (2004)

Miscellaneous - Report

At the fifth Pennyblackmusic Bands Night on the 15th April, we had the pleasure of putting on 4 great bands, Nectarine No. 9, Applecraft, the Scoundrelles and Air Formation. We look back on a very enjoyable night


DJ Night (2003)

Miscellaneous - DJ Night

"Music and lifestyle" website Melstars recently ran its first DJ night in London. Featuring sets from Elixir, one part of Phobos 3, and former Elastica guitarist Sheila Chipperfield, Olga Sladeckova finds it an event well worth attending


Report (2003)

Miscellaneous - Report

The third Pennyblackmusic Bands Night took place on August 2nd, and featured excellent sets from Lupine Howl, Bikini Atoll, the Lazarus Effect and Kelman. We look back on a fantastic evening


Profile (2003)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Producer Mitch Easter has worked with R.E.M., Pavement, Dinosaur Jr and Velvet Crush , but for many years also fronted his own band Let's Active. With a Let's Active tribute album just out, Malcolm Carter takes the opportunity to assess his career


Profile (2003)

Miscellaneous - Profile

The third Pennyblackmusic Bands Night will take place at the Spitz in London on August 2nd. There will be four great acts-Lupine Howl, Bikini Atoll, the Lazarus Effect and Ashby -and it all costs £7. Further details can be found here


Part 3-The Changing Face of Punk Rock : 1994- (2003)

Miscellaneous - Part 3-The Changing Face of Punk Rock : 1994-

In the third and final part of his series on American hardcore punk, Mark Rowland examines the years between 1994 and the present day


Photographic Exhibition (2003)

Miscellaneous - Photographic Exhibition

Pennyblackmusic photographer Matt Williams' first exhibition of rock photography opens in April, and will feature 35 photos that Matt has taken over the last four years. Find out more about it here !


Round-Up (2003)



In his last article for Pennyblackmusic as a reviewer, Darrell Angus concludes by examining three of his favourite current alt. rock releases


Life Changing or Not ? (2003)



Benjamin Howarth has never been quite sure what to make of experimental music, but looking at the latest records by Fred Frith, Chris Cutler and Keith Christmas, tries to work out just how life changing it really is


Part 2-Punk Learns How to Play 1984-1994 (2003)

Miscellaneous - Part 2-Punk Learns How to Play 1984-1994

In the second in his series on the American hardcore movement, Mark Rowland examines the years between 1984 and 1994, and the impact of bands such as Husker Du, Bad Religion, the Jesus Lizard and Fugazi


8 Mile (2003)

Miscellaneous - 8 Mile

In the first of two film reviews this month, non rap fan Anthony Strutt writes about the definite merits of Eminem's blockbuster new movie, '8 Mile'....


Part 1-The Early Years 1977-1986 (2003)

Miscellaneous - Part 1-The Early Years 1977-1986

In the first in a series profiling the rise of American hardcore, Mark Rowland examines its early years and the long-term impact of five of its best known bands, Minor Threat, Black Flag, Bad Brains, the Dead Kennedys and the Descendents


Profile (2002)

Miscellaneous - Profile

The most well known punk festival in the UK, Holidays in the Sun year after year attracts punk fans from all over Europe. With this year's festival taking place in Blackpool in July, Alex Halls talks to founder Jennie Russell-Smith about what to expect


Broken Music : Clawing the Eyes Out of Mona Lisa (2002)

Miscellaneous - Broken Music : Clawing the Eyes Out of Mona Lisa

David McNamee finds himself smitten with three beautifully packaged CDs from the Chicago electronic label, Ampersand, and tells why overnight it has become his new favourite label


Rekords Rekords Supersessions (2002)

Miscellaneous - Rekords Rekords Supersessions

Desert Sessions Vol. 7 & 8: Gypsy Marches; Can You See Under My Thumb? ... There You Are Drag City Records Presents A Drag City Supersession: Tramps, Traitors and Little Devils


Feature (2002)

Miscellaneous - Feature

There are only a few people out there with “it” — that mystical connection to the heart and soul of music that elevates their performance to the incandescent. These select few may not be the best technicians around — they may be downright sloppy — but wha


A History and Personal Perspective Part 2 (2002)

Miscellaneous - A History and Personal Perspective Part 2

WHICH ALBUMS TO OWN FROM THE C86 ERA Back to the music now. As you probably have understood by now, there are many many albums and singles available from the C86-era, and although many of them are good, and often very good, there are some that are less


A History and Personal Perspective Part 1 (2002)

Miscellaneous - 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?


Feature (2002)



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


Retrospective and History (2002)

Miscellaneous - Retrospective and History

Loose Recordings was founded around 5 years ago and was originally known as Vinyl Junkie. The decline in sales of vinyl just a few years later precipitated a change of name shortly after they released


Profile (2002)

Miscellaneous - Profile

Together for the best part of a decade, Wondermints origins go back even further than that, to 1982 when principle songwriters Nick Walusko and Darian Sahanaja first struck up a friendship. Having


A History of the Label (2002)

Miscellaneous - A History of the Label

Marina' is a small and unique German independent label. It was established in Hamburg in 1993 by two former journalists, Stefan Kassel and Frank Lahnemann. Marina was chosen as a name because, as K


The Top Ten Most Deprssing Al (2002)



Here in no particular order are ten of the most depressing albums of all time. Despairing and black, but magnificent as well as moody ! Luxuriate in the misery, and enjoy some brilliant music ! 1.


Ritmo Webmagaz (2002)



Rataplan is an alternative Dutch radio station which specialises in playing independent and dance music, and that transmits from the town of Nijmegen in the South East of the Netherlands. Its radio


No Logo-Politics and the Underground (2002)



Politics. In some form or other, it's something that burns inside many of those who claim a genuinely alternative mindset. But it's also something that's crushed easily by sheer weight of cynicism - f


Thoughts on a Top 5 End of the Year Poll (2002)



What, above all else, does December bring to the true music fanatic? Stockings stuffed with record store gift certificates and blank tapes? Conversations about the Beach Boys Christmas album? A CD fro


Photography

Photoscapes (2017)

Miscellaneous - Photoscapes

Darren Aston photographs Howling Bells front woman Juanita Stein at a solo gig in Liverpool.


Photoscapes (2017)

Miscellaneous - Photoscapes

Darren Aston photographs the Killers, Elbow and Tears for Fears at a BST Hyde Park gig in London


Edinburgh Fringe Festival 1 (2014)

Miscellaneous - Edinburgh Fringe Festival 1

Over three galleries Melanie Smith takes photographs of this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe


Photoscapes (2014)

Miscellaneous - Photoscapes

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2


Photoscapes (2014)

Miscellaneous - Photoscapes

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 3


Photoscapes (2014)

Miscellaneous - Photoscapes

Over two galleries Bill Gray photographs some of the highlights and acts of our seven-act Pennyblackmusic Bands' Night at The River in Glasgow on June 7th


Photoscapes (2014)

Miscellaneous - Photoscapes

Pennyblackmusic Bands Night, Glasgow 2


Photoscapes (2014)

Miscellaneous - Photoscapes

Darren Aston in a two-part gallery photographs this year's one-day Astral Coast Festival, which based in Merseyside was in its third year


Photoscapes (2014)

Miscellaneous - Photoscapes

Astral Coast Festival 2


Reviews


The Sun Shines Here: The Roots Of Indie Pop 1980-1984 (2021)


Essential and delightful five CD box set from Cherry Red which focuses on the roots of indie pop and should be in every pop fan’s record collection.







Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors