David Bowie
In the second in our series ‘Discography Hagiography’, in which we will be providing a disc-by-disc evolution of music’s greats, Mark Rowland begins by reflecting upon the post 1970’s career of David Bowie,
Is Bandcamp's Videos Any Good?
In ‘Bandcamp Explorer’ Mark Rowland looks at the best of video game music on Bandcamp.
Do Bandcamp's Artists Know What THey're Talking About?
Mark Rowland tries out Bandcamp’s ‘artist recommended’ function in ‘Bandcamp Explorer’.
David Bowie
In the first in our new series ‘Discography Hagiography’, in which we will be providing a disc-by-disc evolution of music’s greats, Mark Rowland begins by reflecting upon the 1960’s and 1970’s career of David Bowie,
Tom Verlaine
In ‘Ten Songs That Made Me Love…’ Mark Rowland reflects on his favourite ten songs by Tom Verlaine with Television and in his solo work.
It's Time for a Jazz Odyssey
Leading recording artists, such as Takuro Okada, have discovered that there are many iterations within the genre of jazz. Mark Rowland looks at some of them in his 'Bandcamp Explorer' column.
Christmas Crackers?
In 'Bandcamp Explorer' Mark Rowland examines some of the best Christmas songs available through Bandcamp.
Living The Dream Pop
In his 'Bandcamp Explorer' column Mark Rowland examines the best of dream pop and shoegaze currently available on Bandcamp.
Is Pop Punk Good Now?
Mark Rowland examines in his 'Bandcamp Explorer' column the best of the much maligned pop punk genre.
It's Summertime, Let's Have Some Pop
In ‘Bandcamp Explorer’ Mark Rowland looks at some of the best music on Bandcamp that puts you in a summer mood.
Ukraine
In his 'Bandcamp Explorer' column Mark Rowland examines some of the best music that is currently available on Bandcamp from the Ukraine.
Bandcamp Explorer
Mark Rowland in 'Bandcamp Explorer' examines the best releases on Bandcamp of recent metal recordings.
Bandcamp Explorer
In 'Bandcamp Explorer' Mark Rowland looks at some of the best releases on Bandcamp of the last year.
Bandcamp Explorer
Mark Rowland in 'Bandcamp Explorer' goes on a continent-by-continent trip around the world.
Bandcamp Explorer
Inspired by own search for a fuzz pedal for his own band The Volunteered, Mark Rowland in 'Bandcamp Explorer' looks for the best fuzz-influenced bands on Bandcamp.
Mark Rowland
In her series 'A Life in Music', in which she talks to Pennyblackmusic writers about the personal impact and influence of music on them, Cila Warncke, discusses with Mark Rowland his changing musical tastes, the importance of solid music journalism and the hypocrisy of rock mythology.
Bandcamp Explorer
In 'Bandcamp Explorer' Mark Rowland searches on Bandcamp for electronica and discovers some of its more unusual genres and subdivisions.
Bandcamp Explorer
In 'Bandcamp Explorer' Mark Rowland examines some of the best soul records available on Bandcamp.
Bandcamp Explorer
In his ‘Bandcamp Explorer’ column Mark Rowland examines some of the best lo-fi bands and albums that are available on Bandcamp.
Bandcamp Explorer
This month's Bandcamp Explorer column is an ode to the compilation album, with six great examples to be found on Bandcamp. Let Mark Rowland be your guide.
Bandcamp Explorer
Mark Rowland takes a deep dive into the fare on offer this month on Bandcamp, a site that has become established as a melting pot of nascent talent. Taking on the genre formerly known as indie, here is his guide to 'alternative alternatives'.
Bandcamp Explorer
In his new series 'Bandcamp Explorer' Mark Rowland reviews some of the spooky genres on Bandcamp.
Bandcamp Explorer
In his new series 'Bandcamp Explorer' Mark Rowland reviews the best indie acts on Bandcamp.
Gringo Records
In his new series 'Bandcamp Explorer' Mark Rowland goes orienteering through the Bandcamp wilderness to find its hidden gems and begins by profiling the latest releases of Nottingham label Gringo Records.
Soundgarden
In the wake of the untimely death of Chris Cornell, Mark Rowland revisits in 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' some of the Soundgarden songs that shaped him during his formative years
Pavement
Mark Rowland relives his favourite gig of all time, a long-awaited chance to see Pavement at their curated All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in Minehead
Sebadoh
In our series, in which our writers write about ten songs that made them love a favourite band or artist, Mark Rowland reflects on his favourite songs by the American alternative rockers Sebadoh
Flaming Lips
Mark Rowland, in our 'Gig of a Lifetime' series, writes of seeing the Flaming Lips for the first time at the Lovebox Festival in 2008
Miscellaneous
In Rock 101 Mark Rowland reflects upon the joys even in present times of buying records
Miscellaneous
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
Miscellaneous
In the latest in his 'Rock 101' column, Mark Rowland looks at writing music for cinema, and what makes an effective film score
Miscellaneous
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
Miscellaneous
Mark Rowland in 'Rock 101' looks at the media's habit of pushing everyone into different categories
Miscellaneous
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
Miscellaneous
In his 'Rock 101' column, Mark Rowland reflects upon the often maligned genre of heavy metal and asks if it can ever become cool
Miscellaneous
In his 'Rock 101' column Mark Rowland explains why he thinks that Christmas music needs more albums, rather than just singles
Miscellaneous
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
Miscellaneous
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
Miscellaneous
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
Miscellaneous
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
Miscellaneous
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
Miscellaneous
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
Dinosaur Jr
After Lou Barlow's departure from influential late 80's grunge group Dinosaur Jr the band carried on with J Mascis taking the helm. Mark Rowland looks at the band's first post-Barlow albums, 'Green Mind' and 'Where You Been' which have been reissued
Love
Mark Rowland looks back on the stormy career of Love guitarist and singer Arthur Lee, who died after losing his battle against leukaemia on August 3rd
Miscellaneous
'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
Miscellaneous
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
Sonic Youth
Mark Rowland assesses the recent reissues of three Sonic Youth-related albums-their self-titled 1982 mini album, side project Ciccone Youth's 1988 album 'The Whitey Album' and Thurston Moore's 1995 solo record 'Psychic Hearts'
Miscellaneous
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
Miscellaneous
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
Flaming Lips
The new Flaming Lips DVD, like many other current rock doc films,looks beyond band member’s public personas to their personal experiences. Mark Rowland finds that it is a must for Flaming Lips fans, but also a fascinating documentary in its own right
Mission Of Burma
Often criminally over-looked, Mission of Burma made some of the most influential post punk of the late 70's and early 80's. Mark Rowland looks back on the Boston rockers all-too-short career
Miscellaneous
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
Tim Buckley
It is thirty years since Tim Buckley died from a combination of alcohol and heroin. Mark Rowland profiles and reexamines the career of the legendary folk artist
Miscellaneous
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
Monkees
As a film in itself, the Monkees 'Head' is something of a disaster. As a document of both the late 60's acid movement and of a band at a very strange time in its career, Mark Rowland, however, explains why it makes compelling viewing
Miscellaneous
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