BERRIES release Live Sessions from Big Smith Studios EP on 14 May 2021 // Watch the video for 'Dangerous'

Following their signing to Xtra Mile Recordings in 2020 and release of the single ‘Copy’ in January 2021, London trio BERRIES return with a new EP, ‘Live Sessions from Big Smith Studios’ released on 14 May 2021. Pre-save the EP on streaming services here.

Consisting of three tracks recorded for John Kennedy’s Isolation Sessions and one recorded especially for ‘Copy’s virtual single launch, ‘Live Sessions from Big Smith Studios’ is the perfect precursor to even more from the band.

Leading the charge is ‘Dangerous’, a track whose chunky bass and spidery guitar riff progress directly from ‘Copy’. Watch the video below.

“Dangerous was written after travelling home late one night from a gig,” BERRIES explain. “All of the thoughts and feelings of walking the streets alone at night and the different personalities you meet on the way.” Brooding, tinged with paranoia, and not without its own air of danger, this is BERRIES at their darkest to date.

A three piece with a penchant for effortlessly combining off kilter melodies with guttural grunge, BERRIES have been turning heads up and down the country for a number of years. Their array of singles earned the band crucial support from the likes of Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq and John Kennedy, as well as online championing from Louder Than War and Fred Perry.

It’s not just offstage that the band have impressed. Working regularly with national promoters DHP, recent notable shows include Cherry Glazerr and Porridge Radio at Electric Brixton, Ex Hex at Village Underground and supporting Frank Turner at a socially distanced acoustic show in Nottingham. And now, BERRIES look set to add to this, with a headline show at The Grace (London) on 12 August 2021, as well as some more shows in the pipeline.

BERRIES are:

Holly – Guitar/Vocals
Lauren - Bass
Lucie – Drums

berriesband.co.uk // facebook.com/BERRIESBand // Twitter: @BERRIESBandUK // Instagram: @BERRIESBand // YouTube.com/BERRIESBand

Watch the video for latest PET NEEDS single 'Toothpaste' // Buy new album 'Fracture Party Music' out 12 March 2021

A confident new cut that packs a cataclysmic punch, ‘Toothpaste’ is the latest single from PET NEEDSand swiftly follows the BBC6 Music championed ‘Tracey Emin’s Bed’. Fusing the agitated dance / punk rhythms of DZ Deathrays to the bolshy rock chops of Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, it’s a track that finds Pet Needs on equally ebullient form and paves the way for the imminent ‘Fractured Party Music’ out 12 March 2021. Watch the video below.

Written as a letter to his 10-year-old self, the track finds frontman Johnny Marriott ruminating on the deep founded memories we can attach to the most mundane of objects. On converting home comforts into arena-sized anthem, Marriott says of the track:

“[‘Toothpaste’] was penned on the M1 on the way home from visiting my mum in Derby. She has bought exactly the same toothpaste for years and every time I use it, standing in the bathroom next to my childhood bedroom, it throws me right back to being an anxious little lad trying to make sense of things.”

As infectious as a winning smile and lacking none of the bite, ‘Toothpaste’ beams with an irrepressible energy impossible to ignore. Mixed and mastered by Frank Turner, it’s as dazzling as it is deafening, and just one of the many standout moments to expect on their forthcoming album ‘Fractured Party Music’.

Founded in Colchester by brothers George and Johnny Marriott, Pet Needs are the band Britain needs right now. With a clutch of anti-anthems inspired by the disastrous job interviews, self-destruction and river journeys on inflatable kayaks that have defined their lives, their idiosyncratic lyrics and an effusive spirit have seen them rise through the ranks with lightning speed. With a line up also featuring Jack (drums) and Rich (bass), the four-piece have shared stages with the likes of Muncie Girls, Buzzcocks, Maximo Park, PiL and The Undertones and impressed audiences at several major festivals. In a date with destiny, their explosive live performance at Camden Rocks would see them win-over: Frank Turner, with the star offering to mix and master their upcoming debut album.

Forced off the road in 2020, Pet Needs took it as a sign to complete their long awaited debut: ‘Fractured Party Music’. Coruscating the modern malaise with sneers at pretense, musing on artistic ambition versus commercial success, and tales of creativity and failure, ‘Fractured Party Music’ will be a topical blitz upon apathy. Calling on Turner’s expertise to harness the restless energy stored up from months bereft of live shows; together they have honed a studio record that smolders with electrifying feedback and tangs with cynic-stinging lyricism.

Described by frontman Johnny Marriott as “the ultimate ‘Fractured Party’ song”, new single ‘Toothpaste’ radiates with the unruly force and atmospheric crackle of a house-party spiraling out of control. A total earworm of tenacious alt-rock; let it loose at your peril. Once out of the tube and in your head, there’ll be no putting it back.

PET NEEDS release single 'Tracey Emin's Bed' // Watch the video now // Preorder debut album 'Fractured Party Music' out 12 March 2021

The latest single from PET NEEDS’ forthcoming debut album ‘Fractured Party Music’ - out 12 March 2021, preorder on CD, download and transparent blue vinyl (vinyl to arrive in April) - is accompanied by a video. Take a listen to and see ‘Tracey Emin’s Bed’:

“IT’S LIKE TRACEY EMIN’S BED IN MY HEAD!” howls Johnny Marriott in one of the year’s most curiously compulsive choruses thus far.

Inspired by the profound mess of that notorious Turner Prize nominated masterwork, like its namesake ‘Tracey Emin’s Bed’ is a commentary on self-image, public perceptions of appearance and mental health.

“It came from looking at the nature of art and worth, and comparing this to the mental health and self-image topics in the verses,” says Marriott of the track, “the whole song is rife with juxtaposition and contradiction.”

Pausing for thought on notions of selling out, ‘Tracey Emin’s Bed’ began to take shape when Marriott thought he recognised a renowned punk from his town walking home with an M&S meal for two.

“Turns out it wasn’t him, but the first line of this song was already formed: ‘I saw you walking home with your Marks and Spencer’s bag. I thought that punks went to Iceland.’” says Marriott. “It’s quite a ridiculous line when you take time to think about it!”

Taking the song to his brother and lead guitarist George, the pair thrashed out a melody as catchy as its subject matter proved controversial. Throwing-in a riotous rhythm section courtesy of Jack (drums) and Rich (bass), George Marriott adds an admirably avant-garde axe solo. Mixed and mastered by Frank Turner (who also mixed and mastered their forthcoming debut album), the result is a seismic punk record with its vision fixed squarely on the rock club dancefloor.

PET NEEDS were founded in Colchester by brothers George and Johnny Marriott. Composing a clutch of anti-anthems inspired by the disastrous job interviews, self-destruction and river journeys on inflatable kayaks that have defined their lives, the pair have earned a reputation for idiosyncratic lyrics and an effusive energy. Bringing Jack (drums) and Rich (bass) on board to complete the line up, PET NEEDS have quickly risen through the ranks to share stages with the likes of Muncie Girls, Buzzcocks, Maximo Park, PiL and The Undertones. Impressing audiences at several major festivals, it was their explosive live performance at Camden Rocks that would see them win-over: Frank Turner, who would go on to mix and master their debut album..

Like all other bands, PET NEEDS were forced off the road in 2020, but took it as a sign to complete their long awaited debut: ‘Fractured Party Music’. Coruscating the modern malaise with sneers at pretence, musing on artistic ambition versus commercial success, and tales of creativity and failure, ‘Fractured Party Music’ will be a topical blitz upon apathy. Calling on Turner to harness the collision of frenetic energy they have stored up in months bereft of live shows, expect a studio record of electrifying feedback and cynic-stinging lyrics capable of blowing away even the heaviest lockdown hangover.

With a febrile tension that feels like it could erupt at any second, latest single ‘Tracey Emin’s Bed’ is an example of ‘Fractured Party Music’ just as the artist intended.

Crazy Arm release third single 'Fear Up' from forthcoming fourth album 'Dark Hands, Thunderbolts' out 29 January 2021

A firm favourite of the band’s, ‘Fear Up’ is the third track to be taken from Crazy Arm’s fast-approaching new album, ‘Dark Hands, Thunderbolts’ out 29 January 2021. Preorder here on black or white vinyl, CD and download.

Listen to the new single here, with a video due very soon.

Epic of sound and cinematic in scale, ‘Fear Up’ erupts from the speakers like Ennio Morricone conducting the Constantines. From its gunslinging opening guitar lines, to its stentorian rallying cries and palpitating drum rolls, ‘Fear Up’ gallops towards a blazing Mariachi brass inflected finale courtesy of the genius that is Simon Dobson on trumpet.

A brooding and vengeful disposition, not for the faint-hearted, the track finds Crazy Arm musing on a controversial and psychologically coercive military technique that plays on personal terror. As Darren Johns explains: “The title (‘Fear Up’) is US military slang for the use of the spectre of violence to keep citizens submissive and afraid. Naomi Klein explains its nefarious use in her book, ‘The Shock Doctrine’.”

The track arrives hot on the heels of the hard-hitting polito-punk of recent single ‘The Golden Hind’, which alongside ‘Brave Starts Here’; pave the way for their long awaited fourth album ‘Dark Hands, Thunderbolts’. Their first new music in seven long years, it’s a record that promises a return to the rowdy guitars, epic choruses and Americana twang of their first two albums. Though much has changed since they’ve been away, expect a band in reflective, but no less indignant mood.

Speaking about the band’s long awaited return, Darren Johns (vocals/guitar) of Crazy Arm says: “We may be 15 years old now (and more of a fluid collective than a band), and the twin troughs of COVID and Brexit may have scuppered all our best laid tour plans, but we’re not done yet! We hope ‘Dark Hands, Thunderbolts’ makes this current colossal shitshow a little easier to bear. Here’s to the unwritten future.”

Guaranteed to be worth the wait, Dark Hands, Thunderbolts is a sonic and emotional rollercoaster ride that upends expectations at every turn.

Crazy Arm release new single 'The Golden Hind' // New album 'Dark Hands, Thunderbolts' out 29 January 2021

Crazy Arm release their timely latest single, ‘The Golden Hind’ on 14 December, their second from forthcoming fourth album ‘Dark Hands, Thunderbolts’ out 29 January 2021. Preorder the album here on CD, black or white vinyl, and download.

Listen to the new single here or via YouTube below.

A slab of hard-hitting polito-punk, ‘The Golden Hind’ is a sordid and skewered ode to the Devon band’s Brexit-majority hometown of Plymouth. “It’s not our fault that we’re deaf, dumb and blind we say” roars frontman Darren Johns through a maelstrom of thunderous drum rolls, hairpin tight riffs and searing six-string acrobatics.

Packing a spirit and tenacity akin to F**ked Up, Planes Mistaken For Stars and 16 Horsepower, ‘The Golden Hind’ is an adrenaline pulsing, hard-rock epic ripe for these times.

The antithesis to the posi-punk roots stomp of its predecessor, ‘Brave Starts Here’, this latest track offers a bracing second dose of their upcoming fourth albu:’ Dark Hands, Thunderbolts’. Their first new music in seven long years, it’s a record that promises a return to the rowdy guitars, epic choruses and Americana twang of their first two albums. Though much has changed since they’ve been away, expect a band in reflective, but no less indignant mood.

Speaking about the band’s long awaited return, Darren Johns (vocals/guitar) of Crazy Arm says: “We may be 15 years old now (and more of a fluid collective than a band), and the twin troughs of COVID and Brexit may have scuppered all our best laid tour plans, but we're not done yet! We hope ‘Dark Hands, Thunderbolts’ makes this current colossal shitshow a little easier to bear. Here’s to the unwritten future.”

Guaranteed to be worth the wait, Dark Hands, Thunderbolts is a sonic and emotional rollercoaster ride that upends expectations at every turn.

Skinny Lister release brand new single 'Shout It Out' // Watch the video and stream the single now

With a positive burst of energy before 2020 is out, Skinny Lister release brand new single ‘Shout It Out’ today (Friday 11 December 2020). Watch the video below and stream or download the single from your favoured platform here.

Like ‘We Will Rock You’ if it were written by The Pogues, ‘Shout It Out’ is a big, anthemic, universal and uplifting new song from the folk-punk sextet.

A celebration of the communal and fighting spirit humanity can channel when together, ‘Shout It Out’ is perfect for 2020 and for looking towards a brighter 2021.. Skinny Lister’s Dan Heptinstall says of the track: “‘Shout it Out’ is about being optimistic in the face of adversity. It’s a release, a reminder to let go of that unhealthy habit to keep things bottled up inside. A kind of primal scream therapy where we can let go of anxieties, stresses, anger, frustration etc.”

Hallmarked with a Celtic twist that harks back to their very earliest days, but with a confidence that only comes from a band in their prime, ‘Shout It Out’ is a track that finds itself instantly at home in the Skinny Lister canon.

In something of a first for the band, ‘Shout It Out’ was recorded and produced completely in-house, “a liberating experience” Heptinstall says. While the majority of the song’s parts were recorded by members remotely in light of the current circumstances, every care was taken to try to capture the resounding live energy of a Skinny Lister live show in full flight. The talented Tristan Ivemy (who produced the band’s third album ‘The Devil, The Heart & The Fight’) was also drafted in to work his magic on the final mix of the track.

With a chorus destined to be roared back at the band in venues across the land, the track is accompanied with an official video that dares to dream of those scenes next year. Creating a montage of some of the stand-out moments from their headline shows last year, this video is a humbling reminder of just how much we have missed live music this year.

Reflecting on the video, Dan Heptinstall says:

“It was great to be able to pull together some previously unseen live footage from last year’s headline Skinny shows. The crowd hollering along with us with such communal spirit really captures the essence of the track and is a great reminder of what we’ve been missing over this past year. It’s also a celebration and’an optimistic look forward to when those times return and we can shout our hearts out together again.,

‘Shout It Out” follows the band’s recent fifth anniversary re-issue of their breakthrough album ‘Down On Deptford Broadway’. Released on a special deluxe edition vinyl with exclusive new artwork, you can order your copy here.

As folk rock’s rowdiest rabble since 2009, Skinny Lister have reeled and partied into the hearts of the UK, America, Germany and Japan. Passing the growing flagon of their experiences with every album and tour, they’ve led an endless parade gathering fans old and new, from the respected folk circuit to the riotous Download Festival, igniting pogoing mosh-pits at each. Over the past ten years they’ve travelled from rain-soaked London to the vast arteries of the USA, upgrading from narrow boat to Salty Dog Cruise, played huge tours across Europe and North America with Frank Turner, Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly as well as headlining themselves across festivals, sweatboxes and ever-larger venues.

With four albums under their belt, ‘Forge & Flagon’, ‘Down on Deptford Broadway’, ‘The Devil, the Heart & the Fight’ and ‘The Story Is…’ the band have explored a lexicon of tastes through a whirlwind of adventures across the globe.

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