One foot in the door, the other one in the gutter: The Replacements, America’s Wasted Greatest Band

The Replacements

The Replacements should have never left the small town circuit; they didn’t try to sell records, they didn’t have aspirations to play Wembley Stadium (I guess the American equivalent is Madison Square Gardens?) and yet they were somehow able to leave behind a legacy, albeit one that was patchy and inconsistent. If they were around today they’d probably be considered an ironic drunken joke band like Towers of London. In fact they would almost certainly get beaten down by a heavy rain of blogosphere bile.

… Continue Reading

We LOVE We Were Promised Jetpacks

We Were Promised Jetpacks

Every so often, a new band gets thrown your way without the precursing hype setting them up for a fall; We Were Promised Jetpacks played London’s Borderline last week, and they’ve set themselves up as that band. That new band to hear recordings from, to see repeatedly, to follow on Google Blog search; hell, to see if anyone else is as prematurely fanatical about.

Raucous yet head down, visually close to shoegaze yet with massively enormously loud choruses, this four-piece are an enticing set of contrasts. And predictably, they’re from Scotland. Must be something in the Loch. … Continue Reading

Franz Ferdinand – Tonight: Franz Ferdinand

Franz Ferdinand

Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand have been getting ready for today’s release of their third album, Tonight: Franz Ferdinand: 12 tracks of “strong, jerky movements” with a “dirtier, nighttime vibe,” as described by Alex Kapranos (vocals/guitar/keys) at a recent press conference held in London.

“It’s just one big sex metaphor, the dance floor,” says Paul Thomson (drums/guitar), and this dance floor is a central theme to the album. … Continue Reading

Ana Silvera

Ana Silvera

She hasn’t even put out a record yet, but already tongues are wagging about Ana Silvera, whose magical voice and delicate piano accompaniment is setting hearts on fire. … Continue Reading

Calling all unsigned bands!

Muso's Guide Unsigned

Are you in an unsigned band? How would you fancy having a Muso’s Guide writer coming to one of your gigs and then putting your name up in bright lights, right here on our site?

… Continue Reading

The Joy Formidable – Joy, Formidable?

The Joy Formidable

Originating from North Wales, The Joy Formidable are a London based three-piece comprising of girlfriend – boyfriend lead duo, Ritzy Bryan and Rhydian Dafydd, and drummer Justin Stahley. … Continue Reading

Here come the girls: women to watch in 2009

Alessi's Ark

As the dawn of the new year fast approaches, we’re taking a look at some of the music industry’s prospective superstars for 2009 – and yes, they are all ladies.

… Continue Reading

Dead Kids talk ‘pirates travelling in search of booty’

Dead Kids' Mike Title

2008 has been an intriguing year for London-based newcomers Dead Kids. A host of absolutely frightening/incredibly entertaining in-your-face live shows have caused enough chin wagging to power a small village. … Continue Reading

Our top ten Blur videos

'Best of Blur'

Here at Muso’s Guide, we’re a sucker for Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree. Or Blur, if you want to be simple about it. They pioneered the revival of pop music about 15 years ago and they did more for the industry than those half-arsed rip-off merchants Oasis ever could.

… Continue Reading

Phantom – shimmering, brooding and dramatic

Phantom

“Low-lit music, a voice to still your beating heart, a torched romantic soul, smoke and mirrors”

… Continue Reading