Summer City impressed at London's Nambucca

Benji Adams - Guitars/Vocals
Nambucca, London
02/05/2016

As is the case for a lot of bands world over, several other artists have been used to describe Summer City but never has a “for fans of” tag line had the potential to be so long. These guys have taken inspiration from a huge range of genres and seamlessly fused them altogether to make something just a little bit different.

After just dropping their electrifying new EP Reprobates (April 22^nd, 2016) it was only right that Summer City took it out for a spin on a 6-date UK tour winding up in London’s famous Nambucca,  where they ran into us!   

Reprobates is a vigorously animated record which left a lot for Summer City to live up to on stage but they brought all the spirit, energy and attitude that these tracks demanded and more.

Kit Parker - Bass/Vocals
Nambucca, London
02/05/2016

First single, I’m A Wreck, was a definite highlight with one of the most engrossing electro-riffs I have ever heard (warning: will make you want to rave immediately) teamed with an unyielding drum section and a practically classic rock guitar solo which comes out of absolutely nowhere.    

But the pureness of Summer City’s punk-rock roots shine brightly in Burn It Down, a more stripped

back track with less electronic influence which really gives you a chance to appreciate the natural value of Benji Adams vocals.

Don’t worry, Summer City have got the all important acoustic track nailed as well. Sound of the Crowd is a really moving track heaped with emotion and really quite intense to watch on stage (even if we do phase into Hot Line Bling at some point, why not?!)

But title track from the EP, Reprobates completely stole the show. The perfect showcase of electro-pop-punk-british-hard-rock (yep, it’s a thing, see above) but with added sing-a-long lyrics. I call that perfection.

Reprobates is a fantastic second EP, an actual breath of fresh air, and it’s incredible to see that Summer City can more than pull off these tracks live. As they head off to film a new music video you can’t help to see what they come up with! Keep your eyes peeled!   

And obviously there was no way that we were letting Summer City go all the way back to York without facing the Grab Bag so if you're wondering which member once pissed himself on stage...well then this one is for you!: 

Benji Adams - Guitars/Vocals
Nambucca, London
02/05/2016

The Beards - Beards, Beardless People and Stonking Beards

The Beards
Darren Iliffe Designs
http://darreniliffe.blogspot.co.uk/

To mark the start of the UK leg of The Beard’s huge European anniversary tour the Louder Now Grab Bag has gone face to face with guitarist Facey McStubblington.

It’s been four months since it first started claiming victims, and the Grab Bag has gained itself a bit of a reputation. But now it has finally met its match for ridiculousness.

Happy 10^th Birthday The Beards!

What is your favourite song to play live?
"There's Just Nothing Better Than A Beard" is my favourite song to play live because everybody sings this sentiment together with us at the end. It's a sentiment I feel very strongly about.

How would you like your band to be remembered?
As a group of men who were uncompromising in their stance on what was proven correct by the beardless genocidal cleansing of 2019.

Who is the first person you would choose to be stuck in a lift with?
Our frontman Johann Beardraven - as he is my spiritual leader and best friend. Incidentally, we are often stuck in lifts together as he gets so worked up about how much he loves beards that his constant jumping and yelling often disables the mechanics.

What is the best set of lyrics you have ever heard?
"An archivist needs a beard", because when you really think about it, it's SO true.

Have you ever broken a bone?
No. As a bearded man, my bones are unbreakable. I have, however, broken the many hearts of beardless men and women who want to bed me. But as I always say, if your beard ain't stonking, we ain't bonking!

Describe yourself in one sentence. 
An excellent ginger beard attached to an adequate human male.

GO TO SEE THE BEARDS!

Wednesday 16 September                          BRISTOL The Thekla

Thursday 17 September                                NEWCASTLE Think Tank

Friday 18 September                                      GLASGOW King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut

Saturday 19 September                                MANCHESTER Gorilla

Monday 21 September                                 NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms

Tuesday 22 September                                 BIRMINGHAM Temple

Wednesday 23 September                          LONDON Dingwalls

Friday 25 September                                      BRIGHTON The Haunt

Saturday 26 September                                SOUTHAMPTON Engine Rooms

Tickets are priced at £14 regionally and £15 in London and are on sale via www.seetickets.com or from the venues directly.

Young Guns - Heat, Sleep and Falling Over

Last week saw the return of a band that has been MIA from the UK scene for a while. They were sorely missed but now Buckinghamshire’s Young Guns are back and they haven't done their comeback by half.

They played a show on a bus, kicked off a headline tour and released an album, Ones and Zeros, the day after they went right back to where it all started, The Fighting Cocks in Kingston, where the band played their first ever show and where we managed to catch up with 4/5 of them. 

You can read what we thought of the gig and the new album here. 

ADVANCED WARNING: There’s a reason why this interview is on the brief side and that reason is that it was less of an interview and more of a…hostage situation. Whilst the guys were chatting with fans after the show I all but cornered them and forced them into answering some ridiculous questions for you! Aren’t I kind (to you, not to bands. Clearly.)  

Summer or Winter?

Ben Jolliffe (Drums): I would usually go Summer but because I just played the hottest show of my life and I would do anything for some cold water right now, I’m going to go winter!

If there was an extra hour every day what would you do with it?

Fraser Taylor (Guitar): That is quite easy.

Ben: Sleep!

Fraser: I would sleep yeah.  We last slept about, three years ago maybe?

Ben: I got a solid two hours last night but…

What was the most embarrassing thing to happen to you at school?

Simon Mitchell (Bass): Errr, so many. So many things! You know in the canteen when you use to get trays of food? Well there was a girl I really fancied and I just couldn’t stop staring at her and I just tripped straight over my best friend’s foot. The food went all down me! I fell down, I looked like a twat and I didn’t get the girl in the end so errr, that was a real shame! I spent the rest of the day looking like that, no wonder she didn’t fancy me!

McDonald’s or KFC?

Gustav Woods (Vocals): Neither! I’m a vegetarian! HA! I picked that one by accident, I just pulled it out! 

A huge thank you is owed to Young Guns for allowing me to grab some pics and stick a dictaphone in their faces. We also want to say thank you to all of the fans for not telling us to get lost. 

And, as we're thanking people, both Banquet Records and The Fighting Cocks are performing a vastly important service to the music industry and we are eternally grateful that you both exist.