Month: July 2015

6 incredible tracks you need in your life – July 2015

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Summer is well and truly here, even if the British weather hasn’t been notified of that, and July has seen a number of incredible summer tracks.  Without further ado, here’s the run-down.

Bring Me The Horizon – Throne

Throne is the second single from Bring Me The Horizon’s next album, That’s The Spirit, due to be released on September 11th.

The Maccabees – Spit It Out

I used to associate The Maccabees with cutesy indie pop/rock.  Their latest singles, which are heavier and a lot moodier, have put an end to that.

Foals – Mountain At My Gates

The latest track from Foals is accompanied by an awesome 360 degree video, best viewed at 4K on desktop or 720p on mobile devices.

New Found Glory ft. Hayley Williams – Vicious Love

This is a fabulous summery punk rock track, featuring some awesome vocals by Hayley Williams.  New Found Glory rarely go wrong.

The Bohicas – Swarm

The Bohicas are a brilliant new band, and their latest single Swarm is a great, upbeat track.

Frank Turner – Mittens

Frank Turner’s next album, Positive Songs For Negative People, is due out next month and I can’t wait to listen to it!  If Mittens is any indication, it’s gonna be a belter.

What do you think of these tracks? Are there any great new songs I’ve missed? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter.

Currently listening to: The Hunter – Slaves

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Review: We Came As Romans

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We Came As Romans
Photo Credit: Florian Stangl (metal-fotos.de) via Compfight cc

Last Friday saw the release of We Came As Romans’ fourth and self-titled album, and the Michigan six-piece has produced a record more alternative rock than ever before.

We Came As Romans is an ideal album for fans of bands who mix clean and harsh vocals; Kyle Pavone and Dave Stephens’ vocals work really well together, and help to influence the mood of each track.

It’s difficult to pin this album down and define it as one genre.  While the six-piece seems to be leaning more and more towards alternative rock as time goes on, there are still enough breakdowns and verses with harsh vocals to hark back to their more metalcore roots.  I’m especially fond of the closing track of the record, 1230, which is a great summation of the bands’ sound.

My main criticism of We Came As Romans is that, for a fourth full-length album, it’s pretty short.  The record is made up of 10 tracks and clocks in at just over 33 minutes long.  Speaking to Kerrang! in May, vocalist Dave said that the band “wrote close to 40 songs for this record and only ten made the album”.  With so much potential material, the bands’ decision to only release 10 of these songs on the original release is a little disappointing.

Overall, the album is a strong effort, and each song had enough unique features that they didn’t blend into one, which can happen easily on records of this genre.  We Came As Romans’ latest album is well suited for fans of Of Mice & Men, Memphis May Fire or The Word Alive.

What are your thoughts on We Came As Romans? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter.

Highlights: Regenerate, Who Will Pray?, Defiance

#OOTD: 23/07/15

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Hey altrocklifers! First of all I owe you an apology for not being able to post an update on Monday or last Thursday. I had a fair few technical difficulties, being limited to my phone and only able to access patchy WiFi at my resort in Spain. Fear no more, though, as I have returned, and on my birthday no less!

Today I had a delicious slice of cake for breakfast, as is traditional on Boyden birthdays, and later tonight I’ll be off for a meal at my favourite local Indian restaurant.  And this is the outfit I’ll be wearing:

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Top, jeans: Primark
Shirt: Topman
Sandals: Shoezone

The gold chain details on the top mean that I don’t have to accessorise with necklaces, which makes this outfit very no-fuss.  Plus, the gold details on the sandals match up with the top, and help to lift and brighten the more autumnal colours of the top and shirt.

This outfit is fairly casual, which makes it suitable for a meal out but a little too informal for a night out or drinks at a club.  To dress this look up a little more, I’d swap the sandals for black wedge heels and the jeans for a skater skirt, with the top tucked in.

What do you think of this outfit?  Let me know on Facebook or Twitter.

Currently listening to: Superlove – Don Broco

Millie Manders – Bacchus

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Take a look at my latest Scene Better Days review:

Scene Better Days

Millie Manders’ latest single, ‘Bacchus’, released at the end of last month, is a fantastic fusion of ska, pop and punk rock. Her voice is smooth and soulful, and flows well with the track.

Ska influences are obvious in the verses thanks to the upbeat brass throughout, as well as the rap feature by Harry ‘Coins’ Burnby.

The track slows down significantly during the chorus, allowing Millie’s voice to be the main focus. Here the guitars are more prominent, hinting at punk rock roots. Being brought up by musical parents, she was brought up listening to anything from classical music to rock ‘n’ roll to hip hop, and this eclectic mix is demonstrated in the music she creates.

Millie Manders will be playing a number of festivals across the UK this summer – if you spot her name on a line-up of a festival near you, make sure…

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altrocklife’s holiday suitcase 2015

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Hey altrocklifers!  Tomorrow I’m lucky enough to be jetting off to the beautiful El Campello in Spain for a 10 day family holiday.  Try not to be too jealous of me while I’m sunbathing by the Mediterranean, reading books and drinking plenty of cocktails.  I’ve just about finished packing, so take a look at the clothes I’m taking on holiday with me.

gif of a suitcase being filled with clothes

P Y J A M A S, F O O T W E A R A N D B E A C H W E A R

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Pyjama set: Primark
Flipflops, spotty bikini: George at ASDA
Stripy bikini, kimono: New Look
(Not pictured – a pair of black and gold gladiator sandals)

T O P S A N D V E S T S

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Statement jacket, white crop top, blue vest: New Look
Grey crop top, burgundy lace top: Primark
Thousand Foot Krutch vest, Of Mice & Men vest: Official merch bought on the bands’ respective tours
Black vest top: George at ASDA

S H O R T S A N D S K I R T S

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Chino shorts, ankle length skirt: New Look
Blue skirt: Primark
Mermaid shorts: Drop Dead
Denim shorts: ASOS

D R E S S E S A N D P L A Y S U I T S

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Playsuit, dress: New Look

What do you think of the contents of my suitcase?  Are there any summer essentials that I’ve missed out? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter.

Currently listening to: Hanging – Nothing But Thieves

News: The Lion and The Wolf joins PJ Bond on tour

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Last November, over on Scene Better Days, I reviewed the first full length album by The Lion And The Wolf, Symptoms.  I really enjoyed that album, and ever since I’ve been waiting to hear more from the artist, real name Thomas George.

I was therefore very pleased to hear that Isle of Wight based The Lion And The Wolf is hitting the road in the UK and EU this summer, in support of American singer/songwriter PJ Bond.

Now, I know that The Lion And The Wolf is less heavy than the bands I usually talk about here on altrocklife, but every so often it’s nice to kick back and relax with some chilled acoustic music.

Speaking of the tour, George said: “I am thrilled to be heading out on a two week tour of our fair isle with the excellent PJ Bond.  These will be my last UK shows for quite a while as I begin the final stages of recording my second record.”

To make the most of The Lion And The Wolf’s last live shows for a while, check out the rest of the dates on the tour below:

  • 3/7 – Blissfields Festival, Winchester
  • 4/7 – House Show, Southampton
  • 5/7 – The Sanctuary, Basingstoke
  • 6/7 – JT Soar, Nottingham
  • 7/7 – Brew Dog, Leeds
  • 9/7 – Gwdihw, Cardiff
  • 10/7 – 2,000 Trees Festival
  • 11/7 – 1 in 12 Club, Bradford
  • 12/7 – Banshee Labrynth, Edinburgh
  • 13/7 – Nerd Hutch, Newcastle
  • 14/7 – Star and Garter, Manchester
  • 15/7 – 80 Days Bier Haus, Hull
  • 16/7 – The Guilded Quill, Lincoln
  • 17/7 – The Quadrant, Brighton
  • 19/7 – Veg Bar, London

What do you think of The Lion And The Wolf and PJ Bond?  Let me know on Facebook or Twitter.

Currently listening to: Cardinals – The Wonder Years

altrocklife’s favourite musicians on Twitter

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Hi there altrocklifers! I’m a big fan of all things Twitter, and I can spend hours mindlessly scrolling down my timeline.  Here’s a round-up of my favourite Twitter accounts, in no particular order, run by the members of my favourite bands.

Sean Smith

Even though The Blackout are dead and gone (RIP), Sean is still pretty active on Twitter and regularly posts some hilarious tweets.

Gerard Way

If you’re into surreal humour, then Gerard’s Twitter account is the one for you.  Here’s an example of him asking the big questions.

Mark Hoppus

Mark regularly wins ‘Best Twitter’ awards, and just a quick glance at his profile will explain why.

Pete Wentz

Pete manages to balance tweeting about his children, Fall Out Boy’s tours and live performances and supporting fellow musicians with surprising ease, with a little bit of humour thrown in.

James Davies

What’s this, another ex-member of The Blackout?  James is one of my favourite Tweeters, and he never fails to bring a smile to my face. If you’re a fan of The Simpsons, his account will definitely be to your taste.

What do you think of my list of fantastic Tweeters?  Is there anyone I missed?  Let me know on Facebook or Twitter.

Currently listening to: O.G. Loko – Of Mice & Men