Mad Mackerel Recommends…Dark Mean

Ontario’s Dark Mean have built up quite a buzz and a following since 2007 when they started recording their debut album. During this period band members Mark Dean, Billy Holmes, and Sandy Johnston released two “work in progress” EPs without expectation. However, Frankencottage and Music Box ended up being downloaded in more than 100 countries and expectations certainly were set by their brilliant blend of folk and alt-country. … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Dark Mean

Try Before You Buy…

Here are four corking singles for you to listen to and, should you be so inclined, subsequently purchase. First up are Scumbag Philosopher and their second single, God Is Dead So I Listen To Radiohead. It is typically English in it’s odd spoken word style, wry black humour and deadpan observations of the ludicrousness of life. Out on May 23rd, visit their website here for … Continue reading Try Before You Buy…

Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (29th April)

Well I’m sure there will be enough column inches devoted to the (mainly) collective swelling of the nation’s breast in tribute to today’s royal nuptials. Funny old thing all this patriotic malarkey – not really my bag – but cheers anyway. Personally, I’m far more excited that in two days time it will be May – and that means The Cave Singers! – and now, … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (29th April)

Hurray For The Riff Raff – UK Tour

It is fair to say that Hurray For The Riff Raff are a very close second to The Cave Singers in Mrs Mackerel’s must see bands for 2011. This came after we fell in love with the band’s self-titled UK debut of haunting and melancholy Americana that was released in late March on Loose Music. So join Mrs M in London or check out the … Continue reading Hurray For The Riff Raff – UK Tour

Introducing…The Pear Traps

Formed in 2009, The Pear Traps are a 5 piece band from Chicago who mix lo-fi garage rock and alt-country, and do it well. Come Home is from their new six track self-titled EP. The band describe it as “a rolling tune flush with alt-country drive, a rhythmic back-beat and echoing vocals” and having played it a few times, it seems a pretty fair description. … Continue reading Introducing…The Pear Traps

New from Okkervil River

We’ve kind of missed the boat so far with Okkervil River – for whatever reason we’ve just not fallen for their slightly quirky and densely literate charms. Hopefully that may change with their latest album I Am Very Far, which seems to be picking up uniformly good reviews. First single Wake And Be Fine is typically sinewy in composition but at its heart lays something … Continue reading New from Okkervil River

Introducing…My Goodness

Sleazy punk-blues duo My Goodness hail from Seattle and manage to drum up a fantastic cacophony of noise. They have just released their self-titled debut album on the excellent Sarathan Records. We have a taste for you in the shape of C’mon Doll and all the ingredients you want are present and correct: reverb, greasy blues riffs, distortion, impassioned lyrics and attitude – all wrapped … Continue reading Introducing…My Goodness

Introducing…The Keys

Cardiff based band The Keys release their first full length album Bitten By Wolves on 2nd May through See Monkey Do Monkey Recordings. Since receiving a copy in the post we have been playing it a lot – an awful lot. It is a record that cleverly mixes 60s inspired psych rock and crunchy guitars with some more modern style jangle pop and some tasty … Continue reading Introducing…The Keys

Glorious Video from The Pierces

We meant to post about The Pierces a while ago, and were reminded when we received this new video for their track Glorious – a gothic glam pop-stomper according to Q. a It comes from new album You & I and you can stream a taste of their dark forces below from their Love You More EP. a Visit their MySpace here. Continue reading Glorious Video from The Pierces