Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (20th April)

I hear the train a comin’, it’s rolling round the bend… This term’s inaugural school journey saw the introduction of Johnny Cash week, in my attempt to give the sprats an all-round musical education. We’ll spin the bottle and see where it lands next week – everyone a winner! Frankly, not much to laugh about this week. Little Liberty and HP still marooned in hospital; … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (20th April)

New From Black Creek

We first mentioned the scuzzy country rock and bar-room boogie of Aussies Black Creek back in November when we posted a track from their album Ragged Shark. They are back with a new digital single titled Not For The Faint Of Heart backed with Gone Is The Darkness and it is another muscular example of their ragged, raw take on Americana, a sound they describe as … Continue reading New From Black Creek

MM Shorts 143: St Augustines Video

The track Juarez by St Augustines has rapidly become a firm favourite in the Mackerel household over the past few weeks, and many a reference to rattlesnake guts have been made by the sprats recently. Opportune then that we should receive details of a new video to accompany the song. The clip captures a road trip across the border towns of the Southwest as an … Continue reading MM Shorts 143: St Augustines Video

Introducing >>> HOboken Division

The curiously named HOboken Division are a French delta-blues/garage duo that recently released their self-titled debut EP via Bandcamp. Their description of their music as ‘the wedding of blues and rock in the sludge’ gives fair warning of what to expect. This is sleazy, rapacious stuff evoking the long dead spirits of the bluesmen and of greasy, out-for-kicks rock ‘n’ rollers. But that’s not all … Continue reading Introducing >>> HOboken Division

Free EP From The Lumineers

The Lumineers have been generating a lot of buzz recently following the release of their self-titled debut album earlier this month. As a celebration of the release they are making a four track EP, Tracks From The Attic, available for free from Noisetrade. Their sound is a mix of barnstorming Americana, stomp-and-clap rock and front-porch folk and the EP offers an early glimpse into the … Continue reading Free EP From The Lumineers

MM Shorts 142: Laurence and the Slab Boys

There is always room int the world for more music that combines fuzz-guitar, dulcet feedback and contorted, echo-soaked vocal harmonies. So it is with Glasgow-via-Berlin noise-pop collective, Laurence and the Slab Boys, with their debut single, Mushroom, released on Monday 28th May 2012 via Grumpy Recordings. Lets just say it owes less to the Beach Boys than it does to drunken pirate shanties. Have a watch/listen. a a Continue reading MM Shorts 142: Laurence and the Slab Boys

More From Coke Weed

Coke Weed were one of our favourite discoveries of last year and their new album Nice Dreams has been seducing us further and further with each play – each track like tendrils of fog swirling round your head, elusive and smoky, but gradually revealing their irresistible delights. They have made a video for new single, Jimmy which they are also giving away as a free … Continue reading More From Coke Weed

Introducing >>> Sci-Fi Romance

LA’s Sci-Fi Romance describe themselves as an alt-folk band and have a new album, The Ghost of John Henry due out on May 8th. Their music has attracted the moniker ‘steam folk’ and they have been compared with the Decemberists and Nick Cave, but there are nods to punk and even metal in the mix too. Enough then to make us want to give the … Continue reading Introducing >>> Sci-Fi Romance

MM Shorts 141: Return Of The Walkmen

The Walkmen were one of our End of the Road highlights last year and they will be releasing a new album, Heaven on June 5th. The title track is our first taste and the first single, and it stays true to their trademark heart-on-its-sleeve indie rock shot through with nervous energy, but this time the production is cleaner and tighter and gives the band a new … Continue reading MM Shorts 141: Return Of The Walkmen

Introducing >>> Dig Deeper

Dig Deeper mine a rich vein of musical heritage with their expert exploration of Americana, psychedelia and Alt-Country, effortlessly calling to mind artists like Son Volt, Dream Syndicate, Crazy Horse, Drive By Truckers and Green On Red. That in itself is not a surprise. However, when juxtaposed against the fact they come from the homeland of MM’s mother, Norway, frankly it is. But make no mistake, … Continue reading Introducing >>> Dig Deeper