In 2016 thereÔÇÖs plenty of reasons to be cynical about music, whether itÔÇÖs the impending disaster that is a cash hungry Guns NÔÇÖ Roses reunion or the pseudo-revolutionary hot air of Twenty-One Pilots and company.┬á Revel in that at your peril; itÔÇÖs a fast root to despair and if you dare to dwell on it too long youÔÇÖll have missed the unbridled enthusiasm and honest … Continue reading Interview: Creeper
Hot on the heels of last yearÔÇÖs fantastic sophomore, ÔÇÿMoth BoysÔÇÖ, Spector are hitting the road for a whistle stop club tour before festival season kicks in. The London four-piece visit Clwb Ifor Bach on 26th May for what is sure to be a wild and wonderful show if their festival performances are anything to go on. Headed up by talismanic frontman Fred Macpherson, the … Continue reading Preview: Spector – Clwb Ifor Bach – 26/05/16
Beach BabyÔÇÖs surf-y, summery vibes washed into Clwb Ifor last night. As relative newcomers to the music scene they made no delay in making their presence felt. With a punchy, yet concise set, the band were well received by the small, but warm crowd. Managed by the team behind Jungle, their debut single ÔÇÿLadybirdÔÇÖ, was released to warm ears last year on Chess Club. ItÔÇÖs … Continue reading Live: Beach Baby – Clwb Ifor Bach – 14/04/16
There was quiet sense of anticipation in the small crowd at Clwb Ifor Bach as they waited for Ought to take the stage. Idle chatter filled the air; some were discussing the nuances of the newest album, others just knew the band from their hit song ÔÇÿHabitÔÇÖ, one guy just came along because he thought the name was ÔÇÿpretty radÔÇÖ. The pre-gig chatter evaporated as … Continue reading Live: Ought ÔÇô Clwb Ifor Bach ÔÇô 20/04/2016
Matt and Kim pull in big numbers. At the time of writing, ÔÇÿDaylightÔÇÖ has pulled in just over 44 million streams on Spotify. Having seen their online presence, they sure make a lot of noise for a two piece. TheyÔÇÖve supported Fall Out Boy and are embarking on another European tour. So when the chance came to see them play Bristol ÔÇô why not? From … Continue reading Live: Matt & Kim – The Fleece, Bristol – 7/04/16
The album art for the sophomore record of Frankie Cosmos ÔÇô the solo recording moniker for Porches member and Bandcamp connoisseur Greta Kline ÔÇô is, much like KlineÔÇÖs music, deceptively simple. The unpretentious sketch, in some ways, acts as a microcosm for KlineÔÇÖs attitude towards art and helps contextualise her music from the outset. ÔÇÿNext ThingÔÇÖ is miles apart from her first project ÔÇÿMuch Ado … Continue reading ALbum: Frankie Cosmos – ‘Next Thing’
FallonÔÇÖs first solo album ÔÇÿPainkillersÔÇÖ opens with the bouncing ÔÇÿA Wonderful LifeÔÇÖ, a stark contrast to its opposite number on The Gaslight AnthemÔÇÖs last release ÔÇÿGet HurtÔÇÖ. Where ÔÇÿStay ViciousÔÇÖ barrelled in on a grungey riff and desperate lyrics, ÔÇÿA Wonderful LifeÔÇÖ drips with optimism and sees a return to FallonÔÇÖs trademark 50ÔÇÖs references. Perhaps partly a reaction to the criticism of the bleak themes … Continue reading Album: Brian Fallon – ‘Painkillers’
For their first arena tour, genre-bending Enter Shikari bring together polish that belies this fact with the raw energy of a front-room show. They manage to make the 7,500 capacity Motorpoint Arena feel intimate. Impressive for a band who pride themselves on being independent, and by their own admission play music that isnÔÇÖt exactly middle of the road in a set that slips seamlessly between … Continue reading Live: Enter Shikari – Motorpoint – 23/02/16
With over 86,000 monthly listeners, the Moon Club in Cardiff seems too small a venue to hold Spring King. Formed in 2012 in Manchester, the last twelve months have seen the rise of Spring King to one of the most exciting bands at the moment. There is a buzz in the crowd as Tarek Musa & Co take the stage. With only mic stands separating … Continue reading Live: Spring King – Moon Club – 12/02/2015
ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre not going to make any sheep fucker jokes tonightÔÇØ; a comment by Jaret Reddick that sums up the whole of his band, Bowling For SoupÔÇÖs, puerile but light-hearted set at CardiffÔÇÖs Student Union. Three years since they last played in Cardiff, on their alleged Farewell Tour, itÔÇÖs time for the ÔÇÿHow About Another Round TourÔÇÖ. This time, itÔÇÖs ValentineÔÇÖs Day, so there are hearts … Continue reading Live: Bowling For Soup – Great Hall – 14/02/2015
So if you’ve been keeping feverishly up to date with Quench’s output in recent months, you’ll already know all about Young Monarch; and if you haven’t, this is your chance to get educated. In Quench 154, we said: “They’re┬áare a brand, spanking new band that have come together in Manchester over the past year thanks to each members respective attendance of the Royal Northern College … Continue reading News: Young Monarch Release New Track
Ahead of her Globe show tonight, QuenchÔÇÖs Mared Parry had a chat with the lovely, Gabrielle Aplin to talk about the ins and outs of the singer-songwriting star… Quench Music (QM): As someone who has found success through means other than television talent shows, do you feel obligated to offer a platform to other gigging artists who aren’t perhaps as well known? Gabrielle Aplin (GA): … Continue reading Interview: Gabrielle Aplin
Gwdihw, much like the little owl from which it takes its name, is one Cardiff venue that comes into its own in the late hours of the evening. In contrast to the 7,500-capacity Motorpoint Arena towering above it just over the road, itÔÇÖs a great low-key setting for DJs, singer-songwriters and tonight, ÔÇÿriot jazzÔÇÖ. Bass Twelve bring up a few questions: When did brass bands … Continue reading Live: Bass Twelve – Gwdihw – 15/01/16
Finally given a proper release more than a decade after completion, ÔÇÿHeart like a Hand GrenadeÔÇÖ follows Green Day into the studio as they record what would become their biggest album ÔÇÿAmerican IdiotÔÇÖ, propelling them to full-blown stadium status. Filmmaker and friend of the band John Roecker is given full access to the recording of the album from day one, as the three punks piece … Continue reading Review: Green Day – ‘Heart Like A Hand Grenade’
JAWS; one of the initial bands that fronted the promising, yet never fully realised, ÔÇÿB-TownÔÇÖ music scene early in the decade, alongside Swim Deep and Peace, travel to Cardiff at the tail end of their 21-date UK tour. Taking residence in Womanby StreetÔÇÖs Clwb Ifor Bach, or the affectionately nicknamed ÔÇÿWelsh ClubÔÇÖ, alongside support from Nai Harvest, expect to be faced with hazey, atmospheric indie … Continue reading Preview: JAWS – Clwb Ifor Bach – 14/12/15
ItÔÇÖs a few weeks before Def Leppard play the venue, and Cardiff Motorpoint Arena is hosting a very different generation of Sheffield metal band. Bring Me the Horizon, with more of an appetite for breakdowns, but a similar love of pop hooks to Def Leppard, have managed to start selling out arenas in rockÔÇÖs least likely success story this side of Biffy Clyro. A metal … Continue reading Live: Bring Me The Horizon – 27/11/15 – Motorpoint
Rivan Shukla speaks to Bloom Twins ahead of their support slot with Duran Duran at the Motorpoint on Monday 20th November. Quench Music (QM). WeÔÇÖre looking forward to seeing you support Duran Duran at CardiffÔÇÖs Motorpoint Arena┬áon Monday. Will this be your first time in Cardiff? Do you have any expectations? Bloom Twins (BT): Yes, It will be our first time. We are so excited. … Continue reading Bloom Twins Preview
Coming off the back of a well-received debut album and a growing reputation as a spellbinding live act, Lonely The Brave arrive at the Globe on the final victory lap of ÔÇÿThe DayÔÇÖs WarÔÇÖ before they finish up their sophomore release in the New Year. Openers Black Peaks slightly startle the Friday night crowd with their abrasive hardcore, held down by Liam KearleyÔÇÖs machine-gun drumming … Continue reading Live: Lonely The Brave – The Globe – 20/11/15
The University of Cardiff does not boast a particularly long list of famous bands in its alumni, and even then Los Campesinos! are perhaps not one of them. Formed at Cardiff University way back in 2006, their first gig came at a club night in the SU. 9 years and 5 albums later the band find themselves still making music around their life commitments. While … Continue reading Live: Los Campesinos! – Exchange, Bristol – 18/11/15
Brighton teens,┬áHigh Tyde,┬áare turning heads in the music industry, and are gaining much deserved, national recognition. The indie quartet have been making their mark on the music scene, from touring with Peace and Little Comets to releasing their well received EP ÔÇÿFuzzÔÇÖ in April. QuenchÔÇÖs Chloe Stevens chatted with their lead vocalist, Cody Thomas-Matthews, about their upcoming tour, their new EP ÔÇÿGlowÔÇÖ and finding out … Continue reading Interview: High Tyde
