Xchange: Struckout

Struckout are a Long Beach band making a lot of noise with their punk essence.

I caught them performing live at a CSULB Underground Music Society show in September and have been listening to their album I'd Hate Me Too (2013). 

While not perfect and a little rough around the edges, there's some interesting progressive tones in there and a wide variety between the tracks. They're giving it their all, especially in the enticing bass lines and exasperated vocals, and the potential for something bigger shines through. 

Review: Circles

London-based Exist Immortal were the first on the bill. Tight and well orchestrated melodic metal is what was given to us. I was particularly impressed with their front man, consistent, powerful and controlled cleans, screams and falsetto lead vocals throughout the set definitely proved their worth and promise in the coming future.

As Exist Immortal set the pins up, Bovine came in and knocked them down with a mad, energetic performance of the likes I have never seen before. The Birmingham rock/hardcore band built on the momentum even more as the set progressed increasing the anticipation of Circles. Strings breaking, drum sticks snapping, chaos struck The Garage tonight in the form of Bovine

Circles brought to the floor yet another showcase, I have witnessed in awe, of what the Aussies can do. Featuring songs from their newly released 'Infinitas' album and ending on a cherry picked selection of songs from 'The Compass' made their set diverse and engaging. Front man of Circles executed flawless, melodically dynamic cleans throughout the set as expected. That combined with syncopated, grooves we are used to resulted in a potent spectrum of sound satisfying the eardrums. Even amongst the crowd were Monuments members Olly Steele and Chris Barretto headbanging away, I think that's all the recommendation needed!

Circles - A group who meet and excel beyond high expectations.

16/10/2013 - The Garage - Highbury & Islington

Exist Immortal - Bandcamp

Bovine - Bandcamp

Circles - Official website

Xchange: Marmozets

For this Xchange I'm heading back to my London roots, with a band I've seen many times at The Underworld in Camden.

Marmozets are a British bred band, fronted by Becca Macintyre. They are fast paced and exciting, with intense vocals and ear splitting screams.

My most recent Marmozets experience was in May, where they supported Senses Fail. The gig was one that I'll never forget, as the band couldn't be contained and broke free from the stage, with even the drummer and entire drum kit being lifted into the pit. 

The eager crowd were given a taste of the new single, "Move Shake Hide", which has been announced for release on November 18th via Roadrunner Records. 

Marmozets have now released the video for "Move Shake Hide" which is an exciting depiction of their style. You feel drawn into the performance, which captures Becca's unique stage presence and a sense of fun complete with UV face paint.

While the music is serious this is a band that won't take the fatal fall into taking themselves too seriously. 

I guarantee you'll be screaming along with the captivating cries of "I'm alive" and spend the rest of the day singing - "Move shake, move shake and hide!"

Review: Twelve Foot Ninja

SO, I went to see a Twelve Foot Ninja gig in the Barfly, Camden and damn was I greeted with some pleasant and unexpected surprises.

Up first were Shattered Skies: a four piece progressive metal group. I had only heard rough studio recordings of their stuff so I wasn't expecting a miracle, but what I heard was not far off. Energetic and tightly executed songs with impressively consistent clean vocals. Intricate bass lines and melodic riffs and solos from the guitarist definitely had the crowd 100% engaged throughout their set.

Next up were Hypno5e. Now, I had never heard what the French could do with their metal but damn was I in for a treat. I had honestly never heard such beautiful dissonant breakdowns with delicate clean interludes like I have with these lot. The synergy from section to section was creative and unique, an inspiring style of songwriting. Consistent flurry of emotive and captivating harmonies between the guitar parts was a definite highlight to their performance for me. Tied with a well equipped lead vocalist with soft, falsetto cleans and whipping out the brutal and sharp screams for the breakdowns, I was very impressed with my first encounter of Hypno5e.

Now onto the Twelve Foot Ninjas, the group from Down Under. The crowd seemed to flock from the woodworks as soon as they went on stage. Their second song, Mother Sky, promised them a crowd at their complete mercy. We were putty in their hands, moulding us from a wave of head-bobbers with their funky, jazzy, reggae-y verses, to a mosh-pit with their heavy breakdowns and choruses. The floor literally warped as the collective reception shook the foundations of the building. It being their first gig ever in Europe the group were flabbergasted as I quote, "we were not expecting this kind of reception," and neither was I, despite my admiration for such a pioneering band. Also, interestingly enough, they hold a record $52,000 raised in 28 days solely by fans in funding their next music video and production of their upcoming album!!

Overall, we have an eclectic collection of three bands bringing to the table, melodic groove metal with epic vocals, the French's impressive showcase of their creativity harmonies and dynamic vocals, with clean interludes contrasting with heavy, brutal passages and lastly, the icing on the cake - Twelve Foot Ninja.

Twelve Foot Ninja - Bandcamp
Hypno5e - Bandcamp
Shattered Skies - Bandcamp

Xchange: The Two Tone Boners

Ska has never been a genre that I've really been a part of, but recently my feelings have changed with this new addition to my playlist.

Last week The Two Tone Boners played the Underground Music Society's first event of the semester at The Nugget, on campus at CSULB.

This local band is bringing ska to the area with full force and I'm off to LA next week for another gig. Its hard to ignore their full frontal sound and they certainly left an impact with me.

Have a listen for something a bit different and a lot of fun!



Read the UMS event review: http://csulbstudyabroad.blogspot.com/2013/09/csulb-underground-music-society.html

About Us

With a passion for sharing great music we bring you The Music Xchange

Living over 5,000 miles apart won't stop us from collaborating our musical experiences. Studying abroad in Long Beach for a year Kealie offers the best that California has to offer, while Coran delivers the latest talents to take to London. We will be contributing music recommendations, live reviews and more, for our own indulgence and the expansion of your musical minds.

If you would like to send any music our way or recommend local gigs please get in touch. Enjoy!

Kealie Mardell

www.kealiemardell.co.uk

+Kealie Mardell 

Twitter: @KealieMardell

Coran Clohessy 

www.coranclohessy.blogspot.com

+Coran Clohessy 

Twitter: @CoranC