Welcome to AmpedReviews.net
We have been around since 2006 and bring you the best of CD and Live reviews aswell as Interviews with bands, features and live photography! If you're interested in appearing on or writing for the website please get in contact
The Shockwaves NME Award 2008 are well underway today (28th February) at the Indig02 arena in London as various bands and solo artists anticipate to win an award. Fans and readers of NME have been able to vote to have their impact on the results...but who has been nominated and what's the verdict?
I'm investigating to see whether any of the bands that have been nominated for Best New Band live up to the expectations that up and coming bands should truly adhere to...
This year the nominations are:
The Enemy
Foals
Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong
The Pigeon Detectives
The Wombats
The Enemy
They've been described by NME themselves as 'the sound of British rock n' roll' but this phrase can be deemed as a slight inaccuracy. No way are they 'rock n' roll' material. Yes, their lyrics are catchy (particularly in 'Away From Here' which reached #8 in the charts) but it's nothing grabbing and their songs certainly don't strike you as something you would really, really would remember in years to come. Let's face it, their not legendary. Rock n' roll material needs to be legendary but sadly this is one component that The Enemy are lacking.
Foals
Now, I've written about Foals before and I admit I am a fan but there's no denying that these 5 guys from Oxford are adventurous, quirky and eccentric. This category is all about 'New Bands', new being the key word, meaning it's just been acquired or discovered. In this sense, Foals are a new discovery as they manage to mix this range of sounds that would sound pathetic on their own but somehow it all manages to fit perfectly together. Some people may say they sound similar to other bands out there, but I disagree, I think Foals have the edge that takes them from the boring old music to the new, exciting music that fits perfectly with the year 2008.
Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong
Their name is a bit of a tease to say quickly. It could be more imaginative. I'm sure it didn't take too much brain power to create this mouthful mess; but Joe Lean...are more then their playful name. Debut single 'Lucio Starts Fire' is the type of song that just flows effortlessly along - however you really don't appreciate the true worth of the song until you've listened to it a couple of times. Regarding their live performance, they are a tight band who play well...but I'm not sure all this will be enough when you're up against other bands in this category such as Foals, Pigeon Detectives and The Wombats.
The Pigeon Detectives
If any band in this category was to be classed as 'Rock n' roll' I would class The Pigeon Detectives as more rock n' roll than The Enemy. 'Take Her Back' just makes you want to yell the lyrics whilst dancing manically, strumming on your air guitar and pretending to be cool. Their songs are energetic yet the lyrics reflect everyday life. They don't try to be anything different; they're not trying to create this whole new genre and for that they definitely fit the bill of 'best' but I'm not too certain about the 'new' part, as this sound has been done many times. Needless to say, The Pigeon Detectives have managed to achieve this with great effects.
The Wombats
Everyone needs a bit of The Wombats to cure them if they're feeling down. The band's music is happy and infectious; this is particularly apparent on 'Let's Dance to Joy Division' not just because of the upbeat tempo but the lyrics 'let's dance to joy division and celebrate the irony, everything is going wrong but we're so hap-py' instantly make you think 'hey, life's good'! However, I don't think this will be enough to win this 'Best New Band' award as I feel this category is more geared towards the bands who are attempting to be more 'new'; creating innovative sounds that out shine the rest. The Wombats will go from strength to strength during 2008, but I personally feel there is stronger competition out there in a category like this one.
The verdict
I'm going to say the Foals as they really have grown in popularity since the end of 2007/early 2008, they do fit the bill as something 'new' and they can easily prove themselves worthy of being the 'best' during 2008. Fingers crossed!
Interview with Poets of the Fall
We spoke to Poets of the Fall about their new record label and the Finnish music industry. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with Sean Flowerdew from Pama International
We spoke to Sean Flowerdew from Pama International about the last ten years of the band. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with Mika Tauriainen from Entwine
We spoke to Mika Tauriainen from Entwine about the future of music industry. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with The Winyls
We spoke to James and HC of the Winyls, the Finnish band that is said to combine exciting tunes, live mayhem, blood, sweat and tears into their music. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with Larry Love of Negative
We recently spoke to Larry Love of Finnish rock band Negative, about his inspirations, their musical style and comparisons to classic rock bands. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with MiMi Soya
We recently spoke to Brighton based pop rock outfit, MiMi Soya about their brand new EP 'I Can't Stand Pop Bands,' their recent success and what is still yet to come from the band. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Behinds the scenes with My Darkest Days
We recently went behind the scenes with My Darkest Days on their July 2010 tour, opening for Sick Puppies alongside It's Alive and Janus.
Mark Goodwin of Sick Puppies
We recently spoke to Mark Goodwin of Sick Puppies about Rock Prophecies, who he would like to share a stage with and what's new about their recent tour.
It's Alive
We recently spoke to It's Alive about their recent tour in support of Sick Puppies and shooting the video for their single 'Pieces.'
Tommi Thunder from Suicide Love Boat
We spoke to Tommi Thunder of Suicide Love Boat about the band’s scam tour to Germany, stolen guitars, cut fingers, lost brothers, playing drunk and many others. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Jonas Karsten from Vanity Beach
We talked to Jonas Karsten of Vanity Beach about their long-awaited second album ‘A Life of Vice’, a new line-up and producer and many other curious sidelights. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Dead Confederate
We spoke to Dead Confederate during the last day of SXSW about what they've been up to and their new album READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Burn The Fleet
We spoke to this Southampton based group about their local music scene and how they are breaking out from it. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Silent Disguise
We spoke to metal band Silent Disguise about their journey to where they are today and what is on the horizon. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Phillip Edwards from Boys With X-Ray Eyes
We spoke to drummer Phillip Edwards about the bands rise since their debut. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Gustav Wood from Young Guns
We talk to the young front man about the Kerrang! Relentless tour and what it feels like to be an unsigned band that is currently making huge waves in the rock music industry. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Lost Prophets
We talk to Lost Prophets about their new album 'The Betrayed' and their current tour of the UK READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Funeral For A Friend
We talked to Funeral For A Friend members Darran and Gavin about their new 'Greatest Hits' album and how Gavin felt about joining the band. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Angel Ibarra from Aiden
Back in June we talked to Aiden guitarist Angel Ibarra about the new record and the recent troubles that the band have faced. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
