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Northern Electronic  Various

Info: Discograph   Out of all Sheffield’s micro-scenes, the electronic side of things is probably the one to pin your hopes on. This slab of vinyl, masterminded by Dean Honer, assembles the best of the city’s squelchiest acts, as well as some like-minded neighbours.    Kings Have Long Arms start the compilation as it means to go on, with the mission statement of ‘Rock n Roll is Dead’, a technological call of arms that makes you truly believe that one day the synth will take over from the electric guitar. It’s followed by probably Fat Truckers’ best track ‘Superbike’, a simultaneously bonkers and sinister ode to motorcycling.    Elsewhere Hiem make a rare appearance with ‘Chelsea’, a monologue about Nick’s childhood terrorised by a girl gang set against hypnotic bleeping. Hopefully the EP won’t be far away now. KHLA and Fat Truckers make further appearances, and Sheffield electronica supergroup White Trash have two tracks here, the standout being ‘I Don’t Love You’, a slinky sleazefest with sultry female vocals.    I-Monster have some welcome new tracks here, including the sublime ‘Electricalove’, and Manchester’s Stazi put in ‘How Sleazy Do You Want It’ and ‘The Drifter’.    Also including Dog Ruff, Alan Vega and a rather odd track from the fantastic Mum and Dad, this is a brilliant compilation that’s absolutely essential listening for, well, anyone. Go seek it now!  Thu, 29th May 2003... Review by PJM

(aet)  Ormondroyd

The ‘Droyd are a great band that could go either towards Coldplay-style crowd pleasing, or Sigur Ros-style post rock enchantment. This demo’s got a strange title in brackets, which makes you think it’s the latter.    The songs here are probably less commercial that previous demo “1-0”, but luckily it’s not so far down the left-field that it’s at all alienating. First track, ‘Perfect Designs’, is a fine song, sounding like Radiohead would if Thom Yorke hadn’t forgotten how to write tunes.    ‘Scarlet’ mixes quite spiteful lead vocals with softer backing, and ‘The Storm’ is an ethereal lighter-waving epic.    Good stuff all round. If Ormondroyd can keep to this form then things are very promising indeed for them. Contact: [link] Thu, 29th May 2003... Review by PJM

A Bend In The River EP  The Carousels

Info: Sugar Cane Records   This Donny band actually got a good review in NME’s ‘Holly’s Demo Hell’ column. Yes you read that right!    The song in question is a jolly ragtime-style affair, with laid-back vocals and uplifting trumpets parping away. Sounds like the Leopard after it’s been transported to the Wild West, and it’s bloody good.    B-sides are in a similar vein, ‘Just One Kiss’ has a big dirty squelcher of an electric bass sound that shouldn’t work but so does, and ‘St Francis’ is a short but sweet, piano-led affair.    A big, sunshiney slice of indie-country. “Very, very nice,” said Holly. And for once I agree.  Contact: [email] Thu, 29th May 2003... Review by PJM

So Near (Yet Still So Far)/Constellation Kid  Deadweight

Saw this band live a while back and wasn’t overly impressed, but this is quite a nice slice of quiet-bit-loud-bit melodic metal. Imagine a slightly more cuddly Faith No More and you’re about there.    First track has quite a nice headbangin’ riff to it, but is perhaps a tad overlong, while second track is let down by some vocals that are at times a bit weedy-sounding. Pretty good though, in a stadium rawk kind of way.  Contact: [link] Thu, 29th May 2003... Review by PJM

6:47/Hey Mister/Kazoo  Champion Kickboxer

Some great, spiky indie rock from the Kickboxer lads. Managing to sound Pavementy and Sebadoh-ey, but also very British at the same time, this is a band who walk the tightrope between quirky credibility and pop craftsmanship without faltering.    First track is very good, with its nicely skewed guitars which make it sound like The Longpigs, only with Hawley replaced with Steve Malkmus. Second track is a less-than-two-minutes tour de force that demands dancing, and the third a quieter number that brings to mind SFA.    This is a band that are near the top of most people’s “Great Sheffield Hopes” list, and not without reason. Great stuff.  Contact: [link] Thu, 29th May 2003... Review by PJM

EP1  Paraglider

This sensitive, piano-led music brings Coldplay obviously to mind, although its less mainstream than that and I’d compare it more to a cross between post-rock and some of Suede’s quieter moments.    These tracks are full of stark piano, atmospheric synths and plaintive vocals. As first demos go this is quite amazing, evoking an impressively melancholic mood. The CD could definitely be one to get a spin during messy break-ups.    One gripe would be it’s let down slightly by the obviously keyboardy flute and brass in the last track. Hopefully one day they’ll be able to afford proper instruments, and then they’ll be truly breathtaking. Contact: [email] Thu, 29th May 2003... Review by PJM

Euston Blues/Time Unkind/Superficial  Lava Kayak

Lava Kayak are a new, young band, that were formerly known as Free Radicals.    Considering they only started out at the end of last year this is quite a remarkable demo. It has unobvious influences and interesting lyrics - two things many young bands can't manage.    The sound is pretty 80s-ish, my only criticism being that it does seem to veer towards MOR at times. But this is a band heading in the right direction, and who aren't frightened to plough their own individual furrow. Contact: [link] [email] Sat, 10th May 2003... Review by PJM

All Over You  Pink Grease

Info: Horseglue   The 'Grease are a band that have been swanking around New York like they own it, but can also be seen looking elegantly wasted supping pints down Sheffield pubs.    This, their debut mini-album, is the sound of a band ready to take off. It's sleazy, sexy, slinky chunk of garage-rock that makes The Strokes look like a flabby pub band on a Saturday afternoon.    "The Nasty Show" is a sax-heavy track about, um, fucking. "More Than a Woman" is a catchy tribute to the late Aaliyah, "The Beast" is a darker number with howled lyrics and more sax.     "Shake" has a Nag Nag Nag-esque drum roll that reveals the Jason Buckle production, "Susie" is the sleaziest doo-wop song ever. "Lou Reed" is a grubby filth-fest, the title revealing one of the biggest influences of the album.    Never before, since or indeed again will a band manage to somehow sum up the sound of 70s New York and 21st Century Sheffield in one record. They look like Andy Warhol's wet dreams, sound like the Velvet Underground playing The Grapes, and are about to take over the world. Contact: [link] Sat, 10th May 2003... Review by PJM

I'm a f*cker  The Motherf*ckers

Info: Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation   You love this single before you even hear it... it's got a magnificently sweary title, and it's on extra-thick blood red vinyl. Nice.    This is 3ish minutes of 60s-style garage, all slide guitar, sleazy vocals and scary lyics. You know they're from Sheffield, but the song makes you believe they're probably undead psychopaths stalking the Nevada desert at night.    Fantastic stuff... the label promises future releases from Chuck, and a compilation featuring the best of South Yorkshire garage rock. We can't wait. Contact: [email] Sat, 10th May 2003... Review by PJM

Life On The Edge  Deep Rivers

There's nothing about Deep Rivers' latest three track demo that's greatly original. However, to write them off just because of that would be a big mistake. Although we've heard the indie swagger of "Back On Your Feet" and the pentatonic solos of the title track before, there's a lot of nice hooks and a good dynamic running through the whole effort. It's all simple but catchy stuff which, forgetting the bits that need polishing, ends up pretty enjoyable. Final track "Shuffle in G" adds some diversity, and displays a little more individuality too.    Deep Rivers are young, all aged 18 and gigging for less than a year. It's easy to spot the influences in their music, but let's hope it's their ear for a hook and a good, memorable melody that they let lead the way. Contact: [link] [email] Fri, 9th May 2003... Review by MTM