Andy Tullock's Music Column February to March 06 (3/7)

(1/7), (2/7), (3/7), (4/7), (5/7), (6/7), (7/7).

More notably is the achievement of the records main contributor by way of word of mouth; Radio One's Zane Lowe first broke this record back in October (a show I was fortunate enough to catch and so also like to pretend I helped!!) and has persuaded his peers to replay it ever since. Not only does this through up numerous social discussions on media influence on the masses but maybe, finally, heralds John Peel's successors step into the limelight.

Having won over a new listening public with his foresight, Mr. Lowe is only likely to grow further when his band tour soon.

Anyway, enough of the chart drivel, it still doesn't deserve any more then passing really. The big announcements of the past few months have been those relating to Festivals and their Line-Ups. Although there are many exciting reasons to be frustrated at the sell-outs, and the Ebay ticket touts (once again), there are also some more confusing choices. Whilst T in the Park seems to offer the most varied and lengthy list, it's The Carling Festival that should have most attention.

The vast amount of talented bands has made the line-ups a lot more interesting then in the past, although there are still the fair share of old timers looking for one last pay day, noteworthy notice to Pearl Jam & Primal Scream. But even they escape ridicule when compared to Girls Aloud at the V Festival or The Proclaimers at Isle of Wight. The latter are excused of their appearance at T in the Park due to home nationality, though I'm guessing both Festivals have gone for the student love of 500 Miles, and maybe Letters to America.

The former however must surely be a little bit nervous having ventured outside their CDUK bubbles, previous years have shown that pop bands aren't always the most welcome guests (any doubts, ask Daphne & Celeste!). Whilst Sugar Babes appearance at the NME Awards, and their cover version of Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor should allow them to come out the other side, the reality TV stars fate remain open.

Looking for highlights shouldn't need to be done further then the headline acts at Reading & Leeds, though both all others offer something salivating. The duo HiFi festivals taking place simultaneously in the North & the South should allow some upcoming young bands to set a footing into what its all about.

After The Magic Numbers epic journey to play any field that hosted a festival, and a few that didn't no doubt with beards like that few have taken that extra step though the likes of Hard-Fi, The SubWays, The Go! Team and The Kooks have all made sure their summers are full of beer, sing-a-longs and big stages (bit like Germany at the same time then) Artist of the Month:

Continued..... Next Page (4/7).

Album Reviews - Japan - The Very Best of ... (Virgin) Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	As the old saying goes, you can never have too many compilation albums to chart a band's career. So, with this in mind, here's yet another Japan Best of to add to the long list of previous compilations that highlight all the classic tunes that the Brit group pumped out. Fronted by David Sylvian (who went on to have a successful solo career following the band's break-up), Read more...

Music News - Monday 27th March 06 - Bestfrontseat.com and Raw-UK - One small step in a Welly, one giant leap... 'Give It Some Welly' By Isabelle Tracy
	Putting aside tribal and territorial differences, most of the local promoters, musicians and media people in Hull came to The Welly to support this event - or just to have a nosey - or maybe even to see if it was going to fall on its arse. Well, it didn't. After 3 songs from the first band to test the signals, there was a delay of 10 minutes to the gig going live over the internet - due to one of Read more...

Single Reviews - Engerica - The Smell (Sanctuary) Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	This madcap trio has to be witnessed, whether via record or in a live situation. Truth is, they are awesome, if a tad eccentric and zany in their frantic rock 'n' roll ways. Fronted by David Gardner, these three guys were going great guns a couple of years ago, but then they seemed to disappear without a trace for a while before re-launching themselves back into the Read more...

Album Reviews - The Bonnitts - Soldier (Demo) By Joe Hakim Photos by Darren Rogers - The Bonnitts at The Sesh 13th December 2005
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Single Reviews - Lovemat - Between The Lines (Disturbia) Release date: April 3rd 2006. Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	A racy anthem to get your rocks off to, the heady music of Lovemat is primarily propelled by mesmerising guitar riffage that thunders into the mix beside delectable harmonies and strong vocals from Paul Kell. They are an old-skool hard rock band and hail from Newcastle, with this being their debut single. If I were you, I'd buy up a few copies of this release, Read more...

Single Reviews - The Voom Blooms - Politics And Cigarettes (Fiction) Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	Here we have some truly beautiful music, from a band that only got together early in 2005, and that is based in Loughborough. This, their debut single, is a classic and builds on the star-gazing sounds that were unleashed via their much-sought-after London Heads demo. A quartet fronted by George Guildford, The Voom Blooms are masters of melody creation, Read more...

Album Reviews - Billy Bragg - Billy Bragg Volume 1 (Cooking Vinyl) Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	An essential purchase for hardcore BB fans as well as those people who might have heard just a few of his songs but who dare to delve further into the life and times of Billy Bragg, this release is a box set comprising seven CDs and a couple of DVDs. In and amongst Billy Bragg Volume 1 there are four of Billy's earliest and greatest albums, which are Life's A Riot Read more...

Album Reviews - Graham Coxon - Love Travels At Illegal Speeds (EMI) Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	Since leaving Blur, Graham has proved himself to be one hell of a rock god, and right from the off with this mesmerising thirteen track album, the focus is on loud guitars and swaggering rock 'n' roll trials and tribulations. Fittingly, the album-opening tune is the hugely popular single release Standing On My Own Again - a bona-fide anthem in every respect. Read more...

Album Reviews - Energise by Shatner By David Thurlby
	Self-proclaimed common oiks Shatner are made up of four, thirty-something nearly men from Leeds who should really know better. Fortunately, for our listening delights, they don't. Numerous years on the local music scene have seen these blokes, notably singer-songwriter and chief oik Jim Bower, gain a respectful reputation. A hit among the younger and more media-savvy Leeds Read more...

Album Reviews, - Richard Ashcroft - Keys To The World (Parlophone) Reviewed By Steve Rudd
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	Calling all Torso Horse fans! Your favourite Goth-Metal maestros have recently reworked their classic Every Dog Has Its Day anthem, and shot a brand new promo video to boot, which - in a word - is stunning. The original version of this track was fantastic as it stood, but Adam and band have felt compelled to rework it a little, and have even added a short-but-sweet keyboard Read more...

Album Reviews - Faith No More - The Platinum Collection (Warner) Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	A never-to-be-forgotten rock band for so many reasons, Faith No More hailed from California, and for fifteen years they produced some amazing rock music, a fact that is proven by this awesome collection of some of their best material. With fifteen of their own classic tunes being included, along with a live version of their old classic We Care A Lot, and their infamous cover Read more...

Music News - Shine On at Hull City Hall By Alex Firth
	I'm currently studying at Northumbria University in Newcastle though I shall be back home in Beverley on the 29th April. Why, you ask? I have a concert to go to at Hull City Hall ... Last year, I couldn't believe all the fuss that was being made about a local (to Newcastle) band doing their first show at the most famous venue in town - the City Hall. The band was called Shine On, and was a tribute Read more...

Single Reviews - The Waking Eyes - But I Already Have It (Coalition) Release date: March 20th 2006. Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	Probably the finest rock 'n' roll band to have busted out of Winnipeg, Canada, in recent years, the four guys that comprise The Waking Eyes clearly sound to have been born for this type of life in the limelight. This is the quartet's eagerly-awaited second single, and the follow-up to their awesome Watch Your Money debut. But I Already Have It comes packed Read more...