Tag: deaf havana

Jun212014June 21, 2014June 29, 2014NoCommentby dan

Deaf or Havana

Posted in music, radio

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Today I was joined on the show by James and Max from Deaf Havana

Following on from the success of playing ‘HYPE or THEORY?’ with The Hype Theory 2 weeks ago, there was only one logical thing to do.

On next week¹s show I’ll be joined by Herman and Sam from Dragonforce!

I won¹t be at Glastonbury this year ­ LONG STORY ­ but I will be hitting Calling Festival to see Aerosmith. I haven¹t seen them live in nearly 5 years – I wasn’t at Download either – another LONG STORY – so I’m buzzing with excitement. There¹s a full day of supporting bands in the old school vein ­- Duff McKagan’s Walking Papers, Thunder, Richie Sambora from Bon Jovi and Heaven¹s Basement to name a few.

calling_announcement

Between now and then I’ll be mostly listening to the new Rise Against single I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore ahead of the release of their seventh studio album The Black Market on July 14th, because nobody does melody driven, politically minded punk rock quite like this Chicago four-piece.


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Dec292013December 29, 2013December 30, 2013NoCommentby dan

Singles of the Year – 2013

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As ever this list has been an absolute nightmare to compile. The fact that Nine Inch Nails’ Come Back Haunted, Lady Gaga’s Applause, Kanye West’s Black Skinhead and life-affirming singles from the likes of Hatebreed, Bring Me The Horizon, Tegan and Sara and Chrvches did not get a look in is testament alone to how much great music has come out this year. Special mentions must also go to Alter Bridge’s Addicted To Pain and Disclosure’s White Noise for just missing out.

1. Frank Turner – Recovery

Lead single from Frank’s fourth album Tape Deck Heart. Well worth getting absolutely drenched at Leeds festival for.
And I’ve been dipping in my darkness for serotonin boosters, cider and some kind of smelling salts…

2. Deaf Havana – Boston Square

From their game-changing, 3rd album Old Souls, my album of the year hands down.
But I guess I was wrong. All I am is wrong these days…

3. Hacktivist – Paris

Because the only thing this Jay-Z/Kanye West track was missing, was some beefy guitars and a load of breakdowns the RAC wouldn’t know what to do with.
You know how many sick trainers I own?!

4. Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Do In The Dark

Highlight of a triumphant return nobody would have predicted, and many didn’t realise they needed.
I’m on FIRAAAA!!

5. Max Raptor – England Breathes

This Daily-Mail hating four-pice are arguably the best British punk band right now – and this takes no prisoners.
We are now taking over it.

6. AFI – 17 Crimes

Spectacular return to form for the Californian four-piece. Lead single from the natural successor to 2003’s Sing The Sorrow, Burials.
Let’s love, and kill like 17 now.

7. Limp Bizkit – Ready To Go

Featuring Cash Money labelmate Lil’ Wayne on vocals, with one riff Wes Borland demonstrates the Bizkit aren’t going anywhere, anytime soon.
I’m so pokerfaced, ladies going gaga.

8. Avenged Sevenfold – Shepherd of Fire

First track from their UK No. 1 album Hail To The King, crushing any doubts about their ability to join rock’s premier league.
Know me by name, shepherd of fire!

9. Manic Street Preachers – Rewind The Film

Epic six and a half minute ode to youth and life, featuring a vocal lead from Richard Hawley.
I want to see my joy, my friends…

10. Paramore – Still Into You

One of four stupidly catchy singles this year from the Tennessee four-piece’
I should be over all the butterflies…


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Nov132013November 13, 2013November 13, 2013NoCommentby dan

Everybody’s Dancing and I Want To Die

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photoThe most exciting new rock band in the UK, Deaf Havana have just announced their biggest UK tour to date. They are playing…

Apr 01: Norwich UEA
Apr 03: Newcastle O2 Academy
Apr 04: Leeds O2 Adacemy
Apr 05: Manchester Academy
Apr 07: Glasgow O2 ABC
Apr 10: London Clapham Grand
Apr 13: Oxford O2 Academy
Apr 14: Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
Apr 15: Cardiff Great Hall
Apr 17: Brighton Concorde 2

Kerrang! Radio’s Alex Baker has been playing this band since Day One but I have to admit it was only when their most recent album Old Souls came out that I really started to love this band. It’s a masterpiece from start to finish and Boston Square is comfortably my favourite single of 2013.

I caught up with the band ahead of their sellout show a couple of weeks ago at Camden’s Roundhouse – their triumphant final date of their previous biggest tour to date!


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Aug212013August 21, 2013August 21, 2013NoCommentby dan

The Day The Whole World Went Away

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Nine Inch NailsNine Inch Nails, The Scala, 20/8/2013: Review

You don’t really need me to tell you how good this gig was – you know the story. Nine Inch Nails are an incredible live band. They possess a frontman capable of delving deep into his unconscious to deliver some of the most intense performances known to man. They boast an enormous back catalogue covering everything from metal, industrial, goth, disco, to glam, pop. dance and everything in between and they’re back after a six year hiatus with an album that promises a spectacular return to form, playing a TINY venue as a Reading and Leeds warm-up. Needless to say, tickets sold out in minutes and people were practically selling their mother to get in. All of that is patently obvious.

BUT what I didn’t see coming was an epic light show that wouldn’t look out of place in an arena, a brutal cover of David Bowie’s (NIN-esque) ‘I Believe In Americans‘, a surprisingly talkative Trent Reznor, a brutal moshpit for Terrible Lie, and (however many times you’ve seen it before, it never ceases to surprise) the sight of grown men crying to the dark balladry of Hurt that gets you every single time. Epic.

Of course, this was just a warm-up for the madness to come this weekend at Reading and Leeds Festival. Their previous performance, in 2007, was so captivating that frankly, The Smashing Pumpkins were blown off stage, and I certainly don’t envy Biffy Clyro this weekend. Unfortunately I’ll have to miss this, as I’m heading to Suede at Kenwood House on Friday, but I’m heading up to Leeds on Saturday and looking forward to checking out Frank Turner, Deaf Havana, Bring Me The Horizon, Twin Atlantic, Chase and Status and Eminem (in that order!).

(Re NIN, Cleverly I turned up 20 minutes before showtime which meant I was literally right at the back with no chance of moving, so the above pic is sadly the best I could do!)


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