A Wolf At Your Door’s POLAR have just finished recording their debut album ‘Iron Lungs’ with Tom Mitchener and Steve Sears from Spy Catcher for a release in May. Before that they’re hitting the road again with Young Guns throughout February and have kindly taken the time out of their busy schedule to answer some questions for Noise Addiction. Find out which member of the band would be best in a one on one with a polar bear!

So you’ve recorded a new album, what can we expect from this latest offering?

Well the band has come a long way since writing This Polar Noise, that was written nearly 2 years ago and in that time we have become individually better musicians and in turn a better band. This has enabled us to write better songs for a start. We’ve explored different tempos and keys to give the album some variety. We really didn’t want to write a longer version of the ep, this album has peaks and more atmospheric aspects. We wanted an album that will have longevity and felt the only way to do that was variety. It’s just as heavy if not heavier and in the most part as upbeat to so rest assured we are very confident with this release.

You’re signed to A Wolf At Your Door records with likes of other sprightly up and comers such as Deaf Havana and Mallory Knox. How well do you get on with your label mates?

Both bands mentioned are good friends of ours. We meet so many bands on the road which makes us naturally spend a lot of time together. What is great is that regardless the styles of music we as people get on and have genuine interests in how eachother are getting on. This is highlighted most of all at festivals, a weekend where there are so many bands in the same place having a laugh together. A wolf at your door have great bands on the roster and great as people.

What promoted the title “Iron Lungs”?

Technically the band is to us what an iron lung is to someone’s whos lungs have collapsed. As an overview an iron lung is metaphorically what’s keeping us going, this album has within it our future as Polar. We’ve put everything into it and pushed our boundaries. This album needed to happen as it has to keep us going forward as Polar.

You guys seem to gig fairly relentlessly, what can someone expect from you if they’ve never been to one of your shows?

Yeah last year we toured a hell of a lot so gave us a chance to really perfect our live show. Our shows are lively and ultra aggressive, we don’t want a moment for anyone to turn their back it’s totally relentless. I think people are too scared to take their eyes off the stage or within the crowd for that matter as certain members like to spend the show in with the kids. It’s a visual show as much as the music in our eyes.

What band or bands will you mostly be looking out for this coming year?

There’s loads to mention and will probably forget some but Heights are definitely one, Feed The Rhino always impress us live also with a new record this year. Mallory Knox and Hildamay will have a big year ahead too. Spycatcher (new album) and Real Adventures who are from our hometown, they’re a great band.

What are you guys most looking forward to in 2012?

Festivals! Had an amazing reception when we played the summer festivals last year and like we said earlier it gives a chance to see all our friends we’ve met on the road on the same weekend. Some of our best shows have been in a festival environment.

What is the hardest part of being on the road for you guys?

There’s nothing bad about being on the road. Being on the road is everything and it should be for every band.

Anything you can’t live without?

Big beats, strong booze, loose morales and bitches.

Who would you most like to tell to “Cowboy the Fuck Up”?

Steve Sears Jnr our producer for Iron Lungs, a solid gentleman and amazing at what he does but quite frankly he’s taken the piss out of me whilst doing this so this is my payback. He needs to Cowboy the fuck up stat!!!

Which one of you would stand the best chance in a one on one with a polar bear?

It’s gotta be Rick (bassist) he’s the biggest of all of us. He’s got hands like a bunch of bananas and judging by his road rage he might last slightly longer than the rest of us. We’d have his back tho, we’ll throw stones and snow and stuff to distract the anger fuelled bear. Polar dominate yo.

Fast-rising Brighton quartet Fighting Fiction release their eponymous self-titled debut album and new single ‘Turning Rebellion into Money’ through Xtra Mile Recordings on 27^th February 2012.

An infectious punk rock record, ‘Fighting Fiction’ is full of politically charged articulate lyrics, powerful driving rhythms and catchy refrains. Featuring the single ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll is Dead and its Corpse is for Sale’ – which received strong support from fan Radio 1’s Mike Davies – all ten tracks pack a powerful punch, hitting you the head as well as the heart. Recorded and produced by friend and highly credited producer Mark Williams, (Oceansize, Million Dead, Yourcodenameis:milo, Biffy Clyro & Enter Shikari) ‘Fighting Fiction’ perfectly captures the band’s honesty, integrity and knack for writing a great pop punk song.

With a DIY approach, their keen touring ethic has seen them play alongside Frank Turner, This Town Needs Guns, The Riot Before, The Xcerts, Laura Marling and Crazy Arm; as well as festival appearances at The Lock Up Stage at Reading and Leeds Festival, The Isle of Man TT, The Isle of Wight and 2000Trees.

With support coming in thick and fast from all corners of the industry the band are set for a fantastic 2012. Ones to watch!

Full UK and Europe tour to be announced soon.

It’s a sad monday afternoon ….

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‘We regret to tell you that we have decided to end Flashguns. After five years it’s come to a point where we feel like we need to move on as musicians and people. We have loved every minute of it, but this feels like the right decision. We are sure many people will be disappointed, especially after the recent release of our debut album. All we can say is that when we started this band we wanted it to last forever, but unfortunately that is no longer possible.

We hope you will continue to enjoy our music and thank you to all those who have supported us over the years. The Berlin show at Karrera Klub on February 4th 2012 will be our last.’

Sam, Giles and Olly

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The band earlier this year released their long awaited debut album ‘Passions Of Different Kind’.

Two singles were taken from the album (‘Come And See The Lights‘ and ‘Passions Of A Different Kind‘). It also featured early fan-favourite ‘Racing Race’. These can each be streamed below:

Come And See The Lights / Passions Of A Different Kind / Racing Race

Having made their debut in Japan earlier this month and playing a string of UK dates last week including a sold out show at London’s Shacklewell Arms, which had the audience ecstatic with joy,Casiokids are pleased to announce a new UK tour in January 2012!

‘Aabenbaringen Over Aaskammen’ is the eagerly anticipated debut album from Casiokids. Due for release on January 16th 2012 through Moshi Moshi Records, it follows the recent single‘Det Haster!’ and marks a welcome and refreshing return for the quartet.

When in Paris recently, Casiokids recorded this session, playing album track ‘London Zoo’:

Hailing from the celebrated music scene in Bergen, Norway -Casiokids have spent the last 12 months playing shows across North America, Europe, Mexico and Russia including being hand-picked by fellow Norwegians A-ha to support them on their last tour.

Whereas their past releases have been recorded quickly in unusual locations such as guitarist Fredrik Vogsborg’s father’s office, the hallway of the Bergen Jazz Association, and an old canteen,‘Aabenbaringen Over Aaskammen’ came to fruition within the band’s rehearsal space at the newly established Bergen Kjøtt (a converted old abattoir also home to Datarock and Røkyskopp).

The tracks were also recorded at the band’s own pace, all within the same timeframe. As a result, the record is much more cohesive than their collection of previous singles and unlike anything Casiokids have released thus far. The record also features guest appearances from of Montreal members.

See Casiokids live in the UK:

January
19th Birmingham, Hare & Hounds
20th Manchester, Deaf Institute
21st Glasgow, Captain’s Rest
22nd Newcastle, Cluny
24th London, Cargo
25th Cambridge, Portland Arms
26th Bath, Moles
27th Tunbridge Wells, Forum
28th Canterbury, Farmhouse