Words: Stevie Blackburn

Up and coming pop punk band, Above The Underground, are set to release their EP, ‘Autumns’, later this month. The boys based in Cheshire have had an incredible start to 2012 with the release of their music video hitting over 8,000 views and even signing to record label, Lazy Bear. With so much happening in camp ATU, what can fans expect from the 3^rd EP from the boys?

Although the band are known for their pop-punk image, ‘Autumns’ show a sense of growing up throughout whilst still preserving the pop punk energy they’ve mastered over the years. Already released track, ‘Under the Weather’ has been around for a while now with the success of the music video, it’s clear this has built up a lot of hype for the record and sparked real attention amongst both fans and various forms of the media.

Teaming up as a teaser for the EP has been the infectious, ‘Anchors’, which proves Pop Punk is what these boys do best whilst showing off the raw vocals of frontman, Will Kirkman. If this genre needs anything in its songs, it’s a good singalong chant which is provided by fellow band members, Al Kirkman (Guitar), Nick Barlow (Bass) and Brandon Icely (Drums), if you can’t wait to find out what we mean then this is also available on ITunes.

The track which oozes pure summer comes in the shape of, ‘We were Kings’ with lyrics like ‘stay young don’t ever fall in love again’, it’s all about being able to just enjoy life with friends, the kind of song that everyone loves in the sunshine.

‘Close your Eyes’ and ‘Drive’ is the track on the record which sees a slightly rockier side to the band with powerful lyrics and pure emotion throughout, definitely the one you’ll be singing to in your bedroom.

Possibly the strongest record on the EP, ‘For All It’s Worth’ gives you an entire 3 minute singalong. Pure Pop Punk makes its appearance in this one with again, the other boys backing vocals showing off just how well these guys mold together as a band.

Autumns is set for release on the 18^th May as an entire free download so if you’re looking for the soundtrack of your summer then it’s right here in the shape of Above The Underground.

The band also play the following shows in the coming months:

The propulsive singles “Family” and “Animals” have already stormed the radio airwaves and hooked listeners, and now, Irish quartet The Cast of Cheers are getting ready to unleash their first proper album, released June 18^th on School Boy Error/ Co-operative Music.

Of course, it would be a bit of a misnomer to call this their debut – that would be “Chariot”, the album the Irish quartet recorded themselves in 3 days, which they subsequently put up on BandCamp for free. It received over 150,000 downloads and netted them a nomination at the Choice Music Awards, sending their star into rapid ascendance – their next single, the blistering “Family” saw the band championed by the influential likes of Zane Lowe, Fearne Cotton, Huw Stephens and more, while their follow-up single “Animals”, due out this month, has neatly repeated the same trick.

LISTEN TO ‘ANIMALS’ HERE: http://soundcloud.com/thecastofcheers/the-cast-of-cheers-animals

Family” (produced by Luke Smith, ex of Clor) surely does not disappoint. As their rousing live shows have indicated, this band know their way around an aggressively infectious hook and riproaring 3 minute song, with tracks like the pummelling “Human Elevator” and the driving “Goose” – imagine an amped up Battles jamming with vintage Gang of Four and you’ll be somewhere close – demonstrating an impressive ability to write sharp, concise, math-rock tracks that pack a punch even as they are moving your hips.

Which is not to say, however, that the band only have one note. The mid-tempo “Go Getter” is a lovely, warm-hearted mini-anthem in waiting, with lead singer Conor singing “you’re out of the thorns, you’re out of it now”, while “Marso Sava” is a tender love song recalling Simon and Garfunkel as much as it does a jittery XTC. Closer “They Call It a Race”, meanwhile sees the band in more wistful mode, with Conor asking “is anybody else losing heart tonight?” over a gorgeous, euphoric rush of rattling guitars and sweetly cooed backing vocals. It is a fine, reflective end to a fine record, and a powerful introduction to the world of The Cast of Cheers.

1.     Family

2.     Posé Mit

3.     Human Elevator

4.     Animals

5.     Palace and Run

6.     Goose

7.     Go Getter

8.     Marso Sava

9.     Trucks At Night

10.  They Call It A Race

April

27 – Concorde 2, Brighton - http://www.crowdsurge.com/?id=18065

28 – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - http://www.crowdsurge.com/?id=18066

29 – O2 Academy, Oxford - http://www.alt-tickets.co.uk/alttickets/event_ate_14206a.html

May

1 – Trinity, Bristol - http://www.alt-tickets.co.uk/alttickets/event_ate_14207a.html

2 – Waterfront, Norwich - http://www.crowdsurge.com/?id=18069

3 – Heaven, London - http://www.crowdsurge.com/?id=18070

4 – HMV Institute, Birmingham - http://www.crowdsurge.com/?id=18071

5 – Academy, Manchester - http://www.seetickets.com/Event/BLOOD-RED-SHOES/Academy-2/612992

7 – Zanzibar, Liverpool - http://www.crowdsurge.com/?id=18073

8 – The Cluny, Newcastle - http://www.crowdsurge.com/?id=18074

9 – Tunnels, Aberdeen - http://www.crowdsurge.com/?id=18075

10 – King Tuts, Glasgow - http://www.crowdsurge.com/?id=18076

12 – Cockpit, Leeds - http://www.crowdsurge.com/?id=18077

13 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham - http://www.alt-tickets.co.uk/alttickets/event_ate_14251a.html

www.thecastofcheers.com

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www.youtube.com/thecastofcheers

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Lostprophets 5^th album Weapons is out today.  To celebrate, first single ‘Bring ‘Em Down’ has had the remix treatment in this ‘God’s Army’ edition by Jared.  FREE DOWNLOAD!

It’s been two years since the Welsh sextet released their fourth studio album, ‘The Betrayed’ (January 2010). Two very hectic years. After triumphant tours across the UK and Europe on which they played in front of tens of thousands of people, Kerrang! Magazine bestowed the prestigious ‘Classic Songwriters Award’ on the band, and it was time for Lostprophets to remind the world just how deserved that honour was.

Before the writing and recording process for fifth album, ‘Weapons’, could begin, 2010 needed to be closed out with a series of big experiences. As has become the norm, Lostprophets wowed the massive Reading and Leeds main stage crowd. They then went on to steal the show at Belfast’s Belsonic Festival and about a month later, were asked to participate in the opening ceremony for the Ryder Cup at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

Immediately following the Ryder Cup festivities, the band decamped to a private home in Norfolk for an initial round of writing. After Norfolk, Lostprophets moved back to the more familiar turf of Los Angeles to work on developing their existing ideas and creating even more monstrous ones. Studio work began in February 2011 at LA’s NRG Studios with Ken Andrews (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, A Perfect Circle). Now, as 2012 kicks off, the band is ready to share their work with the world.

Lostprophets is a band whose members have known each other since their school days in Pontypridd, South Wales, a group that were friends long before they became bandmates and colleagues. Through their four previous albums – 2000’s ‘fakesoundofprogress’, 2004’s ‘Start Something’, 2006’s number one ‘Liberation Transmission’ and 2010’s ‘The Betrayed’ – the sextet have risen from the clubs of England to the stages of Wembley and other impressive arenas. Almost by stealth, the band have grown, both in songwriting and success, stacking up a dozen or so top 40 singles and selling over 2 million albums worldwide.  They have become one of the UK’s biggest rock bands without compromise or flirting with musical fashions, instead choosing to stick with what they believe in and constantly striving to do better, more creatively challenging things.

Lostprophets will be coming to the following venues this spring:

April 2012

Sun 15                    Dublin Olympia

Mon 16                 Belfast Ulster Hall

Thu 19                   Liverpool O₂ Academy 1                               0844 477 2000

Fri 20                     Manchester Academy 1                                0161 832 1111

Sat 21                    Leeds O₂ Academy                                          0844 477 2000

Mon 23                 Birmingham O₂ Academy 1                          0844 477 2000

Tue 24                   Aberdeen Music Hall                                     0844 499 9990

Wed 25                Glasgow O₂ Academy                                    0844 477 2000

Fri 27                     Newcastle O₂ Academy                                0844 477 2000

Sat 28                    Cardiff Motorpoint Arena                            0292 022 4488

Mon 30                 Nottingham Rock City                                    0115 822 1314

May 2012

Tue 01                   Cambridge Corn Exchange                           0122 335 7851

Wed 02                Southampton Guildhall                                0238 063 2601

Fri 04                     London O₂ Academy Brixton                       0844 477 2000

Tickets are ￡22.50 (London - ￡25)
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24HR CC HOTLINE 0844 811 0051 & 0844 826 2826

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