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.

Following the release of their incredible album ‘AVALANCHE UNITED’ in October 2011 and a successful run of headline shows in December, the Brooklyn quintet return to the UK in 2012 to tour with their friends and peers, Brand New and label-mates The Xcerts.

Rapidly selling out, this highly anticipated tour will be one to remember. Preceded by a small run of headline European dates with The Xcerts in support, full details are as follows:

FEBRUARY – European headline shows

1 Vienna Arena, Austria

2 59 to 1, Munich Germany

3 Kofmehl, Solothurn, Switzerland

4 Ex Haus, Trier, Germany

5 Logo, Hamburg, Germany

FEBRUARY – SUPPORTING BRAND NEW

8 O2 Academy Bristol
9 Manchester Academy SOLD OUT
10 Southampton Guildhall
11 London Roundhouse SOLD OUT
12 London Roundhouse
14 O2 Academy Glasgow
15 O2 Academy Birmingham
16 O2 Academy Newcastle
17 University Great Hall, Cardiff

The release of ‘AVALANCHE UNITED’ through new home Xtra Mile Recordings, was met with universal acclaim. Addictively melodic and blisteringly raw to its very core, the album was produced by the band, and executive produced and engineered by Avalanche’s prolific drummer Brett “The Ratt” Romnes, and mixed by Machine (Fall Out Boy, Every Time I Die, Four Year Strong).  Featuring 12 anthemic songs, including ‘Brooklyn Dodgers’, the bold ‘Holy Fuck’, the epic and somber ‘Dead Friends’ and ‘The Gravedigger’s Argument’ featuring Anthony Raneri from Bayside. Throughout, Caruana’s distinctive voice drips with defiance, humor and proud vulnerability as he sings about hope, heartbreak, death, defying adversity and the bonds between family, lovers and friends.

Coinciding with the Brand New tour dates the release of the life affirming, feel-good single ‘Brooklyn Dodgers.

Having ended 2011 supporting Funeral for a Friend and The Subways; STRAIGHT LINES are now ready to welcome in 2012 with the release of their new single ‘Half Gone’ and a UK tour with southern rockers Canterbury. Straight Lines spent much of last year writing and recording their second full length record ‘Freaks Like Us’ which is set for release in April. ‘Half Gone’ is the first single to be taken from the album being released on 13^th February through Xtra Mile Recordings (Frank Turner, Against Me!, Far…).

As with the band’s first album, ‘Freaks Like Us’ was recorded by the band’s bassist and producer Todd Campbell. The single is an infections nugget fraught with frustration and passion that bridges the gap between the band’s debut album and their new material. ‘Half Gone’ will also feature the B-sides ‘Watch It Blow Away’ and ‘Half Gone (acoustic)’.

Catch the band on tour in January and February with Canterbury at the following shows:

JANUARY

26th – Clwb Ifor Bach, CARDIFF

27th – Sin City, SWANSEA

28th – The Hydrant, BRIGHTON

29th – The Cavern, EXETER

31st – Joiners, SOUTHAMPTON

FEBRUARY

1st – Central Station, WREXHAM

2nd – Slade Rooms, WOLVERHAMPTON

4th – Corporation, SHEFFIELD

5th – Cockpit, LEEDS

6th – ABC 2, GLASGOW

7th – Sound Control, MANCHESTER

9th – Kings College, LONDON

Words: Richard Heaven

FRANK TURNER
New Single ‘Wessex Boy’
Biggest Headline Show Announced - London’s Wembley Arena 

Rounding off an exceptional year that has included headlining festivals, Main Stage sets at Reading and Leeds and a chart bothering album, Frank Turner will release his new single ‘Wessex Boy’ on 28^th November through Xtra Mile Recordings. Frank Turner has also confirmed his biggest headline show to date at London’s Wembley Arena for April 2012.

The third single to be lifted from the Top 12 album ‘England Keep My Bones’ it encapsulates the album’s feeling of nostalgia, reminiscing about home towns and re-visiting cosy childhood memories after a long time away. And in some uncanny cosmic timing it provides the perfect soundtrack as the winter nights draw in and attention is turned to going home for Christmas.

It also echoes Frank’s return to these shores after months of touring North America and Europe. He’s back for his huge UK headline tour with his band The Sleeping Souls. Three of the six dates are now completely sold out with the others selling fast.

Full dates are:

NOVEMBER

22 Bournemouth O₂ Academy

23 Newport, Newport Centre

24 Birmingham O₂ Academy SOLD OUT

25 Glasgow Barrowlands

26 Manchester O₂ Apollo SOLD OUT

27 London HMV Hammersmith Apollo SOLD OUT

As the last remaining tickets get snapped up plans are already underway for a humdinger of a one-off event for April 2012. Frank Turner’s Friday the 13^th at Wembley Arena will be an extra special one-day festival-like extravaganza offering fans an incredible line-up of musical gems.

Friday 13^th April 2012                     London Wembley Arena     0844 815 0815

Tickets are on sale from 14^th October: http://www.gigsandtours.com/?a=frank+turner&site=frankturner

Back to this year though and November will also see the release of Frank’s ‘Second Three Years’ - a collection of live tracks, sessions, cover versions, b-sides and lost songs from the past three years. Out on 21^st November it features live recordings of the traditional folk song ‘Barbara Allen’ from Shepherd’s Bush and the show-stopping ‘Father’s Day’ from Union Chapel both in 2009; covers versions of Springsteen, Nirvana, NOFX and Flanders & Swann to name a few as well as session tracks from Radio 1 and the bonus tracks featured on the limited deluxe edition of ‘England Keep My Bones’.

And finally on 10^th November Frank will be performing at the inaugural AIM Music Awards in London where he is nominated for Hardest Working Act and Best Live Act.