Unsung Rock: Introducing Born Blonde
Dan Jenko speaks to Born Blonde bassist Joshua Lyold Watson about the band’s steady rise, the state of the music industry and inspirations that range from Neil Young to the Dalai Lama. Elsewhere alt-rockers The Crash Report join Keane and Sound of Guns in the ‘Picks of the Week’, and Dan offers his opinion on the recently revealed Killers single ‘Runaways’. There’s something a tiny bit clever about the post-Britpop sound... Read More
Unsung Rock: Sound Of Guns Interview
Sound of Guns axe-grinder Lee Glynn speaks to Dan Jenko about blazing rows, eventful gigs, and – of course – throwing TVs out of windows. As ever, the best new rock tracks are also revealed in the ‘Picks of the Week’. With two excellent albums now under their belt, Liverpool alt-rock talents Sound of Guns are heading on a tour of the UK and Europe. There aren’t many bands that can claim to have achieved as much since... Read More
Album Review: Sound Of Guns – Angels and Enemies
Dan Jenko delivers his verdict on the Liverpool band’s second studio effort, out March 5th. If aliens came to earth tomorrow and asked what alternative rock was, Sound Of Guns’ debut album What Came From Fire would provide a near-perfect explanation. The record was special because it did pretty much everything right, from blistering sing-a-long choruses on tracks like Alcatraz and Lightspeed, to slow-building melodies on 106 (Still... Read More
Unsung Rock: Introducing The Tricks
Dan Jenko spoke to indie-rock upstarts The Tricks about the band’s formation, unlikely distractions and Britpop inspirations. As always, the best new rock tracks are also provided with the ‘Picks of the Week’. The Tricks broke onto the music scene recently with the infectious lyric “You lost control, but just for the summer”, a line from their debut single – which Unsung Rock praised as a “feelgood arena-ready... Read More
Unsung Rock: Viva La Revolution…Part Deux!
With Christmas but a mere month away, Dan Jenko takes another look at this year’s protest campaign for Christmas Number 1, and asks ‘Birdman Jack’ about his 2010 campaign – which saw The Trashmen’s hit Surfin’ Bird reach Number 3 in the UK charts. A few weeks back Unsung Rock explored the possibility of the Nirvana classic ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ being this year’s Christmas No. 1, and even... Read More
Unsung Rock: The Dawn Of Excellence?
Excited by the array of tantalising new albums headed our way, Dan Jenko attempts to pinpoint the gems among the filler – and also takes a look at the up-and-coming bands who could be the stars of tomorrow. Noel Gallagher, Kasabian and The Kooks are just a few of the many established acts releasing albums in the coming months. This will surely lead to an exciting (and rather expensive) few weeks for rock fans. But who will be the true stars... Read More
Opinion: Unsung Rock
The mainstream charts may be dominated by synth-pop, R&B and Disney pin-ups, but in this exclusive new series of music columns for FMV, rock enthusiast Dan Jenko sings the praises of the best new guitar tracks you’ve never heard of. Throughout the many years of the music industry, we’ve seen genres and movements suddenly rise in popularity and influence, only to dwindle and fade away almost as rapidly. One seeming constant in the midst of... Read More
