Best New Bands

Best New Bands

31 October, 2008
by: Stevros

The problem with British bands is that no-one really gives a shit about them. Aside from those mainstream acts such as The Enemy and The Pigeon Detectives who are adored by the NME readership and general record buying public, there are some really awesome and interesting bands coming from this isle. Unfortunately most of them appear to be falling upon deaf ears.

A disheartening trait in the current British music 'scene' is that the majority of good up-and-coming British bands are generally ignored in favour of the latest US offering. Thus any new band from The Smell (LA), Brooklyn or Toronto getting a bit of press are treated to sold out shows, increased record sales and an amazing reception. They say charity begins at home, well so does good music. Here in my humble opinion are the best UK bands at the moment (in no particular order).

The Shitty Limits

Probably the most punk band the UK has seen this century, Shitty Limits epitomize the DIY ethic; putting out records (five 7"s) themselves, touring and playing all over the place while all holding down full time jobs, putting on shows in their own towns (Reading, Guildford and High Wycombe) and putting up any band travelling through their region in the Limits' headquarters.

Even more punk is the way that they shun any attempts by mainstream music press to cash in on them, for instance their recent polite fuck off to the NME. Without a doubt this country's greatest garage punk act, they're even getting taken to Canada by Fucked Up next month on account of their great live show.

Demons (You're Smiling Now But We'll All Turn Into Demons)

The most underrated band in the UK unfortunately. Portsmouth Prog Wizards Demons have three epic albums under their belt (one of which was recorded by Steve Ansel of Blood Red Shoes), and have been going for about six years. Unfortunately, total mastery of their instruments and genre is not reflected in the number of shows played nor the amount of their records sold.

If there is any justice in the world this band will at least become a cult favourite in years to come.

Lords

Hailing from Nottingham, (although one is based in Ireland, probably making practice a tad interesting), Lords feature an ex-member of excellent noise rock band Wolves Of Greece, yet the sounds couldn't be further apart. Their second album on Gringo Records carries on in the same vein as the first, ie giving nods to the 1970s heroes who created blues rock works of art. Without a doubt one of the most incredible live bands around today, Lords boast a plethora of great riffs, more than enough material for a few more albums.

Trencher

Casio Grind Mayhem from London with an incredible drummer, this band don't do sound checks, they are for pussies (apparently). Either way, they've been going for about three years and have played a load of shows all over the UK and as far afield as Israel and the US.

Having released two albums on London based Southern Records – the house that Crass built but discord kept alive – and currently working on their third, these guys are about to tour Europe supporting US monsters Lightning Bolt. Trencher are easily their equals.

Pre

Pre are London based and play in London every week. Other than the odd show down here they never ever play the UK which pretty much sucks. Do not enough people see them play because they only play America? Or do they only play America because not enough people would come see them? Who knows? But it wouldn't do them any harm to play outside of London every now and again.

Despite this, Pre are an amazing band on record and live. After the moderate success of first album Epic Fits on US noise label Skin Graft Records, Pre have just recorded with the almightly Steve Albini for their second which is something to listen out for.

All these bands are at least equal to and possibly better than most of the slightly trendier noisy US bands who are doing so well right now. There are also a hell of a lot of other great UK bands worth a listen or a couple of sterling to see a local show. These inlcude Tropics, Male Bonding, Sad Shields, Fixed Grins, Sceptures, Spin Spin The Dogs, Fume, Human Hair, Pens, Gentle Friendly, and a lot more besides.

Steve plays drums in an amazing band called Lovvers, who have just released a mini-album called 'Think' on Witchita.They're also playing a warehouse show next weekend (8 November 2008) with Skylarkin and Pens - email whitechapel.warehouse@gmail.com for guestlist.

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Stevros