‘The awkward and uncomfortable moments in life are the ones to cherish.’ I have not gone deep, I just remembered one of those moments when the above occurs, just now actually. Typing this is making me feel that way, if we were face to face right now, you would see me lower my heavily weighed down eyelashes, falling to bitten skin around my chipped nails, as my eyes roll.

In music related news my indies, The Vaccines, The Maccabees, Miles Kane, Foster The People and The Horrors are all heading out on tour next year, tickets go on sale on Friday, exciting? One agrees.

Future Rust, And Future Dust Single of the week

The Chapman Family – Everyday Is Like Sunday (Morrissey cover)

Dark, husky and very chilly, I even felt cold listening to Kingsley Chapman vocals, which at times felt a little Leonard Cohen. ‘Everyday Is Like Sunday’ is one of those songs that needs to be listened to within a quiet environment to feel the full on impact of passion and emotional.

I am not sure what the postcards are about in the music video, if anyone knows put the answers on a postcard (sorry one couldn’t resist such a terrible set up one liner)

Howler – Back Of Your Neck

One of 2012′s hotly tipped rock n roll bands Howler have released the official music video to ‘Back Of Your Neck‘ taken from the debut album America Give Up. Due out the 16th January, Howler shall be in the good company of Tribes and The Maccabees also releasing new albums on the very same day. Set a reminder in your dairy. In the mean time, lets rock out, get drunk, and listen to ‘Back Of Your Neck’ until our ears explored.

One Hour Before The Trip – 5474

’5474′ is beauty upon beauty mixed with ‘Spanish Sahara‘ and a Radiohead B-side (personal opinion). One Hour Before The Trip is a project of musicians and visual artists trying to capture the mental and musical imagination of the listener, and my oh my can they float away from life, hang above the earth and look down making peace with their enemies. ’5474′ gets more and more in-depth as the minutes tick, becoming even more amazing.

Future Rust, And Future Dust Blast From The Past

Biffy Clyro – The Captain

Two years later and ‘The Captain’ music video, still takes me breath away. Simon Neil, shirtless, tied up, sweaty and dirty does it for me each and every time. Kind of like having my very own personal viewing of Mr Simon, you guys have Page Three, us females can have Simon, sweaty. Oh right ‘The Captain’ its powerful, brassy and god damn sexy, live it’s the sing along. Excuse me while I stare and sometimes blink at the screen

Future Rust, And Future Dust caught live this week

The Drums – 9th December – Shepherds Bush Empire

The Drums released second album Portamento pretty much after the summer self titled début. The Drums that had me crying tears this time last year with shivers and emotion, only a few bands have ever done this. I see it as watching a band the minute they land in London to have seen them storm The HMV forum, this got a little emotional, okay?

Anyway, back to the sold out Shepherds Bush show on Friday night.

Jonathan Pierce is a man after my own heart, he can jerk his moves into my soul within a beat, his voice of heart break and sadness makes me what to feed him bread (I know right?) Johnny made sure all eyes were on him with his grand animated entrance after the rest of the band took their place on stage.

The lights faded and the show began with ‘What You Were‘ catchy, bouncy and dance-able.  Debut album songs ‘Forever And Ever Amen,‘ ‘Best Friend‘ and ‘Me And The Moon’ seemed to have got the biggest word for word screaming towards the stage and giving Johnny time to quirk his robotic moves around the stage.

‘If He Likes It, Let Him Do It’ is one of my personal highlights, not only from Portamento, but live it is just one of those stand out songs lyrically; haunting feeling down tempo compared to the songs it was sandwiched between. Another stand out moment was  ’Searching For Heaven’ which saw Johnny solely in the spotlight; all eyes are on him (it is impossible not to watch him.) Much love to Jacob for playing the synths so smoothly and in such a beautifully romantic fashion. The melancholy ‘Down By The Water’ was my ‘please do not cry’ moment, I never, instead it charmed the lipstick away with Johnny’s more gentle vocal tones and the silence of the crowd. ‘Down By The Water’ is the song that leaves everyone frozen and soley focus on Johnny, who had stopped the dancing.

The Drums never played ‘Let’s Go Surfing’, and I am proud of them, no one wants to hear the most played song over again, well done, show the crowd whose boss. Who needs ‘Let’s Go Surfing?’ When we have the equally catchy ‘Money.’ Johnny really is the young quirky Morrissey on stage, shirt tucked into his high waisted black jeans, big arm movements and legs everywhere.

With two albums under their tucked in jeans The Drums feel fresher and better. I for one cannot wait until album number three, until then I will continue to listen to them over and over again.

The Vaccines – 7th December – O2 Brixton Academy

Who would have thought only a year ago a band like The Vaccines would end up with a headline show at Brixton Academy, not only one, but two sold out nights.  Many bands started the end of last year as the ones to watch; many fell at the first hurdle, but oh, not The Vaccines. They embraced the hype with grace and never said a single word. Fast-forward to March and The Vaccines release the debut album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? which landed straight into the Top 5.

Brixton was buzzing. The crowd knew we were about to witness a glory filled show, and my how we were all indeed correct. ‘Blow It Up’, ‘Wreckin Bar (Ra Ra Ra)’ were met with roars and moshing, and being kneed in the face by a friend deciding to do a cartwheel for ‘lulz reasons’

‘Wetsuit,’ ‘ A Lack Of Understanding’ and ‘Norgaard’ where the stand still air punching songs, leaving the jumping around for ‘Post Break Up Sex’ and ‘If You Wanna.’ Lead singer Justin Young worked the stage, whilst guitarist Freddie Cowan pulled the best ‘I am having the time of my life‘ poses and pouts.

New songs ‘Tiger Blood’ and ‘Teenage Icon’ saw the band go into a dancing frantic drive. Even Ryan Jarman of The Cribs fame made an appearance for ‘Good Guys (Don’t Wear White)’ (which, as you’ll know if you have seen The Vaccines live,is a firm live favourite with the band). The Vaccines stormed the fifty minute set, and let’s face it most of their songs hit the two minute mark: very fun and very fast. Each song was driving the song after. The moment I realised I was watching The Vaccines, the set was over.

The Vaccines truly are the sound of 2011

Peace,

Simone

Each and every record mentioned above is worth a trip to your local record store/itunes for, If you don’t go, I may just haunt you, I can do this. I am special. Honestly you won’t regret it (the buying I mean, not me haunting you.)