If we had more time we’d put on a festival. We’d probably have it right in the middle of town – somewhere small like the Prince Albert – and have it run for a decent amount of time, say five days. Obviously we’d only have local bands play, including some SOURCE cover stars, some of our personal favourites and some new names. We’d make it cheap to get in – so the bands got a little bit of money – meaning everyone could come to as many of the gigs as possible. What a shame we haven’t got time. But thankfully über-promoters One Inch Badge have, and they’ve pretty much put together our perfect festival for us. So many of our favourite bands, no one can say there’s nothing going on in January now. Here’s our picks of the many great bands playing.
TWIN BROTHER •
Brighton’s own Twin Brother’s been favourably compared with our favourite black knight, Nick Cave, but the melancholy, echoing vocals deserve to be recognised for their unique qualities too. A band of multi-talented multi-instrumentalists, Twin Brother create raunchy, late night rock’n’roll songs with infectious dark basslines and pained guitars. The band’s profile has been growing over the past year, and 2012 looks set to grant them the attention they deserve. (JMM)
SONS OF NOEL & ADRIAN •
There’s no doubt that Willkommen Collective members Sons Of Noel & Adrian make great records, but seeing the 12-piece post-folk band live is a much more powerful experience. Taking influences from both Will Oldham and post-rock bands like Tortoise and Slint, they’re pretty comfortable on stage having supported Mumford & Sons more times than they’ve had hot dinners. Frequently described as folk metal, it’s a little more complex than that but certainly heavy. (JK)
FEAR OF MEN •
It’s been Fear Of Men’s best year yet – not least because 12 months ago they didn’t even exist. But with releases on Sex Is Disgusting and Italian Beach Babes, and a SOURCE cover to their name (as well as a lot of blog love), they’ve come out of the gate with such vigour we’re expecting a hit album by the end of 2012. Live they’re noisier than their jangly 7″ debut ‘Ritual Confession’, with that proto-shoegaze rock amped right up. (JK)
RESTLESSLIST •
A few years ago Restlesslist were barely out of SOURCE, their circus-tinged instrumental album ‘The Rise And Fall Of The Curtain Club’ becoming one of our favourite albums of 2008. And now after four years they’re back, having finally completed their new LP. We’ve yet to hear it – apparently it’s epic – but reports from their recent comeback gigs have been extremely positive. If you wish Holy Fuck were a bit more odd and a lot more British then you’ll enjoy the ‘List. (JK)
MUNICH •
We’ve just been sent a load of new songs by Munich and all we can say is, wow, they’re really going for it. We always suspected it but they could be the band to really break through, Kooks-style. ‘Blue’ – with its pianos and electronics – is the most interesting and shows a band who are looking to get past the straight-up epic sound that they’ve already nailed. Expect plenty of widescreen emotion too though – how could they turn their back on that? (JK)
ROBERT STILLMAN •
Robert Stillman is pretty unique. “My work lives at the intersections of song, sonic arts, and history,” explains the gifted composer and multi-instrumentalist. “Many of my projects reflect an awareness of process, location, and medium, and they draw upon popular and folk forms – most recently American pre-jazz and rural music.” You’re sure to have both your mind and your heart blown by his beautiful, musical soundscapes. (JK)
HELIOPAUSE •
A relocation to Brighton from their native Belfast seems to have upped the ante for Heliopause, making them one of the definite must-sees of this fest. Plying a pop trade tinged with folk lays the songs bare without hiding behind bombast, but luckily it’s a craft they’ve totally nailed. Their uncomplicated and accomplished songs make it all sound very easy – the mark of true talent. (NC)
TALL SHIPS •
Originally from Cornwall, we’re so pleased to have Tall Ships sail into Brighton with their taut mathematical but melodic grooves. With elements of Foals and Battles, the young band have that explosiveness but with more of the musical edge of Friendly Fires. Talking about their excellent ‘Plate Tectonics’ single earlier this year, the Guardian announced, “They will make the earth move.” They’ve got their debut album ready to drop next year so expect to hear a lot more about them in 2012. (JK)
PLAGUE SERMON •
You know when a band is self-described as “apocalyptic post-hardcore meets soundscape-rooted metal with screamo leanings” you’re onto a winner. Every bit as heavy as their name suggests, then in places melancholically beautiful, their Magic Bullet/Midmarch split 12″ (with Balboa) was a quarter-hour of pure intensity they have no problems reproducing live and loud. (JK)
US BABY BEAR BONES •
Last year Us Baby Bare Bones played Seamonsters having hardly formed. We think it might have been their third ever gig. But as always OIB’s golden ears had picked out another winner. Described by us last year as “like a scratchy voicemail message from Karen O”, the odd instrumentation and quirkiness is increasingly backed with better and better songs. Always packed with loads of ideas, what really shines through is the innocence. (JK)
NEGATIVE PEGASUS •
Neg Peg sound like the Velvet Underground have gatecrashed one of Ken Kesey’s acid tests – and live they’re every bit as intense as that experience would be. Tripped-out but still savage, the band – formed by My Device’s Todd Jordan after that band broke up – describe themselves accurately as hard psyche. At the musically scruffy end of My Bloody Valentine, they sound like grunge happened in late 70s Manchester rather than Seattle. Yeah, that good. (JK)
SEA BASTARD •
When someone takes the time to come up with a name so epically brilliant as Sea Bastard you owe it to them to at least see their band play. Despite having just three tracks, their ‘Great Barrier Riff’ album clocks in at an impressive 40 minutes, and as the name suggests this is head-down, guitar-pummelling, sludgy distortion and doom vocals. It’s raw as fuck – something we rather like about it. (JK)
NULLIFIER •
A two-piece in the studio but eight members onstage, Nullifier share their rider with members of Lonely Ghosts, Help She Can’t Swim, My Device and Pope Joan. As you’d expect they’re a huge amount of fun live – a psychedelic surf pop party that’s as full of life as the stage is of musicians. There are as many big choruses as there are feedback squeals which means that everyone in the world ought to think they’re absolutely great. (JK)
SPACE GALACTIC •
We’re not sure why Space Galactic isn’t more popular, but it’s probably because not many people have heard him yet. Haunting rhythmic synths echo over sweet, light vocals for an unpretentious, clean sound, achingly pure and honestly moving. Indie-inspired and just on the right side of twee, Space Galactic’s destined to go stratospheric. (JMM)
WORDS BY NICK COQUET, JAMES KENDALL, JESSICA MARSHALL MCHATTIE