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ICYMI – The Sick Man of Europe release EP Moderate Air Quality & March tour with Snapped Ankles – Backseat Mafia
Emerging from London’s underground music scene, The Sick Man Of Europe is distinctly monochrome in its outlook. Each note counts in this climate–economical but played with absolute precision and conviction. Propelled forward by machines and seeking solace in repetition. There are echoes of the post-punk and European art rock pioneers at the cusp of the 80s, but re-tooled for the present. The same fears. Looking for answers or something to believe in, but finding more questions in an age of absolutes. The debut Moderate Air Quality EP was released in February in digital format, as well as a limited edition cassette. They will support Snapped Ankles on the March leg…
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Yours and Owls Festival Day 2 – Backseat Mafia
Day two of Yours and Owls, and the weather has flipped the script. Yesterday’s blazing sun has given way to thick clouds and gusts of wind, a relief for some—but the unmistakable glow of sunburns on festival-goers betrays who braved the heat on day one. Over on the main stage, The Courteeners keep things effortlessly cool, their set a slow-burn dream as the crowd sways in hypnotic admiration. I sprint across to the Ocean Stage to catch Miss Kaninna, who masterfully weaves urgent political messages into infectious grooves. It’s heavy. It’s feel-good. It’s exactly what festival sets should be. Babe Rainbow live up to their name, unfurling a swirling, sun-kissed…
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Good Time Locomotive Shine On Self-Titled EP – Backseat Mafia
London-based alternative pop-rock band Good Time Locomotive have built a reputation for their signature blend of groovy highs and hard-hitting lows. Now the band is charging ahead with no signs of slowing down, as they unveil their latest self-titled EP, ‘Good Time Locomotive’. The six-track project, which includes previously released singles ‘GTL’ and ‘Stay Close,’ showcases the group’s vast musical range. Infused with a contemporary flair and a nostalgic drive, their distinctive sound is an irresistible mix of soulful grooves, funk-driven guitar riffs, and infectious pop energy. The EP cements their reputation for crafting feel-good anthems that seamlessly blend indie rock, disco melodies, and retrospective ballads. With this release, Good…
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The Open Flames Release Debut Album ‘Same Time Next Year’ – Backseat Mafia
The Open Flames release their debut album ‘Same Time Next Year’. A potent combination of hard-lived experience and fresh creative energy, the album follows a wave of positive reviews sparked by 2024 teaser singles ‘Drop a Coin’ and ‘Eat Alone’. ‘Same Time Next Year’ is a feast of an album; from the Dungeons & Dragons groove of ‘Drop a Coin’ to the early-era Replacements-style rager ‘Lockdown,’ the band rides a dynamic wave from crescendo to crescendo. Singer/guitarist David Eastman crafts lyrical narratives that he and co-vocalist Paige Brubeck embody as characters—sometimes lonely, sometimes lush—brought to life by the band’s cinematic instrumentation. With powerful drums (courtesy of Harvey Danger’s Evan Sult),…
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Stone Temple Pilots Bring ‘Purple’ Back to Life in Sydney’s ICC Theatre 28.02.2025 – Backseat Mafia
Sydney’s ICC Theatre feels like a time machine set to 1994, and the pilots are in full command. Stone Temple Pilots—Californian rock royalty, grunge survivors, legends in their own right—are here, and tonight, it’s all about Purple. There’s something mythic about an album that still rattles bones 30 years on. Released at the peak of alternative rock’s golden era, Purple didn’t just follow up Core—it cemented STP as stadium-fillers, as hitmakers, as a band that could shape the sound of a generation. And now, three decades later, they’re giving it the full-album treatment, front to back, no skips, no breaks, just pure ‘90s magic. Here tonight. Aussie rock titans Wolfmother…
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FAT DOG/ADULT DVD. Boiler Shop, Newcastle. 26.02.2025. – Backseat Mafia
FAT DOG Massive credit to whoever decided to grab Adult DVD for tonight’s opening slot. The Leeds band are on a deservedly sharp upward projectory. Venues are getting bigger, festival appearances are further up the bill, 2024 ep ‘Next Day Shipping’ has sold out via online sources (thankfully copies available on the merch stand here for those new to witnessing one of the greatest bands to recently emerge from Leeds). ADULT DVD The last time I saw them they had the lunchtime slot opening Middlesbrough’s one day Twisterella Festival in a small high street cocktail bar. Tonight Boiler Shop’s 1000 tickets have almost sold out for the headliners and a…
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Californians RAUE seek ‘Escape’ as they plan new EP for May – Backseat Mafia
It hasn’t been too long since we last heard from Californian duo RAUE (it’s pronounced ‘roo-AY’), but we haven’t yet heard them like this. Since the …Or Forever Hold Your Peace EP arrived in October, the pair of Paige Kalenian and Jax Huckle have been poised for a breakout moment, helped by a groundswell of support in the wake of 2021’s self-titled debut album; their latest offering marks a step up in every respect. Due in May, the too scared to explain EP hits hard and fast, making a lot of moves, in and out in barely 10 minutes, its four songs making enough of an impact it’s very easy…
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Arliston Shine On Haunting & Beautiful Debut Album ‘Disappointment Machine’ – Backseat Mafia
After a string of soul-baring singles, London-based duo Arliston share the full, hauntingly beautiful debut album Disappointment Machine. Echoing The National and Bon Iver, vocalist/instrumentalist Jack Ratcliffe and instrumentalist/producer George Hasbury offer an album that packs depth both musically and emotionally. Self-described as “sad song specialists,” Arliston has crafted a sonic world that thrives in its own melancholic beauty. Ratcliffe’s brooding baritone—reminiscent of The National’s Matt Berninger—winds its way through sparse, evocative instrumentation, while Hasbury’s intricate production adds layers of ambient textures and ghostly synths. The result is an album that sits comfortably alongside the emotive landscapes of Bon Iver and the raw storytelling of Damien Rice, enveloping listeners in…
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Steve Anthony’s Presents A Boot-Stompin’ Tribute to the Lone Star State in ‘Down In Texas’ – Backseat Mafia
Texas-born country mainstay Steve Anthony is kicking off 2025 in high gear with his latest single, “Down In Texas”—a lively, feel-good anthem celebrating his home state. With a career spanning decades, Anthony has made a lasting impact on the country music scene, earning six No. 1 singles on Christian Country Radio and topping charts across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Now, he’s back with a song that embodies his Southern roots and signature charm. Branded as The Underwater Cowboy, Steve delivers a track that feels like a throwback to the early 2000s era of country—packed with rollicking melodies, infectious hooks, and a full-band sound that blends twangy guitars, spirited fiddle, and an undeniable sense of fun. His rich vocals carry…
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Brighton’s Fever Rouge Shine On ‘Feed The Villain’ From Upcoming EP – Backseat Mafia
Brighton-based rock outfit Fever Rouge announce the anticipated new EP, Feed The Villain (April 4th) and share the dark and hypnotic title track. Fusing elements of post-punk, indie, and alt-rock, Feed The Villain encapsulates the raw, visceral and intense songwriting that has seen the band gain traction. Produced by Oliver Hughes, Josh Harrison, and Louis Spanton, the track delves into the duality of human nature—the tension between impulse and morality. Built around its hypnotic opening bass riff, the track gradually introduces, punching drums, urgent and expressive lead vocals before bursting into a wall of distorted guitar tones into the emphatic chorus. Culminating in a wall of fuzz-laden intensity the track is…
