Two Aberdeen Bands in the Run to Play Download Festival 2013

Putting Aberdeen firmly on the musical map, two bands from the Granite City have battled their way to the top 15 of a competition to play this years Download Festival; the biggest rock festival in the UK.

In a lovely riff-tastic fashion, Akord and Semperfi have pushed past over 700 bands, and guess what? – Not only are they a step closer to playing the same festival as some of rock’s biggest bands (Iron Maiden, Rammstein, Slipknot!), they are the only two Scottish bands in the competition! With them both hailing from Aberdeen, this is bloomin’ marvellous, not only for the bands, but for the city!

Akord

Akord, a progressive-alternative-hard-to-define-sounding band (think Tool or Karnivool), have said that this is supremely positive for Aberdeen:

“If either or both bands make it through, it will show that Aberdeen has a lot to offer to the music world. It may draw more focus and opportunity to the other acts here and we are glad to be representing not only this city, but Scotland.”

When asking how the guys are feeling about their status in the competition, I think the support may have blown their little socks off:

“We are ecstatic to have come this far and even more pleased by the response and continued support from our fanbase. We aim to take our material and stage show as far as we can. The people of the world need to experience our manic facial expressions and charged live show.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uCPqnu5rQAo

Semperfi

Also in the running – Semperfi, a loud, kick you in the face, sorta metal band (think Fightstar, Machine Head) feel the same way about how great this competition is for the city:

“ Since we are the only bands from Scotland in the final 15 and we are both from Aberdeen, it makes the achievement even more special. Hopefully having two bands from Aberdeen making it to Download will help pull focus on the music scene in Aberdeen and show that there is some great music happening up here”

Like giddy little school girls, Semperfi, much like Akord are also excited about the idea of playing the huge festival:

“We are all feeling pretty excited at the prospect of possibly playing Download. The competition has really tested our nerves, especially the first stage, but making it into the final 15 and going down to London has made it all worth it. Here’s hoping we can go all the way”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=D62jhyHbb-Q 

Following a luxurious trip to London, both bands were given the opportunity to record a song, channel their inner models in a photo shoot and get some valuable industry advice. Their visits were captured in their own 2 and a half minute video, which can be viewed on the Red Bull Studios website (http://download.redbullstudios.com).

The competition is heating up big time, and both bands need your help. They need votes, Facebook shares, tweets. Basically, the bands need you to speak, eat, sleep and breathe about them. It’s all about the hype folks. Sharing is caring.

So, time to get promoting, let’s show the world what Aberdeen has to offer, and it starts with these two fantastic bands.



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That Always-Go-Back-To-Album - Part 1

I think everyone has that one record that they always go back to. That one album that you know every word to. The one that still gives you chills. The one that will perpetually strike something inside of you that perhaps no one else will understand. The one that can bring you right back to a completely different chapter in your life.
This can be quite a private thing; your own little morsel of words or noise that you keep close to you.

I decided to ask some people to share their's with me. I asked, friends, musicians, bloggers and people I admire to tell me a little about what makes a particular record so special to them.

Martin Walker - Guitarist of Akord: Oceansize 'Frames'

The album I always go back to is "Frames" by Oceansize.

Frames is so varied and has such a unique and raw sound. Think Radiohead, but with more dirt! The album has 8 tracks all reaching at least 8 minutes long! The reason I continually go back to it is because I always miss something each listen. There are layers in these songs which you wouldn't hear unless you really search for them. Every time i listen to it in it's entirety, I go on a musical journey with a band that pronounce every note. I come away with new ideas of my own.

Although they have now disbanded, Oceansize continue to help me get away from my average life and escape into their world. Every album has something different. However, 'Frames' produces the most power, emotion and musical technicality .

Fave song? A personal favourite is the track "Trail of Fire" which has influenced the way I write my own music. It has a somber start but builds and builds until the double kick is pounding into your ears and Mike Vennert's vocals are causing the goosebumps on your arm.

I have a personal attachment to the song "Savant" and the lyrics are beautiful: "Where others float, you and I crash land"

https://www.facebook.com/AkordOfficial?fref=ts

Anna Pie from 'Pie Thinkings' Blog - OPM 'Menace to Sobriety'

The album I always go back to is Menace To Sobriety - OPM. 

The reason for this... well... It seems every time I go back to listen to it, I actually forget how amazing it is. It was the first parental guidance cd I ever bought and I actually asked my Dad if I could sing along to Stash Up. "I don't give a fuck, not a single fuck, not a single solitary fuck, I don't give a fuck, motherfucker!" at the top of my lungs, when I was 13. Totally. Freaking. Awesome.

Fave song? Brighter Side. Can still remember all the words to it.

http://piethinking.co.uk/

Ree Ree from 'Alternatively Lovely' Blog - Ed Sheeran '+'

It's recently been Ed Sheeran's album, its just so soothing to listen to, and suits most of my moods. There aren't many albums I listen to, as I tend to just pick tracks here and there, but Ed Sheeran's does something nice to my soul ;-)

Fave song? Oh so hard to choose! Maybe Drunk?


http://www.rockalily.com/blog/

Elena Dora - Scientist Extrordinaire! Less Than Jake 'Pezcore'

Well, I like it because its the album that shows best what Less Than Jake are about.

It's fun, it's about being young, having a good time, not being too serious. It's silly but also insightful. When I'm in a bad mood Pezcore cheers me up, when I'm sad it makes me smile, when I'm stressed it helps me put things into perspective. If I'm in a good mood it puts me in an even BETTER mood. The ultimate feel good album. I love that its their roughest album but says so much about them and still says so much about them well over ten years later. It's one of those albums that I've listened to for so long that happy memories always come flooding back. It also just makes me want to forget all my responsibilities and just be crazy and have fun (probably not such a good thing now haha). I just associate it with having a good time and partying. But it does make me not want to grow up!

Fave song?: A toss up between My Own Flag and Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts.

My Dad - The man who brought me up to love rock music. Rainbow 'On Stage'

Possible the best photo of me
 and my dad in existence

As far as I can remember is was my first album I ever bought. 

Still holds a lot of teenage memories. Their version of Deep Purple's 'Mistreated' reminds me of first love ending. The album has so many songs for different moods.

Fave song? Catch The Rainbow.  

Gary Addison - Lead Singer/Bassist of Semperfi. Lamb of God 'Ashes of the Wake'

 I would probably have to say "ashes of the wake" by Lamb of God. 

The reasons why that it is modern metal at its finest. Complex grove based riffs with drums to match and vocals that sound like come from the depths of hell itself, this album blew me away when I first heard it and is an album I can listen to from start to finish over and over again. It always shocks me that they play in D standard but they sound so heavy and brutal. 

Fave Song? : My favourite song off the album would probably be "Break you". That opening riff is filled with so much grove and feeling but at the same time it helps show off the band's technical ability and hits you like a tonne of brick. Great band, great song, great album.

  
https://www.facebook.com/Semperfiofficial?fref=ts

Whats yours?

Will be sharing mine very soon.

H x

Five Song Friday

Have a new post series that I am hoping I can keep up with. Five Song Friday aims to bring you the five songs that I am loving at the moment in the hopes that maybe you'll discover something new.

I LOVE hearing about new bands and genuinely get excited when I have new tracks on my ipod to listen to - good excuse to get off my arse and walk to work with my headphones on (thanks to my other half for my amazing headphones!!!).

I go through phases of getting really fucked off with my ipod so I'm constantly searching for new songs in the hopes that I don't lose my faith in the music scene completely.. (If I hear one more song from Taylor Swift I might actually lose my shit).

So here are my 5 picks for this week. 

The Getaway Plan - 'The Reckoning'

You know where's a good place to start when searching for new bands to check out? 

AU-FUCKING-STRALIA. Those buggers know how to produce good music, for example Karnivool - need I say more? I came across this band on spotify on one of my 'keep-clicking-related-artists-until-I-find-something-I-like. This was the first song I listened to and I fell a little in love with it. Not too sure about their other stuff at the moment (a lot of cliche lyrics about stars and wings etc..) but this track I am definitely enjoying.

This song has strong hints of Dead Letter Circus through it (a band which I adore). The singer has a good range on him, not an overly distinctive voice but he definitely has a good set of pipes.

There is an interesting vibe to this song, something very tense about it all - instrumentally it has a cinematic sound to it; could definitely hear essences of it in a film.

Listen loud.

Superchick - 'Cross The Line' (Box Office Blockbuster Remix)

Ok, so not an overly original sound, but I am currently finding this extremely catchy and find myself popping it on quite frequently. However, I would only recommend this remixed version of the song - the original just sounds so empty and bland..... These guys are actually a christian rock band (.........) and I honestly don't know a great deal about them. I had a track called 'Courage' on my ipod when I was a lot younger and I only recently rediscovered them.

I enjoy this song, it's a good, catchy rock song, and fun to sing a long too. Sometimes that's all you need.

Foals - 'Inhaler'

I wish I could remember how I came across this song. It was quite some time ago and I instantly loved it. It's got hints of everything, most notably to me are notes of Idiot Pilot and even early Feeder (think first album), maybe even a bit Queens of the Stonage. It's grungy, a bit funky and just generally weird. It has quite a laid back, snazzy wee intro that you can imagine skipping down the road too, but then breaks into a somewhat intense sounding chorus, followed by riffffffffss. Excellent.

I like songs that mix it up. 

Martin Grech - 'Here it Comes'

I return to this song quite frequently. I am pretty fascinated by the sound that Martin Grech creates. This is a pretty amazing album - with Open Heart Zoo being one of the best tracks on it - won't get into it as there's so much that could be said about that work of art of a track.

Here it Comes is weird, dark song. Dark lyrics accompanied by very Radiohead/Drum & Bass/Nine Inch Nails-esque music. His voice is haunting - I'm really not sure I could draw a comparison, its unique. He doesn't sing clearly and has such a weird tone and can sure hit some high notes.

This song is just a bit of a journey and I highly recommend a first listen through headphones.

Akord 'Carry The Sound'

I'm sure you saw this one coming, so I'll keep it short (and I may a bit biased), but this song is just incredible. It's 6 mins or so long, but certainly doesn't feel it. Such soft vocals accompanied by roaring guitars and a video full of lasers and strobe lights! WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT PEOPLE?

Enjoy

H x