PINS - Eleventh Hour

Some people will tell you that haunting is an empty word to describe music, that it doesn't mean anything. I disagree. Take a listen to PINS and tell me you don't get a shiver down your spine.

After supporting Veronica Falls in their hometown of Manchester and playing at the Best Fit Records launch in London a few weeks back, 'Eleventh Hour' is the three-piece's debut track. Self-released today on cassette and digitally - its dark, brooding, distorted sound gripping from the off and refusing to let go. 'Keep an eye' on these.

Stream 'Eleventh Hour' below, order the cassette, or watch its accompanying video on Vimeo.



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Video: Ghost Outfit

When Matthew says that Ghost Outfit are probably the best live band in Manchester right now, given his pretty vast knowledge of anything worth knowing about going on up there, he's probably right.

It doesn't take any sort of expert, though, to recognise that Ghost Outfit might well be on to something. I Was Good When I was Young is genuinely one of the most catchy songs I have heard all year. Vibrant, fun, and most definitely a little bit silly, the video shot by Manchester Scenewipe to accompany the track is most certainly fitting. Listen - and watch, obviously - below.

I Was Good When I Was Young from Ghost Outfit on Vimeo.

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The Bell Peppers

With a name like that, you probably wouldn't expect The Bell Peppers to sound how they do. Rather than a Red Hot Chilli Peppers cover band or the new theme tunesters for Man v. Food, the Manchester band opt for nonchalant and lo-fi surf-rock vibes. It's a sensible move, and one that might get them some more attention from bloggers who like to link bands to the weather - if we actually get any sun this summer. If you like Y Niwl or simply a convincingly retro sound, then you'll like these - and so will your gran.


The Bell Peppers - Rubber Bullets


The Bell Peppers - Monquito Diner

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Boy or Bison

The amount of material I am stealing off of The Pigeon Post is becoming worrying. Luckily for me, he's a nice d00d and doesn't seem to mind too much. Plus, it's kind of his fault for posting so much material that I feel I have to share.

Boy or Bison make hazy, almost lazy sounding, pop music that is indeed too good not to (steal to) share. With bits and bobs borrowed from other related musical genres (think along surfy, jangly, garage lines), Boy or Bison have a wide appeal - including mums, dad, granddads and grans - with their sound which, although not overly original since clearly heavily influenced by doo-wop, is well worth your time.

They've decided to release their most recent EP for free, available in the handy box below (or here if that fails). You can also download a lo-fi jangle-pop version of Metallica's Enter Sadman over at The Pigeon Post.

The Louche F.C.

I hate to steal things from other people, especially when those other people are pleasant folk, so you should all know that this tip comes fresh from The Pigeon Post. The Louche FC are just one of many exciting bands which that blog has featured, so first and foremost you should head there. Here is what The Pigeon Post said about this band earlier this month.

As I said, I don't like that I am almost stealing this directly from another blog, but The Louche FC seem too good not to share. A nod to the likes of Black Tambourine, the Manchester-based three-piece make jangly and 'gazey indie pop that one can imagine The Drums guitarists' Holiday Records putting out.

Earlier recordings are instrumental and dreamy affairs, probably drawn up during lazy sunny afternoons, whereas female vocals accompany the 2 apparently more recent MySpace tracks. "Back Bedroom Casualty" has an almost surfy guitar twang whilst female vocals provide distant and echoed sounds to jangle guitar. "Four-Parts Bastard" sticks out among the other 3 tracks online. A drum machine works with heavier sounding bass and guitar, whilst reverb creates the din to which the vocals cut through.

Both the band's dreamier and heavier songs work effectively, and I really look forward to hearing more.