Mongol Horde: the debut album.

MONGOL HORDE IS MORE THAN A BAND. MONGOL HORDE IS A MOVEMENT.MONGOL HORDE IS AN INVASION.

Who are Mongol Horde? Well, they're website boasts that they are "more than a band" but obviously they're
just joking, right? Well they kind of are. They know they're just a band but with this debut album springing from what feels like nowhere and their high slot on the Lock Up Stage at Reading and Leeds Festival this year, it feels like they actually are an invasion. In clearer terms, Mongol Horde are a London-based hardcore punk band, fronted by that lovely guy who played guitar and sung that nice song at the 2012 London Olympics. That's right, Frank Turner is fronting a hardcore punk trio. To some this may be a surprise but Frank has always spoken of his punk roots and although it's wrapped up in a folk bow, his solo music is just as punk as what Mongol Horde are presenting.

So to get to it, Mongol Horde's self-titled debut album is a 13 track wave of noise. It feels like a cacophony of poems that has been building up in a man and they have just exploded onto a record. It doesn't feel rehearsed or nurtured. It feels raw and it feels punk. It is more a statement than a record; it is a rebellion. I mean I'm pretty sure Frank uses the word "c**t" a few times, which is odd at first seeing as he's usually all light and fluffy singing about 'Plain Sailing Weather' and 'Photosynthesis.' Once you get past the fact that this is Frank Turner at a more lyrically aggressive level you become more comfortable to thrash about to what this album is giving. The musicianship is stunning. The shear noise that comes from drummer Ben Dawson and guitarist Matt Nasir is incredible considering there is just two of them. Although it does feel at points that you're just hearing noise, it is clear that beneath this the trio are creating beautiful music.

Before I listened to the album, I looked at the tracklist. 'Stillborn Unicorn,' 'Winky Face: The Mark of the Moron' and 'How The Communists Ruined Christmas' are just a few titles which made me worry about the sanity of this album. The lyrics to some songs aren't much less worrying too and even what some songs are about could be enough to turn some listeners away: "The first song we wrote is about Natalie Portman's tapeworm using her as a glove puppet leading to an uprising in Hollywood" Frank explains about song 'Tapeworm Uprising.' This shouldn't put you off though, because despite it's weirdness, and perhaps sarcasm, the album has a lot more to it which makes it wonderful. As I've already said it has some insane musicianship, it has some strong messages and most of all it has the ability to make you want to move. Dance, mosh, jive, space-hopper, I don't care. You cannot stand still whilst this album is playing. Knowing how much energy and crowd surfing Frank Turner likes to participate in, I think fans at Reading and Leeds and on their tour will be in for a real treat. This is a record that establishes a band with a real shot at being just as big as their lead singer is alone, and that is rare to find these days.

Self titled album 'Mongol Horde'is available to buy now. Tickets are also available for their UK tour in June here: http://www.seetickets.com/search?q=mongol+horde&search=

How The Communists Ruined Christmas

Band of the Week: 5 Seconds of Summer

When thinking about my next band of the week I didn't for a minute think I'd be writing about 'boyband' 5 Seconds of Summer. 5SOS, as they're known in abbreviation, are four teenage boys from Sydney, Australia, formed 3 years ago. Now, boyband is technically the correct term for them, they are four males who are in a band afterall. However, 5SOS are determined to shake off that label and make their stance as a rock band. It's not surprising that boyband is a label associated with them as they're biggest fans and advocates are the biggest boyband in the world, One Direction. They have all the qualities of your typical boyband: they're cute, they're funny, they have an army of adoring female fans and they have exploded onto the music scene in a short space of time.

What's nice about 5SOS is that they are actually a rock band. I mean they've had a feature in Rocksound of all magazines! Although they started off posting a series of cover videos on Youtube, they now write, play and perform their own music by themselves. It is all them and that is something you don't see a lot of in mainstream music today. Not only that but all four of these boys sing. Drummer Ashton and guitarists Michael, Calum and Luke (who also takes lead vocals) are real musicians and I think that could explain why they have risen to fame so quickly. That, and the fact they're super cute. Sorry, did I mention that already? They remind of Mayday Parade in a way, they're a rock band but they're music offers a cuddle rather than a mosh. Their short catalog of songs are very catchy and very fun, with debut single 'She Looks So Perfect' debuting in the UK chart at number 1. I hate to say it but you can't help but love them. They just make you want to dance and put a smile on your face. After touring as support for One Direction on their 'Take Me Home Tour', the boys have returned to do the exact same job on their 'Where We Are Tour' which has just began its UK leg. I'll be at Wembley Stadium next weekend and I will be just as excited to see 5SOS as I will be to see 1D. They are definitely a band who worth a listen and even if you hate them I can guarantee you will be singing "she looks so perfect standing there, in my American Apparel underwear" for weeks on end.

Next single 'Don't Stop' which can be watched below, is available to pre-order through iTunes now.

Band of the Week: Issues

Issues seem to be all anyone is talking about right now. After spending the past month on the front cover of Rocksound, their career has exploded. Formed in 2012 and signed to Rise Records it seems that Issues have hit the jackpot with how quickly they've become loved and accredited. I initially heard of Issues when I saw them support Of Mice & Men last month in April. At the time, I wasn't a massive fan. I was a bit confused by what they were. Their music is an infusion of singing, screaming, electro beats and metal, an odd combination but one which is actually enjoyable once you get used to it. Wikipedia describes them as metalcore so if you like that sort of stuff you'll probably like this. If not then check them out anyway, you might surprise yourself, I did. On record they are something special and something unique. And lead vocalist Michael Bohn is a cutie. Bohn provides lead whilst Tyler Carter provides "clean vocals" which do compliment each other rather well. Ty Acord infuses the more alternative spin to Issues metalcore vibe with synths and samples but as Carter does Bohn, Ty compliments AJ Rebello (lead guitar), brother Sky Acord (bass guitar) and drummer Josh Manuel too.

Before releasing their self-titled debut album earlier this year, EP Black Diamonds was floating about. A compilation of six tracks the EP was short and sweet with stand out tracks being 'Princeton Ave' and 'Love Sex Riot' (feat. Fronz). Another track which I highly recommend is 'Hooligans'. Not on any albums, this single is probably their most famous song and you can see why. It should be on the new album. As much as I love Issues, I am still not 100% sure how I feel about their newest album. There's a few tracks which I love such as 'Stringray Affliction' and 'The Settlement' but some tracks are still growing on me. However, I always think with bands as unique as Issues, perseverance is key. You don't want to miss out, they're destined for big things.

Conchita Wurst and the 2014 Eurovision song contest.

The Eurovision song contest makes up three and half hours of some of my favourite TV every year. As sad as it and as ridiculously political as it gets, the contest which this year saw 26 countries from Europe compete with songs written for the sole purpose of being enjoyed by hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide, pleased me immensely. Like every year, this year was no exception to rule that anything goes with a bunch of Polish females essentially masturbating butter creaming sticks, a song about being someones sweet cheesecake and a man in what appeared to be a giant hamster wheel. Of course there are stand out moments, particularly this years winner, the wonderfully sassy Conchita Wurst. But before getting on to Austria's new sweetheart, let's talk about the United Kingdom.

Notoriously unsuccessful for the past 20-odd years, this year we pushed Molly into the limelight to face the inevitably poor score we get from the rest of Europe. Commentator for the UK, Graham Norton, was full of hope for 'Children of the Universe', the song which Molly would perform and to be fair, it does have Eurovision written all over it. It's anthemic, it's got a sing-a-long vibe and it's crap, it's everything you want from a Eurovision song. Nevertheless we still finished on the right of the board with around 40 points. I think it was an improvement from last year which is something!

Now for the real talking point, Conchita Wurst. Ughhhh, Conchita, my love for her has grown a ridiculous amount in the past week since she won Eurovision. Like most of the world, I was initially confused by the gender of Conchita Wurst. Male born, Conchita decided a few years back to respond to earlier experiences and create a drag persona which is what she lives by. In drag, she uses female pronouns, so despite the beard and technicalities, Conchita is all female. Her song 'Rise Like A Phoenix' wasn't a favourite of mine from the night but it does hold a powerful message. Austria's win however was nothing to do with the song, it was to do with giving the middle finger to Russia and other "haters" in the world and saying that different is not bad. An entry with such a message is so important especially in an age where there is still an unacceptable amount of controversy about the LGBT community. Conchita is sassy, beautiful and an empowering figure which all the world should recognise and respect. On receiving her Eurovision trophy she made a statement addressing a future of peace and unity and what a wonderful platform she had to do it. Since last Saturday, the world has not stopped talking about her. After watching her be interviewed by Graham Norton on his weekly chat show, my admiration for her as only grown. "you only have one life and you better make it fabulous" she said when Graham asked her about the beard. And too right. Conchita was a worthy win for Austria and for equality. Let's see what this brings for Eurovision 2015!

1 week, 2 videos

Of Mice & Men-Would You Still Be There?

Being one of my favourite songs from Of Mice & Men's third studio album 'Restoring Force', I was pretty excited about the release of single 'Would You Still Be There?' For the past week the band have been posting a countdown of stills on their social media pages from the video and yesterday the video was finally released. I sat down to watch it and I hate to say it but I was kind of disappointed. I don't really understand the whole gas mask scenario; there's people wearing them then people not, like, is this essential to the plot of the video? Idk, what is the plot of the video? And then there's the random ballerina who does dance beautifully among some lovely eerie lighting but I don't understand that bit of the video either. Not only that but even the random shots of the band lack something. Maybe I'm missing the point of the video or maybe I'm being thick and there's nothing to get but I know is not what I was expected or what I was wanting. On the plus side though there are some really beautiful shots in a field with the sunset and the boy who is part of the couple scenes is cute. It's still an awesome song though. Sorry boys but I only feel this video is worthy of half marks!

Arcade Fire-We Exist

Now I'm not an Arcade Fire fan. I can't say I've ever really been drawn to listen to their stuff and if I'm honest I couldn't name you a song they've done but after seeing the name Andrew Garfield related to their newest single 'We Exist' I couldn't help but check this video out. A massive fan of the Spiderman films as well as the awkwardly cute actor that he is, seeing this man's name followed by the words "dresses as a women" had me majorly intrigued. Within the first minute of the video Garfield is stood in front of a mirror in some denim hotpants putting a bra on and trying on different shirts, struggling with who he is. He goes on to put on make up and his blonde wig and takes a deep breath before leaving his house. He, who should now probably be referred to as she, heads to the bar and ends up getting pushed around by 4 butch guys and ends up on the floor, only to suddenly be in front of 4 very different guys. All in crop-tied checkered shirts and denim hotpants, the quartet dance, rather well I must say, in some sort of ritual which Garfield then gets up and copies. Oh, there's also his solo bit where he does some contemporary jumping with a look of need and anguish on his face. It's rather good, I was surprised the web-slinging hero had such good moves. By the end of the video to quartet have lead Garlfield down a corridor guided by a colourful light where he ends up on stage at a festival size concert where he can finally be who he is; a woman. Once getting over the shock of seeing one of my favourite actors playing such a role, I realised how much I liked the video. The song is average in sound, it could probably grow on me but the video has a message of acceptance and unity and equality and this is something I believe in above most things. It tells people that you should be who you are and stop hiding. there is a place of acceptance, it does exist and when you get there you can exist the same way everyone else does. I think Andrew Garfield was a good choice for this video, continuing to portray a kind of loser-come-hero character, and I think Arcade fire are putting out a strong message with 'We Exist.' I like it a lot.

The Subways, Tunbridge Wells Forum, 08/05/2014

Last night I ended up at Tunbridge Wells Forum after a friend offered me a free ticket to see The Subways. I'm never one to turn down a free ticket to any gig, so despite not knowing any songs, I headed off to see The Subways. Unfortunately, I missed support act, The Beaches, as I was starving so went and had a bag of chips from the local chippy instead but by the time I got into the small venue, which apparently used to be a toilet, I was excited to discover some new music. I started off hanging at the back of the venue, having a pint or two seeing as I wasn't in a particularly lively mood. Despite being about 3 meters from the stage I couldn't really see much of what was going on. There was a lackluster cheer when the band came on and the crowd just seemed a bit dead for the first half an hour or so. Despite this, female vocalist Charlotte, head-banged throughout every song whilst Billy belted out lyrics and drummer Josh battled to play tunes through his lovely long locks.

I don't know if it's because I have never really listened to them before, but for a large duration of their set I felt like every song was the same. Maybe I zoned out, I'm not sure, but I didn't feel there was much range in their setlist. Having said that, what they did play did make me want to move about a bit. With this feeling I moved closer to the front and this is where I found out I had been mistaken. Right at the edge of the stage was a mosh pit of about 15 men and 5 boys, all quite drunk and all having the time of their lives. I suddenly understood what the band were feeding off. Whilst down front I also found out that I did know one of the bands songs! Rock & Roll Queen began and I found myself singing along like this was a gig I had been excited about for weeks. Despite this 3 minutes of elation, I can only sum up this gig as 'a good time.' Although the band have been together for well over a decade, I felt they lacked a unity on stage and I felt there was just something missing. Like most bands these days, The Subways asked the whole crowd to sit on the floor in order to jump up and unlike other bands I've seen do this, it didn't feel right for this band. It felt forced, like they thought they'd do it because it's the cool thing to do these days. They also didn't do an encore because it's "outdated." Again, this just added to my uncertainty about this band live. Don't get me wrong, I am happy I went, I did enjoy it but I can't say they'd be band that I'd pay to see. Unfortunately, they're just not unmissable. Maybe I need to listen to a few of their albums and see them live again to get the buzz the hardcore fans did but for now, The Subways are just good.

Setlist

Kalifornia
Oh Yeah
Brand New Beat
Shake Shake
I Want To Hear What You Have Got To Say
Like I Love You
I Won't Let You Down
I'm In Love
Mary
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Rock & Roll Queen
We Don't Need Money To Have A Good Time
At 1AM
Taking All The Blame
Somewhere
With You
Girls & Boys
Celebrity
It's A Party