Friday Freebies

we're only afraid of NYC
I don't think that it's much of a secret round these parts that I'm a big fan of we're only afraid of NYC. Since the release of their debut EP, zero.one way back in 2009, they've continually gotten better in my eyes (and ears). Today sees the release of their new EP zero.four, which again sees the band take another massive step forward. Fuck knows how they're going to move upwards from this point, for now though I don't care as this EP's the dogs proverbials. Get in about it kiddie-winks, it's free...then again I guess you already knew that.

The Seventeenth Century
Bloody hell, this weeks Freebies is starting to look like a who's who of former AvP headline bands. Not only are the NYC boys getting into the spirit of sharing free tunes, we also have those wonderful Seventeenth Century boys getting in on the act with a couple of free tunes. Both of the tunes were written on their tour of the Netherlands earlier in the year, one of which was written in and recorded in just one hour especially for a Dutch radio station. Some bands never write a song this good in their whole life time and those talented fuckers came up with this in just 60 minutes. You can find out for yourself by downloading the songs for free from their Bandcamp page.

Drunk Mule
Having just given away their album 'Crash Test Y'self' for free, Drunk Mule are now back with a cracking wee festive tune called 'Feels Like Christmas', which you can download from their Bandcamp.

Stanley Odd
Edinburgh hip-hop outfit, Stanley Odd have continued on the success of last years Oddvent Calendar by doing it all again this year. For a whole host of free tunes and some cracking videos just follow the link.

Perfume Genius
If you were a fan of Seattle songwriter, Mike Hadreas aka Perfume Genius 2010 debut album, 'Learning', well you might be excited to learn that he''ll be back in the new year with a new album called 'Put Your Back N 2 It'. You can download 'All Waters' taken from said forthcoming album, for free here.

OnTheFly
Fence stalwart, OnTheFly is giving away his double album, DFNC001 as a free download on his Bandcamp. The album which is packed with an array of Remixes & Rarities, totalling 30 tracks all, acts as wee teaser of what we can expect from his debut album which is due out some time next year.

The Plimptons
It's that time of year again when bands start posting up their festive tunes to share with us all. The Plimptons have been getting right into the Christmas spirit, they are giving away a 3 track festive download called “Christmas All Over This Town” which can be downloaded for free from their homepage - they've even made a wee video to go with it too.

Randan Discotheque
How could you not like a band who describes their sound as being 'historico-funpop', I guess that none of that will make any sense until you actually give the band a listen. With a new album due out in Spring of next year, the band have decided to give away their new "The Purgatory E.P." for free on their Bandcamp. The EP features 3 new songs, "Old & Grey", "Who Took the Booze?" and "The Blackness" and there's also a cracking wee video to go with it too.

Hipster Death Squad
If there was an award for the best named band of 2011, thenHipster Death Squad would win it hands down. Having previously raved about their last single, it's good to see the band are back with another cracking wee release. Their new EP, Big City Nights is up on their Bandcamp to download for nowt and it's fucking ace.

Darren Hayman
The former Hefner frontman is giving away free mp3 download every day throughout December 2011 in the run up to Christmas. So far he's posted up tunes from the likes of The Mountain Parade, Josie Long & Ralegh Long and Stars In Coma. Find out more here.

Jack James
Scottish singer-songwriter, Jack James has been making a bit of a name for himself in this past week. Having posted his third album "Leaving Town" up for free download on Bandcamp, he managed to attract a whopping 66 thousand people (fuck me) to his site. Needless to say he soon ran out of free downloads, however, being the good soul that he is, he's reposted the album to download for free here.

How to Swim
Another band getting into the festive spirit are Glagow lo-fi indie pop outfit, How to Swim, who have just released their very own Christmas EP. Featuring 2 original songs and a cover of Pal McCartney's 'Wonderful Christmastime', the EP is free to download on their Bandcamp. The band celebrate the release of their EP in style next Friday (16th) at their 'Xmassive Discrimbobulation' gig at Sleazys in Glasgow, with support from The Store Keys and Adam Stearns.

Julia and the Doogans
What's that, you want even more free festive tunes. Well here's Julia and the Doogans take on the Christmas classic 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' which is free to download on Bandcamp.

mini50 records
Edinburgh label, mini50 records are getting right into the festive spirit as they've just posted up their Winter Sampler on Bandcamp. Featuring tracks from The Kays Lavelle, Graveyard Tapes and Chris Tenz, you can download it here.

Gringo Records
Nottingham DIY label, Gringo Records have a free sampler up for grabs, featuring tracks from the likes of Part Chimp and That Fucking Tank. Grab it here.

Mr Peppermint
The latest offering from Scottish DIY label, Winning Sperm Party, comes from noisy rock outfit Mr Peppermint, who's third album is free to download here.

Lovers Turn to Monsters
I have said this plenty of times, but I'll say it again, Kyle Wood aka Lovers Turn to Monsters , is one prolific young fella. I have lost count of the number of releases he's put out this year, as it's the festive period he of course has an EP to in with it. Download 'Feed my Christmas Time' for nowt via his Bandcamp.

Hopefully that's enough freebies to keep you entertained for a bit, next weeks post might be a bit more sparse as I am out next Thursday night...

Fresh Meat Monday - The Plimptons

Would you care to introduce yourself?

I’m Martin. I’ve played guitar in the Plimptons for 11 years. I sometimes sing too. I’m a spritely 27 years of age but look older due to my 70s sportsman style configuration of facial hair. I’m from Motherwell.


How would you describe the music you make?

DIY Pop. Hopefully it’s varied and energetic. Its definitely upbeat for the most part. A stranger once described us as ‘They Might Be Giants meets The Fall’ which was a huge compliment that I’d like to think is at least a bit accurate.


How did you start out making music?

I went to the same school as Adam, our singer, but didn’t really know him as he was a few years older. In 1999 I met him while walking the dog and we got into a conversation about the Smiths and the Ramones and it came up that we could both play guitar a bit. At first we tried to form a Smiths covers band, drastically underestimating how hard the songs would be to play. We soon gave up and started writing our own songs, about 3 weeks later we did our first gig as a 2 piece. I think we did about 6 of our own songs, a cover of ‘Panic’ and a cover of Iron Maiden’s ‘Run to the Hills’. The set probably lasted about 12 minutes. Since then we’ve expanded to a 6 piece and have been steadily releasing albums and EPs. For a while Adam and I were the only constant members but the current line up came together a few years ago and has remained intact. We now permanently feature 2 of The Martial Arts and 1 each from Los Destructos and A Junkmans Choir.


What process goes into the way you write songs?

Adam and I just sit down with guitars and bounce ideas off each other, sometimes the songs are mostly him and sometimes they’re mostly me but they’re all co-writes to some degree. Once we get the bare bones we’ll take it to the other guys in the band and everyone adds their own bits.


What can people expect from your live shows?

We always try and add a strong visual element to the live shows, especially Adam as a front man who always has different props going on. I usually miss this stuff because I’m trying to face the front and play. Occasionally I’ll see pictures of us playing and Adam will be wearing a gorilla mask and waving about a Genesis LP or something. Other than that, we’re a lot faster live than on record, which just kind of happens. Think it’s fair to say our punkier leanings come to the fore when we’re playing live.


What are you all listening to at the moment?

We’re all kind of into different things, but I suppose the common ground we all have is Old School Punk, 60s Pop and New Wave. Personally, right now I’m really enjoying the latest album by The Murderburgers a great local punk band who we’ve played with a few times, its just full of great pop songs. The new Devo album is great too.


What can we expect to see/hear from you in the near future?

We’re just about to self release our 3rd full length album, “00s Nostalgia with The Plimptons”, which took us 2 years to record. We’re doing some gigs leading up to the album launch which is at Nice N Sleazy on November 20th. We’ve decided to include a copy of the album with the £6 entry fee, to make it more of an occasion.

The Plimptons - Drink Y'self Sober

Myspace
Fee Album Preview

Friday Freebies

The Plimptons
As it's Hallowe'en Glasgow's very own '24 limbed Death-Pop leviathan' are giving away their new single 'I Hate Hallowe'en' for you to download for free, plus if you get yourself down to the Flying Duck nice and early tonight then provided you are one of the first 100 folk to turn up, then they'll give you a physical copy for free. Can't really grumble at that, go forth and download this pop gem here.

John B McKenna
I caught John B the other week at one othe pre-album launch shows for applesofenergy, mightily impressed I was too. If you are fan of your classic singer/songwriter, then I strongly suggest you check out his 9 new songs, which are free to download from here.
If this sounds like it'd be up your street then you can catch him in the flesh at Sleazys this Tuesday (3rd Nov), again with the aforementioned apples.

Rob St John
Having sold out all of the physical copies of their Alchemy and Tipping EP's, RSJ have now put them up to download for free from here.

North Atlantic Oscillation
The Metro compared them to a Scottish 'Animal Collective', so no pressure there then. Personally I am really loving their song 'Cell Count', these guys really will go places, go forth and download said song from the NME website. NAO release their debut EP 'Call Signs' on Kscope this coming Monday, go forth and splash some cash.

"It's amazing what they can do..........."