Friday Freebies

PET
Back in July of last year I ended up getting myself a bit over excited by Edinburgh outfit, PET (another band who seem to love their Caps Lock button). Their debut EP, What You Building? was one of my surprise finds of the whole of 2011. Their follow up, Middle Child Syndrome was pretty decent, however, for me it didn't really live up the promise of their debut release. With the release of their new single/EP, Wear Black, the jury's still out on this one. Having shyed away from their more poppy side, this new release might just take a bit more time to grow on me. You can make your own mind up though by downloading Wear Black from their Bandcamp page.

Quickbeam
It used to be that every other week their would be a new Scottish music blog cropping up, this year it feels like their is a new Scottish label starting up. Not bad thing in my eyes, not bad at all. The most recent label to crop up are Comets And Cartwheels, formed by the promoter, Paul Downie who runs Pelmet Nites and and our very own Vicki Cole from Randolph's Leap. Not being ones to hang about they've already announced their initial roster, which consists Peenko favourites, Endor, up and coming Glasgow based outfit, PartWindPartWolf and the minimalist folk outfit, Quickbeam. As a wee introduction to the label, Quickbeam are giving away their track Tide as a free download on Bandcamp.

Carnivores
With their debut  album due out later this year, Paisley rock trio, Carnivores are offering up a teaser of what to expect by giving away their beast of a track, Lion Tamer, for nowt on Bandcamp.


Black Mountain
Canadian stoner-rock oufit, Black Mountain have recorded the soundtrack to an apocalyptic surfing movie, which is going to be out later in the year. You can download a free track from the Soundtrack from Stereogum.

SXSW
If you're one of the lucky ones who's going to be out in Austin for this year SXSW Festival, then you might fancy doing some home work on what bands to check out while you're out there. As a wee handy tool the organisers have posted up a torrent featuring a whopping 771 songs (coming in at over 4GB!). If you feel up to the task of hunting down those hidden gems, then get downloading here.

Torche
Miami/Atlanta quartet are all set to release their third album, Harmonicraft, in April. As a wee teaser they've made their song 'Kicking' available as a free download.

The Darkness
I very much doubt that there is much of a demand out there for The Darkness to get back together, but reform they have. They've also been recording some new material, if you're in anyway curious as to hear what the new songs sound like then you can download new song Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us for nowt here.

Aidan John Moffat
Saving the best to last we have Aidan Moffat's retort to Donald Trump's announcement that he's going to be bankrolling the Scottish anti-wind farm group. I'm sure this sentiment will resonate with many of my fellow Scots. Check it out on SoundCloud.

Carnivores - Ally McCrae Session (14/11/11)

Track Listing

1. Scottish Football
2. John Actor is Monkfish
3. Acid Attack, Bloodbath, Diamonds are Forever
4. Horses of the Galaxy

Download

If you're looking for something sensible you've come to the wrong place.... A News Roundup

I guess most of you will already know this, but in case it somehow passed you by Dananananaykroyd have announced that at the end of their current UK tour they'll be hanging up their boots for good. In what will be there last ever show in Glasgow, the boys will be tearing the roof off the ABC in Glasgow this Saturday night (29th). If you fancy sending one of Scotland's finest live bands off in style, then you can still pick up a ticket in advance via Synergy Concerts website. If you are planning on going along, make sure you get down nice and early as United Fruit have just announced that they will be the support for the evening. If you get the chance then you should check out the video for their current single 'Go Away Don't Leave Me Alone', it's rather good.


"As part of her "30 Before 30" list, Lisa from Last Years Girl blog is joining the list of bloggers who are putting on their own gigs, as she wants to"play too". On December the 2nd, she's booked up the Old Hairdresser's (across from Stereo) for a night of entertainment entitled 'Friday Night Speakeasy' featuring Franz Nicolay (of Hold Steady fame), Brighton-based political songwriter Chris T-T plus Glasgow's finest folk-punk singer-songwriter, Dave Hughes. Tickets for the gig are available now, although due to the size of the venue numbers are very limited so if you want to go you best be quick in snapping up a ticket.


Those lovely folk at Born To Be Wide have announced their next monthly night is going to be radio seminar featuring an array of guest speakers including the Vic Galloway, Jim Gellatly, the radio plugger Grant Crain and producer of Radio’s Scotland’s Iain Anderson Show, Stewart Cruickshank. The event will take place at Edinburgh’s Electric Circus on Thursday 3 November, if you want some more information or you would like to pre-order tickets, then just click the link.

Next Thursday, For Pete's Sake, new live music initiative are putting on their first ever gig night at Jim's Bar in the QMU in Glasgow. For their debut night they've lined Aerials Up, Young Aviators and Kevin Harper. Tickets for the gig are only £5 and it's open to both students and normal folk, if you want to book yours in advance then here's the link you need.


Right I think that's enough rambling for one post, I am going to finish up with this cracking wee video from Paisley's noisiest sons, Carnivores and their new video for their song 'Scottish Football'. The band have just announced that they'll be playing a headline gig with Marvel Heights at King Tuts and So Many Animal Calls on Sunday the 11th of December...

Friday Freebies

Sorry about the lack of Freebies last week, as I was putting on the Kid Canaveral gig last week, I didn't get home till late. Then the distractions of real life such as sleep, a baby and having to go to work all conspired against me. On the plus side, that means that this weeks post is a double roll over of awesome free tunes. Right, I guess I best get on with the show then...

Dananananaykroyd
They're baaaack! Yes boys and girls, it's the long awaited return of the most fun band in Scotland. Having spent the end of last year over in LA recording their new album with Ross Robinson, the band are giving away a free download of their awesome new song E Numbers for nowt. Also, if you're quick off the mark then you might still be able to get your grubby paws on a ticket for their very intimate show at the The Ivy in Glasgow. I got my ticket through today and Mrs Peenko took the huff as I am taking Jim Ayetunes and not her. Last time we saw Dananana she hated them, you really can't win some times.

Homework
It's been a long time since we've heard anything from Edinburgh's Homework, having checked back from my archives it was way back in August of 2009 that I last featured them. Hasn't the time just flown in, well now they're back and they're giving away a free download of Why Oh Why, which is taken from their forthcoming debut album. A welcome return indeed.

Spaghetti Anywhere
Another band making a welcome return are the amazing Spaghetti Anywhere, who are giving away a free download of their new single Arrochar. Nice to have the boys back, hopefully this is means that there is an album somewhere in the pipeline.

White Denim
Austin is one lucky city, not only do they get to host the coolest music festival in the world, but it's also the home town of one of the finest rock bands of the moment. Having broken through with the briliant Workout Holiday, the band are set to return with a new album shortly. You can download new song Drug for free here.

FOUND
As I am sitting typing this weeks freebies up, FOUND are launching their awesome new album Factory Craft with a gig in Edinburgh. Next Friday they'll be doing the same in Glasgow, awesome times await. Soon we'll be coming to the end of their series of Friday give aways, as always I am in the dark as to what you can expect. It'll be good and it will be free that's all I can tell you for certain.

Guillemots
I am not sure if I'll ever go back and listen to the Guillemots ever again, their second album was such an abomination that it pretty much ruined it for me. Yes, I'm fickle, but in a world were I get bombarded with loads of new music every day I can be as choosy as I want. If you're still willing to give them a chance, or they never fell out of favour in your eyes, then you might be interested to learn that they've made new song 'Walk The River' available for download.

Debutant
It's good to see that the rumours of Debutant's demise were just rumours as he's back and he's even got a free album up for you to download for free.

Trapped Mice
The up and coming Edinburgh starlets are giving away a free download of their song, Pioneer Song on their Bandcamp page. The song is a wee teaser in anticipation of the bands forthcoming EP launch tomorrow night at the Wee Red Bar in Edinburgh with Loch Awe. Sterling work.

Manchester Orchestra
I am still of the opinion that this band are too good to have such a shit name, I guess there's no turning back now. They have a new album out in May which I am pretty excited about, you can find a free download of the title track Simple Math here. Good times await.

Bear Driver
They're off to SXSW in a week or so, if you're going to be out in Austin I'd urge you to check this mob out. They've been giving away an array of free songs in anticipation of heading across the pond, you'll find them all here.

Mark Corbett
I will be running a wee feature with Mark in a few weeks time, so I won't divulge too much just yet. All that you need to know for now is he's from Edinburgh, he's got a cracking wee EP and you can download one of the songs from it for free here.

The Fire And I
Having featured pretty well in last years Scottish BAMS awards, the Bathgate four piece are giving away a free download in exchange for you signing up to their official fan list.

Bottle of Evil
Former Fresh Meat stars, Bottle of Evil are giving away a free download of an instrumental version of their self titled album, you can get yourself a copy here.

Evil Hand
Following on from Bottle of Evil, their side project Evil Hand also has a free download of their album Huldra up for grabs.

Summer Camp
The ultimate hipster duo are all set to release their debut album later this summer, as a wee teaser of what you can expect, Gorilla vs Bear have a free download of new song I Want You up for grabs.

Carnivores
Paisley's finest rock outfit, Carnivores are giving away a free track from their mini-album, get Nights of Infinity here.

Hauschka
The only things that I really know about Hauschka are that he's signed to Fat Cat, he did something on the last Frabbit album and that he has a free download of his new song 'Ping' up for grabs here.

Stray Kites
Hailing from Virginia, Stray Kites are a cracking wee band who have causing a fair bit of excitement on the old blogosphere. You can find out what's been getting the kids all excited by downloading their new single Misanthrope for free.

Anni Rossi
Go here to get yourself a free download Anni Rossi's new single 'Land Majestic' here.

Starshy
Bubblegum Records have put a collection of 3 songs from Starshy up for free download, find it here.

How Garbo Died
The Glasgow post punk electronica outfit have made a collection of their songs available for free download here.

Fenech-Soler
Download their WhiteVersions for free here.

Metronomy
Download their new song She Wants taken from their forthcoming new album The English Riveria here.

Young Legionnaire
Sign up to their mailing list to get the brand new song 'Chapter, Verse'.

Columbia Label Sampler
Last but not least for this week, Amazon have a free compilation from Columbia up for grabs, it includes tracks from Band of Horses, Sleigh Bells and loads of shite stuff. Download it here.

Weekly Round Up (03/10/10)

Monday - Skies Fell took on some Fresh Meat action
Tuesday - Sexual Objects Session for Vic, plus our good friends over at Gerry Loves told us a bit more themselves as my 8th DIY label
Wednesday - Zoobizaretta became the 35th entry into the coveted Scots Way-Hay club
Thursday - there was a wee announcement of a special gig in November (more of that below). There was also a wee interview with the lovely folk at Instinctive Racoon in my DIY series
Friday - there was some of the finest freebies in ages, including tunes from FOUND, French Wives and The Phantom Band. There were also sessions from Edwyn Collins and Citizens.
Saturday - my We've Got It Covered feature brought you Ballboy's unique take off Springsteen classic


News, gigs and any other gubbins......

In case you missed our big announcement earlier in the week, Ayetunes vs Peenko is back and what a line up we have in store for you this time. Joining us at the Classic Grand on Bonfire Night will be none other than the Seventeenth Century, Come On Gang! and I Build Collapsible Mountains. Tickets for the gig are on sale now for a very reasonable £6, you can get them through Ticket Scotland, Ticketweb and directly from my Big Cartel page, which has the added bonus of no booking fees and free postage.




As part of this years Oxjam Festival, I've managed to secure a pretty awesome lineup, gracing the stage in the name of charity will be none other than Super Adventure Club , Bronto Skylift , Carnivores and Campfires in Winter.All of this for a fiver, cannae complain. Since this is part of Oxjam all the proceeds from the gig will go directly to Oxfam. So come out, do your bit for charity and listen to a night of LOUD and AWESOME music. Tickets are £5 on the door, first come first served, so get down early!



Our good friends over at Elba Sessions celebrate their first birthday next Friday,the 8th of October. In true Elba style they've lined up an eclectic evening at their spiritual home, The Liquid Ship, featuring Cuddly Shark, Julia and The Doogans, Yusuf Azak, Jonathan Sebastian Knight (My Cousin I Bid You Farewell) and Paul McLinden (who was the first performer to grace the Elba stage). Elba blog-master Phil notes: 'Unfortunately we couldn’t ask everyone, there were quite simply too many people and we didn’t quite have it in us to organise a five day festival but we’re proud of the line up and hope that you will join us to celebrate a good year where we have met so many good people who have helped us out, whether it be a mention on their blog, sending us some music to listen to or even the odd follow friday on twitter!!' As it is a special occasion the night has moved from its usual Thursday night slot to Friday. The evening starts at 8.30pm sharp and it is free entry as always.


Tomorrow sees the relaunch of Too Many Fireworks, you might remember I featured them as part of my Scottish DIY Labels feature. The label returns with release of label owner, Neil Milton's 'Elements EP'. Recorded in Neil’s adopted home of Warsaw, the EP contains five short pieces of modern-classical music, each loosely inspired by one of the medieval elements. In August, the collection soundtracked the short film "We Sink Ships: Elements", by the now defunct art collaboration We Sink Ships, when shown at the Edinburgh Arts Festival. Check out the labels homepage for further details.


Former Fresh Meat starlets, Indian Red Lopez, continue their mini tour of Scotland this week. The Aberdeenshire 'guitars 'n' electronics outfit' are at The Greenside in Glenrothes tonight, followed by an appearance King Tuts on Tuesday (5th). In Glasgow the band will be supporting ever-rising Northamptonshire electro-popsters Fenech Soler. The band then had across to Holland for mini tour after that.

Indian Red Lopez - 'My Eyes'

Tonight in Glasgow, Perth based rock outfit The Barent's Sea finish off the last night of their tour with a gig at the Captains Rest. The band have garnered a lot of attention recently, and their high energy live set is apparently quite a sight to behold. Support comes from local acts The Darien Venture, Alburn, and Jack The Wolf. Find out more details here.


Those lovely Fence folk also used this week to officially announce the line up for this years Halloween Party. They are moving from their spiritual home of Anstruther and showing us Weegies what a party should really be like. Funnily enough it'll take place on Sunday the 31st of October at Stereo and The Old Hairdressers (directly across from Stereo) in Glasgow. Running from 2pm right through till 2am, check this for a line up; King Creosote, James Yorkston, Silver Columns, James Yuill, Lord Cut Glass, Alasdair Roberts , John MacLean (DJ) , Jo Mango, Vladimir Lad, Randolph’s Leap, John B McKenna, Jonnie Common, Gummi Bako, Pictish Trail, plus many more acts still to be announced. Tickets for the gig are £25 and you can buy them here, be quick though as if last years anything to go by this will set out very quickly.




To round things off this week here's a little taster from Shambles Miller's forthcoming EP, 'Shambles Sails the Clockwork Sea'. The EP isn't out until the 22nd of October when he'll also be having the launch night, in the Liquid Ship in Glasgow. It's free entry, so make sure you make it in your diaries kids!

Shambles Miller - Strike! by peenko