8 minute read
MUSIC
Nailbreaker is ready to break your ears
The one-man NN10 noise club that is Nailbreaker will top the bill at The Lab on Saturday, August 6, writes Sammy Jones.
Nailbreaker is a digital hardcore artist bringing an air of the edgy to the stage with his distortion-drenched beats and existential lyrics.
He says it’s a musical assault on the ears, which ain’t wrong.
Harsh noise, rap, industrial and punk blend together for an unsettling listen, and his performances are spiky, angry sets of the fractious.
Small surprise that broken equipment and spilled blood feature with regularity at Nailbreaker gigs.
His last EP, COPE, was issued back in March through Beth Shalom Records.
This date – brought to you by SBD promotions – will see the Rushden riser joined by Drownd, new alt-rock indie players Mirror Image and another fresh-to-the-scene mob, Stone Age Paradise.
Doors open at 7.30pm, and if you get your tickets in advance they’ll cost you just £4.50.
Otherwise splash £6 on the door.
Nailbreaker will join Eddz on the Bare Bones stage for Multitude too.
While we’re talking about SBD, a little advance notice that on Thursday, September 1, they will be bringing Jah Wobble & The Invaders of the Heart to The Black Prince.
Tickets will be hot for this show, so take that as your warning to purchase promptly.
More on the date in the next issue.
Nailbreaker tops the bill at The Lab in August
Pic: Estie Joy
One of those journeying from Junction 15 To 14 to play the festival at The Craufurd Arms is rising electro, punk-flavoured pop artist Eddz, which is the moniker given to the musical project of Liam Taylor.
The songwriter and muso has stage stepped plenty as a member of various bands on the scene, but is relatively fresh to the process of going it alone. There are pros and cons.
“I miss being in a band and it can feel lonely at times, especially after a soundcheck as my boombox is not very talkative.”
Miserable ole’ boombox!
“On the plus side being a solo artist is easier for decision making and setting up at gigs; I plug the boombox in, aerials up and I’m good to go.
Initially, I had only planned to release music under Eddz; playing live was never part of the plan. I never wanted Eddz to be me as a front man supported by a band; I wanted to try something different that wasn’t being done locally.”
Eddz is bringing something new to the musical party, and the reception has been a warm one.
In the space of a year, he has cut loose three single releases, which have received favour, work is continuing on number four. summer; A smart remix by Joshua Guy from Northampton’s Phantom Isle is out now on all the usual platforms.
There are no disposable lyricisms here either; the words have real meaning.
Eddz’ material makes political comment and includes distinctly personal recollections.
“I want my words to be honest and something that people can relate to,” he told Pulse Music, “Keeping up with current events helps me with the writing process but I also like to revisit past personal experiences; this is something I visited with my second song ‘My Story’ which looks back on the cancer treatment I received at a young age.”
While he hopes that his music excites you, it is the sound and vision of artists like Baxter Dury and MGMT that sparks his creativity: “Since starting Eddz, Baxter has been a huge inspiration to my music and how I write my songs. MGMT have also been an act that has always kept me locked in with every song or album they’ve put out in the past,” he said.
Eddz probably doesn’t need any more day to day inspiration, but if that changes, he’s in the right place - the Northampton scene is packing plenty of punch just now. Things are buzzing.
“The scene has become very active within the last year or so with its variety of new bands and acts. It’s currently very driven by its punk/post-punk scene and it’s a genre I’ve always loved for many years.”
Eddz plays the Bare Bones Stage at Multitude at The Craufurd Arms on August 13.
“I think it is one of the best songs I’ve done so far. The new single will lead to something bigger for Eddz but that’s all I can say at the moment,” he says, keeping his cards close to his chest.
Meanwhile, his third single ‘Ignorance’ has been given a new lease of life for the
Pic: Dammo Photography
A multitude of marvellous music
Over in Milton Keynes, The Craufurd Arms has a festival in a day for you this August 13, with three stages delivering the best of the local rising and breaking acts at Multitude.
And a few familiar ‘fampton faces are signed up.
The scene right now is bubbling with talent and some will surely be on the brink of good things.
“We want to celebrate the multitude of talent in the local and national music scene,” Craufurd promoter Jason Hall told Pulse, “Multitude is very much about all things new, independent and breaking.”
“Northampton has the busiest scene imaginable at the moment. Every day a new band pops up full of youth, and of the highest quality,” Jason said, “The MK and Northampton scenes have almost merged together and support each other. “We’re pleased to give our stage over to those who can use it well.” Nailbreaker, Eddz, Mundays and Tragic will all be representing the area. You can learn more about some of those appearing elsewhere on these pages. Tickets are on sale for a tenner – that’s about 50 pence per band - and AvegetativeState will be dishing up the best in vegan food. Gourmet topped fries will also help keep hunger at bay on the day, and vinyl junkies will be in luck with a number of stalls offering releases.
> Doors will open at 3pm, and tickets can be purchased at thecraufurdarms.com
Tour time for Sarpa Salpa
Having sizzled at their SXSW Austin appearances and various summer shows, Sarpa Salpa are heading out on tour at the end of September.
The Northampton quartet who pull from the pop, indie and rock genres released their most recent single, Dreaming, in May and have been racking up some sexy support, including Radio 1s Jack Saunders: ‘This band is getting better and better with every single song and they will provide that rush of serotonin that you need.’
We aren’t about to argue with that view. They are worth travelling for, so check in with them at one of the following dates:
Thursday, September 29 – The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth Saturday, October 1 – The Castle Tavern, Luton Thursday, October 6 – Towers 2, Hull Friday, October 7 – The Vaults, York Saturday, October 8 – Bobiks, Newcastle Sunday, October 9 – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh Thursday, October 13, The Jacaranda, Liverpool Friday, October 14 – Bootleg Social, Blackpool Saturday, October 15 – The Shed, Leicester Sunday, October 16 – Dead Wax, Birmingham
Pulse Music understands that a date will be announced at The Craufurd Arms in Milton Keynes later in 2022.
> Keep up to speed with Sarpa Salpa on FB: SarpaSalpaMusic
Anew release through Optic Nerve Recordings has pulled together a compilation of singles by Religious Overdose who alongside artists like PiL, Joy Division and Bauhaus helped to establish what became known as post-punk.
Religious Overdose formed in Barby in 1979, and after their original vocalist bowed out, Northampton’s Alex Novak stepped up to the mic and a trio of singles were delivered.
Originally, their material was issued through Glass Records, a label founded in 1981 by David Barker.
“Religious Overdose were the first band to send me a tape. It was strange and I liked it,” David recalled, “...basically I asked them if they wanted to make a record, they said yes and after a trip to Northampton to meet them and see them play a gig, I got them down to East London to record it.”
The single 25 Minutes, with the B-side Control Addicts, did great business upon release.
“It sold its first run of 1000 pretty fast, thanks to John Peel and the relentless flyer/fanzine attack of Alex.”
Another 500 were pressed and using just word of mouth they managed to sell into shops including Rough Trade.
“You could do that back then,” David said, “People were interested. It felt like we were part of something...”
Religious Overdose played with artists including aforementioned fellow ‘fampton players Bauhaus, and Theatre of Hate before playing their last date in the town in 1982.
‘Strung Out on Heavens High 19801982’ brings together three singles and a compilation track.
It comes out on August 12.
Vinyl junkies will be particularly pleased by this release as it comes on tasty yellow vinyl with orange and black splatter.
We love a splatter vinyl, so we’re sold straight away.
> Visit opticnerverecordings.com to get your hands on a copy.
Kemp’s in a spin
Martin Kemp presents his ‘Back to the 80s’ DJ set at The Roadmender on August 27.
Step back to the time when leg warmers and double denim ruled (does it not still?!) and enjoy one banger after another.
> Tickets are shifting swiftly, so plastic at the ready and click to theroadmender.com
