If It Was My Band I’d… by Emma Scott (Book review) This is an enjoyable read with some humour and higher aspirations added in for good measure, to cover all eventualities, as well as simply convey author, Emma Scott’s own desires if she was in a band and what to aspire to. Due to her background in the music industry, she is able to write from a band member’s perspective, which is a clever and effective way to write, giving a fun and easy to read break down of a light hearted and yet serious guide of information. The book is honest about the reality of the industry, but offers steady advice of how to make a living as a musician and the pitfalls to avoid. It is an essential resource for beginner bands and musicians, which includes a great collection of tips, information and crucial advice for any musician or band starting out. I’m an inspiring musician who would like to start a band, so I found it very useful and interesting to read. It’s well thought out, but concise (being just 128 pages) and to the point. It is clear that author Emma has great knowledge and has done a lot of research to back up her advice, by using key quotes from legendary musicians, such as Kurt Cobain, Paul McCartney and more, as well as short little accounts of how artists like Madonna and Oasis came to rise to the status they are now, giving you more inspiration and motivation. It’s a great formula, which is simple but effective, and the structure is easy to read, as it’s broken down into short snappy paragraphs offering advice, making it very appealing to read. Being even more considerate to the reader, the end of the book includes a handy summary checklist, to help monitor your success and achievements easily, as well as a helpful glossary of music terms and useful websites and contacts. So off you go, there is no excuse now, stop waiting around and break into the music industry and become a professional full time musician with any luck. CL
Sundays – Wørds Sundays, whilst being the hardest band in the world to search for online, are a Belgian Hardcore outfit comprising of members from The Ignored, Omerta and Amokachi. Wørds marked the band’s first full-length release and surfaced in autumn of last year via White Russian Records. Upon first listen, it becomes apparent that this record must be viewed at face value of what it is; a run of the mill Hardcore record. It deals with themes of personal struggles, war, hatred and American patriotism – none of which are original, but all the same they’re worked in very well. Sundays sound angry throughout; they’re emotional, desperate and melodramatic. Bert Vandaele strains as he viciously spits venom for a solid twenty minutes or so, whilst his friends Maarten, Jonas, Bastiaan and Tijs thrash drums and guitars at pace. There are well composed slow guitar parts that feed nicely into heavier, angrier sounds, progressing into the emotion found in the singer’s voice. Wørds is consistent through, but finds its pinnacle in ‘My Flag, My Song’. It parodies American patriotism and the way that elitist, bigoted rednecks view their country in a light that ignores everything else and all the flaws that it has. Its opening verse is powerful and honest, exemplifying Sundays’ ability to carve meaningful lyrics at ease: “This is just another redneck song about pledging allegiance to a flag About the oath you took How your country makes you proud How your lifestyle is the only way ‘Cause you and you alone speak the truth How does it feel behind those glassy eyes?” Whilst the band may not have pioneered an album that innovates and carves a new path in the Hardcore world, Wørds is a record to be proud of and one that achieves strong lyrical content and a standard of song writing that many will never attain. ND