Since forming in the late 70s, Social Distortion have been a mainstay of the American punk scene. Never quite breaking into the mainstream as much as newer bands, but still managing to keep their loyal fanbase interested. After many lineup changes and six studio albums, Social Distortion are now gearing up to release their seventh LP entitled ‘Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes’.

Read the full review here: http://www.theregoesthefear.com/2011/01/single-review-social-distortion-machine-gun-blues-album-stream.php

It’s been one of the most anticipated reformations in metal in recent years, the ex-vocalist of metalcore titans Killswitch Engage, Jesse Leach, teaming up with his former bandmate Adam Dutkiewicz. Having not played together for over eight years, the duo’s new band Times Of Grace are set to release their debut album “The Hymn Of A Broken Man” on Roadrunner Records on January 18^th.

The band is the brainchild of Dutkiewicz, who started writing the album in his head from his hospital bed in London after receiving emergency back surgery. When he returned to America, that’s when Jesse received the call. “[Adam] said ‘Hey man I wrote a record and I really want you to sing on it’ so of course immediately I was just elated. I was like ‘Wow, that’s amazing. Of course, of course!’” said Leach.

Read the rest of the interview here: http://thelinc.co.uk/2011/01/jesse-leach-the-album-was-a-therapy-session/

It’s always good to learn something, even better if you’re actually interested in the subject. Thankfully, then, the BBC were able to offer up a documentary covering the highs, lows and most importantly history of music festivals in the UK.

Of course, being the BBC, the amount of history covered was astonishing. From archive footage of 1950s jazz festivals (which, incidentally, is where music festivals began) to the old news reports of the illegal rave scene in the 90s, it was all included. This was somewhat of a problem, though. It’s quite hard to report on the biggest musical change of the last 30-plus years in just 90 minutes.

Read the whole review here: http://www.virtualfestivals.com/latest/features/9153/-/-Festivals-Britannia-a-TV-review

One of the longest running bands of all time will be coming to Lincoln’s Engine Shed later next month. Since their beginnings in 1969, there has been many line-up changes, but one man has stayed with them throughout their illustrious 41 year career.

Dave Brock is the singer and guitarist for the pioneers of space rock, and when asked if he thought Hawkwind would last 40 years he simply answered “no”.

Read the whole interview here: http://thelinc.co.uk/2010/11/dave-brock-is-master-of-the-universe/

Starting off small, beatboxing to his friends, Beardyman has become one of the hottest properties in underground music. His unique way of performing with looping sounds, manipulating his voice and using an endless supply of electro gear has gained him a cult following. Next year he is finally releasing his debut album, read below to find out more from this truly original artist.

For those who haven’t heard you before, how would you describe your sound?
It depends on the gig really, so it’s hard to say. I make live music, of many different genres in many different styles, all live, using about half a ton of synthesizers, sound-loopers, FX units vocal manipulation tools and other things. Generally I sway towards dance music genres. I started out as a beatboxer but I now incorporate so much technology into my shows that you could hardly call it beatboxing anymore.

Most of the sounds in my shows come from my mouth and are manipulated live to become what ever I want them to be. It’s at times comedic, at times ridicu-sick, at times disgusto-bad, at times trippy and psychedelic.  I take people on a musical journey when I play, from hip hop through jazz, gabba, techno, drum ‘n’ bass – not in that order. It depends on the night, I play whatever are the most popular underground genres in whichever country I’m in at the time.

Read the whole interview here: http://www.theregoesthefear.com/2010/11/interview-beardyman.php

Sadly one of the most successful American sitcoms of all time was cancelled this year, but its spirit still lives on. “Scrubs” ran for nine series but was cancelled due to poor ratings after Zach Braff left the show, but this didn’t stop hundreds of fans heading over to Walkabout last night for a special treat.

Named in “Scrubs” as the Worthless Peons, real-life a capella quartet The Blanks are on their debut tour of the UK. Featuring Sam Lloyd who plays the hapless lawyer Ted in the show, there was a definite Scrubs fanbase in the crowd.

Read the rest of the review here: http://thelinc.co.uk/2010/11/the-blanks-impress-at-walkabout/

Alexisonfire are one of the biggest names in post-hardcore, and their guitarist/vocalist Dallas Green is arguably one of the reasons they got there. Having written songs for four studio albums in the past nine years, as well as having great stage presence and the object of desire for many screaming girls, Green is at the top of his game right now and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

Two weeks ago, Alexisonfire ended their UK tour at Nottingham’s Rock City. The tour truly put the band through their paces, which required a lot of physical energy as well as mental stability.

“Three or four days ago I started losing my voice a little bit, just because of the cold and not sleeping very much,” Green said. “I’m trying to get it back, drinking lots of tea, it’s held up for the show. I’ll probably just go for it tonight, I’ve got nearly two weeks before the next tour.”

Read the rest of the interview here: http://thelinc.co.uk/2010/11/dallas-green-i-feel-we-dont-draw-the-supercool-kids/

Still riding high on the success of “Plastic Beach”, Gorillaz are one of the biggest commodities in UK music today. With their star-studded array of guest vocalists and stunning live performance, Damon Albarn and co. are on top of their game.

Before they were due to play possibly the biggest arena in the UK, the crowd was already alive and fists were pumping for De La Soul. The New York trio were the perfect warm-up act and worked the ever-growing crowd into a frenzy.

Even though some of those in attendance didn’t know much about De La Soul (besides featuring on two Gorillaz tracks) it didn’t stop everyone from having a good time and dancing along.

Playing hits such as “Me, Myself And I” and “Stakes Is High”, the thousands inside the O2 couldn’t get enough. Even an impromptu version of Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” made an appearance.

Read the rest of the review here: http://thelinc.co.uk/2010/11/gorillaz-welcome-you-to-the-world-of-the-plastic-beach/

Since their 2008 EP ‘Exquisite Corpse’, Warpaint have been on the radar of all those with an interest in atmospheric rock. Now two years on, the all female quartet have released their debut album entitled ‘The Fool’.

Starting with the exceptionally chilled ‘Set Your Arms Down’, the tone of the LP is set almost instantly. Soft, slow and relaxed music is intertwined with some great vocals from front woman Emily Kokal. Her voice is so delicate yet so powerful, it’s almost entrancing at times. Comparable to artists such as the xx and jj, the experimental minimalism of Warpaint is quite complex. Many layers in each track are so well timed and used so precisely that every nuance is a necessity. Tracks such as ‘Warpaint’ and ‘Majesty’ are brilliant examples of how well structured the Los Angeles foursome are.

Read the rest of the review here: http://www.theregoesthefear.com/2010/11/album-review-warpaint-the-fool.php

On Wednesday, October 20th one of the biggest drug smugglers in the world came to Lincoln. Now retired from his former life as a drugs baron, Howard Marks brought his stand-up show to the LPAC.

Having previously worked with the IRA and the Mafia, Marks is definitely one for stories. He once reportedly controlled 10% of the entire world’s hashish distribution, which he seemed most proud of.

The audience was made up of primarily students which isn’t too surprising given the subject of Marks’ life. He too was once a student, at Oxford University, achieving a degree in nuclear physics and post-graduate qualifications in philosophy.

Read the rest of the review here: http://thelinc.co.uk/2010/10/howard-marks-treats-lincoln-to-a-nice-time/