Black Nite Crash [US]

Black Nite Crash - Array 2008

It’s no coincidence the band name was picked from the final and most explosive single by legendary Brit-rock band Ride. Black Nite Crash continues in the same fuzz-drenched tradition of gorgeous melodies and big guitar sounds. The band’s atmospheric, dynamic sound has seen them compared to The Church, The Pixies & The Jesus & Mary Chain. Black Nite Crash formed in 2002 in their adopted hometown of Seattle. A shared love of shoegaze bands, new wave and classic sixties garage blended together into their own version of noise-pop. "We always felt a little too post-punk to be psychedelic, a little too psychedelic to be post-punk," states Jim Biggs, "but we've always seen the obvious connections: a good melody, loud guitars and a dark sense of absurdity." Array, the band’s full-length debut, was recorded at London Bridge Studio. Recorded & produced by Dave Hillis & Erik Blood. It is being released as an LP with a free CD version of the album included. Highlights include “Falling Down”, “Soft Focus”, & “Perfect Blue.”

http://www.blacknitecrash.com/

http://www.myspace.com/blacknitecrash

Pains of Being Pure At Heart [US]

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Everything With You 7" (2008)

Everything With You is a total noisey-pop classic, bursting with all the melodic magic, guitar blaze and sunshine vibes that we've come to expect from the Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Everything With You is but a taster for the Pains of Being Pure at Heart's debut album, which will be released in early 2009.

"Despite only having been together for the best part of a year, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are fast becoming the most name-dropped band in underground circles on both sides of the Atlantic, and only seconds into jaunty opener 'Hey Paul' (think The Pastels, The Razorcuts or indeed any pre-Madchester bands before indie became part of the mainstream first time around) it's blatantly obvious to see why. While they make no bones about where their hearts and inspirations lie, it would be churlish to call them mere revivalists, particularly with the way singing/guitarist and humble storyteller Kip engages in almost constant interplay throughout their 25-minute set with perma-smiling keyboard player and co-vocalist Peggy. Hell, their new single is even called 'Kurt Cobain's Cardigan' yet it sounds like Lazy-era My Bloody Valentine exchanging sweat glands with a pre-major label Soup Dragons in a sixth form common room. What's more, it's utterly ace like the rest of their set and turns the whole of the Red Room into spring-loaded coils of unbridled excitement." (Drowned in Sound)

http://www.myspace.com/thepainsofbeingpureatheart

http://www.thepainsofbeingpureatheart.com/news

Sins Of The Flesh [Jpn]

Sins Of The Flesh - The Death Of The Flesh 2007 Reissue

Not many acts boast a hybrid Japanese-British line-up, and not many spend 16 years thinking about how to follow up their first album: yet that is how long the world was waiting for SOTF to deliver on the promise of 1990's seminal debut FIRST COMMUNION. Hailed by fans and contemporaries alike as the great hope of the UK goth scene in the early 90s, SOTF seemed content to fade away into legendary status... until unexpectedly returning with a breathtakingly eclectic full-length studio album THE DEATH OF THE FLESH in 2007.

In February 2007 the band made its long-awaited debut in Germany and Holland, on the back of extensive publicity from the magazines Orkus and Astan. October/November 2007 found SOTF returning to its roots in the UK for a regional tour, including appearances with rising Canadian stars The Birthday Massacre in London and at the UK's premier scene-event Whitby Gothic Weekend...plus a trip east to headline the Radio Inferno festivals in Finland and Russia.

Russia's leading underground label Shadowplay has now released a special edition of THE DEATH OF THE FLESH featuring exclusive new bonus tracks, while a first taste of new material from the next SINS OF THE FLESH studio album IN THE KINGDOM OF THE BLIND, (HOW CAN I) SMILE? is included on the new Deathwatch Asia compilation-CD DARKER WATERS.

In support of the Russian release of THE DEATH OF THE FLESH, SOTF took to the road again in September 2008 for their most extensive European tour to date: taking in 9 countries in 2-and-a-half weeks. Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland all had a first taste of SINS OF THE FLESH, while stages were shared with the likes of Project Pitchfork, Fixmer/McCarthy, Psyche and Soman in a tour once more both beginning and ending in festival appearances: in Germany and Spain.

Invariably inviting comparison with such popular contemporary alternative acts as Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie, SINS OF THE FLESH offer an altogether more accessible and poppy sound: combining rock riffs and electronics with strong melodic vocals, darkly poetic lyrics and a theatrical visual presence. Current album THE DEATH OF THE FLESH is a melancholic tour-de-force: a carefully-crafted homage to the UK positive-punk scene from which SOTF was spawned, incorporating subtle musical nods to such classic acts as Joy Division, Killing Joke, The Danse Society, Bauhaus and The Cure into a thoroughly contemporary production: and a sound both classic and contemporary in equal measures - a musical tribute to the best of the alternative scene itself, past and present.

http://www.myspace.com/mysinsoftheflesh

http://www.sinsoftheflesh.co.uk/

http://www.jgoth.com/sins-of-the-flesh-death-of-the-flesh-review/media/audio-content/2007/11/30

Vivian Girls [US]

Although only a band for a little more than a year, the Vivian Girls charms have already worked their magic on their short road to “out of nowhere” status. With their irresistable mix of 60’s girl-group sounds, punk, post-punk and shoegaze, the ‘Girls have mastered blurring the lines of genres and coming up with something aggressive yet beautiful; simple, gutsy music with a lot of class and melody.

http://www.myspace.com/viviangirlsnyc

http://www.last.fm/music/Vivian+Girls

Averkiou [US]

Averkiou - Throwing Sparks @Clairecords 2008

Clairecords is excited to present the debut from Gainesville, FL's most promising young, fresh fellows, Averkiou. Inspired by everyone from Ride and Guided By Voices to Teenage Fanclub and Wire, and taking cues from the likes of Dinosuar Jr. and Sebadoh, Averkiou is like the classic indie rock band that you've always loved – you just haven't heard 'em yet. A modern indie rock masterpiece clocking in at a scorching 22 minutes, Throwing Sparks will rock you like a Category 5 cyclone. You best not blink. Not matter what, we are positive you will be begging for more.

http://www.myspace.com/averkiou

Second Skin [Ita]

Over the past decade SECOND SKIN have made music for compilations, labels, film, and most importantly, for themselves... "Illa Exuro in Silentium" (She Burns in Silence) is their 29th musical release and fourth studio album.

Second Skin is an Gothic band formed from the ashes of Seattle based band Flesh of my Flesh by frontman Arron. Flesh of My Flesh appeared on one of the first ever Gothic tribute Cd's "First Last and Forever" where a who's who of Gothic Rock bands paid tribute to their own, this CD launched a host of groups Like the last dance,Eleven Shadows,Wreckage and the Shroud.

Second Skin was formed in 1992 and has played with everyone from Rozz Williams both Christian Death and Shadow Project to the Mission UK and have been featured on over 25 compilations, e.p.'s and Albums. Second Skin was also featured in the Movie title "Liberata Me" named after one of the bands songs, "Liberata Me" won best short subject at the New York Film Festival, director Pearry Teo then cast Arron in the follow up film "Children of the Arcana" Arron played the gate keeper of Purgatory.

http://www.myspace.com/scndskin

Autodrone [US]

Autodrone - Strike A Match CD
@Clairecords 2008

Autodrone, formed in 2002, is based on a mutual love of dream pop and early '90s Brit rock.

Seamlessly melding the sonic dynamics of noise and pop with throbbing bass lines, jagged angular synths, searing dark atmospheric guitars and urgent banshee vocals, Autodrone has quickly developed the attention of the UK and American Press garnering universally favorable reviews. Strike A Match is Autdrone's latest studio effort. Their debut album is darker, denser and more experimental, yet catchy and hook-laden than any of their previous work. The album has received a deluge of critical acclaim and has made it onto multiple "best of 2007" lists, thought it was unreleased at the time. Autrodrone have toured both the east and west coast, and have played festivals such as Pop Noise, ATJ, NEMO and CMJ.

http://www.myspace.com/autodrone