Ones to Watch 2011 - ( 7 a month )

Later than everyone else`s list.

A reoccurring pattern is occurring.

As proven by Friction Burns (The Alternative Burn`s Supper) we`re doing on the 3rd February.

Timing is over-rated, quality is infinite.

I decided to try out 2011 first a little like trying on a new pair of shoes. 

Walk around a bit, mould myself into it.

This is not who I tip for greatness as last year I tipped 3 bands who split up.

I also think we all know by reading the other lists who is likely to do well so I`ve avoided *researching others list`s in an attempt to look all cool and all .knowing 

(*Copying other lists -  The reason your supposed to do a list in mid January)

this is more of my list of new music that I personally enjoy and hope will do well.
Music is personal so of course it`s biased. (Tisdamuthaflippinmusicindustryafteralllbiatches!!!)
I`m gonna try do something like this once a month to reflect what I`ve been listening to most so don`t worry if your bands not here (There`s at least another 10 who could`ve, should`ve , would`ve been)
so the idea is 7 a month. EVERY month.
Keep your ears peeled and your eyes to the ground for this lot over the coming months...

1. Sun Dogs

I cant get enough of the Sun Dogs right now (http://soundcloud.com/sun-dogs)

 New songs sporadically appear then disappear some then re-appear with new layers some disappear forever. A true perfectionist is at work here and there surely must be at least one great albums worth of material ready by now (?) 

 It must be the only Soundcloud page I`ve ever bookmarked and visit on the regular. Lovely dream like melodies, layered, spacious and produced with a thin tooth dog comb. Perfect chill out songs such as `Miwersa` and `Dream and Machine` Then there`s songs such as `The Meddler` and `Drip Effect` which are modern folk with fuzzy guitars and phone-box vocals. There seems to be a lot going on between collaborations and remixes so expect the debut live show this year to be a buzz gig of mass proportions as more and more catch onto the genius at work here. No gimmicks, photoshoots or angles, The music does all the talking here.

2. Madskull

The Madskull boys first came to my attention a couple of years ago when they gained a huge myspace* following (*Myspace was a very busy internet site many moons ago) and like a refreshing needle in a haystack of shit they stood out head and shoulders. Although there was many crazed artists making original music there`s always seemed to have a point to it and never went too obscure. I first described it as `The Beta Band produced by Dr. Dre` and it`s still probably the best I can come up with in explaining the sound they have invented and called `Bongbeat` . 

They toured with their good friends Glasvegas when they first started travelling round the U.K but their sound is nothing like what they guys do. It`s more upbeat, They use a DJ rather than a drummer, And Marco effortlessly sways between flows and singing.  They have been locked away in the lab for over a year now and I`ve been lucky enough to hear a few exclusive peaks at what they`ve been up to. It`s sounding bigger and better than ever so can`t wait for the return of the mad skwad with an entire new set, new album and a new monthly night at Stereo called `Glasgow City Scoundrels` excites me a lot. See the start of something big happen on January 26th at Stereo

3. Ghosts of Progress

It astounds me that these guys aren`t on too many lists i`ve seen because 

1. They fucking rock it big time

2. They have a top class album recently recorded , mastered and ready to sell to the masses

3. They work harder than most notching up a shitload of gigs* last year (A shitload equates to more than 80)

4. They have songs called such things as `Anal Blues` and `Hail to the Memory Wank` (!!!)

The best part is there`s only Two of them in the band but it sounds like a cavalry charge. It`s the band the White Stripes could have been if they had replaced the female drummer with a shit hot guitarist and got Jack to play better, sing better and kick a half a drumkit on the stage while he does it. Maybe it`s coz they`re from Montrose noone else down here has caught on yet how good this is to watch live. They rocked a Traffic Cone night in December  (Video above- breaking a string halfway through a song only enhanced the performance)  and will be launching their album proper in Glasgow come March-time.  Between now and then I hope Glasgow wakes up to this duo. Their also playing the Madskull/ Stereo gig on the 26th so hopefully that will give them another wee platform to impress.

4. The Dirty Honchos

One band who will emerge you have not heard of yet will probably be The Dirty Honchos. One of the most entertaining bands I seen live last year was `We Are Jawbone` and this is what I would consider the sequel to that.

Joe has a good following, plenty of experience and is one of the best frontmen I have seen at first hand. He joined another legend Hugh Reed onstage last August at The Pandora which proved to me that he`ll be fine whoever he recruits in and im looking forward to some more dark, topical, real music from him and his. 

They will support `The Men They Couldn`t Hang` on April 1st at Ivory Blacks. More details here

5. The Girobabies

You can call me biased till the cows come home but the last few week`s I have been listening to what The Giro`s have been recording and have genuinely been blown away by how far all of them have come. The `Social Not Working` CD was recorded over 2 days, mixed in 1 and the sound completely reflected that which worked for they songs. However, the new one tentatively named `Countdown to Tinnitus`  has been a far slower, composed process of getting everything sounding right, sleeping on it, Recording demo`s and discarding them. It`s going to make for a fuller and more complete sound . Im hoping to release it VIA Traffic Cone Records in March/ April time and I can assure everyone it will well be worth the wait. Sneak previews coming to the mailing list in the next few weeks. In the meantime, you can get on that list and download the last release for a name-your-price dillio by going here FREE D.L of `Social Not Working`. The Girobabies will be premièring new material also at the Madskull/ Ghosts of Progress gig so make sure you get there to Stereo early on the 26th January  

6. PORTRAITS

 Sticking to the Giro theme is a band known only as `Portraits` . I can reveal that the bassist is Martyn Yuen (Ex- bassist of The Giro`s) They don`t have a website or even a Facebook yet but I have sneaked an exclusive listen to them. It`s lo-fi post-rock instrumentalisation at it`s finest. So if you like Mogwai et all then you`ll prob be digging these guys. They make their live debut opening at the Glasgow City Scoundrels (Launch Night) on Jan 26th, yet another fine reason to make sure your there. They`ll be on first and it could be a little bit of musical history happening right there.

7. Crash Club

Last but not least is another brand new band going by the name of Crash Club. I know a couple of the guys from their last project (popular Indie band `The Front` ) who disbanded a couple of years back. Since then Arran and Neal have been recording live instruments over Sammy`s banging dance-fused beats. They also make their live debut this month at Stereo (2 days later on the 28th) supporting Versus Versus and The Draymin (One of my fave bands of 2010) . The music is completely different from heir last incarnation and I`m really looking forward to how these guys translate it to the live arena. You can find all the details of the gig  here and they`ll be an after-party in Stereo feat. Will Bailey, Crocky, Foley Foliage and more . all the details can be found here