XXIV records

** Bidgie Reef & the Gas
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Original, genre defying, unlikely looking… Just a few ways to try and pigeonhole BR&TG… and believe me, many have tried this problematic act. The quirky seven piece have performed the unlikely tour de force, and successfully reinvented what a band today can sound like. They offer up a platter of indifference to simple tabulations of sound. The Guardian recalls the post-punk power pop of bands like Punishment of Luxury and the Boomtown Rats, whilst the less imaginative instantly draw comparisons to the Blockheads. However, certainly if their music alone offers up such trials and tribulations in attempts at concrete descriptions, the distinctively recited lyrics in addition are haunting, tapping into the dark psychoses of everyday tales with an underlying aggression and bitterness in the delivery. Quite knowingly clever and theatrical, delivered by fine musicians, who were officially voted the best band in Reading last year, by the readers of the Reading Evening Post.

** The Gemma Ray Ritual
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Subtle, but heart wrenching, The Gemma Ray Ritual is the songs, voice and guitar of Gemma Ray. A salutation in the direction of influence, includes Nina Simone, Nick Cave, and Led Zeppelin via Edith Piaff and Groundhogs. An intense style of playing enables Gemma and her backing band to uniquely mix genres. Her voice sounds troubled yet fearless, and reaches celestial heights on the track ‘Bury My Bones’ to the soundscape of pounding, infectious acoustic soulful blues. Gemma completed the recording of her debut full-length album last year, entitled ‘Radiology’.

**Aluminium Babe
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‘Who’s the babe?’ Well the ‘babe’ in Aluminium Babe is Anna, the captivating Swedish punk singer who likes Alice Cooper, The Sex Pistols and the songs written for Swedish kids (literally). A stylishly bi-continetal band, Aluminium Babe, formed in NYC in 2001, after Anna, who likes to butter up aggressive punk rock with coy pop edges, found ‘magnetic musical synergy with bassist Jorge’. All this, of course, is performed with the obligatory wink and nod in the direction of irony. On the addition of drummer Darren and guitarist Joseph, Aluminium Babe have been very busy indeed: playing lots of club shows in and round NY, and developing an ecstatic fan base, whilst tuning their ironic punk rock tendencies, formed their own label (Senile Records) and released a self-titled debut ep. This is the band that The New York Press called ‘An instant classic’.

**Crowd
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Crowd darted into the consciousness of the current music scene with their eclectic and frenzied soundscape of mod-based guitar and ska-influenced rhythm from South London. A string of high profile support slots, including Babyshambles, The Others and The Happy Mondays, has ensured their live ska-punk lyrical ramblings has reached the masses. They have been described by xfm’s very own John Kennedy as ‘lyrical genius’ after their track ‘Foolish Grin’ received airplay on the Unsigned X-Posure slot. Crowd also were filmed for the Digital Sneakers documentary on south London’s music scene for Channel 4.. media darlings! Their 60’s influenced flair has been honed into charismatic and very modern 2 minute saga’s of Weller and Ringo love child bliss.

**Devil In Miss Jones
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Bethnal Green’s self professed ‘Soul Punk Collective’ are a dangerous mix of just what that says. Having supported Wolfman, Babyshambles, The Others and numerous other indie punk wanabies, Devil are well on their way to becoming a revolution. They have recently become involved with East London’s MC Appleseed and produced a rampant track called ‘London Town Is A War Zone’. Listen and Learn.

**TigerForce
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Electro metal is a new direction open for exploration and Tigerforce certainly seem keen to plant the flag. This two piece act are energetic and passionate with a certain Blue Peter charm about them. Every track seems to bleed the words…’Here’s one I made earlier.’ A must see live, they tackle stages small and large with the same enigmatic presence.

**Painesville
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Lost in translation of various rubbish. Painesville are the baby of Ollie Guy, XXIV man and Dwarf Orgy singer. Having played just one gig at the launch of New Cross Raw And Unplugged on RAR, they are mere novices. There is no formal line up and the recordings feature members of various bands and a few hobos.
A couple of gigs will occur this summer to accompany a limited edition album on XXIV entitled 'Dirty City.'

**Others...
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There are so many acts XXIV have had the pleasure to work with from Blues wonder IAN SEIGAL, who rocked the New Cross Inn, so many times, to art punk heroes THE VIOLETS.

Some have made lasting impressions, like Seattles A WHISPER IN THE NOISE and Pete Doherty’s BABYSHAMBLES, who trashed Turnmills. Others, like TOWERS OF LONDON, have left a very sour taste in the mouth (and even piss on the stage).

Here are a few you should check out….

THE OTHERS, WOLFMAN, LOVELL’S WHARF, GRAND DELINQUENTS, REID PALEY and THE DELPHIAN COMPLEX. All are well worth a minute or two of your time…