tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70454932935648532872024-08-30T13:55:36.668+01:00A music blog written to push you off the fence.Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-80788608190922384552008-04-25T16:23:00.002+01:002008-04-25T16:27:22.822+01:00

Just to inform any readers that either stumble across the site from an old link, or anyone who regularly checks the blog (thanks to you if you do) I have decided to move The Only Thing I Know For Sure over to Wordpress, mainly due to technical reasons and the limitations of the Blogger platform.So, if you're wondering why there doesn't seem to have been any updates recently, it's because they are

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-47587628136806035882008-04-20T01:26:00.005+01:002008-12-09T09:28:50.960+00:00

Perhaps most known for his work with Maynard James Keenan of Tool fame in poppy proggy combination band ‘A Perfect Circle’, Billy Howerdel has decided to jump the shark and take on a solo project of his own, maybe inspired by his friend Maynard’s recent foray into the world of solo musicianship, Puscifer.First things first – ASHES dIVIDE is a terrible name for a project, and is made even worse

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-69094723054903678072008-04-17T01:03:00.002+01:002008-04-17T01:06:46.610+01:00

Just to inform any readers out there, my other project, Ears to the Skies, had its second episode released today, and is available to download. Here's the summary:"We have a pretty meaty lineup for this week’s episode of Ears to the Skies, which includes reviews of new albums from The Sword, The Courteeners, The Kooks and the only person without a fashionable ‘The’ in front of his name, Frank

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-15232215417505045762008-04-09T07:00:00.002+01:002008-12-09T09:28:51.885+00:00

When I first heard this album round a friends house, he warned me to prepare myself for one of oddest things I was about to listen to. Back then a lot of my music taste was pretty tame, and when opening track ‘Scent of the Obscene’ began I was absolutely overwhelmed, and if I’m honest somewhat terrified.What sounded like a man with a chicken’s vocal chords squawked down the microphone, whilst

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-71169824560207531642008-04-05T23:43:00.009+01:002008-12-09T09:28:52.724+00:00

I have to admit, I have a certain fondness for this gentleman. It’s rare that you find an artist who is so passionate and open about his beliefs, and still find a human being underneath. I’ve been looking forward to his new album (most of which was written whilst relentlessly touring) since it was announced a while ago. I was almost in two minds whether to listen to it or not – Sleep is for the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-49359029330977449692008-04-04T23:10:00.003+01:002008-04-05T00:45:13.247+01:00

A few weeks ago, a course friend of mine sat down and began discussing ideas for a new weekly music podcast, a project to give us some more experience in such matters. Now, after a pretty stressful week recording and editing we are proud to present the first of these podcasts.It's not perfect at any rate, and we are hoping to iron out some technical niggles that plagued us all week, but it's a

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-22809689820465210762008-04-01T09:00:00.003+01:002008-12-09T09:28:53.317+00:00

Last month we were treated to some fantastic albums from some fantastic artists, and this month we're almost just as lucky. A few of these names might be unfamiliar to you at first, so make sure you check out their respective Myspaces to hear some sounds, especially The Sword who are currently streaming the whole of their new album. Also, feel free to recommend me or any other readers any albums

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-16561244867698432002008-03-25T16:00:00.005+00:002008-12-09T09:28:53.624+00:00

Formed initially as a side project for three members of the highly regarded Godspeed You! Black Emperor, A Silver Mt. Zion has in recent years become a musical entity of its own, taking the classical and instrumental influences of GY!BE and exploring the brave addition of vocals, and what could be considered a more approachable sound.The album opens with a series of twelve tracks, each around

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-36438019484981355742008-03-01T07:00:00.000+00:002008-12-09T09:28:54.534+00:00

Despite a fairly quiet start to the year, March is looking to be the first real busy month for notable releases. The following is a summary of the ones that are definitely worth checking out. The release dates are of course subject to change, and therefore I will endeavor to keep the list as up to date as possible.10th March: Meshuggah - ObzenHaving only just gotten into Meshuggah fairly

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-13010883484141683202008-02-27T14:46:00.007+00:002008-12-09T09:28:55.033+00:00

Enter, Russian Circles. A three piece act from Chicago who, despite only being together since 2004, have already toured with Tool and Isis, achieved critical acclaim for their debut release and are on the brink of releasing their sophomore effort, Station.Enter begins simply. Carpe fools you into believing the song is over before it all kicks off again, erupting into a final climax that is calmly

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-55002537105484751742008-02-26T19:40:00.002+00:002008-02-26T19:46:08.786+00:00

Apologies for the lateness, it was birthday weekend madness so the blog got put aside all but briefly. Normal service will resume now.Tuesday 19th Feb – Muse to headline cancer charity gigsBritish boys Muse, who skyrocketed to fame all over the world last year off the back of their latest album ‘Black Holes and Revelations’ have decided that 2008 will be a year of rest, after an absolutely

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-21328877449712808532008-02-20T13:00:00.001+00:002008-12-09T09:28:55.576+00:00

Despite only being together for five years at the beginning of the new millennium, Million Dead left quite an impression on those who were fortunate enough to hear them. Lead singer Frank Turner had a violent passion running through him, and energy which endowed itself into creating some stunning metaphysical lyrics, that defied the punk genre's rather stale take on the use of words. It wasn't

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-91465597956986387612008-02-17T17:29:00.004+00:002008-02-19T00:09:16.830+00:00

(Monday 11th Feb) Alien Ant Farm reformed with original membersBeing a band that has survived it’s fair share of misfortune (singer Dryden Mitchell came very close to death after a terrible bus accident) it looks as if the band are set to reform with it’s original members.Despite their 2001 album ‘Anthology’ becoming a massive hit, helped with a charming cover of Smooth Criminal that still gets

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-35437222780344911542008-02-12T07:00:00.002+00:002008-12-09T09:28:56.179+00:00

The Mars Volta have always remained a band whose developments and evolution has always fascinated me, and so far has never failed to impress me. Last year's 'Amputechture' drew a lot of criticism from not only the music press, but fans of the spazzy prog outfit's ludicrous adventures in sound. Some considered it a massive step back from the concept driven 'Frances the Mute' and some said that it

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-15397184490155691062008-02-10T09:00:00.001+00:002008-02-19T00:09:07.822+00:00

(Tuesday 5th Feb) Meet Me In St. Louis Split UpDespite attempts to continue playing live shows after the departure of lead vocalist Toby Hayes in November, Guildford rock group Meet Me In St. Louis have decided to call it a day after drummer Paul Phillips also decided to leave the project.The news wasn’t a massive surprise for fans of the group, but still comes as a disappointment, especially

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-84693377617426156222008-01-30T17:50:00.000+00:002008-12-09T09:28:56.632+00:00

The whole post-rock genre usually carries with it a lot of negative connotations. Pretentious, soulless and plain boring are a few adjectives that can be attached to a lot of bands who choose to carve out their niche with a strong focus on instrumental performances and songs that last for more than five minutes. Certainly the genre is not particularly one for the faint of heart, with some of the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-61512429353306851962008-01-08T20:38:00.000+00:002008-01-08T20:49:31.440+00:00

Reuben (who unfortunately did not make it to Christmas number one. For shame England, for shame) have announced a set of headliner dates for April. The band will hit up nine venues across the UK starting on April 1st in Birmingham and ending up at the Electic Ballroom in London on the 11th. Those dates in full: 1st Birmingham Academy 2 2nd Sheffield Corporation 3rd Glasgow

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-30258477136454037892008-01-07T18:36:00.001+00:002008-12-09T09:28:56.909+00:00

Happy New Year. Welcome to 2008, which does look as if it could be a very promising year for new music, given the noticeable change in attitude of artists towards the end of 2007 and the ever increasing number of fresh bands who are willing to try and bring something new to the table. It’s certainly guaranteed to be a year of challenges and problem solving for the major record labels, after

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-24161378575252905732007-12-20T15:21:00.000+00:002008-12-09T09:28:57.109+00:00

The three members of rock group Planet Brain remain some of the most enigmatic musicians I've met. My first encounter with the band, hailing all the way from Italy, was at a splendid show put on by Function Records at our Student Union in Farnham playing alongside Shield Your Eyes and Munroe Effect, a long way from home for Marcello, Nicola and Claudio.I find it quite difficult to really state

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-6548165940702840422007-12-18T17:50:00.000+00:002007-12-18T18:32:49.083+00:00

Up until last night I had never used iTunes to purchase a song. Having a Creative mp3 player I knew the songs purchased there would be useless to me, and at any rate nothing beats owning the proper, physical CD. Furthermore, I wouldn't even consider using iTunes to organise/play my music. Put simply it's terrible.However, last night I was forced to break my iTunes store virginity in order to lend

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-21245767494205542262007-12-14T15:04:00.000+00:002008-12-09T09:28:57.629+00:00

After four years together Eighthnerve will be no more.Horsham metal outfit 'Eighthnerve' have decided to call it a day after four years of relentless and passionate touring. Having played over 200 shows, to thousands of people, Eighthnerve have been a long standing example of how to go about making music your own way, creating one of the best live shows venues in the South of England could

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-25799285610687735222007-12-13T16:41:00.000+00:002007-12-13T18:19:00.329+00:00

Given that us British people manage to find a shit tradition for nearly every religious event (egg painting competitions for Easter, consuming illegal amounts of maple syrup on Shrove Tuesday) it seems unsurprising that the worst of them all comes at Christmas.I am of course, referring to the tedious race for the cherished Christmas number 1 spot. Previous winners have included Neil Morrisey's

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-13311009871037748442007-12-10T15:10:00.000+00:002008-12-09T09:28:57.828+00:00

What to begin with? Well, there's always the popular topic of Radiohead, who after releasing In Rainbows to the world have been in the public eye more than the government, which I guess for them must be some small victory, but I think at this point the majority of people have grown fed up with the bombardement, so I'm going to avoid that metaphorical elephant.Instead, I'm going to take a look at

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7045493293564853287.post-3651268836457791082007-12-10T14:22:00.000+00:002008-12-09T09:28:57.970+00:00

Welcome indeed. Pink Floyd there, with a fantastic introductory line to all this blogging nonsense. My name is Mike, and this is the first of what I hope to be a continually updated online opinion piece on the music world, with a heavy focus on proper music, so if you're planning on buying the Shaun the Sheep's Christmas single then go away, there's nothing for you here.There's a lot of places

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318994962521686995noreply@blogger.com0