In the early days of recorded music, landing a deal with a label—any label—was the golden ticket. Today, the landscape has fractured into a multitude of paths: indie imprints with passionate followings, major corporations wielding deep-pocketed muscle, or the fiercely independent DIY route. Each comes with its own mix of benefits, trade-offs and cultural cachet. Here, we break down what bands gain—and what they give up—when they sign to an indie label, a major label, or choose to go it alone.
Read MoreINTERVIEW: No apologies, no filters: Take It Or Leave It on finding their sound....
Emerging from Rockland County, NY with a name born out of playful indifference and a sound that throws hooks like punches, Take It Or Leave It are far more than a shrug in band form. With their debut EP Tunnel Vision making waves thanks to its raw energy and punk-pop fusion, we caught up with guitarist and founding member Mario Frascone to unpack the story behind the music. From their DIY basement recordings to the chaos of live shows, it’s clear this is a band with heart, grit, and plenty to say — whether you’re along for the ride or not.
Read MoreFEATURE: Ozzy Osbourne: The Prince of Darkness bows out, but his legacy will live forever....
Today, the world of rock and metal mourns the loss of one of its most iconic figures. Ozzy Osbourne, legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, has passed away at the age of 76, surrounded by family and love. His death comes just weeks after his emotional final performance at Villa Park in Birmingham, where he reunited with his original bandmates for the historic Back to the Beginning concert—a farewell that now feels even more poignant.
Read MoreNEWS: Bronski Beat’s ‘Forbidden Fruit’ delivers bold, beat-driven tribute to synth-pop legacy....
To mark four decades since their seismic debut, London Records wraps up Bronski Beat’s 40th Anniversary celebrations with a kaleidoscopic celebration of sound and soul: ‘Forbidden Fruit – The Age Of Consent Remixed’, out now on crystal-clear vinyl, digipak CD, and digital formats.
Read MoreTOUR: LESS THAN JAKE bring the Winter Circus Tour 2026 to the UK with a punk-powered parade....
Hold onto your bowler hats and Doc Martens—Less Than Jake are about to unleash a riotous explosion of brass, riffs, and punk soul across the UK. The Florida-based ska-punk legends return for a headline run dubbed the Winter Circus Tour 2026, taking their infectious energy to seven cities across England and Scotland this February and March.
Read MoreLIVE REVIEW: BLACK FOXXES & KANADIA at The Underground, Mutley Plain, Plymouth - July 20th 2025
Tonight’s show was the penultimate stop on Black Foxxes’ 10-date UK tour, which kicked off in Guildford on July 9th and wraps at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh. Fresh from a heat-baked 2000 Trees set, frontman Mark Holley arrived in Plymouth in high spirits, ready for what felt like a homecoming just a short drive away from his Devon roots.
Read MoreINTERVIEW: Ahead of KERNOWFORNIA FESTIVAL at the end of September, we catch up with festival faves THE CABARATS....
KERNOWFORNIA FESTIVAL takes place in Looe from 26-28 September, the lineup is immense and we’re really looking forward to crossing the bridge and covering as much of it as we can. In a series of interviews with bands performing at the festival, we caught up with THE CABARATS to chat about new music, Cornish delicacies, seaside activities and pre-gig rituals….
Read MorePhoto Credit: Khris Poage
NEWS: WHISKEY MYERS unleash late-night thunder with new single ‘Midnight Woman’....
With a title like Whomp Whack Thunder, you’d expect a sonic storm—and Whiskey Myers are delivering just that. The East Texas six-piece have dropped Midnight Woman, the third single from their upcoming seventh studio album, and it’s a swampy, seductive fever dream that hits like a shot of Southern moonshine.
Read MoreNEWS: CHINCHILLA freefalls into vulnerability with haunting single ‘Avoidance’ - Video out today
London’s genre-defying powerhouse CHINCHILLA has peeled back the layers with her latest release Avoidance—a raw, emotionally charged ballad that marks the beginning of a new trilogy of singles. Released on June 5th and now accompanied by a visually arresting music video, the track captures the visceral moment of heartbreak and anxiety that birthed it: a triggering text, a cab ride, and a one-hour writing session that spilled out like a wound.
Read MoreNEWS: YUNGBLUD channels Sabbath's spirit in monumental cover of ‘Changes’ at Villa Park....
In a moment that fused legacy with rebellion, YUNGBLUD stepped onto the hallowed turf of Villa Park on July 5th and delivered a performance that will echo through rock history. His live rendition of Black Sabbath’s 1972 ballad Changes, now released as a charity single, wasn’t just a cover—it was a torch-passing, a tribute, and a rallying cry for the healing power of music.
Read MoreNEWS: LEAP channel heartbreak and healing on new single ‘Waste Your Love’ ahead of debut album ‘Entropy’
London’s rock renegades LEAP have dropped their latest sonic gut-punch, Waste Your Love—a cathartic anthem that doubles as a love letter to their ever-growing fanbase and a preview of their upcoming debut album Entropy, landing October 3rd.
Read MoreNEWS: Bristol's SPIN CLASS serve up a sonic feast with electrifying second EP ‘Dinner at Derek’s’
If Bristol’s underground scene had a dinner party, Spin Class would be serving the main course. The grunge-grit, prog-glazed four-piece have unleashed their second EP Dinner at Derek’s today, July 18th, plating up a five-track spread of crunchy riffs, wild shifts, and emotionally charged lyricism that tastes as chaotic as it sounds.
Read MoreINTERVIEW: Ahead of KERNOWFORNIA FESTIVAL in September, we catch up with blues-rock duo MORIATY....
KERNOWFORNIA FESTIVAL takes place in Looe from 26-28 September, the lineup is immense and we’re really looking forward to crossing the bridge and covering as much of it as we can. In a series of interviews with bands performing at the festival, we caught up with Matt and Jordan from Devon based blues-rock duo MORIATY to chat about new music, Cornish delicacies, seaside weather and pre-gig rituals….
Read MoreFEATURE: After 25 years, we thought it was about time we dug deeper into '7 Days' by Craig David....
Yes folks, 25 years have passed since Craig David met a young lady in the subway on the way to see some friends, things escalated quickly and before 3 torrid nights between the sheets, they chilled on Sunday, but there are so many unanswered questions, buckle up tight, we’re going in!
Read MoreLIVE REVIEW: Emma Howett and the Genuine Noise - The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham 11 July 2025
It's been a scorching week in the UK and what better way to spend a Friday night than in a dark basement at The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham with the air con struggling to keep up and 3 wonderful acts to keep us entertained..
Read MoreElectric Bay Festival Friday 11 July 2025 - BLOC PARTY close the day with a storming live set....
Nestled in Torre Abbey Meadows along the Torquay seafront, Electric Bay’s opening day felt like the British summer turned up to eleven. Wall-to-wall sunshine bathed the audience in warmth, while the shadows cast by historic buildings and mature trees offered welcome respite. The stage stood proud against a backdrop of blue sky and rolling sea, promising an afternoon and evening of unforgettable performances.
Read MoreNEWS: OF MICE & MEN announce their ninth album ANOTHER MIRACLE for release on November 14th via Century Media Records
Few bands in modern rock blend raw intimacy with unbridled power quite like Southern California’s Of Mice & Men. Today, the quartet announce Another Miracle, their ninth studio album, arriving November 14 via Century Media Records.
For Another Miracle, Of Mice & Men took every creative wheel in hand. Written, produced, engineered—and even mixed and mastered—by the band themselves, the record strips away outside influence in favor of unfiltered authenticity. Frontman Aaron Pauley explains that rejecting a big-name producer allowed the group to capture the most honest reflection of who they are in 2025.
Aaron Pauley and company pour heart and history into every riff and lyric. This album deepens their melodic strengths while doubling down on the crushing heaviness that long-time fans crave. The result is a powerful, expansive collection of tracks that feel as personal as a diary entry and as epic as a stadium anthem.
Leading the charge is the new single “Wake Up”, a fearless experiment in contrasts. Delicate, shoegaze-tinged guitars intertwine with the band’s signature modern heft, creating a sonic landscape that’s both vulnerable and urgent. Lyrically, it’s a call to presence—the imperative to live fully in the moment, wrapped in dreamlike imagery.
Teaming up again with director Mike Matsui, Of Mice & Men shot the “Wake Up” video in a historic San Francisco church. The band claims it’s possibly the first-ever breakdown captured in such sacred walls. With Matsui’s visionary eye, the clip transcends a standard music video, delivering a truly otherworldly experience.
This summer, Of Mice & Men preview their new material at major US festivals:
Summer Daze Festival, Elko NV
Warped Tour, Long Beach CA & Orlando FL
Louder Than Life, Louisville KY
They’ll kick off a UK and European headline tour on November 27, wrapping December 14. North American headline dates will follow—check ofmicetickets.com for updates.
Alongside Another Miracle, the band launches Micespace, an exclusive online community. Members gain access to unreleased demos, behind-the-scenes footage from nine album eras, early ticket presales, and a trove of perks designed for true die-hards.
Since their 2010 debut, gold-certified Of Mice & Men have built a global following through relentless touring and powerful live shows. The stable lineup of Aaron Pauley, Phil Manansala, Alan Ashby, and Tino Arteaga has fostered deep creative chemistry. Their music—steeped in themes of resilience, mental health, and human connection—resonates across generations and genres. With Another Miracle, they prove once again that their evolution remains grounded in the authenticity that has defined their sound from day one.
OF MICE & MEN TOUR DATES
7/19 – Summer Daze Fest 2025 – Elko, NV
7/26–7/27 – Warped Tour 2025 – Long Beach, CA
8/29–8/31 – Rocklahoma 2025 – Pryor, OK
9/18–9/21 – Louder Than Life 2025 – Louisville, KY
10/2-10/5 - Aftershock Festival - Sacramento, CA
11/15 -16 - Warped Tour 2025 - Orlando, FL
11/27 - Docks - Hamburg, DE
11/28 - Hole 44 - Berlin, DE
11/29 - Anker - Leipzig, DE
11/30 - Meet Factory - Prague, CZ
12/02 - Progresja - Warsaw, PL
12/04 - Backstage - Munich, DE
12/05 - Essigfabrik - Cologne, DE
12/06 - Kulturfabrik Kofmehl - Solothurn, CH
12/08 - Bataclan - Paris, FR
12/09 - 013 - Tilburg, NL
12/11 - Electric Ballroom - London, UK
12/12 - Academy 2 - Manchester, UK
12/13 - Bristol Electric - Bristol, UK
12/14 - The Garage - Glasgow, UK
Follow Of Mice & Men:
Photo by Carissa Dugoni
NEWS: Luvcat unleashes ‘Vicious Delicious’, a debut drenched in glamour, grit and gothic romance
This Halloween, the underground’s most magnetic muse steps into the spotlight. Rising alt-pop provocateur Luvcat has announced her long-awaited debut album, Vicious Delicious, dropping 31st October 2025 via AWAL—a date as theatrical as the artist herself. Leading the charge is the title track, a glitter-drenched anthem of obsession and allure, paired with a surreal, self-directed music video that’s part Morticia Addams, part Moulin Rouge, and entirely Luvcat.
Read MoreFEATURE: Off the beaten track - Discover BOARDMASTERS’ hidden musical gems....
Nestled between the golden sands of Fistral Beach and the cliffside beauty of Watergate Bay, Boardmasters began in 1981 as a humble surf competition. Fast forward to 2025, and it’s now one of the UK’s most iconic festivals, blending world-class music, extreme sports, and coastal culture into a five-day celebration of summer.
Read MoreNEWS: KANADIA are back with their 3rd studio album 'The Fire That’s Tearing Through Our Home' on September 26th....
Kanadia return on September 26th with their third album, The Fire That’s Tearing Through Our Home, available now to pre-order on vinyl, CD, and all digital platforms. Built on dreamlike soundscapes, massive hooks, and haunting melodies, this 50-minute journey delves into the fragile beauty of human emotion. Frontman James Bettis leads the listener through propulsive anthems and intimate moments, forging a connection that feels both personal and grand.
The album’s lead single, “Going Nowhere,” set the stage with its soaring atmosphere and masterful use of space, showcasing Kanadia’s knack for pairing lush ambience with stirring indie rock heft. Its follow-up, “Too Late Now,” balances delicate guitar passages and lush harmonies against thunderous choruses. Bettis describes it as “an emotional release” about regret, identity, and the weight of choices—about pushing ourselves so far it really is too late now.
Closing the record is the stunningly intense “The Fire That’s Tearing Through Our Home.” Written at a low point for Bettis and amid lineup upheaval, the song uses fiery imagery to capture the band’s near-collapse and desperate desire to hold on. It’s the most personal moment on the album—a raw testament to the chaos and renewal that forged Kanadia’s current unity.
A fresh lineup breathes new life into the group. Brazilian-born bassist Everton Barbato joins Melissa Marshall (synth/keys) and Tim Lucas (drums), forging a tighter chemistry than ever before. This cohesion feeds directly into the album’s emotional core and makes the band sound more empowered, confident, and sonically adventurous.
Recorded at Evolution Recording Studios in Oxford and produced by Willie J. Healey guitarist Chris Barker, the album’s warm, expansive tones were mixed by Tom Leach (Lewis Capaldi, Pa Salieu, Spiritualized) at Snap Studios in London. The result is an immersive sound world where bright clarity and dark undercurrents coexist—an ideal canvas for Bettis’s introspective lyrics on anxiety, depression, and self-acceptance.
Before the album’s arrival, Kanadia tour the UK supporting Black Foxxes and take festival slots at Riverside Festival (July 19) and Together Again Festival (July 25). They’ll launch The Fire That’s Tearing Through Our Home with a hometown headline show at O2 Academy Oxford on September 5, with more dates to follow. Full listings and tickets are available HERE
As you prepare for this new chapter, delve into Kanadia’s back catalogue—from their debut to last year’s shifts—and watch for a deluxe vinyl pressing featuring exclusive demos and a forthcoming behind-the-scenes mini-documentary.
THE FIRE THAT’S TEARING THROUGH OUR HOME TRACK LISTING
I’m Falling
The Ways
I Can’t Feel The Sunlight
How Do You Sleep
Too Late Now
Hey
Going Nowhere
Side Off The Earth
Wired
Over Again
So Divided
The Fire That’s Tearing Through Our Home
Album artwork