looking for something specific? search our archives:
[Listen] Biffy Clyro - "Merry Xmas Everybody" (Slade Cover) Live on Radio One
So Christmas is next week. Next frikkin' week guys! Feeling festive yet? I've been pretty grouchy myself but today while nursing a heavy head from lack of sleep in the office, my day was brightened and my festive cheer actually kicked into over drive for the first time this year. The reason for that was this merry sounding cover from Biffy Clyro of Slade's classic hit "Merry Xmas Everybody" complete with a false start and a little slip up from Simon half way through before a big sing along at the end. Wonderful. It took place in Fearne Cotton's house as part of her Christmas Party show today on Radio One. Check it out below and get in the spirit. Smile too 'cos the world didn't end!
[SKOA Christmas Premiere] Vesta - "The Voyeur"
Over the last year, Pittsburgh rock outfit 1,2,3 has has garnered the attention of the blogosphere as one of the most interesting and diverse surprises of the year. The band offered listeners a rock record that wasn't trying to create an identity for itself, it just wanted to give you ten awesome tracks that you'll want to listen to over and over. It was this carefree attitude that stood out the most on their debut album New Heaven, with each song evoking the passion and enjoyment that each band member had while recording it. It was simply an enjoyable album, one that you never wanted to put down; it was one of the bigger surprises of the year.
One of the best traits of 1,2,3 was the charisma and the positive attitudes of the band members, and this translates into incredibly fun music. Chad Monticue, 1,2,3's bassist and backup vocalist, has brought this exact attitude to his other band, Vesta, the project that was born out of the break up of Monticue's indie pop band The Juliana Theory. Over the past few months, Monticue and his bandmates Joshua Fielder, Josh Kosker and Justin Niedzwecki have been recording with the help of their friend and engineer Jonathon Gunnell. So far, the band are recording and perfecting a digital and vinyl set for release before summer of next year, with the song "The Voyeur" to be included on that album. According to Monticue, the track is a rough mix, but from the moment I pressed play, I was hooked. The song is our first taste of what the Pittsburgh outfit will offer up next year, and SKOA is proud to premiere "The Voyeur" on Christmas as a holiday gift for the SKOA readers and the 1,2,3 fans. The fantastic 'rough mix' of "The Voyeur" is available to stream and download for free below, and expect more coverage of Vesta and 1,2,3 in the New Year.
[SKOA Premiere] Vesta - "The Voyeur" by Some Kind of Awesome
[News] Holiday Hunger Bundle: Bid on New Music from of Montreal, We Are Scientists,OK Go and Drive-By Truckers for Charity
Starting today, the Holiday Hunger Bundle, a charity project created in conjunction with the Feed Them With Music charity, is open for music fans to bid on four tracks from of Montreal ("Feminine Effects"), OK Go ("All Is Not Lost"), We Are Scientists (an acoustic version of "Central AC"), and Drive-By Truckers ("The Thanksgiving Filter"). Donations for the Holiday Hunger Bundle are up to those donating, but every dollar donated equals one meal provided to someone in need. Also, if they are able to meet their goal of delivering 10,000 (that means at least $10,000 in donations) meals delivered, they will release an original unreleased Christmas song from The Postelles. And, if that wasn't enough incentive, the top donator will receive a marching hat and outfit used in OK Go's video for "This Too Shall Pass." The Holiday Hunger Bundle charity project will be running for the next week, so head here to start donating now. As well, below, you can stream of Montreal's charity exclusive "Feminine Effects."
[Listen] Gruff Rhys - "Post Apocalypse Christmas"
Ho-ho-ho, merry Christmas from Gruff Rhys as he's let another track loose from his forthcoming Atheist Xmas EP which is set to drop next week on the 19th of December. We already got all cheery with a listen to the first preview "Slashed Wrists This Christmas" and today we can do it all over again with a listen of "Post Apocalypse Christmas". Stream it below via PIAS Germany's Soundcloud page.