I continue to be jazzed about the upcoming release from The Last Shadow Puppets (Miles Kane from The Rascals and Alex Turner from Arctic Monkeys). We previously covered the release of their video for The Age Of The Understatement and now the fine folks at Domino records have passed along some stripped-down performances from the band’s brief visit to New York earlier this year.

The Age Of The Understatement is out in the UK & Europe April 21st and in North America on May 6th on Domino.

The Age Of The Understatement, is an album of 12 full-blooded songs, bold and brassy, full of drama, wit and melody, that source the past but avoid falling into pastiche. Both Miles and Alex are 22 and this is a youthful record, full of life and the sheer pleasure of music making.

The album was recorded at Black Box Studios near Nantes, France in two weeks during the summer of 2007, James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco) manning both the producer’s chair AND the drummer’s stool. The band then approached Owen Pallett of Final Fantasy to arrange and conduct the orchestration of the tracks, which were recorded by the 22-piece London Metropolitan Orchestra at British Grove studios in London over Christmas.

MP3: The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement (Live Acoustic)

MP3: The Last Shadow Puppets - My Mistakes Were Made For You (Live Acoustic)

- Keath (MySpace)

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As many of you may or may not know, I’m an art collector of sorts. There was a period of time shortly after I finished my degree that that the majority of the money I made was spent on paintings from various artists I met on eBay (and cigarettes). Quite a few of the artists that I made purchases from have moved on to bigger and better things. I bumped into one of those artists stumbling around Myspace on Sunday. I was pleased to find he’s helping out a few bands and artists…here’s one of them:

From Wiki: The Cutler is an electronica collaboration from Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire in North-East England. Formed by Steve Cobby & David ‘Porky’ Brennand; founder of Pork Recordings, they play electronica and dub, and are sometimes described as being leftfield.

Formed in 2006, their debut release came in 2007 on the electronica label Steel Tiger Records (based in Hull/Sheffield and established by Cobby with Sim Lister in 2006) with the single Stiletto.

The following song is a Rock Sellout exclusive of sorts. From their forthcoming (currently untitled and unreleased) album:

Download: The Cutler - “Cleaver”

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It’s been quite some time since I tossed a single song and video into the lion’s cage to see what shape it returned in. Leeds’ Your Vegas seems like a perfect contestant. Their fanbase has grown leaps and bounds since I first shared a song from them in February.

What do you think? Complete shit or total hit?! They’ve yet to make a huge splash in my local area, so I can’t help but wonder if there are fans elsewhere…or if the hipsters are picking their teeth with them. You tell me!

Download: Your Vegas - “In My Head”

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We’ve got some Temposhark loot to give away thanks to Nicole at Two Sheps That Pass. Here’s what we’re offering up:

Grand Prize: Temposhark “Joy” T-shirt (L), The Invisible Line CD, “Joy” EP, Temposhark buttons & stickers, download cards.

Runner-up: The Invisible Line CD, “Joy” EP, Temposhark buttons & stickers, download cards.

Who can win: US readers only. Rock Sellout contributors are not eligible. This lot is popular enough in London, let’s get the kids in the States involved in this one, shall we?!

How to win: We’re looking for a little constructive criticism. In order to win this one, let us know:
1. What do you love about Rock Sellout?
2. If you could change one thing about the site, what would it be?!
3. How would you improve the site?

Contest ends Sunday night 12EST. Best of luck!!

Download: Temposhark - “Joy”
Download: Temposhark - “Not That Big” (Featuring Imogen Heap)

- Mark

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Fabulous indie electro-pop duo Uh Huh Her has hit the road in support of their new album Common Reaction which will be released August 19th. You can preorder direct here and receive an autographed copy!

I’m jazzed about the album and am very pleased to share a stream of the track “Say So” courtesy of the fine folks at Nettwerk.

RAM Stream: Uh Huh Her - Say So

MOV Stream: Uh Huh Her - Say So

Check the band out live - and keep an eye on their MySpace page for tour and album updates.

DATE EVENT LOCATION
Apr 29 - Double Door, Chicago, IL
Apr 30 - Varsity Theatre, Minneapolis, MN
May 1 - Jackpot, Lawrence, KS
May 2 - Duck Room, St. Louis, MO
May 4 - The Loft, Dallas, TX
May 5 - Walter’s On Washington, Houston, TX
May 7 - Exit/In, Nashville, TN
May 9 - The Social, Orlando, FL
May 10 - Studio A, Miami, FL
May 11 - Orpheum, Tampa, FL
May 12 - Vinyl, Atlanta, GA
May 14 - 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
May 15 - North Star, Philadelphia, PA
May 16 - Pearl Street, Northampton, MA
May 17 - Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
May 20 - Highline Ballroom, New York, NY
May 21 - Petit Campus, Montreal, PQ
May 23 - Mod Club, Toronto, ON

- Keath (MySpace)

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The Chevrolites are the very definition of a Friday Night Band - one of those who are incredibly fun to listen to, that get you geared up and out of the house, that you blast in the car with your mates on the way to the club, that you queue up outside the door a good thirty minutes early for despite the chilly weather, that you make an ass of yourself dancing along with, and that, the morning after, you swear to everyone who missed the show that it might well be the best gig you’ve ever seen. And that’s before the first song ends.

But don’t take my word for it - have a listen:

MP3: The Chevrolites - It’s All Kickin’ Off

MP3: The Chevrolites - Never Leave This Town

They’re on tour now - check ‘em out:

Plus, if you sign up for their mailing list at a gig, they’ll give you their “Never Leave This Town” EP or the new “Broken Bones & Lost Homes” EP for free! How can you not think these chaps are aces? They’re back in the studio the first part of May to record some new tracks - keep an eye on their MySpace page and band blog for further details.

- Keath (MySpace)

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I’ve read that Teenagers In Tokyo (I know, if I were cool the band name would be smashed together like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich under a bus tire…but I’m not, so get over it) aren’t teenagers nor are they from Tokyo. I’m here to be the first to tell you they aren’t related to Tokyo Police Club either.

I stumbled upon these four gals and a lad quite some time ago and saw they were getting more exposure on the blogsphere than the nude photo of Sean Ryan I uploaded this evening, so I left well enough alone and never posted about them…and then along came Eloise. Yeah, PR gals who are as sweet as they are beautiful have a tendency of making the silliness in my world disappear quite quickly (or do they?). Oh, enough nonsense from me…give the mp3s a listen and let me know what you think.

‘There are many things to like about teenagersintokyo. They’re 22 years old, visually magnetic, share an obvious quirky humour that comes from being long-time friends, and they write damn-good songs to boot’ - NYLON

Download: Teenagers In Tokyo - “End It Tonight”
Download: Teenagers In Tokyo - “Very Vampyr”

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Well, now that my house move is pretty much done and dusted…I’m back!! So, the choice for my first post is kinda easy, as over the last few months I have been putting together a series of events. I’m proud to announce that after a lot of sweat and toil the lineup for the first in a series of Rock Sellout.com presents is now complete! The line up, I’m sure you will agree, is a pretty broad spectrum of talent. All the bands have featured on the site over the last few months.

This is a hometown gig for the wonderful Kabeedies. They played an amazing single launch show for the debut “Lovers Ought To” at Norwich Art Centre last Thursday night. Expect crowd surfers galore and general mayhem but most of all expect fun…they certainly know how to enjoy a gig!

Also featuring on the bill are the outstanding talent that is Lowline. This Manchester band I introduced to the site are creating a stir in all the right places. I tip them to have a swift rise in 2008. Also on the bill are The Loyal Few. They are a solid indie pop combo.

I’m pleased to announce this afternoon the addition of Rupert who have pulled the plug on another engagement to play for us. I will be keeping you all posted on the June show which is all but finalised as well. The venue we are using is the B2 in Norwich. This purpose built venue at the back of the Brickmakers Pub holds 200 and was voted UK Music Pub of the Year in 2007.

Doors are at 7pm. First band on at 8pm. The price is only £4.00, so get along…tell your friends and enjoy!

Download: The Loyal Few - “Sunsets And Signals”
Download: Lowline - “Sound Of Music” ) < Removed By Request
Download: The Kabeedies - “Mythical Beasts” (Live)

- Mark

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Seems like Kip was right - I do have a thing for Chicago bands!

Indie-rockers Sybris are releasing their sophomore album on June 3rd, titled “Into The Trees”. I’m really digging it so far, but if you don’t want to take just my word for it, then perhaps some power of association will convince you: the album was recorded by John Congleton (Explosions in the Sky, Polyphonic Spree) at Pachyderm Studio (Nirvana’s “In Utero”, PJ Harvey’s “Rid of Me”).

Yay, namedropping!

Before the album hits the stores though, the band will head out on tour to convince you even further:

US Tour Dates w/Unwed Sailor
May 23 KS, Lawrence Jackpot
May 24 CO, Denver Larimer Lounge
May 26 WA, Seattle Sunset Lounge
May 27 OR, Portland Someday Lounge
May 28 NV, Reno Satellite
May 29 CA, San Franciso Rickshaw Stop
May 30 CA, Los Angeles Knitting Factory
May 31 CA, Long Beach Prospector
June 2 AZ, Phoenix Modified
June 5 TX, Houston Walter’s
June 7 TX, Denton Haileys
June 10 TN, Memphis Hi-Tone
June 12 GA, Atlanta The Earl
June 13 FL, Tampa The Orpheum
June 14 FL, West Palm Beach Respectable Street
June 15 FL, Orlando Social
June 16 FL, Tallahassee Beta Bar
June 17 GA, Athens Tasty World
June 20 PA, Philadelphia Northstar
June 22 DC, Washington DC9

MP3: “Oh Man!”

- Cecilia

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It’s easy to overlook recently uncovered ‘relics’ of the punk/post-punk era. After all, it often seems that there’s a newly unearthed ‘gem’ being presented to us every week. You start to get a bit skeptical when something is routed your way and labelled as such.

Fortunately, I overcame my initial reaction with The Lines. I’ll admit my ignorance of the band prior to receiving an email about them from Acute Records, but I’ve since acquainted myself with their body of work (what’s available). The band only lasted about 5 years, but in that time managed to release 2 LP’s, 1 EP & 5 singles, as well as play alongside artists like The Cure, Bauhaus & Birthday Party. Lead singer Rico Conning went on to be a producer for bands like Depeche Mode, Front 242 & Wire.

Most of the band’s singles & LP’s have been out-of-print for some time now, and had apparently become expensive collector’s items. Acute is trying to remedy the situation by reissuing the band’s back catalogue. The first of said releases is Memory Span, a collection of all the band’s singles & EP’s, in addition to several unreleased tracks. It’s a worthwhile listen, as it captures the band’s evolution over those 5 years from simple punk arrangements to more complex experimentation.

Memory Span will be out on Acute Records on May 27th, with the band’s other releases soon to follow. As a footnote, Rico Conning has been supervising the remastering process for these reissues, so you’re guaranteed that a loving hand has gone into this.

MP3: The Lines - Blisstability

MEMORY SPAN TRACKLIST:
1. White Night
2. On the Air
3. Not Through Windows
4. Dance For a Drop of Blood
5. Blisstability
6. Uneasy Affair
7. Don’t Need Surgery
8. 2 Split Seconds
9. False Alarm
10. Background
11. Cool Snap
12. Nerve Pylon
13. Over the Brow
14. Transit
15. Part II
16. House of Cracks
17. Old Town
18. Barbican

- Sean

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