1. sleaford mods – jobseker
2. LoveyDove – Luka Fisher
3. Laetitia Sadier – Find Me THe Pulse of the Universe
4. Kate Nash – She Rules
5, The Slits – TYpical Girls
6. Viv Albertine – If Love
7. Joanna Gruesome – Sugarcrush
8. The Three Johns – Never And Always
9. Thee Faction – Choose Your Enemy
10. SKy Larkin – Carve It Out
11. Sleater Kinney – Bury Our Friends
12. Stereolab – Ping Pong
13. THe Dismemberment Plan – Waiting
14. Woody Accouche Project – Himalayo
15. Cowtown – Merchandise
16. Slum Of legs – Sasha Fierce
17. Jeffrey Lews and the Jrams – Cult Boyfriend
There’s a great interview in the latest Ablaze with Sleaford Mods which is the first time Ablaze has seen daylight as a new fanzine in 23 years. It can’t be that long, I exclaim. The facts don’t lie and barring a book which was a compenium of the first 10 Karren has been concentrating on her own life since the early 90’s. It’s back with a bang though. SLeaford Mods have lots to say in their feature.
LoveyDove are a diy pop duo, two people with a history of involvement and underground pop music activism
Laetitia Sadier was in Stereolab when Ablaze was last out. She is still putting out gorgeous pop music on Drag City Records .
The beauty about zines is the potential for new artists, I had Kate Nash written of as Katy Perry, no idea why but thankfully Ablaza has steered me right, a strong independent woman paving the way for others.
The Slits were one of the first strong independent band of female members. They paved the way and Viv Albertine’s book has some tales of those punk days. Viv is still playing music and I’ve included a past and present tonight.
Joanna Gruesome could be todays Slits, as could so many of the bands in Ablaze. Sugarcrush is from their record
Whilst it is predominantly women who feature in Ablaze some bands with male singers have sneaked in. Thankfully the Three Johns are in there, reveiewed from their recent tour and Thee Faction have their manifesto included, and rightly so.
Sky Larkin gets mention a lot in Ablaze *11 not only for Katie Harkin’s part in the band but also for her part in Sleater Kinney’s reunion. Katie played keyboard when the band recently reformed and toured Europe
Stereolab get mentioned earlier as laetitia Sadier’s old band, the interview wth Laetitia is particularly interesting in that there doesn’t seem to be a manifesto to the music but still she manages to stat “We have to be the masters of our own selves”, certainly a way to live but whilst looking out for others along the way.
The Dismemberment Plan are another that passed me by, there’s only so much time in the day and it doesn’t always involve listening to music you know, but I will be chasing out this band now that I know they reformed in 2013.
There’s a feature on the Indian music scene including a strong presence of post-rock bands. it makes perfect sense in the worlds third most popolous country. Woody accouche project a re feel good band from India.
Cowtown are closer by, from Leeds, England. I’ve dug out a Fugazi cover that features in thier set but the band are far from a covers band, it’s exciting pop all the way.
Slum of Legs are on Tuff Enuff records who I gushed about recently . Sasha Fierce is their new 7″
So there you, nearly, have it. An eclectic mix with a big nod to strong independent women and the riot grrl movement. A great zine, pick your copy up here but not before you listen to jeffrey Lewis
niallhope
