Playlist: Best of October 2014

By Ben Tipple

In a month that saw the clocks change and the UK plunge into early darkness, there was a whole host of releases, news and events to keep spirits high. Mallory Knox released their long-awaited sophomore album, as a new release emerged from exciting Kent based prospects Moose Blood. Balance and Composure hit the UK alongside Seahaven and Milkteeth to complete one of the most exciting bills of the year, battling in stature with Marmozets, Lonely The Brave and Allusondrugs. October also started off with a bang, as punks descended on Southampton for another exciting WTFest instalment.

Whilst all this was going down, Punktastic HQ had a significant number of records on repeat. Here’s a selection of the best tracks from October 2014’s 31 days.

Fugazi – ‘Merchandise’

When Fugazi’s first demo tape was recorded in 1988, the band had played only ten shows together. Of course, the band’s members were veterans from time spent in Minor Threat, Rites of Spring and Embrace, but when they committed these 11 tracks to tape they were still a new band. So ‘Merchandise’, the first track released from this elusive, eagerly anticipated tape, should not sound like this. Their dynamic performance is perfect – it is tight and composed but has a raw edge to it that was somewhat diminished in the ‘Repeater’ version. It gives it a crackling, bristling energy that is irresistible. The palm-muted guitars, throbbing bass and intricate hi-hat patterns in the verse are taut and controlled, and how they give way to a joyous rush of power-chords in the chorus is simply euphoric. For many, Fugazi have always been a band to be respected, maybe even revered. For those who find it hard to simply enjoy them, give this demo version of ‘Merchandise’ a try – this is the band at their most exciting. [Richard Craig]

New Found Glory – ‘Stubborn’

Eighth album ‘Resurrection’ is a triumph regardless of the context of its creation, but coming on the back of the worst 18 months of the band’s career it’s doubly impressive. ‘Stubborn’ showcases the new 4-piece New Found Glory at their riff-riddled, hook-laden best. It also features a brief-but-brilliant contribution from the inimitable Anthony Raneri of Bayside which would be show-stealing but for the blistering Chad Gilbert solo which immediately follows. New Found Glory are dead; long live New Found Glory. [Rob Barbour]

Have Mercy – ‘Spacecrafts’

One of the biggest draws to Have Mercy’s latest album, ‘A Place of Our Own’, is the vocals. Brian Swindle has an amazing ability to go from warm, clean vocals to throaty power cries without losing a step. “Spacecrafts” showcases this perfectly. The song rises and falls from quiet palm mutes to wailing choruses and culminates with Swindle screaming “I wish you knew everyone as well as you knew me” over Andrew Johnson’s stellar leads. ‘A Place of Our Own’ is a powerhouse album of emotion with plenty of talented musicians to push the band to new heights of greatness. [Mat Stokes]

We Are The Ocean – ‘Ark’

What starts as another simple intro turns into a bombastic wall of colour and sound. With strings and horns, this song could easily be a James Bond theme track. The band haven’t released anything new since ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ aside from some live tracks but this is a stunning return. One of the singles of the year… And it’s free! [Adam Rosario]

Moose Blood – ‘Cherry’

‘Cherry’, the introduction to the debut album by Kent based emo outfit Moose Blood, sets the record up with impressive honesty. Despite being the slowest track on the record, it showcases the band’s ability to wear their hearts on their sleeves. Frontman Eddy Brewerton sings of his newly acquired step-daughter, offering up the haunting “she’s not mine and she never will be, I’m reminded every day.” It’s equally uplifting and heartbreaking – representative of the remainder of ‘I’ll Keep You In Mind…’.

Bring Me The Horizon – ‘Drown’

After the monumental success of ‘Sempiternal’, Bring Me The Horizon have returned with a smasher of a single in the form of ‘Drown’. Noticeably more melodic, it gives a hint at which direction Bring Me The Horizon are taking their sound and it looks like whatever comes next is going to be big. REALLY big! [Tamsyn Wilce]

Not Half Bad – ‘Three Things That Aren’t Jackie Chan’

You know that kind of punk rock band that does songs that make you just want to dance and sing along as loud as you can? This is that kind of band. We are in October and every part of me wishes I was in Gainesville and not in shitty London because if I was I would be watching this band, singing this song as loud as I could with a whole load of other punks and a shitty PBR in my hand. This song would be my soundtrack to the road down to FEST, because it has been a goddamn year and punk is the best way to shout about it. Get to the front. [Maryam Hassan]

Mariachi El Bronx – ‘Wildfires’

What else can be said about The Bronx? The band that continually reassesses the term ‘punk band’ has yet again provided us with an awesome slice of mariachi flavoured music. There’s just something about this band that we’re in awe of, so get the beers in because Mariachi El Bronx are about to take us for another wild ride down to Mexico via Los Angeles. [Mark Gadong]

Get It Together – ‘F.T.D.M.’

Scottish melodic-hardcore-warriors Get It Together have released a small taste of their upcoming EP, ‘Rebuild, Recover’. It’s very promising so far, with a well produced, politically driven rant fitting into two-and-a-half minutes of frantic drumming and full-sounding guitars. The last couple of lines – “We need to take a step back and realise sensational headlines sell papers. Sensational headlines sell hatred.” – were the ones that rattled around in my brain afterwards. [Sam Kanal]

Nothing – ‘July The Fourth’

Following on from their phenomenal debut album ‘Guilty Of Everything’ which was released earlier in the year via Relapse, Nothing have returned for a split release with shoegaze titans Whirr on Run For Cover records. ‘July The Fourth’ sees the band sounding less dreamy and blissful, moving into a dense and distorted world of thunderous guitar riffs that borrow heavily from The Smashing Pumpkins and Failure. Constantly evolving, this shows that Nothing are not your average shoegaze band, but in fact a full on alt-punk force to be reckoned with. [Glen Bushell]

Single Mothers – ‘Crooks’

The wait is finally over for Canadian post-hardcore band Single Mothers’ debut LP– though they formed in 2008, they’ve only just released Negative Qualities this year. “Crooks” is a track that jams so much energy into under two minutes, it’s almost abrasive– this is going to be wild at shows. Frontman Drew Thomson’s searing vocals in this song are reminiscent of bands like Touche Amore, but with a somewhat rawer quality; and the angst and noise level in “Crooks” are an excellent example of what you get from the rest of the record. Single Mothers are playing Fest this year, and what a better way to close out the month than going completely insane with this band? [Sarah Scanlon]

Solemn Sun – ‘Ruin’

Following their re-invention earlier this year, Solemn Sun’s début EP was a supremely confident introduction to their new sound and ‘Ruin’ is further evidence of the strength of quality and ambition that they possess. From the opening chords this song sounds huge and the choruses even bigger. Add in the heartfelt delivery of the inspirational lyrics, and you have something that is not only truly anthemic but brilliantly genuine too. [Chris Hilson]

While She Sleeps – ‘New World Torture’

The intricate high pitched melodic riffs that Sleeps have made their own unmistakable sound ring out throughout the track right from the choir like opening few seconds. They seem to have mixed up their style of breakdown as well, giving it an almost old Slipknot-esque feel for a few seconds without taking away from any of their individuality. [Bradley Lengden]

Foo Fighters – ‘Something For Nothing’

The first song dropped from the Foo Fighters new album ‘Sonic Highways’ is a slow burner, seeing the band take on new sounds, but eventually reverting back to what they do best by the end of the song: rock… HARD. Recorded as part of a concept album where each song was recorded in a different US city in order to capture that cities sound, ‘Something From Nothing’ is Chicago’s homage, and as a city known for its fantastic punk/rock scene, this is a fitting first release from Dave and co. [Joshua Wroath]

Pvris – ‘White Noise’

This is the title track from PVRIS’ forthcoming debut album and it’s just a tiny little sample of what’s to come from the Boston trio. Frontwoman Lynn Gunn has an insane voice and the music itself makes you want to dance for days. They may well be the catchiest (and most unlikely) band on Rise Records’ roster. Get involved. [Lais MW]

Run The Jewels – ‘Blockbuster Pt.2

Run The Jewels is a collaborative partnership between El-P, owner of legendary underground hip-hop label Definitive Jux and Killer Mike, who has appeared on records by the likes of Outkast previously. Following last year’s astonishing debut effort, the sequel dropped this month and more than sated the anticipation of what has to be one of the most talked-about rap records in a long time, certainly since ‘Watch The Throne’. ‘Blockbuster Pt. 2’ sums up what this act is all about, with grimey 808 synths providing the backdrop for El-P and Killer Mike’s bellicose attitude. Guest spots from Blink-182’s Travis Barker and Rage Against The Machine’s Zack De La Rocha makes this accessible for even the most inelastic of rockists – if you’re not already sold, following this RTJ are set to release ‘Meow The Jewels’ a remix album featuring only cat noises. Purr-fect. [Ollie Connors]