Pop & Rock News

Heavyweight vinyl LP version comes with full colour inner sleeve and free download card
Designed by Julian House

"The Carrier is a succinct distillation of folk-rock magnificence." SHINDIG

"The Carrier an impressive package all round, and one that could easily end up on a few Album of the Year lists." - WE ARE CULT

Large Plants started as a solo project for Jack Sharp, the singer and guitarist for Wolf People. It was spurred on by a writing frenzy during the lockdown of 2020 when Sharp played and recorded all the parts for what would become the debut single, La Isla Bonita and the first album The Carrier. In summer of 2021 the tracks were mixed by songwriter Chris Cohen (formerly of Deerhoof & Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti).

Large Plants’ songs are immediate, heavy psychedelic rock belters filtered through a haze of analogue tape flutter. Sharp’s voice has an eerily distant and delicate tone that lends a strong folk sensibility to the album; like the scent of winter mornings and fresh soil mixed with the whiff of petrol. Though the songs are generally three-minute gems, they are lyrically more like ancient ballads; peopled with tragic youths, witches, lovelorn troubadours and femmes fatales.

Sharp is now touring Large Plants as a four piece along with Ed Taylor on drums, Ollie Taylor on bass and Joe Wooley on guitar with dates booked so far at OSLO, Hackney -17th April and The Betsy Trotwood, Clerkenwell 5th May

1992: Minty came together around Leigh to present ‘actions’ on the fringes of music, art, and politics and to explode (sometimes literally) in the face of the growing celebrity culture. The band represented those marginalised through sexuality and delighted to challenge all that which usurps the established order. Word of their live shows spread fast, Leigh was a mainstream figure back then and Minty were becoming notorious for what were considered outrageous and disgraceful performances. At a time just before the internet, scandalous talk and sensational press articles brought the band to the attention of the authorities. The UK’s draconian, indecency and public licensing laws soon led to bans, legal action and police raids. Every show opened with ‘Useless Man’ - an amazing unapologetic, foul mouthed, pro-femme, pro-sex, pro-queer club anthem with lyrics made to shock and a playful homage to a Pepsi Cola ad byline from the 70’s:

New Year’s Eve 1994/5, the nightclubs, parties and discos of London froze in shock as news of the death of Leigh Bowery swept through the city and then the world. The legendary club freak, aesthete and iconic performance luminary had departed. However the flame of his artistry lives on, not only in his artistic and musical legacy, but in the continuing work of the remaining Minty band members with the reissue of their 1997 album ‘Open Wide’ on 3rd July and the legendary club track ‘Useless Man’ on 27th May - both released in a collaboration between original label Candy Records and The state51 Conspiracy. To mark 25 years since Leigh’s passing Minty re release the single with a new mix for a new world from Boy George and the long lost ‘Original’ Minty mix. Also a brand new anarchic animated video directed by Richard Torry and Mathew Glamorre themselves.

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Nur wenige Sänger verkörperten den reinen Überschuss der 70er Jahre wie Mercury und Queen. Das britische Quartett, das den übertriebenen Pomp von Progressive Rock und Heavy Metal sowie den vaudevillianischen Musiksaal umarmte, vertiefte sich tief in Camp und Bombast und erzeugte einen riesigen, scheinoperativen Sound mit vielschichtigen Gitarren und überbetonten Vocals. Die Musik von Queen war eine bizarre, aber höchst zugängliche Verschmelzung von Macho und Feind. Mit dem Album WE WILL ROCK YOU - IN MEMORY OF FREDDIE MERCURY tauchen wir in die Innenwelt des legendären britischen Ausnahmesängers ein und huldigen das fantastische Repertoire mit speziellen Coverversionen und Tribute-Songs
– eingespielt von Larry Bohling, Bob Kulick, Mike Brown und vielen weiteren Künstlern. Eine unverzichtbare Ergänzung jeder Rockmusiksammlung.

‘Gentle Persuaders’ is the Love Love debut from London based neo-noise-jazz outfit Sly & The Family Drone. In the form of a four track long player, Sly vomit forth a smooth serving of curious and clattering noise not devoid of fun.

With the ingredients of shattering baritone saxophone, splurges of analogue noise, rolling drum derangements and snarling feedback it is immediately clear that these formidable noise-mongers have honed their methods of ear-attack adeptly. Textural spaces are peppered with bouts of densely packed controlled-chaos creating a tension that builds almost imperceptibly until the crushing pay-off that comes with the final track.

The politest of bludgeonings, ‘Gentle Persuaders’ has a real sense of cohesion and style, at times subtle and at others shudderingly direct.

With their unusual and interactive live shows, the group cut their teeth stunning the audiences of punk and noise scenes across the UK and Europe. Now, Sly & The Family Drone present their most complete recording to date; a rush of sheer ataxia ushering in a new age of noise.

STATIC (ORIGINAL SURF SOUNDTRACKS VOL. 1) released this Spring serves to stir up the wanderlust for those new frontiers.

Ethereal soundscapes, lo-fi guitar excursions and rising orchestral, neo-classical moments summon images of the wild, awe-inspiring surf destinations - Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, The Faroes and beyond. Aficianados of cold water cinematic adventures will already be familiar with CJ's work. The album is a selection of 8 tracks, each originally composed for one of a number of award winning surf films scored by CJ Mirra over the past four years. The light, the landscape, the size of the waves and colour of the water all had an influence on the sound,' says CJ on harnessing the essence of these cold water locales.

A musician and composer, CJ Mirra's entry to the world of surf film came through acclaimed director Chris McClean after Chris heard an early track that was leaked online. This led to a unique partnership that has produced over 20 short films screened at festivals worldwide from SXSW to London, as well as the award-winning live A/V show 'Chasing Zero'. The critically acclaimed 'Edges Of Sanity', with poetry by Dan Crockett narrated by Charles Dance, features on the album alongside a series of evocative and ethereal tracks taking the listener on a journey across an epic surfscape.

CJ Mirra will be on tour in late April / May. The new live band features renowned surfer/ musician LeeAnn Curren and will be accompanied by visuals from Chris McClean.

The Chap return with their most radical album to date.
Political rock never sounded so good!

The Eurogroup that should be massive: The Chap - a Brit, a Greek, two Germans and a half French (Brit).

After the immense futuristic irony of naming their 4th album "Well Done Europe" in 2010, The Chap Eurogroup choose to do "here and now" by tackling the political in rock music with the release of their 6th album "The Show Must Go" - a diatribe on the absolute certainty that rock music has not and will never ever change the world. It's the sound of despair in the face of awesome idiocy. Or, as the band put it: 'In the midst of events that deeply affect our family and friends, we are united in the realisation: you can take Democracy out of Europe, but you can still tour Europe. Fuck you, Europe. We are The Chap, we are Europe.'

Cut at Abbey Road, pressed on 180g audiophile vinyl and lovingly re-created to replicate the original releases.



The fourth Donovan LP in our re-issue series is The Hurdy Gurdy Man, the sixth studio album (seventh overall) by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. Released in 1968, his songwriting here centered on drones such as on the songs 'Peregrine', 'The River Song' and 'Tangier', pop on most of the other tracks and jazz on 'As I Recall It'.

Tom Furse Digs - Nineteen exotic musical gems from the Southern Music Library.Tom Furse of The Horrors has long been known as a man of taste and distinction, so it comes as no surprise that he should follow in the steps of such musical adventurers as Luke Vibert and Barry 7 to create a collection of library music that is both esoteric and charming.
All tracks were picked from the Southern Library Of Recorded Music, a little known music library with a breezy and surreal sound. Like a Rousseau painting there is that sense of the exotic but also something 'other'. That's not to say it's not the ideal beach soundtrack for a person of discerning taste, but it could just as easily be the haunting backdrop to an opiated evening or deep reverie. The tracks were recorded between 1968 And 1979 and feature some of the library greats like Nino Nardini, Roger Roger and Johnny Hawksworth but also more obscure composers such as Anthony Mawer and Harihar Rao. Although the songs were recorded at different times, in different places, there is an unmistakable feeling that sets them apart from other library music. This is the also first time many of the tracks have been made widely available and great care was taken to find the best available recordings. But why not let Tom have the last word and tell us what he digs and why.
'Oh the curious world of library music, so tempting in the record shop and often so disappointing on the turntable. However there are gems here to be found; shining and unique oddities, the bastard sounds of pop fancy. The Southern Library of Recorded Music, to give it's full name, largely sits away from what has become known as the 'library sound'. Instead of sample-friendly beats and mutated versions of chart hits, there is something here that's all together different. A world of exotica-tinged jazz beat, calling up images of of sandy days and smoky nights in tropical climates. Despite the geographical and cultural differences of the composers featured, there is undeniably 'a sound' here all of it's own. Admittedly this is after a lot of filtering on my part, but such was my task and no stone was left unturned to find the diamonds amongst the rough. 'Digs' is my take on the Southern library, and I hope you enjoy it'.

A Decade of Distortion includes 22 of INFL's favourite artists.

Just a small selection of the vast pool of talent this thriving DIY operation has supported and collaborated with throughout their journey as a respected promoter, record label and music publisher.

The compilation is available on heavyweight 12' 180gm vinyl, with music split between the two records (heavy rock - black) and (pop, electronic & acoustic - red).

A Decade Of Distortion features an array of outstanding artists including Heck, Kagoule, Bru-C and Francobollo, with a tracklisting curated to celebrate the diverse music programmed throughout the history of INFL.

LP has a Deluxe Foil Jacket. Features Bonus Side of Rare Mixes, Outtakes, and more from the 1982 sessions. Includes unseen photos plus Wipers Etching on Vinyl. Cut by Kevin Gray. Limited to 3000 copies worldwide.

First released in the UK in 2003, British singer-songwriter Carina Round followed the release of her critically acclaimed debut album “The First Blood Mystery” with her sophomore offering “The Disconnection”, solidifying herself as one of UK’s most enigmatic songstresses. Marking its official vinyl debut this special pressing combines the original album, including the UK singles “Into My Blood” and “Lacuna” on 180g black vinyl alongside an exclusive “Bonus Record” of rare live and previously unreleased recordings from the albums era on 180g silver vinyl, compiled by Carina especially for this release. In addition to her subsequent solo releases “Slow Motion Addict”, “Things You Should Know”, “Tigermending” and her most recent, the retrospective compilation “Deranged to Divine”, Carina has garnished further international recognition as a member of the LA and Jerome AZ based band - Puscifer, alongside fellow band mates including Maynard James Keenan, also of the bands Tool and A Perfect Circle. This limited edition release is presented in a unique silver printed sleeve, incorporating the original UK cover by acclaimed art photographer Anoushka Fisz.

First time on vinyl for this album. Proto Jazz-Punk multi-genre splatter album, released on CD in 1993, My Wife Doesn’t Understand Me is available on vinyl for the first time as a double LP, playing at 45rpm for superior sound quality. The accompanying download includes radio edits of live favourite 6-8-1 (The Burn-Up) and Blue Funk, plus Ructions (60s Stereo Mix) and Qualm-Free Zone. A statement of intent from the off, this is an album first and foremost. No singles, a piece of work to be listened to as a whole - from short shards of humorous observation (Cover Versions), politics (Margaret Thatcher We Still Hate You), straight-as-a-die covers (A Taste Of Honey and Jean-Pierre) to the closing Musique Concrete of the title track, prisoners were never taken. Terry Edwards and The Scapegoats look forward to the vinyl edition of My Wife Doesn’t Understand Me to bemuse, baffle and delight once again as it did on it’s release when Acid House was on it’s way out and Britpop was on it’s way in.

Enraptured Records presents a Limited Edition RSD Coloured vinyl LP titled 'Coldharbourstores Remixed', it's an exclusive LP of remixes all appearing on vinyl for the first time ever, released especially for RSD 2022. All remixes were commissioned especially for this album (except L-Shape's remixes of Castle and ZERO) and are outstanding with each guest remixer adding their individual flavour to the mixes.

A much sought-after Kristin Hersh side project. Black Vinyl LP. Back on vinyl for this bracing, ever twitching opus made of seven fluid pieces that fold into one continuous mantra. An essential release from the Throwing Muses’ offshoot helmed by Kristin Hersh and Bernard Georges, with Chalk Farm’s Rob Ahlers on drums. “Menacing, stalking, spirals of lean, hungry riffs.” Drowned In Sound 9/10.

Rare EP from this much sought-after Kristin Hersh side project. Black Vinyl LP. Back on vinyl for this Kristin Hersh fronted project, a super rare 2016 EP of enchanting and exhilarating sounds that shift from dreamy and emotional melancholy to jagged and almost Neu!-like rhythms that evolve behind her pointed prose and astute one-liners. A rush to the head that’s caustic yet comforting.