Swansea

French Alps Tiger Release Debut EP ‘Switch Off All The Time’

Apr 5, 2023 — Leave a comment

‘Switch Off All The Time’ is the debut EP from Swansea’s French Alps Tiger. It is the band’s first vinyl release and includes all singles to date plus a couple more for good measure. These songs represent the birth of the band and we wanted to collate them in a congruent release to mark this point in the band’s journey. The songs capture every part of French Alps Tiger; from their fast paced, frenetic surf punk; to their slower, shoegaze-y jams.

The EP was recorded at friend Jordan Huxtable’s garage studio in Swansea. Mixed and mastered by Chris Dimas in Canada (Surf Dads, Bleeker) with the exception of Tell A Lie which was mixed by Steffan Pringle (Estrons, Adwaith, Himalayas) and mastered by Charlie Francis (R.E.M., Sweet Baboo, Future of The Left). The vinyl master was done by Matthew Evans of the band KEYS.

The last two singles Lost Boys and Life have been added to the Amazing Radio UK and USA playlists, with Life going straight to the A-list in the UK. Lost Boys was included on Apple Music’s New in Alternative and New in Rock playlists.

Some words from Russ, French Alps Tiger:

‘Switch Off All The Time’ embodies the birth of French Alps Tiger. All our little babies that we’ve nurtured, grown up and going off into the world. Exciting fucking times!

As we’re pretty sure the title could maybe suggest; we’ve poured the whole can of our worthless souls into this zhoozhed-up, punk-philosophy soundtrack, until we passed out on the sofa, pissed on, and fully bushed.

Tapping into guileless, primal feels that we didn’t know were there, we’ve cut the shit and smashed out the sounds and words that best plunge us into that childlike wonder, fitting for an inceptive release, to catch you up on what a fuckup we’ve made of our lives so far.

In summary, the songs are top-drawer. Thank you for listening to my powerpoint presentation.‘

UPCOMING SHOWS

April 21st – The Bunkhouse, Swansea

April 22nd – Carnival Brewery, Liverpool

April 24th – Retros, Manchester

April 25th – The Cavern, Exeter

April 26th – Zed Alley, Bristol

April 27th – Students Union, Aberystwyth

April 28th – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Black After Dark Is Debut Brilliance

Mar 20, 2022 — Leave a comment

I wasn’t expecting by only the third month of 2022 that we would have so much amazing new Welsh music already released. It’s not that I don’t already know how much talent we have out there in Wales, but to capture brilliance on a record is completely different!!
Swansea based band Bandicoot have just gone and done that and released one of the albums of the year for me. It’s sheer class from beginning to end, it’s easy to raise comparisons to Gorkys & Race Horses (already a huge compliment!) but that would really be a lazy critique of something which ventures so much further than both these bands put together.
For me its got everything, I love how they leave the door open to so many more possibilities and you can’t completely lock them down to a specific genre. There are so many great influences on this record. I can hear psychedelia, pop, alternative rock and a bit of 90’s nostalgia. it has everything, Its a very cleverly thought out record. Moments remind me of old school Radiohead, grooves like Can then melodies of a My Bloody Valentine record run through a song! I love the energy, the drive, the melodies and most importantly I love the vocals and what Rhys Underwood sings about, I believe what he says and at the same time don’t have to take it too serious. He transports me to a head space where I can listen to him clearly, understand him completely and still enjoy listening to the music.
I think its the cross over into alternative which really sets them apart from other bands I’ve listened to over the years. But whatever genre they cross over into I think it’s important to remember that Bandicoot are a band who excite me. Without a doubt this has to be nominated for a Welsh Music Prize.
Along with Buzzard Buzzard Buzzards debut these are the two best records to come out of Wales so far this year!! LETS REMEMBER ITS ONLY MARCH!!! Personally this would be my pick between the two. Really looking forward to watching this band mature over the years and I’m already excited about the follow up record.

Black After Dark is available on all streaming also on vinyl and cd from Libertino Records.
https://www.libertinorecords.com/

Emily Marsden – Editor
@MusicSceneWales
#MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com