From the mind of..

Its funny how the past still influences the future, and in that vein its safe to say it's funny how my past musical loves can influence me still today. Anyone who knows me will attest that I have been a pop punk fan since they first met me, be it a year ago or 20 years ago. Back in the summer of 2006 I discovered an EP entitled 'Talk is Cheap', it was released through Drive Thru Records (a label that housed some of my favourite bands) and was by a singer songwriter called Dave Melillo. The EP was an enriched blend of acoustic guitar and piano laden melodies, all drenching a mix of forlorn and optimistic lyrics. The reason the EP stuck with me was simply because the songs are so accessable, especially as lyrically its easy to relate to everything Dave sang. Comparisons will be made to the likes of Dashboard Confessional or The Rocket Summer, and whilst the acoustic singer songwriter aspect is the same, Dave very much has his own voice and take on the genre. One las

So as usual I'm doing my year in review summery. 2017 has been an interesting year for me, in terms of growth, challenges and learning more about myself. Its been a year that at times has been difficult, but I feel like the things have been difficult in order to provide me with a stronger outlook and resolve heading into 2018. Life does have a interesting way of balancing itself, although bad happens eventually good will always rise up to equal it. I've met some amazing new people this year too. People that although I haven't known long, I am very grateful for their presence in my life. I feel very happy to have each and every person who has spent time with me or talking to me this year. You all know who you are and we all have great times to come. I broke straight edge after 10 years, something that was a big thing for me, an evolution of sorts. I've also added more tattoos to my body, which will continue next year too I have taken in some amazing gigs thi

My spotlight series returns, this time to introduce you to one of UK's brightest new stars, Candyfloss. Candyfloss is one of my favourite new talents here in the UK. The London native is a regular on the UK independent scene, plying her trade up and down the country and making new fans wherever she goes. Debuting a mere year ago, she has grown in leaps and bounds already having great showings against Dahlia Black, Jinny and Little Miss Roxxy. By all means don't let her happy go lucky attitude and sweet name fool you, this girl can go in the ring, happily mixing up her style to utilise high flying, solid ground work or her Candy Cane cross arm breaker submission. Candyfloss was trained through one of the UK's finest companies, PROGRESS, whom she also works for. Her time at the ProJo shows, she is excelling rapidly and is turning more than a few heads and I think that international talent will start to look to Candyfloss for matches shortly. At a time where womens w

[The following review may contain spoilers] So reviewing a film is difficult, gush and risk overdoing it, but under do it and it leads to indifference. Let me start this review by saying, IT is absolutely 100% fantastic. Currently for me, my film of the year. Growing up, my mum read a lot of Stephen King books, and so I found the book IT at a younger age. Upon reading i was immersed in this dark cloud covered Derry community, plagued by a recurring shapeshifting nightmare. The book became one of my favourites. This however lead to a problem, the miniseries version of IT starring Tim Curry.. I didn't like it at all. Although Tim Curry and Co did a great job with the tools at their disposal, this version did not fit with the Derry and Pennywise I had in my head. Skip forward to 2017 and welcome to Derry, Maine.. A picture esque quaint town with a terrible millenia old evil living benethe it. Director Andy Muschietti breathes new life into a horror classic creating somethi

It's that time, yes another of my introducing series, this time welcome South Jersey/Philadelphia 3-piece Goalkeeper. Summer is the apt time for pop punk, the hot days, a cold beer as you gather to hang out with friends, and that time always requires a soundtrack to accompany it, say hello to Goalkeeper. With a sound that blends 'Blue Skies..' era Ataris, with 'Enema of the State' era Blink 182, the band are very energetic, and lazy comparisons from me aside they are great song writers in there own right. Their latest single 'Pong Partners' is a slice of killer pop punk, upbeat, great chorus, crunchy guitars and melodic gruff vocals. The band have been together a relatively short amount of time but already have an EP 'Gut Feeling' doing the rounds, and being very well received. Goalkeeper have also been plying their trade live, gigging regularly and playing with some awesome bands including one of my favs Eternal Boy. I personally cannot wa

Here is my track by track review of Neck Deep's latest album 'The Peace and The Panic' Motion Sickness What an excellent opener, a quick choppy pop punk song that welcomes the listener with open arms. It conveys a chest pounding salute to the familiar fans and newcomers alike. Bags of charm and character in this track, it builds up well and has an infectious quality to it. Will certainly remain on my playlist and I cant wait to feel its energy in a live setting. Sample Lyric: 'He said life is the great unknown, Better jump, better run and...' Happy Judgement Day One of the first tracks showcased from the album by the band, easy to see why, compliments of huge truly anthemic chorus. Its a fantastic song to prove that Neck Deep are writing songs that not only sound great but fill the bigger venues they're now playing. An awesome key change on the final chorus will remind anyone why they love pop punk. An instant live classic that will be a welcome par