In The Willows - Long Time Listener EP Review

It's been a good year for Waterford-based 5 piece, In The Willows, from qualifying to the final three in the Red Bull Bedroom Jam, to getting places on the Indiependence and Castlepalooza line up, to getting high praise from Hot Press Magazine. May I remind  you the band have only been touring as a full 5-piece since last January. Not a bad start with only a three track EP.

Long Time Listener was published on bandcamp.com in April, and can now be downloaded for free, or you can name your price.  The EP kicks off with Time of Year which really did give me shivers down my spine.  There is something spectacular and mysterious about Dee's voice; simply breath-taking.  If Hayley Williams and Kate Bush were to have a love child, it'd be her.  Upon hearing the instrumental opening of the track, I sense a bit of The XX, but there's a vulnerability to this EP that fails me to compare them to another artist.  The melody is soft, easy listening, something quite heavenly.

We hear John's vocal talent shine through in the second track Trying.  I love the brittleness of the recording, whether it was done on purpose, or down to no dough, it adds a masculinity to the feminine harmonies.  It's Chris Martin meets Debbie Harry.  This masculine/feminine collision is present all to briefly in the final track It's Over with Niall supporting husky vocals behind Dee's crisp voice.  I can't emphasis my love for the dreaminess of this EP. I am genuinely blown away.

There's something about the band I can't put my finger on.  There is a cloud of mystery as to what genre they are, although they proclaim to be alternative folk.  I have to disagree.  Have a band out in 2012 really started something new and original?  Have they created their own genre? The whole concept baffles me, but all the marrow in my bones believes they really have.

"The Waterford band have only been playing together since October, but have already wowed  crowds in their neck of the woods with their brand of alternative  folk. Their exquisite harmonies have drawn comparison to Fleet Foxes, whilst they themselves have a certain fondness for the dreaminess of Mazzy Star." -

Hot Press Magazine

I Just Want To Have Fun: The Sex Pistols

"I just want to have fun," said Sid Vicious, a 20 year old, then ex-bassist who wanted nothing more than just that. But who predicted the 'fun' the Sex Pistols have would impact the music scene for decades to come.

Sex Pistols

When you hear of the '70's, you think The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. You hear the constant drowning of love songs. You don't necessarily think of such a genre as Punk.  Originated in the '70's, amongst Funk, Pop and Soul, you had bands such as Minor Threat and Black Flag; the straight-edge punks who were left wing politico's, despite the fan's parent's beliefs.  Then, over in England, a band started their own: the Sex Pistols.


Having only one official album, Nevermind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, the young group didn't understand how influential they'd be. Composed of vocalist Johnny Rotten (John Lydon), guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook and bassists Glen Matlock and Sid Vicious (John Ritchie). Matlock left in February of 1977, and was abruptly replaced by Vicious.  The four-piece that encouraged anarchy, british punk and leather would've been described as miscreants of youth, but there was something more to the band than people knew, or what they thought they knew. 


They bands success hit higher and harder than what they expected.  Their only album peaked at number one in the UK Album Charts in '77, went Gold that year, then 11 years later, Platinum.  Lydon's charisma not only as a person, but as a musician was the catalyst for their explosion on the scene. Although he may not look the type, Lydon was a strong minded person with politics and current affairs.  His intelligence repeatedly outwitted the media, as his left-wing beliefs continuously won any debate. These left-wing beliefs were put into words, then into music. Say the word 'anarchy', you'll find someone say back to you 'Anarchy in the UK.'  Literally going against the rules influenced a dependant youth.  Their music praised freedom, anti-corporate nonsense, and general chaos.  Jones once said in an interview 'We're not into music. We're into chaos.'

Nancy & Sid

This love of chaos became even more chaotic, and went on to become controversy.  In 1977, Lydon introduced Vicious to Sex Pistol fan, Nancy Spungen.  They two had a relationship for 23 months, and this love didn't have it's happy ending.  Upon meeting, Spungen was already a heavy drug addict, taking heroin on a regular basis.  She was also accused of introducing Vicious to heroin, which defeated him and his musical career.  Lydon later wrote, "We did everything to get rid of Nancy.... She was killing him. I was absolutely convinced this girl was on a slow suicide mission.... Only she didn't want to go alone. She wanted to take Sid with her.... She was so utterly fucked up and evil."On the October 12, 1978, 20 year old Spungen was found dead in her hotel room shared with Vicious with stab wounds to the chest.  He was charged with her murder, but pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.  He never gave a straight story, always conflicting reasons.  Vicious said "I never stabbed her. I loved her, but she treated me like shit"

Months later, when released on bail, drug free after detox, Sid committed suicide on an over-dose of heroin that his mother bought him.  Found in his jacket pocket was his suicide note which Sid wrote:

"We had a death pact, and I have to keep my half of the bargain. Please bury me next to my baby in my leather jacket, jeans and motorcycle boots. Goodbye."

Sid was never buried next to Nancy, but his mother has claimed to has scattered some of his ashes over her grave. 


The Pistols began and ended on the same note: chaos. Almost 40 years on, the Sex Pistols are very much alive, loved and respected.  Lydon continued on with his band PiL (Public image Limited), where he helped finance a reunion by featuring in a Country Life Butter advert.  In 2006, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted the Sex Pistols, but the band refused to attend the ceremony, calling it a "piss stain" and stating that it went against everything the band stood for.

Forever the controversy, full of chaos, it's hard to forget what this band created, destroyed and influenced in their two year career that extended to a life time legacy.  Then again, who's trying to forget?

The 5 Leading Ladies in Rock'n'Roll

The Runaways

When talking about rock music, the conversation seems to be male dominant; no one ever seems to consider the women in rock, not even in the 21st Century world we live in.  Sure, we have the greats: Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, Jack White, John Frusciante, Johnny Rotten and Dave Grohl.  But lingering behind the spotlight is the women of rock.  Although hiding in the shadow of their male counterparts, these five ladies of rock are the real ringleaders, just to name a few.

Alison Mosshart

Mosshart has been making definitive music for over a decade now, working alongside the prestigious Jack White in The Dead Weather, and Jamie Hince in The Kills.  Both bands having diverse sounds, switching from indie-pop to badass rock’n’roll. She has more talent, energy and drive than any woman in rock today.  She can switch from sweet, soft vocals to harsh screaming.  She has it all.

Alison Mosshart

PJ Harvey

Emerging in the 90’s with her own flare on grunge, this lady packs a punch.  Harvey’s music is punk personified, with a feminine touch.  I only discovered her music this year all thanks to a grunge disciple, Fiona Verran.  Her raw energy was so beautiful and poetic in the 90’s, and she’s still kicking. Harvey’s music has a bite; you've been warned.

Courtney Love

I may have few good words to say about Love, but you’ve got to admit, riot grrrl would be infamous if it wasn’t for her.  Creating music with her band Hole in the 90’s also contributing to grunge like her husband, Kurt Cobain. Always the centre of controversy, attention and the media, Love does deserve accreditation for what she contributed to the Seattle scene.

Courtney Love

Janis Joplin

She may have passed away 42 years ago, but Janis Joplin’s music still delivers.  Her music flourished with soul and vocals bled passion.  Joplin made it acceptable for women to be in the rock scene, so we owe her everything.

Joan Jett            

Creating the first ever all-girl rock band in the 70’s named The Runaways, Joan Jett set out the path for all these leading ladies.  Now still rocking it out with her band, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, she keeps the energy she created in the 70’s alive and kicking.  She also worked with the Sex Pistols on their only album, one of the most influential albums to date.

Jack White's Top 10 Creations

Jack White: Musician, producer, Nashville Music City Ambassador, creator of 3RPM vinyl, the man who literally released 1,000 flexidisc copies of Freedom at 21 via blue helium balloons into the sky.


Needless to say, there has been a lot of buzz about ex-White Stripes front-man, Jack White, due to the release of his debut solo album Blunderbuss, which has hit the number one spot in the Billboard album charts.  With the debut single Love Interruption and latest release Sixteen Saltines, Blunderbuss promises to be one to remember.  Although not completely out of the picture since White Stripes' split in 2011, White has been working along side his other bands, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather. He has been producing albums on his own record label, Third Man Records, for the new, upcoming band, The Black Belles, along with many others. Jack White has been creating tracks for thirteen short years that not only enhance his legacy, but the legacy of rock music. Here, we look through White's collection, and snap up his top ten songs (which, I must mention, was extremely difficult to do).

Number 10: The Dead Weather - Cut Like a Buffalo

Number 9: The Racontuers - Steady As She Goes

Number 8: The Dead Weather - Treat Me Like Your Mother

Number 7: The White Stripes - I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

Number 6: The Raconteurs - Salute Your Solution

Number 5: The White Stripes - Icky Thump

Number 4: Jack White - Sixteen Saltines

Number 3: The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

Number 2: The White Stripes - Fell In Love With a Girl

Number 1: The White Stripes - Ball and Biscuit