MAZES

Mazes are most definately at the forefront of a sound that is making a glorious comeback this year, scuzzy pop in its oft mentioned c86 influenced glory. Along with Vivian Girls, Wavves, Titus Andronicus, No Age and a few others who Mazes deserve to namechecked with this sound is all the rage at the moment and its good to see British bands getting some of the attention. Mazes produce a blissful fuzzed out racket, tight pop hooks and lazy vocals all over the shop. I get a really strong reminder of Dino Jr from them which is obviously excellent.
Already one of the most interesting bands in Manchester I can't wait to check them out live.

HEAR 'BOWIE KNIVES' @ www.myspace.com/mazesmazesmazes
SEE MAZES @ Deaf Institute May 19th

R O M A N C E

The new wave of goth inspired bands sprouting from London's dark heart are poised to explode across the country in the coming months, R O M A N C E are in the vanguard. Echoes of Bauhaus and Keith levigne's wirey inventive guitarwork, they exude power in sharp contrast to the many pretenders content to rely on a delay pedal and deep vocal effect to produce the 'goth' vibe (WHITE LIES I AM LOOKING AT YOU). The vocals remind me of no one less than Jim Morrisson, notes are fantastically stretched and riddled with feeling. On the cover of the NME two weeks ago, catch them soon before they disapear under a mound of stick thin trenchcoat wearing suicide risks.


HEAR 'WIRE' @ www.myspace.com/isthisromance
SEE R O M A N C E @ a dark dark corner of the capitol