Shred Yr Face Tour 2008 - Los Campesinos!, No Age, Times New Viking

In association with UK music website Drowned In Sound, the Shred Yr Face (annoying wannabe Sonic Youth spelling intentional) hits the UK this October featuring the spelling nightmare that are tweecore warriors Los Campesinos!, Sub-Pop's ambient-punk duo
No Age and the none more lo-fi Times New Viking. I won't be attending as unfortunately none of the shows are anywhere near me and I've already travelled enough of this godforsaken isle in 2008 watching bands in dark, smelly backrooms to last me a lifetime but this should be good for those who can make it:

October
14 Brighton Komedia (£12/14; 01273 647100; tickets; 14+)
15 Liverpool Carling Academy 2 (£10; 0151 707 3200; tickets; all ages)
16 Leeds Irish Centre (£10/12; 08700 600100; tickets)
17 Dublin Whelans (13 euros; tickets; 18+)
18 Glasgow School of Arts (£10/12; tickets)
20 London Electric Ballroom (£10; 020 7403 3331; ; tickets; 14+)
21 Bristol Fleece (£10; ; tickets; 18+)
22 Manchester Academy 3 (£10; ; tickets; 14+)

Tickets go on sale 18th August (tomorrow as I type!)

I've seen all three bands before and I'd say that Times New Viking are the best of the bunch. Their Rip It Off album is one of my favourites of this year; so much scuzz, rawness and fuzz in the lo-fi production but the songwriting is so strong and joyful that it bursts shining through. It took a while to sink in (and listening to individual MP3s doesn't really bring across their best) but when it clicked, oh man - brilliant stuff, like bursting through the clouds in a plane. Live, they lose the noisy production layer and leave just the amazing songs played LOUD. They have a new 10" EP, Stay Awake, due 21st October so should be some fresh material played out.

Times New Viking - (My Head)/RIP Allegory (MP3) (Buy Rip It Off from Emusic or Amazon)
Times New Viking - Call and Respond (MP3)(from the forthcoming Stay Awake EP on Matador Records : Preorder)

Call and Respond is brand new from the forthcoming EP (I haven't seen it on any other blogs actually), and follows on nicely from the last album - feedback, ragged guitar and hiss again do battle with the joyous female/male co-vocals.

As much as I like No Age on record, they've disappointed me on the two occasions I've seen them this year - there always seems to be something missing, some disconnect between them and us. I love the more ambient guitar-effect soundscapey stuff on their albums, which is put aside to a degree on stage in favour of the punkier material. Others have loved them in concert, but I'm still unconvinced.

No Age - Eraser (MP3) (Buy Nouns from Sub Pop or Amazon - my vinyl copy bought from the band at ATP came with free MP3 downloads of the album too)

Los Campesinos! are a funny one, still coming across as a band who've been given the keys to the sweetshop and can't quite believe their luck; at this year's ATP, lead-singer Gareth spent most of the midsong banter on the verge of tears as they were fulfilling their life long dream to play the festival (comparing it to Wembley Stadium or Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage). Sweet and loveable to a degree, and they certainly have an exuberant stage show, but with second album We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed due later this year (less than 12 months from the release of their debut) they may have to toughen up a bit before their live act becomes too twee. They are great when it all comes together, but the 2nd album could be a make or break for them as I can unfortunately see them losing their way - they still haven't written anything as good as their admittedly nigh-on perfect EP material either...

Los Campesinos! - How I Taught Myself to Scream (MP3)(Unreleased track courtesy of Pitchfork)
Los Campesinos! - Don't tell me how to do the Math(s) (MP3) (Buy Hold On Now Youngster from Amazon)

How I Taught Myself to Scream is not from the new album, instead an offcut from their debut. Noisier and more angular than usual, it's not quite up to tracks like Do the Math(s) but still a strong little tune for a throwaway. The new album may sound like this, it may not - my guess is as good as yours.