Kevin Cummins (Photo by Mel)

Andy kick starts this months blog....It’s onwards and upwards in the Mudkiss camp as festival season really takes a grip. Press accreditations have been received for Haigh Hall, Chester Rocks, Warrington Festival, Cloud 9, Ben & Jerrys and Hop Farm, exemplifying the spread of music covered on the site.  From the grass roots of the North West scene, extending to luminaries The Lightning Seeds, Morrissey, Lou Reed, and Iggy and the Stooges, the team looking to spread the word of great music wherever the opportunities arise.

As if the festivals weren’t enough, numerous gigs are lined up particularly around Manchester and London. Did you see the incredible performance by Vintage Trouble on Jools Holland a couple of months ago, if not, don’t worry, we’re down at Manchester Academy next week with a full report, photos and video to follow soon after.  A number of interviews are also currently under discussion, further details to be revealed soon, Mudkiss looking to hit hard and heavy over July and August.

Add in the regular album and singles features, including the thoughts and opinions of fresh young Fanzine blood, you have a heady mix of youth and experience bringing the music you need to hear direct to your computer whenever you want it.

Don’t believe me?  Check out our June portfolio, interviews with The Specials Roddy Byers, Rasp Thorne, Heidi Jo Hines, The Travelling Band and journalist, musician and all round great guy John Robb.  Live reviews include Morrissey, The Avett Brothers, Kitty Daisy and Lewis, Kings of Leon, The Pierces, Adam Ant, The Travelling Band (local favourites) and The Lovely Eggs.  Get the idea? - Catch you all in another month, assuming we all survive!!"

Mel: The first day of July saw me photographing Kevin Cummins no less, the grandmaster of the lens himself, the Chief photographer for the NME for 30 years. I only managed 5 minuties with him, but he was more than happy to engage with me for a couple of photos and some banter. I hope to write up a little something about the talk he gave also. It's a busy few months ahead for me photography wise, with either Phil or Andy at the reviewing end I will be following along with my Nikon attached to my rucksack. I also have some portrait shoots planned and its a busy few months ahead for interviews and shows. Keep reading......not one but two lil' photoshoots in the past month with proffesional photographers, and next up was another Mancunian Karen McBride, in the wonderful setting of Castlefield, concluding with a great interview. I learnt quite a lot from Karen and so we are going to do a bit of collaborating, watch this space folks. Check out Karen's 'fucking good photography' - http://karenmcbride.com

The highlight of the month so far has to be standing in the photo pit under the legend that is Iggy Pop - I was quivering so much with excitement its a wonder I got as many photos out of the two songs slot at all.

INTERVIEWS:

Fiona Jayne Friel: [Dragster] Whipping Up An Attitude - Interview by Phil King & Shay Rowan

http://www.mudkiss.com/dragsterinterview.htm

Wire: [Colin Newman] Who's A Clever Boy Then? Interview by Lee McFaddden

http://www.mudkiss.com/colinnewmaninterview.htm

Dustland: Liverpool's Darker Side Of Pop - Interview by Mel

http://www.mudkiss.com/dustlandinterview.htm

The Barb Wire Dolls: The New Wave Of Punk - Interview by Ted Dahlin

http://www.mudkiss.com/barbwiredollsinterview.htm

Colleen Caffeine: Words That Begin With C - Interview by Phil King  

http://www.mudkiss.com/colleencaffeineinterview.htm

The Suzukis: A New Breed Of Northern Band - Interview by Nigel Cartner

http://www.mudkiss.com/suzukisinterview.htm

Sam Pickett: A Spellbinding Voice - Interview by Nigel Cartner

http://www.mudkiss.com/sampickettinterview.htm

Karen McBride: Call Me Anything You Like Except Togger - Interview by Mel

http://www.mudkiss.com/karenmcbrideinterview.htm

Talanas: Tonight Matthew I'm Going To Be............Interview by Andy Barnes

http://www.mudkiss.com/talanasinterview.htm

Cassie Ramone: [Vivian Girls] I Love Manchester - Interview by Phil & Mel

http://www.mudkiss.com/viviangirlsinterview.htm

Casino Steel: The Boys Are Back In Town Interview by Teddie Dahlin

http://www.mudkiss.com/casinosteelinterview.htm

Teddie Dahlin: Sid Vicious & His Norwegian Romance - Interview by Den

http://www.mudkiss.com/teddiedahlininterview.htm

On Cloud 9...Talkin' 'Bout The Festival with Festival Director, Hanna Cox - Interview By Nigel Cartner

http://www.mudkiss.com/cloud9festivalinterview.htm

Lucy Elizabeth Conroy: It's Vintage Darling - Interview by Mel

http://www.mudkiss.com/lucyconroyinterview.htm

Vintage Trouble: Hanging Out With The Troublemakers - Interview by Mel

http://www.mudkiss.com/vintagetroubleinterview.htm

JC.Carroll: Still Annoying The Neighbours With His Punk Rock Electric Guitar - Interview by Den

http://www.mudkiss.com/jcinterview.htm

Rick Bucker: [The Jam] In A Different Light - Interview by Nigel Cartner

http://www.mudkiss.com/rickbuckler.htm

SHOW REVIEWS:

Jello Biafra And The Guantanamo School Of Medicine /The Bermondsey Joyriders @ O2 Academy London 06/08/11 – Review by Lorraine

http://www.mudkiss.com/jellobiafralive.htm

Lisbon @ The Ruby Lounge, Manchester 27/07/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/lisbonlive.htm

STP Punk All Dayer @ The Witchwood, Ashton Under Lyne 31/07/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/stppunkalldayer.htm

Cloud 9 Music Festival @ Love Lane Farm, Sandbach Cheshire 06/08/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/cloud9festival.htm

Find Your Feet Festival @The Soccer Village, Milnrow, Rochdale 23/07/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/findyourfeetfest.htm

Black Country Communion @ 02 Academy Glasgow 29/07/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/blackcountrycommunion.htm

Ben & Jerry Sundae Double Scoop: Music Festival 23/07/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/benandjerrysfestival.htm

Talanas/Spires/Incassum/Candid Iniquity @ The Witchwood 21/07/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/talanasthewitchwoodlive.htm

Vivian Girls/Waiters/Dirty Blond @ The Ruby Lounge 17/07/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/viviangirlslive.htm

Bjork @ Campfield Market Hall, Manchester – 10/07/2011

http://www.mudkiss.com/bjorklive.htm

Suzukis/Twin Planets/Freedom of The City/Jack Trainer @ The Roadhouse16/07/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/suzukislive.htm

Dinosaur Pile-Up @ Brudenell Social Club 13/07/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/dpulive.htm

Ray & Robby of 'The Doors' @ Le Bataclan 03/07/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/paristhedoorsshow.htm

Vintage Trouble @ Manchester Academy 3 06/07/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/vintagetroubleacademy3.htm

Chester Rocks Music Festival @ Chester Racecourse 03/07/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/chesterrocksfestival.htm

Haigh Music Festival @ Haigh Hall, Wigan 03/07/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/haighhallfestival11.htm

Hop Farm Music Festival @ Paddock Wood, Kent 02/07/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/hopfarmfestival.htm

Morrissey/Mona @ St Georges Hall, Bradford 27/06/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/morrisseylive.htm

SPECIAL REPORTS:

An exclusive screening: by invite only - What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor - review by Lorraine

http://www.mudkiss.com/whatshallwedowith.htm

Camille O' Sullivan: 'Feel' @ Edinburgh Fringe Festival 13/08/11  Review by Shay Rowan

http://www.mudkiss.com/camilleosullivaninfeel.htm

Lili La Scala: 'Songs To Make You Smile'  @ Assembly, George Sq, Edinburgh Fringe Festival 14/08/11 by Shay Rowan

http://www.mudkiss.com/lililascala.htm

The Big Smoke: Lowry Theatre, Salford Review by Shay Rowan

http://www.mudkiss.com/thebigsmoke.htm

Jim Morrison's 40th Anniversary: Nigel Cartner takes a trip to Paris to celebrate the life of the legendary Doors singer.

http://www.mudkiss.com/jimmorrisions40thinparis.htm

Word Fest with Kevin Cummins: A talk @ Urmston Libary 01/07/11 by Mel

http://www.mudkiss.com/kevincumminswordfest.htm

Biffy Clyro: An Evening With The band - by Martin Elven

http://www.mudkiss.com/biffyclyronight.htm

Andy Warhol Exhibition: Warhol & The Diva @ Lowry Gallery, Salford, Manchester 26/06/11

http://www.mudkiss.com/andywarholexhibition.htm

NEW MUSIC REVIEWS:

Red Hot Chill Peppers: I'm With You [album preview] by Callum Barnes

http://www.mudkiss.com/redhotchillinewalbum.htm

It's a strange old month......- Andy's almanac of August albums......

• Not Above Evil – Deification
• The Loud – Harris Shutter
• Epigene – ‘A Wall Street Odyssey ; The City, The Country and Back Again’
• Various Artists – Dirty Home of Riot Rock ‘n’ Roll
• The Icarus Line – Wildlife
• Jeff Bridges – Jeff Bridges

http://www.mudkiss.com/andysaugustalbum.htm

Den's August reviews - http://www.mudkiss.com/denaugustreview11.htm

Suede: Suede, Dog Man Star, Coming Up, Head Music Augustus Pablo:  Message Music

Bitter Springs: Gary Glitter fan Convention / Free to Kill Again

SINGLES AND EP REVIEWS: BY Chumki Banerjee

• Van Susans - We Could Be Scenery
• Night Wreckage - Solarcoaster
• Jodie Marie - Blank Canvas
• The Beautiful Word - Emily
• Delta Maid - Spend A Little Time
• Films Of Colour - Capital - Persinette
• David J Roch - Dew First
• Sam Pickett - Night Drive - Spellbound - [promo]
• Louise Distras - Heartstrings On A Hand Grenade
• Nhor - Beneath The Burial Leaves Of A Dying Earth
• Hyde And Beast - Never Come Back
• Noel Gallagher - The Death of You And Me

http://www.mudkiss.com/augustsingles.htm

AUGUST ALBUMS: DOWN WITH THE KIDZ [Callum, Josh & Lydia]

• Marissa Nadler- Marissa Nadler  
• Japanese Voyeurs - Yolk
• Heights - Dead Ends
• Robots In Disguise – Happiness V Sadness
• China Shop Bull – Rave To The Grave
• Filthy Nights – If Only You Knew
• Barricades Rise - All I Have Is Here
• The Frontier Needs Heros – The Future
• Foster the People – Torches

http://www.mudkiss.com/augustalbumskidz.htm

Andy’s  “Am I the only one not attending a festival” July album review’s.

http://www.mudkiss.com/andysjulyalbumreviews.htm

• Woods - Sun and Shade
• Nitroville - Can’t Stop What’s Coming
• Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On 40th Anniversary
• Light for Japan -
• Vintage Trouble - The Bomb Shelter Sessions
• Kevin Ridley  - Flying in the Face of Logic

Down With The Kidz: Callum, Lucy and Josh review (under 21's)

• Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See
• The Savage Nomads - Coloured Clutter
• Fuck Knights - Let it bleed
• Thomas Tantrum - Mad By Moonlight
• Austerlitz - Austerlitz
• Thee Oh Sees - Castlemania
• The Coathangers - Larceny & Old Lace
• The Victorian Englishmen’s Gentlemen - Bag Of Meat
• Dananananaykroyd  - There Is A Way

 http://www.mudkiss.com/downwiththekidzjuly.htm