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If you've been wondering why this site has not been updated as regularly as usual, do not fear - God Bless The Music Press has now moved.

Following a few glitches you can now find us here with the usual posts and reviews.

Dinosaur Pile- Up at the Escobar, Wakefield, December 19

While Leeds is still regarded as the city that produced the Kaiser Chiefs and Pigeon Detectives there has been an alternative heavier scene bubbling away in the grotty basements. Dinosaur Pile- Up have recently surfaced for air and have found the music press jumping on board to hail the band the next Yorkshire trendsetters.

Tonight however, the favourable reviews appears to have had little affect on the band. Playing a venue the size of a shoe box, the band power through a low key set, raging with distortion and feedback.

Launching into a dark drudge of dirty riffs and classic rock, there's no wonder music fans are eager to hail them as the new Northern frontrunners. 'My Rock'n' Roll' is simple and haunting as it builds layer upon layer of thrash noise to create an impending doom. With their cut off t-shirts and tight jeans the trio wouldn't look a touch out of place in the depths of the US, yet there's something distinctly British about their sound.

As the vocals bellow over guitar high pitched wails, the drums break the almost laid back melodies with a complex offbeat rhythm. It's the highlight of the band's performance, showing another side to their rough and ready approach. Now, as we stand transfixed to the stage, it's obvious Leeds is heading in a different, darker direction, and Dinosaur Pile- Up are the band to take it there.

The Hold Steady at the Leadmill, Sheffield, December 7

Tonight as a sea of ‘The Hold Steady Almost Killed Me’ t-shirts appear along with hardcore fans who are eager to guess the setlist before the band even come onstage, we’re finding it hard to fathom the near hysteria surrounding The Hold Steady.

As a group of moderately dressed men, the band don’t exactly stand out, yet after the release of their third album Boys And Girls In America they’ve found themselves to be the latest underground heroes. Tonight the mad fans are already predicting the performance note by note, yet we’re a little more cynical about the band living up to expectations. Within three songs however we find ourselves accidently getting swept along with the crowd as frontman Craig Finn leads the performance.

With his jagged movements and continuous pointing he’s reminiscent of a dad at a wedding, yet somehow the group own the stage, blasting out hard rock riffs. As ‘Stay Positive’ gets an airing the band become a solid force, while the audience pound every line back onstage. Finn’s Michael Stipe influenced vocals haunt across the room as he continues to thrust in each and every direction.

Finally as the band finish on an encore of ‘Chips Ahoy!’ you may as well get ready to t-shirt us up. We’re officially a Hold Steady superfan.

Bone Fest at the Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, December 6

Today’s Bone Fest is the ultimate guide to Leeds’ music. Full of the who’s who of the city, the bill nearly contains damn near every band in Leeds. Showcasing the city’s heavier side, Copy Haho and Blakfish, all make an appearance on the Brudenell stage.

Kicking off the evening’s performances Red Stars Parade immediately bring an intimate vibe to the room- not that you’d like to stand close enough to this group. With the lead singer moving to the floor, the raw energetic passion takes over the room as the melody is backed with powerful rhythms driving each song.

Tubelord are the outsiders today (hailing from Kingston), yet their kooky, student style immediately soaks into the surroundings. In a wash of bleached hair and twisted licks the trio bring a fast jolt to the evening. Cramming a thousand melodies and off kilter rhythms into each song, the band are here to shake up the night and they don’t disappoint.

Yet following an unpredictable performance comes the most premeditated of the day. Grammatics are so precise onstage it’s hard to see the band truly letting go. With their slow rumbling backline and harking vocals the group are surprisingly haunting onstage. However as they build to a slow deafening climax they instantly change into a different monster. Powerfully taking over the room, the vocals yelp over a complex backdrop as the group bring the day to an apocalyptic finish.

Photos: Bart Pettman

Looking Rough At 30: Jarvis Cocker, Jeffrey Lewis at Sheffield Academy, November 25

For their 30th anniversary Rough Trade could have had their pick of the biggest acts from the last five years. Having been responsible for the releases of The Smiths, The Libertines and Arcade Fire (a few among many) they are established as the biggest independent record label in the UK. So tonight to find the label's anniversary tour will be headlined by Jarvis Cocker and Jeffrey Lewis is unusual but not surprising.

Always the underdog in his field, Jeffrey Lewis is one of the label's more quirky characters. With his own comic books, homemade t-shirts and short films, it's freshing to find a performer so DIY play a 2,000 capacity venue. Unfortunately tonight he's left onstage fighting for attention as the venue quickly fills.

Among the stories about whales, adventures through America and biographies of Barack Obama, is a wonderful storytelling style that has the ability to whisk you away in seconds. As he whips out a huge notepad to take you through the history of Rough Trade it is understandable why he's so loved over at the label. Oozing personality and a little off kilter, he's a gem that should be preserved as long as Rough Trade itself.

Jarvis however is hoping a little of Jeffrey's DIY ethics may rub off on him tonight. Promising a gig which is half lecture, half disco, he has some big statements to fulfil. Luckily, ambling onstage in a full beard and scruffy suit ("honest opinions, I can pull it off, or is it a bit Peter Sutcliffe?" he remarks) Jarvis is a born showman. As a huge screen appears behind him we are lead through a series of musical events throughout the years. Kickstarting with a collection of new songs, Jarvis is left to twist and turn in the spotlight as the new material takes a heavier route from his debut. Jumping and yelping about the stage, the songs burst effortlessly throughout the room as the six piece band carefully follow the singer's lead.

Then with remote control and lecture stick in hand, rather than a history of Rough Trade, Jarvis takes us through a journey of his own experiences. We get his opinion on the English language, Take That and the blues, before the gig slowly reverts into a quiz on dinosaurs and Sheffield. It's hugely entertaining, sometimes more than the music itself, making you wish Jarvis would resort to a spoken word gig from time to time. Finally taking us through a tour of Rough Trade, we hear 'Running The World' before a seven minute disco freak out. Leaving his band onstage, Jarvis then hops it over to the DJ decks as he bursts into a nineties inspired disco. It's a little unexpected, but then we wouldn't have it any other way. An event which aims to be completely unpredictable, exciting and inspiring is what will keep Rough Trade in business for years to come.

Photos by Andy Cook

Dananananaykroyd, Pulled Apart By Horses at The Harley, Sheffield

Tonight's Harley is about to surprise us. Normally a hang out for trendy twenty somethings and quirky student types, audience paricipation usually stretches to a head nod and a half arsed clap. Tonight however there's a feeling of change in the air which will leave the venue in tatters, crowd members scrapping and a small sense of accomplishment by music fans everywhere.

 Leeds' Pulled Apart By Horses are an explosive rush of brash guitar from the moment they step onstage. With angry expressions fixed firmly to their personas the group are brimming with powerful angst. Their large power chords and intricate guitar solos permeate, and with the introduction of 'High Dive, Swan Dive, Nose Dive' the group push into new realms. As the band finish on 'Meat Balloon' the room turns into a mass of twisted bodies, showing they're capable of turning any crowd into an emotional mess.

If there's a band sweeping across the nation by word-of-mouth it's Dananananakyroyd. Embarking on their first headline tour and with expectations set high, the band are under pressure to pull something out of the hat. Luckily they're one of the best live bands, pretty much, ever. Bursting onstage with a whirlwind of chaos the sextet spend the next hour giving the room an experience they are unlikely to forget in a hurry.

Pushing and shoving their way through the crowd, the band are like a constant battle onstage. With two drummers/singers, the rest of the band and whole load of trouble, Dananananaykroyd are the ultimate party band. Within seconds lead singer Callum is running through the crowd provoking every person in his way.

 As the group chant the opening to 'Pink Sabbath' the room erupts before we're instructed to form a line down the centre of the room and hug the person opposite (also known as the 'wall of cuddles'). We lose a shoe and barely keep our footing in the scrum.

 Dananananaykroyd are not just a fun band, they're a band that make us glad to be alive, a group that could turn even the most cynical gig goer into a pop loving fanatic in seconds. These are the gigs that reinstate passion for music - and dammit, we still can't get that stupid grin off our faces.

Photos: Andy Cook

Dananananaykroyd at the Escobar, Wakefield, November 8

Dananananaykroyd are a liability. Equipped with two drummers, two vocalists and a whole lot of fun, tonight no one is getting out unscathed. Lead singer, guitarist and just about everyone pile into the audience causing instant chaos. A crowd member is assaulted and another kissed, as the group power through with their off kilter thrash punk. Various members leap about the small room pushing, chanting and leaving a trail of damage in their wake. 

Coming across as more of a fun gang than a band, the six members are like hyperactive toddlers. With this amount of adrenaline their set is such a rollercoaster ride, a heart attack for the elderly is highly probable. As lead singer Callum goes to hug every audience member on departure we can’t figure out whether we’ve just been violated or loved every God damn minute. Either way, we can’t wait to go again, and again.