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“Woman Of Faces” – Celeste | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Celeste received the Rising Star of 2020 Brit Award five years ago. Since then she has cut a wonderfully original furrow in the music world. She has the vocal dexterity and range of Ella Fitzgerald and the open-hearted emotional soul that Amy Winehouse had. "Woman Of Faces" makes the hairs on the back of my…
“Hotmail” – Teenage Tom Petties | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Teenage Tom Petties return with a great new single, "Hotmail", out now on Safe Suburban Home Records. It is classic Teenage Tom Petties lo-fi garage rock that feels like Beck Hansen took over the controls of Weezer and made a song. I am off to listen to this again while I check my Hotmail inbox!…
“Girls With Gills” – Chloe Moriondo | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
"Girls With Gills" is a masterpiece of weird electro pop from American singer-songwriter Chloe Moriondo. If Lady Gaga had a secret daughter then she might well be Chloe Moriondo. Back in the days when the pop charts really mattered this song would be number one for weeks! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2Pmf3sPBgM If you have enjoyed this article, feel…
“A Comet For Joshua” – Nick Hudson | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
If you like Jeff Buckley and Rufus Wainwright then I think that you will declare undying love for Nick Hudson's new single "A Comet For Joshua". Nick is also known as the front man of the Academy Of The Sun, but his solo work, including the new song, is impeccable and sublime. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCCxVhb3RzM If you…
“I Never Miss Him Anymore” – Jessie James Decker and Joss Stone | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
"I Never Miss Him Anymore" oozes perfect old school soul and blues heartbreak. Think "I'd Rather Go Blind" by Chicken Shack from 1969 which featured Christine Perfect (later Christine McVie) on vocals. The emotionally charged voices of Decker and Stone on this beautiful track show clearly that they are in denial and in fact really…
“Los Angeles” – Big Thief | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
"Los Angeles" by Big Thief is a stunning and soulful stream of consciousness which made me think of R.E.M and Bran Van 3000. In fact Big Thief's new release would segue perfectly with Bran Van 3000's 1997 smash, "Drinking In L.A." Check out "Los Angeles" today, you won't regret it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOeELtc6fqg If you have enjoyed…
“Pretty Substance” – Honey Trap | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Honey Trap are a hugely talented three-piece band from Leeds with members Owen, Aidan and Ben. They have just released a cracking new song, "Pretty Substance". The tune has a deeply chilled light reggae feel to it. The vocals remind me of Richard Archer of Hard-Fi. This is perhaps one of the finest late summer…
“True Believer” – Biffy Clyro | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
The Biffy boys return with a mighty slab of emotionally driven hard rock. Some of the exquisite riffage evokes the finest of late 80s and early 80s heavier bands. Meanwhile some of the harmonies could comfortably and seamlessly grace a great Queen song. "True Believer" is among their best from one of Scotland's finest bands.…
“Cowboys Come Home” – Halle Kearns | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Sometimes you really need a bit of country music in your life don't you? Halle Kearns' new single "Cowboys Come Home" is a song that you probably can't do without. There is an underlying sense of dark hoedown party overlaid by Halle's gorgeous voice. The fiddle playing took me way back to the finest songs…
“Give In To Me” – Pure Obsessions & Red Nights | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
A Michael Jackson cover by a metal band? Will that work? Fuck yeah! This is on a par with Alien Ant Farm's cover of "Smooth Criminal" from 2001. "Give In To Me" in its original form was the seventh single released from Jackson's eighth studio album 'Dangerous' in 1992. Apparently Pure Obsessions & Red Nights…
“Additional Animals” – LAPTOP | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Jesse Hartman who had a very successful time with his alt-pop project LAPTOP in the early part of this century releasing three classy albums; 'Opening Credits' (2000), 'The Old Me vs. The New You' (2001), and 'Don't Try This At Home' (2003). I have been listening to those collections again and they have aged very…
‘Woody At Home – Vol 1 + 2’ – Woody Guthrie | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Woodrow Wilson Guthrie a.k.a. Woody Guthrie died nearly 60 years ago aged just 55. Now some of his previously unpublished home demos have been released almost 75 years after they were recorded. 'This 'Woody At Home' was released this weekend on Shamus Records. The 22 song collection features recordings made by Guthrie at his Brooklyn…
The Mayhem Charts – July 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Here is the Mayhem chart for July 2025, a little late (just like last month) I know, but better late than never right? Regular readers know the chart is based on my streaming listening habits. These are gathered over the last month by obscurify.com. My taste in music dropped one point to 98% more obscure…
“Vacant Youth” – LOWMOON | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
We haven't featured a release from the delightful Safe Suburban Home Records for too long and we will rectify that now as we tell you about the new single from LOWMOON. UK based musician and producer Mikey Wilson is LOWMOON and his new song "Vacant Youth" is simply gorgeous. The music is a wonderful blend…
“Hangover Cure” – Guilhelm | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
This new single from Montreal based singer songwriter Guilhelm has pop, punk and a slacker laid-back Weezer type vibe. A summer anthem for 2025 with a wonderfully positive "I know I'm not gonna die" vocal hook. Guilhem described the song "This song explores the different ways to overcome a hangover in some sort of quest…
‘Your Band Is A War Machine’ – Andy Watson | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
At the end of last year I reviewed Andy Watson's book 'Total Cover Band Domination' which is in effect a manual about the best way to build, manage and make your covers band more successful. His new book 'Your Band Is A War Machine' takes things to the next level. If the earlier book was…
“Dad Dance” – Specky Cult | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Specky Cult is the best named band in many a moon in my opinion. It makes me feel guilty for calling another lad at my school, even more moons ago, we called him Specky followed by another four letter word beginning with C. The new Specky Cult single is called "Dad Dance" which is definitely…
On This Day The Fabs Become A Long And Winding Road! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On this day, 18th August 1982, the City of Liverpool named four Streets after the Beatles: John Lennon Drive, Paul McCartney Way, George Harrison Close and Ringo Starr Drive. So yes, they became their own long and winding road! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDP3dwpoVTo&list=RDyDP3dwpoVTo&start_radio=1 If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog. You can also…
“Eyes On Six” – Biohazard | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Brooklyn's Biohazard are preparing to release their first album in almost ten years. It is called 'Divided We Fall' and to get us prepared for the riff onslaught they have gifted us with a new single hot on the heels of "Fuck The System" (July) and "Forsaken" (June). The third single from the new album…
‘Beneath The Surface’ EP – SINthetik Messiah | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
The new EP from ace Louisiana based artist SINthetik Messiah is called 'Beneath The Surface' and it is a dark shrouded, deeply pertinent comment on the world today. Musically it evokes the Prodigy and Faithless, but with even more balls. The voice samples on opener "Maniacal Means" is apt and as scary as fuck. "Caught…
Mayhem Virgins – Fishing 4 Compliments | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
This is the 25th entry in the Mayhem Virgins series where we showcase artists that have never featured in these pages before. This time it is the turn of Fishing 4 Compliments’ a five-piece band from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Their music revolves around the impassioned, soulful and emotional songs of lead singer–songwriter Eileen Wattam with…
On This Day The Reading Rock Festival Was Born, Sort Of! | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On 6th August 1970 the 10th National Jazz, Blues and Pop four day Festival was held at Plumpton Racecourse in Sussex, England. Featuring, Family, Groundhogs, Cat Stevens, Deep Purple, Fat Mattress, Yes, Caravan, The Strawbs, Black Sabbath, Wild Angles, Wishbone Ash and Daddy Longlegs. The following year it moved to Richfield Avenue in Reading, and…
“C.J.O.S. (Circle Jerk Of Sadness)” – Industry Standard | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Back in April we reviewed, "BLAIR!", Industry Standard's debut single, we bloody loved that one, so there was a lot of excitement here at Mayhem Towers when their latest hit the world. It is wonderfully titled "C.J.O.S. (Circle Jerk Of Sadness)" and is rather different, but just as explosive, as "BLAIR!". This new track is…
The Mayhem Charts – June 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Here is the Mayhem chart for June 2025, rather late (just like last month) I know, but better late than never right? Regular readers know the chart is based on my streaming listening habits. These are gathered over the last month by obscurify.com. My taste in music remains 99% more obscure than the rest of…
Kindelan – The Vinyl Whistle, Leeds – Sunday 13th July 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Last Sunday I was one of the lucky people that experienced Kindelan’s intimate gig at the Vinyl Whistle record shop in Leeds to support the launch of her new double‑single ‘After Before’. The release features two tracks, “Cigarettes” (After) and “Wish I Wrote A Love Song” (Before). Before I tell you about her set let…
“L-Shaped Couch” – Scene Queen | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
“L‑Shaped Couch” is the fabulous new glitter ball of a single from the phenomenon that is Scene Queen. It is a stunning, pop based move away from her signature bimbocore sound. It is a delightful divergence into a sparkling disco sound. This song would not be out of place on a classic disco playlist, but…
‘Panic Shack’ – Panic Shack | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Cardiff-based punk quintet Panic Shack, who exploded onto the scene back in 2018, will unleash their much-anticipated self-titled debut album on 18 July 2025 via Brace Yourself Records. This energetic slab of perfect punk energy was produced by Ali Chant (PJ Harvey, Perfume Genius, Yard Act). The album opens with a classy combination of punk…
Simple Minds – The Piece Hall, Halifax – Monday 7th July 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Those delightful people at The Modern Record asked me to review Simple Minds at the Piece Hall in Halifax last Monday and that was an opportunity I did not intend to miss. Check out my review on the Modern Record site by clicking here. All the ace photos are from rock photographer extraordinaire John Hayhurst!…
Jamnesty – Fulford Arms, York Friday 11th July 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
On a baking hot July evening, the Fulford Arms in York was lit up with an electric mix of energy, activism, and genre-hopping joy for this year’s Jamnesty gig, a fundraiser in support of Amnesty International. (If you would like to donate, just click here) The lineup was packed with local talent and rising stars,…
Richard Hawley – Museum Gardens York – Saturday 5th July 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
It was great to catch up with friends old and new at another mega gig in the Museum Gardens in York. Headliner for this one was Richard Hawley, a man who was once a member of Longpigs (1993-2000) and a touring member of Pulp (1998–2002, 2011–2012). He released his first solo album 'Late Night Final'…
Nile Rodgers and Chic – Museum Gardens York – Friday 4th July 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
After seeing local heroes Shed Seven at the Museum Gardens in York last year I returned to the venue to witness the legend that is Nile Rodgers and Chic. I have seen Chic once before, but that was back in 1979! Was Nile on good form? Read on to find out, I need to tell…
Weezer – The Piece Hall, Halifax – Monday 30th June 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
PHOTOCREDIT - THE PIECE HALL HALIFAX (SOCIAL MEDIA) Those wonderful folks at The Modern Record asked me to review Weezer at the Piece Hall in Halifax last Monday and that was an opportunity I did not intend to miss. It came with two review tickets so I was there with my good buddy Baz. We…
Lost Trends – The Crescent York – Friday 27th June 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
This was another gig pulled together by music promoter extraordinaire, Simon P of Northern Radar and featured some of my favourite bands, notably headliners Lost Trends, but more of them later as I need to talk about the rather stunning support acts. First up it was Saliva Birds. If you are addicted to class A…
Wow That’s What I Call Mayhem – Volume 7 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
I repeat my humblest of apologies to the creators of the iconic NOW music compilation series of tri-annual releases. Their compilations began in 1983. I posted and compiled the first WOW That's What I Call Mayhem collection back in March 2024. Volumes 2, 3 and 4 followed in August and September. Volume 5 was was…
The Mayhem Charts – May 2025 | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Here is the Mayhem chart for May 2025, rather late (just like last month) I know, but better late than never right? Regular readers know the chart is based on my streaming listening habits. These are gathered over the last month by obscurify.com. My taste in music remains 99% more obscure than the rest of…
The WJAHOM Interview Podcast – Party Nails | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Back in January I reviewed the rather excellent album from uber talented LA based artist Party Nails. That record remains a contender for Mayhem's album of the year 2025. Now I have had the utmost pleasure in getting to interview Party Nails. She is not only a talented musician she is also a great raconteur.…
“Fell In Love With Godx (She Was Really Fit)” – peach|melba | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Last month I reviewed "Worst Trimester" and that was my first experience listening to LA/ Brighton duo peach|melba. In case you didn't read that piece let me recap a little. They write, record and mix everything themselves. The band have said “We swear on your mother’s life to release a new song every six weeks…
“Daytime TV” – HerOrangeCoat | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
We are huge fans of HerOrangeCoat here at Mayhem Towers, so we are always excited when she releases new material. She has just released a new single, "Daytime TV" and it is darkly gorgeous. A tale of losing your job just before Christmas and getting drawn into shitty daytime TV and the whole range of…
“Like I Need” – Lloren | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
Lloren last appeared on the pages of With Just A Hint Of Mayhem when we reviewed her single "Mad Woman" last September. Back then I sensed an element of the dark side of Lana del Ray in her music. That is still there with new single "Like I Need". But this time there is a…
“Stick Up” – SUNBENDR | With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
SUNBENDR from San Diego are what might be called a super group with Chris Cote (Kut U UP) on bass and vocals, Brandon Parkhurst (Kut U UP and Yovee) on guitar and Frank Dixon (Nancy and Sister Juanita) on drums. The trio are augmented on this track with backing vocals from George Perks (Mogwai and…