The World Of B-Sides & Rarities, #747

The Futureheads - Radio Heart (Dolby Anol Mix)

Watch their video for 'Walking Backwards' here.

Visit The Futureheads on MySpace.

MP3: The Futureheads - Radio Heart (DA Mix)

The Futureheads Premiere New Video

Enjoy 'Walking Backwards' below. Download a Futureheads MP3 at bottom of post.


MP3: The Futureheads - Broke Up The Time

The Futureheads Talk Festivals With ITN

Check out their plans (along with some hilarious chit chat) below. MP3 at bottom.


MP3: The Futureheads - Broke Up The Time

The Futureheads Release Video Diary

Enjoy their very first installment below. Visit The Futureheads on MySpace.


MP3: The Futureheads - Radio 1 Interview

The Futureheads Record Black Cab Session

Enjoy their intimate performance of 'Radio Heart' below. MP3 at bottom of post.


MP3: The Futureheads - Hounds Of Love (Remix)

The Futureheads Debut New Video

Enjoy 'Radio Heart' below. Visit The Futureheads at their official MySpace page.


MP3: The Futureheads - Hounds Of Love (Remix)

The Futureheads Visit 'Lily Allen & Friends'

Enjoy this week's performance of 'The Beginning Of The Twist' below (FF to 6:10).


MP3: The Futureheads - Hounds Of Love (Remix)

Futureheads Frontman Responds To Radiohead's 'Rainbows'

Barry Hyde shares the following quote with Gigwise: *They are in a league of their own. But what disappointed us was that they released it physically after. That was kind of hypocritical.*

Do you agree with his criticism?

MP3: The Futureheads - Hounds Of Love (Remix)

Futureheads Announce UK 'Student Union' Tour

All dates below.

1.16 Union Of Brunel
1.17 University Of Hertfordshire
1.18 Warwick Students' Union
1.19 Loughborough Students' Union
1.21 Hull University
1.22 Liverpool Stanley Theatre
1.23 Preston 53 Degrees
1.24 Strathclyde Students' Union
1.26 University Of Sheffield
1.27 Leeds University
1.28 Norwich The Waterfront
1.29 Bournemouth Old Fire Station

MP3: The Futureheads - Favours For Favours [edit] (via Soundfix Records)

The Futureheads Offer New Album Video Teaser

Check out 'Broke Up The Time' in the clip below. Share your thoughts in the comments.


MP3: The Futureheads - Hounds Of Love (Wolves At The Door Mix)

The World Of B-Sides & Rarities, #27

The Futureheads - Piece Of Crap

Ahh, The Futureheads. Good memories.

'Piece Of Crap' didn't make the cut for the band's eponymous debut back in '04 but it happens to fall amongst my top few Futureheads tracks, and dammit, that should count for something!

Clocking in at 1:39, 'Piece Of Crap' is a Ramones-inspired punk mini-odyssey. Considering there was more than a fair share of filler on The Futureheads, I'm shocked 'Piece Of Crap' fell to the wayside. Either way, throw some much needed pep into your day with the MP3 below.

MP3: The Futureheads - Piece Of Crap

Futureheads Guitarist Launches Label

Starting your own label is apparently, the new Arcade Fire. What are your thoughts? Do The Futureheads have enough under their belts to be expanding their empire just yet?

Via NME: The Futureheads' Ross Millard launched his indie record label on Saturday night (February 10). The guitarist kicked off his new venture with a party at Newcastle's Hatton Art Gallery featuring performances form The Futureheads, plus members of the region's hottest established and up-and-coming bands.

The night also celebrated the release of the debut single by Longest Mile Recordings' first signings Catweasels. Speaking to NME.COM, Millard explained what prompted him to start the label with friends Paul Reed and Nick Jackson. "After doing the band for so many years you realise how the cogs of the [music industry] machine work," he explained. "Stuff is so exciting up here [in the North East] but people are so naive about how it works - we're just trying to facilitate some younger bands." Catweasels played a raucous half-hour set, which included both their debut single, 'This Is Just The Night Time, Andy' and B-side 'Metty Move Mountains'.

Explaining what drew him to Catweasels, Millard said: "Sometimes you find it's very hard not to get cynical about the music industry, but then you see a band like Catweasels and you forget about all that because they're so exciting to watch. "They're not cynical bastards, they're excitable young people. It's massively refreshing to come home and see that's continuing to prosper." Speaking after the gig, Catweasels frontman Sam Megahy said he was grateful to Millard for finally being able to put out a record. "Because we've been around for such a while, it's great to finally have something physical in your hands," he declared. 'This Is Just The Night Time, Andy' is released today (February 12) and Catweasels will be playing an in-store show at Newcastle indie record shop RPM to mark its release.

Wanna hear more? Here's Catweasels' official site & MySpace page.

Thursday

I wasn't really that much of a fan of the Futureheads' first record; I seem to remember it lasting on my iPod for about a single play of the LP while I sat on a train from Reading to St Andrews. Something just jarred with me; I didn't think much of the vocals on the record, and while they undeniably have a way with a tune, there seemed to be an overemphasis on a kind of cod-ska approach that really didn't sit well, at least in my opinion.

So it was with some trepidation that I had a listen to the second record, News and Tributes. While it still has its fair share of lows ('Face', particularly), I was pleasantly surprised. The vocals are much improved (almost, but not quite, to the level Pitchfork enthused about on The Futureheads). 'Yes/No' as an opener almost put me off, though it does bear a repeated listen which rewards the insistent drumming and simplicity. Title track 'News and Tributes' is more downbeat than a lot of the record, but showcases the group's harmonies, as does 'Thursday', which is one of my favourite tracks from the record.

The Futureheads - Thursday (yousendit / megaupload)

I still think that 'The Futureheads' is a lame name for a band, though.

News and Tributes will be released May 29th in the UK and June 13th in the US.