Band(s) of the Day(s) 05/06 - Million Dead and Salem

I'm not meant to be doing these in twos, so I'm already failing in my mission to provide you with a band a day. I'm sorry.

Million Dead

Once every few years there's a band that seems to completely define your musical viewpoint, lyrical leanings and passion for music. Million Dead was that band from 2003 to 2005. Within two albums, a handful of B-sides, EPs and rarities and, of course, their lethal live shows, Million Dead captured my early twenties and magnified them. Frank Turners incredible lyrics and fiery delivery provided the perfect foil for the blitzkrieg intensity behind - whether the minimal, wiry guitar of Cameron Dean or wild histrionics of Tom Fowler was driving it. That they've wrote and recorded at least four of my favourite songs of all time and that they mean so much, makes them one of the best bands of my entire life. Listen good children.

Living the Dream video - a song that sums up how I feel about music



Pornography For Cowards - abrasive, exhilirating, at the final London show in 2005



Sasquatch - one of my favourite songs ever; the end is just devastating



The Rise and Fall into My War by Black Flag - this is the only band I can imagine MEANING it this much.



This last one shows you shouldn't throw beer on drummers. Ever.



Finally a 10 track mixtape:

1) Bread and Circuses (from Harmony No Harmony)
2) Smiling At Strangers On Trains (from A Song To Ruin)
3) Sasquatch (from Living The Dream CD single)
4) (Tonight) Matthew (from Living The Dream 7" single)
5) Hipsterclad and Clueless/Epilogue (from Million Dead EP Two)
6) Asthma (unreleased from I Gave My Eyes To Stevie Wonder sessions)
7) Breaking The Back (from A Song To Ruin)
8) It's a Shit Business (from I Gave My Eyes To Stevie Wonder single)
9) Living the Dream (Harmony No Harmony)
10) The Rise and Fall (from A Song To Ruin)






Salem

Salem are one of those continual mutations from electronic roots which has turned into grimy, terrifying possibilities. Really one of the most exciting things I've heard since Crystal Castles - okay so they didn't deliver on their early promise, but I can't see how Salem can fail to. Forget Dubstep - this is the real sound of uneasy listening.


SALEM - DIRT from ACEPHALE on Vimeo.