Over the course of 2002 here at diskant Towers, we've had the pleasure of hearing a lot of new music between us, a great deal of it really rather good. So as a Christmas present to The Kids, we thought we'd present a handy, Quality Street box-sized guide to six of the best new bands we've had the pleasure of coming across over the past 12 months, both in our music columns right here in the ZINE and in our ceaseless travelling to various venues across the UK. So here they are - from Wisconsin to Kenilworth and west Wales to Northern Ireland, a year in the life of some bands who we think should be moving on to greater things in 2003…

They are Ann Arbor, eeebleee, Jarcrew, Little Girl With Cherries, New Blind Nationals and Yakuza

Ann Arbor

From: Leicester, England
Find out more: www.ann-arbor.co.uk
What we said about them: 'Starting off like the theme from the advert for Smash instant mashed potato (the one with all those pre-Metal Mickey look-at-us-we're-covered-in-tin-foil-aren't we futuristic tin Steven Hawkingseses), Leicester's <b>Ann Arbor</b> hereafter turn their hand to the genre known henceforth as GRAAAAAARGHcore. Take away the fact that the main riff to 'Tensed Up' sounds more than a little bit like 'Selling Jesus' by Skunk Anansie, and you've got a Big Black-fuelled noise party for all the family. It's stripped down the bare essentials (there are only two members: guitar, programming and bass), and loud enough and good enough to make you honestly expect Steve Albini to pop up shouting about crows or squirrels any minute. I've had the privilege of seeing Ann Arbor perform live, and it took my ears two days to recover from their atomizing songs about fucking then. I'm looking forward to many more happy hours of deafness from this 'ere demo.' Freedom from excessive noise ZINE column, November 2002)

2002: A year in the life of Ann Arbor

Who we talked to:
Tim Waterfield: guitars, programming

1. What's been the best thing the band has done this year?

It has been a bit of an up and down year for us, but I think overall we have played loads of shows and met some really cool people. But the best part of the year for us came after we played in London in October. A couple of days afterwards, we had a chat with Domino Records, who suggested that it might be possible for us to tour with Lightning Bolt, who they're trying to bring over next year. It's still in the formative stages, but there are a couple of other ideas floating round that involve Domino. But we'll see what happens with them.

We're in the process of recording at the moment, which is going to consist of some of the old recordings as well new things we're working on. The way we're going, there should be between 20 and 25 tracks to choose from. As well as that, we have had two tracks released on a compilation plus there are two other compilations in various stages. So from the releases point of view, we've had a very frustrating year because most of the compilation and Seismic tracks were finished by March this year.

2. What are your plans for next year, realistically and ideally speaking?

The main plan is to try focusing on playing with bands that are more suited to what we do and to get the releases sorted out. It would be nice if some of the talk with Domino comes to something. But that's not the only iron in the fire. Only this week we've had an offer from Ant in Isan to remix one of our songs for free. They normally charge and have remixed quite a few tracks by pretty well known acts. I think he sees it as a challenge because our music and theirs is totally different. There are also a couple of other people I'm talking to about remixes. I just think it's really exciting to see what other people turn our music into - so if anyone's interested, get in touch.

Matt's currently working on a compilation CD with about 15 different bands on it. He's pretty excited about it at the moment. His plan is for all of the bands to contribute to the pressing and art costs, then at the end it will be equally distributed to all the bands to give away at shows. It'll mean that the 15 bands will all get exposure in places they wouldn't normally.

3. What has been the low point of the year for you?

The low point of the year for us was the first four months, because nothing was goin g right. We played a festival last December and all the reviews were bad. Then we had to cancel a load of shows in the first part of the year because of work and transport. I don't think we played a gig until March this year, even though we had them booked. Then our first release with Seismic was all finished and sent off to the pressing plant, but never saw the light of day. But the less said about that the better.

4. What are your top albums of 2002?

Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf: I really like Rated 'R' but this one is so much darker and Dave Grohl's drumming just fits in so well.
And None Of Them Knew They Were Robots - eponymous: They got loads of energy and good songs and live they rock.
Liars - They Threw Us All In A Trench And Stuck A Monument On Top: I didn't like this that much when I bought it but it's grown on me. It's got a pretty cool groove and some crazy sounds.

5. What's the best live band you've seen this year?

Oxbow. They blew me away because they were so different to what I was expecting. At points, I was scared...

6. Who would you tip as your favourite new band(s) for 2003?

I think Econoline because they just get better every time I see them. I've not heard the new record yet but I really want to get hold of it.

7. What are you band's New Year resolutions?

To make the Ann Arbor live experience even better. We're not sure how yet but watch out...

8. What are your views on the plans for cloning a human in the early part of 2003?

I just worry about how it'll be corrupted by people trying to make money out of it.

9. Sing us a Christmas carol…

We can't sing - that's why we're and instrumental band. But we could play you 'Jingle Bells' at loud volumes.

10. If diskant could buy your band one thing for Christmas, what would it be? Go on, we're feeling generous.

Too many things...

Next: eeeblee >>