TIPPER OF THE WEEK – JOSH COOPER

Next up we have Josh Cooper, founder of Roadkill Records, PR at 9PR and guitarist in Terminal Gods. Formed from the monthly live music night ‘Roadkill’, hosted at Aces and Eights Saloon Bar between 2012 and 2015, Roadkill Records was established with the release of a limited edition cassette compilation. Since then, Roadkill Records have earned a reputation for energetic, sell-out shows across the capital and various vinyl and cassette releases from some of the country’s most exciting new bands.

Discover some of the best new artists and bands around right now with Josh’s tips below.

Muertos

I’m gonna get the self-promotion straight out the way; my label is releasing the debut album from Muertos on August 24^th. Regardless of the fact, these guys have long been a favourite band of mine and have been a part of our little scene from the beginning so I would’ve mentioned them anyway. Their first London date was with us in the basement of Aces & Eights before we became a record label and we’ve been close ever since.

They perfectly merge the kind of vintage garage sleaze that I like with soaring psychedelia. They’ve a good duel vocal harmony which works brilliantly with the double guitars, very feedback focussed on one end and all riffs on the other. Plus they know how to write a song, which helps set them apart from most other shoegaze bands.

DITZ

Had these guys on the radio show this month so feel inclined to give them a shout out. They just released their new single ‘Seeking Arrangement’ and it’s a minute and a half of crashing guitars and pretty raw vocals. It’s heavy and enthusiastic and their recordings sound like they’re playing live in your living room which I like.

Heirloom

I caught these guys in Brighton for the first time a few months ago and they’re still quite new, but you know when you see a band and you can just tell they’re going to do well? Well, this is one of them. They’ve got a great vibe live which is half baritone Bad Seeds crooning and half slinky Cramps, it’s a little aloof like you’re in the presence of actual vampires.

A friend of mine said she enjoyed them because it felt like they really committed to “their thing” and that pretty much hit the nail on the head.

Los Bitchos

In almost direct comparison to Heirloom’s darkness, Los Bitchos are instrumental surf that makes you feel like you’re on a permanent holiday. They’re the kind of band you’d want following you around during an LA car-chase movie. They’re also about to release their brand new single and it’s called ‘Bugs Bunny’, what’s not to love.

Noise Noir

Noise Noir are so new that they don’t even have a single out yet but they do have a live video or two available. They’re all fuzz guitar and angry faces and they’ve got some killer tracks with a very empowering message. Kind of like Queens Of The Stone Age with less ego.