2016 – Skin Back Alley

The Damned announce UK headline tour to celebrate 40th anniversary of ‘New Rose’

20/10/2016 by skinbackalley, posted in News

Punk legends The Damned have announced a UK headline tour in celebration of the 40th anniversary of their seminal single “New Rose”.

The band will travel across the UK this winter where they will be playing their legendary debut album Damned Damned Damned in full, plus a career-spanning retrospective set.

The Damned have also revealed they are currently working on a brand new album for 2017, with exclusive merchandise and experiences available to pre-order now via Pledge Music.

Celebrated as the most entertaining of the original punk bands, The Damned were the very first British band to release a punk single (“New Rose”, released on 22nd October 1976), the first to release an album (1977’s Damned Damned Damned) and also the first to tour America.

You can see The Damned live through November and December on the dates below. Tickets are available now via officialdamned.com.

Nov 12th: Leamington Spa, The Assembly
Nov 13th: 13 Nottingham, Rock City
Nov 15th: Guildford, G-Live
Nov 16th: Wrexham, William Aston Hall
Nov 17th: Leeds, 02 Academy
Nov 18th: Manchester, Academy
Nov 19th: Newcastle, 02 Academy
Nov 20th: Glasgow, 02 ABC
Nov 22nd: Cambridge, Junction
Nov 23rd: Norwich, Waterfront
Nov 24th: Brighton, Dome
Nov 25th: Gillingham, Britannia Theatre
Nov 26th: London, 02 Brixton Academy
Nov 27th: Cardiff, Tramshed
Nov 29th: Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
Nov 30th: Bristol, Motion
Dec 01st: Portsmouth, Pyramids Centre
Dec 02nd: Weymouth, Pavilions
Dec 03rd: Plymouth, University (Main Hall)
Dec 04th: Exeter, Phoenix Centre
Dec 09th: Margate, Winter Gardens

Louise Distras announces new single ‘Aileen’ and confirms European tour dates

06/09/2016 by skinbackalley, posted in News

British firebrand singer-songwriter Louise Distras will release her new single “Aileen” on the 30th of September. The song will be Distras’ first new music since the release of her debut album Dreams from the Factory Floor.

Co-produced by Ross Petersen (Bruce Springsteen, The Vamps, John Mayer) and Dreams from the Factory Floor producer Steve Whale (The Business), “Aileen” represents real musical growth and a sonic shift for Louise, being an impassioned radio anthem that steps away from the punk and protest tags of her past and into powerpop territory. Nevertheless, the pop-friendly hooks house an intense emotional core.

Lyrically “Aileen” is a hard-hitting track that explores the dark story of ‘America’s first female serial killer’ Aileen Wuornos. It’s a song that sees Distras questioning rape culture and the sanctity of life. The song is living proof – if ever it was needed – that pop music does not have to mean ‘dumbed-down’ or ‘throwaway.’

Says Distras of “Aileen”: “One night after a show I watched the Nick Broomfield documentary ‘Selling of a Serial Killer’, which is about ‘America’s first female serial killer’, Aileen Wuornos. As someone who has also experienced homelessness and sexual assault, Aileen’s story hit me pretty hard but left me feeling inspired to share it through my music. The film also left me with my own questions about rape culture and the idea of nature VS nurture, so I decided to make my own DIY film that explores the lyrical content of the single. It’s called ‘Real Outlaw – A Commentary on Rape Culture and the Riot Grrrl Movement’ and it’s available via scanning a QR code that’s printed on the back of the CD and also on tour posters across the UK and mainland Europe.”

“Aileen” and it’s accompanying film will be released worldwide on 30th September 2016 via iTunes and Amazon, or CD and coloured vinyl available exclusively via Louise’s official website. You can pre-order your copy now: louisedistras.co.uk/store

Distras has also confirmed a series of European tour dates for the remainder of the year. Don’t miss your chance to hear “Aileen” live at the following shows:

24th Sep: Forest of Dean, Something Else in the Dean Festival
26th Sep: Manchester, Gullivers w/ Love Zombies + The Amorettes
30th Sep: Camden, Black Heart w/ Love Zombies + The Amorettes
01st Oct: London, Rich Mix
05th Oct: Birmingham, The Rainbow
06th Oct: Liverpool, Sound Food & Drink
07th Oct: Derby, The Maypole
08th Oct: Kingston, Fighting Cocks w/ Get Dead
10th Oct: Norwich, Owl Sanctuary w/ Get Dead
11th Oct: Nottingham, Doghouse w/ Get Dead
12th Oct: 02 Islington Academy, London w/ Get Dead
13th Oct: Dundee, The Vestry
14th Oct: Glasgow, Audio
15th Oct: Edinburgh, Bannerman’s
16th Oct: Nottingham, Foreman’s w/ TV Smith
21st Oct: Leeds, Verve
19th Nov: Groningen, Spieghel (Netherlands)
21st Nov: Essen, Anyway (Germany)
22nd Nov: Bonn, Kult 4 (Germany)
23rd Nov: Koln, Sonic Ballroom (Germany)
27th Nov: Berlin, Wild At Heart (Germany)
29th Nov: Dresden, Chemiefabrik (Germany)

Live From Los Angeles – Tairrie B. Photography: Boss Hog, The Echo, LA, 15th July 2016

16/08/201620/09/2016 by skinbackalley, posted in Live from Los Angeles - Tairrie B. Photography

When My Ruin frontwoman and wicked witch of the west coast Tairrie B. Murphy is not on stage or in the studio she’s busy conjuring magick behind the camera, shooting some of her favorite bands & musicians live in and around the city of angels. Check out her work in the gallery below.