Jake Bugg Review

It’s almost coincidental, like an inevitable chain reaction. In an age where the music industry seems to be one giant commercial generator; pumping out egotistical and phony pop stars, there has always been one subtle reminder of a historic genre that has somewhat evaporated into thin air. Blur, Oasis and the Arctic Monkeys reminded everyone of the glory days when Brit Rock ruled supreme and now it’s the turn of one pre-pubescent teenager to rock the modern foundations of the industry. Step forward Jake Bugg.

Fresher than a cup of grounded coffee on a rich Sunday morning comes the Nottingham teen’s self titled debut album, a country/acoustic record that makes Ed Sheeran look like a lost soul at a rock show.

Bugg’s contagious vocals are parallel to that of one Bob Dylan, it’s uncanny. The 14-track record combines Bugg’s inimitable voice with the guitar resonances that reflect the many influences that has dominated the teen’s early years.

GOING PLACES- Jake is about to hit
road with his idle Noel Gallagher

At times I thought I was listening to Donavon or Don McLean, as tracks like Country Song and Some Place sound idyllic to that of infamous Country legends. Bugg delicately plucks his guitar with such care and elegance, complimenting the serene resonances of his acoustic guitar with his malleable voice.

Bugg turns it up to eleven with Lightning Bolt and Taste It, tracks that give the record the venom that it desires. Taste It in particular gives the album the justice it deserves, giving off vibes that can only be found at a boozy barn dance on a Saturday night.

For a debut album, it seems too good to be true. Yes it sounds like a northern Bob Dylan. Yes it sounds like a lunch service at Frankie and Benny’s. But likewise with the Arctic Monkeys and the Libertine’s debut albums, it provides the UK with a new fresh angle for the industry to thrive off of. Bugg’s adolescence does not reflect on his song-writing, as he resolutely pulls apart common social conventions and serenades the listener as though he’s “seen it all”. An album to define a decade: no. An album to ruffle a few feathers: Certainly.

Blink 182 Could Be Heading To Australia Without Travis Barker

Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker has hinted that the band’s forthcoming tour of Australia could be completed without him.

The So-Cal trio, who are currently touring Europe for the first time in eight years, recently revealed that they would be travelling down under to play a string of shows at the start of the New Year.

However in a recent interview with Red Bulletin magazine, the 36 year old dad of two stated that his future plans with blink 182 lie in the balance.

"I'm not flying, so it's hard to say what the band potential is, because I can't really get [around] anymore.

In September 2008, Travis Barker was taken critically ill to hospital with 80% burns, after surviving a lethal plane crash over South Carolina and although his fear of air travel could pose a risk to any future touring plans, Barker is adamant that now is the right time to put his troubles aside.

The smouldering remains of which
Travis Barker sensationally survived
from.

"I've got to get over it, man. I could simply say I'm not going to fly for the rest of my life. I'm not going to. It's something I honestly want to try to put behind me.

"I want to overcome that eventually. When I do, I think it is going to be Australia. I trust Qantas. They never had a crash, never had a fatality - knock on wood."

Travis Barker was only one of two survivors that walked away from a deadly plane crash that killed four people, including Barker’s assistant and friend of the band Chris Baker.

Since the fatal crash, Barker has avoided aeroplanes completely, choosing to travel to Europe for this summer's tour via cruise ship with his eight year old son Landon, and six year old daughter Alabama.

Barker’s children are scared of flying since their father’s near-death experience and despite the distress they’ve suffered; Barker believes that he needs to show his children that he is strong enough to overcome his worst nightmares.

"It's something I want to overcome for me - and my kids are scared to death to fly. I want them to witness me overcome it.”

The drummer is the only sole survivor of the plane crash, after friend and colleague DJ AM died from a drug overdose shortly after the crash took place.

Blink 182 are currently on the home straight of touring around Europe, finishing off their sold out tour in London’s O2 Brixton Academy on July 25^th and 26th.