Sometimes songs that don’t last much more than a minute thirty really hit the mark.

Long favourite band Minus The Bear’s latest release, “OMNI”, finally landed on these shores today. Instantly more likeable than Planet of Ice not that Planet of Ice was bad in anyway, but the departure was a little hard to adjut to at first. However, a few listens in and I’m already hooked. Go buy it from your favourite record store now.

Okay, so as some of you already know by now and those that don’t will pick this up real quick, the101 are probably my favorite band right now, if not ever.

The Brooklyn 3 piece, Ben Balcomb, Jeremy Jones and Eric Richter are the new masters of the 3 minute, catchy, energetic, indie pop song and on a hot, humid Monday night they did nothing but re-enforce the fact that they are some of the best at what they do.

After conversations about “Keeping Up Appearances”, “The Office” and how the Broncos are the best American Football team ever (49ers all the way baby!) they finally hit the stage about an hour and a half late!

Not that it ever was a problem as The101s set was tight. Launching with new tracks on the block “Ordinary” and then “Numbers” they mixed the old and new tracks together in a way that always keeps the fans happy and capping the set with the mighty, buzzing and screeching “Regret” they surely now how to end one!

Vocalist and guitarist, Eric Richter is so in the present with The101 it seems that his former bands are a long distant memory, and in light of their performance there surely can be no looking back now.

With their first (proper) North American tour due in the autumn I predict only good things are gonna come their way.

(I must remember to take a better camera next time)

The Water Rats, renowned as a ‘first discovered here’ venue, in Kings Cross, London, last night played host to Kent post-hardcore prog-boys The Mockingbird Nightmare.

First on the bill of three and with a sizable crowd, The Mockingbird Nightmare were intent on thrashing out a tight set of six frenzied tunes to jolt the spine, and they didn’t disappoint. The guys literally kicked ass, opened a few eyes and certainly deafened a few ears.

Kicking of with the mighty “The Beautiful Ally Of Your Own Gravediggers” and then crashing head-first into the energetic “Drag Your Feet In The Snow”, there was no let-up and absolutely no intent to draw the listener in slowly. Showcasing a few new tunes including the brilliantly behemoth titled track “You Can Keep All The Prizes And Give Them To Charity, As I Just Want To Be On Television”, they have certainly found a secret formula for powerfully energetic and soaring tunes.

The Mockingbird Nightmare are making one of the biggest noises on the London circuit and with unwavering charge they already have their ray-guns set to ‘massacre’.

MP3: Drag Your Feet In The Snow