I don't think this machine will ever shine

How do you feel about your location?

Or rather, do you care where bands come from?

Are you proud of your local music scene? Do you champion it purely because it's your local scene? Do you even have a local scene? Does the hometown of a band influence your feelings over them? Are you more likely to give a band a listen if you find out they're from New York? London? Manchester? Do you think a bands success or talent has anything to do with where they're from?

My initial thought was that I don't really care where a bands from. That it's all about the music. That's the theory anyway. I'd love to believe it was true but on reflection I'm not so sure. Maybe it does have an influence. In my eyes, some cities are looked on favourably while others are tainted. For example, most successful bands from Liverpool are so weighed down by the legacy of the city that I expect any band I hear from there now to lean too heavily towards jangly guitars and Beatles influences. Likewise, Manchester bands tend to have an arrogance and self confidence that generally outweighs their talent. And if I'm honest, I guess I'm prejudiced against them before I even hear a note and it probably does stop me from giving them a chance. Or at least a fair chance. I hazard a guess at what they sound like because of what I've heard before and maybe not even give them a chance. At least not the same chance as a band from say, New York. Though that may have more to do with my romanticised view of the big apple than anything else. Maybe the exoticism of faraway places plays a part in predetermined attitudes to artists. In my eyes, New York is the epicentre of cool and maybe that sways my opinion on whether I give a band from there a chance. Yet in reality, New York probably has just as many, if not more shit bands as any other city in the world. I don't know. Ultimately, the music wins out. A good band is good no matter where they live. And vice versa. Yet I can't help wondering if I miss out on great music purely because I'm biased against their hometown.

As for my local scene, well in all honesty, I'm not that fussed. But then I don't come from somewhere with a high calibre for turning out great bands. So I have no expectations of finding my next favourite band here. To my knowledge, there's never been a particularly unifying scene around here. I mean sure, Ozzy came from round these parts but I'm not a fan. And as for The Wonder Stuff, Neds Atomic Dustbin and Pop Will Eat Itself. Good bands in their day but I can't remember the last time I reached for one of their cds. But that's not to say there isn't potential. And today, I thought I'd bring you some of that potential by highlighting three bands from around my neck of the woods who deserve your attention, your money and your attendance at their gigs.

First up we have a band who excite me greatly. Destroy Cowboy are a Birmingham five piece with a talent for intense, melodic assaults. I've featured them before and will probably continue to feature them until they get the success they deserve. This song is one of four new tracks they've just recorded and released. Theirs is a melting pot of ideas that meld pounding drums to heavy guitars while swathes of elctronics and synths swirl around. It's a great combination with '1000 Candles' reminding me of dEUS, building as it does to one of those climaxes you wish would go on for longer.

Next up are The Lines, a band I've seen live three times and had a different reaction each time. First time, I was completely underwhelmed. They seemed about five years out of date, coming on like some kind of lazy, generic baggy-britpop hybrid. Second time, I was impressed. They seemed to have stepped up their game, losing the bagginess and replacing it with an energetic, euphoric performance that brought the songs to life. The energy on stage was infectious and they delivered a great set. And the last time was supporting Spiritualized on their acoustic tour. Stripped of the electrics their songs were laid bare and given a chance to breath. Relieved of the breakneck performance the melodies and intricacies of the the songs shone through. 'Sirens' is my favourite of their songs, an understated epic.

And finally, The $hit, another band I've featured before. This track is from their debut self released album and they describe themselves as the "first, best and only electro-punk casio-crunk fuck-rock glitch-pop disco-metal post-nintendo-core band in the world... ever". Which is perhaps the most apt description of their sound you could need.

Destroy Cowboy - 1000 candles hear more and buy here

The Lines - sirens hear more here

The $hit - john doe from 'Lock Up Your Ghettoblaster'

mp3 / music / destroy cowboy / the lines / the $hit