Truck Festival 2012 Preview

FRIDAY, JULY 20TH

Main Stage Mystery Jets From Eel Pie Island in Twickenham (that’s in London, under the Heathrow flight path – QRO photos at a festival in the U.K.), the Mystery Jets have had success in U.K. (QRO live review in the U.K.), but have been trying to make it in America (would be helpful if they got their visas in order – QRO live review of U.S. show they couldn’t make). The set up a studio in Austin to record this year’s rad Radlands (QRO review), and have been hitting the states hard (QRO live review in America), but haven’t forgotten merry ol’ England (and return for a second time to Truck).

Tim Minchin Perth, Australia’s Tim Minchin (QRO photos at a festival) mixes live music and live comedy like fellow ANZACers Flight of the Conchords (QRO live review).

Villagers Conor O’Brien (not Conan…) began Villagers after the break-up of his previous, overrated The Immediate (QRO album review), and they’ve been finding similar success in their native Ireland.

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly Sam Duckworth (or sometimes ‘Slam Duckworth’, according to Emmy the Great – see below) recruited Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly in his home of Southend-on-the-Sea, but has also collaborated with artists from Billy Bragg (QRO photos) to Killa Kela to Flea to Kate Nash (QRO spotlight on) – and this is his third appearance at Truck.

Fixers The experimental psych-pop of Oxford’s Fixers just came out with their debut We’ll Be the Moon, appropriately on a label called ‘Vertigo’.

Also: Federation of the Disco Pimp Vadoinmessico Michele Stodart Gabriel Minnikin


Second Stage Guillemots Fyfe Dangerfield’s (QRO photos at a festival) Guillemots have racked up the award nominations since they began, but will be competing against themselves in 2012, as they plan to release four-count-‘em-four this year, starting with May’s Hello Land!.

Little Comets From Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Little Comets jumped right to the majors with last year’s In Search of Elusive Little Comets & their ‘kitchen sink indie’.

Josh Kumra Best known for co-writing and providing vocals for Wretch-32’s "Don’t Go", Josh Kumra is an accomplished singer/songwriter in his own right.

Also: Theme Park The Dreaming Spires Boat To Row The Hi & Lo Kill Murray Old Grinding Young Jess Hall


The Barn Future of the Left Wales’ wild Future of the Left (QRO photos at a festival) have been ripping rock a new one (QRO photos at a festival) with vicious records like Polymers Are Forever EP (QRO review) and the new The Plot Against Common Sense – and return to Truck for the second time in three years (QRO photos at Truck ’10).

Turbowolf Turbowolf (QRO photos) sounds like the future with eerie synths and bursts of lo fi noise that is dispersed amongst a plethora or heavy riffs and hyperactive chord progressions. It’s definitely rebellious so this may perhaps be the future of punk. They don’t sound like the other bands in the lineup but are definitely worth checking out to unleash the inner punk and to get pushed around in a mosh pit.

Brontide Purely instrumental, this three-piece band is all musical virtuosos at their instrument. Their songs are refined and intricate yet organic enough to go off improvisation at a life show. Their debut album, Sans Souci, is an impressive album mixed with overdriven hyperactive guitars cascading over other guitar riffs can be abrupt, funky, or essentially anything. Just think of Explosions in the Sky (QRO live review) but heavier, and perhaps even smarter.

Spring Offensive Spring Offensive is a band trying to keep light of things in a dark, twisted world. They have beautiful chords, and bright, jaunting guitar but have this irrevocable dark fervor that is present. Yet it somehow makes it all the more captivating. They are set to have another single and a tour coming this September after a slew of summer festivals.

Delta Alaska Unlike any of the bands on the Trucks Festival, Delta/Alaska is a whirlwind of contradictions, flowing and abrupt, soothing and caustic, distorted and clean. But do not be mistaken, as their experimental nature with clamoring, frenetic drums, and distorted rhythmic guitars is ear candy for the lost and unconventional soul. They have released their self-titled EP that is definitely worth giving a listen to.

John J Presley Full of grit, soul, and experience, John J Presley is the quintessential blues-man. Not only that but also strolling, distorted, and slide guitars are all dispersed throughout his songs. He also easily infuses the incantatory element of the blues with the strolling simplicity of folk.

Dead Jerichos Despite having a rundown with two previous members leaving the band, the Dead Jerichos seem to be dealing just fine as they have been on the road for quite some time. Filled with ethereal guitars, and distorted bass with frenetic drums, the Dead Jerichos still have a refined sound but with a psychedelic flare. Make sure to download two of their songs, "Please Yourself," and "Mountains" off their Soundcloud.

Poledo Infusing the sounds of punk rock and burst of lo fi synths, Poledo is an experimental band but with a rebellious nature at heart. Nothing sounds perfect with their music because that’s ok as it leaves more room for interpretation. Poledo just released their newest EP, Kid’s Don’t Follow, back in late June. Also: Fine Union Lost Dogs

SATURDAY, JULY 21ST

Main Stage The Temper Trap From the other side of the globe comes Melbourne’s The Temper Trap (QRO photos), who have broken out there & elsewhere (QRO live review) thanks to 2009’s Conditions (QRO review) and this year’s The Temper Trap (QRO review), which channels the great eighties of John Hughes movies (QRO photos). They’ve already seriously moved up in terms of venue size (QRO photos) for their regular shows (QRO live review), so catch ‘em headlining Truck (QRO photos at a festival).

British Sea Power All hail the navy blue might of British Sea Power (QRO spotlight on). This (yes) British act (QRO live review in the U.K.) is also no stranger to playing Britain’s many small land-locked villages. Touring behind last year’s Valhalla Dancehall (QRO review), they’re epic in all the right ways, and a great fit for a festival anywhere (QRO photos at a festival) – including Truck nine years ago. So have no "Fear of Drowning" (QRO video), ‘cause "It Ended On an Oily Stage" (QRO video).

The Low Anthem Hailing from the same small state as the Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island’s The Low Anthem (QRO spotlight on) have grown from working the festival by picking up trash afterwards to playing it, along with many others (QRO interview at a festival). One the bands at the vanguard of today’s alt-folk collective/Americana explosion, The Low Anthem (QRO interview) deliver a heartfelt, intricate mix of wide range of instruments (QRO live review), most recently on last year’s Smart Flesh (QRO review), with band members trading places and more (QRO photos outdoors).

65daysofstatic Sheffield’s post-math-rock outfit 65daysofstatic forge their own sound and style (QRO live review) that’s not quite The Distant and Mechanized Glow of Eastern European Dance Parties (QRO EP review), but has earned praise from the likes of The Cure (QRO photos opening for The Cure) – and return to Truck for their second time in three years (QRO photos at Truck ’10).

Emmy the Great Emma-Lee Moss, or ‘Emmy the Great’ (QRO photos) has performed with indie-folk outfits like Noah & The Whale (QRO live review) and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly (see above), but comes to Truck as her own woman, like she did at Truck 2008.

Dog Is Dead Nottingham’s Dog Is Dead combine indie-pop harmonies with cheeky jazz elements.

Kill It Kid Blues & grunge come out of Bath in the form of Kill It Kid. Also: Black Hats Co-Pilgrim Yellow Fever


Second Stage Frightened Rabbit Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit (QRO live review) are at the forefront of the tragic, heartfelt wave coming from England’s own neighbor to the north, most recently with 2010’s The Winter of Mixed Drinks (QRO review). They also really put themselves out there on record, but their live show (QRO photos at a festival) also sees them joking, in their Scottish brogue, capture on 2009’s live album, Liver! Lung! FR! (QRO review). Also a strong festival band (QRO photos at a festival), they can even take requests (QRO live review of all-request show).

King Charles Almost like a king in his own right (besides the size of his hair), King Charles (QRO photos at a festival) makes glorious music with gritty croons, and clamoring chords with a boisterous melody of violins (QRO photos at a festival). He already released his latest album, Loveblood, last month. And he recently got off a leg of touring (QRO photos at a festival) as the supporting act to Mumford & Sons (QRO live review).

Lucy Rose Breathy and sultry vocals with seamlessly plucked guitar chords easily describe Lucy Rose’s music (QRO photos). It’s absolutely simple but also majestic in its own way. Before watching her live at Trucks (QRO photos at a festival), make sure to give a listen to her debut album, Like I Used To.

Man Like Me Euphoric and punchy synths, with 80’s fervor to their vocals, Man Like Me is a fun and captivating band (QRO photos at a festival). Much like the band Chromeo (QRO live review) they both have a penchant for danceable beats with a romp shaking vibe.

This Town Needs Guns Who needs a bass guitar right? With strolling and intricate tapping guitar riffs, This Town Needs Guns is faring off just fine. Their music is perfectly clean without any eccentricities and is heard perfectly clear. Make sure to check out their two-track album, Adventure, Stamina & Anger.

The Last Republic Lauded as the next big rock band to come out of the Wales, The Last Republic make big atmospheric rock with an arsenal of heavy branded guitar riffs and buzzing bass lines. The band has yet to release any new material but have been busy with rehearsals for the festival.

Trevor Moss & Hannah-Lou These two-piece band harmonies are awkwardly beautiful, concocting stories of endearment. They currently have been on tour for most of their time after the release of their album, Quality First Last and Forever, in 2011.

ToLiesel Simple yet beautiful melodies and charming yet strolling vocal harmonies are what define this Americana-esque band. There is something intrinsically dark about them as their soulful croons accompany the music. If interested, make sure to check out their song "Nathalie" on their Soundcloud.

Pixel Fix Mixing soulful vocal lines with soothing piano melodies, ethereal beats, or spacey guitars Pixel Fix is an all-alluring indie electronic band. They were recently in the recording studio for their new EP in late June but are now on the road for a line of summer gigs.

Robots With Souls Ever heard of a one-man band? Yeah well me either until Steve Wilson who is Robots With Souls is making climatic drum explosions and fuzzy, rebellious, and indecipherable vocals, all alone. Imagine the industrial new wave machine of Death From Above 1979 all run by one person.


The Barn Three Trapped Tigers The Barn Stage closes with the instrumental noise-rock of London’s Three Trapped Tigers (QRO photos at a festival).

Johnny Foreigner Johnny Foreigner (QRO photos at a festival) is intuitive enough to remain organic but also intricate enough to have a tight and proficient sound. Their catchy like other indie rockers but have this other lustiness about them – either their dark sound or girl vocalist. But regardless, this four-piece band (QRO photos) is bound to put on a great show and make sure to check out their newest album, Johnny Foreigner Vs. Everything.

Tall Ships This three-piece band is Brit-folk rock at its best. Pleasing vocal harmonies, rattling bass, and immense distortion easily describe their performances. Tall Ships are one of the few bands in the U.K. to take notice of. They have been recently releasing singles, "T=0" and "Gallop."

Tellison Simple and catchy are words that could easily describe Tellison. They’re not complex or in any way pretentious as their music is nearly simple as a four power chord progression but that is in no way to downplay their Brit-rock talent. They have already released two albums and a slew of singles but have been on a busy and demanding touring schedule this summer.

Gunning for Tamar This four-piece band has a smart sound – raw enough to sound well live but tight enough to sound intricate and clear. Their experimental music riddled with frenetic drums and in your face guitar riffs has a dark side to them unlike other Oxford bands. They have a few tracks on their Soundcloud off their EP, Deaf Cow Motel.

Crash of Rhinos Crash of Rhinos is hard to classify. They’re raucous and rebellious like punk but too smart for it, and experimental like math rock but too catchy for it. Crash of Rhinos doesn’t wholly embrace a genre but it works for them. The five-piece band have are on their European tour for their album, Distal, and is for a free download on Bandcamp.

My First Tooth Indie-folk band, My First Tooth, make well-crafted songs of a summer soundtrack riddled with sunsets, rainy days, and sweat clad skin. The incantatory vocals and beautifully blended harmonies make for a catchy jingle and a hummable tune. My First Tooth have been touring in support of their album, Territories.

Flights of Helios Upon visiting their Facebook, Flights of Helios has an odd obsession with space and it’s easy to see why: their droning synths with ethereal, breathy vocals make their songs seem transfixed between the galaxy, wistfully gliding amongst the stars. Flights of Helios have been busy touring and playing at festivals and have yet to release any sort of albums but have released two songs on their Soundcloud.

Dubwiser Dubwiser isn’t a pretentious or very serious band and they aren’t really meant to be. They write songs about comical and quirky situations such as in "Ride Your Life Like a Bicycle", and "Bang Up" that almost sound strangely similar to "Don’t Worry, Be Happy" – ridden with pop and catchy beat with a reggae groove to it. The British four-piece have yet to release anything new and have been touring in support of their debut album, A Crack In Paradise.

Very Nice Harry Very Nice Harry sounds a lot like the Artic Monkeys (QRO live review) but much more intricate. Their unconventional experimentation to music really sets them apart from other math pop rock bands as they dabble with odd time signatures, delayed bass and catchy but complex guitar riffs. Very Nice Harry recently released their new song, "Silent In the Frame", that sounds somewhat like The Cure’s "Fascination Street". It’s rambling drums, delayed bass and guitar, and ethereal synths almost feel like your transcending in space.

The See See The See See, psychedelic pop band, is a testament to that good old music still exists. I t definitely has a modern flare to it but all the instrumentation is reminiscent of the ‘60s- The Doors(-esque) keyboards and Crosby, Stills, Nash(-esque) soothing harmonies. The See have been busy with their escapades all around Europe and haven’t found the time to record since their Powers of Ten/Open Up Your Doors was released in October of 2010.