Behind the Scenes of the Xmas Special.

Here are a selection of the photos taken by the Squatters whilst shooting Ms Camden Cox's section of the Xmas Special!

To See the rest of the photos head to the facebook page!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Squatters-Den/129141003802800

 Don't forget to watch the Christmas special videos available Christmas eve on the Youtube Page! www.youtube.com/squattersden

To get you in the mood early we've already posted up Camden's version of "All I Want For Christmas"
If you haven't already check it out now!

Merry Xmas from all the Squatters!!

Xmas Special!

So we promised you a special Xmas edition and here it is...

The Xmas Edition will be going live on Xmas Day... So while you're sat at home desperately trying to avoid the family get together come on over to www.youtube.com/squattersden and check out the Xmas Videos!

We have 8 Videos going up on Xmas day...

The Divine Secret will be joining us moments before their last ever gig to perform three songs, 1 Original, 1 Cover and 1 Christmas Cover. Check them out on myspace:
www.myspace.com/thedivinesecret

Midlands based quintet Che will also be joining us performing 3 songs. 1 cover, 1 christmas cover and an original check them out at www.myspace.com/chemusic

Finally the wonderful Camden Cox will be joining us again to perform a special cover of the Christmas Classic "All I Want For Christmas" as well as a beautifully acoustic version of her song "Lullaby" in the mean time check her out on our Youtube Page and at www.myspace.com/camdencox

Keep your eyes peeled through December for special teaser trailers to get those Christmas Juices flowing...

See you all on Christmas day!

Article by Chris Deighton

Pegasus Bridge - Squatter's Den Videos!

OK so it's been a while but finally they are here... Thanks to everyone who is supporting The Den and thanks to all the artists who have given their time for free... We have lots of exciting stuff happening in the new year but for now here is Pegasus Bridge's performance from our November edition for your enjoyment.

Pegasus Bridge - Teenage Dreams (Katy Perry Cover):


Pegasus Bridge - Violence:


Thanks everyone and enjoy

Article by
Chris Deighton

Pegasus Bridge - Teaser Trailer

Here's a little teaser trailer for Pegasus Bridge's appearance on Squatters Den this month.

The full videos go live on November 29th at www.youtube.com/squattersden

In the mean time check out the trailer and last months videos of Camden Cox.

Keep your eyes peeled for more exclusive clips and snippets.



Tune in soon for some really exciting news about our special extended Christmas episode.

Article by Chris Deighton

Review: Pegasus Bridge - While We're Young

by Chris Deighton

Pegasus Bridge: "While We're Young"

Released: November 1st 2010

Label: LABrecords

If synth punksters 'Motion City Soundtrack' ever had a passionate one night stand with those little indie rascals 'The Kooks', the bastard love child would not only have crazy hair but it's vocal eruption as it whaled for its mother's teet (we'll let you decide who the mother is in this equation) would sound somewhat similar to Manchester based quartet Pegasus Bridge!

After the huge success of their double a-side single 'Yoko/Paris', Pegasus Bridge have gone on to play sold out shows in the UK and Europe, receive major air-play on Radio One and had the pleasure of opening the stations Big Weekend Festival in Bangor, not bad for 8 months work! But with the alimony cheque still nowhere in sight and the boys needing money to clear drummer Tom Lynam's bar tab... Here comes the debut mini-album 'While We're Young'...

The album jump starts with dancey, current single 'Ribena', which brilliantly sets up the album's recurring theme of 'youthful adolescence'. This theme not only resonates through the wild energy PB managed to muster from their instruments but also through the cleverly composed lyrical metaphor, "I drink coffee not just ribena, and I like it", which gives a fresh spin on the accustomed 'coming of age' story.

This pace continues through the quirky, pop anthem 'Yoko' before instant classic 'Like Dogs' grabs you by the balls with its dancey backdrop of synth, drums and guitar as vocalist Ed Turner once again uses clever metaphor to tell a classic tale of letting go.

It's at this point that the album takes a slightly contemplative turn, the title track of the album "While We're Young" is, if you like, the starting point of the bands flurry into adulthood, as we are taken on a journey into which we realize the importance of living life to the fullest, a philosophy this band seem to live by consistently with their relentless touring and work ethic.

Pegasus Bridge manage to mix up-beat, foot stomping backdrops with well crafted and thought provoking lyrics and melody, which is testament to the collaborative efforts of this band and their incredible skill for writing brilliant pop songs. "While We're Young" is the uplifting teenage anthem of it's decade, a clear choice for future single and one that will take this band to the next level of super-stardom.

"Voilence" is the albums most haunting track, and possibly one of my personal favorites, through its punctuated drum rhythm and pulsating synth patterns it tenderly manages to tell the story of someone being hurt in a relationship, something I'm sure we've all experienced. Interestingly though this story is told from the sopping shoulders of a best friend whose been left to pick up the pieces, as apposed to the normal 'my girlfriend broke my heart' tale which is so often told. Classic lyrics such as "It take's two to get bruised, but looking at that shiner, I'd say there's been a few" and "You head home if you like, I'll stay here and check if he's alright" are as poignant as they are well written. Musically the track is brimming with influences from Foals to The Wombats to Kings of Leon, which is true of the whole album.

As we venture into "Skinny", the albums next track, we are again treated to the now accustomed Pegasus Bridge backdrop of stabbing drums and swooning keys which remain consistent throughout the album. Again this track has huge potential as a future single with its catchy hooks and sing-a-long moments, something this album is full to the brim with.

What makes this band stand out in an over-saturated and often mediocre scene is their incredible skill of mixing up-beat dancey subtones with beautiful melody. They have such a commercial and 'now' sound that this coming year is going to be huge for them.

Having had the privilege of seeing this band perform live, and hear new songs such as "Swimming", which isn't on the album but is in the live set arsenal currently, you get a chance to see the potential future direction of this band, a much more atmospheric and anthemic Pegasus Bridge seems likely over the horizon, and that direction is set out in closing track "Paris"...

What hasn't been written about this song?! Let me make it perfectly clear, we're not sucking the collective teets of Pegasus Bridge when we say this song is truly a work of genius, it truly, truly is! For such a young band to come out with such a well structured, beautifully composed, melodic, dark anthem such as "Paris" is awe inspiring! The track reeks of maturity beyond their years, the subtly and tender guitar play of Ed Turner mixed with the soft and gentle keys of Callum Roxborough set the tone and melody of this track. When bassist Alex Howick and drummer Tom Lynam kick in to the chorus the track lifts as if being shot out of a jet propelled rocket, before the guitar and keys bring it back down to close.

It's no wonder to me, and many others, that this band have gotten where they are so fast, they work hard, push themselves and above all else are incredibly talented. 2011 is going to be a big year for these guys. More tours of the UK and Europe are planned and if their new batch of songs are anything to go by their next album is going to be insane. For now, you will have to make do with this truly incredible debut release. If I was to have ONE criticism of this album... WE WANT MORE TRACKS!

Oh well, you can't have everything!

10/10

"While We're Young" is released on November 1st 2010 through LABrecords.

Should you wish to pre-order the album do so at the link below. Be sure to check out their myspace and website for details of up-coming shows and to have a listen to them if you haven't already.

http://labrecords.bigcartel.com/artist/pegasus-bridge

www.myspace.com/pegasusbridge

www.pegasusbridge.co.uk

While we have your attention, Pegasus Bridge will also be performing on the November edition of Squatters Den along with Worcester-Based quintet Che. Videos due for upload by November 29th.

www.youtube.com/squattersden

Camden Cox - Squatters Den Appearance

This month London based Singer / Songwriter Camden Cox performed for the Squatters Den on location in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire.

This is a compilation video of her appearance and interview:



Please check out the extended, uninterrupted videos of her performances on our You Tube page:

www.youtube.com/squattersden

Also check out the new single available on her myspace... "Lullaby" is as the name suggests a dark and eary lullaby, reminiscent in sound to that of Christina Aguilera's "Fighter"... with moody yet hopeful piano chords setting the tone whilst beautifully tender acoustic guitars help sustain the well thought out and powerful melody. Camden wears her heart on her sleeve lyrically with this song as it tugs at your heart strings... a beautifully crafted love song with a dark and moody twist.

www.myspace.com/camdencox

Keep your eyes peeled to this page for an exclusive Pegasus Bridge video from the Ribena Launch Night at Snobs Night Club that will be uploaded in the next few days, as compensation for them having to postpone their appearance on Squatters Den due to Ed losing his voice.

Thanks everyone and enjoy!

Article by Chris Deighton

Review: Che - Familiar Voices

By Chris Deighton

Unsigned - Album currently on sale!

Now here's a band I've been following for some time and it's criminal they're not further up the rickety rock music ladder than they are...

Che in their own words are a band that manage to 'fuse emotive melodies with eccentric guitar interplay'... and I couldn't have put it better myself... so I'm not going to!

Their previous release which housed the emotive rock classic "Anti-Clockwise" and the dance-along, power pop track "Headrush" was by all accounts a positive sign of what was to come...

Their latest release "Familiar Voices" is by far their best work to date, showing that the band are not only growing as people but as musicians. Pop classic "What They'll Say" in particular draws attention to the incredible skill this band has for writing accessible rock songs, from it's intertwining guitar patterns to its breath-taking lead vocals, this song has everything you could want from a four minute pop song.

When the opening guitar riff of "When it Mattered" kicks in as the album opener, your attention is drawn to the speakers straight away and it doesn't let up until the album finishes. Lyrics "I've only got one chance, and I'm prepared to use it" sum up this bands philosophy in the most poigant of ways. Here is a band that don't give up. Many who have been going as long as they have may have called it a day by now, but what I sense with Che is that they love what they do and that's why they do it and this fact comes across powerfully in the music, there is a sense of joy and fun about this band both live and on record.

"Keeping Quiet" and "Haven't you Heard" are two more stand out tracks on the album, their un-predictable melodies and beautifully crafted guitar interplay offer two of the albums more anthemic moments. In "Keeping Quiet" Lydia Papaphilippopoulos' vocals saw high above the jangling guitar and dancy beat to create a discontent lullaby. Whilst "Haven't you Heard" provides the album with a tenderly composed emotional moment between band and listener.

The album might be called "Familiar Voices" but believe me there is nothing familiar about this bands sound. I'm sure every reviewer will try to pigeon hole them, comparing them to bands such as paramore, an easy comparison seeing as Che sport a female lead singer. However in my opinion whilst there are elements of said band in their sound, what they have done is take something good mix it with ten other good things to create a powerhouse of super-studded totally unique and all together awesome greatness, can you tell I like it?!

My advice, keep your eyes peeled, it's surely just a matter of time before this band are pulled up by a major label and soon enough we won't be able to get rid of them. If they keep releasing records as strong as "Familiar Voices" I'm not sure I'll want to get rid of them... EVER!

The band are currently doing some local shows in the midlands and are sure to be touring the album again very soon.

For more info here's the link:
www.myspace.com/chemusic

You can buy the album here at:
http://www.chemerch.bigcartel.com/product/familiar-voices


9/10

Vietwow! / Shapes Interview

This year our Squatters Den set was given permanent tenancy at the Morton Stanley Park Festival in Redditch, Worcestershire.

It was there that we came across some familiar faces squatting in our den, namely ex members of Blakfish and MMISL who now go by the name of Vietwow! The guys agreed to perform a couple of exclusive acoustic tracks for us in this months video podcast  available on the youtube channel www.youtube.com/squattersden

We thought we'd also have a chat with Vietwow! about their new band and what lies in store for the future.
As the lads from Vietwow! were already chatting with some friends (known to us as Big Scary Monsters' favourite Shapes) we decided to interview the lot of them, killing two birds with one stone.
However, the guys were clearly getting in the festival spirit and the interview rapidly descended into a wonderfully chaotic circus.

How much we learnt about Vietwow! is uncertain. But we did however learn two things:

Vietwow! are not lying on their myspace, they are four very serious dudes...
Secondly; never try to interview multiple bands at the same time because you end up with this...enjoy.

Back row L-R : Toby / Toby's female friend / Bob / Sam / Alex -Vietwow!
Sitting on floor clockwise: Rich / Steven / Gav - Shapes


SQUATTERS DEN- Vietwow! and Shapes hello!

ALL- HELLO!

SQUATTERS DEN - So you're here today at the Morton Stanley festival in Redditch... what is your favourite thing about Redditch?

STEVEN-SHAPES - The access system on the ring road! That's a real favourite of mine! Access 7! I recommend access 7.

ALEX-VIETWOW! - Notice how he didn't pause at all then when you asked us that question!


SQUATTERS DEN - How did you hear about such a small festival?

BOB-VIETWOW! -  (poor Geordie accent) err what? Ai its big up in the toon mon! (laughter) everybody knows about this festival up in the toon mon!

TOBY-VIETWOW! - It's not V festival is it!

BOB-VIETWOW! - (still in a poor Geordie accent) Ai,  it's not V festival it's THE festival! They can stick that on the tag line next year! ...That's if it happens next year it might not.. 'cause its not been that well attended. (laughter)

BOB-VIETWOW! - I’m joking I don't know, I don't know what the projected attendance was.

SQUATTERS DEN - Vietwow! you've been joined by your friends Shapes. Would you say your sound is anything like theirs?


SAM-VIETWOW! - No! Don't even like um let alone sound like 'em.

ALEX-VIETWOW! - I don't even know what they're doing here...

SQUATTERS DEN - are they crashing your interview?

ALEX-VIETWOW! - Yeah!

BOB-VIETWOW! - Piggy-backing.

SQUATTERS DEN - stealing your limelight?

ALEX-VIETWOW! - Scumbags!



SQUATTER'S DEN - How would you describe your sound then?


SAM-VIETWOW! - Um well have you heard of Weezer and the Pixies? well err we ripped um both off... Shamelessly.

BOB-VIETWOW! - We? it was you!

SAM-VIETWOW! - Sorry yeah... I ripped um both off shamelessly... this is my backing band!

ALEX-VIETWOW! - We're just on an hourly rate!


SQUATTERS DEN - Shapes, have you got any advice for Vietwow! playing today after your experience yesterday?


GAV-SHAPES - ermmm... Don’t climb on things! You get told off.

STEVEN-SHAPES - Yeah you get really told off for that.

SQUATTERS DEN - Are you talking about when they tried to pull you off yesterday?

STEVEN-SHAPES - yeh they tried to cut our sound off

BOB-VIETWOW! - (Laughter) they tried to pull you off?

STEVEN-SHAPES - That was because Rich was stood on top of...  his own amp... which is the thing we don’t understand...

GAV-SHAPES - It's illegal in Redditch, standing on amps...

STEVEN-SHAPES - So yeh, they were screaming at us and told us they were going to cut us off.

SAM-VIETWOW! -  Have you got liability insurance though? 'Cause y'know he could have fallen off, hurt himself and sued um?!

STEVEN-SHAPES - There you go Sam... that is why you are wearing a suit and I'm not.. right there.

...

STEVEN-SHAPES - Nah.. my advice to you would be.... enjoy the moment!

SAM-VIETWOW! - Well it's our first show so we're really nervous...Toby's never played on a stage before... ever! Bob's only been playing drums for two weeks and him...(pointing to Alex) well he'll be alright!

ALEX-VIETWOW! - I'm always alright!

STEVEN-SHAPES - Just enjoy the moment, promise me you will!?


SQUATTERS DEN - So how did Vietwow! get together?


SAM-VIETWOW! - There's a good story here, Bob'll tell you!

BOB-VIETWOW! - Ermm... Toby asked me to be in a band (after quite a long pause)... I don't know about these lot... how did you get in? It's your band anyway.

ALEX-VIETWOW! - (at Bob) Were you at the auditions in Newcastle?

BOB-VIETWOW! - Yeah yeah.

ALEX-VIETWOW! - I went to the err Birmingham auditions,  just saw Sam there... it was really cool man.  

SQUATTERS DEN -Was Cheryl Cole there?

ALEX-VIETWOW! - Yeah yeah yeah! She was really nice man...

SAM-VIETWOW! - Yeah she err, tried to audition for my place... but I told her it weren't gonna happen.

GAV-SHAPES - It wasn't up for a debate.

SAM-VIETWOW! - But if err, Alan Shearer had asked.. it would have been a different story.

BOB-VIETWOW! - (bad Geordie accent) What 'bout king Kevin? ...Aii

RICH-SHAPES - Kevin?

BOB-VIETWOW! - (still in a bad Geordie accent) Kevin... fuckin' Keegan...oops sorry bad language.

(laughter)


SQUATTERS DEN - So what's in store for you guys? Vietwow!?... or Shapes?


STEVEN-SHAPES - (at Vietwow!) What is in store? I wanna know?

SAM-VIETWOW - What's in store for us? Well these guys (Shapes) what you doing.. you actually do things... so you can talk about that...

STEVEN-SHAPES - We're... we’re releasing an album... at the start of next year... That’s going on.

SAM-VIETWOW! - You're doing a remix album as well...

STEVEN-SHAPES - Oh yeah yeah, Gav give um a chat about the remix.

GAV-SHAPES - We're doing a remix release.

(long pause) ...

GAV-SHAPES You'll like it...

(laughter)

STEVEN-SHAPES - That's our drummer...

SAM-VIETWOW! - He's alright this one ent he.. (patronising shoulder pat)

ALEX-VIETWOW! - He's a little bit special sometimes..

SQUATTERS DEN - Is that remixes of your songs or..?

GAV-SHAPES - Yeah our last E.P....the passion of the oil.  We've got loadsa different people, Sam being one of them, to remix all the tracks.

SAM-VIETWOW! - ..Mastering services y'know! ...sam.manville@googlemail.com... ermm free most of the time..

STEVEN-SHAPES - Most of the time! haha!

SAM-VIETWOW! - Not all the time!

STEVEN-SHAPES - ...If he's not fucking an he's not fighting then he's free!

www.myspace.com/vietwow
www.myspace.com/weareshapes

Article by Richard Perry.

Review: Camden Cox - How It Needs To Be

by Chris Deighton

Unsigned

This is a more a 'one to look out for' type of review... Whilst Camden Cox has been busy in the musicals circuit playing lead roles in Les Mis amongst others she has yet to release any original material, that is until now...

"How It Needs To Be" is a great debut release... drawing clear influences from artists like Lily Allen, La Roux & Ellie Goulding and yet somehow stamping her own unique mark on it. If this is the starting point for the young Miss Cox then we have a barrage of monster hits to follow...

A classic love song juxtaposed with a very 'now' sound make this track a must listen. Its dancy and upbeat undertone mixed beautifully with un-predictable vocal runs and superb harmonies draw you in making you want to listen time and time again. Add to that the infestiously catchy chorus that reminds me of a slightly less anthemic Florence and the Machine and you have what can only be described as a classic pop record.

I sense this girl is destined for big things, and it wouldn't suprise me if those 'big things' happen sooner rather than later... definitely one to watch over the coming months.

www.myspace.com/camdencox

8/10

Review: Paul Smith - Margins

by Chris Deighton

Release Date: 11/10/10 on Billingham Records

If you're into your Northern Rock and by Northern Rock I don't mean the bastards that lead to me writing this review for free, I mean the seemingly ever growing indie trend to place 4/4 guitars with the Gary Barlow voices of the rock world then Paul Smith's "Margins" is the album for you...

However if you're expecting the happy foot stomping sounds of The Arctic Monkeys then I'm afraid you will be bitterly disappointed, as Paul Smith manages to mix what can only be described as elevator music with the emotionally draining Snow Patrol.

It's not all bad news, whilst this album could easily send you to sleep due to Paul's whining voice, that I truly believe should be listed as a cure for insomnia, there are moments throughout the album where even this cynical music reviewer found himself foot tapping along...

Songs like "I Drew Sleeping", "The Crush and the Shatter" and "Dare Not Drive" are worthy of a mention as the strongest on the album drawing clear influences from later Oasis records and Snow Patrol, unfortunately without the charm. However when only three tracks on an album of thirteen stand out, it's time for concern.

Paul's influences are clear from the offset, parts of the album are reminiscent of later John Mayer albums unfortunately they lack the reassuring voice of said vocalist and indeed John's self styled 'crying' guitar that usually accompanies.

If mildly melodic, sleepy music is your cup of tea or in this case cup of Horlick's then "Margins" will be right up your street. However if you're looking for the next northern indie pop sensation I'd suggest staying well clear.


The album is currently available on Billingham Records and Paul is currently touring around the UK and Europe.


Recommeded for: People with Insomnia!

5/10


www.myspace.com/paulsmithmusic

Lilsumo Interview

Luke Preece and Brett Elesmore from Lilsumo performed for us in the Squatter's Den this month.

Check out the videos at the Squatter's Den youtube channel - www.youtube.com/squattersden


Whilst we had Brett and Luke in the Squatter's Den we decided to pounce and ask them the question everyone was dying to know...


SQUATTERS DEN - So what does the future hold for Lilsumo?

(laughter)

SQUATTERS DEN - In at the deep end!

LUKE - Haha  yeah! Loadsa people have being asking us this question... "Are we going to get back together" and that..

BRETT - And Luke O'Gorman (Idiosync) cried to try and get us back together.

LUKE - Yeah, which was quite flattering...

SQUATTERS DEN - Did his Tiger face paint run?

BRETT - Haha Yeah!

LUKE - It's quite nice that people still remember us. 'Cause I kind of think like y'know oh we're sort of like
a has-been band back from early 2000. We kind of think that, like, our music is a little bit dated now, but people still enjoy it, which is good. It does kind of get you excited.

BRETT - It was 8 years ago now!

SQUATTERS DEN - But what does that mean for the future though?

LUKE - I still think... y'know, we might, maybe, do some more recordings...

BRETT - You never know, watch this space!

LUKE - I've definitely got a load of song ideas I'd like to get out of my system!

(Brett Elesmore/Luke Preece)

So, nothing set in stone but it sounds like the enthusiastic response to their appearance at the Morton Stanley Festival has stirred something in these boys... fingers crossed!

www.myspace.com/lilsumoreunion
www.facebook.com/lilsumoband

Article by Richard Perry.

Squatter's Den is ALIVE!

But what exactly is Squatter's Den I hear you ask...

Squatter's Den is a monthly video podcast available on the youtube channel www.youtube.com/squattersden

September's Edition is available NOW!

We will embed the videos here so you don't even have to move from this page, how nice of us.

Each month we will feature EXCLUSIVE video performances from some of our favourite bands. These Bands will play live acoustic versions of their own songs as well as an acoustic live lounge-esque cover.

These recordings will take place at our squat house, wherever that may be each month. You might even get the chance to come along if you're lucky.

Don't fear though, if you need more entertainment we will use this blog to keep you up to date with extra music reviews, interviews as well as backstage photo's, banter and much much more (basically anything we find interesting).

Enjoy.

Squatting.

Squatting consists of occupying an abandoned or unoccupied space or building, usually residential, that the squatter does not own, rent or otherwise have permission to use. According to author Robert Neuwirth, there are one billion squatters globally, that is, about one in every six people on the planet. Yet, according to Kesia Reeve, "squatting is largely absent from policy and academic debate and is rarely conceptualized, as a problem, as a symptom, or as a social or housing movement".

Courtesy of Wikipedia.