A massive thanks to the bands that have wanted to play with us again, to the new bands that have joined the Massa Confusa Presents journey, and to all the bands we have yet to put on – we’ll get to you as soon as we can, we promise! Thanks yet again for supporting our quest to provide free/low entry gigs, and as a result receiving no or very little payment for your talent and hard work. The North East DIY scene is an exciting place right now because of bands and fans like you!

An extended thanks to First Avenue Studios; Nicky Rob and BBC Introducing; Claire and Narc; Eugenie and Notes On Sounds; Bob Allen, Generator and the Evolution Emerging team; Spark FM, Matt Flynn; Katy Blackwood; Blank Slate Creative Photography; Russell Poad and NE:MM; Mark Corcoran-Lettice and Endless Window; Ian Wilson; Antonio Spinozzi and TCIB; Luke and Gigiti; Kobadelta; Charlie Dancer; Cole and Little Buildings; all at Nerd Hutch; Jack and Heartrock; Flagged.com; Yakx; Empty Shop; Eugene Davies; Paul Brown and Drowned In Sound.

Ally xx
January 1st 2016

Boring legal stuff:
The tracks on this compilation were donated by the bands, therefore we assume permission from any affiliated 3rd parties or record labels to release them, and we accept no responsibility for any infringement of copyright. This is a not for profit compilation.

Massa Confusa
Dark World was written in January 2015 and will feature on the upcoming Massa Confusa album due for release later this year.

Ilser
Rachael’s increasingly confident vocals and Scott’s ferocious drumming has meant that Ilser’s output continues to grow stronger and stronger. They performed at Stockton Calling and the prestigious Music Futures conference, and have supported the likes of Dinosaur Pile Up and Enter The Lexicon. It won’t be long before Ilser reach true headline status themselves. Breaks was their last single. Rachael is currently recording with Five Pence Game.

Knots
Knots’ recordings and live sets are brilliantly tight, and leave you wanting more. They even have a light up drum kit that makes the experience all the more special. This is the first time This Is True Werewolf has been on physical release.

Zeerox
Zeerox features Rich (Rocking Horse Rehearsal Rooms) who kindly let us use his space for our November gig during Durham’s Lumiere Festival. The band themselves make alt-rock, and they played with Old Prides, People Making Noises, and us at The Dog And Parrot. Xerox is from their album Penshaw Woolies Eat Deer Master.


Skull Puppies
Skull Puppies have a special place in my heart (and ears) for their catchy, confessional acoustic punk anthems. Weary Adventurers is currently exclusive to this compilation, but will be part of their 3rd EP due for release April 16th on Clarty Cat Records.

Mouses
My favourite North-East fuzz-punk duo! Ste and Nathan have built a strong reputation for their energetic performances, and have played some great festivals including Olgas Rock (Germany), Liverpool Sound City, and The Alternative Escape. Expect good things from them during 2016, if Nathan has any drumsticks left that is… Algebra is from The Second Mouses EP.

Baker Island
Baker Island create catchy, infectious, fuzzy pop songs. I saw them at the Out Of The Trees festival promotion night at Head Of Steam in 2014 and was instantly hooked. We tried to put them on way back in March 2015, but they unfortunately had to pull out. We finally pinned them down for what turned out to be a very torrential outing at Durham’s Rocking Horse Rehearsal Rooms. Spine Walker is from their album Bobby Hundreds. Their guitarist Kevin also plays in Lump Hammer who feature on the digital download/tape form of this compilation.


Apache Viking
Apache Viking are a low-fi-pop-punk band featuring Paul (Free Diamonds), Phil (Forsake Ya To The Snakes), Ross (The Devitos), and Chris (Bison Hunting, O’Messy Life). Their drummer Phil is from Minnesota and has the best stage banter I have ever heard. Shake is from Magical Dudes EP. It is the first time on physical release.

Idiot Box
The story of Idiot Box began in 1998. They travelled from Leeds to play a free show with us at Rocking Horse, and deserve recognition for their catchy melodies. No Disco was originally released in 2002 on a Voltage Records compilation entitled Aural Quagmire.

The Smokin’ Coconuts
The Smokin’ Coconuts are a party of ska-jazz infused rock with a smoke machine armed with coconut reminiscent of my favourite Lush shampoo, Trichomania. Tim and Jon also run First Avenue Studios where we practise each week. Sun Go Down is from The Night Time EP.

Nomihodai
Nomihodai’s EP is a hark back to a sound we fell in love with from numerous punk/ska gigs at Newcastle uni, Get y’ Skates on, Trillians, and The Bunker at Legends/Head Of Steam. Expect melodic pop-punk inspired by the likes of NOFX and Bouncing Souls. Alcohol Is Synonymous is from their digital All You Can Drink EP. It is the first time on physical release.

Casual Threats
Best experienced live, Casual Threats are a charismatic trio who we put on at Brewdog before the company released a tasteless ad campaign. They play catchy punk-pop songs, and Ollie likes to throw his guitar on the floor, I have no idea why. Extra Maritime Affair is exclusive to this compilation.

Euan Lynn
Gameboy pop-punk Euan Lynn returns to Massa Confusa Presents with Loyd’s Gross, Man from his Endless Summer EP. I’m waiting to see if his chiptune pop-punk takes on the form of other consoles.

BCxDC
BCxDC or Black Cancer death club is the vegan, x-files themed punk side project of Snakes Don’t Belong In Alaska. I met them when playing NE:MM’s RPM battle of the bands event. The energy from their set, and my mutual love for the X-files meant we had to play a show together. Guitarist-vocalist Jude Watson also puts on gigs in the area. Ballad Of Pete Martell is exclusive to this compilation.

Fingers Crossed
Fingers Crossed are James and Flo. James and I go way back to the Durham days, and Matt used to play with his old bands The Effects, and Just Another Warning. James also plays in Syslak, and Flo plays in Jesus And His Judgemental Father. Brian Molko Is My Life Coach is from their EP Better Luck Next Time.

Mama lips
Mama should have been on Vol 1, but I made a mistake and missed her off, sorry Mama! With comic books about relationships and transgender, Mama is an inspiration. Aside from comic book subscribers, When You Leave Home is exclusive to this compilation.

Kapil Seshasayee
Kapil contacted us via a recommendation from Eugene Davies (Winter Isle, Heat Death Of The Sun). His Ableton backed melodic take on noise rock made it an instant yes for us wanting to put him on. Kapil played with us at the Northumberland Arms with a PA that only had 4 channels, and was prone to overheating and cutting out. Unfortunately it chose to do this only once during the night, during his set. Thanks for being so understanding of the dangers of DIY shows Kapil! This is the first time Brazen has been on physical release.

Fractions
Fractions played the first Massa Confusa Presents not to feature Massa Confusa, but instead the debut of my collaborative recording project Five Pence Game, and touring band Shield Patterns. Burst is from their self-titled EP which has received a lot of attention since its release and even led to a supporting slot for The Human League.

Topaz Gang
A side project of Euan, Topaz Gang are dancey and sample based. They have gained recognition from featuring in a Gucci advert, and for playing in Madrid, so it’s a shame they don’t have a bigger presence here in the North East. Sliiiiiiiiime is from their album palm_tree.fm.

Therunningchelsea
I met Tom through a demo review he did for Massa Confusa’s ‘Dream’. After speaking via his ‘Do You See Ants Too’ blog I became aware that he was a musician too, and I was blown away by his stream of consciousness approach to songwriting. His live performances involve acoustic looping, which adds another dimension to his songs. The Smoking Skull is from the digital album In The Future, We Will Spinn. It is the first time on physical release. Expect a collaboration with him on the next Five Pence Game record.

Five Pence Game
Five Pence Game is my collaborative recording project in which I invite musicians from local bands to write and record a track with me. This gem was written and recorded over a few hours with Jack Fallows (Skull Puppies). The Crease In Your Shirt is from the upcoming Five Pence Game album. Watch this space…

Spacehawke
Spacehawke features Ian Cowie who drummed for the only 2 live Five Pence Game shows I have played to date. Here he performs as a 3 piece with Spacey, pop-rock goodness. Climb Chérie is exclusive to this compilation.

Waheela
Waheela do a great deal for the local noise/doom scene, particularly with their GNAW Fest series (now in its 5th year), and are known for their pulsating improvised sets. Grouchcraft is exclusive to this compilation.

People Making Noises
People Making Noises make instrumental rock, and played a headline slot with Zeerox, Old Prides and us at The Dog and Parrot. We Kill Boxes is from their self-titled debut album which is available now on Rocking Horse Recordings.

Novotny
Novotny is Gareth Abrahams, who is now also part of Foot Hair, and Michael Bridgewater who has various musical projects including Waskerley Way and b-cátt'. They make laptop backed noise, fuelled by throbbing bass, samples and discordant guitar work. Dog House Blues is from their album The Sex Deaths Of Karen Novotny.

Fret!
Fret! is Steve (Popeyes Rapestation, See My Sound, Tears Of Abraham, Meinkinder), Cath (Cath & Phil Tyler, Cordelia’s Dad), and Rob (Tide Of Iron, Marzuraan, Prolefeed, Platemaker, Popeyes Rapestation). Our gig together was originally intended to be at Brewdog, but Fret! drew our attention to Brewdog’s offensive ad campaign so we moved it to The Northumberland Arms. This is the first time Jim has been on physical release.

Lump Hammer
Lump Hammer is artist James (Plague Rider, Blind Spite, Gary, Watts), Kevin (Baker Island), and artist Tim Croft. They make doom-noise rock and are characterised by James’ gnarly vocals. FFS is exclusive to this compilation.

Sagan Megadrive
Sagan Megadrive is the prog-rock brainchild of Chris Minnis. Make sure you catch him live, even if it’s just for his replication of sounds from Resident Evil 2. This is the first time The Robot’s Your Body, Hew has been on physical release.