March is music month:

A preview of new releases and live shows expected in March

So far, 2009 has been an extremely disappointing year for me musically. After attending less than a handful of gigs worth mentioning in January and February (underground indie rockers The Themals at Sheffield’s Raynor Lounge and Brazilian metallers Soulfly at Nottingham’s Rock City), coupled with the fact that only a couple of new release albums and singles have so far whet my appetite (namely The Thermal’s debut 7” Now We Can See for the Kill Rock Stars label and Thursday’s fifth studio album Common Existence), I was beginning to think that I might struggle to hit 10 favourite albums in my end of year lists, and beat last years bench mark of attending gigs into their double figures (37 to be exact).

After this disappointing slow start to the musical year, March promises to make up for lost time; New Jersey punkers the Gaslight Anthem round up their European tour supported by UK hero Frank Turner and relative newcomers the Polar Bear Club with three last UK dates before they head back to the US for another lengthy jaunt. Their stop-off at Nottingham Rock City on the 3rd of the month promises to be an upbeat sing-a-long show, which I would not miss for the world.

The following day, London based band Red Light Company play one of three instores this week at Fopp records. This particular date brings them to Nottingham in support of their debut album Fine Fascination, which is released on March 2nd. Despite being much preferable on record (lead singer Richard Frenneaux has always come across as very arrogant at gigs I have attended in the past), I am very excited to be following up my purchase of Red Light Company’s first full length with an intimate set inside a record store. This is just the beginning of the band’s promotional schedule, with a string of proper dates planned in mid-march supported by a band I’m even more excited about – Prego. Fellow Londoner’s Prego will be playing on a few dates of Red Light Company’s tour, taking them out of London which is rare in itself. I hope to attend the date at the Cockpit in Leeds on March 15th, which is guaranteed to be an evening of both luscious and epic music from two up and coming UK bands.

The first week of March also sees Scottish duo Marmaduke Duke (featuring Sucioperro front man JP Reid and Biffy Clyro front man Simon Neil – aka The Dragon and the Atmosphere) release their first ever single Kid Gloves, which precedes their upcoming second album Duke Pandemonium, after finding a new home at 14th Floor Records on CD and 2 x 7”. With Duke Pandemonium being hailed as the ‘party album’, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Kid Gloves didn’t quite fit that claim. Laden in beats and synths, Kid Gloves is a very warm track which features guest vocals from Connie Mitchell - Marmaduke Duke really do sound like a British Postal Service. This 3-part release also promises to bring brand new b-sides to get fans in the mood for their short jaunt across the UK, playing six live dates which include a stop-off at Leeds Brudenell Social Club on March 5th. Marmaduke Duke’s shows are legendary, and I’m really looking forward to see what shenanigans they get up to at this date of the tour (plus, I hope to wrangle James or Ben Johnston for some gossip on Biffy’s Clyro’s forthcoming fifth album).

Rounding off this first week, I plan to stop by the Bodega Social Club in Nottingham on March 8th, where French band Underground Railroad are supporting Fight Like Apes. Having bought their second album Sticks and Stones off the back of a set at last years Leeds Festival, I’m really looking forward to being able to sing along to Underground Railroad in a small venue - plus, I’ll finally be able to pick up the EP they released earlier this year.

Brighton-based Scots The Xcerts release new single Crisis in the Slow Lane on March 9th. Having been more than impressed with the singles they have released thus far, I eagerly anticipate this release, which is followed on the 30th by their debut full-length In the Cold Wind We Smile. Akin to 90’s American bands Pop Unknown and Cap’n Jazz, the Xcerts are certainly high on my list of ones to watch in 2009.

The Xcerts touring buddies and fellow Scots Twin Atlantic head off on a short tour in March. Playing a few dates with Flood of Red, which sees them swing by the Bar Academy in Birmingham on March 11th. Having seen some brilliant gigs at this venue in the past (which includes Marmaduke Duke, Brigade and Blakfish), I hope Twin Atlantic will follow suit when previewing new tracks from their forthcoming debut album.

Another Scottish band, Sucioperro, release their download-only single Don’t Change (What You Can’t Understand) on March 16th, which previews their forthcoming Pain Agency album. And if you thought JP Reid and his fellow Sucioperro bandmates (who moonlight as extra players at Marmaduke Duke live shows) hadn’t been busy enough recently with Marmaduke Duke related activity, then you might like to know they head off on a tour of their own in April.

And whilst there’s a lot of talk of Scottish music, another band worth mentioning is Fat Cat Record’s Frightened Rabbit. They are set to release live album Quietly Now, featuring acoustic tracks from last years masterpiece Midnight Organ Fight on March 30th. Despite being available in America since 2008, I have yet to preview this album, but will make sure my copy is ordered in time to land in my post box on the release date. In celebration of this release, Frightened Rabbit play some acoustic shows which includes a date at Leicester’s Musician on March 29th – a gig I’d be a fool to miss!

Rounding the month off, Hundred Reasons return with a tour in support of the re-release of their 4th album Quick the Word, Sharp the Action. Having not been very impressed with Hundred Reasons on record over the years, I can’t deny that their live shows are a different story. Having seen them last in 2003, I’m really excited to be attending their show at Derby’s recently reopened Rockhouse, where Brummy indie-poppers Johnny Foreigner also share the bill.

So, March is set to be a corker of a month already, and I’m sure there will be a plethora of additional singles and albums being released and gigs played in the month of March that I have yet to learn about.