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Pasta for dinner every day, only using one sheet of toilet paper at a time, wearing three hoddies at once to save you having to put the heating on. We all know that budget is tight. So when bands offer us music for the price of a glass of tap water – that’s ‘free’ for those of you who only drink the stronger stuff – it’s time to rejoice!

The free download offer is becoming increasingly common of late, particularly with those up-and-coming bands. Many simply require you to give them your email address or ‘Like’ their Facebook page in return for a track, but of course you can always send the emails to your junk mail folder or unfriend them once you’ve bagged the freebies. Best of all, it’s legal. So no guilty conscious.

Here are some recent gems you can get your hands on for nothing…

Funeral For A Friend – Front Row Seats To The End Of The World

These Welsh rockers are in fact, not exactly an up-and-coming band, with five successful albums and some pretty impressive festival slots under their belts. Nevertheless, they have still decided to give the fans this track, taken from their next album 'Welcome Home Armageddon' which is due for release on March 14^th.

Ambition Is Critical – The Blackout

Here is another generous Welsh wonder. These six lads from Merthyr Tydfil deliver stomping hardcore anthems, and this one is absolutely free. Their live shows are always fantastic too, filled with tremendous energy and lots of comedy banter between the two front men, Gavin Butler and Sean Smith. 

Lower Than Atlantis – Punk On The Covers

Grunge punk band Lower Than Atlantis’ debut album ‘Far Q’ has received great reviews for its angst and lyrical genius. But the band also decided to release an EP of cover songs, and give it away for free. The EP includes their own take on classics such as The Police's 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic', Foo Fighter's 'Everlong’ and Paramore's 'That's What You Get'.

 

The King Blues – We Are Fucking Angry

Opinionated ska punk band, The King Blues, have released an anthem for all those student protesters and government haters out there, and the message is pretty clear. Definitely ‘throw your fist in the air and kick a bin’ music.  

Canterbury – Thank You

The lovely lads in Canterbury are probably the most generous of all. They made their entire debut album available for free online. Every song on the record is brilliantly catchy and the band have achieved huge success from it. Support slots with the likes of You Me At Six have proved that.

Live Review: Mutiny On The Bounty

In a small room above a Brighton pub, the town’s eclectic culture comes alive in the form of an evening of live music. The first band to grace the stage of The Hope pub on Queens Road is Dalla Russia. The group get the minimal crowd tapping their feet with some up-beat indie/rock and prove why the ever popular female-led line-up works so well.

Southampton four-piece Our Time Down Here take the energy levels up a notch with some Gallows-esque hardcore punk. After announcing a recent break-up, lead singer Will Gould puts all his angst into a powerful set. Bouncing around like a kid who’s eaten too many E-numbers, the band take punk for a dip in the mainstream.

Lower Than Atlantis switch the mood yet again, beginning their set with some Nirvana inspired grunge. However, by the time the Herefordshire band unleash their supercharged cover of Foo Fighters classic Everlong the set has delved into something much heavier. The final tracks verge on heavy metal and the band finish their time on stage with some true rock star instrument destruction.

Headline act Mutiny On The Bounty live up to their advertised title of ‘Epic Luxembourg Rockers’, providing an incredible and technically skilled performance. The phenomenal lead guitarist – who turns out to be a stand-in – leaves the crowed in awe of his fast finger work and wondering what the actual band member he replaced is capable of. Although disappointingly short, the cheerful European band’s set is wonderfully unconventional, with the drummer providing lead vocals on a number of tracks.

If variety is the spice of life then the night's line-up has truly blown the lid off of all human existence.