Viva Brother

Hype ain't what it used to be. After getting early endorsements from Radio 1 and the NME, Slough-based quartet Brother were probably expecting 2011 to be a vintage year. But the latterday Britpoppers have followed a trajectory that was less Oasis, more Terris: first they were forced to change their name following legal threats from Australian folk-rock act Brother, then they saw debut LP Famous First Words spend a mere week in the UK album charts, after even the NME was forced to concede that it was a bit rubbish. This will be their second trip to Japan this year, following an appearance at Summer Sonic in August; don't be surprised if it's also their last.