Category Archives: Alt Rock

Album Review, Alt Rock, Blues Rock, Funk, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Amazing Planes ‘Lost In Translation’ album

UK Garage rock duo Amazing Planes have released their new album ‘Lost In Translation’. Hailing from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire the band consists of rock duo Mark Nelson and Daniel Hard. Amazing Planes pull in elements of Rock, Blues and Indie to create their multi-faceted album ‘Lost In Translation’.
First up is ‘Saving The World’ with a gritty fuzzed bass riff its down and dirty raw kick ass attitude driven brawn. Slick and smooth this track charms with steamy attitude and a mighty punch. Slight country twangs shake up the track while heavy instrumentation pummels with smooth moshing frenzy. ‘Only When You Call’ displays the duo’s funky groovy side with bouncy instrumentation and sing along “ba baaa” feature. This track has a Blur feel in the verse which breaks away for the catchy chorus. Strong bass pulses through the track while vocal harmonies coast through with cruising charisma. Slick sharp guitar drives the track weaving in and out playfully while the soft drums and elastic bass keep the funky tempo.Title track ‘Lost In Translation’ continues this groovy shimmy and 60’s vibe, its flower power fun with brass elements warming up the flowing free track. The song breaks into a raw instrumental bridge with rattly guitar and rapid rumble on drums before leading into the massive chorus. ‘Coming Back To Me’ slows the tone down taking a more emotional tender persona. Soft soulful instrumentation accompanies the vocals while strong sharp interjections on guitar freshens up the otherwise delicate track. The album continues with Amazing Planes’ funky blends fizzling with rock and gritty elements. Shredding guitar licks and big chorus’ become the duos signature moves while they swoon in with cool tones and swagger soaked vocals. The stomp worthy ‘Good Thing’ is empowering and will definitely have you busting all the moves from shimmying to bopping and even pulling out the disco stew move with pride just before you air guitar to that thrilling solo. ‘Loves Gone’ closes the album, bass heavy and smooth its cool and polished raw and steamy. Punchy rumbling drums teamed with a blistering guitar riff and sensual sway-like verse, its a temptress to the ears.

A solid album from Amazing Planes ‘Lost In Translation’ is a fizzing can of delicious indie rock that will leave you thirsty for more.
Stream  ‘Lost In Translation’  below

Alt Rock, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Bare Knuckle Parade ‘Every Other Heartbeat’

Five piece alternative rock outfit Bare Knuckle Parade have released their new video for single ‘Every Other Heartbeat’. Released through Dirty 38 Records ahead of a UK tour in March, ‘Every Other Heartbeat’encapsulates the band’s’ spirit, verve and intensity in its every detail. Recorded live and produced by the band, the song leads the way for the group’s highly anticipated debut album, teased to be released in late 2017. Conceived out of a drunken conversation around a bar table, the indie folk-rock powerhouse from Bath quickly gained a reputation for their ‘packed out’ energetic and compelling live performances around the country, which has been described as “Sweat drenched, beer-soaked pandemonium” and has gained support from the likes of Steve Lamacq, Dermot O’Leary, John Kennedy and Chris Evans.
‘Every Other Heartbeat’ is infectious peppy indie rock at its best. Perfectly placed sing along features and catchy chorus backed by snappy bass zealous guitars and punchy drums, its a bouncing ball of delight that will have you dancing and bopping uncontrollably. Upbeat bright and animated this track has it all. Its a crowd-pleaser and brightens everyone’s day. Its instantly likeable and insanely catchy with a sweet melody,its honey to the ears and a much needed spirit lifter while maintaining punch and grit.
The music video for the song was filmed by Chris Porter of LifeisArtVisuals at a warehouse in Basingstoke using a mixture of digital and old-school VCR footage.
Bare Knuckle Parade will be touring throughout the UK in March and April – all details can be found below.
10TH MAR – DOG & PARROT, NEWCASTLE
11TH MAR – THE MATRIX, GRIMSBY
12TH MAR – NIGHT & DAY CAFE, MANCHESTER
15TH MAR – THE JUNCTION, PLYMOUTH
16TH MAR – CROFTERS RIGHTS, BRISTOL
17TH MAR – FROG & FIDDLE, CHELTENHAM
18TH MAR – BOCABAR, GLASTONBURY
19TH MAR – FULL MOON, CARDIFF
23TH MAR – REDD, DUNDEE
24TH MAR – HENERYS CELLAR BAR, EDINBURGH
8TH APR – THE OLD FIRESTATION, OXFORD
Watch the video for ‘Every Other Heartbeat’ below

Alt Rock, Hard Rock, indie rock, New Music, Punk Rock, Rock, Video Premiere

Dear Thieves ‘VIC ROADS’

Melbourne’s indie duo, Dear Thieves, have released the new music video for their single ‘VIC ROADS’. The two-piece, Joel Hansen and Jesse Jones, will also be releasing their 5-track “Bad Habits” EP. “VIC ROADS” is currently available on Triple J Unearthed and everywhere else on 31st March 2017. Having been likened to Black Keys and Royal Blood, Dear Thieves are making waves in their local circuit coming off the back of supports with Sydney-based Strangers and a 5 date east coast tour last year, building a reputation for prolifically fine tuning the two-piece sound with unique and beautifully melodic results.

‘VIC ROADS’ is robust ruckus causing mania that packs a mighty punch. Booming from the start with red blooded powerful drums and sensual gritty riffs its a beast to be reckoned with. Rugged shouted vocals teamed with frenzy causing instrumentation, its one for the sticky blood thirsty most pit . The track oozes lusty brawn with hints of sensual qualities. Its slick, boisterous rough and ready with razor sharp rawness. The video features Hansen and Jones standing at a wall, they drink, they smoke, they sing while all kinds of random items get thrown at them from liquids to papers and balls … so an average night out for some people. These guys are ones to watch.

The two-piece are thrilled to bring their ‘Bad Habits’ tour to east coast audiences throughout March and April you can catch them at

Friday 31st March, Cherry Bar, Melbourne

Sunday 2nd April , Frankies Pizza, Sydney

Friday 7th April || The Haunt, Brisbane
Watch the video for ‘VIC ROADS’ below

Alt Rock, Grunge, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Summer Grunge

La Bête Blooms ‘Low Hummer’

Hull post-punk five piece La Bête Blooms have released their new track ‘ Low Hummer’. This rip-roaring fuzzed up anthem fizzes and spits with sharp riffs and distortion spewing from is very core. Its gritty raw and thrilling mosh worthy grunge.Hazy lo-fi vocals cool the track while the shrill on guitar adds a buzzing scorching blurry summer vibe. Pummelling drums tirelessly batter with brute force as the track explodes with anarchy while the nimble bass adds flexibility and elasticity to the track. This animated vigorous track displays La Bête Blooms knack for smooth slick melodies backed by lacerating guitar lines and aggressive instrumentation. Its no – nonsense attitude that warms with blistering sunny vibes.

Stream ‘Low Hummer’ below

https://soundcloud.com/labeteblooms/la-bete-blooms-low-hummer

Alt Rock, Garage Rock, Indie, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Rock

Odd Couple ‘Gone Solid’

German rockers Odd Couple have released their new single ‘Gone Solid’ ahead of their second album ‘Flügge’ (meaning “independent” or “to spread one’s wings” in German) which is set for release April 21st. Odd Couple duo Tammo Dehn and Jascha Kreft’s modern approach to recording sound takes influence from hip hop and the kosmische musik experimentation of West Germany in the seventies.
‘Gone Solid’ is a blissfully brutal attack on the senses with a hybridisation of garage rock pummelling with ferocity and chilled with swagger filled vocals and waves of electronic psychedelia. With a beat that straddles the line between motorik rhythms and hip hop its a strut and display of effortless cool panache within the constraints and solid structure of the track. Infectious gritty chunky guitar riffs add brawn and a beefy punch. This track oozes attitude and slick swanky flamboyance all while packing a serious dose of heavy mosh worthy frenzy. The quality is on point ,richly layered and multi textured, you hear a new impressive feature of the song each time you listen. These guys are musical wizards. Its eccentric and retro while remaining fresh and original. ‘Gone Solid’ is the epiphanies and freakouts of decades past with hints of soul, garage rock, psychedelia and funk . You feel sure you recognise something to pin it down to a genre, but you don’t quite, hence mind blowing.
Stream ‘Gone Solid’ below

https://soundcloud.com/cargorecordsgermany/odd-couple-gone-solid/

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

The Elephant Trees ’90 Degrees’

Leeds boisterous acoustic-led indie alt-rock band The Elephant Trees have released their debut single ’90 Degrees’. Band members Martha Phillips,Will Milton, Sam Hugh-Jones and Tom Palmer formed in early 2015 and have been writing and gigging relentlessly ever since.They have spent the time since their inception honing their live show and supporting artists such as Jake Isaac, City of Lights, and Billy Bibby (ex-Catfish and the Bottlemen), as well as playing venues such as Leeds’ Belgrave Music Hall and O2 Academy. They blend a more acoustic singer-songwriter style with huge riffs and singalong choruses to create a unique and infectious sound.
’90 Degrees’ is an impressive blow of raucous causing energy blistering with strident guitars pummelling drums and fiery energy. A forceful thudding beat kicks of the track followed by an infectious gritty scorching riff. ’90 Degrees’ builds in momentum into a frantic mosh worthy crescendo with shredding guitar solo and a sing along bridge that will have a live audience bellowing at the top of their lungs. Its crafted for massive live shows and frantic crowds. Confident attitude infused swagger driven vocals add punch and fight, its a song that screams don’t mess with me. Dramatic stops and hefty rhythm teamed with strident guitars, its a mighty and exciting debut from The Elephant Trees. These guys are ones to watch.
Watch the video for ’90 Degrees’ below

Alt Rock, electro - rock, Electronic, EP Review, Hypnotic, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Rock

MUX ‘Can you see who?’ EP

MUX, a brand new electro-stoner band from London is to release at the end of March their EP entitled ‘Can you see who?’. MUX blend elements of electronica, stoner, trip-hop and punk leaving you in a twisted knot of thrilling euphoric disorientation. Comprised of members Tiz, Paul, and Jonas, MUX present  an EP that is a gripping electrifying enigma fuzzed and gritty and smothered in obscure darkness. The band officially started in the summer of 2016 when Tiz and Paul (drums) met in Brighton, while shopping for souvenirs. They started fighting over a seashell ashtray and ended talking about Kendrick Lamar’s latest album. A couple of months later, the pair met Jonas (Guitar) at a Mac DeMarco concert in Camden. Jonas was headbanging harder than everyone else.
‘MDMA’ kicks off the EP with a creepy sinister shadowy tone. Raspy whisper-like vocals are hair-raisingly chilling while the gritty distorted guitar adds a rough round the edges sharpness. Its like a psychedelic trip that’s freaked you out but still feels good. A rapid elastic rhythm gives a sticky gooey glooping effect. The track becomes more dynamic as it progress with the intense electronics becoming more frantic while the shredding guitar pierces with shrilling ferocity. The electronic woodblock-like feature is a recurring element in the EP’s tracks and it adds a plump texture and unusual refreshing contrast to the dark psychedelic swirling surround. It acts like a conscious anchor keeping your mind from becoming completely engulfed by the musical whirlwind.
‘Gold and Prozac’ follows with shivering fuzzed guitar against a tapping rhythm. The track oozes lurid  gloppy liquid- like electronics that seep throughout the track, broken only by hypnotic trance inducing psychedelia. Eerie dark vocals are ghostly with a theatrical tint of evil. Epic basslines travel through each track providing a weighty beefy foundation to sink your teeth into.
‘Teenage Father’ begins with the sweet request “Kill Me” building into a thunderous mighty headbanger. This frenzy causing hysteria is sticky mosh pit neck-breaking head banging ready. Snapping bass is teamed with a fantastic driving guitar that shrills with blissful ear-piercing capability. Its a blood pumping smashing monster of a track that is convulsion causing derangement but so good.
‘Stray’ finishes the EP with a sensual riveting all absorbing guitar feature, lusty crescendo and  pounding rhythm mixed with electronic blurring perplexity, all bashed out and liquored up leaving you in a glazed mind boggled mush. Blending heavy turmoil with sensual steamy red hot piercing guitar and luring vocals, this track penetrates your skull with relentless soundscapes and acute powerful momentum.
Each track flows fluidly into the next as MUX  take you on a riveting complex journey through their proficient composition and exquisite craftsmanship. Its dark, its gritty and fuzzed with narcotic effects. ‘Can you see who?’ is a swirling invasion into your mind showing you a shadowy kaleidoscope of abstruseness.
Watch a snippet of what you can expect below

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Wave

Weekend Wars ‘Swim’

Merseyside based indie five piece Weekend Wars have released their new single ‘Swim’ today. It is the fourth single from the indie quintet and was recorded at Liverpool’s Motor Museum Studio with producer Al Groves (Bring Me The Horizon, Paris Youth Foundation). Jack, Bec, Andy, Matt and Rolo formed the band in 2015. They are four University friends and a savant for hire singer currently reshaping the musical landscape of the North West of England. Challenging the notion that Northern guitar bands come with hubris and swagger, Weekend Wars are refreshingly attitude free. Their ethos takes inspiration from the push and pull of daily life, they want to take you from the week to the weekend. 2016 saw the band receive airplay and plaudits from 6 Music (Steve Lamacq and 6 Music Recommends), BBC Radio Scotland (Billy Sloan), Virgin Radio (Jon Jackson) as well as international exposure by being playlisted by Spotify Australia & New Zealand.
‘Swim’ is an upfront indie anthem bursting with ambition. Bringing a little sunshine to our otherwise dreary lives. The track is crammed with an animated sharp bubbly guitar that shrills with blissful distortion. This little indie rock ditty has everything to thrill and fill you with musical fizz. Uplifting lyrics foot tapping friendly beat and crunching guitars, its infectiously fascinating.With strong dynamic raspy vocals ‘Swim’ is fresh light and bright with enough rich heavy instrumentation to kick ass and motivate even the most dismal person.
Following the mini tour to promote the single, the band will regroup to plan their next musical endeavours. Expect the unexpected as there is still a willingness to experiment in order to find their definitive musical persona. For Weekend Wars it’s all about the fun of the journey, the journey to the weekend.
You can catch Weekend Wars live at
SAT 4TH FEB – WARRINGTON: Friar’s Court
THU 9TH FEB – LIVERPOOL: Maguires
SAT 10TH FEB: ST HELENS: Tank (Single Launch)
SAT 18TH FEB: MANCHESTER – Castle Hotel

Stream ‘Swim’ Below

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Divine Youth ‘Heartstrings Pulled By Human Beings’

The Monochrome Lovechild of Pulp and Interpol, Divine Youth formed in 2015 out of a shared love of the hell raiser, the gang mentality, the socialist and the rock and roll animal. The band shared early gigs with Drew McConnell (Babyshambles), Billy Lunn (Subways) and Type Two Error (Cooper Temple Clause) as well as supporting White Lies.They are now bringing their style to shows in Sheffield, Manchester and beyond. Band members Dan Sheldon (Guitar/Vocals), Mike Sheldon (Bass/Vocals) and Liam Kaye (Drums) are creating an ever growing fan base and have now released their new single ‘Heartstrings Pulled By Human Beings’ today. Scorching with a euphoric sharp guitar that pierces through the track and embellished in rich driving rhythms, its a infectious track that shows the fine craftsmanship of Divine Youth.The song is coated in sombre tones and a nonchalant vibe that gives the track a heavenly yet melancholic tone. With clean incomplex vocals narrating the lyrics to us leaving the striking thrilling and passionate instrumentation and melody take the lime light. The punchy drums add a dramatic effect to the track as the song progresses to the powerful crescendo. ‘Heartstrings Pulled By Human Beings’ is smooth, polished passionate and fresh without Divine Youth loosing their rawness.

Watch the video for ‘Heartstrings Pulled By Human Beings’ from Divine Youths Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/divineyouthofficial/videos/1111337978995937/

 

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Johnny Lloyd

Hot off the heels of his successful debut EP ‘Dreamland’ ’which was released last year to radio support from 6Music and Radio X and has over half a million streams online. Lloyd has wasted no time and has confirmed release details for his new ‘ Eden’ EP which was produced by The Maccabees’ Hugo White and Mike Crossey (The 1975)and is due for release through Xtra Mile Recordings on April 14 2017. Our worth a listen track is the lead single off the ‘ Eden’ EP ‘Running Wild’.
After a brief ethereal electronic intro Lloyd blasts us into a taste of the snappy vibrant dynamic chorus of ‘Running Wild’, before cooling the track down into the short slick sensual verse. Lloyd’s vocals coo with backing from the sway-like rhythm and thrilling electronics. Taking an upbeat approach to his signature display of hard hitting raw emotion, this track is a laid back spritzer on a summers day. Beautiful imagery in the lyrics teamed with a tight instrumentation of riveting distortion on guitar and elastic bass, its a dreamy bubble of delight. Lloyd pulls in fantastic musicianship to make a captivating exclamation of euphoria. With hits of psychedelic bliss and elation ‘Running Wild’ gives us an introduction to the Shangri-la that follows the ‘Dreamland’ EP.
Having supported the likes of Black Honey and Jamie T, ​Johnny Lloyd​ will be out on a 7 date headline tour around the release of the ‘Eden EP’, including his biggest London date so far, at the Scala on April 20.
You can catch Johnny Lloyd on his UK Tour Dates at
19 April BIRMINGHAM The Sunflower Lounge
20 April LONDON Scala
21 April BRIGHTON Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar
22 April SOUTHAMPTON Joiners
24 April BRISTOL The Louisiana
25 April MANCHESTER Soup Kitchen
28 April SHEFFIELD The Leadmill

Pre-order the EP via iTunes or Xtra Mile Recordings here 
iTunes:  http://smarturl.it/EdenEP-iTunes

Xtra Mile Recordings: http://smarturl.it/EdenEP-XMR

Stream ‘Running Wild’ below