Category Archives: Alt Rock

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

The Barmines ‘Sky’s The Limit’

The Barmines are an Indie Rock band from Leeds. Band members Rob Burton (Singer/Guitarist), Liam Lockey (Drums/Backing Vocals), Leam Hayes (Guitarist) and James May (Bassist) are creating a stir with their energetic explosive sound and fantastic live shows. The release of their début EP “There’s Never Any Romance” was played in front of a sold out crowd at The Wardrobe in Leeds to just over 300 people. Since then they have played the O2 Academy in Sheffield, The Cockpit and The Wardrobe plus slots at Strawberry Fields Festival and Bingley Festival playing alongside some top bands like Catfish and the Bottlemen and Reverand and The Makers.
Their single ‘Sky’s The Limit’ is a dynamic spirited track with a full robust sound. With vigorous guitars and hefty drums this song packs a punch. The sturdy bass line runs throughout the song especially in the verse giving a potent foundation to the track. The song features an infectious chorus with a booming sound behind driving this song to victory. The track begins on a soft start and builds both in energy and dynamics as the song progresses. The strong confidant vocals are emotion filled and intense which is particularly effective in the chorus. The bridge breaks to a lighter tone with slick guitar and then blasts us into the powerful sound that has a mosh effect. This song I can imagine is fantastic live as it is full of charisma and energy.
The Barmines have already confirmed some awesome festivals for 2016 including Isle Of Wight and Down To The Woods, Party In The Pines and Blackthorn Festival with a few more to be announced. If you are around definitely go see these guys!
Stream ‘Sky’s The Limit’ below

Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, New Music, psychedelic, Trance

West Of The Sun ‘Siberian Hysteria’.

West Of The Sun are a five piece psychedelic rock and roll band from North London. Band members Luke Ward, Joe Stratton, Michael Howes, Kieran Callinan and Stevie Durkin have recently released their new single ‘Siberian Hysteria’. The five piece self-produced the song alongside engineer Shuta Shinoda (Primal Scream, Spiritualised, The Horrors) at Hackney Road Studios in East London.
‘Siberian Hysteria’ is a dreamy, warm psychedelic track with a hazy desert vibe. The track begins with fast passed striking guitars and a rapid steady beat. It then breaks and becomes a smooth astral psychedelic journey with an Arabian feel. With wah wah psych-guitar jangles and prominent percussion giving a sand like image to the track. The almost spoken main vocals with the soft lull of the backing vocals puts you at ease and sits contently in the back of your mind creating a trance feel. The slick guitar riff adds an intense sun rays feel that you can almost feel burn you. The atmosphere of sweltering heat and exhaustion is created through the loop and repetition as the song spirals to a delirious end.
This is a brilliantly written song that plants a visual image in your mind and takes you on a journey. West Of The Sun are set to release their début album later this year and if ‘Siberian Hysteria’ is anything to go by its going to be fantastic!
You can catch West Of The Sun live at
18 Jun The Soundhouse Leicester
02 Jul The Borderline London
18 Sep The Amersham Arms London

Stream ‘Siberian Hysteria’ below

Album Review, Alt Rock, Grunge, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Rock

The Flux Machine ‘Louder!’

The Flux Machine is Luis Accorsi and Raphael Sepulveda. They are a New York City based alternative indie rock band with an edgy hard rock sound. Their new album ‘Louder!’ was released earlier this year and it’s a tornado of hardcore rock music with some sneaky melodic pop and country aspects thrown in which make this album contagious and appealing to all.
The first track on the album is ‘Run Away’. From the start they blast you into a storm of pounding drums with a deep rooted bass that pulses through your soul. This track is full of energy with a catchy anthem like chorus that compels your body to jump and dance. With simple lyrics and “na na na” feature it’s hard to stop yourself from singing along.
‘Square Up’ follows in a grungy eerie seductive manner. The verses are full of gritty deep bewitching vocals with luring bass line and tempting drums. The track bursts into another massive energetic rock pop chorus. The contrast between the dark verses to the lighter chorus is effective and innovative.
The title track ‘Louder!’ is a manic mosh pit of frenzy. It’s rapid tempo and grinding guitar with thunderous drums makes this song the power rock track that lives up to its name. You can just imagine a live crowd going wild to this track. Turn it up and go crazy!
‘Toxic Love’ has a “The Strokes” feel. With distorted vocals and prominent strong drums. Again filled with infectious melodies and catchy easy to sing along chorus. The sweet backing vocals and slick guitar solo add a refreshing change to the tone of the track and breaks up the intense energetic vibe.
‘How It’s Gonna Be’ and ‘Mess you up’ follow with the same high powered energy with ‘Mess You Up’ becoming more grunge and intense. With heavy sound and screaming growl vocals that add an eerie quality and give a wall of death feel.
‘Believe’ is a dramatic change from the intensity of its predecessor, it lightens the mood and slows down the tone giving us a chance to calm down and slow our racing heart beats. It is a melodic softer track that is full of emotion with an airy bright feel. It completely takes you by surprise but shows a delicate side to the band. With cool sunny vocals and bouncy beats. The backing vocals add a psychedelic 70s vibe in places. It is a proper tender hazy sunshine track.
‘Love And Affection’ continues to surprise us as it is also bright and more pop infused only with a hint of country added to the mix. The light bopping beats really lift this song while the guitars give us a taste of that rock sound we are used to. The soft vocal in the chorus give a gentle feel to the song. It’s definitely a surprise but a beautiful song all the same.
‘Wheels Of Love’ eases us back into their heavier sound with a slick blues bass riff that coaxes your hips to sway and move. We welcome the heavier rock sounding drums back with gritter vocals and a scream in places. A confident filled, seductive track that exudes swagger and is extremely strut worthy.
‘Jack, Jim And Johnny’ brings us back to a blues country style. With twanging guitars and a soft bouncy beat that builds as the tempo becomes more rapid until we are presented with a country rock track. This track is full of middle finger attitude. It is a great song to get you pumped.
‘Crash Down’ brings us back to a fast tempo high energy rock track. With a call and response chorus that is infectious. It shows us a fun side to the band with stunning guitar and strong drums that bury and bend deep inside you and pound through your body making you get up and dance.
The album finishes with ‘Hate Love’ which is full of “oomph” and energy and is a fiery strong song to end on. The dynamic guitars and spirited drums make this track lively and infectious. With its humorous lyrics and aggressive spirited sound this track will leave you wanting more.
The Flux Machine have created 12, non-stop, power songs that are infectious and memorable and extremely likeable and innovative. They have something for everyone ‘Louder!’ is definitely a fantastic listen.
Stream ‘Louder!’ below

A Chat With, Alt Rock, indie rock, Interviews, New Music, Rock

A Chat With: Gideon’s Army

With the release of Gideon’s Army’s new album  ‘King of the League’ today we decided to have a chat with Robert Bray to get to know him and his band better.

 When did you form your band?

It’s come together over time, but we started gigging in 2014. Our first gig was in March 2014 at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ.

 How did you decide what style/ Genre of music you wanted to do?

The songs come from my guitar or when I’m singing on my own or when I’m jamming with bandmates. Certain sounds will inspire me to sing, and once in a while it hits a deep nerve  and the music wants to travel. And then a song appears.

What inspired you to make music? 

The singers and songwriters of my youth that moved me in a profound way. Eddie Vedder, Bruce Springsteen, Scott Weiland, Mick Jagger, Elvis, the Beatles, Johnny Cash, Kings of Leon, Tom Petty, the Black Crowes… Those are my biggest influences , but I’ve taken inspiration from many people across all genres of music. I fell in love with the guitar sounds on those records too. 

What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs?

My love relationships show up again and again in my songwriting. My songs are also filled with my love of music, and my professional, artistic, social, and financial struggles. I tend to write about my most noble of emotions, my greatest joys, and my deepest pain.

Could you briefly describe you music-making process?

Most of the time my guitar playing will inspire the song. I’ll catch something that makes me want to sing. And like I mentioned before every once in a while you hit something deep, and you get possessed with a desire to express yourself. To articulate a profound sentiment in songful verse. It’s unexplainable, but once you’re possessed you have to write that song. Sometimes the song starts from something I’m singing to myself and then I go sit down with my guitar and find the groove. And sometimes it comes from singing along to something that one of my bandmates is playing when we get together to rehearse or jam. 

What has been your biggest challenge as a band and have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Thanks to the marvels of the internet we’ve been able to attract devoted fans all over the world, but it’s been a challenge to get the word out in our own home city, although it is still the city where we have the largest following. It’s been a challenge and it’s still a challenge to fill out a sizable venue. Our fans are scattered around the world and not concentrated in select cities or regions. Although we do know we have the most fans in NYC and Brazil.

What is your Favourite song to perform live and why?

That changes based on my and our mood, but In the Summertime or One Kiss are always fun to play.

 Whats your favourite venue that you have played at so far?

I’m tremendously excited about our June 1st album release show at the Cutting Room in New York City. It is one of the best sounding rooms in the city, and it’s got a real rock ‘n roll vibe. I also love playing at Mexicali Live in New Jersey. it’s not far from where I grew up and it’s close to my family and some of our biggest fans.

 What’s the most bizarre thing to happen while you were on stage?

Strings pop sometimes mid song, and you’ve got to change up your chord shapes to keep the song going and avoid sounding out of tune.

Who has been your favourite support act so far?

I’m psyched to share a bill with Marco With Love at the Cutting Room on June 1st, they’re an exciting NYC based rock ‘n roll band.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Spend time with my girlfriend, close friends and family. I like to take in live music, go to the movies and the theatre, and I love to travel and discover great tastes and sights.

Any Plans to come to Ireland in the future?

I have been to Ireland, Dublin and Belfast, and I love it. I cannot wait to go back. My last name Bray, is a town in Ireland, and it’s the ancestral homeland of my father’s side of the family. Would be a dream to go back and play the great venues there.

 What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?

Don’t just form a group with any bunch of assholes who want to form a band. Work on your craft, work on your instrument, work on your song writing, wait until you can legitimately attract others of top quality. You can flounder for years in a project that is going nowhere. Better to take your time, have patience and then hit it hard with the best musicians in town.

Strong honest advise to end on, lets hope Gideon’s Army return to Ireland soon!

 

Album Review, Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Gideon’s Army

Gideon’s Army is a southern infused Rock ‘N Roll band from New York City they have released a new album, ‘King of the League’, today. The band was formed in 2014 by Robert Bray, the frontman and guitarist of the band who wrote and recorded the first tracks as a solo project. Bray has since taken his act to some of New York’s most well‐known stages, including Pianos, Leftfield and The Bitter End, filling out the group’s line‐up with an array of guest musicians along the way.
The new album, ‘King of League’, was recorded at Virtue and Vice studio in Brooklyn by Anthony Gallo (Bon Jovi, John Legend, and Norah Jones) and is full of classic American Rock tunes. ‘Red Lips’ is a melodic whisky drowned ballad full of nostalgic longing tones. With its simple beat and twanging guitar features it gives a sombre sorrowful vibe, as Bray’s vocals have a dry mournful depressed tone. The guitar piece in the bridge gives a contrasting bright tone to the song which is refreshing to hear.
‘Devil Of Ramadi’ is a smooth track with steady beats and sweet guitar twangs throughout the track. It has a sway like quality with a catchy chorus. The vocals are deep and strong without being loud. There is a sense of emotional strength portrayed through the vocals with the sweet guitars gently lilting in the background adding an effective contrast. It has a Bruce Springsteen feel while still remaining original.
‘Don’t Mind’ is an upbeat energetic rock track with an anthem like chorus and slick guitar solos. Bray shows us a grittier more dynamic side to his voice in this track. With light bouncy drums and slick lustrous guitars this song is sure to get everyone up and dancing in no time.
The band is poised to hit the road again in support of ‘King of the League’ and will look to return to the studio for the album’s follow-up in late 2016! this guy means business!
Stream ,’Devil Of Ramadi’ , and ‘Don’t Mind’ below

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, Live Music, Rock

Live Music Review of Anna-Liese supported by Beautiful Corruption

 

We headed down to Brewery Corner Kilkenny, a lovely vintage style pub in Parliament Street, Kilkenny. The outside of this little blue building will be forever imprinted in my mind as we spent a good half hour going round and round passing the venue each time, trying to find parking as its a little scarce when its raining. Once inside this charming pub we found lovely helpful staff amazing pizza and fantastic music! Also they have the best range of craft beers and ciders on draught in Ireland, as well as a huge selection of international craft beers and whiskeys, and specially selected wines, or so I’m told. But that is not why we are here, its Anna – Liese’s  EP launch.
Support came from Beautiful Corruption which is a band Indie Buddie is no stranger to. We have written features on their live shows before and this one didn’t disappoint. Even though the boys had done a show the previous night they were a bit tired but still bursting with energy. Showcasing their signature style of infectious riffs and mosh worthy tracks. They gave us a sneak peak of some new tracks which were amazing live. Finishing with ‘Snakes and Ladders’ as frontman Oisín Wolfe descends into the crowd for the 20160521_224651massive final track. As usual a strong performance from Beautiful Corruption.
After a short intermission filled with tuning and setting up while the crowd topped up their drinks Anna- Liese take the stage. Beginning with the massive fast tempo ‘Break The Chain’ with its heavy guitar riff it gets the crowd moving, followed by ‘Pyscho Mask’ an upbeat funky beat that is infectious and sounds amazing and fresh live. Watching these guys play you really get a sense of their musical talent, all members of the band have a strong understanding of their instruments and a tight relationship on stage. They take us through some melodic tunes which have the crowd swaying along to  tracks like ‘Storm’ with its smooth airy drive time vibe. Finishing with two dynamic rock tracks.’Green’ which is a crowd favourite, its a proper mosh pit tune20160521_232111 with slick guitars and pounding drums followed finally by ‘Chasing and Fading’ the EP’s title track which is a riff based track that is infectious and trance like. They build to a heavy end with a strong final note, that leaves the crowd wanting more. After a little persuasion Anna – Liese play two more songs before finishing as the crowd begin a frenzy of dancing moshing and pushing. A strong way to end a brilliant gig.

Alt Rock, Desert Rock, EP Review, Garage Rock, Grunge, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Kinky Rhino

 

Kinky Rhino are a Garage Rock/Grunge Rock/Desert Rock band that was founded by members of The Blue Man Group band while touring Central and South America. Multi instrumentalist Jeff Wright contacted Orlando-based producer Justin Beckler to help demo a few of his original songs on which Wright wrote, sang and played every instrument. These songs were Kinky Rhino’s self-titled 5 track début EP.  For the live shows Wright brings in fellow Blue Man Group touring musicians Jordan Wesolek (guitar), Chris Reiss (guitar), Terry Tungjungyatham (bass) and Anthony Riscica (drums) while Wright himself sings lead vocals and plays guitar.
The EP begins with the powerful riff based ‘Garage Roque’. This track is full of strident guitars with heavy rowdy bass lines and pounding drums. The strong bass line pulses throughout the track combining with the steady drums giving a rock solid foundation for a grunge rock sound. Wrights vocals are strong and honest with the added scream vocal for the chorus that adds a rawness to the track. The repetitive bridge with suspended screeching guitars adds tension before the huge vigorous mosh to end the track. This is a great song to begin the EP as it shows us the monstrous sound these guys can produce. I can imagine its epic live!
‘Nom Nom Nom’ follows with a cooler slower tone to give us a break from the high energy. The track begins with soft sleek guitar and groovy beat and smooth vocal for the verse. Its has a sensual tone and sway-like feel with seductive guitar licks and steady beats. The chorus kicks into a heavier grunge sound that you can’t help but head bang to as it fades to another alluring verse, followed by an almost psychedelic bridge that breaks into an anthem like vocal. A lot happens in this song as it takes you on a journey of slipping in and out of styles with such ease showing the fantastic musicianship here.
‘Eclipse’ lightens the mood with a bouncy beat and almost pop feel with “do do do” backing vocals. This song gives a bright vibrant atmosphere. With running bass line and light guitars to start. The lush harmonies in the backing vocals adds an angelic feel to this track which is a huge contrast to the other tracks we have heard so far. The song builds as the guitars become more prominent and a heavier sound begins to seep in. The vocals intensify a little as we hear a heavier sound instrumentality and wicked sharp guitar solo. The vocals become more gritty here also and give a frustrated tone, before it breaks again to the lighter pop sound we heard earlier however the instruments stay with their rock sound ending on a high both instrumentally and vocally.
‘Desiree’ gives a melancholy tone full of frustration and despair. It begins soft with a strong bass line and thumping drums. The soft vocals give us a sense of hopelessness but the pounding pulse of the bass conveys a feeling of emotions turning and bubbling ready to burst. We see this explosion of emotions as they break into an anthem chorus. The Pounding drums and slick guitars add a mosh effect to the song as it ends on a heavy rock vibe.
The EP finishes with ‘All-American Slam’ an energetic robust rock track with thunderous drums, strident guitars and a weighty bass line. This track is full of energy and headbangingly good.This is an excellent track to finish the album as its got all the best parts of all the other songs put into one gigantic heavy rock track.
A really strong first EP look forward to hearing more from these guys
Stream ‘Kinky Rhino’ EP below

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

Step Rockets ‘West Coast’

Step Rockets are an Indie/Alternative band from Minneapolis, United States. The band consist of Anthony Schulz ,Brady Lillie , Johnny Syn and Joshua Schmidt (aka Josh Von Mink). They have released their new song ‘West Coast’ from their new EP ‘Future Nature’. ‘West Coast’ is a melodic indie pop track with an almost tribal twist. This song is bursting with energy and full of amazing experimental synth sounds which add different dimensions to the track. With a catchy melody and infectious bouncy beat this song definitely deserves radio play. The heavier rock chorus adds depth to the track and is a great contrast to the more pop sounding verses. This song has a dance quality and anthem effect with a big sing along chorus and bright vibe.
A fantastic track that shows off the band’s signature blend of pop rock. Looking forward to more from these guys.
Stream ‘West Coast’ below

https://soundcloud.com/steprockets/west-coast

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, Live Music, Rock, Uncategorized

Live Music Review of Catfish and The Bottlemen and The Crookes

 

We headed out to the Olympia early to get a feel of the atmosphere and see what the fans of Catfish and The Bottlemen  were thinking and expecting after the year long wait for the Indie bands return. One obvious change was of course that the show last year was 18s and over and this year I found myself walking along a queue of fresh young faces (most of those I asked told me they were 16 and 17 years old) all eager and excited, some of them had been sitting there since 6 am! just to see a glimpse of the band. When finally they do see them the screams and frenzy caused by their arrival was immense. The band entered the venue in twos separated by about an hour or so. Van, being the last to enter the venue stopped to take pictures with his adoring fans. When finally that was over everyone resumed their positions in the queue to reflect and to my surprise cry with joy.

The support act came from The Crookes who gave an amazing energetic performance that loosened up the stiff hips from the long wait in the queue and impressed the crowd for their first gig in Ireland. With bouncing tunes and the bright lustrous guitars in ‘After20160517_134140 Glow’ and the infectious upbeat ‘The World Is Waiting’ that had everyone bopping along as frontman George Waite performed with an Elvis Costello swagger and energy. Every song followed smoothly and went down a treat with the audience.  They swayed and danced perfectly contented with the beaming radiant tunes as they joined  in with the “crowd friendly” clapping bridge of ‘Backstreet Lovers’. Their new track ‘Real Life’ went down particularly well with the crowd. The girl beside me turned to her friend and yelled “Oh my god I love these guys!” I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a strong Irish following after Monday nights performance.
After a brief intermission Catfish and The Bottlemen explode onto the stage with flashing lights and full of energy as adoring fans scream. While they blast into ‘Rango’ frontman  Van McCann shows of his confidence and swagger with every guitar pose and strut. Everyone is in awe of this larger than life character. Not even a trip over a guitar lead can take him off his stride. The performance is well rehearsed with dramatic strobe lighting that excites the crowd and draws them into every beat and strum. They hold everyone’s attention from the energetic’Homesick’ and frantic ’26’ to the acoustic ‘Hourglass’ and with one command get everyone in the balcony up jumping and dancing. The fans bellow out the lyrics as McCann stands back to hear his fans serenade him. To which he humbly thanks them, reminding us of the down to earth sweet guys we met last year. They blast back into some huge tunes and give us a sneak peak at tracks on their  forthcoming album, before finishing as they did last year with the fiery ‘Tyrants’ that ends the show on an explosive note leaving everyone wanting more.
Catfish and The Bottlemen have evolved immensely since we saw them last year at the Academy. The gig at the Academy was savage, it had a raw, fresh atmosphere. You could tell Catfish and the Bottlemen were  “diamonds in the rough” as they brought something different and exciting to the indie scene. One year on we see them more polished and rehearsed but still energetic and arena worthy. McCann has developed a frontman swagger that captivates the crowd. This it definitely a band that will stand the test of time.

 

 

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

The Cradles ‘You Can’t Stop Thinking About Me’

The Cradles are a five piece rock band from Cardiff. Band members Joe Norman (Vocals), Kieran O’Brien (Lead Guitar), Declan Andrews (Drums), Luke Haines (Bass Guitar) and Toby Andrews (Guitar) have created a catchy 60s style sound that is unique. They have been championed by Tom Robinson, received BBC Radio 6 airplay and have a number of sell out shows and support slots with The Bohicas, Pretty Vicious and The Ordinary Boys under their belt.
Their New single ‘You Can’t Stop Thinking About Me’ which will be released 29 th July is a catchy melodic track that is smooth and instrumentally innovative. Its sleek gentle guitar riff draws you in and makes this song extremely attractive. The guitar runs along in the background of the verses giving a free airy vibe. While Normans vocals are simple, gentle and effortless making this song so easy to listen to. The delicate elastic beat gives a bendy quality to the track that persuades your body to sway and bop along with it. The guitar solo has a melancholy tone which gives a sweet nostalgic dreamy feel to the track with a soft beat behind it.
‘You Can’t Stop Thinking About Me’ is an infectious innovative track that shows The Cradles have great potential.
Stream ‘You Can’t Stop Thinking About Me’ below

https://soundcloud.com/the-cradles/you-cant-stop-thinking-about-me