Category Archives: Garage Rock

Alt Rock, Garage Rock, indie rock, New Music

Bullet Girl ‘Panic 2020’

Dublin based noise punks Bullet Girl delve into new musical territory with the release of their garage rock inspired new single ‘Panic 2020’. Bullet Girl are guitarist Dylan Keenan, singer Aaron Doyle, bassist Tony Keyes and drummer Noel Dempsey.Like many bands this year, they had high hopes for 2020, especially with regards to live shows. An all Ireland tour was booked, a slot at Aiken’s Eastbound had been secured, their debut performance at Electric Picnic and they were on course to sell out their first headline show at Thomas House. While all of this was evidently cancelled, Bullet Girl still managed to put out four singles, a handful of live performances and three music videos. In January, they begin work on their debut album and plan to tour a live show around Ireland and the UK. One that they’ve been working on since early this year.

‘Panic 2020’ is a swaggering track which slips from chic, cruising rock n roll to anarchy-driven garage rock while maintaining the powerful and refined musicianship of Bullet Girl. The track creeps in on a laid back shimmy rhythm with an elastic bass groove weaving playfully between a buoyant drum progression as the band ease you into a false sense of charm, security and boppy lightness. The sense of breezy, sunny day fun twists, changes and becomes muggy and asphyxiating for the chorus. The song unravels becoming more harsh and frenzied as the crashing guitars explode into the pummeling drums to create a chaotic wall of sound. The prance on vocals ventures from a swaggered charm to screams and gravely exclaims as the track reaches it’s frenzied crescendo. The skillful shift from cool nonchalance to utter turmoil is masterful as the band present their most engaging and thrilling song to date. Love it.

The song’s mantra “We’re just sensitive people after all..” has now taken on a new meaning for the year that 2020 represents. Here’s what the band have to say about it: “This song has been around exactly a year now, we were reflecting on the year that was ahead and predicting what the new decade might hold. We recorded this song live in our studio on one of the hottest day’s of the year – we literally couldn’t breathe in that room. That claustrophobic, sweaty effect definitely seeped into the final recording – unintentional but fitting.”

Stream ‘Panic 2020’ below


Author : Danu

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

TV People ‘Nothing More’

Rising Dublin quartet TV People have released their third single of 2020, ‘Nothing More’ and its accompanying video directed by Robert Clarke. Mixed and recorded at Darklands Audio with Dan Doherty (Fontaines D.C., Vulpynes) and mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright (Radiohead, Blur, LCD Soundsystem), ‘Nothing More’ sees the band come to terms with identity and the struggle of finding a purpose in life.Hailing from the heart of Ireland’s capital, TV People are a Dublin four-piece who lace their indie/garage rock sound with punk-infused undertones.

Doused in moody tones of garage rock ‘Nothing More’ sees TV People take a more delicate approach to their sound. Structured and driven by a rooted bass rumble, the tracks underbelly is dark and sinister as the deep almost nonchalant vocals mirror the immersive melancholy of the bass. However the sweet lament on guitar is the light in the darkness – radiating a pure ray of hope as it chimes and twinkles through the depressive soundscape.The band’s attention to detail has always been a compelling aspect of their sound and again they do not disappoint; TV People’s slow paced and deliberate approach to this track stops time. The steady beat ties all the airy, raw and emotive components together within a loose veneer of indie rock allowing the bass and guitar to flourish underneath as the track builds gradually becoming more dramatic and intense before settling on a beautiful guitar refrain for the outro. Displaying lyrical depth, maturity and deft musicianship ‘Nothing More’ marks a significant moment in TV People’s sound and strong musical growth.

Speaking about the single, the band explain: “It reflects on the superficial challenges of finding yourself that you face in adolescence and early adulthood, and contrasts these with a deeper existential anxiety that emerges in their place as you begin to overcome them.The song documents the experience of trying to make peace with the realisation that life may be inherently meaningless and deal with the burden of being responsible for your own life’s purpose. It was written remotely during the lockdown period by sending each other music and mixing a home demo which was a new way of writing for us.”

Watch the video for ‘Nothing More’ below 


Author : Danu

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

Easy Tide ‘Carpet Grave’

Easy Tide have released their new single ‘Carpet Grave’ which was recorded by the band in Fennor Lane Studios. Easy Tide are a DIY Garage band hailing from Navan Co Meath. Members include Aaron Dunphy on Bass and Vocals , Steven Rafferty on Guitar and Vocals and Mark Carolan on Drums and Vocals. 

‘Carpet Grave’ presents Easy Tide’s punchy alternative rock through a hazy laid back garage rock filter. The band cruise through light ethereal guitar melodies and warm rumble on bass with a sluggish lazy day attitude. The track bops with an airy texture as the buoyant drums create both a spongy cushion for the verses and a punchy bite for the chorus. Glistening guitars ricochet off the heavy drum progression as the track drifts effortlessly from moody verses into the dynamic chorus and crescendo. Well crafted and exuding shoegaze elements, ‘Carpet Crave’ is a sun speckled sulky number that is just as sharp and punchy as it is melodic and dreamy. 

Stream ‘Carpet Grave’ below 


Author : Danu

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

The Rupees ‘Run’

Bristol band The Rupees have released their new single ‘Run‘. An exhilarating display of indie rock ‘Run’ blisters and boils encompassing The Rupees raw snarling sound with all its might. The band don’t pull punches as they create a scorching garage rock gem. Coarse guitars jaggedly lacerate through a swirling synth smog while the punchy drums and resounding bass pound through a hefty foundation. It’s a lean mean force of nature as the band cause a chaotic wall of sound through refined and vigorous instrumentation without losing their slick swagger. There is a freeing sense of adrenaline and powerful gusto as the track explodes into its frenetic chorus while the gravely vocals and catchy melody relentlessly resonate through the whirlwind backdrop. ‘Run’ is sublime vigorous anthem from The Rupees.

About the track the band said : “Run is about dreaming for something more, being the underdog, wanting to escape whilst existing in world of averageness, having to work a mundane job in a mundane place, but knowing there is something more, knowing there is something inside of you that is trapped in there because of the exact circumstances you find yourself in. But you can run, you can use love and your passions to escape, you are not sure if you are ever winning or losing but you just have to run with it, with the things you love, just keep going!”

Stream ‘Run’ below


Author : Danu

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

TV People ‘Time Eats Up’

Photo Credit : Nicholas O’Donnell

Following the recent success with debut single ‘Kitchen Sinking’, Dublin’s garage/indie-rockers TV People return with their new single ‘Time Eats Up’. The track was mixed by Dan Doherty of Darklands Audio (Fontaines D.C.,Vulpynes) and mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright (Radiohead, Blur, LCD Soundsystem)

Gyrating through jagged ethereal guitar riffs and slaughtering drum progressions ‘Time Eats Up’ presents TV People’s ambitious garage rock in all its raw relentless glory. A dreamy melody carefully swerves around trigger happy guitars and combustible drums as the band tease between laid back hazy monotony and fiery explosions. Sweet jingles on guitars playfully dance between the sulking bass and punchy drums. Paul Donohoe’s vocals trudge with a coarse texture over the smooth melody creating a moody sense of boredom as he narrates the tracks theme of solitude and isolation. The band build the song superbly allowing it to fidget and itch to its massive harsh crescendo with shrilling guitars and thrashing wall of sound. ‘Time Eats Up’ is an impressive new track from TV People. Keep an eye on these guys. 

About the track lead singer Paul Donohoe explains: “I wrote the lyrics for ‘Time Eats Up’ at the tail end of a 6 month spell of unemployment. I think we really managed to capture the mixed emotions of that idle state of existence in the song. The feelings of liberation that come with sitting idle and how these conflict with the dread that time is passing you by were a huge influence in the songwriting process for us. I came to view time as a very sinister and oppressive force and we tried to get this across in the music. As the song progresses, the sounds begin to get a bit heavier and sharper. We wanted the intensity of the outro to swallow up the more melodic sounds from the song’s earlier verses as a way to convey the toxicity of that way of living.”

Stream ‘Time Eats Up’ below 


Author : Danu

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

TV People ‘Kitchen Sinking’

Garage/indie-rock newcomers TV People have released their new single ‘Kitchen Sinking’. Formed in early 2019, the Dublin-based four-piece have concocted an indie-tinged sound that combines sleek dynamism with infectious punk-infused undercurrents.Rooted in 00s garage rock, “Kitchen Sinking” is a fiery, rousing single discussing the tensions caused by conflicting societal views. 

‘Kitchen Sinking’ maneuvers shrewdly through indie rock elements and garage rock grit as TV People flesh out their feverous musicianship and mature lyricism. With sharp guitar riffs jabbing between sweet guitar melodies and slinky licks the track creates a dreamy hazy atmosphere entangled in beefy blasts.There is a mellowed shoegaze- esque quality to the track that is almost lethargic. However the band blend this meticulously with their meaty garage rock to add a bite and punch to the track against jarring bass rumbles and hefty drums while the majestic guitar ricochet and soar with an ethereal quality. The laid back melody and moody vocals weave between tones of nonchalance and angst as the track builds to its thrilling crescendo. A sublime piece of musicianship. 

Explaining the single further, the band says:“The song is about the extremist nature of disagreement in the world at the moment and the inability for people with different views to find common ground or mutual understanding. Kitchen Sinking is a term used in an abusive relationship for when people continuously barrage their partner with negative comments one after the other to break them down psychologically. We felt that this was a fitting description of what’s going on in the world at the moment on a universal level.”

Stream ‘Kitchen Sinking’ below 


Author : Danu

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

Easy Tide ‘When the Pills Don’t Work’

Easy Tide have released their new single ‘When The Pills Don’t Work’.  Easy Tide is a three piece garage band from Navan Co. Meath comprised of Aaron Dunphy (bass,vocals), Steven Rafferty (guitar,vocals) and Mark Carolan (Drums,vocals).

‘When The Pills Don’t Work’ whirls with acute guitar, driving bass and punchy drums as Easy Tide simmer their agitated garage into an effervescent catchy number. This band create an ethereal atmosphere and dreamy melodic flow between the thick darkened soundscape to lift the track into a more light and airy vibe as if ignoring the harsh jagged instrumental elements. They bubble and boil the buoyant bass line until it wriggles its way into your skull while the drum beat maintains the steady tempo for the brooding verses. The guitars jingle and glisten into the shredding chorus that erupts with a crashing, fuzzy wall of sound and heavy drum foundation.The sweet guitars twinkle and gleam through the track creating a golden ray of sunshine through the bulky gritty backdrop while the expressive vocals dynamically bounce over the moody melody. Easy Tide craft this song seamlessly to create a deft rumbling track slapped with refined elements and harsh rawness – a joy to listen to.

Watch the video for ‘When The Pills Don’t Work’ below


Author : Danu

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

Johnny Kills ‘Help Me Out’

London/Brighton trio Johnny Kills have released their new single ‘Help Me Out’. They have also announced the title of their debut EP: ‘Panic’, which will be released via Killing Moon on November 20th. The bands previous EP single, ‘I Feel Like’, earned fans in BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and with BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio. Johnny Kills have supported the likes of Fangclub and Sick Joy whilst playing numerous shows in Brighton, London, Liverpool, York and Birmingham.

 ‘Help Me Out’ is a breezy, zinging, indie-pop can of soda as Johnny Kills present their fizzing, energetic, bouncy sound in a fruity laid back surf pop flavour. This track is a youthful infectious gem. A punchy beat and relentless bass-groove creates an animated backbone. The fuzz laced guitars add a dash of bite as the track takes a sunny Californian indie rebellion tone. The attitude-soaked, angsty vocals complain over the kinetic backdrop as the band smother the track in their signature infectious pop-sprinkled melody. It’s a tight, light-hearted number with a garage rock chorus that erupts into the ears with tantalizing vigor and blistering instrumentation. There is a 90’s pop rock vibe about this track that makes it intensely nostalgic and sure to charm its way on repeat. 

Tim Lloyd-Kinnings describes the themes behind ‘Help Me Out’:“It’s about getting to a stage where you have some big life questions-what career do I want? Where do I want to live? What do I really care about?-to which the answers are all a resounding ‘I don’t have a scooby, mate’. It’s about having a blank slate in front of you and it just freaking you out, and hoping someone else will sort it all out for you.”

Stream ‘Help Me Out’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, EP Review, Garage Rock, Indie, Indie Punk, indie rock, New Music

Vulpynes ‘Dye Me Red’ EP

Dublin’s punk garage rock duo Vulpynes are one of the most exciting new Irish rock bands in recent years. They have released their second EP ‘Dye Me Red’. Vulpynes’ self titled debut EP was released on UK indie label Headcheck Records last year. Since then, the band have gone from strength to strength supporting the likes of Deap Vally, Doyle (Misfits), Marmozets, Stiff Little Fingers, Sleaford Mods and the Interrupters.

‘Dye Me Red’ is Vulpynes most thrilling EP to date. The duo have refined their battering rock with acid garage elements and punk persona with such precise detail its awe inspiring. The ferocity and explosive energy shoot like acid soaked missiles from each track as the dark and foreboding wall of sound consumes you and traps you in their brand of alternative rock. ‘I Can’t Sit Still’ kicks off the EP. The gritty riffs suffocate and scorch the track in a humid harsh atmosphere while the bruising assault on drums creates a flexible and powerful foundation. Molly’s vocals are commanding throughout and possibly the most compellingly forceful female punk vocals on the Dublin scene at the moment. She has depth and subtlety in her voice that adds genuine weight to the punk rock anthems, The razor cut guitar chords in ‘Bitches Are Like Waves’ lacerate with a majestic quality while Kaz on drums keeps the rhythm fast and furious. The high intensity of their tracks make them flow together seamlessly as Vulpynes present this four track EP in a quick poisonous dose. The duo have always moved through their tracks with relentless stamina, bashing their thunderous sound through each release. However this EP showcases a shift in perception, they maintain their raucous style from previous singles like ‘OCD’ and ‘’Silica’ but now they have polished and sharpened their sound to create something more intoxicating. The second half of the EP shows this superbly. ’It Washes Out’ crawls under your skin with distortion-filled verses before the chorus strikes you into submission. There is equal measure of rough punk and smooth slinky rock to create a fierce wall of sound that encompasses Marilyn Manson with some Jack White glittering throughout. ‘The Hunt’ brings the album to a frantic close. I have never heard this band exude more swagger and brutality before. There is a hint of The Prodigy in this savage number as the drums pulverize between the dizzying guitar lines to create a brain frothing sinister number. It’s absolutely outstanding. 

Vulpynes have come a long way since their early days. They display their most intense gnawing sound yet in ‘Dye Me Red’. It’s a spitting,lacerating, compelling and utterly enjoyable EP.

Stream ‘Dye Me Red’ below 


Author : Danu

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

The Rupees ‘Titanic’

Bristol garage rock band The Rupees have released their new single ‘Titanic’. Ryan, Seamus, Jake and Tom are The Rupees and their music has already been showcased on BBC Radio 1 (Huw Stephens), BBC Radio 6 (Steve Lamacq), and Sky TV as well as having played Reading Festival, supporting bands such as Blossoms and The Growlers as well as selling out their own headline shows


‘Titanic’ is a funky flex of The Rupees gritty swagger soaked garage rock. Razor sharp guitars gash into the punchy drums and elastic bass while anthemic synths soar over this dynamic backdrop. It’s an exhilarating catchy number that revolves around the slicing wail of synths while the distorted grizzly guitar adds a biting edge and rawness to the track. The raspy vocals sing over the blistering wall of sound with confidence and attitude as the band flesh out their infectious grooves and jagged instrumentation. Another crisp track from The Rupees.

Stream ‘Titanic’ below