Bear Trap are a Punk Rock band from Manchester. Band members Callum (Guitar/Vocals), Matt (Bass/Vocals), Sam (Guitar), Dean (Drums) have released their first track ‘LENA, YOU’RE A MIRACLE’ which i’m told is “inspired by every shitty love movie that ever left you slightly feeling something”. Riding the wave of punchy punk Bear Trap explode with strident guitars pounding drums and animated chorus. Its vigorous yet melodic and bright all while belting out frenzy causing chaos. Its fast pace, to-the-point, and catchy sound certainly gets your foot tapping, puts a smile on your face, and echoes in your head. A good start for a fresh faced new band.
Bear Trap will start playing live shows from 25th March with a support slot at Zanzibar in Liverpool, followed shortly after with a spot at Lennons Bar in Liverpool. They are set to play Fab Cafe in Manchester on the 25th June.
You can follow Bear Trap on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/beartrapsuck
Hull’s scuzz punks Lumer have released their new track ‘Futile’. Alex Evans (bass/vocals), Benjamin Jackson (Guitar), Jacob Wardle (drums) and Thom Foster (synth/guitar) have unleashed a storm of ferocity, beaten and pummelled with pulverising drums and shrilling razor sharp riffs. The splintering guitars sting with knife edged slashes as the track races into a bloodthirsty frenzy of venom induced intense passion and mania. Strong vocals brood to start developing into a hurricane of screaming howling roars exuding fiery aggression. This track is a brawl of bustling gravelly grit mixed with explosive punk topped with fury and turmoil. Its pure unadulterated bedlam that is headbangingly good and mosh pit frenzy ready.
Stream ‘Futile’ below
Leeds grit-rock four-piece Neon Dolls have released their new single ‘Step Out Of The Dark’ which is taken from their upcoming second album ‘When It Strikes’. Since forming two years ago, band members Tom Axe (vocals), Sean Hatherley (guitar/Vocals),Michael Jarvis (drums) and Fernando Manresa(bass) have been busy perfecting their hybrid of muscular Britpop and shoutalong punk vocals. They have been blowing away audiences on the buzzing Leeds music scene. With a growing fanbase affectionately dubbed the Neon Army behind them, tracks from their debut album ‘Imperial’ which was released last year were playlisted on BBC Introducing and their sold out live shows led to Fred Perry Subculture hailing them as one of the best new bands in the country. ‘Step Out Of The Dark’ is a gigantic hefty powerful track booming with earthquake causing mighty pounding drums and kick ass shredding rock riffs and licks. The dominant rooted bass gives the track a powerhouse brawn and depth. The anthem like chorus steamrolls in with fist pumping energy and frenzy. Its headbanging ferocity is neck-breakingly good as the track pounds through you with brute force. Raspy aggressive vocals keeps the intensity of this rapid brawl. ‘Step Out Of The Dark’ is an onslaught of manic vigorous energy and slashing dynamic guitar.
Watch the video for ‘Step Out Of The Dark’ below
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Fangclub
Fangclub are a Garage rock band from Dublin. Band members Steven King, Kevin Keane and Dara Coleman released their EP ‘Bullet Head’ this year and we have chosen the title track as our worth a listen track. ‘Bullet Head’ is an energetic, gritty, grunge rock track that is reminiscent of the 90’s style organic rock. The track begins with an infectious guitar riff intro that builds into a fantastic mosh with pounding drums and vigorous guitars. The verse stalls the mosh and is delivered in a shadowy, cool yet intense manner. With light instrumentation while the vocals are smooth and clear with a slight rasp giving a gritty texture to the track that is enticing. It then explodes into the chorus with dynamic and animated vocals, shredding guitar and thunderous strong rhythm. The chorus is lyrically simple and infectious and difficult not to sing along to. With its punk attitude for the chorus and intense dark verse which has a luring and captivating effect this track shows how diverse Fangclub are.
A Fantastic track which I can imagine is insane when performed live!
You can catch them live at
Jul 24 Knockanstockan Festival,Wicklow
Jul 29 Indiependence Festival Mitchelstown
4 Aug , Whelans Upstairs, Dublin
Watch ‘Bullet Head’ below
Bad Grammar are rock grunge duo Ben Forrester and Lucy Brown from Manchester. Their EP ‘Forced Fun’ which was released in 2014 fell into the hands of party punk king Andrew WK, who selected the band to perform as part of 2014’s Y Not Festival. The duo have already picked up coverage from XFM, 6Music and Radio 1, along with recent new music features in NME, Clash and Artrocker. They released their EP ‘You’re Welcome’ last year. ‘You’re Welcome’ is a four track frenzy filled forcefully energetic EP, that is bursting with grunge and punk attitude. The EP begins with ‘Death Stare’ a rapid neck breaking mosh worthy track. With a massive riff, soul shaking drums and screaming vocals its not for the faint hearted. ‘Sandra’ follows in the same manner causing as much turmoil as physically possible. With a fantastic guitar feature that breaks up the track followed but rumbling drums that create anticipation for the hardcore head slamming instrumental, an epic circle of death track. ‘Killjoy’ again summons your inner tyrant as the instruments explode with turmoil. It begins with distorted guitar that sounds like a wasp buzzing around you head. The catchy riffs and thunderous drums keep you on your toes and in a manic frenzy. ‘Tropical Dance’ finishes the EP. It oozes swagger with a sensual body moving fuzzed bass. Bad Grammar keep the rapid tempo and attitude of the previous tracks while remaining cool and smooth with the riff. They of course give you the chance to headband and go wild but not too much, they hold the turmoil back a little to leave you wanting more.
Stream ‘You’re Welcome’ below
Hailing from Warsaw (Poland) alternative punk band White Crosses, featuring the creative partnership of Konrad Sloka (Vocals/Guitar), Sebastian Prokop (Guitar), Stefan Banaszynski (Bass) and Marcin Plocha (Drums) have released a video for their single ‘Dead Souls’. The quartet produced big waves in their native country with their acclaimed EP release ‘Native Handshakes’ in 2015. They have recently joined forces with UK indie label Engineer Records and ‘Dead Souls’ is a taste of things to come from their forthcoming EP ‘Anchorless’. ‘Dead Souls’ is a hefty steady alternative pop punk track with strident guitars that drive the track forward. The punchy drums and exuberant bass give a strong foundation to the track. The heavy drum kicks for the verse giving the track a punch and weighty feel while the vocals are simple yet effective for the verse and become more animated for the chorus as they portray the honest lyrics with passion and emotion. I can imagine this song is massive live as it is set up for all the dramatic guitar poses and spins with dramatic breaks and attitude.
Watch ‘Dead Souls’ below
Our Worth A Listen Track this week comes in the form of Jackals Rose’s adrenaline filled ‘D.I.D’ (or “Devil In Disguise”)
Five piece Jackals Rose are Jake James, Max James, Darren Griffiths, Zak Simmons and Grant Masters. They are a fuzz rock band from Essex. They have been smashing the live circuit with gigs at the likes of Camden’s iconic Dublin Castle and many more.’D.I.D'(or “Devil In Disguise”) is the second single from Jackals Rose, the follow up to their 2015 debut release ‘All For You’. The track was produced by Nick Gavrilovic (who tours with Placebo). It has gained them a bit of attention scoring Radio X Track of The Week, with plays across BBC Introducing, as well as being made Track of The Day by Fred Perry and Gigslutz. ‘D.I.D’ is a raw Brit-punk track crossed with Indie-rock. Its powerful vigorous guitars, forceful drums and mighty bass creates an energetic frenzy that compels you to dance and mosh. With sharp guitars that has a “The Prodigy” feel with a bit of Kasabian thrown in. The vocals are full of attitude and swagger that draws the listener in. This track maintains a rapid manic tempo throughout instrumentally, however the vocal slows things with its almost moody gritty intense tone making this song extremely easy to listen to and very catchy. The track finishes on a heavy hard core headbanging worthy pounding drums.
‘D.I.D’ is an edgy track that is an absolute must listen!
you can catch Jackals Rose live at :
Jul 22 Tramlines – The Crystal Stage,Sheffield
Aug 06 Party in the Pines, Scunthorpe
Check out Jackals Rose video of ‘D.I.D’ which was shot and edited by Liam Masters, brother of drummer Grant below
LIFE are an alternative punk-rock band from Hull. Band members Mez , Loz, Mick and Stew released their new single ‘Popular Music’ in February this year and it has caused an instant frenzy on the airwaves bagging multiple spot plays from Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Phil Taggart on Radio 1 as well as Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music. These guys are a force to be reckoned with. ‘Popular Music’ is a fierce track that is fast passed from the start with accelerated verses that make you feel like your running a marathon at a hundred miles an hour and cant keep up. With powerful, ferocious screeching guitars and pounding drums you are taken in to a frenzy created by a savage tune that refuses to let you go. You get a moment to breath as they break into an addictive chorus where the music breaks and the vocals repeat in an almost whisper ” feels like she’s pealing off” and then you are rushed off again into a whirlwind of psychedelia where you are thrown back into the race. By the end of the experience you feel exhausted but want to do it all again. This is a turbulent track and not for the light hearted but a must listen!
Look forward to more from these guys!
Stream ‘Popular Music’ Below
Travis Oaks are an alternative blues rock band from Cavan. The band consists of Michael Paterson (Rhythm guitar and lead vocals),Taran Plouzane (Lead guitar and backing vocals), Aran McGillick (Bass guitar and backing vocals) and Killian McCourt (Drums). They have been carving their own sound since late 2012 by fusing Indie, Blues, Punk and Rock and now have signed a publishing deal with New York based Big House Publishing.
Their new single ‘Love You More’ shows us why these guys are creating hype. This hook-driven track is a robust, powerful song with a cool, slick, smooth tone in the verses, which oozes confidence and swagger. With bluesy licks, thumping rhythm and lush harmonies its a really slick song to listen to. The intro gives you an instrumental taste of what’s to come and then they hold back while singing the verse making you crave more. You wait through an intense vocal with harmonies and light guitar riff before an explosion into the heavy chorus.These guys know how to grab your attention with catchy chorus and impeccable guitar that keeps you addicted to their sound.
Travis Oaks will have a new EP Black Light out on June 10th and if ‘Love You More’ is anything to go buy its going to be a fantastic EP. Travis Oaks have been invited to support big names such as The Riptide Movement, The Hot Sprockets , ASH and most recently The Strypes, at the sold out Olympia Theatre so live shows are something these guys are not afraid of. Look forward to hearing more from Travis Oaks in the future. These guys are sticking around!
Stream ‘Love You More’ below
Creeper are a Punk Rock band from Southampton, Dan Bratton (Drums), Oliver Burdett (Guitar),Ian Miles (Guitar) ,Will Gould (Vocals), Sean Scott (Bass), Hannah Greenwood (Keys) released their EP The Stranger in February with ‘Black Mass’ as the lead single from this EP.
‘Black Mass’ is a fast passed punk rock song with robust guitars, punchy drums and fantastic strong vocals. This song is so versatile as they break from their full bodied hardcore sound into a surprising waltz-like breather which adds a theatrical feel and a Meatloaf vibe.
With songs on the EP like ‘ The Secret Society’ with a melancholy guitar introduction that jumps into a pounding Rock sound and strong vocals and a crowd engaging whoa – oh. Followed by “Valentine” featuring a full rock sound and contrasting “Misery” a sentimental song full of raw naked emotion. While “Astral Projection” concludes their EP on a classic punk rock style with again a bridge that slows down the tempo to give you a chance to catch your breath before the big mosh at the end.
Creepers are an extremely vibrant band with songs that make you jump up and down to their classic punk rock sound and theatrical dark glamour style. ‘The Stranger’ is a EP that puts Creeper on the map
Watch ‘Black Mass’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
