The Grey Merchant are an alternative indie band from Cork. Their debut single ‘Spotless’ is set for release via Demeanour Records on November 8th. The Grey Merchant introduce us to their swirling concoction of psychedelic experimental rock that will blow your mind. Its a labyrinth of pulsating bass and distorted guitars swirling in an intoxicating brew of hallucinatory narcotic rock. This thick ecstasy of eye- popping exhilarating psychedelia resounds and winds around a vocal line sampled from Charlie Chaplin’s speech from ‘The Great Dictator’. With rapid punch and repetitive striking drums ‘Spotless’ lures you into a darkened hair- raisingly thrilling atmosphere where there is no returning. Once you let yourself succumb to the crisp edgy sting and moody undertone you become swallowed and consumed in the tireless relentless onslaught of the meandering entwining coil of The Grey Merchant’s unique and fantastic masterpiece. These guys are ones to watch.
Stream ‘Spotless’ below
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Rollin’ Empire
Rollin’ Empire are a modern Irish rock and roll trio. The group consists of members Stephen McGurrin (songwriter, vocals and guitar), Callum Condron (songwriter, bass guitar, keyboards and vocals) and Thomas Campbell (percussion, vocals). Their mission is to lead their fans on a compelling journey where rock reigns supreme. Their energetic and passionate live performances are both lively and infectious, leaving fans demanding more and more.
Rollin’ Empire have released their new single ‘Nothing to Lose’ which is the third single from their debut album ‘Nowhere to Run’ which was released last November. The song, which is about taking a gamble and never giving up no matter what the odds, gives you all the dirty bluesy grit that you would expect with the added sprinkle of shimmying keyboards. This riff- heavy relentless track erupts with a fierce buzz filled riff and pounding rapid beat and bass that displays a slinky sensual flexibility giving the track smooth cool swagger. Strutting through the rubbery bounce of the verse with gritty brawny vocal attitude and hair raising panache, The synth infused chorus takes us to their brand of catchy rock fused with a pop element. Harmonised vocals freshens the track up giving a breather before the infectious burly beefy riff re enters.
Stream ‘Nothing to Lose’ below
Oxford based indie rock band Whyte Lytes have announced their debut video for their single ‘Go Get It!’. Band members, Josh Rawle (Bass/Vocals), Alex Rawle (Guitar/Vocals), Jonny Morrison (Guitar) and Jamie Langford (Drums) have gained a strong following since starting their band in it’s previous incarnation in 2014. With the early successes gained from their first EP’s, ‘Hold Up Hold Back’ and ‘Fight to Pay’, tracks of which received support from Aaron Phillips Amazing Radio Rock show and received rave reviews, the emerging newcomers are making waves with their cutting edge, gritty, guitar driven music. The four piece have supported the likes of VANT, The Hummingbirds and High Tyde as they display their infectious live energy with their anxious and passionately angsty sound aesthetic.
‘Go Get It!’ which was recorded at Safehouse Studios (Foals / Trophy Wife) produced by Tim Roberts, is stocked with bursts of staggeringly slick guitar. Whyte Lytes present us with a cool striking effortlessly smooth and razor sharp sound coated in sticky bendable rhythm. The supple elastic bass and rumble on drums adds a soft cushioned bounce and sensual flexibly to the track, while the guitar adds a raw stinging edge. The wobbly ripple effect blends perfectly with the track adding a slight hint of psychedelia that is so subtle yet effective. The shredding guitar solo leads to a vocally intense and repetitive “Go Get It” lyric. The clear confident and slightly raspy vocals add a dynamic and charismatic quality. ‘Go Get It!’ is an energetic yet rhythmically fluid and smooth track with crisp biting rawness.
Watch The video for ‘Go Get It!’ below
Southampton’s Punk Rock band Creeper have released their new single ‘Suzanne’. This fabulously theatrical band blast us into their massive rock sound with all the flamboyance of glam rock smeared in a massive punk rock anthem. ‘Suzanne’ is a mighty walloping track that emits hyperactive energy from its very core. With ruckus frenzy causing pounding drums and shredding guitars, Creeper erupt with dynamic fist pumping cinematic energy. Staggeringly Infectious melody and intense charismatic vocals gives the track a powerful punch mixed with mosh worthy mania. The elastic slap and rapid flexibility on bass gives a rooted groove and immersing depth and is a strong and fantastic foundation for the track. Creeper slow the pace briefly with a heavy pulsing beat and swagger filled vocals that exude attitude teamed with eerie breathy backing vocals. ‘Suzanne’ is a perfect display of the bands richness of depth and texture as they expand with enriched qualities glowing in glorious 3D-technicolour.
Watch the video for ‘ Suzanne’ below
Wildera are an American rock duo formed in Los Angeles, CA. The group consists of a pair of childhood friends Rusty Redden (songwriter, vocals, guitar, bass and keyboards) and Loren Moore (producer, drums and vocals). I stumbled upon their track ‘Bad Habit’ today and had to share it with you. This sensual smooth gritty blues rock track exudes steamy fleshy swagger and dark shadowy tones brewed in lusty “oh so cool” and sleek musicianship. With velvety raspy coaxing vocals danger lurks in every corner of this tempting seductive track. Spine tingling slap beat and intoxicating elastic bass will lure and entice you into its smothering sultry entrapment. Sweltering zealous guitar adds edge and sharpness to the sticky drizzle of this charming temptress.
Stream ‘Bad Habit ‘ below
Finnish garage-rock band, Varvara have announced the release of their upcoming album ‘Death Defying Tricks’ which is set for release on 4th November. Band members Mikko Kiri (Vocals/Guitar), Tommi Muhli (Guitar), Toni Raukola (Guitar/Vocals), Simo Kuhlman (Bass) and Lauri Tattari (Drums) present us with their blusterous hefty headbanging rock. ‘Sons’ and ‘Caught’ waist no time in pelting us into Varvara’s pummelling strike of killer riffs and pounding drums. With tuneful melodies and luring Queens of the Stone Age- esque vocals Varvara display their hardcore moshing teamed with intense melodic sways. ‘Warning Sign’ changes the tone a little the song starts with striking guitar and gentle vocals. The track builds for the gritty trashing chorus with strident crash on guitars and burly drums. However it maintains a flexibility and elasticity with the malleable sensual bass and change to a smooth bounce on drums at times. ‘Human Being’ has a massive chorus and clap along beat combined with shredding screeching guitars its a balls out energetic anthem. ‘No Reason’ gritty swagger filled rock and roll gives us a sensual side to the five piece. Slick riffs and striking guitars mixed with attitude and aggression its a punchy pulveriser .‘Arrows’ slows the mood with a sway like atmosphere to start with gentle twinkle on guitar. Sweet vocals and eerie haunting atmosphere set the tone. The track builds into body pounding chorus and sharp guitars. The thick heavy intensity of the verse is broken by a dropping head bang instrumental and a shredding guitar feature that is sure to have a live audience going crazy. ‘Since We Cant Explain’ ‘Shadow of Mistrust’ and ‘Headlights’ continues to display Varvara’s acute melodies infectious hooks and haunting vocals wrapped up in sticky gooey atmospheres with mosh worthy gritty rock thrown in. The album finishes with ‘Crossed My Mind’ which displays idiosyncratic quirky indie elements with a bizarre theatrical vocal accompanied by bright energetic tones. It closes the album on a vibrant note while ensuring that Varvara cannot be pinned down into a style or genre. They do whatever they want.
Stream ‘Caught’ 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 La Bête Blooms
Hull’s La Bête Blooms have released their new single ‘Breaking In’ which is taken from their upcoming EP ‘I Know It’s Nothing’ which is due out early next year. This turbulent track is a piercing whirlwind of seizure causing mania. With biting shrill on guitars and crushing smack on bass that drives this track into a burst of feverishness aggression and sticky hysteria. Screeching sharp feedback and pounding riveting sweat – inducing sticky drums add massive horsepower and voltage to the track. Fizzing and hissing this track is a brute beast. With cool calm airy vocals for the verse that build and progress into a shout, this track exudes attitude and aggressive temperament that is soul shaking and riot provoking resulting in insane moshing.
La Bête Blooms have knocked it out of the park with this fantastic snappy temperamental hot headed track.This is a song your going to want to see live.
Stream ‘Breaking In’ below
This Place Is Death are an three piece alternative rock band from Cork. They released an EP ‘Low Light’ in 2013, and in 2016 were signed with UK Indie label Sound Hub Records. Band members Frank (Vocals,Guitars), Barry (Bass) and Eoin (Drums,Backing Vocals) have now released their new single ‘Caught Inside’ which was recorded and mixed at Sound Hub Studios and mastered at Metropolis Studios , London. ‘Caught Inside’ is a pulverising backlash of fiery neck breaking alternative rock. With thunderous splintering drums that develop into a rapid rumple that forces its way into your brain becoming a pounding ear worm beat. Vigorous striking guitars and rooted limber bass keep the track bound and gives a boomerang spring back effect. The haunting moody vocals add an eerie danger and suppressed aggression to the track. But for me that rolling drum at the end kicks ass with its brisk demolishing finesse. Its a head banger.
Watch ‘Caught Inside’ below
Paul Dunbar, formerly of Liverpool 6-piece soul/rock/blues act The Midnight Ramble, has self released his debut single ‘Barely Holding On’. The single was created with producers Marc Joy (Oasis, Primal Scream) and Paul Thompson (Ellen & The Escapades). Dunbar is recording with the newly formed Black Winter Band, Tom Cowley (Drums,Percussion,Vocals) and Callum Williams (Bass,Keys,Vocals) complete the lineup. ‘Barely Holding On’ is a warm melodic track wrapped in charming country tones and drizzled with rock elements. The passionate raspy soulful vocals and catchy sway along melody teamed with soothing mellow guitar and a steady spongy beat gives the track a bright cosy yet nostalgic and emotional tone. This track is a sweet sounding tuneful bundle of passion with tender lyrics and a sweet reminiscent tone on guitar that is thought provoking like a fond distant memory that twinkles around your mind but to far to recall fully. Paul Dunbar & The Black Winter Band have a London launch show on Fri 28 Oct at The Century Club, Soho with promoter Success Express Music.
Stream ‘Barely Holding On’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
