5 Dollar Shakes are an alternative rock band from Gorey, Co. Wexford. The band consists of Jack McEvoy (Vocals), Colin Doran (Lead guitar), Caleb Dowdall (Rhythm guitar), Richard Deering (Bass guitar) and Ciaran O’Doherty (Drums). They have released their new single ‘Auxiliary Love’ from their recently released second EP ‘Come and See Enough To Stay’ ‘Auxiliary Love’ is a melodic track which starts off with a smooth slick guitar intro which is then joined by a light drum beat leaving the main focus on the lyrics and vocals. This is followed by a catchy anthem like chorus with pounding drums and a lustrous infectious guitar riff. McEvoy shows off his vocal skills in this track with the added falsetto at the end of the chorus accompanied by lush harmonies on backing vocals. The song builds to a powerful crescendo both instrumentally and vocally, with a break for a “hands in the air and clap” moment. This adds the anthem quality before the intense bridge that brings us a heavier sound and mosh effect, with pounding rhythm and dynamic guitars. The song slows down again and leaves us with a beautiful melancholy guitar feature to play the song out accompanied by a soft beat.
‘Auxiliary Love’ is a powerful compelling track that is well written and shows their song writing and musical skills. I can imagine this song is brilliant live as 5 Dollar Shakes have had a lot of experience doing live shows. They have supported The Riptide Movement, Hudson Taylor and Seasick Steve. In the Summer of 2015 they made their Festival Main Stage début at the Sea Sessions Music Festival. We will be on the look out for their next live show!
Look forward to more from these guys!
Stream ‘Auxiliary Love’ below
Greywind are a two-piece alternative rock band from Killarney that formed in June 2014. The band consist of siblings Steph O’Sullivan and Paul O’Sullivan. In March this year they released their single ‘Forest Ablaze’ a powerful mighty track with pounding drums, punchy bass and vigorous guitars. Its a full, heavy robust track with strong vocals from Steph as she preforms in an intense almost grungy manner for the verse with heart beat pulsing drums. Then it kicks in to a high energy loud vocal chorus, accompanied by a full “Evanescence” style guitars and drums up to a bursting and booming crescendo.
A band Killarney can be proud of! I’ll look forward to more from these guys!
Watch ‘Forest Ablaze’ below
Our Worth A Listen Track this week comes from Broken Hands
Formed in Canterbury, Broken Hands are brothers Dale & Callum Norton, Jamie Darby, Thomas Ford and David Hardstone. They have made a name for themselves with their fusion of space rock, psychedelic garage and blues influences, and their track ‘Four’ is a concoction of heavy dark rock that has festered and ready to explode. Its blistering energy, riffs and rhythms and loud monstrous sound make this an awesome track. The grungy bass riff adds the hard rock vibe that shakes your core and would wake the dead. The verses are full of intensity with pounding drums and sick bass as the chorus becomes more vocally melodic while instrumentally still hitting it hard. A brilliant track to mosh to! definitely worth a listen!
Stream ‘Four’ below
RINSE are Josh Hollingworth, Rich Hewitt, Josh Hassall and Ollie McNicholas. This indie quartet from Stoke-on-Trent released their new track on Friday 22nd April.‘Taser Party’ is an explosive dream rock track that has already taken the BBC Introducing from Stoke Record Of The Week title. RINSE describe themselves as Summer Grunge and this song definitely gives that impression. ‘Taser Party’ begins with a delicate soft riff which is repeated throughout and is infectiously psychedelic as it sticks in your mind comfortably and replays over and over again with ease. The bouncy playful drum beat gives us that summer vibe while Hollingworth’s haunting vocals give us that grunge feel. The verses keep the eerie mysterious atmosphere that will give you goosebumps while the chorus explodes with a heavier sound and fantastic guitar work.These guys have a real talent for creating an atmosphere in their songs
Another great song from RINSE
Stream ‘Taser Party’ below
When Entering the quiet little pub of Eddie Murphys in Thomastown you expect, by its cosy old fashioned make up, that you would be settling down for a nice quiet drink, but Eddie Murphys had other plans. If you pass through the charming room and head outside to the back, passed “Le Bog Pour Les Femmes”you find a building with a good fashioned rock and roll vibe with wooden benches and tables where bands can make as much noise as they want and this is where we found our Alternative Rock band Beautiful Corruption and their support act Brand New Dead Things.
Dublin’s Brand New Dead Things kicked things off with melodic groovy sounds and strong riff based tunes. Maurice Ramsbottom (Guitars/Vocals), Dec Clarke (Drums) and Aaron Grimes (Bass/Vocals) gave us a diverse energetic set with polished sleek base riffs, robust drums and zealous guitar.Their array of tracks showed off Ramsbottom’s strong vocals as he slid into falsetto effortlessly. There was no shortage of humour either from these guys which kept the crowd entertained while they were tuning and blowing their nose. Brand New Dead things are a fun energetic band with serious skill. Looking forward to their new tracks to come Beautiful Corruption waisted no time in following. From the first song they exuded energy. The Kilkenny band Oisín Wolfe (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar) , James Brown (Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals), Rory Cooper (Bass) and Simon Cooke (Drums) started with ‘Leather’ a solid riff based song to get everyone pumped, followed by an impeccably rehearsed set that was still a fresh performance from the boys. Half way through the set they do a crowd pleasing cover of wolf Alice’ Moaning Lisa smile’ The second half of the set explodes into frantic head banging tracks with slick nimble guitar as Wolfe coaxes the crowd to their feet to dance and mosh (even a guy on crutches gets up to join in) The set comes to an end with the band giving a final burst of energy on their final song of the night.
London band Dead! have just released their new single ‘ Your So Cheap’. Its a solid rock track with proficient guitar and pounding drums. The verses feature clever well written lyrics with strong vocal. Although the tone is bitter, its a kick ass track with a catchy sharp chorus and cutting vocals. With a razor-sharp guitar solo before the intense bridge that shows a well arranged song and lives up to the hype surrounding this band.
We are also treated to a second track with the release of ‘Your So Cheap’ this comes in the form of the energetic dynamic track that is ‘Save Me’. This is a banging tune full of energy with an infectious melody that seeps into your brain and leaves you craving more. With strong bass line, guitar hook and thunderous drums.The chorus explodes into a fierce full sound with passionate vocals. The bridge brings us that mosh worthy instrumental that Dead! are famous for with, of course the vocal scream
Dead are a force to be reckoned with!
Stream ‘Your So Cheap’ and ‘Save Me’ 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
The Amazons are an indie rock and roll band from Reading. Members Matt Thomson (vocals and guitar), Chris Alderton (guitar), Elliott Briggs (bass) and Joe Emmett (drums) have been on an upward journey, ever since they first arrived on the music scene with their first demo “Something in the Water” back in early 2015. In March this year they released their new single ‘Stay With Me’ which is an energetic youthful track full of adrenaline. Produced by Tom Dalgety (Royal Blood, The Maccabees), the single has already gathered critical attention. It had its first début on Radio One and has been championed by Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Phil Taggart.
With thunderous drums and slick guitars The Amazons give us a dynamic fist pumping anthem.This is a melodic track that packs a punch, its sure to get everyone dancing and singing along.
You can catch The Amazons at:
Sat 23 Apr Are You Listening Festival ,Reading.
Sun 01 May FestEVOL ,Liverpool.
Thu 12 May House of Vans, London.
Thu 19 May The Great Escape, Brighton.
Fri 27—Mon 30 May Lost Village Festival, Lincoln.
Sun 29 May Lost Village Festival, Lincolnshire.
Fri 15 Jul —Sun 17 Jul Truck Festival,Steventon.
Fri 15 Jul —Sun 17 Jul Beat-Herder, Ribble Valley
Thu 28 Jul —Sun 31 Jul Kendal Calling, Penrith.
Fri 29 Jul Standon Calling ,Standon
Sat 20 Aug Glass Butter Beach Festival, Abersoch
Sat 03 SepFestival No.6 ,Portmeirion
Watch ‘Stay With Me’ below
Serene is a three piece band from Cumbria consisting of Kieran Day on vocals, guitar, bass, synth; Ryan Patterson, lead guitar and synth; Matthew Southwell, drums and percussion.Contrary to what their name suggests these guys are full of loud, big sounding psychedelic, alternative rock. Their song ‘Rainbow Mind’ is a seductive enrapture of psychedelic rock with slick alluring guitars and steady beats. The gritty vocals give a grunge vibe to the chorus, however Kieran’s vocals for the verse is deep and haunting and adds a bewitching mysterious quality to the song. The psychedelic guitar solo is impeccable and breaks the tone a little preparing for the big crescendo.
This is a fantastic song well written and composed and really showcases the talent of these guys. Serene are currently preparing to release their first EP and if ‘Rainbow Mind’ is anything to go by its going to be a strong EP. Bright future ahead for this band!
Stream ‘Rainbow Mind’ below
‘Burn It Down’ is the first single to be taken from The Brazen’s début album. The Leeds/Birmingham-based indie rock band’s single was released on March 25th. Ryan Hobbs (Vocals), Matt Lucas (Lead Guitar), Trev Phillips (Bass), Adam Larner (Drums) and Rob Clayton (Guitars) have created a melodic song with tight instrumentals.’Burn It down’ is full of slick, radiant guitar riffs pounding drums and fluent vocals. This song is very catchy and upbeat and is a very promising track that ticks all the boxes. It is well written and composed with soft verses that burst into a vigorous chorus. A strong single to set us up for what looks like a stunning album to come.
The Brazen’s début album is set for release this May and was recorded with talented producer Ed Heaton (production credits include Jon Gomm, Fold, Ellen & The Escapades & more) at the beginning of this year. With a string of sold out shows and a performance at Elland Road already under their belt, these guys are set to do well.
You can catch them at :
27th May – Leeds, Milo
3rd June – Sheffield, Maida Vale
23rd July – Birmingham, Actress & Bishop
Stream ‘Burn It Down’ Below
