Category Archives: Rock

Alt Rock, EP Review, Grunge, Grunge Pop, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Rock, Summer Grunge

Fangclub ‘True Love’ EP

Fresh from their first UK headline tour, Irish rock band Fangclub have released their highly personal new EP titled ‘True Love’.  Last year the trio Steven King, Kevin Keane and Dara Coleman released their self titled debut album to mass critical acclaim and also toured the UK and Ireland with their own headline dates as well as playing shows with Biffy Clyro, Muse, Pixies, and SWMRS. Fangclub have gathered major attention from the press (Kerrang!, Rock Sound, Upset) and specialist DJ’s at BBC Radio 1 (Annie Mac, Huw Stephens, Daniel P.Carter, Phil Taggart), and Kerrang! Radio with their monstrous tracks ‘Bullet Head’, ‘Loner’, ‘Dreamcatcher’ and ‘Bad Words’.

‘True Love’ marks massive growth in the bands sound. The swirling and churning dark tones lurk underneath even the most peppy sounding of the tracks. There is something more sophisticated and painful in this EP. The meaty brain crush blast we are used to once again feature on True Love however they have honed in and sharpened everything from meatier ground shaking basslines and immense pounding drum grooves to slick acute guitar lacerations placed perfectly for maximum impact. Fangclub have us firmly in their grips and they are not letting go. Recent single ‘Knife’ sets the thrilling mayhem in motion with gritty basslines grumbling under slashing guitars and demanding drums. The chilled vocals cool the scorching instrumental backdrop for the verse teasing the explosive chorus we have come to love from Fangclub. Slick basslines have become a staple on this EP as they fluidly flow throughout each track with a sublime rooted groove adding a lusty darkness to each track, like a shadowy thread holding each song together. ‘Heart Is A Landmine’ is where their shadowy eerie tones take over. A moody melody bleeds over a punchy backdrop of slithering guitars whining between a mighty rhythmic bounce. It’s a cinematic tune that could feature in a Batman movie especially with its stirring melody and sublime griping guitar feature. It’s pretty dark and dramatic yet magnificently catchy and climatic all at once. ‘Smother’ brightens the tone of the EP. The guitars become lighter as they zealously inject juicy zest between punchy punk flavoured rock. Its sun kissed melody melts upon the gritty soundscapes like butter as a slick guitar solo and sing along ready chorus slaps on a glossy finish. The “buzz kill” ‘Sweater Forever’ follows. This is my kind of tune. It’s a moody sunny day wallowing blast of grunge that is just magnificent. The drums trudge through a gloopy sweet melody while the piercing sting on guitars lament and soar over this sullen tune. It’s both vibrant and sulky all at once as their vivid use of instrumentation and shaky percussion creates gripping heart wrenching turmoil for us to immerse in. Those twinkling keys add a light innocence through the heavy monotony. The scale of emotion presented through music in this track is masterful and exactly how I hoped these guys would progress. The sheer musical depth containing perfectly timed multi facets glimmering through emotional honest lyrics make for a completely absorbing listening experience. ‘High’ closes the EP bringing everything full circle. It’s upbeat, powerful, catchy and filled with scorching guitar lines. The vocals lure you into the relentless onslaught of crashing drums, brawny bass lines and mouth watering guitar work.

‘True Love’ is a flavourful and tantalizing EP from the trio and proves Fangclub have a lot to offer – they are just coming into their prime.

Stream ‘True Love’ below


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Scally ‘Let’s F*ck’

                   Photo credit:Tanya Cullen:Bronte Photography

Mullingar rock artist Scally has just brought out the video for his third single ‘Let’s F*ck’ due for release on June 29th. The bombastic track packs a massive punch as it echoes shades of Rage Against The Machine. The track is the B-side to Scally’s latest single ‘Get Ready For War’ which was released back in March. It’s a slick raw shot of rock doused in brassy attitude. Shredding guitars crash and strike against rapid punchy drums and a groove laced bass. The track builds to a seizure inducing crescendo filled with thrilling distortion and brain spasming shrills on guitar. The riffs are well oiled and catchy while Scally’s laid back vocals daze through the verse becoming more dynamic for the brazen chorus. This high intensity track is soaked in gritty rock and roll swagger with the usual amount of pompousness you expect from Scally, however the effervescent guitar arrangement perhaps warrants this as it plows and soars through the brawny drums weaving its way around the rooted rhythmic undertow creating an ecstatic dance that practically lurches into the stomping chorus. It’s a raw lacerating groovy number that worms its way into your brain and will be next to near impossible to remove from your skull.

Scally states that the track is about “my friend who fancied this chick for ages and he just wouldn’t go over and chat to her, the verses is me telling him to grow a pair of balls and go over and talk to her and the chorus is all the things he wants to say to her but can’t”.

You can catch Scally  with his band – ‘The Dirty Rats’ live at Danny Byrnes, Mullingar on July 1st

Watch the video for ‘Lets F*ck’ below, viewer discretion is advised.

 


Alt Rock, Americana, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Bane Riff ‘Less Than Enough’

Pop rock artist Bane Riff has released his debut single ‘Less Than Enough’, a catchy rock track written to inspire his listeners to pursue those unforgettable moments that we sometimes forget about in the madness of every day life. Fairly new to the industry, Bane Riff came from a background in finance industry. Although running his own successful insurance business, Riff realised that he wasn’t happy and felt that something was missing in his life, from then he decided to act quickly and pursue his true passion. ‘Less Than Enough’ was written over a couple of hours by Riff himself, and recorded in studio with producer Martin Daus, guitarist in several popular Danish pop rock bands. Inspired by a hilarious moment experienced in a restaurant with the restaurant owner and his wife, the track reminds us that life comes down to the moments that you won’t forget. For him, the song is an awakening.

‘Less Than Enough’ is a swagger soaked country drizzled rock track. Riff’s raspy vocals flood warmth into the song while a punchy drum beat, and golden guitar lines add a whack of rock and roll strutting grit. It’s a charming number with a sing along ready Bon Jovi- esque chorus that will have a live crowd bellowing from the top of their lungs. This bright peppy tune will fill you with that get up and go stamina as it exudes good heart warming vibes while packing in some mighty brawn to have you tapping your foot and dancing carelessly in no time. With an irresistible melody and tight production it’s infectious for sure.

Stream ‘Less Than Enough’ below


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

Smash Boom Pow ‘Some People’ and ‘JD’.

Smash Boom Pow have just released a new single and b-side titled ‘Some People’ and ‘JD’. Offering a gritty Alt-Rock sound bursting with catchy hooks, Smash Boom Pow is blood brothers Ulysses [vocals/guitar] and Zane [drums] Coppard from the Westcoast of Canada. Their passion for their craft has attracted the attention of fans, musicians, and industry folk alike – earning them numerous opportunities for creative and career advancement. Among the most powerful and transformative were a top 12 spot in 2015’s Peak Performance BC project, and having been selected to partake in the Converse Rubber Tracks initiative. Smash Boom Pow has had the pleasure of sharing the stage and performing alongside: We Are The City, The Pack AD, Dralms, and The Velveteins, as well as a tour of Western Canada with Soft Alarm. A steady supply of quality media to an active and engaged audience has resulted in over 20k YouTube views, and song placements in the TV series ‘Motive’ and upcoming indie film ‘THE CANNON’ (directed by Marshall Axani).

‘Some People’ is a vibrant hook laden number driven with gritty guitars slicing through punchy drums and laid back vocals. The infectious melody floats upon this jagged backdrop creating a contrast of lush dreamy tones filled with hazy casualness and heavy edged indie rock. The jangly guitar injections flood the track with a vivid energy and zesty quality while the smooth vocals and delicious melody sweeten the choppy rough grunge flavoured foundation.

‘JD’ is an thrilling instrumental gem. Gritty, rough and rugged this burly number is laced with beefy guitar riffs- shredding and jaggedly sawing through mighty pummeling drums with red hot intensity you can almost feel the steam evaporating off each note and stride. It’s a sublime meaty display from the duo.

These two tracks show Smash Boom Pow’s refined diversity and slick musicianship. Their ability to tranquilize with hazy lazy vibes and indie rock bliss is divine in ‘Some People’ but they bring the hard core whack of b-side  ‘JD’ to roughen things up a bit and its just a magnificent combination.

Stream ‘Some People’ and ‘JD’ below


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Blues Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Rock, Rock and Roll

Van Bellman ‘I Hate To See You This Way’

Van Bellman has released his new single ‘I Hate To See You This Way’.Van Bellman is the brainchild of Brooklyn-based musician Zac Taylor. You may have seen him playing guitar on TV with multi-platinum band American Authors, or perhaps carrying your luggage at the Gansevoort Hotel on Park Avenue a few years back. Taylor has been cultivating this new project and has now presented his brand of bluesy rock and indie pop.

‘I Hate To See You This Way’ is a gritty, crawling blast of bluesy rock at its most exciting and electrifying. Rough guitars shred and lacerate through a thick muggy drum whack while Taylor’s chilled vocals cruise in luring and creepy for the verses becoming more passionate and emotional for the meteoric chorus. Exploding in a barrel of spinning emotion this track throbs, stomps and screams with rock and roll swagger and slick panache. It’s sharp and brawny with a sensual sliver of finesse embossed on top. The whisky soaked melody wriggles its way into your brain while rough spiky guitars steam and evaporate over the kinetic riveting rock drenched soundscape.With heart-gripping pop speckled moments between the lusty growls and eerie tension this track is a sublime stalking number that drips and oozes sophistication and fine musicianship.

The theme of ‘I Hate To See You This Way’ focuses on the pain of watching someone you love go down a dark road, witnessing them self-destruct. Anyone can relate to this heartbreaking and helpless feeling, whether they have played the role of the nurse or the patient. “It means a lot to me as both a lyrical and sonic story,” said Taylor, who also produced the track at the legendary Mission Sound Studios in Brooklyn through some serious vintage equipment.

Stream ‘I Hate To See You This Way’ below


Alt Rock, Grunge, Indie Buddie Introducing, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Indie Buddie Introducing : Shrink Like Alice

Up and coming Irish band Shrink Like Alice have released their new single ‘Beside The Last Thing You Think’. It was recorded in Orphan Studios by Graham Byrne. Shrink like Alice are a four piece band based out of Navan, Co.Meath, Ireland. Formed by frontman Gary Clerkin and bassist Greg Halford in late 2014, the band has since been joined by lead guitarist Liam Sheridan and drummer Miles Ronayne. In 2015 the band released their first single ‘Loser’. Followed by their debut EP ‘Square Eyed Boy’ in 2016 which featured songs such as ‘Russian Roulette’ and ‘Loo la’.

Their latest single ‘Beside The Last Thing You Think’ is the bands first professionally recorded release and showcases their razor sharp sound in all its explosive glory. Crashing riffs erupt with riotous stamina throughout while the pummelling drums and rugged bass create a sublime combustive backdrop. The sulky melody chills this blistering assault with sleek smothered sultry verses before the fiery chorus kicks in. The scorching guitars blast through the brawny  backdrop adding some hefty shredding might while the raspy aggressive vocals and fierce rhythm pounds your skull with a thrilling assault of mosh ready ferocity. Shrink Like Alice have crafted a kinetic beast while also showcasing some refined musicianship doused in slick swagger – oozing rough and ready coolness. It’s an impressive effort from a band who I’m sure we will be hearing a lot more of.

Stream ‘Beside The Last Thing You Think’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, Indie Buddie Introducing, indie rock, New Music, Rock, Rock and Roll

Indie Buddie Introducing : The Masons

Manchester’s The Masons are set to release their new single ‘Bed’. Formed in October 2017, the band is made up of Aiden (guitar/vocals), Connor (drums), Kyle (guitar) and Mathew (bass). ‘Bed’ is a slick, compact display from this four piece. Sharp melodic guitar floods the track with a golden vibrancy while punchy drums and groove infested bass lines keep a movable sleek foundation. The melody is sublime as it cruises upon this glorious laid back backdrop with ease and a fluidity while the raspy vocals whack on a touch of grit and swagger. The guitar is just magnificent as it ventures from sweetly warm and euphoric to sharp, blistering and steamy all while maintaining a cool mellow dreaminess that is just superb. It’s a very proficient, tightly bound track with some slinky ornamentation embroidered within to add vivid flecks of colour. This is a cool swagger soaked number blending gritty edgy rock with a dash of smooth indie pop to make it infectious and delicious. These guys are ones to watch.

You can check out the track on their Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/themasonslive/videos/582038048844955/

You can catch the band at their next live show at Jimmy’s 12 Newton Street, Manchester, United Kingdom on 24th June supporting The Capital.


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

Callow Saints ‘Unhinged’ EP

Callow Saints are a female-fronted indie/rock band from Aylesbury. After taking the local music scene by storm, the band rapidly spread further afield, becoming more and more in demand in the Oxford and London scenes. They were voted one of the top bands out of 20,000 entrants to win a slot at the prestigious Camden Rocks Festival; performed alongside the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs, Bryan Adams and The Pretenders at Cornbury Festival, have headlined a packed out O2 Academy in Oxford and had two sold-out EP launch shows in the past two years.The band have just released their latest EP, ‘Unhinged’.

Callow Saints deliver a varied batch of memorable songs that exude energy and passion in their ‘Unhinged’ EP. ‘I Should Run’ sets the EP in motion, seeped in emotional tones as a moving melody drifts upon a vibrant backdrop of crashing drums, elastic bass and strident stinging guitars. The flicker between the zealous guitars and sensual groove on bass makes for a wholly enthralling experience for the verses as it teases and builds in intensity for the gritty explosive chorus. They blend the raw expressive emotion and edgy rock soundscapes perfectly creating a meticulously layered sound. This EP gives a sublime taste of the sound Callow Saints have developed, the tracks are catchy, dark and extremely consuming. ‘E.M.M.A’ is pushed by a driving rooted bass line while punchy drums pummel through staggering, slick, guitar work. The whispered bridge adds a creepy, haunting quality that keeps you on your toes- this track is sublimely mesmerising. Ruby’s vocals command attention- her power and control is masterful as she croons, whispers and bellows with magnificent control. Her sultry vocals for the verses of ‘Ten’ is particularly enticing as steamy guitars whine over a steady beat and sensual bass. Once again they produce a fiery aggressive chorus which interrupts the vaporous atmosphere. That guitar riff is hypnotic and spine chillingly good.‘Kiss Is Bliss’ brings us to the end of the EP with a lighter tone. The riff has a Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ feel while the buoyant rhythm, catchy lyrics and peppy melody lusciously makes this track a sing along anthem. It’s an animated, bright way to the end the EP while still packing in some rock punch.

‘Unhinged’ is a thoroughly satisfying EP filled with all the right ingredients to have you rocking out, dancing and singing with ease. Each track is brimming with delicious melodies upon gritty rough instrumentation with a sweet, swagger soaked sliver of silky sleekness on top. Ruby’s vocals are just sublime and powerful she transmits passion and emotion from every note effortlessly to create enthralling, gripping tracks that are wonderful to listen to but mighty enough to have a nice kick.

Stream ‘Unhinged’ below


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

Fangclub ‘Knife’

 

Fresh from their first UK headline tour Dublin trio Fangclub have have announced the release of their highly personal new EP titled ‘True Love’ along with their new single ‘Knife’. The 5 track EP, set for release on June 29th, is a fiery collection of Fangclub’s unique brand of alternative rock. 2018 has already been a busy one for Fangclub, having toured with The Cribs, Milk Teeth and Nervus as well as rocking the UK with their first headline tour. 2017 was a hell of a year for the band too. Not only did they release their self titled debut album (available now on Vertigo Records) to mass critical acclaim but they also toured the UK and Ireland with their own headline dates as well as playing shows with Biffy Clyro, Muse, Pixies, and SWMRS. Fangclub have gathered major attention from specialist DJ’s at BBC Radio 1 (Annie Mac, Huw Stephens, Daniel P.Carter, Phil Taggart) with their monstrous tracks ‘Bullet Head’, ‘Loner’, ‘Dreamcatcher’ and ‘Bad Words.

Now this track raises the bar. ‘Knife’ introduces a more aggressive mind destroying sound that is just fantastic.It bulldozes in with pure unruly aggro as the rooted bass boils and bubbles beneath a chilled eerie vocal line before the chorus bludgeons you with its crashing wall of sound -screaming vocals and distortion galore. It’s a thrilling, electrifying whack of gritty, rugged, garage rock at its most fermented. The drums bash your skull while the melody still firmly grips the pop infectiousness of their previous tracks however, the intensity is at dangerous levels. I love the energy in this track the destructive, barbaric, chaos churning and coiling for the verses becomes effervescent and erupts for the riveting chorus. This is something special.

Speaking honestly about the music and its lyrical content, enigmatic frontman Steven King said this of the EP.
“True Love is a collage of an intense year that almost ended the band.Last year I became infatuated with the idea of True Love. But not just love of a person. Love of drink, drugs, people, actions & habits. Anything can be your “One True Love” if you let it. Love can be painful. True Love can cut deep like a Knife. “Knife” was my skewed idea of an obsessed love (at the time). It’s the introduction to the EP’s theme. Am I using you or are you using me? I don’t care, I need you. Keep me alive, kill me, keep me warm, make me cold, make me happy, make me sick, wake me up & make me sleep. I don’t mind being chained to you under the blanket of True Love.”

You can catch the band live at the following shows this summer

June

1st Vestrock, Hulst, The Netherlands

2nd K-Fest, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland

July

13th 2000 Trees, Cheltenham, UK

20th Truck Festival, Oxford UK

27th Sunflower Festival, Lisburn, Northern Ireland

Stream ‘Knife’ below


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

Wulfman Fury ‘Getaway’

Sheffield lo-fi garage-rock five-piece Wulfman Fury have released their new single ‘Getaway’. Fronted by experienced session player George Moran, the band is made up of Steve Harrison (bass/vocals), Joe Moran (guitar/vocals), Will Severs (keys), and Dave Mitchell (drums). The brain child of George and Dave, Wulfman Fury was born from George’s ‘Fox Den Studios’ and has been going from strength to strength since its conception in October 2017. To date, the band have self-released two singles, ‘Nightsweats’ and ‘Draw the Line’, as well as a Sheffield themed b-side ‘Blades and Owls’. Each release has been met with early praise from those in the industry and a growing fan base inside and out of Sheffield. ‘Nightweats’, ‘Draw the Line’ and new single ‘Getaway’ have had airplay on BBC Introducing, BBC Radio Wales, Amazing Radio and on stations in Canada and France to name a few. In their hometown Wulfman Fury are yet to play a gig that hasn’t sold out.

‘Getaway’ is that sublime rush to the head of indie rock that thrills to the core. It’s brimming with rich melodic sounds from the infectious adrenaline inducing melody to dazzling keys that shimmer between a punchy rhythm. With fuzzed guitar jabs and a staggeringly smooth swagger laced vocal- this track has it all. The melody is doused in mysterious vibes while distortion whines behind flashing keys creating a spacey, psychedelic atmosphere. Guitars whirl and stab electrifying buzz fulled intensity through a stomping rhythm to create a wholly engulfing, riveting listen. It’s a breathtaking display from Wulfman Fury and another outstanding track to get excited about.

You can catch Wulfman Fury live at:

12th May London – Nambucca (This Feeling)
25th Sheffield – Record Junkee (This Feeling)
21st July Sheffield – Tramlines Festival
29th September – Leadmill (Headline)

Watch the video for ‘Getaway’ below