Category Archives: Rock

Johnny Yuma ‘Rest In Peace’ EP

Minneapolis, Minnesota rock trio Johnny Yuma have recently released their EP ‘Rest In Peace’. The band comprised of members Elliot Heerman on Bass and Lead Vocals, Patrick Irwin on Guitar and Jane “Damage” Halldorson on Drums have created their own brand of Dusty, Dirty, Rock’n Roll that makes for an engaging electrifying listen. From the get-go these guys blast straight into their no-nonsense raw neck snapping bluesy rock. ‘Alabama Woman’ sets the brisk tempo as crashing guitars and punchy drums whirlwind through a stop start pace while raspy vocals expel swagger soaked fiery attitude. It’s one for dizzying confusion of the sweaty mosh pits. The riff driven ‘Knock Knock’ brings us further into their blistering rock and roll as guitars jaggedly saw through pummeling drums while an elastic rumble on bass keeps the track running along. A scorching guitar solo shreds with a shrilling desert hot western vibe while the punchy rhythm trudges along keeping the rapid tempo. These guys exude a don’t mess with me attitude with slick swagger thrown on top. ‘Cellophane’ continues the relentless stamina of its predecessors while smudging a catchy 60’s- esque melody over their rambunctiously ruffled frenzy inducing garage backdrop. Razor sharp guitars once again blister and pierce throughout the track however in this track they have a slinky liquidity to their acidic sting. ’Mother’s And Sailors’ gives us a much needed breather from the heavy assault. This light county twanged ditty gives us another glimpse at Johnny Yuma’s talents. Still energetic this number is more buoyant, sweetly toned and infectiously peppy. Who can resist a cheeky little whistle along feature especially when it’s this catchy. Barn dance anyone?… don’t mind if I do. ‘Whisper’ brings us to a scuzzy end to the EP. It’s fuzzed up, lean and mean, ready for bar brawl rock and roll. It’s grungy rough and tumble with gritty guitars pulverising drums and sneering vocals that will make your blood coil and boil forcing you to mosh and jump about. Fueled by bad ass adrenaline from the deep dark depths of Minnesota these guys whack out one heck of a tune that will slap you in the face at lightning speeds.

‘Rest In Peace’ is an EP for blasting into your ears at worrying volumes while you headbang, dance and attempt air guitar like a boss. It’s a solid, swagger drenched, meaty display from the trio that will rattle your bones.

Stream ‘Rest In Peace’ below

https://soundcloud.com/user-949424166/sets/rest-in-peace


New Valley Wolves ‘Cut- Throat’

New Valley Wolves are back. The Dublin rock duo will release their second record, ‘The Gospel’ EP on April 28th in The Workmans Club Dublin followed by a nationwide tour including three dates supporting the epic Black Stone Cherry. They have released their new single ‘Cut-Throat’ as a mouth-watering appetizer for us to sink our teeth into while we await the EP.

‘Cut- Throat’ is another razor-sharp, biting track from the duo with an acid coated riff driving the track to its fiery chorus. Battering drums crunch and pummel throughout with a booming body moving intensity. Its catchy chorus will have a crowd mercilessly chanting back the lyrics while the fuzz fuelled bass saws through the thick heavy sound with blood thirsty stamina. It’s a chunky, frenzy inducing track that was made for sweaty live show moshing. I can’t wait to see this live, it’s going to be massive. New Valley Wolves are using their muscular drums and heavy meaty riffs to build up their castle, define their territory and conquer the land bit by bit and with tunes like ‘Cut-Throat’ no one will get in their way.

Cut Throat is currently no.1 in the Rock Chart and 30 in the overall charts. It’s an awesome track which deserves to make top 20. Support an independent Irish rock band and download the track  here on  iTunes:

 

 


The Hemingways ‘Want It All’

The Hemingways are a five piece indie / alternative rock band from London and Essex. Consisting of Louis Takooree, James Burrage, Ben Butler, Jack Ames and Noah Henry, the quintet cite influences such as John Mayer, Kings of Leon and Led Zeppelin. Despite mostly still being in their teens, some members have been playing together for close to 10 years resulting in a musical chemistry not expected from a band of their age.

‘Want It All’ is a gritty, fiery blast of rock. The Hemingways get right to it with a blunt force of shredding riffs jaggedly sawing through punchy drums and a mosh ready wall of sound. It’s slick, rough and ready with raspy swagger-soaked vocals flooding the track with strut ready attitude and panache. Sensual bass lines teamed with a steamy guitar solo create the perfect sweat and leather rock and roll charisma while jazzy keys add a head spinning Jerry Lee Lewis- esque pizzazz. Tightly bound and richly layered these guys have created a meaty number that grabs your attention with its scuzzed-up, sleazy bluesy-smacked rock.

Stream ‘Want It All’ below


Maker ‘DEA’ Album

Kent four piece Maker will release their twelve track debut long-player, ‘DEA’, on Kidda Records on 6th April 2018. Made up of band members Alessandro Marinelli (vocals), brothers Andrew Donaldson (guitar) and Gavin Donaldson (drums) and John Austin (bass) Maker bring a sound brimming with psychedelic bluesy punch and stirred with a fist full of soul. The band have already picked-up fans in one of the world’s most acclaimed guitarists, Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes/Magpie Salute), as well as Simone Marie (Primal Scream) and Tom Meighan (Kasabian). Their debut album ‘DEA’ was recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales where artists such as Oasis, The Stone Roses, Queen, Black Sabbath, Kasabian plus many more have all recorded seminal albums. Produced by Nick Brine (The Stone Roses, Oasis, Teenage Fanclub, Imelda May), the album was recorded over just fourteen days and every track was recorded with the band all together playing in the same room.

‘DEA’ is a timeless swagger filled pure rock album with all the boozy soaked blues, fire loaded soul and leather dressed suave you’d expect from this four piece. From the first shredding riff of ‘Soul’ you know your in for one hell of an album. Its gritty, rough around the edges rock with enough sass and swagger thrown in to create a sleek steamy blazing rock track. With powerful vocals and strut ready atmosphere teamed with passion and soul, it’s an anthemic and fiery start. The debut album’s title, ‘DEA’, comes from the initials of the album track ‘Dead Ends & Avenues’, a track which is about triumph in the face of adversity, making your own luck and succeeding despite life’s hurdles.It’s a foot stomping infectious number that shuffles and prances with a rebellious two finger salute. These guys keep pelting out the sizzling licks brain crashing drums and rugged brawny riffs over infectious melodies and feel good blistering stamina to create an album that is wholly satisfying and invigorating. With shredding guitar solos and oodles of red hot energy this album is locked and loaded and set to scalding temperatures. The Lenny Kravitz– esque ‘Move Your Feet’, bluesy sensual ‘Quick Getaway’ and funky flavoured ‘Curtain Call’ all ooze trade mark shots of their raw, brawny, slick rock and roll. While the sultry ‘Girl Quit Your Crying’ brings a slower tonality with its bluesy and soulful tone and sensual sway -like tempo. Featuring steamy guitar licks and a elegant piano feature before building to a mighty crescendo with punchy drums and expressive vocals this track is passionate and powerfully sharp all while cruising on sultry and sensually smooth swagger. Maker use this album to showcase the versatility in their sound as they whack out the twanging glorious ‘John’s Pharmacy’. With its country- esque twangs and glowing warmth teamed with peppy piano, it’s a joyous little ditty.There is no end to their slick rock and roll, ‘Soaked Up’ floods through reinforcing their golden rock and roll drenched flamboyance that makes you want to dance. Each anthemic track is like an instant shot of confidence and a strut ready soundtrack to boost you with feel good vibes and make you feel like you’re the sh*t. While the smooth tender tracks like ‘Comin In From The Rain’ cools the tone and sets the perfect scene for summer evening chill time. It’s delicate and passionate without becoming sappy. It is tender and emotional in a raspy sweet rock and roll way. ‘She’s On A Replay’ is a sultry dark mysterious track that is worth the wait, slotting in second last on the album it’s a strident laid back swagger laden banger steeped in spine chilling blues that creeps in, all mysterious and eerie before the explosive chorus. The intensity of the verses tease the thrilling chorus to come while slick guitar licks slither around the brawny melody and blistering riffs.The sweet warm twangs of  ‘(Little Bit Of) Soul’ brings us to a calming mellow end to the album. It’s soulful and charming with glimmering guitars behind a melty passionate melody and punchy drums which then builds into a stomping anthem. It’s a euphoric sublime end to an album that packs some mighty beefy punches and swagger soaked kicks.

Maker have already headlined many of the UK’s most prestigious venues (including rocking London’s legendary 100 Club in March 2017 as part of the ‘Best Of British Blues Explosion’), played as special guests to some of the UK’s finest artists (including band hero Wilko Johnson) and shared bills with the likes of The Cribs, Dizzee Rascal and Mark Ronson, to name but a few. The band have a handful of brand new live shows just confirmed (with further dates to be added in the near future).

‘DEA’ is released on Kidda Records on 6th April 2018 for more information head to Makers Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/Makeruk/

 

Stream ‘Soul’ below

 

 


Novatines ‘Silver Screen’

Bath Based Alt-Rock 4 Piece, Novatines have released their new single/video ‘Silver Screen’. Released through Dirty 38 Records ahead of their UK tour in March, ‘Silver Screen’ is a statement of ethereal madness, beautifully seated in twisted, bitter-sweet detail. Following on from the group’s debut single ‘Medicine’, ‘Silver Screen’ which was recorded live and produced by the band, stretches out a vivid dream and showcases Novatines as something very real. The group have been tipped as one of the ‘hottest new UK guitar bands’ and will be touring throughout the UK this coming spring.

‘Silver Screen’ is a passionate track that builds into a powerful rock anthem. Beginning tender and sweet with twinkling guitars the four piece lull you into a melancholic dreamy state before blasting you back with their fiery instrumentation. Sharp guitars wail and sting over punchy drums while the sweet delicate melody broods throughout as if unaware of the surrounding instrumental turmoil. Shredding guitars shrill over the soft melody with a biting abrasiveness that wounds deep lacerating all in it path while pulverising drums and a hefty bass batters and bruises packing oodles of emotion and passion. It’s a sophisticated, mature offering that lays their heart on their sleeve in an exhilarating true rock and roll manner.

Watch the video for ‘Silver Screen’ Below

 


We Three Kings ‘Fire’ EP

We Three Kings are a three piece blues-rock band based in Manchester UK, made up of Rich on vocals and guitar, Paul on bass and Pete on drums. Describing their sound as an original blend of rock, blues, fuzz and noise, they have been compared to bands including Rival Sons, Royal Blood and The Black Keys, with a riff-driven guitar-heavy sound reminiscent of Deap Vally, Wolfmother and The White Stripes. An experienced and high-energy live act with a massive sound. The trio have recently released their second five-track EP of new and original work titled ‘FIRE’.

‘Fire’ is a blazing five track EP asphyxiated in gritty meaty riffs and pummelling drums. Each track is a shamelessly melodic rock monster locked and loaded with enough angst, fury and infectious grooves to have you moshing and dancing in no time. ‘Sound Of The Radio’ kicks off the rough and tumble EP as their slick heavy sound stampedes in with frenzy inducing mania.‘The Barrel’ and ‘Bright Lights Of The City’ blast out heavy riffs which are laced in sensual grooves which hit through like a nail gun to the eardrum while ruthless drums savagely batter you around the head at neck snapping speeds. It’s a bloodthirsty assault and an invigorating listen. Swagger soaked vocals exude attitude into the tracks while the infectious choruses make sure these tunes aren’t leaving your head anytime soon. This trio don’t give you time to rest they whack out adrenaline surging energy track after track. ‘Uncontrollable Squeal’ continues this frenzy – bluesy and steamy with kick ass riffs that are sure to have a live audience in a dizzying moshing mess. It’s slick and cool with a bass line that holds a brawny yet elastic foundation for the hefty guitar to rebound off. ‘Invisible Man’ brings us to the end of the EP leaving you thirsty for more. It’s pumped, powerful yet extremely buoyant. The snappy rhythm is guaranteed to raise your blood pressure while a shredding guitar solo will have you on your knees doing air guitar.

‘Fire’ is a bold intensely sharp and rowdy EP from We Three Kings. It’s a speed shot of riff driven rock that is sure to be epic live.

Stream ‘Fire’ below


Juniper Nights ‘Human Rush’ EP

Juniper Nights are a four-piece alternative rock band that formed in Oxford at the start of 2017. Founded entirely online through a musician finding website, the band consists of James Gallagher (Vocals/Guitar), Zach Wilmott (Guitar), Rob Crussell (Bass), and Tom Lindsay (Drums).Their first single, `So So Kelly’ featured as a first play on BBC Introducing, Oxford, and has been played on the radio as far afield as Honolulu, Hawaii. The band will be releasing their debut EP, ‘Human Rush’, in February 2018, and will be supporting the release with a UK tour in January and February.
‘Human Rush’ blends heavy mosh ready guitar shredding tracks with subtle tender gems effortlessly, creating a seamless quilt of raw emotion and sweet moments that hold a brooding sombre silence among the beautiful melodies.‘All At Once’ kicks off the EP grabbing the bull by the horns. Jagged guitars roughly shred through the track while punchy rumbling drums belt and wallop creating the perfect mosh ready atmosphere. The melody and vocal line smoothly cruise through the verse with a hint of R.E.M blended with Radiohead vibes which creates a moody dark brooding atmosphere that seeps and creeps with gripping mystery. It’s ominous and haunting yet thrillingly sharp and powerful. The rest of the EP becomes soft and lamentably sweet. ‘Antidote’ twinkles with a frosty guitar accompaniment and melancholic piano feature. It’s a chilly sombre and honest display that fills you with bitter emotion. Juniper Nights showcase their beautiful melody skills within this EP and striking ability to cut deep with their tracks. ‘Bloodflow’ and ‘The Lighthouse’ feature some beautiful guitar moments that glow and add a tear jerking warmth to the tracks. The vocals are tender and passionate yet gentle and exuding emotion. Swirling gentle soundscapes rush through the tracks delicately as Juniper Night display a sophisticated sound- raw and powerful, intricate,nimble and extremely emotive.’ Lemonhead’ closes the EP with a charming guitar jingle to start interrupted with crashing instrumentation fragments between the delicate soundscapes. This track keeps you on your toes. It lulls you into a melancholic dreamy state before shocking you out with harsh shrilling jabs.
‘Human Rush’ is an impressively refined collection of tracks with lyrics that express the harsh raw open wounds of the themes backed by remarkable instrumentation and fine musicianship. It’s a grown-up EP -serious precise and well crafted.

Stream ‘Antidote’ below


Mark Crozer ‘Shock To The Heart’

Alternative rock artist Mark Crozer has recently announced the release of his newest single ‘Shock To The Heart’. This comes after 5 albums, 4 EP’s and countless single releases as a continuation of a successful 20 year career as a musician. Crozer is best known for the song, ‘Live In Fear’, which later became the successful entrance theme song for WWE superstar Bray Wyatt and achieved over 10 million YouTube views and 2.5 million Spotify plays. Crozer and his band ‘The Rels’ had the opportunity to perform live at Wrestlemania 30 to an audience of 75,000 at New Orleans Superdome, making them one of the two British bands to have ever performed at Wrestlemania. In addition, Crozer is the bassist with alt-rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain with whom he has performed since their comeback performance at Coachella back in 2007. After a busy 2017 writing, recording and releasing his most recent album ‘Sunny Side Down’, produced by legendary REM producer Mitch Easter, Crozer chose to maintain his creative flow and upon returning from an 8 month tour with The Jesus and Mary Chain, Crozer wrote his newest single ‘Shock To The Heart’. Inspired by the blistering guitar riffs of the likes of Killing Joke, Pixies and Nirvana, the single is a snapshot of Mark’s long running battle with anxiety and a panic disorder.

‘Shock To The Heart’ boils, bubbles and coils with sizzling fiery alternative rock. With a rumbling bassline that sends shivers up your spine and punchy drums driving the track into a frenzy of pounding adrenaline, it’s a thrilling rush of tantalizing musicianship. Eerie vocals coo, creep and tease with goosebump inducing hysteria while scorching guitar riffs pierce through the track screeching and scalding all in their path. It’s an ominous electrifying display from Crozer and absolutely invigorating. A must listen.

Stream ‘Shock To The Heart’ below

 


Michael Jablonka ‘I Found You’

Michael Jablonka has released his follow-up to his single ‘Peacefully’ the addictive new garage anthem ‘I Found You’. 27-year-old Jablonka has been gigging since the tender age of 14 as an in-demand guitarist for hire. Those to have enjoyed his dextrous services include Charlie Brown, Stooshe, Shakka and Delta Maid and fellow North Londoner and Brit-soul sensation Michael Kiwanuka. In addition to performing as Michael Kiwanuka’s chosen guitarist – a role that has found him touring arenas and festivals worldwide this summer – Jablonka has been fine-tuning his own powerful 21st-century take on bluesy alt-funk and soulful indie-rock.

‘I Found You’ is a breath-taking masterful display from Jablonka. That riff grips you and ignites your soul with a fiery fuzzed thrilling sound. It’s rootsy garage rock at its best with punchy drums pounding a surge of adrenaline through your body. Joblonka writes tunes that make you feel every emotion while the music melody and rhythm flood through you with an upsurge of elation.  A shredding guitar solo gushes kinetic energy while Joblonka’s raspy passionate vocals exude swagger. His falsetto stops your heart in suspense while the hair raising instrumentation spirals around with a relentless stamina. This track blisters and scorches with tempo changes seamlessly creating lush textures. It’s irresistible honey to the ears and a first rate display from Joblonka. One of my favorite finds this year.

‘I Found You’ was one of the first tunes the Londoner wrote as a solo artist, though it took a while to manifest. When asked about the track Joblonka said:  “I had writer’s block, and a chorus with nothing much else. I imagined the verses to be a constant build up and wanted the chorus to be that break-free moment.”

Stream ‘I Found You’ below

https://soundcloud.com/jablonka-music/i-found-you-1

 


Queens of the Stone Age at the 3Arena Dublin with support from BRONCHO

Sultans of Rock Queens of the Stone Age returned to Dublin last Friday night at the 3Arena to a sold-out show of elated fans. It is the last night of the European tour and some of the fans have been queuing in the bitter cold since the morning to get to the safety and immaculate view of the front barrier.

Oklahoma four-piece BRONCHO began the thawing of the crowd with their chunky, fuzzy garage rock smothered in deliciously infectious pop. They coolly walk on stage and blast straight into ‘Try Me Out Sometime’. Ryan Lindsey the immensely energetic frontman, yelps and wiggles throughout the tracks. His floppy coat adding flight and a floatability to his jumps. From the instantly singable ‘Class Historian’ to the slick shaky ‘Señora Borealis’ these guys put on a swagger drenched flamboyant show that oozes suave and swagger. It’s difficult not to wiggle and bop to these tunes and BRONCHO let the music do all the talking with little to no banter between tracks except for the chanting of “Queens of the Stone Age” which the crowd were only too happy to join in. Their tunes are power pop smacks of delight, their sound is fresh and invigorating, ideal for hazy summer days and just what those early bird queuers needed to defrost.

A translucent black curtain falls between the crowd and the stage creating a shaded filter to the goings on on stage as AC/DC blast from the speakers to entertain the fans. The audience erupt as Queens of the Stone Age take to the stage. Their presence undeniably larger than life. ‘If I Had A Tail ‘ kicks off their set to screaming fans. Homme is in a particularly good mood smiling and dancing with gyrating hips and wiggles. The anecdotes are plenty and the atmosphere is electric. The villains of anarchy have arrived, and boy do they put on a show. There is no massive screens or fancy distractions, it’s the five piece and the crowd and it is extraordinary. The charisma, swagger and just plain godliness has the crowd in awe. There is so much happening on stage as each member exudes fiery stamina. Like a tag team they keep everyone on their toes with their explosive vigour. ‘Monster in your Parasol’ ’My God Is The Sun’ three songs in and it’s total turmoil in the mosh pit. Limbs flailing everywhere, hair flicking into strangers faces and necks whipping while the five-piece stride back and forth on stage jumping and kicking. ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me’ whacks the crowd into another frenzy. This is the thing with a band like Queens of the Stone Age they have so many cracking tracks a live show is a constant thrilling battering to your body. Michael Shuman strides about the stage with a fierce, intense, sultry stage presence belting out lusty mammoth bass lines and haunting backing vocals. While Troy Van Leeuwen suave and dobonair as always skips about the stage in a red suit. “We came to dance, drink and hopefully get everyone laid.. let’s get loose” Homme declares before introducing ‘The Way You Used To Do’ as Dean Fertita ventures from behind the keys to add some brawn on guitar. Members of the audience are already being lifted out of the pit all kerfuffled and distressed from the mania. It’s all crowd surfing, shoes in the face craziness. With so many guitarists on stage the band members at times crash into the free-standing strips of light while wandering and spinning around the stage. ‘No One Knows’ evokes screams as the crowd bellow out the riff and lyrics along with the band once again causing total anarchy among the crowd. Jon Theodore showcases his slick pummelling drumming skills for first of two drum solos while Homme lights up a cigarette and watches the crowd’s reaction smiling. The crowd erupt shouting “Olé, Olé, Olé” “that’s exactly why we are here…that, right there, that’s the f**king moment…  tonight, it’s our night, your f**king night, our f**king night” Homme responds before the finale of ‘No One Knows’. Usually a drum solo is a brave move but it’s Jon Theodore for god sake it was legendary! Homme is effortlessly cool with his slicked back swagger and sensual guitar licks his presence commands the attention of the arena. We all subdue to his every wish. ‘I Sat By The Ocean’ ‘Smooth Sailing’ every track bashing out relentless stamina and maintaining the frenzy of the crowd. ‘Make It Wit Chu’ and ‘Villains Of Circumstance’ act as the breathers on the set list giving something to sway and sing along to while also allowing the body feel the pain of the moshing and battering from the previous tracks.

After ‘Sick Sick Sick’ the band leave the stage as the crowd howl for “one more tune” impatient they scream for “Burn The Witch” and Queens of The Stone Age oblige with an encore of ‘Misfit Love’, ‘Head Like A Haunted House’ which comes with a anecdote about a cheeseburger incident when they were last in Dublin where a guy sneaked into their van and was eating a cheeseburger when they found him. Homme calls him “the fastest drunk person I’ve ever seen in my life…..if he’s here tonight f*ck you man …no,  if he’s here tonight…I’ll suck your dick” Homme laughs. They leave ‘Burn The Witch’ to last and the crowd go nuts.

Queens of the Stone Age are just too cool and induce a state of riotous lawless anarchy among the crowd. They are the divinity of rock, the stage their temple and the crowd their loyal adoring worshipers. And a show like this is the reason why nothing can beat them, they hold all the trump cards. The crème de la crème of rock music.