Blank Parody are an Alternative Rock band from Birmingham. Members Joby Fitzgerald (Vocals) Liam Howard (Guitar) Connor Hodgkiss (Drums) Freddie Shaw (Bass) released their début single ‘Dark Pretenders’ which we featured on Indie Buddie earlier this year. They have now released ‘Locket Picture’ which is a taster of what’s to come from their debut EP, set for release in early 2017. ‘Locket Picture’ begins by displaying and solidifying the shiny cleaner polished sound Black Parody are capable of producing with attention to lyrics and melody, while highlighting Fitzgerald’s raspy gritty vocals. Suddenly like a slap in the face we are led galloping through the track with mighty brute force and relentless energy. Its a ferocious mosh pit worthy track that leaves you headbanging in a frenzy without a break to come up for air. Blustery vigorous guitars drive the track, backed by bloodthirsty powerful pounding drums. Shredding guitar solo is air guitar ready and insanely slick. With anthem- like chorus and intense fiery stamina, ‘Locket Picture’ will have a live audience going crazy, its one for the sticky erratic mania of the mosh pit. Another knock- out winner from Blank Parody
Watch the video for ‘Locket Picture’ below
Grimsby based indie band Mint consist of Zak Rashid (vocals and guitar), Adam Shaw (lead guitar), Andy Maidens (bass) and Sam Chapman (drums). The four piece released their debut EP ‘Happiness is Heroin’ which made number 11 in the iTunes charts. These boys have charmed the likes of Alan Raw, Hailey Richie and their separate BBC Introducing teams, played festival stages throughout summer and have even worked with the same producers that worked with Viola Beach, The Jackobins and VYNCE!. ‘Happiness is Heroin’ is a bushwhack of energetic bursts and frenzy causing vibes rolled out and smoothed off with infectious melodies and sick riffs. ‘Elise’ kicks the EP off with a surge of explosive energy ablaze with bright vibrant vibes. The bouncing beat and zealous frantic guitar keeps the spirited blood pumping rush of energy. Rashid’s dynamic vocals add a swagger filled confidence and charm to the witty catchy lyrics. ‘Wolves’ is a sizzling agitated surge of gutsy steamy sharp guitar and pounding drums with elastic slap on bass keeping a swift rapid sticky tempo. The smooth sensual vocals give an eerie narration for the verse with tension releasing chorus. Its an electric gooey track with a raw edgy vibe. ‘Living & Dying For’ is a surge of gritty rock with sensual hints of blues for the verses building into a massive heavy thick brawny chorus with a splurge of rushing lyrics of desires. The dark lustful undertones and screeching distorted guitars add a scratchy weight.‘Wonderland’ concludes the EP with passionate raspy vocals and bright twinkle on guitars to start. Deep meaningful lyrics thunderous drums and flexible bass keeps the rapid malleable yet powerful rhythm. Razor sharp guitar adds a sombre and acute edge to this shaken enraged track. Exasperated vocals teamed with the irritated shrill on guitar acts like an itch under you skin that you cannot reach.
‘Happiness is Heroin’ takes you on a journey of emotions from anthem -like choruses and energetic bright luminosity to intense sombre and frustrated frenzy all while keeping a fresh edge and showcasing fantastic musicianship.
Stream ‘Happiness is Heroin’ below
Brooklyn-based rock and roll band Skunkmello have released their new album ‘Hot Chicken’ today. Matt Bartlett (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Ed Cuervo (guitar, vocals), Jay Holt (bass,vocals) and Jono Ori (drums, vocals) have created their sound which blends the influences of classic rock and blues artists, such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Towns Van Zandt and The Rolling Stones. The group’s three previous releases, Whiskey & Oatmeal EP (2012), 2013’s Lowlife Dreams EP which were produced by the band and mastered by Grammy Award‐winner Brian Lucey,( The Black Keys’ Brothers and El Camino albums) and 2014’s Stars & Stripes, have all met with critical acclaim and ‘Hot Chicken’ follows with in the same manner. ‘Hot Chicken’ pulls together the best of classic rock and roll with country twangs and refreshing blasts of blues to make a solid smooth album full of swagger. ‘Cardboard Box Disguise’ kicks things off in a true rock and roll style with husky vocals, luscious guitar twangs and a sick drum beat that pulls you to the dance floor. With it’s catchy chorus this fun upbeat track is infectious and starts the album off on a high with added cowboy “woooh” mid guitar solo its full of 50s rock and roll swagger. ‘Ridin’ The River’ follows with a heavier sound to start. The country twang features strongly again while the song takes a swing persona as the harmonica becomes predominate. The bridge is finger clicking and foot tappingly good. Its feel good vibe is infectious and makes this track so easy to listen to. ‘Prime Time Hero’ takes a blues form with a sensual sway/strut effect. The guitar plays a light springy melody to soft bouncy beats. Skunkmello take blues and make it light and fun in this track. The chorus is simple with “wooo yeah” lyrics and trust me you will be singing by the end. This track is full of sass in a smooth seductive style. ‘Rhinestone Shady’ brings us a rock and roll blues with heavier beats and stronger vocals full of attitude. With a crisp slick guitar solo and clever lyrics this song is energetic and yet a true narrative telling a story relative to their lives. ‘Highway 17’ slows the tone down a little with a country almost whiskey drowned ballad. It is beautifully melodic and smooth and gives a driving on a hot summers evening feel. Its full of nostalgia and melancholy tones with lush sweet harmonies in backing vocal, while the main vocals are slightly animated and emotional. ‘ Slaughterhouse Blues’ brings back that “turn it up loud” rock and roll feel while ‘ Alligator Coat’ gives us some distorted sliding guitars and shakes up their sound a little. ‘Cash Flow Blues’ deals with the problem of money or lack of, which we can all relate to. Skunkmello deal with this problem in an upbeat manner full of humour and an almost speaking vocal in the middle. This song is full of clap along beats and definitely is one to get an audience up and dancing. ‘Sweet Delight’ closes the album in a raunchy blues style. The steamy guitars and soft beat gives a longing sway vibe to the track. While the vocals become rough and husky in places. With “ohhh” feature on vocals that begin soft and build to become intense and louder up to the massive guitar solo and an almost shout in vocals and roll on drums. This softens until the guitar plays us out with a kick ass solo and pounding drums to a sudden end. Leaving you wanting more.
Stream ‘Slaughterhouse Blues’ and ‘Highway 17’ below
Our Worth A Listen track this week is ‘Ride On’ from Cherryshoes
Cherryshoes is a Psycho-pop band Fronted by the mesmerising El-Jay. They portray a hypnotic blend of dark pop that is captivating. Their single ‘Ride On’ is a well crafted psychedelic rock-pop track that consumes you in a bewitching wave of psychedelia. El- Jay’s soft vocals adds an alluring hypnotic quality to the track that could lead you down a trippy garden path. The soft instrumentation has a relaxing hex effect that places you at ease and perfectly content in this spell – like enrapture. The steady beat gives an eerie seductive tone to the track this is reinforced by the echo backing vocals. It reminds me of a succubus, a highly attractive seductress or enchantress, alluring but dangerous.
Cherryshoes recently performed two sets at latitude festival and are currently recording their first album. Can’t wait to hear more from these guys.
Stream ‘Ride On’ below
We headed out to the Olympia early to get a feel of the atmosphere and see what the fans of Catfish and The Bottlemen were thinking and expecting after the year long wait for the Indie bands return. One obvious change was of course that the show last year was 18s and over and this year I found myself walking along a queue of fresh young faces (most of those I asked told me they were 16 and 17 years old) all eager and excited, some of them had been sitting there since 6 am! just to see a glimpse of the band. When finally they do see them the screams and frenzy caused by their arrival was immense. The band entered the venue in twos separated by about an hour or so. Van, being the last to enter the venue stopped to take pictures with his adoring fans. When finally that was over everyone resumed their positions in the queue to reflect and to my surprise cry with joy.
The support act came from The Crookes who gave an amazing energetic performance that loosened up the stiff hips from the long wait in the queue and impressed the crowd for their first gig in Ireland. With bouncing tunes and the bright lustrous guitars in ‘After Glow’ and the infectious upbeat ‘The World Is Waiting’ that had everyone bopping along as frontman George Waite performed with an Elvis Costello swagger and energy. Every song followed smoothly and went down a treat with the audience. They swayed and danced perfectly contented with the beaming radiant tunes as they joined in with the “crowd friendly” clapping bridge of ‘Backstreet Lovers’. Their new track ‘Real Life’ went down particularly well with the crowd. The girl beside me turned to her friend and yelled “Oh my god I love these guys!” I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a strong Irish following after Monday nights performance.
After a brief intermission Catfish and The Bottlemen explode onto the stage with flashing lights and full of energy as adoring fans scream. While they blast into ‘Rango’ frontman Van McCann shows of his confidence and swagger with every guitar pose and strut. Everyone is in awe of this larger than life character. Not even a trip over a guitar lead can take him off his stride. The performance is well rehearsed with dramatic strobe lighting that excites the crowd and draws them into every beat and strum. They hold everyone’s attention from the energetic’Homesick’ and frantic ’26’ to the acoustic ‘Hourglass’ and with one command get everyone in the balcony up jumping and dancing. The fans bellow out the lyrics as McCann stands back to hear his fans serenade him. To which he humbly thanks them, reminding us of the down to earth sweet guys we met last year. They blast back into some huge tunes and give us a sneak peak at tracks on their forthcoming album, before finishing as they did last year with the fiery ‘Tyrants’ that ends the show on an explosive note leaving everyone wanting more.
Catfish and The Bottlemen have evolved immensely since we saw them last year at the Academy. The gig at the Academy was savage, it had a raw, fresh atmosphere. You could tell Catfish and the Bottlemen were “diamonds in the rough” as they brought something different and exciting to the indie scene. One year on we see them more polished and rehearsed but still energetic and arena worthy. McCann has developed a frontman swagger that captivates the crowd. This it definitely a band that will stand the test of time.
Our Worth A Listen track this week comes from Black Honey.
Their latest track “All My Pride” is from their forthcoming Headspin EP. Brighton band, Izzy Baxter, (vocals, guitar) Chris Ostler (guitar), Tommy Taylor (bass), Tom Dewhurst (drums), deliver an infectious rock pop sound with attitude in this track.
‘All My Pride’ is a vicious post – breakup song with slick, blazing guitar. Izzy performs her vocals with such intensity and vulnerability that sucks you in and makes you listen to every word of her story. This is a very well written song. It is what I would imagine Lana Del Rey would sound like if she was in a rock band. They have the same ability to draw the listener in with nonchalant melodies only with fierce guitar. This band will definitely do well with this song as it ticks all the boxes.
Stream ‘All My Pride’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
Glow’ and the infectious upbeat ‘The World Is Waiting’ that had everyone bopping along as frontman George Waite performed with an Elvis Costello swagger and energy. Every song followed smoothly and went down a treat with the audience. They swayed and danced perfectly contented with the beaming radiant tunes as they joined in with the “crowd friendly” clapping bridge of ‘Backstreet Lovers’. Their new track ‘Real Life’ went down particularly well with the crowd. The girl beside me turned to her friend and yelled “Oh my god I love these guys!” I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a strong Irish following after Monday nights performance.
