Glasgow female-fronted alternative rock Quotes of the Dead are set to release their new single ‘Twist or Stick’ on the 13th of September. Searing with sharp guitar lines, gritty bass and punchy drums ‘Twist or Stick’ is a smothering alternative number brimming with sassy swagger. The track drifts along a bright, energetic melody that evokes a retro shimmy while the dark instrumentation and eerie atmosphere slap on a gritty heavier tonality to the track. With powerful vocals, slinky guitar solo and rumbling bass- these guys pack in oodles of vigor and intensity to create a satisfying listening experience. It’s alternative rock with a funky twist to create an invigorating sound that marks Quotes of the Dead ones to keep an eye on.
Hailing from the UK and now residing in Australia, alternative Rock band Kings Union have released their debut single ‘Spirals’ from their upcoming album of the same name set for release on 16th October 2019. Kings Union have released a video, animated by 351 Studio, to accompany the single and in homage to their favourite 90s rock videos.
Baked in gritty riffs and slick instrumentation ‘Spirals’ steam rolls in as Kings Union announce their raw powerful rock with swagger and attitude. With pummeling drums battering through the neck snapping wall of sound the track blisters and boils with hard rock influences. A little Black Sabbath – esque ‘Spirals’ bombards your brain with raw rock, sanded down and funneled into small anthemic bursts for easy consumption. It’s a sturdy debut from Kings Union.
Galway band Slyrydes have released their new single ‘Out Patience’. The band comprised of Marc Raftery (Vocals), Mark Comer (Guitar), Fuz Reilly (Bass Guitar), Paul Clarke (Drums) have had support slots with Fight Like Apes, Palma Violets and PEACE, on top of festival appearances and regular headline shows around Ireland. The band have also been played frequently on Today fm, 2fm, RTE radio one, Radio Nova, BBC radio Foyle and Radio X in the UK as well as many regional stations.
With shrilling distortion and a thumping beat pounding adrenaline into your veins ‘Out Patience’ displays Slyrydes commanding robust sound in all its powerful might. Gritty, sharp and laced in acid soaked guitar lines this corrosive blast of raw punk rock hits hard and bulldozes into your brain. The guitars weave from rough acute lacerations to refined wails while the rooted bass groove rumbles beneath creating a fluctuant foundation between the pulverising drums. With screaming vocals and an all round dark eerie atmosphere it’s one hell-raising belter. There is refined guitar moments within this track as they slink, slither and weave between the verses and sleek solo before the track breaks into all out anarchy. ‘Out Patience’ is one exhilarating whirlwind from Slyrydes.
Alternative rock three piece Rat Face Lewey have released their new single ‘Comfortable’ ahead of the release of their sophomore album, ‘The Fall Of Man’, on Friday 6th September. Rat Face Lewey were originally formed back in 2010 by brothers Jonny (lead vocals/guitar) and Mav (bass) with Gregg on drums.
‘Comfortable’ is a battering alternative rock track as Rat Face Lewey douse their sound in rich melodies intricate guitar work and pounding rhythms. The track flows fluidly on a smooth melody while raspy vocals express the passionate lyrics as the gritty backdrop adds a beefy mosh ready foundation. With punchy drums and crashing guitars that soar, slice and shred through the darkened soundscape, it’s an adrenaline rush of moody rock. The growl-like backing vocals add a rough quality to the track as the guitars meander between glistening innocence and sharp lacerations against the buoyant rhythmic backdrop.‘Comfortable’ is another vigorous number from Rat Face Lewey.
North Dublin alternative four piece Bullet Girl have released their new single ‘The Rush’ which was produced and mixed by Graham Byrne. In 2019, Bullet Girl have gone from strength to strength bringing their unique blend of alternative rock and post-punk across major venues in Dublin, culminating in two packed out headline gigs in Whelan’s (Upstairs) on June 15th and at The Workman’s Club on July 12th for Oslo Dublin.
Swirled in a surge of energetic alternative rock with a swanky strut quality ‘The Rush’ announces itself with swagger, adrenaline and sublime instrumentation. With a groove ravaged back bone, the track shuffles in, ready to dominate your mind. The sun speckled guitar, strums little golden bursts of euphoria through the buoyant backdrop while confident vocals charm their way through the catchy melody. This track is saturated in panache displayed by a steamy guitar solo, infectious chorus and intense dynamic musicianship. This is a band you need to hear. Keep an eye out for these guys.
Heavy Rock duo Follow No One have released their new single ‘Fear No Evil’. This is their 2nd single of 2019, following on from their last effort ‘Your Time of Dying’, released in March which has been nominated for Best Rock Act/Best Rock Song at the 2019 JMA Awards in Nashville.
‘Fear No Evil’ is an abrasive rock track that blends Follow No Ones hard hitting sound with groovy elements to create an invigorating number. With intricate guitar work entwining between the pounding drums and powerful vocals this track is mighty in every aspect. The shrilling guitars crunch, crash and soar over the rough backdrop adding flurries of finesse and grandeur between the chaos. The chorus is dynamic and anthemic as the song goes from high point to high point without any lag. It’s a power rock track that swarms in to rush adrenaline into your veins – an enjoyable and exhilarating listen.
Irish rock band Skyfever have released their new single ‘Burning Hands’. This searing gritty number blazes through with Skyfever’s ballsy rock in all its glory. Blistering guitars lacerate through pounding drums and scorching synths as the band showcase their prowess and swagger in one hell raising tune. With a darkly coated backdrop, powerful expressive vocals and rooted bass weaved generously into an epic synth feature its a dramatic tune from the start. The dynamic chorus, teasing sister verses and shrilling solo showcase the bands ability to refine their sound and blend it perfectly for maximum impact. The thumping beat and vocals alone could summon the dead while the dazzling glossy soundscape and raw rock brutality beaten into this edged track creates a thrilling contrast.This shredding riff driven track curls and coils rock and synth to create something truly special. Skyfever are ones to keep an eye on.
Birmingham alternative rock band Y!KES have released their new single ‘Shadow Gallery’, a Britpop inspired anthem about dementia. Since forming in January 2019 they have released three singles/videos, their debut being the highly well received ‘Uncanny Valley’. Following slots at NotAFest, Soma Fest, Your City Festival and dates all over the UK supporting acts such as Mantra and Woes, the band have plenty more in store for 2019 including slots at Macmillan Fest & Hard Rock Hell and a hometown show supporting Mallory Knox (TBC). They’ll be putting on a headline show at the Asylum 2 in Birmingham on the 16th August. The video for the new single features a large cast who play the band growing up, 70s/80s pop star and Amarillo singer ‘Tony Christie’ playing an older version of Y!KES singer Joby Fitzgerald.
‘Shadow Gallery’ is a powerful melodic anthem laced in passionate songwriting and dynamic, jarring instrumentation as Y!KES take their raucous sound and rein it in to create a more melodic and tender number. Raspy vocals add grit to the emotional melody while punchy drums and rowdy backdrop maintain Y!KES’ mighty wall of sound. The guitars inject a sweet and stinging sense of innocence throughout the track as they lament through the verses before crashing into the meaty chorus. It’s a compelling and sophisticated tune that boasts the bands ability to write tracks of substance as well as all out blistering tunes.
You can catch Y!KES live at :
11th August – Statfold Barn Festival, Tamworth
16th August – The Asylum 2, Birmingham (Headline show/Video shoot)
07th September – Macmillan Festival, Nottingham
30th September – Mama Roux, Birmingham – with Mallory Knox (To Be Confirmed)
07th November – Hard Rock Hell Festival, Great Yarmouth
Dublin artist Watchy has released his debut solo EP ‘Double Retired’. This four track surge of blustery alternative rock ignites with title track ‘Double Retired’. Doused in gritty coarse bass lines pulverising drums and gravelly vocals this brisk frenzied track announces the EP with punk/rock stained tones and aggressive instrumentation. The track builds to its frenetic crescendo with kick ass rock swaggered guitar and meaty foundation. The triumphant ‘Queening Death’ follows. Here Watchy takes Queens’ ‘I Want to Break Free’ throws it into a mincer of rock mania before peppering it with metal hues and aggression to create a milk curdling assault on the senses. Watchy screams the lyrics over a bruising backdrop of shredding epic guitars and pounding drums taking this classic and spinning it into a more ominous heavy exclamation of desperation. With a frantic crescendo featuring shouted “die die” lyrics it’s ready for the blood thirsty mosh pit. Debut single ‘Shelved’ cools the tone of the EP as we see Watchy venture into his electronic aesthetic. This instrumental track builds and ferments carefully, showcasing his ability to richly layer and brood his tracks into ballsy refined tunes. Beginning as a synth jam the track progresses into an all out manic alternative number as the bass flourishes becoming more aggressive and powerful while the drums go berserk. ‘Temporary Satisfaction (I Can’t Get No)’ brings the album to a powerful end with 80’s rock flavoured guitar and buoyant rhythms. The gritty bass lines saturate the track in panache while Watchy wails and screams over the blistering backdrop.
‘Double Retired’ isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s a raw EP filled with heavy crashing instrumentation, sharp bass and floor-moving drums. Watchy has developed and fleshed out his rough and tumble alternative rock and I dare say its pretty impressive.
About the EP Watchy said :” I wanted to see if I could do something on my own, playing and hanging with my friend Dara from Chancer (who I convinced to drum on these tracks) really inspired me to write on my own and work on songs from the ground up, I treated it like a job and went in on my own to rehearse ideas, come up with melodies take a lunch break then go back to them and finish at a reasonable time then come back to them a day later. The results have been so amazing and I’m really proud of what I came up with.”
London based trio Burnt Tongues have released their second single ‘Setting the Tone’. The band consisting of Chris Kelsey (vocals, bass), Jack Charles (guitar) and Piers Berryman (drums) have recruited a loyal fan base with ambitious live performances and debut single ‘Twist & Shake’. The band are set to release a stream of singles and collaborations throughout the year and anticipate an album in early 2020.
‘Setting the Tone’ is an intoxicating swagger-dunked alternative number. Burnt Tongues intensify their blistering sound with sharp guitars which slice and shrill through the buoyant punchy drum and elastic bass foundation. This blustery track is lock and loaded, ready for repeat plays. The infectious melody drifts on a cool pop tone. The warm lead vocals exude a smooth rock ‘n’ roll vibe while the shouted backing vocals injecting a whack of punk into the mix. ‘Setting the Tone’ is an exhilarating track brimming with charm and kinetic instrumentation, making Burnt Tongues ones to keep an eye on.
You can catch Burnt Tongues live at:
29th August – The Monarch Camden / supporting The Famous Class
14th September – Nambucca / hosted by This Feeling.
Stream ‘Setting the Tone’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
