Tag Archives: alternative rock

Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic

Delphina Kings ‘Don’t Think This Is Gonna Work’ EP

Following the release of their singles ‘Lovestruck’ and ‘Kid Calm Down’, Manchester-based indie rock band Delphina Kings have announced the release of new EP ‘Don’t Think This Is Gonna Work’ on 6th July. The release will coincide with an EP release party, which will see the band headline Gullivers NQ in their hometown of Manchester on Saturday 7th July. Support will come from fellow North West acts SUNGLO, RAVELLAS and FLANEUR.

‘Don’t Think This Is Gonna Work’ is an infectious collection of adrenaline pumping indie rock that sizzles and boils beneath your skin with thrilling instrumentation. ‘I’m Numb’ kicks off this scorching mania with shrilling distorted guitars over a punchy rhythmic backdrop of danceable groove infected bass lines and shaky percussion teamed with buoyant drums. These guys exude steamy swagger as effortless cool vocals glide over a frenzied strut worthy buzz of sublime instrumentation and dizzying acid soaked soundscapes. Their high voltage sound fills you with an effervescent whir of intensity as each track whacks out a kinetic energy with a sublime anthemic punch. ‘Electric’ is the perfect example of this. The shredding guitars teamed with spiraling vigorous soundscapes makes for an enthralling instantly electrifying listen. Each track surges with heart racing euphoria from the soaring ‘Like You’ with its slinky funk hued persona drizzled in psychedelia to the luring creepy final track ‘Delirious’, Delphina Kings showcase their slick swagger drenched style in all its glory. ‘Like You’ makes a shift in their sound as they hone in on the sultry psychedelic tones, building them meticulously to create a steamy 60’s -esque trippy number that renders you trapped in its sweet luscious delusions. The soothing gentle vocals coo and caress the melty melody while distorted guitars build for the dynamic chorus. ‘Delirious’ closes the EP continuing the psychedelic tones however taking them to darker more eerie depths. The steady beat and strumming guitar becomes the constant as the wispy melody slips between the sleepy hypnotic soundscapes. Their knack with melodies makes each track easy to sing along to with a delightful ear worm effect that will have them stuck in your head all day while the bands ability to blend genres seamlessly makes the experience instantly satisfying.

About the EP bassist/lyricist Andy Hoskinson said : “We’ve only released singles so far, and we wanted to give people something a little longer to get their teeth into, let them get to know us better”. “An EP isn’t necessarily the done thing any more, it feels rebellious”, adds frontman Chris Gibson.

For more you can follow Delphina Kings on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/delphinakings

 

 


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, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

The Honeymoon Suite ‘Arcade’

The Honeymoon Suite are a 4 piece alt/indie pop band from Derby. Coming onto the scene in late 2017 with the debut track ‘Taste-Less’, the band received backing from the BBC Introducing and have seen themselves take their set around the country supporting a variety of big names including dream-pop leaders JAWS. The band are now set to release their new single ‘Arcade’ tomorrow which was recorded and produced by Alex Greaves at The Nave studios in Leeds.

‘Arcade’ is a breezy bubbly indie number that spreads dreamy soundscapes on top of hefty alternative rock blasts. A driving rumbly bass provides the wobbly elastic foundation for the jaunty guitars to crash and rebound off. The punchy drums and ethereal guitar heights contrast sublimely to create an energetic satisfying listen. With a pop sprinkled melody teamed with sun kissed hazy soundscapes this track showcases the diverse instrumentally rich sound that The Honeymoon Suite do so well.

For more follow The Honeymoon Suite  on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/theh0neymoonsuite/

 


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

The Skullers ‘I’m Your Man’

New Jersey’s The Skullers have returned with a jaunty new summer single, a cover of Richard Hell’s ‘I’m Your Man’. The band is donating the proceeds and raising awareness for a non-profit called Career Gear that helps men in need enter or re-renter the workforce. The band deliver a pristine and respectful cover of ‘I’m Your man’ which was an outtake from Richard Hell & the Voidoids’ 1977 debut album Blank Generation. It’s an undiluted rendition brimming with swagger and class. Jangly guitars stride and breeze through this exhilarating number with steamy effervescence while the smooth vocals caress the carefree irresistible melody with charisma and charm. The guitar solo is crisp and thrilling and the drums punch and pound throughout. It’s a magnificent track to cover filled with buoyancy and bright scintillation teamed with a catchy as hell melody and these guys did a superb job fleshing out the refined unadulterated stomping rock that fills you with good vibes.

The Skullers will perform at Johnny Thunders Birthday Bash on July 15 – a prestigious annual event that takes place at the Bowery Electric in New York.

Stream ‘I’m Your Man’ 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 rock, New Music

Sub Motion ‘Gun in Your Pocket’

Dublin’s Sub Motion have released their latest single ‘Gun in Your Pocket’. The band broke through with tracks ‘Soccer Mom’ and ‘Headlights’ which led them to a sold out Whelans show as well as festival slots at Electric Picnic, Vantastival and Indiependence. They received radio play in Ireland, the UK and the US. By the end of 2017 they were snapped up by publishing label, Tremelo Music Publishing. They have also secured support slots with The Strypes, Fangclub, The Hot Sprockets in the past year following a series of successful releases.  

Sub Motion whack out another infectious belter with ‘Gun in Your Pocket’. Jagged sharp riffs shred through the track from the get go with the most thrilling, briery, raw assault while a sublime rumbling bass sets a blood curdling fluctuant foundation for their explosive sound to ricochet off. The punchy drums relentlessly pound throughout while the catchy melody secures itself firmly in your brain. It’s an adrenaline pumped, seductive number that leaves you bracing for the mighty chorus. This exhilarating rush of spiky, invigorating rock is mosh ready, spine chilling and harsh. The distorted guitar shrills add an electrifying intensity while Rebecca Geary’s sultry dynamic vocals entice and compel throughout. Sub Motion showcase their proficient fire-starting sound with a slick swagger and razor sharp edge. ‘Gun in Your Pocket’ is just the tip of the iceberg for this band.

Whilst recording another track in Herbert Place Studios with producer James Darkin, ‘Gun in Your Pocket’ was born out of a spontaneous studio jam between takes. Speaking about the track, lead singer Rebecca Geary says, “the song came completely out of nowhere, just when we needed a badass, balls to the wall rock song to channel our energy into”.

You can catch Sub Motion live at:

RiverFest 2018, Offaly – 16th/17th June

The Bowery, Dublin (Supporting Crazy Town) – 23rd June

More TBA soon.

 

Stream ‘Gun in Your Pocket’ below

 


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Post Punk

Dead Royalties ‘Phantom Hearts’

Dead Royalties have released their new single ‘Phantom Hearts’. They are an energetic Post-Punk/Art-Rock trio with a sound that takes influence from Queens of the Stone Age, Royal Blood and flavours of 90’s Alt-Rock / Brit-Pop. Their heavy yet accessible riffs conceal a hefty dose of unexpected complexity, opening new dimensions and making them appeal to both mainstream listeners and those who like to get their intellectual curiosity tickled. With their well received debut E.P. ‘Hormones’ (released through Secret Chord Records), as well as three other singles, they have rapidly gained momentum in the Bristol music scene and with BBC Introducing, resulting in sell-out home shows, a back catalogue of future releases and a unique sound that makes this trio such an exciting and hard hitting act.

‘Phantom Hearts’ is a slinky, strut ready number ravaged with groovy rhythms and heavy mosh ready rawness. The sleek pop flavoured melody slithers upon a rough cutting riff driven backdrop and gritty soundscape while smooth swagger soaked vocals caress the melody provocatively. Its heavy headbanging-ly frantic instrumentation contrasts magnificently with the sensual persona of the track making for a wholly enthralling listen. It’s infectious and will get everyone up dancing. Once that thudding beat kicks in this track has you grooving and bopping as it seeps cool flamboyance and prance quality from every note. Those guitar licks and elastic bass meanders inject panache and an irresistible strut element while the flickering soundscapes drizzle the track with a dizzying dose of acid. It’s a “slightly prudish and clinical love song about fornication and misguided lovers” produced in the most thrilling manner.

Stream ‘Phantom Hearts’ below


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