Tag Archives: alternative rock

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

Colour ‘Kerosene’

Colour are an alternative rock band from Liverpool. Band members Tidd, Scott, Downey and Connor have released their track ‘Kerosene’ from their self-produced 4-track EP which came out at the end of last month.
‘Kerosene’ is a perfect treasure of luscious bright melodies, luminous guitars and shimmering synths with its sunny vibes and smooth dynamic vocals that are blissful and easy to listen to. This track is creamy and bouncy and has a magnetic effect that will have you wanting to hear more. It is  embroidered with glittering synth effects and zesty guitars that keeps the track fresh and radiates sunny vibes.  Even though the lyrics contrast the blazing golden atmosphere they bring a meaningful darker tone to the track which makes this song more intriguing.
‘Kerosene’ is a track that must be added to your summer playlist!
You cant catch Colour live at:
JUL 31 Kendall Calling festival.United Kingdom
SEP 16 Square ONE – Crewe, United Kingdom
Stream ‘Kerosene’ below

https://soundcloud.com/colourbanduk/kerosene

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

The Jackobins ‘Hasty’

 

The Jackobins are a 5-piece alternative rock band from Liverpool. They have taken Liverpool’s and the U.K’s music scene by storm, headlining and selling out prestigious venues such as Liverpool’s O2 Academy, EVAC, Magnet and Camden’s Barfly alongside smaller dates in Leeds, Manchester, Leicester, Sunderland, Stoke and Grimsby. They have also scored themselves support slots with The Enemy, Reverend and The Makers and The Riffles while also appearing on Tramlines, Strawberry Fields, Northbound, X & Y, Party In The Pines, Liverpool Calling, Boondock, Blackthorn, FesEvol and events such as Soccer Six and Football Rocks. We previously featured their track ‘One More Chance’ as our Worth A Listen track earlier this year and they are back with another infectious track ‘Hasty’.
‘Hasty’ is an anthem-like richly textured track with a melody that seeps into your brain and compels you to put on repeat. The track begins with a toe-tappingly good riff and attention grabbing beat. The tease of psychedelic guitars for the verse gives you a taste of whats to come and adds a hypnotic mesmerising texture to the track. Its an upbeat track with dark undertones. The contrast between the bobbing rhythm and dynamic vocals with the intoxicating trance like guitar is effective and shows the diversity of The Jackobins. The vocals exude swagger and emotion and have a strut quality. The bridge softens with a more hypnotic, intense and euphoric vibe with softer vocals and repeated lyrics. The bass is elastic and malleable yet subtle giving a enticing feel that is light but enough to be effective and luring. The track builds again for an energetic and charismatic end.
Another fantastic track from The Jackobins!
The Jackobins are playing a number of festival shows and headline dates this summer you can catch them at:
Jul 22 Tramlines, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Jul 23 Blackthron Festival, Castlehead, United Kingdom
Jul 29 Y Not Festival,Pikehall, United Kingdom
Jul 30 Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, United Kingdom
Aug 06 Sunflower Fest Hillsborough, United Kingdom
Aug 20 Glass Butter Beach, Abersoch, United Kingdom
Sep 02 The Plug, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Nov 26 Kazoopa, Leeds, United Kingdom
Stream ‘Hasty’ below

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

Mini Mansions ‘Fiona’

Los Angeles band Mini Mansions will be releasing a collection of B-Side tracks entitled ‘Flashbacks’ in September. The trio (vocals and drummer Michael Shuman, vocals and keyboardist Tyler Parkford, bassist and multi instrumentalist Zachary Dawes) released their critically acclaimed second album ‘The Great Pretenders’ in 2015. While eager fans await their return with their third album, Mini Mansions have decided to ease their withdrawal symptoms a little and let them indulge on some unreleased/unheard B-Sides.
‘Fiona’ is one of the tracks on the lineup for ‘Flashbacks’ and it gives us a nostalgic glimpse of the Mini Mansions we heard on their 2010 self titled debut. ‘Fiona’ has a dreamy swoon like tone, drenched in psychedelia with dark undertones. The diversity between Parkford’s sweet falsetto and Shuman’s warm deep vocals is refreshing. Their vocals intertwine and switch ranges all while harmonising, blending and swirling in a lush melody. Dawes’ elastic bass gives a smooth seductive tone to the track while the drums provide a staggering swagger. The track reels you in from the start and seems to coax you with its luxurious irresistible melody. It builds to a massive crescendo with distorted bass and climatic instrumentation before slowing the tone to a soft gentle echo finish.
‘Fiona’ is another fantastic example of Mini Mansions superior musicianship.Their music is a work of art, refined yet dynamic. Lyrically and instrumentally they are setting the bar high for other musicians. It is clear this trio are getting bigger and better.
You can pre-order ‘flashbacks’ here: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/mini-mansions

Watch ‘Fiona’ below

 

 

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Motions ‘Back To Where I Begun’

motions

Motions are an alternative rock band based in Dublin formed by Tom Daly and Dave Nulty. They have released their debut single ‘Back To Where I Begun’ which was produced by Philip Magee. The track deals with the theme of contemplating starting over when you’re close to the point of no return.
‘Back To Where I Begun’ starts with a strong raspy vocal with very light accompaniment that builds slightly for the first chorus with dramatic chord strides and pulsating beats. The track slowly builds tension for the second verse with an added dance synth quality and bendable beat. The return of the chorus brings us a brief instrumental blast with dynamic strident guitars. The track reaches its crescendo with an aerial yet strong instrumental with shredding guitars and pounding drums while still holding an atmospheric breezy vibe.
‘Back To Where I Begun’ is a strong debut single with an impressive rhythm that drives the track forward and gives a bendable quality to the track. The vocals are solid and emotion filled while the guitars are sharp and refreshing. A great start for Motions look forward to hearing more.
Watch Motions we recently released a video for ‘Back To Where I Begun’ with Crooked Gentlemen below

Alt Rock, electro - rock, Electronic, Indie, Indie Electro, indie rock, New Music

Trickster Guru ‘Problem Child’

Trickster Guru is the alternative rock and electronic project of Los Angeles singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Christopher Caplan. Trickster Guru’s debut EP ‘Problem Child’, was released earlier this year. He has also released a video for the title track ‘Problem Child’.
‘Problem Child’ is a innovative emotional track that tells us a story by beautifully fusing vintage rock and soul with the excitement and innovation of modern electronic synth. The track begins with a steady fuzzed beat that holds the foundation throughout the track. The vocals enter in a smooth tender manner. This track flows fluidly with a sway waltz -like quality. The addition of the synths and beats from alternative electronic co-producer AWAY enhances the passion and evokes the emotion of desire in the track giving an effective release of tension for the crescendo. Caplan has a deep smooth velvety vocal which is luring and seductive. With a dark mysterious atmosphere lingering in the background while the soft instrumentation and vocals attempt to ease your mind this track evokes every emotion and creates goosebumps while you are seduced by its melody and swoon like atmosphere of indulgence.

Watch ‘Problem Child’ below

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

White Crosses ‘Dead Souls’

White Crosses Band 1

Hailing from Warsaw (Poland) alternative punk band White Crosses, featuring the creative partnership of Konrad Sloka (Vocals/Guitar), Sebastian Prokop (Guitar), Stefan Banaszynski (Bass) and Marcin Plocha (Drums) have released a video for their single ‘Dead Souls’. The quartet produced big waves in their native country with their acclaimed EP release ‘Native Handshakes’ in 2015. They have recently joined forces with UK indie label Engineer Records and ‘Dead Souls’ is a taste of things to come from their forthcoming EP ‘Anchorless’.
‘Dead Souls’ is a hefty steady alternative pop punk track with strident guitars that drive the track forward. The punchy drums and exuberant bass give a strong foundation to the track. The heavy drum kicks for the verse giving the track a punch and weighty feel while the vocals are simple yet effective for the verse and become more animated for the chorus as they portray the honest lyrics with passion and emotion. I can imagine this song is massive live as it is set up for all the dramatic guitar poses and spins with dramatic breaks and attitude.
Watch ‘Dead Souls’ below

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

Sly Antics ‘Captive City’

Sly Antics are an alternative rock trio from Manchester. They are creating a name for themselves for their energetic live performances and hard hitting ear blasting rock tracks. They have already scored themselves shows at This Feeling and  secured festival slots alongside Maximo Park as well as a headline slot at Liverpool Cavern and appearances on big stages including Manchester O2 Ritz.

Band members Sam, Lee and Tommo have recorded a 5 track EP at Greenmount Studios (home to The Cribs and Pulled Apart By Horses) which is due for release in September this year. Their track ‘Captive City’ is the track that caught our attention.
‘Captive City’ is an energetic mighty track that is infectiously catchy and powerful. With its strong driving rhythm and beat that pounds through the track for the verses creating a solid foundation while the guitars are bright and steady giving light accompaniment for the husky gritty vocals. They lead into a soft pre-chorus with a bouncy bendable beat that persuades your body to dance. Then the track explodes before the chorus into a heavy mosh worthy sound. The vigorous guitars and thunderous drums give us that ear blistering effect that is robust and forceful. Sly Antics balance a melodic dance-like sound with heavy soul thumping rock so effortlessly. The change in style is swift and makes their music fresh and keeps you craving more.
Look forward to more from Sly Antics
You can catch Sly Antics live at
24th Jul 2016 Blackthorn Festival, Stockport
3rd Sep 2016 Night & Day – Captive City Launch Party, Manchester
24th Sep 2016 MAH – The Live Room, Manchester
22nd Oct 2016 Oxjam, Leeds
19th Nov 2016 Gullivers, Manchester
3rd Dec 2016 Verve Bar, Leeds
Stream ‘Captive City’ below

https://soundcloud.com/slyantics/captive-city

Alt Rock, indie rock, Live Music, New Music, Rock

Live Music Review : King Harvest & The Weight and The Sour Seeds

 

The first thing we found out about our trip to The Pine Lodge Cork on Saturday to catch King Harvest & The Weight live was that Myrtleville is the best place to be stranded. We found lovely helpful people that made us feel at home and helped us out after our designated driver crashed into a wall just up the road from the venue, destroying our car but leaving the wall without a mark. A little shook up and bruised we headed to the Pine lodge to organise a way home and of course get to see as much live music as we possibly could before our lift came.

 

The night began with a set from The Sour Seeds an alternative rock band from Dublin. These guys have a slightly unusual set up with the addition of two saxophones. The Sour Seeds are refreshing and talented. Their smooth soulful tunes with added psychedelic and rock influences bring something new to the table, and come on who 20160701_215659_001doesn’t love a saxophone especially when it works well and adds diversity and depth to their tracks. Their witty humour and banter goes down well with the crowd, a brilliant warm up for a great night ahead.
King Harvest & The Weight begin their set with their single ‘Unstuck’ an upbeat catchy rock track bursting with great vibes. This track is brilliant live. It takes a new dimension with a dynamic bass, mighty drums and spirited guitar. This track is a strong opener and is so easy to dance to. It quickly becomes apparent that they are at their best live and to really appreciate their diverse sound you need 20160702_173759to go to one of their gigs .’Dream’ follows with its bright upbeat bubbly sound which I thought had a slight country twang when i listened to the album, however when performed live they give us punchier drums and a fantastic lustrous guitar that is compelling. The edgy bluesy ‘This Town’ give us a rock and roll feel with swagger. The heavy riff is brawny yet flexible and can coax you to dance without you even realising it. Its an energetic track that the crowd reacts well to and seems to sweet talk the crowd to bopping along. They slow down the tone with the melodic smooth ‘Morning Light’ showcasing their lush harmonies. Its a soft track that has a sway almost soft bop effect on the crowd. The set flows smoothly as they glide into the catchy ‘Diana’ which shows us their funky side. Unfortunately we had to leave at this point but not before we got to hear the smooth sensual ‘New York Is Dangerous’ with its slick darker tone.

 

King Harvest & The Weight make performing  look so effortless and easy with the flowing guitar solos, polished bass and punchy drums while they blow us away with a mixture of genres and sounds. There 20160702_173954is no doubt of their talent.
I would highly recommend going to see both these bands live and unfortunately I didn’t get to see The New 52 perform but i will definitely head down to one of their next shows.
Stream The Sour Seeds ‘Can’t Bring Me Down’ and King Harvest & The Weight ‘Unstuck’ below

https://soundcloud.com/thesourseeds/cant-bring-me-down-1

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

DeepShade ‘Ganzua’

DeepShade are an Alternative Rock /Metal, Grunge, band from Wigan. David Rybka ( Vocal, Guitar), Tom Doherty (Bass), and Paul Barlow (Drums) released their debut album ‘Everything Is Popular Is Wrong’ in 2015 and it propelled DeepShade into the national spotlight. We were particularly impressed with their track ‘Time’ and did a feature on it earlier this year. They have now released ‘Ganzua’ From their next EP which is due out before Christmas this year.
‘Ganzua’ is a beast of a track and a force to be reckoned with. Its heavy intense powerful sound, dark atmosphere and forceful energy demands and deserves respect and recognition. From the start of the track we are met with vigorous guitars and thunderous drums while Rybka’s vocals remain intense and haunting with a slight rasp at times. His vocals echo and howl during the chorus as if waking the dead. The strident and slick guitar riff is infectious while the fierce drums pound through your soul. This track holds a smooth sensual quality while remaining robust and destructive. The lusty shredding guitar solo is brawny yet seductive and leads to a heavy headbanging frenzy instrumental with swirling haunting vocals giving a psychedelic element to the track until it finishes strong and solid.
DeepShade’s currently untitled EP features minimal studio overdubs and focuses on their chemistry as a creative unit. With mixing and mastering duties taken on by long term collaborator John Kettle.

DeepShade will announce the full EP release details in the coming months along with European tour dates.
We cant wait to hear the new EP, if ‘Ganzua’ is anything to go by its going to be massive!
Stream ‘Ganzua’ below

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

Corner Pilots

Corner Pilots are a no nonsense rock band hailing from Surrey, band members Dan Stafford (Lead Vocals), Joshua Bennet (Guitar), Jake France (Guitar), Ben Mawdsley (Bass) and Reece O’Brien (Drummer) are creating  a stir with their heavy, energetic performances and catchy heavy riff based rock tracks. Their catalogue of tracks on soundcloud are impressive and showcase their talent and great potential as musicians.
‘The Language’ is a blues rock track with slick zealous guitar and punchy drums. The rooted bass give a depth and foundation to the track. This track oozes energy and swagger and has a body moving effect. The guitar particularly excels in this track as it effortlessly pierces through the track and delivers a shredding strident solo. Stafford’s vocals are smooth and exuding confidence, swagger and attitude. With its anthem like energetic chorus that has a fist pump effect its easy to see how this song would be massive performed live.
‘Queen of My Nightmare’ gives us a heavier fuzzed sound with an infectious dirty riff that sticks in your head. Stafford’s vocals are sharper and dynamic., while the guitars are smooth and slick. This track is fiery and sensual while remaining edgy and cool and bursting with attitude. It is delivered in an effective energetic mosh worthy manner with the track building in tempo and intensity as the song progresses.
‘ Jump’ begins with a moody eerie tone and screechy guitars. This shadowy atmosphere continues throughout the track while the instrumentation builds for the chorus. The vigorous guitars play a riff that almost warns of danger while the creeping bass gives you goosebumps and the drums add a mosh effect. The vocals take on a mysterious tone giving this track a thrilling effect.
Corner Pilots show some great talent with these tracks look forward to hearing more from them.
If your around make sure you go see them live at the O2 Academy Islington on July 8th.
Stream ‘The Language’ and ‘Queen of My Nightmare’ below