Formed in 2022 and headed up by Evan Walsh (former drummer with The Strypes) The Savage Hearts have made several exciting appearances on the Irish scene including sets at Electric Picnic (2022 & 2023), Sea Sessions, Kaleidoscope and others. The band have performed support slots including a notable appearance as special guests of The Boomtown Rats in July 2023 (Evan later joined the Rats onstage for a jam of Mary Of The 4th Form and John Lee Hooker’s Boom Boom). The band have now released their first single ‘Gang War’(co-authored with Ste Kelly of Dublin’s own indie powerhouse Raglans). The track is released in collaboration with Galway-based Blowtorch Records, an Irish indie record label whose previous credits include Adore, Turnstiles, Search Results, TV People and The Swedish Railway Orchestra.
‘Gang War’ is a top-notch record. It is a thrilling concoction of garage rock, psychedelia and gritty rock and is an intriguing glimpse into the exciting potential of this band. The song opens on slinky keys, and sleazy howls on guitar while the drums stomp throughout; laying down a swaggering foundation that complements the 60’s psychedelic element on keys. With blasts of harmonica injecting a warm tone; the band create a prism of sounds that is both dazzling and tantalizing to the ears. ‘Gang War’ is an exciting new release from The Savage Hearts. Keep an eye on these guys.
Dublin based noise punks Bullet Girl delve into new musical territory with the release of their garage rock inspired new single ‘Panic 2020’. Bullet Girl are guitarist Dylan Keenan, singer Aaron Doyle, bassist Tony Keyes and drummer Noel Dempsey.Like many bands this year, they had high hopes for 2020, especially with regards to live shows. An all Ireland tour was booked, a slot at Aiken’s Eastbound had been secured, their debut performance at Electric Picnic and they were on course to sell out their first headline show at Thomas House. While all of this was evidently cancelled, Bullet Girl still managed to put out four singles, a handful of live performances and three music videos. In January, they begin work on their debut album and plan to tour a live show around Ireland and the UK. One that they’ve been working on since early this year.
‘Panic 2020’ is a swaggering track which slips from chic, cruising rock n roll to anarchy-driven garage rock while maintaining the powerful and refined musicianship of Bullet Girl. The track creeps in on a laid back shimmy rhythm with an elastic bass groove weaving playfully between a buoyant drum progression as the band ease you into a false sense of charm, security and boppy lightness. The sense of breezy, sunny day fun twists, changes and becomes muggy and asphyxiating for the chorus. The song unravels becoming more harsh and frenzied as the crashing guitars explode into the pummeling drums to create a chaotic wall of sound. The prance on vocals ventures from a swaggered charm to screams and gravely exclaims as the track reaches it’s frenzied crescendo. The skillful shift from cool nonchalance to utter turmoil is masterful as the band present their most engaging and thrilling song to date. Love it.
The song’s mantra “We’re just sensitive people after all..” has now taken on a new meaning for the year that 2020 represents. Here’s what the band have to say about it: “This song has been around exactly a year now, we were reflecting on the year that wasahead and predicting what the new decade might hold. We recorded this song live in our studio on one of the hottest day’s of the year – we literally couldn’t breathe in that room. That claustrophobic, sweaty effect definitely seeped into the final recording – unintentional but fitting.”
Rising Dublin quartet TV People have released their third single of 2020, ‘Nothing More’ and its accompanying video directed by Robert Clarke. Mixed and recorded at Darklands Audio with Dan Doherty (Fontaines D.C., Vulpynes) and mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright (Radiohead, Blur, LCD Soundsystem), ‘Nothing More’ sees the band come to terms with identity and the struggle of finding a purpose in life.Hailing from the heart of Ireland’s capital, TV People are a Dublin four-piece who lace their indie/garage rock sound with punk-infused undertones.
Doused in moody tones of garage rock ‘Nothing More’ sees TV People take a more delicate approach to their sound. Structured and driven by a rooted bass rumble, the tracks underbelly is dark and sinister as the deep almost nonchalant vocals mirror the immersive melancholy of the bass. However the sweet lament on guitar is the light in the darkness – radiating a pure ray of hope as it chimes and twinkles through the depressive soundscape.The band’s attention to detail has always been a compelling aspect of their sound and again they do not disappoint; TV People’s slow paced and deliberate approach to this track stops time. The steady beat ties all the airy, raw and emotive components together within a loose veneer of indie rock allowing the bass and guitar to flourish underneath as the track builds gradually becoming more dramatic and intense before settling on a beautiful guitar refrain for the outro. Displaying lyrical depth, maturity and deft musicianship ‘Nothing More’ marks a significant moment in TV People’s sound and strong musical growth.
Speaking about the single, the band explain: “It reflects on the superficial challenges of finding yourself that you face in adolescence and early adulthood, and contrasts these with a deeper existential anxiety that emerges in their place as you begin to overcome them.The song documents the experience of trying to make peace with the realisation that life may be inherently meaningless and deal with the burden of being responsible for your own life’s purpose. It was written remotely during the lockdown period by sending each other music and mixing a home demo which was a new way of writing for us.”
Easy Tide have released their new single ‘Carpet Grave’ which was recorded by the band in Fennor Lane Studios. Easy Tide are a DIY Garage band hailing from Navan Co Meath. Members include Aaron Dunphy on Bass and Vocals , Steven Rafferty on Guitar and Vocals and Mark Carolan on Drums and Vocals.
‘Carpet Grave’ presents Easy Tide’s punchy alternative rock through a hazy laid back garage rock filter. The band cruise through light ethereal guitar melodies and warm rumble on bass with a sluggish lazy day attitude. The track bops with an airy texture as the buoyant drums create both a spongy cushion for the verses and a punchy bite for the chorus. Glistening guitars ricochet off the heavy drum progression as the track drifts effortlessly from moody verses into the dynamic chorus and crescendo. Well crafted and exuding shoegaze elements, ‘Carpet Crave’ is a sun speckled sulky number that is just as sharp and punchy as it is melodic and dreamy.
Bristol band The Rupees have released their new single ‘Run‘. An exhilarating display of indie rock ‘Run’ blisters and boils encompassing The Rupees raw snarling sound with all its might. The band don’t pull punches as they create a scorching garage rock gem. Coarse guitars jaggedly lacerate through a swirling synth smog while the punchy drums and resounding bass pound through a hefty foundation. It’s a lean mean force of nature as the band cause a chaotic wall of sound through refined and vigorous instrumentation without losing their slick swagger. There is a freeing sense of adrenaline and powerful gusto as the track explodes into its frenetic chorus while the gravely vocals and catchy melody relentlessly resonate through the whirlwind backdrop. ‘Run’ is sublime vigorous anthem from The Rupees.
About the track the band said : “Run is about dreaming for something more, being the underdog, wanting to escape whilst existing in world of averageness, having to work a mundane job in a mundane place, but knowing there is something more, knowing there is something inside of you that is trapped in there because of the exact circumstances you find yourself in. But you can run, you can use love and your passions to escape, you are not sure if you are ever winning or losing but you just have to run with it, with the things you love, just keep going!”
Following the recent success with debut single ‘Kitchen Sinking’, Dublin’s garage/indie-rockers TV People return with their new single ‘Time Eats Up’. The track was mixed by Dan Doherty of Darklands Audio (Fontaines D.C.,Vulpynes) and mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright (Radiohead, Blur, LCD Soundsystem)
Gyrating through jagged ethereal guitar riffs and slaughtering drum progressions ‘Time Eats Up’ presents TV People’s ambitious garage rock in all its raw relentless glory. A dreamy melody carefully swerves around trigger happy guitars and combustible drums as the band tease between laid back hazy monotony and fiery explosions. Sweet jingles on guitars playfully dance between the sulking bass and punchy drums. Paul Donohoe’s vocals trudge with a coarse texture over the smooth melody creating a moody sense of boredom as he narrates the tracks theme of solitude and isolation. The band build the song superbly allowing it to fidget and itch to its massive harsh crescendo with shrilling guitars and thrashing wall of sound. ‘Time Eats Up’ is an impressive new track from TV People. Keep an eye on these guys.
About the track lead singer Paul Donohoe explains: “I wrote the lyrics for ‘Time Eats Up’ at the tail end of a 6 month spell of unemployment. I think we really managed to capture the mixed emotions of that idle state of existence in the song. The feelings of liberation that come with sitting idle and how these conflict with the dread that time is passing you by were a huge influence in the songwriting process for us. I came to view time as a very sinister and oppressive force and we tried to get this across in the music. As the song progresses, the sounds begin to get a bit heavier and sharper. We wanted the intensity of the outro to swallow up the more melodic sounds from the song’s earlier verses as a way to convey the toxicity of that way of living.”
Garage/indie-rock newcomers TV People have released their new single ‘Kitchen Sinking’. Formed in early 2019, the Dublin-based four-piece have concocted an indie-tinged sound that combines sleek dynamism with infectious punk-infused undercurrents.Rooted in 00s garage rock, “Kitchen Sinking” is a fiery, rousing single discussing the tensions caused by conflicting societal views.
‘Kitchen Sinking’ maneuvers shrewdly through indie rock elements and garage rock grit as TV People flesh out their feverous musicianship and mature lyricism. With sharp guitar riffs jabbing between sweet guitar melodies and slinky licks the track creates a dreamy hazy atmosphere entangled in beefy blasts.There is a mellowed shoegaze- esque quality to the track that is almost lethargic. However the band blend this meticulously with their meaty garage rock to add a bite and punch to the track against jarring bass rumbles and hefty drums while the majestic guitar ricochet and soar with an ethereal quality. The laid back melody and moody vocals weave between tones of nonchalance and angst as the track builds to its thrilling crescendo. A sublime piece of musicianship.
Explaining the single further, the band says:“The song is about the extremist nature of disagreement in the world at the moment and the inability for people with different views to find common ground or mutual understanding. Kitchen Sinking is a term used in an abusive relationship for when people continuously barrage their partner with negative comments one after the other to break them down psychologically. We felt that this was a fitting description of what’s going on in the world at the moment on a universal level.”
Easy Tide have released their new single ‘When The Pills Don’t Work’. Easy Tide is a three piece garage band from Navan Co. Meath comprised of Aaron Dunphy (bass,vocals), Steven Rafferty (guitar,vocals) and Mark Carolan (Drums,vocals).
‘When The Pills Don’t Work’ whirls with acute guitar, driving bass and punchy drums as Easy Tide simmer their agitated garage into an effervescent catchy number. This band create an ethereal atmosphere and dreamy melodic flow between the thick darkened soundscape to lift the track into a more light and airy vibe as if ignoring the harsh jagged instrumental elements. They bubble and boil the buoyant bass line until it wriggles its way into your skull while the drum beat maintains the steady tempo for the brooding verses. The guitars jingle and glisten into the shredding chorus that erupts with a crashing, fuzzy wall of sound and heavy drum foundation.The sweet guitars twinkle and gleam through the track creating a golden ray of sunshine through the bulky gritty backdrop while the expressive vocals dynamically bounce over the moody melody. Easy Tide craft this song seamlessly to create a deft rumbling track slapped with refined elements and harsh rawness – a joy to listen to.
Watch the video for ‘When The Pills Don’t Work’ below
Dublin’s punk garage rock duo Vulpynes are one of the most exciting new Irish rock bands in recent years. They have released their second EP ‘Dye Me Red’. Vulpynes’ self titled debut EP was released on UK indie label Headcheck Records last year. Since then, the band have gone from strength to strength supporting the likes of Deap Vally, Doyle (Misfits), Marmozets, Stiff Little Fingers, Sleaford Mods and the Interrupters.
‘Dye Me Red’ is Vulpynes most thrilling EP to date. The duo have refined their battering rock with acid garage elements and punk persona with such precise detail its awe inspiring. The ferocity and explosive energy shoot like acid soaked missiles from each track as the dark and foreboding wall of sound consumes you and traps you in their brand of alternative rock. ‘I Can’t Sit Still’ kicks off the EP. The gritty riffs suffocate and scorch the track in a humid harsh atmosphere while the bruising assault on drums creates a flexible and powerful foundation. Molly’s vocals are commanding throughout and possibly the most compellingly forceful female punk vocals on the Dublin scene at the moment. She has depth and subtlety in her voice that adds genuine weight to the punk rock anthems, The razor cut guitar chords in ‘Bitches Are Like Waves’ lacerate with a majestic quality while Kaz on drums keeps the rhythm fast and furious. The high intensity of their tracks make them flow together seamlessly as Vulpynes present this four track EP in a quick poisonous dose. The duo have always moved through their tracks with relentless stamina, bashing their thunderous sound through each release. However this EP showcases a shift in perception, they maintain their raucous style from previous singles like ‘OCD’ and ‘’Silica’ but now they have polished and sharpened their sound to create something more intoxicating. The second half of the EP shows this superbly. ’It Washes Out’ crawls under your skin with distortion-filled verses before the chorus strikes you into submission. There is equal measure of rough punk and smooth slinky rock to create a fierce wall of sound that encompasses Marilyn Manson with some Jack White glittering throughout. ‘The Hunt’ brings the album to a frantic close. I have never heard this band exude more swagger and brutality before. There is a hint of The Prodigy in this savage number as the drums pulverize between the dizzying guitar lines to create a brain frothing sinister number. It’s absolutely outstanding.
Vulpynes have come a long way since their early days. They display their most intense gnawing sound yet in ‘Dye Me Red’. It’s a spitting,lacerating, compelling and utterly enjoyable EP.
Dublin’s Fangclub have released their eagerly awaited sophomore album, ‘Vulture Culture’, on Vertigo Records. The band kick off their headline UK and European tour this October, opening in Liverpool and closing in Dublin’s Button Factory. They will also play Indiependence Festival, Cork on August 4th.
‘Vulture Culture’ is an experience – each track spirals towards the next in a gush of frenzy and turmoil while Fangclub showcase their expressive, explosive and majestic musicianship. Within this album Fangclub refine their sound, lacing each track with intricate guitar, raw bass lines and dynamic drum progressions. The album lulls into motion with ‘Last Time’. This beautiful track is made up of extracts from a confessional note that vocalist Steven King wrote his girlfriend, (which he sang to her in a lamp-lit studio). The band ease us into the album encompassing tender emotion and turmoil in one sublime slow burner. This delicate gem stops time and introduces the fragile aspects of the album with glistening guitar, reverb whispered vocals and a dreamy nostalgic melody. The track builds superbly becoming more vigorous as the drums and guitars crash into motion bringing about that powerful expressive sound we have come to love from this trio. What a track to introduce the album it’s everything the album contains and more. Title track ‘Vulture Culture’ has the trying job of following and boy it doesn’t disappoint. Stomping in swagger soaked and filled with bravado ‘Vulture Culture’ struts on slinky guitars, pulverising drums and snide vocals. With its jagged gallop and creepy carnival jingle on guitar, this light fun track is a daring cocktail of sinister and dark with a cynical zesty twist to add a sting to the palate.
Epic choruses and a robust wall of sound flood through the darker ‘Nightmare’, ‘Hesitations’ and ‘Kingdumb’ concreting the mosh ready hair raising effect of the album as each track takes you further and further into this glorious festering experience. ‘Viva Violent’ adds a steamy flourish to the album with its jangly guitar infectiously weaving between the elastic beat and rooted bass groove leading to the feisty chorus eruption. The melodies in the album, as always are catchy delicious spreads of honey that roll and drift into your mind in sweet easy doses. Each track has its own slinky raw manner which adds a sublime character and lovable quality to each song. Themes of fear, paranoia, addiction, love and despair all spew, ferment and curdle through ‘Every Day’ ‘Heavy Handed’ and ‘All I Have’ while the band use their musical prowess to create an instrumental whirlwind of shrilling guitar, beefy bass lines and mammoth drums creating the most thrilling and commanding backdrop. ’Black Rainbow’ is another gem within this treasure trove. This adrenaline inducing track drives through the gritty darkly smothered verses setting the tune up for another blasting chorus however, strikingly the band break into a sweet, light, fluffy chorus with King cooing over a dreamy, euphoric backdrop. There is of course a heavy crescendo but the track winds down into repetitive soft vocals, acoustic guitar and piano end – allowing us a glimpse of a more elegant side to Fangclub as we are lulled into a whimsical state of bliss. This track is fast becoming my favourite on the album. Its opium soaked melody and rich peppy rhythm mixed meticulously between the contrasting, brain-frazzling mania is masterful. ‘Slow’ closes the album ensuring our thirst for more is unquenchable. A beefy beat, luring guitars and attitude soaked vocals end the album on a massive high. You can’t get bigger, better or more frantic (well these guys probably will ) but it’s an enticing, vaporous and anthemic number that I can imagine is utterly mind blowing live. The track is raw, endearing and filled with enormous moments from crashing slick guitar to ground shaking bass lines and first class drumming.
Fangclub have created a phenomenal album with ‘Vulture Culture’. Once you listen to the album you will never be the same again. It is brimming with passion and curdling themes of confusion, sadness and violence. The band express this through fiery intense instrumentation that surrounds you and consumes you in a world created entirely by Fangclub. The tracks reach deep into the crevices of your subconscious and lay bare your emotions and experiences – raw and exposed but contained within this powerful medium. ‘Vulture Culture’ is pretty potent musicianship.
Stream ‘Vulture Culture’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
