Tag Archives: indie rock

Album Review, Alt Rock, Blues Rock, Garage Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Bite the Buffalo ‘Bad Habits’ Album

Rock duo Bite the Buffalo have released their 3rd studio album ‘Bad Habits’. A band of brothers hailing originally from Scotland Bite the Buffalo are a garage rock band with an edge that derives from their rich cultural background. In their career thus far, they have held the support slot for many major bands Fat White Family, Happy Mondays, The Growlers and Skindred to name a few. They have also graced the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury 2013 which in turn drew the attention from Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant who invited the band to join him at a sold out Manchester Apollo gig.The BBC support  has continued into 2019 with their latest release ‘Get Back Up’ receiving radio play. The band have also secured a number of media partnerships already, including the likes of Channel 4 Motorsports, Go Pro Highlight Reel, Formula 1 Highlights and Tattoo Fixers.

‘Bad Habits’ is a swagger dripping, brawny yet slick collection of garage rock that frazzles through steam scorched riffs and pummeling rhythms. These guys slap on some bluesy soaked suaveness through the short intro ‘The Man’ as a dragged beat thuds through a vaporous guitar refrain. The tracks that follow this  introduction are brimming with anthemic beefy rawness in a The Black Keys- esque style with a Bite the Buffalo’s stomp. ‘Get Back Up’, ‘Dee Zeez’ and ‘Game On’ keep the energy of the album at a maximum while they flesh out their abrasive garage rock sound. While ‘Deja Voodoo’ dissolves in a haze of dreamy psychedelic bliss, cooling the tone of the album as acoustic guitars strum through a steady beat while the warm vocals coo through the sweet melody. Here this duo prove not only can they whack out cracking heavy tunes they can chill and mellow things out, refining and cooling their sound into a dazed sway-able groove. The fuzz-filled gritty ‘Shoot Shoot’ has an air of Royal Blood wafting through the edgy guitar riff. The track sizzles with a funk hue, shuffling rhythm and catchy as hell chorus. Bite the Buffalo simmer things down with the slick ‘Reverend Revolver’ and its sensual groove, vaporous guitar lines and infectious backing vocals (which remind me of The Good The Bad and The Ugly theme tune). Their vigorous sharp edged musicianship continues with ‘I Wanna CU Again’ and  ‘Recent Times’. However ‘All Them Guns’ brings a freeing 60/70’s hippie vibe to the album with twanging guitars, soft vocals and lush harmonies. It feels like this duo transport you back in time with their psychedelic tinged soundscapes and smooth instrumentation behind quite striking lyrics. Bonus tracks ‘Lucky Roller’ and ‘Fire Dance’ are contrasting pieces of finesse. The former, features shredding guitars crashing and weaving nimbly between punchy drums and Mark Bolan- esque vocals while the latter jingles along with a mysterious eerie tone, elegant piano feature and a graceful tempo that gives us a glimpse of the grander side to Bite the Buffalo.

Bite the Buffalo showcase some varied tunes throughout their ‘Bad Habits’ album. Garage, stoner rock, punk and some psychedelic flavours are drizzled throughout but all this hangs together beautifully with the sleek musculature and acrobatic riffs weaving a firm thread through the album – its impressively crafted.

Stream ‘Bad Habits’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Sea Girls

Sea Girls have released their new single ‘Open Up Your Head’, another glimpse from their highly anticipated debut album, due later this year. The track which was premiered as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record is their first to be released since their BBC Sound of 2019 shortlist nomination at the end of last year.

‘Open Up Your Head’ continues Sea Girls exhilarating sound and passionate youth- filled melody. Shimmering soundscapes create a breathtaking backdrop for the ethereal guitars to soar over while punchy drums create a rhythmic dynamic foundation. Filled with anthemic power and warm emotional vocals teamed with lush backing vocals and a shredding guitar solo – this thumping rush of adrenaline is ready for stadiums and mass sing-alongs. Another compelling track from Sea Girls.

Vocalist Henry Camamile describes the song: “‘Open Up Your Head’ is about being your own worst enemy but having someone believing in you unconditionally. Some people struggle with self-esteem, some people party too hard, and some people feel stuck from making wrong choices. It can be crucial having someone who offers a hand out of those places we don’t want to remain in”


Stream  ‘Open Up Your Head’ below                 

https://soundcloud.com/sonicseagirls/open-up-your-head


Alt Rock, Garage Rock, indie rock, New Music, Post Punk

Stupid Son ‘Bread’

Dublin based noisy introverts, Stupid Son have released the video for their new single ‘Bread’. Fresh out of college the band self-produced their video with a budget of €15.

‘Bread’ is a raw anguish stricken blast or organic home grown garage rock as a legion of distorted guitars pierce, shrill and crash through pummeling drums and distressed mournful vocals. This explosive track whines and blasts through a moody melody and mopey atmosphere while the rooted bass and shredding guitars add a dash of spice and razor sharp vigor. The guitars thrash and batter through the track rebounding and ricocheting off the brawny drums and infectious buoyant rhythm showing a refined quality to the mayhem of Stupid Son’s musicianship. It’s a thrilling, barbed debut.

Watch the video for ‘Bread’ below


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

Badhands ‘Voices’

Badhands have released their new single ‘Voices’. Badhands is the musical project of Dublin songwriter and musician Dan Fitzpatrick. Having played for years with artists such as The Mighty Stef, The Last Tycoons, Paddy Hanna and Maud in Cahoots, he recently released his critically acclaimed debut album ‘Predictable Boy’. The record features musicians Tom Cosgrave, Aoife Ruth, Chris Barry and Ken Mooney, and upon release received much praise from critics.The band’s first two singles, ‘Waves’ and ‘Monday Morning’, have both received considerable airplay on national radio and have been performed live in session on shows such as Arena on RTE Radio 1.

‘Voices’ is a dark contorted number that chills with eerie instrumentation as Fitzpatrick’s vocals haunt through the psychedelic backdrop. With its heat stricken, western, lone ranger vibe and sliding guitar whines this track is compelling and extremely absorbing. The song travels on a dream-like delusional vibe with pulsating drums and strong piano chords strengthening the ominous foundation for the curdling bass lines to twist around. Filled with plenty of passion and rich emotional tones- this track is a spine chilling beauty with country hues and tumbleweed lonesome vibes peering through the hallucinogenic atmosphere and sweltering instrumental stings.

After a busy year of gigs in 2018, including two packed headline shows at The Workman’s Club Dublin, and supports slots with acts such as Michael McDonald, the band began work on album number two at the start of 2019 and is set for a headline show on April 13th in Whelan’s along with several dates around the country to be announced soon. These shows will feature songs from Predictable Boy, and also new material from the recently begun second album.

Watch the video for ‘Voices’ below


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Shoegaze

Jake Regan ‘Over It’

Dublin singer songwriter Jake Regan has released his debut single ‘Over It’. Regan who was previously in the band Segrasso has now gone out on his own and is recording his debut album where he plays all the instruments on the recording.

‘Over It’ is the first taste of Regan’s solo work. With nonchalant vocals breezing over a crashing backdrop of grungy shoegaze this track is a charming biter. He blends the laid back hazy vibes of the verses perfectly with the shredding chorus. Blistering guitars lacerate through the punchy drums with knife edged precision while Regan sweetly broods over this raw backdrop. There are some refined moments as the track takes a unique sweet turn half way through. The guitars spiral into a luscious melodic motif that features sublime guitar work from Regan as he meanders through a tight piece of musicianship filled with honeyed tones and gritty elements. This is meticulously blended to create a mind melting listening experience. This track frizzles and distorts while soothing with its sweetly melodic moments and moody tones. It’s quite the roller coaster.

Stream ‘Over It’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Photo credit: Braverijah Gregg

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From TWIN XL

TWIN XL have released their new single ‘Friends’. The band are no strangers to musical success. Ex-The Summer Set members and brothers Stephen and John Gomez and Nekokat’s Cameron Walker-Wright comprise this alt-pop trio. Collectively, the three have written and produced for artists such as All Time Low, Lindsey Stirling, and Life of Dillon, and have had their music featured in commercials and trailers like Disney’s Christopher Robin and Fox’s Lucifer.The accompanying music video to ‘Friends’ was directed by Jade Ehlers (Panic!, Weezer, MAX), choreographed by Kayla Kalbfleisch (The Ellen Show, Backstreet Boys), and conceptualized by TWIN XL themselves in collaboration with Ehlers.

‘Friends’ is a silky sun kissed delicious can of fruity alternative pop filled with refreshing carbonated synths and an infectious groove. Laid back smooth vocals glissade upon the melty sweet melody while and glucose soaked beat slaps and rolls between the elastic bass and lush backing vocals. It’s a tutti fruity gem swirling beneath a rich effervescent synth progression while zesty sharp guitars sting between the catchy melody. It’s a chic, slick, well crafted song that oozes sunshine from every note while a joyous catchy whistle feature injects a dash of peppy delight through the dance-able rhythms. With touching lyrical depth highlighting emotions of self-doubt, insecurity, and anxiety TWIN XL provide darker flickers of emotion through this tasty track adding a beautiful contrast to their refined, crisp musicianship

TWIN XL says of “Friends,” “We really wanted to find that happy balance between writing a catchy pop song that still had a lot of depth lyrically and also had a dark sonic undertone. The lyrics in the first verse talk about our desire for isolation and the internal conflict of an introvert. As the story progresses, we find sanctuary in the presence of strangers in strange rooms completely outside our comfort zone – here, we are free of judgement and we are free to be whoever we want.”

Watch the video for ‘Friends’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Pin Ups ‘Lunchtime’

London indie three piece Pin Ups have released their new single ‘Lunchtime’.The track which is inspired by Donald Trump’s comments of arming teachers in order to prevent school shootings sees drummer Jesse Baker deliver the lead vocals. This snappy track is a barbed pop sprinkled number doused in light-hearted irony with a catchy chorus and vibrant soundscape.The smooth melody sweetens the bitter sting on guitars as they intricately weave and slice through the punchy drums and swirling synths. It’s dynamic and edgy with a hip – hop element peeping through the indie pop coating. With attitude soaked vocals rapidly rolling over the brisk verses before springing into the anthemic crowd-friendly chorus it’s one sun speckled richly layered tune.. ‘Lunchtime’ is a well developed track that shows just how superbly this band are growing.

Stream ‘Lunchtime’ below


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

Scally ‘Filthy Animal’


Photo credit : Nicholas O’Donnell Photography
Design: Stuart Hayes Photography

Mullingar rock n’ roll artist Scally has released his intense video for his new single ‘Filthy Animal’. The video which was directed by Karl O’Reilly of Bunsen Media stars Sorcha Herlihy, Dmitry Vinokurov and Ethan Scally himself. The visual tells the frenzied story of lust, jealousy and rage.

The track itself is another riveting rock n ‘roll number from Scally. With a hypnotic bass groove creeping in behind the thumping drum beats and sultry guitars, this track travels on an exhilarating frisson of hysteria. It’s another in your face, swagger dripping track doused in the exceptional instrumentation we have come to expect from this band. These guys blend the sweltering enticing vibes with all out anarchy meticulously to create a mosh ready blood curdling number that will have you hanging on the edge of your seat craving and frothing for more. With panache plunged vocals and an invigorating wall of sound driving that body moving beat and vaporous sizzle this is one well crafted track. A shredding guitar solo blisters through the punchy slick backdrop – Scally has created another searing number that seeps shrewdly under your skin itching right to your bones.

Watch the video for  ‘Filthy Animal’ below


Alt Rock, Blues Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Broozer ‘Son of Man

Wolverhampton based duo Broozer have released their new single ‘Son of Man’. This blistering track stomps about with meaty drums pounding through hefty riffs and attitude soaked vocals. Its swagger drenched persona struts in while the pulverizing wall of sound shatters through your ear drums with relentless energy and mighty stamina. Filled with gusto and rowdy power, the drums assault and throttle through the slinky blues-flavoured sharp guitars with a no nonsense attitude and charisma. With screaming vocals and rough rawness in tow- it’s a lean mean machine from Broozer.

Watch the video for  ‘Son of Man’ below


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Distant Blue ‘Tongue Tied’

Nottingham alternative rock band Distant Blue are set to release their new single ‘Tongue Tied’. The track is taken from their EP which is going to be out later this year. ‘Tongue Tied’ is a boisterous wallop to the jugular of exhilarating alternative rock. Luring darkly hued verses smoulder through an intense backdrop of angular guitars and buoyant, punchy drums as Distant Blue whack out a slick, swagger soaked number. With muscular riffs, riot-inducing breakdowns, and a ferocious chorus these guys clock you around the head with their brawny slick sound. Raspy vocals growl through the catchy sing along ready chorus while a crashing wall of sound and sublime bass line pummels its vigorous sound into your brain. It’s thrilling material that will evoke carnage in a live setting and sounds pretty impressive blasting through your ears. Keep an eye out for these guys.

‘Tongue Tied’ is set for release on the 25th February make sure to have a listen when its released – its a cracker.

You can follow Distant Blue on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDistantBlue/