After 8 self booked tours Brighton’s Ragweed have released their debut AA single ‘Rust Box’ on Milky Bomb Records in November 2016, receiving mutual praise from radio stations and blogs alike. Their second single ‘Silver Spoon’ sees the trio exploring a much darker, sleazy and dirty corner of their minds. Their sound caught Alan Douches of West Side Music’s attention over in New York, most famous for his work with Motor Head, Cancer Bats, Every Time I Die and Screaming Females, who mastered the band’s second single ‘Silver Spoon’ was released with has 2 other tracks ‘Grey Matter’ and West Coast Pop’. ‘Silver Spoon’ announces itself with a gritty filthy riff shredding against punchy drums and creepy catchy melody. It’s mighty powerful and heavy perfect for sticky mosh pits and manic headbanging. ‘Grey Matter’ follows in a swarm of neck snapping fury. Yelling rasp on vocals and crashing guitars make for a frenzy soaked track with beating blood thirsty drums that create a massacre of sound. ‘West Coast Pop’ follows this whip-lashing trend with vigorous guitars and an aggressive bounce on drums that smash through the track with wild ferocity. Ragweed give us afierce 3 track powerhouse of savage pummelling punk rock.
Wolf Alice have released their new single ‘Yuk Foo’, the first track from their second LP ‘Visions of a Life’. This frenzied vicious track is a brutal beating, ear bleeding bash of punk rock. Ellie Rowsell screams, wails and cackles against the most fury filled enraged backdrop of savage crashing guitars and pummeling battering drums. It’s a vicious bloodthirsty bruising assault that is so manic and frenzied it’s adrenaline pumping thrilling lunacy. Rowsell’s vocals snarl in a whispered poison spitting rage for the verse which is oddly luring and entrapping before the dangerous riotous chorus kicks in. This track is a rush of ferocity that announces the triumphant return of Wolf Alice.
Stream ‘Yuk Foo’ below
Bio: Rusty Shipp is a rock band from Nashville, TN that likes to call their style Nautical rock n’ roll. They combine the influences of rock legends like The Beatles, Dick Dale and The Beach Boys with the hard-hitting sounds of modern alt rock bands like Nirvana, Muse, and Thrice to craft songs distinguished by their addictive melodies, unconventional riffs, and haunting vocals. At the forefront is the singer-songwriter and guitarist, Russ T. Shipp (literally his birth name), followed by Jake Adams on bass, and AJ Newton on drums.
Track: Devil Jonah
When asked about their sound Russ T. explained:“Though we’re noticeably darker and more aggressive than The Beatles, Their form of songwriting resonates with the largest number of human beings, and we try to tap into that same magic. Bands like Nirvana and Muse did the same thing, but we’re taking it in an even more philosophical direction, while still having fun by incorporating the nautical theme.”
Why We Like It: Its a mighty pounding piece of unconventional rock wrapped in dark pop melodies which are set alight by metallic riffs and heavy headbang ready instrumentation. Its fiery gritty and brawny, thundery and robust in all the right places.
Bio: Toronto garage-rockers The Discarded is made up of two teenagers and their musician father, brothers Jared Dean-Bass, backing vocals, Caden Jax- Drums, backing vocals and J.P Wasson is best known as the drummer for popular Toronto bands Fifth Column and The Snowdogs, but Caden wanted to drum – so in The Discarded, Dad sings and plays guitar.
Track: Could That Be You
When asked about the track Wasson said:“Could That Be You was the first song I wrote with the band and it came together very quickly. Over the previous months, the boys’ mother and I had divorced. This song is about looking forward and what qualities you’d like a person to have in a new relationship. And ultimately wondering if that person you are seeing is that type of person.”
Why we Like It: It’s a rapid breakneck fuzzy frenzy covered track. Blistering guitars and pummelling drums belting throughout with a lo-fi rock n’ roll vibe that will have a live audience dancing and bopping in no time.
You can follow The Discarded on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/thediscarded16/
Stream ‘Could That Be You’ below
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Skaters have released their new video for their single ‘In Your Head’. Following the excellent comeback ‘Rock and Roll Bye Bye’, playing a sell-out tour with Ratboy and putting the world to rights with their live session for Annie Mac on Radio 1, Skaters are kicking down the doors again, this time it’s in the form of their skewed take on pop with new single ‘In Your Head’ which sets up the release of their sophomore album on March 24th on the band’s very own Yonks Records. Based in New York City via LA and Hull, the international partnership of the band brings all sorts of original ideas to the table which is clear to hear on the new single ‘In Your Head’. The track is the closing track on the band’s full-length album and is the perfect closer to an album which unites clever songwriting and interesting production. ‘In Your Head’ is chilled laid back punk pop, its smooth cool with enough fizz to refresh and add zest to a sticky summers day. Skaters take the NYC/CBGB grit and mix it in with the English spit before letting that ferment in some California sun. Sharp stinging guitar licks brighten up the track and pierce through the thick spongy sticky beats. Thrilling distortion and subtle swirling instrumentation radiate scorching heat and evoke hazy lazy vibes encouraging you to sit back with a cold one and relax. The velvety smooth vocals which are almost drowned in the hazy sun kissed instrumentation exudes attitude with a daydream free spirited vibe. The accompanying video is as charming as it is bratty, as a ballet-dancer-come-street-hoodie is seen pirouetting down the street of Hull, providing a perfect backdrop to perhaps the true meaning of ‘In Your Head’. Lead Guitarist and founding member Josh Hubbard describes how the video came to be; “The ethos brought to this new project is similar to that of the DIY ethos… but it’s more inclusive, so we’ve coined it DIWOP2, which his short for ‘Do It With Other People Also’. We reached out on the internet to people and people got back. Conversations were had, relationships forged and collaborations were born…. This here video is the outcome from one of those ‘online’ conversations started on the internet. Hull transplant and very talented DP Josh Moore teamed up with us and took a walk down ‘Whitefriargate’ the UK City of Culture’s newly paved high street, real life, in a real city with real people… you can win them all.”
Watch the video for ‘In Your Head’ below
Melbourne’s indie duo, Dear Thieves, have released the new music video for their single ‘VIC ROADS’. The two-piece, Joel Hansen and Jesse Jones, will also be releasing their 5-track “Bad Habits” EP. “VIC ROADS” is currently available on Triple J Unearthed and everywhere else on 31st March 2017. Having been likened to Black Keys and Royal Blood, Dear Thieves are making waves in their local circuit coming off the back of supports with Sydney-based Strangers and a 5 date east coast tour last year, building a reputation for prolifically fine tuning the two-piece sound with unique and beautifully melodic results.
‘VIC ROADS’ is robust ruckus causing mania that packs a mighty punch. Booming from the start with red blooded powerful drums and sensual gritty riffs its a beast to be reckoned with. Rugged shouted vocals teamed with frenzy causing instrumentation, its one for the sticky blood thirsty most pit . The track oozes lusty brawn with hints of sensual qualities. Its slick, boisterous rough and ready with razor sharp rawness. The video features Hansen and Jones standing at a wall, they drink, they smoke, they sing while all kinds of random items get thrown at them from liquids to papers and balls … so an average night out for some people. These guys are ones to watch.
The two-piece are thrilled to bring their ‘Bad Habits’ tour to east coast audiences throughout March and April you can catch them at
Friday 31st March, Cherry Bar, Melbourne
Sunday 2nd April , Frankies Pizza, Sydney
Friday 7th April || The Haunt, Brisbane
Watch the video for ‘VIC ROADS’ below
Hull post-punk five piece La Bête Blooms have released their new track ‘ Low Hummer’. This rip-roaring fuzzed up anthem fizzes and spits with sharp riffs and distortion spewing from is very core. Its gritty raw and thrilling mosh worthy grunge.Hazy lo-fi vocals cool the track while the shrill on guitar adds a buzzing scorching blurry summer vibe. Pummelling drums tirelessly batter with brute force as the track explodes with anarchy while the nimble bass adds flexibility and elasticity to the track. This animated vigorous track displays La Bête Blooms knack for smooth slick melodies backed by lacerating guitar lines and aggressive instrumentation. Its no – nonsense attitude that warms with blistering sunny vibes.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Orwells
Chicago punk rockers The Orwells released their new single ‘Black Francis’ which is taken from their third LP, ‘Terrible Human Beings’, due out Feb 17th. Its a sensational homage to one of alternative rock’s most influential icons, Pixies frontman Frank Black, aka Black Francis. ‘Black Francis’ is a strutting prance of flamboyance blasted with gritty boisterous frenzy causing rock. With ear splitting shrill on guitars to start teamed with pounding drums this track is instantly thrilling, spewing fireball energy from every note while maintaining effortless cool swagger and charisma. The heavy beefy riffs pierce through the chorus while the punchy drums cause epidemic dancing and mania. This track grooves with slick slinky infectious melodies that refuse to leave your head. Pounding through your skull with its summer vibe, gritty prance and flaunt this track is an instant hit and a must listen.
Watch the video for ‘Black Francis’ below
Hull’s scuzz punks Lumer have released their new track ‘Futile’. Alex Evans (bass/vocals), Benjamin Jackson (Guitar), Jacob Wardle (drums) and Thom Foster (synth/guitar) have unleashed a storm of ferocity, beaten and pummelled with pulverising drums and shrilling razor sharp riffs. The splintering guitars sting with knife edged slashes as the track races into a bloodthirsty frenzy of venom induced intense passion and mania. Strong vocals brood to start developing into a hurricane of screaming howling roars exuding fiery aggression. This track is a brawl of bustling gravelly grit mixed with explosive punk topped with fury and turmoil. Its pure unadulterated bedlam that is headbangingly good and mosh pit frenzy ready.
Stream ‘Futile’ below
Leeds grit-rock four-piece Neon Dolls have released their new single ‘Step Out Of The Dark’ which is taken from their upcoming second album ‘When It Strikes’. Since forming two years ago, band members Tom Axe (vocals), Sean Hatherley (guitar/Vocals),Michael Jarvis (drums) and Fernando Manresa(bass) have been busy perfecting their hybrid of muscular Britpop and shoutalong punk vocals. They have been blowing away audiences on the buzzing Leeds music scene. With a growing fanbase affectionately dubbed the Neon Army behind them, tracks from their debut album ‘Imperial’ which was released last year were playlisted on BBC Introducing and their sold out live shows led to Fred Perry Subculture hailing them as one of the best new bands in the country. ‘Step Out Of The Dark’ is a gigantic hefty powerful track booming with earthquake causing mighty pounding drums and kick ass shredding rock riffs and licks. The dominant rooted bass gives the track a powerhouse brawn and depth. The anthem like chorus steamrolls in with fist pumping energy and frenzy. Its headbanging ferocity is neck-breakingly good as the track pounds through you with brute force. Raspy aggressive vocals keeps the intensity of this rapid brawl. ‘Step Out Of The Dark’ is an onslaught of manic vigorous energy and slashing dynamic guitar.
Watch the video for ‘Step Out Of The Dark’ below
Strange Bones are a trio from Blackpool, consisting of two brothers Bob and Will Bentham and a childhood friend Stuart Newburn. Their track ‘Sick Of It All (SOIA)’, which was mixed by Dan Lancaster (Bring Me The Horizon, Mallory Knox, Don Broco) has gained them attention at Kerrang! Radio and BBC Radio 1. They released earlier this year an untameable three-track punk rock EP called ‘God Save The Teen’ ‘God Save The Teen’ is the title track from this EP. Its a raw fierce argumentative track with an infectious slick hook and soul pounding thunderous drums. The vocals are shouty at times with a howl like tone and of course a throat tearing scream texture. This track though it has an aggressive appearance at first is underlined with a slick sensual swagger that is captivating and makes you want to keep listening. With its anthem like energetic chorus teamed with a fuzzed rumble rebellious sound this track is raw and real, there is no illusion, its fantastically gritty and razor sharp .
Watch ‘God Save The Teen Below’
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
