Northern Ireland two Piece Fagash McCann have released their new single ‘Black Lipstick Kiss’. A slinky ambitious track ,‘Black Lipstick Kiss’ is a riff driven lusty mammoth that showcases Fagash McCann’s ability to create a satisfying powerful number. The duo rein in their wild wall of sound binding it with tight muscular bass riffs and punchy drums. The bass weaves steamy elastic melodies through the drum beat while attitude soaked vocals exude swagger. The track boils and burns beneath the robust blues-hued rock instrumentation while the sleek melody seeps into the ears with ease creating the perfect balance between sensually smooth and razor sharp.This rough and tumble gem has a Royal Blood vibe without leaning too heavily on the comparison. There is a lot blistering and sizzling beneath the depths of this track and as a drum and bass duo these guys create and layer their sound superbly.
Dublin rock duo New Valley Wolves have released their new single ‘All You Do Is Talk’. Comprised of Jonny Lucey ( vocals/guitar) and Baz Joyce ( drums) New Valley Wolves have toured extensively around Ireland, UK, Netherlands and Canada since releasing their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Refusal is our Weapon’ in 2015. They have become festival favorite’s for their raucous and high energy live shows. In April 2018 ‘Cut-Throat’, the first single from their ‘Gospel’ EP went straight to #1 in the Irish Rock charts. New Valley Wolves have also toured with ex-Queens of the Stone Age and Kyuss bassist Nick Oliveri as well as rock legends Black Stone Cherry.
‘All You Do Is Talk’ builds on New Valley Wolves’ fiery, enraged sound as they batter the track in their signature lancing guitar riffs and savage drums. This band has a knack for creating a hell raising, blood curdling tune. ‘All You Do Is Talk’ ferments beneath a gritty slick riff while a pounding rhythm creates the perfect backdrop for summoning your inner demons. It’s a catchy, dark track with intricate guitar elements weaving between the acute riffs while Baz Joyce’s’ drumming pummels through your skull with relentless groove infested stamina. Jonny Lucey’s authoritative vocals howl through the stomping beat, wild and mercilessly while the crashing and powerful wall of sound created by this duo compels you to mosh and go absolutely crazy. These guys have crafted one raw mean machine of chaos in ‘All You Do Is Talk’.
To celebrate the new release New Valley Wolves will be playing a run of shows you can catch the band live at:
Thurles band Jester have released their new single ‘Summertime’. Jester are Colly Dempsey, Mark O’ Dwyer, Tomas Maher, Niall O’ Shaughnessy and David Fitzpatrick. In 2018 they signed a publishing deal with UK based independent record label Velvet Moron Records, the brainchild of Dave White (Biffy Clyro, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Kasabian, etc.). Their debut album ‘’Shadows Need A Light’’ was released in March 2019 on the label. The release coincided with an Irish tour culminating in a sold out show in their home town of Thurles at the Source Arts Centre in mid-March.The band formed over ten years ago in county Tipperary, Ireland and have had a lot of success over the years playing festivals and club gigs the length and breadth of the country and beyond, sharing the stage with some of the biggest acts in the country and beyond including The Fun Lovin Criminals, The Blizzards and Paul Weller amongst others.
‘Summertime’ drifts in on balmy guitar twangs and a sway- like tempo as Jester venture into their sweet sentimental side. Wrapped in romantic tones this delicate number floats on acoustic guitar and radiant hazy electric guitar pines. The track builds and unfolds beautifully into a classic rock crescendo as the guitars develop becoming more sharp and expressive while the drum kicks in. There is a sublime instrumental break which will have live audiences punching the air in dramatic passion as they lilt that shredding lamenting guitar solo with oodles of gusto. It’s a compelling track filled with cosy Bon Jovi – esque tones as the band take their catchy rock sound and strip it back into a snug charming number.
The band are currently back rehearsing their set list for a string of dates around the country over the coming months in support of their upcoming single ‘’Summertime’’.
You can catch Jester Live at:
De Barra’a Clonakilty . Cork July 27th
Feile Beag, Thurles Aug 4th
Tipp Classical , Semple Stadium, Thurles September 21st
Leeds indie rock band The Sheratons have released their new single ‘Part of a Picture’.The band is fronted by singer and lead guitarist Kane Bulleyment with Caty Labbett playing bass, Finley Ryan on guitar and the secret weapon powering the band, Emma Liu on drums. Since their formation they have caught the ears of BBC 6 DJ Steve Lamacq and BBC Introducing DJ Alan Raw.
‘Part of a Picture’ is a fluttering swoon of nostalgic indie at its most invigorating. Zest filled jangly guitar weaves radiant golden sunshine through the punchy drums and groove laced bass to create a youthful rush of adrenaline. The laid back vocals drift effortlessly over the melty melody while the vivid instrumentation floods the track in suspenseful bliss and kinetic energy.Its a catchy and instantly likeable number from The Sheratons.
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.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Something Leather
Brighton alternative rock band Something Leather have released their new single ‘Velvet’ on We Can Do It Records.In such a short space of time Something Leather have secured support slots with a multitude of upcoming bands including Black Midi, Phobophobes, Madonnatron, Saint Agnes and JOHN.
‘Velvet’ is a dark luring number with smothering muggy entrapment and eerie atmosphere as Something Leather build and layer the track in a searing sultry psychedelic sound with unique and intriguing instrumentation. The haunting organ elements tease and bounce like a chirpy Halloween theme tune throughout the sinister atmosphere. Sultry vocals coo and almost whisper the soft melody as deep backing vocals and moody guitar whines douse the background in ominous tones. The track, which is a cynical song about love and fantasy, builds becoming more frantic and sinister as crashing cymbals and guitar distortion create tension and a mysterious sense of danger. This is one hair-raising number. It’s perfectly crafted for maximum impact as Something Leather tease, ferment and curdle their instrumentation creating a bewitching almost perilous tune with vaporous aspects and groovy shimmy glimpses throughout. It’s a doozy.
Alt-Rock artist RV Monroe has released the music video for his latest single ‘Supergirl’. ‘Supergirl’ is the first track to be released from RV Monroe’s upcoming EP, ‘More Milk’.
‘Supergirl’ is a powerful raw number as RV Monroe builds the track from a delicate tune to a mighty power ballad – esque display. Brimming with passion and emotion Monroes’ raspy vocals coo and expel over the catchy bittersweet melody as the track builds from its stripped back intro to an all out mega rock blast. The steady beat is a constant throughout however the track intensifies with shredding guitars and a blistering wall of sound. The soft, elegant piano sets the track up to be a pining little ditty – sweet, somber and nostalgic. However Monroe has other ideas introducing gritty electric guitar, backing vocals and a powerful instrumental explosion. The track continues to build as the guitars majestically and vigorously inject scintillation and a wonderful sense of triumph and jubilation into the track. Its a sublime spectacle for sure.
London trio Natural Mystery Museum have released their first EP ‘Volume 0’. ‘Volume 0’ was recorded at The Premises Studios in London and mixed by Caesar Edmunds, known for his work with Foals and Queens of the Stone Age. Since forming in 2018, the band have taken to the London Alt-Rock scene, catching eyes and ears along the way.The band have gained a reputation for their hard-hitting, frantic live shows, attracting management company ‘Major Influence’ to get on board. Natural Mystery Museum have been supporting Sunset Sons throughout their UK tour in June, and have a London headline show planned in July
‘Volume 0’ is a searing blast of alternative rock freshly squeezed and shaken up with a biting kick. The band slap on slick glossy melodies over a gritty fuzz filled backdrop to create the most satisfying listening experience. ‘Enter The Void’ kicks off the EP with slinky shimmy- esque rhythms while razor sharp, swagger dripped guitars soar and inject zest into the track. With a groove infested bass line driving this track its a prancing adrenaline inducing banger ready to please the ears with slinky raw goodness.The mosh ready crescendos are plentiful as Natural Mystery Museum evoke glorious images of their manic live shows though their frenzied instrumentation.Heavy riffs, distortion and refined guitar moments prance all over ‘Dead Friends’ and ’Salt The Earth’ as they strut and confidently swagger through your mind with finesse and shredding might. ‘If I (Could Lie)’ is the closest we get to a slow jam with intricate guitar flourishes between a steady beat and melty melody. This track surges with vibrancy and subtle bliss before blasting into a fuzz filled psychedelic crescendo of madness. This mind melting mania is reminiscent of the chaos in Mini Mansion Mirror Mountain with a softer flurry and texture.
‘Volume 0’ displays the confident and ballsy sound of Natural Mystery Museum as they flesh out their brawny riffs, slick guitar work and infectious rhythms. A wholly satisfying EP.
Birmingham band TREMENDOUS have released their new single ‘Bag Of Nails’ taken off their debut album ‘Relentless’ due for release in September. This fiery power ballad flows with the blistering might and passion that TREMENDOUS are becoming known for. With a lamenting bittersweet melody on guitar piercing and stinging behind a punchy drum and crashing wall of sound this track is fist pump ready and is a brawny tear jerker. The raspy vocals caress the whiskey soaked melody with warm tenderness as the verse jangles along with a melancholic tone. The chorus explodes with all out ballsy rock power and adrenaline while maintaining that exasperated passion. The classic rock slinky guitar lifts the track into epic status as TREMENDOUS display their emotional side through this shredding number.
Paul and The Meanie a three piece alternative rock band from Armagh, Northern Ireland have released two new songs ‘Red Girl’ and its B- side ‘Mrs. Bloom’. These guys produce a tight groove infested sound with slick guitar flirtations, suave tempos and refined musicianship. ‘Red Girl’ is a scorching example of this with steamy verses drifting upon laid back guitar jangles and soulful vocals. The band tease their sound slowly building the track as each verse brings a new vaporous dimension before the trio blast into a manic powerful crescendo that is destined for the frenzy of the mosh pit. With a kick ass shrilling guitar solo, sublime bass slaps and hyper finale this is one cracking track.
‘Mrs. Bloom’ follows acting as the suave B-side brazenly fleshing out Paul and The Meanie’s thrilling sound as they strut their stuff through silky guitar lines, elastic bass and punchy drums. The razor sharp guitars prance and pirouette through the track while ricocheting off the tracks hefty foundation and searing persona. With passionate soulful vocals, catchy melody and energetic wall of sound ‘Mrs. Bloom’ confirms Paul and The Meanie’s refined musicianship. You will be in awe of their majestic sound. Keep an eye on these guys.
Stream ‘Red Girl’ and ‘Mrs. Bloom’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
