Category Archives: Alt Rock

Alt Rock, EP Review, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Mellor ‘Dive into the strange’ EP

Reading quartet Mellor are set to release their new EP ‘Dive into the strange’ on December 6th. The current line up with Gary Kingham on vocals, Sam Igoe on drums, Kristian Bell on guitar, and Josh Woodward on bass formed in 2017. The band have received radio support from Abbie McCarthy, Radio 1; Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music; John Kennedy, Radio X; Charlie Ashcroft, Elise Cobain, Frankie Francis, Jim Gellatly and Scott McGerty from  Amazing Radio to name a few. The band have also featured on Spotify’s Hot New Bands, Indie List and Transistor playlists as well as Amazons Best New Bands playlist, and Apple Music’s Breaking Rock & The A-List.

After a busy summer of festivals packing out tents at Isle of Wight, Truck, and Camden Rocks just to name a few, Mellor decided to build a home studio to self record a five track EP. 

‘Dive into the strange’ wraps Mellor’s blistering, guitar-heavy sound into a tight and satisfying body of work. Following the high intensity and energetic blasts of previous releases this year ‘I Don’t Know Where You’re Sleeping Tonight’ and ‘Helsinki’, Mellor present an EP equally as energetic and brimming with the scorching instrumentation this band do superbly. Each track flows seamlessly into the next with ease. From opener ‘Control’ the band execute their refined ability to create sweet majestic guitar melodies and express them to its fullest potential.

The guitar work for me is the highlight of the EP. The band create golden, light and ethereal moments within each track through the clean and precise guitar elements as they venture between harsh sharp strides and shredding nimble solo’s with sweet piercing capacities. The melodies are catchy and powerful ( as is always the case with Mellor ) however with this EP the band carefully create a wonderful sonic soundscape that ventures between dreamy aerial atmospherics and deft heavy magnitude. Title track ‘Dive into the strange’ has a quirky obscurity lying beneath its eerie undertone. With a sublime haunting bass groove and obscure guitar progression the band present a sinister fun-house with danger around every corner while a smooth, vulnerable and naive melody innocently wanders into this instrumental entrapment – consumed by the end of the song by the harsh devouring backdrop.

Punchy drums and playful bass lines are another wonderful element to this bands sound that automatically hook you in – ‘Delicate’ and ‘Hey now, sister’ are prime examples of this. Mellor have clearly spent time carefully layering and placing each component part of their tracks to create a wholly invigorating sound. Gary Kingham’s vocals make Mellor’s tracks instantly recognisable. His warm rasp and dynamic tone emblazon a Mellor stamp on their blistering tracks. When they travel into psych hued territory like with ‘Hey now, sister’ ( which again features magnificent guitar work) his vocals carry this frenzied track wonderfully and maintain the smooth and polished stance while the instruments swirl frantically and chaotically around Kinghams’s steady pace creating a sublime contrast. ‘What if there’s love’ is a spinning concoction which brings us to the end of the EP. It’s a jittery itchy number of abrasive guitars, dizzying bass and manic drums as Kingham screams and wails for the chorus. The track continuously builds in intensity to its expressive crescendo. Mellor end the EP with one blazing track. 

‘Dive into the strange’ is a blazing and solid EP as Mellor flesh out their catchy sound adding more substance and intricate elements to create something to be proud of. 

You can catch Mellor live at : 

11th December – Purple Turtle, Reading (BBC Introducing)

12th December – The Monarch, London (This Feeling)

‘Dive into the strange’ is out on 6th December you can pre order the EP  here 

Apple Pre-Order: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/dive-into-the-strangeep/1485028606?ls=1&app=itunes

Spotify Pre-Save: http://smarturl.it/diveintothestrange

Amazon Music Pre-Order: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dive-into-StrangeMellor/dp/B07ZM8QN6D/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mellor+dive+into+the+strange&qid=1573149973&s=d music&sr=1-1

Physical EP Order: https://www.musicglue.com/melloruk/products/dive-into-the-strange-ep


Author : Danu

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

Drop The Shadow ‘Other Voices’

Drop The Shadow have released  their second single ‘Other Voices’. The track was recorded with James Darkin at Black Mountain Studios in July 2019 along with the final touches of their third single ‘Cross To Bear’.The music video was produced by Mike and his comedy sketch group Castlewood Tales; all of whom feature in the video, along with friends from the acting industry.

‘Other Voices’ stomps in with slick precision as Drop The Shadow bury and intensify their roots in their funk flavoured indie rock. A tight and infectious groove is something this band create wonderfully as they use their ductile bass and intricate swanky buoyant drum progression to create beautiful tones and add panache to their sound. Bursting with oodles of swagger the track wriggles and weaves sublimely with strut quality and vibrancy as the blazing guitar provides a vaporous quality and zealous sting. With raspy, soul-hued vocals drifting expressively over the intoxicating wall of sound it’s difficult not to instantly love this track. It’s a polished clean slice of indie rock with enough rough edge to entice your ears for more. With gritty riffs, catchy melody and adrenaline induced dizzying wall of sound the band create a track that is both refined and exhilarating. ‘Other Voices’ is a sleek and strong second single that confirms Drop The Shadow are a band to get excited about.

Watch the video for ‘Other Voices’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, Indie Quick Picks, New Music

Indie Quick Picks

Some Sprouts

Genre: Indie 

Bio: Hot off the heels of their second EP “IMMT”, German quintet Some Sprouts have released their new single Someone You Love.

Track: Someone You Love

Why We Like It: It’s a melodious sweet indie pop delight drenched in laid back sunny tones and sparkling instrumentation. With jangly dreamy strides on guitar cruising blissfully through a steady beat and twinkling soundscape the band create a mellowed gem glimmering with a light and refreshing wall of sound. With velvety vocals caressing a hazy sweet melody this effortless lush track is the easy listening tune ready to take you to a cosy summer utopia created by Some Sprouts.

You Can Follow Some Sprouts on Facebook here  https://www.facebook.com/somesproutsmusic/

Watch the video ‘Someone You Love’ below

Pretty Happy

Genre: Noise punk

Bio: Cork noise-punk trio Pretty Happy have released their new single ‘Arkansas’. Pretty Happy were included in the first round of announcements for iconic Cork Festival ‘Quarter Block Party’ and the fledgling act show no signs of slowing down, following on from support slots with Dublin grunge group Bitch Falcon and Limericks own Bleeding Heart Pigeons in recent weeks.

Track: ‘Arkansas’

Why We Like It: It’s an unsettling number – dark in its presentation. The band delve deep into a sinister work of gritty punk, smudged in blood stained aggro and chilling hysterics. The backdrop creeps and bloops with a sublime ominous bass and steady beat. The lyrics are narrated to us with a gravelly rasp=laced voice while slicing raw guitars cut deep into a dangerous backdrop filled with tension. There is an ‘American Psycho’ vibe to this track, as if we are listening to a harrowing psychotic break spiraling into a striking scene of frenzy. Its well crafted with some humorous lyrics and haunting backing coos throughout however it’s the band’s ability to create a groove filled, tight number that can chill and yet lure you in all at once that is utterly compelling and marks this band as one to watch.

About the track Arann Blake (Vocals, bass) said: “It’s a lot darker than our usual stuff, but that seems to be the direction the music is going. We didn’t want to reign in Abbey as such so she’s making all sorts of noise on the track. The vibe is kind of like a funny nightmare, disgusting, but fun.”

You can follow Pretty Happy on Facebook here  https://www.facebook.com/prettyhappyband/

Stream ‘Arkansas’ below

Chris Wilson 

Photo by Gareth Stack

Genre: Singer songwriter

Bio: Chris Wilson is a singer/songwriter originally from Swords. Having traveled all over the world busking solo and with bands and other artists he has honed his craft as a performer and songwriter.

Track: ‘Now I See You’

Why We Like It: It’s a delicate number that stops time as Wilson creates a nostalgic dream capsule of tender soft musicianship and powerful, sweet lyrics. With warm guitar soothing and creating a glowing radiance throughout, Wilson provides a cosy bubble for us to rest in. It’s emotional and tender as his velvety vocals coo delicately over the melancholic yet calming melody. There is a wonderful freeing atmosphere of safety and tranquility as Wilson provides a moment to stop and reflect through beautiful musicianship and feathery light melodic flows. Simply stunning.

You can follow Chris Wilson on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/imchriswilsonmusic/

Watch the video for ‘Now I See You’ below

Minutes To Midnight

Genre: Alternative

Bio:’13 Days’ is  taken from Minutes To Midnight’s debut solo album ‘After 1989 – A Trip To Freedom’. After a long stint as an audio professional in the gaming industry, Simone (Minutes to Midnight) has now turned his focus into music production. After extensive experience working with other artists, arranging, co-writing, and mixing, M2M has decided to tell a very personal story of his in the medium of a concept album. ‘After 1989 – A Trip To Freedom’ is a thoroughly crafted concept, it’s the result of a personal journey through a painful family legacy during World War II, and the tumultuous decades that followed.

Track: 13 Days

Why We Like It: This striking number provides a gritty more groove rooted side to Minutes To Midnight’s sound. With stinging guitar melodies and a rooted bass line the track takes a sultry sinister turn as the bass coils around the drums allowing Simone’s vocals to glissade upon the velvety melody. The track wriggles and creeps with a chilling sense of mystery as it builds to a heavier crescendo with a steamy guitar solo and punchy drums.

You can follow  Minutes To Midnight on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/Min2Mid/

Stream ‘13 Days’ below 

Heavenly Faded

Photo Credit : Jamary Bobe

Genre: Alternative Rock

Bio: Heavenly Faded are a New York City band who  have been writing and recording since 2018. The band have a Brooklyn Bowl performance under their belt and have released their new single ‘Constellations’.

Track: Constellations

Why We Like It: It’s a blistering swagger-drenched rock number with an explosive wall of sound and catchy melody ready to revolve in your head for days. With fuzzy sharp guitars venturing from sweet piercing jingles to crashing ballsy blasts this track swarms in locked and loaded. With powerful passion-filled vocals, pulverizing drums and dynamic bass the track is a scorching lightning strike of adrenaline and classic rock power. The tight production and biting instrumentation make ‘Constellations’ a knock out and sublime track.

You can follow Heavenly Faded on facebook here https://www.facebook.com/heavenlyfaded

Stream ‘Constellations’ below 

You Can Follow Our Indie Quick Picks Playlist On Spotify Below


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

doops ‘Rehash Ver. 2’

Reading based alternative three piece doops have released their new single ‘Rehash Ver. 2’. This ominous prism of relentless tension glimmers with psych facets, crashing alternative blasts and twinkling sweet moments. A tapping beat, murmuring bass and sinister strike on guitar introduce the track as the band simmer and bubble into the explosive chorus with hair-raising earnestness. Consumed in gritty ferocity the track builds superbly to the epic chorus. Guitars blaze and shred, crashing into the pulverising drums to create a kinetic and demolishing wall of sound drenched in dark tones and grimy abrasive textures. The vocals progress from a mysterious eerie whisper into snide whines and exclaims as the band create a thrilling and utterly manic instrumental backdrop sure to ignite a mosh pit. There is a dazing sense of paranoia seeping through the verses and this reaches its peak as the song travels to its manic crescendo outburst.

‘Rehash Ver. 2.’ tightens its grip around your ears with each precise instrumental movement as if slithering carefully around its prey until you are firmly encased and bound within its tight suffocating and dense soundscape. With haunting backing vocals and shredding guitar distortion weaving between an almost harrowing musical experience with a humming infectious backbone doops present another scorching wallop of their unique and utterly exhilarating musicianship.

You can catch doop live at  :

Nov 28th – The Monarch, Camden (This Feeling Club Night)

Dec 10th at Facebar in Reading 

Dec 14th – Beyond The Download, Wokingham (Christmas all Dayer)

Stream ‘Rehash Ver. 2’ below 


Author : Danu

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

Sick Love ‘My Man’

Dublin’s Sick Love have released their new single ‘My Man’. The track is taken from the bands  forthcoming debut EP and they are touring Ireland and the UK this month to support its release. Their track ‘Gun in Your Pocket’ has now topped 800K streams on Spotify and they have just signed a deal with one of the most successful Sync companies in the US joining a roster which includes Wolf Alice, Kodaline, The 1975, James Bay etc.

‘My Man’ takes Sick Love’s invigorating sound to new blistering heights as they stomp all over your ears with sass, attitude and utterly exhilarating instrumentation. Its a dark battering track that bubbles and boils to its explosive crescendo creating an intense listening experience as the refined crashing guitars weave between a rooted driving bass line. The pummeling drums create a turbulent foundation for the guitars and bass to smash into and ricochet off creating a wonderful rough and tumble texture while Rebecca Geary’s powerful luring whispers seduce before exclaiming into the harsh crescendo. Sick Love tease with a sublime push and pull intense soundscape, blending vaporous tones with utter anarchy and desperate mania. It’s fiery and sharp as the band lacerate and bruise relentlessly throughout before they bring the crescendo to epic almost cinematic proportions. ‘My Man’ is a powerful display from Sick Love. each component part from this four piece ( from the shredding guitars, pounding drums and powerful vocals) blend perfectly together to create a blasting, raw wall of sound with enticing melodies and breathtaking instrumentation. A must listen.

Stream ‘My Man’ below 


Author : Danu

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

Soundrage ‘Thereafter’

Hard-rock outfit Soundrage have just released their debut single ‘Thereafter’. Founded in 2018, the band have a unique mixture of energetic rock and acoustic-driven material. Recorded and produced with Yoad Nevo (Bryan Adams, Sia, Moby),’Thereafter’ is inspired by multiple people in chief-songwriter Peter Zembery’s life suffering from strokes in recent times.

‘Thereafter’ is a rock-infused ballad brimming with passion and fist pump might. With punchy drums keeping a steady foundation Soundrage flesh out their emotive musicianship and rich guitar work. From warm balmy jingles to crashing outbursts the guitars flood the track with vivid rich qualities and vibrant intricacies. Mery Diaz has an interesting tone to her voice as she creates depth through the verses while her falsetto for the chorus has a Kate Bush tonality. ‘Thereafter’ is a powerful heavy hitting number brimming with passion.

Stream ‘Thereafter’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Deva St. John ‘The Information Age’

Alternative rock artist Deva St. John has released her new single ‘The Information Age’. The track which has already received radio play with Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq, and Dan Carter is a scrappy blast of alternative rock driving on a punchy powerful backdrop and striking vocals. Deva presents the track in a punk – esque ruffling feathers manner while she delivers a catchy melody and some pretty slick instrumentation. With jangly guitars creating twinkling tender moments as well as crashing fiery moments, the track has the perfect balance between blistering energy and delicate chilling elements. There are some wacky wobbly screeches and alien-like whines between the buoyant pound of the drums and western peppered guitar components as Deva takes the alternative rock format and saturates it in her own blazing style. ‘The Information Age’ is bold and loud with plenty of gusto. There is a hue of Sleater-Kinney wafting over the track with its powerful bursts and gritty elements however Deva creates her own sound within this punchy gem. 

About the track Deva said : “The Information Age is a sarcastic salute to the often oppressive nature of social media. How it can distract and divide us as quickly as it can inform and connect. In a world where our self-worth is being buffeted daily by a relentless barrage of content, the song examines the consequences of our internet addictions on our personal wellbeing. I guess I was inspired to write it after spending way too long comparing myself to other people online, wishing things were different, while simultaneously knowing I’m being manipulated to think that way, as is the nature of the social media business. I hope you enjoy it! It’s heavy, bratty, and was a lot of fun to put together.”

Stream ‘The Information Age’ below 


Author : Danu

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

Easy Tide ‘When the Pills Don’t Work’

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


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Funk, Funk and Soul, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Dürtbürd ‘Mongan’s Discotheque’

Dürtbürd have released their new single ‘Mongan’s Discotheque’. Dürtbürd are a 4 piece ‘dürtrock’ band based in Leixlip. ‘Mongan’s Discotheque’ which was filmed, recorded and produced by Dürtbürd is a funk flavoured number smacked in gritty dirt rock elements with a hint of soul peppering on top. Slick guitar lines meander between heavy riffs and suave licks with ease as the band showcase their nimble vaporous wall of sound with a brawny punchy quality. The battering drums create a steady, strong foundation while the agile bass rambles about the track exuding strutting panache and buoyant flexibility. The track builds superbly becoming more heavy as Dürtbürd cultivate their sound meticulously to create something truly intricate and refined. With rasp-filled vocals drifting between velvety soul and growl-like howls, the band have created a genre bending number filled with lush instrumentation and exhilarating melodies. ‘Mongan’s Discotheque’ is a gem for all tastes.

Watch the video for ‘Mongan’s Discotheque’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Video Premiere

Karma Vulture ‘Long Beach Vacation’ Premiere

LA-based moody rock trio Karma Vulture have released their second single ‘Long Beach Vacation’ along with its music video. The track was Recorded, Produced, and Mixed by Jason Achilles Mezilis in Los Angeles, CA and Mastered by Joel Hamilton. 

‘Long Beach Vacation’ is another dark, smudged, alternative rock track from Karma Vulture as they flesh out their sound, staining it in a bluesy hue. With sharp strident guitar jangling and stinging between a steady beat the track bubbles and broods within a tense and blistering atmosphere. The song builds becoming more powerful and vehement for its catchy chorus and scorching crescendo. The band weave a steamy yet eerie bass line into their fiery backdrop while the guitars push and pull with sensual pines and razor sharp riffs. These guys create thrilling raw rock tracks with an organic appeal and sultry backdrop that is utterly compelling. With raspy graveling vocals and a moody melody surrounded by an epic crashing wall of sound Karma Vulture have created an invigorating number to tantalizing our ears. 

About the video for ‘Long Beach Vacation’ director Polaris Castillo said :“Inspired by the ancient Mayan concept of Kuxan Suum, which translates to “the road to the sky leading to the umbilical cord of the Universe”, the Long Beach Vacation music video follows a young man as he is plucked from his world and transcended into something greater. If you watch closely, you can see the head of a Maya native in the form of a business card holder on a coffee table in the living room while the young man is catapulted through the sofas. The Mayans believed this umbilical cord is a resonant pathway which connects us through the center of the planet, through the heart of the sun, to the galactic core, and finally, to the heart of all things. While the track signals for a nostalgic trip to the stress-free beaches of Long Beach, the visuals align by taking those same beaches as the transcendental bridge to the great beyond.” 

Watch the video for ‘Long Beach Vacation’ below 


Author : Danu