Bonsai are a four piece band from Stoke-on-Trent that consist of Chris Hough (Guitar & Vocals), Joe Hough (Guitar), Benjamin Hough (Bass) and Freddie Godley (Drums). These guys have created an alternative rock sound based on raspy vocals, psychedelic riffs and steady beats, that gives a dusty drive in a desert vibe.
‘Houdini’ was released last year and gives a classic rock feel, with slick, prominent guitar throughout and smooth raspy vocals. The guitar gives a trance feel to the song that draws you in right up to the polished sensual guitar solo.
‘Ned’ starts as a mellow track with a nostalgic guitar teasing the tune until the vocals and drums kick in. This track gives a youthful freedom vibe. With the slick skill of the guitar as a prominent feature throughout and well rounded drum beats this song takes you on an epic journey. Just the guitar riffs and solos alone are like a path to ‘Neverland’ that you can’t help but follow.
Two really strong tracks from very talented and skilled lads , will look forward to hearing more from Bonsai.
Stream ‘Houdini’ and ‘Ned’ below
Anna Liese have released the final two tracks from their début EP ‘Chasing and Fading’.’Chasing and Fading’ the title track is a riff base rock track heavier than the other songs we have heard so far.With an intense Radiohead vibe. The vocals have a mysterious tone to them which really adds to the atmosphere of this track. There is a call and response between the guitar and the vocals which is really effective. The song builds to a heavy end with a strong final note.
‘Green’ is my favourite track on the EP it again starts slow with melancholy vocals and then kicks straight into a rock song with full sound and a proper mosh pit tune, with slick guitars and pounding drums and even a scream in vocals. The vigorous guitars are amazing and really show the skill of theses guys. This is a zealous, blazing track and I can imagine it is magnificent live.
Looking forward to the live gigs!
You can catch Anna Liese at the Thirsty scholar, Waterford on the 27th April and in The Brewery Corner, Kilkenny on the 21st May.
Stream ‘Chasing and Fading’ and ‘Green’ below
Our Worth A Listen Track this week comes from Thieves Asylum
Thieves Asylum are a Rock band from Stoke-on-Trent that consist of Joseph Tomasso (Vocals/Guitar) Dan Thompson (Drums), Alex Grocock (Vocals/ Guitar) and James Perry (Bass Guitar). Their song “MEGADRIVE” is a fantastic hard hitting rock track with heavy beats and deep striking bass pulse. With a weighty intro and fierce guitar riffs, this solid fiery track has everything you would expect from a rock song. It has an infectious chorus and swaggering vocals that oozes confidence in a cool indifferent tone while the music explodes creating a contrast right up to the crescendo as the intensity of the vocals escalates leading to a magnificent guitar solo that doesn’t disappoint. This is definitely a song that is worth a listen.
Cant wait for more music from these guys!
If you want to catch Thieves Asylum live you can see them at:
Apr 26 The Shed ,Leicester
May 01 Lymelight Festival, Newcastle,
Stream “MEGADRIVE” below
Blank Parody are an Alternative Rock band from Birmingham. Members Joby Fitzgerald (Vocals) Liam Howard (Guitar) Connor Hodgkiss (Drums) Freddie Shaw (Bass) released their début single ‘Dark Pretenders’ in March this year, and its a roaring rock track with thunderous drums and vocal screams. This pumping track is full of energy all the way through and is the perfect début single. It shows us how tight this bands sound is, with a slick guitar riff and growl vocals these guys show real promise from the very first note.This is a beast of a song and is full of oomph, zest and energy, and is a great way to introduce the entry of an extremely talented band
Stream ” Dark Pretenders” below
Our worth a listen track this week comes from DEAD!
Formed in early 2012 DEAD! are 5 boys from Southampton, today living in London. Their song ‘ Skin ‘ is a zestful rock track released in 2015, it starts with light plucked guitar and then storms into a hardcore rock sound with strong vocals. These guys have mastered their sound with songs that make you think WOW! I bet these guys are brilliant live. ‘Skin’ has an infectious melody with slick guitars and punchy drums. Its headbangingly good and mosh worthy. Holding its high energy all the way through you can imagine a crowd jumping and going wild to this dynamic track.
Creeper are a Punk Rock band from Southampton, Dan Bratton (Drums), Oliver Burdett (Guitar),Ian Miles (Guitar) ,Will Gould (Vocals), Sean Scott (Bass), Hannah Greenwood (Keys) released their EP The Stranger in February with ‘Black Mass’ as the lead single from this EP.
‘Black Mass’ is a fast passed punk rock song with robust guitars, punchy drums and fantastic strong vocals. This song is so versatile as they break from their full bodied hardcore sound into a surprising waltz-like breather which adds a theatrical feel and a Meatloaf vibe.
With songs on the EP like ‘ The Secret Society’ with a melancholy guitar introduction that jumps into a pounding Rock sound and strong vocals and a crowd engaging whoa – oh. Followed by “Valentine” featuring a full rock sound and contrasting “Misery” a sentimental song full of raw naked emotion. While “Astral Projection” concludes their EP on a classic punk rock style with again a bridge that slows down the tempo to give you a chance to catch your breath before the big mosh at the end.
Creepers are an extremely vibrant band with songs that make you jump up and down to their classic punk rock sound and theatrical dark glamour style. ‘The Stranger’ is a EP that puts Creeper on the map
Watch ‘Black Mass’ below
Our Worth A Listen track this week comes from Black Honey.
Their latest track “All My Pride” is from their forthcoming Headspin EP. Brighton band, Izzy Baxter, (vocals, guitar) Chris Ostler (guitar), Tommy Taylor (bass), Tom Dewhurst (drums), deliver an infectious rock pop sound with attitude in this track.
‘All My Pride’ is a vicious post – breakup song with slick, blazing guitar. Izzy performs her vocals with such intensity and vulnerability that sucks you in and makes you listen to every word of her story. This is a very well written song. It is what I would imagine Lana Del Rey would sound like if she was in a rock band. They have the same ability to draw the listener in with nonchalant melodies only with fierce guitar. This band will definitely do well with this song as it ticks all the boxes.
Stream ‘All My Pride’ below
Sisteray are a British four-piece rock band from London, UK. Formed in 2014, the band consists of Niall Rowan (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Michael Hanrahan (bass/vocals), Daniel Connolly (lead guitar/vocals) and Marco Biagini (drums/vocals).
On first hearing Sisterays songs I realised they are a band with strong opinions and a Rock and roll, punk rock, mod revival, attitude to life which is refreshing as they say and do everything we want to do with a rebellious ‘I don’t give a damn attitude’. They have previously worked with producer Rory Attwell (The Vaccines/Palma Violets) and have created a cult-following in the UK due to high energy live performances and upbeat melodies and catchy clever lyrics about Britain in the 21st Century.
My attention was grabbed when they released ‘Back to Yours’ and ‘A Wise Man Said’ – as part of their new Double A Side Single. Both songs are very catchy ‘ A Wise Man Said’ is a fast pased tune with a gnarly sound full of raw british punk rock attitude. While ‘Back To Yours’ is a slower pase with Nialls voice adding a bit of grit to the vocal with a London twang
We will be hearing a lot more from these guys as word is beginning to spread about their energetic live performances. Definitely a band with a bright future ahead
Stream ‘ Back To Yours’ and ‘A wise Man Said’ here
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
