Tag Archives: alternative rock

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

Y!KES ‘Everything Pointless Is Correct’ EP

Birmingham alternative rock band Y!KES have released their debut EP. ‘Everything Pointless Is Correct’ is a compact grunge rock EP swirled in a whirlwind of crashing guitars, pummeling drums and slinky bass lines. This EP represents Y!KES sound in a complete well thought out body of work. Dark undertones haunt the tracks with an ominous quality as the band flesh out their heavy musicianship.

The band have created some great tracks in this EP. ‘Chekhov’s Gun’ sets the madness in motion. Moody, dark and smothered in a sulky tone this intoxicating track slithers and weaves between alternative rock and grunge as gritty guitars soar and strike between the buoyant backdrop with relentless stamina. The band build tension and showcase their ability to produce melodic, moving music with a heavy rock backbone.

Y!kes pack this EP to the brim with catchy alternative pop-punk songs that are tough to resist. ‘Hold On To Your Grudge’  and ‘Spitfire Salutes’ give you that edge-of-your-seat riffs and bass rumbles while the punchy tight drums maintain that pounding foundation. With whirring guitars, dynamic vocals and that instant rush of adrenaline pulsing through each track its difficult not to be impressed.

‘Hiding In Plain Sight’ is a refreshing lift from the bands dark sound as they venture into Pixies territory with light indie guitar jangles, sunkissed melodies and a laid back nostalgic atmosphere. Giving us a glimpse of their sweeter melodies and melancholic tones it’s a lovable track lying between some hefty bangers.

However its ‘Repeat The Objective’ that holds my attention – a gritty, raw force of nature showcasing Y!kes unbridled ambition. With razor sharp guitars and acute bass, the verse lures and lacerates with a heavy consistency and intoxicating quality. The vocals wail and growl between the mighty wall of sound ( I have to hand it to Oli Long, those vocals are sublimely expressive and harrowing). It’s a searing, thrilling and frantic number rich in intricacies and deft musicianship.

‘Everything Pointless Is Correct’ is an impressive debut EP from Y!kes and a keyhole glimpse of their raw talent and potential. A fantastic, impressive EP which sets the band up for great things. 

Stream ‘Everything Pointless Is Correct’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Grunge, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen – The Blood Republic

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Blood Republic

The Blood Republic have released their new single ‘Mr. Lucifer’. Zak Muller begins a fresh venture with his new band The Blood Republic offering a bold re-imagining of the grunge genre. The Blood Republic was launched in September 2018 with debut single ‘Ditch’ which ended up generating the band over 11,000 followers on their Facebook page in just two months. Zak Muller has taken a one man band approach, writing and recording all of the music himself as well creating the bands music videos, album covers and merchandise.

‘Mr. Lucifer’ is a luring, brutal and beautiful result of The Blood Republic’s passionate, compact and dark musicianship. The track slithers and creeps with chilling ominous tones as elastic bass slaps and intricate guitar lines weave tense haunting melodies throughout. The track explodes for the chorus like a beast pouncing on its unsuspecting prey. The groovy undertone is saturated in a dizzying heavy thick abyss of swirling metal infused rock as the kinetic wall of sound rushes to a frenzied crescendo. With enticing vocals and the infectious bleeding melody the track entraps you in its churning darkness, consuming you in a narcotic haze of peril. With lyrics that creatively express the struggles of addiction ‘Mr. Lucifer’ is an asphyxiating and thrilling piece of music. 

Watch the video for ‘Mr. Lucifer’ below 


Author : Danu

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

Indie Buddie Introducing : Killing Roy

Indie Rock band Killing Roy have released their new single ‘Applier’. Coming from different parts of England, Kel Bennett (Vocals), George Woodford (Guitar), Adam Mason (Bass) and Louis Cowling (Drums) met together at university.Last year Killing Roy played across multiple venues in London such as Half Moon Putney, Hope and Anchor, Dublin Castle and made their first steps in playing for bigger audiences performing on a festival stage at 2000Trees Festival.

Slicing through with kinetic riffs and a vigorous rhythm ‘Applier’ is a frazzling display of Killing Roy’s intense scorching sound. The intricate sting on guitar pierces with a lamenting, yet, biting intensity while the muggy heated backdrop of smouldering bass lines and pummeling drums ignites the track. Dynamic warm vocals glide over the catchy melody creating a smoothness within the blistering mania. With a shredding solo and gripping indie rock backdrop ‘Applier’ keeps you in a thrilling sense of suspense throughout. Well crafted and bursting from the seams with passion and sharp sultry instrumentation this utterly consuming track is a fine piece of musicianship from Killing Roy

Stream ‘Applier’ below 


Author : Danu

A Chat With, Alt Rock, indie rock, Interviews, New Music, Video Interviews

A Chat With : New Pagans

We sat down to have a spontaneous chat with Claire Miskimmin and Lyndsey McDougall from Belfast band New Pagans before their set supporting Palaye Royale at The Button Factory Dublin. We talked about the band’s sound, their influences and their new single ‘Admire’.

Watch the interview below


Author : Danu

A Chat With, Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, Interviews, New Music, Video Interviews

A Chat With : Greywind

We sat down to have a chat with Steph and Paul O’Sullivan from Greywind after their set supporting Palaye Royale at The Button Factory Dublin. We talked about how they craft their songs, living in Killarney  and the buzz the live setting provides.

Watch the interview below


Author : Danu

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

The Rezner Wouldn’t You Like To Know’

Four piece The Rezner have released their new single ‘Wouldn’t You Like To Know’ which has already received radio support from the mighty Rodney Bingenheimer at Sirius XM. He joins the likes of Alan McGee (Creation Records),This Feeling and BBC Introducing to give the band a thumbs up.  

‘Wouldn’t You Like To Know’ is a fiery ballsy alternative rock number brimming with mighty punk hype and oodles of adrenaline. With shredding guitars crashing and wiggling through a grooving shimmy bass and punchy drums the track explodes with kinetic vigor. It’s a speedball ablaze with sleek mighty musicianship. With snappy vocals spitting and bellowing over the rock smudged soundscape – ‘Wouldn’t You Like To Know’ is a catchy, powerful anthem and a musical slap in the face of what The Renzer do superbly.

Stream ‘Wouldn’t You Like To Know’ below 


Author : Danu

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

Bullet Girl ‘Whacked’

Alternative four piece band Bullet Girl have released their new single ‘Whacked’ produced and mixed by Daniel Fox. Late 2019 saw Bullet Girl refine their live sound with gigs such as co-headlining the first ever TILT at the Button Factory in October, hosted by John Barker of Totally Irish 98fm. They’ve also seen success in supporting bands such as FEET at the Sound House in November. On February 16th they played The Workman’s Club in aid of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. ‘Whacked’ is the first of four songs recorded with Daniel Fox of Girl Band, all of which centre around modern Dublin culture. 

‘Whacked’ is a berserker of mania slapped into a fury of punk as Bullet Girl flesh out their raw unadulterated musicianship in all its blood thirsty glory. Sharp guitars lacerate and swivel through the track in a swarm of turmoil as they shrill and soar through the crashing soundscapes. The bruising drum pummels and batters with relentless stamina while the majestic bass rumbles throughout. There is a masterful balance between utter anarchy and tense suspense as Bullet Girl bubble and simmer for the verses before erupting into the battering assault that is the sublime chorus.

Like burning acid the track fizzes and seethes behind the bristled vocal yelps and exclaims. ‘Whacked’ is a well crafted, precise yet messy conundrum ready to blast from the speakers. This track is going to be epic live. 

Stream ‘Whacked’ below 


Author : Danu

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

Palava ‘Singles’ EP

East Manchester indie band Palava are set to release their new EP ‘Singles’. The new singles EP will be available on Spotify and Apple Music on February 21st followed by a huge show with RGM Live at The Castle, Manchester.

‘Singles’ is a blistering collection of Palava’s energetic alternative rock. With ‘Blow Us Away’ taking a strong lead into the EP the band waste no time providing raw guitar strides and punchy drum progressions to create a crashing wall of sound sure to be superb live. Peppering their slick soundscapes with striking bass lines and shredding solos the band build each track meticulously to create blazing crescendos and fist pump power throughout. The sweeter more brooding side to Palava comes in the form of the lamentful ‘Believe’ as the band coat tender lyrics in chiming guitars that twinkle through a sulken backdrop while ‘Next Room’ glimmers with dark undertones and nostalgia.‘Under The Waves’ is a sparkling gem within this EP. The vibrant guitar sparkles through a subtle punchy backdrop as the track flows with a majestic and beautiful arrangement that is charming and well presented. 

Palava provide a tight EP laced in spirited musicianship with dynamic melodies and soundscapes. With wonderful guitar work and emotive moments between the crashing instrumentation its a well rounded EP. Palava are creating and developing their sound beautifully. 

 ‘Singles’ is released on February 21st for more you can follow Palava on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/palavauk/


Author : Danu

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

Outfielder ‘In Play’ EP

Outfielder have released their new EP ‘In Play’. Outfielder is an Ottawa based indie rock band with a ’90s flair, featuring members of Galapagos, John Creeden & The Flying Hellfish and Jonathan Becker & The Northfields.

Doused in heartfelt melodies, warm tinges of 90’s alternative rock with a dash of blues and pop peppering ‘In Play’ is a satisfying listen from Outfielder. These guys have a knack for warm honeyed melodies and slick musicianship. The warm twang of ‘Tracks’ and sweet slow burner ‘Saint John’ show the bands emotional tenderness and ability to create passion through sublime guitar work.Sandwiched between these ballad – esque tones and brooding numbers is the blistering 60’s melancholic swagger of ‘Like A Man’ and the jangly nostalgic ‘Past’ – these tracks display scorching guitar lines dripping in sunshine in the former,  sweet lamenting guitar in the latter against a pop-filled buoyant beat and vibrant alternative moodiness.

Outfielder has created a lush well crafted melodious EP that hits the spot with refined instrumentation and wonderful songwriting. However for me it’s those sweet golden guitar moments that make each track refreshing and special. 

Stream ‘In Play’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Madison Front ‘Sleep Off’

Indie/Alternative rock band Madison Front have released their new single ‘Sleep Off’.The band comprised of Luke O’Connor on Vocals, Patrick Murphy on Lead Guitar, Gary Murphy on Drums, Jack Shakespeare on Bass and Conor Cullen on Rhythm Guitar gained some notoriety during their first year, performing at Ireland’s well-renowned Longitude Music Festival, featuring alongside acts such as Hozier, Alt-J and The Chemical Brothers. Following this, the band made an appearance on Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ. They spent the next couple of years playing in popular music venues across Dublin, including Whelan’s, The Academy, The Workman’s Club and The Grand Social, establishing themselves within the local music scene.

‘Sleep Off’ glazes Madison Front’s sound with bubbling indie soundscapes as they burnish their buoyant backdrop with slinky zealous guitar and ethereal qualities. The band polish and rein in the meaty rhythm to create enough explosion without becoming overpowering. There are sublime radiant guitar riffs and licks throughout the track that provide a sun kissed lightness and prismatic quality while the strong backdrop maintains the bands sturdy punch. With a steamy solo and expressive accented vocals ‘Sleep Off’ is a tight number from Madison Front. 

Madison Front will play their single launch for ‘Sleep Off’ on February 15th in the brand new Lost Lane venue.

Stream ‘Sleep Off’ below 


Author : Danu