Tag Archives: rock and roll

Corner Pilots

Corner Pilots are a no nonsense rock band hailing from Surrey, band members Dan Stafford (Lead Vocals), Joshua Bennet (Guitar), Jake France (Guitar), Ben Mawdsley (Bass) and Reece O’Brien (Drummer) are creating  a stir with their heavy, energetic performances and catchy heavy riff based rock tracks. Their catalogue of tracks on soundcloud are impressive and showcase their talent and great potential as musicians.
‘The Language’ is a blues rock track with slick zealous guitar and punchy drums. The rooted bass give a depth and foundation to the track. This track oozes energy and swagger and has a body moving effect. The guitar particularly excels in this track as it effortlessly pierces through the track and delivers a shredding strident solo. Stafford’s vocals are smooth and exuding confidence, swagger and attitude. With its anthem like energetic chorus that has a fist pump effect its easy to see how this song would be massive performed live.
‘Queen of My Nightmare’ gives us a heavier fuzzed sound with an infectious dirty riff that sticks in your head. Stafford’s vocals are sharper and dynamic., while the guitars are smooth and slick. This track is fiery and sensual while remaining edgy and cool and bursting with attitude. It is delivered in an effective energetic mosh worthy manner with the track building in tempo and intensity as the song progresses.
‘ Jump’ begins with a moody eerie tone and screechy guitars. This shadowy atmosphere continues throughout the track while the instrumentation builds for the chorus. The vigorous guitars play a riff that almost warns of danger while the creeping bass gives you goosebumps and the drums add a mosh effect. The vocals take on a mysterious tone giving this track a thrilling effect.
Corner Pilots show some great talent with these tracks look forward to hearing more from them.
If your around make sure you go see them live at the O2 Academy Islington on July 8th.
Stream ‘The Language’ and ‘Queen of My Nightmare’ below

A Chat With : Skunkmello

 

Following the release for their new album ‘ Hot Chicken’ today we decided to have a chat with Skunkmello to see what makes them tick.

When did you form your band?

Early 2012.

How did you decide what style/ Genre of music you wanted to do?
I’ve always been a huge fan of rock and roll and old blues and roots music so I tend to write songs in that vein, and the songs I bring to the band generally dictate the style we ultimately run with. It’s an amorphous vibe that kind of changes a bit from tune to tune, but always grounded in solid rock and roll.
What inspired you to make music?
Everything, really. All the great tunes out there, the grit and grind of everyday existence, high-proof distillations, and the whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers…

What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs?
White knuckled chaos, good-timing debauchery, and tenuous survival careening on the edge of almost certain doom. We like Whiskey too.
Could you briefly describe you music-making process?
We don’t have much of a process. I may come up with a song, for whatever reason, and bring it in to the band for some run and gun electric rocket-fire.

What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
We often take a bender a bit too far around the curve, winding up in some precarious situations where fast talk and burnt nerves won’t always walk you back. We don’t overcome as much as we overdo, but once you get into something like this you got to take out to it’s fiery conclusion.

What is your Favourite song to perform live and why?
We dig em all, that’s why we play them, and my favorite tends to shift with my mood. Right now I guess it’s a tune called “Sweet Delight” off of our new record, Hot Chicken, because it’s got that big fiery finish you can really get in to.

So far what are your favourite and least favourite venues that you have played ?
We like them all as long as the crowd is right and the taps are flowing.

What’s the most bizarre thing to happen while you were on stage?
Well, we did a show recently where we had some naked folks dancing around, some spinning from the ceiling and others spinning fire. We thought that was pretty cool.

Who has been your favourite support act so far?
There are a number of local bands we like to play with, including The Silks, Scantron, and Cropdust.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to get around, get into some mountains, get into some waves, or get just vibe off somewhere quiet with a book and a guitar. I also enjoy raucous burner at the pub, depending on my mood.

Any Plans to come to Ireland in the future?
Hopefully soon, I love Ireland and have had many a wild time over there. Good people down for a good time.

What advice do you have for people who want to form their own band?
If you dig it, do it. If you really dig it, do it twice.

Stream ‘ Slaughterhouse Blues’ below

 

Skunkmello ‘Hot Chicken’

Brooklyn-based rock and roll band Skunkmello have released their new album ‘Hot Chicken’ today. Matt Bartlett (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Ed Cuervo (guitar, vocals), Jay Holt (bass,vocals) and Jono Ori (drums, vocals) have created their sound which blends the influences of classic rock and blues artists, such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Towns Van Zandt and The Rolling Stones. The group’s three previous releases, Whiskey & Oatmeal EP (2012), 2013’s Lowlife Dreams EP which were produced by the band and mastered by Grammy Award‐winner Brian Lucey,( The Black Keys’ Brothers and El Camino albums) and 2014’s Stars & Stripes, have all met with critical acclaim and ‘Hot Chicken’ follows with in the same manner.
‘Hot Chicken’ pulls together the best of classic rock and roll with country twangs and refreshing blasts of blues to make a solid smooth album full of swagger. ‘Cardboard Box Disguise’ kicks things off in a true rock and roll style with husky vocals, luscious guitar twangs and a sick drum beat that pulls you to the dance floor. With it’s catchy chorus this fun upbeat track is infectious and starts the album off on a high with added cowboy “woooh” mid guitar solo its full of 50s rock and roll swagger.
‘Ridin’ The River’ follows with a heavier sound to start. The country twang features strongly again while the song takes a swing persona as the harmonica becomes predominate. The bridge is finger clicking and foot tappingly good. Its feel good vibe is infectious and makes this track so easy to listen to.
‘Prime Time Hero’ takes a blues form with a sensual sway/strut effect. The guitar plays a light springy melody to soft bouncy beats. Skunkmello take blues and make it light and fun in this track. The chorus is simple with “wooo yeah” lyrics and trust me you will be singing by the end. This track is full of sass in a smooth seductive style.
‘Rhinestone Shady’ brings us a rock and roll blues with heavier beats and stronger vocals full of attitude. With a crisp slick guitar solo and clever lyrics this song is energetic and yet a true narrative telling a story relative to their lives.
‘Highway 17’ slows the tone down a little with a country almost whiskey drowned ballad. It is beautifully melodic and smooth and gives a driving on a hot summers evening feel. Its full of nostalgia and melancholy tones with lush sweet harmonies in backing vocal, while the main vocals are slightly animated and emotional.
‘ Slaughterhouse Blues’ brings back that “turn it up loud” rock and roll feel while ‘ Alligator Coat’ gives us some distorted sliding guitars and shakes up their sound a little. ‘Cash Flow Blues’ deals with the problem of money or lack of, which we can all relate to. Skunkmello deal with this problem in an upbeat manner full of humour and an almost speaking vocal in the middle. This song is full of clap along beats and definitely is one to get an audience up and dancing.
‘Sweet Delight’ closes the album in a raunchy blues style. The steamy guitars and soft beat gives a longing sway vibe to the track. While the vocals become rough and husky in places. With “ohhh” feature on vocals that begin soft and build to become intense and louder up to the massive guitar solo and an almost shout in vocals and roll on drums. This softens until the guitar plays us out with a kick ass solo and pounding drums to a sudden end. Leaving you wanting more.
Stream ‘Slaughterhouse Blues’ and ‘Highway 17’  below

The Chessmen ‘Gonzo’

The Chessmen are a 60’s inspired garage rock n roll band from Leeds. The band consists of Luke Holdsworth (Lead Guitar/Vocals ), Ryan Walker (Bass Guitar ) and Scott Parker (Drums). They formed in early 2016 and are already making their mark in the underground unsigned music scene landing themselves an endorsement from Hofner guitars. They are stamping out their authority on the touring circuit with dates booked across the UK.
Their new track ‘Gonzo’ is a modern yet retro track packed with 60s swagger. It takes you back in time to enjoy a much loved genre of music in a fresh way. With crunchy beat-stops which reference the mod generation combined with psychedelic guitars give a playful British Austin Powers vibe while showing some serious skilful musicianship. The vocals exude confidence and give a strut quality to the track. The song is a massive musical rush and frenzy throughout as the verses build to a rapid catchy chorus and end on a vocal howl leaving the listener exhausted from this energetic storm, however willing to press replay and listen to it again.
‘Gonzo’ is a fantastic burst of mania and frenzy and an absolute must listen!
You Can catch The Chessmen live at
Fri, Jun 10 Percy’s Coffee & Curios, Watergate Street, Shropshire
Fri, Jun 17 The Victoria, 48 John Bright Street, Birmingham
Sat, Jun 18 Salford Arms, Chapel Street, Manchester
Sat, Jun 25 Apollo Festival – Rick Witter’s Premier Stage, York
Sat, Jul 2 @ 8:00 PM Belgrave Music Hall, Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds

Stream ‘Gonzo’ below

Beautiful Corruption ‘Orphic’

 

Beautiful Corruption are a four piece alt-rock band based in Kilkenny, Ireland. The band consists of Oisin Wolfe on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, James Brown on lead guitar and back-up vocals, Simon Cooke on drums and Rory Cooper on bass. We reviewed their début EP ‘ Snakes & Ladders’ earlier this year which showcased their growing talents and potential. They have released their new single ‘Orphic’ which is a strong follow up.
‘Orphic’ is a competent proficient track full of shredding guitars, pounding drums and dynamic vocals. The intro sets the musical scene with a taste of the explosive sound to come .The verses are presented in a slick manner with a rock and roll vibe light beats and acute guitar that holds a bright infectious luring melody while the bass and drums keep us grounded. The vocals exude swagger while the backing vocals add a lush harmony which is refreshing. The chorus explodes into the mosh worthy frenzy that Beautiful Corruption are known for with thunderous drums , vigorous guitars, forceful bass and charismatic vocals making this song infectious. The mighty lusty guitar solo and instrumental break is effectively brawny and powerful and ends the song on a high leaving you wanting more.
Watch ‘Orphic’ below

Anna Liese New EP ‘Chasing and Fading’

Anna Liese are a four-piece alternative Rock, Irish band based in Waterford. Mark Walsh (Vocals, Guitars) Emmet Conefery (guitarist), Sean Carey (Bass) and Eddy Blake (Drums) have just released their début EP ‘Chasing and Fading’.These guys give us a variety with their slow tempos, melodic guitar passages, beautiful vocal harmonies in ” Storm” which has a smooth airy drive time vibe, compared with the fast tempo and heavy riffs in ” Psycho Mask” and “Break The Chain”.

” Psycho Mask” is an upbeat funky tune with some distortion which adds a hint of psychedelic rock as they lead into a instrumental break. “Break The Chain” is a rock and roll style track and my favourite of the three with it slick guitar and punchy drums its an animated track that’s bound to sound good live and get everyone up dancing. This particular tunes heavy riff and use of guitar licks is very effective.
‘Chasing and Fading’ is a strong début EP that shows promise and with a number of gigs under their belts and preparations for their EP launch gigs which will be taking place over the next few months we can look forward to some high energy shows.
Stream “Storm’ and ‘Break The Chain’ below

Lyerr

 

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A four piece indie band from Manchester Lyerr,consist of Ryan Johnson (Vocals/Guitar) Samuel Greene (Guitar) Rory Magner ( Bass) James Kershaw ( Drums). Their début singles were released last month and are cracking tunes. ‘N.Y.C.’ is a rock and roll, feel good song with punchy drums and nimble guitar definitely one to get you up dancing.
” Miss Bright Ideas’ again is a strong song for a début. This song really shows their potential, its my favourite of the two. The track starts with a steady beat and guitars and breaks into a melodic chorus which shows off their skill both instrumentally and vocally. Its one of those songs that is blissful to listen to.
You can catch these guys April 1st at Night and Day cafe in Manchester if your around definitely go.
These guys are ones to watch!
Stream ‘ N.Y.C’ and ‘Miss Bright Ideas’ below

Sisteray

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