Little Giants are starting fires

Trying to calm down before the Christmas chaos? Or just looking to for some genteel indie dance that gets you in the right frame of mind for whatever it is you have left to do? Enter Little Giants and their new single We Start Fires, a track you could put on loop all day and never get bored of.

The Bournemouth band are surely primed for a big 2017 based on this, I'm already pining for a summer based on this one track. Follow their upcoming adventures on Facebook.

Bad Touch bring the southern touch home

Perhaps the Black Crowes settled in Norfolk after their 90s blowout. Certainly the Bad Touch brings back hints of the Robinson brothers, along with that certain southern charm and comfort. Single 99% is a truly charming track from their new album "Truth be Told" and eminently listenable, morning, noon or night. The rest of the album track titles all hint at a country tinge, can't wait to listen to every single one of them.

One OK Rock on Bedroom Warfare

Japanese rock is getting about the world a bit, and here comes One OK Rock to add to the mix. The band have been going a decade or so, and getting more recognition around the planet over the last couple of years. Yes, there's lots of American stylings going on, but that never hurt anyone!

While this video starts out owing more to dance sensibilities, and the track is definitely more electronic than punk, it does have a sharp edge to it, and if you dive into the back catalogue, there is plenty of attitude to enjoy. Their new album is out in January and will get Avril Lavigne on warbling duties on one track.

Hey Whiskey pours some smooth tunes on you

A Texan duo, Smithfield are doing things the cowboy way, plain and simple. There's nothing wrong with their approach and this lilting, uplifting, ode to the bottle (or not), is a fine tune to relax with after a busy day. Enjoy and dive into their other tunes on their self-titled album!

Namie Amuro is a Fighter

Namie Amuro is a fine example of mimicking western talent, and her new double A-side single Dear Diary and Fighter are both highly listenable, with classy videos. A shame these are only the short versions, guess the full versions are limited to Japanese paying services. Still check out her site for more content.

Get Twisted for Halloween

Hello DJ Bl3nd, apparently a master inspiration-lifting thief of every sample I've heard in the last 10 years. Literally every sound on this track I'm sure I've heard somewhere before. Still, he's managed to cram them in around a Halloween theme, with a modestly spooky video, which seems appropriate for today, so enjoy!

Night Riots are the best kind

With a debut album 'Love Gloom' out this week, let's check in on Night Riots, a Californian band (oh dear), who met in high school (don't like where this is going). Yet, who are way, way, way from being yet another pop punk act. Yes, it is possible!

There's loads of musical depth and maturity to this track, and singer Travis Hawley definitely has the angsty vibe of a potential major front man. Good luck to them, check out their music and support them with a distinctive range of merch!

This Mother Forever takes a while to get going

Canadian punks sounds rather oxymoronic, but hey - whatever, I guess they have angst too! Anyway, this 15-minute epic does take a while to get going, like five minutes. But when it does, This Mother Forever is pretty unstoppable with punk opera epic breaks and fine instrumentals!

If you want to support the band, some limited editions are available.


Head Nine Miles South to find the Bones

Wow, that's some seriously impressive guitar work going on in this bluesy rock anthem. The rest of the track and the video, not so in love with - why is everyone playing instruments blindfolded all of a sudden (Kings of Leon last month)? But I could listen to that menacing thrumming over every episode of that other Bones!

Shinedown asking personal questions... How Did You Love

Okay, Florida's Shinedown are really big. I did not know that! This is probably the first track I've heard from them in a few years, and I can see why they have a big following. How Did You Love is aurally raw and passionate, with enough grittiness to lift it above being preachy.

Me like, although the video leaves it crying out for a more thudding baseline to go with all the grim overtones, and as they're touring with Iron Maiden next year, pushing all the sliders up would help!

Not that Days Like These!

Days like these is a common enough theme in songs, but it works really well in - what I guess I have to call - this evolved pop punk vibe. From Canadian trio No King for Countrymen, which is an intriguing title in itself, there's a lot of heart and soul, with just enough party to keep things ticking over.

Will have to investigate the rest of their tracks, and hope they make it big enough to hit Europe where I think this would get a great reception live.

Garbage are still Magnetized

All the bands from my younger days are back and kicking tracks around, Feeder, Ugly Kid Joe, and now Garbage - just about to set out on a world tour. They still have that classy electronic rocky crossover sound and Shirl's perfect-for-any-chorus voice, all highly evident in this new track that throws all the best bits of science lessons into its video.

Off around the world again with Tricot

All the work is being done on the instruments on this track from Japanese trio Tricot, its a brilliant four minutes of listening, even if you don't have a clue what the lyrics mean. The band  they vary from ska to pure pop, dig into their archive for plenty of crazed pop sensibilities being retuned in a jocular Japanese style - love it!

Boston Manor don't have Lead Feet, alright!

A big hello to Boston Manor who hail from Blackpool, and are on tour in November with album Be Nothing just hitting the shelves. Its hard to pin down what's massively different about them, but they play with enough swings between finesse and gritty to make their tracks very listenable.

New track Lead Feet should be a winner live! Check them out.



Summer isn't over with Waterparks

Is autumn starting to get you down? Tune into Waterparks, a Texan band who are riding the never-ending pop punk wave to their own endless summer. Stupid For You is catchy, it is uplifting and jangly, it makes you want to dye your hair and kiss a girl at the bus stop!

Their new album is out in a month and while there's no video for this yet, their previous effort Crave demonstrates that essential sense of humor that all these bands are contractually obliged to possess.



Milburn take Control of Midnight

Can't claim to remember Milburn, who split in 2008. Still, they're back together and this is their first new video in eight years and on the strength of it, I'm willing to dive into their archive for some more thoughtful, twangy rock. Described as an accidental pop song, it definitely needs the video to help it along.

More eminently listenable is Forming of a Fate, the flip side of a double A release from the Sheffield band. It goes all over the shop with slightly folky guitar and a finely constructed chorus. Top stuff!


BlackTop Mojo has a lucky spot on my playlist

Continuing today's rock theme! Seriously, I wouldn't argue with these guys from Texas, they can have all my iPod space. They've been going for four years and have produced some meaty slabs of rock and roll, along with a hefty dose of fine covers - and I love a band not afraid to play someone else's tunes, check out the soulful Is This Love cover below, a new recording which is how I came across the band.

Their Open Road track is a couple of years old, but its a very clean yet chugging cut. I look forward to hearing what BlackTop Mojo do next, they've funded their next album on Pledge Music. If they ever make it out of America's south, I'd happily go see them anywhere in England!


Western Sand offer some Resolution

Have seen these guys a few times around the south of England, and they always put on an awesome show with some of the tightest guitars you could hope to meet in a sweaty bar. Playing an infectious southern-tinged rock, they're seemingly always playing a gig near you, and the best new rock band around with no sign of ego or posing. Go check them out!

Nitesh Chawla has No Words

Something from the other side of the world today, with Nitesh Chawla's almost ambient electronic effort that kicks off in the last quarter with some crashing guitar. I'm guessing he's not massive in India, but keep this up and he should find an audience somewhere.

Do you trust The Suspicious Pigeons?

You have to check out a band with a name like The Suspicious Pigeons, and the indie rock group from Lincoln, England don't fail to disappoint with some serious foot tapping in their latest effort Six Inches.

The four member band formed in late 2013, consist of George as vocalist and lead guitarist, Luke the rhythm guitarist, Andrew Forman on bass, and drummer, Kern.

Check out their Facebook page for their latest shows and releases.

Feel the folk with Skinny Lister

How's this for a random start to my new blog, I came across this Geordie Lad video a couple of weeks ago, and then it turns out a guy I know online is in the band, Skinny Lister, with a hefty UK and US touring schedule to keep them busy.

They describe themselves as a folky, punky, rock n' roll outfit from Greenwich, London. I can certainly feel the spirit of a few thousand smokey pub gigs (back when you could smoke in pubs) in there, and hints of The Levellers, which is never a bad thing.


Their new album is 'The Devil, The Heart and The Fight', out on Friday, 20th October, grab it from your favourite store. At the bottom is new single Devil In Me, which has a bit more breathy angst in it, and you can't go wrong with auto demolition! 

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)