RATS

RATS are the latest in a wave of UK rock n roll bands attracting the attention of Alan McGee’s Creation23 imprint. The Liverpudlian four piece are two singles in and have laid out an ambitious blueprint to glory.

 *Photo courtesy of Chris Driver

Figure It Out

Much like Primal Scream’s ‘Sonic Flower Groove’ impact on the Roses, Australia’s DMA’s have launched a wave of heartfelt rock n roll in the UK. Full of spirit, swagger and escapism, RATS’ ‘Figure It Out’ is an uniting anthem demanding to be heard.

Generation after generation has to endure the homogenisation of rock music, lately it’s been the dreary 1975 types and their fetid offshoots. With their unpalatable stench though, comes the reaction. The fightback from the likes of RATS, this is where true euphoria lies. The vocals here, taking the best bits of Rob Harvey (The Music), Tom Clarke (The Enemy) and Thomas O’Dell (DMA’s) are majestic.

Weekend

Big emotive riffs collide from humble root combine to create an edgier but, equally pop driven Blossoms-esque single. With the earnestness of The Pigeon Detectives and the melodic dirge of The Strokes’ second album ‘Room On Fire’ coming together, there is no chance they’re not making it.

Friday 2nd August marks our 8th birthday. Come down to the New Cross Inn for a night of great live music. Tickets available here:

Cleargreen

Manchester, oh Manchester, how you continue to speak this rock n roll nation’s soul. Cleargreen, made up of songwriting duo Ali Staley (Vocals/Guitar) and Liam McIver (Vocals/Bass), plus Josh Haworth (Lead Guitar) and Mike Wilcock (Drums) look set to be the next crucial act from the North West.

Let’s check out some why:

Blue Lights (Sirens)

Staley and McIver’s vocals will beckon fans of The Twangs 2007 cult classic ‘Love It When I Feel Like This’. The beauty of Staley and the aggression of McIver combine to give rock n roll another much-needed working-class voice.

However, it’s Josh Howarth’s stunning Nick McCabe guitar work which steals the show. His solo, a destructive piece of shimmering rock n roll not take you away from reality, it will blow it away. Remarkable when you consider Jorja Smith’s beige original.

Gone

As free and easy as The View and DMA’s, they have a richness that threatens to take them way beyond the aforementioned.

The guitars have the immediacy of ‘Definitely Maybe’ but, through Staley’s vocals, a warmth is emitted akin to the great soul and Motown records of the ‘60s.

Like all great records, this has great juxtaposition. Amid the warmth is a defiance that launched The Roses and Oasis, and now it’s going to launch Cleargreen. It’s inevitable.

(To Be Understood) In My Paradise

Indebted to the Roses (especially 'Mersey Paradise'), Cleargreen have channelled The Enemy’s working-class romanticism through the Roses’ paisley era.

Although the magic of Squire is not there, they’ve taken a shot at forever and, they’re really not that far away. ‘Supersonic’ has a clip of Noel furiously explaining to journalists that “our music will stand the test of time”, that spirit is out in full force here.

*Image courtesy of Sarah Oglesby

Our 8th birthday party is Friday 2nd August at the New Cross Inn. Click the image below for tickets: