Scottish four-piece Ecko are made up of Jamie Warden (lead vocal & rhythm guitar) Matthew Welsh (lead guitar), Liam O’Connor (bass), and Jamie Thomson “JT” (drums).
The Utopiates
The North London outfit were formed during lockdown. That alone is a message of hope that only an old person planting a tree for future generations can top. They consist of Dan Popplewell (vocals/guitar), Ed Godshaw (keys), Josh Redding (lead guitar), Luke Nottingham (bass), and Joe Jeffreys (drums).
Ivory Wave
Something is afoot in the in the Midlands. Gazelle, The Assist, The Pagans SOH, The Cosmics and now, Ivory Wave. The Brummie four piece are gathering momentum rapidly with their blend of Madchester, 00s indie-punk and the finer points of Foals.
In 1988, Factory Records and the Happy Mondays put out 'Rave On' EP. Calling on Paul Oakenfold and Steve Lilywhite for remixes, they changed popular music forever. Ivory Wave's tracks are begging for the next big DJ/producer to come along and unite guitars and dance music once more. In fact, on 'Separate Beat' and 'Club', its hard not to hear Oakenfold doing something special.
Like the Mondays, no one sounds like Ivory Wave currently. Latest single 'Gold' has production values akin to Primal Scream on their 'Chaosmosis' album. 'Cool Kids' merges Black Grape and The Twang, but frankly, is so fresh, the sound is theirs. The minimalist drums, psyche wobble, sax, and venomous vocals are going to blow a hole through dance floors in the UK.
*Image courtesy of Luke Jones
Deja Vega
The recent Shiiine On Weekender didn’t feature many new acts, but, opening Eddy Temple Morris’ closing party were Cheshire three piece Deja Vega. They did not disappoint.
So, as soon as the hangovers and comedowns had gone, we checked out their stuff on Spotify:
Friends In High Places
They are few better ways to announce yourself than this. Big booming dirge guitars compelling you to ramp up the volume to Spinal Tap’s magic ‘11’.
Jack Fearon’s vocals a not what you expect of a new band. They are bristling with fury and angst like all good newcomers should but, the nuances on display are wise beyond his years. As Fearon rages his way through the song, the expectancy of an eruption keeps on building until he lets loose on the guitar once more. The big soaring riffs encapsulate the spirit of Kasabian’s debut album but with the huge stadium filling ambition of Oasis and The Who.
Pentagrams
Tom Webster’s drumming is absolutely ferocious here. They have a desperation so unhinged, we guarantee you will be left feeling fragile by the end. Meanwhile, Fearon’s guitars combine elements of Beefheart’s ‘Zig Zag Wanderer’ with the escapism of ‘Live Forever’. Together, they inject a much needed dose of adrenaline and hope into the world of psyche.
Skeletons In The Florist
A more measured and dysfunctional side to Deja Vega showcases the bands darker side. This post-punk offing is filled with explosions of noise that come charging head on with violence and destruction. No one is matching this at present.
Once more, Fearon offers some nuggets of gold on the guitar. The haunting riff after the initial chorus, coalesces The Horror’s feral seaside style of ‘Primary Colours’ with the aggression of The Rifles before firing an all-out assault in the closing stages.