Andrew Cushin

For some time, there has been a disconnect on the indie circuit among fans. Rightly or wrongly, for the rock ‘n’ roll types, the likes of Foals and Bombay Bicycle Club lack an edge and authenticity. For trendier types, bands like Courteeners and Reverend & The Makers are dismissed as unintelligent and lad rock.

Arise Andrew Cushin.

His career began in unlikely circumstances. As a non-league goalkeeper, his coach asked him to train the younger players. This friendship led to discussions and music sharing over Weller, Ashcroft, Doherty, Beatles, Oasis and Damien Rice.

The twenty-year-old Geordie walks a tightrope of creativity between the two strands. The opening notes of his debut single ‘It’s Gonna Get Better’ will cause some to think, “oh, another Noel Gallagher wannabee”. That is, until he opens his mouth. Cushin is blessed with vocals sent from the soul gods.

In a short space of time, Cushin has been stealing shows and grabbing headlines with This Feeling and, circumstances permitting, will be a shining star at their Re-Wired festival this August.

Paris Street Rebels

Paris Street Rebels are a Rock'n'Roll band from Ballingry, Fife, Scotland.

Paris Street Rebels have the greatest band bio on Facebook, bar none. Moving and inspiring, they lay out their mission statement to add themselves to the great annals of rock n roll history. Despite those who deem the glory years over, PSR are taking their shot, and if the doubters are true, it only makes their credentials purer.

The band are made up of Kevin Murphy Jnr (vox/guitar), Grant 'G' Malcolm (vox/guitar), Jordan 'Jazz' McLean (bass guitar) and Cameron Gaudin (drums). Lets check out some of their work to date:

Kings of Balado

There is something about spoken word, in the Scottish accent that lends itself a raw and powerful meaning. Ian Rankin’s recent appearance on The Charlatan’s ‘Future Tense’ and Edwin Morgan’s heroic performance on Idlewild’s ‘Scottish Fiction’ spring to mind.

Here, the Fife four piece have created the drama of the Idlewild song alongside the guttural power of Cabbage to create a life long set closer.

I Don’t Wanna Die Young

This is their crowning glory to date. Snarling, brattish and flamboyant, they spew out a combination of Tribes and The Libertines on this rock 'n roll epic.

The dual vocals, sounding like a duet between Tom Clarke (The Enemy) and Johnny Thunders, have the rock 'n' roll desperation of The Libertines at their peak.

Pondarosa

Manchester five-piece Pondarosa - formed of James Millington (vocals), Lawrence Aspin (lead guitar), Joe Anderson (rhythm guitar), Adam Ghidouche (drums) and George Shillcock (bass).

They are gearing up for a hometown show at Jimmy’s 1st February with The Feens. Let’s check out what they have been up to:

*Image courtesy of Daniel Ferguson

Sooner or Later

Jingle Jangle guitars of DMA’s and Real Estate should always have soft cute vocals right? Think again! Pondarosa have leaped in to the indie dreampop landscape with James Millington’s gruff Lou Reed meets Ian McCulloch vocals. Expect fans to vehemently say “no, NO, give it another listen. It will grow on you”.

Grow on it you does! The initial jarring, develops into a prime cut for Don Lett’s legendary Culture Clash show on 6Music.

Sun kissed and dreamy Lawrence Aspin and Joe Anderson’s guitar playing will leift you out of the January blues.

Crystalline

Sonically, everything feels more cohesive here. Whilst pleasant, that lack of clashing styles causes a slight drop in excitement.

That said, live, this promises to something that keeps on developing until it hits the fever pitch heights of Andy Bell’s guitar playing on ‘Going Nowhere’.

Louis Croft

Louis Croft, is a twenty year old troubadour from Nottingham. Seemingly born listening to the Kinks and The Beatles, he has a classic British pop meets rock ‘n’ roll spirit flowing through his veins.

A star already in the East Midlands, 2020 is set to be his break out year. Be sure to check him out at Nottingham’s Chameleon Arts Cafe March 20th.

(You’ve Been) Looking Lonely

The free spirit of Jake Bugg connects with 60s pop sensibilities to conjure this little gem. With Gerry Cinnamon’s star somewhere north of the universe at the present, Croft’s Ray Davies crafted pop might well be following suit.

See The Sun

Acoustic guitars don’t usually lend themselves to a confrontational style but, here, Croft has find a spikiness to marvel at. Accompanied by military style drums, Croft has produced the bitterness of an horrific break up.

The Orders

The Orders are a three piece from the Isle of Wight consisting of Kyle Chapman (Vox, Guitarist, songwriter), Isaac Snow (Bass), and Connah Newton (drums).

Having recently played the This Feeling stage at the IOW festival, they have returned with a brand new single ‘Moloko Tea Party’. It has taken all the best psyche elements of latter day Small Faces and Weller circa ‘Sonik Kicks’ and given it the dramatic immediacy of The Walkmen.

*Image courtesy of Olivia O'Callaghan

Let’s check out some previous tracks too:

Therapeutic Glue

Much like Kent’s Theatre Royal, The Orders have reimagined the work of Go Betweens and The LA’s for the present day. They have the added hazy pysche of Temples too. Teeming with youthfulness and psychedelic energy, they look set to inspire a generation of mop top kids.

Veronica’s Venom

Brian Jonestown Massacre are given the injection of The LA’s effortless acoustic pop flow. Kyle Chapman’s vocal has a gloriously androgynous appeal, allowing him to inject aggression or a cuteness at will.

They draw upon the beauty of the c86 movement and Sarah Records but, like Oasis, The Real People or The LA’s, have a spiky mindset indebted to the power of punk rock.

The juxtaposition of beauty and danger coming together is what British bands do best, The Orders might just be the next one to leave a big mark on the world.

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

Young Garbo

Signed to Alan McGee’s new incarnation Creation23, Cardiff’s Young Garbo look set to do big things in 2019. Born out of the teenage friendship of singer Garyn Williams and lead guitarist Arwel Brown (Levi Ball and Milo Rodell-John completing the line-up), they have recently been on a This Feeling tour with label mates Jawbone.

Lets check out their recent double a-side:

Faustus

A remarkably polished single for a fledgling band. The spirit of the Blockheads comes alive on this punk-funk anthem. 2018 was a raw awakening of the sharp tongued working class (Shame, Cabbage, The Blinders), might 2019 be the year of the intelligent party?

The hooks and Prince-esque solo display here suggest it might be. 

Things D Change

In a similar vein to ‘Faustus’, there is a brevity and a wryness to ‘Things D Change’ which can breathe life into a crowded polemical scene.

Make no mistakes though, this is still full of attitude and punk spirit. Bouncing along without a care in a world and with just enough frostiness to show up Foals for the bores they are. It’s Young Garbo’s time now!

A playlist featuring Young Garbo

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

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:

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

Sugarthief

The Staffordshire four piece are made up of Jordi James (Lead vocals & Guitar), Jack James (Guitar), Reece Downton (Drums) and Luke Owen (Bass). With the heart and soul of Peace and Magic Gang and the showmanship of Foals, they look set to fulfill many of 2019's guitar needs.

The biggest criticism you can level at them is, they sound like the bands who initially inspired them. The conscious of Peace, the gentle sun kissed sway of Swim Deep and the credible pop hooks of Magic Gang run through their veins.

There is of course, always a need for bands of this ilk. However, in 'Where Did It All Go Wrong' and especially on recent single 'Good Luck I Hope You Make It', a glimpse of something more emerges.

'Where Did It All Go Wrong', angry and funked up riffs set to a tale wayward romance, it's a standard musical affair. However, with lyrical nuggets like “help me away from my emotion” and “can't stand to face society's rejection”, a brutal honesty and credibility materialise.

Fast forward 12 months to their last release 'Good Luck I Hope You Make It', my how they have honed their skills. Lyrically, they've taken their distinct world view to a more personal level. In an age “it's no use in breaking people / As one day you'll find its a lonely scene ”. Despite a clear message to someone, its universal appeal is undeniable as Owen Jones is abused by morons on a peaceful protest.

With the striking bassline and laid back guitar riffs, they've funnelled warmth of Richard Hawley's Coles Corner through a summer vibe. Couple this with the story of letting go, it's impossible not to visualise this sound tracking a coming of age movie.

Family Jools

Some bands, like The Libertines have a volatile and short moment in the sun. Bristol’s Family Jools however, like The Mamas and Papas or The Band, no less dramatic but with a fuller of body work.

There's a richness and a quality to their craft which is way beyond their fledgling years. From debut single 'Twisted Side' to 2018's 'Sister' to their last release 'Don't Know', there is a clear lineage through the classics of The Beatles, The Band and electric Dylan.

There work to date, all has moments you long to hear again, the blistering guitars of 'Twisted Side' or the soul music of ‘Don’t Know’ for example. However, everything feels like a great album track and frankly, this band are to talented not to possess an array of classic singles.

*Image courtesy of https://www.endofthetrailcreative.co.uk/

Lacuna Bloome

Hailing from Brighton, Lacuna Bloome are a four piece made up of Niall Logue (vocals, guitar), Sam Leaver (guitar), Molly Walker (bass) and Noah Haines (drums).

With airplay from John Kennedy and b-listed on Amazing Radio, their stock is rising fast. They have now been added to This Feeling’s #Alive tour this autumn. So, let’s see what all the fuss is about:

I Am

A hazy indie rock n roll number with summer tinged nods to the Roses, C86, Ride and the baggy period of Blur.

There is no denying that we live in fractious times. However, when a single, this effortless and free flowing emerges, it's as though peace and utopia have been achieved.

Alright

 On ‘Alright’, they combine their lyrical romanticism with the driving guitars of Teenage Fanclub on this swirling pop-pysche number.  The spirit of Douglas Copland's 'Generation X' is evoked as they conjure their own world and rail against the tomorrow their being denied. It’s one thing to go against the grain in a band, to do it sounding this joyous is another thing altogether.

A playlist featuring Lacuna Bloome

RedFaces

Quite how Sheffield keeps producing exciting rock n roll bands is beyond this Essex outsider. However, in RedFaces, they have an act with perhaps more pop instincts than anyone in the past five years. Here's why:

Take It or Leave It

The trippy bass line, the warped synths and the defiant rock n roll message, Kasabian’s legacy begins here. It’s not got the hallmark quality of the Kasabian debut, but it does have that free flowing youthfulness which will carry it a long way.

Wise Up

The poppy riff will bring ELO to mind and, as this rock n roll standard develops, the traits of Britpop and The View begin to emerge. There is a sense of urgency that can omly emerge from young outsiders looking to make their mark. This is a real return to garage pop music, long may it continue.

Avalanche Party

Hailing from Castleton in North Yorkshire, Avalanche Party are a five piece who are hell bent on taking garage rock n roll to the stadium masses. Lets find out why:

I'm so wet

This marches to the spirit of The Doors via a darker and more dangerous landscape. The swirling guitars and psyche keys project and a rage that keeps appearing the best new bands of late (Cabbage, The Blinders, Dead Pretties). However, there appears to be a level of old school musicianship and pop sensibilities lurking behind the fury, this, more than anything, will carry this band far!

Solid Gold

FINALLY! Someone has taken the quality of Ty Segall and Thee Oh Sees and channelled it through death defying rock n roll. The aforementioned are great, but, the extrovert death defying spirit of AP could just take that sound to the masses.

Revolution

Another example of AP taking injecting classic genres with a new lease of life. The glam-psyche of Tame Impala's classic 'Lonerism' and has been cross bred with the immediacy of early BRMC via the vastness of Soundtracks Of Our Lives. Besides the fact it sounds great, it’s the ambition of it all that listeners will latch on to in these bleak times.