Neev

Neev is a Scottish born London based singer-songwriter. She has just released her second single ‘Across the Glass’. Separating the good singer-songwriters from the unfathomably popular ginger one can be tricky.

Neev however, on her latest single displays such an array of promise that, anyone not left warm and fuzzy inside afterwards is a sociopath.

The orchestration, the tempo change ups and the vividly warming imagery of Glasgow, her home city, has the hallmarks of a veteran artist.  

What elevates Neev above this generation of folk artists is, the short, but emotionally charged acoustic solo. Laced with as much power as Billy Bragg’s ‘Must I Paint You Picture’ and ‘St. Swithin’s Day’, it’s a facet few solo artists have.

Unlike Bragg, Neev lacks that vocal distinctiveness, for now. Nevertheless, her ability to arrange heartfelt folk melodies is going to see her ride off into the sunset a victor! 

*Image courtesy of @arkatier

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.

Narrow Margin

Hailing from Manchester, Narrow Margin are Ian Spiller (lead vocals, guitar, Harmonica) Ben Etches (lead guitar, backing vox) Danny Hollinworth (rhythm guitar) Herbie Hursthouse (bass guitar, backing vox) Jake Etches (drums, backing vox).

Supporting Creation23’s The K’s at their sold out Deaf Institute gig 25th January, they look set to win many fans in 2020. Let’s check out their new single ‘Kids Don’t Dance’, released on the 10th January via 42’s Records.

Kids Don’t Dance

The vibrancy of The Buzzcocks pop and the desperation of Carl Barat’s Albion inspired guitars combine on this euphoric social commentary.

Fed up with apathy and angered at the ever growing echo chambers society finds itself in, Narrow Margin hit the reset button. In doing so, they are waking up a new generation to something far more real than they have been served up in recent times. For anyone old enough to remember the 00s and before, this is a reawakening of the Great British tradition; classless, fearless and reckless rock n roll!

The K's

After blowing the doors of the Roundhouse supporting East London heroes The Rifles last October, Earlestown’s The Ks look set for a big year in 2020.

With big This Feeling shows early in the year, festival slots beckon in the summer. Let’s look at some of their bangers to date:

Sarajevo

An adrenaline fuelled joyride that could only come from a true band of brothers. At every turn lies danger and its exciting as fuck. No wonder they sold out Manchester’s Deaf Institute of the back of it.

It’s the ideal vehicle for the partnership of Ryan Breslin and Jamie Boyle to shine. Breslin’s wizardry on the guitar has no bounds. As we’ve seen in the past though, without an Ian Brown anchoring John Squire to the affections of the public it means nothing. Here, Boyle, adds the innocence to the danger of the guitars. It heeds way for everyone to think, that could be us and, that, is the truly special time to watch a band.

Glass Towns

Absolutely no let-up in the thrill seeking here. This is The Jam with Oasis’ sense of escapism. Nick Love’s ‘Goodbye Charlie Bright’ has a new soundtrack as The K’s deal with the pressures of home life and getting the fuck away from it.

The end of the last decade gave birth to lots of great bands. With the exception of Lucas Crowther from The Rifles, there was really no great guitarist of that era. Breslin, has on this song, announced himself as this generation’s finest.

Auroa

The rock n roll glory of Noel’s early guitar work comes roaring to the surface as, frontman Boyle tells tales of working class characters not seen in a generation.

It kicks and screams its way through the swamp to escape and, it’s that struggle that makes this so triumphant. Breslin, inspired the grooves of ‘Columbia’ and the fire of The Courteeners and The Enemy album, delivers a rage of euphoria.

It’s no surprise Alan McGee’s new label Creation 23 picked this one up. Get down to Nambucca Saturday 11th to see them storm This Feeling’s ‘Big In 2020’ night.

Fast Blood

Fast Blood, a four piece (Abigail, David, Kris and Scot) from Newcastle. They released ‘You’ in November 2019 on. It’s taken from their upcoming debut 4 track EP recorded at Blank Studios.

‘You’ is a thrilling joyride of punk from the anthemic locker of Von Bondies and Descendants. The viscous garage rock guitars are a joyously savage assault on the senses. The real star of the show emanates from Abigail’s vocals. Cut her and she will bleed punk, rebel and outsider. Defiance oozes from her at every turn but, it’s the nuances lurking deeper that lift her above the pack. The cuteness of Phil Spector and the wryness of Kate Nash collide raise this anthem territory.

*Image courtesy of www.stevenlandlesphotography.com

If this is where their journey begins, get us a ticket, we’re fully on board!

Magazine Beach

Magazine Beach, hailing from Washington DC, are made up of Angelo Leitner-Wise (Vocals/guitar), Will Plumley (Guitar), Eric Foreman (Bass) and Jesse McComas (drums/vocals).

Their debut EP ‘Sick Day’ came out in December after only being together for six months, here is our track by track review:

Trainwreck

The pop sensibilities of The Beach Boys is given a punk pop shot in the arm from The Ataris and Sum 41. Despite being distinctively American in its heritage, an air of Teenage Fanclub’s melodic rumble lurks.

Teenage love is perfectly executed via the lines ‘you were the days and the nights in between’ and ‘I could cover my walls in your posters’. The hopelessly romantic and, well, hopelessness of the protagonist will bring memories back to those summers yearning for just one glimpse of “the one”.

Big Tobacco

Biff punk pop riffs need big heart. Magazine Beach's dreamer state of mind provide just that. Despite the isolation of a big city, it’s clearly provided a source of hope to escape.

Leitner-Wise and Plumley’s guitars come relentlessly fire at the gold on this track. From the playbook of Southend’s Asylums, they spew out from an almost alien psychedelic planet.

Flakey Dude

This kind of punk, historically, is overlooked for its lyrical content. OK, its not the political polemic of the Pistols or the William Blake-esque poetry of The Verve. However, who among us doesn’t blow off steam in this fashion? It’s a kind of reflection that deserves more credit.

However, musically, it does fall down but the standards set elsewhere on the EP. The Beach Boys influences dissipate and it becomes a bit one paced.

Living Room

With the anger of ‘Flakey Dude’ still in the blood, ‘Living Room’ finds that musical inspiration it deserves. The social fury of ‘Whit Riot’ collides with the deadbeat melodic genius of ‘Burnout’ on this tale of relationship turmoil.

You can buy the EP here https://magazinebeach.bandcamp.com

Margot

South London 5-piece Margot released ‘In Your Palm’ in December and are gearing up for the release of their debut EP ‘Margotzeko’ on February 7th.

Margot is made up of frontman Alex Hannaway, Alby Cleghorn (guitar), Rob Fenner (guitar/keyboards), Michael Webb (bass) and Ben Andrewes (drums). They formed in 2018 and have to date released six self-produced singles.

Let’s dive in:

In Your Palm

Here’s your tonic to December’s excess. An ode to disillusioned teachers is not the first thought that comes to mind for a new band, yet, here we delightfully are. There’s no punk, no vicious polemic, just laid back Hot Chip one a 4am come down vibes.

Twenty Six

With sumptuous Real Estate guitars, let Margot lead us all to the hope of Spring. That is, until, the torment of the lyrics come to fruition. As the guitars gently meander, lyrically, reflections of a youth ebbing away begin to haunt the soul.

Their ability to blend so clashing emotions is sure to carry them far.

LIVE Dates: 7th February 2020 – Paper Dress Vintage, Hackney, London

The Institutes

The Institutes are a four piece from Coventry made up of Reid Currie (Vocals), Andy Hall (Guitar/Vocals), Andy Lowe (Bass) and Kirk Savage (Drums).

Before they release the eagerly anticipated ‘alleyways’ on the impeccable These Bloody Thieves Records imprint, we take a look back their previous tracks (image courtesy of Melli Foris).

Caught in a Dream

Kurt Vile’s dreamy landscapes have been injected with an urgency that can only come from an English city like Coventry. Their dreams are heartfelt and ambitions of escape are what we all long for.

Their sense of being lost but knowing, hoping the promise land is still out there couldn’t come at a better time after the election disaster.

No Fear

The melancholy of Soundtracks Of Our Lives combines with the exuberance of The Rifles and Gazelle on what, could quite easily be a set opener for ten years. They haven’t nailed the it’s “do or die” sensibility here but, they are mightily close.

Lonely Nights

Andy Hall’s guitars are bugged out and fired up on this scintillating rock n roll affair. Akin to 2019 heroes Cellar Doors, the psyche angst is tempered by Reid Currie’s vocals. Adopting the romance of The Rifles’ Joel and the poetic soul of Johnny Marr.

Is this the next great partnership?

Get down to Dublin Castle on 16th Jan to find out. Tickets here

The Illicits

It’s been one hell of a year for Blackburn’s The Illicits. Appearing on Soccer AM without having released a single, signing to Creation23, supporting Liam Gallagher, Primal Scream and having a top 10 vinyl selling single.

Consisting of George Richards (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar) Brad Hayes (Lead Guitar), Joe Mitchell (Bass) and Matt Cottam (Drums), let’s take a look at their recently sold out double A-side.

*Image courtesy of Sonic PR

Left Behind

With the Sex Pistols’ Steve Jones guesting on guitar, the Lancashire outfit have conjured a venomous and decadent slice of rock ‘n’ roll. The guitars are dangerous and muscular before they erupt into life like Twisted Wheel on ‘D.N.A’ and Jones’ classic ‘Holidays in the Sun’.

Born Slippy

The cover song is back in fashion with rock ‘n’ roll bands. The Illicits cover of the Underworld classic might just be the best one yet. The debauchery of the 90s record is there but, through the sumptuous intertwining of New Order’s ‘Ceremony’, they have given it an ecstatic lift.

The Illicits play a homecoming gig at St George’s Hall in Blackburn on 21st December.

The Gulps

Based in London, The Gulps hail from various parts of Europe and the Middle East, they are Harry All (Lead singer), Franco Buffone (Guitar), Charlie Green (Guitar), Simon Mouchard (Bass) and Raoul Khayat (Drums).

At the Kick Out The Jams all dayer at Amersham Arms recently, The Gulps walked on stage, seemingly unknown to regular attendees. They walked off stage heroes. It was fervent proof that one great rock n roll show can change everything. They were chillingly cool but yet, an embracing hug from all the classic rock n roll reference points.

Here's a a track by track look at 'In The Kings House', the EP they released in April this year:

The Kings House

The title track lays bare their love of The Strokes, which reappears throughout. Here, its coupled with the warmth of glam and the immediacy of punk. Their is a shimmering quality to the guitars akin to Will Seargent (Echo & The Bunnymen) but with the aggression of Miles Kane.

My Girl From Liverpool

The charm of The View meets a classic Scouse jangle. That is, until they put the pedal to the floor!

Every minute begins with the archetypal Shack or Cast acoustic melody before they ramp up the drama to the intensity of Burton and Taylor.

Lola Cola

Full on The Strokes 'Is This It', but with style and showmanship that takes them away from their heroes introverted garage rock. You will be hard pressed to hear 00s indie-punk delivered better all year.

Let Me Say I'm The One

The crowning glory of the EP 'Cigarettes and Alcohol', '20th Century Boy' and 'Richard III' influences on display as a badge of honour.

There is an era defying level of confidence to this song. The ambivalence of front man All's vocals, the elation of the handclaps and the welcoming glam rock is enough to make even Jimmy Anderson smile.

Then, the lyric so many believe they can deliver, very few can emerges:

“they will never understand / what its like to be young”

So simple in rhetoric and yet so hard to pull of. The Gulps do! They are the sound of the next generation coming for their turn; they are not asking!

Shambolics

Shambolics, part of the Creation 23 revolution, are a four piece from Dunfermiline. Made up of Lewis McDonald (Vocals/Guitar), Darren Forbes (Vocals/Guitar) Jordan McHatton (Vocals/Bass) and Jake Bain (Vocals/Drums) , they are creating waves with a blend of the La's jangle and straight up rock n roll. They haven't quite hit that magic formula yet but, some things are inevitable.

Here's what they've been up to:

When She Goes Home

Distorting The La's to their Scottish roots, they've created sweet sonic to accompany a tale about carefree spirit. Despite the sumptuous jangle, it's the pitfalls of the protagonist where this songs beauty lies. The hallmarks of Michael Caine as Alfie or Rita Tushingham as Jo (Taste of Honey) permeate the sun kissed sounds to forge a murkier world to delve into.

My Time Is Now

The euphoric glam of Miles Kane's debut combines with the Libs inspired Trampolene. It's the sound of young people making things happen. In age where more and more is being ripped away from them, it's no wonder Shambolics sound so gloriously violent.

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:

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:

Raging Bull

Raging Bull are a three piece from London consisting of Quentin Fourmond (Vox/Guitar), Kostas Cheliotis (Bass Guitar), and João Tiago Branco (Drums).

In March, they delivered their latest single ‘Waiting’. It’s a big sounding bluesy rock n roll number. The type latter day Oasis strived to define their stadium status but was always out of reach.

The big driving hooks strut like an alpha domain at peak virility. It’s QOTSA colliding with BRMC via The Black Keys. There is a hint of Led Zeppelin in the psyche breakdown and just sheer expansive nature of the record.

If they can deliver this type of tune live, they are a hairs breath away from the big leagues.

Argh Kid

Hailing from Manchester, Argh Kid, aka David Scott, is MC and spoken word poet making waves with his wit and social commentary.

Having already garnered critical acclaim from John Kennedy (Radio X), Janice Long (6 Music) and Chris Evans (Virgin Radio), we’ve decided to check out his work to date:

Neighbours

Soil yourself funny social commentary on gentrification and ‘look at me’ trends:

“Round my way people stopped wearing socks and started growing beards”

Despite a litany quips, Argh Kid has a serious artist with a message to deliver. Working class culture has been pissed on from a great height in recent times. Austerity brutalised lives and, unless your middle class or upwards, cities and towns are forcing people to stay in. Socialising breeds community and in turn, harmony. Extortionate rents, drink prices and a vapid Instagram sense of community has all but laid ordinary folk to rest.

Despite the clear lyrical prowess, sonically, there is a lot to admire also. Taking the best bits from The Streets, Reverend & The Makers and Skint & Demoralised, he has forged a new ska via funk and soul path.

Frank

The funk and soul rhythms continue to flow here. At times, Scott takes this to a darker edge by clashing the spoken word of Matt Abbott (Skint & Demoralised) and with the dystopian vision of Hard-Fi’s ‘Stars of CCTV’.

This is a character driven narrative in the same vein as The Coral’s ‘Bill McKai’. The protagonist, irrelevant of his highs is heading for a sinister fall.

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:

CALM

Originating from various parts of the UK and basing themselves in South London, CALM are made up of Adam James, Jack Gee, Louie Cameron and Mark Zanna.

Let’s see what they have been up to:

Vivid

They’ve taken Ride’s psyche meets shoegaze classic ‘Seagull’ and condensed it into a punchier three-minute single. Other Creation Records influences lurk here with jangle of mid-career Felt and the spiky side C86 of Jasmine Minks.

A rehash this is not though. ‘Vivid’ is firmly planted in the modern world and has more pop clarity the aforementioned. It’s crisp and defiant, a sure thing on the alternative scene.

What You Saying

The hallmarks of Ride are here again. Much like their Aussie peers DMA’s, they are dragging the early 90s in to the modern day with some Foals-esque licks.

Their underlying sense of rebellion is striking. Whilst making accessible alternative tunes, there is a feeling of ‘us vs the world’ surrounding them. Encouragingly, they have flirted with shoegaze, punk, and jangle pop here, and their identity continually shines through.

Little Avis

Little Avis are a four-piece hailing from Oldham and Manchester. Consisting of Lee Hunter (vocals & guitar), Dave Buchan (drums) and brothers Martin (bass) & Paul Garside (lead guitar).

With a string of gigs coming up in April and May, let’s check out their releases in 2019 so far:

So Pretty

Guitarists Paul Garside and Lee Hunter have found a style which raises the question ‘what if Frank Black made a Graham Coxon record?’ There’s an awkwardness and charming nature permeating from start to finish. It threatens to become one of Teenage Fanclub’s effortless rumbles at times but, then a choppy riff or slacker rock solo splices though to keep you on your toes.

Ghalib

‘Ghalib’ is a track about an Indian poet of that name and thoughtfully carries lyrics of his work and sentiments.

Musically, front man Lee Hunter has channelled in his inner Jonathan Richman with the spirit of The Futureheads at their pop best not far behind. Meanwhile, Garside and Hunter’s playing taps in to a post-punk in spirit and has the riotous nature of Graham Coxon’s classic ‘That’s When I Reach For My Revolver’.

There is a lightness at play here too. A brevity which continually lifts them into a serious but playful mood worthy of their idols Talking Heads.

Catch them on tour here:

18 April - Oldham - Whittles

20 April - London - Dublin Castle

30 April - York - Fulford Arms

4 May - Failsworth - The Not So Secret Garden Party

18 May - Manchester - The Peer Hat.