Death Valley Girls - Breakthrough

LA’s psychedelic occult punk rockers Death Valley Girls are back with their new single ‘Breakthrough’. It is to be the title track from their new EP due for release on the 12th June via Suicide Squeeze Records.

‘Breakthrough’ is about freeing oneself from an invisible prison. Inspired by Damien Echols of the West Memphis 3, they conjure the primordial magic of the Stooges and Black Sabbath via the smooth psyche of the Velvets. Despite the discourse, it’s impossible to escape the connotations of covid19’s grip on peoples mind-sets amid lockdown.

There is something beautifully simplistic to the guitar playing. Akin to Peter Green, everything has space to breathe and, flourish. The concise solos, perfectly encapsulate the short lived release of a daily exercise outside. Great for a brief period but, soon the familiar walls of home circulate both physically and, of any thoughts of escapism.   

Yet again, Death Valley Girls prove they are major innovators.

*Image courtesy of Abby Banks

Suicide Squeeze Records · Death Valley Girls - Breakthrough

The Wolfhounds - Can't See The Light

Artwork courtesy of David Janes

The Essex/London outfit have returned with the new single ‘Can’t See The Light’. Released via A Turntable Friend Records and, produced by The Meerkats, it will be taken from their upcoming album ‘Electric Music’ (released July 3rd).

A harrowing dystopian landscape is ignited from the discontent guitars and Membranes-esque bass throb. Although dank and darkly psychedelic, it has flourishes of Johnny Marr’s solo career. The tense melancholic mood builds towards an explosive crescendo but, in the same way Mark E Smith could, offers small nuggets of pop hooks to keep you coming back again and again.

So often, The Wolfhounds are casually written off as a band from the C86 era. ‘Can’t See The Light’ is the ultimate proof that, they are band for all ages, especially now.

*Image courtesy of Helen Golding

Mark Gardener & 2 Square - Chained

Ride have been in scintillating form of late. ‘This Is Not A Safe Place’ reignited the feverish love of the band and, their live shows were everything a Ride fan had ever dreamed of. Not resting on his laurels, Mark Gardener has returned with ‘Chained’. A collaboration with long-time friend 2 Square (Stephen Haeri) of French outfit Telepopmusik.

Gardener’s lyrics expertly recreate his demons from yesteryear. To integrity of the words and, the vocal overlays, create such tension, it’s hard not to find it all heroic. Gardener’s vocals are eventually emerging with an innocence; a firm reminder that the fog does lift and things do get better.

If Sebastien Tellier’s classic ‘La ritournelle’ is the main body of a river, ‘Chained’ is a small subtle estuary offshoot. The vastness and dynamism of Tellier may not be present, but it stacks in equal measure for beauty and honesty.

The single is available from Gardner’s Bandcamp page.

*Image courtesy of Steve Gullick

Springtide Cavalry– Save An Old Soul

The Folkestone four piece returned last December with ‘Collections and Demos’, a heartfelt gesture to their loyal fan base. Never a band to rest on their laurels, they recently premiered their comeback single ‘Save An Old Soul’. It’s the first of three to be released this summer, with, further material and gigs to come post-lockdown.

Any hesitation fans might have had, are swept away form the immediacy of this record. The youthful thunder of The Jam and aching fever of Feeder combine to make one hell of a comeback.

The Enemy always had the lyrics but, by album number two and beyond, they could never sound this muscular and vulnerable. This record is begging to be loved!  

This isn’t the return of a cult band. This is too vital. Aggressive, melodic and infectious, it can deliver to fans of Sleaford Mods and DMA’s alike.

Bugeye – When The Lights Go Out

At the end of last month, London’s Bugeye, released their latest single ‘When The Lights Go Out’.  Reunited with Paul Tipler (Idlewild, Placebo, Elastica, LIINES) in the studio, the single is available via Reckless Yes and, will be followed shortly by their debut album ‘Ready Steady Bang’.

With the filth and sexiness of The Stooges in their hearts, Bugeye unleash a ravishing disco punk anthem. The quirks and class of peak Sleeper and ‘Modern Life Is Rubbish’ era Blur combine with their indomitable punk spirit.

They always had the feel of a band you would love live but, not necessarily buy the record. Here, they have shown just what risk taking pioneers they are and, can go on to be.

The hugely anticipated debut is due out 10th July. Not to be missed.

The Crooks - In Time

Chesterfield’s The Crooks, recently signed to Golden Robot Records. Their first release on the imprint is ‘In Time’, recorded at Phoenix Studios, produced by Hamish Dickinson.

Artwork & image supplied by Foundry Music

Prior to the recording of ‘Definitely Maybe’, Liam was a good singer. Not a great one. He was reaching for his idol, Ian Brown. Twenty-six years on, Chesterfield’s The Crooks, have, to date, lent their songwriting to the escapist melancholy of Noel Gallagher. At the end of 2019, they released ‘Nevermind’ (full review here) and, ‘She Walks Alone’ (full review here) at the start of 2020. Both singles began to manoeuvre Noel’s songwriting alongside their own.  

On ‘In Time’, they have settled into that groove again. Crucially, their sound is the predominant one. Out of the colossal Burnage shadow, they stride. The guitar playing is beginning to shudder souls like Steve Craddock on ‘Get Blown Away’ and reach beyond the early dynamism of Noel.

In this time of lock-down, who among us can say, we haven’t stared out of the window and dreamed? Dreamed of partners in different cities, festivals, parents, lonely grandparents isolated and lonely? It’s a shit time for the soul. Step forward the lyrics:

“Cherish these days before its too late / If you could turn the hand yourself / Would you hold on to your world? / Would you change what you have done?”

To be able to pang those heartstrings in a moment of reflection and, fire out a global clarion call for change is a gift. The sense that, everything we hold dear is worth fighting for, during Covid19 is life-affirming. To so boldly, decree messages of radical change is life-changing.

Whenever this ends, get yourself to the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds for This Feeling’s Re-Wired.  

Theatre Royal - TV Blind

The time has come, once again, to find new words to say, Theatre Royal are effing marvellous! The Medway outfit released TV Blind yesterday. It’s taken from their 5th studio album ‘Portraits’, due out this summer. The single is available on their Bandcamp page.

The video (see below), a remarkable piece of art, was made by friend of the band Oliver, a 12-year-old. That kid is going places us mortals simply cannot imagine. Take a bow kiddo!

‘TV Blind’, although written before the breakout of Covid19, it’s aptly about the best laid plans. It’s hard not to be struck by the lyrics ‘But when the time comes to pass, you shrug off what you hold dear / Scatter brained, your mind interferes”’ The artists conscious, forever pulling against real life commitments is displayed expertly.

Sideburns Fanzine, 1978

With a discourse of life ebbing away from the big ideas you plan, it would be a melancholic affair. Theatre Royal though, musically, are so light of touch, they can turn anything into dreams of sunnier climates. Lyrically, they offer the chink of light this lockdown period needs:

“You’re back to square one and although it’s no fun / You won’t come to regret it in years and years and years”

This is the indie-pop equivalent of Shane McGowan’s inspirational page in the Sideburns fanzine.

Covid19 has shown us all, just how mortal we are. Theatre Royal, through ‘TV Blind’, has displayed how counter it. To live, to do, to create. We must all try. Few will hit the quality levels of Theatre Royal, but, on the day you die, you can say, at least I fucking tried!

Kid Violet – Revolution Eyes

Last month, Kid Violet released their latest single ‘Revolution Eyes’ via Pin Bade Records. It follows on from killer shows for This Feeling at The Water Rats last November (full review here) and Nambucca in January.

From the moment the ‘Reason Is Treason’ guitars begin, the world will cease around you. Something dramatic is about build. Nothing but the impending eruption matters.

When it comes, it’s more measured than first anticipated. However, it’s still irresistible. The sublime days of early U2 chime as Kid Violet ascend to the heavens.

At points, frontman Billy Cotter slots between Ian Curtis and Harvey McVeigh (White Lies) with his dank drool. When he cuts loose, he becomes more menacing than Yaris Philippakis and a more soulful Tom Meighan.

This is a sexy and dangerous record. Let it penetrate your soul.

*Image courtesy of Rhona Murphy

Cabbage – You’ve Made An Art Form (From Falling To Pieces)

It’s been a quiet period for Manchester’s Cabbage. Last year, they released instant pop classic ‘Torture’ (full review here) and then went to ground. Was this alt-pop gear change a one off, or was it a sign of things to come?

Their new single, ‘You’ve Made An Art Form (From Falling To Pieces)’ suggests it’s the latter. Their deranged guitars and, the spikiness of The Fall remain, everything else is cleaner, crisper, and ready for world domination.

The chorus is gloriously lifted from a 1988 episode of Coronation Street. It takes from a conversation between Deidre (free the Weatherfield One!) and Ken:

“I wonder what advanced state of dither we’ll find you in today, Ken, you make an art form from falling to pieces.’

Despite the obscurity, this is as accessible as Cabbage have been to date. Furthermore, their anarchic integrity remains intact. Someone unleash them on the mainstream now.

Asylums – A Perfect Life In A Perfect World

Southend’s Asylums returned in February with ‘Catalogue Kids’ (full review here). It slotted straight back into 2018’s high calibre ‘Alien Human Emotions’ (full review here). Can the second single, ‘A Perfect Life In A Perfect World’ up the ante?

All Artwork and images supplied by the band. DIY forever!

When recorded, it was an expression of not living in the moment. With the world in lockdown, it’s rapidly engulfing a sense of longing. For anyone without a garden, with their job, their business drifting out of sight, Asylum’s gothic punk ironically, has become the epicentre of sentiment.

There is so much emotion and raw power running through this single, it could have sound tracked ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’. It is, only a matter of time before Britain embraces them as national treasures. The ante is up!

‘A Perfect Life In A Perfect World’ is availble on the bands own record label Cool Thing Records.

Camens – Leave Me In Pieces

Camens are four-piece hailing from Stoke-on-Trent. They consist of Scott Powell (vocals), Josh Egan, James Corbishley, and Luke Brightmore. Their new singled, ‘Leave Me In Pieces’ is released Friday 17th April

Released Friday 17th April

In February, they released ‘Handbrake’it nudged the indie movement forwards by beefing up the sounds of Pete & The Pirates. This time round, they have upped the ante with a shove.

The pop immediacy of Two Door Cinema Club and The Wombats comes racing to the surface, but, Camens have something extra. Just a little splice of aggression, an uncertainty and menace lifting it to pastures new.

Scott Powell’s vocals, bitter, sniping and full of relationship bile are sublime. Despite the rage, you’ll be hard pressed not to laugh at the wry brilliance of “I don’t have a bendy toothbrush like you”.

Despite everything that’s going on, Camens are beginning to own 2020 with their boisterous, intelligent indie rock.

Children of the State - Big Sur

Doncaster and Bolsover outfit Children Of The State have released their new single ‘Big Sur’. It was produced by The Coral’s Ian Skelly at the iconic Parr Street Studios.

After a failed attempt of recording it Sheffield, they contacted jingle-jangle prowess of Skelly and boy, has it paid dividends. In similar fashion to the Medway scene of the 80s or, Scotland’s short lived Postcard Records, they are creating sun drenched visions from grey industrial surroundings.

The Sheffield influence of Alex Turner runs through frontman McCullagh’s croon. Meanwhile, musically, it owes more to the pop of Burt Bacharach and the subtle psyche of ‘Happiness Is A Warm Gun’ and ‘I’m So Tired’. That is, until the majestic solo from McCullagh, where he pays great homage jangle meanderings of Skelly’s The Coral.

Fresh from support slots with The Mysterines, Temples and Elephant Stone, it seems inevitable, once we’re out of this mess, that they go on to big things.

The Crooks – Silhouette Sunshine

Chesterfield’s The Crooks have been in anthemic mood of late. Their previous two singles ‘She Walks Alone’ (full review) and ‘Nevermind’ (full review) massive crowd uniting numbers. On their latest offering, ‘Silhouette Sunshine’, they return to fall to floor rock ‘n’ roll. Will it stack up?

We have said it before and, for this record, we will say it again. Whilst The Crooks have the hallmarks of Oasis, they a much much more than that! Their quality is on par, and at times, it surpasses their idols. Especially on this single!

The aggression and volatility are astonishing. It’s a whirlwind of psychedelia and punk. It’s only a matter of time before Creation23 come out of self-isolation to sign them.

The sex and violence of Supergrass’ ‘Richard III’ collides with the good aspects of ‘Be Here Now (yes, there was some) to create this fire breathing behemoth. They say, if you don’t learn your history, you’re doomed to repeat the past. Well, this ginormous psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll epic comes in under three minutes and thus, banishing ‘Be Here Now’. Somewhere in Muswell Hill, a tear of pride is rolling down Noel’s cheek.

You bet your life this single stacks up!

Stanleys - Measured In Gold

Wigan’s Stanleys release their second single ‘Measures in Gold’ on the 18th March. The success of ‘A Better Life’ (full review here) brought them a huge support slot with fellow Wigan outfit The Lathums. How far can this single take them?

‘Measured In Gold’ is both a damming indictment of the times and, crucially, an aspirational tale of the future. Lyrically, they attack the continued big business choice of greed over people. The sense of struggle most of us feel is palpable, yet, through the lush harmonies and shimmering guitars, hope for change remains strong.

Musically, they continue to melt hearts and enlighten souls. They have freeing depth to their playing, similar to the recent Edwyn Collins records but more vital.

Bands who profess ‘love is all you need’ are ten a penny these days. Few can back up the sentiment with a decent melody. Stanleys can. There is cinematic quality to their gritty indie anthems that is simply undeniable.

Despite the message, ‘Measured In Gold’ is, above all else, a melodic runaway train. The poet vs the philosopher has been an artistic debate as old as time. Who carries more weight? The answers, for music, are subjective (mostly). What Stanleys have proven on ‘Martyr’, ‘A Better Life’ and now ‘Measured In Gold’, is, there is a third way. A straddling of the two camps can be found. Food for thought for anyone seeking political change.

Bugeye – Don’t Stop

For a few years now, Bugeye have been lighting up the underground with their brand of disco punk. Now signed to Reckless Yes, the debut album is finally coming. First up though is, lead single ‘Don’t Stop’, out now. .

Evidently, they have not felt one ounce of pressure signing to a label and recording the debut album. ‘Don’t Stop’ has retained everything that makes them great live. The sexiness and danger of the Pixies and Blondie remains strong.

This isn’t the status quo though, working with Paul Tipler has paid dividends. Not only is it the perfect fit, Tipler having recorded with Elastica and Idlewild. The disco production alongside their stomping punk will make them major players sooner rather than later.

Like all great pop singles, there is something dark lurking behind the music you’re dancing and singing to. ‘Don’t Stop’ examines alcohol abuse, through the prism of regret and hopefully woeful promises to change. It’s an awkward listen for anyone unwilling to dissect alcohol’s influence and for that, it should be truly lauded.

On this showing, the debut album cannot come soon enough.

MOSES – Basically

At the end of February, MOSES stepped out of the studio with Gavin Monaghan once more. The results:

Art work by Ana Ban Ana. The 8th collaboration between the two.

Guitar hooks.

Bass hooks.

Vocal hooks.

This is alt-pop music. Except, it isn’t! BBC6 has become too middle aged and Radio X, well, outside of the Gordon Smart and John Kennedy, we have no idea what they’re attempting. They need shaking by the young working classes.

MOSES, for 2 years have sought to bring people together with songs of solidarity and love. For the first time lyrically, they strike out. Taking aim at society’s trolls, they place the target firmly on themselves and, for the want of better words shout:

“come and have a go if you think your hard enough”.

MOSES have hit upon their greatest bass line to date. Funky punk grooves pave the way for frontman, Victor, to sprinkle his unique vocal magic over.

The la la la’s and the yeah yeah yeah’s are begging to howled back at the band on their upcoming headline shows at Lending Room March 28th (Leeds) and ULU April 11th (London).

*Image courtesy of Mike Rădulescu

Fightmilk – I’m Starting to Think You Don’t Even Want To Go Space

British pop-punk has undergone a renaissance of late with Asylums. Their intergalactic psyche meets Ash has taken it too much needed new places. Now, Fightmilk have come back and expanded its horizons further.

Their latest single, ‘I’m Starting to Think You Don’t Even Want To Go To Space’, is released on Reckless Yes 20th March.

Singer, guitarist, and icon in the making, Lily Rae spoke of this single recently:

“I was inspired to write this song by watching someone who keeps loudly proclaiming they're going to save humanity and change the world constantly make excuses for why they haven't got round to it. It's largely about emotional labour and rockets and I'm dead proud of it.”

Even with this in mind, in 2020, this will soundtrack forlorn lovers and young unrequited love sufferers alike. The glorious combination of pop, punk, and dream pop will, however, take you to other places. Namely, hairbrush, bedroom, and arms aloft.

It is the kind of record that UK seemingly forgot how to make and one, that it so badly needs across its airwaves. Infectious vocals, the storming of the gates guitars, and lyrical wit and charm. The nuggets of Cure’s shimmering guitars are, well, a bonus of huge magnitude.

You will be hard-pressed to hear a more complete single all year.

Rats - Dreams

Liverpool’s Rats, a rapidly growing success story on the live circuit. From headlining This Feeling’s 13th birthday last October and selling out a massive hometown date at Invisible Wind Factory last month, they’re becoming an unstoppable force.

At the end of Feb, they returned with their latest single ‘Dreams’. Sonically, their most gentle number to date but, no less impacting. Visions of academy venues, arm in arm, at the end of night sing this loud and proud are well within reason.

Joe Maddock’s vocals have hit an adorable vein of form here. Although delicate and seemingly floating away aimlessly, they contain a working class warmth and, an endearing humbleness.

Their previous singles, have demonstrated devilment, protest, and righteous polemic. Now, Rats are striking way beyond that. Offering up a potential sound of the summer, alongside fragile characters is elite level juxtaposition.

They are not to be missed at This Feeling’s Re-Wired festival this April.

*Image courtesy of Chris Driver

San Pedro Collective – Where Do I Begin?

This collective, wait, this super group are made up of Rikki Turner ex Paris Angels, Suddi Raval ex Together, founder of the Manchester acid rave scene & Simon Wolstencroft ex-drummer of The Fall.

After their formidable debut EP ‘The Demon Sessions’ last summer, they have returned with their new single, ‘Where Do I Begin?’ On Blindside Records.

With their heart and souls forged in Manchester, this modern take on the acid house sound should come as no surprise. An infectious building piece of soul meets a climaxing house style.

Lyrically, it examines the inner torment of dealing with a toxic relationship. If all break ups and heart ache sounded this good, we’d all be getting dumped. Guest vocalist Sarah Bouchier, lends a crisp vocal that sublimely traverses from soul to euphoria.

After a stunning set at last year’s Shiiine On Weekender, keep your eyes peeled for future dates.

Theatre Royal - A Marvellous Death

Last summer, we published out top 5 Theatre Royal singles (full review here). Comfortably the hardest article we have ever written. Take nothing away from their albums, their 3rd made out top 30 of the last decade but, they churn out pop magic every time.

As if to mock our choices, they release another impossibly great pop single on 28th February via Vacilando 68 Recordings. It’s no wonder Louder Than War said:

“why the fuck are they not really famous?”

Why not indeed. This is a tale of an old man rejecting the inevitability of life. It’s his life, and he chooses to leave it young at heart!

Melancholic in subject, utterly triumphant in delivery. It’s one last attempt at scoring the winner, one last bet of all in and one last chance of your name up in lights. Death or glory becomes just another story!

The Medway boys have done it again. Be sure to catch them on their live dates this spring/summer.

Live dates:

Saturday 14th March - The Billabong Club, Rochester

Saturday 2nd May - Maidstone Fringe Festival

Saturday 25th July - Faversham Beer Festival