Echolines – The Poison Artist

Newcastle’s Echolines are back with their new single ‘The Poison Artist’, out on 6NOT4 Records.

Their previous single, ‘Imagination Stranger’, was a pop celebration of 80s indie influences. Things have taken a more expansive and darker tone this time. From the warped synths, to the Robert Smith meets an angry Jimi Goodwin and Guy Garvey vocals, they’ve struck a dank chord of greatness.

They adopt Public Service Broadcasting’s style with the inclusion n of exerts from a documentary on the CIA. From this sinister early inclusion, ‘The Poison Artist’ explodes with colour, vigour and dreaded nihilism. Brass, so often the accompaniment to glory, rages here like a rabid wolf!

The guitars, whilst they have jangle reminiscent of The Cure’s triumphant Glasto set, the intensity of them is soul crushing. The imagery they create is of love being torn down, through self-destruction and at worst, for sport.

Echolines are rapidly becoming a vital band for your record collections!

*Image courtesy of Van Goth

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

Stanley Duke & The Kindred Spirits – Collagen

Cornwall’s Stanley Duke, was last seen in the band Lost Dawn in 2016. Now embarking on a solo career, Duke, backed by The Kindred Spirits, releases his debut single ‘Collagen’ on the 26th July via Jam X Recordings.

The psyche guitar work here, with its roots in the 70s has elements of Yuck’s self-titled debut album and the wayward glory of the Libertines. As Duke sings “live the dream, live the life”, there is a sense that this could all fall apart at any minute. Nevertheless, as Frank Turner says:

“We’ll have all the best stories to tell”

There is a punk spirit coursing through the dirty rock n roll here. It took The Black Keys a long time to forge a freeing rock escapism with their dirty garage licks. Here, Duke, has caught a meandering wave to float away on his first effort.

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

C33s – Big Winner

Manchester’s C33s have joined forces with Producer Gavin Monaghan (MOSES) again for their second single ‘Big Winner’. Released on Bloody Thieves Records and a mainstay on Chris Hawkins BBC6 show, a big break through feels imminent.

The tour with Cabbage has paid dividends. Their natural garage psyche has been given an injection of their peers’ weird and wonderful punk. The immediacy it’s given them as been spliced hooks in the vein of their Irish counterparts Fontaines Dc and The Clockworks. Make no mistake, this is a great era for bands.

Like Cabbage and The Blinders, they have razor sharp lyrics that threaten the status quo:

“Gathered wisdom from the psych ward to the street / Keep them coming  / I will drench them in defeat” 

Couple this with the Toy meets Lemmy solo, a real sense C33s can turn their hand to anything emerges. There is no intention on playing it safe on this psyche fizzer!

 *Image courtesy of Trust A Fox

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

Ynys - Mae'n Hawdd

Ynys, aka Dylan Hughes (Former Races Horses) follows his debut single 'Caneuon' with another fine piece of Welsh language pop ‘. Originally written 5 years ago, Hughes roped in his friend to Mali Llewelyn to add vocals and finish it off.

In the height of Stranger Things series 3 fever, it’s a perfectly timed release. The 80s synths recall the exquisite theme tune from the Duffer Brothers masterpiece.

Hughes' ability to conjure the 60s pop Burt Bacharach and the melodic peculiarities of Gruff Rhys act as a tonic to the synths. There is an effortless flow to this tale of wandering the coast at midnight. It’s a freeing of the soul in a world gone mad.

With a summer and autumn tour booked, be sure to get out and see the UK's latest alt-pop sensation.

‘Caneuon’, the debut single by Ynys, succeeded in establishing this new project by Dylan Hughes, former member of Race Horses, as one of the most exciting sounds breaking out of a rejeuvenated and confident Welsh music scene. His new single was originally written about 5 years ago following a midnight coastal walk. This was the first song he had recorded for years, and it sets a cinematic backdrop of the midnight moon and mist over the rolling waves. Featuring long time friend Mali Llywelyn on vocals, the song was recorded with a mixture of 80s sequencers, 70s string machines and melancholic harmonies. Lyrically Dylan created a nostalgic black and white movie scene set in West Wales in 2013! The themes of soul searching, transition, travel and isolation feature, interspersed with an uplifting chorus. It is about letting go and understanding that everything is easy when you know how. Ynys has a full summer and autumn on the road playing at different venues and festivals including Sŵn Festival in his adopted home city of Cardiff. @YNYSMUSIC

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

Mark Morriss - All The Wrong People

The Bluetones frontman has returned with a new solo single ‘All The Wrong People’. It is the lead single from his upcoming fourth studio album ‘Look Up’ (out via Reckless Yes Records).

With Steve Wonder’s ‘Higher Ground’ firmly in view, Morriss allows his pop instincts to flourish, arguably to the finest degree since 2003’s ‘Never Going Nowhere’. There are hooks oozing out of this at every turn. The piano licks, sauntering drums, and the wah wah guitar combine to re-imagine 70s funk and soul to glorious effect.

Morriss’ lyrics’, are not often in the social comment bracket. However, with the world pulling itself apart, Morriss’ adopts a reflective stance many of us have when agitators of the world frequent the TV. In this instance, Trump, aka “big blonde hippopotamus” is the target. It may seem a juvenile quip but, in reality, this is how most reasonable people react to the colossal oath every time he tweets racist bile. It’s all that can be done to cope and Morriss has mirrored this with aplomb.

Having heard the jaw-dropping ‘Roll Away’ and the sun-kissed ‘Rimini’ at live shows, ‘Look Up’ is shaping up to be the pop album that truly matters in 2019.

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

The Crooks - Now Then

For many Oasis fans, including Noel Gallagher, they wish upon a parallel universe. One where 1997's 'Be Here Now' had undergone extreme quality control.

Well, that wish might just have been granted in the form Chesterfield's The Crooks. Cut them and they will bleed DMA's via the extravagance of Oasis circa 1996 to 1998 but, crucially, without the self-indulgence on their latest EP ‘Now Then’.

'Grey Man' has the lone wanderer feel of Noel's solo masterpiece 'Riverman'. Here though, he walks upright with youthful enthusiasm. The psychedelic guitars of Stee and Mods are the perfect platform for frontman Jacko to execute his Liam Gallagher via Thomas O’Dell (DMA’s) vocals. As Jacko decrees “bring me back to the wonderland”, music lovers over the age of 30 will have their youthful ambition restored whilst this generation runs amok to secure it for them.

The Oasis via DMA’s style continues throughout to wonderful effect. ‘All Isn’t As It Seems’ is a lyrical update of ‘Live Forever’ or The Enemy’s ‘Away From Here’. As the chorus of “I want to live my life away / I’m sick of doing it your way” images of huge festival crowds singing arm in arm come rushing to the fore. Meanwhile, on ‘Champagne & Caviar’, the parallel universe strikes. Oasis’ ‘It’s Getting Better Man’ is cut down to 3mins of scintillating solos and the hunger of ‘Definitely Maybe’.

When they do strike for the stadium rock sound on ‘Rocket’, it comes with the anguish that rock ‘n’ roll needs to truly matter. With a punk spirit in its veins, ‘Rocket’ is the sound of people trying to make ends meet and enjoy themselves. All the while, an Etonian racist and Pro-Privatisation of NHS dickheads battle it out to rule over us. The sheer guts and desperation of ‘Rocket’ can be all things to all people. It’s a clarion call to the jaded and a helping hand to those on the canvas. It’s uniting spirit is a reminder that rock n roll will never die.  

Despite the comparisons to DMA's and Oasis, this is not just a re-hash. The Crooks are very much one step backwards, 2 steps forward sonically. It’s the spirit they evoke on ‘Now Then’ that shines brightest. It’s as though they put Shane Meadows in charge of producing ‘Be Here Now’ to give it the brutal reality check it needed. The results, heady and pure rock n roll.

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 Clockworks: The Boogaloo, London

Something is afoot across the Irish Sea right now. Fontaines DC, Inhaler, Sick Love and The Wha have all delivered quality albums and singles this year. Last night, Galway’s The Clockworks headlined Alan McGee’s night at The Boogaloo and took their spot in the limelight.

Much like IDLES and Fontaines DC, they’re remarkably fully formed for a band so new. The set is full of Mike Skinner quips, The Rakes’ charm, and unbridled intensity.

Former single ‘Bills and Pills’ stuns The Boogaloo. It’s sublime punk rock. The lyricism of Sleaford Mods and the desolate guitar hooks of The Cribs mark The Clockworks out as future festival headliners.

In front man James McGregor, they have someone truly special for fans to idolise. His attack of the microphone from the first word of ‘Future’ is a volatile death or glory moment. The venomous howl of ‘this is not a fucking joke’ strikes a powerful chord with a drooling crowd.

The pop stomp of ‘Rumours in the Stockroom’ showcases they are not all fire and brimstone. The melancholic pop licks of Editors collide with the sense of urgency. This is vital!

The Clockworks, on this showing, are undoubtedly are band with a meteoric rise on the horizon. They are so immediate, and so necessary, it’s impossible to deny them.

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

RATS: The Social, London

“When Jake Bugg went to number one it made national news headlines. Why? Because he never went to stage school nor graduated from Brits academy. He didn’t enter Britain’s Got Talent nor summit himself to the humiliations of X-Factor. He made headlines because he is just an ordinary kid from a state school……I can’t believe there aren’t plenty of teenagers out there with an ear for a good tune and a chip on their shoulder who have something to say to us.”

Billy Bragg, The John Peel Lecture, 2015

Introducing to you, Liverpool’s Rats! They headlined Creation23’s night at The Social Tuesday night and displayed said fire and skill.

Their brand of working class indie-punk always gets lost in the mix when the majors and x-factor types dominant the industry. However, with singles like ‘Weekend’ and ‘Figure It Out’ in their arsenal, eventually the keepers of the gate will be forced to open.

The latter, was explosive and right in the slot that will carry them to big venues. Throughout the set, elements of all their songs threatened to reach this level. Despite not being as fully formed; Rats are very much a band in the ascendancy. The wit and angst in their delivery of upcoming single ‘Jack’ and the emotive hooks of ‘Dreams’, it’s easy to imagine them as Liverpool’s answer to The Courteeners.

Awash with tales of sex, drugs and violence, Rats, like Jake Bugg in 2015, shouldn’t be considered an anomaly. On this showing, it won’t be long before they are lauded in the same light as Bugg. Woe betide anyone who stands in their way.

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

Militant Girlfriend: Village Green Festival

South East London’s Militant Girlfriend kicked off the spectacular Grrl Zine Fair at Village Green Festival. Surrounded by, quite frankly, some astonishing pieces of DIY art, the three piece delivered a fragile and heart wrenching slice of punk-pop.

The bulk of the set emanated from last year’s self-titled EP.  ‘2k17 Was For Dickheads’, a joyous piece of slacker rock, showcased Caitlin King and Liv Wynter’s innovative ability to harmonise. Their blend of fragile pop and punk venom continued on ‘Letters’, a gloriously painful break up song.

Despite the punk ethos, on ‘Marge’ and ‘Re-Run’, they took their style towards the West Coast beauty of the early 70s. The former, a jaw dropping ode to King’s mum. Meanwhile, ‘Re-Run’, was causing the painful re-living of a relationship coming to an end (sociopath alert if it didn’t).

Militant Girlfriend’s ability to channel pain through loving and stirring punk-pop inevitably will take them to bigger audiences.The world cannot be kept from their best years.

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

Suspects: Village Green Festival

Complete with Ric Flair “wooooos” and righteousness in their veins, Southend’s Suspects led two-man crusade at Village Green Festival this past Saturday. Few were not saddling up to ride into battle with them afterwards.

The sheer power of their set shook the Idea13 stage. On ‘Armageddon and Me’, such was the ferocity, they made The Stooges and Royal Blood look like the exponents of nursery rhymes. Despite the frenetic chaos they generate, front man Thomas Prescott’s adorable soul shines bright, giving the audience something heartfelt to cling to.

This was personified on the intimate ‘Recovery’. The honesty of Frank Turner’s lyrics combined with the early fire of The Black Keys to create a furious sense of euphoria. Former single ‘Anaphylactic Shock’ took this even further. It was as though Therapy? had joined forces with The Walkmen on their classic ‘The Rat’.

During ‘Mental Health Act’, they drew their battle lines in the sand. For anyone who has ever been lost, it was a welcoming hug in the disguise of a behemoth rock monster.

Heavy. Destructive. Noble. All hail the Suspects.

*Image Courtesy of Kana Waiwaiku

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

Asylums: Village Green Festival

On Essex’s grandest live stage, the main stage at Village Green Festival, Southend’s Asylums stole the whole effing show this past Saturday. Their brand of Ash meets The Clash embodied everything great about alternative pop, full of heart, desperation and better than annoying the mainstream could ever manufacture.

Essex, a county a tradition in right leaning politics, was lit up with Joe Strummer’s sloganeering and Billy Bragg’s social comment via frontman Luke Branch. ‘Joy In A Small Wage’ was pure pop rebellion. The imagery of the “outsider” knowing their worth, in today’s society, is a truly powerful one.

Taking messages such as “Sexists, we fucking hate you” to the suburbs seems innocuous, but really, it’s brave. How many of us can truly say we stand up and be counted in little England? Refusing intolerance, Asylums launch into a scorching rendition of ‘Second Class Sex’. The destruction levels are taken sky high on ‘Napalm Bubblegum’, no one was left unscathed!

With a certain other Southend outfit headlining the day, Asylums showcased everything pop music could and should be. They held up a mirror to a fractured society with pop hooks from the heavens. Credible, lovable, outsiders do not wear school uniforms!

*Image courtesy of Andrew Kenyon

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

Little Avis - Silver Tongue

Little Avis’ third single, ‘Silver Tongue’ was released this week. Following on from their raucous Graham Coxon inspired single ‘Ghalib’, the Manchester outfit have put out ‘Silver Tongue’.

It has the wayward indie pop of Young Knives with immediacy and hook laden Shame and The Buzzcocks. Raising the bar above just another punk single here though are the vocals from Lee Hunter. His found an exquisite post-punk sweet spot between Edywn Collins and David Byrne.

At times, there is a Richard Hawley sense of romanticism about the protagonist. It cuts through the wry post-punk delivery and provides an everyman humbleness to the single. This kind of universal truth is sure to carry them to the hearts and minds of the UK’s alternative community sooner rather than later.

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

Pinky Pinky - Turkey Dinner

LA’s Pinky Pinky, a three piece consisting of Anastasia Sanchez (vocalist/drummer, 20), Isabelle Fields (guitar, 19) and Eva Chambers (bass, 19) have combined a teenage sense of adventure with wise experimental heads on their eclectic debut album ‘Turkey Dinner’.

Former single ‘My Friend Sean’ and ‘It Didn’t Hurt’, are formulated around droll sardonic slacker rock and feel like their base camp. It’s full of the idealism and melodic nous of Pavement and Graham Coxon.

Rather than stay in this comfort zone, they’ve honed record collections and taken well measure chances. On ‘Floorboards’, there’s a sense that Kate Bush has joined The Slits to make a Beach Boys record. Whereas, ‘Sticking Around’ combines a Bush-esque vocal with slick vibes of The Modern Lovers. There is a punk spirit lurking behind the slide guitars on ‘Apple Cheeks’. A sure fire sign that nothing is off the table in the studio.

This approach falls flat on ‘Mystery Sedan’ and ‘Mr. Sunday’. However, temper this with their Johnny Marr attempting the Shrang-La’s style on ‘Lady Dancer’ and ‘Do Me Dirty’, and you’ll be vehemently overlooking those songs.

After a while, it becomes apparent, these aren’t chances, its hard graft and talent combining to deliver their vision. What is missing though, are truly great choruses. That hook, that’s so undeniable, every teenager can beat their parent into submission that their generation is better. It doesn’t feel that far away mind you.

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 – People

Manchester’s Cleargreen are back with their new single ‘People’ today. Already a force in their home city, they have been stealing the show on This Feeling stages on the festival circuit too.

Previous single ‘Gone’, whilst freeing, probably had too many hallmarks of the DMA’s to be their breakthrough moment. On ‘People’, they’ve taken a monumental leap to establish their identity.

It’s a conscientious examination of the public mindset in 2019, shining a light on the contradictions of humanity. By proxy, it highlights the echo chamber mentality of both left and right and how, but with heart and amiable sincerity at its core. How apt on the day that Putin labelled Liberalism “obsolete”.

The LA’s-esque riff is given The Verve pop majesty circa Urban Hymns sheen. Equally beefy and emotive, Haworth and Staley’s guitars combine the aforementioned style with a Teenage Fanclub sense of adventure. Rock ‘n’ roll escapism is back, and with a chorus of “Going away where there is no tomorrow / Go to the place where I don’t feel hollow” it’s here to stay.

The colossus that is Liam Gallagher is rolling back into town at present and, we look forward to it. However, we urge everyone to pay attention to the new class. Cleargreen, Gazelle, Stanleys, and The Raintree County have lit the touchpaper for a new rebellion.

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 Raintree County – Feel Alive

In 1995, there was no need for Oasis to follow 1994’s ‘Definitely Maybe’ with more of the same. The world was ready for Noel Gallagher and Owen Morris to stretch their their sound to the edge of oblivion on ‘What’s The Story (Morning Glory)’. However, The Raintree County’s new single ‘Feel Alive’, has created an alternate reality where that Manchester via Liverpool sound was followed up on.

Full of escapism and hopeful swagger, the Leeds five piece have delivered a slice of the North West. With the charm of ‘Digsy’s Donner’ and the expansiveness of ‘Slide Away’ and ‘Columbia’, they have tapped into that Burnage groove to take the mind elsewhere.

This isn’t just a rehash of the past though. Nor is it just a tribute to Oasis. There are nuggets psyche reminiscent of Mick Head’s Shack and the drunkard triumphalism of Tribes fuelling this anthem for the present day.

Two singles in, The Raintree County are nailing down their own sound via the greats. Definitely ones to watch!

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

Scott Lavene - Broke

Hailing from Essex, Scott Lavene has released his sometimes weird, sometimes wonderful, sometimes neither debut album ‘Broke’ via Funnel Music.

An album of many clashing styles, can work if there is clarity in the challenging moments. ‘Broke’ is awash of multiple styles, when it lands, echoes of Dury, Costello and Barrett come to the surface. When the quality dips though, it falls face down.

‘Apples & Pears’ killer chorus is immersed in the sardonic world of Sultans of Ping and the colours of Syd Barrett. Meanwhile, ‘Super Clean’, comfortably the albums finest work, hits a Tame Impala via the cuteness of Supertramp groove that is undeniable. However, on ‘Moonbeams’, everything feels forced. Nothing about Lavene’s vision is contrived, it’s just not always sonically landing.

There is however, a purity to Lavene’s work, always emanating from a heartfelt and honest place. It’s what will keep you coming back for more. Album opener ‘My Stereo’, is arguably the sweetest pop record you’ll hear this year. The Beans on Toast meets Ian Dury vocals collide with ‘Hour of the Bewilderbeast’ Badly Drawn Boy to conjure images of teenagers discovering music in their bedrooms.

‘Broke’, described by Levine as ‘the deadbeat manifesto’, takes a wayward stroll through his hometown of Essex.  It has a Baxter Dury sense of adventure without fully living up to his standards. The quality ‘Methylated Blue’ and ‘Some Place New’, whilst full of integrity, lose the wild glow and become more like a watercolour challenge.

This is not an album which will convince the masses, nor for that matter, will it convince the alternative world on first listen. It’s a gradual process of realisation that Lavene is, to coin Richey Edwards’ self-harm “4 Real”. When he nails his distinctive view on the world, it’s a joy to behold. This is tempered by moments of dips in quality but, never enough to deter you from rooting for Lavene.

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

Come At The King – Where’s That Smile, Boy?

With every release, Come At The King grow that much more menacing. Their latest offing, ‘Where’s That Smile, Boy?’ is no different.

The London trio have combined the energy of their debut ‘Minesweeper’ and the grooves of ‘Shudder’ to hit a gloriously filthy note! Early Black Keys and BRMC circa ‘Spectre of the Feast’ guitars combine with dank and dangerous basslines.

Lyrically, this is the most mature of their work to date. Garage rock isn’t often associated with quintessentially British characters. Here though, they’ve connected their dangerous sonic to a the machinations of small town men with big time delusions of grandeur. To quote the legendary Members “this is the sound of the suburbs”.

Come At The King’s rise is growing rapidly, be sure to catch them live at our 8th birthday party Friday 2nd August. Tickets available here >>> https://newcrossinn.com/tickets/events/travellers-tunes-8th-birthday

MOSES – Findings

For the best part of 2018, London’s MOSES were churning out anthemic but punk led singles. Earlier this year, changed tack with ‘I Think You Worry To Much’ to provide a shimmering pop song. Their latest single ‘Findings’, again leans towards the alternative pop world.  

With the whimsical aspects of Coldplay and Snow Patrol in the 00s pomp at play, MOSES have delivered a slow building number in that vein. This is no indie rehash though. There something so beautifully fragile about MOSES and frontman Victor in particular. As leadership implodes and institutions crumble, MOSES (among others) continue to deliver great pop art and somehow, they do it with kindness.

*Image courtesy of Ana Ban Ana

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 Courteeners: Heaton Park, Manchetser

“I miss the city I love but I've been having an affair
With L.A and New York, Dundee
And Doncaster if I may dare
Of course I do, of course I do
But I was meant for this place, and I was meant for you”

Four days on from The Courteeners hometown triumph at Heaton Park, the slightest thought of ‘Are You In Love With A Notion’ is still delivering some serious goosebumps. This wasn’t just a gig, this was, in the words of Liam Fray “a party”.

The Courteeners have been here before in 2015 but, this past Saturday was more than double the size at fifty thousand people and. Every street, bus, train and tram was alive with anticipation in Manchester Saturday lunchtime. It was impossible to deny, even by this hardened cynical view of outdoor gigs. From note one from Goth pop outfit Pale Waves, it’s clear, Manchester isn’t to suffer the same fate as the string of gigs too quiet in London.

When Liam and co walked on stage, something special happened for two hours. It wasn’t rock stars playing to their adoring fans. This was a personal affair, almost as if it an unsigned band had convinced all their mates to come alone for support.

The atmosphere The Courteeners generate is, for all wankers in the industry wondering what their appeal is (aside good tunes), their usp. Heaton park became the greatest playground of all time. The flares, the mud, the drizzle, the endless Union jack waterproofs from Primark, the mud (the endless mud), the overflowing urinals, laughing at people stacking it, and the dedicated follower of fashion in his brand new white trainers. THE MUD!

It’s been fourteen years since The Courteeners begun and, during the two new songs, showed no signs of slowing down. ‘Better Man’ had such an infectious chorus it was being sung back by the end.

Whether people came to hear ‘The Smiths Disco’ or reaffirm their love of ‘St. Jude’, this was not only a gig for the ages, it was a triumphant for the underdog. Memories of Frank Turner’s underground insurgency at Wembley Arena in 2012 came flooding back. Seven years on from that night, the industry is still throwing money at homogenised dullards. For any kid attendance wanting to form a band, stick your head above the parapet and be yourselves. You will be adored!  

We never post clips from peoples phones but, this was too much fun to ignore despite the iffy sound:

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

Richard Hawley - Further

Sheffield icon Richard Hawley is back with his eighth studio album ‘Further’. His previous offering ‘Hoillow Meadow’, laid bare many personal anxieties for the world to see. This time out, Hawley consciously decided to make something more positive and more direct. Will the charm dissipate? Will it be contrived?

Hawley’s attempt to be positive, attempt a heavier sound at times but, lack the raw excitement of youthful rock n roll can. ‘Alone’, whilst pleasant, has a tired ‘Easy Money’ (Johnny Marr) feel to it. ‘Galley Girl’, nods to Robert Plant & Alison Krauss’ classic Rich Woman’ but again fails ignite the devil. However, on album opener ‘Off My Mind’ slides into a dirty rock n roll groove to endlessly admire. ‘Time Is’, finds a sweet spot with its psyche riffs and exhilarating harmonica on this reflective look at the passing of time. It has a honesty that befits Hawley’s emotive soul far better.

Hawley’s poetic soul is where the album thrives. Sheffield’s Blake is at his best when wandering the streets of his mind alone. ‘Is There A Pill?’, musically, combines the romanticism of ‘Coles Corner’ and the dangerous guitars of ‘Standing At The Sky’s Edge’. Lyrically, it’s a message of love to himself and the family of a friend who was lost tragically to suicide. It’s a remarkable feat to deliver the lines ‘Is there a pill / To untwist my heart / And help me sever feeling shame at being apart?’ with such warmth.

Hawley’s ability to sprinkle stardust over his ballads keeps coming on ‘Not Lonely’ and ‘Midnight Train’. The former being a hopeful ode to his children. Yearning to see them enjoy the benefits his generation did. Amid the Tory leadership race where liars and Islamophobes battle NHS dismantlers and Austerity masturbators, the poignancy is somewhat elevated. Meanwhile, ‘Midnight Train’ sparkles like The Byrds’ ‘Ballad of the Easy Rider’ in a British spring time.

Not everything lands on ‘Further’ but, few can match the beauty of the highs Hawley can still summon in his early 50s. When he enters into his reflective and poetic groove, it’s impossible not to fall in love with him all over again.

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