OK bands you know the score .....
the more hits your blog gets by the fans .....
the higher you go .....
the higher you go .....
So Tweet it, Facebook it .....
Now Mr Snuggles and I have been sitting with our heads down counting the hits on each blog to see which band's got what place.
Tracks from the Top Ten Blogged Bands are played every Sunday 5-7pm on Radio KC as part of
Ralph's Indie Show.
Ralph's Indie Show.
No 1: HIGH/LOW
Ralph's given Essex based fuzzy post-grungesters HIGH/LOW a spin previously on his Radio KC Indie Show, so his attention piqued when news of a recently released,12 track, second album hit the kennel.
The self-produced AUTOSPY is their first recording as a full band with new drummer Dave Pankhurst. All previous releases were recorded by Guitarist/Vocals Steve Weston and Bassist Lee Yates.
No 2: Mildred's Dairy
Mildred's Dairy have the feel of a grown-up Orange Juice, Aztec Camera and Deacon Blue throughout this release with well-crafted, well-written tracks immaculately played and produced. Then there's the relatively tongue-in-cheek nature of the sleeve notes and the band's ambiguously anonymous bio. Possibly self-explanatory when you think more about the album's title which is based on The Helsinki Bus Station Theory.
One of the finest slices of Americana-esque music to hit the kennel's juke box of late is the eponymous album by Véloniños which was released on Monday.
It's steeped in Rockabilly and Rock 'n' Roll, which is hardly surprising as it's the work of former Shakin' Pyramids duo Davie Duncan and Kenny McLellan, ably assisted by Shug Jamieson and Laurie Cuff (formerly of the infamous Cuban Heels).
Finishing with a bit of a rock 'n' rolla Tony's strong, individual vocalising brought Bound to Collide to life and left me wondering how long it will be before Tony Steele and The Massacre take their rightful place as the headline act on a bigger stage.
No 5: Jess Kemp
Ralph has been a fan of the supremely talented Jess Kemp for a while now having played her tracks on his Radio KC Indie show regularly over the last two years.
In that time, her star has very much come into its ascendancy, especially with her video of Stars (one of the Videos Of The Week on ralphslife.co.uk last year) which was one of the musical highlights of 2015. All the more blatantly obvious due to the release of her debut EP Camden which is being launched in Manchester's Academy 3 on the 29th of April.
No 6: Mountain Jam
Ralph's featuring Lemon And Lime the latest release by Midlands band Mountain Jam on his Radio KC Indie Show this Sunday.
It's psychedelic, 'Madchester-esque' guitar driven sound is quietly addictive and sure to be a firm favourite with their fans at gigs, the next of which is in Hinckley on March 25th.
London-based singer/songwriter Stu Rawle releases his Portland Pill EP this week, and it should see him go from strength to strength this year. His self-styled 'electro-acoustic, funky soul is exemplified in one of the strongest tracks from the EP called Lightspeed which is extremely easy on the ear and eminently radio-friendly. Ralph gave it a preview spin on the Radio KC Indie Show two weeks ago.
Not surprising that Ralph's been featuring Rony Trio on his Radio KC Indie Show of late, as their eclectic, poppy, folk-based blend of upbeat musical goodness always draws great feedback. Formed around London based Rony Berrebi, ably supported by Oliver Mitchell on Bass and drummer Jim McRae they've acquired an ever-growing band of faithful followers in the London area (and beyond) due to their relentless gigging.
Ralph's featuring Lemon And Lime the latest release by Midlands band Mountain Jam on his Radio KC Indie Show this Sunday. It's psychedelic, 'Madchester-esque' guitar driven sound is quietly addictive and sure to be a firm favourite with their fans at gigs, the next of which is in Hinckley on March 25th.
No 7: Stu Rawle
London-based singer/songwriter Stu Rawle releases his Portland Pill EP this week, and it should see him go from strength to strength this year. His self-styled 'electro-acoustic, funky soul is exemplified in one of the strongest tracks from the EP called Lightspeed which is extremely easy on the ear and eminently radio-friendly. Ralph gave it a preview spin on the Radio KC Indie Show two weeks ago.
No 8: Rony Trio
Not surprising that Ralph's been featuring Rony Trio on his Radio KC Indie Show of late, as their eclectic, poppy, folk-based blend of upbeat musical goodness always draws great feedback. Formed around London based Rony Berrebi, ably supported by Oliver Mitchell on Bass and drummer Jim McRae they've acquired an ever-growing band of faithful followers in the London area (and beyond) due to their relentless gigging.
No 9: The Roscoes
They release a double A-side single on Friday and Skin/The Wall is a full on assault on your aural sensibilities. The two tracks have been produced by Pete Robertson, The Vaccines drummer, and mastered by Russell Cottier of the Grammy award winning Parr Street Studios.
No 10: Scout Killers
There's been a plethora of guitar driven alt/rock in the kennel's inbox these last few weeks, however only some have floated their way to the top of the pile. One, in particular, is Bath-based Scout Killers who are releasing their track Rip Me Apart as a single on March 28th.The band draws its influence from the likes of Rage Against the Machine, Q.O.T.S.A, Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their powerful live sets are defined by viscerally expressive vocals, atmospheric and foreboding guitar swells and shadowy rhythmic undertones which shine through when it comes to Scout Killers songwriting.
