Feral Five

Art © Tracey Moberly™

It's hard to believe that it was as far back as 2013 when Ralph first came across Feral Five and they donated a track to the Ralph's Life CD for the mental health charity Rethink. 

At that time they'd just released their debut EP Skin to great acclaim and it was the lead track that was included on the Ralph's Life CD.

Nearly four years down the line, Feral Five have produced another 'banger' of a CD and March 31st sees the official release of Man Cat Doll Machine (I'll forgive them not calling it Man Dog Doll Machine) with some splendid artwork by Tracey Moberly who's previously collaborated with Banksy and Bill Drummond.

Simon Mooney, © National Portrait Gallery, London.

The EP was fused together in response to an invitation to perform at the Martin Ware 'Everything You Can Imagine Is Real' Late Shift at the National Portrait Gallery in London recently.

Lead track Man Cat Doll Machine is a synth infused gem full of dynamic basslines behind Kat's soaring vocal and Ralph's got the track playlisted for the Radio KC Indie Show on April 12th.





There's a Launch Party prior to the official release date in Oslo, Hackney on March 25th with full visuals and I'm sure Feral Five will be on fine live form (did I mention that they played a storming set at the Ralph's Life CD launch party in London's Proud Camden) for the occasion. 

Given that the Man Cat Doll Machine EP is full of heavy yet danceable techno pop vibes, anyone that's there on the night is in for a rare treat as Feral Five blend the best of 80's synthpop into a contemporary soundscape for the modern day listener. You know me, I don't do marks out of...but if I did?  10/10.

Ralph's Indie Show REPLAY - As played on Radio KC 26.3.17

Ralph's Indie Show Replay

As played on Radio KC

Sunday 5th March 5-7pm GMT

Internet Radio on rkc.noip.me

Played in 158 countries 

Worldwide on 2 satellites

Website: ralphslife.co.uk

Ralph's Life Music Blog: fruitbatwalton.blogspot.co.uk

Submissions: ralphslife@mail.com

Twitter: @fruitbatwalton



Just click on their name to go to their Facebook page:

Playlist for 26.3.17:

Fat Goth - Guestbook

Partisan - Ashes

SKIES - Afterwards

The Omega Era - Turn Us Away

Tom Lumley - Dream City

Lynch - Blue

Crowded Oceans - Without You

The Nickajack Men - Marilyn

Jimmy Vorn - Better Man

Edwin Miles - Biledog

Basement Cat - Six Eight

The Adlets - Japanese Sniper

Sucking Grunts - Burn

Potent Whisper - Like David Like May ft: Fola

Mog Stanley - Lazy Susan

BREAK THE BUTTERFLY - Back To Bellado

DENIO - Models

The Actions - So Still

Fighting Caravans - It's A Nice Ride (To Be Fair)

The Lightning Year - Endless

Stocksnskins - Pop Is Dead

Straight On Till Morning - Happy You're Gone

Jacky Sand & The Soul - Blood Into Wine

Graham Marshall - Mr Complicated

Trimdon Grange Explosion - Bonnie Banks Of Fordie

Sabrina Fallah - Kiss Is A Killer

Sacrifice & Bliss - Video Of The Week

Ralph's Video Of The Week is KYRIE - by Sacrifice & Bliss

Director - John Lucy
Producer - Roger Hany
Dance - Ciara Styles-Rouse
Scenography - John Lucy, Roger Hany
Lighting Design - John Lucy

LYRICS - Kyrie, this loss of life we celebrate, Quests cuore, this choice was made in sacrifice Now we follow our devotion we break out in defence. Kyrie, we’ll strike the heart of fearlessness Quests cure, this price was paid, in pricelessness Now we promise to provide you, a return for your blood
MEANING - The intention of the video is to make reference to the various themes that are sacrificed in the process of worship. It is expressed in a western setting with predominantly Christian symbolism, however it is irrelevant of faith or denomination and transcends even ethical judgement.
It's about the giving of yourself to that which is bigger or greater than who you are. It's about the sacrifices people make for their belief. KYRIE (Hany,Lucy,Sanger,) by Sacrifice & Bliss
Vocals and programming by Roger Hany
Guitars and programming by John Lucy
Development, production, mix and management by James Sanger for Vibey Developments

Mastered by Andrew ‘Hippy’ Baldwin at Metropolis Mastering

Ralph's Top 10 Blogged Band Chart as played on Radio KC - 26.3.17

Click here for the Ralph's Life website

Tracks from the Top Ten Blogged Bands are played 

every Sunday 5-7pm on Radio KC as part of 

Ralph's Indie Show.

LISTEN TO THIS WEEK'S TOP 10 HERE

AS PLAYED ON RADIO KC - 26.3.17

RALPH'S BRAND NEW TOP 10 CHART 

Published 25.3.17 and as played on 

RALPH'S RADIO KC INDIE SHOW 26.3.17

No 1: Floodhounds

FloodHounds - 'I Wanna Know'

Pre Order the single from floodhounds.bandcamp.com Officially released on iTunes/Spotify etc on 4th March. Video by Tom Flynn Using footage from Fritz Lang's 1927 film Metropolis.

Make Noise Studios/Practice Sheffield provided the live band footage.

No 2: Scott Lloyd

The In The Garden EP will be the sixth Scott Lloyd release to date and covers insightful themes such as getting older, childhood, mental health and loss. Normally a solo performer, Scott has used a full band to back him on the EP, which is a step away from his previous acoustic sound. The EP was recorded at Limefield Studios, Manchester in July 2016 and will be released independently by Scott.

No 3: Ian Roland & Simon Yapp

On Ralph's Radio KC Indie Show next Sunday (March 5th) we'll be featuring a few a few Americana styled tracks so it was very timeous when Day Became You, the new EP from Ian Roland & Simon Yapp was dropped off via the good offices of the postal service.

Produced by Nigel Stonier (Thea Gilmore, The Waterboys, Joan Baez, Martha Wainwright, Fairport Convention et al), the EP is the new release by Folk, Americana duo Ian Roland & Simon Yapp.

No 4: Syd.31

Self-styled angriest band in the UK Syd.31 have pronounced that they're taking rage to a level rarely heard before.

With two successful EPs and a single behind them, they are attempting to redefine what it means to be a band as society rips itself apart - music with purpose and impact. Imagine Slayer joining forces with Die Antwoord, or the bastard love child of Grace Jones and the late lamented Sid Vicious fronting Atari Teenage Riot.

No 5: Snippet

Today's post focuses on the quintessentially English songwriting of Johnno Casson who performs under the pseudonym of Snippet. 

April 7th will see the release of his new album Future Melancholy Pop Music and the title sees the contents doing exactly what it says on the tin. It's 15 tracks of reflective, retrospective, introspective, captivating, engaging, satirical, funky and just plain compulsive lo-fi listening pleasure.

No 6: Graham Marshall

It's fair to say we're fans of Graham Marshall here in the kennel, not only due to his infectious glass-gargling voice but also due to the tenacity of the man in what is for many, a long and difficult path to achieve anything close to recognition, never mind fame and fortune. 

Ralph will be giving a track from Mr Complicated a spin soon on the Radio KC Indie Show so make sure you tune in every Sunday from 5-7pm GMT on rkc.noip.me. and hopefully we'll see Graham Marshall hitting the road soon and not just in his 40' ASDA delivery truck.

No 7: Factory Acts 

Ralph's long been a fan of Factory Acts who are a Salford post-punk electro duo who live on the edge of the analogue-digital divide, sometimes dreaming, always dancing.

After garnering copious amounts of critical acclaim with their debut EP Thirst in 2014, Salford's underground, post-punk maestros Factory Acts return with their highly anticipated sophomore release Second Amendment which is available on official release April 21st.

No 8: Partisan

Formed in Manchester in 2013, Partisan are a Rock band who are committed to their cause. Their punchy, bold and unflinching anthems are taking authentic Rock back into the mainstream, evidenced by their ever increasing fanbase.

Ralph's giving Ashes a pre-release spin on the Radio KC Indie Show March 26th so make sure you tune in PLUS you can catch Partisan live at the following...

30th March - The Castle, Manchester

No 9: Stillia

Ralph's favourite video this week is Let Me In by St Helens band Stillia

The video was directed by none other than Johnny Vegas for the release of their single and produced by his production company Woolyback Promotions.

Filmed and Edited by WASP Video

No 10: Sacrifice & Bliss

Infectiously catchy experimental Rock duo, Sacrifice & Bliss release their outrageously good new single Kyrie, out Friday 28th April 2017.

Ralph gave it a pre-release spin on the Radio KC Indie Show last Sunday and the Electro-Rock innovators from London are set to hit the ground running this spring, touring alongside fellow Indie-Rock tastemakers Dantevilles.