Ralph's Top 10 Chart - as played on Radio KC - 26.11.17

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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 LAST WEEK'S TOP 10 HERE

AS PLAYED ON RADIO KC - 19.11.17

 

RALPH'S BRAND NEW TOP 10 CHART 

Published on 25.11.17 and as played after 

RALPH'S INDIE SHOW on RADIO KC - 26.11.17 - from 5-7pm

No 1 Snippet

Colchester's favourite son Johnno Casson aka Snippet is the uncrowned king of feelgood pop-esque music and his latest album Human Good isn't bucking that trend. 

Johnno takes you on a journey of "people-rich" stories that encompasses a wide array of characters including fraudsters, pimps, prostitutes, drinkers, users and abuser’s and simple everyday folk just trying to make sense of this world. 

No 2: Martin Stephenson & The Daintees 

Just in time for Christmas the ever-prolific Martin Stephenson accompanied by The Daintees have come along with an album that will have any party up on it's collective feet and dancing; whether it's having a knees-up or waltzing the night away.

It kicks off with a rockabilly-esque The Whisky and I'm not sure if it's an advert for the benefits of Uisge-Beatha (The Water Of Life) or a dire warning. But one thing is for sure, it's a rollicking start to a quality collection of tuneage.

No 3: Bud Sugar

Ralph's favourite video this week is the Bud Sugar 'Masterpiece' of their fans fave track VIRAL. They hijacked 25 of the most iconic online VIRAL moments from recent years to create an unexpected collaboration with their viral heroes!

No 4: Puppet Rebellion

One of the advantages of being a dog with a blog is the that every now and again a bit of a gem drops into the kennel's inbox. 

Puppet Rebellion are Oliver Davies on vocals, Dave Wimbush on guitar, Craig Gibson on guitar, James Halliwell on bass and Henry Rogers on drums. Together they've put together an album of well crafted alt-pop that should see them ascend the musical firmament not only in their native North West but UK wide.

No 5: The Slow Readers Club

Ralph's favourite video this week is for the newly released single Lunatic by The Slow Readers Club. 

The Slow Readers Club are a Manchester based four piece who specialise in indie electro doom pop and who are currently selling out shows throughout the UK on their Through The Shadows tour.

No 6: CHROMA

South Wales trio CHROMA set to release their explosive new single Vampires October 27th via Datod Records with the track already available to download.

Vampires is their first release since playing the BBC R1 Introducing Stages at Reading & Leeds Festival 2017. Needless to say Ralph's giving Vampires a spin on the Radio KC Indie Show so tune in on Sunday 5th November for the Bonfire Night Special from 5-7pm UK time.

No 7: Fold

Leeds based Fold are old friends of Ralph's Life both here on the blog and on Ralph's Radio KC Indie Show, mainly due to the consistently high standard of their releases and the new single Choose Love which is to be released on Clue Records November 24th maintains that standard.

The bands music always comes with a message and Choose Love is no exception. They believe that humanity (and of course dogs) could do with a big hug right now and with that in mind the song is being supported by The Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness.

No 8: The Gravity Drive

Ralph's favourite video this week is Shooting Star by The Gravity Drive. They are the hugely talented husband and wife duo Elijah and Eva  Wolf whose music never fails to garner critical acclaim.

Pre-order: itunes.apple.com/gb/album

Website: thegravitydrive.com

Twitter: @TheGravityDrive

Written and performed by The Gravity Drive.

No 9: Akiva

Ralph's favourite video this week is M.O.D. by Akiva. Three quarters of Akiva – Malcolm Carter (guitar, vox), Rob Mercel (bass) and Dave Mercel (drums) – have known each other since their schooldays at a Bedfordshire comprehensive sharing a love of raves, classic guitar riffery and grunge.

Singer, guitarist and synth programmer Dave MacKenzie then arrived from England’s northwest, bringing with him a passion for break-beat, the Madchester scene and anything with a bit of groove and swagger.

No 10: Neon Atlas

Cork based indie band Neon Atlas are back in the groove as they return with their latest single Fever, due for general release November 16th.

Fever is a harmonious mix of ebow progression united with a fragile and compulsive vocal which meanders into an infectious chorus. The final result slowly allures you with its intricacies and delicate craftsmanship which hugs you like your old favourite woolly jumper. 

The Marks Cartel

South Wales four piece The Marks Cartel release their riotous new single Slave early next year across all digital platforms.  

Slave is produced by MAX HEYES and mastered by BRIAN LUCEY. Early support for The Marks Cartel has come in the form of Ralph's Indie Show on Radio KC, BBC Intro and Absolute Radio. However the four piece have particularly stood out in the live scene supporting the likes of Foals, VANT and Trampolene.

The Marks Cartel are a four-piece from the village of Cwmllynfell and comprises Matt Turner (vocals & guitar), Kristian Tabram (guitar & vocals), Rhodri Allcock (bassist & vocals) and Emyr Lewis (drums). The band name refers to the notorious Welsh cultural icon Howard Marks a.k.a. Mr Nice and his ‘organisation’.

Slave is a uniquely riff driven follow up to 2015 single Take Me Home serving as a worthy return after a run of festival dates at The Great Escape and KAYA. Adding blisteringly strong Kurt Cobain style vocals to a bass pedal pulse that carries the song for miles; Slave is a song for the left behind, the beaten the ones who will rise from the ashes.

“Slave is a song that was written in anger. The song is about standing up to people who try and control and manipulate others. It’s written to empower people to stand up against bullies, liars, fraudsters and cheats. It’s about proving people wrong.”

The Marks Cartel have gigged extensively over the last two years embracing a more fierce face to their music, including a sold-out shows supporting, Foals, Pretty Vicious, VANT, Trampolene and The Hearts.

They have also played NME and Jack Rocks showcase gigs recently playing at the O2 Academy Bristol to launch The Pogues Irish Whiskey.

Ralph gave Slave a spin on the Indie Show on Radio KC - Sunday 19th November - and if you missed it you can listen back on the Replay Podcast.

The Pitchforks

Welsh upstarts The Pitchforks are set to bring in the New Year with their newest single Afflictions set for radio impact early next year.

The Pitchforks are a four-piece indie rock group from the Rhondda Valleys consisting of William on vocals, Ethan on guitar, Alex on drums, and Callum on bass. Their first single, Headlock was released in 2016 and the band were subsequently chosen as one of ten bands from South Wales to be coached and developed as part of the Forté Project 2017.

Afflictions was originally released in the summer of 2017 to much regional acclaim. Seeing how well the track was received, the quartet decided to push their music farther afield and are looking for the single to be at the forefront as they steamroll into 2018.

High octane music and frenetic vocals aplenty, ‘Afflictions’ is strong offering from the Welsh upstarts - making a racket you wouldn’t expect from such a young band. Speaking of the track, the band said...

“The lyrics were inspired by a friend’s story about a night at a pub where he decided not to pursue his affection for a girl he was speaking to because she was quite intoxicated.“

The Pitchforks have gigged extensively around South Wales and the Midlands, having played at length in Cardiff, Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil, as well as Bristol and Gloucester. Recently, they have played at SŴN festival, have put on numerous sell-out shows around Pontypridd and Cardiff, and have supported Pretty Vicious on their recent tour.