The Cliftons

The Cliftons are a Scottish Alt-Rock band formed in 2013 in Aberdeen and managed by Kid A Music. They are: James Will on Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar, Andrew Joseph on Lead Guitar, Keir Smith on Bass Guitar) & Bilal Benzahia Drums, Percussion and Backing Vocals).

Releasing their self titled debut EP in the summer of 2015, it proved a hit with their fan base and songs such as Methamphetamine becoming fond fan favourites, no wonder it currently features in Ralph's Top 10 as played on Radio KC.

The Cliftons proclaim to distil the sounds of Arctic Monkeys and Catfish & The Bottlemen, whilst still staying true to the poetic and boyish charm (they look like they're only 10) that rock music represents. 

The Cliftons have supported names such as The Bluetones and Man Made, headlined multiple venues, and played sold out shows, such as The Lemon Tree and have also released their follow up EP this month and that's fresh off the back of being Finalists in the Original 106fm 'One to Watch' Award.

"With meaningful, honest and true heartfelt lyrics, thumping drums, deep bass lines & rough, dirty lead guitar, The Cliftons are making their mark on the Scottish music scene and are a band to watch out for."

The Cliftons - Video Of The Week

Ralph's favourite video this week is Scarlett by Aberdeen band The Cliftons.

The Cliftons have supported luminaries such as The Bluetones and Man Made plus headlined at venues such as The Lemon Tree. The Cliftons are also set to release their follow up EP on January 21st with a hometown show in Tunnels.

The Cliftons are: James Will on Vocals/Guitar, Andrew Joseph on lead Guitar, Bilal Benzahia on Drums and Keir Smith on Bass.

On Ralph's 'ones to watch' list 2017.

Alkanes

With their debut EP A Different Kind Of Perfect lined up for release on March 18th it's looking like 2016 will be a good year for Aberdeen based outfit Alkanes.

Following the demise of Inverness band Purple Divide in 2013, guitarist Dale looked to challenge himself with a new project. After experimenting with his song writing, he set his sights on a project a little heavier than Purple Divide.

With a particular focus on big dynamic riffs and drawing influence from bands such as Arcane Roots, Biffy Clyro, Muse, Oceansize and Fightstar, Dale began to develop what was to become the sound of Alkanes.

Comprising Dale himself on guitar & vocals, Gary Wilson on drums & vocals and Jack Molyneux on bass and formed in 2014, Alkanes hit the ground running and have shared the stage with some of the UK’s finest up and coming acts in the Rock and Metal scene including Carnivores, Axis Of, Emilio Largo, Bear Arms and ACODA. The band also headlined The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen in September 2015.


The five-track EP A Different Kind Of Perfect kicks off with the moody, atmospheric guitar-driven Pulling Teeth and it's a definite leaning to being heavier than some of their contemporaries. 

Persistance To Existence on the other hand has more of a Chilli Peppers feel to it. A nicely balanced rock track that will have multi-genre appeal. The pefect pick as the single.



Third track in and A Different Kind Of Perfect punches you in the ears from note one, reminding me of a favourite band of old from Wales called Budgie. Whilst I cite the previous track as my favourite pick for a single, this one's my favourite of the five. It's currently on repeat here in the dog-house.

The EP rounds off with the choppy Brown Tape and a Zepplin-es que vocal that delights whilst Music In The Grooves for me leans more towards an Audioslave vibe.

All proceeds from the sale of the single goes to Diabetes Scotland, and pleasure it brings to the table will go directly to your aural sensory receptors!




Fri 18th March - INVERNESS
Mad Hatters + wecamefromwolves

Sat 19th March - GLASGOW
Box Glasgow


Sun 20th March - ABERDEEN
Downstairs




OFFICIAL EP LAUNCH

With First Order and Audio Cynic


Tickets for the EP Launch available to buy at alkanes.bigcartel.com 

I WANT TO MAKE A SINGLE DONATION TO DIABETES SCOTLAND

• £ 10
• £ 25
• £ 75

Choose your own amount £ 

All The King's Men

Manchester band All The King's Men have released a new EP called Making My Escape and it's another step up in their attempt to establish themselves as one of the top rocking it out Indie bands in the North West.

Lead track Fever is very much in the rocking it out vain and guaranteed to be a live favourite, whilst Someday has a more laid back psychedelic feel. It's one for a lazy Sunday's listening pleasure.




Third track in City Lights sees All The King's Men going back to a raunchier rock track with shades of the Small Faces and it's closely followed by a moodier My Mother's Son with it's swooping guitar riffs. The EP finishes with the eponymous Making My Escape, which is a more thoughtful, reflective alt/rock track.

All The King's Men are a fairly recently formed band comprising of Matt Holland (guitar/vocals), Tino Caine (bass) and Ben Robinson on drums but have developed a very tight sound that is rapidly gaining them a faithful local following and with that in mind they'll be playing a number of gigs including the Launch Night at Marley Music Studio on Oct 23d, a headliner in The Live Room, Manchester on the 21st November before spreading their wings and playing Drummonds in Aberdeen on the 4th December with Alias Kid.


The EP Making My Escape is available by clicking on this iTunes link

Fiona Soe Paing

Ralph's long been a fan of the immaculate electronica produced by Fiona Soe Paing and is delighted that she's now developed a new multi-media experience that she's taking to the Edinburgh Fringe in a series of shows in The Capital's Summerhall venue. 

She's combined her stunning live vocals and electro soundtracks with animation from New Zealand artist Zennor Alexander to create a unique and surreal live performance called Alien Lullabies - Songs From A Decaying Future, which will both surprise and delight the Fringe audiences.

Portrait by Daniel Burman

Living in rural Aberdeenshire, Fiona Soe Paing has been crafting her sound since 2005. She has been collaborating on visuals for her live shows with Zennor Alexander since 2007. She has previously worked with singer/songwriter Beth Orton and was featured in the 2014 Noise Festival Showcase curated by Brian Eno, where her work was rated as “outstanding.” Following the release of her debut EP Tower of Babel she signed with Glasgow’s Hotgem, home to Machines In Heaven. 





Developed with a Creative Scotland Quality Production Award, Alien Lullabies will be performed at the Fringe as part of their prestigeous Made In Scotland programme, showcasing the best in Scottish performance to international audiences and promoters.

The show features tracks from the forthcoming Fiona Soe Paing album, including the recently released track Heartbeat which was praised by music blogger David McElroy of XSNoize as - "a wonderful, wonderful thing...electronic music as it should be" - The single was released on Hotgem in June alongside a video premiere via The 405.

Alien Lullabies – Songs from a Decaying Future

Fiona Soe Paing Live at Summerhall, Edinburgh

Video by Rising Edge TV

KOBI.....or not KOBI.....that is the question.....

In keeping with the strong resurgence of Scottish Indie bands over the last two years KOBI have returned to the fray with their recently released single 'Fight' and a batch of successful gigs including Ironworks and Lemon Tree up north and venturing down to King Tut's in Glasgow and Sneaky Pete's in Edinburgh, as well as taking to the Main Stage on the Saturday at Belladrum Festival and The Clash Tent at Rockness Festival.  Not bad as they'd parted ways musically seven years previously and only reformed last year.

Let's not dwell on the past though, let's look at what's happening with KOBI now.  The bands line up is Gary Tain - Vocals/Guitar, Steve Robertson - Bass, Caroline Truslove - Guitar and Dave Smith - Drums and it has to be said they're well into their groove with the new single 'Fight' written by Gary Thain.  It's a heavy, dark track that  cleverly hangs on to an addictive (here's that word again) anthemic feel. 


 It's an undeniably Scottish track and with it's heavy bass, classy guitar and plaintive vocals make it the perfect tune for next years Festival circuit, on which they should feature strongly.

The 'B' side of 'Fight' is a Them & Us remix of 'A New Before' bringing a bit of electronica to KOBI giving it a dance floor feel, definitely one to get up and get down with your bad self to.  Got to be a favourite at their more intimate gigs.

The final track I'll take a look at is the deeply dark and delicious 'Sinister' with it's infectious, heavy base line all the way through and haunting guitar that pushes it to a climax.  This track reinforces the fact that KOBI have reached a new level of creativity.

The big news for last year was their support for the inimitable Glasvegas at The Inverness Ironworks leg of their 'Glasvegas December' tour.  Dates up now are 29th March, Mad Hatters in Inverness and 30th March, Nice 'n' Sleazy in Glasgow.

On my part I hope that they consider making a foray South as the music they're producing would sit well in the North West of England where there's a vibrant Indie scene in both Manchester and Liverpool. Just ask Fife band Modern Faces who are regulars.