Brownbear

What is Home? is the debut album from Brownbear. Combining strong melodies and indie riffs that have come to be expected from the band with an added lyrical maturity, the album covers love, loss and life whilst questioning what exactly home is. The album is preceded by an addictive and accomplished single release by the band in the shape of Truth Without Consequence which is accompanied by an equally accomplished and stylish video.

Brownbear are a four-piece indie-rock outfit led by singer/songwriter Matt Hickman.

The group released their debut single Dead or Alive in May 2014 which subsequently gained them national radio exposure and high profile gigs which included supporting The Libertines at their comeback show at the iconic Barrowland’s Balllroom in Glasgow.

Brownbear then went on to join The Libertines again at their BST Summertime show at Hyde Park before playing at a number of festivals including T in The Park & Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival. An acoustic version of Dead or Alive recorded in the BBC Treehouse became the most viewed clip online for T in the Park 2014 ahead of the likes of Arctic Monkeys & Biffy Clyro. 

The bands first London headline show was a sell out and received a positive 7/10 review from the NME. Brownbear then embarked on a European tour before starting work on their debut album. Early in 2016 they supported The View on the Scottish dates of their UK tour before returning to the studio to finish recording the album, produced by Joe McAlinden. 



With What Is Home? now complete and set to be released Brownbear are gearing up for getting back out playing live this year starting with the album launch show at Stereo in Glasgow on Friday 20th April and that's one not to be missed!

April 20th – Stereo, Glasgow (Album Show) 
May 3rd – Clarks, Dundee 
May 4th – Mr C’s, Thurso 
May 5th – Bakers, Kilmarnock 
May 11th – The Drouthy Cobbler, Elgin 
May 12th – Gig in the Goil Festival 
May 13th – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh 
May 26th – Ayr Town Hall w/ Tom Clarke 
June 23rd – Upside Doon Festival, Ayrshire 
June 30th – Kelburn Garden Party 
July 27th – Kendall Calling

Weekend Debt

From Lanark in Bonnie Scotland, Weekend Debt are a fresh new indie band comprising four young, talented and vibrant musicians. Citing Influences such as Catfish and the Bottlemen, Arctic Monkeys, Courteeners and Fatherson, Weekend Debt are garnering a reputation for 'getting the joint jumping' via a set replete with indie tunes influenced by many a night out and the relationships that ensue. 

Their Scottishness is carried through their songs a la Biffy Clyro, thanks to lead vocalist and guitarist Grant’s husky voice and unashamedly unaltered accent, ably accompanied by lead guitarist Ewan who provides softer, more delicate tones. 

With a tightly knit rhythm section, Russell's intense bass vibes compliment well with those powerful drum grooves of drummer Harvey, they're an accomplished outfit despite their relatively tender years. 

This shows through well on their eminently listenable and radio friendly single Boyfriend Averse which will be featured on Ralph's Radio KC Indie Show on February 12th (5-7pm GMT).






They've recently been taken on by Dovecot Artist Management, signing a 1-year trial contract.

With backing from Chris Beltran at DF Concerts after playing a jam packed King Tuts recently plus an EP in the works; currently being finished off at North Road Studios, and the ensuing launch night set for late March, it's exciting times ahead for Weekend Debt.

Rob Jarvis and The Mercury Sons

Essex based Alt Rockers Rob Jarvis and The Mercury Sons are due to release their debut single Just To Make You Happy on the 17th of February. It's already had its first radio play on the Kerrang Fresh Blood Show and needless to say Ralph will be giving it a pre-release spin on his Radio KC Indie Show soon.

I'm pretty certain they'll also be playing it at their first ever live gig in Think Tank? Underground, Newcastle this Saturday.



Rob Jarvis and The Mercury Sons cite a vast amount of musical influences ranging from Stone Temple Pilots and Alice in Chains through to Foo Fighters and one of Ralph's favourites, Biffy Clyro. These influences certainly make themselves felt on this first rendering from the band.

Just To Make You Happy showcases frontman Rob's ability as a songwriter. It's a strong rocking it out track that highlights his passion and skill in bringing light and shade to a track. 

Whilst he tips his hat to his influences in Just To Make You Happy he most definitely makes his own unique mark.




As Rob said:

"Our debut release hasn't been shown to a great deal of people, but those who've encountered it during the 'making of' stages have made reference to all kinds of bands, certainly lots of references to 90's rock, so I hope you all like it!"

Scott Swain

Scott Swain has been playing in bands for almost a decade, and has achieved relative success with this: from supporting Biffy Clyro back in the day, to being featured in Kerrang! Magazine.

However it wasn't until his main band took a hiatus in 2016 that Scott decided to launch a solo project. Influenced by the likes of Elliot Smith, Mark Lanegan, and cult cinema, Scott's music aims to combine haunting harmonies with provocative melodies, disarming listeners along the way.

Live Scot Swain is raw: just vocals and an acoustic guitar. In the studio, however, he recruits a small band of 'reprobates' to add some serious colour and angst to the songs he records with them.

Scott Swain also performs with two bands, How to Dress a Monster and Fire at Night. He is therefore likely to be playing live at least a few times a month and always happy to meet new people and chat about bands, music, and/or films.

With regard to his latest single, Scott says: "Oil! is heavily inspired by the film There Will be Blood. Lyrically, I wanted to examine the relationship between wanting to be ambitious and the things which can be sacrificed in the process."

"Also, I want to highlight how miserable it can make you if you let working be the thing which defines you as a human being. I think Daniel Day Lewis’ character painfully personifies both of these ideas in the film.

As the story behind the film is set in the Wild-West of America it seemed only fitting to have a Country style to the song, and nobody does Country with more attitude than the legendary Johnny Cash; so the song is also a homage to him."




As a homage to Mr Cash Oil! is indeed a fitting tribute. From it's thumping drum/acoustic guitar intro to the gritty lyric and soundscape it's very much in the style of 'The Man In Black', embracing both his Rockabilly/Americana feel musically but with a rockier more contemporary vocal by Scott.

Ralph's already given Oil! a spin on his Radio KC Indie Show and it's a fair bet it'll be getting a replay soon. Remember to tune in every Sunday 5-7pm UK time on rkc.noip.me.

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 £ 

Brownbear

With thanks to Murray McMillan Photography

Not so much a group, more a self-styled musical collective, Glasgow's Brownbear led by Matt Hickman have just released Wandering Eyes as a prelude to their much-awaited debut album. Matt, along with Andrew McAllister on lead guitar, Ruairidh MacDougall on bass and Sam Waller on drums are producing melodic, indie pop songs of the highest quality.

Wandering Eyes (accompanied by a nicely retro video) harks back to the heady days of Roddy Frame's Aztec Camera or Peter Coyle's Lotus Eaters when they were producing the perfect pop songs and Brownbear have picked up that baton and are running well ahead of the pack with it.







Brownbear released their debut single Dead or Alive in May 2014 which subsequently gained them national radio exposure and high profile gigs which included supporting The Libertines at their comeback show at the iconic Barrowland Balllroom in Glasgow.

They joined The Libertines again at their BST Summertime show at Hyde Park before playing at a number of festivals including T in The Park & Belladrum. An acoustic version of Dead or Alive recorded in the BBC Treehouse became the most viewed clip online for T in the Park 2014 ahead of the likes of Arctic Monkeys & Biffy Clyro.




The band's first London headline show was a sell-out and received a positive 7/10 review from the NME. Brownbear then embarked on a European tour before starting work on their debut album.

Earlier this year they supported The View on the Scottish dates of their UK tour. The band then returned to the studio to finish recording the album, produced by ex Superstar Joe McAlinden.

Wandering Eyes will be released digitally on 22nd January and Ralph's playing it on Radio KC soon.

Upcoming Live Dates:

Sat 6th Feb:      Bakers Nightclub, Kilmarnock

Wed 17th Feb:  The Treehouse, Ayr (Matt Hickman)

Fri 19th Feb:     The Vikingar, Largs

Sat 20th Feb:    Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh

Sat 27th:           The Hug & Pint, Glasgow (Matt Hickman)

Peur

With thanks to Bill Gray Photography

Ralph's been a fan of Manchester trio Peur since catching their debut EP We Can Build Astronauts back in 2013 so it's with great joy that today sees the release of their much vaunted Future Architects EP. Their music has earned them airplay on BBC radio, most recently on the Huw Stephens Radio 1 show, an up-coming visit to The Shift Radio HQ, and a range of independent and commercial FM and internet radio shows including Ralph's Indie Show on Radio KC.






Peur (the French word for fear and pronounced per) are Joe Lomax on guitar/vocals, Ryan Greenhalgh on bass and Sam Tempest on percussion. 

Their influences range from Biffy Clyro to Nine Inch Nails and its clear Peur with their intense industrial sound are trying to create their own personalised vision of music.



Peur produce a captivating and relatively unique style with an aggressive yet fundamentally melodic rock tempo. A hard core British alternative rock sound with shades of QOTSA, making them a potential stand out band on the verge of success. 



With tracks like the impressively anthemic Hollow Skies under their belt it's no surprise they're making an impact on the Manchester Indie scene, so go catch them live at the date below! 



  

The Old Border

Courtesy of Amar Chauhan

Despite describing themselves as 'ne'er-do-well musicians' London four piece The Old Border are producing some classy alt-pop stylee tracks culminating in the release of the bouncy All Over as their first single.

It's the first track off their soon to be released debut EP Rehearsed In The Mirror and reflects their musical influences nicely.

Born from a love of loud modern rock bands like Biffy Clyro and Kings of Leon fused with the honest storytelling of Bruce Springsteen and Gaslight Anthem, The Old Border have turned personal failures and small town strife into earnest, authentic guitar music.

After gigging and recording, the band have finished their debut EP Rehearsed in the Mirror, and in anticipation of its release are returning to the 'toilet circuit', filming a music video for their second single and continuing to capture suburban struggles in three and a half minute rock songs.

The marriage of honest lyrics and assured musicality runs through the Rehearsed In The Mirror EP with a moodier Don't Talk following on from the effervescent lead track All Over. 

Influence-wise the third track in If Only leans towards Kings Of Leon with its infectious guitar work whilst Past Caring veers off towards Biffy Clyro with a more driving riff and vocal. A fair bet for a second single release by The Old Border?






The Old Border are playing The Enterprise in Camden on January 30th and I'm sure there'll be announcements soon with more gigs. In the meantime, have a look at the nicely crafted video for All Over. Rest assured Ralph will be giving the single a spin on Radio KC.

Elephant Memoirs

Ralph recently gave Gateshead Indie rockers Elephant Memoirs new single Mug a spin on his Radio KC Sunday Show and thought it'd be a good idea to take a look after some great feedback. 

Formed in 2013 by John Aspinall, Barry Drew and Carl Aspinall they've been working hard to create a catalogue of original material and successfully so in the case of Mug which kicks off with swirling guitar before thumping into a gritty vocal.

Elephant Memoirs have formed into a tight creative unit and are garnering no small amount of critical acclaim.








Likened to such luminaries as Biffy Clyro, Frank Turner, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Weezer the North East's Elephant Memoirs focus on a forceful guitar, bass and drum sound to to cover such diverse themes as love, prejudice, frustration and life in general. Similarities notwithstanding they're finding their own niche now.

In August of last year Elephant Memoirs hit the studios and recorded a four track demo which has gained airplay on radio stations worldwide. 

The tracks are accompanied by a selection of four original artworks by band member John.

More melodic than the likes of QOTSA their sound should see them acquire an ever increasing following both locally and beyond, especially with tracks like the punchy Dirt.








By far the strongest track of the four demos for me is was lyrically sound and melodically pleasing Champion Of The Universe.

Having individually been in several local bands previously, I'm certain as they work together and continue to develop their own sound they'll release more material and play gigs wider afield, acquiring a much wider fan-base. 

Definitely ones to watch.