The Phantoms

The Phantoms, who played a storming set at the Ralph's Life CD launch party in Edinburgh on April 30th have been on the kennel's radar since late last year and have impressed ever since.

The Phantoms are Colin Simpson on Vocals and Rhythm Guitar, Colin McKillop on Lead Guitar, Peter Stewart on Bass and Backing Vocals with Brad Young on Drums. They began with local gigs in their home town of Broxburn, and have since branched out into Edinburgh and Glasgow.




Revolution by The Phantoms





The Phantoms recently released their new single 'Revolution' to no small amount of critical acclaim at a launch night in Sneaky Pete's in Edinburgh and it's the perfect example of how they've built up a stronger, fuller sound. With that in mind Ralph posed them some of his usual incisive questions prior to their upcoming gig in King Tut's on the 9th of August...

Ralph: Obvious question first, where do your influences lie?

The Phantoms: Kasabian, The Libertines, Arctic Monkeys

Ralph: How did the band get together?

The Phantoms: Met through school, the band got together through the breaking up of a previous band, but we all met through school.

Ralph: Over the last year the tracks you've released have developed a bigger more 'grown up' sound...where does the inspiration/development come from?

The Phantoms: Not really sure, every time we release something we think it has to be better than the last, sound, bigger. A lot of our inspiration comes from listening to our own stuff. With everything we release we have to be convinced its 
better than the last thing we did. 

Ralph: Given you've been noticed and plugged by Jim Gellatly any approaches/plans for playing some of the festivals this year?

The Phantoms: Not as of yet, maybe next year, maybe a bit early for us.

Ralph: Studio or live?

The Phantoms: Couldn't possibly choose. Studio is great because it means we get to release something new, but playing live is great, we love the energy.

Ralph: The new single 'Revolution' has been picking up airplay, any hints as to what's next?

The Phantoms: 'Revolution' was a massive success for us, radio play from everywhere like Forth One, Amazing Radio etc, we made The Scottish Sun to promote it as well. We've got a couple of gigs lined up at the end of the month, but we'll probably start working our next release after that.

Ralph: Bacon Roll or Gregg's Steak Bake (you can't have both)?

The Phantoms: Bacon Roll

Ralph: Who would you most like to share a bill with and where?

The Phantoms: Kasabian are playing a hometown show is Leicester in the summer, that would be incredible.  

Ralph: Album or EP?

The Phantoms: Album 

Ralph: Finally, any plans for venturing further South in the near future?

The Phantoms: We did a tour last year and played quite a few dates down south. We're not really sure about this year but we'll wait and see.

Haddowfest - 11th & 12th October 2013

One of the biggest - and best - music events in Edinburgh takes place over two days on October 11th and 12th as Haddowfest makes it's return.

The Rifles

The Holy Ghosts

It's bigger, and better than ever as it retains the usual multi-venue format but is now over two days instead of just a Sunday.







Haddowfest 2013 will see The Rifles and The Holy Ghosts (who Ralph's blogged and recently put up a review of their Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms gig) as the main acts on Friday night. 

Dry The River

We Were Promised Jetpacks

Dry The River and We Were Promised Jetpacks are headline acts for the  extended Saturday all-dayer.








Needless to say there's the usual Haddowfest mix of the known and the more up and coming Scottish artists (again a fair few of whom Ralph's blogged) over the two days. With such a stellar line-up this year it promises to be two nights to remember!


 

With much more to be confirmed  over the next few weeks you can check the Haddowfest Website for regular updates but the confirmed line-up so far is.....


Friday 11 October (at the Picture House, Maggie’s Chamber, Sneaky Pete’s, Cabaret Voltaire and Whistlebinkies).

The Rifles, The Holy Ghosts, The Nature Boys, Hagana, Death Ape Disco, The Rahs, Penny Black, Six Stories High.

Starts 6:30 pm (curfew 11pm) £17 - Age restriction: 14+

Saturday 12 October (at The Picture House, Maggie’s Chamber, Sneaky Pete’s, Cabaret Voltaire and Whistlebinkies).

We Were Promised Jetpacks,  Dry the River, Catfish And The Bottlemen,  Anderson McGinty Webster Ward and Fisher, Hector Bizerk, Brown Bear & The Bandits, OK Social Club, Arches, The Birthday Suit, Young Kato, The Merrylees, The10:04’s, Jon-Paul Palombo, The Litigators, Blindfolds, The Phantoms, DARC, Steve Heron, Casual Sex, Echo Arcadia, The Last Battle, Misty Miller, Donnie Willow , Sunset Abbey, Jack Rowberry and Have Mercy Las Vegas.

Starts 1 pm £17 - Age restriction: 14+

"Everytime we play Scotland the crowd are always 100% behind us, singing every word and enjoying themselves, so we always look forward to coming back." - The Rifles

“We like rock n roll and we like you” -  The Holy Ghosts

“Pumped to get back to Edinburgh for Haddowfest ! The city has always treated us so well. We opened for Plan B at the Picturehouse way back in the very early days of Dry the River and have toured all over the country as far as Ullapool, Stornoway, and Aviemore. Pete actually lived in Scotland for 3 years so it's exciting to be back in the capital to headline!”   -  Dry the River

“we were really happy to be asked to play Haddowfest again and really enjoy playing at the Liquid Room having grown up going to loads of gigs there. This will be our last show in Edinburgh for a while as we will be concentrating on writing and recording our third album. Hope to see you there !” - We Were Promised Jetpacks

Last Minute Glory

With so many new bands trying to make a name for themselves in Edinburgh just now Last Minute Glory are sticking their heads above the rest with their debut EP 'Take Time'.  It's a light and airy Scots poptastic a la View, so to show they're ready to make a name for themselves they set up an EP launch party in Cabaret Voltaire and Ralph's man in Scotland Malcolm Parry was there to catch the show.



On first listening they've put together three indie-pop anthems which have all the hallmarks of being destined for airplay.  Malcolm had first listen to the EP and here's his take on the shiny bright young things - Michael Byrne,  Chris Karpacz, Lee Brown and Daniel Shearer - that are Last Minute Glory.







With the lead track 'Take Time' we get bass notes intro and chiming guitar riffs, all tight indie-pop, sounding to me like The View's 'Grace'.  Their lead singer has a broad Scottish instilled vocal delivery.  The short sharp to the point catchy chorus - 'Take time, your not in love' -  slowing things down and sounding almost Paulo Nutini but in a good way.  At just over 3 minutes this will be destined for radio play.  A good start.







'Strange To See Your Face' has short bursts of Arctic Monkeys - 'Brianstorm' style intro and The Libertines trade off vocals, still quite a strong chorus and nifty little guitar solo. The lads bring it down to shout 'Go home, Go home' before picking it back up into the almost punky like chorus. 

'I'm Going My Own Way' has very infectious guitar melodies, a harder edge in the vocal, not so poppy in the chorus.  More guitar driven, especially the last section of the song where we are treated to a full on rock guitar solo to fade.  My favorite tune out of the three and A promising first EP from these Edinburgh lads. One to watch.

Last Minute Glory Live Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, 10/04/13

First Support - Younger

Glaswegian 4-piece. Nice mellow vibe, lead man looking uncannily like The Libertines- Carl Barat, a shame he doesn't have a voice to match.  The other musicians are talented, maybe  the front man needs to hone his vocal skills, reminded me of Hope of the States lead man who wasn’t great live as well.  Sorry guys.  Having said that, the young audience seemed to enjoy, so what do I know!

Second support - The Rahs

East Lothian 4-Piece.  A good feeling for these lad's, having already released an EP last year and an album in the pipeline. First tune of their set I hear a bit of Stone Roses/Kasabian and with lead man's Liam Gallagher style vocal delivery reminded me of Oasis - 'Hindu Times'.  A touch Psychedelic.  Nice start.

Into the set we get scuzzy guitars, more latter day Oasis sounding anthems and Arctic Monkeys riffs.  Lead man asking the audience - “Everybody happy tonight?” - the crowd roar back.  A very busy turnout and all look very happy indeed.  Next tune I feel a bit of 'garage' rock and a Brian Molko in the vocal style.  Things pick up for the last track, a Rage against the Machine rampage tune without the angry vocals but the grungy guitar's.  A nice finish.

Headliners - Last Minute Glory 

Last Minute Glory are band  everyone is here to see as it's their 'Take Time' EP launch night.  The crowd moved forward to the soundtrack of The Chemical Brothers 'Block Rocking Beats' so this reviewer takes stage left to get a better view and vibe.  They fire into the third tune off the EP, a track called 'I'm Going My Own Way'.  Like a rhino stampede the band surging into driving indie, the crowd now pressed up against the barrier, those who can still breath attempt a mosh. 

We begin with The Libertines-esque vibe and end the song with a rock solo crescendo.  Excellent start, the young audience agree.  I'm feeling a huge buzz for the boys.  Chris Karpacz on leave from The Dons plays Lead guitar, bassist Lee Brown looking remarkably like The Horrors 'Faris Badwan' also on loan from The Merrylees. Lead man Micheal Byrne, leather jacket clad reminding me of Supergrass lead man Gaz Coombes.  Strangely I felt the same vibe that night as I did catching a young Supergrass at T in The Park in 1995.

We hear - “Let's go” - shouted at us from the front man and cans of Red Stripe fly all over the place, in the air and on the floor, like a Jamaican Riot.  They sing 'You Left (I Changed)' all punchy indie pop and nifty tight riffs.

Track three on tonight’s set we get 'She Never Knew'  and the young singer starts a crowd chant to the backing of Arctic Monkeys/Supergrass type riffs.

During 'Shine On You' the band hold off with a short hesitation so the crowd (obviously fans) can sing the line's back to them.  The Dons drummer Luke Paxton who's stood next to me tells me the band wrote this when they were 15.  The drum beat from wee man Daniel Shearer (who's loving every minute of the gig) kicks back in to rapturous applause from the mainly teenager audience and it's an obvious crowd favorite.

Time for another tune from their EP - 'Strange To See You' - with it's Arctic Monkey's 'Teddy Picker' short sharp outbursts, catchy melodies and chorus “Go Home” - not yet, were not ready!  In between tracks we get “L.M.G” football chants all in unison from the kids, and maybe a few adults (me included).

'Fape' moves along nicely, ends and they leave the stage.  The crowd wants more, a flag of the band is released behind the Drum kit.  Their heroes return all ready to give this 'motley crue' the title tune off the E.P 'Take Time'.  They fire in, the surging begins and The Rahs lead man rushes past me and stage dives into the unsuspecting crowd while the band sing an infectious pop tune.  All stop-start chorus and catchy vocals. They leave the crowd all fired up and wanting more.  A tight little group, hopefully with their increasing fan-base and proving their worth live, a good year ahead for them.  Next - an album?

The Dons

Ralph's always got one ear to the ground when it comes to up and coming young bands, especially from Scotland.  So when the word on the street was that The Dons were doing a gig he sent his intrepid reporter Malcolm 'Anorak' Parry along to review and have a chat with the band.

The Dons are Chris Karpacz, Lewis Inglis, Jack Miller, Lee Anderson and Luke Paxton.  They're relatively new editions to the Edinburgh music scene but are already making a big impact with some quality gigs including Cabaret Voltaire, Ralph's favourite Electric Circus and the Studio 24 gig in the review.  They've got another couple of gigs in the pipeline for next month too.....

Edinburgh, Electric Circus - 12th April

Glasgow, The Garage - 19th April

Ralph played their track 'Home' on his Radio KC show with it's punchy almost Ramones-like guitar riff and an anthemic chant of a chorus.  If they can build on this kind of crowd pleasing track then their following will spread well beyond Edinburgh's city limits!  More like this and less covers will see them come of age as rock 'n' rollers. I'll let Malc take up the story..... 

   

The Dons- Studio 24, Edinburgh, 16/03/13

Walking into the venue a few songs in to The Dons set, I witness an aftermath of a musical explosion, screaming teenagers, bodies flying everywhere, all caught in the mosh pit struggling to breath while hanging on to every word from young indie star in the making Chris Karpacz.  He makes good use of the stage, mic in hand, sometimes one foot on the monitor to lean into the crowd.  

I move closer to take pictures, just avoiding lose limbs.  Welcome to a live gig with one of Edinburgh's 'mad for it' young indie bands, working hard to gain an ever increasing fan base, which shows tonight, mainly due to the power of Facebook and Twitter (I’ll get back to that later).  I miss their future anthem 'Home' which the lad's chose to play first, and a new track 'Renee'.  They're half way through a cover of 'Don't Look Back Into The Sun' when I join the carnage.  Followed by another cover 'Always Where I Need To Be', we get another new tune 'Two Ways' which I enjoy. 

Lead guitarist Lewis Inglis could easily be mistaken for a Noel Gallagher love child, trademark eyebrows and Beatles haircut, kitted out Retro cool sty-lee in 60's black polo neck and 80's white jeans (bought from Kelso, he tells me later) shaking his head in a 'you guys are mental' half nod/disapproval to the stampede of youth in front of him.  Bassist Lee Anderson and Rhythm player Jack miller remain cool and static, whilst the drummer keeps things tight.  

The boys announce their last tune, another new one 'Wasteland' a nod to one of their favorite bands, The Who maybe. We get punchy punk tinged indie, which sends the crowd even wilder and wanting more.  This reviewer is now nodding along in approval and tempted to throw himself into the pit, but decides to leave it to the teenagers.

I go backstage for a quick chat with the young hopefuls who are all happy to oblige.....

“So guys what are your plans for this year” Chris “ We would like to push The Dons further, hopefully gaining a bigger fan-base through constant touring, giving away new tracks, which are better tunes than our others on our reverberation and social networking sites”.   Exciting! 

The Band cleverly came to me on Twitter last December by following me, intriguing me with their 60's mod influence tag, but having no music to hear their sound or gigs at that time, but obviously building fans on the mystery alone.  Forward thinking.

Chris continues - “We have more promoter’s coming to us now, and have a support slot at The Electric Circus upcoming with The 23's and one at The Garage over in Glasgow“ (both new venue's for them).  This one they tell me they're really excited about.  The lads have hired a 50 seater bus to take their Edinburgh massive over with them, which is dedication.  Chris - “We're also hoping to get gigs over the border, hopefully in London as well“.  I'm confident they'll go down as well in England shire as they do on their home turf.  I get the band all in on some messing around questions, mainly to do with their heroes and influences.

 

Question: If you could support any bands, who would it be? Answer: Jack Bugg, Kasabian or new young Irish band The Strypes.

Question: Give me your dream 3 day festival Headliners,  living or dead? Answer: Beatles, Oasis and The Rolling Stones.

Question: If Doc Brown pulled up in his time machine and offered to take you to either The Stone Roses - Spike Island 1990 or Oasis - Knebworth 1996, which would you chose? Answer: Oasis.

Question: Liam or Noel ? Answer: Noel, definitely!

Question: John Squire or Pete Townsend? Answer: Pete Townsend.

Question: Manchester or Liverpool? Answer: Liverpool in the 60's and Manchester in the 90's (all the band agree )

Well it's obvious the boys have good taste in British music and are very aware of their music heritage., may it carry on shining through in their music.