The Bedroom Hour and The Darlingtons - Live Review

Ralph's sent his intrepid reporter Malcolm Parry out into the wilds - yes Bathgate no less - to bring you a live review of The Bedroom Hour, and this time he's come back with a corker.  The night was originally advertised as three bands, unfortunately the opening act from Fife - Calm As The Colour had to cancel, but never mind they still had Somerset's indie rockers The Darlingtons there to warm them up.  Enter Malcolm stage left...

The Darlingtons take to the stage and casting an eye over their dress and stance the crowd are thinking their going to witness a static 'we're too cool for school' indie by numbers... but as we should all know don’t judge!  Straight into crashing guitar indie rock with the opener and debut single 'Bats' - all members start throwing themselves around the stage like they're being given short sharp electric shocks, definitely electrifying to watch I can tell you. 

They sound at times like early Editors and funnily they remind me of the first time I saw said band before they made it big, I was equally impressed with them as well.  Lead man Kiran 'Kiwi' to his friends, reminded me of a young Rick Witter.  He doesn't have a lot of banter but oozes coolness, has a catchy voice and tunes.  On the third track 'Don’t Give', I can hear The National's influence shining through (they tell me later how they’ve been listening to the band's album's on tour) and also undertones of a band called Longview from Manchester (file under 'emotive indie rock').  

We move through their energetic set which is surrounded by a wall of sound.  During one of their songs the lead guitarist leaves the stage to have a full on wig out on the dance floor while playing a solo...Rock n Roll!!!  Last song 'Sirens' is a more punk tinged epic which builds to a reverb shower of sound, leaving this audience well and truly warmed up - and slightly deaf!

I get a quick chat with the lads who tell me they have a few festivals lined up in Haworth, Mosborough and The Tramlines - all in Yorkshire so a busy summer ahead for them.  They will be recording an EP and a live EP which will hopefully be coming out in August (live) and October for the studio effort (3 tracks).

Having recently gained a love for The Bedroom Hour's debut EP 'Themes' after having reviewd it, I must admit I was very pleased to be seeing the lads live.  Especially since we all share a love for classic stadium bands, one in particular being early Simple Minds.  The band all take their positions on the stage to an intro tape of the classic Celtic stars instrumental 'Theme For Great Cities' -  except for lead man Stu Drummond?  I’m excited now!  The band ease into their E.P's opening tune 'Shadow Boxer', a post punk sounding guitar chimes out and Stu takes his place centre stage.

 Leaning slowly into the mic like a young Bono, he's confident, vocals tight, faultless and visually not unlike Elbow's Guy Garvey, joining the league of the working class gentlemen.

'Tyrannosaur ' with it's frantic Joy Division keys intro lead guitarist Rob Payne breaks it down into a U2's Edge riff.  Lead man Drummond singing with huge passion, pounding on his chest like a gorilla protecting his patch. 'No Key' with it's big 'Coldplay' keys and drumming - vocally reminds me of a Soft Cell tune, very arena pop and very 80's (not a bad thing at all).

Another tune 'Sapphires' with it's haunting heartfelt sound is preceded by Stu saying “Thanks for having us in gods country” - a cover version of the U2 album track wouldn't have gone out of place in this set of tight, polished wide-screen guitar pop.'Slow Motion Cinema' follows, prior to the gig I got an exclusive from the lead man telling me his mother passed away after an illness last year and he wrote it for her. Hearing it live and seeing the feelings flooding through makes the song ever more poignant and emotional.

'X Marks The Spot' definitely hit's the spot live with it's Simple Minds-esque intro and catchy uplifting chorus.  If bands still released singles, this would surely be a top 40 hit.  At one point Drummond perches on the edge of the drum kit and I was hoping he would jump up and let loose a Jim Kerr trademark kick but no, not even a wave (one for Minds fans).

Next up 'Heart Will Haunt' - a track which wasn't on the E.P in it's entirety, though Rob tells me a sample was used at the beginning of 'Shadow Boxer'.  At this point it sounds like the volume has been turned up a notch on the vocals and I feel the passion reverberating through me.

Last track 'Nocturnal' reminds me of Siouxsie And The Banshees with it's alternative 80's sound.  An all round great gig and really thoroughly enjoyed.  The only complaint was the venue was too small to carry their huge sound and I can only hope they make it to move up to bigger venues that ca command and carry their epic tunes - with influences like Elbow, Coldplay, U2 and Simple Minds how could they not.

Afterwards I get an interview with the lads.

Malc : What's your names and where do you come from? 

The Bedroom Hour: Stu Drummond from West London, Mark Dudley from west London , Rob Payne from Uxbridge in Middlesex.

Malc: Theme tunes? Favourite theme tune: Minder or Only fools and horses? 

The Bedroom Hour: A unanimous vote for Minder. They tell me while they made the video for X marks the spot they came across a montage from Minder, Stu jokes they might use the theme as a walk on music

Malc: Seriously, Themes for title of E.P? 

Rob: I'm a massive Simple Minds fan, and obviously their track 'Themes from great cities' took it from that .If we released an album on vinyl we would like one side Morning ( more chilled ) and Night ( more upbeat ).

Malc: Stu, do you write the lyrics or is it more a group effort? 

Stu: I write the lyrics and all the guys add their parts, but I believe the lyrics are no more important than the music.

Malc: So as a band if you could have written: U2- The Joshua Tree or Coldplay's -Rush of blood to your head what one? 

Rob: Joshua Tree Stu: I don't know, both have great songs on them. Lewis ( drummer ) who joins us “I wasn't around for The Joshua Tree “

Me: Favourite Simple Minds track between Belfast Child and I travel? 

Rob: I travel - definitely

Me: First ever Arena gig experience? 

Rob: Oasis ( be here now tour ) Earls court. 

Stu: Don't know, but best gig; Prodigy ( Brixton academy ) 

Mark : I've seen Kings of Leon at Wembley Arena.

Malc: If you got invited to play any festival in the world? 

Rob and Mark: 'Cochella ' 

Stu: T in the park with having Scottish Family.

Malc: Over 5000 followers on twitter? 

Rob: It's because of following the wrong people.  But we would rather have 800-1000 real fans.

Malc: Plans for the summer? 

Mark: We don't have huge plans but getting offers as we go along.  Playing Mosborough on the same bill as Paul Heaton.

Malc: Is the E.P selling well? 

Mark: We'll find out soon how well it's sold on itunes and we've sold a lot at gig's.

Malc: When will the album be ready? 

Rob/Stu : Hopefully September/October get a double A out with Sapphires : Depending on our work ethic. Hopefully March/April 2014 for the album.

Well I really enjoyed the gig and interview, what a nice bunch of down to earth, head on their shoulders guys they were.  Lots of fun for a Friday night and I went home to hang up my anorak as my 'Bedroom Hour' had come around.

The Bedroom Hour - Themes EP

Ralph's been a long time fan of The Bedroom Hour since he blogged them back in August of last year and have been following them intently ever since.  No secret then that I'm a fan of their track 'X Marks The Spot' so it's my pleasure to tell you that they've released the track on their  new EP 'Themes' which is out today.  You can order 'Themes' online from this link.  Here's a taster from the EP and it is of course 'X Marks The Spot'

With a settled line up of Stuart Drummond- Lead Vocals, Rob Payne- Guitars and Backing Vocals, Mark Dudley- Keyboard, Dan Rider- Bass and Backing Vocals and Lewis Cosham - Drums they've developed their sound to the point where they feel it's ready to be released and performed live.  With tracks like 'Tyrannosaur' which is a monster of a track their gigs are going to be nights to remember.

To launch the 'Themes' EP they're playing a selection of gigs in Scotland and England with more to follow.  They've also lined up some quality support acts including The Broxton Hundred, Crystal Seagulls, Empire, The Darlingtons, The Litigators, Calm As The Colour and The Luka State for a line up of gigs not to be missed.

Being an equal opportunities Jack Russell here's a review of 'Themes' by Malcolm Parry.....

Being a lover of alternative 80's music and stadium sounding guitar bands, it was a pleasure to be asked to review the debut E.P from this band who tick all those boxes.

Track 1 - Shadow Boxer

A slow build up eases the listener in to nearly two minutes of Killing Joke - 'Love Like Blood' - sounding with chiming, atmospheric guitar riffs.  Main man Stu Drummond then introduces us to his smooth as a single malt whisky vocal range, taking us in to a big room chorus “Tell me what you see, when you look at yourself and see the enemy?” he bellows.  A promising beginning.

Track 2 - Tyrannosaur

Joy Division – Transmission, bass riff and a touch of The Cure.  A forest to begin, with a Morissey vocal style.  Frantic keyboard melody with a more restrained chorus, dark but uplifting.  So much going on and all blended together to a moody finish.  









Track 3 - Themes 

Doves-like piano and dreamy vocals on this short interlude.  It's haunting piano and vocal is the glue holding the EP together.  At only just over a minute it draws you in but leaves you wanting more.

Track 4 - Midnight Game

Gorgeous Coldplay style guitar picking with ethereal choir like backing and another big epic chorus - “Your the light in the darkness”.  I’m imagining Stu reaching out to a love one who's helping him out of his dark place (metaphorically speaking).  This could easily be their ' Fix You' with it's stunning stadium sounding finish.

Track 5 - X marks the spot

Simple Minds-esque Charlie Burchill guitar riffs and soaring synth, Guy Garvey vocals, rousing infectious chorus, a guaranteed sure fire hit live and what would likely be their big single.  A tune which I’ve heard many times of late but which treats the listener to something new every time.  Beautiful indie/pop.

Track 6 - Slow Motion Cinema

Very Elbow and a touch of Gene on this end track.  A melancholic, soothing ballad and very, very epic.  If Sergio Leone made songs it would sound like this.  The chorus - “I close my eyes” - repeated over and over along with the melodic guitar hook, taking it down in to a 80's keyboard finish.

A very enjoyable well produced debut which warrants repeat listens and enjoyed best in it's entirety.  Only complaint, it's not an album.  I'll have to wait for that, but their ever increasing fan-base and buzz around these lads will sure push money their way to get their first of many album's out very soon.  Don't worry guys, the big guns will keep the arena warm until you get there.

Ralph's chart 2.3.13

OK bands you know the score.....

the more hits your blog gets by the fans, the higher you go.....

So tweet it, Facebook it.....

and generally expose yourself.....

Now Snuggles and me have been sitting with our heads down counting the hits on each bands blog to see who's got which place.  

So here it is.....

The Top Ten Blogged Band Chart .....

No 1..... The Folk Remedy

Getting tired of Mumford and Sons churning out the same ole same ole? Then do what I did and take a look at The Folk Remedy from Manchester whose diversity and musicality is as refreshing as it is highly listenable.  These three musicians have merged their own different musical backgrounds into one sound, which brings out their individual personalities whilst staying true to their folk roots.

No 2..... Steve Heron







What's the connection between Johnny Marr and Edinburgh singer/songwriter Steve Heron I hear you ask?  Well I'll tell you...They both play guitar and Steve Heron likes Johnny Marr who's just brought out a solo record and a video after 25 years and Steve's about to release his new single 'Picturesque' and a video at a launch party in Edinburgh's Sneaky Pete's on the 29th of March...what's the chances?

No 3..... Calm As The Colour

So you've got to ask yourself how a band that's putting out consistently fine music and pulling in accolades from press and radio alike, still aren't quite finding their place in the hearts of the Scottish music buying public.  Calm As The Colour from The Kingdom of Fife are such a band and whilst they've only been together just under two years they've garnered compliments and airplay from the luminaries of Scottish radio and beyond.

No 4..... Tingle In The Netherlands

After checking out Scottish Electronica producers Plum and Fiona Soe Paing Ralph thought it was time to turn his attention to some electro/pop a bit nearer to home so here's Tingle In The Netherlands from Manchester.  If you're expecting doom 'n' gloom heavy synths think again.  

No 5..... Bird

Three piece Liverpool band Bird is the creation of Adele Emmas (singer, songwriter) Sian Williams (guitar, harmonies) and Alexis Samata (drums) Together they create dark, haunting, atmospheric music which will entice you in to their magical, other worldly universe. With beautiful, siren-esque vocals, tribal, hypnotic drum beats and spellbinding guitar work, Bird are refreshingly unlike anything that's currently on the music scene.

No 6..... Plum

Back in July last year I acquired a taste for fine female voices after listening to Kathryn Marsh so I turned my nose in the direction of Plum, the alter ego of Edinburgh based Shona Maguire.

So what's the latest...well she's just been and gone and got herself nominated in the Best Electronic category of The Scottish Alternative Music Awards 2013.....

No 7..... Ded Rabbit

Now Ralph's never been averse to something a bit different, so when he caught a snippet of Ded Rabbit recently he decided to investigate further.  Four brothers from Yorkshire who've made their way up to the Highlands of Scotland and had a major dose of The Average White Band rub off on the way.  They're probably the freshest, funkiest thing on the Scottish music scene at the moment bringing us everything from Indie Jazz  and Alt Rock interspersed with a liberal dose of old school Funk.

No 8..... Wullae Wright

Everybody likes to make a comparison about artistes and Ralph's old man is no exception. He heard Wullae Wright's 'Halo Effect' playing on my laptop and next thing he was wiping the dust of his collection of vinyl, dug out Led Zeppelin I and stuck it under my nose muttering....."Babe I'm Gonna Leave You".  Chance would be a fine thing some would say, however I had a listen and low and behold Wullae Wright is capturing the same raw intensity of vocals that an early Robert Plant did. 

No 9..... Wishes

Ralph's now got his own Unsigned Indie Mix show on French station Radio Kaos Caribou every Sunday 5 - 6 pm and it's thanks to listening to their eclectic mix of music that he came across Paris based band Wishes

No 10..... Paul Freeman

Paul Freeman has spent over ten years in the music business but as far as his current project is concerned he can be considered a 'new' artist.  He's releasing a solo album in the spring called 'The King of False Alarms' and it will be the first of two which will feature both his acoustic side and a more solid band based tracks

Ralph's Chart 23.2.13

OK bands you know the score.....

the more hits your blog gets by the fans, the higher you go.....

So tweet it, Facebook it.....

and generally expose yourself.....

Now Snuggles and me have been sitting with our heads down counting the hits on each bands blog to see who's got which place.  

So here it is.....

The Top Ten Blogged Band Chart .....

No 1..... Bird

Three piece Liverpool band Bird is the creation of Adele Emmas (singer, songwriter) Sian Williams (guitar, harmonies) and Alexis Samata (drums) Together they create dark, haunting, atmospheric music which will entice you in to their magical, other worldly universe. With beautiful, siren-esque vocals, tribal, hypnotic drum beats and spellbinding guitar work, Bird are refreshingly unlike anything that's currently on the music scene.

No 2..... Plum

Back in July last year I acquired a taste for fine female voices after listening to Kathryn Marsh so I turned my nose in the direction of Plum, the alter ego of Edinburgh based Shona Maguire.

So what's the latest...well she's just been and gone and got herself nominated in the Best Electronic category of The Scottish Alternative Music Awards 2013.....

No 3..... The Folk Remedy

Getting tired of Mumford and Sons churning out the same ole same ole? Then do what I did and take a look at The Folk Remedy from Manchester whose diversity and musicality is as refreshing as it is highly listenable.  These three musicians have merged their own different musical backgrounds into one sound, which brings out their individual personalities whilst staying true to their folk roots.

No 4..... Wullae Wright

Everybody likes to make a comparison about artistes and Ralph's old man is no exception. He heard Wullae Wright's 'Halo Effect' playing on my laptop and next thing he was wiping the dust of his collection of vinyl, dug out Led Zeppelin I and stuck it under my nose muttering....."Babe I'm Gonna Leave You".  Chance would be a fine thing some would say, however I had a listen and low and behold Wullae Wright is capturing the same raw intensity of vocals that an early Robert Plant did. 

No 5..... Wishes

Ralph's now got his own Unsigned Indie Mix show on French station Radio Kaos Caribou every Sunday 5 - 6 pm and it's thanks to listening to their eclectic mix of music that he came across Paris based band Wishes

No 6..... Calm As The Colour

So you've got to ask yourself how a band that's putting out consistently fine music and pulling in accolades from press and radio alike, still aren't quite finding their place in the hearts of the Scottish music buying public.  Calm As The Colour from The Kingdom of Fife are such a band and whilst they've only been together just under two years they've garnered compliments and airplay from the luminaries of Scottish radio and beyond.

No 7..... The Ninth Watch

After a hectic and successful years gigging in 2012, Manchester four piece The Ninth Watch are hibernating in the studio with a view to bringing you a host of new tunes and if they're as strong as the tracks they produced last year, we're in for a real treat.

No 8..... Hector Bizerk

An M.C. and a drummer...simple words for the complex musical experience that is Hector Bizerk.  Formed just over two years ago and originally comprising of  seasoned rapper Louie and equally experienced drummer Audrey Tait they've made massive inroads into the Scottish music scene. 

No 9..... The Recovery!

The Recovery! are a five piece punk/metal/core band from Glasgow who  release their new E.P ‘Wherever Nowhere Takes Us’ on 11^th February, 2013 via Indie label Cold War Legacy. 

The first single from the record ‘The Faint & Fragile’ is available now for free download!

No 10..... Vigo Thieves

As me old man never tires of saying, "Always great to hear a Scottish band singing like you know they're a Scottish band".  Well that certainly applies to The Vigo Thieves, just listen to the wonderful Steal Your Heart with it's almost Big Country-like intro and the thumping Heartbeats, last years video soundtrack for T in the Park has got to be a big club favourite, which is guaranteed to get the proverbial joint jumpin'.  They're up for Best Live Act at the SAMAs.