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 last Top Ten Blogged Band Chart of 2012

Well it's been a great year for unsigned Indie music and Ralph's had the best time listening to, reviewing and trying to get everyone in Twitter Land listening to, some of the best music out there. 

Since he started blogging back in May, at no time did  Ralph expect to become so popular or to attain the level of influence with radio stations. A big thank you to Tom Robinson on BBC Radio 6 and Radio KC in particular.  


Share the Radio KC experience by listening to their eclectic music mix non-stop on Freebox (FR), Orange Live Radio, TuneIn Mobile App (any smartphone), RadioLine Mobile App or simply from any browser in the world.  Needless to say in 2013 Ralph will be striving to get even more attention for up and coming bands throughout next year. 

Not everyone can get in the Top Ten.....but a special mention for just missing out goes to Whispery Club, Vukovi, Holy Pistol Club, Slydigs, Bauer and Bent Cousin.


The top ten blogged band chart this year has been dominated by a young Manchester band (They're only 16) who have grasped Twitter by the bollocks, squeezed very hard and due to that they're in the No 1 Spot (by over 1000 page reads).  The rest of the Top Ten has been harder fought but contains a load of quality music and therefore I give to you.....the last Top Ten Blogged Band Chart of 2012 as decided by me 'n' Snuggles.....


No. 1 Everyday Goldfish

Now it's not every day a goldfish brings out an EP so Friday 26th October was a big date for young Manchester band Everyday Goldfish who released their first EP, the aptly named 'Eyes On The Prize' at The Candence Cafe Tyldesley that very night!  The band are Alex Haslam, Jack Binks, (why do I imagine his nickname is Jar Jar) Laiton Price, Lee Whittingham and Lewis Tooby.


No. 2 Plum

I turned my nose in the direction of Plum, the alter ego of Edinburgh based Shona Maguire.  She'd just released a concept album 'The Seed' to much critical acclaim and quite rightly so.

Big news is the release on 19th of November of a new single 'Smile' from the album, with the 'B' side a result of a Tweet Ralph can remember seeing on Twitter some time back.  With some help from Auntie BeeB's Ally McCrae she's collaborated with top dubstepper TeKlo on the track, taking them both out their comfort zone.....

No. 3 Tea Street Band

Remember the spirit of 88? Dole queues getting bigger, the Tories in power and class war on the streets.  But at the same time, shining out of the gloom, came the birth of Acid House which was one of the most significant cultural movements of the 20th Century. For those of you too young to remember the first time round Jack to Phono bring us the combined musical goodness that is Tea Street Band!


No. 4 Crystal Seagulls


Crystal Seagulls bill themselves as a new London-based four piece Brit Rock band whose music holds a mixture of the infectious sounds of the Sixties, the swagger of the Nineties whilst simultaneously paving the way for a whole new style of music.  Brave words but do they live up to their swag? 

Well you only have to listen to 'Yours For As Long As You Keep Me' to pick up the Brit Pop vibe, hints of those cheeky chappies Supergrass and just a sprinkling of Blur.

No. 5 The Bedroom Hour

Oi....you....yes..... you reading this.....wanna know one of the best kept secrets on the new music scene today.....it's London band The Bedroom Hour!  One can only wonder why, when these guys are turning out quality tracks .  'X Marks the Spot' (hint's of U2/Simple Minds, one for the big venues) was track of the day on View From The Music .

No. 6 Modern Faces

A bit of a big up for Modern Faces who were in the local press after their support gigs with Kasabian in May of last year.  Below are updates tour wise for this year and hopefully the North West of England will feature again on the list (a little bird tells me it will be and I'll be checking out The Citadel here in St Helens as a suitable future venue) in the meantime give this a listen like me.

 No. 7 Transition baby!

Now here's a band that have recently come to my attention.  Transition Baby are an original indie/rock band with a dynamic sound and energetic live show. They consider their music to be a step forward in terms of their contemporaries in the indie/rock scene.  It's fresh and catchy yet its roots are clearly evident in their influences (The Strokes, We Are Scientists, Modest Mouse). They've a large and loyal fan base, ranging from 14-40+ years of age.

No. 8 Stolen Haven

Stolen Haven are a band of mates who have been performing their own brand of indie music  the Manchester and Liverpool areas since last August and as proof of their pedigree they've secured slots supporting some well known acts like  Steve Craddock , Leeds Indie rockers Sunshine Underground and local singer Danny Mahon .






No 9 Fat Goth



Ok so I saw that these guys were called Fat Goth and I thought erk, but turns out the only thing that's dark and heavy about this Dundee band are their sounds.  They recently played The Wickerman Festival  alongside other Ralph's Life favourites Campfires in Winter and Olympic Swimmers.




No. 10 The Verdict 




The last time Ralph took a look at The Verdict was just after they won the Rock The House competition sponsored by The Cavern Club and held in The House of Commons back in September.  Since then they've had some successful gigs at The Zanzibar Club in October and The Cavern Club for BBC Introducing in November plus local and internet radio play for the new track they've brought out recently 'The Same Mistakes'.

So there it is until next year.....have a very Merry Christmas and an extremely Happy New Year.....love Ralph x