LUMER

Following singles Blunder and Futile, which caused a stir in the music press with video premieres on Upset and Gigslutz plus radio support from Radio X and BBC Radio 1, Hull post-punks LUMER return now with their new standalone single Gruel.

If you thought it was grim up north, then this distinctly dystopian, and highly addictive guitar driven, bass heavy gem will only help reinforce that image.

With slots at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2017’s UK City of Culture Hull (the band’s home town) and also Dot to Dot festival in Manchester when it's released, Gruel takes LUMER to new heights in their very short life and meteoric rise as “a band to watch out for in 2017/18”.

On Gruel the four-piece have branched out into something borderline schizophrenic, with their twitchy guitar riffs and warped vocals giving way to something softer and more down-tempo. If you're a fan of Killing Joke you're gonna love this.

Ralph is playing this explosive new single on the Radio KC Indie Show of May 28th so tune in between 5-7pm.

To quote lead vocalist and bass player of LUMER Alex Evans: 

"Gruel is about jealousy, anger and escaping false thoughts.

We had a lot of inspitations for Gruel, but mainly it's a combination of Goth and Post Punk bands like BauHaus and Viet Kong (Preoccupations) as well as being inspired by our environment. Practicing in a datk, damp warehouse building in Hull has shaped the dark nature of the song."

Moscow

Stoke band Moscow return with their second release, the Pack Animals EP. Following on from 2013’s well-received Hell Fire EP, Pack Animals maintains the same gritty, post-punk direction but this time mixing it with a heavier, raucous edge and with lead track 'Pack Animals' weighs in as a heavier version of Killing Joke.

Standout for me is 'Pack Animals' with shades of the aforementioned Killing Joke overlaid with Talk Talk and it's nicely anthemic with its infectious drums, thrashing guitar and staccato vocal...you can hear it on Ralph's Indie Show this Sunday on Radio KC.

'Out Of Time' follows on in slightly punkier style, choppy guitar backed by solid drums...'Killing Hope' on the other hand is similar to the post punk sound of the likes of North East band The Futureheads but Moscow have very much made their own mark on it, my next favourite track.




If I was being uber critical 'Truth Vibration' ends up being a tad 'more of the same'...but nonetheless it's a hard driving track and I'm certain will be a stormer performed live...and speaking of which...

Moscow are playing Leeds Carpe Diem on March 29th, Manchester Dry Bar on April 26th, and Stoke Lymelight Festival on May 3rd. Further summer festivals dates are due to be announced in the near future.

Kinchinlay

There's a bit of a trend developing for guitar driven pop/rock bands at the moment however many are erring on the side of pop rather than rock so I was pleasantly surprised when I tuned in to Kinchinlay and their recently released single 'Public Execution.  






It's one for the grown ups with it's slow menacing intro building to a crescendo which breaks into even more menacing vocal and guitar work in the style of Killing Joke.  With Mal William's bass the glue that holds it together it's a proper anthem for their fans at the live gigs of which I'm sure there will be news of more soon.





Given that they're only a three piece they've managed to achieve a big, bold 'in your face' sound, so if this track's a taster of what's to come then we're in for a real treat.  Look out Killing Joke 'cause Liverpool's Kinchinlay are after your post-punk crown.  







The follow up track to 'Public Execution' is 'Leave Me Alone' and this one has more of a Radiohead feel to it in the style of the excellent 'Creep'. KynchinLay seem to be reveling in the darker almost psych punk style.  It maintains the mean, moody lyrics and throbbing beat of its predecessor...solid musicianship and well crafted songwriting are a constant, showing a maturity and sustained effort.




   

August brings the release of 'Dogfathers' and it's taken a body swerve towards ska whilst maintaining the darker lyrics and vocal.  It's almost creepy, in the style of The Specials 'Ghost Town' mixed with a touch of SAHB (I can pay it no finer compliment) and would work well as a single. Good to see them mixing it up a bit and I hope to have some gig news for you soon!







Credit to Liz Phillips for the photography