Showing posts with label Modern Faces. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Modern Faces. Show all posts

Friday, 20 September 2013

Ralph's Top 10 Blogged Band Chart - 20.9.13

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 Mr 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.....TiTORS iNSiGNiA



St Helens band TiTORS iNSiGNiA have released their latest single 'Freedom Fighter' to help raise funds for ABF The Soldiers Charity.  The single and video was launched in The Cinema Bar, St Helens to a full house including a number of local celebrities.






No 2..... Graham Marshall





I was sent a You Tube video a few weeks ago that not only made me laugh but also renewed my faith in seeking out unsigned indie music.  It was self-made by Graham Marshall who three years ago tried to make a living in music but had to do the unthinkable – go back to a 'real job' as a truck driver for ASDA. Almost giving up hope of a musical career he now boasts a trophy awarded by the panel of the Barcelona International Film Festival and a newly released EP.







No 3..... Vigo Thieves



Being an equal opportunity Jack Russell, Ralph's added to his squad (OK there's one guy) of reviewers in Scotland.  What better occasion for a first time review than to send photographer Kate Johnston into the fray for the first time than Vigo Thieves sold out headline show in The Arches Glasgow.  Vigo Thieves are on the verge of greatness yet remain unsigned, but not for long with such a strong live set and a list of stellar performances.







No 4..... Red Sails 




If you're looking for well crafted, melodic tunes in a Steely Dan sylee then you've come to the right place because Ralph's been listening to Red Sails from Liverpool and it's time you did too!  Their tracks sound simple but are actually complex well written musical gems that soar, taking you on highs and lows with their lyrics and melodies.






No 5.....The Holy Ghosts



Having previously blogged Edinburgh band The Holy Ghosts it seemed only right that Ralph's man in Scotland, Malcolm Parry caught their headline show in The Voodoo Rooms recently. The Holy Ghosts are Jack Sandison on acoustic guitar/vocals, Jon Mackenzie electric guitar/vocals, Rory Penman drums, Jonny Rapeseed bass/vocals and Andy Barbour on harmonica/keyboards and pedal steel.







No 6.....Kat Healy



Back in January of this year I blogged Edinburgh singer/songwriter Kat Healy and had this to say - "It's not often a voice stops Ralph in his blog writing but  a track came on and it wasn't until it had finished that I realised I hadn't been typing, just listening. The track was 'The Haunting' by Scottish Kat Healy.  Now being inquisitive by nature I went in search of more and lo and behold was on her new album Be Still Gentle Kind".



No 7.....Modern Faces



Ralph's inbox has been buzzing this week with new releases and none more welcome than the new single (official release date 30th September) and accompanying video (out now) of 'Lufthansa' by Scottish 'modsters' Modern Faces.  It's already on the Jim Gellatly Podcast and Ralph'll have to give it a spin too on Radio KC!






No 8..... Eight Rounds Rapid



What do you get when you mix Talking Heads 'Psycho Killer' with Dr Feelgood's 'Roxette' and chuck in a Blockheads-esque vocal? The intro to Southend on Sea outfit Eight Rounds Rapid track 'My Mate' which was the first track of theirs I'd heard and it got me hooked.  

So it was with some interest that news came into the kennel they're releasing a new single and vinyl debut and it's a limited edition 7" vinyl release (500 copies) - and the only format that 'Writeabout' will ever be available on. The flip side Steve is a crowd pleaser and fan favourite.






No 9..... Born Thief

Born Thief’s avatar

Having played the soon to be released Born Thief  single 'An Inch Of Doubt' on Ralph's Radio KC Indie Show it seemed like the ideal time to take a closer look at the group who have a similar vibe to Liverpool's Tea Street Band. 



Born Thief are - Jake McGrath (vocals), Sam Wilson (Guitar), Greg Jones (Bass), Luke Haran (Guitar) and John Fitzpatrick (Drums) who formed recently from the ashes of Yorkshire band Sharp Darts.






No 10..... No One Sun


no one sun’s avatar

It's not often that an album is released without having played any gigs, but No One Sun have done just that! Back in 2011 Nick Noone and Jamie Hewson met in a practice room in Manchester. They hit it off and, both having done some songwriting found that they worked well as a team. Whilst gigging in covers bands they worked hard on putting together an album and the result is  'All We Rely On Is Stolen'. 

Thursday, 12 September 2013

Modern Faces


Ralph's inbox has been buzzing this week with new releases and none more welcome than the new single (official release date 30th September) and accompanying video (out now) of 'Lufthansa' by Scottish 'modsters' Modern Faces.  It's already on the Jim Gellatly Podcast and Ralph'll have to give it a spin too on Radio KC!




Jimmy the gent
Jimmy Burke who was said to have
organised the Lufthansa Heist
The gutsy track is inspired by the audacious Lufthansa Heist of 1978. It was the largest cash robbery ever committed on American soil and led to infighting, paranoia and the downfall of key members of the criminal underworld, previously considered untouchable.

The atmospheric video suits the mean and moody track - thrashing guitar, brooding vocal and brash horns met by thumping bass and drums.  








The single launch night is in PJ Molloys in Dunfermline on Saturday 28th September and tickets are available by clicking on this link. 





The Mod Army should be out in force this one and if it mirrors their stellar performance at the Mancunia Promotions day in Barca Live it'll be a night to remember.  


Modern Faces are an 'in your face' rock 'n' roll band composed of - Lee on lead vocals and Rhythm Guitar, Gaz on Drums and backing vocals, Mike on lead guitar, Shields on Keyboards, Organs andSynths with Cal on Bass Guitar.








Wednesday, 21 August 2013

Sisteray



With a lo-fi start kicking in to a catchy beat and a slightly ska/pop/punk bounce 'Happy Endings' by London band Sisteray seems to be promising all things to all people.  It's the 'B' side from their latest release alongside 'A' Side 'Take It Away'.  It's an infectious floor filler guaranteed to be a favourite with their burgeoning army of fans.  If as heralded, they're on a Mod 'trip' then it's in a more 'Summer Holiday' stylee - lighter than their Scottish counterparts Modern Faces but no less listenable.  








Sisteray were formed in 2012 and consisting of lead singer and guitarist Niall Rowan, lead guitarist Daniel Connolly, drummer and brother Ryan Connolly and Bassist Michael Hanrahan. Despite being together for a relatively short space of time, the band have already managed to sell out such notable London venues as The 100 Club, The Rhythm Factory and the infamous Monto Water Rats.

Influenced by all the usual suspects - The Clash, The Cribs, Kasabian, The Who, The Rolling Stones, The Sex Pistols, The Stone Roses, The Beatles, Primal Scream, The Kinks, The Buzzcocks and contemporaries The Arctic Monkeys - Sisteray borrow licks from them all and build them into their own high energy, catchy and original tracks.


Don't miss the single launch party at The Latest in Brighton on the 28th July!  They're ably supported on the night by 5-piece 'post punk band Digo, fellow Brighton 4-piece 'psychsters' The Dates and Reading's Folk 'n' Rollers Bear & the Woods.



Wed, 28 Aug
Brighton, UK

Sun, 01 Sep
London, UK

Wed, 18 Sep
London, UK





Wednesday, 23 January 2013

The Afghan Hounds





A while back Ralph had a bit of a look at Scottish band The Afghan Hounds but back then they didn't have a lot of gigs under their collective belt and their music needed some fine tuning.....well seeing as it's blog a dog week Ralph checked them out again and lo and behold The Afghan Hounds have come of age.  Assorted influences are.....
Some nice 'n' sleazy harmonica and gritty vocals on 'Electric Karma Blues' with a bit of boogie woogie piano in the background.....what more could you ask for.....it's a solid, steeped in Blues history tune.....strong songwriting ability matched with accomplished musicianship.....a proper tune an early Jeff Beck would have been happy playing!








They're now a proper rock it out, dirty blues, foot stomping, guitar twanging, audience pleasing Indie band.  They've been gigging regularly, changing personnel less frequently which shows in their new EP and have now started the process of regularly leaving their mark on Aberdeen's premier music venues and beyond.




'Main Line Home' has a hint of John Mayall through it but with a US West Coast guitar feel.....Allman Brothers.....maybe.....it's just got class oozing from it.....I love it.....and with 'swag' vocals from Brett.....I could listen to it all day long.....if fact I just about have.








Featuring the rock steady drumming and percussion of Kev Fettes, the stylish guitar licks of John Brown and Bryan "Jones" Robertson as well as the gravelly yet soulful vocals and wailing harmonica riffing of Brett McIntosh it wont be long before they're in demand and sharing the stage with the likes of current Indie favourites like Modern Faces from Fife who have conquered the North West of England or Manchester's Slydigs who are reversing the process and are in the middle of a major assault on Scotland and who The Afghan Hounds are supporting in Tunnels, Aberdeen.