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 .....
Ralph's search for North West bands continues and who better to look at next than Runcorn based The Fireflys. The current line up is the result of a number of line-up changes, much soul searching and angst but the band have come through the stronger for it. The current line up is founding member, guitar/vocalist Lee Wylding, Stephen Roberts on bass and Andrea Packer on drums. They feel they've found the right mix to drive forward and build on the success of last years critically acclaimed 'Cathedral For Your Ashes' album
No 2..... Culann
Culann have made no secret of the fact that they want to make 2013 their year and they made a great start by winning the 'Best Rock/Alternative' category of The Scottish Alternative Music Award earlier this month. Comprised of PJ Kelly - Vocals/Guitar, Sean Kelly - Drums/Vocals, Greg Irish- Guitar, Ross McCluskie- Keys and Calum Davis-Bass, Culann are making rousing folk/rock anthems (sometimes with a hint of prog rock like - 'Beat Your Chest') with almost alarming regularity.
No 3..... Rubberbear
So what do you get when you take an ex-The Fall guitarist, a current bass player with New Order and a top electronic producer? Rubberbear of course...it's the current side-project by Steve Trafford, Tom Chapman and Phil Birchenall. Now given that Ralph only has a 20 second attention span let's not dwell overly on past and current careers elsewhere as Rubberbear are releasing an EP on April 1st and it's no joke!
No 4..... 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?
Edinburgh based five piece Universal Thee comprise of James Russell (guitar and vocals), the recently added (ex-Caravan Club) Lisa Russell (vocals) Robin Spivey (guitar) Sean Macdonald (bass) and Kevin Haddow (drummer) are known for their infectious
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.....
No 7..... 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 won the Best Electronic category of The Scottish Alternative Music Awards 2013.....
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..... The Watermelons
The Watermelons are Toby Bain - Vocals & Guitar, David Kelly - Bass & Vocals, Sam Salkeld - Lead Guitar & Vocals and Matthew Wagstaff - Drums, Vocals. They lean on the lighter side of Indie Alt/Rock and are producing some very infectious post-Brit Pop tunes with strong vocals, sharp lyrics and big on musicality.
Any band who promise "low pounding tribal drums and percussion" has a lot to live up to - but their description of the introduction to 'Foresight' - the new single from Glaswegian electro outfit Nevada Base - does just that. The drums soon give way to bubbling synths, driving disco bass, and an almost hypnotic psychedelic vocal hook.
