No Hot Ashes

If you're looking to get the funk out, you could do worse than grab yourself the No Hot Ashes debut single Goose which was released 22nd October with its choppy Haircut 100 stylee guitar and North West vocalising. It's a punchy, catchy release from this young Manchester band and produced by multi award winner Gavin Monaghan.

Their live performances are the stuff of local legend and Goose looks destined to become a firm favourite for getting the crowd bouncing. Backed by Skank which is no less catchy, they put the guitar work to good use against in your face vocals.

Thanks as always to trust a fox for the picture

Formed in 2012, No Hot Ashes are Isaac (vocal & guitar), Luigi (guitar & backing vocal), Matt (drums) and Jack (bass). Their brash funk-fuelled style is well formed for ones so young and should see them garner more attention with radio plays over the next few months. They've already been regulars on Ralph's Indie Show on Radio KC as well as Salford Radio and Pure FM.







The only upcoming No Hot Ashes gig to report at the moment is December 13th in Manchester's Soup Kitchen alongside Velocets, Black Light White Light and Sebastian Melmoth. Don't miss it - it'll be huge!


“They truly do have `Northern Swagger` in their music. What I like about these guys is that they’re not afraid to experiment with new sounds. They’ve clearly got talent and its exciting to see where they can push that talent.”

M.E.N Newsdesk (Music in Manchester)

Goose is available now from this link at just £1.58

Mr Peeps Big Fat Christmas Party

I've been looking forward to the enigmatic Mr Peeps Big Fat Christmas Party for quite some time now, so when it came to setting out for Gullivers in Manchester's Northern Quarter I was full of great expectations...and wasn't to be disappointed.  This was the second of the Mr Peeps events (the first was in The Castle Hotel, Manchester back in August) and featured three local bands plus one from Grimsby. Thanks as always to Trust A Fox Photography.






First band up to a nearly full crowd, Grimsby's finest Kismet Ryding.  I was first introduced to their sound through The Online Festival about 18 months ago and what a difference a year and a half makes. 





A thoroughly engaging, full on set with charismatic front man Mike Freeman hitting the stage running like the bastard child of Captain Beefheart and Tom Waits while Jazz White on Drums and Tom (bass) & Josh (guitar) Humphreys providing musicality of the highest order.  From 'Last Nights Stains' to 'Hope & Glory' they grabbed the ever growing audience by the proverbials and didn't let go. Live music doesn't get any grittier than this!

Next up Transition, Baby! a band I'd caught in The Dry Bar, Manchester last year at an Online Festival gig. They've been taking a bit of a break from gigging, however that didn't show as they bounced into a 100 mile an hour set that had the crowd jumping.  Their track 'Manners Are Wasted On You' (the first track on their debut EP) was a real crowd pleaser and I hope that this is the return to regular gigging for these lads.

Third set came from the ever reliable Stolen Haven. Again I'd caught them at The Dry Bar last year and they played a storming set then. Tonight was no different as they had the crowd bouncing. They never fail to deliver and Andy Brides rock steady vocals a treat as always. 

Solid back up from his brother Andy on drums with bassist Matt Edge and guitarist Jimmy Gardener were on fire. 2014 is going to be their year if they keep up this standard of live performance, garnering new fans at every gig.

Final set was the third of the Manchester bands, and boy were the Velocets pumped up for this one, despite the fact that drummer Dom was announced as leaving the band. With tracks like 'Sophie' and 'Naked' (prophetic track as the pictures will prove) pounding out these young lads whipped the crowd up into a frenzy.  

By the time they finished the set with 'Secrets' the crowd had invaded the stage (including Mr Peeps) and the proverbial good time was being had by all!  Word on the street is there's another Mr Peeps night in the offing, so take my word for it, it'll be a night not to be missed!

The Velocets

Despite Manchester band Velocets describing themselves as being 'relatively new to the scene', 2012 proved to be a very promising year.  After the BBC Introducing picking up on their debut track 'Sophie', the band were constantly gigging throughout the year and went on to play a number of summer festivals including Big Bear, Farmer Phils & ROTR Festival.

They've followed that up throughout 2013 with some prolific gigging, not only on the festival circuit again, but establishing themselves as a major force in many of the pubs and clubs in Manchester.  For such a young band their work ethic is exemplary.











'Naked' is an example of their lyric writing ability belying their tender years.  It's a low tempo, plaintive track full of sweet strings and strong vocals that tear at your heartstrings and stick in your head.

Cheers to Trust A Fox Photography

After headlining a hometown gig at Kraak Gallery in Manchester, they were invited into Blueprint Studios (Home of Elbow etc) to lay down two new tracks so 2013 is shaping up well. It will see Velocets return to Big Bear Festival, as well as playing a very special gig at the National Tattoo Convention (Liverpool) in the Lifestyle Lounge.  In January they returned to Kraak for a headline MPTV showcase gig with support from the excellent Mama Roux and The Gullwings.


Don't miss their headline slot at the Mr Peeps Presents gig in The Castle Hotel, Manchester on the 16th August andThe Bay Horse, manchester on the 23 August with Hull's Just Mammals, they'll be stormers.









'Tell It To Your Kids' is a punchier, punkier drum driven track and looking like a fans favourite at gigs.  Guaranteed to get the 'joint jumping'.

Thanks to Raw Lens for the photos

Velocets are.....

Dominic Allen drums 
Adam Walsh guitar/vocals  
Elliott Berriman bass/vocals.  

They're playing honest in your face rock 'n' roll with just a hint of The Fall sprinkled through it. With tunes like 'Sophie' they're bringing a fresh, clean sound, strong lyrics with anthemic potential.