Ralph's Top 10 Blogged Band Chart - 12.7.14

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                                                    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.....The Bordellos

The Bordellos are the kind of quirky, lower than lo-fi band that John Peel would have featured and their current offerings, like the sultry 'Between Forget and Neglect' (think Morrissey on Prozac) leading in to the subtly funky 'Elastic Band Man' would probably have seen them playlisted on a regular basis.

No 2..... Wullae Wright

Ralph's previously blogged Wullae Wright and it's proved to be the most well read of any over the last couple of years. Needless to say it was good news when Wullae Wright got in touch to say he was releasing 'Superhero' as a single. The story of the song is no less poignant than Wullae Wright's plaintive vocal which, overlaid on subtle acoustic guitar with an orchestral background is just as heart wrenching as the single's message. 

No 3.....Snippet

Snippet aka Johnno Casson is the quintessential English musician.  Prolific, diverse, entertaining, clever, wistful and whimsical (no more so on his previously released mini-album 'DIY' and the track 'Let's Talk About Us' on which he comments on his winkle (and he isn't introducing us to his pet mollusc Bria

No 4....Wullae Wright

Wullae Wright is capturing the same raw intensity of vocals that an early Robert Plant did.  Not only that his almost psychadelic guitar on the track also has the same haunting tones found on early Zep tracks.  An old rock soul in a young body.

No 5.....Cormac O'Caoimh

It's second time round for Ralph having a listen to Irish singer/songwriter Cormac O'Caoimh. A year ago he'd released his second solo album since leaving The Citadels called 'A New Season For Love' and this time round it's 'The Moon Looses It's Memory' and he's bringing us 14 tracks of love and regret, hopes and dreams, cars and girls, (OK, OK,  I've run out of descriptive song titles). Speaking of 'Love and Regret' and 'Cars and Girls I'm getting hints of...

No 6..... Millie Manders 

Having met the effervescent Millie Manders at the Ralph's Life All Day Charity gig in Proud Camden it seemed like the release of 'Little Big Mouth' was as good a time as any to ask a few questions and see how and why her music matches her outgoing personality.

No 7.....The Holy Orders 

It's almost exactly a year since Ralph first checked out Hull band The Holy Orders and the good news is that The Holy Orders announce the release of their brand new single, the 3 minute feel good 3 minute summer pop song: The New Asbestos on August 4th.  Well, it's a cynical, pessimistic, feel good summer pop song but anyone who is already familiar with last year’s debut album For the Ears of Dogs to Come from Ralph's blog, will expect nothing less.

No 8....The Actions

Normally Ralph only blogs unsigned UK Indie, but now and again some mainstream goodness drops in the kennel that peaks his interest and when 'Indefensible', the new EP by London based Alt/Rockers The Actions arrived it was time for some rule bending (Their first album 'Real' was licensed to Nikita Music, a Brazilian record label and released in Latin America).

No 9... The Backhanders

It's always nice when a hard copy of someones latest release drops through the letterbox, as is the case when; courtesy of the enigmatic Mr Peeps, the niftily designed CD just out by The Backhanders in the style 

No 10.....Book Group

It's been a hectic time in the kennel for new tunes and it was with great interest that news of the new EP by Book Group (due for release may 17th) appeared in the inbox. Ralph took a look last year when they released the 

Wullae Wright

Ralph's previously blogged Wullae Wright and it's proved to be the most well read of any over the last couple of years. Needless to say it was good news when Wullae Wright got in touch to say he was releasing 'Superhero' as a single. The story of the song is no less poignant than Wullae Wright's plaintive vocal which, overlaid on subtle acoustic guitar with an orchestral background is just as heart wrenching as the single's message. Ralph previously said of Wullae that he has an 'old rock soul' and with this track once again attests to that.

Taken from the album 'The Orange Line' the track 'Superhero' was written by Wullae Wright about the struggle with cancer and after losing Grandparents to the disease it is very much a tribute to them both. It's also a song of hope as another of his Grandparents recently recovered from cancer so Wullae is donating 100% of the profits from the single to the Beatson Cancer Charity in Scotland who helped  his Grandparent successfully battle and defeat the disease.






The single will be released through the Macaroni Penguin Music record label available to buy through their Bandcamp site. Included with the download will be a variety of other material, including collaborations with a other musicians including Ambrose Chappel and Indigo Outlaw. Lee Feraday assisted with the singles artwork which draws on The Orange Line works by Wullae and will feature on the singles B Side. It's a bargain at only £2.50 and with all proceeds going to the cancer charity it's money well spent.

Ralph's Top 10 Blogged Band Chart - 31.5.14

Visit Ralph's profile on Pinterest.

Ralph's Pinterest
                                                

                                                    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..... Thumpers 

Ralph normally concentrates on unsigned UK Indie however when he heard London Alt Pop Duo Thumpers (Marcus Pepperell on vocal, guitar, keyboards and John Hamson Jr. on vocal, bass, drums) are going to be playing just round the corner from the kennel at Central Library, St Helens in May it was time to take a look and a listen. They announced the release of their debut album 'Galore' on Sub Pop records and it's been receiving no small amount of critical acclaim and heavy airplay (yes Ralph's given them a spin on Radio KC) including on Radio 1's Huw Stephens show.

No 2.....Book Group

It's been a hectic time in the kennel for new tunes and it was with great interest that news of the new EP by Book Group (due for release may 17th) appeared in the inbox. Ralph took a look last year when they released the 

No 3... The Backhanders

It's always nice when a hard copy of someones latest release drops through the letterbox, as is the case when; courtesy of the enigmatic Mr Peeps, the niftily designed CD just out by The Backhanders in the style of a vinyl 7" single arrived and its look fits in with the two tracks contained within.

No 4....The Actions

Normally Ralph only blogs unsigned UK Indie, but now and again some mainstream goodness drops in the kennel that peaks his interest and when 'Indefensible', the new EP by London based Alt/Rockers The Actions arrived it was time for some rule bending (Their first album 'Real' was licensed to Nikita Music, a Brazilian record label and released in Latin America).

No 5..... United Fruit





The four piece Alt Rockers United Fruit, who formed in 2009 describe their style as - 'fusing noisy, fast-paced, discordant, post-punk with catchy melodies and crunching riffs'.

No 6.....Cormac O'Caoimh


It's second time round for Ralph having a listen to Irish singer/songwriter Cormac O'Caoimh. A year ago he'd released his second solo album since leaving The Citadels called 'A New Season For Love' and this time round it's 'The Moon Looses It's Memory' and he's bringing us 14 tracks of love and regret, hopes and dreams, cars and girls, (OK, OK,  I've run out of descriptive song titles).

No 7.....KynchinLay

The new KynchinLay EP (launch night May 9th) has just dropped into the kennel, giving Ralph the chance to have a listen in advance. The Liverpool trio have been working hard to provide a bigger sound and with this excellently produced EP ('Dogfathers' and 'Leave Me Alone' were mixed at Motor Museum)

No 8.....The Phantoms 

The Phantoms are Colin Simpson on Vocals and Rhythm Guitar, Colin McKillop on Lead Guitar, Peter Stewart on Bass and Backing Vocals with Brad Young on Drums. They began with local gigs in their home town of Broxburn, and have since branched out into Edinburgh and Glasgow, landing gigs at venues such as Cab Vol, The Electric Circus, The Liquid Rooms, Maggie Mays, Sneaky Petes and Pivo Pivo, getting them noticed on the way by Jim Gellatly et al

No 9....Wullae Wright

Wullae Wright is capturing the same raw intensity of vocals that an early Robert Plant did.  Not only that his almost psychadelic guitar on the track also has the same haunting tones found on early Zep tracks.  An old rock soul in a young body.

No 10.....The Darlingtons

Now it's no secret that Ralph's a fan of Sheffield band The Darlingtons so it's with no small amount of glee that I heard they've just released their second single as an autonomous unit and it's another gem. 'Rotations' bursts into guitar driven loveliness as they bring us more of their well conceived, lyrically strong, Indie music.

Ralph's Top 10 Blogged Band Chart - 5.9.13

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..... 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 2..... 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 3..... The Winter Tradition

Back in December of last year I took a look at The Winter Tradition when they released 'Tides & Telegrams' and said - "They'll be one of the 'must listen to' bands of 2013".  I was right - so it seemed like a good idea for Ralph's man in Scotland, Malcolm Parry to cover their headline show in Edinburgh's Liquid Rooms on Friday 23rd August with support from the previously reviewed Book Group and the relatively newly formed The Lonely Together.  Malcolm takes up the story.....

No 4..... Lumin Bells

Bucking the trend for raucous Indie thrashings Ralph's been playing the Lumin Bells track 'Somehow The Same' with reasonable regularity on his Radio KC Sunday Show these last few weeks.  It's a gentle, reflective tune with hints of the early Moody Blues (I'm trying to avoid the obvious Nick Drake comparisons) or the subtle vocalisations of America and it's been received with no small amount of favourable feedback.

No 5..... John Mackie

A singer/songwriter originally from Glasgow but now residing in Greater Manchester John Mackie's inspirations are from a wide range of varying sources, but his talent for touching, emotive lyrics and ear for melody give him a style that makes him stand out from the crowd. John has been in various bands as creative influence in his career, notably The Broadcast, but no

No 6..... Born Thief

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 7..... Kismet Ryding

Having kept an eye on The Online Festival over these last good few months it's no surprise to me that Grimsby band Kismet Ryding would be on the verge of releasing an EP.  It's called - 'Look.See.Don't.TRIP.' - has six tracks and it's released on Monday 26th August. 

No 8..... The Mutineers

Ralph briefly had a look at The Mutineers back in May of last year, but after their first album things went fairly quiet due to personal projects (bassist Iwan Gronow playing for Johnny Marr for instance) and a self imposed 'hiatus'.  The good news is, they're back with a vengeance.

With the release of the new single 'Tell Me Why' and a mini-tour planned for October/November, The Mutineers mighty music machine is back on the road.

No 9..... The Darlingtons

After Ralph's man in Scotland, Malcolm Parry gave a glowing report of Somerset band The Darlingtons set when they supported The Bedroom Hour recently in Bathgate, it seemed only right and proper to investigate further.  Theirs is the usual 'mates at school, formed a band in college' story, except for the fact they've done it with more than a modicum of success.

No10..... 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