RiD

RiD are a Coventry based band with links to Birmingham and Wales. In 2007, Dave
Cooke (rhythm guitar and songwriter) and Ricky Hogan (vocals) formed the band as a response to frustration over the media’s obsession with the current dire X Factor pop culture. 

In 2012, after various line-up changes, RiD were joined by Tony Cox (drums) and Kathryn Marsh (vocals). 2014 saw the departure of their guitarist and bass player, but in 2015 they were joined by James D. Nelson (lead guitar) and Jason Riggs (bass), which completed their current line-up. 

Despite having widely varying musical influences, the six band members mesh seamlessly to produce original music, which is melodic, yet rocky, with honest and sometimes hard-hitting lyrics that deal with real life issues in a frank and open way.

RiD have recently completed their first album titled No Way Back, which was released earlier this month and it highlights the excellence of Kathryn's vocal stylings as well as the obvious quality of the band's songwriting and musicianship. 




Three singles have been released in the run up to the album; one in each month - April, May and June of this year. 


These first three singles What You Are, Rock n Roll and now Without You are available from all major online platforms. 

Gigs coming up include a free entry album launch in Coventry on 14th July and Warton Music festival on 22nd July 2017.

Make sure you tune in to Ralph's Indie Show on Radio KC next Sunday to hear Without You.

Broken Witt Rebels

Ralph's featured Birmingham band Broken Witt Rebels a couple of times now on his Radio KC Indie Show and always to some great feedback, so it was with great interest that he checked out their newly released EP Howlin'.

Released this week, it's five tracks of bluesy, gutsy and downright nasty rock 'n' roll in the style of Bad Company or Family from back in the day. Lean, mean, punch you in the face and buy you a drink after tunes, proper music for grown ups.

Thanks to sidavisphotography.co.uk for the pic.

Lead track Shake Me Down is old school that wouldn't have been out of place on a Faces LP with shades of Ronnie Wood's geetar licks and smoky vocals al la Rod 'The Mod' Stewart.

They follow it up with gritty blues based Bottom Of The Hill and it's solid guitar work and raunchy vocal that drags you into the more Americanised Cloud My Day and I'm hooked, it's Broken Witt Rebels doing what they do best.

Thanks to trust a fox photography for the pic.

Lead track Howlin' is a stomper, and the anthem for Broken Witt Rebels on the EP, destined to be a classic fans favourite that'll have them howling along with the chorus at gigs. They round the EP off with another rip roarer in Queen Bee, it lulls you in then picks you up with its gripping vocal.

Broken Witt Rebels are Danny Core - Vocals & Rhythm Guitar; Luke Davis - Vocals & Bass; James Tranter Vocals & Lead Guitar and Anthony Byrne - Drums & Percussion and you can download the EP by clicking on these words!

The Assist

One of the tracks that's had a lot of feedback since Ralph gave it an Intro spin on his Radio KC Sunday Indie Show recently was 'Control' by up and coming young Walsall band The Assist.  They're a four piece Alt/Indie group with an infectious, bouncy Brit Pop-esque style that's proving popular not only locally, but country-wide despite their only being fully formed this year.


The band originated from the idea of a 365 day music project which tracks their progress throughout a whole year. After much discussion the band was formed on the 1st of January 2013. They feel that unsigned bands today spend too much time being critical of the music around them and not enough time on their own music. They believe to be a successful band you can't rely on one style of music and that musical depth is the key.



Whereas many bands seem to be around for ever achieving little recognition, they believe their fast approach and young, ambitious personalities will stand them in good stead when it comes to progressing at each stage.  The Assist are Mikey and Ryan Stanton, Jak Baker and Ben Faulkner who aim to write 'real music, with honest hard hitting lyrics that speak for themselves'.  Well so far so good with the energetic 'Control' (got to be a fans favourite at gigs) with its shades of the now defunct Nizlopi fitted with brand new Duracell Extra batteries. They're a more frenetic, grittier version of that other Birmingham band The Twang. 

The Assist have some impressive gigs under their belt already, including supporting Bruce Foxton and the near legendary Reverend And The Makers so take a chance and go see them November 15th when they headline The o2 Academy 3 in Birmingham with support by Action Replay, Hightower, Superficials and State Of Suburbia.