Kid Kapichi

After setting the British guitar music scene alight with their riff-filled debut EP, hedonistic Hastings quartet Kid Kapichi return with their much vaunted EP Lucozade Dreams which is released tomorrow March 30th).

Having received support from the likes of Kerrang TV, MTV Rocks and London Evening Standard with their eponymous breakthrough debut EP, the rising indie rockers were being tipped off by industry experts as ones to watch.

No surprise then that Brian is spinning their most excellent single release Puppet Strings on the Radio KC Indie Show on April 15th.

Consisting of Ben Beetham (guitar/vocals), Jack Wilson (guitar/vocals), Eddie Lewis (bass) and George MacDonald (drums), the EP mirrors their colossal riff-infused live shows; driven by monstrous guitars and vocal melodies, which are seamlessly switched between Jack and Ben. King Kapichi have recently been discovered by the Underground England Soundwave’s platform, putting them alongside the likes of Pale Waves and Black Honey.

Dripping with rock tunes that punch you in the chest and leave you humming the chorus with the few breaths you have left, the Kid Kapichi EP with it's blend of heavy, incendiary rock with harmonising vocals, makes it obvious as to why the four-piece are the forerunners of the new generation of bands in the deepest South.

With a sold-out festival show on Hasting Pier already under their belt, Kid Kapichi will be touring the UK showing off Lucozade Dreams alongside one of Brian's favourite Scottish bands and SAMA Best Rock Award Winners Bloodlines. 

March 29^th - Glasgow – The Old Hairdressers

March 30^th - Edinburgh – Banshee Labrynth

March 31^st - Inverness – Tooth and Claw

April 4^th - London – Camden Monarch

April 6^th - Torquay – Apple and Parrot

April 7^th - Hastings – The Carlisle

Katalina Kicks

Following the release of album Vices back in 2017, Katalina Kicks have spent a year of solid touring around it and following singles, accompanied by airplay across Kerrang!, BBC Introducing, Planet Rock and too many regional and online stations to mention. 

After spending a few months locked down in the studio, Katalina Kicks now release brand new single Waterfall, with a supporting mini UK tour.

Katalina Kicks say: "Our new single Waterfall is written about mental health and finding strength through coping with depression. The subject is very important to us, both in terms of the meaning behind the song and the feelings that lead to the creation of the track." 

Brian's playing the new single on the Radio KC Indie Show so tune in on March 25th 5-7pm.

Katalina Kicks play simple and direct heavy garage rock’n’roll: power chords and pummeling rhythms, fuzzy guitar and throbbing bass, big riffs and shouted choruses, pin-balling between grunge, punk and heavy blues. 

In Ian they’ve also a songwriter who uses his band as a platform to air his anxieties about the world around him. “I wouldn't pigeonhole us as a ‘political band’,” he explains. “I write about things I see and hear that upset me." 

We’re not preaching or trying to change the world. We’re just saying these are the things that affect and worry us. They’re too important not to talk about, whether in conversation or in rock’n’roll. That’s all we try to do.”

Bad Llama

Bad Llama are an alternative rock/metal band formed in 2016 based in Burton Upon Trent. 

They are both aggressive and melodic in their approach to song writing finding a unique balance in within their sound. 

Bad Llama blend a mixture of 90s rock/metal with modern industrial and progressive sounds. Their music delivers powerful choruses, emotive vocals, funky bass-lines, diverse beats and melodic guitars, with most songs building to an explosive climax. 

Influences range from bands such as Incubus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Korn, Tool, Faith No More, Rage Against The Machine and Bring Me The Horizon.   

Bad Llama released their debut EP Shedding Skin in September 2016, with its leading single The Wolf You Feed being aired on Kerrang! Radio several times. 

The band were also played on BBC Introducing East Midlands and many other stations across the world. The band also made a TV appearance as part of Johnny Doom’s show ‘Amp’d’  on Birmingham TV in November 2016. 

Many thanks to Eloise Wyatt for the photo

Children Of The Korn?

Bad Llama are now set to release their brand new single Apocrypha on November 10th, which will be the first track of their upcoming EP Crooked Empire. 

Needless to say Ralph is giving it a spin on the Radio KC Indie Show so remember to tune in on Sunday November 12th from 5-7pm GMT.

The band are, Kyle Jordan on Vocals, Lewis Hutchings on Bass, Gaz Waddell on Drums, Dan Houlbrooke on Guitar and Sam Wyatt on Guitar and Backing vocals. 

Rob Jarvis and The Mercury Sons

Essex based Alt Rockers Rob Jarvis and The Mercury Sons are due to release their debut single Just To Make You Happy on the 17th of February. It's already had its first radio play on the Kerrang Fresh Blood Show and needless to say Ralph will be giving it a pre-release spin on his Radio KC Indie Show soon.

I'm pretty certain they'll also be playing it at their first ever live gig in Think Tank? Underground, Newcastle this Saturday.



Rob Jarvis and The Mercury Sons cite a vast amount of musical influences ranging from Stone Temple Pilots and Alice in Chains through to Foo Fighters and one of Ralph's favourites, Biffy Clyro. These influences certainly make themselves felt on this first rendering from the band.

Just To Make You Happy showcases frontman Rob's ability as a songwriter. It's a strong rocking it out track that highlights his passion and skill in bringing light and shade to a track. 

Whilst he tips his hat to his influences in Just To Make You Happy he most definitely makes his own unique mark.




As Rob said:

"Our debut release hasn't been shown to a great deal of people, but those who've encountered it during the 'making of' stages have made reference to all kinds of bands, certainly lots of references to 90's rock, so I hope you all like it!"

Scott Swain

Scott Swain has been playing in bands for almost a decade, and has achieved relative success with this: from supporting Biffy Clyro back in the day, to being featured in Kerrang! Magazine.

However it wasn't until his main band took a hiatus in 2016 that Scott decided to launch a solo project. Influenced by the likes of Elliot Smith, Mark Lanegan, and cult cinema, Scott's music aims to combine haunting harmonies with provocative melodies, disarming listeners along the way.

Live Scot Swain is raw: just vocals and an acoustic guitar. In the studio, however, he recruits a small band of 'reprobates' to add some serious colour and angst to the songs he records with them.

Scott Swain also performs with two bands, How to Dress a Monster and Fire at Night. He is therefore likely to be playing live at least a few times a month and always happy to meet new people and chat about bands, music, and/or films.

With regard to his latest single, Scott says: "Oil! is heavily inspired by the film There Will be Blood. Lyrically, I wanted to examine the relationship between wanting to be ambitious and the things which can be sacrificed in the process."

"Also, I want to highlight how miserable it can make you if you let working be the thing which defines you as a human being. I think Daniel Day Lewis’ character painfully personifies both of these ideas in the film.

As the story behind the film is set in the Wild-West of America it seemed only fitting to have a Country style to the song, and nobody does Country with more attitude than the legendary Johnny Cash; so the song is also a homage to him."




As a homage to Mr Cash Oil! is indeed a fitting tribute. From it's thumping drum/acoustic guitar intro to the gritty lyric and soundscape it's very much in the style of 'The Man In Black', embracing both his Rockabilly/Americana feel musically but with a rockier more contemporary vocal by Scott.

Ralph's already given Oil! a spin on his Radio KC Indie Show and it's a fair bet it'll be getting a replay soon. Remember to tune in every Sunday 5-7pm UK time on rkc.noip.me.

The Undivided

Hailing from the South Wales Valleys, The Undivided are a four-piece comprising of lead guitarist and singer Joe Disson, percussive maestro Rhydian Mason, guitarist Lew Bray and joining in 2014 Bass guitarist Craig Prosser.

Formed circa 2010, born from the ashes of previous aural endeavors and built on the back of long-standing friendships. 



A successful meeting of minds, a period of incessant and relentless gigging followed, which saw them perform dates across the UK- including support and opening slots for Ash, The Xcerts, Kids in Glass Houses, The Dirty Youth and IDivide - with praise coming from Kerrang!, Rock Sound, NME and XFM, to name but a few.

Satellites is the title track dropped from their epontmous EP and it reflects the fact that The Undivided are a band driven by a desire to create the kind of noise people simply have to stand up and hear. Ralph will be spinning Satellites on the Radio KC Indie Show this Sunday, October 23rd.

Inspired by the political, message-heavy words of fellow countrymen Manic Street Preachers, the instrumentation of Idlewild, and the penchant for melodic pop sensibilities evident in the likes of Mansun and Peace, The Undivided make music that’s impossible to ignore. 

Soaring guitar chords launch from atop punishing riffs, shuddering bass lines carry the rhythms forward, and sledgehammer drumbeats underpin this combination of harmony and electricity.

Their previous album This New Day was produced by Romesh Dodangoda which helped garner the funding support from the Welsh Arts Council.



The Undivided set out to fulfil their ambition of breaking with the norm to deliver truly poignant, meaningful and moving songs through expert musicianship and honest lyricism. So much so, they secured a sync placement for the instrumental version of Headlights from the previous album This New Day on the opening and closing credits of BBC 4 Royal Institute Christmas Lectures.

Hands Off Gretel

Hands Off Gretel was founded by nineteen year old Lauren Tate in 2015 and they are rapidly becoming a critically aclaimed force to be reckoned with. 

Inspired by the likes of Brody Dalle and Courtney Love, Lauren made it her mission to ensure strong, young women had a voice in today's music industry, presenting an alternative to mainstream pop stars singing about broken hearts. 

Lauren is a powerhouse of creativity; the band's frontwoman and songwriter, she also designs the Hands Off Gretel merchandise and is responsible for their videos, album artwork and photography.





In just over twelve months, Hands Off Gretel have well and truly made their mark on the UK music scene winning fans in Shirley Manson, Linda Perry and Kate Nash. 

The band are making an impact on the US too - Alternative Press tipped them as “A band you need to know” and premiered their latest DIY video One Eyed Girl. 

The track also picked up regular UK airplay, Ralph's already given it a spin on Radio KC, plus Kerrang Radio and BBC Sheffield Introducing and the video single reached six thousand views in just one week.  







The four piece alt rock/grunge inspired band from South Yorkshire are incredibly prolific, they have already released a three track EP, a couple of video singles and their debut album is out in September, funded via their huge and ever increasing international online fan base.

Having already made their mark on the festival circuit playing Camden Rocks and Isle of Wight, Hands Off Gretel will be supporting their album release with a full UK tour planned for Autumn.