The Velvet Hands

The Velvet Hands have long time been favourites for plays on the Ralph's Life Indie Show on Radio KC over the last few years and with the imminent release of a debut album on limited edition blue vinyl for Record Store Day and general release May 5th it would be rude not to check it out here on the blog. 

We'll be featuring Sick Of Living on Brian's Indie Show on Radio KC Sunday 29th April as a pre-release spin of a track from the album Party's Over.

Party's Over by The Velvet Hands is a glorious guitar driven joy and a must have for any serious vinyl lovers collection. They're going to be THE go-to band for this years small festival season and these bouncy southern rockers have to be destined for bigger stages.

Also released on the same day is the fifth single Gimme Some Time by The Velvet Hands. ‘Gimme Some Time’ follows previous releases, I Don’t Mind, Only Blame Myself, Games and last year's Record Store day release Sick Of Living. Gimme Some Time will be available via #rsd2018 Record Store Day on blue vinyl April 21st.

That's followed by a non-limited vinyl version and standard CD version of the album on both dropping May 4th.  

On the achievement of their debut album co-singer Toby commented: “We're really excited to finally be able to share what we have been working towards since we started the band. Our debut album is a collection of songs that we wrote over the last couple of years and we're very proud to share them with you all. It's been great to see our hard work pay off, and we can't wait for more of the same in the future!”


Co-frontman Dan Able said of the up-coming single release: Gimme Some Time is about self destruction, coming to terms with one’s own morals and the questioning of what one believes in. Just needing some time to get away from it all to think but being under pressure to come up with the answers.”


 

The Velvet Hands are the latest band to emerge from Cornwall’s blistering garage-rock 'Kernow Wave' scene. The ambitious, Stones and Strokes tinged quartet formed in 2015 at Truro College and already have released a string of standout DIY singles. The Velvet Hands are renowned for blistering live sets, with two frontmen Dan Able and Toby Mitchell wrestling for the mic, have seen them booked for a run of big name gigs including headline shows for BBC Introducing at Boardmaster Festival and stand out gigs at The 100 Club and The Water Rats. Gimme Some Time was recorded at Troubadour Studios, Falmouth and produced by Ben Woods (ex -Lost Dawn/The Golden Dregs). The Velvet Hands are Toby Mitchell, Dan Able, Ben Woods and Sam Hilder and feature as the chosen support act for opening leg of The Bluetones May 2018 Tour.

April 21st  - Jimmy’s, Manchester  #rsd2018 Album Launch

May 2nd – Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms w/The Bluetones

May 4th – Exeter, Lemon grove w/The Bluetones

May 5th – Bristol, SWX w/The Bluetones

May 7th – Oxford, O2 Academy w/The Bluetones

May 12th – Mother’s Ruin, Bristol

May 17th – Manchester, Northern Exposure

May 19th – Brighton, The Alternative Great Escape

May 25th – London, Notting Hill Arts Club

May 26th – Plymouth, Underground

Dream Nails - Video Of The Week

Ralph's favourite video this week is Tourist by London feminist 'punk witches' Dream Nails.

It's on their recently released EP Dare To Care which I'd highly recommend whether you're a punk fan or not.

Dream Nails video directed by Jade Jackman. Tourist is available on Spotify, Bandcamp and iTunes:


Ralph's playing Tourist on the Radio KC Indie Show this Sunday from 5-7pm GMT.

Image by - Claudia Moroni

Bandcamp: dreamnails.bandcamp.com/album

Spotify: open.spotify.com

iTunes: itunes.apple.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourdreamnails

Instagram: instagram.com/dreamnailsband

Twitter: twitter.com/yourdreamnails

The Velvet Hands

The Velvet Hands release their second single, Games on September 8th via Easy Action Records and across all digital formats.

The Velvet Hands are the latest band to emerge from Cornwall’s blistering garage-rock scene. The ambitious, Stones x Strokes tinged quartet formed in 2015 at Truro College (and are still in their teens) and already have released a string of standout DIY singles.

Their blistering live sets, with two front-men Dan Able and Toby Mitchell wrestling for the mic, has seen them booked for a run of big name gigs, and support slots with the likes of The Bluetones, Yak and Wild Smiles. Games follows their #RSD2017 release Sick Of Living and is the 2nd single taken from their debut album, Party's Over due for release in 2018.

Games was recorded by The Velvet Hands at Troubadour Studios, Falmouth and produced by Ben Woods (ex -Lost Dawn/The Golden Dregs).

It's filled to the brim with charisma and swagger that the band effortlessly exude. It's louche vocal reminds me of The Buzzcocks at their height, however; for those whose memory doesn't stretch that far back, their Garage-esque, punky and punchy guitar driven new single is deemed to be reminiscent of the best of early 2000s guitar bands and a rousing two fingered salute to freedom, youth and a defiance in doing your own thing within the confines of relationships.

Ralph is giving the track a spin on this Sunday's Radio KC Indie show (5-7pm GMT) and they're high on his Ones to Watch list.


The Velvet Hands are Toby Mitchell, Dan Able, Louis Willbourne and Sam Hilder.

LIVE

July 27th: Port Eliot Festival

July 28th: Leopolooza Festival - Mono Stage

July 30th: Leopolooza Festival - BBC Introducing Stage

August 10th: The New Inn,  Tywardreath

August 11-13th: Boardmasters Festival - Headlining BBC Introducing Stage

October 1st: Looe Festival

Oranj Son

Oranj Son are a four piece Psych Punk band from Ellesmere Port comprising Kieran Linford (guitar & vocals), Lew Yii (drums), Brad Welch-Harley (bass) and Matthew Linford (keys/synths). 

The band, whose influences range from Echo and the Bunnymen and Teardrop Explodes to LCD Soundsystem and Sonic Youth, have been together for two years and Oranj Son have already made a big impact on Liverpool's music scene since they made their live debut at Sound City in 2015.

Ralph gave their latest single Still a spin on last Sunday's Indie Show on Radio KC.





Still was recorded in Glasgow and produced by Luke Palmer and released by The Label Recordings as part of their Summer Sampler on June 2nd.

“Liverpool is full of great, quirky and fascinating bands at the moment. The latest to catch our attention are 4 piece Oranj Son whose curiously spelt name hints at their twisted and brilliant music which is a tripped out take on wonky psychedelic, gritty northern Fall style grooves and laced with great melodies" - John Robb

Joel Thomas

Joel Thomas is a twenty-two year old singer songwriter from Liverpool and he is the latest signing to Edge Hill University's in-house, indie record label.

Joel has been playing the guitar for the last seven years and writing songs for three.

Sunshine Funshine is Joel Thomas' first release on The Label Recordings. An infectious slice of Indie Pop, he says The Smiths were one of his biggest influences. 



"Because of their melodic guitar work and satirical lyrics" he explains. "That’s where I got the over the top chorus 'as long as I’ve got you I don’t care if my skull caves in' but musically this song is influenced by Ty Segall with his rough around the edges kind of style."

Joel Thomas' Sunshine Funshine was released on The Label Recording's Summer Sampler and if you're looking for the perfect track to make up your summer mix-tape (do people still do that) this one's for you with it's punchy, punky guitar riffage.

Ralph gave it a spin on the Radio KC Indie Show last week and will be keeping his ears open from this talented young singer songwriter.

JUXTA - Video Of The Week

Ralph's favourite video this week is The Beautiful Ones by JUXTA.

JUXTA is primarily one man's industrial post punk journey, whilst using guest musicians and collaborators to explore the daily mental struggles and conflict that people face in their day-to-day existence. 

Having become a musician late in life, 49 year old front-man JJ writes his music for JUXTA retrospectively, combining social observation and personal experience from his 20's through to his 40's creatively affording us a vivid insight.

The Phantom Sound - Video Of The Week Exclusive

The Phantom Sound aka Marisa Schlussel is exclusively premiering her new song which is called, Voices here on Ralph's Life. It's from her upcoming second album currently being recorded with Ken Stringfellow, who is producing once again. 

The album will feature Dale Crover of The Melvins and Nirvana (Bleach), and Brian Viglione of The Dresden Dolls and Scarlet Sails on drums. 

The new album has Marisa progressing into a harder, edgier sound, and Voices is a good introduction to take you over to what will be a heartfelt, personal, sometimes politically charged punk rock album at it's heart.

Words/music by: Marisa Schlussel, Produced/mixed by Ken Stringfellow
Guitar, bass, keys/synth: Ken Stringfellow
Drums: Dale Crover
Vocals: Marisa Schlussel Video: Ashley Jones | thechaosengineers.com

Stocksnskins

Ralph's recently encountered the musical stylings of  Stocksnskins who are post punksters who seem to render poetry via electronic music. Ralph decided to have a quick word to find out.

Ralph: What is Stocksnskins then? 

Ade: "We're a duo with me on vocals and Rich on bass" - replied Ade (who's on vocals).

Ralph: "How do you fit in genre-wise?"

Ade: "We nod towards post punk electronica mixing lots of beats and bass with poetic spoken word and the odd rants. We formed in May 2016 in Bournemouth. and have been played on the Neil Lomax Teenage Kicks radio show a few times and supported Endea at Sound Circus, Bournemouth."




Ralph: "How are you developing things?"

Ade: "Firstly, massive thanks to Radio KC for featuring us on Track Of The Day and Ralph's Indie Show. 

We've played pub gigs and open mics in Bournemouth. Open mic nights are a great supportive platform for local artists to get noticed. Our vision for the future is to support local bands in and outside of Bournemouth and to try and play some bigger venues."




Ralph: "How can we become more acquainted with Stocksnkins?"

Ade: "Our music is on Soundcloud and our first EP Protective Environment was released in November 2016. We have also released Arthur, High Street Heaven and Boscombe By The Sea shortly after as singles. Our latest releases are Jimmy and Pop Is Dead, whilst the second EP Apologetic Hunters was released a while ago. Our third EP Medicated Ghost Towns was released at the end of last month and it's available now.




Ralph: "Any performances planned?"

Ade: "Our next gig will be at Cafe Reflections in Southampton. Date to be to be confirmed." 








With that we parted company, however you can hear the Stocksnskins single New Generation this Sunday on the Radio KC Indie Show if you tune in. It's a quirky electro Ian Dury-esque social commentary diatribe that sticks quite nicely in your head. Sorted.

Feral Five

Art © Tracey Moberly™

It's hard to believe that it was as far back as 2013 when Ralph first came across Feral Five and they donated a track to the Ralph's Life CD for the mental health charity Rethink. 

At that time they'd just released their debut EP Skin to great acclaim and it was the lead track that was included on the Ralph's Life CD.

Nearly four years down the line, Feral Five have produced another 'banger' of a CD and March 31st sees the official release of Man Cat Doll Machine (I'll forgive them not calling it Man Dog Doll Machine) with some splendid artwork by Tracey Moberly who's previously collaborated with Banksy and Bill Drummond.

Simon Mooney, © National Portrait Gallery, London.

The EP was fused together in response to an invitation to perform at the Martin Ware 'Everything You Can Imagine Is Real' Late Shift at the National Portrait Gallery in London recently.

Lead track Man Cat Doll Machine is a synth infused gem full of dynamic basslines behind Kat's soaring vocal and Ralph's got the track playlisted for the Radio KC Indie Show on April 12th.





There's a Launch Party prior to the official release date in Oslo, Hackney on March 25th with full visuals and I'm sure Feral Five will be on fine live form (did I mention that they played a storming set at the Ralph's Life CD launch party in London's Proud Camden) for the occasion. 

Given that the Man Cat Doll Machine EP is full of heavy yet danceable techno pop vibes, anyone that's there on the night is in for a rare treat as Feral Five blend the best of 80's synthpop into a contemporary soundscape for the modern day listener. You know me, I don't do marks out of...but if I did?  10/10.

Syd.31

Self-styled angriest band in the UK Syd.31 have pronounced that they're taking rage to a level rarely heard before.

With two successful EPs and a single behind them, they are attempting to redefine what it means to be a band as society rips itself apart - music with purpose and impact. Imagine Slayer joining forces with Die Antwoord, or the bastard love child of Grace Jones and the late lamented Sid Vicious fronting Atari Teenage Riot.

Syd.31 deliver a chaotic soundscape inspired by the decline of culture and the loss of safe spaces for freaks as the world becomes an increasingly dangerous place for us all.

This is no science fiction dystopia. This is real - true tales of homelessness, violence, isolation and destroyed optimism. The last four years of performing live, talking to people, and seeing what makes them dance has helped Syd.31 craft this album into a deafening voice for the voiceless.

10 tracks full of their signature anthems for a post-industrial age, delivered with a barely held together sense of chaos and panic; The Last Punks on Earth fuses hardcore punk, goth, industrial, drum & bass and metal laced with stabs of bleak euphoria.

The Last Punks on Earth was mixed and mastered by Oscillate Recordings in their Manchester studio; specifically using a virtual version of the studio that Joy Division used on Unknown Pleasures - an album that is widely recognised as one of the bleakest punk albums of all time.

Syd.31 scream furiously as our world burns around us all - “There's no-one like us, so no-one likes us!” - capturing the zeitgeist and the realisation that we may be the very last counter culture to challenge the mainstream. If the last punks on Earth made one final album - this would be it.

Officially released on the 17th of March 2017 and Ralph will be playing a track from it on the Radio KC Indie Show on the 12th.