The Immediate.

If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again seems to be the motto of Welsh 3-piece power pop outfit The Immediate who originally split in 1997 due to - "frustration, an argument over a mouth organ and the success of The Stereophonics."

Releasing one single (unaccountably popular in Sweden), making every conceivable mistake in the How To Be A Successful Indie Band handbook, touring with some excellent bands (Mansun, 60ft Dolls, Dodgy) and eventually flickering out they left behind the memory of some great gigs, a few fine songs, and little else.

In March 2016, older: and supposedly wiser, they reconvened to repair friendships and renew tinnitus. New songs came much more easily than the old ones, probably because they are playing to please only themselves - "with no thoughts of success or acclaim" - for the first time in their existence.

Adam Walton (yes, it's that BBC Radio Wales Adam Walton) said - "There is more truth and resonance in our songs now than ever before. And power. And invention. The Immediate write songs about hope and love in the face of the moribund, daily grind." 

"You will possibly hear fragments and echoes of the following artists in our sound (The Jam, Wire, XTC, Pixies, Badfinger, REM, Dr Feelgood, Small Faces, Husker Du, The Who, Ride, Big Star, The Cure, Joy Formidable, The Go-Betweens, Teenage Fanclub), but nothing has been plagiarised or misappropriated to mask a deficiency of our own ideas."

They release the Mold EP on Friday 3rd March 2017. The EP will be available to buy on limited edition CD and digitally via bandcamp / iTunes / Spotify etc.

Mold features four brand new recordings by The Immediate, three of which are exclusive to the EP.

The EP is inspired by their years growing up and going to school in Mold, an unremarkable; to the wider world, but very remarkable to them, market town and Adam Walton went on to explain the tracks:

"Lead track, What’s The Matter Kevin Jones?, is a song about some of the kids we went to the Alun School, Mold with, who weren’t as fortunate as us and didn’t make it into their 30’s." 

"Light Dimensions is the first song we wrote when we reconvened after a long hiatus. This song has been played on BBC Introducing."

"Manbuoy is the title track of our forthcoming debut album, however it does not feature on the album itself. It’s a mostly spoken-word piece that exaggerates all of its writer’s worst qualities."

Mold was recorded at Orange Sound Studios by Russ Hayes, who worked on recordings by Peaness, Campfire Social, Kidsmoke, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Billy Bibby and the Wry Smiles.

The sleeve was designed by Paul Maurice (ex-Gallops) and is a detail of Shire Hall, the brutalist former seat of Flintshire County Council.

The Mold EP will be launched at The Immediate hometown gig at 

Theatr Clwyd, Mold on Friday, 3rd. March.

They'll be ably supported by their friends 

Campfire Social and Skellums. 

Ralph's Top 10 Blogged Band Chart - 2.4.16

OK bands you know the score .....

the more hits your blog gets by the fans ..... 

the higher you go .....

So Tweet it, Facebook it .....

Generally expose yourself .....


ralphslife.co.uk

                                         

Click here for the Ralph's Life website

Now Mr Snuggles and I have been sitting with our heads down counting the hits on each blog to see which band's got what place.

Tracks from the Top Ten Blogged Bands are played 
every Sunday 5-7pm on Radio KC as part of 
Ralph's Indie Show.

No 1: The Phantoms

Formed in Edinburgh in 2012 by four school friends, ThePhantoms released their debut EP This Is How It Should Be in December 2013 and followed this up with a short UK tour.

They are influenced by the likes of Kasabian and Simple Minds and are Colin Simpson on guitar and vocals, Colin Mckillop on lead guitar, Zach Tarimo Goodhur on bass and Blair Cullen on drums. 

No 2: Daniel Peterson

In order to try and keep Ralph's burgeoning International readership happy whilst maintining the UK unsigned integrity, we're featuring The Velvet Rope, a gem of a new single release by Daniel Peterson whose heritage is Antipodean but current location is London.

He's also recorded a debut album about the restoration of friendly relations; interestingly entitled, Welcome To My House Bumblebee. 

No 3 New York Tourists

Ralph's been spinning tracks on his Radio KC Indie Show on a regular basis by Blackburn band New York Tourists who are interestingly described as QOTSA meets Foals.

Their debut EP received rave reviews from some of the UK's most respected music media outlets and Chew Me Up, Spit Me Out was selected as one of BBC Intro's top 10 tracks of 2013. Support slots followed, with the band bagging appearances alongside the likes of The Subways, The View, The Sunshine Underground and The Buzzcocks plus a headline slot on the Alt Stage at Blackburn Festival.

No 4: Bloch Eyot

The story of Danish born but UK living Nikolaj Bloch who now performs under the pseudonym of Bloch Eyot is as strange and tangential as it is fascinating and absorbing. It leads us to his current incarnation which he describes as, "A new musical journey."

Born in Denmark, his mother taught him Danish political folk songs on guitar from the age of 6. he then trained in classical piano at college, and when he left school he joined a touring blues band.

No 5: Clay Gods

Following on from the release of their Stone Asylum EP back in 2014 and prior to the release of the upcoming Shadows And Noise album next year, Gloucestershire based Clay Gods have decided to celebrate the addition of drummer Max Ganderton to the band with the release of a double A Side single.

The hard-driving Cabin Fever in particular and the slightly lighter Looking For Jerusalem are the epitomy of doom-laden rock, lyrically and musically in the style of Liverpool's excellent Kynchinlay. 

No 6: Roman Nose

The last time Ralph checked out Roman Nose and gave them a spin on the Radio KC Indie Show was back when they did a collaboration with SAMA Best Electro winner Plum. They've been quiet of late, but I can assure you they're back with a bang in the form of the excellent new Jacked Up On Mercy EP to be released on Monday 28th March. The EP will be out on the band's own label Badly Built Records and will be available as a download.

No 7: James Holt

James Holt is a singer/songwriter from Manchester and he is receiving widespread attention for his unique blend of alternative rock and folk. 

The twenty-two year old has produced a collection of songs which belies his age. This is a solo record in the truest sense of the phrase, with James Holt having composed the songs, played all of the instruments and recorded and mixed the EP. James has already garnered the attention of world-renowned producer Brian Eno who described his music as “Brisk, funny, exciting. Great drumming....fresh and exciting to listen to”.

No 8: Jess Kemp

Ralph has been a fan of the supremely talented Jess Kemp for a while now having played her tracks on his Radio KC Indie show regularly over the last two years. 

In that time, her star has very much come into its ascendancy, especially with her video of Stars (one of the Videos Of The Week on ralphslife.co.uk last year) which was one of the musical highlights of 2015. All the more blatantly obvious due to the release of her debut EP Camden which is being launched in Manchester's Academy 3 on the 29th of April.

No 9 Kidsmoke

Since Ralph last checked out Kidsmoke last year they released the immaculate Cut Yourself Loose which has racked up over 20,000 plays on Soundcloud, Spotify and other sources. Now, the Welsh Indie-Pop outfit have announced Heartache as their second single of 2016. Recorded by Ben Trow and mixed by Darren Lawson.

No 10: Skellums

The EP Clarion Call by Skellums, received worldwide airplay; including of course, Ralph's Indie Show on Radio KC and was championed by BBC 6 Music's Steve Lamacq. 

Following its success, Skellums return with a double A side single Art of Dying Young / Do Me Wrong. Both tracks boast sharp, dextrous lyrics delivered with passion and personality, and accompanied by strong, ridiculously catchy melodies.

Ralph's Top 10 Blogged Band Chart - 26.3.16

OK bands you know the score .....

the more hits your blog gets by the fans ..... 

the higher you go .....

So Tweet it, Facebook it .....

Generally expose yourself .....


ralphslife.co.uk

                                         

Click here for the Ralph's Life website

Now Mr Snuggles and I have been sitting with our heads down counting the hits on each blog to see which band's got what place.

Tracks from the Top Ten Blogged Bands are played 
every Sunday 5-7pm on Radio KC as part of 
Ralph's Indie Show.

No 1: The Phantoms

Formed in Edinburgh in 2012 by four school friends, ThePhantoms released their debut EP This Is How It Should Be in December 2013 and followed this up with a short UK tour.

They are influenced by the likes of Kasabian and Simple Minds and are Colin Simpson on guitar and vocals, Colin Mckillop on lead guitar, Zach Tarimo Goodhur on bass and Blair Cullen on drums. 

No 2 New York Tourists

Ralph's been spinning tracks on his Radio KC Indie Show on a regular basis by Blackburn band New York Tourists who are interestingly described as QOTSA meets Foals.

Their debut EP received rave reviews from some of the UK's most respected music media outlets and Chew Me Up, Spit Me Out was selected as one of BBC Intro's top 10 tracks of 2013. Support slots followed, with the band bagging appearances alongside the likes of The Subways, The View, The Sunshine Underground and The Buzzcocks plus a headline slot on the Alt Stage at Blackburn Festival.

No 3: Clay Gods

Following on from the release of their Stone Asylum EP back in 2014 and prior to the release of the upcoming Shadows And Noise album next year, Gloucestershire based Clay Gods have decided to celebrate the addition of drummer Max Ganderton to the band with the release of a double A Side single.

The hard-driving Cabin Fever in particular and the slightly lighter Looking For Jerusalem are the epitomy of doom-laden rock, lyrically and musically in the style of Liverpool's excellent Kynchinlay. 

No 4: James Holt

James Holt is a singer/songwriter from Manchester and he is receiving widespread attention for his unique blend of alternative rock and folk. 

The twenty-two year old has produced a collection of songs which belies his age. This is a solo record in the truest sense of the phrase, with James Holt having composed the songs, played all of the instruments and recorded and mixed the EP. James has already garnered the attention of world-renowned producer Brian Eno who described his music as “Brisk, funny, exciting. Great drumming....fresh and exciting to listen to”.

No 5: Daniel Peterson

In order to try and keep Ralph's burgeoning International readership happy whilst maintining the UK unsigned integrity, we're featuring The Velvet Rope, a gem of a new single release by Daniel Peterson whose heritage is Antipodean but current location is London.

He's also recorded a debut album about the restoration of friendly relations; interestingly entitled, Welcome To My House Bumblebee. 

No 6: Bloch Eyot

The story of Danish born but UK living Nikolaj Bloch who now performs under the pseudonym of Bloch Eyot is as strange and tangential as it is fascinating and absorbing. It leads us to his current incarnation which he describes as, "A new musical journey."

Born in Denmark, his mother taught him Danish political folk songs on guitar from the age of 6. he then trained in classical piano at college, and when he left school he joined a touring blues band.

No 7: Jess Kemp

Ralph has been a fan of the supremely talented Jess Kemp for a while now having played her tracks on his Radio KC Indie show regularly over the last two years. 

In that time, her star has very much come into its ascendancy, especially with her video of Stars (one of the Videos Of The Week on ralphslife.co.uk last year) which was one of the musical highlights of 2015. All the more blatantly obvious due to the release of her debut EP Camden which is being launched in Manchester's Academy 3 on the 29th of April.

No 8 Alkanes

With their debut EP A Different Kind Of Perfect lined up for release on March 18th it's looking like 2016 will be a good year for Aberdeen based outfit Alkanes.

Following the demise of Inverness band Purple Divide in 2013, guitarist Dale looked to challenge himself with a new project. After experimenting with his song writing, he set his sights on a project a little heavier than Purple Divide.

No 9: Skellums

The EP Clarion Call by Skellums, received worldwide airplay; including of course, Ralph's Indie Show on Radio KC and was championed by BBC 6 Music's Steve Lamacq. 

Following its success, Skellums return with a double A side single Art of Dying Young / Do Me Wrong. Both tracks boast sharp, dextrous lyrics delivered with passion and personality, and accompanied by strong, ridiculously catchy melodies.

No 10: Roman Nose

The last time Ralph checked out Roman Nose and gave them a spin on the Radio KC Indie Show was back when they did a collaboration with SAMA Best Electro winner Plum. They've been quiet of late, but I can assure you they're back with a bang in the form of the excellent new Jacked Up On Mercy EP to be released on Monday 28th March. The EP will be out on the band's own label Badly Built Records and will be available as a download.