No Snuggles they're not real seagulls

OK bands you know the score by now....

the more hits your blog gets by the fans, the higher up the chart you go.....so Tweet it, Facebook it.....and generally expose yourself.....

Only recently formed but making a big noise with gigs and lots of interest on the airwaves, it's London band.....

1. Crystal Seagulls



Down one place this week after narrowly loosing a phenomenal battle to hold the top spot, Manchester's.....

2. Everyday Goldfish



Down one place but still a lot of interest in the Dubstep track recently released by.....


3. Plum



Second week in the chart and holding on to the same place, it's Scottish singer/songwriter.....


4. Sean Kennedy



Playing The Fiddlers Elbow, Camden today so great news that they're up from last weeks No. 7 for London band.....


5. The Bedroom Hour



New to the chart with news of an EP release and loads of gigs for solo artist.....


6. Franco & The Dreadnought



Down from last weeks No 3. for chart favourites.....


7. Vukovi



Back in the chart with a lot of interest in their blog prior to their Online Festival gig on Saturday.....

8. Transition baby!



Down from last weeks No. 5 spot for Scottish band.....


9. KOBI



Also returning to the Chart after a lot of hits on their blog following a spot in The Online Festival gig in Manchester.....


10. Stolen Haven

Crystal Seagulls.....clear cut ambition.....

Crystal Seagulls bill themselves as a new London-based four piece Brit Rock band whose music holds a mixture of the infectious sounds of the Sixties, the swagger of the Nineties whilst simultaneously paving the way for a whole new style of music.  Brave words but do they live up to their swag?  Yes they do as they've just seen of some stiff competition to win the right to play the Isle Of Wight festival Introducing Stage at this years festival!  They're one of only 6 bands chosen from the 3,000 who originally applied.




Well you only have to listen to 'Yours For As Long As You Keep Me' to pick up the Brit Pop vibe, hints of those cheeky chappies Supergrass and just a sprinkling of Blur.  If you want to dredge the depths of time for a true influence there's more than just a nod to the godfathers of Brit Pop,The Small Faces.....this is a good thing!

Despite only having formed early this year they've had some exposure on the airwaves including French station RKC, BBC Three Counties Radio and most recently Brooklands Radio in North Surrey when they were nice enough to give this very blog a name-check!  

Back to the music and the next track for your delictation is 'Ups and Downs' which is a punchier guitar driven track that'll have the Crystal Seagull's crowds firmly in the palm of their hands.....or should that be under their wings?  Despite their relatively recent formation they've been doing some extensive gigging including a spot at this years sell out Brisfest!

Jim Lawton- Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Elz Whitty- Lead Guitar/Vocals

John Armstrong- Bass/VocalsBen Heliczer- Drums

'Play Dead' is a dirtier, sleazier track, all throaty vocals, drums and thrashing guitar.....gotta love it.....a bit more grown up from ones so young.  They got together whilst at college earlier this year and things have moved on fairly swiftly since.....some very accomplished music for ones so relatively young.  Crystal Seagulls seem to have a good grasp of what it takes to get noticed and how to get their music out there.....

Franco and the Dreadnought.....

Franco and the Dreadnought  announced himself on the scene with his powerhouse voice and agile fingers. This young lad has the goods and the capability of packing arenas full of people waving their lighters in the air and singing along with every fibre of their being.  


He and his trusty guitar, the Dreadnought, are bound to move the masses into musical bliss.  It is awe inspiring to hear an acoustic song such as “Bulletproof” convey the sweet, melt your heart sentiment of Damien Rice while creating the same emotive impact as the arena rock of Oasis (who, thankfully he's managed to avoid sounding like). His singing and playing exude confidence and while making no attempt at covering up his English inflections, his delivery is all the more real and raw.



Now obviously I didn't write that 'cause it's all long music journo type words, but I'm an equal opportunities Jack Russell so I thought I'd better give his P.R. person a go.....with reference to his delivery and inflections he's got hints of Matt Corby, and just a shade of The Streets but without the rap.....and the boy can play a mean guitar.....even better he's writing some lyrically impressive tunes, none more so then the single 'Last Man Standing' which is very much a 'coming of age' as he's found his musical niche as a solo artist.




The single 'Last Man Standing' was released late last year and it's an outstanding track.  There's a great selection of remixes too, including one by J Majik and Wikaman although Ralph's personal favourite is the Ear Abuse Dubstep mix.....crank it up!

Franco has released a 6 track EP of demos which is currently being played on radio stations worldwide.  Having recently recorded 4 singles with the Animal Farm label and produced a music video, his debut single 'Last Man Standing' was released at the start of July last year and he celebrated a deal with Respect Music.


Big news recently was his collaboration with Mercury Music Prize nominee Kathryn Williams resulting in two outstanding acoustic tracks.  The first was 'Not Enough' - a haunting almost plaintive song, and Franco's almost tortured vocal brings it to life.

Franco told me the story behind it..... "she's from Newcastle and I from Manchester, so we decided to write it in the middle - York. It was at a venue called House Concert's York (the best venue in England!) where we both had done gigs previously - effectively just someone's house (Tony and Nicky Fothergill's). They went out for the afternoon and left us writing in their kitchen."

"It's just a great, simple, stripped back folk song."

The second track, just released is 'Where I'm Calling From' and it's another gentle,  reflective track that  suits his 'real and raw' vocal style.  Let's hope they get together again soon and bring us some more tracks like this!  There is more news regarding a new release from Franco, but my lips are sealed...for now!






Franco played a showcase set at The Urbis, Manchester  and guest reviewer the mysterious Mr Peeps was lucky enough to be there and had this to say.....

Thanks to Janine Simone Photography for this photo
 of Franco live at The Urbis.....

"To be honest, I hadn't heard of Franco and the Dreadnought until last week. I was invited to the 'Unconventional' event at the Urbis where Franco played a quality 3 song set.

This consisted of: 

"Truth" (The song Desmond Tutu asked Franco to write for Nelson Mandela's birthday!)

"Moving Mountains" 

"Where did all my friends go?"

Every song had a very personal touch, and the emotion put into the lyrics and delivery really carried across, holding the attention of the all too small crowd that were scattered around the room. The last song Franco played, "Where did all my friends go?" (a tale about growing old and falling out of touch with your best friends) must have rang true with a lot of people as his observations and experiences were detailed perfectly. 

I'd liken Franco to an early Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. Which can't be a bad thing."

Here's a list of Franco and the Dreadnought's upcoming gigs.....

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Sat, 04 May

Liverpool, UK

Liverpool Sound City Festival

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Sun, 05 May

Manchester, UK

Retro Bar

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Thu, 16 May

West Sussex., UK

The Duke of Wellington

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Fri, 17 May

Brighton, UK

The Alternative Escape

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Mon, 10 Jun

London, UK

The Troubadour

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Sat, 29 Jun

Yorkshire, UK

Dent Music and Beer Festival

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Wed, 24 Jul

Warsaw, PL

Various venues across Poland

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Fri, 02 Aug

NYC, NEW Y, US

TBC

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Fri, 09 Aug

Atlanta, GEORG, US

TBC

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Ralph's Top Ten Blogged Band Chart..... 2/11/12

No Snuggles you aren't 
getting a goldfish everyday, 
Everyday Goldfish are at No 1.....

OK bands you know the score by now....

the more hits your blog gets by the fans, the higher up the chart you go.....so Tweet it, Facebook it.....and generally expose yourself.....

With a  review of their EP launch at The Cadence Cafe in Manchester it's back to the top spot for.....

1. Everyday Goldfish





Big news this week of a single release and a Dubstep collaboration with TeKlo up from last weeks bottom spot.....

2. Plum




Top spot last week with news of their mini tour of Scotland and the excellent new EP release but down two this week.....


3. Vukovi




A new entry to the chart and a recent EP release he's a young man with a bright musical future.....

4. Sean Kennedy




Another Scottish act with a new single out and a collaboration with Them & Us.....

5. KOBI




Down two places from last weeks No. 4 but still plenty interest in Scottish band.....

6. Holy Pistol Club




Down one from last week but don't miss viewing their acoustic track just out.....

7. The Bedroom Hour




Brighton's youngest, brightest and shiniest young things.....

8. Bent Cousin




Boss Liverpool lads heading down to gig in London last night and Liverpool on the 10th November.....

9. Tea Street Band




They're playing Dry Bar Manchester 9th November with four other of The Online Festival bands.....

10. Transition baby!