First of all what a great band name. And it just gets better from there. “Part-Time Hillbilly” sets out the stall . Big power chords and riffs with big meaty vocals. “Down In The Country” continues the style with no punches pulled . A rip snortin’ full tilt country boogie. “A Song For The Bruce” is a slower ballad with a touch of Lynyrd Skynyrd and a great vibe. “Throwdown” , and the boogie is back faster than ever . The drums provide a beat that makes you want to kick up the dust. Live I bet this one’s a monster!
“Tons Of Rain” tells the story of a flood in epic style. “Take Me To Town” has a touch of ZZ Top about it. “WHPH” has a riff worthy of those Aussie legends AC/DC and a rap feel like Aerosmith in collaboration with Run DMC. “Over Me” is a ballad with strong vocals which demonstrates the range of this band and “Here’s To Drinking” is a great song about …well… drinking! “Bad Gas” has a rap feel which this band do so well . There’s a lot of innuendo and more straight bawdy humour here which is a refreshing change. This bands songs are as catchy as anything and this album is a great night out in recorded form . In short they do exactly what it says on the Tinnie! Excellent .
Written by Paul Bamlett.
If you have enjoyed this article feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;
In Hearts Wake are a fantastic heavy rock band from Australia with a very clear environmental conscience. They have organised carbon offset for all of their consumption creating this excellent album. This instantly draws our attention and commands respect. The album opens with striking sounds and complex and captivating riffing and rhythms. “Worldwide Suicide” features barking vocals and big heavy riffs . Drum and bass sounds feature, Slayer meets the Prodigy. “Hellbringer” has fast thrash riffs and interesting additional vocals. “Moving On” has a more dancey opening . This track has a more melodic and epic feel. Doomy vocals are still there but nicely balanced by a more melodic vocals.
“Timebomb has angry vocals and a great loping riff”. “Son Of A Witch” once again has a nice mix of angry vocals and a more melodic approach . “Crossroads” has a more melodic feel. “Husk” has a gentler intro which shows the multiple skills of this band. “Naga” is a brilliant instrumental intro to “Form Of Life” which has strong vocals. “Dystopia” is the strongest track here with a superb melancholic melody. “2033” is a heavy closer with a great mix of angry riffing and vocals and a more melodic approach . This is a winning combination!
Written by Paul Bamlett.
If you have enjoyed this article feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;
Chloe Munt the electrifying lead singer and spectacular front woman of one of York’s finest bands, My Wonderful Daze has a new solo single out as Pick The Flowers. It is called “Belladonna” and just like her band it pretty much defies genre boxes. It has an electronic dance vibe with a kind of chilled lofi attitude. Belladonna is the name for one of the most poisonous plants on the planet, Deadly Nightshade and it is also Italian for beautiful lady. A single leaf off the plant is enough to kill a healthy adult due to the high concentrations of alkaloid toxins which cause havoc in the nervous system. The word itself is a a total contrast and it is this that Pick The Flower’s lyrics for “Belladonna” deal with. Particularly, I believe, the contradictions that exist in a relationship considering both the beauty and the toxicity that can exist in any relationship or tryst between two people. There is dark passion, frailty and venom in the lyrics. “Belladonna” is an absorbing tune the roots of which slide unnoticed into your temporal lobe and make a home there. So from the name of a killer plant comes a killer single. This song is the vanguard of something very special from Pick The Flowers, bring on the album!
This is a gentle easy on the ear album with some great melodic touches. “Give 2.0” opens with lovely piano and some nice harmonies to back up a soulful song. “Cry” has a more folk rock feel . There is a slight feel of Randy Newman in the vocals. “Found” has a country feel . The vocal itself has a touch of Stevie Wonder. On “Living Now” the horns add an additional dimension with a laid back feel and a beautifully controlled vocal. “You Know” features a reggae backbeat and once again the vocal is strong. This is not challenging music but that is its charm . A strong commercial feel and a great upbeat vibe which in these tough times is a very uplifting feeling.
Written by Paul Bamlett
If you have enjoyed this article feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;
Well Covid-19 has just about fucked up everything this year hasn’t it. Record Store Day (RSD) 2020 was postponed from April to June and then when June was cancelled it was split into three ‘drops’: August 29th, September 26th and October 24th. The first of those was last Saturday and featured most of the big releases including David Bowie, Mansun, the Cure and Gene among many others. I had the honour of helping out in my fantastic local record shop, Vinyl Eddie’s on the day. My pay for that task was the sheer pleasure of doing it and the two Bowie releases!
The pandemic meant that it was a long way from a typical RSD, with only four customers allowed into the shop at any one time and persuading those customers to focus on just the RSD releases with no browsing options. I was outside managing the queue while Vinyl Eddie himself and his Dad, John made sure all the sales went without a hitch. We were also treated to a short set by ace local band the Receivers who had released their new single, “Only Human” the day before. Having expected an acoustic set I was more than pleasantly surprised to see them bring amps and the full band. They set up on the pavement with drummer Louis setting up his kit pretty much in the road! With a few plays of the new single, some other new tracks and some Receivers classics I am counting this as my first gig since March 14th. Sadly the video that I thought I had taken on my phone, didn’t work 😦
I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who turned up and bought vinyl, to the Receivers for a great set, to Richard Saker the Guardian/ Observer photographer (check the Guardian RSD piece by clicking here, I was gutted my own picture didn’t make it) and most of all to Eddie and John Parkinson for giving me the opportunity to help them out on the day! While I am looking forward to RSD 2020 part 2 and part 3 I am hoping for big things and a degree of normality for RSD 2021. Long Live Vinyl and Keep The Faith!
If you have enjoyed this article feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;
Those dashing, dapper, debonair, daring, discerning, dynamic, dynamite, devil-may-care dudes the Receivers are back with a bang. Well in fact they are back with a banger in the shape of their new single “Only Human”. From the opening riffage you are lifted into the world of a band that is very much at the top of their game. This song is made for freaking out and going somewhat slightly mental to in a muddy festival field.
Probably the best vocal performance yet from lead singer and guitarist Nick. Meanwhile the rhythm section formed by Harry’s thunderous bass boom and Louis’ mountainous drumming purrs like a nicely run in Rolls Royce engine. On top of that add the sublime riffs and licks performed by lead guitarist Alex. The Receivers are coming out of the other side of COVID fully fit and ready to fight their way to the top. They might be only human but this is a single with super powers! These lads eat Kryptonite for breakfast!
You only have a couple of days to wait for “Only Human” to hit the streets, it is out on 28th August. But if you want to pre order it click here for the bands website. There is a fabulous 7 inch vinyl version from Vinyl Eddie Records available and that is the one I am hoping to get!
If you have enjoyed this article feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;
Here we are with our eleventh singles round-up of 2020. This one features seven great tunes, which found their way into the world over the past few weeks. This roundup carries on the guest reviewer approach kicked off when Simon Pattinson, Head Honcho of Northern Radar joined me to review a batch of singles in the 10th Roundup. This time I was joined joined for another Zoom listening extravaganza by Rusty Green, singer and guitarist with Lost Trends, one of York’s finest bands. If the weather is good and COVID-19 infection rates are low I hope to see those Lost Trends boys playing live again on 30th August, in a socially distanced setting, obviously!
These seven tracks feature another great selection of bands and singers from Long Island, Delaware, Glasgow, Whittingham Asylum, Brighton, Los Angeles and North East UK. All of these acts are new to With Just A Hint Of Mayhem except Moodbay and I am sure that they will all feature again sometime in the future. Play them all now, that’s an order!
Bill – I love the jaunty funk and Billy Whizz guitar licks. Great harmonies and at times Nick Heywardesque. A really cool summer vibe.
Rusty – MGMT style vocals with classy harmonies reminiscent of Empire Of The Sun. Funky pop with a great funk bass line. A bright tune that contrasts with some very dark lyrics
Rusty – A very mature voice. Probably not my kind of area, but a catchy, synth driven, bright pop tune. It kept me interested, was that a vocoder in there?
Bill – A love song about shoes, surely there aren’t many of those around? It made me think that I need to buy me some of the Bowie Vans. This is a great song with an excellent hook. It is really all about lost love, not just shoes, and it made me smile. Simply a perfect pop tune.
Bill – Very clever lyrics that are stylistically reminiscent of the Arctic Monkeys for me. This is a great slice of masterful post punk pop that reeled me in immediately. At times it reminded me of Cast and the Zutons. Did that lyric couplet say “voyeuristic wank”? 🙂
Rusty – Vocally it sounds like the Courteeners, I am definitely a fan of the Pleasure Heads now. The distorted bass roughed it up a bit and made it much rockier. The pre chorus was really cool.
Rusty – Like a heavy White Stripes. A great vocal and I like the way they used the synth. That reminded me of the Horrors and Mr Bungle. The heavier synth notes suggested a bit of Nine Inch Nails. The whole tune showed some great variation of styles.
Bill – Heavy, deep and masterful riffage. I love the vocals. Apparently this is a part of a concept album about being in an asylum. I am really looking forward to the album after hearing this.
Bill – Very soundtrackesque, like something from the sad part/ death scene of a David Lynch film. But it is also very chilled with a classical element. No real vocal, but there is a great use of overdubbed voices as an instrument. It made me think of Mogwai while on a post speed come down. Also some rather eery and odd scratchy samples used.
Rusty – definitely my favourite so far, fantastically produced. I really love the chord change from major to minor. Personally I would love to create and record a soundtrack one day.
Rusty – The drop into the chorus was truly brilliant. It suggests classic Primal Scream or the Rolling Stones at the height of their powers.
Bill – Like the heavy side of Brit Pop and yet it strangely reminded me of Kula Shaker as a 60s garage band. I sense a real influence from the classic rock of the 60s and 70s. Great rock vocalist and a tight, talented band. I loved the feedback heavy ending.
Bill – Classic 80s style synth pop, but clearly with a 21st century sheen. Like some of the best of the Human League or Depeche Mode but with Oakey and Gahan replaced by a, Anna Stephens a supremely talented vocalist. Great hooks with a middle eight that sounded like the Pet Shop Boys at their best.
Rusty – Pop is not a dirty word and this really is great pop. Catchy and yet very dark at times. Gorgeous vocals and I like that they left the ‘click’ on for the chorus.
If you have enjoyed this article feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;
I know that there is a dearth of female artists on festival bills and I hope that will change over time. However there is no shortage of great female artists out there, just take a look around people. Artists like Lauren Tate, the Tuts, My Wonderful Daze, Laura Kindelan are just a few of my favourites along with the stupendous Witch Of The East. Aeris Houlihan is the supreme talent behind Witch Of The East and on the new single “Comfort Me” she proves just how gifted she is. If you thought her 2019 album ‘Queen Of Insecurity’ was great then you will absolutely love this. If Aeris didn’t exist there is no way you could invent her. She is a one off and not many come close to her smart lyrics and sassy attitude. But it is not just the music either, the video for “Comfort Me” is very cleverly put together in a highly effective and inspiring original way.
Aeris shares vocals on the song with Zera Tonin from Arch Femmesis. The song was inspired by a horrible experience involving a few weeks in prison in Eastern Europe. Aeris confronted a sexist arsehole in a bar who clearly did not like being called out by a trans woman. He used his connections to have Aeris jailed. Thankfully she came through the experience stronger and began creating “Comfort Me” while in prison. It is a full on psych banger which gets into your head on first listen. This is a fabulous song and suggests that the next Witch Of The East album will be equally as good if not better than the last. To close I would like to add that Aeris Houlihan is one of the nicest and most interesting people I encounter regularly on social media.
If you have enjoyed this article feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;
Decay are a post-hardcore band from Liverpool with a strong emo influence. They number Basement and Title Fight amongst their prime influences. The title track kicks things off and is a good leadoff single. “September 27th” has a slower more ballad feel, great vocals, and strong melodies. “Empty Feelings” has a panoramic sound with some big guitar sounds. “Hold On” has a menacing bass line leading to a passionate vocal. “Misery” features ringing guitars and a raw vocal. “Endless Silence” has an ambient opening and is a short piece. “10.23” is just guitar and vocals. This track shows the true depth of this band. This is a strong anthemic ending and is beautifully balanced and well-executed. The melody is very strong and this is a very satisfying closer to this confident debut from this young and exciting band. More of the same, please!
Written by Paul Bamlett.
If you have enjoyed this article feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;
Mandown reference Rage against the Machine and the Prodigy. Certainly they bring the sound and attitude of both of these bands to what they do. Vocalist Ian Turner and drummer Lawrence Arnold are just the kind of intense and committed musicians we need right now. “Try or Die” leads off with big monster riffing. The RATM influence is writ big but this is no bad thing. “We Want Blood” is a big confrontational song with demanding vocals over big boomy riffage. These tracks are short, intense and mesmerising and this is a stirring call to arms. This EP is 12 minutes of monstrously good riffs and epic melodic vocals so I say never mind we want blood, we want more Mandown! Written by Paul Bamlett
If you have enjoyed this article feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;
With Just A Hint Of Mayhem 