The Velvet Hands have unleashed the first taster for their upcoming 3rd album. The song is called “I’ll Be Free” and it is a full-on 21st-century punk onslaught that would make the Strokes jealous. It is hook heaven and riff rapture combined in a powerful punky rock anthem that grabs you tight and does not let you go. The NME said that the Velvet Hands are “full of bolshy spirit” and this track proves it!
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I first encountered the Virginmarys through witnessing a blistering set from them on the Main Stage at Leeds Festival in 2016. Now this rather excellent British band, from Macclesfield, are about to release their fifth album ‘The House Beyond The Fires’ on the 1st of November. “There Ain’t No Future” is the second single from the album and it oozes class. These boys encompass classic rock, punk, blues, metal, and grunge to note just a few. This band has a true social conscience and wears it on its sleeves. The song is a dark and heavy rock banger that turns its anger up to Rage Against Machine levels and has riffs and backing vocals that Led Zeppelin would be proud of. Meanwhile, Ally Dickatay’s voice makes his rage, passion, and empathy super clear all this is supported by Danny Dolan playing his drums so hard that he might accidentally summon millions of long-dead spirits from their eternal sleep!
Photo by Debbie Ellis
Ally said of the new single “This is a track for the uninspired, for the unheard, those who crave truth and all that’s real. Those struggling day to day to make ends meet, yet still have love in their hearts to fight the good fight. Those who see the system is broken and choose not to punch down. We’re really proud of this track, musically, we haven’t released a song like this before, it’s a further glimpse into an album we consider our best work to date“. If the new album is just half as good as this single it will be stunning. The lyrics are passionate, and compassionate and throw rightful barbs at the powers that be and society in general. For example, the power in these four lines is spectacular. “No intervention, just dead air and tension, No redemption, no sick pay, no pension. Put up or shut up, subliminal lessons, The hills are alive with the sound of depression.” The Virginmarys are truly a band for our times and you need to listen to them!
They will be embarking on a European tour soon, which includes some UK dates, check the dates below and the band website for how to get hold of tickets:
28th Sept – NWOCR Live, KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton 2nd Nov – Cinemac Cinema, Macclesfield **Headline Tour 3rd Nov – Bodega, Nottingham **Headline Tour 4th Nov – The Garage, Glasgow **Headline Tour 5th Nov – The Cluny, Newcastle upon Tyne **Headline Tour 6th Nov – The Waterfront Studio, Norwich **Headline Tour 8th Nov – Bear Cave, Bournemouth **Headline Tour 20th Nov – Café V lese, Praha **Headline Tour 21st Nov – Durer Kert, Budapest **Headline Tour 23rd Nov – Legend Club, Milano **Headline Tour 26th Nov – X-TRA Musikcafe, Zurich **Headline Tour 28th Nov – Blue Shell, Cologne **Headline Tour 29th Nov – Molotow, Hamburg **Headline Tour 1st Dec – Rahuset, Kobenhavn **Headline Tour 2nd Dec – Badehaus Berlin **Headline Tour 3rd Dec – Feierwerk Orange house, Munchen **Headline Tour 4th Dec – Kulturclub schon schon, Mainz **Headline Tour 5th Dec – Willem Twee poppodium, Den Bosch **Headline Tour 7th Dec – Exchange, Bristol **Headline Tour 8th Dec – Oslo, Hackney London **Headline Tour
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Luv Dot Gov is a power-pop band from New York and their second album ‘The Good Times Are Over’ is a cornucopia of melodic delight with crunchy guitars and deadpan vocals aplenty. The title track “The Good Times Are Over” kicks things off in style with a Ramones meets the Monkees chorus. “Panik” opens on jangling guitars and Byrds-style vocals. Acapella vocals open “Maybe I Like The Rain” which is more balladic and gentle although the lyrics to all of these songs are somewhat dark. Big Hair metal riffs usher us into “Steal Your Heart” and a love song with its tongue firmly in both cheeks. “Blue Holiday” has a touch of Green Day about it and a more punky feel although the melody continues to be very strong. “Don’t Call Me” rather unexpectedly features a piano and is a truly standout song showing the breadth of this excellent band’s ambitions. In their press release, they talk about their struggle to make the record under lockdown and touch on the unsettling nature of some of their music. I for one will be searching out their 2018 debut album ‘At Least We’ve Got This Madness’ and also looking forward to seeing this melodic and thoughtful band live. Written by Paul Bamlett.
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