Are Gypsy Pistoleros set to release the greatest rock cover version since Alien Ant Farm’s, Smooth Criminal, or Cilla Blacks version of ‘Eye of the Tiger’?
They take it to a whole new level with a reworking of the world famous iconic Dexy’s Midnight Runners classic “Come on Eileen” It’s out now via Earache Records
“It’s the ultimate rock therapy! We aim to reclaim a song that has seeped into the world’s consciousness and fabric through drunken wedding, Xmas, birthday, hen & stag parties, etc. With all the messed-up memories associated with loads of them. We are going to rewrite history with an updated cracker. Wipe the slate clean! Plus, you can understand the words in our version. Nearly” – Lee.
This single is taken from the brand-new forthcoming genre defining album ‘Duende a Go Go Loco!’ Released Friday 3rd November.
‘Duende a Go Go Loco’ has been recorded, mixed, and produced by fast-rising legend Dave Draper (The Wildhearts, Nickleback, Kerbdog, Terrorvision) at The Old Cider Press Studios, Pershore. The full album Digital/CD & Vinyl packages are out November 3rd.
Gypsy Lee Pistolero: We played ‘Come on Eileen’ for the first time at a recent HRH Festival, and the crowd went nuts. Some critic had called us the Dexy’s Midnight Runners of Rock. We decided, let’s own it. We had to release it; the reaction was that ridiculous.
Vida, the six-piece collective from Clackmannanshire have released their great new single. ‘You Tell Me’. Written by the band’s drummer Jamie Piggott, the track is reflective and fits perfectly within their popular catalogue of jangly, acoustic based songs.
About ‘You Tell Me’, the band say: “It’s a ‘self-reflection’ of situations in life that everyone can relate to, excess, losing control once in awhile and getting back on track, the ebb and flow of life really. When Piggott brought the song to the rest of the band, we all knew instantly that it was a Vida track, it sticks to the true jangly acoustic nature of our writing.”
Vida’s sound is a throwback to the golden era of Britpop and a 1960’s psychedelic sound while also creating their own distinctive feel. Vida have featured at multiple festivals such as Isle of Wight, Reading, YNOT, Kendal Calling and TRNSMT. Their breakthrough came in 2016 when they released the hit single ‘Fade Away’ which has amassed over a staggering one million streams.
The band have previously worked with Steve Craddock of Ocean Colour Scene and Kieren Webster of The View who both produced some of their work. Vida took a hiatus in 2019 and they reappeared last year with their new line-up which consists of Nathan Evans, Jamie Piggott, Greg Ballantyne, Colin Davidson, Jacob Franklyn and Evan Cameron. With more releases in the pipeline and a possibility of an album before the end of the year, 2023 is really the hard working band’s year, with this new single, ‘You Tell Me’ cementing their intentions.
Formed and fronted by themagical and mystical Guy McKnight of the much revered and critically acclaimed cult favourite; The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster. Created in Liverpool in 2019 the band have won over audiences all over the UK and Europe with their idiosyncratic musical character getting unsuspecting audiences hyped to hysteria with their strangely seductive,noise-rock, synth-pop industrial sound that delivers nothing short of a unique musical experience. Their music is cacophonous and epic, featuring rich textures and melodic hooks that keep listeners captivated and the band have proved themselves stadium worthy in their own right, following their tours with Gods such as The Sleaford Mods and The Libertines.
THE DSM IV take their name from the ‘Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders vol IV’, as used by the American Psychiatric Association.
Guy’s interest in the manual was born out of his experiences in dealing with his own mental health;
“Mental health problems still carry so much stigma, through ignorance, fear, misunderstanding and intolerance. While I’m not necessarily an advocate as such for the limited categorisation, labelling and medicating of people, I’ve no doubt saved a lot of people too. The manual can be a contentious subject. Illness is part of the human condition and the reality of life and death. It’s not something to be looked down on.”
The band’s album ‘NEW AGE PARANOIA’ seamlessly brings together stories, beats, guitars & noise in an inspiring collection of kaleidoscopic reflections about right & wrong, dark & light, joy & pain, sin & shame – all at once sobering & yet intoxicatingly dream filled.
The single to be taken from the album ‘RECLAIM THE NIGHT’ is a powerful soundscape,filled with electronic beats and synths combined with thought-provoking lyrics, creating a mesmerising and enticing atmosphere inviting the listener into another dimension, another world where you can be set free of shackles to reclaim and entertain yourself in joyous abandonment without fear or judgement.
The accompanying video to the single is unleashed on the world today and it’s everything you would expect from this totally unpredictable outfit.
‘Reclaim The Night’ is a hypnotic, groundbreaking track from The DSM IV, featuring a blend of pulsing beats, mesmerising synths, and intriguing lyrics. With its innovative soundscape and hypnotic melodies, this track has a mass appeal across the genres and decades.
As Clash magazine astutely observed, this band bridges the gap between the primal garage punk of The Stooges and the screeching futurism of Suicide. There are clear influences from these artists, but The DSM IV put their own spin on those sounds, creating something that feels both classic and cutting-edge. In short, this is a band that defies easy categorisation and that I feel is a very good thing!
In the official music video to the track the story follows the band walking the streets while boxing and being caught on fire ….and on a night out at a raucous Liverpool pub, where they perform the single ‘Reclaim The Night’ amidst an intriguing array of colourful characters, featuring bins on heads, latex masks, a playing card and a fez making various memorable appearances throughout coupled with the pure cinematic brilliance as scenes and scenarios cut back and forth, leaving the viewer to decide between the dream and the reality.
The video perfectly captures the infectious energy of the song and the band’s performance. “THE DSM IV make music for the people…living in strange times. Poetry in motion. Nasty & Nice Tunes……with lashings of magic & just a spoonful of spite.”
Pelikan Rogue are going from strength to strength in 2023 with their long-anticipated new releases. Following 2019’s undeniably catchy ‘Podium Queen’, vocalist Scott Russells’ foot-tapping ode to his dancer wife, fans were treated to a more melancholy and poignant tune in the summer of 2023 with the release of live favourite ‘The Vet’, which once again saw the involvement of J.P. Reid of Succiopero & Marmaduke Duke alongside talented Ayrshire producer Tony Strachan.
Complimenting the watertight rhythm section of Andy Strachan (bass) and Adrian Chow (Drums),new guitarist Gus Manson brings soaring guitar solos and hooks that captivate audiences from Liverpool’s Cavern Club to Glasgow’s King Tuts to packed-out festivals.
The new single ‘Crawl’ shows the depth that new keyboard player Gavin Lauchlan has added to the band through layers of meticulously crafted synths and pumping dance piano. Manson’s guitar hook is an instant earworm, culminating in a solo that reverberates through venues up and down the country.
Despite the upbeat and catchy feel of the song, audiences will find an oddly dark edge to Russell’s powerful lyrics in a cautionary tale of overindulgence and bad decisions.
With more music to come in 2023 and sold-out shows booked, expect the buzz around Pelikan Rogue to grow even louder!
Formed in 2022 after their ground floor flat started subsiding into the earth, Own World is the new musical project of Joe Sigee (vocals; guitar) and Matthew Lawrenson (synths; bv’s) — who were joined by Alex Bailey (bass) and Holly Hardy (drums) after relocating their living room to an industrial estate in Tottenham.
There, in a bright orange studio surrounded by kebab meat factories and church gospel choirs, the four-piece (which includes two members of R&S Records alumni Vondelpark in Lawrenson and Bailey) decided to make good after a few years of cloistered experimenting and tentative release plans.
Subsisting on a diet of XTC, Arthur Russell and YMO, the band invested in a panoply of analog synthesisers ahead of a series of escapes to a mountainside cottage in Wales. There, they filled endless hard drives with all kinds of idiosyncratic music. They finally decided to take stock of their hazy and nostalgic creations, recording a wealth of tunes back in London — later to be mixed by Domino artist and producer Wilma Archer, and pioneering electronic artist Lxury.
‘SIMULATE’ is their second release after featuring on Slow Dance Records’ 2023 compilation with ‘In Style’. ‘SIMULATE’ is a dusky and mysterious track fuelled by stuttering percussion, lurching bass and a cosmic synth melody. Embellished by the melodic inflections of Sigee’s trance-like vocals, and opiated by a layer of glistening harmonies, the track harks back to ‘90s trip-hop and ‘00s dream pop while also pointing towards something altogether more unique.
Hailing from Swansea, The Stray Pursuit emerges as a dynamic force in the realm of Alternative Rock. Distinctive for their guitar-driven riffs and captivating vocals, each track becomes an embodiment of their eclectic musical tastes. Inspired by bands like Green Day, Stereophonics and Guns N Roses, their music resonates with a unique fusion of influences.
The four-piece consists of the lead singer Aaron Morgan, lead guitarist Dylan Evans, bassist Fred Wilkinson, and drummer Ben Lewis. They had their first gig in November 2018, quickly followed by a string of sold-out shows. Including Swansea’s renowned music hub Sin City in March 2019 with their debut single release show of “Out of This World”. Since then, they have supported The K’s, featured on This Feeling’s ‘Big in 2020’, and played alongside Sub Focus, Steel Bangelz and Caity Baser at the Swansea Student Summer Ball 2023.
The band’s origin story traces back to an unexpected bus ride that led Aaron and Fred to forge an unexpected bond. Despite being rivals in separate bands, their chemistry became undeniable during a jam session. The addition of exceptional talents lead guitarist Dylan and drummer Nicky solidified the line-up.
Tragedy struck when founding drummer Nicky Bevan passed away in December 2022. The devastating loss catalysed a renewed purpose for the band: to honor Nicky’s legacy and prove their potential for greatness. The pandemic-induced hiatus and Fred finishing university provided a window for maturity for the band. Emerging from this break in June 2022, and Ben joining the band later in April 2023, The Stray Pursuit re-entered the practice room, channelling their energy into crafting new tracks and elevating their stage presence and live performance.
A new chapter unfolded at Longwave Studios in Cardiff, where they collaborated with producer Romesh Dodangoda to record their debut EP. Scheduled for release by December 2023, this EP promises to be a testament to their growth and artistic evolution.
About the song:
Delving into the intricacies of a strained relationship between a son and his mother, ‘Mama’ becomes an emotional canvas where frustration and confusion are elegantly woven into a quest for clarity, improved communication, and a shared understanding.
The song’s foundation is built upon a commanding bassline, driving the rhythm with unwavering intensity. Intermittent pauses and calculated breaks strategically highlight moments where the titular word ‘Mama’ is delivered with unwavering vocal prowess, charged with raw power and undeniable passion.
This punchy and enthralling composition not only captivates the senses but offers a tantalising glimpse of the journey The Stray Pursuit promises to embark upon.
Produced under the expert guidance of Romesh Dodangoda, at Longwave Studios in Cardiff, this single aims to leave an indelible mark on the auditory landscape.
June 23rd, 2023 marked the triumphant return of Canadian melodic rock band Fatal Vision, with the release of their sophomore album Twice on the Pride & Joy Music label. Fatal Vision’s debut album Once re-introduced the band in 2022, charting at #10 on the Japanese import chart, and in Canada, Mexico, and Switzerland on the iTunes rock chart.
Twice shows Fatal Vision continuing to delve into a rich tapestry of sounds both familiar and modern. The thirteen tracks nod to Fatal Vision’s key influences, including Survivor, Bad English, Loverboy, Night Ranger and REO Speedwagon.
The first single, “In My Fantasy”, is a hard rocker reminiscent of Bon Jovi at their peak, followed by the post-apocalyptic, Asia-like “Tomorrow Never Comes” and the obvious Alice Cooper influences of “Welcome to my Nightmare.”
The album also features power ballads “End of the Dream” (a duet with upcoming Nashville female artist Christine Corless, also featured on Once), “The Last Summer Night”, and “Don’t Fall In Love With A Dreamer” (which includes a record-setting 26-second final note by Marwood) as well as the mid-tempo duet (again with Corless) “Time Has Left Us As Strangers”, the melancholic offering “Ghosts of Yesterday”, rock number “In The Middle Of The Night” and the triumphant conclusion “Start Again.”
Videos are being filmed for each of these tracks as an ongoing story of a lost love and the possibility of second chances is played out.
Once again, the album has been graced by hard rock royalty, including Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge of Forever, Hardline), Harry Hess (Harem Scarem), Paul Laine (Danger Danger, The Defiants), Marc Lafrance (Loverboy, Motley Crue), JK Northrup (King Kobra, XYZ) and Jeff Scott Soto (Journey, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) on backing vocals, Mark Holden (Boulevard) on saxophone, and Northrup and Derry Grehan (Honeymoon Suite) contributing additional guitars.
Benny The Moth are the four piece genre defying, high impact band hailing from Jersey Channel Islands consisting of Lionel Gomes on Vocals, Tom Kennedy on Guitars, David Michel on Bass and James Evans on Drums.
No strangers to the scene, the band first formed in 2002 starting life in the province of Gorey in Jersey, which is not only famous for reasons, now undoubtedly, linked to the band but also for the nocturnal insect life that resides there amongst its merriment of lights and rich fauna. And of course it’s also from where the band took inspiration for their somewhat unusual moniker!
Following the release of their track ‘No War’ on Bubblebrain Records in December 2022 and the remix version by Ian McCoy in February 2023, the band are now on the cusp of releasing their debut EP entitled ‘Rise and Fall’ the first single from which is the straight off the bat, frenzied drumming, high octane belter of ‘Flavour of ’95’
Get ready to groove down memory lane with Benny The Moth’s latest single, “Flavour of ’95.” With a playful and infectious energy, the band invites listeners to bask in the nostalgia of the legendary 1990s while embracing the present moment.
“Flavour of ’95,” masterfully weaves lyrics that capture the essence of a generation that refuses to be defined by age. The verses resonate with the theme of breaking free from societal constraints, as the band proclaims, “Society will shape your life, but the way you live only you decide.” This empowering message sets the tone for a track that celebrates individuality and unapologetic self-expression.
The chorus exudes a sense of carefree revelry. Benny The Moth artfully blends humour and nostalgia, bridging the gap between generations with a wink and a nod to the past. As the song delves into its second verse, Benny The Moth draws from their own experiences, having “been around and seen it all.” The lyrics encourage listeners to embrace the rhythm of life, dancing and flowing to the beat of their own hearts.
Through vibrant storytelling, the band creates an anthem that captures the spirit of celebration and the joy of being present in the moment. “Flavour of ’95” is an irresistibly catchy track that reflects Benny The Moth‘s musical prowess and knack for storytelling. By blending a fun and slightly cheeky tone, the band underscores their relatable journey while inviting listeners of all ages to unite in a collective dance down memory lane. The song is a testament to the timeless spirit of celebration, encouraging us all to savour life’s flavours, just like they did back in ’95.
As a whole, Benny The Moth are a band who effortlessly combine elements of reggae, dub, punk, ska and rock with a dash of Latin and Jazzto their music. They’ve successfully combined elements of everything they love into one big melting pot and the result is a delectably delicious new wave genre of something which is fresh, vibrant and beyond exciting! They’ve produced a brand new genre of genreless music for the masses to revel in and enjoy. This is one band for sure that can’t be and won’t be pigeonholed!
‘Flavour Of ‘95’ was recorded at Orbital Studios in Jersey and was produced and mixed by Lucas Saunter. The track is being released on all digital streaming and download platforms by Bubblebrain Records and is published by Sentric.
The ‘Rise and Fall’ EP is scheduled for release on Bubblebrain Records on the 15th September. The EP will comprise four previously unreleased tracks including the lead focus single of ‘Flavour Of ‘95’ together with 3 other tracks being ‘Naive’, ‘She’s Elastic’ and ‘Rise and Fall’.
Upcoming Gigs / Tours
Having just enjoyed playing packed out gigs in Southampton and Brighton Benny and The Moth are now looking to play more UK dates with London, Liverpool and Manchester all on the list with dates and venues to be announced shortly.
Confirmed dates are as follows:
Sat 16th Sept (with Dodgy) Blue Note, Jersey
Sat Sept 30 Headlining the Corn Riots Festival, Jersey
Albion are the London based six-piece band composed of members Ben on Lead Vocals, Guitar and Harmonica, Bidz on Vocals and Lead Guitar, Hunter on Bass, Jack on Drums, Jake on Vocals and Guitar and Sophie on Keys.
With influences ranging from The Beatles to Red Hot Chilli Peppers, from The Rolling Stones to Ludovico Einaudi, each set list and live show from this band is always an eclectic mix of music. They cite themselves as sounding like The Pogues shaken up with a bit of Oasis, with a side of The Velvet Underground!
Formed in 2021 and having released a string of singles to date to include ‘Millenial Me’ and ‘Capital’, in 2021 ‘No One Said’, ‘I Who Never Turned Back’, ‘Everything As Easy’, ‘Roundabout Ruse’ and ‘Silhouette Of Me’ in 2022 and the 2023 releases of ‘Nothing Matters’ (April), ‘Wonderfully Human’ (May) and ‘Nothing New Under The Sun’ (June), the band are now gearing up for their fourth single release of the year the poignant, delicate offering in dedication to the late great Amy Winehouse simply named ‘Amy’.
‘Amy’ is a song about love and loss, unrequited feelings and regret. The title refers to Amy Winehouse and the beauty of her music whilst also detailing the story of a love that never reached its full potential..It’s a bouncy ballad packed with instruments from guitars and keys, to harmonica and mandolin that layer with the harmonious vocals and poignant lyrics making for a rich tapestry of sound.
The track was written by the band in their formative months of first forming, with the track originally titled ‘Burning Holes’ and it is the first complete track that the band ever wrote.
‘Amy’ is the first song to be released from Albion’s forthcoming E.P, ‘The Rooms Where Songs are Made’ which is due for release on the 29th September 2023.
‘Amy’ was recorded at The Libertines HQ The Albion Rooms in Margate and was mixed by award winning in -house sound engineer Jason Stafford and mastered by Graham Waller.
Formed in the West Midlands during the latter part of 2020, Finding Bella are the five piece indie rock band consisting of Oli White on Vocals/Guitar, Simon Black on Guitar, Ben White on Keys/Synth/Vocals, Liam Hadfield on Bass and John Woodward on Drums.
From their very inception the band simply burst onto the Birmingham music scene, quickly gaining traction and fans by performing at iconic venues such as the O2 Academy and The Sunflower Lounge.
Releasing their debut single “Good Right Now” in February 2022 (42,572 Spotify streams) which was nominated for ‘Crags Radio Listeners Choice Single Of The Year’ the band released two further singles in the same year, “Set It Off” in July 2022 (45,933 spotify streams) & ‘Drama Kids’ in September 2022 which went onto win ‘Switch Radio’s Single of the Year 2022’. The band also came third in ‘Radio Wigwam’s Band Of The Year 2022 awards’.
2023 saw the band continue on their upwards trajectory with the release of the first single ‘The Feeling’ from their upcoming EP ‘Bad Intentions’.
‘The Feeling’ with its melodic verses and echoing lead lines was a hit for the band gaining them airplay across the globe not only in the UK, but in France, Canada, America and Australia and praise from press such as:
“Don’t miss this chance to be part of the musical revolution brought to you by Finding Bella. Stay tuned, because greatness awaits!” – Babystep Magazine
Finding Bella are now gearing up for the second single to be released from their upcoming EP, the politically charge rousing anthem of ‘Albion’
‘Albion’ is a musical middle finger to establishment, offering a ‘matter of fact’ yet overdue commentary on life in Britain to a crowd that is already in agreement, comfortable in the knowledge that they are sharing the same experiences that the band are able to recite so fluently. Built-in references to political corruption, corporate greed, and social media influence within the song’s lyrics add a level of level-headed maturity to what could wrongly be perceived as youthful insubordination.
Finding Bella’s equally built-up passion and frustration bursts throughout the track, pulling listeners in from its early kick drum beat, and gritty bassline. Raw guitar sounds build further authenticity to the track’s sound, supported by the meaningful lyrics that sound as if being shouted through a megaphone to a cheering crowd outside any building of authority.
‘Albion’ was written collectively by the band and was mixed and produced by Ryan Pinson at RML Studios, Wolverhampton and Mastered by Andy Baldwin from Metropolis Mastering.
The debut EP fromFinding Bella entitled‘Bad Influences’ is a collection of five brand new tracks including ‘The Feeling’ and ‘Albion’ which is scheduled for release on the 29th September.
PREVIOUS PRESS ACCOLADES
“This band is the next big band to break out of Birmingham” Away Day Radio
“Just when you think guitar bands have had their day, along comes a no-nonsense driven group of troubadours.” – Slap Mag
“We can easily see these guys getting big, especially if they keep on releasing music that’ll get you up on your feet!” It’s All Indie
“The sound of this band is refined and solid.” Edgar Allen Poets
“Offering rock energy and sensibilities, the Birmingham based outfit manages to deliver a sound that’s appealing to a wide variety of listeners.” Your Music Experience
UPCOMING GIGS /TOURS
Friday 20th October – EP Launch Gig Deadwax Digbeth (supports TBA) Ticket Link
Throughout October, Finding Bella will be touring as part of their own headline tour in support of the EP release. Full Dates and venues TBA
Indie Revolution 