Allow us to introduce you to The Duffaloes, a band we suspect you will be hearing a lot more of once their debut EP is released this coming August. Only formed a handful of weeks ago, the British outfit is the creation and union of vocalist/guitarist Lee Duffy and guitarist/bassist Lee Williams, two musicians no strangers to the Liverpool music scene through playing in other bands and in other guises over the years. Recently the pair sent over to us a couple of songs from that forthcoming EP and we have to say you are going to like what they have to offer.
The band’s sound going by these tracks is a feisty mix of alternative and melodic rock with numerous other flavours involved and bred in the inspiration to the pair of bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, U2, Metallica, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. Inviting musicians friends to “jump in” and help out live and in the studio, The Duffaloes have a persistent freshness to their music which colludes with their obvious experience and creative maturity and quickly makes a strong impression across the songs Scars and Outside.
Scars is a fiery encounter with a raw grunge tone to its melodic and emotive heart. Straight away it coaxes and teases attention with an opening riff and inviting bassline speared by lively beats. Duffy’s vocals are just as swiftly alluring ears and attention, his great tones a dusky mix of earnest growl and plaintive expression against the web of melodic enterprise cast by the guitars. Like a mix of Jacksons Warehouse and Stone Temple Pilots, the track tenaciously dances in ears, enticing and challenging with its roar and emotive intensity. At times ridiculously catchy and constantly commanding attention, Scars has lead single written all over it, especially once its emerging Pete Wylie like hooks captivate.
There is similar instinctive angst and imagination of sound within Outside but also an individuality which adds even more intrigue and depth to the band’s sound and songwriting. With more of a pop rock air than the rawer texture of its companion, the track still has an edge of attitude and texture which quickly gets its claws into the imagination, the body as swiftly hooked on its lively gait and infectious Echo and The Bunnymen scented chorus.
There is a familiarity to both tracks but nothing especially definable or diluting the strength and pleasure gained with each. Of course two songs is early days to truly assess a band but it is hard not to breed real anticipation for their future and expectations that a great many of you like us will develop a real appetite for their imagination woven rock ‘n’ roll.
Check out The Duffaloes further @ https://www.facebook.com/TheDuffaloes/ and watch out for their debut EP released August 1st.
Pete RingMaster 14/06/2017
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright
Its title track sets things in motion, a resonating bassline the first beckon soon joined by percussion with a sense of hunger to it as to the eager strokes of guitar soon joining in. The lively simmer becomes an energetic dance, the keys of Charlie Sehres a captivating bloom alongside the enterprise of his brother Jack and vocalist Cole Gann’s guitars. With rhythms just as boisterous in the stop start bounce and subsequent fiery waltz, the track simply infects ears and appetite for spicy rock ‘n’ roll.
Featuring former members of Heaven’s Basement and Endless Mile, Milton Keynes based Fragile Things have recently completed a host of dates alongside the excellent Slam Cartel and are now, as suggested, concentrating on breaking national exposure starting with Broken Sun, a proposal getting straight down to action with its opener Enemy Is I. With acidic riffs and robust rhythms, the song bounds in from a distance with vocalist Richie Hevanz leading the charge, his tones impressive and expressive. Once in full view, it settles into a feisty stroll with tangy grooves from Mark Hanlon lighting up crunchy beats and steely riffs, all subsequently entwined in fiery melodies. Group vocals are the rousing icing on the infectious enticement, the track not particularly surprising but richly satisfying to start things off.
Example 1 strides in next with its own web of grouchy riffs and sonic tempting, Bourgon again quickly impressing with his expressive delivery with the band backing him in potent vocal kind. As with its predecessor, there is something familiar to the song and sound yet mostly indefinable as it adds great spice to the fresh stomp lighting the senses. Certainly there is a touch of Tool to the track, but again a colour in the Dead Air Republic palette which becomes more dynamic and unpredictable with every inventive minute. Anthemic to the core, the song continues the already mighty presence of the release in ear and thought before making way for the darker drama of The Waves.
Recorded with producer Matt Hyde (Slipknot/Machine Head/Funeral For A Friend/Gallows), Yesterday Becomes Tomorrow quickly stirs up ears and an eager appetite with Death Of A Gift, its entrance of fuzzy guitar and brewing intensity a potent coaxing. In no time it is into a reserved but fiery stroll with the superb tones of McKenzie strongly impressing, as too the web of grooves and sonic endeavour escaping his guitar strings. Band inspirations include the likes of Biffy Clyro, Pearl Jam, and Alter Bridge, and fair to say in the opener alone you can feel those essences colouring the song’s inviting roar, but equally This Year’s Ghost casts its own identity in the rich melodies and vocal harmonies shaping the excellent drama of the song.
It is not a roar to stop you in your tracks but certainly one that boldly turns up and strongly nudges attention, and as found here, a swiftly keen appetite its way too. First track Stan, which comes with a just as alluring video, opens on a winey web of guitar tempting as rhythms robustly line it’s sonic coaxing. The strong and expressive tones of Barbone, backed strongly by Pontone, soon have ears just as fully engaged, his voice as the song’s sound, carrying an open air of familiarity to create a presence lying somewhere between Gruntruck, The Cars, and Joe Jackson. Increasingly it blossoms an invasive flirtation of keys and creative drama with a virulently infectiousness in tow which makes easy work of exciting ears and an ardour. It is arguably not a song offering real surprises but with plenty of imagination soaked flavours it is a thorough, inescapable enjoyment.