New York Tourists – Call

NYT_RingMaster Review

Whether being described as Queens of The Stone Age meets Foals is a true colour to the New York Tourists sound we are still debating but it does hint at the rich flavour and textures within it, qualities ripe in the band’s new single Call.

It is fair to say that the British alternative rock quartet has been garnering hefty praise in reviews and attention since the release of their debut EP, Thankyou & Goodnight late 2012, its track Chew Me Up, Spit Me Out, selected as one of BBC Introducing’s top 10 tracks of 2013. Its success helped lead New York Tourists to support slots for the likes of The Subways, The View, The Sunshine Underground, and Buzzcocks whilst also headlining the Alternative Stage at Blackburn Festival. Second EP Dead Man’s Leather was unveiled in 2014 via London based label Kittiwake Records, and more acclaim and attention flew their way as well as opportunities to play with band such as We Are Scientists, The Cribs, and Shed 7 soon after. Having begun recording their successful Kickstarter funded debut album earlier this year and playing Hogton Tower in Preston as the main support to Status Quo in front of 12,000 people, the foursome of vocalist/guitarist Gary Taylor, guitarist Carl Rutherford, bassist Adrian Mckenzie, and drummer Joe Mooney have had an exciting year, one only continuing with Call, the band whetting and inflaming the appetite for their album at the same time.

The single opens with the falsetto prowess of Taylor, his lofty tones backed by more earthbound hues, presumably also his own, as guitars cast their magnetic lure over ears and around the lively rhythmic frame of the song. With a scent of psych rock and post punk/new wave spice to its invitingly volatile climate and body, the track canters along with an engaging melodic character and busy energy around an impressive vocal tempting. Rhythmically the song reminds of fellow Brits The Sea, whilst its vocal and inventive heart offers a familiarity hard to pin down but certainly with seeds in more adventurous Brit Pop.

Leaving a certain want for more, Call is a potent tempter for the New York Tourists album whenever that comes along, and if its songs can match up to the single, more highly enjoyable times are afoot.

Call is released October 24^th

Upcoming Live Dates:

30th October – Camden Barfly

13th November – Ferret, Preston

19th November – Wharf Chambers, Leeds

http://www.new-yorktourists.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/NEW-YORK-TOURISTS-188920262416/ https://twitter.com/newyorktourists

Pete RingMaster 23/10/2015

For more exploration of the independent and promotional services check out http://www.zykotika.com/

Armstrong – Self Titled EP

Sep28

Say hello to Armstrong, a quintet from Scotland who on the evidence of their new self-titled EP have the knack in writing some rousing slices of melody thick rock ‘n’ roll. The four track release is the back up to an eagerly received debut single unveiled this past August, a thicker confirmation of its success and broader bait to a national awareness of their rather flavoursome sound.

Hailing from Glasgow, Armstrong emerged in the December of 2014; the band taking time to hone their sound before uncaging their already renowned live presence from March this year. They have lured this description from someone somewhere, “Imagine Shirley Manson fronting We Are Scientists with exciting pop melodies“. You can see where those words come from as the EP’s four tracks incite ears and appetite, but it has to be said that more so Armstrong have already developed a unique nature and air to a sound which, yes has recognisable traits for sure but in a broad and undefined sense of other indie/alternative rock exploits.

cover The release opens with that first single mentioned, Thursday Night Club. To a gentle but nagging tingle of guitar, the song is soon swinging jabbing beats before opening out into a fuller, richer stroll though it is still a relatively relaxed and calm on the senses proposition. Frustratingly not having names to give the individual prowess of the band’s members, the voice of the band’s front lady quickly captivates and impresses, her tones a balance of beauty and a deep rooted snarl which comes to the fore in the glorious chorus which subsequently erupts. Already the song was strong enticing but this fiery outburst turns the whole thing into a thrilling anthem, it in turn seeming to spark new enterprise in the steely dark tones of the bass and the melodic tenacity of the guitars. It is easy to see why the song made such a strong impact on its release, its instinctive power and wholesome energy alone ensuring the EP is off to a mighty start and indeed worth a strong look.

Just Cause steps up next, the second encounter with the EP immediate sonic smog with melodic tempting on ears which as the last song, continues to blossom and grow in creativity and infectious virulence. The native Glaswegian lilt of the vocals adds as much enjoyable colour and character to the song as the music, the impassioned tones cleverly wrapped in flowing sways of guitar and backed by the dark nature of the rhythms. Certain elements, as across all songs, hold familiar essences but as suggested previously, any comparisons are tinges of rather than thick similarities to another proposition and something you can expect to see evolved into more fresh originality as Armstrong evolve and mature as a band.

As the opener, Bend. Buckle. Break. also grows within ears from a slim and reserved breath, brewing up its own melodic seduction with every passing second led by the ever warm and alluring vocals. It too stirs up its own individual anthem of passion fuelled by a creative energy as ripe in rhythms as it is in the guitar tapestry and united vocal roars across the band. Generally more controlled and restrained even in its headier bellows compared to those songs around it, things still get evocatively and musically fiery before departing for the closing You Are Not Alone. The final track has a reserved tone which leads to another potent roar sizzling with melodic and vocal flames, it providing a highly pleasing end to a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to Armstrong.

As all female led melodic rock bands tend to be, Armstrong, will at times no doubt be compared to Paramore but Scotland’s new young guns already offer something very different and fresh in comparison which can only blossom with greater strengths of adventure. On this showing, they have a very rosy future ahead of them; it is just up to the five-piece to go grab it. They certainly seem to have all the potential and tools to achieve that.

The Armstrong EP is available from September 28^th

https://www.facebook.com/ArmstrongUK

https://twitter.com/armstrongbanduk

Pete RingMaster 28/09/2015

For more exploration of the independent and promotional services check out http://www.zykotika.com/

Asylums – Wet Dream Fanzine EP

Feb23

audioclip-1422899782

What do you get if you take a pinch of Supergrass, add it to an ounce of We Are The Physics, and then spice the mixture with a further splattering of Manic Street Preachers, Devo, and We Are Scientists? Well there is a good chance it will be something like the irresistible sound of and debut release from UK psyche poppers Asylums. There have been some startling entrances and introductions over the past months alone, but it is hard to remember many getting ears and emotions as excitable as the Wet Dream Fanzine EP manages in its three short, sharp slices of angular pop rock. The release is pure contagion but with a deranged invention and devilish imagination which reminds of a few and stands thoroughly unique in its character and temptation.

Asylums hails from Southend and have already picked at rapidly growing attention through their home made videos for the tracks making up the new EP; though having the songs bound together in one addictive package seems to make them grow in greater in persuasion and flirtation again. Live too the quartet of Luke Branch, Jazz Miell, Henry Tyler, and Michael Webster have been stirring up a buzz, a tour with The Vaselines and their own headlining enterprises luring in more and more appetites from fans and media alike. Now the Wet Dream Fanzine EP steps forward, with its title track released on the same day for the band’s new single, and there is a certainty that it is poised to shake up the UK indie rock scene for the better.

That new single opens up the release, Wet Dream Fanzine instantly laying down sonic smog of guitar enterprise which with pungent rhythms, has feet and thoughts immediately engaged and enthralled. The swing of the vocal delivery matches the warm stride and swagger of the song, everything a bouncy dance of mischievous persuasion with melodies and vocal harmonies soaked in creative devilment. There is no escaping the infectiousness of the encounter or its insatiable torrent of quirky and highly flavoursome hooks, it all unrelenting for the whole of the two and a half 10868149_320437288151046_8986672175115969600_n minutes the track takes to leap all over and inflame the passions.

There is no let-up in the devilry and quality either as the punk infused tenacity and urgency of The Death of Television takes over. An initial sonic spearing is the trigger to rebellious percussion and beats aligning to vocals just as sharply edged in their delivery. The song is soon a masterful stomp of creative agitation courted by a rhythmic and riff clad proposal which leaps around like bare feet on hot coals; the type of brilliance which made Baddies so essential when around. There is also an old school punk DIY feel to the EP and songs individually, which simply energises the second song and listener during its brief but addictive stomp.

The release closes with I’ve Seen Your Face In A Music Magazine. The third song combines the spicy grooving which lit up the first song with the more caustic attitude of the last track, merging it into a melodic and discord spiced wine of sound and invention. As the other songs, attitude exudes from every pore and note of the outstanding incitement, guitars toying with the imagination as rhythms jab with their own refined tempo on the senses and pop punk sparked vocals croon and roar with perpetual captivation.

It may be only one release but it is easy to suggest Asylums is the next big thing not only in but for British rock ‘n’ roll. The last time we were this excited was when…well privacy prevents details.

The Wet Dream Fanzine EP and single are available from February 23^rd via the band’s own Cool Thing Records.

http://www.asylumsband.com/ / https://www.facebook.com/asylumsuk

RingMaster 23/02/2015

Listen to the best independent music and artists on The RingMaster Review Radio Show and The Bone Orchard from http://www.thereputationlabel.today

4th Street Traffic – Innocence (Don’t Walk Away)

Feb3

4th Street Traffic pic 1

Welsh band 4th Street Traffic describe their sound as stadium rock, a tag which means very little to our mind, but when a song like Innocence (Don’t Walk Away) roars with an energy and emotion which reveals all in merely four minutes, there really is no need for labels. The new single from the Caerphilly quartet is a bellow of a song, a resourceful tempest of melodic tenacity and emotional drive leaving a rather healthy new interest and appetite for a band already no strangers to acclaim.

Formed in 2001, 4th Street Traffic has earned their spurs through an undeterred assault on the national music scene. Their emergence has constantly garnered increasing attention and support. From debut album Wake Up Call through to its successor, the 2012 Romesh Dodangoda produced Kick the Habit, the band has nudged and drawn elevated attention, a growing spotlight backed by extensive UK tours and shows including performing at Party In The Park in 2005. The second album was the spark to bigger things it is fair to say, especially once Kelly Jones and Richard Jones of Stereophonics came across it. An invitation by the pair to open up their Summer In The City concert in Cardiff City Stadium took 4th Street Traffic to even keener attention, that moment backed by the continually impressing and selling 2^nd album and backed by shows alongside bands such as Electric Six, Toploader, The Darkness, Mike and the Mechanics, The Stranglers, 10CC, Dodgy, We Are Scientists, The Enemy and many more. Taken from their similarly well received third album Claim To Fame of 2013, Innocence (Don’t Walk Away) is the first teaser to and step in a busy year ahead for the band, and with a new line-up in place re-energising their appetite, you suspect a successful one too.

The new single launches at ears with thumping beats and a blaze of easy going but alluring riffs. Their relaxation only moments in, then allows the potent tones of vocalist Alastair Britton to open up the narrative as a resonating dark bassline courts his every syllable. It is a magnetic start with a touch of a southern rock whisper to the brewing enterprise and energy. Taking on a pungent stride thereafter, one constantly guided by the crisp jabs of the drums, the track is an insatiable persuasion on the senses with every blaze of its melodic endeavour and flavoursome vocal call a powerful temptation. It would be fair to say that the song is not venturing too far from established climates in heavy melodic rock but equally expectations are barely fed and imagination given a healthy croon of fiery creativity to run with.

4th Street Traffic is looking towards having a strong and successful year, which if their new songs are anywhere as rampantly convincing and enjoyable as Innocence (Don’t Walk Away), will be a sure thing.

Innocence (Don’t Walk Away) is released February 9^th.

Check out upcoming festival dates for 4th Street Traffic:

May 3rd Main Stage – Sound Stock Festival / Essex

May 23rd Main Stage – Exmouth Festival/ Exmouth

May 24th Main Stage – Plymouth VolksFest/ Plymouth

Jul 10th – Main Stage – Volksstock/ Coventry

Jul 12th – Main Stage – Oakwell Festival/ West Yorkshire

Aug 15th – Main Stage – NHSOB festival/ Newport, S Wales

https://www.facebook.com/4thstreettraffic

RingMaster 03/02/2015

Listen to the best independent music and artists on The RingMaster Review Radio Show and The Bone Orchard from http://www.thereputationlabel.today

Kingsize: All These Machines

Mar30

The multi flavoured debut album from LA rock band Kingsize is a mischievous and intriguing little creature. Consisting of ten vibrant and thoroughly engaging tunes, All These Machines made this review one of the longest written time wise. The lengthy time was taken up spending ages trying to work out what and whom parts of the diverse songs sounded like. Surely the same with 99% of the releases I hear you say and agreed but with Kingsize they do not really sound like anybody, their compositions and sounds unique and distinct but like a seductive perfumes on other beautiful women fragrances of other artists would impose themselves before swiftly passing in a breath. This admittedly added to a deeply enjoyable and satisfying date with a long awaited and thrilling album.

L.A. based Kingsize first came to notice with their 2008 EP’s The Good Fight and The Bad Night. Between them they brought twelve captivating tracks which instantly made one stand up and take notice with a smile on the inside. Before then the band almost did not come to be as guitarist Cary Beare was planning to leave town disillusioned with things in search of his musical dream. Right before he was to leave old friend drummer Jason Thomas Gordon called him up to see if he wanted to jam. Thankfully this led to the duo impressed with what they created, to talk about forming a band. Agreement was reached but only on the promise that Thomas Gordon provided the band with the lead vocals, Beare loving what the drummer brought to their music and knowing no one else would do. Eventual agreement was the beginning of Kingsize, an initial duo added to when they heard bassist Matt DelVecchio in another band and told them “We’re stealing your bass player.”

Since their two EP’s the band has evolved into an important force on the Southern California music scene, as well as having three songs in popular videogame Rockband 3, writing the theme song for the CBS sitcom Gary Unmarried, and having a trio of songs included on the soundtrack of Philip G. Flores’ award-winning film The Wheeler Boys, not to forget their track Sweetheart, I’m Only Stopping to Start being placed the new Robert DeNiro movie Freelancers co-starring Forest Whitaker and 50 Cent. Now with finally the release of their excellent debut album, 2012 looks like being the year Kingsize steps out boldly into the wider world.

All These Machines opens with the high tempo enthused rock of Switch, an invigorating follow up to earlier songs like Miss America and Elevator, all insatiable rock music fused with the energy and thrust of garage punk and dirty rock n roll. The band has always been strong songwriters with an instinctive grasp on how to captivate their audience but within the first song there is already an apparent maturity and tighter feel to their music something the remaining tracks more then back up. With guitars that seek and rile up the heart and rhythms from bass and drums to get the pulse racing the song is rock at its easy best.

Following track Dead Broke continues in the same vein with air punching riffs and eagerly stomping rhythms. The garage feel continues to permeate and the flitting thoughts of other bands are in full swing. Essences of the likes of MC5 and Eddie and The Hot Rods come though then tastes of The Cars and Television, eclectic and quickly dissipating the spices are all there.

The variety of the album spreads from this point, with the pop orientated hypnotic Overdone, the soulful grace of The Technocratic, as well as the emotive ballads of the title track and the closing We’re All alcohol with its wonderful choir parts, all leading one by the hand down bright and distinctly different avenues.

The opening duo of songs excites deeply but the highlight of the release is Heart Surgery a song that brings Tom Petty, Tom Verlaine and We Are Scientists into an infectious twisting of the senses. With guitar melodies that burst like sunspots and a murmuring bass behind the great emotive vocals of Thomas Gordon, the song is a gem and glows brighter still with the classic rock fuelled solo Beare unveils. It is given a run for its money though by the Bowiesque Ambien with its Jean Genie driven stomp through the ear to make a quartet of songs the album is a must have for alone.

All These Machines is a party for the senses brought with thoughtful and well crafted sounds and invention. Kingsize are here and waiting your attention, it would be rude to make them wait surely. http://thisiskingsize.com

RingMaster 30/03/2012

Kingsize are also involved with the wonderful Music Gives to St. Jude Kids campaign, a project created by Jason Thomas Gordon with the sole purpose of raising money and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (which Jason’s grandfather Danny Thomas, founded in 1962) through music-based initiatives.

Music Gives to St. Jude Kids has already forged partnerships with artists like Sheryl Crow, Kings of Leon, and Stone Temple Pilots and has garnered the sponsorship of both Live Nation and Ticketmaster to name a few.

For more information on this great project go to stjude.org/musicgives, thank you.