Four-piece Indie Rock band from Derby, Oregon Way release an indie pop perfected tale of life with the impossibly contrary ‘Jean’. This will be an instant hit for fans of the perkier side of the indie genre like The Kooks and Fratellies et al. The chopping time changes keep the track interesting and moves it from sounding tried, tested and generic. The vocal is irrepressibly charming throughout alongside the melodic guitar riffs creating an earworm worthy track.
‘Claim Your Stake’ is taken from the 9th Def Robot album ‘Seeds Of Dischord’ which pays homage to Dischord Records, the legendary Washington, D.C. punk label and is set for release in May 2020. An intense energy filled punk rock track reminiscent of the indie Americana Pixies, Fugazi and Killing Joke, sprinkled with edgy Northern grit. It weaves a tale with an agenda urging the listener to be break away from the heard. With catchy blues laden riff and shout back chorus the track is very easy to get hocked on.
New release by Manchester’s Sugarstone ‘Tiger, Reach Out!’ is a dizzying mix of 80s avant-guard youthful pop and new wave rock with Duran Duran style tones oozing out at every riff. The track and band in general are completely refreshing due to being wildly different to anything currently doing the Manc indie rounds. Definitely an act you make yourself more familiar with.
Inhabiting the more alt rock end of the indie spectrum, Pickering three piece Hunter Gatherer released ‘Killjoy’ a track exploring the basic desire to escape life, get out and have a good time, in the current climate this has become a universal truth we can all relate to. The bass drives the verse forward with a bouncing riff towards an anthemic chorus which embodies the 90s Seattle rock scene. A hit tailor for fans of Sound Garden and the Chili Peppers.
This charming tale about the frustrations of lost love ‘Leave Me In Pieces’ will be released on Friday 17th April. Camens continue to create some of the most catchy harmonious indie rock out there. Deservedly championed by God like genius Steve Lamacq, they are beginning to establish themselves as serious contenders for decent summer festival slots, assuming we still have any that is. Having previously supported bands like The Sherlocks and The Futureheads, Camens are not new to the scene but still manage to make every track sound new and fresh.
The Red Stains release their highly-anticipated fierce debut single ‘Mannequin’ – a punk-fuelled two fingers in the face of objectification April 24. The instant the scuzzy sounding bass kicks in you know this has been built to share the floor of club live. The vocals pinch and poke over the top of extra-terrestial staccato Britpop esque synths in to the repeating chorus. Despite being together for barely a year, The Red Stains have already made an impressive impact on the Manchester with their off-kilter melodies and bold aesthetic, I predict this band are on the cusp of a wave and destined for bigger thing than the basement venues they are currently filling.
The Dirt – No More Moves (Mini Album)
The Dirt is an exciting new collaboration between Manchester wordsmith Jack Horner aka Leon the Pig Farmer and Japanese Multi-instrumentalist Sachiko. The debut 7 track self-produced mini album combines the raw gritty poetic truths that Horner has become known for across the underground Manchester spoken word scene with mix looping psychedelic shoe gaze guitars to create an entirely unique post punk/psych genre redefining sound. With the aid of invocative Sachiko, Horner had made the leap from poet to project with ease and I look forward to live performances by the duo once the lockdown lifts.
‘Twenty-Five’ is taken from Forever Honeys debut EP ‘Pre-Mortem High’, out on April 24. A melodic offering from the New York based project of Liv Price, Aida Mekonnen, Steve Vannelli, and Jack McLoughlin. With a clear nod to their love of the jangly guitar-driven pop of the late 80s and sun soaked 60s harmony rock the track is a must have for any spotify collection that is currently featuring The Sundays, Staves and Haim.
