Browsing Tag

The Hives

The Optimists prescribed the antidote for catastrophists with their explosive indie garage punk hit,  Not a Big Deal

Posted on 28 July 2024

The Optimists have been making cynics meet their match since their 2018 debut which made all the right waves in the UK indie scene. With their latest single, Not a Big Deal, the Isle of Wight five-piece cranked up the monolithic volition to exhibit their biggest hit to date and etch a new chapter in their legacy that has reached the a-lists of Isle of Wight Radio & BBC Solent.

With crescendos of garage rock antagonism in the same vein as Fidlar mainlined into the scuzzy production around the melodic indie increments that are fraught with tension, the razor-sharp hooks dig in deep enough to pierce the soul.

Not a Big Deal is the ultimate track to shed inhibition and neurosis to. By extolling the virtues of disregarding the immaterial, the juggernautical hit is an irresistible invitation to indulge in the catharsis of being carefree.

If the outfit becomes as big as their guitar and synth riffs and stage presence, don’t be surprised if you see them at the top of the indie charts in the coming years.

Not a Big Deal was officially released on July 19. Stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Beast Killer lived up to their ferocious moniker in their feat of punk rock fervour, Comet

Posted on 20 February 2024

Beast Killer, the dynamic duo from Cleveland, Ohio, has once again proven their mettle in the alt-rock arena with their latest single from the album Dystopian Now/Dystopian Me. The recently released single, Comet, is a high-octane ride that seamlessly blends the rawness of punk with the edginess of hardcore, reminiscent of The Hives but with a distinctly Beast Killer twist.

Chris Wright (Vocals/Guitar) and Kris Monroe (Drums) have been collaborating for over a decade, and their chemistry is palpable in this release. The single bursts into life with an energy that is both frenetic and meticulously controlled, showcasing their instrumental precision. The hooks are bouncy yet laden with emotional depth, compelling listeners to engage with every beat.

Beast Killer lives up to their name in Comet by delivering a track that is ferocious in its execution. They pay homage to the early epochs of punk rock while simultaneously steering the genre towards an exciting future. The track transports listeners through a spectrum of emotions, from the ominous terror of space to a serene acceptance, mirroring the thematic journey of their album. The duo’s live performances are known to be explosive and commanding, and this energy is captured perfectly in this recording.

Comet is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Crux sharpened their socially conscious knife in their garage rock protest ‘Dreamseller’

Posted on 1 December 2023

For their latest ensnaring alt-rock synthesis, Dreamseller, Newcastle’s breakthrough act, Crux, took a break from touring the Seattle sound through mutative prog-rock instrumental arrangements and left plenty of room to explore garage rock nuances, noted through The Strokes-esque vocal delivery which adds an element of precariousness to the deadpan croons Alex Turner wishes he could execute with such devil may care finesse.

As the basslines stab and roll through the electrifyingly vintage production, the angular guitar lines carve through the atmosphere and the percussion consistently works to the singular aim of adding an element of tension to the single that will pull you back in time after time. The magnetism within the refreshing distinction and creative confidence which sees the release swathed in swagger is far too addictive to quit.

Since emerging in 2019, Crux’s name has become synonymous with their fiercely uncompromising style and their ability to sharpen their grungy prog-rock signature with a socially conscious edge. With Dreamseller, the outfit revamped their sound and scathed at the commodification of musicians and the industry which sees no value within art, unless it can be exploited at the expense of the artist.

Dreamseller was officially released on November 24; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Persepolis – No Pleasure Inside: It only takes Two

Posted on 6 November 2017

Persepolis are a French Progressive Alternative Rock band hailing from Mont-de-Marsan. Whilst their lyrics are in English, their styling is delectably European. They command a certain je nes sais quoi in their sound. The drummer and vocalist utilises deep ratting drumbeats as an under tone to their delectably light riffs whilst projecting emotionally charged vocals.

The band members Milo Dumartin and Robin Jourdan may just be the best alternative rock duo since The White Stripes. They have a wonderfully melancholic sound that’s highly resonant. The band count Radiohead & The Smashing Pumpkins as their top musical influences, they’ve adopted their pensive style along with more upbeat indie acts such as The Hives, BLOC Party and the Arctic Monkeys. They subtly infuse the Indie Grunge harmonies into their music to create a mellifluous sound which draws you by the violent rage of the guitars.

No Pleasure Inside is just one of the tracks off their debut album Sixty Miles An Hour which is available to download or purchase via Bandcamp.

Check out the official No Pleasures Inside video on Youtube using the link below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYwMh3w_Uf0&feature=youtu.be

Stay connected with the band via:

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/WeArePersepolis
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/persepolism…
Bandcamp : https://persepolis.bandcamp.com/releases