Burly Wood - Side By Side

 

1. Who are Burly Wood? 

Burly Wood are an alternative rock band with elements of punk and grunge from Montreal, Canada. A band made from accomplished musicians from other bands they have been making music since 2016 and Side By Side (August, 2024) is from their second E.P. Horror Vacui (2024). 

2. What kind of song is Side By Side? 

Side By Side has an earnest pop punk sound like The Ataris or PUP but with all the polish you would expect from well established musicians. 

3. Who do Burly Wood sound like?

PUP, The Ataris, Dinosaur Jr, and Weezer. 

4. Which bands have influenced Burly Wood?

I don't know. One of them is rocking a Rise Against T and I'm thinking they wouldn't hate bands like Weezer, Modern Baseball, and The Wonder Years. You'll have to ask them though.

5. What have people said about Burly Wood's music?

"A refreshing sound" - Pitch Perfect.

"Music that resonates on a deeper level" - Tunepical. 

"An explosive brand of alternative rock" - Bombshell Radio.

"I should have spent more time with me when I was young,

I wouldn't feel unsafe with everything I do"

Fountain - Invisible Wasp

1. Who are Fountain? 

A band in need of a better fucking name and an alternative rock band/duo from Northampton, England. They have been making noise together since 2023 and Invisible Wasp (Feb, 2024) is the first single from their debut E.P. Stolen Flowers Bring Sickness (March, 2024). 

2. What is Invisible Wasp got going for it?  

Invisible Wasp has a retro riff that reminds me of Sisters Of Mercy (Vision Thing era) others are feeling late 2000's early 2010's alternative British rock; but really it just has back-in-the-day British alternative rock vibes. It's propelled forward by skating-down-a-steep-as-fuck-road-and-you-have-the-speed-wobbles-and-if-you-start-to-think-about-it-you-will-stack-it drums. 

3. Who do Fountain sound like? 

Well having listened to this and the E.P. I'm feeling bands like Rival Sons, Sisters of Mercy (you know which album), and Wolf Mother. 

4. Which bands have influenced Fountain? 

I'd love to be able to tell you. Do some press you pricks. But I'm guessing they don't hate The Ramones, Royal Blood, or Beware of Darkness. 

5. What have the press said about Invisible Wasp? 

"Energetic band, good rock" - Skiddle.

"All out punk-tinged headbanger" - Northampton Chronicle.

"A maniacal riff, harmoniously paired with pulsating drums" - Occulate.

Nothing But Thieves - Amsterdam

1.    Who are Nothing But Thieves?

Nothing But Thieves are a popular alternative rock band from Southend-on-Sea, England. Their debut album Nothing But Thieves (2015) was top ten in England and sold over 250,000 copies. Amsterdam (May’17) is the lead single from Nothing But Thieves' second album Broken Machine (Sept’17). 

2. What kind of tune is Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a radio-friendly, modern, alternative rock song that puts steel-capped boots on and goes full tit in the chorus (and wrings-dry the drama from the rest). Amsterdam is the best thing Nothing But Thieves have done to date.

3. Who do Nothing But Thieves sound like?

Foals, Civil Twilight, and Muse.

4. What have the mongrels in the press said about Amsterdam? 

“Catchy as all hell” – Rock Documented.

“A step up in the already stellar quality of Nothing But Thieves music” – Wavebyte.

“Combines their softer sound with an aggressive upbeat chorus” – Beyond The StageMagazine. 

5. Which bands influenced Nothing But Thieves?

Some of their influences are Led Zeppelin, Jeff Buckley, Foo Fighters, Radiohead, and Kings of Leon. 

6. Why should I give Amsterdam a shufty?

Because Nothing But Thieves are one of England's best rock bands at the minute.

7. What are Nothing But Thieves best songs? 

Excuse Me is killer. Wake Up Call and If I Get High strengthen the bands credentials.

8. Any more words? 

Broken Machine is produced by Tim Crossey (Twenty One Pilots, Foals, Arctic Monkeys). 

“So I hit my head against the wall,

Over and over and over and over and over again, and again, and again,

Cause I don’t wanna be like them”

Brick + Mortar are an electronic/indie rock band from Toms River, New Jersey. One Little Pill (April'17) is a single from the E.P. Dropped Again (May'17). Brick + Mortar are similar to River City Extension and Walk The Moon. Some of Brick + Mortar's influences are Animal Collective, The Doors, and Pink Floyd. One Little Pill is a sweet electronic rock song with a big guitar and all-in chorus; and finds the band in stellar form.

“One Little Pill,

To take me straight from sad to happy”

fungoo - Kung Foo Moovy

    

1.    Who is this critter? 

     

     fungoo is an alternative rock musician from Perth, Australia. Making music since 2008 Kung Foo Moovy (Sept'16) is his first single release. 

     2. What have fungoo brought to the table?

Kung Foo Moovy is electronic music at a brisk pace and some rock solid, no-nonsense, arse ripping guitar.  What few vocals there are have a metal bent. A slow burner but the tune grows on you.

3. Who does Fungoo sound like?

King Missile, Ministry and Yello.

4. What have the press said about Kung Foo Moovy?

“The result of too much red wine and herb” – Ronald Thunderstorm. 

“fungoo makes me headbang and dance like a retard” – You Tube Comments. 

“fungoo handles an ax better than Paul Bunyan” – The Best Indie Songs. 

5. Which bands have put the knuckle into fungoo?    

        

The main influences are The Church, Tori Amos, Yello, Iron Maiden and Opeth.

6. Why should I give Kung Foo Moovy a fair crack of the whip?

Kung Foo Moovy has a beat that'll keep your foot tapping and fungoo handles an ax better than Paul Bunyan. 

7. Does fungoo have any more rippers?

First release mind.

8. Any more words?

The video for Kung Foo Moovy was filmed in Saudi Arabia.

“Do you wanna take me to a movie?”

    

     

Filter are an industrial rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1993 they have seven long players in their resume. Influenced by bands like Ministry and Nine Inch Nails their best song was their first single release Hey Man, Nice Shot off their first album Short Bus (1995) that sold over one million copies. Hey Man, Nice Shot is a song Sputnik called “epic”.

“What a good shot man”

     

Beware Of Darkness - Dope

1.    Who are the lads?

Beware Of Darkness are an alternative rock band from Santa Barbara, California. Rocking hard since 2010 they have one great album in the bag. Dope (July'16) is the lead single from their second long player Are You Real? (Sept'16). 

2. What's the tune like?

Dope is classic rock. The bluesy riffs are solid as a gold brick, licks embellish the verses with aplomb and the rhythm prances along. 

3. Who are Beware Of Darkness akin too? 

The Family Rain. Pop Matters were feeling The Arctic Monkeys.

4. What have the goon squad said about Dope? 

"All spunk and quick-licking riffs" - Pop Matters. 

"Chugs along on pure testosterone" - Buzzbands L.A. 

"The edgy track builds on dirty riffs" - Free Bike Valet.  

5. Which bands put the stomp into Beware Of Darkness' romp? 

Their main influences are Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney, The White Stripes, Wolfmother and Jeff Buckley. 

6. Why should I give Dope a dabble? 

Dope has riffs and licks as sticky as two hobos making love in a puddle of piss. 

7. Do Beware Of Darkness have any more cracking good songs? 

Abso-bloody-lutely. Howl is a steaming, hard rocking tune. My Planet Is Dead tells it how it is over a storming bluesy groove. Get your snout in the trough. 

8. Any more words fella? 

Are You Real? is produced by Catherine Marks who has done the same deed for Foals, The Amazons and Sunset Sons. 

"You got me with my hands up singing"

The Smashing Pumpkins are an alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois. Making sweet sounds since 1988 they are still going strong. Butterfly With Wings was the lead single from their third album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995) an album that debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. Butterfly With Wings is The Smashing Pumpkins most famous song and was described by Rolling Stone as "grim verses leading to a ridiculously bombastic chorus." 

"Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage"

Garbage - Empty

1.    Who are these indie heroes?

Garbage are an alternative rock band from Madison, Wisconsin, but fight out of Los Angeles. The producer Butch Vig, immortalized by his work on Nirvana’s Nevermind and The Smashing Pumpkin’s Siamese Dream, plays drums. Garbage have been making music since 1993, sold over 17 million albums, and Empty (April’16) is the lead single from their sixth album Strange Little Birds (June’16).


2. What’s up for grabs?

Empty is an introspective grunge rocker that takes flight in the chorus.


3. Who are Garbage similar to?

White Lung.


4. What have the press said about Empty?

“Packed with 90’s nostalgia and meaty guitar chords” – Baeble Music.

“Sumptuous production value that doesn’t sacrifice the band’s grunge roots” – Nerdist.

“Razor sharp guitars wind up and cut through gauzy drums” – Consequence Of Sound.
 

5. Which bands put the bang in Garbage’s buck?

The main Garbage influences are Patti Smith, Massive Attack, Tricky, Portishead and My Bloody Valentine.

6. Why should I give Empty a crack?

Empty is the sound of a band going back to it's roots in powerful grunge pop. An established act coming out swinging for park.

7. Do Garbage have any more stellar tracks?

Stupid Girl and Only Happy When It Rains are the classics.
 

8. Any more drivel?

Singer Shirley Manson said recording on their own label freed them from typical restraints and, “A lot of this record was drawn upon what we were listening to growing up.”

 

“I rail and I ache

At the monsters and the demons”

 

The Meat Puppets are an alternative rock band from Phoenix, Arizona. Starting in 1980 they are still going strong and have fifteen long players on their roll of honor. The Meat Puppets became mainstream famous because of being one of Kurt Cobain's favorite bands and two band members performed on Nirvana's iconic final recording MTV Unplugged. The single Backwater is The Meat Puppet's most successful song, reaching number two on the Billboard Rock Charts, and came from their most successful album Too High To Die (1994). Backwater is classic grunge with a riff everyone loves.

 

“In the backwater swirling

There is something that’ll never change”

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing But Thieves - Excuse Me

1.    Who are these happening people?

Nothing But Thieves are an alternative rock band from Southend-On-Sea, England. Started in 2012 they hit mainstream popularity in the UK with their debut album Nothing But Thieves(Oct'15) being a number one vinyl hit in the UK and top 20 on the US Billboard Rock Charts. Excuse Me is track one from the album.


2. What’s on the platter?

Excuse Me is the proof in the pudding. The first minute is just atmospheric buildup and then the tune explodes into the chorus. Fine alternative rock with spaced out backup vocals.


3. Who are Nothing But Thieves similar to?

Foals and Civil Twilight. Excuse Me has hints of Muse and Radiohead.

4. What have the rags said about Excuse Me?

“A perfect introduction to the band and their unmistakable sound” – Bring The Noise.

“One of the records most destinctive songs” – Pop Matters.

“It’s epic” – Renowned For Sound.

 

 

5. Which bands are the muse for Nothing But Thieves?

The band picked out Led Zeppelin, Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Pink Floyd, Pixies, The Foo Fighters, Kings Of Leon, TV On The Radio, Kendrick Lamar and My Bloody Valentine as the important inspirations.

6. Why should I give Excuse Me a lash?

To see what the hype is about at the least. Massive monolith of a chorus for second.
 

7. Have Nothing But Thieves got the goods?

Trip Switch isn't too shabby.
 

8. Any more words pal?

Julien Emery produced the album and he has punched in for bands like Lower Than Atlantis, Simple Plan and Halestorm.

Nothing But Thieves picked up a support slot for Muse's UK shows in April.

“Under the gun”

 

 

 

It would be rude to go past Muse for seconds. Muse are an alternative rock band from Teignmouth, England. Letting loose with their space rock flights of fancy since 1997 they have sold over twenty million albums. Psycho came storming off the band's seventh album Drones (2015). Psycho is a fiery serve at militarism on both an individual and social level, as well as a personalinventory ,and came flinging riffs like a pissed off Greek God letting rip with the lightning. NME said Psycho “sounds like three men in a room bashing thunderously at their instruments, wringing the most eviscerating noise they can from them.”

“Your mind is just a program,

And I am the virus”