D.I.D. (Dog Is Dead) - Killer Whale

1.    Who are these marvels? 

D.I.D. (formerly Dog Is Dead) are an English indie pop band from Nottingham. They have been cranking out masterpieces since 2007 and Killer Whale (Nov'16) is a single from their second album The State We're In (Dec'16). 

2. What kind of tune are they slinging? 

Killer Whale is a meaningful indie pop number driven by choral vocals reminiscent of Queen, African rhythms and a little something to say on the subject of bullying. 

3. Who do D.I.D. sound like?

Queen, Peace and The Kinks. 

4. What have the press said about Killer Whale? 5. Which bands have inspired D.I.D.?

“A thoroughly uplifting piece of music” – Busk Music.

“A superb piece of indie pop that has ‘hit single’ written all over it” – Left Lion.

“Five piece harmonies, carnival-esque rhythms and sugared hooks” – Clash Music.

5. Which bands have inspired D.I.D.? 

The bands main influences are Dire Straits, Cap'n Jazz, Bruce Springsteen, The Talking Heads and The Beach Boys.

6. Why should I give Killer Whale a quick listen? 

The vocal harmonies are infectious. 

7. Do D.I.D. have any more good tunes? 

Hotel is a retro-seventies big glam-rock riffing monster and their best tune. Talk Through The Night is low-key indie pop loveliness. Glockenspiel Song is a quirky piece of indie pop with more big choral harmonies. 

8. Any more words? 

Nah. 

“The other kids can be cold as ice for the most of it”

Wesley Fuller plays retro-sixties and seventies indie pop rock. He sounds like The Beatles and T. Rex. His main influences are The Zombies, The Mamas and The Papas, The Sweet and Sly & The Family Stone. Melvista (June'16) is Wesley Fuller's first single and the title track of his debut E.P. The song is a ringer for Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mitch and Titch's Hold Tight!  and is a cracking sixties garage pop rocker that prompted NME to say, “We cover guitar songs on this blog a lot, but rarely do they sound so full of life and energetic as this track.”

“I probably should have kissed her but I haven’t the chance”

KONGOS - Take It From Me

1.    So the KONGOS aye?

KONGOS are an alternative rock and that fight out of Paradise Valley, Arizona, by way of South Africa and England. Playing since 2007 they have three long players on their roll of honor. Take It From Me (April'16) is the lead single from the third album Egomaniac (June'16).


2. What are they touting?

Take It From Me is more of the same clamoring, drum heavy rocking goodness with the infectious accordion we have all come to know and love. Sound as a pound and with a solid streak of taking the piss out of others and themselves.


3. Who do KONGOS sound like?

Cage The Elephant's retro-vibe with a side of AWOLNATION's big noise and Ben Harper's guitar.

4. What have the muppets in the press said about Take It From Me?

“An anthemic hook fueled by a clever call-and-response” – Ground Sounds.

“Signature accordion and slide guitar” – Best New Bands.“

“The song is a hit!” – Populove.

 

 

5. Which bands have had a hand in KONGOS creation?

Some of KONGOS influences are Jackson Browne, Dire Straits, The Prodigy, Pink Floyd and The Police.

6. Why should I give Take It From Me a fair crack of the whip?

Take It From Me is a radio-friendly melange of sounds and some snarkiness.

 

7. Do KONGOS have any more bangers?

Number one hit Come With Me Now is worth the kudos and Hey I Don't Know is no slouch neither.

8. Any more words?

KONGOS are four brothers, who's pops made tunes too, who produce and record their own music and are nice guys.

 

 

“It’s kinda like a cigarette smokin’ you”

 

 

 

The Steve Miller Band formed in 1966 and have eighteen albums that are an integral part of what we consider today the sound of classic seventies rock. Steve Miller is the god son of Les Paul the man who made the sound of rock'n'roll possible. In April 2016 Steve Miller was inducted into the Rock'N'Roll Hall Of Fame and tore them a new one, creating a controversy that destroyed what little credibility The Black Keys had. Jet Airliner was one of three singles from Book Of Dreams (1977) an album All Music said “is a highlight of the ‘70’s classic rock era and one of Miller’s finest releases.”
 

“Somebody's tryin’ to make me stay

You know I’ve got to be movin’ on”

 

 

 

  

The Best Indie Songs of 2015 - D.I.D. (Dog Is Dead)

D.I.D. Hotel (Nov’14) has a straight from the seventies rock sound. You keep expecting Kelso to say something stupid. After the initial vocal harmonising the monster dirty ass glam guitar comes on like a kick to the yoghurt maker. But it’s not all guitar on steroids. There are vocal parts with sparse musical accompaniment providing the pauses between the noisy waves. 

Hotel rocks harder than a prison rapists grin and grooves like Deeelite . Hotel has delicate but powerful choral harmonies that soar above us mere mortals too. There is a sense of disappointment in the song but you won’t be. This song grows on you like a cock sore, faster than you ever believed possible. God damn right you’re listening to one of the best indie songs of 2015.

“Drunk fight, left of the line
I can run if I get desperate"

D.I.D. were formerly known as Dog Is Dead until disgruntled ex-dog owners forced a change of name. They are a five piece indie pop band from Nottingham, England. They’ve been offending peoples pretentious sensibilities since 2007. Hotel is a stand-alone single, maybe from their forthcoming second album.

Shit you need to know:

Hotel the band said is, “a complete Frankenstein of 70’s rock, soul and blues, something heavy enough to bang your head to but melodically soulful and harmony laden.”

The track Hotel has been compared to Royal Blood, Drenge and Muse. While others noted a wistful Ray Davies (The Kinks) and Alt J feel to it.

D.I.D. have described their music as “indie pop for the disco” and “uplifting pop for jazz junkies and choir folk”.

The group pitch wood listening to Dire Straits, Bruce Springsteen and Talking Heads.

The band have been described as ruthlessly professional and determined.

In 2010 D.I.D. supported Ok Go, in 2011 Bombay Bicycle Club and in 2013 Two Door Cinema.

The other smashing tunes from D.I.D. (what a fuckin stupid band name Dog Is Dead was cool) are Talk Through The Night, Do The Right Thing and Two Devils.

Sinful seconds is from the Californian rock band Rival Sons and Keep On Swinging (2012). Another nut cracking retro-rock number.

“Where there's a will there's a way
Lord helps those who help themselves”