SHARP/SHOCK - Troublemaker

1.    Who are SHARP/SHOCK?

SHARP/SHOCK are a punk band from Southern California. The singer and guitarist are British/Kiwi. SHARP/SHOCK started in 2015 and Troublemaker (Oct'17) is the third single from their debut album Unlearn Everything (2017).

2. What kind of song is Troublemaker?

Troublemaker sounds like classic British punk with a ska undertone but a modern drum sound. Clash guitar and Jam vocals while the bass bubbles and the drums drive hard to the finish line. No-ones reinventing the wheel here.

3. Who do SHARP/SHOCK sound like?

The Spitfires, The Clash, and The Jam.

4. What is the good word on Troublemaker?

“Fucking ace!” - YouTube Comments. 

“Love this music”- YouTube Comments. 

“Absolutely love it” – YouTube Comments. 

5. Which bands have influenced SHARP/SHOCK?

Oasis, The Cure, Madness, The English Beat, and The Specials.

6. Why should I give Troublemaker a spin?

You like The Jam. You like classic roots, rock, reggae.

7. Have they got any other bangers?

Try Away From The Man.

8. Any more words?

SHARP/SHOCK released their second album Youth Club today.

“You wrote ‘I Fought The Law’,

But the law won that day”

Autonomics are an garage rock/power pop band from Portland, Oregon. They have been making tunes since 2008 and have one album Debt Sounds (2017). Autonomics have been compared to The Thermals and The Dandy Warhols. They are influenced by Japandroids and The Strokes. Bad Blood is an album track from Debt Sounds and Japandroids come through thick on this one. Fucking quality. Autonomics are a band on the rise.

“We drove away from the city, drove away from the city

We were never gonna die, we were never gonna die”

The Rifles - Groundhog Day

 

1. Who are these heroes? 

The Rifles are one of the finest indie rock bands England has ever produced. Hailing from London, England, they have been smashing it since 2004. Groundhog Day (April'16) is the third single from their fifth album Big Life (Aug'16). 

2. What kind of tune is Groundhog Day?

A chippy little indie rocker with a sticky riff, sweet harmonies and a melancholy story about people trapped in shit jobs in shit places. A bit English. Good but. 

3. Who do The Rifles sound like? 

The Jam, The Smiths and The Clash. 

4. What is the good word about Groundhog from our friends in the press?

“Showcases a band at the peak of their confidence” – Vents Magazine.

“Another catchy tune” – Read Junk.

“Lively opener” – Music OMH. 

5. Which bands put the bang in The Rifles' powder?

The Rifles main influences are The Clash, The Jam, The Libertines, Ash, Guns 'N Roses and Van Morrison. 

6. Why should I give Groundhog a lash? 

Because it's quintessentially English; stiff upper lip and all that. Great rhythm too; quirky.

7. Do The Rifles have any more lovely tunes? 

Sure as shit they do. Wall Around Your Heart and Heebie Jeebies both bang harder that a short time Bangkok hooker. 

8. Any more words muppet? 

Big Life was produced by The Rifles regular collaborator Charles Rees (Paul Weller, The Strypes, Albert Hammond).

“Gotta keep my chin up”

Tom Morello is a stone cold legend; the guitarist and singer for two of the best bands to ever walk gods green earth; Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave. These days he's playing with The Prophets Of Rage. He took time to collaborate with X Ambassadors on the song Collider (Aug'16). The song has a monster Rage Against The Machine riff and that's about it. That's enough. Tom Morello called the riff a "Valhalla-raising riff monster" and I Am High Voltage said it 'cuts a groove like a bansaw."

“Feel the devils, approaching, approaching, approaching me”

The Spitfires - On My Mind

1.    Who are these likely lads then? 

Behold the majesty of The Spitfires, an indie rock band flying out of Watford, England. These brave few have been playing together since 2012 and On My Mind (April'16) is the second single from The Spitfires' second album A Thousand Times (August'16). 

2. What calibre of tune is So Long?

Of the first order. Elements of English indie rock that stretch back from the Arctic Monkeys to the golden years of English punk to the British invasion all combine to make a racy little number out of melancholic material. Comes with keys and and a little side of brass. Grows on you.

3. Who do these indie rock champions sound like? 

The Clash, The Jam and The Smiths. 

4. What have the press said about Always On My Mind? 

“A powerful modern rock anthem” – Never Enough Notes.

“A quality slice of guitar driven sounds” – Merc London.

“The tracks exceptional standard is maintained throughout it’s entirety” – Gig Slutz.

5. Which bands have provided ammunition for The Spitfires?

Some of The Spitfires' influences are The Kinks, The Jam, The Smiths, The Clash, The Who, Billy Bragg, 2 Tone, soul and reggae.

6. Why should I give On My Mind a whirl? 

On My Mind is a crystal clear product of the finest English indie rock influences.

7. Do The Spitfires have any more spankers?

Aye aye Popeye. Wrap your ears around So Long a tune that found it's way to the top of the U.K. vinyl singles charts.

8. Anything else?

The bird. 

“I’m not trying to be brave”

The Cat Empire are an Australian ska, jazz, funk, rock fusion band with Latin influences. From Melbourne, Australia, and formed in 1999 they have seven records to pin on their battle honors. So Many Nights (2007) was the second single from their third album of the same name which debuted at number 2 on the Australian album charts. So Many Nights is a funky, nu-soul, ska number that Music Review praised for “the addictive catchiness of the chorus and the danceable rhythm that is hard to resist.”

“It’s inappropriate that I should present like a

Retired matador with unpaid rent”

The Rifles - Wall Around Your Heart

     1.    Who are the lads?

     The Rifles are an indie rock band from London, England. Playing together since 2004 they have recorded five albums. Wall Around Your Heart (July'16) is from The Rifles' fifth album Big Life (Aug'16).  

  

     2. What's have the chaps cooked up?

     Wall Around Your Heart opens with a delicious lead break and crackles with pent up energy juxtaposed with the soft vocals. A drum and vocal breakdown adds deliciously to the mix and we are done and dusted around the magical three and a half mark. Classic English indie guitar music. 

3. Who do The Rifles sound like? 

The Clash, The Jam and The Stone Roses.
   
   
4. What have the press said about Wall Around Your Heart?

“An instantly catchy pop song” – Music News.

     “A passionate cracker of a track” – Little Indie Blogs.

     “Luvin it lads” – You Tube Comments. 

   

     5. Which bands put the spark in The Rifles?

     The Rifles main influences are The Clash, The Libertines, Ash, Guns ‘N Roses and Van Morrison.

     6. Why should I give Wall Around Your Heart a whip around the ears?

     Wall Around Your Heart has elements of classic English punk meshed with more refined song-writing and production without losing essential vitality.

     7. Do The Rifles have any more good songs?

     Heebie Jeebies is the stand out banger flying along like a Ferrari on an empty highway. 

     8. Anything else?

     Big Life was produced by The Rifles’ regular producer Charles Rees (Paul Weller, The Strypes, Albert Hammond).

“I’m a liar if I say I’ve never been,

In a mess like this before”

    

     

     The Spitfires are an indie rock band from Watford, England. Started in 2012 and influenced by The Jam, The Clash, Arctic Monkeys, The Specials and The Smiths. On My Mind (July'16) rampages off their second album A Thousand Times (Aug'16) and is a rock pop tune that has been said to be "stunning with it's anthemic chorus and soaring melodies."

“I clearly care”