ONE GIANT STEP

Reviewed by  the very hip Dave Chislett  ( above) who is a journalist, music promoter , 5 FM and SA FM correspondent and columnist for The Mail and Guardian, FHM, Stage Magazine and SL magazine". On top of this he has had 3 books published ( click above to see details ) and of course he is now the brand new resident reviewer for Matchbox Recordings. He also does his own ironing but not while listening to Red Eye Flyers. 

Eve Williams – Life Is For Living

This Irish singer has a pure and clear vocal tone, and is extremely versatile. “Life Is For Living” is a powerful, vocally driven song that showcases Eve’s voice to good effect. You can hear her vocal training in the power and accuracy of delivery. Written in a lilting, Gaelic style, it is a refreshingly clear and accessible number with a persistent haunting melody.

Everking outside a sex theatre to take their minds off the jitters and show that rehab really works ( Really - Ed) 

Everking – Just Outta Rehab

This is an interesting offering. Mixing up hip-hop influences with the quirky jangly feel of bands like Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Beck, they present a humorous, intelligent mix of breaking rhythms and drifting melody. Made up of long-time song writing partners Shoot and Cod along with accomplished guitarist Bez, Everking mix it up big time. It could be formulaic, or even dead boring, but the self-effacing humour and deadpan delivery saves the song from both, easily! If the rest of their stuff is this much fun, this is a definite addition to the feel good party vibes of the like of The Blood Hound Gang and the afore mentioned Fun Lovin’ Criminals.

Holland's hottest export FROGLAND fresh from their NME write up and currently taking over the Internet radio world. 

Frogland – Fire

This is a big rocking track, complete with grunge-esque thunderous guitars and snarling vocal delivery. Underpinned by a muscular rhythm section and strong vocals, it makes a good impression from the start. Frogland, featuring René J. Elenbaas (lead vocals + guitar), Daniël Sauk (lead guitar + backing vocals), Florian Speth (drums + backing vocals) and Jules v. Brakel (bass guitar) hail from the Netherlands, and have just released their EP “Fresh Nuggets” in the UK. The NME just reviewed them, so they are definitely worth checking out. www.frogland.info 

The Codgers above 

The Codgers - What You talking About

The Codgers are based in Germany but have one english member. This shows in their sound that goes from shouty early punk to stadium size anthems. Their name may suggest they are way past their time but their music is fresh and full of youthful anthemic punk energy. This powerful almost power punk track is taken off their debut UK E.P release called "ROAR". They are currently getting played all over the world on many Internet stations. This should spread like wild fire. 

Gecko – Our Umbrella

Funky bass grooves and snappy jangly guitars will immediately have you thinking of the Red Hot Chili Peppers when you hear this number. Unfortunately for Gecko’s singer, he’s no Anthony Kideas, and has his own vocal style, which is definitely a good thing! Gecko have plenty of energy and fizz, it remains to be seen whether they can maintain that over a range of songs, but this strong single sets a good platform.

Groundless – Forever bandits

This one takes off straight up at one hundred miles an hour. Driven relentlessly forward by high-speed guitar and a thunderous rhythm section, Forever bandits is completed by powerful vocals that soar effortlessly over that powerful base of sound. It’s not a wall of sound production though, with good definition setting the vocals free and some interesting textural breaks.

Jon basset – Secret Wings

Despite claiming influences like Pink Floyd, the Pixies and happy Mondays, this sound is more reminiscent of early sixties psychedelia without the trippy effects. Bassets voice drifts laconically over the mix of acoustic guitar and sparse drums just like a vaguely disconcerting trip. But it is the very acoustic feel of the track that harks so far into the musical past, making this a pretty interesting retro vibe, even as it nods to more modern influences. This is still early days for Jon, but if this song is a barometer, he’s got something interesting going here.

Killer Whale – No Meaning

Killer What deliver a meandering, acoustic number with a hypnotic quality that seeps into your consciousness like water down your collar on a rainy day. Nothing remarkable at first glance, but insidious and infectious in the final analysis. No meaning is one of those songs that drift into your head to be recalled at random almost constantly. The muted vocals, nicely timed lead breaks and rolling rhythmic quality make it very pleasant listening.

The powerful rock band LEVANTER above 

Levanter – She

Take vocals straight from The Darkness, add a smattering of led Zeppelin, a dash of early Cult and some other secret ingredients and you get the sound that is Levanter. This is old school rock of the best sort: not too concerned with what you think of it, and just being exactly what it is. With a no frills approach reflected in simple construction, gutsy delivery and straight rock ethics, Levanter should appeal to anyone who likes their rock straight, no chaser. www.levanter.co.uk 

Mindway

Mindway – Place For Truth

Czech outfit Mindway, featuring MX*MIKE [voc] and WOJTTECH [bass] – former members of Czech well-known crossover band T.H.C - combine spooky choral vocals with some industrial sounding guitar and sweaty, panting vocals to create a diversely intriguing offering. Place For Truth goes everywhere from Nu Metal to Gregorian chants and industrial. Its not a song for the faint hearted, delivered with plenty of sheer power and volume. This is definitely one of those tracks that just sounds about six times better played through a huge PA. A very tasty, chunky, modern rock song. Don’t be afraid, the pain soon goes away! 

The charming Gorky-like Monsieur Landslide above ( Do they really look like that in real life ?  - ed ). 

Monsieur Landslide – In my Eyes

The Landsliders combine great acoustic sounds with some fairly serious punk sensibilities to create a sound that is far more menacing than an acoustic song deserves to be. They hail from the North West of England and have been on the circuit for a couple of years now. They list playing with Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci as one the highlights of there career, as well as turning down the real Music campaign. Their sound is mainly supported by the great vocals and catchy melodies. Look out for the album they are busy recording in Liverpool.

Neave – Handful of Dreams

Distorted vocals that, despite the processing, remind one strongly of the Kings Of Leon and a driving rhythm section earmark Neave as one of the new artists following the latest trend into retro, indie rock territory. There are nods to a lot of rock’s musical history here, combined with a modern sensibility that embraces brevity, simplicity and a certain lo-fi approach to production. It all sits together in an intriguing package.

Nerine 

Nerine – Lost Alone

Nerine’s sound is based around the powerful, instantly recognizable vocal tone of their singer. The rest of the crew ably backs him up however. The band has been going for nearly ten years now, and come from Spalding in Lincolnshire. With members James Stamp, Stuart Carr, Garry Sharp, Lee Batiuk and Rob Howman dedicating all the time they can find between surfing and snowboarding to the band, they have built a good live reputation for themselves around the UK. This is powerful, direct stuff that rocks straight on out at you as is befitting a group that list extreme sports among their interests!

No Leader – Summer Rain

Taken off their debut album, ‘The Nowhere Theory’, Summer Rain showcases their Cure influenced production style and spacious song writing to good effect. The slightly disconcerting, disorienting approach has massive emotional appeal, projecting the slightly dislocated world of the songs lyrics through a literal sonic representation. Very interesting stuff. It’s been a while since anyone used that one. The weird 80’s handclaps in the background combine with the raw guitar and vocals to result in a truly unsettling, brilliant single. More please. Check out their website. 

Nutron Stars – Girl From The Chain Gang

Someone fed the Proclaimers drugs and changed their name and here we have them: lovely vocals and sweet guitar melodies that the Nutron Stars have combined with a slightly more quirky world view than the Scots twins. Thankfully, they also then pile in with the guitars and the rest of the gang to offset that initial impression. This short, melodic track is interesting listening as a result and hints that there may be a lot more to it all than it reveals. 

Paul Birtwell above 

Paul Birtwell – She Stands Still

Paul returns to Matchbox Recordings with a new song. This is a frank and open number of stripped acoustic guitar and doodling, dreamy bass. It’s a musical backing suited to the sweeping, gentle melody line. The result is a tender, vulnerable song that catches the idea precisely because of its softness. Paul’s voice is clean and clear, and there can be no doubt that he can actually sing. I love the Da Da Da’s as well; it’s just a really great, really simple song, really.

Red Eye Flyers – Undone

A slow paced, introspective melody of melancholy. The Red Eye Flyers effortlessly invoke the late night, depressed mood with “Undone”. The band is from Cheltenham and has recorded one album so far, and are looking to grow beyond their regional roots. The band brings musical landscapes to mind with their song writing, rich in mood and texture. Not the kind of thing you slap in the CD player while doing the ironing you know. 

We get drenched in cool REVERB  

Reverb – Not One Of The Crowd

Reverb describe their style as Shit Rock. While I am not quite sure what that means, what Rooney (Rick Westall), Goon (Steve Smith), Larter (Darren Larter), and Judge(Damian Judge) play is a loud mélange of rock styles ala Mud Honey. Plenty of very angry guitar and full throttle vocals. There isn’t much nicety here, that’s definitely not the point as these English lads will no doubt be quick to point out. Its passionate, raw and in your face. Which is pretty much what rock and roll should be about so, fine by me.

The powerful Birmingham rock gods SANCHEZ 

Sanchez – In My Head

The critics that have seen or heard this Birmingham outfit are pretty well unanimous in their praise for their sound, their professionalism and their song writing skills. Listening to In My Head, it is easy to see why. Sanchez deliver extremely well crafted songs with excellent dynamic and tonal variation, and layered with truly massive guitar riffs and excellent vocals. Immediate comparisons with Alice In Chains and Chris Cornel spring to mind, and they are not inappropriate, this is powerful, heady stuff and I’d be surprised if they don’t get snapped up fast. www.overplay.co.uk/sanchez

Sleeping Giants – Superstitious Man 

This is early Bowie I can hear singing this song. That frail and sensitive vocal approach, married to big guitars and then hitting out into the choruses with real power. It’s quite a glam rock sound overall, but again, with good construction and variation. Sleeping Giants demonstrate nice dynamic sensibilities, not falling for the temptation to roar through a powerful song at one volume from start to finish. If the giants sleep, they’ll soon waken judging by this song. A nice powerful chorus is the strong point, with a nice anthemic sing along quality to it. 

Anthemic new wave punkers SONS OF GOSSAMER above ( Who's Gossamer ? -Ed) 

Sons Of Gossamer – Living With It

The Beatles with more distortion and power. Sons of Gossamer unlike their sixties counterparts, are from Birmingham, but they love their harmonizing and friendly guitar riffs. But because they are from the 21^st century, they have married this with some heavier guitars and a slightly more cynical worldview. It makes for an interesting mix, sonically speaking. But they can definitely write songs, and if they are anywhere as versatile as the Beatles, this is going to be an outfit to watch. The sons are Mark Tromans - Guitar/vocals, Craig Taylor - Bass and Mark Sheean on Drums. www.sonsofgossamer.com. 

The cool Spider above crawling out from a leftfield gothic pop hole

Spider – Dark Scarlet Cloud ( A Strange Kind of ) 

Spider is Danilo Taddei from Rome, Italy. This is a brooding, dark track with muttered half audible lyrics over a gothic platform of eerie strings and thudding percussion. Its hard to put a finger on this one, but what does spring to mind are some of the more musically inclined projects from the Goth area, like certain Bauhaus numbers or Pete Murphy on solo albums. Definitely well made, definitely not average. Turn this up and wallow in the sheer atmosphere. Check out the cool Spider site

Steve McLoone caught live in action

Steve Mcloone – Everytime

Steve Mcloone is a well-established American music professional. With years on the road singing and performing under his belt, this song is part of his break away into a solo career. As a result there is a certain polish and finish to his music that many new artists lack. Experience does count. Stylistically, this is easy to peg as American rock, with its brash guitar solo and smooth transitions. But Steve’s voice is interesting, well trained and includes a decent range. If Everytime is a good barometer of the rest of Mcloone’s catalogue, this won’t be the last we hear from him. www.ultimasongs.com 

Falsetto fuelled epic Indie rock/pop Gods SUBROC above. 

Subroc – Tainted

Scottish band Subroc has been ploughing the field for 6 years, and are no strangers to the trials of life as a rock band. But members Scott (vocals), Tom (guitar/vocals/keys), Ants (bass) and Charlos (drums/percussion) are beginning to reap the fruits of their persistence. Now set up with their own studio, and bust recording a second album, one of their tracks, “Close The Window” has been used on a new PC game to released in Japan. Their pure, vocal based rock sound is catchy and accomplished enough, now they just need a break here in the UK. www.subroc.co.uk

The Amberblacks – Medicine man

Colchester lads Chris Jones(vocals/guitar), Andy Knapp (drums), Cliff Fitzpatrick (Guitar) and Rob Bentley (bass) unite to deliver some straight up rock and roll. I mean literally, there is plenty of pure Rockabilly in this one to keep a few Ducktails bobbing their heads! But it is a turbo charged ride of crazy lyrics and raw power. Nice stuff really. Its over almost before it began, leaving you looking for the replay button. Nice! www.theamberblacks.com 

The Juice – Sunday’s Child

Glam California rock sits as the foundation for The Juice. With strong vocals as the hook to their own brand of a modern funky rock reinvention, they toy with a new interpretation of these standards. From Hackney in London the band comprises John Lucas (bass), Martin Clough (drums), Jay Serrao (vocals) and Jack Evans (guitar) 

The Noyze – Bloodstream

Three piece The Noyze deliver with the characteristic power of trio bands. It’s a no frills affair that hits directly and believe it or not, noisily. Brother Ryan and Ross Turner provide the guitar vocals and drums with bass duties completed by Richard (Bulla). The Noyze have been gigging around Reading, honing their craft and looking for a chance to break out.  This is not their first recorded offering, with other demo’s available. 

The Potions – Good ‘nuf

Rumbling rhythms, loud guitars, who does this sound like? The Potions appropriately enough cook up a good mix of traditional rock styles, dominated by the most glam vocals you will have heard since the 70’s: move over The Darkness. The basic rock backing is bedrock to the slippery lead vocal and crazed AC/DC style backing vocals. Man, this is probably really good stuff to dance to when you’ve had three or four lagers too many! 

Will Gracie – Got To Go

Will is a solo singer, once signed as part of the boy band CONTACT. This number is a little more Justin Timberlake in its considered R&B cross over approach, unlike some of his other more electronic material. Will appeared on Top of the Pops fronting a track by Armend Van Heldon called " Koochy" using Gary Numan's Cars as a sample a while back, but now he’s here to do it on his own.