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Discovering Eureka Stockade

alt-country, alt-rock, Cambridge, Cracking Tunes, England, Eureka Stockade, featured artists, new release, reviews, United Kingdom 4 Responses »

Jun 202011

artist: Eureka Stockade | genre: alt-rock | label: Cracking Tunes

Check ‘em out on

Eureka Stockade

listen now:
Without You Violence

I had to do some double checking of things with Eureka Stockade. For example, are they really from Cambridge? The one in England?? I have to say, the sound is quite American to me. The pedal steel guitar playing a prominent role in “Without You” does make me think Nashville. And other tracks like “Violence” and “All Alone” made me seriously wonder if they could be from Athens, Georgia. I actually did double check….it’s still Cambridge, England.

And with tracks titled “All Alone”, “Without You”, and “Through Every Darkness”, one might be afraid these could be country-western songs where you lost your job, your wife, and worst of all your dog. Don’t worry; they aren’t. Eureka Stockade is a solid four piece, delivering vocally driven, well-crafted, alt-rock tunes with a decent range of different sounds. “Without You”, with that pedal steel guitar is a masterful acoustic ballad and really is a bit country. “Violence” is on the other end of their spectrum, being more Athens-inspired rock. If you like both of these tracks, then you should be happy with everything in between.

- DMitch

Flashback :: Stone Roses

alt-rock, alternative, England, flashback, Manchester, videos 4 Responses »

Jun 102011

Check out The Stone Roses on

The Stone Roses self-titled debut album was released in the Spring of 1989 and although the track featured in the video above was not on it, there were quite a number other of notable tracks including, but not limited to, “I Wanna Be Adored” and “She Bangs the Drum.” Classics one and all. The album received critical acclaim and there are many today (including yours truly) who still consider it to be one the best British albums ever released.

Founding members Ian Brown and John Squire had finally broken through and had nothing but an open road ahead…that is until they entered into a nasty dispute with their then record company, Silvertone Records. Finally, after trip through the British courts, the band emerged victorious and began work on their second and final album. Second Coming was released in 1994 and it too had it’s share of memorable tracks…but none more so than “Love Spreads.” There are plenty of “Manchester purists” out there who would argue “Fools Gold” was band’s crowning achievment. I, however, would respectfully disagree.

It’s somewhat surprising to think that The Stone Roses only released (2) albums before disbanding in 1996 for, you guessed it, artistic differences. Even so, in the short time these cats were together they put out some seriously good music. Have groovy Friday my friends…

- Drago

Marcus Lives, and So Does GoldRat

England, featured artists, GoldRat, London, punk, reviews, rock, United Kingdom, unsigned 5 Responses »

Jun 092011

artist: Gold Rat | genre: punk, rock | label: unsigned

listen now: Marcus Lives

Our friends at GoldRat have sent us a new song, just in time for summer. “Marcus Lives” effortlessly flips the switch from angular guitar rock to straight ahead pounder. I dug GoldRat the first time around, but in the short time that’s passed, I’m impressed with the strides they’ve made. Their sound is tighter and more confident and I love their ability to go to the edge of completely losing their minds, but remain just short of bedlam. The relaxed vibe I dug remains, there’s a smooth chorus, the guitar parts in the bridge are excellent, and it seems like “Marcus Lives” finds another gear around the 1:45 mark. All of it keeps me excited about GoldRat and lands them on my summer Ipod mix. Well done, guys.

- Thurdeen

Flashback :: Joy Division

alternative, electro, electronica, England, flashback, Manchester No Responses »

Jun 032011

Check out Joy Division on

One of the originators of the “Manchester Sound”, Joy Division formed in 1976 with more of a punk sound but, overtime, as their sound evolved they truly set the stage for the post-punk movement in alternative music. While “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” featured above, was their first major hit, it was somewhat overshadowed by the tragic suicide death of lead singer Ian Curtis at the tender age of 23 in May 1980.

It’s been forever and a day since I last heard this song and as hear it now again, many moons later, two (2) thoughts come immediately to mind…what a good band Joy Division was and, sadly, how great they could have been. Either way, many thanks to DMitch for suggesting this track and this band for the Friday Flashback. Dig it.

- Drago

Flashback: Modern English

alternative, electronica, England, Essex, flashback, United Kingdom No Responses »

May 062011

Like it? Get it on

Ok, is it just me or did lead singer Robbie Gray of Modern English bare a striking resemblance to Sid from the Disney movie Ice Age back in the day? Originally known as The Lepers, the band formed in the Essex region of England back in 1979 and, aside from Sid…err Robbie, the original line up consisted of Gary McDowell on guitar/vox and Michael Conroy on bass. It wasn’t until drummer Richard Brown and keyboardist Stephen Walker joined the group that they (thankfully) changed their name to Modern English.

While they were best know for the alternative anthem of the ’80s, “I Melt with You,” there was another track that was also released on 1983′s After the Snow that I find to be quite diggable as well. From the synths, to the drums and everything in between, “Someone’s Calling” is pure ’80s new wave/electronica through and through and a track that I hope will be around long after the next ice age. Dig it…

- Drago

Flashback :: Video Clash

alternative, England, flashback, London, punk, reggae No Responses »

Apr 152011

The year was 1980. The first rock festival was held in Russia, Ronald Reagan became the 40th President of the United States of America, Mt. Saint Helens erupted in Washington State…and The Clash released “Bankrobber.We certainly could debate the relative importance of these events to each other, to the time period, to history, etc. but it’s going to take a lot of convincing for me not to rank the band and this song #1. To this day this is still one of my all time favs. Enjoy!