9th March 2025

Titus writes:

Wunderhorse have connections to Newquay, Cornwall, which as I’m sure you know isn’t a million miles from my good friend Lex’s adopted home. They are led by Jacob Slater, who, having left home at the age of seventeen, lived in London for five years and then after his band The Dead Pretties split up, he moved to Newquay (for those of you who are asking “why?” – I’m sorry to say that I don’t know).  In Newquay he found odd labouring jobs and worked as a surfing instructor, whilst in his spare time, he wrote music.  During this time, Slater landed an acting role, playing the great Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols in the mini series ‘Pistol’ , which was directed by Danny Boyle.  Jacob cited Neil Young and Joni Mitchell as musical influences – this guy’s got class!

 

Wunderhorse was formed during the Covid 19 pandemic as a solo project, and when asked about the name ‘Wunderhorse’, Slater informed the Press that it came from the 1950’s TV programme ‘Champion the Wonder Horse’.  You won’t be at all surprised that I remember this programme well, and I’m pretty sure Lex will as well.  It used to be a major talking point at our Primary School, which was originally called Tettenhall C of E. School.  Jacob then joined with Jamie Staples (vocals, guitar),  Pete Woodin (bass),  and Harry Tristan Fowler (guitar) to form what is now the band Wunderhorse.   Now not a lot of people know that Harry Fowler is the son of the legendary Kim Wilde, I honestly joketh not.

 

The Band’s first album ‘Cub’ was released in October 2022, on Communion records, and the songs therein were all written by Jacob Slater.  The LP was was critically acclaimed as being one of the best of that year, by the N.M.E.,  Riot and Far Out, and the album was described respectively as “A warming blues/garage/indie fire, best enjoyed in its entirety and at high volume”  “a brilliant catalogue of teenage life – ill fated love, drugs, self destruction, depression, as well as youthful joy – all to a rousing soundtrack that harks back to the 90’s” and “melodic reflection from a man growing into himself”.  2022 was quite a year for the band, as apart from the success of ‘Cub’, they toured as supporting act for other bands Fontaines D.C., The Pixies and Foals.  A tour of the U.S. followed in the Spring of 2023 and Wunderhorse played Glastonbury in the Summer of that year.  I see from the provisional line up of Glasto ‘25, that they are scheduled to play there on the Friday of the Festival.

 

Last year, Wunderhorse released their eagerly awaited second album ‘Midas’ – on 30 August 2024 to be precise, and again it was on Communion Records.  It was produced by former Rolling Stones producer Craig Silvey and was preceded by the release of five singles, all of which are on the ‘Midas’ album.  Like ‘Cub’, ‘Midas’ received critical acclaim from the music press and charted at number six in early September ‘24, in the U.K. Albums Chart.  I have avoided the five singles in my choice of track, and have requested Lex to play ‘Cathedrals’, which can be found here.  It is perhaps the most divisive track on the LP, as Reddit  comments have ranged from “ 10/10 Banger with great guitar riff” to “the weakest track on the album”.  Personally I love the lyrics & guitar riff, so give it a few tries!

7th March 2025

Downloading & replaying is discontinued. However, tracks played on Friday evening were:

MetaLex - Rebel Waves
Paramore - Misery Business
Cleo Sol - Fear When You Fly
Pecho E' Fierro - Metalúrgico
Billy Idol - Super Overdrive
Luvcat - Dinner @ Brasserie Zédel
MetaLex - Rebel Waves (~encore~)
Jimmy Eat World - The Middle
Katy J Pearson - Save Me
Pink Sky - Infinity Song
Snow Patrol - One Night Is Not Enough
Dirty Blonde - Rush (Please read what Titus says below).
Blue Lake - Weft
Jaakko Eino Kalevi, Ultraflex - Never Forget My Baby (Jaakko Eino Kalevi Pastoral Rodeo Remix)
King Krule - Time For Slurp
Amy Rigby - Dylan in Dubuque
The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary (Remastered)

2nd March 2025

Titus writes:

I have been listening to several new bands this week, and whilst some seem ok, Dirty Blonde have really impressed me above all others, so I hope you like them too.

 

They are Mancunians Ailis MacKay (vocals and guitar) and Hayley Tait (lead guitar), and they tend to use their own backing musicians for their live gigs and some studio work. They are described as representing a cool rock Northern vibe, with a twist of punk – a bit like Blondie before they became popular.  Ailis is slightly more specific however,  and says that they have an ‘Oasis meets Grunge’ feel – she is a former drummer who sometimes returns to drumming,  and loved Nirvana’s percussion.  After both going to Uni, the pair met on Instagram, whilst doing some part–time work at a circus.  Ailis had her little vlogging camera plus her sound engineering degree,  while Hayley had a degree in videography, so they managed to get started by writing and recording a couple of singles – ‘Run when I tell you’ and ‘Come over’. (The former is a gritty song with big riffs, that really resonates at the band’s live gigs).  Then came ‘Don’t cry, it doesn’t suit you’, which has a positive melodic rock vibe, superseded by a great riff, mid stream.  It is a song about people only being sorry when they’re caught out, and when Dirty Blonde play this live many people are surprised by the way the riff kicks in out of nowhere.  I believe that this track was the first time they had ever filmed a video, and even now, they film all music videos themselves.

 

Despite the increasing presence of AI, the duo quite rightly believes that there is always human creativity which can think outside the box which AI never can.  This group have cut a swathe across the North, and their first EP ‘Favourite Record’ won critical acclaim from the music press.  A song ‘Northern Twang’ appeared, which is all about charging head-long into obsession, and warns that even when something feels right, it isn’t always actually right.  The duo comment  ”it’s all about overlooking red flags because someone’s fit” !  They elaborate further in a later single ‘Polly’ questioning whether falling in love is a gentle trip or a hard push into the romantic abyss.......oh, the beauty of being young!

 

Individually, they had different routes that led them into being Dirty Blonde.  Hayley wanted to be Mark Ronson and Ailis wanted to be Dave Grohl.  When they’re writing songs, they like to make sure that they like the song, by stripping it back to acoustic mode.   If it still sounds good then, they are reassured that they won’t be hiding behind any production technique.  Talking of production, Ailis has self produced certain tracks and has used the help and expertise of Gareth Nuttall at The Lounge to amplify e.g. demos.  Both girls are inspired by fellow new and upcoming bands who are reinventing the wheel.  They are really developing musically and it really is no surprise that they are gathering so much positive attention.  You probably remember me raving about the talent of The Last Dinner Party, and I can honestly see Dirty Blonde (who started gigging a little later) emulating them.  I believe they are destined for big things, particularly more festivals.

 

Thus far Dirty Blonde have earned a reputation for punchy guitar & vocal work, plus powerful live performances. They bring a fresh and nostalgic take on alternative music, and they are defo ones to watch – quite literally!  I have requested Lex to play ‘Rush’ from the new  EP ‘Looking for Trouble’, scheduled for release on 17 April and it can be found here.

1st March 2025

Downloading & replaying is discontinued. However, tracks played on Friday evening were:

Sultans Of Ping F.C. - You Talk Too Much
Soccer Mommy - Driver
Gerry Cinnamon - Canter
Orchéstre Baka Gbiné - Kopolo
Peach PRC - Josh
Jesse Welles - That Can’t Be Right
Celtian - Hasta el Final (Please read what Titus says below).
Half Man Half Biscuit - Joy Division Oven Gloves
Marissa Nadler - Drive
Tracy Chapman - The Promise (2015 Remaster)
Manic Street Preachers - Hiding in Plain Sight
The Limiñanas feat. Bobby Gillespie - Prisoner of Beauty
Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing (Kygo Remix)

23rd February 2025

Titus writes:

I’m not after the sympathy vote, but I knew that this would be a tough assignment, due to most references to Celtian being in the Spanish language.  Still, that’s the price you pay for liking alternative bands, so I will do my best, proceeding as normal!

 

I believe that Celtian is pronounced KEL-TEE-AN, although I’m sure that the pronunciation SEL-TEE-AN is perfectly acceptable.  Celtian is a ground-breaking Spanish symphonic folk metal project, formed in 2017 by flutist Diego Palacio.  They have made four albums which are ‘The Druid’s Awakening’ (2017); ‘En Tierra de Hadas’ (2019); ‘Sendas de Leyanda’ (2021) and ‘Secretos de Amor y Muerte’ (2024).  They have, like many groups, had changes in membership, but the ensemble currently consists of Diego Palacio on flute; Sergio Culebras on guitar; David Landeroin on drums; Txus Boorao on violin;  the brilliant Xana Lavey on vocals;  and Raul Plaza on bass.

 

Their unique blend of Celtic metal and traditional Spanish influences, in my opinion creates a highly pleasing sound which is extremely fulfilling. They churn out melodic tracks and heartfelt lyrics (this is where a good Spanish translator comes in).  They could never be classed as ‘run of the mill’, and following on from my two main classifications of music as either ‘good’ or ‘not so good’, this lot certainly encourages me to use a rarely used term ‘outstanding’. The founder of the band, Diego, who was initially recognised for his powerful flute performances on You Tube, grew up surrounded by music, inspiring him to experiment with different genres and styles.  Vocalist Xana, known for her extremely powerful voice, also had her own You Tube channel.  Diego’s exposure to traditional Celtic music and Xana’s training in various vocal styles, laid the foundation for the band’s unique sound.

 

Over the years, with a few exceptions, I have always respected serious musicians, and Diego & Xana fall easily into this category. They have a deep connection to music that extends beyond mere entertainment.  Celtian draws inspiration from a diverse array of musical influences, and they have successfully blended Celtic metal with Spanish folk metal and beyond, with rich orchestration from within the band. They, like myself and many others, are firm believers in the vinyl format being the best for the music industry.  Such perseverance led to a recording contract with Maldito Records, propelling them into the spotlight.and they have always pursued a signature sound that resonates deeply with their many fans.  Their four vinyl album sleeves remind me very much of some of the brilliant ones produced by Hipgnosis in the 70’s, and not a lot of people know that Aubrey Powell has produced a book of some of these masterpieces!  Forgive me, I digress.

 

My understanding of the Spanish language is very limited to say the least, so I cannot comment on what the lyrics of many of their songs convey, so as always, the music rules.  I am told that their lyrics  often tell of themes of love, loss and resilience, mirroring their own life experiences......so I suppose, like many all over the globe, they are storytellers  as well as musicians.  I like most of the tunes on their 2024 album ‘Secretos de Amor y Muerte’ (‘Secrets of love and death’), but have decided to ask Lex to play just the one, in the hope that he may play more of Celtian’s work in the weeks to come.  The track is ‘Hasta el Final’ (‘All the Way’) and can be found here.

22nd February 2025

Downloading & replaying is discontinued. However, tracks played on Friday evening were:

The Warning - S!CK (Please read what Titus says below).
Disfunctional DJ  - Grease Vs Dr Dre & Snoop Dogg Mashup
Pearl Jam - Wreckage
Girl In Red - I'm Back
Gorgon City - Voodoo (Matt Guy Extended Remix)
The Jesus And Mary Chain - Girl71
Catatonia - Road Rage (Radio Edit)
Leo Moracchioli feat. Mary Spender - Sultans of Swing (metal cover)
Amie Blu - Everything About Her
Clxrity - Pictures v2
Makeout Palace - New Addiction
Emily Wurramara - Lady Blue
The Tubs - Chain Reaction
SOPHIE, Cecile Believe - My Forever
Pearl Jam - Who Ever Said

16th February 2025

Titus writes:

I’m pretty sure that this is the first Mexican all girl band that I have covered, but their work has inspired me, none more so than the most recent two albums.  They hail from Monterrey (one extra ‘r’ than the same sounding place in California), which is the capital of Nuevo Leon, Mexico.  The band membership is similar in some ways to my beloved Castellows – they are three sisters – but that’s where the similarity ends. The Castellows play their own blend of modern country music, whereas The Warning are an alternative rock band.  The band members are the Villarreal Velez sisters Daniela, who sings and plays guitar & piano;  Paulina, who sings and plays drums & piano; and Alejandra, who provides backing vocals and plays bass guitar & piano.  They tend to use their shortened names of Dany, Pau & Ale, and in that respective order, they are 25,23 & 20 years’ old.
 
From a very early age the sisters, via their own and their parents’ passion, learnt to play instruments and regularly played the video game ‘Rock Band’.  Their big break came when at ages 9 through 14, when they performed Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’, and posted the video on You Tube – this went viral, with in excess of 26 million views.  Metallica’s Kirk Hammett praised Pau, saying “The drummer kicks maximum ass”.  Following this success, the sisters decided to seek a record deal and develop their own songs.  Via a ‘GoFundMe’ appeal, they produced a six track EP ‘Escape the mind’, and in 2015 appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.  DeGeneres and the Target Corporation donated $10,000 each for the band to attend a five week training programme at the Berklee College of Music.  The band released two albums in the late 2010’s called ‘XXI Century Blood’ and ‘Queen of the Murder Scene’, plus in 2022 a third album ‘Error’ was finally released after delays relating to the Covid pandemic.
 
There are so many awards nowadays, not just in music either. Notably however, the band won an MTV award in 2024 for their single ‘Automatic Sun’ which was innovating, and cleverly timed to coincide with that year’s Solar Eclipse.  At the Latin Grammy Awards in 2024 The Warning won the Best Rock Song (Que Mas Quieres), and completed an Award hat-trick, by winning Best Rock Album of 2024 for their fourth LP ‘Keep Me Fed’ at the Folk N Rock Awards.  This year, they were nominated for Group of the Year at the Lo Nuestro Awards and won this too.
 
I mentioned their fourth studio album, ‘Keep me Fed’ earlier on and this comprised of six previously recorded singles, and six new tracks. Despite the LP only having been released a month earlier, MTV Push featured them as their Artists of the Month.  For those of you who read my blog featuring the French Guitarist & Vocalist Laura Cox, I mentioned that she appeared at the Pol’and Festival, and The Warning also included this festival on their tour of Europe.  For the Spring of 2025, the band announced extra multiple locations for the ‘Keep me Fed’ tour, in their home country of Mexico plus in Latin America and Europe.  It is from this album, that I have requested Lex to play the track SICK, which can be found here.