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Finally, a band with some Gumshen….

September 15, 2015 by Casey Douglas Leave a Comment

Sometimes what you fancy listening to is some upbeat, faster tempo music that has a lighter feel than some of the other genres. Gumshen’s DigiBites fills that role very well, a mixture of electronica, rock and pop, it makes for an eclectic and layered listening experience.

fileThe Seattle-based band is made up of Ron Hippe, Jan Ciganik, Dennis McCoy and Chip Reno, and sites influences from artists including Pink Floyd and Chromeo. They have had a number of albums released since 2007, DigiBites being their most recent.

One thing that I really enjoyed about DigiBites was the clean and warm sound. I often subjectively find some music that veers more towards electronic beats to be a little cold and clinical but Gumshen’s tracks all seem to have a warmth to them that appeals to me. The next thing that I really appreciated was Ron Hippe’s vocals; they have a kind of echoing magnetism that sits more than comfortably on top of the various sounds contained in the music. His vocals also hold your attention, in tandem with the song writing of course. There are a number of tracks where the flow of the words is interrupted by a change in his tone or pace. The track Be Here Now is a great example of this, the airy first few lines of the chorus followed by the more sudden (but not harsh) exclamation “Look up!”. Pick Up The Slack is also a track that enjoys slightly harder vocals in this manner, the titular line “Pick up the slack!” an order rather than a suggestion.

Now a confession. I have never viewed myself as being a foot-tapper when listening to music. DigiBites’ fast pace and catchy beats did bring this behaviour out in me though, much to my amazement. I might add I have nothing against foot-tapping, I just very rarely do it. To me, that is solid evidence that Gumshen’s music has something to it above others I might have listened to. Most of the tracks on DigiBites have something in them that appeals, whether it is some deep-toned electronic notes or delicately plucked fast-paced guitar riffs, it all comes together in a smooth way that is easy to listen to and satisfying. What more could you want?

You can checkout Gumshen at their website here.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: be here now, chip reno, chromeo, dennis mccoy, Digibites, Gumshen, look up, Music, new music, pink Floyd, review, reviews, ron hippe

BURST by Majentta

September 8, 2015 by Casey Douglas Leave a Comment

When the chorus kicks in, the backing music has a great texture, distortion and grain adding some grit to the main chorus refrain.

MajenttaThe main guitar riff that underpins the track in general certainly gets stuck in the ear, the pace of the notes sitting really well with the slower extended notes that surround it. The lyrics sung by Majentta’s powerful voice are no less intricate, the hook laden chorus filled with questions and lingering words that almost makes the listener feel rude not to answer her.

Burst has all the qualities of a pop-style alternative rock track that would sit comfortably in the music charts alongside more well-known bands and artists. The theme of death and loss sung with panache yet a fairly upbeat instrumental backing is a great listen. While the backing music is layered and interesting, the main draw here is Majentta’s voice, a voice that can instil awe and fear in the blink of a change in tone. So many artists seem to be unwilling to allow their voices a full range of expression, but this is something Majentta doesn’t struggle with one bit.

If you are a fan of strong female vocalists, visit Majentta on Bandcamp at this link and take a listen. There is also a great music video on Youtube for Burst and it is well worth a watch too, giving visual expression to the underlying theme of death and loss writ by the lyrics. If you do check it out, keep an eye out for some great sinister smoke effects.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: alternative rock, Burst, distortion, female vocalists, Majentta, Music, new music, review, reviews

Whoa Mama!

June 16, 2015 by Mehdi 'Eddy' Hassan Leave a Comment

Whoa… I actually had to wait (at least) for 30 minutes to write anything after ‘Whoa’ to let my goose-bumps subside! The first 12 bars of the first song (The Way You Do It) I played on my stereo system were enough to blow my mind.

Whoa MamaThe paper-weights on my desk are still dancing, riveting on the groovy rhythm. My mind still looks for some signs of conclusion. Still unable to admit, I try to find some info about the band ‘Whoa Mama’, but there isn’t much; except the three released songs. Finally, I contacted my editor and –to my pleasure- I was told that ‘Whoa Mama’ is actually a new band, not some uncut rough diamonds from the 1970’s.

Without getting a peak at their looks or attire, I would dare to guess (and comment) that the band must be living in the 70’s: every single note they play or sing, every rhyme they make, even the tones of their instruments (tuning of the snare on the drums for example) screams loud about the classic blues rock era!

And the three gems of polished songs (available on the YouTube) are enough to tell that the members of ‘Whoa Mama’ know every hit classic rock song by heart. You would find colors of every 70’s hit act in their songs, from Ted Nugent to Tommy Bolin for guitar sounds to Jim Morrison-Janis Joplin-David Coverdale vocal frolics.

Whoa MamaThe first song I heard ‘The Way You Do It’ is a gut wrenching ballad, with intoxicating and dreamy vocals. It is more like messy love making and frantic day dreaming, packaged in a crazy but lucid flowing vibe. Apart from vocals, I absolutely adore the guitar chops… riffs, sweet phrasing with articulate runs, and an enchanting tone on the top of it.

Song ‘All for Nothing’ is more like an orgy between Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and David Coverdale (White Snake) signature styles and sound. It is a rejuvenating representation of classic blues rock.

The song ‘Bloody Mary’ is drifting somewhere between the giant rockers Black Sabbath and Free. Immense feedback drenched guitar tone, swift and subtle changes in the groove and timing; it is enough to get you drunk without the need to indulge in any other substance.

‘Whoa Mama’ is absolute Rock, absolutely psychedelic…

I am eagerly waiting for more material from this great band.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: 70s, Black Sabbath, bloody mary, blues rock, David Coverdale, free, groovy, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin, Music, new music, review, reviews, Rock, Ted Nugent, the way you do it, Tommy Bolin, White Snake, whoa mama

Best of Enemies

May 19, 2015 by Mehdi 'Eddy' Hassan Leave a Comment

Best of EnemiesThe kind gents from The Best of Enemies are offering music on bandcamp for just £0.99. Why aren’t you there yet?

Best of Enemies is a four piece band from London. Although the energetic four haven’t been together for too long they are already playing to packed fanatic crowds, their debut single “Brother” was released in July 2014. The press has taken heartily to the band, and it is already being nicked as ‘the new face of English Rock’. Considering their relatively new arrival, it is a big achievement.

Best of EnemiesI just went through the debut EP ‘Stay Young, Trust Me’ by Best of Enemies: the first thing that rings through my mind is that it must be a real worth listening to them live. Not to say that they are any way behind when it comes to studio recordings, the EP is very skillfully created and the production is on par with any modern outfit.

The four tracks presented on the debut EP are full of interestingly carved professional pegs, for example; all the songs are upbeat (which is a must to entice younger audience). There are some great harmonies supporting the lead vocalist, and especially the chorus part is well designed for a great sing-along, pretty clever!

The first song on the EP, ‘You are a Good Mate, Really’ is a brightly packaged song about the bond of friendship. Second song (Ignorance is Bliss) is a dark –darker- but energetic piece about mindsets of neglected youth; nothing could be more appropriate for a youth oriented output. Third song ‘Hope and Dreams’ is again a collective mantra about the fancies and disappointments of youth, and the fourth song (Wasting Away) is just a personalized anecdotal version of the ‘Hope and Dreams’.

The rhythm section is punchy and stable, and the best thing about Best of Enemies is the singing of the lead vocalist Sam Christmas, he is absolutely on the tune and his -delivered to perfection- vocal dynamics tell me, that Best of Enemies have quite rightfully started fast, and they are here to stay long!

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: band, bands, Best of Enemies, energetic, English, harmonies, ignorance is bliss, London, Music, review, reviews, Rock, Sam Christmas, stay young, trust me, wasting away, you’re a good mate really

Time for your Jagged Little Thrills

March 31, 2015 by Mehdi 'Eddy' Hassan Leave a Comment

It’s sexy! Not the pretty polished back street boys sexy, but the real deal; if you know what I mean, wink, wink.

If (you think) your musical taste is slightly mature, then, you might play it once and move on to some other links about n-sync reunion hoax. But, Jagged Little Thrills are like the ‘hot mama’ you may not notice at a mere glance. Don’t be afraid! Take another look, play the songs once again, get over the numbness of cheesy songs you have been hearing till now, and you will be bulldozed by the voluptuous raw energy floating to –and through- you.

Well I -might- acknowledge, the vocals may not pass the tuner test (or guitars might go off tune/tempo) here and there. But, when was the last time you heard such raw and energetic voice? I can’t remember anything like this; it’s been a long, long time.

Like every –meaningfully- successful rock act Jagged Little Thrills are a strange mix, the stability of Tom Wright (bass) and ‘Late Night’ Rob Gray (drums) is providing a hot platform for the searing vocals of Thomas Wright (vocals) and, Dave Vegas and Matthew ‘Weg’ Wetherill’s combined beefy guitar chops.

Jagged Little ThrillsReportedly, these five friends got together in the early 2014 to put forward their own blend of Punk/Indie/Rock sound, and it seems that they manage to get it right. It didn’t take them long to establish in the big league, right from the start, when they performed in a little pub in Northampton back in the early 2014. The inspirations are quite wide: from Nirvana to The Clash and from Queens of Stone Age to White Stripes.

It is no wonder that renowned producer Alan Emptage (who has worked with artists such as Adam Ant, Eric Clapton and Skunk Anasie) will be working with them on their first EP (starting early 2015)

I am already addicted to their single ‘Streets of Berlin’, as I look forward to hear a ‘Big’ and thrilling complete album from the Jagged Little Thrills. I just hope it comes out sooner!

Check out Jagged Little Thrills on Facebook – www.facebook.com/Jaggedlittlethrills

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: alan emptage, guitar, hassan, Indie, Jagged, Jagged-little-thrills, Little, medhi, Music, nirvana, northampton, Punk, queens of the stone age, recording, review, Rock, rocknroll, studios, Thrills, wmd. wmdstudios

Got 2 Funk live at WMD, it’s time to get FUNKY!

August 4, 2014 by Dominic Vermeulen-Smith

Mothers lock up your daughters, husbands lock up your wives, because Got 2 Funk is in the building and you guessed it, it’s time to get funky.

What makes a good cover band is not simply being able to recreate the patterns of different inspirations; it is the ability to capture the energy and true feel of a song. Here at WMD we have had the pleasure of working with a cover band that perfectly balances the energy of the songs they cover with their own personal flair, resulting in sweet music that will have your hips moving before you know it.

Got 2 Funk joined us for a day of live recording where they covered a variety of funk/soul hits, during which they blew us all away with their performance; no man, woman or child can sit still once Got 2 Funk start to get their funk on.

With inspirations such as McFadden & Whitehead, The Commodores and James Brown, Got 2 Funk are one of the true gems of South Coast cover bands and here at WMD we strongly recommend you pay this truly great band a visit when they play a show near you.



Filed Under: Video Podcasts Tagged With: bass, drums, funk, guitar, Music, new music, Podcast, reviews, Studio, Video

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