WMD Studios

Rehearsal Space, Recording Studio, Website Service, Record Label.

Sleep Star Ignition

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It’s quite a rare thing to be impressed by a band as quickly as I was by Sleep Star Ignition…

Obviously the main reason for this is their immediately infectious modern take on ‘punk meets post-hardcore’ in their new EP Matters of Heart and the Will to Burn, lead by the diverse range of vocalist Nick Villars. But when you look a little bit closer you can see that their whole ‘get up’ is impressively put together, ranging all the way from their energetic, alternative sound to the slick branding of their website and album cover. These guys are pretty much rock stars on their own terms already and it is just a question of time before the rest of the world sits up to take note, which I have no doubt they will.

So who exactly are the people that make up this four-piece Ohio-based ensemble? Alongside the previously mentioned Nick Villars, there is Bob Tallman on guitar, Zach Madden on bass and Zach Bender on the drums. Moreover, having only formed in early 2013 with the will to spread their profound message through heartfelt lyrics and upbeat melodies, it is hard to believe that they haven’t been together for longer. The chemistry is very obviously in the right time and the right place for these guys.

Sleep Star IgnitionTheir latest EP Matters Of Heart And The Will To Burn is made up of five songs. With first track ‘Lunar Transmission’ immediately alluding to a sound similar to predecessors such as You Me at Six by jumping in the deep end with a more pensive, intense sound that really hooks you in. In the next two songs ‘The Forge’ and ‘Boardwalk’, Nick Villars proves why his vocals are perfect for this genre of music and immediately throws in some impressive and diverse range, with the perfect amount of harmony mixed in.

With the last two tracks ‘Gone Home’ and ‘The Beauty and the Doubt’, we are strongly reminded of the bands main influencers which would definitely include Taking Back Sunday and Brand New and seeing as there now appears to be a gap in the market, it would seem it is the perfect time for Sleep Star Ignition to act. And as I said earlier, they are pretty much there already with the word spreading as we speak. I know I certainly can’t wait to hear the next EP.

Check out more from Sleep Star Ignition:

Official Website – sleepstarignition.com/
Facebook – www.facebook.com/SleepStarIgnition
SoundCloud – soundcloud.com/sleep-star-ignition

Time for your Jagged Little Thrills

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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

The Amplifires

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The first and forthright comment I can give about The Amplifires’ music is: it is very digestible, and a wide spectrum of music listeners can enjoy their songs; it pans in between Alternative Rock and Punk, with all the classic shades added to it. From Blondie to Ramones, and even Jim Morrison at times, so there is something for young listeners, as well as old trained ears of the 70’ and 80’ era.

Songs are short, crispy and punchy. You wouldn’t need to leave some out to a make a play list as they all appropriately melt into one another, although the lyrical (or conceptual) content varies.

The AmplifiresLike all great Alternative outfits, rhythm section is providing a solid ground for the punchy guitar work over it, but my interest lies in the beautiful (and natural) tone of the vocalist Sharon Clancy. She has a gifted voice, and in my opinion, she could have picked any genre and her voice would have adjusted to it; it has a certain feel to it. No wonder a huge number of listeners are drawn to it. That also explains the growing number of followers for The Amplifires, on the both sides of Atlantic.

The UK based band (Matlock to be precise) was found in 2005, when David Brunt (guitarist) and Steve Rawlinson (bassist) accidentally met and realized that they have some common interests (in terms of music) shortly they were joined by Sharon Clancy (vocalist) and an improvisation of Blondie’s ‘Call me’ led to the solidification of the act. There had been quite a few replacements on the drums, but currently Sandy Mitchell is holding the seat; and he is holding it steady.

The Amplifires has been quite active ever since: the first album ‘Fire On The Moon’ was released in 2008, followed by ‘S.W.A.L.K’, 18 month later. Their latest album ‘Grace and Danger’/Life’s a Gamble’ has been released, available both on musicxray.com and reverbnation.com, as well as on apple’s itunes.

And the new fans looking for a chance to hear them live can check their performances on youtube.