The Great Escape

Finally to end this week's series is The Rifles from Chingford, London. Formed by Joel Stoker and Lucas Crowther who were inspired to form a band after seeing an Oasis show. After recruiting additional members the band played their first show in 2004 and went on to release their debut album No Love Lost in 2006. Before releasing their second album the band issued two one-off singles "Talking" in 2007 and "I Could Never Lie" in 2008. I personally love "I Could Never Lie" because it's just so damn catchy. Due to their album being delayed they issued The Rifles EP as a free download for fans before releasing The Great Escape in 2009. The band lost 2 of it's founding members but have started recording their 3rd album nonetheless. Such great songs and they definitely showed a maturity on their 2nd album that will hopefully carry over onto the 3rd. Great unabashed rock n' roll that should get everyone's feet tapping along. Take a long look at The Rifles:

"Peace & Quiet" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Local Boy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Repeat Offender" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"She's Got Standards" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"I Could Never Lie" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"The Great Escape" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"The General" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Science In Violence" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

When Tom Cruise Cries

Today I would like to focus on The Rakes from London, England who sadly called it a day in 2009. Formed in 2004, the band released their debut Capture/Release in 2005 and had a string of singles climb into the UK charts. Their next CD Ten New Messages was issued in 2007 and then their final album Klang saw the light of day in 2009. The Rakes gained about as much attention for their music as they did their fashion sense even having a designer base one of their collections on the band. They also provided a soundtrack for a fashion show. It was quite sad to hear that the band had called it quits because they had continually put out such great music. With catchy songs and very witty lyrics, you couldn't help but enjoy The Rakes. As the band put it themselves on their website regarding the split, "The Rakes have always been very adamant and proud of the fact that we give 100% to every gig we’ve ever played. If we can’t give it everything then we won’t do it. That was the rule we set ourselves from day one". Good news is that lead singer Alan Donohoe is working on a new project so will have to keep my eyes peeled for something from that. Either way always good to enjoy something so unabashedly fun so I'll let the music speak for itself. This is an advertisement:

"22 Grand Job" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Strasbourg" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Retreat" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Work, Work, Work (Pub, Club, Sleep)" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Open Book" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"We Danced Together" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"The World Was A Mess But His Hair Was Perfect" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Little Superstitions" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"1989" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"The Light From Your Mac" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

Definitely a band that hid such clever lyrics in their songs. Listen to the genius of "The Light From Your Mac" for evidence of just how great their lyrics really were.

You Know I Love You

Next up in this week's series is The Pigeon Detectives from Rothwell, West Yorkshire in the UK. Formed in 2002, they have gone on to gain a huge following and had several successful tours. Their first CD Wait For Me was released in 2007 and went on to gold status soon after it's release. Second album Emergency was produced by Stephen Street (who has also produced The Smiths/Morrissey, Blur to name a few) and was released in 2008. They have recently recorded their 3rd album Up, Guards And At' Em and plan to release it in April of 2011. They issued a preview of track "She Wants Me" which is a bit of a new sound for the band. In the same brash, punky category as the rest of the band's I have and will be talking about, they are bringing back the guitar rock that has been lacking for a while. With the new song it sounds like the band has broadened their horizons but only a full listen to the new album will determine what changes they have tried to make. Look forward to hearing more from this band and definitely worth having a listen to all of their material to date. There are some funny stories surrounding the origin of the band's name as well with one story suggesting that a pigeon writes all their songs. A good sense of humour to go with a solid music output will keep The Pigeon Detectives on everyone's radar. Flap your wings:

"Take Her Back" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"I'm Not Sorry" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Romantic Type" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"I Found Out" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"This Is An Emergency" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c (the actual video for this has really poor audio)

"Everybody Wants Me" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Say It Like You Mean It" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"She Wants Me" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

Hey You!

This week I'm going to dedicate to some good ol' guitar rock via the UK. Always a great source of music the UK unleashed a brash bunch of bands in the last couple of years hell bent on bringing guitar back into music. Today's band of choice is The Paddingtons from Hull, UK. They were first noticed and signed by Alan McGee (who founded Creation Records back in the day signing Oasis, The Libertines and Primal Scream to name a few). The band was also favourites of Pete Doherty who toured with the band with his then project Babyshambles. Their 1st album First Comes First (2005) was produced by Owen Morris (who produced Oasis' Definitely Maybe). They released 2nd album No Mundane Options in 2008 and planned to issue The Lady Boy Tapes EP in February 2010 but the release date was pushed back. It did finally see the light of day. They have a great video for "What's The Point In Anything New" on their 2nd album that is reminiscent of the movie Snatch. Catchy tunes with a little punk attitude thrown in makes for a good time with The Paddingtons. Get on your dancing shoes:

"Panic Attack" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"50 To A Pound" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Sorry" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Stand Down" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"What's The Point In Anything New" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

You'll Never Be Alone Again

Another band that was just on the cusp of their recognition when they broke up is none other than Simian. Originating in Manchester, the band released their first effort Chemistry Is What We Are in 2001 and We Are Your Friends in 2002. Differing from the first album which was more simple in it's song structures, We Are Your Friends was an example of where 2 of the main members where heading with a more dance oriented focus. The drummer and keyboard player went on to form Simian Mobile Disco, an in demand DJ group. I thoroughly enjoy both albums but have an affinity for We Are.. only due to the fact that it signalled an exciting future for the band that unfortunately never came to fruition. Their song "Never Be Alone" was released in 2006 as "We Are Your Friends" and credited to Justice Vs Simian, gaining Justice attention in a remix competition. Singer Simon Lord went on to release several projects including Lord Skywave and The Black Ghosts. Along with Simian Mobile Disco James Ford has had huge success as a producer with credits including Arctic Monkeys, Klaxons, The Last Shadow Puppets (to which he plays drums) and Florence & The Machine. Give both albums a thorough listen and decide for yourself what you like best. Give in to Simian:

"The Wisp" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Mr. Crow" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"La Breeze" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Never Be Alone" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Skin" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"The Way I Live" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

Dangerzone

Ok back on track and ready to deliver some more bands to the masses. Clor were a five piece band from Brixton, England. Formed by Barry Dobbin and Luke Smith who have each gone on to do various production for other bands. Although sadly they were just beginning to gain recognition for their self titled debut released in 2005, the band called it quits in 2006. A very catchy, quirky album that was chock full of gems that only now begin to jump out as being a solid debut. NME even went as far to name it the best lost album of all time. Dobbins now has started a new project entitled Barringtone. Too bad that this diamond in the rough took so long to get noticed but now that it is, hopefully more people will catch on. Enjoy it with the unabashed pleasure it deserves:

"Dangerzone" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Outlines" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Love + Pain" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c

"Good Stuff" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1nC-uyhg1c