By the pr*cking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes”. With these words, Shakespeare could very well be describing the sound of The Thinking Men. It is a dark devilish affair, a deliciously instinctive seduction walking the rim of nightmares while channeling inspirations from the likes of Tom Waits, Nick Cave, The Doors, and Jack White into something boldly individual.
Hailing from Norwich in the UK, The Thinking Men were created by vocalist/guitarist Johnny Raspin and lead guitarist Ronnie Smith, two friends from childhood. The duo soon became a trio as keyboardist/vocalist (and in time Johnny’s wife) Sarah joined the band, with double bassist Duncan Samwell and drummer Matt Rowe completing the line-up a year later.
By then the band’s sound was already stirring keen attention and continued to go from strength to strength. Drama soaking every syllable and lining every note, it is defined by an unpredictable and uniquely eclectic heart. Indeed, from their core, the songs radiate energy which is replicated by the band’s live performance. Future Radio declared The Thinking Men their Next Big Thing, Future Radio, and BBC Introducing Norfolk announced: “We love this band and look forward to every release! Such an inventive band whose exciting performances and crazy music drive real life into the music scene. The new material is awesome!”
The band brings the same depth of theatre and intensity that constitutes their memorable and dramatic stage proposition into their songwriting, weaving rich tales and emotions around addictive hooks and groove threaded melodies. This can all be evidenced within the band’s latest EP, ‘Memento Mori’, a tapestry of dark adventures never going where you expect and taking the listener to shadowy corners that they may not wish to peer into. In addition, one does not need search far to find a touch of mischief and a whiff of irresistible madness within the confines of the record.
With new drummer Rob Goodwin in their ranks, with an even greater hunger to turn audiences into a frenzied mass, with their indelible foot-stomping anthems, The Thinking Men are poised to make 2018 their most exciting, and unforgettable year yet.
LINKS:
http://thethinkingmen.com
http://facebook.com/thethinkingmen
http://twitter.com/TheThinkingMen
http://instagram.com/thethinkingmen
http://youtube.com/user/thethinkingmen
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Nova Flares – Gut Splinter
Nova Flares is the solo project of Jason Wagers, whose music as a solo artist cleverly combines shoegaze with neo-psychedelic and surf rock. Nova Flares is the solo project of Jason Wagers, whose music as a solo artist cleverly combines shoegaze with neo-psychedelic and surf rock. The result is mighty fine bedroom jangly surf pop packed with flowing dreamy harmony and charming, lo-fi goodness. This hypnotic guitar shimmer packs the magic punch intended.
Hailing from Berea, Kentucky, he moved to Louisville at 18 where he played in various bands until deciding to put out his own album under the name The Corridors. Writing, recording and producing all tracks in his apartment studio, Wagers released the debut album in April 2017, only to be crushed by a British record label claiming to represent a band by the same name, who demanded he cease using this name. By that time, Wagers was eager to start a solo project in a completely new direction, inevitably creating a very specific atmosphere in his new compositions.
This music is heavily influenced by neo-psychedelic bands of the 90’s through to those currently active, such as Black Market Karma, Mystic Braves, Holy Wave and The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
Jason Wagers has dubbed his sound “surfgaze”, the style borrowing gazey elements that can be traced back to My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Beach Fossils and The Jesus and Mary Chain, while also being influenced by surf and beach-goth-psych bands like The Growlers, La Luz, The Warlocks and the Allah-Las.
The bright, reactive sound of this music inspired the project’s name ‘Nova Flares’. A nova is an astronomical event causing the sudden appearance of a bright, apparently ‘new’ star that slowly fades from view. This involves an interaction between two stars and causes a flare up, which is perceived as a new entity that is much brighter than the stars involved. Ironically, this new project was also born from the destruction of The Corridors.
“The songs I create through Nova Flares are supposed to be very cinematic and capture memories and feelings from situations I’d experienced in my childhood and adult life, but these songs are also meant to be left open-ended so that the listener could have their own personal sensory experience as well,” says Jason Wagers.
Playing in bands and writing music since the age of 14, he eventually learned enough in the music sphere to start producing his own records, appreciative of the freedom and ability to record his own songs and release his own records. Growing beyond guitar to also bass guitar, drums, and piano and also dabbling with vocals over the years. His Nova Flares project provided the perfect opportunity to develop his skills even further.
“Nova Flares is my next step up as a project. I am more excited than ever to share my new music with the world! These songs are past experiences expressed through sound. Each song is applicable as a personal sonic memoir to the listener,” explains Wagers. “I imagined video sequences while recording every song for this project and, as a result, all of the songs sound very cinematic and picturesque.”
While ‘Gut Splinter’ will be released on March 9 via online stores and streaming platforms, it is already available for pre-order via Bandcamp.
SOURCE: Official Bio
LINKS:
http://www.novaflares.com
http://www.facebook.com/NovaFlaresMusic
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzWnmNOsho0FcVdC8xSLqbw/videos
http://www.instagram.com/novaflares
http://twitter.com/Nova_FlaresBand
http://novaflares.bandcamp.com -
Mackenzie James Cregan – Woman From The East
LA born Liverpool based singer/songwriter Mackenzie James Cregan is set to release his next single ‘Woman from the East’ today (Friday 26th October).
‘Woman from the East’ portrays Mackenzie’s influence in 60s psychedelia while simultaneously maintaining a strong songwriting presence. The lyrically dark love song was co-produced by Jim Cregan, the legendary guitarist, and producer of the Rod Stewart band and Cockney Rebel.
Mackenzie’s love for music started at a very young age from being brought up in the entertainment capital of the world Los Angeles immersed in a highly creative family. Drawing influence from his father Jim Cregan and a star-studded array of other family friends who would visit the house, Mackenzie has always been immersed within an inspirational environment.
Woman from the East is a perfect example of a song that contains a strong essence of his Southern Californian roots, whilst containing various influences that Mackenzie came across in his musical upbringing. After exiting a psychedelic intro the song is driven by a tight rhythm section throughout, the song also includes a jazz-inspired sax solo backed by an electric tremolo guitar, along with a gypsy style acoustic rhythm guitar.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/mackenziejamescregan
https://twitter.com/mjcregan
https://www.instagram.com/mackenziejamescregan -
Silent Theory – Watch Me Burn
Idaho Rock Band Silent Theory has released the Official Music Video for the single “Watch Me Burn,” the second single off of their 2016, full-length release, Delusions. “Watch Me Burn” was directed by Jon Kuritz in Moscow, ID, utilizing 5 projectors and all white costuming to screen footage of mostly news channels.
In a society where new bands pop up every day, Silent Theory is here to set a new standard. Silent Theory was created in 2010 by brothers Mitch, Scott, and George Swanger and family friend Robert James. In 2014, Dakota Elliot Tyler joined to front the band. The Swanger brothers are from the Moscow, Idaho area, where they grew up playing music together. Dakota and Robert are from the western Washington area, where they grew up doing the same.
Lead singer Dakota says the guys are “like family” and they’ve made a great bond. Despite a portion of the group being brothers, they say it really makes the creativity flow having band members who aren’t related. From the beginning, the band has wanted to make music people can relate to. They want their fans to love their songs, even more, every time they hear them.
The group started their journey playing small local shows to get their name out and their music heard. The band gained popularity and started playing bigger shows in the Seattle/Tacoma area, Spokane, Washington, and Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho. The band also got the opportunity for a much bigger show, the South-By-Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas where they played with bands like Metallica, Shiny Toy Guns, The Proclaimers and more. 2010 was a year of achievements for the band.
The group made an appearance on MTV Cribs, where they performed their single “Livin’ the Dream,” headlined the world famous “Whisky A Go-Go” in Los Angeles, California, and signed their first record deal with Turkey Vulture Records. By June 2011, the band was headed to Rockford, Illinois to record their full-length debut album, Black Tie Affair, which was released in October of 2011. In celebration of their album release, the band played their first ever sold out show in the history of the BellTower Concert House in Pullman, Washington. After the release of Black Tie Affair, the band toured the nation in the summer of 2012 to promote the album and the single, “Livin’ the Dream” which was made available on the video game Rock Band. Recently, Silent Theory released several new songs including; “Outta My Head” in 2013, and their most recent single and music video, “Fragile Minds.” Their sophomore album, Delusions was released September 10th, 2016 and they toured Spring 2017 in support of the album.
Through the years, Silent Theory has always had one constant goal in mind: To always be striving to better themselves. Despite challenges along the way, the band says “playing together has always kept us motivated; we’re all up there because we love it.” The band has plenty on their plate in the upcoming months and they’re ready to see what the future holds.
LINKS:
http://www.silenttheory.com
http://www.facebook.com/silenttheorymusic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-e1GbPb3f8
https://twitter.com/silenttheory1