Hello hello!

Ok, yes I'm sorry I've been away a while but you know, Uni and all that.

But I'm back, back from being ill, and back from my favourite place in the world, Dublin.

So slap on some diapers, you're in for a good ride.

Revenant @ The Frigate

The Frigate is a fantastic bar to see any live act, but when Revenant come knocking at the door, it's a different experience altogether.

What makes Revenant stand out from the rest is the years of experience and musicianship put into play during their live performances. Arguably one of the greatest local bands I've ever seen, they never disappoint their audience which is full of bikers and a loyal following.

Revenant have a fantastic setlist, which is even enjoyed by those that wouldn't consider themselves metal fans, I personally wouldn't have ever thought of myself as a metal fan but coming from the Frigate on Saturday night, I found myself singing their setlist long after they'd finished their mind blowing performance. Black Sabbath, Rage Against the Machine, and Metallica are just some of the bands they cover song from, chewing it up into their own sound and spitting it back into the audience's ears as a kick-in-the-balls stamp on their live covers.

Wherever they go Revenant create an atmosphere like no other, and it's often hard to find a band with music skills as high as theirs, with the ability to get the audience pumped and feeling like they own the world.

Revenant own the current local music scene, for no other band has yet managed to reach their live music experience, it's a phenomenon that is only understood by those who have seen them, my only advice is to watch out, for when Revenant change your world.

Music For Middlesbrough

Music for Middlesbrough is a campaign ran by Teesside University students, including myself.

We aim to better the Middlesbrough music scene, with frequent live acts, that are in demand to play other stadiums.

We need your help to get this campaign up and going, so please help as much as you can.

Visit our webpage for more information: http://musicformiddlesbro.wix.com/musicforboro

Twitter: @MusicForBoro
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/musicformiddlesbrough?ref=hl 

The Purnells - A Half Step In To The Shadows

STORMING back with their second album, the Purnells have created a dark, original, and sublime album for Teesside, and the world, to enjoy.

Opening with 'Ten Bob' we get a funky, upbeat tempo, with is then joined with a heavy guitar that sets of this adventure of an album.

Stu Blackburn, frontman to the brilliant Purnells, sings from way down deep in his gut, almost spitting out his soul in the process to give a voice to the brilliant songs that the Purnells have created.


'Run' is my favourite track from the album, a soft sounding tone with a dark atmosphere clouding around it, it's an outstanding tune from 'A Half Step In To The Shadow'. Beautiful guitar work is performed my Blackburn and his fellow guitarist Glen Caldwell. It doesn't take long for the song to change direction as a synth begins buzzing through the speakers it graces, an unusual sound, one that completely took me by surprise but effortlessly worked so well.

'A Half Step In To The Shadows' is full of surprises and little gems that will grasp your mind and take you into another dimension, into the mind of the wonderful Purnells. It staggered me, throughout the album, that this is the band's second album, they have the connection, the talent, the work of a band that have produced string after string of amazing albums.

Ian Dixon (bass) and Ricky Harty (drums) are a twosome that entwine together, it's become a cliche to just put the bass player and drummer in the same bucket when talking about a band, but it's hard to ignore their duet's throughout this magnificent catalog of music - a combined musicianship that I could even call the crowning jewels of 'A Half Step In To The Shadows'.

Download 'A Half Step In To The Shadows' here: thepurnells.bandcamp.com 

Listen to teasers of the Purnells' brilliant album on Soundcloud, now!

Revenant @ Doc Brown's (09/02/2014)

It’s not often you’ll get a mod in a room with a load of bikers, I’d never seen so many leather jackets and

Image taken by Shannon George

Doc Martins in one room, but Revenant are a band that I have heard nothing but good things about, so being able to see them at Doc Brown’s was not an opportunity I would pass down.

Knowing that a night with newly built, but highly experienced, Revenant is in store the room is packed with buzzing fans and curious new followers. Made up of five of the most talented local musicians; Sel Urwin (Vocals), Mike Walker (Guitar/Vocals), Gary Moseley (Guitar), Steven Henwood (Bass/Vocals), and Simon Verrill (Drums/Vocals), Revenant are a band that have set a storm in their newly born career.

Opening with Riff Raff the hard rock/metal cover band make a loud statement, re-inviting these fantastic songs to the stage, playing them to perfection in front of a large crowd of adoring listeners, it’s easy to see why they’ve gone straight to the hearts of their faithful fans. It wasn’t only the opener that was sublime, the whole setlist was inventive and worked so well together as the songs melded in and out with each other,

Image taken by Shannon George

creating one of the most powerful and elite sounds I have ever come across is in my twenty years.

Urwin has a very powerful metal voice, most described it as the perfect singing voice for the songs he was singing, but for a newbie to metal music it was a magnificent experience, any song that was thrown his way he would give his all.

Walker, one of the most fantastic live guitarist’s I have ever seen, showing off his A star guitar skills and his brilliant relationship with the guitar, it’s indescribable what this man can do with a guitar – to know, you’d have to see them.

Moseley kept himself to the side as he teased out beautiful sound on his guitar, bringing the five piece together with his rhythmic connection to the music he obviously adores.

Bass player Henwood definitely is having the time of his life whilst he’s on stage, and why not? He’s an incredible bass player, so good in fact that I still had his bass lines buzzing in my head the next morning.

And last, but certainly not least, is our drummer Verrill, the sound he created was strong and powerful, and a topped of that ‘kick-you-in-the-balls’ sound and atmosphere that Revenant are bringing to local stages across the North East.

Revenant are going to go on to do brilliant things, if their second live gig is anything to go by. Their hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed, it’s shown in their earth shattering live performances.

Watch out for when Revenant take over your local.

Barstow Bats release debut EP

Only forming in late 2012 Barstow Bats have hit the music scene with their brilliant, self titled, debut EP.

There's something magnetic about these four lads from Dumfries, which is shouted loud to you when listening to their opening track 'Play Piano', a great indie tune from duo Andy Rendall (Guitar/Vocals) and Steven McKie (Guitar/Vocals), which are backed by their fellow musicians Barry Gemmell (Backing Vocals/Bass) and Dan Wynne (Drums).

Their grittiness is what to be of expected of a band that were born and molded in Scotland, years Britain has been waiting for a guitar band to bring the musicianship, and talent, back into indie.

'Play Piano' is a fantastic opener to introduce anyone to Barstow Bats, it echoes influences from the Libertines, and Arctic Monkeys, but with their own stamp on it - Barstow Bats are unique, their talent will stagger anyone who gives them a listen.

Another favourite of mine, from the EP, is 'Those French Kisses', a magnificent piece of music that could win the hearts of any music lover. It's one of those tracks that will never die, and it will never be soon forgotten. Barstow Bats have created a masterpiece, a song that will soon be set to storm the radios of Britain.

It's not often I'm this excited about a new band, but Barstow Bats are four Scottish lads you should be watching out for, they're raw, and their music will kick you in the gut and make you question your original music taste.

Scotland has given birth to a talent array of talent, and four of them have come together to form Barstow Bats, four young lads that have the world at their feet, and talent that only some could imagine at their hands.

Check out Barstow Bats!

Brothers In Arms

OASIS fans across the country are rejoicing at the news that their favourite brothers have kissed and made up.

Liam and Noel Gallagher, former Oasis band members who split in August 2009, have said to be friends after sorting out their problems at a family wedding.

Since their split Liam, frontman to the famous band, began his own band, Beady Eye, with former members of Oasis, whilst Noel went on a solo career with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.

But unfortunately there is still no Oasis reunion on the cards, but a restaurant ran by the two brothers.

A source told the Daily Star: "Liam initially came up with the idea after a recent trip to Manchester with his mum Peggy. "Then between them they thought Noel should also be brought on board.”

There are rumours that the bar will be called ‘Champagne Supernova’, missing out on the opportunity for “I’m feeling supersonic, give me gin & tonic” by calling their bar ‘Supersonic’, after another one of their famous hits.

Although Noel Gallagher, ex guitarist and song writer for Oasis, and older of the two brothers, have said there will never be a reunion, others think there will be one, including ex Oasis member Bonehead, he told NME: "If someone said, 'Here's a field, here's a stage, and here's 200,000 people'.I'm sure Liam would jump up and do it, and I don't think it would even take anyone offering him a massive bankroll of money.
“He'd do it because that's what he loves, that's his passion."

Fans of the famous Manchester band are on Bonehead’s side, and think that a reunion will be soon.

Oasis fan, and guitarist, Lee Mosey, 23, said: “The Stone Roses said they’d never do it, and I think the Who did at one point too.
“I think that soon enough they’ll decide to go on tour, even if it’s just a one off, they know how much it would mean to the fans.”

Only time will tell if Oasis will get back together, but thousands of people across the world have their fingers crossed hoping for one.