Dexters

Dexters are an upbeat-indie 5-piece who's music has recently been described by NME as "Brash guitar anthemia of the very highest quality" (At least they're right about something). The band have been packing out nights at venues such as KOKO and have recently landed some big support slots. Miles Kane asked the band support him at his gig in Reading having seen them perform as part of the This Feeling club night. Following this, Dexters then hit the road to support Manchester rockers The Courteeners for the Scottish leg of their tour. The London lads seem to be going from strength to strength and they very recently played an acoustic set the infamous Abbey Road Studios. As for their songs, there is only a few tracks available to listen to. However, 'Recover' is a lively song with a catchy chorus and 'Oceans' is a powerful, off-the-hook, rock 'n' roll track which is definitely worth listening to.

Dexters appear to be on the road to big things and 2013 may be a big year for the lads. If their recent success is anything to go by, they will definitely be packing out even bigger venues sooner rather than later. You can download 'Oceans'  for free here - http://dexters.bandcamp.com/track/oceans-demo

https://www.facebook.com/dextersband

Hip Parade

Hip Parade are a Glasgow based indie-rock band formed in 2008. The band enjoyed early success as they made it to the Final of Channel 4's Orange Unsigned Act competition in 2009. They finished second behind fellow Scotsman Tommy Reilly. Following the show the band went onto support Stereophonics and then release their debut album 'I'll Be Your Audience'.

Released in April 2012, the Glasgow rockers debut effort was - considering the state of the music industry - refreshing to say the least. 'I'll Be Your Audience' has all the characteristics of a great album. Its loud, exuberant and driven from beginning to end. There isn't really a weak track on it (rare these days). 'Talk To Me' has a delicate, catchy riff which blends into the most powerful of choruses and  'Katie Goes Dancing' is a frantic, guitar-driven masterpiece.

If this album album is anything to go by, Hip Parade's second album should see them get the credit they deserve. If anyone enjoys listening to The Fratellis or Franz Ferdinand, you's will love these lads. The album is available on ITunes and Spotify.

https://www.facebook.com/hipparade?fref=ts

http://twitter.com/hipparade

The Preventers

The Preventers are Cumbernauld based band with a unique sound. Its hard to pigeon-hole them to any one particular genre, but its definitely somewhere between blues and soul - with a bit of rock in there somewhere as well. Its clear that their influences lie with the likes of Elvis Presley and Paolo Nutini and regardless of how you want to label them, these guys have something in their music. They gig regularly in Edinburgh and Glasgow and have played venues such as The Classic Grand and headlined the Cabaret Volitaire.

The band recently released a new single entitled 'One Last Night', and its one that I would definitely recommend. The track 'One Last Night' is upbeat and likable from the very start and there is nothing to dislike when the full band kick into a fast-paced elevating chorus. The second track from the single is 'Irreplaceable Love', a slower and perhaps more tame effort from the Cumbernauld lads. However, it is in its own right, just as good as the main track from the single and definitely worth listening to. The band have enjoyed success with 'One Last Night' as it was recently played by Forth One DJ Jim Gellately on his new music podcast.

With tracks like 'One Last Night', It may not be long before The Preventers follow in the foot steps of the likes of Paolo Nutini. The single - as well as many other tracks and an E.P - can be found  be found on the bands Soundcloud page - http://soundcloud.com/the-preventers

https://www.facebook.com/ThePreventers

Black Balloons

Black Balloons are a band who in their short existence, have achieved a lot. Formed in March 2012, the Bathgate band have just released their debut E.P. This was followed by the release of a video for their song 'This House', which features on that E.P. They have also landed support slots with the likes of Sound of Guns, The Soft Pack and Vigo Thieves. However, perhaps most impressively, the band are now being considered for a spot on the infamous Pyramid Stage at this years Glastonbury Festival. They've survived a selection process which included 8,000 bands and has now been whittled down to a mere 8.

The debut E.P from the 'garage pop' 4-piece is definitely worth a listen. You can't go wrong the opening track 'Follow Me' - it's frantic, catchy and uplifting from beginning to end. 'Pills', which is perhaps not as catchy as the first track, is every bit as impressive and third track 'This House' is almost impossible to dislike.  'Where I Lay My Head' brings to a close what is an outstanding debut effort from Black Balloons.

There is a lot more to come from this band, and maybe we'll see them perform at Glastonbury in the summer.  Free downloads of 'Plastic Prayers' and 'Rascal' - the track which has saw them to the last eight of the Glastonbury Emerging Talent contest can be found here - http://blackballoons.bandcamp.com/. You can also purchase their E.P on ITunes.

https://www.facebook.com/BlackBalloonsTunes

Red Light Company - Artist Review

In Red Light Company we have another band that only just scratched the surface of the music industry. The alternative rock five piece were formed in 2007 by frontman Richard Frenneaux. They produced a style of music similar to Arcade Fire and Editors. They even drew comparisons to both bands early on in there short careers. The band also toured with Editors in 2008 before releasing there debut single on LaVolta Records entitled 'With Light Out'. This was followed up by the release of two other singles in 'Meccano' and 'Sceme Eugene'.

The bands reputation began to grow and they were named in NME's hottest new bands of 2009. On March, 2, 2009 the band released there debut and only album 'Fine Fascination', as well as fourth single 'Arts & Crafts'. The album peaked at number 13 in the UK album charts but received mixed reviews from the musical world.  From a personal point of view, I feel that the London quintet produced a magnificant debut album which is uplifting throughout.

Shortly after the release of 'Fine Fascination' the band split and they played there last gig at the 2009 V Festival. RLC front man Richard Frenneaux soon formed a band called 'Anothers Blood', a project that never really left the ground. He has since annouced he will no longer be involved in bands and would like to concentrate on producing. RLC could've made a massive impact on the music industry, but it didn't work out for the alternative quintet. However there album 'Fine Fascination' is definitely worth a listen and is without a doubt one of the strongest albums out there.

'Fine Fascination' best tracks - 'Arts & Crafts', 'With Lights Out' and 'First We Land'

Palma Violets

Palma Violets, the new Libertines? Or simply a passing note in an otherwise turbulent time for the music industry?

The psychedelic indie quartet are yet to release an album, but the hype surrounding the London based bands debut effort is growing. The album will be entitled '180' and will be released on the 15th Febuary. The band have already gained superb reviews throughtout the musical world and have even been compared to The Libertines. NME ranked Palma Violets first single "Best Of Friends" number 1 in there 50 best tracks of 2012. It was also announced that the band had been nominated for the BBC's 'Sound of 2013' poll.

With the release of there eagerly anticipated debut album on the horizon the future look bright for the dynamic London 4 piece. However, one cant help think they might be being pushed into the spotlight too quickly by the likes of NME. These lads are definitley a band to watch, but by my reckoning, they may not quite live up to the expectation of being the next Libertines.

Milburn - Artist Review

Milburn were a 4-piece indie-rock band from Sheffield. Joe Carnall, Louis Carnall, Tom Rowely and Joe Green made up what is probably one of the best bands never to make it in the industry.

Formed in 2001, all of Milburns members had just learned how to play instruments. However by 2002, they had sold out the boardwalk in Sheffield, played twice at Liverpools infamous venue The Cavern and also had been on the bill at The Leadmill. Following there massive local success, fellow Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys rewarded them with a support slot on their UK tour,  and it wasnt long before Milburn were signed by Mercury records in 2006.

The bands first release at Mercury was the single "Send In The Boys" which reached number 32 in the UK singles chart. Following this the band released there debut album "Well, Well, Well". This would peak at number 32 in the UK charts. The album itself explodes into life when the guitar in lead off track 'Well, Well, Well' kicks the doors in. This exploiveness is seen again in fast-paced debut single 'Send In The Boys'. We then encounter the uplifting track 'Cheshire Cat Smile'. The album begins to wind down when we come to 'What You Could've Won', a song that frontman Joe Carnall claims that even his dad has bounced to....The album is rounded off with slow-moving track 'Roll Out The Barrel' which is without a doubt one of the best tracks on this tremendous debut album.

The Sheffield lads went on to quickly release there second album "These Are The Facts" in 2007.  The band released one single from this album which was "What Will You Do?(When The Money Goes)". The album is slightly dark in parts compared to there first effort and perhaps not as strong, but still a great effort from the indie four piece. The album is kick started into life with the first track 'Lo And Behold'. This urgency continues as the bands only single from album comes into play. The album is strong throughout and is rounded off with the heart-felt lyrics of 'The Genius In The Tramp'.

In March 2008, Milburn annouced they were going to split. They revealed there had been no fall-outs and said it was simply because they felt they could go no further. They annouced two more gigs to round off what really had been a fantastic journey. They would play the Glasgow ABC and sign off back where it all began in Sheffield. The band closed there emotional and intimate set in Glasgow with Joe Carnall and the entire crowd singing "You can't put your head in your hands forever", the chorus to 'The Genius And The Tramp'.

Milburn never quite made there mark on the industry, and never quite made it. However these lads left a legacy with two tremendous albums and a great relationship with there fans throughout there existance. You cant help think that had Arctic Monkeys not been around at the same time, Milburn could have been the voice of the Sheffield music scene. It's a sin that Milburn didn't get there, but it was a valient effort from 4 tremendous lads from Sheffield.

Best tracks from 'Well, Well, Well' - 'Send In The Boys', 'Roll Out The Barrel' and 'What You Could've Won'

Best Tracks from 'These Are The Facts' - 'The Genius And The Tramp', 'Wolves At Bay' and 'What Will You Do?(When The Money Goes)'