Now that we have your attention, I would love to introduce to you, if you don't know them already, hot new rock band Ozone Mama!! Ozone Mama are an Hungarian based hard rock band that are spreading their wings and getting ready to take flight. They formed in 2005 and have been gigging relentlessly around Hungary and Europe. Winner of the Hungarian Fonogram Awards Ozone Mama have got the goods and are ready to unleash themselves upon the UK. Like a sledge hammer to the head, this band are hard and heavy and will not dissapoint you. Unfortunately as we all know the music industry isn't as easy as we'd all like, and Ozone Mama are looking for pledges to enable them to record and release their next EP. You can find the details below if you want to help, remember every penny counts!! If you would like to learn more then you can catch up with all things Ozone Mama on their website www.ozonemama.com Let's make this EP happen!
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Lately I have been taking a lot of joy in re-discovering the sounds of the 60’s psychedelia and music from that era. I forgot just how much happiness it awakens in me and did in many people at the time. A time of freedom, love and new awakenings. On my travels I came across Magnetic Mind. A London based psychedelic band formed in 2011, they recently released their debut 7” single ‘Maybe the Stars, Maybe the Sun in May this year. Ellie, Paul, John, Simon and Sam created Magnetic Mind through a shared love of 60’s garage and psychedelic music. As I sit here with their 7” ‘Maybe the Stars, Maybe the Sun’ I am transported by this talented band of musicians to a time long gone. Yet here it is, oh so present and absolutely delightful. Straight away I am gripped by the rhythmic intro from the drums, bass and organ. The main element I notice are the wonderful harmonies between Ellie and Paul which are strong, but feel soft, like silk moving over your skin. Very smooth indeed. The track itself is incredibly well written with some really nifty hooks, that change it up yet provide the perfect vehicle to show us just how clever these boys and girl really are. To think that 50 years after music like this was originally written, a young group of adults would be able to perfectly re-create songs with so much intensity and passion makes me really happy. Especially since we can only re-live those moments through our records (for those of us that were born too late). The second track ‘Laser Fingers’ is actually my favourite of the two. The organ can be compared to the likes of the Doors, whilst as a band I would say they are similar to Jefferson Airplane perhaps. However it should be noted that Magnetic Mind very much have their own thing happening and individual stylings are very present here. ‘Laser Fingers’ features a fantastic organ intro that is greeted by spectacularly sung harmonies, and whilst listening to the lyrics “Trust in me and I will guide you, take my hand the stars will light the way” I can feel myself ready to embrace the journey as they light way. There is a striking bridge within this track, where the drums pulsate whilst Ellie sings solo that brings a great change of tone to the song, as it elevates and transcends into a groovy, melodic track suitable to go and shake your hips to. I am definitely looking forward to hearing an album from these guys, as in my opinion, they are talented beyond their years and have a very long and successful road ahead of them. On which I will most definitely be standing on the side lines giving all the support I can. If you are curious and want to witness the magic of The Magnetic Mind for yourself, they are playing The Victoria in Hackney on the 20th August with Trembling Bells & Hidden Masters. Tickets can be purchased here: https://fan.musicglue.com/sale/saleproducts.aspx?productid=9df6216e-d3a7-43be-973d-bfe6619347a1&resellerid=d5dedeb6-00a0-4a0d-8e5e-ca4ffd894e0e 'Maybe the Stars, Maybe the Sun' released on Heavy Soul 45's
Matchstick Men, a rock trio based in Liverpool released their latest EP - ‘A Change in Season’, on 30th July. Comprising of 6 shimmering songs, it’s a record that most music lovers will revel in. The record opens with ‘Comes in 3’s’ which sets a rather heavy precedent for the rest of the EP. The guitars have quite a dense sound and combined with Lewis Wright’s gravely/treacley voice effusing through the song, it is quite the attention graber and leaves you hankering for more. After an abrupt ending, the next track is ‘Distorted Lullaby’ which opens with an even heavier intro. This song takes a more old school rocky stance, with slightly more melodic vocals and a catchy rock chorus. The refined bass notes coming from Iain Forsyth and the howling guitar solo from Peter Donnelly ensure that this track is definitely one of the stand out tunes of the EP for me. Following another sharp closing beat, is the third track, ‘Not Knowing’. With its mellow riff ‘Not Knowing’ takes the record into a definite softer route. Featuring dry, crisp vocals. I feel this track really showcases the band’s more tender side, whilst still keeping that edge we’ve come to recognise in Matchstick Men. After wailing guitar work, the track closes with beautiful and quiet refreshment. ‘Lead Balloon’ is next with an almost Oasis like opening, it carries on with the soft tone of the previous track. Exhibiting warm guitars and haunting backing vocals which gently caress the music, this track features the EPs title folded within its plaintive lyrics. The penultimate song entitled ‘Make Mountains’ brings back a more twangy metallic sound, almost reminiscent of Dire Straits ‘Money for Nothing’. It’s a high energy, riff based track that won’t disappoint those looking for a driving rock’n’roll sound. The final track is last, but by no stretch of the imagination least. Re-imagining Michael Jackson’s ‘Give in to Me’ the boys definitely do this rousing track justice right down to the Slash inspired solo. This is a fantastic ending to the EP, and leaves you wanting to hear more from Matchstick Men, a band that has something for everyone’s musical tastes. If this has wet your appetite then you can catch the guys at the following shows:
Sat Aug 04 - The Krazyhouse, Liverpool Sun Aug 19 - Rock The Lakes Festival The Matchstickmen 'A Change in Season' is released through Mainline Records and available to download or buy through itunes and HMV amongst other physical and digital retailers. |
AuthorAll articles are © Michelle Nevill Archives
August 2013
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