Sunderland

Ryder’s “Only The Brave” Showcases Sunderland Group at Their Anthemic Best – Album Review

6th Oct 2024 — Leave a comment

The debut album from Sunderland group Ryder is packed full of anthems from start to finish. Combining the influences of Oasis and Kasabian together leads to an album brimming with heart.

Opening with Forgotten Dream, these influences are immediately evident, with a definite hint of Liam Gallagher in the vocals. The track as a whole reminded me of some of Johnny Marr’s solo work, with the bass breakdown towards the end skilfully executed, adding to the track’s massive overall sound.

Lone Soldier has a nice synth opening which gives it a slightly different feel. This combined with a chorus of voices and heavy guitar work reminded me a lot of Kasabian, especially with its passionate delivery.

Northern Lights continues the trend of massive choruses and soaring anthems, with a very Noel Gallagher-esque solo thrown in for good measure. Whilst Inner City Violence brings some social commentary to record, with some excellent drum work going on on the track.

The bass work on the album is also exquisite, and is particularly showcased on Men in Suits, where the bassline reminded me of Paul McCartney’s work on Taxman.

The beginning of Ziggy echoes of Oasis’ Talk Tonight before the whole band kicks in for the second verse. The song has an anthemic vibe, with some touching tributes to David Bowie baked within the lyrics. It feels tailor-made for a live setting, with a soaring chorus you can easily imagine going down well at a festival.

The title track, Only The Brave, again brings heavy guitars, with a touch of The Clash in the mix while lighter guitar flourishes sit atop of them to great results.

The commentary on problematic men on Hold on Tight is seamlessly woven into this biting track, creating a sharp, aggressive edge.

Heavy guitars pierce throughout Balloons, which features a great recurring guitar line reminiscent of Arctic Monkeys. Finale Faces In The Crowd is a suitably grand ending to this massive-sounding album, finishing the LP on a high.

If you love your anthems and like groups like Oasis, then you will definitely appreciate this strong debut showing.

The Black Rain & House Proud Bring A Night of Post-Punk Perfection to Sunderland’s The Ship Isis – Gig Review

17th Sep 2024 — Leave a comment

Friday night saw The Ship Isis in Sunderland play host to a great night of live music as post-punk band House Proud and gothic group The Black Rain took to stage to showcase the genre at its very best.

The gorgeous venue was a perfect choice for the evening, offering a selection of great craft beers and a warm, friendly environment. I’d never been before, but I’d definitely return if I’m ever in Sunderland.

The night was opened by House Proud, who hail from all across the North East. Their blend of post punk and noise rock was excellent and really got the night started in the right way.

Their sound carried influences from post-punk groups like The Chats, Squid, and Shame, with angular riffs and an energetic tempo driving their performance. Each track stood out with careful composition, crafted from an array of different guitar pedals that brought a near studio-quality sound.

Their third song, Farmers Village, soon to be released as a single, had shades of post-punk titans IDLES to it and was a particular treat. Recent single Rescue Dog finished the set off in the right way, sounding a bit like South London’s Shame, but with an even heavier emphasis on riffs and gloriously loud noise.

House Proud – Live at The Ship Isis, Sunderland

I particularly enjoyed Perfect Body, which was more melodic in its approach while still delivering the massive, bombastic sound that dominated their set.

Overall, their performance was amazing, and they will definitely be a band which I will be keeping an eye on going forward.

I also wanted to leave a link to Wearside Women In Need, a domestic violence service the group were raising funds for on the night. They have recently lost their funding, so it’s a worthy cause if you can support it!

Next were The Black Rain, who I previously covered back in March at their gig at the Bunker, where they really impressed me with their gothic post-punk.

Friday was no different with the group putting in yet another excellent performance of starkly dark tracks. The group have been hard at work since March and that could be seen in their performance with various new songs in the set which continue to show why the band are so special.

Despite the stark nature of their sound, The Black Rain‘s set fizzed with energy, with the thumping drums and bass keeping the atmosphere lively.

The bass was particularly impressive, adding depth to the performance, while the guitar lines often served as beautifully intricate embellishments.

However, when the guitar did come to the fore, it was really impressive, often bringing an almost synth-like sound to certain tracks, which was a real treat. Shadows Cry showcased this best, amplifying the gothic feel, reminiscent of Joy Division’s Closer LP.

I also enjoyed the dark ’80s vibe of Regression, which really opens up in the chorus, creating a really nice feel. Glass Box brought a lot of energy leaning more on the side of punk rather than goth which I found really enjoyable.

Overall, both bands put in a fantastic performance, which led to a really enjoyable night showing the various different styles of post punk each performed at a really high standard. Make sure to check them both out!

The Black Rain, Breakaway, Even The Tide & Adastra @ The Bunker – GIG REVIEW

23rd Mar 2024 — 1 Comment

On Saturday night, 15th March 2023, The Bunker in Sunderland played host to an exciting lineup of bands across various genres, treating the audience to a memorable night of local live music.

Headlined by post punk group The Black Rain, the night showcased just some of the great talent, that the region has to offer.

Adastra kicked off the night with a mix of originals and impressive covers, delivering them with high energy and confidence. From stellar covers of the likes of All Time Low and Foo Fighters to an incredible rocked up rendition of the Spice Girls’ Wannabe, the group brought electrifying grunge energy to the evening.

Their Spice Girls cover showcased the remarkable synergy within the band, bringing vibrant energy and personality to their set.

The stage chatter between band members highlighted their tight-knit camaraderie, enhancing the overall performance. You can catch them at the The Independent in Sunderland on May 4th at Roulette Fest or at Downcast Studios later that month.

Next on the bill were Breakaway-NE, an indie rock three-piece hailing from Newcastle, who delivered a set filled with bluesy originals.

Featuring stunning guitar work, their set featured recent singles “Whirlpools” and “Secrets” amongst other unreleased tunes such as “Beesting”. The aforementioned track illustrated the bands ability to construct a catchy melody. Having only heard the song once, the chorus is still going around my head days later, which is always a good sign.

The band’s versatility was evident as they seamlessly transitioned between songs, maintaining interest throughout. Notably, the intriguing guitar effects in “Secrets” added a unique touch, while other tracks evoked bands like The Police in their sparse soundscapes and more bass-driven moments. Overall, it was an enjoyable and diverse set from a group of phenomenal musicians.

Breakaway-NE in performance at The Bunker, Sunderland

Next up were Even The Tides, who delivered an amazing set of indie bangers drenched in heart, chorus and reverb. Their set fizzed with energy with incredible guitar lines and some really excellent tunes which came in quick succession.

The group’s sound is akin to a blend of Muse and Sam Fender, characterised by a reverb heavy melodic core complemented with intricate, crunchy riffs. The result was a truly excellent show, the only shame was it wasn’t longer.

The band’s new single No Regrets released the night before went down a treat with the audience adding to the group’s catchy catalogue.

Make sure to check out the band who are playing a number of North East dates over the next couple of months including a show with Dual Rouge on the 20th of April at The Globe in Newcastle.

Next up was the headliner The Black Rain, who were playing their first show at the rehearsal space, where they have honed their craft. The Bunker is a charming rehearsal space and venue in Sunderland, which is well worth checking out if you’re a local band from the area and haven’t somehow not already heard of it. The Black Rain are one of its numerous alumni so where better to get started.

The Black Rain in action live at The Bunker, Sunderland

To say this was their first gig is insane. The band seemed like a group who had gigged together for years delivering their set with energy and precision, which many groups take years to perfect.

The band’s post punk and goth sound is reminiscent of groups such as Joy Division, with baritone vocals and driving riffs. However, there is also a darker element to the group with a definite influence coming from the more heavier The Killing Joke creating a moody distorted atmosphere to the music.

Their set flew by with a whirlwind trip through the group’s excellent catalogue. Tracks, like “Dutch Dreams” highlighting the their ability to take their influences and make something new with them.

Make sure to check the band out on Instagram where they have some preview of some of their tracks.

Their set closed out an incredible night of live music, which traversed various genres, each delivered excellently. I look forward to seeing each one of these bands later down the line.