Riffed

This week we caught up with Brighton rockers Tiger Cub. A band of whom have supported fellow Brightoners Royal Blood on their recent UK tour. They've also recently released their new single, 'Blue Bloods', another huge track from the lads with a bright future ahead of them.

1. Who are TIGER CUB?

We are all called James except Jamie is actually called Jamie.

2. What can we expect from you in the future?

Another single (yet to be announced) festivals, tours. Long term - a fragrance, a cable access tv show and our own brand of wafer biscuit. It's Q shaped and it's called a Qiller Qwafer ™

3. You supported fellow Brighton rockers Royal Blood on their recent tour, how did that go?

It was cool, we love those guys and love touring. It was a kinda rifftastic 2 weeks.

4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Dead

5. Who's on your usual playlist?

Mac Demarco

Beck

Bikini kill

Black flag

Dean Martin

Shellac

We certainly hope Tiger Cub aren't dead in 5 years... but we'd like to say a huge thanks for the interview. 

Follow Tiger Cub on Twitter : @_TiGERCUB

'Like' Tiger Cub on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/tigercubtigercub?fref=ts

Visit Tiger Cubs wepage : http://tigercubtigercub.co.uk/

Listen to Tiger Cub on Soundcloud / Youtube : https://soundcloud.com/tigercub / https://www.youtube.com/user/tigercubtigercub?feature=watch

RIFFED x

Grimsby quartet The Brookes are a band looking set to achieve big things. A very Libertines-esque band, headlining gigs around their local town and releasing fantastic britpop/rock EP's such as their latest release 'Taking Over'. We spoke to Jamie Craw, guitarist in The Brookes and this is what he had to say.

1) Who are The Brookes?

The Brookes are a four piece garage rock band based in Grimsby. We formed with the members we have now around January time. We got straight on it writing our own tunes, conveniently enough I (Jamie Craw) already had loads written from the past, so we just jammed out to them really to make them like what you hear on our EP we've just released.

2) You've recently released a new EP titled 'Taking Over', tell us a little about that?

We've just released our EP 'Taking Over' yeah. The tracks on it were a last minute decision really. We always knew Taking Over was gonna be on it, 'cause it's just that one tune that gets stuck in your head, it's that one everybody knows haha.

Taking Over I think was the first song we put together as a band, had loads of different choruses that were utter shite, then sang this one as a sort of joke, especially the four leaf clover bit, and it just stuck. There's not much of a story behind it, it's just really about falling into that stage with a lass where she won't get out of your head haha.

Can't Stand Me Now is the short and sweet one. We like to think it's consistently fast and upbeat. I had Wreckin' Bar by The Vaccines in my head writing this one. The verse and chorus combination just came out really, simple as. I thought it'd sound cool to repeat it, and that was the song finished. Unfortunately we didn't have the solo we play live with this tune written when we recorded the studio version.

Break It Off is a bit slower than the first two, it's just your cliché tune about breaking up with a lass really. It's about getting to that stage where you're starting to get over them, but you're still not quite there. I don't know really haha, it's a strange one.

Alone Together, the track that closes the EP. This is one of my favourite tunes I've written haha. It's just a simple song, again about a lass (common occurrence in our tunes). Despite the lyrics being a bit sentimental, I think this is one of my favourites to play live. I just really like what we did with the solo at the end, it's just melodic and in the background, it's nice haha.

3) Which gig of the many you've played has been your personal favourite?

There's two gigs that come to mind in particular. The one we did at O'Neill's on 2nd of May was good, there was just fuck loads of people there really, it was a quality night despite all our lot getting chucked out when we'd finished playing, yeah that was a good one. Then there's the one we did at Spider's Web on the 31st May. Was a smaller crowd but it was a mad night again, had a stage invasion at the end it was just fucking quality. We're looking to book some more gigs like those two.

4) What can we expect from The Brookes in the future?

Well obviously we wanna bring in massive crowds to all our gigs, and want them going mad really. We're hopefully back in the studio July / August time to do another EP. For the rest of 2014 and 2015 all we really want to do is get out there more. We want to get onto bigger things, support some big acts, and play further out in the UK, make a name for ourselves.

5) Who's on your usual playlist?

I tend to listen to a lot of The Libertines, and The Courteeners. I'm also a massive Orphan Boy fan. Ben's more into his Who and Kinks and stuff like that. Rob likes the same stuff I like really, and all that's on Elliott's playlist recently is The Stone Roses and Twisted Wheel haha. We're also obviously massive Oasis fans too, can't beat Oasis can you?

The Brookes are playing a hometown gig in Grimsby on the 14th of June at The Warehouse with support coming from fellow locals Kismet Ryding and Albion also, tickets are only £3.00 so snap them up whilst you can. These hometown gigs will certainly begin to become a rarity in the near future as The Brookes are set for a huge future. Also, if you're lucky, purchase a copy of the EP via the band. We aren't sure whether there are any left, but if there is, snap them up. 

Big thanks to Jamie for the interview. 

Follow The Brookes on Twitter : @TheBrookesUK

'Like' The Brookes on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/TheBrookesUK

Listen to The Brookes on Youtube : http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH09eVWKlZOZG13J0YdoveQ

RIFFED x

This week, news has become apparent that radio stations could possibly be using youtube playlists with the most hits to play whilst on air. This news is quite shocking as many believe radio presenters should play tunes that they think people will want to listen to. But this also spells bad times for the young and new music industry. The reasons for this are that young and new artists will not be able to recieve the airplay they deserve as they're unheard of as of yet therefore their music will not recieve many hits on Youtube resulting in no air play and therefore resulting in the demise of the young and new music industry, in the worst case scenario. 

You wouldn't expect huge radio stations such as BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6 and Xfm to be playing their music of Youtube playlist hits, would you? And we at RIFFED sincerley hope this news is not true for the welfare and the future of the music industry.

RIFFED x 

RIFFED this week caught up with Frankie and The Heartstrings and grabbed an interview with the Sunderland rockers. 

Quick note, Frankie wanted the interview in capitals, so we obliged...

1) What's been the biggest moment in your career?

IM NOT SURE, IVE ENJOYED MAKING & RELEASING 2 ALBUMS, PLAYING ALL OVER THE WORLD. OPENING OUR OWN RECORD STORE. MAYBE OUR BIGGEST MOMENT IS YET TO COME !!!!

2) What can we expect in the future from Frankie and The Heartstrings?

A NEW RECORD THAT WE ARE WORKING ON NOW, AMAZING LIVE SHOWS AND THE UNEXPECTED

3) Favourite gig you've played and why?

HMMMM EVERY GIG WE EVER PLAY IS SPECIAL. I ENJOY FESTIVALS AS MUCH AS PLAYING IN GREAT CITIES ALL

OVER THE PLACE

4) What made you open your own Record Store?

PEOPLE CARE ABOUT MUSIC, WE DO, OUR TOWN NEEDED THIS PLACE TO OPEN.

5) Who's on your playlist at the moment?

AT THE MOMENT

COURTNEY BARNETT

TODD TERJE

KING KHAN & THE SHRINES

ST VINCENT

MAC DEMARCO

THANKS FRANKIE AND THE HEARTSTRINGS X

Cheers to Frankie and The Heartstrings for the interview. Check them out or visit their Pop Recs LTD record store in Sunderland.

'Like' them on Facebook for information on tunes, their record store and much more : https://www.facebook.com/frankieandtheheartstrings

Or follow their Twitter under the handle : @FrankieStrings

Or visit their webpage : http://frankieandtheheartstrings.com/

We caught up with Bath triplets The Family Rain and asked them a few questions. We recieved some answers that will excite all you Family Rain fans out there. 

1 We've heard you're releasing a track named 'Hunger Sauce', coming out on the 28th July? Tell us a little about that?

Although our album came out early this year, we were ‘Hungry’ to get some of the stuff that we have written since the album was recorded.

As the tracks go, we really wanted them to sit next to each other with a definite connection so the extended play has a sound of its own.

We recorded it with Tom Dalgety who recorded our first single ’Trust Me…I’m a genius’ it was wicked to go back into the studio with him,

he has definitely put some ingredients into ‘Hunger Sauce’ that will excite the pallet. We have been listening to allot of different things to get ideas

from Harry Neilson to MGMT.

2 You made your new video yourselves, is that true? How and why did that come about?

Yes it is, we have made a few of our past videos, and with Hunger Sauce we are going to make one for each song. We have worked with a few

music video directors on various other videos, which was great, but feel like the best people to express our music in video form is ourselves.

The ‘You should be glad you’ve got a man’ video took a while to figure out and film, but once we and the logistics sorted out it was a case of driving around

and thinking of the best places to have as a background. We didn’t pay for any location, there was a lot of blagging and white lies.

The main inspiration was the single point perspective film directors like Stanley Kubrick and Wes Anderson.

The look was definitely Wes Anderson inspired.

3 Can we be expecting a new album in the near future?

At the moment we are just writing, not for any specific reason or deadline, just because we like to. When we have a collection of songs that we think work well together we will see what happens.

4 Are you looking forward to your 'Bad Weather' tour?

MASSIVELY!! It is going to be amazing to get out and play some of these new songs, and it is our first tour since the release of our album, judjing by the one off shows we have done

this year this tour it is going to be good fun. We have a few tricks to show off which will make it an interesting ride, Fingers crossed its bad weather.

5) And finally... Who's the biggest joker of the band ?

Well to be honest with you. I’m pretty fucking hilarious.

We would like to say a huge RIFFED thank you to The Family Rain for the  interview, and you've certainly got us all very excited. 

Keep your eyes peeled for more from The Family Rain on their Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/thefamilyrain

And

Follow their Twitter under the handle : @thefamilyrain

And

visit their webpage : www.thefamilyrain.com

Purchase 'Bad Weather Tour' tickets via : http://www.seetickets.com/tour/the-family-rain

RIFFED x

Brighton rockers Royal Blood have recently had a huge surge of popularity and media coverage. They recently performed on the NME Awards tour with, Interpol, Temples and Circa Waves. But last weekend, the duo supported Arctic Monkeys at Finsbury Park with Tame Impala and Miles Kane. This got us excited as we saw them on their first tour back in October of last year, 20 odd people were their and we got in for free, as well as snatching one of Ben Thatcher's (Drummer) sticks. 

Royal Blood's performance at Finsbury was one that earned them many more new fans, they have that affect on people. Many Monkeys fans are now just as big Royal Blood fans and we don't blame them. Royal Blood broke on to the scene with their powerful tune 'Out Of The Black', it's heavy rock right to the core, but it isn't just racket. It's a few minutes of pure power and perfection, Mike Kerr's (bass) raw riffs are insane and literally blow your mind. They followed the release of 'Out Of The Black' with the release of a few new tracks such as 'Come on Over' and 'Little Monster', each as brilliant as the previous. 

Royal Blood plan to release their album very soon and are also playing at this years Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds festivals to name but a few, we strongly advise you go see them and lose your mind. 

Listen to Royal Blood : https://soundcloud.com/royalblooduk

Purchase Royal Blood singles : https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/come-on-over-single/id857697752

Follow Royal Blood on Twitter : @RoyalBloodUK

And

Like them on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/RoyalBloodUK

RIFFED x

Curb were formed in the West Midlands in 2013 by Lee Booker (bass) and Tom O'Ryan (Vocals, guitar), Booker and O'Ryan later acquired Joe Booth (lead guitar) and Sam Hunt (Drums). They when went on to release a demo titled, "How Are You Now?", in August 2013  which was followed by various gigs including supporting Royal Blood and Loom. Earlier this year Curb released "So High" which at this point in time has managed to get 46,327 plays on Soundcloud. The West Midland lads will be playing various gigs throughout the year and are gearing up to release an EP in the late summer followed by a tour around the UK, and we cannot wait. After discovering Curb we asked them whether they fancied an interview and they said yes. So, here it is, our interview with Curb.

We recently posted individual playlists by each member on our social network sites if people wanna check those out. We'd like to give a shout out to Heavy Waves though, we'll be playing a gig with those guys and a few other bands at the Hare & Hounds on 20th June.

A big thank you to Curb for taking time out to be interviewed by us and it was a pleasure. If you'd like to check Curb out follow the link : https://soundcloud.com/curbsaysmile

Also, follow curb on Twitter under the handle : @CurbBand

Or 'like' them on Facebook : facebook.com/Curbtheband

RIFFED HQ x

London lads Childhood announced their debut album 'Lacuna' is set to be released on August 11th this year. We at RIFFED are huge Childhood fans and like you out there cannot wait either. Previous EP's imply that 'Lacuna' will be a storming debut album from the indie rockers of the South. Huge hit 'Solemn Skies' will be on their debut album, a track that really projected Childhood onto the scene. Lacuna's released was announced via twitter and got many fans jumping around with joy and we don't blame them. Also to coincide with the album release in August, the lads have announced an Album launch gig at Oslo, Hackney in London. Tickets are selling fast so if you're interested to go see them smash their homecoming gig, get them whilst you still can, 

Pre-order 'Lacuna' on iTunes : https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/lacuna/id882137615

Purchase tickets for Childhood's album launch gig here : https://parallellines.ticketabc.com/events/childhood/

Follow Childhood on Twitter or 'like' their Facebook page for more information on tours and releases :

Twitter : https://twitter.com/childhoodUK

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/childhoodband

RIFFED HQ x

This week Brum boys Jaws announced their debut album 'Be Slowly' is set to be released on September 15th this year. Jaws announced this exciting news on their twitter page and were greated with jubilant replies from many fans. We at RIFFED are extremely excited for the release of 'Be Slowly' as EP's such as 'Milkshake' are anything to go by, it's bound to be a classic. Expect a few old classics to be on the album such as 'Gold' and also new single release 'Think Too Much, Feel Too Little', but also expect Jaws to showcase some newer material. Coinciding with the album announcment Jaws uploaded title track 'Be Slowly' to Soundcloud and was also meeted with many fantastic replies and it's no surprise as to why, another vibey, groovy anf funky tune by the Birmingham quartet that grasps you within the vibe and makes you feel careless for two minutes or so, Jaws have this effect with many of their songs making them a class act. Also, some more exciting news. Jaws announced a tour to coincide with the album release, the 'Be Slowly Tour'. If the lads are coming near you we strongly advise you go see them. We can't wait for September now. 

Find tour dates at ; http://www.musicglue.com/jaws/ and pre-order the album there too, or you can pre-order on iTunes at : https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/be-slowly/id881158737 ;

You can also find tour dates and more info on Jaws Twitter and Facebook pages :

Twitter : https://twitter.com/JAWSJAWSJAWSSS

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/JAWSJAWSJAWSJAWS?ref=profile ;

RIFFED HQ x

Johnny Lloyd this week returned after the split of Tribes last November, as he uploaded two new songs off his upcoming EP 'Pilgrims'.

One of the two tracks is our single of the week, 'Pilgrims' the EP title track. A beautiful song sums it up in three words. A groovy, catchy tune that once you've finished listening to it, it's constantly replaying in your head and it never leaves. The guitaring is soothing, matched by the voice too. We at RIFFED this week have awarded Johnny Lloyd's 'Pilgrims' a 10/10. It's absolutely fantastic.

RIFFED's Rating: 10/10

Johnny's soundcloud where 'Pilgrims' and 'Dead Beat' have been uploaded : https://soundcloud.com/johnnylloydmusic?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter

'Like' Johnny's Facebook too via the link for information on tour dates and releases : http://www.facebook.com/johnnylloydmusic

Or follow Johnny on twitter under the handle : @JohnnyLloydUK

RIFFED HQ x