Red Sands Radio

Whistable Harbour Village People Review Mon 18/07/11

About

With tongues firmly in cheeks the motley crew of traders (Harbourettes) at the Harbour Garden Village have got together to write and sing their first song produced by Malcolm Holland, who played with phase 2 of Edison Lighthouse,  he is an accomplished musician who has rubbed shoulders with many fine folk in the music industry and is in the process of writing a musical. Their track was recorded by Brian Miller in the big wooden hut in the harbour and rumour has it that a certain breakfast DJ was present too!

Our Impression

The song that has been created by this unlikely group is very catchy, using the familiar tune of the ‘Frosty the Snowman’ as a backing for their cheery tune. Bearing in mind that the song was born from a group of tradesmen and not a formed band it is a surprisingly good song, reminiscent of old football anthems. Overall the song is very worth while checking out, if not for the rumored middle age little girl that ends the song with a curious vocal solo.

Upcoming

The bands efforts and the creation of the song are to promote the popular Whitstable Harbour Village, for more information following link to its website: http://www.whitstableharbourvillage.co.uk/

By Mark B Good

All Mighty Whispers Review Fri 15/07/11

About

All Mighty Whispers are an independent 3 piece band based in Norwich, but mainly living In Canterbury. The band is made up of three members: Alick Letort, Steve Necchi and Peter Hill. They currently release music on their own Ex label and have released 2 albums, which they fully oversee the recording, mixing and mastering of , ensuring that the finished albums are  fully realised and reflect the bands unique vision. So far their music has been receiving great feedback and have even had their music played on national radio stations in the UK, Europe, America and Japan, as well as featuring in podcasts and vidcasts from all around the world.

Our Impression

After looking into the band and discovering their success not just in the UK, but abroad also, we were very eager to listen to some of their material. Kindly, the band provided us with a track entitled ‘Sun In Our Eyes”. Upon listening to it, you quickly discover why they are so popular. They provide a very unique chilled out sound, that is very catchy and skillful in its execution. This song and a lot of their back catalouge is well worth checking out, especially in the summer months where their music seems to be very fitting.

Upcoming 

The band have released 2 albums, which may be purchased via itunes or the web site. “Love Revolution” the 1st album was distributed by ‘Shellshock’. For more information on the band visit their website here: http://www.allmightywhispers.com/index.html

By Mark B Good

Davey Ralph Review Thu 07/07/11

About

Davey Ralph is a guitarist, singer /songwriter from Faversham and is also the founder of Popstopper Records. He started singing and playing guitar as a young teenager in the 60s during the few years his family spent inAustralia. However he was soon brought back from the sun and freedom to a cold English winter and a grim return to school. Since then Davey has played solo and in bands of various persuasions, blues, rock, pop, country, and has built up an impressive catalogue of original material. Recently he has recorded in his own studio with friends and fellow musicians known collectively as the Road Band, Tom Fairs on bass, Adrian Madden on drums and Derek Bright on rhythm guitar.

Our Impression

Here at Red Sands we were able to listen to a song from Davey Ralphs’ new album entitled ‘Time Stealer’. Straight away you can hear the benefits of his experience  within his music. Davey Ralph is truly a masterful guitar player and is obviously a talented singer and songwriter, in the case of ‘Timestealer’ you can honestly hear the passion and meaning behind his lyrics. He lists his guitar influences as Jerry Garcia, Peter Green, JJ Cale and T-Bone Walker, all of which he does bare similarities too. In summary Davey Ralph is a very skilled musician and we can whole heart-idly recommend that you check him out.

Upcoming

Davey’s first album Time Stealer is available on Amazon mp3, iTunes and Spotify. For more information on the artist visit his Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/daveyralph/music

By Mark B Good

Bad Apples Review Wed 06/07/11

About

Bad Apples are a rock group formed in Kent. The band consists of Si Polley, Dave Thomas, Iain Gremo and Dom Sullivan. They formed sometime in the previous decade around 2002. Before going on to be signed to Formant Records, leading them to perform at Camden Town’s prestigious Barfly venue for the release of their debut record.

Our Impression

After listening to the songs on their new album its clear to see that their sound echoes acts that were around in the 70s. Certainly the Glam-rock scene with bands such as T-Rex. You can feel the charisma and energy of their frontman Dave Thomas, reminiscent of Marc Bolan. If you witness their live performance of “Ants” you can see similar characteristics to Punk acts such as The Clash and perhaps even Sex Pistols. Thomas gives off a stage presence very much like Joe Strummer, Mick Jones and Johnny Rotten. Evoking a real passion and vibrancy in his singing and performance. You can really tell this band are the real deal and pay a great deal of attention to their sound and feel. They may be called Bad Apples but they are certainly the best of the bunch.

Upcoming

Their debut CD is now available at Gatefield Sounds ,Rock Bottom, HMV Canterbury, Local Hero Records and The Indoor Market. The CD features their songs ‘Ants’, ’2 Days ’til Tuesday’ and ‘Gimme a Drink’.

By Sunil S De Moor

Wasabi Review Tue 05/07/11

About

Wasabi are a new Reggae/Funk band emerging into the the music scene of the Kent area. The band have only just formed in the last few months but every gig so far has gone a storm. The band is becoming known by the local crowds that turn up, get up and dance to every song and by the end are always wanting more.They are getting quite a reputation for being the new Party band in town.

Our Impression

The band were kind enough to supply us with a song entitled ‘African in New York’. If the title sounds familiar, it is as the band have taken the song ‘American in New York’ by ‘Sting ‘and put a very distinctive and fresh Reggie twist to it. Upon listening to the tune you can really hear how they got their reputation for being the new ‘Party band in town’ providing a very funky,uplifting sound. Wasabi certainly sound great live and I’m sure that they perform with great showmanship, so its no wonder that the gigs they have played so far have gone down a storm and its clear that this continue will in the future.

Upcoming

To find out more about this local band visit their Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wasabi/200056173362458?sk=wall

By Mark B Good

Smoking Grace Review Sat 02/07/11

About

Smoking Grace started out in mid 2010 as a three piece band made up of Alex Parkinson (Guitar/Backing Vocals), Dave Roberts ( Drums/Backing vocals) and Ben Peilow (Bass/Backing Vocals). The band was formed, but without a lead singer, meaning every band practice entailed rehearsals of cover songs instrumentally. It wasn’t until December of 2010 that Mark Checksfield (Lead singer/Guitar) came along to bring some vocals to the band. Since then, Smoking Grace have been putting together a set of original material and gigging around the Kent area successively.

Our Impression

‘Smoking Grace’ were kind enough to send their self produced track entitled ‘Try as you might’. After listening to the track it is clear to see that they have come along way from instrumental cover songs, as they are obviously capable of producing a very accomplished type of music. Instrumentally the song is reminiscent of the ‘Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ , vocally however they bear similarities to successful bands such as ‘Foo Fighters’ and ‘Manic Street Fighters’. With similarities to such accomplished bands its not hard to imagine this local band going far.

Upcoming

The band are currently performing around Kent, for information on the band tune into Red Sands Radio or visit their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Smoking-Grace/125013314183663?sk=info

by Mark B Good

Rocky and the Natives Review Tue 28/06/11

About

Rocky and the Natives is an experienced country/rock band made up of vastly experienced members including Jim Leverton(bass,guitar,keyboards), Andy Newmack(drums), Geoffrey Richardson (Violin/Mandolin) and its founders Malcolm Barnard (Guitarist) and Chris Godden (Singer), who both have worked together on and off for the past 42 years.

In 1969 Chris joined Malcolm as the keyboard player/guitarist in one of the South East’s top soul bands The Way and continued their musical collaboration with Tarquin and founded Medway’s ledgendary boogie rock outfit Winkle Bill. In this period they supported many top acts from Deep Purple to Gary Moore and Derek and the Dominos. As a support band to Dream Police they met Hamish Stuart, later to form The Average White Band and to work for many years with Paul McCartney. Nearly 40 years later they chatted to Hamish again in his pub the Three Mariners at Oare about a new musical venture. Hamish helped them to link up with one of the world’s finest drummers, Andy Newmark and the seeds were sown for Rocky and the Natives, probably the oldest new band in the UK this year!

Chris and Malcolm’s next venture, in 1972, was the formation of English Country rock pioneers Pass the Buck featuring Chris on lead guitar; touring extensively across England with their tight harmony, west coast brand of new country music.

By the mid 70’s after a short spell fronting French Rock band Roto Magus Malcolm returned to the UK and to a career as a senior manager in the NHS and then in Social Care. With little time left for music, collaborations with Chris continued, occasionally playing in pubs and clubs in the South East.

Meanwhile Chris continued to work with top country musicians across the UK, including several years with pedal steel legend Gordon Huntley. In 1987, following his interest in old guitars, Chris set up his business dealing in vintage instruments.Wanting to return to their first musical love in country rock Chris and Malcolm got together last year to begin writing songs for a new album, scheduled for release later this year.

Our Impression

Here at Red Sands Radio we were able to listen to ‘Oyster girl’ a song from the new Rocky and the Natives album. The first thing we noticed about the track was how suitable it is for inclusion in our Whitstable based Radio station. With lyrics mentioning local locations such as ‘The Crab and Winkle Way’,'Squeeze Gut alley’ and  obvious nods to local heritage in the form of ‘oysters’, overall presenting a more than suitable soundtrack for the City of Whitstable and its traditions. This aside, the song has obviously been created by talented musicians with a love for country music, forming flawless violin playing and acoustics throughout, with catchy lyrics and pleasant vocals. Overall the band is a strong recommendation for lovers of country music and more importantly residents of Whitstable as they provide a very good argument as to why Local music talent should be celebrated and encouraged.

Upcoming

There new album which features seven new Godden and Barnard songs including Chris’s Oyster Girl which with Lazy Waters will be released in July on Yard Dog Records as a single CD to coincide with the Whitstable Oyster Festival. Proceeds from sales of the single will be donated to Operation Blessing International working with oyster farmers in the Urato Islands Japan whose industry and livelihoods were wiped out in the tsunami. Operation Blessing have already provided electricity to the Urato Islands (one of the top oyster producing locations in Japan) with 20 industrial generators and helped the oyster fishing guild with new computers, office supplies and an internet connection. Over the next year they will provide production boats and a wide variety of tools as requested by the oyster fishermen.

Malcolm said “none of this would have been possible without Whitstable’s own ledgendary Jim Leverton who has played on and produced the single and forthcoming album. IanLander, also from Whitstable has done a brilliant job engineering the record. This seemed a great way of showing practical solidarity between the oyster industries in Whitstable and in Japan. The CD will be available for sale at £2.99 at pubs and music venues throughout this year’s Oyster Festival, it will also be promoted internationally.

by Mark B Good

Martin Croones Review Fri 24/06/11

About

Martin Croones is a singer from Kent, his vocals are very much influenced by singers from The Great American Song Book such as Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart and Sammy Davis Jr. He has been coined with the tagline;  ‘From Sinatra to Streisand – Elvis to Everly’s and so much more’. Performing at several big venues over the years, from being in musical shows at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury to cabaret at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone. He has certainly built up a large back-catalog.

Our Impression

Martin Croones was kind enough to  allow us to listen to a song of his, entitled ‘The Summer Wind’ which really gave us an idea of what he can do. With a voice that makes you think of a Las Vegas club on the strip in the 60s, filled with people, as the Rat Pack are performing, Martin Croones has a voice that can certainly take you back there. The way his vocals caress the music with a unique voice that sounds so similar yet adding a new element that can only be described when listened to, his music and of course his charisma is indeed a delight.

Upcoming

For more information on Martin Croones and details on what he has upcoming, visit his website at http://www.freewebs.com/thecrooner/

by Sunil S De Moor

House of Rogues Review Thu 23/06/11

About

House of Rogues are a local 4 piece alternative rock band. The band (originally named Zephyrus) was formed just before the new year of 2010. Since then they have played in many venues across, Canterbury, Croydon and London with creditable success including playing on the local “Lounge On The Farm” festival in Canterbury, playing on several local radio stations as well as playing the highly prestigous “100 Club”.

Our Impression

The band insist that they have many different influences and styles infused into their song making, coming equally from each band member. This is very evident in their music. After listening to their track ‘Until Tomorrow’ among others  it is clear that the band offer a wide variety of music within their genre of Alternative rock.  Any one who enjoys the music of bands such as ‘Arctic  Monkeys’,'Queens of the Stone Age’,'Kasabian’ or ‘Two door cinema club’ will surely like what House of Rogues has to offer.  With similarities to such accomplished bands ‘House of Rogues’ seems to really be a local band with a future and one to really look out for.

Upcoming

In the Summer of 2010 the band finished their debut EP entitled, “Aim for the Bushes” which can be heard here on their Band Profile ,which also contains info on their upcoming shows:  http://www.reverbnation.com/houseofrogues

by Mark B Good

Black Circles Review Tue 21/06/11

About

Black Circles are a local power-trio band. Their frontman/guitarist Dan and bass player Mayumi both toured on the highway in previous bands before teaming up together in the heart of Kent. In 2010 they recruited new drummer Tris and successfully self-released their anthemic debut single ‘Little Girl’ picking up glowing reviews in Japanese and UK press.

Flame Pilots Review Sat 18/06/11

About

Flame Pilots are a four-piece hard rock/grunge influenced band from Whitstable. As I discovered after listening to their new EP titled ‘Passanger’ they are clearly influenced by 90s Grunge such as Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Nirvana however, also, earlier influences such as the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Led Zep and Black Sabbath.

Our Impression

When I first heard their song “Passenger” it occurred to me how much of an influence Flame Pilots took from Pearl Jam, certainly vocal wise as you cannot help but think of an Eddie Vedder-esque feel here. I know as they are also influenced by earlier bands such as Sabbath and Led Zep you start to understand where the birth of their sound comes from. Their sound is very much a combination of Grunge and Rock bands from the late 80s and 90s such as Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Chili Peppers and of course Pearl Jam. Overall a certain admiration must be entitled to the band for providing a much needed revival of Grunge in this decade.

Upcoming

The band have recently recorded a four song EP titled ‘Passanger’ in November 2010 which can be listened to now on their My space page at http://www.myspace.com/flamepilots

Masque Review Sat 18/06/11

About

Masque is a Canterbury based song writing band that consist of five band members including local talent Dave Emm , the rest of the band range in ages from 18-62. The band first formed back in 2010 so to play at  the popular local festival ‘Lounge on the Farm’. Since then they have been working on their soon to be released album titled ‘Parallel World’.

Our Impression

Here at Red Sands we were able to listen too two new tracks from Masque’s new album ‘Parallel World’ and between them they provide a diverse variety of music. Their first song ‘Fizzy Days’ provides very catchy lyrics of nostalgic memories with vocals reminiscent of artist such as Bob Geldof. Where as their second song ‘One in a Million’ takes a very different approach seeming to take inspiration from brit pop and contemporary bands such as ‘Two door cinema club’ with stylistic electric guitar riffs. Overall a talented band that seem to be putting the advantages of the band members varying ages to good use by creating music that seems to blend the new with the old for desirable results.

Upcoming

The two songs featured in this article were songs from Masque’s soon to be released new album ‘Parallel Worlds’. For more information on the artist visit his website or tune in to Red Sands Radio.

By Mark B Good

Dave Emm Review Sat 18/06/11

About

Dave Emm is a local musician from Blean just outside of Canterbury. He is currently working with his recording band ‘Masque on a new album’. In addition to this he has had a rich and expansive musical history starting  from an early age with his work as a drummer in local bands and contribution in a ‘Classic rock’ duo known as ‘Smiler’. He has also written hundreds of songs over his expansive carer including the two songs that we were able to listen to from his new album ‘Moodswings’.

Our Impression

Dave Emm is obviously a talented musician judging from the tracks ‘In the corner of my room’ and ‘Beauty bound’ both from his previously mentioned new album ‘Moodswings’. What proves to be more impressive is the fact that he plays every instrument  in the recordings ,highlights being the regular skilful acoustic solos. However the vocals and lyrics are what really stand out providing a calming yet soulful ballad that really seem to tell a story. Any fans of artists such as Chris De Burgh and Don Mclean will surely find enjoyment in Dave Emm’s variety of  music making him a real local musical talent to watch.

Upcoming

The two songs featured in this article were songs from Dave Emm’s new album ‘Moodswings’ which is set to be released soon.