[ArtistOTD] Dirty Revolution

Artist: Dirty Revolution

Genre: Punk/Reggae/Ska

Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK

Label Type: Indie

Record Label: Dirty World Records

Website: http://dirtyrevolution.com/  

Twitter: http://twitter.com/dirtyrevolution  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Dirty.Revolution  

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/dirtyrevolution 

Today’s band are seen as the little sister in the UK ska and punk scene to such heavyweights as The King Blues, Sonic Boom Six, The Skints and Random Hand. Dirty Revolution now have the capability to step up to the mark and become one of the scene’s main leaders. However, this may progression might be put on temporary hold for now as two members of the band, front woman, Reb and lead guitarist, Stu are expecting the birth of their child in about 6 months’ time. Therefore their tour over the next couple of months will be the last live performances until the summer of 2012.

Roots rock and reggae is the blend of music the band pride themselves, though you could be forgiven for bracketing them into dub, punk or original ska. The keys issues that the DR discuss in their songs seem to centre around politics and anti-authority. The vocals of Reb are distinctive and appealing, whilst the inclusion of the melodica adds an extra dimension. The tangy bass is exactly what you would want to hear from a ska band, and throw into the mix roaring guitars, a vast array of drum beats, and straight-up reggae backing vocals, you have yourself a top notch band.

It’s Gonna Get Dirty was the debut EP from ‘The Rev’ released on Do The dog Records back in 2008 with ‘Dirty Revolution’ the title of the stand-out track. Then 2010 seen the quartet release their debut album Before The Fire on Rebel Alliance Records. The album comes across as charming and laid back in nature, yet filled with passionate lyrics delivered with zealous. There are so many stand out pieces on this 10-track offering, from the wonderful piss take of gangsta music and culture on ‘50p’ (including outlandish accusations relating to 50 Cent's mum and Britney Spears' arse) to the heartfelt anti-Nazi classic ‘I Love Reggae’. Then there is majestic ‘Failure To Communicate’ where the melodica really comes to the forefront. In addition there’s the one for all the rudeboys and girls out there, ‘Sometimes You’re Too Rude’ as well as the blissfully beautiful ‘Firing Line’ which is soulful and mellow in nature.

The band are  due to be heading into Jamtown Recording Studios to work on the next CD hopefully due for early next year.

Below we have the video for ‘Failure To Communicate’, shot in their home city of Cardiff (or Ska-diff as it’s known to the purists), and I will leave you with some words of wisdom from the band themselves: Peace, love and unity’s a better way to go…

Matthew Evans

[TuneOTD] Sonic Boom Six - WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU MAKE YOU STRONGER

Artist: Sonic Boom Six

Genre: Punk/Hip-Hop/Ska/Reggae

Location: Manchester, England, UK

Label Type: Indie

Record Label: Rebel Alliance
Website: http://www.sonicboomsix.co.uk 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sonicboomsix

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/sonicboomsix 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sonicboomsix

It is so great to know that Sonic Boom Six are back, and better than ever. ‘What Doesn’t Kill You Make You Stronger’ is the B-side to the latest single ‘New Style Rocka’, but the two are completely different illustrating the diversity of SB6.

This track offers dusty dub wobbles and drum and bass beats leaving you with an urge to get your skank on! Barney Boom steals the show on this one with his gutsy raps and rhymes, complimenting the soulful squeaks of Laila K. The inclusion of so much drum and bass is something new to the band, adding another string to the already impressive bow. This new style suits Barney down to a tee, and perhaps this is the first sample of the message portrayed by A-side single, ‘New Style Rocka’.

The video is set in an underpass highlighting the new underground nature of Sonic Boom Six’s sound as they move with the times integrating current influences into their new material. If there is such a genre as punk-step, then this is it ladies and germs.

Originally the band wanted to shoot the video for the next single, ‘Sunny Side of The Street’ but the weather was unforgiving and so they have treated the world with a promotional video for ‘What Doesn't Kill You Make You Stronger’. Check it out!

Matthew Evans

[TuneOTD] Sonic Boom Six - NEW STYLE ROCKA (ft.Tonn Piper)

Artist: Sonic Boom Six

Genre: Punk/Hip-Hop/Ska/Reggae

Location: Manchester, England, UK

Label Type: Indie

Record Label: Rebel Alliance
Website: http://www.sonicboomsix.co.uk 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sonicboomsix

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/sonicboomsix 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sonicboomsix

'New Style Rocka' is the latest material from UK band Sonic Boom Six. This is the first piece that the band has written since their 2009 record City of Thieves.

The introduction to the song is provided by an infectious riff from the guest vocals of Tonn Piper. On this track, he brings a new and interesting dimension to the usual sound of SB6. The Manchester outfit have moved more towards their hip-hop roots, and away slightly from the ska and reggae style they are also accustomed to. However, front woman Laila Khan continues to deliver her characteristic upbeat vocal squeaks. The chorus has a cheesy and pop-like feel to it, while the verses allow Barney Boom the freedom to express his influence on the hit. Though the chorus might not be welcome to SB6 purists, it’s one that is sure to get the crowd singing along in live performances. Piper brings a jungle type feel to the record, a style that you would expect to hear from an MC at a drum and bass/dubstep rave. This particular collaboration seems to have to worked on this track, and could be something that the Boom could look at doing again in the future.

In addition to this tune, Sunny Side of The Street is one which is strongly rumoured to be released in the near future as a single for their upcoming album.

New Style Rocka is to be released on March 28^th, and you can check out the brand new video below!

Matthew Evans

[ArtistOTD] The Skints

Artist: The Skints

Genre: Reggae/Dub/Alternative 

Location: East London, England ,UK

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theskints

Twitter: http://twitter.com/theskints

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theskintsuk

The Skints are a four-piece reggae band from East London and can also be described as ska, punk, dub, alternative, rock etc. The East Londoners showcase a wealth of talent, incorporating a vast array of instruments. As well as being a terrific singer, the multi-talented front woman Marcia Richards is equally comfortable playing a saxophone, a flute, a keyboard, an organ or even a melodica amongst other things. Complimenting Richards are the rock-steady reggae vocals of guitarist Josh Waters Rudge working in tandem with that of the sublime and soulful vocals of drummer Jamie Kyriakides and the tangy bass of Jonathan Doyle. 

The quartet had been a band, touring and writing for a couple of years before releasing the simply majestic debut album, Live.Breathe.Build.Believe. Short and sweet, the 10-track record (plus a hidden track) portrays a wonderful exhibition of classic reggae and ska-style riffs. Right the way from the phenomenal vibe given by Mindless via the outstanding Complications Of The Modern Rudeboy to the wonderfully poetic Roanna’s Song, this record is flawless! The hardcore mash-up integrating the saxophone in Complications Of The Modern Rudeboy is nothing short of spectacular, a real highlight of the record. Roanna’s Song is a really meaningful and emotional tune, and Mindless is the real curtain raiser, preparing the listener for a sign of things to come. The spine of the album comes in the form of the astutely named Culture Vulture as well as Murderer and Bright Girl. These three songs in particular show off the bands springy ska side where they feel most at home. Culture Vulture is all about sticking it to the ska purists who ignore the existence of the punk-ska fusion, and where Bright Girl is happy and upbeat, Murderer is quite the opposite, but just as graceful in its own way. Get Me presents a passionate challenge to the youth of British society and Change The Channel illustrates the bands diversity, integrating heavy dub beats as well as a flute! The band have progressed immensely from their initial EP from 2008 and this is illustrated by the masterful rework of Sociopath. This album can be described as a ska-punk or punk-ska album, but whatever the genre, it is supreme! After just one album, The Skints have already established themselves as one of the big-hitters in the UK reggae-punk scene.

After much anticipation following the first album, The Skints returned in late 2010 with a new single titled Up Against The Wall. This is not dissimilar to the material of the debut album in that when you listen you can’t help but want to move your feet and skank to the brilliant beats. You can check out this track below.

Up to this present day, The Skints continue to tour and write new stuff, and I’m sure there is a second album brewing on the horizon. Keep an eye out, they are definitely one to watch!

Matthew Evans

[TuneOTD] Skindred - WARNING (ft. Jacoby Shaddix)

Artist: Skindred

Genre: Alternative/Punk/Reggae

Location: Newport, South Wales, UK

Label Type: Indie

Record Label: 7PM

Website: http://www.skindred.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Skindredmusic

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/skindred

'Warning' is the first single from Skindred's eagerly anticipated 4th album, 'Union Black', due for release on April 25th of this year, with the single set for release on April 19th. The tune features Jacoby Shaddix, lead singer of major US rock band, Papa Roach.

This song revisits the self-proclaimed 'ragga-metal' band's fusion of rock and reggae roots identifiable to fans of Skindred. ‘Warning’ is introduced by a mix of heavy guitars and drums, the type of which, the band are usually accustomed to. This is followed by the exhilarating and pacy vocals of Skindred frontman Benji Webbe, steadying to prepare the listener for the drop of the heavy chorus. Then comes a stroke of genius, the addition to the track of Shaddix. It allows no time to rest in this pulsating exhibition of Heavy Rock. Shaddix’s presence adds an extra dimension to the record complimenting the vocals of Webbe superbly whilst delivering unrivalled energy. The hit maintains the familiar heavy beats associated with Skindred throughout, but at the same time incorporates a new sound illustrating the progression of the band launching them forward into a new and exciting chapter!

If you like this track, be sure to check out Skindred on their UK tour set for April/May this year. The electricity and passion Skindred bring to every show make them one of the best live bands on the planet, and a band not to be missed this spring!

Matthew Evans