Liverpool Music Scene

Liverpool's music scene has been booming since the 1960s. We focus here on what is entirely new to our ears. 

AYSTAR

Well, for starters - all shades of greyish in the shady neighbourhoods of Liverpool, Wavertree or Toxteth. One-man project. Something very far from my musical perception, as from here to Madagascar.

Get ready for mixes, re-mixes, hip-hop-rap rhythms and rhymes. Honestly, the only thing we can say about Aystar is that it sounds quite original in its entirety. The specific, Scouse accent in the rap lines is quite exceptional. 

Nothing else, the rest is a template and a cliché, on one hand - poor, dirty streets, on the other - leather, drugs, pit bulls, expensive cars, blah blah blah ... Not for us ;-)

BROTHERS OF MINE

A five-person band focused on lightweight, lively melodies. Definitely, for fans of not so complicated pop indie rock. The music is easy to listen to, no bother, not trying too hard, overall - satisfaction. This seems to be the main message behind the Brothers of Mine.

Their work oscillates within the genre developed by Sunset Sons, Kings of Leon or Mumford and Sons. If these names tell you something, no recommendation is needed. They create in the established regions of popular music with aspirations of mainstream pop-rock, rather than underground.

 CABEZUDOS

Tight pants :-) The singer will surely be popular among the female part of the audience. A naughty sweetheart with inborn charisma. In need of some finishing touches. The vocal manner is somewhere on the border of Bon Jovi or INXS. Which is quite good, although we should still remember that in music, the appearance is not the most important thing. Voice, articulation is an art in itself, one cannot hide around a corner or take shortcuts. 

Cabezudos, despite relatively little stage experience, is doing quite well. Their, at times psychedelically crazy and experimental indie rock, perfectly fits into the underground - the hipster pop culture. In the Liverpool backyard (Baltic Triangle) they already have a well-established position. 

The music, just like with a meal, can get a bit on a salty note. It can also be the other way around - the right ingredients for the occasion can create a masterpiece. Good luck, lads ;-)

 CIRCA WAVES

Hello, hello ;-) Indie Rock set in the 90s, sometimes a'la The Cure, only not so twisted and wound up (no offence to Robert Smith and the company). 

There is definitely more sunshine in the music. Circa Waves have a rather characteristic, a Liverpool approach to the subject - you can see it in the Fire That Burns music video. If the band decides to do such a picture for the song, it proves that they are having proper fun ;-)

Circa Waves is definitely a creature with a lot of kick and potential, heading into a zone occupied by bands such as The Killers or Arctic Monkeys. So far, out of all the young-wave teams from Liverpool,  they certainly deserve a long moment of attention. It's fun to bounce to their music, stamp your feet, and grate juicy beets exceptionally well ;-)

 CLEAN CUT KID

What do we have here? To our ear, it is a modern combination of the style of Fleetwood Mac or Simple Red. Very sweet, soft, melodic, light pop-rock. Not our "cup of tea" though. The frontman (guitarist), looking like a hipster lumberjack, is singing like in a soft boys-band, so "lovely" that it may cause nausea.

It may be well-received elsewhere.  For us, it is too "polished" and too polite. But, who knows who knows? Maybe they have something called a "wow factor"? 

Clean Cut Kid channel uploads quite a lot of music videos on YouTube, so the business is booming, good luck guys :-)

 

 COLUMBIA

You don't have to be a genius ​​to guess right-away what sparked the idea of ​​taking the band's name (Columbia - Oasis track from "Definitely Maybe"). The band builds its sounds out of the works of giants such as: OASIS, The Beatles, Rolling Stones or The Stone Roses.

The mischievous image and singing style of the Columbia singer is more than reminiscent of Liam Gallagher's stage manner. Sure, good, yet not too original. Anyway, Columbia is taking a small step but always a step, forward - in search of their own identity. Not many want to be shoved into a musical box by critics, no matter how spacious and comfortable it is.

So far, so good. The demand has exceeded the group's expectations, although they were haughty-naughty from the very beginning: "We are five Scousers. We want it all! We're not here to take part, We're here to take over! " Confidence is important, but one has to fight for one's own value, with strong determination.

 ELEANOR NELLY

Would a girl with a guitar be a nice choice? Who knows? 

In times when almost anyone can sing, a little better or a little worse, through the casting to one of the many TV programs that produce seasonal fame, anything can happen.

Eleonor Kelly chose a different path, a bit "old fashioned". Perhaps, it was supposed to be like that? The music is a bit vintage. The girl performs mostly very atmospheric acoustic guitar ballads.

An interesting, powerful, yet girlish voice. Eleanor polishes her talent by composing and performing her own songs. Her efforts had been noticed by DECCA (who signed Rolling Stones, Rod Steward, among others, a company known for refusing to sign a record contract with The Beatles, in 1962,  justifying their decision "Guitar groups are on the way out ". It was a huge historical error).

Who knows, maybe this time, Decca Records get their act together, they are efficient on the folk or country music scene, to which fans, Eleanor Nelly will be noticed without much plastic, extravagant or deceptively colourful marketing.

 LOUIS BERRY

LOUIS BERRY

He is The BEST!!!! No comments ;-)

Louis Berry is our absolute favorite. Composer, songwriter, guitarist and ... kick boxer (life is tough in Kirkby, init?), But above all - an extraordinary singer. Extremely strong, coarse male voice (no high notes squeezed by the knees, you know). He can easily be lined up with the greatest rock singers, with such a "sandpaper" in the voice - Joe Cocker, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Steward.

For a long time now, the local news of Louis' talent had spread like the wings of gull flight over Liverpool Birds (Liverpool's coat of arms) and over. Eventually, he was invited to joint concerts with Liam Gallagher (ex OASIS), for example. They both have a similar unpretentious approach to music and strong opinions. 

The musician approaches his work extremely meticulously, takes his time, leaves matters to mature. He had explored the music, creeping, lurking... and now is the moment to hit with his debut album (2019). Many will be wondering, when did it all happen?

It's been a while since his debut EP Rebel (2015), which doesn't mean Louis is idle, what not! Successively and carefully, he and his team, prepare many single songs, marketing stuff, etc. Taken together, they could easily constitute material for a full album.

Tracks 45, Rebel, Cowboy, Prince of Thieves, Laurie, Nicole, Stumbling, She Wants Me, Restless and 25 Reasons - show the wide spectrum of sound he is moving in, raising the bar and the appetite for his debut album. 

We are getting ready for a large and exclusive portion of modern rock and roll. There can only be one effect ... like an explosive bomb. In the era of nondescript soft performances, Loius Berry appears as material for another "rock'n'roll star"!

MiC LOWRY

In the 'Liverpool talent' review :-) we came across this musical hybrid. There is no much to write about MiC Lowry, besides ... we hate boys bands !!! We have respect that the guys sing well, well - feck it. Damn plastic sweeteners in the style of West Life or other Take That, our ears just wither when we have to listen to something like that... ;-) There is no need, maybe someone is waiting for the next millionth incarnation of Backstreet Boys?

 OR:LA

OR:LA

We live in such times that you do not necessarily have to learn the secrets of playing a traditional instrument in order to appear on the stage. Sometimes it is enough to feel the rhythm to have a "drive" and to know how to turn knobs properly, with a mastermind feeling.

The activity of various DJs, mixing, sampling or juggling sonic scraps has been popular in club circles for years. All this pulsating beat introduces the listener into a kind of trance. The repeatability of the elements, used with mechanical accuracy causes an almost immediate connection to the musical amok. It is captivating...

Clubbing attracts masses of the vast majority of young people. Or: la, who comes from Northern Ireland and has been operating in Liverpool since 2012, is doing perfectly in this zone.

The DJ efficiently smuggles ambient, techno-industrial passages merging into one, seemingly endless, hypnotic dance. Everything here boils and stirss, to activate some primal instincts. Trans guaranteed, check it out! (In 2017 alone, Or: la gained a residency at the Warehouse Project in Manchester, a bi-monthly show on NTS Radio and win DJ Mag's 'Breakthrough DJ of the year'. She is hard to pin down as she is selling out events across the world but like a true Liverpudlian, Or: la always finds time to return to the city.)

 RED RUM CLUB

RED RUM CLUB

"Wild Western Tarantino-Esque Vibes With Mersey Melodies" - what more could you want? Warm Gangsta's Paradise.

Naughty boys with purity, energy, passion. The band's music gets instantaneously, into your veins. Red Rum Club is definitely for all those who are waiting for Mexican-Cuban (Latin) vibrations smuggled in the rock music, integrated into a modern, pulsating sound.

Interesting instruments, a trumpet of considerable importance, is giving a unique effect. 

After less than two years of operation, Red Rum Club had won the hearts and recognition of fans in the North-West regions of England. The media also had not remained deaf and indifferent, a recognition from the BBC Merseyside, for example. 

Sold out concerts already, visit to Seoul, debut album "Matador" released in January 2019. Red Rum Club is definitely on a rising tide.

SHE DREW THE GUN

SHE DREW THE GUN

An interesting combination - an eclectic rock with a nice kick, some electronics, psychedelia, great diction and articulation of sounds, nice voice, texts with a socio-political message (not about Marynia's ass).

The vocalist-guitarist, Louise (!!!), in interviews, emphasizes influence on her work from OASIS years. The fascination with their music began shortly after the Gallagher brothers' concert in Manchester in 1996. It was then when 15-year-old Luiza grabbed a guitar and Oasis songbook with guitar chords. The world turned upside down and nothing was like it was before. Louise was engrossed in the spirit of music.

The name - She Drew The Gun is definitely worth a mental note. You can call them a feminist band but that would be too much of a simplification. We will be watching what happens next.

 THE CHEAP THRILLS

In this case, the team performs the so-called Indie Rock. The guys' music is quite spatial, they refer to the sound of the '90s in a straight line. The whole work seems to be expressively lively, even with a pugnacious bang, here and there, but the truth is - their typical British rock comes without much philosophy or originality.

We have the impression that there have been hundreds of such bands. Probably every next generation needs a reminder of similar sounds and those easily digestible vibrations. Ford provided the guys with a special van, so they can visit local pubs, their ambitions are quite high. Let's go! Pub on every corner ;-)

THE JACKOBINS

Rock with a dynamic and interesting beat and well-arranged electronics. We would refer to the sound of English bands of the 80-90s.

The Jackobins is well-established stylistically, with skilful and talented musicians. Despite the keyboards, the sounds have a good kick and energy. The band's work is perfect live on stage. They have performed at renowned festivals in England - Reading & Leeds, Tramlines, Live at Leeds, Dot to Dot, Sound City or Y Not Festival. 

The Jackobins is one of the bands, as it turns out, examples, that the rock scene in Liverpool is doing quite well and it looks to get better.

 THE JJOHNS

The band draws from the tradition of the Merseybeat bands, so you can read here and there. We would buy it blindly. After a closer look at these relatively young guys, there are more similarities to OASIS. Well, the famous Gallagher brothers also drew their inspirations from The Beatles, so, there we are.

The JJohns line-up is also two brothers (Mik and Don), guitarists-vocalists, and everything is in its place - the style, the ideas, the big-beat flair. Both Mik (lead vocals) and Don (backing vocals) use the characteristic Liverpool sonorous "singing" accent. It just fits here so well. Tradition in the nation does not die and it is very good that it does not. Come on, lads!

 THE NIGHT CAFE

In this case, again, very light, pleasant to the ears, "chillout" music.

In times like this, people just need upbeat and easy-to-hear sounds. We get a "lite" play, somewhere in the direction of Snow Patrol (maybe too much of a comparison?). The Night Cafe are "fluffy teddy bears" - polite, cosy, clean, fragrant, transparent, beloved... For high school girls just right ;-)

ZUZU 

ZUZU

Vocalist and guitarist Zuzu and her band, prove that British rock is doing well, and going through another "revival". A very cheerful, lively, rhythmic and easy-to-catch beats ... MERSEYBEATs?

Zuzu's music does not reach any exaggeration, this is simple and therefore natural and organic, catchy and absorbable. With it goes a large dose of a twisted, self-distant English sense of humour.

You simply cannot dislike such music. There is youthful sincerity, jovial assertiveness, from both - the sound and the visuals. 

The stage version of Zuzu consists of three ladies (!!!) and one male. It is a superb project, already known locally. The band's career may gain momentum after recording for the BBC, the time has come to sign a contract with Virgin Records.

Photos: Credit to Bands' Facebook Profiles