There’s no doubt that The Shy Lads are inspired by Oasis. The singer, Dennis, also has a nice crunch in his voice and that cocky tone that reminds a bit of mr L. Gallagher. But after a few songs they surprised me with showing up a broader style range of good songs, where the sixties is just as much a big influence, maybe then in the form of the Beatles rock songs. Listen to “Mr Policeman” below, and you’ll understand what I mean.

The peak for me is “Now” from their first EP (they have made two sofar). The song starts with a great intro hook, changes to a verse with a pumping bass and then explodes in a simple but just as effective chorus with frantic guitars. Really good!

Listen to some tracks:

Now
Mr Policeman
Falling Overboard

Visit their home page where you can listen to and download the two EP:s and read their blog.

Of course they also have a Myspace page

In one of the nicest pubs and restaurants on Söder in Stockholm, Akkurat, you can find also one of the coolest songwriters and artists in Stockholm, Stene. A long life with music, with hard rock and recidency in the USA, Americana and as a part of Månmen together with Pär Enqvist, in that order, has finally resulted in a debut album: “Better to Take a Stand” (Rootsy Records)

And what a debut album it is! 14 intense tracks in a variety of styles, but that in the end makes me feel like standing on American soil. Here he seems secure and his own in some sense, with a production that’s very careful and precise, and with a feeling that’s manifested by his vocals, melodies and lyrics. I love these special voices, which in this case shows similarities with one of my favourites, John Hiatt, but with more depth and more seriousness.

Listen to the songs below, download them, and buy the album if you like.
If you’d like to see Stene playing live, the best bet is to checkout the schedule at
Akkurat.se.

Born Blue
Telltale Dust

Read more about Stene and buy the record at Rootsy
The songs and the album are also available on Itunes, CDon et al

Stene’s home page

Now I would like to get your attention presenting Alouatta, a really nice rock band with punk influences. They offer a lot of energy and attitude, with a close garage sound that reminds of the first punk rock era.

As I’m a real fan of special voices, I get hooked on the vocals from Karl Buhres. I hear Jimi Hendrix, both in the tone and the phrasing, but with a frenzy and energy that Jimi didn’t offer.

Alouatta was formed in 2007 by members from Coyote, Twopointeight, The Shiv, The Heartattacks and soon thereafter they released the EP “Manos Arriba”. This year they have released the vinyl single “Animal” (Big Bongo Recordings)

What Aloutta really means you can read about here (you won’t be surprised :-))

Download, listen and rock!:

Animal
Friday Night

Alouatta on Myspace

Other bloggers and netzines about Alouatta: Milkmilk-Lemonade, Multinyzine

It’s fascinating how someone who’s born 10 to 15 years later, can catch the spirit of passed times and recreate it in his own music. Well, it’s exactly what the 18th year old Gusten does in the band Gusten & the Demens, even though he’s backed by a gang of older, excellent musicians. Among the demented you’ll find names like Peter Simonsbacka (lead guitar), Jan Lidström (bass) and Mita (backing vocals).

Gusten, the songwriter and band leader, is exploring the domains of the softer rock of the seventies, where a few parts of Jackson Browne is mixed with some part of Eagles, some showtime Rolling Stones a little bit of Springsteen and something from Jimi Hendrix. He is heading this with a voice that sounds surprisingly mature and that sits perfectly with the music.

The Someones

Visit Gusten on Myspace

Close Quarters is the band from Vadstena that, without any management or label, has lined up one gig after the other, been in the studio with the well-known producer Thomas Skogsberg (Entombed, Hellacopters mfl), performed at club gigs in England and lately fronted both Takida and Backyard Babies. Completely on their own.

In other words there is an exceptional driving force in this gang, stronger than any you’ll find among many other aspiring artists. If you combine that with quite a bunch of fantastic songs, it’s only a matter of time before Close Quarters will explode up in the rock heaven.

This is a real band that plays real rock’n’roll the way that real rock’n’roll should be played. And I love every second of it! The guitar riffs shred like razor wire, the rhythm section comes booming in like a freight train and the singer’s voice bleeds like an open wound. Heart and soul all the way!

Close Quarters surely has a great future, but they will hardly stand still waiting for it.

They want it all…now!!

So listen to and download the songs below and visit the band for more:

Close Quarters on Myspace

Only In It For the Chicks
Go Away
Stand Up Fightem

The song Time from the gig with Takida and Backyard Babies: