They seemingly came from nowhere, but from the rubble of the Stoke-on-Trent potbanks, Hotel Cola emerged earlier this year and has been drip feeding us an IV of guitar driven pop and raw emotion ever since. Now, it’s safe to…
Guest review by Captain’s Bar events manager, Say Something Music label owner and promoter Scott Evans Dreams of Delvaux – the electronic duo of Jon Aldersea and Rachel Poole – have released their first full album of dreamy synth pop,…
Emerging from their DIY home studio, Formal Sppeedwear switches gears for the second instalment from their forthcoming EP, pulling a soaring synth-rock slow burn out of the back pocket for A Dismount. Opening with Connor Wells’ cunningly considered marching drums,…
In a collision of genres and emotions, Staffordshire’s own Greg Murray and The Seven Wonders have unveiled their latest single, Flowers. It’s the band’s ninth single in 12 months, and is one that reaffirms James Gregory Murray’s position as a…
Following up on his January release, Fly With Me, Stoke-on-Trent musician Tom Lockett further explores his sonic evolution with the arrival of his latest single, Laughing Eyes. The singer-songwriter released his debut single Feeling Bad back in 2016, which received…
Review by Lee Barber, The Underground Venue Manager, Co-Producer of The Honey Box and Honey Box Hive project lead Guitar lashes in with constant, gentle strokes and I am taken immediately to the soft scent of fresh grass on a…
Following their debut album, Everything is Connected, Stoke-on-Trent natives Shader continue to cement their status as one of the best new bands on the UK scene with their latest wave of releases. Their 2022 LP made its way into the…
When rapper Dave won the first Brit award for Best British Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act in 2022, it was a pivotal moment for emerging urban artists, making that music more accessible, shining a spotlight on the genre and inspiring young musicians…
Guest review by Captain’s Bar events manager, Say Something Music label owner and promoter Scott Evans Before I read any description or blurb that comes with a song, I like to listen to the track without any preconceived ideas surrounding…
Following up on their 2023 singles, The Revenants have unleashed their debut album Cymbal Monkey, and it’s a relentless onslaught of hard-edged, high-energy rock. Released in February, Cymbal Monkey kicks off with the title track, a ferocious anthem that sets…
There are so many bands from Stoke-on-Trent’s music scene’s past that we continue to mourn, from the shoegazey soundscapes of Rinse, to the alt-rock tones of Agent Blue. But there’s one band who really captured the hearts of the masses…
Review by Lee Barber, The Underground Venue Manager, Co-Producer of The Honey Box and Honey Box Hive project lead It doesn’t take long for the noise to erupt from Big Problem’s debut. Four seconds to be precise. ‘Oh God I…
