Towards the end of the first quarter of 2025, Bristolian indie rockers Oswald Slain released their debut EP ‘Kiss Me On The Mouth’, but this wasn’t the first time some of the band members had been in the spotlight. Guitarist vocalist Charlie Fitzgerald and drummer Rhii Williams had previously released material under the name Little Thief, and delivered one of 2021’s best albums. Realising they’d taken Little Thief’s garage rock sound as far as it could go, they teamed up with other musicians and branched out. Not that some of Oswald’s debut was massively far removed from the old sound; Fitz’s vocal retained a distinctive edge, and a couple of the songs definitely sounded like a logical extension of the Little Thief world. Nevertheless, ‘Kiss Me…’ was a strong first outing, and keeping the wheels greased, the band delivered an equally enjoyable follow up single ‘Firing Line’ barely a couple of months later.
Author Archives: Real Gone
Watch: Tempest Saint share new video for ‘The Cursed’
Metal has gone through many different fads and fashions over the decades. No longer just limited to a world of hair, studs and leather, it has taken in a world of different riffs, sometimes exploring musical landscapes that are heavier and more complex than ever before.
There’s still time for tradition, of course, and Tempest Saint – a band from the Greater London area – understand this very clearly. Their current single ‘The Cursed’ opens with a riff that draws heavily upon a 1984 Judas Priest vintage, setting a great – and somewhat familiar – sound in place. Bringing in a heavier, speed driven rhythm, the whole of Tempest Saint latch onto a sharp edged yet melodic barrage of riffs that really captures their unwavering commitment to a classic 80s style.
REAL GONE GOES OUT: The Utopia Strong – Ramsgate Music Hall, Ramsgate, Kent 18/10/2025
It’s approximately 8:45 on a Saturday night in Ramsgate. A crowd are gathered outside of the Music Hall, and in the venue’s lobby area, various people are milling around in a frighteningly compact space. Even before getting to the gig area, there’s a feeling that this is one of the Music Hall’s busiest nights.
Everyone’s out to see The Utopia Strong – a trio made up of Kavus Torabi (Knifeworld/Gong/Cardiacs), Michael York (Current 93) and 80s snooker legend Steve Davis – who’ve just released a new album. ‘Doperider’ has been well received by those occupying the more “cult” corners of the online press, and those who’ve seen the band before know how special the live experience can be, so this is a night that has a lot riding on it even before the musicians take the stage.
Listen: Stephen McCafferty unveils new track ‘I Am The Buffalo’
Scottish singer songwriter Stephen McCafferty is one of the best artists to emerge in 2025. He’s released a succession of great singles, showing off a writing talent that refuses to be pigeonholed.
Watch: Wax Mechanix shares new video clip for ‘Saltwalter Sisters’
Those who’ve been paying attention to the rock underground over the post-lockdown years will probably be aware of Wax Mechanix. The multi-instrumentalist has released a succession of great sounding, retro influenced tunes – and here’s another.
In the artist’s own words, it’s “a unique heavy jam”, and it’s easy to hear what he means. The opening riffs play off a bluesy melody, but the semi-busy acoustic slant gives the melody the kind of feel that seems a little proggy. Moving into the meat of the track, programmed loops and a chunkier riff lend a little influence from early Beck, but a huge vocal ensures any simarities end there.