Back in the 90s, The Dambuilders released a string of albums that gained a cult following. With competition from the likes of Cracker, Sponge, and a wealth of other alternative bands circa 1994/5, they never hit the “big leagues”, at least in the truest sense, but they were one of those acts that really seemed to capture the essence of the US “college rock” sound. In the UK, their fifth album ‘Ruby Red’ could occasionally be spotted in London’s bargain bins, and for those who took the time to listen, it was an album that offered much to enjoy – especially for lovers of the equally undervalued Green Apple Quick Step and Mother May I.
Tag Archives: rock
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #159
Over the past week or two, the amount of submissions for the Singles Bar column has gone through the roof! That’s made it harder than usual to pick the highlights. Regular visitors to the SB will certainly recognise a couple of names this time around as we explore some of the recent offerings from a variety of genres, but That doesn’t mean the selection is predictable. By jumping between power pop, post rock, Irish music, and even something that’s in almost an ambient mood, our choices really highlight some great sounds filling the underground as we head into the summer. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
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Real Gone Presents: A Boston Round-Up, June 2026
With a lot of great music pouring out of the city over the last couple of months, it’s time to take a return trip to Boston! A couple of very familiar names can be found showcasing new and recent wares, but this is still much a celebration of the newer sounds emerging from that region of the US. We’ve got an unexpected tribute to a Britpop past, a glam infused banger, and a couple of superb indie themed tracks to fill your ears, and more besides. If you find something new to enjoy – and we certainly hope that will be the case – why not drop by and tell us? Happy listening!
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THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #158
Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the more interesting tracks to land in our inbox over the past few weeks. This selection takes in a perfect piece of soul, something from Australia with a bluesy leaning, another number from some UK ska veterans, a superb cover tune…and more besides. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
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BRIAN ROBERTSON – Diamonds And Dirt / The Brian Robertson Album
For the classic rock fan, Brian Robertson is a man who’ll need no introduction. His years serving as one of Thin Lizzy’s guitarists has already earned him legendary status, and his short lived tenure with Motörhead saw him adding his considerable talents to 1983’s ‘Another Perfect Day’, one of the band’s most underrated discs. Then, there’s his own band, Wild Horses, a hard rock powerhouse whose rather scant output has been in danger of being overlooked since the 80s. Thankfully, the Cherry Red label set about getting the Wild Horses recordings back on the radars of keen music fans in 2025 with the help of a lovingly curated six disc set, bringing together the band’s complete output. This wasn’t really in the hope of having a massive seller on their hands – more a case of “public service”, and the same can be said for their 2026 expanded 2CD reissue of Robertson’s sole solo album ‘Diamonds & Dirt’, originally issued in 2011.