From the very beginning of their musical journey, Silk quickly gained a reputation for creating a huge wall of sound. Their love of pioneers My Bloody Valentine quickly became obvious to all, but on their early singles, this Irish shoegaze act captured enough energy and pure force to bring a classic sound to the masses in a genuinely impressive way.
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THE DAMBUILDERS – Shrine 2026 / I Hope We’re Not Too Late
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.
GURT – Survival Of The Shittest EP
Gurt’s ‘Satan, etc.’ release from 2024 showcased a band who were unafraid of coupling absolutely devastating riffs with a sense of fun. Unlike some of their more frivolous forebears, however, the bulk of Gurt’s best material didn’t rely on being a novelty – it could be enjoyed purely on face value, and through the greatness of its arrangements. Two years on, the self-proclaimed “party doom” outfit’s ‘Survival of The Shittest’ EP works a similar trick. A huge sense of force can be heard driving almost every riff – heavy enough to crush skulls, yet still accessible in a way that might attract the less committed doom fan.
MUCK AND THE MIRES – Beat Revolution
In 2004, at a time when half the world was hopped up on the sounds of the Franz Ferdinand debut and Arcade Fire’s ‘Funeral’ (an album the Canadian band have never bettered), and at a time when Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ was making inroads into being a best seller, somewhere in the wilds of Boston, Muck and The Mires were making garage rock noises for a much smaller audience. Not that the love poured into the tunes on their ‘Beginner’s Muck’ LP was any the lesser; the energy on that record spoke for itself, and the band’s love of Flamin’ Groovies and other retro fare propelled them forward, subsequently making stronger albums whilst retaining admiration from the underground power pop fans.
GATHER THE LOST – Silver Lining
Gather The Lost first started making waves online in 2022 with their digital single ‘Alone’, released to streaming services not long after the band first formed. Although the song wasn’t particularly striking on a musical level – a barrage of jangling chords on the verse and an overdriven riff on the chorus shared a huge love of 90s alternative sounds – it was clear that in Carolyn Dunne, they had a very distinctive vocalist. Throughout the four minute number, she used her voice as a powerful tool, shifting from dark croon to full cry, capable of huge volume, but also capable of sharing a truly emotive tone that didn’t quite sound like anyone else.