What springs to mind when you think of pop punk? Punchy riffs, pounding drums and high energy vocal lines? Well 15 year trio Never Ending Reason from Otley in Yorkshire tick all the right boxes!

With a mixture of classic and punk rock influences, Never Ending Reason have identified their audience and produced energetic, catchy tracks which you can’t help but tap along to. Runaway features ferocious riffs covered by a smooth vocal from Louis Tucker; very similar to Blink 182. The edgy guitar rhythms of Figures is reminiscent to early Green Day with a delicate melody weaving in and out of the crashing drums. Displaying their mellow side, Hold On is heartfelt and shows the groups potential.

For such a young band, their sound is well developed and highlights their promise for the future.

Piston are a 5 piece hard rock band hailing from Staffordshire. Forming earlier this year, they have already gained quite the following and are quickly building up an army of loyal fans, and it isn’t surprising why. Releasing their first track Dark Angel, not so long ago, the word spread quickly about the guys catchy, heavy sound. Punchy guitars and spectacular riffs are plenty, and the fire and feel that the band give off is fresh and exciting. Now they are back with another new track, Playing with Fire, and once again they are out to impress. A classic rock feel, but with a bluesy twist and also an amazing guitar solo to accompany the raw vocals of Steve Nunn. With comparisons to the likes of Guns N’ Roses and Motorhead, these guys have the big time in their sites and we have no doubt they will make it! Check out Playing With Fire below, and head to their Facebook for more info!

When first listening to the quirky rock n roll sounds of Sub Couple, immediate thoughts that spring to mind are that they are like a mash up between The Cult and Kasabian; old and new. Silver Dollar is a perfect example of this; Dave Tomlinson has an Ian Astbury quality to his voice and the psychedelic tones in the guitar echo those of Kasabian. The opening rumblings of the bass in Economy Scum make way for clever slide guitar work and another captivating vocal, whereas Nadine sounds like a sixties throwback with it’s bluesy core. Sub Couple have brilliant ability to add different style and charisma to each track yet keeping a foundation uniquely identifiable to them. Every member brings a different characteristic to the group making all elements of the band interesting, which combined makes addictive, edgy songs.

We’re being spoilt for great new rock n roll bands at the moment, but Sub Couple are a cut above the rest. They are imaginative, fun and have created something truly special.

You can find them on Facebook, twitter and can buy their music here.

Laura Woodhead

Home Grown Rock have done it again! Hailing from Wakefield, quartet Euphoria Audio are another brilliant undiscovered band. With beautiful melodies and a powerful vocal, their music is bordering on the epic side that would easily fill an arena.

With influences such as Queen and Led Zeppelin, it’s hardly surprising their sound is big, but their tight riffs and structures are more reminiscent of Shinedown, particularly in Fly Tonight. Opening with a single acoustic guitar, layers are added before bursting into a soaring chorus. Speechless is perfect for radio with catchy riffs and a vocal from Matthew Shirtliff that leaves you wanting more. Shirtliff’s voice has a very commanding presence and floats above a tight instrumental with plenty of soul and meaning. Our Yesterdays has a 30 Seconds To Mars feel to it, both in structure and the way the track is delivered, another hard hitting song. Each track has it’s own identity, and whilst having some characteristics of other groups, Euphoria Audio make it their own to create something new.

Their name matches their music, a euphoric, heartfelt sound that is more than just music, it reaches you on another level. Having already won a sponsorship deal and recorded their debut album in LA, they’re ones to watch out for.

Listen to Euphoria Audio on Facebook and follow them on twitter.

The Greek Trojan Horse, a mighty structure containing a huge surprise; an apt name for this Manchester group. A solid foundation with a middle you weren’t quite expecting, Trojan Horse tap into all sorts of diverse influences to create a prog, experimental world. In all honesty, it’s hard to box them into any kind of musical stereotype. The furious pace of opening track Fire has the heaviness of QOTSA and Foo Fighters whereas the tales of Disciplining The Reserve Army, an acoustic track with plenty of character, reflects Monty Python with its typically British spoken words. From rock to digital experimentation with a couple of instrumental tracks, there are many strings to the Trojan Horse bow. Reggae (From Kites of San Quentin remix) holds a lot of mystery and the female vocals floating on top are slightly eerie contrasting with the deep undertones of a remix of Fire by Danny The Red.

Listening to Trojan Horse is an interesting experience in itself, watching them live I imagine would prove to be a whole other adventure.

Check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Band camp!

Laura Woodhead

Hailing from North Wales, brothers Daniel and Conor have mixed their influences of heavy rock and indie to create a new modern, alternative sound. Currently unsigned, they have just released their first EP Victorian Post Mortem Photography, which can be heard for free on their soundcloud page. Conor’s vocals echo those of Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil, floating on top with commanding ease yet still containing that extra force when required. The simplicity and intricacy of the music is what makes them so interesting, it just works so well. High Rule has the heavy influence of the Foo Fighters, yet quickly switches into a calmer, lighter section, a gripping transition. Counterparts features a more bluesier character and has catchy drum rhythms before finishing on Spaces Wasted, it is an interesting ending to say the least!

With so many great unsigned bands around, don’t forget to support them! Faltered have a Facebook page and Twitter, get involved!

Laura Woodhead

Forming in 2010, Texas trio Mothership have just released their self titled debut album containing their blend of heavy rock and blues.

With a slightly eerie and dramatic opening, the record kicks off with Hallucination, an instrumental with plenty of shredding guitar solos backed by a heavy blues riff. It’s not often that you get a full instrumental as the opening track anymore, and it is a welcome change before introducing Kells Juett’s soulful, yet gravely, vocals in Cosmic Rain. The groups riffs ooze blues charm and really draw you in, yet the heavy metal edge from influences such Black Sabbath and Motorhead is still noticeable. Angel Of Death boasts a killer guitar solo to open followed by a highly addictive riff which gets a shining moment on the bass. Luring you into a false sense of security, Win or Lose’s soft beginning doesn’t prepare you for the huge rhythms that follow. Taking inspiration from the 60s, 70s and 80s, Mothership have got a great balance of what made each period of music great, an attribute recogniseable in Lunar Master. A strong debut album, the only thing missing is a slower track; but that’s not always necessary when there’s plenty of compelling, upbeat tracks to be enjoyed!

Southern America is known for it’s blues heritage, and Mothership are further proof that they still do it best. And with a tagline of ‘The gleam of the Mothership in the distant galaxy promised a future to music and mankind alike. Without the intergalactic journey, the legacy of rock music dies,’ how can you doubt it!

Laura Woodhead

Bournemouth based Voodoo Vegas are the last of our features for the first upcoming Home Grown Rock gig at the 100 club this August!

Jam packed with blues riffs and slide guitar, Voodoo Vegas have tapped in to that classic rock n roll foundation that is so compelling. With riffs reminiscent to AC/DC, Lawrence Case’s gravelly vocals sit perfectly on top with a charismatic tone similar to that of Cormac Neeson in track King Without A Crown. With the influence of blues rock greats such as Aerosmith, the sliding tones of So Unkind are so irresistible that you can’t sit still. Their blend of catchy drum rhythms, blues hooks, captivating vocals and a snarly edge draws you and leaves you wanting more.

Another great unsigned UK rock act, show your support by heading to the 100 club on 11th August for a night of brilliant new bands!

Next up in our Home Grown Rock features are trio Dollface. A band of few words biography wise, they let their music do the talking, and rightly so. Realising that English music in the mainstream is being over taken by indie, they have made it their mission to bring back rock n roll to the masses!

A mixture of snappy drums, quirky guitars and punk style British vocals, Dollface have you instantly hooked and wanting more. You To Lose has elements of The Cult, especially in the guitar tones but with Joe Strummer type vocals over the top.

Using the line ‘catchier than chicken pox,’ head over to the Facebook page to hear their latest offerings. And of course, don’t forget they are at the Home Grown Rock night on the 11th of August. Get involved!

Laura Woodhead

Next up in our Home Grown Rock features comes a blues trio from the South East. Forming in 2010, The Dead Stray have a very mature and well built sound, especially considering that they haven’t yet been together 2 years.

Their hazy, distorted guitar and vocals mixed with blues licks gives them a kind of Black Keys meets Kasabian effect. Taking what made rock n roll great but with a modern edge, The Dead Stray are here to remind us just how great blues rock is. Brad King’s nonchalant yet addictive vocals float over the top of powerful guitar work and a steady rhythm section. The fuzzy overtones of Three Years contrasting with the sharp rhythms of I Don’t Need You, present the many different musical elements the band tap in to. 

The mellow, intricate sounds of The Dead Stray make a perfect soundtrack for the sunshine and are sure to be a hit at the first Home Grown Rock event on 11th August. Get your tickets here and support the British rock scene!

Laura Woodhead