Wilde Sammon are, well… were actually, Dave Wilde and Chris Sammon (geddit?) and this is their first album proper. Chris is the principal songwriter, sonic architect and incumbent Mark E. Smith/Mike Scott/Sting* (*delete as appropriate), although he does occasionally share writing and production duties with Keiran Moses. So, how best to describe them? Well, previous … Continue reading
So, where do we start with Scott Wainwright? I’ve read that he’s an enigma of sorts. I’ve also read that his musical style embraces Gospel, Blues, Hip Hop and Folk and blends them into a bizarre new sound, which Scott himself describes as ‘Rural Underground Music’. Finally, I’ve heard it said that he’s like an … Continue reading
There are two things that you really need to know. Firstly, ‘Unhallowed Ground’ is a magnificent debut album by Barnsleys very own, System of Hate. For anyone who has been watching this group develop since the early gigs in 2013, this is the album that we hoped they would make, but perhaps were unsure they … Continue reading
Back at the beginning of October last year, along with many others, I went to the Polish Club in Barnsley to watch a number of local acts perform in protest at the austerity measures being forced upon our public services and to raise much needed funds for our local foodbanks. It was a great event … Continue reading
When the guitarists from two of Barnsley’s finest and arguably most important bands right now decided to collaborate on a new experimental music project, no one would have expected the results would be an electronic collage of ambient drones drenched in atmosphere; a soundscape of epic proportions. [retreat] is the brainchild of Sam Horton – … Continue reading
Last year, Underneath the Stars, a new festival and partnership between Kate Rusby’s family run record label Pure Records and Cannon Hall Farm, successfully saw around 8,000 music lovers come through its gates to experience three days of live music, food, drink and family workshops. To see this festival, bring so many people from out-of-town … Continue reading
Formerly known as The Surrogates and having been through minor line-up changes in the last year or so, Mourning Singers, based between Barnsley and Doncaster, have finally got round to releasing their debut record, an eight track mini-album called Let The Quiet Hold You. I first saw the band perform over two years ago on … Continue reading
Bruja (pronounced Broo-ha) are one of my favourite local bands. For many reasons. They’re definitely a blogger’s kind of band too. They’re a pleasure to both write about and watch on the live circuit. They do everything in the right way. They have a social media presence that suggests both they work hard and have … Continue reading
Cubic are an indie three piece from Barnsley. After looking at their Facebook page I really don’t know any more than I did to start with: the band members go by the pseudonyms Rev.a.lution, Zen Warrior and Adrianne Fontayne, and there isn’t much else to go on. According to Alternative Barnsley daddy Jason White the … Continue reading
Cooper Blood Band quite accurately describe themselves as a powerful three piece rock/pop band. Featuring members of Pulp Friction, The Glavins, Junkyard Dog and Breakhorse; despite the band only just approaching it’s first birthday, they have already been around the block a few times. The band have recorded two songs with local recording legend Alan … Continue reading
Alternative Barnsley 