The Rainkings have finally released their debut album, almost 17 years after the band split up. 'Another Time 1989 - 1994' is a collection of the bands recorded material within this period.
The Rainkings were formed in 1989 by Stephen Holt and David Swift following their departures from Inspiral Carpets. They soon recruited John Rowland on drums, ex Bodines, and Carl Wolstenholme on bass, ex Turning Blue.
The band released two EP's on Manchester's Playtime Records. ‘Sictransitgloriaswanson’ was released in 1989 and featured the songs; Sunlight Fades, Count Me In, Break the Strain and Just An Idea.
‘Get Ready’ was released in 1990 and featured the songs; Get Ready, Move Along the Chain and Too Many Words. The latter is due to feature in the soon to be released Spike Island film. The EP was also produced by Ian Broudie under the guise Kingbird Productions.
They also released the song 'Take' for the Home compilation album in 1990 via Sheer Joy Records. This was recorded at Stockport's legendary Strawberry Studios.
Carl Wolstenholme was replaced on bass by Nick Farr not long after this and the band went on to record the 'Bolton demo' in 1992 which featured the songs; To the End, Gone and This is the Time.
The final line up of The Rainkings saw Manny Lee, ex Waltones, replace Nick Farr on bass and also saw the addition of lead guitarist Dave Pearce. Their only recording was the Suite 16 demo in 1994 and featured the songs; Step by Step and Way Down. Way Down appears on the recently released Simon Worrall tribute album 'Distant Drums'.
The album has been remixed and mastered by Seadna McPhail who has worked with bands including I Am Kloot, Thea Gilmore and Inspiral Carpets.
Stephen Holt has since re joined Inspiral Carpets in 2011 and they have gone on to record and release new material as well as undertake headline tours, support Happy Mondays and appear at several festivals.


Always interested in finding the best emerging indie bands from around the globe

Laranja play infectiously catchy, energetic indie, on the border of becoming rock – full of raw vocals, bass hooks and pop melodies. Created from the ashes of the Birmingham scene that created Peace, Swim Deep and JAWS, they bring a new aspect to the scene, keeping the shimmering guitar effects that shaped the sounds of their Birmingham peers then adding in endless hooks, powerful vocals and driving bass, they’re not genre defining but sound like nobody else. Led by vocalist and guitarist Luke Mendonça and supported by Dave Cartwright (Bass), their varied live set has been described as electric by the few people who’ve had chance to see them, playing just a handful of shows since they’ve been together, treating only midlands audiences to their performances as of yet. Alongside a new single and accompanying cinematic video, directed by Andrew Rutter, plans are being made to take their show around the UK later this year.

2013 saw the band release their debut single ‘Lose Faith’ receiving critical acclaim from BBC radio 1 DJ Ally McCrae, writing on his personal blog “Cut from the same Midlands cloth as Jaws, Peace and Swim Deep but with even more pop shout a long moments, there’s a fist in the air feel to it, which will always, always grab my attention”.  Their follow up single ‘Sweet’ saw further radio play from Goldierocks on The British Council show The Selector, as well as receiving airtime from numerous Amazing radio DJ’s.

Working with producer Dreamtrak (Foals / Swim Deep / JAWS) and recording with Gavin Monaghan (The Editors / The Twang) at his studio The Magic Garden. They’re latest offering ‘Capitol Hill’ due to be released this summer, features an infectiously catchy riff, driving bass and eerie guitar sounds, typical of their no-frills style. The song is under 3 minuets long, jumping straight into the hook, wasting no time going into the darker verses then building back up to the riff, continuing to build to the end of the track.

‘Capitol hill’ along with its accompanying cinematic video is due for release via iTunes this summer. Plans have also been made for a concept E.P. working in collaboration with Andrew Rutter to create a short film, to be released later in the year.

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