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.


Scottish Post-Punk in all its guises from 1977 to the present day.

Reve are a 4 piece british rock band from Liverpool, England.

Their debut EP 'Modern Times' is available to download from iTunes, Amazon and stream from Spotify.
 

PUPPET REBELLION's name was written in capitals just now to get your attention. Once they have that attention, they will draw you in further with their uncompromisingly heartfelt lyrics and edgy, in your face contemporary musical arrangements which are meticulously designed to move your body and mind.

There are many artists out there vying for your time, but a quick glance at Puppet Rebellion's already impressive list of achievements prove to show that this fiercely independent band is the real deal. Having formed in January 2013, the band have already amassed a huge following on social media, helped in no small part by their close ties with both Manchester football clubs, having been selected by Manchester City FC for their 'Goal of the Month' feature and being played half-time at Old Trafford during a Manchester United Champions League game.

The band have so far released two critically acclaimed EPs, ('Chemical Friends' and 'No Means Yes'), tracks of which can be heard when they play their status affirming and sold-out energetic shows around the nation's Northern capital (including main support slots with 'Catfish & The Bottlemen' & 'Reverend and the Makers') and other venues across the UK.

So many bands, so little time. Make sure you give Puppet Rebellion the attention they deserve.

Louder Than War said...

 “There's a huge buzz in Manchester around Puppet Rebellion. To see a crowd singing along to a band that can count its gigs on both hands is a sign of greater and bigger things to come. Already, there’s a feeling that they could be huge given the right breaks"

City Life said...

"Their relentless riffs, tight rhythms and fervent vocals ooze the stomping potential that could easily find you raucously jerking your way round an indie club dancefloor. Move over Bloc Party and Interpol, there's a new guitar sensation in town!"

Little Indie Blogs said... 

“Puppet Rebellion prove themselves to be one the strongest and most confident bands in Manchester at the moment. They've been a band for barely a year, yet are already making waves both in their city and further afield, thanks in no small part to the depth of their musical prowess and intelligent lyricism"

Acid Peacock Promotions said...

"Puppet rebellion were something else, Simon Monaghan played the crowd like it was a massive venue, with a setlist that shouldn't belong to an unsigned band. The whole outfit were tight, focused and exceeded the hype that was laid out before their arrival. It really will not surprise anyone in attendance if they are a household name in the imminent future." 


Polaroids & Polar Bears said...

"The lyrics are (weighty comparison alert) so very Smithsian in their resonance and delivery. The Industrial Revolution may be a thing of the past, but Manchester is still capable of pumping out first-class, guitar-wielding produce."

Fortitude Magazine said...

"'No Means Yes' is the awe inspiring EP by Puppet Rebellion.  It will make you drop what you are doing and listen from beginning to end as all five tracks have their own unique stand out moments yet compliment each other with the most elegant yet dark and dirty riffs and lyrics"

U & I Magazine said...

“The intelligent and sharp lyricism combined with a fresh take on a well-trodden genre make Puppet Rebellion one of the most exciting acts to emerge from Manchester in 2013, and with their live shows doing nothing to hamper their reputation it's clear that the band have absolutely no intention of slowing down their ascent to the top of their game”

Bitter Sweet Symphonies said...

"There’s a real finesse to this band that becomes clear throughout this EP and again through their live performances. You get a real sense when listening to Puppet Rebellion of being part of something bigger than yourself, you can’t help but feel proud of them. They are a true credit to Manchester and of course, to the music scene here in the UK"

Hooting & Howling Magazine said...

"Their heady blend of no-nonsense indie pop and intelligent lyricism propels the band above and beyond the confines of their local scene and upholds a distinct universality to their music that belies the relatively short space of time the band have been together. Definitely an act to keep your eye on over the next 12 months"

Music vs the World said...

"Since they burst onto the Manchester indie scene in 2013, Puppet Rebellion have accumulated fans like nobody’s business. They’ve just got this natural something or other that makes people love them. It’s not something you can learn, I don’t think. They’ve just got it in their blood. It takes bands years and years to get to anywhere near approaching this stage, doesn’t it?"

Bleach & Cologne said...

"Puppet Rebellion are destined to be big. Huge. Gargantuan. Gi-frigging-normous. Susan Boyle's-monobrow massive"

Rock ‘n’ Roll in My Soul said... 

"No Means Yes is gravity-defying splendor. Beauty, heartache and love span over five tracks – each superb independently, and as a collective. A record with a punch and then some, Puppet Rebellion seem to be inching dangerously closer to iconic status with their sophomore EP."

Rock Britain said...

"Puppet Rebellion have a lot of potential and they are unleashing it gradually. The band have so much to offer that we can only guess what to expect from them in the future. This intelligent outfit are as far from being a cliché as it’s humanly possible. If you trust Puppet Rebellion with saving real music, they won’t let you down for sure. After all, one doesn’t drive people crazy with their music within the first year after formation and, most certainly, doesn’t get played during half time at Old Trafford for nothing."

Given To Sound said... 

“There’s a feeling when you listen to the EP that it isn’t designed to slowly grow on you, it’s almost as if it doesn’t want to wait for that, it’s not going to politely sit and wait for you to mull it over and decide if it’s interesting or not – it’s going to grab you by the unmentionables and take you on a quality ride.”


Formed in 1978 with a core line-up of Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson, A Certain Ratio emerged from the hallowed grounds of the late 70s punk scene, and from that day on they’ve moved forwards with gleeful disregard for the boundaries of style and genre, their eye fixed firmly on constant progression. It’s an ethos that’s open-minded over all else, and that’s seen the band take everything from experimental electronica to vintage funk, and filter it through their own Mancunian lens.
 
In 2024, It All Comes Down to This, and for now at least, is the sound of the current incarnation of A Certain Ratio. Indeed, in many senses, it is the purest distillation of their essential sound ever committed to tape. Their thirteenth studio album, it is the first time ever they have recorded strictly as the core trio of principle band members – multi-instrumentalists Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson. 
  
From the moment the rattling, call-to-arms drumroll intro of opener ‘All Comes Down to This’ gives in to a wall of slithering, watery guitar squawks and bounding, rubbery bass notes, it is obvious that A Certain Ratio have once again been able to tap into a new artery of life. The record’s ten tracks present ten distinct moods, from the urgent, muscular, foreboding groove of ‘Keep It Real’ to the open, breezy, melodic synth of ‘God Knows’, every bursting moment of It All Comes Down to This is defiantly, resiliently alive.

The Rainkings is following