The Sheffield Scenester

The Salvo formed in early 2009 with two brothers, Jack and James Rodgers (guitar and bass respectfully), and two mutual friends, Luke Baker (guitar and vocals) and Matthew Bate (drums). With several live gigs under their belt and a mention on NME radio....they have recently produced their first demo EP, The Colour Sessions, so we gave it a spin to see what they’re about!

Beginning with a fast racing rhythm the opening track ‘Hit The Ground’ certainly hits you were it counts as you are dragged full pelt on this emotional rollercoaster of an introductory song. With enough energy to make the energizer bunny look like Brian the Snail, you are instantly reminded of those hyper pop songs from the early years of The Ratells. A time when innocence and youth blended in a tranquil harmonic state to produce songs of upbeat adolescent angst, in this case however we are delivered a repetitive verse throughout its all too brief three minute plus running time.

To follow this is the slightly more sombre affair of the track ‘People Fade Away’, a song concerning the everyday plight of living life, losing touch and the way people change over time. Taking on an epic structure to deliver its message, this really is a step in the right direction as we are taken to a climatic finale as each instrument battles for supremacy in a final showdown. Oddly enough instead of the expected guitar solo we are treated to a sort of samba drum beat, which somehow it doesn’t seem out of place...but just makes you stop and think for a brief second as you get your head round it.

‘Wasted Time’ opens brilliantly with screeching guitars and cymbals mangling their way into an inspired intro before we are blown away by a driving anthem of a track. If ever a song was designed to chuck you in the back of an open top Corvette, burning fuel with pure abandon as you race along Route 66, then this was it. With a classic driving rhythm that is sustained throughout, and whilst it may not evoke images of the American dream, it certainly would be my choice for inclusion on any Top Gear CD!

The final track on the EP is ‘Inclination To Please’, a rather different proposition from the previous tracks in so far as it has not only a rougher feel to it but vocally Luke Baker almost narrates rather than sings throughout. It’s almost as if it’s recorded live in a small club somewhere as I’m sure at times it’s possible to detect background voices however muted they may be. It is still a quality track with plenty to recommend about it, including a catchy chant echoed through the first half of the song, “Boys like us!”, before finishing it off with a rousing chorus of “Woah ohh ohh”.

A solid start from this young band...who after supporting such luminaries as Twisted Wheel and The Violet May, it’s obvious they are definitely heading in the right direction. They will in fact be playing at The Frog And Parrot on July 24th as part of the Tramlines Festival so it would be a great time to catch them.

The Salvo

The Maffa Kings

With a well established fan base thanks to extensive local touring (they have even ventured into Europe), The Maffa Kings have been on the scene for nearly three years, so with an extensive back catalogue they recently released their EP ‘Writing The Wrongs’, so we felt it was time to find out why they are so popular.

I’ll begin with the track ‘Descending Into Echoes’, straight away this is incredibly harmonious, very soothing on the ears, a direction of music which of late I’ve not really been accustomed to. In fact the guitar that gently plays virtually the length of the track is so relaxing I could happily have that riff plucking away in my head for ages without tiring of it, it’s almost as if I’m on the receiving end of an audio massage....it’s better than whale songs anyway! Gradually the urgency in the song is reflected as the pace and tempo seem to pick up, while lead singer Lee Moran’s calming voice pours out a lament to a love lost, at least that seems to be the message I’m getting but since most of it is in riddles..I suppose it could be anything!

For me what we have here is not so much a sixties revival group but more a re-working, of the essence, of what the sixties actually meant! By taking the true ingredients without descending into self parody...The Maffa Kings have achieved a level of sophisticated ambience rarely seen in today’s guitar infused mayhem. If you imagine the crowning heights of Cream and Steppenwolf, neither of whom could be faulted musically or lyrically then this is the direction The Maffa Kings are surely heading in.

Moving on to the next track, ‘Flatline Beat’, another riddle strewn track but musically it seems as if two songs have been spliced together as the steady pace of the opening chords is dropped mid point in favour of a near frantic spasm on guitar and drums. Refreshing in so far as it does prove they can play beyond a chilled out rhythm, but I do love one of the opening lines in this song, namely “I’m sick from the stench of decay”, yet again I haven’t a clue what he’s on about...but that is all part of the magic behind these tracks.

‘Horse To Town’ opens at a racier and funkier pace before spiralling out of control into some psychedelic vortex, yet another string to their bow. At times there are hints of early and I mean early Floyd not only in the odd lyrical touches but in the sometimes improv influenced mayhem on display here. Owen Walton on drums seems to take the reins on this one and relishes every moment whilst guitar and bass tag along for the ride.

Finally we have the radio edit of ‘Lust To licks’, for obvious reasons their most commercial track, musically it seems to be the least complex of all the tracks on the EP. Lyrically it still remains an enigma, but it is more blatant in its hippy roots than the previous songs with a chorus of, “Point me in the right direction, point me to the trees!” Like the rest of the EP it is more of an experience than a simple piece of music to listen to, they have indeed created something both fascinating and thought provoking in concept!

So while I do feel they could do with the odd stratospheric guitar solo as was the standard of the likes of Clapton and Beck, it cannot be denied that The Maffa Kings are indeed a gifted bunch of musicians...singer Lee Moran, they certainly struck gold as his voice is perfectly suited to this style of songwriting, it’s almost as if he was born out of time. If you want to catch them live they will be at The Pulse Bar in Barnsley on August 19th!