The Hexmen at Dundee Blues Bonanza, Scotland

The Hexmen featuring RTYD member Colin Guthrie on guitar.

Introducing rock/pop/blues covers band, Gunrunner, from Essex

Gunrunner is an Essex-based classic rock, pop and blues covers band. Recently, their lead guitarist of eight years, Chris Campbell, decided to pursue an alternative blues path and the band are currently auditioning for a replacement.

The band has a large repertoire of over 150 rock, pop and blues songs covering four decades, and lines up as follows:


Spencer Pratten (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), 
Barry Eaves (drums)
Del Stoton (vocals & harmonica). 
Rich Raymond (bass)
Vince Leatt (occasional Hammond organ) 
Jay J "Daddy Cool" Downs (VERY occasional sax) 


Check the RTYD Gig Calendar for details of upcoming shows.

Voodoo Rays play the Fiddlers Elbow, London, Thurs 26th July

Described as early Pink Floyd played by Sonic Youth, Voodoo Rays is a noisy experimental three-piece rock band from East London. Formed in the summer of 2010, the band, which includes RTYD member Andy Symes on bass, was originally called Parade. A name change was decided upon at the beginning of this year after a slight misunderstanding with another band called Parade from Manchester, and Voodoo Rays was chosen, after the seminal track by A Guy Called Gerald. Having finished their second album, Crabwise, the band are continuing to gig around London regularly, building up a fearsome reputation by word of mouth alone. If you do see them live, don't expect constancy; the Rays play hard and fast with their back catalogue, whilst constantly adding new songs to their repertoire. The band are currently recording their third album, Surrounded By Ghosts, in Battersea, hopefully with a more stripped back live sound, technology notwithstanding.

Introducing Powerhouse Studios, nr. Addlestone Surrey

"We are a studio who prides itself on looking after our customers. We have experienced sound engineers and competitive rates" - new RTYD Member Stuart Carter

Lego Animated Video for 'Frail Hurricane' by Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate

This is a Lego animation by Malcolm Adequate and his sons, James and Ethan put to an extract from the demo of Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate's 'Frail Hurricane', a new song due for release in August. 

We're so proud of them! The Zone play the main stage at Guilfest 2012

Just bummed I can't be there.

The Zone is: Dave Browett on guitars and vocals, JC on bass and vocals, and Rob Hayter on drums - all of whom are members of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP (do I sound chuffed?!). They have just released a 5-song EP entitled ‘Which Path’. For further information please visit their website.

Steve White and the Protest Family at Friends of Stoneydown Park Folk Festival

Introducing Kissyfoot: the world's first foot fetish prog rock band

Wolverhampton-based duo Kissyfoot was founded in 2008 by Sharon Mills and Simon Jeremy Mills. They claim to be the world's first foot fetish progressive rock band. I have no doubt they are. I did once read Geoff Nicholson's Footsucker, so I know a thing or toe about the fetish, though I can't confess to being a foot-fetishist myself; maybe it needs to be tried while listening to prog.

If so, you could give it a try with Kissyfoot's new album 'Forbidden Feet' which is released this week.

You can play footsie with Sharon or Simon, or both if that's your thing, on Facebook and Reverbnaton, but sadly not yet on ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP's social network (That's a hint, right? - Ed).

Hold up! They've just joined. Thanks guys!

Video: The Longdicks performing Blitzkrieg Bop at the Hope & Anchor, Islington

The Longdicks, recorded on 9 June 2012.

Have you been on the bill with a band that went on to greater things?

Have you been on the bill with a band that went on to greater things? Join the discussion on the RTYD Musicians and Bands network: http://ow.ly/bt08S

Video: 'Come on England' by The Krypts

This is the video for south London band the Krypts' unofficial England Euro2012 song 'Come on England'; you can download the song for free from their Facebook page. I think I have always prefered the red England shirts. I'm sure somewhere there are statistics on how well we play in each colour. Utterly meaningless, of course.

Introducing songwriter/composer Mike Morton

A member of the Guild of International Songwriters and Composers, and now a member of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP, Michael Morton, started promoting his compositions to music publishers in 1986. Since then the Plymouth based composer has had several of his songs published. Most of these have been pop ballads and soul tunes, which is why his latest tune, Beauty's Only Skin Deep, in a house pop stylee, is a slight departure for him.

Mike's chuffed because Beauty's Only Skin Deep, which incidentally got my 9 year old daughter dancing, is already riding high on his local Reverbnation chart. This may well inspire Mike to write more House tunes, so watch this space - or get your children to watch it, if House is not your thing.

Mike has also been pitching material for TV and film with some success. So things seem to be going rather well for him right now. Keep it up Mike!

The Krypts release their Euro 2012 football anthem, 'Come on England'

Friends of ROCK-TIL-YOU-DROP, The Krypts, have just released their excellent anthem in support of the England football team's campaign at the forthcoming 2012 European Championships. You can download it for free from their Reverbnation site. It's classic Krypts: catchy and perfect for a boozy pub sing-along; all we need now is England, for whom we have surely at last developed a realistically low expectation, to surprise us all and do well.

About the Krypts

The Krypts (like many bands) started life as a jamming session with Liam Barnes & Bill Stewart, back in 2002. Liam was getting back into playing guitar after a 10 year break and Bill was - and still is - a bass player with the country band Wagonhead. The sessions gave him the opportunity to play six strings.

The boys recruited Ray Hyde in 2003 as a vocalist so they could both concentrate on playing, and the trio soon started writing songs together. The band's name, which at the time was Kryptic Klu, was inspired their rehearsal space which was in the crypt of a church. They invited Bill’s guitarist friend Shiba to come join in for a jam on bass, and he’s been with them ever since!

After a succession of drummers Ray introduced Craig Stronach to the band, whose punk rock roots took the band to a heavier place. The band renamed as The Krypts in August 2011 played their first gig under that name in September at the Ancient Foresters pub in Bermondsey.

Interesting fact about the Krypts: 

Most of its members play their second instrument in the band: Liam - normally an acoustic folk/rock guitarist and singer - plays lead guitar; Bill - an experienced bass player - plays rhythm guitar; and Shiba - an old school rock’n roll guitarist - plays bass. Maybe this is the recipe for the Krypts' unique sound?