Tag Archives: Ballagroove Recording Studios

THE 13TH PILLAR: Pieces Missing.

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Disclaimer- my uncle is in this band. He plays guitar, and in my biased opinion; he’s probably the best guitarist you’ve never heard. He’s full on responsible for my love for Punk and for my obsession with certain bands. Especially my love for Nick Cave.

Hailing from the middle of the Irish Sea (the Isle of Man) The 13th Pillar is a killer Garage Rock/Punk band that in a previous life, probably would have taken over the world. I mean, they still can. We don’t kill dreams here.  For the past 25 years, my uncle (Karl) and his buddy Selwyn have been making music together. Pieces Missing is their heaviest sounding record to date, and you can hear just how beautiful and strong their creative partnership is on this record. Their last release was an EP 10 years ago- proving that good things come to those who wait. The theme that is constant throughout the record is dysfunction and it is wonderfully prominent on the opener, These Are Strange Times. A 5-minute anthem that Iggy Pop would probably happily sing his heart out to. In fact, the whole record has that same energy as Raw Power but with something even more weird and wonderful thrown in.

The sounds on Break My Bones feel like an acid trip (I’ve never taken acid but I have taken a fair amount of CBD oil to calm my mind and that’s enough) and the guitar on this is ridiculous. If you’re looking for something to really blow your mind and brains- that’s the song you need to get familiar with, and play as loud as you can. There are tender moments on the record, and it shows just how bloody great the band are. The bass on How Much More To Make You Smile? is absolutely glorious; it sounds so ethereal, and that flows all the way through the song. It is a beautiful song and has everything you could want from a summertime anthem. It is divine; the kind of song you play whilst the sun is setting and you have a can of lukewarm Red Stripe in your hands. There’s hints of loss and longing on this one, and it is done in such a beautiful way. A really different sound for the band, but is still entirely perfect beyond words.

I can hear influences of bands my uncle got me into on this record, and I think hearing something not as heavy by the band is really surprising. I love the gentleness on the record but at the same time there are these gorgeous sun-kissed sounds on the record which you really get on the likes of Who Knows What We’re Gonna Find, and it reminds me so much of The Stone Roses. That beautiful sun-drenched sound that feels like a sunset hitting you all over. It is such a stunning song, and every song on this record was made to be heard live and loud. I cannot tell you how proud I am of them and how much I just adore this record. You can hear the years of work going into this, and the connection that Karl and Selwyn have is just out of this world.

There are many influences flowing through this record whether it be the sounds of The Velvet Underground to The Stone Roses and beyond. Pieces Missing is such a heavenly record and is entirely trippy in the best way possible. It’s like falling in love with the person you’re supposed to, which kind of fits the theme of dysfunction on this record. The diversity of Selwyn’s vocals on the record is just a delight to hear. One of the biggest moments on this record has to be Waiting For The End Of The World; it feels like it should be played at the end of a film. The kind of film you’d have found Harry Dean Stanton in- something weird, lucid, and poetic. Just like this song. You can imagine the end of the film turning to black as this song plays out. Utterly beautiful.

The record ends with the title track, and is 8 and a half minutes of something I have yet to find the words to. Everyone truly shines on this record- Selwyn’s vocals, Gyp’s bass playing is unreal. Brian beats the shit out of the drums in the most majestic way possible and you have Karl creating some serious magic on the guitar. Put this all in an 8 and a half minute song, and you get this dream of a song. It’s phenomenal. They truly saved the best till last with this one. The production on this record is just exceptional, and you can really hear it on this one. It is the perfect way to end such a glorious record. From the 5 minute mark, you get The 13th Pillar at their heaviest and at their best. It kicks off and it is a joy to hear. It’s one of those moments where you just feel like you’re being transported into a different world. Top tip- play this one through headphones to really feel every element of this song.

Every single song on this record is beautiful and put together in such a captivating way. I think my heart may belong to the title track- the last 3 and half minutes of this song will just blow your mind. Oh, and another fun fact- my uncle also did the artwork for the record.

Biased love for the band aside, this is truly a phenomenal record that deserves your time, ears, and love.

You can buy the record here: https://the13thpillar.bandcamp.com/album/pieces-missing

MAD DADDY.

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A few weeks or so I wrote about a band from the Isle of Man called Voodoo Bandits. As I am missing home, my family and friends- I thought I’d make myself even more homesick by writing about THE coolest band on the Isle of Man. They’re called Mad Daddy. Fun fact- the singer is the brother of my best pal’s partner. Small world? Oh you have no idea!

In May, Mad Daddy released their 3rd EP. I was going to just focus on that, but when the music is this good you cannot ignore the greatness at all. If you’re looking for some straight up Rock’n’Roll with that filthy style that The Cramps had- then you’re going to love Mad Daddy. There aren’t many bands around that sound like this now- a lot have come and gone. Left their mark and that’s it. With Mad Daddy, you can hear something else. You feel like you’re in Nashville in the 60s- not the Isle of Man at all!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQIGT4jMUqk

They released 2 EPs back in 2018, and let me tell you, you’ll be wanting more and more after listening to EP #3. As you go back and listen to their previous releases, you can definitely hear a band that has been influenced by so many bands but have most certainly created something of their own and done the Isle of Man so proud. EP #1 has all the makings of a great band, and by the time we get to EP #2 you know full well that this band isn’t to be messed with at all. The passion is infectious, and it makes you want to dig out some old records too and just have a great old time. They’ve had a bit of a lineup change over the past couple of years, with Matt Twist now as the drummer (he’s a BEAST!) but regardless of who is in the band, you simply cannot deny how tight the sound is and how perfect every damn song is.

I know they’ve probably been compared to The Cramps a stupid amount of times, but to be honest with you, it isn’t a lazy comparison at all. You can hear in Dolyn’s vocals that Lux has played a huge part in his style but by no means does it come across as a replica. What you hear is someone who has been influenced by the greatest band of all time, then gone on to create their own band, with their own style. Pretty sure if Lux was around still he’d love them. How could you not! Songs like One More Time (taken from EP #2) have that signature harmonica sound that makes you feel like a train is about to steamroll into your body then catapult you into the delirious and magical world of Mad Daddy. For me, their first 2 EPs are a solid way of showing the world what Mad Daddy can do but it’s EP #3 that shows us exactly who they are and again, makes you want to hear more and more from them. 

EP #2 has a more Blues feel to it, a little like EP #1 but I’m all about EP #3 because it has a more raw sound to it. Everything about EP #3 is tougher and has way more attitude. It has more of a Punk feel to it, and you’ve just to keep on hitting the repeat button on these songs! The coolest thing about EP #1 and #2 is that they were recorded live at one of the most sacred places on the Isle Of Man- Ballagroove Recording Studios (I think my uncle has  recorded there too with his band/bands.) Knowing they were recorded in this way makes you feel even more so that you’re right there in the room with them. The atmosphere on all 3 EPs is electric and just a real pleasure to listen to.

To sum up, Mad Daddy are one of the coolest bands around and their current lineup is super strong. I’m sure whatever comes next after EP #3 (maybe a full record? World tour? A national holiday named after them?) it’s going to blow us all away. Mad Daddy are a bunch of pals making straight up Punk/Rock ‘n’ Roll music to obliterate your eardrums in the most beautiful way imaginable. So if you like your music fast and like a Glaswegian kiss to the soul, then Mad Daddy are the band for you.

https://maddaddy.bandcamp.com