‘Rancid Reviews’ brings you his Top Ten Favourite UK Rock Bands

Hello and welcome to Rancid Reviews!

 This week I'm going to be doing something a little different, by writing a list of my favourite UK Rock bands. This list will be a mix of old and new, mainstream and substream, and soft and heavy. I hope by reading through this list, you'll not only find a band you like, but come to learn a bit more about me and my own personal journey as well.

Before you get too excited though, I must warn you fairly. If you are reading this and hoping I’ll be talking about Bring Me The Horizon, Asking Alexandria or Enter Shikari, then I’m sorry to disappoint you, but they will not be appearing on this list. I grant you, they do deserve respect for their acclaim and musicianship, but these are my top ten favourite UK bands. Not yours. Anywho, let’s get this list underway!

10:- Elliot Minor

Elliot Minor was (Or still is?) a band from York who started off in the year 2000. To this day they seem to be on a somewhat permanent hiatus, though a reunion show did occur during 2014. Their music combines little strands from a small collection of genres such as Rock, Symphonic, Classical music, and perhaps Glam Rock, making their own unique staple which allowed them to stand out among other Pop-Rock outfits. Their musicianship is rather excellent and seems to be incredibly important to them. The band members are all classically trained, and would often try to make their live shows as authentic as possible with pianos and strings. Their sound has a spooky beauty to it which is well balanced with melodic, Glam like guitar riffs and soft pattering drums. They never go too deep into heavy territory but always provide a slice of heavy rock to keep you hooked. I think the only reason that this band is the lowest on the list is because of their vocal talent. While at times the vocals are used well, and the common harmonies in each song are gorgeous, their accent can be a little grating. I think there's also only a few songs by this band that really demonstrate their songwriting talents, unless you like constant songs about girls you dated or broke up with. Nevertheless, where they get it right, they do it perfectly, so they deserve their place on this list.

For Fans Of:- Keane, Anabor, All Time Low
Favourite Songs:- Time After Time, Parallel Worlds, The White One Is Evil

09:- Creeper

Creeper had a very successful beginning in the music industry, with many publications dubbing them as ‘Britain’s answer to My Chemical Romance’, and I suppose I can see that. They do have similar aesthetic qualities and both groups do explore grim and deathly subject matter in their lyrics. But there’s something a little bit softer and mellow about Creeper. This isn’t to say that their music won’t punch you or put you in the party mood, because it will, but unlike MCR, this band hinges a lot more on Horror-Punk influences which carries more of a 50’s doo-wop vibe. I suppose you could say that a lot of Creeper’s songs take you back to the 50’s/60’s era. Not for it’s conservative values but for it’s sense of adventure. A time when denim jackets were coming into style and young bikers would sneak out late at night and head off to their local diner or smoke cigarettes outside an arcade. But rather than focusing solely on rebellion and fun times, their songs explore themes of love, death, sorrow, and even danger. While I wouldn’t hold them up as amazingly brilliant, this group is clearly worth exploring. Their songs are perfect anthems for young teens who want to go out on the town and maybe find a body in the woods, even if you can’t go out too much at the moment.

For Fans Of:- My Chemical Romance, The Misfits, Ghost
Favourite Songs:- Black Mass, Allergies, Black Rain 

08:- Vales

Vales (Formerly known as Veils) is a four piece Melodic Hardcore band who came about during the UK hardcore swell in the 2010’s. One thing that might stand out for Vales among other hardcore groups is their female lead vocalist, although this isn’t too much of an oddity in heavier music scenes these days. The four piece group from Cornwall meld racing Punk verses with bruising, emotional interludes, composing songs of introspection and turmoil from start to finish. While the band are perhaps lesser known than others and have only released one studio album as far as I know, their EP, ‘Clarity’ is probably one of the most beautiful albums you'll ever hear, with every song -short as they are- blowing you away with their emotional maturity. Melodic Hardcore as a genre hasn't always served me too well, and I’m sorry to say that Vales hasn’t always stuck with me as an absolute favourite, but with further inspection, they make for an exhilarating and cathartic experience that deserve appreciation. Although lower on the list than others that will be mentioned, I deeply recommend you listen to this band, and I would love to hear about more groups of this type, should you wish to recommend any.

For Fans Of:- The Dillinger Escape Plan, Underoath, Touche Amore
Favourite songs:- Caves (Anxiety), Stallions (Adrenaline), Scripted 

07:- The Dirty Youth

The Dirty Youth have actually been around for quite some time, yet have only gained widespread acclaim over the last decade. They take Hard Rock to the next level with influences from Punk, Metal, Pop and Electronica, but even that's not enough for these party animals. At least during the start of their career, the members wanted to live the Rock ‘n’ Roll lifestyle of the 80’s. So basically endless drinking and partying. But, despite bringing fun, if not dangerous times for the band members, these experiences also allowed for down to earth, humanistic song writing material. There music has bucket loads of Rock star attitude, which might not appeal to everyone’s sensibilities, but this in no way means there isn't room for emotion and deeper thinking within their work. Musically speaking, they're probably on the same catchy yet heavy level of other acts such as Tonight Alive and even Paramore, although don’t tell them I made that comparison. Just because they are a female fronted band, does not mean they follow the typical path. They're an awesome Rock ‘n’ Roll band for a fun time of partying, and definitely worth a listen.

For Fans Of:- Muse, Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless
Favourite Songs:- Fight, Requiem Of The Drunk, Last Confession 

06:- Skindred

I’ve briefly mentioned Skindred once before in an earlier review, but there’s a strong reason why this band belongs on this list. The welsh four piece band is anything but conventional, taking Heavy Metal and Punk music and mixing it with Reggae, Dancehall, Latin music and Rap Rock into a style full of flavour, character and punching melody and power. While perhaps not as high up on the totem pole as others, Skindred deserves it’s own special recognition as a group of marginal success who are open to the shifts and changes of the music industry, never satisfied with doing one straight thing, but allowing themselves to be pushed into exploring multiple facets. I think when I first found these guys there was something about them that just clicked with me instantly. While I come from more of a Post-Hardcore/Alternative Rock background, the way they worked their stew pot magic awoke a lover of the experimental in me, and it's easy to believe that it's the same story for other fans too. They may be a huge step outside of anyone's comfort zone, but they're uncanny rhythm, reggae style vocals and brutal metal influences will crush you in all the best ways. An experimental band who not only preach fun, but peace and love too. What more could you want?

For Fans of:- Bob Marley, Linkin Park, Sumo Cyco
Favourite Songs:- Rat Race, Pressure, Selector

 05:- Muse

With this band, the chances are that even if you don’t know them by name, you’ll sure as shit have heard one of their songs. While starting off as heavily political punks, this band really came to it’s own forefront through it’s exploration into a Progressive, Space Rock sound, which has served them extremely well over the years. So well in fact that they’ve grown to become a solid influence for many groups, including The Dirty Youth and IWrestledABearOnce. Truly, this band is one of the greatest that the UK can offer. While not a band which I consider to be my all time favourite among others, I’ve had an interesting journey with them. Many times when live cover bands would come to my local pub, they would play a song by Muse, and I just couldn’t stop myself from jumping up on the mic and offering backing vocals. Ha-ha, oh dear… But honestly, I don’t think this band can write a bad song. If you were to show me a song by Muse that I’ve never heard before, I’d probably love it. Even some of the more long-winded tracks have a lot of strength to them that can’t be ignored. If you go a long time without listening to Muse, whenever you go back to them everything falls into place the way it did before. These guys deserve massive respect for being one of the best of modern rock. I will never say a bad word against them, because honestly, even if I don’t listen to them as much as I should, they are one of the absolute greats!

For Fans Of:- 30 Seconds To Mars, Enter Shikari, Queen
Favourite Songs:- Hysteria, Time Is Running Out, Uprising 

04:- The Beatles

Yes Friends, I'm including The Beatles. I’m very sorry to say that I came to their party a few decades too late. I don’t know, when I was younger there was never anything about this iconic group that made me want to listen to them, except maybe the fact that they’d been a huge influence on Alesana. But even then, they just seemed like one of those bands that my Mum and Dad used to like, and I ended up getting most of my music taste from my older brother. But I get it now. I really do. Sometimes, there are a lot of gems in old music that your parents like, and for me The Beatles is now one of them. I mean, I’m never going to be a die hard fan, but at least a few of their songs have gotten me through hard times, particularly my third year of university. My favourite album by this band is ‘Rubber Soul’ which probably stood out as the even playing field between the early Pop-Rock lover boy days, and the Sgt Pepper era of progressive and experimental self discovery. ‘Rubber Soul’ speaks volumes to me about real life and real questions. Questions which are deeper than you might originally think, like how to express your feelings to someone who doesn’t understand you, or how a person you love might not always be good for you. When they started their career decades ago, they had the star power, adorable sexiness, and musical know how to get a lot of people on side, especially the young girls. But I think what’s really sustained them and immortalised them over time has been their playful nature and their growing ability to write from the heart. Because when they write from the heart, for the love of their art, they are at their absolute best. Their best lyrical and musical work takes you on a journey of self discovery, kaleidoscopic mindsets and interior and outward questioning. Nevertheless, their critical acclaim alone speaks for why they belong on this list.

For Fans Of:- The Move, Elvis Presley, Alesana
Favourite Songs:- Baby’s In Black, Michelle, Girl 

03:- Queen

Whereas The Beatles may have taken time for me to warm to, Queen clicked with me instantly. It didn’t matter if they weren't the heaviest or the most emotionally scarring. The important thing was that it was music. Music sung and played to me by campy, eldritch angels of the highest order. I love every song I hear by this band. It’s the one band played at clubs and pubs that instantly gets me on my feet dancing. And You Can’t Stop Me! I think everyone knows who Queen is and I think everyone loves Queen for who they are, whether the listener is a pop follower or a Metal fanatic. They’re probably one of the most influential bands in music history, having inspired so many of our favourites. But for me personally, there’s something even deeper. While it’s not something I appreciated when I was younger, Freddie Mercury’s life with his same-sex orientation is something that really relates to me now. Being an openly gay man in this day and age makes it hard to appreciate how hard it must’ve been back then. I mean, imagine the amount of criticism and ridicule the band must have faced all because the lead singer was possibly gay. It must’ve been brutal in the early days, and there must’ve been times where things seemed impossible. But they didn’t let any of that stop them. And I truly respect and love Queen for that. They remind me that no matter who you are, you can achieve anything you put your mind to. And I hope they inspire other LGBTQ+ peeps in the same way. Still… Some Post-hardcore bands that discuss same-sex love wouldn’t be a bad thing either…

For Fans Of:- David Bowie, The Darkness, The Used
Favourite Songs:- Killer Queen, Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy, Somebody To Love 

02:- Fearless Vampire Killers

 So. Which band is so amazing that superstars like The Beatles and Queen lost out on second place? That would be these guys. You’ll be automatically forgiven if you’ve never heard of them before, as in their brief history as a band, they only ever released two studio albums and a handful of EPs. But this band carried something with them which we had begun to lose during the 2010’s. The legacy of great acts who were either dead and gone or had moved on into scary territory. Fearless Vampire Killers (Named after the 70’s Horror/Comedy movie of the same name) was basically a descendant of the 2000’s Alternative Rock/Emo scene. They had the charm, the emotion, the costumes, and a little eyeliner, mixed with the best of Horror-Punk, Gothic Pop, Alternative Rock, Emo, Pop-Punk and Post-Hardcore, to create a bone-bashing, prowling, angsty sound the likes of which had never been heard. While starting out as a niche, Steampunk outfit, it took the band a lot of time and tearful nights to reach mainstream acclaim. And even then, they would eventually came to break up. It's a real shame too, as they could’ve made the dark age of the 2010's a little easier to live through. Nevertheless, Fearless Vampire Killers' career will go down in some infamy with the few fans who remember them. While not the most successful or well-known, this five piece band had the makings of something truly glorious. Their Gothic exterior, their poisonous melodies, their elegant, narrative lyrical content, and their diversity, have major staying power. Although you might need to dig them up from the grave at this point...

For Fans Of:- Aiden, Panic! At The Disco, Avenged Sevenfold
Favourite Songs:- All Hallows Evil, Maeby, Exploding Heart Disorder 

01:- Marmozets

So here we are. My top, absolute favourite UK band. The be all and end all. The new kids on the block who were threatening to bring Math Rock to the mainstream! And yet, my journey with this band didn’t actually start off at the best of odds. The very first time I heard a song by Marmozets was at sixteen. I don’t remember what the song was called but it was played on Kerrang! Radio late one night. I remember at the time that it was some of the most chaotic, brutal stuff I’d ever heard. I would eventually dismiss it as a passing song. But then, 2014 came along, and with it, ‘Move, Shake, Hide’. The first time I heard this song by the band, I was so fucking hooked. I’d listen to it over and over again. When their first album ‘The Weird And Wonderful Marmozets’ came out, I bought it immediately, and for the first time ever, my Math Rock kid within was released. It’s because of this band that I started listening to other groups, such as The Fall Of Troy, Every Time I Die, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Icarus The Owl and Rolo Tomassi. It’s because of this band that I began to explore all sorts of music. It’s because of this band that I started writing music reviews all of those years ago! That’s literally how influential these guys have been on me. While perhaps not the most mature or experienced, having only released two studio albums since they started in 2007, they make up for it big time with a down to earth standing, endless adrenaline like energy, eccentric and daring live performances and a true love for music. Whether it’s their demonic Mathcore based early years or their softer Post-Punk present, this five piece Math Rock band know their stuff. It’s impossible not to dance along to their technical, emotive riffs, no fucks given drums and bass, and powerful vocals of their lead singer, Becca Macintyre. This band has given me so many wonderful gifts in life and I hope they do the same for you. And that's why, at least for me, Marmozets is my ultimate, favourite UK band.

For Fans Of:- The Fall Of Troy, Every Time I Die, Arctic Monkeys
Favourite Songs:- Move Shake Hide, New Religion, Good Days 

Thank you so much for reading this list. It was a lot more work than I thought it would be, but I hope it's given you at least one band you might want to listen to. I think next week i'll be going back to the usual, one band/one album per review, but who knows. Maybe i'll do something like this again at some point. Stay fresh and fun friends. I'll see you next week.