The #1 Destination For Indie Music Lovers

I don’t know what other music obsessives look for in music. I`m here to madly fall in love. The moment when an artist moves something within me is better than all the hallucinogens in the world. Once they have got a hold on me, anything goes. By all means tear my heart out, make me weep or jump with joy. I`ll buy that tee, album and I will come to see your gig. I will check every genre, visit every obscure bar and listen to every demo in hope of finding new artists that will invoke THE FEELING in me. In a way it`s an addiction or a never-ending quest. Over the years I have found myself a small selection of assorted noise makers I consider my own “Teenage Kicks” and I faithfully follow them. The Psycho Relics are on the list.

About five years ago I walked into a venue to find a duo named As Mamas having a whale of time on stage. One drummer and one guitarist but somehow the duo produced a whole palette of sounds. I knew I`d been privileged to witness something special. The way they interacted, like they were an extension of each other, playing in perfect unison and I stood mesmerized. If there ever was a display of friendship, respect and brotherly love between people – that was it. Last time I saw As Mamas was December 2018 and it was in another small bar. They played an early version of ‘War’. The band were months away from leaving West Midlands for the South. You could feel that any second they would morph into something different, much more powerful.

Last April As Mamas returned as a five piece – The Psycho Relics. Their debut single ‘Rocking Chair’ was a grenade thrown into a crowd – an eruption of 60s garage, psychedelic rock and Americana. A possessive, mind-altering concoction.

The band used the prolonged lockdown to record new material and presented us with a double single ‘War’ /’ Heavy Cherry’ on January 15^th 2021.

The centre of the band is still driven by collaboration between singer/guitarist Harrison Baird-Whitman and Joseph Devine (now moved to lead guitar). This pair of life-long friends, house mates and self proclaimed twins is the beating heart of psychedelic maelstrom. Aided by Sam Morley on drums, Daniel Stirrat on bass and Ed Prideaux on keys, The Psycho Relics deliver their unique sound with force and nonchalance. If the early version of ‘War’ was angry and chaotic, it has now evolved into a roller coaster ride though two decades of guitar music (mostly inspired by the 60s and 70s) pierced by solos that would not look out of place in Eddie Van Halen`s repertoire. ‘Heavy Cherry’ slows the pace but keeps the genuine passion and flamboyancy of the band. I think I even prefer ‘Heavy Cherry’ to ‘War’ – its intoxicating, mellow and positive. ‘War’ always had a dark undercurrent and some sort of pain woven in-between the notes. In my mind it is a protest song – even if you battle yourself, rather than an enemy. ‘Heavy Cherry’ is a longing love song and I`m more of a lover than a fighter.

Both singles go hand in hand lyrically – sharing themes of dreaming, happiness and an altered state of consciousness (here symbolised by butterflies).

As I said – I listen to the music to fall in love. The record has to tell me something about my life, it has to make me feel. And The Psycho Relics manage to do this with every release, every single track. Try to beat that, I dare you.

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