Joey’s Knuckle Live at Vibrations Studios
Joey’s Knuckle performs “Will It Ever Burn Away” for our Kirklees Most Wanted Sessions.
WRXL Afterparty at Amped
The Wilson’s Republic WRXL event, which celebrated a decade of fostering creative community with the theme of ‘Routes,’ culminated in an absolutely electrifying private afterparty at Amped in Huddersfield.
Seamlessly transitioning the day’s inspiration into a night of community and celebration, the party was curated by us, transforming the venue into a powerful showcase for local talent. Attendees were treated to a diverse and gripping line-up that kept the energy high well into the night. Highlights included the beautiful, honest songwriting of Good Good Blood, the alluring and soulful sounds of vocalist Hannah Rowe, and the complex, yet highly danceable, Psychedelic Rock fusion of Don Gonzo. The celebration reached its peak with Therealdemo, a staple of the West Yorkshire scene, spinning classic and new Funk, Soul, and Hip Hop that kept the floor moving.
Take a look at the Highlights from the event below;
More than just a concert, the afterparty was the perfect, vibrant finale—a powerful demonstration of the collective spirit of the Northern creative scene and a truly triumphant way to cap off Wilson’s Republic’s 10th-anniversary celebration.
Additionally take a look at the highlights from the day event at Bates Mill featuring six speakers from different creative disciplines, they delivered heard honest, inspiring and beautiful interpretations of the event theme ROUTES.
Missed WRXL? Don’t worry – we’ve got the soundtrack. A little gift from us to you.
If you couldn’t make it (or just want to relive the event), we’ve got an official WRXL playlist – featuring the incredible artists who brought the afterparty to life.
Plug in, press play and keep the WRXL energy going 🎧
Don Gonzo
So this one time while practising in our tiny rented mill space, we came outside for a smoke break and were met with a flaming industrial sized skip, the flames reaching 20-30ft high…
Good Good Blood Live at Vibrations Studios
Good Good Blood performs “Will It Ever Burn Away” for our Kirklees Most Wanted Sessions.
LOMENS
What is your songwriting process?
We try to make this process as organic as possible, as we know we all have our own distinct individual styles that we like to nurture as much as we can, so that it shines through in each song and gives us a sound that is hopefully distinctly ‘Lomens’.
Generally speaking, one of us comes to rehearsal with a very loose idea, whether that be a vocal melody, a guitar riff, a chord progression on the synth or even just a groove with drums and bass
We then most of the time sit on that idea and jam it together as a band and see where it takes us. Sometimes it naturally forms itself into a song very quickly. Unplug the Earth was like this, for example! Sometimes we can spend weeks/months exploring lots of possibilities and really refine each section as much as we can.
The main thing is just trying to keep things as organic and fun as possible!
Who is your biggest influence?
Now this is always a tough one as we’re all pretty nerdy with music, ha! What we get compared to isn’t necessarily what we listen to, and we all listen to quite an eclectic mix of music!
Vocally, Chris (lead vocals) takes a lot of inspiration from bands like Everything, Everything and Kid Kapichi. Some of us are pretty big fans of Radiohead, and there’s some Muse thrown in there too, a little bit of Prog as well, Porcupine Tree, TOOL, Leprous, The Mars Volta, Deftones.
Jordan (Drums) tends to have a raw attitude towards the drums, where he can, early Nirvana and The Melvins spring to mind, but again, the eclectic taste comes into play, and there’s also some Latin and Samba influences, especially coming from Tom! (Synths & Percussion)
These are just some influences that spring to mind, but as we’re all just massive music fans in general, it tends to make for some interesting jams and songwriting; we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Do you have any pre-gig rituals?
We tend to try to run the set in our studio on the day, get ourselves nicely warmed up, a couple of pints and seeking out some cool food doesn’t go amiss!
What’s the best gig you’ve ever played?
This is a difficult one; we’ve not played that many yet in the grand scheme of things, as we’ve only been active just over a year. There have been 16 gigs in that time, and we’ve played 3 headliners in that time (Parish, Huddersfield), Oporto, Leeds, Grass Fed 1 at Picturedrome, Holmfirth), so it would have to be one of those; they’ve all been equally fun and with some great supports!
What’s next for you guys?
Write. Write. Write. We only have 4 singles out, and we just need to get more music out there! We’ll still be playing some shows in between, but the focus is definitely on increasing our repertoire and output. Expect an EP after our next single. We also have a Headline show at the new Parish space, Amped! on Mad Friday (December 19th) with support from Pageant Mum and Slipped Disco, that will be a big end-of-year party and a great way to see the year out!
How would you describe your new single, ‘Kinetic Currency’?
Big! Our most out there song to date.
It’s got a punky edge to it with some proggy elements interspersed throughout. Also, a screamer of a riff at the end! We’ve recently been able to get our bassist, Josh, onto guitar as we’ve welcomed a new member on bass (Andrew Parkinson), so we’re now a 6-piece dual guitar assault on stage!
Kinetic Currency is an observational anthem told through the lens of a working-class person in Britain in 2025. Through some vivid lyrics and striking imagery, the song captures the struggle to rise above the noise of modern life’s complexities, seeking simplicity whilst desperately trying to avoid unnecessary confrontation and stress.
We’ve kept it politically neutral, presenting observations without aligning with any cause. It’s simply what we see on a day-to-day basis, whilst most people are skint yet forever being bombarded with grandiose political movements and news cycles, whilst simultaneously struggling with the normality of everyday life. It’s not a commentary; it’s an observational piece about the everyday rat race of Modern Britain. We invite people to find their own meaning and use their own lens to establish their relationship with the song.
LOMENS is for everyone.
Kinetic Currency, is out now on Spotify and many other major streaming platforms.
You can find out more about Lomans via their linktree: https://linktr.ee/lomens
Joey’s Knuckle – Love
Breaking through the Northern indie scene are four-piece indie-rock band Joey’s Knuckle. The band’s name reveals the unpredictable punches life throws at you, with emotional lyrics layered over their fast-paced, evolving sound. The new single ‘Love’ further explores complexities of a messy, modern romance. It’s undeniably dangerous and their loudest project to date. Lead guitarist Fen comes to define this song as he drives us into the verses and chorus where the vocals gain momentum and always return crashing back with grit and a grooving bassline. Following this, the bridge encapsulates a conversational discourse between lead vocals and that familiar guitar. Then both parts cross over and build argumentative tension before breaking away into a final harmonic chorus which pulls the listener along.
The music is chaotic and volatile when it matches its intense lyricism, but the instruments do well to capture listeners and always keep us engaged. “Love” exists in its own complex liminal space, between an unstable relationship and its indefinite heartbreak. The band says, “we’ve all been through versions of this story”, a relatable need but not a want to let go. These universal feelings engrained into their energetic music is just another reason why Joey’s Knuckle are meant for a live audience. It’s intoxicatingly honest, and what everybody needs blasting through concert loudspeakers or their headphones on a late-night walk home.
Find out more: https://www.instagram.com/joeys_knuckle
Don Gonzo – Quit Your Job
Don Gonzo are back bigger than ever with their new punchy psychedelic rock song “Quit Your Job”. You can always depend on a danceable, spacey tune from the band and this one launches straight into rapid percussion with electrifying jazz chords. Their driving post-punk riff seamlessly blends into some tension building vocals. At its peak, there’s a sudden pause along with the ironic lyric “my mind’s so noisy”, then once more the radical rhythm changes and we feel like the instruments are chasing the vocalist in a more action packed second verse. The bridge of this song consists of some stripped-back guitar and the simple repeated line – “quit your job, it won’t do no harm”, further emphasising the band’s message.
A new switch into the second half of the song turns it into a totally different musical direction with funkier sounds and a new melody. Don Gonzo provides a unique and unpredictable listening experience at break neck speed.
Find out more: https://www.instagram.com/ohdongonzo/
Rillington Place
We like the band Whitechapel, who take their name from the area where Jack the Ripper committed his crimes. So, with that in mind, we decided to look for a street name where other notorious crimes had been committed, and we settled on Rillington Place.
Urban Rift – Johnny Go
Ever wanted to time travel back to the 1950s where rock n roll ruled over the music scene. Urban Rift’s track ‘Johnny Go’ does just that! The strong guitars and prominent hi-hats give the song the dynamic range that defines the classic rock n roll genre. Residing in the West Yorkshire area, Urban Rift show their heritage through their vocals as you can really hear the northern soul punching through.
Released as a single in 2024, ‘Johnny Go’ tells the story of a reckless bad boy who leaves chaos in his wake everywhere he turns. The track captures that spirit of rebellion with an infectious indie edge, echoing the swagger and grit of bands like Arctic Monkeys while still carving out its own identity. Driving guitar riffs and a blistering solo push the song forward, while the pounding drums add urgency and raw energy. Lyrically, its nonconformist theme celebrates individuality and defiance, making it resonate with listeners who crave music that pushes back against the norm. Bold, brash, and irresistibly catchy, ‘Johnny Go’ is the kind of track that not only entertains but also expands your playlist with something fresh and rebellious.
Find out more: https://www.instagram.com/urbanriftband
LOMENS – Unplug the Earth
West Yorkshire’s Lomens are quickly becoming a standout force in the region’s punk rock scene. Their latest track, “Unplug the Earth,” is a bold statement that refuses to be boxed into one genre. Blending the haze of shoegaze with indie’s melodic edge, the band crafts a sound that feels both raw and expansive.
At the forefront are raspy, commanding vocals that cut through the mix, driving home themes of resistance and liberation with raw intensity. Lyrically, the track leans heavily into metaphor, envisioning an ‘unplugged world’ as a way to grapple with feelings of powerlessness, societal pressure, and personal struggle. The instrumentation complements this urgency perfectly — jagged guitar riffs clash with punchy drums, creating a sonic landscape that feels both chaotic and deliberate. The song’s cathartic energy invites listeners to not just hear, but feel every note and lyric, turning frustration and rebellion into a shared experience. In doing so, it cements Lomens as a band unafraid to push boundaries, blending introspection with punk’s unapologetic, rebellious heart, and delivering a track that resonates long after the final chord fades.
Find out more: https://www.instagram.com/Lomensuk