Talking To The Moon, Aiming For The Stars

26 June 2024 293 27 4

The Rogues 1963 - Live At Rockfield Studios EP Review

The Rogues, a 5-piece Indie/Rock band from Newport, South Wales, have been a force to reckon with since their first gig at The Dragonffli in Pontypridd in May 2022. Building momentum both locally and beyond, they’ve played over 100 shows, gaining a dedicated following known as The Rogue Army.

Their reputation as one of the must-see live acts from South Wales has only grown with sold-out shows in Newport, Cardiff, Bristol, and gigs in London, Liverpool, and Manchester. Notably, they supported Rusty Shackle at a sold-out Tramshed in Cardiff and performed at festivals like In It Together Festival, Weekend Rumble, and Devauden Festival.

Debut singles

In 2023, the band released three singles: their debut “Lizzy,” “Skinny Dipping,” which made the BBC Radio Wales A-list for three consecutive weeks and featured on Match Of The Day Wales, and “Nice To Say Hello.” With over 60,000 streams on Spotify and Apple Music and a social media following exceeding 6,000, The Rogues have made significant strides in a short time. Their latest release, however, aims to surpass all previous achievements as they set their sights on the UK Charts.

The New EP

Their first release of 2024, the EP “1963 Live At Rockfield Studios,” recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, is a significant milestone. The studio, which has hosted iconic acts like Queen, Black Sabbath, Iggy Pop, The Stone Roses, The Charlatans, Coldplay, Manic Street Preachers, and Stereophonics, has a rich legacy that is not lost on The Rogues.

The band teamed up with producer Nick Brine, known for his work with Oasis, Ash, Super Furry Animals, to bring out their best for this release. The live recording of the four tracks on the EP is a clever move, capturing the essence of their live performances.

The first track, “1963,” a fan favorite, combines the elements of a great Rogues song with Andrew’s distinct vocals, a shuffling drum beat, and layered guitars. The choice of this track, coincidentally or fatefully, matches the year Rockfield Studios was founded.

“Oh Gena,” the second track, brings a funky vibe reminiscent of David Bowie’s “Golden Years,” showcasing the band’s rich musical sense.

The third track, “Chemical Dream,” stands out as an anthem, with singalongs of “Yeah Yeah Yeah” and “Everybody Knows..” becoming social media trends. This track, compared to Oasis’s “Slide Away,” has grown into a highlight of their live performances.

The final track, “Talking To The Moon,” is a great mid-tempo rock song with classic rock sounds and indie sensibility. Andrew’s vocal delivery, complemented by backing vocals and guitars, makes it a compelling listen.

Overall, the high-quality production and live recording capture the band’s sound perfectly. The collaboration with Nick Brine has proven to be a perfect match, and fans can only hope for more in the future.

The EP “1963 – Live At Rockfield Studios” is out now exclusively on CD and is expected to enter the Official UK Music Charts on Thursday, 27th June. Help Musicians support the release by contributing towards the physical production of copies and PR from Nick Brine’s Label Flip Flop Records. Order your copy now and be part of The Rogue Army!

Order Now: Banquet Records

Catch The Rogues Live at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff on Friday, 28th June: Tickets

The Rogues: