Something old, something new. From a band that started the evolution of a sound, to the electro rock cousins of the resulting decendents. If you prefer a bit of metal mayem, we've got some of that, too. Think you've got better? Send us details of your CD/MP3 releases for inclusion in this section. Send details to newreleases@rockandindie.com.

Stump...

Listen to the likes of THE YOUNG KNIVES and FUTUREHEADS, and you are listening to the natural evolution of the sound created by STUMP twenty years ago…

STUMP came to the fore in the mid-80s, their swirling, staccato rhythms, slippery bass-lines and often-bizarre lyrics elevating them beyond the identikit ‘C-86’ bands of the time – more like an Anglo-Irish homage to Captain Beefheart than anything else.

Cover stars of both the NME and Melody Maker, the band’s debut album – Quirk Out - stayed in the indie charts for six months, and the band were regulars on The John Peel show, whilst their performance of Tupperware Stripper on Channel 4’s The Tube was one of the show’s highlights.

It's also interesting thing to note, when it's so easy now to record and release your own tunes without a label being a necessary component of the mechanism, is that Stump's breakthrough release was self financed and put out on their own label. Proof that it can be done successfully, even if the reality is a little harder than the easy mp3 download release model suggests it is these days.

Actually, the whole story of Stump is an interesting one and a good example of how it can go so right for band with some hard work, and then go so bad with barely any effort at all. That's not to suggest the band 'blew it' as such, but more a case of a band that got what they wanted and then discovered all the complexities and extra opinions they had to deal with once someone else is putting the money down, all the while trying to write and record new material under the immense pressure to deliver the goods, so to speak.

You can read the full story at bass player Kevin Hopper's site, HERE.

But, lets not forget the music...Watch This...

STUMP: THE COMPLETE ANTHOLOGY. A 3-CD set released on Universal/Sanctuary on JUNE 23RD

Viva City...

This "über-cool" Geordie 4 piece release their new single 'Kate Bush' on June 26th, and what a fine job they're doing of defining alternative electro rock in the process.

Produced by the Kosheen DJ's, Viva City create a wonderful soundscape of conventional instrumentation, lush digital audio wizardry and infectious beats, overlayed with the engaging, distinctive vocal of front man, Ali. Not surprising they're getting some great radio feedback.

Perfectly distorted synths, dirty bass rhythmns conjur imagery of darkened dancefloors illuminated in flashes to the beat... rock for the club cultured.

New Order are mentioned as an influence on their MySpace page, and I can hear that. Also hints of Vince Clarke, I thought. Presented in a totally fresh way, tho. Watch the video for 'Kate Bush' - HERE.

I expect you'll start to hear Viva City in clubs and on the radio... a lot.

Viva City: 'Kate Bush'. Out on VeRT Records from June 26th.