Single Review

Radstewart – Wiccans & Beatlemancers EP

• 17th Mar 2014

The five song Wiccans & Beatlemancers EP is the second release from the young Cardiff based four piece Radstweart, formed while at university together. Calvin Duggan, Jac Jones, Chris Lovell and Dylan Price self recorded their debut EP on a borrowed physics department microphone, and after it sold out the band was picked up by Alcopop! Records. This time around they had a proper studio at their disposal.

Radstewart’s music is lo fi indie-pop, with fairly simple melodies and the kind of lyrical flourishes that will probably appeal to the older teenage market. There is something quite charming about the approach, the touches of humour that don’t always quite work and the adolescent feel to the sound. Experimental? Offbeat? Deliberately slacker? I’m not quite sure.

Fix the Roads opens the EP in quiet style before Student Wiccans uses a more strident guitar sound in a song about a strange underground movement. Lead single Insane Parties is more upbeat although the sardonic lyrical style remains. Feedback heavy guitar gives this one a lot more life. Graduation Blues has almost spoken lyrics before the closing Roath Country features the best guitar melody of the five tracks.

Radstewart sound exactly like a student band. It’s fairly enjoyable for a short while and quite eclectic, but to progress the band will need to develop more of a recognisable sound of their own. It will be interesting to see what they can come up with next.

Venue: Wiccans & Beatlemancers EP
Support Band: Alcopop! Records