The Rays

 

Blues 5-piece, with licks and riffs reminiscent of Clapton and Gary Moore; indie rock meets electric blues with incredible results.
The Rays official website
The Rays myspace

 

Gig Reviews

Academy Unsigned 236
Academy 3
17/01/08

So bluesy. Oh so bluesy. The Rays have given the indie rock sound the perfect make-over; a dash of groove, a brush of soul and a whole lotta blues. Never before has a pentatonic scale produced such joy in a reviewer who was expecting a bunch of chord based sing-a-longs. ‘Dirty Washings’ groove set the tone for an excellent seven track set, culminating with ‘Lady Lady’s stomping riff. There really is nothing more to say; just make sure you check them out.

8/10

Set list:

  1. ‘Dirty Washing’
  2. ‘Love on the Run’
  3. ‘Alive’
  4. ‘Nicotine Nikki’
  5. ‘Whisky and Wine
  6. ‘Broken Down Soul’
  7. ‘Lady Lady’

Matt


The Studio, Peter Street
02/05/08

Are you looking for some good-time, no-messin’-around rock n roll to put you in the mood for the holidays? Yes? Then you should definitely check these guys out.
I’d had a somewhat frustrating day before I arrived at The Studio on Friday night, but as I listened to the infectious upbeat riff of ‘Broken Down Soul’, the lower bluesy lead line and stomp-along pace of ‘Dirty Washing’ and the consistent, effective backing vocals and Oasis/Kings of Leon-esque drive and swagger throughout, I couldn’t help but smile. And all this was made even better by the fact that the band seemed to be having an absolute blast as well, giving their performance that extra charm that made it a particularly enjoyable gig.
Keep up the good work guys.

8/10

Set list:

  1. ‘Broken Down Soul’
  2. ‘Sober Man’s Secret’
  3. ‘Dirty Washing’
  4. ‘Nicotine Nikki’
  5. ‘Whisky and Wine’
  6. ‘Alive’
  7. ‘Lady Lady’

Polly

 

CD Reviews

The Rays EP

Well. Their live set was fantastic, so how do they perform on CD? ‘Love on the Run’s awesome upbeat drums kick into, closely followed by a very 60s sounding bluesy riff. Vocals, lead and rhythm guitars keep the pace well, and that riff never gets boring. ‘Dirty Washing’s sexy groove rings out loud and clear on disc; in fact, every song bar one is of a very high standard. ’Alive’s swung blue-grass style is great but doesn’t seem to fit the rest of the track, which is a shame as the song is full of interesting hooks. ‘Whisky and Wine’ should become a firm crowd favourite with it’s dancy rhythms riotous lyrics, and a guitar solo that actually adds something to the song; someone please sign this band.

8/10

Set list:

  1. ‘Love on the Run
  2. ‘Dirty Washing’
  3. ‘Alive’
  4. ‘Run Along’
  5. ‘Whisky and Wine
  6. ‘Seven Seconds too Late’

Matt

 

 


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