Karl Phillips & The Midnight Ramblers
Wellingborough, England, United Kingdom | INDIE
Music
Press
"I don't normally like this kind of stuff, but." The mark of crossover, this "mock-up band, put together for a laugh" whose combined heritage touches on orchestral, jazz, punk and, er, grime have had a busy year. Stage shares with Example, Skepta and Chase & Status; 6 Music championing their latest single, Dangerous; AKA, The Chart Show and Clubland screening the video; headline slots at the O2 Academy in Islington and a sell-out EP Launch at Camden's Barfly. Bring on 2012... - Music Week
KARL PHILLIPS AND THE MIDNIGHT RAMBLERS: Dangerous EP.A breathtaking and mind-blowing fusion of hip hop, garage and synth as the super-slick tongue work – try in vain to count the words per minute rate – gives way to a grating grunge synth refrain. If there was ever a song of two halves this has to be it before they join forces for an implosive finale.
Read More http://www.examiner.co.uk/leisure-and-entertainment/entertainment-west-yorkshire/2011/12/09/single-reviews-karl-phillips-and-the-midnight-ramblers-caro-emerald-grace-griffith-86081-29922087/#ixzz1i8XEEICV - Huddersfield Examiner
England’s favourite sons of the street are back, and stepping up their game to the next level. It’s the return of the real no less.
Karl Phillips and The Midnight Ramblers follow up last year’s critically acclaimed, slap you about the face with a witty wet sponge debut album by unveiling their new four-track EP, Dangerous. So think bass heavy verse and hook filled indie with attitude; more proof of the musical prowess inherent in an act that's impossible to pigeonhole.
This next instalment still boasts that same compelling marriage of punk, garage and acumen, a brew they deliver with the deft skill of true tastemakers. But don’t call it a rehash, this is an exhibition of a band refusing to stagnate while so many others seem happy to merely replicate.
There’s the weighty grime, dubstep, and dnb meld that is the title track, an outing that sees the irrepressible Phillips work with vocalist Sabrina Altan to create a dancefloor meltdown of punch, kick, and step. From it’s tense, half-time beginnings to the frantic breakbeat drop the talent in these genre-straddling legs is plain for all to see.
Stabby Joe’s acoustic introduction belies the thrashing electric rock of its chorus, winding up the atmosphere to leave us in some indie-rap netherworld of groove and funk, while telling tales of the culture behind Britain’s grass roots.
Diatribes and sharp observations abound then, along with enough rhythm to explain why, at an intimate London gig, security were forced to ask fans to stop dancing for fear of structural damage. Similar praise can be lauded on Faithful Stanley’s snarling swagger, and the rhyming showcase of Nervous, but we’re sure you get the point by now. Episode two’s here, time to put some work in.
Karl Phillips & The Midnight Ramblers / Dangerous EP
Single ‘Dangerous ft. Sabrina Altan’ & EP Released. December 5 2011
Label. Medical Records
Cat no. MRCD003
- Festivals For All
Ever since The Prodigy re-invented the limits of dance music with their cocktail of acidic rave-inspiring tunes in the early 90s, punk and big beat have been companionable bedfellows.
Looking to capture some of that original, fighting British spirit for their own, Karl Phillips and The Midnight Ramblers resurrect the concoction of gritty warehouse dance music for their own needs, shovelling on tight, needle piercing guitar solos over the top to result in what can only be called: Loud.
The 'Ramblers' know the implications of noise, just what it can achieve when crafted and pushed to the extreme, and extremity is what their EP release Dangerous is all about.
Touching on the hook-laden power-drive rhythms of the likes of Pendulum and lacing a sprinkling of cocky raps across the growls of the bass, Dangerous packs genuine bite and a level of engagement often lacking in dance music these days.
With a sold out London show already under their belts, the EP stands as a potent symbol of intent for the band - do you dare to join the party?
- Totally Vivid
Due to the fact that I’m horrendously indecisive, my Best 100 Songs Of 2011 bloated to the Best 150 Songs Of 2011 because it was easier to choose more songs than cut the extra ones from the longlist. Essentially, instead of compiling a shortlist, the longlist just got longer… Anyway, if you care to be here twice a day for the next three days, you’ll be able to follow my countdown from 150 to 1 and find out which songs flicked my switch in 2011. Starting now!
Click the link for the run down
- One Of Those iPods
It’s a mixture of rap, rock, and electro beats – with the electro beats predominately in the background – which is what we get from Karl Phillips and the Midnight Ramblers self-titled debut album. And Karl Phillips definitely knows how to ramble (and possibly at midnight) in a possible tribute to the end of The Streets, particularly on opening track ‘The Situation.’
Before they throw more than a nod and a cheeky sly glance in the direction of US punks Rancid on ‘Pink Champagne’ which has a huge and raggedy and chomping chorus.
Yeah Karl definitely likes to talk/ramble/rap very fast indeed, and with some sharp observations, references, and critiques of life thrown in a long the way throughout the album. ‘Okey Dokey’ manages to weld electro with heavy rock together effectively via Bashy and The Specials along the way. ‘Cheers Mate’ then turns them into Smash Mouth (remember them?!?). ‘Danger H’ could give Pendulum more than a run for there money in the stadium electro stakes.
It seems that Mike Skinner aka The Streets has had a wide ranging influence over the last 10 years on more than one genre. And Karl Phillips and his crew are definitely one such disciple and judging by his debut album is not afraid to dive head first into any number of genres, which he does so with a riotous passion. There’s even a track called ‘Strongbow’, which amongst other things is about someone spilling his pint. Their debut album is a rousing belter of an album. R.I.P The Streets long live Karl Phillips and The Midnight Ramblers. - Subba-Cultcha
“Well, I think it went a little bit like, er...” muses Phillips as this streetwise debut kicks off. Names like Mike Skinner and David E Sugar could well follow, in this case for the right reasons.
That the opening track, 'Situation', also offers intellectual comments like “I’m going out in a bit, because I wanna get smashed out my face” summarises the attitude inherent here. This is the sound of checked shirts, lager and jumped taxis. Raucous and righteous, like the ska ethic smeared over numbers like 'Pink Champagne', it’s a tongue in cheek onslaught against anything, everything, and yet nothing at all.
In contrast with the aforementioned male soloists, The Ramblers and their wisecracking leader stick closer to a rock blueprint. Even the synthesized bassline, scratch intro and broken beat rhythms of 'Okey Dokey' can’t steal the limelight from the guitars. Thankfully, as that track’s instrumental interlude proves, the hands responsible for strumming those strings are both deft and inventive.
Further highlights come in the form of the ironic ode to scrumpy that is 'Strongbow', a tune of fists on chest wideboy swagger that leaves the listener drunk on trumpets and staccato chords. Then 'Liabilities' offers choruses of album closing jump-up intensity, and arena filling solos that make Eddie Van Halen look bashful. But then there’s more than simply a distorted homage being paid, or played, here.
Elsewhere we’re taken to some South London garage party when the sub and two-step kicks of 'Danger H' drop. And then there are shades of metal, hip-hop and dubstep to take a break in too. It’s far from predictable. It’s anything but boring. What’s more, there’s enough genuine passion evident here to forgive the tracklist’s near misses, leaving you focusing on the fresh feeling this album creates.
- Click Music
Karl Phillips & The Midnight Ramblers – Karl Phillips & The Midnight Ramblers Every once in a while you hear an album and think, this is the one. It is a very rare occurrence. Sometimes it may be the new LP from your favourite band. At others it may be the emergence of an artist so similar, or completely aloof, from the music you love to chill out too.
Karl Phillips & The Midnight Ramblers expertly entwine the fierce and lively riffs of ska with the “don’t give a fig” attitudes and aggressive lyrical styles of hip hop with some dashes of punk and grime thrown in for good measure.
Lyrically it’s one of the more vibrant and down-to-earth masterpieces heard in a long while. Phillips states that he was “never really in to music” so where he developed his lyrical style beggars belief. Witty and quick, his tracks regularly garner a smile, a little snigger which gains a few strange looks on the bus
Click URL for full review. - Southern Daily Echo
Discography
MRCD006 Drug Song Due : 03/09/12
MRCD004 Stabby Joe Release: 16/04/12
MRCD003 Dangerous EP Release: 21/11/11
MRCD002 Debut Album Release: 01/12/10
Photos
Bio
LATEST NEWS:
Just back from Latvia, Played Summer Sounds Festival in Liepaja. Awesome gig and opportunity given to us via Sonicbids. We drove the 3,070 miles through 7 countries and back again in 5 days. There's no question about our committment to being in a band and turning out for a gig.
2012
National TV coverage through play listing for our video ‘Dangerous’ on Channel AKA, Starz TV and on the student union entertainment channel SUB TV.
On Youtube our videos are clocking up views.
Beef teeth has just clocked 21,000 +
Pink Champagne 10,000 +
Dangerous 10,000 +
Nervous (Video mash-up with Outkast) 21,000 +
Karls solo Rap Battle for Don't Flop 28,000 +
We supported Imperial Leisure on their UK tour through-out late March – April.
Headlined the Tornado Town Stage on the Friday night at Bearded Theory Festival in May
Played SUMMER SOUND LIEPAJA 2012 6&7 July in Latvia
France: We've recently added a French manager to our team
Japan: We're just about to launch a Japanese language website
Currently rehearsing and writing new material whilst booking more live dates around the UK.
Our next single is due for release in September.
We're hoping to confirm a U.S. Distribution deal shortly.
2011
We toured our album from 2010 throughout the year and released an EP ‘Dangerous’ in November. Press for the EP can be found here: http://www.karlphillips.co.uk/press
Airplays on BBC 6 Music – Introducing with Tom Robinson. BBC Scotland, Vic Galloway. And on the following BBC Introducing Shows, Oxford. Northampton: inc interview, Beds, Herts, Bucks (3CR): inc. Two live session and three interviews. Play listing on various Student Radio Stations.
Promotional media campaign, online inc. The Guardian, Drowned in Sound, NME, eFestivals approx 1,000,000 page impressions. ½ page print ad in The Fly Nov/Dec Issue. Twice featured on Music Week cover mount CDs including Favourites of 2011 during December.
We played approx 30 shows in 2011 including Festivals, highlights being Bug Jam & Endorse It. Venues included headlining a Bedford Esquires, Leicester Soundhouse, Brighton Volks and Proud Galleries in Camden but our highlight of 2011 was a sold out headline show (in advance) at Camden Barfly London on 19th November.
BIO:
When is a band not a band? Perhaps when it's made up of disparate members whose combined aural heritage touches on orchestral, jazz, punk and, er, grime.
With so many influences, and a frontman who "was never really into music" it's any wonder the four-piece ever got together. But here they stand, hands filled with ingredients for their melting pot of ideas.
Moving outside the M25 to Wellingborough may not sound like the first step on the MC ladder. But, after escaping the Orbital (and gaining a few
feet in height) Karl Phillips soon began making his play in an urban scene typified by garish chains and faux-Ray Bans- much to the distaste of his peers, many of who felt the full brunt of his wit.
Now this "mock up band, put together for a laugh" have a critically acclaimed album under their belts. That and a constant hunger to produce their crossover sound, where dubstep, hip-hop and rock meet. Confusing? You should hear the Ramblers describe it themselves.
"Unlike Karl I'm quite a big music fan, though I'm really into guitar bands," states drummer David Hole, who cites The Smashing Pumpkins and Radiohead as his influences. Not the first person you'd expect to join an outfit that approaches Britain's streets and associated cultures with equal parts respect and ridicule.
"The first time I played with Karl I said to him: 'You're good at what you do, but it's not really my thing'," says David 'Stifler' Pape, a classical pianist, trumpeter, self-taught bassist and fan of the Royal Crown Review (the jazz band from The Mask).
By now it should surprise few to learn that the Ramblers' second guitarist, Elliot Cameron, cut his teeth on the Mississippi blues of John Lee Hooker. Karl's then-girlfriend knew Elliot, one boozy chat and a few jams later and the rest is a kind of blurred history.
It's been some journey piecing things together and the chapters continue to unfold. So far it's a tale of two lost teaching jobs, winning the Brighton final of Live and Unsigned, cramped venues with security guards worrying about how hard the crowd are dancing, and support slots for the likes of, among others, Example, Skepta and Chase & Status.
This success is ever burgeoning as they continue on their all-conquering mission to call a spade a spade (or an arsehole an arsehole). A disarmingly honest pack of maestros that meld wry irreverence with forward thinking songwriting, Karl Phillips and The Midnight Ramblers are one in the eye of an overtly arrogant scene and an anti-thesis to skinny jeans. In a cynical age, who could ask for anything more.
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