Sat on a train to that London and I am surrounded by commuters who cant help but look at me as I sit there tapping, nodding, scribbling down notes whilst humming them.

To say that I was looking forward to this is an understatement as I had worn the fantastic debut Never To Be Tamed down to its its bare bones. 

Could this young dynamic real rock ‘n roll four piece really keep up the high standards previously set or indeed manage to go to the next level?

Its been over a week since I started listening to SLYDIGS’ forthcoming EP with opening track ‘How Animal are You’ the latest single release kicking things off. This rip snorter sets off at a pace with the crisp snare snapping away driving the boogie as Dean’s raucous voice screams at you. Classic cliche of Jaguar/Guitar sounds fresh and sends images of accompanying a 70’s aftershave commercial warms the cockles that these boys are bang on track.

Track 2, The Truth Will Be Found, is a grower, in Aerosmith territory and already a live staple – sliding its way through and tending the soul with a rusty edge. As you are sitting there with a post ‘Truth’cool glow you are instantly slapped with a mansize rooster of a tune telling the tale of dangerous ladies who run on gasoline, Give It Up Brother simple smooth effective harmonies and claptastic chorus will run and run live, added to Louis’ swirling six string I dare you to not be humming this ding dong of a song.

Many bands look to add a ballad of sorts a slowie, to show their range and mostly cock it up. Well SlyDigs may have found their ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ with this mix of piano and acoustic. The live reactions with ‘To Catch A Fading Light’ have shown it to already be on its way to being a fan favourite. Ladies, gents arms in the air – quite possibly pissed on the atmos and possibly a few beers will want to live in this moment, not through their phones. No doubt disciples will be murdering it at karaoke for years to come or waddling to it at weddings galore.

The last two tracks, Suburban Confinement and The Kids Feel Underrated, both different, both brilliant. Suburban tells a story of small town life, stuck in a rut and wanting to break out, almost a struggle to leave perhaps echoing their Warrington lives. It builds to a cracking crescendo, a booze fueled high with a pole stripping solo, matching the vocal angst, beaten along by Ben and Pete. Almost my favourite.

So, we are now complete, sold on their story, their love lives, their love warnings, their cigarette stained refusal to not accept whats expected. To get or see more, to make their own history. Following from the rock stable of life – Faces, Stones, Bolan, Zepplin, Beatles, Who, Weller, Gallaghers. This is capped off with the belting The Kids Are Underrated’ – starts slow, it builds, its melodic, hypnotic and live will be B.I.G. Chasing rainbows……..Police in plain clothes…….The devil’s henchman at my door. Its my absolute favourite, its on a classic play list all day long. If they aren’t already on the tricky trail to success with their non stop live commitments then this track will certainly help cement them when they get there.

This is a polished more mature sound but not completely, which perfectly catches their live energy and rock ‘n roll sound. Bridging the gap between the elder statesman and the new generation was exactly the attitude the epic Oasis brought us in abundance – SLYDIGS have picked up that baton with their own style, edge and hunger.

The Digs are touring May/June across Europe starting in Manchester – go see them so you can say you were there……….

Tickets http://www.slydigs.co.uk/live

How Animal are You?

Just for the hell of it and to wet your appetite turn it up – Stiff Upper Lip

What are your Onions baby?

RPOS GUV X