Sub Couple are an interesting entry to the Beat100 music charts and something that I, for one, have found very hard to pin down. Far from this being a bad thing it's actually what makes this song so appealing and so exciting. It's great to be challenged as to genre and style; whilst still having something that is undoubtedly incredible to listen to.
They describe themselves as a Garage, Psychedelic, Rock band and this does go somewhere to describing what the band is. But this blend of styles creates something that's unique and exciting and their 12.5 thousand views is testament to this - you'll keep coming back for another dose.
So, onto their entry, "Sub Stomp". It starts with a thump that continues throughout the majority of the song. It's a simple riff, bass and drum beat that is guaranteed to have you tapping your foot along.
This is where the rock meets the other influences. The vocals kick in with a very old school rock sound - it's like early Zeppelin meets every great rock singer of the 60's and 70's. The vocalist Dave Tomlinson has an impeccable classic rock voice and the lyrics are classic rock meets blues. It's driving rock at its finest bold, thumping and pushing with imaginative lyrics you'll keep singing along to.
Then there's the music itself and here is where the song gets really interesting. It's, on one level, classic rock with grinding riffs, rolling drums and deep quick step bass. However, the other side to the song is the more garage, psych influence with a much higher pitched tone that brings the song away from rock towards something else. It still retains a distinctly rocky feel but it’s not quite the classic rock that the rest of the song holds to.
The guitar work is stunning. Dave Tomlinson and Paul Clark are exceptional fretworkers and they blend the driving riffs with bluesy intonation, short licks and more bouncy walks; as well as some cheese thrown in for good measure. The drive and energy of the song is fantastic in the guitar and it’s just a thrill ride along the fret board from start to finish!
The drums and bass, from Chris Clark and Kieran Heneghan, give the song some depth but really are the mise en scene in which the whole performance develops and comes together. There’s the driving stomp for which the song is undoubtedly named with plenty of crash and roll to the drums and plenty of depth, walk and sleaze to the bass – which creates a perfect balance and a serious drive to the song.
And of course I have to mention the video; which has captured a lot of people’s imaginations. It’s a simple but elegant juxtaposition of robotics and people which cleverly bends the concept of humanity and perfectly fits the “Sub Stomp” vibe. It cleverly matches the rhythm and drive of the song and there’s something forever fun about watching a robot dancing.
On that note we wish Sub Couple great success with their music and really recommend you check out and vote for their video! It really is one of the best songs we’ve seen and well worth your time. Turn it up to 11 and start stomping.
