EP review: STONE THIEVES – Church Of The Medicine Man

3MS Music [Release date 14.02.20]

Stone Thieves are a London band who have been building a solid reputation with their Americana repertoire. One might argue that the music is American rock or even Southern Rock, rather than pure Americana, but you get the picture. In fact, the listener needs to first get past the mild absurdity of swamp music coming from London, with the music’s references to Soho bars and with YouTube scenes of London. But do that and you’re then rewarded with rather good sounds from a more than competent band.

The liner notes refer to them building on the narrative songs of Petty, Springsteen and Young. A bit of a heady claim, but it turns out to be true. Musically, there’s a whole lot of rock arrangements, with jangly, distorted guitar and more than a little nod to Creedence along the way.

The EP opens with “Wheels” (not the Gram Parsons song). This track is very derivative of Tom Petty, with The Byrds thrown in – but hey that’s not a bad thing. A good more than solid rock song.

“Medicine Man” is up next, with the singer Aaron Gardner looking to him to “come on up bring something for my blues”. This is another good southern rock track – and it gives the EP it’s title by “praying at the church of the medicine man”.

Excellent vocals dominate “Let the Good Times Roll”. The feel is very much Rolling Stones. Maybe the band have literally lived up to their name here! Very reminiscent of the Faces as well, so good pedigree!

These tracks definitely grow on you and I’d highly recommend giving the EP a listen.

Review by Iain McGonigal

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)