Self release [Release date: 01.05.26]

‘Follow You’ is a sparkling 5 track EP by the Birmingham based The Davidson Trio and is the perfect follow up to their critically acclaimed ‘Cougar’ debut album.

While the latter served as a reminder of their 70’s style antecedents in which Trapeze are a salient influence, this riff-driven EP finds a classic power trio racking up the intensity with only the booming title track being infused with their previous bluesy crossover style.

There’s much to admire here on a well written and tautly delivered EP which barely pauses for breath.

‘Follow You’ is a coherent musical journey full of good songs, fiery solos, colourful tones, soulful vocal phrasing and fine band interplay, framed by an imposing wall of sound.

It’s a sonic triumph which says much about the band’s confidence in the studio, and more particularly about their producer, engineer and mixer Ellis Powell-Bevan’s intuitive understanding of their music.

The band sound as if they’ve poured every last ounce of frustration into their recording sessions (which were interrupted by floods and power cuts etc), and channelled it all into their songcraft and virtuosic playing, which is nothing short of inspired.

The songs rock hard and yet also have an organic quality, with a ‘live in the studio’ feel shot through with Davidson’s soulful phrasing.

The opening Ben Bicknell penned ‘Mr. Greasy Snake’ is the perfect example of their riff driven dynamic approach, on which the bass playing vocalist Owen Davidson fills the track with the polar opposites of harmonies and venom.

Guitarist Bicknell extends his opening solo over a muscular rhythm track on a perfect introduction to 5 well written songs that generate real flow.

The already released lead single ‘War’ is a band composition dealing with the: “everyday battles we all face, the feeling of wanting to defend what we love.”

It’s built on a drone like atmosphere redolent of Robin Trower, on which Davidson’s voice takes centre stage on a booming hook, while drummer Ellis Brown provides the thunderous backing and Bicknell adds a piercingly toned expressive solo.

The band cleverly turn a familiar hard rock musical template them into something unique and exhilarating which mirrors the excitement of making music together.

The riffs get even heavier (in a good way) on another band composition and future single called ‘Disillusion’.

It’s a caustic blood and thunder outing on which Davidson’s voice is mixed back slightly, but serves to highlight the way he rises effortlessly into the hook over a staccato rhythm that gives the song its edge.

He even finds room to project a bass run at the 1.23 mark, before the song takes off like an express train with a propulsive post psychedelic wah-wah solo over a thudding bass accompaniment.

This is the kind of riff-rocking intensity that Phil Spector somehow missed when he first developed his wall of sound!

‘Song For Phil’ (also set for a single release) is a Bicknell/Davidson number which neatly taps into the recent upswing of interest in Phil Lynott again, on a song that evokes Thin Lizzy, but on the band’s own terms.

Bicknell’s cleverly crafted harmony guitar lines and the powerful rhythm section gives Davidson the perfect vehicle to deliver warm, but powerful phrasing that evokes Lynott.

Bicknell dials in another fiery solo and we are sadly robbed of a grandstand finish as his blazing solo is all too soon eclipsed by the fade.

Everything flow mellifluously into the bluesy tinged title track, a Ben Bicknell tune which loses nothing in terms of intensity.

Bicknell’s piercing solo is offset by a stellar Davidson vocal which attacks the song with gusto, on a booming track punctuated by crashing chords and a defining uplifting solo.

There’s raw power and electricity in the air as Davidson extends a vowel on the “Take Me By The Hand” line and belts out the chorus with some passionate repeats of the title.

The song builds again as Bicknell leans into an almighty guitar avalanche that will surely lead to much fist pumping at gigs.

There’s a final guitar-led coda complete with a decaying guitar note from Bicknell, which is his final contribution to a 5 star trio release.

The Davidson Trio successfully recycle the past into the present with strong material, great playing and real excitement. Hard rock doesn’t have many better emissaries.

*****

Review by Pete Feenstra

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

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April 12

Josh Taerk - Sunday Session - 12 April 2026

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Power Plays w/c 16 March 2026

THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Brat With A Baseball Bat (Eonian Records)
ARANDA You Don’t Wanna Know (indie)
MYRATH Breathing Near The Roar (earMUSIC)
DELBHOY KENNEDY Sky’s The Limit (Flip Flop Records)
ALL THEM WITCHES Starting Line (BMG)
HER FURY Use And Abuse (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 16 March 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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