Artist Spotlight: Spin Doctors Guitarist Solo Blues-Rock, London Alt-Pop, and UK Indie-Rock
By David Weddle
Exploring the raw talent and resonant stories of the independent music scene.
Exploring the raw talent and resonant stories of the independent music scene.
Our regular spotlight articles cover a range of independent artists across various genres. In this edition, we look at new releases from Eric Schenkman, Firestations, and The Spitting Pips.
Eric Schenkman
Years ago, founding member and guitarist for Spin Doctors, Eric Schenkman traveled to Little Rock, AR to visit with Cody Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars. Inspired by Cody’s and his dad, legendary producer Jim Dickinson’s very musical environment, guitarist Schenkman wrote and recorded solo single “Recipe” as a tribute to the electric guitar’s Legacy and how each musician can create their own Artistic Inheritance through the tool of the electric guitar.
The track features an authentic human performance, recorded without the use of a click track. The powerful rhythm section of Al Cross on drums and Stan Miczek on bass creates a loose and natural groove, allowing for the utmost in interaction and spontaneity. “Recipe” pays homage to the rich history of the electric guitar and its innovative players, including Charlie Christian, Albert King, and the great Jimi Hendrix. “Recipe” is out now via Slammin Media.
FOLLOW ERIC SCHENKMAN ON SOCIALS:
INSTAGRAM • THREADS • X • FACEBOOK • YOUTUBE • TIKTOK • BLUESKY
Listen here
Years ago, founding member and guitarist for Spin Doctors, Eric Schenkman traveled to Little Rock, AR to visit with Cody Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars. Inspired by Cody’s and his dad, legendary producer Jim Dickinson’s very musical environment, guitarist Schenkman wrote and recorded solo single “Recipe” as a tribute to the electric guitar’s Legacy and how each musician can create their own Artistic Inheritance through the tool of the electric guitar.
The track features an authentic human performance, recorded without the use of a click track. The powerful rhythm section of Al Cross on drums and Stan Miczek on bass creates a loose and natural groove, allowing for the utmost in interaction and spontaneity. “Recipe” pays homage to the rich history of the electric guitar and its innovative players, including Charlie Christian, Albert King, and the great Jimi Hendrix. “Recipe” is out now via Slammin Media.
FOLLOW ERIC SCHENKMAN ON SOCIALS:
INSTAGRAM • THREADS • X • FACEBOOK • YOUTUBE • TIKTOK • BLUESKY
Listen here
Firestations
5-piece Firestations, Mike Cranny, Laura Copsey, Martin Thompson, Tom Hargreaves and Neil Walsh are a London-based band doing things their own way. This group of individuals creates music that is primarily alt pop-based blended with lots of electronic textures. The band has come a long way from their debut album in 2014 but have still managed to keep their music not just interesting but also very relevant in the world of modern music.
This single has become a manifesto to stay curious and open to new things and not to get into a rut of being passive. A country influenced chord sequence is used in the verses and then in the choruses the chord sequence is altered in a jazzy fashion. This gives a sense of reflective lyrics in a well crafted song that is as catchy as it is unique.
Listen here
5-piece Firestations, Mike Cranny, Laura Copsey, Martin Thompson, Tom Hargreaves and Neil Walsh are a London-based band doing things their own way. This group of individuals creates music that is primarily alt pop-based blended with lots of electronic textures. The band has come a long way from their debut album in 2014 but have still managed to keep their music not just interesting but also very relevant in the world of modern music.
This single has become a manifesto to stay curious and open to new things and not to get into a rut of being passive. A country influenced chord sequence is used in the verses and then in the choruses the chord sequence is altered in a jazzy fashion. This gives a sense of reflective lyrics in a well crafted song that is as catchy as it is unique.
Listen here
The Spitting Pips
UK rock group The Spitting Pips have been touring extensively throughout Europe and the UK for many years. The Pips have shared the festival stage and bill with the likes of Buzzcocks, Happy Mondays, Peter Hook & The Light and Echo & The Bunnymen to name but a few.
The current single, “Green Eyes,” was recorded in St. Helens with Sugar House Productions and then mastered by engineer Robin Schmidt. What really shows and something that the band are proud of is that The Spitting Pips are at their core, a group of friends having a great time and recording great music. This approach gives their Indie sound a straightforward, high-energy rock 'n' roll style.
Listen here
UK rock group The Spitting Pips have been touring extensively throughout Europe and the UK for many years. The Pips have shared the festival stage and bill with the likes of Buzzcocks, Happy Mondays, Peter Hook & The Light and Echo & The Bunnymen to name but a few.
The current single, “Green Eyes,” was recorded in St. Helens with Sugar House Productions and then mastered by engineer Robin Schmidt. What really shows and something that the band are proud of is that The Spitting Pips are at their core, a group of friends having a great time and recording great music. This approach gives their Indie sound a straightforward, high-energy rock 'n' roll style.
Listen here
Keep an eye out for more artist spotlights, and if you have any new music that you think deserves a shout-out, feel free to send it our way.