Skip to main content

STONE COLD CLASSIC - AKA George


UK artist and multi-instrumentalist, George Barnett, 25 is slated to blow up.  “Stone Cold Classic” serves as his break out track. George is ready to thrive after writing songs such as the melodic “2020” and the electronic beat heavy song "Give Your Heart a Gun" which landed him a minimal but loyal You Tube following. He did attain some early notice in 2015 and even headlined the Silverhayes stage at esteemed Glastonbury. Due to the fact that he played all the instruments on his cover of Pharrel’s “Get Lucky’” and promptly the mega star rapper (in his own mind) attempted to seduce him into a production deal. This young gun went to a few cheesy A%R meetings in slick offices only to decide this is not happening. So in true rebel form he took all of his content off the internet inciting a tiny mutiny among his online fans. Bring back George they were furiously messaging from their Smart Phones.  In 2017, he made a roaring comeback with the stand alone track “Stone Cold Classic”. This flame of a track ricochets with infinite energy, angular guitar playing and not so stylish but effective drum beats. Think Meg White’s unpretentious yet potent style of drumming on “Seven Nation Army. He sings with an intoxicating growl while powerfully enunciating each syllable. With this track, he has penned a snarky homage to himself and other contagious visceral front men like Michael Hutchenson, Alex Turner, Matt Shultz and our girl, LG, of Thelma and the Sleaze. He delivers a rocking tune defines the point person in the band can be cocky, charismatic, fantastic and often sarcastic.

You don't have to ask
I God Damn have it
Stone Cold Classic
A great front man or woman holds you captive. As his music literally inhabits his body at the 2:15 mark you know HE GOD DAMN HAS IT which he sings with Jack White prowess
This track is blend of proto punk and frenetic alternative music with anthem like qualities. He steps right up to the mic in the studio version video while the power chords of the guitar slither and sizzle in a simplistic yet forceful manner. The rip of the drum and cymbals slap against the bass. The electronic element slides in while a quick pace is kept on the kick drum. He sings with angsty urgency. A quick vocal stop leads up to a rhythmic spike as he forcefully groans 
Classic.....Classic.....Stone Cold Classic.
It's George's visceral presence that sets him apart from other artists that are content to stand in one place.  His lanky frame, carved cheekbones remind me of Mick but George has a spacey innocence in his smoldering eyes. I shared two versions of the video: the black and white created in his cramped London studio and also the live one from Makers Music Festival in December of 2018. Clad in black denim, righteous Converse and a button down shirt ripe with tangerine and lavender color, he moves like a cagey tiger. This gave some artistic vision to the lyric sequence
Fire up the flame
Shere Khan savage


Shere Khan was the powerful, suave Bengal tiger who was the crafty antagonist in the Kipling stone cold classic The Jungle Book. SK was a self-assured big cat much like the auteur and performer of this infectious jam.    
His underhanded lyrics plus gonzo guitar attack style rhythm blends art and music in a dynamic, innovative fashion.  He has his eye on being 
Baddest in the game
With a Van Gogh vision

Matt and Alex better watch your backs, there’s a new bad ass in music town. He has since released the frenetic blast of a song, “Manic Machine”, in 2018.
 According to telling Twitter feed, on 2/7 he had a “meeting with Mystic Sons (music promo in London) about my new EP….Exciting stuff around the corner”.  His 2/6 post read simply "go with your instinct". He walked away from the Big Guys because he wasn't ready for the hype. Then true to Sinatra’s words he did it his way. Well played young man. Well played.
Random fun facts: He has an adorable white cat dotted with black named Esme. He loves her very much and writes with her by his side. Awe.
He once did an interview with a journalist in a tree.  This gives me ideas!  


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Song of the Day - "OPEN" - by Stella Ruze (Rules)

The Gang is all here. STELLA RUZE writtten by Violet Rosette Stella Ruze? More like Stella Rulez! Stella Ruze was birthed in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia in 2014 and is continuing to grow. They just dropped a new video for their newest song “Open”. This song will be featured on their new album “The Greater Dog”. Brendan Johnson & Katie O’Donnell are the band founders and help write most of the songs. The group also includes Keyboardist Mason Wallack and Alex Styer on trumpet. Together they make a stellar team! What could be better than Stella Ruze the 4-piece?   Stella Ruze the 7-piece! These funky monkeys have added accomplished blues drummer Sean McIntyre who really knows his way around a drum set. They also merged Bass guitar extraordinaire Ted Mayo and saxophone player, Vince Gleason, who is a lifetime member of the legendary Mummer group – Ferko String Band, into the previous 4-piece. According to the band, “Our new sound emboldens our message t...

Allow me to Introduce The Inclines

The Inclines hail from Kitchener, Ontario. The dynamic four-piece band release songs that ricochet with emotive prowess. They sing of relationships gone South as well as found love. Their style is a brash mix of alternative self-confessional emo indie rock.  They released a few ripping singles earlier in the Spring.  Here is your introduction to the band. Sam Belanger - Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar Jake Robinson - Bass Guitar/Vocals Brad McNeil - Drums/Vocals Cole Saunders - Lead Guitar What's up with the band name?  – “Our singer came up with it about 3 years ago. It doesn’t have any special meaning we just like how ambiguous it sounds.” Tell me about your start as a band  – “ We’ve been a band since 2016. Our  influences  range across many genres such as punk, and R&B. We write our lyrics as a group. Our songwriting process is very chaotic because we always have many songs on the go.” What is your favorite music to listen to? ...

New Discovery - Papi and The Smears

      “The suburbs may have raised us but the city keeps us alive!” - Jessica Komyati of Papi and the Smears.   First off the name.... boom. Also they are reviving some true garage grunge rock with and indie twist of lemon shaken not stirred. Drink it down.  This is my comment on their Facebook page . Papi and The Smears are on a mission. " Rock and Roll is dying.We want to give it a PULSE". This Ohio based band create music that combines of indie bliss, straight out of the garage rock and a sprinkling of the blues.  Papi is full on determined to give you a rocking Cleveland centric experience.  The members of the band with the best name out there include Jessica Komyati on lead vocals and guitar, John Jasunas on drums, Devin Ratajczak on bass and harmony vocals. Having three in a band can be a challenge, but these newcomers who have been jamming quietly are poised to make a splash in the pool of  contemporary musi...