Yorkshire’s Alley of the Dolls share EP “Urethane”
MEET ALLEY OF THE DOLLS
Meet 'Alley of the Dolls,' a hard rock monster brought to life by cousins Jacob Stephenson and Adam Pickering. Hailing from the West Riding of Yorkshire, Alley of the Dolls find their inspiration from across the pond and back through the years. Their creative energy deeply rooted in the iconic rock era of the 90s, drawing from legendary Seattle post-grunge bands like Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Green River. You'll also hear Guns 'N' Roses, Foo Fighters and Smashing Pumpkins in the sonic palate. After years pursuing separate music interests they realised that their life long shared interest in 90s rock was best indulged collectively. The result is a sound that effortlessly blends raw emotion, electrifying riffs, and poignant lyrics. Their harmonious connection as both bandmates and family members infuses an unmistakable chemistry into their performance. Alley of the Dolls brings a modern twist to a nostalgic sound. Their music resonates with a generation that embraces the spirit of rebellion, and their performances transport listeners to a time when music was a reflection of life's rawest emotions.
ABOUT URETHANE
Often, writing good music takes a lot of time and energy. Sometimes, as was the case with Urethane, it seems to come easily. Written, recorded, mixed and mastered (by Mark Roberts) in just a few sessions in early 2024, the EP captures a moment in time. As a result, the tracks gel. The whole hard-rocking EP is about punching upwards, against the tyranny and abuse of the powerful and on behalf of all of those engaged in the daily struggle to survive, and thrive. It's about freedom: the freedom to be yourslef, but also the freedom from the cruelty of others.
TRACK BREAKDOWN
Broken Skies: The EP starts with the ragefull riff of Broken Skies and sweeps you into the first emotionally charged verse. It expresses pain and exasperation at the self-interest, incompetence and apathy that often lies at the heart of tragedies like the Parkland high school shooting.
Teardrop: An anagram of predator, Teardrop spits and snarls as it strips down the mind of those men who feed off the vulnerability of women, leaving chaos and pain in their wake. Its two part middle eight is a haunting climb to a biting, heavy groove that crashes into the final chorus.
Lower East Side: This radio friendly rocker is both a love letter to, and a warning about New York's Lower East Side. It charts the experience of a struggling artist, trying to make their way in the city.
Ecliptic Plane: Characterised by its slow, hard groove, Ecliptic Plane is all about finding perspective as a troubled soul in the celestial expanse. The final chorus brings together all melodic themes into a huge, complex and compelling ending.
Polyamory: A dirty, grungy, sweat-laden orgy of hard rocking riffs and vocal attitude, Polyamory is about risk and reward, pleasure and pain.
