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PEEPSHOW

Welcoming the ‘Brand New Breed’…

As a new generation of fans discover a world of danger-flecked rock n’roll more compelling and exotic than the pop and pseudo-punk they’ve been spoon fed to date, Peepshow are perfectly positioned to take their message to the masses. Merely tipping the hat to monsters of rock past, Peepshow have twisted their sounds into something youthful, new and as yet unheard.

Their razor sharp look and street ready desire to entertain meet a precision and outrageous musicality that’s framed in modern metal. There’s the fervour of My Chemical Romance coupled with the slick presentation of Kill Hannah and Blessed By A Broken Heart, while their universal, rallying-the-clans commerciality echoes that of Black Veil Brides.

It all started as it should, not on Saturday night television screens or in the gleam of a marketing man’s eye, but at grass roots level, in the pubs and clubs of their native Scotland. Led by charismatic singer and songwriter Johnny Gunn, a man with a voice to melt icebergs and an image to stop traffic, Peepshow’s surging, futuristic anthems soon found favour. Their self-released debut album quickly shifted 2,000 copies, largely through word of mouth, and drew instant praise from national press. Consequently seized upon as a band on a rocket ride, Peepshow were unleashed to support the likes of Duff McKagan’s Loaded, Backyard Babies and CrashDiet. Indeed, so keen were the latter on the forward-leaning Scots that Johnny ended up co-writing three songs for their most recent album, Generation Wild.

As Johnny, guitarists Rusty Gill and Dagan, bassist Hex and drummer Hammy gear up for the release of aptly titled second album Brand New Breed, Peepshow are bigger, stronger and more focused than ever before. Their already muscular sounds have been toned further by playing to packed houses and working with the best in the business.

Pumped hard on sheer adrenalin and some timeless rock n’roll stardust, Brand New Breed is fused with blasts of synths, lightspeed dual guitars and textured, flexing rhythms. The hooks on first single Let Go and Live Free Or Die are tailor made for the bigger venues, while the intensity of Feed On Me and the sky high emotions and god-sized riffs of All Or Nothing will drive their way straight into the guts and heart respectively. Strong songs and melodies underpin everything – music for outsiders, the discontented and the artistic - songs that fans will come back to time and time again.

In the weeks before the release of Brand New Breed, their thrilling promotional video for Let Go attracted around 10,000 YouTube hits – but even that was nothing compared to the astonishing quarter million plays that greeted a selection of teaser tracks posted on the band’s official myspace.

The show is on. You’d be wise to get to the front of the queue…

'Steve Beebee, 'Kerrang!' 28th January 2012

We first stumbled upon PEEPSHOW back in 2009 when they released their debut CD “Out For Blood”, which was rawer in nature compared to this latest offering, “Brand New Breed”. It has been two plus years since that debut release and the band have had time to mature their sound and grow as a unit. The new CD is full-combustion with tastes of KISS, CRASHDÏET, MÖTLEY CRÜE, ALICE COOPER and many others. Lead vocalist Johnny Gunn had time to nurture the chords as you will hear some great range with highs, lows and screams that will amaze.

“Brand New Breed” opens with a subtle intro instrumental with narration talking about a new world order and laughs that run into the first vocal track (and their first video off “Brand New Breed”) “Let Go”. The song really highlights the emotion and talents of PEEPSHOW as musically and lyrically the song explodes; “Let Go” lyrically says how we are being beat down but will rise again and Rusty Gill’s guitar slinging just goes off.

“Live Free Or Die” is just a chilling song that will have the crowds up on their feet with fists in the air and rocking out. It’s sure to be an anthem. Listen to Mr. Gunn on this one. Does he sound like he has the screams of Dave Lepard (CRASHDÏET)?

One of my favorite tracks is “Trouble” as it has those great essences of the 80’s, which brings the levels up to ecstasy heights. Its harmonies and background vocals are reminiscent of the classic era of the 80’s for sure!

Many bands may shy away from keyboards but PEEPSHOW add depth with the keys and that brings a fuller, more complete sound to the songs. Check out “Only A Dream”. What I really like about PEEPSHOW is that they really don’t shy away from any kind of direction musically. “Only A Dream” could be a great ALICE COOPER meets SMASHING PUMPKINS type tune. Amazing!

Pump it up for “All Or Nothing” with full throttle power. Johnny Gunn and the boys in PEEPSHOW are simply stunning. Listening to “Out For Blood” and “Brand New Breed” is like day and night. PEEPSHOW will gain a huge fan base with “Brand New Breed” and it will elevate these boys as an entity in music (if there is any justice).

PEEPSHOW is not all about the heavy side of music either. They show plenty of diversity and you will hear that on the killer ballad “Irreversible”. Once again Johnny Gunn will become an icon and PEEPSHOW will reach star status if all is right in the music world.

PEEPSHOW comes right back with “Suffer”, which is a hard rocking tune that will once again make you stand tall. Drummer Hammy shows his chops on this one and makes himself noticed.

Next tune up is the title track “Brand New Breed” and it smokes. I’m sure it wasn’t easy picking a title track for the CD because there are so many great songs to pick from but you’ll love this one.

Ending the disc is “Follow Your Instincts”, which should be another crowd anthem that will raise the glory flag of a brand new breed called PEEPSHOW.
Listening to “Brand New Breed” track by track was like listening to a greatest hits release for me. Not one filler in the bunch. The CD is full of rockers, anthems, ballads and more. This one is a keeper and mark my words, you will love this release and will want to listen to it over and over again! What a great start to 2012.