Hello Rocksters!

My name is Phillip - If there's two things that I like in life...no.. in fact, I should say - If there's two things that I love in life... It's biscuits and feet. That was until one sunny day, when I saw you crazy guys in action!

You see - I've been avoiding music since 1989. I used to love the band formally referred to as the "pet shop boys", until I discovered, in an interview with "look-in" magazine, that the quiet one who played the organ, liked to pee, whilst sitting down(!). I tore-down my posters and burned all of my pictures.. not just pictures of them ...any picture that I'd ever taken of anything, in my life. It really hit me quite hard, and I must admit that I was really glad that I didn't own any of their LPs and singles, otherwise I'd have had to have burned them, too - which would have been a total waste of money! I've never talked about that day since, with anyone... until now!

It just never gets boring to see you guys play live - I've watched the video clip on your website 11 times, so far - and I know that when the time comes to view this video "just one more time", I will, once again be mesmerized by the sheer energy of your on-stage antics and harmonious tones that sound like music that is produced from a flute of real gold!

Speaking of on-stage antics - Mikey Daly from The West Sussex County Times claimed that it was..."dreadlocked front-man Markey who stole the show", but - although you were all hotter than "a saveloy on a hot tin roof", I must say that the pug-faced, almost impish Drew, stole the show for me.
He moved with great finesse - and his lively performance, and style I would have to compare with a spritely, inquisitive Meer cat!
Great, Drew! - I love it!... In the words of the late, great Mr. John Bon Jovey "Pour some sugar on me!". Drew looks a bit like a cross between the man from the BBC's "7 o'clock show" and the man from "the blockheads" that they call "Ian Jury" - but he sure knows how to move... I bet his feet needed the emergency fire service, by the time you finished your set!


After careful thought - I think that Drew is my favorite band member...It's hard to say why, but of all the band members, I guess he is the most similar to both feet and biscuits... I don't mean for that to detract from the rest of the band, however - as you're all so good that I would sell every tooth in my head, in order to sit down with any of you, and enjoy a marmite sandwich - although, I may have to liquidize mine first, and drink it with a straw, because I'd have no teeth! ( I think you "rock and roll band-types know what I'm talking about,eh!!).

Now, thanks to you guys, there's three things that I love in life - feet, biscuits and the Drone Robots! I may buy one of your LPs one day, or actually come and see you, but in the meantime, I'll be watching and watching your on-line offerings, until my eyes bleed real dairy cream!


You Guys Rock (like the Hudson!)

Your Friend,

Phil.

Phillip Atio

P.S: If you guys fancy meeting up and grabbing a Marmite sandwich sometime, please e-mail me back!

PPS: If you need me to sell my teeth first, please let me know.

first onstage were The Drone Rebels who had surprised everyone by coming out of nowhere to win their heat. Unfortunately they were missing both their photogenic drummer and charismatic frontman who were stranded in Mexico and Barbados respectively. Undaunted they found a more than adequate replacement skin-beater and guitarist bandleader Drew took on lead vocal duties. You’d never guess that they’d only rehearsed as this lineup on Friday afternoon so polished was their performance. Playing exciting catchy tunes with some tasteful lead guitar and backing vocals from Simon and with bass player in full vampire regalia and makeup they made a great opening act to warm up the crowd.

Listen to our Radio début on Spirit FM with the lovely Milly Luxford on the Tunes page.

The Drone Rebels delivered a terrific performance of catchy alt-rock-punk anthems. Very similar to The Ruts in places (remember Babylons Burning anyone?) their songs nevertheless have more hooks than a mackerel line and You Don't Know and Going Nowhere drilled themselves into your brain. This band know how to play and how to have fun but it was the immense presence of dreadlocked frontman Mikey who stole the show. - Mark Daly

Good, infectious, punk edged, rockin' energy here from London based five-piece The Drone Rebels. Nothing really new or expansive, just down-home, solid, melodic power-pop played with an intensity that sounds like it should hurt.

The Drone Rebels keep it simple and mean; there's no over-done multi-dubs, nothing to speak of in the way of studio enhancement, just honest-to-goodness rock'n'punk that sounds as if it comes straight from the heart. And, The Drone Rebels definitely make sure you don't nod off when their music is playing - these guys are hard to sit still to!! With incessant riffs and fills from the two guitars, beautifully proportioned bass and solid, punctuative percussion, The Drone Rebels lay down a pretty formidable backdrop that somehow still allows plenty of room for the vocals to shine through - their music gets under yer skin and makes ya itch!!

I like the honesty of The Drone Rebels, the don't pretend to be anything they're not and they don't push the boat out with unnecessary fx or over-clever arrangements - The Drone Rebels just play it bright and loud and let the inherent simplicity of their music carry the weight. And, although there's a certain attitude that comes through with their music, The Drone Rebels don't sound as if they are trying to preach to anyone about anything - they just sound like they're a bunch of like-minded rock musicians who write and play observational commentaries on life as they see it and just enjoy what they're doing.

With the six tracks on offer here it's quite clear that The Drone Rebels have got it pretty much sorted - they're on the rockin' side of pop'n'punk and play with a great unity and self-belief - The Drone Rebels just effortlessly churn it all out with nicely controlled aggression and well matured venom. A tidy little demo then - a genuine taster of what The Drone Rebels are all about which should serve the guys extremely well as a promotional tool.

Great sound, I really want to see this lot live. I like the raw energy of it the chorus was really catchy, I am going to look into this band and get them down the Concorde very very soon!

It’s a bit obvious but that doesn’t matter, its tight but has a loose feel which is good for the style. It has a good catchy chorus and the song arrangement is very good with a healthy pop sensibility. A band that you need to see live, I really liked it!

Makes me want to put on a pair of bondage trousers and lace up a pair of 14 hole Doctor Martins and jump around like an idiot! It is reminiscent of early Jam and Stiff Little Fingers. I can imagine if you had a few drinks and they were playing a sweaty pub they would be very good fun!

One of the best sets of the weekend though was The Drone Rebels, who we haven't seen much of since the Battle Of The Bands competition last year. They only played for half an hour but played a very tight set with a good mix for their high energy styles.