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I’m Nick Tann – musician, songwriter, and your guide to the best new music you haven’t heard yet.
Episode 37
The Bad Actors, Valentyne, Falling Below, The Painkillers
Episode 37 and what better way to kick it off than with Sheffield’s own The Bad Actors and their head nodding single Offside Clarity. It looks like this could be a tight little two piece. Have a read through the blurb and see what you think:
Following a barrage of headline shows and tour support slots this year including the Fun Lovin’ Criminal, Huey Morgan on his May ‘25 tour, The Bad Actors announce the release of new single Offside Clarity. Dropping 15th August 2025, this second part of the heavily anticipated debut EP titled ACT YOUR AGE will be released in full later this year.
Taking Sheffield by storm, funk rock duo The Bad Actors are making a name for themselves as “the men in orange”. Scissor-kicks and stage tricks are the MO of “kinetic” frontman Khalil. His voltaic stage presence helped win slots at Tramlines Festival 2024 and at this summer’s Y Not Festival 2025. Whilst Jay’s laid back drumming, matching his own personality in feel but not in introversion, forms the springboard for Khalil’s antics. This high energy dynamic duo play with an ease and synchronisation that can only be attributed to a life-long friendship.
Making waves on social media, The Bad Actors’ strategy is a recipe for virality with over 350K Instagram accounts reached, 170K TikTok and 190K YouTube views per month on their trademark ‘mini’ music videos during the previous release campaign.
“We’re taking a lot of inspiration from bands like Living Colour and The Police as well as Sly and The Family Stone.” – Jay, drummer
Offside Clarity conjures visceral imagery of the lonely midnight drive with only the radio for company. A darker, more introspective track, this second single from The Bad Actors upcoming EP presents as a perfect addition to a late night drive vibes playlist. Produced by longtime collaborator and Reverend and The Makers’ producer, David Sanderson, the new single drops 15th August 2025.
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook
In spot 2 we’ve got Valentyne and Do What You Want (Own Me). On their bio it says:
A heavy, guitar-driven track shaped by the distorted beauty of Boston Manor, Wolf Alice, The Mysterines, and Deftones, the single blends brooding riffs with anthemic choruses. It marks the first chapter in a five-track concept EP, each song accompanied by a cinematic music video forming a horror-inspired short film.
About Valentyne
Valentyne are carving out their name in the UK alt-rock scene with their dark cinematic style. Early singles have earned national radio play on BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing, and Amazing Radio, alongside coverage on Spotify’s Best New Indie playlist. Their debut video Hate Me surpassed 60,000 views, and festival appearances include Leeds Festival, The Neighbourhood, Trib Fest, and Camper Calling.
Winners of MCFC Battle of the Bands 2023 and Lytham Festival BOTB 2024, Valentyne recently completed a 14 date UK tour with stops at Manchester’s O2 Academy, Sheffield’s Leadmill, and more.
I couldn’t put it better, so I didn’t! They have a Linktree that has links to some of their breathtaking videos amongst other things.
In bronze position Falling Below drag their single Pieces to our ears. Emma at Plugin Baby always gives great bio so get comfy for this:
Falling Below are a five piece alternative metal band from Nottingham, UK, blending punishing riffs, soaring choruses, and haunting melodic textures.
The band was formed in 2023 by founding members Alex James Methven and Christo Loukopoulos.
With a shared love of hard rock and metal music, the pair created Falling Below with the hopes of taking their dreams and passion to huge crowds and stages across the world.
With a sound shaped by influences like Spiritbox, Bad Omens and Architects, the band deliver a modern metal punch that’s both emotionally resonant and explosively heavy.
Having made waves across the UK rock and metal scene, their music has been championed by Kerrang! Radio, BBC Radio, Emerging Rock Bands Radio, Total Rock and more.
Their songs have amassed over 380,000 streams across platforms, reaching listeners in over 130 countries and earning them a steadily growing global fanbase.
They have also played multiple sold out support shows in the Midlands, captivating fans with their energetic and immersive live set.
Falling Below are set to release their new EP, titled Holding Out for Hope, on February 20th 2026. Like their earlier work, it was mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London by engineer Stefan Brown.
This latest EP explores themes of self-conflict and inner turmoil, with heavy riffs, ambient synths and deep lyrics that confront feelings of longing and despair.
It also paves the way for the band’s debut headline show at Rough Trade Nottingham on February 21st 2026.
The show will bring the intense, euphoric soundscapes of Holding Out for Hope to the stage, alongside their well received remastered back catalogue. For fans of thunderous grooves, anthemic hooks and raw emotional delivery, Falling Below are a force you don’t want to miss.
“…the harshest, the hardest track that you’ll hear tonight, but it’s absolutely brilliant!”
Dean Jackson, BBC Radio
Band members, instruments played, and hailing from:
Alex James Methven – Vocals – Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Christo Loukopoulos – Guitar – Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Luke Hawksworth – Guitar – Derby, Derbyshire
Lloyd Sibson – Bass – Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Ryan Hextall – Drums – Barwell, Leicestershire
For fans of:
Modern and alternative metal artists like Spiritbox, Bad Omens and Architects.
About the song:
“When I wrote Pieces, I wanted to convey the emotional weight that comes with the times you see someone falling apart and can’t do anything to help them and realising that you’re not that different from the person you’re looking at, which I’m sure we’ve all felt.”
Alex James Methven
In Their Own Words:
We’re doing a few things that a lot of metal bands aren’t doing anymore. Like guitar solos, they’ve disappeared from a lot of music nowadays, but we love them! It’s the stuff we grew up on and love, but with a modern edge.
And we think we’ve achieved a great balance with our songwriting. Our songs are all really catchy and people can sing along to them, but the lyrics are deep and personal, something you can really connect with.
Socials:
Website
Facebook
X / Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
The brilliantly named The Painkillers bring up the rear with the wonderfully anthemic Broken. We played their track Silence back in episode 25 and it’s a joy to play them again. Bandcamp is the place to find out more about them so skip off and do that.
A shorter one this week as I didn’t have much to say and I was in a bit or a rush. I did bang on about Mastering a bit. I thonk that was about right, it’s what I think it is so if you think I am wrong please feel free to correct me. Hope you’re having a good one and I’ll see you next week xx