Angel Eyes – ‘Constellations’

That’s a phrase I often hear parroted at gigs, music festivals, in the workplace, in pub toilets etc. It’s a phrase usually said by people who can’t see past the band or music genre that was in the mainstream when they were young and who will often be found paying extortionate amounts of money to see ‘legacy’ bands in big-shed arena package tours. Now, there’s nothing wrong with a so-called ‘legacy’ bands. I’ve seen Whitesnake live on 14 occasions and still love seeing shows and listening to music by the rock greats such as Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, Metallica… the list goes on. But the simple fact is that the future of rock music can’t be found in the artists of the past. Music fans must look to the present day, where young bands are starting out in schools, garages, youth clubs, local gala days and pubs and clubs up and down the country, just like the musical greats did many decades ago. Everyone started somewhere.

One such band taking their first steps into music is Ayrshire five-piece Angel Eyes. Consisting of Evie Strawhorn (vocals), Callum Todd (lead guitar), Caleb Muir (rhythm guitar), Aaron Hewitt (bass) and Marissa Milligan (drums), they originally formed as a Junior School Rock Band at Robert Burns Academy in Cumnock, playing covers at school concerts. However, by late 2024, they felt a creative nagging to spread their musical wings and write some of their own original music, using equipment found in the school music department to record their own song. Their first single, ‘Constellations’ is the fruit of that labour.

There’s no gentle handshake or polite curtsy as Angel Eyes introduce themselves to the musical public. They burst through the speakers with a crash, bang, wallop and a very 90s Californian rock sound of grungy power chords, symbol crashes and a catchy chord progression. Think prime-era Wheatus with the attitude of early Green Day and maybe even a sprinkling of The Offspring. It took me right back to when I had an abundance of blonde hair and a waistline! Pre-wife. Pre-kids. Ah… those were the days!

As the verse kicks in, the track remains very Cali-Punk but when Evie Strawhorn’s voice merges with the riffs of Caleb Muir’s rhythm guitar and the almost mournful wailing of Callum Todd’s lead guitar, there’s also a very Oasis-style, Brit Pop vibe to it. Marissa Milligan’s drums and Aaron Hewitt’s bass drive the track towards the chorus, with Milligan’s power reminding me of another female powerhouse drummer, Kid Rock’s Stefanie Eulinberg (watch the intro to ‘Bawitdaba’ from Woodstock ’99 and you’ll get the general gist).

The chorus itself turns ‘Constellations’ into a delightful, feel-good, mid-tempo rocker with flawless, soaring vocals by Strawhorn. Todd’s searing guitar solo in the bridge is played with just enough energy and feel to ensure it’s not overwrought, whilst the sing-along chorus returns to take the song to its conclusion.

When listening to ‘Constellations’, it’s worth remembering a few things. The members of Angel Eyes are 14/15 years old and this is their first effort at writing an original song, recorded and self-produced in the music department of a school in deepest, darkest Ayrshire. When you take cognisance of those facts, this is an excellent debut song that transports the listener back to the heyday of 1990s rock. Elements of Californian punk, Brit Pop, UK indie rock and American alt. rock are all blended in a big musical pot to create a song that could be the lovechild of modern-day Chrissie Hynd and Monster-era Michael Stipe (listen to The Pretender’s latest album and the sound of REM’s Monster to understand where I’m going with this strange analogy!). Ultimately, if you lived in the 1990s and listened to the radio, you’ll hear in ‘Constellations’ what the nostalgic part of your brain wants you to hear… and that’s the ‘time and place’ beauty of the music created by Angel Eyes.

Whoever said there’s no great, new rock music out there anymore hasn’t bothered looking. Angel Eyes are starting out on a journey where they and young bands like them are the future of rock music… and it’s every true rock music fan’s duty to help support and nurture them.

Angel Eyes plan to release an EP later in the year and on this kind of form, it’s one not to be missed. Look out for them playing live and support local music by buying the gig tickets, streaming the songs on the usual digital platforms (‘Constellations’ is available now!) and following the band on their social media platforms, even leaving a positive, encouraging comment or two!