Sura Laynes are a four piece rock and roll band from Derby who were formed by founding members Tommy Walsh and JJ Marriott and later joined by Paul Harrison on drums and Paul ‘Pablo’ Whittington on bass.

The band’s latest single, ‘Let The Good Times Roll’, released last week, is the second single to be taken from their self-titled debut album and is the song that the band feel best reflect the mood of the country at the moment. Let The Good Times Roll is just shy of three minutes of bright guitar and gutsy vocals and takes cues from a host of high-profile bands, including The La’s, Pavement and The Charlatans.

Let The Good Times Roll wastes no time in getting started with Walsh’s vocals kicking in almost immediately, “Dying. Feels like we’re dying. Trying. We all know we’re trying to make ends meet.” His vocals are instantly recognisable, sitting somewhere between Simon Fowler of Ocean Colour Scene and Chris Helme of The Seahorses. There’s a yearning to his voice but also an acceptance of fate that hits hard, as he pokes at themes of the passing of time, ageing and futility. Whittington’s bass reverberates throughout the track over Walsh’s vocals and Marriott’s vibrant guitar. Whittington plays with such striking immediacy that I half- convinced myself I could hear Harrison’s snare shaking between beats. And perhaps I could, as Let The Good Times Roll was recorded on an 8-track tape.

The result, however, is so effective, as it places the listener right in the centre of the studio with the band. When Walsh opens up for the chorus, his vocals stretch across the other instruments. Of course, he wants to let the good times roll but he bends his voice in such a way that that implies they won’t ever truly start, with lyrics from a few moments ago still ringing in the ear, “We’re already older than James Dean will ever be” which are particularly melancholy. In between the gloom and euphoria, Let The Good Times Roll shifts into twelve-bar- blues section that comes almost out of nowhere. It’s uplifting, with a loveable swing, that throws caution to the wind and is a reminder that, despite all the challenges of everyday life, joy can be found anywhere at any time. As such, you can’t help but sing along with Walsh as the track ebbs away “Ooo we let the good times rolllll”.

Upcoming Sura Laynes gigs
5th October- The Royal Victoria Inn, Derby.
28th February 2025- The Hairy Dog, Derby with the Outcharms, All The Young,
Alright and Long Island.

Review by Charva Writes Stuff