Tunbridge Wells Pop Rock trio The Standard Lamps’ reputation has been on the rise after coveted support slots with The Who (including the Hyde park concert in June), Wilko Johnson – whose manager was suitable impressed enough to sign them – and The Bluetones.

With a laid-back, bluesy edge, TSL ease through a feel good album with a loose, are free attitude as found on the title track or Who-tinged ‘The Model World’. It’s easy to see why TSL are so popular live with a sound ready-made for small Blues clubs or large festival arenas.
‘Cats and Dogs’ has echoes of Deep Purple, whilst ‘Bigger Things’ is more simplistic with its whistled intro and gentle acoustic guitar and harmonica. The Skiffle style of ‘Living With Mum And Dad’ is dexterous and entertaining while the more overt Rock and Roll of ‘You Don’t Listen To Your Records Anymore’ is the sort of tune to get everyone up at dancing at the end of a summer music festival.
The Standard Lamps’ “less is more” approach to song-writing and playing is refreshing in an age where overproduced bands fail to deliver the goods to a live audience. Definitely one to watch in 2016.

Mike Newdeck

The Standard Lamps
‘Long Lost Love’
(Right Track)

Modern/Alternative

Who-endorsed suburban diarists take a stand for the common man.

Having supported the Bluetones, Kentish power trio The Standard Lamps were adopted by the Who for their 2014 Arena tour, on which charismatic and chatty frontman Mike Wilton, a lightly bearded, cardigan-wearing young Townshen-alike, faced the 10,000-strong crowds as if he was playing in a front room.

Their first ‘proper’ LP, given a sparky mix by Who/Manics engineer Sean Genockey, has an equally at-home feel, its tales of life in the English suburbs (one song is disarmingly called Living With Mum And Dad) recalling the unguarded lyrical candour of early Difford or Weller and the neat song craft of The Jam, Costello and Gallagher. Titles such as The Model World and 12:15 might echo others’ past glories but they’re still perfect creations in their own right – and boy, the Lamps’ crunching power-rock digressions are a thing to treasure.

Pat Gilbert, MOJO

The Standard Lamps shine a bright light on their music (sorry couldn’t resist a light based pun) and they have strong melodies and songs.

You can see why they have landed such prestigious support slots and these songs should help the band get more established. Modern blues/rock with a heavy nod to the classic Who sound.

Read the full review here

"First up were the impressive (and surprisingly unsigned) Tunbridge Wells trio The Standard Lamps, who took to the massive stage without a single hint of nerves to blast out a series of sharply written, witty rockers that went down a storm. Comprising singer-guitarist Mike Wilton, James Livett on bass and Matt Bennie on drums, the band so impressed Wilko Johnson's ex-manager when they supported him that she signed them them up herself.

It was easy to see why. Their streamlined rock would have been instantly recognisable to The Who's early audiences but is filtered through with the sensibility and wit of the Internet age. Highlights included Living With Mum And Dad, I'm A Little Bit Scared Of You and a remarkable version of Dylan's I Shall Be Released. Best of all was the poignant original See You Again, dedicated to sadly departed legendary Faces keyboard man Ian McLagan. We'll be hearing more of them."

Read more: Nottingham Post Review 

What's been happening with The Standard Lamps in July 2014