NEW SINGLE 'COAT OF ARMS' OUT NOW
W: Karl Watson
Stripped of the noise, the lights, and the labels, what remains is the music that truly matters. The Lifeboat Playlist is a raw, deep dive into the sonic DNA of the artists we love, forcing them to choose the ten definitive tracks they’d carry into isolation. It’s a survival kit built on gut-level resonance—a collection of anthems, heartbreaks, and high-octane riffs that define a lifetime. From stadium-sized roars to vulnerable late-night confessions, these are the songs that keep the fire burning when the horizon feels endless.
For Stourbridge’s emerging alt-rock force Gill, these ten tracks aren't just influences—they're blueprints. They represent the standards the band measures themselves against and the exact songwriting that made them want to pick up guitars in the first place. Each selection captures something essential—ambition, atmosphere, melody, or sheer conviction—forming the heavy, hazy foundation of how they write and perform today.
From 90s grunge and Mid-lands metal royalty to beautifully miserable indie, this is what stays on deck.
Jack: Weezer – "No Other One"
"Pinkerton has been the soundtrack to countless car journeys to gigs for us. It’s a brilliant collection of raw 90s rock with great songwriting, and this is a total highlight."
2: Soundgarden – "Black Hole Sun"
A contender for the greatest song of the 90s? It’s psychedelic, heavy and has everything you could want in a song.
3: Witchita Lineman - Glen Campbell
A certified classic and one of the best songs of all time. I love the solo, which was actually played on a bass. The whole thing just flows in its own unique way."
4: Spit on a stranger - Pavement
It’s a song that feels very nostalgic and warm. It reminds me of long summers from around ten years ago, and playing in bands growing up. I think it’s one of their best.
Sam: Hum - I like your hair long
Perfect album, perfect guitar tones, perfect use of phaser. Just perfect."
6: Pinegrove – "Morningtime"
"In my opinion, this features one of the greatest solos ever put to record. It's incredibly headbang-inducing from an incredible band."
7: Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
"You can’t come from just outside Birmingham without picking a Sabbath tune, right?"
Dave: DIIV – "Taker"
"It’s just a really sick song. The heavy opening riff and the way the track comes in on odd drum accents sounds so cool and effortless. They’re masters of layering in an unobvious way, and 'Taker' shows that perfectly."
9: The Smashing Pumpkins – "Disarm"
"It’s emotionally charged, raw, and sad—and I love that in music. It just hits a chord. Jack and I saw them play Birmingham a couple of years ago, and when Billy Corgan pulled out the acoustic, I knew this was coming. Incredible."
10: The Strokes – "Someday"
"It instantly makes you feel good and completely in the moment. Simple guitars, a steady beat, and awesome lyrics. It doesn’t try too hard; it just sounds like pure 'rock' music. Hell yeah."