The Sideshows Make Their Mark with Anthemic Debut Single
Born of friendship, late nights, and a shared love of rock ‘n’ roll, The Sideshows have arrived. Featuring Rich Ragany, Sami Yaffa, and Simon Maxwell, this powerhouse new project drops its first offering: the two-track debut single Brand New / The Start, out now via European Phonographic.
It’s a no-frills, heart-on-sleeve shot of classic rock grit—Side A’s Brand New delivers soaring hooks and earnest swagger, while Side B’s The Start brings a punchy jolt of power pop urgency. Together, they mark the beginning of something unfiltered, unforced, and full of fire.
Glitter in the Gutter
The origins of The Sideshows read like a punk fable. Yaffa—best known for his legendary work with Hanoi Rocks, New York Dolls, and Michael Monroe—recalls first meeting Ragany in early 2000s New York, where Rags was bartending and chasing dreams. Over the years, paths kept crossing: from Monroe tours to London pubs, always with music between them.
“I told him I’d been building a studio in my backyard in Mallorca and said, ‘Why don’t you come down and we knock a few out?’” Yaffa explains. “He brought Simon Maxwell—his anchor drummer—and we recorded with the windows open, roosters crowing and lamb bells ringing in the distance.”
The result: two tracks tracked in just a couple of days at Red Mud Studios, surrounded by sunshine and stories. Produced by Yaffa and Ragany, mixed by Andy Brook, and mastered by Graeme Lynch, these songs feel lived-in, loose, and loud.
A Band Built on Legacy and Chemistry
Between them, The Sideshows’ members have racked up decades in the underground and cult-adored scenes—Ragany fronting The Digressions, Role Models, and The Loyalties; Yaffa shaping punk history; Maxwell driving countless UK rock projects with fierce precision.
Brand New / The Start isn’t just a release—it’s a handshake, a promise, and a nod to the next adventure.
STREAM/DOWNLOAD THE SINGLE HERE
