Waking Elliot Interview

They're a hot new act from Connecticut and we've tipped them for big things. Waking Elliot have a lot of big things happening over the next 12 months, starting with a set at the Bamboozle festival this Saturday (May 19). We are happy to bring you an exclusive interview with a band that are set to make waves in 2012.

Can you tell us a bit of background about the band?

"We are a female-fronted alternative rock back. We’re a little different to bands like Paramore, Evanescence or Flyleaf though because we’re fronted by two female vocalists. We formed around two years ago though we all had performed in other groups prior to getting together."

What's the story behind the band name?

"We don’t really have any sort of crazy story to go along with the name - we just came up with it and liked the way that it sounded. We do tell people sometimes that “Elliot” was a kid we saved from a burning building or a pet dog but we basically use those stories to spice-up our mundane non-story about the name."

How would you define your sound for those who haven't heard of you? 

"We call it “emotionally charged alternative rock”. We used to get compared to Paramore pretty frequently but lately the comparisons have moved more toward Eisley. Our hope is to create powerful songs with relatable lyrics."

Who are your biggest musical influences?

"We’re all influenced by different bands/groups/vocalists. The fact that we all listen to different music actually helps us to keep our music fresh and interesting. We all write our own parts so it makes for an eclectic mix and helps us to avoid having each song sound the same. Our tastes have a wide range, actually: Bright Eyes, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Incubus, 30 Seconds to Mars, and The Hush Sound to name a few."

Your 'Simply Pathological' EP was released in 2010 - how would you say your musical style has changed and developed since then?

"When we started out we didn’t know who we were as a band- like what defined us. It took a while to settle-in and figure-out best methods for writing, what worked and what didn’t work… it’s a great deal of trial and error, actually. Writing music can be a very vulnerable process but we think we’ve grown into a place where we feel much more confident and unified. We take more risks now than we did when the EP was released and we’re able to critique ourselves in a productive way. We are continually learning new things. In fact, admitting that there is always room for growth has helped us to be better writers and performers."

What is your favourite song to perform from the EP and why?

"We always enjoy performing 'One Two' and 'Truth or Dare' They are both high-energy songs which our fans enjoy singing along to. Whenever we receive a response from the crowd it helps us to put more of our heart into the performance."

Have you begun work on any follow-up to your EP?

"We have been in talks with our producer about getting back into the studio as soon as possible. We’re always writing and right now a full-length follow-up is our biggest priority. We have new music that we’re dying to release."

Are you excited for this year's Bamboozle festival? 

"We are beyond excited for the Bamboozle festival! We feel honored to be representing Connecticut with our friends in Forget Paris."

Are there any bands that you are eager to see perform?

"We are eager to see Incubus, Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance and all of the bands at the Yuu Zoo Break Stage!"

How are you preparing for your slot?

"We agonized over our setlist, we always do. We want to put-on the best show we possibly can so we have been practicing like crazy." 

You're playing on the Saturday, a day when some of the biggest rock acts such as Foo Fighters are also performing. Does this make you slightly nervous?

"It makes us feel excited and honored! We idolize bands like the Foo Fighters so it feels really great to even be in the same state as them, let alone the same venue!"

How do you plan to make yourselves stand out from the other bands at the festival?

"As it stands, there aren’t nearly enough female-fronted rock bands out in the mainstream, so the fact that we are fronted by two girls will make us unique compared to many of the other bands. Beyond that, we hope our music will speak for itself- we’re going to do what we do and love every minute of it. Hopefully people will respond to that."

What can the audience expect from the show? Anything special?

"We will be performing a brand new, never-before-heard song at the festival titled 'Lost Me At Hello'. We’re really excited about this song and we can’t wait to finally perform it!"

Is there anything that you hope for your audience to take away from the show? 

"We hope that our audience will have a good time and relate to our music. We put our hearts and souls into our music so our hope is that some of that passion and emotion impacts our listeners. We also hope that people who hear us for the first time on Saturday are inspired to check us out online later on Facebook, etc."

After Bamboozle, what's next for the band?

"We are working on writing and recording our next album, playing a few other festivals over the summer, performing at Six Flags New England and doing a bit of touring. Mostly, we’re really thrilled to be receiving such a great response from people- it truly validates the work and love we put-in."

The band are performing at Bamboozle on Saturday (May 19) on the Yuu Break stage between 2:45pm-3:15pm.

"Rock & Roll is not dead"

"Someone recently said we're like an everyman's rock and roll band - there's something there for everybody" grins Anthony Wright, lead vocalist and guitarist of Wolverhampton's own The Whiskey Syndicate.

The statement couldn't be more true. With their hard-hitting beats and stripped-down rock sound, the band produce a little something for everybody to get into.

The band are Wolverhampton's answer to Guns 'N' Roses and Motley Crue; a true rock and roll band that never fail to get an audience moving.

In June the band will at long-last release their début album, 'The Right Side Of Crazy'. But last night they were at the Slade Rooms for their launch show, previewing the album in its entirety before taking to the stage for the biggest performance of their lives.

The show proved that the band were up to the challenge as they showed why they've become renowned for their live shows. The band powered through a set of songs old and new as the audience danced and sang along to the band, with songs 'Rise For Me' and 'Break The Chain' showing the band on top form.

The band end the show by taking a bow and diving into the arms of their adoring audience - a fitting finish to a phenomenal hometown performance.

Yet despite all the momentum the band have, they're making sure that they don't get swept up in the moment and are remaining realistic about their hopes for the album.

"World domination would be a bit delusional. We want to make a statement; we want to make an impact. Rock and roll is not dead."

To listen to the interview, click here.

Hadouken Wolverhampton Gig Preview

In just five short years dance-rock band Hadouken have signed to Ministry Of Sound and patented their own brand of bass-driven synthrock. And on Wednesday 16th the band will bring their ever-popular club sound to Wolverhampton's Slade Rooms.

The band have been turning heads since their début album, 'Music For An Accelerated Generation', in 2007 and have maintained a devoted cult following ever since.

Now the band are all set to release their third album and are currently touring the UK with a brand new show.

In an exclusive interview singer James Smith revealed that fans can expect their favourite songs at the show, alongside brand new material from the upcoming album.

"You've got to respect that people want to hear songs that they know. We generally will play a few [new songs] but we're not going to play an entirely new set. They're the ones that are going to be the singles and that are going to come out soon enough."

Smith went on to reveal that fans can expect a very exciting show.

"We like to get everyone moving and singing along. There's a lot of fun for the people that don't want to get involved with the mosh pits as well."

Smith also praised Wolverhampton and the fans the band have there.

"When we've played in Wolverhampton, we've always had a good crowd and we really enjoy it. There's been some really memorable gigs there." 

Tickets for the show are available at www.wolvescivic.co.uk or from the Midlands box office. 

To listen to the interview, click here.

Alligators, Transvestites & The best of British: An interview with Missing Andy

Very few musicians that go far in a TV talent show ever manage to shake off the tag of being just a 'TV talent show star'. Missing Andy are a mod/ska band based in Essex that are trying to do just that.

After starring in Sky One's 'Must Be The Music' the band have been trying to prove that they aren't just another reality TV band. And with two singles having broke into the top 40 in the UK charts and the top 10 in the UK indie charts, the band seem to be doing so.

I caught up with Alex Greaves, the lead vocalist of the band, before their show at Birmingham's O2 Academy 3 on March 14 for a quick interview.

Many people know you from the Sky series 'Must Be The Music' - what kind of effect did the series have on you as a band?

"It kind of did two things really. On one side of it we gained a lot of new fans from however many it was broadcast to, but on the other side you do get tagged [as a] reality TV show band which we're trying to steer clear of...we're just trying to shake that reality TV show stigma."

How are you going to shake that off?

"Well, just going out there and doing what we were doing before it and showing that we're not just one of those bands who've got a couple of songs and goes on there to make a bit of a name for themselves. We're a band who know what we're doing, we've been doing it long enough so...just make some noise."

What's the story behind the band name?

"Ah...well there was an alligator once in...I think it was west Africa. And he had a friend called Andrew...and he ate it."

How would you define your sound for people who aren't familiar with your music?

"It's quite hard to pinpoint. I suppose if you could sum it up in one word it would be eclectic. We take inspiration from loads of different sounds, loads of different bands. It's kind of molding the best of British together. So you know, we've got a bit of indie, a bit of ska, some pop, some rock in there...we never really set out to sound like one specific sound. It was just about writing good songs and the thing that ties it all together is the lyrical content."

Who would you say your biggest musical influence is?

"Once again it's all across the board, the only band we all 100% agree on is Madness. We've played a few shows with them, which is great. But we take loads of bits and bobs from early The Jam, The Clash, The Specials...bands that were really talking about stuff that was happening in the country - news bands really, and there's not really many of those around at the moment."

What are your favourite songs to play live and why?

"To be honest, I like playing them all live really. But if I had to pick a favourite it'd probably be 'Made In England', even though I can't hear the song...I can't listen to it. But as soon as we go out there and perform it and just the reaction from the crowd, I think that's pretty good. And 'Scum' is one of those as well."

What's your view on the current state of music?

"It's a bit tricky. We've found that it's a very chicken-and-egg industry. If you're trying to get plenty of gigs or tour support for a big band, you need lots of radio play. But if you want radio play you need to be supporting a big band. It's really hard to crack, and it's so overcrowded with the same kind of sound at the moment. It's so hard for something a little bit different; something original; something fresh to break through...but we're still knocking doors down and it should change it...let's hope tomorrow."

How are you finding your tour experience so far?

"It's good fun, but it's a bit tiring. This is the third tour we've done so we're starting to get used to life on the road now. It's weird; when you're on the road you get a bit tired and you just wish you could sit on the sofa or something. But when you're at home you just constantly want to be back out on the road again. We're very indecisive as musicians."

Has anything weird happened to you while you've been on tour?

"There's been plenty of things. There was one gig in particular that was strange. Our management booked us and they said we've just go to turn up to this place at this time. So we turn up and it was right out in the middle of fields in the middle of nowhere, in this forest somewhere and there was this chalet. We turned up and we were greeted by gimps and transvestites and naked people...it was a kind of kinky party. So we went inside and asked "where's the stage", and they pointed to a dancing pole in the middle of the room. We asked about mic stands and they didn't have any, so they just offered this naked lady to stand there and hold the microphone while Steve and Rob sang into it...that was pretty interesting."

What kind of statement are you trying to make with 'Generation Silenced'?

"I wouldn't say it's really trying to make a statement; we never really try and force any opinion or anything on our listeners. We've always been about challenging people to think for themselves rather than preaching to them. If people listen to it and they feel the same way then brilliant, but it was just about writing music with substance really."

What were the recording sessions like for the album?

"Pretty easy to be honest...it was pretty flawless. We got in there, Elliot was the first person to put all his stuff down on the drums. He knocked them out pretty quickly and then everything was really fluid and it worked really well."

What are your plans for the rest of 2012?

"Carry on just trying to take over the world I guess. We got plenty of things coming up. On Monday we've got the album's HMV release; we've been writing for the second album...we've pretty much got that finished now so I guess we'll be recording that soon; plenty of other tours; festivals...all the dates are up on Facebook."

Missing Andy's first album, 'Generation Silenced', is available now on iTunes. It will hit the shelves of HMV on March 19. Preorder the album here.

The band are currently touring the UK. Details can be found on the band's Facebook page.

To listen to the interview, click here.

The Clockwork Owls, The Black Apples & The Control Gig Review 17/11/11

From Lemmy of Motorhead to Slash of Guns 'N' Roses, Stoke-On-Trent is renowned for producing high quality rock performers.

If the gig at Staffordshire University's The Verve on Leek Road on Thursday 17th November is anything to go by some new bands are set to be added to that list.

The first band of the night were Clockwork Owls and rarely do you see an unsigned band that can unleash song after song of indie rock with such conviction.

After a shaky start the band get progressively better, with notable songs 'Balanced By No Means' and 'Been A Long Time' taking mid-set slots and captivating the audience with ease. By the time the band are halfway through their set, the audience are starting to lose themselves in the music. However it is not until their final song (a song which is still unnamed) that the audience fully surrenders to the band, singing along despite not knowing the words.

Although the band lack a little in terms of stagecraft and the vocalist doesn't have the most refined voice, they are still a young band and there is no denying that the band have the potential to go far on the indie rock circuit.

Soon The Black Apples take the stage and with every thunderous drumbeat another member of the audience finds themselves contaminated with the infectious sound of a true rock and roll band.

The band's sound consists of intricate bass lines, captivating drumbeats and solid guitar riffs, all of which come together perfectly to entrance the audience.

It really is hard to fault them. As they play through an energetic set of absolute rock and roll brilliance (notably a gem called 'Don't Fool Me Now' and a phenomenal cover of Fleetwood Mac's 'Oh Well') the audience finds it impossible not to lose themselves in the spectacle.

The band have the energy, the stage presence and the songs to be massive. It is really surprising that they are not better known. Fans of traditional rock and roll, Wolfmother, Led Zeppelin and The Who will not be disappointed in the slightest by this band.

Finally the headliners of the night, The Control, take the stage and they will have to deliver a really powerful performance in order to top The Black Apples.

From the very first song, it is clear that The Control definitely have the potential. The band have a definite indie sound, characterised by a guitar that is poppy but also with a raw edge that appealed to many people in the audience. This guitar, along with the driving rhythm section, provides the perfect backdrop to the loose social-commentary lyrics of vocalist Joe Brennan-Hulme and his Ian Curtis influenced vocal style (coincidentally he featured as an extra in Control - the 2007 biopic about the Joy Division singer).

As they blast their way through their set, the crowd response is amazing. The audience almost immediately surrender to the catchy rhythms of the band, notably on 'Best Gags', 'Another Cal Banda' and 'Rag & Bone'. The band provide a good live spectacle too, with Brennan-Hulme doing odd dances on the stage during instrumental sections and even coming off the stage at one point.

When they finish with their set, they don't even have time to get off the stage before the audience move in on the stage and demand the band to do an encore. So they do. The band returns to the stage with 'Playground Punks', a song which they refer to as their "anthem" - a bold statement but one that cannot be denied. With a catchy refrain which gets the whole venue singing along and a rhythm that gets everybody moving and even starts a small mosh-pit in front of the stage, it is the perfect end to their set and to the night.

The band have the sound, the songs and the stage presence to go far in the indie music scene. It could only be a matter of time until the band make a substantial impact on the Staffordshire music scene. A definite recommendation for fans of The Courteeners and Joy Division.

The début EP by The Clockwork Owls is due 23rd December 2011. To listen to them, visit their Facebook page here.

To listen to The Black Apples, visit their Myspace page here.

To listen to The Control, visit their Facebook page here.

To listen to my interview with Joe Brennan-Hulme (Vocals) & Mike Davies (Drums) from The Control, click here.