Introducing...Resonation

YMC chats to Wes Brookes from West Yorkshire band Resonation

YMC: How did the name come about ?

We'd struggled for about 6 months to come up with a name and were at a stage to start gigging. We had tried all methods, even scouring the racing post as horses have the coolest names; I used to store up a list on my phone and it was a weekly event for me to send it out to the others - to be met with howls of laughter (well, I thought they were good names !). Resonation came from a surf magazine I was flicking through one day and it was the only name we all almost agreed upon and didnt reject straight away. Looking at it, the definition of 'resonation' matches our bands ethos so it worked out well (and its better than being called RedRum).

'Resonation' - To exhibit or produce resonance or resonant effects; To evoke a feeling of shared emotion or belief; To correspond closely or harmoniously; To cause to resound; To be understood - to come across and strike a chord; To create an emotional response.

YMC: Tell us something about the band, how did you meet, how long have you been playing together?

We've been together since September 2007 - which is relatively a short time considering the things that the band has achieved already. Im proud of the way that things have gelled and we have built a solid sound that is definately our own. We've had a couple of drummers and bass players come and go but the nucleus has remained consistent. We have rehearsed constantly in that time and have forged a good set of songs - both originals and covers (which are all played in our own way). Most of the band met in the time honoured tradition of posting an ad on the net and waiting for a response. Fate must have played her hand as the muso's in the band are fantastic and I really couldnt have wished to find a better bunch of people. Its definately a family vibe that you hear on the album - and even more so out live.  Its great to be playing alongside fantastic players but if the vibes arent right the music will suffer - but thankfully Resonation are like a family. There is no pushing and shoving, no major egos, and fun is equally important as good music - we are playing Reggae after all so its important that spirits are high.

Currently in the band we have -

Wes Brookes - I play the Rhythm guitar and do the main vocals (although Im trying to get as many of the others to sing backing vocals as I can as I figure that the harmonies potential we have in the band is fantastic - we can all sing). Im the one always pulling us back in the general reggae direction I guess.

Rob Daniels - Hes the bluesy wah wah man and getting funkier by the day. A really brilliant guitarist who has grown and grown during the time hes been in the band - I also know hes also got a few songs hiding away that we'll get out of him in the not too distant future...a big part of our sound.

Brian McCarten - He is the brains of the bunch (or so he tells us !) and the chief cake maker. Classically trained he knows which chord is which - most of the time - and lets me know what chord we play when we forget and vice versa. A brilliant ear for a melody, his piano adds a real magical and melancholic feel to the album.

Gareth Pritchard - Our latest bassman replacing Phil Arthington last year (Phil just got too busy with one thing and another but he still deps for us when we need him to - check out his new band the EBGB's where he takes the lead role). He's the soul man who keeps us cool and stops us from rushing things. He'll be a great part of the Resonation family

Hal Lee - What can I say - a big find ! Has Reggae in his soul, Jamaican born, and plays the drums like he's having the best party ever. A born natural. Gets the beat going and the crowd bouncing, and he looks cool too. Hal forms a great team with....

Judah Lewis - A local legend - just about the best percussionist for as far as the eye can see and then some. He's played with some of the greats, knows half the reggae musicians from the caribbean (he's from Granada), and is the real roots, heart and vibe of the band. A true genius who is bringing new ideas, rhythms and ensures that we are keeping things fresh - teaching us rhythms we didnt know even exhisted.

*And a special word has to go to Dan Keightley and Matt Rushton who helped get the band up and running, and Davi Wilson of the Rythm Seeds who added the sweetest sax imaginable on the album (what a player !).

YMC: You describe your music as bluesy wah wah drenched funky roots rocking reggae, who are your main influences?

The most obvious influence has to be Bob Marley whose spirit lives on long after his body had been laid to rest (you can hear his vibes, rebel spirit and energy every time you press play on one of his CD's so the way I figure it hes still around) - but we are far from a Wailers tribute band. Influences come from all directions (blues, soul, jazz, folk, rock, indie) and thats the best thing about us. We dont want to sound just like the Wailers. Everyone brings their influences to the table and we mix it together into the Resonation sound - with Reggae being the underpinning foundation. Its definately not a solo artist trying to force musicians to play this, that and the other. If a song isnt working we dont force it. Reggae is a music that is felt so its important that the people playing the music are feeling it. So we jam out the tunes and they grow and develop in their own way rather than being forced.

YMC: Who writes the songs?

I tend to come in with the chords, lyrics, vocal melody and sometimes a loose idea for a structure - but the songs evolve from that point in. Nothing is set in stone and different rhythms are tried until eventually a song breathes life. If something sounds good we comment on it and it might stick.....if not then it is put aside until we have a piece of music. Its 100% a band effort - everyone is free to offer suggestions as its all for the greater good. We shape and form the songs together. Some songs dont work and we usually discover this quickly but most blend together without any hassles. Thats the band ethic I guess - dont stress it. If its meant to happen it will, and it usually does.

YMC: You have played all over the UK, what have been the highlights for you?

Kendall Calling with 6,000 muso heads was a great gig last summer, but some of our smallest gigs have been the most fun. Playing to a small but loyal crowd is great - it strips away the barriers and it ends up feeling like an evening in with your mates - only making a loud racket and someone serving beer. To be honest I hope the best its to come - a big fest in California wanted us to play there this year (now thatd be a fantastic experience) alongside some of the biggest artists on the world scene (Burning Spear, Baaba Maal, Youssou Ndour have all played there in recent years). Logistics and their deadline meant that we struggled to sort it out for 2010 but Im currently looking at getting the band there in 2011 - Im in negotiations over cash as I write this (its going to cost a bit in flights and expenses so Ive got to finalise a good fee). To be honest though they seem like a very flexible bunch and really want the band over there so its definately looking positive for us.

YMC: I believe you've just recorded your debut album, has this been a positive experience?

Bringing songs Ive had bouncing around my head for years into the world is amazing. We all lead busy lives (family, work, studies, etc) so we kept things in perspective and just kept chipping away at the recording process. It initially began life as a little demo EP but we had so much material that the plan evolved into a full album. Im really really pleased with the results. It captures us in a soulful and meditative light - whilst still capturing our energy. We've plans for a follow up and have the material ready. We just need to get a few things out of the way - so Im looking at beginning work on it in June (to be ready for next summer). I think our material is getting stronger and stronger by the day. We did the bulk of the hardwork in our home studios (my frontroom, robs garden, bri's house, Dans garage, the train) but anything with a mic needed a pro studio (to preserve the quality - mics need a proper environment - not a garage we learned). That was our policy - home record what we can but not at the expense of quality. Modern home recording technology has caught up and now, with a bit of technical know how, and you can produce stuff of equal quality cutting the big studio fees. Guitars, keys, bass can all be di'd (direct into your computer) and then tweaked in a studio later. Even some of the really big names in the industry are working this way now. So I did alot of the hard graft and Steve Gligorovic at Calder Recordings (a brilliant small studio in a cool setting just outside of Hebden Bridge) took the files and he had the fun melting them into a shape and structure that is Impropaganda. Hes a cool bloke with a great ear - and he brought the polish and shine to the album. We owe him - but paid him - so its all good ! A big reggae producer called Russ Disciple Brown from London mastered the album and produced the dubs.

YMC: Is this a digital release, where is it available?

One of the reasons why it evolved into a full album is that someone in America heard our early demo tracks and wanted to distribute an album for us. A company called Zojak are dealing with the release and its now being heard in Africa, America, Australia, Asia and of course Europe. The company only deal with reggae music and also deal with artists such as Toots and The Maytals, Bunny Wailer (one of the original 3 Wailers with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh), Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, and Luciano. We are in fantastic company - alongside some of the best reggae musicians of all time. It is available on Itunes, Juno and Amazon. We also feature on a UK compilation alongside the best of the UK's new reggae bands. I will put the links below for anyone who is keen for a listen....youd really help us by downloading a copy as the money will go straight back into pushing the band forward (plus you'd get a cool new album to listen to).

OUR WEBSITE
THE ALBUM ON ITUNES 
 THE UK REGGAE COMPILATION ON ITUNES
THE ALBUMS ON JUNO

YMC: Are you having a launch event?

March 6th at The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge is hosting our launch night - it should be a cracker ! The line up is fantastic - with us at the top promoting our first major release....I mean I'd go if I wasnt playing ! Below is the blurb being used to promote the event -

RESONATION - Resonation are a bluesy wah-wah drenched funky roots rocking reggae band, comprising Wes Dub Ear Brookes (rhythm guitar and vocals), Rob Lobstar Daniels (lead guitar and vocals), Snakey McCarten (piano, keys, melodica, alto sax and clarinet) Phil One Take Twice Arthurs (bass and vocals), Drummy Lee (drums and percussion) and Judah Lewis (percussion and vibes). The NME described them as a “stunning new reggae band with a lyrical consciousness that is all their own”, and Cosmik Debris as “the future of reggae … an essential live experience”. They are at the Trades to launch their debut album, praised by Blues and Soul Magazine for its “organic vibe, inspired songwriting and impeccable production”.

CAPTAIN HOTKNIVES - mmm how to describe...is he a poet? a musician? a one man band? He's all of them - and his tales of sex, drugs, banalities and life on the council estates of North East Bradford are guaranteed to have you in stitches. The only festivals he hasn't done yet are the ones he got lost on the way to...Better than Kiki Dee. And Gareth Gates. Anyway, I can't think of anyone else famous from Bradford but he's a lot better than them. Just been paid in herbs for turning on the Christmas lights in Centenary Square...

CHINA SHOP BULL - (formerly Fulibulbus) from Leeds, West Yorkshire have been shmoozing the UK Scene since 2004, by combining infectious riffs, dubby brass with dance beats and some hyper stage activity, CHINA SHOP BULL have created a unique blend of Ska/Rave/Rap/Rock n Roll. Whilst having influences coming from the likes of Sublime, Prodigy, King Tubby, Asian Dub Foundation, Jimi Hendrix and much, much more the China Shop Bull sound is unique yet accessible.

CHINA SHOP BULL have been seen holding their own against such acts as diverse as The Dub Pistols, Goldie Lookin Chain, Senser, Sonic Boom Six, Wheatus (USA), Voodoo Glowskulls (USA), Inner Terrestrials, Random Hand, and Guttermouth (USA) building a growing fanbase with their infectious sound and lively shows. Invited to some of the biggest festivals the CHINA SHOP BULL Experience hit Rebellion, Workhouse, GASHFest, Squarefest, Solfest and IN-Fest to name but a few.

PLUS++ It's only Daddy Tone off of Chapter 4 not to mention Big Blind Dom off of Trouble at t'Mill - playing the finest Jamaican Ska, Dub & Reggae... worra night...

Resonation myspace: www.myspace.com/resonationmusic 

Introducing...Angels of Chaos

YMC chats to Angels of Chaos from Bradford


YMC: How many are in the band, where did you all meet?

Rob Ryan, Drums: Four. I was head hunted by Paul, that's not as bad as it sounds, I've still got a slight twitch but its getting better! These 3 guys were already plodding along with a drum machine and I posted an add on Bandmix.com about 8 months earlier which I'd forgot all about, One day I got a nudge on messenger asking me if I was still interested-I lied and said yes out of curiosity and 15 months and about a grand later I'm still here.

Paul Stefan Gill, Guitar/Vocals: Yeah, There's four of us-pretty standard set up really. This actually started as another band all together, and after a full and gradual line up, sound and name change- Here we are! I approached Dougie First, and then Beanie who had been in a band with Dougie previously in college, so knew that they worked well together, and got on (always a good start, right?) Then after years of auditioning drummer after drummer, I found Rob, and haven't looked back since.

Richard “Beanie” Beanland, Bass: We're in a band? I'd probably better start learning an instrument then hadn't I.


Gareth “Dougie” Douglas, Guitar: Three, four after 6pm. Beans has issues. We all meet in a dark room in Backfeed (Rehearsal and Recording, Queensbury) and we all leave with a strange smell.

YMC: Shortly after you formed, Paul developed a vocal chord cyst and spent most of 2009 recovering - how have you managed to not lose enthusiasm for the project?

RR: I can only imagine it was a nightmare for Paul really, I mean if I lost an arm I'm not sure how long the other guy would stay around waiting for it too grow back, I reckon I could convince them it would for about 6 months until my ungrowing stump final awoke some kinda curiosity for one of them to google "do arms grow back once you've lost them". The truth of the matter is we'd have packed it in way back but Dougie's to stubborn, Beanie's to Lazy and just looked forward too much to seeing all the great photo's Paul would take of his throat, which truth be told from close up looked like a vagina....hey free porn!

B: We spent so long at the beginning without a drummer and kept going because we love doing it and had faith that things were eventually going to work out. They did then and the same is happening this time.

D: There have been times when I have been a bit frustrated with the situation but it couldn’t be helped. You just got to look to the future and hope that the problem will be overcome as soon as possible. At the end of the day no one forces us to be in the band, we do it because we love playing the music we do and its times like these you realise that. So while Paul's being battling his genital cyst we’ve had time to write and learn new material so it’s not all bad.

PSG: It was frustrating to say the least. It could have been dealt with faster had the doctors who I approached with my problem had taken me seriously. Instead I was told that I was stressed, put on steroids, then finally (after seeing me way too many times) the doctor put me on the waiting list to see a specialist who put a camera down my nose and found a cyst. I did 6 months vocal rest, where we played instrumentally, working on what we had and write some new songs. The next time they put a camera down my nose, they found the cyst had withered, and was then cleaned up surgically. I've since had to learn to crawl, before getting back on my feet, vocally. And yes, I did get photos, and I can confirm that most people who I'd show had to do a double take...perverts!

YMC: Do you consider yourselves a Metal band or a Rock band?

RR: I consider us a band that plays Metal and Rock, I've been in Metal bands and I know we're not really that, but I've been in Rock bands and we're not that either, in fact it's not that were both it's more a “retallymock” kinda thing.

B: We're a band who play loud guitars and have a hard hitting drummer, we could fall under a few tags. We're all open to new ideas so we try something and if we can make it work, we do it. Working to a blueprint can keep interesting avenues closed off and stop ideas from staying fresh.

D: I'll let someone else decide. I class my style as “Porno-funk”.

PSG: My first love was always Metal, but my horizons were broadened after 2 years at college studying music, and I've ended up with a diverse love for music. What we write now is a dynamic range of groove based heavy rock. we have elements of Metal, but nothing we consciously put in there, we just go with the flow and if it works, it's gold.

YMC: Who are your main influences?

RR: That guy who reads the weather on Calender, man that's a tough job right there, you say “No snow”, man you better be sure 'cause someone out there is gonna lynch you if you're wrong.

B: How long have you got?

D: People who play guitars reet well, there’s many of 'em. I listen to a wide range of music so have influences from many genres, I think this shows in the music we play and is why it could be hard to categorise us under one genre.

PSG: My influences? I watch a lot of bands and become influenced to do it my own way, how not to do something, or how to approach a certain angle, musically or as a performer...I try not to take influence from major band, notional or international, because I want to be “Paul” not “that guy that's like so-and-so” from “where-ever”.

YMC: Do you think its harder for metal bands to get gigs? Are there enough venues in Bradford?

RR:I think its hard to get gigs full stop, all I can say is if your putting live bands on bless you, not many people either understand the art of doing so, appreciate the hard work it takes to sort out or appreciate that they are  probably gonna make a loss on new bands until a really good one comes along..hint. As for Bradford, I don't think it's

been the same since Rio's upped roots and moved to Leeds, that place was the shit hole from the back of beyond, but it was our shit hole and it was a right of passage to play there.

B: Yeah it's just hard for new bands in general, so many venues have closed down or moved over the last few years, thank goodness some of the ones still around are willing to give everyone a chance to get their foot on the first rung of the ladder.

D: Yep, There are not many places to play at all in Bradford it’s a bit of a dive. I think things might change though when they build a park in the town centre, can’t wait!

PSG: There are a few ways to look at this: First being as a band starting out. Looking for a support slot is all about who you know. There aren't many bands who'll give you a chance, there needs to be more love between local bands- this isn't a race! I've approached SO many bands about support slots and heard nothing back at all. There need to be more love between local bands. And as far as being a new band taking the initiative and approaching venues: I think it's another variation on the catch-22 of that old job interview chest nut. “Do you have experience?” No, because I've never worked in this area before “Then you can't get the job to get experience”.

And finally, the last perspective: Audiences. Audiences tend to latch onto one band, and root for them and resent you for taking up their favourite bands stage time. There are those who love what you do after catching you on the off chance, but they tend to forget about you after a year away!

YMC: So now after a full recovery, are you going to be gigging soon?

RR: Recovery? was I ill!? Hmm...oh you must have this question directed at Paul, well I think his throat is better but he still keeps showing me porn on his phone.

B: Yeah the swelling's gone down but the emu's still not happy. We've managed to sort out a few local gigs over the coming months, so keep your eyes and ears peeled.

D: yeah watch out for us on a street corner near you.

PSG: I'm still sceptical that this is a “Full” recovery, but I'm better than I was, but just have to remember that this cyst wasn't down to poor technique, I'm just not too keen to go thorough anything like this ever again. I only hope that our audiences understand and appreciate that my voice will be shaky from time to time, and reward our tenacity with at least one chance.

Find out more on www.myspace.com/angelsofchaosmetal

Introducing...Meet The Committee

YMC chats to Sean, Joe and Matt from Meet the Committee

YMC: How long have you being playing together, how did you all meet?

Sean: Joe and Matt work together and were in another band called The Hit and Runs. When that band split, they started this new group. They answered an ad I placed online so I joined them for practice and they haven't been able to kick me out! That was two years ago!

YMC: Who writes the songs?

Sean: Joe will generally turn up with some lyrics and and basic melodies. We'll spend some time running through a basic version of the song and gradually craft a complete version together as a band.

YMC: What music are you listening to at the moment?

Matt: I'm still listening to the latest Paddingtons album in my car, mainly because I keep forgetting to take cd's out of the house. Still a great album though.

Sean: I'm currently listening to Marina and the Diamonds and waiting for the debut album. Other than that, I've got the latest Biffy Clyro album on pretty regularly.

Joe: I'm liking a band from America at the moment called 'Fake Problems'

YMC: What venues do you like to play at? Have you found it easy to get gigs?

Joe: I really enjoyed the PM Bar last time we played, the sound was top notch.

Sean: Personally, I like the Mannville Arms. It's got a good sound and atmosphere which means I can really get into the songs.

Matt: I enjoyed Delius before it changed hands, now it's Mannville Arms for me aswell.

YMC: Can you dance when you're sober?

Joe: I can't dance at all, my limbs are far too long. However, when I've been boozing I believe that I can.

The other night I accidently punched an old fella when I was 'dancing' in the pub.

Sean: I have to have a few ciders before i hit the dance floor, but i'll definately dance when i'm drunk.

Matt: Aye, a few ciders for me before I get anywhere near that dancefloor
ps...I was gutted that I missed Joe punch that fella whilst dancing.

YMC: Do you have any gigs coming up or recording plans for this year?

Sean: We're heading to Ivolv studios to record a new track very soon, but the plan is to get a further three tracks recorded in the coming months.

Joe: Yeah, recording a new set of demos is priority at the moment. The last lot are over a year old. We've got a handful of new songs that are in development and not quite gig ready yet. They're a lot darker and heavier than our older stuff... we love them and hope to get them recorded asap.

Find out more on http://www.myspace.com/meetthecommittee

Introducing...My Forever

YMC: When and how did you get together?

Dave (My Forever): Me and Roy met through mutual friends at a party in Newcastle at the beginning of summer 2009 and discovered we had similar musical tastes. Later that year, during November, we arranged to get together to work on a number of song ideas which I had come up with. We quickly realized we had a strong musical connection and decided to form “My Forever”.

YMC: You have just released your debut single "Silken Butterflies", it has a very strong band sound to say there are only 2 of you, how have you done this?

Dave (My Forever): Everything you hear on the single has been recorded by me and Roy. All the instruments were played by Me, and the vocals by Roy. It was then mixed and produced in my home studio. Obviously to reproduce this sound live we will need additional band members and that’s something we have planned once the EP is complete. For the moment we are gigging the songs acoustically.

YMC: Where can we get the single?

Dave (My Forever): It is available as a free download from our myspace page (www.myspace.com/myforeverofficial)

YMC: Do you have any further recording plans?

Dave (My Forever): We are currently recording further tracks for our debut EP which will hopefully be completed in the next couple of months. This will be released online for download however, we will be posting new tracks on our myspace page as they are completed so keep checking on there for news on this.  

YMC: Who are your main influences?

Dave (My Forever): For me my songwriting has been influenced heavily by bands such as The Goo Goo Dolls & Dashboard Confessional where as my guitar playing has been influenced by bands such as Led Zeppelin and U2. Roy however, is lyrically influenced heavily by his passion for poetry and vocally by bands such as Death Cab For Cutie, and Silversun Pickups. 

YMC: Have you any gigs coming up, where do you mainly play?

Dave (My Forever): We have been doing acoustic gigs in Roys home town of Scarborough however, we are mainly focusing on completing our EP at the moment. As soon as this is finished we will be gigging intensively in as many places as possible. We are planning on having an EP release show in my home town of Leeds once the EP is finished so keep checking on our MySpace for news on this and any acoustic shows until then will be posted on our MySpace too.

Find out more on http://www.myspace.com/myforeverofficial

Introducing...Disciple 32

YMC chats to Disciple 32 from Wakefield/Leeds

YMC: Tell us something about the band, how did you meet, how long have you been playing together?

We all go to the same college. We actually started through a completely random favour. Phil and Samir had already started the band and they were working on a song but they were stuck on a drum beat. Laura just happened to be very nearby and so we called her in and the beats fit with our riffs. So it all kicked off from there!
We've not been together very long, just under 3 months.

YMC: How would you describe your music? Who writes the songs?

It's a fusion of a few genres- Alternative/Rock/Prog Rock/Funk but we're about to receive a special element to our set-up in a couple of weeks, altering the style a little to added fusions of dubstep/electro and popcore
Extremely random but it seems to work!

Phil, the guitarist, normally works on riffs and then we come together as a band, jam the riff and see what flows. We then amend and alter the songs properly until we get a sound we really like.

YMC: Who are your main influences?

Them Crooked Vultures, Pink Floyd, Alexisonfire, A Day to Remember, QOTSA, Judas Priest, Squarepusher, Muse, Pendulum, Biffy Clyro, Dave Gilmour, Thin Lizzy and Incubus.

YMC: What venues do you like to play at?

Any venue that has a really nice atmosphere.

YMC: What can people expect from a live show?

Utter randomness! All our songs are pretty versatile, so you'll be hearing a fusion of a lot of genres!

YMC: Do you have any recording plans?

We're currently in the studio, finishing off a few tracks. That's why we've not got much on our Myspace, unfortunately. But, we'd love for people to come catch one of our shows sometime!

Find out more on http://www.myspace.com/diciple32

Introducing...Metro

YMC chats to Sally Tucker and Johnny Hannaford from Leeds/Wakefield band Metro

YMC: When did the band start, has it always had the same members?

ST - Metro was originally born in 2002/3 when university students Sally Tucker and Simon Bailey started playing and recording covers and eventually original material. The pair studied for their degrees and Metro was put to the side until Sally re-formed as a 3-piece in the summer of 2004, by this time tho Simon had moved back home to Wisbeach. Sally Tucker kept Metro going and stuck at writing material for the band throughout various line-up changes. When Bassist Johnny Hannaford joined, at late notice in June 2005 to help Sally and Derek Tucker (drummer from 10/04) go ahead with a GuilFest appearance, his postion became a permanent move and the pair audtioned and recruited James Robinson on the Kit at the end of July 2005. Metro gigged all over the country but in July 2006 James decided to leave the band. Sally's faithfull 'old man' took over the sticks again.
YMC: You originally started playing covers, do you think this is a good way to learn your trade?

ST - We've never been a full on covers band, we have slotted the odd one or two in every now depending on what we feel the audience would appreciate but as a band we've always concentrated more on getting our own songs out there!

JH - For me, its got to be a mixture of both covers and originals, you can improve your technique, and get a good feel for how songs can be written in different ways, from learning to play covers, but without spending the time trying to write and play original stuff you won't get anything original.

YMC: Who writes the songs?

JH - Sally writes the initial song, then Dirk and I add our parts, sometimes Sal will provide an idea of how she thinks the bass and drum parts should go to fit, and we try to keep and element of this in our own ideas.

ST - when I write it usually takes me a few listens to decide whether it's worth passing onto anyone else to listen to, if I do I hand it to Johnny (who normally comes back with an awesome bass line!!) and it's only really then I begin to like a song and see the potential...thats usually when the ideas start in full flow.
YMC: Who are your main influences?

JH- Madness, Specials, Jam, and more "recently" Spencer Davis.

ST - John Lennon, Paul Weller and a little pinch of everything I ever hear...be it good or bad!

YMC: Do you think the music scene has changed a lot since when you first started? For better or worse?

JH - I've been in 2 bands prior to Metro, one originals and one covers, and we played a different circuit to the one we play with Metro. The most obvious thing I can see now, is it's much more difficult to get people interested in what you do, there are many more ways to promote yourself through online media, and a lot of talented musicians and

songwriters go unnoticed.

ST - I was in an original band while I was at University, we faced the same sort of issues with promoting ourselves as we do now, but with the launch of sites such as myspace and facebook it is getting better. We were a Rockabilly band though so the circuit, venues and audience were slightly different. Other than that i've only ever been a solo artist (singer/songwriter) and again just think with modern technology it is getting better to get your music out there and reach as wide an audience as possible.

YMC: Do you have any immediate plans, gigs, recording, etc.?

JH - We're starting to gig regularly on the back of a soon to be released recording. The new songs are brutually honest, and represent the highs and lows of the last 2 years. We have a new promoter, Donna, who is working hard to get us gigs, and improve our fan base. Our immediate plans involve beer, sex, football, and kebabs, however gigs will centre around Wakefield and Leeds, with the occasional trip further afield. Starting on the Sat 27th Feb we will play at the Jockey in Wakefield, continuing with gigs throughout the early part of the year, see www.myspace.com/metromusicuk for further details, and early previews of our new material. Only alcoholic nymphomaniacs

need apply !

ST - Here here! 

Introducing...Two Skies

YMC chats to South Yorkshire band Two Skies.

YMC: When did Two Skies form and who are the band members?

Two Skies are:
              Dan Cutts- Guitar, Words
              Oliver Harrap- Drums
              Jamie Cheetham- Bass

We've been playing together for the past 18 months.

YMC: Do you write the songs as a band?

Yes. We like to jam a lot and through that learned each how each other plays which enables us to create a band sound.

YMC: You have just finished recording your debut EP (self produced), has it taken a long time?

As we recorded at our own studio, SKYLAB, we didnt have to watch the clock which meant we had a relaxed atmosphere and could spend time on what we found important. Primarily focusing on solid grooves and dynamics.

YMC: Do you think you have learnt a lot too?

Definately. We like to constantly try out new ways of writing and recording the music and like to have fun and experiment with our ideas, so the biggest thing we learnt was to keep the emphasis on the feel of the track.

YMC: When and in what format will it be released?

The EP will be available in March on CD through Amazon, Genepool records website and our website: www.twoskies.co.uk
Also as a download on ITunes and most other digital retailers.

Find out more on http://www.myspace.com/twoskiesuk  

Introducing...Talk With Lies

YMC chats to Talk with Lies from Wakefield

YMC: When did you start the band, did you all know each other first?

TWL: The band started in late 2008/ early 2009 with two good mates Conor (Bass/Vox) and Sam (Drums/B.Vox) finally after a summer and autumn of playing together in a garage finding a like minded guitarist, who wanted to have a laugh and make fun music with a wide range of influences. This guy was Tom (Guitar/Vox) and from here the Trio was formed.

YMC: Who are you influences?

TWL: Our major influences vary widely from many eras. Conor has been hugely influenced by bands such as Funeral for a Friend, Green Day, Paolo Nutini as well as many others. Sam has been influenced by bands such as Green Day, Blink 182, The Jam as well as many more. Tom has probably been most influenced by one person not only musically but also in his whole way of life that being Paul Weller, he has also been influenced by many others including more modern bands such as the Enemy and Muse.

YMC: What venues do you like to play at?

TWL: We love playing at any venue really, we don't have any specific favourites although smaller venues are nice to play especially with a group of well known fans, we also love bigger venues like the DNE venue in Wakefield or the cockpit in Leeds.

YMC: What do you think of the Wakefield scene?

TWL: We think if you are a heavier metal band the Wakefield scene is pretty good at the moment as well as if you are a tribute band with many venues offering a lot of these. But we feel for under 18's especially in lighter rock bands it is not as good and at times can be quite poor.
YMC: You are currently recording an EP, how is it going?
TWL: It has gone really well the recording process was soo much fun for us we got in the studio and just had a laugh playing through the songs we love to play. It also adds a new dimension to our tracks with tom being able to record both rhythm and lead guitar parts which are not always possible as a three piece on stage. The tracks are now taking shape and we are in the process of mixing and mastering them ready for the launch in March! This is crazy for us we never have come  so close until now of releasing our very own CD.

YMC: Do you think the internet helps bands to get known? Myspace or facebook?
TWL: We think that these sites do help bands get known but not as much now as say 2 or 3 years ago. We feel it is a lot more about word of mouth and live shows again now rather than finding bands online. We ourselves have seen the decline in myspace users or people using it regularly and while there has been a huge influx of people using facebook it doesn't really have the facility for music like myspace does.

Find out more on http://www.myspace.com/talkwithliesbanduk

Introducing...The Dawnriders

YMC chats to Dan Louch from the West Yorks based band The Dawnriders.

YMC: Who are the band members, how did you all meet?

D.Louch: Hi YMC, There’s my cousin Joe Leach on keys and organ, Danny Teale sings lead vocals, Kieran Troth plays drums and does all the percussion parts, his brother  Matthew Troth plays bass and I play lead, rhythm and slide guitar and sing backing vocals.  We met at Leeds festival. We all ended up camping together through a mutual friend, and just became really close after that.  Me and Joe have played in bands together since being kids and Matt, Keiran and Dan Teale used to be in a band together as well.  We were all on a camping trip in Settle I think when me and Dan came up with the first Dawnriders song. It was something like 3 in the morning and we were sat around our camp fire.

We kept hearing these wired noises and howls coming from the woods. We were really drunk and were just coming up with random explanations as to what could be happening in there.  We made up this weird love story about a man who has seen an angelic women wandering through the village, he follows her to the edge of the woods but she lured him in. she turns out to be a vampire and he goes up there to see her every night for weeks but then he gets caught by the other vampires and gets bitten, he loses his soul but can be with the woman he loves.  The chorus for the song is just the wailing noise we could here, or we thought we could anyway.

After that trip we started exchanging ideas and writing songs, we ended up with 6 or 7 so we played them to the others who all loved them so they joined. Now we all work on stuff together as a group. It’s a really good dynamic, everyone adds something different to the sound and all the different ideas make the songs a lot stronger musically.

YMC: Lyrics are obviously important to you as you base many on your favourite literature, is that where a song starts for you? Do you write the words then add the music?

D.Louch:  It works in a few ways really, all of us love films, books and stories, and after we wrote the first song we set out to write songs that all had some kind of narrative running through them, kind of like little films if you like but set to music. Me and Dan wrote most of the songs for the album together, but we go about writing songs in slightly different ways, we used to meet up a lot and work on songs and ideas we both had, we just kind of gelled and our different song writing styles suited one another other.  I’ve always written songs without a proper lyrical structure, Ill have a story and melody in my head with a few lyrics and a title, then ill record an acoustic version for Dan and he writes the rest of lyrics. Where as when dan comes up with an idea he usually gives me the melody and a poem and I put the music to that.  It depends really what comes first, it’s usually an emotion you feel about something in your life that’s at the heart of a song you write, and the initial lyrics kind of come from that.

 

YMC: Who are your main influences?

D.Louch:  For me its Jimi Hendrix, there’s elements of him in everything I do, along with all the old blues players like Robert Johnson, Son House and John Lee Hooker.   We all love the classic 60s and 70s artists like The Doors, Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Jefferson Airplane and Pink Floyd. That kind of California, summer of 69 acid vibe.  But saying that the last album I bought was Grace Jones’ Nightclub, theres so much music that has influenced us its impossible to really pin it down.   Dan is more into the singer/songwriter stuff from the 60's and 70's, particularly the west coast americana stuff and i think the combination of influences has given a lot to our sound.  I think we sound like the band Butch and Sundance would have been in had they not been bank robbers and got killed.

YMC: You are currently recording an album, how's it going?

D.Louch: It’s going well, we’ve got 8 tracks completed that just need a few tweaks and final mix, then we’ll probably record the last 5 tracks in the next few months.  We’ve been really lucky to work two really talented producers, Daz and Paul at Big Blue Media recordings, they’ve just kind of captured the overall sound that we wanted, they’re really good guys too.

YMC: Will this be a digital release or available on CD too?

D.Louch: Hopefully both, we’re looking to release an independent single first and then release a couple of singles and the album through a label later this year.

Find out more on http://www.myspace.com/thedawnriders

Inrtoducing...Night Herons

YMC chats to Night Herons from Leeds.

YMC: When did you start, who are the band members?

The band is:

Clare Kelly - Vocals
Joe Armitage - Lead Guitar and Synth
Chris Warr- Guitar
Tom Kelly - Bass
Will Ashton - Drums & Backing Vocals

We had the idea of starting a band after we’d  finished our GCSE’s at school. After those exams you get rewarded with an enormous summer holiday and we all played different instruments so we decided to start messing about at these rehersal rooms next to a skipyard in Guiseley. Nobody else in our year had a band or anything at that point so we thought it would be a good thing to do. Then we realised singing was a lot harder that we’d thought so we got Clare in. We knew her already and knew she had a pretty distinctive voice so it all slotted together nicely.

YMC: What are your favourite Leeds/Bradford venues to play?

We don’t tend to play in Bradford as much as we used to in the earlier days for reasons unknown. In Leeds there’s a load of great venues to play. We’ve played at the Cockpit a few times which has always been really good. The Elbow Rooms is another good one, too. I think as long as you’re playing to a room which has an atmosphere or is relatively full then the prestige associated with the venue you’re playing in doesn’t really matter. 

YMC: How would you describe your music?

Describing your  own music when you’re in a band is never easy because whatever you say, it comes off as sounding a bit pretentious and egotistical. None of us share the same taste in music really so we all have different ideas when we write songs. I think if all the members of a band share precisely the same musical influences then there’s a danger that they just become a sort of distant tribute act which is never good.

YMC: Who are your influences?

Our influences vary massively between us all. Clare’s a fan of Fleetwood Mac and that kind of style whereas Will leans towards pop – even though he’s confessed to us on numerous occasions that Mick Fleetwood is his style icon. Then we’re into a load of bands in-between those styles really.

YMC: You've had some gigs in London, has this been positive?

Playing in London is useful. It’s great experience to play in places that you’ve never played before because that way you don’t become accustomed to one venue in one city. I think people there are perhaps more into seeing live music in London but at the same time they’re crippled by choice.  If they don’t like you they could walk next door and see another band playing. Playing in London can often sound more glamorous than it actually is, too. Some people hear the word ‘London’ and think that automatically means you’re doing well, whereas you could quite easily book a gig down there and it could be purely your band playing to a man behind a mixing desk in a grotty venue. Luckily that hasn’t happened to us so far though, whenever we've played there we've had good feedback and the crowd have been quite responsive and complimentary .

YMC: Do you have any plans to record anything?

We’re recording again in mid-February.  I think we’ll do two or three new songs which are sounding promising. They’ve both got quite integral guitar parts and a bit less synth which is good because I think synth music is sort of taking over at the moment so it’d be beneficial to go against the grain and record songs with massive guitar choruses and hooks. We’ll just see what happens when we record next and then see where that takes us and hope for the best.

Find out more on http://www.myspace.com/nightherons