Columbia are five piece from Liverpool consisting of Alex Sheppo (vocals), Jonny Eccleshall (bass & vocals), Jay Sweeney (lead guitar), Tom Comer (rhythm guitar) Jay Culkin (drums).
Named after the Oasis classic and, recording with The Real People’s Chris Griffiths, they are set to light up big stages, when they’re allowed.
Let’s take a look at what they have been up to in 2020 so far:
This Life
A death defying renewal of ‘Definitely Maybe’s spirit. Taking no prisoners, it’s a tirade of debauched escapism.
The release of Jay Sweeny’s guitars is an exhilarating joyride that is going to send the re-opened gig venues of the UK into sweat dripping frenzy. They’re matched, in the closing moments by front man Alex Sheppo as he wrenches out an Ashcroft “this is a big / fuck you / come on” moment of demonic brilliance.
Nothing Left For Me
Channelling Richard Ashcroft’s William Blake mode, Columbia wander lonely streets on this record. Sweeney’s guitars, are beset with turmoil, try to find the light but, a fraught danger is forever in looming.
The contrast of acoustic and electric guitars bring memories of The Verve and Oasis’ glory days flooding back. Is it just pastiche? Perhaps, but, when it’s this good, it deserves to stand alongside the giants of working class glory.
Meanwhile, frontman Sheppo offers his most interesting vocal to date. John Power and Richard Ashcroft lurk but, something melodically deranged formulates like Mansun’s iconic Paul Draper. With an innate ability to play vocal textures like this already, it poses a great future from a remarkable star.