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Narrow Margin
Hailing from Manchester, Narrow Margin are Ian Spiller (lead vocals, guitar, Harmonica) Ben Etches (lead guitar, backing vox) Danny Hollinworth (rhythm guitar) Herbie Hursthouse (bass guitar, backing vox) Jake Etches (drums, backing vox).
Supporting Creation23’s The K’s at their sold out Deaf Institute gig 25th January, they look set to win many fans in 2020. Let’s check out their new single ‘Kids Don’t Dance’, released on the 10th January via 42’s Records.
Kids Don’t Dance
The vibrancy of The Buzzcocks pop and the desperation of Carl Barat’s Albion inspired guitars combine on this euphoric social commentary.
Fed up with apathy and angered at the ever growing echo chambers society finds itself in, Narrow Margin hit the reset button. In doing so, they are waking up a new generation to something far more real than they have been served up in recent times. For anyone old enough to remember the 00s and before, this is a reawakening of the Great British tradition; classless, fearless and reckless rock n roll!
The K's
After blowing the doors of the Roundhouse supporting East London heroes The Rifles last October, Earlestown’s The Ks look set for a big year in 2020.
With big This Feeling shows early in the year, festival slots beckon in the summer. Let’s look at some of their bangers to date:
Sarajevo
An adrenaline fuelled joyride that could only come from a true band of brothers. At every turn lies danger and its exciting as fuck. No wonder they sold out Manchester’s Deaf Institute of the back of it.
It’s the ideal vehicle for the partnership of Ryan Breslin and Jamie Boyle to shine. Breslin’s wizardry on the guitar has no bounds. As we’ve seen in the past though, without an Ian Brown anchoring John Squire to the affections of the public it means nothing. Here, Boyle, adds the innocence to the danger of the guitars. It heeds way for everyone to think, that could be us and, that, is the truly special time to watch a band.
Glass Towns
Absolutely no let-up in the thrill seeking here. This is The Jam with Oasis’ sense of escapism. Nick Love’s ‘Goodbye Charlie Bright’ has a new soundtrack as The K’s deal with the pressures of home life and getting the fuck away from it.
The end of the last decade gave birth to lots of great bands. With the exception of Lucas Crowther from The Rifles, there was really no great guitarist of that era. Breslin, has on this song, announced himself as this generation’s finest.
Auroa
The rock n roll glory of Noel’s early guitar work comes roaring to the surface as, frontman Boyle tells tales of working class characters not seen in a generation.
It kicks and screams its way through the swamp to escape and, it’s that struggle that makes this so triumphant. Breslin, inspired the grooves of ‘Columbia’ and the fire of The Courteeners and The Enemy album, delivers a rage of euphoria.
It’s no surprise Alan McGee’s new label Creation 23 picked this one up. Get down to Nambucca Saturday 11th to see them storm This Feeling’s ‘Big In 2020’ night.
The Illicits
It’s been one hell of a year for Blackburn’s The Illicits. Appearing on Soccer AM without having released a single, signing to Creation23, supporting Liam Gallagher, Primal Scream and having a top 10 vinyl selling single.
Consisting of George Richards (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar) Brad Hayes (Lead Guitar), Joe Mitchell (Bass) and Matt Cottam (Drums), let’s take a look at their recently sold out double A-side.
*Image courtesy of Sonic PR
Left Behind
With the Sex Pistols’ Steve Jones guesting on guitar, the Lancashire outfit have conjured a venomous and decadent slice of rock ‘n’ roll. The guitars are dangerous and muscular before they erupt into life like Twisted Wheel on ‘D.N.A’ and Jones’ classic ‘Holidays in the Sun’.
Born Slippy
The cover song is back in fashion with rock ‘n’ roll bands. The Illicits cover of the Underworld classic might just be the best one yet. The debauchery of the 90s record is there but, through the sumptuous intertwining of New Order’s ‘Ceremony’, they have given it an ecstatic lift.
The Illicits play a homecoming gig at St George’s Hall in Blackburn on 21st December.
Shambolics
Shambolics, part of the Creation 23 revolution, are a four piece from Dunfermiline. Made up of Lewis McDonald (Vocals/Guitar), Darren Forbes (Vocals/Guitar) Jordan McHatton (Vocals/Bass) and Jake Bain (Vocals/Drums) , they are creating waves with a blend of the La's jangle and straight up rock n roll. They haven't quite hit that magic formula yet but, some things are inevitable.
Here's what they've been up to:
When She Goes Home
Distorting The La's to their Scottish roots, they've created sweet sonic to accompany a tale about carefree spirit. Despite the sumptuous jangle, it's the pitfalls of the protagonist where this songs beauty lies. The hallmarks of Michael Caine as Alfie or Rita Tushingham as Jo (Taste of Honey) permeate the sun kissed sounds to forge a murkier world to delve into.
My Time Is Now
The euphoric glam of Miles Kane's debut combines with the Libs inspired Trampolene. It's the sound of young people making things happen. In age where more and more is being ripped away from them, it's no wonder Shambolics sound so gloriously violent.
RATS
RATS are the latest in a wave of UK rock n roll bands attracting the attention of Alan McGee’s Creation23 imprint. The Liverpudlian four piece are two singles in and have laid out an ambitious blueprint to glory.
*Photo courtesy of Chris Driver
Figure It Out
Much like Primal Scream’s ‘Sonic Flower Groove’ impact on the Roses, Australia’s DMA’s have launched a wave of heartfelt rock n roll in the UK. Full of spirit, swagger and escapism, RATS’ ‘Figure It Out’ is an uniting anthem demanding to be heard.
Generation after generation has to endure the homogenisation of rock music, lately it’s been the dreary 1975 types and their fetid offshoots. With their unpalatable stench though, comes the reaction. The fightback from the likes of RATS, this is where true euphoria lies. The vocals here, taking the best bits of Rob Harvey (The Music), Tom Clarke (The Enemy) and Thomas O’Dell (DMA’s) are majestic.
Weekend
Big emotive riffs collide from humble root combine to create an edgier but, equally pop driven Blossoms-esque single. With the earnestness of The Pigeon Detectives and the melodic dirge of The Strokes’ second album ‘Room On Fire’ coming together, there is no chance they’re not making it.
Friday 2nd August marks our 8th birthday. Come down to the New Cross Inn for a night of great live music. Tickets available here:
Young Garbo
Signed to Alan McGee’s new incarnation Creation23, Cardiff’s Young Garbo look set to do big things in 2019. Born out of the teenage friendship of singer Garyn Williams and lead guitarist Arwel Brown (Levi Ball and Milo Rodell-John completing the line-up), they have recently been on a This Feeling tour with label mates Jawbone.
Lets check out their recent double a-side:
Faustus
A remarkably polished single for a fledgling band. The spirit of the Blockheads comes alive on this punk-funk anthem. 2018 was a raw awakening of the sharp tongued working class (Shame, Cabbage, The Blinders), might 2019 be the year of the intelligent party?
The hooks and Prince-esque solo display here suggest it might be.
Things D Change
In a similar vein to ‘Faustus’, there is a brevity and a wryness to ‘Things D Change’ which can breathe life into a crowded polemical scene.
Make no mistakes though, this is still full of attitude and punk spirit. Bouncing along without a care in a world and with just enough frostiness to show up Foals for the bores they are. It’s Young Garbo’s time now!
Our 8th birthday party is Friday 2nd August at the New Cross Inn. Click the image below for tickets:
