Cleargreen

Cleargreen – Messiah

Manchester’s Cleargreen were in the ascendency before the pandemic. They were wowing This Feeling audiences across the UK on the ‘Big In 2019 tour’. Many had attempted to blend Oasis and The Roses, they were only true successors.

Then the pandemic hit. Nothing. Not a peep. Many, us included, feared another working-class talent had fallen by the wayside due to financial pressures.

Then, from nowhere, the second coming. A fitting term for the new single ‘Messiah’ on many levels. On previous singles ‘People’ and ‘Gone’, there was a sense of hunger, a desire to grab life by the horns and make it better for themselves. It was, unequivocally exhilarating. ‘Messiah’ is a different animal.

If the Roses hadn’t been hit with a lawsuit after ‘Fools Gold’, this surely would have been their next single. Mike Wilcock embodies Reni’s flair on the drums whilst lead guitarist Josh Haworth takes the roll of Squire’s funked-up Hendrix licks. Not only does Haworth adopt this role, but he’s also achieved what mid-90s Squire couldn’t be concise. ‘Messiah’ is condensed into less than three minutes, redefining what a psychedelic single can be.

Pre-pandemic, anthems like ‘People’ and ‘Stargazed’ were littered with dazzling moments on the guitar. They were always offset by frontman Ali Staley. He had a great skill to let the audience into their genius through his everyman appeal. That spirit remains but, overriding this is a defiance and righteousness that wasn’t present before. The pandemic hit us all hard, now Staley is here to lead the fightback for the people with his newfound snarl.

For many, the last two years feel lost to a sense of nothingness. In Cleargreen’s case, it’s been totally worth it. They have come back in the mood for success but, moreover, more talented than ever!

Cleargreen: Nambucca, London

Manchester’s Cleargreen made the journey to North London’s Nambucca for This Feeling’s 13th birthday this past Saturday. Man alive it was something to treasure!

Some bands will strive for years to deliver a set like this. The attitude, the heart, and, quality outshone nearly all established acts of the moment.

Everything culminated on their cover of Jorja Smith’s ‘Blue Lights’. The contrasting vocal styles of Ali Staley and Liam McIver were joyous. McIver’s, fired up by the injustice received by his friend, delivered a truly menacing performance! This was perfectly offset by frontman Ali Staley’s embracing and inviting vocals. Throw in Josh Howarth’s stunning and destructive guitar solo and it was hard to define this as anything other than special.

There were lighter moments of the set, notably on the ‘Mersey Paradise’ inspired ‘(To Be Understood) In My Paradise. The Squire-esque guitars jangled away with inescapable infectiousness. Meanwhile, Staley announced himself as the next great rock n roll frontman. Whilst all around him was the attitude and rock n roll swagger, there stood a man inviting a crowd into their dreams of freedom. The emotion he conjures from the lines ‘it all means nothing / if you’re not here anymore’ was a real moment.

A defining one? Probably not, there is too much drive and the ability for this is to be it. People of Manchester, do not miss their show with Creation23’s The Shambolics on 6th November at Night People

*Image courtesy of Alan Wells

Cleargreen – People

Manchester’s Cleargreen are back with their new single ‘People’ today. Already a force in their home city, they have been stealing the show on This Feeling stages on the festival circuit too.

Previous single ‘Gone’, whilst freeing, probably had too many hallmarks of the DMA’s to be their breakthrough moment. On ‘People’, they’ve taken a monumental leap to establish their identity.

It’s a conscientious examination of the public mindset in 2019, shining a light on the contradictions of humanity. By proxy, it highlights the echo chamber mentality of both left and right and how, but with heart and amiable sincerity at its core. How apt on the day that Putin labelled Liberalism “obsolete”.

The LA’s-esque riff is given The Verve pop majesty circa Urban Hymns sheen. Equally beefy and emotive, Haworth and Staley’s guitars combine the aforementioned style with a Teenage Fanclub sense of adventure. Rock ‘n’ roll escapism is back, and with a chorus of “Going away where there is no tomorrow / Go to the place where I don’t feel hollow” it’s here to stay.

The colossus that is Liam Gallagher is rolling back into town at present and, we look forward to it. However, we urge everyone to pay attention to the new class. Cleargreen, Gazelle, Stanleys, and The Raintree County have lit the touchpaper for a new rebellion.

Friday 2nd August marks our 8th birthday. Come down to the New Cross Inn for a night of great live music. Tickets available here: