Gazelle – Lady Blue Sky

Leicester’s Gazelle are back with their new single ‘Lady Blue Sky’. Produced by Matt Cotterill, it marks the run towards their hometown gig at the OMC.

Image & artwork courtesy of the band

Post-lockdown, Gazelle have been in a transformative mood sonically. The early bombast of ‘Finger On The Trigger’ and ‘Have You Found Forever Now?’ has matured, still loitering with intent but now shrouded in nodes of Motown, northern soul, Johnny Marr licks, and flashes of Noel Gallagher’s HFB melancholic songwriting.  On ‘Lady Blue Sky’ they’ve added psyche to their ever-growing repertoire.

The playful trips of Weller’s ‘Sonic Kicks’ hook up with the atmospheric grooves of Kasabian’s first three albums and the muscular immediacy of The Rifles. Stealing the show of this instant classic though is the array of backing vocals.

Drummer Danny Wright’s “ba ba ba’s” set the groove running before frontman Ryan Dunn calls upon Serge Pizzorno’s understated soaring melodies to take the band to another level. It is though, Dunn’s higher pitch backing vocal in the closing stages which take this single from good to great. Blessed with the mesmeric soul power of Noel’s ‘Black Star Dancing’. The only thing that could take it higher would be the dearly departed Denise Johnson.

If 2022’s run of singles wasn’t firm enough proof, ‘Lady Blue Sky’ is the confirmation that Gazelle are the real Deal!

Click the image below for tickets to their headline outdoor gig in Leicester:

Gazelle – Arcadia

Leicester’s Gazelle are back for one last single release of 2022 with ‘Arcadia’. It follows the fine ‘Violet Hour Blues’ released in October and last night, they played their biggest gig to date at Leicester’s o2 Academy.

‘Arcadia’ blasts its way out of the traps to light up England’s finest to the sound of The Horrors’ decadent fairground keys circa ‘Primary Colours’. Although they’ve stepped away from their love of Motown here, its influence looms large still. The verses could be choruses and vice-versa as they motor their way to melodic euphoria.

The stomping breakdown brings those heady rock ‘n’ roll moments of Kasabian on ‘Empire’ and ‘West Pauper Lunatic Asylum’ to the fore. They build to a debauched chaotic climax where violence loiters at every turn to provide an utterly exhilarating rush.

2022’s run of singles from Gazelle have seen them shake off the ‘just another indie band’ tag. ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ brought their love of soul and Motown alive and ‘Violet Hour Blues’ demoed their crowd-uniting ability. Furthermore, in ‘Clementine’ and ‘Arcadia’, they’ve added depth and intelligence to the early singles which now, has to see them eclipse the success of The Reytons and The Rahs.

Gazelle – Violet Hour Blues

Leicester’s Gazelle returned recently with their new single ‘Violet Hour Blues’. It follows the success of the ‘Clementine’ back in July.

In 2020, Chesterfield’s The Crooks were on a roll with windswept Oasis-esque ballads. By the end of that year, they sadly imploded. It left a song-writing void that Gazelle have not only filled with ‘Violet Hour Blues’, but they’ve also surpassed them by adding lyrical depth and orchestration to kill for.

This aching character-driven tale lights up the ordinary and mundane like no other. They have The Verve’s ‘History’ at their fingertips with the lyrics and strings but, they go much further. The torment of Richard Hawley and the heart of Frank and Walters lift this to instant classic status.

The guitars pertain to the anguish of Andrew Cushin’s ‘Where’s My Family Gone’ & ‘Waiting For The Rain’ and Noel Gallagher’s regret-filled classics ‘Dying Of Light’ and ‘The Right Stuff’. Subtly and deftly adding licks only when needed. Less is so much more here.

Credence they carry into the guitar solo too. The obvious choice would have been to lift the mood-blistering escapist solo, a talent they are more than capable of. However, what emanates is a divine autumnal jingle-jangle to further enhance their credentials.

Gazelle’s new EP is on the horizon and is becoming the most sort after of the year on this basis.

Gazelle – Clementine

Leicester-based Gazelle, fresh from the success of the ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ are back with their new single ‘Clementine’. It was recorded at Hope Mill Studio in Manchester.

Like ‘Magic Carpet Ride’, their love of soul music again comes into play. The combo of Motown’s stomp and the acoustic jingle-jangle of the DMA’s sparkles like Stevie Wonder fronting The Byrds’s with Steve Cradock on lead guitar.

Their step-back time is blessed with a warmth that demands playlist recognition immediately. The psyche-jangle effortlessness of The Left Banke’s ‘She May Call You Up Tonight’ and ‘I’ve Got Something On My Mind’ combines with the emotive pop hooks of Bee Gee’s ‘I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You’. All the while, Richard Sorbi, and Danny Wright’s rhythm taps into the vitality of Spencer Davis Group and Them.

Despite the R'n'B influences, it’s their punk spirit that drives their success. Gazelle, like The Jam and The Rifles before them, delves into the past and produce new subcultures for the next generation.

The best bands always look and sound like a gang, Gazelle are no different. There are times though for the frontman to step up and shine and this is Ryan Dunn’s. The cadence he deposits is divine. From the quick-fire Stevie Wonder chorus moments to the euphoric Steve Winwood in the closing stages, Dunn showcases immortal talent.

Click the image below for tickets to their headline show in August.

*Banner image courtesy of https://www.trustafoxphotography.com/

Gazelle – Magic Carpet Ride

Leicester’s Gazelle have returned with a brand new single ‘Magic Carpet Ride’. Recorded at Hope Mill Recording Studios, Manchester, it was produced by Matt Cotterill and the video features the iconic Danielle Watson (Trev, This Is England).

Their last material was released back in 2019 ad it saw them on blistering form. ‘Guilt Trip Gun’ was death-defying and ‘Finger on the Trigger’ was social commentary destined for big stages. If There was a criticism, it was their lane that remained full throttle which masked their great lyrics too often.

Upon return, the bombast and relentless flow remain but, now they spliced with the glory of Spencer David Group’s ‘Keep On Running’ and the affection of The Isley Brothers. The romance of 60s Motown is put through the prism of gritty UK life and, with lysergic Johnny Marr guitar licks lurking, has found a fuller sonic which will inevitably launch them towards bigger audiences.

Gazelle head out on tour next month. Click the image for tickets:

Gazelle - Have You Found Forever Now?

Leicester's Gazelle have been tearing through 2019 like a whirlwind. Their new single is no let-up either. 'Have You Found Forever Now?', recorded with the legendary Gavin Monaghan sees them build upon then intelligent working class lyrics and escapist rock n roll.

On their debut EP ' Young Blood', an army of influences (The Enemy, The Rifles, The Courteeners) outlined their outsider credentials. Whilst musically, 'Forever' remains in this mold, lyrically it takes Tom Clarke’s Lowry-esque depictions and Liam Fray’s emotive every-man styles to stride out beyond them both.

Musically, the rasping guitars of The Rifles and The Enemy remain in the early part: kicking and screaming their way to hearts and minds. However, the combination of Noel Gallagher's key changes, The Cure-esque solo and the raucous production of Suepergrass circa 'Life On Other Planets' breeds life into their sound.

Lyrically though, is where 'Forever' shines. Ryan Dunn has combined a Clarke and Weller sharpness with the universality of Gallagher, the wit of Damon Albarn and a huge splice of Ashcroft at his “fuck you” best.

The tension Dunn builds from images of internal hurricanes is palpable. In the mire of Brexit, the poor are being left behind, not buy Dunn! This romantic tale hits the brink (“can we turn it around”) and then fires them back into the sunset with the line “Don’t let go if you’ve found forever now”.

Britain has felt so shit, for so long, the modernised messages of ‘All You Need Is Love’ and ‘Live Forever’ will bring tears to your eyes. ‘Forever’ leaves you with the notion that nothing can stand in your way. Gazelle have hit a vein of form here that simply put, has to elevate them to big audiences, now!

Gazelle – Young Blood

Leicester’s Gazelle have been setting the underground circuit alight with their brand of rock ‘n’ roll in 2019. This past Friday marked their debut EP release. Can ‘Young Blood’ keep the ball rolling?

Escapism and attitude are the bedrock of this EP. ‘Guilt Trip Gun’ pairs self-doubt and realisation that sticking two fingers up to the world is the only way through it! John Squire’s paisley era (Sally Cinnamon & Mersey Paradise) is reignited on the solo. Meanwhile, ‘Finger On The Trigger’ is inescapably for the young. Angst ridden and driven to break free of their shackles, Gazelle again look to the Roses with the bravado of Stoke’s All The Young.

On the title track and ‘Young Blood’, they begin to showcase there is more to them than just bangers. The former takes The Cure’s archetypal guitar sound and splices it with a rock’n’ roll desperation. Had it sound tracked the tunnel scene of Perks of Being a Wallflower, it would not have been out of place.

‘Diamond High’ taps into the innocent energy of Gerry Cinnamon. Taking a stripped back approach to the Roses rippling guitars, they’ve found a wholesome and everyman sound that’s made Shed 7 so adorable down the years. The sentiments of ‘Live Forever’ prevail on ‘Diamond High’ beautifully in lyrics:

“I get lost sometimes / Your always in mind / I promise you and I / can forget the rest of the world”

 This kind of no nonsense romanticism is destined to bring them huge success!

A playlist featuring Gazelle

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

Gazelle – Guilt Trip Gun

Leicester’s Gazelle have been on a roll this year, playing with Sugarthief at This Feeling’s nights. ‘Guilt Trip Gun’ is their first release of the year and, that roll is picking up speed.

It has the hallmarks of Noel Gallagher’s classic song-writing style. Notions of melancholy and self-doubt are coupled with the bravery to jump off the edge and stick two fingers up to the world. It’s a beefy single, images of chests out and fists aloft as beers fly all around are immediate. However, cutting through the bravado is, an almost gentile solo from the John Squire’s ‘Sally Cinnamon’ and ‘Mersey Paradise’ era.

The evanescent flow will rekindle the birth of The Courteeners and The Rifles a decade ago. The hope and inspiration they offered before the financial crash was the soundtrack to so many teenage escapist dreams. Thank god, amid the endless tripe of Brexit, Gazelle have tapped in to that feeling.