A real differentiator on the local scene, Control of the Going (CotG) offer a progressive experience that will send your head on a journey through fields of technicolour and watermelon sunsets. These boys are on another planet and they want you to come join their Epilepsy Bus Ride...
This being only The Stiff Upper Lip's second real post, we'd like to point out that this band don't really represent what one may describe as 'the norm' in the Manchester music scene. Put it this way: if you were planning on going shrooming this weekend with the lads, give it a swerve and allow your ears to feast on this band instead.
Their current release Wild Flower (https://soundcloud.com/cotg1/sets/wild-flower) is merely a drop in a kaleidoscopic ocean that'll take one's mind excavating through the sounds of the 60's. CotG bring their own contemporary edge to a movement that still lives in the heart of a generation of music lovers. It's hippy, trippy and haunting at times.
Another notable track is The Message (https://soundcloud.com/cotg1/the-message1), which wouldn't find itself out of place on Revolver or The Magical Mystery Tour. The melodic and rolling drums aligned with ghost-like vocals and distorted guitar creates a floating feeling within the mind that is reminiscent of Lucy in the Sky, or Strawberry Fields. There is no criticism of CotG obvious influences from the swinging days of sexual liberty and experimental freedom, as they're more than capable of delivering an authentic experience.
Imagine a cocktail of Prog Rockers Caravan and Pink Floyd, stirred with the mind altering effects of Sargent Peppers' Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite infusing an evocative sound that is redolent of everything psychedelic. The Stiff Upper Lip would like to suggest Manchester should be extremely proud of CotG and will continue to receive our support.
To find out more you can follow them on @COTG_ and you can purchase their track at controlofthegoing.bandcamp.com.
Our advice to you pilgrims is to show your support the old fashioned way and get your lazy worthless selves over to The Yard at the Grafton Arms, just off Oxford Road in town, on the 9th of August. Free entry and CotG are on stage at 20:10 (that's ten past eight for those who can't read a 24hour clock).
Peace out and enjoy.
Mr Stiff Upper-Lip
Sunday 26 July 2015
Thursday 16 July 2015
16/7/15 Plastic House @Zombie Shack - Oxford Road
Hello Pilgrims...
This being the second time I've had the pleasure of watching Plastic House (PH) in a matter of weeks, I rushed back again, because unlike the majority of the guitar-toting teeny boppers that I've seen over recent years, they made me think: "there's nothing out there that feels like this". For the first time in a long time, here are a band that made me excited to be on the Manchester music scene again. Energetic, anthemic and unapologetically loud, PH are definitely one to watch out for.
Getting themselves about the Manchester scene of late, they're a far cry from the omnipresent "Madchester" wannabes, who are still wheeling themselves out in pubs and clubs across the Northern Quarter and Oxford Road, scraping the Britpop barrel for all its worth, with baggy trousers and dodgy webs. Make no mistake about it, Plastic House are no "lad band"; their offering is of superior substance.
Don't get me wrong, Olly Podmore's stage presence, entrenched with a fearless belief in what he and his band are all about, certainly carries a level of Manc swagger and arrogance, but he's a million miles from a spray legged monkey walk. It's not all that easy to draw a comparison. The MEN described Podmore as sounding like the Kings of Leon... I tend to disagree, he reminds me more of of a polished Joe Strummer.
Tonight was equally as compelling as the first time I saw them, with a slick set front beginning to end, only stopping to replace Jake Perry's mangled drumstick. The band as a whole are well drilled, but not to suggest a regimented performance, far from it. Obviously putting the hours in behind the scenes has a afforded them a natural and easy going stage presence.
Tune to look out for is "Does She Matter" (https://soundcloud.com/plastichouseprofile/does-she-matter) which went down an absolute treat tonight for all involved.
You get a strong sense with PH they know what they're about and they certainly aren't lacking in direction, ability or belief. They can back up their pointy shoes and skinny jeans with whimsical and observational lyrics, well orchestrated and timely solo's (courtesy of James Lennon) and a sound that is, for all intents and purposes, unique to them.
As mentioned, I saw this band a few weeks ago at a charity event in Stockport, where bassist Robbie Murray gave me the 4 -1 -1 on the groups ambitions to take themselves to the next level. Stiff Upper Lip would like to suggest that Plastic House has exactly what it takes to get there. This calls for all you keyboard warriors out there to put the cleanex boxes away for one night, get off your sphincter and support this band, you will not regret it.
Follow them on @plastic_house
JT
This being the second time I've had the pleasure of watching Plastic House (PH) in a matter of weeks, I rushed back again, because unlike the majority of the guitar-toting teeny boppers that I've seen over recent years, they made me think: "there's nothing out there that feels like this". For the first time in a long time, here are a band that made me excited to be on the Manchester music scene again. Energetic, anthemic and unapologetically loud, PH are definitely one to watch out for.
Getting themselves about the Manchester scene of late, they're a far cry from the omnipresent "Madchester" wannabes, who are still wheeling themselves out in pubs and clubs across the Northern Quarter and Oxford Road, scraping the Britpop barrel for all its worth, with baggy trousers and dodgy webs. Make no mistake about it, Plastic House are no "lad band"; their offering is of superior substance.
Don't get me wrong, Olly Podmore's stage presence, entrenched with a fearless belief in what he and his band are all about, certainly carries a level of Manc swagger and arrogance, but he's a million miles from a spray legged monkey walk. It's not all that easy to draw a comparison. The MEN described Podmore as sounding like the Kings of Leon... I tend to disagree, he reminds me more of of a polished Joe Strummer.
Tonight was equally as compelling as the first time I saw them, with a slick set front beginning to end, only stopping to replace Jake Perry's mangled drumstick. The band as a whole are well drilled, but not to suggest a regimented performance, far from it. Obviously putting the hours in behind the scenes has a afforded them a natural and easy going stage presence.
Tune to look out for is "Does She Matter" (https://soundcloud.com/plastichouseprofile/does-she-matter) which went down an absolute treat tonight for all involved.
You get a strong sense with PH they know what they're about and they certainly aren't lacking in direction, ability or belief. They can back up their pointy shoes and skinny jeans with whimsical and observational lyrics, well orchestrated and timely solo's (courtesy of James Lennon) and a sound that is, for all intents and purposes, unique to them.
As mentioned, I saw this band a few weeks ago at a charity event in Stockport, where bassist Robbie Murray gave me the 4 -1 -1 on the groups ambitions to take themselves to the next level. Stiff Upper Lip would like to suggest that Plastic House has exactly what it takes to get there. This calls for all you keyboard warriors out there to put the cleanex boxes away for one night, get off your sphincter and support this band, you will not regret it.
Follow them on @plastic_house
JT
Monday 13 July 2015
Hello and Welcome!
Good evening and welcome to the Stiff Upper Lip...
We'll be updating and reviewing the best up and coming bands in the Manchester scene, giving exposure to those bands who fail to get recognition under the current cultural reign of Cowell's X-Factor/Britain's Got Talent horse-shite. We're here to show the world that Manchester is still alive, well and thriving with new music.
And for ye of little faith, those who speaketh the "end of rock n roll", for those who believe that the dark side has prevailed, Stiff Upper Lip is here to guide you poor Sheppard, and resurrect Rock n Roll into a 2nd coming. We will show you the light.
Amen.
We'll be updating and reviewing the best up and coming bands in the Manchester scene, giving exposure to those bands who fail to get recognition under the current cultural reign of Cowell's X-Factor/Britain's Got Talent horse-shite. We're here to show the world that Manchester is still alive, well and thriving with new music.
And for ye of little faith, those who speaketh the "end of rock n roll", for those who believe that the dark side has prevailed, Stiff Upper Lip is here to guide you poor Sheppard, and resurrect Rock n Roll into a 2nd coming. We will show you the light.
Amen.
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