One to watch out for... No Hot Ashes

Manchester's very own funk extraordinaire's should be something to keep your ears peeled for in 2016. 

Sometimes music does the talking for you. This is most certainly one of those times and if you haven't already tasted a bit of NHA you need to get with the proverbial program. Flying round the local scene (and further a field) with such bands as Kashmere and Plastic House, NHA are building a sound of their own and new fan base to match. This is definitely one of those "get into them before they get big" moments.

Lets talk about the tracks...

We're going to focus in on two tracks that we feel exemplify their funk/rock sound. November 2014 brought to us Goose. A floor filler if there ever was one, something to bust some shapes to whilst keeping your Gazelles in check. A proper funky tune full of aspiration and only a seed of what they have to offer.

Smooth (no bits) is lyrically gritty and another one to enjoy whilst bopping around the tiles with your mates. It's a bouncy, head twister with some lovely funk lead guitar. The anti-establishment/conflict retoric that young boys and girls can relate to ("munchin' on a salad cos' the man on tele told you to") make them a progressive group with attitude and a sound unique to themselves.

Where can you find them?

Best place to find out news on these are their twitter page (@_NoHotAshes) and they're regularly promoted through @MrPeepsSays.
In terms of gigs, their next gig is on Sunday 20th December at The Grove in Hazel Grove (across from The Rising Sun)
, Stockport. Should be a cracking night and I believe there will be some media attention down there.


They're really ones to watch out for in the new year so get on board before it gets cool and you'll be able to tell your mates "No Hot Ashes.. yeah I knew them before they were big"...

Peace x

Radio Ga Ga? The death of Xfm has left many feeling in dispair, but fear not. As always, the Stiff Upper Lip is here.

About a month ago I dropped my girlfriend off at the University of Salford. As she skipped into class I flicked on the radio nonchalantly expecting to hear a few tracks that will brighten my morning beyond the tedious schlep home. I started with my go-to station, 97.7 Radio X (although we all know we call it Xfm). With it being early enough, Chris Moyles and his cohort were on the air nattering away. This time it was something to do with Bono coming into the studio for a guest appearance the following week. As if anyone under the age of 30 still gives a shiny turd about U2. Hey ho, get on with it and just enjoy the music.

Week day traffic being what it is between 8 and 9am around Salford and Manchester, I'm sure you can imagine the clutch thumping stop start journey I had ahead. Be that as it may, eventually I got onto the Mancunian way and I had noticed something. I hadn't started tapping my fingers yet. I hadn't said "tune" smugly under my breath yet. I hadn't even heard an intro and switched it over to see what was on Smooth yet! In fact, nothing had happened at all. I had been in the car for 30 minutes and all there was for my hungry ears to feast upon was the narcisstic sounds of Chris Moyles celeb-name dropping his way through a wednesday morning. The new slogan for Radio X is "get into the music"... what music?

By this point I should have turned it off, but then it happened and I was reminded of why I hadn't been listening to Radio X much these days. "The Wheel of Inappropriate Songs". What the actual fuck is that all about? Somebody please tell me who thought it was a good idea to allow Chris Moyles, who cannot be seen as anymore than a hedonistic clown, to take over what was once a station with genuine relevance and character. Nowadays, instead of driving to work listening to the latest tracks from up and coming bands we're getting lots and lots of Moyles, dashed with a bit of what he calls "indie" music. The last time anyone used the word "Indie" Stuart Pearce was still City manager and Razorlight were considered "up and coming" (not by me though).

The point is, Radio X has lost its way. When I asked around Manchester what people thought about Xfm's make-over, I wasn't at all surprised at the responses.

"Xfm was local, underground and you felt like you were part of it. Low key, but in a good way. Now it's filled with tosspots, for want of a better word. High paid celebrities who you listen to and think 'what the fuck do you know about music?'. Chris Moyles is an egotistical, name dropping bellend, Vernon Kay slightly better but clearly only in it for the money. Compare that to Clint Boon, Dave Rowntree, knew the music business inside out and you related to them"
James Green, Stockport

This pretty much summed up the retoric I was hearing throughout the day. People miss what Xfm stood for and see it largely as just another station these days. You had a station that debuted bands like The Charlatans, a station hosted by cultural icons like Ricky Gervais and Steven Merchant. Now you've got them playing The Killers and in between having to listen to Johnny Vaughn. A man who was even uncool in the 90s. Lets not forget the sycophantic lead singer of The Kaiser Cheifs: Ricky Wilson. Says it all.

Where to find real music on the waves...
 
 1. 94.4fm Salford City Radio. A community radio station with a myriad of different offerings but we at The Stiff Upper Lip get our kicks from Daz Earle's Music Files Show on Wednesday nights between 7-8

2. University radio is making a come back with Hive Radio - this one is purely online, but have a listen out on Tuesdays for the M23Days which showcases live music. Linked with Manchester Met University, you'll get a variety of new music on here at any given time!

3. Under the Pavement - Manchester's Radical Radio Show 96.9 on ALLFM. Proper underground music from the depths of South Manchester.

So fear not, if you're like many of us disillusioned by the corporate fat cats at Global Radio, there are a few alternatives for you.

Keep that Stiff Upper Lip.

Peace x