 |
|
|
|
|
Surface Unsigned National Showcase 08
Saturday September 13th 2008 @ The Birmingham
Carling Academy 1 (Main Stage)
Words by Stephen Hudyba
Photography by TrippCobain Imaging and Dominic Nicholls
Che
Kicking off the day with a real burst of energy and noise, Che’s anthemic power pop-rock direction combined with their tight yet enthusiastic performance set a very high standard that all the bands maintained throughout the event. Finding the perfect balance of twee Pop and contemporary Rock – it’s a sound that really works for the band, being both wholly accessible and yet having some real depth in terms of their lyric content and general emotional clout. The band showed off some first-rate material and Lydia once again gave a powerful and sincere vocal performance that left few people with any doubt as to the band’s quality and potential.
To find out more about the band, or to hear their demos, visit
www.myspace.com/chemusic
Silver Sided
The second band of the day was Hertfordshire based Rock four-piece Silver Sided. With the youthful energy and catchy riffs of Pop-Punk and the darker edge of heavy melodic Rock, the band has found a sound that sits somewhere between Hundred Reasons and Blink 182. Confidently striding the Academy main stage, Mark has presence and charisma, making an excellent front man, and a powerful (suitably rock) vocal to back it all up. The rest of the band maintained a strong presence on what is an intimidatingly large stage, delivering a tight, impressive performance that showed what an exciting prospect the band is quickly becoming.
To find out more about the band, or to hear their demos, visit
www.SilverSided.com
Best Bass Player receiving a Ashdown Five Fifteen 100w 1x15 Combo courtesy of Professional Music Technology.
Short Skirtz
Next up were South London four-piece Short Skirtz. Their sound is a mixture of Funk-Rock and classic blues infused Rock and Soul – all given a clever contemporary reworking. Front-woman Macca has a great presence and a powerful vocal reminiscent of an early PJ Harvey, and as a band they delivered an all-round excellent performance that showed why they had made it this far. It’s a really well put together sound, the band has a strong range of clap, dance and sing-along songs that show off a rare talent for writing and arranging tracks that have real impact and leave a lasting impression.
To find out more about the band, or to hear their demos, visit
www.myspace.com/shortskirtz
Best Drummer receiving a Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide Single Kick Pedal coutesy of Professional Music Technology and a full set of Custom A Cymbals courtesy of Zildjian.
Tempting Rosie
Out of the band’s five Surface performances the Carling Academy was the first time all seven members of Tempting Rosie fit comfortably onto the stage. Their Ska-Indie sound suited the venue comfortably too – it’s the sort of catchy, upbeat noise that really benefits from the larger venue and which is guaranteed to get a crowd of any size going. Playing with an apparelled level of energy and an infectious charm, by the end of their set the band had the majority of the crowd singing and dancing along with them. The band has one of the freshest directions out of any of the bands that played the National Showcase and have consistently shown they have the wealth of ideas and musical ability to follow through on this ambitious sound.
To find out more about the band, or to hear their demos, visit
www.myspace.com/temptingrosie
Lazy Fader
The fifth band of the day was Warrington based six-piece Lazy Fader. Their sound is Rock mixed with Hip-Hop scratches and beats, brought together for a sharp distinctive sound that shows some real originality. Razor-sharp, intelligent lyrics with a rapid-fire delivery, each distinctive vocal is masterfully interwoven to create a formidable noise full of aggression and wit. Tight percussion, dark bass-lines and impressive scratching make for a simple yet effective base for their lyrically driven sound, and combined with their intimidating stage presence it ensured their performance grabbed and held the attention of all those present and saw them fight their way to second place.
To find out more about the band, or to hear their demos, visit
www.myspace.com/lazyfader
2nd Place receiving £500 cash, 3 hour live performance recording courtesy of Univibe Audio and featured content on the brand new Surface Unsigned online TV station and Surface Unsigned Magazine of which 50,000 copies are distributed across the UK in October
Carjack Mallone
Definitely on the heavier side of Indie-Rock, Manchester four-piece Carjack Mallone have a sound that bursts with raw energy. The intensity in their music is reflected by the band in their live performance and on the day they went full out to impress. They have found the perfect balance between melody and raw rock energy – it’s a well thought out direction within which the band has written some excellent material with massive choruses and a breakneck pace that shows a rare song-writing talent and an anarchic creative streak.
To find out more about the band, or to hear their demos, visit
www.myspace.com/carjackmallone
Free Peace
Aptly describing themselves as Acoustic/African/Hip-Hop/Commercial, Free Peace have created an eclectic mixture of sounds and styles – and it’s to their credit as songwriters how well they manage to bring it all together. Rather than just relying on the novelty of their clever mixture of genres (as an unfortunate number of left-of-centre acts tend to do) they’ve got the material to back it up, an excellent collection of innovative and memorable Pop-with-a-twist songs. Abi gave a first-rate vocal performance at The Academy that saw her pick up the prize for the “Best Singer” category – she’s got an impressive range, slipping seamlessly between evocative and soulful RnB diva and fragile, indie-alternative songstress. Creating a carnival like atmosphere onstage and in the crowd alike, they delivered a great set of music and were justly reward with fourth place.
To find out more about the band, or to hear their demos, visit
www.myspace.com/fre3peace
4th Place receiving £250 cash, 3 hour live performance recording courtesy of Univibe Audio and featured content on the brand new Surface Unsigned online TV station and Surface Unsigned Magazine of which 50,000 copies are distributed across the UK in October.
Best Singer receiving a Wharfedale Pro DM2.0S Cardioid Dynamic Microphone.
The Chairmen
What more can I say about the Chairmen that I haven’t already said in my previous Surface coverage of the band? It’s great to see these guys made it through to the National Showcase and they thoroughly deserved to win the competition. They have consistently raised the bar which each performance, exceeding all expectations, and in true form they did it again at the Academy and were justly rewarded. There is a touch of The Cribs and hints of The Libertines in their music, yet when they get going any comparisons to other bands quickly fade – it’s their own sound and it is excellent. Their songs are quickly becoming indie anthems, ill bet that more than a few people left the Academy with a chairmen track lodged in their brain. They received one of the most enthusiastic responses of the day and when they were announced as winners the venue erupted in beer-soaked celebration.
To find out more about the band, or to hear their demos, visit
www.myspace.com/the_chairmen
1st Place receiving £3000 cash, Main Stage appearance at the biggest music show in Europe - Music Live, where they will perform in front of thousands of people, fans, music celebrities, journalists and trade manufactures, 40 hours multi-track recording courtesy of Univibe Audio, a professional full day photo shoot in a studio or chosen location, including art direction, hair/make-up, sylist and post production courtesy of TrippCobain Imaging and featured content on the brand new Surface Unsigned online TV station and Surface Unsigned Magazine of which 50,000 copies are distributed across the UK in October.
Nylon Sky
Next up was Guilford/London based Rap/Rock three-piece Nylon Sky. They have written some angsty yet clever tracks delivered half-sung half-rapped by excellent front-man Tony. In between their songs he engaged the crowd with charismatic banter and due praise for the other bands, yet when the music starts he delivers an unparalleled level passion and intensity – you can tell he not just going through the motions but rather wholeheartedly believes every word and thrives off performing. They are a little raw around the edges but if anything it adds to their appeal, there is nothing worse than this kind of music finely polished and soulless – and these guys are a shining example of how Rap-Rock should be done.
To find out more about the band, or to hear their demos, visit
www.myspace.com/nylonskyspace
Best Lead Guitarist receiving a Blue Flower Stratocaster with Fender Bullet Strings and Synchronised Tremolo courtesy of Professional Music Technology and a Special Edition Red Marshall MG 100w Head and Cab courtesy of Marshall
Strangle Kojak
It’s about time Strangle Kojak played a stage that was worthy of their first-class sound and flare for the theatrical. Once again blowing the crowd away with their frenetic stage jumps, a smoke and laser show, giving away Ashley’s guitar, dancing girls and glitter cannons – you can’t help but wonder what are they going to do next? And where will it end up (I’m crossing my fingers for fireworks and a Flaming Lips style animal costume parade!)? Musically they were as strong as ever, it’s really well-written stuff, especially there genre spanning final song. There is so much going on, it shouldn’t work, it should be a terrible mess of too many ideas, but in practice it works perfectly and made for a triumphant finish from a standout band.
To find out more about the band, or to hear their demos, visit
www.myspace.com/stranglekojakmusic
Rue The Day
The next band was Coventry based five-piece Rue The Day. Their sound is a tidy mixture of contemporary and classic Metal. Dark, aggressive and bursting with raw energy, it’s metal as it should be done complete with dark bass-lines, driving riffs, heavy beats and winding guitar solos. The band has a powerful stage presence and a uniquely engaging manner – there’s a real charisma and energy in the way they perform that sucks in metal lovers and the uninitiated alike.
To find out more about the band, or to hear their demos, visit
www.myspace.com/ruethedayrock
A New Breed Of Monkey
A New Breed Of Monkey play a mixture of Progressive, broodingly atmospheric indie and energetic Indie-Rock distinguished by some intelligent lyrics, haunting melodies and sharp guitar-work. Vocally front-man “The Bung” is similar to that of Maximo Park’s Paul Smith and in the quieter moments there is even a little Guy Garvey (Elbow), and like their northern counterparts there is a great deal of emotional intensity in the music ANBOM make. Very tight and well arranged it’s a compelling direction which sits nicely alongside the current crop of indie hopefuls yet as the same time is nicely removed ensuring the band standout as something original and genuinely exciting.
To find out more about the band, or to hear their demos, visit
www.myspace.com/anewbreedofmonkeyofficial
Sierra Alpha
Alternative Indie-Pop with an innovative experimental streak (like a cross over between Cold War Kids and Guillemots), Sierra Alpha have got a great direction that went down very well with the crowd and judges alike and saw them finish third place in the festival! Well-written songs with creative structures and a great flow – it’s nicely accessible for the casual listener (with impressive solos, great evocative piano and some infectious beats) yet with some real depth in their lyrical content and original approach.
To find out more about the band, or to hear their demos, visit
www.myspace.com/sierraalphamusic
3rd Place receiving £250 cash, 3 hour live performance recording courtesy of Univibe Audio and featured content on the brand new Surface Unsigned online TV station and Surface Unsigned Magazine of which 50,000 copies are distributed across the UK in October.
Best Rhythm Guitarist receiving a Polkadot Stratocaster with Fender Bullet Strings and Synchronised Tremolo courtesy of Professional Music Technology
Lotus Circle
Bringing the Surface Unsigned Festival 2008 to a close was Blackpool based Psychedelic Rock seven piece Lotus Circle. A testament to the diversity seen throughout the Festival their performance was a strange and slightly disturbing experience (but like, in a good way). A creative, intelligent sound, they make their music on their own terms and it really pays off for them. The Weaver and Kitty seem an unlikely pair but onstage you can’t take your eyes off them, there’s a real chemistry between the two and their vocal combination/contrast works excellently. There is something rare and genuinely exciting going on.
To find out more about the band, or to hear their demos, visit
www.myspace.com/lotuscircle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
