Performance - Thu 25th Mar
+ Islington Boys' Club, This Is Black, Apples
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Performance
‘The Living’
The new single released 26th April 2010
Possibly the only Mancunian pop trio to be fronted by an internationally published novelist, Performance end a three year hiatus with their storming new single ‘The Living,’ released 26th April.
‘The Living’ captures both the ecstasy and misery of brilliant English pop. On the surface it’s a glittering, joyous rush of a song, but lyrically it’s dark and ominous. Unsurprisingly, Performance are a band with issues. In their relatively short history they have overcome drugs, depression, disease, and the odd punch-up, yet still they thrive.
Following the release of their 2007 debut album ‘(we are) Performance’ the band began pursuing separate interests. Singer Joe Stretch wrote two novels, ‘Friction’ (2007) and ‘Wildlife’ (2008), published by Vintage/Random House. Joe Cross (?) and Laura Marsden (guitar) formed Kiss in Cities, who will release an album later this year. Cross has also been working as a producer/songwriter, helping to develop, among others the hotly-tipped Hurts (Sony). But Performance never split, the three childhood friends regularly convening to write and record the songs which form ‘Red Brick Heart,’ Performance’s second album, released Summer 2010.
Islington Boys' Club, you may remember this name as one of the bands who played the New Blood stage at Club Fandango last September when as a last minute add to the bill tore up the stage with their action packed and energetic set. A very happy discovery (having only formed early last year!) we have been keeping an eye on this band and they have over the past months been regularly performing across London venues building up quite a following and reputation for their great stage presence and front man Andy’s alternative outfits! So what can you expect? Its, in basic terms a form of melodramatic indie pop, but we wouldn’t be telling you guys about them if we thought it ended there. Described by one member in the office as Suede meets Blondie meets Bloc Party, Its punky, punchy, high tempo music that is packed full of energy and the bands personality. Combine this with the live performances and you have a pretty great musical package. But who better to tell you a bit more than the lovely lads themselves so we asked them what IBC is all about…
“With an eclectic and open minded attitude to song writing we make a point of trying not to sound like anybody else – you could compare us to many bands but when we’re told that we sound like someone we often haven’t listened to them.
The bands we like, listen to and are influenced by all vary dramatically from band member to band member and often each of us will like specific members of bands and not necessarily the band as a whole…Saying this though we don’t work in a vacuum! We’re just simply trying to do something new in the rock and roll idiom, in popular culture, and as a result are never trying to fit into a particular scene. “
Their track ‘Misfit Sugar’ is coming out on an album for Billy Brag’s Jail Guitar Doors charity, on 19th April with all proceeds from the download album going on to fund return visits in UK prisons by the Jail Guitar Doors ‘Graduates’ and too fund more instruments. Also featuring artists including My Tiger My Timing, Televised Crimewave, The Ruling Class and Wild Palms to name just a few, its a great initiative supporting new talent and i am not surprised the boys have landed themselves a slot on the album. We hear the guys are currently receiving a lot of interest from various labels so don’t expect these guys to be unsigned for long! Check them out and make up your own mind www.myspace.com/islingtonboysclub
APPLES
This bunch just love to rock out with their cox out and with tunes so golden and delicious even your granny smith will be hard pressed not to love them. It doesn't stop there, they are fantastic live so it can't be long before they are asked to perform at a royal gala. Just watch your missus because they're good looking lads and might just steal your pink lady leaving you a little crabby apple. How apeeling.
www.myspace.com/apples
