So many new bands wear their influences on their sleeve in order to identify with a certain blueprint or audience that they forget why they are doing it in the first place - the fun aspect.Not the case for upcoming Manchester band 'The Rise and Fall of the Rockets' who refuse to be pigeon-holed into one particular type of taste. They have energy and 'joie de vie' in bucket-loads There may be some glam elements and folk elements and definitely a new wave influence but their songs are each pocketfuls of joy.
Take captain scott for example starting a gorgeous looping piano intro that would be quite at home on a glam rock album the song then explodes into duelling guitars and harpsichord riff with an punky vocal from frontman Phil Dixon (akin to a younger billy bragg) with lyrics bringing to mind major tom mk2 and as the chorus hits its clear that the band are undeniably talented and know their way around a pop hook.
You can't help but be swept away with their energy with them having tunes in spades.The jangly guitars of Too Little Too Late and the brilliant Army of One are further examples of their musical nous.
Sure they might not be to everyone's taste and sometimes a little too poppy but if you give them a chance to convert you its clear how the band are with their song construction and their hooks and even if they don't attract the bigwigs its evident the band are enjoying themselves and are focused on making the most of their time in the limelight. When they make their return to the live scene at the roadhouse tonight they are sure to rock the joint with their abundance of energy and ace tunes, makes sure you check em out.
For more info check out their myspace:www.myspace.com/theriseandfalloftherockets
You can also check out a video of them performing their track 'Take The Money & Run' and 'Army of 1' at the sorely missed Channel M below:-
The Slow Show
Sometimes its better to draw your inspiration from the past in order to refashion it into something fresh and timeless.
This is certainly true for Manchester Indie Folk Band 'The Slow Show' who take their influences from American traditional folk and Jazz but rather than let this become them they use their instrumental prowess to propel their songwriting along with a northern take,courtesy of the careworn vocals of lead Singer Rob Goodwin.
Having all been involved within the music industry for a number of years they have been quietly perfecting their craft which has led to the production of a gorgeous EP 'Midnight Waltz' which is out now and includes 'Run Away' and the stunningly beautiful lament 'God Only Knows', which you can listen to below.
They recently appeared at the Manchester Oxjam Festival,however the big feather in their cap will be when they support elbow who they share a studio with at a special sold-out gig at the magnificent surroundings of the Manchester Cathedral on Thursday 27th (which will be shown on the BBC screen in Exchange Square) which should announce them proper as a band.
Having had the pleasure of interviewing the band (currently under interviews on the blog) it is clear they are a sound bunch who know exactly what they are doing and mark my words it won't be long until they join the likes of Elbow and I am Kloot into being one of Manchester's best loved bands and national treasure status could still be on the cards for this talented outfit.
For more information check out their myspace http://www.myspace.com/theslowshowband or on their fb page.
For a taster click the link below:
http://soundcloud.com/theslowshow/god-only-knows
