James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
The winning band will receive not only university-wide reputation but three days studio time at Melrose Yard Studios in York to record an E.P and professionally designed, packaged and printed CDs – undoubtedly a valuable boost for any start-out band.
With applicants narrowed down to 27 hopefuls, Goodricke dining hall rigged-up, hosts ((URY)) ready to broadcast to anyone unable to make it to the live event, and oodles of hot, talented (many of them new) bands, the week’s encounters are set to kick-off with an almighty clash.
Guaranteed to get the party started are the Superstar Allstars: wielding a formidable army of musicians they promise music referencing all manner of genres from funk, reggae, tango and latin to the Black Eyed Peas: “a veritable smorgasbord of delectable musical genres to tease your eardrums...as a certain trumpeter might say.”
Also making their BOTB debut will be Tin Pan Valley, who have been making quiet but definite ripples on the campus band scene. Some may remember their June appearances, including the Vanburgh leg of ‘York’s Got Talent’, where they impressed ex-Yorker editor Ruth Mosalski, and Woodstock. “We're not really in it to win, we're just quite thrilled that someone has been so grossly inept as to allow us a slot onstage. That said, we aren't going to cock about and waste peoples time either.” But their on-campus reception so far and undeniable talent surely belies this characteristically self-effacing exterior (Al – ‘Alison’ – is quoted before their set as expecting it to be “below-par”, before wowing the judges...) and suggests to me that they may be about to make a splash.
Also look out for Falling Leaflets! Step Away? - described as "a mix of dance, rock, and riffs with subtle indie vibes", the "hard beats, hard riffs, and hard Dave" of Turnip Fury and "knob fiddling electro boys" Ah Good The Sea.
In the build-up to battle-week I speak to Mark Perkins, music student and creator of last year’s big hit Porcelain Flamingo. Mark will be competing in two bands this week; “Tin Pan Valley is the one Band I am singing for with Dave (smoke fingers) Pearce on the lead guitar. The songs...are genius and awesome to sing”, he adds.
As well as this Mark is the drummer for brand new band Delta! who will present chopped and changed covers along with original material by pianist Tom Chapman. As for where Mark’s loyalties lie? “Honestly, you cannot single out a higher loyalty for either of the bands, because they are both so wicked to take part in and have such different styles.”
Intrigued, I delve a little deeper for some exclusive gossip on what the energetic popster might have in store for us: “Wow, what do I have up my sleeve for the performances? Well, for one, I’m sure that you cannot contain much up the sleeves of my superhero outfit, and secondly I think you will just have to come and see..."
The magic can only be perceived on the night it is made. Rehearsals are only the act of going through the recipe for the set list.
"The magic can only be perceived on the night it is made. Rehearsals are only the act of going through the recipe for the set list. For the performance you get to devour the entire cake, icing, fruit topping and even that little bit of drizzled caramel the posh restaurants put on the side of the plate to give you that little bit of final enjoyment once the cake has gone!” I couldn’t possibly have put it better myself.
I wondered what had become of last year’s well-loved Porcelain Flamingo, to which Mark responded, “This year we did carry on with a purely vocal rock group, with the amazingly expressive name ‘Clay Pigeon’, however, we didn’t make it through to the live battle, but look out for appearances elsewhere throughout the remainder of the year.”
In case all of that hasn’t whet your appetite enough to convince you that Goodricke dining hall is where you should be spending your Monday (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday!) night, I leave you with Perkins’ thoughts on why BOTB is so great: “I love the whole event of the Battle of the Bands, it’s a great excuse to play, drink, play and of course, drink some more. It's just awesome to compete in, and fantastic to watch!” Nuff said.
Today’s line-up: Ah Good The Sea | Superstar Allstars | Tin Pan Valley | Falling Leaflets! Step Away? | Turnip Fury
For more information and a complete line up for the week visit URY’s BOB site. Tickets for BOB are available at the YUSU online shop and OTD.
Coverage of the events will be provided by formidable campus media trio URY, YSTV and The Yorker.
Don’t forget to visit us right here at The Yorker for news, reviews, podcasts, information on the next day’s line up and to join in the BOB banter.
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