Whitehorse
Copper Bar – Band on The Wall, Manchester
22 December 2024
In one of many final gigs we overview earlier than Christmas, Whitehorse, that includes Thomas Haywood from The Blinders play at The Copper Bar/Band on The Wall in Manchester. Nigel brings us the lowdown for Louder Than Warfare.
Let’s not beat in regards to the bush, The Blinders had been a fucking nice band. Rock strong psych impressed put up punk, with true grit, angle and supply. After a formidable run as indie/DIY retailers with two landmark albums underneath their belt, they had been picked up and spat out by Funhouse/EMI after only one album. The band was left in limbo with no deal and a bass participant who, dispirited, wished to return to Uni and end his schooling. Tom moved again to Sheffield, dusted himself down and began once more. What else was there to do? Tom was The Blinders; the charismatic lead singer who fronted the band for greater than eight years by way of all their ups and downs; Matty leaving, Eoghan coming in and different band modifications. Tom drove the band ahead and with Charlie’s outstanding lyrical abilities and thunderous bass taking part in, created a few of the most interesting music ever to come back out of Manchester.
So right here we’re at The Copper Bar watching his new band Whitehorse at solely their second gig within the metropolis. There are quite a lot of acquainted faces right here, strong supporters of his previous band, and with the gig marketed as Whitehorse (Ex The Blinders) the anticipation is palpable.
From the very first observe we realise that this isn’t The Blinder half two. That is one thing completely totally different; Haywood has torn up his previous band’s songbook. (A courageous transfer, as I for one was anticipating there to be Blinders’ songs interspersed between the brand new ones, however no, and speaking to Tom later he advised me that he wished an entire break) and we’re handled to a completely new set.
We’re within the realm of Rubber Soul period Beatles meets The Superb Snakeheads, which looks as if an odd combine, nevertheless it’s that early psych meets shifting ballad territory that finest describes Tom’s new route. Gently swaying washes of sound from two rhythm guitars and very good harmonies, demonstrated completely right here on the Snakeheads’ cowl Heading for Heartbreak. Perhaps that is what Tom’s previous band would have appeared like had that they had the chance to document a second album, as was evidenced on Iggy’s Acquired a Camaro from Beholder.
There’s a brooding early Stooges’ Dust really feel on songs like Solely One, First of Spring and Diamonds in The Solar, with their low slung/lo-fi grooves and barely menacing really feel. The tempo is lifted for Deep Area and the excellent Doesn’t Come Shut which strikes the sound right into a barely extra acquainted territory.
The issue after all is that we, the viewers, are evaluating two totally different bands, which is a mistake. Whitehorse is treading a completely totally different path and can discover their very own viewers. They want time to breathe, time to seek out their means and develop their very own sound.
Tom advised me they’re releasing an album within the Spring with manufacturing from fellow South Yorkshireman, Reverend and The Makers’ Ed Cosens, so we’ve a while to digest correctly what they’re up as they drop singles within the lead as much as the discharge.
Whitehorse just isn’t The Blinders. The songs seep in in a much more delicate means. Wanting again at a few of the movies on-line they rapidly develop a lifetime of their very own on additional listening, notably stand-out tracks Break into Valley of Tears and All The Folks, with their stunning, haunting melodies.
Catch them within the new yr and make your personal minds up. We will likely be following intently, so see you down there!
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Photographs by Archie Elliot at Framed17. Phrases by Nigel Carr. Extra writing by Nigel on Louder Than Warfare will be present in his Writer’s archive. You’ll find Nigel on Twitter and Fb
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