May 68: New Song and We Have Band Tour

Photo by Tom Cockram

Myspace // "Carla" [Audio]

Manchester dance pop/rockers May 68 are back with a new demo, and a string of tour dates with We Have Band. We been loving their music for the past several months around the Exitfare offices, and we're glad that more people are starting to catch on.

Thursday 10th September - MANCHESTER @ Ruby Lounge
Friday 11th September - LIVERPOOL @ Korova
Saturday 12th September - SHEFFIELD @ Plug
Tuesday 15th September - LONDON @ ICA
Friday 18th September - MANCHESTER (Friends of Mine) @ KRO Bar w/ LoveLikeFire

The Answering Machine in Manchester

[Photo Credit: Emily Dennison]

Myspace // "Oklahoma" (Dutch Uncles remix) [Audio] // "Obviously Cold" [Video]

This Friday in Manchester (UK), favorite sons (and daughter) the Answering Machine will be playing a gig at Man City Stadium with Doves, Twisted Wheel, and the positively terrible Kid British. Although the band has only dipped their toes into the US, they've been blowing up in their home country, fresh off of a support tour with Manic Street Preachers.

The band's debut album is out now on Heist or Hit Records.

First person to e-mail me the name of their favorite Answering Machine tune gets a pair of tickets to this gig.

May 68

[Photo Credit: Tom Cockram]

Myspace // "White Lies" [Audio]

Another exciting little nugget in the burgeoning Manchester indie scene, May 68 are not as pretentious as their name suggests. While they may reference the French student riots of May '68, their tunes are instantly accessible -- perfect dancefloor-filling tunes that are full of energetic hooks. Frankly, I am surprised that this band hasn't blown up yet, especially with a nod from Xfm's John Kennedy, but the band is still young with just a demo to their name, so there's still time yet.

Manchester's Channel M cuts the City Social and all music coverage

Earlier this week, a friend in Manchester dropped some bad news on me, that local station Channel M was dropping its excellent "City Social" program and all of its music coverage. This was a particularly good spot for Britain's (and the rest of the world's) upcoming indie elite to get their foot in the door in England. At least 20 of the bands we've covered here were featured on "City Social" in the past year.

To mourn the loss of this great program, here are some of our favorite performances on this Manchester staple.


(The Joy Formidable starts 1:48 into the program)


(The Kabeedies)


(The Answering Machine)


(Bombay Bicycle Club)


(Wintermute)

Dutch Uncles "Face In"

Myspace // "Takeover" [Audio]

Manchester's Dutch Uncles are a tough lot to pin down. On one hand it seems as though they are playing the herky jerky math-pop that is all the rage these days, but there is enough quirky pop thrown in the mix to make the band unique in its own right. The band's eponymous debut album is out now on Tapete Records. Their next gig is 22 May in Manchester with LoveLikeFire and the Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

The Answering Machine "Obviously Cold"

Myspace // "Another City, Another Sorry" [Audio]

If you're the observant type, you'll note that there are palm trees in this video, something you will not find in Manchester. This video, the second off of Another City, Another Sorry, was shot while the band were in Los Angeles earlier this month. Apparently curling and sun do mix. "Obviously Cold" is out on 18 May (my birthday) through Heist or Hit Records.

Airship

Myspace // "Algebra" [Audio]

A few weeks while I was in London, a friend suggested I check out Manchester's Airship with him. Being that the friend in question has excellent taste in music, I took him up on his offer and I was not let down. It seems as though I am not the only person tipping these guys (which is a nice change, I might add), as the likes of Channel M, BBC Manchester, and XFM are all singing their praises.

The quartet plays dirty, anthemic pop, think Modest Mouse or Nine Black Alps if those bands were less worried about the world's problems. The band's Spirit of the Beehive EP is an excellent introduction to a band who have started things off on the right foot and should continue getting better. Manchester locals, make sure you catch them tonight at the Ruby Lounge with Liam Frost.

The Answering Machine

Myspace

The Answering Machine's video for their new single, "Cliffer," is easily the best video I've seen so far this year (even if it will probably give me nightmares tonight). It's touching and funny, the colors are great, and it features some great performance footage... basically, it's everything a band would want out of a video. Although I'm doubting that the song is really about the falling out of a ventriloquist and his dummy, I think the video is a perfect fit for the upbeat indie-rock song as the lyrics seemingly explore the difficulties inherent in any relationship ("Oh, just because I'm on your side, doesn't mean you're right"). I'd go into more detail, but I can sum it all up by saying that the whole song is killer.

The Answering Machine release “Cliffer" on the 9th March through the brand new indie label, Heist or Hit Records. It's featured on their forthcoming debut album, Another City, Another Sorry, which should be released in May. Be forewarned, this album is going to be huge.

Secret Moves: New Songs

Myspace // "Heart Attacks" [mp3]

Manchester group Secret Moves just posted two new songs on their Myspace page -- "Heart Attacks," which is featured above, and "Said I Was Right Behind." These two excellent new tracks are perfect companions to the tunes from their debut EP (recorded under the band's old name, The Boy Majors), a perfect group to carry on the infectious indie rock torch of Ash.

I'm bummed that they won't be gigging while I am over in the UK next month.