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)

The Kabeedies "Little Brains"

Myspace // "Lovers Ought To" [Audio]

They call themselves "pop music, but shit," but I really have to disagree with that statement. This Norwich four-piece has a sound that is uniquely British, and at times even reminds me of Jamie T, as they expertly mix pop and skiffle. The band's latest single, "Little Brains," was released yesterday on NRONE Records on vinyl 7" and CD, as well as iTunes.

The Kabeedies

Myspace // "King Canute" [Audio] // "Treasure Hunters" [Buy]

The past few days have been rough for me. I brought home a cold from CMJ with me, the Phillies game was rained out last night, I've had bouts of heartburn, and Elle Milano broke up. Although I am feeling a bit better, the whole Elle Milano thing is a huge letdown, and although Adam is in a new project, I still feel lost musically, so it's time to do what we do best, which is to scour the internet for quality bands you've never heard before.

Could the Kabeeides be that band to replace Elle Milano? Perhaps. The tunes on the band's Myspace are strong, invoking images of that pseudo, did it or did it not exist, Eel Pie Island sound, much like Good Shoes. But with a female vocalist. It's a sound that has done them well on a series of undeniably catchy singles, as well as increasingly packed gigs through the UK. While their a-sides are brilliant pop nuggets, it's the tune "King Canute" that has soundtracked this week for me.

"Treasure Hunters," their latest single, is out now on Cool For Cats.