Whitehorse
Copper Bar – Band on The Wall, Manchester
22 December 2024
In one of many final gigs we assessment 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 Struggle.
Let’s not beat concerning the bush, The Blinders had been a fucking nice band. Rock strong psych impressed publish punk, with true grit, angle and supply. After a powerful run as indie/DIY retailers with two landmark albums below 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 training. 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 via all their ups and downs; Matty leaving, Eoghan coming in and different band modifications. Tom drove the band ahead and with Charlie’s exceptional lyrical abilities and thunderous bass taking part in, created a few of the best music ever to return 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 numerous 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 be aware we realise that this isn’t The Blinder half two. That is one thing fully completely 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 wholly new set.
We’re within the realm of Rubber Soul period Beatles meets The Wonderful Snakeheads, which looks like an odd combine, however it’s that early psych meets shifting ballad territory that greatest describes Tom’s new path. 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’ Grime 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 Subject 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 completely different bands, which is a mistake. Whitehorse is treading a wholly completely different path and can discover their very own viewers. They want time to breathe, time to seek out their manner 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 now we have a while to digest correctly what they’re up as they drop singles within the lead as much as the discharge.
Whitehorse is just not The Blinders. The songs seep in in a much more refined manner. Trying again at a few of the movies on-line they shortly develop a lifetime of their very own on additional listening, significantly stand-out tracks Break into Valley of Tears and All The Individuals, with their stunning, haunting melodies.
Catch them within the new 12 months and make your individual minds up. We will likely be following intently, so see you down there!
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Images by Archie Elliot at Framed17. Phrases by Nigel Carr. Extra writing by Nigel on Louder Than Struggle might be present in his Creator’s archive. Yow will discover Nigel on Twitter and Fb
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