Western Promise....
are;
John McGlone: Singer
/ Guitars
Grant Walker: Drums
/ Percussion
Andy Dunn: Bass / Backing Vocals
With: Chelcee Grimes: Backing Vocals
Ciaron Bell: Piano / Organ / Backing Vocals
Chris Kearney - Guitars
Rowan Reid - Backing Vocals
Jenny Williams - Backing Vocals
Mick Doyle - Dubmaster General
What can I say about Western Promise? The band have been around since 1984 (I saw
them play a blinder set at Larks in the parks that year) and play music that is etched deep into my soul. A band that is unafraid to play the style of music that inspired them
(and The End) to form in the first place all those years ago…Punk, reggae and
ska is the music that got us on our feet and politicised us in the late 70’s
and the early 80’s and it still resonates today. Anti-racism, anti-tory, anti-austerity
/ poverty and a demand for justice are what drives the band and I was pleased
to see that they are not all mouth when they turned up, boisterous as hell, at
the recent protests against the right wing extremeist group National Action's proposed White Man marches through
Liverpool.
Over the years the band have played with the best, including Townsend, Noel Gallagher,
Weller & Joe Strummer. (Who became friends with Lead singer and main writer,
the charismatic John McGlone)
You can hear loads of influences in their music but the
one that shines through brightest is, of course, The Clash and in particular Joe
Strummer.
Their recent (brilliant) E.P. “Bullet
Proof”, featured a cover of the Strummer song “from Willesden to Cricklewood” as a tribute to
Joe and the title track itself could easily fit into and stand up
to any track on Joe’s Rock Art and the X Ray style album. But Western Promise are no tribute band. The
songs and performances are steeped in Merseyside angst and joy and I honestly believe
that they have become so much better with age and maturity.
I’ve heard a preview of the bands new album , "Here
Comes a Revolution" (To be released
on 23rd October) and it’s the sound of a band at the pinnacle of
creativity and will surely be hailed as a 5-star Punk rock / reggae classic.
Their new single, a stomping singalong anthem titled MELANCHOLY SUNSHINE is out now and provides a
taster for the album. You can download that here http://cdbaby.com/cd/westernpromise3
for around $0.92 / £0.60-ish!
It puzzles me that Western Promise are not followed and revered by
even more of an End style following given their influences, music style/ taste
and political views and I’m here telling you to make sure you catch this
legendary scouse band live and to listen to their album as soon as you can, as these new songs
are fucking brilliant and the band deserve every plaudit they get for not
giving up and always standing up for Liverpool, punk, reggae and Justice
Their previously released songs can be found on the Western Promise, Cherry
Red Records “Best Of” collection: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/running-saints-best/id281383329
And you can watch old songs and new at the following
links
“Here Comes a Revolution” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEoCoOlj9PM
"Bulletproof" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omb9KQV2ZaM
The classic, "Wake Up Call" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQDjC6hoaH8
"Charlie Wright" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEDjWfqfIFU
Long Way Down (live) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBcFpCJg6gE
and the live, raw, acoustic anger, passion & emotion
of Justice for the 96
Follow the band here;
Most importantly though, buy the album (yer mingebags) “Here “Comes a
Revolution” when it becomes available on the 23rd October.
To coincide with the album release, there’s a launch
party in Pattersons Bar on Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool the following night ( Saturday 24th of October, 8pm) Along
with Grant and John playing new and some classic Western Promise tunes, there
will also be a brilliant DJ set from lee
walker (Tales from the lids fanzine) Spinning the tunes plus the promise of
some special guests.
You can pay £12 entry, which includes a copy of the new
album or £4 to just be part of the celebration. You’d have to be fuckin nuts to
miss that.
See you there people. This is a band to cherished,
respected and ENJOYED.
-------------------------------
And from one of the stalwarts of the Liverpool music scene to one of the most promising Liverpool bands in a long while,
CHEAP THRILLS.
The band hail from the Orrell Park region of Liverpool
and comprise of;
Anton Eager : drums
Lewis Pike :vocals
Terry Eaves :guitar
Callum (Fitzy) Fitzpatrick: bass
This is a band comprising of young lads whose accomplished
sound and lyrics absolutely belie their youthfulness.
Their psychedelic rock / pop sound has progressed as
their teenage years have, and no doubt will continue to. They describe
themselves purely as a rock band, because to classify is to limit.
The bands achievements thus far include, playing rammed
headline 02 Academy shows, winning the coveted Liverpool Sound City Youth Award
in 2012 and playing the Calling Out stage of Kendal Calling in the same year.
They have played gigs in several successful stints in
London, as well as supporting breaking and international touring bands such as
Cast, The Rifles, The Moons, The Jezabels, Wave Machines, Skaters and
Superfood, always receiving positive feedback from the bands and audiences
alike.
You can catch them live in the next few weeks here;
October 10th- (Dublin)Button Factory with Cast
October 13th- The Shipping Forecast w/ CUPIDS (Liverpool)
October 14th - Maguires Pizza Bar - End of The
trail records (Liverpool)
October 27th - Supporting DMA’s at The
Shipping Forecast for Liverpool Music Week. (Liverpool)
I hope to see a few old End-Heads at one of the above for
a few beers and some great sounds.
You can read more about them and hear more songs here;
and here’s a video the band performing their new single Rusty (live at the 02 Academy to whet
your whistle while you wait to see them live.
You can buy / stream the single here https://itun.es/gb/VsIO8
No comments:
Post a Comment