Whitehorse – The Copper Bar/BOW – Manchester

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 Battle.

Let’s not beat concerning the bush, The Blinders have been a fucking nice band. Rock stable psych impressed submit punk, with true grit, angle and supply. After a powerful run as indie/DIY retailers with two landmark albums below their belt, they have 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, needed 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 all their ups and downs; Matty leaving, Eoghan coming in and different band adjustments. Tom drove the band ahead and with Charlie’s outstanding 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 a whole lot of acquainted faces right here, stable supporters of his previous band, and with the gig marketed as Whitehorse (Ex The Blinders) the anticipation is palpable.

From the very first notice we realise that this isn’t The Blinder half two. That is one thing fully 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 informed me that he needed an entire break) and we’re handled to a completely 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. Possibly that is what Tom’s previous band would have seemed like had that they had the chance to file a second album, as was evidenced on Iggy’s Acquired a Camaro from Beholder.

There’s a brooding early Stooges’ Filth 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 in fact 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 method and develop their very own sound.

Tom informed 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 just isn’t The Blinders. The songs seep in in a much more refined method. Trying again at a few of the movies on-line they shortly develop a lifetime of their very own on repeated listening, notably stand-out tracks Break into Valley of Tears and All The Folks, with their lovely, haunting melodies.

Catch them within the new 12 months and make your personal minds up. We shall be following carefully, so see you down there!

~

Pictures by Archie Elliot at Framed17. Phrases by Nigel Carr. Extra writing by Nigel on Louder Than Battle will be present in his Creator’s archive. You could find Nigel on Twitter and Fb