Like all great rock and roll cities, Liverpool is a perfect breeding ground for music―exciting and full of contradictions; where big new buildings and derelict areas are never too far apart; where young artists can live cheap near the city center; a city bursting with music and the sound of police cars, where violence―or a great gig―is always just ’round the corner on any Friday night.
But the perennial image of Liverpool, for the world at large, can be reduced to one single band: the Beatles.
For the last half-century, most Liverpool bands―from the La’s and Shack to recent acts like the Coral and the Zutons―have been heavily influenced by the music of the ’60s, giving the impression that musicians in Liverpool are nostalgic, forever obsessing with “mersey beat” music and the Beatles, while the rest of Britain (and the world) moved on.
However, the city―chosen as the “European Capital of Culture 2008”―has much more to offer. In terms of music, that means a fantastic amount of great bands that are leaving the Beatles influence behind and moving in different directions. Here are five Liverpool bands you should hear in 2008. They’ll give you a fair idea of how much things have changed since the Fab Four days, to say the least.
The Rascals
Their status as “the biggest band in Liverpool” is not a fact yet, but is inevitable. Singer Miles Kane is best mates with Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys, and the duo’s solo project, the Last Shadow Puppets, has already reached the No. 1 spot on the U.K. Album Charts. The buzz about the forthcoming debut album for the Rascals, Rascalize, is palpable.
The clock is ticking, and if by the end of the year the Rascals aren’t as big as the Arctic Monkeys, they’ll at least be one of the most talked about and popular bands in the U.K. If you like observational lyrics and raw guitars, you’ll dig them ...
Elle S’Appelle
This quirky three-piece rejects guitars, opting for a keyboard-bass-drums lineup, and recently signed to cool indie label Moshi Moshi. Their unique brand of indie-pop has endeared them to the hearts of many music fans in Liverpool and the rest of the U.K. Things have picked up pretty quickly for Andy (vocals/guitar), Lucy (vocals/keyboards), and Owen (vocals/drums).
Formed early in 2007, Elle S’Appelle got airplay on BBC radio and bagged some prestigious supporting slots. Shortly after, their ridiculously good debut single “Little Flame” was released; the song was written and recorded in Andy’s mum’s house, and is a treat for those who love sweet bubblegum melodies over a fuzzy, vibrant indie background.
Ladytron
Ladytron are a cult success story. Living legends of the electro scene, the band is known worldwide and, unlikely as it may seem, originally hail from Liverpool.
Though Ladytron are hardly ever seen in town today, their influence in the Liverpool music scene can still be felt: they single handedly kickstarted an electro scene in the city, and their club night Evol was as legendary as club nights can get, a place where cool kids could hang out, listen to great tunes and see bands such as Bloc Party, Art Brut, and Franz Ferdinand pre-fame.
They are also the co-owners of Korova, the coolest venue in Liverpool and the place to see and be seen, where all musicians meet and where all the up-and-coming local bands play.
Ladytron are releasing a new album this year, Velocifero, which may prove to be their best yet.
Sex Education
This glamorous band has its heart firmly planted in the ’80s: their sound is a mix of the best bits from Echo & the Bunnnymen, Human League, Joy Division and, especially, New Order. They don’t use drums or amplifiers, rely on pre-recorded beats, and have all their gear going through a big and impressive collection of rack mounted units. Their only nod to rock and roll classicism is perhaps their guitarist, who never plays anything other than a trustworthy ES-335 ...
Sex Education live pretty much in their own world, seemingly not preoccupied with getting signed or being famous. They’re respected in Liverpool and have a loyal following, but it’d be a shame if the rest of the world doesn’t hear about them. New recordings they’ve made with Stephen Morris of New Order may change this ... let’s wait and see.
Dirtblonde
You could say Dirtblonde are the Stooges next to Elle S’Appelle’s Herman Hermits (no offense!): this boy and girl duo makes an uncompromising noise and plays chaotic gigs which often end with broken guitars, bruises, and blood. There has never been anything like them in Liverpool, which may be the reason they’ve divided opinions more than any other local band in recent years―some love them, some hate them, but few remain indifferent to Dirtblonde.
They favor pawnshop gear, fuzz pedals, second-hand Epiphone guitars and valve amps, but despite some comparisons with the White Stripes, they sound more like a mixture of Sonic Youth, Patti Smith, and Jesus & Mary Chain, with a touch of blues ... but using an early ’90s drum-machine.
Dirtblonde’s mini-album White Noise, Rubber Heart was recorded in their kitchen, and a reviewer has described them in these words: “You don’t have a Jack and Meg, you have more of Sid & Nancy meets Natural Born Killers’ Mickey and Mallory.”
If you liked those bands, try also searching for: the Affection, the Fraktures, Jewel Thief, Friday’s Ghost, Dead Class, Puzzle, the Blackwood Articles, Heads of State, Mugstar, Asbos