Denim + Leather Issue No.3

SEROTONES S THE RECIEVER THE AMERICAS CASSIA THE EXTONS BREED KRRUM POLO RE AND MANY MO

INTERVIEWS T N E T CON The Receivers Mice On Mars Serotones

EP + SINGLE REVIEWS

The Receivers 'Crescent Moon Heart' Mice On Mars 'The Scapegoat' Serotones 'She Said' The Extons ‘Grown Ups’ Puppet Theory ‘I, The King’ Cassia ‘Sink’ Breed ‘Get With It’ The Americas ‘Somethings Gonna Happen’ Krrum ‘Evil Twin’ Foxe ‘Spring’ Asphodels ‘Cherish’ Polo ‘Alice’ Violet Contours ‘D.O.T’

OTHER

Most Excellent Albums D+L Playlist Twisted Dolls Gig Photography Paul’s Artwork Play It Loud

Currently on tour with This Feeling, The Americas are working hard to spread their music around the UK. The Americas are one of the most stylish bands around, whether intentional or not they give off an effortlessly cool look that matches their sound perfectly. If you ever see any of their gig or promo pictures they just look like a classic rock stars.

They released their latest single Something’s Gonna Happen a few days ago. The track is a feel good song that can only described as an anthem.

When you listen to the song you can’t help but imagine yourself driving down an American highway in a convertible mustang with the sun shining down on you, shades on and music blasting. The single sounds like it belongs in an iconic film from/set in the 70s or 80s, imagine Dazed and Confused or something equally as cool.

Something’s Gonna Happen is going to leave its mark over winter, it’s well written track that sounds like it’s come straight from an era of simpler times, it’s got that real classic rock feel to it.

The Americas have produced a track that’s got that rock and roll sound of The Rolling Stones, Dr. Feelgood etc. but with a modern twist, it’s still contemporary in sound but appears heavily influenced by classic rock.

The Brummie trio have provided the scene with an energetic guitar fuelled track that’s gaurenteed to lift your spirits. Something’s Gonna Happen sounds as though they were

just jamming and accidentally wrote the next big thing. Basically you don’t get the impression they’re trying too hard to be something, it sounds genuine, honest and from the heart. It’s what makes this song special. This song is full of guitar riffs that will send you into a day dream and beats that’ll make sure you’re moving. They’re releasing an EP in January 2018, if it’s following on from the quality of this single then The Americas will be setting the bar for releases extremely high within the new year. Keep your eyes on them because they’re going to blow up.

By Holly Beson-Tams

BREED

GET WITH IT

This 4 piece alt rock group from Essex deliver a catchy and energetic piece of music with this one. As well as giving the listener a chance to let off some steam with their raunchy music, they played Reading Festival this year with This Feeling on the Jack Rocks stage, proving they’re certainly not amateurs. Our first impression of Breed was catching them live at Tramlines Festival in Sheffield last month.

They played at the infamous The Rocking Chair, where they put in a crazy amount of energy, knocking mics over and giving the saying ‘loosing thier shit’ proper authenticity.

When you listen to Get With It you can almost picture how they would perform live, the recording itself is full of energy and edge that’s enough to make you get off your feet.

Get With It offers us thick riffs with raunchy and distorted vocals, guitar solos and great build ups.

With a catchy chorus it is easy to pick up and sing along to, which would be especially great live! It’s immediate from the start that this song is meant to be moved to.

The power that comes from the drums really drives the song and band to push for that heavy and stomping feel. The build up especially holds a lot of tension and anger in it, which is perfectly released into another blast of the chorus, making the song explode.

By Ben Kitching

ASPHODELS CHERISHED

With Asphodels debut single “Cherished”, that first note feels like it can go either of two ways and be a vicious and dark tune. But instead it brings a sense of nostalgia with the humble and warm tone of the guitar and spacious riff. Backed with the rest of the backline in the second time round really calms the atmosphere ready for the first glimpse of lyrical content. Keeping the air light and warm, the verse leaves the song open and ready for anything. That’s when the song kicks into next gear, pushing towards a much more grunge inspired feel.

With hard hitting fuzz and a wall of guitars crashing down on you, it quickly changes, and just as easily calms down for the second verse. A great use of structure and texture within the parts that compliment each other well. With a mix of soft melodic passages and hard hitting chorus’, it keeps the song progressing and creates curiosity as to where it will end up.

The single artwork is a comforting image as well which definitely sums up the premise of the track.

Available on Spotify and Soundcloud, “Cherished” is one to listen to if you enjoy nice transitions and open

By Ben Kitching

FOLLOW THE GIANT

cry baby

SEROTONES SHE SAID

Serotones released another single on

As well as 90s alternative rock and

14th August, She Said has a different

Britpop bands such as Oasis. The

sound to their last release but does

band are a young and up and coming

not lack in quality or style. Their last

four piece based in York, their made

song Never Back Down was a bit

up of vocalist and frontman Duke

heavier and punkier, however She Said

Witter, Sam Lambert on guitar,

takes more of an alternative rock/indie

Sonny Leach on bass guitar and

sound. You can hear the

Thomas Elliot on drums.

influence from 00s indie bands such as The Cribs.

She Said is full of delicious indie

The bass in this song has shining

guitar riffs bound to make you close

moments that really hit the spot and

your eyes and sway along. The track

will make you ‘ooo’ out loud. This

is absolutely brilliant, full anticipation

is a band that work hard to provide

and a build ups in the verses that

you with brilliant tunes, as discussed

are satisfied by instrumental sections

in the interview they’re still finding

with twists and turns. The lyrics are

their sound, but everything they

easy to pick up and flow perfectly

have released so far has been awe-

throughout the track, a few listens

some. I can’t wait to continue to

and you’ll be singing along to this

watch their progress as they blos-

indie hit.

som into themselves and into even bigger things.

Written and photo by Holly Beson-Tams

serotones interview

How did you guys first form?

lunch to make use of our time. And I don’t know it just fit and I had it in my head. It’s

Duke: Me and Sonny started it last year,

not really based about anybody to be hon-

we’re cousins, I finished my GCSE’s and I

est with you, it could just be relatable to a

wanted something to do, so we formed

lot of people

a band. And over this year we’ve gained Sam and Tom

So did you write a story?

You’ve just released She Said, what’s

Duke: Yeah when I has she said in my head

the story behind the song?

for the chorus I just…

Duke: Basically, me Sam and Tom were at

Tom: It was sort of improvised

school together, Sonny goes to a different one. And we were literally in the studio at

Duke: Yeah it was very improvised but it turned out alright Sam: It started out a melody on key board and then Duke: A lot changed through it, didn’t it? We added some nice guitar bits and I added a lot of the lyrics. And then we showed it to Sonny and he added some great bass into it She Said was very different to Never Back Down, was that intentional? Did you want to change your sound a bit?

Sam: I don’t think it was intentional, it just sort of happened Duke: Persoally I like She Said better because it’s a lot lighter, and I don’t want to say it because it’s quite cliché but it’s a lot more indie. And Sonny wrote the bassline for Never Back Down and it’s great, it’s just really different because we all like different things.

So it just depends who we’re writing it with Is that something you want to explore, different genres and sounds?

Duke: Yeah definitely, and see which one works for us. Every time we write a song it just gets better, so from last year we have filtered out quite a few songs and our set gets stronger every time

What’s your live set like, when you’re performing does your set list lean towards a certain genre or is it a bit of a mix?

Duke: It’s inbetween Sonny: Like Never Back Down is quite punky but then we’ve got quite a few that are more like She Said Tom: A lot of variety Duke: It starts quite heavy and then it ends quite heavy, it’s a bit syclical really

Tom: I think it works well though

with, mine and Sonny’s dads are in Shed Seven, so we’ve grown up listening to 90s

Have you got anything else lined up to release?

Sonny: Charletons and stuff like that, Roses as well

Duke: We do, we’re recording at the moment. It’s going to be a five track EP and

Duke: And I’ve got a liking for Catfish and

we’ve released two of them at the moment,

Circa Waves and bands like that. But then

so we’re set to release three more. And

also The Cribs and

we’re going to do a gig as well, that we’ve got lined up, somebodies putting a gig on

Sam: I’ve grown up listening to all kinds of

for us soon, can’t say too much

stuff, mainly influences from like 00s in-

What bands have you grown up listening to, and individually have these influenced you musically?

Duke: Well I think we’ve got to start off

die and more classic rock bands like The Damned So do you bring the punk in would you say?

Sam: Maybe yeah

people

Duke: Sonny and Sam

Sam: We’re all into different genres and different styles of playing

Tom: Until a couple of years ago the only band I listened to was Arctic Monkeys and

So is your song writing quite a col-

then Sam got me onto like Stone Roses and

laborative effort then?

that Duke: It depends really, because it could Who are your musical influences as a

just be me and Sam, or me and Sonny or

band?

somebody could bring up an idea at practice and we’d all just jam to it. A little idea

Duke: We always get asked this and we al-

and a few chords can spring into some-

ways say different things, for me, I do look

thing

up to Van McCan even though he’s not really big. Someone like Alex Turner or Van McKan What about lyrics, do you write the because I want to be able to play guitar and

lyrics Duke?

sing at the same time. It’s something I will be doing soon, so I’d say one of them too but

Duke: If I hear something on TV or read

them three will be completely different from

something, I’ll write it down if it sounds

me

good. And then ill get a basic idea for a song, and then I’ll go through it, I’ve got

Sonny: Well when I listen to basslines some

quite a few pages on my phone so I’ll just

bassists just stand out a lot more than others, add it in and then see what happens people like Manny in the Stone Roses and I really like stuff like that, stuff that revolves

What’s your greatest achievement as

around the chord just sound realy good.

a band so far?

People like Tim Burges, he’s not even a bassist or anything but I just really like the way he Duke: Could be last night to be honest, writes music

we supported Blue Tones which was sold out. Van McCan reviewed our cover of his

Tom: Yet again, Arctic Monkeys the drummer song. Next year is the year we’re looking I just really like him. But yet again, Jon Bonham and Keith Moon, all the stereotypical

to fully go for it

What do you want to have done by next year?

Sam: Centre Stage competition Duke: Yeah we wanna go for that and win that Tom: Bigger better songs Duke: Filter a few of the weaker songs out and just get more of the same similar style, not completely though Sonny: Duke’s going to play guitar so it will sound more full as well Duke: Release this EP, headline a few gigs and see where that takes us. We’re getting quite a few people outside of York asking us to do gigs, Newcastle, Leeds and Huddersfield, so that could maybe help as well

Interview and photos by Holly Beson-Tams

THE EXTONS GROWN UPS The Extons are a four-piece indie out-

Barnes’ guitar, Liam’s bass and Peter

fit from Norfolk who have just released

Caitlin’s drums really carry this song

their latest single Grown Ups.

all the way through as a strong rhythm

The track starts off with a strong,

section carry the song through at a

definitive indie-vibe, with Garwood

fast, but not rushed pace, that will

(lead guitar) playing an ear-catching

allow any listener to tap their foot or

lead-line/riff. the band joins in not long

dance along, creating a great,

after the start of his riff, immediately

indie-summer anthem, and a strong

the track has a very bright & summery

suggestion for any festival playlist.

sound to it, reminding me of Circa

In the bigger picture, The Extons seem

Waves’ first

to be heading in the right direction at

album. Barnes’ vocals cut through the

the moment, they have recently

mix through the entire song. Going into

supported the likes of Vant, The

an outro to end the song instead of a

Sherlocks and The Pigeon Detectives,

final chorus does work for the song, the

are on Spotify playlists alongside Liam

only thing missing was for a massive

Gallagher and The Killers, and at the

chord at the end to finish off.

time of writing, are just about to finish a UK tour. Grown Ups says to me that The Extons aren’t quite done yet, and aren’t far from moving onto bigger things. You can find Grown Ups in our Spotify playlist, along with their last release I Won’t Leave Lonely.

By James Brown

MICE ON MARS @ FIBBERS

Denim + leather playlist

We just wanted to include this page to make sure you aware we have a playlist on Spotify that includes all of our favourite artists. If you want to find the playlist just type in ‘Denim + Leather’ or ‘partyonhol’ and search through the public playlists. It’s full of all the up and coming bands we love and is always growing.

MOST EXCELLENT ALBUMS ben kagoule - urth HOLLY HOLE - LIVE THROUGH THIS JAMES Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes MODERN RUIN ABBY CIRCA WAVES DIFFERENT CREATURES

the twisted dolls

After attending a show by York’s local pro-

Using multiple accessories on the drum

motion “Behind the White Door” with Mice

kit, Luke even ended up playing the

on Mars headlining at Fulford Arms, The

guitar with a pair of maracas. “. . the

Twisted Dolls came to our attention with

soulfulness of Cream, the power of

a great set of Blues/Rock n Roll. The two

Zeppelin and the complete showman-

piece coming originally from Manchester

ship of David Bowie and T-Rex which

delivered a powerful and grooving perfor-

has acquired them a reputation as one

mance that was well received by the au-

of Manchester’s most exciting new live

dience, as part of their single release tour

bands” – Louder Than War

King of the Blues. They had an interesting style of playing in which focussed

The band have been playing non stop

on open drum beats and catchy hooks

for the past 18 months, with shows

played Luke, with some heavily blues in-

up and down the country. Moving

fluenced sounds and lyrical content.

from Manchester down to London and across to York, the two piece really are

After just coming off of their most recent

“Young, hungry, with a set of blistering

tour, the dolls have played a total of sev-

garage rock songs. After two successful

en cities within two weeks that spanned

independent releases, they received

from Glasgow to London. With a recur-

national radio play and were invited to

ring colour scheme of black, white and

perform a live session on BBC Radio.

red, it’s clear that even if it was subcon-

This exposure led to more high profile

scious they are strongly influenced by

gig offers, and a slot on main stage of

The White Stripes.

the Feel Good Festival 2016.”

Their latest release is in preparation for their upcoming EP “Rattlesnake” with an EP launch show at Gullivers, Manchester. This is supposedly filled with rock n roll songs, providing catchy riffs and fuzz.

Currently unsigned, the band are hoping to push themselves into the light of the music industry, with playtime on the BBC’s Live Sessions.

By Ben Kitching, photo by Holly

THE RECeiVERS @ FIBBERS

mice on mars the scapegoat

Mice On Mars released another track onto their Soundcloud at the start of August. The band have recently departed from the York scene and moved down to London. It’s a sad loss to the York music scene but we’re sure their sound will thrive in the city that punk was born in. The three piece is made up of Zac Wooley on guitar and lead vocals, Alfie Husband on drums and George Ullyott on bass guitar.

You may have seen us post a live version of their new track The Scapegoat onto our Facebook page.

They performed the song at their two final York shows at The Fulford Arms and Fibbers. In my opinion Mice On Mars are one of the best live bands around, they put an insane amount of energy on stage, when performing Zac becomes so intensely engrained in the music you might think he was possessed. So for all you southerners, make sure you go and see them live, we’re already deeply missing this band up North.

The Scapegoat is another political observation from Mice On Mars, Zac’s lyrics take a satirical twist on contemporary politicians, mainly, and quite obviously Trump and his stupidity. Musically their new song, like all their others, has the classic brit punk sound and brings in elements of other genres with the saxophone. Which furthers the originality of their sound, especially within a generation quite heavily indie influenced. Their song writing is absolutely phenominal, both lyrically and instrumentaly.

Their writing about things that

actually matter, in years to come when looking back, Mice On Mars will be a band that made a statement of their time, in true punk fashion. The recording is raw which further brings out their genuine punk sound, it sounds exactly like you’re watching them live. The Scapegoat is full of catchy guitar riffs that flow perfectly with the vocals, and Alfie’s drum beats will cause you to move no matter what, whether its tapping your foot and nodding your head or starting a pit and head banging like you’ve travelled back to the 70s.

Written and photo by Holly Beson-Tams

the receivers

CRESCENT MOON HEART

The Receivers recently released the title

Vocally the two strongest songs of the

track off their EP Crescent Moon Heart,

EP are Crescent Moon Heart and Glass,

the EP itself is made up of four songs, all

they both contain memorable choruses.

of which I realised I knew already from

The instrumental breakdown in Glass

seeing them live so many times. The

after the chorus that leads to ‘he’s

Receivers are a four piece originating

better, whatever, there’s nothing I can

from York, made up of Nick Aldous on

do…’ is one of my favourite parts off

lead guitar and vocals, Alex Higginson

the track, (and also my favourite lyrical

on lead guitar and vocals, Harry Stables

part) the track builds up with tension as

on bass guitar and Louis Bristow on

they begin to play faster as the lines are

drums. Heavily inspired by bands like The repeated until snapping back into the Cribs, the EP is a blend of 00s indie with

chorus with more energy and delivering a

slights tints of psychedelia which is found

satisfying ending to the song.

within the guitars.

The EP is full of energetic guitar riffs

The entire EP is well written, and

and wild drums. The guitars are the

although in the interview they stated

strongest part of Do You Read Me,

that it was a collection of songs they

the rhythm and lead guitar contrast

had already written, the EP is strong

in a way that helps to create a

as a unit. All the songs fit into place

complex song and allow Louis to

perfectly within it, this is

just go for it on drums. When they

The Receivers putting out a solid

perform this song live, every band

statement of ‘hey this is us, this is our

member really goes for it and you

sound, fucking love it’. I look forward

can hear that within their recording.

to future releases and seeing them perform the EP live on their tour releasing it.

By Holly Beson-Tams

the receivers interview

I have the pleasure of being friends with The Receivers, having gone to most of their York gigs and Nick replacing me when I left my job at HMV. So this interview may seem a little less formal, and a bit more ‘please shut up’ but it’s all banter, I love them really. Also had to cut quite a lot of it as Nick and Alex don’t know when to stop taking.

Other than The Cribs, who are your musical influences?

Alex: Interpol Louis: Queens of The Stone Age Nick: The Beatles, obviously. We were just discussing them as well Alex: I think the best Beatles song ever written has got to be Tomorrow Never Knows. It is literally all written in one note and its fucking mint

Nick: I’m meeting The Cribs tomorrow

Nick: At the moment Holly, I’m quite liking The Velvet Underground

Alex: She said other than The Cribs you ****

Not too long winded, but give us the story of how you got signed.

Harry: Muse

Alex: Well it all started in 1996 when…

it didn’t really, that’s when I was born Harry: It was a gig without him (Alex) in Sheffield Nick: It was shit, my guitar cut out, actually out of all the gigs that was probably the worst. One, Alex wasn’t there, two, my guitar cut out. Three Harry: I was out of tune

Harry: We know how each other work more now then we did Nick: I think the song writing has become a bit more stable now as well, less is more now, before we just wrote loads of stuff Alex: We’re writing really complicated stuff and spending an entire session on one song

Louis: I can’t play the drums

Nick: If a song doesn’t work immediately then we’re just not going to do it. I think the ones post EP are good

Nick: Basically we had a nightmare of a show

Alex: I like your shoes Nick, where did you get them?

Louis: It was our…third gig?

Alex: And some random geezers Nick: We did a shit gig, we got home, told Alex how shit the gig was. Then we had an email saying ‘When are you next in Sheffield, we’ll come see ya’ What’s changed since you’ve been signed?

Harry: We all pretty much hate each other Alex: We’ve already gotten to the Let It Be stage Nick: We live in different countries…but no not a lot How about in terms of your creativeness?

With the EP, is it a collection of songs you already had, or did you sit down like write lets write a solid block of songs to be an EP? Alex: Well what happened with Do You Read Me is you played that and then I just played something completely different which was –decided to hum out his entire guitar partThat’s going to be really easy to type up, thanks for that Alex: You have to get the De Nes and the Ne Nes in the right place Is it difficult having to keep everything secretive?

Nick: I can’t fucking remember any of it because it was nearly a year ago

Alex: Yeah it is, because we’re just itching to get it out aren’t we

Alex: Do you think you can copy right De Nes and Ne Nes

Nick: We wanted it out in May originally. But it’s nice because they generally have an interest in our music, like they asked for a paragraph about each song

Nick: Our first gig we played Crescent Moon Heart, extended cut, Promises and Do You Read Me…So the EP is a mix of our best songs. Before we recorded it we were struggling with what to have as a fourth song, and then we played Glass once in a rehearsal and we were like, that’s just fucking mint, let’s just record that on Thursday

Alex: And they’re constantly in contact with us as well, which is nice.

We don’t feel like we’re on their back burner. We feel like they actually do really care about us Nick: I like playing live the most when it comes to the band, and I made it clear to them when we were discussing deals and that

Does the EP have a theme or a feel?

Alex: Yeah a mix, I think the only similarity between the songs is that we wrote them Nick: Lyrically it’s just bullshit Alex: Well that’s what your lyrics are anyway

What’s your writing process?

Favourite quote?

Nick: It’s always different, there’s no sort of strict rule

Alex: Ezekiel 25:77 The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee, ahhhh –imitates gun shots-

Alex: Sometimes we’ll just be messing around and then be like oh my god OK, so testing this out on you guys, but spitfire round.

Favourite beer?

Alex and Nick simultaneously: Red Stripe, OOOOH

Dream guitar?

Favourite band?

Alex: A bown conker 59 Nick: The Cribs!

Harry: Muse!

Harry: A custom one, one of my own, one no on has ever had

You know what I don’t even know why I Louis: Ed Sheeran’s guitar asked that one, I know all your favourite bands. Favourite fashion statement? This Nick: I’m going to be a dick with my answer is probably more for you (Nick) (Shocker) Harry: It’s definitely your hair Yeah we know your answer, we don’t need it Alex: His crescent moon necklace Yeah you do always wear that necklace Favourite album?

Nick: It means a lot to me

Alex: Turn On The Bright Lights, Interpol

Alex: He always sucks on it as well, which is Harry: Sunburn, Muse pretty gross Nick: in the belly… well I’ve got two Come on favourite fashion statement, go, what is Nick?

Ugh, are they both Cribs?

Nick: What is Nick? Denim and Leather.

Nick: Well in recent years its in the belly of the brazen bull by The Cribs, but the reason why I wanted to be in a band was because of Humbug by Arctic Monkeys Louis: Suck It And See that white one

by Arctic Monkeys Alex: Oh yeah that white one Favourite stage to play?

Nick: Donny Social Bar Alex: Fibbers Nick: No, yeah Fibbers

Interview by Holly Beson-Tams

foxe

spring

Taking Indie Pop to a whole new level with their unique and polished sound, Foxe managed to push themselves a great deal by releasing their first track Bubblegum with a brilliant music video that caught a lot of attention from new audiences and was in fact the reason I caught wind of them!

Following the great success of their first release (now with over 100,000 streams on Spotify) they recently gave their audience a new track Spring.

Spring introduces a typical scenario of a relationship breaking up, with the singer

George directing it towards Frankie, a character that is found in all of their songs so far. The strong beat that pulses through the entire song really makes it a great feel good song even if the lyrics content is quite dark. Their joyful music really contrasts the melancholic content in a smart and positive way.

Although at first the song was not appealing in the same way as their first two releases, it really grows on you the more you listen to it! Available on Spotify and the Denim + Leather playlist!

By Ben Kitching

krrum EVIL TWIN

An electronic pop sound that is easily distinguishable from other similar musics, Krrum really do create a large soundscape that makes a person want to enjoy it. Using a multitude of synths, sample pads and other more common instruments like guitar and drums, the four piece from Leeds leave a lasting impression and an earworm if there ear was one. Their recent release of Evil Twin (2017 Edition) has gotten them a lot of attention, especially as they have recently performed for VEVO DSCVR

Evil Twin includes a few new tracks that haven’t been previously released including Hard on You and Get the Girl which are the last two songs on the EP as well as a remix of Evil Twin by CAZZETTE. Evil Twin was the first track of their debut EP back in 2016. The track is a go to for their iconic style and melodic hooks. Following that is Moon, previously released as a single back in March that includes a brilliantly fuzzy bass line, expressive harmonies and samples used to build up the soundscape. Subliminally divine in nature.

Still Love was released a while back, again as a single in August 2016, but it was a good edition to the EP as it has a very pulsing and catchy beat, however simple, that pushes the song forward with a large focus on the moving bassline, a common part to Krrum’s sound.

We then get onto the two new tracks.

Hard on You is lovingly romantic within their style, a true highlight of the EP. However much the songs are rather similar in formula, the band seem to shed new light on their powerful songwriting in each song. Get the Girl takes a slightly darker and melancholic turn for the last original in the EP.

With simplified and repetitive lyrics constantly repeating “I don’t get the girl” throughout the song really dulls the mood in a bittersweet way. Seemingly different in the writing style, it ends the EP nicely and reflectively.

The final addition of the remix of Evil Twin changes the chord progression and opens their music up to a more pop culture audience, much more alert and dance driven than the original. All in all it is a brilliant and appreciated release, available on Spotify as is the rest of their music. It doesn’t undermine the original Evil Twin EP, but it has a bigger sense of direction.

By Ben Kitching

MICE ON MARS FINAL YORK HEADLINER

puppet theory I, THE KING

A Southerner, a Scouser and 2 Mancunians form the Indie-Pop band, Puppet Theory, based in Manchester. After forming in October 2015, the band have released their first EP ‘Buttons’ and have recently released a new single, ‘I, The King’, on the 1st of July.

‘I, The King’ starts with a very immediate punchy intro, capturing the attention of anyone listening straight away.

The high levels of energy at the beginning are constant throughout but also with some variation, this makes the song perfect to be performed live. Vocalist Chris Pickering, creates the strong rhythmic aspects on guitar, which causes everyone and anyone to hum it all day long after listening to it. Chris has such strong vocal abilities that his voice comes across completely flawless; this enhances the overall sound of the song.

With one section of the song having no in-

This song and band are full of raw talent

struments playing and just Chris’s voice sing-

and with rumors of a first album brewing;

ing shows the raw talent that he has to be

this band will continue to produce absolute-

able to expose his voice to anyone listening.

ly incredible songs. One of the best things

The highly talented Paul Gallacher, forms

about this band is that they do not need to

the base of the song with heavy drum beats,

improve their voices while producing their

this gives the depth that the song needed to

songs, they sound exactly the same live,

contrast the higher pitches of the guitars and proving how talented they truly are. This Chris’s voice. Lead guitar, played by Johnny

song is perfect for when you need an in-

Hearldon, assists the rhythm guitar to build

jection of energy into your day or need to

the center of the song. Johnny also assists

release some energy, it is definitely one that

Chris with the vocals by providing backing

needs to be added to everyone’s playlists.

vocals, along with bassist Niall Musa. This

You can find the track in our Spotify playlist.

gives the song an extra edge as all of their voices can be identified within the song.

Niall gives depth to the band and the song by contrasting the other guitars but complimenting the depth provided by the drums.

By Abby Hardy

polo ALICE

Polo are a three-piece, Alternative/ Future Pop band from Leeds. After forming around March 2015, they have since released a single and their first EP. They are rapidly growing in the music scene after just announcing a 6 date Autumn tour in venues throughout the UK. Alice is the bands first EP, with only releasing a single Visions of Fortune before it. When listening to Alice, there are influences from Clay and I was reminded of Cry Baby by The Neighbourhood.

All of the songs are highly captivating and form a sort of trance over you while you listen.

With all of the songs written by the band as a collective, the lyrics have quite a fantastically atmosphere to them. While listening to the EP, I interpreted the lyrics to Gold Horizons as including ideas from the story of Alice Through the Looking Glass, which are also present throughout the rest of the EP. Clearly influencing the name for the EP, the story of Alice Through the Looking Glass has been given a modern and deeper meaning from the bands choice of lyrics. This gives a twist to their music, if you clearly listen to the lyrics within the songs, you can hear different issues being spoken of in each song.

To enhance the incredible lyrics, Dan Egdell accompanies them on drums, which sets the bottom layer beat for the songs. Along with Luke Lount who plays the synthesisers, which create many layers to each song that helps give them their unique sound. To combine it all, Kat Mchugh’s voice is absolutely flawless and can keep any listener captivated.

After experiencing the EP being played live, I found that Kat has two microphones with one making her voice more produced. This means that the songs are played live exactly how Lount has produced them.

Writing, performing, producing their first EP and announcing a tour within a year of forming, it shows the determination that this band has to continue growing in the music scene. With their tour date in Leeds supporting Clay at Leeds Stylus, it means that they will be exposed to a large amount of people who will hopefully help their fan base grow further. This is a band that gig goers need to keep their eyes and ears on as I believe that they will start growing even further very soon, and once they do, there will be no stopping them.

By Abby Hardy

serotones

KING NO ONE @ FIBBERS

CASSIA sink

Cassia are a three piece originating

Sink is a fun, upbeat indie-surf pop

from Maccelsfield, Cheshire (which I

song. Like most of their songs, Sink

find awesome as I’m from a few towns

will take your mind to a clear skied

over). The band is made up of Jake

summer day on a beach somewhere,

Leff on drums and vocals, Rob Ellis on

you won’t remember the lings in life

guitar and vocals and Lou Cotterill on

getting you down whilst you’ve got

bass and vocals.

Cassia spinning.

They recently released a new single Sink, following on from tracks such as Moana and 100 Times Over, they’ve come back with another summery tune to finish off the season.songs,

The track is full of twangy guitars which

When I first listened to Cassia my first

are a huge part of what gives it that surf

thought would that them and Corella

calypso rock sound, along with Jake’s

would absolutely smash a gig together

drums which have a lot of Caribbean style

(and I believe they already have), it would

beats in them. The lyrics are catchy and

be great to see a line-up of Cassia,

the chorus will have you singing along

Corella and Violet Contours, three of the

with your hips moving to this summery

most indie feel good bands around, this

track. Cassia are unique among the many

would be a haven of summery riffs.

up and coming indie bands but there are quite a few bands I would love to see them play alongside.

By Holly Beson-Tams

Who are your main musical influences?

Zac: I just like old raucous bands really, I like music that isn’t necessarily pleasing on the

Zac: The Clash, I’d say Pete Doherty is definitely a lyrical influence in terms of flow. We’ve a little bit out of the first album of Bombay Bicycle Club, that’s played a part. In terms of more recent bands, Alf any givers?

ear.

Alfie: The Jam, Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, stuff like that.

Zac: But I’d say prominently its bands like The Clash, Libertines, the upbeat with a bit of politics thrown in there.

Alfie: Bands like The Pogues, for lyrics, Shane MacGowan is a genius.

Alfie: And the way they work as a band, bands like The Clash have got such good morals, they stay true to their fans and never really gave up until the very end.

Following on from raucous music, how do you record?

Zac: I mean I say to the person recording us, keep it as it is, pretty much. The last recording, we did we kept it pretty much as it was in the room, with the only things that had much extra work, the production on the drums was tampered with a bit I believe.

And we double tracked the vocals which obviously isn’t as raw a sound as… but the guitar and the bass are literally as they were on the recording, and that’s how we like it.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never listened to you before?

Zac: It’s like, driving down a really nice highway…

Alfie: Here we go Zac: …and everything seems alright and the next minute you realise, the highway is on fire.

Alfie: Wow Zac: No hang on, I’ve gone a bit AC/DC George: It’s like swimming in a pool, where you think its all nice and welcome but someone’s spiked it with chilli sauce Zac: Yeah, it’s liking swimming in a pool that’s cleansed with chilli instead of chlorine

Alfie: Do you want words like… genre words?

You know what that is perfect. So, would you agree you’re quite political punk?

Zac: Yeah I’d agree we were political I’d say What are your political views?

Alfie: I mean, we, I, would never ever, say that we could run the country Zac: I don’t know about that Alfie: But we’ll write what we want, Zac writes most of the lyrics, there’s a good reason for that. But we’re not kind of like, saying what’s right and wrong,

we’re just making people aware of the truth Zac: And commenting on how things are in a satirical manner, obviously with the new song out, The Scapegoat, if you heard the chorus out of context you would think we are a far right band ‘Blame the Jews and blame the immigrants too’ but part of writing about politics, is you’ve gotta… you can’t just state your political opinion, you’ve got to wind it into a relevant story in order for it to be a song. You can’t just write a song saying the left is good and the right is bad Alfie: It’s about asking questions about everything around you Zac: And putting a satirical twist on it, because it’s the satire I think that gives us… well for me, that’s the proudest thing in my lyrics, is when things get satirical. Because I

the delivery isn’t one hundred percent serious.

don’t know I prefer, in a way, it’s almost

But yeah I’d say the satire in the politics is

putting yourself out on a more sort of… I

definitely the way to go

don’t want to say risky With the release of The Scapegoat, what is Alfie: It’s more fun though as well

the main point you’re making lyrically?

Zac: Yeah it’s fun. And that’s the other thing,

Zac: Its basically, throughout history there is a

with a song like Kimmy Baby, which in

list of specific, the most prominent scapegoats

reality is about a very dark subject, it sounds

throughout history, and one of them is the cow

like a load of fun. And I think that’s another

which started a big fire somewhere. You’ve

thing you’ve got to do, if you’re writing about gotta look it up to understand it, ah bollocks something really dark, if you make it fun, that I can’t remember what fire it was, but another adds to the contrast of the song and sort of… group is the Jews who have been perpetrated We’re singing about a dictator that’s killed

throughout the years, obviously the most

millions, well I don’t know if its millions yet

recent was the holocaust, they were treated as

don’t quote me on that one, but we’re talk-

a scapegoat, but also in the black death, Jews

ing about a dictator but in another sense,

were totally purged and well I don’t know if you

know. But Clifford’s Tower in York, if you actually read about it, I don’t want to say the number because I’m not sure, but a lot of Jews were burnt alive up there, which sort of gives it a weird edge. It’s one of York’s most touristy, family friendly attractions. So yeah with scapegoat there’s incorporations of what’s going on now within the chorus ‘Don’t forget the Mexicans, root of all corruption’ that’s a nod at Donald Trump, because he made out like the Mexicans are the root of all of America’s problems. And in a way I find scapegoating actually pretty funny because it just sort of optimises the human nature to go ‘it wasn’t my fault, just blame them’ because rather than step back and asses the problems it’s easier to just blame someone else.

Alfie: If you say it convincingly, people will believe you. And that’s what’s fucking so annoying, although Donald Trump is a shit

So you’ve been doing a lot of gigs in Lon-

speaker, he’s got a lot of money and…

don lately, how different would you say the scene is down there in comparison to up

Zac: …Well he’s not a shit speaker though is

here?

he? He’s proven that Alfie: It’s cold, there’s no mercy Alfie: Well yeah true, George: There’s a lot of people more willing Zac: But yeah with the main tune, it’s

to go out there and find new music

basically just laughing at the sort of… it’s almost embedded into society now, people’s Alfie: But they’re ruthless minds naturally, everyone is guilty of being the perpetrator of the scapegoat before,

George: Yeah they’re ruthless but there is also

we’ve all blamed something else on our

a lot of people out there going out

problems before

trying to listen, trying to hear something they like. Whereas here I think there is just a lot of

Alfie: Kids do it all the time ‘it wasn’t me’

people that just turn up if they know you and if they don’t then no one is really going to go

out of their way to listen Zac: Yeah I think the difference between York and London, and this is no disrespect to any York band, but a lot of the York bands who are really making a name for themselves in the scene, you’ll notice have been to school in York, educated in York, know all the people. We came onto the scene, none of us having been educated in York, I was for two years but its not really the time where you’re going to meet people who are going to be committed to… so…what was the question again? So yeah I’d say the main difference is, in London, I think when people come to your gigs I think they’re there for music, whereas in York, it can be a mixture of people who are there just because they’re your mates George: Or they’re in a band Zac: So I’d say in London, it’s a less friendly scene but you can get more of a fan

Zac: Basically the song was written about the video, well the song wasn’t written with rabbits and carrots in mind obviously. But

base rather than just mates

when you release a music video there’s only

George: It’s more of a pretentious scene but

the song is modern drug culture in the youth,

if you tap into those people I think there is something to be targeted there, as well as here, there is also a scene to be targeted here. I think you have to go openly knowing it will be different and you have to target a

so much you can do. The whole story behind and you know like ‘Its feeding time, you’ll be fine, just wait in line’ saw that whole motive of smashing it on end, feeling shit but for some reason it just carries on happening or whatever. So obviously with the video we

different genre of people

couldn’t actually portray what we wanted to

How did you come up with the video for

piss out of something which is actually quite

Feeding Time?

portray so I thought, why not totally take the a dark serious subject, and yeah use rabbit masks and carrots. I just thought of the wackiest, most ridiculous thing I could think of, and it worked. Miraculously

What was it like walking around with

Where do you draw your song writing

rabbit masks on?

inspiration from? And what’s your song writing process, do you all sit and write

Zac: It was alright actually, there was one

together or?

point where one of the big Met vans drove past with all, it was during the fighting scene Zac: It varies, there is the odd song where we where we’re pushing each other about, and

have sat down and written it as a three,

just as we were doing it, I remember

haven’t we?

glancing and there were like six officers up to the window like ‘what on earth is going

Alfie: Ninty percent of the time it will be Zac

on there?’ and they just carried on. I’m quite coming with a song and in his eyes it will be surprised to be honest that they didn’t stop

finished, and we’ll all come together and play

and think we were instigating a bank rob-

it a few times and be like ‘ooo why don’t we

bery or some act of terror

do that’

George: Yeah but he must of seen the c

George: Zac will show it us and we’ll be

amera

like, ‘why don’t we start it like this’ and we’ll change it and then ‘why don’t we end it like

Zac: Rabbit related terror

this’ or ‘put this bit here’. He makes the skeleton and…

Zac: Yeah, yeah, yeah, skeleton and then

Zac: Whose yours?

they juice it up, fill the organs and get it wrapped in skin, nice and tight

Alfie: Joe Strummer… or Bob Marley.

Alfie: Jesus…

George: I’ll let you go next man I’m having a think

Are there any bands that you’d really like to play with?

Zac: Well that’s what I was going to do to

George: Fat White Family would be a laugh

Alfie: Or maybe a blues ledgend like Howlin

wouldn’t it

Wolf or someone like that

Alfie: I’d love to play with Jacob and Oscar

Zac: I mean if we’re talking like

in Dead Pretties, they’re mates of ours

instrumentally I’d probably want to jam with someone like Captain Beefheart, or I’d want

Zac: Wouldn’t mind doing a few more with

to play guitar for him. But if we’re talking just

Naked Six, them boys, because we’ve al-

like, having a fuck about, I wouldn’t mind

ways been mates with them guys and we’ve

jamming with Sid Vicious, that’d be good

done the odd gig with them but nothing

fun. I mean he’d probably wind me up

particularly special, yet

because I get annoyed when

George: And nothing recent, we didn’t have

Alfie: He’d just get you addicted to speed

a solid set together when we played with

mate

them George: Yeah I’d like to jam with Zac: Yeah so wouldn’t mind playing with

somebody…I can’t think of anyone specific,

Naked Six again and if we’re talking anyone

but someone who would just go absolutely

I’d happily support Bruce Springsteen,

nuts on the vocals and just perform around

although not sure stadium is our scene Zac: Someone like Charles Bradley Alfie: Or like a really fucking cool rap group, N.W.A, still political music

George: Charles Bradley yeah, or someone like James Brown as well

If you could have a jam with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

Alfie: Oh mate I know already

Interview and photos by Holly Beson-Tams

Denim + Leather presents: Play it loud

Incase you didn’t see one of the many posts about it (sorry) we held our first gig! So I just thought I’d say a little about it, starting with why. For a few reasons, the main one being the exact same reason I started the magazine, to try and help the music scene as much as we can, and what better way than by providing a place to perform right? Secondly, we’re trying to raise a bit of money for Denim + Leather, all this hard work on the magazine (and believe me its A LOT) makes £0, infact it costs me a bit to run. So we’re trying to save up some pennys so we can A) turn the mag into a printed magazine and B) so we can put on more and more gigs at bigger and better venues!

So endless thank yous to the bands that played: Young Bulls, GUTS. and Part Time Miserables. Each band were fucking awesome!! (And we knew they would be, hence why we asked them to perform at the first Play It Loud gig! And thanks to James and Ben for doing sound all night because frankly I don’t have a clue and was busy with my camera anyway. If you’d fancy playing at D+L gig then drop us a message!

VIOLET CONTOURS D.O.T

Violet Contours are a band very

This fantastic four piece is made up of

close to Denim + Leather’s heart.

frontman and vox/rythmn guitar Ben

Back in January when this was just a

Hederson, lead guitarist Sam, bassist

blog where I was trying out my hand

Niall Mckelvey-Williams and drummer

at writing about music I dropped

Danny Whittaker.

them a message after seeing them support alongside a friend’s band

They released their first single

and found myself doing my first ever

Electric Bodies back in January and it’s

proper interview with them. So you

been a long time coming for their next

can thank them for being one of the

release, but it’s finally here!

bands that kicked off D+L..

D.O.T is a song I know very well from

Danny’s drumming amplifies this even

seeing them perform it live, just like

further, you won’t be able to stay still

their previous release it’ll be stuck in

to a Violet Contours song. They’re

your head for weeks once you hear it.

consistently catchy and fun. Although

The song is a humorous tale about their

an indie band theirs an underlying

drummer Danny’s explorations on

element of funk hidden within their

Tinder (You will be happy, or sad, to

bouncing guitar riffs. Both guitarists

know he is no longer on Tinder and has

Ben and Sam will have you grooving

found love, sorry girls). The chorus has

in no time with their summery rhythm.

got to be one of the catchiest around,

This is a band to keep your eyes on,

and is the reason they stuck in my head

everyone that watches them can see

so much way back when, ‘Danny’s On

they’re made for big things, I can eas-

Tinder’ isn’t hard to remember and

ily picture them playing much bigger

you’ll be singing along by the second

stages soon.

coming of the chorus.

Written and photos by Holly Beson-Tams

guts. + bull @ santiago bar, leeds

PAUL HEANEY Paul Heaney is a York based artist, Paul has helped D+L with some graphic design and we wanted to share some of his awesome work as a thank you. This imagine is one of his sick creations! His artwork is mostly fantasy related and it’s incredible.

However he is also avaible to hire as a graphic designer, you can contact him on: coachz42@hotmail.com

EDITOR Holly Beson-Tams

WRITERS Ben Kitching Holly Beson-Tams Abby Hardy james Brown

PHOTOGRAPHERS Holly Beson-Tams

Contact denimleathermagazine@gmail.com

Social media @DenimLeatherMagazine - Facebook @denimleathermagazine - Instagram