[Interview] with... Clean Cut Kid

Nicely chilled out backstage at Fruit in Hull, we caught up with Clean Cut Kid before their support slot for Fickle Friends recently, here's what was said...


Jase Hare: Thank you very much for even entertaining us for 5 or 10 minutes pre gig...

Mike Halls: Aww no it's a pleasure mate, we love this s**t!

Evelyn Halls: We're sorry it's not very glamorous

JH: Ahh it's fine, to be fair I feel like I'm at Leeds Fest under a gazebo! Haha Ok, first of all Loving your guys work, think it's absolutely class and over at It's All Indie.com we've blogged about you for a little while now...

EH and MH: Oh yeah! Yeah, we've seen your stuff on twitter...

JH: Do you feel like it's been a rapid rise recently after putting in years of hard work?

MH: Totally, 15 years to be an overnight success!

JH: HAHA it's got potential that line hasn't it.

Saul Godman; And i'm only 16!

ALL: Hahaha

JH: You've had a tough paper round my friend.

MH; Yeah it was, it was like super quick, we haven't even had a second to take stock of it. We recorded 'Vitamin C' and 'Runaway' two years ago, sat on the material and rehearsed, got the live thing together, didn't leak anything, then i've been working as a session player with a manager so we gave the management the CD and said yeah it's ready, start managing sort of thing. He put together a team of five or six industry types to come watch us play a secret gig in London, under a different name and it leaked from that. We were like, S**t this is going to kick off quicker than we know! Then by the time we were doing the second gig we had a guest list of 120 industry people, 5 major record label presidents coming down and the gig sold out in an hour.

JH; Wow, phenomenal reaction...

MH: we got like rushed out into cars, driven to the Ivory lounge, and then I spent a month living in London meeting 9 record labels and before our third gig we had signed a deal. Tenth and eleventh gigs we headlined Reading and Leeds BBC Introducing stages.

JH: Yeah we were there in Leeds...

EH; Oh were you there?

JH: Yeah you played Friday. We walked past and I remember looking at my programme thinking "Yeah I need to see them" but I only knew 'Vitamin C'. Those stages are becoming iconic that must have been odd to be playing them so early?

EH: We didn't understand what was going on because like that was our tenth gig, we were just like "how has this happened?". We were just so so so surprised.

JH: Do you guys realise how good a tune is when you write it?

MH: Erm I think at every single stage it has to give you that level of feedback, so I write them and basically I'll get the music together first but then building section after section i'll have to kind of be blowing my own tits off, you know, like Aww that pre-chorus just did it for me. Then me and Ross will go in and the usual formula we'll nail the drums and guitar, like map it out then Saul will build his bass on top. I have to then lock myself away for three or four days and I'll imprint the bands sound on the demo. The record label then fall in love with the demo, naturally haha, and ask for certain things when we go to record it. You never really get it properly because it comes from me getting one hours sleep and just being buried away. You try and do that in a pro studio its always like that magic you can never get but what you do get is it's own thing.

JH: I tweeted the other day that "20 Years From Now" is such an important tune on my playlist currently because when it keeps coming on I get so involved in it and it's not a "mainstream" song you know? You'll probably never hear it on the radio etc but do you get a bigger sense of achievement if you like from fans getting really involved in something you've written?

EH: We saw that tweet and liked it! Thanks for that, meant a lot yeah. When people latch on to the B-Sides you know they're the really heart felt tunes written from deep...

MH: The label promised us when we signed like that we want to make hit singles with you guys but we'll always do vinyls, we'll always give you a B-Side and that'll be an avenue for you to get out the more personal tunes. We supported Circa Waves last year, we loved their record and they were like two thousand people venues and it was rammed every night but with kids which is fine but you'd play something, probably your best performance of the best tune you've ever written and they'd be like "What's this?" but then you'd jump up and down, wave your hand around abit and they'd be going screaming and jumping up and down!

Joe Brumby: Yeah we've been to plenty of those gigs!

MH: Gigs like that though mean less for me than one person saying "wow I just can't get this tune out of my head"

JH: Well I never tweet anything I genuinely don't believe so it's a huge compliment to you guys from me personally. Random question because of 'Pick Me Up' being about someone's voice picking them up, anyone in the world, who's got the best voice?

Ross Higginson: David Attenborough definitely, yeah!

MH: Morgan Freeman!

JB: Always appears on those kinds of lists.

EH: Signing wise there is a band called 'Vaults' you might want to check them out, there's a girl in that band called Blyth I think, she's got one of the best voices I've ever heard, especially live. Or speaking I'd have to say the late great Terry Wogan, he pretty much bought me up!

SG; My bird...

JH: That's pretty sweet mate. Really looking forward to this evenings set...

RH: Hopefully you'll stay for the whole set unlike Leeds! Haha

JH: Apologies but yeah we're definitely staying the whole set this time.

MH: I think cos you've got on board with the music hopefully this live set will be just improving all the time!

JB: Your cover in the Live Lounge of 'Stitches' was class I thought aswell.

MH: Do you know what?! We got given 'Stitches' two days before and had to smash it out, We were actually going to cover 99 Souls - the boy is mine remix tune that's been around and they said no to it because it sounded like it should have been on the record!

JH: Well us guys have really tiny sessions at my house in a bar i've built, you're more than welcome to come smash that cover out there if you're ever in Grimsby Haha.

MH: After festival season we'll be playing some headline little slots, we'll come play it!! haha! Greater fans in house gigs for sure.

JH: Got only 2 more questions guys, clearly I need to mention it, who's the biggest babe magnet?

ALL: wayyyyyyy!

RH: 100% not me!

SG: I'm married!

JH: so that wins right?

EH: Mike gets a lot of love because of the beard naturally.

RH: Every day the struggle is real for him.

MH: This is probably the longest is ever been.

JB: it's majestic when you swing your head in your videos.

EH: In slow-mo videos it's glorious.

JB: Ok last question... favourite Quality Street?

MH: Purple One!

EH: No... Orange with the crispy bits inside!

RH: Coconut.

ALL: What!!

EH: That's like the nan's choice!

JB: Always happens that someone gets scolded by the rest of the band haha!

JH: Every band is divided.

SG: I'm vegan, I just make my own with xmas wrapping paper.

MH: Think I love Roses abit more aswell though.

JH: Anyone who goes toffee fingers, can't trust them. Thanks for your time anyway guys, really enjoyed that and we'll grab some snaps if that's cool.

EH: No thank you! It's been fun.


Huge thanks to Clean Cut Kid for their time, their management for arranging this and Photo Credit to Joe Brumby as usual.

Gig review for this can be found... HERE!!!

Cheers,

@JaseHare

[GIG REVIEW] Friends w/ Clean Cut Kid @ Fruit, Hull 7th March 2016

Looking forward to gigs can always be a double edged sword I find. You either build it up too much in your head that the evening ends up letting you down or your excitement has been totally justified and the bands blow you away. Safe to say this gig lived up to the previous weeks excitement for certain. 

I was lucky enough to interview Clean Cut Kid before hand aswell which will naturally be a separate piece to this in the coming days, be sure to check that out as it was a great laugh! Questions were asked, water was thrown and tattoo's were shared! 

Gig review abound though and for me CCK just suit being on a stage... period! For a band that have risen quickly to be one of the most exciting prospects around right now they just ooze comfort. 

I professed to the band that I was a huge fan of '20 years from now', I was naturally gutted when they didn't play it! However this disappointment was over shadowed by nailing 'Brother of Mine'. A similar type of song in terms of tone and construction but with a ridiculously great guitar solo thrown in the mix that mesmerised me straight away. Backed up by other great songs that I was shamefully unaware of such as 'Stay' and 'Make Believe', I was pleased that their set had a lovely warmth about it, throwing in the new single 'Pick me up' aswell as 'Runaway' and obviously 'Vitamin C' for good measure. 

Genuinely nice people with tunes that should rocket me into the conciousness of the music buying public, I'd easily class these as one of my favourite bands right now! Jump... On... Board!!!

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Completely selfish choice below haha.

Moving on to Fickle Friends I immediately want to write about how they come across as more mature than they look! I mean that in a way that they clearly have a distinguished 80's vibe going with artwork and subtle sounds for their tunes but they have a maturity in their structures which I am uber impressed with, looking as though they have all the youthful vibrancy of being straight out of college.

Natti's voice is subtly eloquent and certainly works on their recordings, I was ever so slightly gutted that all her intricate notes were slightly forced under by the rest of the band.

That said it did not detract from how good they are on stage perfectly executing tracks such as 'For you' and 'Say No More'. I felt as though they just appeared to want to have a laugh on stage and really enjoy what they were churning out.

By their own admission it has been a long tour which is coming to an end however the chance to hone their skill set further, bash some new songs out live and gain new admirers around the country has been great for the band and I for one really look forward to what comes next with this band.

 Stick some of their songs in your playlists and you won't regret it!

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Photo Credits to Joe Brumby as always!

Cheers!

@jasehare

[INTERVIEW] with... The Crookes

It's really no secret that The Crookes have long been legends in my book and having spoke to them many a time after the gigs etc I knew they'd be class for an interview. Last night they rounded up their recent UK section of their tour by returning home to play The Leadmill but we caught up with them before their gig at Hull's New Adelphi earlier in the month. 

Jase Hare: For itsallindie.com this is The Crookes, well half of, the others are playing pool just over there haha And we're sat in the back of Hull's legendary venue, the New Adelphi club. Obviously Daniel you've played here before?

Daniel Hopewell: yeah didn't there used to be a big bomb outside on the roof, where's that gone?

JH: probably stolen or blown away with the wind haha

Adam Crofts: I've never played here before but really looking forward to it.

JH: looking forward to playing the new tunes?

AC: yeah well there are some great tracks on the new album to play live so they'll be fun.

JH: in terms of the song writing on the new album Daniel obviously it's in stark contrast to 'Soapbox' having clearly happier tones, artwork etc matching that, was this a conscious decision or did it all fall into place?

DH: well i just write things down but then i seem to see colours of the lyrics and that shapes where it flows too as a verse or a chorus or such like.

What are your personal favourite tracks from the new album?

AC: i have two, 'six week holiday' and 'roman candle' which is the one we we're just talking about sounding like it has a Mario kart sample, but yeah those two.

DH: 'No one like you' is the best song I've ever written.

JH: that's a bold statement!

DH: i'm not saying it's any good but i think it's the best song I've ever written.

JH: i agree it's an amazing track.

DH: it just feels quite big.

JH: last couple of questions to round it off guys, appreciate you probably want to shoot off and play pool. Some friends of ours in a band called Bang Bang Romeo...

AC: yeah i know them, i know Joel.

JH: you know Joel, everyone knows Joel, bit of a lad, good guy.

DH: is he the one that was talking to you about Paul McCartney for ages?!

AC: yeah that's him. I really like Joel.

JH: yeah he's a good laugh, they were telling us a pre gig ritual of doing a shot together. Do you guys have anything you must do for a gig?

AC: normally pool, that's quite a common theme.

DH: do a prostitute together

JH: hahahaha

DH: Only jesting of course! i'd just like to stress. I go one up on Bang Bang Romeo!

JH: i mean yeah i think you did that

AC: we don't really do anything do we? I mean this tour has been relatively calm, we've not really been drinking much.

JH: i can tell from the bottles of water to be fair.

DH: well we've been touring for years so those sort of things just wear off. That kind of side of it is almost becomes like a job, i don't really mean it in an "anti-rock n roll" kind of way but you treat it in that way that you want to put a good performance on.

JH: is it yourself that's writing the tour diary online? Is that an avenue you use to get rid of ideas that maybe don't fit into a song?

DH: yeah i mean i write constantly, whether its stories or scripts and that's just one thing i do, i just had all these extracts and things then decided to post it online.

JH: it was really intriguing for me to read cos I've always said you guys are my second favourite band and that you lyrics are key to that...

AC: who's your first?

JH: Bloc Party.

AC: fair enough

DH: there are millions of bands out there so to get to second i'm delighted, top 100 i'd be happy i think!

JH: well i'd rather be honest with you guys. last question... Dream venue to ever play?

AC: we were just talking about this the other day actually. Do you know red rocks?

JH: where Mumford filmed a video?

AC: yeah there! That would be brilliant but we also decided on somewhere like the Leadmill, is just you know, go play a great gig at the Leadmill back home.

JH: yeah i totally get that. Well thank you guys for your time, greatly appreciated, i'll let you crack on and play pool.

Joe Brumby: one question from me guys, i always ask it, does Jase's head in but what's your favourite quality street?

DH: the green triangle maybe?

AC: i'm more of a toffee finger fan.

JH: are they're the guys you don't trust though!

DH: our old drummer Russell revealed one day actually that he didn't dunk biscuits in his tea, you can't trust those people either.

JH: is that why he left the band? Haha

JB: ha i ask everyone cos it divides opinion but yeah cheers for your time aswell guys, looking forward to the gig.

A huge thanks to the guys and their team in the background for arranging this, hopefully can do it all over again on the next tour. Be sure to get on the new album!

Photo Credit: @JustBrumby87

@Jasehare

[GIG REVIEW] The Crookes w/ Misty Miller & Affairs, 10th February 2016

I've probably bored my acquaintances over the years stating that one of my favourite places to be is at a live 'The Crookes' gig, last night was no different in Hull's unique The New Adelphi Club.

Before I get to the Sheffield lads, there was the support acts which firstly came in the form of Hull's very own Affairs. I believe these lads will go far and I've have said this for agesss! Hard working and getting technically better with every release, they now have a great repertoire, strong branding and those key stand out attributes (mainly James' dancing but I genuinely mean every aspect of their set aswell)

I posted an interview with the lads on here the other day, ermm just let me find it... Interview. I still forgot to ask about the gravy story!

Catching up with the guys they mentioned some exciting things in the pipeline so if you're in the Manchester area, no doubt you'll be able to catch them sometime soon. You won't regret it:

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Misty Miller was up next and as a self confessed novice in terms of listening to her art, I was intrigued to see what was about to happen when she took to the stage wearing a 'Pixies' shirt, acoustic in hand, strong attitude and not alot else...oh and her boyfriend (i think) on another guitar.

What followed was her undeniable ability to hold not only her voice but the crowds attention with minimal effort. Cleverly constructed lyrics, dare I say, made my head think of 'Jagged Little Pill', whether she would be happy with that comparison i'm not sure but I mean it as a huge compliment.

Totally enjoyed her set though and this wouldn't be the last we would see of her for the evening. Like, follow etc below, you know the drill by now:

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'The Crookes'... well what can I say that I haven't already over the years. I don't think there are many more complimentary terms that I could spit out right now. As a fan, the chaps just have my buy in constantly. They cannot do any wrong in my eyes. **Fanboy Alert**

New Album 'Lucky Ones' has not moved from my playlist since its release a couple of weeks ago, even the morning of my dads wedding I woke up and played him it! He loved it aswell, he knows he did!

In the build up of this gig I managed to grab an informal interview with Daniel and Adam from the band (will be posted on IAI soon) which was a personal highlight for me as I so eloquently told them that they're "my second favourite band".

Anyway this is a gig review so let's do that! A great mixture of old tunes throughout the years and obviously new hits from 'Lucky Ones' kept a very diverse crowd happy throughout. Personally I loved the fact they played "When You're Fragile" which I don't recall hearing live before. I love the lyrics to that song despite being relatively dark.

'I Wanna Waste My Time On You', 'Lucky Ones', 'Roman Candle' and my personal new favourite 'The World Is Waiting' all went down a storm and the guys seemed to be having a good laugh on stage even though George's mic stand was twirling around more than I was with my dodgy dancing.

This new album has some more keyboard/synth sounds thrown in the mix and i'm sure Daniel used these within a couple of older tracks such as 'Afterglow', I may be totally wrong and just never noticed this previously but it gave those hits a new cheeky twist.

You know I said earlier we hadn't seen the last of Misty Miller for the evening? This is because she joined forces with The Crookes on stage to perform "Ex-Lovers" a B-Side of 'I Wanna Waste My Time On You'.



Recorded just using one microphone, George and Misty unintentionally ended up sharing one microphone again but it worked abit better in my opinion as a live spectacle. This was THAT moment mid-gig that the crowd get drawn in and soak up what's happening in front of them. Very special.

All in all a fantastic evening for me personally, especially spotting my face on the front of one of their single covers, no royalties coming my way despite my best efforts but it's safe to say I can't wait to see them live again asap.

If you're not a Bright Young Thing yet then their world is waiting for you here:

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Photo Credit: @JustBrumby87

Many thanks,

Jase Hare

EP Review... Affairs - Muscle EP

Whilst sifting through the many various promo emails we get sent through, I was lucky enough to discover Affairs, a slick 80s inspired outfit from Hull. With staccato layers of guitars and a voice similar to that of Ian Curtis of Joy Divison and Tom Smith of Editors, their flamboyant yet intense single 'Contact' struck a chord with me. Now with support slots for bands such as Alt-J, The 1975 and The Family Rain under their belt, 'Muscle' is the latest musical offering from the boys.

When hearing the EP on first play I felt as if I was walking on to the set of a 1980s teen movie, almost as if I've been transported to a high school disco where there's awkward but dreamy romance, trendy fashion and many smoke machines, a big sense of nostalgia echoed.
The opener entitled 'Blood Science' starts with dreamlike soundscapes which sets the mood for the fairly free space-like flowing track. The counterpoint harmonies follow through the song which is complete with a catchy hook in the rich chorus. Robinson's vocals are very laid-back which I feel is replicated throughout the EP. It works well as an opener to demonstrate what we can expect from the rest of the songs.
'Savour Us' is the most uptempo of the EP and one of my favourites. The beginning riff echoes similarities to 'Milk & Black Spiders' off Foals' latest LP. This, along with 'Heavy Flight' demonstrate the effectively tight work between the bass and drum parts. The production works brilliantly with the band's style. It builds up towards the end, dense in layers, before whirling in to a mass of bit crusher mess you'd expect more commonly from an old Mario game.
The third track 'Heavy Flight' didn't grab my attention on first impression but after a few more listens I've grown to really like this number. It again follows the droney guitar soundscape themes that have already popped up in the first two songs. 'Heavy Flight' showcases the tight jangly guitars, a characteristic of Affairs' music, and the interplay with all the different musical layers including Robinson's vocals. I feel as if 'Heavy Flight''s build up at the end has so much more potential to give but falls at the last hurdle, nevertheless, a brilliant riff.
Affairs demonstrate the beautiful combination of old and new on 'Stained Gold' and 'Ebony'. Some of the vintage instruments and sounds coexist brilliantly with the new-age sounding atmospheric soundscapes and the different samples. 'Stained Gold' is a romantic slow song with an icy guitar riff that works really well amongst the throbbing bass line and the well-written lyrics 'well your floating around like a boat on the river, you tremble and shiver' and 'your hands are as cold as the ice on your windscreen, fractured and unclean'. The use of electronic drums amongst the warm synth pads work a treat although the chorus doesn't quite transpose in the same way the others on the EP do. I feel like it lacks the catchy hook shown on the majority of Affairs' works.
There's great use of a 1980s sounding electric piano you'd find on an old Casio keyboard on 'Ebony'. The risk pays off massively as the guys manage to make it sound very tasteful and it fits perfectly amongst the rest of the track.

'Muscle' has demonstrated how Affairs' sound has matured but yet still played their cards close to their chest. The songwriting is a lot more thought out, not to doubt their earlier works, but shows a different side to the band, a more expressive side. It shows how diverse their sound can be and displays the sheer potential the band have. If you're thinking of buying this, do it. Now to see them live!

Out of 10: 8

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Gig Review... The Crookes @ The New Adelphi Club, Hull, 19th of April 2014

I make no secret about it... I am a HUGE Crookes fan so forgive me if this gig review is slightly tinged with a feel of a 'Bright Young Thing'.

I was seriously looking forward to this gig from the moment I read the lads were playing Hull, so much so I dragged 3 mates with me with the promise they wouldn't be disappointed and a cheeky night out afterwards.

Knowing full well that The New Adelphi Club was a tiny venue steeped in musical history I had a feeling that The Crookes lively stage presence and gut bursting effort into every tune would be quality to witness in such a setting, that's if they could get into the venue that is as the doors were locked upon arrival meaning George (Lead Singer and Bassist) spent 10 minutes talking to us outside about why he had a banana and a packet of midget gems in a carrier bag.



Starting the set with a belter off the new album, 'Don't Put Your Faith In Me' really shows how clever, concise and whispfully moving The Crookes continue to be into their 3rd LP when all paths pointed to 'Afterglow' (a single release from the 2nd EP and arguably their most anthemic/sing-along tune) being a fork in the road for them, heading down a more Kaiser Chiefs - 'Ruby' popularity contest kinda line, which I wouldn't have particularly enjoyed I don't think, although I do love 'Afterglow' itself.

The rest of the set was mix of now classics for Bright Young Things such as 'Bloodshot Days' and selected crowd favourites from the 'Hold Fast' album. I should probably apologise to The Crookes (if they ever read this) that my friend and I who were down the front probably acting like 12 year old 1D fans carried on singing throughout 'Yes, Yes, We Are Magicians' when they stopped playing in the middle of it and basically hi-jacked the show for all of 30 seconds, George said thanks but suitably put us to shame in the singing department after that... (I blame the pints for my almost football chant-like efforts).

A midas touch of a finale to play an acoustic version of 'The Cooler King' in a circle within the crowd was a real treat to stand next to aswell.



Ok so I think anyone reading this can guess that I had a quality time but my aforementioned friends seemed to also enjoy how much genuine quality the lads ooze in a live setting and their view point would be from a more neutral perspective than mine (and the night out was a decent crack aswell just FYI). I would urge anyone who hasn't given The Crookes a real good listen to plough through their back catalouge and it won't be long before you hit something that hits the spot.

Although having to rush off in the tour bus afterwards the band still squeezed in time to appease drunken requests for signatures, questions from us lot about being famous etc and Dan (guitarist) reluctantly helping us out on the quiz machine despite my friends choice in game not exactly being to his taste (erotic spot the difference, only in 'ULL)

New album SOAPBOX is out now and well worth purchasing! Also they have an app available which I was not aware of before this album... criminal!!!

JH     @jasehare