Whitehorse – The Copper Bar/BOW – Manchester

Whitehorse

Copper Bar – Band on The Wall, Manchester

22 December 2024

In one of many final gigs we overview 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 Conflict.

Let’s not beat in regards to the bush, The Blinders have been a fucking nice band. Rock stable psych impressed submit punk, with true grit, angle and supply. After a formidable run as indie/DIY retailers with two landmark albums beneath 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 means of 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 expertise and thunderous bass enjoying, created among 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 There are loads of acquainted faces right here, stable supporters of his outdated band, and with the gig marketed as Whitehorse (Ex The Blinders) the anticipation is palpable.

From the very first be aware we realise that this isn’t The Blinder half two. That is one thing solely totally different; Haywood has torn up his outdated band’s songbook.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 instructed me that he needed a whole break) and we’re handled to a wholly new set.

We’re within the realm of Rubber Soul period Beatles meets The Wonderful Snakeheads, which looks as if an odd combine, nevertheless 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 excellent harmonies, demonstrated completely right here on the Snakeheads’ cowl Heading for Heartbreak. Possibly that is what Tom’s outdated band would have appeared like had they’d the chance to file a second album, as was evidenced on Iggy’s Bought a Camaro from Beholder.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 Subject 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 wholly totally different path and can discover their very own viewers. They want time to breathe, time to seek out their manner and develop their very own sound.

Tom instructed me they’re releasing an album within the Spring with manufacturing from fellow South Yorkshireman, Reverend and The Makers’ Ed Cosens, so we now have a while to digest correctly what they’re up as they drop singles within the lead as much as the discharge.

Whitehorse isn’t The Blinders. The songs seep in in a much more delicate manner. Trying again at among the movies on-line they shortly develop a lifetime of their very own on additional 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 individual minds up. We will probably be following intently, so see you down there!

~

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