Back To School With ELLIOT MINOR

The middle of the day, children, a gig, a school hall, the classically trained Elliot minor, what is going on?

The Myspace school invasion hits a secondary school in Nottingham, fronted by five lads from York know as Elliot Minor who previously got there success through a Myspace competition. Elliot Minor are once again back with Myspace but under very different circumstances.

Walking into a School Hall to see a band was a surreal experience, not knowing what to expect left my mind open for a whole new experience, and what an experience it was. When the band came on the audience of just over 200 made enough noise for 2000 and the band lapped it up and launched straight into there first song with nearly as much energy as the young crowd. After a short pause, a thank you for having us, the classically trained five got the crowd motivated again with a hand clapping frenzy and another melodic sing along for all to enjoy. Although being situated in a predominantly orange dated school gymnasium the sound coming from the 15 year olds latest heart throbs was astonishingly good when taking into consideration all the equipment came off a average sized lorry put into a dated gym with the acoustics of an outside toilet.
The Myspace school invasion did invade and what an invasion it was, although it was a short 8 song conquest it was a complete success with the band making themselves at least 200 more screaming young fans.



Interview with Elliot Minor in a school under the flag of the social networking site Myspace, this is what they had to say.

Myspace helped you kick start your musical careers when you won the competition to support McFly but do you think with the music industry in its current state, social networking sites such as Myspace are the way forward for upcoming bands?

Well Myspace definitely helped us as you said but i think that we had a huge degree of luck on our side and up and coming bands are going to have to work harder especially with the decline of the music industry, there just isn’t as much room for bands now like there was a few years back when we started.




Why did you decided to take part in the Myspace school invasion?

Several reasons really, as a mini tour for the up coming launch of our new single as well as it being a genuinely great opportunity to get on the road again and make some new friends after being away for a year. We also believe that we are giving back to Myspace after they helped us out right at the start when we were coming up in the industry.

Do you think being classically trained sets you apart from other bands and if so why?

Yes and no really, i think we feel that our sound sets us apart from some bands but not from others, we do take a lot from our classical music knowledge much in the same way other bands take things from other influences close to them, its just what we relate to and incorporate into our music.

Finally what 3 bands are you listening to at the moment?
Motley Crue, White Lies and Senses fail are constantly being played around here and that’s about it really.




words and photos by Dan Russell

INTERVIEW: RUMBLE STRIPS

A Distant Thunder Rumbles
Platform meets…The Rumble Strips



Former Nottingham Trent student Henry Clark is back on the road again with his band of merry men; if you listen closely enough you may be able to hear the faint sound of trumpets in the distance. With the new album, ‘Welcome To The Walk Alone’ finished, Henry explains: “It’s done so we don’t have to think about it anymore. It’s going to be out in early June, and it’s pretty different from the first one. It’s got lots of strings, and extra orchestral stuff on it, which has made it sound bigger.”
Unlike other bands at the moment The Rumble Strips are following completely their own path, not part of the doom and gloom trend of late. It’s clear that front man Charlie is excited to be out playing again and with the bands new tracks, hence the reason for releasing their new single for free: “Instead of just releasing ‘London’ and spending all this money on packaging and stuff, we just wanted to get it out there.”
They are clearly embracing the download culture, despite the demise of independent record stores such as Select-a-disc in Nottingham (R.I.P), Charlie confesses to spending lots of time on Napster: “I think it’s a brilliant thing, I just love it...I can listen to absolutely anything.”
It looks a busy summer for the band, with a string of festival appearances, including the legendary Glastonbury, following the release of the album. “There’s a few in Germany and Spain too, so we’ll be all over the place, really looking forward to it.”

Zoe Turton

TRACKS

When you've got some tunes, and they're that good, who you gunna call? Our Graz, Lucy and Drew...


The Answer - 'Tonight.'
24/5/09

Well i'm not sure this tune is the 'answer' (lolz). Those of you tired of the 'retro' sound and those of you in search of something remotely innovating, you might want to give these guys a miss. However in their defence, you will be singing the chorus for hours after, and their front man does have an amazing voice. Just cant see these guys taking the world by storm unfortunately.


La Roux - ‘Bullet Proof’
15/6/09

Despite a backing track reminiscent of a Super Mario Brothers game, this tune is potentially another massive hit for the pompous London red head. The track’s hook is unquestionable, so cheer up sweetheart, this one will sell. (which is shouldn't, because she's rubbish as well - Andy)


Vagabond - ‘Sweat (Until Morning)’
08/06/09

A synth-driven, soulful pop track, the seductive vocal and suggestive lyrics say it all. However it does have the tendency to drift into the realms of ‘back ground’ music. Might help you out on a date though?

By Graham Turner

Lily Allen - 'Not Fair'
11/5/09
Poor Lily. After a turbulent love life you finally find someone who’s devoted to you. You couldn’t be happier...until you find out he’s sh*t in the sack and doesn’t believe in a bit of give and take. You should probably sing about your misfortune to a catchy little tune and hope he gets the message. Good plan.

The Fray - Never Say Never
18/5/09
Oh The Fray. You like to think you’re cool with your ‘kooky’ glasses and waistcoats, but really you’re just morphing into a watered down Snow Patrol, which pretty much makes you pond water. How do you get to be so boring, inoffensive and pedestrian?

By Lucy Knighton


Metric – Sick Muse
1/6/09
Exciting, with a catchy guitar hook and chorus, Sick Muse is a song that will stay in your head, with vocalist Emily Haines, despite being female sounding like a mix between Placebo’s Brian Molko and Claudio Sanchez from Coheed & Cambria fame. (A POSITIVE SINGLE REVIEW, GET IN - Andy)

Baddies – Holler For My Holiday
1/6/09
Baddies power through two and a half minutes of frantic guitars and chaotic drums, which resemble a garage band racket more than a hotly tipped British band. NME says “catch them before they explode” – more like catch them when they get good.


Cosmo Jarvis – Chapter 2
31/5/09
Releasing a batch of three songs and a movie, Cosmo Jarvis is a man of all crafts – producer, filmmaker, and singer/songwriter. Unfortunately he should focus on the first two. Unimaginative and dodgy Streets-like vocals make this one to miss - skip to chapter three.

By Drew Heatley

N-Dubz: Rock City, 22/4/09

What we have here is a classic 'rags to riches' story, and you will not find three more genuinely greatful people at having been given the opportunity they have. For the majority of us, our experience of youth simply constituted an angst ridden, insecure existence, but N-Dubz will provide you with an insight into genuine hardship. Just take a closer listen to the lyrics of 'Papa Can You Hear Me?' for example and you'll understand. This track when witnessed live, and I'm not ashamed to say, is quite frankly moving.

Despite the sporting of some questionable headwear, the Camden trio, to their credit, have managed to shift 300,000 copies of their debut album 'Uncle B' in the U.K alone. Add to that a Mobo award and a couple of top twenty singles, love them or hate them, I'm afraid there's little that can be said to discredit them.

Graham Turner