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DIY Local: Manchester: Well Wisher, The Longcut & More

The latest monthly update from Manchester's music scene.

Posted 15th February 2012, 3:02pm in Blogs by Alex Lynham
DIY Local: Manchester

DIY Local: Manchester

The latest updates from Manchester.

DIY Local: Manchester: Well Wisher, The Longcut & More I guess most people involved in their city's local music scene have frequent moments like this, but my most recent 'hell yeah' moment was yesterday in the city centre. On a busy Saturday afternoon in Piccadilly Gardens a drumstick-wielding nutter was busking with full drum kit, simply playing a rolling drum solo. Crowded around were fifty or so people curious, confused or amazed enough to listen as the guy responded to song requests from a bunch of black tee-shirted teenage metal kids. Maybe this sort of shit happens elsewhere, but it's still fucking awesome that it happens here. Anyway...

In January, hardcorey types Well Wisher were busy playing a number of shows, probably most notably for the unstoppable MCR Scenewipe, with able support from math-rockers Burning Buildings, whose excellent first EP (to my knowledge) is still free from their Bandcamp page. In fact, while we're on the subject of punk rock, worth your attention is Bomb The Music Industry!'s most recent album Vacation, available for free on Quote Unquote. Yes, I know they aren't from Manchester – hell, they aren't even from the UK – but their gloomily poetic songs have perfectly soundtracked a rainy and snowy January in the city.

In proggy news, the word on the street is that The Longcut will return soon with new material – and it's been described as a break from their more indie, post-rock and electronic previous offerings, though time will tell as to what it actually sounds like when it surfaces. Salford's finest Trojan Horse have just put the finishing touches to new EP 'Fire', and provisionally a launch date has been set as the 27th of April – described as more stripped-back than their self-titled debut, it is nevertheless hotly anticipated on the alternative scene. Instrumental post-everything-ers NASDAQ have put up their new tracks, 'AGM' and '4th Quarter Slump' – dense and uncompromising, they are nevertheless definitely worth a listen. Cyril Snear meanwhile are at the mastering stage for their record 'The Riot of Colour', though no release date has yet been set, a fate shared by Black Market Serotonin and their 70+ minute prog-industrial workout 'Something From Nothing'.

In indie(ish) news, Manchester institution Underachievers Please Try Harder is now well-established in the iconic Roadhouse, having fled Saki Bar's demise last year to an ill-fated stint at Northern Quarter's Gullivers pub. Last night they played host to Daniel Land and the Modern Painters, playing their first home show in nearly a year after a triumphant London show with SPC ECO and The Domino State for Club AC30. Playing a slew of tracks from new record 'The Space Between Us', it's clear just how much the band have come on not just as musicians but as live performers, with Land's fragile falsetto taking flight despite the dingy surroundings. Besides their excellent work with Loomer Agency, the booking agency founded off the back of Underachievers, they continue to plot more great shows, including The Longcut in two weeks. Strength to strength, and all that. In terms of bands, worth a peek are Tribal Fighters, building buzz gracefully after several months of hard gigging and some high-profile supports.

Out of all of January's shows, among the best was Grey Lantern's collaboration with London's Sonic Cathedral. Headlining were The Early Years, whose motorik “kraut-gaze” proved frankly mind-bending live, while openers Advances In Mathematics once again displayed their deft control of both dynamics and atmosphere with a clutch of understated, elegant tracks. Hosted at KRAAK Gallery, the space has completed its transformation from speakeasy-lite obscurity to a key venue in the 60-200 capacity range, and cemented its reputation as a decent live space.

New label Baptists and Bootleggers also debuted last week with a luxury bundle of a first release (...Of the Wolves); with more bits and bobs than a Northern Quarter vintage shop it featured electronic staples Borland to great effect, while Vei played the launch party. From the Kites of San Quentin, meanwhile, have been announced for the CALM thirty-song compilation to be released by the Factory Foundation. Other names announced include Everything Everything, Elbow and the Whip, so they're definitely in dignified company.

One venue that has been followed with a great deal of interest from conception to completion is Rusholme's Antwerp Mansion. The Mansion, as it is known, rose up from the ashes of nearby Saki Bar from disused squat to ramshackle invite-only party house, to band practice space, to venue, and is now fully licensed. Besides a slew of open mics, jam nights and DJ sets for everything from reggae to dubstep via black metal, recommended is the Now Then showcase on the 23rd of Feb where Cyril Snear and Liverpool's Always the Quiet ones will be shaking the foundations. For something a little different, try Heart Ships and Douga at the Castle on the same night – an alt indie spectacular courtesy of the aforementioned Grey Lantern team.

Finally, an obituary. After several years on the scene (to give you an idea, they were still around when Channel M did live sessions, and you can probably still find theirs on the internet somewhere) math-indie-art-rockers With That Knife have finally thrown in the towel. Part of a scene that spawned Delphic, Everything Everything, and Dutch Uncles, they were perhaps the cult other side of the coin – complicated, self-indulgent yet melodic and perversely accessible. They've plans apparently to play a final show, but no details yet – best keep an eye on @WithThatKnife on Twitter for news, and in the meantime avail yourself of their fantastic free single 'This Place, A Thousand Times' from their Bandcamp page.

Phew, that's it for now. If you're Manchester-based and you agree/disagree, or just want to troll me, hit me up at @hipsters_unite. Party on!
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