MIMR

It’s a welcome return to the blog for MIMR favourite rock trio War Stripes who’s recrnt single has become a firm favourite during the lockdown period. MIMR spoke to the band about theur plans, the single and smart clobber.

MIMR: Great to have War Stripes back on the blog, what’s the latest with the band amid the difficult current situation?

Ciro: We’ve been trying to keep ourselves as busy as possible – we recently recorded our third release ‘Glad Rags’ and a video to go along with it, all in Lockdown which was released May 8th on all platforms.
As well as that we continue to write music from home.
Everythings been very DIY lately, a quite exciting new way that we’ve always toyed with but never had a real opportunity to do until now.

MIMR: How have your plans changed for this year and are you hopefully that some live shows could happen?

Aaron: Everything has changed massively with most aspects of our lives but hopefully we’ll use this time to reflect and grow and start a new chapter of the band: More music out there, more online content and building a better connection with our audience. We’ve talked about rescheduling some shows and it’d be amazing if we’d get to play before the end of the year but who knows!

Ciro: Our plans have changed in a big way. Pre lockdown we were actually about to headline our first ever gig at Manchester Academy 3 which we were working extremely hard for but sadly, like everything else, that’s off the table for the time being.
So we’ve sunk all our time into writing as the band is taking a new direction sound wise which we’re all very excited about- fortunately, you’re all gonna have to wait and see what new direction that is (it’s always good to have something coming up, instead of staying still ay?)

MIMR: How have you coped personally with the lockdown restrictions and what’s the one thing you’re most looking forward to doing once some sort of normality resumes?

Ciro: At first I was excited about the idea, I saw it as an opportunity to take a break and unwind a bit from everything including music. But now I’ve gotten in the mindset of, let’s take the bull by the horns and create foundations for life outside of lockdown and personally, that’s what’s been getting me through.

Billie: I’ve had two noises complaints for drumming! Which is always fun!
But for me it’s been nice to be at home more with my missus and not be at work as much. I work as a bartender so I have very long shifts and late nights, but being able to have time off and just do what I want has actually been alright and peaceful.
I have 16 animals at home as well so I’ve been pretty much entertained!
I just want to gig and go to the rehearsal room! Although I’m still playing it’s nowhere near as fun as playing with the lads!

Aaron: Completely agree with the boys, we basically just want to get out there and hit the road. So much time away from something you love doing only makes you realize how important it is. Otherwise, it’s just been about keeping active (body and mind), finding some hint of a routine so I’m not spending the days in bed and finally.. coming last place on zoom quizzes.

MIMR: Your new single is called ‘Glad Rags’ but who is the best dressed member of the band?

Ciro: I’m the last person that’s gonna win this award, I just throw anything on, I’m a fashion mogul that way.

Billie: EASY!!! Me, next question ☺️

Aaron: I’d say as a group, I dress the least like a punk rock star. The other boys always look stunning.

MIMR: Thanks for chatting to us at MIMR, stay safe and all the best whatever happens in 2020, tell us how people can follow you on social media?

Billie: All the usual platforms Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.
Music wise we have tracks on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon as well as some demos and rough works on our SoundCloud.
Check it out, you never know may find an old gem that tickles your fancy! Stay safe! ❤️

Aaron: Check out our New single ‘Glad Rags’ and share it about. Thanks for your continuing support MIMR ly x

During our extended break we still listened to a lot of new music and one of the acts that caught our eye were the sweet sounds of Manchester indie trio WinterGreen

We spoke to the band about the new record, lockdown plans and their yearning for live music once again

MIMR: It’s a pleasure to have you on the blog, tell us a bit about the band and what’s your main influences in your music?

WinterGreen: It’s a pleasure to be on the Blog! Well, we are WinterGreen and we describe ourselves as three men in a band from towns orbiting the great city of Manchester. We’ve known each other for many years, occasionally two of us have been in bands together in the past but never all three in the same band. We finally did that in 2014 when we formed WinterGreen and we’ve made three albums since which we are very proud of. Our influences are many and varied. Between the three of us we listen to so much different music, and all of it inspires our band output. You could say we have a frontman (Mike) who loves classic guitar driven pop tunes, a bassist (Pete) who loves robo-synth pop, and a drummer (Grant) who likes to rock out! We think that combinations like this lead to an interesting end product!

MIMR: So your year started with the release of the ‘The Future is a Way of Life’ record, how was this produced and how much did it differ from your previous records?

WinterGreen: Our first album “Gliders” was very much made in the studio, recorded by Dean Glover at Vibe Studios in Cheetham Hill. Our 2nd album “Accidents & Designs” was more of a DIY effort. We recorded bits ourselves at rehearsal, bits in different studios, bits at home…… then mixed it all together and got Dean to polish it up. “TFI AWOL” is kind of a mixture of those two methods. We’ve also added a bit more “studio trickery” noises and electronic stuff in there too…. But we can still rock-out when we need to, like the last song “You Gotta Lot (But It’s Gotta Stop)” which is really punky!

MIMR: Amid all thats going on at the moment i’m guessing your plans for rest of the year have greatly changed, how has the band coped during the lockdown period and what have you been doing?

WinterGreen: We were gonna hit the road and do a lot of gigs to promote the latest album. We haven’t gigged in over a year, so we were really looking forward to that…… then all the venues closed because of the virus! We’ve been busy however, and by the magic of Zoom, home studio software and Dropbox we’ve already written & demo’d enough new songs for our fourth LP! We’ll probably keep improving the demos as the Lockdown continues, and end up with an album largely written and recorded separately from each other! Which is yet another way of doing it – keep the variety going!

MIMR: With the absence of live music currently, it must be hard not having that outlet to perform. What’s your favourite thing about playing live and what’s been your most memorable gig as a band to date?

WinterGreen: We miss playing live and it was really bad timing to take a year off.….then have all your gigs kyboshed because of a global pandemic! It’s simply a massive buzz playing to an audience. You feel nervous in those moments before you go on stage….. but once you’re up there it comes naturally and you enjoy it. And it can be a great laugh as well. Our favourite gig has to be at The Hope & Anchor in London 2 or 3 years ago. We rented a big Air BnB apartment for us and our entourage, played at a famous venue that bands like The Stranglers, Joy Division, Madness and U2 have played. We played really well, bang on it, on the night! There was a good crowd in, then we went on a massive bender in London afterwards and crashed back at the apartment about 3am! We woke up with about 5 minutes to spare before we got chucked out the apartment at 12 noon the next day – Proper rock & roll!

MIMR: Thanks for chatting to MIMR, stay safe and hope to see you back on the blog very soon. Tell us how people can follow you on social media?

WinterGreen: Our Twitter is @Wintergreenband and if you use the handle “wintergreenband” you can pretty easily find us on Facebook, YouTube, Soundcloud etc. We have some good videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzm5bxhA5cSVdkv_uE8xW_g
On Spotify you can listen to our latest album “The Future is a Way of Life” via this link: https://open.spotify.com/album/0XueBsYcwawoSUK0JkoBFk?si=T1VVyP5yTNGZHXLUXlbBAA
Our other albums are on Spotify too, and all our stuff is on iTunes, GooglePlay etc. Hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we did making it!

MIMR is back after some time away and with the current sitiation we are all facing and uncertainty how long it will be before live gigs can return, it’s been refreshing to still see new music being released and the lengths some bands have gone to engage with listeners.

One of MIMR favourite acts currently buzzing around the manchester scene are viseral punk act The Battery Farm and we spoke to the band during the lockdown period to get their take on the current situation

MIMR: Great to have you back on the blog and the 1st band i’ve spoken to on MIMR since my break. How have the band on the whole been coping with current situation and what can we expect from you guys for the rest of the year?



TBF: Hi Griff, thanks for having us. We’ve been ok generally, keeping in touch with each other through WhatsApp and bouncing memes and shit group chat banter back and forth. Trying to stave off madness. Not always succeeding but trying. Me and Dom are still continuing to write together somehow, sending each other lyrics and demos which is cathartic. If nothing else, we might just get some half-decent songs of all this. In terms of what we’re planning for the rest of year, our big grand plan has pretty much been flushed. The plan at the moment is to get into the studio as soon as we can. We don’t know when that’ll be obviously, but we want to record. We still have a couple of gigs towards the end of the year that have been rescheduled/not cancelled yet, so we’ve actually got quite a bit to look forward to if we’re being optimistic, which we are. All we can do is take things as they come at the moment, much like everyone else.




MIMR: When live gigs were going on, you were known for your high energy, full throttle performances, whats been your most memorable gig as a band to date?

TBF: We’ve been playing live together about 9 months now and to be honest there haven’t been many I’ve come out of particularly unhappy because we’re a really fucking good band. The two we’ve played at The Peer Hat stand out in particular though. The first one for Abattoir Blues was our first headliner and it was packed to capacity. Genuinely the best gig I’ve played in any band ever; I’ve never felt anything like it. The second one was part of a Deco Records all dayer and was another packed auld do. It was also our last Manchester gig before we all had to go underground so it’s extra poignant to think back on. We shared the stage with some great, great bands over those two gig, including Cold Water Swimmers, GUTS and Slap Rash which made them all the sweeter. 

MIMR: Amid the current situation and the uncertainty clouding us all at the moment, what is the one thing you are looking forward to enjoy when lockdown restrictions are lifted?


TBF: Seeing friends and family in person. I’m not missing pubs, clubs and football as much as I’m missing being able to be around the people I love outside of a Zoom meeting. Me and my wife have a baby on the way in September and my big worry is that my family won’t be able to meet him in person when he’s born. I’ll understand why if that’s the way it is, but it’ll hurt a hell of a lot if that happens. Pubs and gigs and that will return eventually. Moments like the birth of my first child will not. I can’t wait to be able to see everyone in person again, partly so I can stop worrying about that scenario becoming reality.



MIMR: You are very pro-active on your social media platforms and it’s doubly important to keep your followers engaged during this difficult time. Personally remembering a time before social media was widely available, how important is it to keep that engagement with your followers going?


TBF: I’m generally finding social media pretty wearying at the moment on a personal level. However it has given us a platform to be able keep our band going in some way which is the one massive bright spot about it. Without it us and millions of other artists would probably be in a position of having to shut down completely until things get better. Further to that it’s an amazing tool for continuing to connect people to our art. We’ve done livestreams and taken part in online art exhibitions through Facebook and been able to put new merch on Bandcamp. Being able to do all that stuff has been really beneficial both on a personal and artistic level. Bands need people. Social media, for its myriad flaws, connects us to them, which is especially important now.

MIMR:  Thanks for talking to the blog, stay safe and hope to see you back on the stage very soon. Just remind us how people can follow you on your socials?


TBF:  Thanks again for having us. We’re on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @thebatteryfarm. The four singles we’ve released so far are on Spotify so follow is on there. We’ve also just put some lyric sheet packages on our Bandcamp for sale.
More info on those at thebatteryfarm.bandcamp.com 

Hey everyone, hope your all well, especially under the current coronavirius situation we all find ourselves in, it’s hard to know what to believe at the moment, let’s just hope it blows over sooner rather than later and the impact that the music scene, in particular, is enduring at the moment has a short life-span.

Anyway, in a slightly different blog post than normal, i’ve decided to take a break from the blog for a short while, i’ve not decided exactly how long yet, i probably will be itching to get straight back on it after a week or so but i think this is the right decision to ensure i can continue the blog in the future after the break.

The reasons for this are many but the next few weeks and months will be very hectic in my personal life and with MIMR being pretty much a one man operation it’s safe to say that my time for writing will become limited during this period.

I may pop up on social media every so often and i’ve still got a few features to put out over the next week, recent illness has delayed these posts sadly so hopefully they can be completed.

So yeah thats it, MIMR will be offline very soon but hopefully will come back sooner rather than later, bigger and better than ever.

Griff

MIMR

Five-piece Girl Afraid, who nest in Kingston Upon Hull have unleashed new track ‘ Dutch Courage’. It’s a perfect example of modern indie rock with guitar-driven chorus’ and a vocal which takes no prisoners with its rawness.

The track for me is entirely up to my indie standard. It kicks off with a grungy low frequency sounding guitar which although not super sharp did cut through my ears. I had this on very loud when I heard it, and it filled me with energy. Although, I wish it did have a few more backing harmonies along the way. Yet, Sam Mellors on vocals does not need any support with his vocal range on display here.

Remember, when Indie used to be great? We had the likes of Arctic Monkeys and Black Rebel Motorcycle club dropping bangers left right and centre. The void is no longer empty thanks to this good old rock piece. Grab your air guitar out and get stuck in.

The track is all about having an enormous ego. Most probably from the alcohol, the band supped before writing it, and I would not have wanted it any other way. The self-assurance is evident, and it screams poise from the get-go. It is a great time for indie rock up north, and Girl Afraid have indeed joined the party. Excellent work, lads!

http://girlafraidband.com

https://www.facebook.com/GirlAfraidBandUK/

https://www.instagram.com/girlafraidmusic/

Gig of the Month

The Big Peach @ Gullivers

Inspired by the swinging 60s spirit, rock n rollers The Big Peach play one of their most notable gigs so far, with their now sold out show at Gullivers.

With Recent single ‘Down So Long’ sweeping you off your feet and expressing it’s groovy jangle pop to the fullest, the band are set to entertain and excite with a elightening, nostalgic set with a modern twist.

Support on the night comes from MIMR faves Sprinters and spiky, psych-pop newcomers The Galahads

Here are best of the rest in a action packed month.

7th

Deco Records presents deafdeafdeaf w/ Swine, Jungle Boys, Persian Rug Sale and Exhalers @The Peer Hat

13th

Grotbags, Chew Magna and Claw The Thin Ice @ The Talleyrand, Levenshulme

Callow Youth @The Deaf Institute

14th

The Reytons @The Deaf Institute

18th

Dutch Criminal Record @The Castle

19th

Slow Readers Club @Night and Day Cafe

21st

Deco Records presents Peeping Drexels w/ Chupa Cabra, Bleach Boy and Threads

24th

Talkboy w/ Valetta and Molly Green @Gullivers

27th

Document w/ Ballamona and Autosuggestion @Gullivers

Bunkerpop w/ Cynthia’s Persicope and Leisure Theory @The Peer Hat

Narrow Margin @The Bread Shed

28th

Deco Records + Barber Presents All Dayer @Aatma and The Peer Hat

29th

Muncie Girls w/ Perkie, Worm Boys and Bleach Body @Gullivers

31st

Gender Roles w/ False Advertising and deafdeafdeaf @Yes

Here at MIMR we recognise that Scruff Of the Neck is currently one of the best record labels around and it’s finally getting national recognition for it’s true dedication to the music industry and enabling artists to fulfill their potential.

Based in Manchester SOTN put on numerous high profile gigs and tours for new and exciting acts and MIMR has chosen 3 of the best gigs for this month, there was so many to choose from.

SYFTA

Date: 6th Narch

Venue: Night People

Indie-rock quartet SYFTA have burst onto the scene in the last few months and their whirlwind journey is set to continue through 2020. Having already had a signifcant support slot with The K’s at the Ritz at start of the year soundly under their belts and some high profile gigs with The Reytons around the corner, they are more than ready to bring their electrifying sound to the masses and they take the top stage at Night People for what promises to be a thrilling evening.

Support comes from The Cuza, Della Noirs and 25th Hour

More here:

https://facebook.com/events/s/syfta-manchester-night-people/1153626248311395/?ti=cl

Arcades

Date: 13th March

Venue: Gullivers

Rock n roll 4 piece Arcades have stepped into 2020 all guns blazing with intoxicating vibes being felt for miles around. Hailing from Leicester, they’re all set for many new followers with their upcoming debut EP release ‘Religion’ ready to leave the blocks and dash into your heads.

Recent single ‘Say Hello’ was a glorious teaser for the record and their show at Gullivers will be one not to be missed! Support comes from Glue

More here:

https://facebook.com/events/s/arcades-manchester-gullivers/189275525494596/?ti=cl

False Heads

Date: 28th March

Venue: Off The Square

Punk-rock never sounded more intense and important, it’s safe to say False Heads have earned their right to be considered in such high regard. 2020 is going to be a huge year for the london trio with their debut album exploding with plenty of sparks flying.

‘It’s All There But You’re Dreaming out on 13th March is set to teleport the band into another stratosphere and their crunching, monstrous sound can hit new heights. Recent single ‘Rabbit Hole’ can only be described as epic! and it’s why this gig at Off The Square is vital!

Support on the night comes from MIMR faves Bards, Yuka Tree and The Battery Farm

More here:

https://facebook.com/events/s/false-heads-manchester-off-the/874459309659265/?ti=cl

Check out SOTN Records here, where you can see all gig listings and so much more….

https://www.scruffoftheneck.com/

Huddersfield punkers Persian Rug Sale soar onto MIMR with no nonsense thrills and spills with brand new single ‘Catch Me If You Can’ released yesterday (Feb 28th)

The track rip-raws along at lightning speed, frantic riffs, stomping beats and cutting, in your face vocals make for an anthem thats screams for you to put it on repeat.

They head to Manchester next weekend to play for our good friends Deco Records on another gripping line up!

Persian Rug Sale ‘catch them while you can’ things just got very interesting indeed!

Check the glorious track here:

HMS Morris are back on MIMR and with their new single ‘Babanod’ meaning ‘Babies’ was released earlier this month on February 7th (Dydd Miwsig Cymru – Welsh Music Day) on Bubblewrap Records.

Joining a rich number of welsh speaking bands that the blog have embraced, Worldcub, Adwaith and Papur Wal to name but a few, HMS Morris bring un-rivalled pop grooves to the table.

Telling the story of having a positive outlook on life while it may seem others are experiencing better things, the track bursts out into a trance like electro vibes, silky shoegazey tones and uplifting vocals that really give the track a compelling and mesemerising effect

Having toured Japan, gained a Welsh music prize nomination and had a gig filled 2019, ‘Babanod’ is the first of series of singles to hit us in 2020 with the added extra that they have a theatre show also in the works for the following year, it makes you proud to be welsh.

Listen to the track here:

Kicking off their 2020 in style, northern noise merchants Salt The Snail kick their boots off with garage-punk fuelled new single ‘Junkyard Cat’ which lays a considerable marker down for what to expect from the crazy quartet.

The track is filled to the brim with cutting, explosive vocals, electrifying riffs and ferocious beats which create a whirlwind effect on your brain leaving you heavily dazed.

The band will be heading out to thrill many new followers throughout this year with their chaotic, ultra-energised live shows causing quite a stir.

MIMR is constantly purring about this track and you can check it here:

https://open.spotify.com/track/1lUjT4mj7XdLWri9yXaHra?si=USMVi3JlSZiF8yMtd44B0A