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August 7, 2020August 7, 2020

ALBUM: Warriors – REWS 07.08.20

Words by Ed King / Images courtesy of Marshall Records

That difficult second album was a little more challenging for REWS, aka the Belfast born London living rock songstress that is Shauna Tohill.

Not only did Tohill have her band spilt in two, following an absurdly strong debut album, but that pesky global pandemic severed the promo gigs for her follow up right down the middle as well – with concerns over coronavirus cutting short the aptly named Phoenix Tour in early March.

Now, on the red latter date that is 7^th August 2020, finally something is going her way. REWS’s sophomore album, Warriors, has hit the shelves – or whatever lexicon describes our current online purchasing patterns. But sterilised, self-isolated, never before touched by human hands copies of this 11 track return to glory are now flinging themselves up and down the country. At least something can.

So, is it any good? Has the wait been worth it?

It is tempting to make similes about the name of the previously cancelled tour… but a mythical bird that is gloriously reborn from the flames and ash of its own demise is quite a fitting symbol. If I can find something in Greek mythology that symbolises a killer rock riff and soaring vocals, then the metaphor may be complete.

But to use the parlance of more modern times, Warriors is ‘a banger’ – start to finish, a wrecking ball of a rock album. Warriors is more mature, robust, and ultimately promising than its predecessor, showing a diversity and bravery in its approach that screams gold stars for Tohill and her team.

Opening with ‘Birdsong’, which is simply a corker of a tune, the album is peppered with chorus catching singles such as ‘Monster’ and ‘Heat on Fire’– standing tall as singles should.

Across the 11 tracks there are moments of wonderful restraint, held against Tohill’s powerful front person persona which has always made REWS such a confident and class act – the album’s sorta/kinda title track ‘Today We’re Warriors’ is a great line in the sand for this, alongside the furiously addictive ‘Razorblade’.

And whilst Tohill has not lost her flair for melody, it’s the song writing that really shines across Warriors – this is development, and in that crazy good way that makes you believe you’ll be listening to this artist in your dotage.

‘Move On’ is a cracking raw edge, ‘Play Dead’ shows a confident grasp on the new ensemble, and the denouement, ‘Bad Habits’, is a wonderful surprise and goodbye. Or rather, see you later – we hope. And to this writer, lyrically Warriors is unrecognisable from what came before. I just love it.

REWS have often been referred to as a ‘powerhouse’ – and this declaration to not go quietly into the night is another stamp of their increasing authority on modern rock. Which, honestly, it might not have been – with all the hurdles that have been put in front of it, you’d be forgiven for making a few stumbles along the way.

Warriors if the start of something, not the end – with bright red plumes to send it on its way. And if you’ve ever seen Shauna Tohill strut her funky stuff on stage, you know this is going to ABSOLUTELY SLAY live – once the doors are open and the drinks are flowing again. Socially distanced mosh pit anyone?

‘Today We’re Warriors’

Warriors by REWS is out from Friday 7^th August, released via Marshall Records. For online orders and other related REWS merchandise, visit www.transistormusic.com/rews_warriors_cd

For more on REWS, visit www.rewsmusic.com

March 19, 2018March 18, 2018

THE GALLERY: Feeder @ O2 Academy 14.03.18

Words by Eleanor Sutcliffe / Pics by Phil Drury

“Satisfying but damaging in the long run.”

This is how, on the walk to the O2 Academy, my friend described my life decisions. Worryingly, it applies to most aspects of myself – my career, university, my student diet (sorry mum). It also applies to my music taste. Once I discover a band I love I can very easily run their music into the ground by playing them on repeat, which is exactly what I did with Feeder’s Echo Park album after my dad played it to me when I was younger.

Since then, I’ve viewed the band rather like how you’d see your distant relatives – comforting and nostalgic to begin with, but monotonous when listened to for hours on end. However, when Feeder announced a Best Of tour it only seemed fair to drop in and see if, after all these years, they still knew how to fire up a crowd.

Walking up to O2 Academy, I was stunned to see there was no queue. Had we come on the wrong day? Was security being surprisingly efficient on this particular Wednesday evening? Peeking our heads through the doors, we were greeted with a sight that would make even the most seasoned performer feel queasy – a half empty main room. Undeterred, we grabbed a drink from the bar and wandered through the sparse crowd to catch the support act.

First on were Sweet Little Machine, who won their support slot through a competition with Kerrang! Unsurprising really, as they reminded me of a reincarnation of Green Day just with better hair. Their singer coaxed the room into multiple singalongs – hardly a laborious task, considering most of the songs sounded the same. And yet, their charming demeanour swayed both me and the crowd, with song titles such as ‘Dickwad Prickface’ resulting in inexplicable laughter.

It’s clear to see that Feeder’s fanbase have not gone AWOL as we had predicted. On the contrary, as soon as Feeder took to the stage, the room suddenly swarmed with fans singing and dancing. Maybe booking 02 Academy’s main room wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

When Feeder announce a best of show, make yourselves comfortable – because you’re not leaving for a while. With a mammoth 24 song set you’re pretty much guaranteed to hear a song you know, even if you’re as forgetful and unobservant as I am. Of course, signature songs such as ‘Buck Rogers’ and ‘Just the Way I’m Feeling’ went down a treat, but so did Feeder’s new material such as ‘Figure You Out’ which made it midway into the main set.

Visually the show was incredible too, with three large screens displaying various video clips that reminded me, nostalgically, of the kaleidoscope style clips I used to watch on Windows media player when I growing up. For a main room show, it was surprisingly personal too. Feeder‘s frontman and singer, Grant Nicholas, let the crowd choose between ‘Crash’ and ‘Cement’, candidly explaining the stories behind some of the bands most famous songs, from the writing to memorable performances.

Finishing their encore with their now iconic track ‘Just A Day’, it was clear to see why Feeder are still as popular as they were back in the 90’s. With a room teeming with fans both young and old, their music is as addictive now as it ever was. Which means I’m back to playing Echo Park on repeat for the next six weeks. Again.

Feeder @ O2 Academy 14.03.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

For more on Feeder, visit www.feederweb.com

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Sweet Little Machine – supporting Feeder @ O2 Academy 14.03.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

For more on Sweet Little Machine, visit www.soundcloud.com/sweetlittlemachine

For more from Kilimanjaro Live, including further event listings and online ticket sales, visit www.kilimanjarolive.co.uk

For more on the O2 Academy Birmingham, including venue details and further event listings, visit www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybirmingham

March 7, 2018March 7, 2018

BPREVIEW: Feeder @ O2 Academy 14.03.18

Words by Ed King

On Wednesday 14^th March, Feeder perform at the O2 Academy Birmingham – with support from Sheffield’s ‘one to watch’ pop/punk four piece, Sweet Little Machine. Doors open at 7pm, with tickets priced at £31.45 – as presented by Kilimanjaro Live. For direct gig info, including venue details and online ticket sales, click here.

Formed in 1994, as Seattle’s SubPop phenomena let go of the rock reigns, Feeder wasted little time in establishing themselves in the decade’s maelstrom of new music – garnering a demo based deal from the Chrysalis subsidiary, The Echo Label, in the same year they started. No stranger to the trials, tribulations, and changing hands of the live music circuit, all three original members had been working musicians before Feeder finally brought them together, with the artistry and ethics needed for a new band to be taken seriously.

But everything good starts with graft, and after a solid couple of years touring and releasing singles, Feeder got their debut Swim EP on shelf in 1996. The band’s follow up release and debut album, Polythene, was lauded by the rock press, with Metal Hammer giving it the No1 spot on their annual albums chart and Kerrang! likewise at No6.

Feeder’s balloon continued to rise as their sophomore LP, Yesterday Went Too Soon, entered the UK charts at No8 – with three of the album’s four singles breaking the Top 40 (‘Paperfaces’, the forth single, reached No41). Then in 2001, Feeder released Echo Park, with the band’s third studio album entering the UK charts at No5, reaching Gold status, and allaying any industry concerns about their pocket filling potential. Ah, the joys of creative cash flow…

But Feeder’s commercial zenith would also be their darkest time, as between the release of Echo Park and the band’s most commercially successful album, Comfort in Sound, drummer and founding member Jon Lee committed suicide. Mark Richardson took over the skins for Feeder in 2002, staying with them until reformation of Skunk Anansie in 2009 and handing his sticks to Solihull born Karl Brazil.

A workhorse of British rock, over their two decade and counting career Feeder have released 10 studio albums – their latest, Arrow, being morphed into a 41 track double LP, with a collection of what encompasses nearly all of the band’s singles.

Feeder are now bringing their new and old material to stages across the UK with The Best of Feeder Tour, landing at the O2 Academy Birmingham on 14^th March. And if you needed it, here’s a refresher from both sides of this particular rock rainbow.

‘Just the Way I’m Feeling’ – Feeder (from Comfort in Sound 2001)

‘Veins’ – Feeder (from Arrow 2016)

Feeder bring The Best of Feeder Tour to the O2 Academy Birmingham on Wednesday 14^th March, with support from Sweet Little Machine – as presented by Kilimanjaro Live. For direct gig info, including venue details and online ticket sales, visit www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybirmingham/events/1021733/feeder-best-tour-tickets

For more on Feeder, visit www.feederweb.com

For more on Sweet Little Machine, visit www.soundcloud.com/sweetlittlemachine

For more from Kilimanjaro Live, including further event listings and online ticket sales, visit www.kilimanjarolive.co.uk

For more on the O2 Academy Birmingham, including venue details and further event listings, visit www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybirmingham