Nine Black Alps, The Garage
Manchester and The North West has always had a massive creative input into the British music and every couple of years it produces a band that is so fresh and so different from all of the other bands that they have an influence much beyond their creative output.

Now, I have no idea that Nine Black Alps are the next in this succession of bands, but they certainly have some of the key attributes:
1/ They are young and nervous (hiding behind their hair) but posses a certain confidence in their music.
2/ They have impeccable references – in this case incorporating the sound of Nirvana and other sub-pop bands.
3/ They sound unlike any other band around at the moment – their sound is at complete odds with the current indie sound and influences (garage rock).
4/ They are hyped by the music press.

Only time will tell if Nine Black Alps live up to the promise, but this evenings gig gives us a glimpse of some of their talent. If you get a chance go and see them.

Tonights support band, The Redwalls, are, themselves an oddity. Whilst NBA reference bands from the US, the Redwalls are from Chicago but reference British bands of the 60s such as The Stones, The Faces and The Beatles all updated with modern Strokes like guitars. In fact it’s The Beatles that they sound most like – lots of harmonies and a vocalist who sounds like John Lennon in the later years of the band. They’re pretty enjoyable but probably won’t set the world alight. It’s also worth noting that they have a guitarist who looks like Chevy Chase and another that looks like a little brother of Julian Casablancas.
- posted by Nigella @ 7:54 PM