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Cherubs
The Departure
At Stealth, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
As the annum draws to a close, it's inevitable that everyone likes to play at being Nostradamus at this time of year, trying to predict who, what, when and where is going to be big, unmissable, and downright awe-inspiring over the forthcoming 12 months.
For both of these bands next year could well make or break them, as the fickle nature of the music industry, or more to the point, the music press, will undoubtedly decide their fate as much by way of the clothes they wear and the clubs they hang out in as the actual quality of their music.
Anglo-Scandinavian five piece The Cherubs have probably got the hardest task convincing The Man of their worthiness.
Sure they look the part, make all the right moves, throw all the regulation rock’n’roll poses and have a fabulous debut single (‘Hey Bunny’) to boot, so why the element of doubt?
Perhaps it comes from the fact that half the set sounded like the Libertines and the other half sounded like Interpol, which suggests The Cherubs haven’t quite decided who or where they want to be themselves, which is a pity because you just know that somewhere a great band is waiting to get out.
Northampton’s The Departure on the other hand haven’t even been together for a year, and yet despite a successful summer tour supporting The Killers they’ve already rubbed a few of the indie hierarchy up the wrong way amidst cries of “FAKES!” and “MANUFACTURED!” thanks to the ceremonious fanfare that greeted their arrival on said tour just 11 shows into their career.
Do you know what though, I think it's more a case of cold hearted jealousy on their parts because whether they met at Stage School, Public School or Welford Road Comprehensive, one thing no one can take away from them is their ability to write dynamic pop songs. And by pop, I mean pop in the same way that REAL million selling artists such as Duran Duran, David Bowie and Adam Ant were pop. ‘Crashing The Same Scene’ and ‘All Mapped Out’ twist the aperture from Simon Le Bon's camera and send his girls on film crash-landing through Robert Smith’s bedroom only to land safely on Carlos Dengler’s lap.
Similarly, ‘Dirty Words’ and ‘Changing Pilots’ evoke memories of the late lamented B-Movie and the early works of U2*, largely down to the unholy alliance of *David Jones' distinctive Moyet-provocateur vocal and Sam Harvey and Lee Irons’ choppy Edge-like riffs.
To some they may look like the latest fashion victims on the block, but with such an engaging, powerful repertoire at their fingertips and an A+ in energy and enthusiasm, failure simply isn’t an option as far as The Departure are concerned.
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The Departure
Saw them live at Leeds. Good set, although their music has a tendency to go on and on... -
The Departure
they're definitely not the manufactured band that some would like you to believe.what does everyone think about their chances in 2005, I also think 2005 will be the year that northampton lets a few more bands out. Kapowski definitely deserve a listen -
The Departure
Saw them at the Garage. They were pretty damned awesome, in my opinion. They aren't manufactured, they're just bloody good. And consistently so, having seen them four times live thus far, and each time being fantastic. -
The Departure
I like them.
Nice chaps too.
I`d definately have them back in Aberdeen. -
The Departure
I saw them at the Garage too. I thought they fooking rocked!! Definitely an amazing set, providing songs I could dance around like a bitch to. hehe.
Would see them again for sure!
Wasn't terribly impressed by the Cherubs though.... -
The Departure
saw them on the killers tour and on the enemy tour
entertaining band.....its true that they have a pretty ott image
but the songs make up for it in all their 80s-indie/pop-retro glory
theyll be big next year i bet -
The Departure
Nice blokes. Cool music.
Like a lot of that 80's stuff though, it'll all go out of fashion when you sheep have herded on... -
The Departure
Yup, they happily fit the current trend. I can't disagree with their pop-song writing abilities, but god that bloke's voice grates. I think a more pertinant question is what will be the next 'big genre' that the fashionistas home in on. Erm..how about...erm...erm... -
The Departure
Cherubs are really good. They actually sound like Richard Hell and teh Voidoids. It is just cos the singer does some Ian Curtis stage gestures that they get compared to Interpol. I know Espen from Cherubs and he is really lovely man to boot. Why didnt drowned in sound review their single? -
The Departure
Saw them at the Garage and in Leeds. I thought it was really cool. But their songs do tend to go on and on a bit. But hey, it's still great. And I really enjoyed the Cherubs too, both in Leeds and in London. More so in Leeds. The sound was a bit shit for them both nights, but they still managed to impress me a lot.....which isn't bad considering I'd never heard any of their songs. I could see the Richard Hell likeness, but only a bit. They reminded me more of Talking Heads, Bloc Party, Gang of Four or B-52s or something like that. And a bit of Interpol. Can't see the Libertines similarities at all.
Anyhoo....all in all two great nights, and well worth money + travel! I wish them both good luck for 2005. -
The Departure
Cherubs > The Departure
The Departure = Bunch of haircuts parading as a band -
Re: The Departure
I didn't review it cos I thought the production on the single had sapped all the life out of the original recording of the song, and doesn't do them justice. I've put the demo version on a CDR for when I DJ.
Gosh I'm so indie. -
Re: The Departure
Hey Adie? Realise this is Humja (see profile) who you met at the Windmill theother day. I personally know Espen and his girlfriend Katherine (at Chelsea college with me -does club nights in North London)and will pass on yr comments. Espen (lead guitar) was tellingme he was really proud to work with the producer cos it was the same man who did worked with Tom Verliane and 80 Matchbox. And the producer compared him to Robert Quine...anyways.. Where do u DJ? -
Re: The Departure
I was DJing in the Windmill before I met you, and when I was sober.
They may well be proud to have worked with the producer but I still stand by my comments. :-P -
Re: The Departure
Thats cool. I heard the single on Xfm the other day and thought it sounded fantatsic but I havent heard the demo of course. It is a pretty crap name for a singel 'Hey Bunny' - sounds like duff Belgium thing. Why dont you invite the band for a drownedinsound night - I am sure they would play and it gives my North London friends to come to South London. -
The Departure
The Departure are (despite all the haircut nonsense!) still a great band with good songs and are a far more exciting prospect live than The Cherubs.
Did anyone see The Bravery on jools holland? Now thats some stupid ass hair! still a half decent band though(!) -
Re: The Departure
You could see their asshair? -
The Departure
The Bravery are a joke. Not because of their haircuts, but because of everything about them. Manufactured shit, which is something I don't think about the Departure. They're a great band, both live and on record. And so are the Cherubs. I rate them both highly. -
The Departure
The Bravery on Jools Holland was the best bit of comedy BBC 2's had for ages. -
The Departure
i didnt think it would be possible to look more like you want to be super-trendy than the departure ... but the bravery managed it.
good job the departure have some catchy songs to match their image.....wonder how theyll go down on the gang of four tour
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