Check out this interview I did with Burnout Magazine about 3 years ago!
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What made you decide to start Northwestbands?
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The original idea came about in 1999 when a mate and I were at work and were trying to think of a pub in our local town that had regular live bands on. We trawled through local newspapers for a gigs listings but couldn't find anything of interest, only a bunch of karaoke nights or solo vocalists. It was then when we seeded the idea "it would be great to have a website which listed all local gigs and bands"
It wasn't until 2005 that I decided to initially develop Lancashirebands.co.uk. Little did I know that the site was grow and expand like it has.
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What are the aims of the site?
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The number one aim of the site is to provide a comprehensive gig listings service for everything going on in local scene in the northwest. The site isnt particularly interested in what's going on at the MEN, or Apollo, as their gig listings are well documented on other sites. I'm more interested in the local level; what bands are playing in my local pub? what can I see tonight for free within drunken rolling distance home?
The secondary aim of the site is to be a FREE resource to support local bands and venues. Bands can create their own profile, upload mp3s, and post news and photos of themselves. Venues can advertise their gigs, post information about upcoming events and provide information on available gig slots.
The site is also giving a helping hand to small music related businesses in the northwest. The site has partnerships with local businesses who can advertise on the site for free and in return offer discounts to northwestBands members. It is hoped to expand the partnership scheme even further.
Have you discovered any bands you like, who have linked to the site, that you wouldn't have otherwise hear of?
Yeah, I've discovered quite a few bands. However with the amount of coding and admin work the site requires I never get to listen or check out as many bands as I would like.
A couple of hightlights:-
The Automatic Heart are a band from Flixton/Stockport, and I must admit they are one of the best covers bands I've heard for a long time. Showmanship and song choice is exceptional, and they really know how to excite a crowd. They are currently working on some original material, which I must admit is sounding as fresh and funky as their covers. http://www.northwestbands.co.uk/theautomaticheart
Chevrons are an exceptional band from Preston and have played numerous venues in the northwest. They played an exclusive acoustic set at Time Square, Preston at the northwestBands birthday bash. Their solid song writing proved they could rise to the challenge of doing something a little different from what they normally do.
www.northwestbands.co.uk/chevrons
The Sound of Superstring are another band that I found through northwestBands. I recently went to watch an acoustic performance at a special mini festival at Blackpool Zoo. They entered the stage in a wheeled cage dressed in monkey suits with "Hey Hey we're the Monkees" as the intro music. They encapsulated the crowd right from the start, and thankfully their original material was a tad bit more cooler than The Monkees.
www.northwestbands.co.uk/thesoundofsuperstring
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What are you listening to at the moment?
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In terms of local northwest bands I'm currently listening to a band from Manchester called Princely Jade (www.northwestbands.co.uk/princelyjade). With their band info text describing them as a"Sexually frustrated rock and roll indie band from Manchester", it was easy to be intrigued to give them a listen. I love their pop-punk-rock singalong style. It certainly makes me want to boogie!
In terms of music in general, I'm a huge alt-country fan, so anything from Ryan Adams and Josh Rouse really tickles my fancy.
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How much support/feedback have you had from the bands and venues?
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Some of the venues have shown massive support. Paul Fox at the Attic, Accrington has been very supportive of the site, both financially and by spreading the word about the site (www.northwestbands.co.uk/theattic).
I've also had great support from local bands, too many to mention here, but the highlights include:-
Kingpin - www.northwestbands.co.uk/kingpin
Star 27 - www.northwestbands.co.uk/star27
South By Northwest - www.northwestbands.co.uk/southbynorthwest
Vague - www.northwestbands.co.uk/vague
Wrecked - www.northwestbands.co.uk/wrecked
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What are the best/worst gigs you have ever been to and why?
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In terms of northwestBands
Best gig - The Whiskey Cats at the Attic, Accrington - It's like watching Ryan Adams with a full blown horn section. You just couldn't help but shake your bum all night to their beat.
Worst gig - Probably the Blackpool Wah Wah festival 2006 - mainly because it didn’t happen.
Gigs in general
Best gig - Extreme, Manchester Apollo - My first ever gig, and will always have a lasting memory. Nuno is just
unbelievable on guitar. Shame about his new band Dramagods though - eek!
Worst gig - Hip Hop Night at the West Coast Rock Cafe, Blackpool
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What are the best/worst things about the NW music scene?
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The best thing is that the northwest scene is vibrant with hundreds of bands. When I first started the northwestBands site I anticipated about 100 active bands, but a year on there's over 700 registered bands on the site! With gigs on 7 days a week, the northwest scene is doing remarkably well.
The worst thing is possibly the lack of any bands "making the big time". Star 27 have the makings of becoming something big, and are touring heavily over the UK at the moment.
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Which NW bands would you tip either as ones to watch or just a personal favourite?
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There are a couple of bands I'd recommend. Firstly, The Neon Trees, they are a female fronted alt-country band, and have recently signed a deal with a small American label. One of their songs written about the CEO of Amazon.com was featured on numerous national websites giving them lots of helpful exposure.
www.northwestbands.co.uk/theneontrees
The other band that have the potential to do very well are Velocity. A young vibrant band, they are regulars at the Royal Oak, Poulton jam night. They have secured a place on the Lowther Pavilion, Lytham Festival, and I truly hope of good things to go their way.
www.northwestbands.co.uk/velocity