Tag Archives: Sour Grapes Records

GOLD CUP.

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I’m going to assume people have known about Gold Cup longer than I have. I only really listened to them just after they were announced as the support for Crocodiles, and STUPIDLY missed them by minutes at the Low Four x Sour Grapes recording earlier in the month. What an idiot!

Alright, errors aside- it’s time to really tell you why Gold Cup are one of the most exciting bands around and why you need to see this band play any chance you get. I’ve been very lucky to see them support two great bands- Crocodiles and Gee Tee. Imagine being in a band, and you get to support those bands?! Life would surely have peaked, right?! They’ll be headlining soon enough but for now, I want to do my best to tell you why they are incredible.

On record, they are everything you could want from a band. They are noisy, they make a racket and it’s a joy to listen to. Is it the same live? Yes and no. Yes, because they are loud. No because the experience of seeing them live is way more heightened than on record. At their live shows, the three of them play with this energy that makes you wish you could watch them every single night. I wish I could. They just exude everything I want from a band and more. I feel like I’m 13 years old and listening to The Cramps for the first time. They’ve got this sound that would probably scare your neighbours but within a few hours, they too would be fans.

Their debut full length record has yet to arrive, but when it does, I have every faith in it being one of the best things we will hear. Their new single, I Feel Incredible is the true essence of sheer Garage Rock ‘n’ Roll and they sure as shit take you on another wild ride! There are bands you can liken them to but let’s be honest- Gold Cup are evidently in their own league. They remind me fair bit of a band from L.A. called Girl Tears. The band don’t make music anymore, but when I tell you I was obsessed with them- I am putting it mildly. Gold Cup have that same feel, and it’s just so great to hear.

There are some bands I love, and when I listen to them, I think, if I made music- that’s how I’d want to sound or be influenced by. Gold Cup are a band to add to that list. If you’ve seen them live, you will know that they play with all that they have. I have never seen a drummer like Tomas before. I’ve not seen anyone make the bass look as cool as Dan does, and Josh is a master on that guitar. Put all three of them together and you have something truly phenomenal and well worth becoming obsessed over. If you are ever presented with the chance to see them live, you better take it. Bands like this don’t happen often. Manchester is the home to some incredible bands, and Gold Cup are in some solid company.

They’ve been around for a few years now, and with the EPs they’ve released so far, it’s pretty safe to say that they have a clear indication of their sound, and that confidence is what makes them stand out. They’re a band you could never get bored of, and I reckon when their debut full length record hits, it will definitely show the world something it hasn’t heard before. Their live shows will leave you in total awe of them. Songs like Stuck On Repeat and The Piss Has Been Taken are insane live. I just really love this band!

Go listen to them, go to their shows, and go nuts!

SIOUX.

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sioux

 

We all know that Manchester is home to some amazing places and bands. It’s an incredible place, and I’m happy to call it home. Part of what caused me to fall in love with the city was the music. It’s always the music. Some of my favourite venues are here (part of my heart still does belong to the Shacklewell Arms in Dalston though.) But Manchester has a scene that is so charismatic and evolving. Whatever you’re into, you’ll find it here and it’ll probably exceed your expectations.

 Tonight, I’m going to write about Sioux; one of Manchester’s finest bands, a band that are truly in their prime and are such a joy to listen to. With just three songs up on their Bandcamp page, you may think it’s a bit of a task to write about them, but it’s quite simple when you believe in what you’re hearing.

 

 

Sioux are a beautiful Psych band that make you feel like you’re listening to The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band mixed with the Electric Prunes. It’s every part 60s Psychedelic with a modern and Mancunian twist. If you’re looking for something to cause your head to go into a spin, and for your body to twirl repeatedly to the slick grooves your ears are being caressed with- then Sioux are the band for you. They have this beautiful relaxing sound, and as someone who can struggle to switch off at times- they really do give you the notion that you can just let shit go and breathe. You can almost picture a young William Miller in Almost Famous being handed this record by his sister, and he becomes totally enamored by what he hears. They’ve got something about them that makes you feel so alive, and just honoured to hear their music.

 Their latest release, Fickle is a sure-fire example of why Sioux are great. If you want to compare it to their other two songs- then go for it, but what you’ll hear is a band that are not afraid to expand their sound and to be utter daredevils in what they do. They have achieved something to be proud of in their sound and having the likes of Sour Grape Records back them is another thing to be proud of too. Sioux aren’t afraid to create mind-bending sounds that totally mess with your head. It’s how I’d imagine an acid trip to be. 2020 is going to be such a great year for this band, I can feel it. I just love how they make you feel like you’ve gone back in time and you’re discovering the likes of the Electric Prunes and Strawberry Alarm Clocks for the first time. That feeling in your gut they give you just makes you feel giddy, and in awe of what you’re hearing.

 Aside from their latest single, Fickle, they have a couple more songs for your listening pleasure. I adore the song Half-Eaten Songbird. It’s a poetic number that just eases the soul and in the same league as this is Hypnosis. The band are pros at creating music to escape in- they take you on a beautiful voyage, and you don’t want to ever come down from it. With the weather currently being ever so shit, it’s bands like Sioux that make you feel like you’ve got the sunshine hitting your bones and making you feel alright.

 

 

 

Like I said, 2020 is going to be a great year for them and I cannot wait to hear more from the band.