EP assessment
Gerard Starkie and Ray Chan – Storyboard EP (Bandcamp)
DL
Launched at this time, 2 December 2022
Former members of the Wigan band Witness (1997 -2004) launch archive recordings from 2003 earlier than beginning on new materials. Ged Babey favored Gerards solo album, so critiques with out prejudice, or any actual data of Witness’s work.
I assume they received overshadowed by the tasteless success of Coldplay, Snow Patrol and the like however on this proof Witness have been an especially good ‘stadium-band’ taking part in soulful rock – they might’ve carved out a distinct segment as a form of English Neil Younger & Loopy Horse equal if luck had been on their facet.
A ‘little brother band to The Verve’ – seeing as they have been mates from Wigan, on reflection, they didn’t have the identical vibe in any respect, as a consequence of the truth that frontmen Richard Ashcroft and Gerard Starkie have been full opposites, character-wise. Starkie was extra reserved, an introvert hippy poet with a soulful tremble of a voice and everyman enchantment.
In an early publicity photograph he jogs my memory a little bit of Richard Beckinsale, and from the video footage of the band there have been no gimmicks or posturing, simply complete immersion within the songs and the music.
Regardless of big-label backing, touring, an look on Jools Holland, well-received and critically acclaimed albums – Earlier than The Calm (1999) and Below A Solar (2001) on Island Data – Witness by no means had the success of their contemporaries.
Recorded in 2003, tracks 1,2,4,5 and 6 have been initially going to be a part of the third Witness album however the band ended up calling it a day earlier than completion. Observe 3 was recorded a couple of months later, after we’d break up however with the identical line up , supposed as a solo launch.
Ray moved to Hong Kong shortly after the break up, however he’s again over right here now and we’ve began performing some gigs collectively once more. The quilt photograph’s from a few weeks in the past in Stockholm.
We’re going to be recording some new materials subsequent 12 months, however after we listened again to those tracks for the primary time in years, we determined they shouldn’t be gathering mud, therefore the Storyboard EP . It’ll be obtainable to obtain from Bandcamp on Friday 2nd December.
Six songs, every completely different to the final, they go from autumnal acoustic ‘E’vrybody’s Speaking’ fashion to full-on Hendrixy rock.
Inbetween you get a obscure echo of the Waterboys and the Dream Syndicate. Soulful Celtic rock to soul-searching Americana. Songs about ‘stumbing via life’, getting ‘bored with going out at night time / bored with stayin’ in’ and needing a religious ‘Hideout’.
Starkie has a pleasant singing voice which, the extra you hear it, the extra it sounds distinctive. His lyrics are extra a story than a litany of woes and have glimmers of optimism amongst the tales of restoration and being ‘falsely accused of the crime’.
Ray Chan, on the proof of the taking part in on this EP is an absolute guitar hero within the conventional mould. That halfway between Hendrix and Mick Ronson sort sound and magnificence however together with his personal fills and thrills.
The Storyboard EP is gonna be excitedly obtained by loyal Witness followers however is definitely an amazing introduction to a proficient pair of muso-songwriters. These songs are ‘growers’ that take a short time to embed themselves in your mind. However as soon as they’re there… it’s like they’re outdated pals.
Purchase from Bandcamp
Forthcoming gigs
We’re supporting Ben Ottewell at Le Pub in Newport this Saturday (3 Dec 2022), that’s all we’ve received booked for the time being. You imply ‘ The EP Launch extravaganza is as very particular friends of Ben Ottewell (Gomez) at …” Gotcha.
All phrases Ged Babey
Now we have a small favour to ask. Subscribe to Louder Than Battle and assist maintain the flame of impartial music burning. Click on the button beneath to see the extras you get!
