The Arcadian Kicks

Last updated

The Arcadian Kicks
Arcadian Kicks Wychwood 2011.jpg
Performing at the 2011 Wychwood Festival
Background information
Origin Kinver, Staffordshire
GenresIndie rock
Years active2006 (2006)
LabelsOne Beat Records
MembersRebecca Wilson (vocals)
Rebekah Pennington (keyboard, saxophone, vocals)
Thomas Holloway (guitar)
Tommy Kelly (bass)
Harry Grainger (drums)

The Arcadian Kicks were an indie rock band from Kinver in South Staffordshire (near Stourbridge), who formed in 2006. [1] They have described their sound as "Spectoresque, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin... a bit of light shoegaze and Yeah Yeah Yeahs mixed up". [2] They finished recording their debut album, Making Lovers, in 2010. [3]

Contents

History

The band formed in early 2006 when the bandmates were studying for GCSEs at Edgecliff High School in Kinver. [1] They are co-managed by Ian Light and Jon Brookes, the drummer of The Charlatans. Brookes was a judge at the Surface Unsigned battle of the bands that they took part in, and after watching another of their gigs he offered to manage them. [1] [4]

"Making this record was right up there with the best work I've done. Any time you get to work with kids who have their kind of skills, you are reminded on a daily basis of why you got into this business in the first place."

Mike Chapman [3]

In 2009/10, they recorded their self-financed debut album at Vale Studios in Worcestershire in a two-week session; it was produced and mixed by Mike Chapman who produced records for Blondie, [3] [5] and who came across their music on MySpace. [6] They plan to record with Chapman again in January 2011. [7] They released their single "19 Days" in August 2010. [8] They write their songs collectively. [7] Wilson and Pennington later broke off from the group and founded Ekkah, producing post-Disco 1980s R&B. [9]

Performances

Rebekah at the Isle of Wight Festival The Arcadian Kicks - Rebekah Pennington.jpg
Rebekah at the Isle of Wight Festival
Thomas at the Isle of Wight Festival The Arcadian Kicks - Thomas Holloway.jpg
Thomas at the Isle of Wight Festival

They run and regularly play at the Syndicate Club Night at The Sound Bar in Birmingham (originally at Bash Bar and then the Sunflower Lounge). [2] [6] In September 2008 they played at KerrangFest (part of ArtsFest) in Birmingham, [10] and in November 2009 they played live on BBC WM Introducing. [11] In 2010 they performed at T in the Park on the BBC Introducing stage, [5] the Wychwood Festival, [12] Napa Live in Ayia Napa, [2] and made their third appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival. [13] They played KerrangFest again in September 2010. [2] [14]

Reception

Artrocker called them "a fairly tradional[ sic ] angst-pop band, boosted by some unexpected sax solos, ... soulful hollering, [and] some interestingly growly guitars." [15] Reviewing them live in 2008, they said that they "play rattle and roll with a Zeppelin style commitment to excellent musicianship. Many of their tunes start out sounding traditional, morph into a psychedelic middle sections, then come out growling like werewolves at the other end." [16] Glasswerk said of "19 Days" that "the track appears to remain on one level, seemingly lacking any conviction from the musicians who are behind it... other tracks ... far outshine '19 Days'." [17] "19 Days" has been played on BBC Radio 2 by Radcliffe & Maconie and Bob Harris. [18] [19] Popped Music said of "Black and White" that "you have a sound that is altogether quite different from your average indie band." [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yeah Yeah Yeahs</span> American indie rock band

Yeah Yeah Yeahs are an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The group is composed of vocalist and pianist Karen O, guitarist and keyboardist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase. They are complemented in live performances by second guitarist David Pajo, who joined as a touring member in 2009 and replaced Imaad Wasif, who had previously held the role. According to a 2004 interview that aired during their appearance on ABC's Live from Central Park SummerStage series, the band's name was taken from modern New York City vernacular.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stourbridge</span> Town in the West Midlands, England

Stourbridge is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley in the West Midlands, England. Situated on the River Stour, the town lies around 10 miles west of Birmingham. Historically in Worcestershire, it was the centre of British glass making during the Industrial Revolution. The 2011 UK census recorded the town's population as 63,298.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Burgess (musician)</span> Musical artist

Timothy Allan Burgess is an English musician, singer-songwriter and record label owner, best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band the Charlatans.

<i>Laid</i> (album) 1993 album by British rock band James

Laid is the fifth studio album by British rock band James. It was released on 27 September 1993 through Fontana Records. The album's sound, which is "stripped-down" compared to their prior releases, was inspired by their recent experience touring as supporting act to Neil Young. Enlisting Brian Eno as producer, James recorded for six weeks at The Windings in Wrexham, Wales, and Real World Studios in Box, Wiltshire. The sessions also resulted in the experimental sixth studio album Wah Wah (1994). Laid is a folk and pop rock album that was reminiscent of their earlier releases with its atmosphere and minimal arrangements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuart Maconie</span> English radio DJ and television presenter

Stuart John Maconie is an English radio DJ and television presenter, writer, journalist, and critic working in the field of pop music and popular culture. He is a presenter on BBC Radio 6 Music where, alongside Mark Radcliffe, he hosts its weekend breakfast show which broadcasts from the BBC's MediaCityUK in Salford. The pair previously presented an evening show on BBC Radio 2 and the weekday afternoon show for BBC Radio 6 Music.

Kinver is a large village in the District of South Staffordshire in Staffordshire, England. It is in the far south-west of the county, at the end of the narrow finger of land surrounded by the counties of Shropshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands. The nearest towns are Stourbridge, West Midlands, Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth, Shropshire. The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal passes through, running close to the course of the meandering River Stour. According to the 2011 census Kinver ward had a population of 7,225.

Artrocker is a UK-based collective involved in music promotion and publishing. It was started by Paul Cox and Tom Fawcett who had been co-promoters of a London night called The Sausage Machine. Having started life with an online newsletter and event promotion in 2001, it has since expanded into various endeavours including a monthly magazine, various websites, a record label, video production, and a weekly radio show.
Artrocker has a reputation for talent-spotting and supporting bands before they become well known. They were the first promoters to bring the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Black Keys to the UK and the first to put on concerts in London by The Datsuns, Maxïmo Park, and The Futureheads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Shoes</span> English indie rock band

Good Shoes were a four-piece English indie rock band, hailing from Morden, London.

X Is Loaded were a four-piece rock band from Bath, Somerset, England.

Kids in Glass Houses are a Welsh pop rock band from Cardiff. The band achieved success on the strength of the singles "Give Me What I Want" and "Saturday" from their debut album Smart Casual in 2008. The band released their second album Dirt in early 2010, releasing four singles, most notably "Matters at All". The band's third album, In Gold Blood, was released on 15 August 2011. Their fourth album, Peace, was released on 30 September 2013. The band announced their split in January 2014 and played their final show at Cardiff's Great Hall on 31 October 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bombay Bicycle Club</span> English indie rock band

Bombay Bicycle Club is an English indie rock band from Crouch End, London, consisting of Jack Steadman, Jamie MacColl, Suren de Saram, and Ed Nash. They are guitar-fronted and have experimented with different genres, including folk, electronica, world music and indie rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Oxfam Glamour Models</span> Noise rock band from Middlesbrough, England

The Oxfam Glamour Models are a noise rock band from Middlesbrough in the North East of England. They signed to Marquis Cha Cha records in 2006 but split in 2007. As of August 2011 they are once again active. Members include Emmett (Vocals), Paul Dye (Guitar), Peachy (Guitar)(2004–2007) and Ryan Pilot (Drums). As of 2012 Oli Heffernan has been playing bass for the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silvery</span> London-based 4-piece indie rock band

Silvery are a London-based 4-piece indie rock band, signed to Blow Up Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Chapman Family</span> English indie rock band

The Chapman Family were an English indie rock band from Stockton-on-Tees, that formed in 2006. The band's final lineup consisted of Kingsley Chapman, Pop Chapman, Owen Chapman, Kevin James Chapman and Scott Chapman. The band's debut album Burn Your Town was released on 7 March 2011. They were notably part of the "10 Tips for 2009" shortlist published by NME.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kids Love Lies</span>

Kids Love Lies were a London pop punk band from November 2007 to July 2010.

Ian James Parker is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist in the genre of blues music.

Officer Kicks are a British rock group who formed in early 2005 in Southeast London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kinver Light Railway</span> Railway in South Staffordshire, England (1901-1930)

The Kinver Light Railway operated a passenger and freight tramway service between Amblecote and Kinver, in South Staffordshire, between 1901 and 1930.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calibro 35</span> Italian funk band

Calibro 35 is a cinematic funk Italian band formed in 2007 in Milan. The band has released seven albums and several movie soundtracks. Different songs from the band have been sampled into hip hop productions including Dr. Dre's "One Shot One Kill" and Jay Z's "Picasso Baby".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Destroyers (band)</span> British folk punk band

The Destroyers are a 15-strong music collective from Birmingham, England, that plays gypsy and balkan inspired "turbo-folk". The band has released 3 long play albums and regularly plays live gigs and music festivals.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Perks, Jon; Alison Jones (11 January 2008). "The ones to watch in 2008". The Birmingham Post. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Chillington, Natalie (10 September 2010). "Interview: The Arcadian Kicks". The Music Quarter. Archived from the original on 13 September 2010. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 "Arcadians get big name backing for debut album". Stourbridge News. 17 February 2010. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  4. "Blast From the Past". Surface Unsigned Festival. Retrieved 22 August 2010.[ dead link ]
  5. 1 2 "The arcadian kicks". Live at T in the Park. BBC Television. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  6. 1 2 Lindsey Doyle (24 March 2010). "Arcadian Kicks". BBC Midlands Today. Birmingham. BBC1.
  7. 1 2 "Exclusive: Arcadian Kicks chat". Daily Record. Scotland. 30 November 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  8. Pale, Jackson (6 August 2010). "Band of the Week: Arcadian Kicks". The Independent. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  9. "Ekkah: New Music". The Daily Telegraph. 20 November 2014.
  10. "Levellers headline Kerrangfest stage". BBC Birmingham. 5 September 2008. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  11. "BBC WM Introducing – live in session 2009". BBC Birmingham. 14 October 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  12. "Friday line-up". Wychwood Festival. Archived from the original on 27 August 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  13. "The Arcadian Kicks". Isle of Wight Festival. Archived from the original on 16 December 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  14. "The Arcadian Kicks". ArtsFest . 2010. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
  15. "Shock of the New: Arcadian Kicks". Artrocker. 11 August 2010. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  16. Suzuki, Cindy (1 March 2008). "The Arcadian Kicks + The Pressure Drop". Artrocker. Archived from the original on 21 June 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  17. Parry, Lydia (11 August 2010). "Reviews \\ Arcadian Kicks - 19 Days". Glasswerk. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  18. "The Radcliffe & Maconie Show". BBC Radio 2. 29 June 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  19. "Bob Harris". BBC Radio 2. 20 June 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  20. Elena (22 February 2010). "The Arcadian Kicks - Black and White". Popped Music. Retrieved 21 August 2010.[ permanent dead link ]