Myspace Magic: Mutineers

The latest band to make into NME-E's Myspace Magic section hail from Manchester. Mutineers are a quartet who have evolved from bands such as Haven, Marion, The Cardinals and Johnny Marr’s Healers. Having started to make a noise on the 'net and with a series of gigs behind them, including support slots with The View, among others, NME-E decided to find out a little more...

NME-E: So, who the heck are Mutineers, then?
Mut: The quartet’s story starts at the beginning of 2008, when four drinking mates with an already impressive history decided to pool their talents. Vocalist Nick Mallins had previously fronted the hotly tipped Cardinals alongside bassist Iwan Gronow, who had also spent time in the revered ranks of Haven and Johnny Marr’s Healers. Recruiting guitarist Michael Reed and former Haven drummer Jack Mitchell to the tight-knit fold, it then took mere months to craft an album’s worth of towering anthems, with results which recall the shimmering grandiosity of Echo and the Bunnymen or the aching simplicity of Lloyd Cole, channelling the genius of past greats and forging it into something very much of their own making.

Confidence is not an issue with Mutineers, read on...

NME-E: What do you sound like?
Mut: Simple yet epic guitars chime from the heart carried along by Gronow and Mitchell’s tightly fused rhythms, while Mallins’ vocals have that Neil Young trick of seeming fragile yet actually being possessed of angelic strength, aching with something deep beyond our years, delivering lyrics that are equal parts romantic, down to earth and abstract. Slices of towering anthemic pop to match anything in the international armoury of The Killers or prime REM.

Told you so. These guys don't need a promotion department! Also found a hint of Athlete in there.

NME-E: What can we expect from Mutineers in the near future?
Mut: Apart from world domination, we've recorded our debut album in Wales and London, mixed by Idlewild and House of Love producer Paul Tipler, due for imminent release. We’ve served our time as a best kept secret, and the secret is about to be let out. Once you’re initiated, Mutineers will have you believing that you have known and loved our songs for all of your life.

Personally, of the four tracks currently available to listen to on Mutineers' myspace page I recommend 'Hyde Road', although they're all worth a listen, really.


Mutineers clearly have a high opinion of themselves, NME-E does too. Check out their latest gig dates on the NME-E calendar, 'Put On Your Dancing Shoes'


Last 5 NME-E interviews:
The Fall Of Kings (Liverpool, UK)
Subkicks (Midlands, UK)
The Idles (Liverpool, UK)
Miss Caffeina (Granada, Spain)
BenSem (Wales)


Read all NME-E interviews

Myspace Magic: Overspill Poets

The latest Myspace Magic band to be featured are particulary special. First of all we take a break from the Liverpool monopoly and secondly we are talking about group which, despite this being a new project, have a musical background to be envious of. There is not much more that I need to add, I can merely recommend you all read and learn. I leave you with the words of Overspill Poets:

NME-E: Who are you and how did you come about?
OP: I (George Kitching, Guitars) cut my musical teeth with Newcastle band Hug who were signed to Kitchenware in the early nineties; toured with New FADS, Fatima Mansions, Echo and the Bunnymen and Pavement; and who were hotly tipped by the NME, BBC's Radio 1 Evening Session and Mark Radcliffe. Meanwhile across town, Overspill Poets vocalist Tim Taylor (who I just happened to share a flat with) was wooing late night drinkers at a bistro somewhere between St James Park and a Hare Krishna Temple with spirited reworkings of REM and Elvis Costello classics and full blooded assaults on The Beatles' back catalogue. When Hug's efforts to evade more gainful employment were finally crushed by the Gateshead DHSS and the Bistro went up market and dispensed with Mr Taylor's services, the two of us spent the next few years watching Auf Wiedersehen Pet videos before forming Overspill Poets to give full expression to our new vision of Brit Alt Country Road Music for Itinerant Beat Poets and Arm Chair drifters.

NME-E: What are your releases to date?
OP: Overspill Poets none, but we are close to finishing our debut album, 'Thompson Falls'. Hug released 3 EP's - Kaleid, Mesmerised and Firebrands and an album, Hummana on Kitchenware in the nineties.

I am fortunate to be in the possession of a demo version of this album and can honestly say it is a fine piece of musical art. Five of the tracks are on the their myspace page, the rest are equally as impressive.

NME-E: If you could choose a band/artist to support you, who would it be?
OP: Johnny Cash, but we'd have to master time travel first.

NME-E: What's your Current Favourite Album?
OP: 'When The Haar Rolls In' by James Yorkston and 'Acid Tongue' by Jenny Lewis.

NME-E: What Are Your Objectives/Prospects for next 12 months?
OP: Finish our debut album, 'Thompson Falls' in a way we're happy with and which holds some kind of truth for us. Release it and connect with people who respond to it. Feel a brief sense of achievement, get bored and throw ourselves into writing new material.

With the release scheduled for the Autumn, I seriously recommend you listen to what's available on the myspace page for now. NME-E is looking forward to offering a review of an album which is destined to be one of the highlights of the year.

Many thanks to George and the Overspill Poets for taking the time to offer show an interesting interview.

Last 5 NME-E Interviews:
Fare Evaders (Liverpool, UK)
Its A Buffalo (Manchester, UK)
The Trestles (Liverpool, UK)
Metropolitans (Liverpool, UK)
The Rackets (Liverpool, UK)

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Myspace Magic: The Trestles

This week's featured Myspace Magic band takes us once more to the heart of the music world. I first came across Liverpool's The Trestles almost a year ago when I saw them supporting Amsterdam at The Cavern (I think it was bass-player Tom's first gig). Suitably impressed by their set and, coinciding with their first official release, an E.P. called 'Hard Faced Town', NME-E set about finding out a little more about the band, who were kind enough to answer my questions recently. Here's what they had to say:

NME-E: Who are you and how did you come about?
Tres: We are The Trestles, named after a lyric from Bruce Springsteen's 'Darkness On The Edge Of Town' and the author of a Socialist bible. Remember how music used to make you feel? That's why we're here...

An interesting way to come up with a name! And they have a very clear idea of what they are about.

NME-E: What are your releases to date?
Tres: 'Hard Faced Town', a four track EP, is imminent.

In fact, it is now available and once I've downloaded it there'll be a formal review. You can preview the tracks on their myspace page.

NME-E: If you could choose a band to support you, who would it be?
Tres: Damien Dempsey is a particular favourite. But we'd have to go on first - Al is usually in tears by the end of his first song.

Clearly a bunch of old romantics...

NME-E: What was your favourite album of 2008?
Tres: REM's 'Accelerate' rocked. Al loved Van Morrison's 'Keep It Simple' too and Tom was diggin' on Neil Young's 'Chrome Dreams'.

You start to get a feel for The Trestles when you see who they're "diggin'"

NME-E: What are your objectives and prospects for 2009?
Tres: To keep up our run of live gigs (Mathew Street Festival 08, MTV Liverpool Music Week, support slots with Mull Historical Society, Ian McNabb and Amsterdam were all whoppers in the past few months) and for people to hear the Hard Faced Town EP.

Well, I'm definitely gonna be one of those who hears the EP and I recommend you do the same. In fact, do it right here, right now - it's not gonna break the bank!



As per usual, my sincerest thanks to The Trestles for taking the time to talk to NME-Europe. I wish them all the best with the release and ask you all to at least check them out here.