With the likes of Twisted Wheel being bummed - erm, championed, by the NME (yes it's still still the definitive rule of thumb for shaping 14yr old music tastes), the current climate has never been better for raw-edged scally guitar bands, with the DIY spirit of punk still alive, alive-o behind the scenes.
Here in the North-West of England this is, as ever, especially the case - the Manchester live scene is spawning more and more new and successful nights like RAC (‘rent-a-crowd’) and the Afterparty across more and more venues, with Moho now emerging as the focal point for the current flurry of activity.
DESMOND REBELLION hail from sunny Stockport and currently circulating is this, their first demo. The three tracks have all been mixed and re-mastered by the mercurial Ben at Hazel Grove’s Hi-Toy studios (recently home to none other than The Fall). With the emphasis on style and sound – they’ve set out a very specific stall with a mini-cluster of tunes huddled under a definitive set of shared characteristics – the quartet can be heard getting to grips garage-style with a concoction of raw sleaze, deep down and dirty guitars and thrashy rhythms. Vocally mantra-driven, with the white-boy gang mentality evident, it’s another set of echoing footsteps through the subways ‘oop North.
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Despite the common ground, there are subtle differences between the tracks. ‘Living On The Edge’ is a bittersweet ball of gathering momentum in retro shoegaze mode, deliciously blurred despite the jagged edges. The staccato bridge slices powerfully through the haze as singer Scott Lennon slurs in shouted whispers over the bounce.
Meanwhile,‘Drink For England’ takes its cues from a pause for breath as the subtle, speeding tempo loosely stumbles and skanks out. They’ve got a self-titled theme tune as well, God bless ‘em - and one that’s so urgent and full of understated rock n’roll power that you’ll forgive them instantly.
As is the way with most good demos, this one is a strong indicator of this band’s rapidly-growing-stronger reputation on the live circuit. DESMOND REBELLION are a must-see act that warrant a listen. As the CD is easiest to get hold of from the boys themselves, you probably will see them before you hear this solid set of tunes.
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