The inmates in the secure wing of Music Republic Magazine HQ dig this track and this band, as much as they do when allowed to use proper cutlery and real plates.
Broken Flags. A new name to us, from Stoke-On-Trent, famous for pottery and rhyming slang to describe a crooked person who steals money from your bank account (I made that last bit up.)
So: Broken Flags. Release: Dare To Dream. Label: Unsigned. Not for long……….
Having spent nearly 12 months “locked” in their Stoke on Trent rehearsal room – I know a good locksmith lads – prior to telling anyone they even existed, Broken Flags were apparently “ready to hit the ground running when they burst onto the scene in early 2016.”
Their first demo’s, recorded and produced by Jimmi Naylor of the Pigeon Detectives, receiving airplay from Kerrang and BBC Introducing, within days of being posted online. It was these early releases which landed them support slots with The View & Shed Seven, and a headline set at the Staffs and Cheshire music awards. Headline slots in London, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham followed, and favourable reviews from Kerrang and The Guardian. Really? The Guardian, and no cello in sight!
The four guys release their single “Dare To Dream”, which they say is “a blossoming juggernaut of a guitar pop song, reminiscent of early Oasis (did you see my cheeky ref to a certain other band in the headline?) scrapping it out with Pixies.” A track birthed by Ady Hall and Lee McCarthy of Sugar House, a production team known for their studio work with many signed & unsigned bands.
It’s a poppy, rockin’, aggressive, edgy slice of Brit indie meets Potteries pop. I just invented that last genre; my copyright! Quite infectious with a lovely hook. The singer can sing, the players can play, the writers can write. It’s a guitar band alright.
They should dare to dream, because this addictive cut could open many doors. There is far, far worse out there right now on major labels with big bucks chucked at it; just look at most singles and album charts…Bah Humbug…I knew this when it was all fields……….Get off my lawn……
Theirs is a big sound and while they are not re-inventing the wheel, nods to those who have gone before, there for all to hear, deffo something special going on here from these four Stoke geezers with attitude the size of a kiln chimney. The Dark Lord aka Simon Cowell would hate it, coz it’s real music.
We will be keeping tabs on this lot in 2017, for sure. That’s Jack Dooley (guitar & vocals), Lewie Adams (guitar), Josh Buckley (bass) and Pat Barwick (drums & percussion).
Here’s the pucker video of the single, shot and directed by top music snapper Tony Woolliscroft (The 1975, Bastille, Red Hot Chilli Peppers etc), who also took the fairground and pylon smudges. He’s from Stoke as well you know, where they have not one but two football teams, but I am told ol’ Tone supports Liverpool FC! WTF?
Words By Simon Redley
Photos and Music Video Director: Tony Woolliscroft
