TWISTED WHEEL PLAY OFFSHORE 44 TONIGHT
I’ve seen Oldham-based indie outfit Twisted Wheel a few times (most notably at last year’s Evolution Festival and supporting Oasis at one of their epic Heaton Park gigs) and have always been hugely entertained by their punky mod-rock. Weller wannabes they may be, but their unpretentious, wide-eyed rock ‘n’ roll is a breath of fresh air in a scene dominated by synth-fuelled self-importance. Yeah, they might sound like Britpop never-rans Northern Uproar and 60ft Dolls, but what’s wrong with that? At least they wear their influences firmly on their sleeves. The moniker is a bit of a giveaway after all. If you’re going to name yourselves after Manchester’s seminal Northern Soul venue then you’ve got to be a little bit retro, haven’t you? I thoroughly enjoyed the trio’s explosive Dave Sardy-produced debut. It’ll be interesting to hear where they go next.
Support act Night Of Sevens, on the other hand, really are a little bit special. And I don’t mean in a needs way. An incandescent drone-rock collective, the band have been making sizeable waves around the North East since blowing everyone (myself included) away with their ear-shredding pyschedelia at The Tyne during last May’s Evolution Unsigned. Self-contained and self-reliant, the boys’ defiantly DIY stance is commendable and has already made for some fiercely impressive Geordie neo-acid. Their eagerly awaited new EP is currently being mastered by Field Music’s David Brewis and looks set to land in the next couple of months.
Both bands are in action at brand new indie night Roxy at Offshore 44 in Newcastle tonight (March 3).
