2009 looks to be an exciting year for manchester's 'Bright Kicks', consisting of four focused and ambitious souls drawn together through a mutual passion of music.
After all cutting their teeth in previous bands for a few years around manchester, ther origins begin with darryn clarke (guitar) and david whitworth (drums) locked away in a rehearsal room jamming the hours away, first and foremeost for the enjoyment of simply being able to play music again. gradually, as the weeks, months passed by, without a care for the outside world or latest flavour of the month, this rejuvinated state of mind was quietly spawning new material both were new to and stimulated by at the same time.
With a hefty selection of new music laid out, the time was to begin recruiting and see how a voice would fit on top of their latest sound. forward 6 months, empty promises and general false starts that had to be nipped in the bud, still no vocalist. that is of course, until a promising assured singer from Didsbury chased an ad up. Enter vocalist Bobby Magee, inspired by the likes of Robert Plant,Roger Daltry to Ray Charles and James Brown he has developed an individual style with clear soulful melodies,mix this together with an undeniable stage presence and talent that craves to be on stage holding a mic,you find thankfully not another Ian Brown,not another Liam Gallagher,but a new individual. All that was needed now was bass duties.
And so a few more months pass, the odd bass player arrives, but no joy. until Bobby invites a 'friend of a friend' down to jam. Enter Greg Kelly, hailing from reddish. Never one who followed the 'mad fer it' crowd, greg was schooled on funk, jazz, reggae while also tipping his hat to rock ensures bass playing beyond his years.
So with the complete lineup 'Bright Kicks' finally stepped out of the shadows at the attic Manchester at the tail end of December 06. And the long wait proved justified. Within a year of solid gigging around the north west the band were already making noises. Even when sharing gig slots with signed bands, one noteable occasion found the headliners in the front row dancing away to the bright kicks sound. Elsewhere One of the biggest crowds the band played to was at a student festival. A last minute reshuffle saw the band effortlessly play as a 3 piece with no bass. With momentum gathering, and being courted by various london management companies the band are now prime fruit for the picking, having already rocked venues such as club academy and Academy 3 the band are now preparing to grace stages such as manchester ritz. rumours of major record label interest have sparked a small ever growing fanbase, keen for the antidote of the diluted sound of local accents on the radio singing about myspace. Having already recorded with established producers giving them the thumbs up, Bright Kicks are gaining in popularity and stature with every gig. Having already made tv appearances on the homefront, the band have even made friends stateside being invited for interview on US radio! BRIGHT KICKS INTERNATIONALL!!!
PRESS PLAY ON THE GHETTO BLASTER BELOW TO LISTEN TO BRIGHT KICKS INTERVIEW (12/08/08) ON INDIELIFERADIO.COM IN THE USA!!!
Big thanks to DJ Sicko and all at indieliferadio.com for their continued support!
Bright Kicks - EP - Bright Kicks
Hey, what is it with Manchester coz here's yet another tasty outfit from them there parts and they're bringing their own brand of post-indie rockin'-pop with 'em. Think Chili's and you'll start to see something approaching the Bright Kicks sound and feel! This aint yer normal indie thing here you know, Bright Kicks have moved things along a bit, added a hint of funkiness and a touch of nu-soul and come up with a vibrant sound that's big, bouncy and as commercial as hell! Certainly you can pick out a few influences. Let's face it, it's becoming ever harder to come up with a sound that doesn't owe its origins to one successful band or another. Bright Kicks have taken their influences and turned them to good use in coming up with a wholly British sound that has global appeal and universal marketing potential.
In just four damn fine tracks Bright Kicks have set out their stall in no uncertain terms; they show what you can do with a bit of phatt funky bass (Greg Kelly), incessant angular guitars (Darryn Clarke) and metronomically precise percussion (David Whitworth). Vocally Bright Kicks kick ass too! Bobby Magee slams his foot to the plate to provide the fourth instrument in Bright Kicks' dynamic armoury. Together these guys lay it down big, bold and amazingly tight as jazzy undercurrents feed the pounding rhythms to bolster the superbly proportioned instrumental onslaught with everything finally fusing into one meaty and pretty hot sound.
As a weapon to lead a promotional attack, this four track work has everything Bright Kicks need to force open many new doors and make some of those 'big cats' stop in their tracks and take notice. This EP is one hell of an introduction to a mighty fine sounding band - faultless, flawless, very professional and nicely appetite whetting!! Peter J Brown aka toxic pete (www.toxicpete.co.uk)