Big Strides

Big Strides follow the release of their rapturously received debut album Small Town, Big Strides with scorching second LP Cry It All Out. Blending bluesy rhythms with slacker-jazz guitar lines and Marcus ONeills wry, observational lyrics, this 16-strong collection of songs is a raw and melodic melting pot of grass roots influences, innovative musicianship and heat-of-the-moment pop hooks.
Having supported chart fixtures and cult figures such as Bloc Party, Arctic Monkeys, Damien Rice, and Horace Andy, and racked up 300,000 Stateside downloads of their funk-punk single Suicidal, the band retreated into the studio with producer Dan Swift (Aqualung and Snow Patrols Final Straw album) and set about laying down tracks for what would become Cry It All Out. Of the results, Marcus says: Its the sound of the three of us doing our thing. It feels like we really stepped it up a notch. Theres pain, theres anger, theres some serious rocknroll, theres laid-back musings, theres kick-ass drums, soulful grooves, slick horn parts, and a roomful of Japanese girls doing backing vocals. Everything we could have wanted.
Big Strides signed to EMI in Japan last year and have since toured the country twice, with live coverage on MTV. Previous UK singles have found themselves at the receiving end of the giddy affections of DJs Phil Jupitus, Mark Radcliffe and Jonathon Ross (quoth Mr Ross: I cant decide if I love it or if it upsets me). Previous big gigs include Japan's Summer Sonic '06, a headline date at London's Electric Ballroom, Canada's NXNE festival and Glastonbury. Their frenetic, down and dirty live shows are not to be missed.
Video for 'Always Together'
Video For 'Let's Get Nice' as featured on MTV
Video for 'I Do Not Fear Jazz'