Sharp Practise

Winners of a UK New Music Award in 2007, Sharp Practise released debut album Hiya in 2000 to good reviews. An appearance on Ground Zero TV in Australia led to playlisting around the world. Song from “Hiya” were featured on a DVD by Japanese TV star Chieko Mitsui and on the “Rock For Athletes” CD produced for Italian sportswear company Fila.
New album “Radiocity” is available worldwide with songs from it winning Track of The Day and Listener’s Picks awards on garageband.com. The album won a Kweevak Award 2006. 200,000 copies of Sharp Practise’s music were distributed in France and Radiocity was released under licence to Whiterock Records in Germany. The CD became available in Canada and was licensed to Turmic Records in Sweden. BBC Radio Lancashire has interviewed the band and we have been featured in the BeSonic Newsletter.
“We are a rock band that can play with influences from folk to dance yet still create a sound that is recognised as Sharp Practise and no other band,” frontman Nigel Clothier says. “We’re fighting a crusade to get well-played, proper songs back into the charts around the world.
“Radiocity” is essentially an album about travel - in both the literal and emotional sense – and is described by the press as a pure delight in a music world where style is often preferable to substance. It should go down well with fans of the Counting Crows, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and many others. “We’re trying to put some good playing together with some strong words and picking up on things from everyday life as if we were peeking into your diary and singing your life back to you,” says Nigel.
mp3s available from:
Radiocity http://cdbaby.com/cd/sharpp2
Hiya http://cdbaby.com/cd/sharpp
The band’s first major tour was a five-week British expedition from London to Glasgow. Highlights included the hometown show at the Cavern Club, Liverpool and an HMV showcase in Manchester. We have been nominated for the Musicfinity UK Tour 2008.
A video for “Morgan’s Creek” from Radiocity was broadcast on Propeller TV (Sky Channel 195) to 48 countries across Europe in August and September 2007 and on StarChoice Satellite (ch.323) and Express-Vu (ch.258) Satellite Networks across Canada in March 2008. See us on YouTube:
Morgan’s Creek http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djw75k8qxbg.
Hook In My Heart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu89TxqFRZA.
Reserved undertones but good rock tunes? Check. Sounding like more members than there probably are? Check. Big atmosphere from a simple band combo? Check. Songs to back it up? Check and mate. Sharp Practise are a classic rock band but not an over the top screaming yelling rock n' roll monster, this is the sound of a band who like to keep things quiet and wouldn't say no to an acoustic set, but not tonight: tonight they wanna rock. And rock they do.
The Dukester, UK
The songs are very melodic, with strong catchy choruses and impressive vocal work as well as some high quality guitar work, so all together this is a highly recommended. The band also reminds me very much of Jadis, especially on a song like “No Thanks”. One of the best songs is definitely the catchy uptempo melodic rocker “Choice Not Freedom” which should be an instant hit here in Europe! No fillers included - a great original classic rock record.
Strutter Magazine, Holland
Sharp Practise bring ten songs that are both catchy, but also have depth…somewhat of a rarity in today's world. Therefore, 7.5 of 10 Rock Times watches honestly earned.
Rocktimes, Germany
Do you believe that there aren't any more bands from England that play the classic rock that we all love? Then you surely haven't listened to the latest album from Sharp Practise… you will experience a modern band playing classic rock tunes with a fresh air. Their compositions are well worked, with some really interesting ideas and the band has imbued their record with a pure rock 'n’roll feeling.
Antonis Maglaras, Beyond The Veil, Greece
I very much enjoyed the album - fantastic music indeed! Without cdbaby people like me could hardly discover great bands like yours!
Rainer Knietzsch, Germany
"Radiocity" showcases a tight and focussed band with an unfailing ear for classic radio-friendly tunes. It's emotional, well-played music for adults that brilliantly never lapses into AOR territory. Sharp Practise prove themselves to be adept at loud'n'hooky rockers, brash and moving anthems and plaintive guitar pop, like on "No Thanks" - which with its acerbic lyrical stabs (e.g. "I've been in tighter spots than this/ falling out with you is a lifetime study") - is the kind of thing Neil Finn has made his trademark over the years.
Whisperinandhollerin’, Ireland Radiocity is a kind of hit collection, all tracks could be singles, and they could be radio and TV hits as well.
Kronosmortus, Hungary
"No Thanks" and "How Katie Feels" are the most obvious hits from the record, as both carry catchy enough choruses to grab a spot at the radio airwaves especially here in Denmark - this is exactly the type of music P3 plays all the time. Rockfreaks, Denmark
‘No Thanks’ and ‘Bed Of Rhythm’ are two rock gems in which the addition of female backing vocals elevate the choruses to epic proportions… Where this album undeniably does well is serving up big poppy choruses that have already invaded radio playlists the world over
Herts & Essex music review, UK
This kind of music will go far on the radio/charts, no doubt... clean hooks, well-played & full of great energy... This one gets a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Improvijazzination Nation, US
Radiocity is their ten-track epic of travel on various levels. Sharp Practise's lyrics are filled with imagery and their production is crisp and clean. Sharp Practise's music is focused and the band is well rehearsed to take the UK and the world by storm!
Laura Turner, Kweevak.com, US
“No Thanks” has a heavy Counting Crows sheen to it, with the vocals in particular reminiscing of Adam Duritz, whilst other tracks on the album have a much more mainstream rock feel. Special mention must go to album closer “How Do You Take It” which manages to successfully marry both styles and end the album on a beautiful note. If you like melodic soft rock then this will be an album you shouldn’t ignore.
Rock Something, UK
Sharp Practise stand for an interesting mixture of all rock styles, no matter if classic rock, blues or folk. And they stand especially for one thing: insanely catchy melodies! Radiocity is an album with soul and feelings. From the first time onwards, you can sing along to tracks like Morgan..s Creek, Bridge across the Harbour or No Thanks. This is actually a perfect album for dreaming!
Stalker magazine, Germany
Saw Sharp Practise on their recent tour and was very impressed. Great album that doesn't let you stand still.
Ian Hollis, UK
Sharp Practise are a cool and inspiring outfit. They are doing the whole rock thing just as they see and feel it. These guys aren't just following trends, they're setting their varied stall out and saying 'hey, we're Sharp Practise, come inside, sit down, relax and enjoy what we do'. Well, I'm really enjoying 'Radiocity'.
Toxic Pete – rhythm ‘n’ booze rating 9, UK