Silver Campervan

Music:

Member Since: 29/03/2006
Band Website: [email protected]
Band Members:Chris Scott Kev Howlett Amy GardnerReviews:Relax with uniquely refreshing debut albumSHADE, the debut album of Stroud band Silver Campervan, is uniquely refreshing. In the heat of reality television pop groups and digital rock bands, this live, acoustic recording is a cool relaxation. Recorded in Standish Church near Stonehouse, the album is unashamedly raw. But this brings out an exciting ambience rarely captured on CD. The 11 guitar-driven songs have catchy melodies that guaranteed t get you humming and toe-tapping. Shade has a diversity of rhythms, from the rollicking strumming of River Tan to the smooth arpeggios of You Like the Way I Move On the Dance Floor. Front man Kevin Howlett, who has been writing songs since he was 11, is a talented lyricist, tackling themes such as love, loneliness and friendship in a sensitive and often subtle way. The smooth harmonies of talented guitarists Kevin Howlett and Chis Scott and delicate backing vocals of Any Gardner make Shade a unique collaboration.By David Wiles The Stroud News

THERE aren’t many more iconic images than a classic campervan. Dress that campervan in a silver coat and it simply adds to the effect. And that is the hope of county folk rockers Silver Campervan get it? - who unveiled their new album ‘Shade’ this month. The Stroud-based trio take the acoustic heart of Neil Young, Led Zeppelin’s folkier moments and add a sprinkle of The Replacements on the album. The likes of ‘Broken Butterfly’ and ‘I’ve Fallen Off My Surfboard’ offer a delightful mix of catchy upbeat folk and melancholy introspection. Silver Campervan’s lead singer, Kevin Howlett, is well known in Stroud for founding the ‘Bandit’ project, which gives youngsters the chance to learn about and perform as part of a band.But in Silver Campervan Kevin is joined in Silver Campervan by Chris Scott on guitar and vocalist Amy Gardner. And he said he would continue with those projects alongside playing shows and pushing the band. “It’s been great,” he said. “I knew Chris before and we met Amy, as you do, at a gig and we just started doing stuff then, in 2006. “We’ve been playing local venues and things ever since, places like restaurants and acoustic nights because that’s what we are - we’re not in your face.” The trio recorded ‘Shade’ at Standish Church, near Stonehouse, giving the album an echo and a depth not often achievable in a studio. “I think the songs are subtle. When you play conventional places people want the usual covers but we try and do our own thing,” Kevin added. Now, the band is looking to push on, with shows planned at the Sidmouth Folk Festival and beyond. “We’ve sent our stuff off to the Greenman Festival and places like that so hopefully we can get a bit further afield,” said Kevin. “We’ve also got our songs on iTunes so people can hear us. “It’s difficult as a local band when you don’t have the money, but I set up a little record label to put out the album and now we have something to push.” And recording for a second album is already set for the summer, he explained. “We can write songs easily with just us. “But we are bringing in some different parts, like a Glock on some songs, so we are continually changing and doing new things.” For more information on Silver Campervan visit www.myspace.com/silvercampervan or search them out on iTunes.
Influences: Neil Young, Josh Rouse, Jeff Buckley, Fleetwood Mac, Radiohead, Paul Weller, Nirvana, Spiritualized, Arcade Fire, My bloody valentine, Pavement Stone roses
Record Label: Long train ride records
Type of Label: Indie