Brigade and Degrassi Headline Rock All-Dayer

• 25th Mar 2005

VManEvents Presents…

BRIGADE (link )

DEGRASSI (link )

Sucioperro + Like I Care + Big Setup + Six String Root + Blowback + Crouch Mog + Cheddleton + Zero Pretties + Other Side of Sound + Forgotten Hopefuls.

Sunday April 3rd 2005 @ Retro Bar, Manchester. Tickets £5, Doors 3pm.

Brigade
Having a frontman who is the brother of Charlie Simpson of Busted/Fightstar fame must surely be a mixed blessing. Whilst achieving mainstream exposure far earlier than most bands could hope for, to shake off that stigma and stand on your own credentials musically requires that special bit extra. Since their first gig in September 2003 Brigade, fronted by Charlie’s older brother Will, have quickly picked up a sizeable fanbase that has seen the band earn respect in their own right with their powerful mix of passionate, anthemic rock.

With the band being influenced by the likes of Elliott Smith, Biffy Clyro, Led Zeppelin and Nirvana, Brigade have a refreshing diversity and edge to them that has seen tracks like “Safe Hands” and “I'll Be Your Emergency” earn the band acclaim as one of the brightest new rock bands of the year, whatever their connections.

“… given time, Brigade will stand out on their own as one of Britain's shining rock bands.” Designer Magazine

“… the sole point of importance is this record rocks…These songs are the finished articles; all that's needed is a hefty push into the hands of those mass-market consumers.” Michael Diver – Drowned In Sound

Degrassi
In what is somewhat of a double-header for bands with famous connections, Degrassi first came to major attention with the acquisition of ex-Idlewild guitarist Bob Fairfoul towards the end of 2003. That this has now been almost forgotten is a credit to the deserved acclaim the band have earned for their own achievements. Whilst comparison’s with Bob’s former band are justified in spirit (when Idlewild were at their early edgy punk zenith), Degrassi have an individual sound that makes such musical comparisons lazy. With the band being compared to artists such as New Order, Mogwai, and Black Flag, earning supports with countrymen Snow Patrol and Franz Ferdinand and having been awarded accolades such as NME Bring It On Band of the Month and a nomination in the XFM awards for best live act of 2004 along with regular airplay on Radio 1, Degrassi are clearly a band going places on their own terms

“ [Degrassi] have honed down their punk pop-fused, Art school rush of perfection… great hooks rise out of the intense riff action, all driven along with a high energy rush. Degrassi are definitely one of those bands that leaves you wondering why they are not much bigger”. John Robb- Playlouder