Take it to the 'Maximo at Jabez on May 1st

• 13th Apr 2005

With excellent recent single “Apply Some Pressure” deservedly catapulting the band into the UK Top 20, Maximo Park are fast becoming one of the success stories of the year. Signed to Warp Records, a label more accustomed to putting out avant-garde electronica like Squarepusher and Aphex Twin, Maximo Park “fit-in” only in an outsider sense; angular guitar pop groups aren’t usually on the Warp menu, but when they’re this good, it’s easy to see why Warp bagged them.

Debut single “The Coast Is Always Changing/The Night I Lost My Head” sent pulses racing last year and was a perfect introduction to the band's sound. It's a sound that has a sonic and lyrical rawness, with the band addressing issues that connect more with people in general, that makes Maximo Park stand out, whilst still retaining the wit and intelligence of their peers. Insistent and inventive, Maximo Park bring to mind artists like Roxy Music and Talking Heads in the way they subvert the classic pop song. Musically and lyrically there’s flashes of Pulp, Magazine, Dinosaur Jr. and Wire in their mix of working class glam.

Live, the band are a special proposition, a thrilling musical experience with the most compelling singer to emerge this year. It’s impossible to mention frontman Paul Smith without using the word “charismatic”. Claiming to be inspired by no other frontmen and looking like he’s been suited-up by his namesake, he looks like being the star of 2005. Combining the nerdy appeal of Jarvis Cocker, the nervous intensity of Ian Curtis, the suaveness of Bryan Ferry and the wit of Morrissey, he has a presence both on stage and on record that makes these songs instant classics. With third single “Graffiti” released the day after this gig and debut album “Apply Some Pressure” imminent, there's sure to be an atmosphere to rival their sensational sold-out appearance in February this year.

VManEvents Presents…

MAXIMO PARK link

The Blood Arm
Field Music.

Sunday May 1st 2005 @ Jabez Clegg, Manchester. Tickets £7adv, Doors 7.30pm –2am

Special clubnight with The Pedestrians DJ's

“… more hooks than Vitali Klitschko, the intelligence of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, suits sharp enough to poke your eye out and faces so straight they looked like Kraftwerk playing poker at gunpoint… the Dry Bar hadn’t seen so many happy faces since Liam Gallagher and Shaun Ryder were barred.” Paul Cockerton- Manchesteronline.co.uk