APPLYING SOME PRESSURE

• 3rd Dec 2005

MAXIMO PARK APPLY SOME PRESSURE TO THE SHOCKWAVES NME AWARDS TOUR

Maximo Park will headline the hottest tour of the year when the Shockwaves NME Awards Tour 2006 erupts into 19 towns around the UK and Ireland from January 24th 2006.

Arctic Monkeys, We Are Scientists and Mystery Jets will complete the
explosive line-up for what is guaranteed to be the most important rock n' roll extravaganza of the year.

The annual four-way rock-off has become a legendary starting block for bands on the road to greatness. Last year Kaiser Chiefs were bottom of the bill, and went on to become the biggest band of the year. Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand, The Thrills and The Coral have also cut their rock teeth on the Shockwaves NME Awards Tour.

Mercury Nominated headliners Maximo Park have swiftly risen to indie fame and their debut album, A Certain Trigger, has been hailed by some critics as the finest British release of the decade, leading to a wave of devotion sweeping across the UK.

Paul Smith from Maximo Park says “The NME tour gives us an opportunity to reach different parts of the UK that we haven¹t been able to get to and it also means loads of different people are going to come to the shows. They'll actually be able to see what we do in person and it¹s important to reach those people who are on the fringe of knowing the real deal about us.”

Second headliners Arctic Monkeys whipped the media into a frenzy with the release of their debut single 'I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor' which went straight to number one. Signed to the indie label Domino Records, the Sheffield foursome will follow in the footsteps of label mates Franz Ferdinand to show music fans what all the fuss is about as they perform live as part of the most prestigious tour in the UK.

The Arctic Monkeys said on playing the Shockwaves NME Tour. “We're looking forward to been a support band again…”

Brooklyn-based indie rock trio We Are Scientists are next down the bill. They formed in 2000 and feature guitarist/lead vocalist Keith Murray, bass player Chris Cain, and drummer Michael Tapper. After building a small but devoted following through their epic live shows and a series of three self-released EPs, the group signed with Virgin Records. Their major-label debut, 'Nobody Move Nobody Get Hurt', was released in 2005.

Chris Caine from We Are Scientists says “The Brats tour? Oh god, we'd give anything, anything! What do you want? No, come on, seriously, what do you want? You want my watch? Here, have my watch! Take it! Take… What? We…we're on the tour? We're ON THE TOUR? WE'RE ON THE BRATS TOUR?!? WE…?!? THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! JESUS AND MOHAMMED BE PRAISED THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!”

Taking the coveted opening slot of the tour are London-based Mystery Jets. Following their debut single Can't Fool Me Dennis, the band have built up a reputation as one of Britain's most innovative acts. Hailing from Eel Pie Island, the band are renowned for their strange stage antics and legendary parties.

Kai from the Mystery Jets says “It's an honour to be picked for the brats tour. It's a complete confidence boost for us to have the NME believing in what we're doing, and it shows courage to pick a band who are slightly out there. Playing with other young and exciting bands like the monkeys is what touring is all about, we can't wait till it all kicks off…we'll hopefully all end up writing a song together or something, and make it as legendary as the past years.”

NME Editor Conor McNicholas says, “The Shockwaves NME Awards Tour is a very special event that sets the rock music agenda for the rest of the year. After last year's stella line-up we're come back with another amazing show and our biggest tour yet. The bands on the tour this year are simply the most exciting new bands in the world right now. It's going to be a wild night in every venue, I can guarantee that. This tour is the hottest ticket you can buy and it's going to sell out quickly so if you want one, I'd get moving quickly.”

SHOCKWAVES NME AWARDS TOUR 2006

JANUARY 2006
24th Dublin Ambassadors
25th Belfast Ulster Hall
27th Glasgow Academy
28th Edinburgh Corn Exchange
29th Newcastle Academy
31st Nottingham Rock City

FEBRUARY 2006
1st Leeds University
2nd Liverpool University
4th Manchester Academy
7th Sheffield Octagon
8th B/Ham Academy
9th Norwich UEA
11th Cardiff Great Hall
12th Cambridge Corn Exchange
13th Bristol Academy
15th Portsmouth Guildhall
16th Brighton Dome
17th Brixton Academy

Tickets are available online at link <link> or by calling the booking line on 08701 663 663.

photo by Deirdre O'Callaghan