Final 4 Chosen To Play Alongside Gomez At Red Stripe Music Award

• 29th Apr 2009

The line up for the Red Stripe Music Award final is now complete with four talented bands chosen to play alongside Gomez at the HMV Forum in Kentish town on Tuesday 5th May.

Picked from over 150 bands that have played around the UK since January 09, here are some comments from the panel

GIDEON CONN (Manchester) link
Although based in Manchester, Gideon Conn is well known on the London scene having
toured extensively around the UK, and played at UK festivals, including Glastonbury.
He has self-released a number of EPs, and released his first single I Want You Around
achieving radio play on XFM BBC Radio 1 as well as supporting popular American
singer-songwriter Jason Mraz.

“Gideon’s original approach stood out a mile – he makes impossible-to-pigeonhole ditties that are as effortlessly simple as they are hooky-as-hell. It’s folk one minute and hip-hop the next, quirky pop music that sounds like it’s being played through Fisher Price instruments – excellent.” Niall Doherty, The Fly Magazine

FIRST DEGREE BURNS (Bristol) link
First Degree Burns (FDB) are an eight piece band whose influences stem from the
concrete roots of Bristol, via France, Jamaica and much in between. Channelling a
plethora of musical styles and influences, be it Dub, Skank driven Ska, Roots Reggae,
Two Tone, Rock, Metal through the all inclusive umbrella of Hip Hop, they’ve created a
fusion which they proclaim as “Skip Hop” – up tempo and regarded as ‘danceable’.

“Amid a sea of guitar bands that took part in this year’s RSMA, First Degree Burns were a refreshing alternative, their take on brassed-up ska-punk injecting a Specials-on-speed groove into proceedings.” James Bruce, Supervision Management.

BEN HOWARD (Porthtowan) link
Despite being born in London, Howard has spent most of ten years in Totnes,
Devon and is currently studying in Falmouth.

‘Ben Howard stands out above your average singer songwriter with some cracking lyrics, pitch perfect songs and exceptional guitar skills. I’m looking forward to seeing him on a bigger stage as it’s clearly where he belongs.” Jonny Kirkham, Red Stripe

PHILADELPHIA MAINLINE (London) link
Formed in late 2005, the Hackney-based duo have built an arsenal of ballsy and bluesy
songs, resulting in a huge fan base. The 2 piece ‘scuzz blues’ band boasts one part finger shredding riffs and vocals backed by thunderous drum explosions. The band has taken London by storm with gigs at 93 Feet East, Dublin Castle, The Luminarie and The Windmill

“PML played one of the first RSMA shows back in January, but the blues-roar of their performance at The Windmill that night meant that they were always going to be in contention for the final. They make music that’s retro without sounding dated, and it’s easy to forget when your ears are being pummelled by their Hendrix-y riffs that there’s only two of them onstage.” Jon Mcildowie, Mama Group

Deciding on which of the four finalists will be crowned this year’s winners and playing slots at 3 top UK festivals (The Great Escape, Lovebox and Blissfields) will be Romeo Stodart from the Magic Numbers, Steve Proud of 14th Floor Records, Paul Bonham of Crown Music Management and Flash Taylor from Sony Publishing.

The evening will be compered by Radio One’s very own BBC Introducing Huw Stephens, with rhythm and blues masters, Gomez, headlining the night fresh from a 12 date UK tour and available for a special signing for the first 100 through the door.