The Hidden Revolution - an interview
- Author
- keepoffthegrass
- Published on
- Tuesday, 24 Nov 2009
Earlier this year The Hidden Revolution secured a deal with independent label Fat Northerner Records and released their debut double a-side single Nightmares and Conscience in March. The single has been described as being full of adventure and escapism with definite prog leanings and recieved rave reviews. We caught up with band for a chat via the power of the internet…
Hello The Hidden Revolution, how are you? Introduce yourselves to us.
All good here thanks, we are: Chris Wise - Vocals, guitars. Ian Sanderson - Bass. Dale Harrop - Guitars. Jon Clark - Drums, and a new member, Leon Brierley - Guitars, loops and noises.
How did the band get together?
The band came together in August ‘06 with friends who’ve known one another and played in different bands over the years.
Where did the band name come from? Why The Hidden Revolution? Not some political or meaningful reason, we picked it from a list as it seemed to fit our sound well - which is a thing thats hard to explain in a few words. We also like that its quite open to interpretation, and we’re happy for people to hear us and attach whatever meaning they find to our name.
Your sound is pretty eclectic, who are your influences?
Everyone really were all from various backgrounds in music, whether it be Experimental, Jazz, Hip Hop, Folk, Rock, Indie, Metal, Electronic. Anything goes really, we just play with ideas, and go with the ones we all like, just based on how the songs feel to us.
You’re signed to Fat Northerner Records - how are they helping you out?
The first thing we did with our current line up was to play a live set for Dan from Fat Northerner over at Mancat college, it was the first time he’d heard us (the first time anyone had I guess) and he loved our sound & wanted to get in and do a single with us. That turned out to be the double A-side we released with them in March 09 (Nightmares/Conscience). We’ve also done a track for their John Cooper Clarke compilation, which is to be released early 2010, and are looking at going in recording the next single or EP with them soon, which is planned to be lead by the track "God Won’t Listen"
Tell us about you tour ’ God Wont Listen ‘?
We have a track of the same name and the Label want to call the tour God Wont Listen to tie in with this. The tour is in the pipeline looking like feb/march 2010, intended to go along with the next release. Do bands need the music industry? Has the internet opened opportunities for DIY bands, or is it as hard to break through as it always has been? The internet has made it a bit easier to market bands but we still think you need the funding from a label to go nationwide/global etc. They have strong contacts within to hit press/radio/TV.
What local bands have you played great gigs with? Apart from yourselves, who should we be looking out for?
Kirk Mcehlinney acoustic player with beatbox amazing sounds from this guy. The Safires and From The Kites Of San Quentin.
As for the industry, its certainly different to the way it was - probably the biggest thing nowadays being the live circuit. Bands rely on companies like SJM or Live Nation to get good slots and build their following. Of course, it can be done without this, but its a tough slog to build up a big enough following…even ardent fans will be loathe to come out to Manchester and watch their favourite band so often as every few weeks, whereas with good support slots with touring bands, local bands can pick up a good following by impressing fans of the headline/touring bands and grow from there.
What’s the best Manchester venue you’ve ever played?
The Ruby Lounge it’s a wonderful venue.
Most bands experience the shit gig? Usually in Macclesfield, or a pub just outside Bolton. Where was yours, and why was it bad?
Ha well of course we have our own tales but literally 4 day’s after our debut single and sell out gig @ The Ruby Lounge, we turned up to Hark 2 Towler in Bury. It’s this crazy pirates of the caribbean themed rock pub!!! Ha, we thought what the ** after waiting several hours for the sound engineer in walks this 80’s throwback equiped with Bandana and Van Halen t-shirt on, the place was dead! We found it hard to not to laugh at the poor guy but we thought we had time travelled back to ‘84. It just makes you appreciate the types of venues we now play in. The whole evening felt like were in an episode of Phoenix Nights.
What one thing should happen to make gigging in Manchester better?
Step away from the "pay to play" situation… It inevitably ends up with bands bringing their own crowds, who never stick around to watch the other bands on the night, and always seems to foster a competitive atmosphere between the bands, instead of just being able to enjoy the gig and play to shared crowds who are there to hear good music, not just there to support their mates with no real interest in enjoying good live music.
Is the past stifling the future by putting to much pressure on new acts such as yourselves?
Not really as we dont take much influence from the Manchester sound there is a stigma with that sound most of the 90’s was drenched in that Oasis type sound but there’s so many varied bands e.g Oceansize, The Switch, From The Kites Of San Quentin to name a few and Elbow, who we know have been around for ages, but have a sound that is Manchester based without being "manc" as it were. Though the recent past certainly does seem to affect the industry and the publics view of Manchester music, there are certainly enough bands around the city who are just following their own path, not mindful of what is expected of them as a ‘Manchester band’ and over time the reputation of the city’s music scene will be expanded by these bands (ourselves hopefully among them)
Who is the best superhero?
Superman coz he’s an alien and more or less immortal.
Finally, when do we get a The Hidden Revolution album? Are you recording one, and if so where will we be able to get it when it’s done?
Its certainly on our radar, and depends on what happens with the label over the coming year really. fingers crossed we’ll get to record an album really soon with them, I’m pretty sure we’ll find a way anyway to get one out there soon.
The Hidden Revolution play the Chorlton Irish Club on the 4th of December http://www.listentomanchester.co.uk/gig/dfe0e792-6a5f-4e9c-bd0f-668f7dc0c584
