CD Review by Maggie Woods | The Steeples: Britney's Tears

The Steeples Britney’s Tears [single]

“A fun, quirky young
band to blow your
cares away —
even more talent
coming out of Mersey-
side in the shape
of The Steeples...”

HINTS OF TWENTIES VAUDEVILLE AND SIXTIES CHIC pervades The Steeples' new single release, Britney's Tears. Think Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and you'll get the picture.

The Steeples bring their own talents into play and blatantly have a lot of fun doing so. Hotly tipped for the top, this indie band from Ormskirk near Liverpool is signed to Easy Money Records (www.easymoney
records.co.uk) and have a quirkiness that few bands can convincingly convey. Hailing from the city recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as having the most Number One hits in any country in the world, it's easy to see that this band of merry scallywags has clearly inherited Liverpool's hit-making virus — it's all in the genes.

With poignant, quirky lyrics combined with their "sweat-filled, hi-
octane live sets, they have already garnered themselves an enviable reputation and a hardcore following of self-styled Steeple People,"
says the publicity machine.

"Picture a hot bubbling cauldron full of skinny jeans, pretty boys, floppy fringes, ska-tinged guitars, infectious indie pop riffs; throw in a young Brian Wilson and stir with the Libertines, and you'll start to get the idea of The Steeples' sound.

Andy Culshaw

"They unashamedly state their influences as 'modern indie bands' but separate themselves from the chaff with twanging dancefloor-beckoning guitars and vocal delivery that leaves you with no choice but to grin and join in."

And join in you do. The foolish grin plastered all over your face is one consequence of listening to The Steeples. Their catchy uproar has already reached the ears of a number of tastemakers and a few advertisers — On The Run and Fallin' Down have been used as part of an NHS anti-smoking ad.

The Killers' management spokesman said The Steeples' Loosy Lucy was "the most commercial record I've heard in the last three years." Already befitting a Noughties classic, LoosyLucy was a recent MFM single of the week and the single Britney's Tears is set to follow suit. Trans-Atlantic tastemaker magazine, Nylon — who supported the likes of Hard Fi and Editors early on — is already a great early advocator of The Steeples.

Earlier this year the band was invited to play Liverpool and Blackburn's Oxjam events alongside other glitterati including The Bluetones, The Wedding Present, The Thrills and Rumblestrips. Early 2008 will see the foursome embark on their first nationwide tour, taking in all the UK's major cities, unleashing their brand of upfront indie-pop to their army of fans — many of whom have yet to see this fresh and exciting band perform live.

The Steeples

Individual members of the band have experienced success on previous projects playing at Glastonbury Festival, in the USA and touring with Sandi Thom. Manager Tony Newbury worked for Universal for 22 years and was involved in the careers of The Charlatans, The Farm and many more.

Along with Britney's Tears are two accompanying songs: Tight Tina
and Brown Eyes, combining to create a well-chosen, well-presented CD. With oodles of talent, a terrific song and a great sound, The 'in-spire-ational' Steeples will be able to proclaim their success from the tallest towers.

• The Steeples' single, Britney's Tears, will be released on 4 February (2008) on Easy Money Records.

"They have what it takes to be the future NME cover darlings…
If you're going to listen to one new band this year, make sure it's
The Steeples" — Nylon Magazine

"It's non-stop fun from the minute you hear that big guitar hook
of Loosy Lucy… one of my favourite new songs in some time"
— FutureSounds

Check out myspace.com/thesteeplesmusic.

Check out The Steeples acoustic XFM Session with Jim Gellatly at www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZAOto46ADc.

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