Ciaran from Manchester

There is alot to be said for 'The Cribs' guerilla attack on the indie mainstream, while they have been around touring and releasing singles since 2003 I think it is fair to say they hadn't reached the masses until the release of 'Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever', their 3rd album... [more]

There is alot to be said for 'The Cribs' guerilla attack on the indie mainstream, while they have been around touring and releasing singles since 2003 I think it is fair to say they hadn't reached the masses until the release of 'Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever', their 3rd album released in early 2007.  

So, why is this? I think there are many reasons, aesthetically they have bad hair and bad clothes & vocally they are unorthodox, in that technically speaking, they can't sing. Primarily however, I believe they have actively avoided and rejected it and only through traditional Indie/punk values of a very heavy touring schedule and vehemently intense live shows have they gathered a now massive cult following.

There music speaks for itself though with thier singles throughout their 3 albums proving their talent at delivering wry & witty lyrics over ludicrously catchy riffs and loud and dirty basslines. And, to be fair to them, some of their best tracks remain unreleased.

Ultimately though, this band are so good because they know how to deliver their tracks live. Every member of this band show charisma on stage, with drummer Ross frequently standing on his drum stool to get a piece of the action. The tracks have the BPM, anthemic sing along factor and shambolic, anarchic delivery to more than involve the crowd and make their gigs something special.

If you don't know their music listen to 'Our Bovine Public', the perfect track to summarise their musical style and ethos.

Finally, ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr has officially become the fourth member of 'The Cribs' which for any Cribs fan is an interesting development. With their sound up until now being distinctly representative of a 3-piece band with the single guitar/bass combination working wonderfully up until this point, suffice to say the addition will impact on their sound and style. What comes next is a new era for 'The Cribs' and I know that I am one of many that stands in eager anticipation of what is to follow. I'm almost certain it will be amazing! [less]

Following the release of a couple early singles, at this time 'Acrylic' being the most recent, and a few well placed words by lead singer Liam Fray the atmosphere around this band was electric, and I was a fool if I wasn't going to see them live before they shot... [more]

Event Date: 04/12/2007
Event Venue: Manchester Apollo

Following the release of a couple early singles, at this time 'Acrylic' being the most recent, and a few well placed words by lead singer Liam Fray the atmosphere around this band was electric, and I was a fool if I wasn't going to see them live before they shot into the mainstream. And this was the perfect arena, at the majestic Apollo with Charlatans heading a (mostly) Manchester bill ('The Cribs' played lead support, they're from Wakefield) including Starsailor, Stepehen Fretwell and The Ting-Tings. There really was no better place to showcase their material to their home crowd.
 
Unfortunately, the gig was a disaster. So many things were wrong I can't start to give it's poorness credit, but firstly they hadn't made the step up from the tiny venues and failed to deliver to a 1000-strong crowd with too much instrument staring and failure to deliver the endearing arrogance that had given them so much column space in NME. The vocal, which I have heard other times sound good, on this occasion was passable at best. And while they had the hardiest of fans moving to their singles their remaining tracks had everybody staring, non-plussed, at there mediocrity.

They left the stage to luke warm applause to be followed on by seasoned pros, 'The Cribs' who instantly had everybody excited and jumping about again. This served to show how far they were from where they wanted to be and perhaps that something would always be lacking. There is nothing worse than going from excited anticipation to despondant depression, it was worse than England being knocked out of a major tournament or knocking over a pint someone else has bought for you. In short, I thought they were the saving grace of a rapidly declining Indie scene; in fact, they are part of the detritus bringing it down. [less]

'We Were Promised jetpacks' were the lead support on this night following 'The Dirty Souls' and leading up to 'Frightened Rabbit'. TDS are a local act that seemed to fill the venue with friends and family, FR had a new album just released so WWPJ were the unknown quantity on... [more]

Event Date: September 5, 2008
Event Venue: Night & Day Cafe, Manchester

'We Were Promised jetpacks' were the lead support on this night following 'The Dirty Souls' and leading up to 'Frightened Rabbit'. TDS are a local act that seemed to fill the venue with friends and family, FR had a new album just released so WWPJ were the unknown quantity on this night, their first gig outside of Scotland.

Their performance however delivered way beyond my expectations. The drum patterns and arrangements of the tracks draw comparison to early 'Bloc Party' and their powerful, epic delivery and the vocal style was comparable with 'The Sunshine Underground'.

The lead singers powerful voice allowed him to move away from the mike and still be heard, thereby allowing his impressive stage presence to shine. The urgency and desperation to deliver these spasmodic and angular tracks was as dramatic and electrifying as it was refreshing.

For me, this band was so good they made so many gigs before and after seem insignificant. The music industry is filled with injustice, but if these young lads don't find relative success it will be a failure of the people of Britian. Please, go and see them!! I know that I will follow them forever.

10/10 [less]