EMERGING Ellesmere Port band Northern Rise hit Liverpool at the weekend – offering indie-rock beats that are guaranteed to entertain.
Since forming last year, Northern Rise – comprising students from Ellesmere Port Catholic High School – have performed at numerous venues, from Ellesmere Port Civic Hall to jam-packed venues in Merseyside, including The Picket this Saturday.
They have amassed an impressive collection of material, which consists of both covers and original tracks, and recorded their first EP earlier this year.
Bass player Francis Day, 17, said: “We pride ourselves on being a good live band.
“We try to make our gigs as exciting as possible and recorded our EP in pretty much live takes, so we maintain the ‘raw’ sound of a live performance.”
While Northern Rise’s foundations lie in indie-rock, a classic rock element is also achieved courtesy of funk-driven baselines and powerful drumming.
Oliver Cummins, 16, vocals and guitar, describes his lyrics as stemming from teenage angst and surrealism.
He cites recent British rock bands including Arctic Monkeys and The Wombats as the band’s key influences, ‘with some of the attitude of classic rock and punk, which seem to have died out recently’.
Lead guitarist Daniel Kibbey, 17, said: “Generally a song takes shape when me and Francis come up with a chord progression and things are built on from there.
“Guitar parts are added, with the drums almost instantly and perfectly being added by Josh.
“Oli then weaves his lyrics into the song to bind the whole thing together.”
Drummer Josh Griffiths, 16, said they are looking forward to Saturday’s gig at The Picket.
He said: “We’re excited to play some new songs that we’ve never played live before.”
Fans can listen to and download tracks by Northern Rise for free on Bandcamp (northernrise.bandcamp.com) or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/Northern-Rise/156605991075093).
Northern Rise are performing on Saturday at The Picket, 61 Jordan Street, Liverpool. Doors open at 7.30pm and the band will be on stage at 9pm.
