Yorkshire based
three-piece FANS have been generating a lot of hype over the last
year. The last couple of months have seen them release singles as a
teaser to Born Into their debut EP. I first heard of them six
months ago when one of their dad's handed me a demo, "this is my
son's band they are really good" is a sentence which you never
really expect to be true, as it turns out I was thoroughly impressed.
The EP was produced by
Matt Peel who has previously worked with Pulled Apart By Horses and
Eagulls, his involvement is yet another glowing reference of their
potential. FANS are however a very different proposition to the afore
mentioned cohorts of Peel. Their skill lays in their moody
resignation to the current state of the country rather than the
aggression on hyper energetic nature of the other artists. Each track has a dark,
brooding, undercurrent with layers of energy and uplifting bliss
carefully structured on top. From the start of the first track "Born
Into" their freedom of expression is clearly evident. The guitar
hooks and riffs are catchy enough to begin with but they wander and
develop from that starting point before they return and set off in
yet another direction. One of the many impressive components of this
EP is the driving percussion. It gives you the sense that the drummer
isn't just keeping time, he is in control and pushing the other two
to go faster and harder.
They have often been
compared with The Strokes and Interpol and whilst moments are
undeniably influenced by such bands this is a refreshing twist on
that style, fans of Interpol in particular will find much to behold
within this EP. In the past it has been mentioned that signer Dan
Louch has a vocal style similar to that of Julian Casablanca's, but
in my opinion it is much more like Matt Berninger from The National.
The distorted vocals are delivered in a contemplative, relaxed,
manner, as Casablancas did, but they feel like he is almost
daydreaming and just expressing his inner most thoughts out loud
especially in "To The Grave".
FANS will be supporting
This Feeling at Nation Of Shopkeepers in Leeds on the 18th of
September and Born Into will be available from the 4th of
September.
Words - Gary Sykes
Fans - Official