
DESIGNER MAGAZINE / TCBLIVE.CO.UK
Presents
PURE REASON REVOLUTION
Studio Monkeys
10 Acre
The Second Floor
VENUE: Night & Day Cafe, Manchester
DATE: Sunday September 25th
TIME: Doors 7pm
PRICE: £5 in Advance / £7 on the door
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THE
LOWDOWN
* Designer Magazine has been running in Manchester for over 6
years and attracts 10,000 readers per week
* TCB:Live promote the Club Fandango nights in Manchester. Recent
headliners include Hard-Fi, The Raveonnettes and 9 Black Alps
* The first co-promoted gig Designer Magazine / TCB:Live in June
nearly broke box office records at Night & Day café
for ticket sales on the night
* Pure Reason Revolution release the mini album "Cautionary
For The Brave" on September 26th on Sony Records. The band
support Mew on tour in September, this Manchester date is their
only headline show in the Northwest.
* 10acre's "Boys In Blue" is played to 50,000 people
each week at the City Of Manchester Stadium. They were described
on BBC Radio 1 as "One of the best acts around" by Johnny
Marr (The Smiths)
.....Full Biogs and web / audio links below.....

PURE REASON REVOLUTION
www.purereasonrevolution.com
Pure
Reason Revolution is a band that doesn't fit in with any prevailing
scene. That's one of their major attractions, of course, but it
means they are devilishly hard to categorise.
Astral folk? The New Prog? Beach Boys harmonies laced with speed
metal slam downs, pure pop melodies and space rock explorations?
What exactly have we got here?
"There are no boundaries, in music you should be able to
do whatever you want, why should there only be 30 seconds of music
before the vocal comes in? You want to use strings guitar, bongo
or record running water? Go right ahead there's no boundaries,"
insists main man John Courtney, guitar vocals and Pure Reason's
dream weaver in chief.
As
their recent 12 minute long single release The Bright Ambassadors
Of Morning makes clear this is not a group that conforms to any
of the tried and trusted how to succeed in the business gameplan.
No boundaries can mean a chaotic mess but, as the masterful atmospherics
summoned in their live show, underline Pure Reason Revolution
are a much more tantalising proposition. They combine vaulting
ambition with an unerring pop sensibility, and a deeply emotive
joyous heart at the centre.
Over
the past two years, since their acclaimed live debut at In The
City, which say them hailed as one of the bands of the festival
by Steve Lamacq among others, Pure Reason's reputation has grown.
Dedicated and unassuming they are not a band to shout or brag
about their achievements, drug habits or worry that their collective
profile isn't attracting the correct trendsetting attention.
The
roots of the band stretch back over a decade to when Reading based
friends Chloe Alper (23) and John Courtney (25) paths crossed
while playing in a succession of teenage bands. They were children
of the grunge generation; Kurt Cobain's love of dynamic contrasts
was evidently to play a part in Jon's later compositions. But
there were other influences too, The Beasties and The Chemical
Brothers and their initially derided parent's record collection
- Led Zeppelin, CSNY, The Beach Boys and Pink Floyd.
"I
really like The Ramones, barbershop music, 60s pop, I listen to
anything and everything. We're not mega chops players that do
long solos its about connecting segments of music to create a
unified mood that takes the listener on a journey." explains
Jon.
This
is a band not afraid to explore intelligent thought processes
either and education helped broaden their creative mindset. At
college Courtney's typically ambitious thesis centred on the construction
of genius. Chloe studied architecture at Oxford, writers like
Oliver Sacks, situationist pioneer Gerard Nerval and William Burroughs
provided inspiration and food for thought that would eventually
feed into Pure Reason Revolution songs.
It
was while at University that Jon met Greg Jong (vocals and guitar)
later replaced by Jamie Wilcox and keyboard player Jim Dobson,
together with Chloe and Jon's brother Andrew on drums Pure Reason
Revolution was born.
A
one off contract with Poptones label produced their debut single
Apprentice To (of) The Universe released last April (2004), gradually
the songs that would comprise their forthcoming debut mini album
Cautionary For The Brave also began to be written and recorded.
"It's
essentially a concept album that investigates the supposedly sharp
boundary between dreaming & wakefulness," explains Jon."Perhaps
the two states aren't actually so very different! In life, as
in dreams extraordinary things happen that do not seem so extraordinary
at the time. After all, waking & dreaming states are both
products of the same brain."
But
- another great thing about Pure Reason Revolution - despite their
studies they realise that learning isn't everything. The songs
leave room for instinct to come to the fore too.
"You
can be incredibly knowledgeable but it's the imagination that
will allow the sparks to fly. You can be incredibly knowledgeable
and never have an idea of your own," says Jon
Chloe: "Knowledge is about control, creativity is a flow
from the subconscious that's really what the album is about."
It
seems only natural therefore that dreams provide an inspiration
for the songs.
Jon:
"Some of the lyrics just come in the middle of the night
I wake up and write a whole collection of words down, sometimes
they are poems or short stories that get adapted into songs. The
Greeks had dream temple priests where people would go and have
their dreams analysed."
There
are several singular elements to the Pure Reason Revolution music
that allow this concept to take flight. Both on record and live
their intricate harmonies are a revelation, a product of the collective
attention to detail.
"I'm
a self proclaimed control freak and perfectionist," Jon grins.
"Luckily
he's the smallest out of the lot of us," smiles James, "so
we can prevent (things) going too far."
Live
it becomes apparent how significant the multi tasking Chloe is
to the band, giving PRR an appreciation of female power and presence
unrivalled in contemporary British music. To find a comparison
you have to look back to Fairport Convention's work with Sandy
Denny or Pentangle with Jacqui McShee. Indeed in the boys world
of contemporary Britpop it's hard to find many bands that have
such a warmly balanced gender input.
"I
don't know why there's not many women in a frontline position,
I think you have to be quite brave you're either a girl bassist
or you front it but you rarely see a girl have an equal role,"
reflects Chloe "Yeah we're a bit more Fleetwood Mac in that
respect, " says Jon.
The
feelings of freedom, ambition and emotion are always entwined
in their music.
Jon
"I just write and if its high notes I think it will be nice
for Chloe sometimes she tries it and says no its yours, there's
no set thing its whatever sounds best."
One
journalist has described his reaction to PRR's brand of "prog"
as being like that (of)a gay man finding out he fancied a woman,
initial surprise and shock followed by gradually developing rapture
discovering the elegant contours the soaring highs, melodic ingenuity
and harmonic balm that courses through their music.
Another
journalist talked of leaving a gig feeling they were in a drug
delirium after ingesting nothing stronger than a lager shandy.
"That's
wicked," say Jon contentedly, "if we mesmerise someone
like that we've really achieved what we set out to do."
The
Cautionary Tales For The Brave wasn't knocked off in double quick
time, nor does it sound like it. Thoughtful and complex, obsessed
with the ability of music to create and transcend moods and situations
it eventually had to be wrested from the band's fevered attentions.They
can laugh at now, all that obsessive compulsive dedication to
getting every little sound right, its almost embarrassing to think
about, how lost in the music they got. But the listener won't
resent it - the album is ready and waiting, a questing beauty
that stands as one of the decade's most far reaching debuts.
Meanwhile
the PPR live show continues to grow developing a unique compact
between band and audience, scaling jagged peaks of metal, dreamy
departures into glistening guitar led odysseys and angel kissed
harmonies. Recreating the album isn't what they aim for, its rawer,
more rough edged sound live that (????) feeling that you are there
tied in to the birth of something. But the effect they attain
is similar to what they achieve on record, a grand journey that
leaves the audience slightly dazed but lifted and transformed.
I know I know, it starts to get a little embarrassing but that's
what they are like.
To
recap Pure Reason Revolution are dedicated and unassuming people
but get them talking about music and their devotion to finding
the muse and letting it flow becomes clear. And when they get
talking its hard to stop them, they can't help themselves.They
are a band who won't be rushed and have defined their own unique
sense of time and musical motion. They care about and tend to
fine (find?)details others miss and aim further and travel higher
than nearly any group you could care to mention : ambition, sky
scraping glory, dreamy cascades, hot rock heaven and pure pop
excellence.
I
know, I know embarrassing isn't it - another verbose word monger
trying to describe the colour of air, to capture in words what
really you have to experience for yourself. So a word to the wise
- Pure Reason Revolution - just turn on, tune in and
get
ready to fly.

STUDIO MONKEYS
www.myspace.com/studiomonkeys
The
Studio Monkeys are a stomping good time Rock n Roll band from
Manchester. With a sound that echoes that of Stones in 72 and
the Faces, with their own touch. After hiding away from the public
ear, the SM were thwarted onto the scene after much demand following
their private invitation only parties at their, shall we say spiritual
home, studio.
Formed
in late 2004 they consist of ex Britpop band Jubilee members (Ross
Baxter-Guitar / Chris Holdich-Drums) and singer songwriter Mick
Jones, the bass position has been a revolving duty by various
session players.
In
early 2005 they unleashed a stomping acoustic set at a sell out
show at the Britons Protection in Manchester, and have been staging
invite only shows at the studio parties. Following pressure from
various friends and promoters they are now being begged to play
live venues.
This
band will blow you away with their infectious songs that you just
can't help stamping your feet and singing along to.
Currently
recording their E.P, they will be main support to Pure Reason
Revolution on Sunday 25th September
Not
to be missed????????

10ACRE
www.myspace.com/10acre
/ www.10acre.net
This
widely recognised band from Moston have been regularly gigging
in North Manchester since 1997. They describe their sound as "big,
loud, smart, eclectic and intelligent." - an epic sound and
driving contemporary indie rock.
In
1998, 10acre won the NME competition against all unsigned bands
in the North West to support Mansun at Manchester Academy.
The
band were invited to support The Chameleons at their homecoming
gig at Middleton Civic Hall in Dec 2001.
In
April 2001, 10acre performed as part of Linder Sterling`s ''The
Working Class go to Paradise'' at London`s ICA Theatre.
Recently,
10acre were asked by Manchester City Football Club to update 10cc`s
'Boys in Blue' record and this is now the new anthem for the City
of Manchester Stadium!!
"10acre
are one of the best acts around" Johnny Marr (being interviewed
by Jo Whiley on Radio 1), guitarist, The Smiths
"From
Joy Division to the sculptural rock of 10acre ? they bend guitar
chords into a seeming infinity, with drums that make LED zeppelin
sound like the Smurfs." Michael Bracewell, The Guardian Review.
10acre
are:
Vocals and Guitar: John Rudden
Vocals
and Guitar: James Freeman
Lead Guitar: Chris Oliver
Bass: Gray Shaw
Drums: Jason Coverdale [nut]

THE SECOND FLOOR
www.thesecondfloor.co.uk
Like
many new bands, The Second Floor go into 2005 hoping this could
be their breakthrough year. Unlike their contemporaries however,
The Second Floor start the year not as some work in progress or
a band of mere promise, but as the finished article, the real
deal. The band play songs with the depth and assuredness of a
band at their peak, but with all the edge and impetus you'd expect
of a fledgling act.
Formed
as a trio three years ago in the overlooked void between Manchester
and Merseyside, the band have since built up an adoring following
with a series of rapturously received local gigs, augmented by
successful dates around the country. All this time the band have
been constantly expanding their sound, adding a keyboardist/guitarist
around a year ago and honing a body of songwriting that would
put many established acts to shame.
"Dynamic,
atmospheric rock n' roll" is how the band describe themselves,
but that only tells part of the story of a band weaned on everything
from 60's psychedelia to epic dissonant post-punk, old-school
rap to northern soul. These influences reflect in the band's music,
forming a focussed, unique and modern sound. Lyrically, the band
don't ask you to feel their pain, they write songs that resonate
with anyone living life's journey of peaks and troughs. These
are songs of passion that are inspirational and intoxicating,
with an immediacy to captivate instantly. Catch them live and
prepare to fall in love.
Thanks to the following people for making this gig happen:
* Matt at TCBLive.co.uk for co-promoting this event with Designer
Magazine
* Jay at Night & Day Cafe - Manchester's finest music venue
* Mark Winstanley for designing the flyers for this gig. For great
deals on flyers and website email him by clicking here
* And last but not least Pure Reason Revolution, Studio Monkeys,
10acre and The Second Floor for playing the gig
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