Free spirits are Unstrung

Apr 29 2005 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ROCK stars are expected to fit the stereotype of macho men who live fast, play hard and enjoy life to excess.

But London band Thee Unstrung are breaking the mould. They are not about good times, girls, glitz or glamour.

They are a working class group of 19-year-olds offering aggressive, attitude-filled raucous punk, inspired by self-doubt, depression and rejection.

Audiences can sample this sound when Thee Unstrung come to The Cornerhouse in Huddersfield on May 5, courtesy of local promotions company Half-Cut.

Thee Unstrung are singer Steve Holbrook, guitarist Ben Bailey, bass player Rob Power and drummer Ben Tweedy.

They signed to Alan McGee's Poptones label and last November released their debut single Contrary Mary.They followed this up on April 25, with second single Psycho.

The band are currently working on an album with engineer Phil Brown - who has worked with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones. Acting as producer is Chris Difford, best known from British band Squeeze.

Guitarist Ben said the album was inspired by childhood experiences.

He said: "All our songs are about growing up in London. There's a free spirit there and I'm up for that - freedom of speech and liberty.

"Everyone helps each other so there's no rivalry. Everyone's trying to pull each other up to the same position."

The Cornerhouse gig is the final date of Thee Unstrung's 28-date tour, which started on April 1 with support slots for rock band Feeder and Poptones label mates, The Others.

However, from April 11 the band have been flying solo, headlining gigs across the UK.

At Huddersfield they will be supported by Si Connelley.

* Doors open at 8pm. Entry £4. To find out more about Thee Unstrung, visit www.theeunstrung.co.uk.

NEWS:

* Holmfirth Rock and Blues Weekend starts at The Picturedrome today. Opening the show are Huddersfield funk/dance act Kava Kava, Wakefield group New Vinyl and Huddersfield funk group The Cut.

The Diamond Geezers and The Stranglers perform tomorrow and on Sunday, blues-rockers The Hamsters, the Travelling Bilberets and Pink Floyd tribute act Off The Wall will take the stage.

On Monday, local groups Munk, Storm and Black #5 will play alongside Bridlington-based grindcore/metal band Torsohorse and Midlands funk rock group Invey.

For information on tickets and times, visit www.picturedrome.net or contact Holmfirth Tourist Information on 01484 222444.

GIGS:

Tonight: l If I Were King play at The Barge in Brighouse.

* HuddsMusicScene presents On The Scene featuring Encasia, Stricken and Blindsight at Bar 1 Twenty.

* Nine-piece soul group Morris and The Minors play at The Spinks Nest pub in Birkby from 8pm.

* Local rockers Crush support Los Angeles group Faster Pussycat at Bradford Rios. Tickets from www.crushrocks.co.uk.

* Broadband play at The Yorkshire Victoria in Lockwood.

Tomorrow: l Rough Edge play at The Barge.

* HuddsMusicScene presents Celt Islam Sound System feat Inder Goldfinger and Bongo Chilli, They Made Me Do It and Taurus Tetsuo Prophecy at Bar 1 Twenty.

* The Band of Oz play at the DRAM Centre on Ridgeway in Dalton. This gig was mistakenly advertised for last Saturday and the band apologises for the mix-up.

* The Psychoslinkys play at The Bay Horse in Lindley.

* Friends of Dave play at the Duke of Leeds in New Mill.

* Lights Out play at The Yorkshire Victoria.

Sunday: l Electric Open Sessions at Bar 1 Twenty from 7.30pm. All instruments provided, all musicians welcome.

* Irish act Up and Running play at The Barge.

* The New Bad Backs play at Tivvydale Country Club at Cawthorne from 8.30pm.

Monday: l HuddsMusicScene presents The Monday Mosh at Bar 1 Twenty.

* Irish George performs at The Barge.

Tuesday: l HuddsMusicScene presents The Acoustic Club open mic night at Bar 1 Twenty.

Wednesday: l HuddsMusicScene presents The Live Sessions acoustic night at Bar 1 Twenty.

* Huddersfield funk act The Cut play at Dublin Castle in London from 8.15pm. Get discounted entry by downloading a flyer from www.thecut-theband.com.

* Roger Davies plays at The Green Room on Devonshire Street in Sheffield. Free entry.

Thursday: l HuddsMusicScene presents Wavelength live music night at Bar 1 Twenty.

* The Swing Commanders play at the Rock Cafe on Ramsden Street from 9.30pm. Free entry.

* Roger Davies plays at The White Room on Cleveland Street in Hull. Free entry.

* Jam session at The Barge with Stella and Fluff.