Twisted Wheel @ The Auditorium, Leicester 27/11/2010

 

After the treacherous driving conditions on the way home from the previous nights' gig, it was with some trepidation that we sent out for the drive down the M1 to Leicester... The last time Twisted Wheel graced the stage in the town was at the Music cafe, which has now sadly closed down, leaving Leicester without any real venues for upcoming bands, hence tonights gig at the larger Auditorium. Its a good venue, but with the temperature well below freezing outside, it was no warmer inside, therefore it was no surprise that the band wore wolly hats for the soundcheck, before trying to warm themselves up in the dressing room with the small fan heater (which blew up) or running the hot tap in the bath (yes, a bath in the dressing room!) only to find it was just pumping out freezing water. One bright note tho - the manger bought down some fan mail for the band to read (addressed to Twisted Wheel c/o the Auditorium) and duely signed some photos for the fans who couldnt make it to the gig.... In a bid to get warm, off we marched to find a warm pub serving hot food, after a couple of false promises, we managed to find the Slug & Lettuce - which we highly recommend (particularly their Cottage Pie with abundance of red wine, and the reggae reggae chicken burger!)...

Suitably nourished, its back to the venue to prepare for the gig.....

10.30 and The Wheel take to the stage, with the usual chants of wHHHEEElllll... getting the crowd warmed up with 'Lucy The Castle' and 'Shes a Weapon'. Lots of friendly banter ensue with the locals appreciating the mix of new songs as well as old. The dry ice/smoke machines are on overdrive tonight, playing havoc with dry mouths, so more beer has to be consumed I guess. The place warms up, and so does the pace of Twisted Wheel, with their never ending energy and enthusiasum like any decent punk rock band should have, Leicester just doesnt know its luck, with a set of over an hour long, its with great sadness when they finnish with 'Oh What Have You Done'.  The Lads stick around once more to chat to their fans and have a beer or three with them. This is one thing that Twisted Wheel feel strongly about, they ALWAYS have time for their fans... so much so.... that there may be a surprise Christmas gig for their fans ~ watch this space!

Now theres only four more chances to catch sight of Twisted Wheel before they lock themselves away recording their hotly tipped and eagerly anticipated new album...

~~PLEASE NOTE - all words and visuals by me, if you want to use them, feel free,

but it is polite to ask~~

Twisted Wheel @ Inside Out, Darlington gig review & photos 26/11/10

One of Twisted Wheel's favourite venues is Inside Out in Darlington, as its like playing in the comfort of your own home, with comfy sofas and chairs, TVs, radios, mirrors and flock wallpaper and even a washing machine (not forgetting the VW camper van that doubles as a mixing desk), all thats missing is a roaring log fire (well, the temperature outside IS freezing), so here I am settled down into one of the comfy chairs, with coats piled on top of me to keep me warm whilst watching the sound check, I hear the first chords of 'Turnaround', ahhh its been such a long time since they've played that song, it was sooo good to hear that guitar rifff once again, its a real strong contender for the top track on their new album (to be released early 2011)... stay tuned for more information.....

Getting down to business, later on in the evening, Twisted Wheel play a rip roaring set to the crowd, who mosh from start to finnish (btw a gold star award for the two girls down at the front giving as good as they got!). Starting off with 'Lucy The Castle', 'Shes a Weapon' and 'Racket'. The newies 'Better Man' and 'New Boy' go down a storm, and brand spanking newie 'Ipod Generation' also getting a good reception. The crowd barrier gets dismanteled a few times during the set, well, what more do you expect at a good old punk rock n roll gig??? The bouncers are polite and let the crowd enjoy themselves, with the audience at the back singing along, this is how a good natured, fun, foot stomping gig should be!

After the gig, the band stick around to talk to thair fans, but on venturing outside they find their van already warm and waiting as the snow had started to come down thick and fast, 4cm already on the road and a long journey back down the motorway (with a stop off at a snow bound service station to warm everyone up with hot drinks and chips) loomed. 

Thanks to everyone who turned up at the gig despite some atrocious weather conditions - hope you all got home safely.

Twisted Wheel gig review @ The Leadmill, Sheffield 19/11/2010

                  ^ photos by Charly Murgatroyd  

   

Twisted Wheel Sheffield Leadmill 

19th November 2010 by Tony Beesley

Photos from the band’s February gig on the Steel stage by Kevin Wells.

(For more Twisted Wheel photos check out the book 'This is Our Generation Calling')

Unveiling a new line up with only the leader singer/guitarist Jonny Brown remaining, the classic 3 piece Twisted Wheel from Oldham show they still have what it takes to a Leadmill crowd on a dreary November Friday night. New members Stephen Evans on bass and Eoghan Clifford on drums have certainly made themselves at home well and tonight’s gig convinces me that all is well in the Wheel camp.

    Twisted Wheel played the smaller Steel stage earlier this year but have now claimed the main room to showcase their high energised rock n’ roll set. Blending a pot purée of frantic Rhythm and Blues, Punk, Indie Rock and Mod into their own individual sound, the band still have the confidence and talent to make it much further in the biz! Based on tonight's excellent set, mixing the bulk of their debut album with a scattering of new songs, Twisted Wheel have so much to offer and I personally want to have it all!

 

Opening up with single ‘Lucy the Castle’ the front of the stage soon erupted into an electrified throng of singalong fans, leaping bodies and excitable stage invaders: hats off to the Manchester posse who - some being friends of the band - were keen to show their exuberance and love of Twisted Wheel. A sing-along onstage with Jonny Brown resulted in one young lad being escorted off by three bouncers before being ejected from the venue. This kind of over-reaction is becoming more prevalent at Rock gigs of late: Health and Safety rules are stifling the Rock n’ Roll live experience and whilst fingers can’t be pointed as to who exactly is to blame, I wonder how far is it gonna go before we are really treat like clones and told not to get over-excited with the live music on show…Do not move until the show is over and the like? To be fair, the security guys and venues staff only do their jobs, but it still indicates how controlled and monitored live music actually is. Relax the policies to suit the style of the band performing in my opinion… in other words enter at your own risk!

Back to the Wheel: the energy of the band continued unabated throughout, only the solo rendition of ‘Bouncing Bomb’ and the pure Mancunian pronounced ‘Strife’ slowing things down. ‘She’s a Weapon’, ‘We are Us’, ‘Let them have it all’, ‘You stole the Sun’ and one of my faves ‘Oh what have you done’ are all here. The dynamic energy oozes from the stage and feeds through all willing participants creating a true Punk Rock injected experience. All the frenetic speed of the best in UK first wave Punk have been thrown into the recipe book… think Slaughter and the Dogs, The Clash and The Jam meeting a healthy does of sixties beat sensibilty and a slight extra sprinkling of the more recent sounds of the Arctic Monkeys and ‘Rock n’ Roll Star’ template song Oasis and you’re nearly there. But… above all it’s the final delivery and serving that belongs to the Wheel and in all instances, be it on disc or onstage, the band retain their own true identity. Along with a handful of UK young bands out there at the moment, I have high hopes for the Wheel and can’t wait to hear their new stuff come out. Second album stumbling block scenario should not be the case with these guys. I foresee them going from strength to strength. Take note: the future of Rock music is in good and capable hands. Let’s not let it get crushed by the political correctness of the modern world!!!

click HERE to buy the book 'This is our Generation Calling' by Tony Beesley

Twisted Wheel @ The Nines, Barrow in Furness 13/11/10

After the eventful night in Leeds, the Twisted Wheel bus takes a long trip through the Lakes up to the remote small industrial town of Barrow.  Now, not many bands play in Barrow as its way off the beaten track, but, of course, Twisted Wheel are no ordinary band, if fans make a request for them to play somewhere, the Wheel will endeavour to fulfill their fan's wishes. So, on this rainy windswept night, here we are, in a fantastic venue that wouldn't look out of place in an episode of Pheonix Nights, with it's glitter ball over top the dance floor and amazing hypnotising lights behind the bar, we waited patiently for..... Peter Kay...... (only joking!)

The place is buzzing, no one can quite believe that the mighty Wheel are gonna be on the stage tonight. There's loads of kids outside (about 50 in total), come to see their heros play, but a problem with a ticket supplier has left them out in the cold, on hearing this news, in true Twisted Wheel style Jonny goes out to see them, to sign t shirts and pose for photos with them, he tells them that they will be getting passes to future gigs of their choice to make up for their disappointment - later, during the set, he dedicates 'We Are Us' to them.

The lucky ones that made it inside were in for a treat. Storming on stage, straight into 'Lucy The Castle' followed by 'Shes A Weapon'. The lads are on fire tonight, sounding fresh and tight. With newies 'New Boy', and 'UK Blues' go down excelently with the crowd. Highlights of the set were 'Strife' and 'You Stole The Sun'. All too soon, its over with 'Oh What Have You Done' closing the magnificent night's set.

Its all over for another night. Crowds of girls squeeze into the tiny dressingroom with the plan of kidnapping the lads....... They know they'e on to a good thing when they see one!!!

Now theres not many more dates to catch the Wheel before they embark on recording their second album, so for goodness sake, don't miss the opportunity, you'll be kicking yourself next year!!

All the remaining gigs have new lower age limits for their young fans
so dont miss out!!

Leadmill (main room),Sheffield 19/11/10 14+

Inside Out, Darlington 26/11/10 16+ 

Auditorium, Leicester 27/11/10 16+

Fibbers, York 3/12/10 14+

The Masque, Liverpool 4/12/10 14+ 

Riverside, Newcastle 9/12/10 14+

Tokyo Project, Huddersfield 11/12/10 14+

~stay tuned - perhaps a Manchester date???~

~click HERE for tickets~

*please note Darlington, York, Newcastle & Huddersfield gigs, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult (18+)  - please bring your id with you

Twisted Wheel @ Leeds Cockpit 12/11/10 gig review

Twisted Wheel have a vast hoard of rowdy fans in Leeds, and tonights gig was another epic event that will surely go down in the realms of Wheel history as one of pure punk rock mayhem!

The Cockpit has played host to the lads a few times now, so it was no surprise that the venue had started to fill up quickly, and long before the lads came on stage it was impossible to move down at the front, with eager fans making sure they got the best view available.

The lads stormed on stage, straight in to 'Lucy The Castle', followed quickly by 'Shes a Weapon'. The crowd going mad, clearly, they've been starved of the punk rock vibe that the Wheel so generously give. 'Racket', Bad Candy' 'One night on The Street', the pace is astounding. Newie  'New Boy' gets a great response. Slowing things down slightly, the whole room sings along to 'Tell The World' [almost brings atear to the eye], a fantastic tune - btw it's still available on FREE download!!  'UK Blues', even tho its a newie, alot of the crowd know it and the mayhem esculates. Luckily, the security guys seem to have a more relaxed attitude, probably because Jonny had a go at them last time for being OTT!!!

'Strife' brings the house down, with everyone in the building singing along. Jonny  is then left alone on stage for an electric version of 'Bouncing Bomb', bringing the singalong to another level. With the return of Eoghan and Steve, its back down to business, with crowd surfers by the dozen. When they hit the first chords of 'You Stole The Sun' the audience can no longer contain themselves, lads get on stage and the diving starts... but thats NOTHING compared to the antics bought on by the brilliant  'Oh What Have You Done', people start to climb on stage, lads sing in Jonny's mike in perfect time, now theres a dozen people on stage, singing and dancing, a truely exhilerating experience and all good natured.

The Cockpit witnessed one hell of a night. To all of the doubters (are there any left?) - punk rock is alive and kicking, living in Saddleworth and oozing its way to the length and breadth of this barren land. For too long now, the masses have been fed a load of tripe, the finer grade of punk is here to stay - Twisted Wheel will conquer the blinkered and ignorant, the re-education is underway!!!

The Wheel keeps on Turning - Clashmusic.com





Twisted Wheel (if you follow the usual indie-rock trajectory) should’ve disappeared by now.



Rapidly signed by a major following a surge of support, strong songs and an In The City performance in Manchester, the band went on to support Oasis, Kasabian, Paul Weller and other hot potatoes over the past two years as well as their own headline tours. However, limited releases and unreleases led to the realisation that control was not theirs. Their eponymous debut album press presented them even further away as ‘your local Manchester lads’ – a confusing contradiction to the punk random intensity of their songs.



Indie-heads looking for a fashionable easy-to-digest image and sound became scathing while punters demanded more. Instead of the band’s own hand-drawn graphics, a photo of anorak-clad Mancunian likelies was the selling image. Maybe that rubbed off on the bass player and drummer who, after three years of non-stop touring, rehearsing and recording, decided they’d ‘rather have regular lives and jobs and see their girlfriends more.’

Which left Jonny Brown plus tunes and his rather irrepressive imagination. Even mighty men would have folded at this point (summer 2010), especially when his mother suddenly died after he spent a month by her bedside in a Spanish intensive care unit. But some bizarre phoenix seems to have been born instead… along with 28 new tracks and a determination to seize back the reins.

With a fervent drummer, Eoghan Clifford, and bassist, Stephen Evans, rigorous seven-days-a week-rehearsals and no holds on Brown’s sharp observational wit or the machine-like ferocity he bears upon both vocals and playing, the wheel has indeed grown in momentum. While contemporaries go for cardboard cut-out rock’n’roll, Twisted Wheel look like being the rawest outfit in the country as the sold-out understated gigs testify.

The new songs are a return to the grit and sweat, rhythm and blues of the 50s and 60s. They are about sound. The songs, The feel, texture. Not the clothes, the haircut, the trophy girlfriends. Image is dead. This is real punk. The songs don’t grow on you – they leap on you, copulate and become a part of you before you’ve even learnt the name. In fact, some of them are so new, they don’t even have names. They’re just feral, fierce and very fanciable. So good, they’re offensive.

Or so it seemed to me when I reluctantly attended one of their recent gigs in the Midlands. ‘UK Blues’ is a meteorite, a roar of outrage at the state of the nation while everyone else is moaning at the state of their own purse. ‘Do It Again’ is raw punk, ‘Poppy Love ’is a rabid romantic riot in the capsule of 50s rockabilly punk and a staccato chorus over which Brown’s vocals rip with unrelenting fierce vulnerability. Then there’s ‘Better Man’ with its searing melodies and a reggae-inflected track without a title which had everyone clapping two bars in. Obviously the old songs get the sing-back but it’s the new songs that blow me away. Just when you thought the Britain couldn’t get any littler, with every last melody pimped out to production houses in America and Jay Z, here comes the artillery – this time with some original ammunition.

Twisted Wheel are the band that proves rock and roll is still alive and kicking in the United Kingdom. No major media support, no radio play, every bit of shit know to man thrown at ‘em and they’re still rocking, ripping up venues and are probably the one band actually commenting on the state of the nation, rallying pure punk troops.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, it appears we’re going to have to deal with them. With a new album due to be released early next year and sold-out gigs across the UK on both sides of Christmas and beyond, they are recharting the territory, reclaiming music for the people by any means necessary.

As bonkers as their tunes? Time will tell whether they can really deliver the kickstart British music needs.

Words by Jaime Scrivener

go to http://www.clashmusic.com/ then click on the LIKE button

Twisted Wheel - the saviours of British punk - Viva Magazine Best of 2010 awards

for viva magazine click HERE