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

Twisted Wheel @ Gatecrasher, Nottingham 29/10/10 (gig photos)

Twisted Wheel @ Brixton Jamm gig review 23/10/10

The long journey down to London hand't dampened the lad's spirits, nor had the rain dampend the spirits of the expectant crowd queued patiently outside the Jamm.

The last time I'd been to this venue, Jonny was performing one of his rare acoustic sets, tonight he was back with his reloaded mighty Wheel, ready to make some noise.

The venue was packed way before the lads took to the stage, with shouts of Wwwhhhheeelll ringing out, they stormed straight into 'Shes a Weapon', the crowd cause a riot - from the first chords and all the way through the set, with stage divers & girls on shoulders, this sell out night was one to remember. The security guys had their hands full and made their presence felt, but Jonny protested, willing the crowd on.

The new songs tonight, 'Better Man' and 'UK Blues' went down really well with everyone dancing.

London was not disappointed ... Roll on Nottingham....

Set List

'Shes A Weapon'

'Racket'

'Bad Candy'

'Lucy The Castle'

'One Night on the Street'

'Let them have it All'

'Tell The World'

'Better Man'

'Strife'

'We Are Us'

'UK Blues'

'You Stole the Sun'

'Oh What have you Done'

'Big Issue'



Twisted Wheel Stoke gig review on Thisisstaffordshire.com

Music Review: Twisted Wheel at The Underground, Hanley, October 15

ttp://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk

I WITNESSED a phenomenon – a feast of some of the best local bands topped off with the rawest rock and roll outfit going right now, the new line up of Twisted Wheel.

There remain very few true litmus tests of the rock and roll band but one sure one is playing Stoke-on-Trent particularly at the Underground – an iron box of a place, plonked on the edge of the city amid wasteland and car parks. The night sold out a week ago and it's already packing by the time first band, Faux Feet, take the stage at 8pm.

By 10pm, the box of the Underground is jammed up. You can't move. I find myself squished up against the disabled toilet door – the only alternative to rubbing ribcages with a tall rugby-player figure.

At 10.15pm, guitarist and vocalist, Jonny Brown, drummer Eoghan Clifford and bassist Stephen Evans take the stage – in every sense of the word, opening with the mortar-blast of She's A Weapon. As to who's doing the most singing, it's hard to say, as the crowd sing back word for word and bodies are already flying.

This is followed by the plucking jounce of Racket – a pure punk popsicle. Beer's flying and the new bassist actually moves! Quite a lot. This is a fight of a song with fervent drum thrashes – the most aggressive fun you can hear. Drummer Eoghan does it like he means it.
Bad Candy puts grins on all the punters. What's unusual is that there's as many girls as blokes here and ages range from pogoing 14 year olds in white trainers to groups of 40/50 year olds, nodding and smiling in satisfaction. 'Wheeeel!' is chanted in between songs, not that there's much space for that. When Lucy The Castle comes on, there's not one static body.
Tell The World , a song previously given out as a free download earlier this year, becomes a proper anthem now, with singbacks and Steve's backing vocals adding resonance. Despite the chants, the band move straight into Big Issue. Girls are moshing as much as the men, 50-year-olds punching the air. It appears the bassist is headbanging. People are grabbing each other's hands and swinging around. The bartender is the only one with very little to do.

Better Man is another new song, as fresh off rehearsals as can be, only finished this week apparently, but it sounds like it's been around forever. I've got it – the difference. The melodies have the absolution of passion. There's an uncontaminated ferocity in both delivery and structure which sets them light years ahead of previous contenders.

Jonny is bowled over by the audience response: 'Cheers! Thanks a lot for coming to watch us.'

You Stole The Sun predictably incites total mayhem. It's far too much fun for October. Even the band are in ecstasies, hugging each other. Brown states that this has been one of the best gigs he has ever played. The final song, Oh What Have You Done? is dedicated 'with love to the radio station'. That is Radio Stoke who, according to DJ Rob Adcock, had received 'more calls than for any band EVER before all day trying to get tickets'. The audience is two people deep during the final chorus and the end of set is dominated by the massive cheers.

As soon as the gig's over, people leave on a high. I can't help feeling I've witnessed a phenomenon: the start of something new. I review a lot of gigs up and down the country but this time I feel I reviewed a revolution of the best kind. There was simplicity and easiness in the fun and the music. Stoke, one of the last true rock and roll cities, got what it deserved: a proper, un contained, punk rock and roll band, the only ones who could reinvent The Wheel. I can't wait for their new album.

Bob Garner

Twisted Wheel stole the sun & took it to the Underground, Stoke on Trent 15/10/10

The atmosphere was electric last night, at the Undergound, Stoke. The place was totally packed, you couldn't have got another sardine in there!! The music was spot on, to get the crowd in the right mood, Small Faces, Happy Mondays, Oasis... you couldn't have asked for a better way to start an evening. Well before the band took to the stage there were huge chants of wwwwhhheeellll.

So let the mayhem commence... straight into 'Shes A Weapon', with the whole of Stoke present to sing along, it was obvious this was gonna be a gig to remember. With 'Racket' and 'Bad Candy' following in quick succesion. Plenty of news songs for the eager crowd tonight with another airing of 'Do It Again', & 'New Boy', 'UK Blues', and never played live before: 'Be There' & 'Reggae'.

Crowd surfers galore, beer and girls, it was an excellent night, Jonny thanked the crowd for being one of the best, and they truely were.

So the people of Stoke were totally impressed with the revamped Wheel, and showed their appreciation. With a special surprise for a young fan who chipped a tooth at the last outing - a chat with the band and a free t-shirt, it made her night. Twisted Wheel never forget their fans. 

SET LIST

'Shes A Weapon'

'Racket'

'Bad Candy'

'Lucy The Castle'

'One night on the Street'

'Do it Again'

'Let Them have it All'

'Tell The World'

'Big Issue'

'New Boy'

'Better Man'

'We Ae Us'

'Reggae'

'Strife'

'UK Blues'

'You Stole The Sun'

'Oh What Have You Done'

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Earlier in the evening the band went along to BBC Stoke to play some exclusive acoustic tracks live on air, and an interview with Jonny talking about the new line up, new album, Oasis and getting the blame for a huge bar bill, X Factor amongst other things. Listen from 0.40 onwards xx

click HERE to listen

Elgin Festival gig reviews

Elgin Festival gig reviews:

IT’S TIME TO TELL THE WORLD (the brakes are off Twisted Wheel)

Elgin Festival review by Robert Benson

It’s a brilliant bright blue September Saturday and the Twisted Wheel locomotive has driven  395 miles north of Oldham to the sublime heady heights of Elgin, Moray in Scotland. It will be the first of many gigs for the reinvented Wheel, with new bassist, Stephen Evans and not –quite-so-new drummer, Eoghan Clifford. Bands from the width and breadth of Scotland (including Dundee’s ‘Law City Soul’, Fife’s ‘Root System’, Glasgow’s ‘Figure 5’and Edinburgh’s ‘104s’) are scattered across the converted farm buildings, replacing pigs, sheep, cows, hens, horses, butter tubs, milking machines and tomato plants with more refined melodies if no better smells. Up on the hill,  wooden wigwams house bands and festival-goers and a constant autumn barbecue. Twisted Wheel played Elgin last year – but in town – and it was their love of the crazy passion of the audience which brought them all the way back again this year.

10pm.  Figure 5 with their Mexican-inflected fuselage and the 104s have been on and off. Eoghan has discovered his snare snapped in transit so is running around frantically with pieces of string. But by 11.55pm, they are cool, calm and collected. Somewhere. Although no one can find them.

Meanwhile, there’s a mini mayhem out front despite the late hour. The Loft crowd is a riotous knowledgeable, passionate mix of old and young, as many females as males and every one of them eager to see the new line up and hear the old songs. At last, a minute after midnight, the band enter stage.

The sixteen song strong set opens with ‘She’s a Weapon’ which has everyone up and at it but it’s the ravaging rage of new song ‘Do It Again’ which has them pogoing and yelping. This despite the fact that Stephen has discovered his bass is not working – as in wires-guitar relationship breakdown.

‘This is our new bassist, Stephen. It’s his first show and his bass isn’t working,’ announces Jonny. Stephen exits with dud bass while Jonny does an acoustic ‘Bang of The Beat’. The audience are mesmerised, no moans at bass situation. A kind supporting band member offers his bass, making his day and our night as Stephen returns, all plugged in and ready to go.  Now the band have the pedal to the floor and roar through ‘Lucy The Castle’, One Night On The Streets’ (which gets a lot of cheers),  ‘Let Them Have it All’, ‘Bad Candy’, ‘Racket’, ‘Strife’. ‘We Are Us’ and the irrepressible ‘You Stole The Sun’.

‘Tell The World’ is fresh to the giglist but welcomed as a stirring anthem with hands in the air and everyone seemingly knowing the chorus.  Still, it’s new song ‘Poppy Love’ which is my favourite: 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. Eoghan whips up the drums like unbridled monsters and the new dynamic bassist pulls out all the stops. Previously, the Wheel’s songs hinted at a crazy cosmos and imminent punk revolution but there was always a sense that someone was trying to drive at 90mph with the brakes on. Now the brakes are off, the cylinders full of  fire and nothing’s clogging the throttle.  At last, everything is working  on the same energy and all-out  craziness. Pure passion and the power of punk propel this intense threepiece and their uncompromising songs straight into the audience. If it’s pain, then they seem to like it. Girls and guys alike sing back the songs…despite the techno disco that’s opened upstairs.

By 1am, the even organiser is livid as police hover around the doors.

‘Curfew! You’ve got five minutes!’

There’s no time for ‘UK Blues’ tonight – just ‘Oh What Have You Done?’

And the bouncing bodies proclaim the answer: drive Twisted Wheel straight into the hearts of these distant bonny lands.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Twisted Wheel @ Elgin's Mad Ferret Festival by Joe Martin for www.thebeatsurrender.co.uk



Assembled, recharged and ready to roll; a fresh line up looks to have given Twisted Wheel an adrenaline fueled spin in the right direction. During the Dot to Dot festival in Nottingham, Bristol and of course Manchester, it was evident that the talented, enthusiastic drummer (Eoghan Clifford) was the right man for the job.
With a strong first performance under his belt, new bassist Steve Evans appears comfortable and ready to impress in his new role. Typically, Jonny struts his stuff with more energy than an Olympic swimmer on E.
It's imperative for a hard working, rock and roll band to keep their heads held high in all manner of situations, The Wheel are far from exempt from this. Whether they're taking on sixteen hour round trips to Elgin, working on new tracks or welcoming new members, they're constantly working and remain extremely optimistic about their potentially revolutionary future.
Elgin's Mad Ferret festival is quite possibly one of the most obscure events that I've attended. The festival is located on a farm a few miles from Elgin, surrounded by fields; abandoned tractors and strangely situated green houses. After assessing the situation, sitting in hammocks, setting up equipment and chatting to the locals, the lads headed back to the hotel for some hefty, Scottish scran.

Refreshed and ready to go, it was time to head back to the farm and headline the festival. Roaring on to stage with the typically fiery 'She's A Weapon', 'Racket' and 'Lucy the Castle', the boys got proceedings under way with a bang. Steve soon found comfort in his new surroundings; it's safe to say the band sounded tight, especially considering the short space of time they've had to get their songs polished off to perfection.

'One Night On The Street' sent pulses racing and 'We Are Us' was blasted out with more explosive, punk – energy than ever. The Wheel is indeed spinning folks, it's a certainty. The new track, 'Do It Again' offers a blend of raw, characteristic rock and roll that Twisted Wheel fans know and love. It definitely provided proof that their much anticipated, second album will be something to get your hands on. Despite not being played on the night, new tracks 'Turnaround' and 'Postman' are both sounding equally ace.

'Tell The Word' is a blistering, rock and roll anthem that was originally recorded in America, together with their debut album. Having being missed off the final track list, it was offered as a free download for thousands of fans to take advantage of. Following an impressive rendition of 'Let Them Have It All', 'Tell The World' sounded superb live. Boys and girls who've seen Wheel in action will be familiar with the infectious B-side 'Bang Of The Beat', Jonny's solo rendition to the people of Elgin was revelled in.

Elgin is a characteristic place, filled with a range of characteristic folk. During 'Bad Candy', one chap found his way backstage to make enquiries relating to whether Twisted Wheel were the last band on. I subsequently informed him that they were indeed the last band on, I was then met with the nifty sentence, “Good, because they're fuckin' brilliant”. This was followed by a short jig, before the fan returned to the gig. Top marks mate.

Next on the set list was the brand new song 'Poppy Love', which is shaping up to be a classic. Well knows anthems such as 'What's Your Name?' and 'You Stole The Sun' came before the catchy, electrifying new song, 'UK Blues'. The excitable Elgin boys and girls in attendance knew all the words to 'Strife' and were delighted to hear the puck classic, 'Oh What Have You Done', which brought the blazing, heart racing set to an end.

Rest assure folks, The Wheel is still rolling at an uncontrollable pace. Heads are high, there are a number of tasty gigs coming up, new songs are sounding mint and there's a new record on the horizon. There's definitely more than enough vigour, drive, enthusiasm and talent that will continue to turn heads.

Check out Twisted Wheel, ladies and gentlemen

Twisted Wheel rock the Kasbah ~ Coventry (09/10/10)

Last night the good people of Coventry had a rare treat instore - to witness the remodeled Twisted Wheel, before they embark on the recording of their new album (to be released early next year). The band are only playing a handful of gigs before they lock themselves away in the studio, to bring you a feast of rock n roll at its freshest and its best - Wheel style!

The Kasbah had played host to the mayhem before, but last night, it was packed to the rafters, with everyone wanting a glimpse of rock n roll history, the first gig in England with the new line up. With the familiar chants of Wwwwwhhhheeeeellll - the band emerged onstage, and straight into 'Shes A Weapon'. From it's first chords, it was evident that the Wheel were an even more powerful, unstoppable rock n roll force, sounding tighter than ever. A re-worked 'Racket' followed with an extra verse that went down really well. More favourites followed - 'One Night on the Street, 'Lucy the Castle', 'Strife' amongst others, with a brand new song 'New Boy' (working title), and the brilliant 'UK Blues'.

The Wheel played for over an hour, they ran over their alloted time, but the crowd still wanted more. No one could deny that the night was a triumph. Long live the new Wheel!! 

Jonny Brown talks to this is Staffodshire + win tickets to the Twisted Wheel gig @ the Underground, Stoke

Popular Manchester band Twisted Wheel return to Stoke next week'

Lead singer Jonny Brown heads a new line-up and will be supported by local acts Faux Feet, Tequila Lips and Six Towns

Jonny Brown, the lead singer of Manchester punk band Twisted Wheel, has been through a tough time recently. His mum died this year and the band he had been at the helm of since early 2008 was starting to fall apart.
The 24-year-old admits it was a difficult period. But a few months ago, after two of the original band members left, Jonny asked drummer Eoghan Clifford and bass player Stephen Evans to join him and Twisted Wheel was reborn.
Together they have already played Ozzfest and the Dot To Dot festival.
And music fans will get the chance to see the reinvented trio, who are signed to Ignition Records, when they play at The Underground next week.
It is part of a warm-up tour before a headline series of dates early next year to promote a new album.
"Over the past few months the line-up has changed," says Jonny. "I've got two new members who are absolutely ace.
"Just as Steve (Evans) joined us, my mum went into hospital. She lived in Spain and passed away a few weeks ago.
"I was devastated. I spent four weeks away and just about managed to get the new line-up together but obviously, we couldn't rehearse.
"I emailed Steve and Eoghan and asked them to learn some songs while I was in Spain. When I got back, they were playing every song absolutely perfectly."
With the old band, Jonny toured with some of the biggest names in the industry.
Twisted Wheel was the main support for none other than Oasis and Paul Weller in recent times, as well as The Enemy and Kasabian among others.
Still, Jonny says he is more optimistic about the future than ever before.
"With the new line-up, we've got a new dimension to the sound," he says. "It's not been a nice time for me personally.
"We started out and toured the world so it's sad that it had to end but at the same time, what's happened has happened and I'm more positive than ever.
"The energy has doubled and people will be able to see that."

Twisted Wheel play The Underground, Stoke on Friday 15th October

 get your tickets HERE

+++++

Win tickets to see Twisted Wheel at The Underground

The Sentinel has teamed up with promoters Invention & Shakedown to offer a pair of tickets to see Twisted Wheel on October 15 at The Underground. Just answer the question and submit your details before noon on October 13.

What is the name of the lead singer in Twisted Wheel?

click HERE to enter the comptition

Twisted Wheel @ KU Bar, Stockton 30/07/2010 gig review by Bob Garner

Stockton Review by Bob Garner

July 30th. A friday night in Stockton-on-Tees at the K.U. Bar, home to tribute bands galore, although framed set lists from The View, The Enemy, Friendly Fires and other authentics line the wall. Still, touring rock bands are a rarity in this neck of the woods. It may have something to do with its distance from any major motorway but the fans are genuinely keen and appreciative. Five grown men come to the door thinking it's still a lapdance club but they're not too disappointed when they hear Twisted Wheel will be performing and probably not taking any of their clothes off. They part with their money, after asking me if it's going to be a good night.

There's probably a 60-40 male-female ratio which increases due to an incongruous dance night happening in the bar playing everything from Snoop Dogg to The Libertines.

Twisted Wheel have just arrived and genuine fans are in the bar and outside pestering Rick Lees and Jonny Brown for photos (new drummer Eoghan Clifford has yet to become familiar but isn't bothered by lack of attention). The lads willingly oblige most requests. Jonny, however,is invited to a premiere outside the gig. He gets very excited.

'Cool. Which Premier hotel is that?' thinking he's been invited to a Premier Lodge party. He is visibly disappointed to discover it's a red carpet film event. A good illustration of how Twisted Wheel are pure entertainment, as random and unpredictable as their songs.

They come on stage at 11.45pm with a feral yelp from Jonny. It's already hot but, within one hour, it becomes a Turkish bath. The band are keen to test out new songs they'll be recording over the next few months for their second album. These are real, ferocious and beautiful, losing none of the tight energy and structure from before but developing them into more expressive rock 'n' roll nuggets. Jaws dropped to the floor with the 50s style 'Poppy Love' and 'UK Blues'- about the effect of the loss of biting rock 'n' roll in the UK-was greeted like an old fave. Other songs such as 'Oh what have you done?' and 'You Stole The Sun' were sung back at them. New songs like the sombre 'Tell The World' and uptempo 'Do It Again' showed their increasing versatility.

This is a band who continually defy comparison and categorisation, making old songs sound even better and totally rejigging the rules of the game with their humorous swagger.

They also make a point in playing the smallest venues in the most forgotten about towns- but, after tonight in Stockton at least, neither town nor band will be 'forgotten about'.

Bio info:the Oldham trio cut their touring teeth, supporting Oasis, Kasabian, Paul Weller, The Enemy, The View, Pigeon Detectives, doing 246 tour dates last year in the UK alone, notwithstanding Japan but are about to go on a headline tour following the summer festivals featuring new and old material and showing their development and departure from expected 'indie rock'. By the response of the Stockton crowd, their courage will be well rewarded. The new face of a different punk is baring itself in the places that mattter.

Twisted Wheel main stage @ Y Not Festival, Derbyshire set review 31/07/2010

Tucked miles away in the middle of the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, music fans made their way to the annual Y Not Festival. With only cows for company, it was an excellent setting for this weekends shinanigans. Saturday being the undisputed best day's line up, sees Twisted Wheel storm the main stage at 8pm with the fans that had travelled miles chanting the familiar wwhhheeeeellll as the lads opened their set with 'Lucy The Castle', followed by 'Racket' and the magnifisent 'Shes A Weapon'.

The lads are on fire today, broken guitar strings (which nobody noticed), the bouncers getting heavy handed with the crowd down the front - with Jonny voicing his disapproval..........................................................................Newie 'Uk Blues' goes down a storm, with near riots in the crowd.........................................................................................If  you didnt make it to Derbyshire, Y Not? Your next chance to see the lads is at the end of August, over the Isle Of Wight, supporting Paul Weller at his Summer Madness event at Carrisbrook Castle. Tickets availalbe HERE

Y Not Festival Set List

'Lucy The Castle'

'Racket'

'Shes A Weapon'

'We Are Us'

'UK Blues'

'You Stole The Sun'

'Oh What Have You Done'

'Strife'