From The Provinces: Orphan Boy
Fuck boy bands. We need more Orphan Boy bands. Intellectual musicality that articulates our reality so effortlessly that all we need to know is that these are great dynamic songs from a gang of sound blokes. Engaging and convincing, they are no straight forward story of a band by any means, and all all the better for it.
Paul Smith (bass), Sam Carlton (keyboards), Rob Cross (guitar / vocals) and Chris Day (drums).
New single 'From The Provinces' is, as the band say, "an anthem for small, unsung towns. The lyrics, “satellites without gravity” refer to provincial towns now breaking free from the pull of the cities; they are culturally empowered thanks to the Internet age and can write their own chapters in British culture. Orphan Boy are right on the money. The Zine has been travelling out of London to feel what's going on (recently Essex, Leeds, Kent) – amazing how much they have in common on the music underground.
Loving the home made football shirt towns in the video (and incidentally, the Orphan Boy song 'Black & White (For You)' is the Grimsby Town FC anthem). The band wanted to use a Sunday League football theme for the 'From The Provinces' video because it represents the kind of DIY, Shop Local spirit that you see in small town music scenes. In their own words they "like the idea of the plucky strugglers succeeding against their more efficient and organised counterparts."
This Hacienda heyday tinted earworm is the second single from the forthcoming third album, Coastal Tones, an unflinching view of life on the fringes. Delivered with the poetic flair of John Cooper Clarke, frontman Rob Cross’ lyrical inspirations range from the bleak view of a Grimsby tower block to furious ruminations on the neglected realms of Scunthorpe, Doncaster and many other often overlooked Northern pastures. “I’ve always liked the idea of seeing the beauty in the mundane,” says Rob, who cites Jarvis Cocker, Irvine Welsh and Charles Bukowski as lyrical touchstones. Orphan Boy released their debut album, Shop Local, in 2008, followed by 2010’s Passion, Pain & Loyalty, both of which gathered radio support from the likes of Steve Lamacq, John Kennedy, Jim Gellately, Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens.
Like my ears, I also have got a soft spot for this band and hope they are having many a good time. I certainly have had at their gigs and though I was unwell when they played London recently, am gonna make sure I'm well next time. Five years ago they were giving me the time of day when I was starting to film and edit film clips like a nan on crack. I still do now, but have learnt to put my pint down when using the camera. Now thats progress.
Four years ago they were gone. What the f... ? I can't write like Paul Moody, he tells the must-read back story. The great outsiders of British Rock, indeed.
We're all moving on.
Orphan Boy, in the near future, are moving on to live appearances around the UK. Having previously stormed Secret Garden Party, Truck and Glastonbury Festivals (the latter being one of the best late night rock riot experiences there, ever) they really are recommended viewing.
June 18th Hitchin, Club 85 (WHAT a venue!), 20th Stoke, The Brown Jug. July 31st Derby, DE1 Festival, September 12th Manchester, Sound Control and watch out for new shows at http://www.orphan-boy.com/