Twisted Wheel, 'Snakes And Ladders' (and rock'n'roll)
"The Music Scene Needs A Band Like Us"
Jonny Brown of Twisted Wheel
talks ups, downs, advice and new music with Heather Minx.
Photography by Trust A Fox.
Alternative rock heroes, Twisted Wheel, release a new album, 'Snakes And Ladders'. Ticket sales for the accompanying tour confirm that the love for Jonny and his band, is mutual. Bigger and braver than ever, they are perfectly timed for 2018 when guitar bands break out and the North of England's continued influence is further acclaimed (see trustafoxphotography.com for more confirmations, visually).
For Twisted Wheel, "snakes and ladders" is not just a board game, it’s a CV (of extreme ups and downs).
In 2007, Twisted Wheel were feral rocking kids from Oldham (six miles outta Manchester central), fronted by the precocious Jonny Brown. A latent fusion of elegance and rawness.
Their journey to 2018 is the stuff that music mythology is made of which classic British bands do so well, and eccentrically.
Along the way, they've united mods and rockers, retained their original fans while exciting and inspiring the new breed, winning fresh followers as music fans discover this movement.
Demons have been battled by a poetic soul, heroically, to get here, but then Twisted Wheel always were hard workers. They are rated alongside some of our globally reknown rock bands by believers, hence the "second-coming vibes" around this Spring's tour.
Twisted Wheel hit the ground running at inception.
Early anthems like the punky ‘You Stole The Sun’, the dirty rock n rolling ‘Lucy The Castle’ and the urgent newer wave 'She's A Weapon' still sound so brand new and NOW.
Such huge songs with ebullient energy earned them supports with Oasis, Paul Weller, The Happy Mondays, Ian Brown, The Courteeners, Kasabian and more.
Their first UK and European tours were sell-outs.
In 2009 they won the PRS Award for the young band playing the most gigs.
Constant British, European (and Japanese) road shows, with a thrillingly brilliant live presence built a solid (and faithful) fan base that have ridden the roller coasters of emotion and dramas of this story.
Helping to inspire CABBAGE and winning high praise from a number of musical icons, Twisted Wheel have been deconstructed and reconstructed throughout their story. Jonny Brown has fallen off the wagon, gone solo, and been kicked to the kerb.
All this and so much more before the band found their groove (rooted in raw honesty). Eternally a poet at heart Jonny rounded off 2017 with an acoustic 'Back in the Living' tour. The April to June 2018 tour dates are consistently being updated, due to demand. Some have sold out in advance.
2013 : Dirty rock n rollers; From a few years ago; 'Oh What Have You Done', live at Gorilla, Manchester. A reminder that sets the tone for the near future.
2018 : Twisted Wheel - Harry Lavin, James Highton, Richard Allsopp and Jonny Brown - are improved by the lessons learned from climbing the the ladder of fame then slithering down the snakes of wasted opportunity. Recently recording in Lancashire, they have built on their firm foundations with exciting new songs. Probably the closest to the bone that it gets. this year is set to underline their legend in timeless British rock, as a band that define their name.
Heather Minx interviewed Jonny about the struggles, triumphs and new hope.
H : "At the height of success, Twisted Wheel achieved remarkable things. What are your most endearing moments from those times?"
J : "I remember Paul Weller, the modfather, asking me to get up and sing 'Thats Entertainment' with him on stage at Silverstone Racetrack. It was immense and it went down and sounded monumental. This was after about forty gigs supporting him, what a geezer . We love him and hope to think he loves us. Also touring the UK and Europe with the mighty Oasis. Liam Gallagher once described me as 'a breath of fresh air' and dedicated Cigarettes and Alcohol to me at Wembly Arena. Can't forget the super mental Twisted Wheel headline shows, either."
H : "You’ve had demons to battle and have come to the other end. Has this struggle and regeneration informed your new music? If so - how?"
J : "It sure has definitely. Its defined me as a person firstly, but as for the music I often find myself writing about life, struggles and what I've been through. Saying that, it was self inflicted and causes a lot of pain to those closest to you. Would say to new bands breaking - enjoy the ride, but don't go one step too far! It ruins everything you have worked hard for and the castle you built falls around your feet. I've always been true musically and you're getting nothing but genuine real rock and roll on the new songs."
H : What was the catalyst that made you reform Twisted Wheel?
J : "I started Twisted Wheel up again because Why Not? We are a great band with some great songs. I am back on form and in many ways I am similar to the person I was when I first started the band. The music scene needs an essential band like us . Its unnatural to keep us down. We have built a massive loyal fan base from working hard and from continuous touring grassroot music venues, which are crucial to any band who wants to break.
We are maybe one of the only bands of our size who haven't received much radio play. At the time we broke in 2008/9 there wasn't a lot of guitar music on the radio playlists. Its a lot different at the moment and maybe the time is right. Like I have mentioned before, I've had my problems and there was no point in doing anything until I felt one hundred and ten percent . I'm healthy now and ready for action."
H : "It must feel amazing to get back on the road and see your fans again and gain new ones. What do you want them to know about the music and this tour?"
J : "I love our fans with all my heart. They have stuck with us throughout and hopefully on this first tour we will pull in a lot more. I want them to know we are real and these songs are from the bottom of my heart and my soul. They should expect a slight punk/mod sound as you can't wash away those things, but also some subtle, deep music as well as some classic rock anthems . Think Fleetwood Mac 'The Chain' meets 'Down In The Tube Station' by the Jam. And most of all, I MEAN IT MAN.
With enduring integrity and added wisdom in their musical genius Twisted Wheel can actually enjoy their own ride, as much as their audience does. Game ON.
facebook.com/twistedwheel/ | tweet @twisted_wheel
All images (c) Trust A Fox Photography. Extra words: Caffy St Luce
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