Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
“Stripped back to fit in with the tiny basement of Centro, Cohesion’s songs began to breathe and show the talent that lies within them. It’s sign of a band’s confidence that they can take a sound so wrapped in the electric guitar and give the acoustic treatment and Cohesion’s confidence is sky high at the moment. Rightfully so too, if this set was anything to go by.” Cohesion – Centro – 7.10pm (CL)
"Cohesion followed with a powerful set of sparkling epic noise and spankingly tight tunes. They play like they're on the edge of madness and intoxicate the crowd before them, bashing them around the room with a belting mix of indie rhythms and massive drums. They oozed passion and exploded out of their tiny corner of the room." Chris Long, BBC (re. SWAP Festival Unstaged Garden Party at The Rampant Lion, 15th July '07)
"It's difficult to put a finger on exactly what's so brilliant about Cohesion[…]the optimistic, assured vocals, the way the bass wraps around everything perfectly[…]feel like an ice-cold beer on a blazing hot afternoon. Fresh from a crap day and tired out it takes just minutes before these uplifting, life-affirming songs have made me smile again." Cath Aubergine, Manchester Music (re. High Voltage showcase at Music Box, 31st Jan '06)
"Cohesion arrive straight from classic British Rock'n'Roll songwriting lineage armed with a healthy surfeit of confidently melodic cuts. These songs are lean, sussed, dynamic and loaded with the kind of emotional vigor that kicks home hard." Jay Taylor, Night & Day
"…you're totally gripped, as this sharp and well constructed track is one of the best indie-rock tracks High Voltage has heard over the past few months." 4/5 stars – Rich C, High Voltage
- Various Sources
Discography
Three-track EP 'Shadows In The Shade' released August 2006, received demo of the week accolade from Manchester Music - mastered for radio play, can be downloaded from www.myspace.com/cohesionuk
1 - Behind Closed Doors
2 - Can't Ignore
3 - Everybody's Got Someone
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
BIOGRAPHY
COHESION were formed in Levenshulme, Manchester in 2004 by singer-guitarist, Andrew O'Hara, and lead guitarist, Kevin McPhillips. After quickly establishing a sound that best showcased O'Hara's distinctive vocal style, they spent 12 months refining their songs and building a following on the open-mic circuit.
In 2005, they expanded their core songwriting unit, recruiting Geoff Burroughs on drums, followed soon after by Simon Harrison on bass. The addition of a rhythm section, along with the diverse influences that the new members brought, transformed O'Hara's gentle and emotive acoustic songs beyond recognition into upbeat indie pop tracks underpinned by solid rock beats.
COHESION's approach to songwriting remains the same – all the songs are crafted as stand-alone acoustic pieces and then the individual members stamp their unique personalities and styles onto them until each song reflects elements of their classic rock influences from the last four decades.
Crowned by O'Hara's soaring instrumental vocals, the result is a sound that is instantly appealing without being derivative or clichéd; that has enough strength of character to endure the latest fads whilst reflecting the vitality of their chart-topping guitar-pop contemporaries.
COHESION's continually growing fanbase is now hundreds strong as a result of an active gigging schedule across northern England. They have supported various ascendant acts including Towers of London, Lost Alone, Exist, The Holloways and Cansei De Ser Sexy; earning new support and acclaim from their diverse fanbases. This breadth of popular appeal is evident from positive feedback from MySpace fans and media critics alike.
COHESION have now completed their new three-track EP, Shadows in the Shade. It was immediately awarded Demo of the Week by Manchester Music, who described it as "cinematic, soaring Northern guitar pop at its very best[…]sometimes all you need is a great tune, and Cohesion appear to have a bucketload of them...MMMM½"
Your next opportunity to catch them is at the Boardwalk in Sheffield on 26th Jan. In the meantime, listen out for Behind Closed Doors online and also on club playlists, jukeboxes and radio stations across Manchester.
Links
