Crushing Blows
Derby, England, United Kingdom
Music
Press
Crushing Blows are possibly the best thing to come out of Derby in a long time, and this debut EP is the perfect introduction to a band that deserve any and all recognition they get. Comprising Chris Jones and a man who dubs himself 'Hurricane Andrew', the duo create a whirlwind of post-hardcore rhythms, jagged riffs and looped electronics. Twinkling synths open ‘Nightworker’ before bouncy riffs burst through the door and get you banging your head. ‘Liberate Yourself’ is all vocal harmonies and a taut, bass driven attachment, but the best is really saved to last. ‘Tie Them Down And Get The Answers’ is a brilliantly crafted track that sees math-rock guitars and an oscillating electro fuzz bubble under the surface. It may be a bit of a cliché, but it really is amazing that two guys can make such a joyful racket as this. - The Music Fix
Discography
2010 - Crushing Blows Self -titled EP
2010 - Nightworker single
2011 - I Dream of Becoming a Girl'
2011 - Double A side single Hiding Place / You Will Alway Be Lonely
2012 - 'The People You Will Never Meet' single
2012 - Second self-titled EP
Photos
Bio
With an arresting name like ‘Crushing Blows’ you could easily imagine this duo to be some kind of doom laden metal band. The moniker actually belongs to a far more accessible brand of indie pop goodness. Don’t let that description fool you though, ‘Crushing Blows’ are by no means lacking in intensity, as anyone who’s been to one of their gigs will tell you. Honing in on a perfect balance between musical craftsmanship, pop hooks and a passionate stage performance, their live show has fast become a talking point on the DIY music scene.
Musically they fall somewhere in between Battles and Broken Social Scene, yet their sound is far from derivative. Guitarist and falsetto vocalist Chris Jones uses a pedal board to create interesting and intricate sonic loops which he then furiously bashes his rhythmic parts over. Meanwhile, drummer Andrew Foster plays with immense precision and speed whilst juggling singing and often keyboard parts at the same time. Although the music is technically accomplished there is no compromise on melody.
The two met during secondary school and their musical collaboration goes back to Andrew recording Chris’ leftfield folk material in his bedroom. A long time in the making, Crushing Blows were originally intended to be a full band until they realized they could accomplish the sound they had in mind as a two-piece. After spending a year writing and fine tuning the intricacies of their guitar loop based sound, the band played their first show on New Years Eve 2009. Since then the band have been championed by the likes of Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq,Tom Robinson & Dean Jackson. They have played Y Not Festival, T in the Park, Liverpool Sound City & supported bands such as D/R/U/G/S, Cerebal Ballzy, The Xcerts & Max Raptor. In 2011 they completed a European tour with LostAlone.
They’ve had airplay on BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing, BBC 6Music & Amazing Radio – with Simon Raymonde (Bella Union) making their track ‘The People You Will Never Meet’ his Track Of The Week.
This coming November sees the release of the band’s second EP, with the first single off the EP already gaining some great press, and the band’s first UK tour.
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