Parrington Jackson
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Parrington Jackson

Bristol, England, United Kingdom | SELF

Bristol, England, United Kingdom | SELF
Band Rock Rock

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Ents24's Breaking Band - Parrington Jackson"

Bristol boys Parrington Jackson bring guitar driven, experimental rock to the South-west and beyond, and with a new EP on the way, we thought it high time to feature the five piece as part of our weekly Breaking Band feature!

Naming themselves after the victim of one of the most famous unsolved murders in British history, Parrington Jackson are an eclectic mix of diverse musical influences. Life's many twists and turns, illusions and conspiracies, highs and lows are all explored in their music, while sonically they're clearly big fans of The Cure, Pink Floyd and Biffy Clyro. Through this amalgam of greatness comes a very distinct sound that is very much their own. The band's constant experimentation is stunning and their dedication to quality musicianship is, quite frankly, humbling. Latest track Think Like Them (available on the Ents24 MP3 player here) is the perfect representation of the band's efforts to date and is currently picking up some very impressive amounts of air time. Frequently featured on the BBC Bristol Introducing show, we wouldn't be surprised to hear a lot more from these guys in the very near future. - Ents24.com


"Parrington Jackson - Drapes (EP Review)"

Having read the story behind the band’s name I’m more than a little spooked. Parrington Jackson was a suave Bristolian cinema manager who was murdered by a gunshot wound to the temple; a gunshot that apparently followed a series of fictional gunshots during the film on screen at the time. The murder investigation spanned the decades and went as far afield as the US of A but none of the leads came to fruition. Years later there was a deathbed confession from a man named Billy Fisher, but to this day the murder remains unsolved. Without having heard a note of their music they had my attention. In an age in which there are so many throwaway band names this is something of a revelation.

Having listened to the music, with the lights on, I am still unsettled in the best possible way. ‘Drapes’ pitches military drumming, haunting guitar melodies and spectral backing vocals as a canvas for the icy caress of Rich Bromley’s vocals. While listening I was transported to the periphery of a medieval village; a raven circling above me at dusk, making me paranoid that I was being watched from all directions. ‘I Spy’ sees drummer Shane Tremlin break his veneer and up the pace, while bassist James Maggs dances across his fretboard like a tarantula after a can of Relentless. This track hints at an appreciation for the era of rock music when it was music and not mathematics. ‘A Bad Day to Cut Down’ relaxes the tempo again and is built around the ominous buzz of a synth and the delicate plucking of an acoustic guitar. There is a gradual ascension towards a crescendo, and of course there are more than a few bands who have ended a CD in that way, but in these hands it does not feel in any way contrived.

During all of my reviewing days thus far there have been a number of bands who have impressed me but only a handful who I have taken to my heart. The Hysterical Injury, Countryside and Light of Words are the first of these who spring to mind but I get the feeling that once I’ve heard more from Parrington Jackson they will be among this illustrious company. ‘Drapes’ offers a slap in the face with a half frozen mackerel; these three tracks are certainly hard to ignore. On their myspace the band state that “Although heavily guitar driven, Parrington Jackson are always looking to experiment and develop their sound.” Well that is, pun recognised but then swatted aside with a nonchalant swipe of the hand, music to my ears. Most definitely a thumbs up here. - live-music-scene.co.uk


Discography

Drapes EP - 2008
The Beyond Within EP - 2010

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Bio

Taking their name from the victim of an unsolved 1940s murder (in which a cinema manager was shot in his projection room - the shot timed to coincide with a shot in the movie that was being shown at the time), Parrington Jackson are a melting pot of varied influences, and are inspired by life's many twists, tales, woes and conspiracies. Influences include Pink Floyd, Jeff Buckley, Muse, Nirvana, Radiohead, Led Zep, Interpol, U2 and many more. After their first E.P 'Drapes' (which was immediately picked up by BBC Bristol Introducing and further received numerous airings), Parrington Jackson recorded their second E.P entitled 'The Beyond Within' and were invited back to BBC Bristol Introducing to promote and perform in a live acoustic show. All five members are equally dedicated and unified in their desire to succeed, and they are a band who are constantly striving to push the boundaries of mainstream music.