SPIES IN LIMBO

"...a thunderous, stinging, amps-turned-up-as-loud-as-you-want performance that makes your teeth rattle. It's compelling stuff- fast, dark, moody, turbulent and bloody first-class. If you're not immediately captivated by these young beatniks then you have to ask yourself some serious questions. Impressive."
- Narc. Magazine

"Dirty distortion and generous charges of grunge are the lifeblood of Spies in Limbo. On their self-titled two track EP, low registers, loose beats and dense rhythms recall the post-punk of Pylon and pre-Green era REM. Strange, when you consider the band are based in Tyne and Wear rather than Athens, Georgia, but their misty romanticism and lachrymose lyricism owes more to their American idols than their British peers."

"On 'Beautification' off-kilter guitar tunings and the sandpaper vocals of frontman Rob Murray yoke images of regret and resentment to the loud and catchy. And, on 'Man Over Boiled', the singer muses on the temptations of lust with a focus beyond his years: "It feels good but it means nothing / So look outside, and start again." Live, the five-piece power their stacked amps with a concentrated energy that rarely rests for breath, making them a worthy prospect both on record and stage." - Metro

"A gratifying wall of noise...Spies in Limbo already look like a band in complete control of what they are doing and it only takes a small leap of the imagination to envisage them on a much bigger stage than this."
- Artrocker

Calling to mind Interpol at their catchiest, Radiohead at their grooviest, and all shot through with an eccentricity and flare all of their own, it is a sound as equally unnerving as it is strangely familiar. The guitars and rhythm section are expertly channelled into dark lines of edgy harmony and discord, while the vocals and lyrics are skewed and disturbing, yet not without moments of light. This sound has evolved in the past year from a much more wide-eyed and perhaps innocent palette, which the band put down to the change in scenery and finding the right lineup. "The same influences have always been present it's just taken us a while to mould the tighter, darker sound." As Rob explains. . .

as their vitriolic energy and open enthusiasm makes for a thrilling live performance. "For the first time ever I just love playing the songs, it's starting to rely less on the audience and more just the love of being on the stage, and releasing all the pent up frustration of living in a pretty confusing world… when we stand on stage, we give it everything, no holding back and, love us or hate us, you can't take that away from us and we're going to continue to do so. I like to go to a gig and being made to feel slightly uncomfortable by a band's honesty rather than a performer who goes through the motions and is horribly self aware of what people are thinking of their music, or their choice of haircut. This is why it's important to me to put passion before polish, although combining the two is probably our strength."

The confidence Spies in Limbo have in their music is infectious and refreshing in a world of arrogant posers and bandwagon jumpers. The Reverend's and the Borrell's who seem to think being an egotistical twat translates as believing in yourself. The idiot parade that goosesteps to them might find the band's planned and business-like approach a turnoff, but it belies their dedication to pushing themselves as a collective. "I feel we have finally locked into what we do best and started to own a colour or two of our own", says Rob.

After a long time concentrating on the live aspect of the band, we will shortly be able to hear what they do best in recorded form. "I think the fact we've been working with a producer this time has made us work faster than we usually would and the results will definitely wipe the floor with previous efforts." The band are looking into setting up a way of recording and releasing new material much more regularly after a long wait for these new tracks, which they plan to release over the next few months. "We will always be a live band, that's where our strengths and passion lies but we all have a love of great records and we do hope to make one in the fairly near future. I feel we've reached the point where we're ready to record final versions of our songs and reach out to a wider audience, and then move onto developing new material. I believe if a band really nails their live sound and has a clear understanding of their strengths and weaknesses they should see the recording process as something to be enjoyed along with great gigs."

Spies in Limbo look set to play many more great gigs once their new recordings hit. They've already been confirmed as support to Duels at the Cluny in March, a band who share their tendency for frenetic grooves and catchy hooks, and the Art Koustik festival in France. What advice would they give to those who should be catching up? "I think it's important to step outside of your own music and really hear what other people are hearing, maybe standards would be a little higher if people were more critical of their own work, or maybe art is for everyone to enjoy creating, I don't know, I'm conflicted on that one…"

One thing there should be no conflict over: this is a band determined to develop and succeed no matter what the odds

- Narc. Magazine

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http://www.spiesinlimbo.com/scan10003.jpg - Rock & Folk magazine (France)

Micro-scenes seem to be all the rage in the UK right now, and Newcastle seems no different. Spies in Limbo follow in the footsteps as Maximo Park and Kubichek by creating brilliant tuneful and danceable art rock that has the potential to take them from local flavor to international faves. The band, who is currently unsigned, have a smattering of singles out and will be on of the featured bands at this year's NXNE festival in Toronto.

This Newcastle five piece is so good that we’ve already made them a 'Band of the Week.' This is indie dance done right, and I know there are people out there fed up with this genre, so if it really bothers you, then turn off the fucking radio and only listen to the good stuff – like these guys. It’s their dark moodiness that really sets them apart. - Stranded In Stereo