The Temperance Movement

YOU KNOW ALL those times when a friend/magazine, so-called-expert has implored you to buy a new band's CD because 'It's Free-meets-the-Black Crowes-meets-the-Stones' and you think, quite rightly, that sounds splendid, what could possibly go wrong so you buy it and take it home and you play it and it sounds like tosh?

Yeah, well this is not one of those times. This is the story of The Temperance Movement, five guys, four of them in London, one in Scotland. In short, they rock. Big, sweaty, old-school, sincere rock. But like all the best rock bands, they roll, too. They have a swagger, a bravado. Soul.

This is a band that merges two highly valuable commodities; riff driven blues based rock and seriously impressive - nay spellbinding - musicality. Sure, it’s been a long time coming but, thank god, they’ve finally arrived.

Their songs seem to occupy wildly opposite extremes; wide angle panoramic vignettes or short, sharp shocks to the system. They all, however, have one common denominator – a stunning ability to deliver a message. The emphasis, lyrically, is always on aching, some might say painful, life issues – everything from heart-on-sleeve confessionals to a defiant, let's get back into the ring and take on all comers. Out of it all though, there is a sense of revelation, a feeling that these guys are actually writing about real life lessons learnt on the road to redemption.

It started, as these things so often do, by chance. Singer-songwriter Phil Campbell's impressive solo career should be well known to you. A Scottish Ryan Adams but with better songs his flight to fame being interrupted by the sort of obstacles only the music business can throw in your path. He was saved by an unexpected call from guitarist Luke Potashnik. We're starting a band, said Luke. A proper band. Bluesy. Rocky. A bit Black-Crowes-ish. Do you fancy it? His head said I'm not sure, but his gut said yes.

The we turned out to be Luke and Paul Sayer, two friends who’d known each other for some time. Both had been seasoned songwriters and musicians but were looking to step into something a lot more permanent. With Phil on board, they knew they had the foundations of something very special indeed.

Recruiting the perfect rhythm section took a little while longer than expected – the trio working their way through a few combinations until jamming with bassist Nick Fyffe and Australian born drummer Damon Wilson. The Temperance Movement was born.

In the 12 months they've been together, they've written plenty of songs. A well received five track EP, titled 'Pride' has recently been issued to soak up some of the interest and the album is good to go. It came together easily. They are just one step away from finding a home for it.

Although initially only intended as a filming of a band rehearsal rather than a proper video, the effortlessly brilliant EP track 'Only Friend' has become a firm favourite on YouTube leading to play listing on several clued-in radio stations. Live shows are selling out and touring is set to commence.

Says Damon: "People are loving our stuff - older people are getting the influences; Free, The Band, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, The Stones, etc - and the younger crowd, they just think it's a Black Keys/Jack White kind of vibe. They can see it's real and they get off on that."

So, this band knows how to rock but still produce music that is crafted and thoughtful, sun-kissed with extraordinary arrangements and breathtaking musical dog-fights. This is a band operating ahead of their years with room to spare.

Find out more about The Temperance Movement, gawp at videos, purchase the 'Pride' EP and listen to new tracks at:

www.thetemperancemovement.com

Questions/further information: derekoliver@thetemperancemovement.com
- Self